- Romanian President appoints Mihai Tudose as Prime Minister
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis appointed Social Democrat Mihai Tudose, candidate proposed by the parliamentary majority, as Prime Minister and mandated him to form a new government. Tudose was officially validated as proposal for the Prime Minister office by the National Executive Committee convention of the main ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD).
Tudose, 50, is the acting Minister of Economy in the government led by Sorin Grindeanu which was dismissed by a motion of censure last week. He had been in the same position from December 2014 to November 2015.
- Priyanka Chopra appointed as ambassador for Government’s Skill India campaign
Actress Priyanka Chopra will soon be seen endorsing government’s Flagship Skill India campaign, with the National Skill Development Corporation roping in the Bollywood celebrity as an ambassador for the initiative. The former Miss World and Bollywood star who is now making waves in Hollywood with her acting prowess, herself expressed interest in the initiative and will collaborate on a pro bono basis.
- Govt gives approval for disinvestment of Air India
The government has gave an in-principle approval to the disinvestment of Air India, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced after a Cabinet meeting. A Group of Ministers (GoM) will be formed to look into the disinvestment which will decide on the quantum of disinvestment. The Tata Group in partnership with Singapore Airlines is interested in buying India’s national carrier Air India from the government.
- Odisha to set up blood bank for cattle
Odisha is all set to become the first state in the country to have a blood bank for the cattle. Stating this, the Vice-chancellor of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) Surendra Nath Pasupalak said that the first of its kind blood bank would be established on the premises of OUAT at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.25 crore.
Mr. Pasupalak said a proposal in this regard was earlier submitted to the National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP). After approval from the NADP, the OUAT is now awaiting approval from the state government.
- 7th Pay Commission recommendations on allowances approved
The Union cabinet approved the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission for higher allowances, including house rent allowance (HRA). The HRA that has been approved will be 24%, 16% and 8% of the new basic pay, depending on the type of city. The HRA revision will benefit more than 7.5 lakh employees. HRA constitutes 60% of the total allowance of a government employee’s pay.
- UP govt signs pact with ADB for strengthening of roads
Uttar Pradesh Government has signed an agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a loan of 1950 crore rupees for strengthening of roads in different district. The agreement was signed at Lucknow in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and ADB President Takehiko Nakao.
As per agreement, ADB will provide the loan amount for Uttar Pradesh Main District Roads Development Project of 2782 crore rupees cost. State government will spend 832 crore rupees form its own resources on the project. Project is scheduled to be completed by 2024 and ADB will provide the loan for the period of 25 years on the interest rate of 2 percent.
- Cabinet approves MoU between India and Israel on National Campaign for Water Conservation in India
The Union Cabinet has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Israel on National Campaign for Water Conservation in India. The two countries shall work to enhance cooperation at the national, regional and international level to design, implement and monitor a professionally-designed National Water Conservation campaign in India.
- Cabinet approves signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between India and the United States of America on Homeland Security
The Union Cabinet has approved signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between India and the United States of America on Homeland Security. The Memorandum of Cooperation will further strengthen bilateral security relations between India and the USA and will also help in coordination and interactions among the six Sub-Groups that are proposed to be formed under Homeland Security Dialogue between the two countries.
- Cabinet approves recommendations of the 7th CPC on allowances
The Union Cabinet has approved the recommendations of the 7th CPC on allowances with some modifications. The revised rates of the allowances shall come into effect from 1st July, 2017 and shall affect more than 48 lakh central government employees.
- Cabinet gives ‘in principle’ approval for disinvestment of Air India and five of its subsidiaries
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval to fourth tranche recommendations of NITI Aayog on strategic disinvestment of CPSE (strategic disinvestment of Air India and five of its subsidiaries) based on the recommendations of Core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment (CGD).
- UNESCO names Sharjah named World Book Capital
The Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova named the UAE emirate of Sharjah the World Book Capital for 2019. According to a UNESCO statement, the city was selected because of its innovative and inclusive application, with a community-focused activity program containing creative proposals to engage the very large migrant population.
Sharjah’s objective is to strengthen the UAE’s reading culture and generate new opportunities to meet the challenge of literary creation in the region and the rest of the Arab world.
The city will also launch Sharjah Publishing City – the first publishing and printing house in the region developed to meet the needs of companies and institutions operating in the publishing field.
- China launches its biggest new generation naval destroyer
China’s military has launched its biggest new generation destroyer weighing 10,000 tonnes as part of a massive expansion to become a global naval power. The Navy’s new destroyer, a domestically designed and produced vessel, was launched at the Jiangnan Shipyard (Group), Shanghai.
The vessel is the first of China’s new generation of destroyers. It is equipped with new air defence, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The vessel marks a milestone in improving the nation’s Navy armament system and building a strong and modern Navy.
- Roger Federer has clinched his ninth Halle Open title
Swiss legend Roger Federer has clinched his ninth Halle Open title after beating hapless Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-3 in the final. The top seed Roger Federer showed no mercy with fourth seed Alexander Zverev after wrapping up his ninth title in his 11th Halle final within 53 minutes.
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