THE HEADLINES :-
- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches India’s first Genome-edited Rice varieties; The two varieties to increase the yield and reduce cost.
- First World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, WAVES concludes; WAVES Bazaar witnesses business deals over one thousand three hundred crore rupees.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Khelo India Youth Games; Says, rise of sporting culture in country will show its soft power.
- Air India suspends all flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel till Tuesday following a missile strike by Houthi rebels near the Airport.
- In Pakistan, Baloch Liberation Army blocks Quetta-Karachi National Highway.
- In IPL Cricket, Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals by one run at Eden Gardens; Match between Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings underway at Dharamshala.
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Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today launched India’s first two Genome-edited Rice varieties by ICAR in New Delhi. Addressing the event, the Minister said, its a historic day for India. He said these two varieties will reduce the cost of production and increase the yield of rice in the country. Mr. Chouhan congratulated agriculture scientists who were involved in this project and said that the country has faith in the capability of the country’s agricultural scientists. Our correspondent reports that these varieties have been developed for the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. A report –
“The first rice variety named DRR Dhan 100 Kamala has been derived from Samba Mahsuri which matures 15 to 20 days earlier and yields 25 percent more production. The second variety, named Pusa DST Rice 1, is salinity and alkalinity tolerant and yield 30 percent higher production under saline conditions. Speaking at the occasion the Agriculture Minister termed the launch of these varieties as historic and said that these two varieties will reduce the cost of production and increase the yield.
ICAR said that these varieties mark a major step in climate-resilient and high-yield agriculture. Akshit Vedyan Akashvani News Delhi.”
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India’s first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 concluded today at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The four-day summit which began on Thursday was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit witnessed participation from over 90 countries, with more than ten thousand delegates. The WAVES Bazaar saw business deals worth over one thousand three hundred crore rupees with creators and filmmakers from across the country. We are now joined by our correspondent Prarthana from Mumbai, for more details:
Ques: Prarthana, what have been the major highlights of the summit?
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Information and Broadcasting Secretary, Sanjay Jaju has said that every creator that participated in WAVES is leaving as a star. The Secretary said this while addressing a cultural session during WAVES in Mumbai. Mr Jaju noted the musicians that contested in the Create in India Challenge (CIC), captured the essence of India through their performances.
Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, Mr Jaju said that WAVES has been an incredible stage for investment, business, art and culture, establishing itself as a people’s movement.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today stressed that people need to learn and practice Sanskrit language because a great amount of work of knowledge is available in Sanskrit. He said that Sanskrit language can guide the world to resolve its problems. The Home Minister made these remarks while addressing the valedictory event of ‘1008 Sanskrit Speech Camps’ organised by Samskrita Bharati in New Delhi.
Emphasizing the importance of Sanskrit language, Mr. Shah said that Sanskrit language is a mother of most languages.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh in New Delhi today. The meeting came amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that as a Defence Minister, it is his responsibility to work with the armed forces and give befitting reply to those who cast evil eye on India. The Defence Minister said this while addressing the Sanskriti Jagran Mahotsav in New Delhi.
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In a significant development, following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Punjab Police have arrested two individuals in Amritsar for allegedly spying for Pakistan. The accused, identified as Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih, were allegedly involved in leaking sensitive information and photographs of military installations, including Army cantonments and air bases in Amritsar. According to senior police sources, preliminary investigations point to their links with Pakistani intelligence operatives.
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Amid a missile strike near the Israeli capital Tel Aviv’s airport, Air India has announced that all its flights to and from the city will remain suspended till Tuesday. In a social media post, the airline has said, operations will remain suspended with immediate effect to ensure the safety of the passengers and staff. It added that passengers booked on the airline’s flights with valid tickets from today upto the 6th of this month will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation.
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A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels towards Israel today landed near Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international airport, causing panic among passengers in the terminal building.
A spokesperson for the Israel Airports Authority said takeoffs and landings had resumed and operations at Ben Gurion had returned to normal, after reports of air traffic being halted and access routes to the airport being blocked.
However, according to Ben Gurion’s live air traffic site, flight operations were disrupted due to Houthis’ missile strike.
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The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched a major assault in the Mongochar area of Kalat district, Balochistan, blocking the Quetta-Karachi National Highway (N-25). BLA set multiple government buildings on fire. Balochistan is a province in the Southwestern region of Pakistan.
The attack, claimed by the BLA’s Fateh Squad, began with armed militants halting traffic and searching buses and private vehicles. Militants then seized and set ablaze several key government offices. The BLA described the raid as part of its ongoing “struggle for liberation.” Security forces later moved in, restoring traffic and launching a counter-operation.
In a related incident, BLA militants intercepted a police van transporting prisoners from Gadani jail to Quetta. At least 10 prisoners were freed, and five policemen were taken hostage.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 7th edition of Bihar Khelo India Youth Games 2025 through a video message. In his address Prime Minister said his government has developed a culture of sports in the country and the Khelo India umbrella event is an example that hone sport skills and identify young talents.
The Prime Minister said, Khelo India is an inclusive platform in which traditional Gatka, Kalarypattu, Kho Kho games have been added so that young players from rural area get opportunity. He said rise of sports talent in the country exhibits its soft power.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the opening ceremony at Pataliputra Sports Complex in Patna.
Our Patna Correspondent has filed this report:
“Bihar Khelo India Youth Games 2025 began this evening from Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna with colourful cultural performances by thousands of artists, students and participants. Famous cine actor Pankaj Tripathi and folk singer Maithili Thakur depicted the cultural, historical and traditional saga of Bihar in interesting ways. With a splendid show of firecrackers it mesmerized audiences present at the venue. Young players carried the Khelo India Youth Games torch to the dias on a decorated chariot. With Dharmendra Kumar Rai’s report from Patna, Abhineet Shukla, Akashvani News.”
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In IPL Cricket, Kolkata Knight Riders just managed to beat Rajasthan Royals by one run at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Chasing the target of 207 runs, Rajasthan Royals made 205 for 8 in 20 overs. For Rajasthan, Riyan Parag hit 95 runs. Earlier, deciding to bat first, Kolkata made 206 for four in stipulated 20 overs. Kolkata Knight Riders climbed one place to sixth after today’s win.
In another match, Punjab Kings were 225 for 5 after 19.3 overs against Lucknow Super Giants when reports last came in from Dharamshala. Lucknow have won the toss and decided to bowl first.
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Indian women lost to Sri Lankan women as the hosts chased down the target of 276 runs in their second round robin game at R Premadasa stadium in Colombo today. Sri Lanka defeated India in an ODI after 5 years as they scored 278 runs losing seven wickets with five balls to spare. Earlier, put into bat first, the Indian side put on a formidable 275 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 50 overs.
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The Indian Women’s Hockey Team concluded their Australia tour with a 1-0 win over the hosts in the fifth and final match at Perth Hockey Stadium today. Vice-captain Navneet Kaur scored the lone goal in the 21st minute, securing a morale-boosting victory.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Nicobar Islands tomorrow.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches India’s first Genome-edited Rice varieties; The two varieties to increase the yield and reduce cost.
- First World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, WAVES concludes; WAVES Bazaar witnesses business deals over one thousand three hundred crore rupees.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Khelo India Youth Games; Says, rise of sporting culture in country will show its soft power.
- Air India suspends all flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel till Tuesday following a missile strike by Houthi rebels near the Airport.
- In Pakistan, Baloch Liberation Army blocks Quetta-Karachi National Highway.
- In IPL Cricket, Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals by one run at Eden Gardens; Match between Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings underway at Dharamshala.
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