BEIJING NAMES ISLANDS IN DISPUTED SOUTH CHINA SEA
Why in news? China on Tuesday (Apr 21) defended its naming of 80 islands and other geographical features in the South China Sea in a move likely to anger neighbours as the country asserts its territorial claims. Details A joint announcement of the names on Sunday from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry […]
SAARC COUNTRIES UNITE TO COMBAT COVID-19
Why in news? The unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has united the SAARC countries as they adopted international travel bans, enforced strict lockdowns, announced special economic packages, set up a joint fund and banned all religious gatherings to battle the pandemic, earning them a praise from the World Bank for their quick response. Throughout South Asia, […]
INDIAN ENVOY CONDEMNS HATE-SPEECH
Why in news? Cautioning Indians in the United Arab Emirates against a spate of religiously derogatory posts, India’s Ambassador to the UAE said any discrimination would not be tolerated. Details India and UAE share the value of non-discrimination on any grounds. Discrimination is against our moral fabric and the Rule of law. Indian nationals in […]
SEBI SURVEILLANCE TILL MAY 28
Why in news? The tightened surveillance measures for stock markets, introduced on March 23 for a period of one month, have been extended until May 28. In a statement on 21st April, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said the stock markets are expected to remain volatile in the near future on account of […]
ADDITIONAL TRADE BARRIERS VIOLATE WTO’S PRINCIPLE
Why in news? India’s recently adopted policy to curb opportunistic takeovers of domestic companies goes against the principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India said on 20th April 2020. This is the first response from the Chinese side after the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in an April […]
ENSURE WORKERS DOWNLOAD AAROGYA APP
Why in news? Central government organizations involved in construction, including various metro rail corporations, were instructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to ensure that “all labour personnel/staff” returning to work from 20th April 2020 have downloaded the government’s COVID-19 tracking app — Aarogya Setu. Why was this needed? While the country remains in a […]
OPEN UP E-COM SERVICES: IAMAI
Why in news? The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) on 20th April 2020 said it had requested the government to open up e-commerce services, adding that the online vs offline debate is an ‘incorrect portrayal’ of the ground reality as lakhs of sellers from the physical markets also sold online. This follows the ‘last-minute […]
U.S. OIL PRICES FALL BELOW ZERO, GOES TO MINUS $37.63 PER BARREL
Why in news? Traders fled from the expiring May U.S. oil futures contract in a frenzy, this led to sending the contract into negative territory for the first time in history. May U.S. crude futures plunged to a depth never before seen, settling on the day at minus $37.63 a barrel. Why did this happen? […]
WHERE DOES COVID-19 VIRUS FIRST STRIKE?
Why in news? Scientists reported that they have identified two specific types of cells in the nose as the likely initial infection points for SARS-CoV2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. How does it work? The entry of the virus takes place by means of a “lock and key” effect. Like all coronaviruses, SARS-CoV2 consists […]
NATIONS OPTING TO TRADE WITH ECONOMIES HAVING POLITICAL TRUST
Context For decades, the West, led by US strategic thinking, bet that full-on engagement with Beijing would alter the opaque nature of Chinese politics, making it more liberal and open. The free and open liberal world order has run into the great political wall of China with deleterious consequences. Many liberal democracies have also adopted […]