Mumbai, Jul 14

Terming the recent claims by former union Home Secretary R V S Mani regarding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks as "deeply disturbing," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday demanded a high-level, impartial investigation into the alleged ISI-Congress conspiracy.

Addressing a press conference following a marathon Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister pivoted from this grave national security concern to announce a massive development roadmap for the state. Among the key decisions, the government has cleared a landmark expansion of the 'Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana-2026,' which is set to benefit approximately 56 lakh farmers by removing previous eligibility barriers and offering new incentives for regular repayment.

Fadnavis also sought to settle the brewing controversy surrounding the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), categorically dismissing opposition allegations of land privatization. He clarified that MSRTC would retain full ownership of its assets, with surplus land slated for development under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to ensure the long-term financial viability of the state’s transport network.

The Cabinet further approved a new "Monetization Policy" to boost the revenue of local self-governing bodies and sanctioned the implementation of the central "Urban Challenge Fund" to accelerate infrastructure projects in cities. Notable regional initiatives included a Rs 24.95 crore modernization package for the Beed District Sports Complex and the establishment of an international-grade agricultural market in Dahanu (Palghar), spanning 558.43 hectares.
Refuting political attacks from the opposition, the Chief Minister dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the state’s handling of paper leaks as "ill-informed" and labeled Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s recent political posturing as "hollow."

Other administrative decisions included doubling the rehabilitation grant for acquitted prisoners from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 and approving critical amendments to the Maharashtra Minor Mineral Extraction Rules, 2013, to improve regulatory transparency.

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New Delhi / Mumbai

Sources close to Shrikant Shinde, leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, said about six “rebel” Sena (UBT) MPs are already in Delhi.

Even as speculation grows over a possible split within the Shiv Sena (UBT), with six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs reportedly preparing to approach Speaker Om Birla for separate recognition, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party has issued a whip directing all its lawmakers to attend a parliamentary party meeting Thursday.

Sena (UBT) leader Anil Desai told reporters in Delhi that all MPs had expressed support for the party at a June 14 meeting, but added that they needed to remain cautious amid reports circulating in the media and on social platforms.

Desai said the party has submitted a memorandum to the Speaker and that the Sena (UBT) parliamentary party would meet Thursday.

However, a clear picture will emerge only after the rebel MPs meet the Lok Sabha Speaker.

Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) MP Bhausahab Wakchaure told reporters he had not been contacted by anyone from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and would continue to support Uddhav Thackeray.

‘Apna Sapna Money Money’

While Desai said that the Sena (UBT) has faith in its MPs, party leader Sanjay Raut alleged that the lawmakers were being offered Rs. 50 crore to shift sides.

“Apna Sapna Money Money! …The Minimum Support Price is fixed at Rs 50 crore per MP. Rs 15 crore is just the advance. Frankly, these people aren’t even worth Rs 50,000. Their price has only gone up because of the Shiv Sena and TMC brand label,” Raut said on X.

Sources close to Shrikant Shinde, leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, said about six “rebel” Sena (UBT) MPs are already in the national capital. They had planned to meet Birla at his house in the morning, but they may now see the Speaker in Parliament later in the day.

“Mostly, two-thirds of the Sena (UBT) will make the shift today, thus not attracting the anti-defection law,” said a source.

However, while Shinde-led Shiv Sena is claiming support of two-thirds of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs, Arvind Sawant of Sena (UBT) said that democracy had been reduced to a “market”. “Those accused by the Prime Minister of being corrupt are made chief ministers,” he said.

Sawant added that the party had written to the Speaker to save the Constitution. “The party is the party. Individual MPs and MLAs are not the party,” he said, adding that the Sena (UBT) had issued a whip for a meeting Thursday.

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Washington, 15 Jun 2026

US Vice President JD Vance said the Trump administration plans to publish the full text of its agreement with Iran this week, saying "We want the American people to see it," adding that only a handful of diplomatic and technical issues remained before the document could be made public.

"Sometimes with these agreements, there are some diplomatic protocols, some technical things to work out, but we plan to release the full text this week," he told CBS News.

Vance said the agreement is designed to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, as well as reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz corridor.

According to the VP, the framework offers Iran a path towards economic reintegration if it complies with its commitments.

"It fundamentally extends a hand to Iran and says, 'look, if you guys are willing to honour your obligations, if you're willing to allow real inspections of your nuclear programme, then we will welcome you back into the world economy,'" he said.

He added that Tehran could enjoy a more prosperous future if it fulfils the terms of the agreement, but stressed that any sanctions relief or access to frozen assets would be tied to compliance. He further rejected reports that Tehran would automatically receive $24bn in frozen funds after meeting specific benchmarks.
"That figure doesn't appear anywhere in any of the texts," Vance said.

"What we have said is that we're willing to talk about unfreezing assets, but a much, much bigger deal is unsanctioning their economy — so long as they make the long-term commitments on the nuclear programme."
The vice president said discussions on frozen assets would continue during technical negotiations scheduled to begin after the formal signing ceremony expected on Friday.

Vance also said the US had discussed with Iran how to deal with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which international inspectors believe remains buried beneath the rubble of a nuclear facility struck during the war.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses around 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium which is enriched to over 60%.

"We certainly talked with the Iranians about how we're going to destroy that enriched stockpile. The technical details are one of the things that we're going to work on when we start those technical talks on Friday," Vance said.
He did not rule out a role for the US military in verifying Iranian compliance, though he suggested military involvement would likely be limited.

"We're talking about working with the IAEA and working with the Iranians to go in and destroy that enriched stockpile of material," he said.

"Whether we play an observer role or whether we play a more active role, these are the sorts of things that we'll figure out in technical talks."

Vance added that President Donald Trump had it made clear that Washington would ensure the destruction of the enriched uranium stockpile.

"The United States will be there to confirm that that enriched stockpile of material is destroyed," he said.

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Pandharpur, Correspondent

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar today issued a stern warning to the BJP-led Maharashtra government saying that he will launch a fresh farmers’ agitation from Marathwada on July 4 if the demand for an unconditional farm loan waiver were not accepted.

Although Pawar has temporarily suspended his hunger strike demanding a blanket loan waiver for farmers, he cautioned the movement would be revived if the government fails to make necessary changes to the recently announced loan waiver scheme.

The state government’s loan waiver plan currently covers only farmers with outstanding loans of up to Rs 2 lakh. Farmers with loans exceeding Rs 2 lakh are required to repay the entire amount first before becoming eligible for the waiver benefit. Rohit Pawar has opposed this condition, arguing that financially distressed farmers cannot afford such repayments.

He has instead demanded a comprehensive and unconditional loan waiver for all farmers, along with a complete clearance of debt records. Pawar had launched an indefinite hunger strike in Pandharpur to press for these demands.

Following discussions with Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan, the NCP (SP) MLA agreed to suspend the protest. Mahajan accepted a memorandum outlining farmers’ concerns and assured that the state government is sensitive to their issues.

He said a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected before the monsoon session of the state legislature begins on June 22. He has urged the government to amend the loan waiver scheme before its implementation deadline of June 30.

Rohit Pawar also proposed that several farmer leaders and opposition representatives be included in the discussions with the Chief Minister. These leaders include Raju Shetty, Ajit Navale, Shashikant Shinde, Harshvardhan Sapkal, Ravikant Tupkar, leaders from the Shiv Sena (UBT), Jayant Patil, and Mahadev Jankar.
He said the proposed meeting should focus on finding a consensus solution to farmers’ debt-related concerns and ensuring that relief measures reach all eligible cultivators without restrictive conditions, he added.

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Tehran, June 15 (Sputnik/UNI)

Iran has confirmed the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States; it will be signed in Switzerland on June 19, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said.

"The text of the Memorandum of Understanding has been finalised, and the official signing of the memorandum will take place in Switzerland on Friday," Gharibabadi said live on Iranian state television. The lifting of the US naval blockade against Iran will begin on the night of Monday, he said.

The Iran-US memorandum includes an immediate cessation of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, starting on the night of Monday, Gharibabadi confirmed.

"This memorandum does not signify trust in the enemy. The memorandum was drafted with no confidence in it. We will monitor the actions of the United States, as well as its fulfillment of its obligations," he noted.

Iran will discuss sanctions relief, nuclear issues, and economic recovery with the United States after signing a memorandum on June 19, the deputy foreign minister added.

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Washington, June 15 (Sputnik/UNI)

US President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed that an agreement had been reached with Iran, describing it as a significant diplomatic breakthrough.

"The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Following the announcement, Trump said he had authorised the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and ordered the immediate removal of the US naval blockade.

"I hereby fully authorise the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow!" Trump said in a post on social media.

Earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced that a peace agreement between the United States and Iran had been successfully negotiated. According to Sharif, both sides agreed to an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.

"Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran has been reached," Sharif said in a post on X.

He added that the two countries would formally sign the agreement in Switzerland on June 19.

"Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, June 19, in Switzerland," Sharif stated.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil transit routes, has long been a focal point of tensions in the Gulf region. The reported agreement and reopening of the waterway could have significant implications for global energy markets and regional stability.