General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2017

May 2017

May 15, 2018

US Opens New Embassy in Jerusalem

The US opened its embassy in Jerusalem under a controversial move by President Donald Trump that has infuriated the Palestinians, who clashed with Israeli soldiers who shot dead at least 37 of them in Gaza, in the deadliest escalation of violence since 2014.

Trump announced the decision to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in December, when he formally recognised the holy city as the capital of Israel, breaking away from decades of US neutrality on the sensitive issue.

China Approves Loan for Sri Lanka

China has approved a $1 billion loan to revive a long-delayed expressway in Sri Lanka linking Colombo with Kandy.

The loan will be provided through the Export-Import Bank of China.

Zarif Visits Russia

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on a visit to Moscow that he was seeking "assurances" from the backers of the country's nuclear deal after the U.S. pulled out. Russia is trying to keep the landmark 2015 accord alive in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision, pushing Moscow into rare cooperation with Europe.

May 14, 2018

China's First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

China's first domestically manufactured aircraft carrier started sea trials, a landmark in Beijing's ambitious plans to modernise its navy as the Asian giant presses its claims in disputed regional waters.

The carrier, known only as "Type 001A", set out for the trials from a port in north-eastern China.

China's sole operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is a repurposed Soviet ship bought from Ukraine, which went into service in 2012.

May 13, 2018

Iraqis Vote

Iraqis voted for the first time since the defeat of Islamic State, with Prime Minister Haider Abadi, a rare ally of both the United States and Iran, trying to fend off powerful Shi'ite groups that would pull the country closer to Tehran.

Iraqis expressed pride at the prospect of voting for the fourth time since the fall of dictator Saddam Hussein, but also said they had scant hope that the election would stabilise a country beset by conflicts, economic hardship and corruption.

Najib Cannot Leave Malaysia

Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak was hit with a travel ban. As speculation mounted, he was about to flee the country following his shock election loss, in a possible bid to avoid prosecution over a multi-billion-dollar scandal.

Sri Lankan President Visits Iran

As per reports, Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena left on a two-day visit to Iran, to improve trade relations and secure investment from the Islamic republic.

Mr. Sirisena will hold talks with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on strengthening cooperation in the energy sector and will also seek Iranian investment.

China Seeks to Reset Ties with Japan

After engaging with India in Wuhan, China is rebooting ties with Japan, as part of a larger pan-Asian initiative that appears to counter growing protectionism in the U.S.

Chinese Prime Minister concluded a major two-stage visit to Japan that included talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, following a trilateral meeting, in which South Korean President Moon Jae-in also participated.

May 12, 2018

Restrictions Imposed on U.S. Envoys

Pakistan imposed "reciprocal" restrictions on the movement of U.S. diplomats, after Washington took similar measures.

Earlier, the restrictions were to come into effect from May 1, but were deferred as the two sides decided to resolve the issue.

According to the U.S. decision, Pakistani diplomats, at the embassy in Washington and four consulates in New York, Los Angeles, Texas and Chicago, will need to stay within 25 miles of the city of their posting. They would be required to take formal permission at least five days before moving beyond the prescribed limit.

May 11, 2018

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal Makes Public Appearance

Russia has for the first time publicly displayed one of the most lethal weapons in its arsenal - the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (meaning Dagger) air-launched hypersonic nuclear missile. Kinnzhal was part of Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow and is one of its President Vladimir Putin's strategic weapons which he announced in March 2018.
The solid-fueled Kinzhal is an air-to-surface strike missile and Russian defence experts claim it is highly manoeuvrable. Kinzhal can reach a top speed of Mach 10 making it almost impossible to be intercepted by any known anti-missile system.

Israel's Right to Self-defence

The U.S. condemned Iran's provocative rocket attacks against Israeli citizens and expressed strong support for Israel's right to act in self-defence, hours after Israel said it hit dozens of Iranian targets in Syria.

Malaysia's New PM

Ninety-two-year-old Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in as the world's oldest elected leader after a stunning election win that swept Malaysia's establishment from power after more than six decades.
It capped a dramatic political comeback for Mahathir, who previously ruled the country with an iron fist for 22 years and came out of retirement to take on Prime Minister Najib Razak after the leader became embroiled in a massive corruption scandal.

Trump-Kim Summit

The historic summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will take place in Singapore on June 12.
The small Southeast Asian city state of Singapore has long acted as a bridge between the U.S. and China.
The Trump-Kim summit has no precedent in US-North Korean relations. No U.S. President has met with his North Korean counterpart while in office.

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