1. Qatar lifts ban on frozen seafood from India
Tags: International News
Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) has said that Qatar partially lifted a ban imposed last year on the import of frozen seafood from India on 18 February.
An overview of the news
The ban will continue on exports of chilled seafood, which accounts for about a third of the West Asian country's total seafood exports in 2021-22 with the worth of Rs 143 crore.
Frozen seafood is stored at minus 20 degrees, while chilled seafood is stored at 3-4 degrees Celsius.
In the current financial year, India's seafood exports to the West Asian country stood at around Rs 90 crore, with prawns taking the number one spot.
China has also lifted the suspension of shipments from 99 Indian seafood processing and export units.
Now seafood exports are expected to cross USD 8 billion in the current fiscal.
Why was the ban imposed?
This ban was imposed in November 2022.
Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera infection, was reportedly detected in consignments exported from India to Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup. After this these food products were banned.
2. Jaishankar unveils bust of Sardar Vallabhai Patel in Fiji's capital Suva
Tags: International News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar unveiled the bust of Sardar Vallabhai Patel at India House in Fiji's capital Suva on 17 February.
An overview of the news
Jaishankar was in Fiji from February 15 to 17, where he participated in the 12th World Hindi Conference.
He held bilateral meetings with Fiji's leadership during his first visit to Suva on 16 February.
Jaishankar met the President of Fiji, Ratu William Katonivere, at State House and along with the President of Fiji launched a Government of India funded project for solarization of the Pacific Heads of State Residence at State House in Suva.
The project is a Solar Head of State initiative launched by the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) in Fiji and funded by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.
The leaders of the two countries took stock of bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen the development partnership between India and Fiji in various sectors including capacity building, health, education, agriculture and information technology.
The External Affairs Minister inaugurated the renovated Girmit Gallery at the Fiji Museum.
The gallery depicts the journey of Girmits (Indian indentured labourers) in Fiji.
India and Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
3. World Hindi Conference concludes in Fiji
Tags: Summits International News
The 12th World Hindi Conference concluded on 17 February in Nadi, Fiji. It was held from 15 to 17th February.
An overview of the news
Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan and Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra addressed the closing ceremony.
The three-day conference was organised by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Government of Fiji.
The main theme of the conference was "Hindi - Traditional Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence".
In addition to the theme-based plenary sessions, 10 parallel sessions were held.
Representatives of 50 countries participated in the World Hindi Conference.
The conference was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar along with Fijian Prime Minister Sitwini Rabuka.
This program will be used to promote Hindi as a global language.
World Hindi Conference
The first World Hindi Conference was held in Nagpur in 1975 to popularise Hindi as a global language. At that time Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.
11th World Hindi Conference was held at Port Louis, Mauritius between 18-20 August' 2018.
Hindi Diwas
Every year 14 September is observed as Hindi Diwas in India.
On this day in 1949 the Constituent Assembly adopted Hindi as the official language of the country.
Republic of Fiji
It is an archipelago consisting of around 300 islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
Capital: Suva
Currency: Fijian Dollar
Prime Minister: Sitiveni Rabuka
4. Spanish government passes law providing 'menstrual leave' for the first time in Europe
Tags: International News
Spain's government approved a law providing paid medical leave for women suffering from severe menstrual pain, a first in any European country.
An overview of the news
Such facilities are currently available in Japan, Indonesia and Zambia.
According to the law, as much leave is needed for any female employee in case of illness, as much leave is required to deal with the pain during periods, no matter what field it is related to.
According to the rules like paid leave found in other health related problems, approval should be given to get treatment from the doctor even during the period.
However, the new law does not specify the number of days leave should be given by doctors during periods.
Other countries providing menstrual leave
Indonesia passed a law in 2003 that gives women the right to two days of paid menstrual leave per month without prior notice.
In Japan, a 1947 law states that companies must agree to provide women with menstrual leave if they request for it.
In South Korea, women are entitled to one day of unpaid menstrual leave per month. Employers who refuse face fines.
In Taiwan, the Gender Equality in Employment Act entitles women to three days of menstrual leave per year.
Zambia passed a law in 2015 allowing women to take a day off without notice during menstruation.
5. India Japan joint training exercise "Dharma Guardian" to begin at Camp Imazu in Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Tags: Defence International News
The 4th edition of the joint military exercise between India and Japan, "X Dharma Guardians" will be conducted from 17 February to 2 March 2023 at Camp Imazu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
An overview of the news
Soldiers from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and an infantry regiment from the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) are participating in the exercise this year.
They will share experiences gained during operations in order to enhance inter-operability in planning and execution.
The Indian Army contingent reached the exercise site on 12 February 2023.
Focus area of training
The training will mainly focus on high level of physical fitness and sharing of exercises at tactical level.
During the exercise, the participants will engage in various missions including joint planning, joint tactical exercise, integrated surveillance grid.
The joint exercise will help both the armies to know each other better, share their vast experiences and enhance situational awareness.
What is Exercise Dharma Guardian?
It is an annual joint military exercise conducted between India and Japan since 2018.
It aims to share experience gained during various Counter Terrorism Operations in respective Countries.
The exercise assumes immense significance in the context of the security challenges faced by both the countries in the backdrop of the current global situation.
The scope of the exercise includes platoon level joint training on operations in jungle and semi-urban/urban terrain.
Other Exercises Between India and Japan
SHINYU Maitri - A bilateral exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF).
JIMEX- A bilateral maritime exercise between India and Japan.
Sahyog-Kaijin- Joint Bilateral Exercise between Indian Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard.
6. India and Fiji sign MoU on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders on 16 February in presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
An overview of the news
Under this agreement, holders of diplomatic and official passports will be able to enter, transit and stay in each other's territory without a visa for a period of 90 days.
India and Fiji share close and long-standing relations and the two countries also reviewed bilateral relations.
India and Fiji have inaugurated the solarisation of the State House in Suva and this is the first of a series that India is supporting in the Pacific Islands.
It shows India's commitment towards climate action.
The Visa Waiver Agreement will be helpful in encouraging greater travel between the two countries.
Republic of Fiji
It is an archipelago consisting of around 300 islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
Capital: Suva
Currency: Fijian Dollar
President : Wiliame Katonivere
Prime Minister: Sitiveni Rabuka
7. India and Spain agreed to cooperate in digital infra, climate action, clean energy
Tags: International Relations International News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez on February 15 agreed to collaborate on issues such as digital infrastructure, climate action, clean energy and sustainable development.
An overview of the news
They also discussed several bilateral and international issues of mutual interest.
They reviewed bilateral initiatives and expressed satisfaction at the growing cooperation in the defence, economic and commercial sectors.
Sanchez extended full support to India's initiative of chairing the global bloc G20.
India-Spain Relations
Relations between the two countries have been cordial since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956.
To give impetus to trade and investment ties, the India-Spain Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation (JCEC) was established in 1972.
The commission was established under the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement and has met ten times since then.
Spain is India's 7th largest trading partner in the European Union.
India's exports to Spain include organic chemicals, textiles, iron and steel products, motor vehicle components, marine products and leather goods.
Spain is the 15th largest investor in India.
Bilateral Agreements between India and Spain
Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation, 1972
Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, 1982
Civil Aviation Agreement, 1986
Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, 1993
Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement, 1997
Extradition Treaty, 2002
MoU on Institutionalisation of Political Dialogue, 2006
8. Prominent Indian-American politician Nikki Haley announces US Presidential bid
Tags: Person in news International News
Former South Carolina Governor, Indian-American leader and Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced her candidacy for the US President on 14 February.
An overview of the news
In this way, she has become the first Republican to challenge former US President Donald Trump to become her party's nominee for the White House in 2024.
Haley, 51, has been a two-time governor of South Carolina and the US ambassador to the United Nations.
Before entering the presidential election, Haley must win the primary vote for the Republican presidential candidate, which begins in January next year.
The next US presidential election will be held on November 5, 2024.
About Nikki Haley
Helly is the child of migrant Punjabi Sikh parents.
Haley was born in Bamberg, South Carolina, and became the state's first female governor and the first Indian-American to lead the state.
If she wins the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, she will make history as the first woman and the first Asian-American.
9. New Zealand declares national emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle lashes North Island
Tags: International News
The New Zealand government has declared a national emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle hit the North Island.
An overview of the news
Cyclone Gabrielle causes widespread flooding, landslides and huge ocean swells across the North Island.
This is an unprecedented weather event that is having widespread impacts across much of the North Island.
Gabriel appeared over some small islands about 100 km north-east of Auckland, but is now moving south-west.
National State of Emergency in New Zealand
A national state of emergency has been declared in New Zealand on two previous occasions – the first in 2011 after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch and the second in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
10. Saudi Arabia to send its 1st female astronaut to space this year
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Saudi Arabia's first female astronaut is set to go into space this year, in what is seen as a move to reform Saudi Arabia's ultra-conservative image.
An overview of the news
Saudi female astronaut Rayna Barnawi will join Saudi Ali Al-Qarni on a 10-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) this year.
Barnawi and al-Karni will fly to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of a mission by American privately funded space infrastructure developer private space company Axiom Space .
The Ax-2 will be launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, America.
Another fellow Emirati, Sultan Al-Neyadi will also visit the space station at the end of February 2023.
Axiom Space launched its first private astronaut mission to the ISS in April 2022, with four private astronauts spending 17 days in space orbit.
In 2019, Saudi Arabia's neighbouring United Arab Emirates became the first Arab country to send a citizen into space. Astronaut Hazza al-Mansoori spent eight days on the ISS.
In 1985, Saudi royal prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz participated in a US-organised space mission, becoming the first Arab Muslim to travel in space.
Saudi Arabia
King - Salman
Capital - Riyadh
Currency - Saudi Arabian riyal
Official Language - Arabic
Official Religion - Islam
