Current Affairs - International

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the strong partnership between India and the United States during his visit to Washington. He described the India-US alliance as a "formidable force" crucial for maintaining global peace, prosperity, and stability. This statement reflects the growing strategic and economic ties between the two nations, highlighting their collaborative efforts on the international stage. The choice of the United States underscores the importance of this bilateral relationship in achieving mutual and global objectives.

Prime Minister Narendra presented four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) Cubes to Ukraine on Friday, during his visit to Kyiv. These Cubes, part of a unique medical initiative by India, are designed to expedite medical treatment, save lives, and support Ukraine in the face of mass casualty incidents. The Aid Cube, in particular, can be deployed within 12 minutes, offering critical care in emergencies, and is capable of managing up to 200 cases, including surgical interventions. This humanitarian effort highlights India's commitment to international assistance and disaster response cooperation. It underscores the significance of India's medical aid in supporting countries like Ukraine, which is grappling with challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts.

India and Ukraine have signed four agreements to boost bilateral ties, covering defence, trade, pharmaceuticals, green energy, and education. The agreements aim to deepen economic and technical cooperation in various sectors. Prime Minister Modi and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emphasized enhancing cooperation in key areas and exploring a strategic partnership, with specific attention to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and support for India’s UN Security Council membership aspirations. The two leaders directed the Inter-Governmental Commission to restore and expand bilateral trade and economic relations.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded investigations into Apple and Google over potential anticompetitive practices in their app stores but will continue to monitor the companies. The investigations, which began in 2022, aimed to examine Apple's App Store and Google’s Android Play Store for unfair charges and limitations on app developers' choices. The CMA's decision to close the investigations is pending new legislation that is expected later this year. Both companies have made commitments to expand developer choices, but the CMA will review their compliance with new rules once implemented.

Thailand has confirmed its second case of the Clade 1b strain of the monkeypox virus in a 66-year-old European tourist. This marks a rare occurrence outside of Africa, raising concerns about global spread. The Clade 1b strain is known for being more contagious, and the WHO declared monkeypox a public health emergency in response to these cases. The patient is currently hospitalized and under treatment at a Bangkok hospital, while the source of the virus has been identified as an African country. No further transmission has been detected in Thailand, indicating effective containment measures.