THE HEADLINES:
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal says in Rajya Sabha, India-US deal will unlock new opportunities for MSMEs, entrepreneurs, skilled workers and industry.
- Both Houses of Parliament hold discussion on Motion of Thanks to President’s address; Lok Sabha faces multiple adjournments amid ruckus over various issues.
- Yumnam Khemchand Singh takes oath as Chief Minister of Manipur; Says, the state will play important role in Viksit Bharat 2047.
- Two terrorists killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur.
- Ukraine and Russia hold second round of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi.
- In Asian Rifle and Pistol Championship, Esha Singh and Indian women win gold in 10m air pistol individual and team events in Delhi.
- And India enter the final of Under-19 Cricket World Cup beating Afghanistan by seven wickets at Harare. <><><>
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said, the government has taken care of sensitive sector like fertiliser and agriculture in the India-US trade deal. Making a statement in the Rajya Sabha today, the Commerce Minister said, the Agreement will unlock new opportunities for MSMEs, entrepreneurs, skilled workers, industry, enable access to advanced technologies.
Mr Goyal said the deal will act as a catalyst to strengthen manufacturing, expand employment opportunities, and propel economic growth, while unlocking new business avenues for both nations. Mr Goyal said both sides will work together to fulfill important processes related to trade agreement and finalise the paperwork so that its full capability can be taken at the earliest. He further informed that the details of the Agreement will be announced soon after the conclusion of these processes. He also clarified that the Government has said publicly several times that safeguarding the energy requirements of 140 Crore Indians is the biggest priority of the Modi government.
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Both Houses of Parliament today held discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address today amid uproar by the opposition. The proceedings in the Lok Sabha were marred on the third consecutive day. Opposition parties including the Congress, DMK, TMC and others raised slogans against the government over the US-India trade deal and border issues with China. The Lok Sabha witnessed three adjournments before being finally adjourned for the day.
Union Minister and leader of the House J P Nadda, while participating in the discussion, said, the President’s speech captured India’s growth story and it was highly inspiring. He said, her speech embodies the spirit of Amrit Kaal and also highlights the achievements of the Narendra Modi government. The Minister said the President also spoke about centuries-old culture and traditions.
Participating in the discussion, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that social justice and harmony has been deteriorated under the Modi’s government.
Later, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day.
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Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has criticised the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for disrupting the proceedings of the house by not following Parliamentary norms. He said Mr Gandhi wants to speak beyond rules on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address.
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President’s rule in Manipur was revoked and BJP MLA- Yumnam Khemchand Singh sworn in as Chief Minister of Manipur today. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification today announcing the revocation of President’s Rule in Manipur with immediate effect. The President Rule was imposed in the State on 13 February, 2025 following the resignation of then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and the Manipur Legislative Assembly, which has a tenure till March, 2027, kept under suspended animation.
” Yumnam Khemchand Singh along with the central party leader met the Governor this morning and claimed to form a BJP led NDA Government in the State. Later this evening, the leader of BJP legislative party and MLA- Yumnam Khemchand Singh took oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur. The Swearing-in ceremony was held at Lok Bhavan in Imphal and Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath to Shri Khemchand. Two other MLAs- Nemcha Kipgen of BJP and Losii Dikho of NPF were administered as Deputy Chief Ministers while BJP MLA- Govindas Konthoujam and NPP MLA- Khuraijam Loken were administered as ministers during the swearing-in ceremony. Shri Khemchand was elected from Singjamei Assembly Constituency in 2017 on BJP ticket and became Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly. He was again elected from the same constituency in the last assembly election and became minister to the then N. Biren Singh led government. JJ Thochom for Akashvani News, Imphal.”
Meanwhile, the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat has informed that the 7th session of the ongoing 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly will be held on Friday.
Talking to reporters after taking the oath, the Chief Minister said, Manipur will play an important role in the Viksit Bharat 2047.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Yumnam Khemchand Singh on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur. The Prime Minister also congratulated Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho on taking oath as the Deputy Chief Ministers of the state.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, two Pakistani terrorists, including a top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit, were killed today after they were trapped inside a natural cave in Udhampur district. Our Correspondent reports that several powerful blasts were heard when the forces stormed the cave around noon. One of the deceased terrorists is Rubani alias Abu Mavia, a top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit, who was active in the area for the last several years. While the body of one of the terrorists was lying on the mouth of the cave, another was found lying deep inside it. The terrorists were located by joint troops of Army, police and CRPF amid intensified search operations in the higher reaches of Ramnagar-Basantgarh yesterday leading to a fierce gunfight.
Army named the over 20-hour long operation as “Kiya” and said though it is over, the area still remains under surveillance.
Meanwhile in Kishtwar an encounter broke out between terrorists and joint security forces. Our Correspondent reports that joint teams of security forces are engaged in the operation in the Dichad area of Chatroo in Kishtwar district. Joint teams of security forces, including 2 Para Special Forces, are engaged in the operation.
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Ukrainian and Russian negotiators began a second round of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi today, aimed at exploring a possible end to four-year conflict. The two-day trilateral meeting bring together Ukrainian, Russian, and US officials in a fresh attempt to halt Europe’s biggest conflict since World War Two, which has killed hundreds of thousands, displaced millions, and devastated much of eastern and southern Ukraine.
Ukrainian side is led by National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. The Russian delegation is led by Military Intelligence Chief Igor Kostyukov. The US has sent envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to facilitate the discussions.
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The sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha arrived in Colombo today aboard a special C-130J aircraft of the Indian Air Force, marking their first-ever international exposition. High-level Indian delegation led by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi accompanied the relics. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake inaugurated the first ever exposition of the sacred Relics at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya expressed gratitude to the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making the sacred occasion possible.
The relics will be enshrined at the revered Gangaramaya Temple until February 10 for public veneration.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to Malaysia from 7th to 8th February at the invitation of Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim. This would be the third visit of Prime Minister Modi to Malaysia, and the first after elevation of India-Malaysia bilateral relationship to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ in August 2024.
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Olympian Esha Singh clinched a gold medal in the final of women’s individual 10m air pistol event at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi on the opening day of Asian Rifle and Pistol Championship. 21 year old Esha came from behind to score 239.8 in the final and claimed her second individual senior Asian Championship gold. In the team event, the trio of Esha, Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, and Suruchi Singh, went on to win the gold in Women’s Team 10m air pistol event with a combined total of 1,726.
World champion Samrat Rana settled for bronze in the final of Men’s individual 10m air pistol event.
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In Cricket, India entered the final of Under-19 ODI Cricket World Cup, defeating Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second semifinal match at Harare in Zimbabwe today. India achieved the target of 311 runs in 41.1 overs with the loss of three wickets. Among boys in Blue, Aaron George scored 115 runs off 104 balls, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struck 68 off 33 deliveries and skipper Ayush Mhatre added a valuable 62 runs off 59 balls. Aaron was adjudged player of the match.
Earlier, electing to bat first, Afghanistan posted 310 runs for the loss of four wickets in stipulated 50 overs.
India will now lock horns with England in the Summit Clash on Friday. England had defeated defending champion Australia by 27-runs in the first semifinal at Bulawayo. The Indian team has remained unbeaten in the tournament so far.
In Badminton, India began their campaign at the Asia Team Championships on a dominant note at Qingdao in China today. The Women’s team beat Myanmar 5-Nil in their opening Group clash while the Men’s team edged past Singapore 3-2.
The Indians continued their domination in the Doubles as well winning both the matches in straight games.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices, the Sensex and the Nifty, extended gains for the third consecutive session today. The Sensex added 79 points to close at 83 thousand 818, while the Nifty rose 48 points to settle at 25 thousand 776.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal says in Rajya Sabha, India-US deal will unlock new opportunities for MSMEs, entrepreneurs, skilled workers and industry.
- Both Houses of Parliament hold discussion on Motion of Thanks to President’s address; Lok Sabha faces multiple adjournments amid ruckus over various issues.
- Yumnam Khemchand Singh takes oath as Chief Minister of Manipur; Says, the state will play important role in Viksit Bharat 2047.
- Two terrorists killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur.
- Ukraine and Russia hold second round of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi.
- In Asian Rifle and Pistol Championship, Esha Singh and Indian women win gold in 10m air pistol individual and team events in Delhi.
- And India enter the final of Under-19 Cricket World Cup beating Afghanistan by seven wickets at Harare this evening.
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