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.

Measles record means US could lose eradication status

Measles record means US could lose eradication status

The number of US measles patients has reached a record high and may cause the nation to lose its "measles elimination status

Sixty new cases were reported in the past week, bringing this year's total to 971 cases in 26 US states - the highest since 1994.

The disease was declared effectively eliminated from the US in 2000.

Recent outbreaks have been attributed to foreign travellers spreading it to those lacking vaccinations in the US.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement on Thursday: "If these outbreaks continue through summer and fall, the United States may lose its measles elimination status.

 That loss would be a huge blow for the nation and erase the hard work done by all levels of public health.

 The measles elimination goal, first announced in 1963 and accomplished in 2000, was a monumental task.

International Day of UN Peacekeepers being observed

International Day of UN Peacekeepers being observed

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is being observed  Wednesday, 29 May, 2019

The objective is to pay tribute to the invaluable contribution by the uniformed and civilian personnel and to honour more than 3,800 peacekeepers who have lost their lives while rendering peacekeeping services.

The theme this year is “Protecting Civilians, Protecting Peace”.

The first UN peacekeeping mission was established on 29th May 1948, when the Security Council authorized the deployment of a small number of UN military observers to the Middle East.

Since then, more than one million men and women have served in 72 UN peacekeeping operations, directly impacting the lives of millions of people, protecting the world’s most vulnerable and saving countless lives.

India is the 4th largest troop contributor to the UN peacekeeping missions. 

UN peacekeeping has helped countries move from war to peace.

At present, India contributes about 6,400 peacekeepers to various missions across the world.

The country has the largest percentage of women in the police force, at around 32 per cent, contribution to the future of peacekeeping.

Sri Lanka signs tripartite agreement with India and Japan

Sri Lanka signs tripartite agreement with India and Japan

Sri Lanka has signed a tripartite agreement with India and Japan for development of eastern terminal of Colombo port.

The Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed in Colombo

 As per the agreement, Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) will hold 51 per cent majority stake in the port development while Japan and India will have combined stake of 49 per cent.

The three governments have decided to work out details at joint working group meetings and advance their cooperation towards early commencement of work and operation of the terminal.

The deal is significant as over 70% of India’s transhipment business is handled at Colombo ports.

One of the terminals is controlled by Chinese company and there was a long-pending proposal to handover the development of Eastern terminal to an Indian company.

The deal is part of Memorandum of economic cooperation signed between India and Sri Lanka in 2017.

2019 European Parliament election

2019 European Parliament election

An election of the European Parliament was held between 23 and 26 May 2019, the ninth parliamentary election since the first direct elections in 1979.

As of 2018, a total of 751 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) represent more than 512 million people from 28 member states.

In February 2018, the European Parliament had voted to decrease the number of MEPs from 751 to 705 if the United Kingdom were to withdraw from the European Union on 29 March 2019

However, the United Kingdom participated alongside other EU member states after an extension of Article 50 to 31 October 2019.

The European People’s Party group won 178 seats and remained the largest political group in the legislature.

The second largest group is the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) with 152 seats,

2019 Copa del Rey Final

2019 Copa del Rey Final

The 2019 Copa del Rey Final was a football match played on 25 May 2019 that decided the winner of the 2018–19 Copa del Rey, the 117th edition of Spain's primary football cup.

The match was played at the Estadio Benito Villamarín in Seville between Barcelona and Valencia

Valencia won the final 2–1, achieving their 8th title overall and the first since 2008.

Barcelona were competing in their 41st Copa del Rey final, extending the competition record, and had won a record 30 titles prior.

They were the reigning champions

Cyril Ramaphosa sworn in as South Africa's president

Cyril Ramaphosa sworn in as South Africa's president

Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for a five-year term as South Africa’s President yesterday.

Head of the African National Congress Ramaphosa was officially elected as President by Parliament during its first sitting following the sixth general elections.

Former president Jacob Zuma, resigned in February last year

Ramaphosa is expected to announce his new Cabinet .

The South Africa Constitution requires voters to choose a party, which then selects members to go to the National Assembly, where they choose the President.

World Turtle Day

World Turtle Day

the purpose of World Turtle Day, May 23, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.

World Turtle Day is celebrated around the globe in a variety of ways, from dressing up as turtles or wearing green summer dresses, to saving turtles caught on highways, to research activities. Turtle Day lesson plans and craft projects encourage teaching about turtles in classrooms

Date: Thursday, 23 May, 2019

Algeria and Argentina certified malaria-free by WHO

Algeria and Argentina certified malaria-free by WHO

Algeria and Argentina have been officially recognized by WHO as malaria-free.

The certification is granted when a country proves that it has interrupted indigenous transmission of the disease for at least 3 consecutive years.

Contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito, malaria remains one of the world’s leading killers, with an estimated 219 million cases and over 400 000 malaria-related deaths in 2017.

Approximately 60% of fatalities are among children aged under 5 years.

Algeria is the second country in the WHO African Region to be officially recognized as malaria-free, after Mauritius, which was certified in 1973.

Argentina is the second country in the WHO Region of the Americas to be certified in 45 years, after Paraguay in June 2018.

Algeria and Argentina reported their last cases of indigenous malaria in 2013 and 2010 respectively.

Oman author Jokha Alharthi wins Booker International Prize

Oman author Jokha Alharthi wins Booker International Prize

An author from Oman has won the prestigious Man Booker International Prize for "Celestial Bodies", the story of three sisters of a desert country confronting its slave-owning past and a complex modern world.

Jokha Alharthi, the first Arabic-language writer to take the prize, will split the 50,000 pounds or 64,000 US dollar prize with her UK-based translator, Marilyn Booth.

 "Celestial Bodies" beat five other finalists from Europe and South America, including last year's winner, Poland's Olga Tokarczuk.

The prize is a counterpart to the Man Booker Prize for English-language novels and is open to books in any language that has been translated into English.

Indian peacekeeper will be honoured posthumously by UN

Indian peacekeeper will be honoured posthumously by UN

An Indian peacekeeper is among the 119 military, police and civilian personnel who will be honoured with a prestigious UN medal this year for courage and sacrifice in the line of duty.

Police Officer Jitender Kumar made the supreme sacrifice while serving in the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Central African country of Congo.

 He will be honoured posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal on Friday as the world organisation observes the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin would collect the medal on behalf of the fallen Indian peacekeeper at a solemn ceremony at the UN in New York.

India is the fourth largest contributor of uniformed personnel to the UN peacekeeping.

It currently contributes more than 6,400 military and police personnel to the UN peace operations in Abyei, Cyprus, Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, West Asia, South Sudan and Western Sahara.

World Metrology Day

World Metrology Day

World Metrology Day is an event occurring on the 20th of May celebrating the International System of Units.

The date is the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875. Metrology is the study of measurement.

The World Metrology Day project is currently realized jointly by the BIPM and the OIML.

The theme for World Metrology Day this year is, The International System of Units - Fundamentally better.

The theme has been chosen because on 16 November last year, the General Conference on Weights and Measures agreed perhaps one of the most significant revisions to the International System of Units since its inception.

Research into new measurement methods, including those using quantum phenomena, underpin the change.

The International System of Units is now based on a set of definitions each linked to the laws of physics and have the advantage of being able to embrace further improvements in measurement science and technology to meet the needs of future users for many years to come.

Australian PM Scott Morrison won federal elections

Australian PM Scott Morrison won federal elections

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's Liberal-National Coalition won the federal elections.

Prime Minister Morrison has declared victory after his coalition defied opinion polls and secured a surprise win over the opposition Labor Party.

The polling held yesterday for all 151 seats in the House of Representatives.

Australia has mandatory voting for people aged 18 and over.

Scott John Morrison is an Australian politician serving as Prime Minister of Australia and Leader of the Liberal Party since 2018. He served as Treasurer of Australia from 2015 to 2018. Morrison was first elected Member of Parliament for Cook in 2007.

Lyon demolish Barcelona to win Women's Champions League

Lyon demolish Barcelona to win Women's Champions League 

Lyon win fourth straight European title with 4-1 win

The French giants were 4-0 up at half-time thanks to goals from Dzsenifer Marozsan and an Ada Hegerberg hat-trick, while Asisat Oshoala scored an 89th minute consolation goal for Barca.

UEFA Champions League final match between Olympique Lyon and FC Barcelona was played at the Groupama Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, May 18, 2019.

Olympique Lyonnais Féminin is a French women's football club based in Lyon. It is the most successful club in the history of Division 1 Féminine with fourteen league titles as Olympique Lyonnais and four league titles as FC Lyon before the acquisition. 

Manager: Reynald Pedros 

Arena/Stadium: Lyon Olympic Stadium

Founded: 2004

Capacity: 1,524

Leagues: UEFA Women's Champions League, Division 1 Féminine

World Hypertension Day

World Hypertension Day

World Hypertension Day is a day designated and initiated by The World Hypertension League, which is itself an umbrella to organizations of 85 national hypertension societies and leagues.

 The day was initiated to increase the awareness of hypertension. 


 The WHL launched its first WHD on May 14, 2005.

Since 2006, the WHL has been dedicating May 17 of every year as WH

the theme for World Hypertension Day is Know Your Numbers with a goal of increasing high blood pressure (BP) awareness

Date: Friday, 17 May, 2019

China will host 2023 Asian Cup

China will host 2023 Asian Cup

South Korea have abandoned their bid to stage Asian Cup Football tournament in 2023, leaving the sole other bidders China with a free run to become hosts.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) said in a statement that it had pulled out to strategically focus on a joint bid with North Korea to host the Women's World Cup in the same year.

The KFA announced the joint bid in March, but diplomatic contacts between Pyongyang and Seoul have since dwindled with North Korea-US nuclear talks deadlocked.

Paris summit against online extremism

Paris summit against online extremism

French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will launch an ambitious new initiative aimed at curbing extremism online.

 The initiative, "Christchurch Call", was pushed by Ms Ardern

Participants will be asked to pledge to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content on social media and other online platforms.

The political meeting will run parallel to an initiative launched by Macron called Tech for Good.

This will bring together 80 tech chiefs in Paris to find a way for new technologies to work for the common good.

Other key leaders attending include Jordan's King Abdullah II, Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau, British Prime Minister Theresa May and EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker.

Prominent figures from tech and social networks will also be present, like Twitter founder Jack Dorsey and Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi.

New plastic that could be fully recycled created by Berkeley Lab

New plastic that could be fully recycled created by Berkeley Lab

The scientists have created a next-generation plastic that can be fully recycled into new materials of any colour, shape, or form, without loss of performance or quality.

A team of researchers at the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has designed a recyclable plastic that, like a Lego playset, can be disassembled into its constituent parts at the molecular level.

they have discovered a new way to assemble plastics that takes recycling into consideration from a molecular perspective.

All plastics, from water bottles to automobile parts, are made up of large molecules called polymers, which are composed of repeating units of shorter carbon-containing compounds called monomers.

 the problem with many plastics is that the chemicals added to make them useful, such as fillers that make a plastic tough, or plasticisers that make a plastic flexible are tightly bound to the monomers and stay in the plastic even after it is been processed at a recycling plant.

unlike conventional plastics, the monomers of PDK plastic could be recovered and freed from any compounded additives simply by dunking the material in a highly acidic solution.

The acid helps to break the bonds between the monomers and separate them from the chemical additives that give plastic its look and feel.

After testing various formulations, the researchers demonstrated that not only does acid break down PDK polymers into monomers, but the process also allows the monomers to be separated from entwined additives.

Cannes Film Festival began today in France

Cannes Film Festival began today in France

One of the most prestigious international event from the world of cinema, Cannes Film Festival will begin today in France.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Khare, who is leading Indian delegation at Cannes, will inaugurate India Pavilion tomorrow.

The Pavilion will showcase Indian cinema across linguistic, cultural and regional diversity, with the aim of forging international partnerships in distribution, production, filming in India.

Indian Delegation will also release a special poster to mark the golden jubilee of International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2019).

Indian racer Jehan Daruvala wins inaugural round of FIA Formula 3 Championship

Indian racer Jehan Daruvala wins inaugural round of FIA Formula 3 Championship

Young Indian racer Jehan Daruvala, driving for Prema Racing, won the inaugural round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship, one of the support events to Formula One in Barcelona .

The all-new FIA F3 Championship was created by merging the erstwhile GP3 Championship and FIA F3 European Championship, resulting in an ultra-competitive 30 car grid.

The only Indian on the grid, 20-year-old Jehan started from the second position and grabbed the lead into the run down to the first corner.

jehan is the only Indian to win a Grand Prix when he won the New Zealand Grand Prix and later went on to become the only Indian to win a race in the erstwhile FIA F3 European Championship, which used slower cars.

International Migratory Bird Day

International Migratory Bird Day is a conservation initiative that brings awareness on conserving migratory birds and their habitats throughout the Western Hemisphere.

This program is dedicated to international conservation efforts and environmental education in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Originated by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, it is now coordinated by Environment for the Americas

International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) officially takes place on the second Saturday in May in the U.S. and Canada and on the second Saturday of October in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean each year.

The theme for this year is “Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution!”.

Which country became second country to declare climate emergency?

Which country became second country to declare climate emergency?

Options

1) Ireland

2)Norway

3)sweden

4)finland





answer


1) Ireland



Other details


Ireland has declared climate emergency in their country, to be the second country after Britain to do so.

Britain's parliament became the first in the world to declare a climate emergency, passing the largely symbolic motion on May 1.

The step followed 11 days of street protests in London by   environmental campaign groups.

US imposed duty on iron, steel, aluminium and copper sectors of which country?

US imposed duty on iron, steel, aluminium and copper sectors of which country?

Options

1) Iran

2)Iraq

3)China

4)Turkey

answer

1) Iran


Other details

US has imposed sanctions on Iran's iron, steel, aluminium and copper sectors.

The move is aimed at stopping Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

US has now imposed sanctions on Iran's top three exports - oil, petrochemicals and metals.

the US will aggressively enforce its sanctions, and those who continue to engage in a sanctionable activity involving Iran will face severe consequences

when is World Red Cross Day celebrated?

when is World Red Cross Day celebrated?

Options

1) 8 May

2)9 May

3)7 May

4)6 May

answer

1) 8 May


Other details

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is an annual celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross Movement.

World Red Cross Red  is celebrated on 8 May each year.

 This date is the anniversary of the birth of Henry Dunant, who was born on 8 May 1828.

Henry Dunant had generated the Red Cross Committee of the International (ICRI) in 1863 in Switzerland, Geneva.

He   was also the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

when is World Asthma Day celebrated?

when is World Asthma Day celebrated?

Options

1)  May 7

2) May 8

3) May 9

4) May 10

answer

1)  May 7


Other details

World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma to improve asthma awareness and care around the world.

 World Asthma Day takes place on the first Tuesday of May.

 The inaugural World Asthma Day was held in 1998

theme  2019 is “STOP for Asthama”

where was 9th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Meeting held?

where was  9th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Meeting held?

Options

1) India

2)Brazil

3)south africa

4)none of the above

answer

1) India


Other details

 The IBSA (India, Brazil & South Africa) Sherpas’ Meeting, following the 9th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Meeting, was held in Cochin from May 3-5, 2019.


Sherpas reviewed the progress made under IBSA, since their last meeting. IBSA Sherpas also reviewed the functioning of the Joint Working Groups

when was World Laughter Day celebrated?

when was World Laughter Day celebrated?

Options

1) 5 may

2) 4 May

 3)6 May

 4)7 May

answer

1) 5 may


Other details

World Laughter Day takes place on the first Sunday of May of every year .

The first celebration was on May 10, 1998, in Mumbai, India

The day is now celebrated worldwide

 The first World Laughter day named HAPPY-DEMIC took place outside India on January 9, 2000 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

when is Coal Miners Day celebrated?

when is Coal Miners Day  celebrated?

Options

1) 4 may

2)5 may

3)6 may

4)7 may

answer

1) 4 may


Other details

Coal Miners Day is observed every year on 4 May to highlight the toughest profession and the people working in coal mines.

This day show appreciation for the sacrifices, honour the accomplishments and remember the tragedies that these hardworking individuals experience

World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day

The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day or just World Press Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek in 1991.

World Press Freedom Day  was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference.

The theme of World Press Freedom Day this year is, Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation.

The 26th celebration of World Press Freedom Day is jointly organized by UNESCO, African Union Commission and the Government of Ethiopia. The main event is being held at the African Union Headquarters at Addis Ababa.

Lebanon's capital Beirut has set a new Guinness World Record

Lebanon's capital Beirut has set a new Guinness World Record for the number of national flags raised in a city for 24 hours.

The Beirut Alive Association in the national capital on Sunday raised a total of 26,852 Lebanese flags breaking New York's Waterloo record of 25,599 flags

British PM Theresa May sacked defence Secretary

British PM Theresa May sacked defence Secretary

British Prime Minister Theresa May has sacked defence Secretary Gavin Williamson

it was after a probe into the leak of news that Britain had conditionally allowed China's Huawei to develop the UK 5G network.

The UK is opposed to Huawei's involvement.

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito ascended throne

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito ascended throne

Japan's new emperor, Naruhito, has formally ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, replacing his father, Akihito, who had abdicated a day earlier.

In a morning ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, today, Naruhito became the 126th Emperor of Japan.

A new imperial era called Reiwa, which means order and harmony, has now begun.

The emperor in Japan holds no political power but serves as a national symbol.