Recent 6 months news in International

Princess Elisabeth Island is the world’s first artificial energy island, currently under construction in the North Sea. Located 45 km off the coast of Belgium, the 6-hectare facility serves as an offshore electricity hub and functions as a high-tech “electricity roundabout”.

The Bank of Canada has unveiled a new $20 banknote featuring King Charles III. This marks the first time in over 70 years that a British monarch has appeared on the currency of the nation.

It is to be noted that Canada is the first Commonwealth nation outside the UK to feature King Charles III on the banknotes.

PM Narendra Modi represented India at the 26th edition of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation - Council of Heads of State (SCO-CHS) Summit and the ‘SCO Plus’ meeting held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The summit, marking the 25th anniversary of the organisation, was chaired by the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov under the motto “25 Years of the SCO; Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity”.

The event concluded with the adoption of the ‘Bishkek Declaration’ and 28 other documents, including 4 MoUs. The declaration featured various initiatives led or supported by India. On the sidelines, the ‘SCO Plus’ meeting was organised under the theme “The UN as a Key Element of a Just World Order: The Contribution of the SCO Plus States to the Formation of a Multipolar World”.

The presidency of the SCO for the 2026-27 term was handed over to Pakistan, which will operate under the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity”. Lahore (Pakistan) has been named the tourism and cultural capital of the SCO for the 2026-27 period.

The University of Bristol has inaugurated the Mumbai Enterprise Campus in Mumbai, marking the first international campus of the institution.

It is to be noted that this expansion is facilitated by recent regulatory amendments in India that permit foreign Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to establish and operate physical campuses within the country.

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution, led by Sierra Leone and co-sponsored by 70 nations including India, to declare November 27 as the “International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage” annually.

The resolution was passed unanimously by all 193 Member States of the UN during the 80th session of the UNGA in New York. The initiative to establish this global day was championed by Fatima Bion, the First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), along with Bhuwan Ribhu, the founder of Just Rights for Children (JRC).

PM Narendra Modi has visited Uzbekistan at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, marking the 15th anniversary of the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and the 35th Independence Day of Uzbekistan.

During the visit, PM Modi was conferred with the highest state honour of Uzbekistan, the Order of “Oliy Darajali Do’stlik” (Order of Highest Friendship), marking his 36th global recognition. Both countries signed 11 MoUs and agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Both nations have established a target to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030. It is to be noted that the establishment of a Sanskrit Chair of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) at the Tashkent State University was announced to enhance cultural and educational ties.

China has conducted the testing of the GJ-21 stealth Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in conjunction with the Type 076 amphibious assault ship named “Sichuan”. The ship has entered the final phase of sea trials, which is the concluding stage of testing before active deployment.

Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita has visited Vietnam and Laos to strengthen bilateral partnerships under the ‘Act East Policy’.

During the visit to Vietnam, the Minister visited the Phap Van Pagoda as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. In Laos, initiatives were launched for the preservation of the Phlak-Phlam dance and the development of the National Arts College. An MoU was also signed for the restoration of murals at the Wat Pa Khae Temple in Luang Prabang.

Ulle Madise, the Chancellor of Justice, has been elected as the President of Estonia for a 5-year term. She succeeds Alar Karis.

Turkiye has joined the Artemis Accords as the 71st signatory globally and the 7th nation from West Asia.

It is to be noted that the accords were jointly established by the NASA and the US Department of State in 2020. The initiative aims to promote the safe and peaceful exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Russia has successfully test-launched the mobile, solid-fuel RS-24 Yars Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The missile features mobile launch capabilities and has an operational strike range exceeding 10,000 km.

It is integrated with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs) to facilitate the deployment of multiple warheads.

China has tested a new variant of the ‘YJ-18A’ anti-ship cruise missile. The missile is equipped with a black stealth (radar-absorbing) coating to enhance radar evasion and penetration.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa has confirmed the closure of poliovirus type 2 outbreaks in Burundi, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of the Congo, and Uganda. This decision follows a comprehensive evaluation by the Independent Outbreak Response Assessment (OBRA).

Under the 2026 BRICS Chairship of India, the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting was held in New Delhi, chaired by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.

Additionally, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications organized the BRICS Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Track in Pune under the theme “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future”.

Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir, a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh for a 5-year term. He succeeds Mohammed Shahabuddin who resigned from the post.

Hakainde Hichilema, the leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), has been re-elected as the President of Zambia for a second consecutive five-year term (2026–2031).

India has hosted the 10th BRICS Industry Ministers Meeting in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The meeting focused on the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) initiatives and concluded with the adoption of a Joint Declaration.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), through the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), hosted the 'BRICS WAVES Bazaar 2026' in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The event featured the India-Russia co-production 'KOROVA', the launch of the BRICS Independent Producers Alliance (BIPA), and the signing of several agreements.

The Hungarian Parliament has elected Andras Baka, former head of the Supreme Court of Hungary, as the new President of the country.

Saudi Arabia, along with 13 other founding nations, has established the charter for the Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition (MMDC), a regionally anchored military alliance consisting of 14 member countries.

Led and hosted by Saudi Arabia, the coalition is designed to safeguard critical trade and energy corridors in the Middle East. It is to be noted that among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, the UAE and Oman are currently not part of the alliance.

Gautam Rangarajan, an Indian-origin strategist and media executive, has been appointed to the newly created role of ‘Expert Adviser on Structure and Process’ by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.