Foreign Current Affairs Flashcards
Cuban Power Grid Collapse
Collapsed for the 4th time from 20th as hurricane arrives
Hurricane Oscar’s arrival to eastern Cuba - Cat 1, 80mph wind
millions of residents already faced days without power
Children sleeping outside to cool off from indoor heat
Schools closed for multiple days
3 day blackout
Blamed energy crisis on increased US economic sanctions
Intra-Africa trade could double in next 5 years
According to Secretary general of African continental free trade area
Africa is home to worlds largest free trade agreement
54/55 African union members signed up to deal - market of 1.3Bn ppl and combined GDP of $3.4Tn
Boost economic growth
According to Economic Commission for Africa, prefer to trade with rest of world than among themselves - inadequate infrastructure, lack of finance, weak governance
Range of countries GDPs
Home to least developed countries
landlocked countries
Polio in Pakistan
in Islamabad Pakistan Polio is spreading
More than 1 million missed their vaccination last month
A dozen new cases in October, bringing total to 39
covid 19 disrupted immunization efforts
distrust of foreign health care providers. Allegations that US intelligence officials used a fake immunization program in Pakistan as part of efforts to capture Osama Bin Laden in 2011
Polio is a highly infections viral disease that mainly affects children under age of 5. it attacks the nervous system and can cause paralysis, respiratory issues, or death
Spreads through contaminated water or food
No cure
worldwide cases reduced by more than 99% since 1980 thanks to immunization campaigns
Pakistan and Afghanistan only 2 countries where Polio remains endemic
Most recent cases in the SW Balochistan province which borders Afghanistan
Australia restricts vape sales to pharmacies
Buying a vape is now harder
introduced some of the worlds toughest anti-vaping laws
From July users need to present a doctors prescription to a pharmacist to buy vapes
only 3 flavours: Mint, menthol, tobacco
End of colourful branding and fun flavours that authorities say were used to get children hooked on nicotine
Under a political deal that was struck to secure the laws approval, the restrictions have been eased, only minors under 18 need a prescription
Adults will be able to buy vapes in pharmacies without a prescription - but may be hard to find as many pharmacies say they will refuse to stock them. They don’t want to provide potentially harmful highly addictive product without prescription
Cigs are £18 for 20, much more than UK and USA
currently vapes are still cheaper
Latvia swears in Edgars Rinkevics as EU’s first openly gay president
Edgars Rinkevics has served as foreign minister since 2011, sworn in as president in July
Although generally a ceremonial position, Latvias president can veto legislation and call referendums
EU has had openly gay heads of govt before, but never head of state
came out in 2014, and has been vocal champion of LGBT rights since
Gay marriage is illegal in Latvia, though last year the constitutional court recognised same sex unions
