Evening News

THE HEADLINES:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, breaking language barriers should be our collective responsibility; Says, government sees every language as Mainstream voice.

• Ministry of External Affairs says, statements regarding USAID Funding are troubling and lead to concern about foreign interference; Inform, agencies probing the matter.

• External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar discusses bilateral relationship with his Chinese counterpart including resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

• Hamas confirms to release final six hostages tomorrow as part of ongoing ceasefire deal with Israel.

• In Champions Trophy Cricket, South Africa set a target of 316 runs before Afghanistan at Karachi.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that breaking language barriers should be our collective responsibility. Inaugurating the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in New Delhi, Mr. Modi highlighted that many saints of Maharashtra showed society a new direction through the Bhakti movement in the Marathi language.

Prime Minister Modi said, the government sees every language as mainstream voice. He pointed out that there has never been any enmity among Indian languages, rather, they have enriched each other. The Prime Minister said that since 1878, the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan has been a witness to the country's 147-year journey. He added that the conference is being held at a time when the nation is celebrating 350 years of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's coronation.

The three-day Sammelan will host a diverse array of panel discussions, book exhibitions, cultural performances, and interactive sessions with eminent literary figures.

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The External Affairs Ministry today said the recent statements about USAID funding are troubling and lead to concerns about foreign interference in India's internal affairs. Briefing media in New Delhi this afternoon, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said relevant departments and agencies are looking into the matter. He said this while replying to a query on US President Donald Trump's remarks about USAID funding.

The External Affairs Ministry said the Indian Mission in Panama is in touch with local authorities regarding the Indian nationals brought to Panama and Costa Rica on deportation flights from the US. Replying to media queries, Mr. Jaiswal said they are verifying details to determine whether the individuals concerned are Indians or not.

On the US flights carrying Indian deportees to Amritsar, the spokesperson said that India had shared its concerns with the US government. He informed that New Delhi has emphasized that those being deported should be treated humanely and that their religious sensitivities should also be taken into account.

Mr. Jaiswal also said that the government of India accords high priority to the safety, security, and well-being of all international students in the country. He said the Ministry has been in constant touch with the Odisha government and KIIT authorities since the matter of the death of a Nepali girl came to light.

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The BJP has accused the Congress of seeking support from foreign forces to interfere in the electoral process of the country. Addressing media at the Party headquarters today, party leader Gaurav Bhatia said, US aid was being used to interfere in the electoral process.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Pawan Khera has said that a false narrative is being spread that US aid of 21 million dollars was taken to destabilise the Narendra Modi government. He claimed that this money has gone to NGOs of Bangladesh.

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Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda has said the Kashi Tamil Sangamam is showcasing our unity in diversity and strengthening the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat. While addressing the third edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam at Namo Ghat in Varanasi today, the Union Minister said the Kashi Tamil Sangamam brings Tamil Nadu and Kashi, the two timeless centers of our civilization closer.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of the country and abroad in the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on Akashvani this Sunday. It will be the 119th episode of the monthly radio programme. The programme will be broadcast on the entire network of Akashvani and Doordarshan, the AIR News website, and the NewsOnAir mobile app. It will also be live-streamed on the YouTube channels of AIR News, DD News, PMO, and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Akashvani will broadcast the programme in regional languages immediately after the Hindi broadcast.

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today underlined that in order to retain its leadership, the G20 must be accurately reflective of global challenges in their entirety. He said this during his remarks at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting session on G20 objectives for 2025 at Johannesburg in South Africa. Dr. Jaishankar stressed that the G20 must always place the imperatives of collaboration higher than the compulsions of competition.

On international disaster response, Dr. Jaishankar said India supports strong frameworks for preparedness, emergency response, recovery, and reconstruction. India initiated the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) in 2019. The External Affairs Minister added that today, CDRI has 42 nations and 7 organizations as its members.

Earlier, Dr. S. Jaishankar held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. Briefing the media in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said they reviewed developments in the bilateral relationship, specifically the management of peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar noted that India and China have worked hard to preserve and protect the G20 as an institution. He said this in itself testifies to the importance of international cooperation.

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Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today said that Japan has been a key ally in India's economic growth and is the 5th largest source of foreign investment. Addressing the India-Japan Economy and Investment Forum in New Delhi, Mr. Goyal said that Foreign Direct Investment from Japan has exceeded 43 billion dollars between 2000 and 2024.

Mr. Goyal also said that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2011 has significantly strengthened bilateral trade, with over 1,400 Japanese companies operating in India.

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India today assumed the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh at the 13th Governing Council Meeting in Malé, Maldives. The Indian delegation, led by Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, assumed the Chair during the event. Dr. Likhi assured that India will work diligently towards elevating the success of BOBP-IGO to new heights.

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Now news from Mahakumbh.

Preparations have started for the last day of the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj to be held on the 26th of this month on Mahashivratri. As part of the preparations, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and DGP Prashant Kumar today reached the Mahakumbh area and reviewed the arrangements. Our correspondent reports that so far over 59 crore 19 lakh devotees have taken the holy dip at Mahakumbh:

"The Maha Kumbh is now in its final phase with the last important holy dip to be held on the occasion of Mahashivratri. More than one crore devotees are reaching the Maha Kumbh every day. UP Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and DGP Prashant Kumar inspected the Sangam Ghats by boat and examined the cleanliness and other preparations. Guidelines were also given to officers during the visit. Talking to the media, Mr Singh said that arrangements are being made for the last holy dip, better traffic control, crowd management, and weekend rush.

DGP Kumar said that the police are constantly monitoring any malicious attempt to spoil the atmosphere of Maha Kumbh. He assured strict actions against such elements and said that more than fifty FIRs have been registered so far. The final day of Mahakumbh will mark the end of a world-renowned mega event that has hosted millions of devotees from around the world. With Abhishek Kapil, Adarsh for Akashvani News, Prayagraj."

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Hamas has announced the names of latest Israeli hostages to be released tomorrow amid mounting outrage over the Palestinian group's admission that it released the wrong body instead of Shiri Bibas'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office confirmed that the hostages’ families have been informed of their imminent release.

Meanwhile, Arab leaders of all six Gulf states are meeting in Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh today to strategise a counter measure against US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to redevelop Gaza. The discussions are being held with the leaders of Egypt and Jordan ahead of a broader Arab summit next month.

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The benchmark domestic equity indices today ended the week's last trading session with losses of over half a per cent, extending their downslide to the fourth consecutive session.

"Sensex, declined 425 points to close at 75,311. Nifty dropped 117 points to settle at 22,796.In the Forex market, the rupee today ended marginally down by four paise to settle at 86 rupees and 70 paise against the US dollar. Gold was trading at 86,070 rupees per 10 grams, and Silver at 97,360 rupees per kilogram. Brent Crude was trading at 75 dollars and 78 cents per barrel. Niharika Bhuwania for Akashvani News."

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In the ICC Champions Trophy Cricket, South Africa have set a target of 316 runs before Afghanistan in a Group B fixture in Karachi. Chasing the target, Afghanistan were 141 for 6 in 33.3 overs when reports last came in.

Earlier, opting to bat first, South Africa scored 315 for 6 in the stipulated 50 overs riding on a maiden century from opener Ryan Rickelton and half centuries from three other batters.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

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