Current affairs 09 February 2024

IMF warns Maldives of Foreign Debt Crisis due to heavy China borrowing.

• IMF warns Maldives is at risk of debt distress due to excessive borrowing from China.
• China has increased funding to the Maldives since the pro-China president took office.
• Maldives' shift in allegiance from India to China has raised concerns about its ability to repay its debts.

Iran announces 15-Day visa-free policy for Indian tourists.

• Iran has become the latest country in the past few months to give visa-free access to Indian tourists after Vietnam, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
• Under the new order, Indian citizens would be allowed to enter Iran with ordinary passports once every six months and with a maximum stay of 15 days which will not be extended.

Telangana CM launches help desk for students after Chicago attack.

• A student, Syed Mazahir Ali, from Hyderabad was left seriously injured after an attack by four robbers in Chicago.
• Telangana CM Revanth Reddy announced that the state government will set up a help desk for all youth living in the US and other countries, especially students, to ensure all their needs are met.
• Last week, Shreyas Reddy in the United States was found dead in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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New Delhi hosts first ever EU-India roundtable on combatting terrorism.

• The inaugural EU-India Track 1.5 dialogue, addressing the threat of unmanned aerial systems by extremists, will convene in New Delhi.
• It is Organized by the ESIWA project in collaboration with India's National Security Guard and the EU Delegation.
• It's co-funded by the EU, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Digital Health India: "Kilkari" Launched in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

• Ministers of State for Health initiated the Kilkari mobile health initiative in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Kilkari delivers weekly audio messages on pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare to beneficiaries.
• The launch underscores India's commitment to leveraging technology for public health advancement.
• It is operational in 18 States and UTs.