Current Affairs - International

K2-18 b, located 124 light-years from Earth, is classified as a "Hycean" planet. This type of planet is characterized by a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and the potential presence of oceans, making it a candidate for supporting life. With a radius 2.6 times and a mass 8.6 times that of Earth, its atmosphere contains intriguing elements like methane, carbon dioxide, and dimethyl sulfide, which are associated with biological processes on Earth.

Starting January 1, 2025, Switzerland will introduce significant changes in legal, economic, and social sectors. Among these, the country will enforce a ban on facial coverings in public places, impacting items like burqas and niqabs. Additionally, pension increases will be implemented, raising state pensions by 2.9% to match inflation and salary trends. Other reforms include adjustments to inheritance laws and stronger banking regulations, aligning Switzerland more closely with European standards. These measures are designed to modernize the country’s policies and improve overall social welfare.

India will host the first-ever World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) from February 5-9, 2025, in New Delhi. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this global event aims to position India as a hub for world-class content creation and foster creative collaboration. Inspired by events like the World Economic Forum, WAVES will gather leaders from media, entertainment, and creative industries worldwide. This initiative underscores India's growing prominence in the entertainment and creative sectors.

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) was signed in April 2022 and ratified in November 2022, marking a significant period of growth in bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two nations. The agreement aims to foster deeper economic integration, reduce tariffs, and promote services exchange and investment flows.

Myanmar shares a 1,643 km long unfenced border with the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. This border has posed significant challenges related to infiltration and smuggling, prompting the Union Home Ministry to prioritize its security. The Ministry has also announced plans to phase out the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar and implement demographic mapping to support fencing efforts. These steps aim to enhance security and stability in the border regions while addressing broader issues of regional development.