General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - June 2018

Jun 2018

Aug 09, 2018

US Announces to Impose Sanctions Against Russia

The US has announced that it would impose fresh sanctions against Russia from the end of August. The move comes after intense debate in US circles over the effects of the sanctions, and subsequent measures to ensure the blowback among other things does not affect countries like India.
Moscow had been notified of the coming sanctions. The sanctions are aimed at penalising Moscow for allegedly carrying out a nerve gas attack against Sergei Skripal, a former Russian intelligence operative, in London in March. A number of European countries have already responded by expelling Russian diplomats.
The sanctions come after it had been determined that Russia has used chemical or biological weapons in violation of international law, or has used lethal chemical or biological weapons against its own nationals.
Provisions of the US law would have penalised India and any other country that held security and defence exchanges with Russian entities. The US government has sought to mitigate this possible blowback against India by taking steps, that have included giving the Strategic Trade Authorization-1 status to India. The STA-1 status will also give India greater access to sensitive technologies.

Sale of Su-35 Fighters to Pakistan

According to Russian news outlet Pravda, a defence thinktank has called for Moscow not to prioritise India's interest too much even though it still buys most of its defence equipment from Russia.

India and Russia had signed an inter-governmental agreement in 2007 to jointly develop and produce a fifth-generation stealth fighter for their air forces but in July 2018 Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharam announced that New Delhi has conveyed to Moscow that they can go ahead with the project and India may join it at a later stage following disputes over the cost and performance of the proposed fighter.

Tlaib to be First Muslim Congresswoman

Ms. Tlaib is poised to become the first Muslim woman elected to Congress after she narrowly defeated Brenda Jones, Detroit's City Council president, in a Democratic primary race to succeed long-time Rep. John Conyers Jr., a Democrat, in Michigan's 13th Congressional District. She will run unopposed in November.

Aug 08, 2018

Australia's Population Hits 25 Million

As per latest government data, Australia's population hit a record 25 million, almost a decade earlier than projected, as it attracts hundreds of thousands of migrants each year.

US President Warns Against Business with Iran

US President Donald Trump warned countries against doing business with Iran as he hailed the most biting sanctions ever imposed, triggering a mix of anger, fear and defiance in Tehran.

"Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States," said Trump.

Aug 07, 2018

PepsiCo's New CEO

PepsiCo Inc said that Indra Nooyi would step down as chief executive officer after 12 years at the helm and named President Ramon Laguarta as her replacement.
Laguarta will take over from Nooyi in October and will also join the board.
Nooyi who has been with the company for 24 years, will continue as chairman of the board until early 2019.

73rd Anniversary of Atomic Bombing

Hiroshima marked the anniversary of the August 6, 1945, atomic bombing with a sombre ceremony to remember the people killed and injured and a call to eliminate nuclear weapons amid hopes of denuclearizing North Korea.

Saudi Ends Diplomatic Ties with Canada

Saudi Arabia suspended diplomatic ties and new trade dealings with Canada in response to Canada's call for the release of women's rights activists, a dramatic escalation that highlights the kingdom's increasingly assertive foreign policy under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Ottawa and ordered the Canadian envoy to Riyadh to leave within 24 hours.

Aug 06, 2018

Steven Appointed as Special Envoy to the U.S.

Russia has appointed movie star Steven Seagal as a special envoy to the U.S.

Mr. Seagal's role would be to facilitate relations including cooperation in culture, arts, public and youth exchanges.

Aug 05, 2018

UN Sanctions Flouted

As per a UN report, North Korea has pressed ahead with its nuclear and missile programmes and continues to evade UN sanctions through increased illegal ship-to-ship transfers of oil products at sea.

The UN panel of experts also listed violations of a ban on North Korean exports of coal, iron, seafood and other products that generate millions of dollars in revenue for Kim Jong-un's regime.

U.S.-China Trade War Slammed

Asian countries have voiced concern about the potentially devastating impact of a U.S.-China trade war, with Ministers calling for the acceleration of talks for a gigantic Beijing-backed free-trade deal that excludes the United States.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said on the sidelines of a summit that the prospect of a trade war is a "real threat" to Asian countries.

Other top diplomats at the forum, hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, spoke out against protectionism, warning that it places the region's development in jeopardy. Some Ministers also called for the early conclusion of talks for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a 16-nation free trade pact.

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