Current Affairs - International

Russia's decision to remove the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations signifies a significant shift in its foreign policy towards Afghanistan. Despite the group's controversial history, Russia has been actively engaging with the Taliban in diplomatic talks and trade discussions. This move reflects Russia's acknowledgement of the Taliban's control in Afghanistan and its efforts to foster closer ties with the current government. By aligning its policies with those of Kazakhstan, Russia aims to enhance its diplomatic and economic relations with Afghanistan, emphasizing stability and regional interests in the process.

India provided $1 million in aid to Papua New Guinea following a devastating landslide that resulted in significant loss of life. This aid aims to support relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas. Papua New Guinea, with its capital at Port Moresby, experienced the loss of approximately 2,000 lives due to parts of a mountain collapsing. The aid underscores India's commitment to extending assistance to countries facing natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

India will host the first-ever focused discussions on regulating tourism in Antarctica at the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) in Kochi, in May 2024. With over 350 participants from nearly 40 nations expected to attend, India's role in facilitating these discussions underscores its commitment to preserving Antarctica's ecological integrity and leading initiatives for sustainable exploration.

Spain has officially become the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), aiming to collaborate with other member countries to increase the use of solar energy technologies and promote global energy transition.

The European Union (EU) has approved the AI Act, marking a historic step in regulating artificial intelligence. This groundbreaking legislation imposes strict rules on AI applications, particularly high-risk systems, with significant penalties for non-compliance, demonstrating the EU's commitment to robust AI regulation.