THE HEADLINES:
- Iran fires missiles at the Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, near the Negev Nuclear Research Center, in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks on its nuclear sites.
- US President Donald Trump threatens to ‘hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Strait of Hormuz is not reopened within 48 hours.
- Government modifies Credit Guarantee Scheme to support MSME manufacturers and exporters.
- BJP releases lists of candidates for upcoming Assembly elections in Puducherry, Keralam, and Assam.
- In squash, Veer Chotrani sets-up an all-India Summit Clash with Abhay Singh in the men’s singles of the Indian Open in Mumbai today.
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Iran has fired missiles at the Israeli city of Dimona and the town of Arad, areas close to the Negev Nuclear Research Center as tensions escalate in West Asia. Iranian state TV said the attacks were in response to earlier U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in Bushehr and Natanz. We have a report:
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with Mayor of Arad, Yair Maayan and conveyed his prayers for those injured in Iran’s attack near Israel’s Dimona and the Negev nuclear research centre. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, more than 100 people, including children, were injured in the attack. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that it is aware of reports of an incident in the city of Dimona in Israel, involving a missile impact and has not received any indication of damage to the nuclear research center in Negev. The IAEA added that information from regional states indicates that no abnormal radiation levels have been detected. Meanwhile, in the UAE, authorities in Ras Al Khaimah confirmed that air defences successfully intercepted incoming threats. The interceptions follow days of Iranian missile and drone launches toward the UAE, most of which have been shot down by Emirati defence systems. These developments form part of a broader wave of Iranian retaliatory action against both Israel and its regional partners. WITH VINOD KUMAR’S REPORT FROM DUBAI, CHIRAG JHA, AKASHVANI NEWS.”
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U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. President Trump issued the ultimatum on Truth Social this morning, giving Iran exactly 48 hours to open the vital waterway or face a new round of attacks. He stated that the United States would target various Iranian power plants, starting with the biggest one first.
In another post, President Trump said that Iran wants to make a deal, but he does not. He added that he has achieved his objectives weeks ahead of schedule.
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Saudi Arabia has asked the military attaché at the Iran’s Embassy and the three members of the mission’s staff to leave the Kingdom within 24 hours. Saudi Arabia has also condemned the Iranian aggressions against the Kingdom, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and a number of Arab and Islamic countries.
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The Government has approved another 20 per cent allocation of commercial LPG to States, which would take overall allocation to 50 per cent including 10 per cent allocation based on ease of doing reforms for PNG expansion. This additional percentage of allocation shall be given on priority to sectors like restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, dairy, subsidised canteens and others run by State or local bodies. In this regard, Secretary, Ministry for Petroleum and Natural Gas Neeraj Mittal has written to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs saying that this allocation will be applicable from tomorrow. The government has assured citizens that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG, urging people not to panic as it strengthens response measures amid tensions in West Asia.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has said, it is closely monitoring shipping movements, port operations, safety of Indian seafarers and continuity of maritime trade. The Ministry said that a total of 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region and DG Shipping is monitoring the situation.
The External Affairs Ministry said, the government is working to ensure the safety of Indians living in West Asia. It said, Indian missions are operating round the clock, helping citizens with travel, safety, and emergency support.
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Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has sharply increased fuel prices, citing rising global oil costs linked to escalating tensions in the West Asia region. Fuel prices have been raised across the board by 24 to 30 per cent. Kerosene prices have also been increased by 60 rupees to 255 rupees per litre.
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The Government has modified the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in line with the Budget 2025-26. The changes aim to enhance credit access and provide incentives to MSME manufacturers and exporters. A report:
“The Government has modified the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs to improve access to credit for manufacturing and export-oriented units. Under the scheme, National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited provides 60 per cent guarantee coverage to Member Lending Institutions for credit facilities of up to 100 crore rupees sanctioned to eligible MSMEs for the purchase of equipment and machinery. The Ministry of Finance said the modifications expand coverage, reduce compliance burden and provide targeted incentives for exporter MSMEs. Under the revised norms, the five per cent upfront contribution has been made refundable. One per cent of this amount will be returned each year from the fourth year onwards, subject to satisfactory loan performance. The eligibility criteria have also been expanded to include service sector MSMEs. The minimum project cost requirement towards machinery and equipment has been reduced to 60 per cent from the earlier 75 per cent. Rohan, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its first list of candidates for the Puducherry Legislative Assembly elections, naming nominees for 9 of the 10 seats allotted to it. More from our correspondent:
“The BJP list of candidates came after the NDA parties reached an agreement for seat sharing for Puducherry polls on Friday. As per the seat sharing agreement, All India NR Congress will contest 16 seats, BJP will contest 10 seats while All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Latchiya Jananayaka party will contest two seats each. The BJP list released yesterday includes Home Minister Namasivayam from Mannadipet, State President V.P. Ramalingam from Raj Bhavan, Minister John Kumar from Mudaliarpet and assembly Speaker R.Selvam from Manavely. Meanwhile, a total of 135 nominations are filed so far in Puducherry union territory for the assembly general elections. Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, ministers and Opposition leader R.Siva are among the major leaders who filed their nomination. BIBN S NATH, AKASHVANI NEWS, PUDUCHERRY.”
Meanwhile, in Keralam, the BJP released its third list of candidates yesterday, comprising 11 names. T. N. Suresh will contest from Kovalam, V. Ratheesh from Peerumade, and Ajimon from Mavelikkara. Prominent candidates from all three fronts in Keralam have already filed their nominations ahead of the closing date tomorrow. KPCC President, Sunny Joseph filed his nomination yesterday as the UDF candidate in Peravoor. The polling for the 140 member Assembly in Keralam will be held on the 9th of April while counting of votes will take place on the 4th of May.
In Assam, the BJP’s Central Election Committee has released its second list of two candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections. According to the list, Sushri Krishna Saha will contest from Dalgaon assembly constituency and Jiban Gogoi from Sissibargaon assembly constituency. On the other hand, the Congress has released another list of seven candidates. The Party has fielded Bidisha Neog from Jalukbari seat, Jayanta Borah will contest from Biswanath Assembly seat while Raul Roy will be the party candidate from Hailakandi Assembly constituency.
Polling for the 126 Member Assam Assembly will be held on the 9th of April while counting of votes will take place on the 4th of May.
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Bihar is celebrating its 114th Foundation Day today. On this day in 1912, Bihar was carved out of Bengal and granted the status of a separate state. A three-day state-level ceremony is being organized at Gandhi Maidan in Patna to mark Bihar Divas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have extended greetings to the people of Bihar on the occasion of Bihar Day.
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On the occasion of World Water Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon citizens to reaffirm their commitment to conserve every drop of water and ensure its responsible use. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that water sustains life and shapes the planet’s future.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds at isolated places over Sub Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim today. The Met Department has also predicted similar conditions over Gangetic West Bengal, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha and West Rajasthan for the day. Meanwhile, hot and humid weather conditions are expected over Kerala and Mahe till tomorrow.
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In squash, India’s Veer Chotrani defeated Malaysia’s Sanjay Jeeva 3-1 to book his place in the Men’s Singles final of Indian Open in Mumbai. With this, Veer Chotrani will face Abhay Singh in an all India final clash today. Earlier, Abhay Singh stormed into the final beating Malaysia’s Amishenraj Chandran 3-1 in the semi-final.
In the Women’s Singles, top seed and defending champion Anahat Singh defeated compatriot Tanvi Khanna 3-1 to reach the Women’s Singles final. She will now face second seed Egyptian player Hana Moataz in the final.
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the schedule for Senior Indian Men’s Team tour of Ireland for a two-match T20I series in June this year. The Men in Blue will play the first T20I on the 26th of June in Belfast, followed by the second and last T20I on the 28th of June at the same venue.
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In Women’s Cricket, Rwanda’s Fanny Utagushimaninde has become the youngest centurion ever in Women’s T20I history.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- “India pushes peace in PM Modi-Iran President talks, writes Sunday Pioneer, while a headline in The Asian Age says, “Modi talks to Iran President, backs peace, secure shipping lanes”. The Hindu writes, “Trump mulls ending war; U.S. eases curbs on Iran oil”.
- “Iran fires surprise 4,000 kilometre missiles at US-UK joint base in Indian Ocean”, is a front-page headline in The Sunday Tribune.
- “War impact: 79 billion dollar FPI assets wiped out in first 15 days of March”, reports The Financial Express.
- Air India cabin crew who fall outside prescribed weight limits can be pulled off flights without pay, subjected to unannounced BMI checks before or after duty, and required to clear functional fitness tests before being allowed to fly again, writes Hindustan Times.
- The Sunday Statesman carries, on the front page, a picture of President Droupadi Murmu paying her respects at the world-renowned Shri Daan ghati Temple near Mathura. The paper adds that Ms. Murmu completed the Saptakosi 21-kilometre Parikrama.
- On its editorial page, The Times of India writes that the new amendments proposed to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, which have come out of nowhere, are like a knife twisting into the heart of the trans community. It says the central claim for transgender rights has always been gender self-determination. The Supreme Court, in 2014, had held that all persons have the fundamental right and autonomy to self-determine their gender identity as male, female, or transgender. The heart of the law is the principle of self-determination of gender identity and the freedom to each person to be who they want to be and to be treated equally. This cannot be taken away by an amendment.
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HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Iran fires missiles at the Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, near the Negev Nuclear Research Center, in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks on its nuclear sites.
- US President Donald Trump threatens to ‘hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Strait of Hormuz is not reopened within 48 hours.
- Government modifies Credit Guarantee Scheme to support MSME manufacturers and exporters.
- BJP releases lists of candidates for upcoming Assembly elections in Puducherry, Keralam, and Assam.
- In squash, Veer Chotrani sets-up an all-India Summit Clash with Abhay Singh in the men’s singles of the Indian Open in Mumbai today.
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For details of these stories and more, log on to our website www.newsonair.gov.in and News On Air App.
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