Current Affairs search results for tag: international-news
By admin: June 2, 2022

1. Gun Control Legislation in Canada

Tags: International News

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled new legislation that would impose "some of the most stringent gun control measures" in decades, including a "freeze" on the country's handgun buying and selling.

  • This law will limit the capacity of magazines as well as ban toys that look like guns.

  • Under this new law, only sports shooters, Olympic athletes and security guards will be exempted from the handgun freeze.

  • In this law, the person who already has a gun will be allowed to keep it.

  • After the increasing incidents of shooting, the Canadian government has prepared this new plan to control gun culture.

  • About Canada 

  • Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of total area.

  • It's only land bordering country is the United States, with which it shares the world's longest land border.

  • Capital - Ottawa

  • Prime Minister- Justin Trudeau

  • Currency- Canadian Dollar

By admin: June 1, 2022

2. Elon Musk tops list of highest-paid CEOs

Tags: International News

According to the Fortune 500 report, in the year 2021, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk were in first place in terms of highest salary.

  • In the year 2021, Elon Musk has received $23.5 billion (Rs 1.82 lakh crore) as salary. This also includes encashing stock options issued in 2018, which had a deadline of 2021.

  • After Musk, the list of the 10 highest-paid Fortune 500 CEOs of 2021 features all tech and biotech CEOs, including the heads of Apple, Netflix and Microsoft.

  • Apple's Tim Cook was the second highest-paid CEO, who received $ 77.05 million (about six thousand crore rupees) as salary in 2021.

  • Nvidia co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang came third on the list with $507 million.

  • Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who was at number seven in this list, has received $ 3094 million in the year 2021 as salary.

  • Top 10 Highest Paid CEOs

  • Elon Musk (Tesla) - $23.5 billion

  • Tim Cook (Apple) - $770.5 million

  • Jensen Huang (NVIDIA) - $561 million

  • Reed Hastings (Netflix) - $453.5 million

  • Leonard Schlieffer Regeneron (Pharmaceuticals) - $452.9 million

  • Marc Benioff (Salesforce) – $439.4 million

  • Satya Nadella (Microsoft) – $309.4 million

  • Robert A. Kotik (Activision Blizzard) - $296.7 million

  • Hawk E. Tan (Broadcom) - $288 million

  • Saffra A. Katz (Oracle) - $239.5 million

By admin: June 1, 2022

3. India-Bangladesh Rail Link

Tags: National International News

Passenger train services between India and Bangladesh resumed, Bandhan Express departed from Kolkata for Khulna and Maitree Express started from Dhaka to Kolkata.

  • The Bandhan Express was resumed rail link between Kolkata and the industrial hub of Khulna.

  • Khulna is the third-largest city of Bangladesh.

  • In 1965, the Barisal Express was introduced on this route, which was stopped due to the Indo-Pakistani War.

  • The government of India along with the Bangladesh government restarted that with Bandhan express in 2017.

  • Bandhan Express was the second train to be flagged off after the introduction of Maitree Express between Kolkata and Dhaka Cantonment in April 2008.

  • It covers the distance between Kolkata and Khulna via Petrapole and Benapole border route to meet the demands of the people of both the countries.

  • Other works towards strengthening the rail link 

  • In August 2021, the two sides started regular movement of freight trains between Haldibari in India and Chilahati in Bangladesh.

  • The Haldibari-Chilahati rail link between India and erstwhile East Pakistan was also operational till 1965 which was closed due to war.

  • It was part of the broad gauge main road from Kolkata to Siliguri at the time of partition.

  • At least 20 freight trains per month are planned to cross the border on this link by both sides.

By admin: May 31, 2022

4. 10 Pacific Island Countries Reject China's Regional Security Pact

Tags: International News

China has suffered a major diplomatic humiliation in the Pacific. Ten island nations in the region rejected China's proposed security agreement.

  • Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has returned empty handed on a very important visit to the Pacific countries.

  • Why did the Pacific Nations reject the Pact?

  • Pacific countries worry that the pact is designed to pull them towards Beijing’s orbit.

  • The agreement was "abusive" and would "ensure Chinese influence in the governments of the Pacific" and China's "economic control" over key industries.

  • Lack of regional consensus.

  • Security issues with China

  • China's full proposal has not been made public, but was leaked to the media.

  • Features of the Pact

  • China has offered to radically intensify its activities in the South Pacific, directly challenging the influence of the US and its allies in the strategically important region

  • China is offering millions of dollars in financial aid.

  • China had proposed a pact that would enable the country to-

  1. To train Pacific island police

  2. To become involved in cybersecurity

  3. To expand political ties

  4. To conduct sensitive marine mapping

  5. To gain more access to natural resources on land and in the water

By admin: May 30, 2022

5. Pope Francis elevates archbishops of Hyderabad and Goa to cardinal rank

Tags: Person in news International News

Pope Francis announced on 29 May that he would create 21 new cardinals, including two from India, in a Consistory on 27 August.

  • It is a matter of pride for the Goans to receive such a coveted honour.

  • The two Cardinals from India

  1. Archbishop Filipe Neri António Sebastião di Rosário Ferrão, (Archbishop of Goa)

  2. Archbishop Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad

  • About Father Ferrao

  • He was ordained as a priest on 28 October, 1979

  • On 12 December 2003, he was ordained as Archbishop of Goa and Daman by Pope John Paul II.

  • Father Ferrao was born on 20 January 1953 in the village of Aldona, near Panaji.

  • He graduated in Philosophy and Theology and knows Konkani, English, Portuguese, Italian, French and German languages.

  • About Anthony Poola

  • He was a native of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh and was ordained a priest in February 1992

  • He was appointed as Bishop of Kurnool in 2008.

  • He was appointed as Archbishop of Hyderabad in 2020.

  • He is currently the Chairman of the Youth Commission of the Andhra Pradesh Bishops' Conference.

  • For the first time in history, a Telugu Archbishop has been made a cardinal.

  • Important facts

  • Eight of the newly named cardinals are from Europe, six from Asia, two from Africa, one from North America, and four from Central and Latin America.

  • The College of Cardinals currently has 208 cardinals, of whom 117 are electors and 91 are non-electoral.

  • From August 27, this number will increase to 229 cardinals.

By admin: May 30, 2022

6. U.S. becomes India’s biggest trading partner at $119 billion

Tags: Economics/Business International News

In the year 2021-22, the US overtook China to become India's top trading partner, reflecting strong economic ties between the two countries.

  • As per commerce ministry data, bilateral trade between the US and India stood at $119.42 billion in 2021-22, as against $80.51 billion in 2020-21.

  • India's exports to the US increased to $76.11 billion in 2021-22 from $51.62 billion in the previous fiscal While imports increased to $43.31 billion in 2020-21 as compared to about $29 billion.

  • During 2021-22, India's two-way trade with China stood at $115.42 billion as compared to $86.4 billion in 2020-21.

  • During 2021-22, India's two-way trade with China stood at $115.42 billion as compared to $86.4 billion in 2020-21.

  • Exports to China marginally increased to $21.25 billion last fiscal year from $21.18 billion in 2020-21, while imports jumped to $94.16 billion from about $65.21 billion in 2020-21. 

  • The trade gap widened to $72.91 billion in 2021-22 from $44 billion in the previous fiscal.

  • Reason of increasing bilateral trade with the US

  • Strengthening of economic ties between the two countries.

  • Global firms are reducing their dependence only on China for their supplies and diversifying business to other countries such as India.

  • India has joined the US-led initiative to establish the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the move will further boost economic ties.

  • Major export items from India to the US 

  • Petroleum polished diamonds, pharmaceutical products, jewellery, light oils and petroleum, frozen shrimp, made ups etc.

  • Major import items from US to India

  • Petroleum, rough diamonds, liquified natural gas, gold, coal, waste and scrap, almonds etc

  • Important facts 

  • China was India's top trading partner from 2013-14 till 2017-18 and also in 2020-21.

  • Before China, UAE was India's largest trading partner.

By admin: May 27, 2022

7. India, UAE sign MoU for climate action

Tags: International News

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Climate Action on 26 May. 

  • It aims to establish a framework to facilitate bilateral cooperation on climate action and contribute towards the implementation of the Paris Agreement 2015.

  • The MoU was signed between Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav and UAE Climate Envoy and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr Sultan Al Jaber in New Delhi. 

  • In a bilateral meeting, both the leaders discussed issues related to climate change, hosting of COP 28 and other related matters.

  • Yadav stressed that issues of climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage require more attention on the way beyond COP26.

  • Paris Agreement 2015

  • It is an international agreement to combat climate change.

  • In December 2015, the governments of 195 countries gathered in Paris, France.

  • They discussed a possible new global agreement on climate change that aims to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and tackle the dangerous climate change threat.

  • It came into force on 4 November 2016.

  • It is a legally binding international treaty on climate change that was adopted by 196 countries.

  • It comes under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

  • UNFCCC is a convention held in 1992 to combat climate change. 

  • The Kyoto Protocol (1997) was another major international agreement under UNFCCC.

  • The aims of Paris Agreement

  • To keep the global temperature rise this century below 2 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level.

  • Trying to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 °C.

  • Strengthening the capacity of countries to deal with the effects of climate change.

By admin: May 25, 2022

8. Global Travel and Tourism Development Index

Tags: International News

India has slipped to the 54th position this year in the Global Travel and Tourism Development Index as compared to the 46th position in the year 2019.

  • India topped the list of South Asian countries.

  • Japan tops the global list. It was followed by the USA, Spain, France, Switzerland, Australia, UK, Singapore and Italy respectively.

  • 117 economies have been included in the Travel and Tourism Development Index.

  • This index is released every two years by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

  • According to the data between January 2021 and January 2022, the number of international tourists has increased in 2022 instead of 2021.

  • About World Economic Forum (WEF) 

  • The World Economic Forum is a non-profit organisation based in Switzerland.

  • It aims to set a global, regional and industrial direction by bringing together leaders in the world's business, political, educational and other fields.

  • Establishment- 1971

  • Headquarters- Cologny, Switzerland

  • CEO- Klaus M. Schwab

By admin: May 25, 2022

9. Gautam Adani in the list of 100 Most Influential People in Titans category

Tags: Person in news International News

Gautam Adani has been included in the list of 100 Most Influential People in Titans category along with personalities like Apple CEO Tim Cook and American host Oprah Winfrey.

  • On behalf of India, Supreme Court advocate Karuna Nandi and eminent Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez have also been included in this list.

  • Karuna Nandi and Khurram Parvez have been ranked in the Leaders category along with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

  • In this list of Time magazine, US President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, tennis star Rafael Nadal, current Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Omar Ata Bandiyal have also been included in different categories. .

  • This list is divided into six categories. These categories are Icons, Pioneers, Titans, Artists, Leaders and Innovators.

  • Key persons nominated in different categories

  • Titans- Gautam Adani, Tim Cook, Oprah Winfrey, Kristyl Lagarde, Kris Jenner, Andy Jessie, Sally Rooney, Elizabeth Alexander, David Jaslav and Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sorbrunn and Alex Morgan.

  • Leaders- Karuna Nandi, Khurram Parvez, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Joe Rogan, Xi Jinping, Ursula von der Leyen, Joe Biden, Yoon Suk-yeol, Vladimir Putin, Olaf Scholz, Samia Suluhu Hassan, Abiy Ahmed, Kirsten Cinema, Gabrielle Boric, Valerie Jaluzhni, Lynn Fitch, Omar Ata Bandial and Sun Chunlan.

  • Innovators - Taika Waititi, Miranda Lambert, Derrick Palmer and Chris Smalls, Josh Wardle, Michen Genre, Demna, Mike Cannon-Brooks, Bella Bajaria, Sevgil Musayeva, Francis Keir, David Velez, Michael Schatz, Karen Meiga, Evan Eichler and Adam Philippi .

  • Artists - Simu Liu, Andrew Garfield, Joe Kravitz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Amanda Seyfried, Quinta Branson, Pete Davidson, Channing Tatum, Nathan Chen, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Strong, Faith Ringgold, Ariana DiBose, Jasmine Sullivan and Michael R. Jackson.

  • Icons- Mary J Blige, Dmitry Muratov, Isa Ray, Keanu Reeves, Adele, Rafael Nadal, Maya Lin, John Batista, Nadine Smith, Peng Shuai, Hoda Silent.

  • Pioneers- Candace Parker, Frances Hogan, Ahmir 'Questalv' Thompson, Sonia Guzzara, Stephanie Bansell, Emily Oster, Eileen Gu, Nan Goldin, Meijen Darvish and Anwar Lal Bunny, Emmet Schelling, Christina Villarreal Velasquez and Ana Christina Gonzalez Velez and Gregory L. Robinson.

By admin: May 24, 2022

10. QUAD leaders launch Quad fellowship programme for graduate STEM degrees in the US

Tags: International News

A new Quad fellowship program has been launched by the leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the US at the Quad Summit in Tokyo on 24 May.

  • Under the program, 100 students from member countries will be sponsored to study in the US for undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

  • This fellowship will act as a bridge connecting the four countries and will empower these countries to provide leadership to address the many challenges faced by them in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.

  • The Quad Fellowship application is live and will be open till June 30.

  • The first classes of Quad Fellows will arrive on campus in the autumn of 2023.

  • Each Fellow will receive a one-time award of $50,000 that can be used for tuition, research, fees, books and related educational expenses (eg, registration fees, research-related travel).

  • About Quad

  • This is known as the 'Quadrilateral Security Dialogue' (QSD).

  • It is an informal strategic forum comprising four nations - United States of America (USA), India, Australia and Japan. 

  • It aims to work for a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

  • The first meeting of the Quad was held in 2007 on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

  • The Quad Summit provides an opportunity for leaders to exchange views on the development of the Indo-Pacific region and current global issues of mutual interest.

  • Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the first to consider the formation of the Quad in 2007.