Page 2807 - Politics
Vedanta gets interim relief as Madras High Court stays Tamil Nadu's land allotment cancellation
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - An Indian court on Wednesday ordered an interim stay on the cancellation of land allotted for expansion of Vedanta's south Indian copper smelter, in a relief to the conglomerate whose unit was shut on environmental grounds.
Pak PM Imran Khan to make first official visit to China in November
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to make his first official trip to China next month, his foreign minister has said. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a game changer for Pakistan and has taken off. Pakistan, he said, wants an early completing of these projects and is in talks with the Chinese on how to focus on areas that are important to the new government. "Hopefully next month in November the prime minister would be making his first official visit to China to discuss this further," Qureshi told a Washington audience when he was asked about reports of changes in the ambitious CPEC projects. "Obviously infrastructure is required. We need roads and rail links, optic fibers and everything of that sort. We want them to help us in areas like industrial development, enhancing agriculture productivity, helping us alleviate poverty in the country," he said to a question at the US Institute of ...
US special envoy for Afghan reconciliation travels to Afghanistan, Pak, Saudi
The Trump administration's point person for Afghan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad is making his first trip to the AfPak region and the key countries in the Middle East, the US State Department said. Khalilzad, who was the highest-ranking Muslim in the George W Bush administration, will lead an interagency delegation to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia from October 4-14. "Khalilzad's mission is to coordinate and lead US efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. He will do so in close coordination with the Afghan government and other stakeholders, exploring how best to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict," the State Department said. The trip is his first visit following his appointment as special representative and reflects the administration's intent to support, facilitate, and participate in a peace process in Afghanistan.
Pak foreign minister seeks US role for talks with India
Islamabad is seeking an American role in facilitating talks between India and Pakistan because the two South Asian neighbours are not engaging bilaterally, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said, warning that absence of such a facilitation could lead to escalation of tension. But the latest Pakistani request in this regard has again been rejected by the US, the top Pakistani diplomat told a Washington audience on Wednesday, a day after he had meetings with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton, during which he raised the issue only to be pushed back by the Trump administration. "When we asked the US, to play facilitating role...Why do we ask? Simply because we are not engaging bilaterally. And that bilateral disengagement isa distraction. We want to focus, we want to move on the western side of the border, which we are not being able to because we have to watch our back from eastern side (of the border with India). That is not a ...
Khalilzad to lead US efforts for peace with Taliban
Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad will lead an interagency delegation to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Saudi Arabia from October 4 to 14 to lead the US' efforts for peace with the Taliban.Khalilzad has been tasked with coordinating with the Afghanistan government and other stakeholders involved for exploring the best possible way to reach a settlement for the conflict with the Taliban and bring them to the negotiating table, a statement from the US Department of State confirmed.This will be Khalilzad's first visit since his appointment on September 22, and "reflects the Administration's intent to support, facilitate, and participate in a peace process in Afghanistan," the statement added.
UN chief congratulates Salih on election as Iraqi president
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has congratulated Barham Salih on his election and swearing-in as Iraqi President.
Putin to arrive in New Delhi today
Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in New Delhi on Thursday to attend the 19th India-Russia bilateral annual summit, scheduled to begin the following day. The signing of a deal for Russia's S-400 Triumf air defence system is the key feature of the visit.Putin will arrive at the national capital at around 6:30 PM and will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in an hour, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed.On October 05, the Russian President will hold delegation level talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House at around 11:30 AM. The two are slated to discuss a number of key regional and global topics, including the US sanctions on Iranian oil.Following an exchange of agreements and press statements, Putin will arrive at the ITC Maurya Hotel, where the India-Russia Business Summit is scheduled to take place at around 3:30 PM. He is also scheduled to interact with a group of talented children.Putin will then meet his Indian counterpart - ...
PPP, PML-N to field joint candidates for upcoming by-elections
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) have decided to field joint candidates for the forthcoming by-elections scheduled to be held on October 14.A meeting, attended by high-profile leaders from both parties, was held on Wednesday at the Parliament House in Islamabad, The Express Tribune reported.Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Sanaullah, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry were some of the PML-N leaders in attendance, while Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Khursheed Shah and Qamar Zaman Kaira accounted for the PPP delegation.Addressing the media following the meet, PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that the "fruitful" decision was agreed upon by senior leaders of both the former ruling parties, adding that other parties were also being approached for alliances, reported Dawn."The PML-N has agreed to support the PPP candidates contesting from Karachi," PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said.This comes in the back of a fallout between the ...
US leaving optional protocol to Vienna Convention
US National Security Adviser John Bolton has said the US is withdrawing from the Optional Protocol to the Vienna Convention on dispute resolution.
LeT terrorist threatening people against participating in polls arrested in J-K
The security forces in a joint operation on Wednesday arrested a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, who had allegedly issued threats to people against taking part in the local bodies and panchayat elections, from Sopore town of Baramulla district in Jammu And Kashmir.Jammu and Kashmir police along with Army and Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) arrested the terrorist namely, Amir Sultan War.Sultan War had recently joined the terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).The Sopore police accompanied by Army's 32 Rashtriya Rifles and 92 Battalion of CRPF nabbed the terrorist after they received a reliable input about the latter.The arrested local terrorist is a resident of Naidkhai Sumbal Bandipora and was apprehended after setting up a checkpoint at Baramulla-Handwara road near Hadipora crossing.In a video gone viral, an armed Sultan War can be seen threatening people of North Kashmir to not participate in the forthcoming Local Bodies and Panchayat elections.A case has been registered in ..
Pompeo calls Saudi Crown Prince, discusses Yemen tension
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday held a telephonic conversation with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Muhammad bin Salman and deliberated on a number of key bilateral issues.The Secretary of State and the Crown Prince discussed Yemen, which is currently embroiled in a civil war, and countering "the Iranian regime's malign activities in the region," a statement from the US Department of State confirmed.Pompeo also discussed with the Crown Prince avenues to expand US-Saudi collaborations, the statement added.Yemen's capital Sanaa is currently held by the rebel group - the Houthi movement, who killed then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh in December 2017, according to media reports. Saudi Arabia is leading the Arab coalition against the Houthi movement.
Iran is rogue regime: John Bolton
Iran is a "rogue regime" and has acted for decades as the central banker of international terrorism, the Trump administration alleged Wednesday. US National Security Advisor John Bolton's statement came in response to Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif recent remarks terming the US an "outlaw regime". "You know, Iran is a rogue regime," Bolton told reporters at a White House news conference here. "It (Iran) has been a threat throughout the Middle East, not only for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, but it's acted for decades as the central banker of international terrorism. And its hostile and aggressive military behavior in the region today is a breach of international peace and security," Bolton alleged. "So I don't take what they say seriously at all," he said in response to a question. Bolton said America's dispute is with the ayatollahs who have taken Iran from a respected position in the international community to being a rogue state. "Our dispute has never ...
Pompeo, Pak Foreign Minister discuss bilateral ties
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday met with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and held discussions over a range of issues of bilateral interests.Pompeo and Qureshi discussed the importance of the two nations working together for mutual benefits, recognising that bilateral cooperation was a factor for stability in South Asia, a statement from the US Department of State confirmed.Pompeo highlighted their common goal for peace and security in the region and stressed on the importance of Pakistan in bringing about a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. Pompeo also agreed that there was momentum in the Afghan peace process and that the Afghan Taliban should seize the opportunity for dialogue.The Secretary and the Foreign Minister concurred on continuing engagement on these subjects and other issues and reiterated their desire to maintain constructive dialogue to advance shared interests.The two had last met on September 05 in Islamabad.Pompeo had also met
Congress should be ashamed of forming alliance with TDP: KCR
Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday said that the Congress should be ashamed of entering into an alliance with Telugu Desam Party (TDP) along with other regional parties, ahead of the assembly elections.This comes at a time when the alliance between the Congress, TDP and other regional parties is on the cards. However, official confirmation is awaited."Congress party had filed 196 cases on Kaleshwaram project which is useful for the public. Congress party should be ashamed of themselves for entering an alliance with the TDP, which is not a good sign for the State," KCR said while launching the second Praja Ashirwada Sabha at Giriraj College Grounds here.The caretaker Chief Minister said that within two months, every house in the state will receive the Mission Bhagiratha water. He also highlighted an increase in the pension, adding that the amount will be declared in the election manifesto.He further said that the second phase of Rythu Bandhu checks ...
Without US protection Saudi King would collapse in two weeks: Trump
The Saudi Kingdom will collapse in two weeks in absence of American protection, US President Donald Trump has said, pressuring one of its closest allies over rising oil prices that are putting huge drain on economies like India. Trump's reference to Saudi Arabia, which has the potential to strain the bilateral relationship, came in the context of the US providing security protection to rich nations and getting nothing in return. "How about our military deals, where we protect rich nations and we don't get reimbursed? How about that stuff? That's changing, too, folks," he said. "We protect Saudi Arabia. Would you say they're rich? And I love the king, King Salman. But I said, 'King, we're protecting you. You might not be there for two weeks without us. You have to pay for your military," Trump said amidst applause from the audience. "You have to pay," Trump said in an apparent reference to US' friends and allies that they need to reimburse for the security cover America is providing ...
Forgo transactions with Russia or face sanctions: US to allies
The US on Wednesday urged its allies not to enter into transactions with Russia and warned that it would trigger American sanctions, a day after it was reported that India was planning to purchase multi-billion S-400 missile defense system from Moscow. Late last month, the Trump administration imposed sanctions under Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA, which was signed into law last August, on China for purchasing fighter jets and missile defense system from Russia. The CAATSA law tries to push back against Russia's malign activity around the world. "We urge all of our allies and partners to forgo transactions with Russia that would trigger sanctions under CAATSA," a State Department Spokesperson told PTI when asked about India's plan to purchase multi-billion S-400 missile defense system from Russia. "The Administration has indicated that a focus area for the implementation of CAATSA Section 231 is new or qualitative upgrades in capability including the
US pulls out from protocol of Vienna Convention over Jerusalem embassy move
The US has decided to withdraw from the optional protocol on disputes of the Vienna Convention, National Security Adviser John Bolton said Wednesday, citing a Palestinian lawsuit challenging America's move to shift its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as the reason. The announcement by the White House came soon after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced to terminate the 1955 Treaty of Amity with Iran. Iran made a mockery of the treaty with its support for terrorism, provocative ballistic missile proliferation and malign behaviour throughout the Middle East, Bolton told reporters at a White House news conference. "In addition to the Treaty of Amity, I am announcing that the president has decided that the United States will withdraw from the Optional Protocol and Dispute Resolution to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations," Bolton said. "This is in connection with a case brought by the so-called state of Palestine naming the United States as a defendant, challenging our ...
Official functions should be held in organised way following decorum: Bedi
Lt Governor Kiran Bedi said Wednesday that the organisers of official functions should ensure that the events were held in an organised way following a respectful decorum. Referring to the event on Tuesday at a government function where AIADMK legislator A Anbalagan and the lieutenant governor were locked in a war of words after the legislator was asked to cut short his speech as he 'exceeded' the time allotted at a government function. Without mentioning the legislator's name, she said that "a particular speaker, who was not scheduled to speak, was accommodated to address. But he refused to respect the sanctity of the event and the time of all others despite being repeatedly requested (to stop his speech)". The former IPS officer also said that the organisers should brief the speakers in advance. Once the minute-to-minute programme was approved, any change ought to be made with the approval of the organiser or whoever is presiding over the event. The incident occurred in the presence
EC bars Telangana from distributing sarees during Bathukamma
The Election Commission of India (EC) on Wednesday barred TRS government in Telangana from distributing free sarees among poor women on the occasion of Bathukamma festival.
DIAL to shut one runway for repair works; flight disruptions expected from Nov 15
Flight disruptions are expected at IGI Airport from November 15, as one of the three runways will be closed for "preventive repairs" for 13 days.