THE HEADLINES:
- National Investigation Agency arrests four more prime accused involved in the Delhi Red Fort area terror incident.
- NDA leader Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the 10th time; 27 Ministers also sworn in.
- Supreme Court says, it cannot set timelines for President or Governors to decide on assent to bills.
- Enforcement Directorate files chargesheet against businessman Robert Vadra in a money laundering case linked to UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari.
- Fifty-sixth International Film Festival of India begins with a grand parade in Panaji, Goa.
- In the World Boxing Cup final, Indian boxers deliver a historic gold haul; Women win seven and men two gold medals.
- In Badminton, Ayush Shetty and Lakshya Sen set up an all-Indian quarterfinal clash in Australian Open.
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested four more prime accused involved in the Delhi Red Fort area terror incident. The NIA said in a statement that the four accused were taken into custody by the agency from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, on production orders from a Delhi court. NIA has identified the accused as Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai, Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay of Jammu and Kashmir and Dr Shaheen Saeed of Uttar Pradesh. The total number of arrests in the case has now risen to six.
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NDA leader Nitish Kumar took oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar today for the 10th time. $E31FE637-C14F-46B7-8391-54A2579EB93D$Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administered him the oath of office and secrecy at a swearing in ceremony at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and several top leaders of the NDA were present on the occasion. A total of 27 Ministers also took oath in the new Bihar government.
Prime Minister Modi has congratulated Nitish Kumar for taking oath as CM for the tenth time. He also congratulated Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha on assuming office as Deputy Chief Ministers.
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The Supreme Court today held that the Court cannot impose any timelines for decisions of the President and the Governor on granting assent to Bills under the Constitution. The Apex Court pronounced its opinion advisory on whether it can impose timelines on the President and State Governors for acting on Bills passed by State Legislatures.
A Constitutional bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai issued its opinion while answering 13 questions referred to it by the President Droupadi Murmu under Article 143 of the Constitution, pertinently, whether timelines can be fixed for the Governor and the President to grant assent to State Bills.
The Supreme Court refused to accept the preliminary objections raised by opposition-ruled states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala to maintainability of Presidential Reference, saying the issues raised in it pertain to the very core and foundational modalities of the constitutional machinery.
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The Enforcement Directorate has filed a chargesheet against businessman Robert Vadra in a money laundering case linked to UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari. The prosecution complaint has been filed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court. This is the second money laundering chargesheet against Mr Vadra. In July this year, he was chargesheeted by the ED in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in a land deal in Haryana's Shikohpur.
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A Special Task Force of Enforcement Directorate has attached multiple buildings in Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City and Millenium Business Park in Navi Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, and Bhubaneswar, worth around 14 hundred Crore rupees. In a statement, the agency said, the attachments have been made in connection with bank fraud cases of Reliance Anil Ambani Group under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. With this, the total attachment in the cases now stands at 8 thousand 997 Crore rupees, so far.
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The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) began in Panaji, Goa with unparalleled grandeur, as the opening parade transformed the city's streets into a riot of colors and lights. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L. Murugan flagged off the majestic spectacle, in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju and I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju.
Prominent film personalities like Muzaffar Ali, Festival Director Shekhar Kapur, Actors Anupam Kher and N Balakrishna, filmmaker Om Prakash Mehra among others graced the stage. Our correspondent tells us more about today's ceremony.
"The parade was a breathtaking spectacle that wove together the rich cultural heritage and cinematic legacy of India. Larger-than-life cutouts of legendary actor and filmmakers and props towered above the crowds, highlighting India's iconic films and legendary actors. The air was alive with the rhythm of music and pulsating drumbeats. Renowned actors, filmmakers, and industry professionals, who attended the opening of the grand parade, added glitz to the already dazzling atmosphere. Actor N Balakrishna was felicitated for his contribution to Indian Cinema through 50 glorious years. The parade concluded with a grand finale at the Kala Academy leaving the audience spellbound. The opening parade of IFFI 2025 was a fitting prelude to a week-long celebration that promises to be a cinematic spectacle like no other. With Adarsh and Nikhil, This is Saira Mujtaba, Akashvani News, Goa"
Dr L Murugan also inaugurated the WAVES Film Bazaar 2025 at the 56th IFFI at Panaji today. Addressing the event, Dr Murugan said, the WAVES Film Bazaar will serve as a bridge between the creators and the world. He called it a platform for young minds and new creators, presenting Indian content and storytelling to the world.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju termed the WAVES Film Bazar the world’s first e-marketplace for filmmakers.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a three-day visit to South Africa tomorrow to attend G20 summit in Johannesburg. Briefing the media in New Delhi today, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sudhakar Dalela informed that on the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi will also attend the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) leaders meeting.
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External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar has said, there has been a remarkable expansion across all pillars of India-Australia ties including trade, defence, security and technology. Speaking at the 16th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue in New Delhi with Australian counterpart Penny Wong, the External Affairs Minister expressed confidence that the ongoing negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement would be concluded soon. He highlighted that trade numbers today speak for themselves and those numbers are looking increasingly good.
Dr Jaishankar also met Industry and Commerce Minister of Afghanistan Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi in New Delhi today.
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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today invited Israeli companies and start-ups to co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India. Addressing the India-Israel Business Summit in Tel Aviv, Israel, the Minister expressed confidence that the speed, scale, skill, and talent of India can provide huge opportunities to both sides. Mr Goyal said that he highlighted the complementarities between India's industrial ecosystem and Israel's innovation ecosystem.
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In the World Boxing Cup final, Indian women boxers Nikhat Zareen, Arundhati Choudhary, Preeti Pawar, Minakshi Hooda, Parveen Hooda, Jaismine Lamboria and Nupur Sheoran delivered a golden sweep in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh today, marking a historic achievement for the country.
Indian men boxers Hitesh Gulia and Sachin Siwach also clinched yellow metal after winning final bouts in their respective categories. However, Ankush Panghal, Abhinash Jamwal, Pawan Bartwal and Jadumani Singh settled for silver after losing in the final.
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In Badminton, Ayush Shetty and Lakshya Sen have set up an all-Indian quarterfinal clash with their pre-quarterfinal wins today. Ayush defeated fourth-seeded Kodai Naraoka of Japan while India's number one Sen beat Taipei's Chi Yu-jen. On the other hand, HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth made an early exit from the tournament. In Men's doubles, top-seeded Indian pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty too made it to the last-eight. They defeated Chinese-Taipei's Su Ching Heng and Wu Guan Xun.
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The India Meteorological Department has predicted cold wave conditions over parts of West Madhya Pradesh for the next two days. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over Andaman and Nicobar Islands tomorrow. Heavy rainfall is also forecast over Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be in the very poor category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 386 as of 8 PM.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices, the Sensex and the Nifty, ended at their 52-week high levels, led by index heavyweights. A report:-
" The Sensex surged 446 points, to close at 85 thousand 633, while the Nifty advanced 140 points, to settle at 26 thousand and 192. Meanwhile, the broader market indices at the Bombay Stock Exchange displayed a contrasting picture. The Mid-Cap index dipped over 0.1 per cent, while the Small-Cap index declined around 0.2 per cent. In the forex market, the rupee today depreciated by 12 paise to close at 88 rupees and 70 paise against the US dollar. RAjesh Laikh for Akashvani News"
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- National Investigation Agency arrests four more prime accused involved in the Delhi Red Fort area terror incident.
- NDA leader Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the 10th time; 27 Ministers also sworn in.
- Supreme Court says, it cannot set timelines for President or Governors to decide on assent to bills.
- Enforcement Directorate files chargesheet against businessman Robert Vadra in a money laundering case linked to UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari.
- Fifty-sixth International Film Festival of India begins with a grand parade in Panaji, Goa.
- In the World Boxing Cup final, Indian boxers deliver a historic gold haul; Women win seven and men two gold medals.
- In Badminton, Ayush Shetty and Lakshya Sen set up an all-Indian quarterfinal clash in Australian Open.
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