Page 1433 - Politics
Equity markets remain shut due to Mahashivratri
Indian equity markets remained shut on Monday on account of Mahashivratri, the Hindu festival celebrated once a year in the honour of Lord Shiva.However, Asian shares moved up amid signals that the United States and China were close to striking a pact on ending their long-standing trade tariff disputes.Reports said Washington could remove most of its tariffs on Beijing. Also, a summit between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to sign a final trade deal may take place later this month..
I am not worthy of Nobel Peace Prize: Imran Khan
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said he is "not worthy" of the Nobel Prize prize, adding that one who solves the Kashmir dispute to pave the way for peace and human development in the subcontinent should receive the award.His remarks come on the heels of demands by political leaders in Pakistan to consider Imran for the award for his role in de-escalating tension between New Delhi and Islamabad."I am not worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. The person worthy of this would be the one who solves the Kashmir dispute and paves the way for peace & human development in the subcontinent," tweeted ImranPakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary submitted a motion in Pakistan's National Assembly Secretariat, seeking the Nobel Peace Prize for the prime minister.An online petition has also been filed, urging the Norwegian Nobel Committee for the nomination of Khan for the 'Nobel Peace Prize' for 2020 in recognition of his peace efforts.IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was .
Anti-terrorism protest at UN demands action against Pakistani terror sponsors, JeM chief
Members of the Indian community and international supporters have held a protest outside the UN headquarters demanding that the international organisation act against Pakistani leaders abetting terrorism and impose an arms embargo on Islamabad.
Siddaramaiah hits out at PM for dyslexia jibe
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his purported political potshot at Congress president Rahul Gandhi while answering a question by a student on dyslexia. Targeting Modi, Siddaramaiah tweeted: "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." Karnataka Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao also hit out at Modi for the reported jibe. Posting a video of the prime minister making that comment, Rao tweeted Sunday, "If there was ever a classless crude Prime Minister India has seen, here's one. Yuck!" During a video interaction, a girl Sunday sought to know from Modi the measures taken by the government to benefit dyslexic children. Before she even finished her question, the prime minister made a comment ..
Election Commission team on two-day visit to J&K
A team from the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday embarked on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review the preparedness for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and the security situation in the state.
Pakistan restores Samjhauta Express services to Delhi
Pakistani authorities on Monday restored the Samjhauta Express services between Lahore and Delhi, days after the train was suspended due to tense bilateral ties. The train departs on every Monday and Thursday from Lahore. The Samjhauta Express carrying some 150 passengers left Lahore railway station for India, Radio Pakistan reported. In New Delhi, Railways officials announced on Saturday that the two countries have agreed to operationalise services at their ends. India cancelled the operations on February 28. The train operates from Delhi on every Wednesday and Sunday. Pakistani authorities suspended the train service on February 28 amidst tense bilateral ties in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. The footfall of the train, which generally records an occupancy of around 70 per cent, had fallen drastically post the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed. Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based terror ...
Bill Clinton has 2020 advice; few candidates are seeking it
Bill Clinton is still sought after for advice by some Democrats running for president. But the names on his dance card in recent months underscore how much his standing in the party has changed. So far, none of the party's early front-runners has sought a formal meeting with Clinton. Nor have the women who are running in the historically diverse primary field. Instead, Clinton has met mostly with male candidates who are considered longshots for the Democratic nomination. That includes Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, former Housing secretary Julian Castro and former Maryland Rep. John Delaney. The Democratic Party has shifted considerably to the left since Clinton's two terms in White House. Clinton's personal baggage also makes him an awkward adviser for some in his party's next class of presidential hopefuls.
Amethi ordnance factory was already producing small arms: Rahul
Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'habitual liar', Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the ordnance factory Modi inaugurated in Amethi on Sunday had been producing small arms for a while.
New tome on Kashmir only restates the obvious
A new book on Kashmir restates the obvious but would be of interest to both scholars and the lay reader as it provides an overview of the disparate writings on the troubled state.
HSP to contest all seats in Sikkim
Bhaichung Bhutia's Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) will contest all 32 Assembly seats and the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim. The country's iconic former football told a press conference on Sunday that his party has coined the slogan 'Hamro Sikkim, New Sikkim' for its poll campaigns. On the prospects of the HSP stitching an alliance with other regional parties to take on the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), Bhutia said he was hopeful that a partnership with a local party will be forged soon. The HSP working president, however, ruled out a coalition with any national party amid rumour that his party was in dialogue with the BJP leadership to iron out a coalition framework. Hitting out at the Pawan Kumar Chamling government for pursuing divisive politics on the basis of caste and religion, Bhutia said that development will be the "sole agenda" of his party, if the HSP comes to power. Bhutia also clarified that his party will not be giving tickets to an individual having ...
'Don't you feel ashamed': Rahul accuses PM Modi of lying about ordnance factory in Amethi
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of a factory to manufacture advanced AK-203 rifles in Amethi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi claimed that he had inaugurated the ordnance factory in 2010 and accused the Prime Minister of lying to people.During his visit to Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha constituency, Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation the Joint Venture of Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd, for Kalashnikov Assault Rifle Production.However, Rahul has accused the Prime Minister of lying in a post on Twitter in Hindi which roughly translates as, "Dear Prime Minister, I had myself laid the foundation stone for Ordnance Factory in Amethi in 2010. Production of small arms has been going on there since last few years. Yesterday you went to Amethi and lied again. Don't you feel ashamed at all?"Soon after Rahul Gandhi's tweet, BJP leader Smriti Irani criticised the Congress president of lying to the people about development projects in Amethi.She said the Gandhi .
Javadekar slams Oppn parties for questioning air strikes
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar slammed the opposition parties for questioning air strike conducted by Indian Air Force (IAF) in Balakot area of Pakistan on February 26. "Pakistan accepted that Indian planes entered in Pakistan, not only Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. A terror camp was functioning in the name of Madarass where more 350 terrorists were getting trained including around 12 chief commanders and 25 master trainers. This was the centre for sending terrorists to Afghanistan, Jammu and Kashmir and rest parts of the world. And no one was left alive in the bombing," he said.Addressing BJP Mission 2019 programme at Balgandharva Rangmandir, the minister said, "Our opposition parties are asking for proofs. This complete bankruptcy of some opposition parties,""Their statement was welcomed by Pakistan. This was also discussed in their parliament. Their media also picked up this," he added."Post 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, armed forces want to teach lessons to Pakistan, they did not get ...
J-K: Pak violates ceasefire in Akhnoor sector
Pakistan on Monday violated ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor sector.Firing from across the border started at 3 am and stopped at 6:30 am. Indian Army retaliated effectively.Further details are currently awaited.Last week Pakistan had violated ceasefire several times in Nowshera, Mendhar and Krishna Ghati sectors in Rajouri district, Gawahalan, Chokas, Kiker and Kathi posts in the Uri sector and Poonch' Balakote.
Pakistan to take action against JeM, JuD
Days after Financial Action Task Force rapped Pakistan for its inaction on terror funding and money laundering, Islamabad has spun into action and decided to launch a crackdown on terrorist groups including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). According to the Dawn, Pakistan's Information Minister, during an interview, said that the government had taken a firm decision that there would be a stern action against all terror groups. This, he said, was in accordance with the political consensus contained in the National Action Plan (NAP). However, the information minister refused to give any deadline for the operation against terror groups by saying that "the timeline was something for the security forces to decide." The achievement of FATF's 27 targets under a 10-point action plan has now become a top priority for the government, said sources. While condemning the Pulwama terror attack of February 14, the Paris-based global financial watchdog, FATF, last month in a stern warning has reprimanded ...
Prashant Kishor apologises after NDA leaders didn't pay homage to slain CRPF trooper
After the father of a slain CRPF trooper expressed anguish and anger over National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders for not paying homage to his dead son, Janata Dal-United (JDU) national Vice President Prashant Kishor has apologised to him.
Modi govt not shy like UPA to take on Pak: Hardeep Puri
Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri has charged the erstwhile Congress-led UPA dispensation with being "shy" in giving a befitting reply to Pakistan and asserted the Modi government has reversed this tendency. At a late-evening book release function here Sunday, the Union minister for housing and urban development made the remarks. He was releasing the book "Antar Pravah" authored by Suman Devi at the event organised by CMS Inter College, where its founder Jagdish Gandhi was present. Puri mentioned about the safe return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and said, "The previous UPA government was shy to take on Pakistan, saying that both are nuclear-powered nations and any conflict will be dangerous." "But the Modi government does not feel so and India retaliated (for) the terror attack in Pulwama boldly," the career-diplomat-turned politician said. Puri suggested that Suman Devi should write 30 more books and wished her all success in her future endeavours.
Pak invokes attention of world leaders on Indian atrocities in Kashmir
Islamabad on Sunday in a letter addressed to 178 democracies across the world urged their leaders to pay attention to the deteriorating situation between India and Pakistan, and take action on the atrocities inflicted by New Delhi in Jammu and Kashmir. A press statement released by the National Assembly of Pakistan quoted Speaker Asad Qaiser as saying, "Pakistan strongly rejects the Indian purported claims of having targeted any installation and resultant causalities. It is completely absurd and is based on a false narrative designed to placate domestic audience."Pakistan, while reserving its right to respond against Indian aggression, kept its calm and warned India to avoid further escalating the situation, the Speaker said, while adding that India has also continued unprovoked ceasefire violations at the Line of Control in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in deaths of several innocent civilians."This noble gesture clearly establishes that Pakistan has no ...
Detained US-Saudi citizen beaten, tortured: Report
A dual US-Saudi citizen who has been detained in Saudi Arabia reportedly has been beaten and tortured, a media report said.
Protest outside United Nations against Pakistan
People from different nationalities held a protest outside the United Nations building in New York on Sunday (local time) against Pakistan for sponsoring cross border terrorism in India and Afghanistan.While condemning the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, the protestors demanded that the UN should make Pakistan accountable for Pulwama, 2008 Mumbai and other terror attacks.Around 400 people from India, the Caribbean countries, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Israel, Balochistan (part of Pakistan) expressed staged the protest.Speaking to ANI, Richard Benkin, a Jewish American said, "Pakistan long has been cancer on the international body politic. It was allowed to get away with sponsored attacks on India for decades, but that time has passed. A new and strong Indian resolve defends the nation. We all must stand with India and let Pakistan know that its cowardice and support for terror will go unanswered no longer. While it oppresses its own minorities, it
MP minister says money from govt schemes meant for farmers can be used for 'liquor'
A minister of the newly-elected Congress government in Madhya Pradesh has sparked a major controversy by terming that the financial assistance by Chief Minister Kamal Nath for marriage of daughters of small cultivators "could be used for making drinking arrangements for the guests."During a farmers' rally in Ratlam, state sports and youth welfare minister Jitu Patwari said the financial assistance of Rs 51,000 for the marriage of daughters of small cultivators could be used for making drinking arrangements for the guests."Congress government increased the financial assistance to small farmers for the marriage of their daughters from Rs 25,000 to Rs 51,000," said Patwari."The poor farmer who migrate to Gujarat, Indore or elsewhere for labour work, have to make all kinds of arrangements back home for his daughter's marriage including food and drinks. In drink, he has to arrange for the country made and foreign liquor. From where the money comes? Even the arrangement for this is made by .