Midday News -

THE HEADLINES ::

Government tables Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 for consideration and passing in Rajya Sabha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Bangkok on a two-day visit to Thailand; To attend sixth BIMSTEC summit and hold talks with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Supreme Court dismisses over 25,000 teachers appointed by West Bengal government, citing irregularities and corruption.
India to analyze and assess the impact of 26 percent reciprocal tariff imposed by US, says Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary.
And in IPL cricket, Kolkata Knight Riders to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens in Kolkata this evening.

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The Rajya Sabha has taken up the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 for consideration and passing. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties, with provisions to safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare. The legislation also aims to improve governance by enhancing transparency in property management, streamlining coordination between Waqf Boards and local authorities and protecting stakeholder’s rights. The Bill also seeks to improve the economic and social status of Muslim women, particularly widows and divorced women. The Bill is intended to make the Waqf Board more inclusive, having representation from different Muslim sects for better Waqf governance and decision-making.

Moving the bill, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the bill has been brought after a detailed consultation with the stakeholders as well as in the Joint Parliamentary Committee. He urged the opposition parties to support this bill. Rejecting the opposition’s allegations, he said, only Muslim can get the benefit of Waqf and it is not correct that any non-muslim will interfere in the management of Waqf properties. He highlighted that the bill is intended to ensure better management of Waqf properties and not to interfere in the religious practice of Muslims. The Minister also highlighted that the Waqf boards will have representations of all different sects of Muslim and women to make it inclusive.

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On the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, Union Minister and LJP (Ramvilas) Chief Chirag Paswan has accused the opposition leaders of spreading lies on the Bill saying that this bill is against Muslims. Talking to reporters outside parliament, Mr Paswan said, the bill is pro-poor Muslim and women. He said, the systems will be made transparent through this Bill.

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Prominent leaders across the nation have welcomed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after it was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday. The experts, ranging from legal domain to intellectual groups, have extended their support, saying the Bill will solve reported issues of corruption, mis-governance and a lack of judicial oversight afflicting the Central and State Waqf Boards.

Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, Legal Expert and Former Chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Commission, Anwar Manippadi said that loose rules and regulations have festered unchecked embezzlements. He added that the Bill has empowered people to approach the higher courts over any dispute on the verdicts of the Waqf Board.

Meanwhile, President of All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaaz, Shariq Adeeb, said the Bill will bring the much-needed transparency into the management and governance of the Waqf Board, bringing down corruption in its functioning.

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Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha today staged a walkout from the House protesting over the land grab allegation made by BJP MP Anurag Thakur against the Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge. When the Upper House met this morning, Mr. Kharge said a wild allegation has been made by the BJP leader against him which has damaged his reputation. He demanded an apology from Mr. Thakur over the comments made by him in the Lok Sabha yesterday. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said the House is not a place for free fall of information and one can not damage the reputation earned after decades. He said anything which has been expunged in the House should never get traction.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bangkok, Thailand today to participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. He was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit at the airport. This will be the Prime Minister’s third visit to Thailand after 2019 and 2016.

Upon arrival, Mr. Modi, in a social media post, said that he looks forward to participating in the upcoming official engagements and strengthening the bonds of cooperation between India and Thailand.

During his two-day state visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra at Bangkok this evening. They will review the progress of the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discuss ways to add greater momentum to the India-Thailand bilateral partnership and exchange views on regional and multilateral issues. They will also witness the signing of several bilateral documents.

The theme of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, to be held tomorrow is “BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient and Open.” The Bangkok Vision 2030 will be adopted at the Summit, and the Report of the BIMSTEC Eminent Persons’ Group will also be endorsed to chart the future direction of BIMSTEC. Prime Minister Modi is also expected to have an audience with King Rama X and the Queen of Thailand. More from our correspondent:

“India and Thailand have historically warm bilateral relations, shared civilizational, cultural, and religious bonds. Thailand is India’s maritime neighbor, a valuable partner in the Act East policy and Vision for the Indo-Pacific, and a highly valued partner in BIMSTEC. Bilateral trade is almost 15 billion dollars, with India’s exports to Thailand around 5 billion and imports from Thailand about 10 billion dollars. India’s focus on BIMSTEC is on institution and capacity building, strengthening security, and increasing connectivity. A number of agreements and declarations are likely to be concluded at the Summit. Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

Following the BIMSTEC Summit, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Sri Lanka tomorrow for a three day state visit at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today urged the BIMSTEC member nations to approach the organisation from a more ambitious perspective given the uncertainty and volatility in the current global order. Addressing the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, Dr Jaishankar said the new order is intrinsically more regional and agenda-specific. He highlighted that BIMSTEC represents the trifecta of India’s three crucial initiatives: the Act East policy, the Neighbourhood First approach and the MAHA-SAGAR outlook, while also being the pathway to the nation’s Indo-Pacific commitment.

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The Supreme Court today upheld the Calcutta High Court verdict invalidating the appointment of more than 25000 teachers and other staff in West Bengal schools. The top court said the entire selection process is vitiated by manipulation and fraud and its credibility and legitimacy denuded.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said a fresh selection process to be completed in West Bengal schools within three months. The process can also have relaxations for untainted candidates. The court made the relaxation for the disabled employees on humanitarian grounds, saying they would remain in the job.

The plea challenging the Calcutta High Court order for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe in the recruitment row will be heard tomorrow.

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Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary has said that India will analyze and assess the impact of the decision by the US government after President Donald Trump announced a 26 percent reciprocal tariff for several countries including India. He added that the government will determine how to deal with it accordingly. Mr Chaudhary said this while interacting with the media after attending the inaugural session of the ‘First International Pension Research Conference’ in New Delhi. The Minister said that for Donald Trump it is ‘US First’ and for Prime Minister Modi it is ‘India First.’

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The Finance Ministry has notified an amendment to the Government Savings Promotion General Rules 2018 to remove any charges for the updation of nominees for Public Provident Fund (PPF) accounts. Sharing the information in a social media post today, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the necessary changes have been made in the Government Savings Promotion General Rules 2018 through a Gazette notification issued yesterday.

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In IPL T20 Cricket, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will face Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens, Kolkata today. The match will start at 7.30 PM.

Last night, Gujarat Titans defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 8 wickets at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru

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The Benchmark domestic equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, were trading with modest losses in the afternoon trade today weighed down by information technology pack and auto sectors following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of reciprocal tariff. The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 291 points to 76,326 and the NSE Nifty50 lost 69 points to 23,264, when reports last came in.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Government tables Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 for consideration and passing in Rajya Sabha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Bangkok on a two-day visit to Thailand; To attend sixth BIMSTEC summit and hold talks with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Supreme Court dismisses over 25,000 teachers appointed by West Bengal government, citing irregularities and corruption.
India to analyze and assess impact of 26 percent reciprocal tariff imposed by US, says Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary.
And in IPL cricket, Kolkata Knight Riders to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens in Kolkata this evening.

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