THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs high level security meeting with Defence Minister and top officials in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
- Justice B R Gavai appointed next Chief Justice of India.
- Char Dham Yatra to begin today in Uttarakhand with opening of portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams.
- At least 14 people killed in a hotel fire in Kolkata.
- US President Donald Trump says, tariff talks with India going great; Expects a trade agreement soon.
- In Cricket retained for Asian Games 2026; Mixed Martial Arts set to make its debut at the meet.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at his residence in New Delhi yesterday. CDS Anil Chauhan and Chiefs of three services also attended the meeting. The meeting was held in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. Later, RSS Chief, Mohan Bhagwat also met Prime Minister at his resedence in New Delhi.
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External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar received a call from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and appreciated his unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. During the conversation, they agreed on the importance of accountability. In a social media post, Dr. Jaishankar said that India has resolved that the perpetrators, planners and backers of this attack are brought to justice.
External Affairs Minister expressed appreciation after speaking with the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In a social media post, Dr. Jaishankar stated that their discussion focused on the need to counter terrorism effectively in all its forms and manifestations. Earlier, Dr. Jaishankar had spoken with the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Cyprus, Panama, Somalia, Slovenia, and Guyana regarding the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
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The Indian Army effectively responded to firing by Pakistan military along Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir last night. Defence sources said, Pakistan Army posts fired unprovoked across the Line of Control in areas opposite Naushera, Sunderbani and Akhnoor sector. Pakistan Army posts also fired in Baramulla and Kupwara districts as well as across the international border in the Pargwal sector. The Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively.
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced 50 lakh rupees financial assistance for families of victims from the state in the Pahalgam terror attack. At a Cabinet meeting in Mumbai, the government also assured educational and job support for victims' families, including a government job for Asawari Jagdale, daughter of Santosh Jagdale who died in the attack.
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BJP has sharply reacted to an image shared by Congress on its social media handle targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Briefing media in New Delhi, party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Congress is trying to weaken the country through such post in this crucial time after the Pahalgam terror attack. Mr. Bhatia alleged that Congress is giving message to Pakistan that it is with Islamabad.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, has alleged that the Congress's post, which features the Prime Minister alongside an objectionable image with the caption ‘Gayab’, is highly irresponsible.
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Supreme Court Judge, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai will be the next Chief Justice of India. Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said that President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice Gavai as the next Chief Justice of India and his appointment will be effective from 14th of May. Justice Gavai will be the 52nd Chief Justice. He will succeed Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna whose tenure will end on 13th of next month.
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The first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 will begin tomorrow at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The 4-day event will provide a global platform for discussions on the future of the audio-visual and entertainment industry. Our correspondent reports that the event will feature global media dialogues, buyer-seller meets, pitch sessions for emerging creators and showcases of new-age storytelling formats. A report:
The WAVES Summit provides a remarkable opportunity to showcase India’s vast potential in entertainment and creativity to the world. The four-day event, beginning tomorrow, will bring together the world’s top media CEOs, leading entertainment icons, and creative minds from across the globe. Approximately five thousand delegates from one hundred countries are expected to attend the event. Entertainment startups will get a chance to present their ideas to a global audience and connect with investors and industry leaders. Famous celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, Nagarjuna, Shahrukh Khan, Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, and Aamir Khan are scheduled to attend the event. Prarthna, Akashvani News, Mumbai.
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The Char Dham Yatra will begin today in Uttarakhand with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams in the Uttarkashi district on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya. The Utsav doli of Maa Ganga departed for Gangotri from Bhairav Temple, Bhairavghati this morning, and the gates of Gangotri Dham will open at 10:30 AM with traditional prayers and Vedic chants.
The doli of Maa Yamuna has left from Kharsali, and the portals of Yamunotri Dham will open at 11:55 AM today with traditional rituals.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the government has completed all preparations to ensure a smooth and safe Chardham Yatra.
The portals of Kedarnath Dham will open on Friday, while the gates of Badrinath Dham will open on Sunday.
Amid chanting of Vedic hymns and other religious rituals, the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri Temple will be opened. This year, the pilgrimage is anticipated to be more divine and grand, with the state government leaving no stone unturned to ensure comprehensive arrangements for the convenience of pilgrims. State Government has made elaborate arrangements with special focus on security, traffic management, crowd control, health and sanitation. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS.
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Akashvani will broadcast live the opening of the Char Dham Yatra 2025. The live broadcast of opening of portals of Gangotri Dham will be available today from 10 am to 11 am, while the broadcast of opening of Yamountri Dham's portals will be available from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. The broadcast would be available on Akashwani's Indraprastha, FM Gold and Aradhana channels as well as on the newsonair app. Starting from today, a report related to the Yatra will also be broadcast every day from 7:30 PM to 7:45 PM till 4th of next month.
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In West Bengal, at least 14 people were killed in a fire that broke out in a hotel near Falpatti Machhua in central Kolkata last night. Police said, 14 bodies have been recovered, and several people have been rescued. The fire incident took place at around 8:15 p.m. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma said a special team has also been formed to investigate the incident.
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In Andhra Pradesh, seven people lost their lives and about 15 were injured after a wall adjacent to the queue line collapsed at the Simhachalam Temple near Visakhapatnam. According to reports, the wall collapsed after a tent fell on it due to heavy rain in the early hours today. The NDRF and SDRF teams are actively involved in rescue and relief measures.
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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta flagged off a Run for One Nation, One Election at Delhi University in New Delhi this morning. Speaking at the occasion, Mr Pradhan emphasized that One Nation, One Election is the need of the hour.
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Mother Dairy has increased the price of its liquid milk by up to two rupees per litre, with the revised rates coming into effect from this morning. According to a statement issued by the company, the price hike was necessary due to a rise in procurement costs, which have gone up by 4 to 5 rupees per litre over the past few months.
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US President Donald Trump has said that talks with India on tariffs are going great and the two countries will reach a trade agreement soon. The US President infomed this to reporters outside the White House last night ahead of a rally in Michigan.
Earlier this week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also affirmed that India could be one of the first to sign a trade deal with the US, though he did not provide any further details.
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And now, let's turn our attention to the world of sports. Cricket has been retained for Asian Games 2026, while Mixed Martial Arts is set to make its debut at the continental meet.
The Asian Games 2026 are scheduled to be held in the Aichi and Nagoya prefectures of Japan from September 19 to October 4. This will be the fourth time that cricket will be making an appearance in the Asian Games programme.In IPL T20 Cricket, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Delhi Capitals by 14 runs in New Delhi last night. Chasing a target of 205 runs, Delhi Capitals only managed to score 190 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated twenty overs. For Kolkata, Sunil Narine scalped three wickets. Narine was declared Player of the Match. Today, Chennai Super Kings will lock horns with Punjab Kings at MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai at 7.30 pm.In Billiards, India's top cueist Pankaj Advani began his campaign in a commanding manner, beating Tathya Sachdev 860-170 in the CCI Billiards Classic competition in Mumbai yesterday. In other matches, Rishabh Thakkar and Rohan Jambusaria won their respective ties. MANIK SHARMA, SPORTS DESK.
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TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- Most Newspapers today open with the meeting of the Top Brass in the wake of the recent Pahalgam attack. The Hindustan times writes "PM gives forces operational freedom for Pahalgam reply". The Asian Age writes" At UN, India hits out at Pakistan as "rouge nation". "Terror fear shuts tourist spots in valley",writes The Pioneer.
- Quoting The Prime Minister The Statesman on its front page mentions"Government modernising country's education system to meet needs of 21st century".
- The Times of India informs, " Canada's anti-Trump vote hands Libs dramatic win".
- Talking about the proposed multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement," India, US looking for'early wins' in trade deal within the tariff pause period" writes The Hindu Businessline.
- And finally The Indian Express has an inspiring story of an all women brigade. " In Lahaul and Spiti, all- woman team: MP, MLA,DC, SP, SDM, Zila chief".
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs high level security meeting with Defence Minister and top officials in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
- Justice B R Gavai appointed next Chief Justice of India.
- Char Dham Yatra to begin today in Uttarakhand with opening of portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams.
- At least 14 people killed in a hotel fire in Kolkata.
- US President Donald Trump says, tariff talks with India going great; Expects a trade agreement soon.
- In Cricket retained for Asian Games 2026; Mixed Martial Arts set to make its debut at the meet.
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