Current Affairs - International

The UK's foreign office added Pakistan to its list of countries deemed 'too dangerous to travel' due to a surge in terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023, particularly highlighting regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan as major hotspots for violence. This move reflects heightened security concerns for travellers to Pakistan.

Apple has recently issued urgent security alerts to iPhone users in India and 91 other countries, warning about a mercenary spyware attack. This type of attack is highly sophisticated and aims to gain unauthorized access to users' devices, posing serious security risks.

Kaushik Rajashekara, a distinguished professor at the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering, was honoured with an International Fellowship by the Engineering Academy of Japan. This recognition highlights his significant contributions to power conversion and transportation electrification, earning him a place among a select group of global engineering experts.

Chinese engineers and scientists developed the world's first satellite allowing smartphones to make calls without mobile towers. The Tiantong satellite initiative addresses emergencies where mobile connectivity might be disrupted, enabling people to seek help by connecting directly to an overhead communication orbiter. This technological advancement, initiated after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, highlights China's commitment to enhancing communication resilience, especially in remote or disaster-prone areas.

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, has achieved the status of being the third-largest silver producer globally, with its Sindesar Khurd Mine in Rajasthan contributing significantly to this achievement.