THE BATTLE TO SET OIL PRICES: RUSSIA’S MOVE TO REJECT PRODUCTION CUTS
Even as the world grapples with COVID-19 pandemic, the energy war has started to precipitate the global oil prices to lower levels. Why the prices are falling? Because the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its alliance partners failed to reach any consensus on cutting back production that would enable prices to remain […]
U.S. FREEZES WHO FUNDING OVER CORONAVIRUS CRISIS, INDIA STEERS CLEAR
Why in news? President Donald Trump said on 14th April 2020 he has instructed his administration to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic while his administration reviews its response to the global crisis. Trump said WHO had promoted China’s “disinformation” about the virus that likely led […]
WORLD ECONOMY TO CONTRACT BY 3% IMF
Why in news? The COVID-19 pandemic is having a “severe” effect on the world economy and is expected to cause a -3% change (i.e., a contraction) in global output in 2020, “much worse” than the 2008-09 financial crises, as per the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook (WEO). India’s growth is expected to dip […]
VIRUS INFECTIONS HAVE ‘CERTAINLY’ NOT PEAKED YET, WARNS WHO
Why in news? WHO told, 90% of cases of the overall outbreak, are from Europe and the U.S.A. So, we are certainly not seeing the peak yet. World Health Organization (WHO) The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. […]
U.S. APPROVES 2 MISSILE DEALS WITH INDIA
Why in news? The U.S. State Department has approved two potential missile deals with India, for an estimated $92 million and $63 million, the State Department has said in a statement. The first deal, for which Boeing is the contractor, is for ten AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles and related equipment. The second […]
INDIA TALKING TO U.S. OVER VISA SANCTIONS
Why in news? The government is “engaged” in talks with the U.S. administration to reconsider President Donald Trump’s orders to impose visa sanctions on countries that don’t take back illegal “aliens” in the U.S. within a week. Details The order clashed with New Delhi’s decision to restrict all passengers, including Indian citizens from any other […]
IUSSTF BOOSTS INDO-US VIRTUAL NETWORKS TO ADDRESS COVID 19 CHALLENGES
Why in news? The Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), has invited Proposals for ‘COVID-19 Indo-U.S. Virtual Networks’ that would allow Indian and U.S. scientists and engineers currently engaged in COVID-related research to carry out joint research activities through a virtual mechanism, leveraging existing infrastructure and funding. Proposals that convincingly demonstrate the benefits and value […]
INDIA MONITORING IMPACT OF U.S. – TALIBAN DEAL
Why in news? External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on 2nd March 2020 that India was “watching the space” closely to ensure that gains of the past two decades were not lost after U.S. signed a deal with Taliban. India’s Concerns Not Addressed While India has raised concerns over the future of democracy, human rights, […]
EXPERTS RAISE CONCERNS FOR INDIA OVER U.S.-TALIBAN AGREEMENT
Why in news? After a closer look at the texts of the two agreements named the ‘Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan which is not recognised by the United States as a state and is known as the Taliban, and the United States of America’, and The ‘Joint Declaration […]
NO NSG WAIVER FOR INDIA, SAYS NEW ZEALAND DEPUTY PM
Why in news? The path ahead for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is yet “unknown”, said New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, who raised the issue with the government during his visit to Delhi in the last week of February 2020. Details of the visit This visit was regarding bilateral trade and multilateral cooperation […]