NAMASKAR! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective on All India Radio. This is NAVNEET SINGH 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.

<><><>

THE HEADLINES:

• India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates second phase of Saansad Khel Mahakumbh at Basti in Uttar Pradesh; Says government is focusing on ensuring resources, training and international exposure to sports persons.

• India announces 100 million Maldivian Rufiyaa for community development projects in Maldives.

• First G20 Health Working Group meeting under India’s G20 presidency begins in Thiruvananthapuram.

• Ukrainian Interior Minister and 15 other persons killed in a helicopter crash near capital Kyiv.

• Bill tabled in the US House to terminate Pakistan's status as Major Non-NATO ally.

• In Cricket, India beat New Zealand by 12 runs in first ODI at Hyderabad.

• In Australian Open Tennis, world number one Iga Świątek advances to third round; Defending champion Rafael Nadal crashes out.

<><><>

PM-SAANSAD KHEL

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India is making new records in the field of sports, and its performance is being discussed across the world. Inaugurating the second phase of Saansad Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23 in Basti district of Uttar Pradesh through video conferencing on Wednesday, he said, India has to achieve new goals and make new records in sports.

The Prime Minister highlighted the role of the Central Government in overcoming the challenges faced by the sports sector and informed that special emphasis is being laid on ensuring adequate resources, training, technical knowledge, international exposure, and transparency in the selection of players. He said the government is providing all support to players and is creating more infrastructure for sports.

The Prime Minister called upon youth, especially sports person to practice Yoga and consume millets for better fitness. Mr. Modi said that events like MP Khel MahaKumbh will give new direction to players in the country. Nearly 200 MPs are organising Khel mahakumbh which will benefit the youth.

Saansad Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23 is being organised in two phases. The first phase was organised from 10th to 16th December, 2022, and the second phase began on Wednesday. It will continue till 28th of this month.

Under the Khel Mahakumbh, diverse competitions are being organised in both indoor and outdoor sports.

<><><>

EAM VISIT TO MALDIVES

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar held discussions with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid in Manadhoo on strengthening India-Maldives cooperation and took stock of ongoing development projects financed by India in Maldives on Wednesday. He said, the MoUs and agreements are a reaffirmation of a strong developmental partnership between the two countries. He expressed happiness on witnessing an MoU between Maldivian National University and Kochi University of Science & Technology. The minister said India has handed over two sea ambulances to help the MALDIVES NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE (MNDF). He also said India has completed 23 out of 45 impactful community development projects. Dr Jaishankar announced an additional grant of 100 Million Maldivian rupiyas for more such community development projects. Dr Jaishankar and his Maldivian counterpart also reviewed several other ongoing projects which included Greater Male connectivity project and construction of 4000 social housing units. Dr. Jaishankar said India and Maldives are strong partners in the region to ensure peace and security. Dr Jaishankar reached Manadhoo on Wednesday as part of his three day visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka.  More from our Colombo correspondent:

"The visit of Dr S Jaishankar to Maldives and Sri Lanka has been viewed in an upbeat mood in both Indian Ocean Region countries. The external affairs minister underlined the strong partnership India has with Maldives and said that the two countries  together have a responsibility for peace and security in the region. Dr Jaishankar reviewed India backed projects which he said will transform the economic landscape of the archipelago nation. MoUs for an additional grant of 100 million rufiyaas, sports complex and capacity building between Maldivian and Kochi universities were termed as a reaffirmation of a strong developmental partnership between the two countries. Meanwhile, the Maldivian minister Abdulla Shahid expressed gratitude to Indian government for the constant support and for India’s commitment to socio economic development of Maldives. In a short while from now, Dr Jaishankar will participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development project under which a brand new terminal to cater to 1.3 million passengers per year and a 2.46 km runway would be developed at a total cost of 136 million dollars. AIR NEWS Dr. Ahmed Muyeen Farooqi/Colombo."

<><><>

G20-INDIA-HEALTH

The first G20 Health Working Group meeting under India’s G20 presidency began on Wednesday at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurated the 3-day event. Speaking on the occasion, she said the pandemic policy must be a defining part of our health policy as any health crisis on Wednesday leads to an economic crisis due to the multi-sectoral nature of inter-connected world. She emphasized on the need for strengthening and empowering communities to become resilient to future health emergencies. Dr Pawar said that the learnings must form the agenda for our preparedness and response together as Covid-19 will not be the last pandemic. In his keynote address, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan highlighted India’s strong culture of medical practices and innovation. The three-day meeting will focus on thematic discussions on three main priorities - health emergencies prevention, preparedness and response; strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, and digital health innovations to aid universal health coverage.

<><><>

MANDAVIYA-DAVOS

Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has said that India is committed to promoting Indian Life Sciences as a globally competitive sector to ensure the availability of drugs and medical devices in domestic and global markets affordability. Addressing the roundtable discussion on opportunities in R&D and Innovation in Life Sciences at the World Economic Forum, in Davos on Wednesday, the Minister said, India is taking concerted and coordinated efforts on Research and Development and Innovation in the Pharma-MedTech Sector to indigenously develop cutting-edge products and technologies. The Minister added that the government is promoting an enabling ecosystem for innovation in the Pharma-MedTech sector to become a leader in drug discovery and innovative medical devices. He also said that a large share of global market of 6.65 trillion US dollars in the life sciences sector, lies in innovation-based products. The Minister added that promoting drugs and innovation will unlock this value and also enhance the industry’s contribution to the Indian economy of an additional 10-12 Billion US dollars in exports every year. Mr Mandaviya said India is taking concerted and coordinated efforts on R&D and Innovation in the Pharma-MedTech Sector to indigenously develop cutting-edge products and technologies. The Union Health Minister urged the Pharma-MedTech sectors to move out of their comfort zone and adopt innovation as a driving feature of their business strategies. He stated that India is now poised to enter the global arena and move from high-volume to high-value products. He also informed that the Government is supporting the Medical Devices sector by a production-linked incentive scheme and underlined that the bio-pharmaceuticals sector has delivered a 5-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 50 percent.

<><><>

HOTSPOT

In today's Hotspot Section, we bring you a discussion on “Significance of World Economic Forum Meeting”.In conversation are Anil Wadhwa, Former Ambassador and Moderator: Rajesh Laikh, AIR Correspondent.

<><><>

UKRAINE-HELICOPETER CRASH

Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky is among 16 persons who were killed in a helicopter crash on Wednesday near a kindergarten outside the capital Kyiv. Several top officials of the interior ministry also died in the crash. There are no details about the cause of the crash. Officials said that at the time of the crash, children and employees were in the kindergarten.

<><><>

KATHMANDU-PM PUSHPA KAMAL DAHAL

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday expanded the Cabinet, inducting 15 more ministers from partners of the seven-party alliance. The expanded Cabinet has 23 ministers, including four deputy prime ministers and three ministers of state.

Dahal inducted one more deputy prime minister Rajendra Lingden from the right-wing Rastriya Prajatantra Party. Alongside deputy prime ministership, Rajendra Lingden also holds the Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation portfolios. Minister for Finance Bishnu Paudel, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane are the other deputy prime ministers in the Dahal administration.

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Cabinet ministers in the presence of the prime minister on Wednesday. All the ministers who took the oath of office and secrecy assumed their office on Wednesday.

Six of the ministers are from the CPN-MC, including the PM, eight are from the UML, four from the  Rastriya Swatantra Party, four are from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and one is from the Janamat Party.

<><><>

VIETNAM PRESIDENT

In Vietnam, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has announced his resignation amid the ongoing anti-corruption drive. The anti-corruption drive has led to several ministers being fired in Vietnam. Earlier, two deputy prime ministers who served under President Phuc had quit. Phuc, a former prime minister, held the post of president since 2021. The 69-year-old had served as prime minister of Vietnam from 2016 until April 2021, when he was elected president. The president's resignation requires approval from the National Assembly, which will hold an extraordinary vote on Wednesday, but it is expected to be a mere formality.

<><><>

US-PAKISTAN

A US lawmaker has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives that seeks to terminate Pakistan's designation as a major non-NATO ally, and require annual certification from the president with certain conditions for Islamabad to be given such a designation. The bill was introduced by Congressman Andy Biggs, who represents the fifth Congressional district of Arizona. It needs to be passed by the House and the Senate before it can be signed into law by the US President, and has been sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary actions. The bill asks the US President to issue a certification that Pakistan has shown progress in arresting and prosecuting Haqqani Network senior leaders and mid-level operatives and has taken steps to demonstrate its commitment to prevent the Haqqani Network from using any Pakistani territory as a safe haven. The bill also wants a certification from the US President that Pakistan actively coordinates with Afghanistan to restrict the movement of militants, such as the Haqqani Network, along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

<><><>

IAF-REPUBLIC DAY  

Indian Air Force has said that nine Rafale fighter aircraft will participate in the fly-past over the Kartvyapath during Republic Day parade on 26th January. The Republic Day fly past will comprise 45 IAF aircrafts - Indian Air Force. In a media briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday, officials of IAF said, the marching contingent of Indian Air Force will consist of four Officers and 144 air warriors. The contingent will be led by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy. The theme of the IAF tableau is Indian Air Force: Power Beyond Boundaries - Indian Air Force. Officers of the marching contingent of IAF said that they are very excited to be a part of Republic Day marching contingent.

<><><>

EDUCATION- SINGAPORE

India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met a delegation of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore led by  First Secretary, Singapore High Commission  Amanda Kwek on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they discussed strengthening cooperation in the education sector with a focus on democratising innovation, driving entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for the youth.

<><><>

MEN'S CRICKET-RESULT

In Men's Cricket, India won by 12 runs against New Zealand in the thrilling first ODI of the three-match series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Chasing the target of 350 runs, New Zealand were all out for 337 in 49.2 overs.  Michael Bracewell made a magnificent 140 in 78 balls. For India, Mohammed Siraj took four wickets.

Earlier opting to bat first, India made 349 for the loss of eight wickets.

Shubman Gill became the youngest ever to score an ODI double-century. He made 208 off 149 deliveries. The 23-year-old became the fifth Indian after Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan to score double hundreds for India in One-dayers. Gill also became the fastest Indian to record 1000 ODI runs during the game. While Captain Rohit Sharma made 34, Suryakumar Yadav scored 31. The 2nd ODI will be played at Raipur on Saturday.

<><><>

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

In Tennis, world number one Iga Świątek has advanced to the third round of Women's Singles in the Australian Open. The reigning French Open and U.S. Open champion defeated Camila Osorio of Colombia 6-2, 6-3 in the second round in Melbourne on Wednesday. Third-seeded Jessica Pegula also progressed to the 3rd round beating Aliaksandra Sasnovich  6-2, 7-6.

In Men's Singles, defending champion Rafael Nadal also crashed out of tournament on wednesday after suffering another injury issue. The Spaniard, who was aiming to clinch his 23rd Grand Slam singles title, lost to the 65th-ranked Mackenzie McDonald of America.

<><><>

WORLD NEWS CAPSULE

A report from the business desk-  

"The Sensex climbed 390 points to settle at 61,046. The Nifty also gained 112 points to finish at 18,165.

Among global stock markets, Asain shares rose except South Korea’s KOSPI which fell half a percent. Japan's NIKKEI-225 surged 2.4 percent and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed half a percent. Singapore’s Straits Times rose 0.3 percent while China’s Shanghai Composite index ended flat. European shares were flat in intra-day trade.

Oil prices rose to their highest since early December on optimism that the lifting of China's strict COVID-19 curbs will lead to a fuel demand recovery in the world's top oil importer. The crude prices climbed more than one percent. In intra-day trade, Brent crude was trading at 87 dollars and 20 cents per barrel. Arjun Chaudhary  for World News, All India Radio."

<><><>

REPEAT HEADLINES

• India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates second phase of Saansad Khel Mahakumbh at Basti in Uttar Pradesh; Says government is focusing on ensuring resources, training and international exposure to sports persons.

• India announces 100 million Maldivian Rufiyaa for community development projects in Maldives.

• First G20 Health Working Group meeting under India’s G20 presidency begins in Thiruvananthapuram.

• Ukrainian Interior Minister and 15 other persons killed in a helicopter crash near capital Kyiv.

• Bill tabled in the US House to terminate Pakistan's status as Major Non-NATO ally.

• In Cricket, India beat New Zealand by 12 runs in first ODI at Hyderabad.

• In Australian Open Tennis, world number one Iga Świątek advances to third round; Defending champion Rafael Nadal crashes out.

<><><>

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

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

<><><>