Page 298 - Politics
Ex-UK prime minister David Cameron joins US Artificial Intelligence firm
Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron has been hired by a US-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) firm as the chair of its advisory board, the company announced in a statement. The former prime minister "will be responsible for curating and overseeing the strategic guidance" the board provides to Afiniti, the company was quoted as saying by The Guardian. It would be one of Cameron's most prominent appointments since he step down as prime minister in 2016. He has previously taken a number of roles at not-for-profit organisations and has a memoir, For the Record, due out later this year, the report said. Cameron said he was "delighted" to take the job working on "transforming the future of customer service and interpersonal communications". The Afiniti advisory board has high-profile figures including John Browne, former chief executive of BP and Franois Fillon, the former prime minister of France. The AI company was set up by the US-Pakistani entrepreneur Zia Chishti and specialises in .
Rajnath holds high-level meet after taking charge as Defence Minister
Soon after taking charge as Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh Saturday asked the chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force to prepare separate presentations on the challenges and overall functioning of their respective forces. Singh held a held a meeting with Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and newly-appointed Navy chief Karambir Singh at the headquarters of the defence ministry at the Raisina Hills during which he was apprised about the security scenario, officials said. Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and several top officials of the ministry were also present at the meeting. Officials said separate wings of the ministry were also told to prepare presentations which will be reviewed at a meeting soon. Singh, who was the Home Minister in the previous government, was accorded a grand welcome by the three services chiefs and senior officials when he arrived at the defence ministry around noon. A ...
Dalit activists hold dharna, urging Rahul continue as Congress chief
Members of various Dalit organisations in the national capital on Saturday organised a dharna, urging Rahul Gandhi to continue as the president of the Congress party.Urging Gandhi not to resign, former Congress MLA Jai Kishan said: "Rahul might be correct in deciding to resign, but for the millions of people who have placed their faith in him and the party, it is not justifiable. He shouldn't let us down by resigning from his post.""He is not the only one who should be held accountable for the party's performance in the elections. All the party workers should take moral responsibility and work hard to strengthen the party," he said."As of now, there is no one who can replace Rahul Gandhi. It is not the right time to give someone else the responsibility to lead the party," he said.It is worth mentioning that Rahul had offered to step down from the party president post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, taking the moral responsibility for the party's dismal performance in .
'Defence strategy, revamp, more funds Rajnath's priorities'
National security strategy, military and equipment modernisation, defence reform besides garnering more funds for the ministry are the areas of challenge for the new Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, according to analysts here.
The BJP will have no walkover in Parliament: Rahul Gandhi
Asserting that the 52 newly-elected Congress MPs will work like "a pride of brave-hearted lions", Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that his party will continue to work "fearlessly" and that the BJP cannot have a "walk over" in parliament."The Congress Party may have just 52 Lok Sabha members but we will work together like a pride of brave-hearted lions to protect our Constitution and institutions and to fearlessly do our duty as the leading Opposition party. The BJP will have no walkover in Parliament," tweeted Rahul Gandhi.Congress has secured a meagre 52 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats in the recent elections.Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party, Rahul Gandhi said that Congress' ideological battle with the BJP will continue."Every Congress member must remember that each one of you is fighting for the Constitution, for every person in India irrespective of the colour of his skin or belief," Rahul was quoted as saying by party spokesperson Rajdeep Singh ...
Defence Minister seeks detailed presentations on all divisions, departments
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday instructed officials in his ministry to prepare detailed presentations on all divisions and departments under them.Singh also asked officers to set time-bound targets to achieve desired outcomes.Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Defence, Shripad Yesso Naik, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh were also present in the meeting at the ministry office located in South Block.Earlier in the day, Singh took over as Defence Minister two days after he was sworn in at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.Singh also paid tribute to martyred jawans at the National War Memorial here today."Paid tributes to the martyred soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty, at the National War Memorial today. These fallen heroes represent the character of India who has a long history of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. I salute them for keeping India safe," he tweeted after the visit.Singh handled
No mismatch between EVMs and VVPATs reported in LS polls, says BEL CMD
Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) MV Gowtama on Saturday said that no mismatch was reported between votes recorded in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines during the recently held Lok Sabha polls.Gowtama, who was speaking at BEL's annual press conference here, said: "No mismatch was reported between votes recorded in EVMs and VVPAT machines during the recently held Lok Sabha elections. Not even a single case of any such mismatch was reported."In reply to a question, Gowtama said: "There is no scope for any mischief in EVMs. BEL has made a record as there is not a single case of mismatch between EVMs and VVPAT machines. All post-poll controversies over EVMs have settled now. Political parties know well that EVMs cannot be tampered with."Explaining the use of EVMs, Gowtama said: "In fact, democracy in India can only survive when we use EVMs. Along with VVPAT machines, EVMs ensure that no rigging ...
Indo-Pacific USA's priority theatre, says acting Defence Chief
Releasing the US Department of Defence's first Indo-Pacific Strategy Report, the acting Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan on Saturday highlighted the region as the United States' "priority theatre.""The Indo-Pacific is the Department of Defence's priority theatre. We have an enduring commitment to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific in which all nations, large and small, are secure in their sovereignty and able to pursue economic growth consistent with accepted international rules, norms, and principles of fair competition," the US official wrote in the report."The United States is a Pacific nation; we are linked to our Indo-Pacific neighbours through unbreakable bonds of shared history, culture, commerce, and values," the report quoted him as saying.Even though he held a meeting with China's Defence Minister Wei Fenghe on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue 2019 in Singapore on May 31, the report was critical of China's role in the Indo-Pacific.It critiqued China for ...
Will cooperate with ED, says Praful Patel
NCP leader and former Union minister Praful Patel said Saturday he will be happy to cooperate with the Enforcement Directorate so that it understands the "complexities" of the aviation industry. The ED earlier in the day summoned Patel, who was the civil aviation minister in the UPA government, over an alleged aviation scam. "I will be happy to cooperate with ED for their understanding of the complexities of the aviation industry," Patel told PTI over phone.
OIC rejects US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reiterated its continued support at all levels for the Palestinian people's "right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State" with Jerusalem as its capital, in the 'Mecca Declaration' issued at the 14th Islamic Summit here."The Palestinian Cause is the cornerstone of the OIC works and is the focus of our attention until the Palestinian people get all their legitimate rights guaranteed by the international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab peace initiative," King Salman of Saudi Arabia said, according to OIC."The Summit reaffirmed the centrality of the question of Palestine and the issue of Jerusalem to the Islamic Ummah and reiterated its principled and continuous support at all levels for the Palestinian people to attain their inalienable national rights," the communique stated.This includes "their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign ...
Elected CPP leader again, Sonia praises Rahul's election campaign
Rahul Gandhi may have offered to resign as President accepting moral responsibility for the election debacle but Sonia Gandhi on Friday came out strongly backing him for his "valiant and relentless campaign" and asserted that he has "demonstrated his fearless leadership, by taking the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government head on".Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting after he re-election as its Chairperson, she said even as they were meeting emotional messages were coming from all over the country "vindicating" his leadership and said the party We all express our gratitude to him for his sincerity of purpose, his relentless effort, his hard work and leadership," she added.Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party, which elected as Chairperson of the CPP for a ofurth consecutive term, she said even as they were meetijng there were "emotional messages" froin all corners "vindicating" his leadership and said "We all express our gratitude to him for his sincerity .
Congress may not contest UP bypolls
The Congress in Uttar Pradesh may decide against contesting the bye-elections to 11 Assembly segments that have been necessitated after 11 legislators from the state won the Lok Sabha polls.
Sonia praises Rahul for 'valiant, relentless' LS campaign
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday praised Congress President Rahul Gandhi for his "valiant and relentless" campaign in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, saying he toiled night and day for the party, demonstrated his "fearless leadership" and took on the Narendra Modi government head on.
Bengal's Kanchrapara turns violent with 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan
West Bengal Police on Saturday resorted to baton charge to disperse a group of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters staging a demonstration and shouting "Jai Shri Ram", ahead of a Trinamool Congress party meeting at Kanchrapara in North 24 Parganas district.
Narada tapes: ED summons ex-mayor's wife, minister's daughter
The Enforcement Directorate has issued summons to four persons, including Ratna Chatterjee, wife of former Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee and Shreya Pandey, daughter of state Consumer Affairs minister Sadhan Pandey in connection with the Narada tapes. ED sources told PTI Saturday that the other two persons were Abhijit Ganguly and Moloy Bhattacharya. While Ratna Chatterjee had been asked to appear on June 6, Shreya Pandey on June 13, Abhijit Ganguly on June 10 and Moloy Bhattacharya on June 11. The Narada tapes allegedly indicted several Trinamool Congress leaders and ministers accepting cash for extending favour from a purported business in a sting operation. The tapes showed the former mayor allegedly accepting cash and then wrapping it by a towel. His wife had been called because Sovan Chatterjee had gone on record claiming Ratna Chatterjee was privy to all his financial transactions.
All challenges come to end when Shah's name comes: Rai
Where Amit Shah's name comes, all challenges come to an end, said new Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai on Saturday. The comment came after Rai took charge as junior home minister under Amit Shah, who took charge as Union Home Minister on Saturday. Asked to describe the challenges for him in the new assignment, Rai said, "Where Amit Shah's name comes, all challenges come to an end". Rai also said he will discharge his responsibility as Union minister of state for home with all sincerity. The BJP-led NDA has received a landslide mandate in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections with the saffron party winning 303 of the 542 seats that went to polls this time. Shah was the key architect of the BJP's victory as party president. Rai is Bihar state president of the BJP.
Imran meets Saudi Crown Prince, discusses ties
Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on Saturday on the sidelines of the 14th Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) here.
Congress to not stake claim for LoP in Lok Sabha
The Congress on Saturday said it will not formally stake claim for the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha as it is two seats short of the required number of 54.
Ex-UK PM joins US Artificial Intelligence firm
Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron has taken a job as chair of a US Artificial Intelligence (AI) firms advisory board, the company announced in a statement.
Rajnath Singh takes charge as Defence Minister
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday took charge of his ministry here two days after he was sworn in at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Defence, Shripad Yesso Naik, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh were also present at the office located in South Block.Earlier in the day, Singh paid tribute to martyred jawans at the National War Memorial here."Paid tributes to the martyred soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty, at the National War Memorial today. These fallen heroes represent the character of India who has a long history of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. I salute them for keeping India safe," he tweeted after the visit.Singh handled the Home ministry in the first term of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. BJP president Amit Shah, who has succeeded him, took over as Home Minister today.