Page 1778 - Politics
Mining mafia operates under patronage of Naveen Patnaik, claims Pradhan
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday alleged that the illegal mining mafia in the state operates under the control of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and state Congress president Niranjan Patnaik."The illegal mining mafia in the state operates under the patronage and complete control of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and State Congress president Niranjan Patnaik. Not only this, even the chit fund scamsters are under their control. The time has come when the people of Odisha should put a full stop to their activities," he said while addressing a programme "Jawab Maang Raha Odisha" here at Jajpur."The time has come that we should ask an explanation from this corrupt government," he added.Highlighting the slew of measures taken by the Narendra Modi government, Pradhan said the benefits of these schemes are not reaching the common people of Odisha due to the "corrupt government" in the state. "After the formation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, Odisha got 10 lakh homes .
Protests in Venezuela a 'fight for freedom', says Trump
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke with Venezuela's self-declared interim President Juan Guaido to "congratulate him on his historic assumption of the presidency" and termed the fresh wave of protests in the country as a "fight for freedom".Taking to Twitter, Trump said, "Spoke today with Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaido to congratulate him on his historic assumption of the presidency and reinforced strong United States support for Venezuela's fight to regain its democracy....""....Large protests all across Venezuela today against Maduro. The fight for freedom has begun!" read another tweet. The protests come in the wake of Venezuela's Supreme Court freezing Guaido's bank accounts and imposing a travel ban on him. The country's attorney general also announced that the opposition leader was under investigation. Guaido called for Venezuelans to gather on the streets for two hours on Wednesday in the first mass mobilisation since last week's protests.The UN human rights
Mexico, Uruguay announce conference on Venezuela for 'neutral' countries
Mexico and Uruguay on Wednesday announced they would convene an international conference for countries and bodies with a "neutral position" to discuss the political crisis in Venezuela. The two countries have not recognized the Juan Guaido, the head of the National Assembly legislature who has declared himself acting president in place of leader Nicolas Maduro. The conference, announced on the website of the Uruguayan presidency, is due to take place in Montevideo on February 7. The statement said the two governments were responding "to a call from the secretary-general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, to initiate dialogue." The announcement comes after the Venezuelan opposition rejected any solution to the crisis that leaves Maduro in power. The two countries expect around 10 states and bodies to attend the conference but gave no details on which those might be. The statement said they were "ready to work with those members of the international community... who want to employ
U.S. lawmakers move to curtail president's power to levy tariffs
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday introduced legislation to limit the president's power to levy import tariffs for national security reasons
Uruguay, Mexico to convene international conference over Venezuelan crisis
Uruguay and Mexico will convene an international conference over the Venezuelan political crisis, a statement from Uruguay's Foreign Ministry confirmed.The conference will be held in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo on February 7, Sputnik reported."The governments of Uruguay and Mexico have decided to organize an international conference with the participation of countries and international organizations that share their position (on the Venezuelan crisis)," the statement read.So far, ten countries have confirmed participation in the conference."The goal of the conference is to lay the groundwork for the creation of a new dialogue mechanism, with the inclusion of all Venezuelan (political) forces that would contribute to the return of stability and peace in the country," the statement added.Earlier today, US special envoy for Venezuela Elliot Abrams issued a warning for Venezuela against any action against the country's self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido. His comments came after
Govt to release preliminary information on AIATSL bidding in 10 days
The government is expected to bring out preliminary information memorandum (PIM) for the bidders of Air India Air Transport Services Ltd (AIATSL) in 10 days, sources said on Wednesday.The source further mentioned that Air India divestment plan is not possible during the tenure of the current government, adding that a fresh decision can be made after the new government takes charge.In November last year, the Centre had cleared the decks for the strategic sale of AIATSL by deciding its 100 per cent disinvestment in ownership.Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had decided to proceed with the strategic sale of AIATSL after a ministerial panel meeting.The proceeds from the sale of AIATSL, which is Air India's ground handling arm, would be used to pay off the debt of the national carrier, the Ministry said.
Colombia bars entry to over 200 people for Maduro links: official
Colombia's government barred entry on Wednesday to more than 200 people linked to the Nicolas Maduro "dictatorship" in Venezuela, the migration authority said. The decision forms part of the "measures taken by the Lima Group" of 14 mostly Latin American countries that are "looking for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Venezuela," said Migration Colombia.
JPMorgan CEO: 'No problem' paying higher taxes if used properly
(Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon, who leads one of Wall Street's biggest banks, said on Wednesday that the ultra-rich could afford to pay more taxes as a wider political debate rages over increasing taxes for the wealthy.
BJP rakes up Ram Mandir issue only ahead of elections: K Kavitha
Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) MP K. Kavitha opined that the BJP rakes up the Ram temple issue only when elections are due. "Ram Mandir has become an election issue. BJP has cheated God in the name of building a temple. BJP brings Ram Mandir issue only during the election time. They have also started a new issue by seeking Supreme Court to give the free land around the Ram Mandir to its owners," said Kavitha.She requested the people of the country to grow beyond temple politics and vote for those who will work for the benefit of the country.On Wednesday, Kavitha went live on Twitter to discuss various issues of governance in Telangana and across the country. She also responded to queries from the public under #AskMPKavitha on Twitter.On Priyanka Gandhi entering active politics, she said, "Priyanka had played a guest role so far. Now she has been given a permanent role. I request her that now that she's entered politics and taken a decisive role in Congress, she should work for making .
Maduro ready to hold talks with Opposition
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday said he is ready to hold talks with the US-backed opposition in the presence of international mediators. Having previously dismissed all prospects of talks, the embattled leader told Russia's RIA Novosti news agency that he changed his mind "for Venezuela's peace and its future," Al Jazeera reported.He said talks could be held in the presence of other countries, proposing Mexico, Uruguay, Bolivia, the Vatican and, Russia as potential mediators.Accusing US President Donald Trump of ordering his killing, Maduro said he was aware of the "orders" for Columbian government and the local mafia to carry it out. However, he did not provide any evidence to support his claim. "If something happens to me one day then Donald Trump and Colombian President Ivan Duque will be responsible for everything that is happening to me. At the same time, I am protected. We have a good system of defence in place and moreover, we have more significant protection .
'No turmoil in northeast because of Citizenship Bill'
Brushing aside talks of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, putting the BJP on the backfoot in the northeast, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Wednesday alleged that some organisations "lacking in any support base" were misleading people on the issue for "personal gains".
Union Minister Hegde mocks Rahul as 'hybrid breed'
Stepping his barbs at Congress leaders, firebrand Union Minister from Karnataka Anantkumar Hegde on Wednesday mocked its President Rahul Gandhi as a hybrid breed, born to a Muslim father and a Christian mother.
Europe stands against May's bid to rewrite Brexit
European leaders moved Wednesday to head off British Prime Minister Theresa May's bid to rewrite the Brexit divorce deal, warning they will not budge. Having thrown out the exit deal May negotiated with the EU, divided British lawmakers voted Tuesday to send her back to get an Irish border "backstop" clause removed. May seized on this as a chance to prevent Britain crashing out of the European Union on March 29 without an agreement, vowing to return to Brussels to demand changes to the text. But even she admits she faces a formidable challenge convincing Brussels to re-open an accord that took 18 excruciating months to conclude, and European leaders are so far united in dismissing any such manoeuvre. "It's an extraordinary situation when a prime minister and a government negotiates a deal and then goes back and during the ratification process votes against their own deal," Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney told RTE radio. "That's like saying in a negotiation, 'Well either you give .
Called Modi 'sir' to satisfy his ego: Chandrababu
Targetting Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said he addressed him as 'sir' to satisfy his ego for the sake of the state.
Casteist policies aiming to eliminate SCs, STs, OBCs from higher education: Lalu
RJD national president Lalu Prasad Wednesday charged the Narendra Modi government with adopting "casteist policies" to keep SC, ST and OBC people from higher education. The RJD supremo, who is serving sentences in a number of fodder scam cases, vented his spleen through his official Twitter handle which is operated by his close aides. His outburst came a day ahead of his party's proposed march in the national capital in protest against the UGC's 13-point roster reservation system, which parties like the RJD allege would deprive the already "under-represented" social segments of affirmative action in centres of higher learning. The RJD has also been accusing the Modi government of dithering on the issue with its refusal to bring in an ordinance that could overturn the recent Supreme Court judgement on the UGC's decision. "Do not eliminate SC/ST, OBC from higher education due to your casteist policies. Save education. Save Constitution. Save reservation," Prasad tweeted using the ...
Even in troubled times, nothing can take away beauty of Kashmir: Rohit Bal (IANS Interview)
The silver lining in the dark cloud of insurgency, conflict and militarisation in Kashmir lies in its beauty, says veteran designer Rohit Bal who paid a fitting tribute to his birthplace with a fashion show, where he let a group of Kashmiri women take the spotlight.
Trump calls US intelligence chiefs 'passive, naive' after they contradict him on Iran, N Korea
President Donald Trump on Wednesday called US intelligence chiefs "extremely passive and naive" and advised them to go back to school after they contradicted him on threats posed by Iran, North Korea and ISIS during congressional testimony. The heads of the various American intelligence agencies including National Intelligence Director Dan Coats, CIA Director Gina Haspel and FBI Director Christopher Ara during a Senate hearing on world-wide threat assessment differed with the president on many issues including Iran, North Korea and ISIS. They told a Senate committee on Tuesday that the nuclear threat from North Korea persists and that Iran is not taking steps towards making a nuclear bomb, conclusions that contrasted starkly with Trump's assessments of those countries. Asserting that Iran's nuclear programme remains dangerous, Trump tweeted, "The Intelligence people seem to be extremely passive and naive when it comes to the dangers of Iran. They are wrong! When I became President, ..
BJP slams Rahul, accuses him of lying
The BJP on Wednesday came down heavily on Congress President Rahul Gandhi after Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar accused him of using a visit to an "ailing man" for politicial end and alleged the Opposition leader of being insensitive.
Angry India tells Pakistan to lay off from J&K
A very angry India told Pakistan on Wednesday to lay off on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir after a telephone conversation between Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.
Budget session expected to be stormy
The opposition will seek to corner the BJP-led NDA on a range of issues including Rafale, problem of farmers and unemployment during the Budget session of Parliament beginning Thursday with the government expected to push its legislative agenda that includes the triple talaq bill and citizenship (amendment) bill.