Akashvani , National news, All India Radio News

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

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THE HEADLINES:

⦁ Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, country to step forward only by converting Amrit Kaal to Kartavya Kaal.

⦁ External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka from 18th to 20th January.

⦁ Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that India has initiated multiple schemes to strengthen health systems.

⦁ India welcomes UN sanction against Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki.

⦁ Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has submitted his resignation after the ruling Communist Party found him responsible for violations and wrongdoing.

⦁ Russia and Belarus began joint military exercises.

⦁ German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht resigns amid Ukraine war backlash.

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PM BJP MEET:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India's best era is coming, and BJP party workers should dedicate themselves to nation's development. Addresses a press conference in New Delhi, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said Prime Minister's concluding address at BJP meet was inspirational as well as a guide to show a new path. He said Mr Modi's speech was not of a political leader but of a statesman and he kept the nation above the party. Mr Modi urged BJP workers to spend every moment of their life in the development story of India.

Prime Minister said the country can be taken forward only by converting this 'Amrit Kaal' into 'Kartavya Kaal'. He advised party workers to conduct some special programmes of Morchas, especially in border villages to connect them with developmental schemes.

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JAISHANKAR MALDIVES SRI LANKA

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka from 18th to 20th January. During his visit to the Maldives, the Minister would call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and hold discussions with the Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Shahid. The visit will see signing of agreements related to the bilateral development cooperation, ground-breaking, inauguration, handing-over and launch of a number of key India-supported projects that will contribute to the socio-economic development of the Maldives. Dr Jaishankar's visit to Sri Lanka will follow his earlier visits to Sri Lanka in January 2021 and March last year. Sri Lanka is a close friend and neighbour, and India has stood with the people of Sri Lanka at all times. During the visit, External Affairs Minister will call on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. He will also hold discussions with Foreign Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry on the entire gamut of close India-Sri Lanka partnership and steps to strengthen it in all spheres. Both Maldives and Sri Lanka are India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and occupy special place in Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and ‘Neighbourhood First’. The visit is testimony to the importance that India attaches to its close and friendly relations with the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

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MANDAVIYA - HEALTH

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that India has initiated multiple schemes to strengthen health systems and improve health service delivery with focus on quality, accessibility and affordability of healthcare services. Dr Mandaviya said this while addressing the Health and Healthcare Community Dinner organized by World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland. He said, government is committed to implement the vision of Antyodaya as part of its pursuit of ensuring Universal Health Coverage. The Minister urged all stakeholders to partner with India to leverage opportunities and strive to create a healthier world for all.

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OM BIRLA-KENYA PREZ

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that innovation and research is the currency of the information age and therefore it is important to collaborate with like minded nations facing similar challenges. Mr Birla held a discussion with Kenya's President Dr. William Samoei Ruto at the Kenyan State House today and extended best wishes to Dr Ruto on his election as the President. The speaker expressed hope that India-Kenya bilateral relations will reach new heights of cooperation and prosperity and will also expand to new avenues like innovation, ICT and health. He also assured India's cooperation in sharing its expertise and experience with Kenya in this direction. Besides, Mr Birla also expressed the desire for exploring new areas of economic cooperation in order to further enhance trade and investment between the two countries.

Addressing the students at Nairobi University, Mr Birla lauded the efforts of India's youth and the government's enabling policy in making it world's fifth largest economy.

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla is leading a delegation to Kenya and Tanzania from 16 to 21st of this month.

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MEA-LeT

India has welcomed the decision of the UN Security Council to list Pakistan-based militant Abdul Rehman Makki, brother-in-law of Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Hafiz Saeed, as a global terrorist.

The listing, by the UN Security Council's ISIL and Al Qaida Sanctions Committee, will subject LeT terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki to an assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo after years of efforts by India and its allies.

Makki has occupied various leadership roles in LeT, including raising funds for the organisation. In response to media queries regarding the listing, Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, India remains committed to pursuing a zero tolerance approach to terrorism.

Mr. Bagchi added that threats from terrorist organisations in the region remain high and listings and sanctions by the UNSC, are an effective tool to curb such threats and dismantle terror infrastructure in the region.

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INDIA-SOUTH KOREA

The 5th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue between India and South Korea was held in South Korea. During the two day dialogue which concluded today, both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in areas including trade and investment, security and defense, science and technology, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges. India and South Korea have agreed to work to make global supply chains more resilient and robust. They also noted that bilateral trade was at an all time high of 28 billion US Dollar and agreed to take concrete steps to realize the vision of taking it to 50 billion US Dollar by 2030. The two sides also discussed opportunities for cooperation in new and emerging technologies.

Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Saurabh Kumar informed the Korean side about the opportunities India offers to Korean companies for investments in manufacturing, infrastructure and other sectors.

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INDIA FRANCE - EXERCISE:

The 21st Edition of the Bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France - Exercise VARUNA commenced on the Western Seaboard on Monday. The exercise will be conducted till the 20th of this month and will witness advanced air defence exercises, tactical manoeuvres, surface firings, underway replenishment and other maritime operations. The Ministry of Defence in a statement said, the exercise provides an opportunity to learn from each other’s best practices. While the bilateral exercise between the two navies was initiated in 1993, it was christened as ‘VARUNA’ in 2001 and has become a hallmark of India - France's strategic bilateral relationship.

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VIETNAM-PRESIDENT:

Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has submitted his resignation after the ruling Communist Party found him responsible for violations and wrongdoing of numerous officials under him, the country’s official news agency has said.

Phuc, 68, has held the largely ceremonial position for less than two years. It was not immediately clear who would replace him.

Phuc’s resignation follows the dismissal of two deputy prime ministers this month in an anti-corruption purge that has led to the arrest of dozens of officials.

Pham Binh Minh and Vu Duc Dam’s dismissal comes at a time when the Communist-ruled country is intensifying its fight against corruption, despite concerns the campaign is paralysing routine transactions as officials fear being entangled in inquiries.

Last month, the party disciplined Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son over the alleged involvement of several ministry officials and diplomats in the scandal over repatriation flights.

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GERMAN MINISTER RESIGNS:

German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht has resigned from Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government. Her decision dealt a blow to Chancellor Scholz at a time when Germany is under pressure to approve an increase in international military support for Kyiv. A government spokesperson said, Ms Lambrecht asked Mr Scholz to dismiss her, as formally required, and he has approved. The spokesperson said, the chancellor respects Ms Lambrecht’s decision and thanks her for the good work that she did during this difficult and challenging time as defence minister.

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HOTSPOT

In today's Hotspot Section, we bring you a News Commentary Think-20’ meeting under the G20 ‘Global Governance with LiFE, Values, and Wellbeing’.

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RUSSIA BELARUS DRILLS:

Russia and Belarus began joint military exercises on Monday. The two allies will conduct air force drills till 1st of February using all Belarus military airfields. The Belarusian Defence Ministry said, the two countries began joint army exercises involving a mechanised brigade subdivision on Monday. Minsk said, the air drills are defensive, and it will not enter the war. First Deputy State Secretary of Belarusian Security Council, Pavel Muraveyko on Sunday said, the situation on the country's southern border with Ukraine was not very calm. Belarus has conducted numerous military exercises since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, both on its own and jointly with Moscow. Together with Russia, Minsk has also been bolstering the drills with weaponry and military equipment.

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MEXICO-TOBACCO BAN:

Mexico has brought into force one of the world's strictest anti-tobacco laws by enacting a total ban on smoking in public places. The step, which was first approved in 2021, also includes a ban on tobacco advertising. Several other Latin American countries have also passed legislation to create smoke-free public spaces. However, Mexico's legislation is considered to be the most robust and wide-ranging in the Americas. It amounts to one of the most stringent anti-smoking laws in the world. Mexico's existing 2008 law - which created smoke-free spaces in bars, restaurants and workplaces - is now extended to an outright ban in all public spaces. That includes parks, beaches, hotels, offices and restaurants. There will also be a total ban on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, meaning that cigarettes cannot even be on show inside shops. Vapes and e-cigarettes are also subject to tighter new restrictions, particularly indoors.

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US-SHOOTING:

In USA, six people, including a teenage mother and her six-month-old child, were fatally shot yesterday in a central California home during a suspected gang-related shooting. Police said that there were at least two suspects who had not been caught. It said, two people survived the assault by hiding inside the building, while several of the wounded. One of the wounded died shortly after being rushed to hospital. Tulare is a city of some 70,000 inhabitants in the San Joaquin Valley, roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

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SOMALIA:

The military in Somalia has captured a strategic coastal town that al-Shabab jihadists had held for more than a decade.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre described the taking of Haradhere, in central Galmudug state, as an historic victory.

He said the enemy of the nation had been destroyed.

Other officials said the Islamist militant group fled without putting up a fight.

The loss of the port and supply route is seen as a set-back for al-Shabab.

In recent months it has lost swathes of territory during a sustained offensive by government forces working with clan militias. But the al-Qaeda-linked insurgents have responded with frequent bomb attacks.

Authorities in Somalia say 26 people have been killed and scores injured in Tuesday morning's attack at a military base in Hawadley town, in the Middle Shabelle region.

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BRAZIL-SECURITY

Authorities in Brazil’s capital have moved to increase security at government buildings that were ransacked by thousands of former President Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters in what the government denounced as an “anti-democratic” attack.

Brasilia district authorities said on Monday that they would more than double the security deployment at the Esplanade of Ministries and Three Powers Square, areas where the government’s presence is concentrated.

Acting district Governor Celina Leao also told reporters that a military police battalion in charge of security would be boosted from 248 to 500 members on a permanent basis for “maximum peace of mind”.

The changes come just over a week after Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace on January 8 in an effort to contest the new administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The left-wing president, who was formally sworn in on January 1, narrowly defeated Bolsonaro in an October presidential runoff that was widely viewed as the most divisive election in the South American nation’s history.

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VENEZUELAN-TEACHERS

Teachers, retirees and workers’ unions have marched in at least six Venezuelan cities to demand better salaries as the government of President Nicolas Maduro faces renewed challenges in its attempt to fight inflation.

Venezuela’s inflation is estimated to have reached 305 percent last year, according to a nongovernmental group of economists who calculate indicators in the absence of official data.

The government has not adjusted the salaries of public-sector employees since March last year, part of efforts to reduce spending and increase taxes which allowed Venezuela to emerge from hyperinflation.

But in the second half of last year, demand for foreign currency outstripped the weekly supply of dollars made available by the central bank and the Venezuelan bolivar depreciated further.

The minimum monthly salary for a public school teacher is about $10, while university professors earn between $60 and $80.

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INDONESIA-CHILDREN

Families of Indonesian children who died after consuming a tainted cough syrup have demanded restitution at an Indonesian court. The court has started hearing their class-action lawsuit against government agencies and pharmaceutical companies.

Some 200 children have died of acute kidney injury in Indonesia since last year and authorities said two dangerous ingredients - ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol - found in some syrup-based paracetamol medications have been linked to the deaths.

Twenty-five families are now suing Indonesia’s health and finance ministries, the country’s drugs regulator, and at least eight pharma companies for the children’s deaths and injuries.

Lawyer for the families Awan Puryadi told the Reuters news agency on Tuesday that his clients wanted compensation of up to 3.4bn rupiah. 25 families are suing 11 parties, including Indonesia’s ministry of health, the country’s food and drug agency, as well as pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and suppliers.

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WORLD NEWS CAPSULE

The Sensex and the Nifty today witnessed gains of around one percent. Index of top 30 companies at Bombay Stock Exchange ended above 60,600 points. The index of top 50 companies at National Stock Exchange, closed above the 18,000 mark. A report from the business desk-  

The Sensex climbed 563 points to settle at 60,656. The Nifty also gained 158 points to finish at 18,053. Among global stock markets, Asain shares fell except Japan's NIKKEI-225 which gained 1.2 percent. China’s Shanghai Composite index and Singapore’s Straits Times, both slipped marginally by 0.1 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.8 percent and South Korea’s KOSPI fell 0.9 percent. European shares were also down in intra-day trade. Oil prices logged modest gains as recent shift in Chinese COVID-19 policy underpinned hopes of a recovery in fuel demand this year. On the other hand, reports of second-weakest annual economic growth of China in nearly half a century kept the gains in a limit. In intra-day trade, Brent crude was trading at 85 dollars and 50 cents per barrel. Back Home, At the Multi Commodity Exchange, Gold futures for February was trading at 56,450 rupees per ten grams. Silver futures for March was trading at 69,630 rupees per kilogram when reports last came in. RAJESH LEKH for World News, All India Radio.

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MUHAMMAD ALI:

Muhammad Ali born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was born on this day in 1942. He was an American professional boxer and activist. Nicknamed, The Greatest, he is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century and is frequently ranked as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. A tribute to all time great pugilist.

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FIH HOCKEY WORLD CUP

In the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup, Germany and Belgium played out a thrilling 2-2 draw. Cedric Charlier gave Belgium the lead in the first quarter while Wellen Niklas levelled the score for Germany in the second. Tom Grambusch gave Germany the lead in the third, while Victor Wegnez scored the equaliser for Belgium in the final quarter.

Earlier, Korea defeted Japan 2-1 at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar.

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CRICKET - SHREYAS IYER:

Team India batter Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match ODI series against New Zealand due to a back injury. He has been replaced by Rajat Patidar. Rajat Patidar plays for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket. He is a right-handed batter.

The New Zealand home series will feature three ODIs and three T20Is. India will begin the series with the 50-over matches from tomorrow.

The T20 series will commence on 27th January.

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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 Strait Times writes, Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc quits, blamed for ministers’ ‘violations’.

⦁ The Guardian also writes, Vietnam president quits amid anti-corruption drive.

⦁ The Washington Post reports, Ukraine live briefing, Zelensky adviser resigns; military aid set to top agenda as Western allies meet.

⦁ Wall Street Journal writes, Losing New Mexico Candidate Arrested Over Shootings at Democrats’ Homes.

⦁ At least four houses and eight shops of the Hindu community were vandalised by religious bigots in Gopalganj's Kotalipara upazila over a Facebook post on Sunday evening, reports Daily Star.

⦁ Bangladesh has won a total of 13 awards, including one gold medal, two silver medals, two bronze medals, and eight technical medals at the 24th International Robot Olympiad (IRO), reports Dhaka Tribune.

⦁ A number of Bangladeshi lawmakers on Monday said the country's GDP now exceeded that of Malaysia and Singapore with securing 35th position in ranking of the world economy, reports Prothom Alo.

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 REPEAT HEADLINES

⦁ Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, country to step forward only by converting Amrit Kaal to Kartavya Kaal.

⦁ External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka from 18th to 20th January.

⦁ Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that India has initiated multiple schemes to strengthen health systems.

⦁ India welcomes UN sanction against Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki.

⦁ Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has submitted his resignation after the ruling Communist Party found him responsible for violations and wrongdoing.

⦁ Russia and Belarus began joint military exercises.

⦁ German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht resigns amid Ukraine war backlash.

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

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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