Latest news with #InternationalDevelopment
Saba Yemen
5 days ago
- Business
- Saba Yemen
Norway: Israel's violations in Gaza pose global threat to future
Oslo – Saba: Norwegian Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, affirmed that Israel is setting a "dangerous precedent" by violating international human rights laws in the Gaza Strip, further escalating global instability. According to the British newspaper The Guardian on Saturday, Aukrust stated, "Norway was one of the few European countries to recognize the Palestinian state last year. Over the past year and a half, we have witnessed a significant decline in respect for international law in the war on Gaza, and in recent months, the situation has worsened more than ever. Therefore, it is extremely important for the Norwegian government to protest and condemn this blatant violation." He added, "Israel's actions not only exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza but also pose a global threat to the future. We are deeply concerned that food is being used as a weapon of war and that the UN and humanitarian organizations are being barred from entering conflict zones." Aukrust continued, "We are very afraid that this could become a new international standard, making the world more dangerous for all of us." He noted that Norway's Oil Fund, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, has blacklisted 11 companies supporting the Israeli entity. Aukrust expects the Norwegian parliament to reject calls next week to halt the fund's investments in companies selling products and services in the occupied Palestinian territories, stressing that the fund should not invest in anything contributing to violations of international law. The Norwegian minister pointed out that his country's decision to recognize Palestine in May 2024 was "to send a message of hope," urging citizens across Europe to continue protesting and maintaining faith in political action. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Saba Yemen
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Norwegian Development Minister: Situation in Gaza is disappointing
Oslo - Saba: Norwegian Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, stated on Friday that the situation in the Gaza Strip is "disappointing, as humanitarian aid is being used as a weapon." According to Quds Press Agency, Aukrust emphasized that "the war in Gaza must stop, and action must be taken because the number of dead and wounded is increasing every day." The Norwegian minister called for "respecting international law and allowing organizations to deliver aid to Gaza." The occupation forces renewed their aggression on the Gaza Strip at dawn on March 18, 2025, launching airstrikes across the territory, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of over 12,000 Palestinians. This escalation violated a ceasefire agreement with Palestinian resistance factions, which had lasted nearly 60 days after being mediated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Maninder Sidhu educational qualifications: How academic roots and entrepreneurship shaped Canada's new International Trade Minister
Maninder Sidhu , a name that resonates in Brampton East and beyond, has built a career that is a testament to the power of education, hard work, and dedication to public service. Born in April 1984, Sidhu's roots run deep in Brampton, Ontario, where he has lived for over three decades with his wife and children. Known for being a family man, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and tennis enthusiast, Sidhu's journey to becoming Canada's newest Minister of International Trade is shaped by his academic foundation, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his passion for community service. Academic foundation in Waterloo Sidhu's academic path began at the University of Waterloo , where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008. The choice was pivotal, not only because of the university's renowned educational programs but also because of its commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. Waterloo is famous for producing graduates who are ready to tackle real-world challenges, and Sidhu was no exception. During his time at the university, Sidhu gained more than just theoretical knowledge; he was prepared for the complexities of the business world. The rigorous environment of Waterloo encouraged critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation—skills that would later serve him well in his career as an entrepreneur and international trade consultant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ótimas notícias para os cidadãos brasileiros! Leia mais Undo Entrepreneurship : A step toward global engagement After completing his studies, Sidhu entered the world of business, founding his own customs brokerage company. This decision marked the beginning of his career as an entrepreneur, where he specialised in facilitating international trade. The expertise he gained in managing cross-border logistics, understanding trade regulations, and advising companies on global commerce set the stage for his future political endeavours. His work was not only focused on growing his business but also on mentoring young entrepreneurs, helping others build their own successful careers. Political transition: Serving Brampton East In October 2019, Sidhu transitioned from the business world to politics, when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Brampton East. His entrepreneurial background provided him with a unique lens through which he could understand and approach the challenges facing his constituents. Sidhu's rise to political office was fuelled by his belief in giving back to the community and creating opportunities for others. On March 19, 2021, Sidhu was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development. In this role, he helped shape Canada's global development strategies and strengthened ties with international partners. This role was a natural extension of his previous work in international trade and further highlighted his commitment to fostering global cooperation. Philanthropy: Giving back to the community Sidhu's philanthropic spirit has always been a defining feature of his career. He founded the Kindness Movement Charity , an initiative dedicated to supporting underprivileged schoolchildren and vulnerable communities in both India and Canada. Maninder Sidhu's appointment as Canada's Minister of International Trade on May 13, 2025, marks a significant milestone in his political journey and highlights his deep commitment to enhancing Canada's global economic presence. Invest in Their Tomorrow, Today: Equip your child with the essential AI skills for a future brimming with possibilities | Join Now
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First Post
14-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Anita Anand, Randeep Sarai and Ruby Sahota: The Indian-origin members in Mark Carney's Cabinet
Anita Anand took her oath of office as Canada's new foreign minister with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, a practice she has followed in her previous Cabinet roles. However, she is not the only Indian-origin leader in Prime Minister Mark Carney's new Cabinet. Others include Randeep Sarai, appointed Secretary of State for International Development; Maninder Sidhu, who will serve as Minister of International Trade; and Ruby Sahota, appointed Secretary of State for Combatting Crime read more (Left to Right): Anita Anand, Randeep Sarai and Ruby Sahota. Image: AFP/X Canadian politician Anita Anand took her oath of office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, a practice she has followed during previous Cabinet roles too. The Hindu leader has now been made Canada's new foreign minister as part of a major Cabinet shake-up by Prime Minister Mark Carney. However, she is not the only leader of Indian origin in the new team. ALSO READ | STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Brampton East MP Maninder Sidhu, Brampton North MP Ruby Sahota, and Surrey Centre MP Randeep Singh Sarai have also been given roles in the new Cabinet led by Mark Carney. In this explainer, we look at who these leaders are and what portfolios they have been given. Here's a look: Anita Anand Mark Carney, who took over from Justin Trudeau earlier this year and won the recent election, has named Anita Anand as Canada's new foreign minister , replacing Melanie Joly. After taking her oath, Anand posted on X: 'I am honoured to be named Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians.' WATCH | Anita Anand, of Indian origin, became Canada's Foreign Minister in the Mark Carney cabinet, taking her oath on the Bhagavad Gita. This marks her as the first Hindu woman in the role Source: AP #AnitaAnand #ForeignMinister #Canada #MarkCarneyCabinet — News18 (@CNNnews18) May 14, 2025 Anand is a Canadian lawyer, academic and politician. Over the years, she has held several key roles, including minister of defence, transport, and innovation, science and industry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She is also the first Hindu woman to become Canada's foreign minister. Anand was born to Indian immigrant parents: her mother Saroj, a Tamil, and her father S V Anand, a Punjabi. Both were doctors. She grew up in Kentville, Nova Scotia Her political journey began in 2019, when she was elected as the MP for Oakville, becoming the first Hindu woman to enter Canada's House of Commons. Maninder Sidhu Sidhu, who entered Parliament in 2019, has received his first Cabinet post as minister of international trade, a key role at a time of growing trade tensions with the United States. The Brampton East MP had earlier served as parliamentary secretary to several ministers, including Dominic LeBlanc and Mary Ng. Sidhu was born in Punjab and moved to Canada as a child. He was brought up in Brampton, which has a strong Punjabi community. Sidhu is serving as the MP for Brampton East. X/@MSidhuLiberal A business graduate from the University of Toronto, he worked in real estate and was active in community service before stepping into politics. Since becoming an MP, Sidhu has spoken out in support of small businesses and pushed for more diverse trade ties, especially with India and the Indo-Pacific region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His Punjabi background and fluency in the language have helped him connect closely with Brampton's South Asian voters. Ruby Sahota Ruby Sahota, MP from Brampton North, has been appointed Secretary of State for Combatting Crime. In this role, she will assist the Minister of Public Safety. Born in Toronto to Punjabi parents who moved from Punjab, Sahota's background has shaped her focus on community issues. Congratulations, @rubysahotalib, on your appointment as Secretary of State (Combatting Crime). — Liberal Party (@liberal_party) May 13, 2025 She studied law at the University of Saskatchewan and practised immigration and family law before entering public life. First elected in 2015, Sahota became one of the first Indo-Canadian women in Parliament. She is known for her efforts on youth outreach and public safety, and has chaired the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Randeep Sarai Randeep Sarai, MP for Surrey Centre, has served in Parliament since 2015, but this is his first time joining Cabinet. He has been appointed Secretary of State for International Development, where he will help lead Canada's efforts in foreign aid and global cooperation. I'm honoured to have been sworn in as Secretary of State for International Development. (1/4) — Randeep S. Sarai (@randeepssarai) May 13, 2025 Over the years, Sarai has served as parliamentary secretary for veterans affairs and chaired the House justice committee. His involvement in the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration will add to his new responsibilities, which include managing development aid programmes in South Asia. Indian-origin MPs in House of Commons The 2025 Canadian federal election saw a record number of Indian-origin leaders enter Parliament, with 22 candidates of Indian descent winning seats in the House of Commons. In total, 65 Indian-origin candidates had contested the polls across different parties. In the previous House of Commons, there were 17 MPs of Indian origin. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Notably, Jagmeet Singh, born to Punjabi immigrants, stepped down as the New Democratic Party (NDP) leader after losing his Burnaby Central seat to Wade Chang of the Liberal Party. How did other Indian-origin candidates fare? In Edmonton Southeast, Liberal candidate Amarjeet Sohi lost to Conservative candidate Jagsharan Singh Mahal. Meanwhile, Liberal leader Sukh Dhaliwal held on to his Surrey Newton seat. Jayesh Brahmbhatt of the People's Party was defeated in the Brampton-Chinguacousy Park constituency. In Brampton West, Liberal candidate Kamal Khera lost, while Conservative candidate Shuv Majumdar secured a win in Calgary Heritage. Also, Priti Obhrai Martin, representing the Liberal Party, was defeated in Calgary East. Over 10 ministers from the previous Cabinet were not retained this time, including former defence minister Bill Blair. Women continue to make up half of the Cabinet, as was the case under Justin Trudeau. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the new Cabinet has been formed to bring the change Canadians are looking for. This is the Liberal Party's fourth term in power. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
US designates powerful Haiti gang alliance as transnational terrorist group
WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday designated Haiti's powerful Viv Ansanm gang alliance, whose members have taken control of almost all the capital Port-au-Prince and spread to surrounding areas, a 'transnational terrorist group'. The U.S. Treasury Department also applied the designation to the Gran Grif gang, which in October took responsibility for a shocking massacre of at least 115 people in the agricultural town of Pont-Sonde. 'They are a direct threat to U.S. national security interests in our region,' Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement, adding that providing material support or resources to the gangs could lead to 'criminal charges and inadmissibility or removal from the United States.' The gang conflict in Haiti has been met with little international response, while neighboring countries, including the U.S., have continued to deport migrants back to the Caribbean nation despite United Nations pleas not to due to humanitarian concerns. Over 1 million people have been displaced by the conflict, and tens of thousands more in recent weeks, as the violence has spread to central Haiti, forcing more health facilities to shut their doors and pushing more people into severe food insecurity. Frozen U.S. funding for security efforts and the dismantling of the U.S. agency for International Development, as well as other cuts, also complicate the situation. The latest designations come after the U.S. in February designated Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang, alongside a number of other organized crime groups across Latin America including Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, as global terrorist organizations. The U.S. government later invoked a rarely used wartime act to designate Tren de Aragua as 'alien enemies,' resulting in the deportation without due process of many Venezuelans to a controversial prison in El Salvador, which is being paid to hold them. It was unclear what, if any, impact the terrorist designation would have regarding Haiti. Armed groups in Haiti have made significant gains in the first part of 2025, as an under-resourced, U.N.-backed security mission has stalled, and along with police has been unable to hold off advances of the heavily-armed and well-funded gangs. The U.N. has called for tougher measures to prevent guns being trafficked to the Haitian gangs, especially from the U.S., which it said was the major source of illegal firearms in Haiti via ports in Florida. Luckson Elan, who heads Gran Grif, and Jimmy Cherizier, who acts as spokesman for the Viv Ansanm alliance that is seeking political representation in Haiti, are both subject to U.N. sanctions.
