THE HEADLINES

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviews preparedness of States and Central agencies to
tackle Cyclone Yaas; Calls for timely evacuation of people from high-
risk areas.
Cyclone Yaas likely to intensify into very severe cyclonic storm; Expected to cross Odisha
and the West Bengal coasts on Wednesday.
Armed Forces commence preparations to mitigate impact of Cyclone in Kolkata,
Bhubaneswar and Port Blair.
India, South Africa and 60 other countries moot three year Intellectual Property Rights
waiver for Covid-19 related  medical products at WTO.
Number of Covid patients discharged outnumbers new cases in India for 10th consecutive
day.  
In China, 21 people dead due to extreme weather conditions during 100-km cross-
country mountain race.
In Cricket, Asia Cup 2021 tournament postponed due to packed schedule.
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COVID OPENING
As the number of Covid cases is on the rise, we appeal to our listeners not to lower the guard, follow all
the precautions and all those who have taken the first dose of COVID-19 Vaccine to get vaccinated with
second dose at the scheduled time. Stay safe and protected by following these three simple steps –
Wear a face mask.
Maintain Do Gaz Ki Doori for social distancing, and
Focus on hand and face hygiene.
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PM-CYCLONE YAAS MEET
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed all concerned departments to ensure timely evacuation of
those involved in off-shore activities in view of Cyclone Yaas which is expected to cross West Bengal
and north Odisha coasts on Wednesday evening. He also instructed officers to work in close co-
ordination with states to ensure safe evacuation of people from high-risk areas. Mr Modi took a high level
meeting on Sunday to review the preparedness of States and Central Ministries and Agencies concerned
to deal with the situation arising out of Cyclone ‘Yaas’. He spoke about the need to ensure that the time
duration of outages of power supply and communication network are minimum and are restored swiftly.
The Prime Minister also asked officials to ensure proper co-ordination and planning with state
governments to ensure no disruptions in Covid treatment and vaccination in hospitals. Mr Modi directed
officials that advisories and instructions on do’s and dont’s during the cyclone be made available in
easily understandable local language  to citizens of the affected districts.
The Home Ministry is reviewing the situation 24 by 7 and is in touch with the State Governments and
Union Territories and the Central Agencies concerned. The NDRF has pre-positioned 46 teams which are
equipped with boats, tree-cutters, telecom equipments etc. in five States and UT.
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ODISHA-YAAS CYCLONE
The low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal has concentrated into a depression today. Lying centred at
about 590 kilometres from east southeast of Paradeep in Odisha, it is likely to intensify into a severe
cyclonic storm. As per the Indian Meteorological Department, it will further deepen into a very severe
cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours and is likely to cross North Odisha West Bengal coast
between Paradeep and the Sagar islands on Wednesday. The strongest cyclone in the North Bay can
have 120 to 160 kmph speeds. Meteorologists believe that the cyclone may cause more damage as it is
much more widespread.
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ARMED FORCES – YAAS
Armed Forces have commenced preparations to mitigate the impact of Cyclone YAAS, which is expected
to hit the Eastern Coast on Wednesday. Indian Air Force has airlifted 950 National Disaster Response
Force personnel and 70 tonnes of load from Jamnagar, Varanasi, Patna and Arakonnam to Kolkata,
Bhubaneswar and Port Blair in 15 Transport Aircrafts.
The Defence Ministry said, 16 transport aircrafts and 26 helicopters are on standby for immediate
deployment. The Indian Navy has moved 10 Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, HADR pallets
to Bhubaneswar and Kolkata, while five HADR pallets are ready at Port Blair.
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BANGLADESH-CYCLONE YAAS
Bangladesh is bracing to face the cyclone Yaas, which is likely to hit its coast on May 26. The State
Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman told media that the government is
preparing cyclone shelter with three times more capacity in view of the COVID-19 situation in the country
to accommodate people during the cyclone.
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NATIONAL COVID-UPDATE
For the 10th consecutive day today, the number of Covid   patients discharged has outnumbered the
number of new cases in India. In the past 24 hours, over three lakh 55 thousand COVID patients
recovered from the disease whereas in the same time span over two lakh 40 thousand fresh cases were
recorded nationwide. With this the recovery rate in the country has further improved to 88.30 per cent.
The cumulative share of active COVID cases in the country also continues to witness consistent decline
and comprises nearly 10.57 per cent of the total reported cases. The Health Ministry has informed that
currently over 28 lakh people are reported to be affected by the pandemic and are either hospitalised or
are under home isolation.
The Ministry added that so far, over two crore 34 lakh people have recovered from the COVID-19
infection in the country. The Health Ministry has informed that three thousand 741 COVID related deaths
were reported in the last 24 hours taking the cumulative toll to 2 lakh 99 thousand 266.
The Indian Council of Medical Research has said that over 32 crore 86 lakh Covid tests have been
carried out in the country.
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NATIONAL- COVID VACCINATION
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed the 19
Crore 50 lakhs Mark. The Union Health Ministry informed that around one crore beneficiaries in the age
group of 18 to 44 years have so far been given the first dose of the Vaccine. The Ministry added that in
the past 24 hours,  the nation administered over 16 lakh doses of COVID vaccine to beneficiaries.
So far nearly 15 crore 20 lakh people in the country have received their first dose of COVID vaccine
whereas around four crore 30 lakh have been completely vaccinated with both the doses.
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HEALTH- MEDICAL SUPPLY
India has said that the foreign Covid relief materials recieved by New Delhi are being expeditiously
delivered to the States and Union Territories to supplement their efforts towards COVID-19 management.
The Health Ministry in a statement said that the Government of India has been receiving international
cooperation of COVID-19 relief medical supplies and equipment since 27th April from different countries.
The Ministry said, so far 16 thousand 630 Oxygen Concentrators,   15 thousand 961 Oxygen Cylinders,
  19 Oxygen Generation Plants, 11 thousand 516 ventilators and BiPAP and 6.9 lakh   Remdesivir vials
 were delivered  to the States.
  A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and
allocation of foreign COVID relief material.
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INDIA-WTO
India, South Africa and 60 other countries have sought three year waiver on Intellectual Property Rights
for Covid-19 medical products at the World Trade Organization. A fresh proposal submitted by these
countries also has a provision to review the duration annually. The fresh proposal focuses on health
products and technologies and sets the stage for discussions on specifics. The Council for Trade-
Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights is likely to take up the new proposal at an informal
meeting on 31st of May.
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HOTSPOT
Now, we move into Hot Spot Section; In this segment, we bring you a discussion on “India taking lead in
seeeking three years Intellectual property Rights waiver for COVID related medical products at WTO.” In
conversation with Ashok Sajjanhar,Former Diplomat is Journalist Manas Pratim Bhuyan.
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CHINA-EXTREME WEATHER
In China, a total of 21 people were confirmed dead on Sunday due to extreme weather during a 100 km
cross-country mountain race held in Gansu Province. Of all 172 race participants, 151 were confirmed
safe with eight sent to the hospital but in stable condition as reported by state media. It said sudden
change in weather patterns resulted in hailstorms, freezing rain and gale winds during the race, which
started on Saturday in the Yellow River Stone Forest tourist site in Jingtai county of northwest China's
Gansu Province.
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IRAN-IAEA
In Iran, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Sunday said that the International Atomic
Energy Agency now cannot have access to the records from the cameras monitoring Iran's nuclear
activities.
According Iranian state TV, Mr. Qalibaf has said that from May 22 and with the end of the three-month
agreement, the agency will have no access to data collected by cameras inside the nuclear facilities
agreed under the agreement.
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ITALY-ACCIDENT
In Italy, nine people died and two children were seriously injured   on Sunday when a cable car linking
Lake Maggiore with a nearby mountain in the Alps plunged to the ground. The Stresa-Mottarone cable
car carries tourists and local people from the town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore, almost 1 400 metres
above sea level, to the top of the Mottarone mountain.
The Stresa-Mottarone lift had recently re-opened following the gradual lifting of Coronavirus restrictions.
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SPORTS
The Asian Cricket Council, ACC on Sunday decided to postpone the Asia Cup 2021, as no
practical window is available to hold the tournament this year, amid Conona pandemic. The
Executive Board said in face of the risks and restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it had
made the difficult decision to postpone the Asia Cup 2020 to 2021. Since then, the ACC has been
working with its participants and stakeholders to try and ensure that the event is held in the year.
However, on account of a packed Future Tour Program, the cricket body has concluded that there
is no practical window in the year when all the teams would be available to participate.
The Board said it would only be feasible for this edition of the tournament to be held in 2023 as
there is already an Asia Cup in 2022.
In Cricket, Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by 33 runs in the 1st ODI in Dhaka. 
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat. The hosts set a winning target of 258 runs for Sri
Lankan team. Mushfiqur Rahim of Bangaladesh smashed 84 runs and Dhananjaya De Silva took
three wickets for Sri Lanka.  In reply Sri Lanka were bolwled out for 224 runs in 48.1 overs.  This
was  the first match of the three-match ODI series between both sides.
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US-HAITI
The Biden administration is allowing eligible Haitian nationals residing in the United States to apply for a
new 18-month designation for temporary protected status. It has reversed a Trump administration effort
that had sought to end the special consideration.Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a
statement, cited security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses,
crippling poverty and other problems in Haiti for the decision. He said, after careful consideration, US is
determined that it must do what it can to support Haitian nationals in the United States until conditions in
Haiti improve so they may safely return home.
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BANGLADESH-ISRAEL
Bangladesh has said there is no change in their stand on Israel. Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr A K
Abdul Momen on Sunday said that the country has neither changed its diplomatic position towards Israel
nor recognised it. He was responding to the queries regarding the changes in the passport format issued
in Bangladesh.
Earlier, the Bangladesh passport carried the word ‘valid for travelling except Israel’
which has been removed in the new format issued by the government.
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WORLD TURTLE DAY
On the occasion of World Turtle Day on Sunday, India's Environment Ministry has said that turtles play a
vital role in maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
The Ministry said, World Turtle Day is the day to remind about our responsibilities to protect turtles. It
said the day draws attention to the measures that should be taken for helping turtles survive without any
human interference.
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India is celebrating the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.