Page 221 - Politics
Xi, Modi may discuss US' 'trade protectionism' at SCO Summit: China
China on Monday hoped that President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would discuss their respective trade frictions with the US and the two "good friends" could reach a consensus on opposing "trade protectionism" during their very important meeting during the SCO summit in Bishkek this week. This year's summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will be held in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek on June 13-14 where Modi and Xi are scheduled to meet and discuss bilateral and international issues. The meeting assumes significance as this is the first meeting between the two leaders after Modi-led BJP's massive victory in the recent elections in India. Xi had congratulated Modi on his re-election through a letter on May 23. "Once again we congratulate Prime Minister Modi. President Xi and Prime Minister Modi are good friends. They had very successful informal summit at Wuhan last year," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui told a media briefing here answering a ...
SC declines pleas to modify directions on PG medical courses admission in Maharashtra
The Supreme Court Monday refused to entertain applications seeking modification of its June 4 directions related to admissions to post graduate medical and dental courses in the 2019-20 academic year in Maharashtra. A vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and Ajay Rastogi said the seats available after the apex court's order staying the notification to grant 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections (EWS), should be filled strictly according to merit. Advocate Nishant R Katneshwarkar, appearing for the Maharashtra government, and the counsel representing the state's Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell told the bench that they were following the law laid down by the top court in the admission process for PG medical and dental courses. One of the applications filed by some students in the court had sought modification of direction passed by the apex court in its June 4 order by which it had said no further plea on admissions to PG medical and dental courses in 2019-20 ...
Pope says wants to visit Iraq in 2020
Pope Francis said Monday he wants to visit Iraq as early as next year in spite of the security conditions. "An insistent thought accompanies me when I think about Iraq, where I want to go next year, so that it can look to the future through peaceful and shared participation in the construction of the common good," Francis told a Vatican audience. The pope voiced hope that Iraq "does not return to the tensions which come from the never-ending conflicts between regional powers." Iraq has been a battleground for competing forces, including the jihadist Islamic State group, since the US-led ouster of president Saddam Hussein in 2003. Vatican number two Cardinal Pietro Parolin warned in January that a papal trip to Iraq imposed a "minimum of conditions" that "are not currently met". Discussing terrorism, the Vatican secretary of state said the Iraqi authorities confirmed that "the roots of this phenomenon are still present". Francis has made boosting ties between Christianity and Islam a ..
UN labour organisation celebrates 100 years of unity
The UN's labour organisation is touting its 100-year anniversary as a symbol of multilateral cooperation, as key world leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron prepare to join the celebration. Director-General Guy Ryder of the International Labour Organisation, which has its roots in the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, stressed its staying power is due partly to its "tripartite" structure uniting labor groups, business leaders and governments. He said: "Today, there is still too much division in the world, too much turmoil, and dialogue and understanding in and between countries seems frequently to elude us." Ryder spoke Monday as the ILO's annual conference began. Many heads of state are to speak to the assembly on Monday and Tuesday.
Priti Patel backs Boris Johnson as British PM race gathers pace
Indian-origin Conservative Party MP Priti Patel, a vocal pro-Brexiteer who was among the candidates many expected to also contest, on Monday threw her support behind Boris Johnson instead. Patel's decision came as the race for a new British Prime Minister to succeed Theresa May gathered pace on Monday, the deadline for all the candidates to file their nominations. Johnson, a former foreign secretary in the Theresa May Cabinet, is seen as a frontrunner to take over as Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister. Patel, a former UK international development minister, said that she believes Johnson is also the right candidate to strengthen Britain's bond with countries like India. Boris Johnson will bring a spirit of optimism and the ability to lift our standing in the world by strengthening the living bridge between our two great nations, said the 47-year-old Patel. It is about time that we strengthen the political bonds between UK and India, following the recent decline. We must grow .
Top Iran diplomat warns US it cannot 'expect to stay safe'
Iran's foreign minister warned the US on Monday that it "cannot expect to stay safe" after launching what he described as an economic war against Tehran, taking a hard-line stance amid a visit by Germany's top diplomat seeking to defuse tensions. A stern-faced Mohammad Javad Zarif offered a series of threats over the ongoing tensions gripping the Persian Gulf. The crisis takes root in President Donald Trump's decision over a year ago to withdraw America from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Trump also reinstated tough sanctions on Iran, targeting its oil sector. "Trump himself has announced that the US has launched an economic war against Iran," Zarif said. "The only solution for reducing tensions in this region is stopping that economic war." He also warned: "Whoever starts a war with us will not be the one who finishes it." For his part, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas insisted his country and other European nations want to find a way to salvage the nuclear deal, which
11 Tory leaders in PM race; many reveal drug abuse
As many as 11 Tory leaders have thrown their hats in the ring to become the leader of the Conservative Party and, therefore Prime Minister, following the resignation of Theresa May.
MHA advisory deep-rooted conspiracy by BJP to grab power in oppn-ruled states: TMC
The Trinamool Congress Monday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleging that the MHA advisory to the West Bengal government is a "deep-rooted conspiracy" by the BJP and an "evil ploy to grab power" in opposition-ruled states. The BJP, however, termed the allegations baseless and claimed that the law-and-order situation in the state has completely broken down. TMC secretary general and West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, in a letter, claimed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has drawn conclusions without verifying the ground reality or taking a report from the state government. "We, on behalf of the Trinamool Congress, lodge our strong objection to the advisory issued by the MHA and urge that the same be withdrawn forthwith," he said. In the advisory sent to the West Bengal government on Sunday, a day after BJP and TMC workers clashed in Sandeshkhali area of North Parganas district, the MHA had expressed "deep concern" over the continuing post-poll violence in the state, and .
No way to verify if PoK terror camps closed, will continue to maintain strict vigil: Gen Rawat
"There is now way to verify whether the Pakistan Army has closed the terrorist camps there (in PoK) or not. We will not take chances and continue to maintain a strict vigil along our borders," General Rawat told ANI when asked if the Army had any information about Pakistan having shut down its terrorist camps in PoK.The Army Chief was speaking on the sidelines of a function where he met with over 140 children and teachers from Jammu and Kashmir who are on a multi-city tour organised by the Army.Reports today suggested that the Pakistan Army shut down its key terror infrastructure, including over a dozen training camps across the Line of Control.The development, the reports suggested, have taken place ahead of anti-terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) plenary meeting next week where Pakistan faces the possibility of being blacklisted for non-compliance.On the issue of infiltration attempts by Pakistan, top Army sources said there has not been any serious attempt by ...
India to hold bilaterals with Russia, China on SCO sidelines; No talks scheduled with Pak
India will hold bilateral meetings with Russia and China on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit at Bishkek this week, the Ministry of External Affairs stated during a press briefing on Monday.The bilaterals will take place when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek to attend the meeting of Council of Heads of State (CHS) of SCO from June 13 to 14.The MEA also revealed that India would be holding a meeting with host nation Kyrgyzstan on June 14.Responding to a question regarding a probable India-Pakistan meeting, or even a bilateral between India and Iran, the Secretary (West), Gitesh Sarma, said that there is limited time available due to which "requests for other bilaterals will be processed as we go along."However, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar firmly outlined that no meeting between India and Pakistan is being organised."Issues of terrorism are likely to be discussed. SCO has a well-oiled mechanism. While all documents ...
SCO not a forum to target any country: China (2nd Lead)
China on Monday said the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit is not a forum to target a country, in an apparent reference to India's likelihood to slam Islamabad on terror at the event to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Problem not with EVM or VVPAT but with counting: Sharad Pawar
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Monday once again raised questions on the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines and said he would discuss the issue with other opposition members in Delhi."The problem is not the with the EVM or VVPAT where the people vote, but with the machine with the electoral officer that is finally counted. We are going to go in depth into it now by discussing this with technnogists and experts and Opposition members in Delhi," he told party workers at a meeting here.The meeting in Mumbai was organised on the 20th anniversary of NCP's foundation.The party was founded on June 10, 1999, by Pawar, Tariq Anwar and P A Sangma after they were expelled from the Congress.Pawar added that in future there might be problems if the people came to know that their votes were not going to the right candidate and asserted this could not be allowed to happen."If people realise that the vote they ..
Noisy scenes in Kerala Assembly over farmer suicides
: The Congress-led UDF opposition Monday created a ruckus in the Kerala Assembly over farmer suicides and urged the Pinarayi Vijayan government to waive agricultural loans on the lines of the party-ruled states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The CPI(M)-LDF government said they were working out a plan to waive farm loans up to Rs two lakh through the Kerala State Farmers' Debt Relief Commission, but the Opposition staged a walkout over the government's reluctance to discuss the farmers' plight on the floor of the House. Before the walkout, the ruling and opposition members also locked horns over the number of farmers who ended their lives due to debt and crop loss in the recent period. When Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar said a total of 15 farmers-10 in Idukki and five in Wayanad- had committed suicide after the LDF government came to power in May 2016, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala argued that 18 farmers ended their lives in the last one and half ...
Rafale a tool for India's sovereignty, we don't care about controversies: France
France does not care about controversies and just wants to deliver the Rafale jets as it is a tool for better sovereignty for India, French Minister of State for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean Baptiste Lemoyne, said on Monday.The Minister made these remarks here today during his official visit to lay the groundwork for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France in August to attend the 45th G7 summit.Speaking to ANI on a variety of subjects, the minister said, "The French government doesn't care about controversies. We have cooperations, we have a roadmap, we just want to deliver and I think that it's in the national interest of the two countries.""We want France and India to be more sovereign every single day and I think that Rafale is a tool for better sovereignty for India and that's, I think, the most interesting thing for Indian people," he added, commenting on the controversy revolving around the Rafale deal.Lemoyne also added that investigations into the attempted break-in
Former Puducherry CM R V Janakiraman dead
Former Puducherry chief minister and senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader R V Janakiraman died at a private hospital here Monday after a brief illness, his family said. Janakiraman, 79, was undergoing treatment for age-related illness for sometime and his end came this morning. He was the Chief Minister between 1996 and 2000, heading the coalition government of DMK and the Tamil Maanila Congress. Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi condoled the death of Janakiraman, while Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and leaders of various political parties paid their last respects to the DMK veteran. A five-time MLA, he had also served as Leader of the opposition, as DMK whip and a Minister for Public Works. He began his career as a taxi driver and later went on to become a fleet operator before foraying into politics. The Puducherry government announced a three-day state mourning from Monday as a mark of respect for Janakiraman. An official press release also said a state funeral would .
Modi extends Jyeshtha Ashtami greetings to Kashmiri Pandit community
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday wished the Kashmiri Pandit community on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami, hoping for peace and prosperity everywhere. The prime minister tweeted his greetings in Kashmiri and English. "Zyesht Ashtami hund chu tohe saarni Mubarak! Lassiv te phalliv (Greetings to all on Jyeshtha Ashtami. Be blessed and prosper)," he wrote. "May the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani give strength to everyone and may there be peace as well as prosperity everywhere," the PM added.
Hong Kong to push ahead with bill that sparked huge protest
Hong Kong's leader signaled Monday that her government will push ahead with amendments to extradition laws despite a massive protest against them that underscored fears about China's broadening footprint in the semi-autonomous territory. Chief Executive Carrie Lam told reporters the legislation is important and will help Hong Kong uphold justice and fulfill its international obligations. Safeguards added in May will ensure that the legislation protects human rights, she said. In what appeared to be Hong Kong's largest protest in more than a decade, hundreds of thousands of people marched through central Hong Kong on Sunday, three days before the Legislative Council is slated to take up the bill. Hong Kong was guaranteed the right to retain its own social, legal and political systems for 50 years under an agreement reached before its 1997 return to China from British rule. But China's ruling Communist Party has been seen as increasingly reneging on that agreement by pushing through ...
France welcomes PM Modi's call for global conference on terrorism
France on Monday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal for a global conference to tackle the threat of terrorism, saying the fight against terror is at the heart of its priorities. Minister of State for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean Baptiste Lemoyne made the remarks on the sidelines of an interaction with Indian alumni of French institutions in the fields of business administration, engineering and design here. "Every single initiative to fight terrorism is welcome because it is a threat to every country in the world... So, everything that can be done to unite efforts is welcome. It's (terrorism) a global challenge like climate change. We will be closely looking at this initiative," he said. "Fight against terrorism is at the heart of our priorities... France stands alongside India on this... and I can say that we have strong relations on this front," he said. Lemoyne's trip is the first French ministerial visit to India after the Narendra Modi government ...
Centre, BJP trying to incite violence in Bengal: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged on Monday that the Centre and the cadres of the ruling BJP were trying to incite violence in the state and conspiring to bring down her government. She also said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trying to throttle her voice as she was the only one in the country to protest against them. "They (BJP) are spending crores and crores of money to spread fake news through different social networking websites. The central government and (BJP) party cadres are trying to incite violence in West Bengal," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat. She said the Centre also had an equal responsibility as the state governments in case any violence or riot took place in any state. "If there is any riot or violence in any state, then the central government cannot shrug off its responsibility," she said. "This (inciting violence in West Bengal) is a planted game. This is their game plan to throttle my voice, because they know that Mamata ...
IAEA 'worried about increasing tensions' over Iran
The UN's nuclear watchdog said Monday it was "worried about increasing tensions" over Iran's nuclear programme, after Tehran said it might stop respecting more elements of a 2015 international deal. "I... hope that ways can be found to reduce current tensions through dialogue," International Atomic Energy Agency director general Yukiya Amano said in a speech opening the agency's quarterly board of governors meeting. On May 8, Iran announced it no longer considered itself bound to keep to the limits of stocks of heavy water and enriched uranium which were agreed as part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Tehran's move came a year after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the deal. Washington has also reinforced economic sanctions against the Islamic republic. Iran has also said that if the other parties to the JCPOA do not speed up work on mitigating the effects of US sanctions, by early July it may stop abiding by restrictions on the level to which it can ...