Colombia has halted arms purchases from the United States, its main military supplier, after Washington accused the country of failing to rein in cocaine trafficking, according to Al Jazeera. Interior Minister Armando Benedetti announced the suspension on Tuesday, echoing President Gustavo Petro’s criticism that the U.S. was interfering in Colombia’s politics and attempting to install a “puppet president” ahead of next year’s elections. “From now on … weapons will not be bought from the United States,” Benedetti told Blu Radio.
The move followed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to decertify Colombia as a partner in the anti-drug fight, citing record-high cocaine production. Though largely symbolic, the step further strained relations already marked by disputes over migrant deportations. Petro, a former guerrilla fighter, defended his government’s record, claiming more cocaine had been seized during his tenure than under past administrations. He stressed Colombia “will not be blackmailed” by Washington and dismissed concerns about U.S. aid, saying, “We are the ones who help them, because the problem is theirs, not ours.”
The U.S. currently provides about $380 million annually to support Colombia’s anti-narcotics operations, though it remains unclear how the decertification will affect this assistance. Petro also pushed back against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s criticism of his leadership, arguing that attacking civilian boats was “truly erratic,” referencing Trump’s order to strike Venezuelan vessels allegedly used by drug traffickers. He pointed out that most cocaine is shipped in containers from ports, not speedboats.
Since taking office in 2022, Petro has shifted away from eradication-focused drug policies, prioritizing social reforms. However, coca cultivation has surged by roughly 70 percent during his presidency. UN data shows the area under coca crops rose to 253,000 hectares by 2023, nearly triple previous levels. Petro blamed global demand for the increase, arguing that the world must rethink its anti-drug strategies, as the U.S. has only stabilized cocaine use because many users switched to fentanyl, a far deadlier drug. The Colombian leader has frequently clashed with Trump, rejecting extradition requests and condemning U.S. actions on migrants and Venezuela. In 2024, he also cut diplomatic ties with Israel over the war in Gaza.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
On his 75th birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received warm wishes from world leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who praised his leadership and commitment to India’s growth. In a post on X, Meloni described Modi’s determination and ability to lead millions as a source of inspiration and wished him good health and energy to guide India toward a brighter future while deepening ties between the two nations.
Several other leaders also extended greetings. Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded Modi’s significant role in strengthening bilateral relations and acknowledged India’s achievements under his leadership. Former U.S. President Donald Trump called Modi to convey birthday wishes, appreciating his efforts and support in global matters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Modi a “good friend,” highlighting progress in India-Israel relations and looking forward to further cooperation.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates praised India’s progress and global contributions under Modi’s leadership, emphasizing the importance of the Gates Foundation’s partnership with India. Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, recalling his 2023 visit for the G20 Summit, highlighted the growing UK-India relationship and extended his personal admiration as someone with Indian heritage. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and leaders from New Zealand, Myanmar, Guyana, and Dominica also joined in sending their wishes, underscoring Modi’s stature on the global stage.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Insta/@giorgiameloni.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms have added at least ₹2 trillion to the economy, putting more disposable income in the hands of citizens. Addressing the Outreach and Interaction Program on Next Gen GST Reforms in Visakhapatnam, she noted that “lowering GST rates will save people ₹2 trillion,” calling the reforms a significant milestone for India’s economic growth.
Highlighting the benefits for the middle class, Sitharaman pointed out that 99% of items previously taxed at 12% GST have been moved to the 5% slab, while nearly 90% of items under the 28% category are now taxed at 18%. She said this restructuring would not only ease financial pressure on households but also help reduce poverty.
The Finance Minister added that the impact of these reforms will be ten times greater than the incentives provided to different industries. She also reported that GST collections have grown to ₹22.08 trillion in 2025 since its launch, while the taxpayer base has expanded from 6.5 million to 15.1 million.
Later in the day, Sitharaman will participate in a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) summit on Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Visakhapatnam, focusing on emerging business trends, investment decisions, and state-level policies to attract GCCs. She will also join Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtual address on the ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan’ before attending the summit.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Finance Ministry.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee pledged to strengthen the city’s economy, raise living standards, and reinforce its status as an international hub. His plans include launching a gold trading market. Lee, a former senior police official, maintained the city’s 2025 growth forecast of 2 to 3 per cent and emphasized Hong Kong’s role as a gateway for mainland Chinese companies expanding overseas. This was his fourth policy address. He described his main goal as improving people’s lives — with better housing, higher wages, stronger elderly care, and greater opportunities for young people.
Hong Kong’s open economy continues to feel the impact of China’s slowdown and trade frictions with the U.S. His speech, delivered over nearly three hours, offered few new large-scale housing policies but focused on government accountability and national security. Lee outlined efforts to develop “new growth areas” such as an international gold market, fintech, and sustainable finance. He said the Hong Kong Monetary Authority would encourage Chinese banks to set up regional headquarters in the city and expand into Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Plans also include expanding the aviation sector through recycling and trading high-value parts and building a sustainable aviation fuel supply chain.
Hong Kong will also seek to attract pharmaceutical companies for clinical trials and advanced medical treatments, including rare disease drugs, high-end cancer therapies, and innovative therapies. On integration, Lee said the government would speed up the Northern Metropolis project, designed to house 2.5 million people and establish a new business hub near Shenzhen. Originally announced by former leader Carrie Lam in 2021, the project aims to become a hub for technology and innovation within the Greater Bay Area.
Lee also announced education reforms, increasing the cap on non-local student admissions to 50 per cent from 40 per cent. Other initiatives include licensing restaurants to allow pets, tapping into a market of 400,000 pet owners, which he said could unlock new business opportunities. To address falling birth rates, Lee said parents would be able to claim a tax allowance of HK$260,000 (about S$42,666) for each child during the first two years after birth.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Kashmiri women skillfully row traditional wooden boats through the serene interiors of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir. Surrounded by floating gardens and scenic mountains, they navigate the tranquil waters, sustaining local livelihoods and preserving centuries-old cultural traditions amidst the picturesque beauty of the region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Recent revelations from current and former Meta employees claim that the company has concealed internal research highlighting significant risks to children on its virtual reality (VR) platforms. Meta rejects these claims, stating that it has conducted research on youth safety, implemented parental controls, set default privacy protections for teenagers, and that its legal actions were intended to ensure compliance with privacy regulations rather than to hide issues. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine the difficulties of addressing crimes in the VR environment with Nasya Bahfen, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics, Media, and Philosophy at La Trobe University.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Nepal has named its first female Prime Minister, 73-year-old Sushila Karki, who previously served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Her appointment follows weeks of protests that started over a social media ban and escalated into broader demonstrations against corruption and inequality. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore the role of this new interim PM and the challenges facing the transitional government, speaking with Dr. Jacob Rinck, Research Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, NUS.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
In the daily market analysis on Open For Business, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss market insights with Jun Bei Liu, Founder and Lead Portfolio Manager at Ten Cap.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey interview Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister for EU relations, discussing the impact of Brexit and the UK’s relationship with the European Union. They also explore his views on Keir Starmer’s leadership and how Labour could challenge Nigel Farage and the growing influence of Reform.
Disclaimer: This Podacast is taken from The Guardian.
