Page 1621 - Politics
US urges Pak to immediately end support, haven to terror groups
The United States, while condemning the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, has urged Pakistan to "end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil.""The United States calls on Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence, and terror in the region. This attack only strengthens our resolve to bolster counterterrorism cooperation and coordination between the United States and India," a statement by The White House on February 14 noted."The United States condemns in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attack by a Pakistan-based terrorist group that killed over 40 Indian paramilitary forces and wounded at least 44 others. We express our deep condolences to the victim's families, the Indian government and the Indian people for the loss of life in this brutal attack," the Press Secretary's statement outlined.The dastardly terror ...
Putin strongly condemns Pakistan-backed terror attack in J&K
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday strongly condemned Thursday's terror attack by the Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed the lives of at least 45 CRPF personnel and said that the perpetrators behind the act should be "duly punished".
BJP to firm up alliance for LS polls soon in TN: Ravishankar Prasad
Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad on Friday said soon the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will announce a strong electoral alliance in Tamil Nadu for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.
Puducherry CM, ministers' dharna outside Raj Nivas enters 3rd day
Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and his ministerial colleagues continued their dharna outside the Raj Nivas for the third day Friday protesting Lt Governor Kiran Bedi's "negative stand" towards his government's proposals awaiting her approval. The chief minister, his cabinet colleagues and legislators belonging to the Congress and the DMK continued the agitation outside the Lt Governor's residence where a large number of Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed. Asked if he would turn up for a meeting the Lt Governor had scheduled with him at Raj Nivas on February 21 to sort out the issues, he said, "There is absolutely no need for any such meeting. We have placed before her all our proposals and she is quite aware of them." Bedi left for New Delhi Thursday and would be back on February 20. Narayanasamy contended the Lt Governor was aware of all the proposals the government had submitted for her approval and they all are related to welfare schemes, including distribution of free .
Pakistan no longer 'Most Favoured Nation': India
Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said that the government has decided to withdraw the "Most Favoured Nation" status given to Pakistan, in the wake of the worst-ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir a day ago when a CRPF convoy in Pulwama was rammed into by an explosive-packed SUV that has left 45 troopers dead.
Pb Assembly condemns terror attack in Pulwama, House adjourned for the day
The Punjab Assembly Friday strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which at least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and passed a resolution for adjournment of the proceedings of the House for the day. Members of the House, cutting across party lines, paid tributes to the CRPF personnel killed in a one of deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, and observed two-minutes silence in their memory. Moving the resolution seeking adjournment of the House, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said "enough is enough" and urged the Centre to give a befitting reply to the "dastardly act of Pakistan". "It is the time to teach (them) a lesson. Pakistan PM speaks peace and the General speaks war," he said. As the Zero Hour commenced on the fourth day the Budget session of the Punjab Assembly, SAD MLA Bikram Singh Majithia sought adjournment of the House in the wake of terror attack in Pulwama. Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and Parliamentary Affairs minister ..
PM warns Pakistan, says terrorists will pay heavy price for Pulwama attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warned Pakistan that the attack such as the one on CRPF soldiers in Pulwama will not weaken India and those responsible will have to pay a "very heavy price". In a hard-hitting speech, Modi said security forces will be given complete freedom to crack down on terrorism, and the "blood of the people is boiling". "Our neighbouring country thinks such terror attacks can weaken us, but their plans will not materialise," he said at a function to flag off a new semi-high speed train from Delhi to Varanasi. On Thursday, an explosives laden truck rammed into a CRPF convoy in Pulwama outside Srinagar killing at least 37 soldiers in one of the biggest terror attacks in recent years. "My condolences to families of those martyred in the Pulwama attack, those behind the terror strike will pay a very heavy price," Modi said. "I am thankful to all nations which condemned the Pulwama attack and urge them to come together to crush terrorism," the prime minister ...
Crisis in Haiti worsens as President remains silent
The political and economic crisis in Haiti has worsened eight days after violent protests began against the government led by President Jovenel Moise.
India to remove trade privileges, ensure complete isolation of Pakistan: Arun Jaitley
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India will take all possible diplomatic steps to ensure the "complete isolation" of Pakistan in response to an attack by an Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) that killed 44 Indian paramilitary police in Kashmir on Thursday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Friday.
Pulwama attack: India withdraws Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan
India today withdrew the 'Most-Favoured Nation' status to Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack that left nearly 40 CRPF personnel dead. In a media briefing after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security(CCS), Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said all efforts will be made to ensure that perpetrators of the attack are brought to book. He said those aiding and abating the perpetrators will have to pay a heavy price. Briefing reporters outside the Prime Minister's residence, he said the Ministry of External Affairs will launch an all out effort to isolate Pakistan and all diplomatic efforts will be launched in this regard. Home Minister Rajnath Singh will be visiting Srinagar on Friday and would convene an all-party meeting most likely on Saturday to brief political parties on the incident so that the nation speaks in one voice on the issue. The Cabinet Committee on Security meet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir
Pulwama attack: India withdraws MFN status to Pak
India on Friday withdrew the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan, a day after 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a terror attack in Pulwama."Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan stands withdrawn," Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters after the conclusion of the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.In international trade, MFN treatment is synonymous with non-discriminatory trade policy as it ensures equal trading among all WTO member nations rather than exclusive trading privileges."Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will initiate all possible diplomatic steps which have to be taken to ensure the complete isolation from the international community from Pakistan of which incontrovertible evidence is available of having a direct hand in this gruesome attack," Jaitley added. Besides the Prime Minister, the CCS comprises the ministers for Home, Finance, Defence and External Affairs.Forty CRPF personnel were killed when ..
Pulwama attack: Protesters burn Pak flag in Maha's Aurangabad
Several persons Friday congregated in Begumpura area in Aurangabad and burnt Pakistan's national flag in protest against the terror attack on a CRPF convoy in restive Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Raising anti-Pakistan slogans, the gathering, comprising mostly youth, asked the neighbouring country to stop supporting terror activities and giving terrorists a safe haven to launch attacks against India. At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Latoomode in Awantipora in south Kashmir. Pakistan-based terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has claimed ...
J&K Guv failed in his primary responsibility, should visit the injured: Omar
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah in a scathing attack on Governor Satya Pal Malik, accused him of "failing" to carry out his "primary responsibility" and asked him to visit those injured in the Pulwama terror attack and take stock of the situation. At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. Abdullah, the National Conference vice-president, tweeted, "The Governor of J&K has failed in his primary responsibility. He compounds things by preferring to appear on every single news channel he can find rather than rush to the valley to meet the injured and yet somehow Mehbooba & I are to blame for everything (sic)." "It's mind boggling that the biggest ever terrorist attack in J&K takes place & yet for some channels/talking heads the only people NOT ...
Sports Minister wants to change SLC Constitution for good governance
Sri Lanka Sports Minister Harin Fernando on Friday said he would soon present before the Parliament a plan to change the Constitution of the nation's cricket board (SLC) in a bid to streamline its governance. Fernando said he had consulted former greats Mahela Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan and Sidath Wettimuny in making the plan. "I will be putting it before the Cabinet next week for approval and later to the Parliament," Fernando told reporters here. The current voting structure of SLC has come under scanner after interested businessmen are found to manipulate the process in their bid to control the richest sporting body of the island nation. There have been allegations of vote buying by interested groups. The SLC is set to hold its next elections for appointment of office bearers next week. Two candidates who had filed nominations to contest the elections have been rejected by the Election Appeals Committee. They have threatened to take legal action which could
US experts suspect Pak spy agency ISI role in Pulwama terrorist attack
American experts suspect the role of Pakistani intelligence agency ISI in "supporting the masterminds" of the Pulwama terrorist attack in which at least 37 CRPF personnel were killed. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. The experts on South Asia said the terror strike shows the United States has failed to persuade Pakistan to act against Jaish-e-Mohammad and other terrorist groups. "The self-proclaimed involvement of JeM in the attack raises serious questions about the role of the ISI in supporting the masterminds of this operation," Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst, told PTI. The terrorist attack, which has direct footprints inside Pakistan, poses the first major challenges to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, said Riedel, who is now a scholar at the Brookings Institute think-tank. "This will be a real challenge for Imran Khan, the first serious challenge of his administration," he ...
Pakistan's main backer on Kashmir in UK accused of having sex with vulnerable women
Pakistan's main political backer in the UK, Lord Nazir Ahmed, has been accused of having sex with women who came to him for help, according to an expose by BBC's Newsnight program.Ahmed, who hails from Mirpur in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a member of the House of Lords. He enjoys backing from Islamabad to run anti-India propaganda and do lobbying in the British Parliament on the Kashmir issue.He was a member of the Labour Party for most of his career. In 2013, Ahmed was suspended from the party following allegations of antisemitism.BBC's Newsnight program revealed that 43-year-old Tahira Zaman approached Lord Ahmed in February 2017 through a mutual friend, hoping he would help get the police to investigate a Muslim faith healer who, she felt, was a danger to women.Zaman told BBC Newsnight that Lord Ahmed said he wrote a letter to the Metropolitan Police Commander Cressida Dick about her concerns. She then alleged that he repeatedly asked her for dinner.She said she finally ...
MP: PM Modi's political engagements cancelled in the wake of Pulwama attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political engagements in Madhya Pradesh's Itarsi and Dhar have been cancelled in the wake of the ghastly terror attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on Thursday. His engagements in Maharashtra's Nagpur and Dhule stand as scheduled. Condemning the attack on a CRPF convoy in which at least 40 CRPF personnel were killed, the Prime Minister had said: "Attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama is despicable. I strongly condemn this dastardly attack.""The sacrifices of our brave security personnel shall not go in vain. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of the brave martyrs. May the injured recover quickly," he added in another tweet.All political programs of BJP president Amit Shah have also been cancelled in the wake of the attack.Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed after a suicide bomber rammed a car laden with explosives into a bus carrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel on Thursday.The bus, ...
USD 100 million in humanitarian aid pledged to crisis-hit Venezuela
Twenty-five countries have pledged USD 100 million in aid to Venezuela, a top US official said Thursday, as the crisis-hit country's Supreme Court took aim at oil executives appointed by the opposition. Venezuela is plagued by hyperinflation and major shortages of basic goods, and two men -- opposition leader Juan Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro -- are vying for control of the country. The United States is among more than 50 countries that have recognised Guaido as interim president, but Maduro -- backed by the country's military as well as Russia, China and dozens of other states -- has so far refused to relinquish his office. US national security advisor John Bolton made the announcement on the aid pledged to Venezuela following an Organisation of American States conference on assisting the country. "Today, 25 countries, united at the OAS-hosted Conference on Humanitarian Assistance in Support of Venezuela pledged $100 million in humanitarian assistance," Bolton ...
Pulwama terror attack: BJP leaders cancel all political programmes
All political programmes of BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party President Amit Shah, scheduled for Friday have been cancelled following the terror attack on CRPF personnel in Kashmir. At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. Modi was scheduled to address a rally in Itarsi in Madhya Pradesh and Shah was slated to attend different political events in Odisha and Chhattisgarh on Friday. These programmes have now been cancelled, party sources said. Top BJP leaders have been holding rallies and other political programmes in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls.
PM Modi's Itarsi rally cancelled in the wake of Pulwama attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday cancelled his public meeting in Madhya Pradesh's Itarsi in the wake of the ghastly terror attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on Thursday. Condemning the attack on a CRPF convoy in which at least 40 CRPF personnel were killed, the Prime Minister had said: "Attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama is despicable. I strongly condemn this dastardly attack.""The sacrifices of our brave security personnel shall not go in vain. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of the brave martyrs. May the injured recover quickly," he added in another tweet.All political programs of BJP president Amit Shah have also been cancelled in the wake of the attack.Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed after a suicide bomber rammed a car laden with explosives into a bus carrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel on Thursday.The bus, consisting of 42 CRPF personnel, was extensively damaged in the blast, which was followed by .