India resumes Iranian oil imports after a seven-year hiatus
A tanker carrying 600,000 barrels of Iranian oil is heading to the Indian port of Vadinar, marking the first delivery since May 2019, when New Delhi halted purchases due to US sanctions. Amid the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, where 18 Indian vessels are awaiting permission to exit, India is negotiating with Tehran for safe passage of its tankers. Iran has already allowed two Indian ships to pass.
South Africa secures $52 billion in foreign investment for 31 mega-projects
At the Investment Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa attracted a record $52.34 billion in investment pledges from companies across 22 countries, including China, Russia, the UAE, and India, as well as $2 billion from the New Development Bank of BRICS. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that these investments will create more than 230,000 permanent jobs. Separately, starting May 1, China will allow duty-free imports from all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, further boosting economic cooperation.
India launches a mega population census
More than 3 million Indian officials have begun the first nationwide census since 2011, which will last until March 2027. Originally scheduled for 2021 but delayed by the pandemic, the census will for the first time use digital technologies and includes collecting data on caste affiliation. The results, covering more than 1.4 billion residents, will help adjust social support programmes for lower castes.
Egypt slows down mega-projects amid the Middle East crisis
Rising global oil prices due to the regional conflict have increased Egypt’s monthly fuel import bill from $1.2 billion in January to $2.5 billion in March. In response, the government has ordered a two-month slowdown of energy-intensive mega-projects umption. Other austerity measures introduced earlier include closing establishments by 9:00 PM (10:00 PM on weekends), reduced street lighting, and a complete shutdown of advertising illumination. Domestic fuel and gas prices were raised by 14–30%, while authorities continue to absorb a significant share of costs to curb inflation.
First patient in Russia receives a personalised cancer vaccine
A 60-year-old patient with skin melanoma at the Radiology Medical Research Centre of the Russian Ministry of Health received the domestically produced personalised mRNA vaccine «Neooncovac». The treatment was applied in conditions of high risk of disease progression, where standard options are extremely limited, and the vaccine is seen as a means of disease control. All costs are covered by the Federal Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund.
