Page 1236 - Politics
Congress separating terror from Pakistan: BJP
The BJP on Friday accused the Congress of attempting to "separate terror from Pakistan" and said that while on one hand it blamed the Narendra Modi government for the air strikes in Pakistan, on the other, it was handing out a clean chit to Islamabad.
Pawar, Mayawati not contesting indication of NDA win: Sena
NCP chief Sharad Pawar and BSP president Mayawati's opting out of the Lok Sabha polls is a clear indication of a ceratin victory for the NDA, the Shiv Sena said Friday. It also claimed Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would spoil the game for the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, reasoning the vote bank of the Congress and Mayawati is similar. In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the NDA constituent said Pawar and Mayawati not contesting was a sign that the road was clear for Narendra Modi to return victorious as Prime Minister. "Along with Sharad Pawar, Mayawati too has decided not to contest Lok Sabha polls, the importance of which is that they are out of the prime ministerial race," the Sena editorial said. Quoting Mayawati, it said she wants to campaign for her party's candidates across the country, hence she chose not to contest herself. However, the editorial reasoned, the BSP has presence only in Uttar Pradesh, and, therefore, the decision to opt out meant she was .
Mirwaiz Umer Farooq placed under house arrest
Jammu and Kashmir authorities have place senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq under house arrest here on Friday.
Trump accepts Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights
President Donald Trump has said the United States should acknowledge Israeli sovereignty over the hotly-contested Golan Heights, in what amounted to a major pre-election gift for his ally Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognise Israel's Sovereignty over the Golan Heights," Trump said in a tweet. Trump called the Golan - a strategic area seized from Syria and annexed in a move never recognised by the international community - "of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!" About 20,000 Israeli settlers live in the Golan, which overlooks Syrian territory. Trump's abrupt announcement was immediately cheered by Netanyahu, who faces a tough reelection battle and visits Washington next week. "At a time when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognises Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights," the right-wing prime minister ...
US sanctions 2 Chinese firms for N. Korea business
The US has imposed sanctions on two Chinese companies that have helped North Korea evade restrictions imposed by Washington and the UN Security Council, a senior administration official said.
Rahul Gandhi confidant Sam Pitroda questions death toll in Balakot air strike, bats for dialogue with Pakistan
New Delhi [India], Mar 22 (ANI): Close confidant of Rahul Gandhi and Chairman of the Overseas Indian National Congress questioned the death toll in the Balakot airstrike conducted by the Indian Air Force in Pakistan in retaliation to the Pulwama terror attack."If they (IAF) killed 300, its ok. All I am saying is can you give me more facts and prove it," said Pitroda in a wide-ranging interview to ANI.When asked on his views on the airstrike against the Jaish-e-Mohammad camp in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, he added that international news outlets had an alternate view of the impact of the air strike and that the people of India deserved to know the facts of the Air Force operation."I would like to know a little more because I read reports in the New York Times and other newspapers. Did we really attack? We really killed 300 people? I don't know that. As a citizen, I am entitled to know and if I ask it is my duty to ask, that doesn't mean I'm not a nationalist, That doesn't ...
Venezuela arrests Guaido aide for 'terrorism' in defiance of US
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's regime defied the US on Thursday to arrest a top aide of opposition leader Juan Guaido, whom Washington recognizes as the crisis-hit country's interim leader. Interior Minister Nestor Reverol accused the aide, Roberto Marrero, a 49-year-old lawyer who serves as Guaido's chief of staff, of leading a "terrorist cell" bent on attacking the government's leadership with the help of Colombian and Central American mercenaries as well as "acts of sabotage on public services to create chaos." He said weapons and foreign cash were found in a predawn raid on Marrero's home. He added that Marrero's 34-year-old bodyguard, Luis Paez, was also arrested and faced the same charges and a search was on for "identified" collaborators. Later, President Nicolas Maduro said he would "not be afraid to fight terrorist groups to put them in jail." The development triggered alarm internationally. The United States, the European Union, and a grouping of Latin American ...
Trump announces pick for Chief Technology Officer
US President Donald Trump announced that he would nominate Michael Kratsios as the country's Chief Technology Officer, a post that has been vacant since the beginning of the administration, the White House said.
Guaido aide accused of leading terrorist cell
The Venezuelan government has accused the detained chief of staff of self-proclaimed interim head of state Juan Guaido of leading a terrorist cell.
EU leaders offer two options for short Brexit delay
European leaders and British Prime Minister Theresa May agreed Thursday on a short delay to Britain's divorce from the European Union in the hope of ensuring an orderly Brexit. Britain had faced a sharp cliff-edge deadline of March 29 to leave, but May's EU colleagues said the split could wait until May 22 if British lawmakers approve a withdrawal accord next week. But if the House of Commons rejects the deal -- as it has done twice before -- Brexit will take place on April 12, unless Britain has decided by then to take part in this year's European Parliamentary elections. "April 12 is the key date in terms of the UK deciding whether to hold European parliament elections," EU Council president and summit host Donald Tusk said, announcing the arrangement. Britain would need time to legislate to take part in the May 23 to 26 election, and May has insisted it will not try, preferring in her words "to honour" voters' decision to end London's 46-year-old membership. "I believe strongly ...
EU agrees to UK request for Brexit delay
European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday said that the leaders of the 27 remaining European Union member-states have offered the UK an extension on the implementation of the UK's exit from the bloc under Article 50.
RSS an 'extra-constitutional authority', says Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has a "hold" on the NDA-led central government as an "extra-constitutional authority".Speaking to media here on Thursday, Gehlot opined that the RSS should convert into a political party and merge with the BJP."RSS has its hold on the government as an extra-constitutional authority. No one becomes a Chief Minister or a Minister without asking RSS. That's the present situation. It should convert into a political party and merge with the BJP. We don't have a problem with that," he said.Gehlot also said that RSS had earlier "given in writing" that it would not get into politics, being a culturalorganisation."RSS is a cultural organisation, they have got nothing to do with politics. When it was banned, they had given in writing that they will not get involved in politics and would continue to be a cultural organisation," Gehlot said."It (RSS) should stick to its words," he added.
I do not believe we should revoke Article 50: May
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday said she does not "believe" Article 50 should be revoked, reaffirming her resolve to honour the 2016 referendum where the UK voted to leave the European Union."I do not believe that we should be revoking Article 50. that is not something we should be doing," May said during a presser after the European Union meeting where the bloc agreed to extend Brexit with a two-part plan."The last general elections, 80 per cent of the votes were cast for Members of Parliament who stood on a manifesto to honour that decision, respect the referendum. I think the time is now to deliver for the British people. The time is now to make the decision," she reinforced.She highlighted that an alternate plan would be put forth in case her Withdrawal Deal is rejected for the third time by the British Parliament next week.The leader's comments come a day after she chided the British MPs for rejecting her Withdrawal Deal with the EU twice, leading to mounting fears
TRS announces candidates for 17 seats in Telangana
K. Chandrashekar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Thursday announced its candidates for all the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana.The party has again fielded KCR's daughter K Kavitha from the Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat.Besides her, Vemireddy Narasimha Reddy will contest from Nalgonda, Pasunuri Dayaker from Warangal, G Nagesh from Adilabad, Talasani Saikiran Yadav from Secunderabad, Manne Srinivas Reddy from Mahabubnagar and Puste Srikanth from Hyderabad, among others.The party has also announced two names for the Legislative Council positions out of the four legislative council seats that are going to be vacated shortly.The Telangana Chief Minister has picked Nalgonda MP Gutha Sukhender Reddy and Kukatpally TRS leader Kurmaiah Gari Naveen Rao for the two seats.Telangana will go to polls in a single phase for all 17 Lok Sabha seats at stake on April 11.
EU approves extension along with two-part plan to avoid no-deal Brexit
In a bid to avoid a no-deal Brexit scenario, the European Union on Thursday (local time) came up with a two-part plan while approving the United Kingdom's request for a Brexit extension."EU27 unanimously agrees on its response to UK's requests," Donald Tusk, the President of the European council tweeted after a meeting here.According to the plan, the EU agreed to an extension to Article 50 till May 22, provided the British Parliament supports the Withdrawal Deal next week when UK Prime Minister Theresa May will hold a meaningful vote.If the deal is not approved next week by the Parliament, the UK will be given an extension only till April 12, according to Tusk.While outlining the details of the deal, Tusk said EU leaders responded to the request in a "positive spirit."Despite efforts to avoid a no-deal scenario, Tusk highlighted that the EU would be continuing no-deal preparations..
UK puts 3,500 troops on standby for no-deal Brexit scenario
The United Kingdom has put 3,500 troops on standby to "aid contingency plans" in the face of a probable no-deal Brexit, according to a spokesman for the British Ministry of Defence.The spokesman told CNN that the contingency plans are part of Operation Redfold - the British military's crisis management operation in the scenario of a no-deal Brexit.Apart from this, the UK's military bunker under the Ministry of Defence has become "operational" on Monday. Known as Pindar, the bunker is a defence crisis-management centre which is used to plan for operations deemed significant, like the 2012 London Olympics."We are always willing to support wider government planning for any scenario, and we have committed to holding 3,500 troops at readiness to aid contingency plans. We will consider any requests from other government departments if they feel defence capability could contribute to their no-deal planning," a Ministry of Defence spokesman told CNN.European Union leaders are currently ...
Guaido's arrested aide part of terror cell, claims Venezuela's interior minister
Venezuela's Minister of Interior Nestor Reverol on Thursday stated that the arrested aide of Opposition leader Juan Guaido was part of a terror cell which planned attacks.Venezuela's intelligence service had detained two of Guaido's associates, out of which one has been recognised as Roberto Marrero who had rifles and a grenade in possession at the time of arrest, reports Sputnik."Early today morning, two of the closest associates of Venezuelan National Assembly leader Juan Guaido, Marrero and Sergio Vergara, were detained at their homes. The detention was carried out in the El Cafetal neighbourhood of the Baruta municipality. Two rifles and a grenade were found in Marrero's house," sources told Russian state media.While Vergara has been released ever since, Marrero continues to remain in custody.The United States has slammed the arrests, with National Security Adviser John Bolton threatening to respond to the detention.The Latin American nation has been in the throes of a political ..
BJP doing vendetta politics: Lanka Dinakar on IT raids at Andhra minister's properties
TDP leader Lanka Dinakar on Thursday accused the BJP of doing "vendetta politics" by "using the Income Tax department" to conduct raids at various properties of Andhra Pradesh minister P Narayana."This is vendetta politics. BJP B team is in Andhra - Jagan Mohan Reddy, with Telangana Chief Minister (K. Chandrashekar Rao). They had asked P Narayana not to contest the election on behalf of TDP. He didn't accept the proposal, so they are using the Income Tax department with the help of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP," Dinakar told ANI.The TDP minister also said it was time for the public to teach YSRCP Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy and Prime Minister Modi a "lesson"."On one hand the Prime Minister has not fulfilled AP Reorganisation Act and Special Category status, on the other hand, Jagan Reddy is at the footsteps of KCR and Prime Minister Modi, acting against wishes of people of Andhra Pradesh. It is time people of Andhra teach a lesson to Jagan Mohan Reddy and Narendra Modi," Dinakar ..
It's time for US to recognise Israel's sovereignty over Golan Heights: Trump
Overturning longstanding US policy on the Golan Heights, US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) stated that it is time for the United States to recognise Israel's sovereignty over the territory."After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel's Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!" Trump tweeted.The statement comes just a few days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet Trump at the White House, according to CNN.Israel formally annexed the territory in 1981 after capturing the region from Syria during the Six-Day War of 1967. The Israeli annexation has long been decried by the world community, who regard Golan Heights as occupied territory and Israeli settlements there as illegal as per international law."At a time when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognizes Israeli ...
Andhra: Congress announces candidates for 3 LS, 45 Assembly constituencies
The Congress party on Thursday released the list of candidates for three Lok Sabha seats and 45 Assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh.Out of 25 Lok Sabha seats at stake in Andhra Pradesh, the party had earlier announced candidates for 22 seats. In the remaining three seats, the party is fielding Ramana Kumari Pedada from Visakhapatnam, N. Narasimha Rao from Vijayawada and J. Lakshmi Narasimha Yadav from Nandyal Lok Sabha constituencies.Polling in the state will be held on April 11. Both the Lok Sabha and legislative assembly polls will be held in the state simultaneously on this day. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.Notably, this is the first election that will take place after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.