December, 2013

Russia passed Anti-Terror Bill

The lower house of Russian Parliament, Duma on 25 October 2013 approved a new legislation which makes punishment for terrorism more severe. The new legislation also requires terrorists’ relatives to pay for the damages caused in attacks. The bill is expected to be approved in the upper house and be signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law. The bill further adds that training for terrorist activities is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. It also introduced a punishment of up to six years for those participating in a militant group on foreign soils. Putin has taken a tough stance against the North Caucausus rebellion following two wars between the Russian army and Chechen separatists.

World’s first Underwater Rail Link between two Continents

Turkey on 29 October 2013 opened world’s first underwater rail link that connects Asia and Europe. The length of the rail link is 13 kilometers and is about 60 meters below the Bosphorus Strait. Named Marmaray tunnel is the first world’s subway to connect two continents. The Tunnel is engineered to withstand the earthquakes. The railway tunnel beneath the Bosporus Strait has been opened in Turkey and has created the link between the Asian with European shores of Istanbul. The rail link was inaugurated on the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. This project of development of the undersea rail link was visualized in 1860 by an Ottoman Sultan. The work on the tunnel started in the year 2004 but the construction was delayed because of archeological excavation. Marmaray will carry the subway commuters in the biggest city of Europe and eventually serve highspeed and freight trains. The tunnel project of 2.8 billion dollar was financed by the Japan Bank for International Co-operation.

Iran and P5+1 Group Agreed to Hold Talks on Iran’s Nuclear Programme

Iran and P5+1(Group of six major world powers comprising the US, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany) were agreed on 16 October 2013 first time to hold talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. TheP5+1 group was held two days intense, substantive and forward looking talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear program on 15- 16 October 2013 in Geneva. According to the agreed plan between Iran and P5+1 Group, Iran ensured to the P5+1 group that it will use nuclear programme for peaceful purpose. According to the agreed plan all nuclear activities in Iran will supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agenc( IAEA). Javad Zarif ,Iran’s foreign Minister while accepting the proposal of P5+1 group hoped that the results achieved over two days of talks in Geneva will mark the beginning of a new phase in relations between Iran and the P5+1 countries. Iran and the P5+1 group were previously held talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan April 5-6 2012. The two sides had resumed negotiations in Almaty in February 2013 after a nine-month interval. Each side brought a proposal to the April talks, but failed to reach consensus on a way forward and no further meetings were scheduled. But Iran and P5+1 group were agreed first time to hold talks on Iran’s nuclear parogramme.

About P5+1 Group

• The P5+1 Group, a group of six world countries (United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France plus Germany).

• It was formed in 2006 to resolve the nuclear progamme in Iran.

Ethiopia banned its Citizens from Travelling Abroad for Work

Ethiopia’s government on 24 October 2013 temporarily banned its citizens from travelling abroad to look for work. The government took this decision because many Ethiopians had lost their lives or undergone untold physical and psychological trauma due to illegal human trafficking. The Ethiopian government had taken various steps to limit the suffering of its citizens, including setting up a national council and a taskforce to educate them. The scarcity of work opportunities contributes mainly fuelling emigration from Ethiopia, which has Africa’s second largest population. According to the official figures, Youth unemployment was estimated at more than 50 percent. Many Ethiopians migrate to Saudi Arabia, travelling via Yemen by sea and entering the country illegally. Thousands of others go to Israel, South Africa and Europe. Most of the migrants end up being smuggled, trafficked or subjected to mental and physical torture.

China Biggest Oil Importer in September 2013

China passed USA to become world’s biggest oil importer in September 2013 as per the data released by US government in the first week of October 2013. It happened because of faster economic growth and strong auto sales. The United States consumes far more oil per person than China does. It has a population about one-third the size of China’s. China’s economy is the world’s second largest. China has encouraged development of wind and solar power and use of autos powered by batteries or natural gas. However, gasoline still remains the country’s main vehicle fuel in coming decades. Until the late 1990s, China fulfilled its oil needs but the economic boom outstripped its production capacity. This compelled China to depend more heavily on imports, especially from Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Australia to end its Military Mission in Afghanistan

Australia on 29 October 2013 announced the winding down of its military mission in Afghanistan with the withdrawal of most of its troops by the end of 2014. Approximately, 1000Australian troops are posted at the International Force base in Tarin Kot, the capital of southern Afghan province Uruzgan. In 2001, the US-led war in Afghanistan started and 40 Australian soldiers killed and 260 were injured since that time. USA and other foreign combat troops from Afghanistan chalked out a plan to transfer security responsibilities to local forces by the end of 2014 and will go back to their countries. As of early June 2013 there were about 100000 Nato troops serving in Afghanistan from 50 contributing nations. Australia is one among the leading nations who have contributed units of 550 or more.

December, 2013

Syria Joined UN Chemical Weapons Convention

Syria on 14 October 2013 officially joined the United Nations Chemical Weapons Convention, which outlaws production and use of chemical weapons. Syria is the 190th country to join the convention. Only six states have yet to sign the international treaty. The move comes as international inspectors are working to destroy the chemical weapon stockpile of the Assad regime in Syria.

The six UN States are not signed the CWC are

1. Israel

2. Myanmar

3. Angola

4. Egypt

5. North Korea

6. South Sudan

About Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a multilateral treaty that bans chemical weapons and requires their destruction within a specified period of time.

The title of the treaty i s Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction. The convention opened for signature on 13 January 1993, and entered into force on 29 April 1997. The CWC aims to eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by States Parties. States Parties, in turn, must take the steps necessary to enforce that prohibition in respect of persons (natural or legal) within their jurisdiction. The CWC is implemented by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is headquartered in The Hague. The OPCW receives states-parties’ declarations detailing chemical weapons-related activities or materials and relevant industrial activities. After receiving declarations, the OPCW inspects and monitors states-parties’ facilities and activities that are relevant to the convention, to ensure compliance.

About the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

• The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an independent, international body set up in 1997 to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention.

• The organisation is presently involved in destroying Syria’s stockpiles of chemical weapons - the first time the OPCW has worked in a war zone.

• It carries out inspections of destruction procedures, as well as evaluating members’ own declarations, in order to verify that the convention is being adhered to.

• It is based in The Hague, Netherland and has 189 member states, covering around 98 percent of the world’s population. These member nations have agreed to work together to create a world free from chemical weapons.

• The OPCW employs around 500 people and has a budget of 75m Euros (102m Dollars, 63m Pounds) in 2010.

• It is an autonomous organisation with a working relationship with the United Nations.

• Ahmet Uzumcu is the Present Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

• OPCW on 11 October 2013 won the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

UNSC Elected 5 New Non- Permanent Members

Chad, Chile, Lithuania, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia elected to seats as non-permanent members by the United Nations Security Council in the 15-member Council on 17 October 2013. These members have been elected for two-year term which would start from January 2014. The New Council members will replace Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo. Nonpermanent members Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, the Republic of Korea and Rwanda will remain on the Council until the end of 2014. India had served as a non-permanent member at the council in 2011-2012. There are six principal organisations of UN which maintains peace and security of the world. The Organisations are-General Assembly, the Security Council, The Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat.

Structure of Security Council

Article 23 of chapter V of United Nations Charter provides for the composition of United Nations Security Council. The council is composed of 15 members. There are 5 permanent members of Security Council and 10 non –permanent members. Five permanent members are: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Ten non-permanent members are elected for 2 years term by General Assembly and these members can not be immediately re –elected.

Objective of the Security Council

The Objective of UNSC is to maintain peacekeeping operations, the establishments of international sanctions and the authorization of military action. The powers of UNSC are exercised through United Nations Security Council resolutions. All Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.

Minamata Convention on Mercury

Adopted An international conference organized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNDP) on 10 October 2013 adopted the Minamata Convention in Kumamoto, Japan. The convention was adopted by 140 countries across the world. The main objective of the Minamata Convention on Mercury is to protect the human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. According to the convention each party shall not allow, by taking appropriate measures, the manufacture, import or export of mercury-added products after the phaseout date of 2020. The Minamata Convention will take effect 90 days after ratification by 50 nations.

The Minamata Convention regulates the following areas

• Global mining and trade of mercury

• The manufacturing of products containing the Mercury

• The use of mercury in products and industrial processes

• Measures to be taken to reduce emissions from artisanal and small-scale gold mining

• Measures to be taken to reduce emissions from power plants and metals production facilities

Sources of emissions of mercury and mercury compounds to the atmosphere

• Coal-fired power plants

• Coal-fired industrial boilers

• Smelting and roasting processes used in the production of non-ferrous metals

• Waste incineration facilities

• Cement clinker product

December, 2013

Madagascar held its first Presidential Election after the 2009 Coup

Madagascar residents on 25 October 2013 voted for Presidential Election. This was the first Presidential Election in Madagascar after the 2009 Coup. If in case, any party fails to win about 50 percent of the votes, then they will have to compete in a runoff scheduled for 20 December 2013. About 33 candidates are running in the election of Madagascar. About 60 percent of the eligible voters of Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo, casted vote in the election.

About the Madagascar Coup

The crisis of Madagascar began on 26 January 2009, when the Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina led a political opposition movement to oust the Marc Ravalomanana, President of the country. Andry Rajonelina was declared President of the Madagascar of the High Transitional Authority on 21 March 2009. After five days, Marc Ravalomanana transferred his power to the military council and he after transferring his power fled away to South Africa.

MoUs for Nalanda University Project

Government of India on 10 October 2013 signed agreements with seven countries, who pledged their commitment to the Nalanda University project in Bihar. The Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with Australia, Cambodia, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand, Lao PDR and Myanmar in the sidelines of East Asia Summit in Brunei. These MoUs are important to India’s plans to establish Nalanda University in Bihar as an institution of international repute.

Turkey Lifted a Ban on Women Wearing the Islamic Head Scarf

Turkey on 8 October 2013 lifted a ban on women wearing the Islamic head scarf in state institutions. It is considered as a part of a package of reforms introduced by the government. The new rules, however will not apply to the judiciary or the military. The current government package is aimed at bolstering the rights of Turkey’s Kurdish community. It included changes to the electoral system, the broadening of language rights and permission for villages to use their original Kurdish names. It also put an end to state primary school children reciting the oath of national allegiance at the start of each week, a deeply nationalistic vow. The Turkey government in 1925 had introduced a series of clothing reforms meant to discard off overt symbols of religious affiliation for civil servants.

About Nalanda University Project

• Nalanda University will be constructed at Rajgir, which is situated around 100 km away from Patna, Bihar. The construction of the University will take place on 446-acre plot, which is situated 12 km away from the ruins of ancient seat of learning.

• The idea to revive Nalanda University was first mooted in 2005 by then President APJ Abdul Kalam.

• The University is being built near the ruins of the 5th century historic academic place by the same name in Bihar and those involved with this project include Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.

• There will be five representatives from the EAS on the Nalanda University governing board.

• China has already committed 1 million Dollars for the project, Singapore has pledged 5-6 million Dollars and Australia about 1 million Australian dollars and all these funds have been committed on voluntary basis.

The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a forum for cooperation between various countries of this region with ASEAN and includes Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the US, in addition to the ten ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries. The 1 0 ASEAN nations are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Islamic criminal law introduced by Brunei Sultan

The sultanate of Brunei announced that it will enforce a new Sharia law penal code. This code would apply only to Muslims, who make up about two-thirds of Brunei population of 420000. The new Sharia law penal code includes death by stoning for adulterers and the severing of limbs for theft. Punishments could also include flogging for such crimes as consumption of alcohol or abortion. Brunei already adheres to a stronger form of Islamic law than neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia, banning the sale and consumption of alcohol. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 67, who is one of the wealthiest men of the world said the shariah Penal Code should be regarded as a form of “special guidance “from God and would be “part of the great history” of the tiny, oil–rich monarchy on Borneo island. The citizens of Brunei have one of the highest standards of living in Asia, because of revenues generated from oil and gas, and they also enjoy free medical care and education.

About sharia law

It is the most protected divine law because, the majority of the rulings of Sharia law are based on the Quran and Sunnah, while a small fraction of its rulings are based on the Ulema (jurists) who used the methods of Ijman(consensus), Qiyas (analogical deduction), Ijtihad (research) and Urf (common practice) to derive Fatwa (legal opinions). Sharia law governs many Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran ,however this law is used as a supplement to national law but It can relate to all aspects of civil law, including property rights, contracts or public law.

UK’s First Nuclear Plant

The Government of UK on 21 October 2013 announced that it decided to build the first nuclear plant of UK (called Hinkley Point C (HPC) power plant) in over two decades time along with a French energy firm EDF, and two Chinese companies. The nuclear plant will be established at south-west England and it will be the first one in Western Europe ever since the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in Japan. EDF along with two other Chinese partners- CGN and CNNC signed the deal in order to invest 16 billion Pounds in the nuclear plant- Hinkley Point C (HPC) power plant. This nuclear plant will meet approximately 7 percent of the energy needs of UK in the long term. It is important to note that while the Britain will establish its first nuclear plant, Germany, on the other hand, is set up for decommissioning all the nuclear power plants by the year 2022. Chatham House, the international body, in the meanwhile, revealed that the nuclear contribution to electricity across the world dropped down from 17 percent in 1990s to 10 percent at present. There is also an involvement of the Government subsidy, which means that the deal will have to get a nod from the European Commission.

An Agreement to end the Political Crisis in Tunisia

In Tunisia, rival political groups on 5 October 2013 arrived at an agreement to end the political crisis in the country. The ruling Islamist Ennahda led Government will step down to allow the formation of a Government of independents in three weeks. It will be followed by the adoption of a new constitution and of holding elections in the country. Under the deal, an independent Prime Minister will be in place in Tunisia by the end of next week. He will have two weeks to form a new cabinet. The National Dialogue which began on 4 October 2013 will cover groups and parties across the political spectrum over the next four weeks. The new constitution will be adopted in this time and time table for elections will be decided. The political roadmap was prepared by four mediators led by Tunisia’s powerful trade unions confederation, UGTT. The deal is expected to put an end to the simmering tension among the rival groups in the country which was sparked off by the assassination of a secular opposition leader Mohamed Brahimi in July 2013.

UNGA Voted against US Embargo on Cuba

For the 22nd consecutive year at the United Nations, the United Nations General Assembly on 29 October 2013 adopted a resolution calling for an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba. One hundred and eighty-eight countries voted for the non-binding resolution and only the United States and Israel voted against the resolution. Three countries abstained (Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau). The US imposed the embargo on Cuba in 1960, shortly after Fidel Castro took power and seized US-owned assets on the island.

About the United Nations General Assembly

• It the deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations.

• It has all 193 Members of the United Nations.

• It provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter.

Brazil Announced to Produce Low-Cost Measles and Rubella Vaccine

Brazil, in the last week of October 2013 announced its plans to produce the low-cost rubella and measles vaccine for the purpose of export to the developing countries. Brazilian Health Minister, Alexandre Padilha announced that by the year 2017, 30 million doses annually will be supplied primarily to African, Latin American and Asian nations. This will be done in partnership with foundation of Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

For this purpose, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, the top medical research facility of Brazil received a grant worth 1 million US Dollar from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The vaccine will be the most affordable one in the market and it will be first of all exported by Brazil. It is important to note that at present; only India produces the vaccines of these kinds.

About the new low-cost vaccine

• The new low-cost vaccine will be developed by the Bio- Manguinhos, which is a part of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), in Rio de Janeiro.

• The cost of this will be 0.54 US Dollar per dose.

• For the purpose of this new vaccine, new production plant will be set up at Rio de Janeiro.

It is worth noticing that Brazil at present, also exports vaccines for 75 countries but the vaccine for measles and rubella will be first of its kind produced exclusively for the purpose of export. Bio-Manguinhos, in the meanwhile, produces a combined vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella since the year 2003. However, the cost of this is very high for a lot of developing nations.

December, 2013

What is Measles?

• Measles is the infection which is caused by the virus that is usually acquired at the early childhood age.

• Measles is very contagious which spreads through sneezes and coughs.

• According to the World Health Organisation, measles kills 158000 people annually, most of which include children below the age of five years.

What is Rubella?

• Rubella is also a kind of measles. Infact, it is called German measles.

• Rubella, just like measles, is also caused because of a virus and is infectious from one person to another through sneezing or coughing.

• A pregnant woman acquiring rubella during first three months of pregnancy increases the risk of baby having serious birth defects or even death.

Syria Submitted Chemical Arms Destruction Plan to OPCW

Syrian Government on 24 October 2013 submitted detailed plan to destroy its chemical arsenal to International chemical weapons watchdog- OPCW. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is presently involved in destroying Syria’s stockpiles of chemical weapons. Syria was required to submit the destruction plan under a US-Russian deal agreed in September 2013 that headed off military strikes on Syria. The agreement also gives Syria up to mid- 2014 to destroy its chemical arsenal. President Bashar al-Assad’s regime has already handed over an inventory of its chemical weapons and facilities, and international inspectors are on the process of destroying its weapons. OPCW also stated that, Syria’s latest disclosures “provide the basis on which plans are devised for a systematic, total and verified destruction of declared chemical weapons and production facilities. The document from Syria includes a general plan of destruction for consideration by the OPCW Executive Council. The OPCW’s Executive Council will use the Syrian declaration to decide by 15 November 2013 on “destruction milestones” for Syria’s arsenal. Syria has also sent in a declaration of its chemical weapons activities and facilities, meeting its obligations as a new state party to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Syria on 14 October 2013 officially joined the United Nations Chemical Weapons Convention, which outlaws production and use of chemical weapons.

Background

Syria’s submission of its plan is in line with the deadline set by the OPCW Executive Council in its decision of 27 September 2013 requiring a complete initial declaration by 27 October 2014. Such declarations provide the basis on which plans are devised for a systematic, total and verified destruction of declared chemical weapons and production facilities. Under the terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention, new States Parties are also required to submit a declaration covering activities and facilities that are not prohibited under the Convention but can be subjected to routine verification measures as a confidence building measure and to establish the peaceful intent of commercial activities.

About the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

• The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an independent, international body set up in 1997 to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention.

• It carries out inspections of destruction procedures, as well as evaluating members’ own declarations, in order to verify that the convention is being adhered to.

• It is based in The Hague, Netherland and has 189 member states, covering around 98 percent of the world’s population. These member nations have agreed to work together to create a world free from chemical weapons.

Go Back To Mai Page