Page 168 - Politics
Pompeo vows US will guarantee passage through Strait of Hormuz
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed Sunday that the US will guarantee free passage through the vital Strait of Hormuz, as he accused Iran of recent attacks on oil tankers and the downing of a US drone. Pompeo confirmed in an interview with CBS that a US MQ-9 "Reaper" drone was shot down June 6 with a missile fired from Yemen "that we assess had Iranian assistance." Pompeo would not be drawn on what options the US is considering to protect shipping -- or to punish Iran -- in the wake of Thursday's attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman, but reiterated that President Donald Trump is not seeking war with Iran. "What you should assume is we are going to guarantee freedom of navigation throughout the strait," he said in an interview on "Fox News Sunday." Iran has denied the US charges as "baseless" and said they were made without "a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence." A third of the world's seaborne oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel bordered to
Ponzi scheme: Karna Cong leader seeks formation of regulations
In the backdrop of the alleged financial fraud by an investment firm here, Senior Congress leader H K Patil Sunday urged the Karnataka government to formulate regulations under a law that enables confiscation of properties of fraudsters and returning it to investors in 180 days. In a letter to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday, Patil gave a slew of suggestions to protect the interest of investors by returning their dues and initiate action against the culprits. "The state government should immediately formulate regulations under the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Ordiance-2019, and enable confiscation of properties of frausters and returning the property to the investors in 180 days," he said. The city-based IMA jewels had allegedly cheated a large number of investors after promising them impressive returns on their deposits. Nearly 30,000 complaints have so far been received by police in connection with the case, relating to which seven directors of the
Three civilians injured in Pakistan firing on LoC
Three civilians were injured as the Pakistani army violated the ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Sunday, police said.
DMK seeks discussion on NEET, Mekedatu, farm loan waiver in LS
The DMK Sunday said it would take up a slew of demands including, farm loan waiver, Mekedatu dam issue and exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET, during the first session of the new Lok Sabha. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi after attending an all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, DMK Parliamentary party leader T R Baalu, said a demand to pass the women's reservation bill in the current session would also be raised. "Exemption from NEET, scrapping of Mekedatu dam and hydrocarbon project in the Cauvery delta, making Tamil official language in central government offices in the State would be some of our other demands," he said. The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha would commence Monday during which the passage of the Union Budget and other key legislations such as triple talaq would be on top of the agenda for the government. At the all-party meeting, Modi invited heads of all parties to a meeting on June 19 to discuss the "one nation, one ...
Modi tells NDA leaders to work unitedly for people
Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) met here on Sunday to discuss coordination and strategy ahead of the start of Parliament session on Monday.
Adityanath meets Rajnath, Piyush
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Sunday met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal at their residences here. Officials said both these meetings were courtesy calls after the swearing-in of the Union Cabinet. They also said Adityanath discussed issues related to his state. The UP chief minister was here to attend the NITI Aayog meeting on Saturday. He also paid a visit to the National War Memorial and National Police Memorial in the national capital on Sunday. He said sacrifices of security personnel will continue to inspire generations.
Maha Haj panel wants to build facility at Mecca for pilgrims
Maharashtra Haj Committee chairman Jamal Anwar Siddiqui Sunday said it has proposed construction of a residential facility at Mecca for the Haj pilgrims from Maharashtra. Addressing reporters, he also demanded that the Central government slash the quota of private tour operators who take pilgrims on Haj. Welcoming the Union government's 2018 decision to scrap subsidy for Haj pilgrims, Siddiqui said private airlines used to get benefitted by the subsidy given during the tenure of the erstwhile Congress government "Scrapping of subsidy for Haj pilgrims is a good step by the Narendra Modi government. The then Congress government pretended that it was giving the subsidy to pilgrims, but it actually benefitted airlines," he said. Responding to a query, Siddiqui said the committee has cracked the whip on private tour operators who fleece the Haj pilgrims. "I appeal to the Central government to slash the quota of private tour operators," Siddiqui said. He said the committee was
First batch of 31 pilgrims flagged off for Kailash Mansarovar
The first batch of 31 pilgrims was flagged off for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nathula Pass in Sikkim on Sunday. K Jayakumar, the Additional Chief Secretary of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, flagged off two buses carrying the pilgrims for the first climate acclimatization camp located at 15th Mile and 17th Mile enroute to Nathula. Earlier in the day, the pilgrims, including 11 women, and two liaison officers, attended a briefing session at a hotel here, which was organized by the Sikkim government's Tourism and Civil Aviation Department. Addressing the session, Jayakumar informed the pilgrims about the significance of the journey to the holy place. "The central government and the Sikkim government have put in great effort for smooth conduct of the journey and there is nothing to be worried about," Jayakumar told the pilgrims. The Commandant of the 48th Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), T S Mangang, briefed the pilgrims about the route chart to Kailash ...
Presidential Polls 2020: Biden leads Trump by 10 pc in Fox News poll
A poll by Fox News has shown former Vice President Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate going up against incumbent President Donald Trump for the Presidential elections 2020.Biden, who is former President Barack Obama's close aide, is shown to lead Trump by 10 per cent in the latest polls published by the American news channel.The Fox News Polls were jointly conducted from June 9 to June 12 by the Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company (R). 1,001 registered voters were randomly chosen for it.Biden leads over other Democratic nominees like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg and Kamala Harris in the polls conducted amongst Democratic Primary voters. Voters wish to see him go up against Trump -- who is scheduled to launch his reelection campaign on June 18 -- as per the polls.The former Vice President comes in first, while Sanders comes in second amongst men, women, whites, and non-whites, according to Fox News. While on the one hand, Biden leads by over 30 points ...
Bengal BJP chief blames Mamata for NRS impasse
BJP's West Bengal unit President Dilip Ghosh on Sunday blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the deplorable condition of healthcare services due to the ongoing doctors' strike and their refusal to visit the state Secretariat.
Israel moves to name Golan settlement after Trump
The Trump name graces apartment towers, hotels and golf courses. Now it is the namesake of a tiny Jewish settlement in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet convened in this hamlet Sunday to announce the inauguration of a new settlement named after President Donald Trump. The settlement will be known as "Ramat Trump," or Trump Heights. Israel hopes the community, first built in the 1980s, will attract a wave of people to what is currently little more than an isolated outpost with just 10 residents. The decision comes just over two months after the U.S. leader recognized Israeli sovereignty over the territory.
Trump to raise Hong Kong protests with Xi at G20: Pompeo
US President Donald Trump will discuss the mass protests in Hong Kong with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the upcoming G20 summit, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday. "I think we'll get the opportunity to see President Xi in just a couple weeks now at the G20 summit. I'm sure this will be among the issues that they discuss," Pompeo said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday." "We see what's happening, what's unfolding in Hong Kong. We are watching the people of Hong Kong speak about the things they value," Pompeo added. Trump said last week he hoped the protesters -- who have taken to the streets to denounce a controversial extradition law -- would "work it out" with China, while stopping short of condemning the legislation which has now been suspended. Pompeo insisted "the president has always been a vigorous defender of human rights" and said Trump's imposition of widespread tariffs on Chinese goods as part of a trade dispute showed his willingness to confront ...
BJP will be at forefront of pro-people governance: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday promised the citizens of the country to be at the forefront of 'pro-people governance,' facilitating legislation that manifests the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.'After the conclusion of the BJP's parliamentary party meeting here, Modi tweeted: "BJP is grateful for the people's blessings. We assure our fellow Indians that we will be at the forefront of pro-people governance and facilitating legislation that manifests the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.' Sharing pictures from the parliamentary party meet."Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari were among the party leaders, who attended the meeting.The parliamentary party executive committee meeting came close on the heels of an all-party meeting. The committee was reconstituted on Tuesday with Prime Minister Modi and Shah as .
Yogi Adityanath meets Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday met Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat here.Though the meeting was officially a courtesy call, sources the duo discussed a host of issues including the availability of potable water, cleanliness of river Yamuna among other issues.Shekhawat on Tuesday had asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is committed to providing clean drinking water to every household by 2024.It is worth noting that Jal Shakti Ministry has been created recently. It has been made by reorganising the earlier Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, which was held by Nitin Gadkari in the previous government.During an election rally in Tamil Nadu, Modi said that if his party was voted back to power, his government would ensure the creation of a separate Jal Shakti Ministry.
J-K Police SHO injured in Anantnag attack succumbs to injuries at AIIMS
The Station House Officer (SHO) Arshad Khan of Jammu and Kashmir Police, who was injured in Anantnag terror attack on June 12, succumbed to his injuries at the AIIMS here on Sunday.Forty-year-old Khan was flown to the national capital earlier in the day after his condition deteriorated but doctors here could not save his life.Five CRPF personnel attained martyrdom and three others were injured when their patrol party was attacked by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Wednesday.Terrorists carried out a stand-off firing attack at KP Road in Anantnag at about 4:50 pm on Wednesday.Among those martyred were are ASI Ramesh Kumar (Jhajjar, Haryana), ASI Nirod Sarma (Nalbari, Assam), CT Satendra Kumar (Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh), CT Mahesh Kumar Kushwaha (Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh) and CT Sandeep Yadav (Dewas, Madhya Pradesh).
There was rift in Hurriyat conference regarding funds routed through hawala for terrorism : NIA
The NIA claimed that Masarat Alam, the so-called poster boy of stone-pelters and violent agitations in Kashmir valley has revealed during his custodial interrogation that Pakistan based agents route the funds through hawala operators which were transferred to the separatist leaders including Syed Shah Gilani. He also revealed that there are rifts in the Hurriyat conference regarding the collection and use of funds.NIA informed that the revelation is in continuation with a case registered in 2017 against terrorist and other separatist leaders in the State of Jammu and Kashmir for raising receiving and collecting funds for funding separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. NIA has charge sheeted 13 accused including Hafiz Mohammad Saeed (leader of Jammat ud Dawah), Syed Salahuddin (head of proscribed organisation Hizb-ul-Mujahideen), 7 separatist leaders, 2 hawala conduits and some stone pelters.In continuation of the investigation, the NIA arrested Yasin Malik, leader of
Indian, Pakistani troops in heavy gun fight on LoC
Indian and Pakistan troops traded heavy fire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Sunday, defence sources said.
PM pitches for non-disruptive Parliament at all-party meet (2nd Lead)
A day ahead of the commencement of Budget session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged floor leaders of different political parties in the Parliament to keep political differences aside and not disrupt the functioning of the two Houses.
Congress' Wadettiwar to be Maharashtra's new Leader of Opposition
Veteran Congress leader from Vidarbha, Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar, will be the new Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, a senior party leader said here on Sunday.
Cong MLA in T'gana hints at joining BJP
Faced with a crisis of sorts after two-thirds of its 18 MLAs joined the ruling TRS, the Congress in Telangana might suffer a fresh setback with another party legislator hinting he might switch over to BJP. Congress MLA from Munugode near Nalgonda, Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy Sunday expressed disappointment over the current state of affairs in the party not only in Telangana but in the entire country. The country would progress under the BJP, he said adding it was the alternative to counter the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) supremo and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Amid reports that he might join BJP, Reddy, an influential leader from Nalgonda district, said he would meet his supporters to take a decision on his future course. Reacting to the overture, state BJP president K Laxman Sunday said not only Reddy, whoever wanted to strengthen the BJP and the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah would be welcomed. He claimed many ...