Gyeongju, South Korea – October 2025:

• South Korea has conferred its highest national honour, the “Grand Order of Mugunghwa,” on U.S. President Donald Trump, recognising his efforts as a “peacemaker” on the Korean Peninsula. The award was presented by President Lee Jae Myung during the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, marking the final stop of Trump’s Asian tour, which also included visits to Malaysia and Japan.

Huzhou, China – October 2025:

• UN Tourism announced the winners of the “Best Tourism Villages 2025” awards, recognizing 52 rural destinations across the world for their excellence in innovation, sustainability, and cultural preservation. The awards, revealed in Huzhou City, China, mark the fifth edition of the annual initiative. Notably, no Indian village made it to this year’s list.

Ambala, October 29, 2025:

• President Droupadi Murmu made history by taking a 30-minute sortie in a Rafale fighter jet at the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana. The event highlighted India’s growing air defence capabilities and the symbolic role of women leadership in national security. The President, as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour on her arrival.

• The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised alert about a new strain of mpox called clade Ib that is spreading in Europe. The agency has recommended travellers and other socially active people to check their vaccination status and include health checks in their travel plans. The personal health awareness has become necessary since international travel and events have resumed their normalcy.

• Apple and Nvidia have reached major market milestones, reflecting the growing dominance of consumer electronics and artificial intelligence in the global tech industry.