Vatican envoy told India disapproves of Pope’s comments

Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma told the Rajya Sabha that the Charge d’Affaires to the Vatican in New Delhi was summoned by his Ministry and it was conveyed to him in

Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma told the Rajya Sabha that the Charge d’Affaires to the Vatican in New Delhi was summoned by his Ministry and it was conveyed to him in ‘‘no uncertain terms that the Government of India disapproved Pope’s statement’’ on banning conversions and religious intolerance and was ‘‘displeased’’ by it.

Pope Benedict XVI had made the statement after accepting the letter of credence of the new Indian Ambassador to Vatican, Amitava Tripathi, on May 18. Sharma was responding to agitated BJP members led by Ravi Shanker Prasad who, during Zero Hour in Parliament, said the Pope’s statement was ‘‘grossly unwarranted and we protest and condemn it’’.

FDI in retail: In Rajya Sabha, allies, Opposition corner UPA

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In a short-duration discussion on its initiative to open up the retail sector to foreign direct investment (FDI), the Government came in for criticism from Rajya Sabha MPs belonging to the Opposition as well as the Left parties.The Left opposed the move as it went against the UPA government’s commitments in the Common Minimum Programme. The BJP said

FDI would lead to a high level of unemployment. Murli Manohar Joshi of the BJP pointed out that at least 16 crore people across the country were involved in retail trading and FDI in retail would not help create jobs.

SP MP Banwari Lal Kanchal said the move would not in any way help retail traders as multinationals were profit-motivated.

Hamas under pressure to respond to Gaza peace plan as Trump says will give ‘three or four days’

Trump gives Hamas 3-4 days to accept Gaza peace plan, with a warning

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US President Donald Trump has given a tight deadline to Hamas for accepting his Gaza peace plan, warning of a “sad end” if if they refuse to accept the conditions. Palestinian militant group Hamas is yet undecided on whether to accept the peace deal proposed by US President Donald Trump on Monday.

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