Greece and Turkey Move Toward Maritime Talks After UN Meeting
Politics

Greece and Turkey Move Toward Maritime Talks After UN Meeting

According to a statement issued by Greece's foreign ministry on Wednesday, Greece and Turkey are considering beginning conversations about demarcating respective maritime zones. Both countries, NATO partners with a long history of friction, have been at odds for decades over problems ranging from airspace conflicts to marine authority in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as Cyprus' unresolved status. The designation of maritime zones is critical in deciding rights to potential natural gas reserves and future power infrastructure developments. While tensions were intense in the past, new e

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Sri Lanka’s President Dissanayake Selects Harini Amarasuriya as Prime Minister
Politics

Sri Lanka’s President Dissanayake Selects Harini Amarasuriya as Prime Minister

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka's freshly elected president, has named Harini Amarasuriya, a college professor and first-time legislator, as the country's prime minister. Amarasuriya, 54, earned a degree in social anthropology from the University of Edinburgh and was elected to parliament in 2020 as part of Dissanayake's National People's Power Coalition. Selects Harini Amarasuriya, Sri Lanka's third woman prime minister, succeeding Sirimavo Bandaranaike and her daughter Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. Dissanayake, a Marxist politician, was elected president on Saturday. He now

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U.S. Backs India for Permanent UNSC Seat, Pushes for Global Reforms
Politics

U.S. Backs India for Permanent UNSC Seat, Pushes for Global Reforms

The United States has maintained its support for India's permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. This endorsement was noted in a joint statement issued by the Quad nations—India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—that emphasised the need for UNSC reform to reflect modern geopolitical realities. During a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, President Biden highlighted the United States' support for India's membership in a reformed UN Security Council. The White House highlighted the importance of changing global institutions to include India's voice, signall

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India and US Partner to Launch First National Security Chip Plant
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India and US Partner to Launch First National Security Chip Plant

In a significant boost to India's semiconductor ambitions, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have established strategic cooperation to build the country's first national security semiconductor fabrication factory, Bharat Semi Fab. This collaboration between India's Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the United States Space Force is the two countries' first semiconductor cooperation, with the fab focussing on cutting-edge technology for national security and vital sectors. The Bharat Semi Fab, dubbed "Shakti," will manufacture infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide sem

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India Joins IPEF’s Clean & Fair Economy Initiatives for Stronger Global Ties
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India Joins IPEF’s Clean & Fair Economy Initiatives for Stronger Global Ties

India inked major agreements under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States. The agreements are aimed at creating a clean and fair economy, supporting India's goal of self-reliance, and strengthening collaboration with other IPEF members. IPEF, a US-led project begun two years ago, has 14 members, including Australia, Japan, Korea, and the United States. India had already approved the supply chain resilience agreement and has recently signed agreements on a clean economy (Pillar III) and fair economy (Pillar IV). The Cle

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Union Cabinet Greenlights ‘One Nation, One Election’ Proposal
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Union Cabinet Greenlights ‘One Nation, One Election’ Proposal

The Union Cabinet has approved a report by a committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind on the "One Nation, One Election" notion, which is an essential part of the BJP's 2024 manifesto. The research describes a legally sound framework for holding simultaneous polls across India, with the goal of streamlining the process and lowering expenses. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the report was widely supported and unanimously approved by the Cabinet. He stated that an implementation group would be formed to carry out the panel's recommendations and foster talks around the

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UK Ministers Begin Gulf Talks on Key Trade Deal
Politics

UK Ministers Begin Gulf Talks on Key Trade Deal

On Monday, British trade ministers began their first combined travel to the Gulf, to explore a new trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Trade Policy Minister Douglas Alexander are leading conversations with their GCC counterparts. Trade has been a difficult sector for the UK recently, with Brexit frequently identified as a contributing cause. The administration, founded following Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party's majority victory in J

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Britain Launches Strategic Foreign Policy Reviews to Strengthen Global Role
Politics

Britain Launches Strategic Foreign Policy Reviews to Strengthen Global Role

On Monday, the British Foreign Office announced the launch of three strategic assessments aimed at increasing the country's worldwide impact and international position. By the end of the year, the external expert-led reviews should be complete. They are part of the UK's broader efforts to rebalance its foreign policy in response to changing global dynamics. These studies will look at major issues crucial for Britain's future on the global stage. The first priority will be to reinforce Britain's diplomatic partnerships to better adapt to geopolitical shifts. The second assessment will look

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Turkey Returns to Arab League Meeting After 13-Year Hiatus
Politics

Turkey Returns to Arab League Meeting After 13-Year Hiatus

On Tuesday, Turkey will discuss the Israeli war in Gaza and regional relations during the Arab League ministerial meeting in Cairo for the first time in 13 years. While Turkey has condemned Israel's conduct in Gaza and supported efforts to accuse Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice, its relationship with the Arab League has been strained. Despite better relations with Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, Ankara remains at odds with other members, most notably Syria. Turkey's participation in a joint contact group formed by the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic C

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PM Modi Explores Semiconductor Collaboration with Singapore
Politics

PM Modi Explores Semiconductor Collaboration with Singapore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited AEM Holdings Ltd., a renowned semiconductor business, to explore partnerships in the semiconductor and electronics industries. Modi emphasised India's growing presence in the sector and expressed his commitment to increasing possibilities for young people. "Semiconductors and technology are critical for India-Singapore cooperation. "I look forward to working with you to grow this industry," PM Modi said on X. Both leaders were briefed on AEM's role in the global semiconductor supply chain, and they discussed st

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