Daily Top-10 Current Affairs MCQs/News (Mar 11 2023) for CSS

Table of Contents

6. S. Arabia-Iran patch-up takes world by surprise

• Regional powerhouses Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on March 10, 2023 to restore ties and reopen diplomatic missions in a surprise, Chinese-brokered announcement that could have wide-ranging implications across the Middle East.
• In a trilateral statement, Tehran and Riyadh said they would reopen embassies and missions within two months and implement security and economic cooperation deals signed more than 20 years ago.
• Friday`s announcement, which follows five days of previously unannounced talks in Beijing and several rounds of dialogue in Iraq and Oman, caps a broader realignment and efforts to ease tensions in the region

7. World hails `epochal` Tehran-Riyadh deal

• THE China-brokered deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran to normalise diplomatic relations has been widely hailed, with global leaders and international media calling it a positive development.
• While talking to reporters, US President Joe Biden on March 10, 2023 said, `Better relations between Israel and their Arab neighbours are better for everybody.
• White House Spokesperson John Kirby the US was kept `in the loop` by the Saudi official.
• `The Saudis did keep us informed about these talks that they were having, just as we keep them informed on our engagements, but we weren`t directly involved,` he said.

8. India, Australia to upgrade defence ties

• India and Australia have agreed to boost their defence ties and accelerate a broader economic partnership, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in New Delhi on Friday.
• Last year the two countries signed a free trade deal, called the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), the first signed by India with a developed country in a decade.
• However, a much larger Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) has been stuck in negotiations for over a decade. Discussions between the countries restarted in 2011, but were suspended in 2016 as the talks were gridlocked

9. Saudis seek N-plan, defence guarantees in return for ties with Israel, says NYT

• The Saudi Crown Prince is seeking defence guarantees and wants to develop the civilian nuclear programme from the Biden administration, in exchange for normalising relationship with Israel, The New York Times reported.
• According to the report, the deal could see a major political breakthrough in the Arabian peninsula. Also, it would meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s most precious desire to increase this country`s security against Iran.
• Last year, while giving an interview to Al Arabiya, Netanyahu urged that a peace agreement between Riyadh and the Jewish state would lead to a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.The Saudi ambassador in Washington, Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, has played a significant role. Also, the talks are being led by Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein from the US National Security Council, the report said.

10. Tairanwala wins Rustam-i-Punjab Dangal

• Adnan Tairanwala Pehlwan defeated Shahid Pochar Pehlwan to win the Jashan-i-Baharan Rustam-i-Punjab Dangal after a tough fight at Punjab Stadium on March 10, 2023.
• Participants competed for 30 bouts in the presence of thousands of passionate fans.
• Top national wrestlers demonstrated their desi kushti skills. In other main fights, Malu Pehlwan defeated Razzaq Pehlwan, M Yar Pehlwan defeated Aftab Pehlwan while the fights of Ali and Sultan Pehlwan, Sajawal Goonga and Gullu Pehlwan and Heera and Ahmed Pehlwan finished without an outright winner