Current Affairs - International

China imposed sanctions on Boeing and two other US defense companies, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, and General Dynamics Land Systems, for their involvement in arms sales to Taiwan. This move reflects China's stance on territorial claims and its opposition to arms sales to Taiwan amidst regional tensions.

The recent Subcritical Nuclear test was conducted by the United States in Nevada. These tests aim to gather crucial data on nuclear warheads while adhering to the 1992 moratorium on nuclear explosions.

Australia recently announced the start date for the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) for Indian Nationals as part of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) established between Australia and India. This scheme aims to facilitate temporary mobility for Indian university graduates and early career professionals, fostering skills and knowledge transfer between the two countries.

Moldova signed an agreement with India on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passports, allowing passport holders from both countries to travel without a visa. This agreement was signed between Pawan Kapoor, Secretary, MEA, and Anna Taban, Ambassador of Moldova, enhancing diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The NASA PREFIRE polar mission, designed to improve climate models and address climate change, is slated for launch from New Zealand. The mission aims to measure heat loss from Earth's polar regions, using twin satellites equipped with infrared spectrometers. Launched aboard an Electron launch vehicle, these satellites, developed with Mars-tested technology, will orbit asynchronously near the poles, collecting data to refine predictions about climate phenomena like sea level rise.