Page 1186 - Politics
Farooq Abdullah slams govt over air strike, Ram temple
National Conference leader Farooq Abdulla on Monday questioned the BJP led Central government over its claims on air-strike conducted in Pakistan's Balakot."If 300 people have died (in Balakot air strike), would there not be an international cry as to what has happened? And anybody who questions this, he is anti-national, he is a Pakistani," he said here.Abdullah further claimed that following the air-strikes, no one is talking about the Ram Temple issue."Today no one talks of Ram Temple. Before that strike in Balakot, it was temple, temple, and temple. Who is talking of Ram today?" he questioned.Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said," What they (BJP) are selling to people is that here is a man who is like Hanuman who can beat Pakistan. Has he beaten Pakistan? I don't think so," he said.
LS polls: BJP leaders busy in T-shirt marketing, while people suffer, says Priyanka
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a jibe at 'Namo Again' and 'Chowkidaar' T-shirts, being sold as a part of poll merchandise for the ensuing Lok Sabha election.Gandhi took to Twitter and slammed BJP leaders for ignoring the "needy"."BJP leaders are busy marketing T-shirts. I wish they would have paid attention to those who are suffering," she tweeted.She also raised the employment issues affecting anganwadi workers, shiksha mitra, adhoc teachers, auxiliary nurses in the state and how their plight was neglected by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, too, raised the same issues on Twitter yesterday."The hard work of Uttar Pradesh's 'shiksha mitras' is insulted every day. Hundreds of sufferers have committed suicide. Those who took to the streets to protest were beaten with lathis and were slapped with National Security Act," she said in the tweet.The BJP has been marketing the 'NAMO AGAIN' T-shirt on the NaMo App. This ...
Owaisi slams PM Modi over Pulwama attack, mocks VoteKar campaign
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Pulwama Attack and mocked his campaign to increase voter's participation in the ensuing elections."I request everyone to cast vote for AIMIM and increase the voting percentage," he said taking a dig at the Prime Minister's campaign of "#VoteKar"."Two days ago, I said that in Pulwama a suicide bomber attacked our forces, will PM Modi take responsibility? I said was he sleeping after eating Beef Biriyani. In social media, Modi followers are saying that Modi doesn't eat non-veg. I don't know if he eats veg or non-veg. I will say now was he slept after eating Dokla, Idly or vegetable Biriyani," he added.He alleged that the Prime Minister gave away Rs 1500 crore to Former Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal to save his airlines."You can't give 1500 crores just like that because it is public money. Now, I am saying is this your "baap ki jagir", what will you do," he said.Owaisi also hit out at UP Chief ...
MPs take unprecedented control of Brexit process
MPs have voted to take control of Commons business in an unprecedented move to try to find a majority for any Brexit option.
Secret pact between TDP and Jana Sena, alleges YS Sharmila
Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, YSR Congress Party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's sister YS Sharmila on Monday said Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan is working under the direction of Naidu adding his party has a secret pact with Telugu Desam Party (TDP)."Pawan Kalyan followed every single instruction given by his director, Chandrababu Naidu. But he did not say a word about the data theft scam," Sharmila said."Why he was silent on the issue of a third-party investigation into the murder of her uncle YS Vivekananda Reddy. There is a secret pact between TDP and Jana Sena," she said addressing the media at the YSRCP party office in Vijayawada.Hitting out at the chief minister, Sharmila said, "Amaravati is another major scam in which the TDP supremo's proxies and some leaders benefited. All that Chandrababu has to show today is 3D graphics and designs from Singapore planners as if local architects and engineers were not competent enough. Has a permanent ...
Netanyahu thanks Trump for recognizing Israeli 'sovereignty' over Golan Heights
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (local time) thanked US President Donald Trump for recognising Golan Heights as a part of Israel."Thanks to you, we now know that there are two peoples who stand with the Golan -- the people of Israel and the people of America. So on behalf of all the people of Israel, thank you, President Trump," Hill quoted Benjamin Netanyahu.Trump on Monday signed a decree to recognise Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights.Trump, flanked by Netanyahu, said, "Today, aggressive action by Iran and terrorist groups in southern Syria, including Hezbollah, continue to make the Golan Heights a potential launching ground for attacks against Israel - very violent attacks," Trump said. "This should have been done numerous presidents ago."Golan Heights was seized by Israel from Syria during the six days war 1967 and has occupied ever since.Trump has also signalled to postpone the release of much-anticipated Middle East Peace plan until Israel's election ..
EU urges Israel and Gaza to de-esclate
European Union on Monday (local time) asked Israel and Gaza Strip to exercise "maximum restraint" and to "de-escalate" the situation in order to "protect the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians"."The first priority for all must now be for de-escalation and maximum restraint, in order to re-establish calm and to protect the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians. The EU reiterates its full support to the efforts of Egypt and the UN to reduce tensions and to alleviate the situation for the people in Gaza," The Times of Israel quoted European Union spokesperson as saying.EU also condemned the "rocket" attacks from Gaza and asked Hamas to "stop further violent actions or provocations.""We wish a speedy recovery to those injured. Rocket attacks from Gaza and any other violent actions or provocations by Palestinian militants in Gaza must stop immediately. The European Union reiterates its fundamental commitment to the security of Israel," the statement further read.The Israeli ...
Hyderabad: Rs 7.2 crores cash seized ahead of elections
Telangana police has seized Rs 7.2 crore cash as a part of its campaign to ensure free and fair elections, ADG, Law and Order, Jitender informed on Monday.He further said that special arrangements have been made in Naxal affected areas."As per the Election Commission guidelines, we are working to see that elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner. As preventive steps, we have executed 2,540 warrants after the announcement of polls," he said talking to ANI."For areas affected by Left Wing Extremism, special arrangements have been made. Area domination and combing operations are being conducted. We know Naxals have been boycotting elections for many decades but the public has faith in democracy. We will take all the steps to conduct it peacefully," he added.He claimed that after the announcement of polls, around 405 Flying Squads have been formed to ensure that the Model Code of Conduct is not violated."So far 8,394 weapons have been deposited. Till now, we have ...
Trump is 'greatest friend of Jewish people': Pence
US Vice President Mike Pence on Monday (local time) said President Donald Trump is the "greatest friend of Jewish people".Trump on Monday signed a decree to recognise Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights.Speaking at an event, Pence said, "Allow me to bring greetings from a friend of mine and someone history has already proven to be the greatest friend of the Jewish people and the state of Israel ever to sit in the Oval Office... President Donald Trump."While signing the decree, Trump, flanked by Israel President Benjamin Netanyahu, said, "Today, aggressive action by Iran and terrorist groups in southern Syria, including Hezbollah, continue to make the Golan Heights a potential launching ground for attacks against Israel - very violent attacks," Trump said. "This should have been done numerous presidents ago."Holan Heights was seized by Israel from Syria during the six days war 1967 and has occupied ever since.Last year, the US President had recognised the disputed city of ...
CPI urged EC to improve printing quality of its 'corn and sickle' symbol
The Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy on Monday wrote a letter to the ECI urging it to improve printing quality of its 'corn and sickle' symbol.A statement by the party, said, "Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy has written a letter to chief election commissioner to improve the quality of printing of its election symbol 'Corn & Sickle' as it's been in use since 1952."The statement further claimed that the CPI is the only party which has contested all election since independence on the same symbol."The election commission was continuing to use the same hand drawn image since 1952 and Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy requested that it be replaced with the digitally drawn image of the same 'Corn & Sickle' symbol."The statement also added that Reddy has adviced the commission to use new printing technology so that symbols appear more photorealistic and easier to recognise.
Israel forces strike Hamas again
Moments after Hamas claimed that a ceasefire has been reached, Israeli forces launched another strike against Hamas near the Khan Younis port in the Gaza Strip on Monday (local time)."Egyptian efforts succeeded with a ceasefire between the occupation and the resistance factions," The Times of Israel quoted Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum as saying.Earlier in the morning, Israel forces announced that it has begun targeting the Gaza Strip in response to the rocket launched by Hamas.Taking the cognisance, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on the state visit to the US, has delayed his return amid security. According to the officials, Netanyahu is holding security consultations in the Blair House in Washington DC.US President Donald Trump also expressed his support for Israel's strikes in Gaza, saying that they are necessary to preserve the country's security.
British MPs vote to play bigger role in Brexit process
British MPs voted on Monday to play a bigger role in Brexit, giving themselves the power to hold a series of votes to find a way forward in an unprecedented move. A group of MPs won the vote to seize control of parliamentary business on Wednesday by 329 to 302, paving the way for MPs to choose between different Brexit options in a bid to end the political crisis.
Pentagon: missile defense test succeeds in shootdown
In the first test of its kind, the Pentagon on Monday carried out a "salvo" intercept of an unarmed missile soaring over the Pacific, using two interceptor missiles launched from underground silos in southern California. Both interceptors zeroed in on the target a re-entry vehicle that had been launched 4,000 miles away atop an intercontintental-range missile, the Pentagon said. The first interceptor hit and destroyed the re-entry vehicle, which in an actual attack would contain a warhead. The second interceptor hit a secondary object, as expected, according to a statement by the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency. The interceptors were launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The target missile was launched from the Reagan Test Site in the Marshall Islands. "The system worked exactly as it was designed to do," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Samuel A. Greaves, director of the Missile Defense Agency. He said the test result "demonstrates that we have a capable, credible ...
BJP to kick off campaign blitz in Bihar as poll heat picks up
BJP is all set to launch its election campaign blitzkrieg in Bihar for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls with back-to-back visits by the top guns of the party.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar on July 2, party sources said on Monday.He is expected to address election rallies in Jamui and Gaya. But before his visit, BJP president Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Bihar on March 29. He too will address public meetings in Aurangabad and Nawada.NDA had finalised a seat-sharing plan in Bihar under which JD(U) and BJP will contest on 17 seats each while the LJP will contest the remaining six seats.In 2014, NDA won 31 out of 40 seats in Bihar with leading the tally at 22. JD(U) could only manage to win two seats.In Bihar, the different constituencies will see elections on April 11, 18, 23, and 29 and May 6, 12 and 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
US says China 'systematically' impedes Tibet access
China "systematically" impedes access to Tibet with restrictions that have prohibited diplomats, journalists and ordinary citizens from visiting, the United States said in a report Monday. The State Department documented access problems to the Himalayan region in a report to Congress mandated by the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, passed with bipartisan support in December. The law, which notes that no US region is prohibited, requires the United States by the end of this year to deny visas to Chinese officials in charge of implementing the policy. "The Chinese government systematically impeded travel to the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) and Tibetan areas outside the TAR for US diplomats and officials, journalists and tourists in 2018," said the report to Congress. Even visits by US diplomats were "highly restricted," it said. "Chinese government-designated minders followed US diplomats and officials at all times, prevented them from meeting or speaking with local contacts, ...
Trump says complete release of Mueller report won't bother him
US President Donald Trump on Monday said he wouldn't be bothered if special counsel Robert Mueller's report on the concluded Russia investigation is completely released.
Trump to delay release of Mid-East Peace plan
US President Donald Trump is planning to postpone the release of much-anticipated Middle East Peace plan until Israel's election, reported The Hill.However, the White House is yet to make an official announcement in this matter. When reporters asked Trump about the deal after his meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said, "We are talking right now. We are talking about this."If cleared by the white house, the decision is likely to increase Netanyahu's chance in getting re-elected as the Prime Minister, according to the Hill, he will not have to answer about the deal during his campaigning.This development comes after Trump signed a decree to recognise Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights.Middle East peace deal which addresses final issues of Isreal-Palestinian conflicts has been prepared by Trump's advisor and his son-in-law Jared KushnerLast Month, Kushner also indicated that the deal's release might be changed considering Israel election.
LS polls: Digvijaya Singh confident of winning from Bhopal
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday claimed that he will win from Bhopal in the ensuing general elections.Congress has fielded Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal, a seat considered as a BJP stronghold.Meanwhile, speculations are rife that BJP may field former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Bhopal to take on Digvijaya Singh."I requested Congress president Rahul Gandhi field him from anywhere. They asked me to fight from Bhopal," Digvijay Singh said talking exclusively to ANI."There will be a good fight. We will win the election. They (BJP) can keep field strong candidates (from Bhopal). We don't care about anyone. We will fight and win," he added.The Bhopal seat has been with the BJP for nearly three decades. The last Congress leader to represent it was former President Shankar Dayal Sharma, who won from here in 1984.From 1989, it was represented in Lok Sabha thrice by the BJP's Sushil Chandra Verma. In 1999, Uma Bharti got elected but had to quit when she was named the ...
Not enough support for third Brexit deal vote: May
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday said that she does not currently have enough support to pass her withdrawal deal from the European Union (EU).
Donald Trump signs declaration on Golan Heights
The US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Monday officially recognising Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights, a part of Syria that has been under Israeli military occupation since the Six-Day War of 1967.