China, US agreed to restart trade talks

China, US agreed to restart trade talks

The move came as US held a lengthy meeting with the Chinese President on the sidelines of the G-20 summit at Osaka in Japan.

 the US said it will not add new tariffs on Chinese exports.

the negotiating teams from the two countries are to discuss specific issues.

Marcus Trescothick announced retirement from cricket

Marcus Trescothick announced retirement from cricket

Somerset and former England batsman Marcus Trescothick is to retire from cricket at the end of the season.

Opener Trescothick made his Somerset debut in 1993 and has gone on to score 19,654 first-class runs for the county.

he featured in 76 Tests for England, playing a key role when they beat Australia to win the 2005 Ashes.

Trescothick scored 5,825 Test runs at an average of 43.79 in an international career that spanned from 2000 to 2006 and 4,335 one-day international runs

He retired from international cricket in 2008,

Trescothick, was England captain in two Tests and 10 ODIs

G-20 summit bean in Osaka

G-20 summit bean in Osaka

G20 Summit begins in Osaka, Japan today.

 The theme of the summit is Human-centred future society.

Several state heads will take part in the two-day summit.

19 countries, the European Union and several special invitees are participating at the Osaka Summit which will see discussions on Global Economy- Trade & Investment, Innovation in Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence, Addressing Inequalities, Realizing an Inclusive & Sustainable World and Climate Change Energy and Environment in four different sessions.

The impetus for the current G20 summit was the global financial meltdown in 2008 when the leaders gathered to discuss how to prevent a similar crisis from happening again.

One of the most urgent tasks facing the G-20 members is to regain confidence in the multilateral trading system, given the fact that trade tensions have started to weigh heavily on the prospects of growth.

With nearly a year and half to go before the 2020 G-20 summit in Saudi Arabia, Osaka summit is expected to set the tone for next year’s discussions.

IOC stripped world boxing body AIBA of Olympic status

IOC stripped world boxing body AIBA of Olympic status

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today stripped Olympic status from the troubled world boxing body AIBA.

As a result, the IOC will now organize qualifying and final tournaments for the 2020 Tokyo Games.

 IOC members had voted to endorse the executive board's recommendation last month to suspend AIBA's Olympic status. 

Olympic inquiry panel in Lausanne, Switzerland said that AIBA had created very serious reputational, legal and financial risks for the IOC and its American stakeholders.

Lausanne-based AIBA has said it is near bankruptcy with debts of about 17 million US Dollars.

It is cut off from future income from Tokyo revenues, and the 2019 world championships for men and women in Russia are no longer Olympic qualifiers.

The AIBA president, Gafur Rakhimov is under the United States federal sanctions

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a United Nations International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade.

It is observed annually on 26 June, since 1989.

The observance was instituted by General Assembly Resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987

The day is observed every year on 26th June to raise awareness about the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.

This year the theme is Health for Justice,  Justice for Health, which highlights that justice and health are two sides of the same coin when it comes to addressing drug problems.

Drug abuse is one of the most serious health problems.

 Besides causing serious diseases  it has several side effects in the form of economic loss, anti-social behaviour such as stealing, violence and crime besides social stigma.

Women peacekeepers team from India assumes duties in UN mission in Congo

Women peacekeepers team from India assumes duties in UN mission in Congo

A team of women peacekeepers from India has assumed duties in the UN mission in Congo with a focus on working with women and children worst affected by conflict.

The Female Engagement Team from India, comprising nearly 20 women peacekeepers began its deployment with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission Democratic Republic of Congo also known as MONUSCO which is considered one of the most challenging peacekeeping missions under the UN flag.

India's deployment of the Female Engagement Team is in line with UN's priority and initiative to ensure increased participation of women peacekeepers in the UN.

The Indian brigade is deployed in the North Kivu province of the African Nation with almost 38 armed groups operating and contesting to control the areas rich in natural resources.

the team will conduct patrolling and engage with women and locals in that country to gain their trust.

They will also undertake civic programmes and assist in conduct of investigations and riot control among other duties.

India is the second largest troop contributor to MONUSCO, with 2624 peacekeepers and 274 police personnel deployed as of March this year.

International Widows Day

International Widows Day

International Widows Day is a United Nations ratified day of action to address the "poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries

 The day takes place annually on 23 June.

International Widows Day was established  to raise awareness of the issue of widowhood.

On 21 December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly formally adopted 23 June as International Widows Day, endorsing by unanimous acclaim a proposal introduced by President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon

it is estimated that there are 245 million widows worldwide, 115 million of whom live in poverty and suffer from social stigmatization and economic deprivation purely because they have lost their husbands

Mark Esper nominated to be US Secretary of Defense

  Mark Esper nominated  to be US Secretary of Defense

US President has nominated Mark Esper to be the US Secretary of Defense

Esper, who is Secretary of the Army, was named acting Pentagon Chief after Patrick Shanahan withdrew his name from consideration for the role this week.

World Music Day

The World Music Day,  is an annual music celebration that takes place on 21 June.

On Music Day the citizens of a city or country are allowed and urged to play music outside in their neighborhoods or in public spaces and parks.

Free concerts are also organized, where musicians play for fun and not for payment.

The first all-day musical celebration on the day of the summer solstice was originated by the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, and by Maurice Fleuret, and was first celebrated in Paris in 1982.

Music Day later became celebrated in 120 countries around the world

Walmart will pay over 282 mn for violating anti-corruption regulations in 4 countries

Walmart will pay over 282 mn for violating anti-corruption regulations in 4 countries

International retail giant Walmart yesterday agreed to pay over  282 US Dollar to various US bodies to settle charges of violating anti-corruption regulations while conducting its business in India, China, Brazil and Mexico.

According to the US Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), these violations were conducted by Walmart's third-party intermediaries who made payments to foreign government officials without reasonable assurances that they complied with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or FCPA.

SEC has charged Walmart with violating FCPA by failing to operate a sufficient anti-corruption compliance programme for more than a decade as the retailer experienced rapid international growth.

Walmart agreed to pay more than  144 million US Dollar to settle the SEC's charges and approximately  138 million US Dollar to resolve parallel criminal charges by the Department of Justice for a combined total of more than 282  million US Dollar

Bangladesh has emerged as fastest growing economy among 45 countries of Asia-Pacific region

Bangladesh has emerged as fastest growing economy among 45 countries of Asia-Pacific region

Bangladesh has emerged as the fastest growing economy among the 45 countries of the Asia-Pacific region according to Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In the  financial year 2018-19 Bangladesh attained growth rate of 7.9 % which is its fastest rate since 1974.

The bank predicted that the growth will be 8% in the next financial year.

The ADB country director handed over the report to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina last evening.

 The bank said that higher public sector investment, stronger consumption demand, revival in exports, improved power supply and higher growth in private sector credit were the key factors of the high growth performance of  Bangladesh

World Sickle Cell Day

World Sickle Cell Day

The World Sickle Cell Day is being observed on Wednesday, 19 June 2019.

It is observed each year to raise public awareness about the sickle cell disease and its treatment methods.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited form of anaemia in which red blood cells are not able to carry adequate oxygen throughout the body. Government has organised several campaigns for the proper treatment and cure of those suffering from the disease.

World Sickle Cell Day was organised by United Nation as General Assembly in 2008 to raise the awareness about the sickle cell disease and the pain that people go throughout the life.

it was  celebrated for first time On 19 June, 2009,

  theme  : Sickle Cell Community Embracing Change Together.

Autistic Pride Day

Autistic Pride Day

Autistic Pride Day, originally an Aspies for Freedom initiative, is a pride celebration for autistics held on 18 June each year.

Autistic pride recognises the importance of pride for autistics and its role in bringing about positive changes in the broader society.

Autistic pride recognises the importance of pride for autistics and understands it not as a disease but as a difference.

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disability is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, restrictive and repetitive pattern of behaviour.

It is a lifelong condition which usually occurs in the first three years of life.

The exact cause of autism is not known but it is known to be associated with genetic and environmental factors.

Autistic Pride Day was initiated by Aspies For Freedom, a group that raises public awareness about autism rights.

150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi celebrated in Dhaka

150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi celebrated in Dhaka

The 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was celebrated in Dhaka.

The High Commission of India organised a bi-Cycle Rally at the Dhaka University campus on Saturday morning to mark his birth anniversary.

India won gold medal in FIH Series Finals

 India won gold medal in  FIH Series Finals

In the FIH Men's Series Finals, India defeated South Africa by five goals to one in a final clash at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar 

The goals were scored in the 2nd, 11th, 25th, 36th and 50th minutes.

Earlier  , a match was held between Japan and USA for the third and fourth positions.

With this win, India has won the points which should keep it in the top five of the FIH World Rankings, to be updated in September.

Japan defeated USA by a margin of 4-2 goals.

In FIH Women's Series Finals, India comfortably beat Uruguay 4-1 in its first Pool-A match at Hiroshima in Japan

India will next face Poland tomorrow in its second Pool-A match.

World Blood Donor Day

World Blood Donor Day

Every year on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day.

The event, established in 2004, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood

 The day is celebrated to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors.

This year the theme is - Blood Donation and Universal Access to Safe Blood Transfusion, as a component of achieving universal health coverage.

The slogan - Safe Blood for All - has also been adopted. More from our correspondent.

The theme strongly encourages more people all over the world to become blood donors and donate blood regularly.


The day helps mobilize support at national, regional and global levels among governments and development partners to invest in, strengthen and sustain national blood programmes.

Blood is vital for treating the wounded during emergencies like natural disasters, accidents and armed conflicts. It has an essential, life-saving role in maternal care.

For an effective health system, access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a must.

Bahrain will ban plastic products from next month

Bahrain will ban plastic products from next month

Bahrain will start phasing out the use of plastic products from next month.

 a Ministerial order with respect to the technical regulations for plastic products will come into effect on the 21st of next month.

The order will regulate and phase out the use of plastic bags.

The first phase will focus on single-use plastic bags as well as banning the import of non-biodegradable plastic bags.

Later phases will witness a permanent ban on the use of plastic bags at certain malls and supermarkets.

The relevant authorities are currently working on the implementation phase for the remaining plastic products.

Guidelines will be issued for manufacturers and suppliers on reducing plastic waste to ensure a smooth transition.

Bahrain has joined a number of leading countries in banning the import of plastic waste, following the United Nations' call to mitigate ocean pollution and climate change

United States claim biggest ever Women's Fifa World Cup win

United States claim biggest ever Women's Fifa World Cup win

In Football, the United States recorded the biggest-ever victory in the Fifa Women's World Cup last night when they crushed Thailand, 13-nil in a Group-F match at Reims in France.

Alex Morgan scored five times for the three-time winners and defending champions.

Rose Lavelle and Samantha Mewis netted two goals each.

 Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd were also on the score sheet as the US broke Germany's record of an 11-nil win over Argentina in 2007.

The US has lost just one international game since July 2017 and has now won seven games in a row.

They have scored 36 goals in the process and have not conceded in five matches.

In Pool-E, the Netherlands defeated New Zealand, one-nil at Le Havre, while Sweden beat Chile, two-zero at Rennes.

World day against Child Labour observed

World day against Child Labour observed

The World Day Against Child Labour is an International Labour Organization-sanctioned holiday first launched in 2002 aiming to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour.

Date: Wednesday, 12 June, 2019

 The International Labour Organization had launched this day in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. 

The day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people to highlight the plight of child labourers and the measures to help them.

Nearly 152 million children are still engaged in child labour.

Although child labour occurs in almost every sector, seven out of every ten are in agriculture.

The Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders in the year 2015 include a renewed global commitment to ending child labour.

Specifically, target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls on the global community to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour.

The target also emphasizes on ending modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.

Mike Pompeo will visit Delhi to advance America's ties with India

Mike Pompeo will visit Delhi to advance America's ties with India

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that his upcoming visit to New Delhi will be focused on advancing America's  ties with India.

Pompeo will leave Washington for New Delhi on 24 th June

His visit will take place ahead of a meeting between US President  and Prime Minister  of India on the sidelines of the G20 Summit at Osaka in Japan on 28 th and 29th of this month.

New Delhi would be Pompeo's first stop and South Korea his last during the nearly week-long visit to the Indo-Pacific region that would also take him to Sri Lanka and Japan.

Before starting his trip, Pompeo will address the India Ideas Summit of US-India Business Council on  12th June.

Canada will ban single use plastics from 2021

Canada will ban single use plastics from 2021

Canada  on Monday announced that  single-use plastics will be banned in the country from 2021.

Canada   declared it a global challenge to phase out the plastic bags, straws and cutlery clogging the world's oceans.


Canada has a unique chance to lead the fight against plastic pollution as the country with the world's longest coastlines.

less than 10 percent of plastics used in Canada are currently recycled.

Each year a million birds and more than 100,000 marine mammals worldwide suffer injury or death by becoming entangled in plastic or ingesting it through the food chain.

Single-use items represent some 70 percent of the plastic waste littering the marine environment.

Canada, France, Germany, Britain and Italy, along with the European Union, subscribed at last year's G7 summit in Quebec to a new charter against pollution in the world's oceans.

The United States and Japan did not join the pact.

The non-binding Ocean Plastics Charter called on participating countries and the EU to commit to making all plastics reusable, recyclable or recovered by 2030.

2019 UEFA Nations League Finals

2019 UEFA Nations League Finals

European champions Portugal are also the winners of the first ever UEFA Nations League, with a second half Goncalo Guedes goal sending them to victory over the Netherlands.

 the final was played at  the Estadio do Dragao stadium located in Porto, Portugal.

The 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals was the final tournament of the 2018–19 edition of the UEFA Nations League, the inaugural season of the international football competition involving the men's national teams of the 55 member associations of UEFA

The tournament was held in Portugal from 5 to 9 June 2019  and was contested by the four group winners of Nations League A.

The tournament consisted of two semi-finals, a third place play-off, and the final to determine the inaugural champions of the UEFA Nations League.

Rafael Nadal won French Open Men's Singles title for 12th time

Rafael Nadal won French Open Men's Singles title for 12th time

In Tennis, world number two Rafael Nadal has lifted the French Open Men's Singles title for the 12th time.

In the summit clash played at Paris last night, the Spaniard defeated Austrian fourth seed Dominic Thiem, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to win at the Roland Garros for the third straight year.

The 33-year-old became the first player to win 12 Singles titles at the same Grand Slam and has now won 18 majors overall.

Nadal is now just two titles behind Roger Federer's all-time record of 20 majors and is three ahead of world number one Novak Djokovic.

Nadal also took his Paris record to an astonishing 93 wins and just two losses.

The win also gave Nadal an 82nd career title and 950th match win. 

25-year old Thiem suffered his second Grand Slam final defeat after he lost to Nadal in three sets in last year's title clash.

World Brain Tumor Day

World Brain Tumor Day is observed on the June 8 every year with the objective of spreading awareness and educating people about the same.

Every year 40,000 to 50,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumors, out of which 20 per cent are children.

This day was first observed by German Brain Tumour Association (Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe e.V.)

 This is a non-profit organisation which raises public awareness and educates people about brain tumour.

Theresa May officially stepped down as leader of Conservative Party

Theresa May officially stepped down as leader of Conservative Party

British Prime Minister Theresa has officially stepped down as the leader of the Conservative Party but will remain as Prime Minister until her successor is chosen.

She had announced to resign on 24th of last month.

May has stepped down amid mounting pressure over her repeatedly defeated Brexit deal.

The formal Tory voting process will be triggered on Monday morning, with a new leader expected to be in place the week beginning of July 22.

May has been Prime Minister for nearly three years since she took over from David Cameron in the wake of the June 2016 Brexit referendum.

There are so far 11 hopefuls, including frontrunner Boris Johnson with other key contenders being seen as UK foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt and UK environment secretary Michael Gove.

The UK was originally meant to leave the European Union on 29 March but that was then pushed back to 12 April and eventually 31 October.

Gianni Infantino Reelected as FIFA president

Gianni Infantino Reelected  as FIFA  president

Gianni Infantino has been reelected president of FIFA  unopposed.

Gianni Infantino was reelected president of FIFA, global football's governing body, in Paris on Wednesday.

The 49-year-old took over the reins of FIFA in February 2016,

Infantino, a Swiss-Italian lawyer, now has  been reelected until 2023 

Giovanni Vincenzo "Gianni" Infantino is a Swiss–Italian football administrator and the current president of FIFA.

 He was elected President of FIFA during the 2016 FIFA Extraordinary Congress on 26 February 2016. He was reelected as FIFA President on 5 June 2019.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association is an organization which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. 

President: Gianni Infantino

Founded at: Paris, France

Membership: 211 national associations

Senior Vice-President: Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa (AFC)

Secretary General: Fatma Samoura

Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland

World Environment Day

World Environment Day

World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on the 5th of June every year, and is the United Nation's principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of our environment.

First held in 1974, it has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime.

WED has grown to become a global platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries annually.

Each year, WED has a new theme that major corporations, NGOs, communities, governments and celebrities worldwide adopt to advocate environmental causes.

the theme for 2019 is "Air pollution". The host nation is China

US imposed major new travel restrictions on its citizens visiting Cuba

US imposed major new travel restrictions on its citizens visiting Cuba

US has imposed major new travel restrictions on its citizens visiting Cuba, banning cruise ships and ending a heavily used form of educational travel as it seeks to further isolate the communist government.

The Treasury Department announced that the US will no longer allow cruises to Cuba or the group educational and cultural trips known as "people to people" travel to the island.

The new restrictions will come into effect from tomorrow.

 the measures are a response to  support for the government of President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.

Cruise ships have brought thousands of Americans to Cuba since the US began restoring full diplomatic relations with the communist government in December 2014 and have provided an important economic lifeline to the island.

Along with the cruise ships, the US will also now ban most private planes and boats from stopping in the island.

Commercial airline flights appear to be unaffected and travel for university groups, academic research, journalism and professional meetings will continue to be allowed.

World Bicycle Day

World Bicycle Day

In April 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared 3 June as International World Bicycle Day.

The resolution for World Bicycle Day recognizes "the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation

Professor Leszek Sibilski from the United States led a grassroots campaign with his Sociology class to promote a UN Resolution for World Bicycle Day, eventually gaining the support of Turkmenistan and 56 other countries.

The original UN Blue and White #June3WorldBicycleDay logo was designed by Isaac Feld and the accompanying animation was done by Professor John E. Swanson.

It depicts bicyclists of various types riding around the globe.

At the bottom of the logo is the hashtag #June3WorldBicycleDay. The main message is to show that the bicycle belongs to and serves all of humanity.

Global Day of Parents

Global Day of Parents

The Global Day of Parents is observed on the 1st of June every year. The Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2012 with resolution A/RES/66/292 and honours parents throughout the world.

The Global Day provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents in all parts of the world for their selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship.

Since the 1980s, the important role of the family has increasingly come to the attention of the international community.

The General Assembly adopted a number of resolutions, and proclaimed the International Year of the Family and the International Day of Families.

Emphasizing the critical role of parents in the rearing of children, the Global Day of Parents recognizes also that the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children.

For the full and harmonious development of their personality, children should grow up in a family environment and in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.

The central goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the world leaders in 2015, focus on ending poverty, promoting shared economic prosperity, social development and people’s well-being while protecting the environment

 Families remain at the centre of social life ensuring the well-being of their members, educating and socializing children and youth and caring for young and old.

2018–19 UEFA Champions League

2018–19 UEFA Champions League

The 2019 UEFA Champions League Final was the final match of the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League, the 64th season of Europe's premier club football tournament organised by UEFA, and the 27th season since it was rebranded the UEFA Champions League.

It was played at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain on 1 June 2019,  between English sides Tottenham Hotspur, in their first European Cup final, and Liverpool, in their ninth final overall and their second in a row, having been defeated by Real Madrid in 2018.

It was the seventh Champions League final—and the fourth of the decade—to feature two teams from the same association, and the second all-English final after 2008.

It was also the first final since 2013 to not feature at least one Spanish team, with Barcelona and Real Madrid having shared the previous five titles between them.


The 2018–19 UEFA Champions League was the 64th season of Europe's premier club football tournament organised by UEFA, and the 27th season since it was renamed from the European Champion Clubs' Cup to the UEFA Champions League. 
Top scorer: Lionel Messi
Champion: Liverpool F.C.
Dates: 26 Jun 2018 – 1 Jun 2019
Location: Europe
Matches played: 124
Goals scored: 364

Tanzania is the latest African nation to ban plastic bags

Tanzania is the latest African nation to ban plastic bags

A plastic bag ban comes into force in Tanzania as Africa leads efforts to stem the tide of plastic pollution.

Tanzania is banning the importation, production, sale and use of plastic bags.

It becomes the 34th African country to implement such restrictions, according to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

Tanzania, known for wildlife tourism, has also issued a notice to travellers that they will have to "surrender" plastic bags in their possession before entering the country.

Globally, 127 countries have some sort of plastic bag legislation.

91 of these include a ban or restriction on manufacturing, importation and retail distribution, according to the UNEP.