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- A DASTAK door to door campaign has been launched by the Uttar Pradesh State Government to eradicate Japanese Encephalitis. It was launched in association with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund). DASTAK campaign is part of the comprehensive Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) strategy embraced by state government to beat encephalitis.
- Tanzania has announced its withdrawal of United Nation’s “Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework” citing security reasons and lack of funds. Tanzani has long been considered as safe haven for refugees, particularly from conflict hit Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi. It has blamed international community for failing to release funds pledged to help Tanzania integrate refugees.
- India’s financial capital Mumbai, with a total wealth of US $950 billion was ranked 12th richest city globally in the report published by New World Wealth. In the report, total wealth, refers to private wealth held by all individuals living in each city. It includes all their assets (cash, equities, property, business interests etc.) less any liabilities. Government funds are excluded from it.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone-laying ceremony for construction of first traditional Hindu temple in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, the capital city of United Arab Emirates(UAE). India and Oman have signed eight Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) in different areas including defence, health and tourism. The MoUs were inked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden visit to Oman.
- Indian state oil firms consortium led by ONGC have acquired 10% stake in Abu Dhabi’s offshore Lower Zakum Concession for $600 million.
- Three new species of eel were discovered by scientists from the Zoological Survey of India along northern Bay of Bengal coast. They are Gymnothorax pseudotile, Gymnothorax visakhaensis and Enchelycore propinqua.
- The sale of loose cigarettes has been banned by the Bihar Government in the state. This decision aims to be deterrent to kids and youngsters who start smoking by buying loose cigarettes. Bihar is the 12th state in the country to bring such a ban into effect after Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi and others.
- NITI Aayog has made strong case for setting up independent Debt Management Office for better servicing of loans that will lead to substantial reduction in India’s interest payment. At present, government debt, including market borrowing, is managed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Setting up independent Debt Management Office will help to resolve issues relating to conflict of interest as RBI decides on key interest rates as well as undertakes buying and selling of government bonds.
Thanks a ton