India and the United States have agreed to deepen the scope
of cooperation in the maritime sector with the American ports evincing keen
interest in comprehensive port-led development, especially the ambitious
Sagarmala programme. 150 projects under this programme have the potential of
mobilizing USD 50-60 Billion of infrastructure investment and another USD 100
Billion of investment for promoting industrial
National Tourism Awards to various segments of the Travel,
Tourism and Hospitality Industry’ will be given away by the Speaker, Lok Sabha
Smt. Sumitra Mahajan at a function organized by the Ministry of Tourism here on
30th July, 2016. Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism &
Culture (Independent Charge) will preside over the function. Invitees at the
function would include Chief Ministers and Tourism
NITI Aayog is organizing an Expert Consultative Group Meeting
on Creating a Framework for Operationalizing 500 Atal Tinkering Labs, ATL at
Faculty Development Centre, Shankar Vihar in New Delhi tomorrow on July 19,
2016. The consultations during 9:30 am till 12:30 pm will provide a platform
for exchange of ideas and knowledge among the experts to help create and put in
place a framework for the
Government has approved a project to launch the ‘SWAYAM
Prabha’-a project for operationalising 32 Direct to Home (DTH) Television
Channels for providing high quality educational content to all teachers,
students and citizens across the country interested in lifelong learning. There
will be new content of four hours every day, which would be telecast six times
a day allowing the student to choose the time of his/her
Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh holds delegation-level
talks with the visiting Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Dato
Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi . India and Malaysia have agreed to proactively engage
to combat the menace of ISIS activities. In his delegation level meeting with
the visiting Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Dato Seri Ahmad
Zahid Hamidi here today, the Union
The Doing Business team of the World Bank Group is on a two
week mission to India for interacting with various stakeholders and to validate
data for the upcoming Doing Business Report (DBR), 2017. A Kick-off meeting,
chaired by Additional Secretary (Investment), Department of Economic Affairs to
interact with the Doing Business mission team of the World Bank Group was held
on July 18, 2016 at New Delhi. The
As per the report published by Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) in February 2015, 302 polluted river stretches have been
identified on 275 rivers in the country based on Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand
(BOD) levels, a key indicator of organic pollution. Pollution abatement of
rivers is a continuous and ongoing process. It is the responsibility of the
State Governments/ concerned local bodies to set up proper facilities
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2005, estimated
1.46 lakh tonnes of e-waste generation in the country, which was expected to
exceed 8 lakh tonnes by 2012. As per the United Nations University report, “The
Global E-Waste Monitor 2014”, 17 lakh tonnes of e-waste generation was reported
in the country in 2014. No comprehensive State-wise inventorization of e-waste
generation in the country has been done.
In a declaration in 2009, India announced a voluntary goal of
reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20–25%, over 2005 levels, by
2020, despite having no binding mitigation obligations as per the Convention.
Subsequently, India in its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs)
to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has
announced its intention to reduce emission
Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP), Sikkim has been
inscribed as India’s first “Mixed World Heritage Site” on UNESCO World Heritage
List, by fulfilling the nomination criteria under both natural and cultural
heritage. The 40th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, at a meeting
in Istanbul, Turkey, granted approval for the inscription of India’s on the
coveted UNESCO World Heritage List. The
USA Accounts for Highest Share of FTAs followed by Bangladesh
and UK in June 2016 . Rs. 10,732 Crore Foreign Exchange Earned Through Tourism
in June 2016 . Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of Foreign
Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) on the basis of Nationality-wise, Port-wise data
received from Bureau of Immigration (BOI) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs)
from tourism on the basis of data
Dr. Nasim Zaidi, Chief Election Commissioner of India
and Mr. A. K. Joti and Mr. O.P. Rawat, Election Commissioners of India launched
the SVEEP Portal in Hindi along with the release of Matdaata Mahotsav document
and film during the Conference of Chief Electoral Officers of States here
today. A handbook on NERP(National Electoral Rolls Purification) was also
released during the conference.
NEW DELHI: The prospects of the GST bill seem to have further
brightened with government and Congress set to engage in further consultations
over the long pending tax reform and the parliamentary affairs ministry
planning a five-hour debate in Rajya Sabha. However the date is not set yet.
After the government expressed hope for a consensus and narrowing of
differences with Congress, PM Narendra Modi on Monday told the
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Congress
vice-president Rahul Gandhi to express regret for his comments holding the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) responsible for Mahatma Gandhi's
assassination or be ready to face a defamation trial. "Why did you make a
sweeping statement against the RSS branding everyone associated with the
organization in the same brush," the Supreme Court
NITI Aayog, government's premier think-tank, plans to engage
six consultants to prepare the 15 year vision document as well as strategy and
action plan documents for seven year and three year period within the given
time frame. The consultants, who would be hired on contract for a period of one
year, will get a monthly remuneration of up to Rs 1.75 lakh. "NITI
Aayog is looking to engage the services of six (6)
NEW DELHI: The Centre plans to bar government officials from
making any statement critical of the government specifically now on television,
social media or any other communication application, as part of amendments to
the Conduct Rules. Right now, the conduct rules do bar government officials
from criticizing the government on a radio broadcast, communication over any
public media, in any document, in any
North Korea has fired three ballistic missiles into the sea
off its east coast, say US and S Korean officials.The missiles were launched
from the Hwangju region, said South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and
flew about 500km (310 miles) to 600km. The US said the first two were believed
to be short-range Scuds while the third was a mid-range Rodong or Nodong. It
comes after the US and South Korea said
President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honour, the
highest US commendation for valor, on Monday to retired Lieutenant Colonel
Charles Kettles for saving the lives of 44 soldiers and crew men during a
battle in the Vietnam War nearly 50 years ago. In May 1967, Kettles led a group
of helicopters to bring reinforcements and evacuate wounded from a firefight
near Duc Pho, Vietnam. He returned to the
New York, July 19 (Just Earth News): Trade-related labour
provisions, such as ones that address labour relations or minimum working
conditions for employees, do not harm business or make trade provisions less
popular, according to a study released on Monday by the United Nations labour
agency. Research from the UN International Labour Oranization (ILO) found that
a trade agreement which included labour provisions
New York, July 19 (Just Earth News): An average of 29
adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 are infected with HIV every hour,
according to the United Nations Children's Fund, which is calling for a
redoubling of prevention and treatment efforts. “After all of the saved and
improved lives thanks to prevention, treatment and care; after all of the
battles won against prejudice and ignorance about this disease;
New York, July 19 (Just Earth News): More than 18,000 global
leaders, scientists, advocates, and frontline health workers gathered on Monday
in Durban, South Africa, for a United Nations-cosponsored international
conference on AIDS, to advance knowledge about HIV and build innovative
partnerships to strengthen global response to the endemic. “I call for Durban
2016 to mark the commitment to a new era
New York, July 19 (Just Earth News): Every country must
accelerate the implementation pace of the 'ambitious and transformative'
development agenda adopted by United Nations Member States nearly one year ago,
by boosting efforts to overcome persistent challenges, new obstacles and
unforeseen setbacks in on Monday's turbulent world, the UN Deputy
Secretary-General Jan Eliasson on Monday declared.
Farming is globally the most significant driver of
deforestation, but promoting a more positive interaction between agriculture
and forestry can build sustainable agricultural systems and improve food
systems, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It is not
necessary to cut down forests to produce more food,” said FAO Director-General
José Graziano da Silva in his opening remarks to the 23rd
New York, July 19 (Just Earth News): Governments must make
greater efforts to protect people from heart disease, cancers, diabetes and
lung disease – the leading causes of death among the elderly – the United
Nations health agency on Monday said. Without greater effort, the majority of
countries will also fail to meet their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of
reducing premature mortality from noncommunicable
New York, July 19 (Just Earth News): High donor commitments
continued to help Lebanon in mitigating the impact of the Syrian crisis by
bolstering food assistance, education, water and sanitation, according to a
United Nations mid-year update on donor support to the country. “As of the end
of June, available resources stood at $1.17 billion, with $828 million disbursed
this year and $344 million carried over from
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) has listed Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier’s works
among its World Heritage Sites list. In this regard, announcement was at the
40th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO held in Istanbul
in Turkey. Le Corbusier works were added in the list in recognition of his
contribution in spearheading the modern
Turkish musician Kudsi Erguner was appointed as the UNESCO
Artist for Peace by the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova. He was
appointed after the opening ceremony of the 40th session of the World Heritage
Committee (WHC) held in Istanbul, Turkey. He was named UNESCO Artist for Peace
in recognition of his Efforts to promote the universal values of music, an
essential instrument of dialogue
SpaceX successfully launched its Dragon Cargo capsule filled
with supplies for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The
Dragon Cargo capsule was launched using SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9 rocket from
Cape Canaveral, Florida. After successful take off, the Falcon 9 rocket
separated from cargo after sending in into orbit. Then the first stage of the
rocket successfully landed back on the solid
Legendary playback singer Mubarak Begum passed away in
Mumbai, Maharashtra after a prolonged illness. She was 80. She is known for her
singing scores of songs, duets and ghazals for Bollywood, mainly during the
1950s-1970s About Mubarak Begum Mubarak Begum was born in Sujangarh, Rajasthan
and moved to Mumbai when she was 10-year-old. She had started her career with
light music recitals in All India Radio
The fourth tranche of the Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) scheme
opened for subscription. SGB is government securities denominated in grams of
gold. It offers an alternative to holding gold in physical form. The scheme was
launched by the Union Government in October 2015. Government has fixed 3,119
Rupees per gram as the issue price for the bond in this tranche. The scheme
will be open till 22 July 2016. Key Facts The bond
The Parliament has passed the Regional Centre for
Biotechnology Bill, 2016 to provide statutory status to the existing Regional
Centre for Biotechnology in Faridabad, Haryana. The Bill seeks to provide
legislative backing to the Regional Centre and also confers upon it the status
of an institution of national importance. Key Facts Objectives of the Regional
Centre: (i) Disseminate knowledge by providing teaching and research
On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Maharashtra Chief
Minister Devendra Fadnavis today interacted with students of 32 ITIs across
Maharashtra after launching the new facilities of virtual and digital
classrooms. The facilities will be soon extended to all ITIs which will open
the doors of knowledge and bridge the rural, urban gap, he said. The Chief
Minister also announced an initiative to make these
A court in Bahrain has ordered the Sunni Muslim-ruled
country's leading Shia opposition group dissolved and its assets seized,
reports say. The ruling follows last month's move by the government to suspend
all activities of the Wefaq National Islamic Society. Funds will be transferred
to Bahrain's government, al-Arabiya TV said. Wefaq has helped lead
pro-democracy protests in the country since 2011.
Venezuela has opened its border with Colombia for the second
time this month to allow people to cross over to shop for basic foods and
medicines. Last week 35,000 crossed over for the first time since the border
was closed a year ago by President Nicolas Maduro to fight cross-border crime.
Officials said at least 100,000 entered Colombia over the weekend. Many basic goods
are in short supply in Venezuela because
Russia is to deploy its advanced long-range surface-to-air
missiles S-400 in Crimea, beefing up Russia’s anti-access/area-denial
capabilities around the peninsula. A full regiment system of S-400 Triumph is
to be delivered to Crimea in August, told the media Lt. Col. Evgeny Oleinikov,
deputy commander of the 18th missile air defense regiment of the 31 air defense
division. “After tests at a firing range… are complete, in
Australia has called for a free trade deal with Britain
following its exit from the European Union. Theresa May described the move as
"very encouraging" and insisted it showed Brexit could work for
Britain. In a phone call to the new PM, her Australian counterpart Malcolm
Turnbull said he urgently wanted to open up trading between the two countries.
Liam Fox, the new international trade secretary, said he was already
Odisha-born bureaucrat Guruprasad Mohapatra was on 15 July
2016 appointed as the Chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI) with effect
from 19 July 2016. guruprasad Mohapatra is a 1986 batch IAS officer of Gujarat
cadre. Prior to the recent posting, he was posted as Joint Secretary in Union
Ministry of Commerce. Mohpatra also served the Sales Tax department as
Special Commissioner (Enforcement),
Monday;July 18, 2016: Himachal Pradesh won the champion
trophy in the 41st All India Electricity Board Kabaddi tournament held at
Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu. The final of All India Electricity Board Kabaddi
tournament held last evening where HP defeated Punjab by 36-22. Tamil Nadu
Minister for Tourism Vellamandi Natarajan, Minister for Backward classes and
minority welfare S Valarmati gave away the
With the honourable Supreme Court of India ordering the Board
of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to honour the recommendations of the
Lodha committee within a six-month period, wholesale changes are expected
within the cricket administration circles at the national level as well as the
various state associations. One of the major recommendations which is expected
to have a huge impact is the "one post per person”
Geneva, July 18 (IBNS) A new WHO report highlights the need
to intensify national action to meet the global targets governments have agreed
to protect people from heart disease, cancers, diabetes, and lung
diseases.Globally, these 4 noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) represent the
largest cause of death in people aged under 70 years, posing a major threat to
sustainable development. The global survey, “Assessing
California, July 18 (IBNS) An international team of
astronomers has discovered and confirmed a treasure trove of new worlds using
NASA’s Kepler spacecraft on its K2 mission. Among the findings tallying 197
initial planet candidates, scientists have confirmed 104 planets outside our
solar system. Among the confirmed is a planetary system comprising four
promising planets that could be rocky. The planets, all
Kerala-based ESAF Microfinance, which had last year received
in-principle approval to start a small finance bank, has now applied for the
final licence. “We gave an application to RBI (Reserve Bank of India) about a
month ago for the final licence. We will start operations within 60 days of
receiving the final licence,” said A G Varughese, executive vice-president,
ESAF Microfinance. K Paul Thomas, chairman of the ESAF group,
The Central Government has approved projects involving an
investment of Rs19.50 crore for Mewat and Sirsa districts of Haryana, under
Muti Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP). Haryana Chief Secretary DS Dhesi
presided over a meeting in this regard with Deputy Commissioners of six
districts and Administrative Secretaries of various departments through video
conferencing. These districts included Sirsa,
The West Bengal government has set a target to construct
toilets across all villages of the state by March 2019 to enable open
defecation free (ODF) rural Bengal. By March 2019, we plan to have toilets
across all rural homes in the state,” Dibyendu Sarkar, commissioner in the state’s
panchayat and rural development department told. Sarkar said.The Hooghly, East
Midnapore and North 24 Parganas districts will be ODF by
Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) has inked an Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with non-profit public organization namely Global Village
Foundation (GVF) for collaborative studies and research on social and economic
public policies. The MoU was signed in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister,
Manohar Lal and Finance Minister, Capt. Abhimanyu and was signed by the
Registrar of the MDU, Jitender Bhardwaj
Dipika Pallikal Karthik dethroned defending champion Joshna
Chinappa to regain the women’s title in the 73rd Senior National Squash
Championship and The men’s crown was captured by title holder and top seed
Saurav Ghosal, who created history by winning it for the 11th time, defeating
fourth seed Harinderpal Singh Sandhu in five hard-fought games . Ghosal beat
Sandhu 11-7, 7-11, 3-11, 11-8, 14-12 after an 88-minute
Chandigarh: Haryana government will organize a special
function to honour all the 22 sportspersons from the state, who have qualified
to participate in Rio Olympics, where each of them will be handed cash award of
Rs 15 lakh, said Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Anil Vij. Vij
said:"Olympic contingent comprise of 10 men and 12 women sportspersons
from our state which is roughly about 21 percent. That's a matter of pride
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to restrain cricketer
Sachin Tendulkar from using the Bharat Ratna honour, citing the absence of statutory
provisions, rules and regulations. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and D Y
Chandrachud said there were no statutory provisions that could lay down the
standards for the use of the top civilian awards and other national
awards by its recipients. The bench said it cannot regulate the
Chennai: Noted agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan and
former DGP V Vaikunth were among those chosen to receive this year’s ‘Pride of
Madras’ awards. Instituted by SCGOBN in 2015 in association with the Rotary
Club of Madras Mount, the awards are presented to individuals who have gone
beyond the call of duty in serving senior citizens and the poor and needy
through their respective professions. A press note
The Netherlands and Uttar Pradesh on 14 July 2016 signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a skill development centre to help
farmers. The MoU would ensure that farmers get information on food processing
as well as along with use of modern techniques to boost production of
sugarcane, potato, dairy development and flowers. Besides, the Dutch government
would also help in cleaning the Yamuna in Agra
World Bank Group on 18 July 2016 appointed Paul Romer as
World Bank Chief Economist with effect from September 2016. Romer is a widely
respected economist and a successful entrepreneur. Romer will join the Bank at
a critical time when the field of development is transforming under the forces
of rapid technological change, globalization, and demography. As Chief
Economist, Romer will support the President
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 18 July 2016
signed seven Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with Indian
taxpayers. Some of the agreements also have a Rollback provision as well. The 7
APAs pertain to various sectors of economy like banking, Information Technology
and Automotives. The international transactions covered in these agreements
include software development Services, IT
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