Current Affairs - International

Australia announced a major foreign policy decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasised that this move aims to support the long-pursued two-state solution, help achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, and push for the release of hostages. The recognition will be conditional on governance reforms by the Palestinian Authority, including elections, demilitarisation, and ensuring Hamas plays no role in governance. With over 138 UN member states already recognising Palestine, Australia’s step adds to the growing global momentum pressing for peace in the Middle East.

India sent five metric tonnes of cowpea (black-eyed pea) seeds to Fiji as part of its Act East Policy, reinforcing its commitment to supporting Indo-Pacific partners. The aid was handed over in Sabeto, Nadi, through the High Commission of India in Suva, to strengthen agricultural resilience, food security, and farmer empowerment in Fiji. Cowpea seeds are drought-tolerant and protein-rich, making them highly beneficial for adapting to climate challenges and enhancing nutrition. This initiative not only supports Fiji’s agricultural sector but also deepens bilateral cooperation, reflecting India’s role as a reliable partner in humanitarian and developmental assistance across the region.

The Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise is a long-standing joint drill between the United States and South Korea. Originally beginning in the 1960s as the Taeguk Exercise, it evolved over time to strengthen readiness against potential threats in the region. In 2008, the exercise was renamed Ulchi-Freedom Guardian, and later became Ulchi Freedom Shield. The drills not only demonstrate military preparedness but also symbolise the close defence partnership between the U.S. and South Korea. Their collaboration ensures stability on the Korean Peninsula while reinforcing cooperation across land, air, sea, and cyber domains.

In 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) certified Kenya free of human African trypanosomiasis, commonly known as sleeping sickness, marking a major victory in public health. This achievement makes Kenya the 10th country to eliminate the disease as a public health challenge, following decades of dedicated efforts in tsetse fly control, improved diagnostics, effective treatment, and community awareness campaigns. The disease, caused by protozoa transmitted via tsetse flies, can be fatal if untreated. Kenya’s success builds on its earlier milestone of eliminating Guinea worm disease in 2018 and reinforces Africa’s broader drive to eradicate neglected tropical diseases through coordinated strategies.

Russia has officially exited the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, originally signed with the United States to eliminate ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500–5,500 km. The US had already withdrawn in 2019, alleging Russian violations, which undermined the treaty’s effectiveness. Russia cited changing security conditions, particularly US missile deployments in the Philippines and joint drills in Australia, as reasons for withdrawal. This move has heightened concerns over a potential new nuclear arms race and further weakened the global arms control framework, alongside other key treaties such as the NPT, CTBT, and New START.