NAMASKAR ! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective', on All India Radio. This is Anita Anand and with me is Vaibhav J Srivastava  bringing glimpses of the major developments of the day from across the globe. Over the next half an hour, we shall bring you the latest from the world of politics, economy, sports, entertainment and more.

THE HEADLINES

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, India on track to achieve its national commitment of land degradation neutrality at the United Nations conference on Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought.

• Israel's new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vows to unite the nation and work for the sake of all the people.

• Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi faces trials on multiple charges including corruption in Napyitaw.

• 135 Indian Peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan decorated with medals.

• India's National COVID-19 recovery rate improves to 95.43 per cent

• In Euro 2020 football, Czech Republic beats Scotland to two goals to one.

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COVID OPENING

As many states are relaxing lockdown norms, we advise our listeners not to lower their guard as the COVID-19 pandemic remains a threat to our health. Please stay at home unless it is essential to go out and continue to follow the four simple steps --

Wear a face mask.

Maintain Do Gaz Ki Doori for social distancing

Focus on hand and face hygiene.

And, get vaccinated.

For any COVID related information and guidance contact National helpline numbers -- 011-23978046 and 1075. And now the News in detail

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PM-UN DIALOGUE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India has taken a lead to highlight land degradation issues at the international fora. The Prime Minister was virtually addressing a UN 'High-Level Dialogue on Desertification, Land Degradation & Drought'. Mr Modi said around 3 million hectares of forest cover had been added in India over the last ten years. He said this has enhanced the combined forest cover to almost one fourth of country's total area.

Mr Modi pointed out that land degradation affects over two third of the world today.

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ISRAEL-NEW PM

Israel's new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has vowed to unite the nation frayed by four elections in two years of political stalemate. He said his government would work for the sake of all the people. He added that the priorities would be reforms in education, health and cutting red tape.

Mr Benjamin Netanyahu - Israel's longest-serving Prime Minister - will remain head of the right-wing Likud Party and become Leader of the Opposition. The new coalition was approved with a thin majority of 60 against 59, with one abstention.

US President Joe Biden congratulated Mr Bennett, saying he looked forward to strengthening the close and enduring bilateral relationship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Naftali Bennett on becoming Israel's Prime Minister. In a tweet , Mr. Modi has said, both the countries will celebrate 30 years of the upgradation of diplomatic relations next year. The Prime Minister said, he is looking forward to meet Naftali Bennett and deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

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NETANYAHU-FM

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi also conveyed profound gratitude to outgoing Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu for the leadership and personal attention to India-Israel strategic partnership.

External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S Jaishankar also gave a farewell message to his outgoing Israeli counterpart Mr. Gabi Ashkenazi.

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AUNG SAN SUU KYI - TRIALS 

The trial of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is underway, four months after a military coup removed the elected government from office. She is charged with the posession of unlicensed walkie-talkies and violating COVID restrictions. Later trials will also focus on allegations of corruption and breaking the official secrets acts also. Human rights groups have condemned the trial, describing it as an attempt to stop her running in future elections.

Suu Kyi aged 75, has been held under house arrest since the 1st February coup in Myanmar and little has been seen or heard of her apart from her brief court appearances.

Another trial will begin on 15th June over sedition charges. The charge carries a sentence of upto 14 years imprisionment. Last week, she was handed additional corruption charges over allegations that she illegally accepted 600,000 Dollars in cash and around 11 kilos of gold.

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UNMISS-INDIA

135 Indian Peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were awarded with medals on Monday. The UNMISS in a statement said that it was a day for rejoicing and to relish for Indian and Sri Lankan peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Lieutenant General Shailesh Tinaikar, the peacekeeping mission’s Force Commander was in Bor to salute the Peacekeepers and pinned medals to the proud chests of 135 Indian and 103 Sri Lankan Blue Berets.

Lieutenant General Tinaikar congratulated the officers for their contributions towards the fulfilment of the UNMISS mandate in the challenging environment.

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HOTSPOT

In today's HOTSPOT section, we bring you a discussion the recently concluded G7 leaders summit in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended three of the outreach sessions, virtually. In conversation are Atul Aneja, International Affairs Expert and Manas Pratim Bhuyan, Journalist.

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INDIA-COVID

India is registering a significant decline in active caseload and fresh cases of Coronavirus. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry said, the active caseload presently comprises 3.29 per cent of the cumulative positive cases and it is continuously declining. The recovery rate has reached 95.43 per cent in the country.

On the vaccination front India has administered over 25 crore 48 lakh COVID vaccine doses to the beneficiaries so far. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry has said, over 14 lakh 99 thousand vaccine doses were administered to the beneficiaries within 24 hours.

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COVID-INTERNATIONAL

Now let’s take a look at the Coronavirus updates from around the world:

• As many countries in the world have approved COVID vaccinations for use in children and look to expand their nationwide vaccination campaigns to cover children as well. The WHO has released a series of explainers on the same. On the question of the status of clinical trials of vaccines on children, WHO chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said that they are under progress.

• The government of Bangladesh has extended the closure of the land border with India for passenger travel till June 30 to contain the spread of the Corona virus in the country. However, the border will remain open for the movement of cargo between the two countries. Confirming the decision to extend the restriction on movement of passengers between the two countries, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Prasar Bharti special correspondent in Dhaka that the  formal notification of the closure is likely to be issued soon by the Cabinet division.

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WORLD NEWS CAPSULE

The Sensex and the Nifty today logged marginal gains to hit record highs. The Sensex closed above the 52,500 mark while the Nifty settled above the 15,800 level. The rupee depreciated 20 paise against the US currency and Brent crude extended gains to trade above 73 dollars per barrel. A report from the business world-

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SPORTS BULLETIN 

In Sports roundup, All India Radio brings you the latest news updates from the world of sports through the day.

In Football, at the Euro 2020, Czech Republic beat Scotland 2-Nil in their first Group D encounter. Elsewhere, Austria beat North Macedonia 3-1. Earlier The Netherlands won 3 goals to 2 against Ukraine in a thrilling match.

• With less than 40 days left for the Tokyo olympics, Indian players are gearing up for the event. In the Olympics series today, we will talk about India's fencing hope for the Tokyo Olympics---Bhawani Devi.

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PIYUSH UN TRADE FORUM

India's Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that India’s per-capita carbon dioxide  emission is the lowest amongst big economies. He said the ambitious renewable energy target of 450 Gigawatts by 2030 shows India's commitment towards the United Nations 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking at the UN Trade Forum 2021, he said that Climate justice should be protected and developed countries should reconsider their pattern of consumption and focus on sustainable lifestyles.

Mr Goyal called for decoupling trade policy and Green goals.  He said that trade policy should look for more inclusive growth all over the world. He said that a clean environment and inclusive development which is sustainable, is a priority agenda for India. The Minister said that India’s long-standing position has been that measures related to environment and sustainability should not be linked to trade.

The Minister said India has taken many bold steps on clean energy, energy efficiency, afforestation and bio-diversity. India has also encouraged global initiatives like International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

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G7-AFRICA

The G7 countries, along with multilateral partners, have announced an 80 billion Dollars commitment to invest in the private sector across Africa. In a statemement, the G7 Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and multilateral partners commit to invest over 80 Billion Dollars in the private sector in Africa over the next five years.

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FPR

Now let us take a look at the major developments around the world, as reported in the foreign press:

• New York Times reports that Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine demonstrated an overall efficacy of 90.4 per cent in a new trial.

• The Financial Times writes that UK anti-corruption watchdog seeks tighter curbs on former officials entering private sector.

• Sydney Morning Herald reports that Oscar-nominated Ned Beatty, who acted in more than 150 titles, dies at 83.

• Khaleej Times reports that 8 countries are offering free cars, cows and cash to vaccinated residents.

• Washington Post reports that A humpback whale swallowed a lobster diver whole and spit him out alive.

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ASI - MONUMENTS

All Centrally-protected monuments, sites and museums in the country under Archaeological Survey of India, ASI, will be opened from this Wednesday. In an order issued on Monday, ASI said that the decision has been taken considering the prevailing situation.

It added that the opening, however, shall be in strict compliance with the executive orders issued by State and District Disaster Management Authorities in areas concerned. ASI said that appropriate guidelines and SOPs issued by Union, State and UT Ministries will be scrupulously followed while regulating the flow of visitors.

Earlier on 15th of April, ASI had ordered to close all the Centrally-protected monuments, sites and museums in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic situation.

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India is celebrating the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Before we end, let us listen to his favourite Bhajan VAISHNAV JAN, by artists from SOUTH AFRICA