Page 2436 - Politics
UN envoy in Yemen for 'sternest' talks as famine stalks
The UN Yemen envoy faced his "sternest test" on Wednesday as he flew into the rebel-held capital Sanaa for talks on averting all-out fighting for the lifeline port of Hodeida and widespread famine. Under heavy Western pressure, the government and its Saudi-led military backers have largely suspended a five-month-old offensive on the Red Sea port city as UN envoy Martin Griffiths makes the biggest peace push in two years. But a devastating all-out assault on the city's vital docks still threatens as coalition commanders scent a potentially game-changing victory in their three-and-a-half year war on the Iran-backed Huthi Shiite rebels. UN agencies say up to 14 million Yemenis are at risk of starvation if the port of Hodeida is closed by fighting or damage. The city is virtually the sole gateway to the capital and rebel-held territory in the densely populated highlands, and some 80 per cent of commercial food imports and virtually all UN-supervised humanitarian aid pass through its ...
BJP attacks Congress over anti-Sikh riots after court verdict
The BJP accused the Congress Wednesday of working to deny justice to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims and also targeted Kamal Nath, the opposition party's chief in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, saying he was removed as the party's in-charge for the Punjab Assembly polls following protests by Sikhs. A day after a Delhi court awarded death sentence to an accused and life imprisonment to another in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the probe carried out by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Narendra Modi government led to the sentencing. "We (BJP) are very satisfied," the Union minister told reporters about his party's stand on the verdict and added that people needed to be told that the Congress had, during its rule, tried to ensure that the Sikh riot victims did not get justice. The opposition party did it to save its own people, Prasad alleged. There was no reaction to the court verdict from the Congress ...
Prez Trump under fire for backing Saudi crown prince over the brutal killing of Khashoggi
President Donald Trump has defended his decision not to hold Saudi rulers accountable in the brutal killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying maintaining strategic ties with Riyadh and keeping the global oil prices down were in the best interests of the US and the world, a stand criticised as a "betrayal of American values." The murder of Khashoggi, a one-time insider-turned critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a resident of the US, in the Saudi consulate in Turkey and dismembering of his body has spurred a wave of international anger against Saudi Arabia and its rulers. The US last week imposed sanctions on 17 individuals of Saudi Arabia for serious human rights abuse resulting from their roles in the killing of 59-year-old Khashoggi at the kingdom's Consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Saudi Arabia has blamed Khashoggi's death on rogue agents but denied claims that the crown prince had knowledge of the operation. Trump essentially argued that although the ...
Calibrated effort in Modi regime to weaken democracy: Manmohan
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday said the credibility of institutions like Parliament and CBI has been systematically denigrated in the Narendra Modi-led regime, which he said is making a "careful, well-thought-out calibrated effort" to weaken democracy. Addressing a press conference ahead of the November 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, Singh said corruption was peaking in the Modi government. "The country has witnessed credibility of institutions like Parliament and CBI systematically denigrated. There is a careful, well-thought-out and calibrated effort to weaken democracy," he said. "The rule of law is under attack. history shall never forgive our present generation if the situation is not changed," he said. In a veiled reference to developments in RBI and CBI, Singh said the Modi government is trying to prevail over big institutions, adding this was detrimental to democracy and law of the land. "The relationship between the RBI and Finance Ministry ..
Will NC, PDP and Congress sink differences to form government in J&K?
Political grapevine in Jammu and Kashmir was agog on Wednesday that the Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC) are engaged in serious parleys to form a coalition government in the state.
China, Philippines decide to upgrade ties, build Belt and Road jointly
China and the Philippines unilaterally decided to upgrade their ties and boost cooperation by jointly advancing the Belt and Road construction.According to Xinhua, the decision was made during a meet between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte.The two presidents had in-depth discussions on bilateral relations and issues of common concern in six meetings over the past two years.Xi, while calling the Philippines an important partner in building Belt and Road, urged both sides to deepen the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Philippines' development plans. He further called out to boost cooperation in fields like infrastructural construction, telecommunications and agriculture.China wishes to continue its traditional friendship with the Philippines while further deepening the cooperation between the two countries. Strengthening the bilateral relations, China firmly supports the Philippines' fight against drugs and terrorism. It ..
BJP is majoritarian, authoritarian; TRS its proxy says Chidambaram
Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) here on Wednesday by calling the saffron outfit majoritarian and authoritarian. "TRS is its proxy," he said."BJP is seen as majoritarian and authoritarian. Many sections of the people, especially Dalit, minorities, Scheduled Tribes, women and children live in fear The BJP is trying its utmost to divide India on the line of religion, caste, and is capturing institutions," said Chidambaram. He added that TRS and its leaders have not stood up or opposed the BJP and this stance puts them squarely in the column of the BJP.Addressing a press conference here, Chidambaram claimed, "The silence and neutrality of the TRS just only mean that TRS supports the misrule of the BJP in order to sustain their own misrule in Telangana."On the TRS' performance in the state, Chidambaram, while reminding the promises made by TRS in 2013, said that the TRS ...
US, S Korea North Korea denuclearization
A US-Republic of Korea working group has discussed complete denuclearization and lasting peace in the Korean Peninsula as well as the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions and inter-Korean cooperation.The group was co-chaired by US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun and Republic of Korea Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Lee Do-hoon in Washington on November 20.The Special Representative of both the countries reaffirmed the US--Republic of Korea Alliance as the linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.
Bangladesh elections will be genuine and credible: EU
The European Union (EU) has expressed confidence that the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh will be "genuine, credible and transparent."Rensje Teerink, the EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, recently commented: "I have always been told that when Bangladesh gears up for elections, there will be political turmoil and mass demonstrations on the streets. But so far, I must say, it has been quite calm."In an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), the ambassador said: "We are confident and hopeful that it will be a genuine, credible, transparent and inclusive election."General elections are scheduled to be held in Bangladesh on December 30 to elect members of the Jatiya Sangsad, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League hoping to remain in power for a third consecutive term.Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Hasina's arch-rival Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since February over a graft case, boycotted the 2014 elections. The party has been demanding polls under a non-party
BJP runs govt 'comparatively better' than Congress: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday claimed that the BJP has run the government "comparatively better" than the Congress and blamed the opposition party for a "credibility crisis" in politics after Independence. Talking to reporters in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Singh asserted that the country was currently witnessing "acche din" (good days) and it was a matter of perception how people saw it. He also defended the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre over the Rafale jet deal row. "Indian economy is the fastest growing economy in the world due to the charismatic work of our prime minister (Narendra Modi). India (people) has accepted that BJP is a political party which runs the government comparatively better than the Congress," Singh told reporters here. "I said comparatively... no political party is perfect, neither we are, I never made such a claim. All political parties have shortcomings. But this (BJP) is a political party which works better, ...
Merkel to back Brexit deal, hopes Gibraltar hurdle cleared by Sunday
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will back an agreement on Sunday on Britain's withdrawal from the European Union, and hopes Spain's objection to wording over the disputed British territory of Gibraltar can be resolved by then, Chancellor Angela Merkel said.
Modi regime making calibrated bid to weaken democracy: Singh
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday said the credibility of institutions like Parliament and CBI has been systematically denigrated in the Narendra Modi-led regime, which he said is making "careful, well-thought-out calibrated effort" to weaken democracy. Addressing a press conference here, Singh said corruption was peaking in the Modi government. "The country has witnessed credibility of institutions like Parliament and CBI systematically denigrated. There is a careful well-thought-out calibrated effort to weaken democracy," he said. "The rule of law is under attack. history shall never forgive our present generation if the situation is not changed," he said. He termed demonetisation as "organised loot and legalised plunder". "It (demonetisation) is a done act and can't be reverted. It is up to the people to get rid of the government which brought them on this disastrous path," he said. Singh also accused Modi of misusing the Prime Minister's post. "It does ..
Tonk waits for railway line as parties field heavyweights
A two decade-old pending demand for a railway line is the key poll issue for voters in Rajasthan's Tonk, which has become one of the most keenly watched assembly constituency in the state with Congress leader Sachin Pilot pitted against BJP state Minister Yoonus Khan. Tonk, which shares boundary with Jaipur, Ajmer and Sawaimahopur, has been waiting for a direct rail line for many years with leaders promising to put the constituency on the railway map every election. Both Pilot and Khan are outsiders for the Muslim-dominated constituency and are leaving no stone unturned to ensure their victory. After Congress announced Pilot's name in Tonk against sitting BJP MLA Ajit Singh Mehta, the BJP changed its strategy and fielded Khan, terming it a masterstroke against Congress's move to field veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh's son Manvendra Singh in Jhalrapatan, from where Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is contesting. Situated on NH-12 at a distance of 102 km from the state capital, Tonk is ..
Day after resigning from TRS, Telangana MP meets Rahul; likely to join Cong
A day after resigning from the TRS, Telangana MP K Vishweshwar Reddy met Congress president Rahul Gandhi Wednesday, amid indications of his joining the Grand Old Party. Sources said Reddy met Gandhi at the latter's residence here and that he was likely to join the Congress during a November 23 public rally, to be addressed by United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, at Medchal in Telangana. "I had a very warm and cordial meeting with Member of the Lok Sabha, from Telangana, Shri K Vishweshwar Reddy, who resigned from the TRS yesterday. "I look forward to continuing our dialogue in the future and to working together for the betterment of Telangana," Rahul Gandhi said in a Facebook post. He also posted a picture of Reddy and him together. All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Telangana R C Khuntia said Reddy expressed his desire to join the Congress during his meeting with Rahul Gandhi, adding that the Telangana MP would join the opposition party soon. In a
Telangana polls: TRS banks on development in Gajwel
In the December seven Legislative Assembly polls in Telangana, Gajwel in Siddipet district is a key constituency as TRS Chief and Caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is seeking re-election from the seat. Gajwel, situated at about 60 kms from Hyderabad, has a total of 2,27,934 voters, including 1,14,362 male electors, 1,13,554 female voters and 18 others. Rao's main rival in the contest is Vanteru Pratap Reddy (Congress), the nominee fielded by the "grand alliance" (Congress, TDP, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti). On behalf of other major parties, Akkula Vijaya of BJP is in the fray. Pratap Reddy took on Rao in the 2014 Assembly elections as well (in undivided Andhra Pradesh) as a TDP nominee and he managed to get 67,303 votes against 86,694 votes secured by the TRS Chief. Narsa Reddy of Congress had obtained 34,085 votes then. Pratap Reddy has since joined Congress and is banking on the combined strength of TDP and Congress. However, the TRS is relying on the ...
We stand 'firmly' by Ram temple in Ayodhya; will not make it poll issue: UP BJP chief
Ahead of the November 25 Dharam Sabha scheduled to be held in Ayodhya, the BJP Wednesday claimed it is the only political party in the country, which has "passed a political resolution" for building a Ram temple and stands by it "firmly". At the same time, UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey maintained that the party will not make Ram temple an election issue in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "There is no question of the BJP being behind the scene as far as November 25 Dharam Sabha is concerned, as the BJP is serving the people in the capacity of a ruling party. And, the BJP is the only political party in the country, which in its 1989 national executive meeting in Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) passed a political resolution supporting construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya," UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey told PTI. "The BJP stands firmly by the resolution,"he said in an interview. "For the BJP, it (Ram temple) is a matter of faith and devotion. The BJP is a strong advocate of construction of
Government destroyed MSMEs, now wants RBI to revive it: Chidambaram
Picking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that demonetisation was a "bitter" medicine to get rid of black money, Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Wednesday said it destroyed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and now the government wanted RBI to revive the sector.
Ahead of border talks, China says differences with India 'managed properly' through dialogue
China on Wednesday presented an upbeat picture of Sino-India ties ahead of this week's border talks, saying the relations maintained "sound momentum" as the two countries "properly managed" differences through dialogue and consultations. The 21st round of India-China border talks between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be held at the picturesque Dujiangyan near southwest China's Chengdu city from November 23 to 24. Announcing the talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said: "under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, China-India relations have maintained sound momentum of growth". "With ever-deepening cooperation in all areas, the two sides have maintained close communication and coordination in all border related affairs. "We have properly managed the differences through dialogue and consultation. The border areas on the whole maintained stability," he said, answering a question on how China ...
BJP leadership knew about attack on Kejriwal, wants him eliminated: Sisodia
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia Wednesday alleged that the BJP leadership had knowledge of the attack on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the opposition party wants the latter eliminated to stop him from working for the people. On Tuesday, a man flung chilli powder at Kejriwal outside his office in the Delhi Secretariat. The chief minister's spectacles broke but he was not injured in the attack. The attacker, identified as Anil Kumar Sharma, has been arrested. "(Union) Home Minister Rajnath Singh called Kejriwal and asked him to file a complaint in the attack on him. Is this the way an attack on a chief minister should be probed?" Sisodia asked at a press conference. Sharma's Facebook profile shows that he is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said. The BJP had termed the incident as "drama" by Kejriwal, with its Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari demanding a high-level probe into it. "After failing to stop Kejriwal from working for the people of Delhi, now the BJP ...
Ram temple to be built in conducive environment: Rajnath Singh
Holding that the Ayodhya temple issue is sub judice, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said if it is built then it should be done in a "conducive environment".