Page 541 - Politics
US orders embassy staff from Iraq amid Iran 'threat'
The US on Wednesday ordered all non-emergency staff to leave its embassy in Baghdad and consulate in Arbil, ramping up alarm over an alleged Iran threat even as allies appeared less than convinced. A senior Democratic senator demanded President Donald Trump's administration brief Congress on the Iran threat, warning that the US legislature has not approved military action against Tehran. And Moscow expressed concerns that both Washington and Tehran were dangerously stoking tensions, as the Pentagon ramped up its forces in the Gulf with B-52 bombers, Patriot missiles and an aircraft carrier task force. The embassy evacuation came 10 days after Trump's national security advisor John Bolton announced the military deployment in response to intelligence on an unspecified "imminent" plot by Iran to attack US forces or allies. The State Department warned Wednesday of numerous "terrorist and insurgent groups" active in the country, including "anti-US sectarian militias" who could "threaten US
Modilie: Rahul Gandhi explains meaning of new English word
In a fresh jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday shared a meme explaining the term 'Modilie', which he claimed is a new entry to the English dictionary that meant "to constantly modify the truth"."To lie incessantly and habitually" and 'to lie without respite' are the other meanings of the word, which has been formed by a combination of the words Modi and lie, claimed the Congress leader.In a post on Twitter, Rahul said: "There's a new word in the English Dictionary" .He attached a screenshot of the entry in the 'English Living Dictionaries', which described the word as a noun.In the picture that the Congress president shared, there are three "meanings" of "Modilie" shown along with their use in sentences.Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi took some time out from his busy campaign schedule to drive a tractor in Punjab's Ludhiana.Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu and Congress leader Asha Kumari were also sitting .
Raj CM accuses Modi of twisting facts about Alwar rape case
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of twisting facts about the Alwar rape case and said it does not behove the prime minister of the country to politicise such an incident. He claimed that there was an undercurrent against Modi in the Lok Sabha election and people of the country will "rightly decide" and vote him out. "It does not behove the prime minister to twist facts about the Rajasthan rape case. The moment the incident came to light, an FIR was lodged on May 2 itself which was much before the second phase of polling in the state on May 6," he told reporters here. "But the way the prime minister is campaigning to woo Dalit voters, he is trying to use this shameful incident and give political colour to it," the senior Congress leader added. Gehlot was referring to Modi's attack on the Congress, alleging that the Rajasthan government was trying to suppress facts and not register a case on the Alwar rape incident in view of elections
BJP has crossed majority mark after sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls: Sushma Swaraj
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Wednesday said the BJP has already crossed the majority mark after sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls and appealed to voters here to re-elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a record margin. Flagging off a motorcycle rally of women, Swaraj said the "relationship between you and Modi has become more strong...like a family in the past five years". "Today I have come as a representative of PM Modi and the NDA government to give details of the work done in various fields," she said and listed the government's performance on national security, economy and external affairs fronts. She referred to the surgical strike on terror launch pads and air strike in Balakot to highlight the government's success on national security front. "The Mumbai terror attack was the worst but the UPA government did nothing, whereas the NDA government under PM Modi's leadership retaliated with surgical strikes and air strikes soon after the Pulwama terror attack to give a ...
Russia not 'fire brigade' to save Iran deal: Putin
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said Moscow was sorry to see Iran's nuclear deal falling apart but stressed Russia was not "a fire brigade" to "rescue everything." Tensions have sharply escalated between arch-rivals Washington and Tehran since US President Donald Trump withdrew last year from the Iran nuclear deal which removed sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear programme. Putin spoke to reporters after hosting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday for the highest-level bilateral talks in nearly a year. "We regret that the deal is falling apart," Putin said following talks with Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen on Wednesday. "After the signing of the agreement Iran was and still is the world's most verifiable and transparent country in this sense." "Iran is fulfilling all of its obligations," said Putin, citing the International Atomic Energy Agency. He urged Iran not to quit the 2015 agreement but added there was .
Classic case of breakdown of Constitutional machinery in WB: Jaitley on EC action
The Election Commission cutting down campaign period in West Bengal shows there is a classic case of breakdown of the Constitutional machinery in the state, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said Wednesday. In wake of violence between BJP and TMC workers in Kolkata during a roadshow by BJP President Amit Shah, the Election Commission (EC) cut short campaign for nine Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal by 24 hours. The Commission banned the campaigning in the nine constituencies from 10 PM, Thursday. Earlier the campaign was to end on Friday. A constitutional authority, the Election Commission of India, has effectively held West Bengal to be a "state in anarchy", said Jaitley in series of tweets. Repeatedly escalating violence, state supported vandals, a partisan police and home department are the illustrations the ECI has given, he noted. "A free campaign is not possible and therefore the campaign has to be cut short. This is a classical case of breakdown of the Constitutional Machinery," the
Wing Commander Abhinandan's unit gets 'Falcon Slayers' patches
The Indian Air Force has given new shoulder patches with titles 'Falcon Slayers' and 'AMRAAM Dodgers' to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison squadron in a tribute to his bravery in shooting down a F-16 jet of Pakistan during the aerial combat on February 27, officials said. The new patches given to the 51 Squadron of IAF depict a MiG21 in the foreground along with a red-coloured F-16 with 'Falcon Slayers' written on top and 'AMRAAM Dodgers' written at the bottom of it. A fleet of Pakistani fighter jets had unsuccessfully targeted various military installations in Jammu and Kashmir on February 27, a day after India carried out air strikes on a terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan's Balakot. The IAF foiled the Pakistani retaliation, and in the dogfight, Varthaman downed a F-16 fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force, showing grit, determination and bravery. Soon after he brought down the F-16, Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army as his MiG-21 Bison jet was .
Stated historical fact: Kamal Hassan defends 'Hindu terrorist' remark
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday defended his "first Hindu was terrorist" remark against Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse saying what he stated in Aravakurichi was a "historical fact".While campaigning in Thoppur, Haasan said, "I will not speak anything that will hurt the sentiments of Hindu religion because I have members in my own family who follow the religion... But if I speak historical fact people get angry. It is not enough if you be tolerant towards other religion, we need to accept them and co-exist peacefully.""If you are in Chennai or Delhi, you can't cheat people. This government will be defeated and needs to be defeated. We will defeat in a democratic manner. Ask the common man, and their love for me can reflect their stand. Don't try to force stop me and prevent me from campaigning, the common man will carry the battle," he added."I will continue my journey to meet the people and will fight it democratically and legally if people try to stop me,"
People want to change 'Bua-Bhatija' model in Bengal: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew cum Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek, accusing them of running the "bua-bhatija model of governance" and turning "Ganatantra" (democracy) into "Gundatantra" (hooliganism).
Yechury questions timing of EC's campaigning ban in WB, asks if it is to allow PM to address rallies
Questioning the Election Commission's decision to end campaigning in West Bengal from 10 pm on Thursday, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury asked if the poll body had set the time to allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address two rallies in the state. In first such action in India's electoral history, the EC Wednesday ordered campaigning in nine Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal to end at 10 PM on Thursday night, a day before its scheduled deadline. The decision came in the wake of Tuesday's violence between BJP and TMC workers in Kolkata. "If a ban is intended for 72 hours, why is it starting at 10 pm tomorrow? Is it to allow the two rallies of the PM before that?" Yechury tweeted shortly after the EC's announcement. Modi is scheduled to address rallies in Laxmikantapur and Dum Dum in West Bengal on Thursday afternoon. "The decision by the EC to stop campaigning a day in advance is not understood. The first thing being expected by EC was action against the lumpen ...
Why not for eastern UP:Owaisi on decision to curtail WB
With the Election Commission curtailing campaigning in some constituencies in West Bengal, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi Wednesday claimed that such a decision should be taken with regard to eastern Uttar Pradesh also, in line with principles of "natural justice." "@ECISVEEP why only West Bengal, Natural Justice & Fair Play demands it should have been for entire 7th Phase why only West Bengal, why not for Eastern UP," he tweeted. He did not explain the reason for his demand with regard to eastern UP. The Election Commission on Wednesday ordered campaigning in nine West Bengal constituencies to end at 10 PM on Thursday, a day before its scheduled deadline, in the wake of violence between BJP and TMC workers in Kolkata. The EC's action came a day after parts of Kolkata witnessed widespread violence during BJP president Amit Shah's massive road show in Kolkata.
EC claims unprecedented situation in WB, but waits for PM to complete campaign: Ahmed Patel
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Thursday raised questions over the Election Commission's order curtailing campaigning in West Bengal, wondering if the poll panel is "waiting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to complete his public meetings" there. In first such action in India's electoral history, the Election Commission on Wednesday ordered campaigning in nine West Bengal constituencies to end at 10 pm on Thursday, a day before its scheduled deadline, in the wake of violence between BJP and TMC workers in Kolkata. In a hurriedly-convened press conference, Deputy Election Commissioner Chandra Bhushan Kumar said it was for the first time that such an action has been taken using constitutional powers of the poll panel. Reacting to the development, Patel tweeted, "If situation in Bengal is so severe that campaigning must be stopped, why is EC waiting until tomorrow? Is it because PM has scheduled rallies tomorrow?" "Isn't it unprecedented that EC claims it's an unprecedented ...
Ilapuram Raja takes charge as RTI commissioner of Andhra Pradesh
Ilapuram Raja took charge as the Right to Information Commissioner of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday in the presence of state chief secretary LV Subrahmanyam.Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan cleared Raja's name on May 7, and he took charge as RTI commissioner today after a government order was released in this regard on May 14. He will serve in this position for the next five years.Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government had recommended two names to the governor for filling up the position of Information commissioner on March 7. However, on March 11, the governor had returned the file to the state government citing Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as the reason.The state government then sought clearance from the ECI on March 29 for the appointment of a new RTI commissioner. On April 4, the file was again sent to the governor. The state government sent two names - Ilapuram Raja and Eerla Srirama Murty. The nod for Raja was given by the governor on May 7.Raja is a ...
BJP out to destroy Bengal's culture: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "champion liar" and accused the BJP of conspiring to destroy the state's culture and heritage.
Youth creates flutter at Congress presser
A Maharashtra youth created a flutter in the Congress headquarters when he suddenly raised slogans of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" during the daily media briefing of the party. While Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera was addressing the media and attacking Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath by addressing him as "Ajay Singh Bisht", the youth, Nachiketa from Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, got up from his seat and started raising slogans with the national flag in his hand. He was also objecting to the Congress leader using "Ajay Singh Bisht" for Adityanath and later questioned Congress chief Rahul Gandhi "for not doing any development work in Amethi". He was quickly whisked away by Congress workers and security guards. He later claimed before curious mediamen that he was an MA in defence and strategic studies and was an "inactive" BJP member.
Iran vows to defeat 'American-Zionist alliance'
Defence Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami vowed on Wednesday that Iran will force the "bitter taste of defeat" onto the United States and Israel, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported. Hatami was speaking to Revolutionary Guards veterans in Tehran with tensions riding high a year after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal. The relations between the two countries have deteriorated even further in recent weeks as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Iran over alleged threats from the Islamic republic. "The proud nation of Islamic Iran will once again... pass this sensitive period of time with its head held high, and force the bitter taste of defeat onto the American-Zionist alliance," Hatami said, referring to the US and its ally Israel. The Iranian general said "the Americans have not held back from any plot and machination against our country" since the Islamic revolution more than 40 years ago. Washington said on Saturday
BJP workers hold countrywide protest against Kolkata violence, Mamata's 'anarchist' rule in WB
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Wednesday staged protests across various parts of the country against the violence that took place during party chief Amit Shah's roadshow in Kolkata on Tuesday.Clashes broke out during Shah's mega road show in Kolkata after sticks were hurled at his convoy. Police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse the crowd. The protest left several injured, due to which Shah was asked to end the roadshow. Bengali polymath Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's statue was also vandalised during the clashes.Condemning the same, Kolkata BJP women cell workers held a silent protest near Mahatma Gandhi's statue, holding placards and raising slogans against the TMC. "The attack on Amit Shah and Vidyasagar's statue was pre-planned. Mamata is doing vote bank politics here. Everything will come out once police get the CCTV footage of the incident. The public has understood Mamata's tactics, which will be seen in the results of Lok Sabha polls," one of the protestors told .
BJP asks media to boycott Cong after Aiyar abuses reporters
The BJP on Wednesday said the media in Himachal Pradesh should boycott the Congress to protest its leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's objectionable behaviour with reporters. "This is probably the first time that anyone has used such abusive language against the media, considered as the fourth pillar of democracy," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters here. He asked the media to boycott the Congress over the issue. Reacting to it, state Congress president Kuldeep Singh Rathore said he was not aware of the incident involving Aiyar. "I am unaware about any such happening. Moreover he was not on official tour to Shimla," he said. Aiyar on Tuesday pushed aside microphone, made fists and used an expletive at reporters who questioned him about his neech jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress leader lost his temper at TV reporters who met him at the Punjab government guest house here and questioned him over an article he wrote, recalling a slur he directed at Modi in 2017 ...
Kolkata violence: BJP delegation submits memorandum to VP Naidu
A BJP delegation on Wednesday met Vice President Venkaiah Naidu at his residence and submitted a memorandum to demanding appropriate action to be taken in connection with the violence at party president Amit Shah's Kolkata roadshow.The BJP delegation comprised Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Prakash Javadekar, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vijay Goel, spokespersons Anil Baluni and GVL Narsimha Rao, and Rajya Sabha MP Rakesh Sinha.The delegation demanded that report of the matter be sought and appropriate action should be taken."The protection of BJP Rajya Sabha members is the responsibility of House and Chairman. We have submitted a memorandum to the Vice President on it and demanded that a report be sought and appropriate action be taken," Javadekar told reporters after the delegation met Naidu.Stating that the repeated attacks on Shah was a "matter of serious concern", the Union minister alleged that the violence was sponsored by the TMC."This is an attempt to silence the voice of ...
BJP delegation meets Vice President over attack on Shah
A BJP delegation on Wednesday met Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and demanded that a report should be sought from the West Bengal government and action taken for attack on its President Amit Shah during his roadshow in Kolkata on Tuesday.