General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - February 2016

Feb 2016

Mar 02, 2023

Renjen, Subramaniam to be Members of US President's Export Council

Two Indian Americans Punit Renjen, Rajesh Subramaniam will be members of US President Joe Biden's Export Council.
The President's Export Council is an American government organisation that serves as the principal national advisory committee on international trade.
Indian American Punit Renjen serves as Deloitte Global CEO Emeritus.
The other Indian-American on Biden's list, Raj Subramaniam is President and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of FedEx Corporation, one of the world's largest transportation companies.

Mumbai Jumps to 37th Place Globally in Price Growth in Luxury Housing

Mumbai's rank improved to 37th from 92nd in a global list of movement in prices of luxury homes as the city saw an appreciation of 6.4 per cent during 2022 calendar year, according to Knight Frank India.
In a virtual conference, property consultant Knight Frank released its 'The Wealth Report 2023'.
As per Knight Frank, the value of Prime International Residential Index (PIRI 100) that tracks the movement in luxury house prices across the world increased by 5.2 per cent YoY (year-on-year) in 2022.
In the report, the consultant analysed prime property price performances in 100 cities. Out of 100, 85 locations recorded positive or flat price growth in 2022.

Nigeria's Bola Tinubu Declared Winner of Presidential Vote

Ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu was declared winner of Nigeria's presidential election, with the two leading opposition candidates already demanding a revote in Africa's most populous nation.
Election officials' overnight announcement was likely to lead to a court challenge by his main opponents Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. Abubakar also finished second in the last vote in 2019.
As per reports, Tinubu received 37% of the vote, or nearly 8.8 million, while main opposition candidate Abubakar won 29% with almost 7 million. Third-place finisher Obi took 25% with about 6.1 million.
Tinubu "having satisfied the requirements of the law, was hereby declared the winner and is returned elected," said the country's election chief, Mahmood Yakubu.

Feb 28, 2023

Tagore Memorial Grove Unveiled in US

The Tagore Memorial Grove and walking museum, one of the first in the United States to spread the message of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore's borderless world, was inaugurated in Houston, Texas.
Several public officials attended the unveiling, including the Consul General of India in Houston, Aseem Mahajan, Fort bend County Judge K. P. George, and Fort bend Commissioner Andy Myers.
The memorial is a collaboration between the Tagore Society of Houston (TSH) and the City of Houston Parks Department.

UK and EU Clinch 'Historic' Brexit Deal over Northern Ireland Trade

Britain and the European Union proclaimed a new chapter in relations as they agreed a crucial overhaul of trade rules in Northern Ireland that aims to ease tensions stoked by Brexit.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen adopted the deal at a meeting in Windsor.
The deal follows more than a year of tense talks over the "Northern Ireland Protocol", which has unsettled the province 25 years on from a historic peace deal that ended three decades of armed conflict.

Biden Unveils Conventional Arms Transfer Policy

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration unveiled a long-awaited overhaul of arms export policy with increased emphasis on human rights, three State Department officials familiar with the new Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) policy told.
The CAT policy covers review of security assistance, government-to-government weapons transfers and licensed commercial sales of U.S.-origin military equipment and services overseen by the State Department as well as the Defense Department and Department of Commerce, including firearms commonly available in the United States.
Under the new policy, a weapons transfer will not be approved if the State Department assesses the arms "more likely than not" will be used to commit or facilitate genocide, crimes against humanity, breaches of the Geneva conventions, or serious violations of international law.

Feb 27, 2023

G7 Leaders to Establish Enforcement Coordination Mechanism against Russia

On the occasion of one year of the raging war in Ukraine, leaders of G7 countries will announce the establishment of the Enforcement Coordination Mechanism headed by the US against Russia.
US President Joe Biden will host a virtual meeting with G7 leaders for a discussion on Russia's war against Ukraine and their collective effort to hold Russia accountable for it.
To ensure Russia pays for Ukraine's long-term reconstruction, G7 countries will continue to keep Russia's sovereign assets immobilised until there is a resolution to the conflict that addresses Russia's violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and integrity.

Financial Crime Watchdog FATF Suspends Russia's Membership over Ukraine War

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) suspended Russia's membership for its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. Russia's actions were unacceptably run" counter to FATF's core principles that aims to promote security, safety, and integrity of the global financial system.
The global watchdog on terror financing said it is also deeply concerned by the reports of arms trade between Russia and United Nations sanctioned jurisdictions, and malicious cyber-activities emanating from Russia. The Russian Federation remains accountable for its obligation to implement the FATF standards.

Bhutanese Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Becomes Country's First Digital Citizen

Bhutan's Royal Highness the Gyalsey (Prince) Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, became the country's first digital citizen by onboarding with the Bhutan National Digital Identity (NDI) mobile wallet.
Bhutan NDI uses cutting-edge technology to provide citizens with secure and verifiable identity credentials, ensuring the privacy and protection of their personal information. The system uses the "self-sovereign identity" model based on Decentralised Identity (DID) technology, which gives people more control over their personal information and who can access it.
The launch of Bhutan's National Digital Identity based on the Self-Sovereign Identity model, is a major step forward in transforming the way services are delivered in both the public and private sectors. This flagship initiative of GovTech will provide secure and verifiable digital identities to citizens, laying a strong foundation for our digital future.

Rashtriya Prajatantra Party to Exit Nepal Coalition Govt

The Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has decided to withdraw its support to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda-led government, citing changes in the political equation.
Four ministers from the RPP, including the party's Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Rajendra Lingden who was part of the coalition government, reportedly submitted their resignations to Prachanda.

India Ranks 42nd in US Intellectual Property Rights Index

India slipped to the 42nd spot in the US Chamber of Commerce's latest International Intellectual Property Rights index.
India was ranked 42nd out of 55 countries for 2022. It was ranked 40th in the index in 2021.
The index was launched by the US Chamber of Commerce's Global Innovation Policy Centre and is closely monitored by the Indian government.
The annual international IP index evaluates the protection of IP rights in 55 of the world's leading economies, together representing approximately 90 per cent of global GDP.

Feb 26, 2023

CAG Girish Chandra Murmu Selected as External Auditor of ILO in Geneva

Comptroller and Auditor General, Girish Chandra Murmu was selected as External Auditor of the International Labour Organization in Geneva for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027. The decision was taken after a rigorous selection process. CAG will take over from the incumbent External Auditor of ILO, Supreme Audit Institution of Philippines. CAG's appointment is a recognition of its standing among the international community as well as its professionalism, high standards, global audit experience and strong national credentials.
ILO had formed a Selection Panel for appointment of External Auditor and invited bids from the Supreme Audit Institutions. Based on the technical experience and other criteria, ILO shortlisted three Supreme Audit Institutions - India, Canada and United Kingdom - for technical presentations. In Geneva, a three-member team from CAG of India presented the strengths, approach and skill set and the vast experience of auditing International Organizations to the tripartite selection panel of ILO.

UN Approves Resolution Calling for Russia to Leave Ukraine

The UN General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and demands the withdrawal of its forces, sending a strong message on the eve of the first anniversary of the invasion that Moscow's aggression must end.
The 141-7 vote with 32 abstentions was slightly below the highest vote for the five previous resolutions approved by the 193-member world body since Russia sent troops and tanks across the border into its smaller neighbour on Feb. 24, 2022.
The General Assembly has become the most important UN body dealing with Ukraine because the Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, is paralyzed by Russia's veto power. Its resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but serve as a barometer of world opinion.

Feb 25, 2023

India Joins Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate

India joined the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C). It was started by UAE and USA in November 2021. The main objective of the initiative is to address hunger and climate change.
AIM4C seeks to increase investment in and support innovation in climate-smart agriculture and food systems. The AIM4C initiative has successfully increased these investments to more than 8 billion US dollars globally.

Ex-Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga Nominated by US President to Lead World Bank

US President Joe Biden nominated former Mastercard Chief Executive Ajay Banga to lead the World Bank, after its current chief David Malpass announced plans to step down early.
The development lender has just started accepting candidate nominations in a process set to run until March 29, with the bank saying that women candidates would be strongly encouraged.
The president of the World Bank is typically American, while the leader of the International Monetary Fund is customarily European.
Banga's nomination came amid a push for development lenders to revamp and address global problems like environmental issues more effectively.
The United States is the World Bank's largest shareholder.

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