THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with Paraguay President Santiago Peña Palacios in New Delhi today.
- Prime Minister to also participate in International Air Transport Association’s Annual General Meeting at Bharat Mandapam.
- India’s gross GST collection crosses 2 lakh crore rupees mark for second consecutive month in May.
- Russia confirms Ukrainian drone attacks on 5 of its air bases.
- World Champion D Gukesh beat Magnus Carlsen in sixth round of Norway Chess tournament in Stavanger city.
- In IPL cricket, Punjab Kings storm into final, defeating Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets in 2nd Qualifier.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with Paraguay President Santiago Peña Palacios in New Delhi today. The two leaders are expected to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Paraguay President is on a three-day state visit to India beginning today. Our correspondent reports that he is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials and business representatives.
President Peña will also meet President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. President Peña will also visit Mumbai, before returning to Paraguay on Wednesday. In Mumbai, President Peña will meet the state political leaders, representatives from business and industry, and tech leaders. India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations in 1961, fostering warm and friendly ties between the two nations over the decades. The two countries have developed cooperation in various sectors, including trade, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals and information technology. Paraguay is an important trading partner for India in the Latin American region. Akshit Vedyan, Akashvani News, Delhi
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in the International Air Transport Association, IATA’s 81st Annual General Meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the gathering on the occasion. The International Air Transport Association event, which commenced yesterday, will culminate tomorrow. The World Air Transport Summit will focus on key issues facing the aviation industry, including the economics of the airline industry, air connectivity, energy security, sustainable aviation fuel production, financing decarbonization, and innovations, among others. In a statement, Prime Minister’s office said that during the event, leaders from around the world will get to witness India’s remarkable transformation in the aviation landscape and its contribution to the country’s socio-economic development. The last annual general meeting of IATA was held 42 years ago in year1983. With Priya, this is Aishwarya Rai Nigam, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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India’s gross Goods and Services Tax, or GST, collection crossed the 2 lakh crore rupees mark for the second consecutive month in May. According to data released by the Union Ministry of Finance, gross GST collection in May stood at 2.01 lakh crore rupees, which is 16.4 percent higher in comparison to 1.72 lakh crore rupees collected in May 2024. In April 2025, India’s GST collections surged 12.6 percent to an all-time high of 2.37 lakh crore rupees.
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Continuing their positive momentum in Indian markets for the second consecutive month, foreign investors pumped nearly 40,000 crore rupees into the Indian capital market in May. According to depository data, Foreign Portfolio Investors, or FPIs, injected 19,860 crore rupees into Indian equity markets and 19,615 crore rupees into the debt market, bringing total net investment in the Indian capital markets to 38,475 crore rupees for the month. The positive sentiment towards equities comes after a net investment of 4,223 in April after three months of continuous outflows. Earlier, they had pulled out 3,973 crore rupees in March, 34,574 crore in February, and 78,027 crore rupees in January.
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Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that farming is the greatest strength of the country’s economy. Addressing the National Commemorative Seminar on 60 years of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s integral humanism lectures in New Delhi, Mr. Chouhan highlighted the encouraging decline in rural poverty and the positive changes in the living standards of people in the country.
The Minister mentioned that the Lakhpati Didi scheme has proved to be a major campaign for women’s empowerment. He concluded by saying that India as a nation will move forward with a harmonious blend of cultural heritage and modernity.
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The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kargil-1 continued its outreach under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan for the third consecutive day. The initiative is part of the national mission Viksit Bharat 2047, aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices and ensuring farmer welfare.
On the third day, the campaign focused on the Kargil Block, witnessing enthusiastic participation from farmers across the region. Officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Forests were actively involved, providing farmers with information about various government schemes and technical support.
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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 Company Havildar Major Piru Singh, who made the supreme sacrifice during the India-Pakistan war of 1947-48.
Born in 1918 in Rajasthan, Company Havildar Major Piru Singh was enrolled in 6 Rajputana Rifles in 1936.In July 1948, during an intense operation in the Tithwal Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, Piru Singh’s company was assigned the task of securing a heavily fortified enemy ridge. Advancing along a narrow path under intense enemy fire, the unit suffered heavy casualties. With most of his section either killed or wounded, Company Havildar Major Piru Singh pressed on alone. Despite being wounded by grenade shrapnel, he bayoneted the crew of the enemy medium machine gun with his sten gun, and took the position. Bleeding and nearly blind, he continued his assault. After exhausting his ammunition, he hurled grenades and bayoneted enemy soldiers in successive trenches. Just as he moved to attack another post, a bullet struck him in the head. Even in his final moments, he managed to throw a grenade into the enemy trench. Company Havildar Major Piru Singh’s singularly brave act set a unique example of determined courage. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. Saklen Akhtar, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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Chandigarh stood united in remembrance and gratitude for the heroes of Operation Sindoor and the innocent lives lost in the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam. A tribute named ‘Sindoor Ka Sandesh – Na Bhooleyengey, Na Maaf Kareyngey’ was organized in Chandigarh, last evening, that brought together citizens, families of martyrs and others in a solemn expression of national solidarity. Attending the meet, Punjab Governor and Administrator UT Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria stirred the hearts and ignited a sense of patriotic pride amongst the people present there. Thousands gathered at the Sector-17 Plaza and stood in silence to honour the martyrs, many with tears in their eyes as the national flag waved proudly behind the stage.
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The Government is set to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nathu La after a five-year hiatus, with the first batch of pilgrims arriving in Gangtok on the 15th of this month. The sacred pilgrimage to the abode of Lord Shiva will begin from Gangtok and proceed to Kailash and Mansarovar via the Nathu La Pass. Ten batches of 48 pilgrims each will undertake the 20 to 21 day journey, accompanied by liaison officers, cooks, and support staff. Before departure, yatris will report in Delhi on the 11th June for medical check-ups and permit clearance.
To ensure the safety and comfort of the pilgrims, the Government of Sikkim has made comprehensive arrangements including acclimatisation centres along the route, accommodation, food, medical services, and emergency response systems. Pre-yatra programs in Gangtok will include yoga sessions, morning exercises, and meditation. Briefing sessions by the Department of Tourism will help yatris familiarize themselves with the route and itinerary. Coordination with the Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police will ensure logistics, security, and emergency support, with hotlines at key points to update family members.With Mainak Chtterjee DilIi Ram Dulal Akashvani news Gangtok.
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Telangana Formation Day is being celebrated across the state and outside the country. The National Flag will be hoisted at official programmes and government offices to mark the Formation Day. Telangana was formed as the 29th state in the country on this day in 2014 through Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will be hoisting the tricolour at an official event to be held at Secunderabad Parade Grounds later this morning.
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Ukraine launched a large-scale drone operation yesterday, targeting five Russian air bases across Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the attacks, stating that several aircraft caught fire, though no casualties were reported. Russia called the strikes ‘terror attacks’ and claimed that drone assaults on Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur were repelled. However, Ukraine said the operation, prepared over 11 months by its Security Service SBU, destroyed around 40 aircraft, including nuclear-capable Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers.
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Now, news from the world of sports:
At the Norway Chess 2025, Indian teenage Grandmaster D. Gukesh scored his first-ever classical win over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 at Stavanger. Playing white, Gukesh capitalized on a rare endgame error by Carlsen, turning the tables in a tightly fought game. The reigning World Champion’s win has rattled the leaderboard, throwing the title race wide open.
In IPL cricket, Punjab Kings pulled off a thrilling 5-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 at Ahmedabad. Chasing 204, skipper Shreyas Iyer scored 87 and Nehal Wadhera with 48 runs, powered the chase with an over to spare. They now face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final tomorrow, seeking their first-ever IPL title
India finished second overall at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea with 24 medals- 8 gold, 10 silver and 6 bronze. Jigyasa Pandey, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” at 9.30 tonight, we will bring an insightful discussion on Protecting Consumers from Dark patterns in Digital Commerce with Pushpa Girimaji, activist and Specialist in Consumer Law, Rights and Safety.
To participate, simply dial the telephone numbers 011 – 23421050 and 011 – 23314444, 9:30 PM onwards tonight.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- Under the headline, “India eyes retaliation as US rejects World Trade Organisation notice”, Hindustan Times writes that New Delhi might take countermeasures by proportionately suspending concessions given to American imports on metals coming from the US.
- “GST keeps up tempo in May, grows 16.4%” is the top headline in Financial Express. “May GST mopup shows Financial Year 26 off to a flying start”, writes The Economic Times.
- About a month after portals of Kedarnath Dham were opened, the pilgrimage has generated 200 crore rupees business, with over 7 lakh visitors, reports The Pioneer.
- And finally, Airfares likely to come down as oil marketing companies cut price of aviation turbine fuel, writes The Asian Age.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN,
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with Paraguay President Santiago Peña Palacios in New Delhi today.
- Prime Minister to also participate in International Air Transport Association’s Annual General Meeting at Bharat Mandapam.
- India’s gross GST collection crosses 2 lakh crore rupees mark for second consecutive month in May.
- Russia confirms Ukrainian drone attacks on 5 of its air bases.
- World Champion D Gukesh beat Magnus Carlsen in sixth round of Norway Chess tournament in Stavanger city.
- In IPL cricket, Punjab Kings storm into final, defeating Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets in 2nd Qualifier.
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