Current Affairs - International

Italy clinched its fourth Davis Cup title by defeating Spain 2–0 in a dominant performance on home soil. The victory was secured through strong singles matches played by Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli. Berrettini delivered an impressive win over Pablo Carreno Busta, while Cobolli completed the triumph with a hard-fought comeback against Jaume Munar. This achievement also marked a historic milestone, as Italy became the first team since the United States to win three Davis Cups in a row. The result highlights Italy’s growing strength and consistency in international tennis competitions.

The Hayli Gubbi volcano is located in Ethiopia’s Rift Valley, a region well known for its intense tectonic activity as part of the larger Erta Ale volcanic range. This volcano, dormant for nearly 12,000 years, recently erupted, sending massive ash plumes high into the atmosphere. Due to strong upper-level winds, the ash drifted thousands of kilometres toward India and Pakistan, affecting major aviation routes that connect East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. The eruption’s geographic location makes it particularly significant, as disruptions in this corridor impact international flights, necessitating precautionary advisories from aviation authorities and meteorological agencies.

India’s engagement with Georgia marked an important step in expanding cooperation in sericulture and textiles. During the Nov 17–21 visit, Indian representatives showcased innovations such as the “5-in-1 Silk Stole” and advancements in wild silk, reinforcing India’s position as a global silk leader. The discussions focused on improving market access, developing collaborative research, and exploring opportunities in hybrid silkworm technology. This partnership aimed to benefit both nations by enhancing knowledge-sharing and technological development. The visit also aligned with the 11th BACSA International Conference – CULTUSERI 2025, providing a platform for broader regional cooperation.

The ACITI Partnership brings together India, Australia, and Canada to enhance collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, green innovation, and resilient supply chains. This trilateral initiative aims to leverage the combined technological strengths and strategic priorities of the three nations. By focusing on green energy solutions, responsible AI development, and diversification of critical mineral supply chains, the partnership supports broader goals of sustainability and net-zero emissions. It also promotes joint research, innovation-driven cooperation, and coordinated policy frameworks. The initiative represents a long-term vision for technological progress, economic resilience, and shared global leadership in addressing future challenges.

Indonesia achieved a major public health milestone when WHO declared the end of its type-2 polio outbreak. This success followed extensive immunisation efforts, including the administration of more than 60 million vaccine doses, multiple nOPV2 campaigns, and strengthened routine immunisation. The rollout of the hexavalent vaccine and the improvement of IPV coverage from 63% to 73% in 2024 played an important role. Although the government continues to highlight risks in areas with low vaccination coverage, the achievement reinforces the Western Pacific region’s broader polio-free status and demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to disease prevention and strong public health systems.