Page 457 - Politics
Gujarat: Counting begins for 26 Lok Sabha seats
Counting of votes for elections to 26 Lok Sabha constituencies and bypolls in four Assembly seats of Gujarat began at 8 am on Thursday at 28 centres, an election official said. Over 8,000 polling staff has been deployed at the counting centres, the official said. Election authorities said declaration of results may get delayed by around three to four hours due to counting of voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips. VVPAT slips of five randomly selected Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be counted in every Assembly segment after EVM votes are counted, state's Chief Electoral Officer S Murali Krishna said. Each of the 26 Lok Sabha seats has six to seven Assembly segments. If the slips and EVM data do not match, count of VVPAT slips will be taken into consideration, Krishna said. "Due to this exercise, declaration of final results may get delayed by around three to four hours...trends will be out by afternoon. Only formal declaration would get delayed. Final ..
Madhya Pradesh: Counting begins; first result likely by 10 pm
Counting of votes for the 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh got underway at 292 centres in 51 district headquarters on Thursday and the first results are expected by 10 pm, an election official said. All eyes will be on the Bhopal Lok Sabha which seat saw a keen contest between Congress veteran Digvijay Singh and Malegaon blast case accused Pragya Singh Thakur. Around 1,800 CCTV cameras have been installed at the counting centres where internet and wi-fi services will not be available, state Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao told reporters. "The counting of votes began from 8 am. Given the number of candidates and counting rounds, the first result may start coming in by 10 pm," he said. After the end of counting, five randomly selected Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips from each Assembly segment of that particular Lok Sabha seat would be matched with the electronic voting machines (EVMs), he said. The highest 29 rounds of counting will be held in ..
US-Japan vision for Indo-Pacific serves as foundation for global partnership: White House
The vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that the United States and Japan share serves as the foundation for a global partnership that strengthens security, prosperity and order around the world, the White House has said. In fact, the US-Japan alliance serves as the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, it said Wednesday, ahead of President Donald Trump's scheduled Japan visit beginning May 25. "The United States' and Japan's shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific serves as the foundation for a global partnership that strengthens security, prosperity, and a rules-based order around the world," a senior administration official told reporters during a conference call. Trump would be Japan's first state guest following the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito on May 1. "This visit by the president comes at a historic moment in Japan and it demonstrates that the alliance between the United States and Japan has never been stronger," the official said. Trump is
May faces pressure after Leadsom resigns
Theresa May is continuing to face pressure from her own MPs to resign after one of her senior ministers quit the cabinet.
Khalilzad has done an amazing job in Afghanistan by bringing parties to peace table: US
Special US Representative on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has done an amazing job by bringing the parties to the peace table, the Trump Administration said as the envoy briefed lawmakers in the US capitol on the progress in the peace process. "I think that the ambassador has done an amazing job at bringing the parties to the table that many in the US government probably thought would never be able to get to the table," State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told reporters here Wednesday. "He's making slow and steady progress in these talks," Ortagus said soon after Khalilzad briefed Congressmen. "I know he completed another round recently. While he has an incredibly tough job, I think that he is doing something that is important to the president, the secretary and the American people: to try to get a peaceful solution in Afghanistan," she said in response to a question. The Congressional hearing titled "The Reconciliation Process in Afghanistan" by Khalilzad was ...
Suicide car bomb kills at least 9 in Somalia's capital
Islamic extremists exploded a suicide car bomb near the presidential palace in Somalia's capital Wednesday, killing at least nine people, including former Foreign Minister Hussein Elabe Fahiye, who was an adviser to the current president. Capt Mohamed Hussein told The Associated Press that an additional 13 people were wounded and most of the casualties were soldiers. The Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the blast in Mogadishu, saying it targeted vehicles carrying government officials. The car bomb exploded at a security checkpoint near the presidential palace as soldiers were conducting security checks on vehicles on the main road. A white column of smoke rose over the seaside city as gunfire rang out and people scattered. The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab frequently carries out such blasts in the capital near the presidential compound and at hotels frequented by government officials and foreigners. "In the past I was wounded in this area, and again today
US says it is confident about fairness, integrity of Indian elections
The United States Wednesday said that it was confident in the fairness and integrity of the Indian elections and would work with whoever is the victor. "I would say from the US perspective, we are very confident in the fairness and the integrity of the Indian elections, and we will obviously work with whoever is the victor and whatever the outcome is there," State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told reporters during an off-camera gaggle here. Unlike other countries, the US does not send its election observers to India because of the strong independent credentials of the Election Commission of India. "We have a very strong relationship and a lot of cooperation with the Indian government on a full range of issues, and the Secretary (of State, Mike Pompeo) has said numerous times that we have a true strategic partner in India," Ortagus said in response to a question. The diplomat praised India and its people for carrying out such a massive exercise peacefully, describing it as ...
Maduro asks armed forced to to be 'vigilant' to deter US invasion.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday ordered armed forces to be "vigilant" to deter a possible United States invasion."I have ordered all military branches to be vigilant and be ready to protect the peace, to make any attempt by the North American empire to try anything against our homeland impossible. Peace will be our victory!" Maduro tweeted in Spanish.This comes after Guaido's envoy to Washington Carlos Vecchio has sent a letter to US Southern Command calling for "strategic and operational planning so that we may fulfil our constitutional obligation to the Venezuelan people", reported Sputnik.Venezuela is witnessing a political crisis, which has exacerbated after National Assembly leader Juan Guaido declared himself to be the President of the nation, calling for the elected Maduro, to step down.The United States immediately extended support to Guaido, recognising him as the official interim President. Maduro, however, has refused to resign, citing the support of the ...
Amid Brexit chaos, May's key minister resigns
In yet another blow to British Prime Minister Theresa May, who is struggling hard to get a Brexit deal cleared through both houses, one of her key minister, House of Commons leader Andrea Leadsom resigned on Wednesday.Leadsom, a Brexit supporter, has supported May's Brexit deal in the Parliament.This comes amid the calls of May's resignation have gone louder. However, the embattled leader is making all effort to convince the opposition to go with her deal.In her resignation letter, Leadsom said she no longer believed May's approach to Brexit could "deliver on the referendum result" or ensure "a truly sovereign United Kingdom."Leadsom said a second Brexit referendum would be "dangerously divisive." May, too, has opposed a second referendum, but on Tuesday she offered Parliament a chance to vote on whether there should be a second public vote.Leadsom added that tolerance for those in May's leadership team "who advocate policies contrary to the government's position had led to a complete
UK has warned 16 NATO allies of Russia hacking attempts: foreign minister
Britain has shared with 16 NATO allies details of malicious Russian cyber activity in their countries over the last 18 months, foreign minister Jeremy Hunt was to say on Thursday. He will accuse Russia's intelligence services of mounting a "global campaign" targeting critical infrastructure, during a speech at the NATO Cyber Defence Pledge Conference in London, to be attended by the alliance's head Jens Stoltenberg. "This global campaign also seeks to compromise central government networks," he will warn, according to extracts of the speech released by his department. "I can disclose that in the last 18 months, the National Cyber Security Centre has shared information and assessments with 16 NATO Allies -- and even more nations outside the Alliance -- of Russian cyber activity in their countries." NATO has 29 member states. He will say that attempts to influence elections in the United States and Ukraine "breach international law -- and justify a proportionate response." "Together, we
Russia terms US ultimatum to Turkey over S-400 deal 'unaccepatble'
Condemning the US threat to eliminate Turkey from a programme on creating F-35 multi-role fighters over its deal to buy Russian S-400 defence system, Kremlin on Wednesday said such ultimatums by Washington is "unacceptable"."We consider such ultimatums to be unacceptable and we are going on the many statements made by representatives of Turkey's leadership - headed by President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan - that the S-400 deal is already complete and will be implemented," Al Jazeera quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.This comes hours after Turkey said it is preparing for potential US sanctions over the purchase of Russian missile system.Earlier Pentagon spokesperson Eric Pahon said that the US considers Russia deal with Turkey as a "strategic trick" of Moscow to disconnect Ankara from its western allies.However, Turkey has indicated that it would not go back on its deal, regardless of the US decision. "Turkey could cooperate with any other country if the US refused to supply .
Sushma, Qureshi exchange pleasantries on sidelines of SCO meeting
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi exchanged pleasantries on the sidelines of SCO meeting here on Wednesday and were seated next to each other during an interaction with Kyrgyz President amid strain in ties between the two countries following the Pulwama terror attack .
LS results: Congress headquarters all geared up for D-day
The Congress party is all decked up for the D-day, that is May 23, as the grand old party is expecting a favourable result in the Lok Sabha polls.Speaking to ANI, Congress secretary in-charge (communications) Pranav Jha said: "The presence of the party workers and leaders is required more at the counting centre. As soon as trends will start showing a favourable result for the party, top leaders will come to the party office."Jha further said several Congress party workers will be present in the party headquarters from 7 am onwards on the result day, today."Party workers have also been given permission to celebrate in the party office. Congress President Rahul Gandhi will also arrive at the party headquarters in the evening," Jha added.
Opposition weakening constitution by complaining about EVMs: Ram Vilas Paswan
Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) president Ram Vilas Paswan hit out at the opposition for weakening the constitution by complaining about the 'manipulated Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).'"Those who revolt against EVMs, want the 'booth capturing' reign back. This is a step to weaken the constitution," Paswan said while speaking to media person here on Wednesday.The opposition parties had, on May 21, moved the Election Commission, pressing their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire constituency, in case a discrepancy is found at any polling booth.The polling body had, however, rejected the opposition parties' demand on the basis of the impracticability of its implementation and cited Supreme Court's (SC) order on the subject.Continuing his tirade against the opposition parties, LJP chief said: "If you win, you say that the EVMs were not faulty, otherwise you blame it for your loss. In the face of imminent defeat, you have started complaining about ..
US officials: Plan may send up to 10,000 troops to Mideast
US officials say the Pentagon will present plans to the White House to send up to 10,000 more American troops to the Middle East to beef up defences against potential Iranian threats. The officials say no decision has been made and it's not clear if the White House will approve sending all or just some of the requested forces. Officials say the troops will be defensive forces, and the discussions include additional Patriot missile batteries and more ships. The Thursday morning meeting comes as tensions with Iran continue to simmer. Defense leaders told congressional officials Tuesday that the US doesn't want to go to war with Iran and wants to de-escalate the situation. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been formally announced.
'Cannot confirm' claims of use of chemical weapons in Idlib: US Syria envoy
The United States can so far not confirm the alleged use of chemical weapons by Russia-ally Syrian government in Idlib province, said US Special Envoy for Syria on Wednesday."We are watching [the situation] very closely, also the reports of chemical weapons use. So far, we cannot confirm it, but we are watching it," Sputnik quoted James Jeffrey as saying.This development comes a day after the US warned the Syrian government over carrying out chemical attacks as a counter-offensive, particularly in its northwestern region, the remaining holdout of the Islamic State.In a statement, the US State Department said, "We continue to see signs that the Assad regime may be renewing its use of chemical weapons, including an alleged chlorine attack in northwest Syria on the morning of May 19, 2019."The alleged attack took place on May 19 on the border of Idlib province.The Syrian government has been accused of attacking civilians in Idlib. United Nations has also warned of a humanitarian ...
US, allies 'do not dare' to attack Iran: Revolutionary Guards commander
The United States and its allies "do not dare" to attack Iran because of its "spirit of resistance", Revolutionary Guards said commander on Wednesday."If criminal America and its Western and regional allies don't dare carry out a face-to-face military attack against our country it is because of the spirit of resistance and sacrifice of the people and youth," Sputnik quoted Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Gholamali Rashid.Rashid's warning comes amid a US military increasing presence in the Middle East in order to deter the Iranian "threat".Washington ordered carrier strike warships and B-52 bombers off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to counter an alleged and unexplained threat from Iran.Washington deployed more troops in the Persian Gulf, one of the world's most strategic waterways, in what the US officials claimed was a reaction to photographs showing Iran loading missiles onto small traditional boats, The Times of Israel reported.The ...
VVPAT makes EVM polling process foolproof: Former CEC Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi
Kolkata (West Bengal ) [India], May 23 (ANI): Former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi on Thursday stressed that Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) brought about qualitative improvement in the electoral process.Recently 22 political parties moved Election Commission of India (ECI) demanding counting of VVPAT slips before the counting of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). The polling body, however, rejected the opposition parties' demand on the basis of the impracticability of its implementation and cited Supreme Court's (SC) order on the subject.Speaking to ANI, Zaidi said, "EC has disposed of the representation of political parties in light of the order of SC on the sequencing of counting of paper slips."Zaidi further added, "In addition to the recount provision, now additionally, randomly selected VVPAT paper slips of five polling stations per assembly constituency will also be counted to test the accuracy and discrepancy, if any, between the EVM count
Iran supreme leader criticises politicians amid US tensions
Iran's supreme leader has publicly chastised the country's moderate president and foreign minister, saying he disagreed with the implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal they had negotiated with world powers. The extraordinary comments by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the first time he's criticised both politicians by name, came on Wednesday amid tensions with the United States a year after Washington's withdrawal from the accord. Khamenei has final say on all matters of state, and his blaming the deal's unraveling limits the influence of President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif relative moderates within Iran's Shiite theocracy who had struck the deal. It also shows the growing power of hard-liners. The White House earlier this month sent an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the region over a still-unexplained threat it perceived from Iran. Since that development, Iran has announced it will back away from the atomic accord. The United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, ..
US officials say foreign election hacking is inevitable
The hacking of US election systems, including by foreign adversaries, is inevitable and the real question is how the country responds, Trump administration officials said Wednesday. The comments by representatives from the departments of Justice and Homeland Security underscored the challenges for federal and state governments in trying to ward off interference from Russia and other countries in the 2020 election. Special counsel Robert Mueller has documented a sweeping effort by Moscow to meddle in the 2016 election in Donald Trump's favor by hacking Democrats and spreading disinformation online, and FBI Director Chris Wray said in April that last November's midterm election was a "dress rehearsal for the big show in 2020". Adam Hickey, a senior official in the Justice Department's national security division, told a House Oversight and Reform subcommittee that hacking was "inevitable" and that the big challenge would be "how we react to it". "We need to be focused on resilience," ...