CHINA, U.S. COMMIT TO IMPLEMENT TRADE DEAL
Why in news? Chinese and U.S. trade representatives agreed on 8th May to “create favourable conditions” for the phase one trade deal signed in January 2020, officials said, despite recent tensions over the coronavirus pandemic. Good progress Both sides said they should strengthen macroeconomic and public health cooperation, strive to create a favourable atmosphere and conditions […]
TRUMP: COVID CRISIS ‘WORSE THAN PEARL HARBOR’ OR 9/11
Why in news? Donald Trump has said the COVID-19 pandemic is a worse “attack” on the U.S. than either Pearl Harbor or 9/11. The Japanese assault on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii drew the United States into Second World War. The September 11, 2001 jihadist attacks on that killed about 3,000 people and […]
U.S. RECOGNISES INDIA’S ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN
Why in news? The U.S. recognises India’s “constructive contribution” to Afghanistan, said U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan reconciliation. Details The U.S. side recognised India’s constructive contribution in economic development, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. They laid importance to India’s crucial and continuing role in sustainable peace, security and stability in Afghanistan. Expressing deep concern […]
3 INDIAN PHOTOGRAPHERS WIN PULITZER PRIZE
Why in news? The 2020 Pulitzer Prize winners were announced virtually on 4th May owing to the COVID-19 outbreak. Indians who won: The Associated Press was awarded the feature photography prize for images showing life in Kashmir as India revoked its semi-autonomous status. Three photographers — Mukhtar Khan, Yasin Dar and Channi Anand —were named for the […]
IRAN APPROVES NEW CURRENCY- TOMAN
Why in news? The Iran’s parliament has passed a bill allowing the government to slash four zeros from the Iranian ‘rial’. Iran’s national currency will be changed from the Iranian rial to the ‘Toman’, which is equal to 10,000 rials, under the bill. Why did they need a new currency? There was a sharp fall in the […]
SAUDI ARABIA’S INVESTMENTS IN INDIA ON TRACK
Why in news? Despite a massive 50% drop in oil revenues and a downturn in the economy, Saudi Arabia’s investments in India will not be affected, the Kingdom’s Ambassador to India Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati said in a written interview. At a time when a UN body has predicted a cut in about 1.7 […]
OMAN JOB CUTS NOT INDIA-SPECIFIC: CENTRE
Why in news? There are reports of continued job cuts in several Gulf countries, including Oman, which has instructed government-owned companies to replace expat workers “as quickly as possible” with Omanis. Amidst these reports, expat Indian citizens have played a significant role in creating prosperous economies in the Gulf region, the External Affairs Ministry said […]
BY ANY CALCULUS INDIA QUALIFIES FOR UNSC PERMANENT SEAT
Why in news? India is due for election to the temporary membership of the U.N. Security Council later in 2020. Priorities for India to work on India in many ways is a sui generis (unique)country, the only example in history of a billion-plus people working together in a democratic framework. Our USP (Unique selling proposition) is that […]
STUDY ON CHINA DAMS BRINGS THE BRAHMAPUTRA INTO FOCUS
Why in news? A new study highlighting the impact of China’s dams on the Mekong river has raised fresh questions on whether dams being built on other rivers that originate in China, such as the Brahmaputra, may similarly impact countries downstream. The Mekong flows from China to Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. What the […]
INDIA REMAINS ON U.S. PRIORITY WATCH LIST
Why in news? India continues to be on the ‘Priority Watch List’ of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for lack of adequate intellectual property (IP) rights protection and enforcement, the USTR said in its Annual Special 301 Report, released on 29th April 2020. Details India remained one of the most challenging economies for IP enforcement […]