Israel, Jordan, Palestinians signed Water sharing Deal
Mid-East governments (Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians) signed a historic trilateral agreement at the World Bank in Washington, which outlines regional water-sharing initiatives from the Red Sea to Dead Sea to relieve shortages in the waterless lands.
The Dead Sea has unique water properties like humans can float naturally on the surface, etc. Owing to human intervention, the sea is depleting 1m (3.3ft) a year. Thus, in order to save the Dead Sea, a pipeline will built on the Jordanian side of the Aqaba Gulf to carry sea water from a desalination plant at the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, while providing drinking water to the region.
The plan attributes the development of a desalination plant in Aqaba that will produce water to be shared with Israel, increased water quotas to Jordan from Israel’s Sea of Galilee and the sale of waters made potable and salt-free from Israel to the Palestinians.
The deal is an outcome of the cooperation since 2005 among Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority on the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Study Program. Expected cost of the project is $250m-$400m.
The Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Study Program will help to save the Dead Sea; supply water and develop hydro-electricity; and bring out strategic, political and economic cooperation.
Retired Justice DP Buch: Gujarat’s fourth Lokayukta
Retired High Court Judge DP Buch was sworn as the fourth Lokayukta of the Gujarat by Governor Kamla Beniwal, on the post that was lying vacant for a decade and over which Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Governor Kamla Beniwal were on a collision course for three years.
What was the dispute between CM Narendra Modi and Governor, over the issue of appointment of Lokayukta?
The issue triggered a major controversy when the Governor appointed Justice (retd) R.A. Mehta as Lokayukta on August 25, 2011, without consulting the state government. This led to a long-drawn legal battle that reached the Supreme Court, which later on preserved the Governor’s decision. But after wining the legal battle over the appointment, Mr. Justice Mehta rejected to take charge of Lokayukta in August, 2013 because the government didn’t accept his objectivity and credibility.
About Lokayukta
Lokayukta is an anti-corruption investigator organization in the Indian states. The institution of Lokayukta has been set up to inquire into the allegations against Public Functionaries in the State and for matters connected therewith.
Note: The anti-corruption investigator post of Gujarat was lying vacant since the last officer, Justice R M Soni’s term expired in December 2003.
GSP Plus: EU grants duty-free market access to Pakistani goods
European Parliament approved the Single Delegated Act under which ten countries including Pakistan are privileged to Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) Scheme. The Act will come into force from January 1, 2014.
The European Union being Pakistan’s most important trading partner supports the integration of Pakistan with the global economy by granting Pakistan’s exports to the EU reduced tariffs under the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences.
How do Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) status helpful for Pakistan?
The status provides Pakistan duty-free or preferential duty rate access for a total of 3,500 products. It means there will be zero duties on over 90% of all products that Islamabad exports to the bloc of 27 nations.
EU trade concessions will benefit the country’s largest manufacturer and exporter, the textile and clothing industry, the most by allowing its products to compete with those of regional rivals like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, which already have duty free access to the bloc’s market.
About Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) Status
The EU’s “Generalized Scheme of Preferences” (GSP) allows developing country exporters to pay lower duties on their exports to the EU. This gives them vital access to EU markets and contributes to their economic growth.
The “GSP+” enhanced preference means full removal of tariffs on essentially the same product categories as those covered by the general arrangement.
These are granted to countries which ratify and implement international conventions relating to human and labor rights, environment and good governance.
Sergio Perez joined Sahara Force India with multi-year deal for 2014 F1 season
Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez signed a multi-year contract with the British-based team Sahara Force India. The 23-year-old Mexican completes Sahara Force India’s 2014 line-up alongside Nico Hülkenberg and helps to create one of the most exciting pairing on the grid.
The 2014 Formula 1 grid line up of many teams are taking shape, such as:–
Red Bull: Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo,
Ferrari: Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen,
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg,
McLaren: Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen,
Force India: Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez, etc.
About Sergio Perez
Member of the FerrariDriverAcademy till 2012 and took his first Formula One podium at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix
Previous teams: McLaren, Sauber
In December 2013, Force India signed Perez in a 15million Euro deal.
Note: Sahara Force India Formula One Team is a Formula One racing team based in Silverstone, United Kingdom which currently holds an Indian license. The team was formed in October 2007 when a consortium led by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya and Michiel Mol, bought the Spyker F1 team for € 90 million.
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