A senior Russian official said that Ukraine’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would be not just a direct threat to Russia but a delayed declaration of war, local media reported on Wednesday.

Russia does not pose a threat to NATO, has no plans to attack NATO member countries, and certainly does not aim to harm their residents, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, was quoted as saying.

Any attempts to advance hostile interests in Ukraine or other countries close to Russia will continue to be met with appropriate resistance, he said.

“The more such attempts there are, the tougher our responses will be. Whether the entire planet will be torn to shreds as a result depends solely on the prudence of the other side,” he added.

AGENCIES

At least 35 people were killed and 250 others were injured as rainstorms and flash floods swept through east Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, a local official said late on Monday evening.

The disaster, according to Nangarhar’s provincial director for information and culture Qurishi Badlon, on Monday afternoon affected the provincial capital of Jalalabad, Sukh Rod District and their neighbouring areas in the province bordering Pakistan, Xinhua news agency reported.

The casualties are expected to rise, the official added.

A similar natural disaster also claimed five lives in Nangarhar’s neighbouring Kunar province hours earlier on Monday morning.

Heavy rains and flooding have killed more than 400 and rendered thousands homeless since May in the war-torn country. AGENCIES

At least 24 people lost their lives in water-related accidents in Mongolia during the national holiday known as Naadam, the country’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported on Tuesday.

Naadam, renowned for its traditional sports such as wrestling, archery, and horse racing, is an official holiday celebrated annually from July 11 to July 15, reported Xinhua news agency.

Twenty-two of the victims were adults and the two others were children, the emergency agency said in a statement.

Specifically, five people aged between 21 and 43 drowned in the Green Lake in Ulaankhus soum of the western province of Bayan-Ulgii on Sunday.

One of them drowned while swimming, and the others tragically died trying to rescue him.

Water levels in major rivers throughout Mongolia have exceeded warning levels by up to 40 cm, the agency said, urging the public to take necessary precautions to avoid preventable water-related accidents. AGENCIES

 Samsung on Tuesday announced record pre-orders for its sixth-generation foldable smartphones – Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6. 

In the first 24 hours, pre-orders for Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 jumped 40 per cent higher as compared to the previous generation foldables, making the new Z series the most successful in India.In India.

“We are delighted with the consumer response for our new foldables – Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6 in India. The 1.4x growth in pre-orders for the new foldable smartphones shows that Indian consumers are among the fastest adopters of new technology,” said Raju Pullan, Senior Vice President, MX Business, Samsung India.

“Our new foldable smartphones, now in their sixth generation, open the next chapter of Galaxy Al and elevate the user experience to new heights, enabling a range of unique mobile experiences across communications, productivity and creativity. The success of Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6 will help us consolidate our premium segment leadership in India,” said Raju Pullan, Senior Vice President, MX Business, Samsung India.

For Indian consumers, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 are being manufactured at Samsung’s Noida factory.

The new foldables are the slimmest and lightest Galaxy Z series devices ever, and come with perfectly symmetrical design with straight edges. The Galaxy Z series is also equipped with enhanced Armor Aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, making this the most durable Galaxy Z series yet.

The Galaxy Z Fold6 offers a range of AI-powered features and tools – Note Assist, Composer, Sketch to image, Interpreter, Photo Assist and Instant Slow-mo – to maximize the large screen and significantly enhance your productivity.

Galaxy Z Fold6 starts at Rs 164,999 (12GB+256GB), while Galaxy Z Flip6 is available from Rs 109,999 (12GB+256GB).

In addition to the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6, Samsung also introduced AI-infused Galaxy ecosystem products- Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Buds3 series which also went on pre-orders on July 10 in India.

Galaxy Watch 7 starts at Rs 29,999 and Galaxy Watch Ultra is priced at Rs 59,999. Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds3 is priced at Rs 14,999 while Galaxy Buds3Pro is priced at Rs 19,999, said the company. AGENCIES

 As the Indian economy remains resilient on its way to become the world’s third-largest one sooner than expected, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund Temasek is aiming to invest an additional over Rs 83,000 crore (about $10 billion) in the country in the next three years.

The potential sectors Temasek is eyeing for investment in India are healthcare, consumption, financial services, digitisation and sustainability, according to reports.

Ravi Lambah, Temasek’s head of India and strategic initiatives said the new investment will take Temasek’s total investment in India to a massive $47 billion.

The $10 billion potential investment excludes what Temasek subsidiaries will invest in the country, according to the company executive. Temasek has been investing in the country for the last 20 years and its India exposure makes up 7 per cent of its global portfolio by underlying assets, up from 4 per cent in 2020.

The Singapore-based wealth fund has invested in Indian companies like Mahindra Electric Automobile Limited (MEAL), Zomato, Lenskart.

Eyewear retailer Lenskart in June raised $200 million in secondary investment from Temasek and Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR).

India’s economy is growing rapidly, amid a stock market boom, making it an ideal nation to invest as China falters.

Last fiscal (FY24), Temasek deployed around $3 billion in India, its largest annual investment to date.

The startups in the country raised nearly $7 billion in funding during the first half (H1) of 2024, more than the $5.92 billion raised in H1 2023.

The $7 billion funding included 182 growth or late-stage deals worth $5.4 billion and 404 early-stage deals worth $1.54 billion.

About 99 were undisclosed deals, according to reports. AGENCIES

 The Indian benchmark indices once again opened on a positive note on Tuesday in the run-up to a blockbuster budget next week.

Adani Enterprises, Coal India, M&M, Bharti Airtel and Tata Steel were among major gainers on the Nifty in the opening trade.

While Sensex opened more than 160 points up to reach the 80,839 level while Nifty reached 24,643, over 50 points up.

Market watchers said that in the next few days, the market is likely to anticipate the Budget proposals and respond.

The Union Budget is likely to be growth-oriented and, at the same time, fiscally prudent.

According to market experts, growth is top priority which the government cannot and will not compromise.

Vaishali Parekh, VP, Technical Research, Prabhudas Lilladher said Nifty has been slowly and steadily gaining strength inching every day in the north direction and with the bias maintained strong, has the next initial target of 24900 levels.

“With mid-cap and small-cap stocks also participating actively, the undertone is maintained very positive and can carry on with the positive move further ahead,” Parekh noted.

The Indian indices have continued their upward momentum driven by positive expectations from the upcoming budget and robust foreign institutional investor (FII) inflows, along with better-than-expected results from the IT sector. AGENCIES

 J. D. Vance, a Republican US Senator from Ohio on Tuesday expressed gratitude over being picked as the running mate of US Presidential candidate Donald Trump. 

In a post on social media platform X, Vance said, “Just overwhelmed with gratitude.”

Vance said that Trump, who had delivered peace and prosperity once, would do the same again with people’s support.

“What an honour it is to run alongside President Donald J. Trump. He delivered peace and prosperity once, and with your help, he’ll do it again,” his post read.

“Onward to victory!” he posted.

On Monday former US President Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, “After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio.”

Trump added, “J.D. honourably served our Country in the Marine Corps, graduated from Ohio State University in two years, Summa Cum Laude, and is a Yale Law School Graduate, where he was Editor of The Yale Law Journal and President of the Yale Law Veterans Association. J.D.’s book, ‘Hillbilly Elegy’, became a Major Bestseller and Movie, as it championed the hardworking men and women of our Country.”

He posted: “J.D. has had a very successful business career in Technology and Finance, and now, during the Campaign, will be strongly focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for, the American Workers and Farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond….” AGENCIES

 Republican Party leader and Civil Rights Attorney Harmeet Kaur Dhillon offered ‘ardas’ (Sikh prayer) at the Republican National Convention in the presence of the party’s Presidential nominee Donald Trump, days after an attempt on the latter’s life.

A video posted on social media platform X by the California Republican Party, showed Dhillon discussing the recent attack on former President Trump.

In the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the Fiserv Forum, she said, “These last 48 hours have been some of the most intense, yet more prayerful of our lives, the heinous attack on President Trump and his supporters made all of us pause and seek answers in comfort”.

“I come from a family of Sikh immigrants and I’m honoured to share with you, my fellow Republicans and guests tonight, a prayer from my faith and tradition practised by over 25 million worldwide,” she said.

“We recite the Ardaas prayer before any new endeavour, giving thanks to God and asking for his protection and help to uphold the values of humility, truth, courage, service, and justice for all,” she added.

“Dear Waheguru, our one true God, we thank you for creating America as a unique heaven on this Earth, where all people are free to worship according to their faith. We seek your blessings and guidance for our beloved country. Please bless our people with wisdom as they vote for the upcoming election and please bless with humility, honesty, skill and integrity all those who conduct the election,” she said after offering ‘ardas’.

She thanked God for protecting Trump’s life, and also mentioned the leader’s “tireless and uplifting spirit”.

Dhillon has also served as the vice chairwoman of the California Republican Party and also co-chairs the Women for Trump organisation. AGENCIES

 Kenya’s President William Ruto on Monday accused the Ford Foundation of involvement in the recent youth-led protests over the controversial Finance Bill, which envisaged hefty tax hikes, and led to an attack on the Parliament and left at least 40 people dead in police firing on the agitators.

“Our youth are not available for retrogressive assignments. Those sponsoring them to cause violence and mayhem must be ashamed of themselves. We ask the Ford Foundation to explain to Kenyans its role in the recent protests. We will call out all those who are bent on rolling back our hard-won democracy,” Ruto said.

The President, who ultimately denied assent to the Finance Bill despite it passing through the Parliament, was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the construction of the Keringet fresh produce market in Kuresoi South Constituency, Nakuru County. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Governor Susan Kihika, MPs and MCAs were also present on the occasion.

Despite his effective killing of the Finance Bill, the protests continued with their focus shifting to demands for his resignation.

In the wake of the continuing unrest, Ruto fired most of his cabinet and accepted the resignation of the police chief. He also met top opposition leader Raila Odinga and promised widespread consultations in the appointment of new ministers. AGENCIES

 Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith has instructed the government to urgently address economic and financial difficulties, especially those related to fluctuating currency exchange rates and high inflation.

President Thongloun issued the order during an open government meeting, held from Monday to Wednesday, attended by cabinet members, the mayor of Vientiane, and provincial governors, Lao National Radio reported on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Laos government must put in place conditions that will sustain an acceptable rate of inflation and living costs to resolve the country’s ongoing financial problems and ease the burden on ordinary people, said Thongloun.

He advised the government to bolster foreign currency reserves by ensuring that more foreign currency earned from investment and exports flows into the banking system, to enable sufficient reserves for the import of essential goods.

The president also said that less foreign currency should be spent on non-essential imports, and advised the government to build up gold reserves.

In addition, he called on meeting participants to make radical changes to resolve the country’s dire economic and financial situation and to ensure stability through better management. AGENCIES