Affairs:
- India and the Maldives are holding joint military exercises to improve how their armed forces work together, especially for counter-terrorism and disaster relief. This helps build trust and strengthens their relationship. It also includes cultural exchange between the participating soldiers.
- USAID is the US government's main way of giving aid to other countries. It's involved in many important projects around the world, but it's also controversial. Some people think it should be abolished, while others believe it plays a vital role in global development and US foreign policy. Shutting it down could have major consequences for global aid and international relations.
- Children's risk of obesity is influenced by both their genes and their environment, especially their family's socioeconomic status. Even if a child has genes that make them more likely to be obese, their chances are higher if they live a less healthy lifestyle, such as eating more processed foods and not being physically active. This study helps scientists understand these connections and develop better ways to fight childhood obesity.
- A gigantic iceberg (A23a), the biggest ever, is drifting in the ocean. It could cause problems for penguins and other wildlife near South Georgia Island if it blocks their access to food.
Scientists think that climate change is making these kinds of events more frequent. While ships can easily avoid it, smaller pieces breaking off the main iceberg pose a risk. - The US imposed tariffs on several countries it trades with a lot, including Canada, Mexico and China. This is like putting a tax on goods coming from those countries. The goal was to reduce the amount of goods the US imports compared to what it exports. Other countries retaliated with their own tariffs. India is trying to avoid being caught in the middle of this trade conflict by reducing some of its own tariffs on US products. This could affect India's exports to the US, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals and jewelry.
- Chinese astronauts have successfully tested a way to make oxygen and rocket fuel in space, similar to how plants make food. This is a big deal for future space travel because it means astronauts could eventually produce their own resources, making long-distance missions much more feasible. (Artificial Photosynthesis)
- The Indian government's budget for the next year aims to boost the economy by focusing on agriculture, small businesses, investments, and exports. It includes various programs and tax changes to support these areas.
There's also a focus on social programs, though there are concerns about whether the funds are being used effectively. The budget also aims to support women's programs, but better tracking and implementation are needed.