Page 1154 - Politics
DRDO fired A-SAT missile off Abdul Kalam Island
India on Wednesday made its way into an elite club of "space super powers" as its anti-satellite missile A-SAT successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit in just three minutes.
Will step down after Brexit deal goes through: PM May
British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday that she will step down if the Brexit deal secures a majority in the parliament, so as to allow her successor to take charge of the future negotiations with the European Union.
Government, Congress claim credit for space programme
In the wake of successful test of anti-satellite missile A-SAT by India, both the government and the Congress party on Wednesday sought to take credit for the country's space programme.
May offers to resign to save Brexit divorce bill
Theresa May on Wednesday bowed to mounting pressure from within her own Conservative Party and offered to resign as UK Prime Minister if her MPs agreed to back her twice-defeated Brexit divorce bill to get it over the line in a third parliamentary vote. The beleaguered PM told Tory MPs in a private meeting of the influential 1922 Committee in London that while she did not want to leave the job before time, she was willing to make way for a new leader to take the Brexit negotiations through the next phase once the withdrawal agreement for an "orderly" exit from the European Union (EU) is ensured. "I am prepared to leave this job earlier than I intended in order to do what is right for our country and our party," she told her party MPs, according to extracts of her speech released by Downing Street. "I ask everyone in this room to back the deal so we can complete our historic duty to deliver on the decision of the British people and leave the European Union with a smooth and orderly ...
Hours after quitting MGP, Pawaskar inducted in Goa Cabinet
Hours after quitting the MGP and joining the BJP in Goa, legislator Dipak Pawaskar was formally inducted into the state Cabinet here Wednesday night. Pawaskar and another Maharahstrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) MLA, Manohar Ajgaonkar, quit the regional party and joined the BJP in the early hours of Wednesday. After splitting from the parent party, the two MLAs formed their own legislature wing and merged it with the BJP. The MGP is now left with only one MLA -- Sudin Dhavalikar. Goa Governor Mridula Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Pawaskar at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan here at around 11.35 pm. Talking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he will allot portfolio to Pawaskar Thursday. Pawaskar was inducted into the Cabinet after Sawant dropped Deputy Chief Minister and MGP MLA Sudin Dhavalikar from his team earlier in the day. Ajgaonkar is the state tourism minister. Pawaskar, a first-time MLA from the Sanvordem assembly ...
India, US strategic partnership advancing at historic pace: US General
The strategic partnership between India and the US is advancing at a historic pace, a top American commander said, asserting that the two largest democracies are natural partners on a wide range of political, economic, and security issues. Noting that the inaugural 2+2 Ministerial and signing of the COMCASA in 2018 were pivotal moments in US-India relationship, Admiral Phil Davidson, Commander of the US Indo Pacific Command, said he expects the trajectory to continue. "The US-India strategic partnership continues to advance at an historic pace as we continue to increase our interoperability and information-sharing capabilities," Davidson told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing. "The US and India are natural partners on a range of political, economic and security issues," he said. With a mutual desire for global stability, support for the rules-based international order, and a Free-and-Open Indo-Pacific region, the US and India have an increased agreement on interests, including .
Theresa May offers to resign before 'next phase' of negotiations as MPs debate Brexit
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday told Conservative MPs that she would step down before the "next phase" of Brexit negotiations. She, however, did not name a departure date at the at the ruling party's influential 1922 Committee meeting. James Cartlidge, one of the MPs present at the private meeting at Westminster in London, told reporters, "She (May) said she would not remain in post for the next phase of the negotiations, the implication being that once the Withdrawal Agreement has passed, she would make way for someone else." The latest development comes as MPs seize control of the Commons agenda to hold votes on alternatives to the deal. In a major blow to May, MPs had voted through the debate earlier this week to seize control of the business of the House away from the government and set a new precedent in order to weigh up alternatives to the British Prime Minister's twice-defeated EU divorce bill through a set of "indicative" non-binding votes. She faced further ..
LS Polls: Congress to release manifesto on April 2
Congress party will release its manifesto for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls on April 2, said a source on Wednesday.The manifesto will be released by party president Rahul Gandhi at the Congress headquarters.Justice policy, women reservation, farm loan waiver among others will be the key focus in the manifesto according to the source.Meanwhile, the Congress party on Tuesday announced the names of campaigners for Assam and Uttar Pradesh.The seven-phased Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held from April 11 and will go on till May 19.Results of the polls will be declared on May 23.
Will advertise 2 lakh new jobs if Delhi gets full statehood: Kejriwal
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that the AAP government will advertise two lakh new jobs if Delhi is provided full statehood."Four years ago, we wrote to the Prime Minister that we want to open 50 new colleges in Delhi, still no permission has been given. The governments of Haryana and Tamil Nadu don't have to take permission from the central government for opening new colleges. But we do," Kejriwal said addressing a rally here."The Aam Aadmi Party "If Delhi will be given full statehood, then students with 60 per cent marks will also get admission in good colleges," Kejriwal said while addressing a rally here."Today, our children are roaming around unemployed. Recently I did an estimate. There can be two lakh new jobs in the Delhi government. But your Chief Minister does not have the power to take out new vacancies. If Delhi will get full statehood, we will give two lakh new vacancies out of which 85 per cent will belong to the people of Delhi only," he added.His ...
Congress workers support me even though they are not campaigning for me: Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday claimed that he gets calls from Congress party workers, who say that they are assured of his win in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections."Congress workers are calling me and saying that I am sure to win (Lok Sabha elections) and that they are with me. They say that physically they might be campaigning for Congress but mentally they are with me," Gadkari said while addressing a rally here.Gadkari, a sitting MP from Nagpur, will once against contest from the seat in the coming Lok Sabha election.The seven-phase elections will begin from April 11, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Ahead of LS polls, security arrangements in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal reviewed
A high-level security review meeting of senior army officials along with the representatives from civil administration and central armed police forces of Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh was held by the Operation Group here on Wednesday.The meeting reviewed the overall security situation in the regions of Upper Assam, South Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.The Operation Group also discussed the ongoing preparations to ensure incident-free conduct of ensuing Parliament elections.During the meeting, officials from all the states analysed the possible security sensitivities and measures to enhance synergy between security forces operating in the region.
Inaugural edition of Africa-India field training exercise culminates
The inaugural edition of the Africa-India Field Training Exercise-2019 (AFINDEX-19) culminated on Wednesday after a validation exercise and a closing ceremony at Aundh Military Station here.General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff witnessed the closing ceremony along with other dignitaries including senior military officers of the Indian Army and representatives of 17 African nations namely Benin, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.The Indian contingent was represented by MARATHA Light Infantry (Jangi Paltan). The validation exercise showcased various drills which included protection of civilians, establishment of standing combat deployment, convoy protection, patrolling aspects and neutralisation of improvised explosive devices which were practiced as part of joint exercise for the past 10 days.The exercise was also attended by observers from three African nations i.e.
EC will examine if PM Modi's address to nation violated Model Code of Conduct
After the opposition parties accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of violating the Model Code of Conduct by addressing the nation after the successful testing of A-SAT missile on Wednesday, the Election Commission of India has directed a Committee of Officers to examine the matter immediately."The matter related to the address of the Prime Minister to the nation on electronic media today afternoon has been brought to the notice of the Election Commission of India. The Commission has directed a Committee of Officers to examine the matter immediately in the light of Model Code of Conduct," read a statement from the electoral body.Prime Minister Modi had earlier today interacted through video-conference with the team of scientists and engineers involved in the development and testing of the Anti-Satellite missile.Soon after his address, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Prime Minister of breaching the Model Code of Conduct.
Outgoing TRS MP Jithender Reddy joins BJP
In a setback to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), its outgoing MP A.P. Jithender Reddy on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after he was denied ticket for next month's elections.
TRS sitting MP Jithender Reddy joins BJP
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) sitting Member of Parliament (MP) Jithender Reddy on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.He was inducted into the party in the presence of BJP president Amit Shah."I will not contest the Lok Sabha elections. I will only work for the BJP in Andhra Pradesh," Jithender Reddy told media persons here.Reddy, who was a BJP MP from 1999 to 2004, was denied the ticket to re-contest from Mahbubnagar parliamentary seat by TRS. "TRS leadership did a surgical strike on my seat," he said.TRS has fielded Manne Srinivas Reddy, a new face, from Mahbubnagar.BJP has fielded three-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and former minister DK Aruna from Mahbubnagar constituency.
Trump tells Russia 'to get out' of Venezuela
US President Donald Trump demanded Wednesday that Russia drop support for Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro after Moscow deployed troops and equipment to bolster the hard-left government. "Russia has to get out," Trump said at the White House alongside Fabiana Rosales, wife of opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognized by the United States and more than 50 other countries as Venezuela's interim president in place of Maduro. Rosales was given a high-profile reception in the Trump administration's latest bid to boost Guaido, who is under severe pressure from Moscow-backed Maduro. On Thursday, she will meet with US First Lady Melania Trump in Florida. Trump said "all options are on the table" when asked by journalists if the United States was considering military action to back up a major campaign of economic sanctions aimed at crippling the Maduro government's finances. "They've got a lot of pressure right now. They have no money, they have no oil, they have no nothing. ...
A-SAT launch boosts BJP's nationalism narrative
Seeking to build on its narrative of nationalism, just two weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday went on an overdrive and linked successful launch of an anti-satellite missile to the Narendra Modi government's "determination" to enhance national security through bold decisions.
Bengal MPs blame Mamata for poor MPLADS funds use
Opposition MPs in West Bengal have blamed the "non-cooperation" of Trinamool Congress-led state government and district administrations for unused MPLADS fund, even as Mohammad Salim of the CPI(M) tops the list of state MPs for spending the highest proportion of the funds released.
10th Congress MLA defects to TRS
The opposition Congress's strength in the Telangana Assembly came down to single digits on Wednesday as its 10th legislator crossed over to the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).
Pompeo expresses concern over increasing risk China poses to US
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday expressed concern over the increasing risk that China poses to America. From the perspective of national security, the US has changed the way it thinks about China in view of the "important economic relationships" between the two countries, he said in his Congressional testimony. However, "the increasing risk that China poses to the US in the West is real and it is even more true in their backyard. I hear that each time I travel throughout Asia or Southeast Asia, they want the United States there", he said. Keeping this this view, the Trump administration has put forward the Indo Pacific strategy, which includes free and open navigation of waterways in the Indian Ocean, he said. Congressman Mike Rogers also expressed concern over the growing Chinese presence in South East Asia and other parts of the world. "The Chinese government's practice of predatory lending to developing countries is not just immoral. It has real security consequences