EU needs sovereign defence project less dependent on US: Macron
Paris, Aug 27 : French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said the European Union (EU) should take its security and defence projects into its own hands and become less reliant on the US.
"Europe can no longer leave its defence to the US. It is now up to us to take our own responsibility and to guarantee the safety and therefore the sovereignty of the EU," Macron said outlining his foreign affairs policies, in an address to French Ambassadors at the Elysée Palace here.
In the coming months, he would promote a project to reinforce and restructure defence systems within the EU, in a move that could involve collaborating with third parties such as Russia, Xinhua news agency reported.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Jammu-Srinagar NH shut for second day as road clearance operations continue in Ramban
Jammu (PTI): Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as the work to clear the fresh landslides is going on amid heavy rains in the Ramban district, officials said.
The strategic 270-km highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by multiple landslides early Monday. Though it was reopened for a few hours on Tuesday morning, two major landslides forced its closure, they said.
According to a traffic update issued at 10 am, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) continues to remain blocked, with road clearance operations underway at Shalgarhi and Banihal.
“Road clearance is going on, but it will take some time. Moreover, there is continuous rainfall along the highway,” the advisory said.
A traffic police spokesperson said movement has been stopped in both directions — from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa — due to a heavy landslide between Digdol and Khooni Nallah on Tuesday. “The road is completely blocked,” he said.
Officials said more than 400 vehicles are stranded at various points along the highway.
Men and machinery have been pressed into service to clear the debris, but intermittent rains are disrupting the restoration efforts.
Authorities have advised commuters not to travel on NH-44 until the road is fully restored.
“People are advised not to pay heed to rumours and check the status of roads through the traffic police’s official social media handles and traffic control units,” the spokesperson added.
