FirstUp: France's Macron heads to Japan amid Iran war and other big headlines of the day

What can you expect from the world of news today?

March 31st is the day when French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Japan from today to April 2. Also, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

Here is what else is in store for the day.

Macron heads to Japan

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Japan starting today till April 2, He will also visit South Korea from April 2 to 3. Reports suggest that Macron is likely to discuss measures in Iran.

During the summit talks, both parties may discuss the situation in Iran and the economic fallout from rising crude oil prices, with participants expected to explore coordinated response strategies.

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This will mark Macron's return to Japan since the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May 2023.

Indonesia's Subianto to visit South Korea

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit Seoul, South Korea's capital, from Tuesday (March 31) to Thursday (April 2).

President Lee Jae Myung's bilateral summit with Subianto is expected to focus on defence cooperation, particularly on the KF-21. Indonesia is likely to become the first export destination for the KF-21, with reports indicating the nation is expected to purchase 16 jets.

“This week’s meeting is expected to further accelerate the Seoul-Jakarta partnership, with Indonesia poised to become the first export customer of the KF-21,” asserted Choe Won-gi, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy and a seasoned expert on ASEAN affairs, the Korean Times reported.

Centre's deadline for 'defeat' of Maoist insurgency

The Indian government's deadline for the 'defeat' of Maoist insurgency is today (March 31). The government is expected to make a historic announcement that India’s longest-running internal security threat has finally been brought under control.

Over the past two years, the Centre has pushed an aggressive, mission-mode strategy to eliminate Maoist insurgents, once described by Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the "biggest threat to India's internal security."

International Booker Prize shortlist to be announced

This year’s shortlist of six books will be announced today (31 March).

Olga Ravn, Daniel Kehlmann, Ia Genberg, Mathias Énard and Gabriela Cabezón Cámara are among those longlisted for the International Booker prize, which recognises the best translated fiction and turns 10 this year, the Guardian reported.

The longlist was selected from 128 books published in the UK or Ireland between May 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026. Booker Prize Foundation chief executive Gaby Wood said the submissions were originally written in a record 34 languages.

Modi to inaugurate semiconductor OSAT plant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate Kaynes Semicon’s OSAT facility in Sanand today (March 31)

Semiconductor OSAT plant in Sanand. Image courtesy: X

The project was approved by the Union Cabinet of India on September 23, 2024, under the India Semiconductor Mission. With an investment of ₹3,300 crore, the facility is expected to further strengthen Sanand's semiconductor ecosystem.

The Prime Minister said that the growth of India’s semiconductor sector could make this decade a major turning point for the country’s tech future.

With inputs from agencies