Kharge rejects demand for Karnataka CM, Deputy CM's resignation for stampede
Kalaburagi (PTI): Rejecting the demand for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar's resignation in connection with the June 4 stampede that killed 11 people, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday asked whether Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath quit following the stampede that occurred during Kumbh Mela earlier this year.
Expressing pain over the loss of lives, he said it should be ensured that such incidents don't repeat, he told reporters here.
The stampede occurred on June 4 evening in front of the Chinnaswamy stadium here, where a large number of people thronged to participate in the RCB team's IPL victory celebrations. Eleven people died and 56 were injured in the incident.
Responding to a question about Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar meeting him and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Tuesday, Kharge said, "It was a courtesy call by the CM and DCM. We have discussed two-three issues -- stampede incident, caste census and other matters relating to administration. We have gathered some information for the internal party consumption. We have subtly told them that the incident shouldn't have happened and we have to stand by the victims' families."
Asked about the BJP demanding the CM and Deputy CM's resignation for the stampede issue, he said, "Was resignation given after the Kumbh Mela (stampede)? I don't want to speak....lakhs of people had gone (died) then, there is no count. I was scolded then. Not only then, even during the Covid, same thing happened."
"Did he (UP CM Yogi Adityanath) resign? If anything had happened intentionally and purposefully then naturally....but, accidentally the incident had happened, it is wrong. Our people have apologised for it...we are also pained. This incident shouldn't have happened. Youngsters have died. Hearing the pain of their parents, it is painful," he added.
Noting that it was not a big national event, but it was held, Kharge further said it should be ensured that such incidents don't repeat.
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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.
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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.
