Page 2535 - Politics
China demands US stop actions that 'undermine' its sovereignty
A top Chinese official on Friday demanded in high-level talks that the United States not violate the Asian power's sovereignty, criticizing US military patrols in the South China Sea and its comments on human rights. "The Chinese side made it clear to the United States that it should stop sending its vessels and military aircraft close to Chinese islands and stop actions that undermine China's sovereignty and security interests," Yang Jiechi, a longtime architect of Chinese foreign policy, told a joint news conference after talks in Washington.
Russia rejects US accusations on chemical weapons
Russia has rejected the US claim that it has flouted an international ban on chemical weapons. The Russian Industry and Trade Ministry that oversaw the dismantling of Soviet-era chemical arsenals denounced what it called "blackmail and unlawful pressure" by Washington. It emphasised Friday that Russia completed the destruction of its chemical stockpiles last year. The US State Department said Tuesday that Russia has failed to meet a 90-day deadline to comply with a US law on preventing the use of chemical weapons, adding that it will now consult Congress on new sanctions against Moscow. Washington and its allies have accused the Russian government of involvement in a March nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury. Russia has strongly rejected the accusations.
India attempts to alter the regional strategic landscape: Pak General
Pakistan army's Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat Friday alleged that India was attempting to alter the regional strategic landscape through an unprecedented military build-up. Hayat was speaking at a book launch event hosted by Center for International Strategic Studies Islamabad (CISS). The CISS said in a statement that General Hayat reviewed the regional security situation and listed the threats faced by Pakistan especially in the context of latest developments, including the first deterrence patrol by Indian nuclear submarine INS Arihant, Indo-Russian nuclear deal for S-400 air defense missile systems and India's shifting doctrinal posture. "An aggressive hybrid war had also been imposed on Pakistan," he alleged. "Pakistan was determined to maintain credible minimum deterrence against full spectrum of evolving threats while exercising restraint and responsibility in order to preserve regional peace and stability," he said. Besides, India's ...
Rahul holds road show in Raman's home turf, slams Modi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi held a mega road show Friday in Rajnandgaon, the constituency of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, three days ahead of the first phase of assembly polls on November 12. Addressing a public meeting after the road show, he criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale fighter jet deal and a sudden demonetisation of a bulk of the currency in circulation in November 2016, and said he no longer talks about corruption. Gandhi, after landing at PTS helipad in Rajnandgaon town in the evening, hopped on an SUV with an open roof for his road show. He was followed by a cavalcade of Congress leaders. After passing through Gurdwara Chowk, Manav Mandir Chowk and Azad Chowk covering a distance of around 2 km, the road show culminated with a public meeting at Ganj Chowk. Targeting the prime minister, Gandhi said Modi did not fulfil the promises he made to people ahead of the 2014 election. Instead, the common men had to bear the brunt of steps like ...
Sri Lanka prez dissolves parliament, clears way for fresh polls to be held on Jan 5
Sri Lanka's political crisis deepened Friday after its president Maithripala Sirisena dissolved parliament, paving the way for a general election to be held on January 5, nearly two years ahead of its time. Sirisena signed a gazette notification to dissolve the nation's parliament with effect from Friday midnight, in another surprise move that comes after two weeks of political and constitutional turmoil. According to the gazette notice, nominations to contest the snap election would be taken between November 19 and 26. The election will be held January 5 and the new parliament would be convened on January 17. Sirisena issued a gazette noticing that parliament stands dissolved some 21 months ahead of its schedule in August 2020, amid a worsening constitutional crisis triggered by the surprise sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The dissolution comes hours after a close aide of the President said Sirisena had decided that there will be no snap elections or a national ...
Joining Moscow meeting on Afghanistan not under compulsion: India
India on Friday made it clear that its participation in a meeting, albeit at a non-official level, in Moscow on the Afghanistan issue with Taliban representatives also on the table has not been made under any compulsion.
Former BSP leader accuses Mayawati of seeking Rs 5 crore for Lok Sabha ticket
Former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) Mukul Upadhyaya on Friday alleged that the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati had sought money to give him the Lok Sabha ticket from Aligarh, a charge refuted by the BSP.
Pak highlighted threat posed by instability in Afghanistan at Moscow meeting: FO
Pakistan's delegation at the Russia-led peace conference on Afghanistan Friday highlighted the threat posed by the instability in the war-torn country to the neighbouring nations, the country's Foreign Office said. The Foreign Office said the Pakistan delegation to the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan held in Moscow was led by Additional Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia) Muhemmed Aejaz. "The participants of today's meeting candidly expressed their views about deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the threat it posed to the neighboring countries, which have been most affected by the Afghan conflict," the Foreign Office said. "Pakistan's positive approach and consistent efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan through initiatives acceptable to the entire Afghan nation and the futility of military intensive approach which had resulted in colossal human losses and compounded miseries of the people of Afghanistan was particularly highlighted," .
Karnataka to celebrate Tipu Jayanti despite BJP protest
Security has been stepped up across Karnataka in view of the birthday celebration (Jayanti) of the erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan on Saturday by the ruling coalition partner Congress despite protests by the opposition BJP.
Sri Lanka prez dissolves parliament amid worsening political crisis
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Friday dissolved the country's parliament, paving the way for an early general election expected to be held in January, amid a worsening constitutional crisis triggered by the surprise sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sirisena signed a gazette notification to dissolve the nation's parliament with effect from Friday midnight, in another surprise move that comes after two weeks of political and constitutional turmoil. The dissolution comes hours after a close aide of the President said Sirisena had decided that there will be no snap elections or a national referendum to end the current political and constitutional crises in Sri Lanka. Analysts said tonight's dissolution was again unconstitutional in terms of the four and a half year term rule in the 19th amendment. "We vehemently reject the dissolution of parliament. He has robbed the people of their rights", Wickremesinghe led United National Party (UNP) said in a statement. A ...
Congress party is confused: Shivraj on Rahul's Panama papers goof up
Taking a potshot at Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his goof up on Panama papers issue, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday said that the entire Congress party is confused.Speaking to ANI, the Chief Minister said, "They are not able to decide what to do and what not to. The whole Congress is confused. The party's leader is himself confused. He himself admitted that I got confused. But people of the state are not confused; people will definitely make the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) win with a majority."Earlier, the Congress president clarified that he got confused when he leveled allegations that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister 's son was named in the Panama papers.Gandhi while addressing a rally in Jabua on October 29 said that Chouhan's son was named in the Panama papers. "Shivraj Singh's son has been named in the Panama papers. Even the country like Pakistan has punished its former prime minister Nawaz Sharif when he was named in the Panama papers. But
Andhra CM meets Stalin to form opposition alliance for 2019 polls
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday met Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin here to hold discussions about forming an opposition alliance in order to dethrone the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in next year's Lok Sabha elections.Addressing the media, Naidu said, "I came here to request Stalin Ji to join us to save this nation. Democracy is in danger, the nation is in danger, and all of us have to work together against the BJP."The chief minister further accused the BJP government of using probe agencies to "malign" and "harass" opposition leaders."If you see today, the CBI is totally defamed. Even the RBI is prepared to quit. It (RBI) is a regulatory, autonomous body, the interference by the government has never happened in the past. Also, Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax, they are using only to malign and harass all opposition leaders," Naidu said.Naidu further blamed the Modi government for stagnating .
BJP will win MP polls with majority: Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Minister and Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said that the party will win the upcoming assembly elections in the state with full majority."The BJP will attain power in the state for the fourth time. For the last 15 years, people of Chhattisgarh have kept any other political party out of the state. I am confident that the BJP will register victory in the upcoming elections in the state with full majority," Pradhan said.Madhya Pradesh is slated to go to polls on November 28. Counting of votes will be held on December 11.The election in the state is seen as a direct political battle between the BJP and the Congress. While Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is attempting to secure a fourth consecutive term, the Congress will fight for regaining power in the state after 2003.
Sirisena dissolves Sri Lankan Parliament, UNP cries foul
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved the Parliament on Friday night after days of political unrest in the Asian island-nation according to Sri Lanka's national broadcaster.The United National Party of Sri Lanka "vehemently rejected" the move and tweeted, "We vehemently reject the President's dissolution of Parliament. He has robbed the people of their rights and the Democracy that we have enjoyed."They further termed the dissolution as "ïllegal" saying, "This dissolution by the President is illegal and goes against the constitution. We will be fighting this to ensure that Democracy reigns supreme in the country."The Department of Government Printing has been brought under the President as well, according to Colombo Page, along with the country's Police Department.Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party had earlier admitted to not having the votes to confirm Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister of the country in place of Ranil Wickremesinghe.Snap elections may be held .
Rijiju attends Nagaland Cabinet meeting, promises central aid
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju on Friday attended the first-ever Nagaland cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at Kiphire and also inaugurated an upgraded district hospital there. Yhe minister said Kiphire, which is located 230 kms from the state capital Kohima, is poised to see rapid development and there will be no dearth of funds from the Centre. "Attended the special Nagaland Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at Kiphire. Many significant decisions were taken for Kiphire district as well as for whole of Nagaland, Rijiju said in a Twitter post. Sources in Kiphire district administration said that the Union MoS while congratulating the people of Kiphire also said the district will very soon see beacon of development. In a tweet, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the upgraded District Hospital, Kiphire, will provide access to better healthcare for the people. Further, Rio tweeted that the policy of ...
BJP, Congress trade charges ahead of November 28 polls in MP
The war of words between the BJP and the Congress has intensified ahead of the November 28 polling in Madhya Pradesh with both parties raising a range of issues to attack each other. While the Congress accused the BJP of raking up the issues of Pakistan and Ram temple to ward off an impending electoral defeat, the ruling party said the main opposition outfit is feeling like a "fish out of water" since it lost power in Madhya Pradesh 15 years ago. Talking to reporters at Indore Friday, Congress national spokesperson Shakeel Ahmad said the BJP starts taking the name of Pakistan whenever it senses defeat in elections. It also starts doing politics in the name of Lord Rama when elections are just around the corner, he said. Asked about the Congress' stand on the Ram temple issue, he said, "This matter is being heard at the Supreme Court. We will surely react if Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes any statement about construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya." The Congress ...
Names of many other UP cities set to be changed : BJP lawmaker
Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker in Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Som created a flutter on Friday when he said the state government will soon be changing names of many other cities in the state after Allahabad was named Prayagraj and Faizabad, Ayodhya.
EC bans exit polls from Nov 12 to Dec 7
The Election Commission on Friday imposed a near month-long ban on holding exit polls beginning November 12 in the five poll-bound states. A notification issued by the poll panel said between 7 am of November 12 and 5.30 pm of December 7, "conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising the result of exit poll by means of the print or electronic media or in any other manner shall be prohibited" . While Chhattisgarh is going to polls in two phases on November 12 and 20, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram have elections on November 28. Rajasthan and Telangana will go to polls on December 7. Using powers under the Representation of People Act, 1951, EC bans exit polls from the time the poll begins till half-an-hour after the polling ends. The poll panel had proposed that there should be a prohibition on publication and broadcast of the results of opinion polls starting from the date of notification of elections till the completion of the last phase of polls to Lok Sabha and state ...
UK transport minister resigns over Brexit
Britain's Transport Minister Jo Johnson Friday became the latest member from Prime Minister Theresa May's government to resign over the issue of Brexit. Johnson, the younger brother of hard-Brexiteer Boris Johnson, called for the public to have a fresh say on Britain's membership of the European Union (EU). The Conservative Party MP, who was a New Delhi-based journalist for 'The Financial Times' between 2005 and 2008, said the UK was "barrelling towards an incoherent Brexit that is going to leave us trapped in a subordinate relationship to the EU". It was "imperative" to "go back to the people and check they are content to proceed on this extraordinary basis". Unlike his Brexit voting brother who resigned as foreign secretary in July, Johnson voted to remain in the EU. "Hopes for the 'easiest trade deal in history' have proved to be delusions," Johnson said in his statement. "Contrary to promises, there is in fact no deal at all on our future trading relationship with the EU which the
Sri Lankan President dissolves parliament amid political row
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved Parliament late on Friday amid a political crisis that erupted in the island nation since October 26, local media reported.