Page 1790 - Politics
India goes up three notches in Global Corruption Index
India has improved its ranking by three positions in the Global Corruption Index 2018 released on Tuesday while the US has dropped out of top 20 countries for the first time since 2011.
Rahul's 'thrust and hug' strategy overshadows ailing Parrikar's return to assembly
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday re-enacted his 'thrust and hug' policy once again, this time in Goa, when he suddenly dropped in to pay a courtesy call to ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, just a day after he charged Parrikar with possessing "explosive files" related to the Rafale deal.
Centre moves HC to advance hearing on JNMF issue
The Central government on Tuesday moved the Delhi High Court for getting an early hearing on Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (JNMF) plea challenging the eviction notice issued by the government.
Buzz about Congress candidates for Delhi, party may finalize list by Feb 20
The Congress is expected to announce its candidates for Lok Sabha seats in Delhi by February 20 with names doing the rounds in party circles on all the seven seats though it has not formally closed the door for seat adjustment with the Aam Aadmi Party.
Pawan Kalyan not to attend all-party meeting called by TDP chief
Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday announced that he will not attend the all-party meeting called by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu over the demand for special category status on Wednesday.
USA slams China over Wang Quanzhang's sentencing
The United States, on Tuesday, slammed China over the four-and-a-half-year prison sentence handed to detained human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang, calling for his immediate release.The nation also condemned the "deteriorating situation for the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms" in China through a statement issued by the US State Department's Deputy Spokesperson, Robert Palladino."The United States is deeply concerned by the sentencing of human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang in Tianjin, China on January 28 to four-and-a-half years in prison on charges of 'subverting state power'," Palladino put forth."We are troubled that China has subjected Mr Wang to a three-and-a-half-year period of pre-trial detention, and has been held incommunicado, has been deprived of legal counsel of his choosing, and that his chosen lawyer has been subjected to reprisals," he said."We remain concerned by the deteriorating situation for the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms in .
Venezuela: Military defectors ask US for weapons
Venezuelan military defectors have called on the US administration, led by Donald Trump, to support them with weapons to help in realising "Venezuelan freedom"."As Venezuelan soldiers, we are making a request to the US to support us, in logistical terms, with communication, with weapons, so we can realize Venezuelan freedom," former soldier Carlos Guillen Martinez, who lives outside Venezuela, told CNN.Furthermore, Martinez, along with another former soldier Josue Hidalgo Azuaje claim that they are in touch with scores of willing defectors from the military in Venezuela."We're not saying that we need only US support, but also Brazil, Colombia, Peru, all brother countries, that are against this dictatorship," Hidalgo Azuaje said, referring to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's regime.However, both the defectors fully rejected US military intervention in Venezuela, putting forth that efforts have to be led by Venezuelans."We do not want a foreign government (to) invade our country. ..
Venezuela bars self-declared president Guaido from leaving country
Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice barred self-declared president Juan Guaido from leaving the country and froze his bank accounts Tuesday, as leader Nicolas Maduro seeks to neutralize the American-backed opposition chief. The 35-year-old head of the National Assembly legislature "is prohibited from leaving the country until the end of the (preliminary) investigation" for having "caused harm to peace in the republic," high court president Maikel Moreno said. The court is stacked with Maduro loyalists. The move came after the State Department revealed that Guaido -- the National Assembly head and self-proclaimed interim president -- has been handed control of Venezuela's US bank accounts. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed off on the order last week, which was then followed on Monday by US sanctions targeting Venezuela's state oil giant PDVSA, the cash-strapped government's main source of hard currency. "This certification will help Venezuela's legitimate government ...
Foreign ministers to meet in US on IS amid Syria pullout
Foreign ministers from around the world will meet next week in Washington to coordinate the fight against the Islamic State movement after President Donald Trump's controversial decision to pull out of Syria, the State Department said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will host a day of meetings on February 6 of the 79-member Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, which the United States assembled in 2014 as the extremists seized vast stretches of Syria and Iraq. "The United States is determined to prevent a resurgence of ISIS in Syria and Iraq after the withdrawal of US forces from Syria takes place, and remains committed to working with the Global Coalition to continue to destroy ISIS remnants and thwart its global ambitions," the State Department said in a statement on Tuesday. "As ISIS is defeated on the battlefield, the coalition will continue its stabilization efforts to facilitate the safe and voluntary return home of those who have been displaced by the violence." Trump, a ...
BJD claims CBI is 'politicised'
After the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reportedly sent notices for examination to two Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders in a chit fund scam, the BJD has alleged that the CBI is used as a "tool for political purposes". "In another 3-4 weeks model code of conduct of elections would be implemented and suddenly this is happening, it raises a question. The credibility of CBI is well known and there seems to be a clear case of politicisation. In the coming day's people of Odisha will respond to this," BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra told ANI.He also said that both BJP leaders Arun Sahoo and Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak who have been sent notices for examination by the CBI in the chit fund scam are unaware of the same."It is surprising that while media is aware of such notices, the concerned people have not yet received the notices. I can tell you that very clearly," said Patra.
BJD claims CBI is 'politicised'
In the coming day's people of Odisha will respond to this, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said
Stacey Abrams to give Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union address
Former Georgia Governor candidate Stacey Abrams on Tuesday confirmed her acceptance of an invitation to give the Democratic Party's response to President Donald Trump's upcoming State of the Union address, thus making her the first black woman to deliver the address.Perceived as a rising star in the Democratic Party, her unsuccessful attempt to become the Governor of Georgia gained her national following, according to CNN.Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday said he had discussed the prospects of Abrams' address around three weeks ago.Abrams said that she is "honoured" to give the Democratic response. "At a moment when our nation needs to hear from leaders who can unite for a common purpose, I am honored to be delivering the Democratic State of the Union response," Abrams tweeted."Her electrifying message of courage, perseverance and hope reinvigorated our nation and our politics, and continues to inspire millions of Americans in every part of the country. Stacey Abrams ...
India one of the most important strategic partners, says a top US Senator
India remains one of the most important strategic partners of the United States, a top American senator said. Mark Warner from the Democratic Party and Republican senator John Cornyn met the new Indian Envoy to the US, Harsh V Shringla, at the US Capitol here. India remains one of our most important strategic partners, Cornyn said in a statement on Tuesday, a day after the meeting. Warner and Cornyn are co-chairs of the powerful India Caucus, the only country-specific caucus in the Senate. I'm glad Senator Warner and I were able to meet with the Ambassador to welcome him to his post and discuss ways in which our two countries can continue to work together toward advancing our common interests on issues like trade and global security, he said. During the meeting, the senators discussed how to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries. I appreciate the opportunity to meet Ambassador Shringla to talk about the issues bridging our nations, especially since Virginia is ..
McConnell announces proposal appealing US troops to stay in Syria, Afghanistan
Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell is pursuing an amendment to a Middle East policy bill that would acknowledge the "al Qaeda, ISIS and their affiliates in Syria and Afghanistan continue to pose a serious threat to us here at home," a move in opposition to President Donald Trump's push for the withdrawal of US troops from Syria."It would recognize the dangers of a precipitous withdrawal from either conflict and highlight the need for diplomatic engagement and political solutions to the underlying conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan," CNN quoted McConnell saying on Tuesday as he announced the amendment, which is currently being debated.A timeline for the final voting for the amendment, which currently has bipartisan support, is yet to be ascertained."While it is tempting to retreat to the comfort and security of our own shores, there is still a great deal of work to be done, we're not the world's policemen, but we are the leaders of the free world," McConnell added.On December 19, ..
Interim budget: Defence experts pitch for increase in funds
Ahead of the Interim Budget to be presented on February 1, defence experts are of the view that the government must increase its expenditure on the defence sector.Defence analyst Swaran Singh said the defence budget is usually seen in comparison to India's neighbours."Last year, when Pakistan's defence budget went up by about 18 per cent, India's defence budget went up only by about 5.5 per cent. This was seen as a matter of concern. Likewise, Chinese defence budget is three times compared to our budget," Singh told ANI."I want to underline that these are the only two countries of concern but defence budget has to keep other issues in mind and in that sense, it is important to see that what part of our total revenues are being allocated to National Defence," he added.Singh also said that currently, about 27 per cent of India's revenue is allocated for defence. "This is fairly impressive," he said.Meanwhile, defence expert SK Chatterjee opined that the defence budget must be made ...
Senate, House lawmakers to reintroduce resolution to end US role in Yemen war
Lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties will make another legislative attempt on Wednesday to halt the United States' involvement in the war in Yemen."Senators Bernie Sanders, Mike Lee and Chris Murphy, along with Representatives Ro Khanna and Mark Pocan will hold a press conference Wednesday to announce the reintroduction of a resolution to end US support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen," Senator Bernie Sanders' office said in a press release on Tuesday.The effort marks the latest attempt by lawmakers to adopt a version of the Yemen War Powers Act, which Sanders and other lawmakers have previously tried to pass through the Congress. During the most recent effort to advance the legislation in December, the Senate passed the resolution, but the Republican-controlled House of Representatives blocked it.Since then, Democrats have gained control of the House, and many of them have signalled support for the resolution.Yemen has been gripped by a civil war with the ...
Kamal Haasan to officially launch Makkal Needhi Maiam in Puducherry
Actor Kamal Haasan is all set to officially launch his party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) in Puducherry today.Haasan is expected to brief the media after the launch event which will take place in the party head office in Chennai."After almost a year of Makkal Needhi Maiam party's 'Journey with the people', Makkal Needhi Maiam is happy to announce its launch in the Puducherry Union Territory. Following the launch, Makkal Needhi Maiam party president Mr Kamal Haasan will address the media," read a circular issued by the MNM on Tuesday.MNM was launched by Haasan on February 21 this year from his hometown of Rameswaram. As part of the launch of his political faction, Haasan toured Tamil Nadu extensively to interact with locals in different villages of Tamil Nadu. Last month, the actor-turned-politician had said he would contest the Lok Sabha elections this year. He had also said that the MNM was open to forming a single-minded alliance in the parliamentary elections.
BJD claims CBI is 'politicised'
BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said that the credibility of CBI is well known and there seems to be a clear case of politicisation
Venezuela targets Guaido with probe, travel ban, asset freeze
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's government struck back at self-declared interim president Juan Guaido on Tuesday, with the Supreme Court imposing a travel ban and freeze on his bank accounts despite a warning from Washington of "serious consequences" if it did so.
'Serious consequences,' U.S. warns, after Venezuela moves on Guaido
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's government struck back at self-declared interim president Juan Guaido on Tuesday, seeking a travel ban and freeze on his bank accounts that prompted a warning from Washington of "consequences" after imposing oil sanctions.