Current Affairs - International

The United Kingdom, through British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced a £1.6 billion ($2 billion) deal to supply Ukraine with 5,000 air-defense missiles. These missiles will be manufactured by Thales using export finance. The announcement was made during a European leaders' summit held in London on March 2, 2025, highlighting the U.K.'s continued support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict and security concerns in the region.

India ranks 28th globally in terms of user digital spending, despite being the third-largest economy. This indicates a significant gap between the country's overall digitalization and individual user spending. While internet connectivity density in India is comparable to other nations, the actual spending per user is still lower, revealing potential areas for growth. Efforts to enhance affordability, accessibility, and digital infrastructure could help improve user adoption and spending in the coming years.

In 2024, there were 296 global Internet shutdowns, marking the highest number ever recorded. This highlights the growing trend of Internet shutdowns globally, especially during times of unrest or sensitive events. India was a major contributor, accounting for 28% of the total shutdowns, second only to Myanmar. The increasing frequency of these shutdowns has raised concerns about digital rights and freedom of speech.

Archaeologists in Denmark discovered a 4,000-year-old Neolithic wooden circle resembling Stonehenge. The structure, made up of 45 wooden piles arranged in a 30-meter diameter, is believed to have been used for rituals or sun worship. This discovery sheds light on Denmark's Neolithic period and its cultural connections with Britain, especially through shared artefacts like pottery and graves. The findings are significant in understanding ancient rituals and the spread of similar practices across regions in prehistoric times.

In 2024, Japan's birth rate hit a record low for the ninth consecutive year. The country saw 720,988 births, a five per cent decline from the previous year's 758,631 births. This marks the lowest number of births since the Japanese government began tracking birth data in 1899. The decline in births in Japan is a significant demographic trend, reflecting challenges such as an ageing population and fewer young people starting families.