Page 2328 - Politics
Petition in Bombay HC against Maratha Reservation Act
A petition was filed in the Bombay High Court on Monday challenging the Maratha Reservation Act. It was filed soon after the Maharashtra government filed a caveat on the Act before the Supreme Court.Advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte who filed the petition argued that the reservation given to Maratha community is beyond permissible limits of the Constitution. A caveat has already been filed in the High Court by Vinod Patil, a petitioner from the Maratha community.The Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government filed the caveat before the apex court earlier in the day on the Act which was passed by both Houses of the state Assembly on November 29. A caveat is a legal process in which a party, which files it before the concerned court, is given a hearing and the court passes its order only after the hearing.On November 30, Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao signed the Maratha Reservation Bill that proposes 16 per cent reservation for Marathas under educationally and socially backward ..
Sanders eyes 'bigger' 2020 bid despite some warning signs
An insurgent underdog no more, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is laying the groundwork to launch a bigger presidential campaign than his first, as advisers predict he would open the 2020 Democratic presidential primary season as a political powerhouse. A final decision has not been made, but those closest to the 77-year-old self-described democratic socialist suggest that neither age nor interest from a glut of progressive presidential prospects would dissuade him from undertaking a second shot at the presidency. And as Sanders' brain trust gathered for a retreat in Vermont over the weekend, some spoke openly about a 2020 White House bid as if it was almost a foregone conclusion. "This time, he starts off as a front-runner, or one of the front-runners," Sanders' 2016 campaign manager Jeff Weaver told The Associated Press, highlighting the senator's proven ability to generate massive fundraising through small-dollar donations and his ready-made network of staff and volunteers. Weaver ...
Modi, KCR, Owaisi are same, don't get fooled by them: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday told the people of Telangana that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi are all "alike" and urged the voters not to be fooled by the lot in the upcoming Assembly polls on December 7.
24 remote villages in Arunachal to get a road at last
More than 4,000 people in 24 remote villages in Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Siang district would get a proper road connectivity for the first time within a few months, an organisation which is spearheading the campaign for the construction of the road claimed Monday. The residents of 24 notified villages in remote Kangku circle of the district used to depend on roads of neighbouring state Assam even to go out of their villages for any work as there was no road since independence, the 'No Road No Vote Central Committee' (NRNCC) which is spearheading the demand for construction of road said. NRNCC coordinator Mikjom Taso told PTI that a 65-km road from Likabali to Kangku circle has been sanctioned by states Rural Works department under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) due to consistent efforts of local peoples and NRNVC. The road has been sanctioned under the PMGSY, a government official said, adding it would be completed soon. Not a single vote was cast at ...
French govt holds crisis talks after 'yellow vest' riots
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe holds talks with party leaders on Monday as Paris scrambles to forge a response to violence by anti-government protesters that has left hundreds injured nationwide and caused widespread destruction around the capital. The talks follow a crisis meeting chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday as he surveyed the damage from a day of riots across Paris that saw violence "on a level not seen in decades." Philippe has been asked to meet protest organisers and party leaders as part of a "constant wish for dialogue," the Elysee Palace said. Environment Minister Francois de Rugy met representatives of the so-called "yellow vest" protesters last week but failed to convince them to end the demonstrations that have taken place over the last two weeks. The government has not ruled out imposing a state of emergency to combat the protests, which began over fuel taxes but have morphed into a broad opposition front to Macron, 40, a pro-business ...
Maratha Reservation Act: Maharashtra govt files caveat in SC
The Maharashtra government on Monday filed a caveat before the Supreme Court in respect of Maratha Reservation Act, which was passed by both Houses of the state Assembly on November 29.A caveat is a legal process in which a party, which files it before the concerned court, will be given a hearing and the court can't pass any order without hearing its side.On November 30, Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao signed the Maratha reservation bill that proposes16 per cent reservation for Marathas under educationally and socially backward category.The bill gives 16 per cent reservation to the members of the Maratha community in government jobs and admission in government institutions, under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes of Citizens (SEBC). The state already has 52 per cent reservation for OBCs, SCs, and STs in government jobs and admission in academic institutions.With 16 per cent reservation for Marathas, the total quota percentage in Maharashtra goes up to 68 per cent, .
Bono describes friendship with George W. Bush as 'comedic relationship'
Rocker and activist Bono has described his friendship with former US President George W. Bush as "comedic".
Top US, Mexico diplomats meet in Washington amid migrant crisis
Mexico's new Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday for what he called a "friendly" meeting amid tensions over the migrant crisis at the border. The talks came one day after Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office as Mexico's new president. "Friendly conversation as a first approach towards a long standing understanding between Mexico and the USA," Ebrard said on Twitter. "I thank him for his attitude and respect towards the new administration of President Lopez Obrador." Lopez Obrador, known as AMLO for short, is a leftist who was sworn in on Saturday, five months after a landslide election win. On Sunday, Pompeo and Ebrard discussed a "shared commitment to address our common challenges and opportunities for the future," according to State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. The two countries are grappling with how to handle the thousands of Central American migrants who are camped at the common border -- in the short and long ...
Not Rahul Gandhi, but Amit Shah is your leader: Vijayan to Chennithala
A war of words between Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala escalated on Monday when the Kerala Chief Minister told the latter that the Congress' state unit was following the diktats of BJP's national chief Amit Shah, and not party President Rahul Gandhi anymore.
Defence Minister Sitharaman to meet US counterpart
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who arrived in Washington D.C. on Sunday for a five-day visit, will hold a bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of Defence James N Mattis at Pentagon on Monday.She is also scheduled to participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at National Cemetery before the meeting."@DefenceMinIndia arrives in Washington DC for a 5 day visit. Meets officials, visits Museums of Natural History, Gallery of Art, Air & Space. @nsitharamanoffc will be laying wreath at National Cemetery b4 Bilateral meeting with Secy of Def James N Mattis at Pentagon on Day 2," Ministry of Defence tweeted.On the first day of her visit, Sitharaman met with officials and visited the Museum of Natural History, Gallery of Art, Air, and Space.
China agrees to reclassify fentanyl after meeting with US at G20 summit
China has decided to reclassify 'fentanyl' as a 'controlled substance', following the meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Saturday.According to a statement released by China's Foreign Ministry, Beijing has "decided to schedule the entire category of fentanyl-type substances as controlled substances, and start the process of revising relevant laws and regulations."White House termed the decision a "wonderful humanitarian gesture," reported CNN.Washington and Beijing have also agreed to take active measures to strengthen cooperation on law enforcement and narcotics control which includes reclassification and control of fentanyl-type substances, stated the press statement.In a statement, the White House divulged that according to the new agreement people in China involved in the selling of fentanyl to the US, "will be subject to China's maximum penalty under the law."Fentanyl is a drug ...
Trump sends message to Kim through S.Korean President
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday relayed a message from his American counterpart Donald Trump to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that Washington was ready to give Pyongyang everything in return for denuclearization.
Trump says China has agreed to cut tariffs on U.S.-made autos
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that China had agreed to "reduce and remove" tariffs on U.S. cars below the 40 percent level that Beijing is currently charging on American-made vehicles.
Britain's Labour threatens PM May with new Brexit hurdle
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's main opposition Labour Party said on Sunday it would press for contempt proceedings against the government if Prime Minister Theresa May fails to produce the full legal advice she has received on her Brexit deal.
BRP protests in UK, Germany against enforced disappearance in Balochistan
Baloch Republican Party (BRP) held protests in London and Germany against the enforced disappearances in Balochistan.In a statement, the Baloch Republican Party central spokesman, Sher Mohammad Bugti said that the protest in Germany's Chemnitz city was aimed at highlighting the escalation of the military operation and increased enforced disappearances in Balochistan in front of the entire world."Enforced disappearances are once more escalating. College, university Baloch students and those who protest these inhuman atrocities are a specific target of this practice by the armed forces of Pakistan" he added.Revealing the incidents of disappearances, Bugti stated, "Most recently, Jiyand Baloch, his brother and father were abducted. A similar incident was reported in Kech district, where a student named Dolat Khan was abducted while traveling back home in Gorkop, Kech."Bugti also said that similar demonstration was held at 10 Downing Street in London to protest against the enforced ...
Sajjad Lone's father 'brought gun' to Valley: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah has accused the father of People's Conference chief Sajjad Lone, Abdul Ghani Lone, of "bringing gun culture" to the Valley.Abdullah further revealed that he requested Sajjad's father to drop the idea but it all went in vain."His (Sajjad Lone's) father came to me when (then Jammu and Kashmir Governor) Jagmohan dismissed me (in 1984). He (Abdul Ghani) said 'I am going to Pakistan, I am going to get the gun'," said Farooq Abdullah during a media interaction on Sunday."With folded hands, I told him not to get the gun here. I told him our jawans will be killed, our homes, our villages, our cities will be destroyed, don't bring the gun. But he brought the gun. When he came back, he apologised to me saying he did a mistake and (he should) not have brought the gun."While talking about his party's support to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) of Mehbooba Mufti to form the government in the state, the former chief minister said that the ...
US envoy embarks on tour to facilitate peace process in Afghanistan
United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad will primarily focus on accelerating the peace process in Afghanistan by trying to bring the Taliban to a point of negotiation as he departs for an eight-nation tour from December 2 (local time) to 20.Khalilzad will meet with Afghan government officials and other interested parties to support and facilitate an inclusive peace process in the country, empowering the Afghan people to decide their nation's fate.He will be in contact with President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and other Afghan stakeholders to coordinate closely on efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table with the Afghan government.On his last trip to the region in November, Khalilzad met with men and women active in the civil society and peace efforts, members of the media, and other governmental and non-governmental officials. He stressed that all Afghans must have a say in the creation of ...
Assam: 9 NDFB(S) cadres arrested on their return from Myanmar
In a joint operation, the Chirang Army of Red Horns Division, Assam Rifles and Jairampur Police have arrested nine cadres of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songbijit) {NDFB (S)} on Sunday while they were returning to Assam after completing their training in Myanmar.The security forces also recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from their possession.The group was busted while infiltrating into India from their training camp in Myanmar. All nine cadres were nabbed in an ambush on their infiltration route.The Operation also resulted in the recovery of arms, ammunition including one AK 47 and one AK 56. The cadres along with seized items were handed over to police.The arrested NDFB (S) cadres include Sulekha Brahma, Sumuriya Narzary, Rajesh Basumatry, Gaodang Mochahary, Rita Swrgary, Rotjona Narzary, Mani Ram Basumatary, Dillp Narzary and Binaram Narzary.
Tripura CPIM protests over attack on candidates during nomination filling
The Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M) in Tripura brought out a protest procession in Agartala against the alleged organized attack by ruling Bharatiya Janata Party- Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (BJP-IPFT) state government on opposition candidates who wanted to file nomination to contest the vacant seats of Nagar Panchayats and Municipal Council in the upcoming by-election.The protest march that started from the Paradise Choumhuni area saw protesters with CPI-M party flags raise anti-BJP-IPFT slogans.Former Deputy Speaker of Tripura Legislative Assembly and Ex-Minister Pabitra Kar, who led the protest, said that at various places in West Tripura District, South Tripura District, Khowai and North Tripura District CPIM candidates were attacked and terrorised by the ruling party's supporters and leaders so they either refrained from filing the nomination or withdrew.Several vehicles of the Opposition party candidates and leaders were also allegedly attacked and destroyed .
'No link' to Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, claims LTTE
In an alleged statement, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has claimed that they had 'no link' in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991.The alleged letter from LTTE has been signed by their Political Wing representative Kurburan Guruswami and Legal Wing representative Lathan Chandralingam.Claiming itself to be an organization "by the people, for the people and of the people of Tamil Eelam," LTTE, in its alleged statement, said that time and again they have "clearly demonstrated with evidence in support that the LTTE has not been involved in any kind with the murder of Rajiv Gandhi, this unverified allegation is still being imposed.""Due to this defamation campaign, our people are being pushed into instability. Some others even go too far as to assert that 'the lives of the 1,50 000 people killed in Mullivaikaal do not worth altogether to the single life of Rajiv Gandhi". This declaration is hurting," the alleged statement read."The LTTE never ...