Page 2201 - Politics
Modi extends condolences to France terror attack victims
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his condolences to the victims of a terror attack in France earlier this week when French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian called on him here.
JKUPM protests killings in valley, advocates dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue
Members of the Jammu and Kashmir United Peace Movement (JKUPM) Saturday protested here against the killings in the valley and advocated dialogue to resolve the Kashmir problem. The protesters assembled at Exhibition Ground and staged a peaceful sit-in on a day when seven civilians, three militants and an army soldier were killed and scores of others injured in a gunfight and subsequent protests in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. "We have assembled here to seek an end to the killings, spread the message of peace and highlight the need to maintain communal harmony," chairman JKUPM Himmat Singh Singh told PTI. He said the unabated violence in Kashmir and the loss of human lives on a daily basis should be put to an end which was possible only when the concerned parties start a meaningful dialogue. "Kashmir has become a flashpoint in the sub-continent and a major hurdle in the development of south Asia. Bullet is not a solution to the problem," he said. Former minister Baba Singh said ..
Govt determined to eradicate terrorism in J-K: S P Malik
Asserting that terrorism prevails in the "minds" and "not in guns", Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday said his priority is not to eliminate terrorists but to eradicate terrorism in the state. The Governor, who was here as the chief guest at Sarvoday Inter College in Jawli village, said the whole scenario in Jammu and Kashmir is "different" now. Instead of giving shelter to terrorists, the villagers now help the forces and police to arrest the ultras, Malik said. He unveiled the statue of former village head late Raghuvira Singh, who had donated land for the establishment ofthe first intermediate school in the area. All district administrative heads have been directed to listen to grievances of the villagers in person and to solve them, he said. "Without caring the Governor's protocol, I personally went to meet former chief minister Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti at their residences to seek their help to provide better law and order and progress in the state," ...
Zoramthanga sworn in as Mizoram CM for third time
Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga was Saturday sworn in as Mizoram's new chief minister, heading a 12-member ministry. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor K Rajasekharan during a ceremony at the Raj Bhavan here. The MNF came to power in the state winning 26 of the 40 seats in the state assembly uprooting the Congress from its last bastion in the Northeast. This was Zoramthanga's third stint as chief minister of the northeastern state after having led the party's government in Mizoram in 1998 and 2003. Along with Zoramthanga, 11 others -- five cabinet ministers and six ministers of state -- were also sworn in. The five cabinet ministers are Tawnluia, R Lalthangliana, Lalchamliana, R Lalzirliana and Lalrinsanga. Tawnluia has been designated as the deputy chief minister. He was the rehabilitation minister in the Laldenga government during 1987-88 and home minister for two terms in the Zoramthanga government in 1998 and 2003. The six ministers of ..
Congress steps up heat on Modi government over 'CAG report' on Rafale
A day after the Supreme Court dismissed petitions seeking a probe into the Rafale deal, the political dogfight over the issue intensified with the Congress accusing the Narendra Modi government of "misleading" the apex court that resulted in "factual bloomers" in the judgment. The opposition party demanded that the Attorney General and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) be summoned by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament in this connection.
Palestinians slam Australia's move on Jerusalem
The Palestinian leadership on Saturday described as "irresponsible" Australia's recognition of west Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying it violated international law. The country became one of just a few to follow US President Donald Trump's lead and recognise the contested city as Israel's capital, saying. Australia said it would open a defence and trade office in the west of the holy city and Prime Minister Scott Morrison also committed to recognising a future state of Palestine with east Jerusalem as its capital. Both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital. Most foreign nations avoided moving embassies there to prevent inflaming peace talks on the city's final status -- until Trump unilaterally moved the US embassy there earlier this year. Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said in a statement that the Australian decision to open a trade office in the city violated a United Nations resolution. "From the beginning, we've perceived the Australian ...
HIGHLIGHTS-EASTERN REGION 4.30PM
Following are PTI's top stories from the eastern region at 4.30 pm. TOP NEWS: CAL3 MZ-ZORAMTHANGA-LD CM Zoramthanga sworn in as new Mizoram CM Aizawl: Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga was Saturday sworn in as Mizoram's new chief minister, heading a 12-member ministry. CAL4 BH-RLSP-LEGISLATORS RLSP legislators revolt; declare they will remain in NDA Patna: The RLSP Saturday received a major setback with all its members in the bicameral legislature of Bihar declaring that they were still with the NDA as they accused party president Upendra Kushwaha of pursuing personal interests in announcing a break up with the coalition. CAL5 TR-DEB-RAFALE Rahul Gandhi hatched conspiracy to demean India over Rafale deal: Deb Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has alleged that Congress president Rahul Gandhi "hatched a conspiracy" and opposed the Rafale jet deal with France to demean India's position in the world. CAL6 WB-COURT-DEATH PENALTY Man awarded death ..
SC didn't go into pricing, technical aspects of Rafale; only JPC can probe deal: Congress
The Congress said Saturday the Supreme Court, which gave the government relief in the Rafale jet case, has not gone into the pricing and technical aspects of the aircraft and it is only a joint parliamentary committee that can probe whether there was any irregularity in the deal. At a press conference, Congress leader Kapil Sibal pointed to a part of Friday's judgment in which the Supreme Court said the material placed before it shows the Centre did not disclose in Parliament the pricing details of the fighter jet but revealed it to the Comptroller and Auditor General. The apex court also said the CAG report was even examined by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. Reacting to this, Sibal said Mallikarjun Kharge, the chairman of PAC, has said he never received any such report on Rafale jet. "Who is responsible for this? Who said this? It was the government who said this. How did the attorney general pass the affidavit?" he said. He also rebuked the government for not reading ..
AAP reaching out to Haryana's farmers, traders: Party MP
Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the AAP is trying to reach out to farmers and traders of Haryana who, the party alleged, have been hit badly by the policies of the Manohar Lal Khattar government. The BJP government in Haryana has failed to give justice to the state's farmers and traders. A number of issues related to these sections need urgent attention, Sushil Gupta, AAP's Rajya Sabha member and in-charge of the party's trade wing, said. During his recent visit to the state, AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also raised the issues of farmers and traders. The "poor" condition of schools and hospitals is another important issue in the state, he said. "We are trying to reach out to traders and farmers in Haryana through meetings and rallies in different parts of the state. These two sections have been hit the hardest by the policies of the Khattar government," Gupta said. The recent law and order problems like violence during the Jat agitation and protests over ...
Three terrorists, one Army man killed in encounter in Kashmir's Pulwama
Three terrorists and an Army jawan were killed in a fierce encounter in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, the police and the army said.The encounter in Sirnoo village erupted in the morning after the security forces initiated a cordon and search operation on the basis of an input about presence of terrorists, the army said."Three terrorists eliminated. One soldier got martyred in the operation. Operation in progress," the Army tweeted.More details of the operation are awaited.There were reports about clashes between stone pelters and security forces following the encounter and some civilian casualties in police firing. However, there was no confirmation on this.Former Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah expressed concern over the reported civilian killings."No probe enough to bring back the dead innocent civilians. South Kashmir has been reeling under fear for the last 6 months. Is this what was expected from Gov rule? The admin has failed in securing ...
NGT orders reopening of Vedanta's sterlite plant in Tamil Nadu
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Saturday set aside Tamil Nadu government's order for closing Vedanta Group's sterlite plant at Tuticorin.The NGT decision comes a few months after Tamil Nadu government had ordered Vedanta Group to shut the plant for allegedly causing pollution in the vicinity. Locals had opposed the plant. In the subsequent violence 13 people died.However, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed disappointment over the NGT's verdict, stating that the state government will challenge the green tribunal's ruling in the Supreme Court.NGT has directed Tamil Nadu government to roll-out fresh orders for the renewal of consent for Vedanta's copper smelter plant within a span of three weeks. It has also directed the firm to spend Rs 100 crore in a period of three long years for the welfare of the people residing in nearby areas."We allow this appeal, set aside the impugned orders and direct the TNPCB (Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board) to pass a fresh order of ...
Qatar says Gulf alliance needs replacing
Qatar called Saturday for a new regional alliance following the failure of the four-decade-old Gulf Cooperation Council to resolve an 18-month rift between the emirate and its neighbours. Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the boycott imposed on the emirate by Saudi Arabia and its allies had irreparably damaged the existing six-nation structure set up at the height of the Iran-Iraq war in 1981. "The regional alliance has been undermined by the crisis," Sheikh Mohammed told policymakers at the two-day Doha Forum. "Therefore the alliance that existed needs to be reshaped and redesigned to ensure future stability and security of the region." His comments came after Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, stayed away from the GCC's annual summit in Riyadh last Sunday despite receiving an invitation from its Saudi hosts. The Qatari minister lashed out at the reasons advanced by Saudi Arabia and its allies Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates for imposing ...
Rahul Gandhi hatched conspiracy to demean India over Rafale deal: Deb
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has alleged that Congress president Rahul Gandhi "hatched a conspiracy" and opposed the Rafale jet deal with France to demean India's position in the world. Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Deb said the Supreme Court verdict, dismissing four petitions challenging the deal, proved that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre is an accountable, enterprising and welfare government. "Congress president Rahul Gandhi hatched a conspiracy to demean India's proud position in the world... Congress had a stable government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for 10 years. Why they failed to finalise the Rafale agreement? Who were they talking to? Why were they trying to demoralise our soldiers? Who instigated them to do this?" Deb said Gandhi should seek an apology from people for raising "baseless" questions. At the same press conference, senior BJP leader and Tripura Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath said, "We think there
Russia claims US ignoring outreach on nuclear disagreement
The Russian Defense Ministry says that it wants to sit down with the Pentagon for "open and specific" talks on alleged violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty. The US claims Russia is violating the treaty, and on Dec. 4 issued an ultimatum that Moscow come into compliance with the accord in 60 days, or else Washington will withdraw. Russia denies it's in violation of the treaty. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu sent his counterpart, US Defense Secretary James Mattis, a proposal for launching a dialogue three days ago, according to a statement Saturday. But Russia says it has has not received any official reply from the Pentagon, which spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said proves that the U.S. is unwilling to maintain professional dialogue with Russia on security issues.
Pakistan, China, Afghanistan sign MoU on anti-terrorism cooperation
Pakistan, China and Afghanistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) vis-a-vis anti-terrorism cooperation during a second trilateral ministerial dialogue in Kabul on Saturday.
India, France reiterate resolve to jointly fight terrorism
India and France on Saturday reiterated their resolve to jointly fight the global scourge of terrorism following delegation-level talks headed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian.
France's 'yellow vest' protesters gather on decisive weekend
"Yellow vest" demonstrators began gathering on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Saturday morning for a fifth weekend of protests in defiance of calls by the French government to stay home. President Emmanuel Macron, facing the biggest crisis of his presidency, announced a series of concessions on Monday to defuse the explosive "yellow vest" movement which sprang up in rural and small-town France last month. He is hoping the package of tax and minimum wage measures, coupled with a terror attack on Tuesday night in Strasbourg and bitter winter weather, will help end a month of violent clashes and disruption. The last three Saturdays have been marked by violent demonstrations, with burning barricades, pillaging and clashes with police in cities across France. "Last time, we were here for taxes," a 28-year-old called Jeremy told AFP as he joined others gathering in freezing cold on the Champs-Elysees shortly after 8:00 am (0700 GMT) "This is for the institutions: we want more direct ...
RLSP legislators revolt; declare they will remain in NDA
The RLSP Saturday received a major setback with all its members in the bicameral legislature of Bihar declaring that they were still with the NDA as they accused party president Upendra Kushwaha of pursuing personal interests in announcing a break up with the coalition. Both the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) MLAs-- Sudhanshu Shekhar and Lalan Paswan-- and its lone MLC-Sanjiv Singh Shyam- made a statement to this effect at a joint press conference here. They also pitched for a ministerial berth for Shekhar a first-term MLA and the youngest among the three. We will also approach the Election Commission with the claim that we represent the real RLSP and we enjoy the support of most workers and office-bearers in the party, Shyam said making it clear that the RLSP was heading towards a split. RLSP which fought the 2014 general election as well the 2015 state polls as a NDA constituent has altogether three MPs, including Kushwaha, two MLAs and One MLC in Bihar. While the three ...
MNF back at helm in Mizoram after a decade
Days after ending Congress' 10-year rule in Mizoram, Mizo National Front (MNF) chief Zoramthanga on Saturday took oath as the Chief Minister of the northeastern state for a third term.
PM to visit Rae Bareli tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit on Sunday Rae Bareli, his first trip to the traditional seat of the Gandhi family. He will also visit Allahabad to review preparations for the Kumbh Mela to be held in the city next year. Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party media co-incharge Navin Srivastava told PTI, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Rae Bareli and then he will be in Allahabad." Modi will hold a public meeting and flag off the Humsafar Express on Sunday, an official said. According to district officials, the prime minister will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate projects worth Rs 1,100 crore during the visit. On Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had visited Rae Bareli to oversee preparations for the visit. He also took a tour of the Rail Coach Factory in the district. The prime minister's visit is being seen as a strategy of the BJP to pin the Congress leadership in their respective constituencies in the 2019 general election. Rae Bareli .