NAMASKAR! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective on All India Radio. This is SAIRA MUJTABA and with me is ADITI LOOMBA 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:

• India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds bilateral talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Abu Dhabi; Both leaders agree to further deepen India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

• India assures world community of its commitment to protect 30 per cent of lands, waters and oceans by 2030.

• Sri Lanka gives nod to open fuel imports and retail sales market to companies from oil-exporting nations.

•  Iran applies for membership of BRICS.  

•  In United States, at least 50 migrants found dead in a truck in Antonio, Texas.

• At Wimbledon, Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas to be seen in action tonight.

•  And in Cricket, India made 212 runs for 4 in 18 overs against  Ireland in the second and final T20 International match in Dublin.

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PM-UAE

Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with President of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Abhu Dhabi today. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further deepen and diversify the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since August 2019, when Prime Minister visited Abu Dhabi.

The main purpose of the visit was for the Prime Minister to convey his personal condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan last month. He conveyed his condolences to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as well as other royal family members. The Prime Minister also congratulated Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as the third President of the UAE and becoming the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

During their Virtual Summit on 18th of February this year, both countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has since entered into force on 1st of May. CEPA is expected to further boost trade and investment between both countries. Bilateral trade in 2021-22 was about 72 billion dollars. UAE is India’s third largest trade partner and second largest export destination. UAE FDI in India has continuously increased over the past few years and currently stands at over 12 billion dollars.

During the virtual summit, both leaders had also released a Vision Statement which has laid the roadmap for bilateral cooperation in coming years in diverse areas including trade, investment, energy including renewable energy, food security, health, defence, skills, education, culture and people-to-people ties.

Prime Minister Modi thanked the UAE President for taking great care of 3.5 million Indian community especially during the COVID pandemic. He invited Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit India at an early date.

Now, the Prime Minister is returning to Delhi after his visit to UAE and Germany.

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PM-BILATERALS

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit at Schloss Elmau in Germany.He thanked Chancellor Scholz for the invitation to the G7 Summit. The two leaders emphasized the need to take forward their Green and Sustainable Development Partnership. Discussions covered issues like climate action, provision of climate financing and technology transfer. Both leaders also agreed on the need to further deepen trade, investment and people to people ties. They also discussed greater coordination in international bodies, particularly in the context of India’s forthcoming G-20 presidency. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments.

The Prime Minister thanked people of Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the German Government for their hospitality during the visit. In a tweet, Mr Modi expressed confidence that the India-Germany friendship will scale newer heights in the times to come. Mr Modi said, he is leaving Germany after a productive visit in which he attended the G7 Summit, interacted with several world leaders and participated in a memorable community programme in Munich. He said, the world leaders were able to discuss many issues aimed at furthering global well-being and prosperity.

Prime Minister Modi also held bilateral talks with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau. The leaders discussed bilateral ties and agreed to expand trade and economic linkages, cooperation in security and counter-terrorism, as well as P2P ties.

Mr Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen also held talks. Issues such as stronger trade ties, cooperation to mitigate climate change, emerging technologies and cultural linkages were discussed during the meeting.

The Prime Minister also met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Both leaders reviewed the progress made in bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly following the signing of the Strategic Programme of Cooperation in 2019.

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HOTSPOT

In today's HOTSPOT section, we bring you a Discussion on "India at G-7 Summit". In conversation are G. Parthsarthy, Former Diplomat and Simran Sodhi, Journalist.

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UN OCEAN CONFERENCE

India has assured the world community that it is committed to protect at least 30 per cent of lands, waters and oceans and adhere to its commitment of 30 X 30 by 2030. Delivering the India statement at the UN Ocean Conference at Lisbon, Indian Minister for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all efforts are going on to achieve the 30 x 30 target in a mission mode as per the COP resolutions.

Our correspondent reports that India joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which was initiated at the 'One Planet Summit' in Paris in January last year. The coalition aims to promote an international agreement to protect at least 30 per cent of the world's land and ocean by 2030.

Dr Jitendra Singh assured the Ministers, Delegates and Representatives from more than 130 countries that India will also provide science and innovation based solutions for the implementation of SDG-Goal 14 through partnerships and environmentally friendly solutions.

A five-day UN Ocean Conference kicked off yesterday with Kenya and Portugal being the co-hosts.

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INDIA-CUBA

The second round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Cuba were held in Havana. The Indian side was led by Secretary (East) in Ministry of External Affairs Saurabh Kumar, and the Cuban side was led by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms. Anayansi Rodriguez Camejo.

During the Consultations yesterday, both sides comprehensively reviewed the entire gamut of their bilateral relations, including development partnership projects, trade and economic relations. The Ministry of External Affairs said, the two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest.

An agreement on short-term credit worth Euro one hundred million for procurement of rice from India for Cuba was signed. A Postal Stamp to commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence was released by the Government of Cuba.

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SRI LANKA-OIL CRISIS

In Sri Lanka, the Cabinet today granted to open fuel imports and retail sales market to companies from oil-exporting nations. This comes after the country ran out of fuel as only 1,100 tonnes of petrol and 7,500 tonnes of diesel are left, which are not sufficient to last for a day. Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that the companies will be selected upon their ability to import fuel and operate without Forex requirements, reports a Sri Lankan daily. He said, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will be the service provider for logistics, stocking and distribution with a service fee levied from those companies.

The government has also sent officials to the major energy producers Russia and Qatar in a bid to secure cheap oil supplies. Sri Lanka sent two ministers to Russia to negotiate for fuel supply.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Government has suspended sales of fuel for non-essential vehicles as it faces its worst economic crisis. For the next two weeks, only buses, trains and vehicles used for medical services and transporting food will be allowed to fill up with fuel.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardane in a statement said, the Cabinet yesterday decided to issue fuel only for essential services from today until 10th of July. He also said that the government is planning to request all public and private sector institutions to apply for work from home facilities till 10th of July because of the ongoing fuel crisis.

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SRI LANKA EXPORT

Sri Lanka exports recorded the 5 billion US Dollar mark in the first five months of 2022. The Export Development Board said earnings from the merchandise exports increased to 980.2 million dollars in May as per Sri Lanka Customs data. This was mainly due to the increase in earnings from the export of Apparel and Textiles, Coconut based products, and Electrical and Electronic Components.

Exports to India increased by 20.61 percent year on year to  364.99 million during the period of January to May 2022 compared to the corresponding period of 2021.

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CHINA-COVID

China on Tuesday shortened the quarantine period for international travelers who enter the mainland and close contacts of COVID-19 infected patients. The time has been reduced from 14 days of quarantine at a centralized facility and another seven days of home health monitoring to seven and three days respectively, state media reported quoting officials. It is seen as a big step toward relaxing Covid controls that have persisted for more than two years, but officials said that it is an updated epidemic prevention protocol and not a relaxation of dynamic zero-COVID policy.

This is good news for thousands of Indian students and families who are waiting for their return to China. China has started accepting visa application for family reunion purposes but there is no announcement yet on student’s visa. After visa, next step would be to find a flight to China as there are no direct flights between India and China at the moment and also bear the cost of quarantine and the associated COVID protocols during that period. China began to tighten its borders in late March 2020 as Covid-19 started to come under control domestically while spreading rapidly overseas. Covid-19 first emerged in late 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

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BRICS-IRAN

Iran has submitted an application to become a member of the BRICS, an Iranian official said on Monday. Iran, which holds the world’s second largest gas reserves, want to join the BRICS group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The term BRIC was coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill in 2001 to describe the startling rise of Brazil, Russia, India, China. The BRIC powers had their first summit in 2009 in Russia. South Africa joined in 2010.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Tehran's membership in the BRICS group would result in added values for both sides. Russia said Argentina had also applied to join.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, currently in Europe, has in recent days reiterated his desire for Argentina to join BRICS.

China has by far the largest economy in the BRICS grouping, accounting for more than 70 of the group’s collective 27.5 trillion US dollars economic might. India accounts for about 13 percent, with Russia and Brazil each accounting for about seven percent, according to IMF data.

BRICS account for more than 40 percent of the world’s population and about 26 percent of the global economy.

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US-DEATH

In United States, at least 50 people were found dead in an abandoned truck on the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas. It is believed to be the worst recent case of migrant deaths due to smuggling in the US. Mexico's foreign Minister confirmed 22 Mexicans, seven Guatemalans and two Hondurans are among the dead. Sixteen people, including four children, were taken to hospital.  The survivors were "hot to the touch" and suffering from heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

San Antonio, which is 250 kilometer from the US-Mexico border, is a major transit route for people smugglers. Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday it had joined the investigation.

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JORDAN-TOXIC GAS LEAK

In Jordan, 13 people have been killed and more than 260 injured due to leak of toxic chlorine gas at the Red Sea port of Aqaba, state media report. Authorities said a chemical storage container fell while being transported as a result of a crane malfunction. State media said on Monday night that 123 of the injured were still being treated at local hospitals for chemical exposure. Some were reportedly in a critical condition.

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GOVT- PLASTIC BAN

India's Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday  reiterated the country's commitment to ban identified Single Use Plastic items from 1st of next month and denied to extend the deadline. Here is a report:  

Some manufacturers of small packaged fruit juices and dairy products had demanded that the deadline for implementing the ban on plastic straws should be extended. Talking to media in New Delhi, Mr. Yadav said  the government has given enough time of 11 months to switch away from single-use plastic. From 1st of next month, a ban will be enforced on manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic.  The Minister said the items to be banned include earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene for decoration, plates, cups and  glasses. The cutlery items  including forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic banners less than 100 micron and stirrers will also be banned. Mr. Yadav said there are alternatives available to the single use plastic items .

The Minister informed that  Single Use Plastic items having  low utility and high environment impact  to be banned were identified based upon recommendations of the Expert Committee. Mr. Yadav added that a Pan India awareness campaign on Single Use Plastic ban will be carried out during the month of July to sensitize people. With the report of Diwakar, this is Nishit Kumar for World News, All India Radio.

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INDIA-CHINA

A large number of Chinese fans of Indian classical dance paid emotional tributes to Zhang Jun, China’s fabled Indian classical dancer as they gathered in Beijing to watch a dazzling show of Indian classical dance performances in her memory organized at Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) auditorium on Friday. Besides hundreds of Chinese students and fans, the event was attended by India’s Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat and President of AIIB Jin Liqun, who was earlier China’s Vice Minister of Finance.

The event was supported by Ministry of Culture of India and the Indian Embassy in China while the prime mover and inspiration behind this show paying tribute to Zhang was Jin Shan Shan, Zhang’s devoted student and widely acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer both in India and China who devoted her life to popularize the Indian classical art form in China.

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INDIA-IRELAND T20

In Cricket, India have set the target of 228 for Ireland in the second and final T20 International match in Dublin tonight. Batting first India made 227 for the loss of 7 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. For India, Deepak Hooda was the top scorer with 100, while Sanju Samson made 77 runs. For Ireland, Mark Adair took three wickets while Joshua Little and Craig Young claimed two wickets each. Earlier, India have won the toss and opted to bat first. Chasing the target 228 runs Ireland was 14 for no loss in the one overs.

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WIMBLEDON-TENNIS

On the second day of Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, the match between Rafael Nadal and Francisco Cerundolo is underway at the Centre Court.

The women's singles competition will see an encounter between Harmony Tan and 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams later this evening.

In earlier match, top-seed Iga Swiatek defeated Jana Fett in straight sets 6-0, 6-3 in the first round.

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FPR

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

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

⦁ KATHMANDU POST reports that India’s Ramayana Circuit rail, named Bharat Gaurav tourist train, reached Janakpurdham in Janakpur on Thursday afternoon, carrying 500 Indian pilgrims. Madhesh province Chief Minister Lal Babu Raut welcomed the Indian tourists on the railway platform at Janakpurdham. The train started its journey to Janakpur from New Delhi via Ayodhya, Banaras, Prayagraj, and Sitamarhi in India. This is the first railway service connecting the two countries by rail.

⦁ KHABARHUB reports that the governments of Nepal and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding on China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiatives in May 2017. However, neither Nepal nor China made the document public in all these five years.

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

⦁ The Guardian reports that authorities in Beijing have sparked confusion and alarm after announcing the strict zero-Covid policy could be in place for the next five years, including mass mandatory testing and travel restrictions. The notice, published on Monday afternoon, was attributed to Cai Qi, the Beijing secretary of the Chinese Communist party.

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REPEAT HEADLINES

• India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds bilateral talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Abu Dhabi; Both leaders agree to further deepen India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

• India assures world community of its commitment to protect 30 per cent of lands, waters and oceans by 2030.

• Sri Lanka gives nod to open fuel imports and retail sales market to companies from oil-exporting nations.

• Iran applies for membership of BRICS.  

• In United States, at least 50 migrants found dead in a truck in Antonio, Texas.

• At Wimbledon, Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas to be seen in action tonight.

• And in Cricket, India set a target of 228 for Ireland in the second and final T20 International match in Dublin.

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

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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