THE HEADLINES:
- President Droupadi Murmu arrives in Fiji on two-day official visit; To hold bilateral meetings with her counterpart Williame Katonivere.
- Budgetary allocations for health sector increase 164 per cent to over 90 thousand crore rupees in last 10 years, says Government.
- Unrest continues in Bangladesh as protesting students calls for ‘Long March to Dhaka’; Broadband internet services shut down in some parts of the country.
- US issues warning to G7 countries of possible retaliation by Iran and Hezbollah against Israel following assassination of Hamas leader.
- Global markets plunge amid US recession fears; Japan’s Nikkei posts biggest intra-day loss since 1987.
- And, in Paris Olympics, Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen to play for Bronze medal at Paris Olympics this evening.
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President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Nadi, the Republic of Fiji, today, on a two-day official visit, marking the first ever trip by the President of India to Fiji. She was received by Villiame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji and P.S. Karthigeyan, High Commissioner of India to Fiji. Our correspondent has filed this report;
“President Droupadi Murmu will participate in officials engagements in Suva and Nadi tomorrow & day after. President Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with President of Fiji, Williame Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. The President will address the Fijian Parliament and hold a community reception. She will also visit the Gandhi memorial college in Suva and Sri Siva Subramaniya Swamy temple in Nadi. The visit aims to bolster the historic ties India shares with the island nation. “Sri Sai WITH is report from Fiji. SWATI RAKHEJA FOR Akashvani news .”
President Murmu will visit New Zealand on 8th and 9th August on the second leg of her tour. She will hold a bilateral meeting with Governor General Cindy Kiro and meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. President Murmu will also address an International Education Conference in Wellington and address the Indian diaspora in Auckland.
On the last leg of the tour, President Murmu will visit Timor-Leste on 10th August and hold a bilateral meeting with President José Ramos-Horta. Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala “Xanana” Gusmão will call on President Murmu.
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The Lok Sabha today approved the Demands for Grants under the Control of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for 2024-25 after discussion. Replying to the discussion on Demands for Grants in the House, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda said the Modi government has given utmost priority to the health sector. The Union Minister informed that the budgetary allocations have gone up from 33 thousand 278 crore rupees in 2013-14 to 90 thousand 958 crore rupees in 2024-25 registering an increase of 164 per cent. He said, of the total budget, 55 per cent of the amount is spent through the National Health Mission.
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The Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary today said that ground level credit in rural areas has increased from 7.3 lakh crore rupees in 2014 to 25.46 lakh crore rupees in 2024 so that people can avail the benefits. In reply to supplementaries in the Lok Sabha, the Minister informed the House that under Kisan Credit Card, a crop loan of 4.26 lakh crore rupees was extended to farmers while in 2014 this number grew to 9.82 lakh crore rupees. Mr Chaudhary informed that the government has taken a lot of initiatives for the welfare of farmers and enhance the agriculture produce. He added that under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), over 52 crore accounts were opened to ensure financial inclusion.
The Minister also said the government has implemented various schemes for the youth including MUDRA Yojana and Startup India. He informed that in the Union Budget, the government has also announced an internship scheme for the youth and the loan facility under MUDRA scheme has also been increased from 10 lakh to 20 lakh rupees in the Budget.
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The Centre today said so far 138 crore rupees have been returned to 17,250 claimants who have invested in Sahara India Real Estate Company and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation. This was informed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour in Lok Sabha. She said that around 26 thousand crore rupees was amassed from 3.07 crore investors by Sahara India Finance Companies. She said the return of the money to the investors is monitored by regulator SEBI and committees constituted by the Supreme Court.
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Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Mr. Bhupender Yadav today said the Central Government has declared Adichunchanagiri in Karnataka and Choolannuar in Kerala as Peacock Sanctuary. In reply to a question regarding the death of peacocks in Delhi, he informed the Lok Sabha that peacocks died due to heat stroke and not by avian influenza. The Minister said, several measures are being taken for the conservation of the national bird and the ministry has also set up breeding and conservation centers for peacocks.
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Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan is chairing an apex level Tri-Service Financial Conference in New Delhi. The conference is aimed at enhancing cooperation and synergy in financial issues of the Armed Forces. During the conference, discussions are scheduled on aspects of Understanding the Perspectives of various stakeholders in Defence Finance and Finding Solutions to challenges faced in defence procurements. The conference is being coordinated by Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff and it is aligned with the objectives set for the ongoing drive on integration and jointness in the Armed Forces. Talking to reporters, Air Vice Marshal Anil Sabharwal said that today’s conference topic was to enhance financial cohesion and synergy.
Major General Sandeep Narang said if the country has to move forward it has to become self-reliant. He said, during this conference all three defence forces – Army, Air Force and Navy will discuss ways to move forward with the budget that has been allocated to it.
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Bangladesh has plunged into chaos as violent clashes between police and anti-government protesters resulted in the deaths of at least 90 people yesterday, with hundreds more injured. The demonstrations began last month with students seeking to end a quota system for government jobs, but clashes has now turned into a wider anti-government movement and one of the most significant crises during Hasina’s 20-year rule. The government has imposed a curfew for an indefinite period and cut off broadband and mobile internet services in several parts of the country in an attempt to stem the unrest. More from our correspondent:
“In Bangladesh, the protesters have given a call for a Long March to Dhaka amid the situation is very critical in Dhaka and other parts of the country today. The government has deployed the army and other law Enforcement agencies to stop such action and to enforce the curfew imposed from yesterday evening. The entry points of Dhaka are blocked by the security forces. However, there are updates coming about crowd gatherings and violent clashes from Dhaka and many other cities of Bangladesh. Padma Bridge and Jamuna bridge connecting the South-West Bangladesh and North-WestBangladesh respectively to Dhaka have been blocked for the movement of traffic by the security forces. Navalsang Parmar, Akashwani News, Dhaka.”
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The External Affairs Ministry has strongly advised Indian nationals against traveling to Bangladesh till further notice in view of ongoing developments in the neighbouring country. In its advisory, the Ministry has urged all Indian nationals presently in Bangladesh to exercise extreme caution and restrict their movements.
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Amid the rising tension in West Asia, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reportedly issued a stark warning to G7 foreign ministers about possible retaliatory actions by Iran and Hezbollah against Israel. The warning comes in the wake of recent assassinations of key figures in Hamas and Hezbollah. More from our correspondent;
“According to sources familiar with a phone call between Blinken and G7 ministers, the U.S. believes that both Iran and Hezbollah may launch attacks on Israel “as early as Tuesday.” The exact nature of these potential retaliations remain unclear. Earlier Blinken has talked to his GCC counterparts for deescalation efforts. This heightened alert follows the recent killings of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, actions widely attributed to Israel. These assassinations have significantly escalated tensions in the already volatile Middle East region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation in a cabinet meeting on Sunday, stating that Israel is prepared for “any scenario, both offensively and defensively.” He described the current situation as a “multifront war against Iran’s axis of evil.” This is Vinod Kumar for Akashvani news from Dubai.”
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Ukraine has received its first American-made F-16 fighter jets. Making the announcement, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked allies and added that many more were needed. President Zelensky thanked Denmark, the Netherlands, the US and Ukraine’s other partners for accepting Kiev’s request for F-16s.
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Global markets were in the deep red today, following big falls last week by major indices around the world. Stock markets in Asia plunged, after weak jobs data in the United States on Friday sparked fears of a recession in the world’s largest economy.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 and Topix indexes were both down by more than 10 percent in afternoon trade. Nikkei 225 stock index posted its biggest intraday plunge on record. The index briefly fell more than 4,000 points, breaching the previous record drop of 3,836 points in the “Black Monday” crash in 1987.
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Back Home,
In Kerala, search for more bodies continue in the landslide hit areas of Wayanad for the seventh day today. The area has been divided into 12 zones and rescue workers have fanned out in search of more bodies. More from our Correspondent:
“The search today is focussed on Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas , places heavily battered by last Tuesday’s landslide. One more body recovered by the search teams from the debris has been dispatched to the Meppady Community Health Centre. 15 sniffer dogs are deployed in the search efforts. Rescue teams have intensified search for more bodies in Chaliyar river at Nilambur and adjoining forest areas in Malappuram. with Arun Vincent in Wayanad, Raj Mohan, Akashvani News, Kochi.”
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The search operation for 40 missing people in the recent cloudburst incidents in Shimla, Mandi and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh continues for the fifth day today. Search operations in these disaster affected areas had resumed this morning. During the search operation today, two more bodies were recovered from Dogri near Sunni in Shimla district.
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In Maharashtra, the number of Zika patients is steadily increasing in Pune with five pregnant women and two others testing positive yesterday taking the number of cases in the district to 72.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, the authorities today suspended the Amarnath Yatra for a day over security concerns, as today is the fifth anniversary of Article 370 abrogation. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that the yatra remained suspended from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in view of intelligence inputs. Security has been heightened in Akhnoor and other bordering areas of Jammu. Meanwhile, the BJP is scheduled to organize a massive rally in R.S. Pura to celebrate the day, in which party leader and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy will be the chief guest.
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Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya today released a set of four commemorative postage stamps to celebrate the 33rd Olympics Games currently going on in Paris. This event was held in New Delhi today. 10 meter air pistol mixed team medalist, Sarabjot Singh, Steeplechase Athlete, Sudha Singh and Former Cricketer Akash Chopra also attended the event. These stamps represent sports such as Javelin Throw, Field Hockey, Sailing and Table Tennis.
While addressing the event, Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said, the Government is nurturing talent from across the country with initiatives such as Khelo India playing a vital role in providing essential support to the athletes.
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Lakshya Sen will aim to add a fourth medal to India’s tally as he will take on Malaysia’s Zii Jia Lee in the bronze medal match of the men’s singles in the Paris Olympics today at 6 PM IST. Lakshya will aim to become the the first Indian men’s shuttler to win the Olympics medal.
In athletics, India will be represented by two athletes: Kiran Pahal, who will compete in the women’s 400m round 1, and Asian Games gold medallist Avinash Sable.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN::
- President Droupadi Murmu arrives in Fiji on two-day official visit; To hold bilateral meetings with her counterpart Williame Katonivere.
- Budgetary allocations for health sector increase 164 per cent to over 90 thousand crore rupees in last 10 years, says Government.
- Unrest continues in Bangladesh as protesting students calls for ‘Long March to Dhaka’; Broadband internet services shut down in some parts of the country.
- US issues warning to G7 countries of possible retaliation by Iran and Hezbollah against Israel following assassination of Hamas leader.
- Global markets plunge amid US recession fears; Japan’s Nikkei posts biggest intra-day loss since 1987.
- And in Paris Olympics, Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen to play for Bronze medal at Paris Olympics this evening.
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