New Delhi

In the latest, PM Modi has landed in Paris and expressed his delight for visiting French President Emmanuel Macron and having in-depth conversations about how to move this long-standing and successful alliance forward over the next 25 years. This marks a marks a significant milestone in the strengthening relationship between India and France. In Jakarta, Indonesia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's top diplomat Wang Yi met for the second time in as many months. During discussions in Jakarta, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed to China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, that the United States will ensure that hackers are held responsible for alleged breaches of US government agencies. In other news, the first ever over-the-counter birth control pill has been approved by the US, making it possible for women and young girls to purchase contraceptives at the relevant retail location without having to present a prescription.

Advertisment

Click on the headlines to read more.

French Connection: 6 reasons why France is India's top partner in Europe

Advertisment

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to France to attend the Bastille Day parade marks a significant milestone in the strengthening relationship between India and France. This is the second time that an Indian leader has been invited as the 'Guest of Honour' to the parade, which is a major event in the French national calendar.

Blinken draws the line: Meets top Chinese diplomat, pledges to hold hackers 'accountable'

Advertisment

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's top diplomat Wang Yi embarked on talks in Jakarta, Indonesia, marking their second meeting in consecutive months.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) discussions, reported AFP.

While the two officials exchanged greetings without addressing reporters, their encounter occurred shortly after Microsoft reported a recent breach of US government email accounts by Chinese hackers, including those of the State Department.

Thailand’s winning candidate Pita Limjaroenrat loses parliamentary vote to become PM

Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Thailand’s pro-reform party which won the most seats in May’s election, on Thursday failed to get the desire majority vote in the parliament to become the next prime minister.

The 42-year-old, who heads the Move Forward part, could not muster up the support due to host of abstentions and votes against him.

Soon, American women will be able to buy birth control pills without prescription

US approved the first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill following which the women and young girls in the United States will be able to buy contraceptive medication without showing prescription at the concerned retail outlet. 

The US Food and Drug Administration's decision specifically pertains to Opill. This particular pill belongs to an older class of contraceptives, known as minipills, which contain a single synthetic hormone and generally have fewer side effects than the more commonly used combination hormone pills.

'Success is possible': UNAIDS insists 'end of AIDS' is still possible by 2030, urges global action

The United Nations agency UNAIDS on Thursday reaffirmed that "the end of AIDS" is still possible by 2030, but emphasised the need for leaders to seize the opportunity and take decisive action.

To achieve this goal, UNAIDS outlined a roadmap that includes increased investment, evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies, and addressing the inequalities that hinder progress.

BBC director-general Tim Davie to face parliament questioning over Huw Edwards controversy

BBC Director-General Tim Davie is set to face questioning in UK Parliament regarding the corporation's leadership following the recent controversy surrounding newsreader Huw Edwards.

Davie, along with acting chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens and policy director Clare Sumner, will appear before the Lords Communications Committee on Tuesday to address concerns about the BBC's governance arrangements and how it is addressing them.

Top Russian spy confirms phone call to CIA director following Wagner revolt

In a recent phone call, Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's foreign intelligence service (SVR), and Bill Burns, the head of the CIA, discussed the short-lived mutiny led by Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and deliberated on the situation in Ukraine.

The call took place late last month and lasted approximately an hour. While the events of the mutiny were addressed, the primary focus of the conversation revolved around Ukraine, reported the Guardian.

Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, EU Parliament slams India over Manipur violence, New Delhi retorts

On the day Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in France to kick off his two-day visit, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the ruling government over the Manipur violence and urged them to protect the rights of the minorities.

“MEPs [Members of the European Parliament] call on the Indian authorities to allow independent investigations to look into the violence, to tackle impunity and to lift the internet ban,” the legislators in the resolution stated.

India approves purchase of 26 Rafale jets, 3 Scorpene submarines from France

Indian defence ministry on Thursday (July 13) approved plans to purchase 26 Rafale fighter aircraft and three Scorpene class conventional submarines for the Indian Navy from France. The formal announcement for the deals will most likely be made during Prime Minister Modi's visit to France. 

Russians scrambled to withdraw hundred billion rubles during Wagner's mutiny

Russians scrambled to banks after Wagner mercenary group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin launched an offensive against Moscow's military leadership last month. A total of 100 billion rubles (approximately $1.1 billion) were withdrawn from the banks during the three-day period between June 23-June 25 when Wagner forces were moving towards Moscow.