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By admin: June 14, 2024

US and Ukraine Forge Long-Term Security Pact Amid G7 Summit in Italy

Tags: International Relations Summits

The US and Ukraine signed a long-term security agreement during the G7 summit in Italy.

An Overview of the News

• On June 13, 2024, during the 2024 G7 summit in Italy, President Joe Biden of the USA and President Volodymr Zelensky of Ukraine concluded a 10-year bilateral security agreement.

• Similar agreements have been reached previously with 15 other countries, such as Britain, France, and Germany.

• The agreement covers a wide range of cooperation levels between the US and Ukraine, including military equipment, training, and maneuvers.

• However, it does not include commitments to supply specific weapons systems to Ukraine.

About G7

• The G7 is a group of seven major industrialized countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

• The G7 holds annual meetings to discuss various global issues, but these meetings are usually held in different locations each year.

• The 48th G7 summit was hosted by Germany in 2022.

• The city of Hiroshima in Hiroshima Prefecture hosted the 49th G7 summit from May 19th to May 21st, 2023.

• The 50th G7 summit is currently taking place from June 13th to June 15th, 2024, at Borgo Egnazia in Fasano, Apulia, Italy. Italy is hosting the 50th G7 summit.

Likith SP and Dhinidhi Desinghu Secure Bronze at 2024 Singapore Nationals

Tags: Sports

Likith SP and Dhinidhi Desinghu from India won two bronze medals at the 2024 Singapore National Swimming Championship.

An Overview of the News

• Likith SP secured bronze in the men’s 100m breaststroke, finishing with a time of 1 minute and 2 seconds.

• Dhinidhi Desinghu earned bronze in the women’s 200m freestyle, completing the race in 2 minutes and 5 seconds.

• The Singapore National Swimming Championship is crucial for swimmers aiming to qualify for the Paris Olympics, with the qualification deadline set for June 23, 2024.

Singapore swimming Association:

• Established in 1939 as SASA, renamed in 2002.

• Member of FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) since founding.

• Founding member of Asia Swimming Federation.

Shruti Vora becomes first Indian rider to win a 3-Star Grand Prix event in Equestrian

Tags: Sports

Shruti Vora made history by becoming the first Indian rider to win a three-star Grand Prix event in equestrian sports.

An Overview of the News

• She achieved this milestone riding Magnanimous at the CDI-3 event of the FEI Dressage World Cup in Lipica, Slovenia, scoring 67.761 points.

• Shruti surpassed Moldova’s Tatiana Antonenco, who secured 66.552 points, to claim the victory.

• Shruti Vora, a seasoned rider, has represented India in prestigious competitions like the Dressage World Championship 2022 and the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014.

Equestrian Federation of India:

• In the 1950s, the Indian Army started sending riders to international competitions.

  • Founded:- 14 March 1967

  • Headquarters:- Delhi

  • Secretary:- Colonel General Jaiveer Singh

Divya Deshmukh Wins World Junior Girls’ Chess Championship

Tags: Sports

Divya Deshmukh of India emerged victorious in the World Junior Girls’ Chess Championship.

An Overview of the News

• The tournament took place at the Gift City Club in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

• In the final round, Divya defeated Beloslava Krasteva from Bulgaria.

• She secured her victory with a decisive win in the 10th round, making it her first under-20 title.

• Divya maintained an unbeaten record throughout the championship.

• She won nine games and drew the remaining two, showcasing her dominant performance.

The World Junior Chess Championship:

• It is an under-20 tournament in chess, managed by the World Chess Federation.

• The concept originated with William Ritson-Morry, who initiated the inaugural event in 1951.

• The first championship was held in Birmingham, England, as per Ritson-Morry's vision.

• Originally held biennially, the championship occurred every two years until 1973, after which it became an annual event.

• In 1983, a separate tournament exclusively for girls was established alongside the main competition.

IGNCA Signs MoU With Sansad TV

Tags: National News

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and Sansad TV have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

An Overview of the News

• The agreement aims to enhance accessibility to Indian art and culture through collaborative efforts.

• IGNCA will produce programs that will be telecast on Sansad TV as part of this initiative.

• Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, and Rajat Punhani, CEO of Sansad TV, signed the MoU.

• Dr. Joshi expressed satisfaction at the collaboration, highlighting the potential for joint programs.

• Mr. Punhani emphasized the benefits of the agreement, including the use of IGNCA’s archival content on Sansad TV.

About Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA):

• Establishment: Founded on 19 November 1985 by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

• Purpose: Aims to study and promote various forms of arts, including literature (written and oral), visual arts (architecture, sculpture, painting, graphics), material culture (photography, film), and performing arts (music, dance, theatre).

• Autonomy: Operates as an autonomous institute under the Union Ministry of Culture.

• Activities: Hosts cultural performances and events like the 'Kathakar: International Storytellers Festival'.

• Trust: Governed by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Trust, registered in New Delhi on 24 March 1987.

• President:- Ram Bahadur Rai

About Sansad TV 

• It is an Indian government television channel established in March 2021.

• It was created by merging two existing house channels: Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV.

• The channel broadcasts the proceedings of the two Houses of Indian Parliament (Bharatiya Sansad).

• Separate satellite channels are maintained for each House to broadcast their respective proceedings.

• Sansad TV also features programming focused on public affairs in addition to parliamentary sessions.

• CEO:- Rajit Punhani

• Headquarters - 23, Mahadev Road, New Delhi, Delhi, India

• Language(s) - Hindi, English

PM Modi Participates in G7 Outreach Summit in Italy

Tags: Summits

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the G7 Outreach Summit in Apulia, Italy on June 14.

An Overview of the News

• India has been invited to the G7 Summit as an Outreach Country.

• Modi attended bilateral meetings with G7 leaders, Outreach countries and international organisations.

Scheduled Bilateral Meetings:

• French President Emmanuel Macron

• UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

• Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

• Japanese PM Fumio Kishida

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Significance of the Visit:

• Modi’s first overseas visit after assuming office for the third consecutive term.

• Emphasis on strengthening the India-Italy strategic partnership and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions.

Focus Areas:

• Discussions on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean.

• Enhancing synergy between outcomes of the G20 Summit under India’s presidency and the G7 Summit.

Historical Context:

• India’s 11th participation in the G7 Summit.

• Modi’s fifth consecutive participation at the summit.

• Reflects India’s growing recognition and contributions to global challenges.

Follow-up Opportunities:

• The G7 Summit provides an opportunity to build on the outcomes of the previous G20 Summit.

• Italy, holding the G7 presidency, has extended invitations to several countries and international organizations.

• Apart from India, Italy has invited Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey, and the UAE.

• Additionally, Italy has invited various international organizations, including the United Nations, to participate in the discussions.

About G7

• The G7 is a group of seven major industrialized countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

• The G7 holds annual meetings to discuss various global issues, but these meetings are usually held in different locations each year.

• The 48th G7 summit was hosted by Germany in 2022.

• The city of Hiroshima in Hiroshima Prefecture hosted the 49th G7 summit from May 19th to May 21st, 2023.

• The 50th G7 summit is currently taking place from June 13th to June 15th, 2024, at Borgo Egnazia in Fasano, Apulia, Italy. Italy is hosting the 50th G7 summit.