- India to Chair G20 in 2018
India to chair G20 in 2018 which is currently chaired by Turkey. In 2016 it will chaired by China and in 2017 it will be chaired by Germany.
About Group of Twenty (G20)
G20 being a forum for Governments and Central Bank Governors for global economic and financial cooperation it does not have any permanent secretariat or management and administrative structure.
It was founded in 1999 to promote International Financial Stability. Every year one nation holds the chair of G20 known as Presidency which rotates annually among its member groups. The presidency establishes a temporary secretariat for the duration till it holds the Chair.
Members: Brazil, China, Russia, India, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Canada, France, Indonesia, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US) and European Union (EU).
- China successfully launched 20th Satellite for BeiDou Navigation System
China has successfully launched 20th new generation satellite into space as part of its domestic BeiDou Navigation System (BDS). The 20th new generation satellite consists of Hydrogen Atomic Clock which provides most accurate time.
BeiDou is a 2nd generation of the Chinese Navigational System as rival to the US’s Global Positioning System (GPS). The system comprises constellation of total 35 satellites. In 2012, the system began offering services to customers in the Asia-Pacific region and on its completion in 2020 it will provide services to global customers.
It will be used for civilian services in field of navigation, messaging, transportation and weather forecasting sectors. It also has military applications as it will ensure privacy for its military communications by reducing the dependence on US’s GPS.
- US, Japan and India have decided to coordinate policies to address China’s increasing maritime activities in South China Sea.
- Union Government releases Commemorative Stamp on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as part of his 125th Birth Anniversary celebrations.
- Heena Sidhu wins gold medal at Asian Air Gun Championships