Current Affairs - International

Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party after nearly a decade in power. His decision came amid internal party conflicts and a decline in public support, particularly with growing support for opposition leader Pierre Poilievre. Trudeau will remain as caretaker prime minister until a new leader is elected. His resignation follows concerns over party unity and declining support in national polls, with the Conservative Party gaining favour among voters.

In 2024, the United States ranks first globally in cyberattacks, with India following as the second most targeted nation. According to CloudSEK, a cyber intelligence platform, India experienced 95 incidents impacting numerous companies. Globally, over 534 terabytes of data were traded by threat actors, with sectors like Manufacturing, Real Estate, Healthcare, Technology, and Finance being the most affected. This highlights the escalating threat landscape and the need for robust cybersecurity measures worldwide.

Ecuador declared a 60-day state of emergency in seven provinces, including Guayas and Manabí, to address rising crime and organized armed groups. President Daniel Noboa announced measures such as suspending home and correspondence inviolability and imposing night curfews in 20 cantons. The move highlights Ecuador's ongoing struggle against criminal groups designated as terrorists, reflecting efforts to restore security and public order in affected areas.

The recent surge in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in China has predominantly affected children under 14 years of age. HMPV is a respiratory virus causing symptoms such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath, with complications like bronchitis and pneumonia. While no unusual spikes in HMPV cases have been reported in India, the Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation. Discovered in 2001, HMPV is part of the Pneumoviridae family and poses significant risks to children, older adults, and individuals with compromised immunity, especially during the winter months.

China is facing a significant outbreak of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), along with other respiratory illnesses like influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19. The surge in cases has overwhelmed hospitals and crematories. HMPV symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, and breathlessness, with an incubation period of 3–6 days. High-risk groups such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to severe complications like pneumonia and bronchitis.