Current Affairs - International

Spain declared a national emergency for the first time in its history as severe wildfires spread across central parts of the country. The move enabled the national government to coordinate firefighting efforts and emergency response more effectively after over 10,000 residents were evacuated from affected areas near Madrid and Avila. At the same time, France sought assistance through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism as massive fires forced the evacuation of around 63,000 people from Cap Ferret. Authorities attributed the worsening wildfire situation to extreme heat, prolonged drought, strong winds, dense vegetation, and the growing impact of climate change, highlighting the need for stronger disaster preparedness and international cooperation.

Bangladesh has been invited by India as a special guest to the BRICS Summit 2026, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from September 17 to 19, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, reflecting India's commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and engagement with the Global South. Although Bangladesh is not a BRICS member, it has previously expressed interest in joining the grouping, with support from countries such as China and Russia. The invitation also aligns with India's BRICS Chairmanship theme of promoting resilience, innovation, collaboration, and sustainability while enhancing cooperation in areas such as health, disaster management, digital transformation, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

India officially became the 123rd member to deposit its Instrument of Acceptance of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) on July 20, 2026. The agreement, adopted during the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in 2022, aims to curb harmful fisheries subsidies by prohibiting support for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and activities involving overfished stocks. In India, its implementation is supported by the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and sustainable fisheries regulations, while safeguarding the interests of small-scale fishers and promoting responsible marine resource management.

President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Museum of the City of Skopje in North Macedonia during her three-nation tour of Europe. The ceremony was attended by North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and highlighted the shared commitment of both countries to peace, non-violence, and mutual respect. The bust symbolises the strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between India and North Macedonia while promoting Mahatma Gandhi's enduring ideals of truth and non-violence. During the visit, President Murmu also paid tribute at the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, further reinforcing the historical and cultural connections between the two nations.

France has passed a landmark law that will prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, with full implementation beginning in January 2027. The legislation requires mandatory age verification for both new and existing user accounts and aims to protect minors from harmful online content, cyberbullying, exploitation, and mental health risks. Introduced as part of President Emmanuel Macron’s child safety initiative, France became the first European country to adopt such a nationwide measure. The move reflects a growing global trend toward stricter online safety regulations for children, although concerns remain regarding privacy, data protection, and effective enforcement.