Page 573 - Politics
EC removes District Magistrate of Bengal's Bankura
The Election Commission on Sunday removed West Bengal's Bankura District Magistrate Umashankar S. from his post with immediate effect and appointed Mukta Arya in his place.
US 'candy bomber' back in Berlin after 70 years
When in 1948 US bombers started dropping tiny, improvised parachutes loaded with sweets into Berlin during the Soviet blockade, one little German girl wrote to complain. Mercedes Wild, now 78, recalled how she protested that the constant drone of airlift planes disturbed her chickens -- and during the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, eggs were a valuable commodity. Then Gail Halvorsen, the US pilot who dreamed up the candy drops, wrote back, enclosing sticks of chewing gum and a lollipop with his letter. His gesture sparked a long-lasting friendship between Halvorsen, Wild and their families which mirrored the post-World War II German-American relationship, she told AFP. "It wasn't the sweets that impressed me, it was the letter," she said. "I grew up fatherless, like a lot of (German) children at that time, so knowing that someone outside of Berlin was thinking of me gave me hope." "Candy bomber" Halvorsen insists that the real heroes of the Berlin Airlift -- the mammoth logistical ...
69.50% polling in Haryana
A voter turnout of 69.50 per cent was recorded on Sunday in the 10 Lok Sabha seats of Haryana, where 223 candidates, including two Union ministers and a former chief minister, are in the fray. In the 2014 general election, the overall poll percentage stood at 71.86. Till compiling of figures at 11 pm, 69.50 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the polls, Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer Rajeev Ranjan said. No untoward incident was reported in the state and the polling remained peaceful, he said. A total of 1.80 crore electorate in the state was eligible to exercise their franchise. The highest polling percentage (till 11 pm) was recorded in the Sirsa parliamentary constituency (74.08), followed by Kurukshetra (72.70), Hisar (71.17), Ambala (70.84), Bhiwani-Mahendergarh (69.88), Rohtak (69.36), Sonipat (69.08), Gurgaon (68.45). Faridabad (64.46) and Karnal (66.16) recorded comparatively lesser voter turnout. Across the state, there were some assembly constituencies, including .
Trump, Xi could meet next month on trade: White House aide
US President Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping could meet next month on the sidelines of the G20 summit to hash out their differences on trade, but no new talks are scheduled, White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said Sunday. The world's top two economies ended two days of negotiations in Washington on Friday with no deal. While making it clear that the US was unwilling to settle, Kudlow sought to tamp down concerns, insisting the process was ongoing. "We need to see something much clearer and until we do, we have to keep our tariffs on," Kudlow said in an interview on "Fox News Sunday," adding: "We can't accept any backtracking." As for future negotiations, while there are "no concrete, definite plans yet," Kudlow said China had invited Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to Beijing -- and higher-level discussions could be on the cards. The chances of Trump and Xi meeting during the Group of 20 summit in Japan in late June "are ...
In a first, EC focuses on handicapped, centenarians
Among its other initiatives, the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday made special arrangements for the handicapped people as well as centenarian voters across Delhi during the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections.
UAE says 4 ships targeted by 'sabotage' off its coast
The United Arab Emirates said Sunday that four commercial ships off its eastern coast "were subjected to sabotage operations," just hours after Iranian and Lebanese media outlets aired false reports of explosions at a nearby Emirati port. Emirati officials declined to elaborate on the nature of the sabotage or say who might have been responsible. However, the reported incident comes as the U.S. has warned ships that "Iran or its proxies" could be targeting maritime traffic in the region, and as America is deploying an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf to counter alleged threats from Tehran. Tensions have risen in the year since President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, restoring American sanctions that have pushed Iran's economy into crisis. Last week, Iran warned it would begin enriching uranium at higher levels in 60 days if world powers failed to negotiate new terms for the deal. The statement ...
Over 60% turnout in Madhya Pradesh
A turnout of 60.48 per cent was recorded in eight Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh which went to polls in the penultimate phase of the seven stage general elections on Sunday, amid stray incidents of violence.
Over 60% turnout in Delhi's seven LS seats (Intro Roundup)
A turnout of 60.21 per cent was recorded in elections for Delhi's seven parliamentary constituencies on Sunday amid reports of EVM malfunctioning in some polling stations, the Election Commission said.
BJP trying to destabilise Karnataka government, says Cong leader Shivakumar
Congress leader and Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday alleged that the BJP was trying to destabilise the Congress-JDS government in the state."The BJP has been trying to destabilise this government from day one. They are not happy with the election results but the people of Karnataka are happy with our government," said Shivakumar while speaking to ANI.Replying to Karnataka unit BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa's claim that his party will form government in the state after the by-poll election in two constituencies, he said: "How can they change this government? There is anti-defection law and barring one Congress MLA, no other MLA is with them."He further said that the BJP is trying to build a perception that it will form the government in the wake of the impending two by-poll elections."People need not worry as we will safeguard this government and stick to the commitment made by the Congress president to them," said Shivakumar.Responding to differences emerging in the party and the ...
Israel says site found for Golan 'Trump' settlement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that a site for a promised new settlement to be named after US President Donald Trump had been chosen and formal approval was under way. "I promised that we would establish a community named after President Trump," Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting. "I would like to inform you that we have already selected a site in the Golan Heights where this new community will be established, and we have started the process," he said in Hebrew. Netanyahu pledged such a move last month, in appreciation of Trump's recognition of Israel's claim of sovereignty over part of the strategic plateau. Trump broke with longstanding international consensus on March 25 when he recognised Israel's claim of sovereignty over the part of the Golan it seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War. In December 2017, he said Washington would recognise the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, sparking outrage among the Palestinians who
Modi takes a dig at Kamal Nath, talks of 1984 riots
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a dig at Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath without naming him.
There is pro-incumbency wave in 2019 LS polls: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that there was anti-incumbency during the 2014 general elections while there is a pro-incumbency wave in the ongoing elections.Addressing a public rally here, Modi opined that the ongoing Lok Sabha elections are not only being contested by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but by "Bharatiya Janata" (People of India)."There was anti-incumbency during the 2014 general elections while there is pro-incumbency now. In 2014, there was aggression towards corruption, dynasty and policy paralysis. In 2014, the country only heard about Modi and his work. But in 2019, the country has identified the work done by Modi. The 2019 polls are not only being contested by BJP but by Bharatiya Janata," Modi said.The Prime Minister also thanked Madhya Pradesh and its city Indore for making cleanliness drive ' Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan' a success."I am thankful to both Madhya Pradesh and Indore. You have made one of my initiatives a great success. If the initiative of
Election officials from 20 countries witnessing LS polls: EC
Representatives of 20 election bodies from across the world witnessed the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Delhi and around, the Election Commission said on Sunday.
Over 60% turnout in Delhi's seven LS seats (Roundup)
A turnout of 60.21 per cent was recorded in elections for Delhi's seven parliamentary constituencies on Sunday amid reports of EVM malfunctioning in some polling stations, the Election Commission said.
Over 67 pc polling in Haryana
Over 67 per cent of 1.80 crore electorate exercised their franchise in the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, where 223 candidates, including two Union ministers and a former chief minister, are in the fray. In the 2014 general election, the overall poll percentage stood at 71.86. State Joint Chief Electoral Officer Inderjeet Singh said till compiling of figures at 9 pm, 67.40 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the polls. No untoward incident was reported in the state and the polling remained peaceful. The highest polling percentage (till 9 pm) was recorded in the Sirsa parliamentary constituency (73.11) followed by Kurukshetra (72.46) per cent and the lowest was in Karnal (60.78). Notable candidates included Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh, Krishan Pal Gurjar, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Kumari Selja of the Congress and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala. Eleven women candidates are in the fray, prominent amongst them being Kumari Selja (Ambala) and Shruti ...
Amit Shah launches sting attack on Cong over Pitroda's 'hua to hua' remark
BJP President Amit Shah Sunday attacked the Congress party over its leader Sam Pitroda's 'hua to hua' remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Shah asked Congress chief Rahul Gandhi whether the matter had ended with Pitroda tendering an apology for "justifying" the Sikh killings. Shah asserted that the Narendra Modi government had ensured justice to the families of the 1984 riot victims. "It was the Modi government which ensured sending those involved in anti-Sikh riots behind bars," said Shah, adding that compensation was also given to the families of the victims. Addressing a poll rally in favour of BJP nominee and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri from Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, Shah said, "Recently a question was asked to Rahul Gandhi's guru (Pitroda) on 1984 riots, to which he said 'hua to hua' (what happened, happened). What was inside Congress party's heart was uttered by Pitroda. "The Congress president is asking Pitroda to apologise (for the remark). I want to ask the Congress president
67.40 pc polling in Haryana
Around 67.40 per cent voters Sunday sealed the fate of 223 candidates, including two union ministers and a former chief minister, in the general elections held for the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana. In the 2014 general election, the overall poll percentage stood at 71.86. State Joint Chief Electoral Officer Inderjeet Singh said till compiling of figures at 9 pm, over 67 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the polls. No untoward incident was reported in the state and the polling remained peaceful. The highest polling percentage (till 9 pm) was recorded in the Sirsa parliamentary constituency (73.11) followed by Kurukshetra (72.46) per cent and the lowest was in Karnal (60.78). The fate of 223 candidates, including Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh, Krishan Pal Gurjar, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Kumari Selja of the Congress and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala, was sealed in the EVMs. Eleven women candidates were in the fray, prominent amongst them being Kumari ..
BJP alleges poll violence by TMC, demands repolling in many
The BJP on Sunday alleged that the Trinamool Congress let loose violence during the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, and demanded repolling in various booths in the state's Junglemahal area. The saffron party's candidate Bharati Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice when the former IPS officer tried to visit polling stations in the Ghatal constituency, officials said. Ghosh suffered minor injuries when a group of women allegedly attacked her as she tried to take a BJP agent inside a polling booth in Keshpur. One of her security guards was also injured when locals pelted stones at another booth. The BJP alleged its candidate in Bankura, Subhas Sarkar came under attack, too, by alleged goons of the TMC. The ruling TMC has dubbed the allegations as baseless. "It is really shameful to see this kind of violence during polls in the state. The kind of hooliganism and goondaraj that is going on is not only unprecedented but condemnable in democracy. "Why is the TMC
AAP alleges bogus voting, name deletion from list
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), here on Sunday, alleged bogus voting and deletion of names from the voter list.
Vice President Naidu urges world leaders to promote dialogue, harmony, justice
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday urged the world leaders to work together to promote dialogue, harmony, and justice based on compassion and wisdom.Delivering a keynote address at the 16th United Nations Day of Visek in Vietnam's Ha Nam province, Naidu called for enlightened global leadership to ensure a conflict-free world order based on peace and sustainable development.The Vice President also elaborated on the virtues of Buddhism and its relevance to the present times."Buddhist approach of righteous behaviour, wisdom, compassion, and camaraderie, and reduction of Trishna (greed) offers a set of building blocks for the architecture of a new world order where violence and conflict are minimized and development takes place without degrading the natural resources," said Naidu.The Vice President stressed that avoiding extreme positions and adopting a 'middle path' as taught by Buddha leads to realising the truth, which further leads to avoiding conflict, reconciliation of ...