THE HEADLINES::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges people to save fuel and reduce use of foreign products in bid to save forex amid West Asia
- Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma to be sworn-in as Chief Minister of Assam in Guwahati today; Four ministers – two from BJP and one each from AGP and BPF to also take oath.
- ED arrests former West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose in connection with South Dumdum Municipality Recruitment Scam.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be on a six-day visit to UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy beginning Friday.
- US President Donald Trump says, ceasefire with Iran is at its weakest and on massive life support.
- And, Bangladesh forms committee to probe reason behind national cricket team’s withdrawal from ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to save fuel and reduce the use of foreign products to save foreign exchange amid West Asia crisis. Addressing a function in Vadodara, Gujarat yesterday evening, Mr Modi reiterated his earlier appeal to revive Covid-era methods such as work from home, online classes, virtual meetings and reduced consumption of petrol and diesel. Stressing on the need for collective efforts to reduce imports and help the country navigate the crisis, Prime Minister said, there is a need for all of us to come together and fulfil our responsibility to reduce the burden on the country’s resources.
Prime Minister said that India spends lakhs of crores of rupees in foreign exchange to import many products from abroad and the crisis has led to a steep rise in imported goods and severely disrupted global supply chains. Mr Modi said that his government is working to ensure the impact of the crisis on Indians is minimal.
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Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma will be sworn-in as Chief Minister of Assam in Guwahati today. Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya will administer him the oath of office and secrecy at a ceremony to be held at the Veterinary College Playground in Khanapara area of the city. Four ministers, including two from BJP and one each from AGP and BPF, will also take oath along with Chief Minister. More from our correspondent:
“Along with Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma as Chief Minister, four other members of the Council of Ministers will also be sworn in today. The four Cabinet Ministers are Rameswar Teli, Atul Bora, Charan Boro and Ajanta Neog.The swearing-in ceremony will be witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several Union Ministers and Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states.The Veterinary College Ground at Khanapara in Guwahati has been fully decorated to host the swearing-in ceremony. Elaborate arrangements have been made at the venue in view of the large gathering expected for the event. The Kamrup (Metro) district administration has also issued traffic advisories in several parts of the city to avoid congestion and ensure smooth movement of vehicles. Rakesh Doley AKASHVANI NEWS, Guwahati.”
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Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested former Fire and Emergency Services minister of the Government of West Bengal Sujit Bose in Kolkata in connection with the South Dumdum Municipality Recruitment Scam. More from our correspondent:
“After more than 10 hours of interrogation, he is the first former minister to be arrested since the BJP government took charge in Bengal. ED officials said, the alleged irreg-ularities took place between 2014 and 2016. According to ED sources, across 17 municipalities, about 1,000 employees were recruited unlawfully.In the recent Assembly poll Bose lost to BJP by over 37,000 votes. According to the Enforcement Directorate, the arrest was made under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Investigators have alleged that Bose recommended appointments of several candidates in the South Dum Dum Municipality in exchange for financial benefits. The agency has also reportedly traced suspicious financial transactions during the course of the investigation. Sandipon Dasgupta AKASHVANI NEWS, Kolkata.”
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a six day visit to UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy from Friday. The visit will further deepen India’s partnership with Europe across sectors, particularly trade and investment ties in light of the recently concluded India-EU FTA. More from our correspondent:
“On the first leg of his five nation visit, Mr Modi will reach UAE on Friday, where he will meet the President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders will exchange views on bilateral issues, in particular energy cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. Then the Prime Minister will reach Netherlands on Friday and call on King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. He will also hold talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten. For the third leg of the visit, Mr Modi will travel to Gothenburg, Sweden on Sunday and hold bilateral talks with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson. In the fourth leg of his visit, the Prime Minister will reach Norway on Monday for the 3rd India-Nordic Summit and bilateral engagements. As part of the final leg of his visit, the Prime Minister will undertake an official visit to Italy on Tuesday. During the visit, Mr Modi will call on the Italian President Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. With Anupam and Rishu, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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US President Donald Trump has said the ceasefire with Iran was at its weakest and on massive life support, a day after he rejected Tehran’s proposal to end the months-long war as totally unacceptable. In response to a question on the ceasefire with Iran in the wake of the rejection of the peace proposal, Trump told reporters at the Oval Office that it is at its weakest. After reading that piece of garbage they sent, it’s on life support, massive life support, he added.
Trump received the Iranian proposal on Sunday amid hopes that it could lead to a breakthrough to end the war with Iran that began on February 28, blocking the key sea route for global oil supplies, leading to fuel shortages in several countries. Our West Asia correspondent has filed this report;
“Iran’s demands, focused heavily on wartime and economic conditions rather than immediate nuclear concessions, a framing that Washington appears unwilling to accept at this stage. The gap between the two sides’ positions remains wide, with mediators struggling to find common ground as battlefield pressures and economic stress continue to mount across West Asia. Meanwhile In the United Arab Emirates, the government has moved to formalise its response to attacks on national infrastructure. Authorities have established a national committee tasked with documenting damage from more than two thousand eight hundred drones and missiles that have struck Emirati territory. The UAE is now pursuing international legal accountability and seeking reparations for strikes on its landmarks and energy facilities.THIS IS VINOD KUMAR FOR AKASHVANI NEWS, DUBAI.”
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In Bangladesh, a three-member inquiry committee has been constituted to probe the reason behind the national cricket team’s withdrawal from the ICC men’s T20 World Cup in India. According to an official government order dated May 10, former additional secretary Dr AKM Oli Ullah will head the panel, which also includes former Bangladesh captain and current chief selector Habibul Bashar and Supreme Court lawyer Faisal Dastagir. The committee has been asked to submit its findings within 15 working days. More from our correspondent:
“Bangladesh withdrew from the T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8 this year, after the International Cricket Council (ICC) refused a request to shift Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns. The controversy emerged after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly dropped Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. The then Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), led by Aminul Islam, expressed concerns over the safety of players, officials and journalists travelling to India for the tournament.
After the ICC stated that security arrangements were adequate, the interim government subsequently directed the BCB to withdraw from the tournament – a decision that drew sharp criticism from former cricketers and sports analysts. Navalsang Parmar, AkashVani News, Dhaka.”
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In IPL Cricket, Delhi Capitals defeated Punjab Kings by 3 wickets at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala last night. Chasing a target of 211 runs set by Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals scored 216 for 7 in 19 overs. Skipper Axar Patel was the highest scorer with 56 runs. David Miller made 51 runs off 28 balls. For Punjab Kings, Arshdeep Singh and Yash Thakur took 2 wickets each.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bowl. Put into bat, Punjab Kings scored 210 for five in stipulated 20 overs. Shreyas Iyer was the top scorer with 59 runs while Priyansh Arya made 56 runs. For Delhi Capitals, Mitchell Starc and Madhav Tiwari scalped 2 wickets each. Madhav Tiwari was adjudged Player of the Match.
Today, Gujarat Titans will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The match will start at 7.30 pm.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall over Assam, Meghalaya, Sub Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim today. According to IMD, thunderstorms and hailstorms are likely to prevail over Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir for the day. The Met Department has predicted thundersquall with wind speed reaching upto 60 kilometres per hour over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar, and Uttarakhand today. Thunderstorms and lightning are likely to prevail over Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and the Northeastern states today.
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The IMD has issued an orange alert for rain in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand for the next 36 hours, while a yellow alert has been issued for the remaining districts. There is a possibility of hailstorms and gusty winds in various parts of the state during this period.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS Headlines
- The Somnath Amrit Mahotsav at the sacred Somnath temple, in Gir Somnath, Gujarat finds prominent mention in most of the dailes this morning. The Statesman quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi says “Somnath Temple stands as beacon of unwavering faith. While The Pioneer quotes him as saying “No power can bend India”.
- “Prime Minister Modi salutes scientists on National Technology Day, highlights push for self-reliant India” reports The Statesman.
- “Second day, Prime Minister makes austerity push, invokes Covid-era habits” leads The Indian Express.
- The Pioneer in its editorial piece says “Rising crime against senior citizens”. The paper elaborates that “As India moves steadily towards becoming an ageing nation, ensuring safety, dignity and emotional security for senior citizens must become a national priority. India, at present, is a young nation, but is ageing rapidly. By 2050, the country will have a significant elderly population. As the country progresses and new technologies emerge, they also have a downside: they are alienating a large section of society-senior citizens who find it difficult to cope with evolving technology and changing time”.
- “Suvendu Government begins to implement key pledges” notes The Asian Age.
- “New Delhi all set for first summit of International Big Cat Alliance in June” writes The Economic Times.
- And finally, “The Beatles’ first official London museum called ‘The Beatles at 3 Savile Row’ is set to open next year in the Mayfair building where the band recorded its final album and played its last gig” reports Hindustan Times.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges people to save fuel and reduce use of foreign products in bid to save forex amid West Asia
- Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma to be sworn-in as Chief Minister of Assam in Guwahati today; Four ministers – two from BJP and one each from AGP and BPF to also take oath.
- ED arrests former West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose in connection with South Dumdum Municipality Recruitment Scam.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be on a six-day visit to UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy beginning Friday.
- US President Donald Trump says, ceasefire with Iran is at its weakest and on massive life support.
- And, Bangladesh forms committee to probe reason behind national cricket team’s withdrawal from ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India.
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