Australia and the EU Launch Talks on New Security and Defence Partnership
Politics

Australia and the EU Launch Talks on New Security and Defence Partnership

Australia and the European Union have agreed to begin official negotiations on a Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), which represents a significant step forward in their bilateral relations. The declaration came at the G7 Leaders' Summit in Alberta, Canada, following a meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The proposed SDP will establish a formal framework for improved cooperation in critical sectors such as cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, defence industry collabor

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US, UK Finalise Trade Deal Covering Autos and Aerospace, Steel Talks Continue
Politics

US, UK Finalise Trade Deal Covering Autos and Aerospace, Steel Talks Continue

The United States and the United Kingdom have reached a new trade agreement to reduce tariffs on important sectors, but unresolved disputes about steel and pharmaceuticals remain. US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the agreement during the G7 Summit in the Canadian Rockies, calling it a watershed moment in bilateral trade relations. Trump described the deal as a "fair agreement" that will create employment and revenue. Starmer described the deal as a demonstration of strength between the two countries. Despite the declaration, there was some small con

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Prabowo to Meet Putin in St Petersburg to Deepen Russia-Indonesia Strategic Ties
Politics

Prabowo to Meet Putin in St Petersburg to Deepen Russia-Indonesia Strategic Ties

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg this week to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation and strengthening the two countries' strategic partnership. The meeting, announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, will take place during Russia's annual economic summit, when President Putin traditionally delivers the keynote speech alongside a visiting foreign leader. Following his meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi Sugiono in Moscow, Lavrov emphasised that both countries are looking to stren

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Singapore and Indonesia Deepen Economic Cooperation, Target Job Growth
Politics

Singapore and Indonesia Deepen Economic Cooperation, Target Job Growth

Singapore and Indonesia reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening economic ties at the 15th Singapore-Indonesia Six Bilateral Economic Working Groups Ministerial Meeting (6WG MM), which took place in Singapore. Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, co-chaired the meeting. The 6WG MM serves as a crucial platform for improving cooperation in six key areas: the Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK) region and other special economic zones, investments, manpower, transportation, agribusiness, and tourism

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PM Modi Arrives in Canada for G7 Amid Renewed Diplomatic Engagement
Politics

PM Modi Arrives in Canada for G7 Amid Renewed Diplomatic Engagement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Calgary to attend the G7 Summit, which is being held in Kananaskis, Alberta. The invitation came from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The summit will bring together the leaders of the world's major economies—Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan—along with the European Union. Global institutions, such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank, will also attend. India is attending the summit as a guest country for the sixth consecutive year. Chinmoy Naik, India's Acti

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PM Modi Visits Cyprus to Boost India-Europe Trade Connectivity
Politics

PM Modi Visits Cyprus to Boost India-Europe Trade Connectivity

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Cyprus on a two-day strategic visit to boost bilateral ties and explore Cyprus' potential role in the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC). His visit comes en route to the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada. The IMEC proposal envisions a significant marine and rail trade corridor connecting India to Europe via the Middle East, thereby increasing logistical efficiency and economic integration. During his visit, Modi and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides intended to meet with business leaders and hold official talks. Preside

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Japan, US Resume Intensive Trade Talks Ahead of G7 Meeting
Politics

Japan, US Resume Intensive Trade Talks Ahead of G7 Meeting

Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief trade negotiator, spoke with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over the phone for 30 minutes, according to a Japanese official statement. The talks came after Akazawa held separate discussions with Lutnick and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday. The Japanese administration described Saturday's phone discussion as "very in-depth," noting that both parties discussed the possibility of a mutually beneficial trade agreement. Akazawa had described his meetings as detailed and indicative of progress towards a potential bilateral trade deal. These di

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G7 Leaders Convene in Canada as Trump’s Presence Sparks Diplomatic Caution
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G7 Leaders Convene in Canada as Trump’s Presence Sparks Diplomatic Caution

Leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) nations have met in Canada's Kananaskis resort, 90 kilometres west of Calgary, for a summit overshadowed by tensions with the United States. Host nation Canada is aiming to avoid any clashes with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is attending the summit. Prime Minister Mark Carney has prioritised world peace, securing crucial resource supply chains, and promoting job creation. However, major global issues such as the Middle East conflict, the Ukrainian war, and US trade tariffs are expected to dominate discussions. The summit venue brings back memorie

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Vikram Misri Reviews Strategic Ties with UAE Leaders in Key Diplomatic Meetings
Politics

Vikram Misri Reviews Strategic Ties with UAE Leaders in Key Diplomatic Meetings

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a series of high-level talks in the UAE to assess and strengthen the India-UAE collaboration, which has been steadily increasing. He met with Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, to conduct a mid-year review of the two countries' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both officials examined the current state of bilateral relations and suggested potential areas for future cooperation. The Indian Embassy in the UAE posted updates from the meeting on social media, stating that the two leaders assessed their expanding relation

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Global Pressure Mounts on Trump Over Proposed Aircraft Tariffs
Politics

Global Pressure Mounts on Trump Over Proposed Aircraft Tariffs

Several countries and industry executives have encouraged the Trump administration not to put new national security tariffs on imported commercial aircraft and components. Recently disclosed documents from the United States Commerce Department revealed growing worldwide alarm about the potential fallout. The European Union, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, and Switzerland have joined major airlines and aerospace manufacturers in their appeal. These organisations underlined the importance of maintaining the 1979 Civil Aircraft Agreement, which has resulted in a $75 billion yearly trade surplus

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