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President Murmu offers ‘dahi-cheeni’ to FM Sitharaman before presenting Budget 2025

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President Droupadi Murmu offered 'dahi-cheeni' (curd-sugar), to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ahead of presenting Budget 2025 (Photo/DD) © Provided by Asian News International (ANI)
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New Delhi [India] February 1 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday offered ‘dahi-cheeni‘ (curd and sugar), as it is considered auspicious, to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ahead of presenting her eighth Union Budget.

This customary gesture for good luck was done during the Finance Minister’s visit to President Murmu at Rashtrapti Bhavan.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary was also present on the occasion. The Finance Minister was seen discussing the contours of the Budget proposals with the President.

Subsequently, the Finance Minister arrived at Parliament, from where she will leave for the Cabinet meeting where the Budget will be ratified prior to its presentation in Parliament.

Nirmala Sitharaman will present her record eighth consecutive Budget on Saturday at 11 am in Lok Sabha. The Budget speech will outline the government’s fiscal policies, revenue and expenditure proposals, taxation reforms, and other significant announcements.

Meanwhile, the Economic Survey tabled in Parliament on Friday, projected India’s economy to grow between 6.3 per cent and 6.8 per cent in the next financial year 2025-26.

The survey, tabled a day before the Union Budget, highlights the country’s strong economic fundamentals supported by a stable external account, fiscal consolidation, and private consumption.

It noted that the government plans to strengthen long-term industrial growth by focusing on research and development (R&D), micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and capital goods.

These measures aim to enhance productivity, innovation, and global competitiveness.

“The fundamentals of the domestic economy remain robust, with a strong external account, calibrated fiscal consolidation and stable private consumption. On balance of these considerations, we expect that the growth in FY26 would be between 6.3 and 6.8 per cent,” it said.

The survey noted that food inflation is expected to ease in Q4 FY25 due to the seasonal decline in vegetable prices and the arrival of the Kharif harvest. A good Rabi production is also expected to help keep food prices in check in the first half of FY26. However, adverse weather conditions and rising international agricultural prices pose risks to inflation. (ANI)

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World Women’s Day: Nigerian governors vow to sustain gender parity gains

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The Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders and women’s organisations to sustain the progress made in gender parity and women’s empowerment.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stated this in a message to mark International Women’s Day, adding that the forum will allocate more resources to accelerate action in outstanding areas of concern.

“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum stands in firm solidarity with Nigerian women, praising their resilience and struggles for a fair society, as well as their immeasurable contributions to building a more equitable world,” he said.

Governor AbdulRazaq reiterated the forum’s commitment to advancing policies and initiatives that amplify women’s voices and promote the well-being of women and girls.

“My colleagues and I at the NGF congratulate Nigerian women on the occasion of International Women’s Day and reassure them of our sustained commitment to creating a more inclusive and safer environment for them to thrive,” he added.

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Iran rejects Trump’s request for nuclear talks

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Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has ruled out any possibility of negotiating with the United States in his first public speech since President Donald Trump claimed to have sent him a letter regarding nuclear talks.

Khamenei also criticised France, Germany, and Britain for condemning Tehran’s non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, branding them shameless.

Speaking during a meeting with Iranian officials in Tehran on Saturday, he insisted that Iran would certainly not accept America’s demands.

“The insistence of some bullying governments on negotiations is not aimed at resolving issues but rather at asserting dominance and imposing their demands,” Khamenei said. “The Islamic Republic of Iran will certainly not accept their demands.”

He added, “Those three European countries—France, Germany, and Britain—are issuing statements, claiming that Iran has not fulfilled its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA! Someone should ask them: Have you fulfilled yours? You never did from the very beginning! Then you made another claim and broke that second promise as well. There should be a limit to shamelessness! How can someone fail to uphold their own commitments and then turn around and accuse the other side of non-compliance?”

Khamenei’s comments followed Trump’s revelation that he had sent a letter offering negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme while warning that military intervention remained an alternative.

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Female British MPs gather together in Parliament to celebrate International Women’s Day.

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Female British MPs gather together in Parliament to celebrate International Women’s Day.

According to UK Mirror, there are 263 women in the House of Commons, making up 40% of total MPs.

📸 : @dailymirror

#InternationalWomensDay
#Ekwutosblog

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