DMK functionaries gherao minister in party event, refuse to allow him
They demanded changes in the party's urban district unit leadership. In a similar event at a different location, functionaries expressed their dissatisfaction over the district-level leaders constantly sidelining the backward class welfare minister Siva V Meyyanathan, an MLA representing the Alangudi constituency in the district.
Sources said that the BLA meeting for the north and south districts of Pudukottai DMK was conducted in two different wedding halls in the town.
The meeting for the north district was organised by the district secretary K K Chellapandian and for the south district by the secretary and minister for natural resources S Regupathy.
When municipal administration minister Nehru entered the south district meeting venue, supporters of Meyyanathan expressed dissatisfaction over the south district's leadership for constantly ignoring the MLA's images in the party's banners.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Jacareí (consulte o preço)
Alarmes
Undo
by Taboola
by Taboola
They questioned the objective of the Oraniyil Tamil Nadu drive (Tamil Nadu in Unison) by the DMK when the local minister himself was sidelined.
Later, during the meeting for the north district unit, a section of ward secretaries gheraoed Nehru, seeking the in-charge of the DMK urban district unit, Rajesh, to be removed. The functionaries who blocked Nehru from entering the venue said that they would not leave the party, as they have worked hard.
Though the minister invited the functionaries for a talk, the protesters refused to allow the minister inside the hall and raised their dissent. Party sources said that Nehru informed the functionaries that their demands shall be taken to the notice of the CM and deputy CM for a solution during their upcoming visit to Trichy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump's 50% levy on Brazil shows world nothing is off limits
Donald Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Brazil over its domestic political affairs, the most extreme case yet of the US president weaponizing trade policy to make unrelated demands. Trump cited the treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro — a right-wing populist leader — in his letter to Brazil on Wednesday, calling on authorities to drop charges against him over an alleged coup attempt. 'This Trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!' Trump wrote in the letter. Brazil's leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva fired back in a social media post, saying his nation will not be 'tutored' by anyone. He added that the case against those who planned a coup is a matter solely for the country's justice system and 'not subject to interference or threat.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A failing liver is taking anshuman away! Please help him! Donate For Health Donate Now 'Any unilateral rate hikes will be responded to using Brazil's economic reciprocity law,' Lula wrote. 'The sovereignty, respect and intransigent defense of the Brazilian people's interests are what guide our relations with the world.' Trump's latest threat, against a nation that sells fewer goods to the US than it buys, risks reinforcing concerns that formal trade agreements may offer limited protection against future tariff hikes. It also again shows that the rates Trump unveiled in April on 'Liberation Day' carry little meaning. Live Events Read More | Trump imposes 50% tariff on Brazil, Lula warns of 'reciprocal measures' Trump has previously used tariff threats to accomplish other geopolitical goals. In January, he announced sweeping tariffs on Colombia before abruptly pulling the threat after reaching a deal on the return of deported migrants. He's also put 20% tariffs on China for its alleged failure to stop the flow of fentanyl to the US, and threatened BRICS nations with higher duties for undermining the dollar. Unprecedented Still, it's unprecedented for the US to add a tariff onto a foreign country to stop a judicial proceeding, according to Stephen Olson, visiting senior fellow at ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute and a former US trade negotiator. 'It signals to US trade partners that any and all issues that catch Trump's attention could become a problematic part of the trade agenda,' Olson said. 'It also raises questions as to whether the reciprocal tariff negotiations will ever really settle anything.' So far, Trump's flurry of new warnings have done little to rattle global markets as they did when the so-called reciprocal tariffs were announced in April, with traders focusing on Trump's overall extension of the deadline to Aug. 1. That's effectively given trading partners an extension for talks as skepticism persists on Wall Street that he will follow through on his import taxes. Currency hit But the move on Brazil shook the real, which slumped as much as 2.9% against the US dollar. US equity futures retreated amid uncertainty over the Trump administration's trade policies, with S&P 500 contracts slipping 0.2%, even as stocks gained in Europe and Asia. The Brazil letter was one of several sent by Trump on Wednesday. He levied a 30% rate on Algeria, Libya, Iraq and Sri Lanka, with 25% duties on products from Brunei and Moldova and a 20% rate on goods from the Philippines. They were largely in line with rates Trump previously announced, though he lowered them for Iraq and Sri Lanka while raising them on the Philippines, a US ally. Brazil is the first country to receive one of Trump's tariff notifications that was not on the initial list of trading partners when he announced higher so-called reciprocal tariffs in April. And the letter to Brazil also presents a warning shot to the BRICS group of developing nations, which Trump has cast as a threat to the US dollar's status as the world's key currency. Bloomberg Read More | No Trump letter for India, yet: What's happening Brazil is unusual among Trump's most recent tariff targets because it runs a deficit in trade with the US, while almost all the others post large surpluses. In 2024, Brazil imported some $44 billion of American products, while US imports from Brazil were around $42 billion, according to the Census Bureau — putting it among the top 20 American trading partners. Asked what formula he was using to determine the appropriate duty rate for trading partners, Trump told reporters at a White House event on Wednesday that it was 'based on common sense, based on deficits, based on how we've been over the years, and based on raw numbers.' 'They're based on very, very substantial facts, and also past history,' he said. Trump added to uncertainty earlier this week by claiming he was 'not 100% firm' on that new cut-off date for talks. He has since sought to signal to investors and trading partners that he is committed to carrying out his tariff threats, vowing Tuesday that 'all money will be due and payable starting AUGUST 1, 2025 — No extensions will be granted' on country-specific levies. Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender on Wednesday indicated that even if tariffs kicked into effect, negotiations could continue beyond the August deadline. 'There's enormous progress that has been made with many of these countries, and for some of them it is just finalizing some of the terms of the framework,' he said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. 'Now obviously, the details of the trade agreement will be worked out well beyond August 1st, but a general framework is the objective to have by August 1st.' Still, the Brazil threat signaled that even if nations strike trade deals with the US by the Aug. 1 deadline, they may still face tariff escalation afterward, according to economists at Barclays Plc. led by Brian Tan. BRICS, Copper 'We suspect President Trump's announcement of a 50% tariff on Brazil is likely to erode Emerging Asian policymakers' confidence that a deal would put an end to uncertainty over US trade policy,' they wrote. The president has also raised the stakes for two key trading partners, saying the European Union could receive a unilateral tariff rate soon despite progress in negotiations, and vowing to hit India with an additional 10% levy for its participation in the BRICS. He has raised the specter of more industry-specific tariffs, as well, floating a 50% rate on copper products that sent that metal climbing as high as 17% in New York on Tuesday, a record one-day spike. He also pitched tariffs as high as 200% on pharmaceutical imports if drug companies don't shift production to the US in the next year. Read More | Trump tariffs aim to settle scores with countries, no matter their size While Trump has touted his tariff notification letters as deals, even the actual agreements he has managed to strike during the negotiating period with the UK and Vietnam have been far short of comprehensive, leaving many details unclear. Trump also secured a truce with China to lower rates and ease the flow of critical earth minerals. The result of Trump's criticism of BRICS economies and his high tariff threats may end up being that it only brings those economies closer together, according to Steven Okun, founder and CEO of APAC Advisors. 'It signals that countries should continue to expect Trump to use tariffs to get what he wants — and there's limited scope for a reprieve,' he said by phone. 'He can add tariffs for whatever reason at any time."
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Iran-backed Houthis take 6 seafarers hostage after attack on Greek ship in Red Sea: Report
Yemen's Houthi militia , widely believed to be supported by Iran, has reportedly captured at least six crew members from a sunken Greek-operated ship in the Red Sea, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing maritime sources. The militia group claimed on Wednesday that they had rescued several members of the ship's crew, but gave no further details. The seafarers were aboard one of the vessels attacked in a fresh wave of maritime assaults by the Houthis this week. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo The Houthis sank two commercial ships and killed multiple crew members during three consecutive days of attacks, marking one of the most aggressive escalations in the Red Sea since their maritime campaign began in late 2023. One of the targeted vessels, the Eternity C , a commodity carrier, sank on Wednesday morning, two days after it was first struck, according to a report by Bloomberg. Live Events The European Union's naval force confirmed that six crew members were rescued, but 19 remain missing, including at least three fatalities, according to a person with direct knowledge of the incident. Another vessel, the Magic Seas , a larger Greek-owned bulk carrier, was also attacked and later sunk. Both ships came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades and small arms, Bloomberg reported, citing distress call logs and military sources. 'Disregard for human life', say shipowners 'It was extensive and with complete disregard for human life,' said Michael Bodouroglou, CEO of Stem Shipping, which owns the Magic Seas. 'The crew was taking fire indiscriminately. There were rockets that were fired in the accommodation, bullets in the accommodation and the bridge.' While the crew of the Magic Seas was eventually rescued by a passing ship before the Houthis destroyed the vessel, the crew of the Eternity C has not all been accounted for. The U.S. Embassy in Yemen stated that the Houthis had kidnapped 'many surviving crew members' and called for their immediate and unconditional release. Houthi strategy sharpens, Red Sea traffic remains risky The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), part of the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain, told Bloomberg that both the Eternity C and Magic Seas were linked to ships that had recently called at Israeli ports, potentially explaining why they were targeted. However, the parameters of the Houthi threat remain unclear, Bloomberg noted. These latest incidents double the number of vessels sunk by the Houthis since the start of their Red Sea campaign. Previously, they sank the Tutor in June 2023 and the Rubymar earlier that year. According to Corey Ranslem, CEO of Dryad Global, a maritime intelligence firm, the recent escalation appears to reflect a more "ruthless" approach. 'These guys are scared to death,' Ranslem said, referring to seafarers. 'They're not military people; they are seafarers.' The attacks have renewed fears about the safety of shipping in the Red Sea, where traffic has already dropped by about 70% since the Houthis began their campaign in protest of the war in Gaza. Shipowners now face the tough decision of whether to risk the Suez Canal route or divert around Africa, significantly increasing fuel costs and travel times. While Stem Shipping had briefly resumed transits through the Suez following a temporary ceasefire declared in May, Bodouroglou told Bloomberg the company would now be 'very skeptical' of continuing.
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Taiwan begins 10-day military drills to counter Chinese threats
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te waves after an offshore anti-terrorism drill (Image: AP) TAIPEI: Taiwan on Wednesday launched annual military exercises intended to guard against Chinese threats to invade, including using so-called "gray zone tactics" deployed by China that stop just short of open warfare. This year's 10-day live-fire Han Guang drills are the longest yet and follow the delivery of a range of new weaponry from tanks to waterborne drones. The drills in Taiwan come as regional tensions and harassment by China and its people's liberation army (PLA) are increasing. China claims Taiwan as its territory to be annexed by force if necessary, while the vast majority of Taiwanese wish to become fully independent or retain their current status of de-facto independence. The drills began with exercises to counter the actions of Chinese coast guard and maritime militia ships that have been harassing Taiwanese ships around offshore island groups close to the Chinese coast, the defence ministry said. Concerns are that China could launch an invasion under the guise of petty harassment, and the drills will include fortifying ports and possible Chinese landing points on an island lying 160 kilometres (100 miles) off the Chinese coast. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The drills will later focus on simulated anti-landing exercises, with regular forces from all the services backed up by 22,000 reservists, the ministry said. Exercises will continue around the clock for 10 days under realistic conditions taking into account all possibilities, the ministry said, in a possible attempt to counter criticism that past exercises have veered on the performative. Troops in the drills will use Abrams M1A2T tanks and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System acquired from the US, Taiwan's closest partner and source of defensive arms despite the sides not having diplomatic ties at Beijing's insistence. The ministry called on the public to show patience with any disruptions to flights or traffic and not to believe false information distributed about the exercises. China responded to the exercises' announcement in a typically acerbic fashion. "The Han Guang exercise is nothing but a bluffing and self-deceiving trick by the DPP authorities, attempting to bind the Taiwanese people to the Taiwan independence cart and harm Taiwan for the selfish interests of one party," Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Colonel Jiang Bing said at a news conference on Tuesday. The DPP stands for Taiwan's independence-leading ruling democratic progressive party. "No matter how they perform or what weapons they use, they cannot resist the PLA's anti-independence sword and the historical trend of the motherland's inevitable reunification," Jiang said. China appears also to have taken actions to disrupt preparations for the drills, with the Taiwanese defence ministry saying PLA planes and ships on Tuesday "conducted harassment operations around Taiwan's air and sea domains under the pretext of a so-called joint combat readiness patrol.'" Taiwan's armed forces "employed joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance measures to closely monitor the situation and dispatched mission aircraft, vessels, and shore-based missile systems to appropriately respond," the Taiwanese defence ministry said on Tuesday. China imposed export controls Wednesday on eight enterprises tied to Taiwan's military. China has used such tactics before, including sanctioning American companies aiding Taiwan's burgeoning domestic defence industry. The aerospace and shipbuilding companies added to an export control list by China's Commerce Ministry include defence supplier Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, drone maker Jingwei Aerospace Technology Co, and CSBC Corporation, Taiwan's largest shipbuilding company. The new rules, effective immediately, prohibit the export to the companies listed of "dual-use items," which can be used for both civilian and military purposes, the ministry said. A Taiwan defence ministry spokesman, Chiao Fu-chun, shrugged-off the action saying the island's defence industries have excluded any Chinese-made parts in their supply chains and sought to have all manufacturing performed on the island. "This Chinese ministry's action is in complete accordance with the policies of our (main arms developer)," Chiao said.
