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US asks nations to stop Iranian oil import by Nov.4 or face sanctions

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US asks nations to stop Iranian oil import by Nov.4 or face sanctions

India is second largest buyer of Iranian oil

In an unprecedented move the United States administration has warned countries around the world  that they must stop buying Iranian oil before Nov 4 or face a renewed round of American economic sanctions. India is the second largest buyer of Iranian oil after China.

According to AFP, a senior State Department official warned foreign capitals “we’re not granting waivers” and described tightening the noose on Tehran as “one of our top national security priorities”.

The US move has come on the day when Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that US left the multilateral  nuclear deal with Iran at a great cost, emphasising that Washington will fail to break the Iranian nation by resorting to “psychological” and “political” war.

Read More: India to continue trade with Iran despite US sanctions threat

He reportedly said on Tuesday, “The Islamic Republic’s tactful performance forced the Americans to leave the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) while bearing the highest cost.”

Rouhani further said the US was hoping all along that Iran too would leave the agreement shortly so the country’s case could be referred to the Security Council and made subject to the Chapter VII of the UN Charter- which authorizes the use of force.

On May 9, US President Donald Trump had withdrew the US from Iran nuclear deal and announced to re-impose US sanctions that had been suspended in January 2016 in return for controls on Tehran’s nuclear program. The JCPOA was signed in 2015 between Iran and P5+1, the five permanent Security Council members and Germany.

With the new warning to the countries buying Iranian oil to stop it by November 4, US is now stepping up pressure on other countries to follow suit, including European allies who begged him to stay in the accord. India, Japan and China had also asked US not to withdraw from the multilateral Iranian nuclear deal.

European countries have been attempting to negotiate exemptions for their firms, but the US official has confirmed that Trump intends to stick to his 180-day deadline, expiring Nov 4.

Read More: Iran to US: Who are you to decide for Iran and the World?

“I would be hesitant to say zero waivers ever,” he said, but added that the official position is: “No, we’re not granting waivers.”

AFP further reports that the senior US anonymous official has admitted that this would be unpopular. “I don’t think the Japan­ese answer was particularly different than other oil importing countries,” the official said. He also added that he plans to visit China and India soon to discuss the matter.

“This is a challenge for them, this is not something that any country that imports oil from Iran … wants to do voluntarily because, you know, we’re asking them to make a policy change”.

He further said, “China, India? Yes, certainly their companies will be subject to the same sanctions that everybody else is. We will certainly be requesting that their oil imports go to zero”.

US asks nations to stop Iranian oil import by Nov.4 or face sanctions

On May 29, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, while addressing her annual press conference, the day when she met Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif in New Delhi, said, “We believe in UN sanctions. We don’t believe in country-specific mentions.”

Read More: Iran ask EU to stand up against US for Nuclear deal

She refused to back America’s sanctions on Iran following the Donald Trump administration’s decision to pull out of the multilateral nuclear deal. She was responding to a question on how India was coping with the US decision to pull out of JCPOA.

On the same day, Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif told official IRNA news agency on his arrival at New Delhi that “ways to safeguard both countries’ economic interests” after US decision would be discussed in his meeting with Swaraj.

After meeting between the two foreign ministers, Iranian Embassy source told that exploring alternative channels for payments for crude imports, in face of US sanctions on Iranian companies, was discussed among other issues.

Read More: Russia, China to Continue Support Iran Nuclear Deal

India has recently imposed additional tariffs on certain US products in retaliation to the similar move by Washington. Earlier this month, Trump faced isolation during recent G7 summit in Quebec, Canada  skipping several sessions on climate change, clean energy and oceans.

Trump was confronted with tough questions from European leaders, especially from German Chancellor Angela Markel, French President Emanuel Macron and British PM Theresa May on the controversial trade tariff rise by Washington.

Read more: Sushma meets Mogherini, discuss bilateral ties, Iran deal

Similarly, Trump left the “historical” June 12 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a hasty manner, a day before his earlier plan to depart from Singapore. Earlier these kind of “unfriendly” gestures were rarely seen in the international diplomacy.

Read More: Iran warns US not to withdraw from n-deal or face consequences

Since Trump occupied White House in January 2017, US administration has withdrawn from Paris Climate agreement, Iran nuclear deal and has threatened to leave NATO. In May last year a White House official said that Trump would consider leaving North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) if member states do not follow through with pledges to increase their annual contributions to the alliance.

India News

Parliament winter session: Government lists 15 bills, including Waqf bill

The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

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The government has listed five new ones and one to amend the contentious Waqf law out of 15 bills for the winter session of Parliament. The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

The government has introduced five new bills, including the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to promote coasting trade and increase the participation of Indian-flagged vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for both national security and commercial purposes.

Another significant legislation that will be introduced by the government is the Indian Ports Bill, 2024. This bill is designed to implement measures for the conservation of ports, enhance security, and manage pollution, ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations and statutory requirements.

Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to meet India’s obligations under maritime treaties and support the development of Indian shipping while ensuring the efficient operation of the Indian mercantile marine in a way that serves national interests.

Pending legislation includes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is awaiting consideration and passage after the joint committee of both Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The committee is expected to report by the end of the first week of the winter session.

Currently, there are eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, pending in the Lok Sabha, while two additional bills are in the Rajya Sabha.

Furthermore, the government has also listed the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill for introduction, consideration, and passage, which seeks to increase the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, along with the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill, is slated for introduction and eventual passage.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) today issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The leaders allegedly restricted essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to civilians in Gaza, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and deaths, including among children.

Last year in October, Israel had launched attacks on Gaza in retaliation for the surprise attack by Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war has led to the death of thousands of civilians, while lakhs have been displaced. The major infrastructures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, were also destroyed as Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas.

The International Criminal Court stated that it found reasonable grounds to believe the accused intentionally targeted civilians and limited medical supplies, forcing unsafe medical procedures, which caused immense suffering. This ruling was based on the findings from at least October 8, 2023 until at least May 20, 2024.

The court remarked that it has assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza.

Furthermore, it also noted that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and medical supplies created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, leading to death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration.

Additionally, the International Criminal Court dismissed two challenges by Israel against its jurisdiction in the situation in the State of Palestine.

Notably, Israel had contested the ICC’s jurisdiction, claiming it could not be exercised without Israel’s consent. Nonetheless, the Chamber ruled that the Court has jurisdiction based on Palestine’s territorial scope, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It further noted that Israel’s objections were premature, as jurisdictional challenges under the Rome Statute can only be made after an arrest warrant is issued.

Reportedly, Israel had also requested a fresh notification regarding the investigation, started in 2021. Denying the request, the court stated that Israel had earlier declined to request a deferral, making additional notifications unnecessary.

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Yogi Adityanath accords tax-free status to Sabarmati Report film in Uttar Pradesh

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accorded a tax-free status to ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film, based on the train burning incident at Godhra in Gujarat in 2002, in the state.

The announcement was made after Chief Minister Adityanath attended the screening of Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna-starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’ in Lucknow with the film’s cast.  

Speaking to reporters, actor Vikrant Massey thanked the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for making ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film tax-free in the state. “I want to thank Yogi Adityanath ji. This is an important film and I appeal to everyone to go and watch this film,” he said.

Chief Minister Adityanath along with many of his cabinet colleagues watched the film ‘The Sabarmati Report’ under a special screening at a cinema hall in the capital, said a spokesperson of the state government.

Several people associated with the film unit were also present on the occasion. Later the chief minister announced to make this film tax-free in UP.

The BJP-ruled states have been praising the makers of The Sabarmati Report, claiming the team has tried to bring out this truth in front of the people of the country through the film.

The saffron party is appealing to people to watch this film and try to get closer to the truth of Godhra.

Uttar Pradesh becomes the sixth BJP-ruled state after Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to declare lead actors Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna’s film tax-free.

Adityanath said along with identifying the faces of those who are conspiring against the country for political gains, there is also a need to expose them. The film team has discharged its responsibilities to expose the truth, he said, adding an attempt has been made to bring the real truth in front of the country in a big way through the film.

The Sabarmati Report is said to be based on the incident of setting fire to a train full of ‘karsevaks’ in Godhra on February 27, 2002, killing 90 devotees. After this incident, communal riots broke out in Gujarat. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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