India has joined the Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN), which tests vaccines for usage during pandemic or epidemic disease outbreaks. The network is the largest global group with standardised methods for testing and has 15 partner facilities in 13 countries. The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) was joined by research bodies from Senegal, Nairobi, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda, which also became a part of CLN under the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
The US House of Representatives passed a bill to suspend the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling on Wednesday, thus averting a catastrophic crisis. Democrats and Republicans came together to vote 314-117 in the Republican-controlled House and sent the legislation to the Senate. The new legislation temporarily removes the federal government’s borrowing limit through 1 January 2025.
The 3rd India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue was held in New Delhi yesterday. The meeting discussed steps to secure the maritime environment to achieve “inclusive growth and global wellbeing.” Further, the Vietnamese and Indian delegations reviewed the continuing bilateral maritime cooperation and explored mechanisms to promote comprehensive maritime security. India’s Joint Secretary of Disarmament and International Security Affairs, Muanpuii Saiawi, led the Indian delegation, and Ambassador Trinh Duc Hai, Vice Chairman of the National Boundary Commission, led the Vietnamese delegation. They decided to strengthen efforts towards Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, maritime scientific research, and naval and coast guard cooperation.
“India has BrahMos modified aircraft in almost all squadrons across the IAF,” Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal V. R. Chaudhari said yesterday, indicating the enhanced precision and long-range firepower of the IAF. Further, he said that the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos would be used as a strategic weapon as it could be used in land attacks. Earlier, the IAF added 222 modified Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets capable of launching BrahMos missiles. India is developing next-generation BrahMos to modify MiG-29, Mirage 2000, or even the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister Kim Yo Jong on Thursday accused the US of “gangster-like” hypocrisy for criticising Pyongyang’s failed military spy satellite launch, saying that the US and other countries, “which have already launched thousands of satellites, should be denounced.” “This is nothing but sophism of self-contradiction,” she slammed.
On Thursday, Taiwan and the US will sign the first deal under the new US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade framework, which was set in place last August. Other details of the deal have not been made public yet.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that the licenses of four out of five Russian consulates had been revoked, forcing the missions’ closure by the end of 2023. The decision aims to create a “structural and personnel parity” between the countries.
Pakistan’s Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, Aisha Ghaus Pasha, said that interfering in Islamabad’s internal affairs is beyond the mandate of the IMF. This comes after the organisation said it supports a “peaceful” solution to the ongoing tensions surrounding Imran Khan, demanding adherence to the “Constitution and the rule of law.”
The UN is seeking to reach an agreement for secure Black Sea grain shipments and has accordingly proposed that Kyiv, Moscow, and Ankara begin planning to transit Russian ammonia through Ukraine, sources revealed on Wednesday. The UN wants to introduce parallel discussions to expand the Black Sea deal to include more Ukrainian ports and other cargoes. Earlier this month, Russia agreed to a two-month extension of the accord but stated that the initiative would end unless a deal is approved to lift limitations on Russian grain and fertiliser exports.
The UAE Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that after an extensive evaluation of its security necessities, the UAE decided to withdraw from a maritime coalition led by the US. The UAE also reiterated its commitment to dialogue and diplomatic engagement to strengthen regional security and stability and ensure navigation safety near its shores per international law. The Red Sea and Gulf areas form one of the world’s most important maritime routes, and since 2019, there have been several attacks on ships as tensions between the US and Iran are high.