General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - January 2018

Jan 2018

Oct 24, 2024

UK and Germany Sign Landmark Defence Agreement

Britain and Germany signed what the UK government is calling a landmark defence agreement aimed at boosting security, investment and jobs.
Under the agreement, German defence company Rheinmetall will open a new factory in the UK to manufacture barrels for artillery guns – supporting 400 jobs.
Both countries will work together to develop drones and a new long-range missile.
German maritime surveillance aircraft will also periodically fly patrols of the North Atlantic from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.
The UK already has a defence pact with France – the Lancaster House Treaty signed in 2010 by David Cameron and Nicholas Sarkozy – but this is the first with Germany.

Luong Cuong Vietnam's New President

Vietnam elected Luong Cuong, a military general, as its new President, the fourth official to fill the role in 18 months.
Cuong was elected by the National Assembly and replaced To Lam, who remained President even after he was formally appointed as the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party in August.
The role of the General Secretary is the most powerful position in Vietnam while the presidency is largely ceremonial.
Cuong, who has served in the Vietnamese army for over four decades, has been a Politburo member since 2021.
His appointment took place after months of uncharacteristic tumult in Vietnam's politics and the death of former party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who had dominated the country's leadership since 2011.

Oct 23, 2024

India, Pakistan Extend Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement by 5 Years

India and Pakistan decided to extend the validity of the agreement on the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor by five years to ensure "uninterrupted" travel for Indian pilgrims to the holy Gurdwara in Pakistan.
The MEA noted that in response to ongoing requests from pilgrims regarding the $20 service charge imposed by Pakistan for each visitor, India has reiterated its appeal for Pakistan to waive any fees or charges for pilgrims.
The agreement, signed on October 24, 2019, was established to facilitate pilgrimages from India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Narowal, Pakistan, via the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.

Oct 21, 2024

Pakistan Cabinet Approves Controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill

The Pakistan Cabinet approved the proposed draft of the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after seeking consensus from the coalition partners.
The coalition government tabled the proposed judicial reforms bill in the Senate and the National Assembly on October 20.
Ahead of the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz met with President Asif Ali Zardari for detailed discussions on the proposed constitutional amendment, during which the president was briefed and consulted.

Indonesia Leader Sworn in with Largest Cabinet in Decades

Indonesia's former Defence Minister, Prabowo Subianto took oath as the eighth President of Indonesia along with Gibran Rakabuming, son of former President Joko Widodo who was elected Vice President of the country.
Dignitaries from 33 countries, including India were present at the swearing-in ceremony.
Subianto, was the Defence Minister in former President Widodo's government, brings with him the experience of serving both the political and military scene of the country.

Oct 20, 2024

India and South Korea Set to Join FTSE Russell EMGB Index in 2025

Global index provider FTSE Russell announced that India's sovereign bonds will be included in its Emerging Markets Government Bond Index (EMGBI) starting September 2025. This follows similar inclusions by JP Morgan and Bloomberg Index Services, which could potentially attract billions of dollars into India's local bond market.
Additionally, South Korean government bonds are set to be added to the FTSE World Government Bond Index (WGBI) in November 2025 after spending two years on the watch list.

Kenya President Ruto Chooses Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President after Gachagua...

Kenya's President William Ruto nominated Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as his new deputy, hours after the Senate voted to impeach the last man in the job, Rigathi Gachagua.
Ruto's nomination of a close ally, who still needs to be approved by parliament, came after a period of political turmoil, mass protests and the first removal of a Kenyan deputy president by impeachment.

Oct 19, 2024

FATF Changes Grey Listing Criteria to Focus on Nations Posing Greater Risk

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) introduced significant changes to its criteria for placing countries on its grey list, aiming to relieve the burden on least developed countries (LDCs) while targeting nations that pose greater risks to the international financial system.
The changes prioritise active reviews of countries that meet specific risk criteria, focusing on FATF Members.
Countries on the World Bank's High-Income Countries list (excluding those with only two or fewer banks in the financial sector).
Countries with financial sector assets above USD 10 billion
Least developed countries will not be prioritised unless they pose significant risks related to money laundering or terrorist financing.

Ex-RAW Official Vikas Yadav Wanted by FBI in Plot to Murder Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh...

The US Justice Department charged former Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav with orchestrating a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist residing in New York. Yadav, along with co-conspirator Nikhil Gupta, hired an individual to execute the killing for $100,000 in 2023, but the assassin turned out to be an FBI informant.
The plan was linked to tensions following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Khalistani terrorist, in Canada. The plot was postponed to avoid disrupting Prime Minister Modi's visit to the US. The Indian government has confirmed Yadav is no longer employed by them, while Gupta was extradited to the US and pleaded not guilty.

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