India bags ten medals including one Gold and three Silver at Asian Games in Hangzhou, China
Key domestic share indices trading almost flat in afternoon trade
Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy RK Singh inaugurates ‘India Energy Summit 2023' in New Delhi
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launches India's first Green Hydrogen fuel cell bus in Delhi
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurates Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 at IAF Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad
PM Narendra Modi addresses BJP workers rally - Mahakumbh in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Organisations in Karnataka calls for Bengaluru bandh against release of Cauvery river water to Tamilnadu
ED raids at houses and offices of former leaders and others associated with banned PFI in Kerala
PM Narendra Modi pays tributes to Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay on his birth anniversary
Israeli airstrikes struck militant sites in Gaza for third straight day
NAMASKAR! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective on AKASHVANI. This is RENUKA 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:
Supreme Court of India refuses to entertain PIL seeking direction for inauguration of new Parliament building by President Droupadi Murmu.
India's Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya asks pharma and medical device industries to focus on manufacturing affordable and quality products.
US President Joe Biden and top Republican Kevin McCarthy inch closer to two-year deal on US debt ceiling as default looms.
King of Cambodia to visit India on Monday, after 60 years as two nations mark 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
In Pakistan, 33 pro-Imran Khan protesters handed over to military for trial.
Government of India forms Steering committee to review and monitor Cheetah translocation project to Kuno National Park in State of Madhya Pradesh.
In Badminton, India's PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy enter singles Semi-Finals of Malaysia Masters at Kuala Lumpur.
The Supreme Court of India on Friday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a direction to the Lok Sabha Secretariat for inauguration of the new Parliament building by President Droupadi Murmu. The top court told the petitioner that it understands why and how this petition was filed and it is not inclined to entertain this petition under Article 32 of the Constitution. The petitioner said under Article 79, the President is the executive head of the country and she should have been invited. He, however, said if the court does not wish to entertain the petition, he be allowed to withdraw it.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on Friday said, the new Parliament building will make every Indian proud. In a tweet, Mr Modi shared a video which offers a glimpse of the iconic building. He requested people to share this video with their own voice-overs, which conveys their thoughts. He asked people to use the hashtag #MyParliamentMyPride. Prime Minister will retweet some of them.
India's Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Mansukh Mandviya has asked the pharma and medical device industries to focus on the manufacturing affordable and quality products. Inaugurating the international conference on pharma and medical device sector in New Delhi on Friday, he said quality can not be compromised in this competitive industry and the government is taking measures to ensure it. He stressed on the need for joint efforts to ensure the manufacturing of the best medicines and medical devices in the country. He informed that the government is going to bring the production-linked incentives scheme for basic chemicals to boost the industry. The Minister lauded the work of the pharma industry during COVID-19 period.
India's Narendra Modi government at the Centre has completed nine years in office today. On this day in 2014, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi took the oath of office and secrecy at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This is the second term of the BJP-led government which came into power for the second time in 2019. In these nine years, the country has witnessed transformation across various sectors. A series of measures have been taken for the welfare of the people, providing decisive governance, ensuring economic growth of the country, and raising the country’s stature at the global level. Home Affairs and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate National Conclave in New Delhi on Saturday. Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L Murugan will also be present at the occasion.
Talking to Akashwani News, Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati Gaurav Dwivedi said, three thematic sessions India Surging Ahead, Jan Jan Ka Vishwas, and Yuva Shakti Galvanizing India will be held during the event.
Indian Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday said, in the last 9 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has traversed unlimited Space. Addressing the India Defence Conclave 2023 in New Delhi, Dr Singh said, Prime Minister Modi has taken several policy initiatives in the past nine years to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment, thereby promoting Atmanirbharta in defence sector. He added that as a result, there is a quantum jump in Space sector in the last 9 years which surpasses the progress made in the preceding nearly six decades before that. Dr Jitendra Singh said, Defence and Space sectors are intertwined and both of them got an enabling milieu from the Prime Minister for its faster and indigenous growth by bridging the policy gaps. Referring to the strategic relevance of Space in view of recent global conflicts, the Minister said, Space, a dual-use technology domain, is emerging as an important multi-faceted enabler that provides unprecedented reach. The Minister pointed out that India has joined the elite club of a handful of countries countries in Quantum Technologies and currently R&D works in quantum technologies are underway in the US, Canada, France, Finland, China and Austria, therefore all the countries are at par as far as initiation of the Mission is concerned.
India’s Permanent Representative at UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj on Thursday received the Dag Hammarskjold Medal in honour of three Indian peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty last year. Three Indian peacekeepers, who lost their lives serving under the UN flag last year, are among 103 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers who will be honoured posthumously with a prestigious medal here for their service and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Border Security Force personnel Head Constables Shishupal Singh and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi, who both served with the Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and Shaber Taher Ali, who served in a civilian capacity with the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), was honoured with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal at a solemn ceremony held at the UN General Assembly hall on Thursday as UN marks International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
The Indian Navy has achieved another milestone with a MiG29K fighter undertaking a maiden night landing on the deck of INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier. India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Indian Navy. Indian Navy has said the successful maiden night landing of the MiG-29K on INS Vikrant is indicative of the Navy’s impetus towards self-reliant Indian.
In today's hotspot section, we bring you a news commentary on successful conclusion of PM's visit to Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia.
United States President Joe Biden has said, progress has been made in talks with top congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy over the US debt ceiling. The pair aim to reach a deal on raising the government borrowing limit for two years so it can keep paying its bills. A US debt default - with a 1st of June deadline looming, would upend the economy and have a global impact. The deal being reached could mean both sides can point to wins - Republicans on curbs to spending and Democrats on protecting key domestic programmes. During a White House event in Washington DC yesterday, President Biden said, his staff remained in conversation with the team of Mr McCarthy, the House speaker, and that the two sides were making progress. He added that defaulting on US debt is not an option. He said Americans deserved certainty over issues such as social security payments. Mr. Biden spoke of several productive conversations with Mr McCarthy. As per media reports, a US official has said, President Biden and Republican McCarthy are closing in on a deal that would raise the government's 31.4 trillion dollar debt ceiling for two years while capping spending on most items. The official said, the deal, which is not final, would increase funding for discretionary spending on military and veterans while essentially holding non-defense discretionary spending at current year levels. Republicans are seeking spending cuts in exchange for raising the 31.4 trillion dollar cap on government borrowing. The debt ceiling is a spending limit set by Congress that determines how much money the government can borrow - an issue on which Democrats and Republicans disagree. With no deal yet struck, the Treasury has warned that the United States will not have enough money to pay all of its bills as soon as the 1st of next month. Analysts say there could be severe economic consequences if the US fails to honor its obligations.
US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin will visit India next month to advance discussions on bilateral defence cooperation. The visit comes in the run-up to Prime Minister Modi’s state visit. Defence cooperation is expected to figure prominently among the outcomes. In a statement, Secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs in the department of defense Ely Ratner said India and the US are now more strategically aligned than ever before. He said defence relationship with India has always been top priority for America and could not continue in business as usual mode.
The US Food and Drug Administration, FDA has granted full approval to oral antiviral COVID-19 treatment, Paxlovid, for adults. The approval for the first oral antiviral pill developed by the drug maker Pfizer, will also provide doctors with more flexibility in prescribing the drug to adults with severe covid symptoms. In a statement, FDA said the efficacy of Paxlovid was primarily supported by the final results of the EPIC-HR clinical trial. Data presented by both the FDA and Pfizer helped ease safety concerns around a potential rebound in COVID-19 symptoms after a five-day Paxlovid course.
Saudi Arabia and Canada have reached an agreement to restore full diplomatic ties and appoint new ambassadors, bringing an end to a dispute that from 2018. The decision was made following discussions between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok in November last year. According to a Canadian government source, punitive trade measures will be lifted as part of this resolution. As part of the restoration of ties, Canada will appoint Jean-Philippe Linteau as its new ambassador to Riyadh.
King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni, will be visiting India on his maiden State visit from 29th to 31st of this month. Briefing media in New Delhi this afternoon, Secretary (East), External Affairs Ministry, Saurabh Kumar said the visit marks the culmination of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Cambodia. This visit by the King of Cambodia is taking place after almost six decades, with the last being that of the current King’s father in 1963.
Secretary (East) said, the King will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 30th May. President Droupadi Murmu will host a State Banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary the same evening. The King will also have bilateral meetings with the President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will call on the King. The King will also pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. Our correspondent reports India and Cambodia enjoy warm and friendly relations marked by civilisational, cultural and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties. The multifaceted relationship is based on shared cultural values, commitment to foster economic growth, collaboration in the fields of defence and security and convergence on regional and global issues.
India actively assists Cambodia in capacity building and human resource development. India has also extended grants and concessional loans for developmental projects. Conservation and restoration of the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Preah Vihar are being carried out under India's funding. India has extended a grant of 1.5 million dollars for purchase of demining equipment and has offered a line of credit worth 50 million dollars for procurement of defence equipment from India.
The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, visited the Southern Naval Command in Kochi on Friday. Vice Admiral Perera is on a three-day official tour to India. The visiting dignitary interacted with the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral M A Hampiholi and Rear Admiral Susheel Menon on improving maritime collaboration and on strengthening training engagements. Vice Admiral Perera will be the Chief Guest of the Passing Out Parade to be held at the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala on Saturday.
Thirty-three supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have been handed over to the army to face trial in military courts on charges of attacking armed forces’ installations. The 33 people are among the thousands detained since the arrest of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman on the 9th of this month sparked violent protests across Pakistan.
Cricketer-turned-politician, Imran Khan was arrested on graft charges, which he denies. While he was subsequently released on bail, his confrontation with the country’s powerful generals escalated.
Country's Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday said 33 suspects handed over to army authorities are accused of trespassing on and vandalizing sensitive military installations. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Mr Sanaullah said, evidence suggested the protesters damaged and stole important equipment, computers, and other sources of data collection. He said only those involved in breaching out-of-bounds areas would face trial under army laws, suggesting there would not be mass trials in military courts. In response to a question, the Interior Minister suggested that Imran Khan could also be tried in a military court, saying, evidence with them suggests, he is the architect of all this mess and planning.
The minister said after a verdict from the military courts the accused would have a right to appeal to a high court and then the Supreme Court.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo in Japan today. Japan's Meteorological Agency said, there is no threat of a tsunami. The agency estimates the epicenter was off the eastern coast of Chiba, and the focus was at a depth of 50 kilometers. Tremors were reported over wide areas from the Kanto-Koshin and Tohoku regions to the Tokai region with intensities of 1 to 4. The agency said, intensities more than lower 5 were felt in the Kanto region, including Tokyo and Chiba, for the second time this month.
The key domestic indices logged gains of about one percent. The index of the top 30 companies on the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, closed above 62,500 points while Nifty, the index of the top 50 companies at the National Stock Exchange, settled near the 18,500 level. Both stocks added amid mixed global cues. A report from the business desk:
The Sensex appreciated 629 points, or 1.02 percent, to finish at 62,502. The Nifty also climbed 178 points, or 0.97 percent, to end at 18,499.
Asian stocks ended mostly higher after Wall Street saw a tech rally led by Nvidia, and U.S. investors looked forward to a debt ceiling deal with just a week to go before the government faces a potential default. Japan's Nikkei-225 appreciated percent 0.4 percent and China's Shanghai Composite index rose 0.35 percent. South Korea's Kospi added 0.2 percent. On the other hand, Singapore's Straits Times index slipped 0.01 percent.Hong Kong's Hang Seng was closed on account of Vesak Day. In intra-day trade, European Markets were also up.
Oil prices were up despite conflicting statements from Russia and Saudi Arabia ahead of the next OPEC policy meeting and worries of weaker-than-expected demand growth. Brent crude was trading at 76 dollars and 80 cents per barrel.
Back Home, Gold prices, at Multi Commodity Exchange for June contracts, were trading at around 59,586 rupees per 10 gram. On the other hand, silver was trading at 71,082 rupees per kilogram for July Contracts when reports last came in.
And... In the forex market, the rupee appreciated 17 paise to close at 82 rupees and 57 paise against the US dollar. Lalima Aneja diang for World News, AKASHVANI.
Sri Lanka’s Minister for Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera, has said, the weekly fuel quota provided under the National Fuel Pass QR system would be increased in the upcoming fuel price revision starting next month. The Minister took to Twitter and said that the decision was made following a meeting held with the finance, commercial, and marketing divisions of the state run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.
India's National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has constituted a Cheetah Project Steering Committee to review, progress, monitor and advice on the Cheetah introduction to the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and NTCA. The 11-member-committee will be headed by Global Tiger Forum Secretary General Dr. Rajesh Gopal. It will also have a four-member consulting panel of international Cheetah experts. The committee will also be responsible for opening of the Cheetah habitat for eco-tourism, suggest regulations and advice on community interface for their involvement in the project activities. Since last year, twenty cheetahs have been translocated to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh from Namibia and four of them have been released from the fenced acclimatization camps into free-ranging conditions.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has expressed happiness over country's longest sea bridge Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. Responding to the tweet by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis. Mr Modi said it is next generation infrastructure which will boost ‘Ease of Living’ for people. Recently, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and Mr. Fadnavis reviewed the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link bridge, which is expected to be thrown open for the public in November this year. This 22-kilometer long 6-lane sea bridge from Sewri to Nhava in Mumbai will ensure Seamless, direct connectivity between South Mumbai and Raigad. The bridge will also reduce distance between Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Mumbai-Goa Highway, and save one hour travel time including fuel and transportation cost.
In Badminton, Indian shuttlers P.V. Sindhu and H.S. Prannoy advanced to the semi-finals of the Malaysia Masters on Friday. Sindhu, India's sole shuttler in Women's Singles, defeated Zhang Yi Man of China in the quarterfinals. She will face seventh seed and world number nine Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia in the Last four on Saturday. In Men's Singles, Prannoy defeated Kenta Nishimoto of Japan. Prannoy will take on Christian Adinata of Indonesia in the semifinals. However, Kidambi Srikanth was eliminated in the quarterfinals after losing to Christian Adinata of Indonesia. Malaysia Masters is the first event for the Road to Paris - the qualifying cycle for Paris 2024 Olympics.
In Men's Hockey, India lost to Belgium 1-2 in the European leg of the FIH Pro League in London this evening. Both the teams were level 1-1 at the end of 2nd quarter. Belgium scored the winning goal at the fag end of the 4th quarter.
In IPL Cricket, Chasing a target of 234 runs, Mumbai Indians were 181 for 3 in 7.1 overs in the second Qualifier match at Ahmedabad when reports last came in. Put in to bat, Gujarat posted 233 for 3 in stipulated 20 overs. Opener Shubman Gill scored his third hundred of this IPL season, scoring, 129 runs for 60 balls. The 23-year-old became the second Indian batter after Virat Kohli to hit three tons in a season. Sai Sudharsan also made valuable contribution for Gujarat Titans with a knock of 43 runs off 31 balls.
Earlier, Mumbai Indians won the toss and opted to field. The toss was delayed due to rain. The winner of today's match will face Chennai Super Kings in the summit clash on Sunday.
Now let us take a look at the major developments around the world, as reported in the Foreign Press.
The Wall Street Journal reports, Spending and Inflation Figures Come as Fed Debates Pause.
The Guardian writes, World Cup security guards still jailed in Qatar after dispute over unpaid wages.
Le Monde reports, Iran frees jailed Belgian aid worker in prisoner swap.
Washington Post reports, Russian missile strike wrecks Dnipro hospital, Zelensky says; Kyiv faces barrage.
South China Morning Post writes, China, Russia hold security talks in Moscow amid tensions with the West.
Khabarhub writes, South Korea seeks to join efforts to counter China’s economic coercion.
The Financial Times reports, Reliance seeks retail dominance in India with comeback deal for Shein.
The Business Recorder writes, Flood devastation: World Bank approves $213mn for Balochistan.
A QUICK LOOK AT THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN: