Page 2606 - Politics
US calls on all sides in Sri Lanka to respect law
The US has called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to reconvene parliament and allow the democratically elected representatives to determine the leadership of their government to end the political crisis sparked by the sudden sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sirisena on Friday sacked Wickremesinghe and appointed former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place, triggering political chaos in the Indian Ocean island nation. Next day, he suspended Parliament after Wickremesinghe, who had termed his sacking as illegal and unconstitutional, sought an emergency session to prove his majority. "We call on the president of Sri Lanka to reconvene his parliament and to allow the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people to fulfill their responsibility in accordance with Sri Lankan law and due process to determine the leadership of their government," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters on Tuesday. The US, he said, ...
Kanye West says he is distancing himself from politics
Rapper Kanye West, who has been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump administration, Wednesday said he would be distancing himself from politics. The 41-year-old controversial rapper has been at the receiving end for quite some time over his endorsement of Trump but he seemingly renounced his support for the administration in a series of tweets. "My eyes are now wide open and now realize I've been used to spread messages I don't believe in," he tweeted. "I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative !!!" he added. He also denied that he had designed a logo for the "Blexit" campaign, which urges African Americans to leave the Democratic party. "I introduced Candace (Owens) to the person who made the logo and they didn't want their name on it so she used mine. I never wanted any association with Blexit. I have nothing to do with it," West wrote. West thanked his "family, loved ones, and community" for supporting his actual beliefs and "my vision for a ...
SC seeks pricing details of Rafale jets
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought details from the the Narendra Modi-led government on the pricing and strategies of Rafale fighter jets in a sealed cover within ten days.The pricing of the aircraft, the government so far had maintained, is covered under the Official Secrets Act.The decision from the Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices UU Lalit and KM Joseph came after hearing a clutch of petitions filed to seek investigation into the alleged irregularities in the multi-billion dollar deal.The matter will next be heard on November 14.On October 27, the Centre had submitted the details of the decision-making process of the Rafale deal to the Supreme Court's Secretary-General in a sealed cover.The Rafale jet deal controversy has been on the boil over the last few months. The Congress and other opposition parties have been alleging irregularities in the high-profile deal.The fighter jet is a twin-engine Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft, which security analysts believe ..
Finance ministry to shortly issue a statement on government-RBI rift
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The government will soon issue a statement to address the growing differences between the finance ministry and the country's central bank, Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg said on Wednesday.
Govt cites never-used powers for resolving issues with RBI
The government has cited the never-before-used power of issuing directions to RBI Governor to seek a resolution to differences with the central bank, sources with knowledge of the development said. The government has sent at least three letters on different issues under Section 7 (1) of the Reserve Bank of India Act that gives it powers to issue any direction to the central bank governor on matters of public interest. Sources, however, insisted that the government has not taken any action of issuing any specific direction and has only initiated consultations with the central bank on unresolved issues. Finance Ministry and RBI are said to have differed on the central bank's handling of weak public sector banks, tight liquidity in the market and ways of resolving bad loans in the power sector. Sources said the finance ministry wrote three separate letters in the past few weeks to RBI on issues ranging from Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework to liquidity management and sought ...
Centre desperate, hiding facts on economy: Chidambaram
Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram expressed concern on Wednesday on reports that the government had invoked a hitherto unused section of the RBI Act to direct the central bank to act at its bidding, saying it shows that the government is "desperate" and "hiding facts" about the economy.
India now meets others on its own terms: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday India now meets the world on its own terms and is moving towards becoming a economic and military superpower.
SC seeks pricing, offset partner details on Rafale deal
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought more information from the government on the Rafale combat jet deal, including its pricing and deemed advantages.
India remembers Indira Gandhi on 34th death anniversary
Top political leaders on Wednesday paid homage to India's third prime minister Indira Gandhi to commemorate her 34th death anniversary."Tributes to our former Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Congress President Rahul Gandhi also took to the micro-blogging site to remember his grandmother "with a deep sense of happiness.""Remembering Dadi today with a deep sense of happiness. She taught me so much and gave me unending love. She gave so much of herself to her people. I am very proud of her," his tweet read.The Congress President, along with his mother and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh, also paid floral tributes to the 'Iron Lady' at her memorial Shakti Sthal.Indira Gandhi, who was hailed as one of the tallest world leaders, was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguards at her residence located in Akbar Road on October 31, 1984. This came after Operation ..
Naidu on 3-nation African tour
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday embarked on his first African tour to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi to strengthen bilateral ties and improve trade relations.
US calls for peaceful solution in Yemen
The United States has called for the support of all parties in finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Yemen.US Department of State Spokesperson Heather Nauert tweeted, "The US calls on all parties to support UN Special Envoy Griffiths in finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in #Yemen. It is time to end this conflict, replace conflict with compromise, and allow the Yemeni people to heal through peace and reconstruction," while outlining Secretary of State Michael Pompeo's statement on the matter."The time is now for the cessation of hostilities, including missile and UAV strikes from Houthi-controlled areas into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Subsequently, Coalition air strikes must cease in all populated areas in Yemen," Secretary Pompeo said in a statement released on Wednesday.He further mentioned, "Substantive consultations under the UN Special Envoy must commence this November in a third country to implement confidence-building measures to
UN chief names new envoy to Syria: sources
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has informed the Security Council that he wishes to appoint Norwegian diplomat Geir Pedersen as the next special envoy to Syria, diplomatic sources told AFP Tuesday. Pedersen is currently Norway's ambassador to China and has previously served as its envoy to the UN. "I am pleased to inform you of my intention to announce the appointment of Mr Geir O Pedersen as my Special Envoy for Syria. In taking this decision, I have consulted broadly, including with the government of the Syrian Arab Republic," Guterres wrote in a letter seen by AFP. "Mr Pedersen will support the Syrian parties by facilitating an inclusive and credible political solution that meets the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people," the letter read. It also thanked Staffan de Mistura, the outgoing envoy, "for his more than four years of concerted efforts and contributions to search for peace in Syria." The leaders of Turkey, Russia, France and Germany met in Istanbul at the ...
Vice President Naidu embarks on six-day visit to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday embarked on a three-nation visit to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi, during which he will hold talks with the top leaders of these African countries, meet business groups and interact with the Indian diaspora. Naidu is being accompanied by a high-level delegation for the six-day visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said Tuesday. The delegation includes Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar, two MPs and senior officers of the Union government, it said. Naidu's official engagements includes meeting presidents of the countries; holding bilateral meetings with his counterparts and delegation level talks; and interacting with business groups and Indian communities, the ministry said in a release. In Botswana, the vice president will inaugurate the Global Expo Botswana 2018 together with his counterpart in that country. The expo will see participation of 25 big Indian companies and business houses covering
Manmohan, Sonia, Rahul pay tribute to Indira Gandhi
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday paid tributes to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary.
RBI governor may consider resigning after rift with government - CNBC TV18
(Reuters) - The rift between India's central bank and the government has widened and could lead to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor considering resignation, CNBC TV18 reported on Wednesday, citing sources.
Brazilians protest against Bolsonaro, demand he respects democracy
Hundreds of Brazilians, mostly students, on Tuesday demonstrated protest in some cities of the country against the President-elect Jair Bolsonaro, and demanded that he respects democracy during his term in office.
Mattis calls for ceasefire between Houthi and Saudi-led forces in Yemen
United States Defence Secretary James Mattis on Tuesday called for a ceasefire in Yemen as the nation is engulfed in a war between Houthi rebels and the Saudi Arabia-led coalition forces."We have to move toward a peace effort here, and we can't say we are going to do it sometime in the future. We need to be doing this in the next 30 days," Sputnik quoted Mattis as saying during an event at the United States Institute of Peace.The war between Houthi and the Yemen government started in September 2014, as the Houthi assaulted the capital city of Sanaa and controlled it along with of other northern cities, including the port city of Hodeidah, after they advanced from the northern stronghold of Saada.This provoked military action from Saudi Arabia, who led the coalition and launched an aerial assault on the country in March 2015 to restore exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's government.Mattis further stated that all parties involved must gather at a negotiation table, observe a ...
Distancing myself from politics: Kanye West
Rapper Kanye West has announced that he is "distancing" himself from politics after months of publicly supporting United States President Donald Trump."My eyes are now wide open and now realize I've been used to spread messages I don't believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative," West tweeted on Tuesday.In another tweet, West added, "I would like to thank my family, loved ones, and community for supporting my ACTUAL beliefs and my vision for a better world."West's social media post comes after he was rumoured to be involved with a political apparel line called "Blexit," created by conservative commentator Candace Owens, which encourages African-American voters to abandon the Democratic Party.
Rajnath chairs review meeting on recruitment, promotion in CAPFs, Delhi Police
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday chaired a review meeting with the Director(s) General of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Commissioner of Delhi Police, Amulya Patnaik here.Also present at the meeting were Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir and the Union Home Secretary, read a statement.During the meeting, the vacancy position, various issues related to direct recruitment and promotion to different posts in CAPFs and Delhi Police were discussed.Taking stock of the vacancy position and recruitment procedure of the CAPFs, Singh called for initiation of special mechanisms for reducing the delays and fast-tracking the recruitment activities in a time bound manner.Singh also expressed his satisfaction on the progress made by the CAPFs in recruitment during the last two years and also desired that departmental promotion should be processed at the earliest within powers vested to respective Director(s) General of the CAPFs and Delhi Police.
Mattis calls for Yemen ceasefire, peace talks within 'next 30 days'
US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis called Tuesday for a ceasefire in Yemen and for parties to come to the negotiating table within the next 30 days. The Pentagon chief said the US had been watching the conflict "for long enough" and said he believes Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who are in a US-backed coalition fighting Shiite Huthi rebels, are ready for talks. "We have got to move toward a peace effort here, and we can't say we are going to do it some time in the future," Mattis said at the US Institute of Peace in Washington. "We need to be doing this in the next 30 days." He said the US is calling for all warring parties to meet with United Nations special envoy Martin Griffiths in Sweden in November and "come to a solution." Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in the conflict between embattled Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, whose government is recognized by the United Nations, and the Huthis in 2015. Nearly 10,000 people have since been killed and the ...