NEWS

New Delhi: India has said that the process of its decolonisation remains incomplete as long as the atolls continue to be under UK’s control while supporting Mauritius claim over disputed Chagos islands. This is home to Diego Garcia — the key military base of the UK and the US in the Indian Ocean.

Presenting the country’s stand in the oral proceedings on the matter before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) here, India’s Ambassador to the Netherlands Venu Rajamony said the analysis of historical facts and consideration of the legal aspects confirm that sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago has been and continues to be with Mauritius.

New Delhi: The Janata Dal (United) in Bihar and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab have asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to defuse the problem of rising petrol and diesel prices that’s hurting the common people. There is a growing public concern over the sharp spike in petrol and diesel prices found an echo in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) camp.

Petrol prices have increased from Rs 74.31 on January 1 to Rs 85.51 on Tuesday, an increase of Rs 11.20. Diesel prices in the corresponding period have risen from Rs 63.38 to Rs 76.95, an increase of Rs 13.57. The hike is the result of rising international crude oil prices and depreciation of the rupee against the dollar.

New Delhi: A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud agreed to hear a plea seeking a stay on the Rafale fighter jet deal but it would be heard next week. The court consideredc advocate ML Sharma’s mention for his plea for urgent hearing.

Sharma, in his plea, sought an FIR and prosecution of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former defence minister and current Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, businessman Anil Ambani and French armament firm Dassault with recovery of the amount.

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that during the UPA regime, Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) was a "supporting ground for naxalites". It accused the Congress of compromising with national security.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused it of compromising national security for political opportunism. The NAC "embraced Naxalism" and was "ground for supporting Naxals" under Sonia Gandhi, he said. Taking a jibe at Congress, Patra said, "They (Congress) should contact the Election Commission (EC) and tell them that we want to get renamed as INC (M) - Indian National Congress (Maoist)."