Midday News

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to unveil multiple development projects worth 13 thousand 430 crore rupees at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh today.
New Delhi says, the US administration has expressed interest in deepening energy cooperation with India and discussions on the matter are ongoing.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar calls for stronger global cooperation to tackle terrorism, economic instability, and climate change.
Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirms government’s adoption of zero-tolerance policy against corruption, crime, and terrorism.
JD(U) releases second list of 44 candidates for Bihar Assembly Elections.
And, in Badminton, Lakshya Sen and Men’s Doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty gear up for pre-quarterfinal matches of Denmark Open in Odense today.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth around 13 thousand 430 crore rupees at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh this afternoon. These projects span across key sectors including industry, power transmission, roads, railways, defence manufacturing, and petroleum and natural gas. We have a report:

“To enhance road infrastructure, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the six-lane Greenfield Highway from Sabbavaram to Sheelanagar of over 960 crore rupees, aimed at easing congestion in Visakhapatnam and facilitating trade and employment. He will also lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation several key railway projects worth over one thousand 200 crore rupees. In the energy sector, the Prime Minister will dedicate Srikakulam to Angul Natural Gas Pipeline of GAIL India Limited, built at a total cost of around one thousand 730 crore rupees. To strengthen defence manufacturing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the Advanced Night Vision Products Factory at Nimmaluru, established by Bharat Electronics Limited at an investment of around 360 crore rupee. The facility will manufacture advanced electro-optical systems for the Indian Defence Forces, reinforcing self-reliance in defence production and promoting skilled employment in the region. With Dipendra Kumar, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News Delhi.”

The Prime Minister reached Kurnool this morning on a day-long visit to Andhra Pradesh. Upon arrival, the Prime Minister offered prayers at Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam and Sree Shivaji Spoorthi Kendra in Srisailam.

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India today said, the current US administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with it and discussions are on-going. Replying to media queries on country’s energy sourcing, External Affairs ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said, India has for many years sought to expand its energy procurement, which has steadily progressed in the last decade. The spokesperson elaborated that country’s oil import policies are guided entirely by the objective to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. He said that ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of country’s energy policy.

Earlier, during a press conference at the White House, US President Donald Trump said, US has a great relationship with India and it is an incredible country. He described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a great man and he is looking forward to meeting him on the sidelines of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia.

Mr. Trump’s statements came at a time when India’s trade negotiating team is in Washington for the next round of talks with US officials.

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has stressed on enhanced cooperation among nations to deal with the challenges posed by terrorism, economic instability and climate change. He said, these challenges are interconnected, and they transcend national borders. The Minister was addressing the Conclave of Chiefs of United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) in New Delhi today. He said, India approaches peacekeeping as a civilizational ethos.

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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the country has remained the fastest-growing economy in the world for the last four years and it aims to sustain this momentum for the next 20 years.

Addressing the India-Brazil Business Dialogue in New Delhi, Mr. Goyal said, ongoing visit of the Brazilian delegation led by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin will lay a strong foundation for elevating the partnership between the two countries.

The minister also emphasized that India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with several advanced nations reflect the growing confidence with which the country is engaging in global trade.

Mr. Alckmin is on a three day visit to India.

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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Aamarasuriya in New Delhi today. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said, they discussed India’s continued support to Sri Lanka and strengthening the cooperation between the two countries in education and capacity building. Sri Lankan Prime Minister arrived in New Delhi today on a three-day visit.

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Foreign Minister of Egypt Badr Abdelatty has arrived in New Delhi today on a two-day visit. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during his visit Mr Abdelatty will attend the first India-Egypt Strategic Dialogue.

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Home Minister Amit Shah today reiterated that the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, crime, and terrorism. Mr Shah was speaking after inaugurating the two-day Extradition of Fugitives – Challenges and Strategies conference in New Delhi today. Highlighting efforts to strengthen the rule of law, Mr. Shah said the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to securing the nation’s borders and ensuring justice.

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Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to transform the Railways sector with a focus on enhancing passenger amenities. Mr Vaishnaw was speaking after inaugurating several new passenger facilities at Khatipura Railway Station in Jaipur, Rajasthan today.

On the occasion, the Minister launched printed blanket covers for passengers traveling in AC coaches. He said the initiative aims to address concerns about blanket cleanliness.

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The GST Bachat Utsav, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and launched on the 22nd of last month, is benefiting people across all sections of society. Under the new structure of next-generation GST reforms, the earlier four-tier tax slabs of 5 percent, 12 percent, 18 percent, 28 percent have been streamlined into a two tier structure of 5 percent and 18 percent. Today, our correspondent brings a report on the GST reforms that will boost the economy of Madhya Pradesh.

“The new GST reforms are providing a significant boost to various sectors of Madhya Pradesh’s economy, including Food Processing and Agriculture, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Tribal and Folk Crafts. Under the new GST structure, tractor and pump equipment costs fell by 7-13 percent. This is making modern farm tools more affordable for small and marginal farmers, improving the competitiveness of local MSMEs. The reduction of GST on finished textile products is improving affordability for urban buyers and is generating greater income stability to weaver households. With GST reduced from 12 to 5 percent, which is giving artists a stronger edge in galleries, e-commerce and export markets, and is supporting stable incomes for tribal families. Akshit, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

This rate rationalisation has brought relief to both consumers and traders. Manda Chavhan, a resident of Thane in Maharashtra has expressed gratitude to the central government for waiving GST on health insurance.

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Political activity is intensifying in Bihar ahead of the state assembly elections. NDA ally Janata Dal (United) today released its second list of 44 candidates. Our correspondent has the details:

“The Janata Dal (United) has announced the names of its candidates for all 101 seats allotted to it. In its second list, the party has given another chance to 19 sitting MLAs, while four ministers – Sumit Kumar Singh, Sheela Mandal, Leshi Singh, and Jayant Raj – have once again been trusted by the party. Amid the talks for seat-sharing agreement within the Grand Alliance, the Congress Party has allotted election symbols to its several candidates. Congress state president Rajesh Ram will once again contest from the Kutumba constituency. Among the candidates who have received tickets from the party, a large number are associated with the Youth Congress. The party has fielded former MLA Amita Bhushan from Begusarai, Anil Kumar from Bikram, and Youth Congress leader Lalan Kumar from Sultanganj. DHARMENDRA KUMAR RAI, AKASHVANI NEWS, PATNA”

Election to the 243 member Bihar Assembly will be conducted in two phases on the 6th and 11th of November.

Filing of nomination is underway in the state. Tomorrow is the last day for filing of nominations for the first phase of the state assembly polls.

Senior BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary filed his papers today from the Tarapur Assembly constituency in Munger. RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav will file his nomination from the Mahua constituency in Vaishali district today.

Addressing a public meeting in the Danapur Assembly constituency in Bihar, Senior BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, the NDA government has worked effectively to free Bihar from anarchy.

Meanwhile, Election Commission has issued directions for allotment of broadcast and telecast time to National and State recognized political parties on Doordarshan and Akashvani in view of the Bihar polls. Under the scheme, free broadcasting and telecasting facilities of a base time of 45 minutes has been allotted on both Doordarshan and Akashvani, for each party.

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The National Security Guard (NSG), India’s premier counter-terrorism force is celebrating its 41st Raising Day today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has greeted NSG personnel on the occasion. In a social media post, Mr. Shah said, NSG has set the gold standard in combat excellence by securing the nation with unwavering valiance and sacrifice.

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In Badminton, India’s Lakshya Sen will face Danish player Anders Antonsen in pre-quarterfinals of Denmark Open in Odense today. World No. 21 Lakshya defeated Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in Round of 32 yesterday. Star Men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will take on Yang Po-han and Liu Kuang-Heng of Chinese Taipei in the Round of 16. Sixth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Christopher Grimley and Matthew Grimley of Scotland.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to unveil multiple development projects worth 13 thousand 430 crore rupees at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh today.
New Delhi says, the US administration has expressed interest in deepening energy cooperation with India and discussions on the matter are ongoing.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar calls for stronger global cooperation to tackle terrorism, economic instability, and climate change.
Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirms government’s adoption of zero-tolerance policy against corruption, crime, and terrorism.
JD(U) releases second list of 44 candidates for Bihar Assembly Elections.
And, in Badminton, Lakshya Sen and Men’s Doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty gear up for pre-quarterfinal matches of Denmark Open in Odense today.