23rd June, 2022 Current Affairs

Archana Lakkavajula

INTERNATIONAL
The US prioritises its bilateral relations with India

The US prioritises its bilateral relationship with New Delhi and views India as a “very crucial” strategic ally in the strategically significant Indo-Pacific region, according to the White House, which also noted that each country must make its own choices about Russia. Because Russia began a “special military operation” in the neighbouring Ukraine, the US-led Western nations have imposed punishing sanctions on it.
India is a “very important strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Industry data show that as refiners buy Russian crude available at a significant discount as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has surpassed Saudi Arabia to become India’s second-largest oil supplier after Iraq.
About 25 million barrels of Russian oil, or more than 16 percent of their total oil imports, were purchased by Indian refiners in May.
India reiterated earlier this month that its needs for energy security serve as the basis for its purchases of crude oil from Russia.

US bans Imports from China's Xinjiang

Imports from China's Xinjiang region have been banned in the United States from yesterday as new rules came into force. Under the regulations, firms will have to prove imports from the region are not produced using forced labour. US officials have said, members of the minority Uyghur community in the region, who are predominantly Muslim, have been detained and made to work. China has repeatedly rejected accusations that it is holding Uyghurs in internment camps in Xinjiang.
Several imports from the resource-rich region, including cotton and tomatoes, have already been banned from the US. The restrictions will be extended to all imports under the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act (UFLPA), which is scheduled to take effect on today.
According to the US Congress, China has detained more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang since April 2017. It is believed tens of thousands of detainees have worked at a fraction of minimum wage or without any compensation in Xinjiang and other provinces under the guise of poverty alleviation and industrial aid programmes.

Canada to ban companies from importing or making plastic bags, by the end of this year

The Canadian Government is going to ban companies from importing or making plastic bags and Styrofoam takeout containers by the end of this year. The country is also banning their sale by the end of next year and their export by the end of 2025. Canadian Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced the dates Monday.
Canada previously announced a ban on plastic, however, environment advocates were dismayed about delays. In addition to bags and takeout boxes, the ban will affect plastic straws, bags, cutlery, stir sticks and six-pack rings that hold cans and bottles.
The federal government listed plastics as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act last year. However, a consortium of plastic producers is suing the government over the toxic designation in a case expected to be heard later this year.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first promised in June 2019 that his government would phase out the production and use of hard-to-recycle plastic items as it aims for zero plastic waste by the end of the decade. Initially, he said, the ban would happen in 2021, but the scientific assessment of plastics that was needed to put the ban in motion was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Russia warns Lithuania of serious consequences after it banned rail transfer of some goods to Kaliningrad

Russia has warned Lithuania of serious consequences after it banned the rail transfer of some goods to the Russian territory of Kaliningrad.
A Russian senior security official Nikolai Patrushev said, Russia will certainly respond to such hostile actions.
Earlier on Tuesday, the EU Ambassador was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry over the blockade. On other hand, Lithuania has said, it is only following the EU sanctions imposed over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Last week, the Lithuanian authorities announced they would ban goods subject to EU sanctions from passing through their territory to Russia.
Kaliningrad, a strategic region where Russia's Baltic Fleet, is headquartered has no border with mainland Russia.

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ECONOMY
India expects 7.5 percent economic growth rate this year, says PM at BRICS Business Forum meeting

Prime Minister has said, the government is expecting the Indian economy to grow by 7.5 per cent this year. In a virtual address at the BRICS Business Forum meeting last evening, the Prime Minister highlighted the strength of the Indian economy. He said, the value of the Indian digital economy will reach one trillion dollar by 2025. He said, there is an opportunity to invest 1.5 trillion dollar under the country's national infrastructure pipeline.
The Prime Minister added that India’s success is based on, technology-laid growth with innovation and startups, even during COVID-19.
Mr Modi said, the Government emphasised on Ease of Living, building infrastructure with PM GatiShakti and digital transformation and digital economy.

DISASTERS
Deadliest earthquake in decades claims over 1,000 lives in Afghanistan

The Taliban in Afghanistan have appealed for international support, as the country deals with the aftermath of a devastating 6.1 magnitude earthquake. More than 1,000 people have died and at least 1,500 were injured. Paktika province in the south-east has been the most affected. The UN is scrambling to provide emergency shelter and food aid. The rescue efforts are being hampered by heavy rain and hail.
The deadliest earthquake to strike the country in two decades is a major challenge for the Taliban, which regained power last year. The earthquake struck about 44 km from the city of Khost yesterday and tremors were felt as far away as Pakistan and India. Witnesses reported feeling the quake in both Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, and Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.

Bangladesh: Flood situation worsens in Brahmaputra basin

Bangladesh continued to reel under heavy floods as the situation in the Brahmaputra basin deteriorated further due to continuous rains over the last three days. According to the officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) major rivers were flowing above danger mark at 10 points in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura and Sirajganj districts.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) in its latest bulletin on Tuesday has said that all the major rivers in the country showed a rising trend. It further said that the flood situation in the Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj and Netrokona districts may improve while in the Kishoreganj district may deteriorate in next 24 hours. It predicted that the flood situation in Kurigram, Gaibandha and Jamalpur may remain steady while in Bogra, Sirajganj and Tangail may deteriorate slightly.

Science and Technology
ISRO successfully launches India's Communication satellite GSAT-24 from Kourou in French Guiana

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched communication satellite GSAT-24 from Kourou in French Guiana early this morning. GSAT-24, built by ISRO for NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), was launched by French company Arianespace.
GSAT-24 is a 24-Ku band communication satellite weighing 4180 kg with pan-India coverage for meeting DTH application needs. It was the first demand driven communication satellite mission undertaken by NSIL post space sector reforms. NSIL, a Government of India company under the Department of Space, has leased the entire satellite capacity to Tata Play.

ACHEIVEMENTS
SkalzangRigzin: First Indian mountaineer to ascend Mount Annapurna Peak

SkalzangRigzin, the first mountaineer from India to ascend Mount Annapurna‘s top without the aid of oxygen was welcomed by Leh with open arms. After successfully summiting Annapurna and Lhotse in Nepal, he was welcomed by other mountaineers at the Leh Airport. With 16 days of gap between climb of Mt Annapurna on April 28 and Mt Lhotse on May 14, SkalzangRigzin has set a record to conquer two summits without oxygen supplements.
Due to its high rate of fatalities when attempting to summit, Mt. Annapurna is one of the world’s eight thousand-meter summits and one of the most challenging.
Members of the LMGA possess the strength and stamina necessary for climbing without experiencing AMS, which affects Sherpas.
The local climbers will be inspired by his adventure.

SPORTS
International Olympic Day celebrates on 23rd June

International Olympic Day is celebrated on June 23rd across the globe. The day is primarily celebrated to commemorate the birth of modern Olympic games. The day is also observed to celebrate the health and harmony aspect associated with sports. The day marks the foundation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
This year, the theme for the International Olympic Day is “Together For A Peaceful World.” The theme represents the ability of sports to bring the world together and dimmish the differences.

Published date : 23 Jun 2022 06:23PM