Page 1235 - Politics
N Korea pulls out of inter-Korean liaison office: Seoul
North Korea has pulled its staff out of an inter-Korean liaison office, Seoul said Friday, weeks after leader Kim Jong Un's summit with US President Donald Trump ended without agreement. The office in the Northern city of Kaesong was opened in September as the two Koreas knitted closer ties, but the South's vice unification minister Chun Hae-sung told reporters Pyongyang had "notified the South they are pulling out of the liaison office".
PM Imran says no room for 'jihadi outfits and culture' in Pakistan
There was no room for "jihadi outfits and jihadi culture" in Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said amidst intense global pressure on his government to rein in the terrorist outfits operating from its soil after the Pulwama attack. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. Talking to editors and senior journalists here, Khan said that India's NDA government wants to win the general election based on its politics of hatred against Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported. He warned that the security risk at the Line of Control (LoC) persists until elections are held in India and asked the nation to be prepared at all ...
Pitroda says he is 'baffled' at PM Modi's response
Sam Pitroda, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's close confidant, on Friday said he is "baffled" at the response of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who slammed Pitroda for questioning the death toll in the Balakot air strike in Pakistan."I just said as a citizen I'm entitled to know what happened. I don't understand what is the controversy here, I am baffled at the response. Shows how people react to trivial matters in India," he said.In an interview to ANI earlier on Friday, Pitroda, also the chairman of Overseas Indian National Congress, had questioned the death toll in the air strike by the Indian Air Force in Pakistan in retaliation to the Pulwama terror attack.Reacting to the remarks, Prime Minister Modi hit out at Pitroda, tweeting that Pitroda "kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of the Congress".Pakistan observes its National Day on March 23."What is the problem in raising a question? As a citizen in democracy, discussion, dialogue, debate, discourse is a way .
BJP must stop pretending to be Indian Army: Akhilesh
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday told the Modi government not to pretend to be the Indian Army and said that governments which say they can't be questioned are dangerous.
Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir joins BJP, likely to contest LS polls
Former international cricketer Gautam Gambhir Friday joined the BJP and is expected to be fielded in the Lok Sabha polls from one of the seats in the national capital. The 37-year-old joined the party here in the presence of Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad. The former opening batsman played a key role in India's triumph in the 2011 World Cup and the 2007 T-20 World Cup. He was recently conferred upon the Padma Shri award. Gambhir said he was impressed by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will work for the country's welfare as a member of the party. Jaitley, who described Gambhir's joining as an "important induction" into the BJP, said the party will take a call at an appropriate time whether to field him in the Lok Sabha polls. BJP sources, however, said Gambhir may be fielded from the New Delhi constituency, currently represented by the party's Meenakshi Lekhi. Jaitley noted that Gambhir grew up and studied in Delhi, highlighting his link with the ...
One Pakistan national among two terrorists killed in Baramulla encounter: JK Police
One of the two terrorists killed in an encounter yesterday in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district was a Pakistani national, claimed police. Both the terrorists were the member of proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).The other terrorist has been identified as Aamir Rasool, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore.Yesterday, an encounter broke out here when a troop of 176 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) along with SOG and Rashtriya Rifles (RR) were carrying out a search operation in the vicinity."On the basis of incriminating material recovered at the site of the encounter, it is understood that one of the terrorists who was killed (yesterday) is a Pakistani national," said the police press release."They were wanted by law for their complicity in a series of terror crimes including an attack on security establishments and civilian atrocities. They were involved in conspiring and executing many terror attacks in the area. Several terror crime cases were
Sam Pitroda has kick-started Pakistan National Day celebration on behalf of Congress : PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed Sam Pitroda, a confidant of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, for questioning the death toll in the Balakot airstrike in Pakistan, saying that Pitroda has "kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of the Congress"."The most trusted advisor and guide of the Congress President has kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of the Congress, ironically by demeaning India's armed forces. Shame !" tweeted Modi.Pakistan observes its National Day on March 23.In a series of tweets, he said, "Loyal courtier of Congress' royal dynasty admits what the nation already knew- Congress was unwilling to respond to forces of terror. This is a New India- we will answer terrorists in a language they understand and with interest!""Opposition insults our forces time and again. I appeal to my fellow Indians- question Opposition leaders on their statements. Tell them- 130 crore Indians will not forgive or forget the Opposition ..
Congress slams BJP for fielding Amit Shah instead of Advani from Gandhinagar
The Congress on Friday slammed the BJP for dropping party veteran LK Advani's name from its first list of Lok Sabha candidates.Speaking to ANI, Congress leader PL Punia said, "An outstanding Parliamentarian like LK Advani will be replaced by Taripar Amit Shah. Now, people are clear that BJP is only run by Amit Shah."Notably, Advani who contested the Lok Sabha elections from Gandhinagar seat for the first time in 1991 retained the constituency in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014. In the ensuing elections, BJP president Amit Shah will be contesting from Gandhinagar constituency.It was only once that Advani did not contest the elections in the year 1996 after his name found mention in Jain Hawala Diary Case.The BJP on Thursday evening declared 184 candidates including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Textiles Minister Smriti Irani for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, beginning April 11 and concluding on May 19.The counting of votes will take
Mayawati taunts 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign
BSP supremo Mayawati on Friday taunted the BJP's 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign, two days after she accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing his profile from 'Chaiwala' to 'Chowkidar' only to get votes in the Lok Sabha elections.
Critics question timing of Trump's tweet recognising Israel's sovereignty over Golan Heights
Critics have questioned the timing of US President Donald Trump's tweet recognising Israel's sovereignty over the strategic Golan Heights, describing it as America's effort to intervene in Israeli elections to help a beleaguered friend at the cost of opening a "Pandora's box." Trump took to Twitter on Thursday to state that it was time the US recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a territory the Jewish state occupied in the 1967 war. Trump's declaration comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a closely fought general election on April 9, as well as a series of possible corruption charges. "After 52 years, it is time for the United States to fully recognise Israel's Sovereignty [sic] over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and regional stability [sic]!'' the US President tweeted. Trump's tweet was hailed by Netanyahu, stating that the former had "just made history" and thanking him on behalf
Britain's Prince Charles heads to Cuba amid US tensions
Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla will make the first royal visit to communist-run Cuba on Sunday at a time when ally Washington is seeking to ramp up sanctions against the island. The 70-year-old prince was asked by the British government to add Cuba to a long-planned tour of Caribbean nations as Brexit spurs it to seek alternative trading partners to the European Union. "Royal visits are used as part of diplomacy in the British system. They're a useful way of sending messages, of making contacts and moving to next stages in diplomatic negotiations," said former British ambassador Paul Webster Hare. The visit comes as US President Donald Trump threatens to tighten sanctions against Cuba, branding Havana part of a "troika of tyranny" along with leftist Latin American allies Venezuela and Nicaragua. The White House is threatening to activate the long-dormant Helms-Burton Act which extended the 1962 US embargo to apply to foreign companies trading with Cuba. Charles's ...
PM does not care about 'chowkidars': Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of not thinking about the welfare of watchmen, "behind whom you are hiding". In a Facebook post, Gandhi tagged a media report about 10,000 watchmen protesting against poor wages. "At least, think about those behind whom you are hiding," Gandhi said in the post, attacking the Prime Minister who has launched a campaign -- 'Main bhi chowkidar' (I too am a watchman). The media report stated that 10,000 chowkidars in Jharkhand rue unpaid salaries. Gandhi has been attacking the prime minister accusing him of "theft" in the Rafale deal and has used the slogan "chowkidar chor hai (watchman is thief)" to target him.
TRS, BJP drop key contenders, Cong fields top leaders in
The TRS and the BJP ignored key contenders, but a beleaguered Congress fielded senior leaders to send a message it's still in the reckoning, as the Lok Sabha poll scene in Telangana hotted up. The TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti), led by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, dropped sitting MP A P Jithender Reddy, who was the party's floor leader in the Lok Sabha, in Mahbubnagar seat. The BJP denied ticket to its sitting MP and former union minister Bandaru Dattatreya from Secunderabad seat. And in an interesting development, BJP has fielded Bangaru Shruthi, daughter of former BJP President Bangaru Laxman, from Nagarkurnool constituency. K Kavitha, daughter of the Chief Minister, is seeking reelection from Nizamabad, while in Khammam, the TRS has named former MP Nama Nageswara Rao, who quit the TDP earlier this week, as its candidate in Khammam. In 2014, the TRS had won 11 seats, the Congress two, while the BJP, the TDP, YSRCP and AIMIM one seat each in Telangana, which has .
Opposition habitat of terror apologists: Modi
In a sharp attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the opposition of insulting defence forces and being the "natural habitat of terror apologists and questioners" of the country's armed forces.
Seoul proposes military talks with Pyongyang
South Korea has proposed holding military talks with North Korea to implement a bilateral accord signed in 2018, but there has been no reply from Pyongyang yet, an official said here on Friday.
Oppn natural habitat of terror apologists, insults forces: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday launched a fresh offensive on rival parties over the Pulwama terror attack and the subsequent IAF strike inside Pakistan, terming the Opposition "the natural habitat of terror apologists" and accusing them of "insulting" armed forces. Using the hashtag 'Janta Maaf Nahi Karegi' (people will not forgive) in a tweet, Modi attacked Sam Pitroda, who looks after Congress' overseas affairs, for reportedly saying that post the Mumbai terror attacks, India could have responded with air strikes, but "according to me that's not how you deal with world." "Loyal courtier of Congress' royal dynasty admits what the nation already knew- Congress was unwilling to respond to forces of terror. This is a New India- we will answer terrorists in a language they understand and with interest!," Moid said. "Opposition insults our forces time and again. I appeal to my fellow Indians- question Opposition leaders on their statements. Tell them- 130 crore Indians will not ...
Adityanath to begin poll campaign from Saharanpur
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday announced that he will kick off his poll campaign for the coming Lok Sabha elections from Saharanpur on Sunday.
India not to attend Pakistan National Day celebrations after Separatists leaders get invited
India has decided not to send any official representative to attend the Pakistan National Day celebrations scheduled to be held at the Pakistan High Commission here on Friday, government sources said. Sources added that the decision was taken by the Indian government amid reports that Pakistan has invited separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir to attend the event."Government of India has decided not to send any official representative to the Pakistan National Day event at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. In view of Government of India's stance, Government officials are expected to stay away from the event," sources added.While Islamabad would be celebrating the occasion on March 23, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi is organising events a day earlier on March 22.Pakistan Day is celebrated to mark the Lahore Resolution on March 23 each year. The Lahore Resolution, which is also called Pakistan Resolution, passed on March 23, 1940, is considered a major milestone in
India boycotts Pak Day event as JK separatists invited
The government Friday decided to boycott the Pakistan National Day event to be held at its high commission here as Kashmiri separatist leaders were also invited, an official said. Over the past few years, India's representation at the annual event has been at the level of a union minister. This year, Indian government officials will stay away from the reception scheduled on the eve of Pakistan National Day, which is celebrated on March 23, the official said. "The government of India has decided not to send any official representative to the Pakistan National Day event at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi," the official said. The decision has been taken because Pakistan has decided to invite separatist Hurriyat leaders from Jammu and Kashmir to the event, the official added. The decision comes in the wake of heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours after the Pulwama terror attack and subsequent air strike by India on a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed ...
Mayawati taunts BJP's 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Friday taunted the BJP's 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign, two days after she accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing his profile from 'Chaiwala' to 'Chowkidar' only to get votes in the Lok Sabha polls.