Page 149 - Politics
US announces USD 250 million in military aid to Ukraine
The United States announced Tuesday a $250 million military aid package for war-torn Ukraine to strengthen the former Soviet republic's naval and land capabilities. The amount is part of a series of Pentagon payments now totaling USD 1.5 billion to the country since 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and a conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine. "The United States remains committed to helping Ukraine ... to strengthen democratic civilian control of the military, promote command and control reforms, enhance transparency and accountability in acquisition and budgeting, and advance defense industry reforms," a Pentagon spokesman said. "These reforms will bolster Ukraine's ability to defend its territorial integrity in support of a secure, prosperous, democratic, and free Ukraine." Almost 13,000 people have been killed since the Moscow-backed insurgency broke out in April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea. Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Russia of funneling ...
Pompeo: US must be able to respond to any Iranian attack
The United States must have the capability to respond to any Iranian attack on US interests, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday. He spoke at the Florida headquarters of US Central Command, which oversees US forces in the Middle East, a day after the US said it was sending another 1,000 troops to the region in response to what it called hostile behavior by Tehran. That deployment should "convince the Islamic government of Iran that we are serious and to deter them from further aggression in the region," Pompeo said. He added that his visit to Tampa was designed to "achieve the strategic objectives" set forth by President Donald Trump. "But we can't do that without making sure we have the capability to respond if Iran makes a bad decision" and opts to "go after an American, or an American interest, or to continue to proliferate its nuclear weapons program," said Pompeo. He insisted "President Trump does not want war." The United States has blamed Iran for last week's attacks on
Minister of State for Home has become a joke: KCR
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday said that Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy has become a joke by stating that Hyderabad is a "safe zone for terrorists".
French aviation, defence industries have chosen India for cooperation: Envoy
Describing India as a true partner, French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler on Tuesday said France is looking forward to further exchanges with India for providing support to deepen industrial relations in defence and the civilian aerospace sectors. Speaking on the second day of the Paris Air Show, the Ambassador said: "I look forward to supporting all your efforts in the establishment of long-term and win-win cooperation in the aerospace and defence sectors." "French aviation and defence industries have chosen India and will invest in this goal. This choice was evident at the Aero India air show in Bangalore last February. With 49 French companies present, and a lot of military and civilian aircraft, France was, by far, the foremost foreign participant in the exhibition," he said. He said France is India's oldest strategic partner and a significant one for defence and aerospace equipment, "not just as a supplier but as a true partner". "As a matter of fact, Make-in-India has ...
TRS to continue issue-based support to NDA
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) will extend issue-based support to the BJP-led NDA government as it did during the latter's previous term, party President and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao said on Tuesday.
Akhilesh Yadav refuses to comment on why his lawmaker didn't say 'Vande Mataram' in LS
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday refused to comment when asked why his party's MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq declined to say "Vande Mataram" in the Lok Sabha.On being asked if there is an issue in saying the slogan, he said: "Nothing in this world holds more value than my motherland.""The prime question is 'where is the country heading?'," he said while trying to evade the question asked by the media person.Earlier in the day, slogans of Vande Mataram were raised in the Lok Sabha after Samajwadi Party MP Barq refused to say the slogan after taking an oath as the member of 17th Lok Sabha.He said that "as far as Vande Mataram is concerned, it is against Islam and we cannot follow it.
Haj Pilgrimage: SC asks Centre to respond to Haj tour operators' plea
The Federation of Haj Private Tour Operators (PTOs) of India moved the Supreme Court challenging the validity of a condition imposed on Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) to charge the additional quota of 10,000 seats, for the pilgrims to Mecca and Medina, on the rates of Haj Committee of India.
New secretariat will be constructed in place of Andhra Pradesh secretariat: KCR
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao said new secretariat would be constructed in place of Andhra Pradesh Secretariat.Briefing about the Cabinet meeting he said the Cabinet discussed the construction of Secretariat and Assembly Bhavan."In today's cabinet meeting, we spoke about the construction of Secretariat and Assembly Bhavan. We have decided to construct new secretariat in place of old Andhra Pradesh Secretariat," said Rao.He also said that people are laughing at Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy for giving a statement that Hyderabad is an ISIS hub. "He has become a laughing stock. Hyderabad is a peaceful city," said Rao.Talking to a newspaper, Reddy, MP from Secunderabad, had said: "Wherever in the county, a terrorist incident happens, its roots are in Hyderabad." He also called Hyderabad a 'terror safe zone'.
Anti-Pak protests held in London against police brutality in Muzaffarabad
A massive protest was organised by the Kashmiri diaspora outside the Pakistan High Commission here on Tuesday demanding justice against the police brutality in Muzaffarabad.The protestors shouted slogans against Islamabad and Prime Minister of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Raja Farooq Haider Khan, and President Masood Khan.On June 16, the police arrested at least 60 protesters and manhandled activists who were protesting in Muzaffarabad city in PoK.A large number of protesters blocked the highway demanding Islamabad to stop building hydropower projects on Neelum and Jhelum rivers as it will result in diverting the water and affecting normal life for residents.The residents in Muzaffarabad have been on a sit-in for over two months but the authorities and government have failed to listen to their demands.Later, shops and businesses have been shut down in protest against police action on protesters.In a memorandum submitted to the Pakistan High Commission, the protesters condemned the
TMC MLA, 12 councillors join BJP
In another blow to Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress, an MLA from her party joined the BJP on Tuesday.
TRS Working president KT Rama Rao to attend meeting of presidents of all parties
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president KT Rama Rao will attend the meeting of Presidents of all political parties called by the Prime Minister tomorrow on June 19.Prime Minister Modi has invited the party presidents of all parties to the Parliament on June 19 to interact and exchange views with the government, Parliamentary Minister Prahlad Joshi said on June 16.He will discuss the issue of "one nation, one election" with them.Prime Minister will also discuss the celebration of 75 years of India's independence in 2022, 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary this year.
Congress suspends Roshan Baig from party over 'anti-party activities'
Following an inquiry, the Congress party on Tuesday suspended MLA R Roshan Baig from the party with immediate effect for indulging in "anti-party activities."The decision came after the party office bearers wrote to the chief of Karnataka Congress unit Dinesh Gundu Rao demanding the dismissal of Baig from primary membership over his alleged connection with IMA Ponzi scam's main accused Mohammed Mansoor Khan."All India Congress Committee has approved the proposal sent by KPCC to take action against R Roshan Baig, MLA, on account of his anti-party activities. He has been suspended from the party with immediate effect, on the basis of an inquiry conducted into the matter," Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) said in a press note.The office bearers have also urged Rao to take stringent action against those people who have helped Mansoor Khan in the financial fraud case.The development comes days after Khan, who is the founder of the IMA Jewels, accused Baig of taking Rs 400 crore .
Telangana to construct new buildings for Secretariat and
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Tuesday said his government has decided to construct new Secretariat and legislature buildings here. "Because of the change of government in AP, the handing over of Secretariat, Assembly buildings is almost completing. I feel it is practically complete today and they may officially hand over tomorrow along with issuing orders.. In the aftermath of these two buildings becoming vacant, we have come to the decision to definitely build secretariat building and also Assembly building," he told reporters after a meeting of the state cabinet. Among others, he said the state government has decided to adopt cordial ties with neighbouring states to resolve bilateral issues amicably. Rao, who travelled to Andhra Pradesh capital Amaravati on Monday to invite his counterpart Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy for the inauguration of Kaleswaram irrigation project in Telangana, said the two governments have come to the decision to fully utilise the about .
Govt restores 'ration in kind' to defence officers in peace areas
The government on Tuesday restored the proposal of 'ration in kind' to defence officers posted in peace areas.
Govt holds supreme right to give land for construction of Ram Mandir: Subramanian Swamy
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday said that Government has the supreme right to take away the disputed land in Ayodhya and give it for the construction of Ram Mandir."The constitution says that the Government can obtain the rights to any land and the Supreme Court cannot challenge the decision. They can only challenge for compensation of the land," Swamy said while speaking to the media after his meet with Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray on the issue of the construction of Ram temple.Explaining further he said: "I would only like to say that the government can, without taking anyone's permission, give the land for the construction of the Ram Mandir to two committees- Janmabhoomi Nyas Samiti and Vishva Hindu Parishad."According to Swamy, the government is delaying the process of the construction of Ram Mandir. He said, "Solution to Ram Mandir issue is possible. Modi ji has gone to the SC to seek permission which is not required. The government is delaying the process is what I ...
Cong suspends Roshan Baig for 'anti-party' activities
The Congress Tuesday suspended rebel MLA R Roshan Baig from the party with immediate effect for "anti-party" activities. "All India Congress Committee has approved the proposal sent by KPCC to take action against R Roshan Baig, MLA on account of his anti-party activities," the state Congress said in a release. "He has been suspended from the party with immediate effect, on the basis of inquiry conducted on this matter," it said. Hitting out at Congress leaders for the party's performance in the Lok Sabha polls, Baig, a MLA from Shivajinagar, had recently held Siddaramaiah's "arrogance" and KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao's "immaturity" responsible for the "flop show." He also called AICC general secretary K C Venugopal a "buffoon." He had also dropped hints of quitting the party, and appealed to Muslims to "compromise" with the situation, on NDA returning to power. The Karnataka PCC had issued a show cause notice to Baig for his conduct, to which he has not responded, ..
Won't allow thieves to stay in party, says Mamata amid defections
A day after 12 Trinamool Congress councillors and an MLA switched over to the BJP, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday claimed she does not want to keep "thieves" in her party, and asked those who are planning to leave to do so immediately so that fresh faces can take their places.
Plea in HC against ex-LoP, others being made Maha ministers
A petition has been filed in the Bombay High Court challenging the appointment of Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and two other ministers in the Maharashtra government. Vikhe Patil, who was the leader of opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly till some time ago, on Sunday was made the housing minister in the Devendra Fadnavis Cabinet. He had joined the BJP recently. The petition, mentioned on Tuesday before a division bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and Gautam Patel, also challenged the appointment of NCP-turned Shiv Sena leader Jaydutt Kshirsagar and RPI (A)'s Avinash Mahatekar as ministers. Petitioners Surinder Arora, Sanjay Kale and Sandeep Kulkarni said the ministers were disqualified on the ground of defection as per the Constitution, and moreover they had no intention of being elected within the next six months as per the Representation of the People Act. The petition urged the court to quash the appointment of all three, grant an interim injunction restraining them from acting as .
Abdullah holds NC-style 'chai pe charcha' in BJP bastion Jammu
A day after taking oath as a Lok Sabha member from Srinagar, former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah Tuesday held a National Conference version of 'chai pe charcha' in the newly-turned BJP bastion Jammu. Sipping tea at a carefully selected venue, the tea stall of one his ardent fans at Mubarak Mandi here, Abdullah said the state was passing through a difficult phase and urged people to show grit "for restoration of democracy" and holding of the state assembly elections at the earliest. Vowing to continue to work for the welfare of the people and development of the state, the NC supremo urged people to have faith in the democracy, saying there is no substitute to a democratically elected government which reflects the aspirations of the people. He said the state was facing multiple problems and needs immediate attention which can be possible only when the public representatives linked to the people at the grassroots level are put in place. I have been drawing the attention of the .
Oppn parties to huddle before taking call on attending PM's simultaneous poll meet
Opposition parties, including the Congress, which are opposed to holding of simultaneous elections to Parliament and state assemblies, will take a call on Wednesday morning whether to attend a meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 'one nation, one election' issue. Leaders of UPA constituents, who met in Parliament on Tuesday evening, discussed the issue and decided that they would hold further discussions with other like-minded parties before taking a final call on the matter. Asked whether Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will attend Wednesday's meeting convened by the prime minister, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said "you will know tomorrow". Rahul evaded questions on the issue when posed to him after the meeting in Parliament. Modi has invited the heads of all the political parties that have at least one member either in the Lok Sabha or in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue. Leaders of UPA constituents, including T R Balu and Kanimozi of DMK, Farooq Abdullah of ...