General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - February 2016

Feb 2016

Nov 05, 2021

Eric Adams Wins in NYC, Capping Ascent from Cop to Mayor-elect

Eric Leroy Adams was elected the 110th mayor of New York City, following a campaign in which he won the support of New Yorkers across class and racial lines with promises to restore the pandemic-ravaged city to its former glory.
The Associated Press declared the Democratic Brooklyn borough President the winner over Republican anti-crime activist Curtis Sliwa. Adams had 67% of the vote with 65% of precincts reporting.
Flanked by family and supporters, Adams used his victory speech to highlight the resolve of blue-collar New Yorkers who helped propel him to City Hall. He also called for unity in a "divided" city, pledging to bring firefighters, police officers and other civil servants into the fold.

China, Russia Urge UNSC to End Key Sanctions on North Korea

China and Russia are urging the U.N. Security Council to end a host of sanctions against North Korea ranging from the export of seafood and textiles to the cap on imports of refined petroleum products and the ban on its citizens working overseas and sending home their earnings.
A draft resolution circulated to council members stresses the economic difficulties in North Korea and says these and other sanctions should be lifted "with the intent of enhancing the livelihood of the civilian population." The Security Council initially imposed sanctions on North Korea after its first nuclear test in 2006 and made them tougher and tougher in response to further nuclear tests and an increasingly sophisticated ballistic missile programme.

Yahoo Leaves China for Good

Yahoo stopped allowing its services to be accessible from mainland China "in recognition of the increasingly challenging business and legal environment", the second Western tech brand to quit the country in recent weeks.
The company stopped providing content for users in mainland China as of November 1, according to a statement published on its website, which directed users of Yahoo and AOL mail to other links.
Yahoo remains committed to the rights of our users and a free and open internet. Yahoo's move follows that of Microsoft Corp, which pulled the plug on Linkedin in China last month, marking the retreat of the last major US-owned social network in China.
Linkedin cited a "more challenging operating environment and greater compliance requirements in China".

Nov 04, 2021

Taliban Announces Complete Ban on use of Foreign Currency in Afghanistan

The Taliban announced a complete ban on the use of foreign currency in Afghanistan.
The economic situation and national interests in the country require that all Afghans use Afghan currency in their every trade," the group said in a statement shared with journalists by one of their spokesmen.
The use of US dollars is widespread in Afghanistan's markets, while border areas use the currency of neighbouring countries such as Pakistan for trade.

Nov 03, 2021

U.S. to Cut Ethiopia from Trade Program over Rights Abuses

President Joe Biden decided to cut out Ethiopia from a U.S. trade program, setting the path for further sanctions against the African nation over its failure to end a nearly yearlong war in the Tigray region that has led to "gross violations" of human rights.
Mr. Biden in a letter to Congress said that Ethiopia has not met eligibility requirements to remain a beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The program provides sub-Saharan African nations duty-free access to the United States on the condition they meet certain requirements, including eliminating barriers to U.S. trade and investment and making progress toward political pluralism.
The sanction goes into effect on January 1, 2022.

Pakistan to Allow Banned Islamist Militant Group to Contest Election

As per reports, Pakistan is to free more than 2,000 jailed activists of a banned Islamist militant group and allow the movement to contest elections, under a deal with the government struck to end weeks of violent clashes.
In return, the Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan has agreed to shun the politics of violence and withdraw its longstanding demand to have France`s ambassador expelled over the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad by a French satirical magazine.
The caricatures have triggered repeated demonstrations by the group to protest at what it considers blasphemy.
Prime Minister Imran Khan`s government banned the TLP after its protests turned violent earlier this year, designated it a terrorist group and arrested its chief Saad Rizvi.

Nov 02, 2021

North Macedonia PM Zoran Zaev Resigns

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev announced his resignation following the heavy defeat of his governing Social Democratic Union in North Macedonia's local elections.
Zaev is considered a Western-leaning reformer.
Zaev came out against early national elections. Instead, he will support a Social Democrat-led government under a new leader.
Zoran Zaev is a Macedonian economist and politician served as the Prime Minister of North Macedonia since 30 August 2020, a position he previously held from 31 May 2017 to 3 January 2020.

Nov 01, 2021

US Announces Deal with EU to Resolve Steel, Aluminium Tariff Disputes

The United States has reached a deal with the European Union (EU) to resolve a three-year dispute over tariffs on steel and aluminium imported from the bloc.
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that we've reached an agreement with the EU which maintains the 232 tariffs but allows limited volumes of EU steel and aluminium to enter the US tariff-free.
"This agreement is significant in that it will reduce costs for American manufacturers and consumers," Raimondo said, adding the cost of steel for manufacturers in the US downstream industries has more than tripled in the past year.

Iran Appoints Rouhani-era Diplomat to Nuclear Talks Team

Iran has retained on its nuclear talks team an official who helped to negotiate the original atomic deal with world powers, suggesting the hawkish new administration is prepared to tap more experienced and accommodating diplomats as talks on reviving the ailing accord prepare to resume.
Reza Najafi, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency under moderate former President Hassan Rouhani, was appointed deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Najafi had held the position in a caretaker capacity after hardliner Ebrahim Raisi was elected to replace Rouhani in June, and his appointment has now become permanent.

Iran Slams New US Sanctions as Completely Contradictory Behavior

Iran slammed the latest U.S. sanctions against its entities as "completely contradictory behaviour".
As per Iran's government, U.S. pressure will not inflict "the slightest damage" on the Iranian government's determination to defend the security and tranquillity of Iran's people.
The United States imposed sanctions against companies and individuals related to Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs.
The new ban against Iran came after Iran's nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani said that Tehran has agreed to resume the long-halted negotiations aimed at the revival of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), by the end of November.

Japan PM Kishida's Coalition Keeps Majority with Fewer Seats

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's coalition kept a comfortable majority in the October 31 parliamentary election despite losing some seats as his weeks-old government grapples with a coronavirus-battered economy and regional security challenges.
Prime Minister Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito together won 293 seats, well above the majority of 233 in the 465-member lower house, the more powerful of Japan's two-chamber Diet, where they previously had 305 seats.

Canada's Manitoba Province Gets First Female Premier

Manitoba's ruling Progressive Conservative party voted in Heather Stefanson as its new leader, making her the first woman to be elected premier of the Canadian province going back 151 years.
She will also be Canada's only current female provincial premier.
Manitoba's Progressive Conservative party scheduled the vote after Brian Pallister resigned as premier in September under criticism for his handling of the pandemic and strained relations with indigenous groups.

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