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North Korea fires two ballistic missiles in resumption of testing

International News

 

 

North Korea fires two ballistic missiles in resumption of testing

Why In News

 

South Korean and Japanese officials say North Korea has fired two ballistic missiles into waters off its east coast December 18, 2022.

 

Key Points


North Korea test-fired a pair of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles with a range of striking Japan on December 18, in a possible protest of Tokyo’s adoption of a new security strategy to push for more offensive footing against North Korea and China.

The launches also came two days after the North claimed to have performed a key test needed to build a more mobile, powerful intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the U.S. mainland.


The two missiles traveled from the country’s northwest Tongchangri area about 500 kilometers (310 miles) at a maximum altitude of 550 kilometers (340 miles) before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to the South Korean and Japanese governments.

South Korea’s military said both missiles were launched at a steep angle, suggesting the weapon could have traveled farther if fired at a standard trajectory. North Korea usually tests medium- and longer-range missiles at a high angle to avoid neighboring countries, though it fired an intermediate-range missile over Japan in October, forcing Tokyo to issue evacuation alerts and halt trains.

Rehan Ahmed Becomes England’s youngest Cricketer to Debut in Test Cricket

Rehan Ahmed Becomes England’s youngest Cricketer to Debut in Test Cricket

Why In News

 

Rehan Ahmed becomes England's youngest-ever Test Cricketer to debut in the final match between Pakistan and England. Rehan Ahmed will be 18 years and 126 days old.

Key Points


 Rehan Ahmed becomes England’s youngest-ever Test Cricketer to debut in the final match between Pakistan and England. Rehan Ahmed will be 18 years and 126 days old when the match begins. Till now, Brian Close, who was 18 years and 149 days old, was the youngest player in England during the New Zealand vs England match in 1949.

Rehan Ahmed Becomes England’s youngest Cricketer to Debut in Test Cricket- Key Points
Ben Stokes announced the debut of Rehan Ahmed in the Final match of England vs Pakistan.
Rehan Ahmed beats Brian Close for being the youngest cricketer to debut for England in Test Cricket.

Rehan Ahmed is 18 years and 126 days old.

Stokes also announced two changes from the second test in Multan, which England won by 26 runs.

Rehan Ahmed will replace spinner Will Jacks while wicketkeeper Ben Foakes comes in for James Anderson.

England is on their first Test tour of Pakistan since 2005.

Rehan Ahmed has played three first-class games and according to Ben Stokes, he is a wrist spinner who is a high point for England.

 Rehan Ahmed

Rehan Ahmed was born on 13th August 2004. He made his international debut on 17th December 2022. He became the youngest cricket player to debut in Test cricket for England. Rehan Ahmed’s father Naeem Ahmed was a former cricketer who was born in Pakistan. Rehan Ahmed made his List A debut on 25th July 2021 for Leicestershire in the 2021 Royal London One-Day Cup.


SURYA KIRAN-XVI: 16th Edition of the Indo-Nepal Joint Training Exercise

SURYA KIRAN-XVI: 16th Edition of the Indo-Nepal Joint Training Exercise

Why In News

 

The 16th Edition of the Indo-Nepal joint training Exercise “SURYA KIRAN-XVI” between India and Nepal is to be conducted at Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi, Nepal.

Key Points


 The 16th Edition of the Indo-Nepal joint training Exercise “SURYA KIRAN-XVI” between India and Nepal is to be conducted at Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi, Nepal. “SURYA KIRAN-XVI” will be conducted from 16th to 29th December 2022.

Exercise “SURYA KIRAN” is conducted annually between India and Nepal to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare & counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain and HADR under UN mandate.

SURYA KIRAN-XVI: 16th Edition of the Indo-Nepal Joint Training Exercise- Key points 
Nepal Army soldiers of the Shree Bhawani Baksh Battalion and Indian Army soldiers from the 5 GR will be participating in the exercise.
The two armies, through these contingents, shall be sharing the experiences gained during the conduct of various counter-insurgency operations over the years in their respective countries.

The joint exercise would focus on the evolution of combined drills for planning and conduct of tactical operations at the unit level in counter-terrorism operations and disaster response mechanisms in general and the role of armed forces in the management of disaster.
During the exercise, participants will be training together to develop inter-operability and share their experience including Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorist operations and also on Humanitarian Relief operations.

The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defense cooperation which will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations.
 

Iran Removed From UN Commission on the Status of Women

Iran Removed From UN Commission on the Status of Women

 

Why In News

 

In an unprecedented move, Iran has been expelled from the United Nation's Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in a vote on which India abstained.

Key Points


 In an unprecedented move, Iran has been expelled from the United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in a vote on which India abstained. The US proposal at the UN Economic and Social Council to remove Iran from the panel received 29 votes, while there were eight votes against and 16 abstentions in the 54-member elected body.


The vote came after intense lobbying by the US following widespread protests in Iran sparked by outrage against the edict compelling women to wear hijabs.

US Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Council that CSW, which is “the premier UN body for promoting gender equality and empowering women” cannot function if it is “undermined from within” by Iran. “Iran’s membership at this moment is an ugly stain on the Commission’s credibility,” she said.

Mahsa Amin who died after being held by “morality police” in September. Her death sparked the protests, during which, “government security forces have reportedly detained and tortured thousands of people, killed hundreds of peaceful protestors, and badly injured many more. Men supporting women in the streets are now being targeted with the death penalty.


The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was established in 1946, and has become instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. Its 45 members are elected by ECOSOC, based on equitable geographical distribution, and serve for four years.

 

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, is a United Nations entity working for the empowerment of women.
UN Women became operational in January 2011.

 

President of Chile Michelle Bachelet was the inaugural Executive Director, and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is the current Executive Director.

 

As with UNIFEM previously, UN Women is a member of the United Nations Development Group.