THE HEADLINES ::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses concern over threats emanating from digital frauds, cyber-crimes and artificial intelligence technology.
- Uttar Pradesh government declares Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as a new district.
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) sets new record of 16.58 billion financial transactions in October this year.
- UN Convention to Combat Desertification’s 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to begin today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- India beat South Korea 8-1 to top Pool A in Junior Asia Cup hockey in Muscat, Oman.
- In World Chess Championship, another match between Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh and defending champion Ding Liren of China ends in a draw in Singapore.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over the threats emanating from digital frauds, cybercrimes and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, particularly the potential of deepfake to disrupt social and familial relations. Addressing the concluding session of 59th All India Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police in Bhubaneswar, the Prime Minister called for the use of technology to reduce the workload of the police constabulary and suggested that the police station be made the focal point for resource allocation. Mr Modi noted that wide-ranging discussions were held on national and international dimensions of security challenges and expressed satisfaction on the counter strategies that emerged during the conference. As a counter measure to the potential threats generated by digital frauds, cybercrimes and AI technology, the Prime Minister called on the police leadership to convert the challenge into an opportunity by harnessing India’s double AI power of artificial intelligence and Aspirational India.
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The Uttar Pradesh government has declared the Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as a new district. The newly formed district will be known as Maha Kumbh Mela.
The decision was made to streamline the management and administration of the upcoming Kumbh Mela. The intention behind this decision was expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during Magh Mela 2024. The upcoming Maha Kumbh held once every 12 years, is scheduled to begin on January 13 and conclude on February 26, 2025, in Prayagraj. The Maha Kumbh is expected to be a milestone in the promotion of Indian culture.
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Finance Ministry says Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a milestone by processing nearly 16.58 billion financial transactions in a single month in October this year. UPI processed around 23.49 lakh crore rupees across 16.58 billion financial transactions in October. This marks 45 percent year-on-year growth as compared to October last year.
The UPI was launched in 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India. It has revolutionized the nation’s payment ecosystem by integrating multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application. This system enables seamless fund transfers, merchant payments, and peer-to-peer transactions, offering users flexibility through scheduled payment requests. UPI has not only made financial transactions fast, secure, and effortless, but it has also empowered individuals, small businesses, and merchants, driving the country’s shift toward a cashless economy. India’s payment interface has also gained international momentum with UPI being operational in seven countries, including key markets. These are UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, and Mauritius. Priya, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, Ravneet Singh Bittu has asked Congress President and Congress MPs to demand CBI investigation into the MSP which the Punjab farmers have not received.
The Minister, who was in Jalandhar yesterday to inspect redevelopment of Cantonment Railway Station, said that the Centre has already sent 44 thousand crore rupees to Punjab as MSP. He asked the Congress to demand CBI enquiry into it from the Prime Minister and other senior BJP leaders and Punjab Governor.
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President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities tomorrow. A total of 22 persons and 11 Institutions will be conferred the National Awards on the occasion. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar will also unveil a number of welfare initiatives for the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on the occasion.
Amar Jain will receive the National Award for Individual Excellence in the category of Sarvshreshth Divyangjan-2024. He is a legal professional with 100 percent visual impairment. Amar Jain shared his inspirational life story and spoke about the obstacles he has had to face during his journey.
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In Tamil Nadu, moderate to heavy rains are still continuing to lash the interior districts as Cyclone Fenjal is making headway to reach Arabian Sea. Continuous rains were witnessed in Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Dharmapuri, Namakkal,Krishnagiri,Tirupattur and Nilgiris. In the hill areas of Tiruvannamalai boulders rolled down on houses in the foothills causing heavy damage. Atleast three houses were fully damaged. NDRF personnel began the rescue work this morning.
The Met department has predicted widespread rains in some areas of the Coast for another 24 hours.
The flood situation in Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram and other districts are grim as heavy rains continue to lash the interior districts. Rescue efforts have begun in Tiruvannamalai where Seven people are feared to be trapped due to landslide. Flash floods were witnessed in several areas including the district Collectors house campus. Relief work was hampered yesterday night due to rains and power cut. Thousands of acres of agricultural lands in Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore and Ranipet remain flooded,even as the harvest season is to begin soon. The Tamilnadu Government has urged the Centre to send a team to survey the damage caused by Cyclone Fengal and seek financial assistance for relief and recovery. A meeting would be held today with officials to assess the impact of the cyclone through out the State.Villupuram district had witnessed more than 50 cms of historic rains and over 1300 people were shifted to relief camps across the districts of Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram. Joy, Akashvani News, Chennai.
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Puducherry is struggling to return to normalcy a day after Cyclone Fengal made landfall, bringing the heaviest rainfall in three decades. While the rains ceased by yesterday evening, severe waterlogging in low-lying residential areas has forced over 700 people into relief camps.
Power restoration efforts are underway, but challenges persist due to submerged substations, fallen trees, and ongoing waterlogging in areas like Krishnanagar.
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In Kerala, the Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain during the next four days on account of cyclone and low-pressure formation. Red Alert has been issued in 4 districts of the state today.
Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Kannur districts are under red alert today. Orange Alert is issued in 5 districts and Yellow Alerts in three districts in Kerala. Holiday had been declared for all educational institutions in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Wayanad districts today. Fishermen are warned from venturing into the sea from Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coast. In view of the heavy rains, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority had directed the people living in landslide -prone regions, dam catchment areas, river banks to relocate to safer places as directed by authorities. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had urged people living in hilly areas to remain vigilant and follow the official instructions. Mayusha for Akashvani News from Thiruvananthapuram.
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The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) will begin today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is for the first time West Asia is hosting this crucial environmental conference. India will join representatives from 197 nations at this milestone event, which coincides with UNCCD’s 30th anniversary.
India’s delegation, led by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, will participate in a significant side event at the IUCN Pavilion on the opening day. The delegation will present the Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP), a comprehensive initiative targeting the restoration of 1.15 million hectares of degraded landscape across four states in northwestern India. The project presentation, scheduled for December 2nd, will demonstrate India’s innovative approach to combating desertification, land degradation, and drought through the integration of indigenous species afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and advanced water management strategies. The initiative employs modern GIS tools and Nature-Based Solutions while emphasizing community engagement and cultural preservation. This is Vinod Kumar for Akashvani News from Dubai.
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Moving on to the world of sports, we have updates from Hockey and Chess.
“In the Hockey Men’s Junior Asia Cup, Team India defeated Korea 8-1 in a one-sided encounter at Muscat, Oman last night. Arshdeep Singh scored a hat-trick, while Araijeet Singh Hundal netted two goals for India in the Pool A match. With this victory, India has advanced into the Semi-Finals, where they will now face Malaysia, tomorrow. Moving on to World Chess Championship, where the match between challenger D. Gukesh and defending champion Ding Liren of China ended in a draw after the players decided to end the sixth round game through threefold repetition in Singapore yesterday. On the other hand, Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has become the second Indian in history to reach the prestigious 2800 Elo rating in the classical chess. With the remarkable feat, the 21-year-old has joined the legendary Viswanathan Anand in this exclusive club. Next update is from Cricket, where the outgoing BCCI secretary Jay Shah has taken charge as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), becoming the fifth Indian to head the global body. 36-year-old Shah was the unanimous choice of ICC’s Board of Directors, He will succeed New Zealand attorney Greg Barclay. In his inaugural statement as ICC Chair, Jay Shah outlined his vision, focusing on cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Moving ahead, Senior Indian Men’s Team defeated Australia’s Prime Ministers XI by 6 wickets at Manuka Oval in Canberra yesterday. Rohit Sharma led squad will now face Australia in the second test match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, starting from Friday. With Sudhir Singh Yadav, this is Chirag Jha, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda inaugurated the Laddu Prasad Vending Machine at Shri Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, one of the world-famous twelve Jyotirlingas yesterday. With this new modern facility, devotees will receive Prasad conveniently. Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple is the first temple in the country where devotees have been provided the facility to take Prasad from vending machines.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE:
- Hindustan Times carries a photograph on its front page of people stranded on an inundated street, with the caption, “Fengal causes flooding in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry.
- “Top maoist, 6 others killed in gunfight by Telangana police” headlines The Asian Age.
- Bangladesh stops 63 Iskcon monks from crossing over to India, reports The Times of India.
- “Trump threatens BRICS is the top headline in The Pioneer. The news article elaborates that Donald Trump has threatened 100% tariffs against BRICS if they act to undermine the US Dollar.
- The news of the appointment by Trump of Kashyap Patel as FBI director – the highest ranking Indian-American in Trump’s new administration – has been prominently carried in The Tribune.
- And finally, a twice a year shot of a drug, that has proved to be 100% effective in preventing HIV infections in women and almost as effective in men, could end AIDS, reports The Indian Express, only if it’s available to everyone in need.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses concern over threats emanating from digital frauds, cyber-crimes and artificial intelligence technology.
- Uttar Pradesh government declares Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as a new district.
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) sets new record of 16.58 billion financial transactions in October this year.
- UN Convention to Combat Desertification’s 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to begin today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- India beat South Korea 8-1 to top Pool A in Junior Asia Cup hockey in Muscat, Oman.
- In World Chess Championship, another match between Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh and defending champion Ding Liren of China ends in a draw in Singapore.
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