THE HEADLINES:
• India successfully secures extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Tahawwur Rana from US; A special flight carrying Rana lands at Delhi’s Palam airport this evening.
•President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates Slovakia-India Business Forum at Bratislava; Urges business leaders to seize opportunities for concrete results.
• At least 28 people killed in rain related incidents in several districts of Bihar.
• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana launched in the National Capital.
• US President Donald Trump’s tariff pause offers brief relief to global markets.
• And in IPL Cricket, Delhi Capitals win toss and elect to field against hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today successfully secured the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice. A special flight carrying the terror attack mastermind landed at palam airport in Delhi this evening. Rana was being held in judicial custody in the US pursuant to proceedings initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty for his extradition. NIA said, the extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move.
With the active assistance of US Department of Justice, the US Sky Marshal, NIA worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies, NSG through the entire extradition process with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs to take the matter to its successful conclusion.
Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, and Lashkar-e-Taiba and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured in the deadly attacks.
Meanwhile the Central government has appointed Advocate Narender Mann as special public prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters in the Tahawwur Rana case. In a gazette notification, Union Home Ministry informed that Narender Mann has been appointed for conducting the trial before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of three years.
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BJP has said that the extradition of Tahawwur Rana is a big step taken for ensuring and coming closer to justice, not just for 138 Indian victims but victims from other countries. Addressing the media in New Delhi today, party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, the country’s security agencies have achieved great success.
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Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir resumed search operations today in Udhampur and Kishtwar districts following night-long cordons. The cordons were placed after brief encounters with terrorists in the Jopher-Marta belt of Udhampur and Chatroo belt of Kishtwar yesterday. Operations are ongoing in the forests of Jopher-Marta and Naidgam-Chatroo. Two to three terrorists are believed to be trapped after an exchange of fire yesterday.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan’s armies held a brigade commander-level flag meeting at the Chakan-Da-Bagh cross-point along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district to address border management issues. This is the second such meeting this month. Indian Army officials raised concerns about infiltration attempts, ceasefire violations, and IED blasts.
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President Droupadi Murmu, currently on an official visit to Slovakia, inaugurated the Slovak-India Business Forum in Bratislava today. The event was also attended by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár. President Murmu highlighted the forum as a key opportunity to build partnerships and turn business prospects into real collaborations. She said, the Forum serves as an excellent platform to explore synergies and build mutually beneficial partnerships. The President urged business leaders to seize the opportunities and convert these into concrete results.
The President was awarded the Doctorate of Honoris Causa in recognition for her distinguished career in public service and governance, advocacy for social justice and inclusion, and contribution towards education, empowerment of women, and preservation and promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity. President of India in her address said that education is a tool for change, she has seen it in her life, as she has seen her journey from teacher to public servant to the highest office of the state. POOJA P. VARDHAN AKASHWANI NEWS, NITRA, SLOVAKIA
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Union Health Minister J P Nadda and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta today launched the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana for the national capital. On the occasion, they distributed Ayushman health cards to the residents of the city. The scheme provides free health cover of five lakh rupees to each beneficiary family per year. The Delhi government will provide an additional top-up of five lakh rupees under the scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nadda said that Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is the world’s largest health coverage program, under which 62 crore people are currently benefiting.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, the Delhi government is committed to providing better health facilities to the residents of the city.
During the event, an MoU was signed between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Government of Delhi for the rollout of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.
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Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today inaugurated the Badnawar-Ujjain National Highway in Madhya Pradesh. Built at a cost of 1,352 crore rupees in Dhar district, the Highway has been constructed under the Bharatmala Project. Mr. Gadkari also performed the Bhoomi Pujan of 10 road projects with a total length of 328 kilometers, worth 5,800 crore rupees.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gadkari said that five Greenfield Economic Corridors will be built in Madhya Pradesh at a cost of 33,000 crore rupees.
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In Bihar, at least 28 people were killed and more than five injured in rain-related incidents and lightning across Nalanda, Jehanabad, Muzaffarpur, Araria, and Begusarai districts today. Nalanda reported the highest casualties, with 18 deaths, while nine people died and five others were injured at a temple in Bihar Sharif when a wall collapsed. Casualties were also reported in Islampur, Silao, Rahui, and Giriyak blocks. Several parts of the state were lashed by sudden rains accompanied by gusty winds this evening.
Several Trees uprooted and electricity lines snapped due to high speed winds of more than 50 kilometre per hour in Patna, Nalanda, Jehanabad, Khagaria and other districts. High speed winds wreaked havoc on a large scale in Nalanda district where several trees were uprooted, walls collapsed and roofs of kucha houses blown off. Thundering and rain related activities of Kal Baishaki have been increased in the state due to rise of temperature. The met department has asked people to remain vigilant in view of inclement weather in the state. DHARMENDRA KUMAR RAI, AKASHVANI NEWS PATNA
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over the loss of lives. He also announced an ex-gratia of four lakh rupees each to the next of kin of the deceased.
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US President Donald Trump’s 90-day tariff pause spurred global equities, leading to a strong recovery in major Asian indices today. Japan’s Nikkei and Taiwan Weighted Index surged over 8 percent, while leading European indices, including the DAX, CAC 40, and FTSE, rose tp 4-6 percent. The tariff pause also ignited a massive rally in US markets on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 recording its largest rise since 2008.
Meanwhile, the European Union today announced that it would suspend its retaliatory tariff on US goods for 90 days after American President Donald Trump imposed a similar pause on levies.
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Mahavir Jayanti, the birth anniversary of 24th and last Jain Tirthankar Lord Mahavir is being observed across the country today. It is one of the most sacred day for the Jain community. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended their greetings on the occasion.
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In Punjab, a group of 5,700 Sikh pilgrims has crossed over to Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah Joint Checkpost today to pay obeisance at the Gurudwaras in Pakistan on the occasion of Khalsa Sajna Diwas on Baisakhi. Most of these Gurudwaras are associated with the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
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In IPL cricket, the host, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, set a target of 164 runs before Delhi Capitals at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Put in to bat first, RCB scored 163 runs in their stipulated 20 overs.
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MS Dhoni is set to be the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League 2025 after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to an injury. CSK coach Stephen Fleming informed that Gaikwad had sustained a blow to his right forearm earlier in the season.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• India successfully secures extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Tahawwur Rana from US; A special flight carrying Rana lands at Delhi’s Palam airport this evening.
• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates Slovakia-India Business Forum at Bratislava; Urges business leaders to seize opportunities for concrete results.
• At least 28 people killed in rain related incidents in several districts of Bihar.
• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana launched in the National Capital.
• US President Donald Trump’s tariff pause offers brief relief to global markets.
• And in IPL Cricket, Delhi Capitals win toss and elect to field against hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
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