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January 16, 2025 3:05 PM

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Midday News

THE HEADLINES:

 

  • India scripts history with docking of two satellites under the SpaDeX mission; Becomes fourth country to achieve this feat.
  • Visiting Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam says, both countries on new trajectory of comprehensive strategic partnership.
  • New Delhi welcomes Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage-release deal; Says, agreement will lead to a sustained supply of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
  • Prominent candidates of major political parties to file their nominations for Delhi Assembly elections today.
  • And, in Australian Open Tennis, India’s N. Sriram Balaji with his Mexican partner advance to second round of Men’s Doubles.

 

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The Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO today scripted history by successfully completing docking of two satellites named Chaser and Target under the SpaDeX mission. With the stupendous success of the indigenously developed Bharatiya Docking System by ISRO, India has become the fourth country to use this technology after the USA, Russia and China. Docking technology is critical in assembling the space station and in crewed missions. It provides crucial facilities including in-orbit refueling and assembling heavy infrastructure in microgravity. ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan congratulated the team on the feat. More from our Correspondent:

“It is a historic moment in the Indian space programme today, ISRO has successfully docked two space crafts in Earth orbit. The Bharatiya Docking System developed indigenously by ISRO has evidently accomplished the most important mission that has bearing on future missions like Chandrayaan 4 and having our own Bharatiya Space Station. The Docking technology is essential in space when multiple rocket launches are aimed at achieving common mission goals. The technology involves development of docking sensors, power transfer technology, inter satellite communication link and inbuilt intelligence. In the coming days ISRO will demonstrate the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecrafts before undocking. The spacecraft after separation will be used for the application missions. Sudhindra, Akashvani News, Bengaluru.”


President Droupadi Murmu extended her wishes to ISRO and the entire scientists and engineers communities of the country for boosting India’s space capabilities”. In a social media post, the President said, this achievement paves the way for country’s future endeavours in space exploration such as Chandrayaan-4, India’s planned space station and Gaganyaan.

Lauding the achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media post, said it is a significant stepping stone for the country’s ambitious space missions in the years to come.

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that it is an entirely indigenous Bharatiya Docking System.

 

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President Droupadi Murmu accorded a ceremonial welcome to the President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present on the occasion.

Talking to media on the occasion, President Shanmugaratnam said, India and Singapore are now on a new trajectory with the upgrade of their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore in September last year. He highlighted that both countries are exploring new initiatives in sustainability and digital space. He emphasised the possibility of a data corridor for financial institutions between the GIFT City in Gujarat and Singapore and another renewable energy corridor between both the countries.

President Tharman mentioned that India was one of the first few countries to recognise Singapore’s independence in 1965 and the relation between both the countries has grown since then.

The President of Singapore also visited Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

President Shanmugaratnam will hold discussions with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan this evening. President Murmu will also host a banquet in his honour. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also meet with the President of Singapore.

The Singapore President will also visit Odisha from tomorrow till 18th of this month.

 

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The Defence Ministry today signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited for the supply of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles for the Indian Navy at a cost of around three thousand crore rupees. According to the Ministry, the MRSAM system is a standard fit, onboard multiple Indian Naval Ships and is planned to be fitted on the majority of the future platforms planned for acquisition. It said that the contract marks a critical milestone in the ongoing efforts to bolster India’s defence capabilities and indigenous advanced military technology.

 

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Nomination process is in full swing for the Delhi Assembly Polls as just one day is left for filing of nomination papers. Several prominent candidates of Aam Aadmi Party, BJP and Congress are going to file their nominations today. Senior Aam Aadmi Party leaders, Manish Sisodia, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Gopal Rai and Harish Khurana, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ashish Sood, and Kapil Mishra of BJP are going to file their nomination today from different assembly constituencies in the national capital. Sandeep Dikshit, and Areeba Khan among some other party candidates are also going to submit their nominations today. We have report:

“The candidates are holding road shows and visiting religious places to seek blessings before filing their nominations. Tomorrow is the last day for nomination. Meanwhile, all three prominent parties have started roping in their star campaigners in the city to campaign in favour of their candidates. Senior AAP leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will hold two road shows in Seelampur and Ghonda area while Senior BJP leaders including Arjun Ram Meghwal, Bhagirath Chaudhary, Anurag Singh Thakur, Sanjeev Balyan, Manoj Tiwari, Ravi Kishan and Anil Baluni, among others are accompanying BJP candidates from various constituencies to file their nominations. From Congress side, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also held Press conference in New Delhi and promised that congress will provide LPG cylinders at five hundred rupees if voted to power. Saklen Akhtar for Akashvani News, Delhi.”

 

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The Election Commission has directed political parties to take necessary measures for prominent labelling of AI-Generated and Synthetic content, shared for campaigning during elections. The Commission has issued advisory to the heads of all political parties saying that campaigners will need to include disclaimers in advertisements and promotional content disseminated online.

 

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Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president and former State Minister, K Tarakarama Rao today appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad for questioning. Mr Rao is facing a money laundering probe relating to alleged irregularities in payments amounting to about 55 crore rupees during the previous BRS regime.

 

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India has welcomed the announcement of the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs said, this agreement will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.  

The deal between Israel and Hamas on ceasefire in Gaza and release of Hostages is set to begin on Sunday and will last for 42 days.

 

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Hindenburg Research, known for short-selling activities, has been shut down by founder Nate Anderson. The decision comes amid the widespread controversial report on India based Adani group. Mr Anderson did not cite a specific reason for the closure but termed it a personal decision.

 

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The Government’s flagship initiative Startup India has completed nine years today. Sharing a video message on a social media platform on the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, the government has left no stone unturned to encourage a culture of startups in the country.

 

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Now news from the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh

The world’s largest spiritual gathering is set to witness a grand cultural extravaganza from today. The event titled Sanskriti ka Mahakumbh, to continue till 24th of next month, will showcase the rich tapestry of Indian culture through a series of captivating performances by renowned artists.

Meanwhile, the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj is weaving a powerful narrative of environmental protection alongside culture and spirituality. The city will host Green Mahakumbh on 31st of this month. We have a report:

“The Green Mahakumbh will bring together more than one thousand environmental and water conservation workers from across the country. As part of the Green Mahakumbh, a national-level discussion will focus on issues related to nature, the environment, water and cleanliness. Discussions will explore ways to raise awareness among Mahakumbh visitors about environmental protection and cleanliness as well as the campaigns being undertaken to promote these efforts. Administration is refraining from using plastic in the mela area. Instead, it is relying on kulhad, dona, and pattals, which are biodegradable materials, to replace thermocol and plastic. Use of solar power, eco-friendly transport like e-vehicles have been other features of Mahakumbh 2025. With Anand Kumar, Anupam Mishra, Akashvani News, Mahakumbh Nagar, Prayagraj.”

 

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Actor Saif Ali Khan, who was attacked by unknown assailants last night, is now stable and out of danger. The actor was rushed to the Lilavati Hospitalearly morning today, with a severe injury to his thoracic spinal cord, caused by a two-inch knife lodged in the cord. Talking to reporters Doctor Nitin Dange, Neurosurgeon at Lilavati Hospital, provided an update on actor Saif Ali Khan’s condition.

The police have reported that the assailant entered the actor’s house through the stairs during a robbery attempt. The suspect has been identified, and ten detection teams are currently working to locate and apprehend him.

 

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In the Kho Kho World Cup 2025, both the Indian Men’s and Women’s teams have advanced to the quarterfinals with outstanding performances. The Indian Women’s team is set to face Malaysia this evening, while the Indian men’s team will compete against Bhutan later tonight. Their match is scheduled to begin at 8:15 PM at the same venue. More from our correspondent:-

“In their group-stage match, the Indian men’s team secured a commanding 70-38 victory over Peru yesterday. They dominated right from Turn 1 and maintained their momentum through Turn 2. Their control continued into Turns 3 and 4, resulting in a clinical 32-point win. This impressive performance not only secured their quarterfinal spot but also highlighted their strong title aspirations. Meanwhile, the Indian women’s team delivered a stunning 100-16 victory against Iran to earn their place in the quarterfinals. They started with their signature aggressive approach, eliminating Iran’s first batch in just 33 seconds. The team’s dominance continued throughout all four turns, with a remarkable 6-minute-8-second Dream Run in Turn 3 sealing their victory. Both the Indian men’s and women’s teams are currently leading the points table in their respective groups. Abhishek Kapil, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

 

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In Australian Open Tennis, India’s N. Sriram Balaji with his Mexican partner Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela have advanced to the second round of Men’s Doubles. The duo defeated Aleksandr Nedovyesov of Kazakhstan and Robin Haase of Netherlands, in the first round this morning. Balaji is the only remaining Indian in the tournament.

 

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Benchmark domestic equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, were trading firmly in the afternoon trade today amid positive global cues. The 30-share BSE Sensex gained 348 points, to 77,072, and the NSE Nifty50 added 114 points, almost half percent, to 23,327 when reports last came in.

 

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 THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

 

  • India scripts history with docking of two satellites under the SpaDeX mission; Becomes fourth country to achieve this feat.
  • Visiting Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam says, both countries on new trajectory of comprehensive strategic partnership.
  • New Delhi welcomes Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage-release deal; Says, agreement will lead to a sustained supply of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
  • Prominent candidates of major political parties to file their nominations for Delhi Assembly elections today.
  • And, in Australian Open Tennis, India’s N. Sriram Balaji with his Mexican partner advance to second round of Men’s Doubles.

 

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