Prime Minister Narendra Modi to chair NITI Aayog's Governing Council meeting in New Delhi this morning. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal asks top Railway officials to improve punctuality of trains without affecting maintainance work. President Ram Nath Kovind to address India diaspora at Athens in Greece today. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to embark on a 4-nation visit to Italy, France, Luxembourg and Belgium. IN FIFA WORLD CUP, Iceland hold Argentina to 1- 1 draw. <><><>  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the fourth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog at Rashtrapati Bhawan this morning. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, he is looking forward to the Council meeting which will discuss the implementation of key policies relating to a wide range of sectors. The council will discuss various issues, including measures taken to double farmers income and progress of flagship schemes. Our Correspondent reports that, the development agenda for 'New India 2022' is also expected to be approved at the meeting.  "During the meeting, the council is expected to discuss important subjects including progress of various flagship schemes like Ayushman Bharat, National Nutrition Mission and Mission Indradhanush, development of aspirational districts and the celebration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The council will also review the work done during the previous year and deliberate upon the future developmental priorities. The day-long meeting will be attended by Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of different states, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories and senior officials from the Central government. WITH SOUVAGYA KAR, ASHISH KUMAR, AIR NEWS DELHI."                                                 <><><> Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has directed Railways General Managers to improve punctuality significantly by introducing planned integrated blocks for maintenance. He said that punctuality of the trains needs to be improved without affecting the routine maintenance work related to Safety of passengers.Our correspondent reports that, the Minister was Reviewing the performance of North Central, North Eastern and East Central Railways in New Delhi yesterday. "Mr Goyal urged General Managers to holistically plan weekly integrated traffic blocks of long duration. Taking slew of decisions to improve punctuality, the Minister instructed that the third line project between Allahabad and Deen Dayal Upadhyay stations is to be taken on high priority to minimize congestion. Mr Goyal emphasized that if required, additional rakes and coaches shall be given to Zones to improve punctuality and minimize time loss in case of delayed trains arriving at terminating stations. WITH SHASHANK KUMAR's REPORT, THIS IS PRIYANKA SHARMA, AIR NEWS, DELHI. <><><>  The Maharashtra government is exploring the hyperloop technology to drastically cut train travel time between Mumbai and Pune. These two cities are located around 200 km away from each other. The travel time will get reduced to just 25 minutes if a high-tech transportation system is implemented. Presently travel time between Mumbai and Pune is around four hours. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, currently in the US, visited the Virgin HyperloopOne test site in Nevada and met the company's CEO and board member, Rob Lloyd. <><><>  President Ram Nath Kovind will address the Indian community in the Greek capital Athens today. Mr Kovind will also meet an Indian business delegation and address the India-Greece Business Forum. The President arrived in Athens yesterday evening on the first leg of his three nation tour to Greece, Suriname and Cuba. He is accompanied by a delegation that include Minister of State for Steel Vishnu Deo Sai and two members of Parliament. During his four day tour to Greece, the President will meet Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime minister Alexis Tsipras. During his stay in the Greek capital, the President will visit many places of historical and archaeological importance such as the Acropolis hills, Olympic Stadium and Temple of Zeus. Mr Kovind will also visit the monument of unknown soldiers and lay a wreath there. <><><>  External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will embark on a 4-nation visit to Italy, France, Luxembourg and Belgium today. The Ministry of External Affairs in a release said that Mrs Swaraj will visit these four countries from the 17th to the 23rd of June. The visit to Italy will be the first major political exchange between India and Italy following the swearing-in of Mr Giuseppe Conte as Italy’s new Prime Minister on the 1st of June this year. During her visit to Paris, she will meet her counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian to review bilateral relations. Mrs Swaraj will be visiting Luxembourg from the 19th to 20th of June. This will be the first ever visit to Luxembourg by an External Affairs Minister from India. The Minister will be visiting Belgium from the 20th to 23rd of June. <><><>  Afghanistan has extended its unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban following an initial truce observed by both sides over the Eid festival period. President Ashraf Ghani appealed to the militants to follow the government's lead and enter peace talks. In a Television address, Ghani said the government is ready for comprehensive negotiations with the Taliban. He said, during the ceasefire, Taliban militants could receive medical and humanitarian assistance and Taliban prisoners could see their families. <><><>  The Met Department has forcast rain in North India during the next two days. Scientist in Met Department Sunita Devi said Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh and the western Himalayan regions are expected to experience thunderstorm, rainfall and squalls.   "रैन और स्क्वाली वेदर वही हमारा एक्शपेक्टेशन है आने वाले दो दिन के लिए, मेन पार्ट हैपंजाब,हरियाणा,चंडीगढ और दिल्ली, और वेस्टर्न पार्ट आफ उत्तरप्रदेश और वेस्टर्नहिमालयन रीजन पूरा,स्कावली वेदर,थंडरस्टार्म,रेनफाल और स्कावली विंड का उम्मीदहै, अभी डस्ट का फिर से आने का उम्मीद नहीं है" The national capital is reeling under a haze of dust brought by winds from Rajasthan which has raised the air pollution level to severe. Civil construction activities have been suspended till today. The Met department has said the monsoon is hovering over Maharashtra in the west and parts of Odisha, West Bengal and Assam in the east and northeast India. It said any further advance of the monsoon is unlikely during the next 6-7 days due to the prevalence of a weak pattern.  <><><>  Bihar is reeling under the impact of intense heat. Gaya recorded the maximum temperature of 43.5 degree Celsius while the temperature in Patna was 43 degree celsius yesterday. More from our correspondent: "Patna district administration has suspended classes from nursery to eight in both government and private schools till June 20 due to prevailing heat condition that pose a threat to the health and life of children. Most of the schools were scheduled to reopen after summer vacation tomorrow but they would have to extend their vacation by three days. Met department predicts there will be no respite of heat for next five days. During this period the maximum temperature will remain more than 40 degree Celsius and 4.5 degree or more above the normal temperature. WITH K K LAL FROM PATNA, THIS IS RITU SRIVASTAVA, AIR NEWS." <><><>  And Now news from FIFA WORLD CUP: "In the Group D encounter in Moscow, Argentine super star Lionel Messi fluffed his World Cup lines, missing a penalty as tiny Iceland held the two-time world champions to a One-One draw.  Messi stepped up to the spot with the teams locked at 1-1 in Moscow's Spartak Stadium after Rurik Gislason was adjudged to have brought down Maximiliano Meza in the 63rd minute.  But rival goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson guessed correctly and palmed away the Argentine skipper's side-footed effort and, despite intense pressure, Iceland held on for a famous draw. It was an extraordinary result in the history of Iceland, who famously dumped England out of Euro 2016.  In the first match of the day, France launched their campaign with victory against Australia. They benefited from the first use of Video Assistant Referee system in the tournament's history.  At Saransk, Yussuf Poulsen ruined Peru's first appearance at a World Cup finals for 36 years, with a winning goal for Denmark. At Kaliningrad, a Luka Modric penalty and an own goal from the rival side, gave former semi-finalists Croatia an easy 2-0 win over Nigeria in their opening fixture. Today, Costa Rica will take on Serbia at 5.30 p.m. at Samara.  In the other two matches, defending champions Germany will clash with Mexico at 8.30 p.m. in Moscow, while Brazil will take on Switzerland at 11.30  p.m. at Rostov-On-Don. WITH S. RANGARAJAN, AARTI RANA, SPORTS DESK." <><><>  NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES Violent clashes in Kashmir yesterday dominate front page headlines. The Hindustan Times reports "Eid takes violent turn in Kashmir, civilian killed". The Indian Express adds "Police say youth died as grenade he was carrying exploded in hand". On the comments made by the father of Aurangzeb, the Indian soldier who was killed by militants in Kashmir, the DNA writes "Wipe out son's killers in 32 hours, martyr's father requests Army". The support extended by four Opposition Chief Ministers to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his stand-off with Delhi's Lieutenant Governor is prominently noticed in the press. The Hindu notes, "In a swipe at the BJP and the Congress, Naidu, Kumaraswamy, Pinarayi Vijayan and Mamata visit his family after being denied permission to visit him at Raj Nivas". All the papers report on new developments in the journalist Gauri Lankesh murder investigations. The Hindustan Times writes " SIT calls Ram Sene leader for quizzing". The Asian Age quotes the Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik as saying "Not linked to Lankesh killing". With general elections due to be held next year, the papers keenly scrutinise political strategising that is underway. The DNA reports "To stop Modi, Congress okay to giving more than 50% Lok Sabha seats to allies". The Asian Age notes "Loss of dalit votebank major concern for BJP". With cases of cyber crimes on the rise, the DNA in a front page exclusive writes "Government plans to hire geeks as cops in its war against cybercriminals". And finally....guess how long it might take you to get an American Green Card, even with your advanced degrees. The Tribune informs "Indians may have to wait 151 years for Green card ; Thinktank estimate based on US government figures". Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, schemes like Mudra Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana and Stand Up India are helping in greater financial inclusion; Addressing NITI Aayog's governing Council, Mr Modi says, tackling economic imbalances is his goverment's priority.  Centre to resume operation against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir after month long suspension during Ramazan. Government says, trains to have 100 per cent vacuum bio- toilets by March next year. President Ram Nath Kovind to address Indian diaspora at Athens in Greece this evening. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj embarks on a four- nation tour to Italy, France, Luxembourg and Belgium. And in FIFA world cup, Costa Rica to face Serbia, Germany to take on  Mexico while Brazil to lock horns with Switzerland.    <><><> Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, schemes like Mudra Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana and Stand Up India are helping in greater financial inclusion. In his opening remarks at the fourth meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog at Rashtrapati Bhawan today, Mr Modi emphasized on the need of tackling economic imbalances on priority basis. He said, 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centres are being constructed under Ayushman Bharat and about 10 crore families will be provided health insurance worth 5 lakh rupees every year. Mr Modi said, government has adopted a comprehensive approach for education under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. The Prime Minister said, Indian Economy has grown at a healthy rate of 7.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017- 18. He said, the challenge now is to take this growth rate to double digits for which many more important steps have to be taken. Mr Modi said, vision of a New India by 2022, is now a resolve of the people of the country. Mr Modi said, the agenda of  the meeting includes doubling of farmers' income, development of aspirational districts, Ayushman Bharat, Mission Indradhanush, Nutrition Mission and celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He said, Gram Swaraj Abhiyan has emerged as a new model for implementation of schemes and so far the scheme has been extended to 45,000 villages in the Aspirational Districts. Welcoming the Chief Ministers and other delegates, the Prime Minister reiterated that the Governing Council is a platform that can bring about a historic change. He said, the Council has approached complex issues of governance as Team India, in the spirit of cooperative, competitive federalism. The Prime Minister assured the Chief Ministers from flood-affected States that the Union Government would provide all assistance to them. Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of different states, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories and senior officials from the Central government are present at the day-long meeting <><><> Government will resume operation against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir after a month long suspension during Ramazan. In a series of tweets, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, the security forces are being directed to take all necessary actions as earlier to prevent terrorists from launching attacks and indulging in violence and killings. The minister said, while the Security Forces have displayed exemplary restraint during Ramazan, the terrorists continued with their attacks on civilians and security forces resulting in deaths and injuries. He commended the security forces for showing exemplary restraint during the holy month despite grave provocations. Our correspondent has filed this report:- "Two days after Home Minister Rajnath Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the suspension of anti-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir during Ramzan, Mr Singh announced on twitter that the ceasefire won't be extended. Mr. Singh said, the decision of suspension of operations has been widely appreciated by the people all over the country. The Minister also said the Centre will continue with its endeavour to create an environment free of terror and violence in Jammu and Kashmir. He appealed all sections of peace loving people come together to isolate the terrorists and motivate those who have been misguided to return to the path of peace. With Diwakar, Gulshan Rawat, for AIR News." <><><> Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has said, the target of replacing bio-toilets with vacuum bio-toilets in trains will be achieved 100 percent by March next year. In an interview to a news agency in New Delhi, the Minister said, some 500 vacuum bio-toilets have been ordered and once the experiment is successful, all the 2.5 lakh toilets in the trains will be replaced with vacuum bio-toilets. He said, to compete with the airlines, replacing the bio-toilets with the latest version was one of the plans the national transporter had for upgrading its amenities. Mr Goyal said, the vacuum toilets will be odour-free and the tracks will be cleaner. He said, it will cut down water usage by 1/20th and have much lesser chances of getting blocked. <><><> President Ram Nath Kovind will address Indian diaspora this evening in Greek capital of Athens. The President who is on a three nation tour to Greece, Suriname and Cuba will return to India on the 24th of this month. President Kovind today visited monuments of great historical and archaeological interests including the Acropolis hills, Temple of Zeus and the Olympic Stadium. Modern Olympics originated at the Olympic stadium named after, Spyros Louis, the first modern Olympic marathon winner in 1896. Our correspondent covering the visit has the details:- "The day began with the visit to the Acropolis of Athens which is an almost 3300 year old temple complex located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens. It contains the remains of may ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance. The most famous being the Parthenon  dedicated to goddess  Athena. At Acropolis  soldiers dressed in traditional attires, sang the national anthem and raise the greek flag at the opening of the temple every Sunday.  In honour of the Indian President, there was a special band playing the Geek national anthem . With the Acropolis in the back ground, the ceremony was an audio and visual delight. Devpreet Singh, AIR News, Athens." <><><> External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has left for a four- nation tour to Italy, France, Luxembourg and Belgium. Ministry of External Affairs in a release said, Mrs Swaraj will reach Italy today on her first leg of the tour. It will be the first major political exchange between India and Italy following the swearing- in of Mr Giuseppe Conte as Italy’s new Prime Minister on 1st of this month. In Rome, Mrs Swaraj will meet Prime Minister Conte and also review bilateral relations between the two countries with her Italian counterpart Enzo Moavero Milanesi. She will be in France from 18th to 19th of this month. She will meet her counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris to review the bilateral relations. Mrs Swaraj will reach Luxembourg on 19th of this month and from 20th to 23rd, she will be visiting Belgium. <><><> Russia successfully launched a Glonass- M positioning satellite today using a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket. In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said the satellite was launched from the Plesetsk space center at 00:46 local time. The Glonass network provides real-time positioning data for surface, sea and airborne objects around the globe, at an accuracy reportedly at par with the U.S. Global Positioning System. <><><> UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the Afghan government's announcement of a unilateral extension of the ceasefire with the Taliban. Mr Guterres urged the Taliban to heed the call for peace from the Afghan people and reciprocate the gesture. The UN Chief said, he believes that the only solution to the conflict in Afghanistan is through an inclusive political process and urged both sides not to let those trying to derail the peace efforts to prevail.  Guterres also condemned yesterday's attack in the eastern province of Nangarhar targeting Eid celebrations, in which 26 people were killed and 54 others injured. <><><> A man in the US has been convicted of the first- degree murder of an Indian- origin student after four years of untiring efforts by his family to seek justice. According to media report, when Southern Illinois University student Pravin Varughese was found dead in 2014 after being missing for five days, authorities in Carbondale initially declared it as a tragic accident. Chicago Tribune said, Varughese's cause of death at that time was reported as environmental hypothermia.  A 12- person jury on Thursday found Gaege Bethune, a southern Illinois man, guilty of the murder of Varughese. <><><> In United States, a host of events have been planned to mark the fourth anniversary of the International Day of Yoga. In New York, people gathered at the Governors Island yesterday to participate in the two-hour event 'Let Yoga Govern Your Life'  organised by the Consulate General of India. India's Consul General in New York, Sandeep Chakravorty highlighted yoga's role in bringing together the cultures and people of America and India. <><><> In Assam, rail services in Barak Valley remain suspended for the fourth day in a row due to a landslide following heavy rain in Dima Hasao district. The suspension of train services in the region has cut off the rail connectivity in Tripura from the rest of country. All rivers in the valley including Barak have shown a downfall in water level but thousands of people are still homeless in Chachaar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts. However, flood situation in Manipur and Tripura is gradually improving. In Tripura, life is returning back to normalcy in Unakoti district. However, the rescue operation is still going on by the  NDRF team to help affected the people in some places. More from our correspondent: "Officials from the State Emergency Operation Centre told AIR that more than 8100 families are still in 173 relief camps across the state. They also said that the water level of various rivers of the state has receded.  However, around 42,000 people have taken shelter in 121 camps in Kumarghat and Kailasahar subdivisions of the district. While two Indian Air Force helicopters have pressed in the district to distribute food and purified water.  NISHITH JOSHI, AIR NEWS, AGARTALA". In Manipur, water level of all major rivers passing through the four valley districts of Thoubal, Bishnupur Imphal east, Imphal west has been receding gradually.Our correspondent reports, flash flood due to incessant rain in the last five-six days deadly affected normal life in the State. "Ìn an official statement, State Additional Chief Secretary, Relief and Disaster Management, M. H. Khan said   seven persons have died in this flash flood. The statement said, more than 1,92,000 people from 360 villages and other local communities have been affected in this flood. It further said, about 25,000 houses got damaged in the calamity. More than 58,000 homeless people are taking shelter in 180 relief camps.  IBOMCHA SHARMA, AIR NEWS, IMPHAL". <><><> Delhi's pollution level decreased rapidly but continued to remain in the severe category for the sixth day today. Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research institute, SAFAR said, the pollution level that dipped to severe plus state has come to severe category due to rapid dispersion of pollutants. According to the data by Central Pollution Control Board, CPCB, the dispersion of pollutants has become faster after the local winds picked up speed, which in turn has rapidly decreased the pollution level and improved air quality. <><><> And now news from the FIFA world cup. "On the fourth day of the FIFA World Cup in Russia, three matches are slated for today.  In the first game at Samara at 5.30 p.m., 34th ranked Serbia will face 23th ranked Central American team Costa Rica. Serbia is  back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010.  Costa Rica are making their fifth World Cup appearance.  In the second match, Germany will begin their title defence in Moscow at 8.30 p.m. against a vastly experienced Mexico side. Germany have won their opening game in each of the last seven World Cups, Mexico are unbeaten in their last five World Cup opening games. Germany defeated Mexico 4-1 on the way to lifting last year's Confederation Cup Trophy. In the third encounter of the day, five-time world champions Brazil will  take on a fiercely organised Switzerland team at the Rostov Arena  at 11.30 p.m. Brazil are the most in-form side going into the tournament with 17 wins in 21 games.  On the other hand, the Swiss outfit, ranked sixth in the world, will be trying to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 64 years. Meanwhile, in a dramatic match yesterday, tiny Iceland made a stunning first-ever World Cup appearance when they held two-time champions Argentina 1-1. With S. Rangarajan, Arti Rana, Sports Desk." <><><> The Indian women's hockey team has suffered a 1-4 defeat against hosts Spain in the fourth game of the five-match series. India's lone goal came through Udita in the 22nd minute. India now trail 1-2 in the series.  While Spain beat India 3-0 in the opener, the second game between the two sides finished with a 1-1 draw. India bounced back with a 3-2 win in the third match before being outplayed in the fourth game yesterday.The two teams will play their fifth and final match tomorrow.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterates NDA government's commitment to provide universal coverage of seven key schemes to 45,000 additional villages by 15th August this year. Mr Modi calls upon all Chief Ministers for cent-percent implementation of his government's schemes for welfare of poor. Centre resumes operation against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir after month long suspension during Ramazan. President Ram Nath Kovind to meet President and Prime minister of Greece in Athens tomorrow. In Afghanistan, 18 people killed and 49 injured in a suicide bomb attack. And in FIFA World Cup, Serbia beat Costa Rica 1-NIL in first encounter of the day; match between defending champion Germany and Mexico underway; Brazil to take on Switzerland tonight. <><><>  Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reiterated the NDA government's commitment to provide universal coverage of seven key schemes to 45,000 additional villages in 115 Aspirational Districts by 15th August this year. He was delivering closing remarks at the fourth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog in New Delhi. Elaborating on the Union government's guiding principle of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, the Prime Minister said, the schemes are reaching everyone without discrimination. Mr Modi said, all villages of the country are now electrified, and under Saubhagya Yojana, four crore houses are now being provided with electricity connections. He said, rural sanitation coverage has increased from less than 40 percent to about 85 percent in four years. Similarly, he said, the Ujjwala Yojana is providing access to cooking gas, and Mission Indradhanush is working towards universal immunization. Mr Modi said, his Government is working towards providing housing for all by 2022. He called upon all Chief Ministers to contribute their efforts towards this objective of 100 percent implementation of schemes for the welfare of poor. Welcoming the constructive discussion and suggestions made by various Chief Ministers, the Prime Minister assured the gathering that these suggestions would be seriously considered in the course of decision-making. Speaking on the issue of environment, Mr Modi urged all states to use LED bulbs in their government buildings, official residences and streetlights. Mr Modi said that Swachh Bharat Mission is being discussed around the world. He called upon all present, to work towards 100 percent sanitation coverage by October 2nd next year, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Speaking on the economy, the Prime Minister said that the world expects India to become a five trillion dollar economy soon. He encouraged states to give fresh ideas to the Finance Commission, for incentivizing outcome-based allocations, and expenditure correction. The Prime Minister also called for efforts towards water conservation and water management on a war footing. Later, briefing reporters, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said, during the meeting the Prime Minister asked to form a panel of 7 Chief Ministers headed by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to make recommendations on coordinated policy approach with regard to agriculture and MGNREGA. "फिर उन्‍होंने कहा कि बिहार, सिक्किम, गुजरात, उत्‍तर प्रदेश, वेस्‍ट बंगोल और आन्‍ध्र प्रदेश इसमें शिरक्‍त करें, कि कैसे हम कृषि क्षेत्र और मनरेगा को जोड़ सकते हैं उसमें से सामंजस्‍य निकाल सकते हैं।" The Vice Chairman said, Prime Minister also mooted the idea of aspirational blocks in different states on the line of aspirational districts to develop them. During the interaction, the Prime Minister again talked about simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and asked the states to also think about uniform voter list for all the elections. "राज्‍यों को... इलेक्‍शन को सोचना चाहिए और कम से कम शुरूआत इस चीज से करना चाहिए कि क्‍या हम लोग एक यूनिफार्म वोटर लिस्‍ट तो बना सकते हैं, उसी से बहुत बड़ी बचत हो जायेगी कि सारे सालभर, हर समय वो चुनाव की सरगर्मी रहे उससे वो विकास हो जितना एटेंशन होना चाहिए वो हम नहीं दे पाते हैं।" <><><>  Government will resume operation against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir after month long suspension during Ramazan. In a series of tweets, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, the security forces are being directed to take all necessary actions as earlier to prevent terrorists from launching attacks and indulging in violence and killings. The minister said, while the Security Forces have displayed exemplary restraint during Ramazan, the terrorists continued with their attacks on civilians and security forces resulting in deaths and injuries. He commended the security forces for showing exemplary restraint during the holy month despite grave provocations.                                                                      <><><> Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has assured that he will ensure the safety and security of IAS officers. In a statement, Mr Kejriwal said, it is his duty to ensure safety of all. The Chief Minister urged them to stop their boycott of the elected government, return to work and start attending all meetings of Ministers. <><><>  IAS officers in Delhi today said, the information that they are on strike is completely false and baseless. Briefing media in New Delhi, IAS Association's Manisha Saxena informed that they are not on strike. She said, IAS offcers are completely apolitical and neutral and are accountable only to the law. Ms Saxena pointed out that they have never been required to come out and clarify their stand. The bureaucrats said they are attending meetings, and all departments are doing their work.                                                                         <><><> The air quality in Delhi remained severe for the sixth day today. According to data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board,  the PM10 level was recorded at 420 while the PM2.5 level was 107. The Air Quality Index of the city remained severe at 402. Pollution level in neighbouring regions also remained severe. <><><>  President Ram Nath Kovind will meet Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime minister Alexis Tsipras and leader of Opposition Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens tomorrow. Mr Kovind reached Athens yesterday on the first leg of his three nation tour to Greece, Suriname and Cuba. He visited monuments of great historical and archaeological significance this morning. President Kovind is addressing the Indian diaspora. "There are about 12000 Indian nationals living in Greece. Most of them are farm, factory or construction workers or small entrepreneurs.  Some Indian professionals work in multi national organisations in banking, insurance and software sectors. As far as Indo- Greek cultural relations are concerned, there are unofficial Greek centres in Kolkata and Varanasi.  Organisations like Indo - Hellenic Society for Culture and Development, Art of Living Hellas and many Yoga centres actively propagate and promote Indian culture in Greece. Cultural groups sponsored by ICCR regularly participate in Greek dance and music festivals and cultural events. DEVPREET SINGH, AIR NEWS, ATHENS". <><><>  The External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has left for a four-nation tour to Italy, France, Luxembourg and Belgium. Ministry of External Affairs in a release said, Mrs Swaraj will reach Italy today on her first leg of the tour. It will be the first major political exchange between India and Italy following the swearing- in of Mr Giuseppe Conte as Italy’s new Prime Minister on 1st of this month. In Rome, Mrs Swaraj will meet Prime Minister Conte and also review bilateral relations between the two countries with her Italian counterpart Enzo Moavero Milanesi. She will be in France from 18th to 19th of this month. She will meet her counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris to review the bilateral relations.                                                                         <><><> In Afghanistan, 18 people were killed and 49 others injured in a suicide attack in Jalalabad today which targetted a crowd celebrating the Eid holiday. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the suicide attack in Jalalabad city, outside the office of the Nangarhar provincial governor. Nangarhar provincial health director Najibullah Kamawal said, some of the injured are in serious condition and death toll could rise. The Islamic State group, which was not part of the truce, had claimed an even deadlier blast near the city a day earlier. Further dampening hopes for peace after jubilant scenes during the ceasefire over the Muslim holiday, the Taliban announced they would not be extending the truce beyond tonight. <><><>  An earthquake of 4.6 magnitude struck Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo this afternoon. Japan Meteorological Agency said, the epicenter was the southern part of Gunma Prefecture. The Agency said, no major damage has been reported and tsunami alert has not been issued.                                                                         <><><> In Nepal people attended Yoga Camp at 12,500 feet above the sea level in Muktinath. The camp was organised by the Embassy of India on Saturday to celebrate International Yoga Day. A large number of local people and monks enthusiastically participated in the camp. The United Nations General Assembly had unanimously declared  21st June as International Day for Yoga in 2015. <><><>  Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today inaugurated the largest ever celebration of International Day of Yoga in The Netherlands. It was  organised at the initiative of the Embassy of India. Indian mission in Amsterdam said in a statement that a group session of traditional Indian yoga was followed by a talk and meditation session led by the spiritual guru.                                                                <><><> The News Services Division of All India Radio in its weekly bilingual live phone-in programme “PUBLIC SPEAK” tomorrow will bring you a discussion on ‘‘स्‍वस्‍थ जीवन के लिए योग का महत्‍व’’। This can be heard on FM Gold Channel and additional frequencies from 9.30 p.m. Listeners can ask questions to the experts sitting in our studio on Toll Free Telephone No: 1800-115767. You can also post queries on our Twitter handle @airnewsalerts by #tag Askair. This programme is also available on Doordarshan DTH. <><><>  In Assam, flood situation continues to be grim at Barak valley. Sources said, 5 persons lost their lives in flood related incidents at Barak valley today. Overall 4.5 lakh people have been affected at 6 districts in current wave of floods. NDRF and SDRF rescued 6 thousand people today at Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts. Nearly 1.73 displaced people have taken shelter at temporary relief camps. However, flood situation in Manipur and Tripura is gradually improving. Our Tripura correspondent reports that rescue operation is underway.Officials from the State Emergency Operation Centre told AIR that more than 13700 families are still in 165 relief camps across the state. While in Unakoti district, the situation has started becoming normal. The District Administration Officials told AIR that the around 42,000 people have taken shelter in 121 camps in Kumarghat and Kailasahar subdivision of Unakoti District. Officials say water level of two rivers Monu and Dhalai were found receding below danger level. Nishith Joshi/AIR News/ Agartala <><><>  Mumbai Metropolitan Region comprising of Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Palghar have been experiencing intermittent to incessant rainfall today. According to the BMC officials, there have been no major incidents and road and rail traffic are moving smoothly. Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast intermittent rain to heavy shower in one or two places in next 24 hours. <><><> Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has said, the target of replacing bio-toilets with vacuum bio-toilets in trains will be achieved 100 percent by March next year. In an interview to a news agency in New Delhi, the Minister said, some 500 vacuum bio-toilets have been ordered and once the experiment is successful, all the 2.5 lakh toilets in the trains will be replaced with vacuum bio-toilets. Mr Goyal said, the vacuum toilets will be odour-free and the tracks will be cleaner.                                                                 <><><> In the Football World Cup, Serbia beat Costa Rica by 1-0 in a  group E match at Samara today. Serbia's Aleksandar Kolarov converted a free kick into a goal at 56th minute of the game. Serbia is back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010. An exciting match is now underway in Moscow where Mexico was leading 1-0 against Defending champion Germany in their group F match. In the third encounter of the day, five-time world champions Brazil will take on Switzerland at the Rostov Arena at 11.30 p.m. Brazil are the most in-form side going into the tournament with 17 wins in 21 games.  On the other hand, the Swiss outfit, ranked sixth in the world, will be trying to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 64 years. <><><>  The Indian women's hockey team suffered a 1-4 defeat against hosts Spain in the fourth game to trail 1-2 in the five-match series. Lola Riera continued her fine form with a double strike while the other goals came from Lucia Jimenez and Carmen Cano. India's only goal of the match was scored by Udita in the 22nd minute. While Spain beat India 3-0 in the opener, the second game between the two sides finished with a 1-1 draw. Indians  bounced back with a 3-2 win in the third match before being outplayed in the fourth game played yesterday. The two teams will play their fifth and final match tomorrow. <><><>  Sri Lankan Test Cricket captain Dinesh Chandimal has been charged with ball-tampering by the ICC during a series in West Indies. The ICC today said, Chandimal was charged for breaching the Code of Conduct which relates to changing the condition of the ball. Umpires had raised concerns about the condition of the ball towards the end of day two of the second test match under progress. In protest, Sri Lanka took to the field two hours late on day three but eventually decided to play following lengthy discussions between match referee Javagal Srinath and Sri Lanka's coaching staff. Sri Lanka Cricket board later released a statement denying any wrongdoing by its players. <><><>              []<><><>[]