
Thu Jun 12 02:11:38 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
This is a collection of news snippets from various fields, reflecting an Indian perspective on world affairs and covering happenings within India. Key highlights include progress in India-EU free trade talks, modifications to Indian Railways’ Tatkal ticket booking system, government efforts to counter terrorist propaganda online, a delay in an Indian astronaut’s mission to the ISS, ongoing debate about a caste census in Karnataka, India’s likely non-ratification of the High Seas Treaty, a Maoist encounter in Chhattisgarh, concerns about regional unrest leading to US staff reduction in West Asia, political turmoil in Israel with a potential government dissolution, a supposed trade deal between the US and China, and the World Test Championship final. The compilation also includes updates on Harvey Weinstein’s retrial.
**News Article:**
**India Navigates Global Landscape Amidst Domestic Developments**
**New Delhi, June 12, 2025:** India is actively engaged on multiple fronts, both domestically and internationally, according to recent reports.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced progress in free trade agreement discussions with the European Union, emphasizing the goal of a “comprehensive, balanced, and meaningful” pact. Meanwhile, Indian Railways is implementing Aadhaar-based authentication for Tatkal ticket bookings starting July 1st, aiming to curb misuse and ensure equitable access. The government is also bolstering its IT cells and cybersurveillance capabilities to combat the spread of terrorist propaganda on social media.
In space news, the launch of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, which includes Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has been delayed due to a LOx leak discovered during SpaceX’s post-static fire booster inspections. A new launch date is pending.
Domestically, the debate over a fresh caste census in Karnataka continues, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge defending the decision as necessary to reflect current socio-economic realities. However, India is unlikely to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France. Security forces in Chhattisgarh have reported killing two Maoists in an operation, signaling a continuation of anti-Maoist efforts despite the rainy season.
Globally, tensions are causing shifts in diplomatic presence. The United States is drawing down nonessential personnel from its embassy in Baghdad due to potential regional unrest. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government faces a critical test with a bill to dissolve the government on the table, fueled by disagreements over mandatory military service exemptions. Adding to the global economic picture, U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed a trade deal with China involving tariffs and resource exchange. Finally, in sports, Australia and South Africa are battling it out in the World Test Championship final.
Meanwhile in the US, former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was convicted Wednesday of one of the top charges in his sex crimes retrial but acquitted of another, and jurors were as yet unable to reach a verdict on a third charge.