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The Middle East conflict had sparked fears of a widening global war, especially after the US joined in with Operation Midnight Hammer

The ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which brought an end to the 12-day conflict, has relieved the world. The Middle East conflict had sparked fears of a widening global war, especially after the US joined in with Operation Midnight Hammer, under which it bombed three nuclear sites in Iran. While Iranian missiles struck Israeli cities minutes before the ceasefire, this round of attacks appeared to be Tehran’s last-minute show of bravado.

This conflict has been full of surprises, especially in the past 12 hours. Last week, the Donald Trump administration said it would decide to join the conflict within two weeks. But two days later, US’ B-2 Bombers struck three nuclear facilities in Iran, sparking fears of a major escalation in the geopolitically significant region. Last night, Iran bombed the US’ Al Udeid air base in Qatar, triggering fears of the regional conflict widening into a global one. Then, dramatically, Donald Trump announced that Tel Aviv and Tehran had agreed on a truce

Interestingly, a ceasefire now puts all three players — the US, Iran and Israel — in a position of claiming victory. The US can claim it diminished Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Israel can boast of weakening Tehran substantially and Iran can brag about standing up to the world’s most powerful country and not backing down. Domestic messaging is a key aspect of modern warfare and the propaganda machinery in all three countries is now working overtime to convince the people of their win.

US’ Narrative Gain

The US, which for long advocated a diplomatic solution to the conflict, changed tack on Sunday when its B-2 bombers struck three nuclear strikes in Iran. Donald Trump called Iran the “bully of the Middle East” and warned that if Tehran does not “make peace”, the attacks that follow will be “far greater and a lot easier”. He said Iran’s nuclear facilities were “completely and totally obliterated”, although top US officials said initial assessment suggested that the sites sustained “extremely severe damage”.

Washington, however, knew conflict is not the way forward. Geopolitical considerations aside, a protracted war would be politically harmful for Donald Trump, who has often chided his predecessors for taking the US into “forever wars”. Trump knew Tehran would need an exit ramp to step off the escalation path without losing popular domestic support. Hence, after Iran struck the US base in Qatar — interestingly, after a warning — Trump decided not to strike back. The US President put out a telling post. “I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done. Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further hate,” he said, and thanked Iran for giving “early notice”. Trump can now play peacemaker, days after his bombing raid drew criticism at home.

The US lost no personnel in this conflict, demonstrated its firepower amply and claimed credit for brokering peace: a win-win situation.

Israel’s Bragging Rights

In the week preceding the US’ precision airstrikes, Israel managed to establish its air superiority against Iran by striking nuclear and military targets and neutralising Tehran’s air defences. Israel forces also assassinated key figures in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including Brigadier General Ali Shadmani. Its airstrikes took out Tehran’s intelligence hawks, Brigadier General Mohammad Kazemi and Brigadier General Hassan Mohaqe. The massive damage caused by the airstrikes also helped Israel in the perception battle, boosting its image as a dogged fighting force.

Israel’s big gain was the US joining the fight. For long, the US had tried to project the conflict as Iran vs Israel and was reluctant to join in. Just nine days before Operation Midnight Hammer, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel’s action against Iran was “unilateral” and the US is “not involved”. But in the coming days, Trump tweaked the US stand, threatening Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and referred to the US and Israel as a unit.

The US airstrikes in Iran demonstrated, not just to Tehran but to the world, that Washington stands firmly with Tel Aviv. Besides the geopolitical image boost, this demonstration would also benefit Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu domestically as he heads into the polls scheduled for next year.

Iran’s ‘Resistance’ Rhetoric

The US airstrikes in Iran had put Tehran in a tricky situation. It needed to retaliate, but its adversary was the world’s most powerful nation. It needed to save face while ensuring an exit ramp. According to reports, the Ayatollah, from inside a bunker, ordered that Iran must strike back, but in a contained manner to prevent the conflict from spiralling. The Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar was chosen. The largest US military base in the region, Iranian officials believed it was key in coordinating Operation Midnight Hammer. The fact that Qatar is Iran’s close ally made this a good choice, too.

Interestingly, Iran sent out an advance notice hours before striking the US base. This message prompted Qatar to shut down its airspace and the US to clear the target area. “Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered,” Trump said, while thanking Tehran for the notice.

A pre-strike warning is clearly a signal that while Tehran wanted to show strength, it had no intention to begin a cycle of attacks. Iran knew that if Americans died in its attack, the US would be prompted to respond. But the warning and no casualties ensured that Trump did not need to respond. And Iran stood down too. As for its attacks on Israel, Tehran kept firing missiles till minutes before the ceasefire kicked in. So, missiles were fired, but no one died, and Iran got its exit ramp to stand down. At the same time, it managed to boost its image of standing up to the most powerful country in the world. 

All Is Well? Maybe Not

The ceasefire in the Middle East is welcome and relieves world powers, who were concerned about the economic and geopolitical fallout of a long-drawn-out war in the region. But this is a fragile peace. While the US claims Iran’s nuclear facilities have taken a severe hit, Tehran has denied this. This conflict has also given Tehran more reasons to boost its nuclear power. And Western powers have admitted that they are not sure what has happened to Iran’s uranium stockpile. So while the ceasefire is a relief, many questions remain and the world hopes that the players come back to the negotiation table and diplomacy establishes lasting peace.

Iran’s Khamenei said the US intervened in the war because “it felt that if it did not, the Zionist regime [Israel] would be utterly destroyed”.

Iran will never surrender to the US and any future aggression would come at a great cost, its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said today in his first remarks after the ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The ceasefire followed the US’ targeting of three nuclear sites in Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strike at a US base in Qatar.

“The American president indicated in one of his statements that Iran must surrender. Surrender! It is no longer a question of enrichment, nor the nuclear industry, but of the surrender of Iran,” Khamenei said in a televised speech. “Such an event (surrender) will never happen. It will never happen.”

Congratulating the country on its resistance against the US, he said, “My congratulations on our dear Iran’s victory over the US regime. The US regime entered the war directly because it felt that if it didn’t, the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed. It entered the war in an effort to save that regime but achieved nothing.”

“With all that commotion and all those claims, the Zionist regime was practically knocked out and crushed under the blows of the Islamic Republic,” Khamenei wrote. 

The Iranian leader had been holed up in a bunker after Israel stepped up its attack. In a surprise move, the US joined the war on Sunday and its B2 bombers struck three nuclear bases in Iran. The US named this offensive Operation Midnight Hammer and it threatened to widen the regional conflict into a global one. Iran responded by striking the US base, interestingly, after a warning that enabled the US to ensure zero casualties and minimal damage. Trump decided not to respond, giving Iran an exit ramp to step off the escalation path. Hours later, the US President announced that Tel Aviv and Tehran had agreed on a truce

“Some speculations about the resumption of negotiations should not be taken seriously,” Araghchi said on state television.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday firmly denied speculation Iran is preparing to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States, after the end of a 12-day war with Israel.

“Some speculations about the resumption of negotiations should not be taken seriously,” Araghchi said on state television. “I would like to state clearly that no agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations. No plan has been set yet to start negotiations.”

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied that Iran is preparing for new nuclear talks with the US.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday firmly denied speculation Iran is preparing to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States, after the end of a 12-day war with Israel.

“Some speculations about the resumption of negotiations should not be taken seriously,” Araghchi said on state television. “I would like to state clearly that no agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations. No plan has been set yet to start negotiations.”

The team raised concerns about transmission to humans due to the proximity of bats to orchards.

Scientists have discovered 20 new bat viruses in China, including two linked to the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses. Experts have warned that the discovery could have “critical implications” for public health across the world. The discovery was made in fruit orchards in Yunnan province, southwest China, where bats were found carrying unknown pathogens in their kidneys.

The study, published in the PLOS Pathogens journal, revealed 20 previously unknown viruses, including two henipaviruses genetically similar to Nipah and Hendra viruses, which can cause high-fatality illnesses in humans.

“These findings broaden our understanding of the bat kidney infectome, underscore critical zoonotic threats, and highlight the need for comprehensive, full-spectrum microbial analyses of previously understudied organs to better assess spillover risks from bat populations,” the study’s authors wrote.

The team, led by Guopeng Kuang from the Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention and Tian Yang from Dali University in China, raised concerns about transmission to humans due to the proximity of bats to orchards. The virus can spread through contaminated fruits, water or direct contact.

Researchers analysed 142 bats from ten species, finding a diverse range of microbes, including a new protozoan parasite (Klossiella yunnanensis) and a novel bacterium (Flavobacterium yunnanensis).

While it’s uncertain if these viruses can jump from bats to humans, scientists will monitor them closely because of their genetic similarity to dangerous viruses. 

As quoted by Science Alert, University of Sydney veterinarian and wildlife disease ecologist Alison Peel, pointed out: “We have other examples of close evolutionary cousins to Hendra and Nipah that appear not to be of any concern for spillover, so there will need to be some more laboratory studies on these new viruses to determine the actual risk.” She was not involved in the study.

Jeff Bezos, the world’s fourth-richest person, and his former television anchor bride-to-be, Lauren Sanchez, were seen stepping off a water taxi at the Aman Hotel on the Grand Canal.

Amazon’s billionaire founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez arrived in Venice on Wednesday ahead of their wedding, an event that has sparked protests in the Italian city.

Bezos, the world’s fourth-richest person, and his former television anchor bride-to-be were seen stepping off a water taxi at the Aman Hotel on the Grand Canal.

The couple’s three-day nuptials are due to start on Thursday, and the wedding ceremony is to be held at a secret location.

Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, are said to have booked out the city’s finest hotels for a star-studded guest list rumoured to include Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Orlando Bloom.

Ivanka Trump, the oldest daughter of US President Donald Trump, arrived with her husband, Jared Kushner and their three children on Tuesday afternoon.

Rumours have swirled that the ceremony might be held at the Church of the Abbey of Misericordia, or at the Arsenale, a vast shipyard complex dating back to when the city was a naval powerhouse.

At least 95 private planes have requested permission to land at Venice’s Marco Polo airport, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera said, with the pair reportedly inviting about 200 guests.

The lavish celebration has sparked soul-searching in Venice, one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations, where some fear the arrival of so many A-list guests and their entourages will make life worse.

Greenpeace highlighted the hypocrisy of spending huge amounts on partying in a fragile city “sinking under the weight of the climate crisis”.

Activists unfurled a giant banner in St Mark’s Square on Monday, with a picture of Bezos laughing and a sign reading: “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax.”

Sanchez has also been criticised for saying more must be done to tackle climate change while also taking part in a space flight in April on a rocket developed by Bezos’s space company Blue Origin.

The design of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding invitation has been mocked online for being amateurish and lacking the sophistication expected of a billionaire couple.

The card included a message requesting guests not to bring gifts. It read, “We are excited for you to join us! We have one early request: please, no gifts.”

Instead, the invite said the couple would make charitable contributions on behalf of attendees. “Donations on your behalf are being made to the UNESCO Venice Office to safeguard this city’s irreplaceable cultural heritage, to CORILA to restore the vital lagoon habitats that protect Venice’s future, and to Venice.”

“This magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories. Our hope is that through these efforts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come,” the invitation added.

While the intention appeared thoughtful, the visual presentation left many unimpressed..

One user joked, “Was the invitation made in Microsoft Paint?”

Another remarked bluntly, “That invite is atrocious. Obviously, money can’t buy taste or class.”

More scathing reactions followed.

“Wow, what an ugly announcement/invitation. With all the money he has they could have at least done something pretty and classy.”

“This invitation looks like an 11-year-old made it,” wrote another user

Despite the backlash, anticipation for the high-profile event remains sky-high. While initial reports suggested the wedding festivities would run from June 24 to 26, The Independent reported the actual timeline appears to be later in the week. Italian authorities have only confirmed that the ceremony will be held in late June.

Multiple reports say the lavish affair will span three days, with Bezos’s luxurious superyacht Koru moored in Venice’s harbour, playing a central role in the celebrations.

Banks in Odisha and Manipur will remain closed on June 27, 2025, due to Rath Yatra celebrations. The RBI has declared a bank holiday in these states.

All public and private sector banks will remain closed in Odisha and Manipur on Friday, June 27, 2025, due to the observance of Rath Yatra, one of the most important Hindu festivals. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially declared this as a bank holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

The Rath Yatra is celebrated with immense devotion, especially in Puri, Odisha, where thousands of devotees gather for the grand chariot procession of Lord Jagannath. In Manipur, the same festival is known as Kang, and it holds significant religious and cultural importance.

Banks in other parts of India will remain open on June 27, but customers in Odisha and Manipur should plan their in-person banking accordingly.

This holiday is part of a long weekend of closures:

• June 27 (Friday): Rath Yatra / Kang – Banks closed in Odisha and Manipur
• June 28 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday – Banks closed nationwide
• June 29 (Sunday): Weekly holiday – Banks closed nationwide
• June 30 (Monday): Remna Ni – Banks closed in Mizoram

Rest assured, your digital banking services – net banking, mobile apps, UPI, wallets, and ATMs – will remain fully operational throughout the holiday season, allowing you to conduct online transactions seamlessly. 

However, services requiring a visit to a physical bank branch, such as cheque deposits, draft creation, or new account openings, should ideally be completed before the holidays commence. 

To avoid any inconvenience, it’s advisable to confirm the specific holiday schedule with your local bank branch, ensuring you have the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding branch closures and service availability. Plan accordingly to manage your banking needs effectively during the holiday period.

Held annually at the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri, the nine-day chariot procession draws millions of pilgrims from across the country and beyond.

Following its extensive, mostly volunteer-driven initiative to feed the masses during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj earlier this year, the Adani Group has now shifted its focus to another of India’s most revered religious festivals – the Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha.

Held annually at the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri, the nine-day chariot procession draws millions of pilgrims from across the country and beyond.

In keeping with chairman Gautam Adani’s belief that ‘Seva Hi Sadhana Hai’ (Service is Worship), the Adani Group is undertaking a comprehensive seva effort to support both pilgrims and frontline officials during the Rath Yatra from June 26 to July 8, sources said.

This year’s support includes nearly 4 million meals and drinks distributed free of cost; designated food counters providing free, nutritious meals to pilgrims and officials; beverage counters across the city offering cool drinks to beat the Odisha heat; support for lifeguards from the Puri Beach Lifeguard Mahasangha; volunteers for beach clean-up, especially plastic waste; free T-shirts for official volunteers; fluorescent safety vests for municipal workers; and also a variety of jackets, raincoats, caps and umbrellas for officials and devotees.

This is through collaboration between the Adani Group, the Puri district administration, ISKCON and local volunteer organisations.

The group, which has been working in Odisha through the Adani Foundation across sectors, such as rural healthcare, school infrastructure and livelihoods, sees this seva as part of a larger spiritual continuity in India’s public life, sources said.

For the Adani Group, corporate social responsibility has always extended beyond infrastructure, education and healthcare. Increasingly, it includes direct and active participation in India’s spiritual and cultural life – not as a sponsor, but as sevak.

Earlier this year, during the 45-day Maha Kumbh Mela, the Adani Group had supported food distribution and pilgrim welfare services on a massive scale in collaboration with ISKCON and Gita Press. On January 21, chairman Gautam Adani personally took part in seva at the Kumbh, underscoring the Group’s message that social service is not a sideline activity but a central value.

If the Maha Kumbh was about scale, the Rath Yatra is about intimacy, sources said.

While the numbers in Puri may be smaller, the energy is no less intense and the logistical complexity immense.

Through its Rath Yatra involvement, the Adani Group is not just offering services – it is reinforcing a view of development that is grounded in Indian culture, community and compassion.

Sources said much of the planning is done with on-ground partners months in advance, the volunteers are from within the group or local communities, and the execution is often led by Adani coordinators, who have long-standing relationships in the region

The civil and police administrations are on high alert as lakhs of devotees will witness the annual event under tight security.

After completion of all rituals, the pulling of chariots of the sibling deities – Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath – will begin at 4 pm.

Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad are expected to participate in the event.

About one lakh have reached Puri by Thursday evening, police sources said.

Some of them had the opportunity to witness the ‘Nabajouban Darshan” (youthful appearance) of the trinity.

The deities appeared before the devotees after a fortnight. The public ‘darshan’ was stopped after the bathing ritual on June 11.

“The deities do not appear before devotees since it is believed they fall ill after the bathing ritual. They remain in quarantine at ‘Anasar Ghar’ (isolation room) for a fortnight before the Rath Yatra,” said Bhaskar Mishra, a researcher in the Jagannath culture.

Keeping in view the huge footfall, Odisha DGP Y B Khurania said elaborate security arrangements have been made for the event.

The town is heavily fortified with deployment of approximately 10,000 security personnel, including eight companies of Central Armed Police Forces.

Khurania said that for the first time, an Integrated Command and Control Centre has been opened in Puri to monitor the entire festival from close quarters.

Over 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras have been installed across Puri and on the roads to Konark, 35 km away and famous for the 13th-century Sun Temple, for surveillance.

This apart, the DGP said that the National Security Guard (NSG) snipers will take positions on rooftops along Grand Road in front of the temple.

Police drones, anti-sabotage teams, bomb squads, and dog squads are also deployed. The Marine Police, Coast Guard, and Indian Navy will secure the seafront, he said.

Meanwhile, IMD in its evening bulletin forecast said thunderstorms with lightning with gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph likely to occur in several districts including Puri on Friday.

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The goal of making India a developed country by 2047, is “plausible” if the economy stays to the current growth rate of 6 per cent, economist Martin Wolf told NDTV in an exclusive interview today. If the growth rate goes slightly higher, the climb might be easier, he said. “I have always felt India could grow at 8 per cent a year. And if that happened, you would definitely become developed”.

But even with maintaining the current growth rate – which would involve pushing skilling of young workers, expanding education and increasing participation of women in the work force — it is an achievable goal, said the chief economics commentator for Financial Times, London, who received the Commander of the British Empire award in 2000 “for services to financial journalism”. 

But there is a caveat. During his ongoing visit in Delhi, Mr Wolf said staying on an even course might not push India into a textbook definition of “developed” but it would still be very well off and “sophisticated”.