THE HEADLINES::
- Polling begins for assembly elections in Assam, Keralam and Puducherry.
- Government announces relief measures for domestic airlines; Cuts airport charges by 25 per cent.
- World Bank raises India’s growth forecast from 6.3 to 6.6 percent for current financial year.
- IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi praises India’s nuclear milestone at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.
- US Vice-President JD Vance to lead American delegation for direct talks with Iran in Islamabad aimed at ending West Asia conflict.
- In IPL Cricket, Gujarat Titans beat Delhi Capitals by 1 run in last over thriller at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
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Polling has begun for assembly elections in Assam, Keralam, and Union Territory of Puducherry. Voting is taking place for all 126 seats in Assam, 140 in Keralam and 30 seats in Puducherry in a single phase. Polling began at 7 this morning amid tight security. Elections Commission has made elaborate arrangements to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling.
In Keralam, a total of 883 candidates are in the fray for 140 assembly seats. The state has an electorate of 2 crore 71 lakh voters.
In Puducherry, 294 candidates are contesting the assembly elections. Special theme-based polling stations reflecting the culture and heritage of Puducherry have been set up. 30 all-women managed pink polling stations, 15 youth-managed stations and two polling stations managed entirely by persons with disabilities have also been established.
In Assam, over 2.5 crore electors, with a near-equal gender distribution are eligible to vote. A total of 31 thousand 490 polling stations have been set up across the state.
Meanwhile, today is the last day for withdrawal of nominations for single phase polling in Tamil Nadu and first phase of voting in West Bengal. Today is also the last day for filing of nominations for the second phase of polling in West Bengal.
Counting of votes for all four states and the Union Territory will take place on the 4th of next month.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to voters of Assam, Keralam and Puducherry to exercise their franchise in large numbers. In a series of social media posts, Mr Modi appealed to the people of Assam to exercise their franchise in large numbers. The Prime Minister expressed hope that Keralam’s youth and women voters will participate enthusiastically and make this election a celebration of democracy and public duty. Mr Modi said that record participation will add vigour to Keralam’s democratic spirit. The Prime Minister also requested the youth and women of Assam to step forward and vote in large numbers. Mr Modi also urged the youth and women voters of Puducherry to strengthen the process of democracy. He said, every vote matters in shaping the future of Puducherry.
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Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has announced a series of relief measures for domestic airlines, including a 25 percent reduction in landing and parking charges. A report:
“The move is aimed at easing operational cost pressures on Indian carriers and ensuring that air travel remains affordable for passengers despite rising global fuel prices. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the aviation sector has been impacted by a sharp increase in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices due to global crude oil volatility. As part of the latest intervention, the Ministry has directed the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority to reduce landing and parking charges by 25 per cent at all major airports for domestic flights. The reduction has come into force with immediate effect and will remain in place for three months. Similarly, the Airports Authority of India has been instructed to implement the same reduction at non-major airports across the country. The government estimates that the move will reduce airlines’ expenses by approximately 400 crore rupees over the three-month period. Speaking on the decision, Mr Naidu said the government’s priority is to maintain stability in the aviation sector while ensuring affordability and convenience for passengers. The Ministry has also clarified that any revenue shortfall faced by airports due to the reduced charges will be adjusted during future tariff determinations. RISHU JAISWAL, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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The World Bank has raised India’s growth forecast from 6.3 percent to 6.6 percent for the current financial year, owing to strong domestic demand and free trade agreements. World Bank expects India to remain the primary engine of growth in South Asia. In India, growth is estimated to have accelerated from 7.1 percent in Financial year 2025 to 7.6 percent in Financial Year 26, owing to strong domestic demand and export resilience. Private consumption growth was particularly robust, supported by low inflation and rationalisation of the Goods and Services Tax.
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Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, has appreciated India’s achievement in attaining criticality of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu. A report:
“The landmark step marks a significant advancement in the country’s indigenous nuclear programme and its pursuit of long-term energy sustainability. In a social media post, Mr Grossi described the development as impressive progress by India in achieving criticality of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, a key step forward in fuel sustainability and the future of nuclear energy. He reaffirmed the IAEA’s commitment to India, saying that the organisation will continue supporting the safe and secure development of India’s nuclear programme. The IAEA chief, in his message also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Kalpakkam facility is a cornerstone of India’s three-stage nuclear power strategy, designed to harness the country’s abundant thorium reserves and achieve greater fuel efficiency while reducing dependence on imported uranium. WITH MOINUDDIN’S REPORT, CHIRAG JHA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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US President Donald Trump is sending a delegation led by Vice-President JD Vance and other top officials to Islamabad for direct talks with Iran aimed at ending weeks of conflict in the West Asia region. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the negotiating team will include Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, with the first round scheduled for Saturday morning. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed Tehran will attend the Islamabad talks following a telephone conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
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In IPL Cricket, Gujarat Titans beat Delhi Capitals by 1 run in a last-over thriller at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi last night. Chasing a target of 210 runs set by the Gujarat, the Delhi Capitals made 209 runs at the loss of 8 wickets. During the chase, K L Rahul’s 92-run innings went in vain. Rashid Khan was declared Player of the Match for his economic and wicket taking spell.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- Almost all news papers today open with the fragile ceasefire in West Asia. The Hindustan Times, notes. Iran accuses US of violating three deal clauses, White House contests Tehran’s 10-point plan. Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israeli attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon”.
- The Economic Times informs, RBI holds Repo rate, flags supply chain risks to inflation and growth.
- The Statesman, on its editorial page under the caption ‘Ceasefire Illusion’ talks about the two-week pause in hostilities announced by US President Donal Trump. What has emerged is not peace, but a carefully staged intermission-one where each actor claims success even as the underlying conflict continues to burn through other channels.
- President Trump’s own formulation is revealing. He declared that military objectives had been “met and exceeded”, even as he agreed to suspend strikes conditional on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz. On the other side, Iran is performing the same rhetorical manoeuvre. Its acceptance of a temporary ceasefire is paired with a maximalist 10-point framework that incudes sanctions relief, compensation and strategic control over Hormuz.
- The Indian Express notes, “Cabinet clears Bills for women’s quota in Lok Sabha and Assemblies, Delimitation to be based on Census 2011.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Polling begins for assembly elections in Assam, Keralam and Puducherry.
- Government announces relief measures for domestic airlines; Cuts airport charges by 25 per cent.
- World Bank raises India’s growth forecast from 6.3 to 6.6 percent for current financial year.
- IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi praises India’s nuclear milestone at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.
- US Vice-President JD Vance to lead American delegation for direct talks with Iran in Islamabad aimed at ending West Asia conflict.
- In IPL Cricket, Gujarat Titans beat Delhi Capitals by 1 run in last over thriller at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
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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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