Midday News -

THE HEADLINES::

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviews security situation in Pahalgam following the terror attack that killed 26 people.
Political leaders across party line condemn the Pahalgam terror attack.
Complete Bandh being observed today across Jammu and Kashmir to protest the Pahalgam killings.
Condolences pour in from world leaders as the country mourns Pahalgam terror attack.
IMF cuts global growth in the wake of Trump’s steep tariffs and policy uncertainty.
And, in ISSF World Cup, India finish their campaign with seven medals including two gold, four silver and one bronze in Peru.

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Home Minister Amit Shah after reaching Pahalgam took first hand account of the situation at the attack site in Baisaran forest area of Jammu and Kashmir. He enquired about the health condition of injured people at Government Medical College Anantnag Hospital. As per credible official sources, 26 tourists including two locals were killed in yesterday’s Pahalgam attack.

Most of the shops, main markets and local industrial and manufacturing units are closed. Public transport is off the roads.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also reviewed the current security situation in the Kashmir Valley with top officials of the three services. Defence Sources said, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and other senior officials briefed Mr Singh on the current security situation in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

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In Jammu and Kashmir, a complete bandh is being observed today, with people from all walks of life joining in to protest the killings at the Pahalgam tourist resort. Our Jammu Correspondent reports that protests have erupted across the Union Territory, as citizens demand justice.

In Jammu, various social, political, and trade organizations have taken to the streets, prompting the deployment of additional police and paramilitary forces in sensitive areas to maintain peace and order. Markets, shops, and transport services remain shut as residents express solidarity with the victims and call for decisive action against terrorism.

The Kashmir Valley is also observing a complete shutdown today in protest against the attack on tourists in Pahalgam. Most shops, markets, and local industrial and manufacturing units remain closed. Public and private transport is off the roads, and all educational institutions have suspended classes. All trade, industrial bodies and institutions besides civil society organisation, have condemned the terror attack on tourists in Pehalgam yesterday.

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In Ladakh, Leh civil societies observed peaceful bandh for half day today from morning to afternoon to express solidarity with the victims of yesterday’s brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam valley in Kashmir.

All the business establishments have closed their shutters and strongly condemned the terrorist attack.

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Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said the Centre will do its best to minimise the dent on tourism in Kashmir valley following Pahalgam terror attack. The minister said, he is in touch with J&K chief secretary and tourism departmentHe said that India has zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism.

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The Jammu and Kashmir Government has announced an ex-gratia of 10 lakh rupees each for the families of those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that seriously injured persons will receive 2 lakh rupees each, while those with minor injuries will be given 1 lakh rupees.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that all necessary arrangements have been made to transport the victims to their native places.

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Leaders across party lines have strongly condemned the terror attack in Phalagam in Jammu and Kashmir. Union Minister and BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda has said that the brutal targeting of innocent civilians in this cowardly attack is highly reprehensible. In a social media post, he said, Narendra Modi Government follows a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those involved in this heinous act will not be spared. He said, the Prime Minister is personally monitoring the situation. Defence Minister Rajanth Singh said this dastardly attack on innocent civilians is an act of cowardice and highly reprehensible. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also condemned the cowardly terrorist attack and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. Minister and LJP (R) Chief Chirag Paswan said that the cowardly attack by terrorists in Pahalgam, targeting innocent tourists is extremely condemnable and painful.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the entire nation is united in fighting the scourge of cross-border terrorism. In a social media post, he added that these dastardly targeted attacks are a blot on humanity. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said the news of the death of tourists and injuries to many in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam is extremely condemnable and heartbreaking. Mr. Gandhi said the whole country is united against terrorism. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav have also condemned the incident. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M K Stalin said, the terrorist attack that targeted innocent tourists and claimed multiple precious lives is a barbaric act that shocks the conscience.

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More condolences have poured in from world leaders as the country mourns Pahalgam terror attack.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the terrorist attack in Kashmir “utterly devastating” and said that his thoughts are with those affected by the attack and the people of India. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. He offerered condolences to the people of India and wished speedy recovery for all the people injured in the attack.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed Europe’s support for India. She expressed confidence that the spirit of India is “unbreakable” and will stand strong in this ordeal.

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Agricultural and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivaraj Singh Chouhan today said that One Nation, One Election is the need of the hour, as the recurring elections for both the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha are obstructing the nation’s development. Speaking at Students Conclave for One Nation One Election in New Delhi, the minister emphasized recurring elections hinder progress, causing all development initiatives to halt. Mr Chouhan also mentioned that the implementation of the code of conduct further impedes government operations.

Speaking at the Occasion, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the significance of the one nation, one election initiative for the progress of the nation, asserting that this program will be historically significant and will be remembered by future generations.

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut its growth projections across the board, in response to the trade war sparked by US President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on virtually all trading partners. In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF warned that the US is confronting an increased risk of recession as it downgraded its outlook for all G7 nations, along with other major economies including China, India, Brazil and South Africa.

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India finished their campaign of Peru leg of International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in third place in the overall standings with a total of seven medals including two gold, four silver and one bronze. Simranpreet Kaur Brar won the silver medal in the women’s 25m pistol event to end the country’s campaign on a high. This was her first medal at the mega event as well. While the USA also ended with seven medals, they edged ahead of India to take second place, courtesy a higher gold-medal count. China finished on top of the standings with four golds, three silvers and six bronze medals.

This was the second shooting World Cup this season. India had won eight medals – four gold, two silver, and two bronze – at Buenos Aires earlier this month and finished second.

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In IPL T20 Cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad will clash with Mumbai Indians at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad at 7.30 pm today.

Last night Delhi Capitals defeated Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow to register sixth win in eight matches. Two more wins in next six games will take Delhi Capitals to 16 points, considered a magic figure for playoff qualification.

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The Benchmark domestic equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, were trading around 0.4 per cent up in afternoon trade today following rally in IT sector amid positive global cues and foreign fund inflows. The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 298 points to 79,894 and the NSE Nifty50 added 90 points to 24,257, when reports last came in.

The broader market at the Bombay Stock Exchange was also trading in positive territory. The Mid-Cap index added over half percent and the Small-Cap index was flat, a short while ago.

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The India Meteorological Department has forecast heat wave conditions in isolated pockets over East Madhya Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha during the next 4 days.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviews security situation in Pahalgam following the terror attack that killed 26 people.
Political leaders across party line condemn the Pahalgam terror attack.
Complete Bandh being observed today across Jammu and Kashmir to protest the Pahalgam killings.
Condolences pour in from world leaders as the country mourns Pahalgam terror attack.
IMF cuts global growth in the wake of Trump’s steep tariffs and policy uncertainty.
And, in ISSF World Cup, India finish their campaign with seven medals including two gold, four silver and one bronze in Peru.