General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - March 2018

Mar 2018

May 19, 2020

Thomas Thabane Resigns as Lesotho Prime Minister

Thomas Thabane has announced he will step down as prime minister of Lesotho following months of pressure after he was named as a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife.
He did not say when he would leave office but his party said a new premier would be sworn in.
The 80-year-old's current wife, with whom he was living at the time of the murder, was charged in connection with the killing in February, 2020.
The pair have denied any involvement.

Leonardo DiCaprio Joins DR Congo Gorilla Park Campaign After Attack

Leonardo DiCaprio has joined a campaign to support Africa's oldest nature reserve after it came under a deadly attack.
Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a popular tourist attraction and is known for its endangered mountain gorilla population.
In April 2020, 12 rangers at the park were killed in an ambush by a suspected Rwandan rebel group.
DiCaprio has now contributed to a new fund which aims to support the park.
Earth Alliance, a group co-founded by the actor, has donated part of the initial $2

Coronavirus has Japanese Businesses Mulling a Future Without Hanko

Amid government stay-at-home requests to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Japanese companies are increasingly trying to implement work-from-home policies. But some say the use of traditional seals, called hanko or inkan, as proof of agreement is hampering their efforts.
A hanko/inkan (used interchangeably) is a carved stamp that can be used in any situation where an individual, or an individual on behalf of a company, might otherwise use a signature or initials. Signing contracts, doing your banking (at a bank) or receiving a parcel are just three such cases.

May 18, 2020

Mysterious US Military Aircraft Launched

The US Air Force has successfully launched its Atlas V rocket, carrying a X-37B space plane for a secretive mission.
The rocket launched from Cape Canaveral. The aircraft, also known as an Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), will deploy a satellite into orbit and also test power-beaming technology.
It is the plane's sixth mission in space.
The launch was dedicated to front line workers and those affected by the pandemic. A message including the words "America Strong" was written on the rocket's payload fairing.

India Joins 61 Nations Seeking Probe Into Coronavirus Crisis

With the world battling hard to contain the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus, India has decided to join 61 nations calling for an independent inquiry into the World Health Organisation's (WHO) response to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a draft resolution proposed for 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting.
The 62 nations have also called the organisation to "identify the zoonotic source of the virus and the route of introduction to human population, including possible role of intermediate hosts" and to enable this through "collaborative field missions."

Germany's Bundesliga Becomes World's First Major Sports Competition to Resume Post COVID-19 Lockdown

Germany's Bundesliga has become the world's first major sports competition to resume its season post nationwide lockdown imposed to contain coronavirus pandemic.
The European Football League's remaining matches from the 2019-20 season kickstarted from May 16, 2020.
Though football is back, the games during corona-era will not be played in the same way as before. The Bundesliga games resumed with empty stadiums, behind closed doors with no fans to minimise the risk of coronavirus infection.

Israel Swears in New Gov't as Netanyahu Pledges Annexation Push

Israel's parliament has sworn in a new government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz, ending the longest political crisis in the country's history.
After more than 500 days without a stable government and three inconclusive elections, lawmakers in the 120-seat Knesset approved a three-year coalition, with 73 voting for and 49 against. One member was absent.

Afghan President and Rival Announce Power-Sharing Deal

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and political rival Abdullah Abdullah signed a power-sharing agreement.
The political deal would see Ghani remain president of the war-torn. The deal also calls for Abdullah to lead the country's National Reconciliation High Council, and he will be able to appoint half of Ghani's Cabinet and issue executive orders.
The Reconciliation Council has been given the authority to handle and approve all affairs related to Afghanistan's peace process. The council will have five deputies from both leaders' teams.

May 17, 2020

Chinese Ambassador to Israel Found Dead at Home

China's Ambassador to Israel, Du Wei, has been found dead in his apartment north of Tel Aviv.
The official said Israeli police had launched an investigation but initial findings suggested no foul play.
Mr Du, 57, was only appointed ambassador in February 2020 having previously served as envoy to Ukraine.

May 15, 2020

WTO Head Steps Down a Year Early as Downturn Looms

The head of the World Trade Organization has said he will step down a year earlier than planned, at a crucial moment for the global economy.
Roberto Azevedo's surprise departure comes as the WTO faces the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and criticism from US President Donald Trump.
Global trade has slumped and the world is braced for the worst downturn since the Great Depression.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump has accused the body of treating America unfairly.

Namibian President Bans New Cars for Ministers

Namibian ministers and government officials have been banned by the president from buying a new car for five years so that the money can be spent on dealing with coronavirus.
The measure will save $10.7m (£8.8m).

May 14, 2020

Republicans Snatch Rare Prize of California Seat

A Republican candidate has won a congressional seat from the Democrats in liberal California for the first time in more than two decades.
Democrat Christy Smith has conceded the special election to Republican Mike Garcia, a former Navy fighter pilot.
Republicans lost the House of Representatives seat by nearly double digits in the 2018 midterm elections.
The election was held to fill Democrat Katie Hill's seat after she resigned last year in a sex scandal.
It is the first time the Republican party has won a Democratic-held seat in the state since 1998.

India up at 74th Place on WEF's Global Energy Transition Index

India has moved up two positions to rank 74th on a global 'Energy Transition Index' with improvements on all key parameters of economic growth, energy security and environmental sustainability, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said.

Releasing the annual rankings, the Geneva-based international organisation for public-private cooperation said Covid-19 will compromise the transition to clean energy without an urgent stakeholder action as unprecedented disruptions due to the pandemic threaten this transition.
In its report, the WEF said its study measuring readiness for clean energy transition in 115 economies showed that 94 have made progress since 2015, but environmental sustainability continues to lag.
Sweden has topped the Energy Transition Index (ETI) for the third consecutive year and is followed by Switzerland and Finland in the top three.

Israel West Bank Annexation Looms as Unity Government Sworn In

Israel's main political rivals become its leaders when a new unity government is sworn in, ending over a year of unprecedented deadlock.
Benjamin Netanyahu returns as prime minister for a record fifth time while his electoral opponent Benny Gantz will be deputy under a power-sharing deal.
The country has been in political limbo after three inconclusive elections.
The two men have agreed to push forward with a controversial plan to annex part of the occupied West Bank.
The move is in line with President Trump's Israel-Palestinian peace plan unveiled, which also envisages a Palestinian state in about 70 per cent of the West Bank, all of Gaza, and with its capital on the fringes of East Jerusalem.

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