General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - November 2018

Nov 2018

Nov 20, 2024

Indo-Canadian Niki Sharma New Deputy Premier of British Columbia

Niki Sharma, an MLA of Indian descent, was appointed as the Deputy Premier of British Columbia (BC), making her the first woman of colour to hold this role. Alongside Sharma, three newly elected MLAs, Ravi Kahlon, Ravi Singh Parmar and Jagrup Brar, from the Indo-Canadian community were named to the provincial Cabinet. BC Premier David Eby announced the new Cabinet.
Sharma became the first Indo-Canadian to serve as Deputy Premier, though the province has previously had an Indo-Canadian Premier, Ujjal Dosanjh, who led BC from 2000 to 2001.
The Cabinet includes Ravi Parmar, responsible for Forests; Jagrup Brar, overseeing Mining and Critical Minerals; and Ravi Kahlon, assigned to Housing and Municipal Affairs. Additionally, Raj Chauhan is expected to continue as Speaker of the provincial legislature.

Global Freight Summit 2024

The Global Freight Summit 2024 was held in Dubai, marking its third edition since 2022. Hosted by DP World, the event witnessed over 5,000 industry leaders from 155 countries, focused on the theme of 'Acting to reach the opportunities of tomorrow.'
The event addressed four primary areas, which included the use of AI and blockchain in business. Strategies for navigating volatile global markets were also discussed. Sustainable shipping practices were the focus. Additionally, the summit examined building robust trade routes amid geopolitical tensions and natural disasters.

Gabon Approves New Constitution in Historic Referendum

Gabonese voters approved of a new Constitution by a landslide 91.8 per cent proposed by the country's military rulers. According to reports, the proposed new Constitution introduces a limit of two terms on the presidency, while also increasing the length of terms from five to seven years. The Central African Country's new Constitution also abolishes the position of Prime Minister and stipulates that family members cannot succeed a President.
The constitutional change will also require presidential candidates to be exclusively Gabonese, with at least one Gabon-born parent and to have a Gabonese spouse. The criterion disqualifies ousted ruler Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has a French-born wife, Sylvia Valentin, and prevents his children from ever leading the country.
Military officers seized power in a coup in August 2023, ousting former President Ali Bongo Ondimba and putting him under house arrest. Gabon's military rulers have tentatively scheduled a handover to the civilian government for the summer of 2025.

Nov 19, 2024

Jeddah Commitments on AMR

The 4th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) concluded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the adoption of the Jeddah Commitments.
Jeddah Commitments laid down practical, actionable and cross-sectoral steps stakeholders to address AMR-related goals by 2030.
Its theme was "From Declaration to Implementation – Accelerating Actions Through Multisectoral Partnerships for the Containment of AMR."
Establishment of New Hubs: It announced an AMR 'One Health' Learning Hub and a regional Antimicrobial Access and Logistics Hub in Saudi Arabia to enhance access to essential antimicrobials and diagnostics.

Valdecy Urquiza New Secretary General of Interpol

Brazilian Federal Police Commissioner Valdecy Urquiza was elected as the new Secretary General of Interpol at the organisation's 92nd General Assembly, held in Glasgow, Scotland. Urquiza took over the role from the outgoing Secretary General, Jurgen Stock, marking a significant leadership transition in the world's largest police organisation.
Valdecy Urquiza is a seasoned police officer from Brazil with extensive experience in global policing and international law enforcement.
Jurgen Stock, who served as Secretary General for 10 years, played a crucial role in modernising Interpol and enhancing its role in combating transnational crimes.
The organization today known as Interpol was founded on September 7, 1923 at the close of a five-day International Police Congress in Vienna.

Nov 18, 2024

UAE Unveils Energy Efficiency Alliance at COP29

The UAE has announced the establishment of the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. This initiative aims to double annual global energy efficiency rates by 2030, aligning with the UAE's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable resource use. Building on the historic 'UAE Consensus' established at COP28, this alliance seeks to foster international collaboration and innovation in energy efficiency, emphasizing the role of knowledge sharing, partnerships, and investment in achieving sustainability goals.

US Returns $10 Million Worth of Looted Antiques to India

In a major development, the United States has returned over 1,400 looted artifacts worth $10 million to India as part of an ongoing initiative to repatriate stolen cultural items from South and Southeast Asia. Among the returned artifacts is a celestial dancer sandstone sculpture, which had been illegally smuggled from central India to London before being sold to a patron of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Nov 17, 2024

Trump Names Karoline Leavitt as White House Press Secretary

United States (US) President-elect Donald Trump named Karoline Leavitt as the White House secretary. Leavitt will be the youngest person ever to take charge of this post.
Previously that distinction went to Ronald Ziegler, who was 29 when he took the position in 1969 in Richard Nixon's administration. Earlier, Leavitt had served as Trump's campaign press secretary.
During Trump's first term in office from 2017 to 2021, Leavitt worked in the White House press office. She then became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Nov 16, 2024

Landslide Victory for Sri Lankan President's Party

Sri Lanka's National People's Power of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake swept the parliamentary elections by winning a two-thirds majority, and also dominating the Jaffna electoral district - the heartland of the nation's Tamil minority.
The NPP, which contested under the Malimawa (compass) symbol, secured 159 out of the 225 seats in parliament, the first time any party has won a two-thirds majority under the country's proportional representation system introduced in 1978. The victory cemented a transformation of the island-nation's political landscape which for decades was dominated by established political parties of family dynasties.

Australia Appoints First Anti-Slavery Commissioner to Combat Modern Slavery

Australia appointed its first Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Chris Evans, who will serve a five-year term starting in December 2024. The position is designed to strengthen efforts across the government, business, and society to combat modern slavery, which includes human trafficking, forced labour, and deceptive recruiting. The move is in line with the Albanese Government's commitment to address modern slavery, with a focus on victim support, raising awareness, and improving business accountability in supply chains.
The Anti-Slavery Commissioner's appointment is a crucial step in addressing the growing issue of modern slavery in Australia. The government remains committed to tackling modern slavery and supporting victims and survivors.

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