Friday, June 14, 2019

PM Modi to address plenary session SCO

PM Modi to address plenary session of SCO Summit today
DD News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the plenary session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan today. Mr Modi will present his vision for regional cooperation and development.
The two-day SCO Summit began yesterday in Bishkek. On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with Presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Belarus and Iran today. India and Kyrgyzstan will also sign a number of agreements after the delegation level talks. Mr Modi will also jointly inaugurate the India-Kyrgyz Business Forum.
Yesterday evening, Mr Modi held bilateral talks with Presidents of China, Russia and Afghanistan. Prime Minister’s first engagement in Bishkek was the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
During their meeting, Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping reviewed the bilateral relations and agreed to take them to the next level. The Prime Minister said, both the countries have improved the strategic communication which resulted in resolving a wide range of issues.
Mr Modi also reaffirmed his stand on Pakistan that it needs to create a terror-free atmosphere before any meaningful dialogue. Prime Minister said, Pakistan needs to take concrete action on the issues that India has proposed and India does not see it happening at this stage.
Briefing media persons after the talks, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that the issue was discussed between the two leaders and Prime Minister informed the Chinese President that India’s position is consistent on the issue to resolve all the issues through the bilateral mechanism.
Mr Gokhale said the meeting was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere and a wide range of issues discussed during the meeting. He said, the Chinese President again congratulated Prime Minister Modi for his re-election in general election. President Xi said this reflects the aspirations and trust of the people of India placed in Prime Minister Modi.
Prime Minister Modi also held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Foreign Secretary said Prime Minister Modi will attend Eastern Economic Forum to be held in early September at Vladivostok in Russia. Mr Gokhale said the Eastern Economic Forum meeting will be followed by India-Russia Annual bilateral summit.
At the bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Modi said, in order to make the participation in the Forum meaningful, India will send a business delegation and representatives of three Indian states to Vladivostok and Russian Far East prior to his visit.
The Foreign Secretary said, Russian Far East is extremely resourceful and the Prime Minister also recognized it as a new area for cooperation. Both the leaders also reviewed trade and business relations and noted that these are on an upward trajectory.
Showing interest in the modernization of Indian Railways, the Russian President said, they will study the upgradation of Nagpur-Sikandarabad line. Prime Minister Modi also thanked Russian President Putin for successful implementation of defence manufacturing project in Amethi under the Make in India initiative.
Prime Minister Modi also met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. The two leaders discussed the role being played by India towards an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan. In a tweet, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, Mr Modi and Mr Ghani shared perspectives on the situation in Afghanistan.

UN concern on attack Abha International Airport

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United Nations has expressed its concern over the terrorist attack carried out by the alleged Iran-backed Houthi militia on Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia.
In a press conference, UN spokesman Farhan Haq described the attack as a serious threat to regional security and undermining the political process in Yemen led by the United Nations.
The Official Spokesman for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Colonel Turki Al Malki, stated that a hostile projectile fired by the Houthi militia yesterday hit the arrivals hall at Abha International Airport through which thousands of passengers of different nationalities pass daily.
The Saudi Press Agency, SPA, quoted Colonel Al Maliki as saying that a total of 26 passengers of different nationalities were injured by the projectile, including three women and two Saudi children.
Eight people with moderate injuries were transferred to a hospital for treatment, while 18 were treated at the site for minor injuries. There was also some physical damage to the airport lounge.
Naresh 

Farewell from Annabel

As you know, this is sadly my last week at Renew. I have been delighted to lead this party, but without supporters like you, it would have all been for nothing.

Renew’s path has been to restore hope in our future, inspiring people to be the best version of themselves whilst also bringing out the best in our communities and our country, our Union. And it is critical that principled politicians lead that process or other less principled ones will.

You must not forget that we are the ones who stood up. We made the case when Brexit seemed inevitable, when others stood silent. We played our part. Remember that. Be proud of that.
As I have said before, we are not living through an era of change. We’re living through a change of era. As we transition to this new era, people are questioning the nation's institutions, principles and values.
Real change only comes when courageous individuals come together and demand it.

And you - the changemakers – are leading that charge. Thank you.
Annabel Mullin


Two years after Grenfell

‘Our love and thoughts are with all those who lost their lives and their families on the second anniversary of the Grenfell tragedy.’

Chuka Umunna joins Liberal Democrats 

Chuka and the others realised too late, that having an organisation and infrastructure fundamentally matters.
Hopefully the Liberal Democrats provide him a more supportive home. We know how unforgiving the electoral system can be and renewal of all the institutional parties is imperative if we want to move to a better democracy.
‘We hear rumours that at least Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston are to shortly follow his lead.’

Last call for Renew's Summer Conference

Tomorrow is Renew’s Summer Conference, exclusively for members and guests. It is being held in The Priory Rooms on 40 Bull Street, Birmingham. 

You do not want to miss out on this crucial meetup for the future of our party. If you’re a member, you’ll be able to trial our online voting platform, discuss the direction of Renew going forward and get involved in Q & A sessions with Renew candidates.

This is your last chance to purchase a ticket - get yours today.

Now, here’s what we’ve been writing about this week…

First Past the Post and The State of British Politics: Renew's James Bryan laments the UK's non-proportional and undemocratic voting system.
Extreme Weather is Changing Attitudes to Climate Change: Renew's Gwen Jones explains how extreme weather events are raising awareness of the climate change threat.

Why Aren't We More Worried by the Rise of Surveillance Capitalists?: How can we combat those who rig the market with godlike knowledge of their consumers? We have the lowdown.

Poll: Conservative Party Leader

In this week’s poll, we ask you:
Should Boris Johnson be Conservative Party Leader?
Let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter!

Send in your stories: extreme weather

Renew wants to hear about the political issues that have affected you personally for the news section of our website. This is your chance to be heard, so if you have something to say, we want to give you the platform to say it. 

This week, we’d like stories about your experience of tough weather. It's been an incredibly wet June in the UK with widespread flood warnings. Have you been affected by extreme weather events? How did you cope? What could the government do to mitigate the damage?

We want real messages from real people so that visitors to our website can really understand Renew’s message. Send a few hundred words to Renew's Communications Officer James Dilley and we’ll feature your stories in our blog posts.

Quote of the week

Best,

David and the Renew Team

http://www.renewparty.org.uk/

Boris way to UK PM

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UK, Boris Johnson has secured the highest number of votes in the first ballot to select the Conservative party leader and next Prime Minister.
The former Cabinet minister received 114 votes in the first round of a secret ballot, followed by UK foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt in second place with 43 and Environment secretary Michael Gove third with 37 votes.
Three contenders – Mark Harper, Andrea Leadsom and Esther McVey – were knocked out of the race after failing to secure the minimum requirement of 17 votes.
It leaves seven candidates in the fray for the second round of voting next week. The candidates include former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab in fourth place with 27 votes, Home Secretary Sajid Javid fifth with 23, Health Secretary Matt Hancock sixth with 20 and International Development Secretary Rory Stewart in the last place with 19.
The two most popular MPs from among the seven will be put to Tory party members in a final vote later this month.
The winner of the contest to succeed Theresa May is expected to be announced in the week of 22 July.
TM Krishna Speak and sing on Neelabh Mishra's 59th Birthday.

16th June 2019

2nd Neelabh Mishra
 
Memorial Lecture 
by 
TM Krishna 
(Eminent Carnatic Musician and Public Intellectual)

Will Share his ideas on the subject

From the Note to the Word

To celebrate the life and memory of Neelabh Mishra on his Birthday.

Chaired by
 
Dr. Ashok Vajpeyi 
Writer and Critic

The Auditorium
 
Jawahar Bhawan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Marg, 
(opposite Shastri Bhawan), New Delhi

Time: 6.15 pm to 8 pm

(Please be in your seats by 6.00 pm)

Family and Friends of Neelabh Mishra

Contact:
 
8010833325, 9351562965

Book: Manu to Modi

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Centre for Policy Research and Hachette are pleased to invite you to theBook Launch and Discussion on ‘The Truth About Us: The Politics of Information from Manu to Modi’ by Sanjoy ChakravortyPanellists:
Sanjoy Chakravorty, Professor of Geography and Urban Studies, Temple University
Sanjay Srivastava, Professor of Sociology, Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi
Philip Oldenburg, Adjunct Associate Professor of Political Science, Columbia University
Josy Joseph, Investigative Journalist
Moderator:
Neelanjan Sircar, Senior Visiting Fellow, Centre for Policy Research
Thursday, 20 June 2019, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Demonstrators scuffle, Hong Kong police

 Scuffles broke out between demonstrators and police in Hong Kong today as hundreds of people persevered with a protest against an extradition law with mainland China, a day after police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to break up big crowds.
The extradition bill will cover Hong Kong residents and foreign and Chinese nationals living or travelling through the city.
The Bill has sparked concern that it may threaten the rule of law that underpins Hong Kong’s international financial status.
Protests around the city’s legislature yesterday forced the postponement of debate on the extradition bill.
Hong Kong’s China-backed Chief Executive Carrie Lam condemned the violence and urged a swift restoration of order but has vowed to press ahead with the legislation despite the reservations about it, including within the business community.

Competitiveness, climate, security Finn’s priorities Ministry of Finance release Finnish road map of EU presidency. Finland i...