TODAY NEWS ON June 20, 2026

News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants
Source: The Hindu , Indian Express and others
 

Iran-U.S. deal under strain as Israel targets Lebanon

Israel’s military said on Friday (June 19, 2026) that it had struck more than 80 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and killed dozens of its members in response to what it described as ceasefire violations. “Overnight, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF military) struck more than 80 command centres, terrorists, launch positions, and additional terrorist infrastructure sites in the area of Nabatieh and additional areas in southern Lebanon, within the Security Zone and beyond it,” an Army statement said. “Furthermore, during the strikes, dozens of Hezbollah terrorists operating in the command centres were eliminated.” Meanwhile, a newly signed deal to end the West Asia war was already under strain, after talks in Switzerland were postponed and fighting flared between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Delhi High Court rejects Telegram’s appeal against temporary ban

Delhi High Court on Friday (June 19, 2026) declined to grant relief to Telegram, upholding the government’s decision for a temporary ban in view of the NEET-UG re-examination on June 21, 2026. The Court said that the centre followed all norms and due process, adding that the government is empowered under Section 69A to block Telegram. Justice Tejas Karia noted that the government’s proactive measures are the least restrictive, adding that it cannot be held that the order is disproportionate or there was no application of mind before taking the temporary ban decision, as alleged by the petitioner.

Supreme Court declares right to walk on footpath a fundamental right, wants law

The Supreme Court on Friday (June 19), in a judgment, declared the freedom to walk on demarcated and well-maintained footpaths a fundamental right which has priority over movement by motorised vehicles. “If a road exists, there must then be a duty to ensure that a footpath is demarcated and maintained for the walkers. This is an enforceable duty. The fundamental right to walk on demarcated footpaths shall override the privilege of a motorised vehicle,” Justice P.S. Narasimha, who authored the judgment, held. The judgment came in a case of the death of a five-year-old boy who was crushed to death by a truck while walking to the neighbourhood school with his father.

Supreme Court flags ‘brain drain’ in legal profession, directs creation of fund for young lawyers

Observing that the legal profession risks a “brain drain” if financially struggling young lawyers are compelled to abandon litigation for careers offering greater financial stability, the Supreme Court on Friday (June 19, 2026) directed the creation of a “Young Lawyers’ Professional Assistance Fund” in every State and Union Territory. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana noted that the initial years of legal practice often impose severe financial hardships, particularly on first-generation lawyers and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It pointed out that many promising young advocates are forced to leave the profession in order to continue supporting their families as “primary breadwinners”.

Kerala Budget charts plan to make State a leading ‘unified Port City’

The Revised Kerala Budget for the financial year 2026–27, presented by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Friday, outlines an ambitious vision to transform Kerala into one of India’s leading maritime and logistics hubs by leveraging the immense potential of the Vizhinjam International Seaport. Terming Kerala as a unified ‘Port City’, the Budget proposes harnessing the integrated strengths of the State’s 600-km coastline, 17 non-major ports, two major ports, and its extensive road, rail, sea, and inland waterway networks.

India calls Pakistan a ‘Frankenstein state’ at U.N.; accuses it of supporting terrorism

India has slammed Pakistan at the United Nations, calling it a “Frankenstein state” that gets shocked when its “own monster bites back”, as it accused Islamabad of “hosting, training and deploying” terrorists. The remarks were made by Anupama Singh, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, on Wednesday (June 17, 2026), after Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during the Interactive Dialogue on the UN High Commissioner’s annual report.

Board approves Jio IPO, DRHP to be filed on June 19 with SEBI: Mukesh Ambani

“The Board of Jio Platforms has approved its DRHP, and it will be filed with SEBI today,” said Mukesh Ambani, CMD, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). Speaking at the Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Friday (June 19, 2026), Mr. Ambani said “This is a deeply emotional moment for me, for the entire Reliance Family, and millions of its shareholders.” The relationship Reliance shares with its shareholders is “a deep and sacred relationship founded on pride, trust, respect, and shared growth” — a commitment deeply personal to Dhirubhai Ambani and equally sacred to mr, Mr Ambani said.

Hormuz ship crossings spike after U.S.-Iran deal to end war, says marine tracker

A total of 25 commercial vessels crossed the newly reopened Strait of Hormuz on Thursday (June 18, 2026), the highest number since mid-April, according to data from maritime tracking firm AXSMarine published on Friday. The spike came after Iran and the United States agreed to reopen the crucial route under an agreement to end the war, but before the cancellation of talks between the sides in Switzerland that had been planned under that deal. On June 18 “we observed 25 verified commercial vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz – the highest single-day count since 18 April and more than five times the average daily level recorded during the first ten days of June,” AXSMarine said in a news release.

Andy Burnham wins key U.K. poll, paving way for bid to challenge PM Keir Starmer

Veteran U.K. Labour politician Andy Burnham emphatically won a crunch by-election on Friday (June 19, 2026), securing a parliamentary seat and clearing the way for a widely expected leadership challenge against beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Mr. Burnham, a former Minister who has been Greater Manchester Mayor since 2017, ensured his return to parliament by easily beating the hard-right Reform U.K. party’s candidate in the Makerfield constituency in northwest England.

Lionel Messi’s family confirms father experiencing health-related issue

As Argentina legend Lionel Messi makes history at the World Cup, his father is experiencing a “health situation” that prompted family members to release a statement on Thursday (June 18, 2026). Jorge ​Messi is “under medical supervision” as he continues to recover from a medical condition that ‌was not revealed. The family statement said he is “progressing favorably.” Speculation about ​the star player’s 68-year-old father, Jorge, prompted a terse tone ⁠in the family statement.

Manika Batra seeks Union Sports Minister’s intervention for Asian Games exclusion

India’s leading women’s paddler, Manika Batra, has sought the intervention of the Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) after being omitted from the country’s table tennis squad for the Asian Games, questioning the transparency and consistency of the selection process. In a strongly-worded statement issued on Thursday (June 18, 2026) night, hours after the squad was officially announced, the former Asian Games medallist said her exclusion was “deeply disheartening, not only because of the outcome, but because of the manner in which the selection criteria appear to have been interpreted and applied.”

Police get new app to scan suspect fingerprints on the streets

Police and investigating agencies across the country will soon be equipped with portable fingerprint scanners linked to a national database of 1.3 crore criminal suspects and convicts, letting them stop individuals anywhere, even on the streets, to collect thumb impressions and instantly check for any pending criminal records on their smartphones.

NTA to hold nationwide mock drill on June 20 ahead of NEET-UG re-exam

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct a nationwide mock drill on Saturday (June 20, 2026) ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination the day after as part of its preparations to ensure the smooth, secure and transparent conduct of the test, officials said on Friday (June 19, 2026).

Vivek Aggarwal appointed Financial Action Task Force vice-president

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary has appointed Culture Ministry Secretary Vivek Aggarwal as the next vice-president of the global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing watchdog for the 2026-2027 term.

Italy’s Meloni says Trump ‘totally invented’ story that she begged him for photo

Italian ‌Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accused her one-time close ally Donald Trump of fabricating a story ​about her on Friday, after the U.S. President told an Italian TV channel ⁠that she had “begged” him to take a photo with her at a G7 summit. Meloni said she was “astonished” by his comments, which were “completely made up”.

India to eradicate sickle cell anaemia before 2047, target: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday (June 19, 2026) said that the country would eradicate sickle cell anaemia well before the government-set target of 2047, while urging States not to take the disease lightly and calling for collective efforts to raise awareness about the disorder, especially among the tribal communities.

Parliamentary panel seeks clarity from government. on future engagement with Pakistan

Days after RSS leaders advocated keeping the window open for “people-to-people” ties with Pakistan, members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Friday (June 19, 2026) questioned Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials on whether the government is considering such a step.

Centre to deploy over 100 officers for VB-G RAM G rollout from July 1

The Ministry of Rural Development will deploy more than 100 area officers across the country to assist States and Union Territories ahead of the implementation of the VB-G RAM G Act from July 1, a statement said on Friday (June 19, 2026).

PM to commission three indigenous naval platforms in Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commission three indigenously-built Indian Navy frontline platforms — Dunagiri, Sanshodhak and Agray — at a landmark ceremony at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata on June 21 marking a significant boost to India’s maritime capabilities and indigenous shipbuilding programme.

PM Modi to visit West Bengal for Paschim Banga Dibas, International Yoga Day celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in West Bengal on Saturday (June 20, 2026) on a two-day visit to the State and will participate in events to mark Paschim Banga Dibas (West Bengal Day) and International Day of Yoga.

U.S. advance to World Cup round of 32 with dominant 2-0 win over Australia

The United ‌States advanced to the World Cup knockout stage with a ​dominant performance against Australia on Friday, an early own goal ⁠and a simple header from Alex Freeman giving the co-hosts a comfortable 2-0 win.

Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 as Saibari scores again

Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Group ​C of the World Cup on ‌Friday (June 19, 2026) with Ismael Saibari scoring ​his second goal in ⁠as many games after 71 seconds, leaving the North Africans well placed ‌to advance into the round of 32.