Page 583 - Politics
Voting begins for penultimate phase Lok Sabha polls
Polling began Sunday morning for 59 Lok Sabha seats in the sixth and penultimate phase of Lok Sabha polls with Union ministers Radha Mohan Singh, Harsh Vardhan and Maneka Gandhi, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders Digvijay Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia among several prominent faces in the fray. Elections are being held in 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 10 seats in Haryana, eights constituencies each in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, seven seats in Delhi and four in Jharkhand. Over 10.17 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 979 candidates. The Election Commission has set up over 1.13 lakh polling stations for smooth conduct of the polls. The elections in this phase are seen as a big test for the BJP which had won 45 of these seats in 2014, with the Trinamool Congress bagging 8, the Congress two and the Samajwadi Party and the LJP one seat each among others. Prominent candidates in the fray in Delhi include veteran Congress leader ...
N Korea denounces US' statement on human rights abuses
North Korea on Saturday came down heavily on the recent statement made by the US on human rights abuses in the reclusive state, claiming it was "nothing but a sophistry" and an attempt to "tarnish" Pyongyang's image."The press statement of the US State Department is nothing but a sophistry full of falsehoods and fabrications, which stems from a sinister political purpose to tarnish the dignified image of the DPRK," North Korea's state media, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said citing Yonhap News Agency.On May 6, the State Department issued the statement on North Korea's human rights issues to mark 'North Korea Freedom Week', which falls on the last week of April each year."For decades, the regime in North Korea has subjected its people to egregious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Approximately 100,000 individuals languish in political prison camps and their family members and children often suffer by their sides. Further, those trying to flee this oppressive ...
3 Palestinian fishermen held off Gaza Strip coast
Three Palestinian fishermen were detained by Israeli naval forces off the coast of Gaza Strip on Saturday, a local official said.Israeli gunboats opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats when they were sighted west of Gaza city and detained the three fishermen, Anadolu News Agency quoted the head of Gaza's fishermen union, Nizar Ayyash, as saying.The Israeli military has not released a statement on why the fishermen were detained.Around 50,000 people in Gaza are engaged in fishing, which is their bread and butter for them amid the simmering crisis between Palestine and Israel.On Friday, Israeli authorities allowed Gaza fishermen to resume fishing at a designated zone off the Gaza coast after it was suspended for a week following military escalations between Israel and Gaza-based resistance groups.Officials said that the fishing zone would be expanded to a maximum of 12 nautical miles after a ceasefire agreement was reached with the Hamas militant group.Reportedly, Egypt and Qatar have
Guaido calls for establishing ties with US military
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Saturday said that he instructed his envoy to the US to establish relations with the US military, in a fresh move to pressurise President Nicolas Maduro to resign.Addressing a rally here, Maduro said that Carlos Vecchio, who is recognised as the ambassador by Washington, to immediately contact the US military for possible cooperation, Voice of America reported.The rally was held after Guaido's deputy, Edgar Zambrano, was arrested on Wednesday by intelligence agencies for backing last month's failed coup d'etat against Maduro.Zambrano, the vice-president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, is being held at Fuerte Tiuna military base in Caracas.In response, Guaido hit out at the court's decision saying that nothing will stop the opposition from achieving free and fair polls and ousting Maduro from power.Guaido had declared himself as the President of Venezuela during mass protests in January -- a move which was immediately backed ..
Over 700 irregular migrants held in Turkey
Turkish authorities on Saturday detained at least 757 irregular migrants across the country, security sources said.In northwestern Edirne province, a group of 534 migrants, who were planning to illegally cross Turkish border, were held by the military and sent them into custody, Anadolu News Agency quoted a source as saying.The nationalities of the illegal migrants were -- Pakistani, Afghan, Bangladeshi, Iraqi, Iranian, Syrian Libyan, Somalian, Egyptian, Tunisian, Eritrean, Moroccan and Algerian.Another source said that Turkish Coast Guard detained at least 223 irregular migrants off the coast of western Aydin and Izmir provinces in a separate raid.The refugees were Afghan and Iranian nationals, the source was quoted as saying.All the 757 migrants were later referred to provincial migration directorates for questioning.Turkey has seen a major influx of illegal migrants who have been trying to reach Europe especially since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011.Last year, around
J-K: Encounter breaks out between security forces and terrorists in Shopian
An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Hind Sita Pora area of Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir.The gun battle between the two sides is underway.On May 3, three terrorists were killed after a brief exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces in Shopian.More details are awaited.
VP Naidu holds talks with Vietnamese PM Xuan Phuc
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu held talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi on Saturday.The two discussed a wide range of issues and underscored the importance of strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations to ensure peace and security in the region.During his talks, Naidu reiterated that cordial and friendly relations between India and Vietnam have been strengthened by bonds of Buddhism and Hinduism.Referring to the growing cooperation between two nations in different fields, Naidu informed Xuan Phuc that India was ready to partner with Vietnam in satellite construction, both for civilian and non-civilian uses. He also assured him that India remains committed to extending cooperation in training and capacity building of Vietnam's defence forces as that country's requirement.Seeking Vietnam Prime Minister's personal intervention in facilitating the entry of Indian pharmaceutical products into their country, the Vice President ..
Trump slams Democrats over demand of making his tax returns public
US President Donald Trump on Saturday took on the Democrats for their repeated attempts to make his personal and business tax returns public, saying that he is still "under audit" and the voters "did not care" about the issue after he won the 2016 presidential polls."I won the 2016 Election partially based on no Tax Returns while I am under audit (which I still am), and the voters didn't care. Now the Radical Left Democrats want to again relitigate this matter. Make it a part of the 2020 Election!" Trump tweeted.Taking on the Democrats for changing their stance after the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on alleged Russian collusion in 2016 presidential election, Trump said that there was no "obstruction of justice" from his side."So now the Radical Left Dems don't talk about Collusion anymore, because the Mueller Report said there was No Collusion, they only want to talk about Obstruction, even though there was No Obstruction or No Crime - except for the crimes ...
Trouble for Telangana Congress: Party leaders unhappy with TPCC president Uttam Kumar
In what could spell serious trouble for the Congress party amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, there are reports of Telangana Congress leaders being upset with the state Congress president Nalamada Uttam Kumar Reddy and general secretary Ramachandra Khuntia.The grand old party is in a sorry state in Telangana with the situation becoming worse day-by-day due to the rift between senior and junior leadership. The rift came to fore on Saturday when a scuffle broke out between senior Congress leaders V Hanumantha Rao and Nagesh Mudhiraj during a protest held here by opposition parties, against the alleged goof-up of the state government in the intermediate results of Telangana state board.Earlier Sarve Satyanarayana, former Union Minister was suspended by Uttam Kumar Reddy after he blamed him and Khuntia for party's defeat during a meeting held to analyse the election results in Malkajgiri parliamentary constituency. The former minister also allegedly hurled a water bottle at Telangana ...
French FM urges Iran to show 'political maturity' over US nuclear deal pullout
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has described Tehran's threat to resume nuclear work -- in what would be a contravention of its commitments under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal -- as a "bad reaction", calling on Tehran to show "political maturity". "Iran has had a bad reaction, faced with a bad US decision to withdraw from the Vienna agreements and impose sanctions," Le Drian said in an interview published online by Le Parisien, referring to the 2015 deal signed in Vienna. "It is a pity that the United States is not honouring its commitments, Iran must show its political maturity," Le Drian added. Iran announced earlier this month that it will stop respecting some limits on its nuclear activities imposed under the landmark 2015 deal. The announcement came exactly a year after the US withdrew from the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with further measures threatened if the agreement's other signatories fail to mitigate the impact of renewed American
Venezuela crisis: Guaido seeks US military cooperation
National Assembly Speaker Juan Guaido, recognised as interim president of Venezuela by more than 50 countries, has asked his diplomatic representative in the US, Carlos Vecchio, to meet with the US Southern Command to coordinate its possible aid in dealing with the Venezuelan crisis.
South Africa's ruling ANC wins national election
South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has won the national election by winning 57.51 per cent of the votes, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced.
Amit Shah holds roadshow, rally in Bihar
BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday held a roadshow here, a party stronghold which is witnessing a clash of titans with Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad locked in virtually a straight contest with Shatrughan Sinha, who seeks to retain the Patna Sahib seat on a Congress ticket. Shah arrived here after addressing a rally in Arrah Lok Sabha constituency where another Union minister, R K Singh, is seeking to retain his seat. The roadshow commenced from the Kadamuan locality of the city, a stone's throw from the ancestral house of Sinha, who quit the BJP last month, at about 6.30 p m. Perched atop an open vehicle with a saffron 'angavastram' around his neck, Shah was flanked by Prasad besides other senior BJP leaders like Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, Union minister Giriraj Singh and state minister Nand Kishore Yadav. The BJP leaders waved at crowds which greeted them with chants of 'Bharat Mata ki jai' and raised slogans in favour of Prime Minister ...
TMC leader attacks PM on Davos photo with Nirav Modi
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee Saturday said if party leader Madan Mitra can be arrested for "just a picture" with Saradha group founder Sudipta Sen, the prime minister should also be held for "posing" with fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi. Mitra, a former transport minister of West Bengal, was released from custody on bail in September 2016, after spending over 21 months in jail in connection with the multi-crore Saradha chitfund scam. "If our leader and minister Madan Mitra can be arrested for just having a picture with Saradha scam boss Sudipta Sen, then why won't Prime Minister Narendra Modi be arrested for posing with fugitive businessman Nirav Modi?" he said at an election rally here. Banerjee was referring to a 2018 picture in which the prime minister was seen along with a number of business leaders, including Nirav Modi, in Davos. On Wednesday, a UK court denied bail to Nirav Modi for the third time, saying the fugitive diamond merchant who is the main accused in the Punjab ...
South Africa: ANC re-elected with 57.51 pc votes
South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has won the general election securing 57.51 per cent votes, according to the final results announced by the country's Electoral Commission on Saturday.The party retained its majority in the parliament, albeit with diminished support. This is the worst-ever performance by the Nelson Mandela party since the end of apartheid in 1994. It had won a record 69 per cent votes in 2004, and 62 per cent in the previous elections, reported Al Jazeera.The fall in vote share comes as the ruling party has its task cut out to take steps in strengthening South Africa's stagnated economy, besides improving its image, which took a hit after corruption allegations involving former President Jacob Zuma and others surfaced.President Cyril Ramaphosa, who replaced Zuma last year, now faces the challenge of regaining public confidence in a party beset with internal divisions.ANC's deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte said the party will move swiftly to ..
Hailakandi remains tense, curfew extended till 7 am on Monday
Curfew in Assam's Hailakandi district was extended till 7 am on May 13, even as the situation remained tense but under control on Saturday, a day after a after a communal clash claimed one life and injured 14 others, officials said. An Assam government release said the curfew was extended as the district administration apprehended breach of peace in the district. It, however, added that there has been no major untoward incident since Friday night. As per an earlier order, the curfew was to end at 7 am on Sunday. A law and order review meeting was held at the district Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli's office here, which was attended by senior officials, the release said. The meeting deliberated on the prevailing situation and confidence-building measures to bring back normalcy and peace in the district. Jalli said the situation was under control with the deployment of personnel from the CRPF and the Assam Rifles. Urging the people not to spread rumours, she said, "The administration .
Congress holds informal talks with regional parties
Amid uncertainty over the impending results of the Lok Sabha elections with both the BJP and the Opposition claiming victory, the Congress has held informal talks with some regional parties outside the UPA so as to be able to muster the required numbers quickly if the situation so warrants.
Seven interesting facts on Delhi polls
Delhi, commonly called the seat of power, is not only the centre of governance, but it also settles which political party will rule from New Delhi. Historically, with just seven Lok Sabha seats, Delhi has been a bellwether. The party, which won the most seats in the capital, went on to rule the country. Delhi votes on May 12.
EC must check vehicles of PM, union ministers: Mamata
Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee Saturday alleged that the BJP is using money to buy votes and demanded that all vehicles, including helicopters used by the prime minister and union ministers, be checked by the Election Commission. Banerjee asked the EC to check even cars and the helicopter used by her, if need be. She cautioned voters about outsiders and alleged that Union ministers travelling with 'Z' and 'Y' category security carry funds in their vehicles. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's frequent visits to the state ahead of the various phases of the Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee, who is among his severest critics, said, "Why is he coming so often to Bengal? He wants to create division among the people. He is coming with loads of money to distribute to the people." "I request the Election Commission to also check my car and helicopter. But, check all the Union ministers' cars and helicopters, too. They cannot be exempted. They are bringing in ...
Rahul Gandhi is being seen as a promising leader, says Sheila Dikshit
Delhi Congress unit chief Sheila Dikshit on Saturday said the people's perception about Rahul Gandhi has undergone a sea change."People's perception about Rahul ji has gone through a major change. He is being seen as a promising leader," said Dikshit in an exclusive conversation with ANI.She also said that the campaign of the Congress party in Delhi drastically picked up the pace after the roadshow of party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi."People's response towards Priyanka ji has been overwhelming. The high turnout of people during her roadshow even amazed us. Our campaign suddenly spiked after the arrival of Priyanka ji and Rahul ji," said the three-time former chief minister.Resisting from predicting the Lok Sabha result, the octogenarian leader said: "It is a three-sided contest between Congress, AAP, and BJP. But it is only the Congress party which has got an enviable record of bringing development to Delhi during our three terms."Contesting from North-East Delhi parliamentary .