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India and Israel come closer with reduced flight time

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India and Israel come closer with reduced flight time

Air India flies over Saudi Arabia to reach Tel Aviv

The ties between India and Israel have witnessed a major jump when two capitals were connected with direct Air India Flight with reduced flight duration due to Saudi Arabia’s permission to Air India to fly over its airspace.

The first direct flight arrived in Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport from New Delhi late on Thursday night. It left New Delhi at 6 pm that evening.

Israeli Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, who was present at the airport told an Indian news agency, “This is really a historical moment…We are in a new era. I am sure that we will see many more Indian tourists coming to Israel…and Israelis would also come to India in much higher numbers,”

Air India’s flight covered the distance in 7.15 hours, 2.10 hours less than the time taken by the only other airline that flies between the two countries Tel Aviv and Mumbai by Israel’s national carrier El Al.

Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu posted a tweet on this occasion.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Tourism Minister was cautious on Saudi Arabia allowing Air India to use its air-space for reaching Tel Aviv. He said: “We have to very cautious. This is really a first step — a very important one… I hope with times we have more and more normal relation with our neighbour in this region….India played a very important bridge (by introducing this flight over Saudi airspace) not only between India and us but also between Israel and other countries in this region.”

Many Arab and Muslim countries do not recognise Israel as a nation because of its illegitimate occupation of Palestinian land and disallow airlines from using their airspace for flights connecting with Israel.India and Israel come closer with reduced flight time

Meanwhile Indian Ambassador to Israel Pavan Kapoor called Air India’s arrival a “historic” moment saying that a lot of efforts had gone into it over the last two years with a strong vision and support for the initiative from the prime ministers of both the countries.

He said the initiative would strengthen the relationship between the two countries in various spheres, including political, trade and cultural.

The flight will be operating its 256-seater Boeing 787 Dream-liner every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. The inaugural flight left at 6 pm IST on Thursday while the scheduled departure will be 4.50 pm IST from Sunday when the Air India’s summer schedule comes into effect.

However, amidst joyous mood on the beginning of the direct Air India flight between New Delhi and Tel Aviv, Israel’s national carrier El Al has decided to petition at their Supreme Court for getting access to the Saudi airspace.

Read More: Saudi Arabia grants airspace permission to Air India for Israel

Yisrael Katz, Israel’s transport minister, while welcoming direct flight between New Delhi and Tel Aviv, said, “I hope that Israeli airlines like El Al (Israel’s flagship carrier) will be allowed to use this route in the future.”

Al-Jazeera reports that the court appeal will come early next week. The Saudi government has not officially commented on the development.

However, observers believe that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who is currently trying to moderate Kingdom’s image to the outside world under his Vision 2030, may positively consider such a request from Tel Aviv.

Riyadh allowed Air India to fly over its air-space when ties between India and Saudi Arabia were growing steadily. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with highest civilian award: King Abdul Aziz Sash, by Saudi King Salman when he visited Riyadh in April 2016.

The permission by Saudi authorities to fly over its territories has reduced flight time by almost 2 hours and 10 minutes compared to the longer route taken by Israel’s national carrier El Al, which has direct flights between Tel Aviv and Mumbai.

The new air route between the two countries was first announced by PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Israel in July last year. Israeli PM Banjamin Netanyahu, while visiting India in January this year had asserted the new air route over Saudi territory would drastically reduce flight time.

At present El Al takes a circuitous route over the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and then enters India and avoids countries that are on the direct flight path such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Pakistan.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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