Parliament Stalled for Third Straight Day & more news | DD India Live | 5 PM IST

[00:00:03]Hello and welcome and namaste from New Delhi. You're watching DD India live.

[00:00:07]I'm Gautam Roy. Coming up in the next 30 [music] minutes.

[00:00:11]Third day of the monsoon session of Parliament gets washed away amid the opposition's protest. The government says it's ready to hold discussion on the house in the house over the NEET paper leak without any [music] preconditions.

[00:00:29]External Affairs Minister Dr. S.

[00:00:30]Jaishankar called for deeper cooperation to de-risk, diversify, and bring down restrictions to trade in key meetings with ASEAN, Quad, Chinese, and Russian counterparts in Manila.

[00:00:45]The Indian Navy commissions Malvan, the second of the Mahe class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft in Karwar.

[00:00:54]Built with 80% indigenous components, boosting India's [music] coastal defense.

[00:01:02]And Donald Trump warns to target Iranian nuclear site at Pickaxe Mountain, says the US is not finished as Tehran warns attack on nuclear facilities would expand war.

[00:01:40]Now, the Union Parliament continued to witness disruptions on Wednesday, forcing both the houses to adjourn their proceedings amid persistent uproar by opposition members.

[00:01:52]Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, which are the lower and the the houses respectively, their proceedings had to be adjourned for the day following slogan hearing and protests by the opposition.

[00:02:04]Addressing the Lok Sabha, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government is ready for a discussion on the issue of NEET paper leak.

[00:02:12]Rijiju also said that consultations with floor leaders of various parties are underway.

[00:02:49]Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that the government is committed to meeting the aspirations of students. He said that it has a responsibility to listen to their concerns and make every effort to address them.

[00:03:34]And hitting out at the opposition, the defense minister said they were taking issues to the streets instead of raising them in parliament.

[00:03:42]He said that in a democracy, parliament is the right platform to discuss public issues adding that the opposition is free to put forward its views in the house.

[00:04:18]President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to North Macedonia unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Skopje Museum along with North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova.

[00:04:29]Speaking on the occasion, President Murmu said that while Mahatma Gandhi belonged to India, his message belongs to all humanity, adding that truth and non-violence remain powerful tools for justice, dignity, and freedom. She described the bust as a lasting symbol of friendship between India and North Macedonia.

[00:04:49]>> Mahatma Gandhi belongs to India, but his message belongs to all humanity.

[00:04:55]His life demonstrated that truth and non-violence are not signs of weakness, but powerful instruments for securing justice, dignity, and freedom.

[00:05:07]This bust will stand as a lasting symbol of the friendship between the India and North Macedonia and of our common commitment to peace, tolerance, and humanity. I am confident that our cultural and people-to-people ties will continue to deepen in the years ahead.

[00:05:28]>> While the North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova said that the most important part of Mahatma Gandhi's legacy is his philosophy of non-violence.

[00:05:40]>> The most important Gandhian legacy is the idea of non-violent self-determination as the right of a people to decide on their destiny and future, but also the freedom to organize their lives in accordance with their own will.

[00:05:58]This desire for freedom was a centuries-old ideal of the Indian but also of the Macedonian people.

[00:06:11]>> Earlier, both the leaders visited the memorial of Mother Teresa in Skopje.

[00:06:16]Mother Teresa was born in Skopje where she lived until 1928.

[00:06:30]And President Murmu also called for a significant expansion of economic engagement between India and North Macedonia.

[00:06:37]Addressing the inaugural session of the India-North Macedonia Business Forum in Skopje, which is the capital of Macedonia, President Murmu urged businesses from both the countries to move beyond trade and build long-term partnerships through investment, technology collaboration, and joint ventures. Here's more in this report from North Macedonia.

[00:06:58]>> President Droupadi Murmu's historic visit to North Macedonia began by focusing on increased economic engagement between the two nations.

[00:07:06]Trade and investment cooperation was the focus during the business summit addressed by President Droupadi Murmu and North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova.

[00:07:16]>> The scope for new investments spans across several sectors including digital innovation and artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, and health care, agro-processing, and the green energy transition.

[00:07:33]I am pleased to see representations from this field here today.

[00:07:40]India has revolutionized governance through widespread adoption of digital public infrastructure.

[00:07:49]Those tools like Universal Payments Interface or UPI have fostered financial inclusion and brought millions into the formal economy.

[00:08:03]We invite North Macedonia to co-author the next chapter of this digital revolution.

[00:08:10]>> Excitement for future collaboration was evident in all participants of the summit as India's workforce, market, and innovation combined with North Macedonia's geographic location and duty-free access to the European Union could help bring the two nations closer.

[00:08:25]>> We are trying to make a good relationship between our two countries, especially I'm speaking in the sector about agriculture is very interesting for us for find India as a partner and also reverse.

[00:08:42]We are small country, but India for us is interesting strategic partner. If we can make something in the connection between cooperation with Macedonia and India.

[00:08:54]>> During the business summit, both presidents emphasized the need to increase trade ties, enhance economic engagement, and the enthusiastic response from the delegates during the summit only highlights the potential of the India-North Macedonia relationship.

[00:09:07]With camera person Jag Mohan Pradhan reporting from Skopje, North Macedonia, this is Jantee Jah for DD India.

[00:09:15]>> Now, the Indian Navy has commissioned Malvan, the second of the Maya class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft on Wednesday. The ceremony was presided over by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of Air Staff.

[00:09:29]Named after the historic coastal town in Maharashtra, Malvan is the second of eight Maya class ASW SWCs being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited with more than 80% indigenous content. Compact yet formidable, the ship reflects agility, precision, and endurance, qualities essential for asserting dominance in shallow waters.

[00:09:52]The commissioning of Malvan marks the continued induction of new generation of indigenous shallow water warriors, sleek, swift, and proudly Indian.

[00:10:04]>> The commissioning of Malvan, second of the eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft being constructed by ship Cochin Shipyard Limited with over 80% indigenous content is yet another testimony to India's growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

[00:10:24]Also, Malvan becomes the first Indian naval ship to be commissioned at Karwar, which is a momentous occasion for the naval naval base itself. The ship's name, Malvan, carries deep historical and cultural significance for us. Named after the historic coastal town in Maharashtra, closely associated with the maritime legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, >> India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, emphasized that energy, food, and health security can no longer be taken for granted and said both India and ASEAN are optimistic about their prospects.

[00:11:05]Delivering his opening remarks at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with India 2026 in Manila, Dr. Jaishankar underlined the importance of maritime trade.

[00:11:19]>> It is a timely reminder of what we can do for a more stable and secure future.

[00:11:26]At the same time, both India and ASEAN are optimistic about their prospects.

[00:11:32]Our eyes must therefore be firmly fixed on opportunities even while addressing challenges, and there are many of them.

[00:11:41]Many of them amongst us and between us.

[00:11:44]The India-ASEAN agenda today covers trade and investment, mobility and talent, tech, digital, and AI, green and sustainability, as well as connectivity.

[00:11:57]It is only through deeper cooperation that we can de-risk and diversify.

[00:12:04]>> The External Affairs Minister also participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting in Manila.

[00:12:10]Dr. Jaishankar reviewed the Indo-Pacific situation and discussed recent developments. He reaffirmed commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific while recognizing ASEAN's central role.

[00:12:24]The uh Minister also met Australian uh counterpart uh Senator Penny Wong and followed up on the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent Australia visit as well.

[00:12:37]Dr. Jaishankar also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila on Wednesday to discuss priority areas including trade, tariffs, energy, defense, critical minerals, and AI.

[00:12:48]Both leaders also discussed the West Asia crisis, energy security, and global market stability.

[00:12:53]The talks focused on key India-US partnership areas and regional as well as global issues of mutual interest.

[00:13:04]And the visit also saw Dr. Jaishankar reviewing bilateral relations with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

[00:13:12]The leaders discussed trade, energy, connectivity, technology, Ukraine conflict, and Gulf situation while reiterating concern over the safety of Indian seafarers.

[00:13:25]And it is External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar also held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, and this was on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum foreign ministers meeting in Manila on Wednesday. In his opening remarks, Dr. Jaishankar said the meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress in bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments. He also emphasized that peace and tranquility in the border areas is the prerequisite for normal ties.

[00:14:12]US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has said that Washington remains committed to resolving tensions with Iran through disarmaments and diplomacy. Speaking on to the media on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, Rubio said that the US would welcome a diplomatic settlement with Iran.

[00:14:30]>> We remain open to diplomacy. We remain open to working it out in a negotiated way, but right now they don't seem to be serious about that, and so we're going to continue to protect shipping. And at the same time, we are going to, when the opportunity presents itself, degrade their ability to target global shipping.

[00:14:46]>> Meanwhile, he also discussed Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to the United States. During talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila, speaking to the reporters, Rubio said both sides agreed to manage their differences while exploring areas of potential cooperation.

[00:15:09]Now, let's move on to the West Asia situation. Well, the US military has completed its 11th consecutive day of strikes in Iran.

[00:15:17]US CENTCOM said the strikes targeted Iranian military operations, centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, and drone storage facilities.

[00:15:30]While President Donald Trump warned that the United States was not finished attacking Iran. Trump said Iran would need more than 20 years to recover from the damage inflicted during the West Asia war.

[00:15:44]Also, two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude to Asia reversed course in the Red Sea on Tuesday after threats from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. The Revolutionary Guard said Tuesday that two tankers attempting to transit the strait were hit by explosions, resulting in massive fires which brought them to a standstill.

[00:16:06]Spanish firefighters from the military emergency unit worked through the night into Wednesday to contain the Salas wildfire, which has scorched over 1,700 hectares of land.

[00:16:17]The emergency unit joined regional firefighting teams in an overnight operation, and author authorities have evacuated residents from six villages as a precaution, also tackling active flames and strengthening containment lines to prevent the fire from spreading further.

[00:16:34]Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the command center of the Guadalajara wildfire and said Spain records four times as many wildfires as a year ago.

[00:16:46]And in southeastern France, a wildfire swept through wooded hillsides along the village of Gotignac, leaving widespread damage. The blaze scorched about 2,500 hectares and forced the evacuation of 3 to 400 residents from Corra, Gotignac, and Montfort.

[00:17:04]Around 800 firefighters remained on the ground battling lingering hotspots as southern European countries to face increasingly intense wildfire seasons fueled by hotter, drier conditions.

[00:17:18]And for more on this, let's uh go across to Thomas Sparrow, joining us from our partners DW in Berlin. Good afternoon and good evening in fact rather Thomas here in Delhi to you. How bad is it across Europe right now?

[00:17:33]>> It is indeed a very challenging situation. You mentioned already the cases in Spain and the cases in France.

[00:17:40]Those are two countries that are every year particularly affected by wildfires.

[00:17:46]In fact, the southern part of Europe, so Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, etc. Those are the countries that are at the center of this challenge from a European perspective. However, authorities in Europe have stressed that the problem is not unique to the Mediterranean countries. That in fact countries in northern Europe and that includes Germany, that includes other nations like Sweden are also being more and more affected by wildfires. There are also wildfires here in Germany that are now being fought. What this means from a European perspective is that in general in this year alone there have been more than 1,000 wildfires. This is below the record of 2025. 2025 was a record-breaking year in this term, but 1,000 wildfires in 2026 is above the long-term average. So what this tells you is that this is a problem that is becoming more and more serious for Europe, which is also intensified by the fact that June was a very hot month here in Europe with heat waves, with a lot of problems with dry conditions, which essentially is telling authorities that the season could be particularly long.

[00:18:54]>> Right. And and Thomas, how much coordination is there now between European countries as the fires keep spreading?

[00:19:04]>> There is more and more coordination in Europe because there is an understanding that this is not a challenge that countries can cope with individually.

[00:19:13]Obviously, the first response is a national first response. So, if there's a wildfire in Spain, the first to go to try and tackle that wildfire will be Spanish firefighters. But, European Union officials have stressed that there's an emergency mechanism whereby if a country is overwhelmed, it can specifically request immediate assistance from other European nations.

[00:19:37]And Europe has stressed that it has launched the biggest operation of its kind to precisely try and be prepared in this regard. So, there are around 700 firefighters that have been pre-positioned specifically in countries that are particularly at risk so that when the fire comes, when the fire starts, those firefighters with their airplanes, with their helicopters can actually be fast there to try and tackle it quickly instead of having to travel first to the region and do so. So, it's this emergency preparedness that is at the heart of how Europe is trying to tackle this issue together among the different countries in the European Union.

[00:20:15]>> Okay. Now, Thomas, wildfires are not new, but they do seem to be getting worse.

[00:20:20]What are the authorities doing to prepare for future fire seasons and reduce this risk?

[00:20:27]>> So, European officials have stressed that the wildfire season is starting earlier, that the damages are even more dramatic than in previous years, and that wildfire seasons can now last longer. So, it has to go beyond just tackling wildfires that are already there. The strategy has to include also preparedness, has to include also prevention, and that is something that European officials have really focused on in the past few years. That prevention, that preparedness includes, for example, helping countries in their land management, includes helping countries to look at regions that have already been affected by wildfires and how those regions can recover. It can also include using satellite images to help tackle the situation on the ground with the help of those satellite images that come, for example, from the Copernicus satellite, a European satellite program. So, what all this tells you is that Europe's strategy is, on the one hand, obviously focused on helping those countries that are particularly affected, but on the other hand, obviously also focused on preparedness, also focused on making sure that when these things happen in the future that Europe can be as prepared as possible.

[00:21:38]>> All right, let's hope it works and helps with the situation because uh it's uh not going away anytime too soon.

[00:21:45]Thanks a lot for joining us for the moment, Thomas.

[00:21:49]Now, French parliament on Tuesday approved a ban on social media use for children under the age of 15, making it the first country in the European Union to introduce such an age limit.

[00:22:00]The bill, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, passed the Senate by 243 votes to two, and the National Assembly by 279 votes to 81.

[00:22:09]The ban will come into effect from the 1st of January next year after a 4-month transition period for existing accounts.

[00:22:16]New account creation will be prohibited from the 1st of September, while educational platforms and online encyclopedias will remain exempted.

[00:22:25]Platforms will be required to introduce an age verification system with the specific tools yet to be determined.

[00:22:31]Exceptions include YouTube and WhatsApp, where video viewing and messaging will remain unaffected, but commenting and sharing functions will be restricted.

[00:22:42]The law also bans mobile phone use in high schools from the 1st of September, except in specific cases approved by the schools themselves.

[00:22:53]France's environment minister, Monique Barbu, will remain in her post despite her disagreement with a bill on bee-harming pesticides, given the urgency to act on climate change.

[00:23:04]Monique Barbut submitted her resignation to French President Emmanuel Macron, but it was not accepted. Her office said she will remain in the government due to the urgency of addressing the consequences of climate change, which are severely affecting the country.

[00:23:23]The 16th BRICS Health Ministers meeting underway in Chandigarh saw enthusiastic participation of health ministers, senior officials, and technical experts on its second day.

[00:23:34]The participants witnessed innovations related to traditional medicine, digital health, and food security. They also visited the Ayush Pavilion and expressed interest in India's universal health concept. The delegates expressed happiness and enthusiasm to be a part of such an informative exhibition on health-related issues and concerns.

[00:23:57]>> We are living in uh industrial revolution 5.0, society 5.0.

[00:24:04]So, digitalization is uh talk of the day. In health, when we integrate the digital tools, we can make sure that access is uh approved.

[00:24:17]Everybody gets access to the technologies, and the technologies can help solve some of the challenges we face in our community. So, I'm very much happy India arranged all this for us, for delegates from different BRICS member countries. Thank you very much.

[00:24:32]>> Uh exhibition very interesting. Um I was quite on an individual level very interested to hear about it more.

[00:24:38]Um and also from uh BRICS perspective, it's nice to learn about it, and then maybe collaborate in the future amongst all the BRICS countries.

[00:24:46]>> Actually, the exhibition was really interesting for us. So, uh when I I I come from Egypt, and we have uh an experience in traditional medicine somehow, but after seeing this kind of uh big experience for India in traditional medicine and a kind of AI related to health and the how the Ministry of Health experience during this part and exhibition showing the kind of healthy food and the kind of healthy healthy lifestyle which we are working on now.

[00:25:17]It's a great experience I will take back home with me is that I we will get benefit for it for sure.

[00:25:23]>> And that's all we have for the citizen of DD India but let us know your thoughts on the news of the day.

[00:25:28]And for those on the go you can get all the latest news and updates from India and across the world on DD India's mobile app. It's available on both Android and iOS. Just [music] scan the QR code on screen to download the app right now.

[00:25:41]And we'll be back with [music] more news as it breaks here on DD India. I'm Gautam Roy and from all of us here in Delhi, thanks for watching DD India live.

[00:26:00]>> [music]