January 2016 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

Ruling conservative People’s Party wins Spain’s general election

Ruling conservative People’s Party (PP) of Spain led Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy by has won the 2015 general election of the country. In the general election, PP won the 123 seats by securing in the lower house of the 350-member Parliament and securing 28.7 percent vote share. Now the People’s Party has to form a coalition government with support of other political parties to govern for another four-year term.

Philippines – First Asian country to approve sale of dengue vaccine

Philippines became the first Asian country to approve the sale of the world’s first ever dengue vaccine Dengvaxia in the country. The Dengvaxia vaccine has been manufactured by French pharmaceutical manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur. It has been designed to protect people in the 9-45 age groups from all four subtypes of the virus. Earlier it secured its first regulatory approval in Mexico a fortnight ago and is currently being reviewed by around 20 countries in Asia and Latin America. Clinical tests of the vaccine carried out on 40,000 people from 15 countries by the company has shown that vaccine can immunise two-thirds of people aged 9-45.

China passes first law against domestic violence

China’s parliament adopted the countries first law against domestic violence bringing traditionally silent abuse victim, including couples who are in live- in relation ship , under legal protection. The new law passed by the chineese national legislature, prohibits any form of domestic violence, including Psycological abuse. The legislation was approved at the end of a week-long bi monthly session of the National people’s congress (NPC) standing committee.

Cabinet approved India joining the International Energy Agency Ocean Energy Systems

On 13 January 2016 the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave its approval for India becoming a member country of the International Energy Agency – Ocean Energy Systems (IEA-OES) by signing the Implementing Agreement (IA). The nodal agency for the membership would be Earth System Science Organisation – National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-NIOT) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. By becoming a member of the IEA-OES, India will have access to advanced R&D teams and technologies across the world. India will partner in developing test protocols along with other countries. This will help in testing Indian prototypes as per international requirements and norms.

WHO Declares End to EbolaOutbreak in West Africa

The World Health Organization on 14 January 2016 declared an end to the Ebola outbreak in Liberia- marking the first time since the outbreak began in 2014 that the three hardest hit countries (including Sierra Leone and Guinea) have been considered Ebola-free. To be declared Ebola-free, the countries had to have no cases for 42 days( or two 21-day incubation cycles of the virus).

December 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

Mahatma Gandhi International Centre in Sri Lanka

The President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi International Centre (MGIC) in Matale, Sri Lanka. The center was inaugurated as a tribute to the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi to humanity and the continuing relevance of his principles and philosophy to mankind. It was funded under the Indian government’s Development Cooperation Partnership with Sri Lanka.

German military aid to fight ISIS in Syria

The German Cabinet on 1 December 2015 approved a mandate offering military assistance to back the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Syria. The move is aimed at supporting France and the international alliance in its fight against the organisation. The mandate is for one year at a cost of 134 million euros (142 million dollars) and can be extended next year.

Paris pact on Water and Climate Change Adaptation

A broad coalition of nations, river basin organisations, business and civil societies from across the globe on 3 December, 2015 announced the Paris Pact on Water and Climate Change Adaptation. It aims to make water systems which are very foundation of sustainable human development more resilient to climate change impacts. It also seeks at promoting financial sustainability and new investment in water system management. The announcement was made as part of the ‘Water Resilience Focus’ event under the Lima to Paris Action Agenda (LPAA) on climate change.

President of Argentina – Mauricio Macri Blanco

On 10th December 2015, Mauricio Macri Blanco was sworn in as the President of Argentina by replacing Cristina Elisabet Fernandez de Kirchner. Macri is the leader of the centre-right Cambiemos (Let’s Change) coalition. Earlier to this appointment, since December 2007, he held the office of government of Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina.

Afghanisthan joins World Trade Organisation

Afghanisthan has joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) calling it historic membership to boost the war-torn nations economy and build peace. The WTO has formally approved Afghanisthan’s membership at it’s 10th ministerial conference in the kenyan Capital Nairobi, Afghansthan has become the 164th WTO member and the 36th least developed country (LDC) to join the global trade body after 11 years of negotiations. Now Bhutan is the only SAARC member which has so far not joined the multilateral trade body.

November 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

Britain nuclear deal with China

Britain has signed a land mark nuclear deal with China to build the UK’s first nuclear power plant. Under this deal, nuclear power plant will be built at Hinkley point, near London with total investment of 18 billion pound. The Nuclear Power Corporation of China will contribute 6 billion pounds to built the power plant. The plant will be become operational by 2025.

Law and Justice party won the Poland elections

Conservative Right-wing Law and Justice Party won the 2015 Parliamentary elections of Poland. This party won absolute majority by winning 235 of total 460 seats and securing 39.1 per cent of the votes. With this, the deputy leader of the party Beata Szydlo is set to become the next Prime Minister of Poland.

Nepal’s first woman President Bidhya Bhanadari

Nepal for the first time elected woman candidate as it’s President. Bidhya Bhandari of Communist Party of Nepal has been elected as the new President of Nepal. She began her political career in 1979. Bhandari was the minister for Defence in the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government from May 2009 to February 2011.

Bangladesh signs satellite deal with French firm

Bangladesh has signed a 250 million US Dollar deal with French-Italian firm Thales Alenia Space in Dhaka to build the country’s first communications satellite. Thales Alenia Space will build the satellite called Bangabandhu-1 for the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to be launched into space in 2017.With the launch of Bangabandhu-1, Bangladesh will become the 57th member of the exclusive club of satellite-owning countries.

Egypt, Russia signed on nuclear power plant

Egypt and Russia on 19 November 2015 signed an agreement to build a nuclear power plant in Egypt. As per the agreement, Russia will extend a loan to Egypt to cover the cost of construction. The plant is expected to be completed by 2022. The plant will be the first in Egypt and will be built at Dabaa in the North of the country. The project would involve the building of a third generation plant with four reactors.

October 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

China to sell 8 submarines to Pakistan

China will sell eight submarines to Pakistan, with four of them being built in Karachi under a technology transfer agreement. The construction of the eight submarines will simultaneously begin in Pakistan and China and four of them will be built in Karachi. China will transfer technology to Pakistan for submarine construction. The deal is for Yuan-class Type 041 diesel-electric submarines equipped with air independent propulsion (AIP) systems.

North Korea celebrated 70th Anniversary of the Country

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un attended the Military parade and mass rally in PyongYang on 10 October to mark the 70th anniversary of the country’s ruling party. Thousands of goose-stepping troops, tanks, armored vehicles, rocket launchers and a variety of missiles mounted on trucks rolled through the Square.

China starts biggest dam on Brahmaputra in Tibet

China on 13 October operationalised the 1.5 billion US Dollars Zam Hydropower Station, the largest in Tibet, built on the Brahmaputra river. Located in Gyaca county, Shannan prefecture, Zam Hydropower station also known as Zangmu Hydropower station, harnesses the waters of the Brahmaputra, known in Tibet as Yarlung Zangbo. Considered the world’s highestaltitude hydropower station and the largest of its kind, the dam will produce 2.5 billion kilo-watt-hours of electricity a year.

Fiji Parliament elects new President Jioje Konrote

Fiji Parliament on 12th October 2015 has elected the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations as the next President of the country, namely Jioji/George Konrote. He was nominated by the ruling Fiji First party gaining 31 votes in the presidential elections held at the parliament. Opposition SODELPA party candidate Ratu Epeli Ganilau received a mere 14 votes. As per the constitution of Fiji, PM and leader of opposition submit presidential candidate’s name to Parliament Speaker for voting. Konrote is an ex major general who had joined the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in the 1960s.

NATO launched Trident Juncture Military Excercise

To test the alliance’s ability to respond to new security threats, North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) launched a biggest military excercise called Trident Juncture Military Excercise in Italy. The Military excercise has mobilised around 36,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen from more than 30 NATO countries.

September 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

China celebrated 70th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War-II

On 3 September, 2015 China celebrated the 70th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War-II. Chinese President announced that the size of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would be reduced by 300,000. This will be the fourth reduction of forces for China. Russian President Vladimir Putin, South Korea President Park Guen Hye, United Nations Secretary General Ban KI Moon, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs general V.K. Singh are participated in the celebrations along with deligates from nearly 30 different countries.

900 million active users for ‘WhatsApp’ around the world

Mobile messaging App ‘WhatsApp’ now has 900 million regular and active users around the world, following the addition of 100 million users in last five months. In November, WhatsAPP had said India accounted for 70 million of its active users. In India WhatsApp is mostly used along with other messaging Apps such as Line, Viber and Hike.

Being signed to sell 300 jets to Chinese Firms

America’s Boeing company has signed deals to sell 300 aircraft's to three Chinese firms and set up an aircraft plant in China, becoming the first U.S. firm to clinch a business tie-up in China. The aircraft deals, potentially worth tens of billions of dollars in total, are collectively the largest order the aerospace firm has received from Chinese companies. Boeing signed a cooperation document with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China to build the aircraft completion centre for its 737 passenger jet in China.

Indian Origin Ashok Sreedharan elected as Mayor of German Town

Indian Origin Ashok Sreedharan, a mayoral candidate of Chancellor Angela Merkel led Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has won the election in the town of Bonn, becoming the first person of Indian origin as mayor in German city. His victory marks the end of more than 21 years rule of the city by the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Until now, he served as the treasurer and assistant mayor in the municipal administration of Koenigs winter.

Tallest mountain is North America, Mt. Mckinley renamed as Denali

United states has renamed the tallest mountain in North America Mount Mckinley as Denali. It is the original native name. The summit elevation of Mount Denali is 6,190 m above sea level. It is located in the Alaska Range and Denali National park in the US state of Alaska.

August 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

CERN formally confers its Associate Membership to Pakistan

Pakistan was formally conferred Associate Membership status by European Organisation for Nuclear Research (also known as CERN). The membership was granted after Pakistan formally completed the required internal ratification process. With this, Pakistan became the first Asian country to become member of CERN.

193 UN members reach agreement on New Sustainable Development Agenda

On 3 August 2015 United Nations 193 member states have reached an agreement on the outcome document New Sustainable Development Agenda for the next 15 years i.e. Till 2030. The new agenda draft document called “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” was built on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The draft agreement outlines 17 nonbinding goals with 169 specific targets that comprise different socio-economic issues. These goals will succeed 8 MDGs which was adopted in 2000. It has broader sustainability agenda dealing with ‘five Ps’ people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership.

Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for the second time

Sri Lanka present Prime Minister Ranil Singhe is again elected as the Prime Minister for the second time in the Parliament elections held on 17 August, 2015. United National Party (UNP) of Singhe secured 106 seats and with the support of Tamil parties Ranil is again elected as the Prime Minister. The former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s party United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is in the second place in the Parliament elections.

China, Pakistan signed deals worth 1.6 billion US dollars to implement CPEC

China and Pakistan on 12 August 2015 signed 20 agreements worth 1.6 billion US dollars to implement the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. These agreements were signed during the CPEC Forum that was held at Karamay city in Xinjiang province of China bordering.Both the countries together also issued the Karamay Manifesto on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Bangladesh became first country to receive funds from UN for Solar Home Systems

Bangladesh became the first country to receive funds from the United Nations (UN) for its fast growing solar home systems. The UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) issued 395286 carbon credits worth 3.56 million US Dollar to two Bangladeshi organisations. Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL) and Grameen Shakti are the two organisations that won the carbon credits. The UNFCCC has issued 212482 carbon credits to the IDCOL&182804 credits to Grameen Shakti.

To get other articles information

1. January 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
2. February 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
3. March 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
4. April 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
5. May 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
6. June 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
7. July 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank

July 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

Cuba Becomes First Nation To Eliminate Mother-To-Child HIV

World Health Organization (WHO) has announced Cuba has become the first country to eliminate the transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and syphilis from mother to baby. Over the past five years, Caribbean countries have had increased access to antiretroviral drugs as part of a regional initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission.

Iran and P5+1 Countries Reached Agreement On Iran’s Nuclear Programme

Iran and P5+1 countries comprising of the United States, the United Kingdom (UK), Russia, China, France and Germany on 14 July reached an agreement on the Iran nuclear programme. The agreement called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) or Vienna agreement was reached after 17 days of almost uninterrupted negotiations in Vienna (Austria) involving foreign ministers of seven countries.

Japan Pledges $6 billion To Mekong Nations

Japan on 4 July committed 6.1 billion US dollars (750 billion Japanese Yen) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Mekong Region countries for the next three years. The decision was taken by Japan during the seventh Mekong-Japan Summit held in Tokyo. The Mekong region countries include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Japan’s Lower House Approved Change To Self-defence Law

Lower House of Japan’s Parliament (Diet) on 16 July approved 11 security-related bills that change the self-defence law, which was followed by Japan since World War -II.The change paves the way for the Japanese military to potentially fight abroad for the first time since World War II.

EU approves 7 Billion Euro Short-Term Loan To Greece

The European Union (EU) on 17 July approved a short-term loan of 7.16 billion euros to Greece after it was backed by the 28 member states. This loan will allow Greece to pay its debt to European Central Bank (ECB) and the Inter-national Monetary Fund (IMF) till new bailout plan is ratified. The loan will be given through the European Financial Stabilization Mechanism (EFSM) which is a rescue fund set up during the first time bailout of Greece in 2010. But presently it covers the whole of the 28 EU member nations and not just the 19 eurozone members.

To get other articles information

1. January 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
2. February 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
3. March 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
4. April 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
5. May 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
6. June 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank

June 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

US President Barack Obama Signed USA Freedom Act 2015 into Law
US President Barack Obama on 2 June signed the USA FREEDOM Act 2015 in law. The USA FREEDOM stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015. With this, the National Security Agency (NSA) lost its authority to collect the phone records of millions of Americans.

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim Is First Woman President of Mauritius
Ameenah Gurib-FakimProminent scientist Ameenah Gurib-Fakim was on 5 June sworn in as President of Mauritius. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim is an internationally-renowned scientist and biologist. She replaced Kailash Purryag who stepped down as country’s President on 29 May 2015.

African Leaders Signed 26 Nation Free Trade Agreement
African countries have signed a historic The Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) that facilitates creation of Africa’s largest free-trade zone. This free-trade zone will cover 26 countries in an area from southernmost tip of African continent i.e. Cape Town (South Africa) to Cairo (Egypt) in the north. The agreement was signed on 10 June in Egypt.

Hwang Kyo-ahn Is The New Prime Minister of South Korea
South Korea’s Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn was on 18 June appointed as the country’s new Prime Minister.The National Assembly approved the appointment of Hwang Kyo-ahn by a vote of 156-120.

To get other articles information

1. January 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
2. February 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
3. March 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
4. April 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
5. May 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank

May 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

South Korea and Vietnam Signed Free Trade Agreement

Vietnam and South Korea on 5 signed a bilateral free trade agreement in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, concluding the countries’ two-year talks. The deal, which was initiated a month back, will enable the trade between the two nations to reach $70 billion a year by 2020.

David Cameron Re-elected as Britain’s Prime Minister

David Cameron’s Conservative Party on 8 May won the United Kingdom General election 2015 by securing 331 seats in a Parliament of 650.With this win, David Cameron will become Prime Minister for second term.The elections were held on 7 May 2015. Conservative Party received 36.9% vote share of the total national vote.  Labour Party has won 232 seats with 30.4%  vote share, emerging as largest opposition party.

Canadian House of Commons Approved Anti-Terror Act 2015

The Canadian House of Commons on 6 May approved the Bill C-51, Anti-Terror Act, 2015 that empowers the country’s spy agency. It was adopted in a 183 to 96 vote. The act would give the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) the ability to operate overseas and make preventative arrests. It also makes it easier for police to arrest and detain individuals without charge.

WHO Declares Liberia Free of Ebola

World Health Organization (WHO), a U.N. health agency on 9 May declared Liberia Ebola-free. Liberia was one of the three West African countries at the center of the largest epidemic of Ebola till date since the disease was first reported in 1976. The two other countries are Sierra Leone and Guinea. WHO has hailed Liberia’s Ebola eradication efforts as an enormous development in the long crisis and monumental achievement as the virus has killed more than 4,716 people in the country alone.

To get other articles information

1. January 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
2. February 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
3. March 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
4. April 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
5. June 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank

April 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

Iran and P5+1 Reached Historic Nuclear Deal

Iran, the P5+1 and the European Union (EU) on 2 April conceded on a framework agreement called as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) intended to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The agreement was reached at Lausanne’s Beau-Rivage Palace hotel in Switzerland. The informal framework agreement will be used as the basis for evolving the final draft of JCPOA by 30 June 2015. These 6 world powers are collectively known as P5+1, or five permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, plus Germany.

Pakistan and Russia Agreed To Hold First Ever Joint Military Exercise

Pakistan and Russia have agreed to hold first-ever joint military exercises as part of their enhanced defence cooperation. In this regard, an agreement was reached between both nations during a meeting between Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Asif in Moscow on 16 April 2015.

China and Pakistan Signed An Agreement On CPEC

China and Pakistan on 21 April signed an agreement on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plan worth 46 billion US dollars. The agreement was signed by China’s President Xi Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. As part of the agreement, China will provide up to 37 billion US dollar in investment for energy projects to generate 16400 MW of power. Concessional loans will cover nearly 10 billion US dollar of infrastructure projects.

Omar al-Bashir Re-elected As Sudan President

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has won Presidential re-election by securing 94 per cent of the vote on 27 April. With this win, Omar al-Bashir extends his 25-year rule. Omar faces war crimes charges and is wanted by the International Criminal Court. He is in power since 1989. In this election Omar’s National Congress Party (NCP) also won 323 of 426 parliamentary seats.

To get other articles information

1. January 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
2. February 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
3. March 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
4. May 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
5. June 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank

March 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

China Approves New Nuclear Reactors In Industry Revival

China is reviving growth of its nuclear power industry with approval of its first new project since Japan’s 2011 Fukushima disaster. The Cabinet’s planning agency on 11 March approved construction of two additional reactors at a power plant in the northeastern province of Liaoning. China is the world’s biggest energy consumer and nuclear power plays a key role in government plans to curb surging demand for imported oil and gas.

North Korea and Russia Declared 2015 as Friendship Year

North Korea and Russia will mark 2015 as a year of friendship and step up bilateral exchanges in political, economic and cultural sectors.”The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation decided to make 2015, in which falls the 70th anniversaries of Korea’s liberation and the victory in the great Patriotic War in Russia, as a year of friendship between the two countries.

Japan and France Signed Defence Agreement

Japan and France on 13 March signed a agreement on military equipment and technology transfers , in a move to drive cooperation and joint development of defence gear, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe strengthens security ties with major powers.

Muhammadu Buhari Elected As Nigerian President

Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari was elected as the president of Nigeria on 31 March, making him the first opposition candidate to win a presidential vote in the country’s history. This Presidential Election was held on 28 March 2015 all across Nigeria, which is the most populous country in Africa and is also the largest economy of the continent. Gen. Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated President Jonathan’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by over 2 million votes.

To get other articles information

1. January 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
2. February 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
3. April 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
4. May 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
5. June 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank

February 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

Zoe Konstantopoulou Elected As new President Of Greece

Greece Parliament has elected Zoe Konstantopoulou, a member of the left wing party Syriza as its new President on 6 February. She was elected after receiving a record number of 235 of 300 deputies’ votes in the Parliament. With this win, she has the record of more votes a President of parliament received after the restoration of democracy in Greece in 1974. This will be the second time that a woman is elected as the Greece Parliament President, with the first being Anna Psarouda-Benaki in 2004. However, Konstantopoulou also set another record, since the 38-year-old politician is the youngest Parliament President that has ever been elected in Greece.

Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott Survives Confidence Vote

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on 9 February survived a vote of confidence motion on spilling the top leadership of Liberal Party. Tony Abbott was elected as the Prime Minister of Australia in September 2013.

Russia – Ukraine Signed Ceasefire Agreement

The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France signed a Ceasefire deal on 12 February after marathon talks at Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko hosted these talks which were held in the background of new attacks in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions on 12 February. At the end of the talks, both Russia and Ukraine agreed to bring into effect a ceasefire in the warring zone of eastern Ukraine from 15 February 2015.

Sri Lanka Parliament Enacts witness Protection Law

Sri Lankan Parliament has passed the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Bill on 20 February. This bill aims at protecting the rights of criminal victims and witnesses especially in human rights accountability.

To get other articles information

1. January 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
2. March 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
3. April 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
4. May 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
5. June 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank

January 2015 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

Palestinians To Join International Criminal Court

Palestine will join the International Criminal Court on 1 April 2015, announced UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 6 January .The Palestinians will be able to sue Israel for war crimes, a move the Israeli administration has consistently opposed for decades.Along with the ICC application, the UN chief approved other sets of documents, enabling Palestine to join 16 international agreements, conventions and treaties.

Maithripala Sirisena Elected As Sri Lanka President

Pallewatte Gamaralalage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena (Maithiripala Sirisena) was elected as new President of Srilanka. Mithripala Sirisena, Health Minister in Rajapaksa government, won the 2015 Presidential Elections of Sri Lanka. The Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya announced the results on 9 January 2015. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa from United People’s Freedom Alliance got 47.6 percent and Opposition candidate Maithripala Samisen from United National Party got 51.3 percent of the votes polled in the Presidential elections held on 8 January 2015.

Alexis Tsipras Elected As New Greece Prime Minister

Alexis Tsipras, leader of the Syriza anti-austerity party, was elected as the new Prime Minister of Greece. In Greece, anti-austerity Syriza party has won general election.In this election Syriza party has won about half the seats in Parliament. Alexis Tsipras, leader of the Syriza anti-austerity party, was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Greece 26 January 2015.

Sergio Mattarella Elected As New President of Italy

Italy’s parliament has elected constitutional court judge Sergio Mattarella as the country’s President on 31 January.He will Italy’s 12th president and succeed Giorgio Napolitano who had resigned earlier in January 2015 citing reason of poor health before his 2020 expiry term.

To get other articles information

1. February 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
2. March 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
3. April 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
4. May 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank
5. June 2015 Month International Current Affairs Bit Bank

December 2014 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

Tabare Vazquez Re-elected As Uruguay President

Tabare Vazquez was re-elected as Uruguay President. He won the 2014 presidential elections held in Uruguay on 30 November 2014. The Presidential election results was announced by Uruguay’s Electoral Court on 1 December. Vazquez belongs to the leftist Broad Front coalition party of Uruguay.

China Launched Mega Water Supply Project In Sri Lanka

The Beijing-based China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) has on 6 December launched another mega project in Sri Lanka to construct a water supply system in Gampaha district.The US$ 230 million water supply project is the largest ever undertaken by the Sri Lankan government.

Pakistan 8th Most Dangerous Country In The World

US based think tank IntelCenter on 9 December released Country Threat Index (CTI) ranking 45 countries in terms of terrorist and rebel threat to a country. Pakistan is placed eighth in the list of the most dangerous countries in the world which is led by Iraq.

Global Arms Trade Treaty Came Into Force

The global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that lays down international rules for the 85 billion US dollars global arms trade came into effect on 24 December 2014. The Treaty was negotiated at a global conference under the auspices of the United Nations from July 2–27, 2012, in New York. Later the UN adopted it on 2 April 2013. It has been signed by 130 countries while 61 countries ratified it.

Shinzo Abe Re-elected Third Term As Japan Prime Minister

Shinzo Abe on 14 December re-elected third term as Japan Prime Minister. He was re-elected after Japan’s ruling coalition (Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito) won a two thirds majority in the Snap elections held for the Lower House (House of Representatives) of the Bicameral legislature, the National Diet.

November 2014 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

China and Russia Signed Energy Cooperation Agreements

China and Russia signed energy cooperation agreements on 9 November. The agreements were signed by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of China Xi Jinping at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing.The deals include a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a second major supply route to supply Russian natural gas to China along a western route.

US and China Signed Climate Change Agreement

In a historic climate change deal, U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping on 12 November announced both countries will curb their greenhouse gas emissions over the next two decades. Under the agreement, the United States would cut its 2005 level of carbon emissions by 26-28% before the year 2025. China would peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and will also aim to get 20% of its energy from zero-carbon emission sources by the same year.It is the first time China, the world’s biggest polluter, has set an approximate date for emissions to peak.

Klaus Iohannis Elected As New President Of Romania

Klaus Iohannis was elected as the fifth President of Romania on 16 November. The Mayor of Sibiu Klaus Werner Iohannis won the Presidential elections in Romania by defeating Prime Minister Victor Ponta of Social Democratic Party. Klaus Iohannis belongs to Christian Liberal Alliance of Romania. He got 54.81 percent of votes and Victor Ponta got 45.18 percent.

UN General Assembly Adopted Resolution On Child Marriages

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) rights committee on 21 November adopted the first-ever resolution calling on governments to stop child marriages. The resolution was presented by Canada and Zambia.

October 2014 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

Mauritius Parliament Dissolved For Elections

The Mauritius parliament was dissolved on 6 October, paving the way for elections that could lead to changes in the country’s constitution. The ruling Labour party, led by Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, wants to split powers between the president, now a largely ceremonial position, and the prime minister. That would require changes to the constitution.

Bolivian President Evo Morales Re-elected For A Third Term

Bolivian President Evo Morales was re-elected for a third term with more than 60 percent of the vote according to the election results declared on 12 October. As per the results, Evo Morales got 60 percent while his closest competitor Samuel Doria Medina could secure only 25 percent.

United Nations Elected Five New Non-permanent Members To Security Council

Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Venezuela and Spain on 16 October were elected as the new non-permanent members of the Security Council for a two years term by the UN General Assembly. These five countries replace retiring members Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, South Korea and Rwanda.The newly elected members term will be beginning from January 1, 2015.

Dilma Rousseff  Re-elected As Brazil President

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was re-elected in the Presidential Elections held in the country on 26 October 2014. She belongs to the center-left Workers’ Party and her second term will finish in December 2018. Rousseff took 51.6% of the votes while her centre-right challenger Aecio Neves representing Brazilian Social Democracy Party (BSDP) got 48.4% votes.

September 2014 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

EU Imposed New Economic Sanctions On Russia Over Ukraine

The European Union (EU) on 12 September 2014 imposed new economic sanctions on Russia over Ukraine. The restrictions include financing for some Russian state-owned companies and asset freezes on leading Russian politicians.

John Key Re-elected As The PM Of New Zealand For A 3rd Term

John Key was re-elected as the Prime Minister of New Zealand for a third term. John Key-led National Party (NP) scored a huge victory in country’s Parliamentary elections. In the 2014 General Elections of New Zealand held on 20 September 2014, the centre-right National Party led by John Key won 48 percent of the vote.

Scotland Rejects Independence From UK

In a historic referendum held on 18 September 2014 the voters of Scotland rejected its independence from the United Kingdom.The result of this referendum was declared early on 19 September 2014.

Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai Is New President of Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s election commission on 21 September has named Former Finance minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai as the winner of the country’s Presidential election.

August 2014 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

China Decided To Ban All Coal Use In Beijing By 2020

Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau on 4 August announced the plans to ban coal use in Beijing and five other districts by the end of 2020. The purpose of the ban is to fight increasing levels of air pollution in China’s major cities.

Russia Bans U.S.,European Union Food and Agricultural Imports

Russian President Vladimir Putin on 6 August signed a decree that bans imports of agricultural products from all countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine. Major sanctions were made by the US and European Union (EU). Ban on the food imports, should continue for up to one year.

Haider al-Abadi Named As New Iraqi Prime Minister

Iraqi President Mohammed Fuad Masum named Haider al-Abadi as the new Iraqi Prime Minister on 11 August 2014. Before being nominated for the post of Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi was deputy parliament speaker.

Ukrainian President Dissolved Parliament

Ukraine’s president Petro Poroshenko on 25 August dissolved parliament. A snap election to the Ukraine will be held on 26 October 2014.The date of the election was announced by President Petro Poroshenko.

July 2014 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

Pakistan’s Approves Protection of Pakistan Bill 2014

Pakistan’s National Assembly on 2 July passed the Protection of Pakistan Bill (PPB) 2014. Following the National Assembly’s approval, the PPB will now be applicable for a period of two years.

Japan Eased Sanctions Against North Korea

The Japanese government has decided to eased several sanctions against North Korea on 3 July.The decision was taken in response to North Korea reopening the investigation to probe decades-old kidnappings of Japanese nationals.

U.S and E.U Announced Tougher Sanctions Against Russia

The United States and the European Union (EU) have significantly strengthened sanctions on Russia over Ukraine, with Washington for the first time directly targeting Russia’s banking, military, and energy sectors.U.S. President Barack Obama announced the new sanctions on 16 July.

Bolivia Becomes First Nation To Legalize Child Labour

Bolivia has become the first country to legalize child labour after a law was signed by Vice- President Alvaro Garcia Linera on 17 July 2014.The bill was approved by Bolivian Congress in June 2014.

June 2014 Year International Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

US President Proposed 1 billion dollar Plan For Eastern Europe

The US President Barack Obama on 3 June  proposed a 1 billion US dollar (about 730 million Euros) US security plan for Eastern Europe to finance extra US troop and military deployments to new allies in Eastern Europe.

Reuven Rivlin Is Elected Israel’s 10th President

Reuven (Ruby) Rivlin, Knesset member of Likud Party, was on 10 June 2014 elected as 10th president of Israel. Reuven Rivlin has defeated a long-time MP Meir Sheetrit by 63 to 53 in a secret run-off ballot. He will succeed Shimon Peres. Rivlin will sworn-in on 24 July 2014.

Russia Cuts Off Gas Supplies To Ukraine

Russia on 16 June cut off all gas supplies to Ukraine over the due payment. Energy Minister of Ukraine Yuri Prodan confirmed that the Gas supplies to Ukraine have been reduced to zero.After a while, both Gazprom and Naftogaz filed lawsuits against each other at the International Council Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) in Stockholm.

Sri Lanka and Seychelles Signed Six Agreements

Sri Lanka and Seychelles on 28 June signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with a view of further integrating and deepening the existing relationship between the two countries.The six agreements were signed between Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President of Seychelles, James Michael in the capital, Victoria.