Author: Saanika.S

Violent Clashes Erupt in Nairobi and Beyond Kenya: In Nairobi, on June 25, chaotic scenes unfolded as protests against a proposed tax bill escalated into violence. Demonstrators, angered by the potential tax increases, overwhelmed police forces and attempted to storm the parliamentary compound. Reports indicated that at least five individuals were killed when police opened fire on the protesters. Damage to the parliament building was visible, with parts of it set ablaze, as shown by footage from Citizen TV. Similar protests and clashes occurred across various cities and towns in Kenya, with demonstrators calling for President William Ruto’s resignation and…

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron issued a stark warning on Monday about the potential consequences of a victory for either the far left or far right in the upcoming snap parliamentary election. Macron cautioned that such outcomes could ignite a “civil war” due to the divisive policies pursued by both ends of the political spectrum. In a candid interview with the podcast “Generation Do It Yourself,” Macron criticized the far-left France Unbowed party and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally for promoting agendas that exacerbate tensions among various communities. He expressed concern that these strategies threaten the social fabric…

The atmosphere in the Lok Sabha on the first day of its 18th session was markedly different from the previous decade. The opposition, now stronger in numbers and more vocal, made its presence felt both inside and outside the House. The BJP, which had previously left the new Parliament building in February with high spirits and chants of “Ab ki baar 400 paar,” found itself somewhat subdued, with only a brief moment of enthusiasm when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, elected for a third consecutive term, took his oath amid chants of “Modi Modi.” Reflecting on Past Wins and Present Strength…

Remembering the Victims On Sunday, the Indian embassies in Ottawa and Toronto observed the 39th anniversary of the Kanishka bombing, a solemn occasion marking the loss of 329 lives. Among the victims were 86 children, making it one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in the history of civil aviation. The tragedy of Air India Flight 182, commonly referred to as the Kanishka bombing, continues to be a somber reminder of the horrors of terrorism. Commemoration in Canada High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma led the commemoration in Ottawa, paying tribute to the victims of the “cowardly terrorist bombing.” The High…

A Nationwide Outcry for Women’s Rights France: On Sunday, cities across France witnessed thousands of women taking to the streets to protest against Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN). The demonstrations, organized by around 200 women’s rights groups and unions, reflected growing concerns over the potential impact of a far-right government on women’s rights. With parliamentary elections on the horizon, the protests underscored a significant moment of political and social tension. Mobilization Across French Cities In Paris alone, more than 10,000 women demonstrated peacefully, according to organizers. Similar protests were held in numerous other cities, highlighting a widespread sentiment…

In a significant move, the European Union on Friday, June 21, officially sanctioned the initiation of accession discussions with Ukraine and Moldova, marking a milestone in the countries’ journey towards EU membership. Negotiations to Commence Next Week Officials have indicated that the negotiations will commence in Luxembourg on Tuesday afternoon, beginning with Ukraine and then proceeding with Moldova. Both countries submitted their applications to join the 27-nation EU following Russia’s invasion in 2022. This step signifies the beginning of a formal process that has been anticipated since the conflict underscored the strategic importance of integrating these nations into the European…

Hanoi, Vietnam — Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Vietnam on Wednesday night after a brief visit to North Korea. This trip to a longstanding ally highlights Vietnam’s growing geopolitical influence and Russia’s effort to show it is not entirely isolated despite Western sanctions. Analysts believe Putin’s visit to Vietnam is a strategic move to demonstrate his influence in the East, even as the West isolates him. The Kremlin confirmed that Communist-led Vietnam would host Putin for a two-day visit. Why Vietnam? Unlike the isolated North Korea, where Putin met with leader Kim Jong Un, Vietnam is actively sought after…

Historical Origins of Panda Diplomacy Pandas, indigenous to China, have long served as emblems of friendship and goodwill, leading to the term “panda diplomacy” for China’s practice of gifting these animals to other nations. This tradition originated with the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. A notable early example took place in 1957 when China gifted a panda named Ping Ping to the Soviet Union to honor the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution. This gesture was among the initial steps in China’s strategy to use pandas as diplomatic tools, symbolizing goodwill and strengthening ties with other…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken the significant step of dissolving his six-member war cabinet, according to multiple reports on Monday. This decision came in the wake of the resignation of Benny Gantz, the only centrist member of the cabinet. The move has been seen as a response to the mounting pressure from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, who have been advocating for a restructured war cabinet that aligns more closely with their policies and perspectives. Resignation of Centrist Leads to Cabinet Dissolution Benny Gantz, a former general and the sole centrist in the war cabinet, officially resigned last week.…

Sanctions Imposed by the US The United States has sanctioned the far-right Israeli group Tsav 9, accusing it of violent actions against humanitarian aid convoys heading to Gaza. These sanctions, enacted under an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in February, aim to address threats to stability in the West Bank and hinder peace efforts. The US State Department has labeled Tsav 9 as a “violent, extremist Israeli group” for blocking aid convoys, attacking trucks, and worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Emergence of Tsav 9 Tsav 9, also referred to as Tzav 9, was established in January…