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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - September 2016

Sep 2016

Mar 10, 2021

White House Appoints Indian-American Maju Varghese as WHMO Director

  • Indian-American Maju Varghese, who previously served as a key member of the Biden campaign and the inaugural committee, was formally appointed as Director of the White House Military Office.
  • As the WHMO Director, Varghese will oversee all military operations aboard Air Force One on Presidential missions worldwide.
  • The White House Military Office (WHMO) is a department within the White House Office that provides military support for White House functions, including food service, presidential transportation, medical support, emergency medical services and hospitality services.

Nigeria Launches 'Naira for Dollar' Scheme

  • The Central Bank of Nigeria has introduced a scheme that would offer a reward of five Naira for every $1 sent by Nigerians living abroad through international money transfer operators in the country in what it calls "naira for dollar".
  • It is a step that shows Nigeria's reliance on diaspora remittances, which has dipped over the last year, likely due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the earnings of Nigerian migrants.
  • Diaspora remittances to the country totalled $25bn (£18bn) in 2019 but dipped to just over $5.3bn in 2020, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
  • Nigeria depends on diaspora input to such an extent that in 2018 when the country recorded $23.5bn in remittances, it was 83% of that year's budget, 6.1% of the GDP and 11 times higher than the foreign investment flows in the same period, according to management consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
  • The central bank is targeting at least $2bn monthly in diaspora remittances in 2021, but a report by the African Growth Initiatives suggests that sub-Saharan Africa could record a further reduction in remittances by up to $3bn this year.

Ethiopia's Main Opposition Party Pulls out of Election

  • The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has become the second major political party in Ethiopia to announce that it will not take part in the June election.
  • 'OLF regrettably pronounced that its participation in the upcoming general election is completely prevented, blaming Prime Minister's Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party for the decision.
  • The party said the jailing of some of their leaders and the alleged closing down of their offices by the government had disrupted the party operations and accused Mr Abiy of "narrowing" the democratic space - a claim the prime minister's party denies.
  • The OLF's decision has caused a rift among top party officials.
  • A faction led by deputy chairman Ararso Bikila dismissed the announcement and vowed to take part in the poll.

China and Russia to Build Lunar Space Station

  • China and Russia have announced plans to build a lunar space station.
  • Russian space agency Roscosmos said that it has signed an agreement with China's National Space Administration to develop research facilities on the surface of the moon, in orbit or both.
  • It comes as Russia prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its first-ever manned space flight.
  • The International Scientific Lunar Station will carry out a wide range of scientific research including exploration and utilisation of the moon, a statement from both agencies said.
  • China and Russia will use their accumulated experience in space science, research and development and use of space equipment and space technology to jointly develop a road map for the construction of an international lunar scientific research station.
  • Both Russia and China will collaborate in the planning, design, development and operation of the research station.

EU Parliament Strips Former Catalan President, Two Others of Immunity

  • The European Parliament lifted the immunity of the former President of Spain's Catalonia region, Carles Puigdemont, and two of his associates, a move that could pave the way for their extradition and reopen the scars of separatism in Spain.
  • The Spanish government immediately welcomed the decision by the European Union's legislature as a victory for the rule of law and against those who sought to break the rich northeastern region away from the rest of Spain.
  • The decision will likely also extend the 3 1/2-year legal saga on the fate of the three separatists by months, if not years, since many avenues for appeal remain open before any possible extraditions. In the decision on Puigdemont, 400 legislators voted for the waiver of immunity, 248 were against and 45 abstained. The measures to lift the immunity of his associates — former Catalan Health Minister Toni Comín and former regional Education Minister Clara Ponsatí — were by largely similar margins. "We have lost our immunity, but the European Parliament has lost more than that. And as a result, European democracy, too," Puigdemont said. "This is a clear case of political persecution.

EU Parliament Strips Former Catalan President, Two Others of Immunity

  • The European Parliament lifted the immunity of the former President of Spain's Catalonia region, Carles Puigdemont, and two of his associates, a move that could pave the way for their extradition and reopen the scars of separatism in Spain.
  • The Spanish government immediately welcomed the decision by the European Union's legislature as a victory for the rule of law and against those who sought to break the rich northeastern region away from the rest of Spain.
  • The decision will likely also extend the 3 1/2-year legal saga on the fate of the three separatists by months, if not years, since many avenues for appeal remain open before any possible extraditions. In the decision on Puigdemont, 400 legislators voted for the waiver of immunity, 248 were against and 45 abstained. The measures to lift the immunity of his associates — former Catalan Health Minister Toni Comín and former regional Education Minister Clara Ponsatí — were by largely similar margins. "We have lost our immunity, but the European Parliament has lost more than that. And as a result, European democracy, too," Puigdemont said. "This is a clear case of political persecution.

Mar 09, 2021

Switzerland: Voters Support Ban on Face Coverings in Public

  • Switzerland has narrowly voted in favour of banning face coverings in public, including the burka or niqab worn by Muslim women.
  • Official results showed the measure had passed by 51.2% to 48.8% in the referendum.
  • The proposal was put forward by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) which campaigned with slogans such as "Stop extremism".
  • The proposal has been widely criticised, especially by the Swiss religious organizations, human rights and civic groups and the federal government.
  • According to the Swiss Council of Religions, which represents all major religious communities in Switzerland, has stated the human right to religious freedom also protects religious practices such as dress codes.
  • The Swiss Federal Council, which serves as the country's federal government, and the Swiss Parliament also rejected the initiative as going too far and advised people to vote against it.

Brazil's Ex-President Cleared by Supreme Court

  • Brazil's Ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been cleared of corruption by a Supreme Court judge, opening a path to a possible run for the presidency in 2022.
  • Lula, a leftwing icon was freed in 2019 after 18 months in jail.
  • He was convicted following an investigation, Operation Car Wash, into a huge bribery scandal which ensnared politicians and business leaders.
  • But Supreme Court Justice Edson Fachin annulled Lula's convictions.
  • He said that a court in the southern city of Curitiba did not have the right to try the four cases, which should instead be heard by a federal court in the capital, Brasília.
  • The ruling, which still has to be considered by the full Supreme Court, restores Lula's political rights, unless his convictions are reinstated.
  • Lula, President from 2003 to 2010, could theoretically run against President Jair Bolsonaro. The right-wing incumbent is thought likely to seek re-election next year.
  • Giving his reaction outside the presidential palace, Mr. Bolsonaro accused the Supreme Court judge of bias.

Governor Cuomo Should Resign

  • The two top Democrats in New York's state legislature said that sexual harassment allegations levelled against Governor Andrew Cuomo by five women, most of them former aides, have undermined his ability to lead, and he should resign.
  • In calling for the governor to step down, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins also cited charges that Cuomo's governing style created a "toxic work environment" and that his office under-reported the coronavirus death toll among nursing home residents.

Mar 08, 2021

India, Iran, Russia to be Part of New US Push to Find Settlement in Afghanistan

  • The US plans to convene a meeting with the Foreign Ministers of India, Russia, China, Pakistan and Iran to forge a common approach on ending the war in Afghanistan while simultaneously taking steps to speed up a settlement with the Taliban.
  • This was conveyed by US secretary of state Antony Blinken in a letter sent to President Ashraf Ghani. The letter marks the first time the new Biden administration has outlined its approach towards Afghanistan as it undertakes a review of the troubled peace process with the Taliban as well as plans to withdraw all American forces from the war-torn country by May 1.
  • As a first step, the US intends to ask the United Nations to convene Foreign Ministers and envoys from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, and the United States to discuss a unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan.

Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam Fully Welcomes Proposed Electoral Changes

  • Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said that the city's government fully welcomes changes to the city's electoral system that will substantially increase central government control over Hong Kong politics and exclude Beijing's critics.
  • Chinese authorities have said the draft decision before China's National People's Congress would mean the largely pro-Beijing committee that elects Hong Kong's leader would also choose a large part of the legislature to ensure that the city is run by "patriots." The Election Committee would also have the right to vet candidates for the Legislative Council, weeding out any suspected of being insufficiently loyal to China and the ruling Communist Party.
  • Currently, half of Hong Kong's legislature is directly elected by voters, although the mass resignation of opposition legislators to protest the expulsion of four of their colleagues for being "unpatriotic" means the body is now entirely controlled by Beijing loyalists.

Nepal's SC Quashes Unification of PM Oli

  • Nepal's Supreme Court quashed the unification of the erstwhile Communist Party of Nepal (Unified MarxistLeninist) led by Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda.
  • The CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre) merged in May 2018 to form a unified Nepal Communist Party following victory of their alliance in the 2017 general elections.
  • An apex court bench of justices Kumar Regmi and Bam Kumar Shrestha issued the verdict giving authenticity of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) to Rishiram Kattel, who had registered the party at the Election Commission (EC) in his name prior to the formation of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led by Oli and Prachanda, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported.
  • Kattel had challenged the Election Commission's decision to register Nepal Communist Party (NCP) under Oli and Prachanda in May 2018.
  • The bench said that a new party cannot be registered with the Election Commission when it already has a party registered with a similar name.

Egypt and Sudan add to Pressure on Ethiopia over Nile Dam

  • Egypt and Sudan have once again called for international mediation to end a long-running dispute over the construction of Ethiopia's dam on the River Nile.
  • Both countries fear the dam could affect their water supply.
  • The call came as the Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was on a visit to Sudan for the first time since the overthrow of its former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
  • During his visit to Khartoum Mr Sisi met Sudan's civilian and military leaders.
  • The fact that these were separate meetings points to the somewhat awkward relationship between the different personalities in Sudan's transitional administration.
  • But it seems they all agreed on one key issue: Ethiopia's controversial dam.
  • In a statement after the talks, Egypt and Sudan called for a new round of dialogue with an expanded mediation team to include officials from the African Union, the United States, the EU and the UN.
  • They said an agreement had to be reached before Ethiopia starts the next stage of filling the dam's huge reservoir, which is expected to begin in June or July.

Bangladesh Appoints Nation's First Transgender News Anchor

  • A private news channel has appointed Bangladesh's first transgender news presenter. Tashnuva Anan Shishir started presenting news for Boishakhi TV from the International Women's Day 2021.
  • The Boishakhi TV authorities said that the appointment of the transgender newscaster was done on the occasion of 50 years of liberation of Bangladesh as it was the most neglected population of the country.
  • The TV channel has appointed another transgender Nusrat Mau as one of the main characters for the regular drama section of the TV channel's entertainment wing.
  • Tashnuva Anan is a model and actor who began her career in theatre group Natua in 2007. She has been actively associated with theatre in Bangladesh with appearances in many popular productions.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan Wins Trust Vote

  • Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan won a trust vote in the National Assembly amid a boycott call by the Opposition parties, strengthening his government's legitimacy after an embarrassing defeat of the Finance Minister in the hotly-contested Senate elections.
  • Prime Minister Khan secured 178 votes in the 342-member lower house of Parliament during a special session convened on the directives of President Arif Alvi. A total of 172 votes was needed for a simple majority.
  • The floor test took place without the Opposition as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) – an alliance of 11 parties – boycotted the voting.

Mar 07, 2021

Beijing to Overhaul Hong Kong Electoral System

  • China's top law-making body has unveiled plans to ensure only patriots can govern Hong Kong, as Beijing tightens its grip on the city with changes to the electoral system.
  • Premier Li Keqiang, addressing the National People's Congress (NPC), warned the world not to interfere.
  • The move follows the imposition of a tough security law.
  • Critics say Beijing is crushing dissent and removing the 'one country, two systems' agreement it made with the UK.
  • Under the agreement, Hong Kong, a former British colony, was allowed to continue with its own legal system and have rights including free speech and freedom of the press.

Ghana Opposition Leader Disagrees with Poll Ruling

  • Ghana's opposition leader and former President John Mahama has said he disagrees with the process and ruling of the Supreme Court on his petition challenging the results of the last years' presidential election.
  • But he said he is legally bound by the decision of the court.
  • The Supreme Court upheld Nana Akufo-Addo's victory, dismissing allegations of irregularities.
  • Reacting to the court's verdict, Mr Mahama expressed disappointment that the head of the electoral commission, Jean Mensa, did not testify on alleged irregularities.
  • The Supreme Court ruled that the opposition leader had failed to prove that none of the candidates had won more 50% as is required to win the presidential election in the first round.

Mar 06, 2021

Biden Appoints Two more Indian-Americans to Key Administration Position

  • US President Joe Biden has appointed two more Indian-Americans in key administrative positions.
  • Chiraag Bains has been appointed as Special Assistant to the President for Criminal Justice and Pronita Gupta has been named Special Assistant to the President for Labour and Workers.
  • The announcement for appointing Bains and Gupta was part of more than 20 appointments of additional policy staff who will serve with the White House COVID Response Team, Domestic Climate Policy Office, Domestic Policy Council and National Economic Council.
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