Saudi Arabia began 2025 on a borrowing binge to finance its massive economic reform plan. Last year, the kingdom was one of the biggest bond issuers among developing markets. On Monday, the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund revealed a 7 billion dollar Islamic loan negotiated with 20 banks. The bonds issued for 12 billion dollars were also unveiled. Watch in for more details!

Saudi Arabia's significant borrowing to support economic transformation plan

The U.N.-led talks hosted by Saudi Arabia have concluded without a deal on addressing global drought issues. Despite intensive discussions, participants were unable to come to a consensus on concrete measures to tackle the growing threat of droughts worldwide. The lack of agreement highlights the challenges in coordinating international efforts to combat climate change and secure water resources for vulnerable regions. The talks, however, served to raise awareness of the urgency of the drought crisis.

Saudi-Hosted U.N. Talks End Without Reaching Drought Deal, Participants Confirm

The U.N.-led talks hosted by Saudi Arabia have concluded without a deal on addressing global drought issues. Despite intensive discussions, participants were unable to come to a consensus on concrete measures to tackle the growing threat of droughts worldwide. The lack of agreement highlights the challenges in coordinating international efforts to combat climate change and secure water resources for vulnerable regions. The talks, however, served to raise awareness of the urgency of the drought crisis.



A minority alliance in Bangladesh staged a mass rally in Dhaka on Friday, urging the government to accept their eight-point demand aimed at safeguarding the rights and well-being of minority communities. The rally, held at the central Shaheed Minar, saw thousands of participants from minority communities across the country, calling for greater protection and justice amid rising concerns over their safety.

BREAKING: Massive Protest Erupts In Dhaka Ahead Of Durga Puja

After 31 years, the legendary treasure hunt for the elusive Golden Owl has finally come to an end. Launched in 1993, the hunt required participants to solve a series of complex puzzles that would lead them to the hidden owl sculpture, believed to be buried somewhere in France. Treasure hunters from around the world have dedicated decades to deciphering clues, making it one of the longest-running treasure hunts in modern history. The owl, a golden statue, has captivated puzzle enthusiasts for over three decades, with its discovery marking the conclusion of a remarkable adventure.

31-Year-Old Treasure Hunt Finally Ends Of Golden Owl, Participants Had To Solve Puzzles

<p>The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 2024 &nbsp;Summit is being held on July 4&nbsp;in Astana, Kazakhstan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is the 24th SCO Summit and External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the&nbsp;summit this year as he is to&nbsp;visit Russia from July 8 to 9 after a gap of five years.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>SCO Summit 2024&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The agenda for SCO Summit 2024 is, Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue—Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity. This year the summit will be centred on key areas of cooperation and development prospects between member nations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sixteen leaders are expected to attend the 24th Summit in Astana. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders will be present for the discussions.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sco-summit-xi-meets-old-friend-putin-duo-vows-to-fast-track-power-of-siberia-2-gas-pipeline-project-737590">SCO summit: Xi meets 'old friend' Putin, duo vows to fast-track Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project</a></strong></p>

<p>“Such a high number of participants is due to the high interest in this event, as the summit represents a constructive dialogue platform for all interested countries,” Alisher Tastenov, chief expert at the Asian Studies Department of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) told The Astana Times.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What is India's vision&nbsp;for the Summit?&nbsp;</h2>

<p>India's vision for this year's summit is based on Narendra Modi's vision of a 'secure' SCO. 'Secure' is an acronym for, security, economic cooperation, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and environmental protection.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;</strong>SCO Summit: China to get SCO Presidency after seven years</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sco-summit-china-to-get-sco-presidency-after-seven-years-736919/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"At the Summit, the leaders are expected to review the organisation's activities over the past two decades and discuss the state and prospects of multilateral cooperation. Topical issues of regional and international importance are also expected to be discussed at the meeting," a press release by the office of the External Affairs Ministry stated.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>More about the SCO Summit&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The Shanghai Cooperation Organization consists of nine members. The six founding nations, are China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan. Three new members were added, India, Pakistan and Iran. Along with that Afghanistan, Mongolia and Belarus are observer nations and there are 14 other dialogue partners.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The SCO was founded in Shanghai in 2001. India was initially an observer nation back in 2005 before it got the status of a permanent member nation in 2017 along with Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This year, the summit is being held under the presidency of Kazakhstan as it is currently the chair of the bloc.&nbsp;The 23rd SCO summit took place last year and was hosted by India virtually.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 2024 Summit is being held on July 4 in Astana, Kazakhstan. This is the 24th SCO Summit and External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 2024 Summit is being held on July 4 in Astana, Kazakhstan. This is the 24th SCO Summit and External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the summit this year as he is to visit Russia from July 8 to 9 after a gap of five years. SCO Summit 2024 The agenda for SCO Summit 2024 is, Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue—Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity. This year the summit will be centred on key areas of cooperation and development prospects between member nations. Sixteen leaders are expected to attend the 24th Summit in Astana. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders will be present for the discussions. Also read | SCO summit: Xi meets 'old friend' Putin, duo vows to fast-track Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project “Such a high number of participants is due to the high interest in this event, as the summit represents a constructive dialogue platform for all interested countries,” Alisher Tastenov, chief expert at the Asian Studies Department of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) told The Astana Times. What is India's vision for the Summit? India's vision for this year's summit is based on Narendra Modi's vision of a 'secure' SCO. 'Secure' is an acronym for, security, economic cooperation, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and environmental protection. Watch | SCO Summit: China to get SCO Presidency after seven years "At the Summit, the leaders are expected to review the organisation's activities over the past two decades and discuss the state and prospects of multilateral cooperation. Topical issues of regional and international importance are also expected to be discussed at the meeting," a press release by the office of the External Affairs Ministry stated. More about the SCO Summit The Shanghai Cooperation Organization consists of nine members. The six founding nations, are China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan. Three new members were added, India, Pakistan and Iran. Along with that Afghanistan, Mongolia and Belarus are observer nations and there are 14 other dialogue partners. The SCO was founded in Shanghai in 2001. India was initially an observer nation back in 2005 before it got the status of a permanent member nation in 2017 along with Pakistan. This year, the summit is being held under the presidency of Kazakhstan as it is currently the chair of the bloc. The 23rd SCO summit took place last year and was hosted by India virtually. (With inputs from agencies)

The SCO Summit 2024: Date, agenda, key participants and more

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