US and South Korea will have a meeting

US and  South Korea will have a meeting

US President Donald Trump has landed in South Korea for an impromptu meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

Donald  Trump earlier informed from Japan, where he was attending a G-20 summit, that he would be willing to meet Kim

The two leaders first met in Singapore last year, the first ever encounter between a leader of North Korea and a sitting US President.

The summit produced a vaguely-worded pledge about denuclearisation.

Their second meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam four months ago ended without any agreement.

Italy selected to host 2026 Winter Olympics

Italy selected to host 2026 Winter Olympics

The International Olympic Committee announced Monday that Italy's bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics has been accepted.

The games will be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, IOC President Thomas Bach revealed during the announcement ceremony.

After a  conference in Lausanne, Switzerland,   the IOC selected Milan-Cortina over Swedish rivals Stockholm  to host the games.

Eighty-three members of the IOC were eligible to vote on the location of the 2026 Winter Olympics

The Milan-Cortina bid won 47 votes and Stockholm-Are received 34 votes. One voter abstained.

WTO panel rules in India's favour in renewable energy case against US

WTO panel rules in India's favour in renewable energy case against US

A World Trade Organisation,WTO dispute resolution panel has ruled in favour of India in a case against the United States.

The panel stated that America's domestic content requirements and subsidies provided by eight of its states in the renewable energy sector are violative of global trade norms.

The panel concluded in its ruling that "the measures" of the US "are inconsistent" with certain provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade,GATT. 

It said the US has "nullified or impaired benefits accruing to India under that agreement".

The GATT aims to promote trade by reducing or eliminating trade barriers like customs duties.

The ruling stated that ten measures implemented by the US pertaining to renewable energy sector are inconsistent with its obligations under GATT 1994.

In September 2016, India had dragged the US to WTO's dispute settlement mechanism over America's domestic content requirements and subsidies provided by eight states in the renewable energy sector.

BIMSTEC Day celebrated in Dhaka

BIMSTEC Day celebrated in Dhaka

Members of the 7 countries regional grouping Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) celebrated the BIMSTEC Day yesterday in Dhaka.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) celebrated 22 years of its establishment

The organization is comprised of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

 About 21% of the global population (1.7 billion people) reside in the member states of the regional organization.     

Bimstec was established in 1997 with the aim of facilitating cooperation between member states to accelerate economic and social development.

the Bimstec ’s headquarters was established   in Dhaka in 2014

Russian, North American astronauts return to earth from International space station

Russian, North American astronauts return to earth from International space station

The first crew to the International Space Station after Russia's launch accident returned to earth safely today.

 NASA astronaut Anne McClain, veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and Canadian Space Agency record-holder David Saint-Jacques touched down near the Kazakh city of Dzhezkazgan.

The trio's launch on 3rd December last year was the first after a Soyuz rocket carrying Russia's Aleksey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague failed in October just minutes after blast-off.

The pair had to make an emergency landing.

They escaped un-harmed but the failed launch was the first such incident in Russia's post-Soviet history

Russian, North American astronauts return to earth from International space station

Russian, North American astronauts return to earth from International space station

The first crew to the International Space Station after Russia's launch accident returned to earth safely today.

 NASA astronaut Anne McClain, veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and Canadian Space Agency record-holder David Saint-Jacques touched down near the Kazakh city of Dzhezkazgan.

The trio's launch on 3rd December last year was the first after a Soyuz rocket carrying Russia's Aleksey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague failed in October just minutes after blast-off.

The pair had to make an emergency landing.

They escaped un-harmed but the failed launch was the first such incident in Russia's post-Soviet history

US signed order to impose fresh sanctions on Iran

US   signed order to impose fresh sanctions on Iran

US has signed an executive order, that will impose hard-hitting sanctions on Iran and deny the Iranian Supreme Leader and other officials access to financial instruments within US jurisdiction.

The order will deny Iran's leadership access to financial resources and authorises the targeting of persons appointed to certain official or other positions by the Supreme Leader or the Supreme Leader's Office.

any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant financial transaction for entities designated under this Executive Order could be cut off from the US financial system.

 it includes actions against eight senior commanders of Navy, Aerospace and Ground Forces of the Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

United Nations Public Service Day

United Nations Public Service Day

The United Nations Public Service Day is celebrated on June 23 of every year.

The prestigious UN Public Service Awards are given away on this day.

The UN Public Service Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly's resolution A/RES/57/277 of 2003, to “celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community”.

The United Nations Economic and Social Council established that the United Nations Public Service Awards be bestowed on Public Service Day for contributions made to the cause of enhancing the role, prestige, and visibility of public service.

The day also marks the anniversary of the date when the International Labour Organization adopted the Convention on Labour Relations (Public Service), 1978 (No. 151).

This Convention is a framework for determining working conditions of all civil servants across the world.

International Olympic Day

International Olympic Day

The day is celebrated to promote participation in different sports throughout the world without any discrimination of the gender, age and athletic ability.

The day is not confined to sports activities but a serious international effort to promote fitness and well-being in addition to the Olympic ideals of fair play, solidarity, respect and sportsmanship across the globe.

 in 1947 during the 41st Session of the International Olympic Committee in Stockholm,  a report on a World Olympic Day celebration was presented

The project was adopted some months later on the occasion of the 42nd IOC Session in St Moritz in January 1948.

the day is celebrated for foundation of the International Olympic Committee at the Sorbonne, Paris, on 23 June 1894, where Pierre de Coubertin obtained the revival of the Olympic Games.

The first Olympic Day was celebrated on 23 June 1948.

World Giraffe Day

World Giraffe Day

World Giraffe Day is celebrated on 21 june

 it is a worldwide celebration  and an annual event to raise support, create awareness and shed light on the challenges giraffe face in the wild.

there are only approximately 111,000 giraffe in the wild

5th International Yoga Day

5th International Yoga Day

Fifth International Yoga Day is being celebrated on 21.06.2019

The theme of 5th International Yoga Day 2019 is "Climate Action".

The idea of International Day of Yoga was first proposed by India at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), on September 27, 2014.

Thereafter, a draft resolution on 'International Day of Yoga' was introduced by India

 The draft received support from 177 nations, the highest number of co-sponsors for any UNGA resolution.

Thereafter, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

Jharkhand's capital Ranchi will be hosting the main yoga day event.

The event will take place at Prabhat Tara ground  where    18,000 people will perform Yoga

World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day

 World Refugee Day  is observed on the 20th of June every year to celebrate the stories and contributions of refugees.

The theme this year is Step with Refugees - Take a Step on World Refugee Day.

According to the latest annual study released by the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, 70.8 million children, women and men were forcibly displaced at the end of last year.

This is the highest number in the organization’s almost 70-year history.

The study, released yesterday, said wars, violence and persecution have driven record numbers of people from their homes worldwide.

Almost two thirds of those uprooted from their homes are internally displaced people who have not left their homelands.

About 80 percent of these refugees live in countries neighbouring their country of origin.

 On an average, one person is forcibly displaced every two seconds as a result of conflict or persecution and refugees are among the most vulnerable people in the world.

On 4 December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 55/76 decided that, from 2000, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day.

In this resolution, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees

India extended 15 million dollars grant assistance to Niger in support of organizing of AU summit

India extended 15 million dollars grant assistance to Niger in support of organizing of AU summit

India has extended 15 million dollars grant assistance to Niger in support of organizing of the African Union summit scheduled from 7th of next month in capital Niamey.

 the support of grant assistance was in response to a specific request made by Government of Niger. Niger is hosting the AU Summit for the first time.

The AU Summit in Niamey is also expected to launch the historic African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

India and Niger enjoy close relations.

Bilateral relations have expanded significantly since the opening of the Indian Resident Diplomatic Mission in Niamey in 2009.

India has provided Lines of Credit worth 96.54 million dollar to Niger for projects in transport, electrification, solar energy and potable drinking water.

India is also establishing Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre, MGICC under grant assistance in Niamey.

The Centre honours the memory of Mahatma Gandhi whose 150th birth anniversary is being observed in 2019.

The Centre is likely to host some meetings associated with the forthcoming AU Summit.

India’s grant assistance for organizing the AU Summit will further contribute towards enhancing of bilateral ties.

The grant assistance is also reiteration of India’s firm commitment towards Africa

World Day to Combat Desertification, Drought

World Day to Combat Desertification, Drought

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is a United Nations observance each June 17.

Its purpose is to raise awareness of the presence of desertification and drought, highlighting methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought

 The day is observed to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.

This year the theme is “Let’s Grow the Future Together”.

This day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/49/115 on January 30, 1995, after the day when United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification is drafted

 

International Day of Family Remittances

 International Day of Family Remittances

The International Day of Family Remittances is being observed across the world

It is a universally-recognized observance adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and celebrated every year on 16 June.

The day recognizes the contribution of over 200 million migrants worldwide to improve the lives of their 800 million family members back home, and to create a future of hope for their children.

Through this observance, the United Nations aims to bring greater awareness of the impact that these contributions have on millions of households, but also on communities, countries, and entire regions

The IDFR is fully recognized at the global level, and included as one of the key initiatives to implement the newly-adopted Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (Objective 20), also calling for the reduction of remittance transfer costs, and greater financial inclusion through remittances. The Day also furthers the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Australia and Qatar will participate in Copa America 2020

Australia and Qatar will participate in Copa America 2020

Qatar and Australia will join 10 South American nations in the 2020 tournament, which will for the first time will be held jointly in two countries Colombia and Argentina

Australia and Qatar will be invited guest teams at the 2020 Copa America to be jointly held in Colombia and Argentina.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup host Qatar is making its Copa America debut this year and has been placed alongside 14-time winner Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay in Group B.

 Qatar are the last champions of the Asian confederation

The 2020 Copa América will be the 47th edition of the Copa América, the quadrennial international men's football championship organized by South America's football ruling body, CONMEBOL.

The tournament will take place in Colombia and Argentina from 12 June to 12 July 2020. 

Host countries: Argentina; Colombia

Dates: Fri, 12 Jun, 2020 – Sun, 12 Jul, 2020

Teams: 12

Venues: 9

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

The United Nations (UN) has designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is being observed  .

This day is observed on the 15th of June every year to voice opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted on elderly people.

It was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011 following a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.

According to the UN, around 1 in 6 older people experience some form of abuse.

It is predicted to rise as populations age worldwide.

Elder abuse can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences.

It is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world.

The global population of people aged 60 years and older will more than double, from 900 million in 2015 to about 2 billion in 2050.

El Salvador Legislative Assembly Declared “Forests Are Living Entities”

El Salvador Legislative Assembly Declared “Forests Are Living Entities”

 On June 5, on World Environment Day, the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador approved a pronouncement deeming that “forests are living entities.”

 The pronouncement also states that each person must commit to caring for, preserving, and respecting forests, and to promoting concrete actions that expand forests in El Salvador.

This historic recognition was part of a larger pronouncement in support of a healthy environment.

El Salvador has lost about 85 percent of its native forests since the 1960s, and the planet as a whole has lost about 80 percent of its native forests.

But in recent years, El Salvador has made a strong commitment to restoring its native landscapes.

Forbes' 2019 List Of World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes

Forbes' 2019 List Of World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes

Lionel Messi was the world's highest paid athlete. The Barcelona and Argentina star dethroned retired boxer Floyd Mayweather as the sports world's highest earner, with USD 127 million via salary and endorsement deals.

 Cristiano Ronaldo, the Juventus and Portugal star  was second with earnings of $109 million.

Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar completed a sweep of the top three positions by footballers, coming in third with earnings of $105 million.

The fourth highest earner on the list was Mexico's middleweight boxing star Saul "Canelo" Alvarez with $94 million.

tennis star Roger Federer was fifth on the list with total earnings of $93.4 million.

Tennis superstar Serena Williams was the only woman to make the list, coming in at 63rd with earnings of $29.2 million.

Virat Kohli is the only Indian and the only cricketer to have a place in Forbes 2019 list of world's 100 highest-paid athletes

 Virat Kohli raked in USD 25 million via salary and endorsement deals over the past year

Novak Djokovic topped ATP rankings

Novak Djokovic topped  ATP rankings

Austrian Dominic Thiem keeps his fourth place behind Switzerland's Roger Federer

Russian Karen Khachanov jumped two spots into a personal best of ninth thanks to his achievement in reaching the French Open quarter-finals.

Italy's Fabio Fognini, also a quarter-finalist at Roland Garros and winner in Monte-Carlo in April, also moved up two places to 10th.

The biggest mover in the top 20 was Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka, whose quarter-final defeat by Federer in Paris was enough to see him go up nine places into 19th.

Ashleigh Barty leaped six places to world number two in the WTA rankings released today after the Australian's surprise win at the French Open.

Naomi Osaka narrowly retains top spot despite her shock elimination in the third round at Roland Garros which ended her hopes of winning a third successive Grand Slam.

Britain's Johanna Konta moved up eight spots to 18th as a reward for reaching the French Open semi-finals.

World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day takes place every 8 June. The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada's International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) at the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.


In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution officially recognizing 8 June to be "World Oceans Day", effective 2009, through Resolution 63/111 (paragraph 171).

 As such, the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs promotes the celebration of this International Day for the United Nations.

World Oceans Day events are celebrated on 8 June, the closest weekend, the week, and the month of June


The theme   (2019) is "Gender and Oceans"

'Gandhi Cycle Rally for Peace' organised in Saudi Arabia

'Gandhi Cycle Rally for Peace' organised in Saudi Arabia

To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Indian Embassy in Saudi today organized ‘Gandhi Cycle Rally for Peace’ in association with the Diplomatic Quarter Authority and Saudi Cycling Federation.

Seven teams were deployed along the 6 km long route to assist the participants.

A Saudi cycle acrobatic team performed before the start of the rally.

All the participants were distributed t-shirts and certificates of participation.

The Cycle Rally was part of the series of events organized globally by the Government of India to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Thai parliament elects Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister

Thai parliament elects Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister

In Thailand, the Parliament has elected Prayuth Chan-ocha as Prime Minister.

Prayuth won the second-highest number of seats in the House of Representatives in a general election in March.

Prayuth was elected to serve a second term by a vote of 500 to 244

His appointment becomes official when it is endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Russia launched first Arctic train service

Russia launched first Arctic train service

In Russia, the first tourist train traveling through Russia's Arctic region and on to Norway, set off from St. Petersburg station yesterday with 91 passengers aboard for the inaugural trial journey.

The tourists came from seven countries including the US, Germany, Norway and Russia.

The train, named, Zarengold, complete with two restaurant cars will travel from Saint Petersburg through according to the organisers, the whole trip will take 11 days and allow passengers to discover areas difficult to access by other means.

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

 The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is a United Nations observance each 4 June.

It was established on 19 August 1982.

Originally focused on victims of the 1982 Lebanon War, its purpose expanded to "acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse.

This day affirms the UN's commitment to protect the rights of children

 On April 2, 2019, a campaign “Act to Protect Children affected by Conflict” was launched by Ms. Virginia Gamba, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to create awareness and implement action to protect children affected by war. It will be effective until the end of 2022.

ICA issues first UAE Permanent Residency 'Golden Card' in Abu Dhabi

ICA issues first UAE Permanent Residency 'Golden Card' in Abu Dhabi

UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has issued the first Golden Residence Permit in Abu Dhabi, as part of the Investors Permanent Residence System aimed to attract investors, entrepreneurs and qualified individuals who meet its criteria.

 Abu Dhabi, awarded the first permit to investor Yousuf Ali

The Abu Dhabi-based Keralite tycoon is worth 4.7 billion dollars and has been ranked the richest expat in UAE according to Forbes magazine's 2019 list of billionaires.

The UAE government had announced  that the first batch of 6,800 investors with 100 billion Dirhams worth of investments in the country will be granted the Golden Card.

The UAE Cabinet has approved the long-term visa system for expatriates announced by the country earlier this year, while also confirming the criteria that need to be met.


The programme is an outreach initiative for investors and business leaders of foreign origin

The UAE has also started  five and 10-year residency visas to investors, entrepreneurs, specialists in the medical, scientific, research and technical fields, and ‘outstanding’ students to "facilitate business and create an attractive and encouraging investment environment" in the country.

Nayib Bukele sworn in as president of El Salvador

Nayib Bukele sworn in as president of El Salvador

In the Central American country of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele has been sworn-in as the nation's President.

Bukele was sworn-in by the Speaker of the National Assembly in downtown San Salvador.

Delegations from 83 countries attended the ceremony.

Bukele was elected in February to succeed Salvador Sanchez Ceren, a leftist former guerrilla.

ICC announced content partnerships with Facebook, YouTube, Twitter for World Cup

ICC announced content partnerships with Facebook, YouTube, Twitter for World Cup

ICC will provide cricket fans greater access to the content from World Cup event, the teams and the stars than ever before.

ICC has entered into content partnerships with global social media platforms Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to cater to the huge interest from fans in this event.

Fans can enjoy recaps, reports, live scores and s, behind-the-scenes and other content across the ICC’s digital channels.

 ICC 's website and mobile App will provide a host of content so that fans can connect and engage with the event anytime, anywhere.

 Content will be available in four languages - English, Hindi, Bengali and Urdu.

The ICC’s Digital Insiders will bring unique daily behind-the-scenes access content.

A new dedicated tournament website www.cricketworldcup.com  has been created with in-game clips, fastest live scores, previews, live blogs, press conferences and in-depth reports from all matches.

The ICC has also launched a channel on TikTok which will provide the audience with offbeat short-form videos, with focus on user-generated content. Additionally, all post-match press conferences will be streamed live on ICC’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

The ICC is also introducing a special feature to fans to keep track of their team’s preparations ahead of every match.

‘At the Nets’ will provide snippets into teams’ training sessions across all ICC digital and social media platforms.

World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on 31 May. It is intended to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the globe.

World No Tobacco Day is being observed to create awareness about the negative impacts of tobacco consumption on human health.


Theme of the event was Don't Let Tobacco Take Your Breath Away - Choose Health Not Tobacco.