Morning News

THE HEADLINES :-

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns from the post citing health reasons.
Parliamentary Committee allocates 16 hours to debate Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha.
Bihar becomes first state to have less than 1,200 voters per polling station; Election Commission says, move aims to make voting more convenient.
ISRO to launch Earth Observation Satellite NISAR, jointly developed with NASA, next week.
Death toll in the Bangladesh air force jet crash rises to 22.
In Chess, India’s Divya Deshmukh joins Koneru Humpy to storm into semi-finals of FIDE Women’s World Cup.

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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned from the post citing health reasons. In a letter written to President Droupadi Murmu, Mr Dhankhar said, to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, he has resigned effective immediately. He expressed his gratitude to the President for her unwavering support during his tenure. Mr Dhankhar also expressed his deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the esteemed Council of Ministers. He said the warmth, trust, and affection he received from all the Members of Parliament would ever be cherished at and embedded in my memory.

Mr Dhankhar said he was deeply thankful for the invaluable experiences and insights he gained as Vice President in this great democracy.

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The first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament witnessed several disruptions by opposition parties over multiple issues, including demands for an immediate discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Opposition MPs continuously raised slogans, insisting on a debate. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured the House that the government is ready to discuss all issues. However, due to the ongoing uproar, the Lok Sabha was adjourned three times. A report from our News desk:

“The business in the Rajya Sabha transacted smoothly after one adjournment in the morning. The upper house took up the Question Hour and Special mention and also passed the Lading Bill 2025 after discussion. Later,in a meeting of Business Advisory Committee of Parliament, it was decided to hold discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha. Besides, 16-hours have been allocated for this debate. Besides, 12 hours have been allocated in the Lower House for the discussion on the Income Tax Bill, 2025 In another development in Parliament, several MPs submitted a memorandum to Lok Sabha Speaker to remove Justice Yashwant Varma. A total of 145 Lok Sabha members signed the impeachment motion against Justice Verma under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the Constitution. The Parliament will inquire into the matter related to the recovery of cash at the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma.”

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Today, the Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024, for consideration and passing. While in the Rajya Sabha, Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will move the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025.

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Bihar has become the first state in the country where every polling station will now cater to fewer than 1,200 voters. Announcing this yesterday, the Election Commission said, the move is aimed at reducing long queues and making voting more convenient. To achieve this, 12,817 new polling stations have been added across the state. Earlier, there was a ceiling of 1,500 electors per station which has been revised to 1,200, under the Special Intensive Revision, SIR of the electoral rolls. The Election Commission also informed that from the 1st of next month, any member of public can file objections regarding any additions, deletions, or corrections in the Draft Electoral Rolls.

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has mandated the installation of high-resolution CCTV cameras with audio-visual recording in all its affiliated schools to further strengthen students’ safety. As per the new norms, cameras will be installed at entry and exit points, corridors, staircases, classrooms, labs, libraries, canteens, playgrounds, and other common areas, excluding toilets and washrooms. The cameras will have real-time recording and a minimum 15-day storage backup, which can be accessed by authorities if needed.

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The Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO will launch the NISAR Earth Observation satellite, developed jointly with American space agency NASA on the 30th of this month at 1740 hours from Sriharikota. GSLV F16 heavy lift rocket will place the satellite into a 743 kms Sun Synchronous orbit. The NISAR satellite will scan the entire globe every 12 days and provide high resolution, all weather, day and night data. More from our Correspondent :

“NISAR developed jointly with NASA will be the sharpest eye in the sky. It is the first satellite to observe the Earth with a dual frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar. NASA’s ‘L’ ban and ISRO’s ‘S’ band radar will use NASA’s large 12 metre unfurlable mesh reflector antenna that is integrated to ISRO’s modified satellite. The L band radar can penetrate thick forests and dense vegetation, while the S band provides crystal clear surface details. It will observe Earth using SweepSAR technology for the first time. The radars can detect subtle changes in Earth’s surface to monitor sea ice, vegetation, storm tracking, soil moisture changes, surface water mapping and disaster probabilities. Sudhindra Akashvani News Bengaluru.”

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Today marks the 6th anniversary of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chandrayaan-2 launch. The mission aimed to study the Moon’s topography, seismography, mineral distribution, and surface composition, with a focus on the lunar south pole. A Report:

“India’s second lunar exploration mission, which successfully lifted off on July 22, 2019, from Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, primarily aimed to explore the lunar surface, particularly the south pole, and consisted of an orbiter, lander (Vikram), and rover (Pragyan). Although the lander faced a setback due to a software glitch, resulting in a crash landing on September 6, 2019, the orbiter continues to operate, providing valuable insights into lunar science and mapping the minerals and water molecules in the polar regions. Chandrayaan-2’s legacy serves as a testament to ISRO’s capabilities and dedication to space exploration, inspiring future lunar endeavors. sanyukta YADAV, akashvani news, delhi.”

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International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath is set to leave the Fund at the end of next month. She will return to Harvard University as Professor in the Department of Economics. Gita Gopinath joined IMF in January 2019 as Chief Economist and was promoted to First Deputy Managing Director in January 2022.

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At least 22 people, school children, were killed and 169 people were injured after a Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed in Dhaka’s Uttara area on Monday afternoon. The F-7 BGI aircraft of Bangladesh Air force took off for a training flight and crashed shortly after into Milestone School and College campus in the Uttara area of Dhaka, according Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Bangladesh. More from our correspondent:

“The horrific accident has raised urgent questions as to operating an air force base inside one of the most densely populated cities in the world. For many Dhaka residents, the shock of the incident has renewed fears that have long gone unaddressed. Abdullah Faruque, a former Biman Bangladesh captain with decades of flying experience, publicly voiced his concern over the proximity of military flight operations to commercial and civilian zones. Navalsang Parmar, Akashvani News,Dhaka.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed sadness at the loss of lives in a tragic air crash in Dhaka. In a social media post, Mr Modi gave his condolences to the bereaved families. He prayed for the swift recovery of those injured. The Prime Minister added that India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.

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In Pakistan, the sit-in protest by Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) against the government has entered its seventh day at the capital city of Islamabad. The protest is led by families of forcibly disappeared persons and detained leaders of BYC from Balochistan. The protesters alleged that all roads leading to the Islamabad Press Club have remained blocked, and authorities have continued to deny permission to set up a protest camp at the site.

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The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), in collaboration with stock exchanges, has launched a centralised compliance reporting platform for stock brokers. Offered by National Stock Exchange, the platform will be called Samuhik Prativedan Manch.

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In Ladakh, District Administration of Kargil accorded a grand and heartfelt welcome to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama upon his arrival in Zanskar yesterday. While addressing a gathering, His Holiness emphasized the importance of interfaith harmony, peaceful coexistence, and the need to educate both the heart and the mind.

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Moving on to the world of Sports, in Chess, International Master Divya Deshmukh became second Indian to advance to the semi-finals of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia. We have more from Sports Desk:

“In a rapid tie-break, Divya defeated compatriot Harika Dronavalli by 2-0 in a rapid tie-break. She has now joined compatriot Koneru Humpy in the final four clash. In the semi-finals, Divya will face China’s Tan Zhongyi, while Humpy will be up against another top ranked Lei Tingjie at the Grand Bellagio venue.

On to Cricket, the BCCI has informed that all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test series against England due to knee injury. Left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has also been ruled out of the fourth Test match at Manchester due to impact injury on his left thumb. Anshul Kamboj has been added to the squad.

On the other hand, England have named their playing XI for the Manchester test beginning tomorrow at Old Trafford. Liam Dawson replaces Shoaib Bashir, who has been ruled out of the series.

Moving ahead, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, felicitated the Special Olympics Bharat football team in New Delhi yesterday, for their second consecutive Gothia Special Olympics Trophy win. The Minister said, the Cup triumph stands as a testament to the collaborative strength of government, corporates and Sports Federations.

In SAFF Under-17 Championship 2025 football, defending champions India have been drawn along with arch-rivals Pakistan, Bhutan and Maldives in Group B. The tournament will be played in September this year in Colombo, Sri Lanka. CHIRAG JHA, SPORTS DESK.”

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttarakhand today. Parts of Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Coastal Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh are also expected to receive heavy rainfall during the next 2-3 days.

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FOR A LOOK AT TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS :-

The story of Jagdeep Dhankar resigning as vice president is the headlines in all dailies. “Flutter in Delhi as VP Dhankar quits on Day 1 of monsoon session, 2 years of his term left” headlines The Indian Express while the Times of India headlines ” Shock exit, Dhankar quits as VP on first day of Parliament session and The Hindustan Times headlines ” VP Dhankar resigns citing health grounds”
“7/11 Mumbai train terror, High court acquits all 12 facing death and life, eight walk free” headlines the Tribune, No proof: HC tears apart ATS theory on 7/11 serial train blasts” is a front page story in The Asian Age.
Finally the Army purchasing cutting edge drones built by 2 engineering students of BITS Pilani in their hostel is a story in The Times of India. The students had launched their start up just 2 months ago.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns from the post citing health reasons.
Parliamentary Committee allocates 16 hours to debate Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha.
Bihar becomes first state to have less than 1,200 voters per polling station; Election Commission says, move aims to make voting more convenient.
ISRO to launch Earth Observation Satellite NISAR, jointly developed with NASA, next week.
Death toll in the Bangladesh air force jet crash rises to 22.
In Chess, India’s Divya Deshmukh joins Koneru Humpy to storm into semi-finals of FIDE Women’s World Cup.