General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - November 2017

Nov 2017

Nov 22, 2021

United Arab Emirates Reopens its Embassy in Kabul

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reopened its embassy in the capital Kabul.
Prior to the Taliban`s takeover of Afghanistan in August, most of the foreign embassies had closed their diplomatic mission in the country due to the escalating violence in the country.

Iraq Refutes Reports of US Military Exit Extension

Iraq denied reports that the US had extended the period of its military presence in Iraq beyond December 31.
In July, the US and Iraq held a session of strategic dialogue, during which the two countries agreed to withdraw all American combat troops from Iraq by the December 31 deadline.

Sudan's Military Agrees to Reinstate Ousted PM Abdalla Hamdok

A deal was reached between Sudan's military and civilian leaders to reinstate Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who was deposed in a coup last month.
They also said that government officials and politicians arrested since the October 25 coup would be released as part of the deal between the military and political parties, including the largest Umma Party. However, the party later issued a statement implying that it did not sign off on the deal.
Hamdok will lead an independent technocratic Cabinet.

US, Canadian, Mexican Leaders Hold First Summit in 5 Years

US President Joe Biden hosted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador at the White House for their first North American Leaders' Summit since 2016.
Ahead of the three-person summit, which was shunned by former US President Donald Trump, Biden separately met Trudeau and Obrador.
During the summit, the three leaders reiterated their strong ties and integration, and willingness to chart a new path for their partnership at a time when they face incredibly complex global challenges.

Nov 21, 2021

Kamala Harris Becomes First Woman to Hold Presidential Powers in the US

For the first time in the history of United States of America, a woman got presidential power, even if it was temporarily. US Vice President Kamala Harris temporarily had power transferred to her because of President Joe Biden's health.
The power transfer took place while Biden was under anaesthesia for a routine colonoscopy for one hour and 25 minutes. The US' first female, first Black and first South Asian vice president Harris broke another barrier as she became the first woman to hold presidential powers in the country.

US, Japan Reaffirm Importance of Trilateral Cooperation with South Korea

Senior diplomats of the US and Japan have reaffirmed the importance of cooperation with South Korea, a day after Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Mori boycotted a joint press conference over what his American counterpart called an unrelated bilateral issue.
Mori and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman also reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
The two also discussed the DPRK and our shared commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name.

Germany's CDU Ready to Elect New Leader to Succeed Armin Laschet

Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is searching for a new party leader as three candidates have lined up to succeed Armin Laschet.
Former chairman of the conservative union's (CDU/CSU) parliamentary group Friedrich Merz, who already lost against Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in 2018 and against Laschet at the beginning of the year, is running for CDU leadership for the third time.
Foreign policy expert Norbert Roettgen and acting head of the Chancellor's Office Helge Braun also announced their candidacy to succeed Laschet.
The new CDU chairperson is planned to be elected at a party conference on January 21, 2022, following a member survey scheduled for December.

Nov 20, 2021

Masood Khan �" Pakistan's New Envoy to U.S.

Former president of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Masood Khan, was named as Islamabad's new ambassador to the US.
Earlier this month, the Pakistan Embassy in Washington received Khan's nomination papers, replacing the current ambassador, Asad Majeed Khan, who has been serving in the position since January 2019. Khan's predecessor nears the end of his three-year term and is expected to return to Islamabad by mid-2022.
In the past, Khan has served as Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, ambassador to China, and Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies, a think tank based in Islamabad that is funded by Pakistan's foreign ministry. He also worked as a TV news anchor during the early stages of his career.
Khan's appointment comes at a time when bilateral relations between Islamabad and Washington appear to be balancing on an edge, especially after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

South Korea Calls on US to Revise Trump-era Tariff Rules on Steel Exports

South Korea's top trade official called on the US to launch negotiations swiftly to revise the tariff rules imposed by former President Donald Trump's administration on Seoul's steel exports.
South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo made the request to visiting US Trade Representative Katherine Tai during in a joint committee meeting of the bilateral free trade agreement.
It is the first time in 10 years that a US top trade official has visited South Korea.
South Korea has been pushing for the revision of the Section 232 tariff rules.

Japan Cabinet Approves Record stimulus Package to Fix Economy

Japan's Cabinet approved a record 56 trillion yen ($490 billion) stimulus package, including cash handouts and aid to ailing businesses, to help the economy out of the doldrums worsened by the coronavirus pandemic.
The package has more than enough content and scale to deliver a sense of security and hope to the people.
It still needs parliamentary approval.
The plan includes doling out 100,000 yen ($880) each in monetary assistance to those 18 years or younger, and aid for businesses whose sales plummeted because of coronavirus measures.

Nov 19, 2021

Imran Khan Proves his Majority, Sails through Parliament Test

The joint session of Pakistan Parliament was an opportunity for Prime Minister Imran Khan to prove his majority in Parliament, which he did.
With the support of 221 votes of his party members and that of the allies, the government cruised through the session amid the Opposition's protest.

Taiwan Opens Office in Lithuania

Taiwan opened a de facto embassy in Lithuania in a diplomatic breakthrough for the Chinese-claimed island, brushing aside Beijing's strong opposition to the move which again expressed its anger and warned of consequences.
Other Taiwan offices in Europe and the United States use the name of the city Taipei, avoiding a reference to the island itself, which China claims as its own territory.
China has stepped up efforts to get other countries to limit their interactions with Taiwan, or cut them off altogether. Only 15 countries have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

US Designates Pakistan, China as 'Countries of Concern' over Violation of Religious Freedom

The United States has designated 10 nations Burma, the People`s Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.
Algeria, Comoros, Cuba, and Nicaragua were placed on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated "severe violations of religious freedom.
The United States remains committed to working with governments, civil society organizations, and members of religious communities to advance religious freedom around the world and address the plight of individuals and communities facing abuse, harassment, and discrimination on account of what they believe, or what they do not believe.

Nov 18, 2021

Australia Strengthening Tech Partnership with India

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said that Australia is strengthening its technology partnership with India through the establishment of a new consulate in Bengaluru and a centre of excellence for critical and emerging technology policy in India.
Her comments came hours after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Australia's plan to set up the consulate in his virtual address at the Bengaluru Tech Summit.
Payne said that the consulate will support Australian businesses in one of the world's most important commercial centres.
Apart from its High Commission in Delhi, Australia at present has consulates in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

India Gets Re-elected to UNESCO Executive Board for 2021-25 Term

India was re-elected to the executive board of the United Nations cultural and education organisation for the 2021-25 term.
India got re-elected to the Executive Board of UNESCO with 164 votes.
In Group IV Asian and Pacific States, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Cook Islands and China were also elected.
The UNESCO Executive Board is one of the three constitutional organs of the UN agency (the others being the General Conference and the Secretariat) and it is elected by the General Conference.

India Slips 5 Points in Global Bribery Risk Rankings

India slipped five points in the global bribery risk rankings settling at the 82nd spot among 194 nations analysed for compliance risks businesses face internationally.
The TRACE Bribery Risk Matrix (TRACE Matrix) published measured business bribery risk since 2014 and assigned an overall country risk score based on the combined and weighted score of four domains — business interactions with government; anti-bribery deterrence and enforcement; government and civil service transparency; and capacity for civil society oversight, including the media role.
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and New Zealand are the top five ranked nations on the TRACE matrix and the least corrupt societies.

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