<p>Ahead of the crucial NATO summit in Vilnius, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is on a visit to the Czech Republic, expressed the need for "honesty" in the country's relationship with NATO. Zelensky, accompanied by Czech President Petr Pavel, said, "We need honesty in our ties" and underscored the importance of demonstrating the courage and strength of the alliance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Zelensky also said that Ukraine's counteroffensive is not progressing rapidly. However, he continued by saying that despite that, Ukrainian troops are making advancements and not retreating like the Russians.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, "We have the momentum," and added, "Either way, we are moving forward, not falling back as the Russians do."</p>

<p>The Ukrainian president was warmly welcomed by Czech President Pavel at Prague Castle. Discussions between the two leaders included Czech support for Ukraine's counter-offensive and Kyiv's aspirations to join the transatlantic alliance.</p>

<p>Pavel acknowledged Ukraine's fight for freedom and the right to choose its own path, highlighting his nation's similar struggle not long ago.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>He stressed the importance of upholding shared values and expressed his admiration for the Ukrainian people's bravery in defending their freedom.</p>

<p>"It is inconceivable that Russia should win this war, for that would be a defeat of the values that we share," Pavel said.</p>

<h2>Czech <strong>support for Ukraine’s NATO membership</strong></h2>

<p>While acknowledging that Ukraine might not receive an invitation to join NATO at the Vilnius summit, Pavel assured clear support for Ukraine's goal.</p>

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<p>He expressed hope that accession talks would commence by the end of the year, enabling Ukraine to join the alliance after the conflict ends.</p>

<p>Pavel also highlighted the growing cooperation between the Czech Republic and Ukraine, emphasising opportunities for Czech companies in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.</p>

<p>Zelensky thanked the Czech president, government, and people for their support, both material and moral, and for accepting a significant number of Ukrainian refugees.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Russian expert claims the US is working on weaponising asteroids against &nbsp;enemies</strong></p>

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<p>He noted the challenge of gaining unanimous support for Ukraine's ambitions and stressed the need for unity and courage.</p>

<p>Zelensky also cautioned against Russian disinformation and propaganda, underscoring the importance of countering such efforts.</p>

<p>President Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the speakers of both houses of Parliament in the Czech Republic.</p>

<p>Afterwards, he will travel to Turkey for further engagements.</p>

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Ahead of the crucial NATO summit in Vilnius, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is on a visit to the Czech Republic, expressed the need for "honesty" in the country's relationship with NATO.

Ahead of the crucial NATO summit in Vilnius, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is on a visit to the Czech Republic, expressed the need for "honesty" in the country's relationship with NATO. Zelensky, accompanied by Czech President Petr Pavel, said, "We need honesty in our ties" and underscored the importance of demonstrating the courage and strength of the alliance. Zelensky also said that Ukraine's counteroffensive is not progressing rapidly. However, he continued by saying that despite that, Ukrainian troops are making advancements and not retreating like the Russians. He said, "We have the momentum," and added, "Either way, we are moving forward, not falling back as the Russians do." The Ukrainian president was warmly welcomed by Czech President Pavel at Prague Castle. Discussions between the two leaders included Czech support for Ukraine's counter-offensive and Kyiv's aspirations to join the transatlantic alliance. Pavel acknowledged Ukraine's fight for freedom and the right to choose its own path, highlighting his nation's similar struggle not long ago. Also Read | US: Man found guilty of raping, impregnating 9-year-old girl gets life sentence He stressed the importance of upholding shared values and expressed his admiration for the Ukrainian people's bravery in defending their freedom. "It is inconceivable that Russia should win this war, for that would be a defeat of the values that we share," Pavel said. Czech support for Ukraine’s NATO membership While acknowledging that Ukraine might not receive an invitation to join NATO at the Vilnius summit, Pavel assured clear support for Ukraine's goal. Also Read | Hong Kong police arrest four men for allegedly aiding overseas activists He expressed hope that accession talks would commence by the end of the year, enabling Ukraine to join the alliance after the conflict ends. Pavel also highlighted the growing cooperation between the Czech Republic and Ukraine, emphasising opportunities for Czech companies in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts. Zelensky thanked the Czech president, government, and people for their support, both material and moral, and for accepting a significant number of Ukrainian refugees. Watch | Russian expert claims the US is working on weaponising asteroids against enemies × He noted the challenge of gaining unanimous support for Ukraine's ambitions and stressed the need for unity and courage. Zelensky also cautioned against Russian disinformation and propaganda, underscoring the importance of countering such efforts. President Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the speakers of both houses of Parliament in the Czech Republic. Afterwards, he will travel to Turkey for further engagements. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

In Prague, Zelensky says Kyiv needs 'honesty' in ties with NATO

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at this year's SCO Summit his first at a Global Summit since a short-lived Mutiny last month when the head of the Wagner mercenary group led a failed rebellion against the Kremlin. During the virtual gathering, Putin told Asian leaders that the Russian people were more united than ever the Russian people are Consolidated as never before.

SCO Summit: Russian President Vladimir Putin slams Western sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at this year's SCO Summit his first at a Global Summit since a short-lived Mutiny last month when the head of the Wagner mercenary group led a failed rebellion against the Kremlin. During the virtual gathering, Putin told Asian leaders that the Russian people were more united than ever the Russian people are Consolidated as never before. To know more watch this interview with International Affairs Analyst, Dr Gilbert Doctrow.

Russia's growing clout in SCO grouping

The 15th BRICS summit is going to be held in August in South Africa's Johannesburg which will include major emerging economies like Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa has been in the news for more than one reason. There has been speculation about additions of new members or changes in the venue. Even though the venue has been confirmed the biggest question lies whether Vladimir Putin who has just torched a mutiny back home will attend the summit?

BRICS summit to be held in Johannesburg: Will Vladimir Putin attend the 15th Summit?

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his official visit to Egypt, extended an invitation to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to attend the upcoming G20 Summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi in September this year. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra made this announcement during a press conference held after the significant bilateral meet between the leaders.</p>

<p>"Prime Minister also extended an invitation to the (Egypt) President for the G20 Summit which is upcoming in September 2023," FS Kwatra said during the presser.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Egypt in the last 26 years. PM Modi held key interactions during his visit which included a round table the prime minister held with the Egyptian counterpart and his ministerial team.</p>

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<p>The prime minister also interacted with the Indian community in Egypt and held meeting with Grand mufti of Egypt, Dr Shawky Ibrahim Allam. The discussions focussed on how two countries can work together to counter extremism and radical ideologies.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Major agreements signed between India and Egypt&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Four major agreements were signed between India and Egypt, including elevating the bilateral partnership to strategic partnership and MoUs on agriculture, archaeology and antiquities and competition Law.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi also visited the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in Cairo on 25 June&nbsp;and paid homage to over 4300 valiant Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Egypt and Aden during the first World War. He also visited Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo during his visit.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Upon arrival, PM Modi was received by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, Dr. Mostafa Waziri.</p>

<p>Indian PM also met the leaders of the Bohra community, who are actively involved in the upkeep of this Fatimid era Shi’a Mosque and highlighted the strong people-to-people ties between India and Egypt.</p>

<p>During the presser, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit comes as a result of an invitation extended by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, marking the first time the Prime Minister has visited Egypt.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | PM Modi conferred with Egypt's highest state honour in Cairo</strong></p>

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<p>"Yesterday afternoon, he arrived and received a warm welcome from the Egyptian Prime Minister at the airport. Additionally, a ceremonial welcome, including a Guard of Honour, was accorded to him," Kwatra said.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Order of the Nile' honour for PM Modi&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>During the visit, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi bestowed upon PM Modi the prestigious 'Order of the Nile' honor, which is the highest civilian award in Egypt.</p>

<p>"PM remarked that the recognition symbolises two main things --- the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries and the people of the two societies," the foreign secretary added.&nbsp;</p>

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his official visit to Egypt, extended an invitation to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to attend the upcoming G20 Summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi in September this year.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his official visit to Egypt, extended an invitation to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to attend the upcoming G20 Summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi in September this year. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra made this announcement during a press conference held after the significant bilateral meet between the leaders. "Prime Minister also extended an invitation to the (Egypt) President for the G20 Summit which is upcoming in September 2023," FS Kwatra said during the presser. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Egypt in the last 26 years. PM Modi held key interactions during his visit which included a round table the prime minister held with the Egyptian counterpart and his ministerial team. Also Read | Bamboo could be a game changer in renewable energy. Here's how The prime minister also interacted with the Indian community in Egypt and held meeting with Grand mufti of Egypt, Dr Shawky Ibrahim Allam. The discussions focussed on how two countries can work together to counter extremism and radical ideologies. Major agreements signed between India and Egypt Four major agreements were signed between India and Egypt, including elevating the bilateral partnership to strategic partnership and MoUs on agriculture, archaeology and antiquities and competition Law. Prime Minister Modi also visited the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in Cairo on 25 June and paid homage to over 4300 valiant Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Egypt and Aden during the first World War. He also visited Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo during his visit. Also Read | Porn platform owner: Society proud of sexual expression, adult content to become 'boring' Upon arrival, PM Modi was received by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, Dr. Mostafa Waziri. Indian PM also met the leaders of the Bohra community, who are actively involved in the upkeep of this Fatimid era Shi’a Mosque and highlighted the strong people-to-people ties between India and Egypt. During the presser, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit comes as a result of an invitation extended by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, marking the first time the Prime Minister has visited Egypt. Watch | PM Modi conferred with Egypt's highest state honour in Cairo × "Yesterday afternoon, he arrived and received a warm welcome from the Egyptian Prime Minister at the airport. Additionally, a ceremonial welcome, including a Guard of Honour, was accorded to him," Kwatra said. 'Order of the Nile' honour for PM Modi During the visit, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi bestowed upon PM Modi the prestigious 'Order of the Nile' honor, which is the highest civilian award in Egypt. "PM remarked that the recognition symbolises two main things --- the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries and the people of the two societies," the foreign secretary added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

PM Modi invites Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to G20 summit in New Delhi

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a significant move to amplify Africa's representation on the global stage and shape the future of international affairs. According to sources, PM Modi has written to his G20 counterparts, proposing the African Union's full membership at the upcoming Delhi Summit of G20, as requested by the African Union.</p>

<h2><strong>Advocacy for a just, inclusive global architecture</strong></h2>

<p>Prime Minister Modi has taken a leading role in championing this proposal, demonstrating his strong support and advocacy for it, the sources said adding PM believes that granting full membership to the African Union in the G20 would be a step towards establishing a more just, fair, inclusive, and representative global architecture and governance.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>PM Modi particularly emphasises the importance of amplifying the voice of countries from the Global South, especially African nations, on international platforms.</p>

<h2><strong>Prioritising African countries in G20 agenda</strong></h2>

<p>As part of India's G20 Presidency, Prime Minister Modi has been dedicated to incorporating the priorities of African countries into the G20 agenda.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shehbaz-sharif-calls-on-nawaz-sharif-to-become-pakistan-pm-again-lead-election-campaign-605527">Shehbaz Sharif calls on Nawaz Sharif to become Pakistan PM again, lead election campaign</a></p>

<p>India and Africa share deep historical and cultural ties, making them natural partners. During a recent address at the 18th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on 'India-Africa Growth Partnership' in New Delhi, Union Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal highlighted the influence of Mahatma Gandhi's principles of truth and non-violence, which originated in South Africa, as well as the legacy carried forward by Nelson Mandela.</p>

<h2><strong>Promoting Africa's global rise</strong></h2>

<p>Minister Goyal stressed that India strongly believes in the global significance of Africa's rise and is actively working to achieve this ambition in an accelerated manner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India aims to become the voice of the Global South, representing their interests at multilateral forums. The minister emphasised the need to create a powerful collective voice from the Global South to shape global geopolitics and ensure equitable and inclusive growth.</p>

<h2><strong>India's support for Africa</strong></h2>

<p>Goyal reiterated that India is a true friend and ally to Africa, providing support during times of need. India assisted African nations during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the provision of medicines, vaccines, and other essential equipment.&nbsp;India's actions reflect the principle of <em>Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam</em>, considering the world as one family.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | China targets ‘unity in thought’ with campaign on Xi’s philosophy</strong></p>

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<p>Overall, Prime Minister Modi's proposal to grant the African Union full membership in the G20 demonstrates India's commitment to strengthening Africa's representation and partnership in shaping global affairs.</p>

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a significant move to amplify Africa's representation on the global stage and shape the future of international affairs.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a significant move to amplify Africa's representation on the global stage and shape the future of international affairs. According to sources, PM Modi has written to his G20 counterparts, proposing the African Union's full membership at the upcoming Delhi Summit of G20, as requested by the African Union. Advocacy for a just, inclusive global architecture Prime Minister Modi has taken a leading role in championing this proposal, demonstrating his strong support and advocacy for it, the sources said adding PM believes that granting full membership to the African Union in the G20 would be a step towards establishing a more just, fair, inclusive, and representative global architecture and governance. Also Read | Stoltenberg expected to be asked to extend another term as NATO Chief amid replacement challenges PM Modi particularly emphasises the importance of amplifying the voice of countries from the Global South, especially African nations, on international platforms. Prioritising African countries in G20 agenda As part of India's G20 Presidency, Prime Minister Modi has been dedicated to incorporating the priorities of African countries into the G20 agenda. Also Read | Shehbaz Sharif calls on Nawaz Sharif to become Pakistan PM again, lead election campaign India and Africa share deep historical and cultural ties, making them natural partners. During a recent address at the 18th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on 'India-Africa Growth Partnership' in New Delhi, Union Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal highlighted the influence of Mahatma Gandhi's principles of truth and non-violence, which originated in South Africa, as well as the legacy carried forward by Nelson Mandela. Promoting Africa's global rise Minister Goyal stressed that India strongly believes in the global significance of Africa's rise and is actively working to achieve this ambition in an accelerated manner. India aims to become the voice of the Global South, representing their interests at multilateral forums. The minister emphasised the need to create a powerful collective voice from the Global South to shape global geopolitics and ensure equitable and inclusive growth. India's support for Africa Goyal reiterated that India is a true friend and ally to Africa, providing support during times of need. India assisted African nations during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the provision of medicines, vaccines, and other essential equipment. India's actions reflect the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, considering the world as one family. Watch | China targets ‘unity in thought’ with campaign on Xi’s philosophy × Overall, Prime Minister Modi's proposal to grant the African Union full membership in the G20 demonstrates India's commitment to strengthening Africa's representation and partnership in shaping global affairs. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Indian PM Modi proposes African Union’s full membership at New Delhi G20 Summit

<p>Japan is hosting the&nbsp;G7 Summit&nbsp;in Hiroshima, the home town of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, from May 19 -21, welcoming leaders form Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union is a ‘non-enumerated member’. Additionally, the United Kingdom will impose fresh sanctions on Russia, including a ban on diamonds and copper. In other news,&nbsp;Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has&nbsp;introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden over his handling of migrant crossings along the United States-Mexico border.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Click on the headlines to read more.&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g7-summit-2023-us-g7-to-announce-further-sanctions-against-russia-over-ukraine-593884">G7 summit LIVE 2023: US, 'Group of Seven' to announce further sanctions against Russia over Ukraine</a></p>

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<p>The G7 summit is being hosted by Japan's G7 presidency&nbsp;this year in Hiroshima, Japan.&nbsp;The&nbsp;summit in Hiroshima&nbsp;provides an opportunity for G7 leaders to demonstrate their strong commitment to upholding the international order based on the rule of law, as well as to expand their outreach to the Global South.</p>

<p>The United States and the rest of the "Group of Seven" major economies will announce additional sanctions and export limits targeting Russia for its war in Ukraine, a US official said ahead of a G7 summit in Japan.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rip-youtube-elon-musk-rolls-out-game-changing-new-feature-for-twitter-blue-subscribers-593898">RIP YouTube? Elon Musk rolls out game-changing new feature for Twitter Blue subscribers</a></p>

<p><img alt="pic" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="184ba36e-980b-452f-85a6-b4f9bf8d0b10" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/350549-untitled-design-2023-05-08t221619119.png.jpeg" /></p>

<p>Twitter is continuously evolving and introducing new features over time and on Thursday Elon Musk announced yet another feature that will allow Twitter Blue subscribers to be able to upload two-hour-long videos. Taking to Twitter, Musk said, "Twitter Blue Verified subscribers can now upload 2-hour videos (8GB)!" This is a big change as Twitter Blue earlier provided 60 minutes to Twitter Blue subscribers. Meanwhile, non-Blue subscribers will only be able to upload videos up to a length of 140 seconds.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-imposes-new-russian-sanctions-including-ban-on-diamonds-copper-593877">UK unveils new Russian sanctions, including ban on diamonds, copper</a></p>

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<p>The United Kingdom on Friday (May 19) unveiled new sanctions against Russia's minerals sector. In the latest round, Britain has targeted imports of aluminium, diamonds, copper, and nickel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the margins of a G7 summit in Japan, said, "As today's sanctions announcements demonstrate, the G7 remains unified in the face of the threat from Russia and steadfast in our support for Ukraine."&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republican-congresswoman-announces-impeachment-articles-against-president-joe-biden-593860">Republican congresswoman announces impeachment articles against President Joe Biden</a></p>

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<p>Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Thursday introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden over his handling of migrant crossings along the United States-Mexico border.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement, Greene said: "It is with the highest amount of solemnity that I announce my intention to introduce articles of impeachment today on the head of this America-at-last Executive Branch that has been working since January 20th, 2021, to systematically destroy this country: the President of the United States, Joseph Robinette Biden."&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-made-an-accounting-error-it-overvalued-ukraines-weapons-aid-by-3-billion-593869">Pentagon made an accounting error. It overvalued Ukraine's weapons aid by $3 billion</a></p>

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<p>The United States, among other Western nations, sent million-dollar worth of military aid to Ukraine to help in its fight against Russia in the ongoing war which began after Moscow launched a "special military" operation on February 24 last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the Pentagon overestimated the value of the ammunition, missiles and other equipment it sent to Ukraine, news agency Reuters reported on Thursday citing a Senate aide and a defence official.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Japan is hosting the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, the home town of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, from May 19 -21, welcoming leaders form Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Japan is hosting the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, the home town of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, from May 19 -21, welcoming leaders form Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union is a ‘non-enumerated member’. Additionally, the United Kingdom will impose fresh sanctions on Russia, including a ban on diamonds and copper. In other news, Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden over his handling of migrant crossings along the United States-Mexico border. Click on the headlines to read more. G7 summit LIVE 2023: US, 'Group of Seven' to announce further sanctions against Russia over Ukraine The G7 summit is being hosted by Japan's G7 presidency this year in Hiroshima, Japan. The summit in Hiroshima provides an opportunity for G7 leaders to demonstrate their strong commitment to upholding the international order based on the rule of law, as well as to expand their outreach to the Global South. The United States and the rest of the "Group of Seven" major economies will announce additional sanctions and export limits targeting Russia for its war in Ukraine, a US official said ahead of a G7 summit in Japan. RIP YouTube? Elon Musk rolls out game-changing new feature for Twitter Blue subscribers Twitter is continuously evolving and introducing new features over time and on Thursday Elon Musk announced yet another feature that will allow Twitter Blue subscribers to be able to upload two-hour-long videos. Taking to Twitter, Musk said, "Twitter Blue Verified subscribers can now upload 2-hour videos (8GB)!" This is a big change as Twitter Blue earlier provided 60 minutes to Twitter Blue subscribers. Meanwhile, non-Blue subscribers will only be able to upload videos up to a length of 140 seconds. UK unveils new Russian sanctions, including ban on diamonds, copper The United Kingdom on Friday (May 19) unveiled new sanctions against Russia's minerals sector. In the latest round, Britain has targeted imports of aluminium, diamonds, copper, and nickel. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the margins of a G7 summit in Japan, said, "As today's sanctions announcements demonstrate, the G7 remains unified in the face of the threat from Russia and steadfast in our support for Ukraine." Republican congresswoman announces impeachment articles against President Joe Biden Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Thursday introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden over his handling of migrant crossings along the United States-Mexico border. In a statement, Greene said: "It is with the highest amount of solemnity that I announce my intention to introduce articles of impeachment today on the head of this America-at-last Executive Branch that has been working since January 20th, 2021, to systematically destroy this country: the President of the United States, Joseph Robinette Biden." Pentagon made an accounting error. It overvalued Ukraine's weapons aid by $3 billion The United States, among other Western nations, sent million-dollar worth of military aid to Ukraine to help in its fight against Russia in the ongoing war which began after Moscow launched a "special military" operation on February 24 last year. But the Pentagon overestimated the value of the ammunition, missiles and other equipment it sent to Ukraine, news agency Reuters reported on Thursday citing a Senate aide and a defence official.

Morning brief: Japan hosts G7 meet in Hiroshima, impeachment articles against Biden, and more

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is on a whirlwind tour of 3 nations, after attending the G7 summit and hosting the third summit of the forum for India-Pacific islands cooperation. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.

FIPIC Summit 2023 | PM Modi to Pacific Island nations: Proud to be your development partner

FIPIC Summit 2023: Washington, New Delhi increasing engagement with Pacific Islands

Tomorrow, India will host the G20 tourism summit in Jammu and Kashmir, the region's first international event since the Indian government ended the region's special status in 2019. The government is keen to promote the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir and boost its economic development.

G20 Summit 2023: At least 60 G20 delegates to attend meet, China to stay away

<p>An Indian-origin Singaporean man went missing after reaching the Mount Everest summit last month and the family is now requesting urgent help, as per reports.&nbsp;Shrinivas Sainis Dattatraya travelled to Nepal last month from Singapore to climb Mount Everest, the family said in a petition on the website change.org.</p>

<p>In the petition, his cousin Divya Bharath stated that Shrinivas appeared to have experienced altitude sickness and frostbite while travelling down. He may have become isolated from the rest of his group as a result of this and "fell at around 8,000 metres, probably onto the Tibetan side of the mountain," according to the report.</p>

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<p>A team of Sherpas started searching for Shrinivas on Saturday morning, according to Bharath, who was quoted by a Singaporean news outlet on Saturday. He apparently last spoke to base camp staff at a height of about 8,500 metres. Bharath stated in the appeal that the family had contacted the relevant governments.</p>

<p>"This matter needs to be brought to their attention on an urgent basis. We need a special rescue team that is trained to operate in such risky terrain as well as to ensure that this whole rescue operation is not hindered by diplomatic paperwork," Channel News Asia quoted Bharath as saying.</p>

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<p>She noted that although Shrivinas' family was upset, they were determined not to give up. On April 1, Shrinivas, a 39-year-old executive director at Jones Lang LaSalle, departed for Mount Everest. He was expected to return home on June 4.</p>

<h2><strong>Last spoke on Friday&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Shrinivas'&nbsp;wife Sushma Soma told The Straits Times that he last spoke with her on Friday at around 3:30 pm, informing her that he had reached the peak of Everest but was not expected to return.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Ukraine's Zelensky at centre of last day of G7 summit</strong></p>

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<p>"Through his satellite phone, he told me that he had made it to the summit. But then followed with bad news. He said that he would not be able to make it down," The Straits Times quoted Soma as saying. She added that Shrinivas had informed her that he had high-altitude cerebral edoema, a serious condition that may be deadly.</p>

<h2><strong>Two other Sherpas return&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>At two in the morning on Saturday, Soma discovered that while the two Sherpas her husband was travelling with and another member of the team had successfully returned, Shrinivas had not.</p>

<h2><strong>Diplomatic channels&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Channel News Asia reports that since Friday evening, the Singapore High Commission in New Delhi has maintained regular communication with Shrinivas' family, local Nepali authorities, and emergency medical personnel. The station reported the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs as stating that it will keep an eye on events and provide the family with the appropriate consular support during this trying period.</p>

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An Indian-origin Singaporean man went missing after reaching the Mount Everest summit last month and the family is now requesting urgent help, as per reports. Shrinivas Sainis Dattatraya travelled to Nepal last month from Singapore to climb Mount Everest, the family said in a petition on the website change.

An Indian-origin Singaporean man went missing after reaching the Mount Everest summit last month and the family is now requesting urgent help, as per reports. Shrinivas Sainis Dattatraya travelled to Nepal last month from Singapore to climb Mount Everest, the family said in a petition on the website change.org. In the petition, his cousin Divya Bharath stated that Shrinivas appeared to have experienced altitude sickness and frostbite while travelling down. He may have become isolated from the rest of his group as a result of this and "fell at around 8,000 metres, probably onto the Tibetan side of the mountain," according to the report. Also Read | Northern Ireland council elections 2023: Sinn Fein becomes largest party in local government A team of Sherpas started searching for Shrinivas on Saturday morning, according to Bharath, who was quoted by a Singaporean news outlet on Saturday. He apparently last spoke to base camp staff at a height of about 8,500 metres. Bharath stated in the appeal that the family had contacted the relevant governments. "This matter needs to be brought to their attention on an urgent basis. We need a special rescue team that is trained to operate in such risky terrain as well as to ensure that this whole rescue operation is not hindered by diplomatic paperwork," Channel News Asia quoted Bharath as saying. Also Read | China streamlines marriage registration process for migrant workers amid looming population crisis She noted that although Shrivinas' family was upset, they were determined not to give up. On April 1, Shrinivas, a 39-year-old executive director at Jones Lang LaSalle, departed for Mount Everest. He was expected to return home on June 4. Last spoke on Friday Shrinivas' wife Sushma Soma told The Straits Times that he last spoke with her on Friday at around 3:30 pm, informing her that he had reached the peak of Everest but was not expected to return. Watch | Ukraine's Zelensky at centre of last day of G7 summit × "Through his satellite phone, he told me that he had made it to the summit. But then followed with bad news. He said that he would not be able to make it down," The Straits Times quoted Soma as saying. She added that Shrinivas had informed her that he had high-altitude cerebral edoema, a serious condition that may be deadly. Two other Sherpas return At two in the morning on Saturday, Soma discovered that while the two Sherpas her husband was travelling with and another member of the team had successfully returned, Shrinivas had not. Diplomatic channels Channel News Asia reports that since Friday evening, the Singapore High Commission in New Delhi has maintained regular communication with Shrinivas' family, local Nepali authorities, and emergency medical personnel. The station reported the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs as stating that it will keep an eye on events and provide the family with the appropriate consular support during this trying period. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Indian-origin man missing after reaching Mount Everest summit, family asks for help

Quad was recently stalled. On 24th May'23, Quad was to take place in Australia. However, the event was called off at the proverbial eleventh hour because US president Joe Biden cancelled his visit. Why did Biden cancel his visit? What went wrong? What does this imply at the global stage? Listen in to Vikram Chandra.

Why does the cancellation of the Quad Leaders' Summit mean for Indo-Pacific?

Why was Quad called off?

In Pics: G7 leaders gather in Hiroshima for the 'group of Seven' summit

Japan is arranging a visit by the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations. G7 leaders are going to meet next week at the G7 summit in Japan's Hiroshima. Geopolitical, economic and climate issues are going to take centre stage in discussions.

G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023: What's on the agenda?

<p>Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries are set to discuss concern about China's use of "economic coercion" in its dealings abroad as part of their larger joint statement next week, according to a U.S. official familiar with the discussions.</p>

<p>The statement, a likely component of the overall communique that will be released by leaders during the May 19-21 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, is expected to be paired with a broader written proposal on how the seven advanced economies will work together to counter "economic coercion" from any country.</p>

<p>The main G7 statement is set to include "a section specific to China" with a list of concerns that include "economic coercion and other behavior that we have seen specifically from the [People's Republic of China]," the official said on Friday.</p>

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<p>A separate "economic security statement will speak more to tools" used to counter coercive efforts from any countries responsible, including planning and coordination, the person said. In each case, the statements are to expected go further than prior statements by the G7.</p>

<p>U.S. President Joe Biden has made China a focus of his foreign policy, working to keep the tense and competitive relationship from veering into one of open conflict, including over self-ruled Taiwan.</p>

<p>The G7, which also includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, is closely tied economically to China, the world's biggest exporter and a key market for many of the seven countries' companies.</p>

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<p>Last month, China called a statement by the G7 foreign ministers that touched on similar topics "full of arrogance, prejudice against China," and lodged complaints with this year's G7 host, Japan.</p>

<p>Under Biden's predecessor, President Donald Trump, G7 statements often offered only a cursory mention of issues involving China. The Biden administration has pushed for more direct statements.</p>

<p>The joint statement issued by all the G7 leaders every year is intended to signal that the powerful countries are aligned on a range of political and economic issues.</p>

<p>G7 members will also hold out the prospect of further cooperation with China on areas like climate.</p>

<p>"We're not for decoupling the U.S. and Chinese economy, we are for de-risking, we are for diversifying," said the U.S. official. "That principle is very unifying."</p>

<p>Negotiations over the precise language of the leaders' joint declarations are still subject to diplomacy and adjustment before they are released during summit.</p>

<p><strong>China tests G7 alliance&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The G7 meeting will be a test of how much the members, all rich democracies, can agree on a common approach to China, the world's second-largest economy.</p>

<p>The China terms have been a major subject of the talks currently underway by G7 finance leaders in Niigata, Japan, where they have focused on reducing "over-reliance" of their countries' supply chains on Chinese manufacturing, including by partnering with low- and middle-income countries.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Exclusive: Talking Tennis with Stefanos Tsitsipas | Sports News</strong></p>

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<p>"The U.S. wants to get something hard on paper down in terms of agreement and the other countries are interested, but they're not as interested in putting specifics down on paper on these various instruments and economic statecraft tools," said Josh Lipsky, senior director of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center.</p>

<p>In particular, some G7 members are skeptical about signing on to controls on outbound investment in China.</p>

<p>The policies are being drafted partly to help deny China's military access to tools it could use to gain technological superiority, and many in the Biden administration see them as complementary to export controls restricting access to some semiconductors that have the same goal.</p>

<p>"Of course, each member of the G7 is to some extent going to carve their own path on China and yet there are also a set of kind of principles that unite the G7 in a common approach to China," said the U.S. official.</p>

<p>Traveling for the G7 finance meeting in Japan, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday that China had clearly used economic coercion with Australia and Lithuania.</p>

<p>Hanging over the meeting was a lack of progress in resolving the U.S. debt ceiling stalemate. A scheduled meeting on Friday between Biden and top lawmakers was postponed until early next week as Biden's Democrats and Republicans seek a compromise to avoid a catastrophic default.</p>

<p>U.S. officials, nonetheless, expect the president to attend the two-day summit as planned, followed by trips to Papua New Guinea and Australia also aimed at shoring up Washington's approach to the China-dominated Asia-Pacific region.</p>

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Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries are set to discuss concern about China's use of "economic coercion" in its dealings abroad as part of their larger joint statement next week, according to a U.

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries are set to discuss concern about China's use of "economic coercion" in its dealings abroad as part of their larger joint statement next week, according to a U.S. official familiar with the discussions. The statement, a likely component of the overall communique that will be released by leaders during the May 19-21 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, is expected to be paired with a broader written proposal on how the seven advanced economies will work together to counter "economic coercion" from any country. The main G7 statement is set to include "a section specific to China" with a list of concerns that include "economic coercion and other behavior that we have seen specifically from the [People's Republic of China]," the official said on Friday. Also Read | EXCLUSIVE: Jaishankar flags need for adherence, respect for 'constitution of the oceans' UNCLOS A separate "economic security statement will speak more to tools" used to counter coercive efforts from any countries responsible, including planning and coordination, the person said. In each case, the statements are to expected go further than prior statements by the G7. U.S. President Joe Biden has made China a focus of his foreign policy, working to keep the tense and competitive relationship from veering into one of open conflict, including over self-ruled Taiwan. The G7, which also includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, is closely tied economically to China, the world's biggest exporter and a key market for many of the seven countries' companies. Also Read | Portuguese parliament legalises euthanasia for people over 18 Last month, China called a statement by the G7 foreign ministers that touched on similar topics "full of arrogance, prejudice against China," and lodged complaints with this year's G7 host, Japan. Under Biden's predecessor, President Donald Trump, G7 statements often offered only a cursory mention of issues involving China. The Biden administration has pushed for more direct statements. The joint statement issued by all the G7 leaders every year is intended to signal that the powerful countries are aligned on a range of political and economic issues. G7 members will also hold out the prospect of further cooperation with China on areas like climate. "We're not for decoupling the U.S. and Chinese economy, we are for de-risking, we are for diversifying," said the U.S. official. "That principle is very unifying." Negotiations over the precise language of the leaders' joint declarations are still subject to diplomacy and adjustment before they are released during summit. China tests G7 alliance The G7 meeting will be a test of how much the members, all rich democracies, can agree on a common approach to China, the world's second-largest economy. The China terms have been a major subject of the talks currently underway by G7 finance leaders in Niigata, Japan, where they have focused on reducing "over-reliance" of their countries' supply chains on Chinese manufacturing, including by partnering with low- and middle-income countries. Watch | Exclusive: Talking Tennis with Stefanos Tsitsipas | Sports News × "The U.S. wants to get something hard on paper down in terms of agreement and the other countries are interested, but they're not as interested in putting specifics down on paper on these various instruments and economic statecraft tools," said Josh Lipsky, senior director of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center. In particular, some G7 members are skeptical about signing on to controls on outbound investment in China. The policies are being drafted partly to help deny China's military access to tools it could use to gain technological superiority, and many in the Biden administration see them as complementary to export controls restricting access to some semiconductors that have the same goal. "Of course, each member of the G7 is to some extent going to carve their own path on China and yet there are also a set of kind of principles that unite the G7 in a common approach to China," said the U.S. official. Traveling for the G7 finance meeting in Japan, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday that China had clearly used economic coercion with Australia and Lithuania. Hanging over the meeting was a lack of progress in resolving the U.S. debt ceiling stalemate. A scheduled meeting on Friday between Biden and top lawmakers was postponed until early next week as Biden's Democrats and Republicans seek a compromise to avoid a catastrophic default. U.S. officials, nonetheless, expect the president to attend the two-day summit as planned, followed by trips to Papua New Guinea and Australia also aimed at shoring up Washington's approach to the China-dominated Asia-Pacific region. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

G7 summit statement to target China's 'economic coercion'

The Indian government has been holding many security assessment sessions to evaluate the various security plans for the historic G20 meeting that Kashmir will host on May 22.

G20 Summit 2023: Indian govt reviews security arrangements, meet on 22 May

<p>As he welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Seoul on Sunday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed that unresolved historical differences should not prevent South Korea and Japan from fostering closer ties in the face of global issues.</p>

<p>The United States has welcomed the leaders' vow to increase cooperation as a means of better fending off North Korean threats and competition from China.</p>

<p>Kishida's visit, the first by a Japanese leader to Seoul in 12 years, follows Yoon's travel to Tokyo in March, during which they attempted to put an end to the long-standing disagreements that have divided Japan and South Korea.</p>

<p>"Cooperation and coordination between South Korea and Japan are essential not only for the common interests of the two countries but also for world peace and prosperity in the face of the current severe international situation," Yoon said in opening remarks at their meeting.</p>

<p>Ahead of&nbsp;Hiroshima G7 summit scheduled from 19 May, Kishida is working to repair their fraught ties amid shared concerns over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.</p>

<p>One of the main issues between the two countries is the legacy of Japan's colonization of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Many Koreans still harbor resentment towards Japan for its brutal treatment during this period, including forced labor and sexual slavery.</p>

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<p>Before leaving on Sunday, Kishida stated that the two leaders were trying to resume their so-called "shuttle diplomacy" which had been put on hold for years due to a contentious trade dispute including the problem of forced labour.</p>

<p>Kishida invited Yoon to a G7 meeting in Hiroshima this month. In their March summit, both the nations agreed to eliminate tit-for-tat trade restrictions. In a statement, Kishida expressed his desire for "an honest exchange of views" with Yoon, "based on a relationship of trust".</p>

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<p>Kishida also laid flowers at the Seoul National Cemetery after his arrival, which is home to South Korea's war dead.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to local reports, Yoon is anticipated to organise a dinner party in the presidential mansion where Korean barbecue would probably be served. Yoon may even prepare food for Kishida.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court of South Korea in 2018 ordered Japanese companies to pay compensation to those who were subjected to forced labour during the Korean War, angering Tokyo and leading to a deterioration in relations.</p>

<p>In recent years, economic issues have also become a source of tension between Japan and South Korea. In 2019, Japan imposed restrictions on the export of key materials used in the production of semiconductors to South Korea, citing national security concerns. This move was seen by many in South Korea as retaliation for the country's court rulings on compensation for forced labor during Japan's colonial rule.</p>

<p>Yoon, who assumed office last year, has attempted to put the past behind him. Earlier this year, he unveiled a proposal to recompense victims without assistance from Tokyo.</p>

<p>The leaders intended to have "candid exchanges" on this subject, Kishida said on Sunday.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | World at War: How is Russia's Wagner Group sending weapons into Sudan?</strong></p>

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<p>On Saturday, some 100 South Koreans gathered to oppose Kishida's travel to Seoul.</p>

<p>The efforts to improve relations come as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un intensifies his nation's weapons production and testing after declaring itself&nbsp;"irreversible" nuclear power last year. In response, the United States and South Korea have increased their defence cooperation by holding a number of significant military manoeuvres, including two trilateral exercises this year with Japan.</p>

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As he welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Seoul on Sunday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed that unresolved historical differences should not prevent South Korea and Japan from fostering closer ties in the face of global issues.

As he welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Seoul on Sunday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed that unresolved historical differences should not prevent South Korea and Japan from fostering closer ties in the face of global issues. The United States has welcomed the leaders' vow to increase cooperation as a means of better fending off North Korean threats and competition from China. Kishida's visit, the first by a Japanese leader to Seoul in 12 years, follows Yoon's travel to Tokyo in March, during which they attempted to put an end to the long-standing disagreements that have divided Japan and South Korea. "Cooperation and coordination between South Korea and Japan are essential not only for the common interests of the two countries but also for world peace and prosperity in the face of the current severe international situation," Yoon said in opening remarks at their meeting. Ahead of Hiroshima G7 summit scheduled from 19 May, Kishida is working to repair their fraught ties amid shared concerns over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. One of the main issues between the two countries is the legacy of Japan's colonization of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Many Koreans still harbor resentment towards Japan for its brutal treatment during this period, including forced labor and sexual slavery. Also Read | Teenager girl killed, five other injured after shooting at party in California Before leaving on Sunday, Kishida stated that the two leaders were trying to resume their so-called "shuttle diplomacy" which had been put on hold for years due to a contentious trade dispute including the problem of forced labour. Kishida invited Yoon to a G7 meeting in Hiroshima this month. In their March summit, both the nations agreed to eliminate tit-for-tat trade restrictions. In a statement, Kishida expressed his desire for "an honest exchange of views" with Yoon, "based on a relationship of trust". Also Read | At least nine people killed in shooting at Texas mall; gunman killed by police Kishida also laid flowers at the Seoul National Cemetery after his arrival, which is home to South Korea's war dead. According to local reports, Yoon is anticipated to organise a dinner party in the presidential mansion where Korean barbecue would probably be served. Yoon may even prepare food for Kishida. The Supreme Court of South Korea in 2018 ordered Japanese companies to pay compensation to those who were subjected to forced labour during the Korean War, angering Tokyo and leading to a deterioration in relations. In recent years, economic issues have also become a source of tension between Japan and South Korea. In 2019, Japan imposed restrictions on the export of key materials used in the production of semiconductors to South Korea, citing national security concerns. This move was seen by many in South Korea as retaliation for the country's court rulings on compensation for forced labor during Japan's colonial rule. Yoon, who assumed office last year, has attempted to put the past behind him. Earlier this year, he unveiled a proposal to recompense victims without assistance from Tokyo. The leaders intended to have "candid exchanges" on this subject, Kishida said on Sunday. Watch | World at War: How is Russia's Wagner Group sending weapons into Sudan? × On Saturday, some 100 South Koreans gathered to oppose Kishida's travel to Seoul. The efforts to improve relations come as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un intensifies his nation's weapons production and testing after declaring itself "irreversible" nuclear power last year. In response, the United States and South Korea have increased their defence cooperation by holding a number of significant military manoeuvres, including two trilateral exercises this year with Japan. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan, South Korea to forge deeper ties, overcome historical differences

Global citizen launches 2023 summit. Campaign to focus on Climate Change and 'sustainable development.' Hem Kaur Saroya brings you the report.

Global citizens launches 'Power our planet: Act today, Save tomorrow' campaign

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will chair the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers Meeting on Friday (28 April) in New Delhi. Defence Ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan will participate in the event. India has also invited Belarus and Iran, currently observers in SCO, to participate in the meeting. Defence Minister of Pakistan would be participating virtually.

SCO Summit 2023: Focus on regional security issues and regional development

<p>India will host the Global Buddhist Summit next week in New Delhi, marking the first such event in the country. Top Buddhist leaders from around the world are expected to attend the two-day meeting on April 20-21, which will focus on the religion's response to the world's most pressing challenges.</p>

<p>The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), an umbrella group that serves as a platform for Buddhists worldwide, is organising the event.</p>

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<p>PM Narendra Modi will address the summit where keynote speakers will include Prof. Robert Thurman, a renowned scholar of Buddhism, and His Holiness Thich Tri Quang, Deputy Patriarch, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Vietnam. Over 170 overseas Buddhist dharma masters from more than 30 countries are expected to participate in the discussions.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-thailand-celebrates-songkran-water-festival-582292">Thailand celebrates Songkran Water Festival</a></p>

<p>The meeting will focus on several topics, including Buddha Dharma and Peace, Buddha Dharma: Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability, Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition &amp; Buddha Dharma Pilgrimage, Living heritage, and Buddha Relics. Buddhism originated in India, and the country is home to several Buddhist heritage sites, including the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, and Kushinagar, where Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha attained parinirvana.</p>

<p>Tibetan Buddhism is considered part of the Nalanda tradition of Buddhism, which originated in India. The event will include photo exhibitions and an audio-visual presentation on the digital restoration of the Ajanta Caves.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Joe Biden addresses Irish parliament, says he 'feels at home'</strong></p>

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<p>The summit is seen as a significant development in India's efforts to engage with Buddhism, which has millions of followers around the world. Recently, India, which is the chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) grouping, organised a meet on Buddhist heritage involving all the countries.</p>

<p>While there has been no public confirmation of the Dalai Lama's participation, his presence would be significant at the summit next week. China has been trying to interfere in the process of appointing the next Dalai Lama, something that has been rejected by Dalai Lama's office and Tibetan leadership.&nbsp;<br />
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India will host the Global Buddhist Summit next week in New Delhi, marking the first such event in the country. Top Buddhist leaders from around the world are expected to attend the two-day meeting on April 20-21, which will focus on the religion's response to the world's most pressing challenges.

India will host the Global Buddhist Summit next week in New Delhi, marking the first such event in the country. Top Buddhist leaders from around the world are expected to attend the two-day meeting on April 20-21, which will focus on the religion's response to the world's most pressing challenges. The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), an umbrella group that serves as a platform for Buddhists worldwide, is organising the event. Also Read | One of Pablo Escobar's ‘cocaine hippo’ gets struck by car, dies PM Narendra Modi will address the summit where keynote speakers will include Prof. Robert Thurman, a renowned scholar of Buddhism, and His Holiness Thich Tri Quang, Deputy Patriarch, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Vietnam. Over 170 overseas Buddhist dharma masters from more than 30 countries are expected to participate in the discussions. Also Read | Thailand celebrates Songkran Water Festival The meeting will focus on several topics, including Buddha Dharma and Peace, Buddha Dharma: Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability, Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition & Buddha Dharma Pilgrimage, Living heritage, and Buddha Relics. Buddhism originated in India, and the country is home to several Buddhist heritage sites, including the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, and Kushinagar, where Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha attained parinirvana. Tibetan Buddhism is considered part of the Nalanda tradition of Buddhism, which originated in India. The event will include photo exhibitions and an audio-visual presentation on the digital restoration of the Ajanta Caves. Watch | Joe Biden addresses Irish parliament, says he 'feels at home' × The summit is seen as a significant development in India's efforts to engage with Buddhism, which has millions of followers around the world. Recently, India, which is the chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) grouping, organised a meet on Buddhist heritage involving all the countries. While there has been no public confirmation of the Dalai Lama's participation, his presence would be significant at the summit next week. China has been trying to interfere in the process of appointing the next Dalai Lama, something that has been rejected by Dalai Lama's office and Tibetan leadership. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

In a first, India to host global Buddhist summit with top scholars, masters in attendance

<p>Humanity's 'vampiric' overconsumption of its 'lifeblood' — water — is increasingly putting the resource at risk, warns&nbsp;the United Nations (UN) in a report published on Wednesday. The report was released just hours ahead of a major summit dealing with the issue. As per the report, about 10 per cent of the "world's population lives in a country where water stress has reached a high or critical level."</p>

<p>The report, which was published by UN-Water and UNESCO, warns that "scarcity is becoming endemic" due to overconsumption and pollution. It adds that global warming will further increase seasonal water shortages in areas with abundant water as well as those already strained.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Global fresh water resources won't keep up with demand by 2030</strong></p>

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<p>In the report's foreword, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as per AFP, writes that the world is "blindly travelling a dangerous path" as "unsustainable water use, pollution and unchecked global warming are draining humanity's lifeblood."</p>

<p>"If nothing is done, it will be a business-as-usual scenario — it will keep on being between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of the population of the world that does not have access to sanitation and roughly 20-25 per cent of the world will not have access to safe water supply," said Richard Connor, lead author of the report while talking to AFP.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/reusable-water-bottles-carry-40000-times-more-bacteria-than-a-toilet-seat-shows-study-571769">Reusable water bottles carry 40,000 TIMES more bacteria than a toilet seat, shows study</a></strong></p>

<p>He added that as the global population increases, "in absolute numbers, there'll be more and more people that don't have access to these services."</p>

<p>The UN 2023 Water Conference will host 6,500 guests from around the world, including a hundred ministers and a dozen heads of state and government. The conference will take place from Wednesday (March 22) to Friday (March 24) in New York.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/science/water-on-earth-may-be-older-than-the-sun-itself-study-570403" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/water-on-earth-may-be-older-than-the-sun-itself-study-570403&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjG77O2pO79AhX4S2wGHbxcAQM4PBAWegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1lgfu8brQ7i4GMc7p4Tk8i" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/water-on-earth-may-be-older-than-the-sun-itself-study-570403" target="_blank">Water&nbsp;on Earth may be older than the Sun itself: Study&nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<p>It invites governments and actors in the public and private sectors to present proposals for a 'water action agenda' that seeks to reverse the trend and help meet the development goal of ensuring "access to water and sanitation for all by 2030."</p>

<p>The UN 2023 Water Conference is the first summit on water in 50 years. Before this, the last high-level conference was held in 1977 in Mar del Plata, Argentina.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Humanity's 'vampiric' overconsumption of its 'lifeblood' — water — is increasingly putting the resource at risk, warns the United Nations (UN) in a report published on Wednesday.

Humanity's 'vampiric' overconsumption of its 'lifeblood' — water — is increasingly putting the resource at risk, warns the United Nations (UN) in a report published on Wednesday. The report was released just hours ahead of a major summit dealing with the issue. As per the report, about 10 per cent of the "world's population lives in a country where water stress has reached a high or critical level." The report, which was published by UN-Water and UNESCO, warns that "scarcity is becoming endemic" due to overconsumption and pollution. It adds that global warming will further increase seasonal water shortages in areas with abundant water as well as those already strained. Watch | Global fresh water resources won't keep up with demand by 2030 In the report's foreword, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as per AFP, writes that the world is "blindly travelling a dangerous path" as "unsustainable water use, pollution and unchecked global warming are draining humanity's lifeblood." "If nothing is done, it will be a business-as-usual scenario — it will keep on being between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of the population of the world that does not have access to sanitation and roughly 20-25 per cent of the world will not have access to safe water supply," said Richard Connor, lead author of the report while talking to AFP. Also read | Reusable water bottles carry 40,000 TIMES more bacteria than a toilet seat, shows study He added that as the global population increases, "in absolute numbers, there'll be more and more people that don't have access to these services." The UN 2023 Water Conference will host 6,500 guests from around the world, including a hundred ministers and a dozen heads of state and government. The conference will take place from Wednesday (March 22) to Friday (March 24) in New York. Also read | Water on Earth may be older than the Sun itself: Study It invites governments and actors in the public and private sectors to present proposals for a 'water action agenda' that seeks to reverse the trend and help meet the development goal of ensuring "access to water and sanitation for all by 2030." The UN 2023 Water Conference is the first summit on water in 50 years. Before this, the last high-level conference was held in 1977 in Mar del Plata, Argentina. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Report sounds alarm over humanity's 'vampiric' overconsumption of its 'lifeblood' water

<p>A ballistic missile was fired by North Korea into the sea between Japan and the Korean peninsula, said South Korea's military on Thursday, hours before South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is scheduled to fly to Tokyo to attend a rare summit.</p>

<p>This week, North Korea has been launching missiles on a daily basis amid ongoing joint military drills between South Korea and the United States that have been condemned by Pyongyang as hostile actions.</p>

<p>South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a statement on Thursday, said that at least one ballistic missile of an unknown type has been fired by North Korea off its east coast.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-is-ready-for-its-seventh-nuclear-test-us-warns-571833">North Korea preparing for its seventh nuclear test, would be dangerous provocation, US warns</a></p>

<p>Yoon will be visiting Japan to attend a summit with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the first-of-its-kind summit being held in more than a decade as part of the two governments' efforts to overcome economic, political and historical disputes in the name of better co-operation to counter different challenges.</p>

<p>The two US allies also agreed to provide each other with real-time tracking of missile launches by North Korea and have promised to deepen military co-operation.</p>

<p>Two short-range ballistic missiles were fired by North Korea on Tuesday in its first launch since the manoeuvres, the biggest in five years, started as per the South Korean military.</p>

<p>Two strategic cruise missiles were launched by Pyongyang on Sunday from a submarine apparently to protest against the US-South Korea exercises.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | North Korea adopts war deterrent measures; US, South Korea to kick off freedom shield</strong></p>

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<p>The drills, called Freedom Shield, started on Monday and will continue for 10 days. Seoul's military, in a rare move, revealed this month that military exercises called "Teak Knife" are being staged by the two allies, which includes simulating precision strikes on important facilities in North Korea, before the Freedom Shield.</p>

<p>The focus of Freedom Shield exercises is on the "changing security environment" because of redoubled aggression of North Korea, the allies said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A ballistic missile was fired by North Korea into the sea between Japan and the Korean peninsula, said South Korea's military on Thursday, hours before South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is scheduled to fly to Tokyo to attend a rare summit.

A ballistic missile was fired by North Korea into the sea between Japan and the Korean peninsula, said South Korea's military on Thursday, hours before South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is scheduled to fly to Tokyo to attend a rare summit. This week, North Korea has been launching missiles on a daily basis amid ongoing joint military drills between South Korea and the United States that have been condemned by Pyongyang as hostile actions. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a statement on Thursday, said that at least one ballistic missile of an unknown type has been fired by North Korea off its east coast. ALSO READ | North Korea preparing for its seventh nuclear test, would be dangerous provocation, US warns Yoon will be visiting Japan to attend a summit with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the first-of-its-kind summit being held in more than a decade as part of the two governments' efforts to overcome economic, political and historical disputes in the name of better co-operation to counter different challenges. The two US allies also agreed to provide each other with real-time tracking of missile launches by North Korea and have promised to deepen military co-operation. Two short-range ballistic missiles were fired by North Korea on Tuesday in its first launch since the manoeuvres, the biggest in five years, started as per the South Korean military. Two strategic cruise missiles were launched by Pyongyang on Sunday from a submarine apparently to protest against the US-South Korea exercises. WATCH | North Korea adopts war deterrent measures; US, South Korea to kick off freedom shield The drills, called Freedom Shield, started on Monday and will continue for 10 days. Seoul's military, in a rare move, revealed this month that military exercises called "Teak Knife" are being staged by the two allies, which includes simulating precision strikes on important facilities in North Korea, before the Freedom Shield. The focus of Freedom Shield exercises is on the "changing security environment" because of redoubled aggression of North Korea, the allies said. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

North Korea fires ballistic missile hours before South Korea-Japan summit

<p>The Israel-Iran rivalry was once again on full display, this time at the African Union summit, which is being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. On the opening ceremony of the summit on Saturday, an Israeli observer delegation was kicked out of the summit. According to multiple reports, a video started circulating on social media which shows guards at the summit escorting Israel's deputy director general for Africa, Sharon Bar-li, out of the AU assembly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Israel's ministry spokesperson Lior Hayat said, “Israel views seriously the incident in which the deputy for Africa, Ambassador Sharon Bar-Li, was removed from the African Union hall despite her status as an accredited observer with access badges."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/munich-conference-rishi-sunak-says-uk-to-provide-ukraine-with-long-range-weapons-calls-for-new-nato-charter-563450">Rishi Sunak says UK to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons, calls for new NATO charter</a></p>

<p>Hayat accused Iran, its arch-enemy, to arrange for the expulsion of the senior diplomat from the African Union meeting on Saturday. “It is sad to see that the African Union has been taken hostage by a small number of extremist countries such as Algeria and South Africa, driven by hatred and controlled by Iran,”</p>

<p>South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesman Vincent Magwenya told AFP, "They [Israel] must substantiate their claim." Hayat added. He also called on the African countries to stand against these actions that harm the organization of the African Union itself and the entire continent.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shocking scenes from the African Union Summit where a campaign led by South Africa seeks to strip Israel of its observer status and diplomats were expelled. Israel has been a tremendous friend to Africa in infinite ways. The bullying, anti-peace campaign by the SA gov must stop! <a href="https://t.co/2zmzgWaCGY">pic.twitter.com/2zmzgWaCGY</a></p>
— South African Friends of Israel (@MZANSIISRAEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/MZANSIISRAEL/status/1626928210985492482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>What is Israel's accreditation dispute?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The problems began in July of last year when Moussa Faki Mahamat, the head of the AU Commission, unilaterally authorised Israel's admission to the organisation, setting off a number of member nations' objections. Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh on 4 February pleaded with African leaders to revoke the accreditation as the summit got underway in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Abeba.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/munich-security-conference-kamala-harris-vows-support-to-ukraine-for-as-long-as-it-takes-563436">Munich Security Conference: Kamala Harris vows support to Ukraine for 'as long as it takes'</a></p>

<p>He said Israel should “never be rewarded for its violation and for the apartheid regime it does impose on the Palestinian people”.</p>

<p>Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/protesters-throw-bricks-and-bottles-at-security-personnel-violent-protest-grips-suriname-capital-563366">Protesters throw bricks and bottles at security personnel, violent protest grips Suriname capital</a></p>

<p>In order to avert a rift that may have caused an unprecedented rupture among the 55 members of the African Union (AU), the discussion on whether to revoke Israel's accreditation as an observer to the group has now been put on hold. A committee has been established, according to AU's recently elected Chairperson Macky Sall, with the aim of discussing with member states and reaching an agreement on the subject.</p>

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The Israel-Iran rivalry was once again on full display, this time at the African Union summit, which is being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. On the opening ceremony of the summit on Saturday, an Israeli observer delegation was kicked out of the summit.

The Israel-Iran rivalry was once again on full display, this time at the African Union summit, which is being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. On the opening ceremony of the summit on Saturday, an Israeli observer delegation was kicked out of the summit. According to multiple reports, a video started circulating on social media which shows guards at the summit escorting Israel's deputy director general for Africa, Sharon Bar-li, out of the AU assembly. Israel's ministry spokesperson Lior Hayat said, “Israel views seriously the incident in which the deputy for Africa, Ambassador Sharon Bar-Li, was removed from the African Union hall despite her status as an accredited observer with access badges." Also Read | Rishi Sunak says UK to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons, calls for new NATO charter Hayat accused Iran, its arch-enemy, to arrange for the expulsion of the senior diplomat from the African Union meeting on Saturday. “It is sad to see that the African Union has been taken hostage by a small number of extremist countries such as Algeria and South Africa, driven by hatred and controlled by Iran,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesman Vincent Magwenya told AFP, "They [Israel] must substantiate their claim." Hayat added. He also called on the African countries to stand against these actions that harm the organization of the African Union itself and the entire continent. Shocking scenes from the African Union Summit where a campaign led by South Africa seeks to strip Israel of its observer status and diplomats were expelled. Israel has been a tremendous friend to Africa in infinite ways. The bullying, anti-peace campaign by the SA gov must stop! pic.twitter.com/2zmzgWaCGY — South African Friends of Israel (@MZANSIISRAEL) February 18, 2023 × What is Israel's accreditation dispute? The problems began in July of last year when Moussa Faki Mahamat, the head of the AU Commission, unilaterally authorised Israel's admission to the organisation, setting off a number of member nations' objections. Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh on 4 February pleaded with African leaders to revoke the accreditation as the summit got underway in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Abeba. Also Read | Munich Security Conference: Kamala Harris vows support to Ukraine for 'as long as it takes' He said Israel should “never be rewarded for its violation and for the apartheid regime it does impose on the Palestinian people”. Watch | Protesters throw bricks and bottles at security personnel, violent protest grips Suriname capital In order to avert a rift that may have caused an unprecedented rupture among the 55 members of the African Union (AU), the discussion on whether to revoke Israel's accreditation as an observer to the group has now been put on hold. A committee has been established, according to AU's recently elected Chairperson Macky Sall, with the aim of discussing with member states and reaching an agreement on the subject. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH | Israel's top diplomat kicked out of African Union summit, country accuses Iran for orchestrating it

<p>President Joe Biden&nbsp;is set to play host to dozens of African leaders in Washington this week as the White House looks to narrow a gaping trust gap with Africa — one that has grown wider over years of frustration about America’s commitment to the continent.</p>

<p>In the lead-up to the three-day&nbsp;US-Africa Leaders Summit&nbsp;that begins Tuesday, Biden administration officials played down their&nbsp;increasing concern&nbsp;about the clout of&nbsp;China&nbsp;and&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in Africa, which is home to more than 1.3 billion people. Instead, administration officials tried to put the focus on their efforts to improve cooperation with African leaders.</p>

<p>“This summit is an opportunity to deepen the many partnerships we have on the African continent,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said when asked about the shadow that China and Russia cast on the meetings. “We will focus on our efforts to strengthen these partnerships across a wide range of sectors spanning from businesses to health to peace and security, but our focus will be on Africa next week.”</p>

<p>To that end, White House officials said that “major deliverables and initiatives” — diplomatic speak for big announcements — will be peppered throughout the meetings. The White House previewed one&nbsp;major summit<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-g-20-summit-africa-us-national-security-council-united-states-government-ecbff4ac4c0051cecd7d1c1e8fe451bf"> </a>announcement&nbsp;on Friday, saying that Biden would use the gathering to declare his support for adding the African Union as a permanent member of the&nbsp;Group of 20&nbsp;nations.</p>

<p>The summit will be the biggest international gathering in Washington since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local officials are warning residents to brace for road blocks and intensified security as 49 invited heads of states and leaders — and Biden — whiz around the city.</p>

<p>Talks are expected to center on the coronavirus, climate change, the impact of&nbsp;Russia’s invasion of<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine"> </a>Ukraine&nbsp;on Africa, trade and more, according to White House officials. Biden is set to deliver remarks at a U.S.-Africa business forum, hold small group meetings with leaders, host a leaders’ dinner at the White House and take part in other sessions with leaders during the gathering.</p>

<p>Biden has spent much of his first two years in office trying to assuage&nbsp;doubters on the international stage<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-nations-general-assembly-taiwan-biden-health-9b1b11a721705d0ea3d3c85141f2f968"> </a>about American leadership&nbsp;after four years of Donald Trump’s&nbsp;“America First” foreign policy. With this summit — a follow-up to the first such gathering held eight years ago by President Barack Obama — Biden has an opportunity to assuage concerns in Africa about whether the U.S. is serious about tending to the relationship.</p>

<p>Biden’s effort to draw African nations closer to the U.S. comes at a complicated moment, as his administration has made plain that it believes that Chinese and Russian activity in Africa is a serious concern to U.S. and African interests.</p>

<p>In its&nbsp;sub-Saharan Africa strategy&nbsp;unveiled in August, the Biden administration warned that China, which has pumped billions into African energy, infrastructure and other projects, sees the region as an arena where Beijing can “challenge the rules-based international order, advance its own narrow commercial and geopolitical interests, undermine transparency and openness.”</p>

<p>The administration also argues that Russia, the preeminent arms dealer in Africa, views the continent as a permissive environment for Kremlin-connected oligarchs and private military companies to focus on fomenting instability for their own strategic and financial benefit.</p>

<p>Still, administration officials are emphasizing that concerns about China and Russia will not be central to the talks.</p>

<p>“The United States prioritizes our relationship with Africa for the sake of our mutual interests and our partnership in dealing with global challenges,” Molly Phee, assistant secretary of state for African affairs,&nbsp;told<a href="https://www.state.gov/digital-press-briefing-with-u-s-department-of-states-bureau-of-african-affairs-assistant-secretary-molly-phee-and-national-security-council-senior-director-for-african-affairs-judd-devermont/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a>reporters before the summit.&nbsp;“We are very conscious, again, of the Cold War history, we’re conscious, again, of the deleterious impact of colonialism on Africa, and we studiously seek to avoid repeating some of the mistakes of those earlier eras.”</p>

<p>The administration has been disappointed that much of the continent has declined to follow the US&nbsp;in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but Biden is not expected to dwell on differences publicly.</p>

<p>The president is expected to participate with leaders in a session on promoting food security and food systems resilience. Africa has been disproportionately impacted by the global rise in food prices that has been caused in part by the drop in shipments from major grain exporter Ukraine.</p>

<p>“One of the unique aspects of this summit is the collateral damage that the Russian war has inflicted on Africa in terms of food supply and the diversion of development assistance to Ukraine. The opportunity costs of the invasion have been very high in Africa,” said John Stremlau, a visiting professor of international relations at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.</p>

<p>Four countries that were suspended from the African Union — Guinea, Sudan, Mali and Burkina Faso— were not invited to the summit because coups in those nations led to unconstitutional changes in power. The White House also did not invite the East African nation of Eritrea; Washington does not have full diplomatic relations with the country.</p>

<p>Biden’s decision to invite several leaders to the summit who have questionable records on human rights and democracy is looming large ahead of the gathering.</p>

<p>Equatorial Guinea was invited despite the State Department stating that it held&nbsp;“serious doubts”&nbsp;about&nbsp;last<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-equatorial-guinea-malabo-government-and-politics-teodoro-obiang-nguema-mbasogo-f221186f2e29fc68e4371a13835e1918"> </a>month’s election&nbsp;in the tiny Central African nation. Opposition parties “made credible allegations of significant election-related irregularities, including documented instances of fraud, intimidation, and coercion,” according to the department. Election officials reported that President Teodoro Obiang’s ruling party won nearly 95% of the vote.</p>

<p>Zimbabwe, which has faced years of U.S. and Western sanctions over poor governance, human rights abuses and widespread corruption, also was invited.</p>

<p>President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who seized power from longtime ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017, has sought to cast himself as a reformer, but local and international human rights campaigners accuse him of repression that is just as bad or even worse than Mugabe’s.</p>

<p>Although Mnangagwa enjoys cozy relations with China and Russia, as did Mugabe, he has also sought to make friends with the U.S. and other Western countries in an effort to bolster his legitimacy.</p>

<p>In a national address that he delivered in November in a new Chinese-gifted multimillion-dollar parliament building, Mnangagwa held out the invitation to the U.S.-Africa summit as a sign of his administration’s success. He said the southern African country welcomed the invitation, but he also called for the “unconditional” removal of sanctions that he blames for Zimbabwe’s debilitating economic woes.</p>

<p>“Emphasis remains on dialogue,” Mnangagwa said.</p>

<p>Ethiopia received an invitation even though Biden late last last year announced he was&nbsp;cutting out the country<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-africa-united-states-global-trade-a3e49884bef0edb51bb9d8020f2b899b"> </a>from a US&nbsp;trade program,&nbsp;known as the African Growth and Opportunity Act, over Ethiopia’s failure to end a war in the Tigray region that led to “gross violations” of human rights. A peace deal was signed last month, but implementation faces major challenges such as the continued presence of troops from neighboring Eritrea.</p>

<p>Analysts say that African leaders will be looking for Biden to make some major commitments during the summit, including announcing his first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa, efforts to bolster the continent’s economy through private sector investment and trade and more.</p>

<p>Perhaps most importantly, it could be an opportunity for Biden to demonstrate that Africa is more than a battleground in its economic and military competition with Beijing and Moscow.</p>

<p>“I do strongly believe that the United States is still seen as a superpower from the African perspective, but most African leaders do not want to align with its promotion of democracy,” said Abraham Kuol Nyuon, a political analyst and associate professor of political science at the University of Juba in South Sudan. “They need the support of America but not the system of America.”</p>

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President Joe Biden is set to play host to dozens of African leaders in Washington this week as the White House looks to narrow a gaping trust gap with Africa — one that has grown wider over years of frustration about America’s commitment to the continent.

President Joe Biden is set to play host to dozens of African leaders in Washington this week as the White House looks to narrow a gaping trust gap with Africa — one that has grown wider over years of frustration about America’s commitment to the continent. In the lead-up to the three-day US-Africa Leaders Summit that begins Tuesday, Biden administration officials played down their increasing concern about the clout of China and Russia in Africa, which is home to more than 1.3 billion people. Instead, administration officials tried to put the focus on their efforts to improve cooperation with African leaders. “This summit is an opportunity to deepen the many partnerships we have on the African continent,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said when asked about the shadow that China and Russia cast on the meetings. “We will focus on our efforts to strengthen these partnerships across a wide range of sectors spanning from businesses to health to peace and security, but our focus will be on Africa next week.” To that end, White House officials said that “major deliverables and initiatives” — diplomatic speak for big announcements — will be peppered throughout the meetings. The White House previewed one major summit announcement on Friday, saying that Biden would use the gathering to declare his support for adding the African Union as a permanent member of the Group of 20 nations. The summit will be the biggest international gathering in Washington since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local officials are warning residents to brace for road blocks and intensified security as 49 invited heads of states and leaders — and Biden — whiz around the city. Talks are expected to center on the coronavirus, climate change, the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Africa, trade and more, according to White House officials. Biden is set to deliver remarks at a U.S.-Africa business forum, hold small group meetings with leaders, host a leaders’ dinner at the White House and take part in other sessions with leaders during the gathering. Biden has spent much of his first two years in office trying to assuage doubters on the international stage about American leadership after four years of Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy. With this summit — a follow-up to the first such gathering held eight years ago by President Barack Obama — Biden has an opportunity to assuage concerns in Africa about whether the U.S. is serious about tending to the relationship. Biden’s effort to draw African nations closer to the U.S. comes at a complicated moment, as his administration has made plain that it believes that Chinese and Russian activity in Africa is a serious concern to U.S. and African interests. In its sub-Saharan Africa strategy unveiled in August, the Biden administration warned that China, which has pumped billions into African energy, infrastructure and other projects, sees the region as an arena where Beijing can “challenge the rules-based international order, advance its own narrow commercial and geopolitical interests, undermine transparency and openness.” The administration also argues that Russia, the preeminent arms dealer in Africa, views the continent as a permissive environment for Kremlin-connected oligarchs and private military companies to focus on fomenting instability for their own strategic and financial benefit. Still, administration officials are emphasizing that concerns about China and Russia will not be central to the talks. “The United States prioritizes our relationship with Africa for the sake of our mutual interests and our partnership in dealing with global challenges,” Molly Phee, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, told reporters before the summit. “We are very conscious, again, of the Cold War history, we’re conscious, again, of the deleterious impact of colonialism on Africa, and we studiously seek to avoid repeating some of the mistakes of those earlier eras.” The administration has been disappointed that much of the continent has declined to follow the US in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but Biden is not expected to dwell on differences publicly. The president is expected to participate with leaders in a session on promoting food security and food systems resilience. Africa has been disproportionately impacted by the global rise in food prices that has been caused in part by the drop in shipments from major grain exporter Ukraine. “One of the unique aspects of this summit is the collateral damage that the Russian war has inflicted on Africa in terms of food supply and the diversion of development assistance to Ukraine. The opportunity costs of the invasion have been very high in Africa,” said John Stremlau, a visiting professor of international relations at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Four countries that were suspended from the African Union — Guinea, Sudan, Mali and Burkina Faso— were not invited to the summit because coups in those nations led to unconstitutional changes in power. The White House also did not invite the East African nation of Eritrea; Washington does not have full diplomatic relations with the country. Biden’s decision to invite several leaders to the summit who have questionable records on human rights and democracy is looming large ahead of the gathering. Equatorial Guinea was invited despite the State Department stating that it held “serious doubts” about last month’s election in the tiny Central African nation. Opposition parties “made credible allegations of significant election-related irregularities, including documented instances of fraud, intimidation, and coercion,” according to the department. Election officials reported that President Teodoro Obiang’s ruling party won nearly 95% of the vote. Zimbabwe, which has faced years of U.S. and Western sanctions over poor governance, human rights abuses and widespread corruption, also was invited. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who seized power from longtime ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017, has sought to cast himself as a reformer, but local and international human rights campaigners accuse him of repression that is just as bad or even worse than Mugabe’s. Although Mnangagwa enjoys cozy relations with China and Russia, as did Mugabe, he has also sought to make friends with the U.S. and other Western countries in an effort to bolster his legitimacy. In a national address that he delivered in November in a new Chinese-gifted multimillion-dollar parliament building, Mnangagwa held out the invitation to the U.S.-Africa summit as a sign of his administration’s success. He said the southern African country welcomed the invitation, but he also called for the “unconditional” removal of sanctions that he blames for Zimbabwe’s debilitating economic woes. “Emphasis remains on dialogue,” Mnangagwa said. Ethiopia received an invitation even though Biden late last last year announced he was cutting out the country from a US trade program, known as the African Growth and Opportunity Act, over Ethiopia’s failure to end a war in the Tigray region that led to “gross violations” of human rights. A peace deal was signed last month, but implementation faces major challenges such as the continued presence of troops from neighboring Eritrea. Analysts say that African leaders will be looking for Biden to make some major commitments during the summit, including announcing his first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa, efforts to bolster the continent’s economy through private sector investment and trade and more. Perhaps most importantly, it could be an opportunity for Biden to demonstrate that Africa is more than a battleground in its economic and military competition with Beijing and Moscow. “I do strongly believe that the United States is still seen as a superpower from the African perspective, but most African leaders do not want to align with its promotion of democracy,” said Abraham Kuol Nyuon, a political analyst and associate professor of political science at the University of Juba in South Sudan. “They need the support of America but not the system of America.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Biden aims to narrow trust gap with US-Africa leaders summit

policymakers, scientists, and other stakeholders from all over the world to deliberate on the changing nature of technology and geopolitics. During the summit, Deepak Bagla of Invest India speaks on India's recent FDI growth. Watch here.

Global Technology Summit: Deepak Bagla of Invest India speaks on India's recent FDI growth

<p>Underscoring the importance of bilateral ties with India, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday said that both India and the United Kingdom are ideally placed to use science, technology and digital leadership to meet challenges related to the security of emerging tech.<br />
"Emerging technologies are fundamentally reshaping our economies and our daily lives. It is also presenting new challenges to our values and security, which I spoke about at the UN Committee Security Council on counter-terrorism last month. India and the United Kingdom are ideally placed to use our science, technology and digital leadership to meet these challenges and maximize these opportunities,"&nbsp;he said while speaking virtually at the Global Technology summit here.</p>

<p>Hailing Bengaluru as the world's fastest-growing hub, Cleverly said that both India and United Kingdom believe in innovation as a force for good and to make Britain even more attractive in Tech Talent, the country is establishing its global tech development network in Bengaluru this year.</p>

<p>"Together, we are a formidable team. We top our region's ranking in the global innovation index. Bengaluru is the fastest-growing tech hub in the world. London is number two. Our two countries believe in innovation as a force for good. Last year, the UK attracted over a third of all the tech investment in Europe. India and UK have superb academic research base and four of the top 10 universities are found in the UK. The number of Indian students coming to the UK has more than doubled in the past three years. We want to make Britain even more attractive in tech talent. So, we are establishing our global tech development network in Bengaluru this year,"&nbsp;he said.</p>

<p>The minister further highlighted India and UK's research partnership and stressed upon the sinister side of the digital age that needs to be protected from crime.</p>

<p>"The UK is India's second largest research partner across 200 projects, 175 institutions and 100 companies and now we are increasing research and development funding to 20 billion pounds by 2025. We expect 1.5 billion pounds of digital services to India and India's tech giants like Tata and Infosys, to support over 30,000 UK jobs. We are already working in so many ways to mobilize technology in our shared struggle against disease and against climate change,"&nbsp;he said.</p>

<p>"But I also want to see democracies like ours address other challenges, the sinister side of the digital age. We have learned over the past 20 years that without the right values built in from the start, tech can create serious problems and there will be also those who will be seeing in each new opportunity or new innovation, a new opportunity for crime or repression. Just as we want to protect our natural world for children, so we need to ensure protect our digital world is free, safe and peaceful,"&nbsp;he added.</p>

<p>The seventh edition of Global Technology Summit is being held from Tuesday in New Delhi till December 1 in a hybrid format. The Summit is India's annual flagship event on Geotechnology and is co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and Carnegie India. The theme for this year's Summit is 'Geopolitics of Technology'. &nbsp;</p>


Underscoring the importance of bilateral ties with India, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday said that both India and the United Kingdom are ideally placed to use science, technology and digital leadership to meet challenges related to the security of emerging tech.

Underscoring the importance of bilateral ties with India, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday said that both India and the United Kingdom are ideally placed to use science, technology and digital leadership to meet challenges related to the security of emerging tech. "Emerging technologies are fundamentally reshaping our economies and our daily lives. It is also presenting new challenges to our values and security, which I spoke about at the UN Committee Security Council on counter-terrorism last month. India and the United Kingdom are ideally placed to use our science, technology and digital leadership to meet these challenges and maximize these opportunities," he said while speaking virtually at the Global Technology summit here. Hailing Bengaluru as the world's fastest-growing hub, Cleverly said that both India and United Kingdom believe in innovation as a force for good and to make Britain even more attractive in Tech Talent, the country is establishing its global tech development network in Bengaluru this year. "Together, we are a formidable team. We top our region's ranking in the global innovation index. Bengaluru is the fastest-growing tech hub in the world. London is number two. Our two countries believe in innovation as a force for good. Last year, the UK attracted over a third of all the tech investment in Europe. India and UK have superb academic research base and four of the top 10 universities are found in the UK. The number of Indian students coming to the UK has more than doubled in the past three years. We want to make Britain even more attractive in tech talent. So, we are establishing our global tech development network in Bengaluru this year," he said. The minister further highlighted India and UK's research partnership and stressed upon the sinister side of the digital age that needs to be protected from crime. "The UK is India's second largest research partner across 200 projects, 175 institutions and 100 companies and now we are increasing research and development funding to 20 billion pounds by 2025. We expect 1.5 billion pounds of digital services to India and India's tech giants like Tata and Infosys, to support over 30,000 UK jobs. We are already working in so many ways to mobilize technology in our shared struggle against disease and against climate change," he said. "But I also want to see democracies like ours address other challenges, the sinister side of the digital age. We have learned over the past 20 years that without the right values built in from the start, tech can create serious problems and there will be also those who will be seeing in each new opportunity or new innovation, a new opportunity for crime or repression. Just as we want to protect our natural world for children, so we need to ensure protect our digital world is free, safe and peaceful," he added. The seventh edition of Global Technology Summit is being held from Tuesday in New Delhi till December 1 in a hybrid format. The Summit is India's annual flagship event on Geotechnology and is co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and Carnegie India. The theme for this year's Summit is 'Geopolitics of Technology'.

India, UK ideally placed to meet challenges of digital world: UK Foreign Secretary

It seems that the world has to wait a little while longer for getting on the path towards catastrophe. To highlight the climate issues, the COP27 summit is extended for a day as negotiators seek to break a deadlock over creating a loss and damage fund.

WION Climate Tracker: Western nations take harsh stance at Summit

It is Day Two of the 17th G20 leader summit in Bali. India is all set to formally take the G20 presidency from Indonesia. With this India will be hosting the G20 summit in 2023. During the last day of the two days summit of G20, leaders participated in a tree-planting event

G20 talks enter final day: UK PM Sunak to meet Chinese President Jinping

"It is a significant moment for India, it will be chairing the grouping and the Presidency starts from December 1st. This is the first time that India will be the President of the grouping that essentially became a grouping of heads of government or states after the 2008 financial crisis," says WION reporter Sidhant Sibal reporting straight from Bali.

G20 summit: 'Significant moment for India,' PM Modi takes over G20 presidency

It is Day Two of the 17th G20 leader summit in Bali. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed a gathering at the summit. India is all set to formally take the G20 presidency from Indonesia. With this India will be hosting the G20 summit in 2023

Final day of G20 meet: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses summit

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