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India's foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is deeply rooted in the groundwork laid by his predecessors, Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Singh, who passed away recently, is credited with pivotal reforms in the 1990s, including the liberalisation of the economy and the 1998 nuclear tests at Pokhran, which positioned India as a responsible nuclear power. His tenure from 2004 saw significant diplomatic achievements, notably the landmark India-US civil nuclear agreement, facilitated by then Joint Secretary S. Jaishankar. Singh's policy of greater engagement with major powers like the US, Russia, and China marked a shift from non-alignment to a multi-polar world vision. Despite challenges, including tensions with Pakistan and China, Singh's legacy of strategic diplomacy laid the foundation for India's current global standing, which Modi continues to build upon, emphasizing India's role as a key player in international relations.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 5 ameznews.inIn a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers from Northwestern University have achieved quantum teleportation over standard fibre optic cables, paving the way for advanced communication technologies. This innovative process, led by Prem Kumar, involves the use of "quantum entanglement," allowing the instantaneous transfer of information between particles, regardless of distance. The team successfully managed light scattering to protect delicate quantum information from interference, enabling the teleportation of a quantum state of light in real-world conditions. Kumar described the achievement as a pathway to integrate quantum and classical networks on existing internet infrastructure, highlighting its potential to revolutionise computing with applications in secure encryption and global quantum computer connectivity. The development represents a substantial leap towards a quantum internet, capable of operating almost at the speed of light, thus opening new horizons for secure and efficient data transmission.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 10 pmeznews.inArgentina, once among the world's wealthiest nations, has faced a severe economic crisis for the past 25 years, culminating in the election of libertarian economist Javier Milei as president a year ago. Known for his radical views and controversial policies, Milei has implemented sweeping reforms, including slashing government spending by a third, cutting subsidies, and devaluing the peso by 54%. These measures have exacerbated poverty, with over 53% of Argentines now living below the poverty line, the highest level in 30 years. Despite the economic pain, Milei maintains stable approval ratings, largely due to his attacks on the political establishment. While some economic indicators show improvement, growth remains elusive, and the country still grapples with high inflation and capital controls. As opposition figures like former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner regain influence, the political landscape remains volatile, with Milei's future hinging on external financial support, particularly from the U.S. and the IMF.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 11 pmeznews.inFormer Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri fondly remembered late Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away in Delhi on Thursday at the age of 92. In an interview, Kasuri praised Singh for his dedication to fostering improved relations between Pakistan and India, highlighting his vision for a cooperative South Asian region. He recalled Singh's memorable aspiration of enjoying a meal across borders, which symbolized the potential for peace. Kasuri, who served as foreign minister from 2002 to 2007, noted the significant progress made during peace negotiations under Singh's leadership, including enhanced people-to-people contacts and a framework for addressing the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He expressed hope that Singh's family would one day visit his birthplace in Pakistan and extended condolences to them and the people of India. Singh, renowned for his role in India's economic reforms, is survived by his wife and three daughters.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 9 pmeznews.inLaura Loomer, a controversial right-wing influencer and staunch supporter of Donald Trump, has launched a fierce critique of Elon Musk, primarily regarding his push for greater immigration in the US tech sector. Taking to X, Loomer characterized Musk's collaboration with Vivek Ramaswamy on the "Department of Government Efficiency" as a mere "vanity project" and predicted a rift between Musk and Trump. Musk dismissed Loomer as a troll, but she escalated her attacks, employing racist and homophobic slurs while accusing him of being a "pawn of China" and suggesting he had "bought his way into MAGA." Loomer’s vehement opposition appears rooted in her anti-immigration stance, reflecting broader tensions within the MAGA movement. Meanwhile, Ramaswamy has also faced backlash from Trump loyalists for his cultural critiques, underscoring the fractious dynamics as Musk and Ramaswamy navigate the complexities of Trump’s political landscape.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 9 pmeznews.inA man responsible for a deadly car attack that claimed 35 lives in Zhuhai, southern China, was sentenced to death on Friday, according to state media. On November 11, 62-year-old Fan Weiqiu drove his SUV into a group of people exercising outside a sports complex, marking the deadliest such incident in China since 2014. Following the attack, he was apprehended at the scene with self-inflicted knife wounds and subsequently fell into a coma. During the trial, Fan admitted guilt in front of victims' families, with the court describing his motives as "extremely vile" and the consequences of his actions as "particularly severe." The court noted that Fan's attack stemmed from personal issues, including a broken marriage and dissatisfaction over divorce settlements. This incident is part of a troubling trend of mass casualty events in China, raising concerns about public safety amid economic frustrations and societal stratification.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 7 pmeznews.inChina has imposed sanctions on seven US companies in response to Washington's recent approval of a $571.3 million military aid package to Taiwan, which Beijing deems a violation of its sovereignty. The US, under President Joe Biden, authorized this drawdown last week, prompting China's foreign ministry to condemn the move as interference in its internal affairs. The sanctions, effective immediately, will freeze the assets of US defense firms including Insitu and Raytheon's subsidiaries in Canada and Australia, while prohibiting these companies from conducting business with Chinese entities. Beijing's actions come amid heightened tensions, as it has conducted multiple military drills since Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te took office in May. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning warned that US support for Taiwan would have negative repercussions, asserting that China would take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security interests.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 8 pmeznews.inOpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, announced plans to transition to a for-profit public benefit corporation (PBC) as it seeks to attract more investment. Founded as a non-profit in 2015, OpenAI has operated as a "capped" for-profit entity, but now aims to restructure to better balance shareholder and stakeholder interests while pursuing public benefits. The company cited the need for substantial capital to compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, where major firms are investing billions. This shift comes amid scrutiny following a tumultuous boardroom incident in late 2023, where CEO Sam Altman was briefly ousted, leading to staff unrest and his eventual reinstatement. New investors are pushing for a more traditional corporate model within two years, though OpenAI may face legal challenges, including a request from Elon Musk to halt the conversion. The non-profit arm will continue to focus on charitable initiatives in healthcare.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 8 pmeznews.inA passenger on the Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, which crashed in Kazakhstan, described hearing a loud bang as the plane approached Grozny, Russia. The aircraft, which was carrying 67 people, went down in flames near Aktau after diverting from its intended route, resulting in at least 38 fatalities and 29 survivors. Subhonkul Rakhimov recounted the harrowing moments during the crash, noting the plane's erratic behaviour post-bang, likening it to being "drunk." Preliminary investigations suggest that Russian air defences may have mistakenly shot down the plane, a claim Russia has yet to officially confirm, pending a thorough investigation. In response to the incident, Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended several flights to Russian cities, citing "physical and technical external interference" as a potential cause. Russia's aviation authority indicated the captain had been given alternative landing options but opted for Aktau.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 8 pmeznews.inResearchers in California and Washington state have recently enacted bans on octopus farming, reflecting growing concerns about the welfare of cephalopods, a class of highly intelligent marine invertebrates. This follows increasing evidence of their cognitive abilities, which may be comparable to those of vertebrates. The common octopus, for instance, possesses around 500 million neurons, with significant learning capabilities demonstrated through behavioral tests. Critics argue against octopus farming due to potential environmental impacts and ethical considerations, urging that these creatures deserve humane treatment akin to that afforded to other animals. As scientists continue to explore cephalopod intelligence, calls for regulations governing their care are gaining traction, with guidelines emerging in the EU and potential actions considered by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The discourse surrounding cephalopod welfare marks a new frontier in animal rights, prompting deeper reflections on intelligence and moral consideration across species.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 8 pmeznews.inRussian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness on Thursday to a Slovakian proposal for hosting peace talks with Ukraine, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. During a meeting with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, a critic of EU military support for Ukraine, Putin welcomed Slovakia's neutral stance and its willingness to facilitate negotiations. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar described Putin's comments as a "positive signal" for peace, emphasizing Slovakia's commitment to a diplomatic resolution. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has voiced concerns over Fico's pro-Russian rhetoric since his election in 2023. Despite Putin's willingness to discuss peace, he reiterated Russia's determination to achieve its objectives in Ukraine and mentioned the potential use of the new Oreshnik hypersonic missile, asserting that Russia is prepared to deploy more powerful weapons if deemed necessary.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 6 pm
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