The US Withdraws From Paris Accord, Trump Targets India And China and 5 Other Updates

1. The US Withdraws From Paris Accord, Trump Targets India And China.

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the US is withdrawing from the historic Paris Climate Agreement due to the “harsh financial as well as economic burdens” this agreement imposes on his country. The leader of the world’s second largest emitter of greenhouse gases said, “As of today, the US will cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris accord, and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country”. Trump further highlighted the fact that according to the Paris Climate Agreement 2015, Indian will be allowed to double its coal production and China can steadily grow its carbon footprint till 2030 which is unfair as no such proposal has been in the favor of United States Of America.

Donald Trump, while addressing in the White House Rose Garden, also said that compliance with the agreement will cost the US 2.7 million jobs by the year 2025 and this was not what the country wanted. However, he stated that the US is open to negotiating on the terms in order to re-enter the Paris Climate Agreement. As for now, the country has joined the likes of Nicaragua and Syria, which remain out of the Paris Agreement.

2. Earthquake Measuring 5.0 on Richter Scale Felt In Delhi/NCR.

An earthquake measuring 5.0 on Richter scale was felt in Delhi and adjoining areas of NCR during the early hours of Friday. The tremors started at 4:25 am and the depth of the quake was 22 km, according to MeT department. The epicenter of the earthquake was Rohtak, Haryana and no immediate loss of property and life was reported.

3. Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Highly Trained Member Has Entered India, Says Intelligence Report.

A highly trained Lashkar-e-Taiba handler from Pakistan, identified as Hanzia Anan, has entered in India to execute attacks against civilian and military targets, an intelligence report confirmed. The central intelligence agencies, Punjab Police and Jammu & Kashmir Police are on their toes following the report and are trying to establish Anan’s location in India. According to the intelligence report, he could carry out attacks in parts of Srinagar, industrial areas in Samba and Bari Brahmana, Vijaypur railway station in Jammu, boys hostel at Jammu Dental College, Gurdaspur, Dinanagar and areas along Gurdaspur-Brahmana Road as well as the Indian Army camp.

4. Philippines Casino Shooting: At Least 34 People Reported Dead.

At least 34 people were reported dead after the Philippines Casino shooting during which an armed man stormed into the casino, firing shot in the air and setting tables ablaze. A presidential spokesman confirmed that this was a failed robbery attempt and had no links with the militants clashes in Marawi that has claimed the lives of 171 people so far. Police said the unidentified gunman killed himself after firing at armed officers who were conducting a search operation in the still-on-fire Resorts World Manila entertainment complex, hours after the drama. The 34 deceased were said to have died due to suffocation in the complex as fire engulfed the building. National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa said, “We are looking into a robbery angle because he did not hurt any people and went straight to the casino chips storage room. He parked on the second floor and barged into the casino, shooting large TV screens and poured gasoline on a table setting it on fire”.

5. India And Russia Sign Pact For Two Nuclear Power Units in Kudankulam.

India and Russia signed the much-awaited pact for the remaining two units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu with Kremlin’s help. The General Framework Agreement and Credit protocol for Units 5 as well as 6 of the Kudankulam nuclear plant were the major outcomes of the annual summit meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. PM Modi, after the restricted talks, said that Russia has been by India’s side and the business community is helping these two countries come closer. He also invited Russian companies to participate in the Indian Defence Sector.

6. Sensex and Nifty Hit Lifetime High, Rupee Rallies Against US Dollar.

BSE’s Benchmark Sensex achieved a fresh lifetime high during the intra-day trade on Friday morning after gaining 194.97 points and quoting 31,332.56 due to sustained buying by investors amid positive global cues and the Russia-India Nuclear pact. NSE’s Nifty, on a similar trend, rallied to a lifetime high of 9,673.50 after gaining 57.40 points. Indian Rupee, on the other hand, strengthened by 14 paise against the US Dollar due to fresh selling of the American currency by exporters and banks. The Greenback was valued at Rs 64.34 during the early trade on Friday.