
Germany Calls On Israel To "Stop Settlement Construction" In West Bank
Berlin "strongly rejects the Israeli government's announcements on thousands of new settlements in the Israeli occupied areas of the West Bank", the foreign ministry said in a statement.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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NDTV
27 minutes ago
- NDTV
"Counting On America To End War", Says Zelensky Ahead Of Trump-Putin Meet
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday urged Donald Trump to convince Russia to halt its invasion at the US leader's high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. "It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America," Zelensky said in a social media post. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)


Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
What is Sudarshan Chakra? PM Modi announces India's next-gen multi-layered shield against missile threats
India is set to develop a new missile defence initiative, dubbed the 'Sudarshan Chakra', aimed at integrating advanced surveillance, cyber protection, and physical defence mechanisms to safeguard its citizens and critical infrastructure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the plans in his Independence Day address on Friday. According to an NDTV report, the Sudarshan Chakra is expected to function similarly to Israel's Iron Dome and the proposed US Golden Dome, acting as a protective shield against missile threats. While India already operates the Integrated Air Command and Control System, which successfully countered Pakistani missile attempts during Operation Sindoor, the new system could extend beyond traditional missile defence, the report added. The project's name draws from Hindu mythology, referencing the Sudarshan Chakra used by Lord Krishna to aid Arjuna in battle. According to the Prime Minister, the system should be entirely researched, developed, and manufactured domestically, with a target for significant expansion and modernisation by 2035. Notably, the report highlights that Mission Sudarshan Chakra will likely incorporate precision counterstrike capabilities and measures to combat cyber threats such as hacking and phishing. The initiative is expected to involve collaboration between India's top scientific and defence research agencies, the military, and private sector innovators. The announcement comes in the aftermath of the April Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor in May, during which Pakistan attempted to target Indian military installations, fighter jets, and urban centres. Indian defence systems successfully neutralised these attacks, highlighting the country's existing defensive strengths. Mission Sudarshan Chakra appears to be a continuation of India's efforts to strengthen its security infrastructure and ensure a comprehensive, multi-layered defence strategy in the face of evolving threats. According to a PTI report, the Prime Minister has announced plans for next-generation GST reforms aimed at significantly reducing the tax burden, particularly for small businesses. These changes are expected to take effect in time for Diwali, which this year falls on 20 October, offering relief to taxpayers during the festival.
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Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Best chapters of India-Israel partnership still lie ahead, says Netanyahu
Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday extended warm wishes on India's Independence Day calling for strengthening the flourishing ties and emphasising that the best chapters on bilateral ties still lie ahead. Sending his heartfelt greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and all the people of India, Herzog took to X to say: Your friendship with Israel in these difficult days strengthens us deeply. May the bond between our nations continue to flourish and may we soon see the safe return of all our hostages. Congratulating India and dear friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day, Netanyahu said Israel and India are two proud democracies, bound by history, innovation, and friendship. Our nations have achieved much together and the best chapters of our partnership still lie ahead, Netanyahu wrote in a message on X. Amir Ohana, who in 2023 became the first Speaker of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) to visit India, also took to X posting a message in Hindi congratulating his counterpart, Om Birla, and Indians on the occasion. Earlier on Friday, India's Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh, hoisted the tricolor to celebrate India's 79th Independence Day in the presence of about 350 people from the Indian community. In his address, Singh emphasised on efforts to deepen our strategic relationship as one team India. Israel is home to about 40,000 Indians. I can see the warmth Israelis have for Indians. In particular, they are very appreciative of our workforce and our caregivers, Singh pointed out, in an apparent reference to the massive Indian workforce employed by Israel to deal with an acute shortage of workers in various sectors. He also thanked the Indian Jewish community for being a powerful bridge between the two nations. People from the Indian community and Jews of Indian origin turned up from all over Israel to celebrate Independence Day. Several people turned up at the Cricket club in the southern city of Beersheba, braving a heat wave, to celebrate India's Independence Day. We have lived in Israel since our childhood but have not forgotten our Indian roots. We still hold the cultural values alive and never forget that it was the only country where Jews never faced anti-semitism. We are proud of our Indian origin, chairman of Beersheba Cricket Club Naor Gudker told PTI.