NAMASKAR! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective on All India Radio. This is RENU KATARIA and with me is R. S. RAGHU  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::

• International Day of Yoga being celebrated across the world; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Yoga is not for India alone, but for entire humanity.

• India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to hold bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart in New Delhi on Wednesday to strengthen defence cooperation .

• India's Prime Minister to attend 14th BRICS Summit hosted by China on 23rd and 24th of this month.

• BJP-led NDA announces Draupadi Murmu name as India's Presidential candidate for upcoming elections ; Former Minister Yashwant Sinha to be Opposition parties' candidate.

• Senior Diplomat Ruchira Kamboj appointed as next Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations.

• Baloch group protests in front of UN Office in Geneva to highlight atrocities committed by Pakistan on Baloch people.

• And Hockey India announces 18-member Men’s squad for Commonwealth Games 2022.

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PM-YOGA

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 8th edition of International Day of Yoga in the Heritage City of Mysuru in front of the iconic, Mysuru Palace 21 June. On the occasion, the Prime Minister said, Yoga is not for India alone, but for entire humanity.

Mr Modi asserted that Yoga is not merely for individuals, but it brings peace to our universe. He said, Yoga is a holistic approach to Health and well being for mind, body and soul.

He emphasized the need to realise the unlimited possibilities of yoga. He pointed out that yoga is a process that leads one from inner peace to realise universal peace.

The Prime Minister said, Yoga takes one from awareness of the self to consciousness of the world. Yoga is a great problem solver, it can change our lifestyle. Yoga helps us to orient our mind towards problem solving, be it climate change or international conflict.

Mr. Modi said, the world has now realised the benefits of yoga as it has provided a window to the spiritual growth of mankind. He thanked the United Nations and other countries for participating in the International Day of Yoga.

This year International Day of Yoga 2022 saw many new initiatives. The ‘Guardian Ring’ program, which is a collaborative exercise between 79 countries and United Nations organisations along with Indian Missions abroad illustrates Yoga's unifying power that surpasses national boundaries.

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HOTSPOT

In today's HOTSPOT section, we bring you a special programme on AIR News Exclusive- International Day of Yoga-2022 celebrations abroad.

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YOGA-HOT SPOT

Several events are being held across the world to mark the International Day of Yoga. Around 80 Indian missions and embassies around the world have organised yoga events under the programme, The Guardian Ring. It is showing images of people doing yoga when the sun rises in their countries. It highlights “One Sun, One earth” concept and showcases the unifying power of Yoga.  The celebrations started from Japan, “The Land of Rising Sun” with the Indian tradition of "Surya Namaskar".

Surya Namaskar -----recitation.

In China, Indian Embassy in Beijing held many programs in the run up to International Day of Yoga-2022. As part of this, Yoga teacher in China, Mohan Bhandari, conducted a session on Pranayam at the Embassy Cultural Centre.  

Pranayam mantra chanting…..

Indian Consulate in Guangzhou joined the Guardian Ring for Yoga to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. Consul General of India in Guanzhou, Shambhu Hakki and hundreds of yoga enthusiasts joined the event. Indian Consulate in Shanghai also organized a yoga event in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province. A report from our Beijing correspondent:

The Indian Embassy arranged a mass yoga session at the iconic Washington Monument on Saturday, ahead of the International Day of Yoga. Hundreds of people attended the event.

The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations had planned a Yoga Day celebration at the North Lawn of UN Headquarters in New York, featuring a lecture and yoga demonstration. A digital exhibition titled "The World of Yoga" will also be up on display at the UN delegates' entrance until July 1.

In Nepal, the International Day of Yoga also celebrated in Capital Kathmandu, where Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba highlighted the message of 'Yoga For Humanity'. Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki also took part in the event and encouraged all to make Yoga a part of life. A function was also organized by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre under the Indian Mission in Nepal on Monday evening.

International Day of Yoga was celebrated by all diplomatic offices in Sri Lanka under the Guardian Ring. The celebrations in Colombo were held at Independence Square and was attended by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe along with Ministers and Parliamentarians.

Introducing the crowd to basic Asanas, breathing exercises and meditation, the session helped the participants get an experience of uniting the body with the mind. Programmes were also held at the iconic Galle Fort and Jaffna Cultural centre by the Indian Consulate General. A series of Yoga events across Sri Lanka were held in the run up to the International Day of Yoga over the past few days by the High Commission in Colombo, Consulate General of India in Jaffna, Consulate General of India in Hambantota and the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy.

The Eighth International Day of Yoga was celebrated in Bangladesh with large scale participation of people from all walks of life. In Dhaka, the High Commission of India organised a programme at the Mirpur Indoor Stadium where more than 1000 participants took part in the event. The High Commission involved several Yoga associations of Dhaka to volunteer in the event. At the start of the programme, High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami welcomed the participants to the International Day of Yoga event. Recalling the ancient wisdom of India that desires happiness for everybody, High Commissioner Doraiswami said that Yoga is for everybody.

Several celebrities from Bangladesh took part in the event at the Mirpur Indoor Stadium. It included Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket team member Jahanara Alam, actors, Zakia Bari Mamo, Bidya Sinha Mim, Aman Reza, Tareen Jahan, Women’s Weight Lifting Champion of South Asian Games Mabia Akhter and Bangladesh National Cricket Team member Soumya Sarkar.

The Assistant High Commissions of India at Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi and Khulna also organised programmes to mark the 8th International Day of Yoga.

The Art of Living Foundation Bangladesh and other socio-cultural organisations in Dhaka organised several events on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga. The Gandhi Ashram at Jamalpur and Noakhali also organised Yoga Day related programmes. More from our Dhaka correspondent:

Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali said, Yoga improves human wellbeing as force of good in promoting social harmony & goodwill. He encouraged all Guyanese to discover its range of benefits.

 [(null) - WN Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali Guyana President HE - ]

The President of the Republic of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun also joined Yoga enthusiasts of Mauritius for the practice. WITH REPORT OF PARAS CHOUHAN, SAIRA MUJTABA FOR WORLD NEWS, ALL INDIA RADIO.

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RAJNATH - AUSTRALIA DEPUTY PM

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he is happy to see the Deputy Prime Minister and the Defence Minister of Australia, Richard Marles doing Yoga on the International Day of Yoga. In a tweet, Mr Singh said his participation in the Yoga Day programme makes these celebrations remarkable and special. Mr Singh will hold bilateral talks with Richard Marles in New Delhi tomorrow. During the bilateral talks, the two Ministers will review the defence cooperation between the two countries and explore new initiatives to further strengthen bilateral engagements. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest.

Mr Marles reached Goa on Monday on the first leg of his four-day visit to India. India and Australia share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since June 2020 and defence is a key pillar of this partnership. The partnership is based on a shared vision of free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The two democracies have a common interest in peace and prosperity of the entire region.

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JAISHANKAR-AUSTRALIA

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today met with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Australia Richard Marles. In a tweet today, Dr. Jaishankar said, India and Australia agreed on the importance of strengthening strategic partnership to effectively address contemporary challenges. He said, growing security cooperation has been a key facet of expanding ties between two countries.

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eve PM-BRICS

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 14th BRICS Summit hosted by China on 23rd and 24th of this month. The Summit will be held in virtual format under the theme of Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development.

The External Affairs Ministry said, BRICS has become a platform for discussing and deliberating on issues of common concern for all developing countries. During the 14th BRICS Summit, deliberations are expected to be held in areas like terrorism, trade, health, traditional medicine, environment, Science & Technology, innovation, agriculture, technical and vocational education & training and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises. Discussions are also likely to be held on issues like reform of the multilateral system, combating COVID-19 pandemic and global economic recovery. BRICS countries have regularly called for reform of the multilateral system in order to make it more representative and inclusive. Prior to the Summit, Prime Minister Modi will also deliver a keynote speech virtually in the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum on Wednesday.

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PREZ.- CANDIDATE

Former Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu will be BJP-led NDA candidate for the Presidential polls of India. Briefing media after the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, party Chief J P Nadda said, for the first time, preference has been given to a woman tribal candidate.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed confidence that NDA Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu will be a great President of India. Mr Modi said, she devoted her life to serving society, empowering poor, downtrodden, marginalised and she has rich administrative experience and had an outstanding gubernatorial tenure.

Former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha will be the Opposition's candidate for Presidential Election. In a joint statement, the Opposition parties said they have taken a unanimous decision on Mr. Sinha's candidature. NCP Chief Sharad Pawar informed that Mr. Sinha will file his nomination on the 27th of this month.

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RUCHIRA-UN

Senior Diplomat Ruchira Kamboj has been appointed as the next Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations. A 1987 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Ruchira Kamboj is presently serving as Ambassador of India to Bhutan. She will succeed TS Tirumurti as the Indian ambassador to the United Nation. Ministry of External Affairs said, Ruchira Kamboj is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

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BALOCH-GENEVA DEMONSTRATION

The Baloch Voice Association organised an exhibition cum demonstration on June 20 in front of the United Nations Office in Geneva alongside the Broken Chair sculpture to highlight the atrocities being committed by the Pakistan establishment on the Baloch people. They also highlighted the all-round adverse impact of the Chinese executed and financed China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The demonstration which started on June 20 will continue till June 22. It will culminate with a memorandum being handed over to the Human Right Council (HRC) and various diplomatic Missions.

According to the Human Rights Council of Balochistan, during the month of December 2021, more than 63 people were abducted or missing while 37 were killed.

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JAISHANKAR - CHOGM

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will be on a four day visit to Kigali, Rwanda from Wednesday to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). He will be leading the Indian delegation to the CHOGM, which had earlier been postponed twice due to Covid-19 pandemic. The theme of the summit is -  Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming. During the meeting, the leaders of the Commonwealth Member States are scheduled to deliberate on issues of global challenges like  climate change, food security and health issues.

The Commonwealth provides an important platform to deepen India’s engagement with Commonwealth members, in particular the Small States and Small Island Developing States. India is also one of the largest contributors to the Commonwealth and has assisted the organisation with technical assistance and capacity building.

During the visit, Dr. Jaishankar is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Commonwealth member states and other visiting dignitaries. He will also interact with members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian High Commission in Kigali.

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US-CHINA-IMPORT-BAN

Imports from China's Xinjiang region have been banned in the United States from Monday as new rules came into force. Under the regulations, firms will have to prove imports from the region are not produced using forced labour. US officials have said, members of the minority Uyghur community in the region, who are predominantly Muslim, have been detained and made to work. China has repeatedly rejected accusations that it is holding Uyghurs in internment camps in Xinjiang.

Several imports from the resource-rich region, including cotton and tomatoes, have already been banned from the US. The restrictions will be extended to all imports under the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act (UFLPA), which is scheduled to take effect on today.  

According to the US Congress, China has detained more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang since April 2017. It is believed tens of thousands of detainees have worked at a fraction of minimum wage or without any compensation in Xinjiang and other provinces under the guise of poverty alleviation and industrial aid programmes.

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SRI LANKA-AGE CHANGE

In Sri Lanka, the government has amended the minimum age limit for women leaving for foreign employment as domestic aides to 21 years of age. The decision was announced at the weekly Cabinet meeting. Local media reports, the government said, current employment age for women to leave Saudi Arabia is 25 years and 23 years in other West Asia countries. The minimum age limit announced as 21 for the rest of the Middle East countries other than Saudi Arabia.

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HOCKEY INDIA-COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Hockey India has announced 18-member Indian Men’s Hockey squad for Commonwealth Games 2022. Commonwealth Games are scheduled to begin on 29th July in Birmingham.

India is in pool B with England, Canada, Wales and Ghana, India will begin their campaign on 31st July against Ghana.

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WOMEN HOCKEY -PRO LEAGUE

Indian women’s hockey team defeated the USA 4-2 in the first match of the final double header of the FIH Pro League 2021-22 at Rotterdam, Netherlands, a short while ago.

Indian women, Deep Grace Ekka scored the first goal in the 31st while Navneet Kaur in 32nd minute, Sonika in 40th and Vandana Katariya struck the goal in 50th minute. For USA, Daniela Grega struck the goal in 28th minute while Natalie Konerth found the net in 45th minute.

With three points from the match, India remained third in the  FIH Pro League standings, amassing 27 points from 13 games. USA, on the other hand, are at the bottom with five points.

India will play their last match of the FIH Pro League 2021-22 season against USA on Wednesday before heading to the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games next month.

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REV WORLD NEWS CAPSULE

The Sensex and the Nifty today surged around two percent. Both stock indices climbed amid positive global cues. The Sensex closed above the 52,500 mark. The Nifty ended above 15,600 level. A report from the business desk-  

The Sensex climbed 934 points, or 1.81 percent, to finish at 52,532. The Nifty also gained 289 points, or 1.88 percent, to settle at 15,639. At global stock markets, Asian stocks rebounded and the safe-haven dollar came down as investors bought stocks at attractive prices after a steep sell-off in previous weeks. However, investors remained cautious amid concerns about aggressive interest rate hikes by central banks in many countries and risks of a global recession. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 1.9 percent and Japan's NIKKEI-225 gained 1.8 percent. South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 0.8 percent and Singapore’s Straits Times rose 0.6 percent. China’s Shanghai Composite index fell marginally by 0.3 percent. European shares followed gains in intra-day trade. The crude prices rose around two percent. In intra-day, Brent crude was trading at 116 dollars and 20 cents per barrel. Back Home, Gold prices gained 70 rupees at Multi Commodity Exchange for August contracts. The precious metal was trading at 50,805 rupees per 10 gram. Silver prices also climbed 575 rupees to 60,320 rupees per kilogram for July Contracts when reports last came in.And... In the forex market, the rupee weakened 10 paise against the US dollar. The domestic currency closed at 78 rupees and eight paise against the American Unit.

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CANADA-PLASTIC BAN

The Canadian Government is going to ban companies from importing or making plastic bags and Styrofoam takeout containers by the end of this year. The country is also banning their sale by the end of next year and their export by the end of 2025. Canadian Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced the dates Monday.

Canada previously announced a ban on plastic, however, environment advocates were dismayed about delays. In addition to bags and takeout boxes, the ban will affect plastic straws, bags, cutlery, stir sticks and six-pack rings that hold cans and bottles.

The federal government listed plastics as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act last year. However, a consortium of plastic producers is suing the government over the toxic designation in a case expected to be heard later this year.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first promised in June 2019 that his government would phase out the production and use of hard-to-recycle plastic items as it aims for zero plastic waste by the end of the decade. Initially, he said, the ban would happen in 2021, but the scientific assessment of plastics that was needed to put the ban in motion was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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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.

⦁ Prasar Bharati Beijing reports Indian Consulate in Guangzhou joined Government of India’s initiative of ‘Guardian Ring for Yoga’ to celebrate 8th International Day of Yoga.

⦁ HT reports quoting Singapore foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan that ‘No good outcome can arise from an India-China conflict’.

⦁ Reuters reports The unemployment crisis of 2022 could be the worst since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949.

⦁ Nippon.Com reports Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is planning to hold a four-way summit with South Korean, Australian and New Zealand leaders when he visits Madrid to attend a NATO summit from June 29, government sources revealed on Monday.

⦁ Reuters reports China's crude oil imports from Russia soared 55 per cent from a year earlier to a record level in May, displacing Saudi Arabia as the top supplier.

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

⦁ KHABARHUB writes that China is making investments in Nepali media in a bid to be a dominant power in Nepal.

⦁ KATHMANDU POST reports that Nepal Oil Corporation has hiked the price of petrol by 21 rupees and diesel price by 26 rupees. HIMALAYAN TIMES reports that price of aviation turbine fuel has also been hiked, but the price of LPG would remain the same.

⦁ RISING NEPAL reports that price hike issue rocked the  house of representatives and lawmakers decried the exhorbitant hike in fuel prices.  

⦁ KHABARHUB reports that Chinese products have gained a reputation of poor quality in Nepal.

⦁ KHABARHUB also reports that the government has decided to inform the United States that it would withdraw from the US’ State Partnership Program (SPP).

Now let's have a look at the press reports from Balochistan.

⦁ THE BALOCHISTAN POST reports that female human rights activists and members of Karachi civil society held a joint press conference at Karachi Press Club on Monday. They expressed concerns over the police brutality against the families of Baloch missing persons in front of the Sindh Assembly.

⦁ THE BALOCHISTAN POST reports that it has been 4678 days since the hunger strike camp for the recovery of Baloch forcibly disappeared persons.

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

⦁ FRONTIER POST reports that President Dr Arif Alvi has refused to approve the NAB (Amendment) Bill 2022 and has sent it back to the prime minister without signing it.

⦁ DAWN in an opinion piece writes that the confluence of polarised politics and economic turmoil is making Pakistan ungovernable.

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WORLD MUSIC DAY:

21 June is World Music Day.  It is a day to encourage young and amateur musicians to perform. More than 120 countries  including India, Italy, Greece, Russia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the United States commemorate this day as people organise free public concerts in parks, stadiums and public places, mostly for music lovers and learners. This year's theme for World Music Day is 'Music on the inter-sections'.

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THE HEADLINES::

• International Day of Yoga being celebrated across the world; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Yoga is not for India alone, but for entire humanity.

• India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to hold bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart in New Delhi on Wednesday to strengthen defence cooperation .

• India's Prime Minister to attend 14th BRICS Summit hosted by China on 23rd and 24th of this month.

• BJP-led NDA announces Draupadi Murmu name as India's Presidential candidate for upcoming elections ; Former Minister Yashwant Sinha to be Opposition parties' candidate.

• Senior Diplomat Ruchira Kamboj appointed as next Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations.

• Baloch group protests in front of UN Office in Geneva to highlight atrocities committed by Pakistan on Baloch people.

• And Hockey India announces 18-member Men’s squad for Commonwealth Games 2022.

• Indian women’s hockey team beats USA 4-2 in first match of  final double header of FIH Pro League 2021-22 at Rotterdam.

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And now, before we end, let us listen to Mahatma Gandhi's favourite bhajan Vaishnav Jan, by artists from Cyprus .

AND WITH THAT, WE END THIS BULLETIN. WE'LL BE BACK AT THE SAME TIME TOMORROW WITH THE NEXT EDITION OF WORLD NEWS.

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