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NATO to put 300,000 troops on high alert in response to Russia threat

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this weeks Madrid summit will agree the alliances most significant transformation for a generation, putting 300,000 troops at high readiness in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Stoltenberg said the military alliance’s forces in the Baltic states and five other frontline countries would be increased “up to brigade levels”, doubled or trebled to between 3,000 and 5,000 troops, the Guardian reported.

That would amount to “the biggest overhaul of our collective defence and deterrence since the cold war”, he said before the meeting of the 30-country alliance, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday this week.

The rapid-reaction Nato Response Force currently numbers up to 40,000, and the proposed change amounts to a broad revision in response to Russian militarisation.

Under the plans, Nato will also move stocks of munitions and other supplies farther east, a transition due to be completed in 2023, the Guardian reported.

The Secretary General conceded he could not make any promises about the progress of applications by Sweden and Finland to join Nato, because objections raised by Turkey to their membership remained unresolved.

Stoltenberg said Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had agreed to meet Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, and Finland’s president Sauli Niinisto on Tuesday in Madrid to try to resolve the issue.

But he played down hopes of a breakthrough at the meeting on the margins of the nato event.

“It’s too early to say what kind of progress you can make by the summit,” he told a press conference.

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Struck Patriot radar system, US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, airbase in Jordan: Iran

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Tehran, July 14: The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday struck several facilities of the US military, including a Patriot radar system and the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and American targets in Jordan, local media reported.

According to the latest statements by the IRGC on Tuesday, its Navy struck several weapons support depots, a satellite communications centre, accommodation used by US troops, and several military radar systems in Bahrain, Press TV reported.

The IRGC also noted that its Aerospace Force had conducted “coordinated missile and drone strikes” against the US Fifth Fleet’s headquarters, setting its fuel storage facilities “ablaze.”

“They also struck and destroyed a Patriot radar system, the Fifth Fleet’s air-control radar, and a C-RAM early warning radar system,” it added.

“A key facility and the location where the American enemy was stationed at an airbase” in Jordan was also struck by a “ballistic missile,” said another statement.

“This base had been used to launch attacks against us, and the American criminals have now been made to pay for their actions,” the Corps said, as reported by Press TV.

It also noted that the IRGC underlined that the reprisal is not against the Jordanian nation.

Meanwhile, the United States launched another round of strikes against Iran on Monday (US time), the US Central Command said in a statement.

“At 4:45 p.m. ET today, US Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” the command said.

“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight, and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow,” US President Donald Trump said at the White House earlier on Monday.

He also said wealthy Gulf nations should reimburse the United States for protecting one of the world’s most strategically important regions, arguing that Washington is bearing the cost of defending allies despite no longer depending on Middle Eastern oil.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said countries benefiting from US military operations should help finance those efforts.

“I want to be reimbursed because we’re protecting a very rich portion of the world,” he said.

Trump said the United States was safeguarding key regional partners while maintaining security in the Gulf.

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Have been long-standing partner of Palestine: India reaffirms continued support to two state solution

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Brussels, July 14: India has reaffirmed its continued support for a two-state solution, as well as for Palestine’s membership of the United Nations (UN), at the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Palestine Donor Group (PDG) in Brussels.

Sripriya Ranganathan, Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), represented India during the meeting, which was jointly organised by the European Commission and the Palestine Authority on Monday (local time). The meeting also saw participation from European Union Member States, Palestine and other key international partners and financial institutions.

“At the meeting, the Secretary emphasised that India has been a long-standing partner of the Palestinian people, and reaffirmed India’s continued support to a two-state solution, as well as to Palestine’s membership of the UN. She underlined India’s ongoing developmental assistance, including capacity building programmes and humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine, noting that India’s projects are demand-driven and largely centred on healthcare, education, capacity building, and vocational training,” stated the MEA.

While stating that India is currently engaged in major projects in healthcare, women’s empowerment and institution building in Palestine, she announced several new projects focused on rehabilitation, health, education and vocational training.

While in Brussels, the Secretary also attended a meeting hosted by the incoming Chair of the Advisory Commission of UNRWA, wherein she highlighted India’s continued support to the Agency and its efforts in Palestine.

“India remains a dedicated partner that contributes tangibly towards meeting the humanitarian needs of the people of Palestine,” stated the MEA.

Last month, Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, expressed confidence that India is a strong supporter of the two-state solution.

In an interview with media, Abdullah Abu Shawesh said, “We strongly believe that India stands strong to support the two-state solution. India used to support the Palestinian people when it came to the United Nations resolutions, voting in favour of the resolutions and even on the ground, India is heavily invested in the peace process and has implemented a lot of projects on the ground in Palestine. One very important issue: we are very close to starting a new project, or India is starting to implement a very important project, which is building a hospital in Palestine, particularly in the West Bank.”

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EAM Jaishankar discusses global hotspots, cooperation with UN chief (Ld)

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External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar discussed the situations in a range of hotspots around the world at a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday (local time).

India’s cooperation with the UN also figured in their discussions, Jaishankar said in a post on X.

They “discussed global developments, including of West Asia, Ukraine and Sudan”, he said in his post.

“Also recognised the strength of India-UN cooperation”, he added.

The situation in West Asia, where the confrontation between the US and Iran has reignited, is a matter of deep concern for India.

It is highly dependent on the energy supplies coming through the Strait of Hormuz, and the conflict has crimped them.

Jaishankar was on a lightning visit to New York to launch India’s candidature in next year’s election to the Security Council.

He met Guterres after the event at which he laid out India’s agenda for the Council at a time “we are witnessing levels of conflict, violence, and instability that threaten even those who may be very far away”.

Speaking to delegates and diplomats who will elect a country to represent the Asia Pacific region for the term starting in 2028, the minister said, “In a world with too many conflicts and tensions, India has consistently espoused dialogue and diplomacy. We have sought to bridge differences”.

“Our focus has been on mitigating the impact of these developments for the Global South”, he said.

He presented a six-point manifesto centred on Shanti, a profoundly significant acronym for “Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust (and) Integrity”.

The discussions focused on pressing international crises and the continued cooperation between India and the United Nations on a range of global issues.

India will contest next year’s election at the UN General Assembly for the Asia-Pacific non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2028–2029 term. If elected, it will mark the country’s ninth term as an elected member of the 15-member Council.

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