External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and met country`s Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa to discuss ways to further strengthen the bilateral ties.
Swaraj, who arrived here on a two-day visit, also co-chaired the second joint commission meeting with her counterpart Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. "Most important engagement of the day! EAM Sushma Swaraj called on His Majesty the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. Warm exchange of views on furthering cooperation in science & technology, renewable energy and other areas," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.
"Another warm meeting! EAM SushmaSwaraj met Crown Prince of Bahrain HRH Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at Gudaibiya Palace in Manama," he said.
"Discussion focused on upgrading our partnership across sectors, specially in trade and investment, defence, renewable energy, IT, health and education," he said.
Swaraj began her engagements here today by meeting her counterpart and a close friend of India Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid. The two leaders co-chaired 2nd India-Bahrain High Joint Commission. The first meeting of the High Joint Commission (HJC) was held in New Delhi in February 2015.
Khalid praised the contribution of the Indian community settled in Bahrain towards the economic development of the Gulf Kingdom. Swaraj later called on Prime minister Khalifa bin Salman and held discussions on consolidating the "valuable" bilateral relationship.
With the launch of cost-effective innovative water project, Bihar will soon provide the cheapest drinking water in the world. The first of such a water project was launched in Bihar`s Darbhanga district on Saturday, by Sulabh International, an organisation that introduced the concept of `Sulabh Sauchalya` in the country.
With the help of this project, the people will easily be able to get pure and clean water only in 50paisa/litre. The `Sulabh Jal` project converts contaminated pond and river water into safe drinking water. The founder of Sulabh International Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak laid the foundation of the project at Haribol Pond in Darbhanga Nagar Nigam premises.
Darbhanga MLA Sanjay Saraogi and District Magistrate Chandrasekhar Prasad Singh were also present here on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Pathak said, "We have succeeded in producing pure drinking water at a very nominal cost by this new technology, which has not yet been introduced anywhere in the world. Villagers may get a direct benefit out the project." "We have selected Darbhanga for this water project. The project will be functional by December," he added.
The water purification process has a capacity to purify 8,000 litres of water per day at nominal cost. "Clean drinking water will be available at 50 paise/liter. We will also plant trees on the bank of Haribol tank here. It would be managed by Self Help group of Darbhanga Nagar Nigam," Dr Pathak said.
This project was earlier introduced in three districts of West Bengal - North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and Nadia, three years ago by Sulabh International and French organisation on trial basis, which turned out to be very successful. "The pilot project of this water projected started by us turned out to be very successful, following which we chose Darbhanga to begin our operation," said Dr. Pathak.
3. Forbes Releases 2018 `Celebrity 100` List Of World`s Highest-Paid Entertainers.
Floyd Mayweather ($285 mil in pretax annual earnings), captures the top spot on Forbes’ 20th annual Celebrity 100 ranking of the world’s highest-paid celebrities (p. 106 in Forbes’ August 31, 2018 magazine issue). The boxer’s August 2017 fight versus Conor McGregor generated more than $550 million in revenue, with Money Mayweather earning $275 million, securing him the No. 1 spot for the second year since 2015. George Clooney ($239 mil) is in the No. 2 spot after British liquor giant Diageo purchased Casamigos, the tequila company Clooney cofounded, giving him the best annual take-home of his—or any actor’s—career. Kylie Jenner ($166.5 mil) returns to the list at No. 3, a significant jump from the 2017 newcomer’s spot at No. 59, followed by Judge Judy Sheindlin ($147 mil) at No. 4. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, earning $124 million, rounds out the top five. The Rock (story p. 102) nearly doubled his 2017 $65 million payday, and his acting-related earnings are the largest ever recorded in the 20 years Forbes has tracked the Celebrity 100.
4. Nelson Mandela International Day: 18 July.
Nelson Mandela International Day 2018 is observed internationally on 18th July. This year marks 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela (18 July 1918). The Nelson Mandela Foundation is dedicating this year`s Mandela Day to `Action Against Poverty`, honouring Nelson Mandela`s leadership and devotion to fighting poverty and promoting social justice for all.
November 2009 - in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom, UN General Assembly declares 18 July "Nelson Mandela International Day".