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Biden, Putin agree to meet in France-brokered summit over Ukraine

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US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agree to hold summit, which can only happen if Moscow does not invade Ukraine, says French presidency.

US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have accepted “in principle” to hold a summit, which can only happen if Moscow does not invade Ukraine, the French presidency has announced.

The summit, proposed by France’s Emmanuel Macron, will be expanded to relevant stakeholders to discuss “security and strategic stability in Europe,” a statement from the Elysee said early on Monday.

It said that preparations would start between Russia and the US on Thursday.

President Biden has accepted in principle a summit with Russia’s Putin after the two countries’ foreign ministers meet next week and if an invasion has not occurred, the White House said.

“Currently, Russia appears to be continuing preparations for a full-scale assault on Ukraine very soon,” press secretary Jen Psaki said in a release.

READ MORE: US tells Americans in Russia to have evacuation plan amid Ukraine tensions

France brokers summit

The announcement –– released after a volley of phone calls between Macron and leaders on both sides of the Atlantic –– comes after a week of heightened tensions spurred by Russia’s military buildup up and down the Ukrainian border.

Nerves were further frayed after the Belarusian Defence Ministry announced that Russia would extend military drills in Belarus that were due to end on Sunday.

Satellite images appeared to show new deployments of Russian armour and troops close to Ukraine.

The White House said Biden was canceling a trip to Delaware and remaining in Washington following a two-hour meeting of his National Security Council.

US.-based satellite imagery company Maxar reported multiple new deployments of Russian military units in forests, farms, and industrial areas as little as 15 km from the border with Ukraine –– something Maxar said represented a change from what had been seen in recent weeks.

“Until recently, most of the deployments had been seen primarily positioned at or near existing military garrisons and training areas,” the company said.

READ MORE: The Ukraine crisis has its roots in an EU failure in a Dutch town in 1992

Tense borders

Western countries say fears of an invasion have escalated in recent months as Russia amassed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders.

The Kremlin insists it has no plans to attack Ukraine, which has angered Moscow by seeking long-term integration with NATO and the European Union.

Moscow is demanding written guarantees that its neighbour will never be allowed to join NATO, and for the US-led military alliance to roll back deployments in eastern Europe.

READ MORE: EU: West can’t keep offering olive branch to Russia

Source: TRT

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Police officers complete training to prevent maritime terrorism acts

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A team of 22 police officers has successfully completed a specialised training programme focused on thwarting maritime terrorism activities.

Entitled “Training on Strengthening Capabilities to Disrupt Maritime Crimes as Related to Terrorist Threats,” the program was conducted through a collaborative effort between the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Running from May 13 to 15, the intensive training equipped participants with essential skills and knowledge crucial for combating threats in maritime environments.

The concluding ceremony, graced by the presence of Chief Superintendent of Police Ibrahim Adnan Anees, Head of Marine Police, along with senior officials from the Marine Police Department, UNODC’s Head of Office Enrico Boninsegna, and course instructor Kenneth Alferdo Pennington, highlighted the significance of such initiatives in enhancing national security.

Addressing the gathering, Adnan underscored the importance of ongoing education and skill development, urging participants to actively apply the knowledge garnered from the program in their professional endeavors.

The training, conducted at Dhoonidhoo, Kaafu Atoll, imparted vital insights into the prevention and detection of maritime terrorism activities, emphasizing protocols for safe navigation in high-risk areas. Furthermore, officers received guidance on investigative procedures essential for effectively addressing such crimes, thereby bolstering the nation’s capabilities in combating maritime threats.

Source(s): PsmNews

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President reverts land act amendment to parliament

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President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has reverted the Ninth Amendment Bill to the Maldives Land Act to Parliament for further consideration.

This bill, which seeks to establish criteria for recipients of residential land and mandates that land be allocated within three months of the publication of the permanent list of recipients in the gazette, was initially passed during the twenty-second sitting of Parliament’s first session this year and sent to the President’s Office for ratification on May 2.

In returning the bill, President Muizzu invoked Article 91(a) of the Constitution, which grants the President the authority to return legislation to Parliament for reconsideration.

The President’s Office has confirmed this, indicating the need for further review and potential revisions to the proposed amendment.

Source(s): PsmNews

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President pledges to advance telecom and markets for Maldivian products

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President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to lead the nation towards a future of improved telecommunications infrastructure while simultaneously fostering and securing markets for the commercialization of domestic products. These commitments were articulated by the president in commemoration of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

In a widely circulated social media post, President Dr. Muizzu affirmed his dedication to opening up the country to cutting-edge communication channels and platforms. Furthermore, he reiterated his unwavering commitment to leveraging international markets to showcase the talents and products of Maldivians, thereby generating revenue for the nation.

President Dr. Muizzu’s vision includes the introduction of innovative financial services and transactions within the country. In line with this pledge, the Bank of Maldives (BML) initiated financial transaction services in March, offering online money transfer platforms such as digital wallets. Additionally, preparations are underway to introduce E-wallet services, which will streamline financial transactions through platforms like PayPal.

Source(s): PsmNews

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