THE HEADLINES:-
- Leaders cutting across party lines assure full support to government for any action to be taken over Pahalgam terror attack.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the conspirators of Pahalgam terror attack to get a punishment far bigger than they can imagine.
- UN urges India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
- President Droupadi Murmu embarks on a two day visit to Vatican City from today to attend State Funeral of Pope Francis.
- 2nd Asian Yogasana Championships to begin in New Delhi today.
- In ipl Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeats Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs in Bengaluru.
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Leaders cutting across party lines have extended support to the actions taken by Cabinet Committee (CCS) on Security against Pakistan following Pahalgam terror attack. Talking to media, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said all parties expressed their concern at the terror attack and extended their support. He said the Defence Minister informed about the incident that happened in Pahalgam and the actions taken by the Indian government in the CCS meeting. He said the government has also expressed its intention to take more stringent action. Mr Rijiju said the leaders were briefed about the incident and government action.
Talking to media after attending the meeting, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said every one condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and opposition has given full support to the government to take any action.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that all parties condemned the terror attack. He said that efforts should be made to maintain peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
AIMIM MP Assaduddin Owaisi said that this is not a political issue, and he will support whatever decision the central government takes.
Leaders of 15 different political parties attended the meeting which lasted around 2 hours.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the conspirators of Pahalgam terror attack will get a punishment far bigger than they can imagine. He said terrorism will not go unpunished. He said that every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done, and the entire nation is firm in this resolve.
Speaking at a public gathering in Madhubani district on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day, the Prime Minister said that the country’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that everyone who believes in humanity is with India. He thanked world and global leaders for showing solidarity with India. He said the attack is not on tourists but is on soul of the country. Mr. Modi said with will power of 140 crore people of the country we will diminish terrorism.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls on India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further deterioration of the tense situation in the subcontinent after a terrorist attack in Kashmir. While reiterating the condemnation of terrorist attack that killed at least 26 people in Pahalgam on Tuesday, spokesperson of the Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric said, UN appeals to both the governments of Pakistan and India to exercise maximum restraint, and to ensure that the situation and the developments do not deteriorate any further. He said any issues between Pakistan and India can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement.
Meanwhile a front organisation of the internationally banned Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba has taken responsibility for the attack in which mostly tourists were massacred.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, a gunfight broke out between terrorists and security forces in Bandipora today. Official sources said, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Kulnar Bazipora area of Bandipora district following information about the presence of the ultras in the area. They said, the search operation turned into an encounter after the hiding ultras opened fire on the security personnel. No casualties have been reported in the incident so far. Further details are awaited.
Meanwhile, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is visiting Srinagar today to review the security situation in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack. Top commanders of the local military formations will brief him on the counter terrorist measures taken by the force in the valley and along the Line of Control. The 15 Corps commander and other Rashtriya Rifles formation commanders will be present during the visit.
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Protests and candlelight marches were held across multiple cities yesterday as citizens, students, and political groups condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead. Students of the Government Degree College for Women in Anantnag marched through the town, condemning the attack. In Chandigarh, people gathered to protest against the incident, holding placards and calling for justice. In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, a candlelight march was organised to honour the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. In Delhi, members of the Khan Market Trade Association held a similar march, with candles lit in memory of the deceased.
Meanwhile, several markets in National Capital Delhi will be closed today as traders have called for a bandh to protest the terror attack in Pahalgam. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said that Delhi trade associations have asked for a complete market shutdown in response to the terror attack and as a mark of tribute to those who lost their lives. Our correspondent reports that more than 900 markets of Delhi will remain closed today as part of the protest.
“Leading trade associations of Delhi have called for a complete shutdown of markets in the city. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has appealed to all traders across Delhi to voluntarily keep their establishments closed and observe the bandh peacefully. Talking to media in New Delhi, CAIT’s Secretary General and BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal, stated that this bandh is not a protest but a symbol of tribute and national solidarity.
CAIT has also requested the Delhi Police and administrative authorities to maintain law and order during the bandh. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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President Droupadi Murmu has departed for Vatican City this morning to attend the State Funeral of Pope Francis. President Murmu will be on a two-day visit to the Vatican City. She is accompanied by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian and Deputy Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Joshua De Souza.
India has declared three days of State Mourning on the passing of Pope Francis.
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Today is World Malaria Day. It is a global initiative organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness about malaria and promote actions to control, prevent, and ultimately eliminate the disease.The theme of this year’s Malaria Day is “Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”, aiming to re-energize efforts at all levels, from global policy to community action, to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heatwave conditions over Northwest India during the next three to four days. According to IMD, heat wave conditions will continue over West Madhya Pradesh, West Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and East Rajasthan till the 29th of this month. Similar conditions are expected over Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and Telangana till tomorrow.
The weather department also predicted hot and humid conditions over Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema till tomorrow.
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Moving on to the world of sports. The 2nd Asian Yogasana Championships is set to begin at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi today. The 3-day event by Yogasana Bharat will last till 27th of this month. We have more from our Sports Desk:
“Over 170 athletes from 21 Asian countries will participate in the grand Yoga championship. The event is part of the government’s effort to promote Yogasana as a competitive global sport. World Yogasana’s General Secretary Dr. Jaydeep Arya said,
President of Yogasana Bharat Udit Seth said that Yoga is all about connecting with yourself.
Next comes the IPL T20 Cricket, where hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium last night. For RCB, Josh Hazlewood scalped 4 wickets and was declared Player of the Match. Today, Chennai Super Kings will face Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk from 7.30 PM. WITH NEELAM KAUSHIK, CHIRAG JHA, SPORTS DESK.”
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NOW, FOR A LOOK AT TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- Almost all newspapers today resonate with tough stand on Pahalgam attack. Hindustan Times opens with quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “India won’t back down, will pursue terrorists to the ends of earth”. “Delhi revokes all Pak visas as it closes airspace for India flights” is the lead headline in The Asian Age. “India mourns its dead : From North to South, East to West” is a front page headline in The Pioneer.
- “The Hindu Business Line quoting the US Treasury Secretary notes, “With fewer tariffs, India could be first to sign trade deal”.
- The Indian Express talks of heatwave warning for Delhi.
- The Financial Express writes, Manufacturing sector records 78 percent rise, information technology 43 percent.
- And finally, the Hindustan Times under the caption, “Rare genetic condition”, carries a picture of a white leopard born in Ratnagiri.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Leaders cutting across party lines assure full support to government for any action to be taken over Pahalgam terror attack.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the conspirators of Pahalgam terror attack to get a punishment far bigger than they can imagine.
- UN urges India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
- President Droupadi Murmu embarks on a two day visit to Vatican City from today to attend State Funeral of Pope Francis.
- 2nd Asian Yogasana Championships to begin in New Delhi today.
- In ipl cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeats Rajasthan Royals by 11 runs in Bengaluru.
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