EAM Jaishankar meets German MP, discusses growing bilateral ties
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Govindan draws Church ire for ‘opportunistic' jibe at bishop
K ozhikode: CPM state secretary M V Govindan's comment calling Thalassery Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany 'opportunistic' drew a strong reaction from Thalassery Archdiocese. The Church called the remark substandard, condemnable and similar to the language of fascist forces."The idea that Catholic bishops must speak only with AKG Centre's approval shows another face of fascism," said the archdiocese in a statement. It refuted the interpretation that Pamplany, who had strongly opposed the unconstitutional actions of the Centre and Sangh Parivar organizations in the Chhattisgarh nun issue, had shifted his stand. Thanking the Centre for acting on the Church leadership's request was not a change of position. The archbishop took a considerate stand to avoid religious polarization, claimed the archdiocese in its statement. It said Pamplany had always spoken against govt actions targeting minorities. It criticized Govindan for making misleading remarks and said such comments were unacceptable from a senior CPM leader. Anyone who follows Govindan's statements can see that opportunism is his trademark. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Resmed AirSense 11 with flat 20% off ResMed Buy Now Undo The people of Kerala know he rarely stands by a statement for more than a week, claimed the archdiocese. Catholic Congress also slammed Govindan and its director Fr Philip Kaviyil said the CPM leader should speak respectfully. "Someone holding a key party post shouldn't talk like Govindachamy," he said, referring to a convicted murderer. Fr Kaviyil warned that insulting Church leaders could lead to consequences. He said the archbishop had thanked all who helped during the Chhattisgarh crisis, including Congress and CPM leaders, home minister Amit Shah and BJP leaders in Kerala. "There was no politics. It's basic decency to thank those who helped in a crisis," he said. Church leaders don't need a political party's permission to speak. The Church has its own stand and the freedom to express it anywhere, he said, adding that some might be attacking the archbishop because they didn't want another Pinarayi Vijayan-led govt. On Monday, Govindan had said at a party event in Taliparamba that Pamplany had attacked BJP when the nuns were arrested in Chhattisgarh but praised Shah and others after they were released on bail. Meanwhile, DYFI state secretary V K Sanoj, who had earlier compared Pamplany to German pastor Martin Niemoller, defended his comments on Tuesday. Niemoller had initially supported Hitler but was later jailed for opposing him. Sanoj said that instead of responding to historical facts, some were simply blabbering to please RSS. On the Govindachamy comparison, he said it didn't deserve a reply. He added that ignoring political questions and making such comments was just an attempt to dodge criticism. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Mint
4 hours ago
- Mint
Trump, Vance to join virtual meeting with Zelensky and European allies on Wednesday: Report
US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are set to participate in a virtual summit on Wednesday (August 13) with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and key European allies, ABC News reported citing two US officials as confirming the details. The meeting is expected to focus on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the diplomatic efforts to end Russia's invasion. This virtual gathering comes just days ahead of the highly anticipated in-person summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Friday (August 15) in Anchorage, Alaska. Describing the upcoming talks as a 'feel-out meeting,' Trump told reporters Monday, 'I'm going in to speak to Vladimir, and I'm going to be telling him, 'You got to end this war. You got to end it.'' He added, 'At the end of that meeting, probably in the first two minutes, I'll know exactly whether or not a deal can be made.' Zelensky categorically rejected Putin's demand that Ukraine withdraw from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region it controls as part of any ceasefire deal. Zelensky described such concessions as unconstitutional and dangerous. 'Donbas for the Russians is a springboard for a future new offensive,' Zelensky said during a Kyiv press briefing. 'We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do this. Everyone forgets the first part—our territories are illegally occupied.' Among Putin's conditions are Ukraine ceding several southern and eastern regions, limiting the size and sophistication of its military, permanent exclusion from NATO, and lifting international sanctions on Russia. Zelensky reaffirmed Kyiv's refusal to cede territory or abandon its NATO ambitions. 'We will not cede any territory to Russia,' he stated firmly. Trump's previous comments suggesting Ukraine might have to cede some territory have unsettled European allies and Kyiv. Trump described the meeting as a test to see if Putin is serious about ending the war. European leaders reiterated that peace cannot be achieved without Ukraine's full involvement and underscored that 'international borders must not be changed by force.' German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is organising virtual talks involving Trump, Zelensky, NATO's secretary-general, and European leaders to bolster diplomatic efforts.
Mint
6 hours ago
- Mint
Trump-Putin meeting scheduled in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday, says White House
US President Donald Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday (August 15), the White House confirmed on Tuesday (August 12). Anchorage is a midway location between Washington and Moscow, offering a neutral ground for what could be sensitive discussions. Trump said on Monday he expects to determine almost immediately whether his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin can yield a deal to end the war in Ukraine. 'At the end of that meeting, probably the first two minutes, I'll know exactly whether or not a deal can be made,' Trump told reporters during a White House press conference announcing plans for a federal takeover of Washington's police force to combat crime. Friday's sit-down in Alaska, will be 'really a feel-out meeting,' Trump said, adding, 'It'll be good, but it might be bad… I may say, 'lots of luck, keep fighting.' Or I may say, 'we can make a deal.'' Putin is pushing to secure Russia's battlefield gains since its February 2022 invasion, while Trump is pressing for a ceasefire that has so far remained elusive. Critics in Ukraine and Europe fear any agreement could tilt toward Moscow, especially if struck without Kyiv's direct involvement. When pressed on whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be included in the talks, Trump said, 'Zelenskyy has been to a lot of meetings… nothing happened.' Trump suggested a follow-up meeting could include 'Zelenskyy and Putin' or 'Putin and Zelenskyy and me'. He added that after the Alaska meeting, he would call Zelenskyy and European leaders to 'tell them what kind of a deal — I'm not going to make a deal. It's not up to me to make a deal.' Trump's tone toward both Putin and Zelensky has shifted in recent months. Early in his administration, he criticised Zelensky — even ejecting him from the Oval Office in February after questioning his gratitude for US support. He has also expressed frustration with Putin for not moving faster toward a ceasefire. With Kyiv and European leaders so far excluded from the Alaska summit, Germany announced it will host a virtual meeting on Wednesday involving Trump, Zelensky, NATO's chief, and other European leaders. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's spokesperson, Steffen Meyer, stressed: 'Borders must not be shifted by force… Ukraine should decide its own fate independently and autonomously.'
