Current Affairs - International

A recent drone attack in central Israel led to 40 injuries, including three individuals in critical condition. The attack was claimed by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and represents a significant escalation in conflict tensions in the region. Israel's advanced defence systems typically mitigate such incidents, making the scale of injuries particularly alarming. This attack is one of the most serious in recent times, reflecting Israel's vulnerabilities amid ongoing hostilities and indicating a troubling increase in aggression from militant groups like Hezbollah.

The 44th session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) took place in Dresden, Germany, from October 2 to October 6, 2024. India played a significant role in the meeting, making key interventions on probiotic guidelines and nutrient reference values. The committee's agreements on revising probiotic guidelines and determining combined nutrient reference values reflect India's influential contributions. Germany's hosting of the event underscores its commitment to global health cooperation and standardization in food nutrition. The meeting facilitated international collaboration, with India, Canada, Chile, and New Zealand working together to advance nutrition standards.

Saudi Arabia's bid for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was unsuccessful, as it finished sixth in the Asia-Pacific region. The five available seats were secured by Cyprus, the Marshall Islands, Qatar, South Korea, and Thailand. This outcome is significant, as membership in the UNHRC is considered prestigious and influential in shaping global human rights policies. Saudi Arabia's failure to secure a seat may be seen as a reflection of concerns regarding its human rights record and international reputation.

The United States, in collaboration with India, has launched an initiative to promote research in artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology. Through the US-India iCET initiative, 17 joint research projects will receive grants totalling over $2 million. Each project will receive approximately $120,000 to address pressing societal issues, such as AI-assisted cancer detection and advancements in quantum computing. This partnership underscores the commitment of both nations to drive innovation and leverage technology for the betterment of society.

India has achieved a significant milestone in public health by eliminating trachoma, a chronic eye disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) certification recognizes India's decades-long efforts, starting with a control project in 1963 and intensifying with the SAFE strategy. This strategy focuses on Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement. As a result, trachoma prevalence drastically decreased from 4% in 2005 to 0.008% in 2018. India joins Nepal and Myanmar in achieving this feat, demonstrating its commitment to combating infectious diseases and promoting eye health.