THE HEADLINES:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his two-nation Europe visit with engagements in Nice, France; To inaugurate Bharat Innovates 2026 jointly with French President Emmanuel Macron in a short while.
- Bilateral talks with President Macron to review progress in India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership to be held later today.
- 7 people killed in separate lightning strikes in Jharkhand since yesterday.
- Southwest monsoon to advance into parts of Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and South Chhattisgarh, in next 2-3 days.
- Over five thousand Bharatanatyam dancers create Guinness World Record for the largest Bharatanatyam dance lesson in Colombo.
- In ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, India to begin campaign against Pakistan in Birmingham this evening.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Bharat Innovates in Nice in a short while from now, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The flagship event , being held under the India-France Year of Innovation, will bring together more than 120 Indian startups, global investors, technology leaders and entrepreneurs, showcasing India’s rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem. Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will hold bilateral talks to review progress in the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership and discuss key regional and global issues. More from our correspondent:
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron will jointly launch Bharat Innovates, bringing together more than 120 Indian startups, investors and technology leaders from across the world. The event is expected to showcase India’s growing strengths in innovation, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies. Later, the two leaders will hold bilateral talks to review progress in the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership and discuss ways to further enhance cooperation in areas including technology, trade and defence. Following the talks and a luncheon hosted by President Macron, Prime Minister Modi will leave for Slovakia on the next leg of his visit. With Shailesh Menon, Akashvani News, Nice.”
Talking to Akashvani, Co-Founder of Sarvam AI Vivek Raghwan, expressed his appreciation for the first-of-its kind initiative by the Government of India to bring a large number of startups onto a single arena, giving them excellent opportunities and exposure.
Co-founder of Quanfluence, Aditi Vaidya highlighted how the maiden edition of Bharat Innovates was giving startups like theirs a platform to meet investors, researchers, as well as potential partners and customers.
Chetan, from Dhruva Space, explained platform like Bharat Innovates allows startups to place themselves before a global market, lending greater credibility to the company as well as to India’s startup ecosystem as a whole.
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Traditional Slovak hospitality will be accorded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bratislava this evening. More from our Correspondent in Bratislava:
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be given a traditional welcome with bread and salt upon his arrival in Bratislava. According to Slovak culture, guests and dignitaries are greeted with a loaf of bread and a small dish of salt. Bread represents prosperity, while salt symbolizes value, friendship, and protection. A renowned children’s folk group from the Myjava region of Slovakia will perform a traditional Slovak dance to welcome the Prime Minister. A performance of Vande Mataram by the Lucnica Ensemble will be another highlight of the arrival ceremony in Bratislava. Smithy M Palluruthy, Akashvani News, Bratislava in Slovak Republic.”
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India has worked to make quality healthcare more affordable and accessible over the last 12 years. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that the nation feels proud when it is known as the nation with the world’s largest healthcare programme, Ayushman Bharat, which provides top-quality healthcare to the most vulnerable. He said that efforts like PM Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana have made medicines affordable.
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Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that India’s healthcare sector has witnessed a transformative change over the past decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a strong focus on ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare for all citizens. In a social media post today, Mr Gadkari said government’s flagship healthcare initiatives have significantly strengthened the country’s health infrastructure and advanced the vision of a Swasth Bharat.Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also emphasized that India today leads several of the world’s largest healthcare initiatives.
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Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has said that the life, quality and overall situation of Minority Communities in the country have improved significantly over the past 12 years. In an interview with a national daily, Mr. Rijiju noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas has ensured that the benefits of development reach every section of the society.
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In Jharkhand, at least seven people, including three women and a 10-year-old boy, have been killed in separate lightning strike incidents across the state over the past 24 hours. Police said, two people lost their lives in Ranchi and two people killed in Garhwa district. The other fatalities were reported from Chatra, Giridih and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts. Authorities have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination.
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The Criminal Investigation Department is interrogating Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Bandopadhyay for his alleged involvement in signature forgery case of party MLAs. Today Abhishek arrived at the CID Headquarters Bhabani Bhawan in Kolkata. The CID is investigating the case following the Calcutta High Court order. It is alleged that Abhishek Bandopadhyay forged signatures of newly elected MLAs of Trinamool Congress after the Bidhansabha election in West Bengal for selection of Leader of Opposition in the Assembly.
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has informed that Karnataka has received five times more Central tax devolution as against the allocation during the UPA tenure. She was addressing the Viksit Bharat Sankalpa Samavesha in Bengaluru today. She refuted the allegations of Congress led state government in Karnataka that Karnataka is deprived of Central allocations.
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The Government has appointed noted economist Professor Alakh N. Sharma as Chairman of a High-Level Technical Expert Committee on Labour Statistics. The Committee has been constituted to strengthen and periodically review labour market indicators and assess the evolving structure of India’s labour market.
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A historic cultural milestone was achieved in Colombo today as more than 5,000 Bharatanatyam dancers performed together clinching the Guinness World Record for the largest Bharatanatyam dance lesson. More from our correspondent:
“In a spectacular celebration of shared culture and unity, more than five thousand Bharatanatyam dancers came together at Colombo’s Galle Face Green today, creating history with the world’s largest Bharatanatyam dance lesson. The Guinness World Records citation was presented following the performance, with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha receiving the certificate on behalf of the performers and organisers. The breathtaking performance transformed the iconic seaside venue into a vibrant showcase of tradition, discipline and cultural excellence. The event turned out to be a landmark moment for classical dance, and a proud tribute to the enduring cultural bonds between India and Sri Lanka. Ahmed Muyeen Farooqi, Akashvani News, Colombo.”
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In Odisha, the three-day Raja festival began today with the celebration of Pahili Raja, ushering in the onset of the monsoon and the Odia month of Ashadha. The festival symbolises reverence for Mother Earth and reflects the state’s rich agrarian traditions. More in this report:
“The Raja festival has begun across Odisha from today with the observance of Pahili Raja. One of the state’s most cherished cultural celebrations, Raja honours womanhood and symbolises the fertility and regenerative cycle of Mother Earth. The festival derives its name from Rajaswala, reflecting the belief that the earth, like women, undergoes a period of rest and rejuvenation. Consequently, agricultural activities have remained suspended during this period. Women and girls are at the heart of the festivities. They are adorned in new attire, relieved from household chores, and seen participating in traditional customs including swings, folk songs and community celebrations. Homes across Odisha are resonating with the aroma of festive delicacies such as Poda Pitha, Arisa Pitha, Chakuli Pitha and the popular Raja Paan, which are being shared with family, neighbours and friends. Raja is a unique celebration of womanhood and Odisha’s enduring reverence for nature and its life-sustaining processes. Prakash Dash, Akashvani News, Bhubaneswar.”
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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan has informed that they have collaborated with the Department of Atomic Energy to develop an advanced artificial heating system that can protect lunar lander from the freezing weather of the Moon. Addressing the CSIR-RISE Conclave in Bengaluru, the ISRO chief explained that Chandrayaan 3 lander Vikram fuelled by solar energy operated only for 14 days on Moon. ISRO will now work with the Atomic Energy department to develop a lunar lander that can survive on the Moon for up to 200 days.
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The White House has said that US President Donald Trump will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders during next week’s G7 Summit in France. A senior administration official said, discussions are expected to focus on economic growth, supply chains, Artificial Intelligence, investment partnerships and a range of global security challenges.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast favourable conditions for further advancement of southwest monsoon into remaining parts of Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, some more parts of Odisha and some parts of South Chhattisgarh during the next 2-3 days. IMD predicted heavy rainfall over parts of the North Eastern region, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala, Mahe, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal today. The weather agency said that thundersquall conditions are likely to prevail over Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and West Rajasthan till tomorrow. It added that Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Interior Karnataka and West Bengal will witness thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds today.
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Australia made a dream start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, defeating Turkiye 2-0 in their Group D opener. Goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe capped two clinical counter-attacking moves as the Socceroos claimed all three points. Australia remained compact and organised throughout the contest, frustrating their opponents and capitalising on their chances. For Turkiye, competing in their first World Cup in 24 years, the much-anticipated return to football’s biggest stage ended in disappointment.
Earlier in the day, Scotland moved to the top of Group C with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Haiti in their Group C opener in Massachusetts. with this, Scotland ended a 28-year wait for a World Cup victory.
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In the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, India will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in a Group A fixture at Edgbaston in Birmingham today. The match will start at 7 PM Indian Standard Time.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his two-nation Europe visit with engagements in Nice, France; To inaugurate Bharat Innovates 2026 jointly with French President Emmanuel Macron in a short while.
- Bilateral talks with President Macron to review progress in India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership to be held later today.
- 7 people killed in separate lightning strikes in Jharkhand since yesterday.
- Southwest monsoon to advance into parts of Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and South Chhattisgarh, in next 2-3 days.
- Over five thousand Bharatanatyam dancers create Guinness World Record for the largest Bharatanatyam dance lesson in Colombo.
- In ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, India to begin campaign against Pakistan in Birmingham this evening.
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