New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a three-nation State Visit to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia from June 15 to 19, aimed at strengthening India’s bilateral and strategic partnerships with key global partners, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday.At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, PM Modi will begin his tour with an official visit to Cyprus on June 15–16.This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Mediterranean nation in over two decades. During his stay in Nicosia, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Christodoulides and engage with business leaders in Limassol.”The visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India’s engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union,” the MEA said in a statement.In the second leg of the visit, PM Modi will travel to Kananaskis, Canada, on June 16–17 at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to participate in the G-7 Summit.This marks PM Modi’s sixth consecutive participation in the G-7 Summit, where he will engage with G-7 leaders, invited outreach partners, and heads of international organisations.The discussions are expected to focus on pressing global issues, including energy security, technological innovation, the AI-energy nexus, and quantum-related challenges.He is also scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit.Concluding his tour, PM Modi will make a historic visit to Croatia on June 18, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. The visit comes at the invitation of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and is seen as a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship.PM Modi will meet with Prime Minister Plenkovic and hold talks with Croatian President Zoran Milanovic.”The visit to Croatia will also underscore India’s commitment to further strengthening its engagement with partners in the European Union,” the MEA added.–IANSsd/rad

Bengaluru, June 14 (IANS) The BJP alleged on Saturday that the Karnataka government has no…

Kolkata, June 14 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has unearthed fresh evidence indicating the direct…

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) In a crackdown on radical networks, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday carried out searches at multiple locations in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in connection with the Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) terror conspiracy case, the probe agency’s statement said.The raids were conducted at three premises in Bhopal and two in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, as part of the agency’s investigation into the case, also known as the HuT Bhopal case.The searches aimed to gather further evidence on the activities of members of the banned outfit.According to the NIA, several digital devices and other incriminating materials were seized during the operations.“These items will undergo detailed forensic examination to aid in the ongoing investigation,” NIA said.The case pertains to a larger conspiracy by Hizb-ut-Tahrir to radicalise and recruit vulnerable Muslim youth across India.The recruits were allegedly being indoctrinated with extremist ideology and motivated to resort to violence to topple the country’s democratically elected government and establish a state governed by Shariah law, NIA said.The NIA has reiterated its commitment to dismantling terrorist and radical networks operating in India.Investigations in the case are ongoing, with further action expected in the coming days.Hizb ut-Tahrir, founded in 1953 in Jerusalem, is a global pan-Islamic Salafi movement. Its Palestinian branch includes hundreds of members in the West Bank. Their organisation has recently been limited to activities of supporters among students in universities.The organisation sees world history as an eternal conflict between Islam and non-believers, with the state system considered a historical assault on Islam.The group views Jihad as an essential aspect of its vision and considers it an imperative duty aimed at combating disbelief until all submit to Islamic rule.–IANSskp/

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) The Congress party has launched a scathing attack on the Modi government after India abstained from a United Nations General Assembly resolution on June 12, which called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, calling it a “shameful betrayal of our anti-Colonial legacy.”This marks the fourth time in three years that India has chosen not to vote on a resolution critical of Israel’s military operations in the region, which have resulted in the deaths of more than 55,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children.Congress leader Pawan Khera voiced his condemnation in a strongly-worded post on social media platform X, describing the abstention as “an act of staggering moral cowardice – a shameful betrayal of our anti-Colonial legacy and the values of our own freedom struggle.”Khera’s statement invoked India’s historic solidarity with the Palestinian cause. He reminded the nation that India was the first non-Arab country to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) in 1974, hosted Yasser Arafat at the 7th NAM Summit in New Delhi in 1983, and formally recognised Palestinian statehood in 1988.“We stood for justice not as strategy, but as principle. But today, that proud legacy lies in ruins,” Khera wrote.He also criticised the Modi government’s shift in policy, pointing out that India had voted in favour of a Gaza ceasefire resolution in December 2024, but has now performed “a craven U-turn.” Khera accused the government of seeking “photo-ops even if they involve blood-soaked handshakes.”“A BJP MP’s recent theatrics of glorifying India’s support of Palestine exposes this abstention as an epitome of hypocrisy and this government’s schizophrenic foreign policy,” he added.“When India refuses to defend innocent lives abroad, we squander the moral capital that protects Indian lives abroad. The world does not listen to the nation that speaks loudest, it listens to a nation that speaks with clarity, courage and conscience. And India must never surrender that voice,” he added.The Ministry of External Affairs has yet to issue a formal statement explaining the abstention, but India’s consistent pattern of abstaining on Gaza-related resolutions signals a deeper alignment shift in foreign policy, one increasingly cautious of upsetting its growing strategic partnership with Israel.The abstention comes at a time when Israeli airstrikes have expanded across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and even Iran, sparking a humanitarian catastrophe and international condemnation.India had voted in favour of a UNGA resolution for a ceasefire in December 2024, making this a significant departure from India’s position just six months ago.–IANSrs/rad

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to declare the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2025 for undergraduate medical courses results on Saturday. The agency has also released the final answer keys for the NEET UG 2025.Candidates who appeared for the examination are advised to stay alert and keep their login credentials ready to access the results on the official website: neet.nta.nic.in.The final answer key, which has been made available, forms the basis for the compilation of scores.The NEET UG 2025 result will be hosted through the candidate login portal and will contain key information, including subject-wise marks, total score, percentile rank, and qualifying status.Those who qualify will be eligible to participate in centralised counselling for MBBS, AYUSH, BDS, and other undergraduate medical and dental programmes across India.To be eligible for the counselling process, candidates must meet the minimum qualifying percentile set by the NTA. In 2024, the qualifying percentile for General category candidates was 50 per cent.For candidates in the OBC, SC, and ST categories, it was 40 per cent.Those belonging to the General-PwD category had to secure at least 45 per cent. These percentiles are calculated relative to the highest score in the exam, so the actual cut-off marks may vary each year.Once the NEET UG 2025 results are published, candidates should immediately download and preserve their scorecards for future admission and counselling purposes.Qualified candidates will be able to participate in the Medical Counselling Committee’s (MCC) All India Quota counselling, as well as in respective state-level counselling processes.Candidates are advised to keep checking the official NEET website regularly, as the results could be announced at any time on Saturday.–IANSsd/rad

Ahmedabad, June 14 (IANS) In the wake of the devastating Air India Flight AI-171 crash near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which struck a hostel housing medical students, B.J. Medical College (BJMC) has announced the cancellation of all ongoing and upcoming internal examinations for MBBS students. The college has also called off the summer vacation for all medical faculty and doctors and asked them to assist in the care of the injured.The decision affects over 500 students, particularly those in the first and second years, many of whom were living in the building that was hit by the Boeing Dreamliner.More than 200 students, including MBBS residents, have vacated their hostels and returned home due to trauma and fear.According to sources at the college, at least 40 students who were present during the crash remain in a state of deep shock and distress.The examinations will be rescheduled once students have recovered from the psychological impact, officials said.”In light of the current mental and emotional state of our students, and the logistical disruption caused by the collapse of the mess-cum-hostel building, all internal theory and practical exams stand postponed until further notice,” a senior official from BJMC confirmed.The mess building, which housed both the students’ hostel and dining area, was directly struck by the aircraft’s wing during the crash.With the mess situated on the first and second floors, residents and interns have been left without access to regular meals and basic services.In a related move, the college has also called off the summer vacation for all medical faculty and doctors.The second phase of the summer break was scheduled to begin on June 13, but all medical staff have now been directed to report for duty starting June 14.The decision has been taken in view of the urgent medical demands arising from the plane crash and the ongoing treatment of injured victims at Civil Hospital, where BJMC doctors are on duty.Meanwhile, Vijay Rupani’s son, Rishabh Rupani, arrived in Gandhinagar from the United States on Saturday, while his wife, Anjali Rupani, returned from London on Friday via a special chartered flight.Senior BJP leaders including Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, Union Minister Parshottam Rupala, and several party members and relatives have been arriving at the family’s Gandhinagar residence to offer their condolences.According to party sources, the last rites of the late leader will be performed in his hometown, Rajkot.–IANSjhanvi/rad

Chennai, June 14 (IANS) The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will begin its state-wide membership drive on June 20, as part of a major organisational initiative ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin will personally meet party functionaries from all 234 Assembly constituencies as part of the programme titled ‘Udanpirappe Vaa’.The initiative was announced by DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi, who confirmed that Stalin plans to complete these constituency-level interactions before the party’s annual Mupperum Vizha celebrations scheduled for September 17.Under this programme, Stalin will interact directly with grassroots-level party workers — excluding district secretaries, whom he will meet separately.The meetings are being held at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in Chennai. The first session took place on Friday, where Stalin met functionaries from Chidambaram, Villupuram, and Usilampatti constituencies.Sharing a message on X, Stalin wrote, “To reach out to the people with the achievements of the government, to defeat those who are desperate to bring down Tamil Nadu, and to boost the party’s robust structure — Udanpirappe Vaa.”The Chief Minister is being accompanied during these interactions by a panel that includes R.S. Bharathi, party spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan, joint organisation secretary Anbagam Kalai, and deputy organisation secretaries S. Austin and Thayagam Kavi.Each meeting was originally planned to last five minutes, but several interactions were extended as Stalin engaged actively with the cadre.According to party sources, Stalin came prepared with detailed performance reports of each functionary, which formed the basis for his questions and discussions. He also sought suggestions and feedback to strengthen preparations for the 2026 Assembly polls.In a notable gesture, each participant received a signed copy of Stalin’s autobiography ‘Ungalil Oruvan’ during the meeting. An ‘opinion box’ has been placed at the venue to collect written feedback from those who wish to share ideas or concerns they were unable to voice during the meeting.“We will carefully review all the inputs we receive,” Bharathi said.Stalin also reportedly enquired about the level of coordination between local functionaries and district secretaries, indicating a focus on improving intra-party communication.The next round of meetings will resume on June 17.Stalin is expected to be in Thanjavur on June 15 and 16 for official engagements. The DMK president has already urged party cadres to intensify efforts at the grassroots level and ensure that the INDIA bloc secures at least 200 of the 234 Assembly seats in the next state elections.–IANSaal/skp

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) In a significant development in the ongoing efforts to curb criminal activity in the national Capital, the Special Staff of the South West District police arrested an externee who was found violating an active externment order.

The accused, identified as Manish, a 31-year-old resident of Brahmpuri, Pankha Road, Sagarpur, had been directed to stay out of the area for a period of one year under a legal order issued by the Additional DCP-I of South West District on August 27, 2024.According to the official press release issued by the South West District Police, the arrest was made on June 12, after a team from the Special Staff received specific information through a secret informer about Manish’s presence in the Sagarpur area. Acting swiftly, the team carried out a raid and successfully apprehended the accused from the locality.“During interrogation and verification of records, it was confirmed that the accused Manish had been externed for a year but was found in the jurisdiction of PS Sagarpur, Delhi, in clear violation of the externment order,” the statement read.It further added that legal proceedings under Section 53/116 of the Delhi Police Act have been initiated against him.The accused is a repeat offender, previously involved in four separate cases registered under the Gambling Act at PS Sagarpur and PS Tilak Nagar, Delhi. His persistent engagement in unlawful activities had earlier led the authorities to issue the externment order, barring him from entering specific jurisdictions within Delhi for a defined period.The operation was executed by a team comprising Head Constable Sumer Singh, Constables Mahavir, Suraj, and Ashutosh, under the supervision of Inspector Vijay Baliyan, incharge of the Special Staff unit, and overall guidance of ACP (Operations), Vijay Kumar.Following his arrest, Manish was presented before the competent court, and the externment monitoring cell was informed for further proceedings.Commenting on the operation, DCP South West District, Amit Goel (IPS) stated, “The arrest is part of our focussed strategy to crack down on habitual offenders and ensure that externment orders are enforced strictly to maintain public safety.”–IANSrs/rad

Nilambur, June 14 (IANS) With just three days left for public campaigning ahead of the June 19 Nilambur assembly by-election, the political battle is intensifying as top leaders from all major parties descend on the constituency.The Congress has fielded Aryadan Shoukath, while the CPI(M) has nominated former legislator M. Swaraj. Two-time Left-backed independent MLA P.V. Anvar, who resigned from the Nilambur seat following differences with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, is contesting again. The BJP has put forward Mohan George as its candidate.Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has already launched his campaign, while Wayanad MP and senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has also arrived to bolster support. Senior BJP leaders are also actively campaigning, turning Nilambur into a high-voltage battleground marked by sharp allegations and counter-allegations.Meanwhile, tensions flared late Friday night after police stopped the vehicle of Congress MP Shafi Parambil and MLA Rahul Mamkoothathil, inspecting their bags. State Congress president Sunny Joseph slammed the move, calling it “harassment of Congress leaders by the police.”Both Parambil and Mamkoothathil expressed anger over the incident, alleging selective targeting. “They stopped us, asked us to place our bags outside the vehicle, and then refused to open them. We insisted they open and check them in our presence and record it,” said Parambil, claiming that vehicles belonging to the CPI(M) and BJP were not subjected to similar checks.CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan and candidate M. Swaraj dismissed the Congress’s objections, stating that such checks are routine during elections. On Saturday morning, Parambil downplayed the incident, saying they had no objection to the inspection but questioned the inconsistency in enforcement.Election officials have said they are fully prepared for the smooth conduct of polling. The final electoral roll shows 2.3 lakh registered voters — over 1.13 lakh men, 1.18 lakh women, and eight transgender voters. A total of 263 polling booths will be set up, including 59 new ones compared to the 2021 Assembly election.–IANSsg/skp