NATIONAL
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NITI Aayog report shows improved progress on SDGs
- The government think tank NITI Aayog released its fourth evaluation report of India’s progress on the 16 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015 by all United Nations member countries, giving India a score of 71 out of 100, as compared to 57 in 2018. “SDGs are directly linked to people’s welfare, well-being and quality of life,” B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, NITI Aayog’s CEO, told presspersons at the report’s launch.
- The SDG on poverty improved due to what Mr. Subrahmanyam said was a reduction in extreme poverty; the one on hunger reduced while work remained to be done on quality nutrition. Health conditions improved, he said, thanks to better public health and insurance coverage. Education was helped by high teacher-student ratios but teacher quality needed targeted interventions, Mr. Subrahmanyam said.
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Indian consulate in Seattle opens new visa application centres
- India has launched two new visa and passport centres in Seattle city of Washington state of the U.S., catering to the needs of the Indian community living in nine Pacific Northwestern states of this country.
- The two centres in Seattle and Bellevue ¬ both in the Washington State ¬ inaugurated on July 12, come months soon after the opening of the newest Indian Consulate in Seattle.
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Amid growing bonhomie, India asks Russia to advance S-400 missile system deliveries
- Amid the growing close ties between India and Russia, New Delhi has asked Moscow to expedite and advance the deliveries of the S-400 air defence missile system.
- The Russian side has told India that they would be able to deliver the fourth and the fifth squadrons of the highly capable system by March 2026 and October 2026 respectively due to delays caused by their ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
- India and Russia signed a contract with Russia in 2019 for buying five squadrons of the highly capable air defence system with ability to hit targets at up to 400 plus kilometres.
- "India has requested the Russian side during the recent talks to expedite the deliveries for meeting Indian Air Force requirements and try to advance the deliveries," defence officials said.
INTERNATIONAL
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Poland to spend 5% of GDP on defence in 2025, says foreign minister
- Poland will spend 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence in 2025, the foreign minister said.
- Warsaw has already ramped up defence spending to more than 4% of its economic output this year in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- "Poland spends 4 (percent of GDP on defence) and we are going to spend 5 next year," Radoslaw Sikorski (foreign minister) said. "We are number one in NATO including the United States, in proportion obviously, because we are no longer in eternal post-Cold War peace."
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US renews call on China to stop aggressive actions in disputed sea, where hostilities have flared
- The United States renewed its call on China to stop its aggressive actions in the South China Sea, saying a broader web of security alliances has emerged to preserve the rule of law in the disputed waters.
- Washington's top diplomat in Manila was joined by counterparts from key Western and Asian allies, including Japan and Australia, in a Manila forum to express alarm over increasing hostilities in the contested waters, particularly between China and the Philippines. They committed to help defend a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Threat from North Korea and China greater than ever: Japan
- China and Russia’s joint military activities around Japan are of “grave concern” and North Korea poses a greater threat than ever, Tokyo’s Defence Ministry said recently.
- In its annual white paper, the Ministry outlined its stance on a range of issues, from tensions around Taiwan to the intensifying rivalry between China and the United States.
SPORTS
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Paris Olympics
- When Paris 2024 begins with a waterborne parade down the river on July 26, it will be the first Olympics in history to take the opening ceremony out of its traditional setting of the main stadium.
- The rehearsal was originally scheduled for June 24 but was cancelled because the river was in spate.
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Esports Olympics
- Saudi Arabia and the IOC are teaming up for their first commercial deal together with the oil rich kingdom set to host the first Esports Olympics next year.
