New Delhi: Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Saturday expressed optimism about India’s potential to mediate in the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran following a telephonic conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “India has avenues for dialogue with both sides. It can indeed play a role. We are happy to have this sincere dialogue with India, which is a very good friend… We listen carefully to your concerns. I think they are legitimate,” Azar said in an interview with PTI Videos.

The remarks came amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with both Israel and Iran launching strikes against each other. Netanyahu called Prime Minister Modi on Friday to brief him on Israel’s actions, which the ambassador described as defensive measures to counter an “existential threat” posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile programme. “No country in the world is interested in this kind of situation,” Azar said, emphasising that Israel had “no choice” but to act decisively.

He claimed that a clandestine group of Iranian officials was attempting to develop nuclear weapons, with the intent to “exterminate” Israel, as repeatedly stated by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

“We had to remove an imminent threat and took decisive action against their nuclear installations and ballistic missiles,” Azar said, noting Iran’s “plans” to build a massive arsenal of ballistic missiles in the coming years.

“They are planning to build 10,000 ballistic missiles in the next three years, and 20,000 in the next six years. They have a huge arsenal, which creates this ring of fire against Israel. They can attack us from the Southern Front, so we had no choice but to act on this nuclear threat, and we are determined to finish the job,” the ambassador emphasised.

Azar also said that Israel’s ongoing operations aim to ensure that Iran cannot enrich uranium, a goal Israel is determined to achieve — diplomatically or militarily. He referenced US President Donald Trump’s 60-day negotiation window, stating that Israel acted on the 61st day after Iran failed to comply.

“Iran has been cheating the international community,” Azar alleged, adding that Israel will continue its operations until Iran’s nuclear threat is neutralised. On the targeted killings of Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists, Azar said the strikes aimed to dismantle a “criminal plot” to “eradicate” Israel. “Those responsible for this plan of destruction have been taken out. We hope their successors will learn the lesson and stop this course of action,” he said.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday announced that the state would soon launch a ‘blood bank traceability application’ in the state, unifying blood bank data across the state. The CM, while announcing this on World Blood Donor Day, said the new initiative is to ensure timely access during emergencies by connecting the data across the state.

“On this World Blood Donor Day, we salute all who voluntarily donate blood, offering new hope in moments of crisis. To ensure timely access during emergencies, the LDF Govt is set to launch the ‘Blood Bank Traceability Application’, unifying blood bank data across Kerala,” he said in a post on ‘X’. He further said it is a major step towards a resilient, life-affirming future.

In a Facebook post, the Left veteran detailed the significance of donating blood and said those who come forward to donate blood are fulfilling a great social responsibility. He said the upcoming Traceability Application would help to end the suffering of those rushing for blood in emergencies. It is a centralised software platform that makes information from all government blood banks in the state available at your fingertips, he explained.

Once this becomes a reality, information in connection with the blood banks will be available to the people from anywhere. Steps are also underway to make the private blood banks in the state a part of this software, the CM further said. With this becoming a reality, required blood would be made available to the needy patients during times of emergencies, he said.

“We need to transform our state into a place where 100 per cent voluntary blood donation happens. The Blood Bank Traceability project, which connects blood banks, is a significant step towards that goal,” Vijayan added.

ETV Bharat / bharat

IMD Sounds Regional Alerts As North India Braces for Monsoon Relief After Weeks of Scorching Heat

New Delhi: After an extended period of heatwave conditions, North India is finally getting some respite from Saturday. According to the latest weather forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a shift in weather patterns will bring relief in the form of more cloud cover, higher chances of rain and cooler temperatures across several states.

According to the IMD, temperatures are expected to decrease across North India from Saturday, with the maximum hovering at 41°C and the minimum at around 29°C. The more enjoyable days are expected to start from June 15 as the maximum temperature is expected to drop to 40°C, and the minimum at around 28°C, if not lower. Thunderstorms and some rain are likely to accompany the cooling temperatures, providing considerable relief from the persistent heat.

Delhi, which reeled under extreme weather conditions with temperatures surging to 44°C, is also likely to get a cold snap with light to very light rain accompanied by thunderstorms. The IMD weather bulletin says the national capital will experience the mercury setting at 40°C from Sunday, which will provide some much-needed relief for its inhabitants.

IMD further said, on June 16 and 17, North Indian will see mostly overcast skies, with light to moderate rainfall likely in various regions. This weather shift signals the pre-monsoon phase, setting the stage for the eventual arrival of the southwest monsoon, which has already reached parts of the south and is making slow progress northward.

Despite the approaching change in weather, the IMD has maintained heatwave alerts in many northern states. Punjab and Haryana remain under a Red Alert for the next two days due to persistent extreme temperatures and the potential for thunderstorms. Rajasthan, which saw a staggering 49.4°C in Sriganganagar, its highest June temperature since 1934, was also under a Red Alert on Friday, which will ease to Orange Alert over the weekend.

Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir have also been placed under Orange Alerts, urging residents to remain cautious amid fluctuating weather. The IMD continues to advise people to stay indoors during peak hours, stay hydrated, and follow weather advisories minutely.

The southwest monsoon, which had early onset this year, has intensified over Kerala after a lull. A Saturday morning (June 14, 2025) weather update by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has put Kerala’s northern districts Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod on red alert for extremely heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday (June 14 and 15, 2025.)

Southwest monsoon: Four killed in rain-related incidents in Karnataka, orange alert declared for Kerala’s four districts

Six other districts — Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta — are on orange alert for isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on Saturday (June 14, 2025). The remaining three districts — Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram are on yellow alert for isolated heavy rainfall on Saturday.

As per the latest five-day weather update of the IMD, Kerala is likely to receive heavy rainfall till at least Wednesday (June 18, 2025). Following an early monsoon onset over Kerala on May 24 this year, the southern State had experienced intense rainfall in the subsequent days. It was then followed by a lull in rainfall activity.

The Israeli military on Saturday (June 14, 2025) apologised for posting a map that incorrectly depicted Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan after objections from Indian social media users, clarifying that the image “fails to precisely depict borders”.

The map was posted by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on their X handle on Friday (June 13, 2025) to show the range of Iranian missiles. The post quickly drew criticism from social media users in India.

“Now you understand why India remains neutral. In diplomacy, no one’s really your friend,” one user commented on X.

In response, the IDF admitted that the map “fails to precisely depict borders”.

“This post is an illustration of the region. This map fails to precisely depict borders. We apologize for any offense caused by this image,” IDF said on X.

“Iran is a global threat. Israel is not the end goal, it’s only the beginning. We had no other choice but to act,” the IDF earlier posted along with the incorrect map, justifying the launch of Operation Rising Lion against Iran.

Iran is a global threat.

Israel is not the end goal, it’s only the beginning. We had no other choice but to act. pic.twitter.com/PDEaaixA3c — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

The Israeli Air Force also posted a short video carrying a similar map, showing the range of the Iranian missiles.

In response to the controversy, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar on X described the map as “bad unintended” infographics.

He said he had already asked to get the map removed/fixed.

India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, is an integral part of the country.