THE HEADLINES::

1. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to expand his cabinet today; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah among host of dignitaries to attend swearing-in ceremony in Patna.
2. Newly elected Congress MLAs of Keralam to meet in Thiruvananthapuram today to elect their leader.
3. India marks first anniversary of Operation Sindoor launched in response to Pahalgam terror attack.
4. Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide shot dead in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
5. US and Iran closing in on agreement to end war in West Asia.
6. France moves its carrier strike group to Red Sea as part of potential mission to secure Strait of Hormuz.
7. Delhi to host 2026 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship.

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Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary will expand his cabinet today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several senior NDA leaders will attend the swearing-in ceremony to be held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna at 12:10 PM.

Our correspondent reports that the cabinet expansion is being carried out based on the formula followed in the previous government. Around fifteen BJP and fourteen JD(U) MLAs are likely to take oath as ministers. Additionally, two ministers from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and one each from Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha are expected to be inducted.

Most of the positions in the cabinet are likely to be given to familiar faces from BJP and JD(U). However, a few new faces may also be included. From JD(U), the name of Nishant Kumar is also being discussed.

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The newly elected Congress MLAs of Keralam will meet at Thiruvananthapuram today to elect their leader.0 Congress led UDF, which secured 104 out of 140 Assembly seats in the state will approach the Governor once he reaches Thiruvananthapuram from Chennai. Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who is also holding the additional charge of Tamil Nadu is in Chennai now. More from our correspondent:

“In Keralam, meeting of the newly elected members of Congress will be held at Thiruvananthapuram today morning.  In the meantime, AICC observers, who reached Thiruvananthapuram last night will continue discussions with individual MLAs,  On the other hand, informal discussions between various  constituents in the UDF is also progressing. Congress sources hinted that an immediate decision will be taken regarding the Chief Ministership. Smithy M Palluruthy, Akashvani News, Thiruvananthapuram.”

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In Tamil Nadu, DMK Chief MK Stalin has said that his party respects the people’s mandate for a new party assuming power in the state and he does not want another election or a constitutional crisis. He also said that his party will not stay in the way for the formation of a new government. Mr Stalin also rejected the rumours that DMK is in talks with AIADMK to form the next government.

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In a shocking incident, Chandranath Rath, close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. More from our correspondent:

“Reports say that eight assailants on four motorbikes ambushed Rath’s car in Dohariya, and fired bullets indiscriminately. Rath was rushed to a local hospital but was declared dead on arrival. His driver, Buddhadeb Bera, sustained multiple bullet injuries to his chest, abdomen, and arm, and remains in critical condition at a Kolkata hospital. Hospital authorities confirmed that two bullets pierced through Rath’s heart and one struck his abdomen. Police have seized a four-wheeler allegedly used in the crime, though its number plate is suspected to be fake. Bullets and cartridges were also recovered from the scene. Soon after the attack, BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, rushed to the hospital. Adhikari alleged that Rath’s killing was a cold-blooded, premeditated murder, and said that his party will take care of the deceased family and the injured. The incident has sparked a political storm. BJP leaders and supporters have accused the Trinamool Congress, blaming Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee for the attack. In response, the Trinamool Congress condemned the killing and demanded a court-monitored CBI investigation. Other parties, including the CPIM and Congress, have also denounced the violence, stressing that political killings have no place in a democracy. State Police Director General Siddhanath Gupta visited the hospital and confirmed that an investigation is underway. He declined to share further details, citing the sensitivity of the probe. This brutal killing has once again highlighted the rising tide of political violence in West Bengal, leaving citizens shaken and demanding swift justice. Sandipon Dasgupta akashvani news Kolkata.”

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India marks first anniversary of Operation Sindoor today. It was on May 7 last year, India launched Operation Sindoor, carrying out airstrikes on nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir eliminating at least 100 terrorists. It was India’s befitting response to the barbaric Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack on the tourists in Pahalgam on the 22nd of April last year. Today we look at New Delhi’s demonstration of zero terror policy towards terrorism.

“Operation SINDOOR was a significant demonstration of India’s military and strategic power, executed through a combination of military and non-military means. This multi-dimensional operation effectively neutralised terrorist threats, deterred Pakistani aggression, and firmly enforced India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. The operation maintained strategic restraint while gaining international support. The Operation was conceived to punish perpetrators and planners of terror and aimed to destroy terror infrastructure across the border. The operation spoke volumes, resulting in the destruction of nine major terror camps, an attack on 11 Pakistani airbases and the elimination of high-profile terrorists. While the strikes were heavy, India performed them with operational ethics and restraint, neutralising only terrorist targets and avoiding civilian harm.  Inflicted by this heavy damage, Pakistan was compelled to resort to a ceasefire. Operation Sindoor remains the highlight of India’s firm stand against terrorism and a demonstration of its destructive military power. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

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The Indian Army today shared a video marking a year of Operation Sindoor, India’s calibrated and precise response to Pakistan sponsored terrorism. In a social media post, the Indian Army highlighted the country’s resolute response and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and the citizens.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has hailed the valour and sacrifices of the Indian Armed Forces on the anniversary of Operation Sindoor. In a social media post, the Defence Minister underlined that the courage and dedication of the country’s armed forces continue to safeguard the nation. He added that their actions during the operation reflected unmatched precision, seamless jointness and deep synergy across services, setting a benchmark for modern military operations.

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The United States and Iran are inching closer to a preliminary understanding to ease the conflict in West Asia, with regional sources saying a draft memorandum is under active discussion. The reported one-page, 14-point framework would open a 30-day window for negotiations toward a wider agreement. Tehran says it is still reviewing the proposal, while US President Donald Trump described the situation as under control but warned that military action could resume if talks fail. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in consultations with US officials on the progress of the negotiations, according to Israeli sources. Meanwhile, Israel has confirmed a strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs targeting a senior Hezbollah commander, in what marks a notable escalation and the first such strike in the Lebanese capital since the ceasefire. We have more from our correspondent:

“Tensions remain high across key maritime and conflict zones even as diplomacy advances. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy has stated that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is possible under what it described as “new procedures,” though it did not elaborate. Meanwhile, US Central Command says it disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to sail toward an Iranian port in defiance of an ongoing US blockade. In Lebanon, Israeli forces struck a target in Beirut believed to be linked to Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force. Israeli officials say the individual targeted was responsible for attacks on Israeli troops and civilian areas. Hezbollah has since claimed retaliatory actions, reporting attacks on Israeli positions and casualties among Israeli forces. These developments underscore the fragile security environment even as negotiations continue.THIS IS  VINOD KUMAR, AKASHVANI NEWS FROM DUBAI .”

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France has deployed its carrier strike group to Red Sea as part of a potential mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, the French Army said that the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier group, which is accompanied by an Italian and Dutch warship, is en route to the southern Red Sea. France and Britain have been working on a proposal for several weeks that aims to lay the groundwork for safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz once the situation stabilises or the conflict is resolved.

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As part of our series ‘People’s Padma on Akashvani’, in our upcoming episode we speak to Sivasankari, an eminent writer. She will be honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri.

To listen to the conversation, tune in to 100.1 Akashvani Gold today at 9:10 AM. You can also listen to it on NEWSONAIR App and NEWSONAIROFFICIAL Youtube channel.

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Delhi will host Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship 2026 at the Thyagraj Stadium, with players from more than 35 countries expected to participate. Jointly organised by Delhi government and Table Tennis Federation of India, the championship will be held from July 27 to August 2. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that Delhi has a long legacy of hosting international sporting events and the championship will further strengthen the city’s position on the global sporting map.

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,

1. Vietnamese President To Lam’s visit to India finds front page mention in dailies today, along with photographs of the visiting premier meeting Prime Minister Modi.  “India, Vietnam boost ties, ink 13 MoUs, target 25 billion US Dollar trade,” headlines The Asian Age.
2. The Tribune leads with the headline, “Cops suspect ISI plot as twin blasts rock Jalandhar, Amritsar; DGP says IEDs used.”  The disruptions have come ahead of Operation Sindoor anniversary, writes the paper.
3. In its editorial piece titled, “Amid disruptions, a timely lifeline,” The Indian Express says the government’s launch of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0 is a timely and welcome response to the economic disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict, particularly for MSMEs and airlines facing rising costs and supply-chain stress. It argues that the scheme can ease short-term liquidity pressures, but also cautions that if disruptions continue or worsen, further policy support may be required. The editorial concludes that the government must remain alert, flexible and ready with additional measures.
4. Finally, in news that is sure to make wildlife enthusiasts happy, a rusty-spotted cat, one of the world’s smallest species of wildcats, and classified as ‘Near Threatened’, has been sighted along with her tiny offspring in the Aravalli scrublands at the doorstep of Delhi, reports The Indian Express.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

1. India marks first anniversary of Operation Sindoor launched in response to Pahalgam terror attack.
2. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to expand his cabinet today; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah among host of dignitaries to attend swearing-in ceremony in Patna.
3. Newly elected Congress MLAs of Keralam to meet in Thiruvananthapuram today to elect their leader.
4. Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide shot dead in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
5. US and Iran closing in on agreement to end war in West Asia.
6. France moves its carrier strike group to Red Sea as part of potential mission to secure Strait of Hormuz.
7. Delhi to host 2026 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship.

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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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