Page 2607 - Politics
PM Modi, Italian PM call on UN members to implement Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart, Giuseppe Conte, on Tuesday strongly condemned terrorism and called upon all United Nations (UN) member countries to effectively implement the UN-Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy during their meeting here.The two leaders issued a joint statement following their bilateral meeting here, where they stressed on the need for strong measures against terrorists, terror organizations and all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism.Apart from implementing the UN-Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the two leaders called for the enactment of UNSC Resolution 1267 and other relevant UNSC resolutions in connection with the prevention and suppression of terrorism and terrorist financing.Addressing the issue of climate change, the two leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to the full and swift implementation of the Paris Agreement, adopted to enhance the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ...
YSRCP accuses Andhra CM of conspiring attack on Jagan Reddy
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader V Vijayasai Reddy on Tuesday accused Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of conspiring the attack on his party chief YSRCP chief Jaganmohan Reddy.The YSRCP leader also demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-led inquiry into the matter."The attacker could have chosen to attack Jagan Garu at the 'Padayatra' itself where there was minimum security, unlike the airport. This indicates that the attack was pre-planned. It was being planned for the last six months," Vijayasai Reddy told media here."There is a suspicion that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister was involved in this particular conspiracy. We have absolutely no confidence in the Andhra Pradesh government. Even the state police department is headed by a biased person. So, we demand an inquiry either by the CBI or judiciary to unearth the fact," he added.On October 25, a canteen boy working at the Visakhapatnam airport attacked Jaganmohan with a sharp object at the airport. The man was ...
No plan to privatize profit-making industrial units: Gadkari
Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for India's largest Dry Dock at Cochin Shipyard here and said that the central government has no plans to privatize profit-making industrial units in the country.Also present on the occasion was Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.Expected to generate employment opportunities for around 2,000 people, the Dry Dock is being constructed at a cost of Rs 1,799 crore and will be completed by May 2021.Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari said that the Centre is not planning to privatize profit-making industrial units. He lauded the contributions of Cochin Shipyard in the field of skill training in shipbuilding.He added that the central government has a plan to invest in Inland Waterways in Kerala.Vijayan said the Cochin Shipyard has played a key role in the economic development of the state.He added that the new initiative would further boost the economic prospect of Kerala and India's share in
Vice President Naidu to visit Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will on Wednesday depart for a visit to the African nations of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi.The Vice President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Pal Gurjar, two Members of Parliament and senior officers of the Indian Government.His official engagement in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi will include a call-on the Presidents of the three countries, bilateral meetings with his counterparts, delegation level talks, meetings with the speaker of the parliaments and interactions with business groups and Indian communities.In Botswana, where Vice President Naidu's visit will last from October 31 to November 2, he will officially inaugurate the "Global Expo Botswana 2018" along with his counterpart, where 25 Indian companies and business houses covering a range of sectors will also participate.Naidu will then visit Zimbabwe from November 2 to November 4, where he will meet with .
Turkey says 'plans complete' for assault on Kurd militia in Syria
Turkey has completed preparations for a new operation in northern Syria to "destroy" a US-backed Kurdish militia that Ankara considers a terrorist group, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday. The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) holds territory east of the Euphrates River, where Turkey has repeatedly threatened to launch a fresh offensive against the militia. "We are going to destroy the terrorist structure in the east of the Euphrates. We have completed our preparations, plans, programmes regarding this issue," Erdogan told lawmakers from his ruling party in parliament. Erdogan appeared to indirectly confirm Turkish state media reports that Turkey's military fired artillery shells at YPG positions east of the Euphrates in the Kobane region of northern Syria on Sunday. The YPG has held the area since 2015. "In fact, in the past few days, we have begun real interventions against the terror organisation," Erdogan said, without giving further details. "We are going to ...
Trump to not attend India's Republic Day parade over 'scheduling constraints'
United States President Donald Trump will not attend India's Republic Day celebrations next year due to "scheduling constraints," the White House confirmed on Tuesday."President Trump was honored by Prime Minister Modi's invitation for him to be Chief Guest of India's Republic Day on January 26, 2019 but is unable to participate due to scheduling constraints," a statement from White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders read."The President enjoys a strong personal rapport with Prime Minister Modi developed through two meetings and several phone calls and remains committed to deepening the U.S.-India strategic partnership. The President very much looks forward to meeting Prime Minister Modi again at the earliest opportunity," the statement added.Trump would have been the second US President to attend the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. Former President Barack Obama was part of the celebration in 2015.Trump's rejection of the invitation comes amid straining relations between the two .
NHRC recommends UP govt to pay Rs 5 lakh to family of man killed in 'fake encounter'
The National Human Rights Commission has recommended the government of Uttar Pradesh to pay Rs 5 lakh as relief to the next of kin of a gym trainer who was shot dead allegedly by some police personnel in a "fake encounter" in Noida in February, the rights panel said Tuesday. The commission has asked the chief secretary of the state to submit a compliance report along with proof of payment within six weeks, after receipt of its recommendations. "The NHRC has recommended the government of Uttar Pradesh to pay Rs 5 lakh as relief to the next of kin of Jitendra Yadav, the gym trainer, who was shot dead by some police personnel in a fake encounter in Noida on the night of February 3, 2018," the NHRC said in a statement. The commission on February 5 had registered the case suo motu on the basis of media reports about the incident. "During the course of inquiry and response to its notices, the government of Uttar Pradesh informed the commission that allegations levelled against the police ...
Maha govt giving importance to religious euphoria over development: Ashish Deshmukh
Former BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh on Tuesday criticised the state government for giving importance to religious euphoria and pride over development issues. In an open letter to members of Maharashtra Assembly, Deshmukh said the BJP-Shiv Sena government in the state, which has completed four years, appears to be gripped by a policy paralysis. Instead of development, the government is giving more importance to religious euphoria and pride to divert people's attention. Deshmukh, who quit the BJP on October 12 after resigning as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, appealed to the legislators to objectively evaluate the performance of the Maharashtra government and take a stand. "My resignation does not affect the current coalition but it drew attention to the failure of the state at various levels," he said. It is time to bring down this government that does not help people, he said. The failure of the loan waiver schemes, little attention to women and child development and ...
Denmark recalls ambassador to Iran over foiled 'attack'
Denmark on Tuesday recalled its ambassador to Iran after it accused Tehran of plotting a foiled 'attack' against three Iranians living in the Scandinavian country. "I have decided to recall Denmark's ambassador in Tehran for consultations... Denmark can in no way accept that people with ties to Iran's intelligence service plot attacks against people in Denmark," Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen told reporters. The planned operation was "totally unacceptable", he said, adding he was consulting with "partners and allies", including the EU, about possible sanctions. Earlier Tuesday, the head of Denmark's intelligence service PET, Finn Borch Andersen, said his agency believed the Iranian intelligence service "was planning an attack in Denmark" against three Iranians suspected of belonging to the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz. A Norwegian of Iranian origin was arrested on October 21 and placed in custody, suspected of planning the attack and spying for Iran. ..
Rahul appeals journalists to be fearless
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday appealed to journalists to guard the truth without "fear", like the Army protects the border. He was addressing a public meeting here in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. The Congress chief alleged that Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam accused Mehul Choksi had deposited money in a minister's bank account. "We showed it to the reporters, but they were scared (to report it)...They are scared. Look they are laughing," he said while looking at a journalist sitting close to the stage. "They are saying that brother (Gandhi) you are speaking the truth but we are scared what will happen (if we write the truth)," Gandhi claimed. He alleged that a woman was tutored by the BJP at a meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in poll-bound Chhattisgarh. When contacted, senior BJP leader Hitesh Bajpai said Gandhi was suffering from a "political paranoid syndrome". Gandhi alleged, "The woman was told that officers and the prime minister had come from Delhi and that she .
As roadways strike completes 15 days, Haryana orders salary cut
The Haryana government on Tuesday said that salary for the period of the strike and unauthorised absence of Haryana Roadways employees from October 16 to date should not be released till further orders.
Mahesh Pratap Singh joins BJP
Mahesh Pratap Singh, head of the erstwhile royal family of Kotharia near Nathdwara in Rajsamand, joined the BJP here on Tuesday. Pratap Singh was inducted into the party in the presence of chief minister Vasundhara Raje and Union Minister and the party's poll in-charge for the state Prakash Javadekar at the party office here. On the occasion, Raje said the Kotharia family was a renowned family in Mewar region and Singh's uncle Shivdan Singh had been a two-time MLA and minister in the Bhairon Singh Shekhawat government. She said Singh's joining the party will strengthen it. Amidst celebrating supporters, Singh said he was happy to return to the BJP after a gap of 13 years. Targeting the Congress, Singh said the party was divided. The joining of Singh is being seen as a counter to the Congress' move to bring former union minister Jaswant Singh's son Manvendra Singh into its fold. Manvendra Singh, who won 2013-assembly elections on a BJP ticket from Barmer's Sheo constituency, quit the ..
Meghalaya government blind to suffering of its people: Mukul Sangma
Congress leader Mukul Sangma on Tuesday hit out at the ruling National People's Party-led Meghalaya government for turning a blind eye to the "pain" and "agony" of its people living along the boundary with Assam.
Akhilesh urges Chandrababu Naidu to form united front
Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday urged Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to form a united front along with the Congress.In a telephonic conversation, Akhilesh stressed the need for an alliance and to bring other parties under a single umbrella. He also mentioned that it is the responsibility of all to protect the democracy in the country. Both the leaders further discussed the contemporary political scenario and developments.Earlier, Naidu had claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government was complicit in the Rafale scam. Akhilesh and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati had also, in unison, blamed the state BJP cadre for the increase in crime in Uttar Pradesh. As the battle lines for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls are being drawn, the politicians have become proactive in looking for prospective alliances.Last week, Naidu had met a number of leaders in the ...
Patnaik seeks PM Modi's intervention for resuming flight services at Jharsuguda Airport
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take relevant steps to resume flight operations at the newly-inaugurated Jharsuguda Airport.Patnaik has also sought the help of the Prime Minister for issuing a notification in order to rename the airport as 'Veer Surendra Sai' Airport. The chief minister stated that after suspension of flight operations of Air Odisha since October 6, the state aviation sector has taken a major hit."Air Odisha suspended its flight operations under the UDAN scheme from Jharsuguda after October 6, 2018, without any valid reason. This abrupt suspension of the existing operations has given a severe jolt to the aviation sector in the state and has also hurt the sentiments of the people of western Odisha," Patnaik said.Patnaik also requested the Union government to introduce commercial flights in addition to the UDAN flights."In view of the foregoing, I would like to urge upon you to kindly direct Ministry of ...
Massive protest in Sri Lanka over Wickremesinghe's sacking
Hundreds of people on Tuesday took to the streets of Colombo to protest against President Maithripala Sirisena's decision of sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and demanded the reconvening of the parliament to end the constitutional crisis in the island nation.The Voice of Justice' protest, organised by the United National Party (UNP), chanted slogans and held banners criticising Sirisena's decision of appointing his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister. Wickremesinghe's supporters tore and burnt cut-outs of Sirisena for his decision, Colombo Page reported.Wickremesinghe, who also participated in the agitation, reiterated that he was still the prime minister of Sri Lanka and his sacking was "unconstitutional".He added that the UNP will not allow democratic values to be undermined or eroded."This crisis is not a matter of personalities; it is not a matter of political parties. It is a question of whether we wish to live as a society governed by the rule of ..
Police busts terrorist hideout in J-K's Shopian
Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday busted a terrorist hideout here in Shopian district after receiving a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the area.The police has seized incriminating material that was recovered from the hideout.A case has been registered under relevant sections of the law.Further details are awaited.
Parrikar to hold cabinet meeting at Goa residence tomorrow
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has called for a cabinet meeting at his residence in Panaji on Wednesday."Chief Minister Parrikar has called for a cabinet meeting at his residence tomorrow. This goes to prove that the Chief Minister is working and is committed towards good governance," Goa Minister Vijay Sardesai told ANI on Tuesday.Earlier in the day, Parrikar chaired the Goa Investment Promotion Board (GIPB) meeting at his residence to discuss and approve projects before the board.On Monday, Goa Congress spokesperson Jeetendra Deshprabhu had claimed that Parrikar, who has not been seen publicly in the last few days, may not be alive.Deshprabhu's statement came a day after Goa's health minister Vishwajit Rane had revealed that Parrikar's is suffering from pancreatic cancer.The Goa Chief Minister was discharged from Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on October 14 after undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment.Parrikar's ill health has resulted in the ...
Merkel says planned exit won't hurt her influence abroad
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday she does not expect her global influence to be diminished in the run-up to her planned exit from politics in 2021, even as the race to succeed her gathers pace. Merkel said Monday she would not stand for re-election in December as leader of her centre-right CDU party, but that she planned to see out her fourth term as German leader. The transition period set by Merkel is a long time in politics, and even CDU heavyweights are publicly voicing doubts on whether she can hold on to power until the end of her mandate. Despite the uncertainties, Merkel, 64, insisted that she would not be hamstrung on the world stage. "I think that nothing will change in my bargaining position in international negotiations," the veteran leader said. "One might even say that I now have more time to concentrate on my tasks as government leader," she said, given that she would no longer be CDU party chief from December. Analysts are not so sure. Lueder Gerken from ...
MP CM's family involved in Vyapam scam, sue me if you want: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Wednesday alleged the "family" of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was involved in the Vyapam scam and said he was ready to face defamation cases for his remarks. The scam was unearthed in Madhya Pradesh in 2013 and allegedly involved government officials and politicians. Reacting to the allegations levelled by the Congress chief, a senior leader of the BJP state unit said he was misleading the people. Addressing an election rally here, Gandhi said, "The chief minister got angry yesterday (Monday) and said Rahul Gandhi was speaking about Vyapam. He (CM) said he would file a defamation suit. File as many as cases as you want, it doesn't make any difference." The Congress, which has been out of power in the state since 2003, was consistently raising the Vyapam scam to target the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state which was going to polls on November 28. "Entire Madhya Pradesh knows that there is involvement of the family of