Author: Diksha Gupta

The European Union has agreed to provide around 500 million as military aid to Ukraine in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis. The Foreign Ministers of all the nations of the European Union have unanimously agreed to provide aid to the war- torn nation. The sanctions against Russia will be further tightened in order to reduce the revenue of the Russian economy. The countries have agreed to ban gold imports from Russia. They are also planning to reduce the loopholes in the current sanctions.  The announcement came after Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba released a video  on the latest developments in the…

 The National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) was declared on 15 July, 2022 (Friday) by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Education Minister of India. Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bangalore has emerged as the best institution yet again in the NIRF latest ranking.  Detailed analysis on NIRF latest rankings: The results were declared under eleven categories. The eleven categories are: overall, universities, colleges, research institutions, management, engineering, pharmacy, medical, dental, law and architecture. Overall:   The premier Indian Institute of Technologies (IIT) dominated the top position. There was a fierce competition between IIT Madras and Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Like previous year, IIT…

After banning certain ‘unparliamentary words’, the Parliament has issued a notice to ban distribution of pamphlets, leaflets and placards. The Parliament has even banned the permission to hold dharnas and protests in front of the Parliamentary complex. As per established convention, no literature, questionnaire, pamphlets, Press notes, leaflets or any matter printed or otherwise should be distributed. Placards are also strictly banned inside the Parliament. Reactions on ban of pamphlets, leaflets and placards: Chief whip of the party and general secretary of Congress party, Jairam Ramesh criticized the new order. The order came a day after the decision to ban…

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksha has finally resigned from his post. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, the speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament has accordingly accepted Gotabaya’s resignation. He had emailed his resignation from Singapore. Rajapaksha first fle d to the Maldives and then sought refuge in the city-state of Singapore. He is on a run because protesters in the crisis-hit country overran his home at the weekend. People broke into his heavily secured fortress and tried to burn down the house.  Reason for  President Gotabaya’s resignation The island nation is under a serious debt crisis as well as facing a huge…

The International Monetary Fund Head, Kritalina Georgiava has recently pointed out that the outlook of the global economy is “significantly darker” for the upcoming years. The world may face increasing risks of global recession in the next 12 months which is a matter of grave concern. The commodity price shocks and supply disruptions due to the ongoing pandemic and Ukraine-Russia crisis has disturbed the global market. She remarked that the situation is “only getting worse.” There is barely any sign of improvement in the near future.  Signs of increasing risk of global recession: The International Monetary Fund Head, Kritalina Georgiava…

National Security Advisor, Jack Sullivan has remarked that I2U2 may become the “central pillar” of  the Middle East. It is important because I2U2 grouping will bring the United States, India, Israel and Saudi Arabia together. Quad is a group of India, USA, Japan and Australia that works in the Indo-Pacific region.  Sullivan also pointed out that the US has a shift in its vision and thinking. The region has been dominated by wars and tensions since the past two decades but Biden envisions a more globally integrated geography. More About I2U2: I2U2 comprising the United States of America, India, Israel…

The government has decided to provide a free booster dose for all adults from Friday, July 15. The programme will continue for 75 days. It will be a part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to celebrate 75 years of Independence.  This decision was announced by Union Minister Anurag Thankur. To encourage people to get their third jabs, Har Ghar Dastak campaign 2.0 was also launched. The two month initiative is still underway in all states and Union Territories.  People can avail the facility free of COVID booster dose the government nearby clinics in their town. Why Free COVID Booster…

NASA’s Webb Telescope has captured star birth and cosmic cliffs recently. This is a breakthrough for the astronomic community. It will provide much sought after information on the formation of galaxies. This will help in finding the missing pieces of the jigsaw puzzle about formation of the universe.  In a white house event, President Joe Biden unveiled the first image of the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723. It is also known as the “Webb’s First Deep Field.” During a live broadcast on July 12, NASA had uploaded the colour photos and data, also called as spectra. The photo was even featured…

French President Emmanuel Macron is under pressure. Macron is under fire after leaking the ‘secret UBER deal’.  He has received severe criticism from different spheres. Why is Macron under fire after leaking the ‘secret Uber deal?’ Macron was the finance minister from 2014-2016 under then-President Francis Hollande. UBER was trying to get around the tight rules enforced for their sector by asking for help from the minister.  He helped UBER consolidate its position in France when it faced intense backlash. He asked the company to present “ready-made” amendments to deputies. Read more: Owaisi counters Adityanath’s ‘population imbalance’ remark A series of…

The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has introduced a new mechanism to settle GLOBAL trade agreements in Indian Rupees. It will “promote the growth of global trade” and support the increasing interest in trading in Indian rupees. All imports and exports can be invoiced in INR under this agreement. The market will determine the exchange rates. Authorised dealer (AD) banks can open rupee Vostro accounts with the corresponding banks on behalf of the partner trading company.  A company can approach an AD bank for a rupee vostro account. On discussions and approval of the arrangement by the RBI, the vostro account…