THE HEADLINES ::

1. President Droupadi Murmu calls for significant expansion of economic engagement between India and North Macedonia; Urges businesses from both countries to move beyond trade and build long-term partnerships.
2. India to host 3-day meeting of BRICS Health Ministers in Chandigarh beginning today.
3. Indian Navy to commission indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft – INS Malvan at Karwar in Karnataka today.
4. Uttar Pradesh Cabinet  approves scheme to provide free scooty to meritorious female students of the state.
5. India reaffirms its commitment to rule-based multilateral trading system at WTO trade policy review in Geneva.
6. PV Sindhu to take on compatriot Unnati Hooda in China Open Badminton tournament today.

President Droupadi Murmu has called for expanding India-North Macedonia economic ties, urging businesses from both countries to move beyond trade and forge long-term partnerships based on investment, technology, and innovation. Addressing the India-North Macedonia Business Forum in Skopje, President Murmu said her visit, the first-ever by an Indian President to North Macedonia, reflects India’s strong commitment to strengthening relations.

President Murmu also invited North Macedonia to collaborate with India on Digital Public Infrastructure, highlighting the success of India’s UPI platform in promoting financial inclusion.

Our Correspondent covering the President’s visit to North Macedonia has filed this report:

“President Murmu said India’s pharmaceutical industry is well placed to invest in North Macedonia through joint manufacturing of medicines and medical devices for the wider Balkan and European markets. She also encouraged partnerships in food processing, cold-chain logistics, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, cyber security and start-up ecosystems. The President invited North Macedonia to join initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuels Alliance. She also extended an invitation to participate in the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) to be held in India next year, SUBHASHREE, AKASHVANI NEWS, NORTH MACEDONIA.

Concluding her address, President Murmu urged businesses, investment agencies, and industry bodies of both countries to build enduring partnerships through technology transfer, joint ventures, and local value creation.

India will host a 3-day meeting of BRICS Health Ministers in Chandigarh beginning today. It will bring together Health Ministers and senior health officials from BRICS member countries to deepen cooperation on health security, digital health, pandemic preparedness and equitable access to quality healthcare. A report:

“The 16^th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting reflects India’s commitment to advancing collective action on key global health priorities through the guiding theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. Addressing a press conference, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said that discussions during the Ministerial Meeting will focus on strengthening cooperation in areas such as health security, pandemic preparedness, digital health, innovation, access to affordable medicines, traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, tuberculosis, healthy lifestyles, mental wellness and resilient health systems. The official programme will commence with the Senior Officials’ Meeting today, followed by the Sixteenth BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting tomorrow, chaired by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda, during which Health Ministers will deliberate on key global and regional public health priorities and consider the adoption of the Sixteenth BRICS Health Ministers’ Declaration. The meeting will provide an important platform for advancing the health priorities of the Global South and promoting collective action towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals. Saumya Sharan, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

Indian Navy will commission INS Malvan, the second of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft at Karwar in Karnataka today, marking another milestone in India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding programme. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. Senior naval officers, veterans and other distinguished guests will also attend the event. More from our Correspondent:

“INS Malvan anti submarine water craft built by Cochin Shipyard under Atma Nirbhar Bharat mission uses more than 80 percent indigenous equipment and technology. Armed with RBU 6000 rockets and DRDO torpedoes and a German Indian Sonar suite, it can play a dominant role in guarding our undersea defence. This Mahe class warship is testament to the country’s growing capability in warship construction and our growing strength in maritime security and anti submarine warfare capabilities. Sudhindra, Akashvani News, Bengaluru.”

In a major initiative to boost female participation in higher education and reduce dropout rates, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to provide free scooty to meritorious female students of the state. The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved the guidelines for the implementation of the Rani Lakshmibai Scooty Yojana. More from our Correspondent:

“Providing the details of the ambitious scheme the Higher Education Minister of state Yogendra Upadhyay informed that eligible female students will be selected based on merit from the list comprising the top 5 percent of female graduates. Under the scheme government will not only provide scooters but also their insurance, registration, helmets, essential accessories, and 4 liters of petrol. The income limit condition will be relaxed for disabled girl students, daughters of martyrs, and daughters from destitute families. The state government states that this scheme will increase the participation of daughters in higher education, particularly by making it easier for female students from rural and remote areas to access colleges and universities. SUSHIL CHANDRA TIWARI AAKASHWANI NEWS LUCKNOW.”

India has reaffirmed its commitment to a rule-based, transparent and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system during its eighth Trade Policy Review at the World Trade Organization (WTO), highlighting the country’s growing role in global trade. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal emphasised India’s engagement with the global trading system and its efforts to strengthen trade ties through an expanding network of trade agreements, a liberalised foreign direct investment (FDI) regime and a continued support for cooperation among developing countries.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed strict action against those involved in the recent NEET examination paper leak case and in safeguarding the interests of the country’s youth. He said, the government is taking several measures to prevent such incidents. Mr Modi said this while addressing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary Party meeting now also known as Mangal Milan at the Parliament House complex yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Government has said it is ready to hold discussion in Parliament on NEET paper leak case and other related issues. Talking to media in New Delhi last evening, Union Minister Jitendra Singh accused the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi of deviating from his earlier demand of having the discussion over NEET related issues despite government assurance.

Earlier in the day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other party members staged a protest demanding discussion on the NEET issue.

Later, Delhi Police released all opposition leaders, including Senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, after they were detained from the protest site near Lok Kalyan Marg.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi yesterday, and reviewed the condition of those injured during yesterday’s protest in the National Capital over the alleged  NEET-UG exam paper leak. The Minister also held a meeting with the doctors at the hospital. Mr. Nadda also visited Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital, and met the injured protesters who are admitted there.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has accused the Congress and the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, of using students as political tools to create disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. In a social media post, Mr. Pradhan stated that Mr. Gandhi and other Congress leaders staged a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence, causing inconvenience to the public and disregarding established security protocols. Mr. Pradhan added that even after the Government conveyed its readiness for a comprehensive discussion on the NEET issue, the Congress chose political spectacle over democratic debate.

The French parliament has passed a landmark bill barring children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms. We have a report:

“The measure will make France the first country in the European Union to approve a blanket ban on social media, as concerns grow worldwide over the harmful effects of digital content on kids. The ban will not cover access to online encyclopaedias, educational or scientific directories.

President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ban as a signature initiative of his second term, called parliament’s approval a major step forward. The French leader has pushed for the ban to come into effect by September, ahead of the new school year. However, a review to determine whether it complies with the French constitution could delay its implementation.

A growing number of countries are taking steps to restrict social media access amid multiplying warnings over its harmful effects on children. KAUMUDEE PAREEKH, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

India has delivered relief materials, including food items and family tents, to Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority to support the  affected communities in the wake of the floods in Nuristan. In a social media post, External Affairs Ministry said India stands with the Afghan people at this difficult time.      

In China Open Badminton, PV Sindhu will take on compatriot Unnati Hooda, and Lakshya Sen will get his men’s singles campaign underway today. Ayush Shetty will take on Alwi Farhan in the singles’ opening round today. Men’s doubles pair MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan, Mixed doubles pairs Rohan Kapoor-Ruthvika Shivani Gadde and Tanisha Crasto-Dhruv Kapila will also be in action today.

TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,

1. The dailies have covered the Prime Minister’s call to the NDA MPs to reach out to youth and dispel their fears of any future occurrence of an exam paper leak. The Indian Express quoting the Prime Minister says “Future of youth is beyond politics; Calls for fool-proof and timely exams.”
2. Quoting the Home ministry, The Times of India states “50 percent quota for ex-Agniveers in Central armed police forces, Assam Rifles posts.”
3. “India soon to get first dengue vaccine for people aged four to sixty years” informs The Statesman.
4. An OPED in The Tribune writes on how India’s private space sector has entered an exciting phase with Skyroot’s aerospace launching Vikram 1 rocket.
5. Condemning the attack on commercial vessel “Russian envoy summoned over killing of 4 Indians” writes The Economic Times.
6. A headline in Hindustan Times writes “AI to drive planning, audits, fraud detection under viksit Bharat G Ram G; humans to take final call.” 
7. Finally, Financial Express mentions about a QS survey declaring Delhi the most affordable for students in the world, doing well on employer demand as well.

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

1. President Droupadi Murmu calls for significant expansion of economic engagement between India and North Macedonia; Urges businesses from both countries to move beyond trade and build long-term partnerships.
2. India to host 3-day meeting of BRICS Health Ministers in Chandigarh beginning today.
3. Indian Navy to commission indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft – INS Malvan at Karwar in Karnataka today.
4. Uttar Pradesh Cabinet  approves scheme to provide free scooty to meritorious female students of the state.
5. India reaffirms its commitment to rule-based multilateral trading system at WTO trade policy review in Geneva.
6. PV Sindhu to take on compatriot Unnati Hooda in China Open Badminton tournament today.

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