India and China are among the 22 nations chosen to constitute a special UN body entrusted with creating internationally regarded guidelines on the usage of critical mineral value chains essential to reducing global warming and making the switch to cleaner fuels.
Chinese marine research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 returned to the Maldives on Thursday for the second time in two months. The advanced research vessel is docked at the harbour of Thilafushi industrial island. During the vessel’s earlier visit, Maldivian Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon assured that the vessel would not conduct any research in the island nation's waters.
Indian destroyer INS Kochi came to the rescue of India-bound vessel Andromeda Star, targeted by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saturday. The attack caused minor damage to the oil tanker, which had 30 crew members, including 22 Indians, on board. The ship was on its way from Russia’s Primorsk to India’s Vadinar.
The Kremlin shrugged off US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China, where the American diplomat voiced apprehensions regarding Chinese backing for Russia's military actions in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasised China’s sovereignty and ability to safeguard its interests. He reiterated that China remains a close partner to Russia and that both nations are committed to further enhancing their cooperation.
The Solomon Islands’ two main opposition parties formed a coalition after a recent election failed to produce a clear winner. PM Manasseh Sogavare’s OUR party secured 15 seats, while the opposition CARE coalition, with 13 seats, allied with Peter Kenilorea Jr’s United party to reach 20 seats. The coalition has not chosen a prime ministerial candidate yet.
On Monday, the director of North Korea’s Ministry of National Defence’s Department of Foreign Military Affairs condemned the US for supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine. “The US has secretly provided long-range missiles to Ukraine, causing apprehension and worry in the international community,” the director said. The director emphasised that the US would not defeat the Russian army and people with any advanced weaponry or military assistance.