Page 171 - Politics
Kerala Congress (Mani) splits, 2 months after founder's death
Trouble has broken out in Kerala Congress (Mani), the third biggest ally of the Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala.
Damaged tanker arrives at UAE anchorage amid increased regional tensions
A damaged Japanese tanker arrived Sunday at a UAE anchorage site after it was rocked by explosions in Gulf waters as Saudi Arabia accused arch-rival Iran of being behind the attack. The Kokuka Courageous was carrying highly flammable methanol through the Gulf of Oman on Thursday when it came under attack along with the Norwegian-operated Front Altair -- the second assault in a month in the strategic shipping lane. US President Donald Trump has said the twin attacks had Iran "written all over it" -- rejecting Tehran's vehement denial -- and its key Gulf ally Saudi Arabia has also lashed out against Tehran. In his first public comments since the attacks, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in remarks published Sunday he "won't hesitate" to tackle any threats to the oil-rich kingdom. "We do not want a war in the region... But we won't hesitate to deal with any threat to our people, our sovereignty, our territorial integrity and our vital interests," he told pan-Arab daily Asharq .
J&K polls, farm distress, unemployment dominate oppn agenda at all-party meet
A day before the Budget session of Parliament, the Congress Sunday raised with the government issues of unemployment, farmers distress, drought, and press freedom, while also calling for early conduct of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. At an all-party meeting called by the government, the opposition parties demanded discussion on all such issues in Parliament, with the Congress asserting that it is still a "fight of ideologies". Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress lawmakers Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, K Suresh, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and TMC leader Derek O'Brien were present at the meeting. The opposition also strongly raised the issue of women's reservation bill with Trinamool Congress leaders Sudip Bandyopadhyay and O'Brien asserting that the bill be listed and passed in the current session of Parliament. The opposition also flagged concerns over weakening of federalism .
Change of guard at Indian Journalists' Association in UK
The Indian Journalists' Association (IJA) in the UK has elected a new president and executive committee as part of a change of guard at the 72-year-old organisation representing UK-based journalists covering Indian affairs. Senior BBC News journalist Naresh Kaushik took charge as the IJA president after a long-overdue annual general meeting of the membership organisation in London on Friday. "The association is meant for members and, if you all agree, we could focus on being there for the welfare of journalists more than raising funds and would attempt to revive the IJA to its past glory," said Kaushik, who will be supported by a team of journalists representing Indian organisations as well as UK-based publications focussed on South Asian affairs. Kaushik replaced Ashis Ray, who had triggered controversy earlier this year by hosting a press conference of a US-based person making unsubstantiated allegations against the reliability of India's electronic voting machines (EVMs). "To our ..
Trump refutes newspaper's claim of US ramping up cyber attacks on Russia
United States President Donald Trump has refuted the claims made by The New York Times that the US was ramping up cyber attacks on Russia's electric power grid as a sign of warning to the country's President Vladimir Putin.In a couple of tweets on Saturday, Trump deemed the newspaper article "a virtual act of Treason" written without "the slightest thought of consequence"."Do you believe that the Failing New York Times just did a story stating that the United States is substantially increasing Cyber Attacks on Russia. This is a virtual act of Treason by a once great paper so desperate for a story, any story, even if bad for our Country," Trump wrote on Twitter."ALSO, NOT TRUE! Anything goes with our Corrupt News Media today. They will do, or say, whatever it takes, with not even the slightest thought of consequence! These are true cowards and without doubt, THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!" He added.The New York Times article claims that the US has placed a malware inside the Russian systems .
World Cup cricket unites warring Goa leaders
Sunday's World Cup cricket match against Pakistan has united all political parties in Goa with rival political leaders issuing a joint video message wishing good luck to Team India.
PM invites chiefs of all parties to deliberate upon 'one nation, one election' issue
Chairing an all-party meeting on the eve of the first session of the new Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday invited heads of all parties to a meeting on June 19 to discuss the "one nation, one election" issue and other important matters. Noting that there are many new faces in this Lok Sabha, Modi said the first session of the Lower House of Parliament should begin with "fresh zeal and new thinking". Addressing the media after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said the prime minister urged leaders of all parties to "introspect whether members of Parliament are able to fulfil people's aspirations as their representatives and the manner in which last two years of the 16th Lok Sabha were wasted". An all-party meeting is a customary procedure before the beginning of every session of Parliament to ensure its smooth functioning. Joshi said that government has requested all parties, especially the opposition, for their cooperation for the smooth ...
Congress 'lauds' Goa CM for not falling to blackmail from cabinet colleagues
In a sarcastic tweet, Goa Congress spokesperson Trajano D'Mello on Sunday backed Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for not falling to "blackmail" from his cabinet colleagues over the allotment of portfolios in the recent round of allocation of ministries.
UP CM pays homage to fallen soldiers at National War Memorial
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Sunday paid homage at the National War Memorial and the National Police Memorial here, saying the two places would remain a source of inspiration for generations to come. The chief minister also called on senior BJP leader and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Adityanath later met Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, a state government release said. The memorials, he said, are a live description of the bravery of the soldiers of the three wings, police and central police forces personnel.
Trump stirs up feud with London Mayor over attacks in city
US President Donald Trump further stirred up his ongoing feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan by blaming him for a recent spate of stabbings and violence in the UK capital. Trump and Khan have repeatedly clashed ever since the Pakistani-origin mayor questioned the red carpet being rolled out for the US President by Britain, most recently for a state visit hosted by Queen Elizabeth II earlier this month. Khan has also likened Trump to "20th century fascists" for his divisive views on immigration, with Trump hitting back with social media messages about his "terrible job" as Mayor of London. The US President's latest intervention on Twitter follows in the same vein, demanding that Khan should be replaced. "London needs a new mayor ASAP. Khan is a disaster will only get worse," he said, while retweeting a message that highlighted two stabbings and a shooting in London in the last few days. "He is a national disgrace who is destroying the city of London," a follow-up message read. Khan's ...
Iran hints US could be behind 'suspicious' tanker attacks
Iran's parliament speaker hinted Sunday that Washington could be behind the "suspicious" tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman to pile pressure on Tehran, official news agency IRNA reported. "The suspicious actions against the tankers... seem to complement the economic sanctions against Iran considering that (the US) has not achieved any results from them," Ali Larijani told MPs. He backed his claim by saying there had been a precedent "during World War II, when Americans targeted their own ships near Japan to create an excuse for hostility". A non-belligerent state at the beginning of World War II, the US went to war after Japan's surprise attack on the American Pearl Harbour base in Hawaii on the morning of December 7, 1941. A Japanese-owned tanker, the Kokuka Courageous, and a Norwegian-operated one, the Front Altair, were attacked on Thursday and left ablaze as they were passing through the Gulf of Oman Washington accused Tehran of being behind the attacks, that took place at the ...
Turkey's Erdogan says S-400s delivery for early July
Turkey expects the delivery of the controversial Russian S-400 missile defence system to begin in July, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying in Turkish media on Sunday. "I believe (S-400s) will begin to arrive in the first half of July. Colleagues in charge of the schedule are following the issue," Erdogan said according to CNN Turk broadcaster. Ankara's deal with Moscow has been a major source of tension between Turkey and the United States, with Washington threatening consequences including sanctions against its fellow NATO member. Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan sent a letter earlier this month warning Turkey it must renounce the S-400 system by July 31 or Turkish pilots currently training on the F-35 fighter jet programme would be expelled from the US. Turkey plans to buy 100 US F-35s while a number of Turkish manufacturers are making parts and equipment for the warplane. Ankara has yet formally to respond to Shanahan's letter but Erdogan said that ...
Budget Session '19: PM Modi seeks all-party help to realise dream of 'New India' by 2022
Ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament beginning Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the leaders of all political parties to work cohesively with the government to realise the dream of 'New India' by 2022.Addressing the floor leaders of all parties in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha here today, he said: "We expect all parties to cooperate with the Government in making a 'New India' by 2022 and achieve the true meaning of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.".He said that we are for the people, and cannot win hearts by disrupting the functioning of the Parliament. "All parties must keep political differences aside and commit themselves to tirelessly working in the direction of the nation's progress."Prime Minister Modi also welcomed newly elected MPs and expressed hope that fresh zeal and energy would be infused in the functioning of the Parliament."The government is always receptive to the issues raised by all political parties and is ready to discuss all ...
Maha oppn boycotts customary tea party on monsoon session eve
The Congress-NCP in Maharashtra Sunday decided to boycott the customary tea party organised by the BJP-Shiv Sena government on the eve of the Assembly's monsoon session, alleging the latter's claims of development were "virtual" and not on the ground. Senior leaders from the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party addressed a press conference here Sunday and tore into claims by the Devendra Fadnavis government over developmental works. Speaking at the interaction, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council and senior NCP leader, Dhananjay Munde, said the government's failed policies had led to the state facing its worst drought since 1972. "During the Assembly session, we will demand that farmers be paid Rs 25,000 per care for sowing and cultivation. We will demand a complete loan and power bill waiver for farmers," he said. "All the development under this government is only virtual, be it loan waivers, smart cities, reservation etc. Industries are shifting ...
Govt calls meet on Jun 19 of chiefs of political parties
A meeting of presidents of all political parties having representation in parliament has been called by Union minister of Parliamentary affairs, Prahlad Joshi to discuss key issues of national importance on Wednesday, June 19.The meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is aimed to ensure smooth functioning in the upcoming parliamentary session.The meet is scheduled in the parliamentary library building and will solicit views of the various heads of political parties on important subjects impacting the country.Among the five key issues listed include Building of a new India in the country's 75th independence and One country, One election.A programme and commitments to celebrate to Mahatma 150 birth anniversary celebration, ways to increase parliament productivity and development of aspirational districts are other items on the agenda.The first session of 17th Lok Sabha is scheduled to commence on Monday, June 17.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath visits National War Memorial
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday paid a visit to the National War Memorial and National Police Memorial here and said that the sacrifice of the security personnel will continue to inspire generations.His visit comes a day after Adityanath attended the fifth meeting of the Governing Council of Niti Aayog in the national capital. He had also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi later.Earlier today, he met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the latter's residence here.At the war memorial, Adityanath said, "The sacrifice of our soldiers will continue to inspire millions. This memorial is a symbol of their bravery."The chief minister, while visiting the police memorial, said, "It commemorates all the personnel from various police forces who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1947. Under the Narendra Modi government, India got its first National Police Museum in Delhi. I am glad that I could visit these memorials."He is also scheduled to meet Road Transport and
France launches trial of Macron's new national service for teens
Nearly two decades after France phased out conscription for men, some 2,000 teenagers Sunday began trialling a new national service, a pet project of French President Emmanuel Macron. For a fortnight, the 15- and 16-year-olds will leave home for training in first aid and other basic skills, followed later by another two weeks of volunteering. Macron caused surprise on the campaign trail in 2017 by promising to introduce a month-long compulsory national service, saying he wanted to give girls and boys "a direct experience of military life". The proposal got a cool response from the army, which baulked at the prospect of having to put millions of teens through their paces, prompting the government to come back with proposals for a compulsory civic service instead. Some 2,000 youngsters were chosen out of 4,000 volunteers for the first part of the trial, which started Sunday at boarding schools, holiday villages and university campuses around the country. Each volunteer will leave home ..
Fish imports tested for formalin at Goa border
Five out of thirteen fish-laden trucks checked for formalin were sent back from the border by Goa authorities for lack of proper documentation, an official said Sunday. The trucks were checked at Patradevi and Pollem borders in the north and south of the state late Saturday night, officials said. "Three of five trucks at Patradevi and two out of eight trucks in Pollem were sent back because they did not have proper documentation. No formalin was found in any of the fish tested during the check," an official stated. Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the checks were being conducted by the Quality Council of India assisted by state departments including Food and Drugs Administration. An official said state Food Safety Commissioner Jyoti Sardesai was present at one of the checks on Saturday. The state had seen a scare last year after suspicion that some of the fish imported here was laced with formalin, a potential cancer-causing chemical.
Saudi Arabia wants no war, firm against threat: Crown Prince
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said on Sunday that his country wants no war in the region but will not hesitate to deal with any threat.
Disruptions not good for Parliament, says Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday told floor leaders of parties in Parliament to keep political differences aside and not to disrupt the functioning of the two Houses.