Page 1370 - Politics
Maduro alleges cyber attack on energy facility following blackout
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro alleged that one of the country's energy facilities came under a cyber attack on Saturday (local time), leading to the disruption of efforts in restoring electricity supply across the Latin American nation.Venezuela, which is currently in the throes of a political crisis, experienced an almost total blackout last week which left 22 out of the 23 states in the country without electricity.Maduro accused the opposition, led by Juan Guaido, of orchestrating the attack on Venezuela's power supply system."Today we have restored power supply in 70 per cent of the country's territory, but at noon, another cyber attack was committed against one of the facilities, which until then worked perfectly. For this reason, all the progress we had achieved by mid-afternoon was interrupted," Sputnik quoted the President as saying."They used high-tech weapons…extremists from the opposition are the authors and perpetrators of these attacks against the country, and they ..
Mehbooba slams Centre over NIA summons to Farooq
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Sunday said the NIA summons to moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were "emblematic" of the Centre's "repeated assaults on our religious identity". "Mirwaiz Farooq isn't any ordinary separatist leader. He is religious & spiritual head to Kash (Kashmiri) Muslims," the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief tweeted "NIA summons to him are emblematic of GOIs (government of India) repeated assaults on our religious identity. J&K is the proverbial sacrificial lamb exploited to divert attention from real issues," she said on Twitter. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday summoned the Mirwaiz and the son of pro-Pakistan separatist Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani for questioning in Delhi in a terror financing case. According to a notice served on them, the Mirwaiz and Naseem Geelani have been asked to appear at the NIA headquarters in New Delhi on Monday. The NIA team, ...
Pak violates ceasefire at 4 places in Poonch; targets army posts, villages
Pakistani troops Sunday resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations targeting forward posts and villages at four places along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said. The firing was intense in the Krishna Ghati sector, where the Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and firing by small arms from around 04.30 AM, which was retaliated to befittingly by the Indian Army, a defence spokesman said. He said the cross-border shelling between the two sides continued till 07.30 AM. There was no report of any casualty on the Indian side, he said. Officials said firing and shelling by Pakistan were also reported from the Balnoi and Mankote (both in Mendhar sector), besides from Shahpur sector, all in Poonch district, for a brief period in the early hours of Sunday. The firing was mild in nature and lasted for a brief period without causing any harm, they said. On late Saturday as well, the Pakistan army had targeted Indian positions In Sunderbani ...
Bengal, BJP and Mamata (Column: Political Calculus)
It was a different time and a different India.
India in the Islamic world (Column: Spy's Eye)
Amidst the ongoing repercussions of the punitive air strike made by the Indian Air Force to take out the training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) at Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, the address of India's External Affairs Minister - Sushma Swaraj - at the Foreign Ministers conference of OIC at Abu Dhabi on March 1 was an event of extraordinary significance for the geopolitics of South Asia, the future of India-Pakistan relations and the so-called Islamic world itself.
MP governor passes ordinance to increase OBC quota
Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has approved an ordinance to increase reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from 14 per cent to 27 per cent.The move is seen as an effort by the Kamal Nath-led Congress government to gain the support of the OBCs ahead of the coming Lok Sabha elections, due from April-May.It also comes before the model code of conduct for the general elections which is set to be announced soon.Earlier on March 6, the Chief Minister had announced that his government will increase the reservation quota for OBCs from 14 per cent to 27 per cent in Madhya Pradesh.The Chief Minister had also assured that 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker section in the general category will also be implemented in the state.
Poonch: Pak violates ceasefire, Indian Army retaliates
Pakistan once again violated ceasefire in Krishna Ghati Sector of Poonch district early Sunday morning.The ceasefire violation started around 4.30 am as Pakistan continued firing for approximately three hours, till 7.30 am. Indian Army, however, retaliated befittingly to the violation.Pakistan also resorted to shelling with mortars and firing of small arms.Further details on the incident are awaited.Earlier on Saturday, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire at Indian border areas at three places along the Line of Control and International Border.The violations had occurred at Rajouri, Poonch and Akhnoor sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.
Election Commission likely to announce LS poll dates on Sunday
The Election Commission of India is likely to announce the poll dates for the coming Lok Sabha polls on Sunday as it has called for a press conference later in the day.
EC to announce Lok Sabha poll schedule at 5 pm on Sunday
The Election Commission (EC) is set to announce on Sunday schedule for the high-voltage Lok Sabha elections, which is likely to be spread over seven to eight phases in April-May. The poll panel will be holding a press conference at 5 pm at Vigyan Bhavan here. The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 3. As soon as the elections, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his bid to return to power amid hectic parleys by several political parties to put a united fight against the ruling BJP, are announced, the model code of conduct will come into force. Amongst other things, the code bars the government from announcing policy decisions. Notification for the first phase could be issued by the end of March for voting some time in early April, sources suggested. There is a strong possibility that the EC may go by the precedent and hold assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh along with the Lok Sabha polls. Since the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly ..
C'garh BJP banks on new chief to do well in Lok Sabha polls
The BJP, which suffered a drubbing at the hands of the Congress in the Chhattisgarh elections last year, is hoping its new state unit chief Vikram Usendi will revive the party's fortunes in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. While the BJP's tally in the 90-member Assembly plummeted to just 15 seats, it fared well in the Lok Sabha polls (2004, 2009 and 2014) held after the formation of Chhattisgarh, winning 10 out of 11 seats all the three times. BJP president Amit Shah on Friday appointed Usendi, a Lok Sabha member and prominent tribal face, as its Chhattisgarh BJP chief, replacing Dharmalal Kaushik. One of the key tasks for Usendi will be to reclaim the support of his community, which constitutes about 32 per cent of the state's population. "Usendi is a senior tribal leader and active across the state. The party will benefit from his image in the general elections," state BJP spokesperson Sachchidanand Upasane told PTI. "We are confident Usendi will continue to get the ...
No religion whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian preaches terror: Naidu
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, on Saturday, reinforced that terrorism has no religion while interacting with the Indian community here during his official two-day visit."Terrorism isn't an issue for India alone. It's an international issue. Even America that never used to understand our pain are now understanding. Terrorism is the enemy of humanity, terror has no religion. No religion whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian preaches terror," the Vice President said.He also made an apparent reference to Pakistan during his speech. "We're a peace-loving country. All time Dick and Harry came and attacked us, ruled us, ruined us, cheated us...But we never attacked anyone because we believe in the philosophy that the entire world is one family...But we have a neighbour who is aiding, training, funding terrorists," he said.Talking about the recent anti-terror strikes, he said: "Our neighbour is aiding terrorists, open secret. Recently after Pulwama attack where 40 security personnel lost their ...
Iran FM arrives in Iraq ahead of Rouhani's visit
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reached Iraq on Saturday (local time) ahead of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani official visit starting Monday.Rouhani is scheduled to meet with his Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih along with other top political and religious leaders during his official visit, reports Xinhua.Furthermore, he is also slated to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi."Rouhani's trip to Baghdad is a historic visit and good opportunity for achieving serious Memoranda of Understanding between the two countries," IRNA quoted Zarif as saying.Quoting sources, Xinhua reported that Rouhani is undertaking the visit at the invitation of Salih.The two sides will discuss political and economic cooperation across fields like energy and transit amongst others during the high-level visit.Meanwhile, Zarif stressed that "no country has the right to interfere in the two countries' ties.""Iran and Iraq are the two neighbouring ..
Pak-backed pro-Khalistanis assault British Indians outside Indian High Commission in London
A large group of Pakistan-backed pro-Khalistan activists attacked innocent British-Indian civilians outside the Indian High Commission here on Saturday, possibly as revenge to Indian air strike at a terror camp in Pakistan last month and anti-Pakistan protests that have been taking place across the world.Wearing turbans, the attackers raised slogans like 'Naraa-e-Taqbeer' and 'Allah-u-Akbar' along with anti-India slogans while targeting the people who were waiting for visa related appointments with officials of the High Commission, witnesses said here on Sunday.The attackers also carried Khalistani flags.This attack is largely being seen as Pakistan's counter to the widespread protests which have been taking place globally against its role in the Pulwama terror attack which claimed the lives of over 40 CRPF personnel. After Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the February 14 attack, the international community has intensified its pressure on .
60 years after Dalai Lama fled, China defends Tibet policies
China is defending its often-criticized policies toward Tibet 60 years after the Dalai Lama fled abroad amid an uprising against Chinese rule. The official Xinhua News Agency says economic growth, increases in lifespan and better education refute the claims of critics. Tibet is ruled under a smothering Chinese security blanket and many Tibetans abroad say the Himalayan region's resources are being exploited for Beijing's benefit while Tibet's unique Buddhist culture is being destroyed. Xinhua said "undeniable facts and figures" related to development "debunk the repeated lies and accusations that aim to smear Tibet's human rights with vile motives." The article didn't directly mention Sunday's uprising anniversary, referring to the events of 1959 instead as the inauguration of "democratic reform" that saw the dismantlement of the Buddhist hierarchy and feudal structures.
ISI-backed pro-Khalistanis assault British Indians outside Indian High Commission in London
A large group of Pakistan-backed pro-Khalistan activists attacked innocent British-Indian civilians outside the Indian High Commission here on Saturday, possibly as revenge to Indian air strike at a terror camp in Pakistan last month and anti-Pakistan protests that have been taking place across the world.Wearing turbans, the attackers raised slogans like 'Naraa-e-Taqbeer' and 'Allah-u-Akbar' along with anti-India slogans while targeting the people who were waiting for visa related appointments with officials of the High Commission, witnesses said here on Sunday.The attackers also carried Khalistani flags.This attack is largely being seen as Pakistan's counter to the widespread protests which have been taking place globally against its role in the Pulwama terror attack which claimed the lives of over 40 CRPF personnel. After Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the February 14 attack, the international community has intensified its pressure on .
Muslim MPs' LS share dips, will 2019 be different? (Dangal 2019)
As the battle for Lok Sabha 2019 gathers steam, the falling representation of Muslims in Lok Sabha has been one of the areas of concern as the House is a representation of the country's social fabric.
BJP fanning communal passions ahead of LS polls: Ajit Singh
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh has accused the BJP of creating communal tension in the country ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The former union minister said that the Grand Alliance of RLD, Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh. The RLD president is the Grand Alliance's candidate from Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh that was rocked by communal clashes in August and September 2013 leaving more than 60 people dead and over 40,000 displaced. The BJP is trying to create communal tensions and polarise voters to benefit in the coming Lok Sabha polls. But the Grand Alliance will defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said in his first election rally here on Saturday. I am contesting from Muzaffarnagar to save the country's Constitution and democracy which are being destroyed by the BJP governments at the Centre and the state, Singh said. The Grand Alliance wants to end the communal politics of the ..
North Korea goes to polls to approve new parliament lineup
Millions of North Korean voters, including leader Kim Jong Un, went to the polls on Sunday to elect roughly 700 members to the national legislature. In typical North Korean style, the vote was more of an endorsement than a competitive contest voters were presented with just one state-sanctioned candidate per seat. They cast their ballots to show their approval or, very rarely, disapproval. The elections, held every five years, are for the entire Supreme People's Assembly, which, on paper at least, is the highest organ of power in North Korea. Its delegates come from all over the country and all walks of life. The candidates are selected by the ruling Korean Workers' Party and a couple of other smaller coalition parties that have seats in the assembly but exercise little independent power. Kim, fresh off his trip to Hanoi for his second summit with President Donald Trump, is the most prominent candidate of all. Though his power rests in his complete control over the ruling party, ...
Rajasthan: Indian Army shoots down drone in Sri Ganganagar
The Indian Army on Saturday shot down a drone which intruded in Sri Ganganagar sector of Rajasthan.The Army said that one Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) intruded in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar sector around 7.30 pm on Saturday."The drone was engaged and brought down," the Army added.This comes after the Army on Friday shot at a Pakistani drone along the international border in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar sector."The Indian Army shot down the drone while it was making an attempt to enter the Indian airspace, "army sources said.This is the fourth Pakistani drone that has been shot at by the Indian security forces since the Indian Air Force carried out air strike at the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan on February 26.On Monday, the second drone was shot down in the Bikaner sector of Rajasthan, while the first drone was shot down on the morning of February 26 after it intruded Indian air space in Kutch district of Gujarat.
LS elections: NCP, Congress leaders hold meeting to chalk out poll strategy
Leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress party on Saturday held a meeting to chalk out the election strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.The meeting was held at NCP leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil's residence in Mumbai.Congress leaders Prithviraj Chavan, Naseem Khan, Ashok Chavan and NCP leaders Jayant Patil, Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal were present there.Jayant Patil, NCP told the media, "Final decision will be taken after Congress' internal meeting in Delhi two days later. Today discussions were held on the role of smaller parties in the alliance. Hitendra Thakur (Bahujan Vikas Aghadi chief) came and asked for support. We have not yet decided on that."NCP president Sharad Pawar on Friday held a meeting with the top leaders of his party.The names of probable candidates, including those for the Aurangabad and Nagar seats, were also discussed during the meeting.The meeting commenced at 10 pm and ended at 2 am. It was attended by Ajit Pawar, Dilip ...