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Russian diplomat claims West is using Romania as foothold for intervention, points to increase in NATO presence

Russian diplomat claims West is using Romania as foothold for intervention, points to increase in NATO presence

Moscow/Bucharest, July 20 (UNI) Amid the increasing military presence of NATO troops in Romania, the Russia Ambassador to Bucharest Vladimir Lipayev claims that Western powers are using Romania as a foothold for intervening in the Russia-Ukraine war, posing an increasing threat to regional security.
Speaking to RIA Novosti, Lipayev said "It is obvious that the states of the so-called collective West are trying, without directly using their armed forces, to increasingly intervene in the conflict in Ukraine, hoping to change its course by increasing the degree of escalation.
'The use of the territory of the alliance member states closest to Russia, including Romania, is considered one of the tools for such intervention. For this reason, the militarisation of Romania is in full swing."
Recently, there has been a significant increase in the number of Western troops stationed in Romania, particularly personnel and assets from the US, UK, France, Poland, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, among others, as part of NATO's 'Enhanced Forward Presence' military doctrine, to contain Russia troops.
The diplomat noted that elements of the US missile defence system were deployed on the country's territory, military bases were being expanded, and the NATO contingent was increasing. The Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase is located less than 400 km from Sevastopol, he added.
'Since 2016, the American Aegis Ashore missile defence system has been deployed in the area of the village of Deveselu. Dozens of NATO military exercises are held annually.
'In fact, Romania is destined to play the role of a NATO outpost on its southeastern flank, which in the event of a global conflict could be used to launch a pre-emptive, disarming strike against Russia,' he noted.
Claiming that the Romanian leadership is assuaging its public with false promises of security under the auspices of NATO security and not informing them of the actual developments, the general public in the country has become increasingly opposed to any further involvement of Romania in the war.
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Maldivian President Muizzu affirms enduring strength of India-Maldives ties at state banquet
Maldivian President Muizzu affirms enduring strength of India-Maldives ties at state banquet

United News of India

time38 minutes ago

  • United News of India

Maldivian President Muizzu affirms enduring strength of India-Maldives ties at state banquet

Male/New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu today affirmed the enduring strength of Maldives-India relations, stating that the historic bond between both nations cannot be weakened. He made the remakes at a state banquet hosted by himself and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed in honour of Indian Prime Minister Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to the Maldives at the President's invitation. In his speech, the President said that while this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of official diplomatic relations between the Maldives and India, the relationship dates back centuries. While history bears witness to this, he noted that both countries have deep-rooted ties through trade and other cultural activities since long before official diplomatic relations were established. The President emphasised that India has always been an important partner in the Maldives' development journey, and noted that the relationship is strengthening, particularly in the fields of security, health, trade and education. He expressed confidence that India can play an important role in building a sustainable, inclusive and youth-driven economy in the Maldives. In his speech, the President also acknowledged Prime Minister Modi as the second longest-serving Prime Minister in India's history, describing it as a reflection of his dedication to national service. The banquet was attended by members of the visiting Indian delegation and senior officials of the Government of the Maldives. Earlier, during the joint press statement following their delegation level talks, President Muizzu underscored India's central role in the Maldives' development. Eight memoranda of understanding were signed during the official meetings, reflecting mutual commitment to broad collaboration across key sectors, including infrastructure, defence, education, health care, and economic development. Among the agreements, a USD 565 million line of credit was announced, an initiative President Muizzu described as essential for advancing critical national priorities. Targeted areas include sports, public housing, health services, education, and military infrastructure. India also offered a currency swap facility intended to help the Maldives navigate prevailing economic challenges. Discussions also reflected the durability of bilateral relations, as President Muizzu commended India's longstanding assistance, including its timely response during disasters and emergencies, which reinforced the partnership's humanitarian and strategic significance. Developmental projects featured prominently in the discussions, with President Muizzu highlighting the India-assisted Malé-Thilafushi bridge as a cornerstone of cooperative infrastructure and a forthcoming symbol of shared progress. Other initiatives noted included the construction of 3,300 housing units, extensive roadworks in Addu City, and the provision of 72 heavy vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). Prime Minister Modi's state visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. UNI RN

‘We are Indians, why must we prove it again?': Men quizzed by Gurgaon cops during verification drive
‘We are Indians, why must we prove it again?': Men quizzed by Gurgaon cops during verification drive

Indian Express

time43 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

‘We are Indians, why must we prove it again?': Men quizzed by Gurgaon cops during verification drive

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Third US Court Halts Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order
Third US Court Halts Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order

NDTV

timean hour ago

  • NDTV

Third US Court Halts Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order

A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from ending birthright citizenship for the children of parents who are in the U.S. illegally, issuing the third court ruling blocking the birthright order nationwide since a key Supreme Court decision in June. U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, joining another district court as well as an appellate panel of judges, found that a nationwide injunction granted to more than a dozen states remains in force under an exception to the Supreme Court ruling. That decision restricted the power of lower-court judges to issue nationwide injunctions. The states have argued Trump's birthright citizenship order is blatantly unconstitutional and threatens millions of dollars for health insurance services that are contingent on citizenship status. The issue is expected to move quickly back to the nation's highest court. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement the administration looked forward to "being vindicated on appeal." New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who helped lead the lawsuit before Sorokin, said in a statement he was "thrilled the district court again barred President Trump's flagrantly unconstitutional birthright citizenship order from taking effect anywhere." "American-born babies are American, just as they have been at every other time in our Nation's history," he added. "The President cannot change that legal rule with the stroke of a pen." Lawyers for the government had argued Sorokin should narrow the reach of his earlier ruling granting a preliminary injunction, saying it should be "tailored to the States' purported financial injuries." Sorokin said a patchwork approach to the birthright order would not protect the states in part because a substantial number of people move between states. He also blasted the Trump administration, saying it had failed to explain how a narrower injunction would work. "That is, they have never addressed what renders a proposal feasible or workable, how the defendant agencies might implement it without imposing material administrative or financial burdens on the plaintiffs, or how it squares with other relevant federal statutes," the judge wrote. "In fact, they have characterized such questions as irrelevant to the task the Court is now undertaking. The defendants' position in this regard defies both law and logic." Sorokin acknowledged his order would not be the last word on birthright citizenship. Trump and his administration "are entitled to pursue their interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, and no doubt the Supreme Court will ultimately settle the question," Sorokin wrote. "But in the meantime, for purposes of this lawsuit at this juncture, the Executive Order is unconstitutional." The administration has not yet appealed any of the recent court rulings. Trump's efforts to deny citizenship to children born to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily will remain blocked unless and until the Supreme Court says otherwise. A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a ruling earlier this month prohibiting Trump's executive order from taking effect nationwide in a new class-action lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Joseph LaPlante in New Hampshire had paused his own decision to allow for the Trump administration to appeal, but with no appeal filed, his order went into effect. On Wednesday, a San Francisco-based appeals court found the president's executive order unconstitutional and affirmed a lower court's nationwide block. A Maryland-based judge said last week that she would do the same if an appeals court signed off. 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