All India Radio News Summary: 02 SEPTEMBER 2017
- Switzerland is committed to support India’s fight against black money through exchange of related information.
Swiss President said at the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi last night to launch celebrations commemorating the 70th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
- She said India is a good friend and in these seven decades, the two countries have listened to each other, given advice, and learned from each other.
- The Swiss president during her four-day India visit held bilateral talks with Prime Minister on a wide range of issues, including combating black money and cooperation in several sectors.
- The 70th year celebrations will be held till 2018.
- Supreme Court appointed pollution monitoring panel for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup
A Supreme Court-appointed pollution monitoring panel has asked authorities in Delhi to gear up to avert any air pollution crisis during the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup.
- The Central Pollution Control Board informed the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority that it has written to all the states which will host the matches of the world cup listing preventive measures.
- EPCA has stressed that the national capital cannot afford any repeat of 2010, when dust pollution had shrouded Delhi during the Commonwealth Games.
- A host of measures under the severe category of the plan will kick in on October 15 which includes the closure of the Badarpur thermal power plant.
- The 24-team tournament will have eight matches in Delhi Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium between October 6 and 16, just before the onset of winter with stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, and Diwali, which push up pollution levels in the city.
- Mechanised sweeping will have to be undertaken in the spots in and around the match venues.
- Traffic management and parking of vehicles will be focused upon.
- The Sports Ministry has approved the constitution of a 13-member Empowered Steering Committee (ESC).
13-member Empowered Steering Committee (ESC) will shape and influence India’s preparation for multi- disciplinary events, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
- The Empowered Steering Committee will be led by an Honorary Chairperson, who will be appointed by the Government.
- It will also have IOA representatives, three eminent athlete representatives who have retired from active sports within past 10 years.
- They will be selected from three High Priority sports having strong medal prospect at Olympic level.
- The Committee will also have one elite coach from a High Priority sport to be selected from amongst the existing Chief Coaches.
- The ESC will also have three sports scientists, one each from the disciplines of Biomechanics, Sports Nutrition and Sports Psychology apart from two representatives from Government.
- India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO – Ahmedabad
Gujarat’s commercial capital Ahmedabad has been formally accorded the status of India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO. UNESCO Director General handed over the certificate declaring Ahmedabad as a ‘World Heritage City’ to Gujarat Chief Minister.
- Eid-ul-Azha or Baqraeed is being celebrated with religious fervour
The festival of sacrifice, Eid-ul-Azha or Baqraeed is being celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in various parts of the country today. The faithful will offer Eid prayers in Eidgahs and mosques.
Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son in obedience of God’s command.
- The 9th BRICS Summit in Xiamen.
Prime Minister will embark on a two-nation tour to China and Myanmar tomorrow.
- On the first leg of his three day tour to China, PM will attend the 9th BRICS Summit in Xiamen.
- During the BRICS summit, the member countries will discuss the global economic situation.
- Four areas have been identified for progress among member countries during the summit. They are
- to deepen BRICS cooperation for common progress,
- enhance global governance to jointly meet challenges,
- carry out people to people exchange and make institutional improvements and
- Build broader partnership.
Some bilateral summits are also expected with Prime Minister on the sidelines of the summit. Host country China has invited five guest countries for the summit under its BRICS plus approach. They are Egypt, Kenya, Tajikistan, Mexico and Thailand.
- BRICS summit has helped not only in developing multi-lateral relationships but also improving bilateral ties between India and China.
- BRICS provides the platform for number of exchanges and that includes exchanging relating to sports, relating to youth, relating to culture and to education.
- In all these areas in the last few years there have been number of exchanges. All this is essential in building relationship not only multilaterally between five BRICS countries but also in enhancing understanding between Indians and Chinese and better understanding between the two countries is essential.
- On the evening of the 5th of September, the Prime Minister will leave for Myanmar. This will be Prime Minister’s first bilateral State visit to that country.
- Saab and Adani group have announced a collaboration in defence manufacturing
Swedish defence giant Saab and Indian conglomerate Adani group have announced collaboration in defence manufacturing entailing billions of dollars of investment, mainly eyeing a contract for single-engine fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.
- The two companies said the project will encompass design, development and production of Gripen jets for India in line with the Make in India initiative.
- Kurdish-led forces in Syria have claimed control of the old city of Raqqa
Kurdish-led forces in Syria have claimed control of the old city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the self-declared Islamic State caliphate.
- The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias, have been battling to capture the city since June.
- US-led coalition air strikes and special operations forces are supporting them.
- The group says its troops are now advancing into the west of Raqqa. The Islamic State terrorist group has been using the city’s western districts to house its military and administrative facilities but they are now encircled without supplies.
