Page 2397 - Politics
N Korea criticises US for 'anti-republic' plot
North Korea's state media slammed the United States for its "anti-republic" plot against the country, mentioning that the US would always find faults with North Korea, even if they fully denuclearised."The U.S. is saying that the nuclear issue serves as a hindrance to North Korea-U.S. relations, but even if the issue should be resolved, it would continue to take issue with human rights and come up with other additional conditions so as to force us to change our system as it requires," the North Korean ruling party's official mouthpiece, Rodong Sinmun, stated."The U.S. is trying to draw concessions from us in talks and even to accomplish a wicked anti-republic plot," the newspaper mentioned, according to Yonhap News Agency.These comments come in the wake of a report released by Human Rights Watch which claims widespread abuse against women in North Korea, including sexual offences like rape.A resolution that has been adopted by a United Nations (UN) panel points out human rights ...
S Korea defies US diktat, continues efforts to strengthen inter-Korean relations
South Korea is continuing its efforts to improve relations with North Korea, with its Unification ministry announcing on Monday that the countries are in talks to launch joint railway inspections this week.This comes despite a note of caution from US Secretary Michael Pompeo who had asked South Korea to not let improvement in inter-Korean elections surpass denuclearisation efforts made by North Korea - pointing out the direct correlation between both the developments.The inspections would be launched in a bid to modernise and connect railways of the Koreas between their borders, according to Yonhap News Agency.The Unification ministry had earlier announced that efforts would be made by the neighbouring countries to modernise underground communication lines across Panmunjom for military communications.This comes in the wake of UN making an exemption in North Korean sanctions for South Korea to undertake this effort.
US announces USD 5 million reward for information on 26/11 perpetrators
The US on Monday announced a USD 5 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of any individual who committed, conspired, aided or abetted the 2008 Mumbai attack. The Trump administration announced this major reward (of over Rs 35 crore) on the 10th anniversary of the terror attack in which 10 Pakistan-based LeT terrorist went on a shooting rampage in India's financial hub killing 166 people, including six Americans. The move comes less than a fortnight after Vice President Mike Pence had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Singapore, during which he is believed to have himself raised this issue and rued that even 10 years after the Mumbai terrorist attack its perpetrators have not been brought to justice. State Department's Rewards for Justice (RFJ) programme on Monday said it is offering a reward of up to USD 5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of any individual who committed, conspired to ...
6 men detained in Punjab on suspicion
Six men have been detained on suspicion from the Pathankot railway station, Punjab Police officials said on Monday.
Russia seizes three Ukrainian naval ships off Crimea
Russia has seized three Ukrainian naval ships in a strait near Moscow-annexed Crimea, raising fears of military escalation and prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday. In the unprecedented incident, Russia said it used weapons "in order to stop the Ukrainian military," which it claims illegally entered its waters, confirming "three Ukrainian navy ships were boarded and searched." Ukraine's navy said the incident took place on Sunday as two small warships and a tugboat were heading through the Kerch Strait, a narrow waterway that gives access to the Sea of Azov that is used by Ukraine and Russia. It said a Russian border guard vessel rammed the tugboat in "openly aggressive actions" and then fired on the ships, immobilising all three. The confrontation at sea is a dangerous development in the long-running conflict pitting Ukraine against Russia and Russian-backed rebels in the east of the country. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on ...
US halts border crossing after migrants protest in Mexico
The US border patrol has suspended all traffic at a busy crossing between San Diego, California and Mexico's Tijuana, where thousands of migrants are massing in a makeshift shelter to apply for asylum.
UN Security Council calls emergency meeting Monday over Ukraine: Haley
The Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday after Russia confirmed it had seized three Ukrainian naval ships by force in a strait near Moscow-annexed Crimea, US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said. "An emergency Security Council meeting has been called for tomorrow at 11:00am," she tweeted. The meeting was requested by both Russia and Ukraine, diplomatic sources told AFP.
Cong angry because I developed the state they destroyed: Shivraj
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Congress party and said that it is the Congress which is responsible for the destruction of Madhya Pradesh and is now furious at him because he developed the state.Addressing an election campaign rally, Chouhan said, "It is Congress party which is responsible for the destruction of Madhya Pradesh. Congress is now running a campaign that there is anger. I want to ask people if they are angry with me. It is not people but the Congress which is furious at me.""They are furious because they gave me potholed filled state and I constructed 1.5 lakh kilometers of excellent roads and gave it to the public. Congress is furious because they had made Madhya Pradesh a state of darkness and we provided excellent power supply to the public. They are worried hence making allegations," he added.Later addressing a public rally at Dewas, he made promises of bearing the higher education expenses of students and ..
Khashoggi killing: Schiff accuses Trump of being 'dishonest'
Democrat Representative from California Adam Schiff on Sunday accused President Donald Trump of not telling the truth about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.CNN quoted Schiff, 'State of the Union', saying, "I have been briefed by the CIA. And while I cannot discuss the contents of the briefing in any way, I can say that I think the President is being dishonest with the American people."Schiff, had previously stated that the Democrats wanted a probe into Trump's knowledge of the CIA report before he publicly supported the Crown Prince.In his latest interview with the CNN show, Schiff said that Trump's own statement undermined his standing."The President is not being honest with the country about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi," Schiff mentioned during the CNN show . "I think in parts, he feels that by saying that we don't know or that the world is a dangerous place or everybody does it, he think it makes him look strong. It actually makes him look weak."According to CNN, Jamal ..
Bhima Koregaon violence: Telangana Democratic Forum protests against arrest of activist Varavara Rao
The Telangana Democratic Forum on Sunday protested at city's Dharna Chowk against the arrest of activist Varavara Rao in connection with the Bhima Koregaon Violence case.Rao, who was under house arrest at his flat in Gandhinagar in the Hyderabad city, was arrested by the Pune police on 16th November, in a case relating to his alleged involvement in Bhima Koregaon Violence.Expressing anguish over Rao's arrest, Women Activist Sandhya told ANI, "This protest is against violation of human rights. In Bhima Koregan case there are many intellectuals, writers and advocates who are arrested and illegal cases are filed against them. We wanted to register our protest in this context. Protests are going on around the country. But still, Modi government is unable to listen to democratic voices. Modi government has become intolerant towards human rights."She also attacked both central and state government and blamed them of being fascist and anti-democratic.She said, "Prime Minister Modi and ...
Sri Lanka: Sirisena vows not to appoint Wickremesinghe as PM again
President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday asserted that he will not appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister again.According to The Colombo Page, Sirisena said that he has even apprised his party, the United National Party (UNP) about this decision."I will not appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister in my lifetime. I have told them very clearly not to bring Ranil Wickremesinghe to me even if it's proven legally that the UNF has the majority," The Colombo Page quoted President Sirisena as saying.President Maithripala Sirisena made this statement at a meeting with foreign journalists this morning at the President's official residence.The Colombo Page further quoted Sirisena, who stressed on the fact that the removal of Wickremesinghe from the post of Prime Minister, followed by the appointment of a new Prime Minister, the dissolution of the cabinet and the Parliament were done legally.The Sri Lankan President also stated that the Central Bank bond scam which was exposed ...
Ukraine accuses Russia of firing on, seizing three of its ships
Ukraine's navy accused Russia of opening fire on and seizing three of its vessels on Sunday in a strait near Moscow-annexed Crimea, sparking alarm among Kiev's Western allies and raising fears of possible military escalation. The incident occurred in the Kerch Strait, a narrow waterway that gives access to the Sea of Azov that is used by Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine's navy said it took place as three of its ships -- two small warships and a tugboat -- were heading through the strait for the port of Mariupol. It said a Russian border guard vessel rammed the tugboat in "openly aggressive actions" and then fired on one of its ships. Two Ukrainian soldiers were reportedly injured. The ramming damaged the tug's engine, outer shell and guardrail, it added. It also said the Kerch Strait was blocked by a tanker, and that Russian military aircraft were flying over the area. Russia in turn has accused Kiev of illegally entering its waters and deliberately provoking a conflict. Moscow claims the
"Thank you President T": Trump tweets as holiday break ends
President Donald Trump congratulated himself for falling oil prices . He chided the Federal Reserve over interest rates . He claimed Central American countries are trying to dump "certain people" into the United States. Trump's Florida holiday stay was ending Sunday with a visit to his golf club for the fifth day in a row. His tweeting took no break. The president patted himself on the back for a dip in petroleum prices, writing "thank you President T." He also admonished the U.S. central bank over the cost of borrowing money. In a separate tweet, he called on Mexico to stop caravans of Central American migrants from trying to reach the U.S. border. "Would be very SMART if Mexico would stop the Caravans long before they get to our Southern Border, or if originating countries would not let them form," he wrote, claiming, without evidence, that "it is a way they get certain people out of their country and dump in U.S. No longer." He blamed Democrats for creating the problem, demanding: .
Seva Dal to play important role in helping Cong win all HP LS seats: Leader
The working committee of the Himachal Pradesh unit of the Seva Dal, the grassroots front organisation of the Congress, held its first meeting in Dharamshala on Sunday. Seva Dal state president Anurag Sharma said the organisation would play an important role to ensure the victory of the Congress candidates in all the four Lok Sabha seats of the state. It was decided in the meeting that the organisation would be strengthened at the booth level in the state and would expose the corruption in the state and central government, the leader told reporters at a press conference. "Ever since Rahul Gandhi has assumed the charge of the national president (of the party), his efforts has been towards a massive change in the strengthening of Seva dal at the grassroots level to strengthen the Congress party as a whole," he said. The meeting was attended by Sudhir Sharma, the party national secretary and incharge of Jammu and Kashmir; and Vilas Rawat, the general secretary of the Seva Dal.
Raj Cong expels 28 leaders for contesting polls against party candidates
The Congress on Sunday expelled its 28 leaders in Rajasthan, including nine former MLAs and an ex-Union minister, for filing nominations against the party's official candidates. According to a party spokesperson, the action was initiated on the direction of state Congress chief Sachin Pilot. The leaders against whom the action were taken include former Union minister Mahadev Singh khandela, ex-legislators Sanyam Lodha, Nathu Ram Sinodiya, Naval Kishore Meena, Khushveer Singh, Sohan Nayak, C S Baid, Ramesh Chand Khandelwal and Ramesh Khinchi. These leaders had filed nominations as Independent against the Congress candidates in different constituencies, the spokesperson said. Assembly elections in Rajasthan will be held on December 7.
BJP approaches EC over comment on PM's father by Congress leader
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday approached the Election Commission to lodge a complaint against former Union Minister and Congress leader Vilasrao Muttemwar for his remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's father.Speaking to ANI, the party's National Vice President Prabhat Jha said, "Congress leader Vilasrao Muttemwar made a remark on the identity of the Prime Minister's father. This kind of statements reflects the mindset of the party."Hitting out at the Congress, he added, "The man whose parents are not known to the world has been elected by the people of this country. The person whose entire dynasty is known to the people has not been chosen. This is the democracy of India."Earlier today, Jha had hit out at the Congress for another remark on the Prime Minister's mother by Raj Babbar. Jha said that the remark showed nothing but the party's "feudal mindset."On Thursday, Congress leader Raj Babbar stoked a controversy after he compared the devaluation of the Indian rupee to Prime
Anti-incumbency waves coming for TRS: Konda Vishweshwar Reddy
Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, a Member of Parliament (MP) who recently left the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to join the Congress Party, said on Sunday that the K Chandrashekar Rao-led TRS risks the outcome of anti-incumbency in the ensuing Telangana assembly polls."The TRS which truly represented the people and the spirit of Telangana has lost its way. They became distant from the people and started working against the people. It was truly a people's party and now it has become a single person authoritarian rule. Pranahita Chevella project was renamed and redesigned but no water is coming to my constituency till now. TRS had made it a Rs 95000 crore project from a Rs 40000 crore one," he told reporters here.Reddy further quipped that the TRS' slogan has now changed from "Jai Telangana" to "Jai KCR and Jai KTR" (KT Rama Rao)."Every previous Chief Minister from Andhra Pradesh had visited my constituency (Chevella). But KCR has never visited after the 2014 elections. People's ...
UK to vote on Brexit deal before Christmas
Hours after the draft Brexit deal was approved by the European Union (EU) leaders, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday that the United Kingdom Parliament will vote on the withdrawal agreement before December 25.Addressing a presser here, May, while defending the pact, reiterated that "it was the only deal available." She further underlined that after a long and difficult process, it was the beginning of a "crucial national debate" and was "confident of achieving the best deal," Anadolu News Agency reported."The public would expect parliament to vote on the deal. For most people in the UK, they want a deal done and want us to get on with focusing more clearly on the issues that matter to them day to day," May said.Leaders of the 27 countries of the EU endorsed the UK's withdrawal agreement from the bloc, European Council president Donald Tusk announced.Ruling out the possibility of a second Brexit referendum, the British Prime Minister underscored that the draft deal would give ..
Pb police detains 3 from J-K at Pathankot rail station for verification of antecedents
Three people from Jammu and Kashmir, who were travelling in an express train headed towards Delhi, were deboarded and detained at the Pathankot railway station on the basis of suspicion, senior police officer said. All the three men have been detained and were being questioned about their antecedents, Punjab Police's Border Range IG, S S Parmar told PTI. Pathankot and its adjoining areas continue to be under a strict vigil, especially after the 2016 terror attack here. Security agencies in Pathankot and adjoining districts have also been on alert after four people, travelling in a hired SUV from Jammu, had snatched the vehicle from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur area on November 13. When asked whether three or six men shave been detained, Parmar said, "Three men from Jammu and Kashmir have been detained at Pathankot for verification of their antecedents." They were travelling from from Jammu in Pooja Express, he said, adding they are being quizzed.
BJP demands Sidhu's apology over remark against Indore Mayor
The ruling BJP demanded an apology from Congress leader and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu Sunday for his alleged offensive remark against the woman mayor of Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Women workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a silent protest in front of the statue of Devi Ahilya near the Rajwada Palace here. At a recent campaign rally here ahead of the November 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, Sidhu had criticised Indore Mayor Malini Lakshmansingh Gaur over a demolition drive in the city. "Taali thoko aur iske sath mahapaur ko bhi thoko," (clap your hands and also hit the mayor), he had said, accusing Gaur and the municipal administration of demolishing people's houses without paying them compensation. "Taali thoko" (clap your hands) is Sidhu's famous refrain at a television comedy show where he appears. BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi called Sidhu "Mr Stupid" and demanded his apology over the "obscene remark".