FGN29 RUSSIA-PUTIN-LD BRICS CURRENCY
* Putin for creating parallel SWIFT system to break US dollar dominance
Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the multi-nation BRICS group should explore a SWIFT-like cross-border payments system immune to Western sanctions as well as use national digital currencies in financing investment projects to end US dollar dominance. *
FGN1 RUSSIA-2NDLDALL PUTIN
* Setting timeline on Ukraine war difficult, says Putin; appreciates Modi's concern, endorses his description of BRICS
Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said it is difficult to specify a timeline for ending the prolonged war in Ukraine but asserted that his country will win, as he appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s concern over the situation. *
FGN22 UK-INDIA-FTA-MINISTER
* UK's ex-minister claims blocking India FTA over visa demands: Reports
London: Britain’s former business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch, who is the frontrunner to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party chief and Opposition Leader, has claimed that she blocked the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) over demands for more visas, according to UK media reports. *
FGN27 CHINA-XI-LD ROCKET FORCE
* Xi Jinping inspects much-purged Rocket Force; calls for strengthening deterrence capabilities
Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping has inspected a brigade of the military's strategic missile force that underwent a massive purge of officials for corruption in recent years, according to a media report on Saturday. *
FGN19 LANKA-INDIAN-FISHERMEN
* 17 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka repatriated
Colombo: Seventeen Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the island nation's waters have been repatriated, according to the Indian mission here. *
FGN14 LANKA-INDIA-EDUCATION
* India doubles grant to support education in Sri Lanka's plantation community
Colombo: India has doubled its grant to Rs 172.25 million to support education in Sri Lanka’s plantation areas for the Indian-origin Tamil community. *