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ORANGE COLOUR: Important for Prelims.
RED COLOUR: Important for Mains.
BLACK COLOUR: Must Read !
BLUE COLOUR : Important Links/Survey.
PINK COLOUR: Reports/Themes/Summits.
Page Contents:
20th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2021
Today's Must Read Articles :Willow warbler spotted
HEADLINES:
Willow warbler spotted for the first time
WHY IN NEWS:
The migratory bird, from northern and temperate Europe, has not been seen in India before
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Flora and Fauna : Biodiversity : IUCN
ISSUE:
WILLOW WARBLER
- The willow warbler, one of the longest migrating small birds, seen in Kerala.
- Migration occurs mainly during the night, and this species usually covers around 100 kilometres a day.
MIGRATION PATTERN
- The willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe and the Palearctic.
- It has an extremely large range with a marginally declining population and breeds in temperate Europe and Asia.
- It migrates during the non-breeding season to winter in sub-Saharan Africa.
- It may migrate up to 12,000 kilometres to reach its wintering range.
UNIQUE BEHAVIOUR
- “It is the first time that Phylloscopus trochilus is being sighted and reported in the country,”.
- Usually seen in European and the Palearctic regions, the birds migrate to sub-Saharan Africa during early winter.
- Warblers are generally difficult to identify owing to the small size and change in plumage twice a year.
- They are also the most difficult groups of birds to identify in the field for their striking resemblance to each other.
- Most of them are from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Idukki districts.
IUCN STATUS
SOURCES : IUCN RED LIST
IASbhai WINDUP:
BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT
- The Vellayani-Punchakkari paddy fields are a birding hotspot on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram.
- It is known to harbour more than 213 species of birds that include both resident and migratory ones.
- Seven species of warblers have been recorded from the Vellayani-Punchakkari fields, of which Blyth’s reed warbler and clamorous reed warbler are common.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | 20th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis
Sri Lanka’s prospects with RCEP
HEADLINES:
What are Sri Lanka’s prospects with RCEP in India’s absence?
WHY IN NEWS:
While it is unclear if the government is considering joining the China-led Regional Cooperation Economic Partnership, Colombo seems open to the idea
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2 : IR
ISSUE:
AMBITIOUS PROJECT
- Given the island nation’s current economic challenges and India’s decision to opt out of the grouping, the road is far from easy for Sri Lanka.
- He also underscored his government’s priority to swiftly developing the China-backed $1.4 billion Colombo Port City as a hub for international business and investment.
TRADE VISION
- Rajapaksa administration’s stated – Sri Lanka needed to turn more eastward in its economic and trade diplomacy.
- While it is unclear if the Sri Lankan government is considering seeking RCEP membership, Colombo seems open to the idea.
- Countries have to work together, putting aside their political differences.
- Given Sri Lanka’s emphasis on Asia-centred trade, RCEP would seem a natural choice.
TRADE POLICY AND INDIA
- To start with, Sri Lanka’s current trade policy “remains unclear”.
- Had the Sri Lanka-India ETCA agreement been in place already, and had India also been part of RCEP, it would have made life a lot easier for Sri Lanka.
IASbhai WINDUP:
LESSONS FOR SRI LANKA
- Colombo is seeking to diversify its export basket and markets by looking to expand trade with in the Asia-Pacific region.
- If India was to eventually become a member of RCEP, there could be a boost to Sino-Indian economic relations within a rules- based framework .
- The age of hyper-globalisation with one hegemonic power has probably ended to be replaced by a more multipolar world.
- RCEP demonstrates that the world is not retreating to a new era of fortress like inward looking economies.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | 20th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis
APEC : China slams protectionism
HEADLINES:
In APEC speech, Xi touts China’s economy as base of free trade
WHY IN NEWS:
He vows to keep the economy open, slams protectionism
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2 : International Groupings
ISSUE:
CHINESE AFTER RCEP
- Mr. Xi said the Asia-Pacific is the “forerunner driving global growth” in a world hit by “multiple challenges.”
- “Openness enables a country to move forward while seclusion holds it back,”.
- China’s economic “resilience and vitality” in bouncing back from the virus.
BARGAINING CHIP
- China has either restricted trade or used its giant economy as a bargaining chip in wider geopolitical disputes.
- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which excludes the US, is viewed as a major coup for China .
- It is further evidence that Beijing is setting the agenda for global commerce as Washington retreats.
APEC
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, held online this year because of the pandemic.
- It brings together 21 Pacific Rim countries, accounting for about 60% of global GDP.
AIM
- To secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.
FUNCTIONS
- APEC works to help all residents of the Asia-Pacific participate in the growing economy.
- Recognizing the impacts of climate change.
- APEC members also implement initiatives to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainable management of forest and marine resources.
MEMBER NATIONS
APEC’s 21 member economies . These are :
IASbhai WINDUP:
- The forum adapts to allow members to deal with important new challenges to the region’s economic well-being.
- This includes ensuring disaster resilience, planning for pandemics, and addressing terrorism.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | 20th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis
INDIA-LUXEMBOURG SUMMIT
HEADLINES:
INDIA-LUXEMBOURG SUMMIT
WHY IN NEWS:
Hot from PIB !
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2 : IR
ISSUE:
INDIA-LUXEMBOURG RELATIONS
- India EU relations including forward movement on India EU trade agreements and investment agreements.
- Mr Modi invited Luxembourg to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
AGREEMENTS RATIFIED
The agreements were:
- MoU between India International Exchange (India INX) and Luxembourg Stock Exchange
- MoU between State Bank of India and Luxembourg Stock Exchange
- MoU between Invest India and Luxinnovation
IASbhai WINDUP:
- The leaders looked forward to the 17th Joint Economic Commission between India and the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union to review the economic and trade relations.
SOURCES: PIB | 20th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis
Oxford Economics : India’s 2020-25 growth average
HEADLINES:
Oxford Economics cuts India’s 2020-25 growth average to 4.5%
WHY IN NEWS:
‘Country’s post-COVID-19 economic scars could be among the worst in the world’.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Economy
ISSUE:
PRE-PANDEMIC PROJECTION
- In a research note, it said India’s post-COVID-19 scars could be among the worst in the world.
- India’s growth equilibrium to worsen substantially over the medium term.
- India’s GDP per capita to be 12% below our pre-virus baseline even in 2025
REASONS
- Stressed corporate balance sheets
- Elevated non-performing assets of banks
- The fallout in non-bank financial companies (NBFCs)
- Labour market weakness
IASbhai WINDUP:
- An adequate and well-designed fiscal stimulus would halve this impact by limiting deterioration in pre-COVID-19 headwinds.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | 20th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis
DISCOVER MORE : Important Daily Current Affairs for UPSC PRELIMS 2021
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