FirstUp: PM Modi to meet counterpart Wong in Singapore and other big stories today

Sept. 5, 2024, 1:17 a.m.

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Wednesday, September 5, promises a packed schedule with numerous noteworthy events taking place.

First on the agenda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will engage in a meeting with his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, as part of his two-day official visit to Singapore. This visit aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

In India, President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the National Awards ceremony in New Delhi, recognizing 50 outstanding teachers from across India for their exceptional 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.

President 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.

Advertisement This year, 50 educators from various states and union territories have been chosen for their outstanding contributions to education. They will be recognized by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, beginning at 4:15 pm.

The awardees represent 28 states, 3 union territories, and 6 organizations. The list includes 34 male and 16 female teachers, with 2 educators who have disabilities and 1 who specializes in working with children with special needs.

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 be recognized with awards during the ceremony.

Advertisement Reliance to approve bonus issue

Shareholders of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), India's largest publicly traded company by market capitalization (₹20.53 lakh crore), are set to receive bonus shares for the fifth time in 41 years.

This bonus share issuance follows a period of stagnant financial performance for the company during the April-June 2024 quarter. Despite a robust market, the company's stock performance has been underwhelming. The bonus shares are expected to enhance stock liquidity, making it more attractive to investors.

Hunter Biden's trial for alleged tax evasion is set to begin this week, marking his second trial of the year. The charges stem from his alleged failure to pay over a million dollars in federal taxes.

Advertisement The president's son is accused of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019. This period coincided with his struggle with cocaine addiction, which followed the tragic loss of his brother to 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 specifics of Biden's past difficulties are expected to be a major focus in his upcoming tax trial. Jury selection is scheduled to begin today, with opening statements set for September 9. Hunter Biden has maintained his innocence against the charges.

Advertisement 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: Designated by the United Nations, this day encourages acts of kindness and promotes support for various humanitarian causes across the globe.

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 talents.

Death anniversary of Mother Teresa: The revered Catholic missionary, known for her selfless dedication to the poor, passed away on September 5, 1997. Mother Teresa was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and was later canonized 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.

Remembering Gauri Lankesh (2017): Gauri Lankesh, a prominent Indian journalist and activist, was fatally shot outside her home in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. She was widely known for her outspoken advocacy for social justice and her critical stance against right-wing extremism.

Tragic Munich Olympics Hostage Crisis (1972): On September 5, 1972, a group of eight terrorists belonging to the Palestinian organization Black September seized Israeli athletes as hostages at the Munich Olympic Games. The incident tragically resulted in the deaths of 11 athletes and a prolonged crisis that deeply shocked the world.

In 1698, Tsar Peter I of Russia implemented a beard tax. This tax, levied on men sporting facial hair, was part of his ambitious plan to modernize Russia by aligning it with Western societal norms.

Hurricane Fran Hits North Carolina (1996): Hurricane Fran made landfall near Cape Fear, North Carolina, on September 5, 1996. The storm caused widespread devastation along the East Coast, resulting in substantial loss of life and property.

First US Labor Day Celebration (1882): The inaugural Labor Day parade in the United States took place in New York City on September 5, 1882. This event marked a significant step in the labor movement, recognizing the vital contributions of workers.

France Enacts Mandatory Conscription (1798): On September 5, 1798, the French government passed the Jourdan Law, making military service compulsory for all physically fit men aged 20 to 25.

The hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in 1986 at Karachi International Airport involved four armed individuals. The incident lasted over 16 hours, resulting in the tragic deaths of 20 passengers, including Neerja Bhanot, who was honored posthumously for her bravery.

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