Page 1454 - Politics
Pakistan returns pilot to India; describes him as 'POW'
Pakistan's Foreign Office on Friday announced the returning of IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to India but described him as a "prisoner of war" (POW). In a statement issued minutes after the pilot crossed over to India from the Wagah-Attari border, the FO said, "While in captivity, he was treated with dignity and in line with international law." "The captured Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been returned to India today," it said. Varthaman was arrested when his jet MIG-21 crashed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after being shot down by Pakistan Air Force on February 27. The statement described the pilot as an "India POW". Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the Indian pilot's return in Parliament on Thursday as a "goodwill gesture" aimed at de-escalating rising tensions between the two countries following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group.
IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman returns to India
IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, captured by Pakistanis two days ago after his MiG-21 crashed in Pakistani territory, returned to India on Friday night.
TRS announces Prabhakar Rao as candidate for Council election
The ruling TRS in Telangana Friday announced sitting MLC MS Prabhakar Rao as its candidate for the state Legislative Council election from Hyderabad local authorities constituency. TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao finalised Prabhakar Rao's candidature, party sources said. Prabhakar Rao's present term expires on May 1 this year. Meanwhile, TRS working president K T Rama Rao announced that the parliamentary constituency level preparatory meetings would be held from March six. The meetings, scheduled to start Friday, have been postponed in view of the developments involving India and Pakistan.
IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan returns home from Pakistan
Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned home from Pakistan on Friday to a hero's welcome, two days after he was captured following a dogfight when his MiG 21 was shot down. Pakistani officials handed over Varthaman to Indian officials, including from the IAF, at the Attari-Wagah Border. However, the pilot was whisked away in a convoy by Indian officials away from the public glare. According to IAF officials, he will be brought to Delhi from Amritsar in a special flight. Varthaman was captured by Pakistani authorities on February 27 after an air combat between the air forces of the two countries, a day after New Delhi had conducted counter-terror operations in Pakistan's Balakot. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan addressing a special joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday announced his release as a "peace gesture". However, India has been maintaining that Pakistani decision is in consonance with the Geneva Convention. The Pakistan government was under tremendous
Favourable environment for industrial investment will be created: Meena
A new and favourable environment of industrial investment will be created in Rajasthan, Industries Minister Parasadi Lal Meena said Friday. The government is working to bring a new law for promotion of industrial investment in the state, Meena said in the first meeting of the industrial and trade advisory committee here. The minister said soon after its formation, the government has taken steps in the directions to bring new industrial policy, new export council, and develop a grievance redressal mechanism for industrial dispute at the state and district level. He said it is our endeavour to develop more small and large industries to create a conducive environment for industrial investment. Additional Chief Secretary Subodh Aggarwal said that preparations are being made to finalise the industrial policy after taking suggestions from the representatives of industrial associations. Senior officials of Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce, K L Jain, CII Chairman Anil Mishra, Textile Association
Indian pilot's heroism laudable: Pondy CM
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Friday welcomed the news of the imminent release of Wing Commander Abhinanthan Varthaman from Pakistan's custody, and said his "heroism is laudable." Hailing the Indian Air Force pilot, the Chief Minister said, "millions of Indians' prayers are with you and I am proud of you as Indian first and Tamilian next." Meanwhile, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi said in a tweet that "the country salutes Abhinandan, his family, IAF, India's leadership and Government of India as a whole".
I am a pure RSS man, not in race for Prime Minister's post: Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said he was not in the race for the prime minister's post and as a pure RSS man for him the nation comes first.
Swaraj holds bilateral talks with counterparts from UAE, S Arabia, Maldives, Bahrain
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Friday held bilateral talks with her counterparts from Islamic countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the Maldives and Bahrain and exchanged views on the regional situation. After addressing the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting here, Swaraj held talks with host UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and thanked him for inviting India as a 'Guest of Honour' for the first time in the history of the OIC and that too on the occasion of the grouping's golden jubilee. Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir also welcomed India at the OIC meeting as the guest of honour and discussed bilateral issues with Swaraj. Swaraj held talks with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and discussed follow up to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's visit to India in December last year and exchanged views on the regional situation, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. On the sidelines of the OIC meeting, ..
Time not right for India to hold talks with Pakistan: Scindia
India should not hold talks with Pakistan at this point of time as the neighbouring country has not created the right environment for it, senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said Friday. Speaking at the India Today Conclave here, he said though talks may help ease the current stand-off, Pakistan has to first create an environment conducive for it. "There has to be a sustainable environment for dialogue to happen. I have firmly believed that there has to be an environment that is created that will allow dialogue to happen. "Is that environment there today, my answer to that is unequivocally no. If you ask me the philosophical question that can this be resolved without a dialogue, the answer is that is also an unequivocal no. But the first has to follow for the second to happen. Today, has Pakistan created that environment, absolutely not," he said. Tensions between India and Pakistan soared after India carried out a preemptive air strike against terrorist camps in Pakistan ...
BJP asks Rahul to answer its five questions at Saturday rally
The BJP Friday asked Congress president Rahul Gandhi to reply to its five questions, including aligning with scamster Madhu Koda and a tie-up with the Lalu Prasad's party RJD which had opposed creation of Jharkhand, in his speech at the party rally here Saturday. after five long years Rahul Gandhi is visiting JharkhandRahul ji is welcome to Jharkhand, give replies to the (following) five questions, BJPs spokesman Pratul Shahdeo said in a press statement. Accusing Rahul of supporting the erstwhile Madhu Koda government that was allegedly involved in Rs 4000 crore scam, Shahdeo asked, Whether supporting Koda indicates giving shape to a new scam? In an apparent reference to the JMM bribery case, Shahdeos second poser was, You (Congress) and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha have old connection of give and take. Make it public (as to) what deal has been struck between you and the JMM for making alliance this time. Shahdeo further asked Rahuls view on former Congress MP late Kartik
Residents celebrate fighter pilot's imminent release
Patriotic slogans rent the air and people burst crackers and distributed sweets at this suburban Madambakkan locality Friday as they welcomed the news of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's imminent release from Pakistan's custody. Varthaman's MiG 21 was shot and he bailed out after bringing down one Pakistani F-16 fighter during a dogfight to repel a Pakistani attack on Wednesday morning. He was subsequently captured on the Pakistani side of the LoC. The pilot is scheduled to be handed over to India at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab on Friday. News of his capture sent residents of Jalvayu Vihar, a gated community of retired defence personnel, where the fighter pilot's parents are staying, into a sombre mood. But his imminent release Friday cheered residents as they hit the streets by bursting crackers and exchanging sweets. A group of people gathered outside the gate of Jalvayu Vihar, some 25 km from the city. They raised patriotic slogans like 'Bharath Mata ki jai",
Trump decries Cohen's testimony, muses if 'crooked' Hillary involved
US President Donald Trump shot down his former attorney Michael Cohen's recent testimony before a House Committee, musing if his 2016 Presidential elections opponent Hillary Clinton was involved."Michael Cohen's book manuscript shows that he committed perjury on a scale not seen before. He must have forgotten about his book when he testified. What does Hillary Clinton's lawyer, Lanny Davis, say about this one. Is he being paid by Crooked Hillary. Using her lawyer?" Trump tweeted on Friday (local time).He claimed that Cohen lied in front of the Congress again, labelling it a "fake testimony" and a "lie"."Congress must demand the transcript of Michael Cohen's new book, given to publishers a short time ago. Your heads will spin when you see the lies, misrepresentations and contradictions against his Thursday testimony. Like a different person! He is totally discredited!" Trump added.He further went on to state that "crooked" Hillary and the Democrats colluded with the Russians during the
Had 'very substantive' negotiations with Kim, says Trump
US President Donald Trump announced that he held "very substantive negotiations with Kim Jong Un" at the recently concluded Hanoi summit - which ended abruptly without a joint agreement on Thursday."Great to be back from Vietnam, an amazing place. We had very substantive negotiations with Kim Jong Un - we know what they want and they know what we must have. Relationship very good, let's see what happens!" Trump tweeted on Friday (local time).Expectations were high from the now-concluded second summit between North Korea and the United States at Vietnam. However, the two-day meeting ended abruptly on Thursday after the sides failed to reach an agreement to chart out the future steps towards the denuclearisation of North Korea - as promised by the reclusive state during the first US-North Korea summit in Singapore last year.North Korea sought partial relief in sanctions at the summit in Vietnam, according to Pyongyang's Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho. The United States, however, has ...
US sanctions six Venezuelan security officials over blocking aid
The United States imposed sanctions Friday on six Venezuelan security officials for obstructing aid that Washington had tried to force in as part of its effort to support the country's opposition leader against President Nicolas Maduro. "We are sanctioning members of Maduro's security forces in response to the reprehensible violence, tragic deaths, and unconscionable torching of food and medicine destined for sick and starving Venezuelans," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. The six include Major General Richard Jesus Lopez Vargas, the commander of the Venezuelan National Guard, and Jesus Maria Mantilla Oliveros, commander of a unit tasked by Maduro with reinforcing security on the Brazilian border, the Treasury Department said. The sanctions freeze any assets in the United States by the six security officials as well as US financial dealings with them. The United States, backed by Colombia and Brazil, last weekend tried to push badly needed aid into the ...
Opposition playing into Pakistan's hands with its anti-India politics: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Opposition was playing into Pakistan's hands by making statements lowering the morale of the Indian armed forces.
Many more TMC leaders will join once the polls are announced:
The West Bengal BJP leadership Friday claimed that several TMC leaders and cadres will join the party once the dates for the Parliamentary polls are announced by the Election Commission. "Several leaders of TMC are in touch with us. They will join BJP once the poll dates are announced," BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya told party leaders during a closed door meet here. According to state BJP sources, leaders both at state level and central level are in touch with TMC leaders, which includes both elected representatives such as MLAs, MPs and also leaders at the organisational levels. TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee scoffed at the claim and said the saffron party leaders are living in "fool's paradise". The West Bengal ruling party had received a jolt when its sitting MP from Bishnupur Lok Sabha seat in Bankura, Soumitra Khan, had switched over to the BJP in January this year. "Our central leadership has set a target of winning more than 23 ...
Saudi Arabia revokes citizenship of Hamza bin Laden
Saudi Arabia announced Friday it had revoked the citizenship of Hamza bin Laden, the son of the late al-Qaida leader who has become an increasingly prominent figure in the terror network. Saudi Arabia revoked his citizenship via a royal decree in November, a notice published Friday by the kingdom's official gazette said. There was no explanation why the order was only becoming public now. However, the announcement comes after the US government offered a USD 1 million reward for information leading to his capture as part of its "Rewards for Justice" program. Bin Laden's son has emerged as a leader of the al-Qaida terrorist group. His father was killed in a US military raid in Pakistan in May 2011. Hamza bin Laden was named a "specially designated global terrorist" in January 2017. He has released audio and video messages calling for attacks against the U.S. and its allies. Al-Qaida was responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. and a host of other assaults against Western ..
Eurotunnel withdraws suit after USD 43 mn Brexit deal
The UK government agreed Friday to pay 33 million pounds (USD 43 million) to settle a lawsuit that claimed it improperly awarded contracts to run extra ferry services in the event that Britain leaves the European Union without an agreement on future relations. Eurotunnel filed the suit after the government announced three contracts to provide additional ferry capacity for trucks, including one with a company that had no ships. Eurotunnel alleged it had been unfairly excluded from bidding on contracts totaling 108 million pounds. The settlement agreement requires Eurotunnel to improve security and traffic flow at the border, helping to speed the flow of urgent shipments, as well as the goods needed by British businesses, the government said. "While it is disappointing that Eurotunnel chose to take legal action on contracts in place to ensure the smooth supply of vital medicines, I am pleased that this agreement will ensure the Channel Tunnel is ready for a post-Brexit world," Transport
People of all religions united against terrorism: Rajnath Singh
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that the people of all religions in India are united against terrorism."In our country, people of all faiths and religions are united against terrorism," he said, while inaugurating a residential complex and office of the National Investigation Agency's (NIA).Singh also hailed the contribution of the agency in curbing the menace of terror funding and fake currency."We can see a strategic change in our response against terrorism in the last few years. NIA deserves special credit for the same. Among all the investigative agencies, none has as much of conviction rate as the NIA has," he said."Their conviction rate is 92 per cent. As compared to past, event terror funding has decreased. They have also put an effective check on fake currency," said Singh.He also informed the gathering about the Central government's decision to approve NIA's proposal of opening a research cell on terror groups.
India no more helpless before terror; will pay back for damage with 'interest': PM
Against the backdrop of the air strike on Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) camp in Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that India is no more "helpless" before terrorism and will pay back for damage caused by terror acts with "interest".Addressing a rally here, he said the previous UPA government lacked courage to act even after several terror attacks took place across several cities between 2004 and 2014, including the major strike in Mumbai in 2008."India has been facing the menace of terrorism for years but there is a big difference now. India will no longer be helpless in the wake of terror," Modi said."From 2004 to 2014, there were several terror attacks. There were blasts in Hyderabad, Jaipur, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru and other places. It was expected that those responsible for these attacks would be punished but nothing happened," Modi said.He said when people voted BJP to power with full majority in 2014, they wanted a strong government which could take "bold" and ...