Author: Aadarsh Satwant

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 jolted the Nicobar Islands, India region at 07:46:15 GMT on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The epicenter, with a depth of 10.0 km, was initially determined to be at 9.0648 degrees north latitude and 94.0249 degrees east longitude

Indonesia plans to intensify talks with China and other Southeast Asian countries to finalize a code of conduct (COC) for the disputed South China Sea, its foreign minister said on Saturday, amid escalating tensions in the strategic waterway. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi was speaking in Jakarta at the close of a meeting between foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the 10-member regional bloc chaired by Indonesia this year. “ASEAN’s outlook on the Indo-Pacific was central to the discussion,” she said. “We also discussed about the COC, the commitment of members to conclude the negotiation of the…

A Chinese fighter plane flew within 20 feet (6 meters) of a US Air Force reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea in what the US Indo-Pacific Command called “an unsafe maneuver.” The unusually close encounter happened on Dec. 21 but wasn’t disclosed until Thursday, when the command issued a statement after verifying the details and getting approval to declassify images including a video. The US RC-135 “was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace” when the Chinese pilot “flew an unsafe maneuver by flying in front of and within 20 feet of the nose…

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is heading to the US on Sunday to meet President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as the three nations unveil the next phase of the AUKUS nuclear submarine program, a security partnership meant to counter China. The decision on how to move ahead will be announced Monday when the three leaders meet in San Diego. The plan will take years to produce its first vessel, probably necessitating stopgap measures, according to people familiar with the discussions. The US may base nuclear submarines in Australia or sell the country Virginia-class submarines in the interim. Australia’s…

Australian sailors will be trained by the UK Navy on board its nuclear-powered submarines, the next step toward Canberra fielding its own fleet of the vessels under the landmark AUKUS security agreement. Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles joined British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the commissioning of the HMS Anson Astute-class nuclear submarine in the UK on Wednesday. Johnson said Australian sailors would train on the HMS Anson. Marles said in a statement Thursday that Australia was “working hand in glove” with the UK on building the skills which would allow them to one day field their own fleet of nuclear submarines.…

India and China have snapped up the vast majority of Russian oil so far in April at prices above the Western price cap of $60 per barrel, according to traders and Reuters calculations. That means the Kremlin is enjoying stronger revenues despite the West’s attempts to curb funds for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. A G7 source told Reuters on Monday the Western price cap would remain unchanged for now, despite pressure from some European Union countries, such as Poland, to lower the cap to increase pressure on Moscow. The advocates of the cap say it reduces revenues for Russia while allowing…

The Indian government plans to invite financial bids for the privatisation of Shipping Corp of India Ltd (SCI) next month, as it looks to sell the state-run company after years of delay, two government officials told Reuters. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government had, in 2019, announced plans to privatise a number of state-run companies, including selling its stake in SCI, which was stalled due to regulatory delays. SCI – which owns and operates bulk carriers and crude oil tankers, among others – had to spin off its non-core assets before the government could sell its 63.75% stake, which hit a roadblock over…

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday said most parts of the South Asian country are expected to experience above-normal maximum temperatures from April to June. “During the 2023 hot weather season (April to June), most parts of the country are expected to experience above normal maximum temperatures, except for South Peninsular India and some parts of Northwest India where normal to below normal maximum temperatures are likely,” the IMD said in a statement on the outlook for hot weather season. The IMD added that above-normal heatwave days are predicted in most parts of central, east and northwest India during…

Leaders exchange views on Commonwealth of Nations and ways to further strengthen its functioning. Taniya Dutta writes in her article that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the UK’s King Charles III discussed climate change, biodiversity conservation and other subjects of mutual interest in a phone call on Tuesday. It was the first call since the British monarch, 74, ascended the throne in September after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth. India’s Foreign Ministry said Mr Modi conveyed his best wishes to the king for a very successful reign. The prime minister also appreciated the king’s “abiding interest and advocacy” on crucial…

At least six people died of asphyxiation and three others were injured after a fire broke out in the Shashtri Park area of the Indian capital city, confirmed a local fire department on Friday. The fire broke after a burning mosquito coil fell on a mattress leading to the spread of toxic smoke inside the room where the victims were sleeping during the night. The incident was noticed by the victims’ neighbors who reported it to the fire department. “Three fire tenders were rushed to the site. A total of nine persons were found lying unconscious, out of whom six…