Month: August 2025

Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, on Saturday, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Governors of 16 prefectures in Tokyo.

The MEA said that PM Modi highlighted the potential of greater collaboration in various sectors between India and Japan.

In a post on X, the MEA said, “Taking greater strides in the steadfast India-Japan ties. PM Narendra Modi met with the Governors of 16 prefectures in Tokyo. PM highlighted the potential of states-prefectures collaboration and in this regard urged action under the State-Prefecture Partnership Initiative launched during 15th – Annual Summit for shared progress. Discussions focused on ways to further deepen the growing partnerships between Indian states and Japanese prefectures in the fields of technology, innovation, investment, skills, start-ups and SMEs.”

India and Japan on Friday adopted a joint vision titled “India – Japan Joint Vision for the Next Decade: Eight Directions to Steer the Special Strategic and Global Partnership” during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tokyo for the Annual Summit 2025 at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

The eight directions to steer the special strategic and global partnership include: Next Generation Economic Partnership, Next Generation Economic Security Partnership, Next Generation Mobility, Next Generation Ecological Legacies, Next Gen Technology and Innovation Partnership, Investing in Next Gen Health, Next Gen People-to-People Partnership, Next-Gen State-Prefecture Partnership.

Under the next generation economic partnership, both countries, as per the joint vision agreed upon, are building on the progress made in the 2022-2026 target of JPY 5 trillion of public and private investment and financing from Japan to India and setting a new target of JPY 10 trillion of private investment.

Strengthening India-Japan industrial cooperation for the “Make in India” initiative through the India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership (IJICP) to help upgrade product quality in India using high-quality products necessary for Japanese firms, the PMO release added.

Under the Next Generation Economic Security Partnership, “Promoting India-Japan battery supply chain cooperation to foster a healthy battery market and ecosystem” was agreed upon. (ANI)

Former Union Minister and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti expressed optimism about fighting elections and said she is ready to contest polls if it aligns with her goals.

Speaking to ANI, Bharti, who last contested a successful election in the 2014 Lok Sabha Polls, expressed her desire to contest the polls, stressing that she has not yet crossed 65 years of age.

“Yes, I will contest the election. I am not even 65 years old. But I will fight when I think that I am ready for it,” she said.

However, the BJP leader said that contesting elections at this time would be a hurdle.

“Right now, it will be a hurdle. I have a weakness. I am very cynically sincere to the commitment. So, if I fight from a Parliamentary seat, then my entire time and attention will be dedicated to the people, ensuring they do not have any problems. And if anything happens, I will consider myself responsible and will feel guilty,” Uma Bharti said.

“And if I become a Minister, then that is another responsibility. So these responsibilities combined will not let me fulfil the one I am dedicated to now,” she added.

Asserting that she is a person with clear goals and determination, Uma Bharti said that if contesting elections serves that goal, she will definitely contest.

“I am a person with clear goals and determination. If contesting elections serves that goal, I will contest; if it doesn’t, I won’t,” she said.

Bharti also stressed that she does not need any “object” to acquire power, as the people have given her courage, which has proved to be very useful for her.

“I am very powerful in myself. I do not need some object to acquire power; I am a powerful object myself. Some people are powerful even without power, and I have people’s power. People have given me courage, and that courage is very useful for me,” she said.

Uma Bharti began her parliamentary journey by winning the Lok Sabha seat from Khajuraho in 1989. She went on to retain the constituency for three consecutive terms–in 1991, 1996, and 1998.

In the 1999 elections, she shifted her focus to the Bhopal constituency. Later, in 2003, she led the BJP’s campaign as its chief ministerial candidate in Madhya Pradesh and secured a sweeping victory, ending the decade-long rule of Digvijaya Singh.

During the 2014 General Elections, she contested from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh and emerged victorious against Chandrapal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, becoming a Cabinet minister in Narendra Modi’s government. (ANI)

Indian National Satellite-3D Repeat (INSAT 3DR) Infra-red imagery shows intense to very intense convection over West Jammu and Kashmir, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

The intense convection can also be seen over parts of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.

IMD shared the satellite visuals and wrote on X, “INSAT 3DR Satellite Infra-red imagery shows intense to very intense convection over West Jammu & Kashmir, extreme south-east Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, south-west Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, East Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, North Coastal Odisha, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh.”

The intense convection shows a movement of heat and moisture upward, which in some cases indicates the possibility of heavy rains and thunderstorms.

“Moderate to intense convection over East Jammu and Kashmir, Sub Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, North Bihar, East Madhya Pradesh, North Madhya Maharashtra, Gangetic West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Island area,” IMD wrote on X.

As Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh grapple with disasters amid heavy rains, according to IMD, isolated heavy rainfall is likely to continue over Uttarakhand, East Rajasthan during next seven days; in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh during from, August 30 to September 2; in West Rajasthan on August 31 and September 1; East Uttar Pradesh on September 1 and 2 with isolated very heavy rainfall very likely over Himachal Pradesh during August 30-31; Uttarakhand during August 30-September 2; Punjab on August 30; West Uttar Pradesh on September 1.

Moderate to high flash flood risk likely over a few watersheds and neighbourhoods of Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Solan, Shimla and Sirmour districts and Uttarakhand’s Almora, Bageswar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Pauri Garwal, Nainital, Tehri Garwal, Rudraprayag, and Pithoragarh districts till 11:20 AM on Saturday, IMD said. (ANI)

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will be on a three-day visit to India from September 2 with a slew of MoUs slated to be signed between the two countries during his visit, sources said.

The visit will be a high point in the 60th year of diplomatic ties between India and Singapore, sources said, adding that MoUs are expected to focus on skill development, finance and digital revolution, civil aviation, space collaboration and shipping.

During the visit, the Singapore PM will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Lawrence Wong’s visit to India follows Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Singapore last year in September 2024, during which the two leaders reviewed and expressed satisfaction with the progress in the bilateral relationship, which now encompasses several areas, including security, technology, education, people-to-people ties, and cultural links. The two countries had agreed to elevate the bilateral relations to ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’.

Earlier this month, the third India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable was held New Delhi, where Ministers reviewed the progress of various bilateral cooperation initiatives under the six pillars of ISMR, including Advanced Manufacturing, Connectivity, Digitalisation, Healthcare and Medicine, Skill Development and Sustainability. They deliberated on ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation and identified a number of specific initiatives to pursue.

A joint statement on the comprehensive strategic partnership is likely to be issued during the Singapore PM’s India visit and is expected to set a roadmap for cooperation in the coming years in diverse areas including trade, skill training, digitalisation, sustainability, connectivity, health care and medicine, defence and security and cultural exchange, the sources said.

Inauguration of the second phase of PSA’s (Port of Singapore Authority) project in Navi Mumbai is likely to take place during Singapore PM’s visit, they said.

Singapore is India’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. It is the leading source of FDI, amongst the largest source of external commercial borrowings and Foriegn portfolio investments. From 2014 to 2024, the total accumulated investments that Singapore has made in India are approximately 159 billion US dollars, and by the end of this year, they are expected to reach around 175 billion dollars.

There has been an acceleration of Singapore investments in India in recent years.

India and Singapore are also looking for bright spots as part of a comprehensive strategic partnership, which includes the export of green energy from India via Singapore, the sources said. Data storage, small module reactors, space tech, quantum tech, and aircraft repairs are other areas of bilateral cooperation.

There could be a discussion concerning the establishment of an MRO hub in Bengaluru with investments from Singapore, they said.

ISRO has launched several Singaporean satellites. These include Singapore’s first indigenous-built microsatellite in 2011, two more in 2014, six in 2015, and nine in 2023.

There is active collaboration between India and Singapore to establish skill development centres in various sectors.

Skill Centre projects with public and private support have been completed at six places (Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan (Udaipur), Assam (Guwahati), Odisha (Bhubaneshwar) and Telangana (Hyderabad)), and two projects (Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal) and Gujarat (Gandhinagar)) are ongoing.

During the Prime Minister’s visit in September 2024, both sides exchanged an MoU on Cooperation in Education and Skill Development.

Commercial and technical arrangements have also been worked out for the acceptance of the RuPay card in Singapore. UPI-Paynow Linkage is another landmark development in the area of cross-border Fintech. Singapore is the first nation with which India has begun this cross-border Person-to-Person (P2P) payment facility.

Defence cooperation between India and Singapore is pursued under the aegis of the Defence Cooperation Agreement of 2003, which was renewed under the Enhanced Agreement for Defence Cooperation in 2015. Both sides have signed several domain-specific agreements.

There are bilateral exercises involving all three services (Army – Exercise Agni Warrior, Navy – Exercise SIMBEX and Air Force – Joint Military Training). The 32nd edition of SIMBEX was held in Singapore in July-August 2025.

The fourth edition of the India-Singapore Joint Military Exercise, Exercise Bold Kurukshetra, concluded earlier this month. (ANI)

India’s stellar form at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025 continued on Friday with Dilbag Singh and Vanshita Verma adding two more medals to the nation’s tally.

In the men’s 94kg category, Dilbag stood in the touching distance of a gold medal but agonisingly fell short at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, according to the Olympics website.

With a spirited display, Dilbag registered 153 kg in snatch and followed it up with 189kg in clean and jerk for a total of 342kg. He missed the gold by a whisker as he fell one kilogram behind Malaysia’s Mohamad Syahmi.

The Malaysian weightlifter stood at the top of the podium with a successful lift of 343kg (150kg snatch+193kg clean and jerk). Australia’s Oliver Saxton settled for bronze with 336kg (150kg+186kg).

Dilbag opened the snatch at 148kg and then bettered it to 153kg on his second attempt. He tried to lift 156kg on his third but floundered. After the first half of the weightlifting competition, his 153kg snatch had placed him on top of the standings by three kg.

In the clean and jerk, Dilbag started at 182kg, and then raised the bar to 186kg. He reserved his best for the last and completed 189kg to finish with a total of 342kg.

In the women’s 86kg division, Vanshita bagged bronze with a total lift of 222kg. She cleared 95kg in snatch and 127kg in clean and jerk, ousting Nigeria’s Brenda Uchenna (221kg) by a kilogram.

Australia’s Eileen Cikamatana reigned supreme in the field to return with gold with 255kg (110kg+145kg), while 17-year-old Litia Nacagilevu of New Zealand defied the odds stacked against her with 235kg (107kg+128kg) to take silver.

Vanshita started her snatch with a lift of 89kg and successfully raised it to 92kg on the second attempt. On her final try, she managed 95kg to finish the snatch phase strongly.

In the clean and jerk, Vanshita began with 122kg. She then improved it to 126kg on her second lift, and managed 127kg in her final try. (ANI)

The second song from Aryan Khan’s ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood has been released, giving a romantic turn to the story. Titled ‘Tu Pehli Tu Aakhri,’ the song is helmed by the talented Arijit Singh and essentially captures the intense emotions and a dreamy chemistry between the lead actors, Lakshya and Sahher Bambba.

“The most beautiful way to say Forever,” the makers wrote along with the song.

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan also gave a shoutout to the song, including composer Shashwat Sachdev.

“Here’s #TuPehliTuAakhri. This young man Shashwat has done amazing work with the music of #TheBadsofBollywood. Bless you beta for the hard work, perseverance, and creativity. This love song from the score is one of my favourites. Shash you are Magic and Magic is you!!! And @kumaarofficial lyrics are lovely paaji!!!”

With lyrics from Kumaar, the song has been composed, produced, and arranged by Shashwat Sachdev, known for his work in films like ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike,’ ‘Article 370,’ ‘Tejas,’ and ‘Kesari Chapter 2.’

Sachdev has also won a National Award under Best Background Music for Vicky Kaushal starrer ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike.’

Earlier this month, the makers released the first song, ‘Badli Si Hawa Hai’ from ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood,’ set against the beach backdrop. The track featured Lakshya and Sahher’s characters enjoying a beach getaway with friends.

The preview video for the show was launched on August 20, giving a glimpse from the world of Aryan Khan. It focuses on Aasmaan Singh, who falls in love with the daughter of “India’s biggest superstar” (Bobby Deol), only to find himself amid a chaos of fame, love, and more.

Besides the lead pair, the show also features Raghav Juyal, Mona Singh, Manoj Pahwa, Manish Chaudhari, Anya Singh, Gautami Kapoor, Rajat Bedi, and Vijayant Kohli.

Written and directed by Aryan Khan, ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ will be released on September 18 on Netflix. (ANI)

TV and film producer Ektaa Kapoor offered prayers at Lalbaugcha Raja on Friday, during the 10-day festival honouring Lord Ganesha.

Dressed in traditional attire, Ektaa can be seen offering prayers at the iconic pandal and seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

Earlier today, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan also paid a visit to the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja. With heavy security around him, Varun smiled and waved at fans as he offered prayers to Lord Ganesha.

Meanwhile, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations have begun across the country from August 27, with celebrities also joining in the festivities.

Legendary former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar visited the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja pandal in Mumbai on Thursday evening and offered prayers along with his family.

Sachin was accompanied by his wife Anjali, son Arjun, and daughter Sara as the family sought blessings from Lord Ganesha at one of the city’s most famous pandals.

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chavithi, is a festival that marks the worship of Lord Ganesha as the god of new beginnings and remover of obstacles. This auspicious ten-day festival starts with ‘Chaturthi’ and ends on ‘Anantha Chaturdashi’.

The history of the Lalbaugcha Raja is quite famous, as it is the popular Ganesh Idol of the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, located at Putlabai Chawl, a worship place founded in 1934.

The idol and its celebrations are managed by the Kambli family, who have been custodians of this revered image for over 80 years. (ANI)

Tamil actors Vishal and Sai Dhanshika have announced their engagement, revealing the first pictures on Instagram.

Vishal took to his Instagram handle and shared pictures from the intimate engagement ceremony, which took place on Friday, August 29, coinciding with the ‘Mark Antony’ actor’s birthday. The engagement was attended by close family members of the couple.

“Thank u all u darlings from every nook and corner of this universe for wishing and blessing me on my special birthday. Happy to share the good news of my #engagement that happened today with @saidhanshika amidst our families.feeling positive and blessed. Seeking your blessings and good vibes as always,” Vishal wrote in the post.

The first picture features the couple in traditional attire, as they kept it simple and minimalist. While Vishal appeared in a complete white ensemble, Dhanshika chose a striped saree, which she paired with classic gold jewellery.

While the second one featured a close-up of their engagement rings, the final picture captured a family moment.

Their fans and friends instantly took to the comment section and congratulated the couple on the big milestone.

Actor Vishal started his cinematic journey with the film ‘Chellamae’ in 2004, following which he starred in hits like ‘Sandakozhi’, ‘Thimiru’, ‘Thaamirabharani’ and ‘Malaikottai’.

He was last seen in the film ‘Madha Gaja Raja’, which was released after being reportedly announced a decade ago. The movie had a delayed release, reportedly due to financial, legal troubles and other problems.

Vishal will be next seen in Ravi Arasu-directed ‘Magudam.’ Earlier this week, the actor shared the first look from the upcoming film, showing him in three different avatars.

“And finally, happy and elated and excited with full-on positivity to reveal the first look of my next film #Magudam in Tamil and #Makutam in Telugu. Hope u all like it. Completed the 2nd schedule n bak to Chennai. More surprises awaiting in the near future,” he wrote in the caption.

Dubbed as a musical by GV Prakash Kumar, details surrounding its release remains unknown. (ANI)

Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Friday blamed the BJP for the violence during a clash between workers of the two parties in Patna, saying it was triggered by growing support for the ongoing ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’.

“This violence is a response to this yatra. Lakhs of people are joining the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ started by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. This is a fight for votes, a fight for the rights of voters. They (BJP) are scared of this support, which is why they are resorting to violence,” Pilot told ANI.

He condemned the incident and urged the government to take strict action. “I condemn this. And the government should take strict action against this. It will not be possible to suppress the voice of the opposition through violence. We will fight with full strength… We ask questions from the Election Commission, and the BJP responds… This yatra is a journey to make people aware,” he said.

The clash broke out in front of the Congress office in Patna on Friday after BJP workers staged a protest against the alleged derogatory remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother during an INDIA bloc rally in Darbhanga. Stones were reportedly pelted during the protest.

Bihar minister and BJP leader Nitin Nabin stated that the public will give a “befitting reply” to Congress. “Every son of Bihar will give a befitting reply to Congress for insulting a mother. We will take revenge for this,” he said.

Congress worker Ashutosh, however, blamed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, alleging that the clash took place with the government’s involvement. “A befitting reply will be given. This is happening with the government’s involvement. Nitish Kumar is doing wrong,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Darbhanga Police arrested a man accused of hurling abuses against PM Modi at the INDIA bloc event. Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Chaudhary said a case has been registered.

“A case has been registered, and an accused arrested. His name is being verified. The person is identifying himself as Raja…Action will be taken against those found involved,” Chaudhary said.

Earlier, a video of the incident showing the man allegedly making abusive remarks against the Prime Minister had gone viral on social media. (ANI)

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre over the US’s 50 per cent tariff on India and asked why the BJP was frightened of the US. He demanded answers from the Modi government to the people who would suffer losses.

Speaking to ANI, Asaduddin Owaisi said, “This is going to have a major impact. 50 percent of our exports are going to be affected. Rs 60,000 Crores of our export of motor parts, jewellery, gems, readymade garments are going to be badly impacted. In February, our PM met the US President Donald Trump, they held talks, and after that, the tariff situation started. They are blaming us for the attack on Ukraine. The 50 percent tariff will cause a major loss to India’s exporters. I think the Narendra Modi Government will have to answer to the people of the country. Modi Govt will have to answer what they are going to do for those who are going to suffer losses. US’ Peter Navarro is making statements.”

Had the same statements been made on the PM by an Opposition leader in the country, the BJP would have attacked him.

“Why are they silent? Why are you so scared of the US? The biggest mistake we made was when the US President, in his first tenure, told us to stop buying oil from Iran. Had you shown him ‘laal aankhein’ at that time, this day would not have come. Iran was selling us good quality oil at a reasonable price. We blinked there so they could see that they can scare us. That was the first mistake we made. I had said in the Parliament not to accept it. Instead of taunting the Opposition, BJP spokespersons should tell the country what is happening,” he said.

Earlier, Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing of the White House, Peter Navarro, again accused India of profiting out of Russian oil in scalding remarks.

Navarro, considered the key driver behind the 50 per cent tariffs on India, said that India engaged in unfair trade, which the tariffs aim to curb.

In a post on X, he said, “President Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports are now in effect. This isn’t just about India’s unfair trade–it’s about cutting off the financial lifeline India has extended to Putin’s war machine.”

Indian stock markets fell for the third straight session on Friday, waiting for positive cues after the US decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods.

At the end of the trading today, the Sensex was down 270.92 points or 0.34 per cent at 79,809.65, and the Nifty 50 at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) settled at 24,426.85, down 4.05 points or 0.30 per cent.

“The ongoing decline appears to be more sentiment-driven in the absence of fresh positive triggers. Notably, the Nifty is now approaching a critical support zone at 24,250-24,350,” said Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd. (ANI)