THE HEADLINES:
• India and Chile agree to hold discussions toward Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to boost trade and investment; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chile President Gabriel Boric Font hold talks in New Delhi.
• Parliament passes Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025.
• Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to come up for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha tomorrow.
• Defence exports surge to record high of over 23,600 crore rupees in last fiscal, registering a growth of 12.04 percent.
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw calls for techno-legal approach to tackle crime.
• At least 18 people killed in fire at a crackers factory in Banaskantha district of Gujurat.
• In IPL T20 Cricket, Punjab Kings opt to bowl against hosts Lucknow Super Giants.
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India and Chile today exchanged agreements for cooperation in Disaster Management and Cultural Exchange. Both the sides also exchanged Letter of Intent on Antarctica cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with President of Chile Gabriel Boric Font in New Delhi, covering the full spectrum of India-Chile relations.
In his press statement, Mr Modi said, Chile is an important friend and partner for India in Latin America. He said, in today's discussions they identified several new initiatives to enhance cooperation in the coming decade. The Prime Minister said both the sides have instructed their teams to begin discussions on a mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Speaking on the occasion, Chile President Gabriel Boric Font, reiterated his country's commitment to enhancing bilateral ties. He highlighted the importance of strengthening commercial ties, investments, and critical mineral cooperation, which are essential to addressing global climate change challenges.
Briefing media this afternoon on Chile President's visit, Secretary (East) in External Affairs Ministry Periasamy Kumaran said, the two countries have agreed to hold discussions toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to expand trade and investment.
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Parliament has passed the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025 with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. Lok Sabha has already passed the bill. The Bill seeks to establish the Institute of Rural Management Anand, as a University to be known as the Tribhuvan Sahkari University and to declare it as an institution of national importance. It will also strengthen the co-operative movement in the country through a network of institutions and to declare the Institute as one of the Schools of the University.
Replying to a debate on the Bill, Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol said, in the last three and half years, the government has taken several initiatives to give new direction to the cooperative sector.
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The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will come up for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha tomorrow. Talking to the media at Parliament House today, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who also holds the charge of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, said that eight hours have been allocated for the discussion on the Bill in the House. He added that during the Business Advisory Committee meeting, it was agreed that the time for the discussion may be increased after taking the sense of the House.
The BJP has issued a whip to all its MPs in the Lok Sabha to ensure their presence in the Lok Sabha tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Congress also issued a whip to all its MPs in the Lok Sabha to be present in the House for the next three days.
Telugu Desam Party has also issued whip for its MPs in the Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, INDIA bloc Floor leaders in both the Houses of Parliament held a meeting in New Delhi this evening to discuss their strategy on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The meeting was attended by senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge as well as Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party, Kalyan Banerjee of TMC, T. R. Baalu of DMK, Sanjay Singh of Aam Aadmi party and others.
Talking to a news agency JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal said that the bill aims to help poor muslims and Pasmanda.
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The Rajya Sabha has passed the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025. The bill seeks to give legal effect to the convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment. The Bill also empowers the central government to make rules to implement the provisions of the Convention and the Protocol.
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Defence exports have surged to a record high of over 23,600 crore rupees in the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25, registering a growth of 12.04 percent. The Ministry, in a statement today, said that Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) have shown a significant increase of 42.85 percent, with 8,389 crore rupees in exports. In a social media post, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the country is marching towards achieving the target of increasing defence exports to 50,000 crore rupees by 2029.
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Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today called for a techno-legal approach to tackle crime as law alone cannot be sufficient in the new age. The Minister said this while delivering the 21st D P Kohli Memorial Lecture in New Delhi on the occasion of the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) 62nd Foundation Day. Mr Vaishnaw mentioned that rapid technological, economic and social growth have altered the context of conventional investigation. He said that to solve new age challenges, especially the ones raised by AI, the CBI should look at more collaboration with startups, industry and academia.
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At least 18 people were killed in a fire at a crackers factory in Banaskantha district of Gujurat. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed grief over the incident and announced a financial assistance of 4 lakh rupees to the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees to the injured. Talking to media, Cabinet Minister Rushikesh Patel said five people have been injured in the fire accident. A report:
At least 23 workers feared to be trapped under the debris after the collapse. Cabinet Minister Rushikesh Patel informed the media that the district administration undertook rescue operation immediately after the incident. Five injured people were rescued and are being treated at hospitals in Palanpur and Deesa while 18 workers mostly from the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh have lost their lives. The Minister also said that the factory's license had not been renewed, yet firecrackers were stored there. He assured that the government is taking strict action against those responsible for the incident, and two individuals have been arrested so far. Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News, Ahmedabad."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of lives in the explosion. He also announced an ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased and 50,000 rupees to the injured. Wishing a speedy recovery for the injured, Mr. Modi, in a social media post, said that the local administration is assisting those affected.
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The Ministry of External Affairs today said that the Army Field hospital established by an Indian medical contingent has treated around 104 patients as part of Operation Brahma in the earthquake-hit Myanmar. Two major surgeries were undertaken. The Ministry also added that one Indian Air Force aircraft C130J, carrying 16 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief material, arrived at Mandalay Airport in Myanmar at around 2 pm today.
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The Create in India Challenge (CIC) Season-1, as part of the World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), has achieved a new milestone by crossing 85 thousand registrations, including 1,100 international participants. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated that over 750 finalists from across 32 diverse challenges have been selected after a meticulous selection process. They will have the opportunity to showcase the outcomes and outputs of their individual challenges, talents, and skills.
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In IPL T20 Cricket, Hosts Lucknow Super Giants have set a target of 172 runs against Punjab Kings at Ekana Cricket Stadium. Earlier, put in to bat, Hosts Lucknow Super Giants posted 171 for 7 in stipulated 20 overs. Punjab Kings had won the toss and opted to field.
Both teams have 2 points each, with Lucknow placed on third position and Punjab at fifth in the points table. Lucknow won their last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad by 5 wickets but lost to Delhi Capitals by 1 wicket. Punjab, on the other hand, defeated Gujarat Titans by 11 runs.
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NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has shared her excitement about reconnecting with her father’s homeland, India and sharing her experiences about space exploration with people of the country. Ms Williams made these remarks while talking to the media after her return from an extended mission aboard the International Space Station. She returned to Earth aboard the SpaceX Crew 9 Dragon spacecraft on 19th of last month after a 286-day stay in space. In reply to a question about her views on India from space, the NASA astronaut described the country as amazing and highlighted the breathtaking views of the Himalayas she witnessed during her mission.
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The fourth edition of Exercise Tiger Triumph, the bilateral Tri-Service India-US Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief exercise has begun today at Visakhapatnam. This exercise is aimed at developing interoperability and formulation of Standard Operating Procedures for conducting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations between the two countries.
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India’s coal sector has crossed the milestone of one billion tonnes in cumulative production for the financial year 2024-25, reaching over 1,047 million metric tonnes. The Ministry of Coal today announced that this represents substantial growth of 4.99 percent compared to the financial year 2023-24, with a cumulative production of around 997 million metric tonnes.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN: -
• India and Chile agree to hold discussions toward Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to boost trade and investment; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chile President Gabriel Boric Font hold talks in New Delhi.
• Parliament passes Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025.
• Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to come up for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha tomorrow.
• Defence exports surge to record high of over 23,600 crore rupees in last fiscal, registering a growth of 12.04 percent.
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw calls for techno-legal approach to tackle crime.
• At least 18 people killed in fire at a crackers factory in Banaskantha district of Gujurat.
• In IPL T20 Cricket, hosts Lucknow Super Giants set a target of 172 runs against Punjab Kings.
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THAT IS ALL IN THE NEWS AT NINE.
GOOD NIGHT.