General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2018

Aug 2018

Oct 31, 2021

WHO Director-general Ghebreyesus Runs Unopposed for 2nd Five-year Term

The World Health Organization said that its director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is running unopposed for a second five-year term.
The U.N. health agency made the announcement after the deadline for candidacies for the next term expired in September. The formal selection of the next director-general takes place at the WHO's next assembly in May.
Tedros, an Ethiopian national who is the first African to head WHO, has overseen the agency's complex response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has overshadowed his tenure. Trained in biology and infectious diseases with a doctorate in community health, he is also the first WHO chief who is not a medical doctor.

UNSC Adopts Resolution on Protection of Education in Armed Conflict

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on the protection of education in armed conflict.
Resolution 2601, which won the unanimous support of the 15-member council, strongly condemns all violations of applicable international law involving the recruitment and use of children by parties to armed conflict as well as their re-recruitment, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, and abductions.
The resolution urges UN member states to develop effective measures to prevent and address attacks and threats of attacks against schools and education facilities, and, as appropriate, develop domestic legal frameworks to ensure respect for their relevant international legal obligations.

Oct 30, 2021

Bizenjo Elected Chief Minister of Pakistan's Restive Region of Balochistan

Balochistan Awami Party leader, Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, was elected Chief Minister of the restive region of Balochistan, five days after his predecessor Jam Kamal Khan Alyani stepped down from the post.
Alyani submitted his resignation to the Governor of Balochistan Syed Zahoor Ahmad Agha, after majority members of the provincial assembly had moved a no-confidence motion against him earlier this month on the issue of allotment and distribution of development funds.
Bizenjo, who hails from an influential political and tribal family of the province, secured 39 out of the 64 eligible votes.

Taliban Sends Envoy to Run Embassy in Pakistan

Amid the quest for recognition from the international community, the Taliban set-up sent an envoy to Islamabad to run the Afghan embassy, but the official will not have the formal title of ambassador. As the Sunni Pashtun group starts to take over Afghanistan's network of foreign delegations, Mohammad Shokaib was sent to Pakistan's capital as the first secretary or charge d'affaires at the embassy.
The post of ambassador has remained vacant since the Ashraf Ghani-led government withdrew its envoy, Najibullah Alikhil, over the alleged abduction and assault of his daughter.

Saudi Arabia Expels Lebanon Ambassador amid Yemen Row

Saudi Arabia ordered Lebanon's ambassador to leave within 48 hours over insulting comments by a Lebanese minister.
The kingdom also imposed a blanket ban on all imports from Lebanon.
The move comes days after remarks by Lebanon's information minister about the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen sparked outrage in the kingdom.
Lebanon's Prime Minister regretted the Saudis' decision and hoped they would reconsider.

Oct 28, 2021

Sri Lankan Appoints Task Force for 'One Country, One Law'

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a 13-member task force, headed by a hardline Buddhist monk known for his anti-Muslim stance, for the establishment of the One Country, One Law' concept in the island nation and to prepare a draft Act.
The One Country, One Law' was an election slogan of Rajapaksa in 2019 when he was elected president with an overwhelming support from the country's Buddhist majority.
The task force, appointed by President Rajapaksa through a special gazette for the establishment of the One Country, One Law' concept, is headed by Galagodaaththe Gnanasara, the hardline Buddhist monk who became a symbol of anti-Muslim hatred in the country.

Oct 27, 2021

Imran Khan Approves Appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as New ISI Chief

Prime Minister Imran Khan approved the appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as the new chief of Pakistan's spy agency ISI, putting an end to the ongoing tiff between the government and the powerful Army over the key post.
The army had announced Lt Gen Anjum replacing Lt Gen Faiz Hameed as the chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI but the Prime Minister's Office withheld the official notification, saying that the civilian government was not properly consulted.

Anita Anand Canada's New Defence Minister

Indian-origin Canadian politician Anita Anand was appointed as the country's new Defence Minister in a Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, over a month after his Liberal Party returned power in the snap polls and amid calls for major military reforms.
Anand replaced long-time defence minister Indian-origin Harjit Sajjan, whose handling of the military sexual misconduct crisis was under criticism.
Sajjan was appointed as Minister of International Development Agency.

Egypt Lifts Four-year State of Emergency

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced the lifting of a years-long nationwide state of emergency.
The measure had been in place since the April 2017 bombings of two Coptic churches by an affiliate of the ISIS armed group that killed more than 40 people and wounded dozens more.
The proclamation by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, coming amid global criticism of Egypt's human rights abuses, theoretically ends a decree that had been renewed every three months since 2017. But critics called it a superficial change that would not fundamentally alter the repressive system that has prevailed in Egypt for most of the past 40 years.

Oct 26, 2021

Uzbekistan Leader Secures Second Term

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was re-elected for a second five-year term.
Uzbekistan's Central Election Commission said that Mr. Mirziyoyev had taken 80.1% of the vote against four token opponents, according to a preliminary count.
The vote was held with no real opposition facing Mr. Mirziyoyev, who came to power in 2016 after the death of his mentor, dictator Islam Karimov, who ruled Uzbekistan for 27 years.
Mr. Mirziyoyev has been credited with launching what he calls a "New Uzbekistan" programme, ending a decades-old system of forced labour with roots in the former Soviet Union and introducing limited media freedoms.

Sudan General Declares State of Emergency after Arrest of PM

Sudan's leading general has declared a state of emergency, hours after his forces arrested the Prime Minister and other senior government officials.
In a televised address, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan announced that he is dissolving the country's ruling Sovereign Council, as well as the government led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

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