Page 2564 - Politics
US warns of severe penalties for firms continuing sanctionable commerce with Iran
The US on Monday warned companies globally that they would be subject to severe penalties if they continued to have sanctionable commercial transactions with Iran, as it tightened the nooses around the Iranian regime with a set of toughest ever American sanctions. "If a company evades our sanctions regime and secretly continues sanctionable commerce in the Islamic Republic, the US will levy severe, swift penalties on it, including potential sanctions," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. The US on Monday imposed "the toughest ever" sanctions on a defiant Iran aimed at altering the Iranian regime's "behaviour". The sanctions cover Iran's banking and energy sectors and reinstate penalties for countries and companies in Europe, Asia and elsewhere that do not halt Iranian oil imports. "I promise you that doing business with Iran in defiance of our sanctions will ultimately be a much more painful business decision than pulling out of Iran and being connected to Iran entirely," he told ...
MP polls: BJP leaders meet LS Speaker over ticket distribution
Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and BJP vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe Monday met Lok Sabha Speaker and local MP Sumitra Mahajan in connection with ticket distribution for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls. The polls for the 230-member state assembly will be held on November 28. Counting of votes will take place on December 11. Indore district has nine assembly constituencies. "Tai (Sumitra Mahajan) is our senior leader. As she was abroad, we could not hold talks over the Assembly poll tickets with her. Following her return, we called on her," Gwalior Lok Sabha MP Tomar told reporters here. Tomar and Sahasrabuddhe held talks with Mahajan for about 90 minutes, party functionaries said. Tomar denied that Mahajan was upset over the process of picking party candidates. "Mahajan is not unhappy at all," he said. BJP sources have said the ticket distribution for seats in Indore were getting delayed due to a reported tussle between Mahajan and BJP general secretary and Mhow MLA ...
Why BJP wants Ram temple at disputed spot? Asks Digvijay
Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Monday questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government is adamant on constructing a ram temple on a disputed site.Singh was addressing the media here when he said, "They are only reminded of Lord Ram ahead of elections. My stance is very clear, there is no problem in building a Ram temple, but why do want to make it at a disputed spot? If at all you want to make it at a disputed place then you must accept court's order."He also alleged that the Bharatiya Janta Party government has failed on almost all aspects, he added, "Modi's government has failed on all aspects whether it be foreign policy, policy for farmer, economic policy or any other. The BJP government and specifically Modi ji have failed."On October 29, the Supreme Court adjourned the Ayodhya title suit till next year to fix a date for the hearing.The court was hearing the matter which challenged the 2010 ruling of the Allahabad High Court which divided the disputed .
Don't need certificate from Rahul Gandhi, Vardhan reacts on Avni
Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday hit back at Rahul Gandhi over killing over tigress Avni, saying his government does not require a certificate from Rahul Gandhi.
Mungekar attacks RSS on Ram temple issue
Former Planning Commission member and Congress leader Bhalchandra Mungekar Monday accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, of stoking the Ram temple issue with an eye on elections. He alleged that a "pre-Babri mosque atmosphere" is sought to be created in the country. He also accused Narendra Modi government of "systematically dismantling" the democratic institutions including the Supreme Court and the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation). Mungekar charged the RSS with building pressure on the Supreme Court to hold early hearing on the Ayodhya title suits. "Failing this, the RSS has threatened to take alternative routes to construct Ram temple in Ayodhya with the tacit support of the government,"Mungekar alleged. "This is unprecedented that, for the first time, the extra-constitutional bodies are trying to openly target the Supreme court not only for urgent, but favourable verdict," he said in a statement. He said the RSS
J&K Governor appoints K.K. Sharma as 4th advisor
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday appointed K.K. Sharma, a 1983 batch Indian Administrative service (IAS) officer, as his fourth advisor, official sources said.
Indian, Chinese army delegations hold border personnel meeting in Ladakh
A ceremonial border personnel meeting (BPM) on the occasion of Diwali was held Monday between Indian and Chinese Army delegations on the Indian side of the border at Chushul in the Ladakh region. "A BPM was held on the occasion of Diwali at the Indian BPM huts at Chushul-Moldo and DBO-TWD in eastern Ladakh Monday," a defence spokesman said. He added that the Indian delegations were led by Brigadier VK Purohit and Colonel SS Lamba and the Chinese delegations by Senior Colonel Yin Hong Chen and Colonel Song Zhang Li. The ceremonial BPM was marked by the lighting of traditional lamps by the delegation leaders, followed by their ceremonial address, the defence spokesman said. He added that both sides highlighted the peace, tranquillity and understanding prevailing on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A cultural programme showcasing the vibrant Indian culture was held with traditional grandeur, the defence spokesman said, adding that the delegations interacted with each other in a free, ...
'Grand alliance has come together just to defeat TRS'
The ruling TRS in Telangana Monday kept up its attack on the proposed "grand alliance" of opposition parties for the December 7 assembly elections, alleging that they have come together with the sole aim of defeating it. TRS leader and minister in the caretaker government K T Rama Rao alleged that the parties have been sparring over seat-sharing. The 'grand alliance' comprises the Congress, TDP, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). Rao alleged that these parties had sought to release separate policy documents for the elections, but came together to fight the polls jointly to defeat TRS. Rao, son of TRS president and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, spoke at separate election meetings Monday. Continuing his attack on the Congress-TDP alliance, he claimed that TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu had spoken harshly about Congress and its top leader Sonia Gandhi. "There is no answer when asked why KCR (Chandrasekhar Rao) should be defeated," he said. TRS is going it ...
India's atomic triad to push security, strategic interests: Shah
With nuclear-capable submarine INS Arihant successfully completing its deterrence patrol, BJP President Amit Shah on Monday said it will be effective in furthering the security and strategic interests of the country.
Don't attempt to subvert judicial process: CPI(M) tells govt on demand for law for Ram temple
The CPI(M) on Monday hit out at those questioning the Supreme Court decision to take up the Ayodhya case in January and cautioned the BJP-led government against "patronising" people who were trying to create communal divide over the issue ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year. In a statement, the CPI (M) Politburo, while referring to demands for bringing in a law for Ram temple construction, said the Modi government should not try to subvert the judicial process. It claimed that while the BJP had officially stated that it will abide by the apex court judgement, it has now done a "volte face" ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. "The BJP is now engaging in a volte face as the general elections are drawing close. Led by the RSS, strident demands are being raised for the enactment of a new law for temple construction. This is tantamount to subversion of the judicial process. This is unconstitutional, hence, illegal", said the statement. The party alleged that alarming statements are being .
Sri Lanka: Previous Parliamentary status enforced until Rajapaksa proves majority
Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Karu Jayasuriya on Monday said that he was "compelled to accept status that existed previously" in the legislative body until a clear majority was proved by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa."Even though I have remained silent so far at a time our motherland is embroiled in an unprecedented crisis. I consider it my paramount duty to act in accordance with my conscience for the protection of rights and privileges of the majority of the Members of Parliament," Jayasuriya said in a statement."I wish to emphasise that I am compelled to accept the status that existed previously until such time that they and the new political alliance prove their majority in Parliament," the Speaker added.Jayasuriya confirmed that as many as 116 Members of Parliament of the United National Party, the Tamil National Alliance, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Muslim Congress had approached him saying that President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to sack Ranil ...
Sanctions aim to starve Iran of revenue: Pompeo
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday stated that the sanctions against Iran were an "unprecedented campaign of economic pressure" with the objective to "starve" the Iranian regime of revenue it uses to fund violent actions throughout the Middle-East and around the world.Addressing a presser here, Pompeo cited Denmark's intelligence uncovering an Iranian assignation plot as proof for the need to impose the sanctions and warned Iran to "either do a 180-degree turn from its outlaw course of action and act like a normal country, or it can see its economy crumble."Pompeo further stated that the US hopes "an agreement with Iran is possible," however, failure to change their ways will invite relentless pressure from the US."As a reflection of that resolve, today we're re-imposing all sanctions that were previously lifted under the nuclear deal. This includes sanctions on energy, banking, and ship-building industries," Pompeo said.The Secretary of State said that the ...
Ailing Goa CM Parrikar extends Diwali greetings through audio clip
In his first outreach to the people of the state since May, ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday extended Diwali greetings through an audio clip played on FM radio.
Tipu Jayanti celebrations to be held amid tight security
: The Karnataka government Monday decided to celebrate "Tipu Jayanti" to mark the birth anniversary of controversial 18th-century ruler of erstwhile Mysore kingdom, Tipu Sultan, bringing the state under a thick security blanket, amid threats of protest by theBJP. The state BJP, meanwhile, has urged the government to drop its decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti and not to stand on "prestige" or "ego". Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, who held a meeting with senior officials about the celebrationson November 10, said Deputy Commissioners andSuperintendents of Police of all districts had been directed to organise eventsand funds for it have been released from the Kannada andCulture department. "To maintain security,the DGP (Director General of Police) has requested for 10 companies of Rapid Action Force,as 10 battalions of Karnataka State Reserve Police have beensent for the Chhattisgarh polls. Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of all districts have ...
Rebel AAP MLA Kapil Mishra's 'My PM, My Pride' to fight negative campaign against Modi
Rebel AAP MLA and former minister in the Kejriwal government, Kapil Mishra, will launch a campaign "My PM, My Pride" to fight the "negative campaign" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media and the ground. Mishra who had once termed Modi an "ISI agent" said his campaign was an act of "repentance" for his statements against Modi and the BJP while being under the influence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "I am an admirer of the prime minister and an MLA of AAP," he told reporters at a press conference. A tech-savvy and media friendly Mishra in the past has criticised Prime Minister Modi on numerous occasions and courted controversy by terming him an "ISI agent" after the Pathankot terror attack in 2016. "This thing has already been regretted by me in an interview on the NaMo app," he said, claiming that he believed the absence of any major terror attack on Indian cities in the Modi government's four years in power spoke volumes about the the prime minister's ...
Akalis protest outside CM's house against Sikh gurus' 'denigration' in history text books
The Akali leaders Monday marched to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's official residence and clashed with police in its vicinity as part of their "unannounced" protest against "denigration" of the Sikh gurus in class 12 history text books of the state. Their protest eventually ended with Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal courting arrest along with around 60 of his party MLAs, leaders and workers, yards away from the chief minister's residence. The chief minister, in turn, slammed the Akalis for unnecessarily creating a law and order problem over the issue, saying the party chief was taking law into his hands despite the government already having withdrawn the controversial text books and ordered their review by the expert group. The Akali Dal chief was trying to divert" public attention from the more crucial task of maintaining law and order in the state ahead of Diwali, the chief minister said. The unannounced Akalis' protest caught the Chandigarh police and ...
Nehru said RBI autonomy subject to govt direction, it's still true: Top govt functionary
Accused by the Congress of trampling on the RBI's autonomy with its interference, a top government functionary said Monday it was the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru who asserted that the central bank enjoyed autonomy but it was also subject to the Centre's directions and those comments still hold true. The top functionary, who did not want to be named, also cited several instances of clash the earlier governments at the Centre, right from the Nehru-led dispensation to the UPA's, had with the central bank over policy issues which at times led to resignation of the RBI governor. Benegal Rama Rau quit in 1957 after Nehru supported his finance minister T T Krishnamachari in his clash with the then RBI governor over a proposal, the functionary said. To Rau's assertion about the RBI's autonomy, Nehru had apparently said the central bank is certainly autonomous but it is also subject to the government's directions, he claimed. "What Nehru said remains true now," the ...
Farmers being 'looted' in the name of crop insurance, alleges Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the crop insurance scheme, alleging that farmers are being "looted" and the 'chowkidaar' has made his intentions clear that "he will steal from others to fill the coffers of his friends". Taking to Twitter, he alleged the motive of the scheme is to fill the accounts of "suit-boot friends" with thousands of crores of rupees. There was no immediate reaction from the government over the allegations. "After 'looting' Air Force in Rafale, now farmers are being looted in the name of crop insurance. The motive is only one: filling thousands of crores of Rupees in the accounts of their suited-booted friends. "The chowkidaar has made his intentions clear: Will steal from others to fill the coffers of friends," Gandhi tweeted in Hindi. During his campaign speeches, Modi had said that he would be a 'chowkidaar' (watchman) of government treasury and would not allow anyone to misuse public money. Rahul Gandhi ...
Euro zone investor morale hits two-year low in November
BERLIN (Reuters) - Investor morale in the euro zone fell more than expected in November and hit its lowest level in just over two years, a survey showed on Monday, as concerns about U.S. trade policies and the future of Germany's car industry weighed on sentiment.
PM to visit Kedarnath shrine on Diwali
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand on Diwali, sources in the government said on Monday. They said Modi will offer prayers and review the progress of reconstruction and development projects at the shrine which was hit by devastating floods in 2013. The last time the Prime Minister had been to Kedarnath was in October 2017 just before the portals of the Himalayan shrine close for the winters. After becoming the prime minister in 2014, Modi had spent his Diwali at Siachen with jawans. In 2015, he had visited the Punjab border on Diwali. His visit coincided with 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war. The next year, Modi was in Himachal Pradesh where he spent time with Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel at an outpost. Modi had spent his fourth Diwali as PM with soldiers at Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir last year.