THE HEADLINES:
- C P Radhakrishnan to be the 15th Vice President of India.
- Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigns amid widespread violent protests; Various government buildings including President house, Parliament and Supreme Court, set on fire.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviews flood situation in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab; Announces financial assistance of 1,600 crore rupees for Punjab and 1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh.
- Multiple explosions reported in Qatar as Israel claims of targeting Hamas leadership.
- In Cricket, Afghanistan elect to bat first against Hong Kong in the opening match of Asia Cup 2025.
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NDA candidate and Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan will be the new Vice-President of India. He defeated I.N.D.I.A. bloc candidate and former Supreme Court Judge B Sudershan Reddy by a margin of 152 votes. Briefing reporters after the counting of Votes for the Vice Presidential election, Rajya Sabha Secretary General and returning officer, P C Mody said, out of the total 781 electors, 767 MPs voted in the election. Mr Mody informed that out of 767 votes, 752 were found valid and 15 were declared invalid.
Rajya Sabha Secretary General informed that the election for the post of Vice President was held in a free, fair and orderly manner. The election took place after the resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, citing health reasons. More from our correspondent:
“Born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, began his political journey as a student leader. He was actively involved in organisations such as the RSS and Jan Sangh. Since then he has used politics as a medium to serve the public. He was elected twice to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore. Mr. Radhakrishnan has also served as Governor of Jharkhand, Telangana, Puducherry and Maharashtra. An agriculturist by profession, he is admired for his integrity, vision, and unblemished public life. The voting for the Vice Presidential election was held between 10 AM and 5 PM today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was the first among the members who cast his vote. Besides, several Union Ministers including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, J.P. Nadda, Nitin Gadkari, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Shivraj Singh Chouhan also voted. From the opposition camp, Congress MPs Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, NCP (SCP) leader Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav and DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran also voted. With Anand and Dipendra, Anupam Mishra, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah has congratulated C. P. Radhakrishnan on being elected as the Vice President of India.
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Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned amid widespread violent protests across the country.Oli’s resignation came after hundreds of demonstrators entered his office shouting anti-government slogans. The protestors set the Nepalese Prime Minister’s private residence in Balkot on fire, demanding accountability for the deaths during the protests yesterday.
We now go live to our Kathmandu correspondent Sweta Singh for more updates.
Question: Sweta, what is the latest you have on the current situation there in Nepal?
Thank You Sweta for that update.
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Government has advised Indian citizens to defer travel in Nepal until the situation stabilises. In an advisory, the government has advised Indian citizens presently in Nepal to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise all due caution. It also advised to follow local safety advisories from Nepal authorities as well as the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.
Airlines including Air India and IndiGo have cancelled their flights between Delhi and Kathmandu in view of the closure of the Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport amid anti-government protests.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a financial assistance of 1600 crore rupees for the flood affected Punjab in addition to 12,000 crore rupees already in the state’s kitty. There will be advance release of the second instalment of SDRF and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Earlier, after reaching Gurdaspur in Punjab to take stock of the ground situation of the flood ravaged state, he held a review meeting with senior officials on the extent of damage. More from our correspondent:
“Prime Minister Modi patiently listened to the flood victims for over an hour and shared their pain. He expressed his condolences to the family members of those who have lost their lives and stated that the Union Government will work closely with the state government in this difficult time and extend all possible assistance. He emphasized the need for a multi-dimensional approach to help the entire region and its people to recover. He said under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin, financial assistance will be extended under Special Project submitted by Punjab Government for reconstruction of houses in rural areas of those whose houses have been damaged due to floods. Recognizing the critical need to support the agricultural community, additional assistance, specifically targeted at farmers who currently lack power connections, will also be provided. Damaged government schools will be financially supported under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Rajesh Bali, Akashvani News, Jalandhar.”
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Prime Minister Modi conducted an aerial survey of the flood, landslide, and heavy rain-affected areas of Himachal Pradesh. In Kangra, the Prime Minister held a meeting with the state government to review the damage caused by the natural disaster and assess the losses. On this occasion, Prime Minister Modi announced financial assistance of fifteen hundred crore rupees for the flood and rain-affected regions of Himachal Pradesh. A report:
“By reaching ground zero, interacting with affected families, and motivating relief workers, the Prime Minister demonstrated a strong gesture of solidarity. Assessing the scale of damage, the Prime Minister announced financial assistance of fifteen hundred crore rupees for relief and rehabilitation. While meeting with the affected families Mr. Modi offered his condolences, and assured that the Central Government would provide all possible support in rebuilding homes, schools, roads, and other critical infrastructure. He also announced an ex-gratia of two lakh rupees for the next of kin of the deceased and fifty thousand rupees for the injured. The Prime Minister commended the relentless efforts of the NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Aapda Mitra volunteers in rescue and relief operations. Ritesh Kapoor, Akashvani News, Shimla.”
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On this Independence Day at the ramparts of Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the next generation of GST reforms by Diwali. The Prime Minister’s vision of creating a more efficient and citizen-friendly economy was realised as the GST Council on 3rd September approved rates rationalisation with a focus on common man. The Council has simplified the indirect tax system into a two-tier structure of 5 per cent and 18 per cent from a four-tier structure of 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 percent. These reforms have reduced tax rates in many sectors easing the life of citizens. Today we look at the reforms undertaken for the service sector.
“GST on services including gym, salon, barber and yoga services has been brought down from 18 per cent to 5 per cent, making these services more affordable and accessible. Applauding the decision Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the reduced gst rates on gym, salon and yoga services will contribute help youth of the nation will be more fit and active.
The Council has also lowered the rate on hotel stays up to seven thousand five hundred rupees per day from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. Talking to Akashvani News, Harshal Dilwali, Director and CEO of a private company in hospitality sector has welcomed the new GST reforms.
With Shivang, Dilnashi Arzoo, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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The government today signed an agreement to develop dual-use cutting-edge technologies and to link defence expertise with emerging ed-tech solutions. In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said that Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organisation its flagship initiative, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EdCIL (India) Limited under the new Accelerating Strategic Progress in Research and Education or ASPIRE program.
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Multiple explosions shook Doha today, in what Israel confirmed was a targeted airstrike against senior Hamas leaders. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency acknowledged responsibility, marking the first known Israeli military action on Qatari soil. More details from our West Asia correspondent:
“Eyewitnesses reported loud blasts and plumes of smoke rising from central Doha, near what appeared to be a compound housing Hamas officials. An Israeli official described the strike as a precise operation to eliminate Hamas leadership. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel takes “full responsibility” for what he called an independent military action. Shin Bet confirmed it had provided intelligence for the attack. Hamas, which maintains a political office in Doha, accused Israel of attempting to assassinate negotiators engaged in ceasefire and hostage talks. Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas figure who had met Qatari officials a day earlier, was believed to be among those targeted. Qatar, a key mediator in the conflict, strongly condemned the attack. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dr. Majed al-Ansari described it as a “cowardly assault” and a blatant violation of international law that threatened the security of Qataris and residents. VINOD KUMAR, AKASHVANI NEWS, DUBAI.”
As of late today, no fatalities had been officially reported, though both Israel and Hamas signaled the episode could mark a turning point in the ongoing conflict.
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Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro has accused the United States of disguising its pursuit of the country’s vast oil and mineral wealth under the banner of anti-narcotics operations, warning that Caracas will defend its sovereignty against any escalation. Maduro blamed that Washington’s military buildup in the Caribbean was motivated not by the fight against drug trafficking but by Venezuela’s natural resources.
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The 17th Asia Cup cricket begins today with Afghanistan opting to bat first against Hong Kong in the opening match in Abu Dhabi. Afghanistan were 98 for3 in 13.3 overs, when reports last came in.
The tournament will run until September 28 and will feature eight teams battling for the continental crown. Meanwhile, Team India is scheduled to start their campaign against hosts UAE in Dubai in a Group A match tomorrow at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN: –
- C P Radhakrishnan to be the 15th Vice President of India.
- Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigns amid widespread violent protests; Various government buildings including President house, Parliament and Supreme Court, set on fire.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviews flood situation in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab; Announces financial assistance of 1,600 crore rupees for Punjab and 1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh.
- Multiple explosions reported in Qatar as Israel claims of targeting Hamas leadership.
- In Cricket, Afghanistan elect to bat first against Hong Kong in the opening match of Asia Cup 2025.
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