 A UN-backed fund has approved more than 1 billion dollars for 19 new projects to help developing countries tackle climate change. Officials overseeing the South Korea-based Green Climate Fund stated the funding approved at the meeting in Manama includes projects linked to geothermal energy in Indonesia, greener cities in Europe and West Asia, and protection for coastal communities in India.
About the Green Climate Fund:
|
| Source- AIR World Service |
 The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu commenced his visit to Belgium to attend the two-day 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels, Belgium. This was the first multi-lateral summit the Vice President attended after taking office in August 2017. The Vice President also participated in the Plenary Session. On the sidelines of the meeting, VP Naidu held bilateral meetings with the Heads of State/Government from other countries. The 2-day long 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit was held in Brussels, Belgium. Indian delegation was led by Mr Venkaiah Naidu. The theme of this years’ ASEM Summit was “Global Partners for Global Challenges”. It was hosted by the European Union and was chaired by the President of the European Council Donald Tusk. The 12th ASEM Agenda for 2018 prioritized issues like, Connectivity, trade and investment, sustainable development, climate change terrorism, migration, maritime security and cyberspace. Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu also held bilateral meeting with Mr. Alexis Tsipras, the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Antonio Costa, the Prime Minister of Portugal and Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain in Brussels. |
 The Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) will form new government in Bhutan. The party has won 30 seats in 47 member National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament. The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) has got remaining 17 seats. The Election Commission of Bhutan has formally announced the results of the parliamentary elections. According to the commission, 71.46% polling was recorded in the third general election. This is the first time in Bhutan’s decade old parliamentary democracy that a new party has been chosen to form the government. |
| Source- New on AIR |
 Canada has become the second country after Uruguay to legalize possession and use of recreational cannabis. Canadians can now grow up to four plants in their own home and carry up to 30 grams of dried cannabis for personal use. Cannabis possession first became a crime in Canada in 1923 but medical use has been legal since 2001. |
| Source- The Livemint |
 India and China have launched their first joint programme for Afghanistan to train its diplomats. According to the Indian Embassy in Beijing, Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Vinay Kumar hosted 10 Afghan Diplomats who will be travelling to India for the 1st India-China joint training programme for Afghan diplomats under the aegis of the Trilateral Cooperation between India, China and Afghanistan. |
| Source- AIR World Service |
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the world’s largest financial technology festival Fintech in Singapore. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister stated Fintech is a celebration of belief in the spirit of innovation and power of technology. Mr Modi is the first Head of Government to deliver his address at Singapore in the event. About 30 thousand people attended the keynote address of Mr. Modi at this Festival. |
| Source- The Indian Express |
 India has been elected to the United Nations' Human Rights Council with the highest vote among all candidates. It secured 188 votes in the Asia-Pacific category for a period of three years beginning January 1, 2019. India's win with the highest number of votes reflects the country's standing in the international comity. The 18 new members were elected by the absolute majority through a secret ballot. India got the highest number of votes among all 18 countries in the five regional categories. In the Asia Pacific category, India got 188 votes followed by Fiji with 187 and Bangladesh 178 votes. |
| Source- News On AIR |
 In Malaysia, the cabinet decided to abolish the death penalty. Communications and multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo stated that the government decided to scrap capital punishment following strong domestic opposition to the practice. Capital punishment in Malaysia is currently mandatory for murder, kidnapping, possession of firearms and drug trafficking, among other crimes. |
| Source- News On AIR |
 Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has left for Paris on a three-day visit to France. Ms Sitharaman will hold wide-ranging talks with her French counterpart Florence Parly on ways to deepen strategic cooperation between the two countries and also deliberate on major regional and global issues of mutual interests. During the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, the two countries decided to expand strategic ties and deepen counter-terror cooperation. The two sides also inked a strategic pact providing for the use of each other’s military facilities including opening naval bases to warships. |
| Source- News On AIR |
 Ukraine began a series of large-scale air force exercises with the United States and other NATO countries. The "Clear Sky 2018" war games are being held in western Ukraine. Some 700 troops are taking part, half of them from NATO member countries including the United States, Britain, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania. The aim is to enhance regional capabilities to secure air sovereignty and promote peace and security through cooperation. |
| Source- france24 |
You need to login to perform this action.
You will be redirected in
3 sec
