Page 1209 - Politics
Venezuelan power struggle creates diplomatic duel abroad
When Lorena Delgado approached the Venezuelan consulate in Colombia's capital on a recent afternoon hoping to extend the life of her expiring passport, she found the metal gates to the languishing building shuttered. Days earlier, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro had severed ties with the neighboring Andean nation where over a million of his compatriots have fled in recent years, recalling all his diplomats and leaving the consulate and embassy buildings closed. The man challenging Maduro's claim to the presidency had appointed a new ambassador, but he was at a loss about how to help her. Despite the fact that Colombia recognizes Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate president, the ambassador he sent does not have access to the consulate or the ability to issue passport extensions. "You feel trapped," said Delgado, 32, who needs to travel abroad to apply for a work visa. "We're in limbo." As Venezuela's power struggle stretches on, a parallel dispute for control of embassy buildings ..
Thailand elections: Voters head to poll stations after 5 years of military rule
Polling began on Sunday after nearly five years of military rule in Thailand where around 51 million voters are eligible to exercise their franchise, South China Morning Post reported.In the Thai general elections, the current military-backed junta leader, Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is seeking to hold on to the Prime Minister's post, is pitted against the anti-junta parties led by loyalists to exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.The polls, after being postponed several times, is being held for the first time since Prayuth toppled Shinawatra's government in 2014 and a new constitution was written by the military junta.Meanwhile, Shinawatra's Pheu Thai Party that draws support from the rural poor, has won every election since 2001, however, only to be unseated by coups.Polling began at 8 a.m. (local time) and will end at 5 p.m. when counting begins. The results are expected to be announced on Sunday night.Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who took the throne in 2016, late on ...
Separatist shutdown affects life in Kashmir
Life across the Kashmir Valley was affected by the separatist-called shutdown on Sunday against the Centre's decision to ban the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) led by Muhammad Yasin Malik.
Rahul to decide on contesting from Wayanad: Chandy
The decision to contest on the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala rests with Congress President Rahul Gandhi, said All India Congress Committee general secretary Oommen Chandy said on Sunday.
Yemen peace hangs on fragile truce as conflict far from over
Four years after Saudi Arabia led a military intervention in Yemen to back the government against rebels, the only hope for peace in a country threatened by famine hangs on a fragile truce. Despite the Saudis entering the conflict on March 26, 2015 with a coalition composed of nine countries from the Middle East and Africa, Yemen's internationally-recognised government has failed to defeat the Huthi. The Iran-aligned rebels continue to control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. And the conflict -- which the United Nations says has unleashed the world's worst humanitarian crisis and pushed the country to the brink of famine -- shows no sign of abating in the impoverished nation. In December, the rival sides agreed to a ceasefire in the key lifeline Red Sea port of Hodeida -- just weeks after forces loyal to the government were able to enter the rebel-held city. But even if major fighting has stopped, other elements of the accord -- including a prisoner swap -- have ...
Democracy on test (Comment: Spy's Eye)
India has over the decades emerged as a leading light in the democratic world on two counts - the masses here have proven their ability to oust well entrenched regimes from power and have demonstrated their wisdom in opting for clean governance, assurance of development and national stability and security. And this has happened in spite of that typically Indian social phenomenon of caste and creed affinities ruling the political turf.
Priyanka's influence 'bound to grow' in party in long term, says Tharoor
Though Uttar Pradesh is her 'karm-bhoomi' for now, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's influence in the Congress is "bound to grow" in the long term, party leader Shashi Tharoor said here. Priyanka, 47, was appointed AICC general secretary of Eastern Uttar Pradesh on January 23 this year, marking her formal entry into politics. The party is hoping that the move will boost its prospects in the politically crucial state which sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha. "She (Priyanka) is a very impressive lady, who speaks well, speaks with confidence, idiomatic and fluent Hindi. She is very comfortable in public gaze and reminds a lot of people of her grandmother," Tharoor said when asked about Priyanka Gandhi's formal plunge into politics. "That's on the very upbeat side. Perhaps more modestly one should say, she is at the moment general secretary for one-half of Uttar Pradesh. And that's going to be her karma-bhoomi. "That's where she will be working in the immediate prospect. But in long term I think her ...
Democrats warn of subpoena over Mueller report
House Democrats have warned of a subpoena if Special Counsel Robert Mueller's findings that delved into the murky depths of the 2016 election looking for links between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia, were not turned over to Congress and publicly released.
Tardy progress on Shivaji, Ambedkar memorials could embarrass BJP in polls
The sluggish pace of two big-ticket projects dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji and Dalit icon B R Ambedkar in and around Mumbai may leave the BJP ill at ease in Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, according to observers. The work to build the tallest statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in the Arabian Sea off the Mumbai coast is yet to take off, three years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the 'jal pujan' at the site in 2016. Though necessary technical clearances are in place for the project, whose cost is estimated to be around Rs 3,600 crore, the actual work is yet to commence at the site. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has consistently maintained that the project would not be delayed, but the Opposition is far from convinced. "The government seems to be playing with the sentiments of people. Everyone in Maharashtra wants this memorial, except the government which is unnecessarily delaying the construction," alleged Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council ...
Thailand votes in first post-coup general elections
About 50 million voters headed to the polls in Thailand for the first general elections since the 2014 coup.
Voting underway in Thailand's first election since 2014 coup
Voters in Thailand were heading to the polls Sunday in the country's first election since the military ousted an elected government in a 2014 coup. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army chief who led the coup, is hoping to extend his hold on power after engineering a new political system that aims to stifle the influence of big political parties not aligned with the military. About 51 million Thais are eligible to vote. Leaders of political parties opposed to military rule have urged a high turnout as the only way to derail Prayuth's plans. The election is the latest chapter in a nearly two-decade struggle between conservative forces including the military and the political machine of Thaksin Shinawatra, a tycoon who upended tradition-bound Thailand's politics with a populist political revolution. Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 military coup and now lives in exile abroad to avoid a prison term, but parties allied with him have every election since 2001. Political parties and their .
Political merchandise hit markets ahead of LS polls
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, markets in various parts of India are flooded with diverse kinds of political merchandise, including masks, shirts and flags containing pictures of various political leaders on them.Speaking to ANI, Vijay Tendulkar, the owner of a shop in Mumbai, said the aim is to attract more youth and encourage them to exercise their franchise in the impending polls."We are selling key chains, T-shirts, and jackets, among other things. On all merchandise, party logo is there. There is a humongous demand right now. The biggest demand is for flags, cap and mufflers," he added.Markets in Coimbatore, too, have seen similar merchandise being sold in the run up to the polls, including those with the face of late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on them.Interestingly, merchandise with the faces of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi are most popular in markets, locals say.Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases between April ..
40,000 people march in France as Yellow Vest protest enters 19th week
Over 40,000 people took to the streets across France on Saturday (local time) as the Yellow Vest protests enter week 19, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, despite troops being allowed to open fire on demonstrators if threatened.The Military, along with police, has been deployed to protect public order in Paris, reports Sputnik. Adding to this, the military has been given the freedom to open fire on the demonstrators if their life, or the lives of those people whom they are defending, is threatened, according to Paris' Military Governor, General Bruno Leray."Their (soldiers') mission is to fight against terrorism and to protect vulnerable sites, this is for policemen and military police to get to the operational ground. In our country, the army is not in any way in charge of public order or law enforcement," French President Emmanuel Macron said with regard to the decision.Protests have been banned on the Champs-Elysees and in its vicinity, following last week's ...
Israel's PM Netanyahu to meet Trump on Monday
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will leave on Saturday night for Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump.
Barr will not share 'principal conclusions' from Mueller's report today
Attorney General William Barr will not share "principal conclusions" of Robert Mueller's report on alleged Russian collusion in the 2016 US presidential elections with lawmakers today, US Department of Justice officials said on Saturday (local time).Mueller's 22-month long investigation into probable Russian interference in the presidential elections culminated on Friday, with the special counsel submitting his findings to Barr.All eyes are on the Attorney General, as it has been reported that Barr may share "principal conclusion as soon as this weekend" with lawmakers at Capitol Hill.The wrapping up of the investigation, which has seen charges being filed against 37 defendants, seven guilty pleas and one conviction, means that there will be no further indictments, CNN reported.US President Donald Trump, who came into power in 2016, has often decried the Mueller investigation, labelling it as a "witch hunt".Democrat leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have urged Barr to not give a
Cong won't get more than 60 seats in LS polls: Piyush Goyal
Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will get over 300 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, while Congress will be restricted to 60.Speaking at an interaction session with FICCI Ladies Organisation regarding Vision India here, Goyal asserted that the BJP would win the upcoming elections with a clear majority.Goyal alleged that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is plunging into politics just 60 days before the Lok Sabha elections with a sole aim to "bail out her failed elder brother" (Congress president Rahul Gandhi)."Nation needs more serious politicians than the fly-by-night ones," he added.Goyal also stated that Ram Temple will come up at Ayodhya and accused Congress leader Kapil Sibal of creating hurdles to ensure that the Supreme Court doesn't deliver its judgment soon in the matter.Speaking about the Indian economy, Goyal said: "We are strong on every parameter. From the most fragile economy status in 2014, we are the fastest ...
Maduro accuses US of financing mercenary 'plot' against him
President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday accused the United States of using frozen Venezuelan funds to bankroll mercenaries to assassinate him in a "plot" he said was directed by opposition leader Juan Guaido. "We have dismantled a plan organized personally by the diabolical puppet to kill me," Maduro told thousands of supporters in Caracas, referring to Guaido, who is recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries. He alleged that Colombia, Venezuela's US-aligned neighbour, was also involved, and said that an unidentified Colombian paramilitary chief had been captured in the country "and is giving testimony." Maduro's government gave details of the alleged plot on state television, with Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez saying "hitmen" from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras had been recruited "using big sums of money" and sent to Colombia ahead of missions into Venezuela to carry out "targeted assassinations" and "sabotage." Rodriguez accused Guaido's chief of staff, ...
Summary of Mueller report not to be delivered on Saturday
US Attorney General William Barr will not send his summary of special counsel Robert Mueller's report to Congress on Saturday, according to multiple media reports.
Kharge, Moily among 18 Congress nominees for Karnataka
Congress leader in the outgoing Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and former Union Ministers M. Veerappa Moily and K. H. Muniyappa are among candidates the party high command cleared to contest from 18 parliamentary seats in Karnataka on late Saturday.
BJP to back Sumalatha in Karnataka's Mandya
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday decided to support multi-lingual actress Sumalatha Ambareesh, who is contesting the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency in south Karnataka as an Independent candidate, instead of fielding its own nominee.