Four Indian Women Shine in BBC 100 Women 2023 List
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) unveiled its 11th edition of the BBC 100 Women list for 2023, featuring inspiring and influential women from various fields around the world. This prestigious list is categorised into Culture and Education, Entertainment and Sport, Politics and Advocacy, and Science, Health, and Tech. The BBC 100 Women list for 2023 includes four Indian women viz. Actress Dia Mirza, Cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur, Photographer Arati KumarRao, and Tibetan Buddhist nun Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian Women's National Cricket Team in all three formats, was recognised in the Entertainment & Sport category.
Dia Mirza, an award-winning actress, has been actively involved in social and environmental causes.
Honored as UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador in 2017, she has also served as a brand ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
Tenzin Palmo, born in Hertfordshire, England, is a renowned author, teacher, and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Arati Kumar-Rao, an independent photographer and National Geographic Explorer, is dedicated to capturing the impact of environmental degradation on biodiversity.
Nov 24, 2023
Afghanistan Announces Permanent Closure of Indian Embassy
In a major development, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan announced its permanent closure in New Delhi citing persistent challenges from the Indian government.
The decision follows the embassy's earlier cessation of operations on September 30, a move made in the hope that the Indian government's stance would evolve favourably for the normal continuation of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in New Delhi.
The embassy said despite an eight-week wait, the objectives of visa extension for diplomats and a shift in the Indian government's conduct were not realised.
Pakistan Applies for BRICS Membership
Pakistan formally applied for membership in the multinational forum BRICS.
Islamabad filed the application to join the body and has sought Russia's support, quoted Pakistan's envoy to Russia, Muhammad Khalid Jamali.
Pakistan is looking forward to joining the group of developing nations under Russia's presidency in 2024.
The bloc currently includes China, the world's second-largest economy, as well as Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa. Six new members --Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates-- will be added to the bloc in January 2024. Pakistan is hopeful about joining BRICS with these countries.
Nov 23, 2023
Delhi's Khan Market World's 22nd Priciest High Street Retail Location
Real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield unveiled its 'Main Streets Across the World' report, shedding light on prime retail rental rates globally. Delhi's upscale Khan Market secured the 22nd spot, marking a slight drop from the 21st position last year (2022).
Despite the slip, New York's Fifth Avenue continued to dominate as the world's most expensive retail destination. Milan's Via Montenapoleone climbed to second place, displacing Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui to third. London's New Bond Street and Paris's Avenues des Champs-Élysées retained the fourth and fifth positions.
CAG Girish Chandra Murmu Elected Vice-chair of UN External Auditors' Panel
In a significant achievement for India, Girish Chandra Murmu, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, was elected as the vice-chair of the UN Panel of External Auditors. This recognition not only highlights India's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of external audit but also showcases its active role in shaping the global audit landscape.
The independent body is composed of representatives from 12 countries, namely Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Philippines, Russia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Together, they conduct financial, performance, and compliance audits of UN entities, ensuring transparency and accountability in the organisation's financial activities.
The Panel of External Auditors of the United Nations, the Specialized Agencies, and the International Atomic Energy Agency was established by the General Assembly Resolution in 1959 to further the coordination of the audits for which its members are responsible and to exchange information on audit methods and findings. The Panel has an essential duty to contribute to enhancing accountability, transparency, and governance of the organisations that compose the United Nations system.
Nov 22, 2023
North Korea Puts its First Spy Satellite into Orbit
North Korea said that it had put its first spy satellite into orbit and vowed further launches to defend against what it called its enemies' dangerous military maneuvers'.
The satellite, named 'Malligyong-1', was launched on a new carrier rocket, 'Chollima-1'.
Neither South Korea, the United States nor Japan, all of which are experiencing increasing military tensions with North Korea, could confirm the satellite had made it into orbit.
But South Korea called the launch a clear violation of a UN Security Council resolution that prohibits North Korea from using ballistic missile technology.
Nov 21, 2023
Joseph Boakai Winner of Liberia Presidential Election
Joseph Boakai was declared as the winner of Liberia's presidential polls with 50.64 per cent of the vote, unseating President George Weah who got 49.36 per cent, the country's electoral commission announced after completing the ballot tally.
Weah will continue to remain in power until the power is handed over in January 2024.