Midday News -

THE HEADLINES

India stops flow of water to Pakistan through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
Defence Secretary meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
India and Japan discuss regional and international security situation.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launches multiple road projects worth 3,900 crore rupees in Telangana.
Israeli cabinet approves expansion of offensive against Hamas in Gaza.
IMD issues orange alert for thunderstorms and gusty winds over Northwest India for next three days.
In IPL cricket, hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad to clash with Delhi Capitals this evening.

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In yet another strong step against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, India has stanched the flow of water through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that India has cut off water flow to Pakistan from the Baglihar Dam following through on its decisions not to allow a “single drop” from going to the neighbouring country from the Indus rivers. India is also planning similar measures at the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum River. The hydroelectric dams Baglihar in Ramban district in Jammu division and Kishanganga in north Kashmir offer India the ability to regulate the timing of water releases.

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Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi. Yesterday, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh had met Mr Modi. Separate meetings were also held between the Prime Minister and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi. The meetings came in the wake off Pahalgam terror attack.

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The BJP today hit out at the Congress following its leader Ajay Rai’s alleged objectionable remarks against the government on the Pahalgam terror attack. Briefing media in New Delhi, party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said, on the one hand, Pakistan is continuously violating the ceasefire agreement on the border and on the other, the Congress and INDIA bloc leaders are making statements targeting the Army.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is currently holding a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart General Nakatani in New Delhi. In his opening remarks, Mr Singh thanked the government of Japan for their strong expression of solidarity with India in wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He complimented General Nakatani for his immense contribution to deepening the Indo-Japan defence relations.

Both sides are exchanging views and ideas on the current regional and international security situation and discussing ways to further deepen the bilateral defence cooperation. Ahead of the meeting, General Nakatani was given a Tri Services Guard of Honour.

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Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple road projects worth 3,900 crore rupees at Sirpur Kagajnagar in Telangana today. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gadkari reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to strengthening road infrastructure in the state. He also expressed readiness to develop thousands of Amrit Sarovars along National Highways in the state, to support farming community. He said, highway projects woth two lakh crore rupees will be undertaken in Telangana over the next three-four years, ensuring faster connectivity to Hyderabad from remote districts like Kothagudem and Mulugu.

The Minister said, the Indore-Hyderabad corridor of the New Green express highway will be completed by March next year, followed by the Surat-Nasik-Kurnool-Hyderabad-Chennai-Tiruvananthapuram Greenfield Highway by April 2026.

Earlier speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy said 32 out of the state’s 33 districts are now linked to the state capital through highways due to continuous efforts by the Centre to improve the connectivity in Telangana.

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The National Commission for Women has initiated a five day Mahila Maha Jansunwai Camp in the national capital. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW) Vijaya K Rahatkar inaugurated the camp. During her address Ms. Gupta said this is a very good beginning. She expressed hope that all distressed women would get quick justice. She said that such a camp gives quick action on all pending cases of Delhi.

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The shooting events of the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 kicked off today at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. In the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team (Youth) category, Team Rajasthan clinched the gold medal in a thrilling match.

Meanwhile, in Bihar, on the second day today, athletes are competing in Sepak Takraw, Kabaddi, and the traditional martial arts, Gatka. In Kabaddi, Andhra Pradesh edged past Chhattisgarh in a nail-biting contest at the Rajgir Sports Complex in the boys’ category. In the girls’ category, Rajasthan clinched a 43-33 victory over Chhattisgarh, showcasing strong performances and competitive spirit.

“In Khelo India Youth Games, the girls Kabaddi team of Uttar Pradesh defeated Tamil Nadu by 2 points at the event played at Rajgir sports complex. After suffering defeats in initial events of different games Bihar tasted first victory in Kabaddi in boy’s category by defeating Goa in a close contest. In Boy’s category of Volleyball Rajasthan excelled to victory by defeating Manipur. Events of football, martial arts game Gatka will also be held today. “

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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for thunderstorms and gusty winds over Northwest India for the next two to three days. The Met department also predicted thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds over Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand till Thursday. In Southern India, similar conditions are expected over Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana, Rayalaseema, Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal for the entire week. Talking to Akashvani News, Senior IMD scientist, R.K. Jenamani said that there are no heatwave conditions across the country. He added that Delhi is expected to experience light rainfall till Wednesday and the temperature is expected to be below normal under 40 degrees celsius.

Meanwhile in Uttarakhand, the Meteorological Department issued a warning for rain, hailstorm, and thunderstorms across the state during the next three-days. According to the department, there is also a possibility of hail accompanied by thunder and strong winds at isolated places.

A red alert has been declared for heavy rain, hailstorm, and snowfall in Uttarkashi district on Wednesday and Thursday.

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The Benchmark domestic equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, were trading firmly in afternoon trade today amid continued foreign fund inflows. On the sectoral front, services, utilities as well as oil and gas were leading, while selling pressure was seen in the private bank stocks. The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 299 points, or 0.37 percent to 80,801 and the NSE Nifty50 increased 115 points, or 0.47 percent to 24,461, when reports last came in.

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Israel’s security cabinet has unanimously approved a plan to significantly broaden its military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The approved strategy reportedly includes “conquering Gaza and holding the territories” once implemented.

“The expanded operation, will see Israeli forces taking control of Gaza territory, relocating civilian populations southward, conducting attacks on Hamas, and preventing the terror group from controlling humanitarian aid distribution. Implementation of the plan is expected to begin after U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming regional visit next week. Until then, ceasefire and hostage release negotiations with Hamas will continue. The intensified fighting is anticipated to last for months, beginning with operations in an unspecified area before gradually expanding to other parts of Gaza. The cabinet’s decisions came hours after a missile launched by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi militia landed near Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international gateway. Prime Minister Netanyahu subsequently convened his security team to discuss the Gaza campaign’s future direction.”

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US President Donald Trump has directed his government to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the former prison on an island off the coast of California. On a social media platform President Trump said that for too long America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders and the reopening of Alcatraz would serve as a “symbol of law, order, and justice. The prison was closed in 1963, and Alcatraz Island is currently operating as a tourist site.

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In Table Tennis, Indian players Ankur Bhattacharjee and Abhinandh Pradhavadhi won the U-19 boys doubles title at the WTT Youth Star Contender in Bangkok yesterday, defeating Korea’s Lee Jungmok and Choi Jiwook 3-1 in the final.

In singles, Ankur started well with a 3-0 win over Korea’s Lee Seungsoo but lost 0-3 to Japan’s Yoshiyama in the quarter-finals.

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The Supreme Court has listed the matter related to the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 on 15th of this month.

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In IPL Cricket, today hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad. The match will start at 7:30 PM. Yesterday, Punjab Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 37 runs at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

India stops flow of water to Pakistan through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
Defence Secretary meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
India and Japan discuss regional and international security situation.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launches multiple road projects worth 3,900 crore rupees in Telangana.
Israeli cabinet approves expansion of offensive against Hamas in Gaza.
IMD issues orange alert for thunderstorms and gusty winds over Northwest India for next three days.
In IPL cricket, hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad to clash with Delhi Capitals this evening.