Breaking News Today: Air India To Reduce International Services On Widebody Aircraft By 15%

That's a wrap on NDTV Profit's live coverage of breaking news. Do follow the blog tomorrow for geo-political developments, domestic news and real-time updates.

Air India's temporary route cut back, effective between June 18 and 20 is set to continue until mid-July. This will also increase reserve aircraft availability for unplanned disruptions.

The Air line has been conducting Enhanced Safety Inspection across its Boeing 787-8/9 fleet as mandated by the DGCA, with 26 out of 33 aircraft already cleared for service.

As an added precaution, enhanced safety checks will also be undertaken on its Boeing 777 fleet as well. The airline has expressed apologies to affected passengers and will offer options to reschedule travel without cost or receive a full refund.

Air India will reduce its international services on widebody aircraft by 15% for the next few weeks, according to a press release on Wednesday.

This measure taken is to ensure operational stability, improve efficiency, and minimize passenger inconvenience. This decision comes after recent disruptions in international operations, which led to 83 cancellations over the past six days.

These disruptions are attributed to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, night curfews in European and East Asian airspaces, ongoing enhanced safety inspections, and a cautious approach by engineering staff and pilots

According to NDTV, Israeli Defence Forces have identified Iranian missiles. They have sounded missile alert in Central Israel.

Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed to have stopped military actions between India and Pakistan. However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directly contradicted this, stating that the United States played no role in mediating the ceasefire.

"Modi stopped war on India side. I stopped war on Pak side," he said.

“IndiGo flight 6E 6313, operating from Delhi to Raipur, experienced a delay in opening the aircraft door upon arrival on June 18, 2025, due to a minor technical issue. Following standard safety procedures, the door was opened after necessary checks were completed, according to the IndiGo spokesperson.

We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused and appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding. At IndiGo, passenger safety and adherence to protocol remain our highest priorities, said the company.

Air India has cancelled three of its international flights on Wednesday owing to various reasons, including maintenance and technical issues. Two of these flights were cancelled after the passengers had already boarded the aircraft, the airline said.

"European Rate cuts call for US rate cuts. Wait until Powell gets out, 'Then Go Long Term'. We have a tremendous appetite for our debt," said Donald Trump.

On possible Iran strikes, "I may or may not. Iran wants to negotiate, why didn't they before?"

Adressing talks with Iran, he said "Big difference between now and a week ago. Iran Is 'Totally Defenseless', Trump added that he spoke to Putin yesterday, and he had offered to mediate on Iran.

Donald Trump is on calls with Netanyahu, according to Bloomberg.

"I speak to him everyday" have told Netanyahu to keep going as well. Trump also said that his patience for Iran is running out.

"It was already suspected that the US was involved in the malicious move carried out by the Zionist regime, but considering their recent remarks, this suspicion is growing stronger day by day," read the post from Khamenei.ir on X.

MCX September silver contract hits fresh record high of Rs 1,11,000 per kg. The July futures have also hit a fresh record high of Rs 1,09,748 per kg.

"The US President threatens us. With his absurd rhetoric, he demands that the Iranian people surrender to him. They should make threats against those who are afraid of being threatened. The Iranian nation isn’t frightened by such threats," read the post from Khamenei.ir on X.

The US President threatens us. With his absurd rhetoric, he demands that the Iranian people surrender to him.
They should make threats against those who are afraid of being threatened. The Iranian nation isn’t frightened by such threats.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025

Iranian's Khamenei said that the nation stands firmly in the face of imposed war. The nation will also stand firmly against imposed peace, he said according to Bloomberg.

According to reports, Putin has spoken to UAE President as well.

The Indian Meteorological Department on Wednesday has issued an orange alert in Kerala's Kannur and Kasaraagod districts.

It also sounded an orange alert in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram districts for the day.

The India Meteorological Department forecasts cloudy very heavy rain over parts of central Maharashtra, Konkan, Goa, till Thursday.

Meanwhile, parts of Northeast India to experience very heavy rain over parts of over next seven days.

IMD also predicts very heavy rain over parts of east, central India till Monday.

Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash, has been discharged from the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital following his recovery. He later attended the cremation of his deceased brother who was flying with him on the same aircraft, officials said on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old British businessman from Leicester, was discharged on Tuesday evening.

In the aftermath of the Air India plane crash, authorities have successfully completed DNA matching for 202 victims. As of today, 157 bodies have been handed over to their respective families, NDTV reported.

Two pilgrims killed after boulders roll down Kedarnath Yatra trek route in Uttarakhand on Wednesday.

"Tragedy struck the Kedarnath Yatra after boulders rolled down a hillside near Jungle Chatti on the trekking route. Four pilgrims were caught in the landslide, two died on the spot, while two others were injured. Rescue operations are underway," as per PTI report.

VIDEO | Uttarakhand: Tragedy struck the Kedarnath Yatra after boulders rolled down a hillside near Jungle Chatti on the trekking route. Four pilgrims were caught in the landslide, two died on the spot, while two others were injured. Rescue operations are underway.#kedarnathdham pic.twitter.com/1mPppRjTir

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 18, 2025

Government has introduced a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at Rs 3,000, effective from August 15. The news was shared by Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari on his X profile.

"Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes first—this pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans," he shared.

Read full story here.

Important Announcement 📢

🔹In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at ₹3,000, effective from 15th August 2025. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes…

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) June 18, 2025

Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches at 37 premises of contractors and private entities allegedly involved in the Delhi Classroom construction scam, as per ANI report.

The case relates to an FIR registered by the ACB, Delhi police against the then Ministers of Delhi govt and other private persons for alleged irregularities in the construction of additional classrooms in various schools of Delhi.

Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches at 37 premises of contractors and private entities allegedly involved in the Delhi Classroom construction scam. The case relates to an FIR registered by the ACB, Delhi police against the then Ministers of Delhi govt and other private…

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2025

Begumpet airport received a bomb threat mail this morning.

"We are currently conducting a thorough search of the airport and its premises with the bomb squad. Further details will be provided later," ACP Begumpet told ANI.

Hyderabad, Telangana | ACP Begumpet says, "Begumpet airport received a bomb threat mail this morning. We are currently conducting a thorough search of the airport and its premises with the bomb squad. Further details will be provided later."

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2025

The Maharashtra government has issued an order saying Hindi will be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools in the state from classes 1 to 5.

India is now aiming to achieve 7% growth rate, said Chief Economic Advisor to India V Anantha Nageswaran.

India has emerged as a shining bright spot with good growth rate, despite the complicated, challenging global environment with conflicts, also the pandemic. He told PTI that the interest rates in India are now much closer to US interest rates.

VIDEO | Chief Economic Advisor to India V Anantha Nageswaran speaking to PTI said that despite the complicated, challenging global environment with conflicts, also the pandemic, India has emerged as a shining bright spot with good growth rate. He said that India is now aiming to… pic.twitter.com/TuQFtfhEZY

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 18, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told US President Donald Trump India does not need or want third-party mediation to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir issue with Pakistan.

"PM Modi stressed that India never accepted mediation nor does it accept it now, nor will it ever do that. On this issue, there is full political unanimity," shared Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

President Trump invited PM Modi to US after G7, shared Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday.

"President Trump asked PM Modi if he would stop in the US while returning from Canada. Due to prior commitments, PM Modi expressed his inability to do so. Both leaders decided that they will try to meet in near future," shared Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

PM Modi and US President Donald Trump spoke over the phone today.

"They spoke for almost 35 minutes. After the Pahalgam terrorist attack on 22nd April, President Trump had spoken with PM Modi over phone and expressed condolences and had also expressed support in fight against terrorism," as per ANI report.

This was the first time they were speaking after that. PM Modi spoke with President Trump in detail on Operation Sindoor.

#WATCH | Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "PM Modi and President Trump were scheduled to meet on the sidelines of G7 Summit. President Trump had to return to the US early, due to which this meeting could not take place. After this, at the request of President Trump, today… pic.twitter.com/IFXfZR8x1u

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2025

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station postponed to June 22.

Teams from @isro, Poland, and Hungary engaged in a detailed discussion with @Axiom_Space regarding the probable launch timeline of Axiom Mission 4. Following this, @Axiom_Space held consultations with @NASA and @SpaceX to assess multiple readiness parameters.

Based on the…

— ISRO (@isro) June 18, 2025

Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will undertake a high-level official visit to the United Kingdom from June 18-19. This visit highlights India’s strategic intent to elevate its partnership with the UK, focusing on harnessing new opportunities and accelerating the momentum arising from the India-UK Free Trade Agreement announcement by the two Prime Ministers last month.

With inputs from ANI.

US President Donald Trump to meet Pakistan Army Chief in Washington DC, as per NDTV report.

Iran and Israel launched new missile strikes at each other on Wednesday as the air war between the two longtime enemies entered a sixth day despite a call from US President Donald Trump for Iran's unconditional surrender.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his Canada visit.

"Concluding a productive Canada visit. Thankful to the Canadian people and Government for hosting a successful G7 Summit, which witnessed fruitful discussions on diverse global issues. We remain committed to furthering global peace, prosperity and sustainability," he wrote on X.

Concluding a productive Canada visit. Thankful to the Canadian people and Government for hosting a successful G7 Summit, which witnessed fruitful discussions on diverse global issues. We remain committed to furthering global peace, prosperity and sustainability.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2025