Current Affairs search results for tag: international-news
By admin: July 25, 2022

1. China launches 2nd space station module

Tags: Science and Technology International News

China launched the second of three modules needed to complete its new space station on July 24 as part of the latest step in the ambitious space program.

Important facts

  • According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the giant Long March-5B Y3 carrier rocket, Wentian, was successfully launched from the Wenchang spacecraft launch site off the coast of the southern island province of Hainan.

  • The new module will serve as a backup to the core module, Tianhe, and as a powerful scientific experiment platform in the space station currently being built by China.

  • In the coming weeks, the Wentian will be transformed by a robotic device from a forward docking port to a lateral port, where it will remain and be ready for long-term operation.

  • The construction of China's Tiangong space station is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

  • This will complete the construction of Tiangong, the space station taking shape in China's space.

  • With the establishment of this space station, China will be the third country in the world to have its own space station.

Tianhe module

  • It was launched in April 2021, and the Mengtian module is set to be launched in October this year.

  • About 18 meters (60 ft) long and weighing 22 tons (48,500 lb), the new module has three sleeping areas and space for scientific experiments.

  • It will combine with Tiangong's already dispatched modules to shape the space station.

Tiangong Space Station

  • This is a Chinese space station being built in low Earth orbit between 340 and 450 kilometres above the earth.

  • It is part of China's manned space program and is the country's first long-term space station.

By admin: July 23, 2022

2. Henley Passport Index 2022

Tags: International News

India has been ranked 87 out of the world's 199 most powerful passports in 2022 in the Henley Passport Index 2022 published by immigration consultancy Henley & Partners.

Important facts

  • The ranking was based on the number of destinations that passport holders can reach without prior visas.

Countries' performance in the index

  • Japan ranks first among 199 countries. It is followed by Singapore and South Korea.

  • Japan's passport allows entry to 193 countries without a prior visa. Singapore and South Korea, on the other hand, allow seamless entry into 192 countries.

  • in Asian countries; India, Mauritius and Tajikistan are ranked 87th with hassle-free entry to 67 countries without prior visas.

  • China and Bolivia are ranked 69th with their passports allowing access to 80 destinations.

  • Bangladesh is ranked 104th.

  • With access to 32 destinations, Pakistan has the fourth worst passport in the world.

  • Afghan passport holders have access to only 27 countries. Iraqi passport, on the other hand, provides hassle-free entry to 29 countries. These two countries have been placed at the bottom.

  • The top 10 countries on the list of the most powerful passports in the world include Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Germany, Spain, Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Austria and Denmark (in order).

By admin: July 23, 2022

3. Russia, Ukraine sign historic grain deal with Turkey

Tags: International News

For the first time since the war, Russia and Ukraine signed a historic deal with the United Nations and Turkey on July 22 to restart grain shipments, which could ease the global food crisis.

What is the deal about?

  • The agreement has been reached through the mediation of the United Nations and Turkey.

  • The aim is to reopen the Black Sea delivery routes that are important for grain exports.

  • The deal, agreed through UN and Turkish mediation, establishes secure corridors along which Ukrainian ships can move in and out of three designated Black Sea ports in and around Odessa.

  • Both sides also promised not to attack ships en route or outside.

What is the grain export deal?

  • The deal provides for the safe passage of ships.

  • Ships must undergo inspection to ensure that they are not carrying weapons.

  • Ukraine has said that no Russian ships will guard the ships and that there will be no Russian representatives at Ukrainian ports.

Significance of the deal

  • It will provide relief to developing countries on the verge of bankruptcy and the most vulnerable on the brink of famine.

  • The five-month Russia-Ukraine war has already displaced millions and claimed thousands of lives.

  • Huge quantities of wheat and other grain have been blocked by Russian warships and landmines in Ukraine's ports.

  • Ukraine is one of the world's biggest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, but a naval blockade of Russia's ports has halted shipments.

  • Ukraine is expected to export 22 million tonnes of grain and other agricultural products that are stuck in Black Sea ports because of the war.

By admin: July 22, 2022

4. Indian embassy to organise second edition of North-East India Festival in Bangkok

Tags: International News National News

The second edition of the Festival of Northeast India is being organised by the Embassy of India in Bangkok Central World in association with Trend MMS of India from July 29 to July 31, 2022.

Important facts

  • The first edition of this festival was held in February 2019.

  •  This has opened up business opportunities for the Indian business community of the North East.

  • Trade has got a boost especially in the fields of tourism, agriculture and food processing.

  • This year's Northeast India Festival will focus more on promoting trade, investment and tourism.

  • In addition, there will be more opportunities for culture, education and people-to-people exchanges.

  • The three-day festival will be inaugurated on July 29, 2022.

  • Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs will be the Chief Guest for the festival.

By admin: July 22, 2022

5. Dinesh Gunawardena sworn in as 15th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

Tags: Person in news International News

Dinesh Gunawardena was sworn in as the 15th prime minister of Sri Lanka by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 22 July along with 17 other cabinet ministers.

Important facts

  • Gunawardena is parliamentarian of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party.

  • Gunawardene was appointed Home Minister by the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in April.

  • Gunawardena, 73, earlier served as the foreign minister and education minister for the nation.

  • The Sri Lankan economic and political crisis, resulted in economic mismanagement and conflict in Ukraine, sparked months of mass protests and eventually forced then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country.

  • Wickremesinghe was elected as the new president of Srilanka on 20 July and was sworn in as Sri Lankan president on 21 July.

  • Wickremesinghe declared a state of emergency, demanding a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

About Sri Lanka

  • The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a tropical island nation off the southeast coast of the Indian subcontinent. It is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Munnar and the Palk Strait.

  • Capitals: Colombo (Executive and Judicial) and Sri Jayawardenepura (Legislative).

  • Official Languages: Sinhala and Tamil

  • Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee

By admin: July 22, 2022

6. Russia resumes Nord Stream natural-gas supply to Europe

Tags: International News

Russia has started sending natural gas to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline system after a pause, bringing relief to Europe, whose economy is wobbly under pressure from short supplies.

Important facts

  • Germany, which is heavily dependent on Russia’s gas, had feared that Moscow would not reopen the pipeline after the scheduled work.

  • Germany believes Russia is reducing supplies in retaliation for Western sanctions on the Ukraine war.

Nord Stream Pipeline

Nord Stream has two pipelines, each containing two lines.

  1. Nord Stream 1

It was completed in 2011 and runs from Vyborg in Leningrad (Russia) to Lubmin near Greifswald, Germany.

  1. Nord Stream 2 

In 2015, Russian energy major Gazprom and five other European firms decided to form Nord Stream 2.

It runs from Ust-Luga in Russia to Greifswald in Germany through the Baltic Sea and was completed in September 2021.

It will carry 55 billion cubic metres of gas every year.

Nord Stream 1 and 2 together will supply an aggregate of 110 billion cubic metres of gas to Germany per year. 

The pipeline falls in the territory of EU members Germany and Denmark.

In December 2019, work on the project was suspended due to the threat of US sanctions.

In January 2021, the US sanctioned a Russian ship carrying out pipe laying work for the project.

An agreement was reached between the US and Germany on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Top 5 Natural Gas producing Countries 

  1. United States - 914.6 billion Cubic Meters

  2. Russia - 638.5 billion Cubic Meters

  3. Iran - 250.8 billion Cubic Meters

  4. China - 194 billion Cubic Meters

  5. Qatar  171.3 billion Cubic Meters

Top 5 Countries that Consume the Most Natural Gas 

  1. United States 

  2. Russia 

  3. China 

  4. Iran 

  5. Canada 

Top 5 Countries with the Largest Natural Gas Reserves

  1. Russia    

  2. Iran    

  3. Qatar    

  4. Turkmenistan    

  5. United States

By admin: July 21, 2022

7. US House approves CAATSA waiver for India

Tags: International News

The US House of Representatives passed an amendment, which approves an exemption to India against CAATSA sanctions.

Important facts

  • This amendment was passed by voice vote.

  • This gives India an exemption to purchase S-400 missile defence systems from Russia under CAATSA sanctions.

  • America's relaxation is in the direction of countering China.

  • The amendment was passed during the floor consideration of the National Defence Authorization Act.

CAATSA Amendment

  • The CAATSA amendment was drafted and introduced by Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna.

  • The amendment seeks the Joe Biden administration to grant India exemptions under CAATSA to help deter aggressive countries like China.

What is CAATSA?

  • CAATSA stands for Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.

  • The law authorises the US administration to impose sanctions on countries that buy major defence equipment from Russia.

  • The US government is free to take punitive action under CAATSA against countries involved in transactions with the Russian defence and intelligence sectors.

By admin: July 21, 2022

8. 9th ASEAN-India meet on transnational crimes

Tags: International News

The 9th ASEAN-India Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crimes was held in a virtual mode on 20 July. 

Important facts

  • Both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, stressing the need to promote international cooperation to combat terrorism and transnational crimes.

  • The consultation was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism), Ministry of External Affairs Government of India, Mahaveer Singhvi, from the Indian side. 

  • Deputy Secretary (Policy), Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore Government, Puah Kok Keong co-chaired the Consultation from the ASEAN side.

  • Both sides stressed the need to strengthen international cooperation to combat terrorism and transnational crimes in a comprehensive and sustained manner.

  • They discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the areas of terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, transnational economic crimes and cybercrime within the framework of the ASEAN-India Action Plan to combat transnational crimes.

  • Institutional linkages and capacity building programs between the two sides were also discussed.

  • The 10th ASEAN-India SOMTC Consultation on International Crimes will be held in Indonesia in 2023.

ASEAN-India dialogue

  • It was initiated in 1992 with the establishment of the Regional Partnership, which evolved into a Full Dialogue in December 1995, a Summit-level Partnership in 2002, and a Strategic Partnership in 2012.

  • At present, the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation.

  • ASEAN is central to India's Act East Policy and the Comprehensive Indo-Pacific Strategy.

  • This multi-faceted partnership includes several regional dialogue mechanisms and working groups that meet regularly at various levels and include annual summits, ministerial and senior officials' meetings.

  • Ongoing India-ASEAN cooperation is guided by the 2021-2025 Action Plan that was adopted in 2020.

About ASEAN

  • Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN is an international organisation formed in Bangkok,Thailand in 1967.

  • It promotes economic development, peace, security, social progress and cultural development in the Southeast Asian region.

  • ASEAN Secretariat – Indonesia, Jakarta.

  • General Secretary of ASEAN - Lim Jock Hoi, Brunei

  • Official Languages - Burmese, Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, Lao, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, Thai and Vietnamese

  • Working Language -  English

  • ASEAN Summit is the supreme policy making body of ASEAN. 

  • ASEAN is third largest market in the world 

  • It is the sixth largest economy in the world, third in Asia.

  • ASEAN has Free-trade agreements (FTAs) with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

ASEAN Member Countries

  • Indonesia

  • Malaysia

  • Philippines

  • Singapore

  • Thailand

  • Brunei

  • Vietnam

  • Laos

  • Myanmar

  • Cambodia

By admin: July 20, 2022

9. India And Namibia Sign MoU For Wildlife Conservation

Tags: National International News

India and Namibia on 20 July signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wildlife Conservation and Sustainable Biodiversity Use to place the Cheetah in the Historic Category in India.

Thrust areas of the MoU

  • Biodiversity conservation with a special focus on the conservation and restoration of cheetahs in areas where they became extinct.

  • Exchange of expertise and capabilities with the aim of promoting cheetah conservation between the two countries.

  • Wildlife conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity by sharing good practices

  • Technological applications, mechanisms of livelihood generation for local communities living in wildlife habitats and sustainable management of biodiversity.

  • Cooperation in climate change, environmental governance, environmental impact assessment, pollution and waste management and other areas of mutual interest.

  • Training and exchange of trained personnel in wildlife management including sharing of technical expertise, wherever relevant.

About Cheetah

  • The cheetah is one of the oldest of the big cat species, whose ancestors can be traced back more than five million years to the Miocene era.

  • It is the world's fastest land mammal that lives in Africa and Asia.

  • Human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss and hunting and illegal trafficking are the reasons for their extinction in India.

Cheetah reintroduction project in India

  • The main goal of the project is to establish viable cheetah metapopulation in India that allows the cheetah to perform its functional role as a top predator.

  • The surveys were conducted at 10 locations between 2010 and 2012.

  • Under this project, 50 cheetahs will be introduced in various national parks of the country over a period of 5 years.

By admin: July 20, 2022

10. Cabinet approves MoU on Judicial Cooperation with Maldives

Tags: International News National News

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of judicial cooperation between India and the Judicial Service Commission of the Republic of Maldives.

Important facts

  •  It will provide a platform to tap the benefits of Information Technology for court digitization. 

  • It can be a potential growth area for the IT companies and start-ups in both the countries. 

  • With the signing of this agreement on cooperation in the field of law and justice, better relations between the two countries will gain further impetus.

  • This will not only enable the exchange of knowledge and technology in judicial and other legal areas between the two countries but will also advance the objectives of the “Neighbourhood First” policy.

  • In recent years, the close relations between India and Maldives have deepened multidimensionally.

About Maldives

  • It is also called Maldive Islands, an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.

  • It extends more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.

  • Basis of economy - fisheries, tourism

  • Industries - handicraft or cottage including the making of coir (coconut-husk fibre) and coir products, fish canning, and boatbuilding.

  • Capital - Male

  • President - Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

  • Official Language - Dhivehi (Maldivian)

  • Official Religion - Islam

  • Currency - Rufiyaa