Page 1428 - Politics

Qatar says arms purchases 'none of Saudi's business'

Qatar on Monday told rival Saudi Arabia not to meddle in its potential arms purchases from Russia, as the Gulf state weighs the controversial purchase of an air defence system. "Regarding the arms sales that Qatar has with Russia... we believe that Saudi Arabia, or any other countries, it is none of their business," Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said at a news conference in Doha with his visiting Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. "It's a sovereign decision that should be taken by the state of Qatar," said Sheikh Mohammed when asked about a possible purchase of the S-400, a sophisticated Russian-made anti-aircraft weapon system. He said talks on the purchase were ongoing, while Lavrov also confirmed that talks on "bilateral" military cooperation with gas-rich Qatar were taking place. The possible arms deal first surfaced last year, sparking backlash by Gulf powerhouse Saudi Arabia -- which along with the UAE and their allies cut all ties with Doha in 2017 over ...

Srinagar: Congress delegation urges EC to hold simultaneous polls

Congress delegation comprising Mohi-Ud-Din and Ali Mohammad Sagar on Monday met the Election Commission of India (EC) in Srinagar, and urged the poll body to hold simultaneous polls.Addressing the media here, Mohi-Ud-Din said: "Elections are necessary and they should happen within a time frame and should be held simultaneously.""Congress has always favoured a democratic process. From 1996 to 2014, we have shown that when there is a democratically elected government, militancy is dealt with care. The government also deals well with anti-national elements. It was a myth that under Governor's rule, militancy in the state would come to an end. The graph is visible, which shows that during Governor's rule militancy spiked."Echoing similar views, Congress leader Ali Mohammad Sagar added: "Kashmiris are being projected as terrorists, and the Governor has changed many rules arbitrarily, there is only one solution to this, which is the formation of a government in the state that will tackle ...

CPI, DMK inks seat sharing agreement for Lok Sabha elections

The Communist Party of India (CPI) and Dravida Munnetra Kazgham (DMK) on Monday signed a poll pact for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan and DMK President MK Stalin have signed the seat sharing agreement on two constituencies, ahead of the polls.Earlier in the day, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder-leader Thol Thirumavalavan announced that his party has reached an agreement with DMK for two constituencies for the forthcoming general elections.Thirumavalavan told ANI, "We made an agreement with DMK for two constituencies in forthcoming parliamentary elections. We will decide on what are those constituencies after a couple of days. Now we fixed only on the numbers, peacefully and happily."DMK president MK Stalin last month announced to give 10 Lok Sabha seats to Congress in Tamil Nadu including Puducherry wherein all 40 seats are at stake.Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJP leader Piyush Goyal in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi said, "On March 6, we ...

For peace in Korean Peninsula, Seoul bats for resumption of talks between Pyongyang and US

South Korea has stressed the need for resuming talks between the United States and North Korea to resolve the issues pertaining to Korean Peninsula, reports Yonhap News Agency (YNA)."We will seek various ways to create a venue for the resumption of North Korea-US dialogue," YNA quoted South Korea's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, as saying.The Foreign Minister said this during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting, summoned by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to discuss future steps after US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un abruptly ended their Hanoi Summit last week."The second North Korea-US summit, though it is very disappointing in its result, was a chance to confirm the very meaningful progress that has been made through dialogue between the two countries," Moon said at the NSC meeting held at his office, Cheong Wa Dae, on Monday, reported Al Jazeera.Insisting that the US and North Korea will eventually reach an agreement, the Cheong Wa Dae ...

Former BJD leader Baijayant Jay Panda joins BJP

Former BJD MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda on Monday joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Panda was suspended from the BJD for his "anti-party activities" in January last year.Later on May 28, 2018, Panda ended his over 18 years of association with BJD by quitting the party.In his strong-worded resignation letter addressed to BJD chief and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Panda had stated that he was disappointed with the kind of politics being practised by the party."It's with deep anguish, hurt and sorrow that I have decided to quit the politics into which our BJD has descended," Panda had written.He also later resigned as a member of the Lok Sabha from Kendrapara constituency on June 12.The relation between Panda and his former party BJD further soured in September after the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers staged a protest in Bhubaneswar, demanding his arrest for allegedly flying his chopper over an "eco-sensitive zone" in Chilika ...

Ghulam Ahmad Mir bats for India-Pak talks

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee President Ghulam Ahmad Mir has said that India and Pakistan should sit down together for talks to find a peaceful solution."Imran Khan needs to translate words into action to fight terrorism. Both (India and Pakistan) the countries need to sit together to find a peaceful solution, he told reporters here on Sunday.His comments came in the backdrop of heavy shelling by Pakistani forces in Poonch district last week, which has caused human casualties.On March 2, three members of a family were killed in heavy shelling by Pakistani forces near the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch district.Tensions along the LoC have escalated since the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed responsibility for the attack.Twelve days later, the Indian Air Force carried out air strikes at JeM's largest terror training camp in Balakot in Pakistan, killing

NTRO surveillance of Balakot JeM camp before strikes confirmed 300 active targets

The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) had started surveillance of the facility after the Indian Air Force (IAF) was given clearance to target the camp in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the sources said.On February 26, 12 Mirage 2000 IAF jets penetrated deep inside the Pakistani air space and launched 1,000 kg Spice 2000 bombs at the camp in Balakot, which housed terrorists, including commanders, and an ammunition dump."During technical surveillance, it emerged that there was a presence of around 300 mobile phones with active signal strength inside the facility in the days leading up to the strike. The facility was destroyed by the IAF fighters," added the sources who wished to remain anonymous due to first hand involvement in operational matters. The sources added that other Indian intelligence agencies had also corroborated NTRO's assessment of active targets with inputs of similar number of Jaish operatives in the Balkot facility. No official number of ...

Siddaramaiah attacks PM for dyslexia jibe

Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his purported political potshot at Congress president Rahul Gandhi while replying to a student's query on dyslexia."Just came across a video of our @narendramodi taking political potshots using the name of dyslexic people. Shame on you Modi!! You just can't go below this. Your insensitivity can't be washed away by dipping in any river. They may be slow in learning but not heartless like you," Siddaramaiah tweeted.During a video interaction on Sunday, a girl asked a question to Prime Minister Modi about the steps taken by his government to benefit dyslexic children.Before she could finish her question, the Prime Minister replied, "Will this program work for a 40-50-year-old child too? Then that will make the mothers of such children very happy."While the comments drew laughter from the audience, the Opposition took it as a veiled jibe at the Congress president.

FATF warns Pak over 8,707 suspicious transactions in 2018

Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has warned Pakistan to curb terror financing, following the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the responsibility for which was claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).Condemning the attack, the FATF noted with concern that incidents like the Pulwama terror attack proved that terrorism continued to threaten societies around the world, and could not take place without funding and the means to move funds amongst terror supporters.Inter-ministerial consultations have been taking place in Pakistan ever since, to work on areas highlighted by the FATF's International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG).Meanwhile, the Financial Monitoring Unit has issued 8,707 suspicious transaction reports (STRs) in 2018, as compared to 5,548 STRs issued in 2017 in Pakistan. Furthermore, around 1,136 STRs have been issued in January and February alone this year, reports Dawn.Six banks have also been fined, while 109 bankers are being investigated .

Ohio judge leaving US Republican Party to run as Democrat in future

A long-serving Ohio judge has said she will switch her party affiliation from Republican to Democrats, saying she no longer associates with what the GOP has become on a national level.According to a report by the Hill, Franklin County Common Pleas judge Julie Lynch filed paperwork with the county board of elections last week to run as a Democrat in 2023 elections."I've been a registered Republican since I was 18, and 41 years later I do not recognize the Republican Party as it is today. And I'm not the same person I was when I was 18," the Hill quoted Julie as saying.The judge added she "can't articulate all the things that are disturbing to me, because that would not be appropriate for a judge. I'll let my action speak louder than my words."Notably, several GOP state lawmakers recently registered as Democrats, owing to the differences in educational policies.

If needed, will use all our might to protect nation's sovereignty: President Kovind

In view of the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of Pulwama terror attack and IAF's subsequent air strikes at terror camps in Pakistan's Balakot, President Ramnath Kovind on Monday asserted that "in case the need arises," "India will use all might to protect the nation's sovereignty." President Kovind, who was speaking at an event of the IAF here, said: "India's growing stature in the comity of nations is consistent with the strength and capabilities of our armed forces.""India remains firmly committed to peace, but in case the need arises, we will use all our might to protect the nation's sovereignty. Our armed forces, exemplified by our air warriors reflect our firm-resolve to defend our nation," he said."Their (IAF) valour and professionalism was on display very recently, as the Indian Air Force carried out pre-emptive strikes on a known terrorist camp," said President Kovind.He was speaking after presenting colours to Air Force Station, Hakimpet and

TRS denies allegations of poaching Cong, BJP MLAs

Amid allegations of poaching from BJP and Congress, TRS working president KT Rama Rao on Monday said that MLAs of opposition parties were joining his party only after being impressed by the welfare schemes of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao."The Congress should first answer at what cost they have purchased the loyalty of Uttar Pradesh BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule. TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy is making baseless allegations against the TRS," said Rao."Two Congress MLAs-Rega Kantha Rao, and Athram Sakku-have publicly announced that they are interested in joining the TRS after being attracted to the schemes launched by the state government," he said, adding that a few Congress leaders are not satisfied with TPCC president Reddy.Congress spokesperson D Sravan, however, alleged that KCR was attempting to destroy the opposition. "Two Congress MLAs are interested to join the TRS. It is unfortunate Chief Minister Rao is bent upon destroying the opposition, thus dismantling the very ...

Chandrababu Naidu should be 'ashamed' for data theft, says KTR

"Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu should be ashamed of the data theft in the state," Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president KT Rama Rao said on Monday.Speaking to media, KTR, as he is popularly known, opined that if nothing wrong has been done by the Chandrababu Naidu-led government, they should not be afraid of the investigation being done in connection with the case."If nothing wrong was done by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his government why he is afraid of investigation? How can Andhra Pradesh government give voter list and Aadhar data to a private company which provides software and technical support to TDP? Hundred per cent this case will come under the jurisdiction of Telangana police," he said.KTR asserted that Telangana police is doing their duty perfectly in this case, adding, "Chandrababu's cheap politics will not work out in this social media generation. KCR is not threatening anyone in Andhra Pradesh. Naidu is only trying ..

Ahmed Patel questions EC for delay in announcing poll dates

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Monday pointed fingers at the Election Commission (EC) over the delay in the announcement of dates for the Lok Sabha polls and accused the EC of giving a long rope to the Narendra Modi-led government.

Cong does not need to learn patriotism from BJP: Chandy

All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Oommen Chandy hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), here on Monday, stating the Congress didn't need to learn about patriotism from the BJP.

BSP's Kaiser Jahan and Jasmir Ansari join Congress

Former BSP MP Kaiser Jahan and a former MLA of the same party, Jasmir Ansari, Monday joined the Congress along with their supporters in the presence of UPCC president Raj Babbar here, a party spokesperson said. Jahan, former Sitapur MP, and Ansari, former Laharpur MLA, expressed their faith in the leadership of party president Rahul Gandhi and the policies of the party, spokesman Brijendra Kumar Singh said. Welcoming them into the party fold, Babbar said the Congress will form the government at the Centre after winning the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. A Congress government at the Centre will ensure the rights of the youth, farmers, labourers and traders, and pave the way for establishing an atmosphere in which all could feel safe and secure, he added. Jahan and Ansari had earlier met AICC in-charge of UP-East Priyanka Gandhi in Delhi and joined the Congress on Monday after quitting the BSP, Singh said. Retired IPS officer Aftab Ahmed Khan and Chamber of Commerce vice-chairman Surendra ...

Dutch recall envoy from Iran in murder plot row: minister

The Netherlands said Monday it had recalled its ambassador from Tehran after Iran expelled two Dutch diplomats in an dispute over an alleged plot to assassinate regime opponents. Dutch authorities accused Iran in January of involvement in the murder of two dissidents on Dutch soil in 2015 and 2017, and the EU slapped sanctions on Tehran over the killings. Foreign Minister Stef Blok said in a letter to parliament that the government "has decided to recall the Netherlands' ambassador to Tehran for consultations" over the row. Iran's decision to expel the Dutch officials -- which was not previously announced in public -- was "not acceptable and is negative for the development of the bilateral relationship," Blok said. He said Iran's move was itself a tit-for-tat response to the Netherlands' expulsion of two Iranian embassy workers in June 2018 "due to strong indications from (Dutch intelligence) that Iran has been involved in the liquidations on Dutch territory of two Dutch people of ...

CPM proposes "no mutual contest" with Cong in 6 LS seats in West Bengal

The CPI(M) on Monday proposed "no mutual contest" for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in six seats currently held by Congress and the Left Front in West Bengal, indicating its willingness for an understanding between the two political blocks in the state to consolidate anti-BJP votes. This comes in the backdrop of the state leadership of both the Congress and the CPI (M) in West Bengal pushing for a tactical tie-up, while the Left party's Kerala unit has been opposing any pact with the Congress. "In West Bengal, the Central Committee had earlier decided that the CPI(M) will adopt suitable tactics to ensure the maximisation of the pooling of anti-BJP, anti-TMC votes," CPIM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said. "In accordance with this, the CPI(M) proposes no mutual contest in the present six sitting Lok Sabha seats, currently held by Congress and the Left Front," Yechuri said. For rest of the seats, the Left Front in Bengal will decide on March 8, he added. The decision on these ...

Lok Sabha MP Sher Singh Ghubaya resigns from Akali Dal

Member of Parliament from Ferozpur constituency, Sher Singh Ghubaya on Monday resigned from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) ahead of the 2019 general elections.According to Ghubaya, he resigned from the party owing to ideological differences.SAD had already been suspended Ghubaya from the party.Ghubaya won first Lok Sabha elections in 2009.SAD is a part of Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance.

Pak resumes Samjhauta Express, 176 passengers reach Attari

A total of 176 passengers travelling in Samjhauta Express from Pakistan reached Attari on Monday and are scheduled to reach Delhi in the wee hours of Tuesday. This is the first time the train from Pakistan has come to India after the aerial strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force on terror launch pads in Pakistan's Balakot on February 26.Among these 176 passengers, 160 are Indians while the rest are Pakistanis.The Samjhauta Link Express carrying these passengers will reach Delhi at 03:20 am on Tuesday.On Sunday, 12 passengers booked tickets for the first Samjhauta Express from Delhi. Out of 12 Pakistani passengers, 10 of them travelled in sleeper class while the remaining two went in an AC coach.The Samjhauta Express, or the peace train, is a bi-weekly train that runs on Wednesday and Sunday between Delhi and Attari in India and Lahore in Pakistan. It comprises six sleeper coaches and an AC 3-tier coach.Pakistani authorities had suspended the train services from their end on ...