THE HEADLINES:-
- Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand to come into force on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami tomorrow; Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal says, FTA will open new opportunities for country’s exporters.
- Government asks Meta not to expose users to disproportionate or one sided narratives on its platforms.
- Action to be taken against online platforms for unauthorized sale of regulated explosive substances.
- New Delhi rejects Anti-India references in Organization of Islamic Cooperation resolutions; Accuses Pakistan of misusing the organization.
- Houthi attack on Yemen army camp in Shabwa kills 53 soldiers.
- Asian Para Games, India bags 11 medals including four gold and five silver to take its standing to 4th position on Day One.
<>< ><>
India and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will come into force on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami tomorrow. The agreement will provide duty-free access for 100 per cent of Indian exports to New Zealand. Addressing the ceremony marking the entry into force of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement in New Delhi today, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the agreement opens significant new opportunities for India’s exporters, particularly MSMEs, artisans, farmers and pharma.
$76F4F926-92FF-4891-A0E5-60DC08A00987$
Mr Goyal expressed confidence that this win-win partnership will achieve many more milestones, guided by the shared vision of growth and mutual prosperity between the two nations. A report:
“India has steadily expanded its global trade partnerships to strengthen economic growth, create jobs, and enhance its global standing. In recent years, the country has signed nine Free Trade Agreements covering 38 developed countries. The India-New Zealand FTA marks a significant milestone in this effort. The FTA between the two countries was signed in April this year at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The agreement protects India’s farmers’ interests, boosts labour-intensive sectors like textiles and leather, and opens new opportunities for Indian professionals, students, and service providers. The Bilateral merchandise trade between India and New Zealand stood at around 1.1 billion US dollar in 2025-26. For the first time, New Zealand has facilitated trade in Ayurveda, yoga, and other traditional medicine services with India. With Dipendra Kumar, Anand Kumar, Akashvani News Delhi.”
the occasion, the first-ever export of a JCB machine from India to New Zealand was flagged off by the Commerce Minister today. Tomorrow, on the entry-into-force day, flag-offs are planned for a range of products across agriculture, gems and jewellery, engineering and others.
<><><>
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio today said that the United States is close to finalising a trade deal with India. He was speaking to reporters in Samarkand, Uzbekistan today. Mr Rubio defended Washington’s decision to temporarily waive off sanctions for countries importing Russian oil and gas, saying the move was aimed at easing pressure on global energy supplies and prices.
Mr Rubio is scheduled to visit Mumbai tomorrow, where he will meet External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. Later, he is expected to travel to Jamnagar.
<><><>
Government has asked Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, to ensure that its recommendation systems do not result in disproportionate exposure of users to a single or limited set of narrative. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) suggested in an advisory that the company step up checks on content that could cause public disorder or incite violence or other unlawful activity. It further asked Meta to undertake appropriate measures to provide adequate context in relation to photographs, videos, graphics, or other content depicting on-going public events.
<><><>
India has categorically rejected the anti-India references in the resolutions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Baghdad between the 17th and 18th of this month. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement said, references to India are malicious, biased, and false, and have been orchestrated by Pakistan. It accused Pakistan of orchestrating the references and misusing the OIC to pursue its agenda. The Ministry reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India and that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has no right to comment on India’s internal matters.
The MEA said since the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed significant economic growth, infrastructure development and a boost in tourism and connectivity. It also accused Pakistan of using violence and repression against civilian protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of scores of people, including women and children.
<><><>
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated regulatory action against the un-authorized online listing, hosting, advertising and facilitating the sale of regulated and hazardous explosive substances on digital platforms. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said that the action is aimed at strengthening consumer safety, public security and responsible e-commerce practices. These substances such as Ammonium Nitrate, Gun Powder, Picric Acid and Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate, are classified as explosives and regulated under the Explosives Act, 1884.
<><><>
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today launched the upgraded Agri Welfare Portal for farmers. The portal aims to provide farmers across the country with direct, easy access to government schemes, financial assistance and reliable agricultural information on their mobile phones.
<><><>
Indian Railways has issued an advisory cautioning passengers against playing music, videos, or other audio on mobile phones in speaker mode on trains and railway premises. Any passenger found causing a nuisance by doing so can be removed from railway premises and will be fined up to one thousand rupees. Railway authorities can also seize the passenger’s ticket or pass, depending on the circumstances.
<><><>
The Election Commission has shared Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs on electoral process saying that Special Intensive Revision (SIR) seeks to ensure that no eligible Indian citizen is excluded from the electoral roll. It added that the aim of the exercise is to identify and remove any invalid entries like those relating to deceased persons, duplicate registrations, permanently shifted electors, foreigners and persons otherwise ineligible for electoral registration, in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure.
<><><>
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh today launched the revamped websites of Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Department of Defence. The Defence Ministry said that the modern, accessible and user-friendly platforms are fully compliant with the Digital Brand Identity Manual 3.0 and the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites 3.0.
<><><>
A Houthi missile attack on a Military training centre in Yemen’s Shabwa governorate has killed more than 53 recruits and injured over 200 others, according to preliminary figures released by the Shabwa Governorate Media Office. In a statement issued today, the local authority said the recruits were undergoing training and security qualification at the Martyr Ahmed Al-Sulaimani Training Centre when it came under bombardment by several ballistic missiles. The authority condemned the attack, holding the Houthi militias responsible.
<><><>
The police prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhone in southern France today banned all gatherings and demonstrations throughout the city of Marseille from noon to 8 pm local time (1800 GMT). French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed legal action against those responsible for violence during protests across the country on Saturday. In France, nationwide demonstrations on Saturday drew some 550,000 participants, uniting farmers, trade unions, climate activists and students demanding relief from high fuel prices, inflation and public service cuts. The gatherings rapidly descended into violent clashes. According to the French Interior Ministry, 997 police officers and gendarmes were injured, seven of them seriously, while 2,397 people were arrested nationwide. Protests against the rising cost of living also swept northern Italy, Belgium’s capital Brussels, Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and other Portuguese cities.
<><><>
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reached Dushanbe in Tajikistan this evening on a two-day official visit to represent India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The meeting is scheduled to be held tomorrow.
<><><>
The Indian Embassy in Italy has issued an advisory for Indian nationals in view of the protests and demonstrations held in some Italian cities last week. In a social media post, the Embassy has advised Indian nationals to exercise caution, avoid crowded areas and locations where protests are taking place, and follow local news about such events. It has also requested Indian nationals to contact on phone number +39 331 614 2085 and +39 3881647527 in case of any emergency.
<><><>
At the Asian Para Games in Japan, India bagged 11 medals, including four gold, five silver and two bronze on day one at Aichi-Nagoya today.
Nishad Kumar clinched India’s first para-athletics gold, winning the men’s long jump in T47 category. In women’s 1500 metre T12/T13 event, Soumya won gold while Radha Venkatesh secured silver. Ravanni Valasanaini won bronze in Women’s 1500m T11 event.
In the men’s javelin F46 event, Rinku clinched gold and Ajeet Singh won silver. Earlier today, in the women’s 10 metre air rifle SH1 event Mona Agarwal claimed the gold with a Games record, while Avani Lekhara took the silver as India opened its medal account with a top two finish.
Visually impaired judoka Kokila won silver medal in women’s J2 – 52kg Category. While Kapil Parmar won bronze in men’s J1 – 70 kg category.
In Swimming, Ravi Karthik won silver in men’s 100 m Freestyle S13 event. India’s medal tally has risen to 11, including four gold, five silver and two bronze medals.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have congratulated the medal winners.
<><><>
The festival of Navratri has reached its final day across Gujarat and Maha Navami is being celebrated with great religious fervor. We have a report :-
“The nine-day grand festival of Shardiya Navratri comes to a peaceful and devotional close today across the state of Gujarat. For the past nine days, households and public venues lit sacred lamps to honor the various manifestations of Goddess Durga. Today, garba grounds, streets, and residential compounds across every city are geared up for the ultimate night of music and dance. Tomorrow, on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, special havans will take place across residential societies to offer final prayers and seek divine blessings. On the occasion, people will respectfully submerge the sacred garbis, jawaras, and kalash into nearby rivers and lakes, marking the formal end of this vibrant cultural celebration. With Aparna Khunt, Harshal Pandya Akashvani News Ahmedabad”
<><><>
In West Bengal, the Mahaashtami of Durga Puja festival is being celebrated with traditional fervour across the state. More from our correspondent :-
“Today is Mahaashtami. People are gathering before the puja pandals across the state for the blessings of Maa Durga. Strict vigils are in place for the effective crowd control in the puja pandals. Earlier in the day, The Mahaashtami puja, anjali, Sandhi Puja and other rituals have been performed before the idol of Maa Durga in all the puja pandals and family pujas in Bengal. Kumari Puja which is a special ritual of Belur Math, and other Hindu maths have also been performed. Kalyan Laha reporting from Kolkata.”
<><><>
In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” tonight at 09.30, we will bring an insightful Discussion on Consumer Awareness and Protection with Anupam Mishra, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Dr. Sheetal Kapoor, Expert on Consumer Affairs.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand to come into force on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami tomorrow; Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal says, FTA will open new opportunities for country’s exporters.
- Government asks Meta not to expose users to disproportionate or one sided narratives on its platforms.
- Action to be taken against online platforms for unauthorized sale of regulated explosive substances.
- New Delhi rejects Anti-India references in Organization of Islamic Cooperation resolutions; Accuses Pakistan of misusing the organization.
- Houthi attack on Yemen army camp in Shabwa kills 53 soldiers.
- Asian Para Games, India bags 11 medals including four gold and five silver to take its standing to 4th position on Day One.
