THE HEADLINES:
• New Delhi imposes ban on Pakistani ships, trade, and postal services following Pahalgam terror attack.
• India announces a Defence Credit of 200 million dollars for modernization of Angola’s forces.
• President Droupadi Murmu emphasizes role of mediation to expedite justice delivery and Social Progress.
• I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, India can take global leadership in the field of media and entertainment sector; Union Minister L. Murugan unveils first-of-its-kind white paper on India’s booming live events economy at WAVES 2025.
• Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party wins Australian Federal Election; Prime Minister Modi congratulates him on re-election.
• And, in IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings elects to field against hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
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In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India has banned the entry of Pakistani ships at Indian ports. It has also prohibited Indian ships from visiting Pakistani ports. Directorate General of Shipping, in a statement said, that any ship bearing the flag of Pakistan shall not be allowed to visit any Indian port. It also said that Indian Flag ships will also not visit any ports of Pakistan. The DGS said that the restrictions have been put in place with immediate effect and till further order. The decision has been taken to ensure safety of Indian assets, cargo and connected infrastructure, in public interest and for the interest of Indian shipping. It added that any exemption or dispensation from this order shall be examined and decided on case to case basis.
Earlier today, India has also banned direct or indirect import of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect. Directorate General of Foreign Trade said in a notification that direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan shall be prohibited with immediate effect. It said this restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition will require approval of the Government.
India has also suspended all postal services to and from Pakistan.
These measures follow India’s earlier steps, including shutting the Attari land border, expelling Pakistani nationals, reducing diplomatic staff and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.
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India has announced a Defence Credit Line of 200 million dollars (in Indian Rupees) to support the modernization of Angola’s armed forces. The announcement came following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, in New Delhi.
After the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed that terrorism remains a serious threat to humanity and expressed gratitude for Angola’s condolences following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. In a joint press statement, PM Modi emphasized India’s commitment to taking firm and decisive action against terrorists and their supporters and thanked Angola for its solidarity in combating cross-border terrorism.
Prime Minister Modi also extended his best wishes to Angola for its presidency of the African Union. He highlighted that it was a matter of pride for India that during its G20 presidency, the African Union was granted permanent membership in the G20.
Addressing the media in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi reiterated that the Prime Minister had offered a Defence Line of Credit worth 200 million dollars in Indian Rupees. He confirmed that Angola will be sourcing defence equipment from India. Discussions are already underway with Indian public and private sector companies regarding various items to be procured.
Mr. Ravi added that India and Angola also exchanged several agreements in diverse fields, including agriculture, traditional medicine and culture.
Tomorrow, President Lourenço is scheduled to participate in a business event in New Delhi aimed at promoting investment and commercial linkages between the two countries.
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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today. This was Mr. Abdullah’s first meeting with Mr. Modi since the terror attack in Pahalgam last month. In a social media post, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference stated that discussions during the meeting included various issues, notably the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
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President Droupadi Murmu has emphasised that the dispute resolution mechanism under the Mediation Act should be effectively extended to rural areas so that the Panchayats are legally empowered to mediate and resolve the conflicts in villages. The President said social harmony in villages is an essential prerequisite of making the nation strong. The President made these remarks at the launch of the Mediation Association of India and the inauguration of the 1st National Mediation Conference 2025 at Bharat Mandapam. The President said mediation is an essential part of the delivery of justice, which is at the heart of the Constitution of India. The President remarked that mediation, when we see it this way, becomes a key instrument to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna said over the last two decades, mediation has played a critical role in resolving disputes. He informed that between 2016 to early 2025 over seven lakh 57 thousand cases were settled through mediation.
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Indian Railways has introduced a Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Train for the Char Dham Yatra. The train will cover religious places like Badrinath, Joshimath, Rishikesh, Puri, Konark, Rameshwaram, Dwarka, alongside other religious places like Kashi Vishwanath, Bhimshankar, Trimbakeshwar. Our correspondent reports that the special train will depart from Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station on the 27th of this month and cover all the four Dhams of the country and other religious places in 17 days.
The tickets for the train are offered on first come first serve basis which can be booked on IRCTC website.
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News from World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES)2025.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L. Murugan today unveiled India’s ‘Live Events Economy: A Strategic Growth Imperative’, a first-of-its-kind white paper during the WAVES summit in Mumbai. The White Paper presents a comprehensive analysis of India’s rapidly expanding live entertainment industry, highlighting emerging trends, growth trajectories and strategic recommendations for the sector’s continued evolution.
The 8th National Community Radio Conference was organized on the sidelines of the World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), in Mumbai today.
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Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that India can take the global leadership in the field of media and entertainment sector. He said, several global firms have shown willingness to work with India in this regard. Seven Global firms including Google, Meta and Microsoft today signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Creative Technology during the WAVES Summit in Mumbai.
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Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has won with a larger majority in the federal election. The Labor Party has secured at least 84 seats in in the 150-seat House of Representatives.
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In IPL Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have set a vicytory target of 214 runs for Chennai Super Kings at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, a short while ago. Chennai Super Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• New Delhi imposes ban on Pakistani ships, trade, and postal services following Pahalgam terror attack.
• India announces a Defence Credit of 200 million dollars for modernization of Angola’s forces.
• President Droupadi Murmu emphasizes role of mediation to expedite justice delivery and Social Progress.
• I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, India can take global leadership in the field of media and entertainment sector; Union Minister L. Murugan unveils first-of-its-kind white paper on India’s booming live events economy at WAVES 2025.
• Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party wins Australian Federal Election; Prime Minister Modi congratulates him on re-election.
• And, in IPL Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru set a target of 214 runs for Chennai Super Kings.
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