IMPORTANCE OF SOFT POWER IS INCREASING GLOBALLY
Views of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) president When the ICCR was established- Majorly, it was about scholarships to foreign students, cultural exchanges involving artistes and youths as also establishing some Chairs in some universities etc. Now, we are in a world where every nation wants to influence and occupy the mind space of […]
Gender Violence Is A “Shadow Pandemic”: Un Women
Measuring the shadow pandemic: Violence against women Focus: GS-II Social Justice, International Relations Why in news? The UN Women has urged member-States to include prevention of violence against women in their action plans on COVID-19 and consider shelters and helplines essential services, calling the rise in gender-based violence a “shadow pandemic”. Details: According to UN […]
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL LIKELY ON APRIL 9
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, GS-II International Relations Why in news? India is gearing for diplomatic activities as the U.N. Security Council appears set for a special session over the COVID-19 pandemic. What is likely to happen? A special closed session of the UNSC is to be held as early as on April 9 when all […]
INDIA REVOKES BAN ON EXPORT OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE, OPPOSITION SLAMS
Why in news? The Government of India announced on 7th March 2020 that it had rescinded its earlier ban on the export of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which is now being used in countries such as the U.S. as a possible line of treatment for COVID-19, setting off a controversy over whether the two-day old […]
UNGA ADOPTS RESOLUTION CALLING FOR GLOBAL SOLIDARITY, COOPERATION TO FIGHT COVID-19
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, International Relations, Prelims Why in news? The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by 188 nations including India, on COVID-19, calling for intensified international cooperation to defeat the pandemic that is causing severe disruption to societies and economies. The resolution titled Global solidarity to fight the coronavirus […]
PM’s message on World Health Day
Why in news? PM has given following message: “Today on World Health Day, let us not only pray for each other’s good health and well-being but also reaffirm our gratitude towards all those doctors, nurses, medical staff and healthcare workers who are bravely leading the battle against the COVID-19 menace.” Details about World Health […]
LIBYA SUMMIT SEEKS END TO FOREIGN MEDDLING
Why in news? World leaders made a fresh push for peace in Libya at a summit in Berlin on January 19, 2020 Details UN-led talks in Berlin is a bid to curb military interference, help relaunch political dialogue The summit’s main goal is to get foreign powers wielding influence in the region to stop interfering […]
FALLOUTS FOR INDIA DUE TO U.S. AIR STRIKE ON IRAN
The terse statement masked the deep unease about how far the ripples from this sharp spike in US-Iran tensions will extend across the region, and impact India. With Iran vowing revenge, a possible widening of the US-Iran conflict, from Saudi Arabia to Afghanistan and Pakistan, will not leave India unaffected. India should position itself in […]
INDIA-NEPAL TO HOLD TALKS OVER KALAPANI
Kalapani Region of the Uttarakhand is the bone of contention between India and Nepal. India has recently released its new political map– released by Survey of India About Survey of India The Survey of India is India’s central engineering agency in charge of mapping and surveying. It is under ministry of Science and Technology and […]
PAKISTAN RETAINED IN FATF’S GREY LIST
Why in news? Pakistan has been retained on the “grey list” of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for another four months, with a stern warning from the global watchdog that met in Paris (February 19-21) to complete the 27-point action plan it has been given by June 2020 or face being put on the “black list” […]