Akashvani , National news, All India Radio News

NAMASKAR! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective on All India Radio. This is ABHINEET SHUKLA and with me is RESHMA TIWARI 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:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr; Assures India’s full support to Philippines' development.

• India sets target to increase country's Health budget to 2.5 percent of GDP, says Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.

• Election to the Vice President of India to be held tomorrow.

• Fourth Edition of India-Oman Joint Military Exercise Ex-Al Najah-IV begins in Suratgarh Rajasthan.

• China halts cooperation with US in several areas over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan; Also suspends high-level military dialogue and climate talks.

• In Commonwealth Games; Indian wrestler Bajrang Punai wins Gold medal in 65 Kg free style wrestling, Anshu Malik settles for Silver medal  Indian Men's 4x400m Relay team qualifies for final.

• And in, India lifts SAFF U-20 football championship trophy by defeating Bangladesh 5-2.

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PM - PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a telephonic conversation with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and congratulated him for his victory in the presidential election. He will be the 17th President of the Philippines. Both the leaders reviewed various areas of bilateral engagement, and expressed satisfaction at the rapid growth of co-operation between the two countries in recent years.

During the talk, Mr Modi reiterated the important role that Philippines played in India’s Act East Policy and its Indo-Pacific Vision. He also expressed the desire to further expand bilateral relations. The Prime Minister also assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of India’s full support in his plans and projects for Philippines’ development.

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RS-RIGHT TO HEALTH BILL

India's Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has said, the government has set a target to increase the Health budget of the country to 2.5 per cent of the GDP, which is currently at 1.9 per cent. Giving details about the allocations made in the Health budget, he said, in 2014 the total health budget was to the tune of 33 thousand crore rupees which was increased continuously and now it has reached 83 thousand crore rupees in 2022-23.

The Right to Health Bill 2021 was moved by RJD member Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha which aims to provide for health as a fundamental right to all citizens and to ensure equitable access and maintenance of a standard of physical and mental health.

After completing his reply, the Health Minister requested the Mr Jha to withdraw the Bill but due to the paucity of time it was not taken for consideration.

Earlier, several Private Members’ Bills were introduced in the House. Later the House took up special mention business under which members raised several issues. After that the Chair adjourned the House for the day.

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VP-ELECTION

Election to the Vice President of India will be held tomorrow. The voting will take place at the Parliament House between 10 am and 5 pm. Mr Jagdeep Dhankar is the NDA candidate, while Ms Margaret Alva is the Opposition candidate for the Vice Presidential Election.

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CHINA-PELOSI-SANCTIONS

China is halting cooperation with the United States in a number of areas, including dialogue between senior-level military commanders and climate talks, in retaliation for the US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. China's Foreign Ministry today said that it was also suspending cooperation with Washington on the prevention of cross-border crime and drug trafficking, and repatriating illegal migrants, among eight specific measures.

In a statement released soon after Pelosi left Japan on the final leg of her Asian tour, China also cancelled a planned bilateral meeting on a maritime military security mechanism.

Beijing separately announced that it would personally sanction Pelosi and her immediate family in response to her vicious and provocative actions.

Pelosi is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the island in 25 years. In retaliation for the visit, China launched largest-ever military drills including live fire-drills with full force at six places around Taiwan which Taiwan officials said are “highly provocative” infringing on Taiwan’s territorial waters and amount to a sea and air blockade of the island. China has also suspended some trade with Taiwan. China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday also hit back at White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby’s comment on Thursday that China had overreacted and said, Beijing’s countermeasures against Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan are justified and not excessive.

The White House said in a statement that U.S. Policy had not changed and that it “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” According to media reports, the White House summoned Chinese ambassador Qin Gang on Thursday to condemn escalating actions against Taiwan and reiterate that the United States does not want a crisis in the region.

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TAIWAN-MISSILE SYSTEMS

Taiwan's Defence Ministry has said that multiple Chinese vessels and aircraft have crossed the Taiwan Strait median line for a second day today. The median line is the informal dividing line in the Taiwan Strait between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. It said that Taiwan's military has also deployed land-based missile systems and dispatched aircraft and ships to monitor the situation. Taiwan's Defence Ministry reiterated its statement that it would heighten its combat readiness, however, would not ask for a war.

Earlier, Beijing fired 11 ballistic missiles into waters around Taiwan's north-east and south-west coasts yesterday, as part of its biggest ever military exercises in the region following U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island.

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CHINA-JAPAN

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida strongly condemned missile launches by China as Chinese missiles for the first time landed in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone during live-fire military exercises conducted by China around Taiwan following U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei. Prime Minister Kishida also met the visiting US House Speaker and said that his government had urged Beijing to call off its military exercises immediately. Japan yesterday said, at least five missiles landed in its EEZ, a zone that stretches 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres or 230 miles) from the outer limits of its territorial seas and has lodged strong diplomatic protests over the move.

Dismissing Japan’s complaints, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters that since China and Japan have not yet carried out maritime delimitation in relevant waters, China does not accept the notion of so-called Japanese EEZ. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also cancelled planned meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister scheduled for yesterday in Phnom Penh on the sidelines of ASEAN Foreign Minister’s meet.

Chinese state media reported that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li summoned Japanese Ambassador in China Hideo Tarumi on Japan’s position with G-7 and EU concerning the Taiwan question, saying it seriously violated basic international rules and four China-Japan political documents. .

ASEAN Foreign Ministers, in a statement issued yesterday said, they were concerned about the ongoing cross-strait tensions, noting that they are occurring next door to Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi today praised Taiwan, pledged U.S. solidarity and said, her trip through Asia, which led to unprecedented military drills by an angry China, was never about changing the regional status quo. She said that China will not isolate Taiwan by preventing U.S. officials from traveling there. She made the remarks in Tokyo on the final leg of her Asia tour highlighted by a visit to Taiwan.

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HOTSPOT

In today's HOTSPOT section, we bring you a News Commentary India Leads the World in Digital Transactions.

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INDIA-OMAN-EXERCISE

Fourth Edition of India-Oman Joint Military Exercise Ex-Al Najah-IV is underway at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Suratgarh in Rajasthan. The exercise continued with physical training, weapon simulator firing and culminated with Tug of War match strengthening the bond through team spirit between Indian Army and Royal Army of Oman.

Exercise scheduled from 1st to 13 th of August aims to enhance cooperation and inter-operability India-Oman Friendship.

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ISRO - LAUNCH

The Indian Space Research Organization will send a small satellite launch vehicle on Sunday from Sriharikota. It is a three-stage vehicle with all solid propulsion stage. The mission is to launch Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-02 and a co-passenger satellite, 'Azaadi SAT', into low earth orbit. The satellite will be launched from Sriharikota at around 9.18 a. m.

The 'Azaadi Satellite' is designed by 750 girl students of the government schools in rural areas from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Space Kidz India Founder Dr. Srimathy Kesan said that it was an incredible opportunity for the girls to be a part of the programme.

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INDIAN NAVY

Indian Navy’s women officers have created history after they completed the first-ever all-women independent maritime reconnaissance and surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea onboard a Dornier 228 aircraft. The mission was carried out by five officers of the Indian Navy Air Squadron (INAS) 314 based at Naval Air Enclave at Gujarat’s Porbandar. The aircraft was captained by the Mission Commander, Lt Cdr Aanchal Sharma, who had pilots, Lt Shivangi and Lt Apurva Gite, and Tactical and Sensor Officers, Lt Pooja Panda and SLt Pooja Shekhawat in her team. For this, the women officers received months of ground training and comprehensive mission briefings in the run up to this historical sortie, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. The INAS 314 is a frontline Naval Air Squadron based at Porbandar, Gujarat. This “first-of-its-kind military flying mission” is expected to pave the way for women officers in the aviation cadre to assume greater responsibility and aspire for more challenging roles.

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IRAN-NUCLEAR TALKS

Indirect talks between Tehran and Washington resumed in Vienna with a meeting between Iran's chief nuclear negotiator and the EU representative yesterday. According to media reports, EU's Enrique Mora coordinated the talks. Iran’s state media announced that 'Bagheri Kani' had met and conferred with Mora as part of long-running negotiations on the removal of sanctions against the Islamic Republic. White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby said, the negotiations are pretty much complete at this point. Both Tehran and Washington have played down the prospect of a breakthrough in this round of talks.

Last month, the talks moved to the Qatari capital of Doha in a different format, with Tehran and Washington holding indirect talks mediated by the European Union.

According to media reports, Tehran also insists the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) drop its claims about Tehran's nuclear work, objecting to last year's assertion by the U.N. nuclear watchdog that Tehran had failed to fully explain uranium traces at undeclared sites.

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SOUTH SUDAN- GOVERNMENT EXTENTION

In South Sudan, the government has annonced that the country's transitional leadership will stay in power for another 24 months. Minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia Lomuro said, the decision to extend the mandate will help address the challenges that impede implementation of the 2018 peace deal that ended South Sudan's civil war. The 2018 peace deal calls for security, judicial, constitutional and electoral reforms to stabilize the world's youngest country.

According to media reports, the civil war killed an estimated 400,000 people in last five years. The South Sudan Government, led by President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar, also postponed elections to 2023 and blamed the postponement for the lack of a permanent constitution.

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THAILAND-FIRE

In Thailand, 13 people were killed and 35 other injured when a fire broke out at a night club in eastern Chonburi province early today. According to local media, nine men and four women died in the fire. The fire erupted when customers were enjoying music, leading to a stampede for safety. The premises opened about a month ago and is popular with young local people.

The Police said, the cause of the fire is still unknown and all victims so far have been identified as Thai nationals. A separate statement from the Chonburi Emergency Service described 14 of the injuries as severe.

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SOUTH AFRICA- VIOLENCE

In South Africa, protesters of a township near Johannesburg have set ablaze the homes of migrants, accusing them that they are illegally working in disused local mines. On Thursday morning, Police fired stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse angry mobs. The Police detained 22 men who had been targets of the violence in a move that may have been to prevent them being lynched. People armed with garden tools forced them to seek safety in old underground mine ventilation shafts. There has been widespread anger after a large group of miners were accused of the gang rape of eight women last week.

Local media reported that dozens of people are being held by Police in connection with the assault.

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UKRAINE-GRAIN SHIPS

The Turkish Defenсe Ministry has said that three ships loaded with grain under a recently concluded deal have left Ukrainian ports. The Defence Ministry said, the Panama-flagged Navistar, carrying 33,000 tonnes of corn and going from Ukraine to Ireland, departed from Odesa Port. The ship will be inspected by the Joint Coordination Centre to the north of Istanbul. The second ship, the Maltese-flagged Rojen, carrying 13,000 tonnes of corn departed from Chornomorsk port bound for Britain. The Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul, in a statement said that two ships were setting off from Chornomorsk and one from Odesa.  The centre comprises of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and U.N. personnel. It said, the three vessels carrying a total of about 58,000 tonnes of corn have been authorised to leave Ukrainian ports as part of a deal to unblock grain exports.

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UK-INFLATION

In United Kingdom, the Bank of England has warned the country will fall into recession as it raised interest rates by the most in 27 years. Interest rates rose to 1.75 per cent as the Bank battles to stem soaring prices, with inflation now set to hit over 13 per cent.

According to media reports, the economy is forecast to shrink in the last three months of this year and keep shrinking until the end of 2023. The main reason for high inflation and low growth is soaring energy bills, driven by Russia-Ukraine conflict.

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CWG 2230 HRS

On Day 8 of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Bajrang Punia won gold by defeating Canadian Lachlan Mcneil 9-2 in men's 65kg freestyle wrestling. This is the seventh gold for India in this Commonwealth Games. Deepak Punia has also defeated Alexander Moore of Canada in the men's freestyle 86kg and advanced to the final of the category. Mohit Grewal, however, lost his men's freestyle 125kg semi-final match to Amarveer Dhesi of Canada.

In Women's Freestyle 57kg, Anshu Malik settled for a silver after losing 3-7 to Nigeria's Folasade Adekuoroye in the final. Sakshi has also reached the final. Divya Kakra has defeated Cameroon's Blandine Nyeh Ngiri in the freestyle 68 kg repechage round 2. She will play for the bronze against Tiger Lily Cocker Lemalie of Tonga.

India have defeated Canada 14-10 in the men's fours quarter-final match.

In Athletics, India has created new Asian record in Men's 4X400m Relay clocking 3:00.25. They have qualified for the finals. Jyothi Yarraji, however, could not make it past the heats in women's 100m hurdles. She clocked 13.18. Ancy Sojan failed to qualify for the women's long jump final after finishing 13th with jump of 6.25.

In Table Tennis, Paddler Manika Batra has qualified for the quarter-finals in women's singles. She beat Australia's Minhyung Jee by 11-4, 11-8, 11-6, 12-10 in her round of 16 match. Sreeja Akula has defeated Wales's Charlotte Carey by 8-11, 11-7, 12-14, 9-11, 11-4, 15-13, 12-10 to reach the table tennis women's singles quarter-finals. The women's doubles team of Manika Batra and Diya Parag Chitale has reached the quarter-finals with a straight-games win.

Achanta Sharath Kamal and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran pair advanced into the semifinal with a 3-0 win over Tom Jarvis and Sam Walker in Men's Doubles Quarterfinal. The Indian men's doubles team of Harmeet Desai and Sanil Shetty also reached to quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Australia. Sharath Kamal beat Australia's Luu Finn 12-10, 11-8, 11-7, 11-6 in the men's singles round of 32. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran defeated Paul McCreery of Northern Ireland 11-9, 11-9, 12-10, 13-11 and advanced to the pre-quarters of men's singles. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Manika Batra have also reached the quarterfinals after beating Nigerian mixed-doubles pair of Ojomu Ajoke and Omotayo Olajide.

Achanta Sharath Kamal and Akula Sreeja stormed into the semifinal with a 3-2 win over Liam Pitchford and Tin-Tin Ho of England. Reeth Tennison lost to Singapore's Tianwei Feng in the women's singles round of 16.

In Badminton, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand beat Jemimah Leung For Sang and Ganesha Mungrah of Mauritius 21-2, 21-4 and sailed into the quarterfinals. In Men's Singles Round of 16 match, Kidambi Srikanth defeated Sri Lanka's Dumindu Abeywickrama 21 - 9, 21 - 12 and entered in quarter-finals

India's Bhavinaben Patel reached the final of the women's singles para table tennis. Sonalben Patel has lost in women's singles semi-final. She will now fight for the bronze. Raj Aravindan Alagar too lost in men's singles semi-finals in the event. He will also play for the bronze medal now.

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News just in

Sakshi Malik won Gold Medal in 62 Kg Women freestyle wrestling in Common Wealth Game being held at Birmingham.

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SAFF FOOTBALL

India lifted the SAFF U-20 football championship trophy by defeating Bangladesh 5-2 goals in the final at Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha tonight. Four goals from Gurkirat Singh and a lone goal from Himanshu Jhangra ensured Indian Team a worthy comeback in the final match which had gone to extra-time. India won this championship for the second consecutive time.

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FPR

Now let us take a look at the major developments around the world, as reported in the Foreign Press.

⦁ The Washington Post writes White House summons Chinese ambassador for rebuke on Taiwan response.

⦁ The Globe and Mail says U.S. cuts softwood tariffs by half for Canadian lumber as trade dispute lingers.

⦁ The Guardian reports London mayor urged to halt Silvertown tunnel scheme at 11th hour.

⦁ South China Morning Post reports China to allow Turkish delegation to come to Xinjiang 2 months after UN human rights chief’s visit.

⦁ The Financial Times writes US adds 528,000 jobs in surprise gain for labour market.

⦁ The Japan Times reports Japanese researchers to share Atomic-bomb survivors' stories on sidelines of U.N. meet.

⦁ Dhaka Tribune writes Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed Nepal to use Mongla and Chittagong seaports alongside Saidpur airport for mutual benefits.

⦁ Nikkei Asia reports North Korea tested explosive devices and begun digging new underground tunnels at its Punggye-ri nuclear test site, according to a draft U.N.

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REPEAT HEADLINES

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr; Assures India’s full support to Philippines' development.

• India sets target to increase country's Health budget to 2.5 per cent of GDP, says Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.

• Election to the Vice President of India to be held tomorrow.

• Fourth Edition of India-Oman Joint Military Exercise Ex-Al Najah-IV begins in Suratgarh Rajasthan.

• China halts cooperation with US in several areas over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan; Also suspends high-level military dialogue and climate talks.

• In Commonwealth Games; Indian wrestler Bajrang Punai wins Gold medal in 65 Kg free style wrestling, Anshu Malik settles for Silver medal   and Saskshi Mallik also wins Gold in women's Wrestling, Indian Men's 4x400m Relay team qualifies for final.

• And in, India lifts SAFF U-20 football championship trophy by defeating Bangladesh 5-2.

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And now, before we end, let us listen to Mahatma Gandhi's favourite bhajan Vaishnav Jan, by artists from NEPAL.

AND WITH THAT, WE END THIS BULLETIN. WE'LL BE BACK AT THE SAME TIME TOMORROW WITH THE NEXT EDITION OF WORLD NEWS.

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