THE HEADLINES:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi to host first meeting of India-Central Asia Summit in a virtual format this evening.

• Notification issued for Fourth Phase of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh; Last day of withdrawal of names for the first phase today.

• BSP releases revised list of 6 candidates for Second Phase in Uttar Pradesh.

• India marches towards touching the 164 crore mark under Nationwide COVID Vaccination Drive; Recovery rate stands at 93.33 per cent.

• Today is the last day to register for this year's Pariksha Pe Charcha.

• Prime Minister to share his thoughts in Mann Ki Baat this Sunday; Programme to begin at 11.30 a.m.

• US rejects Russia's demand to bar Ukraine from NATO.

• And in Australian Open Tennis, Ashleigh Barty to play Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek will face Danielle Collins in the women's singles Semi-finals today.

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As the number of COVID-19 cases is rising rapidly in several parts of the country, we appeal to our listeners to be vigilant and to get fully vaccinated and help others including children between 15 and 18 years get vaccinated.

With the new Omicron variant of corona virus causing concern, Please continue to follow these three simple steps to stay safe:-

·  Wear a face mask.

·  Maintain Do Gaz Ki Doori for social distancing.

·  Focus on hand and face hygiene.

For any COVID-related information and guidance contact National helpline numbers -- 011-23978046 and 1075. And now the news in detail:

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Summit in a virtual format today. Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will participate. Mr Modi had paid a historic visit to all Central Asian countries in 2015. Subsequently, there have been exchanges at high-levels at bilateral and multilateral forums. Our correspondent reports that the Summit is symbolic of the importance attached by the Leaders of India and the Central Asian countries to a comprehensive and enduring India-Central Asia partnership. A report:

"This will be the first engagement of its kind between India and the Central Asian countries at the level of leaders. The summit is a reflection of India’s growing engagement with the Central Asian countries, which are a part of India’s extended neighbourhood. During the Summit, the leaders are expected to discuss steps to take forward India-Central Asia relations to newer heights. They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of interest, especially the evolving regional security situation. Anand Kumar, AIR News Delhi."

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked world leaders for their greetings on the occasion of India’s 73rd Republic Day.

Mr Modi thanked Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba for his warm felicitations and said they will continue to work together to add strength to their resilient and timeless friendship.

In response to a tweet by Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering, Mr Modi said that India deeply values it’s unique and enduring friendship with Bhutan and wished that the ties between the two countries grow from strength to strength.

In response to a tweet by Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa for his greetings, Mr Modi said that this year is special as both their countries celebrate the 75-year milestone of Independence. He expressed hope that the ties between the people of two countries will continue to grow stronger.

In response to a tweet by his Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett, the Prime Minister said that he fondly remembers his meeting held last November. Mr Modi said that he is confident that India-Israel strategic partnership will continue to prosper with Mr. Bennett's forward-looking approach.   

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The process of filing of nominations for the Fourth Phase of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh has begun with the issuance of notification today. Nominations can be filed till 3rd February and scrutiny will be undertaken on 4th February. The last date for withdrawal of candidature will be 7th February.

The Fourth Phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on 23rd February in 59 Assembly Constituencies spread over nine districts including 16 ACs reserved for the Scheduled Castes. They include Pilibhit, Lakhimpur - Kheri, Sitapur, Lucknow, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Fatehpur and Banda district.

Meanwhile, the picture of the electoral contests for the First Phase of Assembly Elections in the state will become clear this evening after withdrawal of candidature. In all, 658 nominations were found valid during scrutiny. In this phase, 58 Assembly Constituencies including nine reserved for the Scheduled Castes will go to polls on 10th February. These constituencies are from eleven districts of Shamali, Meerut, Hapur, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar, Aligarh, Agra, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Mathura. 

The Second Phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh will be conducted on 14th February in 55 Assembly Constituencies from nine districts. In addition, the Single-Phase polling in two states Goa and Uttarakhand will be held simultaneously. Forty seats in Goa and 70 seats in Uttarakhand will go to polls together in this phase. For this phase, nominations can be filed till tomorrow and scrutiny will be undertaken on Saturday, 29th January. Last date for withdrawal of name will be 31st January.

Counting of votes will be taken up together on 10th March.

In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic the Election Commission has banned physical rallies and road shows till 31st of this month. Political parties have been advised to conduct their campaign through digital mode as much as possible. Maximum of ten persons are allowed for door-to-door campaign. The Commission has also allowed video vans for publicity at designated open spaces.

Meanwhile, the electoral campaign has picked up momentum for the first two phases and the Star Campaigners and prominent leaders of various political parties are busy in door to door canvassing as well as virtual appeals to the voters.

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In Uttar Pradesh campaigning is in full swing. Major political parties have entered into pre-poll alliances. The State has a total of 403 seats, where polling will be held in seven phases from 10th February to 7th March. More from our correspondent:

“The Bharatiya Janata Party has formed an alliance with Anupriya Patel’s Apna Dal (Sonelal) and NISHAD Party led by Sanjay Nishad. The Samajwadi Party has entered into an alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal, Shivpal Yadav's Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia), Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party led by Omprakash Rajbhar, Janvadi Party (Socialist) and Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) led by Krishna Patel and Mahan Dal. Meanwhile, the Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party have announced to go solo in the upcoming Assembly elections. Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen-AIMIM has also formed an alliance with Babu Singh Kushwaha’s Jan Adhikar Party and Bharat Mukti Morcha. Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party has also floated an alliance with over 30 regional parties. The alliance is named Samajik Parivartan Morcha. The Janta Dal United is contesting the polls independently in Uttar Pradesh. All India Trinamool Congress has decided not to field its candidates in the State.  ADITYA SHUKLA, AIR NEWS, GORAKHPUR”.

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Senior BJP leader Amit Shah conducted a door-to-door campaign in Mathura today. He also held an interaction with the voters in the constituency. Mr. Shah said Uttar Pradesh has embarked on the path of all-round development in the last five years.

Meanwhile, Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary addressed a party meeting in Khatauli Assembly Constituency in Muzaffarnagar district.

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In Uttarakhand, political momentum has geared up as the last date of filing of nomination for 70 assembly seat is tomorrow. Major political parties have declared their candidates for the assembly elections. However, few senior leaders like Kishore Upadhyaya former party president of the state and Sarita Arya former state president of Mahila congress had joined BJP. Senior leader and cabinet minister in BJP government Harak Singh Rawat and another BJP leader Om Gopal Rawat had joined Congress.

Meanwhile, Virtual rallies of political parties are underway. Candidates from different parties are engaged to convince the voters for them.

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In Goa, activity of filing nominations has gained momentum. BJP candidate Former CM Ravi Naik filed his nomination from Ponda constituency.

Sandip Nigalye filed nomination as an independent candidate from Priol constituency Sudesh Bhingi Filed Nomination as BJP candidate for Madkai constituency Surel Tilve filed Nomination as AAP candidate for Ponda constituency Mahadev Naik filed candidature as AAP candidate for Shiroda constituency Congress candidate Yuri Alemao filed his nomination from Cuncolim Vijay Pai Khot filed his nomination as an independent from Cananacona Anand Prabhudesai filed his nomination on behalf of MGP - Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, from Curchorem Aditya Desai filed his nomination on behalf of Revolutionary Goans Party from Curchorem.

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Punjab will go to polls on 20th February during the third phase of Assembly Elections. Our Chandigarh Correspondent has filed this report on nomination filing scenario in the state:

Today is the third day for filing the nomination papers for the Punjab Assembly elections. On first day 12 nomination papers were filed all over the state. Yesterday due to holiday on Republic Day no nomination papers could be filed. Today at SAS Nagar Mohali, Shiromani Akali Dal-Bahujan Samaj Party' alliance candidate Rama Ranjit Singh Gill filed his nomination papers today. The last day of filing the nomination papers is February 1 and scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on 2nd of February. Ashwani kumar Sharma, AIR News ,Chandigarh".

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In Uttar Pradesh, the Bahujan Samaj Party has released a revised list of six candidates for the second phase of Assembly elections. The party has fielded Mohd. Rizwan from Kundarki seat in Moradabad, Brihmanand Sharma from Bareilly, Shalini Singh from Faridpur and Yousuf Khan from Nawabganj in Bareilly district.

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The BJP has released its second list of nine candidates for the Assembly Elections in Uttarakhand. Party fielded Shaila Rani Rawat  from Kedarnath Assembly seat, Pramod Nainwal from Ranikhet seat, Mohan Singh Bisht from Lalkuwa and Jogendrapal Singh Routela has been fielded from Haldwani Assembly seat in the State.

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The Congress has released another list of 10 candidates for the ensuing Assembly Elections in Uttarakhand. Harish Rawat will contest from Lalkuwa Assembly seat, Mahender Pal Singh from Ramnagar seat, Yashpal Rana from Roorkee seat, while Anupama Rawat will be the party candidate from Hardwar Rural Assembly seat in the State.

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More than 163 crore 84 lakh COVID vaccine doses have been administered in the country under Nationwide Vaccination Drive so far. The Health Ministry said, more than 22 lakh 35 thousand doses were administered yesterday. A total of two lakh 86 thousand 384 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours and three lakh 6 thousand 357 people recovered in the same period. The recovery rate is currently at 93.33 per cent. The weekly positivity rate currently stands at 17.75 per cent while the Daily positivity rate is at 19.59 per cent.

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In view of the decline in  COVID-19 case,  the weekend curfew  has been lifted  in the national capital. Official sources said the odd-even scheme  for shops and commercial establishments  has also ended in Delhi. The decision was taken during the  Delhi Disaster Management Authority  meeting today.  However, night curfew from 10 PM to 5 AM everyday will continue in the city. The schools will also remain closed in the national capital. 200 people will  be allowed in marriages  while the  bars and restaurants will open with 50 per cent capacity.  The government  offices will operate with 50 per cent  capacity.

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Today is the last day to register for the 5th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2022 for students who want to participate in the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conceptualized a unique interactive programme - 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' wherein students, parents, teachers across the nation and also from overseas can interact with him. They discuss and overcome the stress emerging out of examinations in order to celebrate life as an Utsav. The Union Education Ministry said, the format of this programme is proposed to be in online mode like in 2021. School students of classes 9 to 12, teachers and parents will be selected through an online competition for the programme.

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This month’s Mann Ki Baat, which will take place on the 30th, will begin at 11:30 AM. In a tweet, the Prime Minister's Office said, the monthly radio programme will begin after observing the remembrances to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his Death Anniversary. This will be the 85th edition of the monthly radio programme and the first episode of 2022.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to share inspiring life stories and topics on MyGov open forum or the NaMo App. People can also dial toll-free number 1800-11-7800 and record their message for the Prime Minister in either Hindi or English. Phone lines will remain open till tomorrow. People can also give a missed call on 1922 and follow the link received in SMS to directly give their suggestions to the Prime Minister. Some of the recorded messages may become part of the broadcast.

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And now, let's listen to our special programme, 'Azadi ka Safar' highlighting the importance of the day during the freedom struggle. 

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Best wishes to all consumers for Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Hallmark ensures purity of Gold. Always purchase Hallmarked Gold Jewellery. For any consumer related complaints, please contact National Consumer Helpline's Toll free no 14404. Issued in Public Interest by Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India. Jago Grahak Jago.

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Renowned author and social activist Anil Awachat has passed away at the age of 77. He breathed his last at his residence in Pune. Awachat created a distinct identity not only in the world of literature but also in society. He has made a big contribution to Marathi literature with many books. He established Muktangan De-Addiction center with his late wife Dr. Anita Awachat.

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The Chinese PLA has handed over the young boy from Arunachal Pradesh Miram Taron to the Indian Army. Law minister Kiren Rijiju informing this in a tweet said due procedures are being followed including the medical examination. It was suspected that the 17-year old boy Miram Taron was abducted by Chinese PLA. On January 20, Defence PRO Tezpur had tweeted that 17 yr old youth Miram Tarom of Zido, Arunachal Pradesh was reportedly captured by PLA across the LAC. On receipt of information, Indian Army immediately contacted PLA through a hotline and assistance from PLA has been sought to locate and return him as per protocol.

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The US has rejected Russia's demand to bar Ukraine from NATO, amid warnings Russia might invade its neighbour. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was giving Russia a formal response to its demands to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Mr Blinken said that he was offering Russia a serious diplomatic path forward and it should accept this. In reply, a Russian minister said his country would study Mr Blinken's response, delivered in coordination with NATO.

Russia had issued a written list of its concerns about the expansion of the NATO military alliance and related security issues. Among them was a demand for NATO  to rule out the possibility of Ukraine and others ever joining the alliance.

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Most coronavirus restrictions, including mandatory face masks, were lifted in England yesterday. This comes after Britain’s government said that its vaccine booster rollout plan has successfully reduced serious illness and COVID-19 hospitalizations. Health officials in Britain are saying that they are planning a longer-term, post-pandemic strategy that treats COVID-19 more like the flu.

Incidentally, the World Health Organization has warned against the dangers of treating Covid-19 like the flu and dropping pandemic restrictions.

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A spokesperson for Twitter today said that the follower counts is a visible feature and the company has a zero-tolerance approach to platform manipulation and spam. Following a report on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s letter to Twitter chief executive officer Parag Aggarwal over his follower count, the social media company today assured that the numbers are  accurate. The Twitter spokesperson said, the company fight spam and malicious automation strategically and at scale with machine learning tools, and as part of those consistent and ongoing efforts to ensure a healthy service and credible accounts, follower counts can and do fluctuate. The spokesperson said that Twitter removes millions of accounts each week for violating the company’s policies on platform manipulation and spam.

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The Government has convened an all-party meeting on 31st of this month to ensure smooth functioning of the Budget Session of Parliament. The meeting has been convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi which will be held virtually in view of the Covid-19 situation. The floor leaders of political parties in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have been invited for the meeting.

The Budget Session of Parliament will begin on the same day, the 31st of January with President Ram Nath Kovind's address to both the Houses of Parliament assembled together at 11 AM.

In a tweet, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister also said, the first part of the Budget Session will commence on 31st of this month, with the address of President to both the Houses. He said, on 1st of next month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget. Mr Joshi also informed that to ensure Covid safety protocol, both the Houses of Parliament will function in shifts.

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In Australian Open Tennis, top seed Ashleigh Barty will play Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek will face Danielle Collins in the women's singles semi final today.

Swiatek edged out Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, while 27th seed Collins defeated unseeded Alize Cornet in the quarterfinals yesterday.

Home favourite Barty overpowered Jessica Pegula while American Keys knocked out French Open champion and fourth seed Barbora Krejcikova in the last-eight yesterday.

In Men's Singles, second seed Daniil Medvedev will meet fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas while world number seven Matteo Berrettini will lock horns with 20-time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals tomorrow.  

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In Women's Asia Cup Hockey, South Korea and Japan set up the title clash after recording victories in their respective semi-finals in Muscat last night. The final will be played tomorrow.

In the first semi final, South Korea defeated defending champions India 3-2 and Japan defeated China 2-1.

India will play China in the third-fourth place play-off match tomorrow. 

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The Sensex and the Nifty today tumbled more than one percent in the afternoon trade. Both stocks declined amid negative cues from other Asian equity markets. The Sensex was trading near the 57,000 mark while the Nifty was trading near 17,000 level.  

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Now, let us take a look at the weather for the day.

The National Capital Delhi is experiencing cold day. It recorded a minimum temperature of six degree Celsius while the maximum will be around 17 degrees. 

Mumbai is likely to have mainly clear sky. It noted a minimum temperature of 14 degree Celsius while the maximum is expected to be around 29 degrees.

Chennai is likely to have generally cloudy sky with light rain. The temperature will vary between 23 and 31degree Celsius.

Kolkata will have partly cloudy sky. The city noted a minimum temperature of 15 degree Celsius while maximum is expected to be around 25 degrees.

Visakhapatnam will have partly cloudy sky with haze. The city noted a minimum temperature of 23 degree Celsius while maximum to be around 29 degrees.

In Hyderabad, the temperature will hover between 17 and 30degree Celsius with clear sky.

Bengaluru will have generally cloudy sky with light rain. Temperature will fluctuate between 15 and 28 degrees Celsius.

Thiruvananthapuram will have Partly cloudy sky with possibility of moderate rain or Thunderstorm. The minimum temperature was 21 degree Celsius while the maximum will be around 32 degrees. 

In Guwahati the minimum temperature was 11 degree Celsius while the maximum will be around 25  degrees with  mainly Clear sky.

Imphal will have generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers. The city registered a minimum temperature of eight degree Celsius while maximum will be around 20degrees.

Shillong,Kohima, Itanagar and Gangtok will also have generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers. Temperature will hover between five and 16 degree Celsius.

In Aizawl the minimum temperature was seven degree Celsius while the maximum will be around 21 degrees.

Agartala will have partly cloudy sky. The temperature will hover between 13 and 24 degree Celsius. 

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