Latvian Prime Minister resigned over supermarket collapse

The Latvian Prime Minister, Valdis Dombrovskis announced his resignation and thereby the fall of the Government on 27 November 2013. He resigned due to the deadly collapse of Maxima supermarket of Riga on 21 November 2013. His announcement came during the meeting with Andris Berzins, the President of Latvia. Dombrovskis is the longest serving prime minister in Latvia’s history.

About 54 people died in the collapse of the supermarket. This collapse is the biggest loss of life in the country since its independence from the USSR in 1991.

Dubai to host World Expo 2020

Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on 27 November 2013 voted in favour of Dubai to be the host city for the World Trade Fair or EXPO 2020.

The theme of Dubai for the EXPO 2020 is Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.

Nepal and UAE qualified for ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2014

Nepal and the UAE on 27 November 2013 qualified for the ICC T20 World cup which will be held in Bangladesh in 2014.

Nepal defeated Hong Kong by five wickets in Abu Dhabi on 27 November 2013. The UAE has also qualified for the tournament as they defeated the Netherlands by 10 runs.

NATO launched Cyber Defence Exercise ”Cyber Coalition 2013”

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on 26 November 2013 launched a three-day cyber defence exercise “Cyber Coalition 2013”in Estonia.

The defense exercises are based at the NATO’s cyber defense centers in Estonia, Russia and will be held from 26 to 28 November 2013.

Pakistan Launched Construction of Country’s Largest Nuclear Power Project

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on 26 November 2013 launched the construction of the country’s biggest Nuclear power project.

The 2200-MegaWatt- Karachi Coastal Power Project, comprising the K-2 and K-3 nuclear plants, is being built at Paradise Beach, located 40 km from the Karachi.

The nuclear power plant is to be built with Chinese technical assistance on the Arabian Sea coast.

Thailand PM declared Emergency Law for Bangkok

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on 25 November 2013 declared a special emergency law for Bangkok after riot police and anti-government protesters scuffled in the capital city.

The decision came after hundreds of anti-government protesters stormed into the finance ministry compound and later forced their way into the foreign ministry building.

Priti Patel won the Asian Trader Editor’s Award

Priti Patel, an Indian Origin British MP on 22 November 2013 has been honoured with the prestigious Asian Trader Editor’s Award. She was awarded for her tireless campaigning to support small shops and convenience stores. She was awarded at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in a ceremony held.

Supreme Court Set up Committee to Deal with Sexual Harassment Complaints

The Supreme Court of India on 26 November 2013 constituted a ten-member Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC) to deal with complaints of sexual harassment within its premises.  The committee was constituted by the Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam.

The committee is headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The committee has six other female members. Two members are outsiders and not connected with the Supreme Court.

The panel is in consonance with the guidelines laid down by the apex court in its judgment in the Vishaka case for dealing with complaints of sexual harrassment at the workplace.

India welcomed deal on Iran’s Nuclear Programme

India on 24 November 2013 welcomed the prospect of resolution of issues related to Iran’s controversial nuclear programme through dialogue and diplomacy after Iran agreed to curb it under a deal with P5+1 Group of Nations(US, the UK, Russia, China, France and Germany).

Geneva II Syria peace conference set for 22 January 2014

Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary General on 25 November 2013 announced the Geneva-II Peace Conference is to be held on 22 January 2014. The international conference is aimed at a democratic political transition in Syria, which will bring the Government and the opposition to a negotiating table for the first time, since the conflict that started in March 2011.