THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi Says India is the first G-20 nation to meet the goals of Paris Agreement in non-fossil fuel energy capacity; Virtually inaugurates India Energy Week in New Delhi.
- Prime Minister to Co-Chair AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in a short while.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, evolving security scenarios demand innovative approaches and stronger partnerships.
- US President Donald Trump announces 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports.
- In Badminton, Asia Mixed Team Championships 2025 kicks off in Qindao, China.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, India has become the 5th largest economy over the past decade, up from the 10th position. The Prime Minister made these remarks while virtually inaugurating India Energy Week 2025 at Yashobhumi in Dwarka this morning. The Prime Minister said, India has grown from the tenth largest to the fifth largest economy in the past decade. He highlighted that India’s solar energy generation capacity has increased thirty-two times in the last ten years, making it the third-largest solar power generating nation in the world. He noted that India’s non-fossil fuel energy capacity has tripled and that India is the first G20 country to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Prime Minister Modi underscored that India is driving not only its own growth but also the world’s growth. He highlighted that the country’s energy sector plays a significant role in achieving this feat.
Speaking about ethanol blending, Mr. Modi said, the country is currently blending 19 percent ethanol, which has helped save Foreign Exchange, generated substantial revenue for farmers, and significantly reduced CO2 emissions. The Prime Minister stated that India is on track to achieve the 20 percent ethanol blending mandate before October 2025.
The Prime Minister highlighted that under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the country is focused on strengthening local supply chains and manufacturing. Mr. Modi underlined that the next two decades will be crucial for a developed India adding that in the next 5 years the country will cross many major milestones.
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At the Grand Palais in Paris, preparations are in full swing for a crucial global dialogue on AI. The plenary session of the summit is set to begin in this afternoon. Building on previous AI summits in the UK and South Korea, today’s event aims to set global AI standards and promote responsible technological progress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to co-chair the AI Action Summit alongside the French President in just a short while.
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The Rajya Sabha today resumed the discussion on the General Budget 2025-26. Participating in the discussion, Bhagawat Karad of the BJP said the fiscal deficit was brought down by 0.4 per cent due to proactive measures taken by the government. He said the direct benefit transfer helped in stopping leakages and saved the government exchequer.
Taking part in the discussion, Praful Patel of NCP expressed confidence that the country will become the third largest economy in the world in coming years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussion is underway. Meanwhile in the Lok sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will reply to the discussion on the Union Budget 2025-26 today. The House took up the discussion on the Union Budget on 7th of this month.
In the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister will reply to the discussion on the Union Budget 2025-26 on Thursday.
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Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda today said, the government is taking all measures to extend medical and health services in the tribal areas across the country. Replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said, a robust system is in place for screening various health issues and providing treatment in these areas. He said, screening for oral and dental diseases and breast cancer and cervix cancer including health conditions like diabetes and blood pressure are being regularly done through one lakh 45 thousand Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country.
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The Government has said, India has become the second largest country in fish production because of the robust financial and technical support to the farmers by this regime.
Replying to the supplementaries in the Lok Sabha during the Question Hour, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh said, the fisheries sector has witnessed a 126 per cent growth under this government.
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said GST Council is the constitutional authority for GST classification and taxation implementation across the country. Replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha, she clarified that the decision of any GST classification is not a unilateral decision but a decision of the Council. She also added the Finance Ministers of the respective states are fully empowered to take up issues with the Council. The Minister further said that the rate of GST has come down significantly.
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Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Defence Minister’s Conclave in Bengaluru today on the sidelines of the Aero India show. He asserted that the international order and peace cannot be ensured from a position of weakness. He pointed out that an increasing number of conflicts are making our world a more unpredictable place and the evolving security scenarios demand innovative approaches and stronger partnerships.
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Mahakumbh
Preparations are in full swing at the Prayagraj Mahakumbh ahead of the Maghi Purnima Snan tomorrow. The bathing holds a great relevance as it marks the end of the special ritual of performing Kalpavas. During this period, the Kalpvasis stay in temporary accommodations near the ghats of the Sangam. This year, more than 10 lakh people have performed Kalpavas in Mahakumbh. Special arrangements are being made by the Uttar Pradesh government to provide essential services to the devotees and for effective traffic management. More from our correspondent:
“According to traditions, it is believed that performing Kalpavas on the banks of Sangam in Prayagraj till the Maghi Purnima, yields the fruits of penance of a thousand years. Performing Kalpavas in Maha Kumbh is considered to be especially fruitful. The Kalpavasis will perform Kalpavas by bathing in the holy Sangam on the full moon day as per the rites. They will then return to their huts on the banks of Sangam to listen to Satyanarayan Katha and perform Havan puja. After worship and donation, the Kalpvasis will leave their temporary accommodation and return to their homes.
To ease traffic congestion, the state government has introduced a special traffic plans to ensure smooth movement and safety of devotees. The entire mela area has been declared a ‘no vehicle zone’ starting from 4:00 AM today. From 5:00 PM this evening, the ‘no vehicle zone’ will expand to the entire Prayagraj city. Only emergency and essential services will be allowed for movement during this period. This special traffic plan will remain in effect until the completion of the Magh Purnima snan tomorrow. Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a special review meeting via video conferencing with senior government officials, police officers, and district administration officials from multiple districts. During the meeting, the Chief Minister assessed the ongoing preparations and called for increase in shuttle buses from parking areas to the fairgrounds. Mr Adityanath also prioritized assistance for children, elderly, and women. He also directed the officials to prevent overcrowding at Prayagraj railway stations by deploying additional fair-special trains and Transport Corporation buses. Adarsh for Akashvani News, Prayagraj.”
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US President Donald Trump has signed an order to impose 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The tariffs will apply widely to all US imports of steel and aluminum, including from Canada and Mexico, the country’s top two foreign suppliers of the metals.
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In Badminton, the Asia Mixed Team Championships 2025 kicks off today in Qingdao, China. Lakshya Sen and Malvika Bansod will lead the Indian challenge. Sen, along with HS Prannoy, will represent India in the men’s singles. While India’s No. 2, Malvika Bansod, will represent the country in the women’s singles.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi Says India is the first G-20 nation to meet goals of Paris Agreement in non-fossil fuel energy capacity; Virtually inaugurates India Energy Week in New Delhi.
- Prime Minister to Co-Chair AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in a short while.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, evolving security scenarios demand innovative approaches and stronger partnerships.
- US President Donald Trump announces 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports.
- In Badminton, Asia Mixed Team Championships 2025 kicks off in Qindao, China.
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