THE HEADLINES:
Regional cooperation and connectivity to remain key focus for India at 25th SCO Heads of Government Meeting in Dushanbe; Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to represent India.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 and 2025 conferred on 106 young artists in performing arts.
IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rains over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal for next two days.
French President Emmanuel Macron seeks to introduce new security measures; expresses concern over security lapses during violent protests across the country; Over 2,400 people arrested.
And, India opens Asian Para Games medal account with gold for Mona Agarwal and silver for Avani Lekhara in women’s 10m air rifle event.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has departed for Dushanbe in Tajikistan to represent India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The two-day meeting, commencing today, will focus on strengthening cooperation in culture, connectivity, economy, innovation, investment and people to people ties, besides reviewing progress in financial and institutional functioning. A report:
The meeting will focus on strengthening multilateral cooperation among SCO Member States, particularly in the areas of trade, economy, investment, connectivity, innovation and cultural-humanitarian exchanges. According to the Defence Ministry, the meeting is expected to review the progress of ongoing cooperation initiatives and consider decisions regarding the Organization’s financial and institutional functioning. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for India to exchange views with other SCO Member States on advancing practical and mutually beneficial cooperation within the Organization. Samarth Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat today said that the vision of Viksit Bharat cannot be realised through good infrastructure and materialistic progress alone but art, culture and heritage will play a vital role in it. Addressing the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar Ceremony in New Delhi, The Minister said that the soul and true identity of India lies in its cultural traditions and heritage. Mr Shekhawat said that the country is undergoing an era of transformation, with its identity and stature gaining recognition across the world. He noted that artists have a significant role to play in this transformation. Mr Shekhawat conferred Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by Sangeet Natak Akademi for the years 2024 and 2025 to 106 young artists from across the country in the field of performing arts.
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India has crossed 300 gigawatt of Installed non-fossil fuel powered electricity generation capacities featuring addition of over 55 gigawatt during 2025-26. With its pre-set target of achieving 500 gigawatt of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, the central government highlighted Solar and Wind energy as the major contributors in its vision of clean energy dependency. A Report:
The government also shared some figures with respect to the requirement for energy storage to store renewable energy. It noted that the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) projects around 74 gigawatt of storage capacity by 2031-32. This includes around 27 gigawatt from Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) and over 47 gigawatt from Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). In addition, the government has also taken a series of coordinated policy, regulatory, demand-side and supply-side measures to promote the development and deployment of PSPs. Some of the measures include policy clarity, fiscal support, streamlined clearances, competitive procurement and integrated grid planning. These measures have created an enabling environment for the accelerated development of Pumped Storage Projects. PSPs can play a crucial role in meeting this long-duration storage requirement. They can also store electricity by pumping water to an upper reservoir during periods of surplus generation. With Dependra and Abhinav report’s, Sankyuta Yadav, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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Maha Ashtami and Navmi are being celebrated across the country today. The Mahaashtami-related puja and other rituals started early this morning.
In West Bengal, the Astami puja was performed early in this morning followed by Anjali and Sandhi Puja. Maa Durga is being worshipped today as Maa Maha Gauri. Kumari Puja is being performed in Belur math and other branches of Ramakrishna math and mission, other Hindu math and in some community puja pandals and family pujas. People are thronging to puja pandals for the blessings of Maa Durga.
In Uttar Pradesh, the ninth day of Navratri, is being celebrated with religious fervour. A report:
A large number of devotees are thronging temples and Shaktipeeths across the state on the occasion of Maha Navami. More than 25 lakh devotees visited the Maa Vindhyavasini Dham in Mirzapur yesterday to offer prayers. Another 20 to 25 lakh devotees are expected to visit the shrine today. Large crowds are also gathering at the Maa Pateshwari Temple in Balrampur, Maa Sheetla Chaukiya Dham in Jaunpur, Devkali Temple in Ayodhya and Lalita Devi Shaktipeeth in Sitapur. Around 45 thousand Durga Puja pandals have been set up across state during Sharadiya Navratri. These pandals are also witnessing a heavy influx of devotees seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga. The state government and administration have made elaborate arrangements to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees and facilitate smooth movement. Gorakshpeethadhishwar and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed Kanya Pujan and said that the Sanatan tradition has always accorded the highest importance to the protection, respect and dignity of women. He said the worship of young girls during Navratri symbolises this very spirit. SUSHIL CHANDRA TIWARI, AKASHVANI NEWS, LUCKNOW.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of Durga Puja today. In her message, the President said that the festival of Durga Puja reflects India’s rich spiritual heritage. She added that the festival of Durga Puja brings Indians together and the celebrations beautifully showcase India’s traditions, lifestyle, art and culture.
Prime Minister Modi has offered prayers to Goddess Mahagauri on Maha Ashtami, the Goddess of sacrifice and penance.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is going to meet the Foreign Minister of UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai today.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit of the UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be an opportunity to review all facets of bilateral cooperation under the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two sides will assess and take forward initiatives in the areas of energy, trade and investments, fintech, defence and connectivity. The External Affairs Minister is scheduled to hold talks with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio tomorrow here in Mumbai. The forthcoming visit of US Secretary of State is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to review India-US relations and discuss ways to further strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Dr Jaishankar will attend the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Independence of US as the guest of honor. Prarthna, Akashvani News, Mumbai.
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India will host the 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology for the first time from 26th of this month in New Delhi. The three days meeting marks a significant milestone in India’s growing role in international cooperation, harmonisation of measurement standards, promotion of fair trade and consumer protection.
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French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concern over security failures that led to violent protests across the country but rejected the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nunez amid the crisis. According to local media reports, at least 2,400 people have been arrested following the unrest, during which town halls were set on fire and hundreds of businesses were looted or damaged.
Macron directed the Interior Minister to ensure transparency over the planning and intelligence failures that led to the violence and introduce new operational methods for security forces. The protests followed calls by labour unions, student organisations and activists.
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Russia attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones overnight, killing one person and injuring eight others as well as damaging buildings and infrastructure in three districts. Ukraine’s Air Force today said, Russia launched a large-scale overnight air attack with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and 269 drones. Ukrainian air defences destroyed or suppressed 243 drones and four missiles. Strikes were recorded at 25 locations, and debris from downed targets fell in 8 locations. The list of targets hit in Kyiv includes a data centre, a Fire Point logistics hub where components for drones and Flamingo cruise missiles are stored, an industrial facility making drone components and a locomotive depot where missiles are stored.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange colour warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal today. Heavy rainfall is also expected over Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Mahe and South Interior Karnataka till tomorrow. The Met Department predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds over Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Konkan, Goa and Maharashtra for the day. Similar weather conditions are also expected over Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands today. For Delhi, the Weather Agency has forecast a clear sky today.
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In the Asian Para Games, Mona Agarwal claimed the gold with a Games record, while Avani Lekhara took the silver in the same event as India opened its medal account with a one-two finish in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event in Nagoya today.
Mona, a bronze-medallist at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, shot a record score of 250, edging her more celebrated compatriot Avani by just 0.4 points. Avani, a two-time Paralympic gold-medallist, settled for silver with 249.6. Korea’s Yunri Lee took the bronze in the same event.
SH1 classification is for shooters with lower limb impairments.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian shooter Mona Agarwal on winning Gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event at the Asian Para Games 2026. In a social media post, the Prime Minister said that her remarkable achievement has made India’s opening day even more special. Mr Modi said that her precision, determination and composure are truly commendable. The Prime Minister also congratulated Avani Lekhara on winning Silver in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 with an impressive score.
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Ekta Vishnoi has won three gold medals at the World Masters Classic and Equipped Powerlifting Championships in Nevada, USA. She claimed the top honours in the 57kg category with a combined lift of 362.5kg. She lifted 130 kg in squat, 72.5 kg in bench press and 160 kg in deadlift, finishing ahead of competitors from Canada and Japan.
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Indian shuttlers, led by two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu, will look to regain form at the French Open Super 750 badminton tournament, beginning tomorrow. Sindhu will face South Korea’s world number one An Se Young, while sixth seed Lakshya Sen takes on Japan’s Kodai Naraoka in the opening round.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices extended their losses and were trading over one per cent lower in the afternoon session today. The Sensex shed 887 points to 73 thousand 843, while the Nifty lost 261 points to 22 thousand 885, when reports last came in.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
Regional cooperation and connectivity to remain key focus for India at 25th SCO Heads of Government Meeting in Dushanbe; Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to represent India.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 and 2025 conferred on 106 young artists in performing arts.
IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rains over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal for next two days.
French President Emmanuel Macron seeks to introduce new security measures; expresses concern over security lapses during violent protests across the country; Over 2,400 people arrested.
And, India opens Asian Para Games medal account with gold for Mona Agarwal and silver for Avani Lekhara in women’s 10m air rifle event.
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