Evening News

THE HEADLINES:

Government is offering all possible assistance in Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya case; MEA says, India in touch with Yemen officials and friendly governments.
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri says, government not concerned about sanctions on Russian crude; Asserts, New India not driven by pressure but by impact.
In a major defense milestone, indigenously designed Akash Prime Weapon Systems successfully tested at high altitude in Ladakh.
In Iraq, a massive fire incident in Al-Kut city kills 60 people.
Met Department forecasts extremely heavy rainfall in parts of North India for next few days; Nineteen people killed due to lightning in Bihar.
And, Asia’s top Para Tennis Player Lakshmi Jadala clinches gold in National Tennis Championship in Gwalior; Qualifies for Special Olympics World Games 2027.

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The Ministry of External Affairs has said the Nimisha Priya case in Yemen is a sensitive matter and the government of India has been offering all possible assistance in the case. Addressing media in New Delhi this afternoon, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, the local authorities in Yemen have postponed carrying out her sentence scheduled for the 16th of this month.

On NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s statement, the spokesperson said India is closely following the developments. He reiterated that securing the energy needs of the people is the overriding priority for India.

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Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today asserted that India is not concerned about sanctions on Russian crude as there are enough supplies in the market. Speaking at Urja Varta 2025 in New Delhi, Mr Puri stated that India will import oil from wherever it is available at the cheapest price. He highlighted that this is the new India where the government is not driven by pressure, but by impact.

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India has achieved a significant milestone by successfully destroying two Aerial High Speed Unmanned targets at high-altitude in Ladakh by Akash Prime, which is the upgraded variant of Akash Weapon System for the Indian Army. The Weapon System is customised to operate in altitude and above 4,500 metres and has latest upgrades including indigenously developed Radio Frequency seeker.

Army Air Defence and DRDO, in conjunction with Defence PSUs have successfully validated the indigenously designed and developed Akash Prime Weapon System.

This achievement carries added significance as it follows the exceptional performance of India’s indigenously developed air defence systems during Operation Sindoor. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented the Indian Army, DRDO, and industry on achieving the milestone.

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The National Investigation Agency, NIA has arrested two more individuals in connection with the recovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by the banned ULFA (I) terror group. The NIA said, the device was discovered near Dispur Last Gate in Guwahati and was part of a larger conspiracy to carry out multiple blasts in Assam on Independence Day last year.

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Indore has once again retained its title as India’s cleanest city for the eighth consecutive year. Surat secured the second position, while Navi Mumbai ranked third in the central government’s annual cleanliness survey. Among the cities with a population of 3 to 10 lakhs, Noida emerged as the cleanest, followed by Chandigarh and Mysore. The ninth edition of Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards were conferred by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held in New Delhi today. She complimented the Ministry for promoting the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R) approach and commended the waste to wealth memento presented to her.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar and West Bengal tomorrow. In Bihar, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over seven thousand crore rupees in Motihari.

In West Bengal also, the PM will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over five thousand crore rupees.

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In a major step to improve connectivity and support pilgrimage, the Ministry of Railways has sanctioned a Final Location Survey (FLS) for a new 77.96 kilometers rail line between Jammu and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. The project aims to ease travel for devotees and enhance infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau- AAIB has appealed to the media to stop selective and unverified reporting of an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, last month. AAIB said that it has come to its attention that certain sections of the international media are repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting. AAIB said, such actions are irresponsible, especially while the investigation remains ongoing.

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A delegation of Special Envoys from South Korea met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing the India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership. He recalled his meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung last month. Prime Minister Modi said close collaboration between the democracies contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

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In Iraq, at least 60 people were killed and several others injured in a massive fire at a hypermarket in the Al-Kut city today. The province governor confirmed that the fire broke out in a hyper market and a restaurant and that firefighters rescued several people. He added, lawsuits have been filed against the owner of the building and the mall. An investigation has been launched into the incident.

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In Bihar, at least 19 people were killed and several injured due to lightning in the past 24 hours. Maximum five casualties have been reported in Nalanda district followed by four in Vaishali district this afternoon. Two fatalities were reported each in Patna and Banka districts. All the fatalities occurred during rains while people were working in the fields.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced an ex gratia of 4 lakh rupees each to the next of the kin of the deceased.

The Met department has issued a warning of lightning, gusty winds accompanying rainfall in several districts.

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The India Meteorological Department has forecast extremely heavy rainfall over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh during the next 5 days. Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan will also have similar conditions till Saturday. Senior IMD Scientist, Dr. RK Jenamani told Akashvani that a red alert has been issued for the entire Madhya Pradesh and South East Uttar Pradesh.

Orange alert has been issued for Kerala, Mahe and South Interior Karnataka for the next three days.

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In Uttar Pradesh, along with capital Lucknow many districts in eastern and western parts received moderate to heavy rains today.

“All major ghats in Varanasi have been submerged as the Ganga’s water level keeps rising due to continuous rainfall in the region. State Water Power Minister Swatantra Dev Singh has said that the government is being cautious about floods in the state. Continuous monitoring is going on from flood posts

The weather department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Prayagraj division and some districts of Bundelkhand region during the next 24 hours. At the same time, strong winds can also blow in the central and southern parts of the state including the capital Lucknow. Om Awasthi, Akashvani News, Lucknow.”

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Most parts of Uttarakhand are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning over the next few days.

“The Met Department has warned of heavy rains at some places in Dehradun, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Nainital, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts during the next 24 hours. Whereas, some other districts may also witness intense showers along with thunder and lightning. During this period, strong winds at a speed of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour are expected in isolated areas across all districts of the state. Meanwhile, intermittent rain continues in various districts. Most of the districts of the state including the capital Dehradun remained cloudy after the rain this morning. Sakshi Singh, Akashvani News, Dehradun.”

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In Pakistan, torrential monsoon rains and associated incidents have left at least 124 people dead and 264 others injured throughout the country over the past three weeks. In Punjab province, 44 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents due to collapsed roofs and electrocution while 16 fatalities were reported in Balochistan from similar rain-induced disasters.

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Lakshmi Jadala, Asia’s top-ranked para lawn tennis player with an intellectual disability, clinched the gold medal at the National Tennis Championship 2025 (Disability Sports) held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. With this triumphant win, 15-year-old Jadala has officially qualified for the Special Olympics World Games 2027, set to take place in Cairo, Egypt.

Competing in the U-17 junior category, Jadala was unstoppable, winning all three of his matches in straight sets. Talking to media persons, an elated Jadala said, to win this tournament and represent India at the Special Olympics was a dream come true.

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Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today outlined India’s strategy towards finishing among the top 10 nations in the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Speaking at the Khelo Bharat Conclave in Delhi, the Minister said sports is a public movement and goals can be achieved only if everyone works together. He asserted that only a united force can make India a global sporting powerhouse. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes in a united force when it comes to sports.

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Domestic stock markets, Sensex and the Nifty 50, closed with a negative bias after a cautious and volatile session.

“The 30-share index at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, dropped 375 points to close at 82 thousand 259. The National Stock Exchange Nifty-50, declined nearly 100 points to settle at 25 thousand 111.

In the Forex market, the rupee today depreciated by 14 paise to close at 86 rupees and eight paise against the US dollar. In the Indian Bullion Market, 24 Karat Gold was trading at 97,620 rupees per 10 grams a short while ago. Brent Crude was trading at 68 dollars and 68 cents per barrel while WTI Crude was trading at 66 dollars and 74 cents per barrel, when reports last came in. lalima aneja dang, For AKASHVANI News.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

Government is offering all possible assistance in Indian Nurse Nimisha Priya case; MEA says, India in touch with Yemen officials and friendly governments.
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri says, government not concerned about sanctions on Russian crude; Asserts, New India not driven by pressure but by impact.
In a major defense milestone, indigenously designed Akash Prime Weapon Systems successfully tested at high altitude in Ladakh.
In Iraq, a massive fire incident in Al-Kut city kills 60 people.
Met Department forecasts extremely heavy rainfall in parts of North India for next few days; Nineteen people killed due to lightning in Bihar.
And, Asia’s top Para Tennis Player Lakshmi Jadala clinches gold in National Tennis Championship in Gwalior; Qualifies for Special Olympics World Games 2027.