MLC Daily Current Affairs – 20 May 2024

Today in History (20^th May 1498)

Vasco da Gama arrived landed on the West Coast of India on May 20, 1498.

Let’s revise

A) Which country has not been invited by for Ukraine Peace Conference?

1. India
2. China
3. Russia
4. Ukraine

Ans. (c)

B) Lucerne in news, it is located in ____

1. Japan
2. Switzerland
3. Britain
4. Russia

Ans. (b)

C) Find incorrect statement about Athletics Federation of India

1. It is the top governing body responsible for overseeing athletics in India.
2. It is a non-governmental and non-profitable autonomous body.
3. It was formerly called the Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI).
4. It is fully govern by the government of India.

Ans. (d)

D) Novak Djokovic is associated with which sports?

1. Cricket
2. Football
3. Tennis
4. Swimming

Ans. (c)

E) Rafael Nadal is associate with which sport?

1. Cricket
2. Football
3. Tennis
4. Swimming

Ans. (c)

F) Who has won the highest number of French open men’s title?

1. Rafael Nadal
2. Novak Djokovic
3. Iga Swiatek
4. Serena Williums

Ans. (a)

G) Who is the current head coach of Indian national cricket team?

1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. Rahul Dravid
3. Gautam Gambhir
4. MS Dhoni

Ans. (b)

H) The upcoming T20 World Cup will be held in which year?

1. 2025
2. 2024
3. 2026
4. 2027

Ans. (b)

I) The upcoming T20 World Cup will be held in_____

1. USA
2. India
3. Brazil
4. Britain

Ans. (a)

J) The most French single titles (women) winner is__

1. Serena Williums
2. Iga Swiatek
3. Monica Seles
4. Chris Evert

Ans. (d)

Summary of Today’s News

Search on for Iran President after helicopter ‘accident’.

1. A helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in an accident amid poor weather conditions in the Jolfa region of East Azerbaijan, Iran. There is an ongoing search for President Raisi and other officials aboard the helicopter. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian may also have been on the helicopter.
2. Rescue efforts are hampered by harsh weather conditions and heavy fog. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, assured the public that there would be no disruption to the country’s affairs and urged them not to worry. The accident occurred in the mountainous forest area of Dizmar, near the town of Varzaghan.
3. Raisi’s convoy included three helicopters; the other two helicopters reached their destination safely. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi reported that the helicopter made a hard landing due to bad weather and communication with the aircraft is difficult.

The AAP needs to go by what it demands of other political parties.

• The arrest of Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, following allegations of assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal, has sparked significant controversy.
• Despite initial inaction from the AAP, Maliwal’s police complaint led to Kumar’s arrest. The AAP’s subsequent accusation that Maliwal is being used by the BJP highlights political tensions.
• The situation calls for an unbiased investigation free from political influence.
• The AAP, facing charges it once leveled against other parties, needs introspection regarding its internal accountability and decision-making practices.

India must push for a more inclusive peace effort against the Ukraine war.

• Switzerland’s initiative to organize a peace conference on the Ukraine conflict, aiming for broader global consensus, faces significant challenges. Despite its neutrality claim, Switzerland’s sanctions on Russia cast doubt on its impartiality.
• The conference, scheduled for June 15-16 in Bürgenstock, seeks participation from around 160 countries, but has mostly secured confirmations from Western allies. Key figures like India’s Prime Minister and China’s President are pivotal to the success of the talks, given the absence of Russia.
• However, meaningful progress seems unlikely without direct Russian and Ukrainian involvement, especially while both sides remain optimistic about military gains.
• Consequently, India’s cautious stance and refusal to overtly criticize Russia may lead it to reserve its participation for a more balanced and inclusive peace effort.

Renew the generalised system of preferences

•The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) is a trade policy used by developed countries to offer lower tariffs to developing countries, promoting economic reform and avoiding harm to domestic production.
U.S. GSP Programme:
• Unique because it requires periodic reauthorization by Congress, currently expired since 2020 despite bipartisan support.
Benefits of GSP:
• Provides stable market access for developing countries, supports small businesses and women-owned enterprises, offers alternatives to Chinese imports, and promotes reforms in labor, environmental sustainability, and intellectual property rights protection.
• Reduces tariff costs for American companies, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Support for GSP Renewal:
• Diverse coalitions support GSP in the U.S., including bipartisan efforts in Florida. It is seen as a tool for friendshoring and nearshoring, and there is bipartisan support for restarting GSP talks with India.
U.S.-India Trade Relationship:
• GSP renewal is seen as a means to enhance U.S.-India trade relations, potentially increasing bilateral trade beyond the current $200 billion.
• Past negotiations nearly resulted in a $10 billion trade agreement covering various sectors.
Challenges and Opportunities:
• Despite India’s active free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with other countries, the U.S. has paused new FTA negotiations, limiting tools for ambitious trade results.
• GSP could provide a platform for broader trade negotiations, covering goods, services, labor rights, environmental laws, and regulatory practices.
Strategic Importance:
• GSP renewal could signal a commitment to deepening the U.S.-India strategic partnership and achieving higher trade ambitions, aligning with their collaborative roles in the Indo-Pacific.

No violence against Indians in Kyrgyz Republic: officials

• There have been no recent reports of attacks against Indian students in the Kyrgyz Republic, despite online circulation of unverified videos showing purported attacks on Pakistani students in Bishkek.
• Kyrgyz authorities have condemned the videos, attributing them to “destructive forces,” and assured that measures have been taken to maintain security.
• The situation has normalized, but Indian authorities and leaders are urging vigilance and continuous contact with the Indian Embassy in Bishkek to ensure the safety of the 17,000 Indian nationals in the country, including a significant number of students from Andhra Pradesh.