Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, have reaffirmed their commitment to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. In an interview, Wong discussed Singapore's continued investment in India, as well as joint efforts to foster stronger economic and technological ties between the two countries. The partnership, built on 60 years of friendship and trust, aims to create new opportunities for both nations in the region.
Tensions remain high in the ongoing Ukraine war as insider reports reveal that US President Donald Trump is growing less optimistic about a resolution. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a threat towards any foreign troops in Ukraine who are part of a hypothetical peacekeeping mission, stating that they would be viewed as legitimate targets. This comes as Russia continues to make slow but steady progress in the east, capturing smaller settlements as they aim to take larger cities.
As the Malayali community in Kerala and around the world celebrates the 10-day-long harvest festival of Onam, take part in the festivities by sending digital cards, festive wishes, or photos that convey the joy and prosperity of the occasion. May this Onam bring happiness, prosperity, and joy to your life, and may the spirit of Onam fill your heart with peace, health, and prosperity. Let's celebrate the harvest, feast, and fun with loved ones, and may the festival bring success and prosperity to all.
The Nepal government has announced a ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, for failing to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology within the given deadline. The ban, which goes into effect at midnight, is a result of repeated requests for registration and will impact millions of Nepalese living abroad who use these platforms for communication. The government has given a seven-day deadline for registration, with only five platforms listed and two currently in the process of approval.
India and the European Union are focused on finalizing a long-awaited free trade deal by the end of the year, with talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU leaders Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen highlighting their mutual commitment to promoting a rules-based global order. The leaders also discussed plans to hold the next India-EU summit and welcomed progress in key areas such as trade, technology, and defense. The call comes amid growing tensions between India and the US, and as the EU seeks to strengthen its economic ties with other global powers.
At the IISS Prague Defence Summit, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte firmly rejected Russia's attempt to dictate the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine, stating that Ukraine's sovereignty must be upheld. He also warned against making Russian President Vladimir Putin too powerful, as the threat from Russia, as well as other countries like China, Iran, and North Korea, will continue even after the current conflict ends. Rutte emphasized the need for stronger defense industry efforts across the alliance and stressed the growing connection between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security theaters.
Punjab has been officially declared a disaster-hit state as severe floods have caused widespread damage, leaving 30 dead and affecting 3.54 lakh residents. With every district being affected, Gurdaspur is the worst-hit with 324 villages submerged. The agricultural sector is facing unprecedented losses, with floods devastating over 1.48 lakh hectares of crops.
China is set to display its military might with a variety of advanced weapons at a major parade attended by top leaders, including President Xi Jinping. Among the most anticipated weapons are new anti-ship missiles and uncrewed underwater vehicles, which could serve as a means to deter US naval forces in areas like the Taiwan Strait. Experts say these displays are aimed at showcasing China's growing military capabilities and asserting its dominance in the region.
A major earthquake in Afghanistan has resulted in a death toll of over 1,400 people, with a further 3,000 injured. The Taliban, who control the affected province of Kunar, provided these figures while warning of an exponential rise in casualties. The 6.0 magnitude quake struck multiple provinces on Sunday night, causing widespread destruction and trapping people under damaged homes made of vulnerable materials. The United Nations has expressed concern about the escalating human toll caused by this disaster.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in China captured the attention of social media, with clips of their "Modi-Putin moments" going viral. The two leaders were seen sharing a hug, strolling hand-in-hand, and even cruising around in President Putin's car, causing a frenzy on Chinese social media platforms like Baidu and Weibo. PM Modi's visit to China also sparked trending hashtags like "Modi is positive about China" and "Indian Embassy releases video of Modi's warm welcome in Tianjin," solidifying the significance of this diplomatic event.