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November 19, 2024 3:02 PM

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Midday News

THE HEADLINES :-

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlights plight of Global South at G-20 Summit in Brazil; Urges nations to prioritize adverse effects of global conflicts on food, fuel, and fertilizer supplies.
  • Prime Minister holds bilateral meetings with various leaders on the sidelines of Summit; UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces resumption of talks for Free Trade Agreement with India.
  • All arrangements in place for Assembly Elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand tomorrow; By-Polls 15 Assembly Constituencies in 4 states to be held as well.
  • Home Minister Amit Shah says, country achieved remarkable success in reducing insurgency related violence.
  • Air quality in Delhi-NCR breaches severe-plus level; Delhi government seeks Centre’s permission for cloud seeding to induce artificial rain.
  • Stock market rebounds by over one per cent in afternoon trade after value-buying at lower levels.
  • In Women’s Asian Champions Hockey, India to take on Japan in Semi-final this evening.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, Global South is Facing Crisis Due to Global Conflicts. The Prime Minister said this while addressing G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, emphasizing the plight of the Global South. He highlighted the adverse effects of global conflicts on food, fuel, and fertilizer supplies, urging the G-20 to prioritize these nations’ challenges. Addressing the session on Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty, Mr. Modi underscored the disproportionate impact of global conflicts on the Global South. The summit saw the launch of a global alliance to combat poverty and hunger, supported by 80 nations. Our correspondent has filed this report as the G-20 Summit enters the 2nd day:

 

The first day of the G20 summit, had successful sessions on Global alliance on hunger and poverty and reforms in the global governance institutes on one hand, where else on the second hand it had several bilateral meetings attended by PM Modi. Bilateral with state heads of UK, Norway, Indonesia, Italy, France were held on day 1.Talking points of the meetings were reaffirming the cooperation on the front of trade, defense, tourism and some other topics like AI, green energy, space etc. The PM also announced the opening of 2 new consulates in the UK.      The highlight of the day was the declaration of the Rio de Janeiro Declaration for 2024 G20 Summit It focuses on a broad range of issues, including sustainable development, climate change, global health, economic recovery, and the future of multilateralism. For the second day, the members will be participating in 2 sessions, Sustainable Development and Energy Transition and the second session on digital infrastructure. PM Modi will be addressing the session of Sustainable Development and Energy Transition. As the IBSA (India Brazil South Africa) alliance members are also part of the troika this year, it is expected that the 3 nations may meet to discuss the collective issues under IBSA as well on the sidelines of the summit. Also more bilateral events are anticipated to be held on the second day as well.Sakshi Singh, Akashvani News, Brazil

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Prime Minister Modi  held crucial meetings and several interactions with global leaders on the sidelines of the G20 summit in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. The Prime Minister shared details of his discussions through a series of posts on social media today. He has highlighted his engagements with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

 

Following the meeting with the EU President, Prime Minister Mr. Modi said, India will keep working closely with the EU for the  global good. With Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the Prime Minister discussed enhancing ties in commerce, healthcare, and security, marking 75 years of India-Indonesia diplomatic relations. On the other hand, talks with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro focused on renewable energy, green hydrogen, and defence cooperation.

 

The Prime Minister also met British PM Keir Starmer. It’s for the first time that the two leaders met.  Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the focus on economy, trade, new and emerging technologies etc among others. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the relaunch of the stalled talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India early next year.

 

Both the leaders underlined the importance of resuming the FTA and negotiations at an early date.

 

PM’s meeting with the French President Emmanuel Macron was focused on the closely working sectors of space, energy, AI and other futuristic areas. The PM welcomed President Macron to organize the forthcoming AI Action Summit in France.

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All arrangements have been put in place for Assembly Elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand tomorrow. By elections will also be held for Parliamentary constituency of Nanded in Maharashtra and 15 Assembly Constituencies spread over 4 states, namely Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Uttarakhand.

 

In Jharkhand, Assembly elections are being held in two phases voting on 38 constituencies in 12 districts will be held in the second phase. It will begin at 7 in the morning and will end at 5 pm, barring some sensitive booths, where voting will conclude at 4 pm. We are joined by our correspondent Bhupendra Singh from Ranchi for more details.

 

Ques: what is the importance of this phase of elections?

 

In Maharashtra, elections for all 288 seats are being held in a single phase. Voting will begin at 7 AM and will end at 6 PM. A total of 4,136 candidates are in the fray which include 2,086 independent contenders. The BJP is contesting in 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) has put up 86 candidates. BSP has fielded 237 candidates and AIMIM 17. Our correspondent reports that during the recent Lok Sabha Elections, Maharashtra recorded a low voter turn-out of 61.33 percent. According to the Election Commission, the issue of ‘Urban and Youth Apathy’ is a major concern for the poll panel. Speaking to Akashvani News, Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer, S Chockalingam said that the Election Commission in the state is making concerted efforts to increase voter turnout in Mumbai and elsewhere.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 50th All India Police Science Conference in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The event was jointly organized by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) and the National Raksha Shakti University. Speaking at the inauguration, the Home Minister highlighted the significant transformations India has undergone over the past fifty years, which have also influenced global dynamics. He emphasized that these changes have necessitated a shift in the nature and functioning of the police force. Providing further insights, Mr. Shah noted that over the last decade, the country has achieved remarkable success in reducing violence in the most conflict-prone regions

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Delhi government has urged the Centre to grant permission for cloud seeding to induce artificial rain in the national capital to combat the severe air pollution crisis. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, requesting an emergency meeting on air pollution. Talking to media in New Delhi, Mr. Rai said experts have been consulted, and it is time to induce artificial rain to disperse smog and improve air quality in Delhi-NCR.

 

Meanwhile, the air quality in the Delhi-NCR continues to be in a deteriorate , breaching the severe plus level with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 473 at  as of 1 PM today. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, some parts of Delhi are witnessing over 480 AQI levels, which come under the severe plus category. The Bawana area of the city recorded 483 AQI, JLN Stadium at 461, Anand Vihar at 489, and 468 at RK Puram.

In view of the  deteriorating air quality,  schools in Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Noida have shifted to online classes starting today, a move that will continue until further notice.

 

Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna today said, all judges have been asked to allow virtual hearings wherever possible in view of the severe pollution levels in the National Capital Region. .

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India’s vision for a free, open and secure maritime network is finding resonance across the world. Mr Modi stated this while lauding the efforts of Ministry of of Ports, Shipping & Waterways for successfully organizing in Sagarmanthan, The Ocean’s Dialogue in New Delhi. He said that Sagarmanthan’s success will build consensus for partnerships of a prosperous future of humanity.

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The three-day Indian Air Force’s biannual Commanders’ Conference is  currently underway in New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the conference today, which also saw the presence of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.

 

The conference focuses on reviewing the operational readiness of the Indian Air Force, with special emphasis on winter operations along the northern borders. Senior commanders are discussing strategic and operational plans to enhance the force’s capabilities and preparedness.The conference will conclude tomorrow.

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Government has convened an all-party meeting on the 24th of this month ahead of Winter Session of  Parliament. In the meeting, the government will seek support from all political parties to ensure smooth functioning of  the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the session. The winter session is scheduled to take place from the 25th of this month to the 20th December.

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Domestic benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, were trading higher in today’s afternoon trade today, driven by value-buying at lower levels and robust demand for blue-chip stocks. Earlier, both the indices opened in positive territory, recovering from losses incurred in previous sessions.

 

The 30-share BSE Sensex surged 156 points, or 1.3 percent, to 78,395, while the NSE Nifty-50 climbed  312 points, or 1.33 percent, to 23,766 when reports last came in.

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In Women’s Asian Champions Hockey Trophy 2024 semi finals will be played today. The first semi final between China and Malaysia will start in a short while at Rajgir International Hockey stadium. Later today, favourite team of the tournament India will fight with Japan in the second semi-final.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlights plight of Global South at G-20 Summit in Brazil; Urges nations to prioritize adverse effects of global conflicts on food, fuel, and fertilizer supplies.
  • Prime Minister holds bilateral meetings with various leaders on the sidelines of Summit; UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces resumption of talks for Free Trade Agreement with India.
  • All arrangements in place for Assembly Elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand tomorrow; By-Polls 15 Assembly Constituencies in 4 states to be held as well.
  • Home Minister Amit Shah says, country achieved remarkable success in reducing insurgency related violence.
  • Air quality in Delhi-NCR breaches severe-plus level; Delhi government seeks Centre’s permission for cloud seeding to induce artificial rain.
  • Stock market rebounds by over one per cent in afternoon trade after value-buying at lower levels.
  • In Women’s Asian Champions Hockey, India to take on Japan in Semi-final this evening.

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