This is the current affairs of 8 July 2023. Here are 10 questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. In which country’s semi-autonomous province ‘Zanzibar’ MoU was signed to set up the first overseas campus of IIT?
a. France
b. Tanzania
c. Belarus
d. Uganda
Answer: b. Tanzania
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2. Which IIT signed MoU to open its first overseas campus (in Zanzibar, Tanzania)?
a. IIT Madras
b. IIT Bombay
c. IIT Kanpur
d. IIT Delhi
Answer: a. IIT Madras
Tanzania:
– Capital: Dodoma
– President: Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi
– Currency: Tanzanian Shilling
– Neighboring countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique
Zanzibar:
– Zanzibar is an island of Tanzania.
– It is a semi-autonomous province of Tanzania.
– It has its own government, which is subordinate to Tanzania.
– Its President is Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi.
– This MoU was signed during Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Tanzania on July 6, 2023.
– Education officials from both countries signed the MoU.
– Under this agreement, a campus of IIT Madras will be established in the city of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
– The courses at this campus will commence from October 2023.
– Admission rules for this campus will be determined by IIT Madras, and degrees will be awarded through the institution. In addition, IIT Madras will develop strategies for this campus.
– This step by the Indian government is also linked to the National Education Policy of 2020.
Which is the first Indian university to open a foreign campus?
NFSU (National Forensic Sciences University)
– This university opened a campus in the city of Jinja, Uganda in April 2023.
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3. Which international court ruled in favor of Pakistan on Indus Water Treaty in July 2023, which was rejected by India?
a. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
b. Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
c. International Criminal Court
d. Permanent Court of International Justice
Answer: b. Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
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4. On the appeal of Pakistan, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has decided to hold a hearing on which Indian project related to the Indus Water Treaty, which India rejected as illegal?
a. Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project
b. Ratle Hydro Electric Project
c. Indira Sagar Hydroelectric Project
d. both a and B
Answer: d. both a and B (Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project, Ratle Hydro Electric Project)
– Both of these projects are in Kashmir. Pakistan is opposing these hydro power projects.
– Pakistan took this issue to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). It appealed for a hearing on this matter, which India opposed, stating that PCA does not have the authority of mediation.
– However, in July 2023, the PCA ruled that it has the “right” to consider the dispute over the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects between New Delhi and Islamabad. It will mediate in this matter, and no appeal can be made against it.
– In response, the Ministry of External Affairs of India clarified that it cannot be compelled to participate in “illegitimate” proceedings in the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
About the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA):
– Established: 1899 (during the 1st Hague Peace Conference)
– Member countries: 122
– Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
– The headquarters of the PCA is located in the same building as the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
– It is a non-UN intergovernmental organization. It has the status of an observer to the United Nations, not an agency of the United Nations.
– It is an administrative organization that aims to facilitate international arbitration, conciliation, and settlement of disputes.
– It provides services of arbitral tribunals to resolve international disputes arising from international agreements between member states, international organizations, or private parties.
What is the Indus Waters Treaty?
– India and Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty under the mediation of the World Bank in September 1960.
– Under this treaty, Pakistan was given control over the western rivers, namely Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus, and it has the right to 80% of the water from these rivers. India has the right to utilize the flowing water of these rivers for hydroelectric power generation, but it does not have the right to obstruct the water flow or make changes in the river’s course.
– India has control over the eastern rivers, namely Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, and it can construct projects such as hydroelectric power plants on these rivers.
What is the dispute regarding the Kishanganga and Ratle projects?
– Due to the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, India designed the Kishanganga and Ratle projects as run-of-the-river projects.
– In the operation of run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects, reservoirs are not built for water storage purposes, and the natural flow of water from an elevated height is utilized to operate small turbines for electricity generation.
– However, Pakistan has also opposed these projects.
– Pakistan’s complaint is that the dam built by India on the Indus River will reduce the water flow reaching Pakistan. 80% of its agriculture is dependent on this river’s irrigation.
How did the matter reach the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)?
– In 2015, Pakistan expressed objections to India’s Kishanganga (J&K) and Ratle (J&K) hydroelectric projects.
– It also requested the appointment of experts for an investigation from the World Bank.
– In 2016, Pakistan withdrew this request without discussion.
– It proposed that the Permanent Court of Arbitration should hear its objections without consulting India.
Pakistan’s unilateral approach led to the dispute becoming a matter of contention.
– India has always maintained that it will not participate in the proceedings initiated by Pakistan in the Permanent Court of Arbitration regarding the projects. – India’s argument is that under the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty, the dispute is already being examined by a neutral expert, and there is no need for any hearing on the matter in any arbitration court.
– Pakistan’s move was also seen as a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
– India argued against the International Court of Justice’s jurisdiction, stating that only the World Bank can mediate under the Indus Waters Treaty. The treaty does not provide for any other entity apart from India, Pakistan, and the World Bank. Therefore, the proceedings in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) are invalid.
PCA’s Ruling:
– In July 2023, the PCA ruled that it has the “right” to consider the dispute over the Indus Waters between New Delhi and Islamabad. It will mediate in this matter, and no appeal can be made against it.
– In response, the Ministry of External Affairs of India clarified that it cannot be compelled to participate in “illegitimate” proceedings in the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
Is the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration binding?
– No. When India declined to participate in further hearings, the ruling of the arbitration court becomes inconsequential.
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5. Tamim Iqbal, the cricketer of which neighboring country, took back his decision the very next day after announcing his retirement, at the behest of the PM there?
a. Pakistan
b. Myanmar
c. Bangladesh
d. Sri Lanka
Answer: c. Bangladesh
– Bangladesh’s ODI captain Tamim Iqbal has withdrawn his decision to retire within a day.
– He has taken the decision to withdraw his retirement on July 7, 2023 at the behest of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
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6. When is world chocolate day celebrated?
a. 7 July
b. 8 July
c. 9 July
d. 10 July
Answer: a. 7 July
– World Chocolate Day was celebrated for the first time in the year 2009.
– It is also believed that people started celebrating July 7 as International Chocolate Day because it was the day when chocolate was first introduced to Europe in 1550.
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7. Name the champion team of FIH Hockey Pro League 2022-23?
a. India
b. Netherlands
c. Spain
d. Germany
Answer: b. Netherlands
– The men’s team of the Netherlands won this title for the second time in this hockey league.
– The Indian men’s hockey team finished fourth in this championship.
– India’s captain is Harmanpreet Singh.
Top 5 Teams of FIH Hockey Pro League 2022-23
1. Netherlands
2. Britain
3. Belgium
4. India
5. Spain
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8. Taiwan has announced to open the third ‘Economic and Cultural Center’ in India in which city?
a. Patna
b. Lucknow
c. Kolkata
d. Mumbai
Answer: d. Mumbai
Taiwan
– Official Name: Republic of China (ROC)
– Capital: Taipei
– President: Tsai Ing-wen
– Currency: New Taiwan Dollar
(Note: Official name of China: People’s Republic of China)
– Taiwan does not have diplomatic relations with India due to India’s adherence to China’s “One China Policy.”
– This is the case with many countries worldwide.
– In such circumstances, Taiwan establishes “Taipei Economic and Cultural Centers” in various countries.
– These centers function like diplomatic missions in the absence of formal embassies.
– The first center was established in Delhi, India, in 1995.
– This office functions as an embassy.
– The second center was established in Chennai in 2012, which operates as a trade mission (consulate).
Why did Taiwan choose Mumbai?
– In 2022, India emerged as the world’s fifth-largest economy.
– In 2023, India became the most populous country.
India is a significant investment destination for countries around the world.
– Mumbai is the financial capital and a major port of the country.
– Several countries, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Australia, have established their consulates in Mumbai.
$7 billion trade between India and Taiwan
– Despite the disputes between China and Taiwan, trade continues between the two countries.
– The semiconductor factories of Taiwanese companies are located in China.
– Now Taiwan wants to shift its industries from China to India. Hence, the center in Mumbai is essential.
– According to figures until 2021, the trade between the two countries amounts to approximately $7 billion.
The electronics and machinery sectors dominate this trade.
– Taiwan’s total foreign trade accounts for 0.9%, and India’s accounts for 0.8%.
– Taiwan ranks 32nd in terms of investment in India.
– Taiwan produces semiconductors, electronic components, and machinery.
– The global electronics market is worth $3 trillion, with the semiconductor market accounting for $500-600 billion.
– Taiwan alone contributes to 65% of the total global semiconductor market.
China-Taiwan dispute: What and why?
– The official name of Taiwan is the Republic of China (ROC).
– Whereas China’s official name is the People’s Republic of China.
– Taiwan was formerly part of China. There were two major political parties in Taiwan: the Chinese Communist Party and the Kuomintang (KMT) party.
– The Kuomintang party had control over a significant portion of China.
– Both parties were in conflict with each other, known as the Chinese Civil War (1927-1949).
– The Chinese Communist Party eventually gained control over a large part of China.
– At that time, the leader of the Communist Party was Mao Zedong.
– The Kuomintang party had to flee and they arrived in Taiwan.
– Due to the weakness of the Communist Party’s navy, Mao’s forces could not gain control over Taiwan by crossing the sea.
– Subsequently, Taiwan declared itself a separate country as China. Chang Kai-shek became the first president of Taiwan.
– China claims Taiwan as its own territory, considering it a part of China.
– However, Taiwan considers itself a separate country.
– Xi Jinping clarified in 2019 that Taiwan would be merged into China. He proposed the formula of “One – Country, Two Systems.” Taiwan does not accept this and seeks full independence and sovereignty.
Most countries, including India, do not have diplomatic relations
– Due to pressure from China, most countries, including India, do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
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9. According to scientists, which was the hottest month in human history?
a. June 2022
b. May 2023
c. June 2023
d. July 2023
Answer: c. June 2023
– The Copernicus Climate Change Service of the European Union released a report on July 6, 2023, related to this.
– According to its scientists, the month of June 2023 was the hottest month in human history worldwide.
During this period, both land and sea experienced exceptionally high temperatures.
– Temperature remained above average in several countries, including India, Iran, and Canada, while Mexico witnessed over 100 deaths due to extreme heat, and Beijing recorded the hottest day of June.
– As the upcoming months witness the occurrence and development of La Niña, it is not unexpected to see further records being broken in global temperatures.
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10. Facebook and Instagram’s parent company ‘Meta’ launched microblogging app, name it?
a. Peta
b. Theads
c. Pets
d. Killer
Answer: b. Theads
– Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, launched a new microblogging app called Threads on July 5, 2023.
– Within just 2 hours, more than 5 million people downloaded this app. After 24 hours, the number of downloads reached 10 million, and within 3 days, it increased to 50 million.
– Now, social media users are calling Threads the “Twitter killer.”
What is Threads, the app posing a threat to Twitter?
– Similar to Twitter, Threads is a microblogging platform.
– The app has been developed by the Instagram team.
It has been launched in more than 100 countries, including India.
– Users can publish posts of up to 500 characters on this app.
– Compared to Twitter, using Threads is easier. Instagram users can create a Threads account with just a click, while on Twitter, you need to update your mobile number, email ID, etc.
– Due to these reasons, Threads is being called the “Twitter killer.”
