Current Affairs - International

India made a significant improvement in the Henley Passport Index 2025 by jumping 8 places, moving from 85th to 77th position. This is the biggest improvement by any country in the current edition of the rankings. With this new position, Indian passport holders can now travel to 59 destinations without a visa. The rankings highlight global mobility, and India’s leap reflects increasing international acceptance and stronger diplomatic ties. While Singapore retained the top spot, India’s movement to the 77th position is a notable development in the context of global travel freedom and international relations.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will begin enforcing a sugar-based excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) from January 2026. This policy introduces a variable tax rate calculated per litre, depending on the sugar content per 100ml of the drink. The more sugar a beverage contains, the higher the tax levied on it. The primary goal of this move is to reduce excessive sugar consumption and encourage manufacturers to reformulate their products with lower sugar levels. By targeting sugar intake through taxation, the UAE is taking a preventive approach to combat rising health issues such as obesity and diabetes.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai earned a place among the world’s top 10 international airports in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2025. With a score of 84.23, it is the only Indian airport to achieve this distinction for three consecutive years. This recognition highlights India’s growing reputation in global aviation, reflecting excellence in customer experience, technological innovation, infrastructure, and operational efficiency. Spread over 1,900 acres, CSMIA handles over 55 million passengers annually and offers advanced features like DigiYatra, biometric check-ins, 68 e-gates, and extensive global connectivity, positioning it as a leading aviation hub.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from UNESCO in 2025, just two years after rejoining under President Joe Biden. The administration cited ideological conflicts and accused UNESCO of promoting “woke” and divisive agendas that contradict American values. This withdrawal follows a history of strained relations, with previous exits in 1984 and 2017 over perceived anti-Israel bias and financial mismanagement. Although the U.S. contributed about 8% of UNESCO’s budget, the impact is more symbolic, reflecting a shift toward unilateralism and weakening multilateral efforts in areas like education, cultural preservation, and global cooperation, while potentially increasing the influence of nations like China.

The GENIUS Act was signed by US President Donald Trump to establish the first federal regulatory framework specifically for stablecoins pegged to the US dollar. Stablecoins are digital currencies designed to hold a steady value by linking them to traditional fiat currencies like the USD. The GENIUS Act brings such digital assets under federal regulation in the United States, requiring compliance with auditing and supervision standards set by US law. This move positions the United States as a pioneer in the formal regulation of blockchain-based stablecoins.