Page 1484 - Politics
Trump-Kim handshake opens second North Korea nuclear summit in Hanoi
US President Donald Trump shook hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to kick off their second summit Wednesday in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. Trump predicted the talks over the totalitarian state's nuclear programme would be "very successful." They were following up on a historic first meeting in Singapore in June with about 20 minutes of one-on-one talks scheduled before a wider dinner. Talks were then scheduled to resume on Thursday.
Top security, intel officials meet at PMO; Modi briefed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Wednesday briefed about the latest security situation following violation of Indian airspace by Pakistani fighter jets in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said. Top security and intelligence officials were in a huddle earlier in the day at the prime minister's office in the wake of fresh developments that followed India's airstrike at a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, senior officials of the Indian Navy, Army and the Air Force and other security officials had met to discuss the current security situation, they said. Top defence and security officials later briefed the prime minister on the latest developments, including aerial confrontation in which one Pakistani jet and an IAF MiG 21 were shot down. The IAF MiG pilot is "missing in action". A PAF F-16 fighter jet was shot down in Rajouri sector of Jammu region.
China, Russia urge against military action in Venezuela
The Chinese and Russian foreign ministers voiced their opposition to military action in Venezuela on Wednesday, as President Nicolas Maduro faces increasing pressure from the United States to step down. Russia and China, which have had close relations with Maduro over the years, have repeatedly warned against any foreign interference in Venezuela, while Washington has backed the opposition leader. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov repeated Moscow's assertion that the United States was using aid deliveries as a pretext to carry out military action in Venezuela. "We are working together with all the countries that are no less than us concerned by the scenario of a military interference," Lavrov at a previously planned meeting with his Indian and Chinese counterparts in the Chinese city of Wuzhen. "I believe the US should listen to what the countries in the region think," he added. The United States is among some 50 countries that recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as ...
Jairam Ramesh in HC against amendments in PMLA through Money Bills
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh Wednesday challenged in the Delhi High Court the amendments made to the anti-money laundering law since 2015 saying that was done in violation of the Constitution as they were enacted as money bills. In his petition, which was listed for hearing before a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao, the Rajya Sabha MP said that prior to the present regime at the Centre such amendments were part of an ordinary bill. A money bill is a piece of legislation which can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject it. The Upper House can only make recommendations which may or may not be accepted by the Lower House. The bench reserved its verdict after hearing arguments on behalf of the Congress leader and the Centre. Senior advocate P Chidambaram and advocate Abhishek Jebraj, appearing for the Congress leader, told the court that the amendments made to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) were ...
India, Pak must de-escalate tensions: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Wednesday called for de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan and asked both the countries to maintain "maximum restraint" for the "greater good of humanity". "History bears testimony to the fact that war did not help both the neighbours resolve their long pending issues. It is in the interest of our region if both the countries shun war rhetoric," Abdullah said in a statement issued by the party. "I urge both the countries to shun violence for the greater good of people living in both the countries especially for the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he added. The former chief minister said it was the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially those living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) or the International Border (IB), who have to face the brunt of skirmishes between the two countries. "Let the war belong to tragic past in the history. It should find no place on our agenda. Let me remind the two nations that war is
Kerala CPI-M state secretary should be arrested for anti-national remarks: BJP
The Kerala unit of the BJP on Wednesday demanded the immediate arrest of CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan for his anti-national remarks.
Pak Air Force targeted India's military installations, bid foiled but one Indian pilot missing: MEA
Accusing Pakistan Air Force of targeting Indian military installations, India on Wednesday said the attack was foiled successfully but one MIG fighter jet was shot down in the aerial confrontation and a pilot is "missing in action". In a very brief press statement, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, accompanied by Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, said details are also being ascertained about Pakistan's claim of having captured one Indian pilot. The fresh confrontation came a day after Indian Air Force launched a counter-terrorism action against a training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pakistan, based on credible evidence that the UN-proscribed terror group intended to launch terror attacks. The JeM had taken the responsibility of the terror strike in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Against the Indian counter-terrorism action, "Pakistan has responded this morning by using its Air Force to target military ...
Cong seeks Parrikar's response to Cabral's statement on mining
The Congress has asked ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to respond to his cabinet colleague Nilesh Cabral's statement that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report on illegal mining was a "political stunt". In 2012, Parrikar who was then the Leader of Opposition, chaired the PAC constituted by the Goa Assembly on mining. A report submitted by the PAC had pointed out irregularities in the mining industry, after which the Supreme Court appointed M B Shah Commission to conduct inquiry. The report had also named the then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat as one of the accused in illegal mining that took place between 2005 and 2012. Talking to reporters in Goa on Wednesday, All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary A Chellakuar asked Parrikar to come clean on the findings of the report. Cabral, who is a BJP MLA and state Power Minister, had recently said during a TV debate that the PAC report tabled by Parrikar was a "political stunt". However, he had later ...
Only 920 MBBS seats added in 5 years against 10,000 approved: RTI
Only 920 MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) seats have been added in the government medical colleges against the approved 10,000, in the last five years, reveals an RTI.
Mostly normal life in Punjab border villages; no evacuation ordered
Even though there has been some anxiety in the past 24 hours among people living in border villages in districts of Punjab sharing international border with Pakistan, normal life was witnessed in villages on Wednesday.
Jaitley says India too capable of operation similar to US action against Osama in Abbotabad
Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday suggested that India is capable of carrying out an operation similar to the 2011 US action in Pakistan to eliminate Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. His remarks at an event related to the campaign to clean River Ganga came a day after the Indian Air Force pounded the main terror camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province . Referring to the US operation in Abbotabad, Jaitley said, "It is said that a week is too long a time in politics. In our country the way people get enthusiastic, if you look at the last 24 hours, one week would appear to be a day. "The kind of things we see.... I remember when the US Navy SEAL had taken Osama bin Laden from Abottabad, can't we do the same?" "We could earlier only imagine, desire and get frustrated and disappointed (for failing to conduct such operations). But today, it is possible," he said at the event dedicated to generate funds to clean river Ganga. The ...
Russia presses case for greater control over its internet
The Kremlin spokesman says reports that the U.S. military carried out a cyberattack in Russia ahead of the U.S. midterm elections proves that the country needs to create its own, self-controlled segment of the internet. Russia's parliament this month passed the first reading of a bill that proposes all internet traffic be routed through servers in Russia. Opponents fear the measure would lead to widespread censorship. Dmitry Peskov was reacting on Wednesday to a recent report in The Washington Post that quoted unnamed U.S. officials as saying that the U.S. military remotely blocked internet access to a Russian "troll factory" ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. Several of the troll farm's employees have been indicted in the United States.
Macron, Merkel to hold talks on Brexit and other EU issues
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is heading to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Brexit, relations with the United States and other European issues. Wednesday's meeting comes one day after British Prime Minister Theresa May said Parliament would get the chance to vote to delay Britain's scheduled March 29 departure from the European Union. Such a delay would require other EU members' approval. Merkel and Macron will also evoke the French-German defense partnership, according to the French president's office. The leaders in January signed a pact renewing their countries' decades-long friendship. They pledged to increase cooperation in the areas of foreign and defense policy, fighting crime and terrorism, international development and research.
Nation stands by missing IAF pilot, prays for his safe return: Akhilesh
Shortly after MEA said it was ascertaining Pakistan's claim that a missing IAF pilot was in its custody, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Wednesday said the nation stands with him and is praying for his safe return. "I am praying for the safe return of our brave pilot. May God protect you and give you courage and strength. The nation stands with you," Akhilesh said in a tweet. In a brief statement, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, accompanied by Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, said details are being ascertained about Pakistan's claim of having captured an Indian pilot. The statement followed fresh Indo-Pak confrontations a day after Indian Air Force launched a counter-terrorism action against a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror training camp at Balakot in Pakistan, based on credible evidence that JeM intended to launch more attacks. "In this engagement, we have unfortunately lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action. Pakistan has claimed that he is in .
India foiled Pakistan Air Force attempt to carry out strikes
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar, flanked by Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, said at a media briefing here that Pakistan has resorted to use of air force on to target military installations on the Indian side in response to India's counter terror operation against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) camp in Balakot in Pakistan yesterday."Due to our high state of readiness and alertness, Pakistan's attempts were foiled successfully," the spokesman said.The Pakistani Air Force plane was detected and the alert Indian Air Force responded instantly, he said, adding in the aerial engagement, one Pakistan Air Force plane was shot down by MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft of India."The Pakistani aircraft was seen by the ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side, Kumar said."In this engagement, we have unfortunately lost one MiG-21. The pilot is missing in action. Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts," he said.
Hanumantha Rao requests BCCI to appeal ICC to ban Pak from World Cup
Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao, on Wednesday, in a letter said it is "revenge time" for Indians following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and requested the BCCI to appeal the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ban Pakistan from participating in the World Cup.In the letter addressed to the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators and the BCCI, Rao reasoned that his request comes because "Pakistan Government is encouraging terrorists to strike on Indian soil".The former Minister of Sports of United Andhra Pradesh government said: "If Pakistan cricket team is not allowed to play in the World Cup, they may realise, that what they are doing is wrong and may desist with such activities in future."Rao lauded the Indian Air Force strikes across the LoC that destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) base camp at Balakota in Pakistan and said: "I salute the bravery of Indian Air Force pilots who have made the entire country proud by striking terror targets in Pakistan."Twelve ..
Major General Asif Ghafoor calls for dialogue between India and Pakistan
Amid escalating tensions, Pakistan Army on Wednesday said it does not want a war with India as it is not a solution to problems."The road to peace goes through dialogue. Both countries have the capability and capacity but war is the failure of policy which India needs to understand," Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor said at a press conference here.His comments came after the Pakistani jets violated the Indian air space and dropped some bombs in Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, a day after the Indian Air Force carried out a strike at Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camp in Balakot."We do not want to escalate this and want to follow a path which leads to peace. The people of both countries and region have a right to live peacefully. War is not the solution to problems. India should think with a cool mind on this offer from Pakistan," Gafoor said."Our message is for peace. Starting a war is easy, but where it will end, nobody ...
China endorses India's position on terrorism
China on Wednesday endorsed India's position on terrorism, adding that terrorist groups cannot be supported and used in political and geopolitical goals.In a veiled reference to Pakistan, China in very strong terms said that "those committing, orchestrating, inciting or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice."While condemning the terrorism, Russia, India and China in a Joint Communique of the 16th Meeting of the respective countries' foreign ministers, said: "The Ministers strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations."It added, "They called on the international community to strengthen UN-led global counter-terrorism cooperation by fully implementing the relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, while respecting sovereignty and independence of all states, and expeditiously finalizing and ...
No intention to escalate: Pakistan
Pakistan on Wednesday said that it does not have any intention to escalate the confrontation with India and wanted peace to be given a chance, hours after its jets violated Indian air space and dropped some bombs in Rajouri sector in Jammu and Kashmir.In a statement, Pakistan Foreign Ministry said: "If India is striking at so-called terrorist backers without a shred of evidence, we also retain reciprocal rights to retaliate against elements that enjoy Indian patronage while carrying out acts of terror in Pakistan."At the same time, it added: "We have no intention of escalation but are fully prepared to do so if forced into that paradigm. That is why we undertook the action with the clear warning and in broad daylight."Islamabad said that it does not wish to pursue retaliation and escalate the situation, instead "wish that India gives peace a chance and to resolve issues like a mature democratic nation."A day after India carried out air strikes deep inside Pakistan, Islamabad said that
Text of India's statement over Pakistan using Air Force
Following is the text of the statement made by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Wednesday: