BRICS

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host his Iranian counterpart for bilateral talks focusing on energy and connectivity concerns, including stranded LPG tankers and Chabahar port operations. This meeting, occurring during the BRICS foreign ministers' gathering, aims to address regional conflicts and foster cooperation among member states.

BRICS foreign ministers are struggling to agree on a joint statement concerning West Asia. Tensions flared between the UAE and Iran during the meeting. Iran accused the UAE of direct involvement in aggression. India's External Affairs Minister stressed the importance of consensus for new members. The outcome of the meeting remains uncertain.

Iran accused the UAE of direct military involvement in attacks against Tehran during a BRICS meeting, escalating tensions. Tehran claims Abu Dhabi facilitated aggression and warned of retaliation against facilities aiding US or Israeli operations. This dispute complicates efforts to finalize a joint BRICS communique.

But another Iran-US flare-up could hit plan

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized "unilateral coercive measures" and sanctions, stating they disproportionately harm developing nations and cannot replace diplomacy. He also voiced concern over the West Asia crisis, emphasizing the need for uninterrupted maritime traffic and a sustained ceasefire in Gaza, advocating for a two-state solution.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has denied any cooperation agreement with Russian Athletics, stating no Russian athletes will compete in India while World Athletics sanctions remain. This clarification follows Russian Athletics' announcement of an agreement, which had raised concerns within the global athletics community. AFI emphasized that any discussions were informal and no formal pact was signed.

RBI is not alone in repatriating its gold reserves. Several central banks like France’s Banque de France, Germany’s Deutsche Bundesbank, Serbia’s National Bank have done the same - buy why?

India's Athletics Federation has signed a cooperation deal with Russia, potentially allowing Russian athletes to compete in domestic Indian meets. This comes despite global bans on Russian athletes due to the Ukraine conflict. The agreement also includes joint training and coaching exchanges, aligning with India's neutral foreign policy stance.

Iran and the US remain locked in a standoff, with Iran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz and the US imposing a naval blockade. Both actions disrupt global commons, while escalating rhetoric and social media influence commodity prices worldwide. India, heavily reliant on regional energy flows, faces significant economic fallout from this 'dual blockade'.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's public appearances with 22-year-old model Aliya Korotkaya have sparked widespread discussion. Korotkaya, a former beauty pageant contestant, has been seen with the long-serving leader at various events, leading to media speculation about their relationship. Her professional ties to a state-funded beauty school further connect her to official circles.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on Donald Trump's derogatory remarks about India. Kharge questioned Modi's stance, highlighting India's contributions to the US and alleging that the government has failed to protect national interests in past dealings with the US.

India has finally mapped its own DNA and what it found could change medicine for a billion people.