Sweden Becomes 38th Signatory to the Artemis Accords
NASA welcomed Sweden as the 38th country to sign the Artemis Accords. The accords are a series of non-binding arrangements aimed at setting down norms to be followed in outer space.
The Artemis Accords were initially announced by NASA and the US Department of State in 2020 and it now has 38 signatories, including India and Japan. It provides for the implementation of key obligations from the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and reinforces commitment to the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement and also best practices of responsible behaviour, including the public release of scientific data.
The Artemis Accords come at a time when a new space race is heating up but this time, with different members. While the United States continues to maintain its leading edge in space exploration, China is catching up quickly. While Russia has inherited the position of the Soviet Union, it is failing to replicate the success of its predecessor and this was made clear during the failure of the Luna-25 mission and with many issues on Russian sections of the International Space Station.
India Fourth in Military Spending Globally: SIPRI
India was the fourth largest military spender globally in 2023, according the latest report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a leading conflict think-tank. At $83.6 billion, the country's military expenditure was 4.2 per cent higher than in 2022.
As per the report, the 10 largest spenders in 2023, led by the United States, China and Russia, all increased their military spending.
The largest percentage increase in military spending by any country in 2023 was seen in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Apr 22, 2024
G7 Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting in Capri
Group of Seven foreign ministers met on the Italian resort island of Capri, with the agenda topped by calls for targeted new sanctions against Iran over its attack against Israel and more aid to Ukraine to fight Russia's war.
Under Italy's stewardship of the rotating presidency, the G7 leaders issued a united call for Israel to exercise restraint after Iran's unprecedented weekend attack involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles fired toward the Jewish state.
Maldives parliamentary Polls: 'Supermajority' Win for Pro-China Leader's Party
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's party secured a "supermajority" in Parliament by winning over 60 seats in a crucial parliamentary election, seen as a litmus test for the pro-Beijing politician whose policies are being closely watched by both India and China amidst regional power dynamics.
A total of 368 candidates were in the fray, including 130 independent candidates, 10 candidates from Jumhoory Party (JP), 39 from The Democrats, Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) 4, Adhaalath Party (AP) 4, and Maldives National Party (MNP) 2 nominees.
Apr 21, 2024
Indian Envoy to Austria Joins International Atomic Energy Agency
The Indian ambassador to Austria, Shambhu Kumaran, joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, welcomed him and stressed that India is a key partner in all their initiatives.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an intergovernmental organisation that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. It was established in 1957 as an autonomous organisation within the United Nations system; though governed by its own founding treaty, the organisation reports to both the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations, and is headquartered at the UN Office at Vienna, Austria.
Rafael Grossi is the current (as in April 2024) Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The IAEA has 178 member states (as in April 2024).
Apr 20, 2024
International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan: Rallying Support amidst Crisis
The devastating conflict in Sudan plunged the nation into a profound humanitarian crisis, prompting the international community to take swift action. The French capital, Paris, hosted an International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries, organised in response to the United Nations' funding appeal in February 2024.
The conference was a collaborative effort by France, Germany, and the European Union, bringing together ministers and representatives from over 58 states, including neighbouring and regional countries, as well as donors. Representatives from various regional organisations, such as the African Union, United Nations programs and agencies, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Arab Development Bank, participated in the event. Additionally, around 50 international and Sudanese NGOs were present, underscoring the global commitment to addressing this crisis.
At the Paris conference, international donors announced a staggering pledge of more than 2 billion euros, with the European Union and its members contributing around 900 million euros. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Sudan requires at least $2.7 billion this year to provide food, healthcare, and other essential supplies to 24 million people, nearly half of the country's population of 51 million.
Prez Xi Launches Information Support Force, a New Wing of Chinese Military
Chinese President Xi Jinping launched an Information Support Force (ISF), a new wing of the People's Liberation Army, which will be a strategic branch, a key pillar and a vital power in modern warfare for the world's largest military.
Xi who also heads the Central Military Commission (CMC), the overall high command of the Chinese military, besides heading the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Presidency, said that the establishment of the Information Support Force (ISF) is a major decision made by the CPC and the CMC in light of the overall need of building a strong military.
The Information Support Force (ISF) was regarded as the revised version of the PLA's Strategic Support Force (SSF), established in 2015 by the Chinese military to deal with space, cyber, political and electronic warfare to fight what was described as "informationised wars".
Apr 19, 2024
Kuwait's New Prime Minister: Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
Kuwait's Emir has appointed Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as the new Prime Minister following the resignation of Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. Sheikh Ahmad, born in 1952, brings extensive experience in finance and government, having held various ministerial positions.
Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, born in 1952, holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a focus on Finance from the University of Illinois. He has a notable career history, including roles at Kuwait's Finance Center and the Central Bank of Kuwait. Additionally, he served as chairman of the board for Burgan Bank before assuming several ministerial positions, such as Minister of Finance, Minister of Communications, Minister of Planning, Minister of State for Administrative Affairs, Minister of Health, and Minister of Oil.
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