THE HEADLINES::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Rome today; Two leaders to discuss ways to boost cooperation on India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and review Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029.
- West Bengal government to rollout Annapurna scheme providing 3,000 rupees per month to women aged 25 to 60 years from June 1.
- Joint Parliamentary Committee on One Nation, One Election says, simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections can save nearly seven lakh crore rupees and increase India’s GDP growth by 1.6 percent.
- DGCA orders further inspection of fuel control switch of an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft following technical snag earlier this year.
- And in IPL Cricket, Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets in
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rome last night on an official visit to Italy. Mr Modi was received at the airport by Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani. Later, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hosted a dinner in honour of Mr Modi. After the dinner, PM Modi reached Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Hotel, where a jubilant and cheering Indian diaspora welcomed him.
Mr Modi will hold talks with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, and discuss with them ways to boost India-Italy cooperation. PM Modi’s visit will focus on how to boost India-Italy cooperation, especially focusing on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 will also be reviewed. Mr Modi will also be visiting the Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and strengthening India’s commitment to multilateralism as well as global food security. Our correspondent covering the Prime Minister’s visit has filed this report:
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will call on the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, at the Quirinal Palace today, where he will be accorded a Guard of Honour. The day’s engagements include delegation‑level talks, press statements, exchange of Memoranda of Understanding, bilateral meetings, and a visit to the Food and Agriculture Organisation. Prime Minister Modi will also plant a Morus nigra (black mulberry) tree, a species that symbolically connects India and Italy through its culinary, medicinal, and cultural significance. tHIS IS Superna Bhatia from Rome.”
<><><>
Earlier yesterday, India and Nordic nations comprising Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland elevated their bilateral ties to a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership. Mr Modi made the announcement while addressing a joint press meet with leaders of Nordic nations after attending the third India-Nordic Summit in Norwegian capital Oslo.
Prime Minister Modi said, investments from Nordic countries in India rose by 200 per cent in past decade.
Prime Minister Modi affirmed that the relations between India and the Nordic countries are set to usher in a new golden era with the recently concluded trade agreements including Trade and Economic Partnership and India-EU Free Trade deal.
Our correspondent covering the Prime Minister’s visit to Norway has filed this report from Oslo:
“A joint statement released after the 3rd India-Nordic Summit outlines the areas of shared goals and vision of India and the five Nordic countries. They decided to elevate India-Nordic relations to a “Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership”.This reflects their shared commitment to sustainability, innovation and green growth. They encouraged collaboration in research, Innovation and talent mobility.
In the multilateral and bilateral engagements during his Oslo visit, Prime Minister invited Nordic investments in areas such as the green transition, blue economy, shipbuilding, health and defence. In light of the India-EU FTA and TEPA agreement, he conveyed India’s keenness for stronger economic and commercial ties with the Nordic region. On the global issues, the Leaders together advocated for Rule based world order and reformed multilateral system. They underlined the importance of de-escalation in the conflict regions. The leaders unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism including the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the India-Nordic cooperation. The next India-Nordic Summit would be held in Helsinki, Finland. SANGEETA GODBOLE, AKASHVANI NEWS, OSLO, Norway.”
<><><>
West Bengal government will rollout Annapurna scheme providing 3,000 rupees per month to women aged 25 to 60 years from June 1. The money will be credited directly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries. To qualify for the scheme, women must be aged between 25 and 60 years, must not be paying income tax, and must not hold any permanent government employment or receive a regular salary/pension from state, central, statutory, panchayat, municipal, local bodies, or government-aided educational institutions. Under the new order, all existing beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will be automatically migrated to the Annapurna Yojana. For new applicants, an online portal for the Annapurna Yojana will launch on June 1, 2026.
<><><>
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on ‘One Nation, One Election’ has said that simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly and local body elections can save nearly seven lakh crore rupees, improve governance efficiency and increase India’s GDP growth by up to 1.6 per cent. Addressing a press conference in Gandhinagar, JPC chairperson P.P. Chaudhary said India had followed a synchronised election system until 1967, when Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections were conducted together. He said, the cycle was disturbed after the premature dissolution of seven state Assemblies in 1968 and later during the Emergency period. Gradually, elections across states went out of synchronisation. Mr. Chaudhary said several institutions, including the Election Commission, the Law Commission, and parliamentary committees, had, over the years, recommended simultaneous elections.
<><><>
Uttar Pradesh is reeling under severe heatwave with record breaking temperatures every passing day. A report:
“Banda district in Bundelkhand region of state continues to be the hottest place in the country on the third consecutive day maximum temperature reach 48.2 degrees. There was no respite from the scorching sun to other places of the state also and the maximum day temperature is oscillating between 44 to 47 degrees at many places. Even nights have become unusually warmer and the minimum temperature is close to 30 degree in many districts. Animals and birds are worst hit by this mercury rise. Normal life is paralyzed and incidents of heat stroke have increased. The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert regarding severe heat wave in the state for the next two days. SUSHIL CHANDRA TIWARI, AKASHVANI NEWS, LUCKNOW.”
<><><>
Madhya Pradesh is scorching under severe heatwave. Orange and yellow alert has been issued for several districts as mercury hit 47 degree Celcius for the first time in the state.
“Madhya Pradesh is reeling under intense heat. The blazing sun has made daily life very difficult. The Met department has issued an orange alert for severe heatwave in several districts including Datia, Bhind, Rewa, Satna, Panna, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwadi. A yellow alert has been issued for Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur and dozens of other districts. The heatwave is expected to continue for the next three to four days. On Tuesday, Naugaon recorded 47°C and Khajuraho touched 46.4°C. This is the first time this season that the mercury has reached 47°C. In 22 cities across the state, the maximum temperature crossed 44°C. Abhinav Goel, Akashvani, Bhopal.”
<><><>
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda reaffirmed India’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage, digital health innovation, and global health solidarity at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva. Addressing the assembly themed “Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility”, yesterday, Mr Nadda highlighted India’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage, anchored in a ‘whole-of-government’ and ‘whole-of-society’ approach.
<><><>
Directorate General of Civil Aviation has directed the inspection of the Fuel Control Switches of an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft at the Original Equipment Manufacturer facility in the presence of DGCA officers. According to the DGCA, the Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft VT-ANX was grounded on 2nd February this year after operating flight AIC-132 from London’s Heathrow Airport to Bengaluru.
<><><>
In IPL Cricket, riding on a brilliant knock of 93 runs by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Rajasthan Royals defeated Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur last night. Chasing a target of 221 runs set by Lucknow Super Giants, Rajasthan Royals scored 225 for three with 5 balls to spare. Dhruv Jurel scored an unbeaten 53 runs while Yashasvi Jaiswal made 43 runs.
<><><>
TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- In a joint article penned by PM Narendra Modi and Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni in The Pioneer headlines, “Italy and India : A strategic partnership for the Indo – Mediterranean.”The article says, “Made in Italy has always been synonymous with excellence worldwide, and today it finds a natural synergy with the high quality goals of the “Make in India’ initiative”.
- “US clears Apache, howitzer support services for India” writes, The Indian Express.
- “Supreme Court upholds citizens’ right to live free from fear of stray dog attacks ” informs, The Statesman. “Top court nod for euthanasia of ‘incurably ill, rabid dogs’ “states The Hindu.
- The Economic Times in its editorial piece says, “The real question OpenAIs’s win Musks. Ethical AI development arguments remain.” The paper says, “Elon Musk’s case against OpenAI turning into a for profit organisation fell apart on a technicality. But the central question-on how Al should be governed-remains unanswered. Sam Altman’s argument is that its mission drift from non-profit to for-profit was necessitated by the financial reality of the tech’s large investment requirements.
- And finally, “Tennis legend Billie Jean King at the age of 82, earns a college degree (Bachelor of Arts in History) 65 years after starting at Cal State Los Angeles” reports the Times of India.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN,
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Rome today; Two leaders to discuss ways to boost cooperation on India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and review Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029.
- West Bengal government to rollout Annapurna scheme providing 3,000 rupees per month to women aged 25 to 60 years from June 1.
- Joint Parliamentary Committee on One Nation, One Election says, simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections can save nearly seven lakh crore rupees and increase India’s GDP growth by 1.6 percent.
- DGCA orders further inspection of fuel control switch of an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft following technical snag earlier this year.
- And in IPL Cricket, Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets in
<><><>
