THE HEADLINES:

• Home Minister Amit Shah calls for establishment of Model Anti-terrorism structure under NIA for uniform investigation across all agencies in states.

• Government declares Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party unlawful association for anti-national and terrorist activities.

• Death toll in Sikkim flash floods rises to 19; Over 100 people are missing.

• India and UAE sign strategic partnership agreement for developing and launching of UAE’s domestic payment card scheme based on RuPay card.

• Citizens can now become drone pilots with any government issued identity and address proof, says Centre.

• At Asian Games, Indian contingent in action in Men's Cricket, Archery, Badminton and Wrestling on Day 13 in Hangzhou.

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Home Minister Amit Shah has said that Central and State agencies have succeeded in firmly curbing all forms of terrorism in the country in the last nine years. Mr Shah was speaking after inaugurating a two-day anti-terror conference organised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi yesterday. He said the Model Anti-terrorism Structure should be established under the purview of the NIA. He said the hierarchy, structure, and Standard Operating Procedures of Investigation of all anti-terrorism agencies in all states should be made uniform for better coordination between central and state agencies. The Home Minister emphasised that all anti-terrorism agencies must adopt such a ruthless approach so that a new terrorist organisation cannot be formed. He said that the task of NIA, Anti Terrorism Squad, and Special Task Force should also think out of the box and take innovative measures to counter terrorism.

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The Government has declared the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party’, JKDFP as an 'Unlawful Association' under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The organisation has been involved in anti-national activities since 1998. The Home Ministry said in a release that its members have always promoted separatism and terrorist acts in India. It said the members of this organization want to make Kashmir a separate Islamic state by inciting the people which is prejudicial to the sovereignty, security, and integrity of India.

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In Sikkim, the death toll following the devastating flash flood has risen to 19. The State Disaster Management Department has said, 103 are missing including army personnel. The flash floods were triggered by the sudden glacial lake outburst on  Wednesday over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim in the Teesta River in Lachen valley. Talking to media persons yesterday, State Chief Secretary VB Pathak said that search and rescue operation for the missing persons continues in the marooned areas of the state.

The State Chief Secretary convened a series of meetings with the representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, Wholesale Retailers, Pharmacy Association, LPG dealers and distributors, petrol pump owners, and Taxi Drivers Association, at Tashiling Secretariat yesterday. The Chief Secretary directed the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, NHIDCL to open the route for small and heavy vehicles through Lava and Reshi check posts at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Sikkim Chief Minister PS Tamang chaired a meeting in Gangtok to assess the current situation in the State. The Chief Minister warned of stringent action against possible hoarding of essential items and said that grievance counters would be set up at Rangpo, Singtam and Mangan districts initially to lodge complaints. He informed that people taking shelter at relief camps will be provided medicines free of cost and district collectors will ensure that relief camps are comfortable. Mr Tamang informed that along with schools, all government and private colleges in Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong and Namchi districts will remain closed from today until further notice.

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The Power Ministry has said that it is continuously monitoring the situation arising out of flash floods in the Teesta Basin in Sikkim. Power Secretary Pankaj Agrawal held an emergency meeting on Wednesday with National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) where senior officers of the Ministry of Power and Central Electricity Authority were also present. Due to recent flash floods in the Teesta Basin, all the bridges downstream to Teesta-V Hydropower Station up to Tarkhola and Pamphok have been submerged which has severely affected commutation and communication in these areas. The Power Ministry said the power station is under shutdown presently and not generating electricity. The NHPC is taking all possible measures to get the hydropower projects operational as soon as possible. The Central Government will make a detailed assessment of damage to hydropower projects after the flood water recedes.

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In Mumbai, six persons lost their lives and 31 people were injured in a major fire incident at a five-storey building near Azad Maidan in Goregaon early this morning. 30 people have been rescued from the fire. The fire spread through the shops on the ground floor and the vehicles that were parked on the floor. People are stuck on the terrace along with the upper floors. Efforts are being made by the fire brigade to bring the fire under control. Eight water pumps are pressed into service.

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In Chhattisgarh, the final voter list for the upcoming assembly polls has been published and displayed at all polling stations across the state.

"After a special campaign to register new voters in Chhattisgarh, the state has seen an increase of over 7 lakh 19,000 voters. The current voter count in the state is now over 2 crore 3 lakh. Chhattisgarh stands out as one of the states in the country where the number of female voters surpasses that of males. Currently, there are approximately 18 lakh 68 thousand voters in the 18 to 20 age group in the state, who will be participating in the assembly elections for the first time this year. State Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasahab Kangale said the process of adding new names to the voter list will continue. Vikalp Shukla, Akashvani News, Raipur."

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Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On the first day of his visit, the minister co-chaired the 11th meeting of the India-UAE High-level Task Force on Investments (HLTFI) with the Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the existing bilateral investments by companies from both countries investing into the UAE and India and also explored bilateral investments in a number of key sectors with the potential for future joint trade and investment cooperation.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Al Etihad Payments (AEP), a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE for Domestic Card Scheme Implementation in UAE. As per the agreement, NPCI and AEP will work together to build, implement, and operationalize UAE's national domestic card scheme modelled on India’s RuPay card. Talking to media, Mr Goyal explained about the agreements signed between India and UAE.

Union Commerce and Industry minister said that India and UAE are aiming to expand the bilateral trade to make it 100 billion dollar. Mr Goyal was speaking at a roundtable discussion hosted by the Abu Dhabi Chamber. This forum brought together top business leaders from both nations. 

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The Ministry of Civil Aviation has said that citizens can now become drone pilots with any government-issued identity and address proof. The Ministry has notified the new Drone (Amendment) Rules 2023 for drone pilots. After the amendment, it has now been made clear that a government-issued proof of identity and a government-issued proof of address like Voter ID, Ration Card or Driving License can now be accepted to apply for a Remote Pilot Certificate if the drone pilot does not have a passport. The Ministry added that the prerequisite of having a passport was becoming a hurdle for aspiring drone pilots and this effort is to further liberalise, promote and facilitate drone operations across the country and make India a global drone hub by 2030. The rule is effective from the 27th of last month.

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At the Hangzhou Asian Games in China, the Indian contingent is in action in Men's Cricket, Archery, Badminton and Wrestling on Day 13 in Hangzhou today.

In Men's Cricket, the semifinal match between India and Bangladesh is underway. Bangladesh have set a target of 97 runs for India Put in to bat, Bangladesh were 96 for the loss of 9 wickets in stipulated 20 overs.

In Archery, India's Recurve Men's Team will play in quarterfinals today.

In Badminton, Indian pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy will be in action in the Men's Doubles semi-finals. The duo assured India of a medal with their impressive win in the quarter-finals yesterday. Besides, ace shuttler HS Prannoy and Star wrestler Bajrang Punia will also be in action.

In Hockey, the Indian Men’s team will take on Japan in the gold medal match in the evening. India has so far amassed a total of historic 86 medals, including 21 gold, 32 silver, and 33 bronze. India is currently in fourth place in the medal tally. This is India's best-ever performance at the Asian Games surpassing the previous best of 70 medals at the 18th edition of Asian Games in Jakarta.

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In Cricket, New Zealand defeated England by 9 wickets in the opening match of Men's ODI World Cup last evening. Chasing a target of 283 runs, New Zealand achieved the score in 36.2 overs with the loss of one wicket .Earlier, put into bat England posted 282 for nine in the stipulated 50 overs.

Today, Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands in Hyderabad.

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TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE:

• The 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou in China is covered prominently by the papers. "Team India aims for century at Asian Games" leads The Pioneer.

• "Sanjay Singh sent to 5 days custody, huge stir in Delhi" reports The Asian Age, about the AAP MP, who was arrested by the ED, in connection with the excise policy case.

• "Need common anti-terror training module, says Amit Shah" reports The Tribune.

• "India reiterates Canada interfering in its affairs" says the Statesman.

• The Times of India quoting the government of India writes" will engage Maldives on all issues."

• "Flyovers, underground sewerage lines hit, Kolkata battles rat menace" reports The Indian Express.

• And finally, "Norwegian dramatist author Jon Fosse wins Literature Nobel" informs Hindustan Times.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

• Home Minister Amit Shah calls for establishment of Model Anti-terrorism structure under NIA for uniform investigation across all agencies in states.

• Government declares Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party unlawful association for anti-national and terrorist activities.

• Death toll in Sikkim flash floods rises to 19; Over 100 people are missing.

• India and UAE sign strategic partnership agreement for developing and launching of UAE’s domestic payment card scheme based on RuPay card.

• Citizens can now become drone pilots with any government issued identity and address proof, says Centre.

• At Asian Games, Indian contingent in action in Men's Cricket, Archery, Badminton and Wrestling on Day 13 in Hangzhou.

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