India, Israel sign 9 MoUs to boost cooperation in various fields
New Delhi [India], Jan. 15 (ANI): India on Monday signed nine Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs)with Israel in various sectors, including cybersecurity, space and medicine.
The MoU on cyber-security cooperation envisages cooperation in the field of cyber security to develop, promote and expand collaboration through various platforms and arrangements such as training programmes, skill development, and simulator based hands-on training.
Through the MoU between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Ministry of Energy on Cooperation in Oil and Gas Sector, both the sides are looking to explore opportunities of long-term cooperative relationship and joint economic projects to enhance bilateral engagements in the field of Oil and Gas.
The MoU on Protocol between India and Israel on Amendments to the Air Transport Agreement envisages entering into cooperative marketing arrangements, such as code share, bloc space or any other JV agreement for the purpose of operating the agreed services on the specified routes.
The two sides also signed an MoU on filmmaking. With this, India and Israel envisages to establish a framework for encouraging all audiovisual media output, especially the co-production of films for the benefit of the film industries of both the countries.
India and Israel also took their collaboration in the field of medicine. The MoU between the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH and the Centre for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center on Cooperation in the field of Research in Homeopathic Medicine envisages cooperation in the field of research in homeopathic medicine.
In the field of space science, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) signed an MoU with Technion- Israel Institute of Technology. The two institutes would work together will from a joint working group for research, educational and training programmes.
On the investment front, the two sides signed an MoU for exchanging information on investment opportunities, relevant laws and regulations, policies and government initiatives.
For cooperation in the area of metal-air batteries, an MoU was signed between Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Phinergy Ltd.
The MoU on Letter of Intent between IOCL and Yeda Research and Development Co Ltd for cooperation in the area of concentrated solar thermal technologies intends to encourage joint research activities in the area of concentrated solar thermal technologies.
The MoUs were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
No justification for acts of terror on any soil: PM Modi, Netanyahu
New Delhi [India], Jan. 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu have said that there could be no justification for acts of terror on any soil.
Recognising the grave threat that terrorism poses to peace and security, both Prime Ministers, in the joint-statement issued here on Monday, have advocated that strong measures be taken against terrorists, terror organisations and those who sponsor, encourage or finance terrorism or provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups.
In line with this, the premiers have reiterated the importance of building comprehensive cooperation in counter-terrorism, including cyber-space and welcomed the signing of the MoU on Cooperation in Cyber Security between the two countries.
Both prime ministers have noted the readiness of Israeli companies to enter into joint ventures with Indian companies in the defence sector under the Make in India initiative.
The two have also agreed to hold each other's festivals in their respective countries in 2019 as a further step to solidify friendship between the peoples of India and Israel.
On the business ties front, Modi and Netanyahu have agreed that renewed efforts were required to realise the full potential for bilateral trade and investment, and took note of the next round of discussions between the two sides to be held in February 2018 in Israel.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi and Netanyahu held delegation-level talks and discussed the ever-growing cooperation in all aspects of the bilateral relationship between the two sides.
Netanyahu, who is on a six-day visit to India, received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday.
Netanyahu will be visiting Agra, Gujarat and Mumbai and will be accompanied by the Indian Prime Minister on extensive portions of his visit.
Gen Rawat's remarks 'unconstructive':China
Beijing, Jan 15 (PTI) China today hit out at Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat for calling Dokalam a disputed territory and said that his "unconstructive" comments were not helpful for maintaining peace at the borders.
In an angry rebuttal to Gen Rawat's comments, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said his comments went against the consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit last September to bring ties back on track and preserve peace on the border.
The Chinese reaction came following comments by Gen Rawat two days ago that India needs to shift focus from its border with Pakistan to that of China and spoke of pressure being exerted by Beijing along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
"Last year, India-China relations have witnessed some twists and turns," Lu said and referred to Modi-Xi consensus and the high-level talks since December to improve the ties.
"The dialogue and consultation have shown sound momentum of improvement and development," he said.
"Under such background, the unconstructive remarks by the Indian senior official (Gen Rawat) not only go against the consensus reached by the two heads of state but also do not conform to the efforts made by the two sides to improve and develop bilateral relations," Lu said.
The remarks "cannot help to preserve the tranquillity and peace at the border areas," areas he said.
Asked what were Gen Rawat's specific comments that China is taking exception to, Lu pointed to the Indian Army chief s remarks on Dokalam wherein he said it is a disputed territory between Bhutan and China.
"I have made myself clear, if the senior official according to the report referred to the Donglang - I think you are clear about our position - Donglang belongs to China and has always been in the effective jurisdiction of China," Lu asserted.
He reiterated China's stand that the Sikkim section of the India-China boundary has been delimited by the 1890 "historical convention" between the then British government and China, which Beijing claims settled the boundary in that particular section spanning to about 200 kms.
China wants India to settle the boundary in that particular section based on the treaty while the two sides negotiated for a settlement for the rest of the LAC which spans about 3,488 kms. So far the two sides have held 20 rounds of border talks to resolve the issue.
"Donglang is China's territory. China will continue to exercise its sovereignty rights in accordance with the historical convention and steadfastly uphold its territorial sovereignty," Lu said.
On its part, Bhutan had lodged a diplomatic protest with China when Chinese troops began building a road in the Dokalam area in June. Indian troops had objected to the construction of the road resulting in a 73-day standoff.
The standoff was resolved after Chinese troops stopped road building and India withdrew its troops from the area.
In an apparent reference to Gen Rawat's comment that Dokalam is a disputed territory between Bhutan and China, Lu said, "the remarks of the Army chief mentioned by you once again showed that the illegal trespass of the Indian border troops is quite clear-cut in nature. Donglang belong to China."
"We require the Indian military to learn lessons and abide by the historical convention and earnestly uphold the peace and tranquillity for the border areas and create sound atmosphere for the political development of bilateral relations," he said.
On Gen Rawat's comments that China is exhorting pressure on India along the LAC, Lu said, "if he refers to the situation in whole India-China boundary, I have also said that last September the two heads of state have reached important consensus during the Xiamen (BRICS) summit".
"Both sides have maintained effective communication since then. The aim is to enhance strategic mutual trust and create enabling atmosphere for strategic communication. Recently, the bilateral relations have shown positive momentum." Lu said, referring to Chinese Foreign M
inister Wang Yi's visit to India in December followed by 20th round of border talks between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.
"On such background, the official mentioned by you made such kind of remarks that go against the consensus of the states and do not conform to the general trend of improvement of bilateral relations. We believe such kinds of remarks are not conducive to maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas," Lu said.
He did not directly respond to a question about Gen Rawat's earlier remarks about major reduction of Chinese troops from the Dokalam area and reiterated China s stand that area belonged to China.
"China and India are important neighbours. They are both at the critical stage of the national development and rejuvenation. The two countries should enhance strategic communication and eliminate strategic doubt and conduct strategic cooperation," he said.
"We urge the Indian side to follow through on the important consensus of the two leaders to do more things to preserve peace and stability of the border area and refrain from doing things which may complicate the situation, constructively handle the relevant affairs and promote steady development of bilateral relations.
"This serves the common interest of the whole region and the interest o the Indian side," Lu added.
Qatar denies intercepting Emirati plane
Manama [Bahrain], Jan 15 (ANI): Qatar on Monday denied its fighter jets intercepted a passenger plane of United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Qatar's foreign ministry released a statement, saying the UAE's claim was false.
"The State of #Qatar announces that the claims of Qatari fighter-planes intercepting a UAE civil aircraft is completely false. A detailed statement will follow," Lolwah Rashid Alkhater, Spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote on Twitter.
Earlier, The Gulf News had quoted the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as claiming that, "it had received a complaint from one of the UAE's national carriers that one of its aircraft on a flight to Manama on a normal route had been intercepted by Qatari fighters."
According to media reports, Doha on Saturday complained to the United Nations Security Council that the Emirati fighter jets recently violated its airspace at least twice.
The incident has come at a time when Qatar, since mid-2017, has been facing a diplomatic and economic blockade by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain, over accusations of supporting "terrorism".
Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan dead at 46
LONDON (AP) — Dolores O'Riordan, lead singer of Irish band The Cranberries, has died. She was 46.
Publicist Lindsey Holmes says O'Riordan died suddenly Monday in London, where she was recording. The cause of death wasn't immediately available.
Holmes says the singer's family is "devastated" by the news.
The Limerick band became international stars in the 1990s with hits including "Zombie" and "Linger."
PM Modi invites Israeli defense companies to work in India
New Delhi [India], Jan. 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that he has invited Israeli defense companies to work and invest in India.
"In defence, I have invited Israeli companies to take advantage of the liberalised FDI regime to make more in India with our companies," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing a press conference along with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
"We are venturing into less explored areas of cooperation such as oil and gas, cyber security, films and start-ups," he added.
Prime Minister Modi said India and Israel would strengthen the existing pillars of cooperation in areas that touch the lives of peoples in both the countries, which include agriculture, science and technology and security.
"We are committed to facilitating the flow of people and ideas between our geographies. It requires policy facilitation, infrastructure and connectivity links and fostering constituencies of support beyond Government," he said.
The two sides today also signed nine Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in various sectors, including cybersecurity, energy and medicine.
Netanyahu, who is on a six-day visit to India, received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan today.
Netanyahu will be visiting Agra, Gujarat and Mumbai, and he will be accompanied by the Indian Prime Minister on extensive portions of his visit.
Pak Taliban claims it killed Benazir Bhutto
Islamabad, Jan 15 (PTI) The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007, saying it killed her as she allegedly planned to collaborate with the US against the 'mujahideen' if she returned to power, says a book by the banned terror group.
"The return of Benazir Bhutto was planned at the behest of the Americans as they had given her a plan against the 'Mujahideed-e-Islam'. Baitullah had received information of the plan," the book claimed, in a reference to slain Pakistani Taliban founder Baitullah Mehsud.
The Daily Times reported that no group had claimed responsibility for Bhutto's murder until the claim in the Taliban's Urdu-language book titled 'Inqilab Mehsood South Waziristan From British Raj to American Imperialism'.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bhutto, 54, was killed in a suicide attack in Rawalpindi shortly after she had addressed an election rally on December 27, 2007.
Former president Pervez Musharraf had blamed the Tehreek- e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for the attack but the outfit had denied it.
The book says suicide bombers Bilal, also known as Saeed, and Ikramullah were tasked to carry out the attack on Bhutto.
"Bomber Bilal first fired at Benazir Bhutto from his pistol and the bullet hit her neck. Then he detonated his explosive jacket and blew himself up among the participants of the procession," the book claimed.
TTP leader Abu Mansoor Asim Mufti Noor Wali has written the book and published it on November 30, 2017, at "Maseed Computer Centre in Barmal, in Afghanistan's Paktika province," according to details in the book.
The 588-page book, which contains many photographs of Taliban leaders, was posted online.
Military sources say most of the TTP fighters, belonging to the Mehsud tribe, had crossed into Afghanistan's Paktika and Paktia provinces after the military launched a major offensive in 2009.
The book says the TTP was also involved in a suicide bombing two months earlier at Bhutto's procession in Karachi in October 2007, which had killed nearly 140 people though Bhutto had escaped unhurt.
It revealed that Baitullah Mehsud had approved the Karachi attack on Bhutto's procession when she returned to Pakistan to lead her party campaign for the 2008 parliamentary elections.
"Despite attacks on Benazir Bhutto's procession in Karachi, the government had not taken appropriate security measures that made it possible for the attackers to have easy access to Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi," the book says.
It says Ikramullah, a resident of Makeen town in South Waziristan, escaped from the blast site and is still alive.
It does not say if it is the same Ikramullah, who was declared an absconder by an anti-terrorism court along with five others, including TTP chief Mehsud who was killed in a US drone strike in South Waziristan in 2009.
Musharraf had been formally charged in the case by an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi in August, 2017. The ATC also declared Musharraf an absconder in the case.
The court had named Musharraf in the case in February 2011. The former army chief had on a number of occasions denied any involvement in the murder and dismissed the charges as politically-motivated.
Bhutto's son and PPP co-chairman Bilawal had again blamed Musharraf for his mother's killing in his speech to supporters on her 10th death anniversary on December 27 last year.
The five TTP suspects in Bhutto's murder case Rafaqat Hussain, Husnain Gul, Sher Zaman, Aitzaz Shah and Abdul Rashid were cleared of all charges in the murder trial last August.
The ATC had, however, convicted two police officials Saud Aziz, who was police chief of Rawalpindi when Bhutto was assassinated and Khurram Shahzad, a former Superintendent of Police at Rawal Town.
Both were sentenced to 17 years in jail. In October, 2017, both were granted bail by the Lahore High Court.
The book says investigators had blamed the TTP for the killing of Bhutto but Baitullah Mehsud had initially denied involvement, insisting that
Ready to facilitate dialogue between US, N Korea, says Russia
Moscow, Jan 15 (IANS) Russia is ready to facilitate bilateral dialogue between the US and North Korea within the framework of the six-party talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
"We propose to all to calm down and freeze all confrontational actions, first of all, actions related to military operations including launching missiles, testing nuclear weapons and organizing large-scale manoeuvres, which the US, South Korea and Japan are conducting in this region," he said at a press conference, reported Xinhua news agency.
Lavrov said that Russia actively supports "direct contacts between the most interested parties" when the confrontation is terminated.
"If we talk about the nuclear issue, it is primarily between Pyongyang and Washington, but we will also be ready to contribute to this bilateral dialogue within the framework of the six-party process," he said.
The six-party talks to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, which involved South Korea, North Korea, China, the US, Russia and Japan, have been suspended since late 2008.
In particular, Lavrov highlighted that Russia and China are actively interacting to achieve this goal within the framework of their joint initiative on the transition to a political settlement on the Korean Peninsula, which calls for the end of the military confrontation.
He noted that the work is going slowly as Washington seems to prefer a military solution despite catastrophic consequences.
"When conditions for a transition to dialogue were developed, in most cases we witnessed provocative actions in the form of larger-scale military activities around Pyongyang, which provoked a new round of tension," he said.
Meanwhile, Lavrov denied that Russia was invited to join in the upcoming ministerial meeting in Canada on the Korean Peninsula.
The Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Security and Stability on Korean Peninsula, co-hosted by Canada and the US, will be convened in Vancouver on Tuesday.
"With all due respect to those who initiated this meeting, I do not expect anything productive. I only hope nothing counter-productive happens," Lavrov said.
Sri Lanka SC rules President's term is five years
Colombo, Jan 15 (PTI) Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has informed President Maithripala Sirisena that the duration of his term of office is five years after he sought the apex court's opinion on whether he can continue in office until 2021.
Sirisena, 66, had requested the country's apex court to determine whether his term is six years as stated by the 1978 Constitution when he was sworn in on January 9, 2015 or five years as mentioned by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which was enacted on May 15, 2015.
President made the unusual request as different views were expressed in the legal, civil and political circles about the duration of the term of Presidency after the enactment of the 19th Amendment.
The court ruled that Sirisena's term in office is limited to five years from 2015 January, the Presidential media unit said today.
His term would now end in January 2020 and the next presidential election would have to be announced in November of 2019.
Sirisena's request to the apex court came as a surprise for many as he made arrangements in 2015 through the 19th Amendment to prune the presidential term from six to five years.
He had also backed the civil society's demand to abolish the presidency when he was declared the Opposition's common candidate in 2015. Sirisena had defeated Mahinda Rajapaksa in the 2015 election.
Instead of abolishing the presidency, Sirisena introduced the 19A which reduced the presidential term for five years while taking away his absolute control over the dissolution of Parliament.
Sirisena's request to the Supreme Court caused quite a stir when Rajapaksa declared that he could run for president again if the court ruled in favour of Sirisena.
The 19A has also barred two term presidents, including Rajapaksa, from running for a third time.
New Delhi [India], Jan. 15 (ANI): India on Monday signed nine Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs)with Israel in various sectors, including cybersecurity, space and medicine.
The MoU on cyber-security cooperation envisages cooperation in the field of cyber security to develop, promote and expand collaboration through various platforms and arrangements such as training programmes, skill development, and simulator based hands-on training.
Through the MoU between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Ministry of Energy on Cooperation in Oil and Gas Sector, both the sides are looking to explore opportunities of long-term cooperative relationship and joint economic projects to enhance bilateral engagements in the field of Oil and Gas.
The MoU on Protocol between India and Israel on Amendments to the Air Transport Agreement envisages entering into cooperative marketing arrangements, such as code share, bloc space or any other JV agreement for the purpose of operating the agreed services on the specified routes.
The two sides also signed an MoU on filmmaking. With this, India and Israel envisages to establish a framework for encouraging all audiovisual media output, especially the co-production of films for the benefit of the film industries of both the countries.
India and Israel also took their collaboration in the field of medicine. The MoU between the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH and the Centre for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center on Cooperation in the field of Research in Homeopathic Medicine envisages cooperation in the field of research in homeopathic medicine.
In the field of space science, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) signed an MoU with Technion- Israel Institute of Technology. The two institutes would work together will from a joint working group for research, educational and training programmes.
On the investment front, the two sides signed an MoU for exchanging information on investment opportunities, relevant laws and regulations, policies and government initiatives.
For cooperation in the area of metal-air batteries, an MoU was signed between Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Phinergy Ltd.
The MoU on Letter of Intent between IOCL and Yeda Research and Development Co Ltd for cooperation in the area of concentrated solar thermal technologies intends to encourage joint research activities in the area of concentrated solar thermal technologies.
The MoUs were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
No justification for acts of terror on any soil: PM Modi, Netanyahu
New Delhi [India], Jan. 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu have said that there could be no justification for acts of terror on any soil.
Recognising the grave threat that terrorism poses to peace and security, both Prime Ministers, in the joint-statement issued here on Monday, have advocated that strong measures be taken against terrorists, terror organisations and those who sponsor, encourage or finance terrorism or provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups.
In line with this, the premiers have reiterated the importance of building comprehensive cooperation in counter-terrorism, including cyber-space and welcomed the signing of the MoU on Cooperation in Cyber Security between the two countries.
Both prime ministers have noted the readiness of Israeli companies to enter into joint ventures with Indian companies in the defence sector under the Make in India initiative.
The two have also agreed to hold each other's festivals in their respective countries in 2019 as a further step to solidify friendship between the peoples of India and Israel.
On the business ties front, Modi and Netanyahu have agreed that renewed efforts were required to realise the full potential for bilateral trade and investment, and took note of the next round of discussions between the two sides to be held in February 2018 in Israel.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi and Netanyahu held delegation-level talks and discussed the ever-growing cooperation in all aspects of the bilateral relationship between the two sides.
Netanyahu, who is on a six-day visit to India, received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday.
Netanyahu will be visiting Agra, Gujarat and Mumbai and will be accompanied by the Indian Prime Minister on extensive portions of his visit.
Gen Rawat's remarks 'unconstructive':China
Beijing, Jan 15 (PTI) China today hit out at Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat for calling Dokalam a disputed territory and said that his "unconstructive" comments were not helpful for maintaining peace at the borders.
In an angry rebuttal to Gen Rawat's comments, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said his comments went against the consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit last September to bring ties back on track and preserve peace on the border.
The Chinese reaction came following comments by Gen Rawat two days ago that India needs to shift focus from its border with Pakistan to that of China and spoke of pressure being exerted by Beijing along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
"Last year, India-China relations have witnessed some twists and turns," Lu said and referred to Modi-Xi consensus and the high-level talks since December to improve the ties.
"The dialogue and consultation have shown sound momentum of improvement and development," he said.
"Under such background, the unconstructive remarks by the Indian senior official (Gen Rawat) not only go against the consensus reached by the two heads of state but also do not conform to the efforts made by the two sides to improve and develop bilateral relations," Lu said.
The remarks "cannot help to preserve the tranquillity and peace at the border areas," areas he said.
Asked what were Gen Rawat's specific comments that China is taking exception to, Lu pointed to the Indian Army chief s remarks on Dokalam wherein he said it is a disputed territory between Bhutan and China.
"I have made myself clear, if the senior official according to the report referred to the Donglang - I think you are clear about our position - Donglang belongs to China and has always been in the effective jurisdiction of China," Lu asserted.
He reiterated China's stand that the Sikkim section of the India-China boundary has been delimited by the 1890 "historical convention" between the then British government and China, which Beijing claims settled the boundary in that particular section spanning to about 200 kms.
China wants India to settle the boundary in that particular section based on the treaty while the two sides negotiated for a settlement for the rest of the LAC which spans about 3,488 kms. So far the two sides have held 20 rounds of border talks to resolve the issue.
"Donglang is China's territory. China will continue to exercise its sovereignty rights in accordance with the historical convention and steadfastly uphold its territorial sovereignty," Lu said.
On its part, Bhutan had lodged a diplomatic protest with China when Chinese troops began building a road in the Dokalam area in June. Indian troops had objected to the construction of the road resulting in a 73-day standoff.
The standoff was resolved after Chinese troops stopped road building and India withdrew its troops from the area.
In an apparent reference to Gen Rawat's comment that Dokalam is a disputed territory between Bhutan and China, Lu said, "the remarks of the Army chief mentioned by you once again showed that the illegal trespass of the Indian border troops is quite clear-cut in nature. Donglang belong to China."
"We require the Indian military to learn lessons and abide by the historical convention and earnestly uphold the peace and tranquillity for the border areas and create sound atmosphere for the political development of bilateral relations," he said.
On Gen Rawat's comments that China is exhorting pressure on India along the LAC, Lu said, "if he refers to the situation in whole India-China boundary, I have also said that last September the two heads of state have reached important consensus during the Xiamen (BRICS) summit".
"Both sides have maintained effective communication since then. The aim is to enhance strategic mutual trust and create enabling atmosphere for strategic communication. Recently, the bilateral relations have shown positive momentum." Lu said, referring to Chinese Foreign M
inister Wang Yi's visit to India in December followed by 20th round of border talks between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.
"On such background, the official mentioned by you made such kind of remarks that go against the consensus of the states and do not conform to the general trend of improvement of bilateral relations. We believe such kinds of remarks are not conducive to maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas," Lu said.
He did not directly respond to a question about Gen Rawat's earlier remarks about major reduction of Chinese troops from the Dokalam area and reiterated China s stand that area belonged to China.
"China and India are important neighbours. They are both at the critical stage of the national development and rejuvenation. The two countries should enhance strategic communication and eliminate strategic doubt and conduct strategic cooperation," he said.
"We urge the Indian side to follow through on the important consensus of the two leaders to do more things to preserve peace and stability of the border area and refrain from doing things which may complicate the situation, constructively handle the relevant affairs and promote steady development of bilateral relations.
"This serves the common interest of the whole region and the interest o the Indian side," Lu added.
Qatar denies intercepting Emirati plane
Manama [Bahrain], Jan 15 (ANI): Qatar on Monday denied its fighter jets intercepted a passenger plane of United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Qatar's foreign ministry released a statement, saying the UAE's claim was false.
"The State of #Qatar announces that the claims of Qatari fighter-planes intercepting a UAE civil aircraft is completely false. A detailed statement will follow," Lolwah Rashid Alkhater, Spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote on Twitter.
Earlier, The Gulf News had quoted the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as claiming that, "it had received a complaint from one of the UAE's national carriers that one of its aircraft on a flight to Manama on a normal route had been intercepted by Qatari fighters."
According to media reports, Doha on Saturday complained to the United Nations Security Council that the Emirati fighter jets recently violated its airspace at least twice.
The incident has come at a time when Qatar, since mid-2017, has been facing a diplomatic and economic blockade by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain, over accusations of supporting "terrorism".
Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan dead at 46
LONDON (AP) — Dolores O'Riordan, lead singer of Irish band The Cranberries, has died. She was 46.
Publicist Lindsey Holmes says O'Riordan died suddenly Monday in London, where she was recording. The cause of death wasn't immediately available.
Holmes says the singer's family is "devastated" by the news.
The Limerick band became international stars in the 1990s with hits including "Zombie" and "Linger."
PM Modi invites Israeli defense companies to work in India
New Delhi [India], Jan. 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that he has invited Israeli defense companies to work and invest in India.
"In defence, I have invited Israeli companies to take advantage of the liberalised FDI regime to make more in India with our companies," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing a press conference along with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
"We are venturing into less explored areas of cooperation such as oil and gas, cyber security, films and start-ups," he added.
Prime Minister Modi said India and Israel would strengthen the existing pillars of cooperation in areas that touch the lives of peoples in both the countries, which include agriculture, science and technology and security.
"We are committed to facilitating the flow of people and ideas between our geographies. It requires policy facilitation, infrastructure and connectivity links and fostering constituencies of support beyond Government," he said.
The two sides today also signed nine Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in various sectors, including cybersecurity, energy and medicine.
Netanyahu, who is on a six-day visit to India, received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan today.
Netanyahu will be visiting Agra, Gujarat and Mumbai, and he will be accompanied by the Indian Prime Minister on extensive portions of his visit.
Pak Taliban claims it killed Benazir Bhutto
Islamabad, Jan 15 (PTI) The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007, saying it killed her as she allegedly planned to collaborate with the US against the 'mujahideen' if she returned to power, says a book by the banned terror group.
"The return of Benazir Bhutto was planned at the behest of the Americans as they had given her a plan against the 'Mujahideed-e-Islam'. Baitullah had received information of the plan," the book claimed, in a reference to slain Pakistani Taliban founder Baitullah Mehsud.
The Daily Times reported that no group had claimed responsibility for Bhutto's murder until the claim in the Taliban's Urdu-language book titled 'Inqilab Mehsood South Waziristan From British Raj to American Imperialism'.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bhutto, 54, was killed in a suicide attack in Rawalpindi shortly after she had addressed an election rally on December 27, 2007.
Former president Pervez Musharraf had blamed the Tehreek- e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for the attack but the outfit had denied it.
The book says suicide bombers Bilal, also known as Saeed, and Ikramullah were tasked to carry out the attack on Bhutto.
"Bomber Bilal first fired at Benazir Bhutto from his pistol and the bullet hit her neck. Then he detonated his explosive jacket and blew himself up among the participants of the procession," the book claimed.
TTP leader Abu Mansoor Asim Mufti Noor Wali has written the book and published it on November 30, 2017, at "Maseed Computer Centre in Barmal, in Afghanistan's Paktika province," according to details in the book.
The 588-page book, which contains many photographs of Taliban leaders, was posted online.
Military sources say most of the TTP fighters, belonging to the Mehsud tribe, had crossed into Afghanistan's Paktika and Paktia provinces after the military launched a major offensive in 2009.
The book says the TTP was also involved in a suicide bombing two months earlier at Bhutto's procession in Karachi in October 2007, which had killed nearly 140 people though Bhutto had escaped unhurt.
It revealed that Baitullah Mehsud had approved the Karachi attack on Bhutto's procession when she returned to Pakistan to lead her party campaign for the 2008 parliamentary elections.
"Despite attacks on Benazir Bhutto's procession in Karachi, the government had not taken appropriate security measures that made it possible for the attackers to have easy access to Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi," the book says.
It says Ikramullah, a resident of Makeen town in South Waziristan, escaped from the blast site and is still alive.
It does not say if it is the same Ikramullah, who was declared an absconder by an anti-terrorism court along with five others, including TTP chief Mehsud who was killed in a US drone strike in South Waziristan in 2009.
Musharraf had been formally charged in the case by an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi in August, 2017. The ATC also declared Musharraf an absconder in the case.
The court had named Musharraf in the case in February 2011. The former army chief had on a number of occasions denied any involvement in the murder and dismissed the charges as politically-motivated.
Bhutto's son and PPP co-chairman Bilawal had again blamed Musharraf for his mother's killing in his speech to supporters on her 10th death anniversary on December 27 last year.
The five TTP suspects in Bhutto's murder case Rafaqat Hussain, Husnain Gul, Sher Zaman, Aitzaz Shah and Abdul Rashid were cleared of all charges in the murder trial last August.
The ATC had, however, convicted two police officials Saud Aziz, who was police chief of Rawalpindi when Bhutto was assassinated and Khurram Shahzad, a former Superintendent of Police at Rawal Town.
Both were sentenced to 17 years in jail. In October, 2017, both were granted bail by the Lahore High Court.
The book says investigators had blamed the TTP for the killing of Bhutto but Baitullah Mehsud had initially denied involvement, insisting that
Ready to facilitate dialogue between US, N Korea, says Russia
Moscow, Jan 15 (IANS) Russia is ready to facilitate bilateral dialogue between the US and North Korea within the framework of the six-party talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
"We propose to all to calm down and freeze all confrontational actions, first of all, actions related to military operations including launching missiles, testing nuclear weapons and organizing large-scale manoeuvres, which the US, South Korea and Japan are conducting in this region," he said at a press conference, reported Xinhua news agency.
Lavrov said that Russia actively supports "direct contacts between the most interested parties" when the confrontation is terminated.
"If we talk about the nuclear issue, it is primarily between Pyongyang and Washington, but we will also be ready to contribute to this bilateral dialogue within the framework of the six-party process," he said.
The six-party talks to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, which involved South Korea, North Korea, China, the US, Russia and Japan, have been suspended since late 2008.
In particular, Lavrov highlighted that Russia and China are actively interacting to achieve this goal within the framework of their joint initiative on the transition to a political settlement on the Korean Peninsula, which calls for the end of the military confrontation.
He noted that the work is going slowly as Washington seems to prefer a military solution despite catastrophic consequences.
"When conditions for a transition to dialogue were developed, in most cases we witnessed provocative actions in the form of larger-scale military activities around Pyongyang, which provoked a new round of tension," he said.
Meanwhile, Lavrov denied that Russia was invited to join in the upcoming ministerial meeting in Canada on the Korean Peninsula.
The Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Security and Stability on Korean Peninsula, co-hosted by Canada and the US, will be convened in Vancouver on Tuesday.
"With all due respect to those who initiated this meeting, I do not expect anything productive. I only hope nothing counter-productive happens," Lavrov said.
Sri Lanka SC rules President's term is five years
Colombo, Jan 15 (PTI) Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has informed President Maithripala Sirisena that the duration of his term of office is five years after he sought the apex court's opinion on whether he can continue in office until 2021.
Sirisena, 66, had requested the country's apex court to determine whether his term is six years as stated by the 1978 Constitution when he was sworn in on January 9, 2015 or five years as mentioned by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which was enacted on May 15, 2015.
President made the unusual request as different views were expressed in the legal, civil and political circles about the duration of the term of Presidency after the enactment of the 19th Amendment.
The court ruled that Sirisena's term in office is limited to five years from 2015 January, the Presidential media unit said today.
His term would now end in January 2020 and the next presidential election would have to be announced in November of 2019.
Sirisena's request to the apex court came as a surprise for many as he made arrangements in 2015 through the 19th Amendment to prune the presidential term from six to five years.
He had also backed the civil society's demand to abolish the presidency when he was declared the Opposition's common candidate in 2015. Sirisena had defeated Mahinda Rajapaksa in the 2015 election.
Instead of abolishing the presidency, Sirisena introduced the 19A which reduced the presidential term for five years while taking away his absolute control over the dissolution of Parliament.
Sirisena's request to the Supreme Court caused quite a stir when Rajapaksa declared that he could run for president again if the court ruled in favour of Sirisena.
The 19A has also barred two term presidents, including Rajapaksa, from running for a third time.
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