Category: Politics

The UK will shortly receive liquefied natural gas from Australia for the first time in six years, showcasing the European region’s torment in struggling with its worst energy crisis in decades.

The LNG tanker Attalos is en route to the UK with a cargo that started at Australia’s North West Shelf project, according to energy intelligence firm Kpler, According to the ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show, the vessel will reach the Isle of Grain terminal in the east London on Aug. 22

The UK and Europe usually import LNG from countries like Qatar, the US, and even Peru. Because of the hassles of long journeys and high demand from Asian buyers, imports from the Asia-Pacific region are a rare occurrence. Australia hasn’t delivered a single LNG cargo to Europe since 2016.

While Britain’s gas network is separate from the continent’s grid, the two are closely connected via pipelines. The UK does not have too much domestic storage and usually sends any excess gas to the European Union. This year, gas prices have surged in Europe and UK, with the market facing an acute shortage in recent weeks as Russia restricts supplies to the EU and a heat wave chars the region.

P. M Modi, addressing the nation from the red fort on the occasion of the 75^th year of India’s independence, said that the country was entering a crucial stage in its war against corruption, nepotism, and misogyny, among others. He also said these practices are not only prevalent in the political realm but also existed in other societal institutions and public life and, though it’s challenging to combat them, the country would do so.

In his speech, which was his ninth consecutive speech from the Red Fort, the P.M said the completion of 75 years of independence was a historic time for the country. This was the time to move in a new direction with a new resolution. “Our nation has proved that we have an inherent strength from our diversity and the common thread of patriotism makes India unshakeable,” Mr. Modi said, as he called India the “mother of democracy”.

He also asked the people to make big resolutions and spelled out “Panch Pran” (five resolves) to fulfill the dreams of our freedom fighters’ at India’s Independence centenary in 2047.

He said the countrymen should focus on the five pledges and remove any trace of the colonial mindset and slavery from our hearts and mind.

World leaders such as US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Indians on the 75th year of India’s independence on Monday, as they promised to further boost bilateral ties with the largest democracy in the world, which has made exemplary achievements. President Biden looked back on Mahatma Gandhi’s “enduring message of truth and non-violence” to honor 75 years of India’s freedom. Biden bought to light the fact that this year, the US and India celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. He vowed that the democracies of both countries would continue to stand side by side to defend the rules-based order, move on to a free and open Indo-Pacific and look into the global challenges.

“As people around the world, including nearly four million (40 lakh) proud Indian-Americans, celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence on August 15, the United States joins the people of India to honor its democratic journey, guided by Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring message of truth and non-violence,” Biden said in a statement.

Biden stated that India and the United States are indispensable partners and the collaboration between the two nations is further strengthened by the cordial relation between their people.” The vibrant Indian-American community in the United States has made us a more innovative, inclusive, and stronger nation”, he said.

On Monday, Kenya’s electoral commission chairman declared Deputy President William Ruto as the winner of the country’s close presidential race in an announcement that could presage a court challenge. A decision was made against Raila Odinga, who ran over five times.

With his appeal to struggling Kenyans’ economic concerns instead of their ethnic loyalties, the candidate shook up the East African nation’s politics. In last Tuesday’s election, Ruto won 50.5% compared to Odinga’s nearly 49%.

The “opaque nature” of the final steps, without giving details, was not acceptable to four of the seven electoral commissioners just before the announcement. Police rushed to restore order as the choir sang amid screams and scuffles in the auditorium. There was a throwing of the lectern on the stage and throwing of the lectern from the stage.

Following the announcement of the official results, commission chairman Wafula Chebukati announced two of the commissioners who remained behind had been injured. A quorum of commissioners was not constituted at the time of announcing a winner, according to Odinga’s campaign.

On Monday, a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft was handed over by India to the Sri Lankan Navy to further boost bilateral defense cooperation between the two nations.  The Indian envoy said that mutual understanding, mutual trust, and a cooperative approach enhance security between India and Sri Lanka.

There was a handover ceremony arranged for the same, which was attended by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. At the Sri Lanka Airforce base in Katunayake adjacent to the Colombo international airport, Vice Admiral S N Ghormade, the Vice Chief of the Indian Navy, was accompanied by the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo, Gopal Baglay. He handed over the maritime surveillance aircraft to the Sri Lanka Navy while on a two-day visit to the country.

At the handing-over event, High Commissioner Baglay said, “Security of #India and #Srilanka is enhanced by mutual understanding, mutual trust, and cooperation. Gifting of Dornier 228 is #India’s latest contribution to this cause.”

He said, “Like fruits of other areas of cooperation with India, the gift of Dornier to @airforcecelk is of relevance to and a step to meet its requirement for maritime safety and security. It is an example of India’s strength adding to the strength of its friends”.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador intends to propose to the UN the creation of a commission, consisting of three world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to promote a five-year world truce, according to MSN.

Among the members of the top commission should be Pope Francis, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the Mexican President. As a result of the commission, wars around the world could be stopped and an agreement was reached to seek a five-year truce.

At the press conference, Obrador said, “I will make the proposal in writing, I will present it to the UN. I have been saying it and I hope the media will help us to spread it. Because they do not speak when it is not convenient for them”.

Additionally, he said that the three of them met and came up with a plan for a truce for at least five years so that governments around the world can dedicate themselves to helping their people. This is especially true for the most vulnerable people who suffer the most as a result of the war. In five years, they hope to have no tension, no violence, and no war.

On Sunday, thousands of people gathered in Bogota to witness the swearing-in of Colombia’s first leftist president, Gustavo Petro. An ex-guerrilla and one-time mayor, the 62-year-old former leader will replace the deeply unpopular Ivan Duque, with plans for profound reforms in a nation plagued by economic inequality and drug violence.

Colombia, long run by a conservative elite, joined a growing leftist movement in Latin America after Petro’s hard-fought victory in June.

Petro addressed the crowd gathering in Bogota’s Bolivar Square, “I swear to God and promise the people that I will faithfully enforce the constitution and the laws of Colombia.”

Petro’s government should have the support of a left-leaning majority in Congress, who called on Colombian armed groups to lay down their weapons and accept legal perks “in return for peace.”

He promised to fight inequality and lead the country through a turning point in its history after decades of war between guerrilla groups and the government. Despite the country’s oil industry making up nearly half of its legal exports, Colombia’s president also announced that new oil exploration licenses will no longer be granted, as well as a ban on fracking.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in South Africa as part of his three-nation tour of Africa. He visited a museum in South Africa, remembering how the country’s Black youths helped to end white racist rule.

Blinken’s visit to Africa is seen as part of a contest between Russia and top western countries for support from African countries over the war in Ukraine. His trip to Africa comes after recent visits by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and French President Emmanuel Macron.

South Africa is one among the other African countries that have maintained a neutral attitude toward the war and have not openly criticized Russia.

After arriving early morning, Blinken went to the outskirts of Johannesburg to visit the Hector Pieterson memorial in Soweto township, which is built in memory of a student killed in 1976 when protesting South Africa’s regime of apartheid.

“Hector’s story is one that resonates because we have our own struggle for freedom and equality in the United States and South Africa’s story is unique, but there are also so many common elements, and that resonates powerfully,” said Blinken.

On Monday, Blinken will hold a press conference with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor in which the two countries’ different stances on the Ukraine war are expected to be discussed.

The US and Australia are among six countries that have evinced interest in India’s Tejas aircraft. The other countries, according to Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, are Indonesia, the Philippines, Argentina, and Egypt. Malaysia has already finalized the jet under its acquisition program, as per the government reports.

 Tejas, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), is a versatile fighter aircraft that runs on a single engine and can work in dangerous air environments.

In February 2021, the defense ministry signed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for the purchase of 83 Tejas light combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Bhatt, when asked about Tejas, said the HAL responded to a Request for Information (RFI) received from Royal Malaysian Air Force in February 2019.

Malaysia is acquiring the aircraft to replace its deteriorating fighter planes. However, it’s not known how many aircraft Malaysia is looking to buy.

In July, the then Chairman and Managing Director of HAL R Madhavan said the Tejas aircraft has become the most popular choice for Malaysia.

When asked whether the government intends to manufacture a stealth fighter jet, Bhatt said “yes” and added the “autonomous flying wing technology demonstrator” has been tested successfully by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

On Tuesday (Aug 9), the 57th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, the Padang will be gazetted as the nation’s 75th national monument. According to Culture, Community, and Youth Minister Edwin Tong, even though the site lacks physical structures, the open space holds many of our nation’s memories.

He explained that Singaporeans can continue to use the site as a social and community space by protecting it from alteration or change. Taking place in the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings next to the Padang, Mr. Tong was speaking at the National Gallery Singapore.

Listed as a national monument by Singapore’s National Heritage Board (NHB), Padang is the country’s first green, open space. Its recognition is considered part of the significance of a structure or site and is the highest form of acknowledgment.

This green patch is about the size of six football fields and is located in the heart of Singapore’s civic district. It is surrounded by St Andrew’s Road, Connaught Drive, the Singapore Cricket Club’s (SCC), and Singapore Recreation Club’s (SRC) clubhouses.