General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - December 2016

Dec 2016

Jul 16, 2024

Secretary-General Appoints Mohamed al Hassan of Oman Special Representative for Iraq

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Mohamed al Hassan of Oman as his new Special Representative for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). He succeeded Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert of the Netherlands.
Al Hassan brings to the position a broad range of diplomatic experience with a career spanning over 30 years working on preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding and development. Most recently, he has served as the Permanent Representative of Oman to the United Nations in New York since 2019. Prior to that, he held various assignments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Muscat, including Acting Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs (2016), Chief of Staff (2015) and Head of the Minister's Department (2012).

PM Narendra Modi Becomes most Followed World Leader on X with 100 Million Followers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi achieved a significant milestone by becoming the most followed world leader on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with over 100 million followers.
In comparison, other Indian politicians have significantly fewer followers. Rahul Gandhi has 26.4 million, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has 27.5 million, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav has 19.9 million, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has 7.4 million. RJD's Lalu Prasad Yadav has 6.3 million followers, Tejashwi Yadav has 5.2 million, and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar has 2.9 million.
Globally, PM Modi outpaced other world leaders on the platform. For instance, US President Joe Biden has 38.1 million followers, Dubai's ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed has 11.2 million, and Pope Francis has 18.5 million.

Jul 15, 2024

South Korea & NATO Sign Agreement on Mutual Recognition Process for Military Airworthiness Certif...

South Korea and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) signed an agreement on a mutual recognition process for military airworthiness certification. It is NATO's first such deal with an Asian country. Under the deal signed, NATO will recognise the Seoul government's airworthiness certification for South Korean-made planes.
Korea's Defence Acquisition Programme Administration and NATO's Aviation Committee inked the agreement which is a key measure of a plane's suitability for safe flight, on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Washington. While South Korea has signed agreements with the United States, Spain, France and Poland, the new deal with NATO is expected to shorten the time required for mutual recognition with other NATO members. President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed hope that the mutual recognition process would help increase defence industry cooperation between South Korea and NATO members.

Assassination Attempt on Former US president Donald Trump

Former US president Donald Trump was rushed off stage at a campaign rally after an assassination attempt.
Shots rang out as he was speaking at the event in Pennsylvania, sparking panic in the crowd.
The former US President, who emerged with a bloodied face and was pictured pumping his fist in the air, says he was shot in the ear.
He had been speaking at a campaign rally at Butler Farm Show Grounds, about 30 miles (50km) north of Pittsburgh.
The suspected gunman, later named as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park in Pennsylvania, was among two people killed.

K. P. Sharma Oli New Prime Minister of Nepal

K. P. Sharma Oli was appointed Nepal's Prime Minister by President Ram Chandra Paudel to lead a new coalition government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability in the Himalayan nation.
Oli succeeded Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' who lost the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives on Friday, leading to the formation of the new government headed by Oli.
He became the Prime Minister with the support of the Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament.

NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. and Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board sign MoU to enhan...

National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC) Logistics Data Services Limited (NLDS) and Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to digitise the logistics landscape in Gujarat by leveraging Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP). The MoU was signed by CEO & MD, NICDC, and Chairman, NLDS, Rajat Kumar Saini and CEO, GIDB, Banchha Nidhi Pani.
This collaboration is expected to bring visibility to streamline logistics operations, foster greater coordination among state departments, and enhance decision-making processes through real-time data insights.
Central to this partnership is the development of the Gujarat ULIP Dashboard by NLDS. Designed to operate on a Hub-spoke model, the dashboard will seamlessly integrate with various state departments, ensuring a continuous flow of information. It will provide real-time visibility into key logistics parameters such as shipment tracking, vehicle utilization, infrastructure availability, and transit times etc.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus-da Sworn In For Second Five-Year Term

Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus�-da was sworn in for a second five-year term. The ceremony was held with a ceremonial event at the Lithuanian Parliament, the Seimas, where Nauseda took the presidential oath with his hand on the Constitution.
On this occasion, Nauseda proposed increasing Lithuania's defense budget to four percent of GDP. This would allow Lithuania to fund long-range air defense, a missile shield for the Baltic Sea coast, and border fortifications.

Jul 14, 2024

Pakistan and IMF Agree on New USD 7 Billion Loan to Address Economic Woes

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed on a USD 7 billion aid package spread over more than three years to help the cash-strapped country deal with its chronic economic issues.
Building on the economic stability achieved under the 2023 Stand-by Arrangement (SBA), IMF staff and the Pakistani authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on a 37-month Extended Fund Facility Arrangement (EFF) of about USD 7 billion," the global lender said, confirming the much-awaited deal subject to the approval by the IMF's Executive Board.

China Retains Dominance in Global Wind and Solar Energy

China is solidifying its position as the global leader in renewable energy development, with 180 GW of utility-scale solar and 159 GW of wind power currently under construction. This combined total of 339 GW is nearly twice the capacity of the rest of the world combined, according to new data from Global Energy Monitor (GEM).
In comparison, the United States ranks second with a project pipeline of 40 GW, which is more than eight times smaller than China's. This highlights China's strategic focus on transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

Jul 13, 2024

Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' Loses Vote of Confidence in Parliament

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' lost a vote of confidence in Parliament after the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) withdrew its support to his government.
Prachanda received 63 votes in the 275-member House of Representatives (HoR). There were 194 votes against the motion.
At least 138 votes are needed to win the vote of trust.
Prachanda has survived four trust votes since he assumed the post on December 25, 2022.
Former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli-led CPN-UML withdrew support from the Prachanda-led government last week after inking a power-sharing deal with the largest party in the House – Nepali Congress.
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has already endorsed Oli as the next Prime Minister.
The Nepali Congress has 89 seats in the HoR, while CPN-UML has 78 seats. Their combined strength of 167 is much more than the 138 required for a majority in the lower house.

Vietnam Crowned Most Affordable Country for Expats in 2024 Study

In a comprehensive study conducted by InterNations in 2024, Vietnam once again secured its position as the most affordable destination for expatriates. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the Southeast Asian nation topped the list, solidifying its reputation as a prime location for those seeking an economical lifestyle abroad.
The InterNations study surveyed over 12,000 expats from 174 territories worldwide. Participants were asked to rank their satisfaction based on several key factors: Cost of living, Satisfaction with their financial situation and Adequacy of disposable income for comfortable living.

WHO Introduces MeDevIS Platform for Medical Device Information

The World Health Organisation (WHO) launched MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System), an online platform designed to be the first global open access clearing house for information on medical devices. It aims to support governments, regulators, and users in making informed decisions about the selection, procurement, and use of medical devices for diagnostics, testing, and treatment of various health conditions.
MeDevIS includes information on 2301 types of medical devices addressing a wide range of health issues such as reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, noncommunicable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and infectious diseases like COVID-19. This extensive database helps healthcare practitioners and patients navigate the growing and complex array of medical technologies.
The platform references two international naming systems: the European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN) and the Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN). These systems provide standardised coding and definitions, facilitating registration for regulatory approval, procurement, supply management, and pricing across different countries.

Jul 12, 2024

India Leads Global Maritime Discourse at IMO Council Session in London

India, represented by a high-level delegation led by T.K. Ramachandaran, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, took a prominent role in shaping international maritime policies at the 132nd session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London. The session, which began on July 8, 2024, and concluded on July 12, 2024, addressed critical issues and proposals for the future of global maritime operations.
India, an elected member of the IMO Council due to its substantial interest in international seaborne trade, highlighted the urgent issue of seafarer abandonment. The Indian delegation noted 44 active cases involving 292 Indian seafarers, emphasising the need for robust measures to protect maritime workers worldwide. India's strong stance on this issue was well-received, securing its position in the Joint Tripartite Working Group dedicated to addressing seafarers' welfare and human element issues.
India reiterated its proposal for the South Asian Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport (SACE-SMarT). This regional hub aims to transform the maritime sector in South Asia into a technologically advanced, environmentally sustainable, and digitally proficient industry. The centre will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fostering technical cooperation, capacity-building, and digital transition. T.K. Ramachandaran stated, "India remains deeply committed to addressing the issue of seafarer abandonment and ensuring the safety and welfare of our maritime workforce."

India Abstains from UN Resolution Demanding Russia to Immediately Halt Offensive in Ukraine

India abstained on a resolution in the UN General Assembly demanding Russia to immediately halt its offensive in Ukraine and urgently withdraw its military and other unauthorised personnel from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The resolution was adopted with 99 votes in favour, nine against and 60 abstentions, including India, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.
The resolution titled 'Safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant' demanded that Russia "immediately cease its aggression against Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders."

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