People in several parts of India witness annular solar eclipse, with majestic Ring of Fire

1.International Day of Yoga: 21 June

The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually on 21 June since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice which originated in India.The word ‘yoga’ derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.The theme of International Day of Yoga 2020 is “Yoga for Health – Yoga at Home”.

2.World Hydrography Day : 21 June

World Hydrography Day is observed every year on June 21 every year.The day is an annual celebration to publicise the work of hydrographers and the importance of hydrography.The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) adopted this day and started following it since 2006 on June 21 every year.World Hydrography Day 2020 theme is “Hydrography enabling autonomous technologies”

3.World Music Day : 21 June

World Music Day or Fête de la Musique is celebrated on 21June.It is an annual celebration that was founded by Jack Lang and Maurice Fleuret in 1981.On this day, musicians perform for free in parks, museums, train stations, castles etc. But this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic the day is likely to be celebrated mostly indoors.World Music Day gives an opportunity to commune and shares a special bond through music.

4.More than a 66-million-year-old egg found in Antarctica

Scientists have finally resolved the mystery behind the 66-million-year-old fossil egg found in Antarctica’s Seymour Island.Some estimates also suggest its age to be 68-million-years.The fossil, which looks like a deflated American football, was kept in a Chilean museum and was nicknamed The Thing.After much research and analysis, scientists have said that the egg belongs to an extinct giant sea lizard or snake that lived alongside the dinosaurs.According to the researchers, the millions year old fossil egg, measuring 29 cm by 20 cm (8 inches by 11 inches), is the second-largest egg in the world.The first position still remains with the eggs of Madagascar’s extinct giant flightless elephant birds.

5.People in several parts of India witness annular solar eclipse, with majestic Ring of Fire

The country witnessed a rare celestial event, an annular solar eclipse on 21 June.The annular ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse, wherein the Sun appears like a ring of fire, is visible in different parts of the country.The solar eclipse is taking place on the summer solstice, which is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.When the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, the shadow falls on the surface of the Earth.The Sun is entirely covered by the Moon for a brief period.

6.China offers Bangladesh tariff exemption for 97% of exports from Dhaka amid tensions with India

In a bid to woo Bangladesh, China has provided a huge trade boost to the country by announcing tariff exemption for 97 per cent of Bangladeshi products effective from July 1.The decision has come one month after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a discussion to upgrade their bilateral relations during the COVID-19 pandemic.With this announcement, a total of 8,256 Bangladeshi products will come under the 97 percent of products that would be exempted from tariff.Currently, 3095 Bangladeshi products enjoy duty-free access to Chinese market under Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA).

7.World Bank approves dollar 1.05 billion to Bangladesh for jobs and economic recovery

The World Bank has approved dollar 1.05 billion for three projects in Bangladesh to create quality jobs and accelerate economic recovery in the wake of the Corona pandemic.These projects will help the economy in bouncing back by creating more and better jobs and promoting direct private investment in specialized economic zones.The first project worth a dollar 500 million called Private Investment and Digital Entrepreneurship (PRIDE) project will strengthen social and environmental standards in selected economic zones and software technology parks in Bangladesh.The dollar 295 million Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) Project will establish an integrated, cloud-computing digital platform for all government agencies and improve cyber-security.The dollar 250 million Second Programmatic Jobs Development Policy Credit will create fiscal space to support the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

8.Over 42 crore poor received financial assistance of Rs 65,454 crore under PMGKP

More than 42 crore poor people have received Rs 65,454 crore in financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP).As part of Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package, the government on March 26 announced free foodgrains and cash doles to women, poor senior citizens and farmers to mitigate hardship faced due to the lockdown.More than 42 crore poor people received financial assistance of Rs 65,454 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package.

9.India Ideas Summit 2020 on July 21-22

The two-day India Ideas Summit 2020 is being held virtually on July 21-22, marking its 45th annual meeting, with the focus on geopolitics in the post-COVID-19 world.The summit will also focus on shifting supply chains, digitization and technology trends, the future of healthcare, and equitable growth.Every year the Summit is being organized by the USIBC.  The summit is conducted to showcase the importance of the positive outcome of the India-United States economic partnership and the overall bilateral relationship between the two nations.

10.Ambani, Asia’s Wealthiest Man, Joins Club of World’s 10 Richest

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has joined the elite club of the world’s top 10 richest people, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index released on 20 June 2020.He is ranked as the 9th richest person in the world, in the latest update.The net worth of Ambani jumped to $64.5 billion as of 20 June, making him the only Asian tycoon to feature in the top 10 richest people list.With a total net worth of $160 billion, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is still the wealthiest person in the world. He is followed by Bill Gates ($112 billion) and Mark Zuckerberg ($90.6 billion).

11.Atal Innovation Mission partners with CIL to boost its entrepreneurship initiatives

Coal India Limited (CIL) has agreed to partner with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog to proactively support the flagship mission’s innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives across the country.A Statement of Intent (SoI) of a strategic partnership between AIM and Coal India Limited was signed and exchanged in a virtual e-summit for the same.AIM has various innovation programs and entrepreneurial ecosystem building initiatives such as Atal Tinkering Labs ( ATL) at a school level, Atal Incubation Centres at institutional levels, Atal Community Innovation Centres ( ACIC) for Tier-2, Tier3 cities and rural India, Atal New India Challenges at industry level and Applied Research and Innovation for stimulating innovations in the MSME industry.