THE HEADLINES:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his first ever visit to Croatia; Calls for peaceful resolution of conflicts and condemns terrorism as the enemy of humanity.
- India and Croatia sign MoUs in the field of Agriculture, Culture, Technology and for a Hindi Chair in Zagreb University.
- First rescue flight under Operation Sindhu, carrying 110 Indian students from Iran, lands in New Delhi.
- Israel-Iran conflict intensifies as US military deployment in region increases; Tehran warns, the action would trigger an all-out war.
- And, SEBI approves major market reforms including PSU delisting and easier path for foreign investments in government bonds.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has concluded his historic and first-ever official visit to Croatia and is on his way back to New Delhi. The visit, packed with high-level engagements, marked a significant elevation in India-Croatia ties and set the stage for future strategic collaborations.
During his day-long visit to the central and southeast European country, Prime Minister Modi held wide-ranging delegation-level talks with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković at Banski Dvori. Both leaders issued a joint press statement, underscoring their shared commitment to global peace, democratic values, and expanding cooperation across trade, technology, and culture.
Mr.Modi strongly advocated peaceful resolution of conflicts, stating that Whether in Europe or Asia, solutions cannot be found on the battlefield. He said Dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable paths forward.
In a major step to strengthen ties, both nations signed four Memoranda of Understandings. First MoU was inked for cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors. Second MoU signed for the Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 2026-2030. Third one was the Programme of Cooperation in the field of Science & Technology between the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of Croatia and Ministry of Science & Technology of India for the period 2025-2029. The fourth and final MoU between both countries was between Indian Council of Cultural Relations and University of Zagreb on the Establishment of an ICCR Chair of Hindi.
Prime Minister Modi also appreciated the growing popularity of yoga in Croatia.
Prime Minister Modi held a separate meeting with Croatian President Zoran Milanović.
As he departed for New Delhi, Mr.Modi described the visit as a landmark moment that opens a new chapter in India-Croatia cooperation. With this Mr.Modi has successfully concluded his three nations tour to Cyprus, Canada and Croatia.
The delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Plenković were equally impactful. The two sides agreed on expanding trade, technology partnerships, and defense cooperation. In a notable diplomatic development, Prime Minister Modi met both Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and President Zoran Milanović during his stay in Zagreb. His meeting with President Milanović highlighted the growing strategic alignment between the two nations on global issues including peace, democracy, and multilateralism. Both leaders expressed interest in enhancing bilateral ties, increasing educational and cultural exchanges, and boosting collaboration at global platforms.The four MoUs signed today added significant momentum to the bilateral framework, particularly in agriculture, science, and culture.In his statements, PM Modi condemned terrorism and underscored the need for a united response from democratic nations. His appreciation for Croatia’s support after the recent terrorist attack in India found strong emotional resonance in Zagreb.The gala dinner hosted by PM Plenković added a warm personal touch, celebrating the deepening ties between India and Croatia.With this landmark visit, Prime Minister Modi has opened a new chapter in India’s engagement with Central and Southeast Europe anchored in trust, cooperation, and shared democratic values. Sanjio Singh for Akashvani News, Zagreb, Croatia."
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Flight carrying 110 Indian students evacuated from northern Iran landed in New Delhi in the wee hours today. India has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its nationals from Iran in view of deteriorating situation due to ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. As a first step, the Indian Embassy in Tehran evacuated the Indian students from northern Iran, assisting them in safely crossing over into Armenia on the 17th of this month. These students departed from Yerevan on a special flight last afternoon and reached New Delhi this morning.
Talking to Akashvani News, Indian students shared their experience after being evacuated amidst security challenges in Iran.
Indian nationals in Iran have been advised to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Tehran through its emergency helpline, and with the 24x7 Control Room established by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.
The Emergency Helpline numbers of Embassy of India in Tehran are- +98-9128109115. The helpline numbers for WhatsApp are +98-901044557.
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Israel-Iran conflict has intensified dramatically with Israeli forces conducting three waves of airstrikes across Iran and Iranian authorities reporting mounting casualties from the sustained bombardment. According to Iranian state news agency, the latest escalation came as Israel targeted Iran's national police headquarters, injuring several people.
operation against Iran since the conflict began, carrying out airstrikes in three waves across the day. The first wave, overnight, struck around 40 targets in the Tehran area , including centrifuge manufacturing sites and anti-tank missile production facilities. By afternoon, a second series of strikes hit 20 additional locations, focusing on three major missile production centers. The evening assault targeted surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites in western Iran. The sustained bombardment has triggered a mass exodus from Tehran and other Iranian cities. Thousands are fleeing, with reports of widespread panic and heavy congestion along evacuation routes. Iranian authorities and human rights groups now estimate at least 585 people have been killed and over 1,300 injured since the start of hostilities , many of them civilians. Infrastructure across the region is reeling. Airport closures and travel restrictions continue to disrupt civilian movement and affect foreign nationals throughout West Asia. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Israeli strikes successfully hit two centrifuge production sites that were once monitored under the 2015 nuclear deal , a development seen as a significant escalation in efforts to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities."VINOD KUMAR Aakashwani news, DUBAI.
Meanwhile, U.S President Donald Trump has escalated American involvement by increasing military deployments to the region. He has also demanded Iran's 'unconditional surrender'. Trump's shift from earlier calls for restraint to open support for Israeli military actions could reshape the trajectory of the conflict.
Iran has issued stark warnings that any direct intervention by the US would trigger 'irreparable consequences' and an 'all-out war' throughout West Asia.
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Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held a telephonic conversation with the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Major General Amir Baram. In a social media post, the Ministry of Defence said that the two leaders discussed updates on the current situation in West Asia.
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The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced a set of important reforms aimed at making the Indian financial markets more efficient, inclusive, and investor-friendly. The decisions were taken during the SEBI's board meeting led by its Chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey.
One of the biggest changes according to new measures, is that startup founders will now be allowed to keep their employee stock ownership plans (Esops) even after their companies go public. to prevent misuse, the SEBI has made it mandatory to have a one-year gap between issuing Esops and filing for an IPO. In another key decision, the market regulator approved a new framework for the voluntary delisting of public sector undertakings (PSUs). The SEBI has also simplified the rules for foreign investors who invest exclusively in government bonds. The move is expected to make India more attractive to global investors looking for stable returns. The SEBI also made changes that benefit alternative investment funds. With Bimal Mohapatra, Aishwarya Rai Nigam, Akashvani News Delhi.
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Google has opened its first Safety Engineering Centre in the Asia-Pacific region and the fourth globally, in Hyderabad yesterday. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy formally inaugurated the facility. An official release stated that the GSEC will focus on protecting users from online fraud, securing enterprise and government infrastructure, and building responsible AI.
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As the NDA government at the Centre completes 11 years, India's sports sector has undergone a massive transformation. Initiatives like Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Khelo India and KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification) among others have significantly improved the performances of the athletes, resulting in higher medal tallies in the global sporting events. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, acclaimed para-athlete and Executive Board Member of the Asian Paralympic Commitee, Deepa Malik lauded the multi-fold intatives taken by the government.
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the fintech market is projected to grow to over 400 billion US dollar by 2028-29. She pointed out that the scale of opportunity is immense, expressing hope that the fintech revolution in the country will flourish in the coming years. She was addressing the Digital Payments Awards 2025 Ceremony in New Delhi yesterday.
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Voting for Bypolls to five Assembly seats in four states is being held today. Two Assembly Bypolls are being held in Gujarat and one each is taking place in Kerala, West Bengal and Punjab. The counting of votes will take place on Monday.
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Noted environmentalist, wildlife expert, and Padmashree awardee Maruti Chitampalli, fondly known as ‘Aranya Rishi’, passed away at the age of 93 in Solapur Maharashtra, due to age-related ailments. He dedicated his life to forests, wildlife, and conservation literature. Chitampalli received the Padma Shri from the President on April 30 this year.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places over Jharkhand today. Parts of Gujarat, Kerala, Mahe, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and the Northeastern states will also experience heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall is also very likely at isolated places in various parts of country for the next four days.
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Meanwhile, Continuous heavy rainfall lashed Mumbai and its suburban areas recording 200 mm rainfall since last evening. Local train services on the Central, Western, and Harbour lines have been delayed or suspended in some sections due to waterlogging and track issues.
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In the Asian Squash Championships 2025 in Malaysia, India’s Velavan Senthilkumar advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3-0 win over Japan’s Tomotaka Endo in Kuching, last night. The world No. 45, Senthilkumar, is now the only Indian remaining in the tournament after beating China’s Li Haizhen in the previous round.
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TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES:-
- All leading dailies headline Prime Minister Modi rejecting Trump's claims over Operation Sindoor and saying that India will never a accept mediation.
- India, Canada hit reset, to revive trade talks, pick high commissioners is the top story in The Indian Express.
- India launches Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran, writes The Statesman.
- "Good luck", says Don, as khamenei threatens US with irreparable damage, reports The Times of India.
- Ill-fated Air India black box headed to US, writes The Economic Times.
- SEBI board open doors for more investments is the headline in Financial Express.
- And finally, IIT-Delhi is India's top university in QS global ranking, says a report in Hindustan Times.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his first ever visit to Croatia; Calls for peaceful resolution of conflicts and condemns terrorism as the enemy of humanity.
- India and Croatia sign MoUs in the field of Agriculture, Culture, Technology and for a Hindi Chair in Zagreb University.
- First rescue flight under Operation Sindhu, carrying 110 Indian students from Iran, lands in New Delhi.
- Israel-Iran conflict intensifies as US military deployment in region increases; Tehran warns, the action would trigger an all-out war.
- And, SEBI approves major market reforms including PSU delisting and easier path for foreign investments in government bonds.
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