1. For the first time, India to host COP-14 of UNCCD in September 2019
India for the first time will host the 14th session of the Conference of Parties (COP-14) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in September. It will see participation from at least 5,000 delegates from nearly 197 countries and will be held between September 2 and 14 in Delhi, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said.
2. Second Edition of World Food India to be held in New Delhi from 1-4 November 2019
Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal has today said that World Food India 2019 will be the biggest gathering of all global and domestic stakeholders in Food Processing Sector. Speaking to media today she said WFI 2019 will be held from 1-4th November 2019 in New Delhi and will position India as Food Processing Destination of the World.
3. 10th edition of Regional GRIHA Summit 2019 was held in Nagpur, Maharastra
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the need of out of box thinking in planning, execution, and maintenance of various projects. He stressed on the fact that innovative methods can save money and make project green and environmentally sustainable. He was speaking in the 10th edition of regional GRIHA summit held today in Nagpur. This summit is being organized with the help of the Public Works Department of Government of Maharashtra.
4. Lucknow builds its first road from plastic waste
Lucknow Development Authority's initiative is inspired by the success of roads in many foreign countries. In India too, many civic bodies have started road construct using plastic waste in an environmental-friendly experiment. In a first, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) is constructing a road using plastic waste. The road is constructed from Gomti Nagar Police Station to Indian Institute of Management (IIM) under a pilot project by LDA in the state's capital.
5. 3rd edition of Namaste Thailand Festival 2019 concludes in New Delhi
Aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and increasing cultural exchange between India and Thailand, the 3rd edition of Namaste Thailand festival started with a delectable array of Thai cuisine and a lineup of cultural events on Friday. Introducing the people of Delhi to the unique and diverse culture of Thailand, the three-day festival was organized by the Royal Thai Embassy at the Select Citywalk here.
6. Armies of India and Myanmar carried out a coordinated operation ‘Operation Sunrise 2’
The armies of India and Myanmar carried out a three-week-long coordinated operation from May 16 in their respective border areas, targeting several militant groups operating in Manipur, Nagaland and Assam, defense sources said on Sunday. The first phase of "Operation Sunrise" was conducted three months ago along the Indo-Myanmar border, during which a number of camps of north-east-based militant groups were busted.
7. 5th Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Summit 2019 held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Friday met his Bangladeshi and Bahrainian counterparts as he arrived here in the Tajik capital to attend the fifth Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). The CICA is a pan-Asia forum for enhancing cooperation and promoting peace, security, and stability in Asia. "Reached Dushanbe for the 5th CICA Summit and begun meetings. Delighted that first one was with our closest friend Bangladesh A K Abdul Momen," Jaishankar said in a tweet.
8. India will overtake China as the world’s most populous country: UN report
The report has highlighted the higher fertility rates, growing older population and migration are few reasons for projections of the population growth. Health experts have called for more investment in the healthcare sector in the country. Around 2027, India is projected to overtake China as the world’s most populous country, a United Nations (UN) report released on Monday said.
9. BIFAN 2019 to be held in Bucheon, South Korea
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival is back this summer for its 23rd edition. It is one of the symbols of Bucheon City. This film festival is known as a Mecca of the film culture and it combines animations, cartoons, games, and films. Every year, BIFAN brings together numerous film enthusiasts who come to see the numerous screenings throughout the city. In 2018, more than 300 movies were screened during the festival.
10. Jammu and Kashmir Bank brought under RTI, CVC guidelines
The Jammu and Kashmir Bank will now come under the purview of Right to Information Act and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines, an official spokesman said Saturday. He said the decision was taken by the Board of Directors of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank. The move will ensure greater transparency and accountability, the spokesman said here.
11. DCC approved to impose a penalty on Airtel, Vodafone Idea
The Digital Communications Commission, the highest decision-making body of the Department of Telecom, has given its approval for imposing a penalty on Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea for denial of interconnection to Reliance Jio when the latter had entered the market. However, the inter-ministerial panel has asked the Telecom Regulatory authority of India (TRAI) to review the penalty amount of ₹3,050 crore, given the financial stress in the sector, an official source said.
12. Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar to be honored with ‘Distinguished Alumni Award’
The Executive Council of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in its meeting on Wednesday decided to honor Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar with the 'Distinguished Alumni Award' on the third convocation of the university, which will be held in August. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman studied in the School of Social Sciences and School of International Studies of the university for her MA and M Phil degrees respectively.
13. Hero MotoCorp appoints Yerry Mina as its new brand ambassador
Hero MotoCorp announced the appointment of Yerry Mina, the popular Colombian professional footballer, as its new Brand Ambassador. The 24-year-old Mina - one of the promising young footballers - has consistently delivered a series of impressive performances for the Colombian National Football Team (during FIFA World Cup Russia 2018) and his clubs.
14. NASA to shut down Spitzer Space Telescope after 16 yrs in 2020
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has lifted the veil on hidden objects in nearly every corner of the universe, from a new ring around Saturn to observations of some of the most distant galaxies known. NASA's Spitzer space telescope will be switched off permanently on January 30, 2020, after nearly 16 years of exploring the cosmos in infrared light, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) said in a statement. By then, the spacecraft will have operated for more than 11 years beyond its prime mission.
15. Nihal Sarin wins blitz event at 2019 Asian Continental Chess Championship held in Xingtai, China
India’s 14-year old Grand Master Nihal Sarin won the blitz event in the Asian Continental Chess Championship at Xingtai, China on Saturday. Sarin scored eight points from nine rounds and finished a point ahead of the field. He had recently crossed 2600 Elo points on the FIDE rating list and became the third youngest to achieve the feat. Fellow Indian Srinath Narayanan took the third spot, seven points are shy of second-placed Le Quang Liem of Vietnam. Meanwhile, four Indians qualified for the World Cup to be held in Russia later this year with impressive performances in the open section.
16. India beats South Africa to win FIH Series Finals 2019
South Africa's lone goal was scored by Richard Pautz in the 53rd minute. Indians were expected to control the proceedings in the hockey tournament. India and South Africa qualified for the final round of the Olympic qualifiers. Coming into the tournament as overwhelming favorites, world no. 5 India played like champions and remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.
17. Sustainable Gastronomy Day 2019 observed on June 18
Sustainable Gastronomy Day emphasizes the need to focus the world’s attention on the role that sustainable gastronomy can play. It also reaffirms that all cultures and civilizations are contributors and crucial enablers of sustainable development. The UN General Assembly adopted on 21 December 2016 its resolution A/RES/71/246 and designated 18 June as an international observance, Sustainable Gastronomy Day. The decision acknowledges gastronomy as a cultural expression related to the natural and cultural diversity of the world.
18. International Picnic Day celebrated on June 18, 2019
The origins of International Picnic Day are unknown, however that doesn’t dampen it’s popularity, with many countries across the globe celebrating this event, and although this is more of a fun event rather than your typical fundraising awareness day, it doesn’t make it any less worthwhile celebrating, as what better way to relax and get out and enjoy the summer weather than eating outside with friends and family.
