Current Affairs - International

Bangladesh has officially declared February 25 as Military Martyrdom Day to commemorate the tragic events of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny in 2009. This mutiny also referred to as the Pilkhana tragedy or Pilkhana massacre, occurred on February 25-26, 2009, in Dhaka, where many lives were lost. The day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the mutiny, and it has been designated as a Category C day, meaning it will be observed with official ceremonies and remembrance. The declaration reflects the country's commitment to honouring the memory of those who were martyred.

Tropical storm SARA caused significant damage, prompting India to dispatch 26 tons of humanitarian assistance to Honduras. This aid is part of India's efforts to provide support to countries in need, particularly in the Global South. India has a history of providing timely assistance to countries affected by natural disasters, demonstrating its commitment to international cooperation and solidarity.

The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) is a nuclear fusion research facility located at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP) in Hefei, China. EAST aims to replicate the nuclear fusion process that powers the Sun, and its successful milestone of sustaining plasma at 100 million°C for over 1,000 seconds significantly advances the pursuit of clean and sustainable energy. This achievement is part of global efforts, including the ITER project, to develop large-scale, carbon-free fusion energy.

India and Saudi Arabia are enhancing their media ties ahead of WAVES 2025. An Indian delegation, including I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju and Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi, visited Saudi Arabia for strategic meetings. They focused on strengthening media collaboration during discussions at Riyadh's "Future of Media" Exhibition and Saudi Media Forum. Key topics included advancements in broadcasting technology, digital marketing, and content exchange, aimed at fostering stronger media partnerships between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Mauritius next month to participate in the country's National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour. Mauritius celebrates its National Day on March 12, marking its independence from British rule in 1968. The visit underscores the strong bilateral ties between India and Mauritius, with Modi's presence reinforcing the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Mauritius values India's support in development initiatives, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships, making this visit a testament to their deep and historic relationship.