Good Morning. Did you know?? World Art Day is celebrated annually on April 15th to promote the development, diffusion, and enjoyment of art. It was proclaimed during the 40th session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 2019. The date was chosen to honor the birthday of the renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci, who symbolizes tolerance, world peace, freedom of expression, and multiculturalism.

GEOPOLITICS
“India not having a permanent seat…is absurd” Elon Musk

One Liner: India has long vied for a seat at the UNSC, nearly 17 years. Despite being a qualified candidate with an impressive track record of diplomacy and being backed by 4 of UN’s members-France, UK, US and Russia, negotiations for reforms have all but failed in the recent years.

Elon Musk expresses his reservations: Elon Musk supporting India’s bid for permanent membership expressed grave reservations regarding the undemocratic and un-inclusive nature of the security council that refuses to allow countries account for a considerable proportion of world trade and population- Africa and India

CORPORATE CULTURE
Unhappy Leaves and 40 Days Paid Annual Leave Policy

One Liner: “I want every staff member to have freedom. Everyone has times when they are not happy, so if you are not happy do not come to work” says the founder and chairman of Pang Dong Lai- A Chinese Retail Company.

Putting Wellness At The Forefront: The company prioritizes employee wellness and satisfaction. In addition to 10 unhappy leaves and 40 days of annual leave (excluding 5 for new year) which are undeniable by management, the employees work only 7 hours a day and have weekends off.

CHINA

China’s Economic Triumph: Surpassing Expectations Amid Property Turmoil

One Liner: China's economy defies property market woes, surging ahead with unexpected GDP growth in the face of challenges, emphasizing the pivotal role of consumer confidence and the imperative for sustainable growth strategies.

China's Economic Resilience: In the face of a deepening crisis within its property sector, China's economy defied expectations by achieving a robust 5.3% GDP growth in the first quarter of 2024, surpassing forecasts of 4.6%. Despite a significant 9.5% decline in property investment and a notable drop in new home prices, the nation showcased resilience. This unexpected growth underscores the importance of consumer confidence in driving economic performance and highlights the challenges and opportunities facing China as it navigates through turbulent times in its real estate market.

NEWS

Decrypt More

• Iran justifies attack on Israel: Fuelling a fiery debate, the Iranian delegation quoted the offense as an act of self-defense against perceived Israeli aggression.

• US Defence Secretary Hails India-US $1B Jet Engine Deal: Signing off a jet engine technology deal, India-US partnerships reach new heights as proposals to in-house production facilities and produce General Electric (GE)’s F414 INS6 with India as the lead partner come to light.