THE HEADLINES::

1. Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez  to be on a five-day visit to India beginning today.
2. Senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar to be sworn-in as Chief Minister of Karnataka this afternoon.
3. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to launch Annapurna Yojana to provide 3,000 rupees every month to eligible women in the state today.
4. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman elected President of 81st session of UN General Assembly; External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar congratulates him.
5. Germany removes airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals beginning today; New Delhi says, the move will further enhance people-to-people ties between India and Germany.
6. In Women’s Cricket, hosts England beat India by six wickets in third and final T-20 International to seal three-match series 2-1.

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Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez will be on a five-day visit to India beginning today. She will be accompanied by a high level delegation including Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economy and Finance and Science and Technology. Briefing media in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, Ms Rodríguez will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her visit. Our correspondent has filed this report:

“India and Venezuela share friendly relations, particularly in the areas of energy and trade. The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral ties and deepen cooperation between the two countries across several sectors. The Venezuelan delegation will visit facilities related to the energy, pharmaceutical and automobile sectors. The visit aims to explore opportunities for collaboration and gain insights into India’s technological and industrial capabilities. WITH ISHANI AND DEEPENDRA TRIPTI SREVASTAVA, AKASHVANI NEWS DELHI.”

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Senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar will be sworn-in as Chief Minister of Karnataka today. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Shivakumar and members of new cabinet at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru at 4:05 PM. More from our correspondent:

“After Siddaramaiah stepped down as CM on May 28th, the Congress Legislature party had elected 64 year old D K Shivakumar as its leader paving the way for him to assume the office. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, national President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, religious leaders, labourers, writers, actors and prominent businessmen and industrialists have been invited for the swearing in ceremony. The students of the Doddalahalli Government school have also been called for the ceremony as it is the place from where Shivakumar hails from. SUDHINDRA FOR AKASHWANI NEWS, BENGALURU.”

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West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will launch Annapurna Yojana to provide 3,000 rupees every month to eligible women in the state today. More from our correspondent:

“In the first phase, beneficiaries will start receiving 3,000 rupees directly into their bank accounts from today. It is initially estimated that nearly two crore women will benefited from this scheme. At Nabanna, the inauguration ceremony will take place at 12:30 PM, attended by Minister Agnimitra Paul of the Department of Women, Child Development, and Social Welfare. The Chief Minister’s program will be connected via video conference to every block and municipality in the state. Immediately after the inauguration, 100 selected Annapurna Yojana beneficiaries in each block and municipality will be handed approval letters . Similarly, 100 beneficiaries in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area will also receive these letters. Beneficiaries have been given 90 days to register under this scheme. Women aged between 25 and 60 years will be eligible for this benefit. SANDIPON DAS GUPTA, AKASHVANI NEWS, KOLKATA.”

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Ministry of Tribal Affairs will organise the National Conclave on Strengthening of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies and Integrated Tribal Development Projects in New Delhi today. President Droupadi Murmu will address the inaugural session of the conclave.

The event is being held as part of the ongoing Janjatiya Garima Utsav 2026. President Droupadi Murumu will virtually inaugurate the Training Fab established at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. She will also inaugurate 75 Space Labs established across Eklavya Model Residential Schools in different parts of the country.

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India has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by the principles of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last 12 years. During this period, the Modi government carried out many flagship initiatives for the welfare and empowerment of the poor, farmers, women and youth. Akashvani News brings you a special feature on the Government’s efforts over the last 12 years across key sectors. Today, we focus on the measures taken by the government towards the welfare of the middle class. A report:

“Over the past 12 years, the government has empowered India’s middle class through wide-ranging reforms. Simplified taxation, and stronger banking, insurance, and pension systems have enhanced their financial security. Under the new tax regime, individuals earning up to 12 lakh rupees annually are paying zero tax. For the middle class specifically, GST has delivered several tangible benefits by simplifying taxes and lowering everyday costs. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Urban launched in 2015, has transformed the lives of crores of people by providing them with secure housing. Out of the total one crore 25 lakh sanctioned houses, over 98 lakh are completed or delivered to beneficiaries across the country so far. Talking to Akashvani News, Abhisekh Kumar, from Uttar Pradesh said the scheme is ensuring housing for the poor and bringing relief to those living in rented accommodation.

Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has enabled 43.52 crore health cards, expanding access to healthcare protection. While, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme is providing quality generic medicines at 50 to 80 per cent lower prices through Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Talking to Akashvani News, Brahmdev of Bihar said that the medicines at these Kendras are available at a very affordable price than the market.

The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, launched in 2015, has also evolved into a powerful instrument of empowerment. Under the scheme, 40 lakh crore rupees of loans have been disbursed to the beneficiaries so far. As incomes rise and opportunities expand, India’s middle class is actively driving the nation’s growth, ambition, and future prosperity. Anand Kumar, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

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The government has decided to gradually phase out the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and replace it with a comprehensive Producer Price Index (PPI) system. The decision was taken to modernise country’s inflation and pricing data framework and align it with global best practices. The Commerce and Industry Ministry has said that the government has approved the revision of the base year of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) from 2011-12 to 2022-23.

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Bangladesh’s foreign minister Khalilur Rahman has been elected president of 81st session of UN General Assembly (UNGA). Dr Rahman emerged victorious in a closely contested election held in UN General Assembly, garnering 99 votes against Cyprus’ Special Envoy for Multilateralism Andreas Kakouris, who got 91 votes. His one-year tenure as head of the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations will commence in September.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has congratulated Dr Rahman on his election as UN General Assembly President. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said that he is looking forward to working closely with Dr Rahman to advance the shared priorities of India and Bangladesh and strengthen multilateral cooperation.

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Indian nationals will no longer require an airport transit visa when travelling to a third country through German airports beginning today. German Embassy in India announced that the exemption will simplify travel for Indian citizens transiting through Germany on their way to other international destinations. The embassy described the decision as a reflection of the growing partnership between the two countries. It said the move underlines the german Government’s commitment to deepening ties between the two countries, facilitating the movement of people.

India has welcomed the operationalization by Germany of the announcement waiving requirement of transit visa for Indian nationals transiting through Germany, exclusively by air. External Affairs Ministry said that the announcement was made after discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz during his visit to India in January this year. The Ministry said that this new arrangement would further enhance people-to-people ties between India and Germany.

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In Women’s Cricket, England sailed to a six-wicket win over India in the third and final T20 International to clinch the series 2-1 at the County Ground, Taunton in England last night. India  felt confident after taking three early wickets but a commanding partnership between Heather Knight and Alice Capsey helped England chase down 180 with ease.

India set a target of 181 runs against England. In reply, England scored 184 fo 4 in 18.3 overs. Earlier, England won the toss and opted to bowl. Indian women made 180 for 5 in 20 overs. Alice Capsey was declared player of the match as well as player of the series.

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In Badminton, PV Sindhu advanced to the second round of the Indonesia Open after overcoming a tough challenge in her opening match. Returning to the world’s top 10 rankings for the first time since October 2023, Sindhu defeated Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the first round of the prestigious BWF Super 1000 tournament in Jakarta.

However, it was disappointment for India in men’s singles, as Lakshya Sen crashed out in the opening round after suffering a defeat.

Today, in men’s singles, HS Prannoy will face Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen and Ayush Shetty will meet China’s Weng Hongyang. In Men’s doubles, the Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will begin their campaign against Malaysia’s Khai Xing Kang and Aaron Tai.

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,

1. All dailies lead with the Centre’s action in the wake of irregularities in CBSE exams.
2. Hindustan Times opens with the headline ”CBSE chairman, Secretary shunted amid outcry”, while The Tribune adds ”Government forms panel to probe On-Screen Marking”
3. Pioneer reports “CBSE re-evaluation portal faces new cyber security challenges.”
4. Indian Express, on its editorial page writes, ‘Girls rewrite JEE script, Campus must keep pace’. ‘For the first time, more than 10,000 girls have qualified for admission to premier engineering institutions including IITs. This year JEE witnessed a striking improvement that has pushed the number of successful females up by almost 89 percent since 2019.
5. In international news, Asian Age mentions ,”Israel PM calls off Beruit strike after ‘heated’ call with Trump”, while The Pioneer reports, ”Trump slams Netanyahu over Lebanon offensive.”
6. Times of India informs El Niño  is rapidly developing and is set to impact global temperature and rainfall patterns, under the headline, ”World Meteorological Organization’s  El Niño  alert raises odds of severe impact on monsoon with 80 percent chance of onset during June- August period.”
7. Finally, under a piece titled’ ”Tigress Zeenat gives birth to four cubs in Odisha’s Similipal”, The Hindu informs The translocation effort aimed at enhancing the genetic diversity of tigers in Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve has received major boost adding a proud chapter to Odisha’s natural resouces and wildlife conservation efforts.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

1. Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez  to be on a five-day visit to India beginning today.
2. Senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar to be sworn-in as Chief Minister of Karnataka this afternoon.
3. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to launch Annapurna Yojana to provide 3,000 rupees every month to eligible women in the state today.
4. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman elected President of 81st session of UN General Assembly; External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar congratulates him.
5. Germany removes airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals beginning today; New Delhi says, the move will further enhance people-to-people ties between India and Germany.
6. In Women’s Cricket, hosts England beat India by six wickets in third and final T-20 International to seal three-match series 2-1.

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