Page 2712 - Politics
Lankan President's Advisor rubbishes RAW assassination plot reports
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena's Advisor and Coordinating Secretary, Shiral Lakthilaka, on Wednesday rubbished media reports that claimed President had named Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), for hatching an assassination plot against him."The President had spoken in general terms about secret services of countries attempting to assassinate leaders. This happens even in America, the President said, and added that the Prime Minister of India might not be aware of it. There was no mention of RAW at all," Lakthilaka was quoted as saying in Lankan newspaper Sunday Times Sri Lanka on Wednesday.The denial comes after some media reports carried a story saying President Sirisena had allegedly shocked his cabinet by accusing India of plotting to assassinate him during a weekly meeting. The media reports had surfaced days before the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to visit New Delhi.
12 Indian-American candidates raise USD 26 million for Nov 6 midterm polls
A dozen Indian-Americans running for the US Congress next month have collectively raised over USD 26 million for their election campaign with six of them outraising their opponents, according to the latest official figures. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Hiral Tipirneni, and Aftab Pureval have outraised their opponents in their respective seats for the US House of Representatives. For the political pundits, funds raised by a candidate is considered the barometer of their popularity and one who raises more than his/her opponent is normally considered to win. Most of the fund-raising figures released by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) are till September 30 and the final number before the November 6 polls is likely to jump further. If they win the number of Indian-Americans in the US House of Representatives could jump from the current four to six, with two of them being woman and one being of Tibetan origin. Raja Krishnamoorthi from the eighth ...
Pompeo in Turkey as Saudi faces new claims over Khashoggi
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday held talks with the Turkish leadership in Ankara over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi as Riyadh faced new claims he was killed inside its Istanbul consulate. Pro-government Turkish media published gruesome new allegations Khashoggi was killed by being gradually dismembered by a Saudi assassination squad some of whom the New York Times said were tied to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. But the United States has refused to rebuke its ally despite the mounting claims, with President Donald Trump insisting on the principle of innocence before being proven guilty and Pompeo saying after talks in Riyadh: "I don't want to talk about any of the facts." Despite the lurid allegations published in media loyal to him, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also taken a circumspect line in the case, saying his priority is to uncover the truth through an investigation. The controversy has blown a massive hole in attempts by ..
Jaswant Singh's son Manvendra joins Congress
Rajasthan BJP MLA Manvendra Singh, the son of BJP veteran and former Union Minister Jaswant Singh, on Wednesday joined the Congress.
BJP MLA Manvendra Singh joins Congress
Rajasthan BJP MLA Manvendra Singh, who is the son of former Union minister Jaswant Singh, joined the Congress on Wednesday ahead of assembly elections in the state. Singh met Congress president Rahul Gandhi before joining the party in the presence of leaders, including Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot, Avinash Pande and Randeep Surjewala. The party announced the move at a press conference. Congress leaders believe his joining the party will help bring in Rajput votes in the assembly polls.
Chinese mining firm successfully test-fires supersonic missile: Report
A Chinese mining company has claimed to have successfully test-fired a supersonic missile, touted as a potential competitor to Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos missile, according to the official media here. The test conducted on Monday at a discreet location in North China verified the launch, power and flight control systems, state-run Global Times quoted a statement released by Guangdong Hongda Blasting Company located in Southern China. All parameters for the supersonic flight of the HD-1 missile achieved their estimated values, the statement said. "The test flight shows that the HD-1's core components are now mature, with its aerodynamic design, materials and overall structure already proven viable," Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst, told the daily. Hongda independently invested in and developed the HD-1 missile, the statement said. Wei said the mining company's move to build and test a supersonic missile is an excellent example of military-civilian ...
Pompeo arrives in Ankara for Khashoggi talks: AFP
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday arrived in Ankara for talks with the Turkish leadership over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Pompeo, arriving fresh from talks in Saudi Arabia, touched down at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, where he was due to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an AFP correspondent said.
Khashoggi disappearance: Pompeo to visit Turkey
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be travelling to Turkey at the request of US President Donald Trump."The President has asked me to travel to Turkey to meet with senior leaders. We will remain in close contact with Saudi and Turkish authorities as they complete this process and ultimately announce their findings," said a statement U.S. Department of State.This comes after Pompeo met Saudi King Salman and Foreign Minister al-Jubeir in Riyadh to discuss the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Pompeo, in his meeting with Saudi authorities had stressed on the need of a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation in the case.In a press statement, the Secretary of state said, "We had direct and candid conversations. I emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation, and the Saudi leadership pledged to deliver precisely on that. My assessment from these meetings is that there is serious commitment to determine all the ...
Trump administration says to open trade talks with EU, UK, Japan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Trade Representative's office told Congress on Tuesday it intends to open trade talks with the European Union, the United Kingdom and Japan.
Violence against artistes: A condition of Indian democracy?
Attacks against artistes are happening not just because of "the rise of any particular ideology over the last two-three decades", nor is it a result of "one or two political parties exploiting communalism or religiosity". Instead, according to Malvika Maheshwari, whose upcoming book "Art Attacks: Violence and Offence-Taking in India" presents a dismal picture of the turmoil that artistes are facing in the country, it is because of the complicated nature of democracy -- where votes ratify power.
Suspects in Saudi journalist case tied to top prince: report
A suspect identified by Turkey in the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was a frequent companion of the kingdom's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, The New York Times has reported. Three other suspects are linked to Prince Mohammed's security detail and a fifth is a high-level forensic doctor, the Times said. The account, and a similar report in The Washington Post, could raise doubts about US President Donald Trump's claim that "rogue killers" might have been responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance. Trump made the comment after he said Saudi King Salman strongly denied to him any knowledge of what happened. Khashoggi, a Saudi national who contributed to The Post and criticised policies of Salman's son Crown Prince Mohammed, has not been seen since October 2, when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish government sources have said police believe the journalist was killed by a special team of
Trump criticizes rush to condemn Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi
President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticised rapidly mounting global condemnation of Saudi Arabia over the mystery of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, warning of a rush to judgment and echoing the Saudis' request for patience. In an interview with The Associated Press, Trump compared the case of Khashoggi, who Turkish officials have said was murdered in the Saudis' Istanbul consulate, to the allegations of sexual assault levelled against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing. "I think we have to find out what happened first," Trump said. "Here we go again with, you know, you're guilty until proven innocent. I don't like that. We just went through that with Justice Kavanaugh and he was innocent all the way as far as I'm concerned." Trump's remarks were his most robust defence yet of the Saudis, a US ally he has made central to his Mideast agenda. They put the president at odds with other key allies and with some leaders in his Republican Party who ...
Britain's May confronts EU leaders amid Brexit crisis
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May faces a Brexit showdown with frustrated EU leaders Wednesday with talks on agreeing an orderly break-up at an impasse. This week's summit in Brussels was billed as a "moment of truth" for negotiations on Britain's exit from the bloc -- but it seems the truth is that the two sides just cannot agree. "Tomorrow I am going to ask Prime Minister May whether she has concrete proposals on how to break the impasse," EU president Donald Tusk declared. But May, hemmed in by opponents in her own party and even in her own cabinet, has no such proposals. "The prime minister set out her position and where she thinks the negotiations are yesterday," a Number 10 spokesman said. Even the choreography of Wednesday's summit opening emphasises British isolation. May will brief her 27 colleagues, then they will leave to discuss Brexit over dinner without her. Tusk has made it clear that if May and EU negotiator Michel Barnier do not offer signs of concrete progress ...
Japan's Abe sends offering to controversial Tokyo war shrine
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday sent a ritual offering to a controversial shrine honouring World War II criminals that infuriates Asian neighbours China and South Korea. Abe has not visited Yasukuni Shrine in person since December 2013 -- a trip that triggered a downturn in relations with Beijing -- and the premier is currently in Europe. However, he sent a sacred "masakaki" tree bearing his name at the start of a four-day festival, a shrine spokeswoman told AFP. There were no reports of members of Abe's cabinet visiting the shrine although some senior politicians also sent offerings. The shrine honours 2.5 million war dead but also top World War II criminals and has frequently been a source of sour relations with countries that suffered from Japan's military atrocities. Yasukuni has recently hit the headlines in Japan and internationally after its chief priest said he would resign after "highly inappropriate language" criticising the emperor was leaked to a ...
Forgoing trade deal between India, US will force America to consider alternatives: USISPF
The head of an influential business advocacy on Indo-US ties has warned that forgoing a trade deal between the two countries will force the Trump administration to consider alternatives. Observing that relationship does not work in silos, Mukesh Aghi, president of US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF), said the alternatives could start with the suspension of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) benefits and end with trade skirmishes over Twitter that hurt both the economies. Last week, White House chief economic advisor Larry Kudlow said that discussions on a trade deal with India has begun. But he did not give any details. In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has said that India wants a trade deal with India and accused New Delhi of having excess of tariffs. "Forgoing a trade deal will force the US government to consider alternatives, which could start with the suspension of GSP benefits and could end with trade skirmishes over Twitter that hurt both economies," ...
Chhattisgarh polls: Candidates for 90 assembly constituencies to be announced this week
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has said that the names of candidates contesting in 90 assembly constituencies in the upcoming elections will be announced on October 19 and 20.Speaking to media, Singh, who has been governing the state for 15 years said, "Nearly 90 assemblies were discussed. District presidents, MPs also gave recommendations regarding names. A panel of probable candidates has been made in every assembly, which will now be sent to the Central Election Committee in Delhi. On October 19-20, the names of all the 90 seats will be announced."The nominations can be filed till October 23, and the scrutiny of the relevant submitted papers will be on October 24. The candidates can withdraw their names by October 26.While the regional outfit of former chief minister Ajit Jogi, who has entered into a pre-poll alliance with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have already declared their candidates, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ...
Shrines not the place to indulge in cheap politics: Shivraj tells Rahul
Ahead of the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while taking a jibe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, said that shrines are not meant for political purposes.Addressing a public gathering in Vidisha on Tuesday, where a massive roadshow was held, the Chief Minister said, "Shrines are not the place to indulge in cheap politics to get votes. Rahul Baba should realise that one cannot get votes by moving around sporting 'tilak' on one's forehead during election times. One has to be with people all the time and work for them tirelessly to win their confidence."Continuing his tirade against Gandhi, Chouhan, who is trying to win the post for a consecutive fourth term, questioned why the Congress President visited temples only during pre-poll days."I have no objection if Rahul visits a temple or a mosque or any other shrine. But, why he was seen making temple visits only during election days. People are aware of his tricks. He should not think that ...
CPI condemns attack on Kanhaiya Kumar's convoy
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has strongly condemned the "brutal attack" on former Jawaharlal Nehru University students' union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar's convoy at Begusarai district of Bihar, and alleged that it was orchestrated by the activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha and Bajrang Dal."The National Secretariat of Communist Party of India severely condemns the brutal attack on Com Kanhaiya Kumar at Bachwada sub-division of Begusarai district of Bihar by the goons of BJP Yuva Morcha and Bajrang Dal," a statement issued by the CPI read.Narrating the incident, the CPI said that Kumar was returning after a political campaign to motivate people to join the party's proposed massive rally on October 25 at Patna when the incident took place."He was returning after a political campaign to motivate people to join CPI proposed massive rally on October 25 at Patna. More than 50 goons attacked the convoy with weapons beaten colleagues of Kanhaiya, damaged ...
Islamic State Ahvaz 'mastermind' killed in Iraq, says Tehran
An Islamic State mastermind, named as Abu Zahi and linked to a deadly attack last month in southern Iran, was killed along with "four other terrorists" in Iraq Tuesday, the elite Revolutionary Guards said in a statement. The five were killed "during a reconnaissance and surprise operation by forces of the resistance this morning in Iraq's Diyalah province," northeast of Baghdad, the statement said. The "resistance" is a term used for militias operating in Iraq and Syria with Tehran's support, and trained by the Revolutionary Guards. Abu Zahi was "the mastermind of the recent terrorist crime in Ahvaz," the statement added. The attack on a military parade in the mainly ethnic Arab city of Ahvaz in southwestern Iran left 24 people dead last month. Claims of responsibility for that attack were posted by both the jihadists of the Islamic State group and by a separatist group calling itself Ahvaz National Resistance. On October 1, Iran said it had struck jihadists in Syria with ballistic ..
Trump administration touts effort to undo regulations
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration said late on Tuesday it has withdrawn or delayed more than 2,200 regulatory actions since taking office in January 2017 as it vows to reduce the role of government.