Page 1030 - Politics
Canada PM warns of Russian interference in parliamentary polls
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday warned of the risk of interference by Russia in Canadian parliamentary elections scheduled for this fall. "We've seen over the past number of years an increase in the interference or the implication of foreign actors in democratic processes," Trudeau told a news conference in Toronto. "We saw very clearly that countries like Russia are behind a lot of the divisive campaigns, a lot of the divisive social media, you know, spreads that have turned our politics even more divisive and more anger-filled than they have been in the past," he said. "Our minister of democratic institutions, Karina Gould, is moving forward on a number of significant ways to ensure that the election that is coming up in six months will be decided by Canadians," he added. "That is what Canadians expect." The Canadian leader echoed his foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, who said that outside interference in the country's upcoming vote was "very likely." "We are very ...
Italian hostage released in Syria: Government
Rome, April 6 (IANS/AKI) A 59-year-old Italian who was kidnapped in Syria three years ago has been freed and will return to his homeland "in a few hours", Italian premier Giuseppe Conte's office said in a statement on Friday.
Advani's blog timely, important: Sam Pitroda
Sam Pitroda, a confidant of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, on Friday lauded senior BJP leader L. K. Advani over his blog post saying what he has expressed is "very timely and very important.""I respect him a lot. I think what he has said is so very timely and very important. He has basically said two things. One - first nation, then party, then self. Modi today is all about self-promotion," Pitroda said while addressing an event here."Two, he talked about the fact that if somebody disagrees with us, doesn't mean they are anti-national. I respect that, I agree with him. I thank him for doing this at the right time. That is a leader," he added.Advani, in his blog post, had earlier said that the BJP has never regarded its adversaries as "enemies" or "anti-national".Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted a link to Advani's blog and wrote: "Advani Ji perfectly sums up the true essence of BJP, most notably the guiding Mantra of Nation 'First Party, Next Party, Self Last' Proud to be a BJP ...
Renounce SPG security if terror is not an issue in India: Sushma tells Rahul Gandhi
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his family and said they should renounce their SPG security if they feel that terror is not an issue in India."Rahul Gandhi says that terror is not an issue in the country. I want to ask him if terror is not the issue, why you take SPG security. All the (Gandhi) family is having SPG security. If terror is not the issue for you, then you write and give to the government that you don't need SPG security," Swaraj said while addressing a gathering here."In 2008, biggest terror attack took place in Mumbai in which 166 people died. But the earlier government has not taken any step. When terror attacks took place in Uri and Pulwama, Narendra Modi took the step to conduct air strike," she added.She went on to add, "I received phone calls from External Affairs Ministers of 70 countries and they supported us and conveyed condolences to the soldiers who have lost their lives."Besides Rahul, Swaraj also .
Jumlas have begun ahead of elections: Ahmed Patel rubbishes allegations of involvement in VVIP chopper scam
Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Friday rubbished allegations of his involvement in the VVIP chopper scam, stating that as election dates are inching closer, 'jumlas' have begun.The remark came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally earlier in the day, cited media reports to suggest that the names of Gandhi "family" and Patel had emerged in the AgustaWestland scam in the context of kickbacks."Chowkidar and his minions are indulging in the matter without any actual proof. They don't have any issues to talk about hence they resort to this. 100s of jumlas have begun with the elections dates inching closer," Patel said while speaking to ANI."We have faith in the Judiciary. The truth cannot be hidden. I should be probed and held accountable if I am responsible but this is coming from the Prime Minister who is known for playing gutter-level politics," he added.Patel, in a series of tweets, also said the BJP is making such claims due to its fear of losing the upcoming ...
LS polls: Ammar Rizvi assures full support to Rajnath Singh
Former Congress leader Dr Ammar Rizvi and Shia maulana Aga Ruhi on Friday assured full support to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is contesting from Lucknow in the upcoming general elections.Earlier in the day, Rizvi called Singh at his residence and extend full support to him in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. Rizvi said that people from his community will come forward to support the BJP as it is working towards the development of Muslims.The meeting assumes significance as it comes two days after Rizvi resigned from the Congress party. However, he has not resigned from the primary membership of the Congress.It is believed that Rizvi was upset with the Congress as he did not get a ticket from Sitapur. He had asked other parties' supporters to not field any candidate against Singh. He also congratulated Singh for starting a flight service from Lucknow to the Iraqi city of Najaf.The Home Minister had won the Lucknow seat in 2014 with a total of 10,06,483 votes.Uttar Pradesh ...
EC should work in an unbiased manner: Andhra CM on transfer of state chief secy
Hours after the Election Commission ordered the transfer of state Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the EC should work in an "unbiased manner."Punetha was on Friday shifted to a non-election post, while L. V. Subramanyam, a 1983-batch IAS officer, was appointed as the new Chief Secretary of AndhraPradesh."For what mistake did EC transfer the Chief Secretary? How can you transfer without telling the mistake he did? Election Commission should work in an unbiased manner," Naidu said."I am condemning the transfer of Chief Secretary. I am condemning Centre's conspiracies against Andhra. I will see if they will arrest me tomorrow or day after," he added.While speaking at a roadshow in Visakhapatnam, Naidu demanded an explanation from the poll body on Punetha's transfer.He said, "Election commission should be impartial. When the election code came into force, our collector was changed. Two SPs and intelligence are also appointed ...
EC issues censure to Adityanath over 'Modi ki Sena' remark
Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India has issued a censure to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his 'Modi ki Sena' remark.Censure is to express disapproval of someone/something in a formal statement.The EC has advised Adityanath to be more careful in the future as a "senior political leader."While addressing a public rally in Ghaziabad on April 1, Adityanath had referred to the Indian Army as "Modi ji ki sena" while drawing a comparison between the steps taken by the BJP-led central government against terrorism and the previous Congress government."Things which were impossible for SP-BSP, are now possible; it is possible since Modi is here. Congress used to feed biryani to terrorists but Modi ji ki sena (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's army) gives them only golis and golas (bullets and bombs). This is the difference," the Chief Minister had said..
No change offered in Brexit talks, says Labour
The government has not proposed any changes to the UK Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal during cross-party talks, says shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer.
Foundation for hostages pulls prize for Pompeo
A US foundation that fights for hostages has reversed plans to present an award to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo due to his response to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Pompeo called the about-face by the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation -- named in memory of the journalist killed in Syria -- "unfortunate" and said that media organizations as well as the moderator did not want to be associated with President Donald Trump's administration. "I regret that there was pressure applied by the media for that award to be withdrawn," Pompeo told Fox News in an interview Friday. "I think some of the folks who were underwriting the dinner didn't want to be part of it," he said. "Award or no award, we're going to keep working at this problem," he said of freeing US hostages abroad. Foley, a freelance journalist, was captured in Syria in 2012 and beheaded by the Islamic State group in August 2014, with video footage of his killing sparking outrage around the world. The Foley ...
Oppn parties in WB welcome EC's move to remove 4 IPS officers
Opposition parties in West Bengal Friday welcomed the move of the Election Commission to remove four IPS officers, including police commissioners of Kolkata and Bidannagar, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha said this would gain confidence of the voters. "The police establishment in West Bengal has become a B-team of the Trinamool Congress government. I welcome the move of the ECI ," he told PTI when contacted. Sinha, who is the candidate for the North Kolkata constituency, claimed free and fair elections were impossible under these IPS officers who were removed Friday night. The Election Commission of India (ECI) removed Kolkata Police Commissioner Anuj Sharma and replaced him with Rajesh Kumar. It also removed Bidhan Nagar police chief Gyanwnat Singh and transferred the Birbhum SP and Dimaond Harbour SP. "Free and fair elections could not have happened if these IPS officers were there. I believe the ECI will make some other changes keeping in mind .
Biden says 'very close' to announcing if he will run for president
Former US vice president Joe Biden said Friday he was on the cusp of announcing his 2020 plans, acknowledging he was watching his words carefully so as not to "start the clock" on a presidential campaign. Biden, 76, has been mulling another White House run for several months, and has been inching toward a decision. But the Delaware Democrat's rollout might have been clouded by revelations from multiple women over the past week that Biden had touched them inappropriately or made them feel uncomfortable. "I am very close to making a decision," Biden, who is polling as the party's frontrunner despite not officially being in the race, told reporters after a speech to union workers in Washington. "Even if I knew for certain that I was going to run for president back in Thanksgiving, my intention from the beginning, if I were to run, would be the last person to announce." Asked about the claims made against him and whether more women might come forward with similar allegations, Biden said ..
Congress complains to EC against Modi's remarks on Rahul
The Congress on Friday moved the Election Commission alleging brazen violation of Model Code of Conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by his remarks pertaining to candidature of party President Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad in Kerala.
Yogi's 'Modiji ki sena' remark violated poll code: EC
The Election Commission on Friday found Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath guilty of violating the model code of conduct (MCC) for his "Modiji ki sena" (Modi's army) remark and warned him to exercise caution in the future.
EC to seek factual report from poll authorities in Maharashtra over PM's Wardha speech
The Election Commission is learnt to have sought a factual report from poll authorities in Maharashtra on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Wardha following a complaint from the Congress. The Congress Friday moved the EC against Modi's speech in Wardha city in which he said the opposition party was "scared" to field its leaders from constituencies where majority dominates, alleging that the comments were "hateful and divisive". "A factual report has been sought from the chief electoral officer of Maharashtra," a source said Friday.
Experience, accepting reality gives me courage: Rahul Gandhi
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Friday said that accepting reality had given him courage to be in politics despite witnessing deaths of his father and grandmother. The Congress president's father Rajiv Gandhi and grandmother Indira Gandhi, both former prime ministers, were assassinated in 1991 and 1984 respectively. He was speaking at an interactive session with collegians here moderated by actor Subodh Bhave and radio jockey Malishka. Asked about having the courage and energy to be in politics despite witnessing the two deaths from close quarters, "I got courage from experience, and the things I confronted. I got courage from accepting reality. If you accept reality, you will get courage, and if you accept lies, you will get fear," Gandhi said. "Reality is sometimes bitter, sometimes good. But I accept reality whether it is bitter or good. I work on that basis and this way I get courage," he said. The Congress chief added that truth comes from humility which in turn comes from ...
Trade talks with China a 'big success': Trump
President Donald Trump Friday said his latest meeting with Chinese leadership was a "big success", but stopped short of announcing that a trade deal has been reached between the two countries. Trump on Thursday met with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Liu He in the Oval Office of the White House. The Chinese leader was here for talks with the top American leadership to reach an agreement after the two trading powers entered into a trade war and imposed tariffs on more than USD 360 billion in two-way trade. "The China meeting was a big success. I think we're going to have a... Look, we have a very good relationship. We're going to say... I don't want to predict the deal or not a deal, but we're very well along, Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump wants a trade deal with China that reduces the deficit and addresses his concerns about theft of intellectual property and technology. We really negotiated probably the two hardest points very successfully for our country. And China ..
I may be arrested in a day or two: Andhra CM
Alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is harassing him, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday voiced the apprehension that he may be arrested.
BJP manifesto likely to focus on 'development, nationalism and Hindutva', separate ministry for job creation
The BJP manifesto, which is expected to be released on April 8, is likely to focus on "development, nationalism and Hindutva", party sources said on Friday.The party apparently considers April 8 auspicious."The manifesto which has been named as 'Shapath Patra' will not just include the promises but also the works done by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government. The logic behind it is that the government has done a lot of work like Mudra, Ujjawala which was not even promised in 2014," the source added.Sources claimed that the Central government has fulfilled over 520 of the 550 promises made by the party in 2014.Facing allegations from the Opposition over job crisis, BJP is expected to reveal the number of employment opportunities generated in the last five years while also promising a separate ministry for "employment generation".The manifesto will also promise to double the farmer's income by 2022 which the Central government has already been talking about.Continuing with
Anil Vij hits out at Rahul for not wearing 'Janeu' during nomination filing
BJP leader Anil Vij on Friday took a dig at the Congress president Rahul Gandhi for not wearing 'Janeu (sacred thread)' while filing nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat on April 4."While filing the nomination from the Muslim-dominated Lok Sabha seat in Wayanad, Rahul's 'Janeu' was not seen anywhere. Did he give up his Janeu in the fear of the Muslim league?" tweeted Vij.His statement came after Rahul filed his nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat on April 4.On the day of Rahul's nomination filing, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also took a jibe at him saying: "Rahul Gandhi does not trust the people of Amethi and has 'migrated' to Wayanad for contesting Lok Sabha election 'out of fear'.