Current Affairs - International

Singapore emerged as the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to India in the July-September 2024 quarter, contributing 50% of the total USD 13.6 billion inflows, which marked a 43% increase compared to the previous year. Over the years, Singapore has played a vital role in India’s economic growth, with its cumulative FDI from April 2000 to March 2024 reaching approximately USD 159.94 billion. This strong partnership highlights Singapore's importance as India's key economic partner.

Donald Trump, the US President-elect, has nominated Kash Patel, an Indian-American lawyer and investigator, as the next FBI director. Known for his dedication to exposing corruption and safeguarding justice, Patel is the second Indian-American to be nominated to Trump's cabinet, after Jay Bhattacharya, who was chosen to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This reflects the growing representation of Indian-Americans in high-profile US government roles.

Norway's Parliament issued an official apology for the century-long assimilation policies, known as "Norwegianisation," that discriminated against the Sami, Kven, and Forest Finn communities. This apology acknowledges the historical injustices faced by these indigenous and minority groups, who were subjected to forced cultural assimilation and discrimination.

The Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus, a member of the flavivirus family, is named after Japan, where the disease was first identified. It primarily affects rural and agricultural areas across Asia and is transmitted through Culex mosquitoes. While the virus cycles between mosquitoes, pigs, and wading birds, humans can become incidental hosts, leading to serious neurological complications. Prevention strategies, including vaccination and mosquito control, are vital in mitigating the public health impact of JE, especially in endemic regions.

The Diplomatic Conference for the adoption of the Design Law Treaty (DLT) was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This treaty aims to streamline and harmonize procedures for registering industrial designs globally, promoting a more predictable and user-friendly environment for intellectual property protection. The adoption of this treaty reflects the commitment of member states to fostering innovation and protecting design rights on an international scale.