Page 99 - Politics
Palestinians protest, strike over US peace plan
Thousands of Palestinians demonstrated Tuesday throughout the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip against the launch of the US administration's Middle East peace plan. Around 3,000 people protested in Nablus in the northern West Bank, with dozens attending demonstrations in Ramallah and Hebron, AFP journalist said. The US is set to roll out economic proposals at a conference in Bahrain later Tuesday aimed at paving the way towards a peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians. But the Palestinians are boycotting the event, accusing President Donald Trump's administration of pro-Israel bias. Rallying calls from the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and other groups raised fears of widespread clashes, but they did not materialise. A general strike was called for in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip and most shops and restaurants in the enclave were closed, an AFP journalist said. Demonstrators at a small female-led protest in northern Gaza burned pictures of Trump, an AFP ...
US kicks off Mideast plan, with Palestinians boycotting
After a wait of two and a half years, the US administration is launching its Middle East peace plan Tuesday - with an economic initiative that the Palestinians are boycotting. For this most unconventional of US presidents, Donald Trump's Middle East peace-making bid is unlike decades of previous US attempts. There is no talk of land swaps, a Palestinian state or other political issues that have vexed diplomats for decades. The Trump administration says it will get to the political issues later. For now, its plan will open over cocktails and dinner Tuesday evening in Bahrain at an intimate two-day "economic workshop" at a luxury hotel overlooking the Gulf. Led by Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, the "Peace to Prosperity" framework dangles the prospect of USD 50 billion of investment in the Palestinian territories and neighbouring Arab countries over 10 years. Listing a slew of projects to develop roads, border crossings, power generation and tourism, the framework sets an .
BJP Mizoram unit felicitates 4 Mizos arrested during Emergency
The BJP Mizoram unit Tuesday felicitated four Mizos who were arrested during the Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on this day in 1975. In a press statement, the BJP state unit said that the declaration of Emergency by the then Congress government led by Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975 was indeed a black day as the country was plunged into chaos and the people's rights suppressed by the then regime. "Gandhi's government arrested anyone who opposed the decisions of the regime ...," the statement said, adding that four Mizos - Sanglianchhungi, AV Pakunga, C Vulluaia and HF Rohlupuia were among those arrested by the government during emergency and who are still alive. The statement said that BJP wished that such kind of atrocities on the pretext of internal security should never occur again in India.
Come clear on Triple Talaq Bill, Congress tells TRS
The Telangana Congress Tuesday demanded that the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) make its stand clear on the 'Triple Talaq' Bill. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) minorities wing chairman Shaik Abdullah Sohail alleged that the Bill was nothing but an attempt by the BJP government to interfere in the Muslim Personal Law. Therefore, the Congress has been opposing the Bill in Parliament, he said in a party release. The Congress had blocked the Bill in Rajya Sabha when it was introduced last time and has been opposing it, he said. However, the TRS had supported the BJP government by abstaining during voting on the Triple Talaq Bill in Lok Sabha on December 27 last. "TRS should make its stand clear on whether it was in favour of the Bill or against it. TRS cannot simply go into hiding to facilitate the BJP government pass the Bill in Parliament," he said. Sohail asked Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to spell out the TRS stand and direct his party
Two more sitting INLD MLAs join BJP
In yet another setback for the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) ahead of the Haryana Assembly polls, two of its sitting MLAs joined the ruling BJP here Tuesday. The two INLD MLAs Parminder Dhull from the Julana constituency and Zakir Hussain from the Nuh segment joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and state BJP president Subhash Barala. Besides, Jannayak Janata Party's Rohtak district unit chief Dharampal Makroli also joined the BJP here on the occasion, Barala told reporters. The two INLD MLAs said they had earlier in the day met the Haryana Assembly Speaker Kanwar Pal in the Vidhan Sabha here and submitted their resignations. With the joining of the two MLAs in the BJP, the INLD, which was until a few months ago the main opposition party in Haryana with as many as 19 members, has now been reduced to a mere seven MLAs. Out of the 19 members, two of its legislators died during the past 10 months, out of which bypolls were held for one seat (Jind), which .
Congress missed two opportunities on women empowerment issue, they have third chance with Triple Talaq Bill: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked Congress support the Triple Talaq Bill saying it can make up for two "missed opportunities" on the issue of women empowerment in the past--once on Uniform Civil Code and the other on Shah Bano judgement."Congress has missed two opportunities on the issue of women empowerment. They first missed in 1950s when Uniform Civil Code was being debated and then after 35 years when Shah Bano case came up. Now is the third chance when they can support Triple Talaq Bill."There are reports that a Congress minister had said at the time when Shah Bano case was being debated in the country that 'upliftment of Muslims is not the responsibility of the Congress, if they want to lie in gutter, let them be'," he said in his reply to the debate on the President's address in the Lok Sabha.The Triple Talaq Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha last week amid a huge uproar from the Opposition parties, which are against criminalising the offence.The Opposition ...
US issues Turkey new warning over Russian missile purchase
The US envoy to NATO said Tuesday that Turkey will be axed from the high-tech F-35 fighter jet program if it goes ahead with plans to buy Russian S-400 air defense missiles. US Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison said "there will be a disassociation with the F-35" if NATO member Turkey buys the Russian missile system, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to do. Speaking on the eve of NATO talks in Brussels, Hutchison said "we cannot have the F-35 in any way affected by, or destabilized by, having this Russian system." The United States and other NATO allies have repeatedly complained about the purchase, saying the S-400 is not compatible with other allied systems and represents a security threat, particularly to the F-35. But Hutchison said Turkey does not appear ready "to retract on the sale." Indeed, Erdogan repeated Tuesday that Turkey had no intention of doing so. "Turkey does not negotiate, seek permission or bow to pressure from other countries on the issue of meeting its ...
Vigilant people, independent media a must to protect India's secular democracy: Badal
Former Punjab Chief Minister and Akali patriarch Parkash Singh Badal Tuesday said constant vigil by people besides a strong and independent media were required to protect India's secular democracy from overt and covert threats. No one should have the courage to launch an "open and frontal assault" on the country's democratic fabric the way former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi did on June 25, 1975, he said in a statement here. "But the tendency in governments to curtail civil liberties and basic freedom on the one or other pretext will always remain a threat in any society, where people are not vigilant and the media freedom is compromised in one way or the other," he said recalling the imposition of the internal Emergency by Indira Gandhi in 1975. The former CM said democracy and secularism were the two reasons for the respect that India enjoyed world over. These two values were the cornerstone on which the nation's edifice rested, he said. "Tinkering with either of the two can prove ..
Moscow has information downed US drone violated Iranian airspace
Moscow has information that the US military drone, which was shot down by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) last week, was flying within Iranian airspace, said Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev on Tuesday.Speaking at a press briefing in the presence of US National Security Advisor John Bolton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Patrushev also said that the evidence provided by Washington, alleging Tehran was behind the attack on the two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, were unprofessional and of poor quality."We need to conduct a due investigation, to understand what really happened, instead of simply appointing the culprit", Sputnik quoted Patrushev as saying.Patrushev's statements go in contrast with the claims made by Washington about the attack on US drone, as well as, on the two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.After the IRGC on Thursday announced that it had shot down an "intruding American spy drone", RQ-4 Global Hawk, Washington
Russia accuses US of being 'reckless' with new Iran sanctions
Russia on Tuesday accused Washington of being reckless with new sanctions on Iran, saying Moscow stood in solidarity with Tehran. "US authorities should think hard about where this reckless course of action can lead," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "It is capable of not only destabilising the Middle East but undermining the entire system of international security," the ministry added. "There is an impression that Washington is 'burning bridges.'" By introducing sanctions against Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military chiefs, Washington is seeking to "punish those who are not going to submit to American diktat," Moscow said. "Russia stands in complete solidarity with the friendly people of Iran and its government," the Russian foreign ministry added. Tensions between the United States and Iran have been escalating since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew last year from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic ...
CPI Member raises the issue of manual scavenging in RS
The issue of manual scavenging and deaths of seven persons while cleaning a hotel's sewer in Gujarat found a mention in Rajya Sabha Tuesday, with D Raja of the CPI claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not uttered a word on the deaths in his home-state so far. Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to President's Address, Raja accused the BJP of trying to impose a monolithic, illiberal and socio political order in the country. Raja claimed that Dalits and minorities were being targeted in the name of majoritarianism and that the attacks on the two communities have increased manifold. He said the government was spending crores on the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan (cleanliness campaign) but not doing anything for Safai Karamcharis. "Seven people were killed in Gujarat while cleaning a sewer, that is our Prime Minister's state, what a shame the Prime Minister he has not uttered a word so far," Raja said. Seven persons, including four sanitation workers, died ...
Social media firms favoured BJP: Derek O'Brien
The All India Trinamool Congress member Derek O'Brien Tuesday attacked the social media firms, alleging they favoured the Bharatiya Janta Party led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) during the election campaign for the recent Lok Sabha polls. Speaking during the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in the Rajya Sabha, he also blamed the social media platform for providing a major share of advertisement for BJP. On the relevance of media he said, "These days with media in hand, it is easy to manufacture great men. Dr B R Ambedkar said this. He saw this problem coming long years ago. "We appeal to media owners that you have role to play to save democracy. We appeal to the journalists to bring back the days of Editors, the 60's 70's". He also demanded sweeping electoral reforms saying that there should be a collegium to appoint the election commissioner. He sought reintroduction of paper ballot. He called for state funding for the political parties to provide ...
Mamata's police to charge 'cut money' takers under law that
Elected public representatives and government officials in West Bengal who accept "cut money" from beneficiaries of welfare schemes will now be charged under a tough law that provides for life imprisonment in the event of conviction, CMO sources said Tuesday. The "errant" public representatives and government functionaries will be charged under section 409 of the IPC which relates to criminal breach of trust by a public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent, officials in the chief minister's office said speaking on condition of anonymity. A person convicted under the law is liable to be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, besides fine. The decision was taken by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, they said. It followed a massive public uproar in different parts of the state where several ruling TMC leaders were mobbed by people demanding "refund" of the cut money taken by them to ...
Amount involved in bank frauds of above Rs 1 lakh on decline
The amount lost in bank frauds of Rs 1 lakh and above has been on a decline since 2016-17, Parliament was informed Tuesday. Banks and select financial institutions reported to RBI that frauds of Rs 1 lakh and above amounting to Rs 25,884 crore occurred during 2016-17 . The amount involved in such frauds in 2017-18 and 2018-19 stood at Rs 9,866 crore and Rs 6,735 crore, respectively, as per a written reply by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha. She said comprehensive measures have been taken to tighten fraud prevention systems and deter perpetration of frauds in banks. These measures include giving powers to banks to initiate criminal proceedings against wilful defaulters, government backed framework for timely detection, reporting and investigation of large value bank frauds in public sector banks. Enactment of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 as well as authorisation to PSBs to obtain certified copy of passport of promoters/directors of companies availing ...
Iran says new US sanctions show talk offers hollow, block diplomacy
Iran vehemently responded Tuesday to new US sanctions against its leaders, saying they showed Washington was "lying" about an offer of talks and marked the end of diplomacy with the Trump administration, amid an escalating regional standoff. Washington blacklisted Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military chiefs on Monday, saying it would also sanction Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif later in the week. "At the same time as you call for negotiations you seek to sanction the foreign minister? It's obvious that you're lying," Rouhani said in a meeting with ministers, broadcast live on TV. His comments came as US National Security Advisor John Bolton, on a visit to Iran's arch-enemy Israel, said Washington had "held the door open to real negotiations" but that "in response, Iran's silence has been deafening". Iran and the US broke off diplomatic relations in 1980 over the hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran following Iran's Islamic revolution. Tensions ...
JD(U) accuses NDPP of poaching its MLA
A day after its lone legislator Kaito G Aye joined the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party in Nagaland, the JD(U) state unit on Tuesday accused the NDPP of poaching its MLA. JD(U) Nagaland president Senchumo NSN Lotha told a press conference here that "Aye along with some members of the JDU were swayed and lured by temporary materialistic gains". He alleged that though Aye was elected on a JD(U) ticket but his heart and soul was never with the party. Lotha claimed that Aye may have defected to NDPP but the JD(U) Nagaland unit is totally intact. "The JD(U) feels relieved for being cleaned of garbage which was stinking and destroying the good odour of the party," the JDU state president said, adding that "opportunists and power mongers will always find a hole to perforate their fingers and throw the dirt at others". Aye along with his supporters and some other leaders joined the NDPP in the presence of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday. Lotha said ...
'India meets conditions for US waiver on S-400, can't wish away defence ties with Russia'
India meets the criteria for a US sanctions waiver for procuring S-400 missile defence systems from Russia and the Trump administration has "enough flexibility" on the issue, diplomatic sources said Tuesday, asserting that New Delhi cannot "wish away" its longstanding defence ties with Moscow. The pitch for a waiver came a day before talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his American counterpart Mike Pompeo during which the issue is likely to figure. There has been a discussion on the issue with the US, both in private as well as in public domain, and it is of "some concern" to Washington, diplomatic sources said. "We have a longstanding defence relationship with Russia which we cannot wish away," a source said. India inked an agreement with Russia in October last year to procure a batch of the missile systems at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore. India went ahead to seal the deal notwithstanding the US' warnings against it. The US is well aware of the circumstances that ...
Nepal govt withdraws controversial Guthi Bill after intense protests
Nepal's Communist government Tuesday formally withdrew the controversial Guthi bill from the National Assembly following weeks-long intense protest by the ethnic Newar community which feared that it could jeopardise Sanatan Hindu tradition. A proposal on annulment of the bill tabled by Minister for Land Reforms Padma Aryal was endorsed unanimously at the National Assembly, the upper house of Parliament. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli-led government had tabled the Guthi Bill in Parliament to amend the Guthi Act and nationalise both public and private guthis or trusts and regulate all religious sites under a powerful commission. Fearing that the government's move could jeopardise Sanatan Hindu tradition, the ethnic Newar community staged weeks-long protests demanding scrapping of the bill. Following intense protests, the Nepal government withdrew the controversial bill from Parliament, but the protestors demanded scrapping of the bill. The much-talked-about bill on the management of ...
Not just a few names, every citizen worked for India's progress: PM Modi
In a veiled attack on the Congress party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that every citizen has worked for India's progress and not just a few names."There are some people who feel only a few names contributed to national progress. They only want to hear those few names and ignore the others. We think differently, we feel each and every citizen has worked for India's progress," he said in his reply to the debate on the President's Address' in the Lok Sabha."We did not divert from our development path, we did not dilute our development agenda. It is important that the country progresses, every Indian is empowered and our nation has modern infrastructure. We believe in public welfare and modern infrastructure," the Prime Minister said.He criticised the Congress for ignoring former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh."Before 2004, Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was there. I challenge the government that was in power between 2004-2014 to ..
Kiran Bedi orders Vigilance probe into expenditure by PSUs
Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi Tuesday ordered a Vigilance probe into the expenditure by government owned PSUs to meet amenities in offices of some Ministers, allegedly in violation of rules. Bedi, in a WhatsApp message to mediapersons said that "whoever breaks rules is accountable. A vigilance enquiry has been ordered and public officials facilitating violation of rules relating to expenditure are accountable". She announced the Vigilance Department probe on a representation by NGO 'Human Rights Awareness organisation', on Rs 3.6 lakh expenditure reportedly incurred by PIPDIC (Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development & Investment Corporation) for facilities Revenue and Industries Minister M O H F Shah Jahan's office. The NGO had obtained the information through the Right to Information Act. It had also obtained information through RTI that the government owned Adi Dravidar Development Corporation here had met the expenditure of Rs 15,980 incurred by the ...