 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) to meet Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus (right).")
It is set to be a busy Friday with several events lined up for the day.
Firstly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today on the sidelines of the Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Constitutional Court will deliver its verdict regarding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Military commanders from various nations will participate in the Coalition of the Willing in Ukraine today. TMC will hold a protest over a hike in medicine prices. In sports, the Lucknow SuperGiants will clash with Mumbai Indians in a crucial IPL match on Friday.
Here is a look at the events slated to take place today.
PM Modi to meet Muhammad Yunus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus are anticipated to hold their first in-person meeting today during the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.
This potential meeting follows a formal request from Dhaka, with Bangladesh’s High Representative to the Chief Adviser, Khalilur Rahman, expressing optimism about its occurrence. According to Dhaka Tribune, he stated, “We have requested for the meeting officially. We have reasonable grounds to remain hopeful. There is a high possibility to see the meeting.”
Verdict for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment
The Constitutional Court of South Korea is scheduled to issue its ruling on the impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol today. The verdict is likely to be delivered at 11 am local time (7:30 am IST).
President Yoon’s impeachment followed his December 3, 2024, martial law declaration, which the National Assembly overturned. The Assembly then impeached him on December 14, suspending his powers.
Anticipating potential public unrest following the verdict, South Korean authorities have deployed a significant security presence , including over 14,000 police officers, around the Constitutional Court in Seoul, along with no-fly zones and street closures.
Military chiefs to participate in ‘Coalition of the Willing’ in Ukraine
Ukraine is set to host the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ today in Kyiv. This coalition comprises countries prepared to deploy peacekeeping contingents to support Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict.
According to the news website Kyiv Independent, Zeleskyy said, “(We) will hold a meeting on Friday, there will be a meeting of our military teams among several countries, a narrow circle of countries. Those who will be ready to deploy a contingent in one form or another.” He further said that this gathering will serve as the “first in-depth meeting” focusing on the deployment’s land, air, and maritime components.
TMC protest on price hike on medicines
Trinamool Congress (TMC) has called for a state-wide protest against the price hike in medicines. Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged all sections of the society to join in the protest.
The protests are scheduled to take place from 4 pm to 5 pm in every block and ward across the state, reported the Telegraph India. Banerjee expressed strong opposition to the decision, stating, “We cannot accept the price hike of medicine and GST on medical insurance.”
IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are set to face Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 16th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Friday. The match is set to take place The match will take place at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Both teams have had a mixed start to their IPL 2025 campaigns, each securing one win out of three matches. LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, will be looking to bounce back after a recent defeat to the Punjab Kings. MI, under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, aim to build momentum following their victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Microsoft’s 50th anniversary
Tech giant Microsoft will celebrate its 50th anniversary today marking a substantial milestone for the company founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975. The company has significantly influenced the technology landscape, evolving from a small software firm into a global leader in various tech sectors.
To mark its 50th anniversary, Microsoft is honouring 50 Puget Sound community leaders with $50,000 grants, recognising their work in areas like food aid and housing. The “One Future, One Sound” initiative is a tribute to its founding region.
With inputs from agencies