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Iraqi Kurds vote in independence referendum

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Iraqi Kurds vote in independence referendum

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria are against separate Kurdish state

In a major development after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq in 2003, semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in the country is holding an independence referendum, on Monday, against strong objections from central government in Baghdad and in defiance of urgent calls from international community to scrap the exercise.

According to reports from various sources, Erbil, the capital of the present semi-autonomous region, witnessed lots of enthusiasm among the residents. Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani voted in a polling station near the city. Polling was in progress in Erbil, Sulaimaniyah and Dahok provinces. Votes were also polled in disputed bordering zones such as the oil-rich province of Kirkuk. Initial results are expected in 24 hours. Polling began at 8 a.m. and will continue for 12 hours.

Earlier President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani  had urged “all Kurds” to go to the polls, saying “his people’s partnership with the central government in Baghdad had failed.”

Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, on Sunday, said that Baghdad will not allow the creation of an “ethnic government” in the country. In a televised speech, Abadi said “Taking a unilateral decision, which can affect the unity of Iraq and its security and the security of the region, through a referendum on separation, is unconstitutional and against civil peace. We will take the necessary measures to preserve the unity of the country.”

Iraq’s central government, had on Sunday, called on the world countries not to purchase oil from the semi-autonomous Kurdish region. Central government has also asked to Kurdish region to hand over control of international border posts and its international airports.

In a fast moving development, Iran, considered to be the best friend of Iraq in the region, closed its airspace to all flights to and from the semi autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq at Baghdad’s request on Sunday.

Keyvan Khosravi, spokesman of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC)  was quoted by Press TV saying, “At the request of the central government of Iraq, all flights from Iran to Sulaymaniyah and Erbil airports as well as all flights through our country’s airspace originating in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region have been halted.”

Iran has, once again, asserted its support to Iraq’s sovereignty and integrity on Monday.  President Hassan Rouhani, in a telephonic conversation with Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi, said that Iran was against any move that would undermine Iraq’s territorial integrity and national unity.

“In this important issue concerning Iraq, we will stand by our neighbor and the Iraqi government,” Rouhani said.

Meanwhile, Turkish government, on Sunday, lined up its tanks at border crossing with Iraq’s Kurdish region, sending clear signal of their opposition to the Kurdish Regional Government’s independence referendum.

Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan, while addressing UN General Assembly on Tuesday said, “New crises in the region, such as bids for independence, could spark new conflicts and must therefore be avoided at all costs … We urge Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government to abort the steps they have taken in that direction.”

Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Moallem said on Sunday in New York that his country doesn’t recognize the Iraqi Kurdish referendum on support for independence from Baghdad, which could break up the neighbouring country. He said, “We reject any measure that leads to dividing Iraq.”

Syria, like turkey and Iran, opposes the vote in Iraqi Kurdish region fearing that Kurdish communities within Syria might eventually do the same.

Prior to the referendum in the Kurdish region, Iraq’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of suspension of the independence referendum and country’s parliament voted to reject the proposal. PM Abadi has even threatened military intervention in case the referendum leads to violence.

Despite fierce criticism from neighboring countries and US, Masoud Barzani, the president of Iraqi Kurdistan went ahead with referendum. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had recently supported creation of a separate Kurdistan state in the region. Israeli flag was also spotted during a pro-referendum rally in Erbil last week.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns amid affair scandal, Colette Kress takes over

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has resigned amid an affair-related controversy. The company’s CFO, Colette Kress, will serve as interim CEO while the board looks for a permanent successor.

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colette kress

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has resigned from his position, marking a major leadership change at the world’s leading artificial intelligence chipmaker. The company’s board has appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO while it begins the process of finding a permanent successor.

The development comes amid controversy surrounding reports of Huang’s alleged extramarital relationships, including one involving a Chinese businesswoman suspected by US authorities of having links to espionage activities.

Huang’s departure comes after more than three decades at the helm of Nvidia, the company he co-founded in 1993. His leadership helped transform the business from a graphics chip manufacturer into a dominant supplier of processors powering the global artificial intelligence industry.

Colette Kress appointed interim Nvidia CEO

Following Huang’s resignation, Nvidia’s board appointed Colette Kress as interim chief executive officer.

Kress, who has served as Nvidia’s executive vice president and CFO since September 2013, will continue to hold the finance portfolio alongside her interim leadership responsibilities until a permanent successor is appointed.

Before joining Nvidia, she spent nearly 25 years working in finance roles at major technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft.

The board has said it will consider both internal and external candidates as part of its search for a permanent CEO.

Nvidia has also appointed Harvey C. Jones as the company’s first-ever chairman of the board.

Affair controversy surrounding Jensen Huang

Huang’s resignation follows a series of reports about alleged extramarital relationships that have raised questions about his position at the company.

One of the controversies involves Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman whom US intelligence agencies reportedly suspect of involvement in facilitating shipments of Nvidia chips to Chinese companies.

Another report alleged that Huang had a relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of healthcare, who reportedly worked under him.

Huang had earlier acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife in a message to Nvidia employees, taking responsibility for his actions and apologising to his family and colleagues.

The company’s board had also initiated an independent investigation into whether Huang had been targeted as part of a foreign intelligence operation.

Jensen Huang’s departure marks a major change for Nvidia

Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 alongside Curtis Priem and Chris Malachowsky. Under his leadership, the company evolved from a graphics processing unit manufacturer primarily associated with gaming into a central player in the global AI industry.

Nvidia’s processors have become critical to companies developing and operating artificial intelligence systems, making the company one of the most influential businesses in the technology sector.

His departure also comes at a crucial time for Nvidia, with investors closely watching the company’s leadership transition and its ability to maintain its position in the rapidly expanding AI market.

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India, Canada discuss trade pact to boost bilateral commerce

India and Canada discussed advancing negotiations on a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at expanding trade, investment and market access between the two countries.

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India and Canada discussed advancing negotiations on a proposed trade agreement as the two countries seek to strengthen their economic and commercial ties.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, who is leading a Canadian delegation to India. The discussions focused on advancing negotiations for the proposed India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The proposed pact is aimed at creating greater market access and opening up new opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.

India-Canada CEPA talks

Both sides discussed the importance of a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement that can make use of the complementary strengths of the two economies.

The discussions also focused on deepening commercial engagement and creating new opportunities for businesses in both countries.

Goyal said the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to taking the India-Canada economic partnership to a higher level, with CEPA serving as a catalyst for deeper commercial engagement.

India and Canada are working towards concluding the CEPA negotiations by the end of 2026.

India-Canada trade

The proposed CEPA is aimed at improving market access and creating opportunities across sectors while strengthening the broader economic relationship between India and Canada.

The agreement is expected to provide greater opportunities for businesses in both countries and support deeper trade and investment ties.

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White House put on temporary lockdown after car crashes into signpost

The White House was temporarily placed under lockdown after a car crashed into a signpost near Lafayette Square in Washington, DC. The driver was detained after a confrontation with security personnel.

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The White House was placed under a temporary lockdown on Monday after a car crashed into a signpost at Lafayette Square near the presidential residence in Washington, DC.

The incident triggered a security response in the area, with the US Secret Service directing members of the White House press corps to move indoors and remain there temporarily.

Driver detained after confrontation with security personnel

The driver was detained following a confrontation with Secret Service officers and National Guard personnel, according to reports.

Video footage showed a silver sedan on the paved area at the northern end of Lafayette Square after striking a signpost. Smoke was also seen coming from the vehicle.

Authorities had not immediately disclosed the driver’s identity or established what led to the crash.

White House security restrictions imposed

The security response prompted temporary restrictions around the White House. The incident occurred at Lafayette Square, which is directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the presidential complex.

At around 10 am local time, Secret Service personnel instructed White House journalists to move indoors while security personnel dealt with the incident.

The White House was under the security restriction while President Donald Trump was at the premises, according to reports.

Motive behind crash remains unclear

It was not immediately known whether the crash was accidental or deliberate. Authorities had also not immediately confirmed whether anyone was injured.

The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the driver’s identity and possible motive, remained under investigation.

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