Page 2728 - Politics
Koreas to break ground for railway, road connection
South and North Korea on Monday agreed to hold a groundbreaking ceremony to modernise and eventually connect their railways and roads across their borders in late November or early December.
Rahul prays at Pitambara Peeth in MP
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday started his two-day tour of the Gwalior-Chambal region in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh after offering prayers at the Pitambara Peeth temple in Datia district.
Ex-chief of China asset management firm prosecuted for graft
The former chairman of a Chinese state-controlled asset management firm will be prosecuted for corruption, authorities said Monday, the latest senior figure to be felled in the government's anti-corruption dragnet. Lai Xiaomin, chairman of the Hong Kong-listed China Huarong Asset Management Co., will face prosecution for "serious violations of the law", the National Supervisory Commission and the Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said in a joint statement. "Lai Xiaomin violated political discipline and political rules... squandered state property (and) violated party ethics by attending banquets in private clubs and high end restaurants; arranging or accepting subordinates using public funds to pay for relatives' travels," the statement said. It listed a litany of offences Lai was said to have committed, including receiving bribes in cash or kind, as well as sex for favours. He will also be expelled from the Communist Party. He was put under ...
North and South Korea agree railway ceremony next month
The two Koreas will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the reconnection of their railways and roads as early as next month, they agreed Monday, as Seoul pursues an approach to the nuclear-armed North increasingly diverging from the US. The agreement was reached at a high-level meeting held at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, which has hosted ever more frequent cross-border talks in recent months. "The South and North agreed to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the connection and modernisation of the east and west coast rail and road in late November or early December," read a joint statement issued after the meeting. But all civilian travel and communication between the two neighbours has been banned since the end of the Korean War in 1953, and it was not clear when construction and refurbishment work might start. Officials also agreed to hold military talks "as soon as possible" to ease tensions at the border area and to arrange a Red Cross meeting to ...
India, China launch training programme for Afghan diplomats
India and China on Monday launched a joint programme to train Afghan diplomats in pursuance of an understanding between the two countries to undertake joint projects in the war-torn nation.
Main border post between Jordan and Syria reopens after 3 years
The main border crossing between Jordan and war-torn Syria reopened Monday after a three year closure, an AFP photographer reported. The black metal border gate was opened from the Jordanian side of the crossing at 8:00 am (0500 GMT) as more than a dozen police and customs officials stood nearby, the photographer said, while several cars bearing Jordanian license plates queued on the Syrian side ready to roll in. The border crossing, known as Jaber on the Jordanian side and Nassib on the Syrian side, was a key trade route before Amman closed it after the post was overrun by rebels in April 2015.
Jordan reopens main border post with Syria after 3 years
Jordan on Monday reopened its main border crossing with war-torn Syria, a key Middle East trade route, after a three year closure, an AFP photographer reported. The black metal border gate was opened from the Jordanian side of the crossing at 8:00 am (0500 GMT) as more than a dozen police and customs officials stood nearby, the photographer said. Several cars bearing Jordanian license plates queued to enter Syria, the photographer added, as travellers expressed their joy at being able to cross the border. "Today is a celebration for us and I wanted to be among the first to cross the border," said Syrian businessman Mohammed Hisham as he waited for his turn to enter Syria from Jordan where he now lives. Jordanian taxi driver Imad Sariheen called the reopening of Jaber a source of "great happiness for all of us" which will help ease "economic hardships" caused by the closure of the crossing. "Our conditions have worsened over the past years. Our work (driving taxis) was halted because ..
Merkel coalition faces post mortem on Bavaria poll debacle
The three parties in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's fragile coalition government on Monday were facing up to an election debacle in the southern state of Bavaria. The Christian Social Union (CSU) from Merkel's conservative camp took a 10-point dive in Sunday's vote to lose its absolute majority in the Alpine state it has ruled since the 1960s. And the other coalition partner, the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), dropped below 10 percent, halving their support in their worst ever result in any state poll. The biggest winner was the Greens, who surged to become the second strongest party with 18 percent, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) celebrated its entry into the state assembly with 10 per cent. The Sueddeutsche daily commented that Merkel's alliance faces "a fight for its survival", following the dramatic losses of the "so-called people's parties" as big-tent political groupings are known in Germany. Spiegel Online commented that although "the epicentre of the
Prez pays floral tributes to A P J Abdul Kalam
President Ram Nath Kovind Monday paid floral tributes to former president A P J Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan, an official statement said. Kalam, who served as the 11th president of India from 2002-07, was born October 15, 1931 at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. The president paid floral tributes to Kalam, the statement issued by Kovind's office said. "Officers and staff of Rashtrapati Bhavan also paid tributes on the occasion," it said.
'Rahul disturbed as India and not Pakistan signed Rafale deal'
Giving a further twist to opposition's repeated scathing attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party led central government over the Rafale deal, Rajasthan minister Jaswant Singh Yadav said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi was "disturbed" as India and not Pakistan had acquired the fighter jets.Speaking at an event in Alwar on Friday, Yadav said, "There was Rafale deal. These are fighter planes which are acquired after great difficulty. Pakistan did not acquire it. Rahul Gandhi is disturbed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and not Pakistan received it."The minister further said that Gandhi is trying to please Pakistan by insulting everyone. "He (Rahul Gandhi) says Hindus are terrorists. What will such a man do by becoming Prime Minister? He tells people of India that Hindus are terrorists. What does it mean? If you want to please Pakistan why are you insulting us?" he wondered.Yadav's remarks come at a time when the Congress is mounting attack on the Centre over the India-France ...
PM Modi to meet President Xi next month
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Argentina in November, Chinese Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui, said on Monday.The meeting will be held on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The two leaders last met in July during the 10th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.Speaking at the inaugural event of the first Joint India-China Training Programme for Afghan diplomats in New Delhi, the envoy said, "This will be their (President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi) first meeting in Argentina. I am delighted to see that China-India relations are going along the fast track."He further informed that in December, both countries will jointly launch the people-to-people programme between the two countries."In December, China's state councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India to launch the first India-China high level people-to-people exchanges mechanism," Zhaohui added.Talking about the India-China training programme that kick-started on ...
Sabarimala issue: Massive BJP rally in Kerala capital
Thousands of BJP activists Monday marched to the secretariat here to protest implementation of the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all age groups entry into the Sabarimala shrine. In another development, the Travancore Devaswom Board has convened a meeting of various stakeholders of the shrine including the Tantri (head priest) family, Pandalam royals and Ayyappa Seva Sangam here tomorrow. The meeting, called to discuss the preparations of the three-month-long annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season starting from November 17, was expected to discuss the recent Apex court order also. The shrine will reopen on Wednesday for monthly rituals. BJP activists, including a large number of women and children, marched to the administrative hub, Secretariat here, chanting mantras of Lord Ayyappa and holding the garlanded pictures of the deity. The mammoth foot march, which started last week from Pandalam, was in protest against the Left government's decision to implement the top .
Guj govt invites TN CM to inauguration of Vallabhbhai Patel
The Gujarat government Monday extended formal invitation to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palsniwami for the inauguration of the world's tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in that state on October 31. A team led by Gujarat Minister Ganpat Vasava, who holds Tribal Development and Tourism portfolios among others, presented the invitation to Palaniswami at the Secretariat here to attend the unveiling of the 'Statue of Unity,' an official release said. The Gujarat Minister was accompanied by party MP Kirit Solanki and a couple of state Legislators, it said. The 'Statue of Unity' dedicated to Patel, India's first Home Minister, is touted to be the tallest in the world at 182 metres. Being built at a cost of Rs 2,389 crore at Sadhu Bet island on Narmada river, the statue is set to be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31 on the occasion of Sardar Patel's birth anniversary.
Kalam was wonderful motivator: PM
Remembering former President A P J Abdul Kalam on his 87th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Nodi Monday described him as a "wonderful motivator" and a great president. Born on October 15, 1931 at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, Kalam served as the 11th President of India from 2002-07. "An exceptional teacher, a wonderful motivator, an outstanding scientist and a great President, Dr Kalam lives in the hearts and minds of every Indian. Remembering him on his jayanti," Modi tweeted.
Onus on BJP to ensure Goa govt completes full term: Sardesai
The Goa Forward Party (GFP), an ally of the ruling coalition in Goa, said Monday the onus to ensure that the current government completes its full term lies with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command. GFP president and Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai said, "With or without Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister, the state government should complete its term." His remarks came in the wake of the ill-health of Parrikar, 62, who returned to Goa Sunday from New Delhi, where he underwent treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for pancreatic ailment. Sardesai said BJP president Amit Shah called him Sunday afternoon to discuss the political situation in Goa. "Amit Shah spoke to me and I have said no to mid-term poll. With or without Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister, this government should continue," he told PTI. Referring to the BJP's commitment when the coalition was formed in Goa in 2017, Sardesai said the party high command, ...
Korean gov't ministers meet to discuss post-summit specifics
The rival Koreas are holding high-level talks Monday to discuss further engagement amid a global diplomatic push to resolve the nuclear standoff with North Korea. South Korea said Monday's talks will be aimed at finding ways to carry out peace agreements announced after the summit last month between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. The meeting between senior officials comes at a sensitive time as Washington has expressed unease over the fast pace in inter-Korean engagement, which it says should move in tandem with U.S.-led efforts to denuclearize the North. South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said the discussions will include setting up a joint survey of a North Korean railroad section the Koreas plan to connect with the South. The North's chief delegate to the talks is Ri Son Gwon, who chairs the North Korean agency that deals with inter-Korean affairs. There could also be discussions over ..
Malaysian PM-in-waiting Anwar takes oath as lawmaker
Malaysian Prime Minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim said he felt "vindicated" after taking his oath as a lawmaker Monday, marking his return to active politics three years after he was imprisoned for sodomy in a charge that critics said was politically motivated. The swearing-in ceremony in parliament followed Anwar's landslide win in a by-election Saturday in the southern coastal town of Port Dickson in which he defeated six other candidates. The seat was vacated after a lawmaker from his party quit, paving the way for Anwar's political comeback. Anwar, 71, joins his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail currently Malaysia's deputy prime minister and his eldest daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, in parliament. He has said that his by-election victory is a "vote of confidence" in the new government. "I have been deprived of my right from time to time and I have to go through a by-election to come back ... I feel vindicated," Anwar told reporters Monday. He reiterated support for Prime Minister ...
PTI, PML-N wins most seats in Pakistan by-polls
The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) managed to win most of the seats in the by-polls held for 11 National and 24 provincial assembly seats, the media reported on Monday.
46% Americans think Trump will win re-election: Poll
Forty-six per cent Americans think that President Donald Trump will win a second term in office, according to a new CNN poll,
Saudi Arabian King calls Turkish President over journalist's disappearance
Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, according to media reports.