Page 138 - Politics
DMK MPs raise Cauvery issue during President's address
DMK MPs Thursday raised the issue of Cauvery river water as soon as President Ram Nath Kovind began his address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. Holding placards, DMK members briefly raised slogans on the issue of distribution of Cauvery water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was seen pacifying them and asked them to sit down. During the president's address several NDA MPs thumped desks when Kovind referred to the Modi government's philosophy of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas aur Sabka Vishvas'. When the president referred to the Rafale jet deal and the delivery schedule of the Apache attack helicopters, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was seen smiling and thumping the desk along with other NDA members. As soon as the speech got over, Kovind walked up to the first row where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers and floor leaders of parties were sitting. He shook hands with all of them including Rahul Gandhi. Kovind was .
Campaign against black money to be taken forward at faster
The Narendra Modi government will take forward the campaign against blackmoney at a faster pace and make the zero tolerance policy against corruption more comprehensive and effective, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Thursday. In his address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament in the historic Central Hall, Kovind also said the government's objective of minimum government-maximum governance will be further emphasised. "The campaign against black money will be taken forward at a faster pace. During the last two years, 4 lakh 25 thousand company directors have been disqualified and the registration of 3 lakh 50 thousand suspicious companies has been revoked," Kovind said in his customary address after the formation of the 17th Lok Sabha. The president said the 'Fugitive and Economic Offenders Act' has proved effective in controlling fugitive economic offenders. "Now we are receiving information in this regard from 146 countries, including Switzerland. Of ...
National security top priority of Modi govt: Kovind
President Ram Nath Kovind Thursday flagged national security as one of top most priorities of the Narendra Modi government, saying all possible steps will be taken to ensure country's security as it was done after the terror attack in Pulwama. He also said that illegal infiltrators pose a major threat to India's internal security, leading to social imbalance in many parts of the country. "India has amply demonstrated both her intent and capabilities, first through surgical strikes and then through air strikes on terrorist hideouts across the border after the Pulwama attack. "In the future too, all possible steps will be taken to ensure our security," he said addressing the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament after the formation of the 17th Lok Sabha. The President said New India will be sensitive and also, economically prosperous but for this to happen, "nation's security is of utmost importance". "My Government accords top most priority to national security. ...
Who said you can't say 'Vande Mataram', 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', asks LS Speaker Om Birla
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said it will not be challenging for him to run the lower House of the Parliament, where chants of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' were heard when several leaders including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi took oath earlier this week.Asked whether it was going to be tough for him to run the Lok Sabha amid religious chants, Om Birla said, "There is no challenge. We will run the House by keeping all party leaders together... Who said you cannot say 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'?"Sonia Gandhi, who retained the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat for the Congress, took oath on Tuesday. She was welcomed to take the oath amid slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Jai Sri Ram'.Owaisi was also greeted with slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram', 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram' on Tuesday as he went on to take oath as a member of the 17th Lok Sabha.Owaisi, a Member of Parliament (MP) from Hyderabad constituency, gave it ...
Chicken in veg food: Probing if House kitchen FSSAI compliant,
Taking serious note of chicken pieces found in a vegetarian dish in the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan's canteen, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said an inquiry was on to ascertain if the kitchen where the dish was prepared followed food safety norms. Speaking in the state Assembly when the issue was raised by NCP member Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis said strict instructions would be given to the canteen staff to ensure that such an incident does not happen again. On Wednesday, a government official ordered 'matki usal' (a vegetarian Maharashtrian dish) in the canteen and found chicken pieces in it. After Pawar raised the issue, Congress member Vijay Waddetiwar also told the Lower House thatcow dung was recently found in the food served to a patient at the Government Medical College in Nagpur. To this, Fadnavis said, "This is a serious issue and the guilty (in the hospital incident) will be suspended." He said instructions will also be given to check if the kitchen in ...
Pak PM Imran Khan to attend UNGA session for 1st time in Sept
For the first time, Imran Khan will bat for Pakistan at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, according to a top aide of the prime minister. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the Pakistani delegation to the UNGA will be limited to prime minister Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. This is to avoid the burden on the national exchequer, Awan said Wednesday following a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Khan. Cash-strapped Pakistan is seeking help from multiple lenders like the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to overcome a ballooning balance of payments crisis. Pakistan has received financial assistance from close allies like China and Saudi Arabia. During the official visit, the prime minister and foreign minister unlike their predecessors, would not stay at the seven-star hotels, but at the residence of the ...
Modi introduces his Council of Ministers in Rajya Sabha
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday introduced his Council of Ministers in the Rajya Sabha.Prime Minister read out the name of the ministers along with their portfolios.It is a customary practice for the Prime Minister to introduce his Council of Ministers after the new government takes over.Besides Modi, the Union Cabinet for the 17th Lok Sabha includes 24 Cabinet ministers, 9 Ministers of State (MoS) with independent charge and 24 Ministers of State.On Wednesday, Modi introduced his Council of Ministers in Lok Sabha.
Qatar distributes funds to Gaza families
Qatar distributed USD100 grants to thousands of families in Gaza on Thursday, an AFP correspondent reported, part of an understanding with Israel intended to restore calm to the blockaded Palestinian enclave. The gas-rich Gulf state, which is a longstanding ally of Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas, agreed to provide regular payments to needy families as part of an informal truce agreed between Hamas and Israel in November. Qatari envoy Mohammed al-Emadi said Wednesday 60,000 families would receive the grants from post offices in the latest disbursement. Previous disbursements had each involved 100,000 families but Emadi said the USD4 million saved would be allocated to other projects instead. Several hundred people were waiting at a post office in central Gaza City for their USD100 grants, an AFP journalist said. Emadi brought USD25 million in cash into Gaza on Sunday night, he told AFP. The rest of the money will be allocated to aid projects including cash-for-work schemes. Despite the ..
Tories pick final two in battle to become British PM
Conservative MPs will decide Thursday who will join Boris Johnson in the final two battling to become Britain's next prime minister, with three contenders jostling for the second spot. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Interior Minister Sajid Javid are vying to join Johnson on the ballot paper to be put before 160,000 Conservative Party members. Two rounds of voting are scheduled to whittle the four down to two, though Johnson, barring a spectacular collapse in support, already has more than enough backing to ensure he cruises through. The last two will then face 16 hustings meetings around the country and two televised debates before Tory party members send in their postal votes to pick a new leader. The winner will be announced in the week beginning July 22 and then take over from Theresa May as prime minister. In Wednesday's third ballot of 313 MPs in the governing, centre-right Conservative Party, former foreign secretary Johnson came first with
Trump UN choice to step back from some climate talks
President Donald Trump's pick for ambassador to the United Nations promised Wednesday to allow climate diplomacy to move forward despite her family's fortune in coal. Kelly Craft, at a Senate hearing to confirm her for the high-profile post that has been vacant for nearly half a year, said she would not participate personally in discussions at the United Nations in which coal is discussed. "I will give you my commitment that where coal is part of the conversation within climate change at the UN, I will recuse myself," she told Democratic Senator Ed Markey, a leading environmentalist. "I understand that this is an issue that needs to be addressed. I also understand that fossil fuels has played a part in climate change," she said. But she showed no daylight with Trump on his decision to pull the United States out of the UN-backed Paris climate accord, which covers virtually every other country, saying: "We don't have to be part of an agreement to be leaders." She also stopped short of ..
President Kovind urges support to end malpactices like triple talaq, in address to joint Parliament Session
In his address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament in the historic Central Hall, President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday urged the Parliamentarians to extend their support to eradicate malpractices such as triple talaq and 'nikah-halala' in order to ensure equal rights to the women of the country."To provide equal rights to the women, it is imperative to eliminate evil practices such as 'triple talaq' and 'nikah halala'. I would urge all the members of the parliament to help bring a change and ensure a better and respectable future to the daughters of our country," he said.The President gave his customary address to Parliament in the historic Central Hall after the formation of the 17th Lok Sabha."Empowerment of the women is the top priority of my government. The empowerment of the women and their effective participation in the economy and in society is the real test of a developed nation. Under the National Livelihood Mission, more than two lakh crore has been given to ...
Hong Kong protesters threaten more demos if demands not met
Hong Kong student groups were preparing to mobilise support for another major demonstration, a union leader said, as a Thursday deadline approached for the pro-Beijing government to respond to demands of protesters who have shaken the city with massive rallies. Millions have marched this month to oppose a proposed law that would have allowed extraditions to the Chinese mainland, but the huge protest movement has morphed into a larger rebuke of Hong Kong's administration. Under-fire chief executive Carrie Lam has apologised and suspended the controversial bill, but that has failed to quell the opposition, with protesters demanding she step down and completely withdraw the legislation. A network of students at universities and higher education institutions is preparing to mobilise based on a 5:00 pm (0900 GMT) Thursday deadline circulating online for several demands to be met, said So Tsun Fung, president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Students Union. In addition to Lam's
India rejects claims of having agreed to hold talks with Pakistan
India on Thursday rejected claims of having responded to Islamabad's call for dialogue and clarified that New Delhi seeks normal and cooperative relations with all neighbours, including Pakistan."As per the established diplomatic practice, PM and EAM have responded to the congratulatory messages received from their counterparts in Pakistan. In their messages, they have highlighted that India seeks normal and cooperative relations with all neighbours, including Pakistan," spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Raveesh Kumar, said.Kumar was responding to queries regarding replies to congratulatory messages by Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan.This comes after, Pakistan media, citing diplomatic sources, reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had, in reply to congratulatory messages, expressed willingness to hold talks with the neighbouring country.Kumar asserted that in their responses to the congratulatory ...
Trump briefed on missile strike in Saudi Arabia: White House
US President Donald Trump has been briefed about a missile strike on Saudi Arabia, the White House said Thursday, after Yemeni rebels claimed an attack on a power station in the kingdom's south. "The president has been briefed on the reports of a missile strike in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. "We are closely monitoring the situation and continuing to consult with our partners and allies." There was no immediate confirmation of the attack from Saudi authorities. Late Wednesday, Yemen's Iran-aligned Huthi rebels said they struck a power station in southern Jizan province, according to the group's Al-Masirah TV. Earlier on Wednesday, a Saudi-led military coalition fighting the rebels said a Huthi drone was intercepted over Yemeni airspace. The rebels, who have faced persistent coalition bombing since March 2015 which has exacted a heavy civilian death toll, have stepped up missile and drone attacks across the border in recent ...
Verdict expected in mass Turkey trial of 'coup ringleaders'
A Turkish court is set to hand down verdicts Thursday to more than 220 suspects in one of the biggest trials relating to the 2016 failed overthrow of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The trial of 224 suspects including more than two dozen former generals began in May 2017 in the country's largest courtroom inside a prison complex in Sincan, Ankara. The space was purpose-built to hear coup-related trials and has room for 1,558 people. Among the suspects is US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who Turkey accuses of ordering the attempted putsch which left hundreds dead and thousands more injured. Gulen strongly denies the claims. Turkey has failed to secure his extradition. The charges against the main suspects include "violating the constitution", "using coercion and violence in an attempt to overthrow" parliament and the Turkish government, "martyring 250 citizens" and "attempting to kill 2,735 citizens". The prosecutor last month sought 252 aggravated -- without parole -- life ...
List Al Jazeera as 'foreign agent' for acting as Qatari govt's alter ego: US senators to Trump admin
A group of influential US lawmakers has urged the Trump administration to get Al Jazeera listed as a "foreign agent", saying the state-owned media company of Qatar has "inherently engaged" in political activities and sought to influence public opinion in America. The US requires all agencies, individuals and organisations controlled or funded by international governments to be registered with the Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) which aims to restrict the spread of propaganda inside America. In a letter to the justice department, nine powerful Republican Senators sought information on any steps taken to determine whether the popular television news network from the Middle East should be registered as a "foreign agent". In the past, China's state-run Xinhua news agency and Russian television Russia Today (RT) have been asked to register as an agent of foreign government by the justice department. International media outlets registered in the US as .
Iran claims to have shot down US spy drone
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has shot down a US spy drone flying over Iranian airspace in the southern province of Hormuzgan, state media reported on Thursday.The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk spy drone was shot down by the IRGC after it entered the Iranian airspace near the Kouhmobarak district, according to a report by Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).There has been no confirmation yet about the development from Washington, however, a spokesman for US Central Command has insisted "there was no drone over Iranian territory," reports New York Post.The development comes at a time of heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington owing to a recent attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Although it remains unclear who was responsible for the attacks, the US has put the blame on Iran, which, in turn, has denied the allegations.To back its claim, the US released a blurry video which, the country believed, showed the boat crew of Islamic Revolution Guards ..
Iran says has shot down US drone over its territory: state TV
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Thursday it had shot down a US "spy drone" over its territory after it violated Iranian airspace, according to Iranian state television. "The US-made Global Hawk surveillance drone was brought down by its Air Force" in the country's southern coastal province of Hormozgan, the Revolutionary Guard added, according to the English-language Press TV. State television did not provide pictures of the drone. The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. The US has accused Iran of being behind a series of operations against oil tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters. Tehran has denied involvement and instead suggested Washington could be the author of the attacks, using the operation to justify force against Iran. Hormozgan borders the Strait of Hormuz, where the tanker attacks took place.
Japan rejects S. Korea deal over wartime forced labour
Japan on Thursday flatly rejected as "unacceptable" a South Korean proposal to set up a joint fund to compensate wartime forced labourers, a bitter dispute that has bogged down bilateral ties. The proposed fund would not solve the issue, the top government spokesman told a regular press conference in Tokyo. "The South Korean proposal is utterly unacceptable," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters. "We will continue to urge South Korea to agree to arbitration," he added. Relations between the two US allies have been increasingly strained by a series of rulings from South Korean courts ordering Japanese firms that used wartime forced labour to compensate victims. Japan's government and the firms involved have rejected the rulings, with Tokyo saying the issue was settled when the two countries normalised relations. Last month, Tokyo proposed the issue be put to arbitration under the terms of an agreement signed by the two countries in 1965, when ties were normalised. The
Xi arrives in North Korea to meet Kim ahead of Trump talks
President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday on a historic trip to reboot a troubled alliance, as he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un face their own challenges with US President Donald Trump. Xi is the first Chinese president to visit North Korea in 14 years, after relations between the Cold War era allies deteriorated over Pyongyang's nuclear provocations and Beijing's subsequent backing of UN sanctions. Xi and Kim have been working to repair ties, with the young North Korean leader visiting his older ally four times in China in the past year and Beijing calling for sanctions to be relaxed. But the Chinese leader waited to reciprocate the visit, biding his time to see how nuclear talks between Kim and Trump would play out before deciding to travel to Pyongyang, according to analysts. Xi, who will pay a two-day state visit, arrived in North Korea late Thursday morning, China's CCTV said. He is visiting with his wife Peng Liyuan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and other ...