Page 1353 - Politics
Pakistan assures US to deal 'firmly' with terrorists, says Bolton
Pakistan has assured the United states that it will deal firmly with all terrorists and take steps to de-escalate tensions with India, a top White House official said Monday. Such an assurance was given by the Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during a call with the US National Security Adviser, John Bolton, the latter said in a tweet. "Spoke with Pakistani FM Qureshi to encourage meaningful steps against JeM and other terrorist groups operating from Pakistan," Bolton said. "The FM assured me that Pakistan would deal firmly with all terrorists and will continue steps to de-escalate tensions with India," tweeted the US national security advisor. Bolton's call with Qureshi came during the ongoing visit of the Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale. On the first day of his official visit, the top Indian diplomat met the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The United States continued to maintain pressure on Pakistan, according to a readout of the meeting issued by the State ..
Venezuela announces measures to deal with blackout
Venezuela's government has announced four measures to deal with a blackout that has plunged the country in darkness since late Thursday.
Trump not worth impeaching, says Speaker Pelosi
In an interview with The Washington Post, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated that she does not favour the idea of impeaching United States President Trump arguing that "he is just not worth it."Nancy asserted that she is against Trump's impeachment unless "there's something compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan."Pelosi told The Washington Post, "Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don't think we should go down that path, because it divides the country. And he's just not worth it."She further added that she does not believe that Trump is fit to serve as president."Are we talking ethically? Intellectually? Politically? What are we talking here? All of the above. No. No. I don't think he is," she said.In December last year, a source close to Trump had revealed that the President was worried about his impeachment after the Democrats took over the House.The source had also disclosed that the US ...
BJD questions poll schedule in Odisha, accuses BJP of influencing EC
Chief Minister Navin Patnaik-led BJD on Monday alleged that the BJP forced Election Commission to conduct polls in Odisha in four phases.Party's IT cell chairman Amar Patnaik told ANI, "We have a view that when in 2009 and 2014 Odisha was struggling with the problem of extremism there could have been a reason for having polls two phases, but now when that problem is minimal they are having it in four phases. There is no point of having four phases and five phases."He also accused the election commission of bias. He added, "The Election commission is probably not acting independently and impartially. The chief electoral officer in Odisha has probably not been taken into account while proposing four-phase election and so we are of the opinion that this decision has been influenced by the BJP"Attacking the BJP Patnaik said, "This also shows that BJP is probably the weakest party here and in West Bengal. In order to consolidate their position, they are trying these tactics, but I am ...
LS polls: Tripura Congress rubbishes reports of alliance with CPI(M)
Tripura Congress on Monday rubbished reports of a pre-poll alliance with the Left Front in the state ahead of the upcoming general election.Tripura Congress party vice-president Tapas Dey told ANI, "This is rubbish, Congress is the party which is politically fighting against the CPI(M) since pre-independence to till date. So there is no reason to make any underground or over-ground understanding with the CPIM."Substantiating his argument Dey added, "A vested interested group is spreading this news for their own interest. Congress and CPIM here in Tripura will never go for any understanding and we have resolved firmly that there will be no understanding with the CPIM."Dey claimed that CPIM's current condition shows that they are a decaying force."At the national level CPIM is a decaying force, the role of CPIM here goes in favour of BJP. They totally failed to play the role of opposition party here in Tripura. People are now leaving BJP and CPIM and joining Congress in Tripura," said ..
British PM May secures 'legally binding' changes to Brexit deal
British Prime Minister Theresa May has secured "legally binding" changes to her Brexit deal just less than 24 hours before a meaningful vote in the Parliament on the deal, according to senior British official here.
NATO chief invited to address US Congress amid tensions
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday extended a rare invitation to the head of NATO to address a joint meeting of Congress in early April to mark the alliance's 70th anniversary. "During this critical time for the United States, NATO and the European Union, the US Congress and the American people look forward to your message of friendship and partnership, as we work together to strengthen our critical alliance and advance a future of peace around the world," Pelosi wrote the 29-member organization's secretary general Jens Stoltenberg. The top Democrat said the invitation was made on behalf of Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Washington is scheduled to host a NATO ministerial meeting on April 3 and 4. The invitation comes amid trans-Atlantic tensions. Trump has been unstinting in his criticism of NATO's European members, accusing them of freeloading on the protection offered by the US military while not spending enough on their own armed forces. A NATO summit last July jangled
Pakistan insists will deal 'firmly' with militants: Trump adviser
Pakistan promises to crack down on militant groups attacking Indian rule over Kashmir, President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton said Monday. Bolton tweeted that he had spoken with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and "the FM assured me that Pakistan would deal firmly with all terrorists and will continue steps to deescalate tensions with India." India has long accused Pakistan of covertly backing attacks by guerrillas in Kashmir. In February, JeM, or the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary members, triggering cross-border air raids and a surge in political tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Bolton said that during his talks with Qureshi he'd set out "to encourage meaningful steps against JeM and other terrorist groups operating from Pakistan." The latest Pakistani reassurances came as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met in Washington with the Indian foreign secretary,
TRS conspired to hold polls in AP in phase-1: TDP
Telugu Desam Party Andhra Pradesh unit president Kimidi Kala Venkata Rao on Monday alleged that there was a conspiracy in holding the elections to the Andhra Pradesh in the first phase instead of last phase.In an open letter to KCR, Rao said, "You have forced the central government to conduct elections in advance. But we will still run like a racehorse like Usain Bolt in the coming elections."Furthermore, he also accused TRS of sending Rs 2000 crore for helping YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy."You are spending Telangana Peoples' money for Jagan Mohan Reddy. Jagan has been listening to you at every point from the selection of his party candidates to handing over B-forms. But, you can't change an iota of AP Politics. Is it not a fact that you are sending Rs. 2000 crore to Jagan for elections who has no courage to face the TDP in Andhra Pradesh? You have filled cases by proclaiming TDP's data as government data," Rao said in the letter.Substantiating his stance he claimed that Chief ...
Telangana: Congress Party to boycott Biennial Elections
Congress leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy on Monday stated that the party will boycott the biennial elections to state Legislative Council scheduled on Tuesday as a mark of protest against the ruling party Telangana Rashtra Samithi.Reddy told ANI, "To win the MLC elections, minimum strength required for first preference vote is 21. Congress has won 19 seats. When elections were announced, KCR in a blatant violation of the constitution has engineered defections from the Congress party. As a mark of protest to this undemocratic behavior, the Congress party has decided to boycott."The Congress had 19 members in 119-member Assembly but with the defection of four MLAs during last one week, the tally has come down to 15. It requires at least 21 votes to win the seat.
UK says 'legally binding changes' to Brexit deal agreed with EU
Prime Minister Theresa May's government said Monday it had agreed "legally binding changes" to the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union on the eve of a crucial vote in parliament. After May rushed to Strasbourg to meet with EU leaders, her de facto deputy, David Lidington, told the House of Commons she had secured some concessions but was still negotiating. "This evening in Strasbourg the prime minister... (has) secured legally binding changes that strengthen and improve the withdrawal agreement and the political declaration," he said. He said this should be enough to persuade MPs to vote for the agreement on Tuesday, just 17 days before Britain is scheduled to leave the EU. "Tomorrow there will be a fundamental choice -- to vote for the improved deal or to plunge this country into a political crisis," he said. Lidington said two new documents would be put to MPs. He said London and Brussels had agreed a "joint legally binding instrument" on the withdrawal text that governs
US reaffirms support to India in its fight against terrorism
United States Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo met with Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Monday and reaffirmed US support to India in its fight against terrorism.Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino, in a statement, said that Pompeo and Gokahle discussed the importance of bringing those responsible for the Pulwama terror attack to justice and the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil."Secretary Pompeo affirmed that the United States stands with the people and government of India in the fight against terrorism. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Secretary Gokhale discussed the importance of bringing those responsible for the attack to justice and the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil," Palladino stated."They noted the strength of our partnership and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation, including on counterterrorism," he added.The two officials also discussed .
Telangana Cong accuses EC of not taking action against state ministers for violating MCC
Congress leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy on Monday alleged that the Telangana Election Commission is not taking action against state ministers for violating Model Code of Conduct.Reddy alleged that despite submitting enough proofs with the EC, it has failed to initiate action against the defaulting ministers.Reddy told ANI, "Today in the meeting with Commission's CEO Rajat Kumar, we raised the issue of blatant violation of Model Code of Conduct by ruling party ministers. We have given them enough evidence last time about such violations no action was initiated. We have demanded action against police and officials who permitted them to organise programs which violate the model code of conduct. The Commission should act in a free and fair manner."The Election Commission on Sunday announced the schedule for Lok Sabha elections 2019All 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana will go to polls in a single phase on April 11, which is also the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election ...
PoK activists condemn Pulwama terror attack at UNHRC, asks Pakistan to dismantle terror camps
Activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) have condemned the Pulwama terror attack and asked Islamabad to dismantle all terror camps operating in PoK and parts of Pakistan.At an event held on the sidelines of the 40th Session of United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) here on Monday, while focusing on the threat of extremism and terrorism, the activists said that not only the region but the entire world is suffering from its menace.Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Chairman of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) accused the Pakistani army of using terrorists for its proxy war against India.He said, "Pakistan's Army officials are now openly asking Kashmiris to stop using light weapons and go for suicide attacks. It is being openly preached by retired Army Generals. It is an alarming situation. We, people, love peaceful co-existence as our state is multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic. If Pakistan is continuously promoting extremism and terrorism, our state ...
May heads to Strasbourg in late bid for Brexit breakthrough
Prime Minister Theresa May set off for Strasbourg late Monday for talks with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker in a last-ditch attempt to salvage their Brexit deal, on the eve of a crucial vote in the British parliament. Her visit comes after British officials worked through the weekend to secure concessions from the European Union they hope will persuade MPs to back the text. The House of Commons overwhelmingly defeated the deal in January and without significant changes, is expected to do so again in a vote on Tuesday evening. "The prime minister has just departed for Strasbourg for talks with (European Commission chief) Jean-Claude Juncker," her spokesman said. The EU has rejected many of May's demands, which relate to the controversial backstop plan for the Irish border, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it had made an offer at the weekend. Defeat could see Britain sever ties with its closest trading partner on March 29 with no new arrangements, causing huge ...
Nobel winner Satyarthi warns of media 'war-mongering' in India
Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi warned Monday about "war-mongering" by Indian journalists during the latest confrontation with Pakistan. The Indian activist, who won the Nobel in 2014 with Pakistan's Malala Yousafzai, has organised a joint statement signed by 71 other laureates calling for nuclear-armed India and Pakistan to defuse tensions after skirmishes at their border. Discussing the crisis, Satyarthi expressed relief that the worst confrontation between the countries since they went to war in 1999 had "calmed down", but he warned about the dangers of ultra-nationalism. "Many people, not only ordinary people who are patriots and nationalists, but also the media suddenly crossed that line and started demanding fully fledged war," Satyarthi told AFP in an interview in Paris. "Sometimes they enjoy these kind of situations. It is very unfortunate," he added. "Luckily there are well-meaning people in journalism and politics who are working hard to de-escalate it, but there .
Algeria's Bouteflika pulls out of race for 5th term
Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced his withdrawal Monday from a bid to win another term in office and postponed an April 18 election, following weeks of protests against his candidacy. The announcement was greeted with celebratory hooting of car horns in the streets of Algiers. Bouteflika, in a message carried by national news agency APS, said the presidential poll would follow a national conference on political and constitutional reform to be carried out by the end of 2019. The veteran leader, who has been in power since 1999 but whose rare public appearances since a stroke in 2013 have been in a wheelchair, returned Sunday from hospital in Switzerland. Demonstrations against his bid for another term in office have brought tens of thousands of protesters onto Algeria's streets. Bouteflika vowed in his message "to hand over the duties and prerogatives of the president of the republic to the successor freely chosen by the Algerian people". "There will not be a fifth ...
Meghalaya ruling alliance to jointly fight LS poll, BJP opts out
Meghalaya's ruling alliance on Monday announced it would jointly field former Union minister Agatha K. Sangma from the Tura Lok Sabha seat and United Democratic Party's Jemino Mawthoh from the Shillong constituency.
TMC's dissent to poll panel as Lok Sabha election dates clash with Ramzan
The Trinamool Congress Monday expressed its displeasure over the Lok Sabha poll dates clashing with Ramzan, the holy month during which Muslims observe dawn to dusk fast. "We don't have any problem with the seven-phase polling. But we feel that due to such long polls, a community may face problems due to Ramzan month. We have told the CEO about it," TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee said after a meeting with the poll panel, in which all other political parties were present. On Sunday, TMC leader and Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim had alleged that the central government has targeted West Bengal in order to ensure that people of the minority community can't got out to vote in large numbers due to fasting during Ramzan. The month of Ramzan starts on May 5 and several Muslim-dominated areas in south Bengal will go to polls thereafter. Mamata Banerjee's party raised the concerns at an all-party meeting convened by the state Chief Electoral Officer Aariz Aftab on Monday. At the meeting, ..
PM Modi bats for 'irreversible action' against terrorism in telephonic conversation with Turkish President
Prime Minister NarendraModi on Monday underscored the importance of initiating "immediate, demonstrable, and irreversible action" against terrorism by all "concerned countries" in a telephonic conversation with Turkish President RecepTayyipErdogan.Erdogan extended condolences to the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in India and wished speedy recovery to those injured in the attacks.During the telephonic conversation, Prime Minister Modi noted that terrorism remains "one of the gravest threats to global peace and security."40 CRPF personnel were killed in an attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in South Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14.As many as 48 countries had stood in support of India and expressed grief at the loss of lives in the attack, including the United States, United Kingdom, China, Japan and Germany, to name a few.