Morning News -

THE HEADLINES:

Director General of Military Operations says, India inflicted heavy losses to Pakistan military and terrorists during Operation Sindoor; Two countries to hold DGMO level talks today to further consolidate ceasefire.
NIA arrests key Khalistani operative involved in 2016 Nabha Jail break from Motihari in Bihar.
Buddha Purnima being celebrated today with traditional fervour and enthusiasm.
US announces trade deal with China following Geneva talks.
India finishes its campaign with seven medals including two gold, at Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai, China.

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Director General of Military Operations of the Indian Army, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai has said that strikes across nine terror hubs in Pakistan and PoJK under Operation Sindoor killed over 100 terrorists. Briefing media in New Delhi yesterday evening, the DGMO said they include high value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed that were involved in the hijack of IC814 and the Pulwama blast. He stated that Operation Sindoor was conceptualised with a clear military aim to punish the perpetrators and planners of terror and to destroy their terror infrastructure.

Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai said that Pakistan Army has reported to have lost nearly 35 to 40 personnel in artillery and small arms firing on the Line of Control between 7th and 10th May.

The DGMO said he spoke to his Pak counterpart on Saturday afternoon who proposed cessation of hostilities. He added that this resulted in cessation of cross-border firing and air intrusions by either side. Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai also said the DGMO of India and Pakistan have decided to speak at 12 noon today to further consolidate ceasefire.

On being asked about how many Pakistani planes were downed, Director General of Air Operations, Air Marshal AK Bharti said their planes were prevented from entering inside the border and a few planes were definitely downed.

Director General Naval Operations Vice Admiral A N Pramod said that our forces remained forward deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea in a decisive and deterrent posture with full readiness and capacity to strike select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, at a time of choosing.

We spoke to defence analyst Lt General Rajeev Chopra over the issue.

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Foreign Minister S Jaishankar received a call from his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty. In a social media post, Dr. Jaishankar said that he apprised him of recent developments and emphasized the importance of zero tolerance for terrorism in all forms and manifestations.

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The National Disaster Management Authority-NDMA has issued an advisory for citizens not to touch any unknown material. In a social media post, it said, these could be explosive materials that may be dangerous and cause serious injury or death to the people. The NDMA said that if people find any unknown material they must inform the local authorities immediately.

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In a significant breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Kashmir Singh Galwaddi, a key Khalistani operative and one of the escapees from the high-profile 2016 Nabha jail break. The arrest was made in Motihari, Bihar, in a joint operation with local police. Kashmir Singh, a resident of Ludhiana, Punjab, had been on the run since the jailbreak and was closely linked with foreign-based Babbar Khalsa International terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda.

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In Chhattisgarh, 13 people died in a road accident near the state capital Raipur last night. The dead include 9 women and 4 children. More than 13 people have been injured. About 40 people were travelling in a vehicle after attending a family program, when their vehicle hit a truck near Kharora. The injured are being treated at the Medical College Hospital in Raipur and the Community Health Center in Kharora.

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Buddha Purnima is being celebrated today. It not only marks the day when Gautam Buddha was born, but also the day when he attained Nirvana under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.

This day is commemorated by Buddhists and Hindus all over the world, and is a major festival in countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Tibet, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Our correspondent reports that special prayer is being held at the Mahabodhi Temple premises in Bodhgaya.

“On the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, devotees from several countries including Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar have reached Bodh Gaya, the land of enlightenment of Lord Buddha to offer prayers. A special prayer being organised at Mahabodhi Temple. A special Dhamma Yatra led by Buddhist monks has started from the 80-foot statue of Lord Buddha, which is passing through various parts of Bodhgaya; it will culminate at the Mahabodhi Temple. On this occasion, special prayers are being offered under the holy Mahabodhi tree. A large number of devotees are attending the special prayers. Buddhist monks and devotees are reciting the Panchsheel Sutta on this occasion. The entire atmosphere is resonating with the chanting of “Buddham Sharanam Gacchami”. With Dharmendra Kumar Rai, Deepmala Kaushik, Akashvani News.”

Sri Lanka is observing Vesak Poya today, the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar, while observing the State Vesak Festival in Nuwara Eliya.

“Thousands of devotees have gathered in the hill town of Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka to join in the Vesak festival celebrations today. Temples, streets, and homes have been adorned with colourful lanterns and pandals depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life. Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had inaugurated the week-long Vesak festival on Saturday marking the Buddhist Year 2569. The government has declared period from May 10th to 16th as State Vesak week. Further, over 8,500 temporary stalls or dansals have been registered across the island, offering free meals and refreshments to the devotees. Ahmed Muyeen Farooqi, Akashvani News, Nuwara Eliya.”

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar have greeted fellow citizens and the followers of Lord Buddha all over the world on the occasion.

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The United States announced a trade deal with China in Geneva, Switzerland last night. In a statement released by the White House, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the talks with China were very productive and the details of the deal will be shared today. He also thanked the Swiss government for hosting the talks.

Moreover, the US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer said that the United States has a massive 1.2 trillion Dollar trade deficit and this deal will help towards resolving that national emergency.

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An earthquake of magnitude 5.7 on the Richter Scale hit Tibet today at 2:41 AM, Indian Time. The tremors were felt across the region. However, there are no reports of damage or injuries as of now. According to India’s National Center for Seismology, the epicentre was located at a depth of 10 kilometres.

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Moving on to the world of sports: At the Archery World Cup Stage 2, India finished its campaign with seven medals including two gold, one silver and four bronze medals in Shanghai, China yesterday.

“India’s medal tally at the Shanghai Archery World Cup saw a major boost after Parth Sushant Salunkhe clinched Bronze medal in Men’s Individual Recurve, while Deepika Kumari also won Bronze in Women’s Individual Recurve event. In the playoffs, Parth Salunkhe defeated France’s Olympic medallist Baptiste Addis 6-4 and Deepika Kumari outclassed Republic of Korea’s Kang Chae-young 7-3.

In Women’s Cricket, India clinched the Tri-Nation ODI Series beating Sri Lanka by 97 runs in the final match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s majestic 116 made her Player of the Match, while Sneh Rana got the Player of the Series award for her sparkling performance with the ball, who scalped 15 wickets in 5 matches. With the Women’s ODI World Cup just five months away, the series win adds morale to the team giving several positives.

Moving ahead, Hockey India will announce the Indian Women’s Team for the Europe leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25 today. The league will bring a test of strength, a battle of spirit and a display of unity. CHIRAG JHA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

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India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Sub Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim today. According to MeT Deparment, thunderstorms accompanied with gusty winds and lightning are expected over Northwest, Central, East and South Peninsular India today. IMD has said that thunderstorms accompanied with Hailstorm are very likely expected at isolated places of Assam, Meghalaya and Punjab.

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS:

Objectives achieved, India sets new normal in fighting terror, headlines the Hindustan Times. “Goli ka jawab Gola se Denge, Modi warns” is the headline in the Pioneer and the Tribune headlines “40 Pak soldiers, 100 terrorists killed, jets downed. The Times of India headlines ” Pounding of Pak airbases was turning point” All papers report of India shooting down Pakistani jets in Operation Sindoor and Pakistan Army losing 35-40 men at LOC.
The Indian Express headlines ” Modi tells US Vice President Vance, India would hit hard. The Statesman, has on it’s front page if Pakistan does anything more, our response will be stronger, Modi tells US Vice President.”
Most papers also have on their front page the easing of blackouts and markets re-opening in border areas.
A story in the Business Standard says “India’s I Phone exports zoomed 116 percent in April.”
Finally a teacher’s note becomes reality for IAF officer “Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on the last day of her school received a note from her teacher which said “Vyom ko chhoone ke liye baniho” which translates to “You were born to touch the skies”.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :

Director General of Military Operations says, India inflicted heavy losses to Pakistan military and terrorists during Operation Sindoor; Two countries to hold DGMO level talks today to further consolidate ceasefire.
NIA arrests key Khalistani operative involved in 2016 Nabha Jail break from Motihari in Bihar.
Buddha Purnima being celebrated today with traditional fervour and enthusiasm.
US announces trade deal with China following Geneva talks.
India finishes its campaign with seven medals including two gold, at Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai, China.