General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - October 2017

Oct 2017

Jul 19, 2021

Syrian President Assad takes Oath for 4th Term after Controversial Re-election

Syrian President Bashar Assad was sworn in for a fourth seven-year term in the war-torn country.
The May elections were described by the West and Assad's opposition as illegitimate and a sham.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the presidential palace and attended by clergymen, members of parliament, political figures and army officers.
In power since 2000, Assad's re-election in a landslide was never in doubt. His new term starts with the country still devastated by 10 years of war and sliding deeper into a worsening economic crisis.

Afghanistan Recalls its Ambassador in Islamabad

Afghanistan has recalled its Ambassador in Islamabad.
In a statement, the Afghan Foreign Ministry said that following the abduction of the Afghan Ambassador's daughter in Pakistan, the Leadership of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan called back Afghanistan's Ambassador and senior diplomats from Pakistan until all security threats are addressed including the arrest and trial of the perpetrators of abduction.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly called on the Pakistani government to take immediate action to identify and punish the perpetrators of this crime and ensure the full security and immunity of Afghan diplomats and their families in accordance with international conventions.
The statement said that Ms. Silsila Alikhil was abducted for several hours in Islamabad.

UN Appeals to Assist Afghanistan's War Crisis with $850 Million

The UN humanitarian chief in Afghanistan appealed for USD 850 million to help the war-torn country cope with the impact of the Taliban offensive, protracted malnutrition for a third of the country, a severe drought, and the return of 627,000 Afghans this year, most of them deported from neighbouring Iran.
Ramiz Alakbarov told reporters at UN headquarters after a virtual briefing from the capital of Kabul that at least 18 million Afghans are in need of assistance and the UN plan is to provide help for at least 15.7 million of them.
But he said the UN's USD 1.3 billion appeal is only 37 per cent funded -- USD 450 million — with the United States the largest donor. He said the remaining the USD 850 million being sought is desperately needed.

U.S., Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan to Form Quad Group

The US, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed in principle to establish a new quadrilateral diplomatic platform focused on enhancing regional connectivity, the Biden administration has said.
"The parties consider long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan critical to regional connectivity and agree that peace and regional connectivity are mutually reinforcing," the State Department said.
Recognising the historic opportunity to open flourishing interregional trade routes, the parties intend to cooperate to expand trade, build transit links, and strengthen business-to-business ties, it said.

Jul 18, 2021

18-year-old to join Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on Blue Origin's 1st human spaceflight

An 18-year-old will be the first paying customer of Blue Origin to fly to space on its reusable rocket on July 20, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos's space company announced.
Blue Origin had auctioned a spaceship berth for a whopping $28 million but the winner, presumably an ultra-wealthy space aficionado, has chosen to fly on a future New Shepard flight "due to scheduling conflicts."
With a vacant berth on New Shepard's first human flight, Blue Origin has picked OlivDaemen, who is about to become the youngest person in space, to fly along with Jeff Bezos, Mark Bezos, and Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer who will become the oldest person ever to do so at age 82.
Daeman's presence on the flight will also mark the beginning of commercial operations for the program. The company didn't disclose the amount paid by the teenager for the spaceflight.

Monitoring Chinese Ship Sailing Towards Queensland to Spy: Australia

Australian authorities said they are constantly monitoring a Chinese spy ship that is set to arrive in the region in an apparent attempt to observe a joint military exercise with the United States off the coast of Queensland.
The auxiliary general intelligence Chinese ship is expected to monitor the Talisman Sabre 2021 exercises that officially began.
The exercises are designed to strengthen the alliance of the two countries and boost combat readiness. The drills include amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, urban operations, air combat and maritime operations.

Jul 17, 2021

EU sets Uyghur and Hong Kong Conditions for Investment Agreement

The members of the European Parliament have underlined the conditions to be met before the legislature gives its consent to the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI).
The conditions have been listed in a draft report prepared by foreign affairs committee of the European Parliament, which calls for using the CAI as a leverage instrument to improve the protection of human rights and support for civil society in China.
The pre-ratification commitments listed in the report include a timetable for China's ratification and implementation of key labour laws and concrete measures towards putting an end to human rights violations against the Uyghur minority in the country. It also demands a recommitment by China to uphold its international commitments to Hong Kong.

Bhupender Yadav chairs 7th BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers' Meeting

Union Minister for Labour & Employment Shri Bhupender Yadav chaired the BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers' Meeting under India's Presidency.
Ministers of the member countries, viz. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa participated in the meeting.
India organized the BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers' Meeting to exchange views on the impact of Covid-19 on global labour market, enhance information sharing, discuss and agree upon specific areas of cooperation between BRICS Member countries.
Discussion on four priority areas of cooperation took place namely, Promoting Social Security Agreements amongst BRICS Nations; Formalisation of Labour Markets; Participation of Women in the Labour Force; and Gig and Platform Workers: Role in the Labour Market.

Jul 16, 2021

Cabinet Approves MoU Between India and Denmark for Cooperation in Health and Medicine

The Union Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ministries of health of India and the Kingdom of Denmark for cooperation in the field of health and medicine, an official statement said.
The bilateral MoU will encourage cooperation between the Ministry of Health of India and the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Denmark through joint initiatives and technology development in the health sector. It will strengthen bilateral ties between India and Denmark, it said.

Pakistan Parliament Passes Bill Criminalising Torture, Custodial Deaths

Pakistan's parliament passed a bill criminalising torture and preventing custodial killings by police or other government officials.
The Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Bill, 2021 was adopted by the Senate, the upper house of bicameral parliament. It was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman and Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari supported it.
It states that any public servant involved in torture would face up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 2 million. If a public servant, whose duty it is to prevent torture, either intentionally or negligently fails to prevent it, he/she will face up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 1 million, it adds.

Jul 15, 2021

Taliban Flag Raised above Afghanistan's Border Crossing with Pakistan in Major Advance

The Taliban fighters are reported to have taken control of one of the main border crossings with Pakistan, replacing the Afghan government's flag with their own. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the fighters have captured an "important border town called Wesh."
The control of the border crossing between the Pakistani town of Chaman and the Afghan town of Wesh could be the most strategic objective they have captured so far amid rapid gains across the country as US forces pull out from the region. The crossing is the second busiest entry point and the main link between its vast southwest and Pakistani ports.

UAE Becomes 1st Gulf Nation to Open Embassy in Israel

The United Arab Emirates became the first Gulf nation to open an embassy in Israel, nearly a year after both countries signed an agreement to normalise diplomatic ties.
The new mission is located in Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building. The ceremony was attended by new Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
UAE Ambassador Mohammad Mahmoud Al Khajah officially presented his credentials at the beginning of March but the official opening was not held until now.
"It is a great honour to open the embassy here. Ten months ago our two countries signed the Abraham Accords with a vision of dignity, prosperity and peace for the two peoples," Khajah said at the ceremony.

India's Active Regional Diplomacy with Afghanistan as 'Very Encouraging': Russia

India has huge interest in Afghanistan and it is for New Delhi to decide its extent of involvement in the conflict-ridden country amidst growing security concerns over the Taliban fighters rapidly seizing control of a large number of areas, forcing many countries to scale down their presence there.
Deputy Chief of the Russian mission here Roman Babushkin, also said the Taliban is a "current reality" in Afghanistan and the formation of an inclusive government with representation from all ethnic groups could pave the way for peace and stability in the conflict-ridden country.
Noting that both Russia and India are supportive of the dialogue process in Afghanistan, he said they are actively monitoring the evolving situation in that country.

PM Modi to Inaugurate Rudraksh, the Symbol of Indo-Japan Friendship in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Varanasi International Cooperation and Convention Centre, built by financial assistance from Japan, by planting a Rudraksh plant on its premises, a senior official of Varanasi Nagar Nigam said. The VICCC has been named Rudraksh in recognition of the ancient city's connection with Lord Shiva.
On the eve of its inauguration, the centre has been decorated keeping both the Japanese and Indian cultures in mind. Bamboo, pebbles, small bonsai trees, mats, lanterns, ceramic pots, rice paper, straw have been used for decoration in addition to ornamental lights and flowers of different sorts. Over a tonne of marigold flowers have also been used.

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