Page 1565 - Politics
Seems we are moving towards yet another conflagration: Karan Singh on Pulwama aftermath
Amid rising tension with Pakistan in the wake of Pulwama attack, Veteran Congress leader Karan Singh Wednesday cautioned that it seemed the country was moving towards "yet another conflagration" which could have "incalculable consequence". Singh also rued that there has unfortunately been a "strong anti-Kashmiri backlash" around the country in the aftermath of the February 14 terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district that left over 40 personnel dead. "Having lived through all the Indo-Pakistan wars from 1947 through 1965 (J&K), 1971 (Bangladesh), and 1999 (Kargil), it seems that we are moving towards yet another conflagration which could have incalculable consequence," the 87-year-old leader said in a statement. "While the heinous murder of 40 of our brave jawans is a matter of great regret and deep anger, I would urge that with enhanced technological capabilities on both side, we should also seriously consider other modalities of ...
Microsoft expands protection tool for European democratic institutions
To protect democratic institutions from hacking attacks ahead of the elections to the European Parliament in May, Microsoft on Wednesday announced the expansion of its AccountGuard programme to 12 more European markets, including France, Germany and Spain.
Saudi minister sees deal with Kuwait to resume oil output from Neutral Zone in 2019
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's energy minister Khalid al-Falih said on Wednesday the country expected to reach an agreement this year to resume oil output from the Neutral Zone it shares with Kuwait.
2 days after pact, BJP-Sena ministers make conflicting claims
Just two days after their parties inked a pre-poll deal, senior ministers of the BJP and Shiv Sena Wednesday spoke in different voices over "sharing" the chief minister's post. BJP minister Chandrakant Patil said his party is of the view that the alliance partner winning more seats (after this year's Assembly poll) would get the CM's post. Rubbishing Patil's contention, Sena minister Ramdas Kadam said his party forged the alliance with the BJP after there was an agreement to share the chief minister's post. If the BJP does not wish to fulfil its commitment, it is free to break the pre-poll alliance immediately, he said. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Tuesday night told party workers at his residence here that he had rejected the formula proposing that the party winning maximum number of seats in assembly elections would get the post of chief minister. "This formula was used by both parties (Sena and BJP) in the last 25 years. I have rejected it. What I have demanded is that .
Congress denounces PM Modi over grand welcome to Saudi crown prince
Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for receiving Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the airport, the Congress on Wednesday asked whether according a grand welcome to "those who praised" Pakistan's "anti-terror efforts" was his way of remembering the martyrs of the Pulwama attack. In a special gesture, the prime minister received the Saudi crown prince at Palam airport on Tuesday night. The visit comes five days after a suicide bomber belonging to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group killed 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. "National interests V/S Modiji's 'hugplomacy'. "Breaking protocol, grand welcome to those who pledged USD 20 billion to Pakistan and praised Pakistan's 'anti-terror' efforts. Is it ur way of remembering martyrs of Pulwama?" Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said on Twitter. The Congress spokesperson was referring to the crown prince's visit to Pakistan, during which the two countries signed ...
India may face consequences if withdraws from World Cup: Chetan Chauhan
Pulling out of the World Cup so that India does not play against Pakistan, is not that easy as every tournament has its own rules, said former Indian cricketer and Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Chetan Chauhan on Wednesday. "Government should advice the BCCI as every tournament has its own rules. Since a lot of countries would be participating (ICC members), we might have to face consequences, bear the losses or face two or three year ban if India withdraws or does not play against Pakistan," Chauhan told ANI. World Cup is scheduled to begin May 30 in England. Chauhan is, however, adamant that India should launch protest one way or another but work according to what government decides."Had it been in Pakistan, I would have readily said not to play or had it been in India, I would have said do not call Pakistan in the wake of attack on our soldiers. But the tournament will be hosted in England and world cup is something which is decided eight or ten years in advance," he said.Forty ...
Family of convict in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case calls for release
One of the life convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case has urged Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit to speed up the process of releasing seven convicts as recommended by the state Cabinet recently."The state assembly has passed a resolution to release the seven convicts of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case but the Governor has not signed the papers approving the release till now," said Arputhammal, the mother of A G Perarivalan. "The Governor should take immediate action on the same," he told ANI.Perarivalan was arrested while in teenage and has served 28 years in jail. After the Supreme Court saud that Tamil Nadu state government could take a decision on the release of seven convicts, the state Cabinet passed a resolution.Arputhammal said a human chain demonstration will be organised soon at seven places including Chennai, Madurai and Salem to highlight the issue."I have started campaigning in order to gather people's support. I have already visited 15 districts and I ...
Pak should be given proof of Pulwama attack: Mehbooba Mufti
PDP leader and former Jammu Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that the proof of Pakistani links to the Pulwama attack should be given to Islamabad as sought by its Prime Minister Imran Khan "to see what they do".Speaking to the media here, she said: "It is true that whether it was Pathankot attack or Mumbai attack they (Pakistan) were given proof but they did not take action. But because Imran Khan is a new PM and he is talking about a new start, he should be given a chance. We should give proof and see what they do."Hitting out at the government's move to withdraw the security of separatist leaders, Mehbooba called it a 'childish act'."This is a childish act. The government should find a solution to this problem. Withdrawing the security of four people is no big deal and that too which they had not asked for. The government had given them the security and has now itself taken it away," she added.The Jammu and Kashmir government withdrew security of separatist ...
British-Bangladeshi IS bride stripped of UK citizenship
Shamima Begum, a British teenager of Bangladeshi descent who ran away in 2015 to become an Islamic State (IS) jihadi bride, has been stripped of her UK citizenship, a move she called "unjust" and "hard to swallow".
Goa mining issue has become tricky, PM looking into it: BJP
The BJP Wednesday said the mining issue in Goa has become quite "tricky" and none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi was looking into it to find a solution. Talking to reporters here, BJP vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe also said the Centre and the Goa government were on the "same page" as far as finding a solution to the mining crisis was concerned. The mining industry in Goa has come to a standstill since March 16 last year, after the Supreme Court quashed the renewal of 88 mining leases in the state. "It would not be true to suggest that nothing has happened to resolve the mining crisis. It is a very intricate issue and everybody is aware that the judiciary is involved in it," he told reporters in response to a question. "Perhaps, if it was left only to the government, resolving the issue would have been easy," Sahasrabuddhe added. He was in Goa as part of the drive to collect feedback and suggestions for the party for drafting the manifesto ahead of the Lok .
Swaraj, Wang to meet in China amid row over JeM chief Azhar's listing as global terrorist
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi would meet on the sidelines of next week's Russia-India-China Foreign Ministers' conference in China amid Beijing's continued blocking of India and other countries' moves to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. The meeting assumes significance as it will be the first high-level interaction between the two countries after the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed on February 14. China, while expressing shock over the incident, reiterated its stand to block moves to list Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee. The 16th meeting of the Russia-India-China (RIC) Foreign Ministers would be held at the Chinese city of Wuzhen in the eastern Zhejiang province on February 27, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang announced on Wednesday. "During this foreign ministers' ...
Solving backstop issue only way to avoid hard Brexit: UK's Hunt
Britain can only avoid a hard Brexit on March 29 if it reaches a deal with the EU to resolve the tricky Irish backstop issue, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Wednesday. "This is really the only way through the current situation," he said in a speech in Berlin, adding that pushing back the Brexit deadline would leave both the UK and EU in "paralysis". The infamous "Irish backstop" clause provides for Britain to remain in the EU customs union until a way is found -- such as a future free trade deal -- to ensure that Ireland's border with Northern Ireland remains open. Resolving the issue would allow the government to gain parliamentary support for the EU divorce deal and also guarantee the 1998 Belfast peace agreement, he predicted. "If we can make that change, we are confident we can get the deal through" parliament, he said on the day Prime Minister Theresa May was headed back to Brussels to renew her quest to reopen the terms of the Brexit divorce. Brexiteers in May's own ...
Putin warns new missiles could target 'decision-making centres'
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said Russia would have to deploy missiles targeting "decision-making centres" if Washington sends missiles to Europe. The announcement comes after the US said it would withdraw from a key Cold War-era arms treaty over what it said were Russian violations, prompting a mirror move from Moscow. "Russia does not intend to be the first to deploy such missiles in Europe," Putin said during an annual state of the nation address. "If (the US) develops and deploys them in Europe... this will dramatically exacerbate the international security situation, creating serious threats to Russia," he said. "I'm saying this clearly and openly, Russia will be forced to deploy weapons that can be used... against the decision-making centres that are behind the missiles systems which threaten us." He earlier accused Washington of using "far-fetched accusations" to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) agreement. Putin said he understood concerns ...
Jharkhand speaker dismisses disqualification plea against six MLAs
The Jharkhand Assembly speaker here on Wednesday dismissed the petition seeking disqualification of six legislators who had defected to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P).
Sena agreed to pact after BJP nod for sharing CM's post: Kadam
The Shiv Sena forged an alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra after there was an agreement to share the chief minister's post, senior Sena minister Ramdas Kadam said Wednesday. The Sena leader said if the BJP did not wish to fulfil its commitment, it was free to break the pre-poll alliance immediately. "The Sena-BJP pact has been agreed on two major conditions. One was scrapping the Nanar refinery project in Konkan area and the other was sharing the chief minister's post for half-terms each," Kadam told reporters. He said despite BJP chief Amit Shah's commitment, it was unbecoming of senior BJP leaders to make statements that the party getting more seats in the Assembly will decide on the chief minister. Kadam's comments came after senior BJP minister Chandrakant Patil said the party winning more seats in this year's Assembly elections will get the chief minister's post. "It has been decided to have the chief minister's post with both parties for two-and-a-half years ...
Pak's anti-graft body arrests Sindh Assembly Speaker in Islamabad
Pakistan's top anti-graft body on Wednesday arrested Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani from a hotel in Islamabad, triggering a strong protest from the Pakistan People's Party which termed the detention of its senior leader as "unacceptable". The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Karachi has accused Durrani of illegal appointments, misuse of power, misappropriation of funds and owning assets beyond his known means of income. Citing the NAB officials, DawnNewsTV said that they waited for Durrani to leave Sindh province before making the arrest as Durrani is escorted by his sizable security team in his home province and the officials feared a confrontation would turn violent. The NAB Karachi team travelled to Islamabad to arrest him. He was initially taken to the NAB Rawalpindi office after which NAB obtained three-day transit remand to bring him back to Karachi for the investigation. Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir granted the three-day transit, with instructions to ...
Rahul, Priyanka attend prayer meeting of slain CRPF jawan in UP
Congress president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday attended a prayer meeting of CRPF jawan Amit Kumar Kori, who was killed in the recent Pulwama terror attack, and paid tributes to the slain soldier. Congress general secretary in-charge of western Uttar Pradesh Jyotiraditya Scindia was also present at the prayer meeting held in Shamli district. "Congress President @RahulGandhi and General Secretary In charge UP East Smt. @priyankagandhi attend the prayer meeting of martyr Amit Kumar Kori and share their grief with the family," the party said in a tweet. Rahul and Priyanka were seen consoling the members of the bereaved family. Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Minister Suresh Rana also attended the prayer meeting. Speaking on this occasion, Rahul said, "In these moments of grief, we are with you... His (Kori's) father told us that he is sad, but at the same time proud (of his son). And I want to say that we are sad, but at
India a victim of terrorism "sheltered and supported" from across the border: PM Modi
In a veiled attack on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India was a victim of terrorism "sheltered and supported" from across the border, as he demanded that all nations reject the use of terrorism against others, dismantle the terror infrastructure and stop its financing. In an interview published in Wednesday's editions of Arabic-language newspaper 'Okaz' and the English newspaper 'Saudi Gazette', Modi said India strongly condemns extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The interview coincided with the maiden state visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India, days after the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group. The attack, one of the worst in Jammu and Kashmir, killed 40 CRPF soldiers. "India has been a victim of terrorism sheltered and supported from across the border for over decades, claiming thousands of innocent lives," the prime minister said, without mentioning Pakistan, a close ...
Congress president Rahul along with Priyanka, Scindia visits families of Pulwama martyrs in western UP
Congress president Rahul Gandhi along with party General Secretaries Priyanka Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday visited the families of Pulwama martyrs-Amit Kori and Pradeep Kumar. The Congress leaders paid their respects to the martyrs and met their family members.It is worth mentioning that Priyanka Gandhi, sister of Rahul, was recently made the Congress General Secretary and has been given the responsibility of managing party affairs in east UP for the coming Lok Sabha elections, while Scindia, also a General Secretary, has been given the charge of western UP.The Congress party has decided to contest all 80 Lok Sabha seats at stake in Uttar Pradesh in the coming Lok Sabha polls after the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) announced their seat-sharing arrangement without making the Congress a part of their alliance.The two parties have agreed to contest 38 seats each, while they have announced to not field their candidates from Rae Bareli and Amethi, .
4the India-ASEAN Expo summit to begin on Thursday
The 4th India ASEAN Expo and Summit beginning Thursday will bring Indian and ASEAN businesses together to work jointly towards integrating them into regional value chains, thereby promoting mutual trade and investment.The flagship event of Department of Commerce, being organised with industry body FICCI from February 21 to 23, will build upon the success of previous editions.More than 200 exhibitors and 100 buyers from the ASEAN are expected to participate in the expo. There will be buyer-seller meetings to provide business leaders an opportunity to closely interact with their counterparts and consolidate B2B and B2G relations.The exposition will showcase the best initiatives across various sectors of mutual cooperation like infrastructure, manufacturing, engineering, ICT, healthcare, tourism, environment, agriculture, science and technology, finance and banking, logistics and retail.The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, ...