Evening News -

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, India is emerging as a leading force in the Global Space and Aviation sectors; Addresses plenary Session of World Air Transport Summit in New Delhi.
India and Paraguay to further strengthen ties in many sectors including clean energy, green hydrogen and biofuels.
Centre notifies guidelines for scheme to promote manufacturing of electric passenger cars in the country.
Heavy rain disrupt normal life in North Eastern states; Relief and rescue operations underway.
Second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks concludes in Istanbul; Both sides to explore more prisoner exchange opportunities.
Independent candidate Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s Presidential Election.
And International Cricket Council announces schedule for Women’s ODI World Cup to be played in India and Srilanka.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted that India is emerging as a global leader in space-aviation convergence. Addressing the International Air Transport Association, IATA’s 81st Annual General Meeting and plenary Session of World Air Transport Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today, the Prime Minister remarked that civil aviation sector has witnessed historic advancements over the past decade, which are well recognized.

Mr Modi said that the success of the UDAN scheme is a golden chapter in Indian civil aviation, and now India has become the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market. He underscored India’s role in the global aviation ecosystem, not only as a vast market but also as a symbol of policy leadership, innovation, and inclusive development. Mr. Modi highlighted that discussions at the summit will provide new direction to global aviation, unlocking its infinite possibilities and optimizing its potential.

Speaking on the occasion, Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said that the government is committed to develop 50 more airports in the next five years in the country. He said, the number of airports, which was only 74 in the country in 2014, has now gone up to 162, including 33 international airports.

The International Air Transport Association event, which commenced yesterday, will culminate tomorrow.

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India and Paraguay have decided to further strengthen their ties in the sectors like clean energy, green hydrogen and biofuels. The decision was taken during the delegation level talks held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Paraguay President Santiago Peña Palacios in New Delhi today. Both the countries also expressed their commitment to overcome the menace of cyber-crime, organised crime, drug trafficking.

Speaking on this occasion, Prime Minister Modi said, India and Paraguay are together in the fight against terrorism.

Later, addressing the media about the meeting between the two leaders, Secretary (East) in External Affairs Ministry, P Kumaran, said, an Memorundum of Understanding was signed between India and Paraguay for establishment of Joint Commission Mechanism between the two nations.

Mr. Palacios is on a three day state visit to India.

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The Government has notified the guidelines for a scheme to promote manufacturing of electric passenger cars in the country. Briefing the media in New Delhi today, Heavy Industries Minister H.D Kumaraswamy said that India is offering low import tax which is 15 percent on electric cars worth at least 35 thousand dollars to attract big international car brands. He added that this benefit is only available if the companies agree to invest and manufacture electric vehicles in the country. Mr. Kumaraswamy said that approved applicants would be required to make a minimum investment of 4 thousand 150 crore rupees in line with the provision of the scheme. The Minister said that Until now, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Hyundai and Skoda have shown interest in the scheme.

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Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah today chaired a review meeting of the world’s largest cooperative food grain storage scheme in New Delhi. Addressing the meeting, Mr Shah said that food grain storage scheme is a big step towards realizing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sahkar Se Samriddhi. He said, the scheme aims to increase the income of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) as well as create rural employment opportunities.

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Heavy rain and floods have disrupted normal life in Northeastern states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura tomorrow.

In Assam, flood situation remained grim today with the water levels rising in many parts of the state. Around four lakh people are reeling under the deluge across 17 districts. A total of 758 villages of 54 revenue circles were affected due to flood and over 3,500 hectares of crop areas have been damaged across the state. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, number of deaths due to flood and landslides in the state has risen to ten. The State Government has opened 52 Relief camps and 103 relief distribution centres in all the flood-affected districts and SDRF teams have also been deployed for rescue and relief operations.

“Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today visited Lakhimpur district to assess the flood situation. During his visit to Naoboicha, the Chief Minister interacted with affected residents, and assured that all necessary support will be extended. Mr Sarma also reviewed meetings with NEEPCO officials of Ranganadi Power Plant at Lilabari in Lakhimpur to assess the worsening flood situation caused by the release of water from the dam situated at Arunachal Pradesh. Embankments, roads, bridges and other infrastructure have been damaged by flood waters in many districts across the state. The river Brahmaputra and its tributaries Dhansiri and Kopili are flowing above the danger level. Aminul Haque Jwadder, Akashvani News, Guwahati.“

In Sikkim, three army personnel lost their lives while several others are missing after massive landslide struck the Indian Army’s camp at Chaten in Mangan district last evening. Our correspondent reports that rescue efforts are underway by the Indian Army to evacuate those trapped under the debris despite challenging weather.

“So far, four individuals have been rescued with minor injuries, while the mortal remains of three brave personnel have been recovered. Teams specially trained for high-altitude rescue missions continue to work relentlessly at the site. The search for six personnel still missing is being carried out round the clock under extremely adverse conditions. According to PRO Defence, the Indian Army expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and assures full support during this difficult time. Dilli Ram Dulal, Akashvani News, Gangotk.”

In Arunachal Pradesh, orange alert has been issued for 10 districts and yellow alert for 14 districts.

In Manipur, breaching of the river bank and overflow was also reported at various places of Imphal East and west districts.

In Nagaland, following incessant rainfall, a massive landslide completely cut off National Highway-2 near Kisama, under Kohima district, severing the Nagaland-Manipur road link.

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As we celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor, the Nation salutes the valour of Indian soldiers. As a tribute to the Armed Forces, Akashvani News is presenting a special series. Today we remember Param Vir Chakra awardee Company Havildar Major Piru Singh, who made the supreme sacrifice during the India-Pakistan war of 1947-48.

“Born in 1918 in Rajasthan, Company Havildar Major Piru Singh was enrolled in 6 Rajputana Rifles in 1936. In July 1948, during an intense operation in the Tithwal Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, Piru Singh’s company was assigned the task of securing a heavily fortified enemy ridge. Advancing under intense enemy fire, the unit suffered heavy casualties. With most of his section either killed or wounded, Company Havildar Major Piru Singh pressed on alone. Despite being wounded, bleeding and nearly blind, he continued his assault. After exhausting his ammunition, he hurled grenades and bayoneted enemy soldiers in successive trenches. Just as he moved to attack another post, a bullet struck him in the head. Even in his final moments, he managed to throw a grenade into the enemy trench. Company Havildar Major Piru Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. Saklen Akhtar, Akashvani News. Delhi”

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A second round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine was held today in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the aim of the meeting was to evaluate the conditions for a ceasefire, to discuss a possible meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents and to look at more prisoner exchange opportunities.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who headed Kyiv’s delegation, announced after the talks that a new prisoner exchange had been agreed to follow up on the biggest prisoner swap of the war brokered at the last round of talks. The Russian delegation was led by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.

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In Poland, Karol Nawrocki, an independent candidate backed by the opposition Law and Justice party, has won the country’s presidential runoff election. According to the final vote count released by Polish National Electoral Commission today, Nawrocki received around 51 per cent of the vote in the Presidential race. He defeated the ruling Civic Coalition candidate and Mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski, who garnered over 49 per cent.

Born in 1983 in Gdansk, Nawrocki is set to succeed the incumbent President Andrzej Duda, whose second and final term ends on 6th of August this year.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the performance of the Indian contingent at the recently held 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea. Indian athletes delivered a powerful performance at the Championships winning a total haul of 24 medals including, 8 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze.

The Prime Minister also congratulated Chess player Gukesh for winning against Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 of Norway Chess 2025.

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The Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 will be held in India and Sri Lanka from 30th September to 2nd November. The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the schedule for the tournament in Colombo. The 13th edition of the tournament will be held at five venues across India and Sri Lanka. The eight-team ICC women’s mega event will be played in Bengaluru, Guwahati, Indore and Visakhapatnam in India and in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The competition’s final will be held in Bengaluru or Colombo on the 2nd of November this year.

India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan are teams which will compete in the Women’s World Cup.

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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” tonight at 09.30 PM, we will bring an insightful discussion on Protecting Consumers from Dark patterns in Digital Commerce with Anupam Mishra, Joint Secretary, in Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Pushpa Girimaji, Activist and Specialist in Consumer Law, Rights and Safety.

During the programme, the listeners will have the opportunity to ask our experts questions about identifying dark patterns and malpractices in digital commerce, staying vigilant, and reporting such issues

To participate, simply dial the telephone numbers 011 – 23421050 and 011 – 23314444, 9:30 onwards tonight.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, India is emerging as a leading force in the Global Space and Aviation sectors; Addresses plenary Session of World Air Transport Summit in New Delhi.
India and Paraguay to further strengthen ties in many sectors including clean energy, green hydrogen and biofuels.
Centre notifies guidelines for scheme to promote manufacturing of electric passenger cars in the country.
Heavy rain disrupt normal life in North Eastern states; Relief and rescue operations underway.
Second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks concludes in Istanbul; Both sides to explore more prisoner exchange opportunities.
Independent candidate Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s Presidential Election.
And International Cricket Council announces schedule for Women’s ODI World Cup to be played in India and Srilanka.