INTERNATIONAL NEWS

UNESCO Global Geoparks Network Expands

• 12 new sites were added, taking the total number of UNESCO Global Geoparks worldwide to 241.
• The programme, established in 2015, recognises areas of significant geological heritage managed for conservation and education.
• Geoparks combine geology, ecology and local community engagement in a single conservation model.

UAE Exits OPEC and OPEC+

• The UAE announced its exit from OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance, effective May 2026.
• Signals a strategic shift in Gulf oil-production alignment amid changing global energy dynamics.
• OPEC, founded in 1960, coordinates petroleum policy among major oil-producing nations.

US Launches 'Project Freedom' Naval Escort Operation

• Aimed at securing commercial shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
• Comes amid heightened tensions affecting Gulf shipping lanes.
• The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important oil-transit chokepoints.

S. Jaishankar's Historic Jamaica Visit

• First-ever visit to Jamaica by an Indian External Affairs Minister, strengthening India-Caribbean ties.
• Focused on trade, development cooperation and cultural links with the Indian diaspora.
• India has been expanding outreach to CARICOM nations under its broader Global South engagement strategy.

Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant

• Began fuel loading, set to make Bangladesh the 33rd country in the world to generate nuclear power.
• A landmark project supported by Russian nuclear technology and expertise.
• Once operational, it will significantly boost Bangladesh's domestic power-generation capacity.

India Hands Over IUCAA Banner to South African Observatory

• Symbolic handover linked to global astronomy cooperation; IUCAA is based in Pune.
• Reflects deepening India-South Africa collaboration in space science.
• IUCAA (Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics) supports advanced astrophysics research across Indian universities.

UN's Global Forest Goals Report 2026

• Identifies fuelwood demand as the key driver of global forest loss.
• Calls for accelerated afforestation and sustainable forest-management efforts worldwide.
• Forests cover about 31% of the Earth's land area and are crucial carbon sinks in the fight against climate change.

India Becomes Bangladesh's Second-Largest Trading Partner

• India overtook the United States in bilateral trade volume with Bangladesh as of February 2026.
• Reflects strengthening regional trade ties under evolving South Asian economic dynamics.
• China remains Bangladesh's largest trading partner overall.

PM Modi's Sweden Visit

• Two-day visit at the invitation of Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson, covering trade, defence and green-tech cooperation.
• PM Modi was conferred Sweden's Royal Order of the Polar Star during the visit.
• Sweden is a significant partner for India in defence technology and sustainable-innovation sectors.

India, China, Japan Criticise US Steel Safeguard Measures

• Joined other WTO members in objecting to safeguard tariffs imposed by the United States on steel imports.
• Reflects growing multilateral pushback against protectionist trade measures.
• Steel safeguard disputes have been a recurring flashpoint in global trade relations for over a decade.

79th World Health Assembly (WHA79)

• Held in Geneva under the theme 'Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility'.
• WHO, headquartered in Geneva, was formed in 1948 and remains the apex global health body.
• The World Health Assembly is WHO's main decision-making body, meeting annually to set global health policy.