Current Affairs - International

Singapore holds the title of the world's most powerful passport in 2025, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 countries. It surpasses South Korea and Japan, which are tied in second place with access to 190 nations. The United Arab Emirates made significant progress, reaching 8th place, while the United States dropped to 9th. Venezuela experienced the steepest decline, falling from 2nd place in 2015 to 44th in 2025. Meanwhile, India ranked 80th with access to 56 countries, and Pakistan ranked 96th, placing near the bottom of the list.

Bangladesh launched "Operation Devil Hunt" to address political violence and unrest, resulting in the arrest of over 1,300 individuals. The operation was initiated following violent attacks on properties linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s family and her political party. Joint forces, including the army and police, have been deployed across the country to restore order and prevent further disturbances. The crackdown aims to control mobs and political factions responsible for escalating tensions, ensuring stability and security in Bangladesh amidst rising political turmoil.

Nepal and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the HydroNepal Project, focusing on digitizing Nepal’s river basins and optimizing hydropower resources. The agreement was signed by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kul Man Ghising and Blue Water Intelligence (BWI) CEO Jeremy Fain, with the French Ambassador to Nepal, Virginie Corteval, also present. The project aims to enhance Nepal’s hydrological risk preparedness and improve sustainable water management. This collaboration highlights France’s support in advancing Nepal’s renewable energy sector and ensuring efficient hydropower utilization.

Lebanon has successfully formed its first government since 2022, marking the end of a prolonged political stalemate. Nawaf Salam was appointed as the Prime Minister, and President Joseph Aoun accepted the caretaker government's resignation. The newly established 24-member cabinet is expected to focus on key issues such as judicial reforms, economic stability, and ceasefire implementation with Israel. Salam has also committed to overseeing Israeli troop withdrawal and facilitating war reconstruction efforts. This move is seen as a crucial step toward restoring governance and stability in Lebanon after years of political gridlock.

The M23 armed group, backed by Rwanda, has seized control of Goma, a key city in eastern DR Congo, and is advancing towards South Kivu province. This has intensified the long-standing instability in the mineral-rich region. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and large-scale displacement, with humanitarian conditions worsening. The situation poses a significant threat to regional stability, as tensions between Rwanda and DR Congo continue to escalate. The UN and international actors have expressed serious concerns over the potential for cross-border conflicts and the broader impact on the Great Lakes region.