Midday News -

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Maha kumbh reflected the spirit of rising India and unity in diversity.

External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar calls for a fair and robust international order to curb power imbalances.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says, violence in Nagpur appears to be premeditated; Appeals to citizens to uphold law and order.

Israel launches wave of airstrikes across Gaza Strip killing at least 200 people as negotiations for truce collapse over several points.

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore begin their 17-hour journey back to earth after being stranded for nine months on International Space Station.

In Kabaddi World Cup, both Indian Men’s and Women’s teams to play their group matches at Wolverhampton in England today.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asserted Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj has reflected the spirit of rising India and the entire world witnessed the power of the country. He added that unity in diversity is a specialty of India, which was experienced during the recently concluded Maha Kumbh. The Prime Minister today made a statement in the Lok Sabha on Maha Kumbh.

Mr. Modi said when the entire world is going through challenging times, the grand show of this unity is the country’s biggest strength. He underlined the need to continue enriching this specialty of unity in diversity.

Highlighting the importance of water conservation, the Prime Minister said, India has many rivers some of which are endangered. He stressed on the need to expand Nadi Utsav taking inspiration from the Maha Kumbh. He said it will teach the importance of water conservation to the new generation. The Prime Minister lauded the people who contributed to the success of Maha Kumbh saying that this historic event has given a lot of inspiration to the countrymen as it was led by the people.

We now go over to our correspondent Bhupendra Singh, who is present at the parliament for more updates.

Ques: Bhupendra, from the Prime Minister’s address on the Mahakumbh, opposition parties’ ruckus, many important developments unfolded in Parliament during the first half today. What update do you have for our listeners?

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has emphasized the need for a fair and robust international order. He stressed that the absence of a strong global order not only benefits powerful countries but also enables smaller nations to take risks and challenge the established norms. Dr Jaishankar was speaking at the Raisina Dialogue’s session ‘Thrones and Thorns: Defending the Integrity of Nations’ in New Delhi this morning. He highlighted the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity, citing India’s experience with Pakistan’s illegal occupation of Kashmir.

Dr Jaishankar also emphasized the need for fairness and consistency in global standards while pointing out the difference in international responses to military coups in Myanmar and Western countries. He called for a thorough review of the global order over the past eight decades and urged recognition of the shifting balance of power in the world.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the invitation and highlighted the constructive discussions held during her visit. Ms. Gabbard said, it had been a constructive few days engaging with her Indian counterparts and building on the momentum generated by President Trump and Mr. Modi’s joint statement in Washington D.C, last month.

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The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has collapsed, triggering a devastating wave of violence across the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces launched extensive airstrikes early on Tuesday, killing at least 200 people according to Palestinian health authorities, with many of the victims reportedly being children. This marks the largest military assault since the ceasefire began on January 19, 2025, ending nearly two months of relative calm. We now go over to our West Asia Correspondent, Vinod Kumar for more:

Ques: Vinod, please share the details on this latest development?

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The Dragon spacecraft bringing back astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will return to Earth early morning tomorrow. The spacecraft has begun the journey to bring back the two astronauts who have been stranded on the International Space Station for over nine months. The pair undocked from the International Space Station at 10:35 AM (IST) today and are now on a 17‑hour journey home. NASA has said, the Dragon spacecraft will be touching down Earth at 3:27 AM tomorrow morning.

A SpaceX Crew Dragon craft, will also carry Nasa astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today appealed to the citizens of the state to uphold law and order and remain respectful towards all faiths and communities. Briefing the state assembly about the Nagpur incident, he stated that the violence in Nagpur appeared to be premeditated and assured that strict action would be taken against those who attacked police personnel. Reaffirming the government’s stance, Mr Fadnavis reiterated that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Our correspondent reports, the situation is under control in Nagpur. A report:

“The Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule inspected the violence affected areas this morning .While interacting with Media , he informed that about 33 police personnel were hurt during stone pelting while 5 people sustained injuries. About 45 vehicles were burnt in the central area of the city. Nagpur police have detained 48 people in this incident. Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra fadnavis has made a statement in the ongoing budget session of Maharashtra legislature in Mumbai about the Nagpur violence. He said three officials of DCP rank were injured in these violent clashes and nobody will be spared for atfacaking the police personnel. Dhananjay Wankhede Aakashvani news Nagpur.”

Meanwhile, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has said that the government of Maharashtra will take action against those involved in the Nagpur violence. Talking to reporters outside Parliament, Mr Joshi said, the State government is handling the situation efficiently.

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the government is committed to get Manipur back to normalcy. She said, everyone wants the state to prosper and grow as like other states. She was replying to discussion on the bills related to Manipur Budget in the Rajya Sabha today.

The Minister said, Manipur is a border state and since many decades it has gone through a crisis. She said, every government has handled it with sensitivity.

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The Delhi High Court today refused to stay the trial court proceedings against Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra, who is accused of making objectionable statements and violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the 2020 assembly elections. The High Court has now listed the matter for further hearing on May 19.

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In Kabaddi World Cup 2025, both the Indian Men’s and Women’s teams will be in action this evening at Wolverhampton in England. The Women’s team will lock horns with Wales from Group D at 5:30 PM IST, while the Men’s team will take on Scotland from Group B at 10:30 PM IST.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heatwave conditions at isolated places over north interior Odisha today. In the west, places over coastal Gujarat, Konkan, Goa, and North Interior Karnataka may also experience hot and humid weather during next 2-3 days.

In the northeast, the weather department predicted thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds and lightning today.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Mahakumbh reflected the spirit of rising India and unity in diversity.

External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar calls for a fair and robust international order to curb power imbalances.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says, violence in Nagpur appears to be premeditated; Appeals to citizens to uphold law and order.

Israel launches wave of airstrikes across Gaza Strip killing at least 200 people as negotiations for truce collapse over several points.

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore begin their 17-hour journey back to earth after being stranded for nine months on International Space Station.