THE HEADLINES::
- 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Countries to begin in New Delhi today.
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his US counterpart Marco Rubio discuss cooperation in areas of trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy and defence over phone.
- US President Donald Trump warns Iran of strong action if Iranian authorities carry out hanging of protestors.
- US designates Egyptian, Leabanese and Jordanian branches of Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organisations.
- Festival of harvest, Makar Sankranti being celebrated in different parts of the country today.
- And in Cricket, second ODI between India and New Zealand to be played in Rajkot this afternoon.
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The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth CSPOC will begin today in New Delhi. The three-day Conference will bring together Speakers and Presiding Officers from over 60 Commonwealth countries and semi-autonomous Parliaments. The aim of this Conference is to promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms and to develop parliamentary institutions. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is the Chairperson of this Conference.
The first day of the conference today will witness the meeting of the standing commitee. As the chairperson of the 28th CSPOC, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will be chairing the meeting of the CSPOC standing committee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Conference tomorrow at the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. Mr Modi will also interact informally with the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth and Autonomous Parliaments.
Various sessions will be held during the Conference on topics including Use of Artificial Intelligence in Parliament, sharing of best practices and innovative ideas among the participants, Social media’s impact on Parliamentarians, Enhancing public understanding of Parliament and Security, and health and Wellbeing of MPs.
This landmark event marks historic participation and a proud moment in India’s democratic and parliamentary journey. After the conclusion of the 28th CSPOC, the Lok Sabha Speaker will hand over the Chair of CSPOC to the Speaker of the UK House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle. With Anupam Mishra, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday focusing on cooperation in areas of trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy and defence. The phone call came a day after newly-appointed US ambassador Sergio Gor said there will be some contact between the two sides on the trade issue. The external affairs minister said, he had a good conversation with Mr Rubio and that they agreed to remain in touch. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said, he just concluded a good conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Both discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. He said, both also agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues.
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Diplomatic Advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, Emmanuel Bonne called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi yesterday. In asocial media post, Mr Modi said, he reaffirmed the strong and trusted India-France Strategic Partnership, marked by close cooperation across multiple domains. The Prime Minister said, it is encouraging to see the collaboration expanding into innovation, technology and education, especially as it marks the India-France Year of Innovation.
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US President Donald Trump has said that the United States will respond forcefully if Iranian authorities carry out hanging of protestors amid ongoing unrest in the nation. In an interview to a TV channel, he said, Washington will take very strong action Tehran indulge in execution of protestors. Earlier, in a social media post, Trump said help is on its way for Iranian protesters. He said, the scale of the bloodshed in Iran remained unclear and he is awaiting a briefing on the situation. Trump had previously warned that Washington would intervene if protesters were killed. Concerns have intensified that Tehran may use executions to suppress the unrest after prosecutors said some detainees could face capital charges.
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The death toll from a crackdown on protests in Iran jumps to at least 2,571, activists said today. The figure came from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in multiple rounds of unrest in Iran in recent years.
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US has labeled three Middle Eastern branches of Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organisations, imposing sanctions on them and their members. Treasury and State departments announced the actions last night against the Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood, which they said pose a risk to the United States and American interests. State Department designated the Lebanese branch a foreign terrorist organisation, the most severe of the labels, which makes it a criminal offence to provide material support to the group. Jordanian and Egyptian branches were listed by Treasury as specially designated global terrorists for providing support to Hamas. In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, these designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilisation wherever it occurs.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend 10th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day in New Delhi today. Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is commemorated on the 14th of January every year to honour the legacy and service of Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, who retired on this day in 1953.
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Festival of harvest, Makar Sankranti is being celebrated in different parts of the country today. Makar Sankranti signals the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. The festival is known with different names in different parts of the country. It is celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Bhogali Bihu in Assam and Poush Sangkranti in West Bengal.
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In Uttar Pradesh, thousands of devotees have gathered on the banks of rivers to take the holi dip on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. State government has made elaborate arrangements for the safety and security of the devotees. More from our correspondent:
“Devotees have gatherd on the banks of major rivers in the state since early morning and taking holy dip on the occasion of makar Sankranti. Although in many parts of the state Makar Sankranti, the second important snan of magh mela will be observed tomorrow. Administration has made elaborate arrangements at magh Mela area in Prayagraj for the snan. Bathing Ghats have been constructed in a total of 12,100 feet length in which all necessary basic facilities changing room, pool, kiosk, toilet etc are available. SUSHIL CHANDRA TIWARI AAKASHWANI NEWS LUCKNOW.”
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The festival of Uttarayan is being celebrated with great zeal and fervour across Gujarat today. In Gujarat, the festival is celebrated by flying colourful kites in the sky. On the occasion of Uttarayan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a three-day visit to Gujarat, will visit the historic Shree Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad and seek blessings. Mr Shah will later join party workers and citizens at various locations within his constituency to celebrate the kite festival. A report:
“Skies over the Sabarmati River Front are filled with different colours and shapes with the grand beginning of the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. Kite flyers across the globe are thronging to Gujarat to take part in the festival. This year, the Ahmedabad International Kite festival sees a massive participation of over one thousand kite enthusiasts, including one hundred and thirty-five international flyers from fifty countries. This year, the festival also served as a symbol of India- Germany friendship. Pravin Kumar, a kite flyer from Udaipur Rajasthan, expressed his happiness over this joyous occasion.
Ahmedabad remains the heart of the celebrations with the iconic night kite flying scheduled for this evening. Along with Ahmedabad, the festival is being organised at various locations, including Rajkot, Surat, the heritage site of Dholavira in Kutch, Vadnagar, Shivrajpur, and the Statue of Unity. Beyond the aerial displays, the festival serves as a grand showcase of Gujarat’s rich architectural and artistic heritage.
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In West Bengal, devotees in large numbers will participate in Punya Snan in rivers, ponds and other water bodies across the state today. Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Poush Parbon in West Bengal when various types of traditional sweets are made in every household with rice flour, coconut, kheer and jaggery. Lakhs of devotees will participate in the auspicious Punya Snan at the Gangasagar Mela.
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Bhogi, the festival which falls on the last day of the cold month of Margazhi, is being celebrated by Tamils today. People discard old things from their home and make a bonfire from all unwanted goods in front of their houses. In villages, all houses from the rich to the poor are thoroughly scrubbed and white washed. Homes are cleaned and the entrances of houses are decorated with Rangoli. More from our correspondent:
“Children beat tom toms in small drums and walked around the bonfire in front of their houses early this morning. It is a day to discard old utensils and clothes in the houses as tomorrow is the birth of Thai , signifying the spring season. In agricultural fields, bon fires are made out of hay. People will also beautify the house by making traditional festoons using mango leaves. Large colourful rangolis catch the attention of those who walk on the Streets. In some places, rangoli competitions are also held and prizes are distributed. As the cold season is drawing to a close, misty mornings make it difficult for road users due to smokes out of bon fires. However enough precautions have been issued by the Government to monitor pollution arising out of banned materials like plastics and rubber.
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In Kerala, Makara Vilakku festival will be held at the hill shrine of Sabarimala. More from our correspondent:
“Thousands of pilgrims have already camped at various locations of Sabari Mala to witness Makara Vilakku. The festival also coinciding with Makara Sankrama night. Rituals including the procession with Thiruvabharan, the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa, will be held as part of the celebrations. Makara Sankrama pooja will be held at 3 pm today. Strict restrictions have been imposed at Sabari Mala and only 35,000 pilgrims will be allowed at Sabari Mala today. This is inclusive of the 30,000 pilgrims booked through virtual queue. Thousands of pilgrims are already waiting at Sabari Mala to witness the appearance of Makara Vilakkau, which will be in the evening.
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In Men’s Cricket, second ODI of three-match series between India and New Zealand will be played at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot today. The match is scheduled to begin at 1.30 pm.
Indian team is leading the series 1-nil as the hosts had won the first ODI by four wickets at Vadodara on Sunday. The third and final match of the series will be played in Indore on Sunday.
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In Women’s Premier League Cricket, Mumbai Indians beat Gujarat Giants by seven wickets at the Dr D Y Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai last night. Chasing a target of 193 runs set by Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians made the winning score at the loss of 3 wickets with 4 balls to spare. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was the highest scorer for Mumbai Indians with an unbeaten 71 runs off 43 balls.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold wave to severe cold wave conditions along with dense to very dense fog over Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab today. Cold wave conditions are also predicted over Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Rajasthan. The IMD also predicted cold day conditions in Uttarakhand. Meanwhile, dense fog is expected over Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, East Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Uttarakhand. According to IMD, similar conditions are likely to prevail in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad.
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LOOK AT TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- ”Pakistan told to rein in drones: Army chief on intrusions” leads Hindustan Times. “General Dwivedi cautions Pakistan over future provocations” reports The Asian Age.
- “World on Edge as US signals Iran Action” leads The Pioneer.
- The Tribune quotes the Supreme Court as saying “Will ask states to pay heavy compensation for dog-bite cases.”
- “114-Rafale deal near final nod” informs The Asian Age.
- “Delivery platforms to stop 10-minute service after appeal by Labour Minister” states The Hindu.
- “Scott Adams, whose comic strip ‘Dilbert’ ridiculed white-collar office life, dies at 68” reports The India Express.
- “In Haryana, songs extolling ‘gun culture ‘ face the music” says Financial Express.
- And Finally, “Bonfires, beats and belonging – Capital embraces Lohri warmth amid chill” reports The Delhi Tribune.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Countries to begin in New Delhi today.
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his US counterpart Marco Rubio discuss cooperation in areas of trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy and defence over phone.
- US President Donald Trump warns Iran of strong action if Iranian authorities carry out hanging of protestors.
- US designates Egyptian, Leabanese and Jordanian branches of Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organisations.
- Festival of harvest, Makar Sankranti being celebrated in different parts of the country today.
- And in Cricket, second ODI between India and New Zealand to be played in Rajkot this afternoon.