Latest news with #Baltics
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Gulf nations key allies in ensuring shared security: US Defense Secretary
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized Saturday that Gulf states are essential allies in Washington's security strategy, stressing that the "America First" policy prioritizes cooperation with global partners to maintain collective security. Speaking at the opening session of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth reaffirmed that "America First does not mean America alone," citing strong alliances with countries such as the Gulf states, Poland, and the Baltics. The event brought together defense ministers, military leaders, and security experts from 47 nations, including Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah. Hegseth underscored the U.S. commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and highlighted former President Donald Trump's pursuit of a "tough, verifiable" diplomatic agreement. He warned that the failure to deter Iran could result in a regional war, reaffirming Washington's support for its allies as a path to peace and regional stability. Criticizing the decline in deterrence during the Biden administration, Hegseth cited the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, rising illegal immigration at the southern border, and increased Chinese espionage as signs of weakening national defense. In contrast, he said the current administration under Trump is focused on peace through strength, based on reviving military ethos, rebuilding armed forces, and restoring deterrence. He noted that U.S. morale, recruitment, and readiness are improving, with the defense budget projected to exceed USD 1 trillion next year. Hegseth pointed to the Iron Dome missile defense system and enhanced military deployments on the southern border as key security measures. He also warned against China's growing geopolitical influence, particularly in the Panama Canal, and pledged that the U.S. would prevent any strategic site from being used against American interests. While reiterating that the U.S. does not seek conflict with China, he stressed that it will not tolerate intimidation or efforts to undermine its allies, especially concerning Taiwan. He cautioned that destabilization in the Taiwan Strait would have severe global consequences. Hegseth outlined a three-pronged strategy for deterrence: improved forward military positioning, enhanced defense cooperation with allies, and revitalization of U.S. defense industries. He detailed deployments of advanced capabilities in the Philippines, joint training exercises with regional partners, expanded missile defense efforts, and the establishment of a proposed 'Maritime Security Union' to boost maritime domain awareness. The Defense Secretary also highlighted growing collaboration with Japan and India, particularly in defense manufacturing and interoperability, and emphasized the importance of joint military exercises such as Balikatan, Talisman Saber, and Cobra Gold. He further noted the leadership role of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network alongside the Quad countries. Hegseth concluded by urging allied nations to allocate at least 5 percent of their GDP to defense spending, in line with NATO commitments, stressing that effective deterrence requires full participation from all partners. The Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted annually in Singapore by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) since 2002, is a premier forum for discussing global and regional defense and security challenges. This year's summit runs from May 30 to June 1.
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
All-party delegation arrives in Latvia to convey India's policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism
On Friday, Ambassador Namrata briefed the all-party delegation on India-Latvia relations and Latvia's role in the Baltics, the European Union, and the United Nations, the Indian Embassy in Riga said in a post on X. The delegation members were received by Indian Ambassador to Latvia Namrata S. Kumar on their arrival at the Riga International Airport on Thursday. Riga (Latvia), May 30 (PTI) An all-party parliamentary delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has arrived in Latvia to convey India's resolute and proactive policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. The delegation, which arrived here from Greece, will meet members of the parliament of the Republic of Latvia 'Saeima', high officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, think tanks, academia and other stakeholders, the embassy said in a statement. The delegation is one of the seven multi-party delegations India has tasked to visit 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community on Pakistan's designs and India's response to terror, especially in view of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Besides Kanimozhi the group includes Rajeev Kumar Rai of SP, Brijesh Chowta of BJP, Prem Chand Gupta of RJD, Ashok Mittal of AAP and Manjeev Singh Puri, Former Ambassador of India to EU and Nepal. The delegation's visit is part of India's broader outreach with key international partners, including Latvia, to build an international alliance for cooperation in addressing terrorism. India carried out precision strikes as part of Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7, following which Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10. PTI ZH ZH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
All-party team in Latvia to affirm India's zero tolerance on terrorism
An all-party parliamentary delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has arrived in Latvia to convey India's resolute and proactive policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. The delegation members were received by Indian Ambassador to Latvia Namrata S. Kumar on their arrival at the Riga International Airport on Thursday. On Friday, Ambassador Namrata briefed the all-party delegation on India-Latvia relations and Latvia's role in the Baltics, the European Union, and the United Nations, the Indian Embassy in Riga said in a post on X. The delegation, which arrived here from Greece, will meet members of the parliament of the Republic of Latvia 'Saeima', high officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, think tanks, academia and other stakeholders, the embassy said in a statement. The delegation is one of the seven multi-party delegations India has tasked to visit 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community on Pakistan's designs and India's response to terror, especially in view of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Besides Kanimozhi the group includes Rajeev Kumar Rai of SP, Brijesh Chowta of BJP, Prem Chand Gupta of RJD, Ashok Mittal of AAP and Manjeev Singh Puri, Former Ambassador of India to EU and Nepal. The delegation's visit is part of India's broader outreach with key international partners, including Latvia, to build an international alliance for cooperation in addressing terrorism. India carried out precision strikes as part of Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7, following which Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Moody's Affirms Bigbank's Ratings and Assessments
Moody's Ratings (Moody's) has affirmed all ratings and assessments of Bigbank AS, which were assigned last year. Moody's confirmed the following ratings for Bigbank: Long-term and short-term deposit ratings: Ba1/NP Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) and Adjusted BCA: ba2 Long-term and short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings: Baa2/P-2 Long-term and short-term Counterparty Risk Assessments: Baa2(cr)/P-2(cr) The outlook on the bank's long-term deposit rating was revised from stable to negative. For more information, visit: Bigbank AS ( with over 30 years of operating history, is a commercial bank owned by Estonian capital. As of 30 April 2025, the bank's total assets amounted to 2.9 billion euros, with equity of 274 million euros. Operating in nine countries, the bank serves more than 170,000 active customers and employs over 550 people. The credit rating agency Moody's has assigned Bigbank a long-term bank deposit rating of Ba1, along with a baseline credit assessment (BCA) and an adjusted BCA of Ba2. Argo KiltsmannMember of the Management BoardTelephone: +372 5393 0833Email: in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fox News
4 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
SEN. JEANNE SHAHEEN: If Trump wants a Ukraine deal, he should reread his own book
Since his first day in office, President Donald Trump has mismanaged negotiations over an end to the war in Ukraine. More than 100 days later, innocent Ukrainians are still dying while the president gets played by Russian President Vladimir Putin – illustrated starkly by the barrages of drones and missiles continually aimed at Ukrainian cities as Trump posts online. It's good to hear Trump finally express some frustration toward Putin and admit that his negotiating tactics aren't working, that, as he says, Putin is "just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently." The reasons for this aren't complicated. Instead of increasing his leverage over Russa, Trump offered concession after concession before talks even began. Getting U.S. policy right in Ukraine matters. If we allow Russia to end these negotiations as the victor, our NATO allies in Poland and the Baltics could be next. China's President Xi Jinping will draw clear lessons from our capitulation as China plots a takeover of Taiwan. And would-be aggressors the world over will see that the international order that — while imperfect — has created stability and prosperity in much of the world has ended. Sadly, Trump is unlikely to listen to me, to our allies, or even to reasonable voices within his own White House and administration. My hope, though, is that he will be guided by the concepts from his own playbook — "The Art of the Deal" — to secure a just peace and end this war. Donald Trump says never let yourself be pushed around — but that's exactly what Putin is doing to him. When Trump proposed an unconditional ceasefire, Putin delayed and then shot a missile at a playground full of children. When Trump threatened additional sanctions if Putin didn't agree to a ceasefire, Putin blew past Trump's demands without consequence. Instead of continuing to get pushed around, the president should heed his own words: "You do your thing, you hold your ground, you stand up tall, and whatever happens, happens." Backing down now by threatening to walk away from talks is incentivizing Putin. This weakness invites Russian and Chinese aggression because an easy deal today undermines security for Europe, Taiwan and the United States tomorrow. Trump should increase sanctions — not just threaten them — and provide continued security assistance and intelligence sharing to Ukraine to sustain its war efforts against Russia. We should also reconsider Ukraine's interest in NATO membership to apply all points of pressure on Putin. Russia's economy is in real trouble with hundreds of thousands of Russians having been killed or wounded on the front lines. Putin needs this war to end. I couldn't agree more with Trump when he wrote: "The worst thing you can possibly do in a deal is seem desperate to make it. That makes the other guy smell blood, and then you're dead." Trump should not act as though Americans need this war to end more than the Russians do. While everyone wants to see an end to the bloodshed, America must approach these negotiations from a position of strength, so we can secure the best possible deal. Our economy and alliances dwarf those of Russia, which is poorer, more isolated and badly diminished by Putin's war. Trump should also not give away our leverage for nothing and that includes the economic might and political unity of our European partners. Presenting a united front means implementing punishing collective sanctions that have damaged Russia's economy and thrown sand in its war gears. Acting together with our allies undermines Putin's agenda in Europe, inflicts the greatest pain on Russia's economy and significantly limits Russia's negotiating space. Deeds matter more than words. As Trump wrote himself: "If you don't deliver the goods, people will eventually catch on." He has deeply weakened decades of American leadership and credibility by abandoning our allies and the rules-based system that allowed for predictability, peace and prosperity for Americans and much of the world. The only way to fix America's credibility is to be decisive and show American strength. An immediate ceasefire allows Trump to deliver on his commitment to the American people and test Russia's willingness to seek peace. But he should make clear that a stiffer sanctions package, including secondary sanctions outlined in Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal's legislation, will be imposed imminently. More than 80 senators of both parties have endorsed this bill. He must convince Putin — through bold and decisive action — that continued war is folly. Only then will there be a durable peace that restores deterrence in Europe and allows Ukraine to rebuild. Ukraine's signing of the mineral deal with the U.S. is a promising step, in contrast to Putin's recent no-show in Ankara. Trump can re-start peace efforts on his own terms by imposing a stiffer sanctions package on Russia without delay. If he is indeed committed to securing Ukraine's independent future, Trump must demonstrate that he is in the stronger position. But let me be clear: based on its history, the Kremlin is not interested in peace. Whether in Moldova, Georgia or Ukraine, Moscow has demonstrated strategic patience and abused others' good faith to string out negotiations and then escalate when it sees fit. Simply put, when you give Putin an inch, he will take a mile. The only way to prevent this continued cycle is to secure a peace agreement that retains Ukraine's national identity and that offers lasting security. Only then will President Trump prevent further aggression that threatens to draw America into future conflict. We are in a critical stage of negotiations and whether we get it right or wrong will reverberate for decades.
