Page 458 - Politics

Cong slams Modi govt over 'pro-Pak policy'

The Congress on Wednesday slammed the Modi government over what it called "foreign minister-level talks" with Pakistan, alleging with the end of electoral politics pro-Pakistan policy has begun. The sharp attack came after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi exchanged pleasantries during a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Bishkek on Wednesday and sat next to each other during a joint call on Kyrgyz president. Reacting to the development, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted, "Election Over, Votes Garnered, Pulwama Martyrs Forgotten!" "Foreign Minister-level talks with Pakistan begin, business as usual!" he added. Electoral politics over, pro-Pakistan policy begins, he said, posting a photograph of the two leaders sitting next to each other. Swaraj and Qureshi attended the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of SCO, which was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the ...

US calls for dismantling UN Palestinian refugee agency

The United States called Wednesday for dismantling the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, weeks before unveiling the economic aspects of its long-awaited Middle East peace plan. Addressing the UN Security Council, US adviser Jason Greenblatt said UNRWA was a "bandaid" and that it was time to hand over services assured by the UN agency to countries hosting the Palestinian refugees and NGOs. "The UNRWA model has failed the Palestinian people," Greenblatt told the council. Last year, President Donald Trump's administration cut all funding to UNRWA, arguing that it was flawed as Washington pressed ahead with work on proposals for an Israeli-Palestinian solution. Greenblatt, who along with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is drafting the peace proposals, said it was time to "start a conversation about planning the transition of UNRWA services to host governments, or to other international or local non-governmental organizations, as appropriate." Founded in 1949, UNRWA ...

UN overwhelmingly backs demand that Britain cede Chagos islands

In a stinging defeat for Britain, the UN General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly demanded that London cede to Mauritius the British-ruled Chagos islands, home to an important military base. A total of 116 countries voted in favour of a non-binding resolution presented by African countries that called on Britain to "withdraw its colonial administration" from the Chagos islands within six months. Only six countries including Britain and the United States voted against the measure in the 193-nation assembly while 56 others abstained.

UK minister resigns Cabinet role as pressure builds on Theresa May

A senior UK minister, Andrea Leadsom, on Wednesday resigned her Cabinet role as the Leader of the House of Commons, throwing British Prime Minister Theresa May's leadership into further disarray over her Brexit strategy. Leadsom's resignation, which she put down to her lack of faith in the government to deliver Britain's exit from the European Union (EU), is seen as kick-starting a fresh coup against May, who has been under increasing pressure to step down as PM. In her resignation letter, Leadsom said that there had been a "complete breakdown of collective responsibility", telling the British PM to "make the right decisions in the interests of the country, this Government and our Party". The senior minister voiced the views of many other fellow Brexiteers, saying she "fundamentally opposes" parts of the PM's new Brexit plan set out by Theresa May on Tuesday and again in the Commons on Wednesday, offering MPs the chance to vote for a second referendum. I have always maintained that a

May stares at defeat in final Brexit gambit

British Prime Minister Theresa May stared at the prospect Wednesday of her political career coming to an inglorious end after her final attempt to save her hated Brexit deal was almost universally condemned by parliament. The beleaguered premier is in the last throes of a tumultuous rule focused all-but exclusively on guiding her fractured country out of the European Union in one piece. But three overwhelming rejections by parliament of the terms she struck with the other 27 nations last year have forced Britain to miss the original March 29 departure date and plead for more time. May is now paying the price for failing to deliver on the wishes of voters who chose by a narrow margin in 2016 to break their uneasy four-decade involvement in the European integration project. Her Conservatives are set to get thumped in European Parliament elections Thursday in which the brand new Brexit Party of anti-EU populist Nigel Farage is running away with the polls. Anxious members of May's party ..

Ahead of vote counting, Odisha Cong chief Niranjan Patnaik concedes defeat

Amid indication of Congress poor showing, knives are out for the OPCC leadership

Pak should end 'proxy war' against India to move forward bilateral ties: Indian envoy

Pakistan should end its "proxy war" against India and make efforts to build trust with New Delhi to move forward the bilateral relationship, Indian high commissioner to Islamabad Ajay Bisaria said Wednesday. "There is a lack of trust in the bilateral relations. We think that trust-building is key to move forward the relationship," Bisaria said in an interview to Pakistani news website independenturdu.com. The diplomat said proxy war against India should end to further the bilateral ties between the two neighbours. "We have been taking about the proxy war for many years. It is important to stop the use of (Pakistani) soil for terrorism...It (proxy war) is being used against India for many years," he said. There is a general opinion in India that "we should have good ties with Pakistan", Bisaria said, adding that it is possible only when terrorism is stopped. The envoy said he support cricketing ties between the two nations but suitable and proper environment were important for ...

Swaraj, Qureshi hold 'informal dialogue': Pak media

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi held an "informal dialogue" on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Minister's Meeting here on Wednesday, according to Pakistani news outlet Dawn."Today (I) met Sushma Ji. She had a complaint that we sometimes talk in a bitter manner. She brought sweets today so we could also speak sweetly," Dawn quoted Qureshi, as saying.The two leaders, along with the Foreign Ministers of other SCO countries met in Bishkek from May 21 to May 22 to discuss a range of issues, including combatting terrorism.Swaraj delivered her statement at the SCO Foreign Minister's meeting here earlier today, where she focused on India's commitment to regional connectivity and Afghan peace, amongst other things.

UP: Forces instructed to be extra-vigilant in 34 communally sensitive districts, says IGP

With the results of the general elections coming on Thursday, police are gearing up as many political heavyweights including Prime Minister Narendra Modi are trying their luck from the state."We have arranged central as well as state armed forces including PAC, civil defense adequately. The forces will ensure that the counting of votes is also conducted as peacefully as the last seven phases of voting," said Praveen Kumar, Inspector General of Police (IG), Law and Order.Forces have also been instructed to be extra-vigilant in 34 communally sensitive districts, he added.To the questions being raised on the accuracy of EVM machines, Kumar said, "The administration is countering all the rumours spread over EVMs and action will be taken against people spreading rumours with ill-will."With all the seven phases of voting concluded, the counting of votes will take place on Thursday.

EC rejects Opposition's demand to count VVPAT slips first

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday rejected the demand of 22 political parties to count VVPAT slips before the commencement of counting of votes registered in EVMs. The delegation had met the ECI on May 21.The ECI rejected the opposition parties' demand on the basis of the impracticability of its implementation and cited the SC order on the subject."The Commission deliberated on the issue with senior officials dealing with this issue in ECI. After two rounds of in-depth discussions yesterday and today, it has neither been found possible nor feasible to accede to this demand in the overall context and especially in view of the judgment of Honourable Supreme Court in Writ Petition (C) No.273 of 2019 delivered on April 8. The said judgment directs that the random selection of VVPATs shall be subjected to the process of slip verification as per the guidelines 16.6 of EVM Manual in force," said a release issued by the ECI."There were some other procedural issues like ...

EC rejects demand for counting VVPAT slips before vote count

The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday rejected the Opposition's demand to count VVPAT slips before the commencement of counting of votes, saying that it didn't find it "feasible to accede to this demand."

Libyan strongman Haftar tells Macron no ceasefire for now

Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is leading a military offensive against the UN-recognised government in Tripoli, rejected a ceasefire requested by French President Emmanuel Macron during talks in Paris, an Elysee official said Wednesday. Hafter said the conditions for halting hostilities "were not met," while acknowledging that a "political dialogue" is needed to end the standoff with his rival, Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, the official said on condition of anonymity. "But the mistrust between the two Libyans is stronger than ever," the official said, acknowledging "an impasse between the international community's desire for a ceasefire, and marshal Haftar's way of seeing things." He added that Haftar had justified the offensive he launched against Tripoli last month by saying he was fighting against "private militias and extremist groups" who are gaining influence in the capital. Haftar did not make a statement after meeting with Macron for over an hour, a visit that follows .

Three counting stations set up in Wayanad parliamentary constituency

Three counting stations have been set up in Wayanad parliamentary constituency in Kerala for the counting day.AR Ajaykumar, Returning Officer said, "Three counting stations have been set up. Security arrangements and logistics arrangements are in place. Police patrol will be there. No one can enter the counting premises without valid pass so there's no scope for ruckus. There'll be 3 layers of security."Elections to the Wayanad parliamentary constituency was held on April 23 along with 19 other seats from the state of Kerala. Congress president Rahul Gandhi contested from here apart from standing in Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP candidate from Wayanad is Thushar Vellappally.The seven-phased marathon Lok Sabha election drew to a close on May 19 with the counting scheduled to be held on May 23.

Italian hostage released after 'complex' foreign op: PM

Rome, 22 May (IANS/AKI) Italian hostage Alessandro Sandrini has been freed from captivity "after a complex operation in foreign territory", Premier Giuseppe Conte said on Wednesday after a jihadist group in northwest Syria announced Sandrini had been freed.

Held 'informal' talks with Sushma, was offered sweets: Qureshi

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had an "informal dialogue" with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet in the Kyrgyz capital on Wednesday, the Pakistan Foreign Office said.

Hopeful Congress prepares for counting

A day ahead of counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections, there was hustle and bustle at the Congress headquarters here with its functionaries making arrangements for media interactions on Thursday as the trends start pouring in.

AAP criticises ECI for not accepting Opposition's demand on VVPAT-EVM tallying

AAP leader and MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday termed the decision of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to reject the opposition parties' demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM data before polling as unfortunate and alleged that the poll panel was acting at the behest of the NDA government."ECI had an opportunity to restore its declining credibility but unfortunately it has failed. It seems the ECI is following the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," said Singh.Rejecting such a small demand by the opposition parties has proved that the EC will follow whatever the Modi government says, he added.Referring to the questions raised by the BJP leaders on the efficacy of EVMs in the past, Singh said: "When the BJP was in opposition, the EVMs were faulty. But today when they are in power, EVMs are God for them."Meanwhile, questioning the intent of the BJP for not supporting the opposition's demand, NCP leader Majeed Memon said: "Why is the BJP not supporting a ...

Trump abruptly ends meet on infra after Pelosi accuses him of doing cover ups

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday abruptly cut short his talks with the opposition Democrats on infrastructure, saying he was unable to work with them, after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused him of doing cover ups. In the meeting, Trump, Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E Schumer were supposed to talk about working together on a USD 2 billion infrastructure plan. At a hurriedly convened press conference in the Rose Garden of White House shortly after the meeting, Trump said, "Instead of walking in happily to a meeting, I walk in to look at people who said I was doing a coverup...you can't do it (infrastructure work) under these circumstances," he said. "We did nothing wrong...I don't do cover ups. There was no collusion, no obstruction. The crime was committed on the other side," he said, adding that the whole thing was a takedown attempt at the president of the United States. Trump also accused the media of doing biased reporting on the Muller report and its ...

Swaraj, Qureshi exchange pleasantries on sidelines of SCO meeting

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi sat next to each other and exchanged pleasantries on Wednesday during a joint call on on Kyrgyz president here, amid strained ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Swaraj and Qureshi attended the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Pakistani media reported that two leaders sat next to each other during a multilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. According to the photos published by the Pakistani media, Swaraj and Qureshi were seen seated next to each other. On being asked about the Swaraj-Qureshi meeting, the MEA sources said the two leaders only exchanged pleasantries. "There was no meeting between them," they said. The picture of the two ...

Tight security for counting in Andhra Pradesh

The stage is set for counting of votes in Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Lok Sabha elections on Thursday amid tight security arrangements.