<p class="MsoNormal">Fitch Ratings increased its growth estimate for India's current fiscal year by 7.2 per cent on Tuesday, from its March estimate of 7 per cent. According to Fitch's analysis of the global economic outlook, the upward revision is indicative of both a recovery in consumer spending and an increase in investment.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Strong consumer confidence<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">According to Fitch's most recent research, there has been a notable improvement in consumer confidence, which has led to increased expenditure and economic development. The organisation observed that data from purchasing managers' surveys indicates that the economy was still expanding at the beginning of the current fiscal year.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"We expect the Indian economy to expand by a strong 7.2 per cent in FY24/25 (an upward revision of 0.2 pp from the March GEO)," Fitch said.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Rural demand and moderating inflation<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">Similar growth projections of 7.2 per cent were made by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the current fiscal year, which it attributed to rising rural demand and lowering inflation. The RBI's and Fitch's estimates agree, which gives rise to more hope for India's economic future.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Future growth projections<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">Fitch projects growth rates of 6.2 per cent and 6.5 per cent, respectively, for the fiscal years 2026–2027. The analysis made clear that although investment will grow, it will do so more slowly than in previous quarters. Investment and consumer spending will be the main engines of growth.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Fitch stated, "We expect growth in later years to slow and approach our medium-term trend estimate," suggesting a more subdued but continuous economic expansion going forward.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Monsoon season and inflation outlook<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">Fitch stated that while recent heatwaves represent a possible concern, regular monsoon conditions are projected to promote growth and stabilize inflation. Inflation is expected by the agency to average approximately 4.3 per cent in 2025 and 2026, and to drop to 4.5 per cent by the end of 2024.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">In addition, Fitch projects that the RBI would lower policy interest rates by 25 basis points to 6.25 per cent this year, potentially boosting the economy even further.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The economy of India expanded by 7.8 per cent in the March quarter of the previous fiscal year (2023–24) and by 8.2 per cent overall. For the foreseeable future, this strong growth tendency is anticipated to persist, perhaps at a somewhat slower rate.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><i>(With inputs from Agencies)<o:p></o:p></i></p>


Fitch Ratings increased its growth estimate for India's current fiscal year by 7.2 per cent on Tuesday, from its March estimate of 7 per cent. According to Fitch's analysis of the global economic outlook, the upward revision is indicative of both a recovery in consumer spending and an increase in investment.

Fitch Ratings increased its growth estimate for India's current fiscal year by 7.2 per cent on Tuesday, from its March estimate of 7 per cent. According to Fitch's analysis of the global economic outlook, the upward revision is indicative of both a recovery in consumer spending and an increase in investment. Strong consumer confidence According to Fitch's most recent research, there has been a notable improvement in consumer confidence, which has led to increased expenditure and economic development. The organisation observed that data from purchasing managers' surveys indicates that the economy was still expanding at the beginning of the current fiscal year. "We expect the Indian economy to expand by a strong 7.2 per cent in FY24/25 (an upward revision of 0.2 pp from the March GEO)," Fitch said. Rural demand and moderating inflation Similar growth projections of 7.2 per cent were made by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the current fiscal year, which it attributed to rising rural demand and lowering inflation. The RBI's and Fitch's estimates agree, which gives rise to more hope for India's economic future. Future growth projections Fitch projects growth rates of 6.2 per cent and 6.5 per cent, respectively, for the fiscal years 2026–2027. The analysis made clear that although investment will grow, it will do so more slowly than in previous quarters. Investment and consumer spending will be the main engines of growth. Fitch stated, "We expect growth in later years to slow and approach our medium-term trend estimate," suggesting a more subdued but continuous economic expansion going forward. Monsoon season and inflation outlook Fitch stated that while recent heatwaves represent a possible concern, regular monsoon conditions are projected to promote growth and stabilize inflation. Inflation is expected by the agency to average approximately 4.3 per cent in 2025 and 2026, and to drop to 4.5 per cent by the end of 2024. In addition, Fitch projects that the RBI would lower policy interest rates by 25 basis points to 6.25 per cent this year, potentially boosting the economy even further. The economy of India expanded by 7.8 per cent in the March quarter of the previous fiscal year (2023–24) and by 8.2 per cent overall. For the foreseeable future, this strong growth tendency is anticipated to persist, perhaps at a somewhat slower rate. (With inputs from Agencies)

Fitch raises India's growth forecast to 7.2 per cent for the current fiscal year

<p class="MsoNormal">Alphabet's YouTube said on Monday that as part of a new feature, users would soon be able to add "notes" to videos, providing more context. The United States will be the first country to implement this plan.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>YouTube invites select users and creators for an initial test<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">To give viewers a "relevant, timely, and easy-to-understand context" for videos, YouTube will ask selected users and creators to contribute notes during the initial test phase. These comments try to provide clarification on things like whether a song is supposed to be a parody, when updated versions of products are being reviewed, or when older footage is mislabelled as current happenings.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Like X's community notes feature<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">The new tool on YouTube is like Community Notes on social networking platform X, where certain participants can add tags like "misleading" and "out of context" to posts. YouTube intends to improve the dependability and correctness of the data it presents in its videos by using a system like this one.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>US mobile users to see notes in English<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">The notes’ function will be evaluated by outside reviewers after it launches in English and on mobile devices in the United States. YouTube's systems will be trained for a possible larger rollout with the help of these assessors who will rate how helpful the notes are. These annotations will be added to videos in the upcoming weeks and months for American viewers to expect.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Potential broader rollout dependent on test results<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">The wider rollout of the notes function will depend on how well the first phase goes. YouTube is working to rectify false information and improve the viewing experience by producing more dependable and educational video content.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><i>(With inputs from Agencies)</i><o:p></o:p></p>


Alphabet's YouTube said on Monday that as part of a new feature, users would soon be able to add "notes" to videos, providing more context. The United States will be the first country to implement this plan.

Alphabet's YouTube said on Monday that as part of a new feature, users would soon be able to add "notes" to videos, providing more context. The United States will be the first country to implement this plan. YouTube invites select users and creators for an initial test To give viewers a "relevant, timely, and easy-to-understand context" for videos, YouTube will ask selected users and creators to contribute notes during the initial test phase. These comments try to provide clarification on things like whether a song is supposed to be a parody, when updated versions of products are being reviewed, or when older footage is mislabelled as current happenings. Like X's community notes feature The new tool on YouTube is like Community Notes on social networking platform X, where certain participants can add tags like "misleading" and "out of context" to posts. YouTube intends to improve the dependability and correctness of the data it presents in its videos by using a system like this one. US mobile users to see notes in English The notes’ function will be evaluated by outside reviewers after it launches in English and on mobile devices in the United States. YouTube's systems will be trained for a possible larger rollout with the help of these assessors who will rate how helpful the notes are. These annotations will be added to videos in the upcoming weeks and months for American viewers to expect. Potential broader rollout dependent on test results The wider rollout of the notes function will depend on how well the first phase goes. YouTube is working to rectify false information and improve the viewing experience by producing more dependable and educational video content. (With inputs from Agencies)

YouTube to introduce contextual ‘notes’ on videos in the US test phase

<p class="MsoNormal">The US government accuses the software company Adobe Inc.&nbsp;of misleading consumers about significant termination penalties in its well-liked subscription plans and making it more difficult to terminate subscriptions. The government filed a lawsuit against Adobe Inc. on Monday.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>FTC details hidden charges in the complaint<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claimed in a complaint filed with a federal court in San Jose, California, that Adobe hides important terms and expensive termination fees, which can amount to hundreds of dollars, in the fine print of its "annual paid monthly" subscription plan, sometimes even behind textboxes and hyperlinks. When customers cancel within the first year of their subscription, Adobe calculates early termination penalties as 50 per cent of the remaining payments, according to the FTC.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Obstructive cancellation practices alleged<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">The FTC also charged Adobe with unduly complicating the process of cancelling a subscription. If customers want to cancel over the phone, they frequently experience "resistance and delay" from the staff, must repeat their demands to many personnel, and must browse through multiple pages. Additionally mentioned as defendants in the lawsuit are two Adobe executives: Maninder Sawhney, senior vice president in digital sales, and David Wadhwani, president of digital media business.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Samuel Levine, director of the FTC Consumer Protection Bureau, stated that "Adobe trapped customers into year-long subscriptions through hidden early termination fees and numerous cancellation hurdles. Americans are tired of companies hiding the ball during subscription signup and then making roadblocks when they try to cancel."<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Adobe vows to contest the claims<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">In response to the accusations, Adobe's general counsel and chief trust officer, Dana Rao, said that the San Jose-based business will contest the FTC's charges in court. "Subscription services are convenient, flexible, and cost-effective, allowing users to choose the plan that best fits their needs, timeline, and budget," Rao stated. "We are transparent with the terms and conditions of our subscription agreements and have a simple cancellation process."<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Significant revenue from subscriptions<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">A significant source of income for Adobe is its subscription business, which generated $4.92 billion, or 95 per cent, of the company's $5.18 billion in sales for the quarter that ended on March 1.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Violation of Federal Law alleged<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">Adobe is being accused by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of breaking the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act of 2010, a federal legislation passed in 2010 that forbids merchants from charging for anything, including automatic subscription renewals, provided they acquire the informed agreement of their customers and explicitly disclose any material terms.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><i>(With inputs from Agencies)</i><o:p></o:p></p>


The US government accuses the software company Adobe Inc. of misleading consumers about significant termination penalties in its well-liked subscription plans and making it more difficult to terminate subscriptions.

The US government accuses the software company Adobe Inc. of misleading consumers about significant termination penalties in its well-liked subscription plans and making it more difficult to terminate subscriptions. The government filed a lawsuit against Adobe Inc. on Monday. FTC details hidden charges in the complaint The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claimed in a complaint filed with a federal court in San Jose, California, that Adobe hides important terms and expensive termination fees, which can amount to hundreds of dollars, in the fine print of its "annual paid monthly" subscription plan, sometimes even behind textboxes and hyperlinks. When customers cancel within the first year of their subscription, Adobe calculates early termination penalties as 50 per cent of the remaining payments, according to the FTC. Obstructive cancellation practices alleged The FTC also charged Adobe with unduly complicating the process of cancelling a subscription. If customers want to cancel over the phone, they frequently experience "resistance and delay" from the staff, must repeat their demands to many personnel, and must browse through multiple pages. Additionally mentioned as defendants in the lawsuit are two Adobe executives: Maninder Sawhney, senior vice president in digital sales, and David Wadhwani, president of digital media business. Samuel Levine, director of the FTC Consumer Protection Bureau, stated that "Adobe trapped customers into year-long subscriptions through hidden early termination fees and numerous cancellation hurdles. Americans are tired of companies hiding the ball during subscription signup and then making roadblocks when they try to cancel." Adobe vows to contest the claims In response to the accusations, Adobe's general counsel and chief trust officer, Dana Rao, said that the San Jose-based business will contest the FTC's charges in court. "Subscription services are convenient, flexible, and cost-effective, allowing users to choose the plan that best fits their needs, timeline, and budget," Rao stated. "We are transparent with the terms and conditions of our subscription agreements and have a simple cancellation process." Significant revenue from subscriptions A significant source of income for Adobe is its subscription business, which generated $4.92 billion, or 95 per cent, of the company's $5.18 billion in sales for the quarter that ended on March 1. Violation of Federal Law alleged Adobe is being accused by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of breaking the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act of 2010, a federal legislation passed in 2010 that forbids merchants from charging for anything, including automatic subscription renewals, provided they acquire the informed agreement of their customers and explicitly disclose any material terms. (With inputs from Agencies)

US Government sues Adobe over concealed termination fees

<p>Several foreign nationals, especially bachelors, were abruptly evicted from their homes in Kuwait after authorities enforced building code violations and cut off electricity supply to three properties in the Bnied Al-Gar area, according to a media report on Monday.</p>

<p>The development came days after 50 people, including 46 Indians, died in a massive building fire which Kuwaiti authorities said was due to an electrical short circuit in the room of the guard on the ground floor of the structure.</p>

<p>Several bachelor expats in Bnied Al-Gar were abruptly evicted and left on the streets after authorities enforced building code violations. Officials cut off electricity and water supplies to three buildings during the scorching summer, where temperatures in Kuwait exceed 45 degrees Celsius, intensifying the residents' distress, the Arab Times newspaper reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Kuwait Fire Tragedy: India brings back mortal remains of 45 Indians killed in Kuwait fire</strong></p>

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<p>The eviction followed a crackdown on properties that failed to meet local regulations. Officials cited serious violations that posed health and safety risks, necessitating immediate action. The sudden disruption left many expats on the streets without shelter at night, it said.</p>

<p>Community leaders are calling for more humane and transparent processes in handling such violations, advocating for a balance between regulatory enforcement and the welfare of foreign nationals.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-35-killed-in-building-fire-in-southern-kuwait-731085?utm_source=izooto&amp;utm_medium=push_notifications&amp;utm_campaign=Building%20fire%20in%20southern%20Kuwait">Kuwait building fire: 40 Indians among dozens killed, PM Modi offers condolences</a></strong></p>

<p>In the building fire tragedy that occurred on Wednesday last in Kuwait's southern city of Mangaf, most deaths were due to smoke inhalation while residents in the building were sleeping. The building was home to 196 migrant workers, mostly Indians.</p>

<p>The fire incident has triggered actions against violators of housing regulations.</p>

<p>Indians constitute 21 per cent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30 per cent of its workforce (approximately 9 lakhs).</p>


Several foreign nationals, especially bachelors, were abruptly evicted from their homes in Kuwait after authorities enforced building code violations and cut off electricity supply to three properties in the Bnied Al-Gar area, according to a media report on Monday.

Several foreign nationals, especially bachelors, were abruptly evicted from their homes in Kuwait after authorities enforced building code violations and cut off electricity supply to three properties in the Bnied Al-Gar area, according to a media report on Monday. The development came days after 50 people, including 46 Indians, died in a massive building fire which Kuwaiti authorities said was due to an electrical short circuit in the room of the guard on the ground floor of the structure. Several bachelor expats in Bnied Al-Gar were abruptly evicted and left on the streets after authorities enforced building code violations. Officials cut off electricity and water supplies to three buildings during the scorching summer, where temperatures in Kuwait exceed 45 degrees Celsius, intensifying the residents' distress, the Arab Times newspaper reported. Also watch | Kuwait Fire Tragedy: India brings back mortal remains of 45 Indians killed in Kuwait fire × The eviction followed a crackdown on properties that failed to meet local regulations. Officials cited serious violations that posed health and safety risks, necessitating immediate action. The sudden disruption left many expats on the streets without shelter at night, it said. Community leaders are calling for more humane and transparent processes in handling such violations, advocating for a balance between regulatory enforcement and the welfare of foreign nationals. Also read | Kuwait building fire: 40 Indians among dozens killed, PM Modi offers condolences In the building fire tragedy that occurred on Wednesday last in Kuwait's southern city of Mangaf, most deaths were due to smoke inhalation while residents in the building were sleeping. The building was home to 196 migrant workers, mostly Indians. The fire incident has triggered actions against violators of housing regulations. Indians constitute 21 per cent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30 per cent of its workforce (approximately 9 lakhs).

Several expats in Kuwait evicted amid building code crackdown: Report

<p>Scientists in Britain have detected a signal that could be instrumental in solving the mystery of the lost Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. The researchers from Cardiff have used underwater microphones to pick up a signal that could finally help identify where the Boeing 777 aircraft lies.</p>

<p>The craft has been missing since March 8, 2014, when it suddenly disappeared with 239 people on board.</p>

<p>But it is certain that the crashing speed of a 200-tonne aircraft releases the kinetic energy equivalent to a small earthquake. Heard of Taylor Swift fans creating quakes by jumping at concerts? This was a full-fledged aircraft and a 200-tonne aircraft at that.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Such a small earthquake is large enough to be recorded by hydrophones.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mh370-mystery-solved-expert-claims-to-have-found-aircraft-in-cambodian-jungle-using-google-maps-725682\">MH370 mystery solved? What's the truth behind expert's claim of locating aircraft in jungle using Google Maps</a></strong></p>

<p>At MH370 aircraft's way, there are two hydroacoustic stations able to detect such a signal; in Cape Leeuwin in Western Australia and in the British territory of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Both of them were set up to oversee the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Both locations were operational around the time MH370 is believed to have crashed into the Indian Ocean.</p>

<p>Now the researchers at the Cardiff University have identified one signal that coincides with the narrow time frame when the aircraft could have crashed into the ocean on March 8. It was recorded at the Cape Leeuwin station. However, the same signal was not detected at the Diego Garcia station.</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>"This raises questions about its origin," researcher Dr Usama Kadri, a reader of applied mathematics, was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.</p>

<p>It is not conclusive, but he said: "Given the sensitivity of hydrophones, it is highly unlikely a large aircraft impacting the ocean surface wouldn’t leave a detectable pressure signature, particularly on nearby hydrophones."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Mystery of MH370 flight: What really happened to Malaysia's missing airplane?</strong></p>

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<p>In 2015 and 2016, debris from the aircraft was washed ashore on several Indian Ocean islands and on the coast of Africa. A new search was launched in January 2018 but its findings remained inconclusive.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists in Britain have detected a signal that could be instrumental in solving the mystery of the lost Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. The researchers from Cardiff have used underwater microphones to pick up a signal that could finally help identify where the Boeing 777 aircraft lies.

Scientists in Britain have detected a signal that could be instrumental in solving the mystery of the lost Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. The researchers from Cardiff have used underwater microphones to pick up a signal that could finally help identify where the Boeing 777 aircraft lies. The craft has been missing since March 8, 2014, when it suddenly disappeared with 239 people on board. But it is certain that the crashing speed of a 200-tonne aircraft releases the kinetic energy equivalent to a small earthquake. Heard of Taylor Swift fans creating quakes by jumping at concerts? This was a full-fledged aircraft and a 200-tonne aircraft at that. Such a small earthquake is large enough to be recorded by hydrophones. Also read | MH370 mystery solved? What's the truth behind expert's claim of locating aircraft in jungle using Google Maps At MH370 aircraft's way, there are two hydroacoustic stations able to detect such a signal; in Cape Leeuwin in Western Australia and in the British territory of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Both of them were set up to oversee the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Both locations were operational around the time MH370 is believed to have crashed into the Indian Ocean. Now the researchers at the Cardiff University have identified one signal that coincides with the narrow time frame when the aircraft could have crashed into the ocean on March 8. It was recorded at the Cape Leeuwin station. However, the same signal was not detected at the Diego Garcia station. What does it mean? "This raises questions about its origin," researcher Dr Usama Kadri, a reader of applied mathematics, was quoted as saying by The Telegraph. It is not conclusive, but he said: "Given the sensitivity of hydrophones, it is highly unlikely a large aircraft impacting the ocean surface wouldn’t leave a detectable pressure signature, particularly on nearby hydrophones." Also watch | Mystery of MH370 flight: What really happened to Malaysia's missing airplane? × In 2015 and 2016, debris from the aircraft was washed ashore on several Indian Ocean islands and on the coast of Africa. A new search was launched in January 2018 but its findings remained inconclusive. (With inputs from agencies)

MH370 mystery: Signal from underground nuclear test sensors could hold clue to where plane went down

<p class="MsoNormal">US Federal Reserve head Jerome Powell will testify before the Senate Banking Committee on monetary policy on July 9, according to Senator Sherrod Brown's office, the committee head, on Monday. Powell is likely to give the same testimony before the House Financial Services Committee the next day, as is customary, though officials for the committee have not confirmed this.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Powell's semi-annual testimony<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">Powell's appearances before Congress are often lengthy sessions in which politicians from both parties question him on a variety of issues, ranging from interest rate policy to the overall health of the financial system. These testimonies provide an opportunity for the Federal Reserve to communicate its policy aims while also allowing legislators to express their economic concerns and opinions.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Central bank independence<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">Powell, who was nominated by former President Donald Trump and reappointed by President Joe Biden, has often stressed the Federal Reserve's independence from political influence. The Fed's recent decision to keep the policy rate between 5.25 per cent to 5.5 per cent reflects this position, with indications that a rate decrease may only occur once this year, depending on economic conditions. This approach implies that the central bank intends to avoid any moves that could be interpreted as politically motivated, particularly considering the November presidential election.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Economic conditions and rate decisions<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">The Federal Reserve's outlook, which calls for a modest drop in inflation and labour market stability, might lead to the central bank remaining stable until after the election. Such a step is seen to maintain economic stability without political involvement.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><b>Political implications<o:p></o:p></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal">Senator Brown and other Democrats have pushed the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates to increase house affordability. A rate drop before the election might potentially help President Biden in his next duel with Trump. Trump has expressed concerns that the Fed may decrease interest rates to affect the election outcome, stressing the political sensitivity of the central bank's choices.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><i>(With inputs from Agencies)</i><o:p></o:p></p>


US Federal Reserve head Jerome Powell will testify before the Senate Banking Committee on monetary policy on July 9, according to Senator Sherrod Brown's office, the committee head, on Monday.

US Federal Reserve head Jerome Powell will testify before the Senate Banking Committee on monetary policy on July 9, according to Senator Sherrod Brown's office, the committee head, on Monday. Powell is likely to give the same testimony before the House Financial Services Committee the next day, as is customary, though officials for the committee have not confirmed this. Powell's semi-annual testimony Powell's appearances before Congress are often lengthy sessions in which politicians from both parties question him on a variety of issues, ranging from interest rate policy to the overall health of the financial system. These testimonies provide an opportunity for the Federal Reserve to communicate its policy aims while also allowing legislators to express their economic concerns and opinions. Central bank independence Powell, who was nominated by former President Donald Trump and reappointed by President Joe Biden, has often stressed the Federal Reserve's independence from political influence. The Fed's recent decision to keep the policy rate between 5.25 per cent to 5.5 per cent reflects this position, with indications that a rate decrease may only occur once this year, depending on economic conditions. This approach implies that the central bank intends to avoid any moves that could be interpreted as politically motivated, particularly considering the November presidential election. Economic conditions and rate decisions The Federal Reserve's outlook, which calls for a modest drop in inflation and labour market stability, might lead to the central bank remaining stable until after the election. Such a step is seen to maintain economic stability without political involvement. Political implications Senator Brown and other Democrats have pushed the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates to increase house affordability. A rate drop before the election might potentially help President Biden in his next duel with Trump. Trump has expressed concerns that the Fed may decrease interest rates to affect the election outcome, stressing the political sensitivity of the central bank's choices. (With inputs from Agencies)

Fed Chair Powell to testify before Senate Banking committee on July 9

<p>A long-lost ancient city famed for its pearl industry may have been identified by archaeologists on Siniyah Island, off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Researchers have discovered a collection of ancient residential buildings believed to be part of the historical city of Tu'am, according to the Umm al-Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology.</p>

<p>Although Tu'am is documented in historical sources, its precise location was never precisely known. Previous theories placed Tu'am in other parts of the UAE, but recent findings on Siniyah Island suggest otherwise.</p>

<p>Michele Degli Esposti, head of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Umm al-Quwain and a researcher with the Polish Academy of Sciences, told The National newspaper that these findings are significant. "This is really exciting," he said. "This site is incredibly promising."</p>

<h2><strong>History of Tu'am</strong></h2>

<p>Tu'am is believed to date back to at least the fourth century, reaching its peak in the sixth century. The city is&nbsp;frequently referenced in ancient texts for its pearls. Scholars consider Tu'am to have been the capital of a coastal territory famous for its pearl fishing industry.</p>

<p>The city's decline is attributed to regional conflicts and a bubonic plague epidemic that swept through the Near East, the Mediterranean, and parts of Europe in the sixth century. Eventually, Tu'am faded into obscurity. However, the discovery of densely packed ancient residential units on Siniyah Island might be evidence of this lost settlement.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Ecuador: 2000-year-old cities found in Upano valley, Pre-Hispanic settlement discovered</strong></p>

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<p>In recent years, archaeologists also uncovered a pearling village and a Christian monastery in the same area on the island. This latest discovery suggests a much larger and significant settlement existed there.</p>

<p>Tim Power of United Arab Emirates University told The National, "Our archaeological work has discovered the largest settlement by far ever found on the Gulf coast of the Emirates. It's from the exact period described in early Islamic geographical sources. This is clearly a significant site that no one had previously identified."</p>

<p>The settlement on Siniyah Island appears to have drawn Christian monks, who established a monastery between the late sixth and early seventh centuries. Tu'am was believed to be a Christian settlement for around 200 years before the spread of Islam in the region.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A long-lost ancient city famed for its pearl industry may have been identified by archaeologists on Siniyah Island, off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A long-lost ancient city famed for its pearl industry may have been identified by archaeologists on Siniyah Island, off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Researchers have discovered a collection of ancient residential buildings believed to be part of the historical city of Tu'am, according to the Umm al-Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology. Although Tu'am is documented in historical sources, its precise location was never precisely known. Previous theories placed Tu'am in other parts of the UAE, but recent findings on Siniyah Island suggest otherwise. Michele Degli Esposti, head of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Umm al-Quwain and a researcher with the Polish Academy of Sciences, told The National newspaper that these findings are significant. "This is really exciting," he said. "This site is incredibly promising." History of Tu'am Tu'am is believed to date back to at least the fourth century, reaching its peak in the sixth century. The city is frequently referenced in ancient texts for its pearls. Scholars consider Tu'am to have been the capital of a coastal territory famous for its pearl fishing industry. The city's decline is attributed to regional conflicts and a bubonic plague epidemic that swept through the Near East, the Mediterranean, and parts of Europe in the sixth century. Eventually, Tu'am faded into obscurity. However, the discovery of densely packed ancient residential units on Siniyah Island might be evidence of this lost settlement. Also watch | Ecuador: 2000-year-old cities found in Upano valley, Pre-Hispanic settlement discovered × In recent years, archaeologists also uncovered a pearling village and a Christian monastery in the same area on the island. This latest discovery suggests a much larger and significant settlement existed there. Tim Power of United Arab Emirates University told The National, "Our archaeological work has discovered the largest settlement by far ever found on the Gulf coast of the Emirates. It's from the exact period described in early Islamic geographical sources. This is clearly a significant site that no one had previously identified." The settlement on Siniyah Island appears to have drawn Christian monks, who established a monastery between the late sixth and early seventh centuries. Tu'am was believed to be a Christian settlement for around 200 years before the spread of Islam in the region. (With inputs from agencies)

Lost city from 4th century famous for its pearls discovered near UAE

<p>The developments from two European cities kept capitals around the world at work. First is Italy's Bari where the Group of Seven (or G7) countries held their 50th summit, and over 1,100 km northwest of Bari in the Swiss city of Bürgenstock where a summit billed as "peace summit" to end the war in Ukraine was held. The G7 consists of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan&nbsp;and France, with&nbsp;the European Union also participating.</p>

<p><img alt="distance" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9df48ed0-926c-4d13-98b8-5880e16a6903" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/capitals%20%282%29.png" /></p>

<p><em>Google Maps | Not to scale</em></p>

<p>In Bari, the&nbsp;leaders "launched the G7 Coalition to prevent and counter the smuggling of migrants".&nbsp;The summit’s final declaration noted&nbsp;that the seven nations would "focus on the root causes of irregular migration, efforts to enhance border management and curb transnational organised crime, and safe and regular pathways for migration."</p>

<p>But 28 months into the war in Ukraine, the top takeaway from the G7 summit remains a consensus on using frozen Russian assets in the Western countries to fund a $50bn loan to Ukraine. Kyiv hailed the move as “a vital step forward in providing sustainable support for Ukraine in winning this war”.</p>

<p>But just hours after that announcement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman vowed&nbsp;that there would be “extremely painful” measures in retaliation. Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced it as "theft".&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Switzerland, the peace summit to end war in Ukraine that did not include Russia as a participant failed to&nbsp;persuade major countries from the "global South" to join in isolating Russia. My colleague and WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal has reported on it in detail here.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BRICS position at Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland:<br />
🇧🇷Brazil:<br />
Observer (Envoy), not part of statement<br />
🇷🇺Russia:<br />
Not invited<br />
🇮🇳India:<br />
Present at Minister level, not part of statement<br />
🇨🇳China:<br />
Gave a miss<br />
🇿🇦South Africa:<br />
Envoy level, not part of statement <a href="https://t.co/GbFp6wnZZl">https://t.co/GbFp6wnZZl</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1802332655511613729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Big Breaking: India wont be part of the joint communique of Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, says MEA's secretary west Pavan Kapoor <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbKapoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmbKapoor</a> who is representing India at the summit; Says, "Options acceptable to both parties can lead to abiding peace"<br />
<br />
Full speech: <a href="https://t.co/0Rj6IQlB68">pic.twitter.com/0Rj6IQlB68</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1802303136222073248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Read more in The Capitals this weekend:</strong></p>

<h2><strong>Cape Town, South Africa</strong></h2>

<p>The Capitals in recent months has reported about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-capitals-pretoria-new-delhi-lead-africas-ascent-in-global-diplomacy-605796">Pretoria</a> as one of the power centers of South Africa. But do you know why we have Cape Town in the spotlight this weekend?</p>

<p>Well, this is because as a country with one of the most decentralised power structures, South Africa has three capitals. Pretoria in the country's north serves as&nbsp;the administrative capital. About 1,500 km south,&nbsp;Cape Town is the seat of the parliament. Bloemfontein, about 450 km from South Africa, is&nbsp;regarded as the judicial capital. But&nbsp;the country's highest court is located in Johannesburg, a short drive outside Pretoria.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Since the crisis in South Africa was over the African National Congress's loss of parliamentary majority in the recently held elections, the capital in the spotlight is Cape Town.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Friday (June 14), President Cyril Ramaphosa was&nbsp;re-elected as South Africa's president after brokering a deal with the opposition for a government of national unity after his African National Congress's worst election result since the end of Apartheid.</p>

<p>Ramaphosa clinched a deal with the opposition, white-led Democratic Alliance and at least two other smaller parties as the National Assembly held its first sitting since the election and elected Ramaphosa as the leader.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My Acceptance Statement during the First Sitting of the National Assembly of the 7th Parliament. <a href="https://t.co/gmJ0LPylJf">pic.twitter.com/gmJ0LPylJf</a></p>
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) <a href="https://twitter.com/CyrilRamaphosa/status/1801938773007045032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The accord has allowed President Cyril Ramaphosa to win a second term in power. He was re-elected with 283 votes</p>

<p>Once unthinkable, the accord allowed President Cyril Ramaphosa to win a second term in office. He was re-elected by lawmakers with 283 votes in the 400-member National Assembly.</p>

<p>The deal between two sharply antagonistic parties is the most significant&nbsp;political shift in South Africa since Nelson Mandela led the ANC to victory in the 1994 election that marked the end of apartheid.</p>

<h2><strong>Yerevan, Armenia</strong></h2>

<p>In a major setback to Moscow's influence in the countries of the former Soviet Republic, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that Yerevan is freezing its participation in the&nbsp;Russia-led military alliance&nbsp;Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). PM Pashinyan accused the alliance of failing to protect Yerevan's interests&nbsp;from resurgent Azerbaijani aggression.&nbsp;Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, which Azerbaijan occupied&nbsp;in September 2022. Moscow has traditionally allied with Armenia, but their relations ties have soured in recent months while Moscow’s ties to Azerbaijan have deepened.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Pashinyan told parliamentarians earlier this week that Armenia&nbsp;had “frozen” its participation in the CSTO and would leave the bloc at a time of Armenia’s choosing.</p>

<h2><strong>Paris, France</strong></h2>

<p>French President Emmanuel Macron announced snap elections following a massive loss for his Renaissance party in the European Parliament election. Macron's decision is set to reconstitute corridors of power in Paris amid a resurgent&nbsp;National Rally of far-right leader Marine Le Penn.&nbsp;The first round is scheduled for June 30 and the run-off is on July 7, just three days after July 4 elections in the UK. That's a packed election schedule for Europe in the immediate future.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Tokyo, Japan</strong></h2>

<p>Can you force a real estate firm to take down a property because it hides the picturesque view that was previously visible? Well, a major Japanese developer Sekisui House Limited announced that it will demolish a nearly complete condominium in western Tokyo after nearby residents complained the building partially blocks the view of the iconic Mount Fuji.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Osaka-based company will take down the 10-storey building&nbsp;due to "insufficient consideration for the impact on the scenery." A major win for Tokyo's citizenry here.&nbsp;</p>


The developments from two European cities kept capitals around the world at work. First is Italy's Bari where the Group of Seven (or G7) countries held their 50th summit, and over 1,100 km northwest of Bari in the Swiss city of Bürgenstock where a summit billed as "peace summit" to end the war in Ukraine was held.

The developments from two European cities kept capitals around the world at work. First is Italy's Bari where the Group of Seven (or G7) countries held their 50th summit, and over 1,100 km northwest of Bari in the Swiss city of Bürgenstock where a summit billed as "peace summit" to end the war in Ukraine was held. The G7 consists of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and France, with the European Union also participating. Google Maps | Not to scale In Bari, the leaders "launched the G7 Coalition to prevent and counter the smuggling of migrants". The summit’s final declaration noted that the seven nations would "focus on the root causes of irregular migration, efforts to enhance border management and curb transnational organised crime, and safe and regular pathways for migration." But 28 months into the war in Ukraine, the top takeaway from the G7 summit remains a consensus on using frozen Russian assets in the Western countries to fund a $50bn loan to Ukraine. Kyiv hailed the move as “a vital step forward in providing sustainable support for Ukraine in winning this war”. But just hours after that announcement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman vowed that there would be “extremely painful” measures in retaliation. Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced it as "theft". In Switzerland, the peace summit to end war in Ukraine that did not include Russia as a participant failed to persuade major countries from the "global South" to join in isolating Russia. My colleague and WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal has reported on it in detail here. BRICS position at Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland: 🇧🇷Brazil: Observer (Envoy), not part of statement 🇷🇺Russia: Not invited 🇮🇳India: Present at Minister level, not part of statement 🇨🇳China: Gave a miss 🇿🇦South Africa: Envoy level, not part of statement https://t.co/GbFp6wnZZl — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 16, 2024 × Big Breaking: India wont be part of the joint communique of Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, says MEA's secretary west Pavan Kapoor @AmbKapoor who is representing India at the summit; Says, "Options acceptable to both parties can lead to abiding peace" Full speech: pic.twitter.com/0Rj6IQlB68 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 16, 2024 × Read more in The Capitals this weekend: Cape Town, South Africa The Capitals in recent months has reported about Pretoria as one of the power centers of South Africa. But do you know why we have Cape Town in the spotlight this weekend? Well, this is because as a country with one of the most decentralised power structures, South Africa has three capitals. Pretoria in the country's north serves as the administrative capital. About 1,500 km south, Cape Town is the seat of the parliament. Bloemfontein, about 450 km from South Africa, is regarded as the judicial capital. But the country's highest court is located in Johannesburg, a short drive outside Pretoria. Since the crisis in South Africa was over the African National Congress's loss of parliamentary majority in the recently held elections, the capital in the spotlight is Cape Town. On Friday (June 14), President Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected as South Africa's president after brokering a deal with the opposition for a government of national unity after his African National Congress's worst election result since the end of Apartheid. Ramaphosa clinched a deal with the opposition, white-led Democratic Alliance and at least two other smaller parties as the National Assembly held its first sitting since the election and elected Ramaphosa as the leader. My Acceptance Statement during the First Sitting of the National Assembly of the 7th Parliament. pic.twitter.com/gmJ0LPylJf — Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) June 15, 2024 × The accord has allowed President Cyril Ramaphosa to win a second term in power. He was re-elected with 283 votes Once unthinkable, the accord allowed President Cyril Ramaphosa to win a second term in office. He was re-elected by lawmakers with 283 votes in the 400-member National Assembly. The deal between two sharply antagonistic parties is the most significant political shift in South Africa since Nelson Mandela led the ANC to victory in the 1994 election that marked the end of apartheid. Yerevan, Armenia In a major setback to Moscow's influence in the countries of the former Soviet Republic, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that Yerevan is freezing its participation in the Russia-led military alliance Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). PM Pashinyan accused the alliance of failing to protect Yerevan's interests from resurgent Azerbaijani aggression. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, which Azerbaijan occupied in September 2022. Moscow has traditionally allied with Armenia, but their relations ties have soured in recent months while Moscow’s ties to Azerbaijan have deepened. Prime Minister Pashinyan told parliamentarians earlier this week that Armenia had “frozen” its participation in the CSTO and would leave the bloc at a time of Armenia’s choosing. Paris, France French President Emmanuel Macron announced snap elections following a massive loss for his Renaissance party in the European Parliament election. Macron's decision is set to reconstitute corridors of power in Paris amid a resurgent National Rally of far-right leader Marine Le Penn. The first round is scheduled for June 30 and the run-off is on July 7, just three days after July 4 elections in the UK. That's a packed election schedule for Europe in the immediate future. Tokyo, Japan Can you force a real estate firm to take down a property because it hides the picturesque view that was previously visible? Well, a major Japanese developer Sekisui House Limited announced that it will demolish a nearly complete condominium in western Tokyo after nearby residents complained the building partially blocks the view of the iconic Mount Fuji. The Osaka-based company will take down the 10-storey building due to "insufficient consideration for the impact on the scenery." A major win for Tokyo's citizenry here.

The Capitals: Kyiv tests its diplomatic capital against Moscow; and more

<p>Narendra Modi became India's prime minister for a third term in a row but this time with a reduced majority. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was 32 seats short of majority, and is now dependent on allies Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to keep parliamentary majority for the next five years in New Delhi's corridors of power.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-neighbourhood-first-sagar-outlook-foreign-policy-frameworks-at-centre-of-modi-30-inauguration-730111">What is Neighbourhood First, SAGAR outlook? Foreign policy frameworks at centre of Modi 3.0 inauguration</a></strong></p>

<p>Consistent with the 'Neighbourhood First' foreign policy paradigm, the heads of state and government from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles featured as distinguished guests during the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Sunday (June 9), reflecting New Delhi's continued focus on the neighbourhood and Indian Ocean Region as part of its foreign policy initiatives.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi | Nepali PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth and Vice President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif attend the oath ceremony of PM-designate Narendra Modi at… <a href="https://t.co/JX7mUaH4Wq">pic.twitter.com/JX7mUaH4Wq</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1799799312466980868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Neighbourhood First and SAGAR frameworks serve as the basis for New Delhi's ongoing engagements with the countries in the region that potentially offset Chinese strategic designs in the region in the long-term. While internal policy initiatives may differ due to compulsions of India's coalition politics, the foreign policy trajectory&nbsp;— with minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-neighbourhood-first-sagar-outlook-foreign-policy-frameworks-at-centre-of-modi-30-inauguration-730111">Dr S Jaishankar</a> as PM Modi's foreign affairs lieutenant&nbsp;—&nbsp;is expected to stay the same during the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's third term in power.</p>

<h2><strong>Pretoria, South Africa</strong></h2>

<p>On a punishingly humid evening of New Delhi on June 4, 2024, as this journalist stepped outside the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters to sense the public mood following the evolving&nbsp;results of India's Lok Sabha Elections, an image from New Delhi G20 Leaders summit&nbsp;— showing Presidents Lula of Brazil and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa with host Indian PM Narendra Modi&nbsp;— was put out as the highlight of PM Modi's second term in power. Two of the leaders on that hoarding&nbsp;— PM Modi and President Ramaphosa&nbsp;— faced a similar challenge. Their parties had lost the majority, so they had to ensure that either their alliance crosses the majority mark, and if not, they are able to forge an alliance to return to power.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed victory the same evening, won letters of support from National Democratic Alliance leaders two days later, got appointed as Prime Minister-designate on next, and took oath to office and secrecy with his cabinet on June 9, the South African leader has not been as politically-savvy.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Unlike Indian leader Narendra Modi, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa&nbsp;— whose African Nationalist Party, like India's BJP, also lost parliamentary majority in the just-held elections&nbsp;— is still struggling to forge an alliance.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Indian PM Narendra Modi's G20 image featuring South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa outside the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on June 4, 2024 | Mukul Sharma/WION" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="84cf7075-dcb3-49ae-9c36-a778ca48cfd6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/SouthAfricaelections.png" /></p>

<p><em>Indian PM Narendra Modi's G20 image featuring South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa outside the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on June 4, 2024 | Mukul Sharma/WION</em></p>

<p>Reeling from its worst electoral performance in 30 years, the ANC is seeking to stitch together a "Government of National Unity" to administer the nation. This means that instead of entering into a coalition agreement with its main rival parties, the ANC under Ramaphosa will now seeking a broad multiparty alliance.</p>

<p>The road to South Africa's new government remains full of uncertainty. If you want to know what turn South Africa's road to power could take, read this piece on WION by Rajiv Bhatia,&nbsp;Distinguished Fellow at Mumbai's Gateway House and a&nbsp;former Indian Ambassador&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/south-africa-after-elections-four-scenarios-728078">South Africa after elections: Four scenarios</a></p>

<h2>Tehran, Iran</h2>

<p>Iran will have a new president soon as the country's constitution requires fresh elections in case the serving president is incapacitated. After President Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash last month, Mohammed Mokhber&nbsp;— the vice president in Raisi's tenure&nbsp;— assumed presidency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Mokhber does not feature in the list of six presidential candidates announced by Tehran on Sunday for June 28 election, meaning that the country's all-powerful Guardian Council&nbsp;&nbsp;— composed of 12 clerics, six of whom are directly elected (and can be summarily dismissed) by the Supreme Leader&nbsp;— wants somebody else at the helm.&nbsp;&nbsp;The approved candidates include conservative speaker of parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and the ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. Just one reformist candidate, Massoud Pezeshkian, who is a lawmaker representing Tabriz in Iran's parliament, has been approved.</p>

<p>The conservative former interior minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi has also been authorised to run. Others on the list include conservative Tehran mayor Alireza Zakaani and incumbent vice president Amirhossein Ghazizadeh-Hashemi, the ultraconservative head of the Martyrs' Foundation. Former hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was previously disqualified from entering the presidential races in 2017 and 2021, was again excluded from the list.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><b>Copenhagen, Denmark</b></h2>

<p>The country of a little more than 6 million in Europe was taken aback by shock when its&nbsp;Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was "hit" by a man in a Copenhagen square on Friday (June 7) ahead of ongoing elections for European Union parliament. But Danish authorities later said that the incident was not thought to be politically motivated.</p>

<p>"It is not our guiding... hypothesis that there is a political motive here. But that is something that the police of course will investigate," prosecutor Taruh Sekeroglu told reporters.<img alt="File photo of Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen | AFP" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fe116bd-678b-40c6-b502-ecc736d4a754" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/denmarkPM.png" /></p>

<p><em>File photo of Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen | AFP</em></p>

<p>Sekeroglu said the man was suspected of violence against a public servant and deemed a flight risk.</p>

<p>In a post on social media platform Instagram on Saturday evening, the head of government said she needed "peace and quiet."</p>

<p>"I am saddened and shaken by the incident yesterday, but otherwise I am fine," said Frederiksen, 46.</p>

<p>She thanked people for the "many, many, many messages of support and encouragement," and said she now needed to be with her family.</p>


Narendra Modi became India's prime minister for a third term in a row but this time with a reduced majority. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was 32 seats short of majority, and is now dependent on allies Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to keep parliamentary majority for the next five years in New Delhi's corridors of power.

Narendra Modi became India's prime minister for a third term in a row but this time with a reduced majority. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was 32 seats short of majority, and is now dependent on allies Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to keep parliamentary majority for the next five years in New Delhi's corridors of power. Also read | What is Neighbourhood First, SAGAR outlook? Foreign policy frameworks at centre of Modi 3.0 inauguration Consistent with the 'Neighbourhood First' foreign policy paradigm, the heads of state and government from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles featured as distinguished guests during the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Sunday (June 9), reflecting New Delhi's continued focus on the neighbourhood and Indian Ocean Region as part of its foreign policy initiatives. Delhi | Nepali PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth and Vice President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif attend the oath ceremony of PM-designate Narendra Modi at… pic.twitter.com/JX7mUaH4Wq — ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024 × The Neighbourhood First and SAGAR frameworks serve as the basis for New Delhi's ongoing engagements with the countries in the region that potentially offset Chinese strategic designs in the region in the long-term. While internal policy initiatives may differ due to compulsions of India's coalition politics, the foreign policy trajectory — with minister Dr S Jaishankar as PM Modi's foreign affairs lieutenant — is expected to stay the same during the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's third term in power. Pretoria, South Africa On a punishingly humid evening of New Delhi on June 4, 2024, as this journalist stepped outside the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters to sense the public mood following the evolving results of India's Lok Sabha Elections, an image from New Delhi G20 Leaders summit — showing Presidents Lula of Brazil and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa with host Indian PM Narendra Modi — was put out as the highlight of PM Modi's second term in power. Two of the leaders on that hoarding — PM Modi and President Ramaphosa — faced a similar challenge. Their parties had lost the majority, so they had to ensure that either their alliance crosses the majority mark, and if not, they are able to forge an alliance to return to power. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed victory the same evening, won letters of support from National Democratic Alliance leaders two days later, got appointed as Prime Minister-designate on next, and took oath to office and secrecy with his cabinet on June 9, the South African leader has not been as politically-savvy. Unlike Indian leader Narendra Modi, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa — whose African Nationalist Party, like India's BJP, also lost parliamentary majority in the just-held elections — is still struggling to forge an alliance. Indian PM Narendra Modi's G20 image featuring South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa outside the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on June 4, 2024 | Mukul Sharma/WION Reeling from its worst electoral performance in 30 years, the ANC is seeking to stitch together a "Government of National Unity" to administer the nation. This means that instead of entering into a coalition agreement with its main rival parties, the ANC under Ramaphosa will now seeking a broad multiparty alliance. The road to South Africa's new government remains full of uncertainty. If you want to know what turn South Africa's road to power could take, read this piece on WION by Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow at Mumbai's Gateway House and a former Indian Ambassador — South Africa after elections: Four scenarios Tehran, Iran Iran will have a new president soon as the country's constitution requires fresh elections in case the serving president is incapacitated. After President Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash last month, Mohammed Mokhber — the vice president in Raisi's tenure — assumed presidency. But Mokhber does not feature in the list of six presidential candidates announced by Tehran on Sunday for June 28 election, meaning that the country's all-powerful Guardian Council — composed of 12 clerics, six of whom are directly elected (and can be summarily dismissed) by the Supreme Leader — wants somebody else at the helm. The approved candidates include conservative speaker of parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and the ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. Just one reformist candidate, Massoud Pezeshkian, who is a lawmaker representing Tabriz in Iran's parliament, has been approved. The conservative former interior minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi has also been authorised to run. Others on the list include conservative Tehran mayor Alireza Zakaani and incumbent vice president Amirhossein Ghazizadeh-Hashemi, the ultraconservative head of the Martyrs' Foundation. Former hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was previously disqualified from entering the presidential races in 2017 and 2021, was again excluded from the list. Copenhagen, Denmark The country of a little more than 6 million in Europe was taken aback by shock when its Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was "hit" by a man in a Copenhagen square on Friday (June 7) ahead of ongoing elections for European Union parliament. But Danish authorities later said that the incident was not thought to be politically motivated. "It is not our guiding... hypothesis that there is a political motive here. But that is something that the police of course will investigate," prosecutor Taruh Sekeroglu told reporters. File photo of Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen | AFP Sekeroglu said the man was suspected of violence against a public servant and deemed a flight risk. In a post on social media platform Instagram on Saturday evening, the head of government said she needed "peace and quiet." "I am saddened and shaken by the incident yesterday, but otherwise I am fine," said Frederiksen, 46. She thanked people for the "many, many, many messages of support and encouragement," and said she now needed to be with her family.

The Capitals: Modi keeps Neighbourhood First during third inauguration in New Delhi; and more

<p>In May 2019, when India's outgoing External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj dialed former Foreign Secretary Dr S&nbsp;Jaishankar, the latter was buying books at a famous Khan Market bookstore in New Delhi. Swaraj's call took Jaishankar by surprise.</p>

<p>"I wasn't expecting it at all," Jaishankar said in an interview published on March 17, 2024.</p>

<p>The call was made to inform the then president for Tata group's global corporate affairs — a job Jaishankar took after his retirement in January 2018 —&nbsp;&nbsp;that he would be the next occupant of the South Block, one of the secretariat buildings in New Delhi that also houses External Affairs Ministry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For the former Foreign Secretary (2015-2018), this was a homecoming of sorts.&nbsp;On May 31, 2019, Jaishankar was seated on the special dias created to seat all 57 ministers. The South Block's 'China specialist',&nbsp;was going to become India's External Affairs Minister.<img alt="jaishankar swaraj" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="81bfa9df-ca55-4681-a0d8-d1e2ce95e1aa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/SwarajJaishankar_0.png" /></p>

<p><em>The then-Indian Foreign Secretary, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pictured with the then-External Affairs Minister, late&nbsp;Sushma Swaraj&nbsp;in New Delhi on October 18, 2016 | AFP</em></p>

<p>Five years later, on June 9, 2024, even as PM Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party faced the challenge&nbsp;to accommodate allies from National Democratic Alliance (NDA) within the Union cabinet due to its reduced majority, the External Affairs Ministry was not up for negotiations.</p>

<p>The choice was rather unanimous. Dr S. Jaishankar took oath at Rashtrapati Bhawan for a second time in a row&nbsp;during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unprecedented&nbsp;third term in power.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-neighbourhood-first-sagar-outlook-foreign-policy-frameworks-at-centre-of-modi-30-inauguration-730111">What is Neighbourhood First, SAGAR outlook? Foreign policy frameworks at centre of Modi 3.0 inauguration</a></strong></p>

<p>For five years into his job as External Affairs Minister, the diplomat-politician emerged as Modi government's most articulate voice that marked India's geopolitical rise in a sharply polarised world. Among the Gen-Z voters, in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXVJXv8IVbE">WION's Election Vibe Check</a>, Jaishankar came up as the second-most popular minister from Modi 2.0 cabinet after Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari.<img alt="Election Vibe Check" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bf44be9c-fecd-41f0-beda-d6561fdd5eda" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/SwarajJaishankar%20%281%29.png" /></p>

<p><em>Dr S. Jaishankar was assessed as the second-most popular&nbsp;minister in Modi cabinet (2019-2024) by the Gen-Z voters during WION's Election Vibe Check | WION</em></p>

<p>An alumni of University of Delhi's St. Stephen's College and Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jaishankar's crisp retorts — "India imports less oil from Russia in a month than Europe does in an afternoon" — amplified New Delhi's independent voice in the world during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term in power. He is credited to have brought the complicated diplomatic matters to the accessible wavelengths of YouTube and Instagram in their most-popular 60-second short-video format.</p>

<p>Jaishankar's ability to work the phones — a skill honed over decades of his career as a diplomat — have earned him praises across the corridors of power in and beyond New Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/india-news/business-economy/top-7-foreign-policy-achievements-of-swarajjaishankar-years-so-far-1699455202952">Top 7 Foreign Policy Achievements Of Swaraj-Jaishankar Years</a></strong></p>

<p>But after the United States accused an Indian official of plotting to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, his understanding of flips-flops of global power dynamics faced the test of its time. Critics accused him of helming over India's "bellicose" foreign policy outlook after French President Emmanuel Macron became New Delhi's choice for 2024 Republic Day celebrations instead of US President Joe Biden.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Jaishankar asserted that overall India-US relations will not be disturbed by Washington's murder plot allegations.</p>

<p>Among others, even as Russia's war in Ukraine raged on, the larger stability in India-Russia ties pointed to settling down of New Delhi's new great power diplomacy under Jaishankar.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-capitals-new-delhi-achieves-crucial-strategic-breakthrough-with-tehran-outreach-682114">The Capitals: New Delhi achieves crucial strategic breakthrough with Tehran outreach</a></strong></p>

<p>"The five years since 2019 represent a prolonged period of crises and conflicts, making the task of managing India's foreign policy an exceptionally challenging one," Rajiv Bhatia, distinguished fellow at Mumbai's Gateway House and former ambassador, told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"But External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar performed brilliantly, advancing India's interests and raising the profile of its diplomacy. Looking ahead, equations with major powers and the immediate neighbourhood are sure to test the capabilities and political acumen of&nbsp;India's top diplomat under Modi Govt 3.0," he further said.</p>


In May 2019, when India's outgoing External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj dialed former Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar, the latter was buying books at a famous Khan Market bookstore in New Delhi.

In May 2019, when India's outgoing External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj dialed former Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar, the latter was buying books at a famous Khan Market bookstore in New Delhi. Swaraj's call took Jaishankar by surprise. "I wasn't expecting it at all," Jaishankar said in an interview published on March 17, 2024. The call was made to inform the then president for Tata group's global corporate affairs — a job Jaishankar took after his retirement in January 2018 — that he would be the next occupant of the South Block, one of the secretariat buildings in New Delhi that also houses External Affairs Ministry. For the former Foreign Secretary (2015-2018), this was a homecoming of sorts. On May 31, 2019, Jaishankar was seated on the special dias created to seat all 57 ministers. The South Block's 'China specialist', was going to become India's External Affairs Minister. The then-Indian Foreign Secretary, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pictured with the then-External Affairs Minister, late Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on October 18, 2016 | AFP Five years later, on June 9, 2024, even as PM Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party faced the challenge to accommodate allies from National Democratic Alliance (NDA) within the Union cabinet due to its reduced majority, the External Affairs Ministry was not up for negotiations. The choice was rather unanimous. Dr S. Jaishankar took oath at Rashtrapati Bhawan for a second time in a row during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unprecedented third term in power. Also read | What is Neighbourhood First, SAGAR outlook? Foreign policy frameworks at centre of Modi 3.0 inauguration For five years into his job as External Affairs Minister, the diplomat-politician emerged as Modi government's most articulate voice that marked India's geopolitical rise in a sharply polarised world. Among the Gen-Z voters, in WION's Election Vibe Check, Jaishankar came up as the second-most popular minister from Modi 2.0 cabinet after Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari. Dr S. Jaishankar was assessed as the second-most popular minister in Modi cabinet (2019-2024) by the Gen-Z voters during WION's Election Vibe Check | WION An alumni of University of Delhi's St. Stephen's College and Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jaishankar's crisp retorts — "India imports less oil from Russia in a month than Europe does in an afternoon" — amplified New Delhi's independent voice in the world during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term in power. He is credited to have brought the complicated diplomatic matters to the accessible wavelengths of YouTube and Instagram in their most-popular 60-second short-video format. Jaishankar's ability to work the phones — a skill honed over decades of his career as a diplomat — have earned him praises across the corridors of power in and beyond New Delhi. Also read | Top 7 Foreign Policy Achievements Of Swaraj-Jaishankar Years But after the United States accused an Indian official of plotting to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, his understanding of flips-flops of global power dynamics faced the test of its time. Critics accused him of helming over India's "bellicose" foreign policy outlook after French President Emmanuel Macron became New Delhi's choice for 2024 Republic Day celebrations instead of US President Joe Biden. But Jaishankar asserted that overall India-US relations will not be disturbed by Washington's murder plot allegations. Among others, even as Russia's war in Ukraine raged on, the larger stability in India-Russia ties pointed to settling down of New Delhi's new great power diplomacy under Jaishankar. Also read | The Capitals: New Delhi achieves crucial strategic breakthrough with Tehran outreach "The five years since 2019 represent a prolonged period of crises and conflicts, making the task of managing India's foreign policy an exceptionally challenging one," Rajiv Bhatia, distinguished fellow at Mumbai's Gateway House and former ambassador, told WION. "But External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar performed brilliantly, advancing India's interests and raising the profile of its diplomacy. Looking ahead, equations with major powers and the immediate neighbourhood are sure to test the capabilities and political acumen of India's top diplomat under Modi Govt 3.0," he further said.

S Jaishankar, face of India's assertive foreign policy, returns to Modi cabinet

100-Year-Old World War Veteran Marries 96-Year-Old Sweetheart


These were the sounds that took over Normandy after Harold Teens, 100, married his 96-year-old fiancée Jeanne Swerlin.

To top off an extraordinary day, the newly wedded couple also attended the state banquet at the Elysee Palace in Paris thrown by President Emmanuel Macron in honour of visiting US leader Joe Biden.

This is what the 100-year-old said after his marriage. "It's the best time of my entire life."

In 2021, a friend introduced Teens to Swerlin, a charismatic woman who had also been widowed, and the two have been inseparable ever since.

A unique love story in France took over global imagination

<p>Hours before the scheduled swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, Narendra Modi, India's prime minister-in-waiting and National Democratic Alliance leader in the Lok Sabha, paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, the slain national icon's resting place in the capital. Modi also paid tributes to the Bharatiya Janata Party's founding father and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his memorial 'Sadaiv Atal', located less than two km away from Rajghat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi was accompanied by the outgoing union minister Hardeep Singh Puri.&nbsp;</p>

<p>President Droupadi Murmu had handed over the prime minister-designate&nbsp;his third letter of appointment after the BJP chief JP Nadda presented letters of support from NDA parties, who have a strength of 293 in the newly elected 543-member Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indian parliament.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;PM Narendra Modi swearing-in ceremony: Security increased for the event</strong></p>

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<p>Modi, along with about 30 members of his council of ministers or cabinet, is scheduled to take oath of secrecy at Rashtrapati Bhawan later on June 9 at about 7:15 PM (Indian Standard Time).</p>

<p>The oath-taking ceremony is a grand event in the national capital where personalities from different walks of life and overseas leaders have been invited.</p>

<p>India has invited the heads of state and government from Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Seychelles for the swearing-in. The spotlight will be on Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who rose to power on an anti-India plank and persisted with that rhetoric until a few weeks ago.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-pm-modi-formally-elected-as-the-alliance-leader-by-nda-leaders-729101">Lok Sabha Polls: Modi formally elected as alliance leader by all NDA partners</a></strong></p>

<p>The BJP won 240 seats and Congress 99, as per the final results published by the Election Commission of India.</p>

<p>The ruling National Democratic Alliance has 293 members in Lok Sabha while the Opposition's 'INDIA' bloc has 233 members.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Hours before the scheduled swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, Narendra Modi, India's prime minister-in-waiting and National Democratic Alliance leader in the Lok Sabha, paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, the slain national icon's resting place in the capital.

Hours before the scheduled swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, Narendra Modi, India's prime minister-in-waiting and National Democratic Alliance leader in the Lok Sabha, paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, the slain national icon's resting place in the capital. Modi also paid tributes to the Bharatiya Janata Party's founding father and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his memorial 'Sadaiv Atal', located less than two km away from Rajghat. Modi was accompanied by the outgoing union minister Hardeep Singh Puri. President Droupadi Murmu had handed over the prime minister-designate his third letter of appointment after the BJP chief JP Nadda presented letters of support from NDA parties, who have a strength of 293 in the newly elected 543-member Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indian parliament. Also watch | PM Narendra Modi swearing-in ceremony: Security increased for the event × Modi, along with about 30 members of his council of ministers or cabinet, is scheduled to take oath of secrecy at Rashtrapati Bhawan later on June 9 at about 7:15 PM (Indian Standard Time). The oath-taking ceremony is a grand event in the national capital where personalities from different walks of life and overseas leaders have been invited. India has invited the heads of state and government from Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Seychelles for the swearing-in. The spotlight will be on Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who rose to power on an anti-India plank and persisted with that rhetoric until a few weeks ago. Also read | Lok Sabha Polls: Modi formally elected as alliance leader by all NDA partners The BJP won 240 seats and Congress 99, as per the final results published by the Election Commission of India. The ruling National Democratic Alliance has 293 members in Lok Sabha while the Opposition's 'INDIA' bloc has 233 members. (With inputs from agencies)

Modi 3.0 to be sworn in with focus on 'Neighbourhood First' foreign policy plank

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