PM Modi to release Rs 18,880 crore to 9.44 crore farmers under PM-KISAN scheme

IANS | June 18, 2026 5:10 PM

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release over Rs 18,880 crore directly into the accounts of more than 9.44 lakh farmers across the country as the 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on Saturday, at a function to be held at Tarakeswar in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, according to an official statement issued on Thursday.

Iniyan in sight of title despite draw with IM Suresh in Mumbai chess event

IANS | June 18, 2026 5:04 PM

Mumbai, June 18 (IANS) International Master (IM) Harsh Suresh held leader, GM Iniyan Pa to a draw in the 8th round but this may be just a temporary setback, as the National champion still leads the rest of the field by a point and needs only a draw in the final round to emerge champion in the Master's Section of the Global Chess Festival, being played at the World Trade Centre in Mumbai.

Neeraj opens up on coaching change after Zelezny's exit, says he's back to 'natural technique'

IANS | June 18, 2026 4:54 PM

Doha, June 18 (IANS) Tokyo Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has shed light on the decision to end his coaching partnership with javelin legend Jan Zelezny, revealing that the move was driven more by practicality than performance.

Real Madrid sign Ibrahim Konate on a four-year deal after Liverpool exit

IANS | June 18, 2026 4:41 PM

Madrid, June 18 (IANS) Spanish giant Real Madrid have completed the signing of France defender Ibrahima Konate on a four-year contract, adding another major name to their squad ahead of the new season.

Trump's praise for PM Modi reflects new reality of global diplomacy: CRF President

IANS | June 18, 2026 4:34 PM

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) Reacting to US President Donald Trump's praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chintan Research Foundation (CRF) President Shishir Priyadarshi said on Thursday that international relations today are increasingly influenced by the personal chemistry shared between national leaders.

PM Modi meets top CEOs, highlights tremendous opportunities in India

IANS | June 18, 2026 4:18 PM

Paris, June 18 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met several top CEOs and business leaders here, highlighting tremendous opportunities in India’s growing innovation and manufacturing ecosystem.

Growing unrest in Balochistan: Pakistan Defence Minister slammed for blaming Afghanistan

IANS | June 18, 2026 4:08 PM

Quetta, June 18 (IANS) Naseem Baloch, chairman of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), on Thursday slammed Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for blaming Afghanistan for terrorism, stressing that such accusations reflect an admission of the failure of Islamabad's own policies.

UP: ‘Noting credible, only rhetoric’, Shivpal Yadav rejects SP split speculations

IANS | June 18, 2026 3:58 PM

Lucknow, June 18 (IANS) Amid escalating speculations over deep cracks in the Samajwadi Party (SP) resulting in a major split, veteran party leader Shivraj Singh Yadav on Thursday dismissed it as mere political rhetoric and also mocked the two UP ministers for making baseless and frivolous claims.

Samajwadi Party will not come to power in UP until 2047, says OP Rajbhar

IANS | June 18, 2026 3:53 PM

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Thursday asserted that the Samajwadi Party (SP) will not come to power in the state at least till 2047.

6,500 litres of adulterated ghee, raw material seized during raids in Delhi, Haryana

IANS | June 18, 2026 3:51 PM

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) In a major crackdown on a food adulteration network, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) seized more than 6,500 litres of adulterated ghee and related raw materials during a series of enforcement operations across Delhi and Haryana.