Page 104 - Politics
France hosts Russia PM in rare high-level visit
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Monday held talks with Russia's premier Dmitry Medvedev, in a rare high-level visit at a time of frosty ties between Moscow and the West. Philippe met Medvedev in Le Havre, the port town in Normandy where the French premier served as mayor, and said he wanted to "open a new space for political dialogue with Russia". Medvedev agreed that "freezing the channels of communication was the worst path of all". Relations between Russia and France and the rest of the European Union have suffered badly following Moscow's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and the war being waged in eastern Ukrainian regions by pro-Moscow separatists. The last such high-level visit to France by a Russian leader was the 2017 trip by President Vladimir Putin, shortly after Emmanuel Macron assumed the French presidency when the Russian strongman was received with much pomp at the Palace of Versailles. Paris is hopeful Volodymyr Zelensky's election as Ukraine's new ...
Mexico cracks down at US border with 15,000 troops
Mexico has deployed nearly 15,000 soldiers and National Guardsmen to its border with the United States, the army chief said Monday -- admitting they are detaining migrants who try to cross, after the policy triggered backlash. Under pressure from US President Donald Trump to slow the surge of Central Americans crossing the border, Mexico promised earlier this month to reinforce its southern border with 6,000 National Guardsmen, but had not previously disclosed the extent of the crackdown on its northern border. "We have a total deployment, between the National Guard and army units, of 14,000, almost 15,000 men in the north of the country," Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval said at a press conference alongside President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Asked whether those forces were detaining migrants to prevent them from crossing, Sandoval replied: "Yes." "Given that (undocumented) migration is not a crime but rather an administrative violation, we simply detain them and turn them
BJP leaders pay tribute to Madan Lal Saini
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP National Working President JP Nadda and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid tributes to Rajasthan BJP chief Madan Lal Saini at AIIMS here.Several other BJP party leaders also paid tribute to the 75-year-old Rajya Sabha MP, who breathed his last on Monday evening.Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled Saini's death."The passing away of Shri Madanlal Saini Ji is a major loss for the BJP family. He contributed to strengthening the Party in Rajasthan. He was widely respected for his congenial nature and community service efforts. My thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti," Modi tweeted.Calling him a "jan sevak", Shah said Saini played an important role in strengthening BJP in Rajasthan."I have received the sad news of death of BJP's senior leader and Rajasthan party chief Shri Madan Lal Saini ji. He served the party at different posts. He was a true 'jan sevak' who devoted his life for party and ...
US Ambassador to India meets Rajnath Singh
United States Ambassador to India Ken Juster paid a courtesy call on Defence minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Monday. The two held a discussion on the defence ties between New Delhi and Washington.Taking to his official Twitter after the meeting, Juster wrote, "Always a pleasure to meet again with Minister Rajnath Singh. Good discussion on the #USIndiaDefense relationship. @DefenceMinIndia"[{19a6f2a7-6c06-44b6-be61-8312367d1815:intradmin/tweet_1_cXiK8EQ.JPG}]Washington recently agreed to increase the defence trade relationship with India and batted for a broader security partnership in the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, a legislation was recently moved in the US House of Representatives, aimed at bringing New Delhi on par with Washington's "closest allies and partners".The HR 2123 Bill was introduced in the House on April 8 by Congressman Joe Wilson for making "appropriate modifications" in the US Armed Controls Export Act for the purpose.The legislation seeks that a joint ...
RS likely to adjourn for day tomorrow after obituary reference of Madan Lal Saini
The Rajya Sabha is likely to be adjourned for the day on Tuesday after obituary reference as per conventions because a sitting member, BJP MP from Rajasthan Madan Lal Saini, died. However, the floor leaders of various parties would meet Tuesday morning to decide whether the House will function to complete the debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address. Opposition leaders want the prime minister to reply to the debate on the motion of thanks before he leaves the G20 summit in. As per convention, the House is adjourned for the day after obituary references if any sitting member of the House dies during the session, the sources pointed out. Saini, who was also the Rajasthan BJP president, died on Monday while undergoing treatment at AIIMS in Delhi. He was 75. He was diagnosed with an infection in lungs and was admitted at a private hospital in Jaipur. On Saturday, he was shifted to Delhi due to his deteriorating health and was being treated at the Hematology Department at .
Trump signs executive order imposing fresh 'hard hitting' sanctions on Iran
US President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order, which he said, will impose "hard-hitting" sanctions on Iran and deny the Iranian Supreme Leader and other officials access to financial instruments within US jurisdiction. Trump's move to impose a fresh set of sanctions on Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a string of military commanders comes days after Tehran said it shot down an American drone in the region on Thursday. President Trump called off a planned retaliatory military strike Friday, saying the response would not have been "proportionate". "We do not seek conflict with Iran or any other country," Trump said in a brief interaction with reporters at his Oval Office here. "I can only tell you we cannot ever let Iran have a nuclear weapon," he said. Trump said that the executive order signed by him will impose "hard hitting" sanction on Iran and it will deny the Iranian Supreme Leader and other officials access to financial instruments. He signed the .
Captain Amarinder lashes out at Canada for continued support to Khalistani movement
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday lambasted Canada for its overt and covert support to the Khalistani movement, warning that Toronto's failure to check anti-India activities being carried out from its soil would be detrimental to its own security and interests in the long run.Citing the findings of the John Major Commission into the 1985 Kanishka bombing as a clear endorsement of Canada's failure to act against the Khalistanis operating from its soil, the Chief Minister stated that by allowing the conspirators of the "mass murder", the Canadian government had exposed its true intent. It was more than apparent that Canada had been extending its support to Khalistanis despite New Delhi's protestations.The Commission report has, in its report, itemised the systemic biases of investigative, intelligence and prosecution agencies, to point out that "Despite the principal conspirators being put under surveillance well before the bombing, their conversations recorded, ...
TMC West Bengal president faces BJP protest
Trinamool Congress West Bengal president Subrata Bakshi Monday faced protests by BJP activists during his visit Coochbehar district in north Bengal. Accusing the TMC of letting loose a reign of terror across the state, BJP workers squatted on the road blocking Bakshi's car, shouted "go back" slogans, and showed him black flags when he went to Sitalkuchi to attend a party meeting. They also demanded immediate arrest of culprits involved in attack on BJP workers across the district. Faced with the protest, Bakshi cancelled his programme and returned. Senior minister and TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee said the BJP does not want peace and stability in the state. "Those who show black flags don't have faith in democracy. They want to disturb the peace and stability in the state. We don't support such protests. The police administration should look into the matter," Chatterjee said. BJP state president Dilip Ghosh claimed that people are fed up with the misrule and ...
Cabinet approves AERA (Amendment) Bill
The Cabinet on Monday approved the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority(Amendment) Bill, sources said. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) is a regulator that has the powers to set the tariffs charged at airports. The amendment is likely to allow the AERA to bid out any new airport at a pre-determined tariff structure, sources said. Currently, major airports with an annual capacity to handle one-and-a-half million passengers come under the purview of AERA. If the amendment is passed by the Parliament, the definition of major airports would be changed to any aerodrome which has or is designated to have annual passenger capacity of three-and-a-half million. The AERA (Amendment) Bill was last approved by the Cabinet during the Modi government's first tenure in December 2017. However, it could not be passed in last year's monsoon session. As new Lok Sabha has come in place now, the older bill has lapsed. Therefore, the Cabinet approved the bill again on Monday so that it ..
Jagan Reddy orders demolition of Praja Vedika constructed under TDP regime
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday ordered the demolition of 'Praja Vedika', a public grievance hall constructed by previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government.Jagan, while addressing a collectors conference at 'Praja Vedika', claimed that it is the hall constructed illegally and by violating many acts. He also stated that this was the last meeting taking place at the building.The order came as a shocker to opposition N Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP in the state.In fact, Naidu wrote a letter to Reddy on June 5 urging him to allocate the 'Praja Vedika' so that he can use it as his office in the position of Leader of Opposition.The residence of Naidu and 'Praja Vedika', both are situated on the banks of river Krishna. In fact, these two buildings lie within the river bed, where constructions are banned and seen as a violation of National Green Tribunal (NGT) rules and environmental acts.But the then TDP government constructed 'Praja Vedika' citing lack of proper ...
Haryana Congress splits into two factions, all eyes now on meeting with Rahul
Following Congress' crushing defeat in the recently held Lok Sabha polls, Haryana which is going into Assembly elections later this year is also facing trouble, with the party splitting into two factions.The two factions support former state Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and current Haryana Pradesh Congress President, Ashok Tanwar respectively.The primary bone of contention seems to be the post now occupied by Tanwar, with the faction supporting Hooda wanting it for themselves.According to sources, Hooda is also apparently upset with Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for not making a decision in his favour on the state president post.Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to hold a meeting with Haryana Congress on June 27. The state in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad, Hooda, Kumari Sheilja and Kiran Chowdhry will be present in the meeting in the presence of Tanwar.The sources added that Hooda and Tanwar factions were trying their best to get the tickets for the upcoming Haryana Assembly ...
US will sanction Iran foreign minister: official
The United States will blacklist Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and block "billions" more in Iranian assets as part of expanded sanctions, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Monday. Mnuchin told reporters Zarif would be added to an economic sanctions list "later this week," adding that eight top military commanders from Iran's Revolutionary Guards have now also been blacklisted. The Treasury Department's announcement came as President Donald Trump authorized sanctions on Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Police urges cut money protestors to lodge complaints
Amid continuing demonstration by a section of the people demanding return of "cut money" from TMC leaders, the West Bengal police urged the protestors to lodge complaints against the accused instead of going for violent protests. "We would urge the protesters not to take law into their own hands by taking part in violent protest or blocking roads. They should follow the proper legal procedure and file police complaints. Let the police investigate the matter. If someone has committed anything wrong, the police will act accordingly," said a senior police officer who did not wish to be named. All police stations have been given directions to register complaints of the people and investigate them, the officer said. Protest demonstrations rocked various parts of the state Monday over demand for return of "cut money" allegedly taken by elected representatives of the Trinamool Congress from beneficiaries of government schemes. BJP Yuva Morcha state president Debjit Sinha said .
Trump says letter from Kim wished him happy birthday
President Donald Trump said Monday that Kim Jong Un had wished him happy birthday in a letter received earlier this month amid a nuclear deadlock between the United States and North Korea. "He actually sent me birthday wishes and it was a friendly letter," Trump -- who turned 74 on June 14 -- told reporters in the Oval Office when questioned about the missive. His comments came a day after North Korean state media quoted Kim as saying he had received a letter of "excellent content" from the US president. The exchange of missives between the leaders comes after their second summit in February ended without an agreement on what the North would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief.
Pradipta Naik appointed leader of BJP legislature party in Odisha Assembly
BJP president Amit Shah Monday picked Pradipta Kumar Naik as the leader of the legislature party in the Odisha Assembly, the party said in a statement. The BJP said that a meeting of BJP MLAs of Odisha was held at the state party headquarters in Bhubaneswar on June 23 to elect the leader of the legislature party. "All the MLAs of the party were present and in the presence of party observer, Ms. Saroj Pandey (BJP National Secretary), unanimously authorised BJP National President Shri Amit Shah ji to take decision regarding the leader of the legislative party," the BJP added in its statement. The party said that after due consultation, "National President Shri Amit Shah ji has decided the name of Pradipta Kumar Malik, MLA as the leader of the legislative party".
Israel will do 'everything' to stop Iran going nuclear: Netanyahu
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday his country will do "everything" to prevent arch-rival Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, during a visit by a senior Russian security official. "Israel will not allow Iran, which calls for our destruction, to entrench on our border; we will do everything to prevent it from attaining nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said. He was speaking alongside Nikolai Patrushev, the head of Moscow's powerful security council, whose visit followed weeks of simmering tensions between Tehran and Washington in the Gulf. Israel has carried out repeated strikes to prevent Iranian forces becoming embedded in neighbouring Syria, where both Iran and Moscow back the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The Israeli government has vowed never to let Iran obtain a nuclear weapon, believing Israel would be the target. Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely for civilian purposes. Netanyahu has long campaigned against a 2015 nuclear agreement between .
Police chiefs of seven northern states to hold meet against drug abuse
The Haryana Police will organise a meeting of police chiefs of seven northern states and Union Territory Chandigarh here on June 26 to evolve strategies for fighting drug abuse and trafficking, an official said Monday. Haryana's Director General of Police Manoj Yadava said that a co-ordination meeting of the DGPs of northern States to discuss challenges of drug abuse and trafficking, and strategies to combat the same would be held here on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will be the chief guest and address the participants during the concluding session, he said. Haryana Chief Secretary D S Dhesi, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) S S Prasad and officers from the Narcotics Control Bureau in New Delhi would also be present, according to an official release said here. Police chiefs from the states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Union Territory Chandigarh ..
BJP gets first Zilla Parishad in Bengal as TMC members switch sides, MLA joins too
The BJP Monday took control of the South Dinajpur Zilla Parishad in West Bengal from the TMC, its first in the state, after majority of its members, besides an MLA, switched sides. In a jolt to the TMC in South Dinajpur district, veteran leader Biplab Mitra also joined the BJP. Mitra who was considered to be one of the architects of the Trinamool Congress in the district in north Bengal, was shunted out as the party's district president after the Lok Sabha polls. Besides Mitra and 10 of the 18 members of South Dinajpur Zilla Parishad, TMC MLA Wilson Champramary joined the BJP at its headquarters in Delhi. Champramary who represents the Kalchini constituency in Alipurduar district joined the BJP in the presence of its senior leaders, including Mukul Roy, West Bengal president Dilip Ghosh and its national general secretary Kailash Vijarvargiya, who is in charge of its state affairs. Champamary is the fifth TMC MLA to have joined the BJP recently. One legislator each of the CPI(M) and ...
Palestinians reject US-Bahrain peace plan as Israel advises 'surrender'
The Palestinians on Monday vowed to reject a US-led peace initiative to be presented in Bahrain that dangles the prospect of $50 billion as an Israeli envoy bluntly told them they should "surrender". Finance chiefs from the United States, oil-rich Arab states and international development institutions were flying to the tiny kingdom, which in a rarity is openly welcoming Israelis, who have forged an indirect alliance with Gulf rulers due to mutual hostility with Iran. Led by President Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, the Peace to Prosperity economic workshop that begins Tuesday evening is billed as the start of a new approach that will later include political solutions to the long intractable Middle East conflict. It proposes raising more than $50 billion in fresh investment for the Palestinians and their Arab neighbours with major projects to boost infrastructure, education, tourism and cross-border trade. The Palestinian Authority is boycotting the workshop, ...
US, allies urge Iran diplomacy as Pompeo seeks coalition
The United States joined its Saudi, Emirati and British allies in urging a diplomatic solution to soaring tensions with Iran, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sought Monday to build a coalition to step up surveillance. Pompeo flew to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to meet their leaders days after Iran shot down a US spy drone, prompting President Donald Trump to order and then cancel a retaliatory strike. In a joint statement, the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates renewed concern about Iran including over alleged attacks on oil tankers but held out hope for talks. "We call on Iran to halt any further actions which threaten regional stability, and urge diplomatic solutions to de-escalate tensions," said the statement released by the United States on Monday. Trump has said he wants negotiations with Iran, which has replied that he is insincere after walking away from an earlier denuclearisation deal and slapping punishing sanctions. Iran says .