THE HEADLINES::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with President of Vietnam To Lam in New Delhi today.
- Election Commission asks West Bengal Chief Secretary, DGP and Central Armed Police Forces to enforce zero tolerance towards post-poll violence.
- Election Commission issues notification for constitution of new assemblies in West Bengal, Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry following completion of electoral process.
- NIA chargesheets doctor, 2 others in ISIS-linked bio-terror plot to carry out mass poisoning.
- US President Donald Trump says, ‘Project Freedom’ to guide stranded vessels through Strait of Hormuz will be paused for short period of time.
- In IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings beat Delhi Capitals by eight wickets.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with President of Vietnam To Lam in New Delhi today. Both leaders will hold wide-ranging discussions across the spectrum of bilateral relations as also on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The President of Vietnam arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a three day visit to India. He was received by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai at the airport. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising several Ministers and senior officials of the Government of Vietnam. A strong business delegation is also accompanying the visiting dignitary. This is President To Lam’s first State Visit to India, after being elected as the President of Vietnam in April, this year. A Report:
President of Vietnam To Lam will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan this morning. He will pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat. After the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of Vietnam several MoUs will be signed and exchanged. President Droupadi Murmu will have a meeting with her Vietnamese counterpart at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will call on the visiting dignitary. Mr To Lam will also deliver the 56th Sapru House lecture today organised by Indian Council of World Affairs. India and Vietnam share historical and civilisational ties, which have steadily deepened over the years. President To Lam’s visit coincides with the special occasion of the two countries marking the 10th anniversary of the elevation of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, agreed during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Vietnam in 2016. The engagement between leaders is expected to provide fresh momentum to the robust bilateral relations and open new avenues for cooperation between India and Vietnam. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.
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Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed West Bengal Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Central Armed Police Forces to enforce “zero tolerance” towards any incidents of post-poll violence. In a directive issued after reviewing the situation on the ground, the Commission stressed the need for strict and immediate action to maintain law and order following the Assembly election results. The ECI asked the state administration and security agencies to take all necessary steps to prevent intimidation, reprisals or clashes linked to the electoral outcome. The poll body also instructed officials to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, particularly vulnerable groups and political workers, and to maintain a visible presence of security forces in sensitive areas. Senior officers have been asked to remain on alert and respond swiftly to any incidents reported from across the state.
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Election Commission (EC) has issued notifications for the constitution of new assemblies in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry following the completion of the electoral process. The notifications have been sent to Governors and Lieutenant Governors of the States and Union Territories, formally marking the end of the election cycle and setting the stage for the formation of new governments. A senior EC official said, the issuance of the notification is a key constitutional step after the declaration of assembly election results. With this, the process of constituting the new assemblies is complete from the commission’s end. It enables the next steps in government formation as per laid-down procedures, the official said. He added that the commission ensured adherence to all norms during the conduct of the assembly elections. The entire exercise, from polling to counting, was carried out in a free, fair and transparent manner.
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The BJP has said India is a democracy and it must always be respected. Reacting to alleged remarks by outgoing West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee that she will not resign, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra termed the comments anarchic and urged restraint in making such statements. Mr Patra said that the remarks are concerning because in the country’s democracy, transfer of power has always taken place in a peaceful manner.
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The BJP has appointed senior party leader and Union Minister Amit Shah as Central Observer for the election of the Leader of the Legislative Party in West Bengal. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has been appointed as the Central Co-observer in the state.
While Union Minister J P Nadda has been appointed as Central Observer for the election of the Leader of the Legislative Party in Assam. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has been appointed as the Central Co-Observer in the state.
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and BJP’s Puducherry in-charge Nirmal Kumar Surana have been appointed as Central Observers for the election of the Leader of Legislative party in Puducherry.
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US President Donald Trump has congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi after BJP’s victory in recent Assembly elections. White House spokesperson Kush Desai said, President Trump has congratulates Prime Minister Modi on this recent, historic, and decisive election victory.
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In Tamil Nadu, TVK, which has emerged as the single largest party in assembly elections, is likely to stake its claim to form a new government in the state. The party said, its leader Joseph Vijay will meet the Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today and stake TVK’s claim to form a new government in the state. The party needs the support of more than ten MLAs to gain majority in the state assembly.
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against three people, including a doctor, for their involvement in an ISIS-linked conspiracy to carry out mass poisoning in public spaces using a biological toxin. The accused — Hyderabad-based Dr Syed Ahmed Mohiuddin and co-accused Azad and Mohammad Suhel from Uttar Pradesh — have been chargesheeted before a special NIA court in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Working under the guidance of their respective Islamic State-linked foreign-based handlers, the accused had operated in a coordinated manner to recruit vulnerable youth radicalised by the handlers to support jihad and spread terror through prohibited weapons and bioterrorism. They had planned to use ricin, a highly toxic substance derived from castor seeds and classified under Schedule I of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to carry out the nefarious agenda of ISIS. The case was originally registered by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad following the arrest of Dr Mohiuddin, an MBBS from China, after he was caught at a toll plaza carrying illegal weapons.
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In Punjab, two explosions outside Army and BSF premises in Amritsar and Jalandhar, last night, have put the security forces on high alert. Although no report of any casualty has been reported from both the places but it has caused concerns in the area.
In Amritsar, a blast occurred outside BSF campus adjoining Army establishments in well guarded Khasa Cantonment area. This road leads to the Attari Border.
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US President Donald Trump has announced that ‘Project Freedom’, a mission to guide stranded vessels through Strait of Hormuz, will be pause for a short period of time. In a social media post, Trump said that great progress had been made toward reaching a comprehensive agreement with Iranian representatives to end the ongoing conflict. He explained that, in light of recent military developments and the advancement of diplomatic talks, there has been a mutual decision to pause the escort operations under Project Freedom for a short period. Trump added that the pause will allow time to see if a final agreement between the US and Iran can be reached.
The US president’s announcement came as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the initial US-Israeli offensive in Iran – Operation Epic Fury – is over after achieving its objectives. More from our West Asia correspondent:
The situation across West Asia remains volatile, with multiple flashpoints threatening to unravel already fragile ceasefire arrangements. The Strait of Hormuz, has once again become a focal point of confrontation, as U.S. forces intensify efforts to secure commercial shipping lanes. The UAE’s interception of Iranian missiles and drones marks a significant escalation, raising concerns about the widening scope of the conflict. Meanwhile, continued exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon suggest that hostilities are spreading across multiple fronts. Diplomatic channels remain active, but with competing narratives from Washington and Tehran, the risk of miscalculation remains high. VINOD KUMAR AKASHVANI NEWS, FROM DUBAI.
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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will launch the School Management Committee (SMC) Guidelines 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi today. School Management Committee play a vital role in strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) under the NIPUN Bharat Mission, in line with the vision of NEP 2020 which prioritizes universal FLN by Grade 2.
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In IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Capitals by eight wickets at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi last night as Sanju Samson slammed an unbeaten 87 and Kartik Sharma contributed with 41.
Today, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings will clash at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad at 7:30 PM.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall over Bihar and Gangetic West Bengal today. IMD said that thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching up to 60 kilometres per hour are also expected over these regions till tomorrow. It added that Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim are also likely to experience heavy rainfall today. The Met Department further forecast heavy rainfall over Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal till Sunday.
Meanwhile, the weather agency has predicted heatwave conditions at isolated places over West Rajasthan from Saturday to Monday. IMD also said that hot and humid conditions are expected over Konkan and Goa till Sunday.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- The West Bengal Assembly Elections continues to dominate headlines this morning. “Kaun Banega CM? BJP names Shah, Nadda as observers for Bengal, Assam” leads The Statesman. “Suvendu tipped to be Chief Minister of Bengal, oath likely on May 9” speculates The Asian Age.
- The Asian Age writes that “the power center of the West Bengal government is all set to return to the historic Writers Building in the heart of Kolkata from Nabanna in Howrah, the office of outgoing CM Mamata Banerjee government, after the regime change in the state.”
- The Tribune in its editorial piece says “Post-Poll rancour: Defiant Mamata rejects Bengal verdict.” The paper writes that “The acrimony witnessed during the West Bengal Assembly elections has intensified following the declaration of results. The aftermath is not unfolding as a routine democratic transition,- outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has refused to accept the verdict. Ruling out her resignation, it’s apparent that Mamata’s agitational politics will keep the new government on its toes right from the word go”.
- “Cabinet gives nod to make insult to Vande Mataram an offence” reports The Hindu.
- “Uttar Pradesh’s new cuisine map leaves meat off the menu, lists only veg ‘iconic’ dishes across 75 districts” says Hindustan Times.
- “India condemns UAE strike, calls it unacceptable” notes The Pioneer.
- Finally, “Washington Post, New York Times among top winners of Pulitzer Prizes” reports Hindustan Times.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with President of Vietnam To Lam in New Delhi today.
- Election Commission asks West Bengal Chief Secretary, DGP and Central Armed Police Forces to enforce zero tolerance towards post-poll violence.
- Election Commission issues notification for constitution of new assemblies in West Bengal, Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry following completion of electoral process.
- NIA chargesheets doctor, 2 others in ISIS-linked bio-terror plot to carry out mass poisoning.
- US President Donald Trump says, ‘Project Freedom’ to guide stranded vessels through Strait of Hormuz will be paused for short period of time.
- In IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings beat Delhi Capitals by eight wickets.
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