THE HEADLINES::
- India marks major nuclear milestone as indigenously built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor in Tamil Nadu’s Kalpakkam attains criticality.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi hails the landmark achievement calling it a defining step in country’s civil nuclear journey.
- Campaigning for assembly polls in Assam, Keralam and Puducherry ends this evening.
- President Droupadi Murmu gives assent to bill recognising Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh.
- Indian Army unveils technology roadmap for Unmanned Aerial System and Loitering Munitions.
- US President Donald Trump threatens to decimate Iran in one night if Tehran fails to make a deal before deadline to reopen Strait of Hormuz.
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India has marked a major milestone in its nuclear energy programme as indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu attained criticality. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the landmark achievement. In a social media post last night, Mr Modi said, India is taking a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of country’s three-stage nuclear programme. Highlighting the technological significance of the reactor, the Prime Minister Called it a proud moment for India and congratulated the scientists and engineers involved in the project.
The 500 Megawatt electric Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor PFBR is located at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu and operated by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI). It represents a key component of India’s long-term nuclear strategy. Once fully operational, India will become only the second country after Russia to have a commercial fast breeder reactor. Criticality marks the point at which a nuclear reactor achieves a self-sustaining chain reaction. This is a key milestone before full power generation, indicating that the reactor core is functioning as designed. It strengthens India’s position in advanced nuclear technology and clean energy generation. The project has been built indigenously with contributions from over 200 Indian industries, including several MSMEs, aligning with the government’s push for self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. With RISHU, ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.
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Campaigning for the Assembly elections in Assam, Keralam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry draws to a close this evening. In the final hours today, top leaders from various political parties will be making concerted efforts to connect with voters and strengthen their support base across these regions. Polling for 126 seats in Assam, 140 in Keralam and 30 seats in Puducherry will be held in a single phase on Thursday.
In Assam, On the final day of campaigning today, Senior BJP leader Amit Shah is set to address three rallies in the Barak Valley region. Other political parties, including the Congress will also be holding multiple rallies across the state as parties make their last push to reach voters.
The Congress has also intensified its campaign in the state. Meanwhile, other political parties, including the Asom Gana Parishad, Assam Jatiya Parishad, and Raijor Dal, have also stepped up their campaign efforts across Assam.
Campaigning for the Keralam Assembly elections comes to a close today. Political parties have been holding rallies, roadshows, and public meetings across the state in a final bid to woo voters. The focus has been on key issues like development, employment, and public welfare.
Public campaigning for the Assembly elections in Keralam will end at 6 PM today, with all 140 constituencies witnessing intense last minute activities. A total of 883 candidates are in the fray.The Chief Electoral Office, Keralam has directed that non local party workers and officials must leave constituencies immediately after campaigning ends. Campaigning through media is also prohibited during the silent period. Political advertisements in newspapers today and tomorrow require prior approval from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee. Meanwhile, postal voting has seen significant progress. Of the 34,128 applicants, 28,900 had cast their votes as of yesterday evening. Smithy M Palluruthy, Akashvani News, Thiruvananthapuram.
In Puducherry, with only a few hours remaining before the curtain falls on campaigning, the Union Territory is witnessing a a flurry of political activity. Parties are crisscrossing constituencies in a final push to win support of voters.
Hectic electioneering continued late into the night yesterday, with DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin addressing a public meeting. Launching a sharp attack on the ruling front, he described the incumbent government as a “dummy engine” and accused it of failing to fulfil the long-standing demand of statehood for Puducherry. On the other hand, the ruling NR Congress-BJP alliance continued to highlight its development pitch, echoed earlier in the day by senior BJP leader and Union Minister Amit Shah, while carrying out door-to-door campaigns and rallies.
As campaigning draws to a close this evening, parties are pulling out all stops to consolidate support and win over voters. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister J. P. Nadda, DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan MP are among the prominent leaders scheduled to campaign today in the Union Territory.
Campaigning will conclude at 6 PM today, after which no form of canvassing will be permitted. The Election Commission has directed all parties to ensure that non-local campaigners leave the constituencies immediately after the campaign period ends. Following the mandatory silence period, Puducherry will go to the polls on Thursday, along with Keralam and Assam. Bibin S Nath, Akashvani News, Puducherry.
Meanwhile, scrutiny of nominations will be taken up today for single phase polling in Tamil Nadu and first phase of voting in West Bengal. The filing of nominations for both concluded yesterday, while candidates can withdraw their names until Thursday.
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In our ongoing series on constituency profiles, today we take a look at the Paravur Assembly constituency in Keralam’s Ernakulam district. Polling in the state for all 140 seats will be held on Thursday.
Paravur Assembly constituency in the Ernakulam district is located along the coastal belt of central Keralam and having rich biodiversity and scenic beauty. Seven candidates are contesting here in the Assembly elections. Sitting MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan is the Congress Candidate for the UDF. CPI leader and sitting MLA of Kaypamangalam in Thrissur District, E T Taison Master is the LDF candidate at Paravur. BJP leader Valsala Prasannakumar is the NDA candidate. BSP candidate P K Rajesh, V M Faisal of SDPI and two independents are also contesting at Paravur. V D Satheesan defeated M T Nixon of CPI by a margin of more than 21 thousand votes in 2021. In the 2016 elections V D Satheesan won here with a margin of more than 20 thousand votes. Smithy M Palluruthy/ Akashvani News/ Thiruvananthapuram.
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President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, officially declaring Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh. A Law Ministry notification said, the President gave her assent to the Bill yesterday. Following her assent, the bill has now become a law. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha had passed the the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 last week during the Budget session. The new law accords statutory status to Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendement) Bill 2026 which amended the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 has also recieved the assent of the President.
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The Indian Army has unveiled a technology roadmap for Unmanned Aerial System and Loitering Munitions in New Delhi. This initiative is a significant step towards providing long term visibility of Indian Army’s requirement in the field of Unmanned Aerial Systems. The Indian Army said that the roadmap provides clear, actionable visibility to industry, academia and research and development institutions to channelize investments and technological efforts towards priority areas identified by it. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh highlighted the evolving nature of modern warfare and the increasing role of drone technology.
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US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning, saying the United States could decimate Iran in a single night if Tehran fails to reach a deal and the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy route, is not reopened before the deadline. President Trump has set a deadline of 5:30 AM Indian Standard Time tomorrow for reaching an acceptable deal that ensures the free flow of energy through the Gulf. Speaking at a press conference at the White House, President Trump said the US could target Iran’s energy and transport infrastructure if the Strait remains closed. He warned that Iranian systems could be destroyed swiftly if no deal is reached, while noting that some Iranian leaders appear to be negotiating in good faith, though the situation remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Iran has rejected US proposals for a ceasefire, demanding an end to hostilities, reconstruction assistance, and the removal of sanctions.
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NASA’s Artemis II mission, which is travelling around the far side of the moon, has set a new record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth. The Orion spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, reached about 252,752 miles from Earth during a flyby of the Moon’s far side, surpassing the Apollo 13 record of 248,655 miles set in 1970.
American Space Agency, NASA, in a social media post said, the crew is now on a seven-hour lunar flyby, observing the Moon’s far side and studying features like Reiner Gamma and the Glushko crater.
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In IPL Cricket,, Rajasthan Royals will take on Mumbai Indians at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time. Rajasthan Royals are currently placed third on the points table, while Mumbai Indians are in sixth position. Royal Challengers Bengaluru occupy the second spot.
Meanwhile, the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings was abandoned due to rain at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata last night.
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Indian shooters are set to begin their campaign at the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup with mixed team events in 10m air rifle and 10m air pistol competition at Granada in Spain today.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS
- Trump threatens Tehran with night of destruction headlines The Hindustan Times while the Times of India headlines ” US, Iran reject ceasefire plan Trum says surrender or else, and The Hindu headlines “Iran Intel Chief killed as Trump’s deadline to open strait looms”
- A major story covered on the front page of all newspapers is the security breach at the delhi Assembly. The Statesman headlines ‘man crashes into Delhi assembly high security zone, under scanner for mental instability, while The Pioneer headlines ” major security breach shakes delhi assembly”
- Another prominent story covered in most newspapers is the deletion of around 45 percent of the 6 million voters placed under a discrepancy category after adjudication. The Tribune headlines ” SC no to set deadline for deciding appeals against exclusion of 20 lakh in Bengal SIR”
- A story covered in The economic Times says that tech hiring has taken a hit at a time when companies are shedding staff because AI is taking over rolls that humans did.
- The editorial in The Indian Express titled ” Don’t overlook cancer among children says that India’s paediatric cancer burden underscored by the latest findings by the global burden of disease 2023 reveals a landscape marked by persistent gaps. Cancer is now the 10th leading cause of death among children, with an estimate 17000 deaths in 2023.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- India marks major nuclear milestone as indigenously built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor in Tamil Nadu’s Kalpakkam attains criticality.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi hails the landmark achievement calling it a defining step in country’s civil nuclear journey.
- Campaigning for assembly polls in Assam, Keralam and Puducherry ends this evening.
- President Droupadi Murmu gives assent to bill recognising Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh.
- Indian Army unveils technology roadmap for Unmanned Aerial System and Loitering Munitions.
- US President Donald Trump threatens to decimate Iran in one night if Tehran fails to make a deal before deadline to reopen Strait of Hormuz.
