Global News This Week #23 | NFWorld Latest News
Russia-N.Korea Meet | IIT Abu Dhabi Campus | Hirsh Vardhan Singh | Taiwan Military | Japanese Population
Check out the Top 5 Prime Global News of this Week in the NFWorld Latest News Section below. In this section, you can read the weekly summary of interesting and important World News around the globe.
Russia’s Defense Minister’s Visit to North Korea Raises Concerns
On a rare trip to Pyongyang, Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s Defense Minister, has sparked concerns about the country’s intentions. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States believes Shoigu’s visit is aimed at securing supplies of weapons to aid the stalled invasion of Ukraine.
Desperate Move to Procure Arms
According to Blinken, Russia is scrambling to buy arms from various allies worldwide as it continues its aggression against Ukraine. He dismissed the possibility of Shoigu’s visit being a mere holiday, indicating that Russia is actively seeking support and weaponry to further its military campaign.
Seeking Assistance from Unconventional Allies
Amid increasing isolation on the global stage, Russia appears to be seeking assistance from unconventional allies to bolster its military capabilities. The visit to North Korea comes in the context of Russia’s efforts to secure additional weaponry from countries like Iran, which has provided drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Meeting with North Korean Leader
During his visit to North Korea, Shoigu met with the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, in what was described as “a friendly talk” by Pyongyang’s state media. Russia and North Korea have maintained friendly relations historically, and this visit signals a potential strengthening of ties between the two nations.
Concerns Over Implications for Regional Security
Russia’s attempts to procure weapons from various sources raise concerns about the implications for regional security. The situation has caught the attention of the international community, and the United States remains vigilant about the potential risks associated with Russia’s military endeavours.
Russia’s Defense Minister’s visit to North Korea has raised eyebrows, with the United States expressing concerns about Russia’s intentions in securing arms to support its aggression in Ukraine. The situation warrants close monitoring as it may have implications for regional security and stability.
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US Announces $345 Million Military Aid for Taiwan
The Biden administration has announced a significant military aid package of $345 million for Taiwan, marking the first major use of America’s own stockpiles to help the island counter China. The package will include defence, education, and training support for Taiwan’s security and deterrence efforts.
Aiding Taiwan’s Defense Efforts
The aid package includes a range of military equipment, such as man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), intelligence and surveillance capabilities, firearms, and missiles. The US lawmakers have been pushing for the swift delivery of weapons to Taiwan to strengthen its defences against potential Chinese aggression.
Counterbalancing China’s Threat
The primary goals of this aid are to help Taiwan counter China’s military assertiveness and deter China from considering an invasion by increasing the cost of such aggression.
Chinese Reaction
Chinese diplomats have protested the US move, viewing it as a threat to China’s sovereignty claims over Taiwan. However, Taiwan’s trade office in Washington welcomed the aid, expressing gratitude for the US commitment to its security.
Presidential Authority for Swift Delivery
Unlike previous military sales that faced supply chain issues, this aid comes from US military stockpiles, approved by Congress last year. This ensures faster delivery of weapons to Taiwan without waiting for new production and sales.
US Policy on Taiwan
While the US maintains a “One China” policy and does not formally recognize Taiwan as an independent country, it is bound by law to provide credible defence support to the island and treat threats to Taiwan with grave concern.
Learning from Ukraine’s Example
The US is applying the lessons learned from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of providing weapons to Taiwan before any potential conflict. Supplying weapons after an attack would be complicated due to Taiwan’s island geography.
China’s Intimidation Tactics
China regularly sends warships and planes into the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan’s air defence identification zone to intimidate the island and weaken its military capabilities.
China’s Opposition to US-Taiwan Ties
China firmly opposes US military ties with Taiwan and demands an end to arms sales to the island, citing potential tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
The announced military aid package is expected to bolster Taiwan’s defence capabilities and reaffirm the US commitment to the island’s security amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
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Japanese Population Declines at Fastest Pace
The number of Japanese people has experienced the fastest decline ever, with the population falling for the 14th consecutive year. Resident registration data as of January 1, 2023, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, revealed that the number of Japanese nationals decreased by approximately 800,000 people to 122.42 million. This decline highlights the ageing nature of Japanese society, impacting all 47 prefectures.
Rise in Foreign Residents
In contrast, the number of foreign nationals residing in Japan reached a record high of 2.99 million, representing a substantial 10.7% increase from the previous year. This surge in foreign residents, the largest year-on-year increase recorded in a decade, indicates their growing significance in compensating for the shrinking Japanese population.
Government’s Efforts to Address the Issue
The Japanese government is actively addressing the demographic challenge by seeking various solutions. One strategy involves maximizing the employment of women and the elderly to secure a stable workforce. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno emphasized labour market reforms as a way to achieve this goal.
Prime Minister’s Focus on Reversing the Birth Rate Decline
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has prioritized reversing the declining birth rate as a crucial objective. Despite facing high levels of debt, the government plans to allocate 3.5 trillion yen (approximately $25 billion) annually for childcare and other measures supporting parents.
Importance of Foreign Workers
Public think tanks in Tokyo highlighted the necessity of an increased number of foreign workers to achieve the government’s economic growth forecasts. They estimated that Japan would require about four times as many foreign workers by 2040.
Impact of Population Changes in Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, boasts the highest number of foreign residents, totalling 581,112 individuals, making up approximately 4.2% of the city’s population.
The newly released data underscores the critical demographic shifts occurring in Japan and emphasizes the vital role foreign residents play in the country’s workforce and society.
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Indian-American Engineer Announces White House Bid
Hirsh Vardhan Singh, an Indian-American engineer who Announces the White House Bid, has declared his candidacy for the 2024 US presidential election, joining the crowded field of Republican candidates. Singh is the third person of Indian descent to run for the White House after Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy.
An “America First” Conservative
In a video message on Twitter, Singh, a “lifelong Republican” and “America First” conservative, emphasized the need for strong leadership to restore American values. He aims to reverse the changes of the past few years.
Officially Filed Candidacy
On Thursday, Singh filed his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, taking a formal step in his presidential bid.
Challenging a Crowded Field
Singh will face tough competition within the Republican Party, including former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Additionally, former President Donald Trump is leading in the race for the Republican Party’s nomination despite ongoing legal challenges.
The “Only Pureblood Candidate”
Singh referred to himself as the “only pureblood candidate” due to his stance against COVID vaccinations. However, this assertion may spark controversy and debates in the political landscape.
Previous Attempts in Politics
Prior to his presidential bid, Singh ran in several Republican primaries for different offices, including governor, House seat, and Senate seat, but was not successful in securing the party’s nomination.
A Long-Shot Candidate
Singh joins other long-shot candidates in the presidential race, with several individuals seeking the Republican Party’s nomination.
National Convention in 2024
Republicans will gather for their national convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July 2024 to officially nominate their presidential candidate.
Hirsh Vardhan Singh’s announcement to run for the US presidency adds to the diverse field of Republican candidates. As the third person of Indian descent in the race, his candidacy will bring attention to the 2024 presidential election.
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Part of ‘Go Global’ IIT Delhi Establishing Abu Dhabi Campus
IIT Delhi, one of India’s premier educational institutions, is gearing up to establish a new campus in Abu Dhabi, showcasing its commitment to global outreach. This initiative, known as the ‘IITs Go Global’ campaign, aims to expand the influence and expertise of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) beyond national borders. Following IIT Madras’ Zanzibar campus, the Abu Dhabi campus will be the second international campus of an IIT.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony
The momentous signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, further emphasizing the significance of this endeavour. This event marked the official establishment of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) campus in Abu Dhabi, solidifying the partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Fostering Friendship and Mutual Prosperity
The IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus will not only serve as a centre of educational excellence but also as a symbol of the strong friendship and collaboration between India and the UAE. This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) and is in line with the vision shared by both nations to foster mutual prosperity and contribute to global progress.
Course Offerings and Timelines
The Abu Dhabi campus is expected to offer a diverse range of educational programs, with Master’s courses scheduled to commence in January 2024 and Bachelor’s courses in September of the following year. These programs will provide students with opportunities for academic growth and development.
Strengthening IIT Delhi’s Commitment to Excellence
The establishment of an international campus in Abu Dhabi further strengthens IIT Delhi’s commitment to excellence and innovation. This move reflects the institution’s dedication to expanding its educational footprint globally and providing students with access to world-class education.
Joint Vision Statement and Selection Process
The decision to establish an IIT campus in the UAE was announced in August 2022, building upon the joint vision statement issued by India and the UAE earlier that year. While several countries expressed interest in hosting IIT campuses, IIT Delhi was chosen due to its previous interest in setting up campuses in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, highlighting its readiness to undertake this significant endeavour.
Promoting Academic Excellence & Global Exchange
This initiative exemplifies the collaborative spirit and shared commitment of both India and the UAE in promoting academic excellence and fostering global educational exchange. By establishing the Abu Dhabi campus, IIT Delhi aims to contribute to the development of both nations and enhance their standing in the international educational landscape.
IIT Madras’ Zanzibar Campus
IIT Delhi’s initiative in Abu Dhabi follows the recent milestone achieved by IIT Madras in establishing a campus in Zanzibar. Notably, the Zanzibar campus will be led by a woman, Director-in-Charge Preeti Aghalayam, highlighting the IITs’ dedication to diversity and inclusivity. These efforts demonstrate the institutions’ valuable contributions to national and international development.
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