Midday News -

THE HEADLINES :

President Droupadi Murmu calls for collective efforts towards conservation of environment.
At least 17 Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh.
ISRO announces successful completion of 1,000-hour life test on its 300 Milli Newton Stationary Plasma Thruster.
Death toll in Myanmar earthquake crosses one thousand mark; India sends first tranche of humanitarian aid to the quake-hit country; Two more to be sent soon.
And in IPL Cricket, Gujarat Titans to take on Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad this evening.

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President Droupadi Murmu has called for a collective efforts towards conservation of environment. She said that environmental protection and its promotion will be possible only through continuous activism based on awareness and collective efforts of all. The President stated this while inaugurating a National Conference on Environment -2025 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

The two day event has been organised by the National Green Tribunal. President Murmu said that it is our moral responsibility to provide a legacy of a clean environment to the coming generations. She emphasised for adopting an environmentally conscious and sensitive lifestyle for conservation of environment. The President mentioned that balancing clean environment and modern development is both an opportunity and a challenge.

Speaking on the occasion Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said that India is focusing on ramping up innovations in low carbon technology and it believes that rapid economic growth is the best defence against climate change for developing nation. He said, India is the third largest energy producing country in the world and has set a target of 500 Giga Watt renewable energy capacity by 2030. He said, India is not only focusing on reducing its carbon footprint but also creating millions of jobs through green energy sector.

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In Chhattisgarh, at least 17 Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Sukma district of Bastar division today. Two jawans of District Reserve Guard were injured in this encounter. More from our correspondent:

The security forces had received intelligence inputs that Maoists are present in Keralapal area of the district. After this, a joint team of CRPF and District Reserve Guard launched the Anti Naxal operation. There has been intermittent firing between security forces and Maoists since this morning.

Security forces have recovered the bodies of killed Maoists along with a large number of weapons and explosives from the spot. These include AK-47, self-loading rifle, rocket launcher and other weapons.

In the last 1 year, about 400 Maoists have been killed in encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh. In the last 10 days alone, about 50 Maoists have been killed in encounters.

WITH VISHNU PRATAP SINGH FROM SUKMA, VIKALP SHUKLA, AKASHVANI NEWS, RAIPUR.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said the security agencies have neutralised 17 Naxalites in an operation in Sukma district in Chattisgarh. In a social media post, Mr. Shah mentioned that a massive cache of automatic weapons was recovered in another strike against Naxalism. He highlighted that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is resolved to eradicate Naxalism before 31st of March 2026. Appealing to those bearing arms, Mr. Shah said that weapons and violence cannot bring change; only peace and development can.

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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the successful completion of a 1,000-hour life test on its 300 Milli Newton Stationary Plasma Thruster, that is developed for induction in the Electric Propulsion System of satellites. According to ISRO, the life test was carried out under the full power level of 5.4 kilowatts in a chamber that simulates the vacuum conditions of space and the erosion of the electrode liners was periodically monitored. ISRO said this information will play an important role in satellite orbit management.

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Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has said that India is producing the highest number of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics or STEM graduates in the world today. Addressing the plenary session of Union International de Advocate in New Delhi, Mr. Goyal mentioned that the country has an average age of 28.3 years which makes it one of the youngest among other nations.

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The death toll in Myanmar earthquake has risen to more than one thousand following a powerful 7.7 magnitude quake on the Richter Scale yesterday. The country’s military-led government said in a statement that 1,002 people have now been found dead and another 2,376 injured, with 30 others missing. It said the numbers could still rise, as detailed figures are still being collected. Most of the fatalities are in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, and the city closest to the earthquake’s epicentre.

In Thailand’s capital Bangkok, six people have been found dead, 26 injured and 47 are still missing.

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India has sent the first tranche of humanitarian aid to Myanmar. New Delhi is set to send two more Indian Air Force aircraft carrying relief material as part of Operation Brahma, its relief operation for the quake-hit Myanmar. More from our correspondent:

India has launched Operation Brahma to provide relief to Myanmar after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand yesterday afternoon. The relief package includes essential supplies such as tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets, hygiene kits, generators, and kitchen sets. Additionally, crucial medical supplies, including paracetamol, antibiotics, syringes, gloves, and bandages, are being dispatched to support those affected by the disaster. The Indian Embassy in Myanmar is actively coordinating with local authorities to ensure speedy delivery of assistance and relief supplies from India. PALLAVI PARMAR, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar over the phone following the devastating earthquake. In a social media post, Mr. Modi said he conveyed his deep condolences at the loss of lives in the disaster. He affirmed that as a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar during this difficult hour. Mr Modi also mentioned that disaster relief materials, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue teams are being expeditiously dispatched to the affected areas as part of Operation Brahma.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of the country and abroad in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on Akashvani at 11 AM tomorrow. It will be the 120th episode of the monthly radio programme. The programme will be broadcast on the entire network of Akashvani and Doordarshan, the AIR News website, and the NewsOnAir mobile app. It will also be live-streamed on the YouTube channels of AIR News, DD News, PMO, and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Akashvani will broadcast the programme in regional languages immediately after the Hindi broadcast.

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BJP National President JP Nadda today attended the Bihar Diwas celebrations organized by Delhi BJP. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, Purvanchal Morcha leaders, and BJP MPs and MLA were also present. During his address, Mr. Nadda said that the NDA government in Bihar has done various development work for the welfare of people. He said that medical colleges are being set up in various districts of the state. He said that Bihar has a special importance as Mahatma Gandhi’s satyagraha started from Champaran and Jayaprakash Narayan’s agitation also began from Bihar.

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Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah will visit Bihar today. During the two-day visit, Mr. Shah will attend several programmes including a public meeting at Gopalganj and a state level cooperative conclave in Patna. After reaching Patna, Mr. Shah will hold a meeting with party leaders including Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, MLAs, MLCs and other elected representatives this evening. He will also hold a meeting with the State Core Committee of the BJP.

Tomorrow, Mr. Shah will inaugurate state level co-operative conclave in Patna. He will also dedicate and lay foundation of various development programmes and projects worth over 800 crore rupees. More than 7000 representatives of cooperative community will attend the function.

Later in the day the Union Minister will go to Gopalganj, where he will address a public meeting.

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Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma called on the Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi in New Delhi yesterday and discussed a range of geostrategic issues. They exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, focusing on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, enhancing military collaboration and exploring avenues for joint initiatives for strengthening regional security.

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Odisha is going through extreme heatwave conditions, with the temperature likely to go up by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next two days. A yellow warning has been issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for six districts of the state including Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Balangir, and Kalahandi for the next two days. The IMD said, the rise in humidity and shift in wind direction can trigger rainfall in certain districts of interior Odisha on 2nd and 3rd of next month. Jharsuguda in western Odisha has reported the maximum temperature at 43 degrees Celsius while capital city Bhubaneswar recorded a maximum temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours. People have been warned not to go out during peak time of the day from 11 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon.

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Atleast four people have been killed and another 19 injured in a mass Russian drone attack on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro late last night. According to reports, Russia sent more than 20 drones on the city, and that most of them were shot down. A restaurant complex and several residential buildings were ablaze after the attack. Images and videos later emerged showing firefighters tackling large fires engulfing the hit buildings and other debris scattered on the city streets. However, Russian military has not commented on the issue.

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In the Indian Premier League Cricket, Gujarat Titans will clash with Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad this evening. The match will begin at 7:30 PM. Both teams are looking to bounce back after losing their opening matches. Gujarat lost to Punjab Kings by 11 runs, while Mumbai was defeated by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 4 wickets.

Last night, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Chennai Super Kings by 50 runs in Chennai.

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In Table Tennis, India’s Manav Thakkar created history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for the final eight of a WTT Star Contender event. He defeated Andre Bertelsmeier of Germany, 3-2 in the men’s singles prequarterfinal at the WTT Star Contender in Chennai today.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

President Droupadi Murmu calls for collective efforts towards conservation of environment.
At least 17 Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh.
ISRO announces successful completion of 1,000-hour life test on its 300 Milli Newton Stationary Plasma Thruster.
Death toll in Myanmar earthquake crosses one thousand mark; India sends first tranche of humanitarian aid to the quake-hit country; Two more to be sent soon.
And in IPL Cricket, Gujarat Titans to take on Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad this evening.

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