Current Affairs in Short: 4 February 2022

French President Emmanuel Macron to visit Russia, Ukraine next week

•  French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Moscow and Kyiv next week to meet his counterparts. The visit is an effort to mediate the crisis over Ukraine.

•  The western powers are trying to engage in intense diplomatic efforts to deter a much-feared Russian invasion of ex-Soviet Ukraine.

Russian President arrives in Beijing, in first overseas visit of year

•  Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for Winter Olympics earlier today, in his first overseas visit of the year.

•  He will meet China's President Xi Jinping - Xi's in a first face-to-face meeting with a world leader in nearly two years.

•  He will be one of the few world leaders who will attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing in person. 

Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu hoists 104-ft National Flag in Tawang

•  Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu hoisted a 104 ft tall monumental National Flag at Ngangpa Natme (Buddha Park) in Tawang on February 3, 2022. 

•  The 10000ft tall national flag overlooking the Tawang city, is the second highest in the country in terms of altitude.

Australia to tour Pakistan for first time in 24 years

•  Cricket Australia approved its first tour of Pakistan in 24 years on February 4, 2022. 

•  Australia will play three tests in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, starting from March 4, 2022. Australia will also play three ODIs and one T20I during the full tour. 

•  The opening test match will be played in Rawalpindi from March 4-8 and the ODIs and T20I will be played between March 29- April 5.

India to offer a one-year training programme to 80 Afghan cadets

•  India has offered a 12-month training programme to 80 Afghan cadets who recently graduated from various military academies in India. 

•  The Afghan cadets will be given training under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) of the External Affairs Ministry.

•  The Afghan embassy in India welcomed the offer especially considering the uncertain future the young cadets faced amid the current situation in Afghanistan.