General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2017

Aug 2017

Aug 27, 2025

Inga Ruginiene Lithuania's New Prime Minister

Inga Ruginiene, a Social Democrat and former labour leader, was officially approved by the Lithuanian parliament as the country's new Prime Minister. Her appointment marks a significant shift in Lithuania's political leadership, as she transitions from her role as Minister of Social Security and Labour to the highest executive office in the nation.
Before entering politics, Ruginiene served as the Chair of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation, advocating for workers' rights and social justice. She entered parliament for the first time in 2024, making her swift elevation to Prime Minister within just a year particularly notable in Lithuanian political history.

Twenty-five Countries Suspend Postal Services to US over Tariffs

At least 25 countries have decided to suspend package deliveries to the United States, as concern grows over the impact of President Donald Trump's looming tariffs, a UN body said.
The Trump administration last month (July) that it will abolish a tax exemption on small packages entering the United States from August 29.
The move has sparked a flurry of announcements from postal services, including in France, Britain, Germany, Italy, India, Australia and Japan, that most US-bound packages would no longer be accepted.
As per reports, the suspensions will remain in place until there is more clarity on how US authorities plan to implement the announced measures.

Aug 26, 2025

Trump Orders Removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook

US President Donald Trump ordered the removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook effective immediately, citing allegations of false statements on her mortgage agreements -- and expanding pressure on the independent central bank.

Smart City Index 2025 Rankings

The IMD Smart City Index 2025, released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), once again highlighted how cities across the world are leveraging technology, infrastructure, and governance to improve urban life. While Swiss cities continue to dominate, the Middle East has made dramatic leaps, and Indian cities remain outside the global top 20.
According to IMD, a smart city is "an urban setting that applies technology to enhance the benefits and mitigate the drawbacks of urbanisation for its citizens."
Cities are ranked based on five key parameters: Health and Safety, Mobility, Activities, Opportunities and Governance
IMD Top 10 Smart Cities in the World 2025 are Zurich, Oslo, Geneva, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, Copenhagen, Canberra, Singapore and Lausanne.
Although Indian cities are progressing in the global smart city movement, they are still far from the top 20 list.
Delhi-104, Mumbai-106, Hyderabad 109 and Bengaluru -110

Aug 25, 2025

Trump Appoints Sergio Gor as US Ambassador to India

US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of his close aide Sergio Gor as the next US ambassador to India and special envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. Making the announcement, President Trump said that for the most populous region of the world, he needs someone whom he can fully trust to deliver on his agenda and help make America great again.
The appointment came amid tensions between the two countries, following the imposition of punitive tariffs on India by Trump.
Gor, a trusted aide to Trump, fills the vacancy in New Delhi that has remained since January 2025, when former US Ambassador Eric Garcetti was recalled after Trump assumed office in Washington, DC.

India Elected Chairman of AIBD Executive Board

India was elected as the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) with the highest number of votes at the 23^rd AIBD General Conference, held in August 2025 in Phuket, Thailand.
This marks India's return to the top leadership role after last serving as AIBD Executive Council Chairman in 2016.
Founded in 1977 under the auspices of UNESCO, the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) is a unique regional inter-governmental organization. It currently has 92 member organisations from 45 countries.
The conference gathered global broadcasting stakeholders to deliberate on policy exchange, content collaboration, and media development strategies.

Aug 24, 2025

Sri Lanka's Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe Arrested

Sri Lanka's former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of funds.
Wickremesinghe served as President from 2022 to 2024, stepping into the role after the country's worst ever economic crisis triggered a popular uprising caused his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee.

Aug 22, 2025

UNICEF YuWaah and SAP Launch Yutopia to Empower Youth in India

UNICEF YuWaah (the India Chapter of Generation Unlimited) and SAP launched Yutopia – an initiative that unites public, private, and civil society stakeholders to build inclusive systems that reflect, and respond to the needs and aspirations of young people, placing youth at the centre of every effort. With over 350 million young people in India, Yutopia marks a strategic step toward building youth-affirmative systems that engage young people as equal stakeholders in national development.
Yutopia seeks to co-create pathways and frameworks for institutions to engage young people not merely as beneficiaries or employees, but as active collaborators.

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