General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - February 2016

Feb 2016

Apr 06, 2024

Zimbabwe Declares State of Disaster over Devastating Drought

Zimbabwe, along with Zambia and Malawi, declared a state of disaster due to a severe drought sweeping across southern Africa. President Emmerson Mnangagwa cited an "El Nino-induced drought" causing below-normal rainfall, affecting over 80% of the country. This drought, exacerbated by climate change, has led to dire food shortages and humanitarian crises across the region.
President Mnangagwa made the emergency declaration, emphasising the need for $2 billion in humanitarian aid to address the crisis. He stressed the urgency of securing food for all Zimbabweans, with approximately 2.7 million people at risk of hunger. The government appealed to UN agencies, local businesses, and faith organisations to contribute to humanitarian assistance efforts.

Apr 05, 2024

Ajit Doval Leads Indian Delegation at SCO Security Council Meeting

The 19th annual meeting of the secretaries of the security councils of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states was held in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Indian delegation was led by the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. He also met Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the current Chairman of SCO.
President Tokayev advocated adopting a Cooperation Programme to counter terrorism, separatism, and extremism for 2025-2027 and the SCO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2024-2029.
He mentioned that countering "three evil forces" – terrorism, separatism and extremism – along with transnational organised crime, drug trafficking and cybersecurity challenges remain priorities during Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the SCO.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was established on June 15, 2001, replacing the Shanghai Five organisation.
The Founding members are: China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The 9 permanent members are: China, Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, India (joined in 2017), Pakistan (joined in 2017), and Iran (joined in 2023).
The 3 observer members are: Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is headquartered at Beijing, China and the Current Chairman is Kazakhstan.

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Sworn in for Third Term as Egyptian President

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was sworn in before parliament for his third term as Egyptian President. The leader of the nation, extended his tenure until 2030.
El-Sisi's oathtaking marked what should be his final six-year stretch as leader of the Arab world's most populous country, unless he again ushers through a constitutional amendment prolonging his tenure.
He was re-elected in December 2023 with 89.6 per cent of the vote in a race pitting him against three largely unknown candidates.
El-Sisi came to power after the 2013 overthrow of the country's first popularly elected president, Mohamed Morsi. He was re-elected in 2018. In both previous elections, he won with 97 per cent of the vote.

Apr 04, 2024

US State Arizona Declares Pluto as its Official State Planet

Arizona, situated in the south-western United States, officially designated Pluto as its state planet, despite the International Astronomical Union's decision in 2006 to reclassify Pluto as a 'dwarf planet', and removing its status as an official planet.
Arizona governor Katie Hobbs signed a bill designating the 'dwarf planet' Pluto as the 'official state planet' of Arizona. When asked about Pluto's classification as a full-fledged planet, Governor Hobbs evaded the question, expressing pride in Arizona's contributions to space exploration instead.
It's worth noting that American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1930. Notably, Pluto is the only planet to have been discovered in the United States.

Apr 02, 2024

Congo Gets its First Woman Prime Minister

President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo appointed the country's first female Prime Minister, fulfilling a campaign promise and making an important step towards the formation of a new government after being reelected late last year (2023).
Former Planning Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka stepped into the role at a time of worsening violence in the country's mineral-rich east, which borders Rwanda. The long-running conflict has displaced more than 7 million people according to the United Nations, making it one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
Ms. Tuluka promised to work towards peace and development in her first speech following her appointment. Still, it could be months before a new government is formed as the process requires intensive negotiations with the many political parties.

Apr 01, 2024

China Renames 30 Places in Arunachal Pradesh in 4th List

In what is seen as a bid to assert its claim on Arunachal Pradesh, China renamed 30 places along the line of actual control (LAC) in India's north-eastern state. The Chinese ministry of civil affairs, responsible for the establishment and naming of administrative divisions, released the fourth list of "standardised" geographical names in Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing calls Zangnan.
The list of places renamed by China includes 11 residential areas, 12 mountains, four rivers, one lake, one mountain pass and a piece of land. The names have Chinese characters, Tibetan and pinyin, the Roman alphabet version of Mandarin Chinese.

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