Morning News

THE HEADLINES::

Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves on a three-day visit to South Africa to attend G20 summit in Johannesburg.

In Haryana, Faridabad Police forms Special Investigation Team to look into Al Falah University's activities.

Punjab Police busts Pakistan's ISI backed terror module in Ludhiana.

Indian Panorama to open today at International Film Festival of India in Goa.

India and Israel sign Terms of Reference to initiate negotiations for Free Trade Agreement.

And, first India-born cheetah gives birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left on a three-day visit to South Africa to attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. This will be Mr Modi's fourth official visit to South Africa, following his bilateral visit in 2016 and later for the two BRICS summits in 2018 and 2023. On the sidelines of G20 summit, the Prime Minister will also attend India-Brazil-South Africa leaders meeting. Mr Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. Our correspondent reports that this will be the fourth consecutive G20 Summit held in the Global South.

"At the Summit, Prime Minister Modi will put forth India’s perspectives on the G20 agenda. The Prime Minister is expected to speak in all the three sessions of the Summit. On the sidelines of the G20 summit, the Prime Minister will attend the India-Brazil-South Africa leaders meeting and also hold bilateral talks with several world leaders. India’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Prabhat Kumar, said the Prime Minister’s visit is a significant opportunity not only for the G20 but also for further strengthening bilateral relations.

Excitement is also building within the Indian diaspora in Johannesburg. Ms. Avanti, who has been living in the city for the past 10 years, expressed her enthusiasm about Prime Minister Modi’s visit.

With the first G20 Summit taking place on African soil, India’s participation underlines its continued commitment to the Global South and its partnerships across the African continent. Asonuo, Akashvani News, Johannesburg."

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has said the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit will be an opportunity to discuss key global issues. Mr Modi said 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. In his departure statement ahead of embarking on his visit to Johannesburg, the Prime Minister noted that this will be a particularly special Summit, as it will be the first G20 Summit to be held in Africa. He recalled that the African Union became a member of the G20 during India’s presidency in 2023.

Highlighting the theme of this year’s G20 Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability, he said that South Africa has carried forward the outcomes of previous Summits held in New Delhi and Rio de Janeiro.

The Prime Minister added that he looks forward to interacting with the leaders of partner countries and participating in the 6th India-Brazil-South Africa Summit, which is scheduled on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. He also expressed eagerness to meet the Indian diaspora in South Africa, which is among the largest Indian communities outside India.

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Faridabad Police has formed a separate Special Investigation Team to look into the activities of Al Falah University, several of whose doctors were arrested in connection with the car blast near Red Fort in Delhi. The SIT, consisting of two assistant commissioners of police, an inspector, and two sub-inspectors, is preparing a comprehensive report on the university's activities.

Faridabad Commissioner of Police Satender Kumar Gupta has instructed the SIT to investigate how the university has become a hotbed of terrorism. The SIT members have been asked to gather detailed information about the terror module's funding and the trail of explosives. Reports are also being prepared on the role of the residents of nearby villages in the terror module.

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Punjab Police has busted a Pakistan's ISI backed terror module in Ludhiana, following an exchange of fire in which two accused were injured. One of the accused was critically injured in exchange of fire with police yesterday.

"Ludhiana Police Commissioner, Swapan Sharma disclosed that both of them were tasked by their foreign based handlers to carry out grenade attacks in the state on government buildings and other places to create tension and disturb peace. Two Chinese hand grenades, 5 sophisticated pistols and about 50 live rounds have been recovered from them. Three of their accomplices are already in Ludhiana Police custody. Out of them one accused was an associate of the one who carried out firing on the house of actor Salman Khan in Mumbai. Rajesh Bali/Akashvani News/Jalandhar".

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India and Israel signed Terms of Reference for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries in Tel Aviv. The Terms of Reference was signed by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Israel’s Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat. Speaking on the occasion, Piyush Goyal said that both countries had agreed to begin work on a comprehensive FTA, a move aimed at reshaping bilateral trade and investment.

Speaking on the occasion, Israel’s Minister Nir Barkat expressed desire to join venture with India, noting that India is awakening as a powerful giant and will be a great global force in future.

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The GST Bachat Utsav kicked off on 22nd of September as the Narendra Modi government slashed GST rates in many sectors, benefitting citizens across the country. Today, our correspondent brings a report on how the new GST rates in the agriculture sector are helping citizens.

"The next-generation GST reforms have brought relief to the agriculture sector by reducing tax burdens on inputs, machinery, and allied activities, making farming more efficient for millions of Indian farmers. Fertiliser raw materials such as ammonia, sulphuric acid and nitric acid now attract only 5 per cent GST instead of 18 per cent, ensuring better availability of affordable fertilisers. Similarly, Micronutrients used to improve soil health and crop quality have also been placed under the 5 per cent GST slab, making them more accessible to farmers. Furthermore, farm machinery like tractors with engines below eighteen hundred cc now carry a GST rate of just 5 per cent, down from 12 per cent, making mechanisation affordable for farmers.

Talking to Akashvani News, B Narayanswamy, a former scientist from Bengaluru, hailed the government’s move and said that the reduction of taxes in the sector is helping the farmer families across the country. He added that these reforms are also helping in the modernisation of the agriculture sector.

These reforms are aimed at boosting farm incomes, strengthening cooperatives and contributing to building a stronger, more self-reliant agrarian economy. With Samarth and Rohan, Aman Yadav for Akashvani News."

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The Indian Panorama will open today at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa with the screening of two films. Rajkumar Periyasamy directed Tamil movie Amaran will be the opening film of the feature film section, while Hindi film Kakori, directed by Kamlesh K Mishra, will be the opening film of the non-feature category. Indian Panorama section will showcase a total of 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films.

"The Indian Panorama section is a showcase of the best Indian films, highlighting the country's rich cinematic diversity and talent through films weaving a cinematic tapestry one frame at a time. Indian Panorama encourages emerging filmmakers, writers, and actors and provides them opportunities to gain exposure. Indian Panorama showcases the diverse cultural, social, and regional themes and stories that reflect India's pluralistic society. The section recognizes and celebrates outstanding Indian films, direction, acting, and other technical categories. By showcasing the best of Indian cinema, Indian Panorama at IFFI enhances India's global cinematic footprint and encourages collaboration and exchange between Indian and international filmmakers. This is Saira Mujtaba, Akashvani News, Goa."

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The first India-born cheetah gives birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. This was disclosed by Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.

"This achievement is being seen as the biggest success so far of the Cheetah Reintroduction Programme launched on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav congratulated the Kuno forest staff, saying the state is playing an important role in global biodiversity conservation. India’s cheetah revival began on 17 September 2022, when eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia to Kuno and released into the wild by Prime Minister. Vipin mihsra, Akashvani, Bhopal."

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In badminton, the quarter final match between Lakshya Sen and his fellow compatriot Ayush Shetty is currently underway at the Australian open in Sydney. Ayush Shetty advanced into the quarterfinals after defeating fourth-seeded Kodai Naraoka of Japan in pre quarterfinals, while Lakshya Sen overpowered Chinese Taipei's Chi Yu-jen to enter the quaterfinals.The duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will also take on the fifth-seeded Indonesian pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in the quarterfinals, later today. On the other hand, HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth made early exits from the tournament yesterday.

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In the World Boxing Cup final, Indian women boxers Nikhat Zareen, Arundhati Choudhary, Preeti Pawar, Minakshi Hooda, Parveen Hooda, Jaismine Lamboria and Nupur Sheoran delivered a golden sweep in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh yesterday, marking a historic achievement for the country.

Indian men boxers Hitesh Gulia and Sachin Siwach also clinched yellow metal after winning the final bouts in their respective categories.

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TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,

All the dailies have carried the news of Nitish Kumar being sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister for the tenth time. The Times of India writes "Nitish begins tenth innings on strong 'double-engine' wicket."
The Indian Express reports "US clears sale of Excalibur shells, Javelin missile systems to India", marking a significant step forward to Army's operational readiness.
A headline in The Statesman quoting the Supreme Court says "No time-lines for President and Governors to act on Bills for assent."
Supreme Court ensures the continuity and integrity of the ecologically fragile Aravalli Hills by adopting a uniform definition states Hindustan Times.
"5G subscriptions may cross One Billion mark by 2031" cites Financial Express.
And finally, One of Asia's oldest and most influential festival, the International Film Festival of India, opens in Goa, showcasing restored Indian Classics" notes The Pioneer.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves on a three-day visit to South Africa to attend G20 summit in Johannesburg.

In Haryana, Faridabad Police forms Special Investigation Team to look into Al Falah University's activities.

Punjab Police busts Pakistan's ISI backed terror module in Ludhiana.

Indian Panorama to open today at International Film Festival of India in Goa.

India and Israel sign Terms of Reference to initiate negotiations for Free Trade Agreement.

And first India-born cheetah gives birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

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