Page 1867 - Politics
British PM promises new EU talks in bid to salvage Brexit deal
Prime Minister Theresa May said Monday she would seek further talks with Brussels to salvage her Brexit deal, but offered no new solutions to break the deadlock, just 10 weeks before Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union. MPs in the House of Commons last week roundly rejected the divorce terms May has struck with the bloc, raising the risk that Britain crashes out with no deal on March 29. She responded by opening talks with rival political parties, but in a statement to the Commons on Monday failed to suggest a radically different approach. May offered guarantees to the opposition Labour party on workers' rights and promised greater input for lawmakers over future trade talks with the EU. But she said her focus would be on addressing concerns among her own Conservative MPs and Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) over the controversial Irish border "backstop" plan in the current deal. "I will be talking further this week to colleagues -- including in the ...
France summons Italian envoy over Di Maio Africa comments
France has summoned Italy's ambassador to protest against comments by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, who accused Paris of continuing to colonise Africa and causing people to migrate from the continent, a government source told AFP. The ambassador was summoned Monday after the "unacceptable and groundless" comments by Di Maio on Sunday, a source in the cabinet of France's Europe Minister Natalie Loiseau told AFP on condition of anonymity. Di Maio made a series of incendiary remarks while visiting the Abruzzo region in central Italy, the latest sign of serious tensions between the populist government in Rome and France's centrist leader Emmanuel Macron. "The EU should sanction France and all countries like France that impoverish Africa and make these people leave, because Africans should be in Africa, not at the bottom of the Mediterranean," Di Maio said. "If people are leaving today it's because European countries, France above all, have never stopped colonising dozens of
Venezuela's top court declares parliament leadership illegitmate
Venezuela's Supreme Court declared the leadership of the opposition-controlled National Assembly illegitimate and its decisions "void" Monday after it repudiated the presidency of Nicolas Maduro. The latest escalation in the power struggle between Maduro and the new president of the assembly, Juan Guaido, came on the same day as a brief military uprising in Caracas and amid opposition calls for mass protests on Wednesday. Supreme Court president Juan Jose Mendoza read a statement to the press declaring that the legislature "does not have a legitimate board of directors." He charged that it was "usurping its authority, and therefore all its decisions are void." Hours earlier, the government said it arrested a group of mutinous soldiers who attacked a National Guard command center in Caracas. The soldiers had managed to post a video on social media announcing their repudiation of Maduro's regime and calling on the public to take to the streets in support. Guaido, on being sworn in as ...
Previous govt launched projects on poll eve without allocating budget: Pilot
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot Monday accused the previous BJP government in the state of launching several "politically-motivated" projects on the eve of assembly polls without allocating any budget for them. Pilot, however, said that his government would strive to implement all such projects which would be found of public interest. The previous government made several announcements for roads, bypass, state highways etc days before assembly polls for political benefits. They, however, provided neither any budget nor sanctions from the Finance Department," he said. "Despite that, we have asked officials to take up the works which are in public interest, he added. The deputy chief minister also alleged that the previous government neglected even the rural job scheme under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. He said he, however, has asked officials to focus on the rural job guarantee scheme to strengthen the rural economy. The rural development ..
Sushma Swaraj praise Pravasis for their efforts
India is a land of limitless opportunities and Pravasi Bharatiyas are and will continue to be partners in the progress of our motherland, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said while she inaugurated the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas on Monday here.
Kashmiri writer exposes Pakistan's game plan in Gilgit Baltistan
Pakistani rulers are unable to effectively control and govern their own territory and are so obsessed with occupying the territory of Jammu and Kashmir which does not belong to Pakistan, says Dr Shabir Choudhry, a London-based writer and author who originally hails from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)."They use the tools of fifth generation war and religion to fool the people, and advance their agenda in Gilgit Baltistan, so-called Pakistan occupied Kashmir and in Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Ladakh," adds Choudhry, who is also the president of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United Kashmir People's National Party.He wrote in his blog, "For all practical purposes, they have occupied Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK; and are actively working hard to destabilise and occupy the territory of Jammu and Kashmir State that is not under their control."With the help of compliant judiciary, the establishment of Pakistan has further strengthened their hold on Gilgit Baltistan.Saqib Nisar, who in view .
Former BSP MLA announces Rs 50 lakh for Sadhna Singh's head for her 'eunuch' remark against Mayawati
Former BSP MLA from Thakurdwara Vijay Yadav on Monday announced that he would give Rs 50 lakh to the person who beheads Sadhna Singh, the BJP MLA in the thick of a controversy for calling Mayawati 'worse than a eunuch.'Sadhna Singh last week called former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati a "blot on womankind" and "worse than a eunuch," while referring to the infamous incident when Mayawati was assaulted by the Samajwadi Party workers at a guest house in Lucknow in 1995."BJP MLA Sadhna Singh should seek apology from Behenji (Mayawati) and women of the country, else we will protest. After collecting money from my supporters, I will give Rs 50 lakh to the person who will bring Sadhna Singh's head to me," said Yadav.Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women issued a notice to Sadhna Singh and sought an explanation from her for making "extremely offensive and unethical" remarks against BSP chief Mayawati.Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party president and UP chief minister, said the ...
Jaitley hits out at Congress over EVM issue
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday lashed out at the Congress for casting doubt over the efficacy of EMVs, asking whether the Election Commission of India (ECI) and its huge team were in collusion with the BJP for the elections held during the UPA government.Taking to his Twitter account, the Finance Minister said, "After Rafale, the non-existent loan waiver to 15 industrialists - the next big lie-EVM hacking. Was the Election Commission & millions of Staffers involved in manufacturing, programming of EVMs & conduct of elections during the UPA Government in collusion with the BJP-absolutely rubbish.""Does the Congress feel that the people are so gullible that they will swallow any garbage? Insanity in the Congress party is increasingly becoming contagious," the Finance Minister added.Apart from the Congress, a number of opposition parties have, in recent days, voiced their concerns over the efficacy of EVMs.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said
Zuma ally took monthly bribes from S Africa company, inquiry hears
South African former executive on Monday told a corruption probe that his old company had paid monthly bribes for years to a minister who served under scandal-tainted ex-president Jacob Zuma. Angelo Agrizzi, ex-chief operating officer of the Bosasa contracting company, has given days of bombshell testimony to a judicial commission probing allegations of government corruption under Zuma. Agrizzi said he was responsible for counting and packing 50,000 rand (USD 3,600) in cash, which was to be delivered each month to Nomvula Mokonyane. The practice continued from 2002 until 2016 when Agrizzi left the company, he said. Mokonyane, who is currently environmental affairs minister, served as Zuma's minister of water and sanitation between 2014 and 2018, and was earlier a provincial minister. "We knew she was close to former president Zuma," Agrizzi, dressed in a dark-grey pin-stripped suit, told the inquiry. "She was going to speak to him (Zuma) and another person to have any charges against .
Petition in Delhi HC, seeking direction for EC to supervise internal election of political parties
A plea was filed in the Delhi High Court on Monday, seeking direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to supervise and manage the internal election of political parties.The plea alleged that a few families are dominating the political scenario of the country and is, in turn, thwarting the basic mandate of the Constitution.The petition was filed by Arvind Kumar through his counsel Setu Sharma. The court has slated the matter for hearing on February 6.The petition also mentions the names of some political parties like Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).The petition further sought the court's action on the inaction of the authorities to formulate legislation to regulate the process of holding intra-party elections to democratise the structure of political parties in India, which have become a fiefdom of a few families.The petition also sought the court's direction to the respondents to
Mamata accuses Centre of delaying Jalpaiguri circuit bench inauguration
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that the Centre was delaying the inauguration of the Calcutta High Court's circuit bench here."The BJP-led government does not work, and only indulges in politics," said Chief Minister Banerjee, while addressing reporters here after inaugurating "Uttar Banga Utsav.""We have completed the Jalpaiguri circuit bench of the Calcutta High Court. It is ready for inauguration. It is getting delayed because of the Central government. They do not work but only indulge in politics... This is nothing new," she said.Chief Minister Banerjee also urged the people of the state to have faith in her TMC government."I want Darjeeling to be peaceful. I will solve all the developmental issues in the hills. There is no need to look towards the Center for the fulfillment of any requirements," she said."We will do the needful. No need to look at Delhi," she said."The TMC government will continue to work on the proposed airports at Malda, Balurhat, .
Congress seeks probe into claims that 2014 polls were rigged
The Congress on Monday said Election Commission should probe claims by a US-based self-claimed cyber expert Syed Shuja that the 2014 Lok Sabha elections were "rigged" and said the probe panel should go for 50 per cent check of polling through VVPATs.
BHU card
A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to his Lok Sabha constituency to inaugurate the Bharatiya Pravasi Diwas-2019, a BHU Medical College cardiologist Monday sat on a hunger strike to press for his demand of a separate AIIMS outside the varsity campus. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh Monday said in a tweet that the Aam Aadmi Party extends its support to cardiologist Om Shankar's demand of a separate AIIMS in Varanasi. Shankar said he was on a hunger strike to press for his long-pending demand for a separate AIIMS here, which needs to be built on outskirts of the city. Meanwhile, AAP workers too joined Shankar, who sat on the strike outside the BHU's entrance gates near Singhdwar. BHU Medical College has been upgraded to an AIIMS-like institution but the cardiologist has been demanding a separate AIIMS saying that the varsity hospital was already crowded with patients from neighbouring states as well as Nepal.
Former BJP minister and ex-MLA join Congress
The Congress in Gujarat received a shot in the arm here on Monday with a former BJP minister and a legislator joining the party, months ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections.
Modi misleading country on Mehul Choksi: Congress
The Congress on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "misleading" the country on bringing back absconding diamond trader Mehul Choksi accused in a bank fraud case, saying he is now unlikely to return after he surrendered his Indian passport. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, "It now appears that Mehul Bhai is not going to be friend (of Modi) anymore because he has decided not to ever return to India, his Indian passport stands surrendered...Utter hypocrisy and again misleading the people of this country." Singhvi said that in 2017-18, bank frauds in this country have increased by 72 per cent and there is yet no answer or clarification from the government. "The total debt of India has risen 50 per cent from Rs 54 lakh crore to Rs 82 lakh crores. This is the hard figures based reality versus Modi ji's 'jumlebaji' (gimmicks)," he said. Choksi has surrendered his Indian passport to the High Commission in Guyana, official sources said Monday. Choksi, one of the alleged
Modi to inaugurate Indian diaspora conclave in Varanasi (Curtainraiser)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate this year's Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), the Indian diaspora conclave, in Varanasi on Tuesday in which at least 5,000 delegates from the overseas candidate community are expected to participate.
Jaitley terms claims of EVM hacking a big lie, attack Congress
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday rejected claims of EVM hacking in 2014 Lok Sabha polls at a press conference in London by a self-proclaimed cyber expert as "absolutely rubbish" and a "big lie" and attacked the Congress for demanding a probe into the issue.
Two kinds of alliances to remove Modi government - total unity, possible unity: Sharad Yadav (Lead, Correcting Intro) (IANS Interview)
There will be two kinds of alliances -- "total unity" and "possible unity" -- across states to reach the opposition goal of removing the Narendra Modi government, said Loktrantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav.
Convergence of opposition parties has led to panic in BJP: Congress
The Congress Monday claimed the next Lok Sabha election will be a fight between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India and that the convergence of opposition parties has led to panic in the BJP. Reacting to HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar's statement on Sunday that there would be "anarchy" without Modi at the helm of governance, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said it was BJP's "arrogance" that Union ministers were talking such things. "This is going to be a fight of Modi versus India... The arrogance of PM Modi and the BJP, who claim there'll be anarchy if they are not in power, is in fact a display of fear and nervousness," he told reporters. Javadekar had also said that there was no alternative to Modi and the gathering of opposition parties in Kolkata was aimed only at ousting the prime minister. "All this is done because there is genuine terror in the hearts and minds of the BJP... The genuine terror arises from the unprecedented rainbow coalition," ...
India scaling up defence diplomacy in extended neighbourhood
Keeping regional security in mind, India has scaled up its defence cooperation with its extended neighbourhood in the last three years under New Delhi's Neighbourhood First, Act East and Look West policies.