THE HEADLINES:
- India and Israel exchange multiple MoUs after delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
- Prime Minister Modi says, the two countries have taken a historic decision to elevate their ties to the status of a Special Strategic Partnership.
- Both countries also decide to give new momentum to cooperation in areas of AI, Quantum technology, and Critical Minerals.
- DGCA revises ticket refund rules for airlines; No additional charge for cancelling or amending air tickets within 48 hours of booking.
- US and Iran officials meet in Geneva for indirect talks amid massive US military build up in West Asia.
- In the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, India set a target of 257 runs for Zimbabwe in a crucial super 8 group 1 match in Chennai.
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India and Israel exchanged multiple Memoranda of Understanding, MoUs, today on several areas including cultural exchange, geo-physical exploration, fisheries and aquaculture, UPI and for advancing education through use of Artificial Intelligence. The MoUs were exchanges after the delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. In his press statement, Mr Modi said, India-Israel relationship is founded on the strong bedrock of deep trust, shared democratic values, and profound human sensitivities. He said, the bond has stood the test of every trial of time. The Prime Minister said, today, both sides have taken the historic decision to elevate the time-tested partnership to the status of a Special Strategic Partnership.
He said, nine years ago, he had the privilege of becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. Mr Modi said, stepping once again onto the historic land of Israel is a moment of pride and emotion for him. He said, today, both sides have decided to establish the Critical and Emerging Technologies Partnership. The Prime Minister said, this will give new momentum to cooperation in areas such as AI, Quantum technologies, and Critical Minerals. He informed that an agreement has been reached for the use of UPI in Israel.
Mr Netanyahu said, Israel and India are bent on innovation. He said, both nations are proud ancient civilisations and very proud of very past but absolutely determined to seize the future and both countries can do it better together.
We have a detail report on the Prime Minister visit to Israel.
Prime Minister had a series of programs in 2 days visit but one of the prime of them was his address to Israeli Parliament Knesset. Prime minister in his over 30 minutes speech touched upon many points. He was unequivocal in supporting fight against the all forms & manifestations of terrorism. Prime Minister also mentioned that the peace and stability of West Asia is very important for the global peace. He advocated India’s stand of conflict resolution through dialogue with wisdom, courage and humanity. Prime Minister also visited a tech exhibition in which top israeli Technologies were demonstrated. On the second day Prime Minister visited Yaad Vashem Memorial which is built in the memory of our 6 million jews who were killed in Nazi attack in the Holocaust episode. Today the Prime Minister also met the Israeli president Isaac herzog and discussed bilateral issues. In the concluding remarks after delegation level talks both Prime Ministers Expressed satisfaction & gratitude to each other. Prime Minister Modi said thank you for s”peaker of Knesset” award & dedicated it to 1.4 billion Indians and India-Israel friendship.The award was bestowed upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the parliament yesterday. Dhiraj Kakdia, Akashvani News.”
Later in a Joint Statement both the countries strongly condemned the heinous 7 October 2023 terror attack on Israel, the terror attack on Indian tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir on 22nd April 22, last year and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on 10th November last year.
Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu also reiterated their unwavering commitment to advancing global peace and security and welcomed US President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has since departed for India from Israel.
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA has revised the ticket refund norms for airlines. Passengers can now cancel or change air tickets without paying additional charge within 48 hours of making the bookings subject to certain conditions. It said, airlines should not levy any additional charge for correction in the name of the same person when the error is pointed out by the passenger within 24 hours of making the booking, when the ticket is booked directly through the airline’s website.
DGCA said, in case of purchase of ticket through travel agent or portal, onus of refund shall lie with the airlines as agents are their appointed representatives. It said, the airlines shall ensure that the refund process is completed within 14 working days.
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The Supreme Court has imposed a blanket ban on the NCERT class 8 book carrying a chapter on corruption in the judiciary. The apex court ordered a seizure of all physical copies, along with takedown of its digital forms. The court ordered the Centre and state authorities to comply with its directions immediately, and warned of serious action if directions are defied in any form. The top court issued show cause notices to NCERT director, school education secretary to explain why action should be not taken against those responsible. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said there seemed to be a calculated move to undermine institution and demeanthe dignity of the judiciary.
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Union Minister for Railways today announced two more reforms as part of the Indian Railways resolve to undertake 52 reforms in 52 weeks this year. Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Mr Vaishnaw unveiled the third reform, the Rail Tech Policy, stating that its objective is to promote the large-scale adoption of technology in the Railways. He said, the aim of the Indian Railways is to engage innovators, startups, industry and institutions to promote innovation in Railways.
Mr Vaishnaw also unveiled the Rail Tech Portal for innovation by engaging Innovators, Startups, Industry and Institutions. Talking about the 4th reforms, the Minister announced e-Railway Claims Tribunal system which is citizen centric reform and digital solution designed to streamline and modernise processing of court cases in Railway Claims Tribunal.
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Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan inaugurated a 10 kW FM relay transmitter of Akashvani at Shivamogga, describing it as a major step toward strengthening public broadcasting in Karnataka. He said the initiative reflects the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure development reaches the last person in the queue. The new transmitter is expected to benefit people in Shivamogga and Bhadravathi by expanding access to government welfare information, educational content and cultural programmes. Highlighting modernization efforts, the Minister said the Centre has allocated nearly 2,500 crore rupees under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme.
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Dr Saurabh Garg, Secretary MoSPI said that 2022-23 was chosen as the base year for revision of GDP estimates because it was the first normal year after the COVID pandemic. In an exclusive interview with Akashvani News He further explained that as per international norms it has to be changed every five years.
Tune into 100.1 Akashvani Gold at 9.30 PM today to listen to this exclusive interview with the Secretary, Ministry of Statistics And Programme Implementation on The Base Year Revision of GDP Estimates.
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Negotiators from Iran and the United States held third round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva, Switzerland. As in the previous two rounds of discussions earlier this month, the Iranian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US is represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The talks are again being mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who said negotiators had demonstrated unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions. The discussions take place amid a massive US military build-up in West Asia, with a number of countries warning their citizens to leave Iran due to the threat of possible US attacks. While US President Donald Trump has said, he prefers to solve the crisis through diplomacy, he has also said he is considering a limited strike on Iran to pressure its leaders to accept a deal.
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Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, will pay an official visit to India from tomorrow to 2nd March. External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that on Prime Minister Carney will arrive in Mumbai and over the next two days, he will participate in separate business engagements, interact with Indian and Canadian CEOs, industry and financial experts. Prime Minister Carney will arrive in New Delhi on the 1st of March. The next day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Canadian Prime Minister will hold delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House. Both leaders will review the progress achieved till date across diverse areas of the India – Canada Strategic Partnership.
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In the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, India have set a target of 257 runs for Zimbabwe in the crucial Super 8 Group ‘1’ match at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. India scored 256 losing four wickets in stipulated 20 overs. For India, Abhishek Sharma scored highest 55 off 30 balls. Hardik Pandya made 50 not out off 23 balls while Tilak Varma scored 44 not out off 16 balls. In reply, Zimbabwe were 19 for no loss in 3 overs, when reports last came in.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- India and Israel exchange multiple MoUs after delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
- Prime Minister Modi says, the two countries have taken a historic decision to elevate their ties to the status of a Special Strategic Partnership.
- Both countries also decide to give new momentum to cooperation in areas of AI, Quantum technology, and Critical Minerals.
- DGCA revises ticket refund rules for airlines; No additional charge for cancelling or amending air tickets within 48 hours of booking.
- US and Iran officials meet in Geneva for indirect talks amid massive US military build up in West Asia.
- In the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, India set a target of 257 runs for Zimbabwe in a crucial super 8 group 1 match in Chennai.
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