Tag Wise Current Affairs

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		'title' => 'US announces suspension of Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">United States announced unilateral suspension from Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty with Russia. The announcement comes after US and Russia failed to resolve long-running accusation that Russia is violating this cold war era treaty. US will exit this treaty in six months unless Russia assures compliance by destroying all of its violating missiles, launchers, and associated equipment under this treaty.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Reasons for suspension</strong></span></span></p>

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	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The suspension comes after US President Donald Trump in October 2018 announced unilateral withdrawal of US from INF treaty.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">US alleges that Russia violated this treaty by testing 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile (NATO name SSC-8) in 2014, having range beyond prescribed by this treaty and had deployed the same missile that could strike Europe at short notice.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Russia, however, has denied US accusation saying that relevant missile was never tested at distances banned under the agreement and has called on US to show proof of a violation.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Russia also has accused US of breaching treaty by deploying its missile-defence systems in Europe, a charge which US rejects.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since then both countries have failed to find resolution using dispute resolution mechanism in treaty. </span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was crucial Cold War-era treaty signed in December 1987 between then US President Ronald Reagan and his USSR counterpart Mikhail Gorbachev. (Russia was known as USSR before its disintegration after cold war in early 1990s).</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It prohibits US and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched cruise missiles with ranges of 500&ndash;1,000 km or (short-range) and 1,000&ndash;5,500 km (intermediate-range).</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It also covers all land-based missiles, including those missiles carrying nuclear warheads. However, i<em>t does not cover sea-launched or air-launched weapons.</em></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ban under it was originally applied only to US and USSR forces, but its membership was eventually expanded in 1991 to include successor states of former Soviet Union. Thus, it offered blanket of protection to US&rsquo;s European allies.</span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Significance</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This treaty marked watershed agreement between US and USSR which were at centre of arms race during the Cold War.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was central to ending arms race between two superpowers during cold war and protected US&rsquo;s NATO allies in Europe from Soviet missile attacks. </span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was designed to provide some strategic stability in Europe from USSR (now Russia). It had proved to be potent deterrent against any full-scale nuclear war in Europe. </span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It had resulted in the destruction of 2,692 missiles (US had demolished 846, and Russia destroyed 1,846 missiles). It kept nuclear-tipped cruise missiles off European continent for three decades.&nbsp; </span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><img alt="Intermediate range Nuclear Forces Treaty" src="https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/efb7/1x654c3d6zuqcii6g.jpg" style="float:left; height:572px; width:754px" /></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 63,
		'title' => 'IORA meet on Disaster Risk Management held in New Delhi',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Meeting of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Cluster Group on Disaster Risk Management (DRM) was held in New Delhi with aim to help strengthen cooperation in disaster response. It was organized by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in collaboration with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).IORA has many disaster-prone countries among its 22 members and nine dialogue partners. DRM is one of priority areas of IORA and its Action Plan (2017-2021) has specific goals to improve resilience in IORA countries.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Highlights of meeting</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was aimed at strengthening cooperation in disaster response interventions, including deployment of response teams and mobilization of relief material to affected countries.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It featured interactive sessions and will focus on development of draft Work Plan for DRM in IORA.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It also deliberated on need for establishing DRM Core Group to take forward the agreed objectives under Work Plan.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Deliberations were held to aid information exchange, establishment of disaster database(s) and sharing of best practices on DRM.</span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Indian-Ocean Rim Association (IORA)</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is inter-governmental organisation consisting of coastal states bordering Indian Ocean.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was first established as Indian Ocean Rim Initiative in Mauritius in March 1995 and was formally launched in March 1997 by conclusion of multilateral treaty known as Charter of IORA for Regional Co-operation (IOR-ARC).</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is regional forum, tripartite in nature, bringing together representatives of Government, business and academia, for promoting closer interaction and co-operation among them.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is based on principles of open regionalism for strengthening Economic Cooperation particularly on trade facilitation and investment, promotion as well as social development of the region.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Its coordinating Secretariat is located at Ebene, Mauritius.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Six identified priority areas of IORA are</strong>: maritime security, trade and investment facilitation, fisheries management, disaster risk reduction, academic and scientific cooperation and tourism promotion and cultural exchanges.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Membership: </strong>It comprises 21 member states viz. India, Indonesia, Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It has seven dialogue partners <em>US, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan and UK</em>.</span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Objectives</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Promote sustainable growth and balanced development of region and member states.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Focus on those areas of economic cooperation which provide maximum opportunities for development, mutual benefits and shared interest.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Promote liberalization, remove impediments and lower barriers towards freer and enhanced flow of goods, services, investment, and technology within IOR.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 113,
		'title' => 'Centenary celebrations of International Labour Organization ',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The centenary celebrations (100 years)&nbsp;of International Labour Organization (ILO) in India was inaugurated at V.V. Giri National Labour Institute, Noida, Uttar Pradesh. ILO was established in 1919 and India being its founding member.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>International Labour Organization (ILO)</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is United Nations agency that deals with labour issues, particularly international labour standards, social protection, and work opportunities for all.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is unique UN agency which is tripartite in nature and works on principal of collaboration among government, employers and workers. </span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was established in 1919 as agency of League of Nations. &nbsp;It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. At present, it has 187 members (186 of 193 UN member states plus the Cook Islands) </span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It has developed system of international labour standards aimed at promoting opportunities for both men and women to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The principal means of action in ILO is setting up of International standards in form of Conventions, Recommendations and Protocol. </span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Conventions are legally binding international treaties that may be ratified by member states while recommendations are non-binding guidelines.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1969 for improving fraternity and peace among nations, pursuing decent work and justice for workers, and providing technical assistance to other developing nations.</span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>India and ILO</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India being its founding member of ILO. It has always played active role in every field of ILO and so far has ratified 47 out of 189 ILO conventions. Out of eight core conventions India as ratified six and two conventions (C-138 and C-182), which were related to child labour were ratified recently.</span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 116,
		'title' => 'Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi elected as chairperson of African Union',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">Egypt&#39;s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was elected chairperson of African Union (AU) by its 55 member nations at 32nd AU summit held in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. He will succeed Rwandan President Paul Kagame (in office from January 2018 to January 2019). The post of AU chairperson rotates annually between five regions of continent. This is for first time since establishment of AU, Egypt has assumed top seat of the body.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">African Union</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">It is pan-Africa continental union consisting of 55 countries. Its structure is loosely modelled on that of European Union.</span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">It aims at promoting unity and cooperation among African nations and strive to spread democracy and good governance in the continent.</span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">It seeks to accelerate process of integration in continent to enable it play its rightful role in global economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems.</span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">It was founded in May 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and launched in July 2002 in South Africa. It had replaced Organisation of African Unity (OAU). </span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">Its secretariat/headquarters i.e. African Union Commission is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. </span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">Its most important decisions are made by Assembly which is a semi-annual meeting of the heads of state and government of its member states.</span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">It also has official bodies such as Peace and Security Council and Pan-African Parliament. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 96,
		'title' => 'US launches Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">United States has launched Women&#39;s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP) aimed at advancing economic empowerment of 50 million women in the developing world by 2025. This initiative has been conceived by Ivanka Trump, daughter and senior adviser of US President Donald Trump.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Women&#39;s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It seeks to advance rights of women and girls worldwide and achieve peace and economic prosperity for all members of society.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It will focus on efficiently and effectively directing US&rsquo;s policy and programmatic efforts to support workforce development and women entrepreneurs.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This will be achieved by breaking down barriers to create environments for women to participate fully in the economy.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It will provide innovative educational programs, financial and technical assistance, capacity building, and mentorship to support women&rsquo;s economic participation.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It will involve US Department of State, National Security Council and other agencies including several private companies.US Government has allocated for fund of $50 million for this initiative.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It will engage private sector, public sector, and civil society to ensure that women have opportunity to reach their full economic potential in US and around the world, thereby promoting prosperity and peace for all.</span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Comment</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">W-GDP helps to realize US President Trump&rsquo;s 2017 National Security Strategy, which acknowledges women&rsquo;s critical role in achieving global peace and prosperity.</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It also for first time coordinate US&rsquo;s commitment to one of most undervalued resources in the developing world i.e. talent, ambition and genius of women</span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 135,
		'title' => 'First LAWASIA Human Rights Conference held in New Delhi',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">The first LAWASIA Human Rights Conference was held recently New Delhi. It was organised by Law Association for Asia and the Pacific (LAWASIA), in association with Bar Association of India. The theme of the conference was &ldquo;<strong><em>State Power, Business and Human Rights: Contemporary Challenges</em></strong>&rdquo;.<strong> </strong>It explored a wide range of human rights issues of relevance in the Asia Pacific region.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">1st LAWASIA Human Rights Conference</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">The conference was aimed at providing unique opportunity for lawyers and associated professional members to exchange insights and expertise on topics of significant importance to all.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">It explored wide range of human rights issues of relevance in Asia Pacific region including gender, sexuality and human rights; new technologies, privacy and mass surveillance.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">It also explored issues of aggressive policing and human rights; freedom of press in digital age; cross-border migration and its conflicts; experiences and challenges of human rights lawyers; climate change, water conflicts and human rights and business and human rights. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">LAWASIA </span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">It is regional association of lawyers, judges, jurists and legal organisations, which advocates for interests and concerns of the Asia Pacific legal profession.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">Its central aim is to strengthen professional and business relations among law associations, lawyers, private sector and government representatives in the Asia Pacific.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;quicksand&quot;,serif">It advocates for interests of legal profession, cross-border exchange of legal resources, and commitment to rule of law, professional integrity and human rights.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 209,
		'title' => 'Cabinet approves India-OECD agreement for participation in PISA',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Union Cabinet has approved to agreement between India and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for participating in Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA). The Agreement was signed in January 2019. PISA will be conducted by OECD in 2021. India will be participating in it after gap of 9 years.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Key Facts</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will be part of this process and activities leading to actual PISA test. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Schools run by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and schools in Chandigarh (UT) will participate in PISA 2021.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Benefits for India</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Learnings from participation in PISA will help to introduce competency-based examination reforms in Indian school system and help move away from rote learning. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It will give recognition and acceptability of Indian students and prepare them for global economy in 21st century.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) </span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is competency-based assessment that measures extent to which students upto 15 years have acquired key competencies that are essential for full participation in modern societies</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is organised every three years by Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD), Paris, France. It was started in 2000. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It does not to rank countries, but shows how their education system can be improved. Countries participating in it choose kids from different regions to represent sample of 15-year-olds. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It measures student performance in mathematics, reading, and science and even innovative subjects like collaborative problem-solving and money literacy. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This test assesses how students apply what they have learnt to real-world problems. It is designed by education experts around the world.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Its results are shown as national mean score and not shown individually. They give insight into education systems around the world. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India had made its debut in PISA in 2009 with 16000 students from 400 schools across Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. However, performance of Indian students was miserable in 2009 test and India was placed at 72nd among 74 participating countries. Government had blamed out of context questions for poor results in 2009 and decided boycott PISA in 2012 and 2015.In 2016, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development had revisited this decision and decided to participate in PISA 2018 base recommendation of committee set by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) However, India had missed application deadline for 2018 cycle of PISA test.</span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 294,
		'title' => 'Cabinet approves India’s participation in IEA Bioenergy TCP ',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Union Cabinet has approved India&rsquo;s participation in International Energy Agency&#39;s Technology Collaboration Programme on Bioenergy (IEA Bioenergy TCP) as its 25th member. India will be represented Union Ministry of Petroleum &amp; Natural Gas. It will facilitate market introduction of advanced biofuels in India with an aim to bring down emissions and reduce crude imports</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">IEA Bioenergy TCP</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is international platform aimed at improving cooperation and information exchange between member countries that have national programmes in bioenergy research, development and deployment. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It works under framework of International Energy Agency (IEA) to which India has &quot;Association&quot; status (since March, 2017).</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It provides platform for international collaboration and information exchange in bioenergy research, technology development, demonstration and policy analysis.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">This is done with focus on overcoming environmental, institutional, technological, social, and market barriers to near-and long-term deployment of bioenergy technologies.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">R&amp;D work in IEA Bioenergy TCP</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">: It is carried out carried out within well-defined 3-years programmes called &quot;Tasks&quot;. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Each year progress of Tasks is evaluated and scrutinized and each 3 years content of Tasks is reformulated and new Tasks can be initiated. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Benefits to India </span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It will facilitate exchange of information about best practices, network of researchers and linking research with practical implementation in field of bioenergy.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It will result in shared costs and pooled technical resources. It will avoid duplication of efforts and strengthen national Research and Development capabilities. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It will help to bring suitable policy ecosystem in India by engaging with international agencies fir developments in biofuel sector. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It will India to participate in other related tasks focussing on Biogas, solid waste management, Biorefining etc. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">IEA</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is Paris based inter-governmental organization that works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 30 member countries and 8 association countries. </span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its mission is guided by four main areas (&ldquo;4Es&rdquo;) of focus: energy security, economic development, environmental awareness (focused on mitigating climate change) and engagement worldwide.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 275,
		'title' => 'Delhi Declaration on Digital Health',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The Delhi Declaration on Digital Health for Sustainable Development was adopted at concluding session of &lsquo;4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit&rsquo; held in New Delhi. This declearation firmly aligns with Union Government&rsquo;s vision of Digital India. </span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Delhi Declaration on Digital Health</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Digital Health involves use of digital technologies especially information and communication technologies (ICT) to track well-being and improve health indicators. Telemedicine, remote care and mobile health are some of its components.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">This declaration calls World Health Organization&rsquo;s (WHO) leadership in digital health and establish specific mechanism to centrally coordinate digital health to assist its member states. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It also marks India&rsquo;s commitment in maximizing digital health investments to ensure Universal Health Coverage and realize goals of Ayushman Bharat scheme.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was global intergovernmental meeting on digital health. It was hosted by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP). It was attended by ministers and government officials from over 34 countries to discuss the impact of digital technologies on health systems and health services delivery.</span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 252,
		'title' => 'India for first time to participate in OIC meeting',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">India for the first time will attend meeting of foreign ministers of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)&nbsp;in Abu Dhabi, United Arabs Emirates (UAE). In this 46th meeting of OIC&rsquo;s Council of Foreign Ministers, India will be represented by External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.<strong> </strong>She will address inaugural plenary session as&nbsp;guest of honour.<strong> </strong>India has been invited considering its international political weight and diverse cultural heritage and an important Islamic component. </span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Significance</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is significant development in efforts to boost relations with West Asian and Muslim-majority nations. It recognizes India&rsquo;s contribution to the Islamic world and to its pluralistic ethos.<strong> </strong></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is reasonably significant development as OIC has traditionally not been supportive of India, especially over the Kashmir issue. Despite this development, India currently has no plans to make a fresh push for observer status with OIC.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">46th meeting of OIC&rsquo;s Council of Foreign Ministers</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It coinciding with organisation&rsquo;s 50th anniversary. Its theme is &ldquo;<em>50 years of Islamic cooperation: the roadmap for prosperity and development</em>&rdquo;. It will discuss challenges facing Muslim world.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">&nbsp;It will also discuss steps to promote peace and security, counter extremism and combat exploitation of religion and hate speech by inculcating moderation, restraint and tolerance.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It will also discuss problems faced by uslim minorities in non-member States, particularly Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. There was no mention of Kashmir in the statement of meetings agenda.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) </span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is international organization that aims to provide collective voice to Muslim world and safeguard and protect interests of Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony. </span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was established in 1969. It has administrative centre (headquarters/</span> <span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Secretariat) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is second largest inter-governmental organization after United Nations.</span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It consists of 56 member states spread over four continents with collective population of over 1.3 billion as of 2009 with 47 countries being Muslim Majority countries. It has five observer states.</span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It has permanent delegations to UN and European Union. Its official languages are Arabic, English, and French.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Issues with India:</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif"> Over the past few decades, India had, at best, prickly relationship with OIC, largely because Pakistan frequently used this grouping to target India on Kashmir issue. OIC on behest of Pakistan regarded parts of Kashmir as &ldquo;occupied by India&rdquo;.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">India was blocked country, though it is third largest country (after Indonesia and Pakistan) in terms of Muslim population (It has about 12% of world&rsquo;s Muslim population).</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">OIC was seen as pro Pakistan and its allies in Arab world have also had blocked attempts to give observer status to India.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'metatitle' => 'India for first time to participate in OIC meeting',
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		'metadescription' => 'India for the first time will attend meeting of foreign ministers of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Abu Dhabi, United Arabs Emirates (UAE)',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 374,
		'title' => 'Malaysia joins International Criminal Court',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Malaysia became 124th member of International Criminal Court (ICC) after it ratified Rome Statute. It is third country of the 10 member states of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to ratify Rome Statute after Cambodia and Philippines. However, Philippines has announced its withdrawal from the ICC and it is set to take effect from 19 March 2019.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">International Criminal Court (ICC) </span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is world&rsquo;s first intergovernmental legal organisation and international tribunal with permanent international jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and crime of aggression.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It sits in The Hague, The Netherlands. It was created by &lsquo;Rome Statute&rsquo; and began its functioning on 1 July 2002, the date on which Rome Statute entered into force.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">(Rome Statute is multilateral treaty that serves as foundational and governing document of ICC).</span></em></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes when national courts are unable or unwilling do so.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It may also receive case referrals from United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and can initiate prosecutions without UN action or referral.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It has 124 member countries ( ratified Rome Statute), India is not one of them and neither are US, Israel, Russia and China citing concerns over sovereignty.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'metatitle' => 'Malaysia joins International Criminal Court- International Affair',
		'metakeyword' => 'In International Current Affairs, Malaysia,  124th member, International Criminal Court, ICC, Rome Statute',
		'metadescription' => 'Malaysia became 124th member of International Criminal Court (ICC) after it ratified Rome Statute. It is 3rd country of the 10 member states of ASEAN',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 397,
		'title' => 'Government inks $ 26 million loan agreement with ADB ',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Union Government has inked $26 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to provide additional financing for improving drainage infrastructure in Dibrugarh town of Assam. It is part of ongoing loan of US $51 million dollars under Assam Urban Infrastructure Investment Program aimed at helping to improve water supply infrastructure in Guwahati and solid waste management and drainage infrastructure in Guwahati and Dibrugarh. </span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Asian Development Bank (ADB)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is multilateral lending agency based in Manila, Philippines. It was established on 19 December 1966. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is collectively owned by its members. It has total 67 members &ndash; 48 from Asia-Pacific region (including India) and 19 from outside<strong>. </strong></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is modeled closely on World Bank and has similar weighted voting system where votes are distributed in proportion with members&#39; capital subscriptions.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It envisions prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in the region.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants and equity investments to promote social and economic development</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It provides finance to both sovereign countries as well as to private entities. It provides soft loans to poorer countries and hard loans to middle-income countries.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Most of its lending is concentrated in five operational areas viz. education, environment, climate Change &amp; disaster management, finance sector development, regional cooperation &amp; integration and private sector lending.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 436,
		'title' => 'ITU to set its first innovation centre in India in July 2019 ',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The United Nations&rsquo; telecom body- International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is planning to set up its first-ever innovation centre in India along with ITU&rsquo;s first regional office for south Asia in India.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">ITU innovation centre </span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It will incorporate technologies from south Asian countries and emerging economies in standards for technologies. It will begin its operations from July 2019.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It will work on adoption of technologies by small and medium businesses (SMEs) to enhance their productivity. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It will collaborate with firms in region for joint research in the field of standardisation for 5G, artificial intelligence and upcoming new technologies.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is expected to give opportunity to Indian technology firms to make their case for being part of global standards.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">At present, telecom sector is largely influenced by companies from developed countries and have huge influence on telecom businesses globally.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">About International Telecommunications Union (ITU)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is United Nations specialised agency that coordinate telecommunication operations and services throughout world. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was originally founded in 1865, as International Telegraph Union. This makes it oldest existing international organization. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Membership: I</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">t has total 193 countries as its members and also 800 private-sector entities such like carriers, equipment manufacturers and academic institutions etc,</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It consists of three sectors: (i) Radiocommunication (ITU-R): </span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It ensures optimal, fair and rational use of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. (ii) <strong>Telecommunication Standardization (ITU-T): </strong>It formulates recommendations for standardizing telecommunication operations worldwide. (iii) <strong>Telecommunication Development (ITU-D): </strong>It assists countries in developing and maintaining internal communication operations.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Functions: </span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It sets and publishes regulations and standards relevant to electronic communication and broadcasting technologies of all kinds including radio, television, telephone, satellite and internet.<strong> </strong></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It helps emerging countries to establish and develop telecommunication systems of their own.<strong> </strong></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It conducts working parties, study groups and meetings to address current and future issues and to resolve disputes. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It recommendations are non-binding but it member countries adhere to them in interest of maintaining effective international electronic communication environment.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It<strong> </strong>organizes and conducts exhibition and forum known as the Global TELECOM every four years.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'metadescription' => 'The United Nations’ telecom body- International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is planning to set up its first-ever innovation centre in India',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 452,
		'title' => 'Pakistan elected as Deputy Chairman of OIC body',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Pakistan was elected as Deputy Chairman of General Body of Parliamentary Union of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Rabat, Morocco The election of Pakistan to this forum comes after India for time attended inaugural plenary of 46th session of Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of OIC in Abu Dhabi. It was attended by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, making her first Indian minister to address the OIC meeting.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Parliamentary Union of the OIC member States (PUIC)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is composed of parliaments of member states of OIC. It was established in Iran on June 17, 1999, with its head office situated in Tehran, capital city of Tehran. </span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It provides framework for comprehensive and fruitful cooperation and coordination among parliaments of OIC members in international fora and organizations.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is international organization that aims to provide collective voice to Muslim world and safeguard and protect interests of Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony. </span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was established in 1969. It has administrative centre (headquarters/ Secretariat) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. </span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is second largest inter-governmental organization after United Nations. </span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It consists of 56 member states spread over four continents with collective population of over 1.3 billion as of 2009. It has five observer states. </span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It has permanent delegations to UN and European Union. Its official languages are Arabic, English, and French. </span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">India though being third largest country (after Indonesia and Pakistan) in terms of Muslim population (It has about 12% of world&rsquo;s Muslim population), it is not member of OIC. India&rsquo;s membership has been blocked by Pakistan,</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 490,
		'title' => 'BRICS Sherpa meeting held in Curitiba, Brazil',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Sherpa meeting was held at Curitiba, Brazil. It was for first time held under Presidency of Brazil. Indian delegation was led by T S Tirumurti Secretary, Economic Relations in Ministry of External Affairs.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Priorities of meeting</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Brazil&#39;s priorities for its Presidency included science, technology and innovation, digital economy, New Development Bank and BRICS Business Council.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It also has identified countering terrorism as one of its priority areas for BRICS nations under its presidency.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">India&rsquo;s support </span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It supports </span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">priority areas set by Brazil and in particular BRICS cooperation on counter terrorism in meaningful and concrete manner. It also underlined need to take forward people-to-people (P2P) cooperation and cooperation in Science &amp; technology and innovation, health and traditional medicine.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">What is Sherpa Meeting?</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Sherpa is personal representative of head of state or government who prepares international summit (in this case BRICS summit). It is also held for G7 and G20 summits.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Between final leaders summits (of particular grouping), multiple sherpa conferences are held where possible agreements and agenda are laid out. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Sherpa meetings clears way for head of states at major summit. This reduces amount of time and resources required at negotiations of the heads of state at the final summit. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Sherpa are generally quite influential, but they do not have authority to make final decision about any given agreement.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Note:</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif"> The name Sherpa is derived from Sherpa people who are Nepalese ethnic group. They serve as guides and porters in Himalayas (especially during expeditions to peaks). </span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">BRICS</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is association of five major emerging economies- Brazil, India, Russia, China and South Africa. </span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The term BRIC was coined in 2001 by Jim O&#39;Neill, then-chairman of&nbsp;Goldman Sachs&nbsp;Asset Management in his publication&nbsp;Building Better Global Economic BRICs.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was established in 2009 and first formal summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2009. Originally it was known as BRIC before inclusion of South Africa in 2011.</span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Since then BRICS Leaders&rsquo; Summit is convened annually with discussions representing spheres of political and socio-economic coordination. It is held </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">BRICS countries</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">: These five nations are known by their large, fast-growing economies and significant influence on regional and global affairs. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">As of 2018, BRICS countries have combined nominal GDP of US$18.6 trillion (around 23.2% of gross world product), combined GDP (PPP) of around US$40.55 trillion (32% of World&#39;s GDP in terms PPP). BRICS countries are home to 42% of world&rsquo;s population (around 3 billion).</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'id' => (int) 516,
		'title' => ' Exim Bank extends $800 mn LoC to Maldives for developmental projects',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has extended US $800 million line of credit (LoC) to Maldives for financing developmental projects in the island nation. The agreement in this regard was exchanged during visit of Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Maldives recently. Projects covered under LoC will include various infrastructure development projects. With this agreement, Exim Bank has so far extended three LoCs to Maldives taking total value of such instruments to US $880 million.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">EXIM Bank </span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is premier export finance institution owned completely by Government of India (GoI) for financing, facilitating and promoting foreign trade of India. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was setup in 1982 under Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM) Act to promote the Indian exports. It is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It assists Industries across wide avenues like export product development, export production, export marketing, import of technology, pre-shipment and post-shipment and overseas investment.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It also extends LoC to overseas sovereign governments, financial institutions, regional development banks and other entities abroad. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It enables buyers in those countries for developmental and infrastructure projects, import of equipment, goods and services from India on deferred credit terms. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It also facilitates investment by Indian companies abroad for setting up joint ventures, subsidiaries and for overseas acquisitions.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">So far it has 245 LoCs in place, covering 63 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) with credit commitments of around US $24.24 billion, available for financing exports from the country<strong>.</strong></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'title' => '1st High-Level Dialogue on Indo-Pacific Cooperation held in Jarkarta',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The first ever High-Level Dialogue on Indo-Pacific Cooperation (HLD-IPC) was held in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia. It was organized by Government of Indonesia and saw participation of 18 countries Indo-Pacific region including India.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">1st High-Level Dialogue on Indo-Pacific Cooperation (HLD-IPC)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was first forum for the 18 countries to discuss the concept of Indo-Pacific. Its theme was &lsquo;<strong>Towards a Peaceful, Prosperous, and Inclusive Region&rsquo;</strong>. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its objective was to urge all participating governments to talk openly about their plans for increasing cooperation and for building trust in Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean region. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It seeks to serve as dialogue platform in attempt to establish collective synergy in creating safe, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It had thematic discussions on three major regional issues, including maritime cooperation, infrastructures and connectivity, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). </span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Indo-Pacific region is home to 3/5th global population with total GNP of almost US$ 52 trillion. Renewed cooperation framework among countries in Indo-Pacific region is crucial for ensuring peace, stability, and mutual prosperity of the region. HLD-IPC was organized by Indonesia for providing stabile and inclusive cooperation platform for regional economic growth and welfare.</span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 536,
		'title' => 'Japan donates $69 million to UN World Food Programme',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Japan has donated US $69 million to United Nations World Food Programme (UN-WFP). Japanese funding will go towards food, nutrition and initiatives to build resilience of vulnerable populations in 28 countries in Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Its biggest share has been earmarked for war-wracked Yemen and Iraq. Japan is one of WFP&#39;s top donors and has so far contributed $958 million to UN-WFP y since 2014.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">UN-World Food Programme</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is food-assistance branch of United Nations. It is world&rsquo;s largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It strives to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, with ultimate goal of eliminating need for food aid itself.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is member of United Nations Development Group (UNDG) and part of its Executive Committee.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was established in 1961 after Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Conference 1960. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is headquartered in Rome, Italy. It has more than 80 country offices around the world. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Objectives:</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif"> (i) Save lives and protect livelihoods in emergencies, (ii) Support food security and nutrition (iii) (re)build livelihoods in fragile settings and following emergencies (iv) reduce risk and enable people, communities and countries to meet their own food and nutrition needs (v) reduce under-nutrition and break inter-generational cycle of hunger and (vi) Zero Hunger in 2030.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Functions:</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif"> It works to help people who cannot produce or obtain enough food for themselves and their families. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is also directed to fight micronutrient deficiencies, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health and combat disease, including HIV and AIDS. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its food-for-work programmes help promote environmental and economic stability and agricultural production. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It provides food assistance to average of 80 million people in 75 countries each year.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 548,
		'title' => 'Italy becomes first G-7 country to join China's Belt and Road Initiative',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Italy signed &quot;non-binding&rdquo; agreement to take part in China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to link China with Europe. With this, Italy became first Group of Seven (G7) major industrialised nations to endorse China&rsquo;s global infrastructure-building scheme inspired by historic, centuries-old silk trade routes. The agreement was signed during official state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping&rsquo;s visit Italy. </span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Key Facts</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Italy, despite being one of top ten largest economies in world has slipped into recession in 2018 and its national debt levels is the highest in the eurozone. By joining BRI, China will open its market to Italy and also open prospect of new projects for Italian firms. It will help Italy to rebalance its trade deficit with China by substantial and gradual increase in exports to Chinese markets. It will help to address Italy&rsquo;s financial woes strengthen its business and economic ties with China. Besides, China will get access to Italy&rsquo;s northern ports of Trieste and Genoa.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) </span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">BRI is China&rsquo;s ambitious development strategy and framework that aims to boost its connectivity and trade with 152 countries and international organisations in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Latin America and Africa.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. It is basically investment and trade promotion scheme aiming to deepen economic connections between China and rest of the world.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It seeks to enhance regional connectivity. It is part of China&rsquo;s revived 21st century Silk Road diplomacy that seeks to push it to take a bigger role in global affairs as major global power. </span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Critics of initiative see it as push for Chinese dominance in global affairs with a China-centered trading network. They also consider it is as predatory and it overwhelmingly favours only China and Chinese companies<strong>.</strong></span></span></span></p>
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		'metakeyword' => 'In International Current Affairs, Italy, signs, non-binding agreement, take part, China’s Belt and Road Initiative,BRI which aims to link China with Europe.',
		'metadescription' => 'Italy signed "non-binding” agreement to take part in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to link China with Europe.',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 582,
		'title' => 'UNSC adopts first resolution to combat terrorist financing',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously passed <strong>Resolution 2462 on Countering the Financing of Terrorism.</strong> It is <em>first-ever resolution adopted by UNSC to suppress funding of terror groups worldwide</em> and ordering members to enforce laws against terror financing. This resolution was introduced by France, which currently is holding presidency of Council.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Features of Resolution 2462</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It mandates all member states to have laws to prosecute serious criminal offences, collection of funds or provision of resources and services to terrorist organisations or individual militants and enforce them</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It combines all previous and existing resolutions to create consolidated document for strong collaboration and targeted efforts against terrorism.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It also calls on members to create financial intelligence units (FIUs). It directs UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) to play leading role in identifying ways to suppress terrorist financing.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It states that if member states fail to implement this resolution, they will face UN sanctions.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It urges all member states to participate actively in implementing and updating ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List (or UNSC 1267 Committee) and to consider including, when submitting new listing requests, individuals and entities involved in financing of terrorism</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The adoption of this resolution comes at such critical time when recent terror attacks clearly demonstrate terror groups&rsquo; access to funding, legally or illegal. Currently, Financial Action Task Force&rsquo;s (FATF) two-thirds of Member States have not yet taken effective stringent legal action against terrorist financing. Pakistan in this case is main culprit country with lax enforcement of terror financing and money laundering laws, despite being placed FATF in &quot;grey list&quot; of countries that fail to adequately act against financing terrorists.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">)</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was established by UN General Assembly (UNGA) by adopting resolution 71/291 on in June 2017 to help member states to implement global counter-terrorism strategy. It is headed by an Under-Secretary&ndash;General and currently post is held by Russia&rsquo;s Vladimir Ivanovich Voronkov (in office from June 2017). It maintains close relationship with UNSC bodies and member states, strengthening existing and developing new partnerships.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Five main functions</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Provide leadership on UNFA counter-terrorism mandates entrusted to Secretary-General from across UN system;</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Enhance coordination and coherence across 38 Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact (former CTITF) Task Force entities to ensure balanced implementation of four pillars of UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy;</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Strengthen delivery of UN counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to member states;</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Improve advocacy, visibility and resource mobilization for UN counter-terrorism efforts.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Ensure due priority is given to counterterrorism across UN system and firmly root important work on preventing violent extremism in the strategy.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'id' => (int) 727,
		'title' => 'IMO launches new rules on electronic information exchange',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has launched new&nbsp;mandatory rules for national governments to introduce electronic information exchange between ships and ports. The objective of new rules is to make cross border trade easy and hassle free. These rules have come effect from April 8, 2019.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Need for New Rules</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">IMO&rsquo;s Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention) mandates news rules as part of amendments under revised Annex to FAL Convention, adopted in 2016.&nbsp; It is important measure as 10 billion tonnes of goods which are traded by sea annually across the globe.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">FAL Convention</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was adopted in 1965. Its main objective is to achieve most efficient maritime transport as possible, looking for smooth transit in ports of ships, cargo, and passengers. It encourages use of single window for data and mandates all information required by public authorities in connection with arrival, stay and departure of ships, cargo and persons to be submitted via single portal, without duplication. Under this requirement for electronic data exchange, all national authorities are mandated for electronic exchange of this information.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">India&rsquo;s PCS1x</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">To meet mandatory requirement under IMO&rsquo;s FAL Convention, India (Ministry of Shipping) has launched Port Community System (PCS1x) in December 2018. PCS1x is cloud-based new generation technology, with a user-friendly interface. It enables maritime trade to have improved communication with customs.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">International Maritime Organization (IMO)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is specialised agency of UN responsible for regulating shipping. It was established in 1948 in Geneva, Switzerland and came into force in 1959. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is headquartered are in London, United Kingdom. It has 174 member states including India and 3 associate members. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Mandate:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif"> Take measures to facilitate international maritime traffic, improve safety and security of international shipping and to prevent pollution from ships. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is also involved in legal matters, including compensation and liability issues.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Functions:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif"> It develops and maintains comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping and its remit. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its framework aims to addresses various areas like safety, environmental concerns, technical co-operation, legal matters, maritime security and efficiency of shipping.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'title' => 'Asian Tea Alliance launched in China',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Asian Tea Alliance (ATA), a union of five tea-growing and consuming countries was launched in Guizhou, China. Its members are major associations from key tea producing Asian countries viz. Indian Tea Association (ITA), China Tea Marketing Association (CRMA), Indonesian Tea Marketing Association (ITMA), Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) and Japan Tea Association (JTA).</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Asian Tea Alliance (ATA)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its mandate is to enhance tea trade, cultural exchanges, technology exchanges as well as globally promoting tea. It will also work towards enhancing global consumption of tea, while creating a sustainability agenda for the future of Asian tea.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The formal establishment of this alliance comes close on heels of signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) in December 2018 between Indian Tea Association (ITA) and China Tea Marketing Association (CTMA). The two associations had signed pact to promote green and black tea consumption in major tea markets of Europe, US, Russia and West Asia, besides their domestic markets.</span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 781,
		'title' => 'Saudi Arabia to host G-20 Summit in 2020',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Saudi Arabia will host annual G20 leaders&#39; summit in November 2020, in its capital, Riyadh. This will be first G20 meeting to be held in the Arab world. It will 15th G20 summit and its agenda will include financial, economic and social issues including energy, environment, climate, trade, agriculture, digital economy, healthcare, education and labour.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Japan will host this year&#39;s G20 summit in Osaka, which will be held June 2019 as well as ministerial meetings in eight cities. The 2018 summit was held in Buenos Aries, Argentina and it had focused on the global economy, future of labour markets and gender equality. India is hosting G20 leaders&#39; summit in 2022, coinciding with its 75 years of independence. </span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">G-20</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is grouping made up of 19 of world&#39;s biggest economies, as well as the European Union. It formed in 1999 to discuss policy matters and financial stability as meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in the aftermath of the South-east Asian (Tiger economies) financial crisis.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its members include Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, India, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and EU. They represent 85% of global GDP, 80% of international trade, 65% of world&rsquo;s population. </span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It serves as premier forum for international economic cooperation and decision-making for governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies to focus on economic issues and other important development challenges. </span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The first G20 Leaders&rsquo; Summit was held in 2008 in Washington DC, US. Prior to this, it was merely forum for meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. It has played key role in responding to the global financial crisis.</span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'id' => (int) 787,
		'title' => '4th Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific Congress 2019 held in New Delhi',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The 4th Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific (RCAP) 2019 Congress was held in New Delhi. It was organised by ICLEI &ndash; Local Governments for Sustainability and hosted by South Delhi Municipal Corporation. It offered cities and regions from Asia-Pacific a variety of innovative solutions that build resilience to climate change at the sub-national level. It also offered combination of high-level planarians and technical sessions on implementation and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and New Urban Agenda of 2016. It also saw participation of UN agencies like UNDP-GEF, UNESCAP, UN-HABITAT and UNIDSR </span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific (RCAP)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is annual global platform for urban resilience and climate change adaptation. It is convened by ICLEI &ndash; Local Governments for Sustainability and co-hosted by World Mayors Council on Climate Change and Bonn City. It was launched in 2010 with the goal of forging partnerships and dialogues that matter. It aims to provide Asian platform for urban resilience and climate change adaptation where partnerships are forged and concrete dialogues takes place, with ultimate goal of identifying solutions and creating lasting impacts for cities in the region.</span></span></span></p>
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		'metatitle' => '4th Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific Congress 2019 held in New Delhi',
		'metakeyword' => 'In International Current Affairs,  4th Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific, RCAP 2019 Congress, held, New Delhi, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, South Delhi Municipal Corporation',
		'metadescription' => 'The 4th Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific (RCAP) 2019 Congress was held in New Delhi. It was organised by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and hosted by South Delhi Municipal Corporation',
		'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 855,
		'title' => '5th ABU Media Summit on Climate Action and Disaster Preparedness held in Nepal',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The 5th Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Media Summit on Climate Action and Disaster Preparedness was Kathmandu, Nepal. The theme of this summit is &ldquo;Media Solutions for Sustainable Future: Saving Lives, Building Resilient Communities&rdquo;.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">ABU Media Summit on Climate Action and Disaster Preparedness</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its objective was to address issue of fully utilizing media&rsquo;s potential of accelerating climate action and disaster preparedness and connect stakeholders to media professionals for collaboration and joint practical projects.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It saw participation of over 200 participants including political leaders, representatives of United Nation (UN) agencies and NGOs, climate change and disaster management experts, scientists and media persons.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is non-profit, non-governmental, non- political, professional association of broadcasting organizations from Asia Pacific region. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was established in 1964 and its secretariat (headquarters) is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is one of most prominent and the third largest broadcasting union in the world. It is member of the World Broadcasters&rsquo; Union.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Members:</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif"> It has 272 members at present from 76 countries on four continents. India is a founder member of ABU and public broadcasters All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan have been associated with it.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Mandate:</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif"> It assists development of broadcasting in the region. It provides a forum to promote the collective interests of its members. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 952,
		'title' => 'SCO Defence Ministers' conclave held in Kyrgyzstan',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers&#39; conclave held at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. During this conclave, SCO member countries discussed ways to further boost defence and security cooperation among them in wake of evolving security challenges in the region.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is permanent intergovernmental international organisation. It is Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance and has been the primary security pillar of the region.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Its main objective is military cooperation between member states. It is primarily centred on security-related concerns of Central Asian members with main threats being terrorism, separatism and extremism. It also works towards counter-terrorism operations, intelligence-sharing in Central Asia.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was established in 2001 and is successor of Shanghai Five mechanism (established in 1996).</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Heads of State Council (HSC):</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It is SCO&rsquo;s supreme decision-making body which meets once year and adopts decisions and guidelines on all important matters of it.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">SCO&rsquo;s two permanent bodies are:</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> (i) SCO Secretariat in Beijing and (ii) Executive Committee of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent,</span> <span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Uzbekistan, </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Membership:</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> SCO has eight member states viz. Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan were granted SCO membership in June 2017 (prior to this they were having observer status.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Four observer states:</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Dialogue partners of SCO:</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Nepal.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1013,
		'title' => 'Tod D. Wolters sworn in as top military officer of NATO ',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">United States (US) Air Force General Tod D. Wolters was sworn in as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), the top military officer of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). He succeeds US Army General Curtis M. Scaparrotti and will have term of two to three years. He will also be commander of U.S. forces in Europe. He is former pilot of US AirForce and had served in Afghanistan and Iraq.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He is the commander of NATO&rsquo;s Allied Command Operations (ACO) and head of ACO&#39;s headquarters, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is the second-highest military position within NATO, below only Chairman of the NATO Military Committee in terms of precedence.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This position has always been held by US military officer and is dual-hatted with that of Commander of US-European Command.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is military and political alliance between 29 North American and European countries based on the North Atlantic Treaty (Washington Treaty) signed on 4 April 1949</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Mandate: To promote democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Headquarter: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&nbsp;Brussels, Belgium, while headquarters of its Allied Command Operations is near Mons, Belgium. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Collective defence:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Article 5 of Washington Treaty states that armed attack against one of member states of NATO will be considered as attack against all members and other members will assist attacked member, with armed forces if necessary. &nbsp;</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Defence Spending:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> The combined military spending of all NATO members constitutes over 70</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> of the total global defence spending.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1046,
		'title' => 'India re-elected as observer to Arctic Council',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India was re-elected as Observer to intergovernmental forum Arctic Council. The decision was taken during the 11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting held in Rovaniemi, Finland. Besides in this meeting, International Maritime Organisation (IMO) was appointed as a new Observer of Arctic Council. India for first time was successfully granted observer status to Arctic Council in 2013 during Kiruna Ministerial meeting held in Sweden.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Arctic Council</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was established in 1996 through Ottawa Declaration. It is headquartered in Tromso, Norway.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Mandate: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It seeks to addresses issues faced by Arctic states, its indigenous people and its other inhabitants. It also seeks to promote coordination, cooperation and interaction among its stakeholders on common issues but mainly on environmental protection and sustainable development in Arctic.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Members: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Total eight countries having sovereignty over the lands within Arctic Circle (66&deg;33</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&prime;</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">N) are its members. They are United States, Canada, Denmark (representing Greenland and Faroe Islands), Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Observer Countries:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> These are 12 non-artic member states viz. France, Germany, India, China Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Spain and United Kingdom.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Himadri Arctic research station</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India has its Arctic research station &lsquo;Himadri&rsquo; in Svalbard, Norway since 2008. It is located at International Arctic Research base. It was set up by India&#39;s National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, an autonomous institute under Union Ministry of Earth Sciences. &nbsp;It works on mass balance of glaciers, studies effect of global warming on water bodies and observes the formation of clouds and precipitation. Data gathered from this station is used by Indian researchers to study if there exists co-relation between Indian monsoon and Arctic region.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1064,
		'title' => 'CBIC to organize WCO regional custom heads meeting',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is organising meeting of Regional Heads of Customs Administration of World Customs Organisation (WCO) from Asia Pacific Region in Kochi, Kerala. India will be hosting this meeting in its capacity as Vice Chair of Asia Pacific region of WCO, which it had assumed in July, 2018 for a two-year period.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About Meeting</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It will take stock of the progress being made in carrying forward programmes and initiatives of WCO to promote, facilitate and secure the cross-border trade in the region and the capacity building and technical assistance required to achieve this goal. It will see participation of Customs delegations from more than twenty countries of Asia along with senior officials of WCO and its regional bodies, i.e. Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) and Regional Intelligence Liaoning Office (RILO).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">World Customs Organisation (WCO)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is independent intergovernmental body that aims enhance effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is the only international organization exclusively focused in domain of customs matters. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It plays leading role in discussion, promotion, development and implementation of modern customs systems and procedures.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It maintaining international Harmonized System (HS) goods nomenclature. It also administers technical aspects of World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreements on Customs Valuation and Rules of Origin.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was established in 1952 as Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) and had adopted its current name in 1994. It is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Membership:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It represents 182 customs administrations across the globe that collectively process approximately 98</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">%</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> of world trade.&nbsp; It membership is divided into six regions whereby each region is represented by elected vice-chairperson to WCO Council.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Objectives:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Enhance efficiency and effectiveness of customs administrations of member countries. It also assist them to successfully contribute to national development goals, particularly revenue collection, trade facilitation, national security, etc.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Functions:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It offers range of international instruments and conventions, as well as technical assistance and training services to its members. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It supports its members in their endeavours to modernize and build capacity within their national Customs administrations. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It promotes emergence of honest, transparent and predictable customs environment, thus directly contributing to economic and social well-being of its members.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It plays vital role in stimulating growth of legitimate international trade and combats fraudulent activities. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'title' => 'Justice KS Radhakrishnan appointed as Member of Commonwealth Tribunal',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Former Judge of Supreme Court of India-Justice (Retired) KS Radhakrishnan was appointed as &nbsp;Member of Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT). He will have term of four years from June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2023.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Justice (Retired) KS Radhakrishnan</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He had served as Judge of Supreme Court for five years from November 2009 to May 2014. Prior to this, he had served as Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court and Jammu and Kashmir High Court.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">During his stint as Supreme Court judge, he had dealt with some important and famous cases such as SEBI v Sahara case, Jallikattu Ban Ruling (2014), etc. He was also part of two-judge SC bench which had ruled in NALSA v Union of India case (2014), recognising transgender as third gender and giving them same Constitutional rights as others.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Commonwealth </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is international intergovernmental organisation of countries that were mostly former territories of British Empire and dependencies. It was established in 1949 by London Declaration. 53 counties including India are its members. Queen Elizabeth II is Head of Commonwealth. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It resolves disputes of Commonwealth organisations, international or intergovernmental. It is based in London, United Kingdom.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Mandate:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It functions under statute agreed by Commonwealth governments. &nbsp;It hears applications brought by staff of Commonwealth Secretariat or any person who is in contract with Commonwealth Secretariat. It entertains only such cases in which organisations agree to surrender to its jurisdiction.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Members:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It has a total of eight members, comprising President and 7 Members. They are selected by the Commonwealth Governments. Members are appointed for four year term. Their term can be renewed, but only once. &nbsp;In hearing of case, CSAT panel generally includes three judges (memebrs) - President and two Members, selected by President.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'id' => (int) 1073,
		'title' => 'REPLACE Strategy: WHO, IFBA partners for eliminating Trans fat',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The World Health Organization (WHO) has partnered with International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA) under it REPLACE Strategy to achieve target of eliminating Trans fat from the industrially produced global food supply by 2023.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">REPLACE Strategy</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was launched by World Health Organisation (WHO) in May 2019 with aim of providing step-by-step six step actions to ensure prompt, complete, and sustained elimination of industrially-produced trans-fats from global food supply. Implementing of these six strategic actions seeks to eliminate of trans-fat and fight most cardiovascular diseases. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Six components or areas of action include: </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Re</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">view dietary sources of industrially produced transfats and landscape for required policy change. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">P</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">romote replacement of industrially produced transfats with healthier fats and oils. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">L</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">egislate and enact regulatory actions for eliminating industrially produced transfats. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">ssess and monitor trans-fat content in the food supply and changes in transfats consumption in the population.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">C</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">reate awareness about negative impact of trans-fats on health among policy makers, producers, suppliers and the public.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">E</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">nforce compliance with policies and regulations</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About Trans fat</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Trans fat are type of unsaturated fat found in foods. They are also called as trans-unsaturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids. There are naturally-occurring and artificially made trans fats </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The artificial trans fat is produced in industrial process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid. These are contained in hardened vegetable fats such as margarine and ghee (dalda), and are often present in snack, baked, and fried foods.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Trans fats are widely used because they are easy to use, inexpensive to produce and last a long time. They are often use them as they have longer shelf life than other fats.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Impact on health:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Trans fats increase one&rsquo;s bad cholesterol levels and also lowers good cholesterol levels. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It consumption increases risk of developing heart disease and stroke. It is also associated with higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to estimates of WHO, every year, trans fat intake causes over 5,00,000 deaths worldwide from cardiovascular diseases. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1075,
		'title' => 'WTO Ministerial Meeting of Developing Countries to be held in New Delhi',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial meeting of developing countries will be hosted by India in New Delhi from 13 to 14 May 2019. This meeting will see participation of sixteen developing countries, six least developed countries (LDC) and Director General (DG) of WTO.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Key Highlights WTO Ministerial meeting</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It seeks to bring together developing countries and LDCs on platform for sharing common concerns on various issues affecting WTO and work together to address these issues.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It will also provide opportunity to developing countries and LDCs to build consensus on how to move forward on WTO reforms, while preserving fundamentals of multilateral trading system enshrined in the WTO. &nbsp;</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Its deliberations are aimed at getting direction on constructively engaging on various issues in WTO, both institutional and negotiating and in run up to 12th WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Kazakhstan in June 2020.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Significance of meeting </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is being held at time when multilateral rule-based-trading system is facing serious and grave challenges.&nbsp; In the recent past, there have been increasing unilateral measures and counter measures by members, deadlock in key areas of negotiations and impasse in the Appellate Body, which threaten very existence of WTO&rsquo;s Dispute Settlement Mechanism. This has impacted position of the WTO as effective multilateral organisation. This situation has given rise to demands from various quarters to reform the WTO. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">World Trade Organisation (WTO)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is inter-governmental organization for governments to negotiate global trade agreements and progressively liberalizing trade.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was established on 1 January 1995 and its official languages are English, French and Spanish. Its headquarter is located in Geneva, Switzerland.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It operates system of trade rules that apply to all its members. It also has trade dispute resolution mechanism for its members to settle their trade disputes.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'metatitle' => 'WTO Ministerial Meeting of Developing Countries',
		'metakeyword' => 'In International Current Affairs, World Trade Organisation, WTO, Ministerial meeting, developing countries, hosted,India,New Delhi, from 13 to 14 May 2019. ',
		'metadescription' => 'The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial meeting of developing countries will be hosted by India in New Delhi from 13 to 14 May 2019. ',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1104,
		'title' => 'India chosen as co-chair of GFDRR’s Consultative Group',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India was unanimously chosen as co-chair of the Consultative Group (CG) of Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) for year 2020.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">This is the first time that India will be co-chairing the CG meeting of GFDRR. The decision was taken during meeting of GFDRR held in Geneva, Switzerland on sidelines of 6th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Being co-chair of GFDRR will give India opportunity to work with member countries and organizations towards advancing the disaster risk reduction agenda during the course of the year. India had become member of CG of GFDRR in 2015. It had expressed its interest to co-chair in October 2018.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is global partnership that facilitates developing countries to better understand the natural hazards and climate change and reduce their vulnerability towards them.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is grant-funding mechanism, managed by World Bank that supports disaster risk management projects worldwide. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was established in 2006. Its secretariat is located in Washington, DC, US.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It helps vulnerable nations to improve resilience and reduce disaster risk by providing technical assistance, capacity building and enables analytical work.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is currently working with over 400 local, national, regional, and international partners. It also works to implement &quot;Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction&quot; by helping countries to integrate disaster risk management and climate change adaptation together towards development strategies and investment programs.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1188,
		'title' => '2nd Urban 20 Mayors Summit held in Tokyo',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The second Urban 20 (U20) Mayors Summit was held in Tokyo, Japan ahead of G20 Osaka Summit. &nbsp;It had seen participation of Mayors of 35 major cities from across the world. The themes of Mayoral Sessions were Climate Action, Circular Economy, Social Inclusion and Integration, Sustainable Economic Growth and Gender Equality. In this summit, mayors and city governors from 30 cities with&nbsp; 126 million people adopted <strong>2019 Urban 20 Tokyo Mayors Summit Communique.</strong></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Highlights of Communique</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It acknowledges that 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides universal and comprehensive framework for addressing many of the planet&rsquo;s most urgent priorities. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It commits to identify links between local sustainable development strategies and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly in three main areas: climate action; social inclusion and integration and sustainable economic growth.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It urges Global leaders to act fast on climate change, social inclusion and sustainable economic growth. It also urges G20 leaders to ensure greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions reduce substantially by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050, ensure access of adequate housing to all populations.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Urban 20 (U20) </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is initiative developed in 2017 under leadership of the Mayor of Buenos Aires and Mayor of Paris, and chair of Climate Leadership Group (C40) Cities in collaboration with United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). It was launched in December 2017 at the One Planet Summit held in Paris.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It aims to tackle global challenges by leveraging the potential of cities as hubs of diversity and innovation. It seeks to develop a joint position and collective messages to inform and enrich the discussions of national leaders at the G20 Summit through unique urban perspectives.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is composed of 25 major global cities viz. Beijing, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Hamburg, Chicago, Durban, &nbsp;Jakarta, London, Los Angeles, Johannesburg, &nbsp;Mexico City, Madrid, Melbourne, Milan, Montreal, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Rome, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo, and Tshwane</span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1185,
		'title' => 'SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Bishkek',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The two-day meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CMF) meeting was recently held in Bishkek, capital city Kyrgyz Republic.<strong> </strong>This was second CFM meeting attended by India as full member of SCO and was represented by Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Earlier she had also attended the last CFM meeting in Beijing (China) on in April 2018. &nbsp;SCO CFM meeting in Bishkek will review preparations for forthcoming SCO Summit scheduled to be held in Bishkek on 13-14 June 2019 and also exchange views on topical issues of internationaland regional importance.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is permanent intergovernmental international organisation. It is Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance and has been the primary security pillar of the region.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Its main objective is military cooperation between member states. It is primarily centred on security-related concerns of Central Asian members with main threats being terrorism, separatism and extremism. It also works towards counter-terrorism operations, intelligence-sharing in Central Asia.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was established in 2001 and is successor of Shanghai Five mechanism (established in 1996).</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Heads of State Council (HSC):</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It is SCO&rsquo;s supreme decision-making body which meets once year and adopts decisions and guidelines on all important matters of it.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">SCO&rsquo;s two permanent bodies are:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> (i) SCO Secretariat in Beijing and (ii) Executive Committee of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan,</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Membership:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> SCO has eight member states viz. Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan were granted SCO membership in June 2017 (prior to this they were having observer status.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Four observer states:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Dialogue partners of SCO:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Nepal.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1202,
		'title' => 'WHO unveils new Strategy to tackle snakebite',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled new strategy for prevention and control of snakebite envenoming. It also has warned that dearth of antivenoms could soon spark a &ldquo;public health emergency&rdquo;.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">WHO strategy</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It aims at 50</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">%</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> reduction in mortality and disability caused by snakebite envenoming by 2030. To achieve this target, it proposes to significantly boost production of quality antivenoms.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It also seeks at ensuring access to treatment such as anti-venoms and ancillary medical care by increasing number of manufacturers by 25</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">%</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> .</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It also proposes creating a global antivenom stockpile and calls for reshaping the market and employ greater regulatory control.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It calls for integration of&nbsp;snakebite treatment and response into national health plans in affected countries, including better training of health personnel and educating communities.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It also seeks to encourage research on new treatments, diagnostics and health device breakthroughs.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to WHO figures, every year, nearly 3 million people are bitten by poisonous snakes, with estimated 81,000-138,000 deaths and 4,00,000 cases of permanent disability. Snake bite is neglected public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries and most of these occur in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Children are worse affected due to snake bites. Most deaths and serious consequences from snake bites are entirely preventable by making High quality snake antivenoms accessible. In 2017, WHO had formally categorised &ldquo;snakebite envenoming&rdquo; as Neglected Tropical Disease.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1209,
		'title' => '2nd SCO Mass Media Forum held in Kyrgyzstan',
		'description' => '<h2 style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The second edition of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Mass Media Forum was held at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. This four-day forum was inaugurated by President of Kyrgyz Republic, S. Jeenbeko. India was represented by delegation from Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. </span></span></span></span></h2>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It saw participation of representative of state bodies supervising mass media of SCO countries (Member States, Observer Countries, Dialogue Partners), representatives of leading mass media of SCO countries and representatives of SCO Secretariat.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About SCO Mass Media Forum </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It aims to strengthen exchange and cooperation in the field of mass media amongst SCO countries.&nbsp; It offers unique platform for active work through mass media to create objective vision of SCO and strengthen its positive image in the global information space. The first SCO Media Summit was held in Beijing, China in June 2018 under theme of &ldquo;Development of Shanghai Spirit&rdquo;. &nbsp;Shanghai Spirit is the core value of SCO that has played significant role in safeguarding regional security and promoting regional development. It</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> is about mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development among the SCO members</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'metatitle' => '2nd SCO Mass Media Forum held in Kyrgyzstan',
		'metakeyword' => 'The second edition of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Mass Media Forum was held at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan.',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1230,
		'title' => 'BIMSTEC leaders invited for PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has invited leaders of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Member Countries to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 30, 2019. It also has sent invitations to Sooronbay Jeenbekov, President of Kyrgyzstan who is the current Chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. But there is no invitation to Pakistan, a strong signal that India is not willing to engage with Pakistan .</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">2014 swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In 2014, all the 7 leaders of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) &nbsp;including Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were invited for the oath-taking ceremony of PM Modi.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About BIMSTEC</span></span></strong> </span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is regional group of seven countries from South Asia and South East Asia lying in littoral and adjacent areas of Bay of Bengal constituting contiguous regional unity. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was established in 1997 through Bangkok Declaration. Its headquarter (secretariat) is in Dhaka, Bangladesh. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">BIMSTEC&rsquo;s Mandate:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Promote technological and economic cooperation among south Asian and south-east Asian countries along coast of the Bay of Bengal. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Member countries</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">: Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka from South Asia and Thailand and Myanmar from South East Asia. These seven countries are collectively home to around 1.5 billion people which constitute around 22</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">%</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> of global population.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It functions as sector-driven cooperative organization, started in 2006 with six sector including technology, trade, energy, tourism, transport and fisheries.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In 2008, it was expanded to embrace eight more sectors including agriculture, poverty alleviation, public health, counter-terrorism, environment, culture, people to people contact and climate change.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Summits:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> The first summit was held in Thailand in 1997; 2nd in 2008 in India, 3rd in 2014 in Myanmar and 4th in 2018 in Nepal. Sri Lanka is the current Chair of the BIMSTEC.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'id' => (int) 1297,
		'title' => 'ADB approves US $350 million loan for road project in Chhattisgarh',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Multi-lateral funding agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved US $350 million loan for road project in Chhattisgarh. The project aims at rehabilitating and upgrading state highways and major district roads in Chhattisgarh, which will improve connectivity and access to basic services and livelihood opportunities.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About Project</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It aims to provide safer and higher capacity road connectivity between state capital, district centres, and other rural hubs. It also seeks to provide efficient linkages between existing key corridors.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It will support state government&#39;s strategy by rehabilitating or upgrading two state highways and 23 major district roads totalling about 850 kilometres. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The total cost of this project is US $521.69 million of which State Government will finance US $171.69 million. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Significance of Project: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It will boost access of the poor to socio-economic opportunities and to basic services such as healthcare and education. It will also improve the overall quality of life in influence areas along the roads. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chhattisgarh is overwhelmingly rural (about 96</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">% </span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">of the area) ad is rich in natural resources and a major producer of minerals such as coal and iron ore. However, according to 2011 census, poverty levels were at about 38</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">% </span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">of the population. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">There is need for safe and efficient road network to significantly improve state&#39;s economy and development, and for poverty reduction in the state. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Currently, Chhattisgarh relies heavily on roads for movement of people and goods, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. About 70%of the state highways have only single or intermediate lanes, while most major and other district roads are single lanes. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Asian Development Bank (ADB)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is multilateral lending agency based in Manila, Philippines. It was established on 19 December 1966.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is collectively owned by its members. It has total 67 members &ndash; 48 from Asia-Pacific region (including India) and 19 from outside.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It envisions prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in the region.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants and equity investments to promote social and economic development</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It provides finance to both sovereign countries as well as to private entities. It provides soft loans to poorer countries and hard loans to middle-income countries.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Most of its lending is concentrated in five operational areas viz. education, environment, climate Change &amp; disaster management, finance sector development, regional cooperation &amp; integration and private sector lending.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1311,
		'title' => 'Quad meeting held in Bangkok',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) meeting was recently held in Bangkok,&nbsp;Thailand for consultations on their collective efforts to advance a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. It was attended by senior officials from US, Australia, India, and Japan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Outcomes of Meeting</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">They affirmed their strong support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led regional architecture, as well as their support for other regional institutions, including Indian Ocean Rim Association and Pacific Islands Forum.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to preserving and promoting the rules-based order in the region.They underscored their intent to continue close coordination and collaboration in support of sustainable, private-sector led development, maritime security, and good governance.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">They discussed initiatives undertaken by each country to encourage transparent, principles-based investment in quality infrastructure in accordance with international standards and leverage the potential of the private sector.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">They agreed to continue to explore opportunities to enhance cooperation including in support of regional disaster response, cybersecurity, maritime security, counterterrorism, and non-proliferation. They also underscored their intent to continue regular consultations on Indo-Pacific engagement and initiatives together and with other interested countries and institutions.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is an informal strategic grouping consisting of four pro-democratic countries &ndash; United States, India, Japan, and Australia. The grouping is seen by many as counter to China&#39;s increasing economic and military might. It was originally initiated in 2007 but later disbanded after withdrawal of Australia. However, it was n revived again in 2017 in response to increased Chinese economic and military power.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1328,
		'title' => 'Yousef Aldobeay appointed as OIC’s special envoy for Jammu & Kashmir',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has appointed Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Yousef Aldobeay as its special envoy for Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K). This decision was taken at the 14th Islamic Summit of the OIC held in holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Purpose of appointment</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">OIC held that it fully supports people of J&amp;K&rsquo;s achievement of their legitimate rights. It also called upon India to hold referendum in J&amp;K under United Nations&rsquo; patronage.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">No support of all OIC countries</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The decision to appoint special envoy for Kashmir issue was primarily decision of few countries of OIC contact group on Kashmir and not all OIC members were party to the decision and maintained neutral stance on the issue. Some of the key OIC member states across continents have not been in favour of a strong position on Kashmir.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Why this decision was taken?</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is believed that complicated political situation in West Asia, particularly tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran coupled with dependence of some key nations in the region on Pakistan Army against Houthis and Iran, may have prompted OIC to appoint a special envoy for Kashmir.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The developments came within three months of the OIC foreign ministers&rsquo; meet in UAE where India for first time was invited as guest of honour for the plenary session. On that occasion,</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Pakistan had tried to use every session to defame India but had failed to get Kashmir issue mentioned in the final joint declaration as the hosts and Saudi Arabia ensured that the guest (India) was not embarrassed.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">However, it is believed that role of Pakistan Army in support of Gulf states amid tensions with Iran may have played &nbsp;role in the decision to appoint special envoy in response to Pakistan Government&rsquo;s request for such a post.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India&rsquo;s position</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Union Ministry of External Affairs&rsquo; (MEA) spokesperson held that OIC has no locus standi in matters relating to state of J&amp;K, which is an integral part of India.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is reiterated that OIC should refrain from making such unwarranted references. India categorically rejects yet another unacceptable reference to matters internal to India in Final Communiqe adopted at conclusion of the 14th Islamic Summit of OIC member states held at Makkah, Saudi Arabia. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<h2 style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:13pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria,serif"><span style="color:#4f81bd">About Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)</span></span></span></h2>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is international organization that aims to provide collective voice to Muslim world and safeguard and protect interests of Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was established in 1969. It has administrative centre (headquarters/ Secretariat) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is second largest inter-governmental organization after United Nations.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It consists of 56 member states spread over four continents with collective population of over 1.3 billion as of 2009 with 47 countries being Muslim Majority countries. It has five observer states.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It has permanent delegations to UN and European Union. Its official languages are Arabic, English, and French.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Issues with India:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Over the past few decades, India had, at best, prickly relationship with OIC, largely because Pakistan frequently used this grouping to target India on Kashmir issue. OIC on behest of Pakistan regarded parts of Kashmir as &ldquo;occupied by India&rdquo;.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India was blocked country, though it is third largest country (after Indonesia and Pakistan) in terms of Muslim population (It has about 12% of world&rsquo;s Muslim population).</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">OIC was seen as pro Pakistan and its allies in Arab world have also had blocked attempts to give observer status to India.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'title' => '2nd Global Disability Summit held in Argentina',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The second edition of Global Disability Summit will be held in at Buenos Aires, Argentina from 6-8 June 2019. It is being organised by International Alliance Disability (IDA) and Latin American Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and their Families (RIADIS).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">2nd Global Disability Summit</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

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	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Objective:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Deliberate on issues across the world concerning empowerment and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and to work out mechanism for enabling them to live an independent and dignified life.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Features:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It will be a follow-up to the first &quot;Global Disability Summit&quot; held in London in 2018. It seeks to strengthen commitment of world to ensure full inclusion of people with disabilities and guarantee their rights, freedoms and human dignity.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India&rsquo;s representation: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand&nbsp; Gehlot is leading Indian delegation to this summit.</span></span></span></span></li>
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<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About International Disability Alliance (IDA)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is umbrella organization focused on improving awareness and rights for individuals with disabilities around the globe. It was established in 1999. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is alliance of eight global and six regional organisations of persons with disabilities (PWDs). It advocates for more inclusive global environment for PWDs and their organisations.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It represents estimated one billion people worldwide with disabilities, which is the world&#39;s largest and most frequently overlooked marginalised group.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Mandate:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It works closely with Non Governmental Organizations (NGO&#39;s), supranational organizations such as United Nations (UN), as well as state governments to create legislation, fund disability programs in developing and industrialized countries, and advocate for PWDs around the world. It uses UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) as its code of conduct. It also ensure that 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals is inclusive and in line with UNCRPD.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1388,
		'title' => '2nd anniversary of India-UN Development Partnership Fund',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">United Nation&#39;s Secretary General Antonio Guterres has praised India-UN Development Partnership Fund on its second anniversary for championing greater prosperity for all while contributing to South-South cooperation. He held that through this initiative India is championing greater prosperity and opportunity for all. This initiative also has been held up by UN leaders as model for cooperation among developing countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About India-UN Development Partnership Fund </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is dedicated facility within United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). It was established in 2017. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is supported and led by Government of India and managed by United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). It implemented in collaboration with the United Nations system. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Mandate:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It supports Southern-owned and led, demand-driven, and transformational sustainable development projects across the developing world, with focus on least developed countries (LDCs) &nbsp;and small island developing states. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India&rsquo;s contributions:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> &nbsp;It has committed total of US $150 million for this fund over the next decade to support projects that are in alignment with 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. &nbsp;It has already disbursed $22 million during past two years to finance 36 projects in 37 partnering countries.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'metatitle' => '2nd anniversary of India-UN Development Partnership Fund',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1390,
		'title' => 'African Union suspends Sudan over military crackdown',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">African Union (AU) has suspended participation of Sudan in all AU activities until effective establishment of Civilian-led Transitional Authority. It comes after Sudan&rsquo;s military launched a brutal crackdown on protesters that killed dozens of people in the capital, Khartoum. AU also has warned of further action if power is not transferred to civilian authority - a key demand of pro-democracy protesters. The military leadership had taken control over the country after ouster of President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 in military coup following large-scale pro-democracy protests.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About African Union (AU)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is pan-Africa continental union consisting of 55 countries. Its structure is loosely modelled on that of European Union. It is headquatered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was founded in May 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and launched in July 2002 in South Africa. It had replaced Organisation of African Unity (OAU).</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Main objectives: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">(i) Promote unity and cooperation among African nations and strive to spread democracy and good governance in the continent. (ii) Accelerate process of integration in continent to enable it play its rightful role in global economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems. (iii) Safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and (iv) Promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Structure:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> AU Assembly is its most important decisions making body. It is a semi-annual meeting of heads of state and government of its member states.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It also has official bodies such as Peace and Security Council and Pan-African Parliament.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'id' => (int) 1447,
		'title' => 'Asia Media Summit 2019 held in Cambodia',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Asia Media Summit 2019 was held in Siem Reap province, Cambodia from 12 June to 14 June 2019. It was 16th edition of summit and last one (15th) was hosted by India. This year&rsquo;s summit was organized by Cambodia&rsquo;s Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD). It deliberated on many issues pertaining to media &amp; broadcasting industry. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Asia Media Summit 2019</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Theme of Summit: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&ldquo;Media Digitalization Focusing on Developing Markets&rdquo;. It called for regulation-making to fight against fake news and cyber-crimes. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Participation:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> More than 600 media representatives from 42 countries and regions participated in event. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Purpose: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It held discussion on spread of disinformation and fake news and its impact on governments, media, private sector and society. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is regional inter-governmental organisation servicing countries of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in field of electronic media development.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Established in:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> 1977 under auspices of UNESCO. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Secretariat:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Mandate: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">To achieve vibrant and cohesive electronic media environment in Asia-Pacific region through policy and resource development. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Membership:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> 26 full members (countries), represented by 34 organisations and 67 Affiliate Members (or organisations) and over 50 partners in Asia, Pacific, Africa, Arab States, Europe and North America.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'metatitle' => 'Asia Media Summit 2019 held in Cambodia',
		'metakeyword' => 'The Asia Media Summit 2019 was held in Siem Reap province, Cambodia from 12 June to 14 June 2019. It was 16th edition of summit and last one (15th) was hosted by Indi',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'id' => (int) 1449,
		'title' => 'PM Modi to be Guest at Eastern Economic Forum',
		'description' => '<h2 style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted invitation of Russian President Putin to be main guest at Eastern Economic Forum (EEC) to be held at Vladivostok, Russia in September 2019. The invitation proposal was forwarded by Russian President Vladimir Putin after </span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">two leaders held in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan on sidelines of 2019 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.</span></span></span></span></h2>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Eastern Economic Forum (EEC)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is annual event held at Vladivostok, Russia to encourage foreign investment in the Russian Far East. It was established by Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2015.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It provides platform for discussion of key issues in the world economy, regional integration, and development of new industrial and technological sectors, as well as of global challenges facing Russia and other nations.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Key objectives of EEF</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Strengthen ties between international investment community, Russian business and federal, regional, and local government bodies</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Conduct comprehensive expert assessment of economic potential of Russian Far East and improve region&rsquo;s competitiveness and attractiveness to investors both nationally and internationally</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Showcase new investment and business opportunities such as advanced special economic zones, Vladivostok Free Port, and state support for high-potential investment projects.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1454,
		'title' => 'India hosting Intersessional meeting of Kimberley Process',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India will be hosting Intersessional meeting of Kimberley Process (KP) from 17th to 21st June, 2019 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. &nbsp;Along with it, meetings of different Working Groups and Committees of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), two special forums regarding Diamond Terminology and Artisanal Mining &ndash; Small Steps to Larger Outcomes, will be also held.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Kimberley Process </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is international certification scheme that regulates trade in rough diamonds with aim of preventing flow of conflict diamonds, while helping to protect legitimate trade in rough diamonds.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is joint initiative involving Government, international diamond industry and civil society to stem flow of Conflict Diamonds. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">: It outlines rules that govern trade in rough diamonds. It came into effect from 1st January, 2003.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">As per its provisions, each shipment of rough diamonds being exported and imported by crossing international border can be transported in tamper proof container and accompanied by validated Kimberley Process Certificate. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The shipment can only be exported to co-participant country in KPCS. No uncertified shipments of rough diamonds are permitted to enter a participant country.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Participants:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> At present, KPCS has 55 members representing 82 countries including European Union with 28 members. India is the founding member of KPCS.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Chairmanship of Kimberley Process:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It is chaired on rotating basis, by participating countries. Its Vice-Chair is generally elected by KP Plenary each year, who becomes the Chair in the next year.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India is Chairman of KPCS for the year 2019 with Russia as Vice Chair. India had earlier chaired KPCS in the year 2008.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Important Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Kimberley Process in formal sense is <strong>not international organization</strong> and has no permanent offices or permanent staff. It relies on contributions under principle of burden-sharing of participants and is supported by industry and civil society observers. KP also cannot be considered as an international agreement from legal perspective, as it is implemented through national legislations of its participants.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Conflict Diamonds:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> They are also known as &lsquo;blood&#39; diamonds. They are basically rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments.&nbsp; It is also described in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1434,
		'title' => 'Maritime Information Sharing Workshop 2019 held in Gurugram',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Indian Navy is hosting Maritime Information Sharing Workshop 2019 (MISW 2019) under the aegis of the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) at Gurugram, Harayana. The two-day event was inaugurated by Vice Admiral MS Pawar, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff. It saw participation of more than 41 delegates from 29 countries of Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">MISW 2019 </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Objectives:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It was aimed at acquainting all participants about IFC-IOR and its information sharing mechanisms. It was also aimed at promoting and sharing best practices in this field for better yield response to myriad security and safety challenges faced by IOR.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Issues Highlighted:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Several talks regarding contemporary maritime challenges in Indo-Pacific region were discussed. It also highlighted significance of maritime domain as well as the challenges faced by region such as piracy, maritime terrorism, humanitarian assistance &amp; disaster relief, human &amp; drug trafficking as well as legal perspective of combating these challenges. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About Information Fusion Centre Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was launched in December 2018 by then Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Indian Navy&rsquo;s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) Gurugram, Haryana. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was established with vision of strengthening maritime security in the region and beyond, by building common coherent maritime situation picture and acting as a maritime information hub for the region.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It serves as a single point centre linking all coastal radar chains to generate a seamless real-time picture of the nearly 7,500-km coastline.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Through it, information on &ldquo;white shipping&rdquo;, or commercial shipping is exchanged with countries in the region to improve maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It works towards capability building in IOR, coordinating in time incident response and disaster relief, and also sharing submarine safety information. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">All countries that have signed white shipping information exchange agreements with India can post their liaison officers at IFC. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">So far, it has established linkages with more than 16 countries and 13 international maritime security agencies.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It servers as separate platform as of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), but its all members can be part of it.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1458,
		'title' => 'CICA Summit 2019 held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The 5th Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Summit was in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Theme of this edition of summit was &ldquo;Shared Vision for a Secure and More Prosperous CICA Region&rdquo;. From India, Union External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar had attended the two days summit.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">5th CICA Summit</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Participating Leaders from CICA member countries deliberated on existing and emerging issues of common concern to members and underline implementation of confidence-building measures for developing Asia into a prosperous, secure and peaceful region. They adopted Declaration covering issues of cooperation within CICA.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is a pan Asia multi-national &nbsp;(intergovernmental) forum for enhancing cooperation towards promoting peace, security and stability in Asia. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was established in 1999. Its secretariat (headquarter) is in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Membership:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Presently it has 27 member states. India has been member since its inception. Eight countries and five multi-national organizations, including United Nations are having observer status. For becoming member of CICA, a counry/state must have at least part of its territory in Asia.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Structure:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> The highest decision making organ of CICA is the meeting of the CICA heads of state and government. CICA summit is convened every four years. Besides, meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs is required to be held every two years.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had participated in the first CICA Summit held in 2002 in Almaty, Kazakhstan</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'id' => (int) 1482,
		'title' => 'ICCPR: Sri Lanka abusing UN law to make arrests',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Media activists have accused Sri Lankan law and enforcement agencies of using International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), an Untied Nations law&nbsp;on hate speech to crack down on media freedom and country&rsquo;s Muslim minority. Recently, journalist was arrested for his writing on anti-Muslim riots and Buddhist extremists under Sri Lanka&#39;s laws compliant to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About International Covenant On Civil And Political Rights (ICCPR)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is a multilateral treaty adopted by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through resolution 2200A (XXI) in December 1966, and came in force in March 1976. It commits its parties to respect civil and political rights of individuals, including right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, electoral rights and rights to due process and a fair trial. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is part of International Bill of Human Rights, along with International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It is monitored by the United Nations Human Rights Committee. It has 172 parties and six more signatories without ratification,</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1485,
		'title' => 'ICG to co-hosts 12th ReCAAP ISC capacity building workshop',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Indian Coast Guard (ICG) co-hosted 12th Capacity Building workshop with Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre (ISC) in New Delhi. This will be third time India hosting this workshop and earlier it was held in November 2011 and December 2017 in the National Capital.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">12th Capacity Building workshop</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It will witness active participation from total of 31 International delegates from 19 countries. It will also see participation of officials from National Stakeholders such as State Maritime Boards, major ports, State Marine Police, Directorate General of Shipping and Indian National Ship-Owners Association .</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is the first regional Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement to deal with piracy and armed robbery at sea in Asia. It was concluded in November 2004.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India had played key role in the setting up and functioning of ReCAAPISC along with Japan and Singapore. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Presently 20 countries (14 Asian countries, 4 European countries, Australia, USA) are its members. Union Government has designated Indian Coast Guard (ICG) as the focal point within India for ReCAAP.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Three pillars of co-operation under ReCAAP agreement:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Information sharing, capacity building and mutual legal assistance.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Information Sharing Centre (ISC):</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It was established at Singapore to collate and disseminate information among the contracting parties and the maritime community.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
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		'title' => 'WHO launches AWaRe tool to curb antimicrobial resistance',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">WHO has launched global campaign urging governments to adopt <strong>AWaRe tool</strong> to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), adverse events and costs. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">AWaRe </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is<strong> </strong>online tool aimed at guiding policy-makers and health workers to use antibiotics safely and more effectively. It also seeks to limit drugs that are at risk of resistance. It has been developed by the WHO Essential Medicines List to contain rising resistance and make antibiotic use safer and more effective.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It classifies antibiotics into three groups:</span></span></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Access:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> antibiotics used to treat the most common and serious infections.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Watch:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> &nbsp;antibiotics available at all times in the healthcare system.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Reserve:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> antibiotics to be used sparingly or preserved and used only as a last resort.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">New campaign </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Objective:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Increase the proportion of global consumption of antibiotics in Access group to at least 60</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">% </span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">and to reduce use of the antibiotics most at risk of resistance from the Watch and Reserve groups. &nbsp;It will make easier for policy-makers, prescribers and health workers to select right antibiotic at right time, and to protect endangered antibiotics.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Antimicrobial resistance </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is already one of the biggest health risks and is estimated to kill 50 million by 2050 worldwide.It threatens to undo a century of medical progress. Its threat continues to escalate globally because more than 50</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">% </span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">of antibiotics in many countries are used inappropriately such as for treatment of viruses when they only treat bacterial infections or use of wrong (broader spectrum) antibiotic.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1525,
		'title' => 'Olympic House: New HQ building of IOC inaugurated',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The International Olympic Committee (IOC) formally opened its new headquarters- <strong>Olympic House</strong> in Lausanne, Switzerland on the occasion of 125th anniversary of Olympic Games. It has been built on the site of the former headquarters.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Olympic House</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It has been built on site of former Olympic headquarters. It is environment friendly efficient building, made by recycling and reusing 95</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">%</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> of old materials from old headquater building. Its power requirement is meet by renewable energy supplied using solar panels on roof and pumps taking water from Lake Geneva. Its central staircase links together 5 Olympic rings. It is designed by architecture firm 3XN of Denmark. Its energy-efficient building design has won international awards for sustainability. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About International Olympic Committee (IOC)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is a non-governmental sports organisation headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was created on 23 June 1894. It is headquatered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in Athens, Greece on 6 April 1896.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Mandate of IOC: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is supreme authority of Olympic Movement and is responsible for organising the modern Summer and Winter Olympic Games. It is governing body of National Olympic Committees (NOCs), which are the national constituents of the worldwide Olympic Movement.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Membership:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It has 95 active members, 44 honorary members, 2 honour members (Senegal and United States), 206 individual National Olympic Committees which are officially recognised by IOC.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'metatitle' => 'Olympic House: New HQ building of IOC inaugurate',
		'metakeyword' => 'The International Olympic Committee (IOC) formally opened its new headquarters- Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland on the occasion of 125th anniversary of Olympic Games',
		'metadescription' => 'The International Olympic Committee (IOC) formally opened its new headquarters- Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland on the occasion of 125th anniversary of Olympic Games',
		'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'id' => (int) 1514,
		'title' => 'Saudi Arabia becomes 39th member of FATF',
		'description' => '<p>Saudi Arabia became 39th member of Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF). It is first Arab country to be granted full membership of FAFT. Saudi Arabia was granted observer status of FAFT in 2015.</p>

<p><strong>About Financial Action Task Force (FATF)</strong></p>

<p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It is inter-governmental&nbsp;standard-setting body for anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).</p>

<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;It was established in 1989 during G7 Summit in Paris (France) to combat growing problem of money laundering. It is headquartered in OECD headquarters in Paris, France.</p>

<p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Initially, it was only dealing with developing policies to combat money laundering, its madate was expanded in 2001 to act against terrorism financing.</p>

<p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mandate:</strong>&nbsp;Set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.</p>

<p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Members:</strong>&nbsp;It comprises 39-member jurisdictions (including India, China, Russia) and 2 regional organisations (Gulf Cooperation Council and European Commission).</p>

<p>&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Functions:&nbsp;</strong>(i) Set global standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Assess and monitor compliance with the FATF standards. (ii) Conduct studies of money laundering and terrorist financing methods, trends and techniques. (iii) Respond to new and emerging threats, such as proliferation financing used for promoting proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.</p>
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		'metatitle' => 'Saudi Arabia becomes 39th member of FATF',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1516,
		'title' => 'Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN Region',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN Region. The declaration comes ahead G20 summit in Japan, which assembles 20 major economies and will also aim to tackle marine plastic pollution</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Bangkok Declaration</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It aims to strengthen actions at national level as well as through collaborative actions to prevent and significantly reduce marine debris.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It also seeks to strengthen national laws and regulations as well as enhance regional and international cooperation including on relevant policy dialogue and information sharing.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">However, this declaration and neither its accompanying Framework of Action specifically mention bans on single-use plastic or imports of foreign waste.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to 2015 report co-authored by environmental campaigner Ocean Conservancy, four ASEAN member counties Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, along with China are world&rsquo;s top polluters, throwing most plastic waste into oceans.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is regional intergovernmental organization comprising 10 countries in Southeast Asia viz. Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, sociocultural and educational integration among its members and other countries in Asia.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was established on August 8, 1967, after adaptation ASEAN declaration (also known as Bangkok Declaration). Its secretariat is located in Jakarta, Indonesia.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1529,
		'title' => 'Council of Europe restores Russia's voting rights',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe has voted in favour of restoring Russia&#39;s voting rights, five years after they were revoked over its illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. This move paves way for Russia to participate in election of a new secretary general for of this pan-European rights watchdog. The motion for restoring Russia&#39;s voting rights was approved with 118 votes in favour, 62 against, and 10 abstentions.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Russia was stripped of its voting rights after Russia&#39;s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Russia responded by boycotting assembly and exerted political pressure. Since 2017, Russia also had refused to pay its share of 33 million Euro to Council of Europe. It also had threatened to quit body altogether if it is not allowed to take part in election.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About Council of Europe</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is Europe&#39;s leading human rights organisation mandated to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. It is distinct from the European Union (EU). &nbsp;It was founded in in 1949. It is headquartered in Strasbourg, France. Its best known body is the European Court of Human Rights, which enforces the European Convention on Human Rights. &nbsp;Its members include 47 member states, 28 of which are members of the European Union. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Unlike EU, Council of Europe cannot make binding laws, but it has powers to enforce select international agreements reached by European states on various topics.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'metatitle' => 'Council of Europe restores Russia's voting rights',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1530,
		'title' => 'goAML: UAE 1st Gulf country to launch new anti-money laundering platform',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">United Arab Emirates (UAE) become the first country in the Gulf to launch goAML, a new anti-money laundering platform. &nbsp;goAML has been customised to the requirements of the UAE&rsquo;s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing framework.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About goAML</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It has been developed by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to curb organised crimes (UNODC) for use by the UAE Central Bank&rsquo;s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is also available to Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) of Member States to support their work in countering money laundering and terrorist financing. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It facilitates receipt, analysis, and dissemination of illicit transactions and activity to law enforcement authorities in the UAE.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">UAE&rsquo;s reporting entities including financial institutions such as banks, finance companies and exchange houses are required to register on this platform.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It will be also used by law enforcement agencies, and designated non-financial professions such as accountants and lawyers.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'metatitle' => 'UAE 1st Gulf country to launch new anti-money laundering platform',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1605,
		'title' => 'ISALEX19: International Security Alliance’s first joint security exercise held in UAE',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The first edition of joint security exercise of International Security Alliance (ISA) named ISALEX19 was held in Abu Dhabi, Untied Arab Emirates (UAE). It was aimed at testing readiness of the different teams and to evaluate tools, strategies and procedures developed jointly between member countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About International Security Alliance </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is international collaboration (working group) of Ministries of Interior from eight countries aimed at combating organized, transnational and extremist crimes. It was launched in February 2017. Its Secretariat is located in Abu Dhabi, UAE.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Members ( 8 Countries):</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Bahrain, Morocco, Italy, Senegal, Singapore and Spain.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Mandate:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Promote internal security cooperation among its member countries, in particular with regards to strategic priorities: (i) Preventing and combating transnational organized crime; (ii) Preventing and combating forms of radicalisation and violent extremism; (iii) Management of borders.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'metatitle' => 'ISALEX19: ISA’s first joint security exercise held in UAE',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1619,
		'title' => 'WHO launches its first guidelines on Self-Care Interventions For Health',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched its first guidelines on self-care interventions for health in response to estimate shortage of nearly 13 million healthcare workers by 2035. In its first volume of guidelines, WHO focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Key highlights of guidelines</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Meaning of self-care:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It is ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health-care provider. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Self-care interventions represent significant push towards new and greater self-efficacy, autonomy and engagement in health for self-carers and caregivers.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">They represent significant push towards new and greater self-efficacy, autonomy and engagement in health for self-carers and caregivers.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Guidelines:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> They do not replace high-quality health services nor are they shortcut to achieving universal health coverage. But rather they look at scientific evidence for health benefits of certain interventions that can be done outside conventional sector and sometimes with support of health-care provider.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">First volume:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It focuses on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Some of interventions prescirbed include self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) and sexually transmitted infections, home-based ovulation predictor kits, self-injectable contraceptives, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) self-testing and self-management of medical abortion.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Expansion:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> These guidelines will be expanded in near future to include other self-care interventions, including for prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Need for Self care</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is estimated that by 2035 the world will face shortage of nearly 13 million healthcare workers and currently at least 400 million people worldwide lack access to the most essential health services. Self-care interventions could help to expand access to health services, including for vulnerable populations. People are increasingly active participants in their own health care and have right to greater choice of interventions that meets their needs across their lifetime in affordable way.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1625,
		'title' => 'Japan resumes commercial whaling',
		'description' => '<h2 style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Japan has resumed commercial whaling more than three decades after it had announced its withdrawal from International Whaling Commission (IWC), 1986 in December 2018. With this, Japan joins Russia, Iceland and Norway in openly defying IWC&rsquo;s global ban on commercial whale hunting</span></span></span></span></h2>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Japan&rsquo;s withdrawal from ICW </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Japan had withdrawn after IWC had declined to approve its bid for commercial whaling under pretext of scientific research. It has resumed commercial hunting of whales and hunt species with so-called &quot;healthy&quot; population numbers <strong>only in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ)</strong>. It will <strong>not undertake whaling activities in Antarctic waters or in the southern hemisphere.</strong> Moreover, Japan&rsquo;s Fisheries Agency has set cap for total catch of 227 whales through the season until late December 2019.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Reason for withdrawal</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Japan claims that hunting of whales has been part of its long history. Whales have been source of protein and for variety of other purposes. It was subsistence hunting mainly to support local communities, and thereby developed life and culture of using whales. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Japan argues that moratorium of whale hunting was supposed to be temporary measure and has accused IWC of abandoning its original purpose &ndash; managing sustainable use of global whale stocks. It also claims that populations of certain types of whale &ndash; such as the minke &ndash; have recovered sufficiently to allow the resumption of &ldquo;sustainable&rdquo; hunting.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">For years, Japan was exploiting loophole in IWC&rsquo;s international moratorium on whale killings and hunted certain number of whales for what it claimed is scientific research. It also&nbsp; had failed to win IWC support for proposal to change IWC&rsquo;s decision-making process &ndash; a move that would have made it easier for Japan to secure enough votes to end commercial whaling ban.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In September 2018, majority of member nations at IWC annual symposium held in Florianopolis, Brazil had approved non-binding resolution-<strong>Florianopolis Declaration</strong> stating that commercial whaling was no longer valid economic activity or needed for scientific research. It had rejected Japan&rsquo;s proposal to renew commercial whaling.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">International Whaling Commission (IWC)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is international organization set up under International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW). </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">ICRW was signed in 1946 in Washington, D.C., United States to provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible orderly development of the whaling industry. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It governs commercial, scientific, and aboriginal subsistence whaling practices of fifty-nine member nations. It is headquarter is in Impington, near Cambridge, UK. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In 1986, it adopted complete moratorium on commercial whaling and this ban still continues. However, <strong><em>it allows non-zero whaling quotas for aboriginal subsistence and also member nations may issue &#39;Scientific Permits&#39; to their citizens.</em></strong></span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Florianopolis Declaration: </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was adopted at IWC annual symposium in September 2018. It held that purpose of the IWC is conservation of whales and member countries will now safeguard marine mammals in perpetuity and will allow the recovery of all whale populations to pre-industrial whaling levels.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Whale Sanctuaries</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In 1994, IWC created Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary surrounding continent of Antarctica. Here, it had banned all types of commercial whaling. Only two such sanctuaries till date have been designated by IWC. Another is Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary proposed by Seychelles.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'id' => (int) 1648,
		'title' => 'West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea is world’s most pirate-infested sea in 2018',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Annual Piracy Report released by International Maritime Bureau (IMB), West Africa&rsquo;s Gulf of Guinea has become world&rsquo;s most pirate-infested sea in 2018, with 72 attacks on vessels between Ivory Coast and Cameroon&ndash; up from 28 in 2014. This year so far it has recorded 30. &nbsp;Elsewhere piracy is in declined. Between 2014 and 2018 number of incidents of sea piracy each year in Southeast Asia has fallen from 141 to 60, and to just three off Somalia, which in 2007-12 faced this century&rsquo;s worst piracy crisis. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About International Maritime Bureau (IMB)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is non-profit making organization and specialized department of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). It was established in 1981 to act as focal point in the fight against all types of maritime crime and malpractice. It is endorsed by UN&#39;s International Maritime Organisation (IMO). It has observer status with Interpol and MOU with World Customs Organization (WCO). Its responsibilities lie in fighting crimes related to maritime trade and transportation, particularly piracy and commercial fraud, and in protecting the crews of ocean-going vessels.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1643,
		'title' => 'India pledges US $5 million to UN Palestine refugee agency in 2019',
		'description' => '<h2 style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">India has pledged to contribute US $5 million United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) core budget for the year 2019. The announcement was made during meeting of UN General Assembly Ad Hoc Committee for Voluntary Contributions to UNRWA.&nbsp; India also has voiced concern over UNRWA&#39;s difficult financial situation due to voluntary contributions from limited donor base and called for ensuring sustained fiscal support for its work.</span></span></span></span></h2>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About Untied Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)</span></span></strong> </span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is relief and human development agency of UN which supports more than 5 million registered Palestinian refugees, and their descendants. <strong><em>It is only UN agency dedicated to help refugees from specific region or conflict.</em></strong> It is separate from UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Establishment:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It was established December 1949 following 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict by UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 302 (IV).</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Mandate:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Contribute to welfare and human development of Palestine refugees , who had fled or were expelled from their homes during 1948 Palestine war as well during and following 1967 Six Day war. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Services offered:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Originally, it was intended to provide jobs on public works projects and direct relief, but now it provides services like education, health care, and social services to population it supports. It also allows refugee status to be inherited by descendants. Currently, it serves about 5.3 million refugees scattered around Middle East.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Region of operation:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It provides aid in five areas of operation: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem. It should be noted that aid for Palestinian refugees outside these five areas is provided by UNHCR. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Funding:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It is mainly funded by voluntary contributions from UN member states. It also receives some funding from regular budget of UN (mostly used for international staffing costs).</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Current Situation:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> It is under difficult financial situation after US, its largest contributor cut funding in 2018 by US $300 million in voluntary contributions. It has caused concern and has put to risk its core services to Palestine refugees, especially in fields of health, education and assistance to most vulnerable refugees.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 334,
		'title' => 'Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue – 2019 to be held in New Delhi',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The second edition of Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) - 2019 will be held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. It will be held in continuation of process of engaging global strategic community in annual review of India&rsquo;s opportunities and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">IPRD - 2019</span></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It will be organized by Indian Navy and its knowledge partner National Maritime Foundation.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It will witness active participation of globally-renowned domain experts and policy-makers from thirteen countries of Indo-Pacific.&nbsp; </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It will build upon foundation laid by inaugural edition and will examine five new themes: (i) Practical solutions for achieving cohesion in region through maritime connectivity (ii) measures to attain and maintain free-and-open Indo-Pacific (iii) regional approach to region&rsquo;s transition from &lsquo;Brown&rsquo; to &lsquo;Blue&rsquo; economy (iv) opportunities and challenges arising from maritime impact of &lsquo;Industry 4.0&rsquo; (v) how twin conceptualisations of &lsquo;SAGARMALA&rsquo; and &lsquo;SAGAR&rsquo; might best be made mutually-reinforcing on a regional level. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its idea was first conceptualised and conducted in 2018, as apex level conference of Indian Navy. It was organised by National Maritime Foundation as its knowledge partner. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its permanent theme is review of India&rsquo;s opportunities and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp; </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its aim is to focus attention on Indo-Pacific, as maritime geographical-entity, while deliberating aspects of great relevance to regional geopolitics. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It provides platform for substantive and insightful discussions pertaining to geopolitical developments affecting maritime domain of Indo-Pacific and provides policy-relevant inputs to policy-makers and public at large.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'metatitle' => 'Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue – 2019 to be held in ND',
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		'metadescription' => 'Second edition of Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) - 2019 will be held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 143,
		'title' => '2nd ASEAN-India Youth Summit held in Guwahati',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The second edition of ASEAN-India Youth Summit was held in Guwahati, Assam from 5 February to 7 February 2019. It was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Tourism KJ Alphons and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. </span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">ASEAN-India Youth Summit 2019</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was organised by India Foundation and Union Ministry of External Affairs.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its theme was &ldquo;<em>Connectivity: Pathway to Shared Prosperity</em>&rdquo;.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It had seen participation of over 100 youth delegates from 10 ASEAN countries viz. Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">ASEAN-India Youth Summit </span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was launched in 2017 to commemorate 25th anniversary ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It aims to provide platform for youth leaders of both India and ASEAN to engage with each other to develop a resilient and symbiotic relationship between countries.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The first India-ASEAN Youth Summit 2017 was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh with theme &ldquo;<em>Shared Values, Common Destiny&rdquo;</em>. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was organized by India Foundation, in collaboration with ASEAN Secretariat and Ministry of External Affairs.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is regional intergovernmental organization comprising 10 countries in Southeast Asia viz. Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, sociocultural and educational integration among its members and other countries in Asia. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It was established on August 8, 1967, after adaptation ASEAN declaration (also known as Bangkok Declaration). Its secretariat is located in Jakarta, Indonesia.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
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		'title' => '7th RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting held in Cambodia ',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">The 7th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Intersessional Ministerial Meeting recently concluded in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This meeting was chaired by Chutima Bunyapraphasara, Acting Minister of Commerce of Thailand. It saw participation of ministers from 16 RCEP Participating Countries (RPCs). India was represented by Union Minister of Commerce &amp; Industry and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) </span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is proposed free trade agreement (FTA) or comprehensive regional economic integration agreement between 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its six FTA partners (India, China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea). </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its negotiations were formally launched at 2012 ASEAN Summit in Cambodia. It aims to cover goods, services, economic and technical cooperation, investments, competition and intellectual property rights under its ambit. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Once final deal is reached for RCEP, it will be world&#39;s largest economic bloc, covering nearly half of the global economy.</span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">Its member states accounts for population of 3.4 billion people (45% of the world&#39;s population) with total GDP (in terms of PPP) of $49.5 trillion, approximately 38% of the world&rsquo;s and 29% of world trade. </span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,serif">It is viewed as alternative to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a proposed trade agreement that includes several Asian and American nations but excludes China and India.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1666,
		'title' => 'US threatens to cut off intelligence sharing with Five Eyes',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">United States (US) has threatened to cut off intelligence sharing between so-called Five Eyes unless its members ban 5G equipment from China&rsquo;s techgiant Huawei, fearing it could be vehicle for Chinese spy operations.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In February 2019, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had warned Five Eyes members that US will not share information with them if they included Huawei in their critical information systems. In May 2019, US President Donald Trump used national security order to ban Huawei and Mike Pompeo warned UK specifically over excluding Huawei from its 5G network. Australia and New Zealand already have taken steps to restrict Huawei&rsquo;s access. Now only Britain and Canada are yet to final call on Huwaei.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About Five Eyes </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is anglophone intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is often abbreviated as FVEY and its name refers to security classification of intelligence documents: &ldquo;SECRET &ndash; AUS/CAN/N.Z./U.K./U.S. EYES ONLY&rdquo; or &ldquo;FVEY.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">These countries are parties to multilateral UKUSA Agreement, a treaty for joint cooperation in signals intelligence.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">History:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Its origin traces back in 1946 (post World War II) when US and UK agreed to open exchange of intelligence on communications of foreign nations. It was expanded when Canada joined alliance in 1948, followed by Australia and New Zealand in 1956.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Functioning:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> During cold war, national agencies of five eyes members were allowed to share monitoring infrastructure and to track nuclear-armed Soviet submarines during Cold War. The surveillance partnership was further strengthened following 9/11 attacks on United States. Since then, monitoring of internet communications member countries has since expanded exponentially. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1680,
		'title' => 'Pakistan not invited by Russia for Eastern Economic Forum',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Russia has clarified that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been not invited for the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF-5) 2019 to be held in Vladivostok, Russia from September 4 to 6, 2019. This clarification comes after reports in Pakistani media that PM Khan has been invited for the EEF. The statement also comes at time when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited as the guest of honour&rsquo; to EEF 2019. The invitation proposal for PM MOdi was forwarded by Russian President Vladimir Putin after two leaders had meet in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan on sidelines of 2019 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About Eastern Economic Forum (EEC)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is annual event held at Vladivostok, Russia to encourage foreign investment in the Russian Far East. It was established by Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2015. It provides platform for discussion of key issues in the world economy, regional integration, and development of new industrial and technological sectors, as well as of global challenges facing Russia and other nations.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Key objectives of EEF:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Strengthen ties between international investment community, Russian business and federal, regional, and local government bodies. Conduct comprehensive expert assessment of economic potential of Russian Far East and improve region&rsquo;s competitiveness and attractiveness to investors both nationally and internationally. Showcase new investment and business opportunities such as advanced special economic zones, Vladivostok Free Port, and state support for high-potential investment projects.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1675,
		'title' => 'BCC inks MoU with BRICS of Commerce and Industry to promote trade',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Bharat Chamber of Commerce, (BCC) and BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI)have signed MoU for promoting trade and investments between BRICS countries and the eastern part of India, in particular. Members of the BRICS are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About MoU </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was signed by BCC president Sitaram Sharma and BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Director General B B L Madhukar.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It will enable both BCC and BRICS chamber to share trade related information and exchange trade delegations among the five countries of the group.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It will enable BCC to look forward to work closely with BRICS Chamber of Commerce to foster trade, technological and industrial cooperation between West Bengal and BRICS countries.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is parent organization which promotes commerce and industry in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations. </span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was founded in 2012 with the efforts of eminent professionals and entrepreneur. It is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organization.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Objectives:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> To provide dynamic institutional connection for promotion of trade and industries, and also to strengthen social, cultural and educational relations among BRICS countries. To create an enabling support system especially for MSME segment of businesses and young entrepreneurs from across all geographies.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'metatitle' => 'BCC inks MoU with BRICS of Commerce',
		'metakeyword' => 'Bharat Chamber of Commerce, (BCC) and BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI)have signed MoU for promoting trade and investments between BRICS countries ',
		'metadescription' => 'Bharat Chamber of Commerce, (BCC) and BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI)have signed MoU for promoting trade and investments between BRICS countries ',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1708,
		'title' => 'Reko Diq case: US$5 billion penalty imposed on Pakistan',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">World Bank&#39;s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has imposed US $5.976 billion penalty on cash strapped Pakistan for unlawful denial of mining lease to company for Reko Diq project in 2011. It is one of biggest penalty imposed on Pakistan in its history. In this case, ICSID awarded US $4.08 billion penalty and US $1.87 billion in interests.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Reko Diq mine </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Reko Diq, which means sandy peak in Balochi language is a small town in Chagai district in Balochis&shy;tan, close to border with Iran and Afgha&shy;nistan. Reko Diq mine is famous for its vast gold and copper reserves and is believed to have the world&#39;s fifth largest gold deposit.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">What is the issue?</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) - a joint venture (JV) between Chilean mining company Antofagasta and Canada&#39;s Barrick Gold Corporation had completed extensive and detailed bankable feasibility study establishing basis for mine development at Reko Diq during August 2010 and submitted mining lease application in February 2011, along with environmental and social impact assessment report. Its mining project was stopped in November 2011, when Balochistan government summarily rejected application by TCC&#39;s local operating subsidiary for a mining lease in respect of Reko Diq. Besides, Pakistan&rsquo;s Supreme Court also had in January 2013 declared Reko Diq agreement void and in conflict with the country&#39;s laws.TCC had filed claims for international arbitration before World Bank&#39;s ICSID in 2012 after Balochistan government rejected a leasing request from the company. It had claimed US $11.43 billion in damages. The case between Pakistan government and company continued for seven years.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) </span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is autonomous, multilateral specialized institution to encourage international flow of investment and mitigate non-commercial risks by treaty drafted by International Bank for Reconstruction and Development&#39;s (IBRD) executive directors and signed by member countries. It also serves as international arbitration institution for resolving legal dispute resolution and conciliation between international investors. It also performs advisory activities and maintains several publications.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is part of and funded by World Bank Group. It is headquartered in Washington, DC, in the United States. It was established in 1966 by Convention on Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States (also known as ICSID Convention). 153 contracting member states agreed to enforce and uphold arbitral awards in accordance with ICSID Convention</span></span></p>
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		'metatitle' => 'Reko Diq case: US$5 billion penalty imposed',
		'metakeyword' => 'World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has imposed US $5.976 billion penalty on cash strapped Pakistan',
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1732,
		'title' => 'Palau: 76th country to sign ISA Framework Agreement',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Palau, an archipelago of over 500 islands in Oceania (in the western Pacific Ocean) became the 76th country to sign International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement. It was signed by Palau President Tommy Remengesau during special ceremony at Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations. Till date, ISA Framework Agreement has been ratified by total of 54 of the 76 countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About International Solar Alliance (ISA)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It was jointly launched by India and France in 2015 on sidelines of COP-21 of UNFCCC in Paris. &nbsp;It was officially established on 6 December 2017, on the entry into force of the Framework Agreement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is headquartered (Secretariat) in Gurugram, Haryana. It is first <em>treaty based international intergovernmental</em> organization headquartered in India.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is major global initiative for contributing to implementation of Paris Climate Agreement through rapid and massive deployment of solar energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Objective:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Provide dedicated platform for cooperation among solar resource rich countries where &nbsp;global community, including bilateral and multilateral organizations, corporates, industry, and other stakeholders, can make a positive contribution to assist and help achieve common goals of increasing use of solar energy in meeting energy needs of prospective ISA member countries in safe, convenient, affordable, equitable and sustainable manner.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Membership:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Its membership is open to those solar resource-rich States, which lie fully or partially between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn and are members of the United Nations. In first ISA Assembly held in New Delhi, the scope of its membership was expanded to all members of United Nations.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Collective ambition of ISA: &nbsp;</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">(i) Address obstacles that stand in the way of rapid and massive scale-up of solar energy (ii) undertake innovative and concerted efforts for reducing cost of finance and cost of technology for immediate deployment of competitive solar generation and (iii) Mobilise more than US $1000 billion of investments by 2030. (iv) Accelerate development and deployment of over 1,000GW of solar generation capacity in member countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">ISA&rsquo;s Five key programmes of action:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> (i) Scaling up solar applications for agricultural use (ii) affordable finance at scale (iii) scaling up solar mini-grids (iv) scaling up solar rooftop and (v) scaling up solar e-mobility and storage</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">ISA Secretariat has launched: (i) </span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">ISA Solar Award (<em>Kalpana Chawla Solar Award</em>) to recognize solar scientists doing extraordinary work across ISA member countries (ii) Solar Technology Application and Resource &ndash; Centre (iSTAR-C) to support capacity building efforts in ISA member countries.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 1794,
		'title' => 'Cornel Feruta appointed as acting DG of IAEA',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Romanian diplomat Cornel Feruta was appointed as new acting (interim) Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). His appointment comes after the UN nuclear watchdog&rsquo;s longtime head Yukiya Amano, who died recently and had led IAEA since 2009</span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">About International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is the world&#39;s central intergovernmental forum (watchdog) for scientific and technical cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear technology and nuclear power worldwide.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It is autonomous international organization within UN system set up in July 1957 through its own international treaty-IAEA Statute. It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. India is a member of IAEA.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It reports to both UN General Assembly (UNGA) and Security Council (UNSC).&nbsp; It works for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, contributing to international peace and security and Sustainable Development Goals.</span></span></span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Quicksand&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">It encourage development of peaceful applications of nuclear energy, science and technology, provide international safeguards against misuse of nuclear technology and nuclear materials, and promote nuclear safety (including radiation protection) and nuclear security standards and their implementation.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 2091,
		'title' => 'PM Modi on Russia Visit',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Issue</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">PM Modi will be the Chief Guest at the 5th EEF held in Vladivostok. He is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin which will focus on giving a boost to bilateral trade and investment and cooperation in the fields of defence, energy, infrastructure and various other sectors.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Indo-Russian strategic partnership has been built on five major components:&nbsp;politics,&nbsp;defence,&nbsp;civil nuclear energy,&nbsp;anti-terrorism co-operation&nbsp;and&nbsp;space. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The powerful IRIGC (India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission) is the main body that conducts affairs at the governmental level between both countries</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Details</span></strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Modi and Putin are expected to discuss a proposal to establish a free trade zone between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a five-nation grouping, comprising Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Belarus, which was formed in 2015 to create conditions for the stable development of economies of the member states.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the EEF, a &quot;Russia-India&quot; dialogue is planned as part of the Forum&#39;s business programme, to be attended by representatives from both countries.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;In addition, India will have a national stand at the EEF venue to present the country&#39;s economic, industrial, tourism and cultural highlights.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Eurasian Economic Forum</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The EEF is held annually with the objective of facilitating accelerated development of the Russian Far East&#39;s economy and expanding international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)</span></strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;Eurasian Economic Union&nbsp;(EAEU) is an&nbsp;economic union&nbsp;of states located in central and northern&nbsp;Asia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Eastern Europe.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union was signed on 29 May 2014 by the leaders of&nbsp;Belarus,&nbsp;Kazakhstan&nbsp;and&nbsp;Russia, and came into force on 1 January 2015.</span></span></p>
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	(int) 72 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 2166,
		'title' => 'UNHRC and Kashmir',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;India has said the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s special status was within the country&#39;s sovereign right and entirely an internal matter, rejecting Pakistan&#39;s demand for an international probe by the UNHRC into the Kashmir issue.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pakistan has been asking the Council to urge India to immediately stop the use of pellet guns, lift the curfew, reverse the clampdown and communications blackout to fulfil obligations under the UN Security Council Resolutions and various human rights instruments.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details of UNHRC</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;United Nations Human Rights Council&nbsp;is a&nbsp;United Nations&nbsp;body whose mission is to promote and protect&nbsp;human rights&nbsp;around the world.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a&nbsp;regional group&nbsp;basis.&nbsp;The headquarters of UNHRC is in&nbsp;Geneva,&nbsp;Switzerland.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UNHRC investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in&nbsp;UN member states, and addresses important thematic human rights issues such as&nbsp;freedom of association&nbsp;and assembly, freedom of expression,&nbsp;freedom of belief and religion,&nbsp;women&#39;s rights, LGBT rights,&nbsp;and the&nbsp;rights of racial and ethnic minorities.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>UNHRC election</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The members of the&nbsp;General Assembly&nbsp;elect the members who occupy the UNHRC&#39;s 47 seats. The term of each seat is <strong>three years</strong>, and no member may occupy a seat for more than two consecutive terms.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The seats are distributed among the&nbsp;UN&#39;s regional groups&nbsp;as follows: 13 for Africa, 13 for Asia, six for Eastern Europe, eight for Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), and seven for the Western European and Others Group (WEOG).&nbsp;</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 73 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 2341,
		'title' => 'Nuclear Supplier’s Group',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a call for&nbsp;India&rsquo;s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group&nbsp;(NSG) , as he addressed a largely business gathering in the Bloomberg Global Business Forum.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Since India is not a member of the NSG, it does not have the ability to get the fuel for producing nuclear energy and nuclear energy is one of the important component of clean energy mission.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NSG controls most of the world&rsquo;s nuclear trade. While the U.S. and other countries support India&rsquo;s entry into the NSG, China has opposed it saying&nbsp;India has not signed the <strong>Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty</strong> (NPT).</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>NSG</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;Nuclear Suppliers Group&nbsp;(NSG) is a&nbsp;multilateral export control regime&nbsp;and a group of nuclear supplier countries that seek to prevent&nbsp;nuclear proliferation&nbsp;by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture&nbsp;nuclear weapons.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NSG was founded in response to the&nbsp;Indian&nbsp;nuclear test&nbsp;in May 1974.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It has also been referred to as the <strong>London Group</strong>, or the London Suppliers Group. The name of the &quot;London Club&quot; was due to the series of meetings in London.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Member countries</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:#1f497d">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_Suppliers_Group</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Advantages of NSG membership</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Access to technology for a range of uses from medicine to building nuclear power plants for India from the NSG which is essentially a traders&rsquo; cartel. To get its hands on state of the art technology that countries within the NSG possess, it has to become part of the group.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With India committed to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and ensuring that 40% of its energy is sourced from renewable and clean sources, there is a pressing need to scale up nuclear power production. This can only happen if India gains access to the NSG.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With access to latest technology, India can commercialize the production of nuclear power equipment.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Having the ability to offer its own nuclear power plants to the world means spawning of an entire nuclear industry and related technology development.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If India gets membership to the NSG, it can block Pakistan from its membership as entry into the grouping is by consensus only.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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	(int) 74 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 2351,
		'title' => 'SAARC  grouping',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pakistan and India boycotted each other&rsquo;s statements at a meeting of <strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (</strong><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/tag/62893-1364-1349/saarc/?utm=bodytag" target="_blank">SAARC<strong>)&nbsp;</strong></a>Foreign Ministers.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The SAARC foreign minister&rsquo;s meet is currently being held in order to focus on the issues concerning south asia after the annual meeting has been cancelled owing to tensions between India and Pakistan.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Its <strong>member </strong>states include <strong>Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.</strong></span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">SAARC was founded in&nbsp;Dhaka&nbsp;on 8 December 1985. Its secretariat is based in&nbsp;Kathmandu, Nepal.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Observers</strong> include <strong>Australia, China, Iran, Mauritius, South Korea, USA, European Union, Myanmar, Japan</strong>.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Programs of SAARC</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>South-Asian Free Trade Agreement(SAFTA)</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ultimate aim of SAFTA will be to put in place a full-fledged South Asia Economic Union on the lines of the EU.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">promoting and enhancing mutual trade and economic cooperation by eliminating barriers in trade, promoting conditions of fair competition in the free trade area, ensuring equitable benefits to all and establishing a framework for further regional cooperation to expand the mutual benefits of the agreement.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It could lead to enhancement of foreign investment among Saarc nations. The visible spurt in foreign investment within Asean countries.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>South Asia Satellite</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The South Asia Satellite, also known as GSAT-9, is a geostationary communications and meteorology satellite operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation region. The Participants are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan apart from India.</span></span></p>
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	(int) 75 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 2409,
		'title' => 'FATF',
		'description' => '<p><strong>Issue</strong></p>

<p>National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has made a visit to Saudi Arabia, the first Arab country to become a member of the FATF, as part of India&rsquo;s diplomatic offensive strategy to push for blacklisting of Pakistan under FATF.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Background</strong></p>

<p>Saudi Arabia, had received an invitation from the FATF at the beginning of 2015 to join as an observer member and was later admitted into the organisation. The current chair of FATF is China, one of the biggest allies of Pakistan. This has made India to increase its efforts to gain support from other countries.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Details</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>Pakistan was put in the greylist last year under the FATF chairmanship of the US, needs to meet a series of commitments.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The assessments so far have indicated that it has not met most of those commitments, and faces the threat of being blacklisted during the plenary session.</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>FATF</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>The Financial Action Task Force, is an organisation founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>In 2001 its mandate expanded to include terrorism financing. Head quarters is located in Paris, France.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Its functions include &nbsp;developing and promoting policies to protect the global financial system so that it could bot be used by the terrorists and other anti social elements.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Grey list</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>Those countries which are not&nbsp;considered as the safe heaven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are included in this list. The inclusion in this list is not as severe as black listed.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Grey list is a warning given to the country that it might come in Black list.<strong> </strong>If a country is unable to curb mushrooming of terror funding and money laundering,&nbsp; it is shifted from grey list to black list by the FATF.</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Black list</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>Only those countries are included in this list that FATF considers as unco-operative tax havens for terror funding.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>These countries are known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs). In other words , countries which are supporting terror funding and money laundering activities are listed in the Black list.</p>
	</li>
</ul>
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	(int) 76 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 2476,
		'title' => 'United Nations',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UN chief has warned that the United Nations does not have enough money to pay the salaries of the staff if the countries do not pay what they owe to the organisation.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Countries have been complaining regarding amount of contribution for the UN with the U.S. President Donald Trump saying that Washington is shouldering an unfair burden of the cost of the United Nations and has pushed for reforms of the world body.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;United Nations&nbsp;(UN) is an&nbsp;intergovernmental organization&nbsp;tasked with maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, achieving international co-operation, and being a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was established after&nbsp;World War II, with the aim of preventing future wars, and succeeded the ineffective&nbsp;League of Nations.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Its&nbsp;headquarters, which are subject to&nbsp;extraterritoriality, are in&nbsp;Manhattan,&nbsp;New York City, and it has other main offices in&nbsp;Geneva,&nbsp;Nairobi,&nbsp;Vienna&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Hague. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The organization is financed by assessed and voluntary contributions from its member states.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Its objectives include <strong>maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering&nbsp;humanitarian aid, promoting&nbsp;sustainable development, and upholding international law</strong>.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UN has six principal organs: <strong>the&nbsp;General Assembly; the&nbsp;Security Council; the&nbsp;Economic and Social Council; the&nbsp;Trusteeship Council; the&nbsp;International Court of Justice; and the&nbsp;UN Secretariat</strong>. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;UN System&nbsp;agencies include <strong>the&nbsp;World Bank Group, the&nbsp;World Health Organization, the&nbsp;World Food Programme,&nbsp;UNESCO, and&nbsp;UNICEF</strong>.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Major contributors</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United States is the largest contributor - responsible for 22% of the more than $3.3 billion regular budget for 2019, which pays for work including political, humanitarian, disarmament, economic and social affairs and communications.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Peace keeping mission</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">U.N. peacekeeping missions are funded by a separate budget and the United States is responsible for nearly 28% of the peacekeeping budget but has pledged to pay only 25% - as required by U.S. law.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The top contributing countries are Ethiopia, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Rwanda. They pay their troops according to their national salary scales and are reimbursed by the U.N. As of July 2019, the U.N. paid $1,428 a month per soldier.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 2572,
		'title' => 'IMF funding',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have agreed to maintain its funding at $1 trillion but postponed changes to its voting structure, which is termed as a compromise with the US, which wants to maintain the status quo.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Quotas are supposed to be reviewed every five years although these reviews can be delayed. The review&rsquo;s outcomes included a doubling of the quota total and a shift in some voting rights to under-represented and emerging market countries.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Deal will allow an extension of non-permanent, supplementary sources of funds such as the New Arrangement to Borrow (NAB), a renewable funding mechanism and bilateral borrowings from countries which the IMF had entered into after the 2008 financial crisis to increase its lending ability.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The agreement extended the bilateral borrowing facility by a year to the end of 2020&nbsp; and a potential doubling of the NAB.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The agreed package will leave IMF quotas (the primary source of IMF funds), which determine voting shares, unchanged.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>IMF quotas</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A member country&#39;s&nbsp;quota&nbsp;determines its maximum financial commitment to the&nbsp;IMF, its voting power, and has a bearing on its access to&nbsp;IMF&nbsp;financing. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When a country joins the&nbsp;IMF, it is assigned an initial&nbsp;quota&nbsp;in the same range as the&nbsp;quotas&nbsp;of existing members of broadly comparable economic size and characteristics.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">IMF quotas are distributed according to a four pronged formula that considers a <strong>member country&rsquo;s GDP, its economic openness, its economic variability and international reserves</strong>.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Importance of Quotas</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Subscriptions</strong></span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A member&#39;s quota subscription determines the maximum amount of financial resources the member is obliged to provide to the IMF.</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Voting power</strong></span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The quota largely determines a member&#39;s voting power in IMF decisions. Each IMF member&rsquo;s votes are comprised of basic votes plus one additional vote for each SDR100,000 of quota.</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Access to financing</strong></span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The amount of financing a member can obtain from the IMF (its access limit) is based on its quota.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>India&rsquo;s position</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India&#39;s&nbsp;current quota&nbsp;in the&nbsp;IMF&nbsp;is SDR (Special Drawing Rights) 5,821.5 million, making it the 13th largest&nbsp;quota&nbsp;holding country at&nbsp;IMF&nbsp;and giving it shareholdings of 2.44%.</span></span></p>
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	(int) 78 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 2603,
		'title' => 'UN Human Rights Council',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Venezuela has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council, despite&nbsp;fierce lobbying by the United States and rights groups to prevent its entry.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United States has been trying to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has overseen an economic collapse and is accused of corruption and human rights violations&nbsp;.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The U.N. General Assembly has elected a total 14 Human Rights Council members from five regional blocs. <strong>Germany, the Netherlands, Libya, Mauritania, Namibia</strong> and <strong>Sudan</strong> were elected uncontested but still needed to win a majority vote.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Armenia, Poland, Indonesia, Marshall Islands, South Korea </strong>and<strong> Japan</strong> beat competition in their regional blocs to win seats with Japan winning a second term.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>UN Human Rights Council</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;United Nations Human Rights Council&nbsp;is a&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations" title="United Nations">United Nations</a>&nbsp;body whose mission is to promote and protect&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights" title="Human rights">human rights</a>&nbsp;around the world.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UNHRC has <strong>47 members</strong> elected for staggered <strong>three-year</strong> terms on a&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Regional_Groups" title="United Nations Regional Groups">regional group</a>&nbsp;basis. The headquarters of UNHRC is in&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva" title="Geneva"><strong>Geneva</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland" title="Switzerland"><strong>Switzerland</strong></a>.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UNHRC investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UN_member_state" title="UN member state">UN member states</a>, and addresses important thematic human rights issues such <strong>as&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_association" title="Freedom of association"><strong>freedom of association</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_assembly" title="Freedom of assembly"><strong>and assembly</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_expression" title="Freedom of expression"><strong>freedom of expression</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp; </strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion" title="Freedom of religion"><strong>freedom of belief and religion</strong></a><strong>, &nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_rights" title="Women's rights"><strong>women&#39;s rights</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp; </strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_orientation_and_gender_identity_at_the_United_Nations" title="Sexual orientation and gender identity at the United Nations"><strong>LGBT rights</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong>and<strong> the&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minority_rights" title="Minority rights"><strong>rights of racial and ethnic minorities</strong></a>.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The seats in UNHRC are distributed along the following lines:</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">13 for the African Group</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">13 for the Asia-Pacific Group</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">6 for the Eastern European Group</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">8 for the Latin American and Caribbean Group</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">7 for the Western European and Others Group</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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	(int) 79 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 2632,
		'title' => 'Non-Alligned Movement',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">PM Modi will skip the Non-Alligned Movement summit for the second time in a row to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan. India will be represented by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mr. Modi&rsquo;s absence indicates a decisive move away from past practice at the 60-year-old organisation that India was a founding member.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India&rsquo;s representation at the 120-member movement began with the &ldquo;Bandung Process&rdquo; in 1956 by India, Indonesia, former Yugoslavia, Egypt and other countries.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since it was inaugurated in 1961, the Indian Prime Minister has always attended the NAM summit, except once in 1979, when Chaudhury Charan Singh was the caretaker PM and hence missed it.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>NAM</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a term used for an international organization who&nbsp;<strong>do not want to officially align themselves with, or against, any major power bloc</strong>&nbsp;(group of countries). </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The countries of the non-aligned movement are nearly two-thirds of the United Nations&#39;s members and 55 per cent of the world population.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As of 2018, the movement has 125 members and 24 observer countries. The current Secretary-General of the movement is <strong>Nicolas Maduro</strong>, who took office in 2016.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">NAM became an important part of&nbsp;<strong>India&#39;s foreign policy</strong>&nbsp;ever since, gaining unquestionable support by leaders globally.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Principles of NAM</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mutual respect for each other&#39;s territorial integrity and sovereignty</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mutual non-aggression</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mutual non-interference in domestic affairs</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Equality and mutual benefit</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Peaceful co-existence</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are 10 &#39;Bandung Principles&#39; that the candidate country has to follow to attain membership of NAM. These are listed here under.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Respect for fundamental human rights and for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Recognition of the movements for national independence.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations, large and small.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself singly or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations,</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Promotion of mutual interests and co-operation.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Respect for justice and international obligations</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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	(int) 80 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 2719,
		'title' => 'NATO',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">French President Emmanuel Macron has said that NATO as an grouping was dying with its incapacity to work in a co-ordinated manner.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">France is a founding member of NATO but it has refrained from participating in military actions undertaken by the organisation, especially when there is an attack on any of its members.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mr. Macron has said there is a lack of strategic coordination between European allies on the one hand and the United States and Turkey, with NATO&rsquo;s second largest military, on the other.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Secretary-General and many allies want to project an image of unity at the summit at a time of rising Chinese military might and what NATO leaders see as Russian attempts to undermine Western democracies through cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns and covert operations.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">NATO was shaken by President Trump&rsquo;s portrayal of it as being in crisis at the last summit in Brussels and its image of unity was violated when Turkey defied its allies to launch a military incursion into Syria.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Macron&rsquo;s statement comes at the back of Trump&rsquo;s unilateral decison of pulling out of Syria without consulting European allies. The allies, including France feel that they are being considered juniors in middle-eastern affairs, which they want to change.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The European Union also recently launched its own multibillion-euro defence plans to develop and deploy military assets together after years of spending cuts that have left European militaries without vital capabilities and reliant on Washington.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With its military bases in Europe and nuclear warheads stored in five NATO countries, the United States remains the ultimate protector of European democracies against an increasingly assertive post-Soviet Russia.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Trump has accused European NATO allies of not shouldering their fair share of the cost of defending Europe. He has demanded they double NATO&rsquo;s defence spending goal of 2% of economic output, set in 2014.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>NATO</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;North Atlantic Treaty ,also called the&nbsp;North Atlantic Alliance, is an&nbsp;intergovernmental&nbsp;military alliance&nbsp;between 29 North American and European countries.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The organization implements the&nbsp;North Atlantic Treaty&nbsp;that was signed on 4 April 1949. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">NATO constitutes a system of&nbsp;collective defence&nbsp;whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party.&nbsp;NATO&#39;s Headquarters&nbsp;is located in&nbsp;Evere,&nbsp;Brussels,&nbsp;Belgium.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Members</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.</span></span></p>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 2790,
		'title' => 'The BRICS summit',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The 11<sup>th</sup> edition of the BRICS summit was held in Brasilia in Brazil, which was attended by all the member countries including PM Modi.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The BRICS summit 2019 theme is&nbsp;<strong>&#39;Economic Growth for an Innovative Future&#39;.</strong>&nbsp;The five BRICS nations account for almost 50 percent of the world&#39;s economic growth.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The BRICS 2019 is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in the fields of science, technology, innovation and the digital economy.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The annual summit also aims to advance cooperation in the fight against transnational crime, especially organized crime, money laundering and drug trafficking.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>BRICS</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">BRICS is a currently a group of five major developing economies, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. Initially, the bloc included only four nations and was termed as&nbsp;<strong>BRIC</strong>, as South Africa became a member of the bloc only in 2010.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">BRICS nations make up almost 42 percent of the world&rsquo;s population, 23 percent of the global GDP and about 17 percent of the world trade. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The group also accounts for almost 50 percent of world economic growth and 26.6 percent of the world area.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All BRICS nations are members of the G20 group. The BRICS summit has been hosted alternatively every year since 2009.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>New Development Bank</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;New Development Bank (NDB), formerly referred to as the&nbsp;BRICS Development Bank, is a&nbsp;multilateral development bank&nbsp;established by the&nbsp;BRICS&nbsp;states. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Agreement on the NDB, the&nbsp;Bank&nbsp;shall support public or private projects through&nbsp;loans, guarantees, equity participation and other&nbsp;financial instruments.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Moreover, the NDB shall cooperate with&nbsp;international organizations&nbsp;and other financial entities, and provide technical assistance for projects to be supported by the Bank.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The initial subscribed capital of the bank was equally distributed among the founding members. The Agreement on the NDB specifies that the voting power of each member will be equal to the number of its subscribed shares in the capital stock of the bank. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bank is headquartered in&nbsp;Shanghai, China.&nbsp;The first regional office of the NDB is in Johannesburg, South Africa. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Current President of the bank is <strong>K. V. Kamath</strong>, from India.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 3115,
		'title' => 'No United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Kashmir',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A move by China to get the Kashmir issue on the agenda for consultations in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been thwarted by other members led by the US and France.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">China had earlier managed to hold informal closed-door consultations on Kashmir in the UNSC on August 16, days after India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under&nbsp;Article 370&nbsp;on August 5.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Beijing had sent a note to the UNSC over the weekend to &ldquo;echo the request&rdquo; of Pakistan for a briefing on Kashmir.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But the US, which holds the presidency of the UNSC for December, did not yield to the latest request by China. France also joined in and said that the Kashmir issue has to be discussed bilaterally.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">China&rsquo;s move was rebuffed at a time when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister&nbsp;Rajnath Singh&nbsp;are meeting their American counterparts for the first 2+2 engagement.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>UNSC</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;United Nations Security Council&nbsp;(UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the&nbsp;United Nations&nbsp;(UN),&nbsp;charged with ensuring&nbsp;international peace and security, accepting new members to the United Nations&nbsp;and approving any changes to&nbsp;its charter. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Its powers include the establishment of&nbsp;peacekeeping&nbsp;operations and&nbsp;international sanctions&nbsp;as well as the authorization of military actions through&nbsp;resolutions. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is the only body of the United Nations with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Security Council consists of&nbsp;fifteen members. The&nbsp;great powers&nbsp;that were the&nbsp;victors of World War II&nbsp;&ndash; the&nbsp;Soviet Union&nbsp;(now represented by&nbsp;<strong>Russia</strong>), the&nbsp;<strong>United</strong> <strong>Kingdom</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>France</strong>,&nbsp;Republic of <strong>China</strong>&nbsp;(now represented by the&nbsp;People&#39;s Republic of China), and the&nbsp;<strong>United</strong> <strong>States</strong> serve as the body&#39;s&nbsp;five permanent members. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These can&nbsp;veto&nbsp;any substantive resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or nominees for the office of&nbsp;Secretary-General. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In addition, the council has <strong>10 non-permanent members</strong>, elected on a regional basis to serve a term of two years. The body&#39;s&nbsp;presidency&nbsp;rotates monthly among its members.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ten non-permanent members are elected by the&nbsp;United Nations General Assembly&nbsp;for <strong>two-year terms</strong> starting on 1 January, with five replaced each year. A retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election. </span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 3117,
		'title' => 'Global Refugee Forum',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The first Global Refugee Forum (GRF), a two-day gathering of United Nations member states, began in Geneva, Switzerland.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Forum is jointly hosted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the government of Switzerland. It aims to debate and discuss the response of the world&rsquo;s countries to the global refugee situation.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the <strong>UNHCR</strong>, the first GRF is being held at the end of a tumultuous decade in which the number of refugees has risen to over 25 million people worldwide.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The GRF will be held every four years at the Ministerial level. It is intended to present an opportunity for UN member states and other stakeholders to announce action plans and pledges towards meeting objectives such as easing the burden on the host country, enhancing refugee self-reliance, expanding access to third-country solutions, and supporting conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The first GRF has been organised around six areas of focus: burden- and responsibility-sharing, education, jobs and livelihoods, energy and infrastructure, solutions, and protection capacity.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Some of the issues discussed at the Forum include the displacement of Afghans and Central Americans, providing education for refugee children, and emergency situations and financial support through Islamic finance.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>UNHCR</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is a United Nations agency with the mandate to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people, and assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to a third country.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">UNHCR&lsquo;s mandate does not apply to&nbsp;Palestinian refugees, who are assisted by&nbsp;UNWRA.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Its headquarters are in&nbsp;<strong>Geneva</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Switzerland</strong>&nbsp;and it is a member of the&nbsp;United Nations Development Group.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Functions</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees (other than&nbsp;Palestinian refugees) and resolve refugee problems worldwide. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to&nbsp;seek asylum&nbsp;and find safe refuge in another state, with the option to&nbsp;return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to&nbsp;resettle in a third country.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">UNHCR&#39;s mandate has gradually been expanded to include protecting and providing humanitarian assistance to whom it describes as other persons &quot;of concern,&quot; including&nbsp;internally displaced persons&nbsp;(IDPs).</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 3538,
		'title' => 'New shipping laws for Arctic region',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Environmental activists have called for a ban on the use of new low sulphur marine fuel in the Arctic region. They have cited new research which shows that blends of very low-sulfur fuel oil (<strong>VLSFO</strong>) contribute to highly polluting black carbon emissions in the environment.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Recently, International Maritime Organization (IMO), the shipping agency of the United Nations, issued new rules aiming to reduce sulphur emissions, due to which ships are opting for newer blends of fuels.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IMO has banned ships from using fuels with a sulphur content above 0.5 per cent, compared with 3.5 per cent previously.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Sulphur oxides (SOx), which are formed after combustion in engines, are known to cause respiratory symptoms and lung disease, while also leading to acid rain.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new regulations, called <strong>IMO 2020</strong>, have been regarded as the biggest shake up for the oil and shipping industries in decades. It affects more than 50,000 merchant ships worldwide.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new limits are monitored and enforced by national authorities of countries that are members of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (<strong>MARPOL</strong>) <strong>Annex</strong> <strong>VI</strong>.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Only ships fitted with <strong>sulphur-cleaning devices</strong>, known as <strong>scrubbers</strong>, are allowed to continue burning high-sulphur fuel. Alternatively, they can opt for cleaner fuels, such as <strong>marine gasoil</strong> (<strong>MGO</strong>) and very low-sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Many are reportedly choosing VLSFO, which has better calorific properties and other technical advantages. There are complaints against VLSFO as well, as testing companies have claimed that high sediment formation due to the fuel&rsquo;s use could damage vessel engines and also release <strong>Black Carbon</strong>.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Black carbon</strong>, which is produced due to the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels, contributes to climate change. Increase in black carbon emissions would accelerate the melting of Arctic sea ice and impact the earth&rsquo;s climate.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>International Maritime Organisation (IMO)</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">IMO&nbsp;is a&nbsp;specialised agency of the United Nations&nbsp;responsible for regulating&nbsp;shipping. The IMO was established following agreement at a UN conference held in&nbsp;Geneva&nbsp;in 1948 and the IMO came into existence ten years later.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, the IMO currently has 174 member states and three associate members. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IMO&#39;s primary purpose is to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping and its remit today includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">IMO is governed by an assembly of members and is financially administered by a council of members elected from the assembly.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>MARPOL &nbsp;73/78 (Marine Pollution 1973- 1978)</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>MARPOL</strong> &nbsp;is one of the most important international marine&nbsp;environmental conventions. It was developed by the&nbsp;International Maritime Organization&nbsp;with an in an objective to minimize pollution of the oceans and seas, including&nbsp;dumping, oil and air pollution.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All ships flagged under countries that are signatories to MARPOL are subject to its requirements, regardless of where they sail and member nations are responsible for vessels registered on their national ship registry.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Annex VI</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It introduces requirements to regulate the air pollution being emitted by ships, including the emission of ozone-depleting substances,&nbsp;Nitrogen Oxides (NOx),&nbsp;Sulphur Oxides (SOx),&nbsp;Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)&nbsp;and shipboard incineration.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It also establishes requirements for reception facilities for wastes from exhaust gas cleaning systems, incinerators, fuel oil quality, for off-shore platforms and drilling rigs and for the establishment of&nbsp;SOx Emission Control Areas.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 3550,
		'title' => 'Maldives rejoins Commonwealth',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Maldives has re-joined the Commonwealth, more than three years after it quit the association amid mounting criticism of its human rights record then.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In 2016, the Maldives pulled out of the Commonwealth terming &ldquo;unjust&rdquo; the grouping&rsquo;s decision to penalise the country over former President Mohamed Nasheed&rsquo;s controversial ouster in 2012.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih won the 2018 presidential elections, promising to restore democracy, he wrote to the Commonwealth, requesting to re-join the bloc.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Government of India congratulated the Government of Maldives on its readmission to the Commonwealth of Nations as its 54th member.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">New Delhi-Male ties have witnessed a significant shift following the poll defeat of former President Yameen, perceived to be a friend of China.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Commonwealth group</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;Commonwealth of Nations, generally known simply as&nbsp;the Commonwealth,&nbsp;is a political association of&nbsp;54 member states, nearly all of them former&nbsp;territories&nbsp;of the&nbsp;British Empire. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The chief institutions of the organisation are the&nbsp;<strong>Commonwealth Secretariat</strong>, which focuses on intergovernmental aspects, and the&nbsp;<strong>Commonwealth</strong> <strong>Foundation</strong>, which focuses on non-governmental relations between member states.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was originally created as the&nbsp;British Commonwealth of Nations through the&nbsp;<strong>Balfour Declaration</strong>&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<strong>1926</strong> Imperial Conference, and formalised by the&nbsp;United Kingdom&nbsp;through the&nbsp;<strong>Statute of Westminster</strong>&nbsp;in <strong>1931</strong>. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The current Commonwealth of Nations was formally constituted by the&nbsp;<strong>London Declaration</strong>&nbsp;in <strong>1949</strong>, which modernised the community and established the member states as &quot;free and equal&quot;.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 3639,
		'title' => 'WHO renames Coronavirus as COVID-19',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UN health Organisation, WHO, has announced that &quot;COVID-19&quot; will be the official name of the deadly virus from China.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The &quot;co&quot; stands for &quot;corona&quot;, &quot;vi&quot; for &quot;virus&quot; and &quot;d&quot; for &quot;disease&quot;, while &quot;19&quot; was for the year, as the outbreak was first identified on December 31.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The name has been chosen to avoid references to a specific geographical location, animal species or group of people in line with international recommendations for naming aimed at preventing stigmatisation.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">WHO had earlier given the virus the temporary name of &quot;2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease&quot; and China&#39;s National Health Commission was temporarily calling it &quot;novel coronavirus pneumonia&quot; or NCP.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under a set of guidelines issued in 2015, WHO advises against using place names such as Ebola and Zika, where those diseases were first identified and which are now inevitably linked to them in the public mind. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">More general names such as &quot;Middle East Respiratory Syndrome&quot; or &quot;Spanish flu&quot; are also now avoided as they can stigmatise entire regions or ethnic groups.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">WHO also notes that using animal species in the name can create confusion, such as in 2009 when H1N1 was popularly referred to as &quot;swine flu&quot;. This had a major impact on the pork industry even though the disease was being spread by people rather than pigs.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;World Health Organization&nbsp;(WHO) is a&nbsp;specialised agency of the United Nations&nbsp;that is concerned with various matters related to health . It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in&nbsp;<strong>Geneva, Switzerland</strong>. The WHO is a member of the&nbsp;United Nations Development Group.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Its current priorities include&nbsp;communicable diseases, in particular HIV/AIDS,&nbsp;Ebola,&nbsp;malaria&nbsp;and&nbsp;tuberculosis; the mitigation of the effects of&nbsp;non-communicable diseases&nbsp;such as sexual and&nbsp;reproductive health, development, and&nbsp;aging; nutrition,&nbsp;food security&nbsp;and&nbsp;healthy eating;&nbsp;occupational health;&nbsp;substance abuse; and driving the development of reporting, publications, and networking.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The WHO is responsible for the&nbsp;World Health Report, the worldwide World Health Survey, and&nbsp;World Health Day.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 3650,
		'title' => 'Naming a disease by WHO',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;World Health Organization officially announced COVID-19 as the name for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. This comes more than 40 days after WHO was alerted by China about a cluster of pneumonia-like cases seen in the city of Wuhan in Hubei province.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The WHO had to come up the name in line with the 2015 guidelines between the global agency, the World Organisation for Animal&nbsp;Health<strong>&nbsp;</strong>and the Food and Agriculture Organization.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Coronavirus Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, which had assessed the novelty of the human pathogen,&nbsp;has&nbsp;named&nbsp;the virus as &ldquo;Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2&rdquo;, or &ldquo;SARS-CoV-2&rdquo;. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Coronavirus Study Group is responsible for developing the official classification of viruses and taxa naming of the Coronaviridae family.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Importance of naming</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The urgency to assign a name to the disease is to prevent the use of other names that can be &ldquo;inaccurate or stigmatising&rdquo;. People outside the scientific community tend to call a new disease by common names. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But once the name gets &ldquo;established in common usage through the Internet and social media, they are difficult to change, even if an inappropriate name is being used. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Therefore, it is important that whoever first reports on a newly identified human disease uses an appropriate name that is scientifically sound and socially acceptable.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Method of naming</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The WHO identified the best practices to name new human diseases in consultation and collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The main aim behind this exercise was to &ldquo;minimise unnecessary negative impact of&nbsp;disease<strong>&nbsp;</strong>names on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare, and avoid causing offence to any cultural, social, national, regional, professional or ethnic groups&rdquo;.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The name of a new disease should consist of a combination of terms. These terms consist of a generic descriptive term based on clinical symptoms (respiratory), physiological processes (diarrhoea), and anatomical or pathological references (cardic).</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It can refer to specific descriptive terms such as those who are afflicted (infant, juvenile, and maternal), seasonality (summer, winter) and severity (mild, severe). </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The name can also include other factual elements such as the environment (ocean, river), causal pathogen (coronavirus) and the year the new disease is first detected with or without mentioning the month.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The WHO has also listed out the terms that should be avoided while naming a new diseasse. This includes, geographic locations, people&rsquo;s names, species of animal or food, references to culture, population, industry or occupation, and terms that incite undue fear.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A couple of diseases carry the name of the person who first identified the disease. Chagas disease is named after the Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas, who discovered the disease in 1909.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Some diseases carry the name of animals, bird flu (H5N1) and swine flu (H1N1). The 2009 H1N1 pandemic was commonly referred to as swine flu. It is important to note that the 2009 pandemic virus was not completely derived from swine.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 3838,
		'title' => 'UN nuclear watchdog IAEA raps Iran',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The U.N. watchdog IAEA has rapped Tehran for failing to answer its questions about past nuclear activities at three sites and for denying it access to two of them.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IAEA planned to issue a second report in addition to its regular quarterly update on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear activities, rebuking Iran for less than full cooperation in general and for failing to grant U.N. inspectors access to one or more sites of interest.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The regular report showed Iran&rsquo;s stockpile of low-enriched uranium nearly tripling since November to more than a tonne, as Tehran continues to breach key limits of its steadily eroding nuclear deal in response to renewed U.S. sanctions.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The second report delved into the International Atomic Energy Agency&rsquo;s open questions and Iran&rsquo;s denial of access to sites which two senior diplomats said are believed to have been active in the early 2000s.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The second confidential IAEA report to member states said Iran has not provided access to the agency to two locations and not engaged in substantive discussions to clarify agency questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Discussions with Iran aimed at explaining those traces of uranium that was processed but not enriched are ongoing, despite the agency previously encouraging Iran to do more.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The deal, which lifted international sanctions against Tehran in exchange for limits on its uranium enrichment and other nuclear activities, is aimed at keeping Tehran at least a year away from accumulating enough fissile material for an atomic bomb if it sought one.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>IAEA</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;International Atomic Energy Agency&nbsp;(IAEA) is an&nbsp;international organization&nbsp;that seeks to promote the peaceful use of&nbsp;nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including&nbsp;nuclear weapons.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IAEA was established as an autonomous organisation on 29 July 1957. The IAEA Statute,&nbsp;the IAEA reports to both the&nbsp;United Nations General Assembly&nbsp;and&nbsp;Security Council.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IAEA has its&nbsp;headquarters&nbsp;in&nbsp;Vienna, Austria. The IAEA has two Regional Safeguards Offices which are located in&nbsp;Toronto, Canada, and in&nbsp;Tokyo, Japan.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IAEA serves as an intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the peaceful use of&nbsp;nuclear technology&nbsp;and&nbsp;nuclear power&nbsp;worldwide.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The programs of the IAEA encourage the development of the peaceful applications of nuclear energy, science and technology, provide international safeguards against misuse of nuclear technology and&nbsp;nuclear materials, and promote&nbsp;nuclear safety&nbsp;(including&nbsp;radiation protection) and nuclear security standards and their implementation.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'metatitle' => 'UN nuclear watchdog IAEA raps Iran',
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		'metadescription' => 'The U.N. watchdog IAEA has rapped Tehran for failing to answer its questions about past nuclear activities at three sites and for denying it access to two of them.',
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	(int) 89 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 3876,
		'title' => 'Indian Ocean Commission',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India was admitted to the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC: Commission de l&#39;Oc&eacute;an Indien, COI) as an observer after it applied last month to be considered for observer status.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The five-member grouping is important given India&rsquo;s plans to expand in The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) which is strategically connects the Indian Ocean to the Southeastern coast of Africa and beyond.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The decision was taken at the meeting of the IOC Conference of ministers in Seychelles making India the fifth observer. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The other four observers <strong>China, Malta, European Union </strong>and<strong> International Organisation of La Francophonie</strong> (OIF).</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The member states are known to be erstwhile French colonies or partly British, partly French colonies. With France a member of IOC because of Reunion Islands, sources say they played a key role in ensuring India&rsquo;s admission.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Therefore, the admission of India, even as an observer, to IOC is of great strategic significance since it will allow collective engagement with the island nations of western Indian Ocean (WIO) and further boost ties with an already strong friend, France.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The move will also lend greater significance to India&rsquo;s <strong>SAGAR</strong> (Security and Growth for all in the Region) policy of the administration.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>IOC</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;Indian Ocean Commission&nbsp;(<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language" title="French language">French</a>:&nbsp;Commission de l&#39;Oc&eacute;an Indien,&nbsp;COI) is an intergovernmental organization that was created in 1982 at&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port-Louis" title="Port-Louis">Port Louis, Mauritius</a>&nbsp;and institutionalized in 1984 by the Victoria Agreement in&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seychelles" title="Seychelles">Seychelles</a>. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The members are : <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comoros" title="Comoros"><strong>Comoros</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar" title="Madagascar"><strong>Madagascar</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritius" title="Mauritius"><strong>Mauritius</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9union" title="Réunion"><strong>R&eacute;union</strong></a>&nbsp;(an&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_region" title="Overseas region">overseas region</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France" title="France">France</a>), and&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seychelles" title="Seychelles"><strong>Seychelles</strong></a>.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IOC has funded a number of regional and national conservation and alternative livelihoods projects through ReCoMAP, Regional Programme for the Sustainable Management of the Coastal Zones of the Countries of the Indian Ocean (PROGECO in French).</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 3877,
		'title' => 'Oil prices crash due to price war',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Oil fell by the most since 1991 after Saudi Arabia started a price war with Russia by slashing its selling prices and pledging to unleash its pent-up supply onto a market, which is reeling from falling demand because of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-live-updates-march-8-2020/article31014067.ece" title="coronavirus outbreak">coronavirus outbreak</a>.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Brent crude futures fell by as much as $14.25, or 31.5%, to $31.02 a barrel. That was the biggest percentage drop since January 17, 1991, at the start of the first Gulf War and the lowest since February 12, 2016. It was trading at $35.75 at 0114 GMT.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Saudi Arabia, the world&#39;s biggest oil exporter, is attempting to punish Russia, the world&#39;s second-largest producer, for refusing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/oil-prices-plunge-over-5-on-opec-reports-coronavirus/article31001524.ece" title="production cuts proposed">production cuts proposed</a>&nbsp;by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">OPEC and other producers supported the cuts to stabilise falling prices caused by the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Saudi Arabia, Russia, and other major producers last battled for market share like this between 2014 and 2016 to try to squeeze out production from the United States, now the world&#39;s biggest oil producer as flows from shale oil fields doubled the country&#39;s output during the last decade.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">China&#39;s efforts to curtail the coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the world&#39;s second-largest economy and curtailed shipments to the largest oil importer.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The spread to other major economies such as Italy and South Korea and the burgeoning cases in the United States has increased the concerns that oil demand will slump this year.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>OPEC</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries&nbsp;is an&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergovernmental_organization" title="Intergovernmental organization">intergovernmental organization</a>&nbsp;of 14&nbsp;nations, founded on 14 September 1960 in&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdad" title="Baghdad"><strong>Baghdad</strong></a>&nbsp;by the first five members (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran" title="Iran"><strong>Iran</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq" title="Iraq"><strong>Iraq</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" title="Kuwait"><strong>Kuwait</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia" title="Saudi Arabia"><strong>Saudi Arabia</strong></a><strong>, </strong>and<strong>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela" title="Venezuela"><strong>Venezuela</strong></a>), and headquartered since 1965 in&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna" title="Vienna"><strong>Vienna</strong>, Austria</a>. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As of September 2018,&nbsp;the 14 member countries accounted for an estimated 44 percent of&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_oil_production" title="List of countries by oil production">global oil production</a>&nbsp;and 81.5 percent of&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_proven_oil_reserves" title="List of countries by proven oil reserves">the world&#39;s &quot;proven&quot; oil reserves</a>.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The stated mission of the organization is to &quot;coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its member countries and ensure the stabilization of oil markets.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The current OPEC members are the following:&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algeria" title="Algeria"><strong>Algeria</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angola" title="Angola"><strong>Angola</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_Guinea" title="Equatorial Guinea"><strong>Equatorial Guinea</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabon" title="Gabon"><strong>Gabon</strong></a><strong>, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libya" title="Libya"><strong>Libya</strong></a><strong>,&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria" title="Nigeria"><strong>Nigeria</strong></a><strong>, the&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_the_Congo" title="Republic of the Congo"><strong>Republic of the Congo</strong></a><strong>, Saudi Arabia (the&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_facto" title="De facto"><strong>de facto</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;leader), the&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates" title="United Arab Emirates"><strong>United Arab Emirates</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>and<strong> Venezuela</strong>.&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecuador" title="Ecuador">Ecuador</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia" title="Indonesia">Indonesia</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar" title="Qatar">Qatar</a>&nbsp;are former members.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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	(int) 91 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 4185,
		'title' => 'World Health Organisation',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">US President Donald Trump threatened to freeze US funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), saying the international group had failed on the&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;pandemic.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Trump suggested that the WHO had gone along with Beijing&rsquo;s efforts months ago to under-represent the severity of the outbreak. </span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>WHO</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;World Health Organization&nbsp;(WHO) is a&nbsp;specialized agency of the United Nations&nbsp;responsible for international&nbsp;public health.&nbsp;It is part of the&nbsp;U.N. Sustainable Development Group.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is headquartered in&nbsp;<strong>Geneva</strong>,&nbsp;Switzerland, with six semi-autonomous regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The WHO&#39;s broad mandate includes advocating for universal healthcare, monitoring public health risks, coordinating responses to health emergencies, and promoting human health and well being. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It provides technical assistance to countries, sets international health standards and guidelines, and collects data on global health issues through the World Health Survey.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Its flagship publication, the&nbsp;World Health Report, provides expert assessments of global health topics and health statistics on all nations.&nbsp;The WHO also serves as a forum for summits and discussions on health issues.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Funding</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are four kinds of contributions that make up funding for the WHO.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These are assessed contributions, specified voluntary contributions, core voluntary contributions, and PIP contributions.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Assessed contributions are the dues countries pay in order to be a member of the Organization. The amount each Member State must pay is calculated relative to the country&rsquo;s wealth and population.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Voluntary contributions come from Member States (in addition to their assessed contribution) or from other partners. They can range from flexible to highly earmarked.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Core voluntary contributions allow less well-funded activities to benefit from a better flow of resources and ease implementation bottlenecks that arise when immediate financing is lacking.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Contributions were started in 2011 to improve and strengthen the sharing of influenza viruses with human pandemic potential, and to increase the access of developing countries to vaccines and other pandemic related supplies.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United States is currently the WHO&rsquo;s biggest contributor, making up 14.67 percent of total funding by providing USD 553.1 million.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The US is followed by the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation forming 9.76 percent or USD 367.7 million.<br />
	The third biggest contributor is the GAVI Vaccine Alliance at 8.39 percent, with the UK (7.79 percent) and Germany (5.68 percent) coming fourth and fifth respectively.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The four next biggest donors are international bodies: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (5.09 percent), World Bank (3.42 percent), Rotary International (3.3 percent), and the European Commission (3.3 percent). India makes up 0.48 percent of total contributions and China 0.21 percent.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The biggest program area where the money is allocated is polio eradication (26.51 percent), followed by increasing access to essential health and nutrition services (12.04 percent), and preventable diseases vaccines (8.89 percent).</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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	(int) 92 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 4865,
		'title' => 'US sanctions against International Criminal Court',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Donald Trump has authorised sanctions against ICC officials involved in investigations into possible war crimes by US troops or those of its allies.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Trump administration, which has long considered the international law forum a threat to US sovereignty, announced the strict punitive measures that Washington generally reserves for use against terror groups and those accused of abusing human rights.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the country&rsquo;s top diplomat, called the 123 nations-strong tribunal a &ldquo;kangaroo court&rdquo;.&nbsp;US officials have also blamed Russia for manipulating the ICC in its favour.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In 2019, the ICC&rsquo;s chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda asked for a formal probe into alleged atrocities committed during the Afghanistan War between 2003 and 2014&ndash; leading to possible indictments of US military and CIA officials. The Trump administration reacted by revoking the Gambian lawyer&rsquo;s US visa.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Washington has broadened the visa restrictions on ICC officials directly involved in probes against its nationals or those of its allies. The restrictions also extend to the officials&rsquo; family members.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>The International Criminal Court (ICC)</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ICC, a permanent judicial body based at <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hague</strong> in the Netherlands, was created by the 1998 <strong>Rome</strong> <strong>Statute</strong> of the International Criminal Court (its founding and governing document), and began functioning on 1 July 2002 when the Statute came into force.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The forum was established as a court of last resort to prosecute offences that would otherwise go unpunished, and has jurisdiction over four main crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. 123 nations are States Parties to the Rome Statute and recognise the ICC&rsquo;s authority; the notable exceptions being the <strong>US,&nbsp;China, Russia, </strong>and<strong> India</strong>.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Unlike the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the ICC is <strong>not</strong> part of the United Nations system, with the UN-ICC relationship being governed by a separate agreement. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The ICJ, which is among the UN&rsquo;s 6 principal organs, mainly hears disputes between nations. The ICC, on the other hand, prosecutes individuals&ndash; its authority extending to offences committed in a member state or by a national of such a state.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The ICC has been criticised for not pursuing investigations in Western countries (all 4 of its guilty verdicts pronounced so far are in trials from Africa), as well as for working inefficiently.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 4897,
		'title' => 'Non-permanent seats in UNSC',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India has been elected to the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council for a period of two years. It is among the 10 countries that sit at the table for non-permanent members.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UNSC is composed of 15 members: five permanent members &mdash;&nbsp;China, France, Russian Federation, the&nbsp;United States, and the United Kingdom &mdash; and 10 non-permanent members who are elected by the General Assembly. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms &mdash; so every year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members out of the total 10.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These 10 seats are distributed among the regions of the world: five seats for African and Asian countries; one for Eastern European countries; two for Latin American and Caribbean countries; and two for Western European and Other Countries.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Of the five seats for Africa and Asia, three are for Africa and two for Asia. Also, there is an informal understanding between the two groups to reserve one seat for an Arab country. The Africa and Asia Pacific group takes turns every two years to put up an Arab candidate.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The current non-permanent members of the Security Council are Belgium, Dominican Republic, Germany, Indonesia, and South Africa, all of whose terms end this year; and Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia, and Vietnam, whose terms end in 2021. India begins its term in the beginning of 2021, and will hold the position until the end of 2022.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India was the only candidate for the vacancy from the Asia Pacific. Its candidature for the seat was endorsed unanimously by the Asia Pacific group, which comprises 55 countries, including Pakistan and China.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India has earlier been a non-permanent member of the Security Council in 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92 and 2011-12. For the 2011-12 term, India won 187 of 190 votes after Kazakhstan stood down from its candidacy.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Even if a country is a &ldquo;clean slate&rdquo; candidate and has been endorsed by its group, it still needs to secure the votes of two-thirds of the members present and voting at the General Assembly session &mdash; which is a minimum of 129 votes, if all 193 member states participate.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 5551,
		'title' => 'UN’s guidelines on access to people with disabilities',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United Nations has released its first-ever guidelines on access to social justice for people with disabilities to make it easier for them to access justice systems around the world.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted in 2007 is the first major instrument of human rights in the 21st century.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per statistics maintained by the UN, in India 2.4 percent of males are disabled and two percent of females from all age groups are disabled. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Disabilities include psychological impairment, intellectual impairment, speaking, multiple impairments, hearing, seeing among others.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Reasonable accommodation means the modification and adjustment in a particular case so that persons with disabilities can enjoy and exercise human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Principles</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All persons with disabilities have legal capacity and, therefore, no one shall be denied access to justice on the basis of disability.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Facilities and services must be universally accessible to ensure equal access to justice without discrimination of persons with disabilities.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, have the right to appropriate procedural accommodations.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Persons with disabilities have the right to access legal notices and information in a timely and accessible manner on an equal basis with others.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Persons with disabilities are entitled to all substantive and procedural safeguards recognized in international law on an equal basis with others, and States must provide the necessary accommodations to guarantee due process.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Persons with disabilities have the right to free or affordable legal assistance.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Persons with disabilities have the right to participate in the administration of justice on an equal basis with others.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Persons with disabilities have the rights to report complaints and initiate legal proceedings concerning human rights violations and crimes, have their complaints investigated, and be afforded effective remedies.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Effective and robust monitoring mechanisms play a critical role in supporting access to justice for persons with disabilities.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">All those working in the justice system must be provided with awareness-raising and training programmes addressing the rights of persons with disabilities, in particular in the context of access to justice.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 5304,
		'title' => 'KKK organisation',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), was permanently banned by Twitter for violating the social media platform&rsquo;s rules.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The platform changed its content policy in March, as per which users are not allowed to share content that is hateful.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Duke, leader of the white supremacist KKK from 1974-1978, is one of the most recognisable white supremacists and anti-semites, who built an international reputation for himself as the American face of white nationalism.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">News reports point out that anti-hate activists have welcomed this decision as they have been protesting against Twitter allowing Duke and other such leaders to use the platform for advocacy.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Hate speech</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There is no precise and exact definition of hate speech, but it is broadly understood as speech or content that calls for violence against people, or is threatening to them, and is based on their race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>KKK</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;<strong>Ku Klux Klan</strong>,&nbsp;commonly called the&nbsp;<strong>KKK</strong>&nbsp;or the&nbsp;Klan, is an American&nbsp;white supremacist&nbsp;hate group&nbsp;whose primary targets are&nbsp;African Americans, as well as&nbsp;Jews,&nbsp;immigrants,&nbsp;leftists,&nbsp;homosexuals, and, until recently,&nbsp;Catholics.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The first Klan used&nbsp;terrorism&nbsp;&ndash; both physical assault and murder &ndash; against politically active blacks and their allies in the South in the late 1860s until it was suppressed around 1872.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The first Klan flourished in the&nbsp;Southern United States&nbsp;in the late 1860s during&nbsp;Reconstruction and then died out by the early 1870s. It sought to overthrow the&nbsp;Republican&nbsp;state governments in the South, especially by using voter intimidation and targeted violence against&nbsp;African-American&nbsp;leaders.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It is classified as a hate group by the&nbsp;Anti-Defamation League&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Southern Poverty Law Center.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 5770,
		'title' => 'United Nations',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United Nations has completed 75 years this year. In order to commemorate the historic moment, world leaders come together at a one-day high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">For the first time in 75 years, the 193-member body would be holding the session virtually on account of the&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;outbreak.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The declaration adopted at the meeting looks back at the glorious years of the UN and remarked upon its achievements as well as failures. It also set out its goals for the next decade.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The goals listed out for the next ten years include protection of the planet and environment, promoting peace, gender equality and women empowerment, digital cooperation, and sustainable financing.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United Nations was born out of the horrors of World War II. At the time of its foundation, it was primarily tasked with the goal of maintaining world peace and saving future generations from the evils of war.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UN was born out of the ashes of yet another international organisation created with the intention of keeping war away. The League of Nations was created in June 1919, after World War I, as part of the Treaty of Versailles.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On January 1, 1942, representatives of 26 allied nations met in Washington DC to sign the declaration of the United Nations, which basically spelled out the war objectives of the Allied powers.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United Nations finally came into existence on October 24, 1945 after being ratified by 51 nations, which included five permanent members (France, the Republic of China, the Soviet Union, the UK, and the US) and 46 other signatories.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The four main goals of the UN included maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, achieving international cooperation in solving international problems, and being at the center for harmonising the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UN boasts of several significant achievements in the last 75 years. It has also expanded its scope to resolve over a large number of global issues such as health, environment, women empowerment among others.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Soon after its formation, it passed a resolution to commit to the elimination of nuclear weapons in 1946. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In 1948, it created the World Health Organisation (WHO) to deal with communicable diseases like smallpox, malaria, HIV. At present the WHO is the apex organisation dealing with the&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;pandemic.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In 1972, the UN environment programme was created. More recently in 2002, the UN established the UN criminal court to try those who have committed war crimes, genocide, and other atrocities.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 6295,
		'title' => 'India opting out of RCEP',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Globally, 15 countries have solidified their participation&nbsp;in the&nbsp;Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership&nbsp;(RCEP).</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">RCEP was originally being negotiated between 16 countries &mdash;&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;members and countries with which they have free trade agreements (FTAs), namely Australia, China, Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and India.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The purpose of RCEP was to make it easier for products and services of each of these countries to be available across this region.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India has trade deficits with 11 of the 15 RCEP countries, and some experts feel that India has been unable to leverage its existing bilateral free trade agreements with several RCEP members to increase exports.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Escalating tensions with China are a major reason for India&rsquo;s decision. While China&rsquo;s participation in the deal had already been proving difficult for India due to various economic threats, the clash at Galwan Valley has soured relations between the two countries.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>India&rsquo;s concerns</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India feels there could also be a possible circumvention of rules of origin, in the absence of which some countries could dump their products by routing them through other countries that enjoyed lower tariffs.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The need to safeguard the interests of industries like agriculture and dairy and to give an advantage to the country&rsquo;s services sector. The current structure of RCEP still does not address these issues and concerns.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India was unable to ensure countermeasures like an auto-trigger mechanism to raise tariffs on products when their imports crossed a certain threshold.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It also wanted RCEP to exclude most-favoured nation (MFN) obligations from the investment chapter, as it did not want to give the benefits it was giving to strategic allies or for geopolitical reasons. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India felt the agreement would force it to extend benefits given to other countries for sensitive sectors like defence to all RCEP members.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">RCEP also lacked clear assurance over market access issues in countries such as China and non-tariff barriers on Indian companies.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Implications of the move</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are concerns that India&rsquo;s decision would impact its bilateral trade ties with RCEP member nations, as they may be more inclined to focus on bolstering economic ties within the bloc.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are also worries that India&rsquo;s decision could impact the Australia-India-Japan network in the Indo-Pacific, which would promote a Supply Chain Resilience Initiative among the three.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Way ahead</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India, as an original negotiating participant of RCEP, has the option of joining the agreement without having to wait 18 months as stipulated for new members in the terms of the pact.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">There is also a growing view that it would serve India&rsquo;s interest to invest strongly in negotiating bilateral agreements with the US and the EU, both currently a work in progress.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 6236,
		'title' => 'Shanghai Cooperation Organisation',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part and spoke at the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was the first time that Modi and President Xi Jinping shared the same platform since the India-China standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) emerged in the open in May.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;Shanghai Cooperation Organisation&nbsp;(SCO), or&nbsp;Shanghai Pact,&nbsp;is a&nbsp;Eurasian&nbsp;political,&nbsp;economic, and&nbsp;security&nbsp;alliance, the creation of which was announced on 15 June 2001 in&nbsp;Shanghai.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The original five member countries are China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. They are known as Shanghai Five. India and Pakistan joined the group in 2017. The observer states are Afghanistan, Belarus, Mongolia, and Iran.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Heads of State Council (HSC) is the supreme decision-making body in the SCO, it meets once a year and adopts decisions and guidelines on all important matters of the organisation. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Military exercises are also regularly conducted among members to promote cooperation and coordination against terrorism and other external threats, and to maintain regional peace and stability. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The SCO is the largest regional organisation in the world in terms of&nbsp;geographical coverage&nbsp;and&nbsp;population, covering three-fifths of the&nbsp;Eurasian continent&nbsp;and nearly half of the human population.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>SCO secretariat</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Secretariat of the SCO is the primary executive body of the organisation. It serves to implement organisational decisions and decrees, drafts proposed documents, function as a document depository for the organisation, arrange specific activities within the SCO framework, and promotes and disseminates information about the SCO. It is located in <strong>Beijing</strong>.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The official&nbsp;working languages&nbsp;of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;and&nbsp;Russian.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>RATS</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), headquartered in&nbsp;Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote cooperation of member states against the&nbsp;three evils&nbsp;of&nbsp;terrorism,&nbsp;separatism,&nbsp;and&nbsp;extremism. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Head of RATS is elected to a three-year term. Each member state also sends a permanent representative to RATS.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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	(int) 99 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 6350,
		'title' => 'G-20 summit',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prime Minister Modi participated in the virtual G 20 summit organised by Saudi Arabia and spoke about preservation of planet and skill development.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>G 20 </strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;G20&nbsp;(or&nbsp;Group of Twenty) is an international forum for the&nbsp;governments&nbsp;and&nbsp;central bank&nbsp;governors from 19 countries and the&nbsp;European Union&nbsp;(EU). </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was founded in 1999 with the aim to discuss policy pertaining to the promotion of international&nbsp;financial stability,</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Membership of the G20 consists of 19 individual countries plus the European Union. The EU is represented by the&nbsp;European Commission&nbsp;and by the&nbsp;European Central Bank. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Collectively, the G20 economies account for around 90%[5]&nbsp;of the&nbsp;gross world product&nbsp;(GWP), 80% of&nbsp;world trade&nbsp;(or, if excluding EU intra-trade, 75%), two-thirds of the&nbsp;world population,&nbsp;and approximately half of the&nbsp;world land area.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Host and secretariat</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The G20 operates without a permanent secretariat or staff. The group&#39;s chair rotates annually among the members and is selected from a different regional grouping of countries. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The incumbent chair establishes a temporary secretariat for the duration of its term, which coordinates the group&#39;s work and organizes its meetings. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The 2018 chair was Argentina, which hosted the&nbsp;2018 summit&nbsp;in&nbsp;Buenos Aires.&nbsp;The 2019 chair was Japan, which hosted the&nbsp;2019 G20 Osaka summit. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The current chair of it is&nbsp;Saudi Arabia, which plans to host the&nbsp;2020 G20 Riyadh summit. The 2021 summit is planned to be held in Italy. The 2022 Summit is planned to be held in India.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0in">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Membership</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As of 2020&nbsp;there are 20 members: <strong>Argentina,&nbsp;Australia,&nbsp;Brazil,&nbsp;Canada,&nbsp;China, the&nbsp;EuropeanUnion,&nbsp;France,&nbsp;Germany,&nbsp;India,&nbsp;Indonesia,&nbsp;Italy,&nbsp;Japan,&nbsp;Mexico,&nbsp;Russia,&nbsp;Saudi Arabia,&nbsp;South Africa,&nbsp;South Korea,&nbsp;Turkey, the&nbsp;United Kingdom, </strong>and<strong> the&nbsp;United States</strong>.&nbsp;<strong>Spain</strong>&nbsp;is a permanent guest invitee.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In addition, each year, the G20&#39;s guests include&nbsp;Spain;&nbsp;the Chair of&nbsp;ASEAN; two African countries (the chair of the&nbsp;African Union&nbsp;and a representative of the&nbsp;New Partnership for Africa&#39;s Development&nbsp;(NEPAD) and a country invited by the presidency, usually from its own region.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>
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	(int) 100 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'tag' => 'International Organizations',
		'keyword' => 'international-organizations',
		'id' => (int) 7158,
		'title' => 'UN Rights Council',
		'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Sri Lanka is facing another resolution in UN Human Rights Council regarding its Human rights abuse during the civil war.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Sri Lanka had exited UNHRC alleging unfair treatment when a resolution was passed against its actions.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The&nbsp;United Nations Human Rights Council&nbsp;(UNHRC)&nbsp;is a&nbsp;United Nations&nbsp;body whose mission is to promote and protect&nbsp;human rights&nbsp;around the world. </span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a&nbsp;regional group&nbsp;basis.&nbsp;The headquarters of UNHRC is in&nbsp;Geneva,&nbsp;Switzerland.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UNHRC was established by the&nbsp;UN General Assembly&nbsp;on 15 March 2006&nbsp;to replace the&nbsp;UN Commission on Human Rights&nbsp;that had been strongly criticised for allowing countries with poor human rights records to be members.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UNHRC investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in&nbsp;United Nations member states, and addresses important thematic human rights issues such as&nbsp;freedom of association&nbsp;and assembly, freedom of expression,&nbsp;freedom of belief and religion,&nbsp;women&#39;s rights,&nbsp;LGBT rights,&nbsp;and the&nbsp;rights of racial and ethnic minorities. </span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Structure</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The members of the&nbsp;General Assembly&nbsp;elect the members who occupy the UNHRC&#39;s 47 seats.&nbsp;The term of each seat is three years, and no member may occupy a seat for more than two consecutive terms.&nbsp;The seats are distributed among the&nbsp;UN&#39;s regional groups&nbsp;</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The General Assembly can suspend the rights and privileges of any Council member that it decides has persistently committed gross and systematic violations of human rights during its term of membership. </span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Seat distribution</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">13 for the African Group</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">13 for the Asia-Pacific Group</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">6 for the Eastern European Group</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">8 for the Latin American and Caribbean Group</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">7 for the Western European and Others Group</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Criticism</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
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	'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Sri Lanka is facing another resolution in UN Human Rights Council regarding its Human rights abuse during the civil war.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Sri Lanka had exited UNHRC alleging unfair treatment when a resolution was passed against its actions.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>

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	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a&nbsp;regional group&nbsp;basis.&nbsp;The headquarters of UNHRC is in&nbsp;Geneva,&nbsp;Switzerland.</span></span></p>
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<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Seat distribution</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">13 for the African Group</span></span></p>
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	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">13 for the Asia-Pacific Group</span></span></p>
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	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">6 for the Eastern European Group</span></span></p>
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	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">8 for the Latin American and Caribbean Group</span></span></p>
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	<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">7 for the Western European and Others Group</span></span></p>
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<p style="margin-right:0cm">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Criticism</strong></span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
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	<li>
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	<li>
	<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The UNHRC has been accused of anti-Israel bias, a particular criticism being its focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at each session as Agenda Item 7.</span></span></p>
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