Transcription
Hello, namaskar. This is first post. You're watching Vantage with me, Palki Sharma.
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India has launched a new diplomatic reset. Engagements with Russia and China are gaining speed. Foreign Minister J. Shankar is in Moscow this week. Trump wanted India to dial down ties with Russia. But New Delhi is going the opposite way. It is strengthening the partnership. Today was day two of J. Shankar's visit, and he's made his position quite clear. Not just through meetings, but through messaging. He sat down with his counterpart, Serge Jay Lavrov. He called India-Russia ties among the steadiest since World War II. He also pushed back against Trump's tariffs. No names were taken, but the response was direct. We'll bring you all the details.
Back in the US, a pushback is brewing. Former Trump officials are criticizing the president's India policy. In the Ukraine war, Washington is putting the burden on Europe. It says Brussels must take the lead on Ukraine security. China's foreign minister Wongi is visiting Pakistan. We'll tell you why Beijing still refuses to dehyenate India and Pakistan. Also on the show, how terror groups in Pakistan are now using digital wallets to fund themselves. How Agnifi will boost India's deterrence. Why Japan is making a big push into Africa, and why fewer people are reading for pleasure. But first, the headlines.
New Zealand spy service warns of Chinese interference, sparking a sharp rebuke from Beijing. The agency accused China of being "quote unquote" most active in trying to manipulate New Zealand's government. Beijing has hit back at the allegation, calling it an attempt to poison ties between the two countries.
The Indian Space Research Organization, or ISRO, will launch its maiden Gaganyan test mission in December. It will be an uncrrewed mission. The announcement came during an interaction with Shuhansu Shukla, who has just returned from the International Space Station.
Uganda reaches an agreement with the US to take migrants who do not qualify to remain in America. This comes as the Trump administration looks to speed up deportations. Uganda is the latest East African country to announce such a deal with Washington, joining Rwanda and South Sudan.
Thailand suspended Prime Minister Pong Tan Shinoa testifies in a case seeking her removal from office over her handling of the kingdom's border Ra with Cambodia. Last month, Shina was suspended from office. The constitutional court is expected to give its verdict next week.
And Malaysia rules out Formula 1 returning to the country in the near future, citing costs and an already packed racing calendar. The Southeast Asian nation first hosted an F1 race in 1999, while the last Grand Prix was held there in 2017.
The India-Russia economy continues. Donald Trump wants us to disengage from Russia. So, guess what New Delhi did. It criticized Trump on Russian soil. It's a masterclass on strategic autonomy. But let's start from the top. India's foreign minister SJ Shankar is in Moscow. Today was his second day in Russia. Also the moving day, J. Shankar held talks with his Russian counterpart. That's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The visit itself was a message of intent from India, a sort of defiance against Donald Trump. And if that wasn't clear, Jes made sure of it. He was all praise for the relationship between India and Russia. He said it's among the steadiest since World War II.
"We believe that the relations between India and Russia have been among the steadiest of the major relationships in the world after the Second World War. Geopolitical convergence, leadership contacts, and popular sentiment remain its key drivers."
That's high praise from J. Shankar. He's had a busy couple of days in Moscow. He interacted with Russian think tanks. He co-chaired a bilateral commission. He spoke to the Russian business community, and today he held talks with Lavrov. It's a packed, symbolic trip, and what has it achieved so far? We'll bring you the top five highlights.
Number one, it's a clear message to the United States of America. After his remarks, J. Shankar took questions from the press. As expected, someone asked him about Trump's tariffs, Trump's 50% levy on India. Now, Jhanka did not take names, but he hit back with some facts. He said he was perplexed at the logic behind the move.
"We are not the biggest purchasers of Russian oil, that is China. We are not the biggest purchasers of Russian LNG. I'm not sure, but I think that is the European Union. We are not the country which has the biggest trade surge with Russia after 2022. I think there are some countries to the south. We are a country where actually the Americans said for the last few years that we should do everything to stabilize the world energy markets, including buying oil from Russia. Incidentally, we also buy oil from America, and that amount has been increasing. So, quite honestly, we are very perplexed at the logic of the argument that you had uh referred to."
He basically accused Trump of hypocrisy. I'm sure none of this will go down well in Washington, but maybe that's the idea, to send a strong message to Donald Trump.
Next is highlight number two: the energy partnership will continue. This is the flashpoint between Trump and India. He wants New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil, but India has refused to do that. In fact, the plan is to double down. Russia and India will jointly explore energy projects, including in the Russian Arctic.
"We have good results in cooperation in the sphere of hydrocarbons and the supply of Russian oil to the Indian market. And we have a mutual interest in implementing joint projects for the extraction of energy resources, including in the Russian Federation, in the Far East, and on the Arctic shelf."
So, Trump's bullying did not work. It actually backfired.
Next is highlight number three: India raised some concerns about the trade imbalance. It is true that bilateral trade has grown from 13 billion in 2021 to 68 billion in 2024. But here's the problem with that. Most of this trade is in Indian oil imports. As a result, the deficit has widened from 6 billion to almost $59 billion. Now, Minister J. Shankar said this imbalance has to be addressed urgently. Unlike Trump, India is not threatening nonsensical tariffs. We are engaging with Russia. India is encouraging them to buy Indian clothes and medicines. Now, this is a two-prong tactic. For starters, it cuts down our deficit with Russia. At the same time, it can reduce the tariff hit. Goods that cannot be sold in America can be sold in Russia. The Russian envoy welcomed this idea yesterday.
Next is highlight number four: the military partnership will also continue.
"Our defense and military technical cooperation also remains robust. Russia supports India's Make in India goals, including joint production and technology transfer."
Now, this is also significant. There was a question mark over Russian arm sales to India, first because of the delays and then because of Western pressure, but today's meeting removed that question mark. India will continue its military ties with Russia, which brings us to the final highlight: a pitch for greater connectivity. J. Shanka emphasized on two projects. One is the International North South Corridor, which is an alternative to the Suez Canal. Right now, Russian shipments to India travel around Europe. They sail through the Mediterranean, through the Suez, and into the Indian Ocean. But the North South Corridor runs on sea and land. It passes through the Caucuses into Iran and then into the Arabian Sea. That's the first route. The second project is on the other coast, the Chennai-Vladivosto corridor. This connects India's eastern coast to Russia's Far East. Now, both these projects have not taken off yet, but India is keen to push them, and again, there is context. India is also working on a transport corridor with America. It's called the IMC, the India-Middle East Economic Corridor, but who knows if IMC will take off. There's a full-blown war in West Asia right now. Plus, Donald Trump has ruptured ties with India. In that context, India's push for these trade routes is quite significant. It sums up India's overall policy position. New Delhi never bets on partners. It bets on options.
Donald Trump has appended US policy in six months. Conventional wisdom is out. Trumpian logic is in. It's most visible in his India policy. You see, India and the US were not always friends. We started off on the wrong foot. Washington supported Pakistan in the 20th century, and India was closer to Moscow. Things only started improving in the 1990s when the Cold War finally ended. Successive governments tried to deepen ties between India and the US. They tried to overcome the historical roadblocks. Enter Trump 2.0. India was happy to see him return to the White House. But what did we get in return? Crippling tariffs. India faces 25% reciprocal tariffs, plus another 25% for buying Russian oil. So, in total, 50% tariffs. Trump officials are attacking India every day. They make it seem like it's India, and not Russia, that invaded Ukraine.
But now there is pushback. Prominent American commentators and ex-officials are speaking out, like Nikki Haley. Nikki Haley was Trump's ambassador to the United Nations. In 2024, she also ran for president. She says Trump's policy is a strategic disaster. In fact, let me quote from what she said: "India must be treated like the prized free and democratic partner that it is, not an adversary like China. Scuttling 25 years of momentum with the only country that can serve as a counterweight to Chinese dominance in Asia would be a strategic disaster." That's what Nikki Haley has said, and she's not alone. She represents the conventional thinking in Washington. A short-term and long-term mission. In the short term, the US needs India to diversify, to shift supply chains from China. In the long term, the US needs India to contain China. Again, let me quote Nikki Haley: "Simply put, China's ambitions will have to shrink as India's power grows. Yet, unlike communist control China, the rise of a democratic India does not threaten the free world."
Then you have John Bolton. He was Trump's national security adviser in the last term. He too is cautioning the White House. This is what he said: "When Trump slapped tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, but not China, which also purchases Russian oil, it may have pushed India further into the Beijing-Moscow axis. This lack of focus by the Trump administration is an unforced error." Bolton says India has been singled out. He says the tariffs are inexplicable. Another US analyst went a step ahead. That's Professor Jeffrey Sachs. He's calling these tariffs sabotage, also the stupidest tactical move in US foreign policy.
Now, clearly, all of them dislike this pivot. But do they have fixes? Nikki Haley does. She is proposing two moves. One is a direct meeting between Trump and Modi. Both men have a good equation. She is betting on that chemistry to pull through. The second is devoting more diplomatic resources to India, like they do with China or Israel. For instance, there is still no US ambassador in India. Joe Biden's appointee has left, and Trump is yet to name his successor.
Now, we partially agree with these views. Yes, the India-US relationship is very important. It should not be abandoned overnight. That seems to be the thinking in New Delhi as well. Despite Trump's attacks, New Delhi has been calm. No outbursts, no stinging rebuttals. Instead, India has responded with actions like its outreach to China, its engagement with Russia. There's an understanding that this pivot is Trumpian. It is not a nationwide sentiment. Having said that, the likes of Nikki Haley and John Bolton must realize something. We are not here to be pawns. We are not here to contain China or to be your bulwark against the Communist Party. India's policy has been strategic autonomy. New Delhi works with every major world power, and that includes the United States of America. Do not interpret that as interest in joining the US alliance, because India is not open to that. New Delhi was never going to abandon Russia, or the BRICS, or the Global South, or even China, for that matter. India looks at relationships on their merit. I don't think even pro-India American voices realize that. As for Donald Trump, he's done us a favor. His actions have brought back old memories. Memories of America targeting and sanctioning India. Memories of America arming Pakistan. It took 25 years to start moving moving on from that bad experience. But thanks to Donald Trump, we are back to square one.
Geopolitics these days looks a lot like a messy situationship. There are vague promises, mixed signals, and plenty of "let's see where this goes." Take the Ukraine war, for example. First, the US said it would be involved in guaranteeing Ukraine's security. Then Kiev pressed Washington on this. It wanted a clear signal, a yes or no. Instead, what followed was hedging. America now says it will help, but Europe will have to do the heavy lifting.
"Well, I don't think we should carry the burden here. I think that we should be helpful if it's necessary to stop the war and to stop the killing. But I I think that we should expect, and the president certainly expects, Europe to play the leading role here."
And just like that, the burden has shifted across the Atlantic. The US was the anchor of Europe's defense, but it is now stepping back. So, Europe has to step up. It has to guarantee Ukraine security. But who in Europe is ready to step up? And what happens if Russia refuses to play along? That's what we'll discuss tonight.
For decades, Europe's security has rested on one simple fact: that America always shows up. That's what they counted on. From NATO to Kosovo to Afghanistan, the US was the backbone. But Trump's Washington is different. There are no more open-ended commitments. Instead, the White House's message is quite blunt: Europe, this is your continent. It is your neighborhood, and hence, security is your responsibility.
Ukraine has has long hoped for NATO membership, or at least something that looks like it. Sort of like an Article 5, Article 5 of NATO, which says an attack on one is an attack on all. That sort of security is what Ukraine was looking for. But Donald Trump shut that door. And that leaves Kiev with a fuzzy alternative. Some form of coalition guarantee cobbled together by willing European states. It does sound reassuring until you realize that guarantees without the US are wobbly. The credibility is less, and the deterrence is shakier, and Russia knows it.
"This is the private conversation that we're all going to have about what's necessary to stop the war. But no matter what happens, no matter what form this takes, the Europeans are going to have to take the lion's share of the burden. It's their continent. It's their security. And the president's been very clear: they're going to have to step up here."
So, what is the plan right now? The so-called coalition of the willing is already hatching plans. There are three camps in this. The first one consists of those who are willing. France and the UK are leading this camp. They are promising troops. They want to train Ukrainian soldiers. There is even talk of boots on the ground. The Baltics, that's Lithuania and Estonia, are also eager. They see Ukraine's survival as their own. That's the first camp. Then there are those who are on the fence. May Sweden and Latvia are part of this camp. They are unsure of signing up for actual deterrence. And the third category is that of countries that are vehemently against this plan. The countries saying no. Germany is among them. It is ready to write checks, but it is not willing to send troops to Ukraine. Same with Italy, does not agree with this plan. Hungary and Poland are also against it. They want to focus on the NATO flank. So, basically, Europe itself is divided on this idea. It is almost like a security blanket for Ukraine, but with patches missing, and even that blanket may not be acceptable to Russia. Moscow insists that it must be part of any talks on Ukraine security. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has emphasized on it. He called Ukraine security guarantees without Russia a road to nowhere.
"We cannot agree with the fact that it is now proposed to resolve collective security issues without the Russian Federation. This will not work. We have already explained more than once that Russia does not overstate its interests. But we will ensure our legitimate interests firmly and harshly. And I am sure that in the West, and above all in the United States, they understand perfectly well that seriously discussing security issues without the Russian Federation is in a utopia, a road to nowhere."
Russia has even suggested China for the plan. It says Beijing should be among Ukraine's guarantors. So, Moscow's stand is quite clear at this point. It may not accept such a plan. So, what happens now? For 70 years, Europe outsourced its security to Washington. Now, with war raging on its doorstep, it must finally do the job itself. Will Europe rise to the occasion? Can it build a credible security shield for Ukraine? Or will the cracks in this coalition leave Kiev exposed? That's yet to be seen. We'll see how this plan shapes up in the coming days. But one thing is quite clear: America has passed the buck, and Europe is now holding it, whether it likes it or not.
Let's turn to South Asia now. China's foreign minister is wrapping up his multi-nation tour. He visited India first, then he flew to Kabul in Afghanistan, and finally landed in Pakistan. Wongi was welcomed at the airport by his counterpart, his Pakistani counterpart, Foreign Minister Ishad Dar. Islamabad gave him a red carpet welcome. Take a look at this.
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This morning, they held talks. Pakistan says both global and regional issues were discussed. They also focused on bilateral investments, specifically CPEC 2.0. Now, CPEC stands for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. CPEC is a multi-billion Chinese project in Pakistan. CPEC has been stalled since 2023, but maybe not for long, because China and Pakistan are unveiling a new phase of CPEC, CPEC 2.0. We'll come to that in a bit. But first, the messaging in Islamabad. Wongi's travel plan makes one thing quite clear: China may reset ties with India. China may sweet-talk India. But China will never abandon Pakistan. The foreign minister was quite open about it. He said Pakistan was his most important stop.
"Indeed, I visited three countries, and Pakistan is the final stop and the most important stop."
And what did Pakistan say? Ishakd was all praise for China. He said the China-Pakistan relationship was of paramount importance.
"As a trusted friend and strategic partner, China is mainstay and cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy. Our bilateral friendship occupies paramount importance. We would continue to maintain our strategic communication and coordination and further deepen and expand our ironclad friendship and brotherhood as envisioned by our leadership and peoples of Pakistan."
Now, this raises two questions. One, where is the China-Pakistan relationship at? And two, where does that leave India? This is an interesting period for China-Pakistan ties. We'll start from 2017. That's when Donald Trump first became president. Almost immediately, he attacked Pakistan. He accused them of a double game on terrorism. Then came Joe Biden, and things went from bad to worse. Biden never hosted or met Prime Minister Sheba Sharif. All he did was write a letter to him. So, for eight years, Pakistan's ties with the US have weakened, and in this time, they moved closer and closer to China. Until now, that is. Trump 2.0 to has allied itself with Pakistan again. The president even hosted their army chief, Asim Munir. So, now Pakistan has to balance. On one side, it's reset with Washington. On the other side, its iron brotherhood with Beijing. Can they keep both sides happy? So far, they managed to do it.
China is pushing on with the second phase of CPEC. It will formally be launched later this month. That's when Prime Minister Sharif will visit China for a regional summit. CPEC 2.0 will expand into new sectors like agriculture, mining, and the digital economy, and this expansion is despite security concerns. Pakistani terror groups have been targeting Chinese CPEC assets. Dozens of Chinese workers have been killed, yet Beijing is pushing on.
"China highly commends Pakistan's tireless efforts and immense sacrifice in combating terrorism. China firmly believes that Pakistan's counterterrorism operation will secure the ultimate victory."
So, China has concerns, but it's not abandoning Pakistan. Which brings us to the second question: Where does that leave India? Frankly, same as before. The China-Pakistan nexus was never a secret, but recent events revealed its depth. I'm talking about Operation Synindu. Pakistan deployed Chinese weaponry against India. Beijing also gave satellite inputs to Pakistan about India's troop movements, about our air defenses, and India's logistics. If another battle breaks out, China will likely do the same, because they see Pakistan as a pawn, a means to keep India occupied on the western frontier. Frankly, it's a very complicated web. China supports Pakistan against India. India is now resetting ties with China. China is a rival of America. America is supporting Pakistan, and Pakistan is best buddies with China. Like I said, it's very complicated and a very fluid situation. Out of these four countries, three are standing on their own feet: that's America, China, and India. We don't need others. We are large economies and militaries, but Pakistan, their future depends on this balancing act. One mistake, and it could all blow up in their face.
A new front is emerging in India's fight against terrorism. It's not about guns or terror camps. It is about money, and how it is being moved. Jaish-e-Mohammed has found a new lifeline, not through banks, but through simple digital wallets and phones, the kind used by millions for shopping and payments. Reports say Jaish is using mobile wallets to raise money. Wallets linked to Masud Azar's own family are being used. Funds are being collected, and then they they're being broken into smaller amounts. The money is withdrawn in cash and funneled towards new terrorist activities. Every few months, the system resets. Fresh digital wallets are opened. The old ones, the old digital trail disappears, and this makes the money almost impossible to trace. It's a new challenge that India must confront: a terror financing network inside the digital world. Here's a report.
A simple mobile app, an account created in a family member's name. No branches, no bank records, just a digital ID. The money is moved with a few clicks from one wallet to another, from wallet to cash. And it all happens outside the regular banking system. This is how Jaish-e-Mohammed is raising funds today. The Pakistan-based terror group is now using digital wallets. Reports say these wallets are linked directly to the family of Masud Azar, the group's leader. Jaish-e-Mohammed was hit hard by India's Operation Synindor. Its headquarters and camps were destroyed. Now it is adapting by moving money online, by hiding transactions in plain sight. The group is using Pakistani wallets like EasyPaisa and SadaPay. At least five have been identified with direct links to the organization, but reports say the real number is much higher. Seven to eight wallets are used at any given time. They are replaced every four months. When money piles up, it is split into smaller amounts or withdrawn in cash. And then the cycle begins again. At least 30 new wallets are activated every month. Why this shift? Because watchdogs like the FATF track bank accounts. They can see deposits. They can freeze transfers. But they cannot trace wallet-to-wallet transactions. That trail is invisible. And the Jaish is exploiting it. The money is not just for survival. Reports say the group has drawn up a 3.9 billion Pakistani rupee plan. This is to build a vast network of madrasas, or religious centers. The plan is to set up 313 mini camps. They will be spread across Pakistan so that Indian forces find them harder to target. But here's the problem: even generous estimates put the real cost for this at only 1.2 billion rupees. That means most of the money will go elsewhere, towards weapons, towards equipment, towards sustaining operations against India.
The picture is stark. On one side, a scattered network of mini camps. On the other, a web of mobile wallets silently pulling in donations. Amounts split into fragments, moving constantly. Hard to trace, harder to shut down. This is the new face of terror funding. From banks to apps, from accounts to wallets, from centralized structures to decentralized networks, India's security agencies are tracking these patterns. They have identified some wallets. But the challenge is enormous because this system resets itself every few months. And because every transaction can be broken down into smaller pieces, Jaish-e-Mohammed has learned from its losses. It is using technology to stay ahead. And it is turning the very tools of everyday convenience into tools of terror finance. The fight against terrorism is no longer only about soldiers and strikes. It is also about digital trails. The battlefield has expanded, and India now faces a new challenge: a terror financing network built inside the digital world.
Yesterday, India got a major defense boost from the quiet coastlines of Odisha. A column of fire rode into the sky. A test of the AGNY 5 missile, one of the most sophisticated weapons in India's arsenal. On paper, it's a missile. In practice, it's a message. India is now part of a small club of nations capable of hitting targets thousands of kilometers away. That too with nuclear precision. Like I said, the test was carried out from the integrated test range at Chandipur, that is right off Odisha's coast. India's defense ministry confirmed the missile test. It said, and I'm quoting, that it validated all operational and technical parameters. In simple terms, it worked exactly as expected.
Now, let's talk about the missile itself. The word AGNI means fire, and this missile certainly lives up to its name. The AGNI 5 can travel more than 5,000 kilometers. That covers almost all of Asia. 5,000 kilometers, including northern China, also some parts of Europe. But range is not its only calling card. The AGNI 5 is nuclear-capable. It can carry a warhead weighing up to one and a half tons, 1.5 tons. That makes it central to India's no-first-use nuclear doctrine. Think of it as the ultimate insurance policy. It is not meant to be fired first, but it does guarantee retaliation if push ever comes to shove. And here's where it gets futuristic. The AGNI 5 is designed to eventually carry MIRVs, multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles. The MIRV is basically a missile equipped with multiple warheads. It can hit a range of targets in a single strike. China already has this weapon, by the way. It has this technology. So does Russia, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. So, India is part of an elite club now. In fact, this test comes a year after the AGNI 5 was first tested with an MIRV. The last one was on March 11th, 2024. So, this one brings it a step closer to operational readiness. However, it will still take a few years, a few years for the AGNI 5 with MIRV to become fully operational, but even then, it's a major defense milestone. And here's something equally important: the AGNI 5 is fully indigenous, made at home, made in India, developed by the DRDO, India's Defense Research and Development Organization. So, this is a missile designed, developed, and tested entirely in India. And the AGNI 5 is not the only one. It joins earlier missiles which cover ranges from 700 km to 3,000 km. Together, they form the land-based backbone of India's nuclear deterrent. Add to that India's nuclear submarines and aircraft, and what you what you have is what strategists call the nuclear triad: land, sea, and air-based delivery systems. A triad.
But why now? Why did India test these missiles now? The timing is important. It's worth noting. India has been on a spree of missile tests in the past few months. After all, look at the neighborhood. Pakistan remains a persistent threat, unpredictable, unstable, and armed with nuclear weapons of its own. China, meanwhile, is expanding its nuclear arsenal at breakneck speed, extending its missile reach into the Indian Ocean. So, the subtext of India's test is clear. New Delhi is making sure it is not left behind. This test was not just about technology. It was about signaling resolve to neighbors, to rivals, and most importantly, to the world. The AGNI 5 is not just a weapon. It is India's way of saying, "We are prepared for any and every threat."
Our next story is from Gaza, where things are escalating on the ground. Yesterday, Israel approved a full-scale occupation of Gaza City. It called up tens of thousands of reservists to take part in the military operation, and today, the Israeli Defense Force is on the ground, pushing ahead with a plan. They are already occupying parts of Gaza, and now Gaza City, which is the biggest city on the Gaza Strip, is also being occupied. Almost a million people are taking refuge there. The question is, where will they go? Our next report tells you.
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It began with a sound of explosions. Gaza City lit up overnight under Israeli bombardment. The ground was left shaking as families once again grabbed what little they could carry and fled. For Israel, this is the next phase of the war. For Palestinians, it is another night without sleep, another round of displacement in a war that seems endless. Israel says it has launched the first stage of a new Gaza City operation. Tanks are moving in, air strikes are intensifying, and 60,000 reservists have been called up, the largest mobilization in months. On paper, the target is Hamas, its commanders, its tunnels, its grip on Gaza City. On the ground, the reality looks more complicated. Hospitals are already overflowing. Families are pushed into smaller and smaller corners of the strip, and no real safe zone in sight. The United Nations says one in three children in Gaza City is malnourished. The World Health Organization describes hospitals running at 300% capacity. Meanwhile, aid trucks are stuck at the border, and Israeli officials continue to deny that widespread starvation is happening. In Gaza, residents describe the impossible choice between staying in their homes under bombardment or moving south into overcrowded, unsafe camps. And here's where things get murkier. Hamas says it has agreed to a ceasefire proposal brokered by Arab mediators, but Israel has not accepted it. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in no mood to compromise. He insists the war won't end until Hamas is completely defeated, hostages are freed, and Gaza can no longer threaten Israel. That hardline has left negotiations hanging. Also, the battlefield isn't only Gaza. It's also the global stage. Netanyahu has picked fights with leaders of France and Australia over their decisions to recognize a Palestinian state, calling them weak and betrayers. But inside Israel, not all is well. The call-up of tens of thousands of reservists has not gone smoothly. Many are exhausted after nearly two years of repeated deployments. Some question whether the war is being dragged out for political reasons. Families of hostages are furious, accusing the government of endangering their loved ones by escalating instead of negotiating. And on the streets of Israel, protests are swelling. From ultra-Orthodox Jews blocking highways to secular Israelis demanding a truce.
So, what comes after this? Even if Israel does succeed in dismantling Hamas's stronghold in Gaza City, the question remains: then what? The territory is in ruins, its population displaced and starving. Any long-term solution will require not just military control, but also governance, reconstruction, and international legitimacy, none of which Israel has outlined clearly.
The death toll in Gaza has already surpassed 62,000, with women and children making up nearly half. Every new strike deepens the humanitarian catastrophe. Every diplomatic spat widens the gap between Israel and its Western allies. And every delay in ceasefire talks makes the return of the remaining hostages less likely.
In the short term, Gaza City is bracing for the full weight of Israel's war machine. In the long term, the takeover could redefine not just the future of Gaza, but also Israel's place in the world.
Now, let's shift our attention to Africa, the often overlooked, mineral-rich, youthful country. A major shift is underway there. Western powers have long influenced the region, including the US and former colonial powers like France, but their grip is loosening. Other players have been vying for influence, like China and Russia, and now a surprise contender has joined the mix: Japan. Japan has made major moves recently, like hosting an Africa summit, promising billions of dollars in loans, proposing a special economic zone from the Indian Ocean to Africa, and also trainings to boost digital transformation across the continent. So, what's behind this strategic push, and will it work? Here's a report.
Energy crisis of the 1970s shook the world. Oil exporting countries in West Asia drastically raised the price of oil, sending shock waves across countries, including Japan. So, the East Asian country decided to diversify its imports of natural resources. And in 1974, Japan made a diplomatic outreach to Africa, to countries like Ghana and Nigeria. Their foreign minister at the time became the first Japanese official to visit the continent. By the 1990s, Tokyo had decided to expand its role on the continent from a mostly discreet and resource-led role towards a more visible and value-oriented position. And in 1993, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD, was launched. Cut to today, when the 9th TICAD is being held in Yokohama, near Tokyo. This is a three-day summit. Leaders and representatives from about 50 African countries, as well as officials from international organizations, are attending it.
"We meet at a time of interconnected crisis and deep inequalities. Tackling this crisis requires a clear focus not only on the development for Africa but on the development with Africa. And I salute Japan for making this the focus of its cooperation with the continent. Together, we can co-create solutions that are not only transformative but also sustainable and inclusive, ensuring that no one is left behind."
A number of topics are on the agenda, including economy, peace, and stability, and health. But at its core lies Japan's big bet on the African continent. "Just as we once did in Asia, we, the people of Japan, wish to laugh, cry, and break a sweat alongside the people of Africa." Prime Minister Shagaru Oshiba has pledged to strengthen business and investment in the region. He has proposed an economic zone. It will connect the Indian Ocean to Africa. Japanese companies operating in India and West Asia will be involved in this, which will spur more investment in Africa. Japan has also promised to extend loans of up to $5.5 billion. This will happen in coordination with the African Development Bank to help tackle Africa's mounting debt burdens. Apart from financial promises, Tokyo also wants to boost digital transformation across the continent by training 30,000 AI experts and increasing job creation.
But what's behind these moves? Tokyo can gain from increasing its footprint in the continent. Africa has huge mineral wealth. It has vast deposits of natural resources and a young, rapidly growing population. Plus, a shift is underway in Africa. Former colonial powers like France are losing their grip. US presence is decreasing as well, especially after drastic cuts to aid programs. But Japan should remember that competition in the region is alive and well. Over the past decade, China has heavily invested in Africa. Companies have signed deals worth billions of dollars under Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative. Russia has also expanded its foothold as Kremlin's paramilitary forces make moves. Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to increase bilateral trade with Africa to $40 billion. So, clearly, Japan is entering a crowded and complex geopolitical space. It wants to grow its influence in Africa to redefine its presence as a long-term partner, investing in Africa's future. But can Tokyo make space for itself in this crowded marketplace?
It doesn't matter what you like to read. A thick history book, a cozy romance novel, a heavy business read, or classic literature. Whatever you read is good for you. Yet, a crisis of reading is brewing, and it is happening globally. Fewer people are reading for pleasure. Take the US, for instance. A new report is out there. It says that over the past two decades, reading for pleasure has plummeted by 40%. 40% it has declined by about 3% each year, year after year. And this is based on a study by the University College London and the University of Florida. But this is not an isolated case. Look at the UK. Reading levels among children are at their lowest in two decades. Fewer than one in three read regularly. In Australia, 76% of children aged between 5 and 8 read for pleasure. This is a good number, but it drops dramatically as they grow older. Meanwhile, here in India, only about 37% of children read for pleasure. And in Denmark, reading has fallen to such lows that the government is panicking. They want to remove the sales tax on books. And these are just some of the many cases, many examples. Reading levels are painfully low the world over. And this is thanks to a perfect storm of problems. Broadly, two of them: shrinking attention spans and falling literacy levels.
In this digital age, we are all well acquainted with the first problem. AI has arrived. It is churning out summaries, analyzing entire books, and writing essays. So, even compulsory reading has gone for a toss. Need to read a novel for class? Why bother? Just skim through the AI-generated summary. And then there's social media with its easy clicks, gripping sounds, trends, endless videos, and instant gratification. Doomscrolling is taking over, and in most cases, winning the fight to hold our attention.
The second big problem is disparity. Reading for pleasure, whether we realize it or not, is a privilege. A lot of factors play into it, like economic pressures or caregiving duties. For instance, in the US, high-income people read one and a half times more than low-income people. And even if people want to read, many struggle to do it. Primary school enrollment is at a high level globally. Yet, about 60% of students in middle and low-income countries are unable to read a simple story. According to the United Nations, if this persists, by 2030, 37% of children will not have basic reading skills. So, a lot of factors are fueling the reading crisis. Some in our hands, and some not. But escaping the reading slump is a fight worth fighting. The justifications are endless. Good reading, good reading ability gets you good grades, better employment, more opportunities. And it's easy to see why. Stacks of research show that reading is like a workout for the brain. It improves reasoning, comprehension skills, imagination, concentration, critical thinking. It even makes you more empathetic, more patient. It slows cognitive decline. It makes you happier. And it can even make you live longer, believe it or not. And this is exactly why things must change. We need governments to do better. We need structural changes that boost the education system, that address teacher shortages, and make reading more accessible. In some countries, this could mean more libraries or online resources. In others, it could mean making reading cool again with literary festivals or workshops. And we have to do better as individuals. We have to get back in the groove. Whether that means reading alone, reading aloud, reading with friends, finding a community, or starting with audiobooks, whatever works for you. But whatever we do, we have to read with intention, almost as if we are trying to forge a new friendship, to find our way back to an old one. After all, what are books if not our companions, offering us both solace and a deep connection?
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American politics has officially reached the Spiderman meme stage. Donald Trump points at Gavin Newsom. The California governor points back, and the internet struggles to tell their posts apart. On X, Newsom is starting to sound like Trump with a thesaurus. All caps, check. Random nicknames, check. AI-generated fever dreams of himself riding dinosaurs, triple check. If Trump invented politics as pro wrestling, Newsom has turned it into WWE fanfiction. And the internet is having a field day. Take a look at this.
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And now it's time for Vantage Shots. Images that tell the story. Russia launches missiles in the Sea of Japan during military drills. A humanoid robot takes a stroll on the streets of China, and Hungary celebrates its national holiday with Europe's largest fireworks display. Finally, we are taking you back in history. On this day in 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre by three Italian handymen. The painting was not really famous before this, but the theft turned it into one of the world's most famous works of art. The painting was found in 1913 in Florence. We're leaving you on that note. Thank you for watching. We'll see you tomorrow.
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Cheut.
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Good job.
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First boost.
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