Trump Bans Citizens of 12 Countries from Entering the US
The Trump administration signed a suspending travel to the US for citizens from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Citing national security interests, the proclamation states that the identified countries lack sufficient vetting and screening processes needed to detect foreign nationals who may pose safety or terrorism threats to the U.S.
The proclamation also partially restricted entrance for nationals of seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
Nicaragua Becomes 101st WTO Member to Accept Fisheries Subsidies Agreement
Nicaragua became the 101st member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to formally accept the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, marking a significant step toward global efforts to combat harmful fishing practices and restore marine biodiversity. The instrument of acceptance was handed over to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala by Nicaragua's Ambassador Rosalía Bohorquez Palacios, bringing the WTO just 10 acceptances away from the threshold required for the agreement's entry into force.
The agreement was adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Geneva in June 2022.
India's Ramsar Site Tally Touches 91 as Two more Rajasthan Wetlands Gain Recognition
On the eve of World Environment Day, India added two more wetlands—Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur—to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. With these additions, India's total count of Ramsar Sites now stands at 91.
Bhupender Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Lok Sabha MP from Alwar announced the news.
A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated as being of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The convention aims to ensure the conservation and wise use of wetlands to maintain their ecological character and benefits for current and future generations.
Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited, popularly known as Amul, partnered with Cooperativa Ganadera del Valle de los Pedroches (COVAP), Spain's first-tier cooperative, and launched Amul milk in Spain and the EU.
The official launch took place at Embassy of India, Madrid in the presence of Dinesh K. Patnaik, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Spain, D. Fernando Heredia Noguera, Deputy Director for International Relations and Community Affairs, Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Ricardo Delgado Vizcaino, President, COVAP and senior officials of Amul and its channel partners of Spain.
Amul, with its 3.6 million dairy farmers, is the world's largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative.
Boeing Names New India Tech Chief
Aerospace giant Boeing named Shashank Jha as India site leader for Information Digital Technology & Security (IDT&S) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Boeing India.
Based in Bengaluru, Jha will lead strategy and operations for Boeing's IDT&S team in India, which includes nearly 1,500 members. In this role, he will focus on strengthening collaboration, talent development, and IDT&S India site engagement.
PM Modi, Paraguayan President Pena Strengthen Bilateral Relations
India and Paraguay decided to further strengthen their ties in sectors like clean energy, green hydrogen and biofuels.
The decision was taken during the delegation-level talk held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Paraguay President Santiago Pena Palacios in New Delhi.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met President Palacios and appreciated his positive sentiments and guidance for enhancing India-Paraguay cooperation in many domains. A Memorundum of Understanding was signed between India and Paraguay for establishment of Joint Commission Mechanism between the two nations.
President Pena was on a three-day State Visit to India, his first official trip to the country, at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
India, UK Hold 17th Foreign Office Consultations
India and the United Kingdom held the 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi, where the two sides reviewed the full spectrum of their bilateral ties. The meeting also marked the launch of the first Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue (SETCD), aimed at deepening collaboration in high-technology and strategic sectors.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri led the Indian delegation, while the UK side was represented by Sir Oliver Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The last FOC was held in London in May 2024.
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across areas such as trade and investment, defence and security, counter-terrorism, climate action, green energy, science and innovation, education, and people-to-people ties.
Ashwani Lohani Appointed Director of Prime Ministers Museum and Library
Ashwani Lohani, former Chairman and Managing Director of Air India and ex-Chairman of the Railway Board, was appointed as the Director of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) in New Delhi. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his appointment for a tenure of three years, filling the vacancy left after the exit of former power secretary Sanjiv Nandan Sahai.
Uttar Pradesh Approves 20% Police Reservation for Ex-Agniveers
The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government approved 20% reservation for former Agniveers in state police recruitment. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting.
According to the official announcement, the reservation will apply to direct recruitment in several key categories within the police department, including civil police constables, PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary), mounted police constables, and firemen.
As per the state government, the quota is intended to support the integration of ex-Agniveers into civil services after their four-year military service under the Agnipath scheme. The move is part of Uttar Pradesh's larger effort to provide post-service employment opportunities to Agniveers and recognise their contribution to national defence.
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 as a global reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the planet.
World Environment Day was first established in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly during the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. The first official celebration took place in 1973, with the theme 'Only One Earth.'
World Environment Day 2025 was officially hosted by the Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea.
The theme for World Environment Day 2025 is 'Beat Plastic Pollution.'
Kumar Mangalam Birla Honoured with USISPF Global Leadership Award 2025
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, was conferred with the Global Leadership Award by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) at its 8th annual Leadership Summit held in Washington, D.C. Recognised for his leadership and commitment to strengthening US-India economic ties. Birla was awarded alongside Arvind Krishna (IBM) and Toshiaki Higashihara (Hitachi). His group has invested over $15 billion in the U.S. generating significant employment and impact.
Himachal Pradesh Launches Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana
In a push for environmental conservation and community empowerment, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana from Hamirpur. The scheme aims to increase the state's green cover by planting fruit-bearing trees on degraded forest lands while promoting employment generation and community involvement through Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, and self-help groups (SHGs).
Uttar Pradesh Appoints 12 Lawyers as Additional Advocates General
Twelve advocates including two seniors and one woman were appointed as Additional Advocates General (AAGs) to represent the State of Uttar Pradesh in cases before the Allahabad High Court.
The advocates (from both High Court Benches at Allahabad and Lucknow) who were appointed are: Senior Advocate Amit Saxena, Senior Advocate Anoop Trivedi, Advocate Durg Vijay Singh, Advocate Mahendra Narayan Singh, Advocate Rahul Agarwal, Advocate Sanjeev Singh, Advocate Kartikey Saran, Advocate Anuj Kudesia, Advocate Sudeep Kumar, Advocate Pritish Kumar, Advocate Jyotsna Pal and Advocate Surya Mani Singh Royekvar.