Indian PM Narendra Modi will travel to Dubai from 30 November to 1 December 2023 to attend the World Climate Action Summit. The summit is the High-Level Segment of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP-28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). COP-28 is being held from 28 November to 12 December 2023 under the Presidency of the UAE. During his visit, Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with some of the leaders participating in the Summit.
The Indian Health Ministry has decided to review preparedness measures against respiratory illnesses following recent reports indicating a surge in respiratory illness in children in northern China in recent weeks. The Health Ministry said it is closely monitoring the situation and indicated that there is no need for any alarm. The Union government has advised the states and Union Territories to immediately review public health and hospital readiness measures and implement the ‘Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of COVID-19’ shared earlier this year.
During the virtual meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC), India and the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on semiconductors on Friday. The MoU aims to increase the resilience of the semiconductor value chain in India and the EU. It covers cooperation in research and innovation, talent development, partnerships and exchange of market information.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Sunday that Malaysia will offer visa-free entry to Indian and Chinese citizens for 30 days, starting from 1 December. The decision aims to stimulate the country's tourism industry, which has faced challenges since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. According to reports, tourist arrivals in Malaysia plummeted by 99% due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions.
A cargo ship named the Raptor, registered in the Comoros, sank near the Greek island of Lesbos on Sunday. Thirteen crew members are missing, and one has been rescued, according to authorities. The ship was carrying 6,000 tonnes of salt from Alexandria, Egypt, to Istanbul, Turkey. The crew, consisting of 14 members, included eight Egyptians, four Indians, and two Syrians, according to the Greek coast guard.
Hamas on Sunday released 17 hostages, including 14 Israelis and one American citizen, as part of a four-day truce in Gaza reached with Israel two days earlier. This was the third batch of hostages released by the terror group since Friday. In exchange, Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners. A fourth exchange is scheduled for Monday, the last day of the cease-fire.
Russia launched a barrage of explosive drones towards several Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv. The Ukrainian military reported that it intercepted all but one of 75 Iranian-made Shahed drones overnight. It was the largest Russian attack on Ukraine since last winter.