General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2018

Aug 2018

Jan 12, 2020

This Independence Day, The Anthem May Not Be Sung In Tamil

More than three decades after Sri Lanka recognised Tamil as an official language like Sinhala, you would expect a debate on singing the national anthem in Tamil to be redundant. However, a controversy erupted recently after local media reported the Public Administration Ministry's decision to drop the Tamil version of the country's national anthem from its Independence Day celebration.
This would effectively reverse a practice that former President Maithripala Sirisena re-introduced a year after he was elected to the country's top post on the promise of good governance and reconciliation with the Tamil minority. On February 4, 2016, the Tamil national anthem was sung at the Independence Day celebrations for the first time since 1949, when it was last sung on the occasion, a year after the erstwhile-Ceylon gained Independence.

Chinese Film Festival Shuts Down Amid Censorship

One of China's longest-running independent film festivals has decided to shut down against the backdrop of mounting government censorship, saying it was no longer possible to run a "purely independent" festival in the country.

2020 Taiwanese Presidential Election

The 15th Presidential and Vice Presidential election of the Republic of China was held in Taiwan on 11 January 2020 along with the 10th Legislative Yuan election. Incumbent president Tsai Ing-wen and former premier William Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the election, defeating Kaohsiung mayor Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang (KMT) and his running mate Chang San-cheng, as well as third-party candidate James Soong.

Jan 11, 2020

India Adds Checks To Rice Exports To European Union

India has tightened the inspection norms for rice exports to the European Union.
The commerce and industry ministry amended the export policy for Basmati and non-Basmati rice from 'free' to outbound shipments subject to certificates issued by Export Inspection Council (EIC).
European Commission reduced maximum residues level for Tricyclazole to 0.01 parts per million (ppm) from 1 ppm for all crops in 2018. After 2018, the export of basmati from India to EU declined 38.35% and 9% in 2018-19 and 2019-20 (April-September) respectively, primarily due to the pesticide residue issue.

US House Passes Resolution Limiting Trump's Power To Carry Out Military Action Against Iran

The US House of Representative adopted a war powers resolution that limits President Donald Trump's ability to carry out military actions against Iran without the prior approval of Congress.
The House voted 224-194 - with 13 votes outstanding - on Thursday in favour of the resolution which was introduced by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin.
Slotkin has previously served as a CIA analyst specialized in Shia militias, as well as acting assistant secretary of defence for international security affairs.

Jan 10, 2020

House Approves Measure to restrain Trump's Actions on Iran

Reigniting a debate over who has the power to declare war, the Democratic-controlled House approved a resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.
The war powers resolution is not binding on the President and would not require his signature. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nonetheless insisted it "has real teeth" because "it is a statement of the Congress of the United States."
The measure will "protect American lives and values" by limiting Trump's military actions, Pelosi said. "The administration must de-escalate and must prevent further violence.?
The White House called the resolution "ridiculous" and "completely misguided."

British Lawmakers Approve Brexit Deal

Britain's parliament finally approved Brexit, allowing it to become the first country to leave the European Union by the end of this month, ending years of arguments that toppled two governments and divided a nation.
The House of Commons erupted in cheers after MPs ratified Prime Minister Boris Johnson's divorce deal with Brussels 330 votes to 231, drawing a line under an extraordinary era of political drama and chaos.
For much of the time since the 2016 Brexit referendum, lawmakers have been at each others' throats over how, when or even if Britain should leave its closest trading partners after nearly 50 years. Some viewed Brexit with horror, fearing that it stripped them of their European identities and turned Britain into an insular, less important nation.
Others embraced it with fervour, viewing it as a chance to "take back control" from officials in Brussels and see Britain regain some of its past might.
Businesses and governments in Europe, puzzled by Britain's struggles, hoped that Brexit could still somehow be undone.

European Council Chief Defends Iran Nuclear Deal After

EU chief Charles Michel defended the crumbling Iran nuclear deal after US President Donald Trump urged Europe to quit it, but warned Tehran against "irreversible acts" that would sink the accord.
The president of the European Council used a call with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani to urge for a de-escalation of tensions after Tehran carried out missile strikes on US military bases in Iraq in retaliation for the assassination of one of its top generals.
A White House statement from Trump calmed fears of all-out war erupting, but the US leader demanded that the other parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal follow his lead and withdraw from the pact.
The European parties -- Britain, France and Germany -- have led efforts to save the deal, which has been crumbling since Trump pulled out in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, and Michel insisted it remained vital.

Meghan and Harry Give Up on Royal Life

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan stunned the British monarchy by quitting as front-line members — reportedly without first consulting Queen Elizabeth II.
In a shock announcement, the couple said that they would spend time in North America and rip up long-established relations with the press.
The surprise news follows a turbulent year for the couple, who have openly said they have struggled in the spotlight and grown apart from Harry's brother Prince William. They have also reacted badly to negative news coverage.

Spain Government to Have 5 Members from Anti-austerity Party

Spain's new coalition government will include five members from the left-wing, anti-austerity United We Can party and that three of its four deputy prime ministers will be women.
The Socialist Party of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has partnered with United We Can to give Spain its first coalition government since the restoration of democracy in 1978.
United We Can leader Pablo Iglesias will be the deputy prime minister in charge of social rights and sustainable development. His fellow party heavyweight, and wife, Irene Montero will be the minister of equality. Also from United We Can, Yolanda Díaz will be minister of labor; Alberto Garzón, minister of consumption; and Manuel Castells, minister of universities.
The other three deputy prime ministers will be women from Sánchez's Socialist Party.

Jan 09, 2020

China Opens Oil And Gas Exploration To Foreign Firms

China will allow foreign companies to take part in oil and gas exploration and production in the country, as a "major reform" opening up the industry.
The Ministry of Natural Resources said foreign firms registered in China with net assets of not less than 300 million yuan ($43 million) will be eligible to obtain oil and gas mining rights.
The move comes as China looks to open to private firms more sectors of the economy that have been dominated by state-owned companies.
The country's oil and gas market has been dominated by state players such as the China National Petroleum Company and China Petrochemical Corp (Sinopec).

World's Most Powerful Passports In 2020

Indian passport, ranked 84th in the world's most powerful passport index 2020, can get you visa-free entry to 58 destinations worldwide.
Based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Henley & Partners has come out with a passport index where countries are ranked according to the number of destinations their passport holder can access without a prior visa.
While Japan continues to top the list of the world's most powerful passport as it fetches visa-free access to 191 countries, India's rank has dropped from 82nd spot in 2019 to 84th in 2020.
World's top 10 most powerful passports:

1) Japan: Visa-free entry to 191 countries
2) Singapore: 190 countries
3) Germany, South Korea: 189

Turkey, Russia Launch Turkstream Pipeline Carrying Gas To Europe

The presidents of Turkey and Russia formally launched the TurkStream pipeline which will carry Russian natural gas to southern Europe through Turkey, part of Moscow's efforts to reduce shipments via Ukraine.
The pipeline project, stretching 930 km (580 miles) across the Black Sea, reinforces strong energy ties between Moscow and Ankara, which have also increased defense cooperation after Turkey bought advanced Russian missile defenses last year.
The pipeline was a sign of interaction and cooperation for the benefit of our people and the people of all Europe, the whole world.

Ukrainian Boeing Plane Crashes In Iran

Kiev-bound Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 plane crashed after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 people on board.
Victims from seven countries: The victims include 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals, according to Ukraine's Foreign Minister.
Minutes after takeoff: The airline also confirmed that the plane disappeared from radars a few minutes after its departure from the Iranian capital.

Jan 08, 2020

Pakistan's National Assembly Passes Bills To Extend General Qamar Javed Bajwa's Tenure

Pakistan's National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, passed three crucial bills to give extension to Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa for another three years.
Bajwa, a close confidant of Khan, was to retire on November 29 last year (2019) at the end of his three-year original term but Prime Minister Imran Khan gave the 59-year-old Army chief another extension of same length citing regional security situation through a notification on August 19.
The bills were approved by the Standing Committee on Defence, paving the way for approval by the Assembly.

Sanchez Wins Parliament Vote To Remain Spain PM

Spain's Parliament confirmed Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez by a razor-thin margin as Prime Minister for another term at the helm of the country's first-ever coalition government since its return to democracy in the 1970s.
Mr. Sanchez, who has stayed on as a caretaker premier, won 167 votes in the 350-seat Assembly compared to 165 against, with a decisive 18 abstentions by Catalan and Basque separatist MPs.
He plans to form a minority coalition government with hard-left party Podemos this time around, in what would be the first coalition government in Spain since the country returned to democracy following the death of longtime dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.

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