Page 2417 - Politics
Turkey says Trump intends to turn a 'blind eye' to Khashoggi murder
Turkey on Friday said President Donald Trump intended to turn a "blind eye" to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder he said Washington's ties with Riyadh would not be affected by the incident. "In one sense, Trump is saying 'I will turn a blind eye'," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with CNN Turk broadcaster, referring to Trump's continued support for Saudi Arabia, which has committed to billions of dollars in US weapons contracts.
No substance in what Modi speaks, says Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said Indians have realised that there is no substance in what Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks, adding the latter is mum on the issues he spoke about before the 2014 elections. Addressing a campaign rally here for the November 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, Gandhi said Modi's speeches used to be about corruption, farmers and unemployment. "Today, he doesn't say anything on these issues. People of the country have realised that there is no substance in what Modi speaks. All his assurances are false," Gandhi said. "Before 2014, Narendra Modi promised loan waiver, bonus and better price for farmers' produce; I want to ask him why were the assurances not fulfilled," he said. When the Congress forms the next government in Madhya Pradesh, the chief minister will work for 18 hours a day to provide employment to youth, Gandhi said. "Unemployment and farm crisis are rampant in all the poll-bound states," he said, adding the government ..
Mizoram CM among nine candidates facing criminal cases: Report
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla is among the nine candidates facing criminal cases out of over 200, who are in the fray for the state Assembly election, according to a report by two civil society organisations. Mizo National Front (MNF) president and former chief minister Zoramthanga is another bigwig fighting criminal charges, the report of the Mizoram Election Watch (MEW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said. It is based on affidavits filed to the Election Commission by the aspirants. The others facing criminal charges are V Malsawmtluanga (Independent), Vl Zahawma Chawngthu (BJP), Rasik Mohan Chakma (MNF), Lalduhpuii (BJP), James Thanghmingmawia (Congress) and R Lalthangliana (MNF). Out of the nine contestants, only four are facing serious criminal cases, it said. While the Congress and the MNF are contesting all 40 constituencies this time, the BJP is fighting in 39 seats with an aim to open its account for the first time in Mizoram. The state goes to poll on ...
India lodges protest with Pak after officials, Sikh pilgrims kept away from Nankana Sahib
Indian on Friday summoned Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah and lodged protest against harassment and denial of access to Indian High Commission officials and attempts at hostile propoganda during the visit of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan.Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) lodged a strong protest with the Government of Pakistan that despite having been granted prior travel permission by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, the Consular officials of the High Commission of India in Islamabad were harrased and denied access on 21 and 22 at Gurudwara Nankana Sahib and Gurudwara Sacha Sauda to the Indian pilgrims visiting Pakistan under the Bilateral Protocol. As a result of such harassment they were compelled to return to Islamabad without performing their diplomatic and consular duties vis-a-vis Indian pilgrims.The MEA, in a statement, said, "We have shared our grave concern that this is the third consecutive visit of the Indian Sikh pilgrims when Pakistan
Both India, Australia committed to fighting terrorism: MEA
Terming President Ram Nath Kovind visit to Australia as "fruitful", the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that both India and Australia is committed to fighting terrorism while stressing that "act of terror in any region is not acceptable".Briefing the media here about the President's first visit to the eastern country MEA Secretary (East) Vijay Thakur Singh said, "As far as terrorism is concerned both India and Australia have similar views. Terrorism is threats which need to be fought globally, in whatever region acts of terrorism are not acceptable."The MEA Secretary (East) said that during the meeting, President Kovind and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison discussed measures for maintaining a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region. She added that President Kovind during the meeting also underscored that two countries could cooperate in space technology as India has a proven track record in the area."The relationship between India and Australia has tremendous
ISI-backed Khalistanis using gurudwaras in Pakistan for anti-India activities
Pakistan's malicious propaganda against India has been widely exposed as pro-Khalistan group -- 'Sikhs for Justice' has launched "Referendum 2020" campaign at Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Lahore.On the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev at Nankana Sahib, the Sikhs for Justice put hoardings and banners highlighting "Referendum 2020" for the liberation of Punjab from India."Referendum 2020" banners and "Khalistan" flags with the life size portrait of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale have been placed throughout the Nankana Sahib complex.Attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor and mastermind of this campaign even distributed T-Shirts and Q&A pamphlet on Punjab Independence referendum among the devotees who are visiting Pakistan from more than thirty countries. Sources revealed that massive campaign has been launched at the behest of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence.On Thursday, the ISI-sponsored Sikhs stopped two Indian diplomats from entering Gurudwara ..
Rajapaksa's opponents win control of key panel in Lankan Parliament
Ousted Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe's alliance on Friday won control of a powerful panel in Parliament, dealing a major blow to President Maithripala Sirisena and his prime ministerial appointee Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sirisena's party members walked out of Parliament, which resumed its session on Friday after being adjourned on Monday, protesting against Speaker Karu Jayasuriya's move to appoint five members of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) which is led by the President. The Speaker named five members from the United National Front (UNF) of Wickeremesinghe, and one each from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). This is in continuation of the political unrest plaguing the country since October 26. Both Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa claim to be the prime ministers. Wickremesinghe says his dismissal is invalid because he still holds a majority in the 225-member Parliament. Jayasuriya, at the start of the session, ...
Delhi CEO Vijay Kumar Dev appointed as chief secy
Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vijay Kumar Dev has been appointed as the chief secretary of the national capital, an official order said. The Ministry of Home Affairs had Thursday issued the order appointing the 1987-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre. Dev will succeed Anshu Prakash following his transfer to the department of telecommunications in the Central government. Prakash, who was allegedly assaulted at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in February, has been appointed as additional secretary in the telecom department. The outgoing chief secretary had claimed that some Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lawmakers, in the presence of Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, had thrashed him leading to a standoff between the Delhi chief minister and the bureaucrats. Dev will hold the post of chief secretary superseding 1986-batch IAS officer Manoj Parida who is currently serving as additional chief secretary (home) and .
Chandrababu Naidu to campaign with Rahul in T'gana on Nov 28,
TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu would campaign for the Telangana Assembly polls along with Congress President Rahul Gandhi next week, TDP sources said. Naidu would take part in the electioneering along with Gandhi on November 28 and 29, the sources said. TDP and Congress are contesting the December seven polls in Telangana as part of the "grand alliance" which also comprises the CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). Naidu, who has been making efforts to put together an anti-BJP front, had met Gandhi earlier this month. Meanwhile, the Congress has invited TDP and other alliance partners to attend the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's public meeting at Medchal here on Friday. The Telangana Legislative Assembly was prematurely dissolved on September six as per a recommendation made by the state cabinet. The Assembly polls were originally scheduled to be held along with Lok Sabha elections next year. Elections would be held on December 7 and the counting on
Vijay Kumar Dev to be next Delhi Chief Secretary
Senior IAS officer Vijay Kumar Dev has been appointed the next Chief Secretary (CS) of Delhi, succeeding Anshu Prakash.
Ex Norwegian PM meets separatist leaders in Srinagar
Former Prime Minister of Norway, Kjell Magne Bondevik, on Friday met senior separatist leaders here.
China hopes for trade war solution at G20 Xi-Trump talks
China said Friday it hopes US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping can find a solution to the trade war when they meet at the G20 summit next week. The talks in Argentina come as the two countries have failed to reach any agreement to resolve a dispute that escalated after Trump slapped huge tariffs on Chinese goods, prompting tit-for-tat responses. "We hope that both sides can work together on the basis of mutual respect, balance, honesty, and mutual benefit and finally find a solution to solve the problem," Wang Shouwen, Chinese vice minister of commerce, said at a press briefing in Beijing. Want said global trade faces a "complex situation", with "unilateralism and protectionism on the rise" creating uncertainty for economic development. China hopes the G20 will uphold its backing of multilateralism at the summit, which will take place from November 30 to December 1 in Buenos Aires. Beijing also backs reform of the World Trade Organisation to enhance its authority ..
Today's authoritarian governance is far more ominous for democracy: Author Gyan Prakash
That the nation is embodied in the Prime Minister is the telling similarity between the Emergency of 1975-77 under Indira Gandhi and the contemporary state of affairs in India under Narendra Modi; but unlike the former, Modi's "authoritarian governance" is not based on "the assumption of emergency powers by the executive", says Gyan Prakash, a professor of history at Princeton University and author of several highly acclaimed books, including "Mumbai Fables", which was adapted for the film "Bombay Velvet", and the just-released "Emergency Chronicles: Indira Gandhi and Democracy's Turning Point".
SC's oral statement can't be taken as judgement: Kerala Speaker
Kerala Assembly Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan on Friday said that an oral statement of the Supreme Court cannot be taken as a judgement.
J-K political tussle: Staked claim as we have numbers, asserts Sajjad Lone
Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference chairman Sajjad Gani Lone on Friday asserted that he staked claim to form the government in the state as he possesses the required number of legislators in the Assembly."We staked the claim as we had the numbers. Had there been a floor test or had we been told to bring in the numbers, then what is within the purview of the constitution would have happened," Lone told ANI.In a bid to counter the move to form a government by Congress- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-National Conference (NC), Lone on Wednesday staked claim to form a government in the state with the support of the 25-legislator strong Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and more than 18 other lawmakers.The People's Conference Chairman dared the PDP to go to the court if they have the required numbers."If they (PDP) are so aggrieved they can go to the court but they will not because they don't have the numbers," he said.Reacting to arch-rivals PDP and NC coming together with the Congress to ...
India protests Pakistan's denial of consular access to Sikh pilgrims
India on Friday strongly protested Pakistan's denial of consular access to Sikh pilgrims visiting two gurdwaras there on the occasion of Gurpurab - the 549th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev.
Swindler 'impersonated former S. Korea first lady
A woman pretending to be a former South Korean first lady was arrested Friday on suspicion of swindling a politician out of nearly USD 400,000, a report said. Claiming to be late president Roh Moo-hyun's widow Kwon Yang-sook, the fraudster allegedly persuaded the then mayor of Gwangju to transfer her 450 million won (USD 398,000), saying she needed it for her daughter and promising to repay it quickly. At the time Yoon Jang-hyun, a member of the Democratic party of both Roh and current President Moon Jae-in, was seeking the organisation's nomination for a second term as leader of the southern city. Corruption allegations are commonplace in South Korean politics, and its last two presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye are both serving prison sentences for graft. Roh himself committed suicide by jumping off a cliff in 2009 after he was questioned over a corruption case involving Kwon. Her alleged impersonator texted around 10 prominent figures in Gwangju in December but Yoon was the
Will bring privilege notice in Lok Sabha against Amanatullah Khan: Delhi BJP chief
Delhi BJP chief and MP Manoj Tiwari Friday said he would move a privilege notice in the Lok Sabha against AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan for allegedly assaulting and threatening him during the inauguration of the Signature Bridge here earlier this month. After the incident, the AAP and the BJP had filed complaints against each other, alleging assault during the event held on November 4. The month-long Winter Session of Parliament is set to commence from December 11. "I will bring Privilege notice under Rule 222, Chapter XX of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha against AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan," he told PTI. The North East Delhi MP had gone to the event to stage a protest for allegedly not being invited to the inauguration despite being a Member of Parliament from the area. Tiwari alleged that Khan allegedly "assaulted, threatened, obstructed and intimidated" him in the public domain. In response, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party had demanded the arrest of Tiwari for ..
China president to visit Panama after Taiwan snub
China's President Xi Jinping will in December make his first visit to Panama since the Central American country switched diplomatic ties last year from Taiwan. President Juan Carlos Varela said on Twitter that his government has received official confirmation from Beijing about Xi's visit. Xi is to meet Varela on December 3, and the two leaders will witness the signing of about 20 agreements in a range of sectors from science to infrastructure, the statement said. Varela already met Xi in Beijing late last year after the change in diplomatic recognition. In August, El Salvador also switched diplomatic allegiance to Taiwan, as did the Dominican Republic in May under a campaign by Beijing to split democratic Taiwan from its few remaining diplomatic allies. China and Taiwan have been governed separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949, but Beijing sees the island as part of its territory to be brought back into the fold. Beijing has tried to depict the changes in ...
US asks allies to shun Huawei equipment, WSJ reports; sector stocks fall
(Reuters) - The U.S. government is trying to persuade wireless and internet providers in allied countries to avoid telecommunications equipment from China's Huawei Technologies, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.