On Monday, Lawrence Wong, Singapore's new Prime Minister, assumed office, marking a significant transition after 20 years. The 51-year-old former economist, who is now a politician, took over for senior minister Lee Hsien Loong. The People's Action Party (PAP), which is well-known for having ruled Singapore for a longer period of time, chose the politicians in his generation. Wong, an admirer of Roger Federer, graduated from the University of Michigan with a master's degree in economics. His ascent coincided with Heng Swee Keat's withdrawal from consideration to be Lee's successor. W
On Monday, India and Iran inked a 10-year deal for operating the Chabahar Port, vital for India’s trade with central Asia and Europe. India Port Global Limited (IPGL) and Iran's Ports and Maritime Organisation (PMO) signed the agreement. Located on the southwest coast of Iran, Chabahar is an essential link in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and provides convenient access to the west coast of India. After sanctions against Iran hampered work and resulted in short-term agreements, a preliminary deal was signed in 2016. India's involvement in Chabahar goes bey
On Sunday, Kuwait's political landscape saw a fresh breeze as a new government took shape under the leadership of Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. As Minister of Oil, Imad Mohamed Abdulaziz Al-Atiqi kept things running smoothly, while Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs, Anwar Ali Abdullah Al-Mudhaf and Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Yahya, kept their jobs, respectively. Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah continues to serve as the Minister of Interior and Defence and the Deputy Prime Minister. Information and Culture, Education, and Higher Education and Scientific Research, respective
Vice President Kamala Harris announced $100 million in federal grants for automotive suppliers, aiming to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. Her trip to Michigan, a crucial state for the 2024 presidential race and auto industry, is scheduled to take place before this announcement. To provide further information on the investment, Harris will meet with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm while she is travelling. The Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are providing financing for programmes run by the Department of Energy
José Raúl Mulino, stepping in for barred ex-President Ricardo Martinelli, emerged victorious in Panama’s presidential election with 35% of the vote. Mulino inherited a country dealing with increased migration, economic downturn, problems with canal transit, and the impact of anti-mining rallies. However, Mulino is supported by Martinelli's legacy and a thriving economy. Mulino secured victory over opponents such as Ricardo Lombana, Martín Torrijos, and Rómulo Roux by promising economic expansion and control over immigration. His relationship with Martinelli turned out to be crucia
India and Australia recently assessed progress on their trade and investment negotiations, focusing on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). Both countries held talks under the direction of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Deputy Secretary George Mina and India's Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal. They placed a strong emphasis on leveraging trade complementarities, expanding trade, and discovering untapped opportunities. The India-Australia Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) covered several imp
Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra and Norway's Deputy Ambassador Martine Aamdal Bottheim signed documents for the fourth phase of the Norway-India Partnership Initiative (NIPI), which aims to strengthen cooperation in health systems. Since its inception in 2006, NIPI has helped states including Odisha, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir improve maternal and child healthcare facilities. Phases 1 and 2 (2006–17) were successful, prompting the continuation of Phase 3, which expands to aspirational districts and creates an innovation cluster. NIPI Phase 3, a
South Korea is in discussions to join part of the AUKUS defence deal, according to Defence Minister Shin Won-sik. AUKUS, which was founded in 2021, seeks to challenge China's dominance in the Asia Pacific. While the first stage focuses on providing Australia with nuclear submarine technology, the three countries—the United States, Britain, and Australia—have hinted at a second stage, "Pillar 2," to exchange more military technologies, which South Korea may contribute to. During a meeting in Melbourne, Shin expressed South Korea's desire to join Pillar 2, emphasising its defensive capab
The G7 nations have promised to end unabated coal use by 2035, with some flexibility for special circumstances. This solution, unveiled following meetings in Turin, Italy, aims to phase out coal power generation by the early 2030s. However, governments may continue to use coal if carbon emissions are caught. Countries can set deadlines aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5°C. While some G7 members have reduced their use of coal, others, such as Japan and Germany, continue to rely significantly on it. The United States recently issued laws requiring coal-fired plants to absorb pollut
Singaporeans' interest in Indonesia's new capital remains strong, with a focus on the green economy. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong emphasised the importance of collaboration during the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat. Discussions with President Joko Widodo discussed Singapore's assistance in supplying sustainable energy to Nusantara, the projected capital. Notably, Sembcorp, a Singaporean state-owned corporation, is involved in this project, which supports President Jokowi's goal. Both presidents discussed coordinated projects in the green economy, such as collaboration on electricit