UK To Declare Iran's Revolutionary Guard as "Terror Group"
As per reports, Britain will officially declare Iran's Revolutionary Guard, which has arrested seven people with links to the United Kingdom over anti-government protests, as a terrorist group.
The move, which will be announced within weeks, is supported by Britain's security minister, Tom Tugendhat, and Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Proscribing Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group would mean that it would become a criminal offence to belong to the group, attend its meetings, and carry its logo in public.
Jan 02, 2023
Croatia Now Fully Integrated EU Member
At the stroke of midnight on December 31, Croatia switched to the shared European currency, the euro, and removed dozens of border checkpoints and joined the world's largest passport-free travel area. Croats are now among almost 420 million people who are free to roam its 27 member countries without passports for work or leisure.
Adopting the euro likewise offers Croatia the benefits stemming from deeper financial ties with the currency's 19 other users and with the European Central Bank. It also made travelling and doing business easier, removing the hassle of currency exchange for Croats going abroad and for tens of thousands of tourists who visit their country each year for work or to enjoy its stunning Adriatic coastline.
Lula Sworn in as Brazil's President
Leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in as President of Brazil under tightened security in the capital Brasilia.
Lula had narrowly defeated Bolsonaro in October 2022 to win an unprecedented third presidential term after a hiatus that saw him spend a year and a half behind bars on corruption convictions that were later overturned. Now, he faces the daunting challenge of improving Brazil's stagnant economy while also uniting a country that has become polarised under Bolsonaro.
Jan 01, 2023
Israel's Netanyahu Sworn In As Prime Minister for 3rd Term
Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israel's Prime Minister following a vote in parliament that brought in the most right-wing government in the country's history.
Netanyahu was sworn in a few minutes after his new government was approved, with 63 deputies out of 120 voting in favour of the administration.
Netanyahu formed his government after signing agreements with ultra-Orthodox parties and parties from the far right.
NATO Chief Calls for more Weapons for Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on NATO member states to supply more weapons to Ukraine.
As per Stoltenberg, it was perhaps even more important that Ukraine receive enough ammunition for the systems already in place, adding that the need for ammunition and spare parts was enormous.
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in an address to a group of Western leaders asked for a wide range of weapons and air defence systems to help efforts to counter the Russian invasion.
Dec 31, 2022
US Vice-President Kamala Harris Names Indian-American to National Space Council Advisory Group
Vice President Kamala Harris named Indian American Rajeev Badyal to a key national space advisory group, which is tasked to maintain a robust and responsible US space enterprise and preserve space for current and future generations.
Badyal, vice-president of Project Kuiper of Amazon, is among the 30 space experts named by Harris to the National Space Council's Users Advisory Group (UAG).
Harris named US Air Force Rtd General Lester Lyles as chair of the UAG.
Previously he was the vice president of satellites at SpaceX.
Dec 30, 2022
Philippines President Marcos Seeks Agreements in China amid Tensions
Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hopes to sign a number of agreements during a visit to Beijing next week that comes amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
As per a statement from the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, a number of projects were under discussion, including in agriculture, renewable energy, nickel processing, tourism, and bridge construction.
China accounts for 20 per cent of the Philippines' foreign trade and is also a major source of foreign direct investment.