General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2018

Aug 2018

Aug 10, 2020

Afghan 'Loya Jirga' Approves Prisoner Release

The Afghan government and the Taliban are "on the verge of peace talks" after thousands of prominent Afghans approved the release of about 400 contentious militant prisoners, the head of Kabul's peace council said on Sunday. The prisoners' fate has been a crucial hurdle in launching peace talks between the two warring sides, which had committed to completing a prisoner exchange before negotiations can start.
The resolution was passed at the end of a three-day "loya jirga" — a traditional Afghan meeting of tribal elders and other stakeholders sometimes held to decide on controversial issues. "In order to remove the hurdles for the start of peace talks, stopping bloodshed, and for the good of the public, the jirga approves the release of 400 prisoners as demanded by the Taliban," jirga member Atefa Tayeb announced.
The jirga urged the government to give assurances to the population that the released prisoners would be monitored and would not be allowed to return to the battlefield, adding that foreign fighters should be sent back to their respective countries.

Lebanon Information Minister Resigns

Lebanon's Information Minister, Manal Abdel Samad, quit in the first government resignation since an explosion in the port of Beirut killed more than 150 people and destroyed swathes of the capital.
The head of Lebanon's Maronite church called on the entire government to step down over the explosion, widely seen as proof of the rot at the core of the state.
Lebanese protesters enraged by the blast vowed to rally again after a night of street clashes in which they stormed several ministries.
The Maronite patriarch, Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, joined the chorus of people pressing Prime Minister Hassan Diab's cabinet to step down over the explosion, which he said could be described as a crime against humanity.

Mauritania Leader Appoints New Government

Mauritania's President appointed a new government after some of his ministers were named in a report on the financial dealings of former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
President Mohamed Mohamed Ould Ghazouani's office has acknowledged that the changes were as a result of the report.
He had replaced his the Prime Minister for undisclosed reasons.
The former prime minister and three ministers were mentioned in the report that looked into the sale of state properties and handling of oil revenue, according to AFP news agency.
The new cabinet was announced on Sunday and the presidency secretary general Adama Bocar Soko said excluding the named ministers would give them the time they need to prove their innocence.
Local media reports that former President Aziz has been summoned in connection with the report.
An investigation is expected to begin before parliament votes on whether to proceed to trial.

Ramaphosa Announces Business Boost for Women

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the government will set aside 40% of public procurement for women-owned businesses.
The move will boost women financially and reduce gender inequality.
The President spoke during Women's which marked 64 years since thousands of South African women marched to the Union Buildings in the capital, Pretoria, on 9 August 1956 to protest against the extension of the pass laws to women.
As per President Ramaphosa, financial independence is key to achieving gender equality.
The first action is to expand the access of women to economic opportunities... We now expect national departments in government to monitor and report on how many women have participated in each public procurement process. They will have to develop clear plans about how they will broaden women's participation over the next 12 months.

Aug 09, 2020

US Sanctions Hong Kong's Chief Carrie Lam

The US is placing sanctions on 11 Chinese officials and their allies in Hong Kong, including Chief Executive Carrie Lam, over their roles in curtailing political freedoms in the former U.K. colony.
As per Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the United States stands with the people of Hong Kong and we will use our tools and authorities to target those undermining their autonomy.
Lam was sanctioned because she is directly responsible for implementing Beijing's policies of suppression of freedom and democratic processes.
The sanctioned individuals include Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of China's State Council, and Chris Tang, commissioner of the Hong Kong Police Force.

Germany and France Challenge US Role in WHO Reforms

Germany and France have challenged Washington's role in leading talks over reforming the World Health Organisation, citing the US decision to quit the global body.
Germany's Health Ministry said that the issue was discussed during a call of health ministers from the Group of Seven leading economies.
The ministry said that in view of the United States' withdrawal from WHO, "Germany and France currently see no mandate for the US to lead the WHO reform process for the G-7."
"How can you be leading while you are leaving?" the ministry added.
The Trump administration, which holds the rotating presidency of the G-7 this year, has accused WHO of bowing to pressure from China in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mahinda Rajapaksa Takes Oath as Prime Minister

Sri Lanka's former President Mahinda Rajapaka was sworn in as the country's new Prime Minister at a historic Buddhist temple, days after his party won a landslide victory in the General Election.
The Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) leader was administered the oath of office for the ninth Parliament by his younger brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the sacred Rajamaha Viharaya in Kelaniya, a north Colombo suburb.
Mahinda Rajapaksa completed 50 years of parliamentary politics in July this year. He was elected as a Member of Parliament at the age of 24 in 1970. He has since been elected President twice and has been appointed Prime Minister thrice.

Aug 08, 2020

Belarus in Surprising Presidential Election Battle

Belarus has only ever had one President and Alexander Lukashenko, who has held the position since 1994, is running for office again.
The man once dubbed "Europe's last dictator" is facing perhaps the biggest-ever challenge to his rule - from Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a political novice. She says she is standing "out of love" for her jailed husband Sergei, but she also embodies a thirst for change in society.
The campaign for this election had an unexpectedly lively start as surprise challengers to Mr Lukashenko - video blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, banker Viktor Babaryko and ex-diplomat Valery Tsepkalo - attracted thousands to their nomination rallies.
This was unusual in a country normally considered quite politically apathetic.

China, Russia and Iran Trying to Influence Vote

A top US intelligence chief has warned that China, Russia and Iran are among countries seeking to influence the US presidential election this year.
As per reports, China did not want President Donald Trump's re-election while Russia wanted to hurt Democrat Joe Biden.
Intelligence chiefs accuse Russia of interfering in the 2016 election.
They say Russia wanted to help boost Mr. Trump's campaign, including by spreading disinformation online. Russia has denied the allegations.
The announcement comes amid claims by Mr. Trump about the dangers of mail-in or postal ballots. He has suggested that the vote be delayed to prevent "the most inaccurate and fraudulent election in history", prompting a backlash even among members of his own party.

Canada Plans to Impose Retaliatory Tariffs on US Imports

Canada's Deputy Prime Minister said that the country plans to impose 3.6 billion Canadian (USD 2.69 billion) tariffs on US imports in response to President Donald Trump saying the US is reinstating a 10 per cent import tax on Canadian aluminum.
Canada is considering imposing a tariff on dozens of products, including golf clubs, bicycles, refrigerators, washing machines, tripods, sports equipment like bats and hockey sticks and embossed aluminum cans for beverages.
The new pact took effect July 1 and was expected to bring stability to North American trade. The new tariff spat comes after the US in 2018 imposed a 25 per cent duty on steel and a 10 per cent duty on aluminum.
Canada responded with tariffs on hundreds of US products such as ketchup, coffee, strawberry jam and whisky before the two countries dropped their efforts and agreed to the new North American free trade deal.
Trump said that he was re-implementing tariffs because there was a surge in aluminum exports from Canada to the US in recent months, but industry organisations dispute that claim.
Trump originally imposed the tariffs on aluminum imports in 2018. He then lifted them last year on Canadian and Mexican metals to smooth the way for the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Aug 07, 2020

US Senate Bans TikTok on Government Devices

The US Senate unanimously approved a bill from Senator Josh Hawley banning federal employees from using video-sharing app TikTok on government-issued devices, amid threats from the White House to ban the company. The app has come under fire from U.S. lawmakers and the Trump administration over national security concerns due to China`s ByteDance owning the technology.
The company currently faces a deadline of Sept. 15 to either sell its U.S. operations to Microsoft Corp or face an outright ban. Under a Chinese law introduced in 2017, companies have an obligation to support and cooperate in the country`s national intelligence work.
Last month, the House of Representatives voted to bar federal employees from downloading the app on government-issued devices as part of a proposal, offered by Representative Ken Buck. With passage in the House and approval by the Senate, the prohibition is expected to soon become law in the United States.

Mahinda Rajapaksa-led SLPP Registers Landslide Victory

Sri Lanka's strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa staged a political comeback as his party registered a landslide victory in the twice-postponed general elections.
The official results declared showed that the Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) alone had won 145 seats and with its allies have 150 seats, a two-thirds majority in the 225-member parliament.
The party led by the Prime Minister won all but 4 of the 22 electoral districts on offer. The victory margins in the South, dominated by the majority Sinhala community, were in the high 60 per cent mark in most areas. The party polled 6.8 million votes at 59.9 per cent.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who won the November presidential election on the SLPP ticket, had called a snap election six months ahead of the schedule.

India Extends Line of Credit Worth 18 million Dollars to Maldives

India has extended Line of Credit worth 18 million US dollars to the Government of Maldives for the expansion of fishing facilities at Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO).
The project envisages investment in fish collection and storage facilities and the setting up of a tuna cooked plant and fishmeal plant. It is part of the 800 million US dollars line of credit offered by India with repayment tenor of 20 years and a 5-year moratorium. Indian High Commission in Male said fishing is deeply connected to the Maldivian way of life and is a key driver of the economy through exports.

Aug 06, 2020

India Contributes over $15 Million to India-UN Development Partnership Fund

India contributed $15.46 million to the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, underscoring the country's commitment to supporting developing nations in their developmental priorities across all the Sustainable Development Goals.
India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T. S. Tirumurti handed over a cheque of $15.46 million to the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Director Jorge Chediek at a low-key ceremony held within social distancing guidelines at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.
The tranche of $15.46 million includes $6 million to the overall fund, in which all the developing countries are eligible for partnership, and $9.46 million dedicated to the Commonwealth countries.
The India-UN Development Partnership Fund is managed by the UNOSSC and implemented under the leadership of partner developing countries leveraging the strengths of United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

Zimbabwe VP New Health Minister after Covid-19 Scandal

Zimbabwe's Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga was appointed as Health Minister, about a month after the ministry was rocked by a scandal surrounding the procurement of coronavirus tests and equipment.
Mr. Chimwenga is a former head of the army who led the military takeover from former President Robert Mugabe.
His predecessor at the health ministry, Obadiah Moyo, appeared in court in June over corruption charges related to a $20m (£16m) contract awarded to a Hungary-registered firm, allegedly without going through proper processes.

US Looking to Ramp up Arms Sales to India

The US is looking to ramp up arms sales to India, including those of armed drones that can carry over 1,000 pounds of bombs and missiles, said a media report, noting the new push comes following the violent clashes in June between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh.
As per reports, the US in recent months has laid the groundwork for new arms sales to India that go above and beyond what previous administrations considered, including longer-term weapon systems with higher levels of technology and sophistication, such as armed drones.
President Donald Trump has officially amended rules that restrict the sale of military-grade drones to foreign partners like India, it said, adding that prominent among them being the recent announcement by the Trump administration changing its interpretation of the Missile Technology Control Regime.

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