Morning News -

THE HEADLINES :-

Government will ensure not a single drop of water from Indus river reaches Pakistan, asserts Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil.
DRDO achieves significant milestone in Hypersonic Technology by conducting successful ground testing of scramjet engine for over thousand seconds.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to distribute over 51 thousand appointment letters to new recruits in various government departments during Rozgar Mela this morning.
Pope Francis to be laid to rest in Rome today; President Droupadi Murmu and several other world leaders to attend the funeral in Vatican city.
Trump administration to restore legal status of hundreds of foreign students in United States.
In IPL T20 Cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Hosts Chennai Super Kings by five wickets.

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Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil has emphasized the importance of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with Pakistan. He asserted that the government will ensure not even a single drop of water from the Indus river reaches Pakistan. Mr Patil was speaking to media yesterday after attending a high level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss the future course of action following suspension of Indus Waters Treaty by the government in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and senior government officials also attended the meeting.

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A day after India revoked visas issued to Pakistani nationals in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to all Chief Ministers asking them to identify all Pakistani nationals in their states. Mr. Shah asked the Chief Ministers to take steps to ensure their prompt return to Pakistan.

In Telangana, Director General Police, Dr Jitender has issued an advisory notifying the Central Government orders about immediate suspension of Visa services to Pakistani nationals.

As per the statement, all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani citizens will stand revoked with effect from tomorrow. A total of about 230 Pakistan nationals in the State hold Indian visas.

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A total of 191 Pakistani nationals visiting India returned home through the Attari-Wagah land route in Punjab’s Amritsar yesterday. It comes after the Centre set a 48-hour deadline for them to leave the country in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. Earlier, 28 were returned to Pakistan on 24th of this month. Meanwhile, a total of 287 Indian nationals, who were visiting the neighbouring country, have also returned.

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The Indian Army effectively responded to the firing by Pakistan military along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir last night. Defence sources said, unprovoked small firing was carried out by various Pakistan Army posts all across the Line of Control in Kashmir and the Indian troops responded appropriately with small arms. There were no reports of any casualties.

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The UN Security Council has strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. In a statement, Council members emphasized that terrorism is a major threat to global peace and must be fought in all its forms.

The Council called for the perpetrators, supporters, and sponsors of the attack to be brought to justice, urging all countries to cooperate under international law. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the organization is closely monitoring the situation and urged both India and Pakistan to show restraint and avoid further escalation.

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US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has said, America stands with India as it hunts down those responsible for the heinous Pahalgam terror attack. In a social media post yesterday Ms. Gabbard said, the United States stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack, which claimed lives of 26 people in Pahalgam. She assured Prime Minister Modi of America’s full support as India seeks to bring those responsible to justice.

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In Punjab, the Border Security Force in another successful anti-terror operation, recovered massive cache of arms, ammunition and explosives in Amritsar last evening.

The materials recovered include about 5 kilogram of deadly RDX with Improvised Explosive Device circuits, 5 hand grenades with detonators, 220 live cartridges and 4 pistols with magazines. The ammunition concealed in two large packets was uncovered from an agricultural field.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute over 51 thousand appointment letters to newly appointed youth in various government departments and organisations through video conferencing today. Mr Modi will also address the gathering on the occasion. We have a report:

” In line with the Prime Minister’s commitment to accord highest priority to employment generation, the 15th Rozgar Mela will be held at 47 locations across the country today. It will provide meaningful opportunities to the youth for their empowerment and effectively contributing to national development. The new recruits will be joining the Central Government in various Ministries and Departments including Department of Revenue, Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances and Pensions, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Posts, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Labour and Employment among others. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO has achieved a significant milestone in Scramjet Engine Development by conducting Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor ground testing for over 1,000 seconds. The Defence Research and Development Laboratory which is a Hyderabad-based laboratory of DRDO, yesterday conducted the ground testing at the newly built state-of-the-art Scramjet Connect Test Facility. The ground test is in continuation of the earlier test reported for 120 seconds in January. With the successful test, the system will be soon ready for full scale flight worthy combustor testing.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO, Industry partners and academia for the remarkable achievement.

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In Madhya Pradesh, four female Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Supkhar forest range of Kanha National Park in Balaghat district in the wee hours today. These members of Naxal group were carrying a reward of 62 lakh rupees. Talking to media, Balaghat Superintendent of Police Nagendra Kumar Singh said, the operation was part of an ongoing anti-Naxal campaign in the region.

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Pope Francis, the head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome today. The funeral Mass will begin at 1:30 PM Indian Standard Time in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican city. The service will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. Tens of thousands of mourners, including heads of state and representatives from across the world are expected to attend the funeral mass of the late pontiff. President Droupadi Murmu, who will offer condolences on behalf of the government and people of India. We have more from our Correspondent:-

” President Murmu reached Rome in Italy yesterday and paid homage to the Pope Francis by laying a wreath at Basilica of Saint Peter in 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. The funeral ceremony will conclude with the transfer of the coffin to Saint Mary Major in Rome, where the burial will take place. This will be the first papal burial outside the Vatican in more than a century as the only pope to be buried outside the Vatican in 1903 was — Pope Leo XIII. Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church, and sovereign of the Vatican City State passed away on 21st of April at the age of 88. The Argentine pontiff died from a stroke less than a month after returning home from five weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia. Manik Sharma, News Desk.”

India is observing state mourning today, as a mark of respect on the funeral of the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See.

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The Trump administration has said it is restoring the previously terminated legal status of hundreds of foreign students in the United States, while it develops a policy that will provide a framework for potentially ending them in the future. The decision was announced during a court hearing before a federal judge in Boston who was presiding over a challenge by one of the many international students across the country suing over actions the administration took against them as part of Republican President Donald Trump’s hardline crackdown on immigration. Their legal statuses had been revoked as a result of their records being terminated from a database of the approximately 1.1 million foreign student visa holders, putting them at risk of deportation.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has said that Russia and Ukraine are very close to a deal on ending conflict between the two countries. President Trump’s remarks came following a meeting between his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Ukraine was not part of the talks. Speaking in Rome, the US President stated that most of the key points for a potential deal had already been agreed upon.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin described the three-hour meeting between Mr Witkoff and President Putin as constructive, saying it helped bring the U.S. and Russian positions closer.

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The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for an attack that killed 10 Pakistani paramilitary personnel after their vehicle was struck by a remote-controlled IED in western Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province yesterday. According to news agencies, the security vehicle hit a roadside improvised explosive device near Margat Chowki, approximately 30 kilometers from Quetta. The Baloch Liberation Army stated that its operations against the “occupying” Pakistan Army will continue with intensity.

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Akashvani won a total of six awards in various categories at the India Audio Summit and Awards 2025. The third edition of the awards, which recognise excellence in radio and audio content production, was held in Mumbai last night.

Among the top accolades for Akashvani, former Union Minister Smriti Irani’s programme ‘Nai Soch Nai Kahani – A Radio Journey with Smriti Irani’ was named the Series of the Year on radio. Director General of Akashvani Dr Pragya Paliwal Gaur graced the event as the guest of honour.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of the country and abroad in the Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani tomorrow at 11 AM. It will be the 121st episode of the monthly radio programme. The programme will be broadcast across the entire Akashvani and Doordarshan network, the AIR News website, and the Newsonair mobile app. It will also be live-streamed on the YouTube channels of AIR News, DD News, the PMO, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

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In IPL T20 Cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Hosts Chennai Super Kings by five wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium last night. Chasing a target of 155 runs, Sunrisers Hyderabad overhauled the score for the loss of five wickets in 18.4 overs. Today, Hosts Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens at 7.30 this evening.

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A LOOK AT TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS :-

In the aftermath of the horrific killing of tourists in Pahalgam, India “Working on plans to halt flow of water to Pakistan” reports Hindustan Times. The Tribune writes “Business, Conference, visitor, pilgrim among fourteen categories of Visas revoked to ensuring Pak nationals exit.”
“Defence minister of Pakistan admits his nation had backed and funded terror groups as ‘a mistake of doing dirty works’ for West” is a top headline in The Asian Age.
The Economic Times headline says “Media closes the border to Pak Cricket, entertainment.”
The Indian Express cites a report saying “Moving away from China, Apple plans to sell only India-made iPhones in US.”
And finally, Honouring the sacrifices made by our valiant soldiers “India’s martyrs to be immortalised in Delhi’s metro stations” notes The Pioneer.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-

Government will ensure not a single drop of water from Indus river reaches Pakistan, asserts Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil.
DRDO achieves significant milestone in Hypersonic Technology by conducting successful ground testing of scramjet engine for over thousand seconds.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to distribute over 51 thousand appointment letters to new recruits in various government departments during Rozgar Mela this morning.
Pope Francis to be laid to rest in Rome today; President Droupadi Murmu and several other world leaders to attend the funeral in Vatican city.
Trump administration to restore legal status of hundreds of foreign students in United States.
In IPL T20 Cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Hosts Chennai Super Kings by five wickets.