Page 1257 - Politics
Indian-origin Jagmeet Singh makes history in Canada's Parliament
Indian-origin Jagmeet Singh has created political history in Canada when he made his debut in the House of Commons as the first non white leader of a major opposition party in the country. The arrival of the turbaned leader into the house on Monday, cheered by all members, coincided with the induction of a senior woman member into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet. Singh, 40, the leader of the New Democratic Party, placed his hand over his heart as he walked into the House of Commons, the lower of house of Parliament, before the daily question period. He was elected in federal by-elections held on February 25. Singh's first words as an elected lawmaker were about last week's terrorist attack on two mosques in New Zealand. "I want to begin by expressing our solidarity with the people of New Zealand who are mourning the attack on Muslim brothers and sisters... in Christchurch," he said. About 50 people were killed last week in the Pacific country's worst-ever mass shooting. He ...
Dutch go to provincial polls after shooting horror
Dutch voters on Wednesday head to provincial polls billed as a referendum on Prime Minister Mark Rutte's policies, after a campaign overshadowed by a possible terror attack on a tram. Right-wing parties pushed the issue of integration back into the foreground as the country reeled from Monday's shooting in the city of Utrecht for which a Turkish-born man has been arrested. The Dutch ballot will be widely watched abroad as a bellwether for European Parliament elections in May in which populist parties are expected to make broad gains. Following the Utrecht attack, almost all political parties halted campaigning for the elections -- which are for provincial bodies but determine the composition of the Dutch senate or upper house of parliament. Only the populist, anti-EU Forum for Democracy (FvD), led by Thierry Baudet, continued with a rally in the Hague's seaside suburb of Scheveningen, drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers. The young and telegenic Baudet accused Rutte's government of .
LS poll: Tough road ahead likely for Sujay in BJP
Though the Congress faced embarrassment when its senior leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil's son joined the BJP, it would also not be a cakewalk for Sujay Vikhe Patil in the Lok Sabha poll, feel political observers. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently said he will recommend the name of Sujay Vikhe Patil, a neurosurgeon, as the BJP candidate from Ahmednagar seat, but the road ahead would be tough for him, they say. This is so because, according to them, former Union minister and sitting BJP MP from Ahmednagar, Dilip Gandhi, enjoys the support of Jain community members, numbering around 1.75 lakh, in the constituency. They say there are also murmurs in Ahmednagar that the BJP would give ticket to Sujay Vikhe Patil from the seat provided his parents, both of whom are Congress leaders, also join the the saffron party. Sujay Vikhe Patil joined the BJP after the NCP refused to exchange the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat with the Congress. As per the current seat-sharing formula .
Congress releases 6th list of candidates for LS polls
The Congress party on Tuesday released its sixth list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, including seven from Maharashtra and two from Kerala.Congress general secretary KC Venugopal's name has been dropped from Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency. Shanimol Usman has replaced the sitting MP.Among others are Manikrao G. Thakare from Yavatmal-Washim, Eknath Gaikwad from Mumbai South-Central, Charulata Khajasingh Tokas from Wardha, Adoor Prakash from Attingal, and KC Padavi from Nandurbar-ST.Till now, 146 candidates have been announced by the party for the impending polls.Kerala will go to polls on April 23, while Maharashtra will vote on April 10, 17 and 24. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Australian PM pillories Erdogan for 'reckless', 'vile' Christchurch comments
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned "reckless" and "highly offensive" comments made by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the wake of the Christchurch massacre, warning he would consider "all options" in reviewing ties. On the campaign trail, the Turkish leader has used video footage of the terror attack that killed 50 people and painted it as part of an assault on Turkey and Islam. He has also warned anti-Muslim Australians -- like the suspected gunman -- would be "sent back in coffins" like their grandfathers at Gallipoli, which was the scene of a blood-drenched WWI battle. More than 8,000 Australians died fighting Turkish forces around the seaside town, a landmark moment in Australian history. "Remarks have been made by the Turkish President Erdogan that I consider highly offensive to Australians and highly reckless in this very sensitive environment," Morrison said after summoning the Turkish ambassador and dismissing the "excuses" offered. "I am expecting, and I ...
Goa's BJP-led coalition government faces floor test
Newly appointed Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who heads a BJP-led coalition government, will face a floor test to prove his dispensation's majority in the 36-member state legislative assembly on Wednesday.
Trump intends to designate Brazil as major non-NATO ally
US President Donald Trump has said that he intends to designate Brazil as a "major non-NATO ally", a move aimed to cement America's ties with the Latin American country where China has made deep strides in recent years. The move by Trump gains significance as Brazil is a key member of the powerful five-nation BRICS grouping and has joined hands with India, Japan and Germany to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Notably, Trump's America considers two of its members, Russia and China, as major threats to its national security, while it is taking all steps to strengthen and deepen ties with India and Brazil. Trump made the announcement during a joint Rose Garden press conference at the White House with visiting Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday. "We had a great meeting today. As I told President Bolsonaro, I intend to designate Brazil as a major non-NATO Ally, or even possibly, if you start ...
US, Brazil sign space technology safeguard agreement
The US has signed an agreement with Brazil to protect its technology associated with US participation in space launches in the South American country.
No significant activity at N Korean facility, claims US-based think tank
There has been no activity of significance at the Sohae Launch facility in North Korea, according to the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.The new report comes amidst speculations that the elusive state is planning a missile launch in the wake of the Hanoi summit between North Korea and the United States, which ended abruptly without an agreement."While recent activity at the Sohae Launch facility appears to have returned it to operational status after (North Korea's) dismantlement measures earlier in the summer of 2018, there has been no activity of significance at the vertical engine test stand or launch pad since our last report on Sohae," Yonhap News Agency quoted the US monitor as saying."The environmental covers on the umbilical tower and the rail-mounted launch pad remain closed concealing any activity within them. There does not appear to be a launch vehicle present," they said, adding that the site will be monitored for further activity.Responding to ...
US, China trade talks to resume next week
The United States and China will resume trade talks next week after a pause in negotiations, according to an administration official.Quoting the official, CNN reports that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will travel to Beijing for discussions, aimed at finalising a trade deal between the two countries. Subsequently, a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu He will then visit Washington for the next round of talks.Following the previous round of talks, negotiations were put on hold after the two sides broached disagreements regarding the enforcement mechanisms in the final deal, according to CNN."China's going very well. China talks going very well," US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday during a joint press conference here with his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro.Both Beijing and Washington are engaged in intense negotiations in the wake of a trade dispute, which would've originally seen the United States substantively ...
Shivpal Yadav forms political front, ropes in Peace Party, Krishna Patel's faction of Apna Dal
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) chief Shivpal Yadav on Tuesday formed a political front, named Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA), in collaboration with Peace Party, Krishna Patel's faction of Apna Dal, among others."We have formed Progressive Democratic Alliance with Peace Party, Ittehad-e-Millat Council, Rashtriya Krantikari Samajwadi Party, former PDP leader Sunil Singh, Krishna Patel's faction of Apna Dal," Yadav told media here. "She (Krishna Patel of Apna Dal) has given me the support. I have a letter for the same. I welcome her," he added.Earlier this month, Yadav had claimed that he had the support of Samajwadi Party veteran Mulayam Singh Yadav. He also said he was keen to stitch an alliance with the Congress party for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections."I know Neta Ji is with me. I have made this party with his permission. But he is attached to the party that he founded. I had requested to be included in the alliance of secular party. I
Russia bats for extension of arms reduction treaty with US
Russia stated that it is open to discussing solutions aimed at preventing an arms race with the United States, batting for the extension of the new START treaty, due to expire in 2021.This comes in the wake of both USA and Russia formally suspending their obligations under the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which has led to mounting fears of an arms race between the two nations."This fully applies to any potential agreements in the nuclear missile sphere," Xinhua quoted the Russian foreign ministry as saying.The new START or Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed between Moscow and Washington in 2010 and came into force in 2011. It is a nuclear arms reduction treaty, which replaced the Treaty of Moscow. It established a new inspection and verification regime, replacing the previous mechanism, along with reducing the number of strategic nuclear missile launchers by half in both the United States and Russia.Moscow outlined that the extension of the ...
Tripura BJP vice president Subal Bhowmik joins Congress
Subal Bhowmik, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) state vice president, quit the party on Tuesday to join the Congress.Speaking to ANI after joining the Congress, Bhowmik said: "I was in BJP for five years and before that, I was a part of Congress party for 35 years. This is like 'ghar wapasi' (returning home) for me."Originally a Congressman, Bhowmik, who was an MLA from Sonamura Assembly constituency, had joined the BJP in 2014.Speculations are rife that Bhowmik may contest the upcoming polls on a Congress ticket from Tripura (West). He is also likely to attend a public gathering in Agartala today which will see Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in attendance.
Civilian deaths mount as US drone strikes in Somalia escalate: Amnesty
US forces have "dramatically increased" the number of air strikes in Somalia with several civilians killed by the powerful missiles, Amnesty International said Wednesday, reports denied by the military. Amnesty calculates that there have been more than 100 strikes by US drones and manned aircraft in the past two years, more than the number of US airstrikes in Yemen and Libya combined during the same period. Researchers who investigated five airstrikes in detail reported at least 14 civilians had been killed -- raising fears the total dead in the scores of attacks may be far higher -- even though the US military insists there have been no civilian deaths. "The attacks appear to have violated international humanitarian law, and some may amount to war crimes," Amnesty said in the report, titled "The Hidden US War in Somalia". The study is based on 150 interviews including witnesses, family members of those killed and security experts. Their reports were corroborated by satellite imagery,
Theresa May to ask for Brexit delay
British Prime Minister Theresa May is writing to the European Union (EU) to formally ask for Brexit to be postponed.
KCR calls BJP 'duplicate Hindus', says 'we are real Hindus'
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Tuesday termed leaders of BJP as 'duplicate Hindus' while referring to himself as a 'real Hindu'."Political parties should not decide where should Janmabhoomi stay, the matter is in the court. Are we not Hindus? We are going to temples and performing puja. Are we going to temples only after BJP says? Hindu religion says everyone should be respected. You (BJP) are duplicate Hindus and we are real Hindus. You also belong to political Hindutva," KCR said while addressing a public meeting here.He further said that he will announce the TRS candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha election on March 21."The central governments since the last 73 years have always neglected farmers and labours. There is no water available, nothing has happened till now. Many Naxal movements have started. They have staged dramas, but not done any work. That is why I am saying federal front should come," the Telangana Chief Minister said."BJP has moulded 15 to 20 ...
Ahead of LS polls, 'Shaurya Gulaal' being sold at Jaipur BJP office
With the Lok Sabha polls inching closer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking to reach out to the masses through the festival of Holi by selling packets of 'Shaurya Gulaal'.The packets of 'gulaal' (coloured powder) labelled 'Shaurya Rangotsav' are being sold at the Atal Sahitya Kendra inside the party office here.Speaking to ANI, Rajasthan campaign chief Ashish Jain said the aim of the party is to spread the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's courage to take "brave decisions" like the 2016 surgical strike, airstrike in Pakistan's Balakot, and so on."This Holi is an important one, as it falls right before the Lok Sabha elections. We have used the word Shaurya to commemorate the brave decisions taken by Prime Minister Modi, be it air strike, surgical strike, or even introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST)," Jain explained."Till now, no Prime Minister has spoken about building toilets, but our Prime Minister did. He introduced welfare schemes for women, youth and many .
Australia summons Turkish ambassador for 'offensive' Erdogan comments
Australia's prime minister said he would summon Turkey's ambassador in Canberra Wednesday to explain "very offensive" comments made by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the wake of the Christchurch massacre. Erdogan, while campaigning for local elections, presented the attack as part of an assault on Turkey and Islam and warned anti-Muslim Australians would suffer the same fate as soldiers at Gallipoli, a blood-drenched WWI battle. "I find it a very offensive comment, of course I do, and I will be calling in the Turkish ambassador today to meet with me to discuss these issues," Scott Morrison told national broadcaster ABC. Erdogan had already been sharply rebuked by New Zealand for his comments and for using gruesome video shot by the Christchurch mosque gunman as an election campaign prop. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters protested on Monday that such politicisation of the massacre "imperils the future and safety of the New Zealand people and our people abroad, and it's totally ..
Wish we could have more corridors like Kartarpur between India, Pakistan: Mufti
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti opined that opening corridors like the Kartarpur Corridor would "promote friendship" between India and Pakistan."It's a very welcome step that the Kartarpur Corridor is being opened. I wish we could have more such corridors - Jammu-Sialkot, etc. These roots can allow people and goods to go across from these borders. It would promote friendship rather than animosity between the two sides," Mufti told ANI on Tuesday.Following delegation-level talks on March 14, experts from India and Pakistan held a meeting at the Zero Point of the Kartarpur Corridor to discuss technical details, including Finished Road Level, High Flood level.The next meeting on operationalisation of the corridor will be held at Wagah on April 2.Meanwhile, Mufti, while taking a jibe at BJP's 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign, said, "This is for the first time in the history of our country, with our Prime Minister as the ...
ED attaches properties of Hizb-ul Mujahideen terrorists in terror financing case
The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday attached properties worth Rs 1.22 crore owned by Mohammad Shafi Shah and six other terrorists affiliated with the Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen in a terror financing case.ED initiated investigation under Prevention and Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on a charge sheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Mohammad Shafi Shah, Nazir Ahmad Dar, Mubarak Shah, and Muzaffar Ahmad Dar under Sections 120-B read with 121-A of Indian Penal Code and Sections 17, 18, 39 & 40 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.During the investigation, it was revealed that funds are sent to India illegally through Hawala channel, barter trade and human carriers. The funds are illegally distributed to the next of kin of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists, both active and deceased, through Hawala, human carriers and banking channels.It is said that Hizb-ul-Mujahideen has been responsible for funding terrorist and secessionist activities in Jammu and ...