General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - March 2016

Mar 2016

Nov 07, 2021

Israel Spared Fifth Snap Election as Lawmakers Pass National Budget

Israel's Parliament passed a national budget for the first time in three years, avoiding a November deadline that would have brought down the new government and triggered another election.
The marathon overnight voting on budget bills in the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, was a major hurdle for the new government headed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, whose fractious coalition holds a narrow majority.

Nov 06, 2021

Lebanon's Oldest English-language Daily Folds amid Crisis

Lebanon's Daily Star, one of the leading English-language newspapers in the Arab world and Lebanon's oldest, has folded following a years-long financial struggle.
The Daily Star is the latest among several Lebanese newspapers that stopped printing in recent years in a struggle to compete with digital media. Lebanon's severe financial crisis, its worst in 150 years, toughened the challenge.
Over the years, The Daily Star was a training ground for many Lebanese and foreign journalists who went on to work in prominent media organisations in the region and beyond. News of its closure triggered an outpouring of tributes on social media.

Rishi Sunak Releases New Gandhi Commemorative Coin

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a new 5-pound commemorative coin celebrating the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi to mark Diwali.
Available in a range of standards, including gold and silver, the special collectors' coin is designed by Heena Glover and features an image of a lotus, India's national flower, alongside one of Gandhi's most famous quotes My life is my message.
This coin is a fitting tribute to an influential leader who inspired millions of people around the world, said Sunak, in his role as the Master of the Mint in the UK.

COP26: India, Indonesia and Philippines Join Coal Transition Programme

India, Indonesia and the Philippines will join South Africa as the first recipients of a multibillion dollar pilot programme aimed at accelerating their transition from coal power to clean energy.
The four countries account for 15% of global emissions related to coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel. Cutting their emissions more quickly will help the global effort for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, a key goal of the ongoing United Nations COP26 https://www.reuters.com/business/cop climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland.

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.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

September GK, August GK, July GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26