International Current Affairs December 2016
International Forum on Adopting an ICT Perspective to Education and Learning
- International Forum on Adopting an ICT Perspective to Education and Learning held in New Delhi, from October 31 to November 4, 2016.
- It is organised by International Bureau of Education (IBE), UNESCO in partnership with Google and in collaboration with the UNESCO International Institute of Technology for Education (IITE) in Moscow, the National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT) in New Delhi and the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the government of India.
- The International Forum is designed differently than the common practice of conferences and workshop characterised by extensive presentations and with very little interaction and hands-on activities for adopting an ICT Perspective to Education and Learning experiential learning is very essential.
United Nations Commemorated Diwali for the First Time
- Diwali was commemorated for the first time at the United Nations, with the world body’s imposing headquarters here lit up especially on the occasion of the Indian festival of lights. The facade of the UN headquarters was lit in bright hues and the words ‘Happy Diwali’, along with the image of a traditional diya, projected onto the building.
- The UN Secretariat building will be lit-up for Diwali from October 29-31, 2016. It is for the first time that the Indian festival of lights is celebrated at the world body after the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in December, 2014 that acknowledged the ‘significance of Diwali’.
- Earlier in June, 2016, the UN building was lit-up on the occasion of the International Yoga Day, with images of Yoga postures projected on the imposing headquarters.
Kyrgyzstan Government Resigned after Coalition Collapses
- The government of Kyrgyzstan resigned after the President’s party quit the ruling coalition, sparking fears the Central Asian country could plunge into instability on October 27, 2016.
- President Almazbek Atambayev’s Social Democratic Party left the four-party ruling coalition on Monday after its other members did not back constitutional reforms.
- In 2010, the country was thrown into turmoil when a bloody popular uprising and ethnic violence left more than 500 people dead.
- Despite being the most democratic State in authoritarian Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan has suffered periodic bouts of instability that have hampered its political and economic development.
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Gambia to Quit International Criminal Court
- The Gambia announced its withdrawal from the international criminal court, accusing the tribunal of the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans on October 27, 2016.
- The announcement came after similar decisions this month by South Africa and Burundi to abandon the ICC set-up to handle the world’s worst crimes.
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organisation and international tribunal that has its headquarter in the. Hague in the Netherlands.
- The ICC has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
Iraq’s Parliament Passed Law Banning Alcohol
- Iraq’s Parliament has passed a law forbidding the import, production or selling of alcoholic beverages in a surprise move that angered many in the country’s Christian community who rely on the business on October 23, 2016.
- It imposed a fine of up to 25 m Iraqi dinars (£ 17000) for anyone violating the ban. But it’s unclear how strictly the law would be enforced.
- Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol, but it has always been available in Iraq’s larger cities, mainly from shops run by Christians. Those shops are currently closed because of the Shia holy month of Muharram.
