Bangladesh: ADB approves USD 940 million for COVID-19 vaccines
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a loan package of USD 940 million for Bangladesh on Tuesday for purchase of COVID-19 vaccines. The package consists of a concessional loan of USD 470 million and a regular loan of the same amount.
The project will fund purchase of an estimated 44.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be administered to more than 20 million Bangladeshis by 2024. The vaccines will be procured through COVAX programme, UNICEF or bilateral agreement with vaccine manufacturers and distributors.
India and Fiji sign MoU for cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors field
India and Fiji have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. It was signed by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar and Fiji’s Minister of Agriculture, Waterways & Environment Dr. Mahendra Reddy in a virtual meeting today. The MoU provides for cooperation in the fields of Dairy Industry, Rice Industry, Root crop diversification, Water Resources Management, Coconut Industry, Food Processing Industry, Agriculture Mechanization, and Horticulture Industry.
Mr. Tomar said that cordial and friendly relations between India and Fiji are based on mutual respect, cooperation and strong cultural and people-to-people ties. He said that the signing of this MoU will prove to be a milestone in further strengthening the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries.
Union Minister Smriti Irani and MoS for Education Sanjay Dhotre virtually inaugurate Toycathon 2021 grand finale
Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani and Minsiter of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre virtually inaugurated Toycathon 2021 grand finale today. The Toycathon 2021 is being organized jointly by Ministry of Education in coordination with five other Ministries. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Irani marked the moment as historical where the nation's first toy hackathon is being dedicated to the world.
She expressed her concerns that 85 per cent toys that children are playing with are imported and are predominantly made of plastic. Drawing inspiration from Prime Minister's global commitment for sustainable development, the Minister invited research bodies and toy manufacturers to make sustainable toys. She also advised that India is known for its engineering potential and technologists should equip toy sector with adequate and innovative technologies for electronic toys.
Indian naval ships participate in passage exercise with US Navy
Indian Naval Ships Kochi and Teg along with P8I and MiG 29K aircraft are participating in a Passage Exercise with US Navy Carrier Strike Group Ronald Reagan during its transit through Indian Ocean Region today and tomorrow. The Indian Naval warships along with aircraft from Indian Navy and Indian Air Force will be engaged in joint multi-domain operations with the Carrier Strike Group.
The two-day exercise aims to strengthen bilateral relationship and cooperation by demonstrating the ability to integrate and coordinate comprehensively in maritime operations. High tempo operations during the exercise include advanced air defence exercises, cross deck helicopter operations and anti-submarine exercises. The participating forces will hone their war-fighting skills and enhance their interoperability as an integrated force to promote peace, security and stability in the maritime domain. Indian Navy and US Navy regularly undertake a host of bilateral and multilateral exercises.
Assam to raise 1,000 critically endangered black softshell turtles by 2030
The success of conservation efforts so far has prompted the Assam forest department and NGOs to adopt a vision document to raise at least 1,000 critically endangered black softshell turtles by 2030.
Black softshell turtles, the rarest of India's 28 turtle species were believed to be 'extinct in the wild' till recently. The International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN), however, changed the status to 'critically endangered' after surveys...
Chile says assembly to draft new constitution will start work on July 4
Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said on Sunday the assembly to draft a new constitution for the country, replacing the one inherited from the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, will hold its first session on July 4.
Kiren Rijiju announces launch of 25 Fit India Yoga centers across 9 states on eve of International Yoga Day
"Yoga, India's gift to the world and a part of our ancient heritage, takes on even more relevance in the present times. Regular practice of yogasana strengths body immunity as well as the mind. With the launch of these yoga centers, I am sure many more people will find reason to take up yoga as a way of to a fit life," Rijiju stated in an official release.
International Yoga Day 2021: This year the theme is 'Yoga For Wellness' and the focus will be on practicing yoga for physical and mental well-being
UNESCO to downgrade status of Great Barrier Reef; Australia blames political interference
Australia has for years been battling to keep the Great Barrier Reef off the “in danger” list.
The Great Barrier Reef should be added to a list of “in danger” World Heritage Sites a UN committee recommended on Tuesday, prompting an angry response from Australia which said it had been blindsided by the move and blamed political interference.
MoD signs ₹583 crore contract for two pollution control vessels for Coast Guard
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday signed a contract with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the construction of two Pollution Control Vessels (PCVs) for the Coast Guard at a cost of about ₹583 crore.
The ships, designed, developed and built by GSL, are scheduled for delivery by November 2024 and May 2025 respectively, a Ministry statement said.
EU to lift sanctions against Burundi
Bujumbura [Burundi], June 22 (ANI/Xinhua): The European Union (EU) had started the process of lifting sanctions against Burundi that stops financial aid to the Burundian government, EU Ambassador to Burundi Claude Bochu said here Monday.
In March 2016, the EU suspended its direct financial support to the Burundian government following the political crisis sparked by the controversial third term bid of then President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Odisha becomes only state to have all three species of crocodiles
Odisha has emerged as the only state to have all the three species of the reptile freshwater Ghadials at Satakosiya in Mahanadi, muggers in Bhitar Kanika National park and saltwater crocodiles.
Gharial eggs need incubation for 70 days, and the hatchlings stay with their mothers for several weeks or even months.
Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard qualifies for Olympics, makes history as openly transgender athlete
Laurel Hubbard's journey to the Tokyo Olympic Games goes far beyond medals and athletic performances. Her selection to New Zealand's weightlifting team is an affirmation of her decision to live authentically as a transgender woman.
Hubbard became perhaps the first openly transgender woman to individually qualify for the Olympics, even though the Games have had an inclusion policy for trans athletes since 2003. She lifted a net weight of 628 pounds across two lifts to qualify and will enter the Games ranked fourth among women's weightlifters weighing more than 192 pounds.
Ons Jabeur becomes first Arab woman to win a WTA title
Tunisia's Ons Jabeur made history on Sunday when she became the first Arab woman to win a WTA title, beating Russian Daria Kasatkina in the final of the grasscourt event in Birmingham.
Jabeur, a trailblazer for North African women's tennis, won 7-5 6-4 to finally claim a title after losing two previous finals.
United Nations Public Service Day
23 June
2021 United Nations Public Service Day, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) , in collaboration with the government of the United Arab Emirates will host a 1.5-hour virtual event on the 23 June
UN Public Service Day celebrates the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlights the contribution of public service in the development process; recognizes the work of public servants, and encourages young people to pursue careers in the public sector.
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