·International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every year on June 26 to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs. The day is also observed as an expression of United Nations’ (UN) determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. 2016 theme: “Listen First”. The theme is an initiative to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science. It highlights the importance of effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities to fight problem of illicit drugs.
AIIB approves first loans for projects in four countries
The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved first set of loans totalling US 509 million dollars to finance projects in four countries viz. Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia and Tajikistan. These loans for the four projects were approved in Board of Directors meeting of AIIB held at its headquarters in Beijing, China.
Projects approved
Bangladesh: US 165 million dollars loan for a Power Distribution System Upgrade and Expansion Project.
Indonesia: US 216.5 million dollars loan for a National Slum Upgrading Project. It is expected to be co-financed with the World Bank.
Pakistan: US 100 million dollars loan for Shorkot-Khanewal Section of National Motorway M-4. It will be co-financed with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID).
Tajikistan: US 27.5 million dollars loan for the Dushanbe-Uzbekistan Border Road Improvement Project. It will be co-financed with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
These loans will have an interest rate of London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.15 % and a repayment period of 25 years with 5 years in grace period. These projects spanning in the energy, transport and urban development sectors will help to bridge the region’s critical infrastructure financing gap. It will also help to strengthen regional connectivity.
India becomes 35th member of Missile Technology Control Regime
India became the 35th full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). It would be mutually beneficial in the furtherance of international non-proliferation objectives.
In this regard, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar signed the instrument of accession to MTCR in New Delhi. It marks India’s first entry into any multilateral export control regime. India’s accession to the regime was conveyed by the MTCR Point of Contact in Paris through the French Embassy in New Delhi as well as Embassies of The Netherlands and Luxembourg. India was able to successfully enter this multilateral export control regime with the unopposed support of all 34 MTCR Partners. Earlier in 2015, India’s bid for the membership to the group had failed after it was blocked by Italy.
MTCR was established by G-7 countries in 1987. The aim of the MTCR is to restrict the proliferation of missiles, unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), complete rocket systems and related technology for those systems capable of carrying a 500 kilogram payload for at least 300 kms, as well as systems intended for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
New Sonepat-Jind railway line to be dedicated to nation
Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu will dedicate to the nation an 81-km long new railway line between Sonepat and Jind and will flag off a passenger train between these two stations from Chandigarh.
· Other projects to be launched from Chandigarh included new Foot-over-Bridge at Platform No. 4 and 5 at Railway Station, Sonepat and inauguration of a mechanized laundry in Chandigarh.
· The laundry would cater requirement of linen for entire Ambala division. The spokesman said that apart from this, foundation stone of Coaching-cum-Maintenance Facilities at Railway Station, Chheharta near Amritsar would also be laid.
Mehbooba Mufti wins Anantnag by-poll
Jammu and Kashmir CM and Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti won the Anantnag by-poll, defeating Congress candidate Hilal Shah by over 12,000 votes.
· The Congress had briefly halted the counting of votes in the morning, alleging discrepancies in several Electronic Voting Machines.
· The Anantnag seat fell vacant after former CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed expired in January.
Mizoram to launch two-wheeler taxi service
· Mizoram will become the first hill state to launch a two-wheeler taxi service, which will start operating from July.
· Around 200 to 250 motorcycles will operate on the roads in the state capital Aizawl with fares starting at ₹10.
· The taxi service is aimed at controlling traffic in the city’s narrow roads while boosting employment amongst the youth.
US to lift ban on transgenders in military
· According ersons serving in the military starting next month.to Pentagon officials, the United States will lift the ban on openly transgender p
· A study last year estimated that 15,000 transgender people served in the US military.
· This comes five years after the US military ended its ban on gay and lesbian personnel serving openly.
Nokia appoints Sanjay Malik as India head
· Nokia announced the appointment of Sanjay Malik, the current Head of Network Implementation at Nokia Global Services, as the new head of Indian market, effective August 1.
· Malik will be replacing Sandeep Girotra, who was promoted to the head of Asia-Pacific and Japan market after serving as the head of Indian market for about five years.
'Bajirao Mastani' wins 9 technical IIFA awards
· The film won in the Cinematography, Special Effects and Costume Designing categories among others.
· Further, Kabir Khan and Parveez Shaikh won the award for 'Best Screenplay' for 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' while 'Piku' won the 'Best Dialogue' award.
Euro Cup: Poland, Wales, Portugal enter into Quarter Final
· In UEFA Euro 2016 football tournament, Poland defeated Switzerland 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out in the first round of 16 matches at Saint-Etienne to fix their place for quarterfinals.
· Poland will now play Portugal on Thursday for semifinal berth in Marseille.
· In second match, Wales entered quarterfinals beating Northern Ireland 1-0. In another match, Portugal beat Croatia 1-0.
· Meanwhile, the final of Copa America Centenario will be played between defending champions Chile and Argentina today at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherfod, New Jersey.
Colombia beat USA 1-0 to finish third in Copa America
· Colombia defeated USA 1-0 in in the 2016 Copa America third-place match at the University of Phoenix Stadium, Arizona.· Carlos Bacca scored for Colombia from a headed pass by Santiago Arias in the 31st minute to score the only goal of the match.
· Colombia's Arias and USA's Michael Orozco were sent off during stoppage time after an altercation.
No comments:
Post a Comment