Page 290 - Politics
Rajnath to visit Siachen on Monday, meet soldiers
In his first visit outside the national capital as Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh will on Monday interact with soldiers at the Siachen base camp and review the security situation along the borders with Pakistan.
Karnataka CM to resume 'Grama Vastavya' programme to stay tuned to ground realities
After the party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy will restart 'Grama Vastavya' programme from next month to get closer to the common man and re-build a solid base support for the Janata Dal-Secular (JDS).During 'Grama Vastavya' programme, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy will visit several villages and will stay there for some time in a bid to understand the problems of the locals.It should be noted that the village stay concept was first practiced by Kumaraswamy during his term as the Chief Minister during 2006-2007 with BJP's BS Yeddyurappa as his Deputy Chief Minister.On last Tuesday, Kumaraswamy also met Dinesh Gundu Rao and Siddaramaiah to discuss and strategise the ruling Congress-JD(S) government's political roadmap after the landslide victory of BJP in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls.The BJP won 25 of the 28 seats along with an Independent backed by it, while the Congress and the JDS won one seat each.The BJP is
US Representative arrives in Pakistan to discuss Afghan peace process
Zalmay Khalilzad, the United States' Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, arrived here on Sunday to facilitate a peace process that ends the 19 years of war in Afghanistan.Samaa News agency reported that the US envoy is expected to attend a Pakistan-US advisory meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here today in the presence of Pakistan government officials and military leaders.Prior to his arrival, Khalilzad also held meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) summit in Makkah, last week.In a tweet, he said the meeting will "improve relations between the two countries and help to implement and capitalise opportunities for regional connectivity, integration, and development."Khalilzad has long been trying to reach a peace deal with the Taliban to end the war in Afghanistan that has entered its 19th year. The envoy also held a series of meetings with the ...
UP: 7 officials of Animal Husbandry Department, including director, suspended
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led state government on Sunday suspended seven officials of the Animal Husbandry Department, including its Director Charan Singh Yadav, who were recruited during the Samajwadi Party government.The recruitment of the officials was done arbitrarily as part of a scam. Animal Husbandry Department had in 2012-13 announced recruitment for 1,148 seats.After finding irregularities in the exams, the current Uttar Pradesh government had in December 2017 made an SIT to investigate the matter.
Delhi govt plans to make metro & bus travels free for women: Kejriwal
With Assembly polls due early next year in the city, the Aam Aadmi Party government is considering to make metro and bus travels free for women in Delhi "to encourage them to use public transport". At a public meeting in New Delhi Saturday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also said his government is in touch with city's power regulator to bring down fixed charge component of electricity bill. "The government is considering to waive fare for women in DTC buses and Delhi Metro to encourage them to use public transport in view of their safety. An announcement in this regard will be made on June 3," the chief minister said at the public meeting in New Delhi. A Delhi government official said Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has already taken meetings to discuss various aspects of fare-waiver to women in all public transport buses -- run by DTC and DIMTS -- and Delhi metro. However, Transport Department officials point out that while allowing free travel in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)
Solution to three languages formula lies in its better implementation: Shashi Tharoor
Congress MP and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor on Sunday said the solution to the three-language formula is not by abandoning the idea but ensure its better implementation."The solution is not to abandon the three languages formula but to implement it in a better manner," said Tharoor when asked to comment on the new draft policy of National Education, which recommends among other things three languages formula in schools.Tharoor said that the three-language formula goes back to mid-1960s but it was never properly implemented. "Most of us in the South learn Hindi as a second language but nobody in the North is learning Malayalam or Tamil," he said.In the draft National Education Policy 2019, the three-language formula recommends inclusion of English and Hindi besides mother tongue in non-Hindi speaking states, while Hindi speaking states should include English and one Indian language from other parts of the country.When asked about the guests who were aggressively turned away by
Ten killed in Israeli attack in Syria following rocket fire
Israel carried out air strikes in Syria on Sunday in response to rare rocket fire from the neighbouring country, its military said, with a war monitor reporting 10 killed including Syrian soldiers and foreign fighters. Israel's army said two rockets were fired from Syria at Mount Hermon in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights late Saturday and one had been "located within Israeli territory." In response, the army attacked "two Syrian artillery batteries, a number of observation and intelligence posts on the Golan Heights, and an SA-2 aerial defence battery," its statement said. The Israeli attack left three Syrian soldiers and seven foreign fighters dead, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. According to the Britain-based war monitor, which did not specify the nationality of the foreign fighters, they died in missile strikes close the capital Damascus where Syrian troops, Iranian forces and Hezbollah fighters are stationed. Syrian anti-aircraft defences fired against "enemy ...
Pak to wait for India's decision to lift airspace ban before taking final call: Official
Pakistan said on Sunday that there was no official communication with India about the opening of the airspace and Islamabad will wait for New Delhi's decision to lift the air restriction on its flights before taking a final call on lifting its airspace ban. Pakistan has already indicated that it may lift the airspace ban along its eastern border with India, imposed on February 27 after the Balakot airstrike, to reciprocate India's decision to remove all restrictions on all air routes in the Indian airspace. "We have already opened this point, Telem (near Ahmedabad), about two months ago, for India. It was India that has to open it now, enabling the flights to use this airspace," the Pakistani government official told PTI. He said since there is no official communication between the two countries in this respect taken place yet "we will see what Notam (notice to airmen) it (India) issues today." When asked about opening of other around 10 routes (points), the official said: "Once the ..
Kurdish authorities to release 800 Syrians from Al-Hol camp: official
The Kurdish administration in Syria on Sunday said it plans to hand 800 local women and children, including relatives of jihadists, to their families tomorrow in the first such transfer from an overcrowded camp. The women and children -- all Syrians-- are living among the dregs of the Islamic State group in the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp in northeast Syria. Their release comes at the request of local Arab tribes, according to Abd al-Mehbach, co-chair of the Kurdish administration's executive council.
After poll drubbing, Kumaraswamy to resume village stay programme
Days after the JD(S) was decimated in the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Sunday announced that he will resume his "Grama Vastavya" (village stay) programme to find out the challenges facing the state's rural areas. Kumaraswamy had initiated the programme to interact with villagers during his previous tenure as chief minister, which lasted from February 2006 to October 2007. "'Grama Vastavya' is a way to reach out to the people, to understand their problems and to know the functioning of the government. Soon 'Grama Vastavya' is going to start in government schools," Kumaraswamy said in a tweet. During his previous stint, Kumaraswamy used to spend the nights at villagers' houses as part of the initiative. This time, however, he has decided to stay in government schools. "During his previous term as chief minister, Kumaraswamy had conducted 47 'Grama Vastavyas'. He had stayed in 47 houses. This time he has decided to stay in government schools," an ...
J-K: Pakistan national apprehended from Sunderbani area dies
An elderly Pakistan national, who was apprehended from Jammu and Kashmir's Sunderbani area, died here on Sunday.According to the Border Security Force (BSF), the deceased had probably strayed from his territory and was struck by the heat wave."The man was barely conscious when he was apprehended on Saturday. Though he was given medical treatment, he couldn't survive," BSF said.Further details are awaited.
3 killed, 7 injured after Israeli army attacks Syria military position
Israel Army on Sunday attacked Syria's military position killing three soldiers and wounding seven others.An unnamed Syrian army official told the official state-media SANA: "Some hostile aerial targets appeared coming from the direction of the occupied Golan; immediately our air defences confronted them and downed the hostile missiles that were targeting our positions in the southwestern Damascus."The Israeli military has also confirmed the attacks."The attack was in response to two rockets fired from Syria at Mount Hermon late on Saturday. One of the rockets landed in Israel, no damage or injuries were reported," tweeted Israeli army.The Israeli military said the targets included two artillery batteries, observation and intelligence posts and an air defence unit.This comes amid heightened tensions in the reason as Syria-ally Iran is engaged in a nuclear conflict with Israel-ally US.
Germany: SPD chief Andrea Nahles resigns
The chief of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), Andrea Nahles, announced her intent to resign from her post on Sunday.Nahles said that she'll step down as the SPD chairwoman on Monday, and submit her resignation on Tuesday, according to Sputnik."The discussions within the parliamentary faction and feedback from within the party have shown me that I no longer have the necessary support to carry out my duties," the SPD chief stated."I sincerely hope that you will be able to rebuild trust and mutual respect, and thus find people who can support you with all their might. Our country needs a strong SPD!" a statement issued by her read.This comes after the SPD's poor performance in the recently concluded European parliamentary elections.Nahles became the first woman to head the SPD in April last year.
Stalin greets Sonia; hails Cong as "guarantee" for pluralism
DMK president M K Stalin Sunday greeted United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi on her election as leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party. "I extend my hearty greetings to respected Annai (mother) Sonia Gandhi," he said in a Facebook post. Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu usually refer Sonia Gandhi as "Annai Sonia" as a mark of respect. Stalin said "no power" can remove the Congress party's excellent work from the good hearts of the Indian people. The Dravidian party chief said Congress was the "permanent guarantee for pluralism, secularism, social justice and equality enshrined in the Constitution". Also, the poor, middle-class and marginalised sections reposed their faith on Congress party, he said. Sonia Gandhi was elected leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) on Saturday in Delhi. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh proposed her name and it was unanimously endorsed by all party MPs.
Opposition slams ban on mobile phones in UP
A day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath banned Ministers and officers from carrying their mobile phones into the cabinet and other important official meetings, the opposition parties termed it an undemocratic decision.
US envoy congratulates Jaishankar on appointment as EAM
The US Ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, on Sunday congratulated Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on taking over as India's External Affairs Minister."Congratulations to @DrSJaishankar on your appointment as Minister of External Affairs @MEAIndia. You have been a key architect of the U.S.-India strategic partnership, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship! #USIndiaDosti," Juster tweeted.A former career diplomat, Jaishankar has previously served as the Ambassador of India to the United States. A surprise addition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Union Cabinet, he will be helming the Ministry of External Affairs for the next five years under the NDA government.The 1977-batch IFS officer and Padma Shri awardee served as the Foreign Secretary for three years - from 2015 until his retirement in 2018 - under Modi's previous term as Prime Minister.The incumbent EAM has also served as India's Ambassador to China and the Czech Republic, and has been the High Commissioner ..
Body of suspected Pak intruder found along border in Jammu
The body of a man, suspected to be a Pakistani intruder, was recovered along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu district, officials said Sunday. The body was found when the Border Security Force troops were patrolling along the International Border (IB) late Saturday night at Bhag Nallah in Pargwal-Khour sector of the district, they said. According to the officials, two pension passbooks and Pakistani currency worth Rs 20 (two 10-rupee notes) were recovered from the deceased. The body was handed over to Pargwal Police Post and after examination, it was shifted to the mortuary of Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, they added.
UP govt notifies rules for setting up fund to run cow shelters
Paving the way for setting up of a corpus for managing and running shelters for stray cattle in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has notified necessary rules which focus on framing the guidelines and forming urgently required infrastructure. Principal secretary of animal husbandry S M Bobde said after getting the Cabinet's approval, the department has notified the Uttar Pradesh Cow Conservation and Development Fund Rules, 2019, clearly laying down guidelines for establishment and operation of the corpus. The rules to run and manage the 'govansh ashray sthals' (cattle shelters) at the district-level were cleared on Tuesday at the very first cabinet meeting after the Lok Sabha elections chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. According to an official release, the fund will help in implementation of different developmental schemes relating to cow conservation. The corpus will be raised through donations, state and central governments, government institutions, individuals or ...
Sivakolundhu set to be elected Pondy Assembly Speaker
Puducherry Assembly Deputy Speaker V P Sivakolundhu is set to be elected Speaker of the House on Monday. The 68-year old Congress leader will assume office of Speaker during a special session of the House convened by the Lt Governor. With Sivakolundhu, who won from Lawspet MLA, alone filing the nomination before the Assembly Secretary A Vincent Rayar Sunday, he is for all practical purposes elected 'unopposed' as the Speaker of the House, official sources told PTI. Ministers and Legislators of the Congress and its ally, the DMK proposed and seconded his name for the post of Speaker, which had been lying vacant after senior Congress leader V Vaithilingam quit the post on March 21 to contest the Lok Sabha poll. Chief Minister V Narayanasamy told reporters that Sivakolundhu's candidature was approved by the Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He said Congress MLA M N R Balan elected from Uzhavarkarai constituency would be fielded for the post of Deputy Speaker and the ...
China vows military action if Taiwan, sea claims opposed
China's defense minister warned Sunday that its military will "resolutely take action" to defend Beijing's claims over self-ruled Taiwan and disputed South China Sea waters. Speaking at an annual security conference in Singapore, Gen. Wei Fenghe did not direct the threat at the U.S. but loaded his address with criticism of activities by Washington, including support for Taiwan and leading so-called freedom of navigation operations in the strategic waterways that China virtually claims as its own. Wei said the People's Liberation Army would not "yield a single inch of the country's sacred land." China's ruling Communist Party maintains that Taiwan is part of China, and has used increasingly aggressive rhetoric toward the democratic island, which split from the mainland amid a civil war 70 years ago. It opposes Taiwan's independence and formally says it seeks a "peaceful reunification" while refusing to rule out the use of force if necessary to achieve that goal. "The PLA has no ...