Page 1841 - Politics
South African President's India visit: Focus on boosting strategic partnership
Further strengthening the strategic partnership India and South Africa share will be the focus of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to India on January 25-26 during which he will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, a senior official said on Thursday.
Venezuela crisis: Russia, key allies vow to stand by Maduro
Key allies of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro led by Russia and China, on Thursday warned Washington not to stage an "external intervention" in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido's attempt to lead the country, a day after US President Donald Trump recognized him as the South American nation's legitimate President.
SC tells Assam, EC to ensure LS poll process, NRC work go on simultaneously
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed to convene a meeting of the Assam Chief Secretary, Election Commission and the State Co-ordinator of NRC to find a way to avoid any clash of work involving preparation of final NRC of Assam and holding of Lok Sabha elections as it extended the publication of final NRC till July 31.
Pakistan conducts training launch of short-range ballistic missile
Pakistan has successfully conducted the training launch of short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile "Nasr", officials said on Thursday.
Bomb attack hits Syrian capital: state media
A bomb attack hit a northeastern neighbourhood of the Syrian capital Thursday, state media said, in the third such explosion in a regime-held area in less than a week. State news agency SANA reported "a terrorist bombing in the Adawi area with an explosive device planted in a car, causing material damage but no casualties". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the blast hit near the embassy of key government ally Russia. The Britain-based war monitor said four people were lightly wounded. The latest blast came after the first explosion in Damascus in more than a year on Sunday, in which the Observatory reported "some people killed and injured". State media said there were no victims. On Tuesday, a car bomb killed one in the regime's coastal stronghold of Latakia, according to state media. Syria's civil war has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011 with the bloody repression of anti-government protests. With key military backing from ...
GST will usher in long term gains despite initial hiccups:VP
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu Thursday said the country's Goods and Services Tax would usher in long term gains despite initial problems and claimed that the world would take a cue from the GST experiment. "GST is the biggest transformation of the world, I can tell you. Because it is going to bring a sea-change. There were problems intially. (In) any reforms for that matter, there will be initial problems... temporary pains for long term gains, that is the experience," Naidu said. Doing business in India has now become much cheaper and faster through GST and other tax reforms and digital processing single interface and single window system, he said, even as he pointed out at India gaining places on the ease of doing business index. "You will see in the coming days the entire world is going to take a cue from the GST expriment so that there is no pilferage, no leakage and there is no waiting," he said in his valedictory address at the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet ..
In Assam, BJP to counter protesters' black flags with white flags
Tired of seeing black flags during functions and public rallies, the BJP in Assam has decided to hoist white flags on the venue the very next day wherever and whenever the party leaders were shown black flags by people agitating against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.
Delhi-Centre row: AAP govt requests SC to pass verdict at earliest
Delhi government Thursday requested the Supreme Court for early pronouncement of judgement on the pleas against the notifications on control over services, setting up of Commission of Inquiry and power of Anti-corruption Bureau in the ongoing tussle between Delhi and the Centre. A bench of Justices A K Sikri, S Abdul Nazeer and M R Shah was told by senior advocate Indira Jaising that several administrative issues were arising in the governance of Delhi, therefore judgement reserved on November 1 last year, should be delivered at the earliest. Justice Sikri, who headed the two-judge bench which reserved the order, said the judgement will be delivered "very soon". Justice Ashok Bhushan was the other member of the bench. On November 1, the apex court had reserved its verdict on the plea against notifications related to control over services, setting up of Commission of Inquiry and power of Anti-corruption Bureau in Delhi. During the earlier hearing of the pleas, the Centre had told the ..
Maduro rallies military support as US backs Venezuela challenger
Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro prepared to rally his military supporters Thursday as the US and key allies backed a challenge from his leading rival who declared himself "acting president." The announcement by Juan Guaido, 35, head of Venezuela's opposition-led legislature, came amid a fresh wave of deadly street clashes on Wednesday. He declared himself acting leader of the oil-rich nation, which has lurched into economic chaos and violence under Maduro, 56. The Socialist government responded by warning that the top military leadership would come out Thursday "in support of the constitutional president", Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said. He added the military would show "backing for the sovereignty" of Venezuela. That was a warning shot to Maduro's foreign critics as they rallied behind Guaido. US President Donald Trump declared Maduro "illegitimate" and called the National Assembly legislature "the only legitimate branch of government." A furious Maduro responded to ...
Trump blinks, agrees to postpone State of Union address (Third Lead)
After Speaker Nancy Pelosi firmly slammed the door on Trump delivering his State of the Union address in the House chamber of Congress, President Donald Trump blinked and agreed to postpone the annual agenda-setting speech, a delay he had defiantly opposed.
Pak conducts training launch of surface-to-surface ballistic missile
Pakistan on Thursday successfully conducted training launch of the short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile "Nasr". The launch was aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of Army Strategic Forces Command and to re-validate the missile's desired technical parameters, the Army said. "Nasr is a high precision, shoot and scoot weapon system with the ability of in-flight maneuverability," according to the Pakistan Army's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The strike range of Nasr is around 70-km. The weapon system has augmented full spectrum deterrence posture remaining within the precincts of policy of credible minimum deterrence, against prevailing and evolving threat spectrum more effectively including enemy's ballistic missile defence and other air defence systems, the ISPR said in a statement. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Director General Strategic Plans Division, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, ...
AAP taking credit of Congress govt's works in Delhi, spreading lies through advertisements: Sheila Dikshit
The Congress Thursday hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP), alleging it was taking credit of the works done by the Sheila Dikshit government, and claimed it will only cut the party's votes which will help the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In a meeting of former MLAs of the party, ex-Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit took on the AAP, saying its government was "squandering public money" for propagating "lies". "Kejriwal government has been taking credit for the works done by the Congress governments in Delhi without laying a single brick for development in its four year rule. Instead, it has been squandering the tax payers money for self publicity by propagating lies and confusion through advertisements," she charged. Party spokesperson Jitender Kumar Kochar said the AAP is asking the people not to "waste" their votes by giving it to the Congress in Lok Sabha polls. "What will the AAP do by winning all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi as it would not be in power. AAP will .
Uganda deports third foreign telecom employee
Ugandan police on Thursday announced the expulsion of another foreigner working for telecom giant MTN, following the deportation earlier this week of two of the company's expatriate staff. MTN Uganda's general manager Elsa Mussolini, an Italian citizen, was forced out of the country on Wednesday, police spokesman Fred Enanga told AFP. "A decision was taken that Elsa Mussolini be deported and she left the country," he said. "She was questioned on incitement to violence while she worked at MTN, which is a serious matter," he added without giving further details. In a message to her staff published in local media and confirmed by MTN, Mussolini said she was deported following accusations that she gave opposition figure Bobi Wine money during his campaign last year against a proposed social media tax. Mussolini is the third expatriate employee of the South Africa-based corporation to be thrown out of Uganda this week. She follows the expulsion on Tuesday of marketing chief Olivier ...
Priyanka's appointment shows Rahul can't handle politics alone: Mahajan
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Thursday said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's entry into politics shows that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi cannot handle politics alone and needs his sisters' help. The veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader representing Indore in the lower house of parliament since 1989 further said that talented people must be given an opportunity to come forward. Ending years of speculation, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra formally entered politics on Wednesday with the Congress appointing her general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East in a move reflecting the party's intent to go full throttle in the state ahead of the general elections. "Priyanka is a good woman. But her appointment also shows Rahul has understood that he cannot do politics alone, so he asked his sister Priyanka to help him," Mahajan told reporters here. "I don't want to get into the family politics of the Congress, it's their own matter. But I would definitely say that a person, who has leadership capabilities, .
MoS MEA VK Singh becomes a tour guide for 'Pravasis' at Kumbh
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Jan 24 (ANI): MoS MEA VK Singh on Thursday donned the role of a tour guide for 'Pravasis' during a bus ride to the Triveni Sangam, the point of confluence of the Rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, during the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. The retired four-star general welcomed the 'Pravasis' or NRIs from Mauritius to the festival and briefed them about the importance of Kumbh."I welcome you to the Kumbh Mela, I wanted to see how the government and the administration are managing devotees who have come from across the world. Crores of devotees have come to Prayagraj for a holy dip at the Sangam and the River Ganga," he said.So far, more than 3 crore devotees have participated in the two 'snans' in this year's 'Ardh Kumbh', held every six years.VK Singh said that Kumbh is a festival for every Indian, regardless of them being based in India or abroad.Following his remarks, one of the 'Pravasis' expressed his delight on ..
Priyanka's entry won't make any difference, it's a drama: SAD
A day after Congress president Rahul Gandhi appointed his sister Priyanka Gandhi as the AICC General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh East, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal poked fun at her political entry and called it a 'drama,' which he feels will not make any difference."They have used this as a strategy every time. First, they made Rahul Gandhi (as Congress president) and he brought 40 seats in Parliament. Now when they have brought in Priyanka Gandhi, I think she will bring 20 seats. This is all drama and their media strategy. It won't make any difference at ground level. I think they are training her so that when Rahul Gandhi will fail they can bring in Priyanka Gandhi," Badal said here on Thursday.Priyanka is expected to take charge of her responsibility with effect from the first week of February.During earlier elections, Priyanka had kept herself limited to campaigning for Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in Amethi and Raebareli parliamentary constituencies.Apart from Priyanka, Congress has .
Rahul knows he can't handle politics alone: Sumitra Mahajan on Priyanka's political debut
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Thursday said that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's appointment as Congress General Secretary of Uttar Pradesh East is a confirmation of party president Rahul Gandhi realising that he cannot handle politics alone."As far as Priyanka ji is concerned, she is a good woman, but the thing is, Rahul ji has in a way accepted that he cannot handle politics alone, he has realised that. It is a big thing that he has realised it now, and that is why he has brought in Priyanka ji for help, so it is a good thing," said Mahajan while speaking to media here.Priyanka, whose formal entry into politics has been a matter of speculation for several years, was formally given the charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. She will be working in the capacity of General Secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh East, the Congress announced.The 47-year-old will take charge of her responsibility as AICC General Secretary from February first week.Speaking about Madhya Pradesh Congress .
Farm loan waiver an eye wash: Centre
Union Minister Manoj Sinha on Wednesday alleged that Congress party's farm loan waiver is an eye-wash.While addressing the media here, he said, "Farm loan waiver is just an eye-wash. It has become a joke. Those who didn't take any loan have been included in lists of farm loan waiver. Had there not been upcoming elections, Congress would have simply said that they never made the announcement.""It (farm loan waiver) was just a false promise made during election by Congress party and its president," he addedHe also accused Rahul Gandhi of fooling and misleading people. He asserted, "It is the Congress president's nature to fool people of this country. They only believe in garnering votes by sloganeering and once they are in power they forget all promises they make." Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel on December 18 announced that his government will waive farm loans within 10 days as promised by Congress president Rahul Gandhi during campaigning of recently-concluded state ...
BJP anxious and nervous over Priyanka's political plunge: Congress
As the BJP appeared dismissive of Priyanka Gandhis entry into politics, the Congress on Thursday said it reflected the ruling partys anxiety and nervousness.
Cong expects govt to adopt fair, transparent process to select new CBI director
As a high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets here on Thursday to select the new CBI director, the Congress hoped that the government would select the "most deserving" candidate, following a fair and transparent process. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said the intent of the Lokpal and the Lokayukta Bill was to ensure that the person heading the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was someone who was not seen as a "hand-maiden" of the ruling establishment. "We expect that the process should be fair, the process would be transparent, the process would have integrity to itself and the most deserving person is selected," he told reporters. Tewari said the new CBI director should be someone "who is unpartisan, who is fair and whose proximities are not subject to any kind of finger pointing or suspicion". The high-powered committee is meeting on Thursday evening to select the new CBI chief. Besides the prime minister, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan ...