General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2017

May 2017

Feb 11, 2019

No Agreement Reached on Ending Hostilities

The Afghan Taliban said that despite the ongoing talks with the U.S. and other regional powers, it had not yet reached any conclusion that would entail an immediate end to hostilities.
Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said that, even in Moscow talks, nothing concrete was achieved that would compel the militants to end the war.
He insisted that the Taliban is holding talks with the U.S. on its own initiative.

Trump to Meet Kim in Hanoi

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet for a second much-anticipated summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 27 and 28.
US representatives have just left North Korea after a very productive meeting and an agreed upon time and date for the second Summit with Kim Jong Un.
North Korea has yet to provide any official confirmation of the summit.

Abu Dhabi Includes Hindi as Official Language

In a landmark decision, Abu Dhabi has included Hindi as the third official language used in its courts, alongside Arabic and English, as part of a move designed to improve access to justice.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has extended the adoption of interactive forms of statement of claims filed before courts by including the Hindi language alongside Arabic and English in labour cases.
This is aimed at helping Hindi speakers to learn about litigation procedures, their rights and duties without a language barrier, in addition to facilitating registration procedures via unified forms available through the ADJD website.

Feb 10, 2019

Thai Party to Obey Royal Command

Thai Princess Ubolratana's unprecedented attempt to become the country's next Prime Minister was abruptly nixed after her party agreed to comply with a command from the King opposing the plan.
The party's announcement, effectively blocking Ubolratana's candidacy, came after an extraordinary rebuke by her brother King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and removes a hurdle for the ruling junta to hold onto power after the March 24 vote.
The Thai Raksa Chart party, affiliated with the powerful Shinawatra political clan, had announced the Princess as their candidate.

Irish PM Rules Out Changes to Brexit Deal

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said that he was open to discussing how to save Britain's exit deal with the EU ahead of talks with Theresa May, but repeated that the text itself could not be reopened.
Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29 but the House of Commons last month rejected a divorce deal drawn up between Ms. May's government and Brussels. MPs then voted to request that Ms. May renegotiate the Irish "backstop".
Mr. Varadkar insisted that the withdrawal agreement and the backstop are not up for negotiation.
He repeated that the EU could discuss changes to a statement on future ties.

Feb 09, 2019

Indians Confirmed as UK Citizens

In an update to Parliament, Home Secretary Sajid Javid said that at least 455 Indians confirmed their nationality as British under the government's 'Windrush Scheme' scheme.

Thai Princess is Thaksin's PM Choice

A Thai princess will run for Prime Minister in March elections in an unprecedented entry by a royal into front-line politics, pitting her against the chief of the ruling junta and redrawing the nation's political landscape.
Princess Ubolratana, 67, the older sister of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, was announced as a candidate for the Thai Raksa Chart party, steered by the divisive Shinawatra political clan. The Thai monarchy, a revered institution shielded from criticism by a tough defamation law, has traditionally been seen as above the political fray, although royals have intervened in moments of political crisis.

Feb 08, 2019

Bangladesh Seeks India's Support

Bangladesh sought India's support for the speedy repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, a sensitive issue that Dhaka has raised several times with New Delhi since 2018
Visiting Bangladesh foreign minister A. K. Abdul Momen raised the matter during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In 2017, India had announced $25 million as developmental aid for Rakhine, including a project to build 250 homes for displaced people.
In 2018, it signed two pacts for capacity building and economic development in Rakhine. However, India has been reluctant to play a public role in the repatriation of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who sought refuge in Bangladesh after a military crackdown by Myanmar because it enjoys good relations with both countries.

Trump Nominates Critic to Lead World Bank

President Donald Trump announced that senior U.S. Treasury official and World Bank critic David Malpass has been confirmed as the U.S.'s choice for the presidency of the Bank.
Indira Nooyi, India-born chairperson of PepsiCo, was also being considered for the top job at the Bank, which became available after Jim Yong-kim resigned abruptly, to join an investment firm, three years before his second term expired.
Mr. Malpass, currently the Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Affairs, is a controversial candidate for the job, owing to his views on multilateral organisations, including the World Bank.

Feb 07, 2019

E.U. Blocks Siemens-Alstom Plan

European antitrust authorities blocked a plan by Alstom of France and Siemens of Germany to combine their train-making units, killing a deal the companies said they needed to combat increasing competition from China.
The decision by the European Commission to prohibit Siemens from acquiring the Alstom business was expected and intensifies a debate about whether Europe is vulnerable to Chinese competitors that often have close government ties and have been acquiring prominent assets, including a big stake in the German carmaker Daimler in 2018

Work Permit Mandatory for Indian Workers

Nepal government has made it mandatory for Indian citizens who come to work in Nepal's industries and other institutions to possess necessary work permits.
Nepal`s department of labour and occupational safety has ordered all its labour offices throughout the country to finalise the actual number of Indian workers working in different sectors in the country.
Untill now, as part of special ties between India and Nepal, no permit was required for Indian nationals working in Nepal and vice versa. The government`s move could be considered as a part of its efforts to secure the open border that Nepal shares with India.

Armed Forces Asked to Stay Out of Politics

Pakistan's Supreme Court rebuked the military and intelligence agencies, asking them to uphold free speech and stay out of politics in a country ruled by the Generals for nearly half its existence.
The unusually strong criticism was issued in a judgment released criticising the role of the intelligence agencies in anti-blasphemy protests which paralysed the capital Islamabad for several weeks in 2017.
According to the judgment, if any personnel of the Armed Forces indulges in any form of politicking or tries to manipulate the media, he undermines the integrity and professionalism of the Armed Forces.

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