Day 2 of Jaishankar’s Mauritius visit: Paris airport workers strike ahead of Olympics – here’s what to expect – Firstpost

This Wednesday is super packed.

It is day 2 of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s two-day visit to Mauritius.

Just a few days before the Olympic Games in Paris, unions representing employees at the city’s airports have announced a strike.

Disciplinary hearing against former South African President and ANC Chairman Jacob Zuma.

India and South Korea will hold their next round of talks to review their bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Day 3 of the Republican National Convention.

Former AIADMK interim general secretary VK Sasikala will begin her nationwide tour from Tamil Nadu.

We take a detailed look at each of these headline-grabbing events.

EAM Jaishankar’s visit to Mauritius

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is paying a two-day official visit to Mauritius to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. This is his first foreign trip since his reappointment in the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

During his visit, Jaishankar will call on the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, and hold bilateral meetings with other senior ministers. These discussions underline the importance of India-Mauritius relations and reflect India’s Neighbourhood Policy, Vision SAGAR and its commitment to the Global South.

Upon his arrival on the Indian Ocean island on Tuesday, Jaishankar was greeted at the airport by Mauritius’ Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin. “Namaste Mauritius! Thank you Foreign Minister @ManeeshGobin for the warm welcome,” Jaishankar posted on X along with photos of his arrival. “I look forward to productive discussions to further advance this special relationship,” he added.

Paris airport strike

Just days before the Olympic Games in Paris, unions representing workers at the city’s airports have announced a strike to pressure management to meet their demands for better wages and working conditions.

The unions, including CGT, CFDT, FO and UNSA, are insisting on a bonus for all airport employees. They criticise the “unilateral decisions of the CEO to pay a bonus to only some of the employees” and are also pushing for additional funds to be able to cope with the expected influx during the Olympic Games.

Charles de Gaulle and Orly, Paris’ main airports, will serve as the main entry points for the influx of foreign visitors and athletes attending the Games. Starting July 18, an estimated 350,000 people are expected to pass through these airports each day, along with most of the athletes and their equipment.

In addition to airport staff, unions representing a range of public sector workers in France, including police officers, air traffic controllers, garbage collectors, government employees, subway and train drivers, and firefighters, are demanding higher wages or support for their increased responsibilities during the Olympic Games.

Disciplinary hearing against former South African President Zuma

Today, the African National Congress (ANC) is holding a disciplinary hearing against former South African President Jacob Zuma.

Zuma, who ruled the country for nearly 18 years, was suspended from the ANC, South Africa’s largest political party, in January after announcing he would vote and campaign for the left-wing populist uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.

The ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee has charged the 82-year-old with two counts of misconduct, accusing him of violating the ANC constitution by publicly supporting the MK party in December and appearing on its candidate list in this year’s general election.

If Zuma is found guilty at the virtual hearing, he would be the first ANC leader in history to be expelled from the party for misconduct.

Meeting to review the free trade agreement between India and South Korea

India and South Korea will hold their next round of talks in Seoul to review and improve their bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a senior official said earlier.

The two-day talks will be the eleventh meeting to review CEPA with the aim of further strengthening trade between the two countries.

CEPA, which was signed by the two Asian countries in 2009 and entered into force in 2010, is due to be reviewed in 2016. Ten rounds of talks have taken place since then, with the pace of negotiations picking up in recent months. Both countries are seeking better market access for certain products currently on the agreement’s negative list, which does not grant tariff concessions.

South Korea has expressed needs in sectors such as automobiles, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, while India is seeking better access to the Korean market for steel, rice, shrimp and clothing.

Republican National Convention: Day 3

Thousands of Republicans have gathered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Republican National Convention enters its third day.

The four-day political gathering, held every four years, mobilizes the electorate ahead of the November election and features speeches from rising Republican stars and party figures, including Donald Trump’s family members, entertainers, entrepreneurs and activists. The convention is attended by more than 50,000 people.

Trump was previously officially nominated as the Republican presidential candidate after receiving the votes of 1,215 delegates. The 78-year-old also nominated Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate.

The party convention takes place just days after the assassination attempt on the former US president, which he survived at a rally in Pennsylvania.

Sasikala begins her political tour in Tamil Nadu

Former AIADMK interim general secretary VK Sasikala begins her nationwide tour of Tamil Nadu today.

From Tenkasi, her tour will take her to Kadayanallur, Vasudevanallur and Sankarankovil. According to a press release, the tour will continue till July 20. The aim of the tour is to reconnect with her supporters, mobilise public support and rejuvenate the party.

Meanwhile, the AIADMK has reiterated its stance of non-reconciliation with Sasikala, former coordinator O. Panneerselvam and AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran.

On June 16, Sasikala announced her “re-entry” into active politics, citing the AIADMK’s electoral defeats and increasing factionalism as reasons for her comeback.

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