1. New Zealand Implements Ban on Disposable E-Cigarettes and Vapes
Tags: Popular International News
Following the recent repeal of legislation aimed at phasing out tobacco smoking, the New Zealand government has implemented a ban on disposable e-cigarettes and vapes.
An Overview of the News
Government action:
To prevent sales to minors, fines for retailers selling to those under 18 will increase.
Retailers may face fines of up to NZ$100,000, while individuals can be fined NZ$1,000 for the same offence.
Youth Safety Measures:
The rules also restrict the sale of e-cigarettes with packaging or branding that appeals to youth, with the aim of preventing youth from being attracted to vaping.
Reasoning behind the ban:
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello says e-cigarettes are recognized as a smoking cessation tool, but the ban is intended to discourage minors from taking up the vaping habit.
Global trend against disposable vapes:
United Kingdom's ban: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a ban on disposable vapes in 2022, citing concerns about long-term effects and youth addiction.
Australia's ban: Joining the global movement to address the popularity and potential health risks of vaping among youth, Australia also implemented a ban on disposable single-use vapes this year.
2. PM Modi Receives Bhutan's 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo' Award
Tags: Popular Awards International News
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created history by becoming the inaugural non-Bhutanese recipient of Bhutan's prestigious 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo'.
An Overview of the News
PM Modi received this prestigious honor from King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan during his two-day official visit to Thimphu.
Importance of Award:
The 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo' is Bhutan's premier civilian honor recognizing lifetime achievements.
It has the distinction of being the highest civilian honor given in Bhutan.
This prestigious award takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals of the country.
To date, only four distinguished individuals have been honored with this prestigious award.
Previous Award Winners:
Her Royal Queen GrandmotherAshi Kesang Choden Wangchuck was awarded this honor in 2008.
The 68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan, His Holiness Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup, also received the award in 2008.
His Holiness Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra was awarded the award in 2018.
Recipients include Je Khenpo, who holds the position of chief abbot of Bhutan's central monastic body.
About Bhutan
Capital- Thimphu
King - Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk
Currencies - Bhutanese Ngultrum, Indian Rupee
Official language- Dzongkha
3. Vaughan Gething elected the first black leader of a European country
Tags: Person in news International News
Vaughan Gething, the current Economic Minister of Wales, has been elected as the new leader of the Welsh Labor Party.
An Overview of the News
Vaughan Gething has become the first black person to lead a European country.
Early Life :
Gething was born in 1974 in Zambia.
Despite relocating to England due to discrimination, he was educated at Aberystwyth and Cardiff universities.
Gething worked as a trade union lawyer and became the first black president of both the Welsh Trades Union Congress and the Welsh National Union of Students.
Vaughan Gething's political journey:
After joining the Welsh legislature in 2011, Gething became the first black minister in any of Britain's devolved countries in 2013.
Notably, he served as Wales's Health Minister and later as its Economy Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gething won a close election with 51.7% of the vote to become the new leader of Welsh Labour, following his recent tenure as Economy Minister.
About Wales:
This country is a part of the United Kingdom.
Located in the western part of Great Britain, Wales is bordered by:
Irish Sea to the north and west
England in the East
Bristol Channel to the south
Celtic Sea to the south-west
Capital - Cardiff
Official languages - Welsh, English
Currency - Pound Sterling
4. Pokhara named as Nepal's new Tourism Capital
Tags: International News
On 17 March, the Government of Nepal officially designated Pokhara as the country's tourism capital during a ceremony at Barahi Ghat.
An Overview of the News
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' presided over the event, which featured cultural performances by renowned artists.
Nepal announced to seek China's assistance in the development of Pokhara International Airport, which was constructed by China and was considered ready for commercial operations in January 2022.
Despite operations, it is not being used as a result of disputes between Nepal and China over the airport's status under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Concurrently, Nepal is preparing to seek Chinese assistance to build the Nepal-China Industrial Friendship Park, spread over about 4,000 acres in Jhapa in eastern Nepal, and potentially extending up to 6,600 acres along the Nepal-Bengal border.
The Industrial Friendship Park and the 327-MW Upper Marsyangdi hydropower project are expected to be formalized at the Kathmandu investment summit on April 29-30.
About Pokhara
It is known for its natural beauty and serene environment, situated on the banks of Phewa Lake with the majestic Annapurna mountain range as a stunning backdrop.
Boating on Phewa Lake with its reflection of snow-capped peaks is a favorite activity for tourists seeking peace and adventure.
Serving as the gateway to popular trekking routes like the Annapurna Circuit and Jomsom Trek, Pokhara offers ample opportunities for outdoor exploration.
Cultural attractions such as the Bindhyabasini Temple and the World Peace Pagoda provide insight into the rich heritage of the region.
About Nepal
Location: Nepal is located in South Asia, bordered by China to the north and India to the south.
Government: It follows a federal democratic republic government.
Capital: Kathmandu
Currency: The official currency used in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee.
Major Mountain Ranges: Nepal is famous for its majestic mountain ranges including the Himalayas and Annapurna.
Major Rivers: The country is surrounded by important rivers like Karnali and Koshi.
5. North America's first Gandhi Museum opens in Houston, Texas
Tags: International News
North America's first Gandhi museum, the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH) was inaugurated in Houston, Texas, USA.
An Overview of the News
The inauguration ceremony took place on 2 October 2023, coinciding with Gandhi's 154th birth anniversary.
The museum officially opened to the public on August 15, 2023.
Special guest at the inauguration ceremony:
The event was attended by prominent personalities, including Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi (grandson of Mahatma Gandhi), Isaac Newton Farris Jr. (nephew of Martin Luther King), and Consul General of India (CGI) in Houston D. Manjunath.
Architectural Features and Design:
The architecture of the museum is inspired by Gandhi's iconic twenty-four-spoke Chakra Charkha.
A prominent statue of Gandhiji is prominently displayed in front of the museum.
The museum's semicircular exterior walls depict notable peace activists including Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and Betty Williams.
Interactive Display:
Inside the museum, visitors can see interactive exhibits that narrate Gandhi's life story in three different parts: "His Journey," "Our Journey," and "My Journey."
6. Bangladesh receives the first batch of Russian Uranium for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
Tags: International News
The Russian Embassy in Bangladesh officially delivered the first batch of uranium from Russia to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP).
An Overview of the News
After the commissioning of the Rooppur plant, Bangladesh is on its way to becoming the 33rd country globally to produce nuclear power.
A formal "graduation ceremony" marked the handover of radioactive fuel from the Russian contractor, Rosatom, to RNPP officials.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin virtually attended the ceremony held at the Gana Bhavan and the Kremlin respectively.
Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev presented the fuel, and the ceremony was presided over by Minister of Science and Technology Architect Yefesh Osman.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi also participated via video conference.
Uranium Shipment and Transportation:
The second batch of uranium-making nuclear fuel for the first unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant arrived in Dhaka via a special plane at Dhaka Shahjalal International Airport on October 5.
The initial batch of uranium reached Bangladesh on 28 September and was safely transported by road to the nuclear power plant site the next day.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Overview and Expenses Fuel Management:
Rosatom, the Russian contractor, is responsible for the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, which has a total capacity of 2400 MW and consists of two units, each capable of producing 1200 MW of electricity.
After nuclear fuel is loaded into the plant's reactors, it can generate electricity for up to a year before needing to reload the fuel.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that Russia is committed to reclaiming the spent fuel from the Rooppur plant and an agreement has been signed with the Russian Federation for the management of the spent fuel.
7. India-Bangladesh SAMPRITI-XI: Joint Military Exercise Begins
Tags: Defence International News
India and Bangladesh began the 11th edition of their annual joint military exercise, SAMPRITI, in Umroi, Meghalaya on October 3, 2023.
An Overview of the News
SAMPRITI is organized by both countries on a rotation basis and is a symbol of their strong bilateral defense cooperation.
Around 350 troops from India and Bangladesh will participate in SAMPRITI-XI and the exercise is scheduled to last for 14 days.
SAMPRITI-XI consists of a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX).
The CPX consists of 20 officials from each team and focuses on making decisions after thorough deliberations.
FTX validates ground-level operations and includes joint tactical exercises for counter-terrorism operations, such as hostage rescue and crowd control measures.
Verification Exercises and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' Tools:
A validation exercise will be conducted at Darrang Field Firing Range in Assam on October 14 and 15, 2023.
During this exercise, participants will see the capabilities of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' equipment highlighting indigenous manufacturing.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations:
SAMPRITI-XI aims to enhance defense cooperation between India and Bangladesh.
It promotes deeper bilateral relations, cultural understanding and mutual benefit through shared experiences in sub-traditional operations.
The exercise emphasizes on improving interoperability, sharing tactical expertise and promoting best practices between the two armies.
About Bangladesh
It is located in South Asia and is bordered by India to the north, east and west and Myanmar to the southeast.
The country is home to several major rivers, including the Padma (Ganga), Meghna and Jamuna, which flow through the country and create fertile plains important for agriculture.
Capital - Dhaka
Currency - Bangladeshi Taka
Official Languages - Bengali, English
Prime Minister - Sheikh Hasina
8. India to unveil largest BR Ambedkar statue in Maryland, USA
Tags: International News
India will unveil the largest statue of BR Ambedkar outside India in Maryland, North America on October 14.
An Overview of the News
This project is organized by the Ambedkar International Center (AIC).
The 19-foot statue, known as the "Statue of Equality", was created by renowned artist and sculptor Ram Sutar, who also created the statue of Sardar Patel in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The statue of B.R. Ambedkar, an important figure in the Constitution of India, is located on 13 acres of land in the city of Accokeek, Maryland.
About Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
The 132nd birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti in India on April 14, 2023.
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, and social reformer.
He was the first Minister of Law and Justice of independent India and Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly.
He was born in 1891 in a Dalit family.
Ambedkar played an important role in drafting the Indian Constitution and was a strong advocate of social justice, equality and democracy.
Dr. Ambedkar died in 1956.
Some of his notable books: Annihilation of Caste, Buddha and His Dhamma, Who Were the Shudras?, Thoughts on Linguistic States, Pakistan or Partition of India, Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Origin and Development, Development of Provincial Finance in British India, Hindu Riddles in religion, and the untouchables: who were they and why did they become untouchables?
9. Union Minister Hardeep S Puri inaugurates India Pavilion at ADIPEC 2023
Tags: International News
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the Indian Pavilion at the International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2023).
An Overview of the News
The Indian pavilion is one of the 30 country pavilions at the event.
Minister Puri also participated in bilateral discussions with industry leaders, including the interim CEO of British Petroleum and other key personalities.
ADIPEC 2023
The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2023) opened on October 2, 2023 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
ADIPEC will involve more than 160,000 people from 164 countries.
The event will run until October 5 and focuses on the theme "Decarbonizing. Fast. Together".
ADIPEC's goal is to bring together the global energy industry to advance decarbonization efforts in today's energy systems and collaborate on the energy future.
Highlights of the Event
ADIPEC 2023 features more than 2,200 global companies across 16 exhibition halls.
The event covers four specialized areas: Decarbonization Accelerator, Maritime and Logistics Sector, Digitalization in the Energy Sector, and Manufacturing and Industrialization Exhibition and Conference.
Organized by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), ADIPEC facilitates networking, business development and the exploration of new products, solutions and technologies.
Global Importance and Timeliness
ADIPEC 2023 is strategically timed as it takes place ahead of the hosting of COP28 in the UAE, emphasizing the program's role in aligning the energy industry with low-carbon, high-growth energy solutions.
Experts from diverse sectors within the energy ecosystem have gathered to address critical energy and climate challenges, making ADIPEC 2023 an important event for a more sustainable energy future.
10. Dr. Mohammed Muizzu wins the Maldives presidential election
Tags: Person in news International News
Dr. Mohammed Muizzu of the opposition PPM PNC alliance won the presidential election in Maldives with more than 53% of the votes.
An Overview of the News
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the ruling MDP received 46% of the vote in the runoff, up from 39% in the first round, but he fell short of the 50% needed to win.
The elections saw an improved turnout of 86% in the second round compared to 78% in the first.
About Maldives
It is officially called the Republic of Maldives.
It is located in the Indian Ocean.
It is classified as an archipelagic state.
This country is located in South Asia.
Geographically, it is located south-west of Sri Lanka and India.
Maldives is located about 750 kilometers from the mainland of the Asian continent.
Capital - Male
Currency - Maldivian Rufiyaa
Official language - Dhivehi
