Page 1788 - Politics

Anna launches hunger strike for Lokpal, Lokayuktas

Veteran activist Kisan Baburao Hazare alias Anna Hazare on Wednesday launched a fresh hunger strike at his Ralegan-Siddhi village seeking Lokpal and Lokayuktas as promised by the government.

Venezuela's Maduro says 'ready to negotiate' with opposition: RIA

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said he was prepared to hold negotiations with the US-backed opposition, RIA Novosti reported on Wednesday. "I am ready to sit down at the negotiating table with the opposition so that we could talk for the good of Venezuela," Maduro told the Russian state news agency in an interview in Caracas.

Anna Hazare begins hunger strike over Lokpal

Social activist Anna Hazare began a hunger strike on Wednesday over "non-fulfilment" of assurances by the Centre and the Maharashtra government on the appointment of Lokpal and passage of the Lokayukta Act in the state. Hazare offered prayers at the Padmavati Temple in his village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra in the morning. He then went in a procession, accompanied by students, youths and farmers, to the Yadavbaba Temple and sat near it to begin his hunger strike. The anti-corruption crusader told PTI that he welcomed the Maharashtra Cabinet's decision to bring the office of state chief minister under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta. "However, the strike will continue till the government fulfils promises they made before coming to power about passage of Lokayukta Act, appointment of Lokpal and to tackle farmers' issues," he said. As a routine procedure, doctors conducted a basic health check-up of Hazare, a close aide of the activist said. "Hazare has now begun .

'I don't do caste politics like PM Modi': BJP's Rajveer Singh Diler

In a bizarre incident, a Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA was heard saying that "he does not do caste politics like Prime Minister Narendra Modi."The incident came to light after BJP legislator Rajveer Singh Diler's video went viral on social media.Singh later denied saying that his speech was misconstrued.Singh, while addressing a gathering at an event in Jabalpur on Tuesday for distribution of gas connection, can be heard saying: "I never do cast politics just the way as our Prime Minister does. For me, both Hindu and Muslim are equal. Nowadays, Muslims, don't think that if BJP comes to power they will be neglected. For the BJP, a person irrespective of caste, creed and religion is equal."The BJP MLA also urged the public to vote for his party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections."Elections are just around the corner, I request you all to please vote for BJP and make Narendra Modi the prime minister for the second consecutive time," he said.

Goldman Sachs ups "no-deal" likelihood after UK parliament amendment vote

LONDON (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs nudged up its estimated probability of a "no-deal" Brexit on Wednesday after British lawmakers instructed Prime Minister Theresa May to reopen a Brexit treaty with the European Union to replace a controversial Irish border arrangement.

Lawmakers hopeful of agreement that would prevent shutdown

Capitol Hill negotiators are hopeful of an agreement as they officially kick off talks on a homeland security spending bill that is trapped in a stalemate over President Donald Trump's long-stalled border wall. Left on their own, the seasoned House and Senate lawmakers say they could easily reach a border security deal as they have for two years in a row. But whether Trump would sign it is another matter altogether. Trump has grown impatient and his demands on his U.S.-Mexico border wall have become more insistent even though Democrats took back the House last fall. Democrats remain united against Trump's vision for a massive wall project, yet some are signaling a willingness to deal in the wake of the 35-day partial government shutdown. "We've consistently said that we do not support a medieval border wall from sea to shining sea," said Rep. Hakim Jeffries of New York, the No. 4 House Democrat. "However, we are able to support fencing where is makes sense, but it should be done in an

US calls for Russian, Chinese nuclear transparency

The United States called for more transparency Wednesday as it accused Russia and China of not fully reporting their nuclear programmes amid US threats to withdraw from a key arms control treaty. A senior US official made the remarks as the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- all of them nuclear-armed powers -- met in Beijing for talks on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Andrea Thompson, US under secretary for arms control and international security, said there were "uneven results" in efforts to advance transparency under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. "We previously agreed to set (a) format for reporting, but the gap between the reports of the United States on the one hand, and Russia and China on the other, is great," Thompson said in her opening remarks. "I cannot overemphasise the value of transparency," she said. "We look forward to discussing how we can enhance transparency with a view to reassuring others of the very real steps we are taking ..

Delhi court adjourns hearing in Delhi chief secretary assault case till March 5

The Patiala House Court on Wednesday adjourned till March 5 the hearing of the alleged assault case on former Chief Secretary of Delhi Anshu Prakash.The assault case dates back to February 20, 2018, when Prakash was allegedly attacked at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence by two lawmakers. Prakash had also lodged a police complaint saying he was manhandled in the presence of Kejriwal after being summoned to discuss Aadhaar-related problems.The incident triggered a tussle between the Kejriwal-led government in Delhi and its bureaucrats. Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia along with nine other Aam Aadmi Party MLAs were granted bail in October 2018 by the Delhi court.Prakash was later given transfer to the Department of Telecommunications as additional secretary in November 2018.

President, PM remember Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday offered floral tributes to the 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi, on his 71st death anniversary, here at Rajghat.Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also paid their homage to Gandhi ji.Army chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa were also present at Rajghat. Earlier in the day, President Kovind and Prime Minister Modi tweeted their thoughts on 'Bapu'.President Kovind wrote,"On Martyrs' Day, we gratefully remember Mahatma Gandhi and the countless freedom fighters who sacrificed their all for our Independence.""Remembering Bapu on his Punya Tithi. We reiterate our commitment to follow the path shown by him and abide by the values he stood for," Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted.

I want him to declare emergency: Eric Trump on father

US President Donald Trump's son, Eric Trump, has said that he wants his father to declare an emergency to build the wall on the US-Mexico border.His proclamation comes just a short while after the longest-ever partial government shutdown - triggered by an impasse over funding for the wall between Trump and the US Congress - was temporarily halted through stop-gap legislation until February 15."I want him to declare an emergency," Eric said during an appearance on Fox News show, 'Hannity'.He further said that the emergency should be declared to "build the wall with the United States military because that's what people in this country want," reports The Hill.The US President has previously threatened to impose an emergency to get the wall - which is one of his long-standing electoral promises - built."If we don't get a fair deal from Congress, the Government will either shut down on February 15 again - or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and the Constitution of the ...

US delegitimising Afghan govt: former diplomat

The US has delegitimised the Afghan government by negotiating with the Taliban without its involvement, a former American diplomat has said as he described as "surrender" the Trump administration's framework of a deal with the terror outfit. Remarks by Ryan Crocker, who served as America's ambassador to Afghanistan and Pakistan, came after Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, said an "agreement in principle" has been reached on the framework of a deal with the Taliban. Under the framework, the Taliban would guarantee Afghan territory is never used by terrorists and bring an end to the 17-year-old war. "I was ambassador to Afghanistan. This deal is a surrender," Crocker, a foreign service officer who served as country's ambassador to Afghanistan and Pakistan, besides several other ambassadorial postings, said in an op-ed in The Washington Post. Crocker, who has kept a close a watch on the region, said that the current peace talks with the ...

Nation remembers Mahatma Gandhi on his 71st death anniversary

The nation remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 71st death anniversary Wednesday with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the country in paying homage to the Father of the Nation. Kovind, Modi and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu paid floral tributes at Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat here. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri were among others who paid homage to the Father of the Nation at Rajghat, where an inter-religion prayer was held. Mahatma Gandhi's favorite bhajan "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram" was also played at Rajghat. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh also paid tributes to the Mahatma at his memorial. Remembering Mahatma on his death anniversary, Modi tweeted, "...Remembering Bapu on his Punya Tithi. We reiterate our commitment to follow the path shown by him and abide by the values he stood for." Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on this day in ...

Gandhi remembered on his death anniversary

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday paid their tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary.

Mizoram CM sends condolences to family of George Fernandes

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Wednesday sent a condolence letter to the family members of former defence minister George Fernandes, who passed away Tuesday morning following a prolonged illness. In his letter, Zoramthanga remembered him as "a great man and a rare personality who had done a lot of good for the people of Mizoram during his tenure as the defence minister", sources in the chief minister's office said. "He would be remembered as a man of rare calibre and a great leader," the CM wrote in the letter. Fernandes was India's defence minister in the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also served as the industry minister under the Jan Sangh government, which defeated Indira Gandhi in 1977. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and had recently contracted swine flu.

PM Modi pay floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on 71th death anniversary

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday offered floral tributes to the 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi, on his 71st death anniversary, here at Rajghat.Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also paid their homage to Gandhi ji.Army chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa were also present at Rajghat. Earlier in the day, President Kovind and Prime Minister Modi tweeted their thoughts on 'Bapu'.President Kovind wrote,"On Martyrs' Day, we gratefully remember Mahatma Gandhi and the countless freedom fighters who sacrificed their all for our Independence.""Remembering Bapu on his Punya Tithi. We reiterate our commitment to follow the path shown by him and abide by the values he stood for," Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted.

Lawmakers press for a full Russia probe report from Mueller

Lawmakers appear increasingly nervous that Congress and the public won't see a full report when special counsel Robert Mueller is finished with his Russia probe, including what the investigation finds about President Donald Trump. Republicans and Democrats say they support public disclosure of Mueller's findings. But it's unclear exactly what documentation will be produced at the end of the probe into possible coordination between Trump associates and Russia, and how much of that the Justice Department will allow people to see. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Monday that the probe is "close to being completed," the first official sign that Mueller's investigation may be wrapping up. Democrats have pressured Trump's attorney general nominee, William Barr, on the full release of Mueller's final report. Lawmakers in both parties have maintained that there will have to be some sort of public resolution when the report is done and privately hope that a report shows ...

Court bars Venezuela opposition leader from leaving nation

Venezuela's Supreme Court barred opposition leader Juan Guaido from leaving the country Tuesday, a move certain to heighten tensions as the man challenging President Nicolas Maduro's claim to the presidency presses forward with establishing a transitional government and the US warned of "serious consequences" if he is harmed. The government-stacked high court announced the order just hours after chief prosecutor Tarek William Saab announced that he was opening a criminal investigation into Guaido's anti-government activities and requested that restrictions be placed on his movements abroad. The court also approved Saab's request that all of Guaido's financial assets be frozen. US national security adviser John Bolton issued a warning to the Maduro government earlier in the day urging them not to harm Guaido, the head of the opposition-controlled congress who has been recognized by the Trump administration and two dozen other nations as Venezuela's rightful president. "Let me ...

President Trump dismisses tell-all book as 'made up stories'

President Donald Trump is dismissing and potentially bolstering sales of a new tell-all book by a former White House aide, calling it "made up stories and fiction." Cliff Sims' book, "Team of Vipers," is the latest in a series of insider accounts by journalists and former Trump staffers who paint an unflattering picture of life in the West Wing. In it, Sims, the former director of White House message strategy, engages in score-settling with former internal rivals, fingers other administration officials as "leakers" and casts the president as disloyal to his staff. Trump, in a tweet Tuesday, dismissed Sims as a "low level staffer" who had written "yet another boring book based on made up stories and fiction." "He pretended to be an insider when in fact he was nothing more than a gofer," said Trump, who claimed Sims had signed a non-disclosure agreement. Indeed, Michael Glassner, chief operating officer of Trump's re-election campaign, tweeted that the campaign was preparing to sue ...

US Congressmen target Trump, introduce bill to 'rebuild people's faith in the government'

A group of US Congressmen has introduced the Restoring the Public Trust Act, that among other things seeks to make federal nepotism laws applicable to the Presidential office, and slammed President Donald Trump for "normalising unethical behaviour" during his term in office."Trump and his administration have made a mockery of government ethics, demonstrating the weak spots in our current laws. He has normalized unethical behaviour in a way that was once unthinkable, proving that we need stronger ethics laws," US Representative Ted Lieu stated on Tuesday (local time).Along with Lieu, the other Representatives who have endorsed the bill are Congressman David Cicilline, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and Congressman Ruben Gallego.The bill ensures that "gaping holes" in anti-corruption and ethics laws in the US are addressed, according to an official statement released by Lieu's office."The Restoring the Public Trust Act helps us do the critical work of rebuilding ..

Anna Hazare launches fast to demand Lokpal, Lokayuktas

Social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday announced the beginning of his fast to demand the setting up of a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states as the Narendra Modi government "had failed" to set up the anti-corruption bodies."Through Lokpal, even the Prime Minister can be investigated if people will give any evidence against him... Similarly, in Lokayukta a Chief Minister and all ministers and MLAs under him can be investigated if somebody gives any evidence against them. That's why they don't want it. No party wants it. Lokpal was passed in the Parliament in 2013, but the government is yet to appoint it," Hazare told ANI, beginning his fast in his village Ralegan Siddhi.Asked if any of his past supporters, many of who are now politicians, would be allowed to join him at the fast, Hazare said: "We don't want political leaders with us on stage.""To restrict Lokpal, they passed another law within three days, got President's signature also on it. But to appoint Lokpal, they ...