General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - February 2017

Feb 2017

Apr 08, 2022

Pakistan's Passport Ranked 4th Worst in the World again by Passport Index

Pakistan's passport was again ranked the fourth worst in the world by the Henley Passport Index, which grades travel documents from different countries on the basis of international mobility enjoyed by their holders.
According to the index, Pakistan was placed on the 109th position on the list, with visa-free access to only 31 destinations across the world. Only three other countries' passports rank lower than Pakistan's in the world which include Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the ranking with its nationals only able to access 26 destinations visa-free.
Japan and Singapore continue to share the number one spot in the ranking, with passport holders from both countries able to access 192 destinations around the world visa-free

UN General Assembly Suspends Russia From top Human Rights Body

The UN General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the world organisation's leading human rights body over allegations of horrific rights violations by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, which the United States and Ukraine have called tantamount to war crimes. The vote was 93-24 with 58 abstentions.
Russia is the second country to have its membership rights stripped at the Human Rights Council which was established in 2006. In 2011, the assembly suspended Libya when upheaval in the North African country brought down longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield launched the campaign to suspend Russia from its seat on the 47-member Human Rights Council in the wake of videos and photos of streets in the town of Bucha strewn with corpses of what appeared to be civilians after Russian soldiers retreated.

Apr 07, 2022

India Pavilion among Top 3 for Design and Innovation at Expo2020 Dubai

The India Pavilion was recognised among the top 3 pavilions at the Expo2020 Dubai for its exclusive design and innovation, under the 'People's Choice' category by the Exhibitor Group. This is the first time in the history of the World Expo that the India Pavilion bagged such an accolade.
The India Pavilion at EXPO2020 Dubai celebrates #India@75 or '75 years of India's independence and showcases the new and dynamic India with its never-ending opportunities. A star-studded international jury established by Exhibitors Insight Awards identified the 'People Choice Awards'.
The India Pavilion is created on the theme of "Openness, Opportunity, Growth", in line with EXPO2020 Dubai's theme - "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future", to showcase a nation open to new learnings, new perspectives, innovations, and investment opportunities.

India Supplies two Fuel Consignments to Crisis-hit Sri Lanka

The country of 20 million people is suffering its worst economic crisis in decades, short supply of fuel resulting in hours-long power cuts every day.
India has delivered two fuel consignments to Sri Lanka i, India's high commission on the crisis-hit island nation said. India supplied 36,000 tonnes of petrol and 40,000 tonnes of diesel, the high commission said, taking total Indian fuel supplies to Sri Lanka to 270,000 tonnes. The country of 20 million people is suffering its worst economic crisis in decades, short supply of fuel resulting in hours-long power cuts every day.

Apr 06, 2022

President Kovind in Amsterdam; Names New Breed of Yellow Tulips 'Maitri'

President Ram Nath Kovind reached in Amsterdam for the final leg of his two-nation visit - the first presidential trip to the Netherlands after 34 years.
Later, President Kovind visited Keukenhof, one of the world's largest flower garden, where he was received by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra.
The President named a new breed of yellow tulips Maitri, symbolic of the special & enduring friendship between India and the Netherlands.

India, Turkmenistan Sign 4 MoUs for Cooperation, Agree to Expand Bilateral Trade

India and Turkmenistan signed four agreements, including in financial intelligence and disaster management, as President Ram Nath Kovind met his Turkmen counterpart Serdar Berdimuhamedov and agreed to expand bilateral trade and energy cooperation to further strengthen the multifaceted partnership.
This is the first-ever visit of the President of India to independent Turkmenistan and comes just after the inauguration of new Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov.
During the talks between President Kovind and his Turkmenistan counterpart, the two countries also identified new areas of cooperation such as disaster management. Kovind expressed India's readiness to partner with Turkmenistan in its drive towards digitalisation and noted that Space can be another area of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Serbia: Aleksandar Vučić Re-elected as President

Aleksandar Vučić was re-elected as the President of Serbia. The pollster organizations CeSID and Ipsos predicted victory for Vucic. Aleksandar Vučić is serving as Serbia's President since 2017, and since 2012 he has been serving as the President of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). He has served as the President for two terms, from 2014 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017. In 2017, he was first elected as the country's President and succeeded Tomislav Nikolić. Vučić's rule has been described by observers as an autocratic, authoritarian, illiberal democratic regime, and he curtailed the freedom of the press.

India Pledges Nepalese Rs. 41.13 million for Waste Water Management

India pledged to provide grant assistance of Nepalese Rs. 41.13 million for waste water management project in eastern Nepal. The construction of this project will improve the health and quality of life of the people living in Khumjung village, Solukbumbuproviding them with safe water and improved sanitation, which are essential for improving public health, according to the Indian Embassy.
As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging & multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of this project reflects the continued support of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in the upliftment of its people.

Apr 05, 2022

UN Human Rights Council Names Tuvalu Negotiator Dr. Ian Fry as Climate Expert

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) appointed Dr. Ian Fry as the world's first independent expert for human rights and climate change.
He has negotiated on behalf of least developed countries including at the 2015 Paris climate conference where he helped ensure that human rights were part of the final package.The position of Special Rapporteur for human rights and climate change was created by UNHRC in October 2021. The new independent expert will have the mandate to "study and identify how the adverse effects of climate change, including sudden and slow-onset disasters, affect the full and effective enjoyment of human rights and make recommendations on how to address and prevent these adverse effects".
The headquarters of the Council are in Geneva, Switzerland.

Viktor Orban Wins Fourth Term as Prime Minister of Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban won a fourth successive term in office by a landslide victory in the country's general elections for 2022. His right-wing Fidesz party secured 53.1% of the total 98% of the count complete. The 58-year-old is already the longest-serving head of government in the EU, since assuming the role of Prime Minister in May 2010.
The 58-year-old, already the longest-serving head of government in the EU, was challenged by six united opposition parties seeking to roll back the "illiberal" revolution Orban's Fidesz party has pursued during 12 consecutive years in office.

Russia Prepares Bill Seeking Jail Terms for Adhering to Sanctions

Russian lawmakers submitted a draft bill to the Lower House of parliament, or the Duma, that envisages a prison term of up to 10 years and fines for adhering to Western sanctions in Russia.
The bill, if passed, would mark further tightening of Russian laws after Moscow launched what it calls "a special military operation" in Ukraine on Feb. 24, prompting an unprecedented wave of Western economic sanctions in response.
The new bill, which needs to be approved by the parliament and signed by President Vladimir Putin before it becomes law, aims to prevent a deterioration of Russia's economic situation.
A number of Russian companies, including firms partially owned by the state, are refusing to work with sanctioned banks and companies because they fear they could land on the sanctions list as well.

Apr 04, 2022

India's Aprajita Sharrma Selected for the Prestigious ITU Position

An Indian official was selected as vice-chairperson of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Council Standing Committee on Administration and Management, giving India a leadership position. Ms. Aprajita Sharma, an IP&TAF Service officer, was appointed vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Administration and Management at the International Telecommunication Union's Council session.
Aprajita would continue to serve as vice-chairperson of the Council Standing Committee in 2023 and 2024 and as chairman in 2025 and 2026.

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari Inaugurates Himalayan Hydro Expo-2022

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari inaugurated the Himalayan Hydro Expo-2022, a three-day event aimed to boost the viability and capacity of the hydroelectric sector in the country.
At the expo, close to 100 companies from India and Nepal are showcasing their products and services related to hydropower generation. Themed "creating markets for Nepal's hydropower", around 60,000 people are expected to visit the expo.

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