THE HEADLINES

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar meets UN Secretary General Antonio

Guterres in New York; Stresses on countering terrorism and radicalisation.
India and New Zealand reiterate importance of closer cooperation for a rule-based
international order and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
Bharat Biotech applies for WHO Emergency Use Listing for Covaxin; Company submits 90
percent of the documents.
Indian Cabinet approves opening of a new Consulate General of India in Addu City of
Maldives.
Cyclone Yaas likely to intensify into very severe cyclonic storm in next six hours;
To reach near Odisha's Dhamra port by Wednesday morning.
In Cricket, BCCI cancels India's Twenty20 International series against South Africa in
September this year.
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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
the 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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JAISHANKAR-UNSG
India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New
York on Tuesday. In a series of tweets, Dr Jaishankar said, during their warm & comprehensive  meeting,
they discussed on countering terrorism and radicalisation which remain priorities for the entire region.
The External Affairs Minister highlighted India's constructive role in UNSC and conveyed priorities of our
Presidency in August. They also stressed on Maritime Security and Technology for Peacekeeping. They
discussed the Covid challenge, emphasizing the importance of finding urgent and effective global
vaccine solutions. They
also, discussed recent developments in Myanmar. Both leaders also exchanged views on climate action.
Dr Jaishankar reached New York on Sunday on a five day visit to the United States. In Washington DC,
the External Affairs Minister will hold discussions with his US counterpart Antony Blinken.
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HOTSPOT
Now, we move on to the Hot Spot Section; In this segment, we bring you a discussion on “EXTERNAL
AFFAIRS MINISTER dR s. Jaishankar’S VISIT TO USA FOR STRONG BILATERAL TIES.” In
conversation with Anil Wadhwa,
Former Diplomat is Nilova Roy Chaudhary, Journalist.
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INDIA NEW ZELAND
India and New Zealand on Tuesday reiterated the importance of closer cooperation for a rules-based
international order and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The third Foreign Office
Consultations between the two countries were held virtually.
Comprehensively reviewing bilateral cooperation, both sides discussed the steps to be taken to enhance
the depth and momentum of engagement in different areas including defence, security, trade and
investment. Both sides also agreed to jointly work on space, counter terrorism, cyber security,
disarmament and climate change,and for strengthening people-to-people ties.
Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East) led the Indian delegation while the New Zealand-side was led by
Mark Sinclair, Deputy Secretary in Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The previous round of
consultations took place in February 2019 in New Delhi.
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BHARAT BIOTECH
Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has submitted an application to the World Health Organization for
Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of Covaxin. The company has submitted 90 percent of the documents
  required for Emergency Use Listing by WHO. The remaining documents are expected to be submitted
next month. The company is awaiting for a pre-submission meeting to be held in May-June.
Following the pre-submission meeting, it will be required to go through 2 more stages, the acceptance of
the dossier for review and the final status of assessment before its application is accepted.
On February 15, WHO gave emergency use approval to the Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum
Institute of India. So far, seven vaccines globally have been given approval by WHO for EUL. Russia’s
Sputnik vaccine has also applied for emergency approval.
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CABINET-DECISION
The Union Cabinet has approved the opening of a new Consulate General of India at Maldives's Addu
City this year. India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in
antiquity. Maldives occupies an important place in the Neighbourhood First Policy and the SAGAR- Security
and Growth for All in the Region- vision of the Government of India. The opening of a Consulate General in
Addu City will help augment India's diplomatic presence in Maldives and make it commensurate with the
existing and aspired level of engagement.
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NATIONAL COVID-UPDATE
India continues to march strongly on its path of COVID recovery with the number of daily cases slipping
below the 2 lakh mark after nearly 40 days. In the last 24 hours,1 lakh 96 thousand 427 fresh cases of
COVID-19 were recorded nationwide. For the 12th consecutive day today, the number of patients
discharged has outnumbered the number of new COVID cases. Over 3 lakh 26 thousand COVID patients
successfully recovered from the infection in the past 24 hours. The recovery rate in the country has
further improved to stand at 89.26 per cent.
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IMD-CYCLONE YAAS
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the Cyclonic storm Yass is very likely to move
north-north-westwards, intensifying further into a very severe cyclonic storm during the next six hours. It
would continue to move north-north-
westwards, intensify further and reach near north Odisha coast close to Dhamra port by Wednesday
early morning. Talking to AIR News, Director (Forecasting) in IMD, RK Jenamani said, it is very likely to
cross North Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Island close to north of Dhamra and
south of Balasore during Wednesday noon.
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PM-BUDDHA PURNIMA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver a key-note address tomorrow at the international event
organised to mark Buddha Purnima Diwas. The event is being organised by the Ministry of Culture and
International Buddhist Confederation.
Union Minister for Culture Prahlad Singh Patel and Minister of State for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju will
also address the virtual event organised on the occasion of 2565th Buddha Purnima Diwas.
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UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
Six Indian places have been added to the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites. The sites are
Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, Iconic riverfront of the historic city of Varanasi in Uttar
Pradesh, Megalithic site of Hire Benkal in Karnataka, Maratha Military Architecture in Maharashtra,
Bhedaghat-Lametaghat in Narmada Valley at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh and temples of Kanchipuram
are in Tamil Nadu. The Culture Ministry made the announcement recently. The submission for the list
was made by the Archaeological Survey of India. Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said, India has
several monuments which fulfil the parameters of UNESCO to be added in the list of heritage sites. Here
is a report:
The Iconic Riverfront is located in the ancient city of Varanasi has been competing for the UNESCO tag
for several years now. The ghats- steps to the riverfront form a symbolic chain of holy sites. The 6.5-
Kilometre long river front forms the eastern edge of Varanasi and possesses a unique history and
presents a specific vision of a magnificent architectural row of lofty buildings and holy sites. There are 84
ghats in total. The five most sacred ghats are Asi, Dashashvamedha, Manikarnika, Panchaganga and
Adi Keshava. This is Deeksha Saksena, AIR News, Delhi.
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BUSINESS CAPSULE
The Sensex and the Nifty today closed almost flat amid losses in the index heavyweights even as the
global cues were positive. The Sensex at Bombay Stock Exchange remained above the 50,500 mark
while the Nifty at the National Stock Exchange ended above 15,200 level. A report from the business
world-
The Sensex fell 14 points to finish at 50,638. Divergently, the Nifty added 11 points to settle at 15,208. In
the Sensex pack, shares of 21 companies climbed while nine logged losses while in sectoral indices 13
out of 19 sectors climbed. In global equity markets, Asian stocks rose tracking a rally in the US equity
markets. China’s Shanghai Composite index surged 2.4 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.8
per cent. South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 0.9 per cent while Singapore’s Straits times and Japan's Nikkei-
225, both gained 0.7 per cent. European shares were mixed in intra-day trade. Oil prices slipped
marginally but were near one-week highs. In intra-
day trade, Brent crude prices were trading around 68 dollars and 40 cents per barrel.
Back Home, gold prices remained flat amid the marginal price fall in international bullion markets. At
Multi-Commodity Exchange, gold was trading almost unchanged at 48,560 rupees per 10 grams. Silver
prices fell 280 rupees to trade at 71,530 rupees per kilogram. And...  In the forex market,   the rupee
appreciated 19 paise to finish at 72 rupees and 78 paise against the US dollar mainly due to weakening
US currency which is at four month low level. Arjun Choudhary for World News, All India Radio.
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ANTIGUA PM-MEHUL CHOKSI
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne has said that his government has informed India
that Mehul Choksi is missing, with information being also shared with Interpol.
Prime Minister Browne said, the citizenship of Choksi will be revoked and he will be extradited to India
once all his legal options are exhausted. Browne also said, the law enforcement is working round the
clock to locate Mehul Choksi.
Fugitive diamantaire Choksi is wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
and Enforcement Directorate (ED).
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BCCI- T20 SERIES
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to cancel India's T20 International series
against South Africa. The series was scheduled in September as a build-up to the Indian side's T20
World Cup preparations. BCCI sources said, the decision to cancel the T20 series has been taken
keeping in mind the tight schedule ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup. They said, there can’t be any better
preparation for the T20 World Cup than playing a high intensity tournament like the Indian Premier
League(IPL).
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FPR
Now let us take a look at the major developments around the world, as reported in the foreign press:
Washington Post writes that Biden, Putin to meet next month in Geneva, the first face-to-face
session between the two leaders.
The Telegraph writes  President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin will hold their first summit
on June 16 in Geneva.
New York Times reports that Florida became the first state to approve fines on social media
companies that permanently bar political candidates in the state.
The Guardian writes UK trade with EU falls by 23 per cent in first quarter as Brexit and Covid hit.
Khaleej Times reports Over 12.1 million vaccination doses have been administered in the UAE to
date.
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INDIA - LUNAR ECLIPSE
A partial phase of Lunar eclipse will be visible in India on Wednesday. According to the India
Meteorological Department, IMD, a total eclipse of the Moon will occur on 26th May. It said, from India,
just after moonrise, ending of partial phase of the eclipse will be visible for a short span of time from
north eastern parts of India except Sikkim, some parts of West Bengal, Odisha and Andaman and
Nicobar Islands. Science and Technology Ministry said, the eclipse will be visible in the region covering
South America, North America, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
Lunar eclipse occurs on a full moon day when the Earth comes in between the Sun and the Moon and
when all the three objects are aligned. The next lunar eclipse will be visible from India on 19th November
this year.
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India is celebrating the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi