Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- China, India, Canada top US list of intellectual property offenders

Priority watch list

1. The Special 301 Report is prepared annually by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 as amended of the Trade Act of 1974
2. The reports identify trade barriers to U.S. companies and products due to the intellectual property laws, such as copyright, patents and trademarks, in other countries
3. The report contains a “Priority Watch List” and a “Watch List”, containing countries whose intellectual property regimes are deemed of concern
4. “Priority Watchlist countries” are judged by the USTR as having “serious intellectual property rights deficiencies” that require increased USTR attention
5. “Watch List” countries have been identified by the USTR as having “serious intellectual property rights deficiencies” but are not yet placed on the “Priority Watchlist”

B2B #2: From news- Fitch maintains India sovereign rating with stable outlook

Sovereign rating

1. A credit rating is an evaluation of the credit risk of a prospective debtor (an individual, a business, company or a government), predicting their ability to pay back the debt, and an implicit forecast of the likelihood of the debtor defaulting
2. A sovereign credit rating is the credit rating of a sovereign entity, such as a national government
3. The sovereign credit rating indicates the risk level of the investing environment of a country and is used by investors when looking to invest in particular jurisdictions, and also takes into account political risk
4. Obtaining a good sovereign credit rating is usually essential for developing countries in order to access funding in international bond markets

 

As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name of the scheme : Swachh Swasth Sarvatra

Objectives : To achieve better health outcomes through improved sanitation and increased awareness and healthy lifestyles

Salient Features : 1. ‘SwasthBaccheSwasth Bharat’ are pictoral books prepared by Central Health Education Bureau (CHEB) 2. Health messages shall be brought out that will educate the children and youth about healthy living habits and activities 3. The Ministry has distributed these books on healthy living across schools in India

Nodal Ministry : Ministry of Health & Family Welfare