Page 2167 - Politics
India plans levy on petrol, diesel cars to boost EV demand: report
(Reuters) - The government has drafted a plan to levy a fee of 12,000 rupees ($171.09) on new petrol and diesel cars in an attempt to boost the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EV) and battery-driven automobiles, the Times of India reported https://bit.ly/2BumL88 on Wednesday.
No leadership change in BJP for 2019 polls: Amit Shah
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Wednesday categorically denied any leadership change and said that the ruling NDA will contest the 2019 elections under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Amid Chinese inroads, Pompeo meets Nepal foreign minister
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a rare meeting with Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali as part of the Trump administration's effort to thwart increasing Chinese influence in the Himalayan nation. Pompeo described his meeting on Tuesday with Gyawali as historic and said this demonstrates America's commitment to its strong partnership with Nepal. He emphasised the great potential for further development of the US-Nepal ties, State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said. During the meeting, Pompeo highlighted the enduring strength of the US-Nepal partnership and the close people-to-people ties that form the foundation of the relationship. "The two leaders discussed Nepal's USD 500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation compact, Nepal's central role in a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, and global issues, including North Korea," Palladino said. The meeting came amidst China's foray into the land-locked Himalayan nation where Beijing has been investing .
Rajya Sabha proceedings washed out for seventh day
The proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were washed out for the seventh day Wednesday after the opposition and treasury benches clashed over the Rafale deal and Tamil parties protested over the Cauvery issue. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day after Congress members holding placards seeking a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the Rafale deal trooped into the well of the House soon after official papers were laid on the table. They joined members of the AIADMK and DMK who have been trooping to the well of the House over the Cauvery issue ever since the Winter Session of Parliament began on December 11. Treasury benches countered the Congress by raising banners seeking an apology from Congress President Rahul Gandhi following the Supreme Court clean chit to the Rafale deal. Amid the uproar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel demanded that Congress deputy leader Anand Sharma withdraw the remarks made by him in the House on Tuesday. Goel said Sharma had ...
Expelled PDP leader joins NC
A day after he was expelled from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Minister Basharat Bukhari on Wednesday joined the National Conference (NC).
Uproar in LS, adjourned till noon
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 p.m. on Wednesday after the opposition created ruckus over different issues including the Rafale deal.
BJP's arrogance among reasons to leave NDA, LJP must also quit: Upendra Kushwaha
Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha on Wednesday asserted that arrogance of BJP and Nitish Kumar were one of the reasons behind leaving the NDA and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) should also follow suit.In an exclusive conversation with ANI, Kushwaha said, "People of NDA have become arrogant, particularly in the context of Bihar such as Nitish Kumar, who is also being supported by the key leadership of BJP. Their conceit was somewhere a big reason behind us getting away from them. Others would also not be safe from this arrogance for long. Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) must also come out of alliance as soon as possible. These people have decided to destroy small parties and if LJP has also started to feel the same, they must exit the alliance at the earliest."He also launched a scathing attack on Bihar government and asserted that it has completely failed to fulfill the expectations of people."Janta Dal (United) and BJP have governed Bihar for about 13-14 years now. There ..
NRC must be implemented throughout India demands AIUDF
All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) Badruddin Ajmal on Wednesday demanded that National Register of Citizens (NRC) must be implemented all over India and its scope should not remain limited to Assam only.Speaking to ANI, Ajmal said, "We have always maintained that if NRC has to be implemented, it must be all over the country. If there are infiltrators, they are not only in Assam but all over the country. Sometimes they are caught in Gujarat, Delhi or Lucknow. If this is for foreign infiltrators, NRC must be in all over the country, this is our demand."His remarks come in wake of MoS Home Affairs, Hansraj Ahir's written reply in Lok Sabha in which he has said that NRC will be limited to Assam for now.Reminding BJP of its promise, AIUDF Chief added, "BJP President Amit Shah during the election campaign said that NRC will be implemented all over the country. It is wrong to claim that 40 Lakh Bangladeshi's have been made to leave to the country. Many names have appeared in the NRC ..
Nikki Haley gets slammed for hostility towards Palestine
Outgoing US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has come under heavy criticism from Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN Riyad Mansour for her hostility towards the Palestinian people.
Gujarat government writes off Rs 650 cr rural electricity bills
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Gujarat government has announced to write off electricity bills of connection holders in rural areas to the tune of Rs 650 crore.Gujarat Energy Minister Saurabh Patel informed that 6.22 lakh people would benefit from the move."We are announcing a one-time settlement scheme. Today, electricity connection of around 6.22 lakh consumers has been cut; they can deposit Rs 500 under a one-time settlement scheme and get back their connection. In urban areas both BPL and non-BPL families will be able to avail this benefit, industries will not be given this benefit. The government will have to bear a burden of Rs 625 crore," the minister said.The announcement came a day after the Congress party has announced loan waivers for farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh within hours of forming the government. This move by the Congress government in both states has put the BJP governments at the Centre and states under pressure ahead of the Lok Sabha elections ..
Cuba decides scraps same-sex marriage law in new constitution: official
Cuba will leave out of its new Constitution changes that would have paved the way for legal same-sex marriage, despite majority support in local assemblies, a government official said. The measure, which had majority support across the Communist-ruled island, would have changed the definition of parties in a marriage from man and wife to "between to people." But "the draft Constitution will not define which parties enter into a marriage... So that is now out of constitutional reform discussions overall," Council of State secretary and drafting coordinator Homero Acosta was quoted as saying by state media.
Britain beefs up security for a no-deal Brexit possibility
The United Kingdom has readied 3,500 troops, who are on standby, in case of a no-deal Brexit, with a parliamentary vote on the Withdrawal Agreement coming up on January 14, 2019."We've as yet not had any formal request from any government department but what we are doing is putting contingency plans in place," UK's Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson told the House of Commons on Tuesday (local time).He further said that the 3,500 service personnel would be on standby to help any government department in the face of a contingency, according to CNN.UK Prime Minister has until now survived one no-confidence motion against her while another motion was tabled by the Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, in the Commons on December 17.Meanwhile, the UK government has started preparing for the possibility of no-deal with the European Union (EU) and will start sending out advice to businesses and households that will be affected by the withdrawal.Corbyn had earlier described the agreement as
Belgium's PM Charles Michel resigns
Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel announced his resignation from the post on Tuesday (local time).Calls for his resignation were made on December 16 when over 5,500 anti-migration protestors took to the streets in Brussels to demonstrate against Belgium being a signatory to the non-binding UN pact, the 'Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration'.They claimed that the pact would boost migration to the European Union (EU), which has strict migratory policies. The police had to resort to using water cannon and tear gas to disperse crowds that had gotten violent after being asked to leave, according to France 24.Counter-protests also took in the city at the same time in support of the UN agreement, that was worked on after a million migrants arrived in Europe in 2015 after fleeing war and strife in their nations.Before this, the far-right N-VA party had pulled out from the coalition government in protest of the Prime Minister's decision to sign the UN pact on migration,
Saira Banu 'begs' PM Modi to protect Dilip Kumar's house from land mafia
Saira Banu, wife of legendary actor Dilip Kumar on Tuesday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention, following the release of builder Samir Bhojwani who had been arrested for usurping their Pali Hill bungalow in Mumbai.Calling on to the Prime Minister, the veteran actress took to her husband's twitter handle and registered her plea. She also expressed her disappointment over Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' failure to deliver in the matter .Saira tweeted, "Request from Saira Banu Khan: To the Hon'ble @PMOIndia Shri @narendramodi Awaiting for an appointment. I am tired of repeated assurances from CM @Dev_Fadnavis "I AM TRYING"Sir you are the last hope of protecting DILIP SAHAB's only house from Land Mafia Samir Bhojwani. I beg."On December 17, Saira had tweeted requesting a meeting with Prime Minister Modi.After Saira's tweet to Prime Minister Modi, an official from the office of Fadnavis said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) took note of the issue. Fadnavis ...
'US confirms pull out from INF treaty'
The United States of America will pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, confirmed Russia's deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.According to RT, Ryabkov said, "Washington publicly announced its plans to withdraw from the treaty (INF) already in October. Through high-level bilateral channels it was confirmed to us that this decision was final and wasn't an attempt to initiate dialogue.""We'll be forced to come up with effective compensating measures. I'd like to warn against pushing the situation towards the eruption of new missile crisis. I am convinced that no sane country could be interested in something like this," he added.He further underlined that Moscow would take retaliatory measures if the US were to station missiles in Europe that threatened their security."Russia isn't threatening anybody, but have the necessary strength and means to counter any aggressor," Ryabkov said, according to RT.US President Donald Trump, in October this year, had ...
40 IAS officers transferred in Rajasthan
In a first bureaucratic reshuffle after forming the government, the newly-elected Congress government in Rajasthan has transferred as many as 40 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers.As per the official release, Kuldeep Ranka, who was principal secretary of tourism and forest department, has been now appointed as principal secretary to the Chief Minister. Ranka has replaced Tanmay Kumar who has been appointed as commissioner Irrigation Command area development in Bikaner.However, Ajitabh Sharma and Rajan Vishal have been appointed as secretary and joint secretary to the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.Among other senior IAS officers, additional chief secretary, excise and taxation, Mukesh Sharma, has been appointed as chairman of the Revenue Board in Ajmer, and additional chief secretary Rajeeva Swarup, who was the chief at the industries department, will now head the home department.
Iraq PM to fill up cabinet berths at parliament session on Thursday
Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi said that he will complete filling his 22 cabinet members at next parliament session slated for Thursday despite intense political differences.
Karnataka Congress legislators lobby for cabinet posts
Ahead of the cabinet expansion of the coalition government in the state on December 22, several party legislators are lobbying for their inclusion with party's leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, said an official.
Putin: Russia has enough missiles without violating treaty
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday rejected the US claim that Russia developed a new cruise missile in violation of a key nuclear treaty, arguing that Russia has no need for such a land-based weapon because it already has similar missiles on its ships and aircraft. Washington warned this month it would suspend its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in 60 days if Russia did not return to full compliance. The US claims the 9M729 cruise missile breaches the INF, which bans all land-based cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (300 to 3,400 miles.) Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusation. Speaking to Russia's top military brass Tuesday, Putin rejected the US claim of developing a land-based cruise missile, saying Russia now has similar air- and sea-launched weapons to do the job. Putin said the Russian military has successfully tested air-launched Kh-101 and sea-launched Kalibr cruise missiles with a range of 4,500 ...
French police move against last 'yellow vests' redoubts
French police cleared "yellow vest" protesters from several occupied roads on Tuesday as President Emmanuel Macron looked to turn the page on more than a month of often violent anti-government protests. Police removed protesters and makeshift wooden huts from roads and roundabouts in Normandy in the north, Brittany in the west and the central Burgundy region. The operations early on Tuesday were carried out without any trouble, but violence was reported overnight Monday in the south of France where a motorway toll booth was set on fire near the town of Bandol. Dozens of police have been injured during the protests, which began over fuel taxes and declining living standards and quickly ballooned into a revolt against the political establishment and big business. Eight people have died in incidents linked to the demonstrations. On Tuesday, parliament passed an amendment to the 2019 budget which grants each police officer involved in "yellow vest" protests a bonus of 300 euros (USD ...