Page 2695 - Politics
Highlights at 1745 hrs
Following are the major news stories of PTI till 1745 hrs DEL16 MHA-RAJNATH-LD DUSSEHRA Rajnath celebrates Dussehra with BSF jawans; performs 'shastra puja' Bikaner: Home Minister RajnathSingh Friday celebrated Dussehra with BSF jawans and performed 'shastra puja' in this forward post along the highly sensitive Indo-Pak border, officials said. DEL3 SABARIMALA-WOMAN-LD TREKKING Two women begin climbing Sabarimala hill amid strong protests Pamba (Ker): Two women, including a reporter from Hyderabad, began trekking to Sabarimala hill Friday amid strong protests by devotees opposing the entry of girls and women of menstrual age into the Lord Ayyappa temple. BOM8 MH-LD PM Previous govt was not serious about poverty alleviation: PM Shirdi (Maha): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the previous Congress-led government of not being serious about poverty alleviation and working only to promote the "name of a particular family". DEL11 SABARIMALA-MHA-ADVISORY Centre's advisory to 3 ..
2 more terrorists gunned down in Baramulla
Two more terrorists were gunned down when they tried to attack the police in the Kralhaar area of Baramulla district in north Kashmir on Friday.The police recovered two AK-47 rifles with Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, three grenades, two Chinese pistols and other weapons from their possession.The terrorists opened fire at the police when the SUV they were travelling in was asked to stop at the check post. "We noticed some suspicious activities and asked them to stop the vehicle at the check post. We were attacked when we began to question them. The first terrorist was killed instantly, while the second one tried to run away. He, too, was gunned down," Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir Dilbagh Singh told ANI.Earlier today, three terrorists were gunned down in an encounter with the security forces in the Boniyar town in the district. Four AK-47 rifles and four haversacks were also recovered from the slain terrorists.The terrorist attacks in the state have been on a ..
Union Minister Alphons backs #MeToo but cautions against against frivolous complaints
Union Minister K Alphons on Friday said #MeToo was a "good movement" as whatever "inappropriate" has taken place should come out in public domain, but cautioned against "frivolous" complaints by "insincere" people with an agenda. He said M J Akbar's resignation from the council of ministers in the wake of charges of sexual harassment against him would not affect the prospects of BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as the party had taken "prompt action". "People should be extremely careful when they raise an allegation. Yes, something inappropriate has taken place, it should be in public domain. There should not be any doubt about it, but I hope frivolous complaints are not raised by insincere people to fix people whom they do not like," the Tourism Minister told PTI here. The Minister, who was in the city to attend an interaction event organised by an NGO to support flood-hit people of Kerala, said there was no private life for politicians and they obviously have to be ...
KPCC accuses CM of creating war like situation in Sabarimala
The Congress in Kerala Friday alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was responsible for the present tense situation at Lord Ayappa temple in Sabarimala. Attacking Vijayan, who is in UAE, Kerala PCC president Mullapally Ramachandran said "Vijayan is like the Roman emperor Nero who fiddled while Rome burned." "The chief minister is holidaying in the Gulf along with his family.. he has failed to perform like a vigilant administrator," he said. Ramachandran asked the state government to find a solution to the crisis in Sabarimala or else there would be "a disaster." Making it clear that the party would stand behind believers, Ramachandran alleged that the CPI-M-led LDF government and police were trying to destroy the customs and traditions of the temple. Hitting out at the BJP and RSS, he alleged that the sangh parivar was trying to create an "Ayodhya-like issue out of the Sabarimala issue." "All should realise the attempt of the sangh parivar to convert Sabarimala .
German banks report sharp fall in Iran exports amid new U.S. sanctions
BERLIN (Reuters) - German exports to Iran have dwindled since the United States pulled out of the international nuclear deal with Tehran, data showed on Friday, despite Berlin's attempts to shield companies from renewed U.S. sanctions against Tehran.
Anti-money laundering body gives Iran until February to complete reforms
PARIS (Reuters) - The international group that monitors money laundering worldwide (FATF) said on Friday Iran had until February to complete reforms that would bring it into line with global norms or face consequences.
Putin's ex-bodyguard rejects TV debate after duel challenge
President Vladimir Putin's former bodyguard has rejected an opposition leader's invitation for a television debate after challenging him to a duel. Gen. Viktor Zolotov, chief of Russia's National Guard and Putin's long-time bodyguard, recorded a rare video address to opposition leader Alexei Navalny last month, challenging him to a duel over his investigation into corruption at the National Guard. Navalny, who was released Sunday after spending 50 days in jail for an unsanctioned protest, put out a video Thursday, reiterating his claims and inviting Zolotov to a TV debate. Zolotov told Russian news agencies on Friday that he had challenged Navalny to an actual duel and that he does not want a public discussion with him. Navalny's video got over 2.6 million views in less than a day.
German banks report sharp fall in Iran exports amid new US sanctions
BERLIN (Reuters) - German exports to Iran have dwindled since the United States pulled out of the international nuclear deal with Tehran, data showed on Friday, despite Berlin's attempts to shield companies from renewed U.S. sanctions against Tehran.
China's ex-Internet watchdog chief pleads guilty to taking bribes
A former head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, responsible for Internet censorship in the country, pleaded guilty on Friday to receiving $32 million yuan ($4.6 million) in bribes, the state-owned Global Times newspaper reported.
Turkey to host Syria summit with Russia, Germany, France
Top political leaders from Turkey, France, Russia and Germany are set to meet here later this month in a bid to find a solution to the seven-year conflict in Syria, it was announced here on Friday.
Chhattisgarh polls: Ajit Jogi will not contest
Former Chhattisgarh chief minister and leader of Janata Congress (J) Ajit Jogi will not be contesting in the forthcoming state Assembly elections, he said on Friday.
Haryana Roadways employees remain defiant, extend strike till Oct 22
TheHaryanaRoadways employees have extended their strike till October 22 against the state government's decision to introduce 700 private buses, even as the stir entered fourth day causing inconvenience to commuters. The roadways employees union had Wednesday announced the extension of their strike by another two days and decided to further extend it by another 72 hours on Friday, alleging the state government's "apathetic attitude" towards their demand. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has said roadways employees union leaders have a right to raise issues pertaining to the workers, but not to interfere in decisions related to state policies. Khattar said that decision to introduce 700 private buses was a policy matter. "As far as employees issues are concerned they can raise these, but they should not interfere in government's policy matters," he told reporters. However, union leaders remained defiant and accused the state government of opening the route to complete privatisation of
Longer Brexit transition just an idea - UK PM May's spokeswoman
LONDON (Reuters) - People should not overplay the idea of an extension to a Brexit transition period during which Britain would keep EU rules in place after it leaves the bloc, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Theresa May said on Friday.
Exclusive: U.S. asks for WTO panel over metals tariff retaliation
WASHINGTON/OSLO (Reuters) - The United States is requesting that a World Trade Organization dispute resolution panel get involved in a clash over international retaliation over U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter.
China, SE Asia to hold maritime drill to ease tensions
China and Southeast Asian states will hold their first joint maritime exercises next week, officials said Friday, in a move aimed at easing tensions but which may spark US alarm. Beijing's expansive claims to the South China Sea have long been a source of friction with rival claimants in Southeast Asia, as well as Washington which has traditionally been the dominant naval power in the area. Despite disagreements over Beijing's territorial ambitions, China and Southeast Asia are trying to strike a more conciliatory tone in an effort to stop tensions from spiralling dangerously out of control. As part of this, the navies of China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are set to hold their first joint drills, which will take place in the South China Sea. "As we speak, the navies of ASEAN are en route to Zhanjiang in China for the ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise," Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said. Making the announcement at a gathering of ASEAN defence ..
Turkey to host four-nation summit on Syria crisis
A Turkish official says a summit between the leaders of Turkey, France, Germany and Russia will be held in Istanbul this month to discuss the conflict in Syria. Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, in a written statement Friday said a summit will take place on October 27. Russia and Turkey reached an agreement last month to set up a demilitarised zone around the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib preventing a government offensive on the last rebel stronghold in the country. Kalin says all aspects of the Syrian conflict are expected to be discussed, including the situation on the ground, the Idlib agreement as well as efforts for a lasting solution to the conflict.
Cong, BJP flay Kerala government for bringing activists to Sabarimala
The opposition Congress and BJP Friday hit out at the Left government in Kerala for allegedly extending support to bring women activists to Sabarimala temple, hurting the sentiments of devotees. They also alleged the police gave one of the women, who climbed to the hill shrine amid heavy security, their official uniform and helmet. The two women, identified as a journalist from Hyderabad and a Kochi-based activist, trekked Sabarimala and reached a few metres away from the holy 18 steps with police escort but had to return due to massive protest by devotees. Attacking the CPI(M)-led LDF government on the issue, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala asked whether the police gave security to the real devotees. "Has the government taken to the shrine the real devotees? Is the entry of women into the shrine a commando operation? Is this the supreme court order?" he asked. "The government has extended support to bring activists to Sabarimala, hurting the sentiments of Lord Ayyappa devotees," ..
Telangana BJP may announce first list of candidates in day or
: The Telangana unit of the BJP is likely to announce first set of candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls in a day or two, the party's spokesperson Krishna Sagar Rao said Friday. The party has formed an election committee headed by its Telangana unit president K Laxman for screening candidates. "Most likely we may announce the first set of contesting candidates tomorrow or day after tomorrow. We are hoping to announce 25 to 30 names in the first tranche. The number may vary but announcement of candidates will be done in a day or two," Sagar Rao told PTI. According to him, the party has already received 4 to 5 "worthy requests" from applicants on an average per constituency. BJP has decided to slug it out alone in the polls. Party chief Amit Shah time and again clarified that the party will not have any alliance in Telangana. According to the list given by the BJP sources, partys national general secretary P Muralidhar Rao, former minister and sitting MP of ...
Manmohan Singh, Rahul, Sonia Gandhi pay last respects to ND Tiwari
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday visited the residence of former Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand chief minister ND Tiwari, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 93, and offered their last respects.Congress senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ahmed Patel also paid their last respects to the veteran Congress leader.Tiwari, who was the only politician to have served as the chief minister of two states, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, passed away in a hospital in south Delhi on his 93rd birthday on Thursday. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Max Hospital in July following kidney infection and multiple organ failure.Shortly after his demise, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed their condolences."Sad to hear of the passing of veteran political figure and former Union minister Shri N.D. Tiwari. As chief minister of Uttar ...
Pb govt approves over 400 luxury vehicles for CM, his ministers
Over 400 luxury vehicles have been approved by the Punjab government for the chief minister, ministers, MLAs and bureaucrats, a Transport Department order said Friday. The purchase of new vehicles is likely to cost around Rs 80 crore on the state exchequer, officials said. As per the norms for vehicle entitlement, the department has approved 16 Land Cruisers, including two bullet proof, for the chief minister, 13 Mahindra Scorpios for his staff, 14 Maruti Dzire/Honda Amaze/Ertiga for the officers on special duty (OSDs) to the CM, the order said. Besides, 17 ministers in the Amarinder Singh cabinet will be given Toyota Fortuner or Toyota Crysta, while 97 Toyota Crysta will be brought for legislators, as per the order. With the new entitlement of vehicles, the chief minister will get Land Cruiser instead of eight Ambassadors and six Mitsubishi Monteros, ministers will now have Toyota Fortuner or Toyota Crysta in place of Toyota Camry, legislators travel mode has been upgraded from ...