Midday News -

THE HEADLINES::

Government to send seven multi-party delegations to key partner countries to present India’s stand against Pakistan sponsored terrorism in the wake of Operation Sindoor.
NIA arrests two members of ISIS sleeper cell in a Pune IED case.
India continues to be the fastest growing major economy in 2025, Says United Nations Report.
IMD forecasts rainfall with thunderstorms, gusty winds and lightning in Northeast, East, Central and Southern India for next seven days.
World Hypertension Day being observed today.
In Cricket, Indian Premier League to resume today after a week-long gap; Hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru to take on Kolkata Knight Riders.

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Government is sending seven multi-party delegations to different countries to present India’s stand against Pakistan sponsored terrorism in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The delegations are set to visit key partner countries, including member countries of the UN Security Council later this month. They will include MPs from different political parties, prominent political personalities, and distinguished diplomats.

“All-Party Delegations will project India’s national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. These delegations will carry forth India’s strong message of zero tolerance against terrorism to the world. The seven delegations will be led by BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, Congress’s Shashi Tharoor, JDU’s Sanjay Kumar Jha, DMK’s Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, NCP’s Supriya Sule and Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Eknath Shinde. Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasised that the delegations will carry India’s unified message of zero tolerance toward terrorism, standing as a powerful reflection of national unity above politics and beyond differences. Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor thanked the Centre for the invitation to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals. He said that he will always be available when national interest is involved and his services are required. WITH PALLAVI PARMAR AND AMAN YADAV /BHANU PRATAP SINGH, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

Talking to media, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said that this initiative reflects the far-sighted thinking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that India’s collective resolve will show the world the importance of standing united against terrorism.

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two absconders, identified as members of a sleeper module of the banned ISIS terror organisation, in a 2023 case related to fabrication and testing of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Pune, Maharashtra.

The NIA, in a statement informed the two men were intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration at the Mumbai International Airport Terminal 2. The Agency further informed that the two accused had been on the run for the past two years and also had non-bailable warrants issued against them by the NIA Special Court, Mumbai. It added that the two men, already chargesheeted along with the other arrested accused, had been engaged in assembling IEDs from a rented house in Pune. The investigations in the case are continuing.

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In Jammu & Kashmir, the State Investigation Agency has launched a series of raids at multiple locations across Central and North Kashmir.

This is part of an intensified crackdown on suspected terror-related activities. The search operation, which commenced this morning, is being conducted in Sopore, Baramulla and Handwara in North Kashmir and Ganderbal and Srinagar in Central Kashmir. During these raids, no arrests or recovery has been reported so far.

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Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon (Retd.), has congratulated the Armed Forces for ‘Operation Sindoor’ and said that our forces have given a befitting reply to Pakistan. Our Jalandhar Correspondent, who spoke to Lt. Gen. Dhillon, has filed this report:

“He said though India only targeted terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pak Occupied Kashmir (PoK), but it was Pakistan who used its military against us. He called upon all to keep the Nation first, always and every time.

It was during his tenure as Army Commander of 15 Corps of the Indian Army in J&K that the perpetrators of Pulwama Blast were targeted within the first 100 hours. He was at the helm of affairs when Article 370 was abrogated in Jammu and Kashmir. RAJESH BALI, AKASHVANI NEWS, JALANDHAR”

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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 Rifleman Sanjay Kumar who displayed exemplary bravery during the Kargil War.

“A native of Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar joined the 13th Battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1996. During the Kargil War on 4th July 1999, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar was the leading scout of a team tasked to capture Area Flat Top of Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley. During the attack when enemy automatic fire from one of the sangars posed stiff opposition and stalled the column, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, realizing the gravity of the situation and with utter disregard to his personal safety, charged at the enemy. In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, he killed three of the intruders and was himself seriously injured. Despite his injuries, he charged onto the second sangar. Taken totally by surprise, the enemy left behind a Universal Machine Gun and started running. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar picked up the UMG and killed the fleeing enemy. Although bleeding profusely, he refused to be evacuated. The brave action on his part motivated his comrades and they overcoming the treacherous terrain and charged onto the enemy and wrested the area Flat Top. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar displayed most conspicuous gallantry, cool courage and devotion to duty of an exceptionally high order in the face of the enemy. The Nation salutes him. In February 2022, he received the rank of Subedar Major and is posted to the National Defence Academy in Pune. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

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The Indian economy is projected to grow at 6.3 percent during the current financial year, outpacing China, the United States, and the European Union, according to a United Nations report. The mid-year update of the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects attributes this growth to strong household spending, robust government investments, and booming services exports.

“India continues to shine, even as the global economy stands on shaky ground. United Nations said that India will remain the fastest-growing major economy in the world this year. While the growth figure has been slightly revised from the 6.6 percent forecast in January, India is still ahead of other big economies like China, US, and the European Union. Next year, India’s economy is expected to grow by 6.4 percent. On the global front, the picture is far less rosy. UN said, the world economy is at a precarious moment, pointing to rising trade tensions and policy uncertainty. Many countries are now expected to grow slower than previously thought. China is expected to grow at 4.6%, the US at 1.6%, Japan at 0.7%, and the European Union at just 1%. Germany may even see a negative growth of -0.1%. The report also shared some good news on inflation and jobs in India. Inflation is likely to ease from 4.9% in 2024 to 4.3% in 2025, well within the central bank’s comfort zone. VISHNU PS, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

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Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has highlighted India’s growing stature on the global stage, marked by robust economic growth, rapid infrastructure development, and strengthening international partnerships. During an interaction with the Indian Diaspora community in São Paulo, Brazil, Mr Gadkari emphasized the vast investment and innovation opportunities in India, particularly in biofuels, green hydrogen, clean energy, and flex-fuel mobility. Calling India a land of opportunities, Mr Gadkari invited the global Indian Diaspora to explore, invest, and partner in building a sustainable and prosperous future.

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has said that the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States are complex and still far from being finalized. His remarks came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that India had offered to remove all tariffs on American goods. Speaking to reporters, Dr. Jaishankar clarified that trade discussions between India and the U.S. are ongoing, and any trade deal must be mutually beneficial and work for both countries.

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India is set to achieve a significant milestone with the 101st mission of its space programme. ISRO’s PSLV-C61 rocket will take-off with Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-09 at 5:59 AM tomorrow from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

The mission will place the EOS-09 into a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit. The EOS-09 is designed to provide continuous and reliable remote sensing data for operational applications across various sectors. The mission carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload capable of providing images for various earth observation application under all-weather condition. Adhering to the ISRO’s commitment to the community, the spacecraft will be a debris-free mission. The count down for this launch began this morning. WITH SRI SAI VEMPATI’S REPORT, AISHWARYA RAI NIGAM, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.

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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms, gusty winds and lightning in Northeast, East, Central and Southern India for the next seven days. The IMD predicted similar conditions in Western India over over Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathawada for the next four to five days. In Northwest India, thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds are likely to prevail over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for the next three to four days.

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World Hypertension Day is being observed across the globe today. The day aims to raise awareness about the risks associated with high blood pressure and promote effective strategies for its prevention and management. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this observance, under the compelling theme, Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, Dr. Naval K. Vikram, Professor in Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi said that hypertension is a silent killer and does not cause any symptoms until it reaches a dangerous level.

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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is all set to resume today after a week-long gap, with the match between hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The match will begin at 7:30 PM.

Earlier, the IPL was suspended on 9th of May due to the rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

The final which was scheduled for 25th of May will now be played on 3rd of June.

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HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-

Government to send seven multi-party delegations to key partner countries to present India’s stand against Pakistan sponsored terrorism in the wake of Operation Sindoor.
NIA arrests two members of ISIS sleeper cell in a Pune IED case.
India continues to be the fastest growing major economy in 2025, Says United Nations Report.
IMD forecasts rainfall with thunderstorms, gusty winds and lightning in Northeast, East, Central and Southern India for next seven days.
World Hypertension Day being observed today.
In Cricket, Indian Premier League to resume today after a week-long gap; Hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru to take on Kolkata Knight Riders.