Middle East security conference opens in Warsaw

Although it is absent from the stage, Iran is nevertheless taking the spotlight at a Middle East security conference co-hosted by the United States and Poland that has highlighted deep divisions between the U.S. and some of its traditional allies.

Amid uncertainty over its aims and questions about what it will deliver, the conference opened in Warsaw with some 60 nations in attendance. Yet, in an apparent test of U.S. influence and suspicions in Europe and elsewhere over the Trump administration’s intentions in Iran, many countries aren’t sending their top diplomats and will be represented at levels lower than their invited foreign ministers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence attended along with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his counterparts from numerous Arab nations. But France and Germany are not sending Cabinet-ranked officials, and European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini is staying away.

Russia and China aren’t participating, and the Palestinians, who have called for the meeting to be boycotted, also will be absent. Iran, which is this week celebrating the 40th anniversary of its Islamic Revolution, denounced the meeting as a “circus” aimed at “demonising” it.

 

U.S.-China trade talks begin

U.S. and Chinese negotiators have kicked off two days of high-level talks that President Donald Trump says could decide whether he escalates the bruising tariff battle between the world's two biggest economies.

Mr. Trump indicated this week he was open to extending a trade truce beyond March 1 depending on progress in Beijing. He is considering pushing the deadline back an additional 60 days, Bloomberg News reported, citing sources.

 

In December he postponed plans to sharply hike tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports to allow more time for negotiation.

The two economic superpowers have already imposed duties on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, which has weighed on their manufacturing sectors and shaken global financial markets.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are meeting with China's top economic czar Liu He, seeking to build on progress made in Washington last month.

“We are looking forward to discussions today,” Mr. Mnuchin said as he left his hotel on February 14 morning for the talks.

Puducherry CM, Ministers’ dharna enters second day

Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy and his ministerial colleagues continued their dharna outside the Raj Nivas for the second day protesting Lt.Governor Kiran Bedi’s “negative stand” towards his government’ proposals awaiting her approval.

Mr. Narayanasamy, his Ministers and party MLAs had on February 13 night slept on a pavement close to the Raj Nivas wearing black shirts. They have been demanding that that the Lt Governor accord sanction to 39 government proposals, including a free rice scheme.

 

Functionaries of different wings of the ruling Congress and the DMK have also joined the protest.

Ms.Bedi left for New Delhi early on February 14 under tight security of the Rapid Action Force (RAF).

A source in the Raj Nivas told PTI that she would return on February 20 and has invited the chief minister for discussion over the issues raised by him on February 21.

 

Maria Ressa, 2018 Time ‘Person of the Year’, released on bail

Philippine journalist Maria Ressa has been freed on bail following an arrest that sparked international censure and allegations she is being targeted over her news site's criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Ms. Ressa, 55, spent a night in detention after authorities arrested the veteran reporter at her Manila office on February 13 in a sharp upping of government pressure on her and her website Rappler.

 

The site and Ms.Ressa have been hit with tax evasion charges and now a libel case after clashing repeatedly with Mr. Duterte over his deadly crackdown on narcotics that has killed thousands.

“The message that the government is sending is very clear... be silent or you're next,” an emotional Ms. Ressa told reporters outside a Manila court.

She stumped up a bond of 100,000-pesos ($1,900), the sixth time since December that she has paid bail on a government case.

“I am appealing to you not to be silent, even if — and especially if — you're next,” added Ms. Ressa, who was named a Time  “Person of the Year” in 2018 for her journalism.

International condemnation from dignitaries, press freedom and human rights groups has poured in since plainclothes agents appeared at Rappler to serve an arrest warrant.

Spring arrives in Agartala

The climate of Tripura exhibits a strong seasonal rhythm. Spring starts from mid-February and continues till mid-March.

 

 

Fire breaks out at Archie's factory at Naraina Area in New Delhi

A fire broke out at a commercial building in west Delhi’s Naraina on Thursday, Delhi Fire Service said. A call was received at 7.10 AM after which 23 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, a senior fire service officer said. No causality was reported. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, he said.

 

 

Bhoomi Pooja for Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital

Hindupur MLA Nandamuri Balalakrishna performed bhoomi Pooja for Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute at Tulluru in Capital area. MLA Balakrishna is the chairman of the trust board running the hospital. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also attended the event.

Japanese same-sex couples sue for equal marital rights

 

Thirteen same-sex couples are filing Japan’s first lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the country’s rejection of same-sex marriage.

The Valentine Day lawsuits to be filed in Tokyo and in other courts around the country on Thursday argue that the law violates same-sex couples’ constitutional rights to equality. They want the government to follow the example of many other nations in guaranteeing marital freedom. - AP

 

Substitute Asensio strikes late, Real Madrid beats Ajax 2-1

 

Substitute Marco Asensio scored a late winner as defending champion Real Madrid beat Ajax 2-1 in the first leg of their round-of-16 match in the Champions League. Ajax looked on course for a draw at the Johan Cruyff Arena when Hakim Ziyech shot under Thibaut Courtois in the 75th minute to cancel out Karim Benzema’s opener 15 minutes earlier. - AP