Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:15pm on 20 Jun 2025,Friday India
President Droupadi Murmu was moved to tears on her 67th birthday during her visit to the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) in Dehradun. Visually impaired children sang a heartfelt song to wish her, prompting an emotional response. “They were singing from the heart,” she said. Murmu lauded their special abilities and urged them to pursue education confidently. Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh and CM Pushkar Singh Dhami praised Murmu’s inspirational journey. Murmu, on a three-day Uttarakhand visit, will also inaugurate the newly renovated Rashtrapati Niketan and attend International Yoga Day celebrations.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:26pm on 20 Jun 2025,Friday India
Authorities in Ahmedabad have identified 220 victims of the June 12 Air India Flight AI‑171 crash via DNA testing as of Friday, June 20. The remains of 202 individuals—149 Indian, 7 Portuguese, 34 British, and 1 Canadian—have been returned to grieving families . Meanwhile, the Gandhinagar Forensic Science Lab continues its around‑the‑clock DNA profiling amid harrowing challenges, including severely damaged remains . International cooperation is in full swing: India’s AAIB leads the investigation with expert support from the US and UK agencies . Efforts persist to complete matching for the remaining victims and offer closure to families. (PC: AP)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:08am on 20 Jun 2025,Friday India
Phone records reveal Sonam Raghuvanshi (24), arrested for her husband’s murder during their Meghalaya honeymoon, placed 112 calls between March 1–25 to a contact saved as “Sanjay Verma” who was actually her lover, police officer Raj Kushwaha using a fake identity . Long conversations spanned over a month, raising doubts about motive beyond a love triangle. The couple married on May 11 and vanished by May 23; Raja’s body was found June 2. Sonam, Kushwaha and three hitmen are in custody. Authorities probe whether financial or other motives were involved. (PC: HT PRINT)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:37am on 20 Jun 2025,Friday India
Nabam Bapu and Likha Nana, a couple from Arunachal Pradesh, are revolutionizing tribal fashion through their startup, Arunachal Ivory and Ornaments. Using 3D printing, they create eco-friendly replicas of tiger jaws, eagle claws, and hornbill beaks to replace real animal parts used in traditional tribal attire. This innovation allows cultural traditions to thrive without endangering wildlife. Co-founded with Anang Tadar, the initiative received government support and promotes biodegradable materials. Their efforts aim to curb poaching while preserving tribal identity. “Preserving culture shouldn’t come at the cost of nature,” says Bapu, as the startup gains growing acceptance across tribal communities. (PC: The better India)
Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 07:07am on 20 Jun 2025,Friday India
Tigress Arrowhead (T‑84), granddaughter of legendary Machhli and daughter of Krishna, died at 14 from bone cancer in Ranthambore. Her passing occurred just hours after her daughter, Kankati (T‑2507), was relocated to Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, a move prompted by the cub’s involvement in fatal human‑wildlife conflicts. Known as the “Queen of Ranthambore” and “Lady of the Lake,” Arrowhead was famed for her rare crocodile hunts most recently downing one near Padam Talab just days before her death. She leaves behind a significant legacy: four litters and ten cubs, with at least six surviving. Forest officials honored her cremation under NTCA protocol, and her last moments were memorialized by wildlife photographers, guides and the park community. (PC: BCCI & X)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:42am on 20 Jun 2025,Friday India
Tata-owned Air India announced a 15% reduction in international wide-body flights from June 21 to July 15, cutting 38 weekly services across North America, Europe, Australia, the Far East and more, to “restore schedule stability” and complete enhanced safety inspections after the June 12 Ahmedabad Dreamliner crash, which killed 241 people . Additionally, three routes—Delhi–Nairobi, Amritsar–London (Gatwick), and Goa–London (Gatwick)—will be fully suspended until mid‑July . The airline cited airspace disruptions from Middle East tensions and stricter inspections of Boeing 787 and 777 fleets. Affected passengers will be offered rebooking, refunds, or schedule adjustments. (PC: India Today)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:12am on 20 Jun 2025,Friday India
On June 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Siwan, Bihar, unveiling ₹5,736 crore worth of development projects. Key highlights include inaugurating 22 initiatives covering rail, water, power, sanitation, housing, and battery energy storage . He also flagged off the Patliputra–Gorakhpur Vande Bharat Express via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah and launched the Vaishali–Deoria railway line (₹400 crore) . A historic moment came as he graced the dispatch of India’s first ‘Made‑in‑India’ diesel locomotive built in Bihar to Guinea—part of a ₹3,000 crore export deal for 150 units . The visit reinforces Bihar’s development trajectory ahead of upcoming state elections. (PTI)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:44pm on 19 Jun 2025,Thursday India
Two ex-Air India crew members allege they were terminated for flagging safety lapses involving Boeing 787 Dreamliners, including issues linked to the June 12 Ahmedabad crash. In a June 19 letter, they claimed the airline ignored warnings and pressured them to alter statements. Another former pilot, Capt. Deven Kanani, raised concerns over oxygen shortages on Delta 777 flights to India. Air India denies all allegations, citing a DGCA review that found “no wrongdoing.” The airline maintains safety is its top priority. Kanani says lives were endangered; Air India claims his termination was justified and not linked to his safety concerns. (PC: News18)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:26pm on 19 Jun 2025,Thursday India
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said oil prices are “not alarmingly high” at $76 per barrel, easing fears over the Israel-Iran conflict’s impact on energy markets. In an interview with India Today TV, he assured that there’s no global shortage and India is well-prepared. “We buy oil from 41 countries. We can manage if supply routes are choked,” he said, referring to the Strait of Hormuz. With no merchant ships targeted yet, Puri stated the situation was manageable. India consumes 5.5 million barrels daily and can scale up imports if required. “We are monitoring closely,” he added. (PC: India Today)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:53pm on 19 Jun 2025,Thursday India
Air India has cut flights on 16 international routes and fully suspended three overseas services until July 15. This comes after the June 12 crash in Ahmedabad that killed 270 people. The airline said it is doing extra safety checks on Boeing 787 and 777 planes. From June 12 to 18, 83 flights were cancelled. More cuts will happen until mid-July. Routes like Delhi–Nairobi and Amritsar–London are among those suspended. Passengers can reschedule at no extra cost or get full refunds. Air India said the step is to ensure safety, reduce disruptions, and avoid last-minute trouble for passengers. (PC: News18)