Iran launches fresh missile attack on Israel; Sirens sounded across northern regions
Tel Aviv: Tensions in West Asia escalated further as Iran launched another wave of ballistic missiles targeting northern Israel on Tuesday, triggering sirens across several cities and forcing residents into shelters. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the attack and said its defence systems were activated to intercept the missiles.
"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the IDF said in a statement released on its official Telegram channel.
Cautioning the public, the IDF instructed citizens to immediately move into protected spaces and remain there until further notice. "Leaving the protected space is only permitted following an explicit directive. Continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command," the advisory said.
The latest missile barrage follows an earlier Israeli offensive that targeted several locations in Iran, particularly in its western region. The strikes reportedly damaged key parts of Iran's air defence systems. Israel has justified its actions by claiming Iran was close to achieving nuclear weapons capability — a scenario both Israel and the United States have identified as a critical red line.
In response, Iran carried out retaliatory strikes, targeting key Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem — marking the first time such cities have come under direct attack from Tehran. Iran declared the missile strikes as a response to Israeli aggression.
Adding to the intensity of the conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly said that eliminating Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would bring an end to the hostilities. His statement comes a day after US President Donald Trump reportedly vetoed a similar proposal, highlighting international divisions over the handling of the crisis.
Over the past four days, both nations have exchanged missile and drone attacks, with civilians on both sides urged to prepare for a prolonged conflict. While Israel views Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat, Tehran accuses Israel of provocation and aggression.
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Railway exams postponed after pro-Kannada activists protests over exclusion of language
Bengaluru (PTI): South Western Railway on Tuesday abruptly postponed its recruitment examinations following protests by pro-Kannada organisations over the conduct of tests only in English and Hindi.
Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike gathered outside exam centres in Bengaluru and Hubballi, demanding that the exams also be held in Kannada.
"The recruitment examinations have been postponed due to the protests and next dates would be announced later," a SWR official said.
Officials said the South Western Railway (SWR) had scheduled promotion examinations on Tuesday to fill 295 posts, including 194 posts of goods train manager.
Following the development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the Union Government to ensure that Kannada-speaking candidates are not subjected to "such injustice".
He also sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue necessary directions in this regard, demanding that the cancelled examinations be conducted at the earliest, with provision to write them in Kannada.
The morning exams were postponed after members of the pro-Kannada organisation staged protests near the exam centres in parts of the state including Bengaluru. The exams scheduled for the afternoon hours have also been postponed, he said.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike has been opposing the move to drop the local language from the recruitment exams, stating it could prevent local candidates from appearing.
Welcoming the postponement, the organisation warned it would resume protests if the exams are held again without meeting its demands.
"Every state language must be respected. Candidates must be allowed to write exams in their respective state languages...Kannada in Karnataka, Tamil in Tamil Nadu, Marathi in Maharashtra, so that local candidates can have better opportunities to serve in higher positions," Hanumanthappa Ambigeri, a member of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, told reporters in Hubballi.
Taking to social media platform 'X', Siddaramaiah said the Railway Department has abruptly cancelled the promotion examinations scheduled to be held today for 194 Goods Train Manager posts in South Western Railway and 101 LDCE posts in the Hubballi division, placing Kannada employees in uncertainty.
This follows strong opposition from Kannadigas and Kannada organisations, he said.
Siddaramaiah pointed out that thousands of Kannada-speaking employees had already raised objections over the lack of provision to write the examination in the local language.
Despite peaceful protests, he alleged that the department failed to respond in time, cancelling the examinations at the last moment and leading to the present confusion.
"Had the department acted early and allowed the examination in Kannada, this situation could have been avoided. Instead, its indifferent approach and last-minute cancellation after protests intensified is condemnable," Siddaramaiah said.
The chief minister claimed that this is not the first instance, nor will it be the last, of Kannadigas facing injustice in central government examinations.
"Due to the continued imposition of Hindi in recruitment processes across central departments, Kannada candidates have long been subjected to unfair treatment," he alleged.
"It is unfortunate that this has occurred even when (state MP) V Somanna serves as Minister of State for Railways. I had expected that he would stand for Kannadigas and address this injustice, but that expectation has not been fulfilled. He must move beyond words and act in the interest of Karnataka," he said.
Siddaramaiah said that Kannadigas have already experienced the adverse impact of the Centre's preference for Hindi and neglect of regional languages. Restricting central examinations to Hindi and English is unacceptable, he said.
"India is a union of states formed on linguistic foundations. We do not oppose Hindi, but we will not accept its imposition over Kannada. Kannadigas are not seeking employment or promotion as charity, but asserting their right in the language they were educated in," he added.
