THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak on global south concerns, climate action and energy transition in G20 Summit to be held in South Africa from tomorrow.
- Home Minister Amit Shah announces five-year target to make BSF most modern and aggressive force in the world.
- 56th edition of International Film Festival of India enters second day; Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr L Murugan calls for greater international Co-production.
- 7-magnitude earthquake jolts Bangladesh this morning; Tremors also felt across Kolkata, Assam and other parts of North eastern region.
- And in cricket, India A to face Bangladesh A in first semi final match of Asia Cup Rising Stars in Doha this afternoon.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be arriving in Johannesburg today to attend the three day G20 Leaders’ Summit. This marks his fourth official visit to South Africa, following his bilateral visit in 2016 and later for the two BRICS summits in 2018 and 2023. Earlier, in his Departure statement, Prime Minister Modi said, the Summit will be an opportunity to discuss key global issues, adding that he will present India’s perspective at the Summit in line with the nation’s vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and One Earth, One Family, One Future. Our correspondent in Johannesburg reports that this will be PM Modi’s 12th G20 Summit since 2014.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Johannesburg this evening for the first-ever G20 Summit on African soil. During the three-day gathering, he will participate in all sessions and present India’s key priorities, including Global South concerns, sustainable development, climate action, energy transition and reforms in global governance. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, PM Modi will meet South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and several other world leaders. He will also participate in the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) leaders' meetings. This marks the fourth consecutive G20 Summit hosted in the Global South. The theme for this year’s Summit is “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” Under its Presidency, South Africa has prioritised strengthening disaster resilience, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilising finance for a just energy transition and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive and sustainable growth. Asonuo, Akashvani News, Johannesburg."
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today announced that the next one year will be dedicated to the modernization of the Border Security Force (BSF) and welfare of BSF personnel. Addressing the BSF's Diamond Jubilee Foundation Day ceremony at Bhuj in Gujarat, the Home Minister stated that the Home Ministry has set a five-year target to make the BSF the most modern and aggressive force in the world. He highlighted the BSF's crucial role in implementing the new concept of 'e-Border' security, a major government initiative.
On counter-insurgency, the Minister praised BSF's work, asserting that the country will be free from Naxalism by March the 31st, 2026.
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today chaired the 11th Pre-Budget Consultation with experts from the Infrastructure, and Energy Sectors in New Delhi. The meeting was held in connection with the forthcoming Union Budget 2026-27. It was attended by Secretaries of Ministry of Power, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Chairman of the Railway Board and the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India.
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Thousands of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are leaving India through various border checkposts in West Bengal since Special Intensive Revision SIR has started. Border Security Force BSF is handing over the Bangladeshi nationals to the Border Guard Bangladesh after taking biometrics and completing necessary documentation work. Our district correspondent from North 24 Parganas reported many Bangladeshis, who had illegally intruded into India, are returning to their country through Hakimpur check post of Swarupnagar. Some of the illegal intruders lived in India for more than 10 years participated in the voting process and enlisted their names in many government welfare schemes. BSF at the Hakimpur checkpost informed approximately 1600 Bangladeshi nationals have returned since SIR started in West Bengal.
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In Uttar Pradesh, Special intensive revision (SIR) is underway across the state. Talking to Akashvani news Chief Electoral Officer of the state, Navdeep Rinwa, urged voters to complete and submit the counting forms on time.
The SIR process is also underway in Varanasi district. District Election Officer Satyendra Kumar stated that, in accordance with Election Commission guidelines, counting forms are being distributed to more than three million voters in the district.
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The BJP has said the Congress has insulted every Indian citizen by giving the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development award-2024 to Michelle Bachelet. Addressing a press conference at party headquarters in New Delhi today, party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said that former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet is known for her critical remarks about India.
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The 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India has entered its second day today.
"IFFI 2025 saw two important inaugurations today: The Indian Panorama and the masterclasses. Indian Panorama is a showcase of the best of Indian films, weaving a cinematic tapestry one frame at a time. 'Kakori' directed by Kamlesh Mishra was the opening non-feature film while Tamil film 'Amaran' by Rajkumar Periasamy is the opening feature film. Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali's 1978 film Gaman was also screened today. Later, the filmmaker was in conversation with son and filmmaker Shaad Ali. Both shared their cinematic journey and deep insights into their craft.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr L Murugan also chaired the Ambassadors’ Round Table on Co-production on the sidelines of the festival. Addressing the gathering, Dr Murugan called for greater international co-production as India is cementing itself as a studio for the world. Dr. Murugan also raised the issue of piracy with the Ambassadors'.
Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju called for greater international collaboration to shape the media and entertainment industry.
Day 2 is keeping up the tempo with excitement and thrill and of course with the overpowering magic of cinema! Nikhil Upadhyay,Adarsh Kumar, This is Saira Mujtaba. Akashvani News Panaji."
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A moderate earthquake jolted Dhaka and several other parts of Bangladesh this morning, prompting residents to rush outdoors in alarm as buildings shook across the capital.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the 5.7-magnitude quake struck at 10:10 AM, with its epicentre located in Madhabdi under Narsingdi district. In Dhaka, the tremor was felt strongly for a few seconds, causing high-rise buildings to sway. The tremors were also felt across Kolkata, Assam and other parts of the North eastern region.
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Dr. Habibur Rahman Biswas, head of Regional Meteorological Centre of the IMD confirmed that tremors were also felt in capital Kolkata.
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The Enforcement Directorate, ED is conducting searches at more than 40 locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal against illegal coal mining in a money laundering case. The agency informed that more than one hundred ED officials and staff are carrying out the searches against the coal mafia. The search operation began earlier this morning at around 6 AM.
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Twenty-one people were injured in a fire which broke out at the main venue of the ongoing UN COP 30 Climate Summit in Brazil's Belem yesterday, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. The fire broke out at around 2 pm at the 'Blue Zone', which houses all meetings, negotiations, country pavilions, the media centre and offices of all high-profile dignitaries, including the main plenary hall. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was present at the venue and was quickly evacuated by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security. India's Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Indian delegation were also inside the Blue Zone when the fire broke out, but were evacuated safely.
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Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch won the Miss Universe 2025 title in Thailand today. Bosch transformed her journey with dyslexia and Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder into a passion for serving others, as a longtime volunteer with migrants and vulnerable communities. Miss Venezuela was named second runner-up, Miss Philippines was announced as the third runner-up and Miss Côte d’Ivoire as fourth. Meanwhile, India’s Manika Vishwakarma exited the competition after failing to make it to the Top 12 list, extending India’s wait for the crown since Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu’s win in 2021.
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The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall conditions over Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the next two days. The weather agency has also predicted thunderstorms accompanied with lightning at places over Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal. The met department predicted cold wave conditions over parts of West Madhya Pradesh during the next two days. Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be in the very poor category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 367 as of 1PM today. In view of the poor air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management has imposed Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan in the national capital and adjoining areas.
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In Cricket, India A will be playing against Bangladesh A in the first semi-final match of Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 in Doha today. India had entered the semi-final after defeating Oman in their last Group B fixture. On the other hand, Bangladesh are coming to this clash after facing a six-run defeat against Sri Lanka in their final Group A match.
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In badminton, India's men's double pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were knocked out of the Australian Open after losing the quarterfinal match to Indonesian pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri by 19-21, 15-21.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices, the Sensex and the Nifty, were trading over 0.3 per cent down in afternoon trade today. The Sensex slipped 307 points to 85 thousand 326, while the Nifty fell 90 points to 26 thousand 102, when reports last came in. On the sectoral front, Metal, Realty, and PSU Banks were trading under pressure, while Auto was bucking the trend.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrive in Johannesburg this evening to attend G20 Summit to be held in South Africa from tomorrow.
- Home Minister Amit Shah announces five-year target to make BSF most modern and aggressive force in the world.
- 56th edition of International Film Festival of India enters second day; Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr L Murugan calls for greater international Co-production.
- 7-magnitude earthquake jolts Bangladesh this morning; Tremors also felt across Kolkata, Assam and other parts of North eastern region.
- And in cricket, India A to face Bangladesh A in first semi final match of Asia Cup Rising Stars in Doha this afternoon.
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