Ballari: ED raids offices and residences of MP, two MLAs
Ballari: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted simultaneous raids on Wednesday morning at the residences and offices of a Member of Parliament and two MLAs in Karnataka's Ballari district.
Sources confirmed that the raids targeted Ballari MP E. Tukaram, Ballari City MLA Nara Bharat Reddy, Kampli MLA J.N. Ganesh, and the residence and office of Govardhan Reddy, a close aide of Vijayanagara MLA B. Nagendra. ED officials also carried out searches in the legislators' quarters at the Legislators' Home in Bengaluru.
While the exact reason for the raids on these Congress leaders remains officially unconfirmed, it is suspected that the searches may be linked to the alleged irregularities in the Valmiki Development Corporation. The residence of Govardhan Reddy, considered a key figure in the controversy, was among the prime locations raided, suggesting a possible connection.
There had been earlier allegations that funds from the Valmiki Corporation were misused during the Ballari Lok Sabha election campaign.
Meanwhile, in another related operation, the residence of Kudligi MLA Dr. N.T. Srinivas in Narsinghagiri, Kudligi Taluk, was also raided by ED officials early this morning around 5:00 AM. Officials are currently reviewing documents and financial records at the premises.
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.
Canada, US to launch formal talks to review their free trade agreement in mid-January
Toronto (AP): Canada and the US will launch formal discussions to the review their free trade agreement in mid-January, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
The prime minister confirmed to provincial leaders that Dominic LeBlanc, the country's point person for US-Canada trade relations, “will meet with US counterparts in mid-January to launch formal discussions," Carney's office said in a statement late Thursday.
The United States-Mexico-Canada trade pact, or USMCA, is up for review in 2026. US President Donald Trump negotiated the deal in his first term and included a clause to possibly renegotiate the deal in 2026.
Carney met with the leaders of Canada's provinces on Thursday to give them an update on trade talks with the US.
Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and more than 75 per cent of Canada's exports go to the country's southern neighbour. But most exports to the US are currently exempted by USMCA.
ALSO READ: Absence of teachers frustrates purpose of Right to Education Act: Allahabad HC
Trump cut off trade talks to reduce tariffs on certain sectors with Carney in October after the Ontario provincial government ran an anti-tariff advertisement in the US. That followed a spring of acrimony, since abated, over Trump's insistence that Canada should become the 51st US state.
Carney said earlier Thursday that Canada and the US were close to an agreement at the time on sectoral tariff relief in multiple areas, including steel and aluminum. Tariffs are taking a toll on certain sectors of Canada's economy, particularly aluminum, steel, auto and lumber.
Carney also said trade irritants flagged this week by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are elements of a “much bigger discussion” about continental trade. Greer said a coming review of the Canada-US-Mexico trade deal will hinge on resolving US concerns about Canadian policies on dairy products, alcohol and digital services.
Carney and the provincial premiers agreed to meet in person in Ottawa early in the new year.
Canada is the top export destination for 36 US states. Nearly USD 3.6 billion Canadian (USD 2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day.
About 60 per cent of US crude oil imports are from Canada, as are 85 per cent of US electricity imports.
Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the US and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security.
Carney said US access to Canada's critical ministers is not a certainty.
“It's a potential opportunity for the United States, but it's not an assured opportunity for the United States. It's part of a bigger discussion in terms of our trading relationship, because we have other partners around the world, in Europe for example, who are very interested in participating,” Carney said earlier Thursday.
