General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - February 2016

Feb 2016

Sep 10, 2023

Romania Hosts Summit to Boost Connectivity between 12 EU Countries and Partners

A two-day summit in Romania was held bringing together 12 European Union member states situated between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas, as the grouping of mostly formerly communist countries aims to boost ties amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
The Three Seas Initiative, which was held in the capital, Bucharest, hosted high-ranking officials from EU countries as well as representatives from partner countries and aims to improve interconnectivity in the transportation, energy, and digital fields.
Launched in 2016, the Three Seas Initiative includes Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, Estonia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Latvia and Lithuania. Austria is the only member that isn't formerly a communist country.

Sep 09, 2023

ASEAN, India Agree to Make Concerted Efforts

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India agreed to make concerted efforts to increase cooperation in food security, nutrition, food trade supply chain, cultivation of millets, and financing for climate-friendly technologies. This was agreed upon in the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders' statement on strengthening food security and nutrition in response to crises. The 20th ASEAN-India Summit was held on September 7, 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Member countries of ASEAN and India expressed their commitment to exchange information on national policy frameworks particularly for rice and other priority crop commodities to enhance food security and nutrition. Acknowledging the nutritional richness, climate resilience, health benefits and ecological sustainability of millets, they also supported efforts for the cultivation and harvesting of millets for ensuring global food security.

Sep 08, 2023

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Replaces Defense Minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the replacement of his Defence Minister, Oleksii Reznikov, amid investigations into financial improprieties and official corruption within the Defence Ministry. The change in leadership came as Ukraine is engaged in a counteroffensive, making gains in the south and east.
Ukraine's parliament voted to approve the appointment of Rustem Umerov as the country's new Defence Minister.

Sep 07, 2023

ASEAN Central Pillar of India's Act East Policy: PM Modi in Jakarta

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the ASEAN is the central pillar in India's Act East Policy, and added that it plays a key role in India's Indo-Pacific initiative.
Speaking at the 20th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Modi spoke of this year's (2023) theme 'ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth', and emphasised that the region plays an important role in global growth.

Vanuatu Parliament Elects Sato Kilman as Prime Minister

Vanuatu's parliament elected Sato Kilman as the nation's new Prime Minister after a court upheld a vote of no-confidence in his predecessor, who had sought closer ties with US allies amid China-US rivalry in the Pacific Islands. Kilman, a former Prime Minister and leader of the People's Progressive Party, was elected Prime Minister 27/23 in a secret ballot by lawmakers. Kilman received a total of 27 votes, while Kalsakau got 23 votes. Kilman was the deputy PM in Kalsakau's government before being removed. At the time Kalsakau had stated that Kilman's dismissal was for stability of the coalition government.
Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands, of which 16 are inhabited. The largest islands are Espiritu Santo, Malakula, Efate, Erromango, Ambrym, Tanna, Pentecost, Epi, Ambae or Aoba, Gaua, Vanua Lava, Maewo, Malo and Aneityum or Anatom.
The capital of Vanuatu is Port Vila, which is located on the island of Efate. Other major towns include Luganville on Espiritu Santo and Isangel on Tanna.
The official languages of Vanuatu are Bislama, English, and French.

India Extends Support to SCO Member Countries to Enhance Legal and Judicial Capabilities

India extended support to Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries to enhance legal and judicial capabilities. The 10th meeting of the Ministers of Law and Justice of SCO countries was held via video conferencing.
The meeting began with the reading out of a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In his message, President Xi appealed to the members to work with a spirit of cooperation and understanding so as to realise the objectives and visions of the SCO and optimise its contribution towards the holistic development of the region.
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal emphasised India's commitment to the SCO charter and its principles of mutual trust, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and mutual benefit.
A joint statement was signed by all the Ministers of Justice of the SCO Member countries that emphasised on the cooperation in the field of law and justice achieved in the last 22 years among the Member countries. Emphasising the mutual understanding reached on the development of the legal systems of the SCO member states, taking into account the agreements and tasks envisaged in the SCO development strategy 2025, the Ministers of Law and Justice of the SCO Member States through the Joint Statement declared the following:
To cooperate between Ministries of Law and Justice of SCO Member nations to enhance cooperation in legal and judicial spheres
Continue to work on the implementation of the Co-operation Agreement
Organise conferences, legal cooperation for better exchange of experience
Continue the work of the Expert Working Groups on Forensic Expertise and Legal Services

OpenAI Chief Sam Altman Becomes the First to Get Indonesia's 'Golden Visa'

Indonesia awarded OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman its first 'Golden Visa', a week after the program was launched to attract foreign investment to Southeast Asia's largest economy.
There are several categories of golden visas apart from those based on investment/capital investment, one of which is the golden visa which is given to figures who have an international reputation and can provide benefits for Indonesia.
Altman's Golden Visa is for 10 years. As a holder of the visa, the American entrepreneur will get to enjoy priority screening at airports across the country's vast archipelago, along with longer periods of stay, and ease of entry and exit.

Sep 06, 2023

Indian-American Arjun Gupta Appointed Chair of US Federal Body

Arjun Gupta, Indian American founder and chief believer at TeleSoft Partners, an Aspen, Colorado, -based special situations venture capital firm, was appointed chair of a newly established Investment Capital Advisory Committee.
The 14-member committee will advise the US Small Business Administration (SBA) in the development of a more inclusive and accessible ecosystem for small businesses nationwide.
Consisting of members with diverse perspectives, experiences, and occupational backgrounds in and related to the US private investment industry, the committee has been formed to increase small businesses and startups' access to investment capital.
The launch of SBA's inaugural Investment Capital Advisory Committee with its distinguished membership will serve as a critical resource to the Biden-Harris Administration as we strengthen our policies and programs to foster a more inclusive investment ecosystem.
The committee's main objective is to promote, expand, and strengthen the ecosystem of private funds financing US small businesses and startups, to fund entrepreneurs and small business owners from traditionally underserved communities.

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