New Delhi, Jul 29 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 9 pm:

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DEL20 DEFENCE-NAVY-CHINA

Navy significantly expands deployment in Indian Ocean following border row with China: sources New Delhi: The Indian Navy has deployed a large number of frontline warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR) in the wake of the border row in eastern Ladakh to send out a clear message to China, according to top defence sources on Wednesday.

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DEL77 DEF-2NDLD RAFALE

5 Rafale jets arrive in India in a boost to IAF's combat capability

Ambala: India on Wednesday received its first batch of new combat-proven fighter aircraft in two decades with the arrival of five Rafale jets, giving the country's air power a strategic edge in the midst of a bitter border row with China in eastern Ladakh and frayed ties with Pakistan.

DEL16 VIRUS LD CASES

India's COVID-19 tally crosses 15-lakh mark

New Delhi: India's COVID-19 tally went past 15 lakh on Wednesday, two days after it crossed the 14-lakh mark, with 48,513 fresh cases recorded in a day while the recoveries surged to 9,88,029, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

DEL56 SHAH-RAFALE

Rafale touchdown historic day for IAF, jets will be game changer: Amit Shah

New Delhi: Describing the arrival of five Rafale fighter jets as a historic day for the Indian Air Force and a proud moment for India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said they are the world's most powerful machines capable of thwarting any challenge in the sky.

DEL51 DEF-RAFALE-RAJNATH

Those wanting to threaten India's territorial integrity should be worried about its new capability: Rajnath on arrival of Rafale jets

New Delhi: The arrival of five Rafale jets will make the Indian Air Force much stronger to deter any threat facing India and those wanting to threaten the country's territorial integrity should be worried about its new capability, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday.

DEL97 RAFALE-IAF-KEY ACQUISITIONS

From MIG-21 to Mirage to Rafale jets: A look at India's key fighter aircraft acquisitions

New Delhi: From opting for the Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau-made MiG 21 in 1961 to receiving the first batch of five French-manufactured Rafale multi-role combat jets on Wednesday, India has come a long way in boosting its air-strike prowess.

DEL70 DEF-RAFALE-CAPABILITY

36 Rafale fleet will be a game changer for India: Experts

New Delhi: The Rafale jets, known globally as one the most potent strategic platforms with unmatched capability in carrying out a variety of roles, will significantly bolster India's air combat capabilities when it is facing hostile neighbours like Pakistan and China, defence experts said on Wednesday.

DEL67 RAFALE-POLITICS

Rafale deal: A saga of political dogfight to celebratory touchdown

New Delhi: The touchdown of five Rafale jets on Indian soil on Wednesday caps years of intense political dogfight, with the ruling BJP projecting the purchase as a huge boost to national security and the Congress alleging corruption, before a clean chit by the Supreme Court to the deal removed any hurdle in its acquisition.

DEL105 RAFALE-CONG

Cong welcomes arrival of Rafale jets, but questions govt over delay and high cost

New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday welcomed the arrival of Rafale fighter jets in India, but questioned the delay and their high cost.

DEL69 CAB-LD EDUCATION POLICY

Cabinet approves new National Education Policy, HRD Ministry to be renamed Education Ministry

New Delhi: A single regulator for higher education institutions, multiple entry and exit options in degree courses, discontinuation of MPhil programmes, low stakes board exams, common entrance exams for universities are among the highlights of the new National Education Policy (NEP) approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.

DELHI DEL93 PM-CAB-EDUCATION POLICY

NEP a much awaited reform in education sector; will transform millions of lives: PM

New Delhi: The New Education Policy approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday is a long due and much awaited reform in the education sector which will transform millions of lives in the times to come, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

DEL80 RJ-3RDLD-CM-GOVERNOR

Governor returns assembly session proposal again, says his concerns not addressed

Jaipur: Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Wednesday returned for the third time a proposal from the state government to convene the assembly, saying the Cabinet had refused to state the reason why it wanted a session at short notice.

DEL106 MHA-UNLOCK-LD GUIDELINES

Unlock 3 guidelines: No schools, metro, cinema till Aug 31; Gyms allowed

New Delhi: The nationwide Unlock 3 guidelines were on Wednesday issued by the government, opening up more activities outside the containment zones, but schools, colleges, metro rail service, cinema halls along with bars will continue to remain shut till August 31 and political and religious gatherings too will remain prohibited.

FOREIGN:

FGN35 UK-PNB-COURT

Punjab National Bank wins UK court battle over unpaid dues

London, Jul 29 (PTI) Punjab National Bank International Limited (PNBIL) has logged a big win in a UK High Court in its pursuit of around USD 22 million in unpaid loans, setting a precedent for other enforcement cases brought by Indian banks against promoters or guarantors in English courts. By Aditi Khanna PTI

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)