Current Affairs August 2018 - International

1 - 3^rd BRICS Film Festival concluded with India Day

The 3^rd BRICS Film Festival took place in Durban, South Africa, along with the International Durban Film Festival (DIFF). The last day of the festival was celebrated as India Country Day. The film festival is aimed at celebrating world-class film productions from the BRICS nations with the objective of inspiring more collaboration from these nations.

Awards won by Indian films in the 3^rd BRICS Film Festival, Durban, South Africa −

2 - US ease export controls for high-tech sales to India

The United States has granted Strategic Trade Authorization status STA1 to India and thus eased export controls for high technology product sales to India. The status provides same access as NATO allies, Australia, Japan and South Korea.

The STA-1 status will help India getting critical technology from the US in the defence and certain other key areas. It will help boost collaboration between the two nations in defence and certain other areas.

3 - First 'Nepal-India Think Tank' Summit held in Kathmandu

The first 'Nepal-India Think Tank' Summit to foster greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing among the think tanks of the two countries was held in Kathmandu.

The summit had four sessions with different themes. The first session dealt with Building innovative cooperation between Indo-Nepal think tanks, while second session dealt with Bolstering bilateral economic ties for the shared prosperity. The third session focussed on Managing security dilemma, whereas fourth session was on Redefining Nepal-India relations in 21^st century.

4 - India, Germany sign pact on financial and technical cooperation

India and Germany have signed an agreement on financial and technical cooperation focusing on sustainable urban development and renewable energy. The government-to-government Umbrella Agreement on Financial Cooperation and Technical Co-operation 2017 is worth about 5,000 crore rupees.

The priority of the co-operation is on sustainable urban development in the areas of sanitation, solid waste management and promotion of urban mobility. In December 2017, Germany had pledged nearly Rs. 8,500 crore (1,055 million Euros) for development cooperation with India during Indo-German inter-governmental negotiations.

5 - France's Parliament signed into law a controversial asylum and immigration bill

France's Parliament has signed into law a controversial asylum and immigration bill. The bill is designed to accelerate asylum procedures by cutting the maximum processing time from the current 120 days to 90 days after entering France. The text was adopted on a final reading by 100 votes in favour to 25 against with 11 abstentions.

The Senate had rejected the bill, but the Lower House passed the text as President Emmanuel Macron's La Republique En Marche party holds a large majority.

6 - Congress passed NDA Act 2019 Passed, capping US aid to Pakistan to $150 million

The United States Congress has passed the National Defense Authorisation Act-2019 (NDAA-19) which capped its security-related aid to Pakistan to $150 million, from more than $ 1 billion to $750 million per year.

However, the National Defence Authorisation Act-2019 (NDAA-19) removes certain conditions - like action against the Haqqani Network or the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) - that was mandatory for the disbursement of US aid to Pakistan. The Senate passed the conference report on NDAA-19 by 87 to 10 votes.

7 - Apple becomes first US company to hit $1 trillion in stock market valuation

Apple Inc. became the first U.S. based company with a market value of $1 trillion on 2^nd August, 2018. The shares rose by 2.9% to close at $207.39 in New York propelling its market value to $1.002 trillion. Apple was formed in 1976.

Other tech giants like Amazon.com Inc., Alphabet Inc. and Microsoft Corp. worth more than $800 billion each. PetroChina Co. briefly crossed the trillion-dollar mark in late 2007, but slumped quickly as oil prices collapsed in the financial crisis.

8 - India elected president of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development

India has been elected as the President of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) for a period of two years. India got elected against Iran during voting at the 44^th annual gathering of AIBD in Colombo.

Director General of All India Radio F. Sheheryar was re-elected as chair of the executive board while Sri Lanka was elected as vice-chair. AIBD, established in 1977 under the auspices of UNESCO, is a unique regional inter-governmental organisation and is mandated to achieve a vibrant and cohesive electronic media environment in the Asia-Pacific region through policy and resource development.

9 - Japan overtakes China to become world’s second-biggest stock market

According to a report by Bloomberg, Japan has overtaken China to become the world’s second-biggest stock market after the Chinese stocks and currency fell this year amid a trade spat with the US. Chinese equities were worth $6.09 trillion while Japan was worth $6.17 trillion.

The US has the world’s largest stock market at just over $31 trillion. China’s stock market overtook Japan’s in late 2014, then soared to an all-time high of more than $10 trillion in June 2015.

10 - UK announced new organ donation plan to address Indian-origin shortages

The UK government has announced new plans to change the law for organ and tissue donation to address the urgent need for organs within the Indian-origin communities in the country. National Health Service (NHS) found that 21% of people who died on the organ donation waiting list in the UK in 2017 were from a BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) background, compared with 15% a decade ago.

The proposed new system of consent for organ and tissue donation is expected to come into effect in England in 2020.

11 - Emmerson Mnangagwa won Zimbabwe's first post-Mugabe election

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa narrowly won the presidential elections. Mnangagwa won 50.8% of the votes, ahead of Nelson Chamisa of the opposition MDC party on 44.3%. Mnangagwa represented ZANU-PF party.

Mr. Mnangagwa was a longtime ally of ousted president Robert Mugabe. A military coup in November 2017 pushed Mugabe to resign after 37 years in power. The new government must now tackle mass unemployment, shattered economy, hyperinflation and an investment exodus.

12 - Saudi Arabia freezes trade relations with Canada

Saudi Arabia has stopped all new trade with Canada and expelled its ambassador over its "interference" in the kingdom's domestic affairs. The decision was in response to Canada’s call for the release of anti-government activist Samar Badawi. She is the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi.

Canada has exported C$1.4 billion ($1.08 billion) in merchandise goods to Saudi Arabia and imported C$2 billion in imports, leaving it with a cumulative year-to-date trade deficit with the kingdom of about C$640 million.

13 - Pacific Endeavor-2018 under MCIP held in Kathmandu

Pacific Endeavor-2018, a communication exercise under the Multinational Communications Interoperability Program (MCIP) was held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The basic objective of 12 day exercise was to develop common communications operating procedures to enable military forces in the Asia Pacific region to collectively work in the wake of disaster.

Around 270 personnel from 20 Asia-Pacific Countries participated in the exercise. It was jointly organised by the Nepali Army and United States Pacific Command. Pacific Endeavor began in 2005 and it focuses on establishing rapid and effective interoperable communication systems to jointly act in disaster relief operations.

14 - Google released Android 9 Pie

Google has officially released Android 9 Pie on the Google Pixel and will rollout the update to other phones throughout the year.

Salient Features:

• App actions − The OS will predict the user’s actions and suggest something accordingly.

• System navigation − The user can swipe from anywhere to access the app switcher.

• Do Not Disturb Mode.

• Adaptive Battery, which learns the mostly used apps and prioritizes battery for them.

• Adaptive Brightness, which learns how the user likes to set the brightness in different settings, and does it for them

15 - Purna Chandra Thapa took charge as acting CoAS of Nepal Army

Nepal's Chief of General Staff, Lt General Purna Chandra Thapa has assumed the charge of acting Army Chief. Outgoing Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Rajendra Chhetri handed over the charge of the top post of the Nepal Army to Lt General Thapa in Kathmandu.

Lt General Thapa will formally take over as new Army Chief after the retirement of General Chhetri who is due to retire on 9^th of September.

16 - Nepal, Bangladesh signed MoU to enhance cooperation in power sector

Nepal and Bangladesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in power sector. The MoU is aimed at increasing collaboration in electricity generation, grid connectivity, energy efficiency, renewable energy and development of hydropower for the mutual and regional benefit.

The MoU also envisages encouraging industrialists of Nepal and Bangladesh to invest in the power sector and tap huge hydropower potential of South Asia by regional and sub-regional cooperation to uplift the living standard of people in the region.

17 - Chile's Bachelet to be next UN Human Rights Chief

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has been appointed the next UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She will replace Jordanian diplomat Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein.

Ms. Bachelet most recently served as President of Chile from 2014 to 2018, and 2006 to 2010. She was the first Executive Director of UN-Women between 2010 and 2013. She has also served as Minister of Defence and Minister of Health in Chile. Ms. Bachelet will be the seventh High Commissioner since the Office was created in 1993.

18 - US re-imposed a wave of tough, unilateral sanctions against Iran

The United States re-imposed a wave of tough, unilateral sanctions against Iran. The first of two rounds of US sanctions target Iran's access to US banknotes and key industries, including cars and carpets.

The sanctions seek to pile financial pressure on Tehran to force a "comprehensive and lasting solution" to Iranian threats. Iran's rial currency has lost around half its value since US President Donald Trump announced that the US would withdraw from the 2015 nuclear accord.

19 - Google launched new app Cameos aimed at celebrities

Google Cameos is launched with an aim to help celebrities post answers to the internet's questions about themselves, then share those answers directly on Google. It is a sort of video based question and answers app. The app is launched for celebrities and other public figures, who are often the subject of people’s Google searches.

Fans of public figure would be able to upload question in their own voice. These videos will be directly displayed in Google’s search results - allowing users to get information about celebrities straight from the celebrities themselves.

20 - Pakistan and Russia signed agreement for training at Russian military training institutes

Pakistan and Russian government inked MoU to allow Pakistani troops to receive training at Russian military training institutes. The contracts have been signed on admission of service members of Pakistan in Russia's Military Training Institutes.

Bilateral defense relations and major international issues including situation in the Middle East and Afghanistan were discussed to strengthen, expand and improve mutual cooperation. Pakistan has ensured to create military-to-military level ties and set up a commission for military cooperation with Russia.

21 - India released 470 million Nepali rupees grant for Terai roads project in Nepal

The Government of India has released 470 million Nepali rupees grant for Terai roads project in Nepal. The amount has been released to maintain fund liquidity for the ongoing construction of 14 road packages under Postal Highway Project.

With this payment, 2.35 billion Nepali rupees have been released so far out of total grant assistance of 8 billion Nepali rupees committed by the Government of India for implementing 14 packages under Postal Highway Project.

22 - Israel inaugurated visa application centre in Kolkata

In order to encourage Indian travelers for Israel tourism, Israel began visa application centre in Kolkata for tourists. Israeli Ministry of Tourism will conduct a roadshow in Kolkata on August 29 to increase Indian tourists for visiting Israel. The visa application categories include those who go there for employment, for business, tourism, meeting or conference and for students.

Among other initiatives, Israel recently announced a reduction in visa fees to INR 1,100 rupees from its previous 1,700 charged from Indians.

23 - Special Session of the BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting held

Special Session of the BIMSTEC Senior Officials' Meeting was held in Kathmandu, Nepal. Senior officers from all Member States and Secretary General of BIMSTEC attended the Meeting. The Meeting discussed the preparatory issues relating to the upcoming Fourth BIMSTEC Summit to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal during 30-31 August 2018. The theme for the Summit was also recommended as "Towards a peaceful, Prosperous and Sustainable Bay of Bengal Region".

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization comprising seven Member States of the Bay of Bengal.

24 - Iran unveiled next generation short-range ballistic missile

Tehran's Fateh Mobin short-range ballistic missile was unveiled by Iran’s defence ministry. The Fateh Mobin missile is next generation short-range ballistic missile to build up defence power in all fields with missile range of around 200 to 300 kilometres. Fateh Mobin rocket was 100-percent domestically made intact and precision-guided rocket.

There had been tensions rising between U.S. and Iran due to reason that U.S. pulled out 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and world powers in May 2018.

25 - Imran Khan sworn in as new Prime Minister of Pakistan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party Chief, Imran Khan has taken oath as the 22^nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. President Mamnoon Hussain, administered the oath to Imran Khan.

Imran Khan was elected Prime Minister of Pakistan by the newly-elected members of the National Assembly. He got 176 votes, while his opponent and Chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif managed to secure 96 votes.

26 - US announced creation of ‘Iran Action Group’ for post-nuclear deal policy

Iran Action Group (IAG) has been formed by USA for monitoring USA’s policy towards Iran, following President Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal from a multinational nuclear deal with Tehran. Iran Action Group will be headed by Brian Hook, the State Department's director of policy planning. Brian Hook will be known as Special Representative for Iran.

IAG will work on changing Iranian regime's behavior towards USA and help boost of relations of USA with other nations in understanding of the Iranian threat.

27 - Ibrahim Boubacar Keita re-elected to work as Mali President

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was re-elected as Malian President for second 5 year term. He won by 67.17% votes against 32.83% votes of finance minister Soumaila Cisse. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, as Malian Preident will have to look after intercommunal violence which has prevailed in Mali due to Islamic revolt. Mali has been facing violence involving the Fulani nomadic herder community and Bambara and Dogon farmers.

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, a region geologically identified with the West African Craton. Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa.

28 - Mario Abdo Benitez selected as new President of Paraguay

Right-wing former Senator and Colorado Party's Mario Abdo Benitez has been selected as new President of Paraguay for 5-year term. He won against liberal opposition alliance Efrain Alegre by just four percentage points. Abdo Benitez has ensured in election campaigns to come up with low tax policies, tackle corruption, support business-friendly policies and boost agricultural exports.

Paraguay is a landlocked country between Argentina, Brazil and Bolivi. Under presidency of President Horacio Cartes, Paraguay became the third country to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem after the United States and Guatemala.

29 - Ten-day festival of historic Esala Maha Perehera held in Sri Lanka

The ten-day festival of the historic Esala Maha Perehera was held in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and grandest of all Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka, featuring dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers and lavishly decorated elephants.

The festival is held in Esala (July or August) which is the month that is believed to commemorate the first teaching given by the Buddha after he attained enlightenment. It is celebrated to honour the sacred tooth relic and the four Gods Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Goddess Pattini.

30 - Iran unveiled first domestic fighter jet

Iran unveiled its first-ever domestic fighter jet - “Kowsar” which is the fourth-generation fighter at the National Defence Industry exhibition in the Iranian capital. The jet is believed to be "100% indigenously made" for the first time in Iranian history.

The jet has “advanced avionics” and a multi-purpose radar. The jet is capable of carrying various weapons, and will be used for short aerial support missions. “Kowsar”, in Islam, is a river in paradise and also the title of a chapter in the Koran.

31 - European wind survey satellite launched from French Guyana

A new European satellite using advanced laser technology to track global winds and improve weather forecasts has been successfully put into orbit on a Vega rocket from French Guyana. The satellite, "Aeolus", is part of a European project to monitor environmental damage and help disaster relief.

The satellite "will probe the lowermost 30 kilometres of the atmosphere in measuring winds around the Earth". It will be on a sun-synchronous orbit so its solar panels can always draw power.

32 - World Bank launched world-first blockchain bond

The World Bank launched bond-i (blockchain operated new debt instrument), the world’s first bond to be created, allocated, transferred and managed through its life cycle using distributed ledger technology.

The two-year bond raised Australian $110 million. The World Bank mandated Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) as arranger for the bond. The bond-i blockchain platform was built and developed by the CBA Blockchain Centre of Excellence. The World Bank issues between US$50-US$60 billion annually in bonds for sustainable development.

33 - Sweden launched "Feminist Foreign Policy" Manual

Sweden released a handbook of its "feminist foreign policy" for rights groups and foreign governments, showcasing lessons from the Scandinavian nation's flagship approach to promoting women's rights globally.

The goals of the manual include the promotion of economic emancipation, fighting sexual violence and improving women's political participation. The manual was published on the government's website in English. Projects cited in the manual include an action plan for five war-torn and post-conflict nations -- Afghanistan, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and the Palestinian Territories.

34 - Iran's parliament impeached Economy Minister Masoud Karbasian

Iran's parliament impeached Economy Minister Masoud Karbasian as the government struggles to face down a mounting economic crisis. Karbasian lost the vote of confidence, which was carried live on state radio, by 137 votes to 121, with two abstentions. He is the second minister in President Hassan Rouhani's cabinet to be impeached in August 2018, following the removal of Labour Minister Ali Rabiei.

Iran has struggled with high rates of inflation and joblessness for years, despite a slight improvement following the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

35 - China imposed 25% taxes on US products worth 16 billion dollars

Washington imposed 25% tariffs on 16 billion dollar worth of Chinese goods coming into the US, with Beijing immediately imposing retaliatory taxes on the same value of American products.

The move brings the total amount of goods flowing between the countries, subject to tariffs, up to 106 billion dollars, which is roughly 17 per cent of all of the bilateral trade. The US tariffs apply to 279 Chinese goods, including semiconductors, chemicals and railway equipment, while China's list of 333 US products include coal, copper scrap, fuel, buses and medical equipment.

36 - Scott Morrison to become Australia's new PM

Treasurer Scott Morrison became Australia’s new Prime Minister after winning a Liberal party leadership vote. Mr. Morrison, won an internal ballot 45-40 over former Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull did not contest the party ballot as he was under pressure from poor polling, a looming election, and a revolt by conservative MPs. Josh Frydenberg, the environment and energy minister, was selected as Deputy Liberal Leader. The Liberal party is the senior partner in the ruling conservative coalition that will face an election by May 2019.

37 - India - Kenya joint trade committee meeting held in Nairobi

The 8^th meeting of India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee was held in Nairobi, Kenya. The discussions during the meetings covered India’s contribution in implementation of Kenya’s Big Four Agenda – food security, affordable housing, universal healthcare and diversification of bilateral trade.

Kenya’s readiness to join the International Solar Alliance, implementation of Lines of Credit in power transmission, SMEs development, revival of the Rivatex factory and agricultural mechanization, blue economy, agro-processing sectors and WTO related issues; and training & capacity building programmes were offered by India.

38 - First SAARC agri cooperative business forum held in Kathmandu

The First South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Agri Cooperative Business Forum was held in Kathmandu. The theme of three-day Forum was the 'Organizing and Strengthening Family Farmers’ Cooperatives to attain the Sustainable-Development-Goals-1 and 2 in South Asia'.

The Forum brought together representatives both from the government and non-governmental entities from the Member States of SAARC as well as from regional and international organizations. The forum aims to share and learn from experiences of various organizations in organizing and strengthening family farmers’ agricultural cooperatives towards promoting sustainable incomes, livelihoods and rural development.