Page 1559 - Politics
PM embarks on South Korea visit to make ties 'future-oriented'
On his second visit to the country as the Prime Minister, Modi will receive the Seoul Peace Prize, which was announced by the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation in October last year in recognition of his dedicated service to international cooperation, global growth and human development.He will have extensive talks with President Moon Jae-in after which some MoUs are expected to be signed.The Prime Minister will also address business leaders of the two countries, unveil a bust of Mahatma Gandhi and visit the National Cemetery in Seoul. He will also address the Indian community there.The trip reflects the importance both the countries attach to the bilateral ties, Modi said in a pre-departure statement here on Wednesday."During this visit, apart from my discussions with I am confident that this visit will help us to further strengthen this important partnership," he said."We regard the Republic of Korea as a valued friend, a nation with which we have a Special Strategic Partnership.
Air Marshal SB Deo offers 4 missiles of different types to Indian armed forces
Former Vice-Chief of Indian Air Force, Air Marshal SB Deo (retired) offered four missiles of different types to Indian armed forces at the Aero India show on Wednesday.Deo has personally designed and developed all the missiles. It also includes a 297-km strike range cruise missile Vel and stand-off missile Khagantak.SB Deo told ANI, "This epitomises Make in India, foreign exchange content is less than 10 per cent. We have two glide bombs of different calibre and a light-weight cruise missile with a range of 297 km that carries a small warhead. They could be inducted in less than 6 months."Five-day air show Aero India 2019 begun in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
BJP MLA Chetan Kashyap decides not to take salary, allowances
BJP MLA Chetan Kashyap, one of the richest lawmakers in Madhya Pradesh, Wednesday announced in the assembly he would not draw salary and allowances and urged the state government to spend this amount on development works. Kashyap made the announcement during the Zero Hour and said he was capable of bearing his expenses as MLA. According to a report of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Kashyap was the second richest MLA of the state with total assets worth Rs 204 crore. Another BJP MLA Sanjay Pathak, a businessman, tops the list with assets worth Rs 226 crore, as per the affidavit submitted during the November assembly elections. Kashyap, elected for a second term from Ratlam, said he has decided not to draw any salary, allowances or pension entitled to an MLA from the state exchequer like his previous term. He urged Speaker N P Prajapati to direct the department concerned not to withdraw his salary from the treasury. Kashyap said he wants his salary and other
Rahul cancels appointment of Kumar Ashish as AICC secretary
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Wednesday cancelled the appointment of Kumar Ashish as an AICC secretary attached with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the party's general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh east, a day after he was assigned the responsibility. The JDU in Bihar as well as certain people on social media had questioned Ashish's appointment as AICC secretary after citing an old paper-leak case linked to him. "Congress president has approved the proposal for the appointment of Shri Sachin Naik in his place as AICC Secretary," a statement released by Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said. Ashish was appointed to the position by the Congress president Tuesday night along with five more AICC secretaries for Uttar Pradesh -- three each attached to Priyanka Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia. "Congress president Rahul Gandhi has cancelled the appointment of Kumar Ashish as AICC secretary attached with Priyanka Gandhi, general secretary for UP-East, with immediate ...
Prosecutor seeks 'life in jail' for Turkey financier Kavala
A Turkish prosecutor on Wednesday sought life in prison for 16 suspects including philanthropist and businessman Osman Kavala charged with attempting to overthrow the government, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. Kavala, who has been held in custody for more than a year without being charged, is now accused of backing 2013 anti-government protests in Istanbul and the failed 2016 coup. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Kavala of "financing the terrorists" during the anti-government protests that threw up one of the biggest challenges to his rule. Erdogan was prime minister at the time. Kavala, a respected figure in intellectual circles in Turkey and abroad, has been kept in pre-trial custody since November 1, 2017 at the Silivri prison outside Istanbul. The case has alarmed Turkey's Western allies and increased concern of a clampdown on freedom of expression under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Kavala has worked closely with foreign missions on civil society ...
Jadhav's death sentence based on 'extracted confession', should be annulled: India tells ICJ
India on Wednesday questioned the functioning of Pakistan's notorious military courts and urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to annul Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence, which is based on an "extracted confession". Jadhav, 48, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism" after a closed trial in April 2017. His sentencing evoked a sharp reaction in India. "Annul the decision of the military court and restrain Pakistan from giving effect to the (death) sentence. Release Jadhav and ensure safe release forthwith. If not then direct a trial under normal law with full consular access," said Deepak Mittal, Joint Secretary, the Ministry of External Affairs, making the final submission in the court on the third day of the hearing. He requested the court to declare that Pakistan acted in breach of Article 36 of Vienna Convention and failed to inform Jadhav of his rights. "Government of India requests this
India, Saudi Arabia ink MoUs for cooperation in tourism, broadcasting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Wednesday held extensive talks here after which the two sides inked five agreements in various fields, including tourism and enhancement of bilateral investment relations, the MEA said. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on investing in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund between the Government of India and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the MEA said in a statement. Both the countries also signed an MoU in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Tourism and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage. Among other MoUs, the two sides also inked an agreement for cooperation in the field of housing, it said. An MoU was signed for cooperation on broadcasting between Prasar Bharati and Saudi Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) for exchange of audio visual programme, the statement said. Framework Cooperation Program between Invest India of the Republic of India and ...
25 lakh farmers' loans would be waived by March 5: Kamal Nath
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath here on Wednesday said despite the states finances not being in good shape, his government would fulfil its promise of loan waiver for farmers.
Pol parties, people holding constitutional positions spreading hatred: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday said a section of political parties and even those holding constitutional positions were indulging in rumour mongering and spreading hatred with their "dangerous statements", calling it "shameless politics". "One section of political parties/groups along with people holding constitutional positions (are) indulging in rumour mongering, spreading hatred with dangerous statements," Banerjee said in a tweet. "Even journalists not spared. This is shameless politics. What levels of polluted politics have we descended to?" she said. Her statement came a day after Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy supported a call for boycott of "everything Kashmiri", including the Amarnath Yatra and purchasing products from the state. Roy's comment followed the February 14 suicide bombing of a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama by an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist which left 40 personnel dead. Banerjee had earlier accused the BJP and the RSS of .
NATO condemns 'unacceptable' Putin missile threats
NATO on Wednesday condemned as "unacceptable" threats by Russian President Vladimir Putin to deploy new missiles against Western capitals, as a key Cold War arms control treaty crumbles. The Russian leader struck a combative note in a state of the nation address, warning Washington against deploying new missiles in Europe after the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, saying Moscow would install its own weapons targeting "decision making centres". "Russian statements threatening to target Allies are unacceptable. We call on Russia to focus on returning to compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty," NATO deputy spokesman Piers Cazalet said in a statement. "NATO is a defensive alliance, which stands ready to defend all members against any threat. We do not want a new arms race, and allies have repeatedly called on Russia to verifiably destroy its intermediate-range missiles." The US announced earlier this month it was withdrawing from the ...
Guj Assembly: LoP suspended over Statue of Unity remark
Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani was Wednesday suspended from the Gujarat Assembly for a day for refusing to apologise over his remark that the 'Statue of Unity' dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was made up of scrap metal. Prior to his suspension, the Assembly was adjourned twice following chaos and heated exchanges between the BJP and the Congress over Dhanani's remarks made earlier in the day, dubbed by the members of the ruling party and Speaker Rajendra Trivedi as an "insult" to Sardar Patel. Trivedi suspended Dhanani as he refused to withdraw his words and tender an apology to the House. Following the suspension of their leader, all the Congress MLAs staged a walkout amid sloganeering from both the sides. During the Question Hour, Dhanani attacked the BJP government in the state saying, "Sardar Patel is known as the Iron Man of India. However, this government has constructed Sardar Patel's statue using scrap metal pieces. The treasury bench itself was ...
Pakistan sponsored Pulwama attack: Salve tells ICJ
India on Wednesday accused Pakistan in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of engaging in state-sponsored terrorism and cited the dastardly attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, by Pakistan-based and UN-proscribed group killing 40 CRPF troopers.
Convoy plucks women, children from last IS holdout in Syria
A convoy of trucks evacuated dozens of people including women and children from the Islamic State group's last Syria redoubt Wednesday, bringing US-backed forces closer to retaking the last sliver of the "caliphate". The implosion of the jihadist proto-state which once spanned swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq has left Western nations grappling with how to handle citizens who left to join IS. Around 15 trucks carrying men, women and children exited the last patch of IS territory in eastern Syria, according to AFP correspondents. Women wearing face veils, several children -- including young veiled girls -- as well as men were seen inside the vehicles. Their exact number and nationalities were not immediately clear. The convoy passed a position of the Kurdish-led SDF, which are spearheading the battle against the jihadists, after leaving the last IS holdout in the village of Baghouz, near the Iraqi border. SDF fighters watched as double-trailer trucks made their way across the arid
Terrorism 'common concern', says Saudi Crown Prince after talks with Modi
Terrorism and extremism are "common concerns" and Saudi Arabia will extend all cooperation to India and other countries in the region to deal with them, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Wednesday after holding extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While the two leaders in their respective press statements after their meeting did not mention Pakistan, top officials in the Ministry of External Affairs later said Pakistan's complicity in the Pulwama terror strike was underlined during their parleys where they also condemned the terrorist attack by the Pakistan-based JeM in "strongest" possible terms. The meeting took place two days after the influential Arab leader concluded a high profile visit to Islamabad, and in the backdrop of escalating tension between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed by a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber. In his statement, Modi called the attack a "cruel symbol" of the
Mahagathbandhan will be reality only if Opp parties decide on seat sharing: Yashwant Sinha
A final decision on the proposed 'mahagathbandhan' at the national level can be taken only after the Opposition parties decide on a seat sharing formula, former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said Wednesday. "The real shape of the mahagathbandhan against the BJP-led NDA is yet to take place and one cannot say how it will be decided," the former external affairs minister told PTI. "So far, only state-level alliances are taking place. No decision has yet been taken to form an alliance of the Opposition parties at the national level," Sinha said and cited the example of the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) tie-up in Uttar Pradesh. Asked if he would campaign for the Opposition grand alliance, Sinha, who was a member of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet, said he cannot guarantee anything until the 'mahagathbandhan' at the national level takes final shape. When pointed out that he had participated in some of the Opposition rallies, including the one in Kolkata in January, Sinha ...
Rahul sacks AICC secretary attached to Priyanka
A day after appointment as AICC secretary, attached to party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kumar Ashish was sacked from the position by Congress President Rahul Gandhi, here on Wednesday. He has been replaced by Sachin Naik.
South Africa sports minister to back Semenya at hearing
South Africa's Sports Minister Tokozile Xasa said Wednesday she will fly to Switzerland to support Caster Semenya at a landmark hearing on proposed rules to restrict female athletes' testosterone levels. The Olympic champion is appearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne to challenge rules proposed by track and field's governing body that would force her to lower her testosterone. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) says it is introducing the rules to create a "level playing field" for other female athletes. Xasa, who leaves on Wednesday evening, will be alongside Semenya to hear deliberations between the IAAF and Athletics South Africa, until the end of the hearings on Friday. "Upon my arrival in Switzerland, my responsibility will be to convey the message of support from President Cyril Ramaphosa and members of cabinet," the minister said in a statement. Xasa will also speak about South Africa's human rights stance on the issue of .
Mamata announces Rs 5 Lakh for kin of 2 CRPF men from Bengal killed in Pulwama
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday announced Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the two CRPF jawans from the state, who died in the Pulwama terror attack. The two jawans -- Bablu Santra and Sudip Biswas -- were among the 40 CRPF personnel who were killed in the terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama last week. Santra was from Chakkashi Rajbangshipara village of Howrah district and Biswas hailed from Tehatta in Nadia district. "We will also provide employment to the next of kin of the two jawans, if they ask," Banerjee told reporters at state secretariat Nabanna. She said a meeting was held with the leaders of the Christian communities to discuss various issues and problems faced by them, including those related to education. The meeting was also attended by TMC MP Derek O'Brien.
Congress seals poll pact with DMK in TN, Pondy; gets 10 LS seats
The Congress will contest nine seats in Tamil Nadu and the sole seat in Puducherry in the Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the DMK, DMK President M.K. Stalin announced here on Wednesday.
U.S. trade representative to testify on China next week
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will testify next week at a U.S. House of Representatives hearing on U.S.-China trade issues, a spokesman for the House Ways and Means Committee said on Wednesday.