Evening News -

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, North East is emerging as a hub for energy and semiconductor sectors.
Germany supports India’s right to defend itself against terrorism; Advocates bilateral solution between India and Pakistan.
Crackdown on Maoists Intensifies; 4 Killed in Maharashtra, 33 Surrender in Chhattisgarh.
US and Iran hold fifth round of nuclear negotiations in Rome.
Met Department issues Orange Alert for rains in six districts of Kerala.
In Malaysia Masters Badminton tournament, Kidambi Srikanth storms into men’s singles semifinals in Bukit Jalil.

<><><>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, North East is becoming a key destination for sectors like energy and semiconductors. He highlighted that North East is the most diverse region of diverse India and this diversity is the nation’s strength. Inaugurating the `Rising North East Investors’ Summit in New Delhi, Mr Modi stressed that it is important to develop North East region in order to build a developed India.

The Prime Minister stated that EAST means – Empower, Act, Strengthen and Transform. He pointed out that there was a time when the North East was merely called a Frontier Region but it is emerging as the Front-Runner of Growth. Mr. Modi urged investors to explore the different sectors across the north east region, saying the North East is now becoming a land of opportunities.

Prime Minister Modi said, his government follows a policy of zero tolerance, be it terrorism or Maoist elements spreading unrest.

<><><>

In the ongoing Rising North East Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, several major companies based in the North-East region, are showcasing their products and services. Talking to Akashvani News, representatives of some companies said that this conference will increase the possibility of investment in their states, which will boost their business.

<><><>

Germany has fully supported India’s right to defend itself against terrorism. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today met his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Berlin. After the talks, the German Minister condemned the terrorist attack on India. Mr. Wadephul advocated a bilateral solution between India and Pakistan.During the meeting both the leaders discussed ways to further deepen the strategic partnership and identified areas of potential avenues. Later, jointly addressing the media, Dr Jaishankar said, the German government had conveyed its understanding that every country had the right to defend itself against terror.

Dr Jaishankar is on an official visit to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany.

In an interview with a news agency in Denmark’s Copenhagen, Dr S Jaishankar said the world is becoming less Western, more diverse, more global, and increasingly Asian. The Minister said the outlines of the new world order are beginning to take shape. He added that the world is seeing a gradual rebalancing. He highlighted that the global financial crisis in 2008 was a turning point because it showed that the West could not handle it alone. Replying to a query on the Pahalgam terror attack, Dr Jaishankar firmly stated that it was a terrorist attack and not a conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

<><><>

Multi-party delegations tasked to put forth India’s stand against terrorism before the world, today visited UAE, Japan and Russia. The all-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha today met the Acting Chairperson of the Research Committee on Counter-terrorism of the Liberal Democratic Party, LDP and Former Minister of Justice, Yasuhiro Hanashi in Tokyo. The delegation highlighted India’s unified and determined stance against terrorism in all its forms. Both sides reiterated their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. Another High level delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Dr Shrikant Shinde held a series of high-level meetings with UAE leadership and media officials to underscore India’s firm zero-tolerance stance on terrorism. Later addressing the media in UAE, he said that it has become very important to show the real face of Pakistan to the world.

Another all party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi met First Deputy Chair of the Committee on International Affairs Andrey Denisov in Russia. The Russian side condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and stated that Russia stands in solidarity with India for elimination of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

<><><>

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today conferred Police Medal for Gallantry to 26 Border Security Force-BSF personnel in New Delhi. Addressing the BSF Investiture Ceremony and Rustamji Memorial Lecture event, Mr. Shah stressed that in Operation Sindoor, BSF and Army have set an unparalleled example of bravery before the world. The Home Minister said that Operation Sindoor has exposed the bonding between Pakistan and terrorism before the entire world.

Mr Shah remembered the contributions of K.F. Rustamji, who played a pivotal role in raising the BSF.

<><><>

As we celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor, the Nation salutes the valour of the Indian soldiers. As a tribute to the Armed Forces, Akashvani News is presenting a special series. Today we remember Param Vir Chakra awardee Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon who made the ultimate sacrifice while bravely defending Srinagar airbase during the India -Pakistan War in 1971.

Born in Ludhiana District of Punjab, Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in June 1967. On December 14, 1971 Srinagar airfield was attacked by a wave of six Pakistani Sabre jets. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was on readiness duty at that time. Soon the enemy aircraft started hovering over the airfield. Attempting to take off, with enemy aircraft overhead was inviting mortal danger but Flying Officer Sekhon unmindful of his safety, flew his Gnat to engage the two attacking sabres. In the air battle that ensued he secured a direct hit on one sabre and set another ablaze. At this juncture four more Pakistani sabres came on the scene and surrounded his aircraft. Flying Officer Sekhon chose to give a fight again. In the dogfight that ensued at treetop level, he held on against the enemy. Eventually his aircraft was hit and he was martyred. He achieved his objective as the enemy aircraft fled without pressing home their intended attack on Srinagar town and airfield. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was honored with Param Vir Chakra posthumously for supreme gallantry, flying skill and ultimate Sacrifice. The Nation Salutes Him. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

<><><>

In a significant blow to Maoist insurgents, Indian security forces killed four militants in Maharashtra and saw 33 others surrender in neighboring Chhattisgarh today.

In Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, four Maoists, including a divisional commander, were killed in a joint operation near the Chhattisgarh border, police said. The encounter occurred in the Bhamragad forest during heavy rain. The remaining three were identified as senior cadres.

Meanwhile in Chhattisgarh, a total of 33 Maoists surrendered in Bijapur and Dantewada today. In Bijapur 24 Maoists surrendered. DSP, Bijapur, Jitendra Kumar Yadav said all these are hardcore Maoists.

In Dantewada district 9 Maoists surrendered before the police today. A reward of three and a half lakh rupees was declared on four of these Maoists. All the surrendered Maoists have been provided an incentive amount of fifty thousand rupees each under the rehabilitation policy of the state government.

<><><>

The fifth round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran has begun at Rome in Italy. The talks seek to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the economic sanctions the US has imposed on Tehran. The meeting follows a public disagreement during the previous round at Muscat in Oman over Tehran’s uranium enrichment program. US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and the State Department’s policy planning director, Michael Anton are representing US, while Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi is mediating the negotiations.

<><><>

The Met Department has issued an Orange Alert for six districts of Kerala warning of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall. It signals possibility of further intensification of the Southwest Monsoon in the state. Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts are under Orange alert. For tomorrow, Red Alert has been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod districts, indicating the potential for extremely heavy rainfall. Nine other districts, including the hilly regions of Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Wayanad, will remain under Orange Alert.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alert for heavy rainfall over West Rajasthan, South Konkan, Coastal and Ghat Karnataka, Madhya Maharashtra, and Goa today and tomorrow. The IMD has also issued red alert for heavy rainfall over parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharshtra today.

<><><>

Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has stormed into the men’s singles semifinals of the Malaysia Masters Badminton beating France’s Toma Junior Popov this afternoon. Srikanth is the only Indian remaining in the tournament.

<><><>

In Javelin Throw, Olympian Neeraj Chopra will be in action tonight at the Janusz Kusociński Memorial 2025 in Chorzów, Poland.

<><><>

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, North East is emerging as a hub for energy and semiconductor sectors.
Germany supports India’s right to defend itself against terrorism; Advocates bilateral solution between India and Pakistan.
Crackdown on Maoists Intensifies; 4 Killed in Maharashtra, 33 Surrender in Chhattisgarh.
US and Iran hold fifth round of nuclear negotiations in Rome.
Met Department issues Orange Alert for rains in six districts of Kerala.
And in Malaysia Masters Badminton tournament, Kidambi Srikanth storms into men’s singles semifinals in Bukit Jalil.