International - The Purbottar

04 Dec

EU Seeks to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Long-Term Kyiv Recovery

Mohini BarmanInternational

The European Commission is developing a proposal for a "reparations loan" designed to finance the long-term reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine. This plan involves utilizing the frozen assets of the Russian central bank and Russian oligarchs held in EU jurisdictions as collateral or a source of repayment for the loan. The initiative aims to provide predictable, substantial funding for Ukraine while navigating the complex legal challenges associated with seizing sovereign assets.

28 Nov

US President Halts Migration from All ‘Third World Countries’ After DC Shooting

Mohini BarmanInternational

US President Donald Trump announced a major, unprecedented immigration policy shift, stating he would "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries." The announcement, made days after a shooting incident near the White House, aims to allow the US immigration system to "fully recover" and reduce illegal admissions. The policy, which will have significant global implications, also calls for ending federal benefits to non-citizens and the deportation of anyone deemed a security risk or "not a net asset to the United States."

27 Nov

Bilateral Trade Between India and UAE Surpasses $100 Billion Mark

Mohini BarmanInternational

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) successfully concluded the third meeting of the Joint Committee under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The committee reviewed the progress of the trade agreement, which has propelled bilateral trade between the two nations to surpass the $100 billion milestone. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in areas like investment, digital trade, and joint manufacturing initiatives, further solidifying the strategic economic ties between the two nations.

25 Nov

New Report Calls for Emergency Funding to Combat Drug-Resistant Superbugs

Mohini BarmanInternational

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a critical report highlighting the alarming lack of new antibiotics in the global research pipeline. The report warns that the current development rate is insufficient to tackle the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), labeling it a silent pandemic. The WHO is calling for a global emergency fund and a push for innovative public-private partnerships to incentivize pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs. The crisis threatens to revert medicine to a pre-antibiotic era, making routine infections and minor surgeries life-threatening again.

22 Nov

US Sanctions on Russian Oil Majors Take Effect

Mohini BarmanInternational

New US sanctions on two of Russia's largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, came into effect on November 21, 2025. The sanctions aim to significantly disrupt Russia's oil trade, causing approximately 48 million barrels of Russian crude to become temporarily stranded at sea as vessels urgently seek new buyers. The sanctions directly impact US-India trade discussions, as the Trump administration has imposed a 25% penal tariff on Indian exports in response to India's continued crude oil imports from Russia. While major Indian refiners are expected to cease direct procurement from the sanctioned entities, Russian oil is unlikely to disappear entirely…

20 Nov

Russia’s New Reservist Laws Increase Infrastructure Security Concerns

Mohini BarmanInternational

The war in Ukraine continues its grim escalation after a Russian air-strike on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil killed at least 25 people and injured 73 others. Ukrainian officials have swiftly announced they will raise the issue as a matter of urgency at the forthcoming UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting, calling the attack a grave violation of international law. Meanwhile, Moscow has passed new laws authorizing the use of military reservists to protect critical civilian infrastructure within Russia. This move highlights growing security concerns over drone attacks and sabotage targeting energy and transport networks far from the front lines.…

18 Nov

UN Security Council Approves US-Brokered Gaza Peace Plan

Mohini BarmanInternational

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has approved a US-sponsored resolution outlining a plan for peace and stabilization in Gaza. The resolution authorizes the deployment of an international stabilization force tasked with providing security and overseeing the reconstruction effort in the Palestinian territory. The plan calls for a sustained cessation of hostilities, the release of remaining hostages, and a massive, coordinated humanitarian aid effort. It also emphasizes the importance of a two-state solution as the long-term political horizon. The approval follows months of diplomatic negotiation, with several nations expressing caution over the logistics and mandate of the proposed international force.…

17 Nov

Cybersecurity Experts Emphasize AI-Driven Defense and Zero Trust

Mohini BarmanInternational

The latest global cybersecurity outlook report highlights that AI-driven threats are evolving faster than traditional enterprise defenses can adapt, forcing an urgent shift in strategy for 2025. The report stresses two critical areas for security investment: AI-Driven Defense and adopting Zero Trust Architectures. Criminal groups are now using machine learning to create AI-driven malware that mutates in real-time to bypass static security systems. In response, organizations are being urged to use AI to automate threat response and deploy AI security agents for greater efficiency. The second major trend is the widespread adoption of Zero Trust (ZT) architectures. With traditional perimeter-based…

17 Nov

World Health Assembly Expected to Pass New Preparedness Agreement

Mohini BarmanInternational

The World Health Organization (WHO) is approaching the final stages of negotiation for its landmark Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Accord. The draft treaty, which has been under intense negotiation by member states, aims to establish a unified, legally binding framework for addressing future pandemics, ensuring equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and essential medical supplies worldwide. The agreement focuses on key areas: shared pathogen access, guaranteeing that countries share samples of new viruses quickly; supply chain transparency, requiring manufacturers to disclose production data; and a commitment to 20% global equitable access to pandemic-related products, primarily through donation or tiered pricing…

12 Nov

Biden Administration Pushes Major Chip Industry Boost

Mohini BarmanInternational

The U.S. government has approved a $50 billion investment package to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing. The initiative comes amid rising global demand and increasing dependence on Asian suppliers. The “Chips for America” Act will provide incentives for companies to set up fabrication plants across several states. Intel, TSMC, and Samsung have already announced major projects under this plan. According to President Joe Biden, the move is essential for maintaining technological leadership and reducing supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during the pandemic. Economists say it could create over 100,000 high-tech jobs within the next five years. Asian nations like India and Bangladesh,…