- UNICEF names a refugee as goodwill ambassador for first time
The UN children’s agency has announced the appointment of its youngest goodwill ambassador — 19-year-old Syrian refugee and education activist Muzoon Almellehan. Unicef said she received support from the agency while she was living in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. She follows in the footsteps the late actress and goodwill ambassador Audrey Hepburn who was also supported by Unicef as a child.
- Harshvardhan Launches Mobile App “Celebrating Yoga”
Two days ahead of the International Yoga Day, the Centre has launched a mobile app to connect people through Yoga for scientific healthy living. The app was launched by Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Harshvardhan in New Delhi. Developed by Department of Science and Technology, the app aims to popularise Yoga and encourage people to participate in it for a scientifically healthy living.
- ADB to provide $275 mn loan for water supply project in MP
Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $275 million loan for a piped water supply project for rapidly urbanising small towns, covering 3 lakh households, in Madhya Pradesh. The state government will provide a $124 million counterpart support for the project which is estimated to be completed by June 2022.
The loan agreement for $275 million has been signed between ADB and the central government for the project that aims to improve urban services to about 3 lakh households in 64 small towns in Madhya Pradesh.
- Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind resigns
Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind has resigned from the gubernatorial post. The resignation follows his nomination as the National Democratic Alliance’s presidential candidate. President Pranab Mukherjee has accepted the resignation, a communiqué issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said on June 20.
West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi will discharge the functions of the Governor of Bihar, in addition to his own duties.
- Indian Delegation at 2017 BIO International Convention
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) BIO 2017 is being held in the San Diego Convention Centre, San Diego from 19th June to 22nd June, 2017. The Indian delegation taking part in the BIO 2017, is being led by Shri Y S Chowdary, Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences. As a part of his program, the Minister visited Jacob School of Engineering, University of California San Diego Campus on 19th June, 2017 to interact with Indian students and the local faculty, many of whom have roots in India.
- India ratifies United Nations TIR Convention
India was became the 71st country to ratify the United Nations TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) Convention, a move that will help boost trade through smoother movement of goods across territories. The ratification is a part of India’s multi-modal transport strategy that aims to integrate the economy with global and regional production networks through better connectivity.
- Govt ropes in Amitabh Bachchan as GST brand ambassador
The Union government has roped in actor Amitabh Bachchan to promote the Goods and Services Tax (GST), ahead of its implementation from July 1. The Central Board of Excise and Customs will make the 74-year-old star the brand ambassador of the GST. A 40-second video featuring him had been shot and is being circulated.
- Hike Messenger partners with YES Bank to launch in-app Wallet
Hike Messenger has launched the new version of the app with a completely new interface and the addition of a mobile wallet, in partnership with YES Bank. The app now also allows users to recharge their phones and pay their postpaid bill right from inside Hike. This removes the need to have one more app just for paying mobile bills, thereby saving space on their phone and removing the need for them to add yet another app.
- June 20, 2017: Refugee Day
World Refugee Day 2017 will be celebrated all through the world by the people on 20th of June. World Refugee Day is observed every year by the people on 20th of June in order to raise the public awareness about refugee’s situations throughout the world. Celebrating World Refugee Day annually on 20th of June was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in the Resolution 55/76 on 4th of December in 2000. It was started celebrating worldwide as an annual event from 2001 on every 20th of June.
Theme: Let’s us sign a petition with refugees
- Mangalyaan completes 1000 Earth days in its orbit
India’s celebrated Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) completes 1000 earth days in orbit, which is more than 5 times the number of days it was designated to last. It has outlived its original lifespan but not its utility.
The MOM was launched on November 5, 2013 and entered the orbit of the fiery red planet on September 24, 2014, in its first attempt. The feat was lauded globally not just for the mission’s success in its first go but also because it came at a fraction of the cost of similar space missions launched by bodies such as NASA and the European Space Agency.
- BankBazzar.com opens office in Malaysia
Online financial services marketplace BankBazaar said it is beginning operations in Malaysia, strengthening its presence in South East Asia. Further, to scale and steer its international operations, BankBazaar has appointed former Visa employee Vipin Kalra to lead the business growth internationally.
- First US-China diplomatic, security dialogue in Washington
China and the United States will hold their first diplomatic and security dialogue in Washington. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary James Mattis will co-chair the dialogue.
The dialogue will be essential for managing and resolving disputes by increasing mutual trust and seeking a consensus, as differences continue to define the two countries’ security relationship
- Flipkart launches its first fashion private label Divastri
As it looks to maintain a lead over global rival Amazon in the online fashion space, Flipkart launched its first private label fashion brand Divastri. Divastri will offer a range of Bollywood- and celebrity-inspired ethnic wear. Flipkart’s subsidiaries Myntra and Jabong have a number of successful private labels such as Roadster and HRX. However, these labels largely cater to the western wear segment.
- Anil Kumble decides to step down as Team India head coach
Anil Kumble, a distinguished achiever as a player and as head coach of the Indian team for the last one year delivering outstanding results, has chosen to part ways from the National team with great dignity, but not in circumstances that he would have wished for.
From the time the 46-year-old took over the mantle of head coach in July 2016, with the first assignment in the West Indies, until the long home international season that culminated with the Test series against Australia, the cricketing fraternity felt that the Virat Kohli–Kumble combination worked wonders for the betterment of the Indian cricket.
- Veteran actor Amrit Pal passes away aged 76
Veteran actor who was often seen as a villain in the 80s and 90s, Amrit Pal, passed away in Mumbai. He was 76. Amrit Pal had acted in more than 100 films, he started his career in Bollywood with a Hindi film called Jaal as a villain.
- Vanuatu’s President Baldwin Lonsdale passes away
Baldwin, who had served as President since September 2014, died at the age of 67. Lonsdale, a civil servant before becoming an Anglican priest, was elected to the presidency in 2014.
Lonsdale, who sacked his government two years ago over a massive corruption scandal, passed away in the Pacific island nation’s capital of Port Vila.
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