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FirstUp: EU leaders to hold virtual meeting with Zelenskyy and Trump and other top news
It is a packed day with several important events lined up.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will hold virtual talks between EU leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two will speak first before he joins US President Donald Trump and his Vice President JD Vance.
The third round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) will take place in New Delhi.
CTUs-SKM, a joint platform of ten Central Trade Unions and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, plan to stage a nationwide protest today against Trump's tariff warnings and the India-UK CETA.
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A court is set to deliver its verdict for J-pop star Kenshin Kamimura, who faces sexual assault charges during a celebration dinner.
Let's take a look at the events:
EU leaders' virtual meetings with Trump and Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to join a virtual meeting today with US President Donald Trump, US Vice President JD Vance and several European Union leaders.
According to The Guardian, representatives from Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the UK, along with the EU and Nato, will first hold discussions with Zelenskyy before he joins a separate call with Trump and Vance.
Representatives from Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the UK, along with the EU and Nato, will first hold discussions with Zelenskyy. Reuters/File Photo
Germany has said that Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host the talks, which will also include EU presidents Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, as well as Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The discussions come amid rising concern among European leaders about being left out of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska this Friday.
India, Singapore to hold 3rd ministerial roundtable
The third round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) will take place in New Delhi today, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.
From India, the meeting will be attended by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Singapore will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo and others.
Notably, the ISMR serves as a platform to set new goals for cooperation between India and Singapore. Its first meeting was held in New Delhi in September 2022, followed by the second in Singapore in August 2024. The two countries share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
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Trade unions, farmers to hold nationwide protest
CTUs-SKM, a joint platform of ten Central Trade Unions and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, is set to hold a nationwide protest today against US President Donald Trump's tariff threats and the India-UK CETA.
In a statement, the group condemned Trump's recent warning to impose 25 per cent tariffs on India and his call for a punitive tax on the oil trade deal with Russia.
They said India should reject the tariff threats and uphold its right to trade with all countries, including Russia.
They also demanded an immediate review and changes to the India-UK CETA, and called for all talks on a US-India trade agreement to be stopped to avoid what they described as corporate exploitation.
Japanese actor Kenshin Kamimura to receive verdict in sexual assault case
J-pop singer Kenshin Kamimura is expected to receive the verdict in his sexual assault case today.
The 25-year-old, formerly part of the boy band ONE N' ONLY, is accused of assaulting a local female interpreter during a celebration dinner in March at a Hong Kong restaurant following a fan meeting.
Kenshin Kamimura at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts in Hong Kong. Reuters/File Photo
In Hong Kong, the offence of indecent assault can lead to a prison term of up to 10 years.
With inputs from agencies
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