General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - November 2016

Nov 2016

Oct 04, 2024

WETEX 2024 in Dubai

The 26th Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2024 was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, featuring a strong Indian presence with 29 leading companies participating in the Indian pavilion. The event, organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), concluded on October 3, showcasing cutting-edge innovations in renewable energy, water treatment, and environmental technologies.
Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, highlighted the significance of Indian participation at WETEX 2024. He emphasised that the companies in the Indian pavilion are demonstrating advanced technologies and sustainable projects that support the green economy and contribute to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.
WETEX 2024 features 16 international pavilions from 14 countries, underscoring its global significance in promoting sustainable technologies and fostering international partnerships.

Britain Returns Chagos Islands to Mauritius, But Retains Diego Garcia Airbase

The UK agreed to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending years of bitter dispute over Britain's last African colony.
The agreement allows a right of return for Chagossians, who the UK expelled from their homes in the 1960s and 1970s, in what has been described as a crime against humanity and one of the most shameful episodes of post-war colonialism.
However, there is an exception for the key island of Diego Garcia, which is home to a joint UK-US military base, and which will remain under UK control. Plans for the base were the reason the UK severed the Chagos Islands from the rest of Mauritius when it granted the latter independence in 1968 and forcibly displaced up to 2,000 people.

UN Chief Guterres Banned to Enter in the Israel

Foreign Minister of Israel Katz announced that they decided to declare the U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres an undesirable personality in Israel and banned his entry into Israel. Israel banned UN chief António Guterres from entry for failing to condemn Iran's missile attacks on Israel.
Iran launched a 180-ballistic missile attack on Israel on 1st October Night in a joint effort between the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and allied militant groups, including Hezbollah and the Houthis.
The attack was in response to Israel's killings of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, among several other leaders.

Oct 03, 2024

Italy Hosts G7 Call to Address Middle East Crisis

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni convened a call of G7 leaders to discuss the escalating crisis in the Middle East. Italy, holding the rotating presidency of the G7, emphasised its commitment to finding a diplomatic solution amidst growing tensions, particularly focusing on the Israeli-Lebanese border and Iran's missile attack on Israel.
Meloni's government has expressed "deep concern" over recent developments, including the instability in Lebanon. Italy's role as chair of the G7 positions it to lead efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region, particularly through diplomacy.
This summit was notable for being the last for leaders like British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and U.S. President Joe Biden. It also marked the first-ever attendance of Pope Francis at a G7 summit. Discussions addressed the WTO reforms, regional Middle East tensions, support for Ukraine's sovereignty, and concerns about Iran's nuclear program.

Bangladesh Recalls Envoy from India in Major Diplomatic Reshuffle

Bangladesh's interim government recalled five envoys, including the High Commissioner to India Mustafizur Rahman, in a major diplomatic reshuffle, a foreign ministry official said.
The foreign ministry ordered envoys in Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon, New Delhi and the permanent mission to the United Nations in New York to immediately return to the capital, Dhaka.
The move came ahead of the national elections in Bangladesh. While the reason behind the recall is unclear, analysts suggest it may be part of the interim government's efforts to re-align diplomatic priorities during the transition period.

Claudia Sheinbaum Mexico's First Female President

Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico's first woman President, vowing to bolster women's rights and ensure Latin America's No. 2 economy remains a secure destination for international investment.
Sheinbaum, a scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, took the oath of office and received the presidential sash in a boisterous ceremony in Mexico's Congress, which marked the start of her six-year term.

Oct 02, 2024

NATO to Establish Northern Land Command in Eastern Finland

NATO will set up a new land command in Finland near the Russian border next year (2025), tasked with leading the alliance's land force operations in northern Europe in the event of a military conflict, the Finnish Defence Minister said.
Finland joined the NATO alliance last year, in response to neighbouring Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022, and is organising the alliance's presence on its territory.
The centre, which NATO calls Multi Corps Land Component Command, will operate under the alliance's U.S.-based Norfolk Joint Force Command and jointly with Finland's own land force command that is already located in Mikkeli, about two hour's drive from the Finnish-Russian border.

Oct 01, 2024

Far Right in Austria 'Opens New Era' with Election Victory

A far-right party founded by former Nazis won the most votes in Austria's election, in a result that could reshape Europe's political landscape and help tilt the balance of power between Russia and the West.
The pro-Russia, anti-immigration Freedom Party, or FPÖ, finished first with 29.2% of the vote, according to near-complete results.
It appears to have knocked the ruling conservative Österreichische Volkspartei (ÖVP), or Austrian People's Party, into second place, with 26.5% of the vote. The Social Democratic Party of Austria finished third, scoring its worst ever result with 21%.
Austria joined a long list of countries across Europe where the far-right now wields considerable power after making gains this summer in Germany, France and the Netherlands.
The FPÖ's victory, its first ever, is the latest sign that a movement characterised by anti-immigrant and anti-Islam sentiment has made a breakthrough in the continent.

Sep 30, 2024

India Elected to GlobE Network Steering Committee

India was elected to the fifteen-member steering committee of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) during a plenary session in Beijing, as announced by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This election follows a multi-stage voting process and underscores India's commitment to addressing international corruption and financial crime.
As a member of the steering committee, India will play a pivotal role in shaping the global agenda for anti-corruption and asset recovery efforts.
The GlobE Network serves as a platform for international cooperation, enabling member countries to tackle cross-border corruption and financial crime effectively. Currently, the network includes 121 member countries and 219 member authorities. In India, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) acts as the Central Authority, while the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) represent the country as member authorities.

Nirmala Sitharaman Attends 9th AIIB Board of Governors Meeting in Samarkand

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman represented India at the 9th Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Board of Governors meeting held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. During her visit, she also engaged in discussions with Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the meeting.
The theme for this year's (2024) AIIB Board of Governors meeting was 'Building Resilient Infrastructure for All', which emphasises the bank's focus on developing financial tools that enable member countries to withstand climate-induced shocks. In June 2024, AIIB introduced Climate Policy-Based Financing (CPBF) to mobilise private capital, supporting member countries in fulfilling their national climate action plans.
During the meeting, the Board of Governors approved the Republic of Nauru's application to join the AIIB, bringing the total membership to 110.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), operational since 2016, is a multilateral bank with China as its largest shareholder (29.9%) and India as the second largest (7.74%). AIIB provides both sovereign and non-sovereign loans, with sovereign loans guaranteed by governments and non-sovereign loans directed toward the private sector. The bank focuses on funding projects that contribute to sustainable and environmentally sound infrastructure development.

Shigeru Ishiba Set to Become Japan's Next Prime Minister

Shigeru Ishiba is set to become the next Prime Minister of Japan after winning the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) which has ruled the country for the past seven decades.
In 1986, Ishiba became the youngest member of the House of Representatives as a candidate from the LDP. Despite his long affiliation, he often clashed with party views, even defecting to the Japan Renewal Party (1993-1996) before rejoining the LDP. Over his career, he held portfolios including defence minister and minister for revitalising the local economy. This leadership victory marks his fifth attempt to lead the LDP.

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