India signs $750-mn currency swap deal with forex-starved Maldives Sub: IR Sec: Places in news Context: India signed a $750 million currency swap agreement with the Maldives to help the island nation tide over its current foreign currency crunch. Details: India is set to extend financial assistance to the Maldives, offering $400 million […]

    Kazakhs vote on the first nuclear power station in country Sub: IR SEC: Places in news Context: Kazakhstan voted in a referendum on building the country’s first nuclear power station. The proposed power station is to be located on the shores of Lake Balkhash. Need for nuclear power: Kazakhstan already imports electricity, mostly […]

    A faith exiled from Russia years ago on the verge of disappearance in Georgia Sub: IR SEC: Places in news Context: Doukhobor Community that migrated to Georgia from Russia due to religious persecution is having concerns about the loss of cultural identity and traditions due to declining membership. About Doukhobor Community: A pacifist […]

    World Bank mulls 27 of 30 ideas on MDBs by G20 Independent Group Sub: IR Sec: Int org  Context: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman praised the World Bank for considering 27 of the 30 recommendations from the G20 Independent Expert Group aimed at strengthening multilateral development banks (MDBs). Independent Expert Group (IEG): Appointed […]

    What’s behind Israel’s ban on the UN chief? Sub: IR Sec: Places in news Context: Israel announced that it had banned United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) António Guterres from entering the country. Reasons for the ban: Israel has accused him of backing Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran. Alleged failure to unequivocally condemn […]

    Haitian gang massacre leaves at least 70 dead: UN Sub: IR Sec: Places in news Context: At least 70 people were killed in a series of gang attacks by the Gran Grif gang in Haiti, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office. About Haiti: Located in the Caribbean, occupying the western part […]