Asia Now

rime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday framed the upcoming Union Budget as part of a longer reform journey, saying the government is focused on “Reform, Perform and Transform” as India enters the next phase of the 21st century. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament ahead of the presentation of the Economic Survey 2026, PM Modi said the government’s approach aims to address long-pending challenges through long-term, sustainable solutions, while strengthening India’s credib

In a break from the usual weekend holiday, the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange will hold a live trading session today. Earlier, the exchanges informed investors that trading will proceed during regular hours from 9:15 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon, while the commodity derivatives market will extend trading until 5:00 p.m.   The Multi-Commodity Exchange of India has also said in a circular that it will conduct a special live trading session to mark

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has asserted that with the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, India’s exports to the European Union can double in five years. Mr Goyal also urged the businesspersons, MSMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs to focus on going international. The Minister said this while sharing his interviews with prominent national dailies in a series of social media posts. The Minister highlighted how the trade deal will benefit the country in different ways

NASA has postponed the launch of its Artemis II mission to the Moon due to unfavourable weather conditions in Florida. The space agency now targets February 8 as the earliest possible launch date, replacing the earlier plan of February 6.The decision follows a review of cold weather and strong winds linked to a rare Arctic outbreak affecting the region. NASA will conduct the wet dress rehearsal on February 2, after which a final launch date will be confirmed. Artemis II is a

In Badminton, India’s Devika Sihag will take on fifth seed Huang Yu Hsun of Chinese Taipei in the semi-finals of the Thailand Masters 2026 Badminton tournament at the Nimibutr Stadium this afternoon. The match will begin at 1.45 PM IST. Devika defeated the world number 16, Supanida Katethong of Thailand, in the quarter-finals. In another women’s singles quarterfinal, Isharani Baruah bowed out after losing to Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching, 18-21,21-16, 21-13. India’s challenge in

India and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic cooperation in next-generation digital technologies, including 6G telecommunications, with a focus on security, trust, and resilient global supply chains. The Ministry of Communications stated that this commitment was reflected in the Leaders’ Statement issued during the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU College of Commissioners to India. During the visit,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Operation Sindoor reaffirmed India’s strength and the valour of its armed forces, and demonstrated the advancement of indigenous weapons. Addressing annual NCC PM Rally in New Delhi, he said, in modern warfare, battles are not just restricted to borders or use of tanks or guns, but they are also being fought in codes and clouds, referring to cyber and information warfare.  Taking note of a special Operation Sindoor–themed tableau pre

The World Economic Forum has said that the launch of a new Skills Accelerator in India has strengthened a global network of 45 national accelerators that have collectively supported around 15 million people.At the conclusion of its 56th annual meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum announced that India Accelerator will focus on addressing barriers to equitable skilling. Announcing major global commitments to invest in workforce skills development, t

President Droupadi Murmu will address the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day tomorrow. The address will be broadcast from 7 PM on the entire national network of Akashvani and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi, followed by the English version. Broadcast of the address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan will be followed by broadcast in regional languages by regional channels of Doordarshan. Akashvani will broadcast regional language versions from 9.30

To commemorate Uttar Pradesh diwas, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Colombo, organised a photo exhibition. The exhibition showcased cultural heritage of the Indian state. The exhibition was inaugurated by Deputy High Commissioner of India, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of the country and abroad in the Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani tomorrow at 11 AM. It will be the 130th episode of the monthly radio programme. The programme will be broadcast across the entire Akashvani and Doordarshan network, the AIR News website, and the Newsonair mobile app. It will also be live-streamed on the YouTube channels of AIR News, DD News, the PMO, and the Ministry of Information and Broa

Rajeev Kumar Dubey of Uttar Pradesh has been honored with the Indian Literature Award 2026 by the Indian Literature and Arts Society, a prestigious recognition celebrating his outstanding contributions to English literature, particularly in the field of poetry. This accolade acknowledges not only his literary excellence but also his enduring impact on the contemporary Indian literary landscape, where his verses resonate with readers across diverse backgrounds. A poet of depth

The Sixth Edition of the Khelo India Winter Games will kick off from today in Leh City of the Ladakh Union Territory. 21 States and Union Territories will compete in Ice Sporting Events -Hockey and skating – with 1000 participants, which includes 472 athletes. It is being organised by the Youth Service and Sports of Ladakh under the guidance of the Sports Authority of India. The opening ceremony will take place later this morning at the NDS Ice Hockey Rink in Leh city, and th

Vice President of Nepal Ramsahay Prasad Yadav has said that the country’s development is not possible without adequate energy, as energy self-reliance is directly linked to economic independence and national security. Addressing the 26th Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN) Day, Vice President Yadav said that the availability of cheap and sufficient energy would ensure rapid development in industries, agriculture, tourism, information technology and other se

In a move providing significant relief to residents and the tourism sector of South Goa, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has confirmed that Dabolim International Airport will remain fully operational for civilian traffic. This assurance was given during a high-level meeting in the national capital between the Defence Minister and the Goa Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant. The meeting aimed to address long-standing concerns regarding the potential shifting of civilian flig

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today conducted search operations at 21 locations across Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002. The search operation was conducted in connection with the misappropriation of gold and other temple assets relating to Sabarimala Temple. The investigation arises out of multiple FIRs registered by the Kerala Crime Branch, which reveal a deep-rooted criminal conspiracy involving o

Pahadon Ki Goonj  is a socially relevant Hindi short film that explores the powerful theme of reverse migration —a growing yet often overlooked movement in contemporary India. Set against the quiet landscapes of the mountains, the film presents an intimate portrait of a village left behind as its people migrate in search of better opportunities. The story follows a farmer’s daughter who returns to her native village after years away. What she encounters is a stark reality: ab

Dr. P Rajan, a distinguished educator and social reformer from Odisha, India, has been conferred with the prestigious Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2025, an honor bestowed by the Veyil Foundation. This distinguished recognition celebrates his extraordinary dedication to the social upliftment of tribal communities and his tireless efforts to make education a beacon of hope for marginalized groups. Through his visionary leadership and deep-rooted compassion, Dr. Rajan has redefined t

Dr. Tanjila Ahamed, a distinguished medical professional from West Bengal, India, has been awarded the prestigious Bharat Swabhiman Puraskar 2025 by the Veyil Foundation. This distinguished honor celebrates her outstanding contributions to the field of Health and Medicine, particularly in the domain of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery. Renowned for her dedication, skill, and compassionate approach to patient care, Dr. Ahamed stands as an exemplary figure in modern healthcare, b

In a moment of immense pride for the academic community of Hyderabad, Prof. Dr. Zareena Sultana, a distinguished educator and academic leader, has been awarded the Indo Spanish International Award 2025 by the World Talent Network. This prestigious recognition celebrates her outstanding contributions to the field of education and her unwavering commitment to fostering an environment of academic excellence and innovation. As the Dean of Students’ Welfare at ISL Engineering Coll

United States President Donald Trump says that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to stop buying oil from Russia, and Trump said he would next try to get China to do the same as Washington intensifies efforts to cut off Moscow’s energy revenues. India and China are the two top buyers of Russian seaborne crude exports, taking advantage of the discounted prices Russia has been forced to accept after European buyers shunned purchases and the US and the European Unio

Dr. Chhaya Bhosle, hailing from Nagpur in Maharashtra, has been honored with the prestigious Rashtra Seva Puraskar 2025 by the Bharat Seva Society. This accolade recognizes her exceptional contributions to public health, particularly as a female medical officer who has dedicated an impressive 22 years to continuous medical service in rural Maharashtra. Her commitment to improving healthcare access and quality in these underserved areas has set a remarkable precedent, showcasi