THE HEADLINES :-
- India and US outline trade agreement, energy security and mobility as key areas of cooperation in high-level talks in New Delhi.
- BJP candidate Debangshu Panda sweeps West Bengal’s Falta Assembly repoll by over one lakh votes; TMC candidate forfeits deposit.
- West Bengal government directs all district magistrates to set up holding centres for suspected illegal foreigners.
- Government ropes in IIT-Madras and Kanpur experts to fix CBSE re-evaluation portal glitches.
- In Karnataka, eight people swept away by strong currents in Tatte Hakkalu river in Uttara Kannada district; President, Vice President and Prime Minister express grief over the loss of lives.
- Normal life affected due to severe heatwave in Central and North West India; Conditions to continue for next seven days.
- At Asian Under-23 Wrestling Championships, Indian grapplers clinch three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals in Vietnam.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held wide-ranging discussions in New Delhi today. Both leaders reaffirmed the strength of the India-US strategic partnership and outlined key areas of cooperation, including trade, energy, mobility and regional security.
Addressing a press conference following delegation-level talks, Dr Jaishankar highlighted the need to conclude a trade agreement at the earliest, welcomed the expansion in energy trade, and stressed that diversified energy supplies are vital for India’s energy security.
On the Iran conflict, Mr Jaishankar said, both India and the United States have a strong interest in ensuring that global energy prices remain low and that there is unimpeded commerce. India’s position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy, as well as safe and unimpeded maritime commerce, was also reiterated. He also pointed out that India is one of the very few countries in the world which has strong relations with US, Israel, Iran as well as other Gulf nations.
Dr Jaishankar also highlighted the importance of people-to-people ties and said legal mobility should not be adversely affected.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly underscored the strategic dimension of the partnership, describing India as one of the United States’ most important partners in the world.
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National Security Advisor Ajit Doval today met US Secretary of State and NSA Marco Rubio in New Delhi. In a social media post, Ministry of External Affairs said, the discussions focused on defence, security and strategic technology cooperation, including the TRUST initiative.
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In West Bengal, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Debangshu Panda has registered a landslide victory in the repoll for the Falta Assembly constituency. Mr. Panda won by over one lakh nine thousand votes in a seat widely regarded as a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress, whose nominee slipped to fourth place and forfeited his deposit.
The Election Commission had ordered a repoll in Falta following allegations of large-scale malpractice during the polling for the West Bengal Assembly elections. The repolling was held on 21st of this month. More from our correspondent:
“Breaking the so called Diamond Harbour model of the Trinamool Congress, BJP set a record win in the Falta Assembly seat repoll today. Party candidate Debangshu Panda won the seat by a margin of one lakh nine thousand twenty one votes defeating his closest rival CPIM’s Shambhunath Kurmi who has got forty thousand six hundred forty five votes. Debangshu Panda has got one lakh forty nine thousand six hundred and sixty six votes. In an astonishing turn of event, Trinamool Congress’s candidate Jahangir Khan finished fourth with only seven thousand seven hundred eighty three votes. Congress is in the third position. By this win, total number of seats of the Bharatiya Janata Party has increased to 208 out of 294 assembly seats in the Bidhansabha. Kalyan Laha reporting from Kolkata.
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The West Bengal government has directed all district magistrates to set up holding centres for suspected illegal foreigners and foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation in line with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines.
According to an official communication issued by the Home and Hill Affairs Department, districts have been asked to take necessary steps for housing individuals identified as staying illegally in the country, including those who have completed prison sentences and are awaiting deportation. The directive instructs authorities to act as per the MHA framework on deportation and repatriation procedures for Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas found residing illegally in India.
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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has given directions to depute a team of professors and technical experts from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and IIT, Kanpur to assist the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in ensuring a glitch-free re-evaluation process. This decision has been taken in view of the developments and concerns raised by students and parents regarding the CBSE post-result services portal.
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Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today spoke with Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to address technical and payment-related issues being faced by students during the CBSE post-result and re-evaluation process. The Education Ministry said that, during the discussion, it was decided that State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank and Indian Bank will assist the Central Board of Secondary Education in strengthening its payment gateway infrastructure and necessary integration with the post-examination services portal.
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In Karnataka, eight members of a family, including seven women, drowned in the Tatte Hakkalu river in Uttara Kannada district today. The mishap occurred when they were collecting freshwater mussels and were swept away by strong currents.
Police said around 14 people from Shirali village had entered the river for mussel collection when overnight rainfall increased the water flow. As a few members were carried away by the current, others attempted to rescue them, resulting in the tragedy.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced an ex-gratia of five lakh rupees for the next of kin of each deceased.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the loss of lives in a drowning incident in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.
The Prime Minister extended his condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and prayed for the earliest recovery of the injured. Mr Modi has also announced an ex gratia of two lakh rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased.
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The government has debunked a social media post claiming that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is promoting an Quantum AI investment scheme promising citizens a monthly income of 3 lakh rupees against an initial investment of 22 thousand rupees. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau informed that the claim is fake and the viral video is AI Generated.
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Severe heatwave conditions have disrupted normal life across large parts of central and north-west India, with temperatures soaring well above seasonal averages. Several regions are experiencing intense dry winds and extreme daytime heat, forcing people to remain indoors during peak afternoon hours and reducing outdoor activity significantly.
Health officials have advised people to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight between noon and late afternoon, and take special care of children, the elderly and those with existing medical conditions.
The National Capital Delhi continues to reel under an intense heatwave, with temperatures hovering around 44 degrees Celsius across most parts of the National Capital Region today. More from our Correspondent-
“The temperature hovered around 44 degrees Celsius in most parts of the national capital amid a continued heatwave that has gripped north India over the past several days. The maximum temperature across various weather stations in Delhi-NCR remained significantly above normal today. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ayanagar and Ridge emerged as the hottest locations today, both recording a scorching 44.6 degree Celsius. Lodhi Road registered 43.8 degrees Celsius, while Palam and Safdarjung recorded 43.7 and 43.6 degrees Celsius. IMD has predicted the maximum temperature to hover around 43 to 45 degrees Celsius tomorrow in Delhi. Nitika Gupta, Akashvani News Delhi.”
Our Jaipur correspondent has filed this report:
Sri Ganganagar today recorded a maximum temperature of 46 degrees Celsius, while the mercury crossed 45 degrees in Banasthali and Alwar. Night temperatures in some districts also remained above 30 degrees Celsius. Roads are witnessing reduced movement during the day time, and even at night there is no relief from the oppressive heat. According to the Met Department, heatwave conditions are likely to persist in several parts of the state over the next few days. WITH Jitendra Dwivedi, ABHINEET SHUKLA, Akashvani News, Jaipur.
Madhya Pradesh is battling intense heatwave conditions, with hot winds sweeping across the state and temperatures crossing 43 degrees Celsius in several cities. We have a report:
“Madhya Pradesh is having a tough time right now. The heat is brutal and hot winds are blowing across the state. In most cities, temperatures have gone past 43 degrees Celsius. Today, the weather department put four districts Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna and Satna on Red Alert for severe heatwave. Eleven districts including got an Orange Alert and 22 districts are on Yellow Alert. So in total, 37 districts of the state are dealing with heatwave conditions today. The weather department says don’t expect any relief for at least the next four days. People are being asked to stay indoors drink lots of water, and keep a close eye on elderly people and children. Abhinav Goel, AKASHVANI NEWS, Bhopal.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said, severe heat wave conditions will continue to prevail over Central and Northwest India during next seven days. The IMD has issued a red alert for severe heat wave conditions over East Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha for tomorrow.
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President Droupadi Murmu will present Padma Awards for the year 2026 at a Civil Investiture Ceremony tomorrow. On the occasion, we are broadcasting special programmes as part of our series, ‘People’s Padma on Akashvani’.
[$DB3A7E59-DD33-4D3B-BC7A-5F41D1D8343C$PROMO-PADMA AWARDS – 28 SECS]
In these episodes, we provide listeners insights into the work and life of Padma awardees. To listen to the episodes, tune into 100.1 Akashvani Gold Channel tomorrow from 9.10 AM onwards. It can also be heard on News On Air App and NEWS ON AIR OFFICIAL Youtube channel.
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A four-member medical team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi today conducted second autopsy of former model turned actor Twisha Sharma in Bhopal in alleged dowry death case.
The post-mortem lasted nearly three hours under tight security arrangements. After completion of legal formalities, the body was handed over to the family, and the last rites were performed at the Bhadbhada crematorium in Bhopal.
33 year old Twisha died under suspicious circumstances at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on 12th of this month. While her in-laws have claimed it is a case of suicide, woman’s family has alleged that she was murdered by her husband and in-laws.
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At the Asian Under-23 Wrestling Championships, Indian grapplers continued their impressive run, securing three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals in Vietnam’s Da Nang today. In the women’s freestyle events, Mansi Lathera and Kajal Dhochak clinched gold medals, while Sweety and Neha Sangwan bagged silver medals. Ahilya Shinde added to the tally with a bronze medal finish. In the Men’s Greco-Roman category, Sumit Dalal won gold, while Neeraj Patel and Rohit Bura secured bronze medals.
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In IPL Cricket, Rajasthan Royals defeated Hosts Mumbai Indians by 30 runs at the Wankhede Stadium today to join Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad in this season’s playoffs and securing the fourth place in the points table.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- India and US outline trade agreement, energy security and mobility as key areas of cooperation in high-level talks in New Delhi.
- BJP candidate Debangshu Panda sweeps West Bengal’s Falta Assembly repoll by over one lakh votes; TMC candidate forfeits deposit.
- West Bengal government directs all district magistrates to set up holding centres for suspected illegal foreigners.
- Government ropes in IIT-Madras and Kanpur experts to fix CBSE re-evaluation portal glitches.
- In Karnataka, eight people swept away by strong currents in Tatte Hakkalu river in Uttara Kannada district; President, Vice President and Prime Minister express grief over the loss of lives.
- Normal life affected due to severe heatwave in Central and North West India; Conditions to continue for next seven days.
- At Asian Under-23 Wrestling Championships, Indian grapplers clinch three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals in Vietnam.
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