🔆What is Israel’s new ‘unity government’
✅Hamas and Fatah signed a declaration in Beijing to end their long-standing rift and strengthen Palestinian unity.
They pledged to form a unity government and commit to creating a Palestinian state on lands captured by Israel in the 1967 war.
✅The agreement highlights China’s growing influence in Middle Eastern diplomacy and follows talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
✅The agreement highlights China’s growing influence in Middle Eastern diplomacy and follows talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
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@upsc_4_ir
✅Hamas and Fatah signed a declaration in Beijing to end their long-standing rift and strengthen Palestinian unity.
They pledged to form a unity government and commit to creating a Palestinian state on lands captured by Israel in the 1967 war.
✅The agreement highlights China’s growing influence in Middle Eastern diplomacy and follows talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
✅The agreement highlights China’s growing influence in Middle Eastern diplomacy and follows talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
International Organisation of Securities Commission:
It was established in 1983.
It is the international body that brings together the world's securities regulators and is recognized as the global standard setter for financial markets regulation.
📍Objectives:
✅Enhance investor protection
Ensure markets are fair and efficient
✅Promote financial stability by reducing systemic risk
✅Its objectives and Principles of Securities Regulation are endorsed by both the G20 and the Financial Stability Board (FSB).
✅Itis a standard setting body with more than 200 members representing 95% of the world’s securities regulators.
✅There are three categories of members: ordinary, associate and affiliate.
✅Ordinary members, which include the primary futures markets and securities regulators in a given jurisdiction. Each ordinary member has one vote.
✅Associate members, consisting of additional futures and securities regulators in those jurisdictions that have multiple regulatory bodies. Associate members do not have a vote and aren’t eligible for the Executive Committee, but are members of the Presidents’ Committee.
✅Affiliate members, which include self-regulatory organizations, stock exchanges, and stock market industry associations. These members do not have a vote and are not eligible for either the Executive Committee or the President’s Committee, but may be members of the Self-Regulatory Organizations (SRO) Consultative Committee.
✅The Securities and Exchange Board of Indiais a member to this commission.
✅Secretariat: Madrid, Spain.
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#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
It was established in 1983.
It is the international body that brings together the world's securities regulators and is recognized as the global standard setter for financial markets regulation.
📍Objectives:
✅Enhance investor protection
Ensure markets are fair and efficient
✅Promote financial stability by reducing systemic risk
✅Its objectives and Principles of Securities Regulation are endorsed by both the G20 and the Financial Stability Board (FSB).
✅Itis a standard setting body with more than 200 members representing 95% of the world’s securities regulators.
✅There are three categories of members: ordinary, associate and affiliate.
✅Ordinary members, which include the primary futures markets and securities regulators in a given jurisdiction. Each ordinary member has one vote.
✅Associate members, consisting of additional futures and securities regulators in those jurisdictions that have multiple regulatory bodies. Associate members do not have a vote and aren’t eligible for the Executive Committee, but are members of the Presidents’ Committee.
✅Affiliate members, which include self-regulatory organizations, stock exchanges, and stock market industry associations. These members do not have a vote and are not eligible for either the Executive Committee or the President’s Committee, but may be members of the Self-Regulatory Organizations (SRO) Consultative Committee.
✅The Securities and Exchange Board of Indiais a member to this commission.
✅Secretariat: Madrid, Spain.
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
🔆Presidential election in Rawanda
Rwanda held its fourth
presidential election on July
15, with President Paul
Kagame winning overwhelmingly with over 99% of the votes.
The partial results show
Kagame’s dominance, while
opposition leaders received
less than one per cent of the
votes combined.
Kagame, a U.S.-trained military
oicer, led the RPF to end the
genocide and has been a
central figure in Rwanda’s
recovery and economic
growth, despite criticism for
authoritarian practices.
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
Rwanda held its fourth
presidential election on July
15, with President Paul
Kagame winning overwhelmingly with over 99% of the votes.
The partial results show
Kagame’s dominance, while
opposition leaders received
less than one per cent of the
votes combined.
Kagame, a U.S.-trained military
oicer, led the RPF to end the
genocide and has been a
central figure in Rwanda’s
recovery and economic
growth, despite criticism for
authoritarian practices.
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆South Africa's New law on Climate change
✅South Africa has introduced a new legislation mandating emission curbs on fossil-fuel-heavy industries and climate-adaptation plans for towns and villages to meet its Paris Agreement commitments.
✅It is significant as South Africa is a major coal user and one of the top 15 greenhouse gas emitters globally.
✅The South African energy sector accounts for 80% of emissions, with energy industries and transport being major contributors.
✅The country has set Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) aiming for a 31% reduction in emissions and specific targets for 2025 and 2030.
✅South Africa’s 'just transition' plan focuses on moving to sustainable jobs in various sectors and requires $8 billion annually by 2030 to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
✅India lacks comprehensive climate change legislation but integrates climate issues in various acts like the Environmental Protection Act and Energy Conservation Act.
#gs2
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@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
✅South Africa has introduced a new legislation mandating emission curbs on fossil-fuel-heavy industries and climate-adaptation plans for towns and villages to meet its Paris Agreement commitments.
✅It is significant as South Africa is a major coal user and one of the top 15 greenhouse gas emitters globally.
✅The South African energy sector accounts for 80% of emissions, with energy industries and transport being major contributors.
✅The country has set Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) aiming for a 31% reduction in emissions and specific targets for 2025 and 2030.
✅South Africa’s 'just transition' plan focuses on moving to sustainable jobs in various sectors and requires $8 billion annually by 2030 to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
✅India lacks comprehensive climate change legislation but integrates climate issues in various acts like the Environmental Protection Act and Energy Conservation Act.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆What is the International Science, Technology, and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC), under UNESCO?
✅The International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation under the Auspices of UNESCO (ISTIC) which is a UNESCO Category 2 Centre.
✅The Malaysian Government has hosted this since 2008.
✅The Centre acts as an international platform offering sustainable programmes and services and augmenting sustainable development for South-South Cooperation.
✅The Centre’s hosting is based on a six-year Agreement between the Malaysian Government represented by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and UNESCO.
✅Its current Agreement is from February 2022 until January 2028.
✅The Mission of the organization is to be “A leading international platform offering sustainable programmes and services in producing holistic talents towards institutional excellence and augmenting sustainable development for South-South Cooperation.
#gs2
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Join @PIB_UPSC
@upsc_4_ir
✅The International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation under the Auspices of UNESCO (ISTIC) which is a UNESCO Category 2 Centre.
✅The Malaysian Government has hosted this since 2008.
✅The Centre acts as an international platform offering sustainable programmes and services and augmenting sustainable development for South-South Cooperation.
✅The Centre’s hosting is based on a six-year Agreement between the Malaysian Government represented by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and UNESCO.
✅Its current Agreement is from February 2022 until January 2028.
✅The Mission of the organization is to be “A leading international platform offering sustainable programmes and services in producing holistic talents towards institutional excellence and augmenting sustainable development for South-South Cooperation.
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
Join @PIB_UPSC
@upsc_4_ir
🔆Delhi joins Quad on Ukraine war
📍Why in news?
✅Quad Ministerial Meeting was held recently in Tokyo. After the meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa released a joint statement.
✅They expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming Quad summit in India, highlighting the importance of the summit in strengthening their collaborative efforts. The ministers reiterated their commitment to advancing a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region and emphasized the importance of their partnership in addressing regional and global challenges.
✅The joint statement underscored the shared values and strategic interests of the Quad nations.
📍Key highlights of the Quad Ministerial Meeting
✅India to host Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2024
Ministers reaffirmed that India will host Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2024 and USA will host the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2025.
📍On Ukraine War
✅The participating leaders expressed their deepest concern over the war raging in Ukraine, and flagged respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
✅This was a clear reference to Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Significantly, this formulation of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is not used by India in its national statements on the Russia-Ukraine war.
✅The negative impacts of the war in Ukraine with regard to global food and energy security, especially for developing and least developed countries, was also highlighted.
📍Free and open Indo-Pacific
✅The Quad leaders reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
✅They vowed to work towards a region where no country dominates others and each state is free from coercion in all its forms.
✅This was a veiled reference to China’s aggressive behaviour in the region.
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
📍Why in news?
✅Quad Ministerial Meeting was held recently in Tokyo. After the meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa released a joint statement.
✅They expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming Quad summit in India, highlighting the importance of the summit in strengthening their collaborative efforts. The ministers reiterated their commitment to advancing a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region and emphasized the importance of their partnership in addressing regional and global challenges.
✅The joint statement underscored the shared values and strategic interests of the Quad nations.
📍Key highlights of the Quad Ministerial Meeting
✅India to host Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2024
Ministers reaffirmed that India will host Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2024 and USA will host the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2025.
📍On Ukraine War
✅The participating leaders expressed their deepest concern over the war raging in Ukraine, and flagged respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
✅This was a clear reference to Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Significantly, this formulation of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is not used by India in its national statements on the Russia-Ukraine war.
✅The negative impacts of the war in Ukraine with regard to global food and energy security, especially for developing and least developed countries, was also highlighted.
📍Free and open Indo-Pacific
✅The Quad leaders reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
✅They vowed to work towards a region where no country dominates others and each state is free from coercion in all its forms.
✅This was a veiled reference to China’s aggressive behaviour in the region.
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
🔆On election of the Union commission president
✅On July 18, the newly constituted European Commission (EC) elected Ursula von der Leyen, the EC’s first female President, for a second term with a majority of 40 votes.
✅The selection of the EC President involves a two-stage process: election by the European Council and a secret ballot in parliament.
✅The decision regarding Ms. von der Leyen’s candidature was not unanimous, with Giorgia Meloni and Viktor Orban disapproving the decision.
✅Ms. von der Leyen secured 401 votes in parliament, surpassing the halfway mark in the 720-strong house, with critical support from the Green party.
✅Challenges ahead for Ms. von der Leyen include formulating the bloc’s seven-year budget and tying national disbursements from the EU budget to the observance of the rule of law and fundamental rights.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
✅On July 18, the newly constituted European Commission (EC) elected Ursula von der Leyen, the EC’s first female President, for a second term with a majority of 40 votes.
✅The selection of the EC President involves a two-stage process: election by the European Council and a secret ballot in parliament.
✅The decision regarding Ms. von der Leyen’s candidature was not unanimous, with Giorgia Meloni and Viktor Orban disapproving the decision.
✅Ms. von der Leyen secured 401 votes in parliament, surpassing the halfway mark in the 720-strong house, with critical support from the Green party.
✅Challenges ahead for Ms. von der Leyen include formulating the bloc’s seven-year budget and tying national disbursements from the EU budget to the observance of the rule of law and fundamental rights.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆Axiom-4 mission
✅Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair from the Indian Air Force have been selected to train in the U.S. for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station.
✅The mission is part of a joint effort between ISRO and NASA, furthering human space flight cooperation between India and the U.S. Highlighting this collaboration strengthens technological and scientific ties
#gs2
#ir
#gs3
#science_technology
@upsc_science_and_technology
✅Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair from the Indian Air Force have been selected to train in the U.S. for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station.
✅The mission is part of a joint effort between ISRO and NASA, furthering human space flight cooperation between India and the U.S. Highlighting this collaboration strengthens technological and scientific ties
#gs2
#ir
#gs3
#science_technology
@upsc_science_and_technology
Screenshot_2024_08_04_18_44_37_54_e2d5b3f32b79de1d45acd1fad96fbb0f.jpg
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🔆China India relations
The Chinese Ambassador to India emphasizes the importance of China-India relations, highlighting the "Five Mutuals"—mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual trust, mutual accommodation, and mutual accomplishment—as guiding principles for bilateral cooperation.
The ambassador calls for mutual respect between the two nations.
Mutual understanding the ambassador highlights the shared history of India and China in their struggles for national independence and the importance of strategic autonomy.
On mutual trust, the ambassador emphasizes viewing each other as partners and development opportunities, rather than rivals or threats.
Both nations are at a critical stage of national development, with broad common interests and cooperation spaces, reflected in India's vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and China's comprehensive modernization.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
The Chinese Ambassador to India emphasizes the importance of China-India relations, highlighting the "Five Mutuals"—mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual trust, mutual accommodation, and mutual accomplishment—as guiding principles for bilateral cooperation.
The ambassador calls for mutual respect between the two nations.
Mutual understanding the ambassador highlights the shared history of India and China in their struggles for national independence and the importance of strategic autonomy.
On mutual trust, the ambassador emphasizes viewing each other as partners and development opportunities, rather than rivals or threats.
Both nations are at a critical stage of national development, with broad common interests and cooperation spaces, reflected in India's vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and China's comprehensive modernization.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
The Israeli Health Ministry found poliovirus particles in Gaza's sewage, prompting a vaccination campaign for Israeli soldiers.
Gaza's Health Ministry has declared a polio 'epidemic' in the Gaza Strip.
The conflict has severely impacted Gaza's healthcare system, with only a third of hospitals functioning by May 2024.
Israel's blockade and destruction of infrastructure have worsened health and living conditions in Gaza, contributing to the polio threat.
Public health experts and the WHO have called for a ceasefire to prevent a polio epidemic, but Israel continues its military operations.
Climate change and the conflict's chemically toxic outcomes exacerbate conditions that facilitate the spread of disease-causing microbes.
#gs3
#prelims
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
Gaza's Health Ministry has declared a polio 'epidemic' in the Gaza Strip.
The conflict has severely impacted Gaza's healthcare system, with only a third of hospitals functioning by May 2024.
Israel's blockade and destruction of infrastructure have worsened health and living conditions in Gaza, contributing to the polio threat.
Public health experts and the WHO have called for a ceasefire to prevent a polio epidemic, but Israel continues its military operations.
Climate change and the conflict's chemically toxic outcomes exacerbate conditions that facilitate the spread of disease-causing microbes.
#gs3
#prelims
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆India-U.S. relations
✅External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar remarked that the India-U.S. relationship has been consistently strong, notwithstanding public debates and occasional divergences.
✅The relationship between India and the U.S. serves as a testament to the changing global dynamics, with both nations surpassing market expectations for over 25 years.
✅Jaishankar traced the historical trajectory of the relationship, emphasizing opportunities post-1962 war with China and changes under Prime Ministers Narasimha Rao and Rajiv Gandhi.
✅He noted that American interests, global competition, and India's value in the world have evolved, necessitating continuous strategic updates to maintain relevant policies.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
✅External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar remarked that the India-U.S. relationship has been consistently strong, notwithstanding public debates and occasional divergences.
✅The relationship between India and the U.S. serves as a testament to the changing global dynamics, with both nations surpassing market expectations for over 25 years.
✅Jaishankar traced the historical trajectory of the relationship, emphasizing opportunities post-1962 war with China and changes under Prime Ministers Narasimha Rao and Rajiv Gandhi.
✅He noted that American interests, global competition, and India's value in the world have evolved, necessitating continuous strategic updates to maintain relevant policies.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
🔆South Korea Offers Aid to Flood-Stricken North Korea
✅If accepted, the help could lead to the first official dialogue in years between the two Koreas, which have recently been sending each other trash balloons and propaganda.
✅In recent days, North Korea has reported severe floods near the estuary where the Yalu River empties into the Yellow Sea after flowing along the North Korea-China border
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
✅If accepted, the help could lead to the first official dialogue in years between the two Koreas, which have recently been sending each other trash balloons and propaganda.
✅In recent days, North Korea has reported severe floods near the estuary where the Yalu River empties into the Yellow Sea after flowing along the North Korea-China border
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
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🔆UK – India relations
✅The recent elections in India and the United Kingdom mark a new chapter in the U.K.-India partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third consecutive term and Sir Keir Starmer’s landslide victory for the Labour Party present an opportunity to enhance bilateral relations.
✅This new phase aims to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, security, technology, climate change, and education
✅Free Trade Agreement (FTA): The Labour Party’s pledge to pursue a “new strategic partnership” with India includes a swift conclusion of the U.K.-India FTA.
✅2030 Roadmap: The existing roadmap has led to significant investments and employment, with bilateral trade reaching £39 billion in 2023.
✅Call for a New Roadmap: Both governments are urged to agree on a new Roadmap to 2047 to unlock the full benefits of this partnership.
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
✅The recent elections in India and the United Kingdom mark a new chapter in the U.K.-India partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third consecutive term and Sir Keir Starmer’s landslide victory for the Labour Party present an opportunity to enhance bilateral relations.
✅This new phase aims to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, security, technology, climate change, and education
✅Free Trade Agreement (FTA): The Labour Party’s pledge to pursue a “new strategic partnership” with India includes a swift conclusion of the U.K.-India FTA.
✅2030 Roadmap: The existing roadmap has led to significant investments and employment, with bilateral trade reaching £39 billion in 2023.
✅Call for a New Roadmap: Both governments are urged to agree on a new Roadmap to 2047 to unlock the full benefits of this partnership.
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆Targeting of imane khelif, Lin Yu-ting in Olympic 2024 shows sports is still a long way from equality, on field and off it
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@upsc_prep_squad
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@upsc_prep_squad