Page 2385 - Politics
Israel postpones vote on 'loyalty' in culture bill
A vote on a controversial law that would cut government subsidies to cultural institutions deemed disloyal to the Jewish state was Monday postponed indefinitely, Israel's culture minister said. The bill, submitted by Culture Minister Miri Regev, would give the finance and culture ministries the power to slash subsidies to institutions backing films or plays that do not show "loyalty" to the state. Such institutions would include those which deny Israel's existence as a "democratic and Jewish state", or those inciting violence, racism or "terrorism". Any organisation that marks Israel's independence day as a national day of mourning, or present artistic work that attacks the national flag or other state symbols would also be denied funding. For Palestinians, the anniversary of Israel's 1948 independence marks the Nakba, or "catastrophe", when more than 700,000 fled or were expelled during the war surrounding Israel's creation. A ministerial committee had voted to advance the bill in ...
US warns Russia 'outlaw' actions in Ukraine jeopardise ties
The US on Monday warned Russia that "outlaw actions" like the seizure of Ukrainian ships in the Sea of Azov are preventing normal relations from developing between Washington and Moscow. US Ambassador Nikki Haley told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that "the United States would welcome a normal relationship with Russia. But outlaw actions like this one continue to make that impossible." Tensions have flared after the Russian navy on Sunday boarded and seized three Ukrainian ships off the coast of Crimea, accusing Ukraine of illegally entering Russian waters in the Sea of Azov. The confrontation at sea raised fears of a wider military flareup. Haley put the blame firmly on Russia for the clash, calling the seizure of the ships an "outrageous violation of sovereign Ukrainian territory" and slamming "yet another reckless Russian escalation." But she did not specifically threaten further sanctions, instead calling for a de-escalation of tensions over Crimea, which Russia .
UK PM May comes under fire over EU exit deal
British Prime Minister Theresa May faced parliamentary fury on Monday as she set off on the tricky task of convincing mutinous lawmakers to back her divorce deal with the EU. The British leader crowned nearly two years of painful talks with Brussels that threatened to fall apart many times by sealing Brexit arrangements on Sunday with the 27 EU heads of state. But this difficult chapter was always going to be the easy part. May must now navigate the deal through a divided chamber in which she holds the slimmest working majority -- and where lawmakers oppose it on all sides. She announced the vote on the deal will be on December 11. The beleaguered leader got a taste of just how tough her job will be as she briefed lawmakers on the outcome of her Brussels visit. Opposition Labour Party chief Jeremy Corbyn called the withdrawal deal and accompanying political declaration on future relations "an act of national self-harm". "For the good of the nation, the House has very little choice but
Cong leaders creating trust deficit in country's politics: Rajnath
On campaign trail in poll-bound Rajasthan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday accused Congress leaders of creating a "trust deficit" in the country's politics and said it is the BJP government which works for the development of the people. They have not even spared the prime minister's mother. Prime minister is an institution and not an individual, he said. Congress leader Raj Babbar had a few days back compared the falling value of Indian rupee with the age of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben during campaigning for the Madhya Pradesh elections. There is a difference between what Congress leaders say and what they do. They created trust deficit in politics in the country and BJP has taken it as a challenge. BJP governments work and they have shown this, Singh said at a public meeting in Amber constituency of Jaipur. He said Ravana was more intelligent and richer, yet Lord Ram is worshipped because he followed maryada' (honour) in his life. At an election rally at
Lord Ram belongs to world, why build His temple in Ayodhya: Farooq Abdulah
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah Monday asked why a Ram temple should be built in Ayodhya as Lord Ram is omnipresent and belongs to the world. This was, however, countered by JD(U) leader Pavan Verma who asked "why not" and Abdullah said that he has no objection to the construction of the Ram temple. During a discussion after the launch of Congress leader Manish Tewari's book "Fables of Fractured Times", Abdullah said, "Lord Ram belongs to the world and is omnipresent. Why do you want to build a temple in Ayodhya?" This was immediately countered by Verma, who asked Why can't Ram temple be built in Ayodhya. If Hindus want a temple in Ayodhya, as it is the birthplace of Ram, why not build the temple, the JD(U) leader asked. "If Hindus want a temple let there be a temple. The question is not whether a temple should be built. The question is how it will be built by use of force or violence or by mutual agreement or court orders?" he said. Abdullah, however, went on
Ukraine leader says Moscow launched 'new phase' of aggression
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Monday accused Russia of taking its conflict with Kiev to another level after Moscow seized three Ukrainian ships near Crimea at the weekend. "After the attack on Ukrainian military vessels, (Russia) entered a new phase of aggression," Poroshenko said in a televised address to the nation. He said the incident showed "the arrogant and open participation of regular units of Russian troops" in the conflict with Ukraine. This "changes the situation," he said, because Russia has previously denied the involvement of its regular troops in the conflict in Ukraine. Poroshenko addressed the nation ahead of a parliamentary vote on his request to impose martial law in the country. "We have to reinforce our defence immediately in order to be able to quickly react in case of an invasion," he said. The Ukrainian leader said he would ask parliament to introduce martial law for 30 days, after initially saying it would last 60 days. Poroshenko said he reduced ...
Swaraj meets her Romanian counterpart, discusses bilateral issues
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday met Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu and discussed a number of bilateral issues including co-operation in the field of agriculture and information and communication technology."70th-anniversary celebrations continue! EAM @SushmaSwaraj welcomed Romanian Foreign Minister @teodormelescanu. Deep historical and cultural linkages have formed a solid basis for our present-day cooperation," official Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar tweeted.The two leaders discussed the diversification of historical relations and boosting cooperation in the fields of agriculture, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), health and pharma, education, tourism, and culture."Evolving a roadmap for collaboration. Delegations led by EAM @SushmaSwaraj and Romanian Foreign Minister @teodormelescanu discussed diversifying the historical relations & boosting cooperation in the fields of agriculture, ICT, health & ...
Chidambaram asks PM to tell status of NCTC, NATGRID
Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tell the status of the NCTC and the NATGRID, both were conceived in the wake of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks 10 years ago. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the country's worst terror attack, Chidambaram asked whether these institutions were not important to construct a comprehensive security architecture. "On the 10th anniversary of 26/11, will the PM please disclose the status of NCTC that was mooted 10 years ago? Will the PM also tell the country the present status of NATGRID?," he said in a series of tweets. Chidambaram took over the charge of the Union home minister soon after the 26/11 attacks. It was he who mooted the idea of setting up of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID). While the plans for the NCTC has been put into cold storage due to opposition by several chief ministers, including Modi when he was the Gujarat chief minister, the ...
Sunil Arora to be new CEC
Election Commissioner Sunil Arora is set to head the poll panel after incumbent O.P. Rawat demits office on December 1, official sources said on Monday.
Indian forces conduct joint military drill to enhance coordination
The India forces have successfully conducted a large-scale tri-service exercise involving assets of the Indian Navy, Army and the Air Force which aims to sharpen joint war fighting capabilities and enhance operational synergy, officials said on Monday.
BSF, Pakistan Rangers meet at International Border
A commander level meeting between the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistan Rangers took place on the international border at Ramgarh on Monday. The meeting discussed among other things the issues pertaining to cross-border firing and unsolicited movements in the border areas.The BSF delegation was represented by Commandant M K Yadav while Wing Commander Mehran led the Pakistan Rangers. Apart from cross-border firing the officials also discussed the routine issues related to border management, said an official statement of the BSF.
Army capable of taking action whenever told: Army chief
The Army is capable of taking action whenever told to do so, Army chief General Bipin Rawat has said, asserting that there will never be a situation where it will not be able to tackle a big terror attack like 26/11. Rawat said the Army was now much more prepared to take action based on the directions given by the government. "If we are told to take some action, we are capable and ready for it. So, there is never going to be a situation where you will not have options to tackle something like a big terrorist attack," Rawat told the India Today magazine in an interview. He was responding to a question that if there was another attack like 26/11 today, what will be the Army's response. Asked about the recent beheadings in the Valley, Rawat said in the last year-and-a-half, terrorists had targeted policemen, burnt the houses of panchayat members and school buildings. "Now, they are targeting the unemployed, alleging that they are police informers. Locals now feel (militants) aren't ...
Hope saner elements will prevail between India, Pak to check terror: Manmohan Singh
On the 10th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, former prime minister Manmohan Singh Monday hoped "saner elements would prevail" between India and Pakistan to check terror activities. He also noted that what is happening in Kashmir is an indication of the suffering that strained ties between the two nations has brought about. Singh's comments came during his address at the launch of a book "Fables of Fractured Times" by former Union minister Manish Tewari here, for which the former prime minister lauded him. "Today happens to be the November 26, when 10 years ago so many of our countrymen and women were butchered in the city of Mumbai due to acts of great terror that took the lives of nearly 170 of our dear citizens. "One can only hope that saner elements would prevail between India and Pakistan to find a meaningful solution to the problem of getting a control over acts of terror. They do not achieve any purpose, as what is happening today in Kashmir is an indication of ...
Modi should resign if he can't ensure security to Delhi CM: Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that the Prime Minister should resign if he cannot ensure security to the Delhi Chief Minister, days after a man tried to rub chilli powder on his face inside the Secretariat.
Peace and harmony established in country with the efforts of
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das Monday said peace and harmony have been established in the country with the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh. On the 10th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes, Das paid tributes to the martyred jawans who laid their lives during the attack. The chief minister said the day is to take a pledge to rid of terrorism from the country. An official release quoting Das speech at "Banshidhar Mahastov" in Garhwa district during the day said that peace and harmony have been established in the country with the efforts by the prime minister and Home minister. The chief minister at the mahastov handed over a notification which said that Garhwa districts Nagar Untari sub-division will now be known as Banshidhar Nagar sub- division. The chief minister also released a special postal stamp on Bansidhar on the occasion of "Bansidhar Mahastov", it said. Das also said that mahatsov will be given the status
Kejriwal says Delhiites proud of honest CM, asks countrymen if they feel the same for PM Modi
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal Monday asserted that Delhiites are proud of him as an honest chief minister, while questioning the people of the country if they felt the same about their prime minister. Kejriwal made the remarks at a function to mark the sixth foundation day of the party here. Speaking at the party headquarters, the Delhi chief minister claimed that the AAP government in the national capital did "much more" during its three-year rule than what Narendra Modi did in 12 years as chief minister of Gujarat. Congratulating party workers and supporters, he said the AAP's political revolution against corruption and communalism is going on despite obstacles. "The people of Delhi are proud of their honest chief minister. I want to ask the people of the country if they feel the same about their prime minister," Kejriwal said. He hit out the BJP-led NDA government over alleged corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal and Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi fleeing the ...
Kejriwal takes a dig at Modi's Gujarat model
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Gujarat model" by saying that anyone could compare it with Delhi and see which one is better.
Book on 'anti-farmer policies' of Modi government launched
A book detailing how Modi government's policies have led to a drop in farmers' income and caused rural distress across the country was launched in the capital on Monday.
2 RLSP MLAs turn up at BJP meet
Cracks within Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) came to the fore on Monday, with two of its MLAs in Bihar making a surprise appearance in the BJP legislature party meeting here on Monday night. BJP leaders remained tight-lipped about the development, but sources within the party said on condition of anonymity that their presence at the meeting was a resounding snub to Kushwaha. One of the MLAs, Sudhansu Shekhar, had recently visited Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's residence, triggering angry reactions from Kushwaha, who has since been accusing the Janata Dal (United) president of trying to poach his MLAs. Earlier in the day, outside the Assembly premises, Shekhar told reporters: "I had met Kumar and there is nothing unusual in that. Legislators from all parties do meet the chief minister to discuss problems relating to their respective constituencies and I did nothing wrong." In response to a query regarding Kushwaha's ultimatum to the NDA to finalise a
1,821 candidates in fray for Telangana Assembly polls
As many as 1,821 candidates are left in the fray for 119 constituencies in the December 7 Telangana Assembly polls, the state election commission said Monday. The commission is coming out with the official figure Monday after withdrawal of nominations ended on November 22. According to an official release, 1,762 nominations were either rejected or withdrawn. Election officials had Thursday said the final number of candidates left in the fray would be known after receipt of information from the constituencies. Malkajgiri segment leads with 42 contestants including independents followed by 35 each in Uppal and LB Nagar constituencies. Telangana Rashtra Samithi, which is going it alone, has fielded candidates in all the 119 Assembly segments. The Congress, which is leading the 'grand alliance', has fielded 99 candidates while its other partners-Telugu Desam Party 13 and CPI three. Its other ally, Telangana Jana Samithi has given 'B-Forms' for eight candidates. B-Form for ...