 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi, received by Singapore's Minister of Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam on September 4, 2024. X/MEAIndia")
Wednesday, September 5, is shaping up to be a busy day with several significant events on the agenda.
First, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, as part of his two-day official visit to Singapore aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
In India, President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the National Awards ceremony in New Delhi, honoring 50 exceptional teachers from across India for their outstanding contributions to education.
Meanwhile, shareholders of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) are expected to approve the issuance of bonus shares, marking the fifth time in 41 years.
Across the globe, in the US, jury selection begins in Hunter Biden’s tax trial. The president’s son is facing charges for allegedly failing to pay over a million dollars in federal taxes, with his past struggles with drug addiction likely to play a significant role in the proceedings.
Modi to hold meeting with Singaporean counterpart
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Singapore for a two-day official visit on Wednesday aimed at further enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries. This visit follows his trip to Brunei as part of New Delhi’s ‘Act East’ policy.
India and Singapore already share a strategic alliance in the region, and Modi’s visit is intended to “deepen the strategic partnership.” He is visiting Singapore at the invitation of his counterpart, Lawrence Wong.
This marks Modi’s first visit to Singapore in six years, his last being in 2018. The visit also comes shortly after Lawrence Wong assumed office as the new Prime Minister of Singapore and just weeks after Narendra Modi began his third consecutive term as India’s Prime Minister.
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More ShortsPresident Murmu to present awards to educators
Teacher’s Day, celebrated on September 5, marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. To honour this occasion, the Department of School Education & Literacy, under the Ministry of Education, organises a National-level function each year to present the National Awards to the country’s top teachers.
This year, 50 teachers from various states and union territories have been selected for their exceptional contributions to education. They will be honoured by President Droupadi Murmu in a ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, starting at 4:15 pm.
The awardees represent 28 states, 3 union territories, and 6 organisations. The list includes 34 male and 16 female teachers, with 2 educators who are differently-abled and 1 who specialises in working with children with special needs (CWSN).
In addition to these 50 teachers, 16 educators from the Department of Higher Education and 16 from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will also receive awards during the ceremony.
Reliance to approve bonus issue
Shareholders of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), India’s largest listed company by market capitalization (₹20.53 lakh crore), are set to receive bonus shares for the fifth time in 41 years.
This bonus issue follows a period of flat financial performance for the company in the April-June 2024 quarter and a lackluster stock performance despite a strong market. The issuance of bonus shares is expected to enhance liquidity in the stock, making it more accessible to investors.
Hunter Biden trial jury selection
Hunter Biden is set to face trial for the second time this year, beginning this week, on criminal charges related to his alleged failure to pay over a million dollars in federal taxes.
The president’s son is accused of withholding at least $1.4 million between 2016 and 2019, during a period when he struggled with cocaine addiction following the death of his brother from brain cancer.
Biden’s drug addiction was a key aspect of his earlier trial on felony gun charges, where a Delaware jury convicted him in June of lying about his drug use on a federal gun purchase form, marking the first criminal conviction of a sitting US president’s child.
The details of Biden’s troubled past are expected to be a significant focus in his upcoming tax trial. Jury selection is set to begin today, with opening statements scheduled for September 9. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Today in History - September 5
Teachers’ Day: Celebrated in India to honor teachers and their contribution to society. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second President and a distinguished educator, who was born on September 5, 1888.
International Day of Charity: Established by the United Nations, this day promotes charitable efforts and encourages support for various humanitarian causes worldwide.
Birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: Born in 1888, Dr. Radhakrishnan was a philosopher, statesman, and India’s second President. His contributions to education and philosophy are celebrated on this day, also marked as Teachers’ Day in India.
Birth anniversary of actor Pankaj Tripathi: Born on September 5, 1976, Pankaj Tripathi is a renowned Indian actor known for his roles in Hindi cinema and web series, celebrated for his versatile acting skills.
Death anniversary of Mother Teresa: The revered Catholic missionary, known for her selfless service to the poor, died on September 5, 1997. Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and was canonised as a saint by the Catholic Church.
Death anniversary of Neerja Bhanot: An Indian flight attendant, Neerja Bhanot was killed while saving passengers during the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 on September 5, 1986. Her bravery posthumously earned her India’s highest civilian awards for bravery.
Death anniversary of Gauri Lankesh: An Indian journalist and activist, Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. She was known for her outspoken views on social justice and criticism of right-wing extremism.
Munich Olympics Attack (1972): On September 5, 1972, eight members of the Palestinian terrorist group Black September took Israeli athletes hostage at the Munich Olympic Games, resulting in the deaths of 11 athletes and a prolonged crisis that shocked the world.
Beard Tax in Russia (1698): On September 5, 1698, Tsar Peter I of Russia imposed a tax on men who wore beards as part of his efforts to modernise Russian society along Western lines.
Hurricane Fran (1996): Hurricane Fran made landfall near Cape Fear, North Carolina, on September 5, 1996. The storm caused extensive damage along the East Coast, leading to significant loss of life and property.
First US Labour Day Parade (1882): The first Labour Day parade in the United States was held in New York City on September 5, 1882. The event marked a significant moment in the labour movement, celebrating the contributions of workers.
Jourdan Law and Conscription in France (1798): On September 5, 1798, the Jourdan Law was enacted in France, making military conscription mandatory for all able-bodied men between the ages of 20 and 25.
Hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 (1986): On September 5, 1986, Pan Am Flight 73 was hijacked by four armed men at Karachi International Airport. The ordeal lasted over 16 hours, leading to the deaths of 20 passengers, including Neerja Bhanot, who was posthumously awarded for her heroism.
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