THE HEADLINES::

1. Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting to be held in New Delhi today.
2. President Droupadi Murmu to embark on a three-day visit to Sikkim beginning today.
3. More than 300 tourists stranded in Gulmarg Gondola in Jammu and Kashmir rescued after technical snag halted its operations.
4. DGCA issues directives for airlines after Ebola outbreak declared health emergency by WHO.
5. CNG price hiked by two rupees per kg in Delhi.
6. India thrash Maldives 11-nil in their opening Group B match of SAFF Women’s Football Championship at Margao in Goa.
7. In IPL cricket, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier One in Dharamshala this evening.

<><><> 

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will host the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi today. Foreign Minister of Australia Penny Wong, Foreign Minister of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will participate in the meeting. The Ministers will exchange views on advancing Quad cooperation across priority areas, review progress on ongoing Quad initiatives, and reflect on recent developments in the Indo-Pacific region and other international issues of mutual concern. The Foreign Ministers of Australia and Japan arrived in Delhi yesterday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had arrived for a four day visit to India on the 23rd of this month. Our correspondent has filed this report:

The Foreign Ministers’ Meeting this year comes at a time of global uncertainty and West Asia crisis. The QUAD comprising India, the US, Australia and Japan, has emerged as a key grouping largely focusing on peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. India is hosting the meeting in its capacity as the current chair of the coalition. The QUAD nations have come together with a commitment to work as a force for global good and to support an open, free, and inclusive Indo-Pacific that is prosperous and resilient. Quad has adopted a positive and practical agenda focusing on contemporary issues and challenges such as health security, climate change, critical and emerging technologies, and strengthening the maritime domain awareness of regional countries. Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.

<><><>

President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a three-day visit to Sikkim beginning today. During her stay in Sikkim, she will attend various events and visit several places. A report;

President Droupadi Murmu will visit Namgyal Institute of Tibetology today on the first day of her visit to Sikkim.  President Murmu will also visit the Orchidarium and flag off Pink buses for women in Gangtok. Tomorrow she will visit the Nathula pass and also attend the convocation of the Sikkim University at Gangtok. Nearly 14 thousand degrees will be awarded in the ceremony. On the last day of her visit, President Murmu will present the President of India’s Police Colour to the Sikkim Police at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok. MANAS PRATIK SHARMA, AKASHVANI NEWS, GANGTOK.

<><><> 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit India’s border regions over the next few days and hold security-related meetings. Mr Shah reached Bikaner in Rajasthan last night. The Home Minister will visit the BSF’s Sanchu Border Outpost this morning, where he will interact with the security forces personnel and inaugurate welfare schemes for them. In the afternoon, he will review the security situation in the border region in Bikaner.

<><><> 

In Jammu and Kashmir, all tourists stranded in cabins of the Gulmarg Gondola ropeway have been rescued safely after a major technical snag halted operations at the famous tourist resort. Officials said, more than 300 tourists were trapped inside 65 cabins of the cable car, some hanging nearly 500 feet above the ground, triggering panic among tourists, including women and children. Emergency evacuation protocols were activated immediately. A massive seven-hour rescue operation was launched jointly by teams of the NDRF, SDRF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army’s Chinar Corps, and local administration.

<><><> 

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a Standard Operating Procedure for airlines following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The DGCA said airlines operating connectivity with Uganda and Congo are required to ensure mandatory filing and collection of self-declaration forms before passengers disembark. More in this report;

DGCA has made it compulsory for airlines to broadcast specific health announcements during flights to help identify possible Ebola cases early and prevent the spread of the disease. Passengers have been asked to immediately report symptoms such as fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea or bleeding to airline crew members as well as immigration or medical authorities upon arrival. The DGCA further stated that if such symptoms develop within 21 days of arrival in India, travelers should seek medical assistance from designated hospitals and inform the airport health office. For suspected cases onboard an aircraft, the SOP directs that the passenger should be relocated to the rear of the aircraft, and if possible, three rows in front and adjacent seats should be kept vacant. Airlines have also been instructed to maintain adequate stock of triple-layer masks, disposable gloves, PPE kits, hand sanitizers, and bio-hazard disposal bags. With Anand Kumar, Priya Mondal, Akashvani News, Delhi.

<><><>

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices in Delhi have been increased by 2 rupees per kilogram. With the latest revision effective from 6 am today, CNG in Delhi now costs 83 rupees 9 paise per kilogram.

<><><> 

In Punjab, polling has begun for municipal elections. Voting is taking place for 8 Municipal Corporations, 75 Municipal Councils and 20 Nagar Panchayats. More from our correspondent:

These civic polls are being closely watched as a key political indicator ahead of the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections in 2027. There is a multi-cornered contest as all major political parties including the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Indian National Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have fielded their candidates. According to the State Election Commission, 7 thousand 5 hundred 55 candidates are in the fray from a total of 1,896 wards across the state where the voting is presently going on under a heavy police bandobast with a deployment of 32 thousand police personnel.  The Model Code of Conduct is already in force across all civic bodies as IAS and senior PCS officers have also been deputed as general observers to ensure a free and fair elections. To encourage voter participation, the Punjab Government has declared a public holiday, today for all along with paid leave provisions for eligible workers in industrial and commercial establishments. Counting of votes will take place on Friday, May 29th. Rajesh Bali, Akashvani News, Jalandhar.

<><><> 

For quick news updates, round the clock,follow us on our X handle @airnewsalerts. And for details of stories and more,log on to our website <<www.newsonair.gov.in>> and download News On Air App.

<><><> 

The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heat wave conditions today in Delhi. Severe heat wave conditions are also likely today in places over Haryana, Chandigarh, East Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha and West Rajasthan. Similar weather conditions will persist during the day in parts of Chhattisgarh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Telangana, Uttarakhand and West Madhya Pradesh. Gangetic West Bengal, Konkan and Goa, Saurashtra, Kutch, Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to experience hot and humid weather today.

According to the Weather Agency, parts of North-east India, Bihar, Sub Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Kerala and Mahe are likely to witness heavy rainfall today.

<><><> 

In Uttar Pradesh, there is no respite from heat wave as the temperature is oscillating between 43 to 47 degrees at many places. Bundelkhand region is the worst hit where temperature in almost every district has crossed the barrier of 45 degree Celsius. Banda recorded one of the hottest places in the country with 47.6 degrees.

<><><> 

Meanwhile, South West Monsoon is expected to reach Keralam today. The arrival of the monsoon is very critical to the Indian agricultural economy and daily life. More from our correspondent:

The South West Monsoon, which usually reaches Keralam on June 1, may advance and is expected to arrive in Keralam today. The Meteorological Department has declared an yellow alert, indicating isolated heavy rain in four of the 14 districts in Keralam today. The onset of the monsoon will be officially declared if 2.5 mm of rainfall is recorded for two consecutive days in 60 per cent of the 14 designated weather stations in Keralam and Lakshadweep. Wind and INSAT data will also be considered for the same. In the meantime, about 5 mm of rain was recorded in the southern districts of Kerala by 7 a.m. today. Smithy M Palluruthy, Akashvani News,Thiruvananthapuram.

<><><> 

The US military carried out self-defence strikes targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats near the Strait of Hormuz amid an ongoing ceasefire between the two countries. CENTCOM spokesperson Timothy Hawkins said the strikes targeted missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to deploy mines, adding that US forces were acting with restraint while defending the troops during the ceasefire.

<><><> 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the restoration of internet access across the country. Iranian authorities had imposed a near-total internet blackout across the country for more than 87 days. The restrictions reportedly hampered civilians’ access to information during the US Iran conflict, while also severely affecting businesses dependent on internet connectivity.

<><><> 

In football, India thrashed the Maldives 11-nil in their opening Group-B match of the SAFF Women’s Championship in Margao, Goa yesterday. Aveka Singh starred for the hosts with four goals, while Priyangka Naorem and Karishma scored a brace each. India will now face Bangladesh in their next match on Sunday.

<><><> 

In IPL playoff cricket, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier One in Dharamshala today. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM. The winner of the match will advance directly to the IPL 2026 final, while the losing side will get another opportunity in Qualifier Two.

<><><> 

India’s top shuttlers Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu will spearhead the country’s challenge at the Singapore Open Super 750 tournament, kicking off today. Other Indian players including Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, and HS Prannoy are also set to feature in the tournament. In women’s singles, PV Sindhu will begin her campaign against Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani. While, Unnati Hooda will face Japanese shuttler Tomoka Miyazaki, and Malvika Bansod will be up against Chinese Taipei’s Lin Hsiang Ti.

<><><> 

TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,

1. Hindustan Times and all the dailies have covered the Quad ministers meet in the National capital, amid trade and energy concerns aiming to keep the Indo-pacific free, open and secure.
2. The price rise of fuel again, grabs the headlines in all the dailies today. “Oil shock: Petrol crosses 102 rupee” is a top front page headline in The Pioneer.
3. Defending the Prime Minister’s austerity push, finance minister is quoted by The Statesman saying” Indian economy is resilient but West Asia crisis exerting pressure on forex.”
4. The Hindu writes about a two-judge bench issuing notice to the Union Ministry of Education, NTA and others on pleas to replace or fundamentally restructure the exam body and make it answerable to Parliament.
5. The editorial in The Tribune talks about renewable energy generation growing by leaps and bounds and accounting for about a quarter of electricity production. Under the headline “Time to stop slipping on oil” the paper says how renewable energy can make India resilient to oil price shocks.
6. The Indian Express states “Live-in rules, polygamy ban as Assam introduces Uniform Civil Code bill.”
7. With Trump’ administration’s new policy “Seven lakh Green card seekers left US in state of anxiety” writes The Economic Times.
8. “City swelters:warmest May night in 14 years” says The Times of India.
9. The Tribune cites “Chhattisgarh government turns former Naxal-hit areas into tourist hubs” with tribal culture helping the communities develop a sense of ownership while generating income.

<><><> 

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

1. Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting to be held in New Delhi today.
2. President Droupadi Murmu to embark on a three-day visit to Sikkim beginning today.
3. More than 300 tourists stranded in Gulmarg Gondola in Jammu and Kashmir rescued after technical snag halted its operations.
4. DGCA issues directives for airlines after Ebola outbreak declared health emergency by WHO.
5. CNG price hiked by two rupees per kg in Delhi.
6. India thrash Maldives 11-nil in their opening Group B match of SAFF Women’s Football Championship at Margao in Goa.
7. In IPL cricket, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier One in Dharamshala this evening.

<><><> 

For details of these stories and more, log on to our website www.newsonair.gov.in and News On Air App.

<><><>