India and Russia look forward to PM Modi's visit to Moscow in early July
India and Russia are discussing the idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Moscow in early July to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to persons familiar with the subject.
If the visit goes forward, it will be Modi's first trip to Russia since 2019, as well as his first since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Putin last visited India in 2021 for the annual India-Russia Summit, which has not been held in the previous two years.
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for the Russian army leader and former defence minister.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Russia's former defence minister and military leader for allegedly striking civilian targets in Ukraine.
The Hague-based court said in a statement on Tuesday that warrants were issued because judges believed there were reasonable grounds to believe the men were responsible for "missile strikes carried out by the Russian armed forces against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure" between October 10, 2022, and at least March 9, 2023.
Ukraine has targeted around 30 Russian oil refineries and depots.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on June 24 that his government has targeted around 30 Russian oil processing and storage facilities.
This year, the Ukrainian military has increased attacks on Russian oil infrastructure in an effort to disrupt oil supplies to the Russian army and reduce Moscow's income used to fund its war against Ukraine.
Moldova takes a challenging step towards joining the EU.
Tuesday, June 25 will be a watershed moment for both Moldova and Ukraine, when the European Union begins years of negotiations to admit the two countries as new members.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu, a key proponent of European integration, has set 2030 as the target date for joining the EU, but her country faces a long and difficult road ahead.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg330w2x7g3o
Workers struggle in Bucharest as temperatures rise above 40 degrees.
Temperatures in Romania's capital city of Bucharest topped 35 degrees Celsius over the weekend, prompting city workers to adjust to the higher temperatures.
Employers took additional precautions to protect restaurant employees who were working in high temperatures.
Chef Justian Manea told Euronews: "It's about 50 degrees near the grill; I haven't counted. But we're okay; we're taking turns. We will make it through this heatwave."
PM Modi interacts with Kazakhstan's President.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday, and the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Modi expressed India's full support for the success of the upcoming SCO Summit in Astana and expressed confidence that Kazakhstan's leadership would significantly contribute to the advancement of regional cooperation during their phone conversation.
Read more: https://theprint.in/india/pm-modi-speaks-to-kazakhstans-president/2146887/
Tajikistan hijab ban: With 90% Muslim population, why was this decision made?
After years of unofficial restrictions on religious garb, the Tajik government has decided to formally prohibit the wearing of the hijab across the country.
The lower house of Parliament (the Majlisi Namoyandagon) passed the Bill on May 8, and the upper house (the Majlisi Milli) approved it on June 19, following the Eid celebrations. This move adds legal weight to President Emomali Rahmon's words, in which he referred to the hijab as "foreign clothing".
Read more: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/tajikistan-muslim-hijab-ban-9410457/
Russia plans to build a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan.
Russia will build a small nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, the first of its kind in post-Soviet Central Asia, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced at a meeting with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Monday, Putin announced that Russia would contribute $400 million to a $500 million joint investment fund to finance Uzbek enterprises.
Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/27/russia-to-build-nuclear-power-plant-in-uzbekistan
Education remains vulnerable to attack in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
In September 2022, at least 23 schools and kindergartens in southwestern Kyrgyzstan were targeted during a brief but severe border conflict between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Some schools were damaged by shrapnel, and at least one was utilised as a military base by Tajik troops. An estimated 140,000 people were displaced, therefore 53 other schools were transformed into shelters to house families.
According to the United Nations, 161 schools in the Batken and Osh areas were temporarily closed, causing more than 130,000 pupils to miss school, with some youngsters suffering from emotional trauma.
Read more: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/06/23/education-still-vulnerable-attack-kyrgyzstan-and-tajikistan
Why did Pakistani students get attacked in Kyrgyzstan?
More than 300 Pakistani students have fled Kyrgyzstan after a crowd attacked international student dorms in the Central Asian country's capital Bishkek last week, injuring some of them.
The incident began late on May 17 and lasted more than six hours, when hundreds of Kyrgyz people attacked international student dorms, injuring more than 30 individuals.
News Bits collected by [Region Head]:
Poulina Banerjee (BA IR 3rd year)
Drafted by:
Angel Chindalia (MA IR 2nd year)
Published by: Varsha Das (BA IR 3rd year)
