Page 560 - Politics
Iran FM holds talks with Sushma Swaraj amid tensions with US
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj here on Tuesday.The meeting between the two foreign ministers comes in the wake of heightened diplomatic tension between Iran and the United States after Washington on April 22 announced that no fresh sanction waivers will be issued for Iranian oil imports to eight countries, including India.Zarif, who is on a two-day visit to India, had said the US is escalating tensions 'unnecessarily'."Unfortunately the United States has been escalating the situation unnecessarily. We do not seek escalation but we have always defended ourselves," he had told ANI soon after arriving in India.After the US' announcement, India, the second largest buyer of Iranian oil after China, had said it was adequately prepared to deal with the impact of the decision to end waiver.Three of the eight countries who received the waivers, namely Greece, Italy, and Taiwan, have already reduced their Iranian oil imports
Emergence of third front will be known after elections: Stalin
DMK President M.K. Stalin on Tuesday said only after the Lok Sabha election results are declared it will be possible to know if a non-Congress, non-BJP grouping is possible to govern the country.
Every resident contesting on my behalf: PM Modi's emotional message to Varanasi
Calling himself a 'Kashi vaasi'- resident of Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking re-election from the Lok Sabha seat, issued an emotional message for people of the constituency and sought their blessings for victory.Modi outlined his personal and emotional association with the city and its people in a video released by his website on Monday."It is often said that whosoever come to Kashi even once, becomes part of the city. In the last five years, I have experienced this every passing moment. In molding me and giving a direction to my political and spiritual being, Kashi has a huge influence on me."Modi underlined that Kashi is not a mere word for him, but an inspiration, in terms of religion, spirituality, and culture. "I am fortunate that its people provided me with an opportunity to serve," he said.The Prime Minister further spoke about the presiding deity of the city- Lord Kashi Vishwanath and said it is a matter of satisfaction for him to be in service of the ...
Polling underway for Telangana local body elections
Polling was underway for the third and final phase of the rural local body elections in Telangana on Tuesday.
Sardesai's 'weaponising youth' remark: Cong complains to EC
TheGoa Congress has complained to the Election Commission (EC) against state's Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai over his comments on "weaponising" the youth and demanded that he be charged with sedition. North Goa district's Youth Congress president Vivek D'Silva in a complaint lodged with the EC on Monday said Sardesai's remark was "an indirect attempt to threaten voters" in the poll-bound Panaji Assembly constituency. He claimed Sardesai's comments were "against the state" and demanded that he be booked for sedition. The Panaji Assembly bypoll, necessitated due to the demise of its sitting MLA and former chief minister Manohar Parrikar, will be held on May 19. Last week, while responding to a question on dilution of domicile clause by the Goa University, Sardesai, who heads the Goa Forward Party (GFP), said they were willing to go anywhere to protect the interest of Goans. "And if our government has made a mistake, then we will weaponise them (youth) to ensure that .
BJP campaigning with Modi's name; PM canvassing using Pakistan's: Sisodia
Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia claimed that while BJP is campaigning during the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in the name of Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister is contesting in the name of Pakistan."BJP is contesting in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while Modi Ji is contesting using the name of Pakistan," he said during a press conference here. "Modi-Shah Jodi (pair) is a threat to the country," he added.On being asked about a post-poll alliance, Sisodia affirmed that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will support a "non-BJP, non-Modi government" at the Cente.The AAP leader went on to say that his party has the faith of locals here, as sitting MP Kirron Kher has not undertaken any developmental work for the region. "People had reposed faith in Kirron Kher by electing her for five years, but she didn't do any work. That's the reason why people would express confidence in AAP this time," he said.Responding to a question on an apparent change in the AAP's ideology and widespread ...
Sack TN Minister for saying Kamal's tongue must be cut: MNM
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan-floated Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party on Tuesday demanded the dismissal of Tamil Nadu Minister for Milk and Dairy Development K.T. Rajenthra Bhalaji for saying that Haasan's tongue should be cut.
Mani Shankar Aiyar justifiies 'neech' jibe against PM, BJP retorts strongly
After months of silence, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar was back in the news on Tuesday with an article justifying his "neech" jibe against Narendra Modi, and also calling him the most "foul-mouthed" prime minister the country has seen. The article, published in Rising Kashmir and The Print, drew sharp retorts from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which called him "abuser-in-chief" and described his party as arrogant. In the article, Aiyar also slammed Modi on a series of issues and asked, "Remember how I described him on 7 December 2017? Was I not prophetic?" In 2017, the former Union minister called Modi "neech aadmi" following which he was suspended from the Congress party. Justifying that comment, Aiyar said in his article, "Modi will, in any case, be ousted by the people of India on 23 May. That would be a fitting end to the most foul-mouthed prime minister this country has seen or is likely to see. Remember how I described him on 7 December 2017? Was I not prophetic?" BJP ...
Congress holds edge but no smooth ride for any party in Punjab (IANS Exclusive)
Punjab will vote on Sunday for the Lok Sabha elections but unlike in other states, the contest in this border province is reduced to a battle between Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh of the Congress and arch rival Akali Dal.
North Korea denounces ship seizure by US, demands return
North Korea on Tuesday condemned the recent seizure of its cargo by the US, terming it an "unlawful robbery" while demanding its return.North Korea state media, Korean Central News Agency, reported that the US has "betrayed" the spirit of a Singapore summit agreement last year between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump.Last week, the US Department of Justice announced that it has seized the North Korea's cargo while accusing the secluded nation of illicit coal shipments in violation of United Nations sanctions after it was first detained by Indonesia in April 2018."This act is an extension of the US-style calculation of trying to hold us in submission with its 'maximum pressure' and is a total denial of the fundamental spirit of the June 12 DPRK-US joint statement," Al Jazeera quoted the North Korea Defence spokesperson as saying.Negotiations between the US and North Korea have hit a roadblock over the ease of sanctions, where Pyongyang sought relief as a recognition of the steps taken ...
India draws attention to global convention on terrorism as UNGA prepares to elect new president
India has expressed support to Nigeria's Ambassador to the UN Tijjani Muhammad-Bande as the next president of the General Assembly and called him to make the body more action-oriented to deal with the global scourge of terrorism. The current President of the General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa presided Monday over an informal interactive dialogue with Muhammad-Bande, nominated by Nigeria, where Member States got an opportunity to discuss his vision statement and question him on his priorities and plans if elected as President of the 74th session of the 193-member General Assembly. The dialogue aims to contribute to the transparency and inclusivity of the selection process. India expressed support for the Nigerian Ambassador, describing him a great friend and a well-known son of Africa, with Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeting that India is looking forward to Muhammad-Bande's election by acclamation on June 4. India joins in support of this ...
Police raid BJP worker's house after TMC accuses him of distributing money
West Bengal Police on Monday raided home of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker on complaint of Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar in Basarat, North 24 Parganas district.Dastidar alleged that the BJP workers were distributing money to influence voters for the forthcoming polling for the Lok Sabha elections. "They are distributing money. BJP is doing this," she said.The BJP, on the other hand, accused the TMC candidate of attacking its meeting.BJP leader Mukul Roy said, "BJP's Arvind Menon was holding a meeting with few leaders in Barasat. Few people led by Dastidar went there and attacked the cars parked outside."Alleging that democratic space was shrinking under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led government, he said: "There is no democracy in this state."On May 12, Roy accused the state government of acting out of political vendetta after his convoy was searched by the police.West Bengal has witnessed wide-spread violence in the last six phases of general ...
White House reviews military plans against Iran
At a meeting of US President Donald Trumps top national security aides last week, Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan presented an updated military plan that envisions sending as many as 120,000 troops to the Middle East should Iran attack American forces or accelerate work on nuclear weapons, administration officials said.
Maharashtra: Congress MLA abuses officials in meeting, clarifies later
Congress MLA Yashomati Thakur was heard criticising and later hurling abuses at government officials in a meeting held here on Monday.However, Thakur later said she was forced to raise her voice due to inaction on the part of the officials.The Congress MLA, while attending a meeting pertaining to water resources in Amravati, was heard hurling abuses while angrily gesturing at government officials seated on the same table.While people sitting around her tried to dial down the situation by calming her down, Thakur looked agitated and continued to lash out at the officials while displaying a set of documents. She even threw objects that were placed on the table on the floor in anger.At the end of the video, Thakur's supporters were heard raising slogans over the demand for the discharge of water from Upper Wardha Dam to the locals.Speaking to media later in the day, Thakur said she was forced to raise her voice as the government officials did not discharge water on time for locals."They .
EU urges US to show restraint, Iran to comply with nuclear deal
Amid US-Iran tensions, European Union (EU) has urged Washington to exercise "maximum restraint" and asked Tehran to fully "comply" with its nuclear commitments."We as the EU always encourage dialogue and diplomatic engagement. [US Secretary of State] Mike Pompeo heard that very clearly today from us...That we are living in a crucial delicate moment where the most relevant and responsible attitude to take is maximum restraint and avoid any escalation on a military side," said Federica Mogherini, the European Union's diplomatic chief, after a meeting with Pompeo."We still invite Iran to comply with all its nuclear commitments, and we will do our part on our side to continue to fully implement the nuclear deal," added Mogherini.Pompeo cancelled his visit to Moscow and stopped in Brussel instead to apprise EU of Iran's threat."Pompeo made the unscheduled stop in Brussels because Iran is an escalating threat and this seemed like a timely visit on his way to Sochi, Russia," Al Jazeera ...
Book Goa Deputy CM for sedition for 'weaponising youth' comment: Congress
In a latenight development, the Congress urged the Election Commission to book Goa Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai for sedition for urging youngsters to "weaponise" themselves to force the state government to fulfil their demands on norms for government jobs during a speech earlier this month.
It is royalty versus commoner in battle of Patiala (Poll Trivia)
Royalty will take on commoner in the Patiala parliamentary seat of Punjab as Preneet Kaur, popularly known as Maharani Sahiba because of her royal antecedents, will face sitting Member of Parliament Dharamvira Gandhi.
No BJP MLA will join other party; over 20 MLAs will leave Cong: BS Yeddyurappa
Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa denied Congress leader KC Venugopal's claim that many BJP MLAs will join his party after May 23, saying more than 20 MLAs will not continue in Congress after declaration of election results of the Lok Sabha."Not a single person from BJP will join any other party. After May 23, more than 20 Congress MLAs who are not happy with HD Kumaraswamy will not continue in the party," said BS Yeddyurappa.Congress leader KC Venugopal on Monday asserted that many BJP MLAs in Karnataka will join his party after May 23, when the results of the seven-phase general elections will be declared.Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Venugopal said Congress is not going to indulge in horse-trading, as legislatures would shift guard on their own."We are not going to poach any MLAs from BJP but naturally they will come to Congress after May 23. That is going to happen. In last one year, Karnataka has been witnessing horse-trading mentality of BJP, and on the other ...
Centre extends ban on LTTE , declares it 'unlawful association'
The Centre on Tuesday extended the ban on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for another five years, declaring it an "unlawful association" for continuing to adopt a strong "anti-India posture" and posing a "grave threat" to the security of Indian nationals.The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that LTTE's objective for a separate homeland (Tamil Eelam) for all Tamils threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, and amounts to cession and secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union and thus falls within the ambit of unlawful activities.The activities of the LTTE remnant cadres, dropouts, sympathisers, supporters who have been traced out recently in the Tamil Nadu suggest that the cadres sent to Tamil Nadu would ultimately be utilised by LTTE for unlawful activities, the Ministry said, renewing its 2014 notification to declare LTTE as an "unlawful association" for another five years.The separatist Tamil "chauvinist" groups and pro-LTTE groups ...
Mayawati seeks ban on temple visits
Bahujan Samaj Party President Mayawati on Tuesday asked the Election Commission to include the expenses of roadshows in the candidates account and ban temple visits.