General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - February 2016

Feb 2016

May 01, 2023

Japan's New Five-year Ocean Policy

Japan adopted a new five-year ocean policy that calls for stronger maritime security, including bolstering its coast guard's capability and cooperation with the military amid China's increasing assertiveness in regional seas.
The new Basic Plan on Ocean Policy adopted by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet also says Japan must accelerate the development of autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated robots to bolster its surveillance capability.
It cited a list of threats: Chinese coast guard ships' repeated intrusions into Japanese territorial waters, growing unauthorised maritime activity by "foreign survey boats" inside Japan's exclusive economic zone, increasing joint military exercises by China and Russia, and North Korea's repeated missile launches.

Uzbeks Vote on Extended Tenure for President

Uzbekistan voted on constitutional amendments that promise its citizens greater social protections in exchange for resetting President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's term count to zero, which could allow him to stay in power until 2040.
Mirziyoyev has been praised at home and abroad as a liberal reformer for abandoning the previous leadership's isolationist policies and police state approach.
And while Tashkent's Western partners are unlikely to approve of the attempt to extend presidential powers, Uzbekistan risks little given the West is seeking support from all ex-Soviet nations in its efforts to isolate Russia over its war in Ukraine.
The reform also extends the presidential term to seven years from five.

Apr 30, 2023

BBC Chairman Announces Resignation over Loan to Boris Johnson

BBC Chairman Richard Sharp announced his resignation after controversy about role in arranging loan for former Prime Minister of United Kingdom Boris Johnson. Sharp resigned over involvement in securing a private credit line for up to $990,000 for the then-PM Boris Johnson from a Canadian businessman.
The country's public appointments watchdog has been investigating the way in which Sharp was selected by the government to chair the broadcaster in 2021.

Apr 29, 2023

US President, South Korean President Secures a Landmark Deal

US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol secured a landmark deal which includes plans to periodically deploy US nuclear-armed submarines in South Korea. According to reports, Washington also agreed to involve Seoul in its planning for the use of nuclear weapons in any conflict with North Korea. In return, South Korea agreed to not develop its own nuclear weapons.
The US President said that the deal, called the Washington Declaration, will strengthen the allies' co-operation in deterring a North Korean attack.
The declaration came amid rising concerns about nuclear threats from North Korea as the country carries out a record number of ballistic missile tests.

Apr 28, 2023

Pakistan Largest Recipient of ADB Funded Programmes in 2022

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Report 2022 revealed that Pakistan received loans of $5.58 billion, making it the largest recipient of ADB-funded programs/projects in the year 2022. Out of the total lending, Pakistan received concessional funding of $2.67 billion from the bank, highlighting the dire economic situation in the country. This significant lending reflects the severity of the economic crisis in Pakistan, which has been compounded by political and geopolitical uncertainties.
The ADB also provided a combined $2.2 billion, directed through the bank's countercyclical support facility, for the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. All these countries were severely impacted by the food and energy crisis sparked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the case of Pakistan, devastating floods exacerbated the economic woes, leading to domestic inflation and curtailing consumption.

Apr 25, 2023

Bangladesh unveils Indo-pacific outlook; declares stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific ke...

Bangladesh officially unveiled its Indo-Pacific Outlook (IPO) outlining four guiding principles and 15 objectives in the document released by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam in Dhaka.
Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen and the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saheli Sabrin were also present on the occasion.
The official document recognizes that stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific is a crucial factor in realizing Bangladesh's 'Vision 2041', which aims to build a modern, knowledge-based developed country by 2041. In view of the importance of the Indo-Pacific area for its collective share in global GDP, international trade, and growing technological dynamism among others, Bangladesh envisions a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo- Pacific for the shared prosperity for all.

Mohammad Shahabuddin takes oath as Bangladesh's new President

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered the oath to 73-year-old Mr. Shahabuddin at the historic Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban. Besides Premier Ms. Hasina and family members of the new President, politicians, Supreme Court judges, and senior civil and military officials attended the event.
Mr. Shahabuddin succeeds Abdul Hamid whose tenure ended on April 23. After the swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Shahabuddin signed the oath documents for the office of the President.
He was elected as President unopposed in February this year as a candidate of the ruling Awami League.

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