International

On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines flight, J2-8243, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in the tragic loss of 38 lives and leaving 29 survivors. The Embraer 190 aircraft was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it encountered severe turbulence and loud bangs, leading to a catastrophic crash.

Key Details:

• Flight Path: The plane was diverted from its original route due to heavy fog in Grozny and attempted an emergency landing in Aktau.
• Survivor Accounts: Passengers reported hearing multiple loud bangs and experiencing a loss of cabin pressure before the crash.
• Investigation: Authorities from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia have launched investigations to determine the cause of the crash. Initial speculations suggest possible external interference, with some sources indicating that Russian air defenses might have mistakenly shot down the aircraft.
• Casualties: The crash claimed 38 lives, including both pilots, and left many survivors with serious injuries.

China has recently approved the construction of the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra River, located in Tibet near the Indian border. This ambitious project, estimated to cost around $137 billion, has raised significant concerns in India and Bangladesh.

Key Details:

• Location: The dam will be built at a significant gorge in the Himalayan reaches where the Brahmaputra River makes a U-turn before flowing into Arunachal Pradesh and subsequently into Bangladesh.
• Scale: The project is expected to exceed one trillion yuan ($137 billion), surpassing even China’s Three Gorges Dam, currently the world’s largest.
• Purpose: The primary aim is to develop clean energy and respond to climate change and extreme hydrological disasters. The hydropower facility is estimated to generate over 300 billion kWh of electricity annually, enough to supply energy to approximately 300 million people for a year.
• Concerns: India and Bangladesh have expressed apprehensions about potential impacts on water flow and regional stability. There are fears that China could control the water flow and release large amounts of water during conflicts.
• Safety Measures: China has assured that extensive geological studies and advanced technology have been employed to ensure the project’s safety and minimize ecological impact. The dam will also incorporate measures for disaster prevention and relief.

International Reactions:

• India’s Response: India has raised concerns about the potential impact on water flow and the ability of China to control water during hostilities. India is also constructing its own dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.
• China’s Assurance: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning has stated that the project will not negatively affect the lower reaches and that China will continue to maintain communication with countries at the lower reaches through existing channels.

Iceland’s new government, led by Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir of the Social Democratic Alliance (SDA), took office on 21 December 2024.

Youngest Prime Minister: Frostadottir, born in 1988, is Iceland’s youngest prime minister. She was elected to parliament in 2021 and became SDA leader in 2022.

Three-Party Coalition: The coalition includes the SDA, the Liberal Reform Party (LRP), and the People’s Party (PP). The SDA and LRP each hold four ministerial portfolios, while the PP has three.

First Meeting: The new cabinet held its first formal meeting at the presidential residence, Bessastadir, with President Halla Tomasdottir in attendance.

Cabinet Priorities: Frostadottir outlined priorities of stabilising Iceland’s economy by reducing interest rates, enforcing stricter public finance controls, and fostering value creation.

Election Victory: The SDA emerged as the biggest winner in Iceland’s parliamentary election held on November 30.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to compromise over Ukraine in possible talks with US President-elect Donald Trump to end the war.

No Conditions for Talks: Putin has no conditions for talks with Ukrainian authorities and is willing to negotiate with anyone, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Legitimate Authorities: Any deal must be signed by Ukraine’s legitimate authorities, recognized by the Kremlin as the Ukrainian parliament.

Russia’s Position: Putin dismissed claims that Russia is in a weak position and asserted that the country has grown stronger since the 2022 conflict.

Rejection of Temporary Truce: Putin rejected the idea of a temporary truce with Kyiv, stating that only a lasting peace deal would be acceptable.

Open to Talks with Trump: Putin is open to meeting with Trump but noted that he has not spoken to him for years.

Trump’s Promise: Trump has promised to end the conflict swiftly but has not outlined his approach.

Q. What is President Vladimir Putin ready to do regarding Ukraine in possible talks with US President-elect Donald Trump?

a) Withdraw Russian troops
b) Compromise to end the war
c) Impose stricter sanctions
d) Form a military alliance

Answer: b) Compromise to end the war
Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to compromise over Ukraine in possible talks with US President-elect Donald Trump to end the war.

From January 2025, Indians will be among nationals from 39 countries eligible for free visas to travel to Sri Lanka, as announced by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath during an interaction organized by the India Foundation in New Delhi. A parliamentary gazette notification will formalize this policy in January. The minister expressed hope that India would reciprocate by offering free visas to Sri Lankan nationals.

Highlighting the strong bilateral ties, he noted that India is the largest source of tourists to Sri Lanka. The announcement came during a three-day state visit (15-17 December) by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his delegation.

On December 16, 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence, triggering a snap election set for February 23, 2025. Germany’s new hybrid electoral system combines single-member constituencies with proportional representation, fixing the Bundestag at 630 seats (down from 735). If a party wins more constituency seats than its proportional vote share, some seats will remain vacant, starting with the narrowest-margin victories.

The system retains the 5% national vote threshold for parliamentary entry, with a rule allowing parties to bypass this if they win at least three constituency seats. This mechanism has helped smaller parties like the Left in the past. Current polls predict a highly unpredictable election, with major parties like CDU/CSU leading (34%) but facing competition from the far-right AfD (17%), and smaller parties like the Free Democrats and Left struggling to meet thresholds.

Friedrich Merz of the CDU is a frontrunner to become chancellor, likely needing a coalition due to the fragmented political landscape. The far-right AfD is unlikely to form part of any coalition, as mainstream parties view it as undemocratic.

On December 15, 2024, Britain officially became the first European nation to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), becoming the 12th member of this significant trade bloc. This move marks a major milestone in Britain’s post-Brexit trade strategy, aiming to strengthen its global trade links and deepen ties with the Indo-Pacific region.

Key Points

• Strategic Expansion: By joining the CPTPP, Britain aims to expand its trade horizons and diversify its economic partnerships.
• Economic Benefits: The UK government estimates that the pact could boost the economy by £2 billion ($2.5 billion) annually in the long run.
• Trade Opportunities: Membership provides British businesses with lower tariffs and fewer barriers when trading with CPTPP member countries, including Japan, Australia, Canada, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.
• Influence and Growth: Britain’s accession allows it to influence the future development of the CPTPP, including decisions on potential new members like China and Taiwan.

On December 12, 2024, EU interior ministers announced that Romania and Bulgaria will fully join the border-free Schengen Area starting January 1, 2025. This decision marks the end of a long journey for both countries, which have been EU members since 2007.

The Schengen Area currently comprises 29 countries, including 25 EU member states and four non-EU countries. Joining the Schengen Area means that Romania and Bulgaria will no longer have border controls with other Schengen countries, allowing for free movement of people, goods, and services.

The decision to allow full membership came after Austria lifted its long-standing veto, which was based on concerns about migration and border management. Both Romania and Bulgaria have made significant progress in addressing these issues, leading to their acceptance into the Schengen Area.

Mohamed al-Bashir has been appointed as the caretaker Prime Minister of Syria on 10 December 2024. This appointment, effective until March 1, 2025, marks a significant step in Syria’s transition. Al-Bashir, a prominent rebel leader and former head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led Syrian Salvation Government in Idlib, played a crucial role in the recent offensive that led to President Bashar al-Assad’s fall.

Born in 1986 in the Jabal Zawiya region of Idlib, al-Bashir holds a degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the University of Aleppo and has studied Sharia and law. He joined the revolutionaries in 2021 and has held various key positions, including the Minister of Development and Humanitarian Affairs.

As caretaker Prime Minister, al-Bashir has pledged to ensure a smooth transition of power and work towards Syria’s stability and reconstruction. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, hoping for a peaceful and stable future for the country.

On December 8, 2024, Syrian rebel forces claimed control of Damascus after a week-long offensive that faced no resistance from government troops, signaling a dramatic shift in Syria’s political landscape. President Bashar al-Assad, who ruled for 24 years, reportedly fled the country to an undisclosed location. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali expressed willingness to ensure a peaceful transition of power to the rebels.

The opposition, led by Hadi al-Bahra, announced plans to collaborate with international partners, including Arab and European countries and the UN, to shape Syria’s future. Key developments included the rebels’ capture of Homs, the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Damascus International Airport, and the release of prisoners from Saydnaya military prison. Clashes between rebel and regime forces had escalated since November 27, 2024.

India has been appointed to chair the 68th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), with Shambhu Kumaran, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna, assuming the chairmanship on December 6, 2024. This marks the first time India has chaired this UN body, which is responsible for monitoring global drug trends, supporting balanced policies, and overseeing international drug conventions.

India’s leadership reflects its growing global influence and commitment to addressing international challenges through multilateral platforms. As Chair, India will prioritize representing the Global South’s interests and fostering dialogue on drug policy issues while continuing the CND’s ongoing work.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling SWAPO party has won Namibia’s eighth presidential election, becoming the country’s first female president with over 57% of the votes. Her closest rival, Panduleni Itula, received 26%.

At 72, Nandi-Ndaitwah, currently vice president, is a seasoned leader in Namibian politics since independence in 1990, with significant domestic and international recognition. SWAPO also secured a majority in the National Assembly, winning 51 out of 96 seats.

The World Maritime Technology Conference (WMTC) 2024 will be held from December 4 to 6, 2024, at The Leela Palace, Chennai, India. Organized by the Institute of Marine Engineers (India), Chennai Branch, this prestigious event occurs every three years and is returning to India after 15 years. It will bring together over 300 delegates from 21 member organizations across 17 countries, including participants from the US, UK, Germany, Spain, and Asia-Pacific countries.

The conference will focus on futuristic developments and current challenges in the maritime industry, featuring renowned speakers and panelists discussing the future of the global maritime sector. Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, will be the Guest of Honour. The event underscores Chennai’s prominence as a major maritime hub and promises to foster international collaboration and innovation.