Melania Trump won't travel to G7, N.Korea summits
Washington, June 4: US First Lady Melania Trump will not attend the G7 summit this year or join her husband President Donald Trump when he travels to Singapore for the planned June 12 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to her spokeswoman.
The First Lady has not been seen publicly for 24 days. She was last spotted with President Trump on May 10 at the Andrews Air Force Base as they welcomed home three Americans who had been held prisoner in North Korea.
Her spokeswoman told CNN on Sunday that Melania Trump underwent a medical procedure to treat a benign kidney issue on May 14 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre.
The First Lady remained in the hospital for five nights following the procedure prior to returning to the White House on May 19.
Several internet conspiracy theories raging from plastic surgery to a stealth move back to New York City have been circulated on the social media regarding the First Lady.
Melania Trump's communications director Stephanie Grisham denied the rumours, telling CNN that the First Lady has been recuperating, but also taking meetings with her staff at the White House, discussing her initiatives as well as upcoming events like the Congressional Picnic and Fourth of July.
Melania Trump attended the G7 summit in Sicily last year, making headlines on her debut international trip as First Lady.
For a tour of Taomarina with other G7 leaders' spouses, Trump famously donned a $51,500 floral Dolce and Gabbana jacket, which garnered sartorial praise but also raised eyebrows because of its cost.
On the first couple's last day in Sicily before jetting back to Washington, they stopped at the US naval air base in Sigonella, Sicily, where the First Lady gave brief remarks to troops prior to the President taking the podium.
This year's G7 Summit will take place June 8 to 9 in Quebec, Canada.
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Modi urges industry to ramp up investment, prioritise research to scale up manufacturing
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged industry leaders to step up investments, embrace emerging technologies and prioritise research to help India Inc fully leverage the vast opportunities offered by free trade agreements with various nations.
"The days of cutting corners in research are over. We must now make substantial investments in research and development and ensure that our products meet global quality standards. Now we have got opportunities to move forward, so we should have only one mantra - Quality, Quality, Quality," he said while addressing a second webinar on Budget 2026-27.
Stressing that India has entered into free trade agreements with numerous countries, he said, these agreements have opened up a wide range of opportunities for the country.
"In such a situation, he said, "our responsibility is that we should never compromise on quality."
Today, the world is seeking reliable and resilient manufacturing partners, he said, adding that India has a strong opportunity to fulfil this role.
"Our direction is clear. Our resolve is clear. Build more, produce more, connect more, and now the need is to export more," he said.
Pointing out that a significant transformation is currently underway in the global economy, he said that markets are no longer focused solely on cost; sustainability has become an equally important consideration.
"The Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Mission is a key initiative driving this shift. Incorporating sustainability into core business strategies is now essential. Industries that invest early in clean technologies will gain better access to emerging markets in the years ahead," he said.
Highlighting the importance of infrastructure and logistics, he said, they serve as fundamental pillars of our growth strategy.
This year's budget proposes a record level of capital expenditure to support these priorities, he said.
As India emerges as a beacon of hope for the world thanks to its robust economy, and as global supply chains undergo transformation, the prime minister said, rapid economic development has become the cornerstone for realising the vision of Viksit Bharat.
