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Breaking News, June 19: Centre Approves MSP For 14 Crops; PM Modi To Visit J&K On June 20-21

Breaking News, June 19: Hello, readers! Welcome to Outlook India's live coverage of national and international events. From bomb threats across the country to the NEET-UG 2024 exam row to weather updates and the T20 World Cup, our blog brings you up-to-the-minute updates on the most significant news and developments.

Centre Approves MSP For 14 Crops
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Breaking News June 19 Highlights: Top Events Of Today

  • Union Cabinet Approves MSP On 14 Kharif Crops, 1.5 Times The production Cost | Key Points Read full story 

  • Heatwave: 'Treat Heatstroke On Priority', Says Centre To Hospitals; 5 Dead In Delhi In 48 Hours, 12 On Life-Support | Details Read full story 

  • NEET Exam Row: Congress To Hold Protests Across Country On June 21, Venugopal Writes To All Leaders, Officials Read full story

  • Delhi Burger King Shooting: 40 Rounds Of Gunfire, Gangwar Suspected; Bus Ticket, Charger Found In Victim's Pocket | Details Read full story

  • Delhi Court Extends CM Arvind Kejriwal's Judicial Custody Till July 3 In Excise Policy Case Read full story

  • Weather Updates, June 19: Delhi Sees Warmest Night In 12 Yrs, 5 Dead In Landslide In Assam Read full story

  • To Canada Parliament's 'Moment Of Silence' For Khalistani Extremist Nijjar, India's 'Kanishka Bombing' Reminder Read full story 

  • North Korea's Kim Vows 'Full Support' For Russia In Ukraine During Putin Visit Read full story 

Breaking News, June 19 LIVE: Top Events And Developments In Focus Today

Welcome to Outlook India's Breaking News Live Blog, through which we bring you real-time updates on major events and developments across the globe. Here’s a look at top events and developments in focus today:

Weather updates from across the country,

T20 World Cup,

PM Modi's Bihar visit,

Latest in Israel-Hamas war and more.

Top News Today LIVE: Rajya Sabha MP's Daughter Runs BMW Over Man Sleeping

A speeding car, allegedly driven by YSR Congress Party Rajya Sabha MP Beeda Masthan Rao, ran over a man sleeping on a pavement in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, causing his death, police said on Tuesday.

The woman and another lady accompanying her fled from the spot immediately after the incident, police said. The deceased has been identified as Surya, 21, a painter.

"He was sleeping on a pavement in Besant Nagar on Monday night, and a luxury car with a woman behind the wheel ran over him, killing him," news agency PTI quoted a senior police official as saying.

Breaking News Today: PM Modi In Bihar Today

PM Modi will be in Bihar on Wednesday, June 19, where he will inaugurate the campus of the Nalanda University in Rajgir. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

India News LIVE: Mumbai: Over 50 Hospitals, Hinduja College Of Commerce Receive Bomb Threat Emails

Over 50 hospitals in Mumbai including Jaslok Hospital, Raheja Hospital, Seven Hill Hospital and others received bomb threat emails. Mumbai Police said that the emails have been sent using a VPN Network.

Kohinoor Hospital, KEM Hospital, JJ Hospital and St George Hospital were also among those who received the threat. Police official said that the identity of the sender and the reason behind the threat are yet to be determined. READ FULL STORY

World News LIVE: UK Military's Bulk Carrier Sinks After Attack By Yemen Houthis

British military says bulk carrier Tutor sinks after attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels believed to have killed one on board, reports AP.

Delhi Weather News LIVE: City Logs Max Temp Of 44 Deg C, 5 Notches Above Normal

Hot surfaced winds seared Delhi on Tuesday as the city recorded a maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius, over five notches above the normal. Delhi also recorded its highest minimum temperature of this summer season at 33.8 degrees Celsius in the early hours of Tuesday, which implies that Monday night was the warmest of the season.

Delhi was on a red alert which, according to IMD's colour codes, demands urgent action. The city experienced heat wave to severe heat wave conditions in most places.

In Delhi's other weather stations such as Najafgarh, Pitampura, and Pusa the maximum temperatures crossed the 46 degrees Celsius mark. The relative humidity oscillated between 61 and 29 per cent during the day.

Latest News June 19 LIVE: Bengaluru Couple Orders Xbox On Amazon, Gets Snake In Package 

A couple in Karnataka's Bengaluru found a snake in the package they ordered online from Amazon App on Sunday, June 16. The duo had ordered Xbox controller from Amazon.

Sharing a video of the package on social media, the woman said Amazon's customer support put them on hold for over two hours, forcing them to handle the situation all by themselves "in the middle of the night."

Top News LIVE: IndiGo Chennai-Mumbai Flight Gets Bomb Threat

A Mumbai-bound IndiGo flight from Chennai received a bomb threat message. The flight landed safely in Mumbai around 10:30 pm.

IndiGo said, "IndiGo flight 6E 5149, operating from Chennai to Mumbai, had received a bomb threat. Upon landing in Mumbai, the crew followed protocol and the aircraft was taken to a isolation bay. All passengers have safely disembarked the aircraft. We are working with the security agencies and post completion of all security checks, the aircraft will be positioned back in the terminal area."


Breaking News LIVE: Bomb Threats To Flights, Hospitals, Colleges Across Country

Bomb threats have been getting received by hospitals, flights, colleges and establishments across the country over the past few weeks, with same happening on Tuesday, June 18, as well. From colleges in Mumbai and Kolkata to airport in Nagpur and even the Meghalaya High Court, bomb threat triggered alarm on Tuesday across states.

Weather News LIVE: June Rainfall 20% Below Average As Monsoon Progress Gets Hit

India has received 20 per cent less rainfall since the start of the monsoon period on June 1, with the weather system making no significant progress between June 12 and 18, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

However, conditions are now favourable for further advancement of the monsoon into parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, northwest Bay of Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand over the next three to four days, the weather department said.

India received 64.5 mm of rainfall between June 1 and 18 which is 20 per cent less than the long period average (LPA) of 80.6 mm, IMD said.

Since June 1, northwest India has recorded 10.2 mm of rainfall (70 per cent less than normal), central India 50.5 mm (31 per cent less than normal), the south peninsula 106.6 mm (16 per cent more than normal), and east and northeast India 146.7 mm (15 per cent less than normal), IMD added.

PM Modi In Bihar Today: PM To Launch New Campus Of Nalanda University

PM Modi, who will be visiting Bihar today to inaugurate the new campus of Nalanda University, said on X, "It’s a very special day for our education sector. At around 10:30 AM today, the new campus of Nalanda University would be inaugurated at Rajgir. Nalanda has a strong connect with our glorious part. This university will surely go a long way in catering to the educational needs of the youth."

Rahul Gandhi Birthday: Congress Leader Turns 54 Today

Hoardings and banners wishing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on his birthday have been put up around 10 Janpath (the residence of Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi) and party Headquarters in Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi turns 54 today.

Assam News LIVE: 5 Dead In Landslide In Karimganj

Five persons, including three minors, died in a landslide in the Badarpur areaof Karimganj, Tuesday night amid heavy rainfall.

The flood situation in Assam remains grim as over 1.61 lakh people of 15 districts have been affected by the flood, claimed 26 lives in the state so far. According to the flood reports of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), one person died in Hailakandi district on Tuesday after drowning in flood waters.

Bomb Threat Saga: Chennai-Mumbai, Delhi-Dubai Flights To Hospitals, Colleges Across India 

Bomb threats have been going to hospitals, flights, colleges and establishments across the country over the past few weeks, with same happening on Tuesday, June 18, as well. From colleges in Mumbai and Kolkata to airport in Nagpur and even the Meghalaya High Court, bomb threat triggered alarm on Tuesday across states.

The latest bomb threat was to a Mumbai-bound IndiGo flight from Chennai which landed safely at its destination at around 10:30 pm on Tuesday. READ FULL REPORT

Hajj News LIVE: Over 550 Pilgrims Dead In Heatwave

At least 550 pilgrims died during the hajj due as scorching temperatures makes the gruelling nature of the pilgrimage even more difficult this year.

At least 323 of those who died were Egyptians, most of them succumbing to heat-related illnesses, two Arab diplomats coordinating their countries' responses told news agency AFP.

"All the Egyptians died because of heat except for one who sustained fatal injuries during a minor crowd crush, the AFP report cited one of the diplomats as saying, adding the total figure came from the hospital morgue in the Al-Muaisem neighbourhood of Mecca.

Market Opening Bell

Sensex, Nifty hit new all-time high levels in early trade


Bengaluru News LIVE: Woman Orders Xbox On Amazon, Finds Live Snake In Package | Video

A woman in Karnataka's Bengaluru found a snake in the package she ordered online from Amazon App on Sunday, June 16. The woman had ordered Xbox controller from Amazon.

Sharing a video of the package on social media, the woman, Tanvi, said on X "Ordered an Xbox controller from @amazonIN and received a free snake with it!". Amazon's customer support reportedly put them on hold for over two hours, forcing them to handle the situation all by themselves "in the middle of the night." READ FULL STORY

Stock Market June 19: Top Gainers In Early Trade

Sensex, Nifty hit new all-time high levels in early trade for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. Opening after three days, benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty on Tuesday also hit their new all-time high levels in early trade.

Firm global market trends, buying in bank stocks and foreign fund inflows are being attributed as reasons for benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty hitting their new lifetime peaks in early trade on Wednesday.

The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 280.32 points to hit its fresh lifetime peak of 77,581.46 during the early trade. The NSE Nifty went up by 72.95 points to hit a new record high of 23,630.85.

Biggest gainers among the 30 Sensex companies were: IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank, JSW Steel, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and HDFC Bank. Titan, NTPC, Power Grid and Bajaj Finance were among the laggards. READ FULL STORY

World News June 19 LIVE: Kim And Putin Meet In North Korea

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met Wednesday in North Korea's Pyongyang amid their aim of expanding their economic and military cooperation and display a united front against Washington, a common foe.

Putin was met upon his nighttime arrival by Kim, who shook his hands, hugged him twice and rode with him from the airport in a limousine in a huge motorcade that rolled through the capital's brightly illuminated streets, where buildings were decorated with giant Russian flags and portraits of Putin.

India News LIVE: PM Modi In Bihar, Watches Ruins Of Ancient Nalanda University

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen taking a look at the ruins of ancient Nalanda University in Bihar. He will inaugurate the new campus of Nalanda University shortly.

June 19 Top News: Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Meets Dalai Lama

Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, house foreign affairs committee chairman Michael McCaul, and other members of the congressional delegation met Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama at his residence on Wednesda.

The delegation visited the Dalai Lama's residence in Himachal Pradesh's McLeod Ganj, with the head of the delegation, Michael McCaul, saying President Joe Biden would soon sign a bill that aims to press China to resolve the Tibet dispute.

Rahul Gandhi Birthday: Congress Leader Reaches Party Office

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with his sister and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, reached the party headquarters in Delhi to celebrate his 54th birthday today.

Mumbai News LIVE: Finger Found In Ice Cream Belonged To Company's Staff?

Days after a Mumbai doctor found finger stuck in an ice cream cone he was eating after ordering it from an online grocery delivery app, police have found a breakthrough that may answer the big question of whose finger it was?

Police have found that a staff at the Pune factory of Yummo ice cream suffered a finger injury in an accident, according to an NDTV report.

The investigation has found that the ice cream in which the piece of finger was found was packed on the day the accident occurred, said police sources cited in the report.

Police have sent samples for DNA test, and a confirmation on whether the finger belongs to the staff will be possible only after the report comes in.

Breaking News, June 19, LIVE: Former Haryana Congress Leader Kiran Choudhry Joins BJP

Former Haryana Congress leader Kiran Choudhry along with her daughter Shruti Choudhry on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister CM Manohar Lal Khattar and party National General Secretary Tarun Chugh.

Bihar News LIVE: PM Modi Inaugurates New Campus Of Nalanda University

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unvelied a plaque at the new campus of Nalanda University as he inaugurated the campus. The Prime Minister also planted a sapling there.

Andhra Pradesh News LIVE: Pawan Kalyan Assumes Charge As Deputy CM

Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan took charge as Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister here on Wednesday amid Vedic chants. The actor-politician has been entrusted with the departments of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Environment, Forests, and Science and Technology.

Rural Water Supply also is with actor-politician Pawan Kalyan.

Canada News LIVE: Canadian Parliament Observes 'Silence In Memory Of' Khalistani Extremist Nijjar

Canadian parliament observed silence in the memory of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, after which the Indian Consulate General in Vancouver replied by announcing a memorial service to pay tribute to the 329 victims of the Khalistani bombing of Air India Kanishka flight in 1985.

"India stands at the forefront of countering the menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat," Indian Consulate General in Vancouver said in a post on X.

"23 June 2024 marks the 39th Anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182 (Kanishka), in which 329 innocent victims, including 86 children, lost their lives in one of the most heinous terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation," another post read.

"A Memorial Service is scheduled at 1830 hrs on June 23, 2024 at the Air India Memorial at Stanley Park's Ceperley Playground area. @cgivancouver encourages members of the Indian Diaspora to join the event in a show of solidarity against terrorism," a third post read.

US Lawmakers Meet Dalai Lama: Former House Speaker Pelosi Says 'China President, You'll Be Gone...' 

Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was part of the US lawmakers' delegation that met Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala.

Pelosi, in an address after meeting the Dalai Lama, gave out a strong message to China. She said: "...His Holiness Dalai Lama, with his message of knowledge, tradition, compassion, purity of soul and love, will live a long time and his legacy will live forever. But you, the President of China, you'll be gone and nobody will give you credit for anything."

"Dalai Lama would not approve of my saying that when I criticize the Chinese government, he says, let's pray for Nancy to rid her of her negative attitudes. I hope he will indulge me today to say that change is on the way. As our colleagues have said hope brings some faith and the faith of the Tibetan people in the goodness of others is what is going to make all the difference...," she said.

Delhi Water Crisis: Water Minister Says She'll Go On Indefinite Fast From June 21 If...

Delhi minister Atishi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on water crisis in city, saying she will go on indefinite fast from Jun 21 if is situation not resolved.

Delhi Weather: City Sees Warmest Night In 12 Years

Delhi experienced its warmest night in 12 years on Wednesday with the minimum temperature settling at 35.2 degrees Celsius, over eight notches above the season's normal, the weather office said.

The previous warmest night recorded in the city was in June, 2012 when the minimum temperature settled at 34 degrees Celsius. According to a private water forecasting agency, Delhi, which was on red alert on Tuesday, may experience some relief from extreme heatwaves starting Wednesday.

On June 20, the city can expect light rainfall induced by a fresh western disturbance.

Breaking News, June 19, LIVE: Bombay HC Allows Release Of 'Hamare Baraah'

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday allowed the release of controversial film 'Hamare Baarah' after makers agreed to delete objectionable portions, Live Law reported.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday said it watched actor Annu Kapoor-starrer "Hamare Baarah" movie and found nothing objectionable in it that was against the Quran or the Muslim community, and observed that the film is in fact aimed at upliftment of women.

Odisha News: Curfew Continues In Odisha's Balasore For 2nd Day

Curfew remained in force in the northern Odisha town of Balasore for the second day on Wednesday following a clash between two groups over animal slaughter in which 10 people were injured, an official said.

The administration will review the situation on Wednesday night and decide whether to further continue curfew, the official said.

Commercial establishments along with private and government-run institutions remained shut while all the entry points to Balasore town are sealed, he said.

Breaking News June 19: Rat Found In Hershey's Syrup Bottle Ordered From Zepto

Recent in the series of incidents coming to light raising serious concerns about food safety and hygiene standards in India, a family recently shared their experience of finding a dead mouse in a bottle of Hershey's chocolate syrup ordered from Zepto.

Prami Sridhar, who shared the video, said three members of her family consumed the contaminated syrup and one had to receive medical treatment.

The incident reportedly took place last month when the family ordered Hershey's chocolate syrup to eat with brownie cakes.

However, they got suspicious when they found small strands of hair in the syrup and decided to open the bottle to inspect it. On emptying the bottle into a disposable cup, a dead mouse fell out of it. The video shows one family member even washing it under running water to confirm that it indeed is a dead mouse.

World News June 19 LIVE: Russia, North Korea Sign Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Russian state media report that Russia and North Korea have signed a comprehensive strategic partnership, AP reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin is in North Korea currently.

Bengal News LIVE: Actress Rituparna Appears Before ED In Ration Scam Case

Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at its city office on Wednesday in connection with the ongoing investigation into the multi-crore ration distribution scam, an officer said.

The actress was asked to present some "specific" documents related to her bank transactions, he added.

Delhi News: CM Kejriwal's Custody Extended Till July 3

Delhi court extends till July 3 judicial custody of CM Arvind Kejriwal in money laundering case linked to excise 'scam'.

World News LIVE: Senior Journalist Killed In Pakistan

A senior journalist was killed by unidentified gunmen near his residence in the Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Wednesday.

Khalil Jibran, associated with private news channel Khyber News, was targeted by the miscreants on a motorcycle when he was heading towards his residence with his friend in Landi Kotal town of Khyber district on Tuesday, a police official said.

India News LIVE: Encounter Breaks Out Between Security Forces And Terrorists In J&K's Baramulla

An encounter broke out Wednesday between terrorists and security forces in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The security forces launched a cordon a search operation in the Watergam area of Baramulla district on Wednesday morning following information about presence of ultras there, the officials said.

They said the search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists opened fire on the security forces.

There were no casualties reported in the gunbattle so far, the officials said, adding further details were awaited.

Mumbai News LIVE: Gangster Abu Salem Moves Court For Transfer To Another Jail

Gangster Abu Salem has filed a petition in the Mumbai Sessions Court to not send him from Taloja jail to another jail. The court will give its order on Abu Salem's petition on June 25: Alisha Parekh, Advocate of Gangster Abu Salem Abu Salem is serving jail sentence in the 1993 bomb blasts in Mumbai and other cases.


Delhi Heatwave News: 5 Dead, 12 On Life-Support

Five people have reportedly died over the last two days and at least 12 are on life support at Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital as city burns boils in heatwave conditions.

"22 people had been admitted after they suffered a heatstroke... five patients died and 12 or 13 patients are on ventilator support, an NDTV report quoted Dr Ajay Shukla, medical superintendent of the state-run hospital, as saying.

Breaking News LIVE: Bomb Threats Sent To Dozens Of Hospitals, College In Mumbai

Over 50 hospitals and a college in Mumbai on Tuesday received bomb threats via email. Several hospitals across the city, including Jaslok Hospital, Raheja Hospital, Seven Hills Hospital, Kohinoor Hospital, KEM Hospital, JJ Hospital, and St. George Hospital, have received bomb threats via email.

DCP Datta Nalawade told Outlook that an investigation into the various threats was underway. He added it was too early to conclude if the calls were a prank or a systematic coordinated attempt to create fear-mongering.  

At the time of the Lok Sabha elections in May, security was ramped up following a tip-off about a bomb blast at McDonald's in Dadar.

As the financial capital, headquarters of international corporates, banking sector and the house of the Hindi film industry, Mumbai has repeatedly been a target of terror groups. The city faced major attacks since 1993-- as revenge from the Dawood gang after the demolition of the Babri mosque--peaking in 2003, 2006 and 2008. The 26/11 attacks in 2008 where 10 Pakistani terrorists infiltrated Mumbai by the sea and laid siege at the landmark Taj hotel, CST railway station, Hilton hotel among other places, remains the most daring terror attack in the country.  

The last major bomb blast that shook Mumbai took place in July 2011, killing 26 people in South Mumbai’s crowded Opera House, Zaveri Bazar and Dadar areas. Since then Mumbai has experienced relative peace in terms of terror attacks. 

The BJP government has taken credit for clamping down against terrorist organisations, enhancing national security and securing Mumbai’s safety. At a public rally in Mumbai during the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled a time when average Mumbaikars feared getting out of their house as they were uncertain if they would return home in the evening. Announcements in public places alerting commuters and pedestrians to keep a watch on suspicious objects and look below train seats before occupying them were common occurrences. Modi said such announcements have disappeared since his government came to power at the centre and appealed voters to make BJP candidates victorious if they want to retain Mumbai’s safety.

(Inputs from Shweta Desai)

NEET Exam Row: Congress To Hold Protests Across Country On June 21, Venugopal Writes To All Leaders, Officials

The Congress party has announced plan to stage protests at state headquarters across the country on Friday, June 21, citing alleged irregularities in the NEET medical entrance exam and calling for justice for affected students.

In a letter addressed to state unit chiefs, Congress legislature party leaders, state in-charges, general secretaries, and other key officials, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal highlighted the pressing need to address the multitude of complaints and issues raised regarding the conduct and results of NEET-UG 2024.

Breaking News LIVE: 9 Killed, 46 Injured In Military Ammunition Depot Explosions

Nine people were killed and 46 injured in explosions at a military ammunition depot in Chad's capital, official says, reports AP

Breaking News LIVE: PM Modi To Visit J&K On June 20-21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir on June 20 and 21, where he will lay foundation stone and inaugurate 84 major developmental projects worth Rs 1,500 crore.

Breaking News LIVE: J&K Police Makes First Arrest In Reasi Terror Attack

Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested one person in connection with the Reasi terror attack that killed nine people and injured 33 others on June 9. The arrest comes after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case on June 17, following a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 

"One formally arrested in the Reasi terror attack. He's not the mastermind but played an important role in the attack," Reasi senior superintendent of police, Mohita Sharma, said, as reported by The Hindustan Times.

According to the police, accused Hakim Din, a resident of Rajouri, is suspected to have provided logistics to the terrorists for the attack. 

Kashmir News LIVE: Man Arrested For Snatching SPO's Rifle In Doda

A man was arrested for snatching the rifle of a special police officer (SPO) in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Wednesday, officials said.

The weapon has been recovered.

A joint team of the police and the Army launched a search operation to trace Mohd Rafi who snatched the AK-47 rifle of the SPO from Doda on Tuesday, they said.

Rafi was arrested from the Masri forest area by a joint team of the police and the Army, the officials said.

(PTI Inputs)

World News LIVE: Far-Right Leader Bardella Backpedals On Taking France Out Of NATO Strategic Military Command

The far-right leader angling to become prime minister after France's upcoming parliamentary election backtracked Wednesday on his party's previous promise to pull out of NATO's strategic military command.

National Rally president Jordan Bardella said at the Eurosatory arms trade show outside Paris in Villepinte that he “doesn't plan to question the commitments France has made on the international stage” if voters give his far-right party a majority that enables him to lead a new government, in what would be an awkward power-sharing arrangement with President Emmanuel Macron.

Referring to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Bardella said that "France mustn't leave NATO's military command while we are at war, because it would considerably weaken France's responsibility on the European scene and, obviously, its credibility with regard to its allies.”

The comments pulled back from a campaign promise made by his party in its manifesto for the 2022 French presidential election. “The priority will be to leave the integrated NATO command,” the 2022 manifesto read, a move that would have taken French military staff out of the NATO body that plans operations, and weakened France's role and influence within NATO.

(With AP Inputs)

National News LIVE: Govt Announces 7,500 Permanent Jobs In Gujarat

A day after detaining over 300 government job aspirants who staged protest in Gujarat's Gandhinagar seeking their recruitment, the Gujarat government announced 7,500 permanent teaching recruits for secondary and higher secondary schools, Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, police detained around 300 government job aspirants in Gujarat's Gandhinagar who have cleared the examination but yet not employed as school teachers as they held a protest demanding their recruitment.

Protestors claimed they have been sitting idle at home since considerable time because the state government was not keen on recruiting TET/TAT candidates as regular teachers.

Breaking News LIVE: RBI Cancels Licence Of Mumbai-Based The City Co-Operative Bank

The Reserve Bank on Wednesday cancelled the licence of The City Co-operative Bank, Maharashtra for lacking adequate capital and earning prospects.

The Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra has also been asked to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator, RBI said.

According to RBI, the cooperative bank ceases to carry on banking operations with effect from the close of business hours on June 19, 2024.

On liquidation, every depositor would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of his/her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5 lakh only from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

(With PTI Inputs)

Breaking News LIVE: Centre Approves MSP For 14 Crops

The Union Cabinet has approved a minimum support price of at least cost plus 50% for 14 crops ahead of the Kharif sowing season. The minimum support price of paddy has been increased by ₹ 117, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a Cabinet briefing on Wednesday.  

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always given preference to farmers. The first decision in the third term was taken for farmers. In today's Cabinet meeting also, a very important decision was taken for the welfare of farmers. The Kharif season is beginning and the Cabinet has approved a minimum support price of 14 crops for the season," Vaishnaw said. 

Breaking News LIVE: I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces Mega Projects

- Cabinet Approved Port, Wind Energy & Airport Projects Worth Rs 86,522 Cr.

- It approved development of greenfield deep draft port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra for Rs 76,200 crore.

- It approved 1 GW offshore wind energy projects in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu with total outlay of Rs 7,453 Cr.

- It approved Rs 2,869.65 Cr proposal for Varanasi airport development, including new terminal, runway extension.

Breaking News LIVE: Jharkhand Cabinet Approves Salary Hike Of CM, Ministers, MLAs By Up To 50%

The Jharkhand government on Wednesday approved a proposal to increase the salaries and other perks of the chief minister, leader of opposition, speaker, ministers, and legislators by up to 50 per cent.

While legislators will receive a maximum salary hike of 50 per cent, CM and ministers will see increases of about 25 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively. The approval was granted during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Champai Soren.

The basic salary of the CM has been increased from Rs 80,000 per month to Rs 1 lakh. Ministers' salaries have been raised from Rs 65,000 to Rs 85,000, and legislators' pay from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000.

The Speaker's basic salary has increased from Rs 78,000 per month to Rs 98,000, the leader of opposition's from Rs 65,000 to Rs 85,000, and the chief whip's from Rs 55,000 to Rs 75,000.

National News LIVE: First Andhra Pradesh Assembly Session Likely From June 21

The first session of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, after the TDP-led coalition came to power in the state, is likely to commence on June 21. Though initially it was decided to convene from June 24, it has been advanced to Friday, a TDP source told PTI on Wednesday.

Senior TDP leader G Butchaiah Chowdary is likely to officiate the first session as the pro-tem speaker, the source said.

The two-day session is expected to witness the swearing-in of MLAs and also the election of speaker and deputy speaker.

The NDA alliance of TDP, BJP and Janasena formed the new government in the southern state after sweeping the 2024 polls.

Education News LIVE: DU To Start PG Admissions For 2024-25 From June 22

Delhi University will announce the first round of seat allocation for postgraduate programmes for the 2024-25 academic session from June 22, according to the admission schedule released on Wednesday.

The declaration of the first round of seat allotment will begin at the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS) portal at 5 pm.

Candidates will be given time till June 27 to accept their choice of seat allotment. The last date to make online payment for the same is June 28 till 4.59 pm, according to the schedule.

The second round of seat allotment will begin from July 2 and mid-entry window will open from July 11.

The third round of seat allocation for admissions to the Delhi University along with admissions under supernumerary quotas will commence from July 16. The last date for making payment for the third round is set for July 21.

(PTI Inputs)