Page 1820 - Politics
India, Pak in contact on Kartarpur corridor issue: Bisaria
Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria has said that the two sides were in contact on the Kartarpur corridor issue and that New Delhi has already appointed a focal person for the purpose. He made the remarks on Saturday night during an informal interaction with the media personnel invited to attend the reception to celebrate the 70th Republic Day of India. Bisaria said India had consented to the basic points about the Kartarpur corridor except for its zero-point. He said both the countries were in contact over Kartarpur corridor. "So many meetings have taken place on this matter (Kartarpur corridor)," he said. But he ruled out any quick resumption of talks due to upcoming election in India. "Because of (upcoming) elections in India, the bilateral political contacts might be difficult for now," he said. He went on to say that trust-building was important before resuming political dialogue between the two countries. He said a delegation from Pakistani water commission will ...
Venezuelan military officer defects from Maduro government
A Venezuelan military officer publicly defected from the government of President Nicolas Maduro, provoking a swift response from defence leaders, amid an ongoing political turmoil in the South American country.
Sikh separatists protest in front of Indian Embassy in US
A small group of Sikh separatists held a protest in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington during which they tried to burn the tricolour on the Republic Day, a move slammed by the local Sikh community. Organised by New York-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), the protesters raised "Khalistan Zindabaad" slogans and tried to burn the Indian flag in the presence of a battery of reporters from the local Pakistani media. However, the SFJ supporters were outnumbered by Indian-Americans raising 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogans with Indian flags flying high in their hand. Around 2.30 pm on Saturday, the members of the SFJ in front of a group of Pakistani reporters and cameramen tried to burn the Indian flag. They ended up burning a green flag that had 'S' written on it. With passions running high between Indian-Americans and protesters, the local law enforcement officials had warned against any attempt to burn the Indian flag. In fact, they sought additional security personnel
Pro-Khalistan supporters fail to shout down Indian Republic Day celebrations in Washington
The demonstration by the fringe group outside the Indian Embassy in Washington DC was attended by only around 12-15 people. They were completely outnumbered by flag-waving and enthusiastic Indians, sources said.Visual footage from the event showed as false the fringe separatist group claim of having burnt an Indian flag outside the Indian Embassy.Indian Ambassador Harsh Shringla interacted and greeted people who gathered for the celebrations.As per US law, raising slogans and demonstrating or 'desecration' of flags is not unlawful. ISI funded pro Khalistan groups have misused this freedom for decades in attempts to embarrass Indian events.However, because they are so few in number and have no support from the Sikh expat community which participate in all community events, protests by these groups fail every timeThe Sikh community who turned up in strength at the event also condemned the "theatrical protests" by the fringe separatist group calling it "detrimental to the peace-loving ...
Canadian ambassador to China fired after comments on Huawei CFO's extradition
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday confirmed the firing of the country's ambassador to China over comments on the US' request to extradite Huawei executive Meng Wangzhou.In a statement, Trudeau stated he had sought and received the resignation of Ambassador John McCallum, a report on South China Morning Post, in partnership with POLITICO, confirmed. The sacking comes after McCallum criticised the US' request for extraditing Meng, following which he issued an apology, and then commented on the case yet again. He told The Toronto Star that it would be "great for Canada" if the US dropped charges against the tech giants' CFO and deputy chairperson.McCullum's comments cast shadows of doubts over whether Canada was in opposition to the US' charges against Wangzhou, who was arrested in December last year from Vancouver, and if the Trudeau government was sending different messages in Ottawa and Beijing.Trudeau confirmed that Jim Nickel, McCullum's deputy head of mission, ...
Shivpal Yadav to contest 2019 elections from Firozabad
Shivpal Yadav, Chief of Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party-Lohia (PSPL), is all set to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh.Akshay Yadav, the son of SP leader Ramgopal Yadav, is presently the Member of Lok Sabha from Firozabad parliamentary seat. Addressing a gathering here on Saturday, the PSPL chief took a jibe at Akhilesh and BSP supremo Mayawati, who entered into an alliance recently, asking how the SP Chief refers to Mayawati as "bua" (paternal aunt) when neither he nor SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav ever made her their sister. The SP-BSP alliance in Uttar-Pradesh is often dubbed as "Bua-Bhatija" alliance, however, it is perceived as a formidable force to counter BJP in the upcoming elections. The alliance has kept both Congress and Shivpal Yadav-led PSPL out of its fold. "Neither Neta ji (Mulayam) had made her (Mayawati) his sister, neither had I made her my sister, then how did she become Akhilesh'sBua?" asked Shivpal.Slamming the SP-BSP alliance, ...
'Significant progress' on talks with Taliban, says US envoy
The US has made "significant progress" in its peace talks with the Taliban to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan, a top Trump Administration official has said. However, Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, cautioned that nothing has been finalised yet. Afghanistan-born Khalilzad said this in a series of tweets after six days of talks with the Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar. He now heads to Kabul for consultations with the elected Afghan government. "After six days in Doha, I'm headed to Afghanistan for consultations. Meetings here were more productive than they have been in the past. We made significant progress on vital issues," he said Saturday. "Will build on the momentum and resume talks shortly. We have a number of issues left to work out. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and 'everything' must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive ceasefire," Khalilzad said. The top American diplomat thanked Qatar for ...
Venezuela crisis: European leaders oppose Maduro's presidency
The Prime Minister of Spain announced his government would officially recognize the legitimacy of the speaker of Venezuela's National Assembly who recently proclaimed himself president of the South American nation unless the current government calls a new election within the next eight days.
Singapore prez & PM congratulate Indians on Republic Day
The longstanding friendship between Singapore and India continues to expand with each passing year, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 70th Republic Day. "Your two visits to Singapore last year gave strong momentum to our Strategic Partnership, especially in new areas of cooperation such as FinTech and innovation," Lee said on Modi's visits to Singapore in 2018. The conclusion of the Second Review of Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement last June provided a conducive framework for the two countries' agencies and companies to strengthen trade and economic linkages, Lee said. "The launch of the Third Review in September 2018 reflected our two countries' mutual commitment to enhance our partnership amidst a rapidly changing world. These initiatives and our many other cooperation platforms will bring Singapore-India relations to greater heights," he wrote in the letter on Saturday. "As India celebrates this ...
Turkish military shoot, wound 3 Iraqi civilians who attacked military base
Three Iraqi civilians were shot and wounded by Turkish troops after scores of protesters stormed a Turkish military base in Northern Iraq on Saturday.Civilians near Duhuk city in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region protested against Turkish air strikes against civilians in the northern part of the country, a senior security official told CNN.Around 300 protesters attacked the military base in the town of al-Amadiya and set two military tanks ablaze.Turkey has been conducting air strikes in the Kurdistan region, claiming to be targeting Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants. Official statistics released by local authorities in the Kurdish region confirmed that the Turkish bombings claimed the lives of 36 people.Turkey has long fought the PKK, a banned Kurdish group who are responsible for major terror attacks in Turkey as part of its push for autonomy. Both the United Nations and the United States have branded the PKK a terrorist group.Turkey's Defence Ministry took note of the ...
Hezbollah leader warns Israel over attacks in Syria
The head of the militant Hezbollah group in Lebanon has warned Israel over its continued attacks in Syria, saying a miscalculation could drag the region into a war. Hassan Nasrallah made the comment during a wide-ranging interview that lasted more than three hours with the Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV station late on Saturday. Nasrallah said Iran, Syria and Hezbollah could "at any moment" decide to deal differently with Israel's actions in Syria and hinted that Tel Aviv might be a target. Addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said: "Be cautious. Don't continue what you are doing in Syria. Don't miscalculate and don't drag the region into a war or a major confrontation." Nasrallah said circumstances in the region have changed as Iran and its allies, including his group, expand their influence in the region. This means any war can be on more than one front, Nasrallah warned. Israel has recently increased its attacks on suspected Iranian military targets in Syria, ...
US calls to 'stand with freedom' in Venezuela as EU gives ultimatum
The United States pressed all nations Saturday to "stand with the forces of freedom" in Venezuela, encouraged by a tougher European line as Russia stood in the minority in backing embattled leader Nicolas Maduro. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a forceful case at a special session of the United Nations Security Council, where he described Maduro as part of an "illegitimate mafia state" responsible for Venezuela's economic collapse. With mounting protests over Venezuela's crisis in which more than two million have fled shortages of basic food and medicine, Pompeo asked all nations to follow the US in recognising opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president. "Now it is time for every other nation to pick a side. No more delays, no more games. Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you're in league with Maduro and his mayhem," Pompeo said. He also urged all countries to end financial transactions with Maduro's government, which has struggled to pay bills despite
Protesters storm Turkish base in north Iraq, teenager killed
Angry protesters stormed a Turkish military base in northern Iraq, burning Turkish military vehicles and leading to a confrontation that left one teenager killed and 10 injured, according to officials in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region. The protesters were demonstrating on Saturday against a recent Turkish air raid that killed six civilians, the officials said. A video obtained by The Associated Press showed a crowd of protesters who appeared to be mostly in their 20s inside the base in the town of Shaladze. Some tried to smash the door of what appeared to be a warehouse at the base with a rock while another tried to destroy a Turkish tank with a hammer. Fire and smoke could be seen rising from military vehicles. A statement by the Kurdish Regional Government, or KRG, expressed regret for the loss of life and extended sympathy to the families of the victims. The statement said it will investigate the incident and punish those behind the chaos and sabotage. Turkey's Defense ...
Name new Mandovi bridge after Manohar Parrikar: Goa Tamil Sangam
The Goa Tamil Sangam has urged Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to name the new Mandovi bridge in Panaji after Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.S. Shivaraman, the General Secretary of all India Tamil Sanga Peravai Association, told ANI that a delegation of the association handed over the appeal letter on behalf of the Goa Tamil Sangam to North Goa MP Shripad Naik on Saturday."We, the Goa Tamilians request your good self to kindly consider our proposal to name the new Mandovi bridge as Shri Manohar Parrikar Bridge," read a letter written to Gadkari.Goa Tamil Sangam claims to be the only association in Goa for the socio and cultural activities for around 10,000 Tamilians in Goa."Most of the people in Goa are deeply touched and remembered the good infrastructure and development work carried out by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the great visionary man. Irrespective of the party and political affinity most of them in Goa liked him and pray for his good health .
Russia to host internal Palestinian dialogue on reconciliation: Official
A senior Palestinian official has announced that Russia will host and sponsor an internal Palestinian dialogue in Moscow on reconciliation and ending internal division in mid February.
Trudeau sacks Canadian envoy to China after Huawei controversy
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday said he had sought and accepted the resignation of Ottawa's ambassador to China, days after the diplomat sparked controversy with criticism of the US extradition request for a top Huawei executive. "Last night I asked for and accepted John McCallum's resignation as Canada's Ambassador to China," Trudeau said in a statement that did not explain why the decision had been taken. McCallum has been making headlines in recent days over comments regarding Meng Wanzhou, Chinese giant Huawei's chief financial officer who was arrested in Vancouver on December 1 and is facing extradition to the United States. Accused of fraud linked to violations of American sanctions on Iran, she is out on bail, but her arrest has sparked an escalating diplomatic crisis between Ottawa and Beijing. McCallum briefed lawmakers Tuesday on the plight of two Canadians detained in China and a third placed on death row in what are widely seen as retaliatory moves by ...
Supporters, conservatives slam Trump for caving in on govt shutdown
US President Donald Trump has drawn the ire of supporters and Republicans alike after he ended his demand for Congress to fund the proposed wall along the Mexican border.Trump demanded the House of Representatives, controlled by the Democrats, to sanction USD 5.7 billion for the wall in exchange for his signature on a bill funding federal agencies, according to AL Jazeera.The US President's refusal to sign the bill unless the House sanctioned the funds resulted in the 35-day long government shutdown, the longest in history.Among his many critics was anti-immigration pundit Ann Coulter, who called Trump a "wimp"."Good news for George Herbert Walker Bush: As of today, he is no longer the biggest wimp ever to serve as President of the United States," Coulter wrote in a tweet.Far-right activists Mike Cernovic and Paul Joseph Watson also chipped in, with the former terming the President a "broken man" and the latter saying that his base was in "complete meltdown".Following the ...
Venezuela crisis: Pompeo urges countries to 'pick a side'
US Secretary of State Micheal Pompeo called on countries to "pick a side" in the Venezuelan political crisis and urged them to support opposition leader Juan Guaido while appealing for free and fair elections to be held in the South American country at the earliest."Now, it is time for every other nation to pick a side. No more delays, no more games. Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you're in league with (Nicolas) Maduro and his mayhem," Al Jazeera quoted Pompeo as saying while addressing the UN Security Council on Saturday.Pompeo's remarks came in the wake of the US and its regional allies recognising Guaido as the President and calling for President Maduro to step down."We call on all members of the Security Council to support Venezuela's democratic transition and interim President Guaido's role in it," Pompeo added.Meanwhile, Russia has accused the US of planning a coup attempt and opposed Washington's efforts. Earlier, Russia unsuccessfully attempted to stop the ...
Mamata is on the back foot: Bengal BJP chief
Taking at dig at West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, the BJP on Saturday said she was gathering "people from all over the country" after realising her inability to take on the saffron party.
Goa minister hits out at MGP for demanding his sacking
Goa minister Govind Gawade on Saturday hit out at ruling coalition partner MGP for demanding his sacking from the cabinet. The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), a constituent in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Goa government, had on Friday alleged that Gawade, an Independent MLA, had verbally abused its leader and minister Sudin Dhavalikar and demanded his sacking from the cabinet. MGP executive president Narayan Sawant had claimed that Gawade had verbally abused Dhavalikar over a disagreement on some issue during a state cabinet meeting held on Thursday. Gawade is Goa's art and culture minister, while Dhavalikar holds the transport portfolio. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Gawade said Sawant was like a "dog who only knows how to bark". The Independent MLA also said he was ready to face the MGP. "I am ready to face them anywhere. Let them accept the challenge," Gawade said, reacting to the MGP's demand to sack him from the cabinet. He then targeted Sawant, who had said .