Page 1152 - Politics
Indian Foreign Secretary Gokhale reaches Nepal for two-day state visit
Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday for a two-day state visit, aimed at reviewing the progress made in the ongoing India-aided projects in Nepal.Gokhale's visit to Nepal comes a day before the Nepal Investment Summit 2019 is set to commence.During the visit, the Foreign Secretary is scheduled to meet Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali and other political leaders from the Himalayan nation.As per information from the Nepal Investment Board, a total of 602 participants from 38 different nations have confirmed participation.A total of 110 officials and investors from India and 209 from China will also attend the summit.In 2017, Nepal had organised the International Investment Summit on March 2 and 3, where India had committed USD 31700 million for the reconstruction bid of Nepal.This year, Nepal expects participation of about 1,000 officials and investors from various nations.
BJP leader Anuj Kumar's residence blown up by Naxals
The residence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anuj Kumar was blown up with dynamite by Naxals here on Wednesday, police confirmed.No casualties have been reported in the incident."Around 20 - 30 Naxalites of the Communist Party of India (CPI) armed with weapons blew up the house of the BJP leader. However, there was no one inside the house and hence, no casualties have occurred," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaya Rajeev Mishra told ANI over the phone.Naxals, after blowing up the residence, left a poster appealing for boycotting the upcoming polls.It is believed that Kumar, a former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) from the Janata Dal (United), has been on the hit list of the Naxals for a while now.Further investigation is underway in the matter.
Modi likely to address 8 LS poll rallies in Maharashtra
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address eight election rallies in Maharashtra where voting in total 48 Lok Sabha seats will be held in four phases starting April 11, a senior BJP leader said on Thursday. Modi's first rally is scheduled to be held on April 1 in Wardha constituency, where polling will be held in the first phase, he said. "He is likely to hold eight rallies in the state. The number may go up as more constituencies will go to polls in the third and fourth phases as compared to the first two phases," the leader said. As of now, two rallies each have been planned for the four-phase Lok Sabha polls, to be held on April 11, 18, 23 and 29 in the state, he said. Asked about Modi's public address schedule in Mumbai, which has six Lok Sabha seats, he said, "Only one rally has so far been planned in the city where Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will share the stage with the prime minister." The BJP-Sena alliance won all the seats in Mumbai in the 2014 Lok
The many challenges before Pramod Sawant, Goa's modern day King Bharata
A touching scene, reminiscent of an episode from the epic Ramayana played out in Goa last week after Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's death.
Trump meets Sunder Pichai, says Google committed to US military, not China
President Donald Trump has said that Google is totally committed to the US military as he met the internet giant's Indian-American CEO Sunder Pichai at the White House, days after he accused the tech company of helping China and its army. Trump, who has been at loggerheads with several big companies, earlier this month said, "Google is helping China and their military, but not the US". On Wednesday, after a meeting with Pichai at the White House, the US President said: "Meeting ended very well". "Just met with @SundarPichai, President of @Google, who is obviously doing quite well," he said. Pichai "stated strongly that he is totally committed to the US military and not the Chinese military", Trump said. "Also discussed political fairness and various things that @Google can do for our country. Meeting ended very well!" said the President. There was no immediate tweet from Pichai. However, a Google spokesperson said that the company is pleased to have productive conversations with the ..
US Congressman questions Pompeo over Kim Jong-un
A US Congressman questioned Mike Pompeo on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's culpability for human rights violations, pressing the Secretary of State to answer how such a person could be likeable, the media reported.
Taiwan's Tsai confirms request to buy new US fighters, tanks
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen says her government has asked to purchase new fighter jets and tanks from the US. If approved, the purchase could set off new tensions between the US and China, which considers Taiwan its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. Speaking during a visit to Hawaii on Wednesday, Tsai said requests have been submitted for F-16V fighters and M1 tanks. She said the addition of the new weaponry would "greatly enhance our land and air capabilities, strengthen military morale, and show to the world the US commitment to Taiwan's defence." The US is Taiwan's main supplier of defensive weapons, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. Tsai's unofficial Hawaii visit comes at the end of a trip to three of Taiwan's Pacific Island allies.
Evidence in Mueller probe in the thousands, if not millions
Democrats say they want "all of the underlying evidence" in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. But what is all of that evidence? Mueller's team issued more than 2,800 subpoenas, executed nearly 500 search warrants and interviewed more than 500 witnesses. That means the special counsel likely compiled thousands, if not millions, of documents and pieces of evidence. Material collected ranges from a $15,000 ostrich jacket worn by President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman to emails and encrypted text messages to hard drives and laptops. It could even include tax returns, if Mueller sought them. Democrats say what they really want is documentation of everything and an idea of how that evidence guided Mueller's thinking as he made his final conclusions.
Russia has to get out of Venezuela: Trump
US President Donald Trump has called on Russia to "get out" of Venezuela following recent reports of Russian planes arriving in the country.
Brexit deadlock: All options fail, vote again on Friday (2nd Lead)
None of the eight Brexit options proposed by British lawmakers have secured clear backing in a series of votes in the House of Commons after Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plans failed to win the House.
A-SAT not a derivative of Prithvi missile, has a range of upto 1000 km-plus, says DRDO Chairman
New Delhi [India], Mar 28 (ANI): The Chairman of the Defence and Research Organisation (DRDO) that developed the A-SAT or anti-satellite missile which was tested successfully on Wednesday, rejected speculative reports that the A-SAT was a derivative of the Prithvi ballistic missile family.In an exclusive interview to ANI, DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy said that this was a new missile developed specifically as an anti-satellite weapon. "The missile has technologies developed for ballistic missile defence applications, particularly the kill vehicle," said Reddy. He added that in addition to this, rocket motors developed in missile complexes, were all integrated to make a new A-SAT missile.The A-SAT missile was launched at approximately 11:16 AM on Wednesday from Odisha's Balasore and within three minutes of launch, it successfully hit the intended target, a de-commissioned Indian satellite, in a 'Low-Earth Orbit' at roughly 300 km from the Earth's surface.When asked the reason behind ..
US, France, UK step up fresh efforts to proscribe Masood Azhar
China may have put a technical hold and prevented the listing of Masood Azhar as 'global terrorist' at UNSC earlier this month. However, diplomatic efforts are still on to get the Jaish-e-Mohammad chief proscribed.According to Reuters, the United States circulated a resolution - drafted with British and French support - to the 15-member council that would designate the JeM chief, subjecting him to an arms embargo, travel ban, and asset freeze, diplomats said.14 out of 15 UNSC members in the sanction committee supported a ban on Masood.The latest move by US, France, and UK to bring resolution can help in banning Masood as it does not need consensus. It just needs votes of 9 members out 15.According to laws, a resolution does not need consensus but just support of 9 members, which is already there.If this resolution gets through, it can spell trouble for Masood and can be seen as a big diplomatic victory for India.China has also indicated that it understands India's concern on Masood ...
Won't comment on something a small kid said: Mamata on Rahul's criticism of TMC
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said she would not like to comment on criticism from a "small kid" while referring to allegations levelled by Congress president Rahul Gandhi against her government.When asked by a reporter on Gandhi's accusations against the TMC government, Banerjee interrupted her saying: "A small kid had said something. He said whatever he wished to tell. I will not make any comment on it."On March 23, while launching his party's poll campaign in West Bengal, Gandhi had accused Mamata of making "fake promises" and "lying" like Prime Minister Narendra Modi."Did the youth get employment, did the farmers receive any help? Like Modi, Mamata Banerjee makes only fake promises and lies to the people," he had said at a rally in Malda.Continuing his tirade against the TMC, the Gandhi scion had said: "On the one hand, Narendra Modi ji lies and on the other hand, your Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) keeps on making promises but nothing happens. Mamata ..
US takes note of India's first anti-missile test; expresses concern over space debris
Taking note of India's first anti-satellite missile test, the US has said that it will continue to pursue its shared interests with New Delhi in space and technical cooperation, even as it expressed concern over the issue of space debris. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that India successfully test-fired an anti-satellite missile by shooting down a live satellite. The test makes India the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China to acquire the strategic capability to shoot down enemy satellites. Commenting on the development, a State Department spokesperson on Wednesday told PTI: "The state department saw PM Modi's statement that announced India's anti-satellite test". To a question, the spokesperson said that as part of "our strong strategic partnership with India, we will continue to pursue shared interests in space and scientific and technical cooperation, including collaboration on safety and security in space". However, he expressed concern ..
Washington takes note of 'Mission Shakti', voices concern over space debris
The US State Department on Wednesday (local time) said Washington has taken note of India's statement on 'Mission Shakti' while voicing concern over the issue of space debris."The issue of space debris is an important concern for the U.S. government. We took note of Indian government statements that the test was designed to address space debris issues," read a statement issued by the US State Department.The statement mentioned that as part of its partnership with India, the US will continue to pursue shared interests in space, and scientific and technical cooperation, including collaboration on safety and security in space."The State Department saw PM Modi's statement that announced India's anti-satellite test. As part of our strong strategic partnership with India, we will continue to pursue shared interests in space and scientific and technical cooperation, including collaboration on safety and security in space," it noted.On Wednesday, India's anti-satellite weapon A-SAT ...
Brexit deadlock: No majority for any options
None of the eight Brexit options proposed by British lawmakers have secured clear backing in a series of votes in the Commons.
Venezuelans search for water as new blackouts hit nationwide
More power outages hit Venezuela on Wednesday after the nation's worst blackouts earlier this month, knocking out water pumps and forcing some Caracas residents to spend hours searching for bottled water in the few shops that were open or to fill up containers at springs in the city's hills. Frustrated Venezuelans wondered how long they would have to endure the new outages, which started Monday and again shut down schools, offices and factories in a country whose economy has been shrinking for years despite its oil wealth. The power crisis has sharpened a political struggle between President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido, who urged supporters to protest as a response to Venezuela's deteriorating infrastructure. "We can't be passive," said Guaido, who announced a protest campaign titled "Operation Liberty" that includes planned demonstrations on Saturday and on April 6. On Wednesday morning, a new disruption to the power grid left 91 percent of the country offline, ..
US to offer India alternative to Russian S-400 missile defence system
The US is working with India to offer an alternative to the Russian S-400 Triumf missile defence system, according to Assistant Defence Secretary Randall Schriver, but he left open the possibility that Washington may not punish New Delhi over the $5.4 billion Moscow deal.
Comedian ahead as Ukraine presidential campaign enters final days
A comedian whose political experience is limited to playing the president in a TV show is likely to top the first round of voting when Ukrainians go to the polls on Sunday. Actor Volodymyr Zelensky's bid started as a long shot but he has leapfrogged establishment politicians amid public frustration over corruption and stagnating living standards. The 41-year-old star of political comedy "Servant of the People," which returns for its third season this week, is polling at around 28 percent, well ahead of his nearest rivals. The main suspense ahead of the weekend vote is who of incumbent Petro Poroshenko and ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko will progress to the run-off, as several polls put them neck and neck with around 16 percent. Zelensky, who has a young support base, confesses he has "no experience" but insists he has the strength to lead Ukraine -- a country of 45 million locked in a separatist conflict. "I don't have all the knowledge but I'm learning this now," he told AFP in ..
Khashoggi's murder: Pompeo reiterates to hold perpetrators accountable
Reiterating his promise, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday (local time) said that US will hold the Washington Post Journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murderers "accountable.""President Trump has made it very clear. We will continue to work to identify those responsible for Mr Khashoggi's murder and hold them accountable. I stand by that today," Al Jazeera quoted Pompeo as saying.Pompeo made the comment during the congressional hearing.Pompeo also informed that Trump administration has already sanctioned 17 Saudis in connection with Khashoggi's murder.Khashoggi, a vocal critic of the Saudi regime, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 last year, where he had gone to obtain paperwork certifying his divorce with his former wife Alaa Nassif in order to be able to re-marry his Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz.After presenting several contradictory theories, Saudi Arabia acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate premises in what the country's then ...