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THE HEADLINES:

US approves sale of HawkEye 360 technology to India to boost the country’s surveillance capabilities.

National Testing Agency to conduct NEET UG 2025 examination in India and abroad this afternoon.

First World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 to conclude in Mumbai today.

Portals of Badrinath Dham open with traditional rituals in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s People’s Action Party secures landslide victory in general elections.

Khelo India Youth Games 2025 to begin at Patna in Bihar this evening.

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The United States has approved the sale of HawkEye 360 technology to India to boost the country’s surveillance capabilities. The move will enhance India’s maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region. In a statement, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said the proposed sale will improve India’s capabilities to meet the current and future threats by bolstering its maritime domain awareness, analytical abilities and strategic posture.

“This system, utilising satellites in Low Earth Orbit, will improve India’s ability to detect illegal activities and monitor its Exclusive Economic Zone. The 131 million dollar deal includes software, training, and support, bolstering India’s strategic posture. HawkEye 360 collects and analyses radio frequency (RF) signal location with a constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit. Some vessels, which ‘go dark’ to roam undetected in disputed areas and evade tracking, can also be detected with this advanced technology. Indian forces can now identify illegal fishing, smuggling and perform effective surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region. With this technology, India gains deeper visibility across its Exclusive Economic Zone. CHIRAG JHA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

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The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test- NEET (UG) 2025 today across over five thousand centres in the country and 13 cities abroad. The NTA in a statement said that all preparations and logistical arrangements for organising a safe and secure examination have been made. Over 22.7 lakh candidates have registered for the examination, which will take place from 2 PM to 5 PM. The Mock Drills at all centres were successfully conducted earlier yesterday.

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President Droupadi Murmu has said that India is committed to mutually beneficial and sustainable partnership with all African countries. President Murmu met President of Angola Joao Lourenco at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hosted a banquet in his honour. The President said, India shares a special friendship with African countries, including Angola. She appreciated the important role played by Angola in promoting peace, security and stability in Africa. President Murmu also appreciated President Lourenco’s strong expression of sympathy and support in the wake of the recent terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.

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The Indian Army effectively responded to firing by Pakistan military along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir last night. Defence sources said, the Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked small‑arms fire across the Line of Control opposite the Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor areas of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately.

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External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar has discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. In a social media post, Dr. Jaishankar said they discussed that terrorist attack’s perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice. Both leaders also spoke about India-Russia’s bilateral cooperation activities.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out the maiden flight-trials of Stratospheric Airship Platform from Sheopur Trial site in Madhya Pradesh, yesterday. The airship was launched carrying an instrumental payload to an altitude of around 17 kilometers. This has been developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment at Agra in Uttar Pradesh.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO for the successful maiden flight-trial of the system.

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WAVES SUMMIT 2025

The first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 will conclude in Mumbai today. Master Classes on Film making and Cultural events will be the main attraction on the last day of Summit. The four-day event, which began on Thursday, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit with the tagline ‘Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries’ is poised to position India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation. The summit is witnessing participation from over 90 countries, with more than ten thousand delegates.

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The portals of Badrinath Dham opened with traditional rituals in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand this morning. With this, all four revered shrines of Uttarakhand – Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Badrinath are now accessible to pilgrims for darshan.

“The event was highlighted by the harmonious sounds of a military band, as the temple complex echoed with the chanting of “Jai Badri Vishal.” A significant number of devotees gathered to witness the occasion. This year, the temple authorities have implemented several special arrangements to enhance the comfort and safety of the pilgrims. Key improvements have been made in security, healthcare, accommodation, and transportation management. Additionally, CCTV cameras have been installed along the routes leading to the temple to monitor traffic and ensure safety, while the presence of police and home guard personnel has been increased. The district administration is dedicated to ensuring that no pilgrim faces any inconvenience during their journey. The state government has also appealed to all pilgrims to contribute to keeping Uttarakhand sacred and clean during their visit. SANTOSH THAPLIYAL, AKASHVANI NEWS, DEHRADUN.”

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Singapore’s long-ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) secured another landslide victory in the general elections, extending its 66-year rule. Election Department has announced that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s PAP won 82 Parliamentary seats after vote counting concluded, with five additional seats won uncontested, giving them a total of 87 out of 97 seats. The opposition Workers’ Party retained its 10 seats.

Speaking after his landslide victory Prime Minister Wong thanked the people of Singapore to give his party a clear and strong mandate to govern.

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Khelo India Youth Games 2025 will begin this evening with colourful and grand celebrations at Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna, Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the event. These games will be organized till 15th of May. Total 28 sports will be played at six different cities including Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Begusarai. Three kind of events of cycling, shooting and athletics will be held in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the participants through a video message.

Renowned actor Pankaj Tripathi and folk singer Maithili Thakur will mesmerize the audience with their performances at the opening ceremony. Doordarshan Sports will broadcast all the events besides this event of Khelo India will be live streamed by Olympics web portal.

“On the inaugural day, competitions in Volleyball, Judo, Kabaddi, Mallakhambh, and Archery will be held. Volleyball and Judo events will take place in Patna, while the International Sports Complex in Rajgir has been chosen for Kabaddi. As a traditional indigenous sport, Mallakhamb players will challenge each other on the stage built at the IIM Bodh Gaya campus. Bhagalpur has been specially designated to host Archery events. For the Khelo India Youth Games, Bihar has worked extensively on indoor and outdoor stadiums and it has developed a better basic sports infrastructure. DHARMENDRA KUMAR RAI, AKASHVANI NEWS, PATNA.”

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Deputy Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Mayank Shrivastava, has said that as the host of the 7th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games, Bihar has a significant opportunity to showcase its sporting talent. Talking to Akashvani News, the DDG mentioned that the state will benefit in two ways through the development of sports infrastructure and by providing exposure to young players with this mega event.

In IPL Cricket, hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Chennai Super Kings by two runs at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium last night.

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS:-

India taking another tough move against Pakistan amid escalating tensions over the Pahalgam terror attack has been covered by all the dailies today. Hindustan Times writes,”Trade, ports, mail: India shuts out Pak entirely.”

After meet with Angola President, Modi flags biggest threat to humanity. The Asian Age quoting, the Prime Minister writes “Terrorism biggest threat, will act decisively and firmly.”

“Six months of tenure left, Government recalls Subramanian from IMF board” is a headline in The Indian Express.

“IMD warns of thunderstorms, hailstorms, and lightning across multiple states” reports The Statesman.

In a unique initiative to promote public awareness for railway safety, Indian railways has entered into collaboration with the children fame and a house-hold cartoon series ‘Chhota Bheem’ flagged off during the ongoing WAVES in Mumbai, reports The Pioneer.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-

US approves sale of HawkEye 360 technology to India to boost the country’s surveillance capabilities.
National Testing Agency to conduct NEET UG 2025 examination in India and abroad this afternoon.
First World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 to conclude in Mumbai today.
Portals of Badrinath Dham open with traditional rituals in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s People’s Action Party secures landslide victory in general elections.
Khelo India Youth Games 2025 to begin at Patna in Bihar this evening.