✈INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. The Serum Insititute of India (SII) hopes to introduce Covavax in the country by September which is a version of the US firm Novavax’s COVID19 vaccine candidate* . SII also plans to start clinical trials of the Novavax shot for children in July.
2. China is, reportedly, conducting final trials of its mysterious Xian H-20 strategic stealth bomber at its Hotan airbase, near eastern Ladakh and will continue till June 22, the day that marks 100 years of the formation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
3. India and Sri Lanka share close ties in defense and security. The camaraderie and close cooperation between the Armed Forces of India and Sri Lanka extend way beyond the boundaries of the two countries.
In one such example 135 Indian and 103 Sri Lankan peacekeepers from the two countries serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) received medals of recognition from the UN Force Commander in Bor earlier this week for their contribution.
4. Mehul Choksi remanded to state prison in Dominica, but to remain in hospital. His legal team had submitted a medical certificate from doctors at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, where Choksi is undergoing treatment.
Choksi is wanted in India in a case of loan fraud worth about ₹13,500 crore in the state-run Punjab National Bank.
5. Microsoft’s India-born CEO Satya Nadella has been named the company’s Chairman, an additional role in which he will lead the work to set the agenda for the board. Nadella will succeeds Thompson.
🌎WORLD NEWS🌍
1. Nepal Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli defended his government’s controversial decision to dissolve the House of Representatives and told the Supreme Court that it is not up to the judiciary to appoint a Premier as it cannot undertake the legislative and the executive functions of the state.
2. Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari, at the recommendation of PM Oli, dissolved the House for the 2nd time in five months on 22nd of May and announced snap elections on 12th and 19th November. Nepal PM Oli is heading a minority govt after losing a trust vote in the house.
3. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has formally acknowledged that the country is facing food shortages. Addressing a meeting of senior leaders, Kim said the people’s food situation is now getting tense.
He said the agricultural sector had failed to meet its grain targets because of last year’s typhoons. On the other side, North Korea has closed its borders to contain the spread of COVID-19. Trade with China has plummeted as a result. North Korea relies on China for food, fertiliser and fuel.
4. Bangladesh improved its position by seven notches in the Global Peace Index 2021 compiled by the Institute of Economics & Peace (IEP) based in Sydney, Australia.
15th edition ranking 163 countries according to country peacefulness, the Index placed Bangladesh at 91st position compared to 98th last year.
Bangladesh has scored an overall score of 2.68 making it the third most peaceful country in South Asia placed behind Bhutan and Nepal. Afghanistan has been ranked as the least peaceful country in the South Asian region.
5. 18 June – International Picnic Day
International Picnic Day is celebrated on 18 June every year. This is a day to enjoy in nature, with your near and dear ones.
6. Zambia’s first president Kenneth Kaunda dies at 97; PM Modi offers condolences. Zambia will have 21 days of mourning.
Kaunda was a leader of the campaign that ended British colonial rule and he became Zambia’s first democratically elected president in 1964. He led the country, which became a one-party state, until 1991.
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Ch. Naveen Kumar |
