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- Montenegro becomes 29th and newest NATO member
Montenegro officially became the 29th member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization during a ceremony in Washington at the US State Department’s Treaty Room.
The US was one of the organization’s 12 founding members in 1949.
Montenegro has marked its pivot to the West by joining NATO despite Russia’s opposition.
- Pension for single-women launched in Telangana
The single women pension scheme providing Rs 1,000 financial assistance per month to single women was launched across Telangana.
Officials have identified 1,08,302 beneficiaries in 31 districts.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had earlier announced disbursement of pension of Rs 1,000 per month for single women, who have no support.
- India’s first public bicycle sharing project launched in Mysuru
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched India’s first public bicycle sharing (PBS) initiative ‘Trin Trin’ in Mysuru.
While more than 600 cities across the world were already providing bicycles as a commuting option, a number of cities in India including Bengaluru were planning to adopt the public bicycle sharing system.
However, Mysuru, a cultural and heritage city with a population of 12 lakh people, is the first city in India to have a public bicycle sharing system.
- J P Nadda launches ‘Skill for Life, Save a Life’ initiative
Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare launched the ‘Skill for Life, Save a Life’ initiative at a function.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Nadda said that India enjoys a demographic dividend as more than 65% youth are below the age of 35 years and the Government is determined to seize this opportunity by providing adequate skills and employability to the youth for a strong foundation for continued and sustainable growth.
‘Skills for Life, Save a Life’ Initiative’ aims to upscale the quantity and quality of trained professionals in the healthcare system.
Under this initiative various courses are planned to be initiated targeting specific competencies for healthcare professionals as well as for general public.
- ICICI Bank commissions solar-powered ATMs 200
ICICI Bank commissioned over 200 solar powered ATM sites in the last one year as part of its efforts to reduce carbon footprint and use more clean energy.
ICICI Bank has reduced its overall energy consumption in large offices and branches from 198 million units in 2013-14 to 164 million units in 2016-17, saving 34.2 million units in last three years, the bank said.
- India overtakes China to top global retail index: GRDI
India has surpassed China to secure the top position among 30 developing countries on ease of doing business, according to a study that cited India’s rapidly expanding economy, relaxation of FDI rules and a consumption boom as the key drivers.
The 2017 Global Retail Development Index (GRDI), ranks the top 30 developing countries for retail investment worldwide and analyses 25 macroeconomic and retail-specific variables.
The GRDI, titled ‘The Age of Focus’, ranks China in second place.
- SBI to organise mega farmers’ meet on June 8
Ahead of the kharif season, country’s largest lender State Bank of India said it will meet nearly 10,000 farmers to understand their credit need and provide finance.
The meeting will be organised at the bank’s 15,500 rural and semi-urban branches across the country on June 8.
During the meet, branches will receive applications for fresh loans as well as for renewal or enhancement of existing loan.
- Sher Bahadur Deuba elected new Nepal PM
Nepal’s parliament elected unopposed three-time former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to the top post once again.
This is the tenth time in just over a decade the leadership has changed hands in the Himalayan nation.
Former PM Prachanda had stepped down following a previous agreement.
This will be Deuba’s fourth stint as PM of the Himalayan country.
- Tendulkar joins UN campaign on fathers
Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar joins a roster of global celebrities, including David Beckham and Novak Djokovic, for a special UNICEF campaign that highlights the critical role played by fathers in children’s early development.
The UNICEF initiative ‘Super Dads celebrates fatherhood and highlights the importance of love, play, protection and good nutrition for the healthy development of young children’s brains.
The campaign features stars from the world of entertainment and sports including Academy Award winning American actor Mahershala Ali, British Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton and Australian actor Hugh Jackman.
- Authors Neelakantan, Satpathy to be honoured with Kalinga Awards
Popular writer Anand Neelakantan, Odia poet Haraprasad Das and author Paramita Satpathy were announced winners of the Kalinga Literary Awards.
The Kalinga International Literary Award, Kalinga Literary Youth Award and Kalinga Karubaki Award will be conferred upon Neelakantan, Das and Satpathy respectively.
- ‘Ministry of Utmost Happiness’ authored by Arundhati Roy launched
Arundhati Roy’s eagerly-awaited second novel ‘Ministry of Utmost Happiness’ goes on sale worldwide, two decades after her prize-winning debut The God of Small Things.
Roy became the first Indian woman to win the prestigious Booker Prize with her 1997 work, which sold around 8m copies and turned the young author into a star of the literary world.
Source:- Daily Current Affairs Capsule
