Russia, China veto UN sanctions on Syria
Russia has cast its seventh veto to protect the Syrian government from United Nations Security Council action, blocking a bid by Western powers to impose sanctions over accusations of chemical weapons attacks during the six-year Syrian conflict.China backed Russia and cast its sixth veto on Syria. Russia had said the vote on the resolution, drafted by France, Britain and the United States, would harm U.N.-led peace talks between the warring Syrian parties in Geneva, which began last week.
South Korea, US begin large-scale military exercise
South Korean and U.S. troops began large-scale joint military exercise conducted annually to test their defense readiness against the threat from North Korea, which routinely characterizes the drills as preparation for war against it. The exercise, called Foal Eagle, comes amid heightened tension following the latest test launch of a ballistic missile by the North on Feb. 12 and in the past prompted threats by Pyongyang to launch military action in retaliation.
Nepal Investment Summit 2017 starts in Kathmandu
The Nepal Investment Summit 2017 in Kathmandu on March 2-3 will see the participation of nearly 250 companies from about two dozen countries. A number of Indian and Chinese companies will participate in an international summit in Nepal next week that aims to position the landlocked country as an attractive investment hub. Around 300 Nepalese firms will also take part in the summit themed ‘Harnessing Investment Opportunities.
Luis Norton de Matos appointed new head coach of India U-17 football team
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has appointed Portugal’s Luis Norton de Matos as the head coach of the India U-17 team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup scheduled to be held in October this year. A former manager with the Benfica Reserve side, De Matos replaces Nicolai Adam, who was forced to resign under controversial circumstances after a revolt from the players
Pakistan Government approves merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The federal cabinet of Pakistan has accorded approval to the recommendations of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) reforms committee, which includes the merger of the tribal areas with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province and repeal of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR). Chairing the cabinet, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the people of Fata, Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will be given their due rights.
13th ECO Summit ISLAMABAD: 1st March 2017
The Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) gathered on the occasion of the thirteenth ECO Summit Meeting, in Islamabad, Pakistan under the theme “Connectivity for Regional Prosperity”, at the invitation of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on 1st March 2017.It aimed to review the objective conditions and progress in the implementation of ECO programs and projects.
Iran successfully test-fired a sophisticated Russian-made air defence system
Iran successfully test-fired a sophisticated Russian-made air defence system.The test targeted various flying objects, including missiles. With a range of up to 200 kilometres (125 miles) the S- 300 is capable of simultaneously tracking and striking multiple targets.Russia delivered the S- 300 system to Iran in 2016, nearly 10 years after the initial contract had been signed.
World’s oldest fossils discovered in Quebec, Canada
Microfossils up to almost 4.3 billion years old found in Canada of microbes are similar to the bacteria that thrive around sea floor hydrothermal vents and may represent the oldest-known evidence of life on Earth.The fossils from the Hudson Bay shoreline in northern Quebec near the Nastapoka Islands lend credence to the hypothesis that hydrothermal vents spewing hot water may have been the cradle of life on Earth relatively soon after the planet formed
China overtakes Eurozone as world’s largest banking system
China’s banking system has surpassed that of the eurozone to become the world’s largest by assets, a sign both of the country’s increased influence in world finance and its reliance on debt to drive growth since the global financial crisis.While China’s gross domestic product surpassed the EU’s economic bloc in 2011 at market exchange rates, its banking system did not take over the top spot until the end of 2016
Airtel, Millicom ink pact to merge in Ghana
Bharti Airtel and Millicom International Cellular have entered into an agreement to merge their respective units in Ghana to create the second-largest mobile carrier in the African country.Under the terms of the agreement, “Airtel and Millicom will have equal ownership and governance rights in the combined entity.Ghana, with a population of around 30 million, is a relatively big market in Africa and among Airtel’s top markets after Nigeria.
Indo-Oman joint military exercise ‘Al-Nagah-II’ begins
A 14-day joint defence exercise Al-Nagah-II between the armies of India and Oman will begin in Himachal Pradesh from March 6.Indo-Oman Joint Army Exercise AL NAGAH-II 2017 will be conducted between the Indian and Oman Army from 6 to 19 March in the Dhauladhar Ranges at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh.This is the second joint military exercise between the two countries which have a history of extensive cooperation in the defence arena, the first one was held in Oman in January 2015.
Cabinet approves India-Portugal MoU on renewable energy
The Indian cabinet has gaven post facto approval to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on renewable energy between India and Portugal.The MoU was signed on January 6, 2017. The MoU aims to promote bilateral technical cooperation on new and renewable issues. The MoU envisages constitution of a Joint Working Group which can co-opt other members from Scientific Institutions, Research Centres, Universities, or any other entity, as and when considered essential.
Cabinet approves MoU with UN Women
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of agreement between India and UN Women to strengthen gender equality in governance institutions. The MoU between India and the United Nations Entity of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) seeks to provide technical support to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to improve the opportunities for gender equality through legislation, policies and programmes in ministry’s institutions.
First time Mobile World Congress to be held in India
India will organise its first mobile congress in September with a special focus on reaching out to the South East Asian markets. There is Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and an edition in Shanghai. There is nothing in between for South East Asia. India is emerging as one of the global leaders in telecom which we will also showcase in the Indian Mobile Congress.
‘India by the Nile’ cultural festival begins in Egypt
India will organise the fifth edition of the mega cultural festival ‘India by the Nile’ in Egypt to showcase the diversity of the country’s culture, arts and cuisine for building enduring partnership between the two ancient civilisations. For the first time, the Indian flag will be projected onto the Giza Pyramids as part of the celebration.
International Women’s Day being observed on March 8
International Women’s Day is observed globally on 8th March every year.It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.The theme of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2017 campaign is ‘Be Bold For Change’.IWD has been observed since in the early 1900’s – a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.
India and Belgium sign Protocol to amend DTAA
India and Belgium have signed a Protocol to amend the existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between the two countries.This Protocol was signed by Sushil Chandra, Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on behalf of India and Jan Luykx, Ambassador of Belgium to India, on behalf of Belgium. The Protocol seeks to broaden the scope of the existing framework of exchange of tax related information.
Google acquires Kaggle for undisclosed amount to boost data play
Technology giant Google has announced the acquisition of Kaggle, a start-up that hosts a number of data scientists, for an undisclosed amount at the Cloud Next 2017 conference.Founded in 2010, Kaggle is home to the world’s largest community of data scientists and machine-learning enthusiasts.Kaggle and Google Cloud will continue to support machine learning training and deployment services while offering the community the ability to store and query large datasets.
Paddleboarder makes world-first Atlantic crossing
A South African man Chris Bertish has become the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a stand-up paddleboard after completing an epic 4,050-mile voyage alone at sea. Chris Bertish pulled into Antigua, in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean after departing from Agadir, Morocco, 93 days ago. Bertish, 42, a big-wave surfer as well as a sailor, who won the renowned Mavericks surf contest in northern California in 2010, had contended with sharks, storms and loneliness on the adventure.
International Vision Zero Conference Begins In New Delhi
The international conference on the VISION ZERO and its relevance to Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), is being organized from 15th to 17th, March 2017 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi by Directorate General Factory Advice and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment and German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), Germany in association with International Social Security Association (ISSA).
India’s contribution to UN increases to Rs 244 crore
India’s contribution to the United Nations rose 55 per cent to Rs 244 crore in 2015-16 compared with the previous fiscal. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj informed the Lok Sabha that the government had also made voluntary contributions to the tune of Rs 22 crore to international organisations, including UN agencies, in the last financial year. The country contributed Rs 244 crore to the UN last fiscal compared with Rs 157 crore in 2014-15.
Queen Elizabeth II gives royal assent to Brexit bill
Queen Elizabeth II has given Royal Assent to the government’s European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, clearing the way for Prime Minister Theresa May to start the official process to bring the UK out of the European Union. The Queen signed the Bill into law after it was approved in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Royal Assent was presented to both Houses by their speakers and is now an Act of Parliament.
Saudi Arabia, China sign deals worth Rs.4 lakh crore
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman oversaw the signing of deals worth as much as $65 billion on the first day of a visit to Beijing, as the world’s largest oil exporter looks to cement ties with the world’s second-largest economy.The deals included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between giant state oil firm Saudi Aramco [IPO-ARMO.SE] and China North Industries Group Corp (Norinco), to look into building refining and chemical plants in China.
World Bank approves funding for India’s ambitious National Hydrology Project
The World Bank has approved a $175 million loan to India for the National Hydrology Project to improve India’s ability to forecast floods and reduce the recurring chances of floods and droughts. The loan would be disbursed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The loan has a six-year grace period in which no interest payments will be due and will mature in 23 years
India, Russia sign long-term support pact on Sukhoi Su-30MKI
India and Russia have signed two long-term support agreements for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI combat aircraft fleet, which is the mainstay of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Pacts were also signed for maintenance and life-cycle support for other Russian-origin platforms, such as Mi-17 helicopters, MiG-29K aircraft, INS Vikramaditya and T-90 tanks. The agreements were signed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) with United Aircraft Corporation and United Engine Corporation
Indian-American ranked fourth among overpaid CEOs in US
Indian-American CEO of a Chicago-based property firm has been ranked fourth on a list of top 25 overpaid CEOs in the United States of America. Sandeep Mathrani, CEO of General Growth Properties, has been listed fourth on the list of top 25 overpaid CEOs in America, according to the report from the nonprofit ‘As You Sow.’ The non-profit organisation promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility and takes a close look at CEO pay.
Social Security Agreement between India and Brazil
India and Brazil has signed a social security agreement which will exempt detached workers from making social security contributions in either countries if they are contributing in their respective countries. Detached workers are send by their employers to work in the office of their company or an affiliate located in a different country. The agreement has been signed in Brazil’s capital Brasilia.
Italy named world’s healthiest country
Italy has been ranked the healthiest country on Earth in the Bloomberg Global Health Index of 163 countries. According to the study, the average life expectancy in the country is 80-89 years. Iceland, Switzerland, Singapore and Australia are also among the top five most healthy countries in the index. Singapore was placed on the fourth spot. Also on the top ten are Spain, Japan, Sweden, Israel, and Luxembourg.
Norway replaces Denmark as world’s happiest country
Norway displaced Denmark as the world’s happiest country in a new report released . Countries in Africa, along with Syria and Yemen, are the least happy of the 155 countries ranked in the fifth annual report released at the United Nations. Happy countries are the ones that have a healthy balance of prosperity, as conventionally measured and social capital, meaning a high degree of trust in a society, low inequality and confidence in government.
Bangladesh celebrates 46th Independence Day
The people of Bangladesh celebrated the 46th Independence and National Day. On Mar 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by the Pakistan occupation army. After the nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of the millions of people, the people of the country achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971.
India and Vietnam to strengthen bilateral relations through medium of Cinema
Minister for Information & Broadcasting has said that collaboration in the field of Films, Broadcasting and Information Dissemination would strengthen the ties between India and Vietnam. Cooperation in the field of institutional capacity building in social media, student exchange programs between premier institutes of both the countries in the field of journalism and films would bring the two countries close. He mentioned this while meeting the Vietnamese delegation led by Minister of Information and Communications, Government of Vietnam Mr. Truong Minh Tuan.
UN appoints David Beasley to head World Food Programme
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has appointed former South Carolina Governor David Beasley to run the Rome-based World Food Programme (WFP), at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed slashing funding for the world body and its agencies. Beasley will replace another American, Ertharin Cousin, who has been the WFP executive director since 2012. Washington was the top contributor to WFP in 2016 with $2 billion, a third of the agency’s
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Cabinet approves signing of new Air Services Agreement between India and Serbia
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for updation of the existing Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Serbia which was signed on 31st January, 2003. The updation is as per latest International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) template keeping in view the latest developments in civil aviation sector and with an objective to improve the air connectivity between the two countries.
El Salvador becomes first country in the world to ban metals mining
El Salvador, Central America’s smallest nation, has become the first country in the world to ban metals mining nationwide following a long-running dispute with a Canadian-Australian company over an environmentally questioned gold project. El Salvador is desperate for cash — it is seeking to secure a lifeline from the IMF as its debt is expected to exceed 60 per cent of gross domestic product by the end of 2017.