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HEADLINES
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Government says, Diplomatic Missions are in close contact with Indian nationals in Bangladesh; Also monitoring status of minorities amid unrest in neighbouring country.
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Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin dissolves Parliament; Army implements major reshuffle in senior ranks.
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President Droupadi Murmu holds bilateral talks with Fijian counterpart Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere in capital Suva.
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Indian High Commission issues travel advisory for United Kingdom amid recent disturbances.
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In Paris Olympics 2024, Neeraj Chopra qualifies for Javelin final; Wrestler Vinesh Phogat advances to semi-finals in 50kg freestyle.
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India is in close and constant touch with its nationals in Bangladesh through its diplomatic missions amid unrest in the neighbouring country. In a suo-motu statement in both Houses of Parliament over the situation in Bangladesh today, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said, New Delhi is monitoring the situation with regard to the status of minorities.
Dr. Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha that presently, around 19 thousand Indian nationals are in Bangladesh, including 9000 students. He said the bulk of the students have already returned to India last month on the advice of the High Commission in Dhaka.
He said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had apparently decided to resign from her post after meeting with leaders of security establishments. He informed that she had requested approval to come to India for the moment and arrived in Delhi last evening.
In the last 24 hours, New Delhi has also been in regular touch with the authorities in Dhaka. The External Affairs Minister added that the situation in Bangladesh is still evolving.
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In Bangladesh, in a major reshuffle in the top level of Army, Major General Ziaul Ahsan has been relieved from his post while Lt General M Saiful Islam was transferred to the Foreign Ministry. In another development, following a unanimous decision made during a meeting between Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin and the chiefs of the three services, Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been released from house arrest, along with representatives from various political parties and civil society. More from our Dhaka Correspondent –
“In Bangladesh, political developments become very fast after fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. A major reshuffle has taken place in the top positions of Bangladesh Army. Besides, Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been released from house arrest along with representatives from various political parties and civil society. Earlier in the afternoon, the President dissolved the National Parliament following a high-stakes meeting with key stakeholders. The atmosphere of anxiety and fear have been prevailing in the political class of Bangladesh. Navalsang Parmar, Akashwani News, Dhaka.”
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The Lok Sabha today took up the Finance Bill, 2024 for consideration. Initiating the discussion, Dr Amar Singh of Congress alleged that the Union Budget has provided relief to only people of higher income groups and has not taken care of middle and lower income groups. Another Congress MP Deependra Hooda said FDI has been continuously decreasing in the country. Participating in the discussion, Nishikant Dubey of the BJP said, the Union Budget has proposed abolishing Angel tax which will boost Start-ups and Job prospects of youth in the country. TMC MP Mohua Moitra said the Union Budget has no provisions for the middle class and the poor. NCP(SP) leader Surpiya Sule demanded the withdrawal of GST on life and medical insurance premium. The discussion remained inconclusive. Later, the House was adjourned for the day.
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman has clarified that minimum balance is not required for PM Jandhan accounts and basic savings bank deposit accounts. She was replying to supplementaries during question hour in the Rajya Sabha over charges recovered by various banks from account holders for non-maintenance of minimum balance.
Later the House was adjourned for the day.
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President Droupadi Murmu has departed for Nadi in Fiji after completing official engagements in the capital, Suva. After holding bilateral meetings during the day, President Murmu attended a reception hosted by the Fijian President. Eralier, the President held bilateral talks with her counterpart President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere in capital Suva. In a social media post, President Murmu said that during the meet, the two leaders discussed ways to further deepen the India-Fiji relationship.
“After holding a day long diplomatic and bilateral engagements, President Droupadi Murmu laid the wreath at the National war memorial and garlanded the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Mahatma Gandhi High School in Suva this evening. The President later attended the reception hosted in her honour by Fijian President Williame Katonivere. Speaking at the reception, President Murmu expressed confidence that India and Fiji would further deepen their 75 year old historic relation and expand the multifaceted engagement.
President Murmu later departed for Nadi from where she will embark for Auckland in New Zealand tomorrow to begin the second leg of her three nation state visit. With Sri Sai Vempati’s Report from FIJI, Abhishek Mukhopadyay for Akashvani News.”
The Indian High Commission in London has issued an advisory urging citizens to stay vigilant and exercise caution while traveling to the UK in view of recent disturbances in the country. The advisory urged visitors from India to follow local news and advisories issued by local security agencies, and to avoid areas where protests are underway. The High Commission of India in London is monitoring the situation closely.
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Union Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today directed the implementation of the Employment-Linked Incentive-ELI Scheme in a mission mode and stressed on robust mechanism to ensure that the benefits of the Scheme reach the true beneficiaries. The Union Minister said the Government is committed to creating a sustainable and inclusive employment ecosystem. He said that the ELI Scheme is designed to facilitate job creation and provide incentives to employers and employees. Dr. Mandaviya chaired a meeting on the ELI Scheme in which Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje and senior officials of the Ministry and EPFO officials were also present.
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In Uttrakhand, the rescue operation is almost completed in Kedarghati of Rudraprayag District. Helicopter journey to Kedarnath Dham will resume from tomorrow. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today conducted an aerial inspection of the disaster-affected areas of Rudraprayag district. He said, the government is working fast to operate the Shri Kedarnath Yatra route.
Devotees reaching Kedarnath Darshan through helicopter services will be given a discount of 25 percent in the fare, the cost of which will be borne by the state government.
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In Gujarat, over 45 dams in the state are overflowing and have been put on high alert. Sardar Sarovar dam the largest dam in the state has reached 60 percent of its storage capacity. Following the torrential rains in South Gujarat, Water level is also rapidly increasing in the ukai dam one of the largest dam in South Gujarat region. Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast heavy rains in some part of the state on Thursday.
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In Kerala, the cabinet sub-committee camping in the region has directed to intensify search operations on both banks of Chaliyar river. It also directed that the help of the Navy and the Coast Guard may be sought to ensure that the bodies have not flowed into the sea. This evening, 22 unidentified, dismembered body parts of landslide victims were interred at the burial site at Puththumala.
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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu today had an online meeting with the Youtube Global CEO Neal Mohan and Google Asia Pacific Head Sanjay Gupta. The Chief Minister mentioned on social media platform ‘X’ that during the meeting, they discussed setting up a YouTube Academy in Andhra Pradesh in collaboration with local partners to foster AI, content development, skill development and certification programmes.
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At the Paris Olympics 2024, Neeraj Chopra started the javelin throw qualification event with a monstrous throw of 89.34 meters and has qualified for the final. Now details from our correspondent who is covering the Olympics.
“India’s golden boy and athlete extraordinaire Neeraj Chopra romped into the final of the javelin competition with a humongous first throw of 89.34m, his season’s best as he left the field behind during qualifying action at the Stade de France today. Neeraj is the defending Olympics and World champion and considered by many to be on course to repeat his Tokyo heroics.
The other Indian in action, Kishore Jena, a silver medalist at the Asian Games, failed to make the cut after a below-par throw. Superstar wrestler Vinesh Phogat was on fire today, defeating top seed Yui Susaki, a four-time world champion in the pre-quarterfinals of the women’s 50kg freestyle event and then getting the better of Oksana Livach to make it to the semis. She is just one win away from a medal. Later tonight, the men’s hockey team face off with Germany in a blockbuster semifinal to get a right to play Netherlands in the final. This is Shaurya Chaudhary Reporting for Akashvani from Paris.”
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The United States Vice-President Kamala Harris has formally secured the Democratic presidential nomination. Harris who became the first Indian-American to win the nomination from a major political party, elected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential candidate today. Harris’ nomination became official after a five-day round of online balloting by Democratic National Convention delegates ended yesterday night. The party, in a statement said that 99 percent of delegates had cast their ballots for Harris.
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The first edition of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation – BIMSTEC Business Summit was held today in New Delhi. BIMSTEC Secretary General said all member states are coming together and will be meeting in different sessions including B2B meetings. He hopes that this very first BIMSTEC business summit would lead to more intra-regional trade and encourage more investment within the region.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
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Government says, Diplomatic Missions are in close contact with Indian nationals in Bangladesh; Also monitoring status of minorities amid unrest in neighbouring country.
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Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin dissolves Parliament; Army implements major reshuffle in senior ranks.
-
President Droupadi Murmu holds bilateral talks with Fijian counterpart Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere in capital Suva.
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Indian High Commission issues travel advisory for United Kingdom amid recent disturbances.
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In Paris Olympics 2024, Neeraj Chopra qualifies for Javelin final; Wrestler Vinesh Phogat advances to semi-finals in 50kg freestyle.