Page 2727 - Politics
Rahul confident Congress will return to power in MP
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday exuded confidence that the party will return to power in Madhya Pradesh after the November 28 Assembly elections.
Spanish minister seeks inquiry into missing Saudi journalist
Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell on Monday requested the Turkish authorities to launch an inquiry into Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi who disappeared after visiting his country's consulate in Turkey.
Ensure Goa Assembly is not dissolved: Cong to Prez
The Congress in Goa urged President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday to ensure that the state Assembly is not dissolved by "foul play". Goa Pradesh Congress Committee chief Girish Chodankar, in a petition, briefed Kovind about their earlier pleas to Governor Mridula Sinha about staking claim to form government in the state and said it is imperative that the President issues instructions and guides the governor, so that there is no constitutional over-reach to seek dissolution of the Assembly. The Congress is the largest party in the 40-member Goa Assembly with 16 MLAs, while the Parrikar government has the support of 23 MLAs. Accusing the BJP of acting "power hungry" in Goa, the Congress had on Saturday demanded that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar step down and it be allowed to prove majority by convening a special session of the Assembly. Parrikar, 62, has been ailing since mid-February and has been treated at different hospitals including those in Goa, Mumbai and the US. He returned here .
Imran Khan's party suffers set-back in by-polls; Sharif's PML-N improves its tally
In a set-back to Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Opposition alliance led by deposed premier Nawaz Sharif's PML-N gained five more parliamentary seats in by-polls, reducing the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party's margin in delicately balanced National Assembly. Elections were held Sunday in nine National Assembly constituencies in Punjab and one each in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 24 provincial assemblies seats, including 11 in Punjab, nine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two each in Sindh and Balochistan. Most of the seats where by-polls were held had been vacated by those elected on more than one seat in the July 25 general elections, including Prime Minister Khan who won in all the five NA constituencies he had contested. In by-polls, Khan's party lost two seats vacated by him. His seat in Lahore (NA-131) was won by former railways minister and a firebrand Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique. In Bannu, Zahid Akram Durrani of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal ..
India threatens strategic stability in South Asia: Pak prez
Pakistan President Arif Alvi on Monday said that the strategic stability in South Asia is being threatened by the offensive posture and induction of lethal weapons by India. Alvi said that nobody should doubt Pakistan's capability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, Radio Pakistan reported. "Discriminatory exemptions by certain countries for the supply of nuclear technology and supply of advanced military hardware to our neighbour has further complicated the regional security and undermined the credibility of non-proliferation regime," the report said.
Rahul should apologize, sack Sidhu for his anti-south remarks: BJP
Accusing the Congress of turning itself into an organisation with an anti-India mindset, the BJP on Monday sought an apology from its President Rahul Gandhi and sacking of Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for his analogy between visiting Pakistan and south India.
TRS party suspends MLC for "anti-party activities"
The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi Monday suspended a legislative council member for alleged "anti-party activities." The party said it came to its notice that MLC Ramulu Naik was indulging in anti-party activities. "As per the partys decision Ramulu Naik is being suspended from the TRS party," a three-line statement signed by TRS general secretary, Palla Rajeswar Reddy, said. Party sources alleged that Naik was in touch with some senior congress leaders after he was denied ticket to contest from a constituency in erstwhile Medak district in the coming assembly elections. When contacted, Naik said he did not engage in any anti-party activities and termed his suspension as "harassment" as he belonged to a tribal community. "I have never been in touch with any Congress leader. I raised the topic of reservation in the party. That's why I was suspended. I am not going to request the party (to revoke the suspension). I have self-respect. They are doing this because I am a ...
Kamal Nath blames Shivraj for bad MP roads
Madhya Pradesh unit Congress chief Kamal Nath on Monday accused Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's government for the bad road condition in the state.
Rahul targets PM on hunger, says Modi forgot to give food to people
Citing a global survey on hunger that ranked India 103 among 119 nations, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Monday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying while he gave speeches and "enjoyed life", he forgot to give food to the people. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Welthungerhilfe, ranked India 103, clubbing its position with Nigeria in the index, according to media reports. "The chowkidaar (watchman) gave a lot of speeches, but forgot about people's stomach. Did a lot of Yoga and enjoyed life, but forgot to give food to people," Congress president Gandhi said in Hindi on Twitter. Terming the matter "very serious", Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said it was a matter of shame that India was ranked 103rd among 119 countries in the global hunger index. The NDA government should set its priorities right, he said. Gehlot targeted the prime minister on India's ranking in the index, claiming Modi and his ...
Nepal government unveils priceless crown to public
Nepal government on Monday unveiled the crown and 11 other artifacts of the Shah dynasty that represents two and a half century old monarchy, a decade after the Himalayan country was declared a Republic. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli unveiled the crown at a special function at Narayanhiti Royal palace-turned museum. The display of the crown will lure foreign tourists from around the world in the days ahead that would help in promote Nepal's tourism sector, Oli said. The Narayanhiti Palace was converted into a museum after the abolition of the monarchy in Nepal in May 28, 2008. The palace is now owned by the government. The then prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala declared that the royal palace would be converted into a museum after the last king of the Shah dynasty, Gyanendra Shah, left the palace on June 11, 2008. Twelve valuable artifacts belonging to the ex-monarch, including the crown, scepter and a sword were made public on Monday. The crown and scepter were few artifacts that ...
Israeli troops kill Palestinian after attempted stabbing
The Israeli military says Israeli troops have shot and killed a Palestinian after he attempted to stab a soldier in the West Bank. The military says the alleged attacker did not wound any soldiers during Monday's incident. It says troops fired toward him and the he was "neutralized and killed." The incident comes as security forces continue to search for a Palestinian who shot and killed two Israelis in a West Bank industrial park last week before fleeing the scene. The military also notified the man's family on Monday that it intends to demolish his home in response to the attack. Israel has faced a three-year wave of Palestinian attacks that in recent months have dwindled but still occur. Critics say Israel uses excessive force against Palestinian attackers.
India, China come together to train Afghan diplomats
In the first such initiative, India and China came together Monday to provide assistance to Afghanistan through a joint training programme for Afghan diplomats. The Joint India-China Training Programme for Afghan diplomats,from October 15-26, began Monday as part of an understanding reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan. Ten Afghan diplomats started training at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) here after an event where statements by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were read out by the diplomats of the two countries. China's Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui, in his remarks at the inauguration of the programme, said such a 'China-India Plus' cooperation should be extended from Afghanistan to other countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Iran and Myanmar. Describing India as a "regional major power", he said China and India can also join hands under the mechanisms of South Asian Association
Haryana transport union's two-day strike from tomorrow
The Haryana Roadways Workers Union on Monday announced a two-day strike from tomorrow against the government's decision to hire 720 private buses on kilometre basis.Speaking on the issue, Haryana Roadways Workers Union president Virendra Singh Dhankhad said, "Government's decision to hire 720 buses is against the interest of the employees as well as the public. We have received support of all the employees, students and farmer organisations in writing."Asserting that the decision would adversely affect the roadways employees, Dhankhad said, "We won't let the government implement its decision." He urged Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to discuss the issue with them.Recently, the Haryana government hired private buses on kilometre basis while allowing them to operate within and from the state.
Odisha hikes DA for employees
The Odisha government on Monday hiked the dearness allowance (DA) for government employees by an additional 2 per cent.
India threatens regional security: Pakistan
India's offensive posture and induction of lethal weapons threatens strategic stability in South Asia, Pakistan President Arif Alvi said on Monday.
Modi doesn't care for farmers: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday hit out at Narendra Modi, accusing the Prime Minister of insulting the people of India.
Lewinsky affair not an abuse of power, says Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton has said her husband Bill's affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky was not an abuse of power and he was right to not resign from the US presidency in the wake of the scandal. The two-decades old episode has come under renewed scrutiny in the #MeToo era, with critics questioning whether the power imbalance between a sitting president and an intern made it impossible for the relationship to be considered consensual. Some, like New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, have said that Clinton should have stepped down after he was impeached by a Republican-controlled House in late 1998 for lying about the affair. But speaking on CBS News on Sunday, former presidential candidate and secretary of state Hillary Clinton said she disagreed. "Absolutely not," she replied when asked whether her husband should have resigned. Pressed on whether the relationship was an abuse of power, Clinton said: "No, no" and noted that Lewinsky, who was 22-years-old at the time, "was an .
Akbar has given his version: BJP
In its first comments on the sexual harassment allegations against Union minister M J Akbar, the BJP said Monday he has given his version on the row and that it is not about whether the party agrees or disagrees with him. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao was asked at a press conference whether the ruling party agrees with Akbar on his statement on the allegations levelled against him by several women. "It is not about agreeing or disagreeing. He has presented his version," Rao said. The Minister of State of External Affairs had Sunday rejected the allegations as "false, fabricated and deeply distressing" and said he was taking appropriate legal action against the accusers. BJP leaders and spokespersons had so far maintained a studied silence on the issue amid an increasing demand for the minister to quit his position. Some woman Union minister have supported the #MeToo movement, which has encouraged women in different fields to come out with their stories of ...
Suu kyi calls for peace in trilateral talks
Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday called for joint efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges in implementing the nationwide ceasefire accord (NCA) between the government and the NCA-signatory ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) through discussion and negotiation.
Congress protests, demands Akbar's resignation
Hundreds of Congress workers staged a noisy protest here on Monday demanding the resignation of Union Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar who is facing allegations of sexual harassment.