THE HEADLINES: –
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, investments from Nordic countries in India rose by 200 per cent in past decade; Attends third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo with counterparts from Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and Denmark.
- Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reviews Preparation for NEET (UG) re-examination to be held next month.
- Supreme Court allows euthanasia for rabid and dangerous stray dogs to protect human life.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend New Delhi BRICS summit in September this year.
- IMD warns of severe heatwave conditions in Northern India; Forecasts heavy rainfall in Southern region.
- In Cricket, Shubhman Gill to lead Indian squads in Test and ODI series against Afghanistan.
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India and the Nordic nations comprising Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland have elevated their bilateral ties to a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership. Mr Modi made the announcement while addressing a joint press meet with leaders of Nordic nations after attending the third India-Nordic Summit in Norwegian capital Oslo today.
Prime Minister Modi said, investments from Nordic countries in India rose by 200 per cent in past decade.
Prime Minister Modi affirmed that the relations between India and the Nordic countries are set to usher in a new golden era with the recently concluded trade agreements including Trade and Economic Partnership and India-EU Free Trade deal.
On terrorism, Mr Modi said, the two sides have a clear and united stand-no compromise, no double standards.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Ministers of Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and Denmark, reiterated their commitment to shared values of democracy, a rules-based global order, and urgent reforms in multilateral institutions in today’s changing world. Acknowledging India’s global stature, they stressed the need for enhanced cooperation with New Delhi, as countries sharing similar values, particularly to address the challenges of conflict and global disruptions.
Prime Minister Modi has since left for Italy on the fifth and final leg of his five-nation tour after concluding his visits to Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and UAE. Mr Modi is set to arrive in Italy’s capital, Rome later tonight. More from our Correspondent covering the Prime Minister’s visit:
“Talent and innovation exchange between India and Italy is expected to grow in the coming years. Speaking ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, which forms the final leg of his five‑nation tour, Indian Ambassador Vani Sarraju Rao said the trip would provide an important opportunity to address issues related to the mobility and welfare of the Indian community. Ms Rao noted that the Migration and Mobility Agreement signed in 2023 is already operational between the two countries. She expressed optimism that the movement of Indian students—currently around 5,000 in Italy—as well as academicians and researchers, is likely to increase in the near future. She further highlighted trade, defence, mobility, maritime security, and port‑related cooperation as key priority areas for bilateral discussions.
This is Superna Bhatia from Rome.”
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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today called for deeper collaboration between industry and government to advance ease of doing business, enhance India’s competitiveness and accelerate the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat. The Minister was speaking at the India Business Reform Summit in New Delhi. Mr Goyal said, the present global situation and geopolitical uncertainties should be viewed as an opportunity for India to strengthen supply chains.
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Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah today said Bastar division of Chhattisgarh will emerge as the country’s most developed tribal region within the next five years. Mr Shah was addressing the media in Jagdalpur. He said that after making Bastar free from Naxalism, the Centre and the Chhattisgarh Government have jointly prepared a scientific roadmap for the region’s development.
Earlier, the Union Home Minister chaired the 26th meeting of the Central Zonal Council in Jagdalpur. Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand, along with senior police and administrative officials, attended the meeting.
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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi to assess preparations for the forthcoming NEET (UG) Re-examination for admission to undergraduate medical education to be held on 21st of next month. Mr Pradhan directed that all gaps identified in the earlier examination process must be comprehensively addressed and eliminated. The Minister emphasized that re-examination must be conducted in a secure, seamless and fool proof manner under stringent security protocols. During the meeting, directions were issued to hold coordination meetings with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police across states to ensure robust monitoring and effective implementation of examination arrangements.
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Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that India remains one of the safest and most inclusive homes for minorities. Mr Rijiju stated this while addressing the Conference of State Minorities Commissions, organised in New Delhi today. Mr Rijiju said, when we look at neighboring countries in the Indian subcontinent, we often see minority communities facing existential challenges and seeking refuge in India. He said, from Afghanistan to Sri Lanka, minorities from across the region have looked towards India as a place of shelter, security and dignity.
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The Supreme Court today for the first time allowed euthanasia for rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous stray dogs, citing the need to protect human life and public safety. The Apex court issued a series of directions aimed at addressing the growing stray dog population across the country.
The order came in a suo motu case initiated on 28th of July last year following media reports highlighting incidents of stray dog bites and rabies cases, especially among children in the national capital.
Meanwhile, the top court dismissed pleas seeking a recall of its earlier order on the relocation and sterilisation of stray canines.
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Trinamool Congress candidate from West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency Jahangir Khan announced the withdrawal of his nomination ahead of by-election on the seat on Thursday.
The Election Commission had earlier declared the polling held on 29th April in Falta void over allegations of large-scale malpractice and ordered a fresh poll in all 285 booths. The counting of votes will take place on the 24th of this month.
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The Kremlin today confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the BRICS summit scheduled to be held in September this year in New Delhi under India’s chairmanship. The Russian Embassy in South Africa, in a social media post, cited an aide to President Putin, Yury Ushakov, as saying that the Russian President will attend the summit on 12th and 13th of September.
This will be Putin’s second visit to India in less than a year.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reached Seoul today on a three day official visit to South Korea after concluding his Vietnam tour. In South Korea, Defence Minister Singh will hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Ahn Gyu-back.
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Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has reiterated India’s steadfast commitment to equitable, inclusive and people-centric healthcare under the guiding principle of Health for All. Addressing the plenary session of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Mr Nadda said, India is accelerating towards Universal Health Coverage by expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of severe heatwave conditions in Northern India over the next few days. The weather agency forecasts heavy rainfall in Southern region. The IMD has issued a red alert for warm night conditions over Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha till Thursday. The weather agency has forecast heat wave to severe heat wave conditions over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh for tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the weather agency has forecast heavy rainfall over Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, and Lakshadweep till 21st of this month.
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In Cricket, the Indian Men’s squads were announced today for the upcoming one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan to be played in June. Shubman Gill will continue to lead India in both formats.
Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has been named the new vice-captain of the Test team, replacing Rishabh Pant who has also been dropped from the ODI squad. Shreyas Iyer returns to the ODI side as vice-captain.
Spinner Manav Suthar and pacer Gurnoor Brar have received maiden Test call-ups, while Prince Yadav has been included in the ODI squad for the first time.Ishan Kishan has been named as the second wicketkeeper in the ODI side.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja have been rested for the series as part of workload management.
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In IPL Cricket, Lucknow Super Giants were 213 for 2 in 18.4 overs against Hosts Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, when reports last came in. Earlier, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl.
As the league stage nears its end, five teams remain in contention for the lone remaining playoff spot. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad have already qualified for the playoffs.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN: –
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, investments from Nordic countries in India rose by 200 per cent in past decade; Attends third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo with counterparts from Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and Denmark.
- Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reviews Preparation for NEET (UG) re-examination to be held next month.
- Supreme Court allows euthanasia for rabid and dangerous stray dogs to protect human life.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend New Delhi BRICS summit in September this year.
- IMD warns of severe heatwave conditions in Northern India; Forecasts heavy rainfall in Southern region.
- In Cricket, Shubhman Gill to lead Indian squads in Test and ODI series against Afghanistan.
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