Latest news with #MinistryofForeignAffairs
Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
On Cam: China's Spooked Reaction To Trump's Huge Taiwan Weapon Aim, Chinese Students' Visa Trouble
China issued a sharp response to US' plans to revoke visas of Chinese students. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian termed Washington's move as "ideological bias and Cold War zero-sum mentality". This comes after US State Department spokesperson Tammy Brce warned Chinese nationals will face repeated vetting, claiming that the CPC is 'exploiting' American universities.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘Unfriendly and meddling': Cuba reprimands US diplomat amid rising tensions
Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement of protest against the head of the United States mission to the island, Michael Hammer. In a news release published on Friday, the Foreign Ministry accused Hammer, a career diplomat, of 'unfriendly and meddling behaviour' since his arrival in Cuba in late 2024. 'By inciting Cuban citizens to commit extremely serious criminal acts, attacking the constitutional order, or encouraging them to act against the authorities or demonstrate in support of the interests and objectives of a hostile foreign power, the diplomat is engaging in provocative and irresponsible conduct,' the Foreign Ministry wrote. 'The immunity he enjoys as a representative of his country cannot be used as cover for acts contrary to the sovereignty and internal order of the country to which he is assigned, in this case, Cuba.' The Foreign Ministry said the message was delivered by its director of bilateral affairs with the US, Alejandro Garcia del Toro. Friday's statement is the latest indication of increasingly rocky relations between Cuba and the US, particularly since President Donald Trump began his second term in January. Diplomatic ties between the two countries, however, have been icy for decades, stretching back to the Cold War in the 1960s. After the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the US government imposed strict trade restrictions on the island and backed efforts to topple the newly established Communist government. But there have been efforts to ease the tensions, notably during the administrations of Democratic presidents like Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the US. In 2016, for instance, Obama sought to normalise relations with Cuba, only to see those efforts rolled back during the first Trump administration, starting in 2017. Likewise, President Biden – who formerly served as Obama's vice president – removed Cuba from the US's list of 'state sponsors of terrorism' in the waning days of his term in January. But upon taking office for his second time on January 20, Trump reversed course once more, putting Cuba back on the list that very same day. Trump also included in his presidential cabinet several officials who have taken a hardline stance towards Cuba, most notably former Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Born to Cuban immigrants, Rubio is an outspoken supporter of continuing the trade embargo against the island. The Cuban government, meanwhile, has continued to accuse the US of attempting to destabilise its leadership. In Friday's statement, the Cuban Foreign Ministry accused Hammer of 'public and insulting manipulation' for his recent visit to the tomb of a 19th-century national hero, Jose Marti. The US Embassy to Cuba posted a video of the visit with a voiceover of Marti's words, 'Respect for the freedom and thoughts of others, even of the most unhappy kind, is my passion: If I die or am killed, it will be for that.' Critics have interpreted that citation as an implied endorsement of dissent on the island. In recent months, there have also been signs that Trump plans to once again tighten the screws on the Cuban government, in a return to the 'maximum pressure' campaigns that typified foreign policy during his first term. In February, for instance, the Trump administration announced it would yank visas from anyone who works with Cuba's medical system, which sends thousands of healthcare workers abroad each year, particularly in the Caribbean region. Critics have criticised the healthcare programme for its low pay and hefty restrictions on its employees. Trump and Rubio, meanwhile, have claimed the medical system amounts to a form of 'forced labour' that enriches the Cuban government. But leaders in Havana have denied that allegation. Then, in April, the US government condemned Cuba for re-arresting a group of dissidents, among them prominent figures like Jose Daniel Ferrer and Felix Navarro. Cuba had initially agreed to release Ferrer and Navarro as part of a bargain brokered by the Vatican earlier this year. Cuba was expected to release 553 prisoners, many of whom were swept up in antigovernment protests, and in exchange, the US was supposed to ease its sanctions against the island. The sanctions relief, however, never came. An additional measure was taken against Cuba just this month. The Department of State, under Rubio's direction, determined that 'Cuba did not fully cooperate with US counterterrorism efforts in 2024'. It accused Cuba of harbouring 11 fugitives, some of whom faced terrorism-related charges in the US. 'The Cuban regime made clear it was not willing to discuss their return to face justice in our nation,' the State Department wrote in a news release. 'The United States will continue to promote international cooperation on counterterrorism issues. We also continue to promote accountability for countries that do not stand against terrorism.' As punishment, Cuba was labelled as a 'not fully cooperating country' under the Arms Export Control Act, a designation that limits its ability to buy weaponry and other defence tools from the US. Furthermore, Hammer had recently signalled that new sanctions were on the way for the island. But in the face of Friday's reprimand, the State Department indicated it was undeterred and would continue to support dissidents against Cuba's 'malign influence'.
The Star
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
‘It is a breach of humanitarian law'
Israel may be in breach of international law by restricting the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, says Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Wong said: 'The restrictions imposed on the delivery of humanitarian supplies are completely unacceptable. In our opinion, it may even be a likely breach of international humanitarian law. So it cannot be justified.' While Singapore has always said that Israel has the right to defend itself, it has 'gone too far and its actions have caused a terrible humanitarian disaster', he added. Wong also reiterated that Singapore supports the right of the Palestinian people to their homeland through a negotiated two-state solution, beyond the current crisis. It joins countries around the world to call for an immediate ceasefire, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, the protection of civilians and the return of hostages, he added. There are international efforts on a ceasefire as well as a road map towards a two-state solution, he added, noting Singapore's participation in an international conference in June – co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia – to work towards a solution. The June conference – organised by the United Nations – plans to achieve concrete solutions to end the conflict. Its working groups include security arrangements for both Israelis and Palestinians, the economic viability of a Palestinian State, and humanitarian action and reconstruction. Wong was answering a question posed to Macron by a French media outlet on Europe's stance on the conflict, and whether the European Union was considering sanctions on Israel. Macron, who spoke first, said all will depend on choices made by the Israeli government in the coming days and 'it is very clear that we cannot allow the situation to continue'. He said the blockade on the delivery of humanitarian aid has made the situation on the ground unbearable. Macron said: 'All the humanitarian aid coming from all around the world is being blocked by the Israeli army. 'This is not acceptable.' If there is no response in line with the humanitarian situation in Gaza 'in the coming hours and days ... we will have to harden our collective position', he added. He added that Europe may have to apply sanctions, but he has hope that the Israel will change its stance and allow aid. Macron said: 'France will contribute to putting together this conference in New York in June, and I had a very important discussion with the prime minister here on our cooperation in the context of this conference.' The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified following the resumption of Israel's assault since March after the breakdown of a two-month ceasefire. On March 2, two weeks before the resumption of its military offensive, Israel imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid and commercial supplies to Gaza. In a statement on May 20, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged all parties involved to refrain from taking unilateral actions that hinder the peace process. It reiterated Singapore's calls for the 'immediate, full resumption' of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and for a ceasefire to be implemented immediately. — The Straits Times/ANN
Qatar Tribune
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar condemns Israel's approval of construction of 22 new settlements in occupied West Bank
DOHA: The State of Qatar has strongly condemned the Israeli occupation authorities' approval of the construction of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, considering it a flagrant violation of international legitimacy resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 2334, and a blatant assault on the rights of the Palestinian people. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the need for the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities to compel Israel to halt its settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Ministry reiterated the State of Qatar's firm and consistent position in support of the Palestinian cause and the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people, based on international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution, ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Print
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
All-party delegation in Algeria to share India's concern over cross-border terrorism
During their four-day visit, the members of the delegation will focus on cross-border terrorism, especially after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, arrived here after concluding its tour to Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Algiers, May 30 (PTI) An all-party Indian delegation arrived in Algeria on Friday to highlight India's decisive and resolute stance on terrorism, particularly its fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. 'Taking India's message to the world! A warm welcome to all-party delegation of Members of Parliament led by Baijayant Jay Panda, upon their arrival in #Algiers today afternoon,' said a post on X by the Indian Embassy here. 'Ambassador Dr Swati V Kulkarni received the delegation at #Algiers airport along with Mourad Heraki, Director (Ceremonial) and Zineddine Goufi, Deputy Director (Asia Oceania), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs of #Algeria,' the Embassy added. The delegation will highlight India's decisive and resolute stance on terrorism, particularly its fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and emphasise the importance of international collaboration on counter-terrorism, the Embassy of India in Algiers said in a statement earlier. Besides Panda, other members of the delegation are AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, former chairperson of the National Commission for Women and Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma, BJP MP Phangnon Konyak, BJP MP Satnam Singh Sandhu and former foreign secretary Harsh Shringla. 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 to emphasise Pakistan's links to terrorism. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. 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 NSA NPK NPK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
