Morning News -

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to share his thoughts in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on Akashvani at 11 AM today.
CBI Court convicts nine police personnel including an IGP in Kotkhai rape and murder case in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh.
Dense fog conditions likely to prevail in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan today.
Indian mobility market to double and surpass 600 billion US Dollars by 2030, say Google and Boston Consulting Group.
Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza to come into force at 12 noon Indian time today.
And, both Indian men’s and women’s teams storm into final of Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi.

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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 today. It will be the 118th episode of the monthly radio programme.

The programme will be broadcast on the entire network of Akashvani and Doordarshan, AIR News website and newsonair mobile app. It will also be live streamed on the YouTube channels of AIR News, DD News, PMO and Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Akashwani will broadcast the programme in regional languages immediately after the Hindi broadcast.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the naming of the iconic Cultural Center in Jaffna built with Indian assistance, as Thiruvalluvar Cultural Center. In a social media post, Mr. Modi said, it is also a testament to the deep cultural, linguistic, historical and civilisational bonds between the people of India and Sri Lanka.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah will participate in the 20th Raising Day Celebrations of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh today. The NDRF is the largest force globally dedicated to responding to disasters embodying the moto आपदा सेवा सदैव सर्वत्र. The Home Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects worth 220 crores rupees. Our correspondent has filed this report:

“To mark the 20th Raising Day of the NDRF the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, will inaugurate the Southern Campus of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) in Kondapavuluru in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh. This new campus will further education, research, and training in building disaster resilience and lead India towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘zero-casualty approach’ for disaster management. The Home Minister will also inaugurate the 10th Battalion campus of the NDRF in Vijayawada and virtually inaugurate the Regional Response Centre of the 9th Battalion in Supaul, Bihar. Mr Amit Shah will also virtually lay the foundation stone for a new state-of-the-art ‘Integrated Indoor Shooting Range’ at the National Police Academy (NPA) in Hyderabad.” Sri Sai for Akashvani News Vijayawada.”

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A CBI Court in Chandigarh has convicted Inspector General of Police (IG) Zahur Haider Zaidi and eight other police personnel for the custodial murder of Suraj, one of the accused in the 2017 Kotkhai rape and murder case in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla district. More from our correspondent;

The trial was conducted in the CBI court in Chandigarh following the Supreme Court’s order. The sentencing in this case will be announced on 27th January. After being convicted, IG Zahur Haider Zaidi and the eight police personnel have been taken into custody. However, due to a lack of witness statements and evidence, the then-SP DW Negi, who was also named in the case, has been acquitted. It is noteworthy that the accused Suraj was murdered in the Kotkhai police station lockup 14 days after the Gudia murder case. Raj Kumari chandel Akaswani News shimla.”

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A suspect involved in the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan in Mumbai has been arrested at Durg Railway Station in Chhattisgarh. The accused, identified as Akash Kannaujiya, was detained aboard the Gyaneshwari Express traveling from Mumbai to Kolkata.

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The Centre has proposed a meeting with the protesting farmers on February 14 in Chandigarh to discuss their demands. A delegation of Central Government officials led by Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Priya Ranjan met farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, last evening, and invited the fasting farmer leader and others for talks on February the 14th at Chandigarh. Dallewal, supported by farmer associations, is on a fast unto death for the past 54 days at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana in support of various demands.

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The Indian mobility industry is expected to double and surpass 600 billion US Dollars by 2030, according to a joint report released by Google and Boston Consulting Group at the ongoing six-day Bharat Mobility Auto Expo. Think Mobility Report, revealed that, the growth in the mobility sector will be driven by both traditional and emerging revenue pools, marking a departure from global trends. According to the report, women now influence 52 per cent of decision-making in the electric vehicles space, surpassing the 38 per cent for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

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The World Bank has projected 6.7 per cent growth for India, surpassing global growth of 2.7 per cent. The January 2025 edition of the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report stated that India is set to dominate the global economic landscape, maintaining its status as the fastest-growing large economy for the next two fiscal years.

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The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj has been witnessing a huge turnout of devotees and pilgrims. Over seven crore 72 lakh devotees and pilgrims have attended the Mahakumbh so far and taken a holy dip in Triveni Sangam. Beyond the Sangam, the Mahakumbh Mela has also ignited tourism across Uttar Pradesh. More from our Correspondent.

After attending the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, devotees and tourists from across the country and abroad are now thronging other pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh.The sacred places such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Vindhyachal Shringverpur, and Chitrakoot have seen a sharp increase in visitors. Talking to Akashvani News, a devotee from West Bengal Tapan Ray appreciated the arrangements made at the Mahakumbh and said that from Prayagraj, he has also planned to visit some other places including Ayodhya and Varanasi. The visits of devotees and pilgrims to these places have significantly contributed to local employment and boosted businesses in travel, hospitality and transportation. Anand Kumar for Akashvani News, Prayagraj.

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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that dense fog conditions are very likely to prevail in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan today. Similar weather conditions are expected over Madhya Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim till tomorow and in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura till 21st of this month. The IMD said that cold day conditions are very likely in isolated pockets of Madhya Pradesh.

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In Srinagar the Met Department has forecast weather to be generally cloudy today. While reeling under harshest cold winter period “Chillai Kalan”, the Kashmir region is experiencing icy conditions with most regions recording sub zero temperatures. In Jammu region, the temperatures remain milder with minimum temperatures recording above freezing point. A report;

“Traffic department said subject to fair weather and better road condition, the vehicular traffic will be allowed to ply on both sides of Srinagar Jammu National Highway today. The Srinagar Kargil Road and Mughal Roads, are closed due to snow accumulation. Tourists, travellers and transporters have been advised to confirm status from Traffic Control Units at Jammu, Srinagar, Ramban, Udhampur and Kargil, before planning their journey. TARIQ RATHER, Akashvani News, Srinagar.”

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The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza will come into force at 12 noon Indian time today. Earlier yesterday, Israel’s security cabinet approved the Gaza ceasefire agreement that involves the exchange of dozens of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and a temporary pause in the 15-month-long conflict. But hours before the ceasefire is due to go into effect, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Gaza ceasefire agreement may be temporary and Israel retains the right to resume Gaza fighting. He has asked Hamas to provide a list of 33 hostages to be freed in the first phase today.

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In South Korea, a court issued warrant today to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for an extended period over his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3. The Seoul Western District Court approved the arrest warrant after a lengthy deliberation, citing concerns that Yoon could destroy evidence.

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In the Kho Kho World Cup, the Indian men’s and women’s teams have showcased their impressive performance in the semifinal matches, securing their spots in the finals.

In a thrilling game, the Indian men’s team defeated South Africa 62-42 in New Delhi yesterday evening. The Indian men’s team will now face Nepal in the final.

Meanwhile, the Indian women’s team also delivered a commanding performance by defeating South Africa 66-16.

The Indian women’s team will also face Nepal in the final.

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In the Hockey India League (HIL), UP Rudras held their nerves to register a narrow 1-0 win against Team Gonasika at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Hockey Stadium in Ranchi yesterday.

In another match, Hyderabad Toofans delivered a commanding performance to defeat league leaders Tamil Nadu Dragons 4-0.

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In the second edition of ICC Under 19 Women’s Cricket T20 World Cup, Defending champion India will begin their title defense against West Indies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today. The Match is schedule to start at 12:00pm Indian Standard Time.

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE

The news of prime accused in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder case, Sanjoy Roy, being held guilty by Kolkata Sessions Court, appears on the front pages of dailies. The mother of the deceased woman doctor is quoted in The Asian Age as saying that she will not rest until all are punished.
The Employee Provident Fund Organisation has rolled out major changes that will simplify key processes for its nearly 70 million subscribers, reports Hindustan Times.
“Thanks to Maha Kumbh, Uttar Pradesh’s 75 districts unit to reap economic rewards” headlines The Pioneer.
Prime Minister Modi distributed over 65 lakh property cards on Saturday, under Svamitva scheme to property owners in over 50,000 villages across 10 states and 2 union territories, reports The Statesman.
And finally, in some good news for wildlife enthusiasts, a faunal survey in Munnar Wildlife Division has led to the addition of 24 new species of birds, butterflies, and odonates to its checklist, wrties The Hindu.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to share his thoughts in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on Akashvani at 11 AM today.
CBI Court convicts nine police personnel including an IGP in Kotkhai rape and murder case in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh.
Dense fog conditions likely to prevail in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan today.
Indian mobility market to double and surpass 600 billion US Dollars by 2030, say Google and Boston Consulting Group.
Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza to come into force at 12 noon Indian time today.
And, both Indian men’s and women’s teams storm into final of Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi.