Tropical storm Erick

Tropical storm Erick

In the US, the National Hurricane Center has said that tropical storm Erick has grown in strength to a hurricane in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The storm is not expected to make landfall but parts of Hawaii could see increased wind gusts

ICC launched World Test Championship

ICC launched World Test Championship

The International Cricket Council (ICC) officially launched the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC), which will get underway on Thursday.

To be played over two years, the World Test Championship will witness the top nine Test teams in the world compete in 71 Test matches across 27 series.

The two top teams will then go head to head in the World Test Championship final to be held in the United Kingdom in 2021.

Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies are the nine teams that will battle it out for the top honours in the World Test Championship.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) first came up with the idea in 2009 and the championship was approved in 2010, with plans of hosting the first edition in 2013.

The tournament got postponed to 2017 and was cancelled later.

Finally, it was decided that the inaugural ICC World Test Championship will be played from 1st of next month to 30th April 30, 2021.

Every series in the championship will be worth 120 points, irrespective of the number of Tests.

Therefore, a team can score a maximum of 720 points in a cycle.

India will begin their campaign in the championship with the two-match Test series against the West Indies starting on 22nd of next month.

World Nature Conservation Day

World Nature Conservation Day

World Nature Conservation Day was observed on July 28, 2019

World Nature Conservation Day is being celebrated on July 28 all over the world for protecting natural resources and increasing awareness among the people in the society. 


The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1961, working in the field of the wilderness preservation, and the reduction of human impact on the environment

Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland

Founded: 29 April 1961, Morges, Switzerland

President Emeritus: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Founders: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Executives: Carter Roberts (CEO, President)
 

WHO said Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal & Thailand achieve Hepatitis B control

WHO said Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal & Thailand achieve Hepatitis B control

Bangladesh along with Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand in South-East Asia Region has been able to achieve Hepatitis B control.

The prevalence of the disease has come down to less than one per cent among five-year-old children says the WHO in its report published on Friday.

Preventing Hepatitis B infection in infancy substantially reduces chronic infections and cases of liver cancer and cirrhosis in adulthood.

US economy grew more slowly in 2018

US economy grew more slowly in 2018

The US economy grew less than previously thought last year, missing the target of 3%.

Revised official figures show that GDP expanded by 2.5% during 2018.

GDP grew at an annual rate of 2.1% between April and June, ahead of expectations but below 3.1% recorded in the first three months of the year.

Growth in the second quarter was better than the 1.8% expansion forecast, and was supported by stronger consumer spending and a jump in government spending.

However, the pace fell short of the first quarter as both foreign trade and business investment shrank

India, Saudi Arabia discussed bilateral hydrocarbon co-operation

India, Saudi Arabia discussed bilateral hydrocarbon co-operation

India held discussions  Saudi Arabia to further enhance bilateral hydrocarbon cooperation.

Both countries discussed further enhancing India-Saudi Arabia hydrocarbon cooperation to become a strong pillar of the existing overall strategic partnership between the two countries.

India discussed the current developments in the global oil and gas markets and raised India’s concerns on the recent increase in Asian Premium and the decision of OPEC Plus members on extending production cuts, leading to oil price volatility.

India highlighted the need for responsible and reasonable crude pricing in the larger interest of both consuming and producing countries.

US, China will hold trade talks next week

US, China will hold trade talks next week

In an effort to resolve the year-long trade dispute, US and Chinese officials will hold two-day talks in Shanghai next week.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will lead the US delegation.

It will be the first meeting since talks collapsed in May

Boris Johnson will take over as Prime Minister of Britain

Boris Johnson will take over as Prime Minister of Britain

The new leader of Conservative party Boris Johnson will take over as Prime Minister of Britain today.

 Mr Johnson is scheduled to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace where he will be invited to form a new government.

He is also expected to announce senior cabinet posts, including chancellor of the exchequer and home secretary.

Mr Johnson won a decisive victory over Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt for the party's leadership.

Women's Tennis world rankings

Women's Tennis world rankings 

In Tennis, the women's world rankings were unchanged today with Ashleigh Barty of Australia at number one.

Japan's Naomi Osaka is second with Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic third and Romania's Wimbledon champion Simona Halep fourth.

Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands rounds out the top five.

2019 Africa Cup of Nations

2019 Africa Cup of Nations

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations  known as the Total 2019 Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons, was the 32nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial international men's football championship of Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The tournament was hosted by Egypt.

The competition was held from 21 June to 19 July 2019, as per the decision of the CAF Executive Committee on 20 July 2017 to move the Africa Cup of Nations from January/February to June/July for the first time

 It was also the first Africa Cup of Nations expanded from 16 to 24 teams

Algeria defeated Senegal 1–0 in the final, winning their second title and first since 1990, while Nigeria came third after beating Tunisia 1–0 in their third-place play-off match.

US will increase surveillance in Middle East waterways

US will increase surveillance in Middle East waterways

The United States announced that the US Central Command(CENTCOM) is developing a multinational maritime effort to increase surveillance of and security in key waterways in the Middle East.

The effort, christened as Operation Sentinel

 it is developing a multinational maritime effort to ensure freedom of navigation in light of recent events in the Arabian Gulf region.

The goal of Operation Sentinel is to promote maritime stability, ensure safe passage in international waters throughout the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait (BAM) and the Gulf of Oman

this maritime security framework will enable nations to provide escort to their flagged vessels while taking advantage of the cooperation of participating nations for coordination and enhanced maritime domain awareness and surveillance.

ICC suspended Zimbabwe Cricket with immediate effect

ICC suspended Zimbabwe Cricket with immediate effect

The International Cricket Council, ICC has suspended Zimbabwe Cricket with immediate effect over violation of global body's constitution which doesn't allow any government intervention.

The current elected members of Zimbabwe Board were suspended by government agency Sports and Recreation Committee (SRC) which was a violation of relevant articles of ICC Constitution.

The ICC said in a statement that the ICC Board unanimously decided that Zimbabwe Cricket, an ICC Full Member, is in breach of the article which imposes an obligation on Members to provide a process for free and democratic elections and to ensure that there is no government interference in its governance and/or administration for cricket.

As a consequence of suspension, ICC funding to Zimbabwe Cricket will be frozen and representative teams from Zimbabwe will not be allowed to participate in any ICC events.

The ICC has directed that the elected Zimbabwe Cricket Board be reinstated to the office within three months and progress in this respect will be considered again at the October Board meeting.

The Croatia, Morocco and Zambia Cricket Union have both also been suspended for continuing to be non-compliant.

US will not sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey

US will not  sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey

United States has announced that the US would not sell the F-35 fighter jets to Turkey after Ankara purchased the S-400 missile defence system from sanctions-hit Russia.

The decision by the US Administration is against a major NATO ally

India has also signed up with Russia to buy the S-400 missile defence system against the advice of the US.

India inked an agreement with Russia in October last year to procure a batch of the S-400 missile systems at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore.

Under current US laws, any country purchasing a major defence equipment from Russia could be subjected to American sanctions.

However, US Congress has made amendments in the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for a Presidential waiver.

Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) received the first batch of the Russian missile defence system last Friday despite repeated warnings from the US against the purchase.

Christine Lagarde resigned as managing director of IMF

Christine Lagarde resigned as managing director of IMF

International Monetary Fund, IMF managing director Christine Lagarde has resigned ahead of a decision on her nomination to become head of the European Central Bank, ECB.

Her resignation has been accepted by the IMF Executive Board, which will come into effect from 12 September.

If the European Council approves Ms Lagarde's ECB nomination, she will become the central bank's first-ever female leader, responsible for the Euro and the monetary policy of the eurozone.

The former French cabinet minister has been heading the IMF since 2011.

20 million children missed out on potentially life-saving vaccinations in 2018 according to UN report

20 million children missed out on potentially life-saving vaccinations in 2018 according to UN report

United Nations today said almost 20 million children missed out on potentially life-saving vaccinations last year.

This comes as surging measles cases highlighted dangerous gaps in efforts to shield kids from preventable illness.

 In an annual report issued in Geneva, the World Health Organization and the UNICEF said last year, 19.4 million children were not fully vaccinated, up from 18.7 million in 2017 and about 18.5 million in 2016.

this all pointed to a dangerous stagnation of global vaccination rates, due to conflict, inequality and complacency.

some 350,000 measles cases were reported globally last year -- more than double the 2017 number.

this is a real-time indicator of the quest to expand vaccine coverage.

In April, the WHO said 2019 was set to be worse, with preliminary data showing reported measles cases in the first quarter 300 times higher than the same period in 2018.

Djokovic defeated Federer to win fifth Wimbledon title

Djokovic defeated Federer to win fifth Wimbledon title

Serbian Novak Djokovic won his fifth Wimbledon title after defeating Swiss tennis player Roger Federer 7-6, 1-6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12 in a match that lasted for more than four hours.

The match had to be decided in the fifth set, as both Federer and Djokovic won two sets each in the longest ever final to be played so far.

This is  Djokovic's 16th Grand Slam and 5th Wimbledon title.

He is now level with Bjorn Borg as a five-time Wimbledon winner.

France will celebrate national day on July 14th

France will celebrate national day on  July 14th

The French are preparing to mark their national day, known as July 14th in France and Bastille Day abroad, with European Union leaders joining the French president for the world's oldest military parade.

This year celebrates the 230th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris, a turning point in the French revolution that set the stage for the birth of the Republic.

Armed forces from France and allied countries will march, drive, ride and fly over the central Champs Elysee.

Leaders from key EU countries, including Germany and UK Prime Minister, have been invited to join President Emmanuel Macron

France has announced that he was creating a national military space force command that would eventually be part of his country's air force.

SBI's Anshula Kant appointed as World Bank MD and CFO

SBI's Anshula Kant appointed as World Bank MD and CFO

Anshula Kant, Managing Director of State Bank of India, has been appointed as MD and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank.

Anshula  Kant will be responsible for financial and risk management of the organisation.

Her work will include oversight of financial reporting, risk management, and working closely with the World Bank CEO on the mobilization of the International Development Association (IDA) and other financial resources.

IDA is the part of the World Bank that helps the world's poorest countries.

Anshula  Kant has more than 35 years of expertise in finance, banking and innovative use of technology.

 

French Senate approved digital services tax despite threats by US

French Senate approved digital services tax despite threats by US

The French senate approved a digital services tax despite threats of retaliation by the US, which argues that it unfairly targets American tech giants.

The 3 percent tax will be levied on sales generated in France by multinational firms like Google and Facebook.

The French government has argued that such firms headquartered outside the country pay little or no tax.

the US administration has ordered an inquiry into the move  which could result in retaliatory tariffs.

UK ambassador to US resigned

UK ambassador to US resigned

UK ambassador to the US Kim Darroch has resigned

Memos from Darroch were leaked to a British Sunday newspaper

Sir Nigel Kim Darroch KCMG is a senior British diplomat, who served as the British Ambassador to the United States from January 2016 until he resigned on 10 July 2019

Leonardo DiCaprio, Laurene Powell Jobs launch for new Earth Alliance to battle climate change

Leonardo DiCaprio, Laurene Powell Jobs launch for new Earth Alliance to battle climate change

Hollywood  actor Leonardo DiCaprio along with his environment charity are teaming up with  Laurene Powell Jobs and billionaire investor Brian Sheth to launch a new alliance to tackle climate change.

Leonardo DiCaprio who is also the founding co-chair will convert The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation into Earth Alliance as he combines with Powell and Sheth, who is a co-founder and president of the private equity fund Vista Equity Partners and also board chair of the Global Wildlife Conservation

Sheth also founded the Sheth Sangreal Foundation, which will completely look after the finance of the administrative costs of Earth Alliance.

DiCaprio's environmental charity which was founded in 1998, has handed out around $100 million in grants to tackle climate change around the world.

US imposed new duties on steel from China and Mexico

US imposed new duties on steel from China and Mexico

United States has announced fresh duties on some Mexican and Chinese steel goods, saying those countries helped their manufacturers with unfair subsidies.

The decision comes two months after US agreed to lift tariffs on steel and aluminium from Mexico and Canada after the three nations agreed on a revised North American free trade pact.

The action was in response to a grievance lodged in February by US steel producers. In its preliminary findings, US Commerce Department found Mexican and Chinese exporters of fabricated structural steel benefitted from subsidies ranging from 30 percent to 177 percent.

US customs agents will begin collecting import duties based on the subsidy rates, but the funds could be returned if officials later reverse the finding.

Citing purported threats to US national security, US last year announced global tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminium but in May agreed to lift them for Mexican and Canada.

US won 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

US won 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Final was the eighth final of the FIFA Women's World Cup, a quadrennial tournament contested by the women's national teams of the member associations of FIFA.

The match was played on 7 July 2019 at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Décines-Charpieu,  Lyon, France.

The final was contested by the United States, the defending champions, and the Netherlands, in their first final.

The United States won 2–0, earning their second consecutive and fourth overall Women's World Cup title

Both finalists were also the reigning champions of their respective confederation, with the United States having won the 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship and the Netherlands having won UEFA Women's Euro 2017.

 The final was played on the same day as the finals of the men's Copa América and CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup was the eighth edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup, the quadrennial international football championship contested by 24 women's national teams representing member associations of FIFA.

 It took place between 7 June and 7 July 2019, with 52 matches staged in nine cities in France, which was awarded the right to host the event in March 2015.

US became the second nation, after Germany, to have successfully retained the title.

International Co-operative Day

International Co-operative Day

International Co-operative Day is an annual celebration of the co-operative movement observed on the first Saturday in July since 1923 by the International Co-operative Alliance.

On December 16, 1992, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed in resolution 47/90 "the first Saturday of July 1995 to be International Day of Cooperatives, marking the centenary of the establishment of the International Cooperative Alliance.

 Since 1995 the United Nations' International Day of Co-operatives has been observed jointly alongside International Co-operative Day.

Co-operatives around the world celebrate the day in various fashions and each year the organising institutions agree on a theme for the celebrations.

The International Co-operative Alliance is a non-governmental co-operative federation or, more precisely, a co-operative union representing co-operatives and the co-operative movement worldwide. It was founded in 1895 to unite, represent and serve co-operatives worldwide. 

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Founded: 1895
Members: 313 federations

World's largest burn and plastic surgery institute started in Dhaka

World's largest burn and plastic surgery institute started in Dhaka

The world's largest burn and plastic surgery institute in Dhaka started functioning from yesterday.

about 6 lakh people suffer burn injuries in Bangladesh every year who will benefit from the institute.

Named Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, the 500-bed hospital with 50 ICU and 12 operation theatres will provide advanced treatment to burn patients in Bangladesh.

The institute has been built at a cost of over 500 crore Taka.

Duty Free shops at Dubai airports will accept Indian currency

Duty Free shops at Dubai airports will accept Indian currency

Dubai Duty Free has announced that Indian Rupee will now be an accepted currency at all the retail outlets of the Dubai airport.

However, the change, if any, will be given back in Dirhams and not the Indian currency.

Stores at the Dubai Airport will accept notes of various denominations, including 100s, 200s, 500s and 2000s.

The move makes the Indian rupee the 16th international currency to be accepted at Dubai's airports.

According to a report, out of the 90 million passengers who used Dubai's airports, 12 million of them travelled to or from Indian destinations.

Lee Iacocca

Lee Iacocca

Lido Anthony "Lee" Iacocca was an American automobile executive best known for the development of Ford Mustang and Pinto cars, while at the Ford Motor Company in the 1960s, and then later for reviving the Chrysler Corporation as its CEO during the 1980s

He served as President and CEO of Chrysler from 1978 and additionally as chairman from 1979, until his retirement at the end of 1992.

He was the only executive in recent times to preside over the operations of two of the Big Three automakers which he did during different tenures

Germany's Ursula von der Leyen nominated to lead EU Commission

Germany's Ursula von der Leyen nominated to lead EU Commission

European Union (EU) leaders have put forward their nominations for the bloc's top jobs

she is a first woman to be nomninated as European Commission Chief

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen has been nominated for the post to replace Jean-Claude Juncker.

The nomination came after the main front-runners were rejected.

Ursula was backed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Chief of International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde has been nominated as the first woman to head the European Central Bank.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel is nominated to replace European Council President Donald Tusk, while Spain's Foreign Minister Josep Borrell is proposed as Foreign Policy Chief.

In all, EU leaders were tasked with nominating five people for the top jobs.

The fifth key role - President of the European Parliament - is to be chosen tomorrow.

Possible candidates include German centre-right MEP Manfred Weber and Bulgarian socialist Sergei Stanishev.

Most of the roles must be ratified by Parliament.

Japan resumes commercial Whaling hunts

Japan resumes commercial Whaling  hunts

Whaling ships set sail on the first commercial hunts in decades,

 Japan ignored global outrage over its decision

Five vessels from whaling communities left port in northern Japan's Kushiro

Japan's decision to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission and resume commercial hunts was slammed by activists and anti-whaling countries

Whaling vessels were also leaving from other ports including in Shimonoseki in western Japan.

The country's Fisheries Agency said it had set a cap for a total catch of 227 whales through the season until late December, 52 minke, 150 Bryde's and 25 sei whales.

International Day of the Tropics

 International Day of the Tropics

 On 29 June 2014,  Aung San Suu Kyi launched the inaugural State of the Tropics Report.

The report is the culmination of a collaboration between twelve leading tropical research institutions, and offers a unique perspective on this increasingly important region.

Marking the anniversary of the report’s launch it was proposed that June 29 be inaugurated as the ‘International Day of the Tropics’.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/267 on 14 June 2016, which declared that 29 June of each year is to be observed as the International Day of the Tropics.

The international Day of the Tropics was designated to raise awareness to the specific challenges faced by tropical areas, the far-reaching implications of the issues affecting the world’s tropical zone and the need, at all levels, to raise awareness and to underline the important role that countries in the tropics will play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.