India

Four Women Killed, Dozens Injured in Blast at Firecracker Factory in UP’s Amroha

Four Women Killed, Dozens Injured in Blast at Firecracker Factory in UP’s Amroha

Amroha (Uttar Pradesh), June 16, 2025 — A devastating explosion ripped through a firecracker factory situated in a forested area near Atrasi village on Monday morning, killing four women and injuring at least twelve others, as confirmed by local officials.The blast occurred at approximately 11:40 AM in two tin-shed structures operating within a field around two kilometers from nearby homes. Witnesses reported that debris was hurled up to 300 metres, sparking panic across surrounding villages.District Magistrate Nidhi Gupta Vats and Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Anand led inspections at the site. While the unit held a valid licence under its owner,…
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PM Modi Conferred with Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Cyprus’s Highest Civilian Honour

PM Modi Conferred with Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Cyprus’s Highest Civilian Honour

New Delhi/Nicosia— In a landmark moment for India–Cyprus relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, the Republic of Cyprus’s highest civilian honour, in a ceremony held on June 16. The accolade recognises Modi’s leadership and his contribution to strengthening diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between the two nation.Addressing the ceremony, President Nikos Christodoulides highlighted the significance of the award in light of shared democratic values and regional cooperation. Modi, in his acceptance remarks, dedicated the honour to “the 1.4 billion citizens of India,” acknowledging that it symbolises the collective efforts and achievements…
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Identification of Vijay Rupani’s Body Still Underway, Confirms Civil Hospital Official

Identification of Vijay Rupani’s Body Still Underway, Confirms Civil Hospital Official

Ahmedabad (National Times): The identification of the body of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani remains inconclusive, days after the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171, authorities confirmed on Saturday. Dr. Rajnish Patel, Additional Medical Superintendent at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital, informed reporters that DNA matching is still in progress and Rupani's remains have not yet been identified. “We have not been able to match the DNA sample of the former Chief Minister so far. The identification process is ongoing. We will notify the media as soon as his body is positively identified,” said Dr. Patel. Rupani was among…
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British F-35 Fighter Jet Makes Emergency Landing in Kerala Amidst Ongoing UK-India Naval Drills

British F-35 Fighter Jet Makes Emergency Landing in Kerala Amidst Ongoing UK-India Naval Drills

Thiruvananthapuram (National Times): A United Kingdom Navy F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Saturday evening due to a low fuel warning, according to defence and airport sources. The aircraft was part of the British Carrier Strike Group’s (UK CSG25) deployment in the Indo-Pacific region and is currently stationed at the airport pending further evaluation. Officials confirmed that the jet, which had taken off from the UK’s flagship aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, landed safely without any injuries or damage. More details on the incident are awaited. The emergency landing…
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PM Modi Embarks on Three-Nation Tour to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia

PM Modi Embarks on Three-Nation Tour to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia

New Delhi (National Times): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark today on a significant three-nation visit to the Republic of Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia, aimed at deepening diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships, while also reinforcing India's global stance against terrorism. In a statement ahead of his departure, PM Modi outlined the key objectives of the visit, which will span from June 15 to June 18. The trip will begin with a two-day official visit to Cyprus at the invitation of President Nikos Christodoulides. “Cyprus is a close friend and an important partner in the Mediterranean region and the…
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Uttarakhand Tragedy: 7 Dead as Helicopter Carrying Kedarnath Pilgrims Crashes

Uttarakhand Tragedy: 7 Dead as Helicopter Carrying Kedarnath Pilgrims Crashes

Rudraprayag (National Times): In a tragic incident on Tuesday, seven people lost their lives after a helicopter ferrying pilgrims to Kedarnath crashed in a densely forested area between Gaurikund and Sonprayag in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district. The helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation, was on a short 10-minute journey from Guptkashi to the revered Himalayan shrine. Authorities confirmed that all those on board, including the pilot, died in the crash. The chopper went down in a remote terrain, making rescue efforts particularly challenging. Inspector General (Garhwal Range) Rajiv Swaroop said that police personnel, along with teams from the National Disaster Response Force…
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India Distances Itself from SCO Condemnation of Israeli Strikes on Iran

India Distances Itself from SCO Condemnation of Israeli Strikes on Iran

New Delhi, June 14, 2025 — India has formally dissociated itself from a recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) statement that strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory. The official move underscores New Delhi's nuanced and independent diplomatic stance.The SCO, a China-led regional bloc, issued a statement on June 14 expressing “serious concern” over the escalation along with a “strong condemnation” of Israeli military actions targeting Iran. It described the strikes said to have hit civilian infrastructure as violations of international law and threats to regional stability.However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that New Delhi did not participate in the discussions…
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PM Modi Begins Strategic Three-Nation Tour After Operation Sindoor, Visits Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia

PM Modi Begins Strategic Three-Nation Tour After Operation Sindoor, Visits Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia

New Delhi, June 14, 2025 — In a strong diplomatic move following the high-stakes Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a pivotal three-nation foreign tour from June 15 to 19, covering Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia. This marks Modi’s first international trip since the military operation and is being seen as a signal of India’s sustained global outreach.Modi will first land in Nicosia, Cyprus, for a two-day visit where he is expected to hold high-level talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. His engagements will include discussions on counter-terror cooperation and Mediterranean connectivity, along with a keynote…
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Indian Students in Tehran Seek Evacuation Amid Israel–Iran Escalation

Indian Students in Tehran Seek Evacuation Amid Israel–Iran Escalation

New Delhi, June 14, 2025 — A growing number of Indian students studying in Iran have urgently appealed to the government for evacuation and safety assurances following the recent Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites near Tehran.Among those calling for help is Tabiya Zahra, a second-year MBBS student from Kashmir at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, who described being shaken awake by the blast: “Right now the situation is calm and we are safe, but we are feeling scared. The attack started at around 3:30 am and we felt the land shake.” Zahra and her peers voiced frustrations about a…
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Oxygen Leak Resolved, Axiom-4 Mission Rescheduled for June 19

Oxygen Leak Resolved, Axiom-4 Mission Rescheduled for June 19

New Delhi, June 14, 2025 — The long-awaited Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station is back on track after engineers successfully resolved a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket. Space agencies confirmed on Saturday that the new launch date is now set for June 19.The mission, which includes Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as pilot, was initially scheduled for May 29 but had faced multiple postponements due to technical issues. A final hot-fire test earlier this month revealed a leak in the rocket's liquid oxygen system, forcing further delays.Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX jointly investigated…
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