NAMASKAR ! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective', on All India Radio. This is GAURAV SHARMA and with me is V.C PRAMOD bringing glimpses of the major developments of the day from across the globe. Over the next half an hour,we shall bring you the latest from the world of politics, economy, sports, entertainment and more.

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THE HEADLINES::

• Central Asia is central to India's vision of an integrated and stable extended neighbourhood, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the first India Central Asia Summit.

• Central Asian nations support India’s proposal to include the Chah-Bahar Port in the INSTC framework.

• India and Central Asian nations say they are committed to a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan with a truly representative and inclusive government.

• Air India officially handed over to the Tata Sons Limited.

• China imposes stringent COVID-19 restrictions in Beijing ahead of the Winter Olympics.

• UK lifts mandatory face mask and other COVID restrictions.

• India issues conditional market authorisation to COVISHIELD and COVAXIN COVID vaccines.

• India’s electronic goods exports registers a growth of 49% in the April-December quarter. 

• And, at the Australian Open, top seed Ashleigh Barty to take on Danielle Collins in title clash of the women's singles. 

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COVID OPENING

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

As the new Omicron variant of corona virus is 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.

And, focus on hand and face hygiene.

For any COVID-related information and guidance contact the National helpline numbers -- 011-23978046 and 1075.

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PM-CENTRAL ASIA PM CENTRAL ASIA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, Central Asia is central to India's vision of an integrated and stable extended neighbourhood. In his opening remarks at the first India-Central Asia Summit held virtually on Thursday, Mr Modi stated that they have similar concerns for regional security and are concerned about the developments in Afghanistan. He stressed that this mutual cooperation has become more important in this context for regional security and stability.

The Prime Minister highlighted three main objectives of Thursday’s Summit. The first was to clarify that mutual cooperation between India and Central Asia is essential for regional security and prosperity. He said the second objective was to give a structure to India Central Asia cooperation. He said doing so will establish a framework of regular interactions at different levels. Finally, he said the summit aims at creating an ambitious roadmap for India Central Asia cooperation. Mr Modi said  diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian nations have completed 30 fruitful years and seen many successes over the past three decades.

He said it is time to define an ambitious vision for the coming years as well. Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the Summit.

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ICAS-CHAH BAHAR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic,Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to take concrete steps for a comprehensive and enduring India-Central Asia partnership.  Briefing media after the first India-Central Asia Summit which was hosted by India, Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry, Reenat Sandhu said that an important outcome of the meeting today was the agreement among the leaders to hold Summit level meetings every two years. The next Summit would accordingly be held in 2024. Connectivity was one of the key issues discussed at the first India-Central Asia Summit held on Thursday. Briefing the media Ms. Sandhu said that the leaders agreed to work together to use the Chah-Bahar port to connect central asia with India and further  with South Asia.

On Afghanistan, the Secretary said that India and the Central Asian nations countries shared similar concerns on the situation in the country. She stated that the leaders agreed to setup a joint working group on Afghanistan at the senior officials level.

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CHINA-YOUTH RETURN 

Miram Taron, the youth from India’s north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh who crossed over to the Chinese side has been handed over to the Indian side, after providing humanitarian aid.  Prasar Bharati Beijing Correspondent reports that the Western Theatre Command of PLA confirmed the release of the boy. 19 year old Miram, went missing on the 18th January at Shiyung La in Bishing area. 

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CHINA-TALKS

The Chinese Defense Ministry said that the 14th round of the Corps Commander Level meeting between Indian and Chinese militaries held earlier this month was positive and constructive. At the monthly press conference in Beijing on Thursday, Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian said that China will work closely with the Indian side to properly handle the border issue through negotiation and consultation.

 Responding to a media query regarding the 14th round of talks on the China-India border issue, Wu stressed that the Chinese side believed this round of talks were positive and constructive and both sides held the talks in a frank and friendly atmosphere.

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CHINA-COVID

Ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games which opens on the 4th of February, Beijing has imposed stringent restrictions against movement to protect the Olympic bubble as China’s top leadership vowed to deliver a coronavirus-safe Winter Games.

Athletes and others participating in the Games are being completely isolated from the general public to try to avoid cross-infection. Till Wednesday, the number of Covid-19 cases in the Olympic bubble had risen to 106 among the 3,695 who had arrived.

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US-MYANMAR

The United States has issued a business advisory of what it described as the heightened risks associated with doing business in Myanmar, and particularly business activity that could benefit the military regime. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the US State Department said that the advisory seeks to inform individuals, businesses, financial institutions, and other persons of the associated illicit finance and money laundering risks, as well as reputational and legal risks, of conducting business and utilizing supply chains under military control in Myanmar.

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JAISHANKAR-FRANCE

External Affairs Minister of India Dr Jaishankar and his French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian discussed the opportunities for India in the French Presidency of the European Union on Thursday. In a conversation with the French Foreign Minister in virtual format, Dr Jaishankar said India France relationship has steadily matured and it is time now to take it to the next level. During the event titled "The French Presidency: EU-India Partnership in the Indo Pacific", Dr Jaishankar pointed out that new and old French aircraft flew during the Republic Day parade yesterday. He said Rafale taking part in the Republic Day flypast is an example of the strategic partnership between India and France. He added that the bilateral relationship goes back multiple decades.

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DELHI-CURFEW

The Delhi government has decided to ease the restrictions in the national capital imposed due to rise in Covid-19 cases. It has decided to revoke weekend curfew and open markets without the odd even rule. These decisions were taken in the 32nd meeting of Delhi Disaster Management Authority under the Chairmanship of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Bailjal on Thursday to review the COVID-19 situation in Delhi.

In the meeting, it was decided to open all government offices with 100 percent strength upto Grade 1 level, while restaurants, bars and cinema halls to operate upto 50 percent capacity. However, night curfew from 10 PM to 5 AM everyday will continue in the city.

Schools will also remain closed in the national capital.

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MANDAVIYA VACCINE

India’s Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said that Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has upgraded the permission for COVAXIN and Covishield from restricted use in emergency situations to normal new drug permission in adult population. He added that this has been done with certain conditions. The conditions include supply for programmatic settings including registration on CoWin platform and to continue to submit safety data on a six-monthly basis.

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BRITAIN-COVID

In England, most coronavirus restrictions, including mandatory face masks, are lifted starting Thursday. This comes after Britain’s government said that its vaccine booster rollout plan has successfully reduced serious illness and COVID-19 hospitalizations.

The statement said that from Thursday, all measures under what it calls Plan B have been lifted meaning face coverings are no longer mandatory in indoor venues. Health officials in Britain are saying that they are planning a longer-term, post-pandemic strategy that treats COVID-19 more like the flu. However, the World Health Organization has warned against the dangers of treating Covid-19 like the flu and dropping pandemic restrictions.

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BANGLADESH-PARLIAMENT

The Bangladesh parliament or the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday passed the bill for the appointment of Election Commissioners and Chief Election Commissioner for the formation of the next Election Commission (EC). The bill was placed in the parliament by the law, justice and parliamentary affairs Minister Anisul Huq. According to reports,the bill was passed by the voice vote.  The bill gives a legal shield to the appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners to form the EC.

The tenure of the current Election Commission ends on the 14th of February.

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HOTSPOT

In today’s HOTSPOT section, we bring you a discussion on the India-Central Asia summit. In conversation are Ashok Sajjanhar, a former diplomat and Nilova Roy Chaudhary, a Journalist.

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TATA-AIR INDIA

Air India has been officially handed over to the Tata Sons Limited. The Tata Group takes over the management and control of the airline. The transaction cover three entities, Air India, Air India Express and AI SATS.  Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, it is indeed noteworthy that the disinvestment process of Air India has been brought to a successful conclusion in a time-bound manner. He said, that this proves the Government's ability and the resolve to carry out disinvestment effectively in non-strategic sectors in the future. Mr. Scindia extended his best wishes to the new owner saying that he is confident that the airline will bloom under Tata Sons' wings, and pave the way for a thriving and robust civil aviation industry in India.  Department of Investment and Public Asset Management Secretary Tuhin Kant Pandey on Thursday said that the strategic disinvestment transaction of Air India successfully concluded with transfer of 100 per cent shares of Air India to Talace Private Limited along with management control. In a statement by the Tata Group, Chairman of Tata Sons Private Limited N. Chandrasekaran said that the Tata Group agree with the Prime Minister's vision for the aviation sector of making it affordable and boosting Ease of Living for the citizen. Last October, the Government approved Air India disinvestment.

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EXPORTS-GROWTH

India’s exports in electronic goods registered a growth of 49% in the April-December quarter in 2021. In a statement,  the Commerce Ministry said that the whopping growth saw an export of 11.0 Billion US dollars over the 7.4 Billion dollars during same period in the year 2020. The US ad the UAE were the top two Electronic Exports destinations.

The steps taken by the Government which are expected to increase the domestic manufacturing and export of Electronics Goods include the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing.

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SPORTS

In Tennis, Ashleigh Barty reached the Australian Open Women’s final with a 6-1, 6-3 win over unseeded Madison Keys. Barty is the first Australian woman to reach the singles final of her home Grand Slam tournament since Wendy Turnbull in 1980.

In the other semifinal American Danielle Collins beat 7th seed  Iga Swiatek in straight sets 6-4, 6-1 and advance to her maiden Grand Slam final

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FPR

Now let us take a look at the major developments around the world, as reported in the foreign press:

Let’s take a look at what made the headlines in Nepal-

Republica writes that a total of 75 projects being constructed in Nepal with Indian assistance will be inaugurated this year.

And now some press reports from Bangladesh-

The US has sent another batch of 3.2 million doses of Pfizer COVID 19 vaccine to Bangladesh, reports Prothom Alo.

In some reports from the press on China-

Financial Times reports that Apple has reclaimed the top smartphone seller spot in China in 2021 for the first time in six years as biting US sanctions throttled shipments from rival Huawei.

Now looking at the press reports from Afghanistan-

According to Pajhwok News, a 12-year-old Afghan boy was killed by rockets fired by the Pakistani armed forces into Sarkano district of eastern Kunar province. The incident confirmed by Taliban. The report adds that the Pakistan army has fired  several rocket into Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover.

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