Deve Gowda lauds PM Modi's 'multi-alignment' policy amid US tariff war
Bengaluru (PTI): Lauding the Prime Minister's efforts in actively seeking alternatives after the United States initiated an "unreasonable and unjust tariff war", JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda on Wednesday said Narendra Modi's policy of "multi-alignment" is bound to offer rich dividends in the near future.
The former PM said the US may eventually have to reconsider its stance because "dharma" is on India's side, and the nation offers a blend of economic, demographic and democratic advantages like no other in the world.
"I closely followed the news of your visit to Japan and China. I am relieved like millions of Indians that you have been actively pursuing alternatives after the United States started an unreasonable and unjust tariff war. I trust you had a very successful visit and India will reap the benefits of your negotiations and new initiatives," Gowda said in a letter to Modi.
"The photographs and videos of yourself with President Putin (of Russia) and President Xi Jinping(of China) that have flooded the media across the globe communicated something beyond routine bonhomie and friendship between heads of state," he said and suggested they symbolised a "new awakening" and perhaps the beginning of a new world order with India at its center.
Praising Modi for speaking to President Putin about ending the war in Ukraine, Gowda said, " You have been consistent on this issue, and I am sure India's words are taken far more seriously in this regard for the sincerity it is filled with and the values it has represented historically."
"The policy of 'multi-alignment" that you followed is bound to offer rich dividends in the near future. The world has only begun to understand its importance and pragmatism," said the JDS leader and called it a "very constructive and positive formulation" compared to our earlier policy of non-alignment.
"Times have changed and we need a new language to pursue our fair dreams. We should interact with the world as per our needs, on our terms, but with also enormous civilizational grace that we possess. That will make India stand out," he added.
Noting that Modi is determined to convert the challenge that exists before India currently into an opportunity, without sacrificing any of its core values, the former PM said, "To navigate the curve that our nation is in, currently, needs enormous patience and confidence. Am glad God has given you both in good measure. May he bless you with greater energy and good health."
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
