General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - February 2016

Feb 2016

Oct 12, 2022

Belarusian President Announces Formation of a Joint Unit of Belarusian Forces with Russian Army

The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced the formation of a joint unit of Belarusian forces with the Russian army. Lukashenko said that the move was due to growing tensions on Belarus's border with Ukraine. He said that it was necessary to bolster security.
However, he did not elaborate on where the troops would be deployed. The Belarusian President also claimed that Ukraine was planning an attack on his country. He said that Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine were training Belarusian radicals to carry out terror attacks.

UN World Geospatial Congress in Hyderabad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the United Nations World Geospatial Congress (UNWGIC) 2022 in Hyderabad. The goal of this year's (2022) UNWGIC is to promote a broad dialogue on global geospatial information management with all relevant governments, non-governmental organisations, academia, and the private sector.
Geospatial technology can be used to create intelligent maps and models which help to collect geographically referenced data. Decisions based on the value and importance of resources, most of which are limited, can become easy through geospatial technology, according to the UNWGIC website.
The theme of UNWGIC 2022 is 'Geo-Enabling the Global Village: No one should be left behind', which focuses on building a community for human data and geography against the three pillars of sustainable development for a shared future and a better world, leaving no one behind within an inclusive and equitable global society.
The United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) convened the conference on UNWGIC 2022 and was organised by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. It was hosted by the ministry of science and technology of the government of India.

Tulsi Gabbard Quits Democratic Party

Former Congresswoman and the first Hindu American to run for the White House in 2020, Tulsi Gabbard, left the governing Democratic Party, denouncing it as an "elitist cabal of warmongers".
Gabbard retired from the House of Representatives last year.
Gabbard was the first-ever Hindu to be elected to the US House of Representatives in 2013 from Hawaii, and she was subsequently elected for four consecutive terms.
She quit the party ahead of next month's crucial mid-term elections.

Oct 11, 2022

In UNGA, India Votes to Reject Russia's Demand for Secret Ballot on Draft Resolution on Ukraine

India for the first time voted at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) against Russia's demand for a secret ballot on a draft resolution to condemn its annexation of four regions of Ukraine.
India voted against Russia in August at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the issue of inviting President Zelenskyy to speak virtually at a debate on Ukraine. The Foreign Office had then said "we have not voted against anyone," terming the vote as procedural.
This time, too, the vote is procedural – on the question of whether the division at the end of a forthcoming debate in UNGA should be open or by secret ballot.
Albania moved a motion seeking to condemn Russia's "illegal so-called referendums" and "attempted illegal annexation" of Ukraine's Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
With 107 countries at UNGA, including India, rejecting Russia's demand for a secret ballot, Russia has appealed against the ruling by the chair and this year's UNGA President Csaba Korosi.
Only 13 nations voted in favour of Russia's call for a secret ballot and 39 abstained. Russia and China were among the countries that did not vote.
Russia then sought reconsideration of the decision to adopt the motion submitted by Albania for a recorded vote. The UNGA decided not to reconsider the motion after 104 nations, including India, voted against, 16 voted in favour and 34 abstained.

Malaysian PM Ismail Yaakob Dissolves Parliament, Calls for Early Elections

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob dissolved the Parliament, paving the way for general elections that are expected to be held in early November.
The elections would come nine months before Parliament's term expires, following calls for early polls from Ismail's United Malays National Organisation.
UMNO, the biggest party in the ruling coalition, was feuding with its allies and is aiming for a big win on its own.
The Election Commission is expected to meet within the week to announce a date for the vote.

Oct 10, 2022

Lahore Ranked as Most Polluted City in the World with AQI between 166-279

As the smog season returns, Lahore once again ranked as the most polluted city in the world with the Air Quality Index (AQI) rating ranging between 166 and 279 in the different areas of the metropolis.
The latest data gathered through various government and private monitors highlighted that the air quality of the provincial capital is the worst in the world, followed by Beijing, Dhaka, Milan, Shenyang, Seattle, Zagreb, Portland, Karachi and Vancouver.
Live statistics released by the United States air quality monitoring agency IQ Air showed that the worst atmospheric pollution was recorded at Kot Lakhpat where the AQI rating was hovering around 279.

Oct 09, 2022

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Attends 8th Summit of Speakers of G-20 Parliaments Held in Jakarta

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla attended the 8th G20 Parliamentary Speaker's Summit in Indonesia's capital Jakarta. He led the Indian delegation included Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Rajya Sabha Secretary-General PC Mody, and other officials.
Birla met with Mr. Milton Dick, Speaker, House of Representatives, Australia during P20 and the leaders discussed bilateral issues ranging from the parliamentary exchange, and economy to culture. They also highlighted the role of the Australian-Indian community & cricket in bringing our countries together.

Oct 08, 2022

UNHRC Adopts Resolution against Sri Lanka's Rights Record; India Abstains from Voting

India abstained on a draft resolution in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka which was adopted.
While abstaining, India stressed that it will work with Sri Lanka and the international community to attain the related objectives of legitimate aspirations of Tamils of Sri Lanka and prosperity for all Sri Lankans.
The draft resolution on 'Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka' was adopted at the 51st Session of Human Rights Council in Geneva, with 20 nations voting in favour in the 47-member Council, seven against, including China and Pakistan, and 20 abstentions, including by India, Japan, Nepal and Qatar.
The 20 countries that voted in favour of the resolution included the United Kingdom, the United States, Argentina, Finland, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Poland, Republic of Korea and Ukraine.

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