Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticizes the recent changes to the US H-1B visa policy, stating that it effectively closes off a major opportunity for intergenerational mobility for Indian professionals. He blames the current government for failing to protect India's strategic interests and urges for efforts to reduce dependency on the US. Owaisi argues that flashy events like "Howdy Modi" and "Namaste Trump" do not equate to effective foreign policy and that it is ordinary Indians who are ultimately hurt by this policy change.
US President Donald Trump made headlines during his second UK state visit with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where he expressed disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions during a joint news conference. Upon returning to the US, Trump doubled down on his criticism of talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and announced that Secret Service protection has been added for White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt due to the current political climate. Leavitt is not the only member of Trump's team to receive added security in recent days.
President Trump's speech at the state banquet in Windsor Castle stirred controversy as he went off-script and made political remarks. Lip readers caught an interesting exchange between Trump and King Charles, who simply said "Thank you" in response to the President's comments. Trump also praised Prince William and the special relationship between the US and UK during his speech.
The assault on activist Rama Kankonkar in Goa has sparked protests from hundreds of citizens, including members of opposition parties. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant promised police protection for Kankonkar, who is currently being treated at a hospital. The opposition has demanded a probe into the attack and action against any political involvement, calling it a collapse of law and order in Goa.
As part of a nationwide drive, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced free eye check-ups for at least 10 lakh people and distribution of spectacles to the needy from September 17 to October 2. The initiative is aimed at improving the overall eye health of Indian citizens and has been welcomed by many. This move showcases the government's dedication towards promoting the well-being of its citizens.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the 'Samudra se Samriddhi' programme in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects worth more than Rs 34,200 crore. This event marks an important day for India's maritime sector and showcases the government's efforts towards self-reliance. The focus of the event is on projects related to the maritime sector, renewable energy, port infrastructure, roadways, healthcare, and urban transport.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that he will not be attending the Bhartiya Sanskriti Utsava due to concerns over the organising organization's political affiliations. While his name was included on the official invitation, it was done so without his consent and he has now decided to not participate in the event. Other prominent Congress leaders who were also listed as invitees have raised objections as well, leading to a heated controversy surrounding the event.
Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, in a speech at a national seminar on language integration in India, highlighted the crucial role of Hindi in connecting people from diverse linguistic backgrounds and promoting mutual cooperation. He called upon individuals to learn and respect other languages, which he believes will aid in India's development and strengthen the country's collective identity.
The Punjab Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Commission has directed the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police to ensure that NRIs who wish to carry out philanthropic work in flood-affected areas of Punjab are not met with any obstruction or threats. This came after two NRIs filed a complaint stating that they were not allowed to assist with relief efforts. The Commission, which aims to protect and safeguard the interests of NRIs in Punjab, has recommended that armed forces be deployed in the area to ensure the safety of NRIs. The matter has been listed for a hearing in November and the retired High Court judge, Justice Sureshwar Thakur, who served for 11 years, has also called for contributions to alleviate the flood crisis in neighboring Himachal Pradesh.
During his state visit to the UK, US President Donald Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and defended his daughter's newly added Secret Service protection. He also doubled down on his criticism of talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and addressed ongoing issues in Afghanistan and the special relationship between the US and UK. Trump's comments came as he arrived back in the US, ending our live coverage of his administration's activities for the day.