NAMASKAR! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective on All India Radio. This is PALLAVI MANCHANDA and with me is RENUKA bringing glimpses of the major developments of the day from across the globe. Over the next half an hour, we shall bring you the latest from the world of politics, economy, sports, entertainment and more.

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THE HEADLINES::

• Global initiative ‘Lifestyle for Environment Movement launched by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day; Calls for human centric and collective efforts that further sustainable development.

• Western nations are exploiting  more resources of earth and are responsible for largest carbon emissions, says Prime Minister Modi.

• India's Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu holds delegation-level talks with Qatar Prime Minister in Doha; Reviews bilateral ties.

• In Bangladesh, at least 37 people killed and around four hundred injured in a fire at a container depot near Chattogram port.

• Russian President Vladimir Putin warns West against supplying longer-range missiles to Ukraine.

• Rafael Nadal wins 14th Men's singles title of French Open tennis beating Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in the final.

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EVE PM-LiFE

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the challenges of planet earth are well-known to all and the need of the hour is human-centric, collective efforts and robust action that further sustainable development. Launching a global initiative Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) Movement, on the occasion of World Environment Day on 5th June through video conferencing, Mr Modi said, the vision of LiFE is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it and those who live such a lifestyle are called Pro-Planet People. He said, Mission LiFE borrows from the past, operates in the present and focuses on the future. The Prime Minister said, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the concepts woven in our life and  circular economy has been an integral part of our culture and lifestyle. He said, thanks to our 1.3 billion Indians, India has been able to do many good things for the environment in the country. The forest cover in the country is increasing and also the population of lions, tigers, leopards, elephants and rhinos. India has achieved 10 per cent ethanol blending in petrol, five months ahead of the November 2022 target. The Prime Minister said, India's commitment to reach 40 per cent of installed electric capacity from non-fossil -fuel based sources has been achieved, nine years ahead of schedule.

Mr Modi called upon people to follow the principle of reuse, reduce and recycle.

The launch initiated ‘LiFE Global Call for Papers’ inviting ideas and suggestions from academics, universities and research institutions to influence and persuade individuals, communities and organisations across the world to adopt an environment conscious lifestyle.

The idea of LiFE was introduced by Prime Minister Modi during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties COP-26 in Glasgow last year. The idea promotes an environment conscious lifestyle that focuses on mindful and deliberate utilisation instead of mindless and destructive consumption. The programme also witnessed participation of Co-Chairman Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates, Climate Economist Lord Nicholas Stern, Author of Nudge Theory Prof. Cass Sunstein, CEO and President World Resources Institute Aniruddha Dasgupta, UNEP Global Head Ms. Inger Andersen, UNDP Global Head Achim Steiner, World Bank President David Malpass among others. 

Mr Gates said that he was inspired by India's leadership and efforts to curb rising emissions.

Prof. Cass Sunstein said that India and Prime Minister Modi have been the world leaders with respect to environmental protection and climate change and human behaviour and ‘many of us are looking at India for inspiration and ideas.

Ms Inger Andersen also spoke on the occasion and welcomed the launch of LiFE by Prime Minister Modi.

Mr Achim Steiner said that countries like India are serving as kinetic energy behind the decisive climate action on the world stage. That includes its work through cutting edge initiatives like International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and One Sun One World One Grid.

Lord Nicholas Stern recalled Prime Minister’s landmark speech at CoP 26 at Glasgow to set out an inspiring vision of a new path of development.

Mr Malpass recalled the words of Indian scriptures on the centrality of the environment in the Indian ethos. He also praised India’s local initiatives like POSHAN, ASHA, and Swachh Bharat people helping in financial inclusion and localising the initiative.

Indian Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant were present on the occasion.

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PM-SAVE SOIL

Earlier, addressing a programme on ‘Save Soil Movement’ in New Delhi on the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister Modi said, India's efforts to protect the environment have been multifaceted even though the country's role in climate change is negligible. He said, the developed western nations are not only exploiting more and more resources of the earth but also responsible for the largest carbon emissions.

The World Environment Day is observed every year on 5th of June to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth. The theme of this year's World Environment Day is - 'Only One Earth''.

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VP-QATAR

India's Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who is in Qatar on the last leg of his ongoing three-nation tour, held delegation level talks with Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Qatar on Sunday. He also called on Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Father of Amir of Qatar. Highlighting that India and Qatar have historic ties built on mutual trust and respect, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, hoped that more investments can be made by Qatar in India and more industrial and business houses can establish economic ties with Qatar.  The Vice President and father of Amir agreed that there is a huge potential to diversify trade between the two countries, have comprehensive energy partnership and a mutually beneficial investment partnership between India and Qatar.

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INDIA-QATAR

The Ambassador of India in Qatar Dr Deepak Mittal had a meeting in the Foreign Office in Doha  on Sunday in which concerns were raised with regard to some offensive tweets by individuals in India denigrating the religious personality. The Ambassador conveyed that the tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India and these are the views of fringe elements.

The Ambassador said, in line with the civilisational heritage and strong cultural traditions of unity in diversity, India accords the highest respect to all religions. He said, strong action has already been taken against those who made the derogatory remarks.

A statement issued by the Embassy said, vested interests that are against India - Qatar relations have been inciting the people using these derogatory comments and we should work together against such mischievous elements who aim to undercut the strength of the bilateral ties.

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BANGLADESH:FIRE

In Bangladesh, the death toll in the Inland Container Depot fire at Sitakunda near the Chattogram port has risen to 37 with more bodies brought to the Chattogram Medical College and Hospital in the afternoon on Sunday. At least 5 firefighters are also included among the people who lost their lives during the devastating fire that started Saturday night. No official figures are available about the number of injured but various sources put the number between 300-400 including more than a dozen firemen and police personnel. The death toll is likely to rise as several of the people brought to the hospital at Chattogram are in a serious condition.

The fire is believed to have originated from a container storing highly inflammable chemicals for export. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed profound shock and sorrow at the loss of lives and injuries in the BM Container depot fire. 

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JAISHANKAR-CZECH REPUBLIC

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar began his engagements in Prague by meeting a delegation of Czech Members of European Parliament on Sunday. In a tweet, Dr Jaishankar said, there was a good discussion on India's ties with European Union and the Czech Republic, the Indo-Pacific, food and energy security and digital cooperation.

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PUTIN-WEST-UKRAINE

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the West that Russia would strike new targets if the United States started supplying Ukraine with longer-range missiles. According to TASS news agency report, Mr Putin said that if such missiles are supplied,

Russia will strike at those targets which they have not yet been hitting. He said, the fuss around Western weapon supplies to Ukraine was designed to drag out the conflict. In an excerpt of an interview with Rossiya-1 state television channel, he claimed that Russian anti-aircraft forces have shot down dozens of Ukrainian weapons.

Ukraine has been seeking Multiple Rocket Launch Systems (MLRS) to strike troops and weapons stockpiles at the Russian forces' rear. U.S. President Joe Biden announced plans this week to give Ukraine precision HIMARS rocket systems after receiving assurances from Kyiv that it would not use them to hit targets inside Russia.

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CHINA-MISSION

China launched its third manned mission to its under-construction space station on Sunday, sending another three astronauts to continue the final stages of the construction work at the Tiangong Space Station's Tianhe core module for six months before returning to Earth in December. China plans to have Tiangong Space Station fully crewed and operational by December 2022.

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HOTSPOT

In today's hotspot section, we bring you a discussion eight years of service, Good Governance and Welfare of the poor-  Economy and Reforms.

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for quick news updates, round the clock, follow us on Twitter @airnewsalerts. 

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FRENCH OPEN

In French Open tennis, Spaniard Rafael Nadal has won 14th singles title of the tournament beating Casper Ruud of Norway 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in the final. With this victory, 36 year old Nadal has become the oldest champion at Roland Garros. It is his 22nd Grand Slam title.

In women's singles, World Number One Tennis player Iga Swiatek clinched this year's title beating US teenager Coco Gauf at Paris last evening. The 21-year old polish player won her second Grand Slam title in straight sets 6-1, 6-3 over Gauff who was making her first final appearance at the clay-court Slam.

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FPR

Now let us take a look at the major developments around the world, as reported in the Foreign Press.

First we have a look at the press reports on China.

• CNN reports, China launched the third manned mission to its new space station on Sunday, sending three astronauts who will continue construction work for six months.

• VOA writes that China is expected to Mount Strong Defense Against US-Backed Maritime Surveillance.

• The Klaxon, an investigative Australian newspaper reported that they have obtained images and details of China’s airforce and army conducting secretive exercises on its North-Eastern border with Russia along the Ussuri River.

Now let's have a look at the press reports on Nepal.

• The Kathmandu Post writes that in Nepal general elections will be held within November or mid-December this year.

• KhabarHub reports that the ‘Nepal Chamber Expo-2022’ will be held at Bhrikuti Mandap exhibition center from June 16 to 20. Goods produced in Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries will be displayed in the fair.

Now let's have a look at the press reports on Pakistan.

• As per GEO news, a special court in Lahore extended on Saturday the interim bail of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz till June 11 in the 16 billion rupees money laundering case filed against them by the Federal Investigation Agency.

Now let's have a look at the press reports on Bangladesh.

• Bangladesh Information Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud has said that the inquiry will reveal whether Chattogram container depot fire is an accident or sabotage, reports Daily Star.

• The banking sector of Bangladesh experienced a sharp rise in bad loans between January to March quarter, reports Business Standard.

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CHINA-MISSION

China launched its third manned mission to its under-construction space station on Sunday, sending another three astronauts to continue the final stages of the construction work at the Tiangong Space Station's Tianhe core module for six months before returning to Earth in December. China plans to have Tiangong Space Station fully crewed and operational by December 2022.

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A QUICK LOOK AT THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN -

• Global initiative ‘Lifestyle for Environment Movement launched by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day; Calls for human centric and collective efforts that further sustainable development.

• Western nations are exploiting  more resources of earth and are responsible for largest carbon emissions, says Prime Minister Modi.

• India's Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu holds delegation-level talks with Qatar Prime Minister in Doha; Reviews bilateral ties.

• In Bangladesh, at least 37 people killed and around four hundred injured in a fire at a container depot near Chattogram port.

• Russian President Vladimir Putin warns West against supplying longer-range missiles to Ukraine.

• Rafael Nadal wins 14th Men's singles title of French Open tennis beating Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in the final.

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