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Achira News
The Financial Express logo
The Financial Express
Jun 19, 2026, 03:30 PM
Gold Prices Plunge as Strong Dollar Index Reaches Highest Level Since May 2025

Gold Prices Plunge as Strong Dollar Index Reaches Highest Level Since May 2025

On 19 June 2026, the price of 24K gold at ₹147,000 per 10 grams, reflecting a loss of ₹2,390 compared to its previous close. Meanwhile, 22K gold is at ₹134,750 per 10 grams. Gold prices in India are largely influenced by international spot gold rates, US dollar fluctuations, and import duties on Gold among other things. Gold prices in India continue to remain higher than in Dubai. On 19 June 2026 the price of 24K gold in India is at ₹147,000 per 10 grams, while in Dubai it is ₹132,361, reflecting a difference of ₹14,640 or 11.06%. Similarly, 22K and 18K gold prices in India were also about 11.06% costlier compared to the price of gold in Dubai , not accounting for fees, duties, and taxes. Gold prices are trending down as the yellow metal extended sharp declines as the dollar index reached its highest level since May 2025. The safe-haven demand for greenback increased as the US Federal Reserve delivered hawkish commentary. A strong dollar makes precious metals like gold more expensive for overseas currency holders, thereby denting demand. The new US Fed chair Kevin Warsh’s commentary has reinforced market expectations of tighter monetary policy as nine of 19 US Federal Reserve officials forecast at least one rate hike for later in the year to battle inflationary pressures ALSO READ Gold, silver prices plunge: Hawkish Fed signals and rising dollar shock precious metals Market sentiment remains cautious as US Vice President JD Vance has postponed his visit to Switzerland, he was scheduled to visit the country on Friday. Analysts expect gold prices to trade with the negative bias as the dollar climbs to record high levels, dampening the appeal of non-interest yielding assets. Markets would watch out for commentary from the Fed for further cues on gold prices. “The recent volatility in gold and silver markets can be attributed to a mix of geopolitical risks and technical trading patterns, with investors balancing these factors against expectations of forthcoming economic data,” said Gaurav Garg, research analyst at Lemonn markets desk. “MCX Gold August is likely to drop to Rs. 146,200/10g intraday today,” said Jigar Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst at Indusind Securities. Retail investors are advised to track not just domestic rates but also international trends before making buying decisions. ALSO READ Gold, silver prices plunge: Hawkish Fed signals and rising dollar shock precious metals
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Dainik Jagran
Jun 19, 2026, 02:49 PM
Indian Parliament's Speaker to Decide Fate of Rebel MPs

Indian Parliament's Speaker to Decide Fate of Rebel MPs

The decision on the merger and disqualification of these MPs, who defected from the party to the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) amid demands from the Trinamool Congress to cancel the membership of 20 rebel Lok Sabha MPs, will be taken before the monsoon session. The speaker has already met a delegation of rebel MPs. The speaker had called party leaders to present their side of the story in connection with the letter given by the TMC on June 14 against the proposal to merge the rebel MPs with the NCPI. This delegation of party leaders, along with Kalyan Banerjee, Mahua Moitra and party leader in the Rajya Sabha Derek O'Brien, along with TMC parliamentary party leader in the Lok Sabha Abhishek Banerjee, met Birla. After meeting the speaker, Abhishek Banerjee told reporters that 20 people met the speaker and claimed to be a separate group, but later it was found out that they were not joining an unknown NCPI. On the TMCI controversy, Mahua thanked Abhishek Manu Singh, then the rebel MPs, for the decision on the merger of the NCPI with the NCPI.
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India TV logo
India TV
Jun 19, 2026, 02:45 PM
Trump and Meloni Engage in War of Words Over Photo Claim

Trump and Meloni Engage in War of Words Over Photo Claim

A bitter war of words has broken out between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump. Donald Trump recently met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G-7 summit in the Avian city of Franle. However, Donald Trump has now made a very strange claim about this meeting. Trump has said that Giorgia Meloni was begging for a photo with him. However, Meloni has called Trump's claim completely baseless. In fact, US President Donald Trump mocked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Trump said - "Meloni begged me to take a photo with her. She was very eager to take a photo with me. I don't even do that, but I felt sorry for her."
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DNA Hindi logo
DNA Hindi
Jun 19, 2026, 02:44 PM
China Begins Construction on World's Largest Hydropower Dam in Tibet

China Begins Construction on World's Largest Hydropower Dam in Tibet

China has started building the world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet. The dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River is also being called a water bomb for India. This hydroelectric dam of China is just 50 km away from the border of Arunachal Pradesh. The Yarlung Tsangpo River flows through the Tibetan Plateau. This ambitious project of China is said to be a matter of concern not only for India, but also for Bangladesh and Tibet. China is about to spend about 167 billion dollars on this big project. Once completed, this project will be bigger than the world's largest dam'Three Gorges Dam'and will generate three times more electricity. A 2020 report by the Australia-based think tank'Lowy Institute'said that the control of rivers in the Tibetan Plateau will allow China to strangle India's economy. Experts from around the world say that the new dam will divert the flow of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which flows across Arunachal Pradesh or Bangladesh, to India.
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The Daily Guardian logo
The Daily Guardian
Jun 19, 2026, 02:40 PM
Brazil's Lula Signs Decree to Freeze Funds of Illegal Online Betting Operators

Brazil's Lula Signs Decree to Freeze Funds of Illegal Online Betting Operators

BRASILIA/SAO PAULO, June 19 (Reuters) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has signed a decree allowing the government to freeze funds from companies operating illegal online betting (The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)
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DNA Hindi logo
DNA Hindi
Jun 19, 2026, 02:24 PM
Samajwadi Party's Turmoil: A Look Back at the 2002 Assembly Elections

Samajwadi Party's Turmoil: A Look Back at the 2002 Assembly Elections

There is a lot of talk in Uttar Pradesh politics these days about a possible break-up of the Samajwadi Party. Leaders of the BJP and its allies are constantly claiming that everything is not well within the SP and big political developments can be seen in the coming time. There is speculation of MPs to MLAs leaving the party. Amid all these claims and discussions, an old chapter of state politics is also being discussed again. This story is from 23 years ago i.e. in the year 2003, when the Samajwadi Party won power by making a big dent in the Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs. Actually, no party got a clear majority in the 2002 assembly elections. The Samajwadi Party became the largest party with 143 seats, but was far from the majority mark. The BSP got 98 seats and the BJP got 88 seats. After the elections, the BJP and the BSP joined hands and Mayawati became the chief minister. However, this alliance did not last long. The differences between the two parties increased and Mulayam Singh Yadav finally resigned from the post of chief minister.
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Dainik Jagran
Jun 19, 2026, 02:19 PM
One Vote Makes All the Difference: Woman Candidate Wins Election After Three-Year Legal Battle

One Vote Makes All the Difference: Woman Candidate Wins Election After Three-Year Legal Battle

In Hansi's Petwad village, the biggest example of the value of one vote in an election was seen. A woman candidate who lost the election for the post of panch did not give up, approached the court, and after three and a half years, the same election result was reversed. The election for the post of panch was held in November 2022 in Ward-2 of the village Petwad. The contest was between Kamlesh and Ritu. After counting, Kamlesh got 119 votes and Ritu got 118 votes. Ritu lost the election by just one vote. The matter did not calm down after the results were announced at that time. Ritu filed a petition in the court questioning the election process. After a legal battle that lasted for about 43 months, the court ordered a recount. The ballot box was opened on Friday at the BDPO office in Narnaund. The election story took a new turn when the counting of votes began in the presence of officials. Ritu's vote came out as 118, but Kamlesh's ballot was found to be completely blank during the scrutiny of the votes and Kamlesh's ballot was sealed two times later.
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The Moscow Times logo
The Moscow Times
Jun 19, 2026, 02:05 PM
Russian Government Auctions Gold Producer Stake to Construction Company Owned by Sanctioned Billionaire

Russian Government Auctions Gold Producer Stake to Construction Company Owned by Sanctioned Billionaire

A construction company owned by Chechen-born billionaire Ruslan Baisarov was declared the winner of a government auction to sell one of Russia’s largest gold producers, the news outlet RBC reported on Friday. Russia’s federal auction portal showed BTS-Most Holding as having submitted the winning bid of 93.16 billion rubles ($1.27 billion) for a 67.2% stake in the Yuzhuralzoloto Group of Companies (YUGK). The original value of the stake was set at 162 billion rubles ($2.25 billion). However, it was lowered significantly during subsequent auction rounds. Friday’s was the fourth and final attempt to sell YUGK after the first three auctions held over the past month were declared invalid. The auction price plunged to nearly 81 billion rubles ($1.1 billion) before the bidding war ensued among the remaining participants, the Vedomosti business newspaper reported, citing unidentified sources. Baisarov is under British sanctions as chairman of the board of the BTS-Most Holding, which specializes in transportation infrastructure. The U.K. accuses Baisarov of benefiting from or supporting the Russian government as the head of a strategically significant company. YUGK and its affiliates were seized last July on allegations that its former owner, the billionaire lawmaker Konstantin Strukov, had used his position in the Chelyabinsk regional legislature to illegally take control of the assets. The Russian government has confiscated hundreds of private companies worth tens of billions of U.S. dollars since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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Siasat News logo
Siasat News✓
Jun 19, 2026, 02:02 PM
Supreme Court Declares Right to Walk on Footpaths Fundamental, Congress Leader Calls for Right to Vote Recognition

Supreme Court Declares Right to Walk on Footpaths Fundamental, Congress Leader Calls for Right to Vote Recognition

As the Supreme Court ruled that the right to walk on a demarcated footpath is a fundamental right, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday, June 19, said how about declaring the Right to Vote also a fundamental right as it is of paramount importance in order to save Indian democracy from its present “death spiral”. In a significant verdict, the top court held that this right shall have priority over motorised vehicles on demarcated paths and it forms part of the right to movement guaranteed under Article 19 (1) (d) and other fundamental rights including Article 21 (right to life and liberty). A bench of justices P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar held that a citizen’s fundamental right to walk on a demarcated footpath is primary and shall have priority over movement by motorised vehicles. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “The Supreme Court has declared today that the Right to Walk on a footpath is a fundamental right. Bravo. Now how about declaring the Right to Vote also a fundamental right.” “It is of paramount importance in order to save Indian democracy from its present death spiral,” Ramesh added. The declaration by the top court on Friday came in an unfortunate motor accident compensation case where a father lost his five-year-old son while taking him to school. “The right to walk is a fundamental right under Part III of the Constitution. It is integral to the right to movement guaranteed under Article 19(1)(d), read with Article 19(1)(a), Article 19(1) (b), Article 19(1) (c) and Article 21 of the Constitution of India . “The fundamental right to walk will take within its sweep the right to demarcated footpaths. These rights are primary and shall have priority over movement by motorised vehicles ,” the bench ruled. It held that the fundamental right to walk on demarcated footpaths has a correlative duty and “if the road exists, there is a duty to ensure that there are demarcated and well-maintained footpaths for walkers”.
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Siasat News✓
Jun 19, 2026, 01:56 PM
Israel and Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire Amid Delays in Iran-US Talks

Israel and Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire Amid Delays in Iran-US Talks

: Israel and the Hezbollah militant group agreed Friday, June 19, to renew their ceasefire after fighting postponed Iran-US talks in Switzerland, three officials said. Word of the ceasefire came from two regional officials and a US official. The truce was mediated by Qatar, the US and Iran, the regional officials said. Israel and Hezbollah did not immediately comment. The ceasefire announcement came amid uncertainty over a new diplomatic process between Washington and Tehran. On Wednesday, June 17, US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining steps to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement paved the way for a 60-day negotiating period aimed at resolving outstanding issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. Initial talks were scheduled to begin in Switzerland, where US Vice President JD Vance was expected to lead the American delegation. However, Iranian state-linked media reported that Tehran had suspended the negotiation framework and postponed the first round of talks, accusing Israel of violating the understanding through military strikes in southern Lebanon. The reported suspension followed a surge in violence overnight. Lebanese authorities said at least 18 people were killed and 33 others wounded in Israeli air strikes across 11 towns, while Israel said it had targeted more than 80 Hezbollah-linked sites. .
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Dainik Jagran
Jun 19, 2026, 01:54 PM
BJP Morale Boosted by Rajya Sabha Victory, Eyes Assembly Elections

BJP Morale Boosted by Rajya Sabha Victory, Eyes Assembly Elections

The victory of Parimal Nathwani in the Rajya Sabha has boosted the morale of the BJP after the defeat in the assembly elections and the mediocre performance in the municipal elections. Parimal Nathwani was an independent candidate but the BJP had given full strength for his victory. The BJP took this victory as a semi-final before the upcoming assembly elections and with the victory of Parimal Nathwani, slogans of Jai Shri Ram were chanted from the assembly to the BJP office. The BJP-supported candidate with 24 members in the assembly got 28 valid votes while two votes were invalid. BJP state president Aditya Sahu said that this winning streak in the Rajya Sabha will continue now. He also said that the workers will come forward to increase the trust of the people in the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In such a situation, the hope of good days is visible to the BJP workers. Now the BJP will run programs in the districts to surround the state government on different issues. The defeat of the Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections has led to some disputes with the ruling parties.
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Dainik Jagran
Jun 19, 2026, 01:42 PM
Iran-US Peace Deal Reached; Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire Agreed Upon

Iran-US Peace Deal Reached; Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire Agreed Upon

On Friday, June 19, a peace deal was finally sealed between Iran and the United States, ending a long-standing dispute. At 4 p.m., a senior U.S. official quoted by Reuters news agency reported that Israel and Hezbollah had also agreed to a ceasefire. Earlier in the day, Hezbollah issued a statement saying that Israel has never fully adhered to any ceasefire agreement. Hezbollah alleged that Israeli forces were attempting to advance towards the Ali al-Taher hill in southern Lebanon, which Hezbollah fighters fought back. Israeli forces then targeted safe villages and civilian areas. On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning. He said that Hezbollah would pay a "very heavy price" for violating the ceasefire. After a high-level meeting with the defense minister and the army chief, the leader ordered the Israeli military to strike Hezbollah again. This came after a tense regional security situation.
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ABP News✓
Jun 19, 2026, 01:38 PM
Shiv Sena Celebrates 60 Years Amid Existential Crisis and Strained Relations with BJP

Shiv Sena Celebrates 60 Years Amid Existential Crisis and Strained Relations with BJP

Both factions of the Shiv Sena are celebrating 60 years of the party on Friday (June 19). However, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction is facing an existential crisis, the Eknath Shinde-led faction is struggling to retain its importance in an era dominated by the BJP. Once a strong ally of the BJP for 25 years, the undivided Shiv Sena was almost in the role of a'big brother'within the alliance in Maharashtra, but the power equation has changed since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014. The alliance between the two parties broke down just before the 2014 assembly elections. Less than four months later, they came together again, but their relationship has never been the same; they were always tense and it seemed as if they could part ways at any time. Similar was the case in 2019, when the Shiv Sena parted ways with the BJP-led NDA over the chief minister's post. After this separation, the party did not split into two factions.
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ABP News✓
Jun 19, 2026, 01:34 PM
Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Iran, Claims Military Weakened by War

Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Iran, Claims Military Weakened by War

The rhetoric between Iran and the United States does not seem to be softening. Trump recently issued a statement in which he said that we did not meet under compulsion. Iran did. Their game is over. We will wait 60 days. They will not get any money. Not a single penny. This statement comes at a time when there are reports of delay in the signing of the deal in Switzerland. Apart from this, the US President has also taken a dig at the statement of Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Donald Trump has clearly said that Iran has been weakened by the war. Trump has also reacted to the political criticisms which argued that this agreement has put Iran in a strong position. Donald Trump has claimed in his post that the war has weakened Iran. Now they have neither the Air Force nor the Navy, nor the anti-aircraft equipment, nor the radar, and on the other hand, the Democrats say that Iran's military capabilities are much better than what the US claims four months ago.
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India TV logo
India TV
Jun 19, 2026, 01:30 PM
TMC Leader Submits Petitions to Disqualify Rebel MPs Who Merged with Another Party

TMC Leader Submits Petitions to Disqualify Rebel MPs Who Merged with Another Party

TMC leaders today met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Abhishek Banerjee was accompanied by Kalyan Banerjee, Derek O'Brien, Mahua Moitra and Saugata Roy. During the meeting, Abhishek Banerjee termed the merger of rebel TMC MPs as unconstitutional. He handed over 20 petitions seeking disqualification against 20 rebel MPs of his party to Speaker Om Birla. Abhishek Banerjee told Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla that MPs cannot merge with another party on their own, so they should be disqualified. On the petitions filed to disqualify the rebel MPs, he said, "We hope the Lok Sabha Speaker will give us justice." After meeting the Speaker, Abhishek Banerjee said that the rebel MPs who have claimed to have joined the little-known Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) should be disqualified from the membership of the House on the grounds of leaving the party.
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Aaj Tak
Jun 19, 2026, 01:29 PM
Rahul Gandhi Celebrates Birthday Amidst Efforts to Connect with Brahmin Community

Rahul Gandhi Celebrates Birthday Amidst Efforts to Connect with Brahmin Community

Rahul Gandhi is celebrating his birthday today. Youth Congress workers in Banaras also celebrated their leader's birthday, but in a different way. Varanasi is the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and UP Congress President Ajay Rai is also from the same city. To celebrate his birthday, Youth Congress workers reached a ghat in Banaras, where Gangajal and milk were poured on Rahul Gandhi's poster amid chanting. The poster did not have a simple picture of Rahul Gandhi. The poster has a copy of the Constitution in one hand, as is often seen in Congress programs. But, in the poster, Rahul Gandhi is shown holding a turban in the other hand. Farsa is considered a symbol of Lord Parshuram. There is an attempt to connect the Brahmin community in politics on the pretext of Lord Parshuram. In the current politics, the Constitution is presented as a symbol of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, who is a symbol of raising the voice of the Dalits and the deprived sections of the society. Rahul Gandhi is trying to become a voice of the society.
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Dainik Bhaskar
Jun 19, 2026, 01:28 PM
Israel and Hezbollah Reach Ceasefire Agreement Amid Tensions

Israel and Hezbollah Reach Ceasefire Agreement Amid Tensions

A ceasefire has been agreed between Israel and Hezbollah. According to Reuters, the ceasefire between the two sides came into effect at 4 p.m. local time (6.30 p.m. Indian time) on Friday. A senior US official said that the US and Qatari negotiators reached this agreement with the help of Iran. The two sides agreed to stop fighting after Thursday's shooting. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump made a strong statement about Iran. He said, "Iran, not us, came to the negotiating table under compulsion. It's over. We'll complete the 60-day process and it won't get a single dollar." Trump claimed in another post that Iran's military strength has been severely weakened. He said that it now has almost no capabilities left. An interim ceasefire agreement to end the war between the US and Iran has been signed. Donald Trump signed the MoU on Wednesday night in Versailles, France, after the first talks between the US and Israel took place in Switzerland.
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DNA Hindi logo
DNA Hindi
Jun 19, 2026, 01:20 PM
Meloni Slams Trump's 'Childish' Behavior in Global Diplomacy Spat

Meloni Slams Trump's 'Childish' Behavior in Global Diplomacy Spat

In global diplomacy, it is common to have differences between leaders, but when it turns into a war of words, the matter becomes serious. In an interview with an Italian TV channel La7, Meloni claimed in her familiar style that she was probably very happy that Trump spoke to her. Not only this, Trump even said that Meloni was begging to be photographed with him, she was so desperate that she had to be photographed out of pity. Now Meloni took strong objection to this and expressed disappointment in Trump's understanding and his behavior. She said on Friday (19 June 2026) that such behavior with a global ally is surprising. She also pointed fingers at Trump's foreign policy and said that Trump takes a very soft stance in front of the real enemies of the West and America, but behaves in such a childish way with his own friends. If you look at this whole controversy from a political point of view, it is considered to be the biggest fanfare between the two presidents in Europe 2025. Meloni was never involved in the swearing-in ceremony.
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Siasat News✓
Jun 19, 2026, 01:20 PM
Italy Pushes Back Against Trump's Claim of Photo Begging

Italy Pushes Back Against Trump's Claim of Photo Begging

: The Italian government on Friday, June 19, slammed US President Donald Trump’s claim that Premier Giorgia Meloni had “begged” for a photo with him during the recent G7 summit, a pushback that suggested the longtime US ally had had enough of Trump’s boasting. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani abruptly cancelled a planned trip to the United States this weekend, calling Trump’s claims “serious and offensive” toward Meloni and all of Italy. For her part, Meloni posted a video calling Trump’s claims “completely fabricated,” which she concluded with: “Italy and I do not beg.” Trump had made the comments in an interview broadcast Friday morning on the La7 network. The La7 correspondent had asked Trump about Ukraine, but Trump raised Meloni and the conversation turned to their meeting, caught on video, during the just-concluded G7 meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France. Meloni and Trump were filmed speaking at several points, including alone on a small sofa. According to La7, Trump said Meloni had “begged” him for a photo-op. Trump said he wasn’t obliged to do it but that he felt sorry for her and agreed, La7 said. The broadcaster has a dubbed version of the conversation online, not the original English audio. In her video, Meloni said she was responding to Trump’s claims because “certain things deserve an immediate response.” “Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly stunned,” she said. “I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his own allies. After all, this isn’t the first time this has happened.” It was an apparent reference to an interview Trump gave to Italian daily Corriere della Sera in April in which he criticised Meloni’s refusal to back the US-Israel war in Iran . Meloni didn’t respond publicly at the time. By Friday, it appeared she had had enough of his boasts and broadsides. “I can only say that it’s a shame he doesn’t show the same resolve toward the enemies of the West, toward the enemies of the United States — toward leaders with whom he, on the other hand, is much more accommodating,” Meloni said Friday. “But there’s one thing he must remember: Italy and I do not beg.” Meloni had initially sought to build on longstanding strong US-Italian ties when Trump began his second mandate, and had positioned herself as a “bridge” between Washington and the European Union. She was the lone EU head of state to attend his inauguration. But relations have frayed over the US war in Iran, which Meloni has said was illegal, and Trump’s position on Ukraine , which Italy strongly supports. Trump’s tariffs and strong US support of Israel over its war in Gaza have been other points of contention. In addition to Meloni and Tajani, Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also rebuked Trump’s claims, saying he didn’t believe Meloni would ever beg someone for a photo, “not even under threat.” “I can, however, imagine how much it cost her to set aside what Trump had said weeks ago, to serve the interests of Italy, of Europe, and of the West,” Crosetto posted on X. “Jokes of this kind do no good to anyone: neither to the USA, nor to Italy, nor to the alliance.”
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Dainik Jagran
Jun 19, 2026, 01:12 PM
Congress-DMK Alliance Deteriorates: From 'Brother of Ideas' to Formal Greetings

Congress-DMK Alliance Deteriorates: From 'Brother of Ideas' to Formal Greetings

Former Tamil Nadu CM Stalin's birthday greeting to Rahul Gandhi is a vivid example of how a year apart in politics can transform relationships. While last year Stalin called Rahul a "brother of ideas," this time the congratulatory message was purely formal. The growing distance between the Congress and the DMK has become a deep gulf. The difference between the two messages reflects the current state of the Congress-DMK alliance. The journey from warm, friendly to formal, and personal to professional began after the Tamil Nadu elections. The Congress decided to ally with TVK (Tamilaga Vetrik Kazhagam), which angered the DMK. The DMK not only downgraded ties with the Congress but also did not attend the INDIA block meeting. Recently, it wrote a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker demanding separate seating arrangements. Rahul responded to Stalin's message with a conciliatory message, saying, "This will continue to show us the path to save our Constitution and save our spirit of federalism."
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ABP News✓
Jun 19, 2026, 01:07 PM
Rahul Gandhi Turns 56: Shiv Sena MP Predicts Congress Leader Will Form Government in 2029

Rahul Gandhi Turns 56: Shiv Sena MP Predicts Congress Leader Will Form Government in 2029

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Rae Bareli, Rahul Gandhi turns 56 today (19 June). Many leaders of the country have wished him on his birthday. Shiv Sena (UBT) is one of the major allies of Congress. Party's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut praised Rahul Gandhi and claimed that our government will be formed under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi at the center in 2029. On Rahul Gandhi's birthday, Sanjay Raut said, "Rahul Gandhi is the leader of the country. He is a popular leader. Rahul struggles today. Rahul speaks the truth. Rahul Gandhi's leadership has posed the biggest challenge to Modi ji. In 2029, we will form the government at the center under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. I am speaking to you. This is known to Modi and Shah. Due to this fear, the work of sabotage is going on. Today is his birthday, so the whole country is wishing him." Happy Birthday, @RahulGandhi You @RahulGandhi Good luck and continued happiness, health and success to you, "Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena MP (IDBT)
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Aaj Tak
Jun 19, 2026, 12:57 PM
Trump-Meloni Feud Escalates Over Fabricated Photo Promise

Trump-Meloni Feud Escalates Over Fabricated Photo Promise

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump's childish rhetoric. Trump, in his own words, claimed that Meloni had "promised" to pose for a picture with him during the recent G7 summit. Meloni called the comments "totally fabricated" and expressed disappointment at Trump's treatment of colleagues. Meloni reminded Italian Pride that "neither I made promises, nor did Italy." This public debate between Trump and Meloni shows a major deterioration in their relationship. Their strained relationship appeared to be improving during the G7 summit in France earlier this year, following differences over the Iran war. Trump, in an interview with Italian TV channel La7, said that Meloni was "probably happy" that she spoke to him during the summit. "Maybe," he said, "I don't need to pose for a photo with me." Meloni claimed that she had asked him to pose for a photo with her.
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ABP News✓
Jun 19, 2026, 12:57 PM
Trump Praises PM Modi, Calls Him One of His Favorite Leaders

Trump Praises PM Modi, Calls Him One of His Favorite Leaders

US President Donald Trump's praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent G-7 summit in Evian, France, is considered important for India-US relations. The US President had said that PM Modi looks cool, but he is a tough negotiator when it comes to the country's interests or trade-deals. After returning to the US, Trump has once again made a big statement about PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. In an interview to Axios, Donald Trump once again described PM Modi as a very strong leader and said that he is one of the world's leaders that he likes the most. He said about China's President Xi Jinping that he is a workaholic leader. He described China's President Xi Jinping and India's Prime Minister Modi as the global leaders that he admires the most. PM Modi and Trump met on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, during their first face-to-face meeting in 16 months on the shores of Oman.
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Aaj Tak
Jun 19, 2026, 12:57 PM
TMC Bank Account Probe Demanded by Rebel MLAs Amidst Corruption Allegations

TMC Bank Account Probe Demanded by Rebel MLAs Amidst Corruption Allegations

Trouble continues to mount for the TMC. The rebel MLAs have filed a complaint demanding a probe into the party's bank accounts. Former sports minister Aroop Biswas, calling himself the'treasurer ', wrote a letter to the bank officials requesting them to stop transactions from the Trinamool's accounts. Now, a new twist has come in the controversy surrounding the internal accounts of the TMC. Now, 10 Trinamool MLAs close to Ritabrata Banerjee have demanded an investigation into the transactions of some bank accounts associated with the party. These MLAs have filed a written complaint with the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station. The complaint specifically mentions the transactions of three accounts mentioned in Aroop Biswas's letter earlier and fears that they may have been deposited from illegal or opaque sources. The complainants allege that these accounts were used to carry out illegal activities such as fraudulent financial transactions, embezzlement, and illegal money collection. However, it is suspected that the money was transferred to the original banking systems by using digital means.
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Siasat News✓
Jun 19, 2026, 12:56 PM
Reliance's Jio Platforms Files Draft Papers for $4 Billion IPO

Reliance's Jio Platforms Files Draft Papers for $4 Billion IPO

Jio Platforms Ltd, the digital services arm of Reliance Industries, on Friday, June 19, filed draft papers for an initial public offering that is being billed as the largest ever, with a potential fundraise estimated at around USD 4 billion (about Rs 37,700 crore). Jio Platforms will offer up to 27 crore fresh shares, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP). This would amount to 2.9 per cent of the total equity base post issue. “The net proceeds of the issue are proposed to be utilised in …prepayment, in full or in part, of certain outstanding borrowings availed by the material subsidiary, namely, RJIL…and general corporate purposes,” the draft paper said. Sources said the company expects to raise around Rs 37,700 crore, making it the country’s biggest-ever IPO. The estimated fundraise is expected to value Jio Platforms at around USD 137 billion. IPO proceeds will be used for repayment/prepayment of outstanding borrowings of Rs 27,500 crore and general corporate purposes, according to a source. Jio Platforms has previously attracted some of the world’s largest technology and private equity investors. In 2020, Jio Platforms raised Rs 43,574 crore from Meta, the promoter of Facebook, for a 9.99 per cent stake, and Rs 33,737 crore from Google for a 7.73 per cent stake. In addition, Jio Platforms raised approximately Rs 74,745 crore for around a 15.2 per cent stake from a marquee group of global financial sponsors, sovereign investors and strategic investors, including Silver Lake, Vista Equity Partners, General Atlantic, KKR, Mubadala, ADIA, TPG, L Catterton, PIF, Intel Capital and Qualcomm Ventures. Reliance Industries currently owns 66.43 per cent stake in Jio Platforms, while Meta holds 9.99 per cent, acquired in 2020 through a USD 5.7 billion investment. The IPO will be the first public offer from the group since 2008 and the first-ever for a consumer-focused company within the conglomerate.
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Amar Ujala
Jun 19, 2026, 12:50 PM
Calcutta High Court Takes Notice of TMC's Martyrs' Day Rally, Schedules Hearing

Calcutta High Court Takes Notice of TMC's Martyrs' Day Rally, Schedules Hearing

In 2018, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court had passed a landmark judgment that no political party shall block the main thoroughfares of the city. The court had clearly directed that a portion of the road should always be open to pedestrians and vehicles. It was especially mandatory for emergency vehicles like ambulances to leave the road. The court had also directed the police to disseminate information about traffic diversions to the public through the media. The petition claimed that these rules were ignored during the TMC's Martyrs'Day rally. The petitioner said that the rally was held by completely blocking a main intersection in central Kolkata's Esplanade area. This caused immense inconvenience to the general public and brought the traffic system to a complete standstill. The petition states that this is directly in contempt of the earlier high court order. The high court has now taken serious note of this matter and has fixed the next date of hearing for Mamata Banerjee's petition.
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Kalinga TV
Jun 19, 2026, 12:47 PM
UKPNP Warns of Worsening Human Rights Situation in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir

UKPNP Warns of Worsening Human Rights Situation in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir

Muzaffarabad: The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) has alleged a worsening human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The party warns of growing public unrest, restrictions on civil liberties, food shortages, and increasing pressure on activists. These issues are taking place amid the region’s ongoing political crisis. The concerns were raised during an online meeting attended by senior party leaders and representatives from the UK, Europe, and PoJK. The discussions focused on recent protest movements and alleged human rights violations. Additionally, actions against activists and the broader political situation in the region were discussed. Participants expressed grave concern over recent incidents that they said had resulted in loss of lives and heightened tensions across PoJK. The party described the situation as deeply alarming. Moreover, it accused the authorities of failing to address mounting public grievances. A major focus of the meeting was the ongoing movement led by the Joint Awami Action Committee. UKPNP leaders argued that public demands could no longer be ignored. They also warned that the failure to engage with protest leaders risked further escalating the crisis. The party also voiced strong concern over what it described as increasing pressure on activists and civil society groups. Speakers maintained that peaceful protest is a democratic right. They alleged that attempts to suppress or discredit public movements were aggravating tensions rather than resolving them. Participants further highlighted reports of food shortages and disruptions in the supply of essential commodities. According to discussions during the meeting, transportation routes have been affected by prolonged sit-ins and restrictions. As a result, there have been delays in the movement of food and daily necessities. Quoting sources from the region, party leaders alleged that residents of Rawalakot, Kotli, and several other districts under Pakistani administration are facing severe restrictions and mistreatment. They claimed that the transportation of food and essential household supplies has been obstructed due to road blockades and movement restrictions. This has worsened hardships for local communities. The UKPNP further alleged that, despite the deteriorating situation, international human rights organisations have remained largely silent. They have failed to take meaningful notice of the developments in the region. Leaders warned that continued disruptions to the supply of essential goods, coupled with rising economic pressures, could push vulnerable communities into a deeper humanitarian crisis. The meeting emphasized that access to food, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and freedom of movement are fundamental rights that must be protected. Participants also raised concerns over alleged harassment, misuse of authority, and administrative failures. They called for immediate corrective measures. Concluding the session, UKPNP leaders said the situation in PoJK requires urgent international attention and a political response. They warned that failure to address public concerns could further intensify instability and public discontent across the region. (ANI) Also Read: US lawmakers push for genocide review of China’s actions in Tibet
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ABP News✓
Jun 19, 2026, 12:43 PM
Trump's Claim of Photo Request from Italian PM Sparks Debate

Trump's Claim of Photo Request from Italian PM Sparks Debate

US President Donald Trump has made a bizarre claim, which the Italian prime minister has called a fabrication. The Italian prime minister, Georgia Meloni, recently promised to photograph him at the G7 summit. The Italian prime minister, Meloni, immediately responded, calling it a complete fabrication. Donald Trump has given this statement to Italian media outlets. He said in a phone interview that Meloni had asked for a photo with him. He said that he agreed to it because he felt sorry for Meloni. Now once again a new debate has broken out about US-Italian relations. Recently, Trump and Meloni met in France. It was believed that during the tensions after the Iran war, the two Democratic leaders had tried to improve their relations. La7 channel said that he had told him in his TV interview that he did not need to photograph me.
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ABP News✓
Jun 19, 2026, 12:38 PM
BJP's Uttar Pradesh Organization Expected to Announce New Executive Amid Speculation

BJP's Uttar Pradesh Organization Expected to Announce New Executive Amid Speculation

The new executive of the Bharatiya Janata Party's organization in Uttar Pradesh can be announced anytime. State President Pankaj Chaudhary left for Maharajganj directly from Delhi on Thursday, so there is speculation that the executive can be announced anytime after coming to Lucknow. After several rounds of talks about the new executive of the BJP, the name has almost been finalized. According to sources, the state president has resolved by talking to the leaders who recommended him in Delhi. After which there is no problem. According to BJP insiders, this time the party can change all the regional presidents. Apart from this, there will be a change in the posts of general secretary considered important in the organization. Some new faces can also be seen in the state team. State President and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh have also met, in which one of his sons Pankaj Singh is an MLA, while the other son Neeraj Singh is also active in politics. His name is in the spotlight. The new team of the state is taking care of the entire caste harmony.
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Kalinga TV
Jun 19, 2026, 12:31 PM
US Lawmakers Seek Official Determination on China's Treatment of Tibetans

US Lawmakers Seek Official Determination on China's Treatment of Tibetans

Washington DC: Growing concern over China’s treatment of Tibetans has prompted renewed action in the United States Congress. Senior lawmakers seek an official determination on whether China’s policies in Tibet amount to genocide or crimes against humanity. This was reported by Phayul. According to Phayul, Congressman John Moolenaar is chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. He has joined as a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Tibet Atrocities Determination Act. The legislation aims to require a formal assessment by the U.S. government of China’s conduct in Tibet under international law. The bill was introduced by Republican Congressman Chris Smith and Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi. The proposed legislation directs the US Secretary of State to investigate whether Chinese authorities have committed acts that qualify as genocide or crimes against humanity against the Tibetan people. Speaking in support of the measure, Moolenaar said the United States should not ignore what he described as the Chinese Communist Party’s repression of Tibetans. Specifically, he referred to Tibetans seeking to preserve their freedom and religious beliefs. He argued that the legislation represents an important step toward accountability for alleged abuses in Tibet. If enacted, the bill would require the State Department to submit a detailed report to Congress within one year. This report would examine evidence of alleged human rights violations in Tibet. The proposed review would cover a wide range of accusations against Chinese authorities. These include arbitrary killings, torture, mass detention, and forced sterilisation. It would also examine restrictions on religious practices and the separation of Tibetan children from their families through state-run boarding school systems. Supporters of the legislation argue that these policies are part of a broader effort to weaken Tibet’s unique cultural, linguistic, and religious identity. This point was highlighted by Phayul. Lawmakers backing the bill contend that Beijing has intensified campaigns aimed at assimilating Tibetans into mainstream Han Chinese culture. They also say China is tightening control over Tibetan Buddhism. Additionally, the legislation calls for policy recommendations. These include sanctions and visa restrictions on officials found responsible for serious abuses, as reported by Phayul. (ANI) Also Read: Benjamin Netanyahu Vows Heavy Price for Hezbollah
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ABP News✓
Jun 19, 2026, 12:25 PM
Ramdas Athawale Blames Uddhav Thackeray for Shiv Sena Split, Criticizes Opposition Leaders

Ramdas Athawale Blames Uddhav Thackeray for Shiv Sena Split, Criticizes Opposition Leaders

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, while giving a statement on the split in Shiv Sena (UBT), said that he believes that 6 MPs of the party broke away because they did not want to be with Uddhav Thackeray. He alleged that Uddhav Thackeray made a big mistake by leaving the Mahayuti and siding with the Maha Vikas Aghadi and that aligning with the Congress-NCP was to take a decision against the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray. It is also being said that due to this reason the Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena are leaving Uddhav Thackeray. Ramdas Athawale said that if Uddhav Thackeray had remained in the Mahayuti with the NDA in 2019 itself, such a situation would not have arisen. He also alleged that the opposition leaders deliberately opposed the Women's Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill and betrayed the NDA. He said that now there will be a monsoon session of Parliament, in which the government can pass this bill with a majority, which will give justice to the women. Further, he said that Ajit Pawar is not in the NDA and when the municipal elections were held today, Sharad Pawar was in the NCP.
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Kalinga TV
Jun 19, 2026, 12:16 PM
Israel Vows to Strike Back at Hezbollah After Deadly Drone Attack

Israel Vows to Strike Back at Hezbollah After Deadly Drone Attack

Tel Aviv: Vowing to exact a “very heavy price” from Hezbollah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of four Israeli soldiers, including a commander. The soldiers were killed in the “heinous attack.” The Israeli forces alleged that Hezbollah had violated the ceasefire. A suspected drone strike killed an IDF tank battalion commander and three other soldiers in southern Lebanon. In a post on X, Netanyahu expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and extended wishes for the full recovery of those wounded. Additionally, he denounced the attack as a “blatant violation of the ceasefire.” He also confirmed that he instructed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to strike the militant group with “full force.” “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the commander of the 52nd Armored Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Dor Gadliah Ben Simhon, and of the three heroic fighters whose names have not yet been released. May their blood be avenged, and I wish a full recovery to the wounded in yesterday’s exchange of fire. Following the heinous attack by Hezbollah, which was a blatant violation of the ceasefire, I instructed the IDF last night to strike Hezbollah with full force,” he wrote in the post. The Prime Minister affirmed that the IDF successfully attacked more than 80 terrorist targets and eliminated dozens of militants in the wake of the breach. Furthermore, he added that the Israeli operations continued this morning. There was a strike on Hezbollah headquarters in the Bekaa Valley. “The IDF attacked more than 80 terrorist targets and eliminated dozens of terrorists. Subsequently, the IDF struck Hezbollah headquarters in the Bekaa Valley this morning,” he stated. Following a situation assessment with the Minister of Defence and the Chief of the General Staff, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel will not tolerate threats to its territory or military personnel. Moreover, he reaffirmed that Israeli forces will maintain a presence in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary. This is to protect communities in northern Israel. “The IDF will act to thwart any threat to our forces and our territory,” the Prime Minister stated, underscoring that his directive to the military is clear and unwavering. “This morning, I held a situation assessment with the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff. My directive is clear: Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks. As I made unequivocally clear, including yesterday: Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as required to protect the settlements in the north,” he wrote. His remarks come after Israel Defence Forces (IDF) carried out strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon on Friday. These strikes killed at least 16 people and left several more injured, Al Jazeera reported. Even though the Iran-US deal called for cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon, the strikes continued. In a statement, the IDF also stated that they carried out numerous attacks on southern Lebanon overnight. They said these were a response to Hezbollah’s “repeated violations of the ceasefire,” as per Al Jazeera. “The Air Force struck a short time ago at Hezbollah terrorist organization infrastructure in the Bekaa Valley, this in response to repeated violations of the ceasefire by the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which continues to advance and carry out terror plots against IDF forces,” the Israeli Air Force said. Additionally, Times of Israel reported that in another Hezbollah attack on Thursday night, five soldiers were wounded, including one seriously. According to the IDF, an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah struck forces of the Commando Brigade in Kfar Tebnit. (ANI) Also Read: JKJAAC accuses Pakistan of betraying signed agreement as PoJK unrest deepens
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Kalinga TV
Jun 19, 2026, 12:09 PM
Odisha's Politics Heated Up Over Delayed Social Security Pensions

Odisha's Politics Heated Up Over Delayed Social Security Pensions

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s politics heated up over the delay in social security pensions after Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik wrote a strongly worded letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, alleging that nearly 18 lakh poor and vulnerable people have not received their allowance for the past three months. Terming it a “major failure” of the state government, Patnaik demanded immediate resolution and said “technology cannot be an excuse to deny the poor their allowance.” He highlighted that elderly persons, widows, and persons with disabilities depend entirely on the monthly pension for daily survival, and the inordinate delay has pushed many families into distress and starvation. Citing a tragic case, Patnaik mentioned the death of Sabitri Dora, a woman from Beguniapada in Ganjam district, who allegedly died after not receiving her pension. “No technical glitch can be used to undermine the basic rights of the poor,” he wrote, criticizing the government’s claim of software-related issues. The former chief minister recalled his 24-year tenure, stating that his government observed the 15th of every month as “Jan Seva Divas” and ensured transparent pension distribution at the panchayat level. Those unable to collect were given doorstep delivery. He said the model was even praised by the Supreme Court. The BJD government, he added, had opposed a full banking system to protect beneficiaries’ dignity. Patnaik placed three demands before CM Majhi: Immediate manual disbursal of all pending pensions without waiting for software fixes. Action against officials responsible for the “serious negligence.” Assurance from the government that the rights of the poor will not be compromised in future. The letter comes amid growing discontent over halted welfare payments. With 18 lakh beneficiaries affected, the issue has become a flashpoint between the ruling BJP and the opposition BJD, as questions mount over the state’s social security delivery mechanism.
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DNA Hindi
Jun 19, 2026, 12:03 PM
FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran Accuses US of Imposing Travel Ban, Plans Complaint

FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran Accuses US of Imposing Travel Ban, Plans Complaint

In the FIFA World Cup 2026, on the one hand, there are exciting matches being played. On the other hand, a different controversy is going on. Actually, Iran's national football team has accused the co-host country America of imposing a travel ban. The spokesman of the Iranian Federation has said in an official statement on Thursday, June 18, 2026, that they are going to complain to FIFA against the United States as unfair treatment. Iran believes that technical staff and players are suffering heavy losses due to these US sanctions. Let's know what the whole matter is. Iran's football team is in Group G of the tournament in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the team's camp is in Tijuana, Mexico. However, many of Iran's matches are to be played in different places in the United States, in which the team played its first match in Los Angeles. But the controversy started when the USA, citing security and political reasons, issued a visa for Iran's team and the United States'football team. According to the travel guideline, Iran's football team will also be allowed to leave the country a few hours before their match between Iran and New Zealand.
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Aaj Tak
Jun 19, 2026, 12:01 PM
Pakistan Seeks UN Intervention Over Alleged Indian Violations of Indus Waters Treaty

Pakistan Seeks UN Intervention Over Alleged Indian Violations of Indus Waters Treaty

Pakistan has once again reached the United Nations against India. Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has appealed to the UN Security Council (UNSC) to pay attention to India. Pakistan alleges that India is violating the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan wants the UNSC to intervene in this matter and stop India. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960. It was made by the World Bank. The purpose of this agreement was to calculate how India and Pakistan would share the water of the Indus River and its tributaries. It was decided by this agreement. This agreement has been controlling the water sharing between the two countries since 1960. In April 2025, a major terrorist attack took place in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In this attack, 26 people lost their lives. After this attack, India took a big decision and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. India said that it is no longer a permanent representative of Pakistan in the UN. This is why Pakistan is not getting access to the UN.
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Kalinga TV
Jun 19, 2026, 11:58 AM
JKJAAC Criticizes Pakistani and PoJK Governments for Violating Agreement, Demands Concessions

JKJAAC Criticizes Pakistani and PoJK Governments for Violating Agreement, Demands Concessions

Rawalakot: The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) has intensified its criticism of the governments of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). It has alleged that authorities have violated a signed agreement. The committee also claims that authorities responded to public protests with force instead of dialogue. In a post shared on X, the committee claimed that the ongoing movement across PoJK has evolved beyond a conventional protest. It now reflects widespread public resistance. According to the JKJAAC, the region remains voluntarily shut down. Citizens continue sit-ins despite repeated crackdowns by authorities. The committee highlighted an agreement signed on October 5, 2025, in Muzaffarabad between representatives of the Government of Pakistan and the PoJK government. It argued that the document was a formal and written commitment rather than a verbal assurance. Furthermore, it accused the authorities of failing to implement its provisions. JKJAAC alleged that instead of honouring the agreement, authorities have intensified arrests and continued legal action against activists. Moreover, they withheld the bodies of individuals killed during recent unrest. The committee described these actions as a violation of democratic principles. It also questioned the government’s commitment to the rule of law. The group further claimed that public support for the movement remains strong. Repeated attempts to suppress demonstrations have failed. It argued that recent political developments, including growing public discontent, upcoming elections, and international protests, have increased pressure on the PoJK administration. In addition, the possibility of a long march has heightened the pressure. As a result, the administration is under greater pressure to return to negotiations. As a precondition for talks, the committee reiterated five key demands. These are: withdrawal of the disputed notification, release of detained activists, return of the bodies of those killed during the protests, termination of legal cases against demonstrators, and withdrawal of security forces from protest sites. The JKJAAC also called for any future negotiations to be conducted transparently and in public view, stating that previous agreements reached behind closed doors failed to secure implementation. (ANI) Also Read: Afghan Defence Ministry conducts overnight airstrikes against ISIS targets in Pakistan
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The Moscow Times
Jun 19, 2026, 11:51 AM
Andy Burnham Wins Parliament Seat, Eyes Leadership Challenge Against Keir Starmer

Andy Burnham Wins Parliament Seat, Eyes Leadership Challenge Against Keir Starmer

LONDON: Labour's Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, won a special election for a seat in Parliament and signaled Friday that he will use it to challenge embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leadership of the country. Burnham decisively won the seat of Makerfield in northwest England over Rob Kenyon of the anti-immigration party Reform UK, and called the victory a chance for Britain "to turn the tide." The result cements the status of Burnham, a 56-year-old politician nicknamed the King of the North, as the top contender to replace Starmer as leader of the Labour Party and the country. Burnham won almost 55% of the 45,510 votes cast for a field of more than a dozen candidates, over 9,000 more than runner-up Kenyon. Burnham's acceptance speech left no doubt that he wants to lead the country, and not just be one of the more than 400 Labour lawmakers in the 650-seat House of Commons. "Everyone knows that politics isn't working," he said. "Everyone can feel that the country isn't where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point." Starmer congratulated Burnham, writing on X that voters "chose Labour's campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate." But the prime minister insisted he would fight any attempt to oust him. "Yes, I will run, I will stand," if there is a Labour leadership contest, Starmer said. "I've said repeatedly I'm not going to walk away from that."
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