Page 1520 - Politics
US to impose more sanctions on Venezuela: Pompeo
US State Secretary Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that the US would impose more sanctions against Venezuela.
TDP attacks KCR for not taking action against Jagan Reddy's 'illegal' properties
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has accused the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana government of protecting "illegal" properties belonging to YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Hyderabad. TDP Andhra Pradesh president Kimidi Kala Venata Rao said in an open letter to the Telangana Chief Minister that the CBI and town planning officials had made it clear there was no permission for the construction of the buildings."Why weren't any actions taken even after CBI and Town Planning confirmation the plots of 2, 3, 4,6,7,8 in which 5, 807 sq.yard area, 88,458 sq. ft Jagan's mansion against the rules and regulations?," Venata Rao questioned in the letter dated February 24.Rao further asked why the Telangana government had not taken any action against the Sakshi and Lotus Pond residence of Jagan Reddy in Hyderabad. "You have removed Ayyappa Society and Gurukula Trust within no time by saying against rules and regulations. But, is not your understanding that the no actions had been taken on ...
PRC row: Meghalaya CM appeals for peace in Arunachal Pradesh
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the Pema Khandu-led Arunachal Pradesh government is not going to table the controversial permanent residential certificate (PRC) for now and appealed people to maintain peace in the state.Sangma's comments come as protests over the PRC row intensified in Itanagar with protesters going on a rampage on Sunday. They set on fire the private house of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, burnt various vehicles and vandalised police and fire stations in the capital.Protesters even tried to march towards Khandu's residence, but security forces foiled their bid.Speaking to ANI, Sangma said, "Government has clarified that they will not stretch the issue further. We appeal to the people that there will be peace. Government is also trying its best that distinction is not escalated further. The state government has sent a message that they are not going to tabled PRC for now. Hence, there should not be an issue."Security has been beefed up in and around ...
Nepal's federal cabinet to undergo reshuffle 'soon'
Nepal's federal cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, will be undergoing a cabinet reshuffle soon, sources have confirmed."The cabinet reshuffle is at high stake. The Prime Minister, on Sunday, held talks with the President about changing faces in the cabinet currently under his leadership. He is going to reshuffle the cabinet very soon - probably within a week," a source from within the Prime Minister's residence told ANI.As per the source, who accompanied Oli for Sunday's meeting, the Prime Minister reached the President's residence, Sheetal Niwas, at around 9:30 pm and returned to his residence by 10:10 pm (local time)."He is considering the cabinet reshuffle very soon, it could be as quick within a week but won't take longer than 2 weeks for sure. He is taking this step keeping the investment summit slated for March in focus," the source added.The landlocked Himalayan Nation, which is still recovering from the deadly April 2015 earthquake, has called for .
'Meaningful' vote on Brexit scheduled for March 12: May
UK Prime Minister Theresa May has again delayed the Parliamentary vote on the withdrawal deal, outlining that a "meaningful" vote on a deal for Brexit will be held in the British Parliament on March 12."As we're continuing with (Brexit) talks, we won't be bringing a meaningful vote back this week but that will happen by March 12. We still have it within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on March 29 and that's what I'm going to be working at," May announced at the EU-League of Arab States summit on Feb 24 (local time).The March 12 meeting may possibly be the final one before the United Kingdom's scheduled exit from the European Union on March 29.She also outlined that her team would be visiting Brussels on Tuesday to continue talks regarding the Irish backstop which has become the bone of contention between May and the UK Parliament. The very same issue had earlier led to the rejection of the withdrawal deal, which had been previously agreed upon by May and the European
US-N Korea summit: Trump to leave for Hanoi on Monday
US President Donald Trump has said that he will depart for Hanoi on Monday for his second meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
More than 100 Venezuelan troops desert: Colombian authorities
More than 100 Venezuelan soldiers have deserted and crossed into Colombia, immigration authorities reported Sunday as tensions rise between the neighbours over humanitarian aid. The defections come with Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido calling on the military to abandon President Nicolas Maduro and help him bring in desperately needed aid to alleviate shortages of food and medicine.
Nigeria votes for a 2nd day in places as death toll rises
Nigeria faced a second day of voting in scattered areas on Sunday in a presidential election seen as too close to call, while the death toll from vote-related violence mounted in Africa's largest democracy. The electoral commission said it was happy that voting was generally peaceful, but it mourned the killing of one of its workers by a stray bullet. At least 39 people have died in extremist and other attacks, said analysis unit SBM Intelligence, citing informants and media reports. The election worker was killed after completing work in Rivers state in the restive south, with electoral chairman Mahmood Yakubu telling reporters: "May her soul rest in peace." He didn't give an overall death toll, saying he was focused on election workers, who faced "intimidation, abduction, hostage-taking and violence." In one case, he made an urgent phone call to secure the release of workers and even police taken hostage in Rivers state, he said. All were unharmed. Voting continued in parts of Abia,
Maharashtra: Athawale miffed over being 'sidelined'
Miffed over not getting any seats in the alliance of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena, Union Minister and Republican Party of India (RPI) Chief Ramdas Athawale said on Monday that he was capable of "sidelining" those who did so with him."If someone sidelines me then I have the power to sideline him. This is good that BJP-Shiv Sena came together. There is a need to call me when the alliance was announced in the presence of BJP President Amit Shah," he added.RPI supremo Athawale said, "BJP-Shiv Sena came together but they left RPI party, this message has gone wrong in the entire country. They did not give seat to RPI. There is a possibility to change the situation; our demands are not that big."Athawale has been demanding that he would like to contest from Mumbai South Central Lok Sabha seat.Earlier he said, "One seat should be given to our party. It was RPI (A) who brought them together in power. Forgetting that, they kept us aside and announced their seats. Now, we want to ...
Indian diaspora in Switzerland salute CRPF personnel killed in Pulwama terror attack
Indian diaspora, numbering over 300 along with officials of India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and several international organisations watched the special, private screening of the movie "URI-The Surgical Strike" organised by Indo-Swiss Center here on Sunday.Led by India's Ambassador to Switzerland, Sibi George and Member of Swiss Parliament Nik Gugger, hundreds of participants paid their homage to the soldiers, protested against terrorism and signed posters expressing solidarity with the Indian forces.Ambassador George also addressed the gathering and read out the message sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Nik Grugger, a Member of Swiss Parliament and President of Swiss India Parliament Group, said, "I strongly condemn the cowardly militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India. My prayers are with the families of those martyrs."Govind Sovale, President of Indo-Swiss centre, thanked all the participants and organisations for unity and support.As many as 40 CRPF personnel .
Time not appropriate for dialogue with Pakistan: Shyam Saran
Former foreign secretary Shyam Saran on Sunday said that now was not an appropriate time for dialogue as the deadly Pulwama attack had really changed the sentiment in India with respect to its relationship with Pakistan."There is a need to find a solution for the peace between India and Pakistan but this is not an appropriate time for a dialogue. This is because the Pulwama terror attack has really changed the sentiments of India with respect to the relationship with Pakistan," Shyam Saran told ANI.Hoping for peace between the two countries and stressing on war cannot be a solution, the former foreign secretary said: "Let's hope that in future we will be able to create an environment where both countries see their interest in sitting down and having a dialogue. At this time, there is a great deal of anger and despair about these relations but ultimately we have to manage the relationship between the two countries. I would hope that the current standoff resolves."About the steps taken .
Fury as UK's May postpones vote on Brexit deal
Prime Minister Theresa May sparked outrage Sunday by suggesting parliament may not be able to vote on her Brexit deal until March 12, just days before Britain leaves the EU. The decision increases the chances that MPs will move next week to delay Brexit beyond March 29, to avoid a potentially disastrous situation where Britain exits with no agreement at all. May had held out the possibility of a vote this week, but said Sunday she was still discussing with the EU possible amendments to the deal's arrangements for the Irish border. "As we're continuing with those talks, we won't bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week," she told reporters as she arrived at a summit of European and Arab leaders in Egypt. "But that will happen by March 12. And we still have it within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on March 29." Since MPs rejected her withdrawal deal last month, May has sought to address their concerns about the text's "backstop" arrangement, which is designed ..
Can't defeat Pak without a long-term strategy to safeguard borders: Akhilesh Yadav
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said that India cannot defeat Pakistan if the central government does not form a long-term strategy to safeguard the country's borders.Akhilesh on Sunday met the family of Ajit Kumar, a CRPF jawan, who lost his life during the Pulwama terror attack on February 14.Asked why Opposition leaders were are now pointing fingers at the central government even when they agreed to stand united with the Centre over the issue of national security, Akhilesh told media, "The Opposition stands united (with the central government) in teaching a lesson to Pakistan. But the government should not forget that China is with them (Pakistan). We feel that the government should have a long term strategy to safeguard our borders and make the country strong. If long term strategy won't be adopted then you can't defeat Pakistan."Talking about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman recent visit to India, Akhilesh said, ..
Do not pay heed to rumours, avoid fear-mongering: J-K govt
The Jammu and Kashmir state government on Sunday urged people not to pay heed to rumours on the basis of unsubstantiated and exaggerated pieces of information, in circulation, after the ghastly Pulwama attack.Addressing the media here, government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said, "During the past few days several rumours are being circulated and panic messages are being disseminated. Most of these have been based on unsubstantiated or exaggerated pieces of information."Kansal alleged that some political parties and organisations have chosen to react to these rumours thereby triggering further panic."My first appeal to everyone is not to pay any heed to rumours, avoid fear-mongering and not to exaggerate matters," he added.He was addressing concerns about the safety and security of residents of Jammu and Kashmir particularly students residing or studying in other parts of the country, in the wake of the recent tragic incident at Pulwama."The state has been taking all necessary steps to ..
May puts off Brexit vote to March 12
The vote by the British lawmakers on the Brexit deal has been postponed to March 12 from February 27, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday.
Arunachal backtracks on PRC after violence, all-party meeting postponed
The Arunachal Pradesh government on Sunday froze its decision on the controversial permanent residence certificate (PRC) that triggered widespread violence for a third day, leading to the torching of the Deputy Chief Minister's house.
Have asked Vikhe-Patil to convince his son: Ashok Chavan
Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan said Sunday that senior party leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil should "convince" his son Sujay, who is keen on contesting the Lok Sabha election from Ahmednagar. In previous elections, the constituency was alloted to the ally NCP, but Sujay Vikhe-Patil has said on more than one occasions that he would stand from Ahmednagar as independent if the seat is not ceded to the Congress. Another constituency in Vikhe-Patil's native Ahmednagar district is Shirdi, but it is a reserved seat. Chavan was speaking to reporters in Latur after unveiling a statue of late Congress leader Vilasrao Deshmukh. "Sujay should know that his request is under the Congress party's consideration. I have also suggested his father that he should convince his son (to back down if necessary)," Chavan said. "The seat Sujay has been demanding has not yet been discussed with the NCP and no final decision has been taken," Chavan added.
Kamal Haasan says his party is not BJP's "B Team"
Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan Sunday denied that his outfit was the Bharatiya Janata Party's "B team" and asserted that the party was being targeted as they were growing in stature. Addressing a party rally here late tonight, Haasan, without directly naming any outfit, said he was being targeted as his party was growing in stature. One of the attacks was calling his party "the BJP's B team," he said. Refuting it, he said,"I am not a B team for anyone, this is Tamil Nadu's A team." Days ago, the DMK organ 'Murasoli," had alleged that he was accusing it of corruption due to "BJP's pressure." Attacking the grand alliance of the opposition parties, Haasan said the so called "mahaghatbandhan" would jump on to the winning side after the Lok Sabha poll outcome if the opposite camp won. During such times, only his party would stand upright -without giving room for horse trading- for the Tamil Nadu people, he said. His party's voice will be heard in such a situation, he .
Rane announces son Nilesh's candidacy from Ratnagiri
BJP Rajya Sabha member Narayan Rane Sunday announced the candidature of his son Nilesh Rane from the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha constituency in the coastal Maharashtra. Rane's announcement comes a few days after the BJP and Shiv Sena declared alliance for the coming elections. Nilesh Rane had lost, on Congress ticket, from this constituency to Shiv Sena's Vinayak Raut in 2014. "I am going to support the BJP even if we win the seat. It does not matter if the Shiv Sena is part of the NDA," said Narayan Rane, a former Sena leader who later turned the Uddhav Thackeray-led party's arch enemy. As per Sena sources, most of its candidates would be repeated in 2019, so there was no possibility of Nilesh Rane being BJP's candidate from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg. Asked how can he field a candidate against Sena despite being BJP's Rajya Sabha member, the former chief minister said, "It is true I am a BJP Rajya Sabha member but I have announced that my son will contest election on the
UDP 'uncomfortable' with BJP after Citizenship Bill fiasco
The United Democratic Party (UDP), a key constituent of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), Sunday expressed its discomfort with the BJP backing the coalition government in the state, after the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill fiasco. The UDP had on Wednesday severed ties with the BJP-led Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA), an alliance of non-Congress parties in the northeast, over the bill. "We are not comfortable with the BJP in the coalition especially after all the issues of beef ban and Citizenship Amendment Bill cropping up time and again," UDP vice president Allantry F Dkhar told PTI here. The UDP is a constituent of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), which also includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with its two MLAs. Although the BJP MLAs have openly registered their strong opposition to the bill, the UDP is facing tough questions from the electorates for hobnobbing with the national party, he added. While BJP MLA and Cabinet Minister A L Hek was a ..