Page 2326 - Politics
Egypt president opens first arms exhibition in Cairo
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi inaugurated Monday the first arms fair organised in Cairo, where hundreds of companies are participating, state TV footage showed. Sisi was seen cutting the ribbon along with French Defence Minister Florence Parly to open the exhibition, held on the outskirts of Cairo. The three-day show by one of the region's top military powers will be attended by officials from 40 countries, according to Egyptian authorities. After the opening, Sisi was taken on a guided tour along with military officials of the massive fair, where according to authorities around 400 companies are exhibiting. "The army... seeks to acquire strength from its cooperation with countries that value security and peace to roll back all forms of aggression on Egyptian soil," Defence Minister Mohamed Ahmed Zaki said at the opening ceremony. He was due to hold talks with his French counterpart and the Egyptian president later on Monday, according to a statement by the French defence ...
Maratha chieftains meet, trigger speculation
It took just one phone call from Konkan strongman Narayan Rane to make Maharashtra titan Sharad Pawar rush to meet him at his home in Kankavali here on Monday, setting political tongues furiously wagging.
Era of 'rani-praja' in Rajasthan is over: Sachin Pilot
The era of "rani-praja" in Rajasthan is over and no amount of campaigning and propaganda will bring the BJP back to power in the state, says Congress leader Sachin Pilot in a swipe against Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and her 'royal' lineage. Criss-crossing the desert state in a bid to bring the Congress back to power, Pilot said the BJP's rule in the state has seen corruption being patronised. But this would change with the assembly elections on December 7, he said. "The regime of rani-praja' (queen-public) is going to be over in Rajasthan and people will vote for Congress on December 7 to bring in positive government. "The BJP has been exposed and people are counting the days... they have made up their mind to vote out BJP, Pilot told PTI during his campaign through eastern Rajasthan on Sunday. He started his day from Jaipur, where he boarded a chopper to Raje's home turf Dholpur to address a meeting. The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief said he is overwhelmed by the ...
Pb Cabinet passes special resolution hailing decision to build Kartarpur corridor
The Punjab Cabinet Monday passed a special resolution hailing the decision to build the Kartarpur corridor as a "historic step". On November 26, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu had laid the foundation stone for the Kartarpur corridor at Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. The much-awaited corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. The Punjab Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Monday, passed another special resolution to set up a Dera Baba Nanak Development Authority for the development and beautification of the area in and around Dera Baba Nanak ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, a spokesperson said. The chief minister has already announced a slew of development projects to upgrade infrastructure and facilities for lakhs of pilgrims expected to visit the area during the occasion, for ...
Pawar-Rane meet fuels talks of Konkan strongman's return to opposition
NCP chief Sharad Pawar set tongues wagging Monday after he met former Congress leader Narayan Rane amid the speculation of the latter's possible return to the opposition-fold ahead of the 2019 general election. Pawar, who is currently touring Sindhudurg district in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, visited former chief minister Rane's residence in Kankavli. Rane, who has a strong support base in the Konkan region, had quit the Congress in September last year and floated a new party -- the Maharashtra Swabhimani Paksha. He is currently a Rajya Sabha member backed by the ruling BJP. Asked about the meeting, Rane's MLA son Nitesh, who too was present when the two senior leaders met, called it a "courtesy visit". "He (Pawar) was heading towards Ratnagiri from Kankavli. He said he would come for tea, so he did," the legislator said, refusing to divulge any details. However, a source said, "An informal discussion was held during the meeting on the current political scenario. Few more ...
Pb Cabinet okays draft bill for judicious, sustainable use of water resources
The Punjab Cabinet Monday approved the draft of a bill aimed at ensuring judicious, equitable and sustainable utilisation and management of the state's critical water resources. According to the draft Punjab Water Resources (Management and Regulation) Bill, 2018, the proposed Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority (PWRDA) would have a chairman, and two members to be appointed by the state government. The authority would have powers to issue directions and guidelines for conservation and management of the state's water resources, an official spokesperson said. He said it would also have the power to issue tariff orders specifying the charges to be imposed by entities supplying water for drinking, domestic, commercial or industrial use. The bill further proposes setting up an advisory committee on water resources, headed by the chairman of the authority. The panel would comprise experts and ex-officio members from various government departments to advise the authority. The ...
Adityanath most-sought-after CM for BJP campaign: Party leader
The BJP's star campaigner, Yogi Adityanath, seems to have emerged as the party's most-sought-after chief minister for campaigning in the high-stakes Assembly election, addressing more than 50 rallies in three states. In the past month, the saffron-clad leader has addressed several meetings in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, where BJP candidates are seeking his presence to improve their performance, a senior party leader told PTI on Monday. ""So far, the 46-year-old Hindutva poster boy has addressed 53 meetings in the three states. In Chhattisgarh, he addressed the maximum number of 21 meetings, which is far more than those by party president Amit Shah, who addressed nine meetings, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed four rallies," said the BJP leader on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak on it. Among the leaders outside the state, Adityanath did the maximum number of meetings, showing his growing clout, acceptance and demand among the party
Nepal neither used China card against India nor India card against China: Madhav
Nepal neither used the China card against India nor the India card against China, and wants to develop good relations with its neighbours on the basis of self-respect and sovereignty, a former Nepalese prime minister has said here. It is not possible that Nepal's relations are good with one neighbouring country and bad with another, veteran politician Madhav Kumar Nepal said while defending the growing relations between Nepal and China. His comments came amid China's foray into the land-locked Himalayan nation where Beijing has been investing heavily for the last few years to enhance connectivity and infrastructure. Nepal neither used the China card against India nor the India card against China, said Madhav, who served as the country's prime minister from May, 2009 to February, 2011. He also highlighted the importance of strong relations between India and Nepal. "Nepal and India enjoy good relations. We have to strive continuously to make these relations more warm and more close," ...
TRS, BJP in partnership to ensure continuation of their rule: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and caretaker Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao of striking a "partnership" to ensure the continuation of the BJP and TRS rule at the Centre and in the state respectively. "The TRS's aim is to ensure that Narendra Modi remains the prime minister of India, the BJP continues to rule the country and KCR (as Rao is referred to by many) rules in Telangana," he said at an election rally here. Over the last four-and-a-half years, KCR had supported the Modi government on various occasions, Gandhi said, referring to the Telangana Rasthra Samithi (TRS) backing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominees in the presidential and vice-presidential elections. Besides, Rao had also praised demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) "under pressure", he claimed. "You have to remember that there is a partnership between the TRS and Narendra Modi and they are working together," the Congress chief said, ..
Cambodia to ease grip on opposition, media as EU threats loom
Cambodia said Monday that banned opposition members may be allowed back into political life and shuttered media outlets could reopen as the EU considers pulling a trade deal the country is loath to lose. Numerous activists, journalists and government critics were released from jail in the months after strongman Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party won all parliamentary seats in July elections held without the main opposition party. But the concessions did not deter the European Union from threatening in October to suspend trade benefits in the wake of the vote -- a move that would cripple the country's billion-dollar garment industry, its largest formal employer. Though Hun Sen has balked at the idea that international pressure can force his hand, analysts say the Cambodian leader is in a tough spot with the EU and has to ease up on dissent to avoid losing the preferences. The Supreme Court dissolved the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in a ruling a year ago as Hun Sen homed in on
International civil terminal to come up at Ludhiana's Halwara airport
In a bid to further boost industrial and economic activity in the state, the Punjab Cabinet on Monday approved the setting up of a new international civil terminal at the Indian Air Force (IAF) station, Halwara, Ludhiana.The decision fulfills an old demand of the state, which was first taken up by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh with the Central government during his previous chief ministerial tenure. The matter, however, remained in abeyance pending clearances from the Centre.In a statement issued after the Cabinet meeting, a government spokesperson said the Cabinet also gave go-ahead for the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for developing the terminal.The spokesperson said that the civil terminal would be developed jointly by the AAI and the Government of Punjab through a joint venture company (JVC) to be constituted for the purpose. While the AAI would have a majority stake of 51 per cent, Punjab government, through the .
Rajapaksa can't take actions as Sri Lankan PM: Court
The Court of Appeal in Sri Lanka on Monday issued an interim order restraining former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa and members of his purported government from functioning as the Prime Minister, Cabinet and deputy ministers.
Vaiko, others held for bid to picket TN Raj Bhavan
MDMK founder Vaiko and leaders of some other political parties were detained by police Monday when they tried to picket the Raj Bhavan here over the issue of pre-mature release of seven life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. They protested against Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit for not taking a decision so far on the Spetember 9 recommendation of the AIADMK government to him to release the convicts after the state cabinet headed by Chief Minister K Palaniswami adopted a resolution to the effect. Vaiko lashed out at Purohit for not accepting the state government's recommendation though he had given his nod for the release of three AIADMK men convicted and sentenced to life term in the case related to burning of three women students in 2000. CPI state secretary R Mutharasan, leaders of DK and VCK, K Veeramani and Thol Thirumavalavan respectively were among the others detained by the police when they staged the protest near the Raj Bhavan, police ...
Opposition parties to meet on Dec 10 in Delhi
Preparing the pitch for a 'Mahagatbandhan' (Grand Alliance) ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, opposition parties will meet here on December 10, a day before Parliament opens its winter session and the results of Assembly elections in five states are known.
Goa mining: Dependents' group hits out at BJP over resumption
An umbrella body fighting for those affected by the closure of the mining sector in Goa has accused the ruling BJP of not being serious about working toward its resumption. The state's mining sector came to a standstill after the Supreme Court, in February this year, quashed 88 mining leases and banned extraction of fresh ore from March. Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF) president Puti Goankar Monday said the group's functionaries had met the two Lok Sabha MPs and one Rajya Sabha MP, all belonging to the BJP, from Goa to press for the resumption of mining. "I went to Delhi three times to plead with the Centre but realised that the file seeking amendment of mining laws had not moved," Gaonkar said. "I realise that our MPs are doing nothing," he said of his meeting with LS MPs Shripad Naik and Narendra Sawaikar and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar on the issue. The GMPF wants Parliament to pass an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill, 1957 so .
Moscow notes Riyadh's readiness to take part in Khashoggi murder investigation: Kremlin
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Moscow has noted Riyadh's readiness in participating in the investigation into the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi."The Russian side has its own relations with Saudi Arabia. We note Saudis' readiness to participate in the investigation. We are interested in continuing bilateral Russian-Saudi relations," Peskov told reporters on Monday, when asked to comment on the warm greetings that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) shared on Saturday at the G20 summit amid claims of MBS' possible involvement in the murder.Peskov added that Putin and MBS had "quite an efficient and meaningful discussion" on the sidelines of the summit.According to Peskov, the leaders discussed not only Russian-Saudi bilateral relations, but the two countries' cooperation within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)."So, contacts on the highest level are being conducted, and this is based on
China reacts guardedly to first JAI summit
China on Monday reacted cautiously to the first trilateral summit between the leaders of Japan, America and India, saying it "remained open" to normal cooperation between them, and hoped they will play a constructive role in promoting peace in the region. The first meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was held on Friday on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires in Argentina. Modi described the Japan-America-India partnership as JAI. The meeting assumed importance in the backdrop of China expanding its influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Asked how China views the meeting between the three leaders, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told the media, "We remain open to the normal cooperation among relevant parties. "We hope such cooperation will promote mutual trust and cooperation in this region and play a constructive role in promoting the peace, development and prosperity of the region," ..
Gehlot asks Shah to apologise for 'hold by collars' remark
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot Monday demanded BJP chief Amit Shah to apologise for his remarks that leaders of the Congress should be held by collars to seek their work accountability. "I fail to understand how Amit Shah could muster the courage to say it. He should apologise. We had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission but to no avail as they (BJP) are in power," he said addressing an election rally in Reodar of Sirohi district. Shah had during a dialogue with youths here last week said people should hold Congress leaders by their collars if they approached them and ask what work these leaders had done for the public. "...If political leaders will start holding each other by their collars, then what kind of law and order situation will prevail? How could he say so? the Congress leader said. He asserted that there was a strong wave for the Congress in Rajasthan and the party will win the upcoming Assembly election with a huge margin. Hitting out at Uttar Pradesh Chief
China's Xi in Panama on mission to bolster clout in Latin America
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Panama -- which broke ties with Taiwan last year and switched its allegiance to Beijing -- for a visit aimed at extending his country's political and economic influence in Latin America. Xi is set to meet Monday with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, and sign an array of cooperation agreements. He will also meet with business leaders and visit the Panama Canal's new Cocoli Locks. In a column written for the Estrella de Panama, a local newspaper, Xi said he had "high expectations" for the visit, the first ever by a Chinese leader to the country. "We must be cooperative partners of mutual benefit and shared profits," wrote Xi, who arrived in Panama late Sunday from Argentina, where he attended the G20 summit. Beijing hopes that Panama can be a logistics hub for the expansion of trade in Latin America and the Caribbean -- an idea that the business community here has fully embraced. "Panama usually generates a lot of interest because of ..
UN envoy heads to Sanaa amid push to reopen airport
The UN envoy for Yemen was scheduled to arrive in the rebel-held capital Monday, a UN source said, as pressure mounted to reopen Sanaa International Airport after a three-year shutdown. Envoy Martin Griffiths was expected to hold talks with Yemen's Huthi rebels in Sanaa, the UN source told AFP on condition of anonymity, ahead of potential negotiations in Sweden this month aimed at ending nearly four years of war in the Arab world's poorest country. A Saudi-led military coalition allied with the Yemeni government against the Iran-backed Huthis announced it would allow for the evacuation of wounded rebels on a UN chartered plane Monday. The decision is a key step in kick starting stalled negotiations, as world powers press for an end to the conflict that has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. The United Nations source told AFP the reopening of Sanaa International Airport, controlled by the rebels and largely destroyed by Saudi-led air raids, was a priority at the planned peace ...