International
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
January 2012 Current Affairs Study Material INTERNATIONAL Obama signs bill to suspend $ 1.1 bn aid to Pak US President Barack Obama has signed into law a massive $1.1 billion defence spending bill that also seeks to suspend a big cut of $1.1 billion military aid to Pakistan, despite his ‖ serious reservations ―about provisions regulating custody and prosecution of suspected terrorists. Pakistan wins temporary UN Council Seat Pakistan has won a seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term. Securing 129 out of 193 votes in the United Nations General Assembly – exactly the two-thirds majority required to win the seat, Pakistan will now be a non-permanent member, replacing Lebanon, of the United Nations Security Council in a term that begins on January 2012 and will end in December 2013. Pakistan Court issues Contempt Notice against Prime Minister Gilani Pakistan top court began contempt proceedings on 16 January 2012 against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for failing to carry out its order to re-open a corruption case against the President, ramping up pressure on the beleaguered civilian government and pushing the country deeper into political crisis. Wikipedia shut for 24 hours to protest US anti-piracy act Wikipedia, the popular community-edited online encyclopaedia from 18 Jan. 2012 evening blacked out its English Language site for 24 hours to seek support against proposed US anti-piracy legislation that Wikipedia founder, Mr Jimmy Wales, said threatens the future of the Internet. White House locked down after smoke bomb attack The White House, Washington was locked down on 18 Jan. 2012 for more than an hour after a ―‖smoke bomb‖" landed inside the compound of the United States president‘s residence, breaching the high security alert around the building. Once Again Bird Flu Deaths In China Once again bird flu deaths brings 2nd death in 30 days in china , over 28 number of people in china who have died from the diseases since 2003 . Younest Sailor To Complete Solo Circumnavigation of The World Dutch Leeager Laura Dekkar 16 yrs old , on 21 st Jan 2012 became the youngest sailor to complete a solo circumnavigation of the world . 25 EU Nations Sign Up For German All European Union Countries agreed to sign a new treaty called fiscal compact on 30 th Jan 2012 .When 25 out of 27 EU states agreed to sign only Britan and Czech republic refused to sign a fiscal compact, that will impose quasi automatic santions on countries that breach European union budget deficit rules in national law .and crippling debts crises and to stimulate growth and development in economy . Romney wins first round battle for GOP‟s ( Grand Old Party), ( US Republican Plitical Party ) US President nominations Front-runner Mitt Romney stood in course of a narrow win ( by just 8 votes ) from a 120, 000 party flock in a state New Hampshire that is considered the heartland of America. Maldives lifts ban on spas The Maldives president on 4 January 2012 said he has lifted a ban on spas in the upmarket tourist destination after establishing they were not being used for prostitution as alleged by Islamist protesters.The Maldives on 31 December 2011 has ordered hundreds of luxury hotels to close their spas after protsts by an Islamist party which claimed they were a front for prostitution. Karzai gives go – ahead to US – Taliban peace talks The government of Afghanistan gave its blessing to talks between Taliban insurgents and the United States, and also to the opening of an office for the Islamists in Qatar on 4 January 2012 . Obama unveils New Defence Policy, shifts U S focus to the East U S President Barack Obama unveiled a defence strategy on 5 Jan. 2012 that calls for a greater U S military presence in Asia and envisions cutting troops in Europe as the Pentagon seeks to reduce spending by nearly half a trillion dollars after a decade of war. Myanmar Govt. approves Suu Kyi‘s party on 5 January 2012, allows to contest by- elections in April Turkey‟s ex – general arrested on coup allegations Turkey‘s former Army chief Ilker Basbug on 6 January 2012 was detained over an alleged bid to topple the Islamist – rooted government in the latest confrontation likely to inflame tensions with the powerful military. Chinese media slams US ‗look east‘ policy Warns Washington against ‗ War Mongering ‗, says move may fuel military tension China‘s state – run news media warned Washington on 6 January 2012 not to ―recklessly practice‖ or engage in ―war mongering,‖ a day after the Obama administration outlined a new military strategy with an increased focus on China. Nea Zealand oil slick ship breaks up in storm A cargo ship, Reena, stranded on a New Zealand reef for the past three months has split into two in a severe storm on 8 January 2012, creating fears of a fresh oil spill. The two pieces of the Reena have been forced 20-30 metres apart after waves up to 6 metres hit the vessel according to Maritime New Zealand spokesman, Ross Henderson. Iran begins N – activity underground Iran has begun uranium enrichment at a new underground site well protected from possible air strikes on 8 January 2012. Germany, France warn Greece it won‟t get more funds until it agrees on Bond Swap Germany and France warned Greece on January 9, 2012 it will get no more bailout funds until it agrees with creditor banks on a bond swap and pressed for an early deal to avert a potential default in the euro zone‘s most debt-stricken nation. Pak PM dismisses Defence Secretary Pakistan‘s Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani dismissed Defence Secretary Lt Gen Khalid Naeem Lodhi, a retired general and a close aide of the Army Chief with immediate effect for ―gross misconduct and illegal action‖ according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister‘s Office. INDIA & WORLD India, Pak exchange list of Nuclear Installations India and Pakistan on 1 Jan. 2012 exchanged lists of their nuclear installations and facilities under a two – decade – old pact prohibiting attacks on atomic assets, days after senior officials of the two sides held talks in Islamabad on nuclear and conventional CBMs. ―The Governments of the two countries are required to exchange lists of their nuclear installations and facilities on January 1 every year under the terms of the ― Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and facilities ― that was signed in December 1988. India, Pak set to start trade in power, petro goods Plan is to transfer 500MW via Punjab, surplus Diesel from Bhatinda Refinery‖ India and Pakistan are strengthening business links in 2012, with the stage set for start of trading in electricity and petroleum products. Officials from the two countries have decided to trade in electricity through a specially – built high voltage direct current link between Amritsar and Lahore. The plan is to transfer 500MW through the Punjab border with the tariff linked to the market rate. China denies visa to IAF officer, Indian defence team cancels the visit India on 6 Jan. 2012 cancelled the visit by a military delegation to China after one of its members hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, was denied Visa by China. 12 Indian diamond traders return after detention in China Twelve diamond traders returned to India from China on Jan. 6, 2012 after being released from a detention centre in Shenzhen, where they had been kept for nearly two years. India to give MFN status to Bangladesh India on Jan. 6, 2012 said that it was keen to give Bangladesh ‗ most preferred nation ‗ status for trade across the border and would try to ensure capital flows to that country for business. India to seek new waivers from US on new sanctions on Iran As new US sanctions of Iran‘s oil sector take effect, India, which expects to be hit, will ask the US for waivers to minimise the effect of the curbs that may be given to Washington‘s key allies like Japan, Turkey and South Korea, who, like New Delhi, are all importers of Iranian oil. India decides to send small tri – service delegation to China In an overnight U-turn India has decided on 7 January 2012 to go ahead with sending a military delegation to China next week but reduced it to 15 members to the original 30 after Beijing refused to issue a visa to an IAF officer from Arunchal Pradesh.‖ India for labour treatises with Europe, Oz The government is negotiating human resource mobility partnership agreements with the Netherlands, France, Australia and the European Union in a move aimed at greater inroads for Indian professionals into such markets. India, South Africa for early conclusion of Customs union pact India and South Africa on Jan. 9, 2012 agreed to ensure an early conclusion of the India – SACU ( Southern African Customs Union ) Preferential Trade Agreement and the Bilaterial Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. India, Singapore in talks for changes in trade agreement The India – Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement ( CECA ) would require some amendments, particularly in the area of mutual recognition of professional qualification in order to make it relevant to the present business relations between the two countries.. Mali signs $100-m line of credit with Exim Bank of India The West African nation of Mali on January 11, 2012 signed a $100 million line of credit with the Exim Bank of India. This line of credit will be used for transmission of power from Cote d‘Ivoire, Mali‘s neighbour, to the capital city of Bamak.