UNEP released Global Environment Outlook 2019

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released sixth Global Environment Outlook 2019, titled ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’.
• It calls decision makers to take immediate action to address environmental issues to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
• As per the report, a quarter of all premature deaths and diseases worldwide are due to manmade pollution and environmental damage.
• The report notes that as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. The growing divide between rich and poor as uncontrolled over consumption, pollution and food waste in the developed world leads to hunger, poverty and disease elsewhere.

Important International Reports

World Investment Report	UNCTAD
Global Environment Outlook	UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)
World Economic Outlook	IMF (International Monetary Fund)
Ease of Doing Business World Development Report	IBRD (World Bank)
Global Corruption Report (GCR)	Transparency International
Global Competitiveness Report (GCR)	WEF (World Economic Forum)
World Happiness Report	Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

Further Reading

Coordinated Operation to Protect Kaladan Project Carried Out

• A coordinated operation was conducted by the armies of India and against insurgents Arakan Army in Myanmarese territory to avert a possible threat to the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project.
• The operation was also undertaken keeping in view the safety of Indian workers engaged in the project.
• The Kaladan transit transport project is being viewed as India’s gateway to the Southeast Asia. The project will help connect Mizoram with the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State of Myanmar.

Further Reading

Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas Won Australian F1 Grand Prix 2019

• Mercedes Formula One (F1) driver Valtteri Bottas has clinched his first championship in the Australian Grand Prix held in Melbourne. 

Grand Prix 2018	Winner	Country
British Grand Prix	Sebastian Vettel	Germany
German Grand Prix	Lewis Hamilton	England
Singapore Grand Prix	Lewis Hamilton	England
Russian Grand Prix	Lewis Hamilton	England
Japanese Grand Prix	Lewis Hamilton	England
United States Grand Prix	Kimi Raikkonen	Finland
Abudhabi Grand Prix	Lewis Hamilton	England

Further Reading

Kazakhstan Renamed Capital Astana as Nursultan

• Kazakhstan has renamed its capital as Nursultan (“Sultan of Light”) from its previous name Astana in order to recognize its outgoing leader Nursultan Nazarbayev (78), who has served nearly 30 years as president of Kazakhstan.
• Mr. Nazarbayev has changed the capital from Kazakhstan’s largest city Almaty to Astana in 1997.
• Mr. Nazarbayev will continue to enjoy significant powers thanks to his Constitutional status as “Leader of the Nation”, life-time position as chief of the security council and head of the ruling Nur Otan party.

Further Reading