In an effort to strengthen social ties and encourage community involvement across the nation, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, has proclaimed 2025 as the Year of Community. The UAE has been utilising yearly themes to direct activities since 2016. These themes centre on important societal ideals every year. The 2025 tagline, "Hand in Hand," embodies the objective of promoting cooperation and a sense of community among locals. This program places a high priority on fostering intergenerational relationships, protecting Emirati cultural he
Thailand and France recently unveiled an official logo to commemorate two historic milestones: 340 years since their first contact in 1685, and 170 years of established diplomatic relations in 2026. The event was held on January 15 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok, in partnership with the French embassy. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Lalivan Karnchanachari emphasised the two countries' long-standing friendship and collaboration, which has lasted more than three centuries. She stated that these ties originated when Chevalier de Chaumont, under King Louis XIV, paid a visit to
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has authorised a rise in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute for the 2025-26 marketing season. The MSP has been hiked to ₹5,650 per quintal, up ₹315 from the previous year's price of ₹5,335 per quintal. This step attempts to raise jute farmers' revenues and improve their financial security. Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised that the new MSP provides a 66.8% return on the All-India weighted average cost of production. The decision is consistent with the government's objectives to promote sustainable farming practice
The High Commission of India, in partnership with the Singapore Film Society, is organising the Indian Film Festival 2025 (IFF 2025) to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore. The festival will emphasise the rich cultural interchange between the two countries by showing 18 Indian films to the Singaporean audience. Dr. Shilpak Ambule, the High Commissioner, declared that attempts will be made to make this occasion a yearly custom. The festival, which takes place from January 24 to March 2, 2025, will include a wide range of films, from well-known regional hit
On Tuesday, Brazil will declare that Ambassador Andre Correa do Lago will preside over the 2025 COP30 global climate summit in Belem, a major Amazonian city. This decision, made by three people with knowledge of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's plans, highlights the country's commitment to climate diplomacy. Correa do Lago, a seasoned diplomat, has represented Brazil in global climate summits since 2023, having previously held this position from 2011 to 2013. With almost two decades of experience in climate diplomacy and sustainable development, his selection exemplifies the Brazilian
Odisha has inked eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Singapore to strengthen partnerships in important industries. The state's Electronics and IT Department collaborated with Singapore's Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) to build a Global Competency Centre in Bhubaneswar, which will focus on boosting FinTech and InsureTech innovation. The MoU was signed during Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's visit to Odisha in 2025, to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasised Odisha's attempts to div
On Friday, Brazil's government announced that Nigeria has been officially admitted as a partner country in the BRICS bloc, a coalition of emerging economies. As the BRICS chair in 2025, Brazil emphasised that Nigeria's participation is consistent with its aims to strengthen collaboration in the Global South and advocate for global governance reforms. Brazil's Foreign Ministry (Itamaraty) cited Nigeria's important position as the world's sixth most populous nation and Africa's largest economy as a critical component in the country's alignment with BRICS goals. As a result of its partner sta
Masdar, the UAE's clean energy leader, has collaborated with the Philippines to build 1 GW of renewable energy projects by 2030, including solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). This effort fits with the Philippines' Energy Transition Program, which aims to attain 35% renewable energy in power generation by 2030 and 50% by 2040. An Implementation Agreement with the Department of Energy and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Board of Investment were among the agreements signed at a ceremony in which UAE Minister HE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber and Philippine Energy Secreta
Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam was greeted ceremonially at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking his first state visit to India. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of India-Singapore diplomatic relations. President Tharman emphasised Singapore's strong relationship with India, citing India's acceptance of Singapore's independence in 1965. He hailed the bilateral relationship as a "natural partnership," citing Singapore as India's largest investor and vital defence ally. During Prime Minister Modi's Sep
India welcomed Israel and Hamas' cease-fire agreement, expressing optimism for continued humanitarian supplies to Gaza, where over 40,000 Palestinians have died during the 15-month conflict. The Ministry of External Affairs remarked, "We support the agreement for hostage release and truce in Gaza. We hope that this assures safe and ongoing humanitarian aid. India has continuously called for a cease-fire, hostage release, and talks. The arrangement, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, comes ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, during which he w