| |
Read More
- India's 12 major ports recorded 2.90 per cent growth in cargo handling at 699.04 million tonnes (MT) in the just concluded fiscal, as per ports body IPA.
- The growth at these ports, that had handled 679.37 MT cargo in 2017-18, was driven mainly by higher handling of coal, fertilizers and containers.
- These ports, under the command of the Centre, had recorded 4.77 per cent growth in 2017-18 over the previous fiscal.
- The 12 major ports, Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (earlier Ennore), V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) handled 699.04 MT of cargo during 2018-19, as per latest data by the Indian Ports Association (IPA).
- Increased demand from various sectors including coal, containers, fertilisers and POL (petroleum, oil and lubricant) was the main reason behind the growth in traffic, IPA said.
- Coking coal volumes handled by the 12 ports surged by 14.25 per cent to 57.50 MT during the last fiscal, while thermal coal volumes rose 9 per cent.
- Finished fertiliser volumes saw a growth of 9.69 per cent during the fiscal. Containers recorded a growth of 8.84 per cent in terms of tonnage.
- As per the figures, Kandla port handled the highest traffic volume at 115.40 MT during 2018-19, followed by Paradip (109.27 MT), JNPT (70.70 MT), Visakhapatnam (65.30 MT), Kolkata with Haldia (63.71 MT) and Mumbai (60.58 MT).
- Chennai port handled 53.01 MT of cargo while New Mangalore handled 42.50 MT.
|
Read More
- The European Union will tell a meeting of finance leaders from the world’s 20 biggest economies next week that they must all tackle the root causes of global trade tensions because they are putting global growth at risk, an EU document showed.
- Finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies are to meet in Washington on April 11-12 to discuss the main challenges to the world economy.
- “Current trade tensions put the ongoing expansion at risk and are therefore a source of concern,” a joint position paper agreed by EU finance ministers on Saturday said.
- The United States and China are engaged in intense negotiations to end a months-long trade war that has rattled global markets. Hopes of a resolution soared after both sides expressed optimism following talks in Beijing last week.
- The International Monetary Fund said in its April World Economic Outlook this week that an escalation of the U.S.-China trade war could reduce U.S. growth by up to 0.6 percent and China’s by up to 1.5 percent.
- “The international community has to tackle the root causes of the ongoing trade tensions by ensuring a level playing field for open and free trade in goods and services, investment and intellectual property rights,” the joint EU statement said.
- The United States is also in talks with the European Union on a trade deal after imposing tariffs on European steel and aluminum last year and threatening to impose tariffs on European cars.
- “We reaffirm our commitment to keep the global economy open as well as rules-based, to support an inclusive multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its center and to keep international economic cooperation on track,” the EU said.
- Washington has reservations about the WTO which it believes is unable to tackle modern trade challenges and issues such as intellectual property theft.
|
Read More
- Opposition supporters thronged the streets of Caracas and other cities on 6th April in protest against the regime of President Nicolas Maduro, as massive blackouts and the collapse of water supplies further exacerbated a growing political crisis.
- The United States meanwhile stiffened its economic sanctions against the government, and one top US official on Saturday warned Venezuela's military that it must protect the rights of peaceful protesters.
- Late 5th April, opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is supported in his claim to be the legitimate interim leader by around 50 nations called for a huge turnout in Caracas, announcing in a phone message to supporters the start of "the greatest escalation of pressure we have seen in our history."
- Two opposition deputies were detained in an anti-government protest in the western city of Maracaibo, fellow legislator Adriana Pichardo said, denouncing the arrests as a violation of parliamentary immunity.
- Deputy Elimar Diaz, who joined the Maracaibo protest, told that the protest there had encountered "brutal repression," including the use of tanks and the firing of tear gas canisters from helicopters
- He said people in the area were going "days without electricity" amid "inhumane rationing" by the government.
- Maduro, who blames US-backed sabotage for the massive blackouts that have deprived millions of power, called for a counter pro-government march "in defence of peace" that drew hundreds to the streets of Caracas.
- Facing intense pressure at home and abroad, the Maduro government has sought to weaken Guaido's position.
|
Read More
- Major fighting has erupted in Libya, Capital Tripoli surrounded by rebel forces.
- Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army spokesman Ahmed Mismari said that the armed forces had taken full control of Tripoli international airport and had advanced into the capital's southern outskirts.
- The offensive by the LNA, which is allied to a parallel administration based in the main eastern city of Benghazi, intensifies a power struggle that has fractured the oil-producing country since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.
- The air strikes came as fresh fighting flared south of Tripoli between the pro-government forces and Haftar's troops despite calls from the international community to halt the military offensive.
- Several European foreign ministers warned Haftar not to countenance any further military action, with France's Jean-Yves Le Drian warning there will be no military victory.
- Meanwhile, the United Nations is scheduled to hold Libya's national conference on possible elections from April 14 to April 16.
- UN aims to reach agreement on a road map for elections to resolve the protracted instability in the country.
|
Read More
- Villagers race their ox-carts ahead of Khmer New Year in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia.
- “We hold the event to promote ox cart racing, as well as local tourism and agriculture. The proceeds from tickets also help support the poorest children in the village,” said Pok Saoly, one of the race organisers.
- The tradition of ox-cart racing began in the village a long time ago, but was lost during the Khmer Rouge regime, according to Pok Saoly, one of the race’s organisers.The sport has seen a resurgence since 2007, he said.
- The Prey Ta Ouk race is held twice a year, once to celebrate the January harvest and once a few days before Khmer new year.
- It has become so popular that organisers hope to hold more races throughout the year.
- They also expect that racing will someday reach all Cambodians on television like other sports.
|