ASSAM
- Assam pacts with AFD to restore its forest
- AssamState government signed an agreement worth50 million euros (Rs.400 crore) with the French Development Agency (AFD). The agreement aims to help restore the state’s forests and preserve its biodiversity. The project reaffirmed the commitment of the two countries towards the restoration and preservation of rich and diverse natural ecosystems. The budget allocated for the second phase by the state for the project is Rs.500 crore.
- The partnership marked the launch of the second phase of theAssam Project for Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC).
- APFBC will reforest an additional 12,000 hectares, scale-up efforts in biodiversity conservation and skill the members of 135 more communities in different trades.
- The agreement will strive to build capacities of the state’s forest department, particularity the state’s frontline staff.
INTERNATIONAL
- UNESCO designates Mumbai as member of UCCN in field of Films, Hyderabad in field of Gastronomy
- UNESCO has designated Mumbai as a member of UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of Film and Hyderabad in the field of Gastronomy.
- UCCN, created in 2004, is a network of cities which are thriving, active centres of cultural activities in their respective countries.
- The UNESCO Creative Cities Network now counts a total of 246 cities.
- The member cities that form part of the Network come from all continents and regions with different income levels and populations.
- The 7 categories for recognition under UCCN are Crafts and Folk Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Music, Media Arts and Literature.
- Previously, 3 Indian cities were recognized as members of UCCN, namely- Jaipur-Crafts and Folk Arts (2015), Varanasi-Creative city of Music (2015), Chennai-Creative city of Music (2017).
· India, Uzbekistan to sign MoUs for military medicine and military education
- India and Uzbekistan are planning to sign two memorandum of understanding (MOUs) concerning military medicine and military education. The 2 MoUs were signed during the three-day visit of the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Uzbekistan, the Central Asian nation.
- Rajnath Singh paid tributes at a memorial of former Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in Tashkent.
- He represented India at the Council of Heads of Government meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
NATIONAL
- Govt to set up anti-human trafficking units in all districts using Nirbhaya Fund
- The government will set up anti-human trafficking units in all districts with the help of the Nirbhaya Fund.
- This initiative will strengthen women safety and instil a greater sense of security among them.
- Mrs Irani expressed her gratitude to Home Minister Amit Shah for speedy intervention and ensuring efficacy in fructifying these initiatives.
- The empowered committee (EC) under the Nirbhaya framework has recommended setting up anti-human trafficking units and women help desks at a cost of 100 crore rupees each to be fully funded by the centre.
- Nirbhaya Fund was announced by the Centre in 2013 to support the initiatives of the government and the NGOs working towards the safety of women.
- Govt releases maps of newly-created UTs of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh
- The government released the maps of newly created union territories of Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh and the map of India depicting these union territories.
- The new map shows 28 states and nine union territories after the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The new union territories of Ladakh consists of two districts of Kargil and Leh and the rest of the districts of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir are in the newly created union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- ‘41% milk samples unfit for consumption’
- In a nation-wide study conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the apex food regulating body found 41% of the milk samples collected from Maharashtra were unfit for human consumption.
- To evaluate the quality of milk, FSSAI collected 6,432 samples from across 1,103 cities across the country. In Maharashtra, which produces 10,402 tonnes of milk each year, the FSSAI collected 678 samples from 98 towns. Out of these, 276 were found to be non-compliant with respect to quality and safety standards for consumption.
- South Africa defeat England to lift Rugby World Cup
- South Africa lifted the Rugby World Cup a record-equalling third time.
- It won the cup after a convincing 32-12 victory over England.
- Twenty-two points by Handre Pollard and second-half tries from wingers Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe ensured a comfortable win for the Springboks at the International Stadium Yokohama in Japan.