THE HEADLINES:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says healthcare services being expanded to rural areas across the country through Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Arogya Mandir.
India calls for de-escalating tensions in West Asia through Dialogue and Diplomacy.
Conflict in West Asia intensifies as US And Israel strike on Iran’s underground missile infrastructure; Iran also hits missiles and drones across the Gulf region.
Oil Prices cross 100 dollar per barrel mark for the first time in 4 years; Sensex crashes over 1,700 points, Nifty also down by over 500 points in early trade.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm amid opposition uproar demanding discussion on West Asia situation.
And in Women’s Hockey, India to face Scotland in FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad this evening.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India’s health infrastructure has become stronger in the past few years. Addressing a post-budget webinar on Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas-Fulfilling Aspirations of People, Mr Modi said that fulfilling the aspirations of the people is not merely a matter of discussion but the very foundation of the Budget and the commitment of the government.
Emphasizing the rise of care economy, Mr Modi said that the growing global demand for care givers is creating new skill-based employment opportunities for lakhs of young people in the country.
The Prime Minister expressed pride in the increasing number of women in STEM fields. Mr Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for daughters in futuristic technologies.
Asserting that India is moving towards an innovation-driven economy, the Prime Minister called upon academic institutions to transform their campuses into hubs of industry collaboration and research-driven learning to provide students with essential real-world exposure.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has emphasized that the dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate the tensions in West Asia. Making a statement in the Lower House, on the situation in West Asia, Dr Jaishankar said, the Indian government had issued a statement on 20th of last month regarding the situation, expressing deep concerns and had urged all sides to exercise restraint. He said India continues to believe that dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate the tensions.
The External Affairs Minister said that this ongoing conflict is of particular concern to India as it is a neighbouring region. The Minister said, MEA has set up a dedicated special control room to monitor the situation and respond to queries. He said, as of yesterday, almost 67 thousand Indian nationals have returned to the country. He made the statement amidst opposition uproar as they were demanding discussion on this issue. Dr Jaishankar made a similar statement in the Rajya Sabha also.
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The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 3 PM amid uproar by opposition members who were insiting discussion on West Asia Situation. When the House assembled at 12 noon after the first adjournment, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar gave a suo moto statement on the situation in West Asia. When he began giving the statement, Opposition Members from Congress , DMK, SP and others came to the well displaying placards. Presiding Officer Jagdambika Pal asked them not to display placards in the House as it is against the rules.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed the Opposition for their behaviour inside the House saying he has never seen such irresponsible Opposition in his lifetime. Despite the Chair’s request, the opposition continued to protest which led to adjournment of the House till 3 PM.
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Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha J.P. Nadda today criticized the opposition for its behaviour during Mr. Jaishankar’s statement on West Asia conflict, saying their interest is not for debate but in causing anarchy. He said the opposition’s interest is never in the discussion but doing hooliganism. Mr Nadda also recalled similar incidents from previous Parliament sessions, particularly the discussions on electoral reforms in December 2025 and space programme, when the Opposition walked out.
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BJP has appointed Central observers for the upcoming biennial polls to Rajya Sabha in Bihar, Odisha and Haryana. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and Union Minister Harsh Malhotra will be the Party observers in Bihar while Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will oversee election in Haryana and Minister in Maharashtra Government Chandrasekhar Bawankule has been appointed as Central Observer in Odisha. BJP President Nitin Nabin has made these appointments today.
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Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports launched the second phase of the Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Programme in Delhi today. The initiative is being organised through Mera Yuva Bharat, MY Bharat to strengthen youth engagement with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The Ministry informed that more than 10 thousand students from over 35 colleges across the national capital are participating in the programme. Registration and participation in the programme will be facilitated through the MY Bharat digital platform mybharat.gov.in.
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As tensions continue on day ten of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, UAE authorities have issued a series of updates affecting security, travel, markets and daily life.The UAE witnessed missile and drone interceptions earlier today, with most of the defensive activity taking place over the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Authorities say air defence systems successfully intercepted several incoming threats. Meanwhile, in Fujairah, officials are responding to a fire that broke out in the Fawz oil area. Authorities say the blaze was caused by shrapnel that fell following the successful interception of aerial threats. No injuries have been reported. A report:
The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has intensified sharply, with large-scale air strikes on Iran’s underground missile infrastructure and continued missile and drone interceptions across the Gulf. The United States Central Command says its operations in recent days have destroyed hundreds of missiles, launchers and drones, as well as seventeen vessels. It warns that further military action could follow in the coming hours and days. At the same time, the UAE remains on high alert, with its air defence systems actively intercepting incoming threats.According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, between Sunday evening and early Monday morning, air defences detected seventeen ballistic missiles, intercepting sixteen of them, while the remaining missile fell harmlessly into the sea. Authorities also reported one hundred and seventeen drones, with one hundred and thirteen shot down and four landing on Emirati territory. The government insists the country is acting strictly in self-defence, calling the attacks “unprovoked” and stressing that its priority is protecting civilians and critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, Iran’s leadership appears to be sending mixed signals, even as the country has reportedly chosen a new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that Iran could respond to attacks launched from neighbouring countries, while elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are pushing for continued pressure on Gulf states hosting US military assets. Vinod Kumar for Akashvani News, Dubai.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices were trading around 2.3 per cent down during afternoon trade today. The Sensex fell 1 thousand and 833 points to 77 thousand and 86, while the Nifty lost 566 points to 23 thousand and 884, when reports last came in.
Meanwhile, global crude oil prices surged past 100 US dollars a barrel as the West Asian conflict disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and rattled global markets. Brent Crude was trading over 16 per cent up at 107 US dollars and 59 cents per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate Crude was trading 13.3 per cent higher at 102 US dollars and 98 cents per barrel in intra-day trade.
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In Nepal, Counting underway for remaining constituencies for election results, RSP takes the lead with 2/3rd majority. A report:
Counting continues for 3 constituencies under the first-past-the-post system, and final results have been declared from 162 constituencies. Rastriya Swatantra Party has won in 124 constituencies and is leading in 1 constituency Nepali Congress has won 17 seats and is leading in 1, UML has 8 seats and is leading in 1 and NCP has won 7 seats only. For 110 seats under proportional representation, counting has completed for 68 seats. Meanwhile, in 9 constituencies like Sankhuwasbha, Ilam, Achhaam, Bajura, Gorkha and Dhanusha, counting for proportional representation counting had yet not started before noon today and, in the rest of 33 seats counting is underway. Sweta Singh, Akashvani, News, Kathmandu.
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In Hockey, Indian women’s team will face Scotland in their second Pool B match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad this evening. The match will begin at 7: 30 PM. Yesterday, the Indian team registered a commanding 4-0 victory over Uruguay. The Hyderabad meet is one of the two qualifying tournaments for the Women’s Hockey World Cup, alongside another event in Santiago, Chile. The teams finishing first, second and third in both Hyderabad and Santiago will earn direct qualification for the 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup. This year the World Cup will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
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India scripted history by winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title for record third time, beating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final match in Ahmedabad last night. Chasing a massive target of 256 runs set by India, New Zealand were bowled out for just 159 runs in 19 overs. Jasprit Bumrah bagged highest 4 wickets and was adjudged Player of the Match.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says healthcare services being expanded to rural areas across the country through Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Arogya Mandir.
India calls for de-escalating tensions in West Asia through Dialogue and Diplomacy.
Conflict in West Asia intensifies as US And Israel strike on Iran’s underground missile infrastructure; Iran also hits missiles and drones across the Gulf region.
Oil Prices cross 100 dollar per barrel mark for the first time in 4 years; Sensex crashes over 1,700 points, Nifty also down by over 500 points in early trade.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm amid opposition uproar demanding discussion on West Asia situation.
And in Women’s Hockey, India to face Scotland in FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad this evening.
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