THE HEADLINES :-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Yuva Shakti is leading Nation-Building effort with innovative ideas; Addresses concluding session of Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue in New Delhi.
- India and Germany deepen strategic partnership with wide-ranging agreements across defence, trade, technology, clean energy and mobility; Germany announces visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders.
- US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor says, two countries actively engaged in trade negotiations; Asserts, no partner more essential than India.
- Veteran singer of Bangladesh and Awami League leader Prolay Chaki dies in custody; Family alleges negligence.
- Centre notifies National Sports Governance Rules, 2026; Sets new standards for integrity and inclusivity.
- In Women’s Premier League Cricket, match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and UP Warriorz underway in Navi Mumbai.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Yuva Shakti is leading the nation-building effort with innovative ideas, energy and a strong sense of purpose. Mr Modi said this while addressing the concluding session of Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue in New Delhi this evening on the occasion of National Youth Day marking the birth anniversary of great spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda.
The Prime Minister said, the Young Leaders’ Dialogue is a historic and unique initiative that provided direct participation of youth in the country’s development.
Mr Modi said that when India marks 100 years of independence in 2047, it will coincide with the most significant phase in the lives of today’s youth.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister also visited the exhibition and interacted with young leaders to know their innovation and ideas.
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India and Germany today deepened their strategic partnership following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Gandhinagar. Following the meeting between two leaders, India and Germany exchanged 19 key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and made eight major announcements across defense, trade, technology, clean energy and mobility. German Chancellor arrived in Ahmedabad early this morning on a two day visit to India.
Later, addressing a joint press conference with Chancellor Merz after the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said, both nations signed a joint declaration to strengthen Defence Industrial Cooperation, focusing on co-development and co-production of military hardware.
Mr Modi stressed that the two nations are unanimous in their fight against terrorism.
On the economic front, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to the conclusion of India-EU Free Trade Agreement to unlock further growth.
Speaking at the briefing, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the European Union and India may conclude a free trade agreement by the end of this month.
The German Chancellor’s visit, which marks the 25th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership, also witnessed the signing of several other joint declarations of intent between the two countries across sectors including semiconductors, critical minerals cooperation and telecommunications.
Later, briefing media, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, Chancellor Merz’s visit to India witnessed a significant engagement between the two countries including the announcement of a visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders transiting through Germany, alongside a new framework for the recruitment of Indian healthcare professionals.
Mr Misri said, during their talks, the Prime Minister pointed to bilateral trade which has crossed the 50 billion dollar mark for the first time. Our correspondent has more details:
On the economic front, both leaders welcomed establishment of a CEO Forum to bolster trade and investment, for environmental sustainability, Germany announced a fresh funding commitment of 1.24 billion euros under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, supporting projects like the PM e-Bus Sewa and green hydrogen initiatives. The leaders also announced the decision to establish an India-Germany Centre of Excellence to enhance cooperation in green technologies, innovation and climate change. They also welcomed the signing of one of the largest Offtake Agreement under India’s National Green hydrogen Mission, for supply of Green Ammonia from AM Green to Uniper Global Commodities. On Cultural front, an agreement was signed for the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in collaboration with the German Maritime Museum. Besides, a comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education was exchanged to deepen institutional links between the two nations. The visit concluded with a strong emphasis on sports and youth, including a new agreement for the development of Youth Hockey. Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News, Gandhinagar”
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The Union Budget 2026-27 will be presented on 1st of February on Sunday in the Lok Sabha. The Budget Session of Parliament will commence from 28th of this month and will continue till 2nd of April. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated this while relplying to a question in this regard during a press conference in New Delhi today.
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Prime Minister’s flagship platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, PRAGATI, has marked a significant milestone with the successful conduct of its 50th meeting. Since its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, PRAGATI has transformed governance by enabling real-time monitoring and resolution of key infrastructure projects and public grievances through direct Prime Ministerial review. Over a decade, PRAGATI has helped accelerate decision-making, resolution of issues causing delay in key infrastructure projects, and instilled a strong culture of accountability. In this special series, today, our correspondent takes a look at the 4.5 kilomtere long Patna-Ganga Rail cum Road Bridge in Bihar.
“The Patna-Ganga Rail cum Road Bridge, popularly known as J P Setu, was conceived as a transformational multimodal infrastructure intervention across the River Ganga at Patna. The project was designed to resolve a long-standing structural bottleneck in north-south connectivity of Bihar by integrating rail and road transportation on a single bridge structure. The project was sanctioned in November, 2001. The project encountered significant on-ground challenges . Due to the delay in execution its cost increased by five times. The project was reviewed during the PRAGATI meeting by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 25TH March 2015 and directed to handover the land to railway and expeditiously disburset the compensation. With focused monitoring the project achieved 100 percent physical progress and was completed on 4th March 2022. The Bridge transformed connectivity across the river Ganga, reduced logistics costs for agricultural produce, industrial goods, and essential commodities and strengthens regional supply chains and market access. With Dipendra Kumar, Anand Kumar, Akashvani News Delhi.”
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Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav today reviewed Delhi’s Air Pollution Action Plan with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta while chairing a high-level meeting in New Delhi. During the meeting, Mr Yadav highlighted the need for smart traffic management, particularly at 62 identified congestion hotspots, to ensure smoother traffic flow. Emphasising vehicular pollution, the Minister stressed on strict action against polluting vehicles. He also directed that action must be taken against illegally operating and non-conforming units, including sealing where required.
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US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, has said that India and US are actively engaged for the ongoing trade deal negotiations. Mr Gor was speaking after assuming charge as the US Ambassador to India in New Delhi. He asserted that no partner is more essential than India.
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In Bangladesh, veteran singer and Awami League leader Prolay Chaki has died while in custody, with his family alleging negligence and denial of medical care. A popular singer in the 1980s, Chaki served as the cultural affairs secretary of the Awami League in Pabna district. He was arrested last month in connection with a case linked to an alleged attack during the anti-discrimination student movement. Jail authorities said, the singer died last night while undergoing treatment at the hospital after suffering a stroke and heart attack. His family has disputed the claim, alleging prolonged mental and physical torture in jail and accused prison officials of failing to provide timely medical treatment. His death has renewed debate over the treatment of detainees and access to medical care in custody in Bangladesh.
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Net direct tax collections in the country grew 8.82 per cent to over 18.38 lakh crore rupees in the current financial year so far. The collection includes net corporate tax receipts of 8.63 lakh crore rupees, while taxes from non-corporates, stood at 9.30 lakh crore rupees between 1st of April and 11th of January.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices, the Sensex and the Nifty, ended around 0.4 per cent higher. The Sensex climbed 302 points to close at 83 thousand and 878, while the Nifty added 107 points to settle at 25 thousand 790.
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President Droupadi Murmu extended her greetings to the citizens on the eve of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu, which are being celebrated tomorrow and on the 14th of this month. In her message, the President said that these festivals symbolise the country’s rich agricultural traditions and reflect its spirit of national unity.
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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” tonight, we will bring an insightful discussion on Misuse of Antibiotics and its ill impact. Dr SK Sharma, Former Head of the Department in Medicine at AIIMS and Dr Anupam Prakash working at the Department of Medicine in Lady Hardinge Hospital will take part in the discussion.
Listeners can ask questions to the experts on telephone numbers 011-23310481, 011-23717117, 011-23717106 and 011-23314444 from 9:30 PM onwards.
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The Central Government has notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026 under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The Rules set new standards for integrity and inclusivity. It provide the framework for the inclusion of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit, composition of the General Body and Executive Committee, election procedures, and disqualification criteria for members of National Sports Bodies and Regional Sports Federations. The Rules also outline provisions for the National Sports Election Panel and specify procedures for registration and periodic updating of affiliate units with the National Sports Board.
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In Women’s Premier League Cricket, UP Warriorz set a target of 144 runs before Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Navi Mumbai. Earlier, Put in to bat, UP Warriorz posted 143 for 5 in 20 overs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru had won the toss and opted to bowl. Yesterday, Gujarat Giants defeated Delhi Capitals by 4 runs at the same venue.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red colour warning for dense to very dense fog conditions in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi tomorrow. The weather agency has also predicted cold day conditions at isolated places in these regions.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Yuva Shakti is leading Nation-Building effort with innovative ideas; Addresses concluding session of Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue in New Delhi.
- India and Germany deepen strategic partnership with wide-ranging agreements across defence, trade, technology, clean energy and mobility; Germany announces visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders.
- US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor says, two countries actively engaged in trade negotiations; Asserts, no partner more essential than India.
- Veteran singer of Bangladesh and Awami League leader Prolay Chaki dies in custody; Family alleges negligence.
- Centre notifies National Sports Governance Rules, 2026; Sets new standards for integrity and inclusivity.
- In Women’s Premier League Cricket, UP Warriorz set a target of 144 runs before Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Navi Mumbai.
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