General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - July 2018

Jul 2018

May 08, 2025

UN Launches VoTAN: A Global Support Network for Victims of Terrorism

In a move toward inclusive counter-terrorism efforts, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) officially launched the Victims of Terrorism Advocacy Network (VoTAN). This landmark initiative is aimed at creating a global, supportive, and empowering platform for individuals and communities affected by acts of terrorism.
The foundation for VoTAN was laid during the first UN Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism, held in September 2022. The initiative emerged as one of the primary outcomes of this historic gathering, which brought together victims, policymakers, civil society, and experts to address the needs of those affected by terrorism.
VoTAN was developed under the initiative of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, which has been co-chaired by Spain and Iraq for nearly six years. This group has long emphasized the need to uphold and protect the rights of victims at a global level, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences respected.

May 07, 2025

Germany's Merz Fails to be Elected Chancellor

German conservative leader Friedrich Merz failed to secure enough parliamentary votes to become chancellor, throwing politics in Europe's largest economy into disarray as it seeks to emerge from recession and stem far-right extremism.
Merz who led his conservatives to a federal election victory in February and signed a coalition deal with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), won just 310 votes in the Lower House, the Bundestag, six short of an absolute majority.
At least 18 coalition MPs failed to back him.

Yemen Appoints Finance Minister Salem Bin Braik as New Prime Minister

Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) appointed Salem Saleh Bin Braik, the country's long-serving Finance Minister, as the new Prime Minister in May 2025. This decision followed the sudden resignation of Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who cited constitutional limitations and a lack of authority to implement key reforms as reasons for stepping down.
The appointment of Salem Bin Braik as the new Prime Minister marks a crucial leadership change in a country ravaged by civil war and economic collapse.
Salem Saleh Bin Braik has been Yemen's Finance Minister since 2019.
Before that, he served as Vice Finance Minister and held multiple administrative roles.

May 06, 2025

India Showcases SVAMITVA Scheme at World Bank Land Conference 2025

India is leading the global conversation on digital land reforms and climate-aligned governance at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, being held from May 5 to 8 at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C., United States.
A high-level Indian delegation, led by Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), is presenting the country's flagship SVAMITVA Scheme (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) and Gram Manchitra platform during the international conference, which is being attended by global policymakers, experts, and development partners.
This year's (2025) conference, themed 'Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action: Moving from Awareness to Action', aims to examine strategies for secure land tenure, the modernisation of land administration, and climate-resilient planning.

Romanian PM Resigns and Pulls Out of Coalition

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned and his Social Democrat Party is to leave the government after a right-wing nationalist candidate won the first round of the presidential election.
George Simion, a eurosceptic who has promised to put Romania first, won 40.9% vote and is expected to win a run-off vote on 18 May.
Ciolacu had only come to power in a pro-EU coalition after elections in 2024.

May 05, 2025

Singapore's Ruling People's Action Party (PAP) Wins Election

Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) won by a landslide in an election dominated by concerns over the cost of living and the country's future economic stability.
Led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his first election since he became party leader last year (2024), the PAP clinched 65.6% of the vote and an overwhelming majority of the 97 seats in parliament.
The main opposition, the centre-left Workers' Party (WP), failed to capture more seats but continued to hold on to its 10 seats in parliament.

Nirmala Sitharaman Attends ADB's Annual Meeting in Italy

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is leading the Indian delegation of officials from the Department of Economic Affairs under Ministry of Finance, at the 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Development Bank (ADB), taking place in Milan, Italy, from May 4 to 7.
Official delegations of the ADB Board of Governors, ADB members, and international financial institutions are attending the meeting.

Anthony Albanese Re-elected As Australian PM in Landslide Victory

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the Labor Party to a landslide victory, defying expectations and securing a second consecutive term in office. This win, seen as a rejection of the conservative Liberal-National Coalition led by Peter Dutton, came amid voter concerns over healthcare, housing affordability, and a global wave of anti-incumbency. Albanese's triumph marked the first back-to-back win for any Australian PM in over two decades.
Labor first came to power under Anthony Albanese in 2022, winning against the Coalition.
His first term saw challenges including economic downturns, the failed Voice referendum, and strained public approval.

May 03, 2025

South Korea's Conservative Party Names Kim Moon Soo as Presidential Pick

Former Labour Minister Kim Moon Soo won the presidential nomination of South Korea's main conservative party, facing an uphill battle against liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung for the June 3 election.
As per reports, Kim will likely try to align with other conservative forces, such as former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, to prevent a split in conservative votes in a bid to boost prospects for a conservative win against Lee.

India Opposes Global Ban on Chlorpyrifos

India's opposition to the global phase-out of Chlorpyrifos, a hazardous insecticide, has sparked environmental and policy discussions at the global level. The issue arose during the 2025 meetings of the BRS Conventions where many countries advocated for banning the pesticide under the Stockholm Convention. Despite strong scientific evidence about its harmful effects on human health and the environment, India cited food security and lack of alternatives as major concerns, urging for broader exemptions.
Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate pesticide registered in India since 1977 under the Insecticides Act.
Used on crops like rice, cotton, sugarcane, groundnut, mustard, brinjal, cabbage, onion, among others.

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