International Issues

Context: The ongoing conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in widespread destruction, significant displacement of populations, and a severe humanitarian crisis. Background Enduring Legacy of Conflict: Since gaining independence in 1956, Sudan has experienced 15 military coups, endured two civil wars, …

Context: The World Bank has elevated Russia from an ‘upper-middle income’ to a ‘high-income’ country, a classification it last held in 2014. Russia’s Economic Resilience Global Rankings: Russia is 72nd in per-capita GNI and 53rd in purchasing power parity worldwide. GDP Growth: In 2023, Russia saw a 3.6% increase in …

❖  A new study has revealed the fate of methane released from the September 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream Pipeline Description: The Nord Stream network comprises offshore pipelines (Nord Stream 1 and 2) that supply natural gas to northern Europe. These …

❖: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent Pyongyang visit culminated in a landmark pact between Russia and North Korea. Historical context of Russia-North Korea relations After WWII, the Soviet Union sought to establish a communist regime in Korea, offering significant military assistance to North Korean founder Kim Il Sung during the …

International Criminal Court Recently, an application was presented to a pre-trial chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against five individuals linked to the conflict in Gaza. The five individuals are- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders Yahya …

GS Paper II (Governance): It highlights the importance of international cooperation in criminal justice matters. Interpol serves as a vital platform for such collaboration. GS Paper III (Internal Security): Interpol plays a role in combating transnational crimes like terrorism, drug trafficking, and cybercrime, which are relevant to India’s internal security. …

Introduction: The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974 marks a significant milestone in global public health. It aimed to ensure universal access to life-saving vaccines for children, initially focusing on six childhood diseases: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, and tuberculosis. EPI: A …

Introduction The Mediterranean Sea, known for its idyllic weather and rich history, can also unleash powerful storms. Medicanes, a portmanteau of “Mediterranean” and “hurricane,” are tropical-like cyclones that occasionally form over this basin. While less frequent and intense than their tropical counterparts, medicanes pose a significant threat to coastal communities …

Concept : Governments impose anti-dumping duties as a trade remedy measure to protect domestic industries from unfair competition resulting from the dumping of goods by foreign producers. Dumping: Dumping refers to the practice of exporting goods to another country at prices lower than their normal value, typically the price in …

  Concept: The UNHRC is a subsidiary body of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) responsible for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide. It was established in 2006, replacing the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR), with the aim of addressing the shortcomings of its predecessor and enhancing the …