Page 116 - Politics
Saudi Airlines divert flights to avoid Iranian administrated airspace
Saudi Arabian airlines on Sunday announced its decision to reroute its international flights away from the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz to avoid Iranian administrated airspace in the wake of Tehran's move to shoot down a US military drone earlier this week.According to the airlines, the decision was taken to ensure flight safety, reported Anadolu news agency.Several other major airlines including Lufthansa, KLM and Qantas have already diverted the routes following Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) recent decision to ban US-owned airlines from flying over Iran-controlled airspace.The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday announced that it had shot down an "intruding American spy drone", RQ-4 Global Hawk, after it violated Iranian airspace over the southern coastal province of Hormozgan. Washington has labelled the move an "unprovoked attack", claiming that the drone was flying over international waters when attacked.To back its claim, the country released .
Ahead of G-20 summit, Putin calls for US, Russia dialogue
Days ahead of G-20 Summit in Japan, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday called for dialogue with the United States, saying it is "impossible" to find consensus without talks."They [US] have their own idea of how these or other issues are solved, and we have our own. But it is impossible to find consensus without dialogue," Tass quoted Putin as saying. "Therefore, as soon as they are ready - please, we will be glad to develop these relations," he added.Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that he will meet Putin during the summit on June 28-29, reported Al Jazeera.However, Kremlin that time said no arrangement has been made for the meet."There haven't been any requests. There are also no agreements so far," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.Putin has also claimed that the US political system is acting as a roadblock in improving relations between the two nations."We see the political system does not allow him (Trump) to do many things he want to do. Although, certainly, a .
Andhra Pradesh Govt transfers, gives new postings to 22 IPS officers
The Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday issued an order to transfer and post 22 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers with an immediate effect.This move comes after the state government issuing a transfer order for some of its Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and one each of their IPS, Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS), and Indian Foreign Services(IFS) officers on Saturday.A government order released by Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary L V Subrahmanyam today mentioned the names of the IPS officers transferred and given new postings with an immediate effect.According to the order, AR Anuradha who was waiting for posting was posted as Director General of Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response and Fire Services.On transfer, K Satyanarayana is posted as Inspector General of Police, PTO. N Sridhar Rao ADGP Road Safety is transferred and posted as Additional Director General of Police, Welfare and Sports, while Rajiv Kumar Meena IGP Guntur Range is transferred and posted as ...
MP: Shivraj Singh Chouhan attacks Congress, says 'convicts fleeing and govt sleeping'
Bhartiya Janta Party's (BJP) best is yet to come, said former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in a state party meeting ahead of their nationwide membership drive here on Sunday.The state leadership of the party paid tribute to freedom fighter Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 66th death anniversary. BJP also felicitated leaders belonging to the state who were appointed as union ministers and the BJP Members of Parliament from Madhya Pradesh.Speaking on the occasion, former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "BJP's best is yet to come. We must strengthen our organization and this membership drive is for that purpose. Today, all the state leaders of BJP have assembled here to discuss the same."BJP state president Rakesh Singh also said, "In Lok Sabha elections we won 28 out of 29 seats which shows that people's connection with our party is strong again. We will ensure that BJP workers reach out to every person and the party's presence is felt across the state."The BJP also ...
Mid-term polls in Karnataka would be a burden on people: Sadananda Gowda
Union minister D V Sadananda Gowda Sunday said mid-term polls would be an additional burden on the people of Karnataka and if given a chance the BJP would "rectify things". Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra at Nelamangala on the city outskirts, the minister for chemicals and fertilisers said elections bring to halt all development works. "Mid-term poll is a burden on the people. Under the present circumstances, let new government take over but burdening people with mid-term poll is not proper," Gowda said. "We don't like to trouble people just to achieve our political ambitions. If they cannot rectify things then we will do it if given a chance," he added. He said development works could not be done in the last three-four months due to the Lok Sabha elections and a mid-term poll in the state would result in a similar situation for another 40 to 50 days. "It will ultimately result in additional burden on the people. This is not good," Gowda ..
Sudan court orders end to internet blackout: lawyer
A Sudanese court Sunday ordered authorities to end a nationwide internet blockade imposed by the ruling generals after a deadly crackdown on protesters earlier this month, a lawyer said. Crowds of protesters were violently dispersed on June 3 by men in military fatigues, who stormed a weeks-long protest camp outside the army headquarters in Khartoum where they had camped to demand that the generals step down. Internet on mobile phones and fixed land connections was cut across Sudan by the ruling military council, with users saying it was done to prevent further mobilisation of protesters. Lawyer Abdelazim al-Hassan said he had filed a petition against the blockade, and on Sunday a court in Khartoum ordered that the services be resumed. "I had filed the case 10 days ago and Judge Awatef Abdellatiff ordered the telecommunications department to resume the internet services immediately," Hassan told AFP. Authorities can appeal the decision. For the generals the internet and social media ..
Sirisena demands repealing of 19th Amendment, blames it for political instability
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday called for repealing the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which has curtailed the presidential powers, blaming it for the political instability in the country. The 19A was the main election pledge of Sirisena when he challenged former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Opposition's common candidate in 2015. Rajapaksa in 2010 had moved the 18A which allowed him to contest presidency any number of times by lifting the then existing two-term bar. Sirisena in 2015 introduced the 19A which reduced the presidential term for five years while taking away his absolute control over the dissolution of Parliament. The 19A has also barred two term presidents from running for a third time. However, the President addressing a gathering here on Sunday blamed the 19th Amendment for the political instability in the country. "It has been four years since we formed the government. It is time to conduct a post-mortem with only four months to go before .
Irani warns officials of dilly-dallying with Amethi residents' problem
Union Minister Smriti Irani Sunday asked Amethi's district administration officials to ensure that the problem of any person reaching them from her constituency is resolved within a week. She also warned them that the failure on this count will not be tolerated. "You all should not only focus on completing paper work but the real benefits of welfare schemes should reach people. The people's problems should be redressed in one week," said Irani. "If someone is coming to you with a problem, it means all is not well," the new Amethi Lok Sabha MP, who unseated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from his home turf in last election, added. Irani was addressing officials at a meeting with them in the district collectorate here. In the meeting, Smriti took stock of the government schemes' implementation and asked officials to take necessary steps to deal the stray cattle problem being faced by farmers. This was the second day of Irani's first planned visit to Amethi after her election to Lok ...
Trump can be re-elected if Democrats don't get it together: Wyclef Jean
Rapper Wyclef Jean says Democratic Party must not take Donald Trump lightly as there is a good chance for him to return for a second term as president. "Trump can be re-elected if the Democrats don't get it together. If the Democrats get it together, there is a possibility that they could take the election," Jean told Variety. Asked whom he will support for 2020, the singer-actor said he is yet to make up his mind. "It's too early to tell. I like the young people. I think the young people push. I think some people in the Democratic Party are scared of them." Jean then pointed out there were certain issues that needed to be paid attention to by both Democrats and Republicans. "... If I was probably giving advice, I would really say to both parties, health care is very important. And then you really have to look... I was a college student. We have to figure this thing out because you go to school and then you end up spending half of your life paying for the school. Something has to be ..
Special status for Andhra: YSR Congress unlikely to accept Lok Sabha Dy Speaker's post
The YSR Congress Party is unlikely to accept the post of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha as it does not want to be seen aligned with the BJP-led ruling NDA until the Narendra Modi government fulfil its demand of granting special status to Andhra Pradesh, a senior leader of the party said Sunday. YSR Congress, which is fourth largest party with 22 members in the 17th Lok Sabha, wants to maintain equidistance from both the ruling and opposition sides, the leader told PTI. "Opposition especially the Congress is also responsible for Andhra Pradesh not getting the special status tag. It bifurcated the state but did not give it special status. So we will also be maintaining distance from them too," the leader said. However, he said the party may extend its support to the ruling dispensation on certain issues which would be in the interest of the country. On the Deputy Speaker's post, sources in the YSR Congress Party said there was no direct or formal offer made but there were indications. "The
Mayawati gives brother and nephew key party posts
BSP Chief Mayawati's brother Anand Kumar was appointed as the vice-president of the party while nephew Akash Anand was made national coordinator. The party also elected Danish Ali as the leader of BSP in Lok Sabha.Party leader Ramji Gautam was also appointed as national coordinator.Early today, Mayawati chaired a meeting with her party office bearers, members, legislators and parliamentarians to chalk out a strategy for upcoming by-elections to 11 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh.Senior officials and all members of parliament were present at the meeting along with state presidents from across the country.Mayawati had recently announced her decision that the BSP will contest the upcoming by-elections for 11 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh alone, stating that her ally Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party's vote base did not support the coalition in the Lok Sabha elections.The BSP managed to bag 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh, SP won 5 and RLD drew a blank, taking the 'mahagathbandhan' total to .
Huawei asks India to take 'informed and independent decision' on 5G trials
Huawei has urged India to make an "informed and independent decision" on permitting its 5G trials in the country as the Chinese telecom giant reeled under pressure following the US ban. The US has banned Huawei, the world's leader in telecom equipment and the number two smartphone producer, over concerns of security and Washington has been pressuring other countries to restrict the operations of the Chinese telecom firm. India, however, is yet to take a call on whether it intends to place curbs on Huawei or allow the Chinese telecom equipment maker to participate in the upcoming 5G trials, that are scheduled to commence in 100 days. "The Indian Government or any other country must take an independent view to protect its own networks and data through its own standards, test mechanisms and policies. It is important to address cyber security risks through an evidence and fact-based approach, introducing checks and balances with a monitored participation rather than banning out of fear," .
Mayawati appoints brother, nephew to key party posts
BSP chief Mayawati Sunday appointed his brother Anand Kumar as the party's national vice president and named her nephew Akash Anand as its national coordinator, a senior leader said. The decision was taken at a meeting held here, which was attended by top functionaries of the party. Amroha MP Danish Ali has been made leader of the party in Lok Sabha and its Nagina MP Girish Chandra has been appointed chief whip, he said.
Hyderabad woman rescued from Kuwait thanks Modi govt
A Hyderabad woman, who was sent to Kuwait under false pretence and was tortured there, thanked the Indian embassy and Modi government on Sunday for her rescue."I would like to thank the Indian Embassy and Modi government for rescuing me from that hell. There are many agents here trying to dupe people. We should not believe anything these agents tell us," Rehana Begum told ANI.She left for Kuwait on January 25 and returned to India on June 16."An agent had approached me and offered a beautician's job in a saloon in Kuwait. He had said they will pay me Rs 30,000 per month. When I went there, they employed me as a housemaid and tortured me," the woman said."They used to thrash me and inflict burns on me. They did not even give me proper food or clothes," she said.Rehana then called her daughter in India and conveyed the condition she was in. Her daughter approached the Indian embassy, which brought her mother back to the country.
Pakistan's highest civil honour conferred on Emir of Qatar
Pakistan on Sunday conferred its highest civilian award on Qatar's Emir, as the two countries held high-level talks and agreed to cooperate in the fields of trade, exchange of financial intelligence, anti-money laundering and checking terror financing. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad was conferred with 'Nishan-e-Pakistan' by President Arif Alvi at a ceremony here. The Qatari emir On Saturday held talks with President Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan and discussed bilateral relations. Delegation-level talks were also held between the officials of the two countries during which the two sides signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on trade, investment, tourism and financial intelligence. Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Qatari Finance Minister Ali Shareef Al Emadi signed the MoU for establishment of Pakistan-Qatar joint working group on trade and investment. The two sides agreed on cooperation in the fields of tourism and business events. The third MoU relates to ...
Upset over Congress leaders remarks, Deve Gowda meets Kumaraswamy
Janata Dal (Secular) president HD Deve Gowda on Sunday met his son and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy amid turmoil in the state's coalition government.The JDS supremo is not happy with some of the developments and statements of most of the Congress MLAs and leaders, sources said. They feel that even after allocation of portfolios, board, and corporation and providing many facilities to Congress MLAs they are speaking against the government, especially against Kumaraswamy and his style of functioning.Earlier, Deve Gowada had claimed, "There is no doubt that there will be mid-term polls. They (Congress) said they will support us for five years but look at their behaviour now. Our people are smart."However, he later downplayed his statement and said that his comment was about the local body elections, and not for the Assembly polls in the state.Kumaraswamy drew criticism from senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily who openly slammed Kumaraswamy for his "five-star" stay even in ..
Ethiopian army chief, regional president killed in unrest
Ethiopia's army chief and the president of a key region have been shot dead in a wave of violence highlighting the political instability in the country as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tries to push through reforms. The latest unrest in the Horn of Africa nation flared on Saturday afternoon in Amhara, one of nine autonomous regions, when a "hit squad" attacked a meeting of top officials, Abiy's office said Sunday. Spokeswoman Billene Seyoum told journalists the attack was led by Amhara's security chief Asaminew Tsige, and resulted in regional president Ambachew Mekonnen and another top official being shot. The men were "gravely injured in the attack and later died of their wounds," she said. "Several hours later in what seems like a co-ordinated attack, the chief of the staff of the national security forces Seare Mekonnen was killed in his home by his bodyguard" in the capital Addis Ababa, she added. Also shot dead was a retired general who had been visiting him, Billene added. The ...
Mamata must follow Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's ideology: Kailash Vijayvargiya
BJP's National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday thanked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for observing the death anniversary of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee but suggested that she must follow his ideologies and shun violence in the state."Observing the death anniversary and following his thinking are two different things. Mamata ji is observing his death anniversary, I thank her. But she should also follow his thinking so that violence, especially political violence, ends in West Bengal," he said while speaking to media in Indore."The manner in which she is getting BJP workers killed for vendetta is not in line with Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's thinking. His politics was one which unites the nation. Mamata ji's politics is one which divides the nation," he added.On the issue of abrogating Article 370 in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Vijayvargiya said that it is on his party's agenda and will be done at an appropriate time.Dr Mukherjee was the founder of Bhartiya
Iranian general warns US against uncontrollable scope of war
An Iranian military commander warned on Sunday that any conflict with Iran would have uncontrollable consequences across the region and endanger the lives of US forces, as tensions between Washington and Tehran have flared after the downing of an American surveillance drone. Maj Gen Gholamali Rashid made the remarks while addressing Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps during a field visit to a command center for Iranian radars and missile systems. The general oversees and coordinates joint military operations in the Iranian Armed Forces. "The US administration should behave in a responsible way to protect the lives of American forces," he was quoted as saying in comments published by the semi-official Fars news agency. Rashid said if war breaks out, the scope and duration of the conflict would be uncontrollable, and blamed any escalation on "U.S. interventionist policy." His comments come as tensions were running high in the Persian Gulf as the Trump administration combines a ..
Action plan being finalised for water conservation: Pondy CM
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Sunday said the territorial administration was seized of the need to implement schemes to conserve water and an action plan was being finalised to implement rainwater harvesting scheme. Appealing to people to ensure water was judiciously used, he said the government had also decided to desilt water bodies by granting licences through open tender system to contractor. An action plan was being finalised to conserve water and to implement the rainwater scheme on a war-footing, the Chief Minister told reporters here. Several villages in the union territory were now facing drought situation for want of rain and farmers were also in distress due to monsoon failure, he said. He said he had taken up Puducherry's statehood issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent Niti Aayog meeting. Narayanasamy also said during the meeting he had taken up with the Prime Minister the issue of including Puducherry in the fifteenth Finance .