Page 1896 - Politics
US, North Korea start talks aimed at 2nd Trump-Kim summit
The US and North Korea began highly anticipated talks Friday aimed at resuming stalled efforts to end the North's nuclear weapons program by arranging a second summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korea's former spy chief, Kim Yong Chol, did not respond to reporters' questions before their meeting at a Washington hotel. Pompeo, Kim and Steve Biegun, the special U.S. envoy for North Korea negotiations, stood silently as photographers took photos. Pompeo and Kim had plans to go to the White House later for a possible meeting with Trump. Trump has spoken several times of having a second summit early this year and has exchanged multiple letters with Kim Jong Un despite little tangible progress on a vague denuclearization agreement reached at their historic first meeting in Singapore last June. Since then, several private analysts have published reports detailing continuing North Korean development of nuclear ...
BJP mocks AAP after seat-sharing announcement
The Delhi BJP took a dig at the AAP on Friday, describing the party as "sour grapes" after hopes of an alliance with the Congress had been struck down. The Aam Aadmi Party's announcement that it will contest all the Lok Sabha seats alone in Punjab, Delhi and Haryana shows that it was "not accepted" in the political world, said Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari. "The AAP saying it will have no alliance with the Congress and contest alone amounts to it being sour grapes," Tiwari said. The party was "scared" of defeat in the Lok Sabha elections and was trying to forge an alliance but that was not possible because of newly appointed president of Delhi Congress Sheila Dikshit, he said. "The Lok Sabha elections will be contested on the issues of leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the development works under his policy 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," he asserted. Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta claimed that there was "panic" among the opposition parties due to ..
'Cong govt illegally converted agri land into settlement zone'
Goa minister Vijai Sardesai Friday alleged that the erstwhile Congress government in the state had illegally converted 16 crore square metres of agriculture land purchased by residents in Delhi, into settlement zone. Sardesai, who is the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister, also alleged that several Congress leaders had accepted money to facilitate this land conversion, and are afraid of being exposed. "There were many conversions (of agricultural land) into settlements done under the Regional Plan 2021 when (Congress leader) Digambar Kamat was the chief minister," he alleged was speaking to reporters in Margao town. "While converting the land owned by Delhi buyers, the Congress government had reverted the land of Goans from settlement to orchards (agricultural). Around seven crore square metres owned by Goans was converted into agriculture land by the Congress government," the Goa Forward Party chief said. Sardesai has been facing criticism from the Congress for .
Pelosi cancels Afghanistan trip, cites Trump 'leak'
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday cancelled her plans to travel by commercial plane to visit US troops in Afghanistan, saying President Donald Trump had caused a security risk by talking about the trip. It was the latest twist in what has become a Washington game of brinkmanship between Pelosi and Trump, playing out against the stalled negotiations over how to end the partial government shutdown. Earlier in the week, Pelosi had asked Trump to reschedule his State of the Union address, citing security issues at a time when the Homeland Security Department and other agencies remain unfunded. Trump responded by cancelling the military plane that was to have carried Pelosi and a congressional delegation to Afghanistan on the previously undisclosed troop visit. Trump suggested she travel by commercial plane instead. Trump had belittled the trip as a "public relations event" even though he had just made a similar warzone stop and said it would be best if Pelosi remained in Washington ..
Karnataka Congress MLAs reach Eagleton resort after CLP meet
Congress on Friday dispatched its Karnataka lawmakers to a resort, following a decision taken at the Legislative Party meeting in the evening, to avoid poaching.Soon after the meeting, 76 Congress MLAs boarded a bus and left for the resort. Traversing the itinerary, the bus with the Congress MLAs onboard reached the Eagleton resort after a while.Three Karnataka Congress MLAs on Friday abstained from the Legislature Party meeting which decided to move rest of the 76 legislators to a resort. The meeting was convened by the party to assess whether its flock was intact amid speculation that some of the MLAs had switched over to the BJP.The party, which had threatened to invoke anti-defection law against those absenting themselves, decided to issue show-cause notices to those who did not make to the meeting.The Congress, which shares power with JD(S), has 80 MLAs in the 224-member Assembly, including the Speaker. Accordingly, 79 MLAs were expected to attend the CLP meeting held under the ..
Algeria to hold Presidential polls on April 18
Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Friday announced that the North African country would go for Presidential elections on April 18, this year, however, without clearing whether the incumbent President will stand for the fifth consecutive term or not.Last year, Djamel Ould Abbes, had announced that Bouteflika would become the candidate of ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) in the next Presidential elections, before being ousted from the party leadership in November, Al Jazeera reported."Bouteflika... is the candidate of the FLN for the presidential election," Abbes was quoted as saying following a meeting with the party members, last year."His candidacy has been demanded by all the FLN cadres and activists across the country," Abbes added.The 81-year-old incumbent president had last addressed the nation more than six years ago and has been sick since he suffered a stroke in 2013.Meanwhile, the North African country has a maximum ratio of the youth population, whereby most .
Pak won't decide what role other's would play in their regional affairs: India
India on Friday lashed out at Pakistan asserting that 'it is not for Pakistan to decide as to what role another country has in regional or global affairs'."It is not for Pakistan to decide as to what role another country has in regional or global affairs. Pakistan also cannot decide on behalf of an independent and sovereign country Afghanistan and dictate them as to how to conduct their foreign policy," the Official Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs said in his statement."Pakistan should first and foremost introspect its own role and responsibility in the precarious situation in Afghanistan; put an end to all kind of support to cross border terrorism from territories under Pakistan's control, and join international efforts to bring inclusive peace to Afghanistan," the spokesperson added.The statement from India came in the wake of claims made by Pakistan on Thursday that India has no role in stabilising and supporting Afghanistan's efforts towards a peace and reconciliation
Gujjar quota: Bainsla gives 20-day ultimatum to Raj govt
Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla urged the Rajasthan government on Friday to resolve the issue of reservation for the community in government jobs and educational institutes within 20 days, failing which he threatened to stage a protest. "State government should clarify its stand on the reservation issue in 20 days failing which I will stage a protest," Bainsla, who has spearheaded Gujjar agitations in the state, told reporters. He said he will hold a 'panchayat' in Khandar, Nainwa, Ajmer and Dausa on January 27, February 1, 5 and 13, respectively. Bainsla also sought support from government employees belonging to the most backward classes. Gujjars in Rajasthan already have 1 per cent reservation in the 'most backward' category but are demanding 5-per cent quota under the legal limit of 50 per cent reservation.
Farooq bats for regional autonomy
National Conference president Farooq AbdullahFriday reiterated that his party was committed towards ensuring regional autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir as it will assuage the aspirations of the people of all the regions. The former chief minister sought a massive mandate for his party in the ensuing elections, saying a strong and stable government alone can steer Jammu and Kashmir to peace, progress and development. "On being given absolute majority in the ensuing elections, National Conference will bring legislation in the first assembly session with regard to regional autonomy," Abdullah said while interacting with various deputations besides welcoming new entrants into the party fold. The people, he said, have realised the crucial need of a strong and stable government to meet various challenges confronted by the state. Abdullah said a comprehensive blue print had already been drawn by the NC after extensive deliberations with an avowed objective of empowering the regions under the ...
Smriti Irani dares Rahul Gandhi to repeat anti-national slogan in public
Days after Congress leader Kapil Sibal questioned the need for a sedition law, Union Minister Smriti Irani dared his party President Rahul Gandhi to repeat the slogan 'Bharat tere tukde honge" in public.
Suspended Cong MLA meets CM, min says issue 'settled'
Two days after his suspension from the party, Congress MLA Kulbir Singh Zira Friday met Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here. Cabinet minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who had arranged the meeting, later claimed that the issue had been "amicably settled" even though, the Punjab unit of the Congress clarified that no decision was taken on revoking Zira's suspension. Earlier, the legislator from Punjab's Zira seat was asked by Amarinder Singh to also meet in-charge of party affairs Asha Kumari and Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar. Randhawa, accompanied by Zira, told the media: "Whatever was the issue has been clarified and he (Zira) will work the way like he was earlier. He has been asked to work for the party with full vigour". "The matter has been amicably settled," Randhawa added. Asked if Zira's suspension was revoked, the Punjab jails minister said, "We have met them (CM, Congress leaders), it means (his) reinstatement... The party high command is now satisfied with Zira." "I ...
Cong shifting MLAs to resort to escape BJP's "onslaught":
Congress Legislature party leader Siddaramaiah Friday said his party was shifting its MLAs to a resort to "escape" from the BJP's "onslaught." The former Karnataka Chief Minister also accused PrimeMinister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah ofindulging in destabilising the coalition government as they fear getting just three our four seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "All our MLAs will stay together, we will discuss there about drought situation. All our MLAs, MPs and ministers will stay together at one place.... We will stay as long it is necessary," Siddaramaiah said. Speaking to reporters here, he said "We will discuss about party issues....to escape from the onslaught by the BJP. We will discuss about drought, parliament election also." According to top Congress sources, at least 8 party MLAs had committed to BJP to jumping ship. To avoid this, MLAswere being shifted to a resort on the outskirts of the city, the sources said. Siddaramaiah, ...
Country needs a 'strong' and not 'helpless' government: Yadav
BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav Friday said in the last five years, the party-led government has worked for overall development of backward classes and also poverty alleviation. He said there is no merit in perception in some quarters that people from minority and backward communities have faced persecution under the BJP-led government. "I think there is no merit in such perceptions. In the last five years, our government has moved forward in social equality, poverty alleviation, social representation and development of pilgrim sites related to Babasaheb Ambedkar," he said. Yadav was addressing a press conference here on the eve of national convention of the BJP SC Morcha beginning here Saturday. Asked about the BJP's prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he said the country wants Narendra Modi as prime minister again. "The biggest subject of the 2019 elections is that the country needs a 'strong' (majboot) government and not a 'helpless' (majboor ...
Next LS polls battle for India's soul and future : Tharoor
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday said the opposition stands united in the next Lok Sabha elections, which will be a battle for "India's soul and future", and wished success for the TMC's mega rally in the city on January 19. The united opposition will resist "very dangerous tendencies"of the NDA regime which is "undermining our institutions, threatening our freedom and failing to deliver economic growth and development", he told newsmen here at the sidelines of a programme. Congress president Rahul Gandhi is very clear on the issue that the party "stands very much" with the opposition parties and thinks it must come together, Tharoor said and wished "every success" to the January 19 mega united opposition rally called by Trinamool Congress. Gandhi extended his support to TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday in a letter for her "show of unity" and hoped that it would send a powerful message of a united India. Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge and his party .
Reconsider Citizenship Amendment Bill Meghalaya CM tells Home Minister Rajnath Singh
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh to reconsider the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 passed in the Lok Sabha.
After mocking Shah over illness, Cong MP stokes another row
A day after mocking Amit Shah over his illness, Congress Rajya Sabha member B K Hariprasad stoked another controversy Friday saying the BJPpresident was not suffering from 'swine flu'. "We also know people in AIIMS. He has not been admitted because of the flu. Let me get the fact. Then I will get back to you," the MP said when asked by reporters what he meant by his 'pigfever' jibe. When asked about the ailment of Shah if it was not swine flu, Hariprasad said that was the report he got. To a question whether Shah was suffering from something else, he said, "I don't know." Hariprasad also refused to retract from his remarks made Thursday despite furious reaction by the BJP which has demanded that the Congress sack him and tender a public apology. "Whatever statement I made is there. I will talk to you later," he said, adding that he spoke in Kannada, which was his mother tongue and there was nothing wrong in that. Speaking at a Congress protest in Bengaluru against the ...
BJP leader hits out at LS deputy speaker Thambidurai
BJP national secretary H Raja Friday slammed AIADMK leader M Thambidurai over his comments against the party allying with the saffron party for the Lok Sabha polls and said he was not in a position to take decisions in the regional party. Speaking to reporters here, Raja said Thambidurai's comments sounded like he was "frustrated" within the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. Taking exception to RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy's reported statement that the AIADMK should ally with the BJP to help it gain a foothold in the state, Thambidurai, who is the Lok Sabha deputy speaker, had Thursday termed it "ridiculous." "When we are trying to strengthen our party, there is no chance of it carrying BJP on its shoulder," Thambidurai had said. Raja said, "He (Thambidurai) is not in a position to take decisions in the party. If he has a say, then we do not know why he continues to be the deputy speaker of Lok Sabha." ".... his comments have been sounding like he is frustrated within the ...
Cong, JMM reach an agreement for LS, J'khand assembly polls
The Congress Friday said it would fight the Jharkhand Assembly elections under the leadership of the JMM, which in turn, consented to fight the Lok Sabha elections under the Congress leadership. Jharkhand Congress president Ajoy Kumar while giving this information said seat adjustments would be discussed on January 30. The Lok Sabha elections will be fought under the leadership of the Congress while the assembly elections will be fought under the leadership of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Kumar told PTI over phone. The announcement comes a day after a meeting between JMMs working president Hemant Soren and Kumar held at the former's residence. The meeting was also attended by former chief minister and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) president Babulal Marandi, Rashtriya Janata Dal's Jharkhand unit president Annapurna Devi and Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Bhubaneswar Mehta. Both the general elections and Jharkhand assembly elections are slated to take place this ...
Iran's FM mocks John Bolton with '10-year challenge'
Iran's foreign minister has mocked the US national security adviser's calls for a strike on Iran, in a play on the viral 10-year challenge meme on social media. In a tweet Friday, Mohammad Javad Zarif posted the titles of two separate articles by John Bolton from 2009 and 2019, both calling for strikes on Iran. "Same bull. Same bully. Same delusion," Zarif wrote. Earlier this week, reports surfaced that Bolton asked the Pentagon in September to prepare military options for attacking Iran after attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites in Iraq. Social media users taking the 10-year challenge are comparing their profile photos from 2009 and 2019. Tensions between Iran and the US have been heightened after President Donald Trump withdrew America from the nuclear deal and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.
Congress is with all other opposition parties: Sashi Tharoor
A day ahead of TMC's mega rally in Kolkata, Congress MP Sashi Tharoor called for opposition parties to put up a united fight against the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and said the Congress will support all other parties."Congress president Rahul Gandhi has made it very clear that Congress stands with the opposition parties," Tharoor said.The Congress leader described the upcoming Assembly elections as a "battle for India's soul" and "for India's future.""The opposition must come together, it may vary from state to state. Next election is not just an election in the ordinary course; it is a battle for India's soul and for India's future. I am certainly hoping for a success," he said.The senior Congress leader said here that the BJP-led central government has been undermining democracy and the institutions functioning under it since it came to power in 2014."There is clearly a perception in this country that the government which we have seen in this country since 2014, has taken ..