THE HEADLINES:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing hold bilateral talks in New Delhi.
India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement comes into force; Gives Indian exporters duty-free market access in Oman to 98 per cent of tariff lines.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expands cabinet with induction of 35 new ministers.
Gross GST collection rises to over one lakh 94 thousand crore rupees in May.
PM SVANidhi scheme completes six years; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, scheme opened new growth opportunities for Street Vendors.
Tensions flare up again in West Asia as US strikes radar and drone control sites in Iran.
And, India ends impressive campaign at Asian Under 20 Athletics Championships with 19 medals including ten gold in Hong Kong.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing held bilateral talks in New Delhi today. The talks aimed to further strengthen the historical and civilisational ties between the two countries. The entire gamut of relations between Myanmar and India, including security and connectivity, came up for discussions during their talks. Our correspondent has the details:
“The President of Myanmar will meet President Droupadi Murmu today evening at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He is also scheduled to visit to the Light and the Lotus: Relics of the awakened one Exhibition at Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in the national capital. The exhibition is showcasing the revered Sacred Piprahwa Relics associated with Gautama Buddha along with significant associated antiquities.The official visit of President U Min Aung Hlaing to India is expected to further strengthen and deepen the multi-faceted relations between the two countries. With SUPARNA, ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
The Myanmar President arrived at Gaya in Bihar on Saturday on a five day visit to India. He will also travel to Mumbai tomorrow for business and industry interactions and site visits.
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The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has come into force today. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, the CEPA will deepen the economic and strategic ties between the two nations. In an article published in a national daily, Mr Goyal said, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement immediately gives Indian exporters 100 percent duty-free market access in Oman to 98 per cent of tariff lines covering 99.38 per cent of exports. This marks a dramatic improvement over the pre-CEPA system that allowed only 15.3 per cent of India’s exports to enter Oman at zero duty. The Minister said that goods from India that currently face a 5 per cent import duty in Oman will become more competitive.
Mr Goyal added that the agreement will significantly benefit the country’s students, artisans, women, farmers, fishermen, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises by opening new markets, boosting exports, attracting investments, and accelerating job creation.
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The second India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue is underway in New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles are co-chairing the Dialogue. During the dialogue, both Ministers will review the progress in bilateral defence cooperation and identify new avenues for collaboration. The meeting is expected to further strengthen bilateral defence relations, promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region and identify new areas of collaborations in defence and security.
In his opening remarks, Mr Singh said, the defence ties between India and Australia have strengthened significantly.
Mr Marles said, Australia and India are doing a lot of work in the maritime domain. He said, both nations have never been more strategically aligned.
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Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 3.2 per cent to over one lakh 94 thousand crore rupees last month on improved supplies of goods and services and continued expansion of collection from imports. The gross GST collection in May last year was one lakh 88 thousand crore rupees. Gross Central GST collection from domestic transactions last month stood at 37 thousand 397 crore rupees.
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The West Bengal Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, was expanded today with the induction of 35 new ministers taking the strength of the Council of Ministers to 41. Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to 35 BJP MLAs at a swearing-in ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Kolkata. We have a report:
“13 cabinet ministers got berth in today’s expansion. The members who sworn in today as the cabinet ministers include Swapan Dasgupta, Arjun Singh, Tapas Roy, Shankar Ghosh and others. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was present at the ceremony along with senior political leaders, government officials and invited guests. The cabinet expansion is being seen as a significant step in strengthening the state government’s administrative structure following the formation of the new government. The new ministers are representing different regions of the state and a mix of experienced legislators and first-time ministers. The allocation of portfolios among the newly inducted ministers is likely to be announced later. Sandipon Dasgupta, Akashwani News, Kolkata.”
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Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme completed six years today. PM SVANidhi has enabled millions of street vendors to access easy credit and build sustainable livelihoods over the last six years. Since its launch in 2020, more than one crore 12 lakh loans have already been disbursed. Hailing the scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media post said, PM SVANidhi has transformed the lives of countless street vendors by ensuring access to collateral-free credit, financial inclusion and new opportunities for growth. More from our correspondent:
“Under the scheme, collateral-free loans of 15 thousand, 25 thousand and 50 thousand rupees are provided in three progressive tranches with interest subsidy and credit guarantee support. The initiative has benefited over 75 lakh beneficiaries across cities and towns. Loans worth over 17 thousand 800 crore rupees have been provided under the scheme. Over 55 lakh beneficiaries have been onboarded digitally under the scheme. Together, they have carried out over 841 crore digital transactions worth nearly 8.96 lakh crore rupees. Beneficiaries under PM SVANidhi have also received nearly 800 crore rupees through digital cashback incentives and interest subsidies. The scheme has been extended until March 2030. Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Notification was issued today for biennial elections to 24 seats of the Rajya Sabha from ten States. Four seats each in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka, three seats each in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, two seats in Jharkhand, and one seat each in Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram will go to poll on the 18th of this month.
Notification was also issued today for Rajya Sabha bypoll for one seat each in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha was issued today. The polling will be held on the 18th of this month. Counting of votes will take place on the same day.
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Five new judges have been appointed to the Supreme Court, taking the apex court’s working strength to 37 including the Chief Justice of India. The Centre had last month promulgated an ordinance amending the law to raise the Supreme Court’s sanctioned strength to 37 judges from 33, excluding the Chief Justice of India.
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The prices of 19 kilogram commercial LPG cylinder used by hotels, restaurants and other businesses has been hiked across the country. However, there has been no change in the rates of domestic cooking gas used by household.
The price of commercial LPG cylinder has been hiked by 42 rupees in Delhi and it will now cost three thousand 113 rupees 50 paise. In Mumbai, it has been hiked by 43 rupees 50 paise and commercial cylinder will now cost three thousand 67 rupees 50 paise.
The latest increase in commercial LPG prices came in the backdrop of rising global energy costs triggered by escalation of tensions in West Asia.
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Tensions have flared once again in West Asia after the United States carried out strikes on Iranian radar and drone control sites. The strikes targeted facilities in Goruk and Qeshm Island. The military action was conducted in response to shooting down of an American MQ-1 Predator drone by Tehran operating over international waters over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Kuwait today said its air defences were confronting hostile missile and drone attacks approaching the country. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks on Kuwait. The recent attacks reflect the fragility of a ceasefire in the Iran war. Our West Asia Correspondent has the details:
“Against this backdrop of military exchanges, diplomatic channels remain cautiously open. US President Donald Trump said he is close to reaching a very good deal with Iran, even though American media reports suggest he is pushing for significantly tougher terms than previously discussed. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington is ongoing, but was careful to note that nothing can be considered final until a deal is formally concluded.Elsewhere, Israel’s expanding ground invasion of Lebanon has drawn sharp international criticism. France has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the situation. Vinod Kumar, Akashvani News, Dubai.”
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Malaysia today began enforcing rules barring millions of children younger than 16 from owning social media accounts, joining a global effort to tighten online safety protections for young users.
Other countries including Australia, Brazil and Indonesia have also announced age-based restrictions for children’s access to social media.
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In Myanmar, the death toll from a powerful explosion in Kaungtup village of Namhkam township has risen to 55. More than 70 people were injured in the blast, which occurred yesterday following the accidental detonation of materials allegedly stored for mining purposes. Local authorities are providing relief, medical assistance, and resettlement support to affected residents.
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The result of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2026 has been declared for admission to the premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other top institutions. Announcing the results IIT Roorkee said, out of a total of one lakh 79 thousand 694 candidates who appeared for the exam on the 17th of last month, 56 thousand 880 candidates have qualified including 10 thousand 107 females. Shubham Kumar from the IIT Delhi zone secured the first rank.
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In the 22nd Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships, India delivered a historic campaign, finishing second in the standings with 19 medals comprising 10 gold, five silver and four bronze in Hong Kong. The runner-up finish marked India’s best-ever performance at the continental track and field championships outside home soil.
A total of 48 Indian athletes, 30 men and 18 women competed in the tournament held from 28th to 31th of last month. The championships are serving as a qualifying event for the World Under-20 Athletics Championships, scheduled to be held at Oregon, in United States in August.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the Indian contingent of Asian U20 Athletics Championships on winning 19 medals. In a social media post, Mr Modi said, this outstanding performance reflects the determination and excellence of India’s young athletes.
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In the Under 17 Asian Wrestling Championships, India’s women grapplers delivered a strong performance, winning a total of 10 medals, including 2 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze at Da Nang in Vietnam. Leading the charge, Diksha in the 43kg category and Garima in the 73kg category clinched gold medals.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall over Gujarat, Keralam, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and West Madhya Pradesh today. The Met Department has predicted thunderstorms and lightning over Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Rajasthan till tomorrow.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing hold bilateral talks in New Delhi.
India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement comes into force; Gives Indian exporters duty-free market access in Oman to 98 per cent of tariff lines.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expands cabinet with induction of 35 new ministers.
Gross GST collection rises to over one lakh 94 thousand crore rupees in May.
PM SVANidhi scheme completes six years; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, scheme opened new growth opportunities for Street Vendors.
Tensions flare up again in West Asia as US strikes radar and drone control sites in Iran.
And, India ends impressive campaign at Asian Under 20 Athletics Championships with 19 medals including ten gold in Hong Kong.
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