Page 1671 - Politics
Posters depicting Priyanka as Goddess Durga surface in Lucknow ahead of roadshow
Ahead of Eastern UP Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's visit on Monday, posters portraying her as Goddess Durga have emerged in some parts of the state capital.In the poster, Priyanka can be seen sitting atop a tiger in an apparent portrayal of Goddess Durga in her most iconic avatar.A Hindi slogan accompanying the picture reads, "Sister Priyanka Gandhi is the form of Mother Durga".The Congress workers have also decked up key roundabouts on the route of the road show with party flags.Similarly, party state office is also decorated with flowers and flags, with a number of posters dotting both sides of the lane leading to headquarter.Priyanka, UP West general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia and party President Rahul Gandhi's will be visiting the city today.Ahead of her maiden as General Secretary for Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka had said: "I am coming to Lucknow tomorrow and I wish that together we will begin a new politics and you be a part of it. Youth, women and ...
Australia probing role of China-based hackers behind Parliament attack
Australian security agencies are reportedly probing the role of China-sponsored cyber criminals behind last week's security breach of Parliament's computing network.
Separatist shutdown in Kashmir Valley
A separatist-called shutdown on Monday in the Kashmir Valley to mark the 35th death anniversary of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder, Maqbool Bhat, has paralysed life across the region.
Mamata extends support to Naidu's fast
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday extended support to her Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu over his day-long hunger strike in New Delhi. He began his fast in the national capital demanding that the Centre grant special status to Andhra Pradesh and fulfil all the promises made before its bifurcation in 2014. "Our party chief Mamata Banerjee has expressed her support towards Chandrababu Naidu's hunger strike. She asked our party leader Derek O'Brien to visit Naidu at the venue of hunger strike and express solidarity. The opposition stands united in the fight against the Modi government," a senior Trinamool Congress leader told PTI. Brien will visit Naidu, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief, around 12 pm, the leader said. The TDP had walked out of the BJP-led NDA last year protesting the "injustice" done to the state after its bifurcation. Naidu had last week come down to Kolkata to express his support to Banerjee, who was on a dharna from February 3 to 5 to
Modi did not follow raj dharma in AP's case, will teach him lesson: Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched into a tirade against the BJP-led central government on Monday, alleging Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not following 'raj dharma' by denying the state special status. Naidu, who began a day-long fast at Andhra Bhavan demanding that the Centre fulfil all promises made during AP's bifurcation in 2014, warned that Modi would be "taught a lesson" if he made personal attacks against the people of his state. "(Former PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee said 'raj dharma' was not followed in Gujarat (during the 2002 riots). Now, 'raj dharma' is not being followed in case of Andhra Pradesh. We have been denied what was rightfully ours," he claimed. He alleged the central government did grave injustice to Andhra and it would have "repercussions on national unity". "On behalf of five crore people, I am warning this government... I came here to remind you of the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act," Naidu said. "I am warning you. Don't ...
PM Modi inefficient, unfit to rule country: Andhra CM Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "inefficient and unfit to rule the country." Naidu, who is observing a day-long hunger strike, said: "Modi is acting shameless and egotistically. He is thinking to win elections by colluding with some party. Modi is unfit to rule the country, he is inefficient. Rulers should keep in mind the aspirations of people. Our fight is not for us individually, we are fighting for the sake of 5 crore people of Andhra Pradesh. Modi had to admit his mistakes, make proper allocations in the appropriation bill (budget). Otherwise, the BJP will lose its base in Andhra Pradesh forever."The Telugu DesamParty (TDP) chief is observing a day-long dharna here today against the central government over the issue of special status to AndhraPradesh.While addressing the gathering, Naidu, whose party pulled out of the NDA last year, alleged that the Centre is discriminating Andhra Pradesh."The Modi ...
Trump may not even be a free person in 2020: Warren
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has officially launched her 2020 presidential campaign, said that President Donald Trump might be unable to finish his term by the time Election Day comes next year.
Far out from 2020, a deep Democratic bench takes shape
Senator Amy Klobuchar has officially joined a crowded field of Democrats vying to challenge President Donald Trump in 2020 - already shaping up to be one of the largest and most diverse ever. Klobuchar is now party of a group of White House hopefuls that includes other high-flying female US senators, charismatic military veterans and a young gay mayor. And it is likely to grow before the US primary season gets underway a year from now. Here are the first entrants in the presidential race, 21 months before the election. The 58-year-old granddaughter of an iron miner, Klobuchar is a former prosecutor with an unpretentious demeanor. She has quietly gained attention in Washington as a centrist. Klobuchar is known for putting partisanship aside to pass legislation, something that has earned her a devoted following in Minnesota, and something American voters regularly tell pollsters they want. Klobuchar has promised more stringent gun laws and set a target of universal health care, while .
After criticizing vote, US charts careful course on Bangladesh
Bangladesh faced widespread international criticism over the conduct of recent elections, but the United States looks set for business as usual as it sees strong common interests with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As the eighth most populous nation in the world, with a moderate Muslim population that largely welcomes cooperation with the West, Bangladesh has a warming relationship with the United States - yet not one so close as to give Washington significant leverage. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League won an incredible 288 seats in the 300-seat parliament in the December 30 election, with opposition leader Khaleda Zia -- her bitter nemesis for decades - in jail on charges her opponents say are politically motivated while the press faces draconian new restrictions. The US State Department voiced concern ahead of the election, accusing Bangladesh of foot-dragging on letting in electoral observers and urging greater efforts to ensure a free vote. The United States followed up after the ...
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar announces 2020 presidential bid
Democrat Amy Klobuchar has announced her presidential bid at a snowy, outdoor event, vaulting the three-term Senator from Minnesota into the crowded field of party candidates angling to take on President Donald Trump in 2020.
Modi did not follow raj dharma in AP's case: Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched into a tirade against the BJP-led central government, alleging Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not following 'raj dharma' by denying the state special status. Naidu, who began a day-long fast at the Andhra Bhavan demanding that the Centre fulfil all promises made during AP's bifurcation in 2014, warned that Modi would be given a befitting answer if he made personal attacks against the people of his state. "(Former PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee said 'raj dharma' was not followed in Gujarat (during the 2002 riots). Now, 'raj dharma' is not being followed in the case of Andhra Pradesh. We have been denied what is rightfully ours," Naidu said. He alleged the central government did grave injustice to Andhra and it would have "repercussions on national unity". "On behalf of five crore people, I'm warning this government... I came here to remind you of the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act," Naidu said. "I am warning you. Don't .
Top Pentagon official in Afghanistan amid push for peace
The Pentagon's top official made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Monday to meet with US commanders and Afghan leaders amid a push for peace with the Taliban. Pat Shanahan, the recently installed acting secretary of defense, said he has no orders to reduce the US troop presence, although officials say that is at the top of the Taliban's list of demands in exploratory peace negotiations. Shanahan said he is encouraged that President Donald Trump's administration is exploring all possibilities for ending a 17-year war, the longest in American history. But he stressed that peace terms are for the Afghans to decide. Thus far the Taliban have refused to negotiate with the government of President Ashraf Ghani, calling it illegitimate. Washington is trying to break that impasse. "The Afghans have to decide what Afghanistan looks like. It's not about the US, it's about Afghanistan," Shanahan told reporters travelling with him from Washington. Zalmay Khalilzad, the administration's ...
Australia signs contract to build 12 submarines
The Australian government on Monday announced the signing of a A$50 billion ($35 billion) agreement with the French Naval Group for the construction of its new fleet of 12 Attack class submarines.
Chandrababu Naidu begins 'Dharma Porata Deeksha' in Delhi
Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu began his day-long hunger strike in Delhi on Monday.Dressed in black as a mark of protest, Naidu and his party members and ministerial colleagues paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat ahead of the strike.Naidu is observing a hunger strike or 'Dharma Porata Deeksha' (a day-long protest for justice) against the central government over the issue of special status to Andhra Pradesh.The chief minister is accompanied by his ministers, party MLAs, MLCs, and MPs in the hunger strike.As per an official statement, he will be submitting a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday.In October 2013, Naidu had staged an indefinite fast at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan here, demanding that if a separate state is carved out of then unified Andhra Pradesh, both should get equal rights. On the fifth day of his protest, he was forcibly shifted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after his health deteriorated.He .
Afghan government offers offices to Taliban
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday said that his government is ready to allow the Taliban to open an office in Kabul, Kandahar or Nangarhar provinces to bring "lasting and honourable peace to the country"."If the Taliban want an office, I will give it to them in Kabul, Nangarhar or Kandahar by tomorrow." Tolo news quoted Ghani, as saying."We will bring lasting and honourable peace to the country," he added.The President made these remarks during his visit to Nangarhar province, which is considered as a stronghold of the Taliban.For sustainable peace, Ghani said that he is ready to sacrifice his life too.While criticising Moscow talks which were held from February 5 to February 8, Ghani said, "The nation says that they (Afghan politicians and Taliban members) did not go to Mecca but they went to Moscow (for talks on peace); therefore, they should answer to this question."The government has criticised the talks from the beginning by saying that the talks hosted by Russia were ...
Andhra CM begins fast in Delhi for special status
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu began a 12-hour long fast here on Monday, demanding the Centre to accord special category status and fulfil other commitments made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
Naidu pays floral tributes at Rajghat ahead of day-long protest
Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telugu Desam Party(TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on Monday, ahead of his day-long protest. Naidu, along with his supporters, sported black shirts as a mark of protest while visiting Rajghat.He is observing a day-long dharna here today against the central government over the issue of special status to Andhra Pradesh.Termed 'Dharma Porata Deeksha' (a day-long protest for justice), the strike is being held at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan here. It is expected to go on till around 8 PM. The TDP chief will sit on a hunger strike along with his ministers, party MLAs, MLCs, and MPs. As per an official statement, he will be submitting a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday.In October 2013, Naidu had staged an indefinite fast at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan here, demanding that if a separate state is carved out of then unified Andhra Pradesh, both should get equal rights. On the fifth day of his ...
Australia signs massive sub deal with French firm
Australia formally signed a $50 billion contract with France to build 12 state of the art submarines Monday, a signal of the country's willingness to project power across the Pacific. Prime Minister Scott Morrison hailed the "very audacious plan" at a ceremony in Canberra as "part of Australia's biggest ever peace-time investment in defence". The contract for 12 attack-class submarines is with France's Naval Group, a consortium with state backing, and has been years in the making. It is Australia's largest ever defence procurement project and the largest ever foreign sales deal by French shipbuilder Naval Group. The first submarine is expected to be finished in the early 2030s. Critics say that is too late: the waters to Australia's north and east are the scene of an intense struggle between the United States, China and regional powers, who are all vying for influence. Beijing has made territorial claims to much of the South China Sea -- a marine thoroughfare that is vital to maintain
Mehbooba Mufti slams BJP MP for sexist remark on Priyanka Gandhi
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti slammed BJP MP Harish Dwivedi for his sexist remark agaPriyanka Gandhi.Mufti took to Twitter to express her displeasure, she wrote, "Sadly even in today's modern world, patriarchy plus brazen sexism always raises its ugly head and is normalised. What a woman chooses to wear is none of anybody's business. Anyone who indulges in such talk clearly needs therapy so I hope he gets well soon."Dwivedi had reportedly said that when Priyanka Gandhi is in Delhi, she wears jeans and top but when she comes to the area given to her she wears sari and sindoor.Priyanka was given charge of Uttar Pradesh east as Congress party's general secretary on January 23.
President Maduro initiates 5-day military drill in Venezuela
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday (local time) initiated a 5-day military drill, lasting until February 15, calling it to be the 'most important' exercise in the 200 years of history of the South American nation.The Russian Times reported that President Maduro had launched the drill to "prepare to defend sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence" of Venezuela from any foreign intervention, especially after alleging Opposition leader Juan Guaido to be acting upon the orders passed by Washington. "Today the most important military exercises in the history of Venezuela have been successfully launched throughout the country in the midst of the situation in which we live we have been threatened by the empire!" the Presidential Press of Venezuela said on Twitter."These are the most important military exercises in history because we are moving thousands of men and women and testing the entire defence system of our country," President Maduro said."I call all the people of