Current Affairs - International

Sweden reported its first case outside Africa of a more dangerous variant of mpox, known as the Clade 1b subclade, which has been causing a severe global outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo since September 2023. The Swedish public health agency confirmed the case in Stockholm, which was contracted during a visit to Africa where the outbreak is concentrated. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) currently considers the risk of transmission in Sweden to be very low due to the country’s high vaccination rate against mpox.

Bangladesh has called back ambassadors to the US, Russia, Japan, Maldives, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, and ordered them to return to Dhaka. This action follows an announcement by the country's Foreign Ministry on August 14. The ambassadors are to leave their current posts immediately. This comes amidst the ongoing investigation by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the 1971 war with Pakistan.

BSA Motorcycles, the UK company, has launched its first model in India, the Classic Legends-owned Gold Star 650. The bike represents a significant milestone for BSA's presence in the Indian motorcycle market. It is available for pre-order with a starting price of Rs 2.99 lakh and a top model at Rs 3.34 lakh. The Gold Star 650 features a 652cc engine, Brembo brakes, Pirelli tyres, and digital-analogue instrumentation, offering a blend of traditional design with modern performance. This launch signifies a major entry for BSA into the Indian motorcycle market, offering a piece of motorcycling history with a modern twist.

A 13-year-old Chinese girl, Lei Muzi, performed a historic Bharatanatyam "Arangetram" in China at the Indian Embassy. Her debut was attended by Indian diplomats and a large crowd of fans, including the first Indian ambassador to China, marking a milestone in the spread of India's ancient dance form among Chinese audiences. Lei Muzi is the only Chinese person to have been trained in Bharatanatyam and has been practising it for six years at a school affiliated with Bharatanatyam expert Raja Ravi Varma. Her performance in China signifies the growing interest and appreciation of Indian dance forms in China, particularly in the realm of classical arts and cultural exchange.

The world's oldest solar calendar was discovered at Göbekli Tepe, a renowned archaeological site in southern Turkey. This discovery highlights the advanced astronomical knowledge of the people who lived nearly 13,000 years ago. The calendar, featuring 365 V-shaped symbols, is believed to represent days, forming a comprehensive annual system. Additionally, the calendar combines lunar and solar elements, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of timekeeping by the ancient inhabitants of Gobekli Tepe.