Current Affairs - International

South Korea recently witnessed a significant political event when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, citing “anti-state behaviour” and “pro-North” sympathies within the opposition Democratic Party. The decree faced strong opposition, with 190 out of 300 lawmakers voting to overturn it. This led to the president’s cabinet reversing the decree within hours, showcasing the robust democratic framework and the role of parliamentary oversight in South Korea.

The Red Sea Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Saudi Arabia. This year, the festival's fourth edition will take place in Jeddah, featuring Bollywood celebrities Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, as well as director Reema Kagti's film "Superboys of Malegaon" competing in the Red Sea Competition section. The 11-day event will run from December 5 to 14, 2024.

Singapore emerged as the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to India in the July-September 2024 quarter, contributing 50% of the total USD 13.6 billion inflows, which marked a 43% increase compared to the previous year. Over the years, Singapore has played a vital role in India’s economic growth, with its cumulative FDI from April 2000 to March 2024 reaching approximately USD 159.94 billion. This strong partnership highlights Singapore's importance as India's key economic partner.

Donald Trump, the US President-elect, has nominated Kash Patel, an Indian-American lawyer and investigator, as the next FBI director. Known for his dedication to exposing corruption and safeguarding justice, Patel is the second Indian-American to be nominated to Trump's cabinet, after Jay Bhattacharya, who was chosen to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This reflects the growing representation of Indian-Americans in high-profile US government roles.

Norway's Parliament issued an official apology for the century-long assimilation policies, known as "Norwegianisation," that discriminated against the Sami, Kven, and Forest Finn communities. This apology acknowledges the historical injustices faced by these indigenous and minority groups, who were subjected to forced cultural assimilation and discrimination.