Month: June 2025

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday stated that India and Canada are working to reinstate the High Commissioners to each other’s capitals. The move follows efforts to normalise relations that had deteriorated sharply last year.

At a press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney had reaffirmed the importance of India-Canada ties during a meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. He added that both sides agreed to take constructive steps to “restore stability” in the relationship.

“We had issued a press release when we had the last meeting of PM Modi with Prime Minister Carney, on the sidelines of G7 in Kananaskis in Alberta. Both leaders then reaffirmed the importance of India-Canada ties based on shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law, and commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both sides agreed to take calibrated and constructive steps to restore stability in the relationship, beginning with the early return of high commissioners to each other’s capitals,” Randhir Jaiswal said.

“That was what was agreed between the prime ministers. Both countries are now working on this particular matter,” he added.

Diplomatic tensions between the two nations flared up last year after then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that his government had “credible allegations” of India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in 2023.

India had strongly denied the charges, calling them “absurd” and “motivated.” In response, India recalled six diplomats, including its High Commissioner to Canada, after they were labelled “persons of interest” by Canadian authorities investigating the killing. India also expelled six Canadian diplomats, including Canada’s High Commissioner to India.

Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.

With Mark Carney now serving as the Canadian Prime Minister after Trudeau’s resignation, both countries appear to be taking steps to improve ties. According to MEA, PM Modi and PM Carney had a “key meeting” at the G7 Summit where they discussed ways to restore and strengthen the bilateral relationship.

India and Canada also agreed to resume senior and working-level mechanisms and discussions in various areas, including: trade, people-to-people contact, connectivity and collaboration in key areas like, cooperating on clean energy and technology initiatives, collaborating on digital infrastructure projects, exploring opportunities for cooperation in artificial intelligence and discussing potential collaboration on food security and critical minerals. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday (US local time) that America has signed a deal with China and hinted that a “very big” deal with India will follow soon.

Trump made the remarks while speaking at the Big Beautiful Bill event.

In his speech hinting towards trade deals, Trump said, “Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, ‘You really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we’re going to open up India, in the China deal, we are starting to open up China.”

Trump asserted that deals will not be made with every other nation.

“We’re not going to make deals with everybody. Some we are just going to send them a letter, say thank you very much. You are to pay 25, 35, 45 per cent. That’s the easy way to do it, and my people don’t want to do it that way. They want to do some of it, but they want to make more deals than I would do,” he said.

“But we’re having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we’re going to open up India, in the China deal, we’re starting to open up China. Things that never really could have happened, and the relationship with every country has been very good.”

However, Trump did not elaborate on the details of the deal signed with China.

Earlier in June, CNN reported that the United States and China reached a new trade agreement, reviving terms first agreed to in Geneva last month, after escalating tensions led to a virtual halt in bilateral trade.

The trade truce had brought temporary relief to global markets, businesses, and consumers rattled by months of tariff hikes and growing uncertainty.

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social previously that the “deal” was complete, confirming that both countries would ease export restrictions. “Our deal with China is done,” Trump posted in all-caps, stating that China would supply “full magnets, and any necessary rare earths…up front,” as per the Geneva framework.

Earlier this month, while speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said that a trade deal between India and the United States could be finalised soon, with both countries finding common ground that suits their interests.

“I think to be in a very, very good place, and you should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not-too-distant future because I think we found a place that really works for both countries.” When asked if he was hopeful about the outcome, Lutnick said he was “very optimistic,” and added, “It could be sort of the way I come across,” he said.

Meanwhile, on June 10, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that India and the US were in the process of negotiating a fair and equitable trade agreement that will benefit both economies.

Addressing a press conference over India-US trade deal and Future trade agreement with the European Union, Piyush Goyal said, “PM Narendra Modi and US President Trump met in February 2025…Both our leaders have decided to enter into a bilateral trade agreement which will be mutually beneficial for both the economies, businesses on both sides and the people of both countries. We are negotiating to make a nice, fair, equitable and balanced agreement to promote business.”

Highlighting that both America and India are “very close friends, allies and strategic partners”, Piyush Goyal said that the trade deal is an opportunity to expand bilateral trade and strengthen the partnership between the two nations. (ANI)

Legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo has renewed his contract with Saudi giants Al Nassr till 2027, extending his stay in the Saudi Pro League, reported ESPN on Thursday.

Taking to X, Ronaldo posted, “A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let’s make history together.”

A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let’s make history together. 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/JRwwjEcSZR

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) June 26, 2025

The superstar footballer signed with the Club in 2022 after the World Cup that year, leaving Manchester United to become a free agent. His deal was for two and a half years.

Across all competitions for the club, he has netted 93 goals in 105 matches. The deal made him the highest-paid athlete worldwide and he has been topping this list for last three years, as per Forbes.

At the age of 40, Ronaldo’s total earnings are estimated to be around $275 million.

Showing no signs of ageing and decline, he led Portugal to the UEFA Nations League title earlier this month, defeating Spain in the final.

With 932 goals scored already, he is also aiming to reach 1,000 goals. On club level, he has 794 goals while for Portugal, he has found the net 138 times.

Even though Ronaldo has won the Arab Club Champions Cup with Al Nassr, he is yet to win the SPL title, as the team finished runners-up in 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons and third in 2024-25 season.

The club’s sporting director Fernando Hierro said back in May that it was keen to have the superstar sign a new deal and also suggested they had some competition from other clubs to gain the veteran’s services once again.

His words came after Ronaldo had hinted that the season’s finale at Al-Fateh was his last appearance for the club. (ANI)

Bollywood actress Rekha’s cult film ‘Umrao Jaan’ is all set to enchant the audience once again on June 27.

Director Muzaffar Ali and Rekha hosted a special re-release screening of the film today in Mumbai. The event was graced by AR Rahman, Tabu, Anil Kapoor and others.

Rekha stunned everyone in a traditional white outfit with golden embroidery that reminded of her iconic character of Umrao Jaan from the film.

She posed for the camera with the director and ace music composer AR Rahman.

Rekha can also be seen dancing with Anil Kapoor in a fun moment.

Superstar Aamir Khan looked dashing in a black outfit as he arrived to attend the screening of the film.

Tabu and Rekha can be seen hugging each other at the event. The ‘Crew’ actress dazzled in her red traditional outfit.

The event was also attended by Hema Malini, Kabir Bedi, Khushi Kapoor, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Jackie Shroff and others.

Recalling working in the cult film, Rekha said earlier, “Umrao Jaan is not just a film I acted in — she lives within me, breathes through me, even now. At the time, none of us could have imagined the timelessness of the film, the way it would gently etch itself into the soul of Indian cinema. To see it return to the big screen is like watching an old love letter being opened by a new generation. My heart is full.”

Rekha won the National Award for her impeccable performance in the film as a courtesan-poetess in 19th-century Lucknow. Her graceful dance performance on ‘Dil Cheez Kya Hai’ is still admired and remembered by filmophiles.

Celebrated filmmaker Muzaffar Ali also earlier opened up about the re-release of his cinematic masterpiece, ‘Umrao Jaan’, in theatres. Known for its poetic storytelling, soulful music, and cultural richness, Umrao Jaan continues to captivate audiences decades after its original release.

In a conversation with ANI, Ali responded with a philosophical insight when asked if films rooted in poetry, music, and history still have a place in today’s fast-paced world.He said, “Art has to have the pace of the heart. It’s always going to be time-taking and intense if it’s meant to be far-reaching. You cannot blame the world and create poor art. True art has its own rhythm and will always resonate with those who seek it.”

Ali’s collaboration with the legendary Rekha, who portrayed the iconic role of Umrao Jaan, remains one of the highlights of the film. Reflecting on his experience working with her, Ali described it as “working with a dream.”

He shared, “Rekha was dreaming alongside me. Before I could think of something, she would already be on it, living the character. She became Umrao beyond my expectations, embodying her pain and the cultural ethos of the time. It was more than just acting; it was a transformation.”

On what made Rekha’s portrayal of Umrao unforgettable, Ali explained, “The challenge was to understand the pain of Umrao, to understand what it meant to be a woman in that era. Rekha did not merely play the character; she became Umrao. The pain, the artistry, and the complexities of her role came to her naturally, and she internalized it deeply.”

As the film prepares for its re-release, Ali expressed hope that the younger generation would connect with its timeless themes.”This is a one-to-one film. The intensity of the individual scene will grow as people relate to it personally,” he said, adding, “The collective experience will stem from what they’ve heard, and then they’ll want to see it for themselves.”

‘Umrao Jaan’ is a classic Indian period drama adapted into two film versions. The 1981 version, starring Rekha, is a cult classic and won four National Awards. The 2006 version, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, was not well received by the audience. Both films are based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s novel Umrao Jaan Ada.

Screenings will begin across select PVR INOX cinemas in multiple cities from June 27th. (ANI)

The much-awaited romantic film ‘Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan,’ starring Vikrant Massey and debutant Shanaya Kapoor, is all set to release in theatres on July 11. Ahead of the release, the actors spoke about their experience working on the film and what makes it special for them.

Shanaya Kapoor, who is stepping into Bollywood with this film, said she feels connected to her character, Saba.

Speaking to ANI, she said, “My role is very special. I am playing the role of Saba. I have learnt a lot from Saba. There is a lot of difference between me and Saba. Sometimes you read a script and you are just showcasing a girl or a character. But with Saba, she had a different start in the film, and she grows into something very different. I found that very unique. I got a lot of connectivity from that story. I am very excited. Let’s see how the audience will feel. I have worked very hard. I have worked from the bottom of my heart.”

Vikrant Massey also shared his excitement about the film. He said that the movie brings back the feel of old-school Bollywood romance, something not often seen in recent years. He said, “Speaking of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, it’s a very good film for both of us. For me too, because I’m playing such a role for the first time. It’s a classical Bollywood romantic film, and over the last few years we’ve seen such films almost stop being made. This is our effort to bring back a traditional Bollywood film for the audience.”

The film is presented by Zee Studios and Mini Films and produced by Mansi Bagla, Varun Bagla, and Open Window Films. It is directed by Santosh Singh and written by Mansi Bagla. (ANI)

Actor Krishna was arrested by Chennai Police in connection with an alleged drug case.

The Chennai City Police Narcotics Intelligence Division has arrested two key individuals, Krishna and Kevin, in connection with a major drug trafficking case on Thursday.

This follows an earlier incident on May 22, 2025, in which a large quantity of drugs was seized near the Nungambakkam railway station, according to a Greater Chennai Police press release.

Following detailed investigations by the Narcotics Intelligence Unit, the police arrested one accused on June 1 and another on June 7. During interrogation, it was revealed that the drugs were sourced from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Mumbai and brought to Chennai for sale to local youths and others, as per the press release.

Based on this intelligence, police conducted a thorough raid today (June 26, 2025) and arrested a man identified as Jeshveer alias Kevin. The raid was led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Visharani (IPS), under the supervision of senior officers from the Narcotics Division, Legal Department, Cyber Crime, and Technical Teams.

According to police, Kevin, who handled transactions through WhatsApp and other encrypted platforms, acted as a middleman, connecting buyers and sellers of narcotic substances. He maintained close contact with college students and youths, promoting drug usage among them.

His operations involved maintaining both cash and stock at hand to quickly fulfill orders. The accused was also involved in providing loans to college students and others, using drug sales as a front for illegal financial activities. Investigations have revealed that he collaborated with actor Krishna, as per the press release.

Further investigations are underway. The authorities have confirmed that all the arrested individuals will be produced before the court. Further legal action is being pursued.

Krishna is another actor taken into custody after South Indian film actor Srikanth, who was arrested on Monday by the Greater Chennai Police in connection with a narcotics case, police said.

The arrest followed the detention of T. Prasad, a functionary of the AIADMK IT wing, who is suspected of having supplied the banned substance to the actor. During interrogation, police gathered evidence pointing to Actor Srikanth’s alleged involvement in the drug network.

According to officials, Tamil actor Shrikanth was produced before a Magistrate at the Magistrate’s residence. They said the actor has been remanded to judicial custody until July 7, 2025, following his appearance.

Shrikanth’s advocate, Vignesh Ramanadhan, represented him during the proceedings. Earlier, he was taken to Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for a medical examination as part of the procedure. Following this, Actor Srikanth was produced before Magistrate Dhayalan of the 14th Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore.

The hearing took place at the magistrate’s residence in the Judicial Officers’ Quarters, which is located in the Egmore area of Chennai. Actor Srikanth was brought to the Nungambakkam Police Station on Monday afternoon and interrogated for more than nine hours.

During this time, a blood sample was collected and tested, with the results confirming the presence of the narcotic substance in his system. Srikanth made his acting debut in 1999 with K Balachander’s TV show Jannal–Marabu Kavithaigal. In 2002, he debuted on the silver screen with the Tamil film Roja Kootam.

Meanwhile, on the work front as an actor, Krishna first faced the camera for Mani Ratnam’s Anjali and later appeared in Iruvar and Santosh Sivan’s The Terrorist. (ANI)

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday has directed all the Deputy Commissioners of the State to stay alert and ensure 24/7 availability for the public to deal with the unfolding situation efficiently, keeping in view the adverse weather conditions.

According to an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), while reviewing the situation in the State with district administrations virtually from Shimla today, he asked all Deputy Commissioners to conduct relief and rehabilitation operations for affected individuals on a war-footing basis.

The Chief Minister also instructed them to identify individuals or families, particularly migrant labourers, living close to the banks of rivers, khads, and nullahs and to relocate them to safer places, while ensuring their safety. He also directed the issuance of advisories warning tourists and locals against venturing near rivers and nullahs during the rainy season.

He also asked them to report all kinds of losses to the government as soon as possible.

CM Sukhu stated that power projects incur repeated losses during every monsoon season and called for the formulation of a comprehensive strategy to safeguard their vital infrastructure.

The statement said that over the last 24 hours, Himachal Pradesh has reported three cloudbursts, nine flash floods, and three landslides, resulting in five fatalities and one injury.

Three individuals in Kullu district and 5-6 in Kangra district are still missing, while 21 stranded persons have been evacuated. Two national highways, 505 and NH-03, are still blocked at multiple locations due to landslides. Following a cloudburst at Majhan nullah in Sainj Valley, the downstream hydroelectric projects, Sainj, Parvati, and Larji, have been shut down and opened their gates as a precautionary measure. Intensive search and rescue operations are underway, with teams from the SDRF, Home Guards, and NDRF operating across the affected areas.

MLAs Mohan Lal Brakta and Ashish Butail, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Special Secretary Revenue D.C. Rana, OSD to Chief Minister Gopal Sharma, were also present on the occasion.

Earlier in the day, Himachal Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, addressing the wider impact across the state, said that Himachal Pradesh witnessed cloudbursts at three locations and flash floods at nine locations.

“There have been cloudbursts at three locations and flash floods at nine locations in the state. There is confirmation of five deaths. In Kullu, two people are missing. In Kangra, three people have died due to a cloudburst and five people are missing; one person stranded in a forest area is being rescued.”

CM Sukhu added,”Fifteen houses located near rivers or nallas have been damaged. There has been significant damage to many roads in villages due to a cloudburst. Tourists are welcome to the state during monsoon, but they should not go near rivers/nallas.”

A major incident was also reported in Kullu’s Sainj sub-tehsil, where a cloudburst near Jeeva Nalla on Wednesday afternoon swept away four houses. The incident occurred around 1:41 PM downstream of the Jiwa Trench Weir in Majhan Nallah, leading to a sharp rise in the water level of the Sainj River.

According to a situation report issued by the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) at 5:10 PM, two to three people were feared missing after being washed into the Jeeva Nalla. The District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), Kullu, confirmed the cloudburst and noted the resulting rise in river levels due to increased inflow.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and West Uttar Pradesh from June 25 to July 1. (ANI)

Axiom-4 mission Pilot and Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain, Shubhanshu Shukla, has called it a “privilege” to become the 634th human in space and the first Indian to enter the International Space Station (ISS), saying the experience of seeing Earth from such a vantage point was “wonderful.”

He added that with the Tricolour on his shoulder and the blessings of fellow Indians, the next 14 days of science and exploration would be “truly exciting.”

Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew successfully reached the International Space Station on Thursday in a journey that lasted approximately 28 hours. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked with the International Space Station Harmony module at 6:21 a.m. ET while soaring over the expansive North Atlantic, as per Axiom’s statement.

After receiving his official astronaut pin from Ax-4 Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Shukla said, “I am no 634, that’s a privilege.”

“To be fair, it is a privilege to be amongst the few who have got the chance to see the Earth from a vantage point that I have been able to see now. It has been a wonderful ride. I was looking forward to coming to space–it is something to look forward. But the moment I entered the ISS, I felt welcomed. You (Expedition 73 crew) guys literally opened up your doors like your house doors for us, that was fantastic. The expectations I had were surpassed, so thank you so much; this was fantastic. I am confident the next 14 days are going to be amazing doing science and research,” said Shukla in his ‘arrival remarks’ after entering the ISS.

In a message to Indians (in Hindi), Shukla said, “I have a small message for my countrymen: It is because of your love and blessings that I have safely reached the International Space Station. It may look easy to stand here, but it is not; my head is aching. However, we will get used to it. We will be here for 14 days, conducting scientific experiments and speaking with you. This is a milestone for India. Let’s make this journey exciting and let everyone participate with interest.”

“The Tricolour I bear on my shoulder makes me feel as though the entire country is with me. I believe the next 14 days are going to be truly interesting,” he reiterated.

The Axiom Mission 4 crew, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary, entered the ISS at 8:23 a.m. EDT after a smooth docking aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft ‘Grace’, as per an official statement.

Their arrival was marked by a traditional welcome ceremony hosted by NASA’s Expedition 73 crew.

Axiom-4 Mission Commander Whitson, veteran astronaut, in her message to the rookie astronauts, said, “The best thing about being a commander with all rookies is that you get to watch the rookies go for the first time. It helps you remember all the things you went through for the first time, and it’s also special to relive the experience through these guys.”

Following her remarks, Whitson handed out astronaut pins to the first-time spacefarers — officially recognising Shubhanshu Shukla as astronaut No. 634, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski as No. 635, and Tibor Kapu as No. 636.

The Ax-4 mission will “realize the return” to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. While Ax-4 marks these countries’ second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time all three nations will execute a mission on board the International Space Station. This historic mission underscores how Axiom Space is redefining the pathway to low-Earth orbit and elevating national space programs globally, as mentioned in a release from Axiom Space.

Their schedule includes work in areas such as biology, muscle regeneration, edible microalgae, digital interface testing, and the survival of aquatic organisms, with research jointly designed by NASA, ISRO, and Axiom Space.

The Ax-4 crew launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 3:21 am ET on Wednesday, June 25, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. This marks Axiom Space’s most research-intensive mission to date, with over 60 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations planned.

This mission is especially significant as it marks the first time since 1984 that an Indian astronaut has reached the ISS, symbolising not just Shukla’s achievement but also India’s growing role in international space exploration.

The Ax-4 crew is expected to stay aboard the space station for up to 14 days. (ANI)

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Centre in New Delhi hosted a thought provoking book talk on ‘Nalanda: How It Changed the World.’

The book was written by author and diplomat Abhay Kumar, Deputy Director General of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The event was held at the Korean Cultural Centre and was participated by scholars, students and literature enthusiasts.

The book talk followed a conversational format, with Lim Sang Woo, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Korean Embassy, engaging the author in a series of insightful questions.

The discussion touched upon inspiration behind the book, the historical significance of Nalanda as a great center of learning and its enduring relevance in today’s global context.

The conversation explored a wide range of themes, including the origin of the book, Nalanda’s contributions in the field of education, philosophy and spiritual thought, lives of prominent monks and scholars who once lived and studied there, and its lasting impact on the world.

A highlight of the discussion was Nalanda’s deep-rooted connection with Korea. In particular, Ambassador Kumar recounted the journey of a prominent Korean monk Hyecho from the Silla Kingdom who travelled to India in 723 CE to deepen his understanding of the language and culture of the land of Buddha and studied at Nalanda.

His travelogue ‘Wang Ocheonchukguk Jeon’ or ‘A Memoir of the Pilgrimage to the Five Kingdoms of India’ offers a valuable account of his experiences in India, including his visit to Magadh, Kushinagar and Varanasi. His writings remain a lasting link in the centuries-old connection between India and Korea.

Nalanda: How It Changed the World by Abhay K (pen name of Ambassador Abhay Kumar) presents a compelling narrative of how Nalanda evolved into a renowned seat of learning and how its legacy not only changed the world but had an enduring impact on Korea’s spiritual foundation.

This book is a well-researched work and offers a rare insight into the legacy of Nalanda for the readers who are keen to explore its historical and cultural significance.

The Korean Embassy looks forward to continue its collaboration with India to deepen its multi-faceted ties, with a shared commitment to preserving and prompting the legacy of Nalanda as a symbol of enduring cultural and historical connection between the two countries. (ANI)