Naresh Kumar Sagar

Just now · 

Suu Kyi’s China visit for better ties

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is set to start her first visit to China today.

Communist Party of China (CPC) announced Suu Kyi’s acceptance of an invitation to visit China, there has been some excitement among observers of China-Myanmar relations, and it is believed the debut trip underscores a common wish of the two nations to improve ties.

CPC communicates not only with foreign political parties that adopt the same ideology, but also those with a different political vision.

The invitation extended to Suu Kyi is a proof that the CPC stands ready to engage with any political parties as long as they are willing to promote the sound development of relations with China.

Since 2010, the China-Myanmar relations have witnessed some disturbances, with several key cooperation projects, including a water dam and a copper mine, being brought to a standstill.

The two countries have made progress in addressing these undesired events and both sides have the will to keep things going that way. After all, neither side wants to ditch the friendship that has been there for decades in the face of a few challenges.

As an important politician in Myanmar, Suu Kyi must have a very thorough understanding of the special bond between the two countries, as shown by the famous comparison she drew: not like married couples who could always get a divorce if they do not get along, nothing can be done to change the fact that China and Myanmar are each other’s neighbor.

In its dealings with neighboring countries, China, as a regional economic powerhouse and vital facilitator for development, has adhered to the principles of mutual benefits and win-win cooperation.

China welcomes anyone with friendly intentions and it bears no grudge for past unpleasantness.

It is hoped the upcoming visit by Suu Kyi will enhance mutual understanding and promote cooperation and friendly relations between China and Myanmar.

There is also a reminder: China has no intention to interfere in Myanmar’s internal affairs, but is determined to protect its citizens from being caught in a war launched from the other side of the border.

Myanmar has to honor its commitment to safeguarding security and stability on the China-Myanmar border and do the utmost to avoid incidents such as stray bombs on Chinese soil.

Media agencies

Ministry of External Affairs, India

Just now · 

EAM @SushmaSwaraj meets African Ambassadors during preparations for 3rd India Africa Forum Summit http://t.co/8EhXM6RtGi

Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) posted a photo on Twitter

Get the whole picture - and other photos from Vikas Swarup

PIC.TWITTER.COM

Turkish Govt Resigns

Turkish Govt Resigns

JUNE 10, 2015/NEWDELHISAMACHARA/EDIT

Turkey’s parliamentary election it became clear that Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) had fallen short of a majority for the first time in 12 years. Turkey’s NTV channel, AKP claimed some 41 per cent of the votes, a loss of 9 percentage points, which will only allow it to occupy 258 seats in the country’s 550-seat Grand National Assembly.

Erdogan’s party will now face the prospect of entering a coalition with one of the three opposition parties that passed the 10 percent barrier necessary to enter parliament.

Read morenered about 25 percent of the vote (a rise of 4 percentage points), taking about 130 seats in parliament.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) took about 17 percent (an increase of 3 percentage points), claiming a little over 80 seats. For the time in Turkish history a pro-Kurdish party, the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), has made it into the parliament, with around 13 percent of the vote.The official results of the election are set to be announced 11 or 12 days after Sunday’s vote.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accepted the government’s resignation on Tuesday, asking Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to stay on in his post until a new Cabinet is formed.

The prime minister’s resignation is a standard procedure after Sunday’s parliamentary election before the new government starts operating, the Turkish president’s office said.

“The president thanked the government for its work to date. [The acting] Cabinet will continue working until the new government is put together,” Erdogan’s office said in a statement, Tass reported.

After a swearing-in ceremony on June 25, the new Turkish parliament members will have 45 days to agree on the composition of the cabinet.

If they fail to form a government by that deadline, Erdogan has the power to call a new parliamentary election.

Global views 

20 dead in series of Baghdad bombings

Twenty people have died, and scores have been injured during a spate of bomb attacks in Iraqi capital Baghdad, government officials have said. In the most deadly attack, a car bomb went off on Tuesday evening, near a busy street of shops and restaurants. No one has claimed responsibility, but Islamic State has been behind many of the successful attacks in the city in recent months.

Islamic State captures Libyan hub of Sirte - reports

Jihadists from the Islamic State have defeated more moderate Islamist militias from the Fajr Libya movement to take over the port of Sirte, according to the US-based SITE Intelligence Group. The group says it has identified photographic and video evidence showing "IS fighters engaged in clashes, sitting atop heavy guns, exploring the power plant and town, as well as bodies of dead Fajr Libya fighters." The group earlier captured the airport and main power plant in the city, which was the birthplace of former ruler Muammar Gaddafi, and the most strategic location captured by the group in the country.

TSA congressional hearing interrupted by bomb threat

Capitol police interrupted a congressional TSA oversight hearing Tuesday morning, clearing the room after a suspicious package was found in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Hosted by the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, the meeting was looking into the challenges facing the beleaguered agency, which has been scathed by multiple recent failures. The package was found to be not dangerous, and a second suspicious object that was found shortly thereafter near the Russell Senate Office Building turned out to be a simple cooler.

Libya MPs suspend UN-brokered talks with rival Islamist govt

Libya’s parliament on Tuesday suspended its participation in UN-brokered talks over a proposed power-sharing scheme with a rival Islamist-led government. The council made its decision after UN envoy Bernardino Leon “succumbed” to Islamist demands and presented a draft proposal that gives them more power, AP quoted a spokesman for the internationally-recognized parliament’s negotiators, Essa Abdel-Kauoum, as saying. The delegation will not be attending another planned meeting in Berlin, Abdel-Kauoum said. The UN draft stipulates the formation of a national unity government and would create a new Islamist-dominated body with legislative and executive powers alongside the elected parliament.

Islamic aid group chief shot dead in SE Turkey, 3 others killed in clash

An Islamic aid group leader was shot dead near his office in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir on Tuesday, Reuters reported. Security sources confirmed the killing of Aytac Baran from Yeni Ihya Der, a group linked to the Islamist Huda Par political party. It drew support from sympathizers of the Hizbollah militant group active in the 1990s. The attack came two days after elections in which the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) entered parliament as a party for the first time. Three people were killed when a clash broke out after the attack, according to security sources.

Czech defense minister says petrol bombs thrown at his house

Czech Defence Minister Martin Stropnicky said Tuesday that what appeared to be fire bombs had been thrown at his house early Sunday morning, Reuters reported. One of his sons and two other people were inside the house when four bottles hit the house, in a suburb of Prague, at about 4am. A small fire was reportedly quickly extinguished. The attack pointed “to the radicalization of certain groups that stand against the values we hold,” Stropnicky said, without giving any further details.

US & allies conduct 23 airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq, Syria

US and allied forces conducted 14 airstrikes in Iraq and nine in Syria against Islamic State militants during a 24-hour period ending Tuesday morning, Reuters said. The strikes in Iraq hit near Mosul, Tal Afar, Baiji, Kirkuk and Makhmur, destroying buildings, fighting positions and vehicles, according to the Combined Joint Task Force. Six of the airstrikes in Syria were concentrated around Kobani near the Turkish border, and three near the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa.

Argentine businessman Burzaco surrenders to Italian police in FIFA corruption case

Argentine businessman Alejandro Burzaco, who was indicted by US authorities in connection to the FIFA corruption case, turned himself in Tuesday morning, police in northern Italy said. Burzaco was “searched for across the world” after being named, along with two other Argentines, in the indictment, AP quoted Bolzano police official Giuseppe Tricarico as saying. Until the police raid that captured several FIFA officials and businessmen, Burzaco was the president of sports marketing company Torneos y Competencias.

Russia, China to hold 2nd stage of joint navy maneuvers in Sea of Japan

Russia and China have marked an area in the Sea of Japan to hold the second stage of joint naval exercises, the Russian military said Tuesday. Officers from the Russian Eastern Military District, the Pacific Fleet Headquarters and representatives from the Chinese Navy held a reconnaissance mission at the Knevichi Airfield. They studied the areas for landing troops at a Pacific Fleet range near Mys Klerk (Cape Klerk), Sputnik quoted Aleksandr Gordeyev, the head of the Russian Eastern Military District’s press service, as saying. The first stage of the exercises was held in the Mediterranean Sea.

Islamic State seizes power plant near Sirte, Libya 

Islamic State militants have seized a power plant west of the Libyan city of Sirte, Reuters reported. IS announced the seizure in a message on social media, adding that “now the city of Sirte has been freed completely.” Forces loyal to the self-declared government that controls the Libyan capital Tripoli pulled out of Sirte after the attack on the plant began. Three soldiers were killed, according to a military source.

More than 6,450 people killed in Ukraine conflict – UN

The UN humanitarian office said Tuesday that 6,454 people had been killed and 16,146 injured in the conflict in eastern Ukraine from April 2014 through June 3, 2015, Tass reported. More than 5 million people are in need of humanitarian aid, Jens Laerke, the spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in Geneva.

Egypt court sentences 11 people to death over 2012 soccer stadium violence

An Egyptian court Tuesday sentenced 11 men to death for involvement in deadly soccer stadium violence in 2012, Reuters said, citing a televised court session report. One of the 11 men was sentenced in absentia. In April, the judge had referred the sentencing of the 11 to Egypt’s Grand Mufti, a step toward the death penalty.

Philippines, Japan to hold 2nd naval drills this year

The Philippines and Japan will hold joint naval drills this year, Philippines Navy spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo said Tuesday. The June 22-26 maneuvers with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force would be the second this year, after a one-day exercise in the flashpoint South China Sea last month, AFP said. It was not reported where the new exercises would be held, or which ships would take part, however. Two Japanese destroyers and one Philippine warship held maneuvers on May 12, less than 300 kilometers from the Philippine-claimed Scarborough Shoal, which is under Chinese control.

12 Maoist rebels killed in shootout in eastern India

Twelve Maoist rebels were killed in a gun battle with security forces in a remote forest in eastern India, police said Tuesday. The fighting broke out when policemen tried to intercept a group of suspected guerrillas late Monday in eastern Jharkand state, a rebel stronghold, AFP reported. The Maoist insurgency began in the 1960s and has cost thousands of lives, as rebels say they are fighting against the authorities for land and other rights for poor tribal groups.