Page 2699 - Politics
Putin says US bears some responsibility for Khashoggi disappearance
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said the US bears a "certain responsibility" for the fate of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, adding that there is not enough evidence that Riyadh is behind his disappearance. "As far as I know, the journalist that disappeared lived in the US. In this sense, of course, the US holds a certain responsibility over what happened to him," Putin said at a forum in the southern Russian city of Sochi. The Russian leader said Moscow "cannot start deteriorating relations" with Saudi Arabia because "it did not know what really happened." Turkish officials said this week that Khashoggi was killed by a hit squad in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Riyadh denies the allegations. The Russian leader's comments came as senior Western ministers pulled out of a major investment conference in Saudi Arabia, expressing deep concern over the disappearance of Khashoggi. Putin met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman before the opening World Cup ...
Sena chief targets PM over delay in construction of Ram temple
Making a strong pitch for construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Thursday said he would visit the Uttar Pradesh town on November 25 and "question" Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue. Addressing the party's annual Dussehra rally in central Mumbai, a few months before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Thackeray said a "2014-like wave" is not prevailing in the country. The BJP had attributed its 2014 electoral success to the "Modi wave". Thackeray also asked Sena workers to be prepared for polls. In the party convention held earlier this year, the Sena, a constituent of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra and the oldest member of the NDA, had declared to go solo in future polls. "I will go to Ayodhya on November 25. I will ask questions to the prime minister (over alleged delay in constructing the temple)...We are not enemies of the prime minister, but we don't want to play with the emotions of the people," Thackeray told a huge ..
Italy's PM defends 'beautiful' budget as EU steps up pressure
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Italy's Prime Minister defended the country's "beautiful" 2019 budget on Thursday, brushing off criticism of it from Brussels as European authorities stepped up pressure for changes to a draft that breaches the bloc's fiscal rules.
Parrikar to continue, says Dhavalikar; Sardesai claims BJP looking at successor
Manohar Parrikar will continue as the Goa chief minister, Sudin Dhavalikar, leader of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), a BJP ally in the coastal state, said Thursday after meeting the high-command of the saffron party in Delhi. However, another ally, Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party (GFP) who also met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah separately, claimed that the saffron party was "looking at who will succeed Parrikar". Parrikar returned to Goa on October 14 after being treated for a pancreatic ailment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi for about a month. With Parrikar ailing, Shah had called Dhavalikar and Sardesai for separate meetings. On his return to the coastal state, Dhavalikar told reporters that it was decided at the meeting that "the chief minister will continue in the chair. He (Parrikar) will rule till he is there". It was also decided at the meeting that Parrikar will give some additional portfolios to other members of ..
Stalin defends seeking stay on building probe, hits out at CM
DMK president M K Stalin Thursday defended his party obtaining court stay against the probe into alleged irregularities in the construction of a building complex during his party's rule to house the secretariat, saying the allegations were fabricated. A day after Chief Minister K Palaniswami hit out at DMK for obtaining a stay from the Madras High Court, Stalin claimed there were no corruption allegations, not even irregularities in the construction. "They (AIADMK government) said it was excessive expenditure. These allegations are fabricated," he said. It was their right to approach the court and since "justice," was on their side, the court had granted a stay, Stalin said. The DMK leader, addressing a party event at Madurantakam near here, however, said his party was ready to face any case on the matter Stalin, who is the leader of the opposition, said since the Palaniswami government did not have the guts to appeal against the stay, he had "lamented" on the ...
New Pakistani government seeks to renegotiate LNG terminal deals: minister
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's new government will renegotiate agreements for two liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals, the country's petroleum minister said on Thursday, part of a wider investigation into deals struck by the country's previous government.
India engaged with all stakeholders on Iranian oil import issue: MEA
India Thursday said it was engaged with the US, Iran and other stakeholders on the issue of American sanctions on import of Iranian oil which will come into effect from November 4. Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar said India has already conveyed to the US about its position on the matter. Asked about how India will make the payments to Russia for the S-400 missile deal, Kumar said India is also engaged with the US on the issue. "We are engaged with the US on the matter. We have shared our position with the US sides at different levels. These discussions have contributed to a better understanding by the US about our objectives and concerns as well as our sensitivities and expectations," he said. On October 5, India and Russia signed the USD 5 billion S-400 air defence system deal, notwithstanding US sanctions on military transactions with Moscow. On US sanctions on import of Iranian oil from November 4, Kumar said, "Our discussions are on with Iran and ...
US takes Khashoggi case 'very seriously': Pompeo
The US takes the matter of missing Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi "very seriously", Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday, adding so does Saudi Arabia whose leadership has assured him of a complete and thorough probe in a timely manner. Pompeo briefed President Donald Trump on the issue and the talks he had this week with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Turkey in this regard. Pompeo returned from his trip to Riyadh and Ankara on Wednesday night. Pompeo said during his visit both the Saudi and Turkish governments reiterated their commitment to a full investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance. He said he told his foreign counterparts that "we take this matter very seriously," and said they reciprocated that sentiment. The US is looking forward to a "complete and thorough investigation in a timely fashion," he said. Pompeo said he advised the president that the US should give Saudi Arabia "a few more days" to conduct that investigation but did not specify a hard .
Lankan President Sirisena's security beefed up after claims of assassination plot
Sri Lankan authorities have beefed up the security of President Maithripala Sirisena following an alleged plot to assassinate him, presidential officials said Thursday. "People in charge have taken measures to strengthen his security. Certainly his security has been beefed up," Shiral Lakthialaka, one of the presidential advisers, told reporters here. On the probe about the alleged plot to assassinate the president, he said that political attempts are being made to undermine the credibility of the investigation by questioning the conduct of the man who had bared the plot. "There is a concerted effort to undermine the investigation. This could be a political conspiracy," he said. "We need a broad investigation into this," he added. An Indian national named M Thomas is currently under detention in Lanka for his alleged involvement in the plot. News portal the economynext.com, quoting a ministerial source after a heated cabinet meeting Tuesday, reported that Sirisena had accused his ...
Leaders in UP, Uttarakhand mourn demise of former CM N.D. Tiwari
Political leaders of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand on Thursday condoled the death of Narayan Dutt Tiwari, who had served as Chief Minister of both the states - a unique distinction in Indian politics.
PM condemns Kandahar terror attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday strongly condemned the terror attack in Afghanistan, saying India stands in solidarity with the people of that country. "Deeply shocked and saddened by the dastardly terrorist attack in Kandahar. India condemns it most strongly and mourns with our Afghan brethren the loss of life, including that of Kandahar's senior leadership," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted quoting Modi. An Afghan security chief and a journalist were killed and three Americans wounded Thursday when a gunman opened fire on a high-level security meeting attended by top US commander General Scott Miller, officials said. The Taliban quickly claimed responsibility for the attack in the southern city of Kandahar that comes two days before Afghanistan's parliamentary elections that the militant group has vowed to disrupt. "We stand in solidarity with the brave people of Afghanistan in fighting terrorism imposed on them," another tweet by the PMO said.
Shankersinh Vaghela's son Mahendrasinh quits BJP
Barely three months after he joined the BJP, former Congress MLA Mahendrasinh Vaghela, son of former Gujarat Congress strongman Shankersinh Vaghela, resigned from the ruling party on Thursday. Mahendrasinh sent his resignation letter to Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani on Thursday. Without elaborating much about his sudden decision to quit the party, he said in the letter that he was resigning due to some "personal reasons". Mahendrasinh, who represented Bayad seat in north Gujarat as a Congress MLA, had quit the opposition party last year ahead of the Assembly elections and joined the BJP in July this year. However, he had not contested the 2017 polls. His move comes days after his father, Shankersinh Vaghela, expressed his desire to play the role of a coordinator between all the regional parties in the country to fight against the ruling BJP during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Last month, Shankersinh had claimed that his supporters have urged him to unite various parties to .
VP Naidu calls on Belgian King
Indian Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, who is in Brussels ahead of the 12th Asia-Europe meeting (ASEM) summit, called on Belgian King Philippe at the Royal City Palace on Thursday.Recalling the friendly ties between the two countries based on shared commonalities and commitment to rule of law, pluralism and federalism, the two leaders discussed their expectations from the 2018 Summit which is centered on the theme, "Global Partners for Global Challenges".King Philippe had hosted the ASEM Summit in 2010, when Belgium had held the rotating Presidency of the European Union.Naidu elaborated on the priority accorded by India to the urgent need for collective efforts of the global community in addressing the menace of terrorism.He also shared his perspective on the successful flagship initiatives by the Government of India, including innovative governance to address the complex challenges faced by India as the world's largest democracy and to simultaneously put India on a faster, inclusive ..
Congress should have a large heart in forging alliances: CPI
At a time when opposition parties are stressing on forging a joint front to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls, CPI national secretary Atul Anjaan said the Congress should have a large heart and be brave in forming an alliance as it is the biggest party. Anjaan, the Communist Party of India's man in-charge of forming a non-BJP alliance in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana, said that to defeat the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha election, an alliance of non-BJP political forces is a must and it should be state specific. He also reminded the Congress of the Gujarat Assembly election, claiming it could have won the polls had it joined hands with smaller parties. "The Congress must have a large heart to attain its big political ambition. With a small heart, it can't attain a large political goal," said Anjaan. He said regional and smaller political parties should also shed their differences in forming an alliance to defeat the BJP in the next general elections. Noting that seat sharing is
Confident Maldivian people's mandate will prevail: India
India Thursday said the recently-concluded elections in Maldives mark the triumph of democratic forces in the country and expressed confidence that the mandate of the Maldivian people will prevail. In a surprise turn of events in Maldives, united opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was declared the winner in the elections last month. President Abdulla Yameen initially said he accepted defeat but later launched a Supreme Court challenge seeking a fresh vote. On Wednesday, Yameen told the nation in a televised address that he has accepted defeat. Asked about India's stand on the Maldives election and Yameen's remarks, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said New Delhi has consistently held the position since the imposition of emergency early this year that there was a need to protect democracy in Maldives and preserve the mandate of the people. "India welcomes the acceptance of the verdict of the people of Maldives. This election marks not only the triumph of .
US downgrades Jerusalem diplomatic mission to Palestinians
The United States on Thursday downgraded the status of its main diplomatic mission to the Palestinians by placing it under the authority of the US Embassy to Israel. The move, which was immediately denounced by the Palestinians, is a victory for US Ambassador David Friedman. He had long sought to end the Jerusalem consulate's independent status but had faced resistance from within the State Department. Friedman's push picked up steam in May after the Trump administration moved the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem over the objections of the Palestinians, who claim the eastern part of the city as the capital of an eventual state. The consulate had for years served as a de facto embassy to the Palestinians but will now be known as the Palestinian Affairs Unit of the embassy. It will remain in its current location, at least for now. The step, which was announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, means that the Jerusalem consulate will no longer have a separate channel to Washington to .
Chinese delegation call on Delhi Dy CM, Public Relations Secy
A six-member Chinese delegation Thursday called on Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and the AAP government's Public Relations Secretary Jayadev Sarangi to share "best practices" and enhance cooperation between Beijing and Delhi in the field of publicity work, according to an official statement. According to the statement issued by the Delhi Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP), the delegation led by Publicity Minister of Beijing government DU Feijin interacted with DIP officials. It said that Sarangi gave detailed information about the DIP's set up and informed delegates about various modes of publicity the directorate has adopted for the city government. Feijin said that the delegates is on a visit to Delhi with an aim to improve the relationship on publicity and social security between the two cities. Mutual cooperation between the two cities would help in improving various developmental works, the statement quoted him as saying.
S Africa parliament to probe opposition chief over bank fraud
South Africa's parliament said on Thursday it would investigate a prominent leader in the radical opposition EFF party over claims his brother profited from fraud dubbed "the great bank heist". Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lawmaker Floyd Shivambu's brother Brian was one of 53 individuals recently accused by the central bank of looting a total of USD 130 million from VBS Mutual bank. "We never took money from VBS and anyone who thinks we did is mad," said Floyd Shivambu at an EFF media briefing on Tuesday. The central bank alleges Brian received 16 million rand (USD 1.1 million) while media reports have claimed that Floyd received up to 10 million rand -- something he has fiercely denied. "There has never been any 10 million rand (USD 700,000) that came into my account... it's deliberate, part of the propaganda machinery, it's pure insanity," Floyd Shivambu added. VBS collapsed into administration earlier this year following a liquidity crisis and is one of the most serious graft ...
AAP's West Delhi in-charge Rajpal Solanki quits post just 4 days after assuming charge
Rajpal Solanki, the West Delhi in-charge of the AAP, Thursday resigned from the post citing health reasons, just four days after assuming charge, the party said. The AAP said Solanki had developed "health complications" and had informed the party about his decision to quit. Solanki had on Wednesday skipped a crucial party meeting in Vikaspuri. Later, he said in a letter that he had suffered cardiac arrest on Tuesday. It was the widely held view that Solanki would be the party's Lok Sabha candidate from West Delhi. Though the party is yet to declare candidates for the general elections, it is believed that in-charges of the constituencies would contest the polls from those seats. The AAP had announced appointment of Solanki, who runs several educational institutes, as the party in-charge of West Delhi Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday. His announcement had come as a surprise to many within the party because Solanki was not associated with the AAP. Two AAP leaders said Solanki skipped a .
Who's stopping you from building temple, Owaisi tells Bhagwat
"Bring it. Who is stopping you and your government?" This is how MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday reacted to RSS Mohan Bahgwat's demand for a law to build a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya.