January Current Affairs International News

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.