Kim Jong-un is 3rd most Searched Politician Online
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ranked the third most searched politician by internet users worldwide this year.
Online searches for Kim totaled a monthly average of 1.9 million, behind US President Joe Biden, who topped the list with 7 million searches, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson with 2 million, according to German data analytics firm Statista.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel ranked fourth with 1.4 million searches.
The most searched keyword related to the North Korean leader this year was "weight loss", separate analysis by Google Trends found.
Uzra Zeya is America's Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues
The US has designated Indian-origin diplomat Uzra Zeya as its Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues and she has been tasked with promoting substantive dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives, in support of a negotiated agreement on Tibet.
She will retain her current position as the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.
As the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Zeya will coordinate the US government policies, programmes and projects concerning Tibetan issues, consistent with the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, as amended by the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020.
Dec 20, 2021
Gabriel Boric to Become Chile's Next President
A leftist millennial who rose to prominence during anti-government protests was elected Chile's next President after a bruising campaign against a free-market firebrand likened to Donald Trump.
With 56% of the votes, Gabriel Boric handily defeated by more than 10 points lawmaker José Antonio Kast, who tried unsuccessfully to scare voters that his young, inexperienced opponent would upend Chile's vaunted record as Latin America's most stable, advanced economy.
Outgoing President Sebastian Pinera, a conservative billionaire, held a video conference with Mr. Boric to offer his government's full support during the three month transition.
Taiwan and Singapore Resume Military Cooperation
Taiwan and Singapore resumed military cooperation following a long hiatus.
In October 2019, Taiwan and Singapore signed the "National Defense Exchange and Security Cooperation Agreement."
However, as the pandemic raged on, and Singapore began engaging in exchanges with China's People's Liberation Army, Taiwan suspended military cooperation with the city-state.
Taiwan-Singapore military cooperation first began in 1975, when Premier Chiang Ching-kuo and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew signed an agreement to launch "Project Starlight.
Johnson Appoints Foreign Secretary Liz Truss as Brexit Negotiator
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the appointment of Britain's foreign secretary to become the country's lead negotiator with the European Union, after long-time ally David Frost resigned after a week political upheaval in the Conservative Party.
Liz Truss will have ministerial responsibility with the EU and will lead negotiations to resolve problems arising from provisions of the Brexit agreement covering trade with Northern Ireland.
Dec 19, 2021
Saudi's Prince Mohammed Becomes Uncrowned King
From greeting foreign leaders to heading regional summits, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is taking over the reins from his elderly father and becoming Saudi Arabia's uncrowned king.
With increased concerns over the 86-year-old King Salman's health, Prince Mohammed is taking charge of presidential meetings and reception of dignitaries, with the king rarely making public appearances.
While Prince Mohammed has been considered the de facto leader since his appointment as heir to the throne in June 2017, his growing prominence has never been more apparent than when he met with French President Emmanuel Macron in early December, and led the Gulf Cooperation Council summit.
UK Signs Free Trade Deal with Australia
The UK signed a free trade deal with Australia which it says will benefit consumers and businesses.
It is described as the first post-Brexit deal negotiated from scratch and not rolled over from trade terms that the UK enjoyed while in the EU.
The government estimated it would unlock £10.4bn of additional trade while ending tariffs on all UK exports.
However, some UK farmers have expressed concern that they could be undercut by cheap imports.
As per the government, the deal was also a gateway into the fast-growing Indo-Pacific region and would boost the UK's bid to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, one of the largest free trade areas in the world.
Australia has also praised the deal, its second-largest trade contract with another country.
Dec 18, 2021
India, Iran and Uzbekistan Hold Discussion on Chabahar Port
India, Iran and Uzbekistan discussed the further development of the transit and transportation corridor centred round the Iranian port of Chabahar during a trilateral meeting on the joint use of the port on the Gulf of Oman.
This was the second virtual meeting of the trilateral working group on the joint use of Chabahar Port, and it was held exactly a year after the first meeting.
The participants underlined the important role played by Chabahar Port during humanitarian crises as well as in enhancing regional connectivity. They also took note of the increase in transit traffic between Central Asia and South Asia through the Shahid Behesti Terminal, Chabahar Port and discussed further development of transportation corridor.
Nicholas Burns is US Envoy to China
The US Senate confirmed veteran diplomat Nicholas Burns as ambassador to Beijing, filling a position vacant for more than a year despite Washington's growing focus on China.
The Senate reached the key 50-vote threshold to approve Burns in an ongoing confirmation that took place after Senator Marco Rubio lifted objections. The final vote was 75-18.
Burns, a former US ambassador to Greece and NATO, at his Senate hearing in October called China an "aggressor" in the region and vowed to "compete vigorously," while also seeking cooperation on areas such as climate change.
Dec 17, 2021
IAEA, Iran Agree to Replace Surveillance Cameras at Karaj Nuclear Site
As per reports, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will soon install new surveillance cameras at Iran's Karaj nuclear facility under an agreement between the two sides.
The agreement was concluded by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and the Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Mohammad Eslami.
The agreement with Iran is an important development for the IAEA's verification and monitoring activities in the country.
EU Leaders Consider New Sanctions against Russia to Deter Attack on Ukraine
The European Union is being assaulted on multiple fronts by Russia and must unite behind new economic sanctions, Baltic and central European leaders said, with Lithuania citing possible Russian military strikes from Belarus.
The warnings at an EU summit were some of the most direct in recent weeks as the United States and its NATO allies seek to deter any possible Russian attack on Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin said that Russia submitted draft documents outlining security arrangements it wants to negotiate with the United States and its NATO allies.
Nepal Defence Minister Minendra Rijal Exits after Defeat in Party Election
Nepal's Defence Minister Minendra Rijal resigned after he was defeated by younger leaders in the election to the post of general secretary of the ruling Nepali Congress party.
The Nepali Congress (NC) delegates elected its youth leaders Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma as general secretaries during the 14th General Convention of the country's largest democratic party.
The election came a day after Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was re-elected as the president of the party for a consecutive second four year term after defeating his rival Shekhar Koirala in a run-off.
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