General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2017

May 2017

May 25, 2018

Nuclear Deal Red Lines Laid

Following Washington's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, the Islamic republic's supreme leader has laid out his country's conditions for upholding its side of the landmark accord with world powers.

The following excerpts from an address by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Iranian officials, outline Iran's demands of Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany if the deal is to survive.

North Korea Demolishes Nuke Test Site

North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels at its nuclear test site as part of steps that have reduced tension on the Korean peninsula and raised the possibility of a summit with the United States.

The destruction of the site began with the blowing up and collapsing of a tunnel and an observation post.

Talks to Form Cabinet

Italy's Prime Ministerial nominee Giuseppe Conte began lining up a Cabinet after being endorsed to lead a populist coalition government.

Mr. Conte's appointment could herald an end to more than two months of political uncertainty in the eurozone's third-biggest economy �" but the coalition's eurosceptic and anti-immigrant stance has alarmed senior European officials.

President Sergio Mattarella approved Mr. Conte's nomination to be Prime Minister of a government formed by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and the far-right League.

May 24, 2018

First Country to Use US-made F-35 in Combat

The Israeli air force chief said that Israel is the first country to have used the US-made F-35 stealth fighter in combat.

Manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp, the F-35 is also known as the Joint Strike Fighter and, in Israel, by its Hebrew name "Adir" (Mighty).

Israel is the first country outside the United States to acquire the F-35.

Flexibility in Dealing with Kim

U.S. President Donald Trump opened the door to a phased dismantling of North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, backing away from his demand that the North's leader, Kim Jong-un, completely abandon his arsenal without any reciprocal U.S. concessions.

The hint of flexibility came after North Korea declared last week that it would never agree to unilaterally surrender its weapons.

Polish Author Wins Man Booker International

'Flights', a philosophical rumination on modern-day travel by Polish author Olga Tokarczuk, won the Man Booker International Prize for works of translated fiction.

Ms. Tokarczuk shared the prize of £50,000 ($67,000) with the book's English-language translator, Jennifer Croft.

The Man Booker International Prize is awarded by the same organisation that gives the Man Booker Prize for fiction.

Sony Buys EMI Music Publishing

Japanese entertainment giant Sony has announced a deal to acquire the music publishing firm and record label EMI for a price of around USD 1.9 billion.

Sony signed a deal with Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala to buy its 60 per cent holding in EMI, giving the Japanese firm an indirect stake of approximately 90 per cent.

May 23, 2018

Strongest Sanctions in History on Iran

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Tehran would be hit with the strongest sanctions in history and cautioned European firms against continuing to do business with it, toughening up Washington's policy line after its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.

This sting of sanctions will be painful if the regime does not change its course from the unacceptable and unproductive path it has chosen to one that rejoins the League of Nations. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani quickly dismissed the threats, and said that the rest of the world no longer accepts Washington making decisions on their behalf.

No Agreement on Indus Water Dispute

The World Bank has failed to arrive at an agreement with a visiting Pakistani delegation on a way forward to address Islamabad's concerns regarding the Indus Waters Treaty with India.

As no agreement has been reachecd, the World Bank will continue to work with both countries to resolve the issues in an amicable manner and in line with the treaty provisions.

May 22, 2018

Mosques in China Must Raise National Flag

The China Islamic Association has made it mandatory for all mosques in the country to raise national flag and study socialist core values. According to a report in China's state-owned agency Global Times, the diktat has been passed in a bid to "strengthen concept of nation" and carry forward "the spirit of patriotism".

U.S. Threatens Punitive Measures

The U.S. threatened new sanctions against the Venezuelan regime, following the opposition-boycotted election that Washington denounced as a "sham" and "illegitimate".

Leading the criticism on the European front, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said that the process had not respected the most basic democratic standards.

May 21, 2018

Wealthiest Countries in the World

India is the sixth wealthiest country in the world with a total wealth of USD 8,230 billion, while the US is the richest nation globally.

According to the AfrAsia Bank Global Wealth Migration Review, the US is the wealthiest country in the world with a total wealth of USD 62,584 billion, followed by China (USD 24,803 billion) at the second place and Japan (USD 19,522 billion) at the third place.

Other countries in the top 10 wealthiest list are the UK (USD 9,919 billion), Germany (USD 9,660 billion), India (USD 8,230 billion), Australia (USD 6,142 billion), Canada (USD 6,393 billion), France (USD 6,649 billion) and Italy (USD 4,276 billion).

Pakistan to Renovate Krishna Temple

Pakistan's Punjab province government has released Rs. 20 million to renovate a Krishna temple in Rawalpindi and expand it to take in more Hindu worshippers on religious occasions. The Krishna temple is the only functioning Hindu temple in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

China and the US Avert Trade War

Averting a trade war, China and the US struck a deal under which Beijing will significantly increase its purchases of American goods and services to reduce the whopping USD 375 billion trade deficit with Washington.

First Female Turbaned Sikh Auxiliary Police Officer

The New York Police Department has got its first female turbaned Sikh auxiliary police officer, whose induction aims to motivate others to join law enforcement and help create better understanding of Sikhism.

Gursoach Kaur will join the New York Police Department as an Auxiliary Police Officer (APO) after graduating last week from the New York City Police Academy.

China Begins Large-scale Mining Operations

China has begun large-scale mining operations on its side of the border with Arunachal Pradesh where a huge trove of gold, silver and other precious minerals valued at about US 60 billion has been found.

The mine project is being undertaken in Lhunze County under Chinese control adjacent to the Indian border.

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