THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends India-Brazil-South Africa Leaders’ Meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
- Prime Minister Modi also holds bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar holds talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, reaffirms India's support for early end to conflict and establishing enduring peace.
- India and Israel to implement proposed free trade agreement in two phases to ensure early benefits; says Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
- IMD forecasts fog in Northeast India and Uttar Pradesh; Heavy rainfall expected in Southern States.
- And in Badminton, India's Lakshya Sen clinches Australian Open 2025 men’s singles title in Sydney.
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The G20 Leaders’ Summit will conclude today in Johanesburg, South Africa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Johannesburg on Friday for a three-day visit to participate in the Summit, which is being hosted on the African soil for the first time.
"The sixth India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders’ Meet was held between Prime Minister Modi,President Ramaphosa and President Lula Da Silva. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting with South African President Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the Summit. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi will now join fellow leaders and deliver an address during the third session of the concluding day of the G20 Summit, on the themed “A Fair and Just Future for All - Critical Minerals, Decent Work, and Artificial Intelligence. On the sidelines of the Summit today, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Taka, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Asonuo, Akashvani News, johanesburg."
Meanwhile, briefing media last night, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sudhakar Dalela, who also oversees G20 affairs said that G20 has delivered a strong message on four key priorities identified by the South African presidency.
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Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar had a telephonic conversation with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar appreciated his briefing on the ongoing developments related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He reiterated India’s support for an early end to this conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace.
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Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said, India and Israel are considering implementing their proposed free trade agreement (FTA) in two phases to ensure early benefits for the trade community of both countries. The Minister said, it is quite possible that they may come out with the first phase on an FTA, so that they can kickstart the benefits faster. Mr. Goyal said, India is emerging as a trusted friend and a reliable partner of the world.
India and Israel on Thursday inked terms of reference to formally launch negotiations for the agreement. The terms of reference include market access for goods by eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers, investment facilitation, simplification of customs procedures, increasing cooperation for innovation and technology transfer, and easing norms to promote trade in services.
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The Home Ministry today said that the proposal to simplify the Central Government’s law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration with the Government. In a social media post, the Ministry said, no final decision has been taken on this proposal. It said, the proposal in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh’s governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change the traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the States of Punjab or Haryana. The Home Ministry said, a suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh and there is no need for any concern on this matter. It said, the Central Government has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
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Jammu and Kashmir is set to enter a new era in mineral development as the Ministry of Mines will conduct its first-ever auction of limestone blocks in the Union Territory tomorrow. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that the landmark event will be held at Convention Centre, Canal Road, Jammu. Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, along with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary will be present on the occasion.
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Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan today attended the Centenary Celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the SSS Hill View Stadium in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President praised Sri Sathya Sai Baba as a global symbol of peace, love and selfless service. He noted that Baba’s messages ‘’Love All, Serve All” and “Help Ever, Hurt Never” continue to inspire people across the world.
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The commemoration of 350th year of Martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji has begun at the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib for three days starting today.
Devotees from across the country and abroad are reaching to offer their prayers during the historic ceremonies. The teachings of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who stood as a defender of religious freedom and human rights and embodied compassion, sacrifice, and courage, remain a guiding light for all humanity. The special events have commenced today with the beginning of Sri Akhand Path Sahib at the Gurdwara Sahib. A Sarv Dharam sammelan has also started.
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The Delhi Government has issued an advisory for private offices in the national capital to operate at 50 percent on-site workforce capacity, with the remaining staff continuing to work from home. The step has been taken as a precautionary measure in accordance with the latest directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management. Delhi Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized that under stage III of Graded Response Action Plan, the government is proactively implementing pollution control measures with intensified focus on public health and air quality protection.
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Delhi Police has arrested four accused involved in operating and facilitating a multi-layered money-laundering network, part of a pan-India online investment fraud worth 5.92 crore rupees. In a statement, Delhi Police said that the accused are cyber fraudsters, linked to about ten Cybercrime Complaints registered on the National Cyber Reporting Platform. They operated a highly structured network of mule accounts. All the accused persons hail from Haldwani of Uttarakhand.
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In Vietnam, the death toll from flooding and landslides in the central region has reached 90. Twelve people are still reported missing. Torrential rains and flooding have damaged 1,154 houses and more than 80,800 hectares of rice and other crops in the region. The economic losses are estimated at nearly 358 million US dollars. Vietnam's government has approved an emergency relief fund of about 17.93 million US dollars to support four cities and provinces in central Vietnam in their recovery efforts.
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The 56th edition of International Film Festival of India stepped into Day 4, keeping up the spirits high for cine lovers. Akashvani brings an exclusive coverage:
"Day 4 started on a patriotic note as filmmaker Dimple Dugar's film Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai is screening at the festival. The film chronicles the life of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, the legendary 18th-century ruler of the Malwa Kingdom. The Madhya Pradesh government produced the film to celebrate her 300th birth anniversary. Speaking exclusively to Akashvani, Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary, Dept of tourism and culture, Madhya Pradesh govt invited filmmakera to MP saying that the state offers not just administrative but financial assistance too to filmmakers who will shoot their films in the state.
The film has been directed by female director Dimple Dugar and is being screened at IFFI 2025, strenghthening Prime Minister Modi's vision Nari Shakti.
Filmmakers of Assamese film 'Sikaar', starring Zubeen Garg, highlighted the issue regional movies face in India. Mr. Borgohain pointed out that wide distribution of such movies help break stereotypes and open up new cultures to others.
Some movies lined up for screenings today are 'Songs of Adam' 'Drushya Adrushya' 'Lockdown' 'Becoming' among others. A star studded day indeed spreading the magic of Cinema. With Adarsh and Nikhil, Saira Mujtaba from IFFI, Goa."
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast shallow to moderate fog over Northeast India and Uttar Pradesh for the next 5 days. The IMD has predicted heavy rainfall for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Island during the next three days. The Met department has also predicted squally weather condition over Andaman Sea, southeast and many parts of southwest Bay of Bengal today.
Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be in the very poor category.
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In Badminton, star Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen has clinched the Australian Open 2025 men’s singles title in Sydney.This marks his first title of the year. Lakshya stunned 26th-ranked Japanese Yushi Tanaka 21-15, 21-11 in the final clash today. Lakshya, a 2021 World Championships bronze-medallist, had last won a Super 300 title in Lucknow in 2024.
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In Men's Cricket, South Africa were 431 for 8 in their first innings against India on day 2 of the second and final Test in Guwahati when reports last came in. For India, Kuldeep Yadav scalped 3 wickets while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj took two wickets.
Earlier, the Visitors won the toss and opted to bat first.
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India have lifted the inaugural SBI Women’s World Cup Cricket for the Blind after a convincing seven-wicket win over Nepal in Colombo. Chasing a target of 115, India reached 117 for three in 12.1 overs to seal the title in a commanding fashion.
- Kumari set the tone with a brisk 42, rotating the strike well and finding gaps regularly. P. Saren kept the momentum going with an unbeaten 44, guiding the chase with calm footwork and steady shot selection.
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The foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have pulled out 3,788 crore rupees from the Indian equity markets in November so far, as per the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) data. However, the outflows moderated this week supported by stronger second quarter earnings, and optimism around India and US trade negotiations.
FPIs have pulled out 2,658 crore rupees from the debt markets during the period.
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AND NOW BEFORE WE END THE BULLETIN, THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends India-Brazil-South Africa Leaders’ Meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
- Prime Minister Modi also holds bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar holds talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, reaffirms India's support for early end to conflict and establishing enduring peace.
- India and Israel to implement proposed free trade agreement in two phases to ensure early benefits; says Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
- IMD forecasts fog in Northeast India and Uttar Pradesh; Heavy rainfall expected in Southern States.
- And in Badminton, India's Lakshya Sen clinches Australian Open 2025 men’s singles title in Sydney.
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