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Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 27 October 2019

::NATIONAL::

Government considers signing naga pact without NCSN(I-M)

The Centre is most likely to go ahead with the signing of a peace accord “with or without NSCN(I-M)” on October 31 to end the decades-old Naga crisis, a top Naga leader has said.
NSCN(I-M) has stuck to its stand even after suffering a major jolt on Friday as 17 of its members switched over to NNPG. In a statement released on Saturday, NSCN(I-M) said that the Naga civil society has pointed out to the Centre’s dialogue coordinator RN Ravi that “honourable and acceptable solution means honouring Naga flag and constitution” signalling that it will not compromise with its demands.
On Saturday, Alezo Venuh, who coordinates with the Centre on behalf of the NNPG, told TOI, “The Government of India is very firm on wrapping up the negotiations. There is no question of whether it is NSCN-IM or NNPGs. Whichever party is ready, the government will sign the agreement with it.”
On the issues of a separate flag and constitution, Venuh said, “We (NNPGs) have not given up the demands for a separate flag or constitution. But these things are not possible at this point of time.” He added, “We can’t just keep on talking or pressing for something which is not relevant at this point of time. There are other issues that will protect the identity of the Naga people.”
Venuh said, “We are doing everything in the proper way,it is an honourable negotiation. We have worked out everything that is best for the Naga people and that will not go against the interests of India.

Cyclonic storm Kyarr moves away from western coast

The cyclonic storm Kyarr is moving away from the western coast and the rainfall activity over Goa is likely to reduce from the late evening of Saturday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
On Friday, the weather forecasting agency had issued a yellow alert and predicted heavy rainfall over north and south Goa districts.Yellow warnings are for weather conditions that do not pose an immediate threat to the general population.
According to the IMD, the storm was likely to further intensify into an extremely severe cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours. It was very likely to move west-northwest-wards towards Oman coast during the next 5 days.
IMD said, "Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph likely along and off Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka coast during the next 12 hours and along and off south Gujarat coast during next 24 hours."
The IMD had also advised the fishermen not to venture into, along, and off Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka coasts and the northeast Arabian Sea and adjoining south Gujarat coast during the next 24 hours.

::ECONOMY::

World Bank to continue funding support to India

World Bank President David Malpass on Saturday said the multi-lateral funding agency will continue with USD 6 billion lending target for India.
As many as 97 projects are being currently executed with loan assistance from the World Bank.
"World Bank right now has 97 projects with USD 24 billion committed. So, we expect the programme to continue and to reflect the projects and reforms that were going on in India. Maybe 5-6 billion dollars (USD) per year," he told media.
On his meeting with the prime minister, Malpass said he had a discussion on a range of topics, including infrastructure finance, strengthening of financial sector, regional connectivity and civil services reforms.

Direct tax data shows wealth concentrated in 3 states

In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that his government has set a goal of making India a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25. Following PM Modi’s announcement, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced he too plans to make his state a $1 trillion economy.
Both the goals are ambitious, and if achieved will do wonders for the Indian economy.
But while these ambitious goals promise a prosperous future, in reality, the share of prosperity among Indian states is highly concentrated in a selected few. The Indian economy is grand but the gulf between incomes of individual states is glaringly wide.
The latest data on tax collection released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes show that Maharashtra, Delhi and Karnataka alone contribute 61 per cent to the country’s total revenue from direct taxes.
If we include Tamil Nadu and Gujarat to this list, the share of the top five states rises to 72 per cent.Direct taxes primarily include income taxes paid by individuals and corporate taxes paid by firms.
Greater revenue collection reflects greater income, both of individuals and corporate entities, which in turn means better employment opportunities and greater ease-of-doing-business in a state. Thus, one can say states which have higher revenue collections are generally also states which have greater avenues for economic activities.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

EAS to focus on situations in South China Sea

South China Sea (SCS) situation in the backdrop of China’s aggression in Vanguard Bank -- the westernmost reef in the resource-rich Spratlys -- within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf will be in spotlight at the next East Asia Summit (EAS) that Bangkok is hosting early November.
It is incumbent upon hosts Thailand and ASEAN as a whole that South China Sea situation is mentioned in the declaration that will be issued at the 35th ASEAN Summit and 14th East Asia Summit to be hosted by Bangkok.
The situation in SCS has been tense since this July due to China's belligerent approach vis-à-vis Vietnam and other claimants in SCS – Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei appear worried over Beijing’s actions as they might face burnt of Chinese action in future.
There are growing expectations that leaders at the EAS may raise the issue of current situation in EAS and call for restraint, respect to UNCLOS and Freedom of Navigation. It is understood that some leaders at EAS may also raise the impact of Chinese approach on their energy assets in the region.

BASIC countries urges developed nations to adhere to Paris climate agreements

BASIC countries have urged developed nations to adhere to the commitment made under the Paris Agreement and provide finance and technology to the developing world.
In a joint statement, the BASIC, a bloc of four large countries, Brazil, South Africa, India and China, emphasized that the global climate action should promote climate justice by recognizing fundamental equality of all people in accessing economic growth and sustainable development.
After the conclusion of two-day 29th BASIC Ministerial meeting on climate change at Beijing in China today, the countries reaffirmed and emphasized the need for people's participation and climate-friendly lifestyle for addressing the challenge of climate change.
Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar along with Ministers from China, South Africa and Brazil attended the Ministerial meeting which concluded today.
The Ministers highlighted that developing countries including BASIC, not withstanding the multiple challenges including food security and poverty eradication have been implementing ambitious climate action based on their national circumstances in the context of sustainable development.
India has already achieved 21 per cent reduction in emission intensity of GDP in 2014 compared to 2005 levels thereby achieving its Pre-2020 voluntary target.

::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

China to unveil commercial carrier rockets to compete with India

China has unveiled its new generation of commercial carrier rockets which could carry up to 1.5 tonne payload as it gears up to compete with India to attract the lucrative global space launch market.
The new Long rocket series comprises a cluster of solid fuelled rockets codenamed the Smart Dragon (SD) family, and a Tenglong liquid-propellant rocket were unveiled on Sunday by the China Rocket, a commercial space wing of the country's leading rocket-maker China Academy of Launch Vehicle technology, official media reported.
The new set of rockets were aimed at tapping the growing potential of domestic and global commercial space launches, state-run Global Times reported.
The new set of rockets were "basically capable of meeting the requirements of the overwhelming majority of launch missions for domestic and foreign commercial satellites," the daily quoted a statement of the China Rocket.
China which has an established space programme with mission to Moon has elaborate plans to extend its mission to Mars besides setting up its own permanent space station by 2022.
In 2017 an article in Global Times warned that China's space industry is lagging behind that of India in commercial space industry.

::SPORTS::

China to host club football worldcup

China will host the inaugural edition of the expanded 24-team Club World Cup. FIFA president Gianni Infantino made the announcement after a meeting in Shanghai of the FIFA Council, the decision-making unit of football's world governing body.
Calling it a historic decision, he said, the FIFA Council has decided, unanimously, to appoint China as the host of the new FIFA World Cup for Clubs.
The current Club World Cup features seven teams including the holders of the UEFA Champions League. Qatar will host the competition this year and in 2020.