Page 591 - Politics
Pentagon deploys warship, Patriot missiles in Middle East to deter Iranian 'threats'
Amid escalating tensions with Iran, the Pentagon has announced that it is deploying a warship and a Patriot air defence missile system in the Middle East to deter the threats of possible operations against US forces in the region by Tehran. The USS Arlington, which transports amphibious vehicles and aircraft, and the Patriot air defence system will join the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a B-52 bomber task force in the Middle East region in response to "indications of heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations against US forces and our interests, the Pentagon said Friday. The approval to deploy additional military asset against Iran has been done at the request of US Central Command, it said, adding that the Pentagon continues to closely monitor the activities of the Iranian regime, their military and proxies. The Pentagon said the US did not seek conflict with Iran, but that Washington was "ready to defend US forces and interests in the region". "The .
Ransomware attacks targeting US entities on the rise
Targeted ransomware attacks on US government entities, cities, police stations and schools, are on the rise, costing localities millions as some pay off the perpetrators in an effort to untangle themselves and restore vital systems, the media reported.
Narcotics Bureau busts drug lab in Delhi. 3 held
Ahead of Lok Sabha elections in Delhi on Sunday, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested three people and busted a clandestine drug manufacturing lab and seized a large quantity of drugs.Officials of the Delhi Zonal Unit of the NCB made the arrests and seized approximately 1800 kg Pseudoephedrine and two kg cocaine from them.Further details are awaited.Delhi is all set for the single-phase Lok Sabha election on Sunday. In total, seven Lok Sabha seats are at stake.
US imposes sanctions on Venezuela defence, security sectors
The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on two shipping companies operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy, adding that individuals operating in Venezuelan defence and security sector might be subject to sanctions.In a statement, the US Department of State said, "We have designated two companies, Monsoon Navigation Corporation and Serenity Maritime Limited, that operate in the oil sector.""We have also identified two vessels that transported oil from Venezuela to Cuba as blocked property," said the State Department.In addition, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement that "the US will take further action if Cuba continues to receive Venezuelan oil in exchange for military support.""Treasury's action today puts Venezuela's military and intelligence services, as well as those who support them, on notice that their continued backing of the illegitimate Maduro regime will be met with serious consequences," he added.As a result of the sanctions, all ...
A New Vogue: Authoritarian leader don't easily accept defeat (Comment)
If numbers go against him, will Narendra Modi accept defeat? Sounds like an absurd question but it worried me after I read the sub headline on the Op-ed page of the New York Times of May 8:
Sidhu attacks BJP, urges Indore people to vote 'Kale Angrez' out of power
Congress leader and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday called the BJP 'kale angrez' and urged people of Indore to save the country from the party by voting them out of power.Campaigning for the Congress candidate here Sidhu said Congress was the party of Maulana Azad and Mahatma Gandhi and had fought for the Independence of India from British rule."Congress is the party that gave freedom to the country; it is the party of Maulana Azad and Mahatma Gandhi. They gave us freedom from the white and the people of Indore will free this country from 'Kale Angrez' (black Britishers)," said Sidhu.Sidhu also reiterated Congress president Rahul Gandhi's challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open debate on issues such as GST, black money and jobs among other issues."I am a Sikh and I challenge you to come and debate on GST, on two crore jobs per year that you promised, on bringing back the black money and if Navjot Singh Sidhu is defeated then he will leave politics forever," .
US mulls deporting migrant families with court-ordered removals
US President Donald Trump's administration is considering deporting migrant families with court-ordered removals, a move that senior Department of Homeland Security officials have resisted in the past, the media reported.
North Korea missile tests not breach of trust: Trump
United States President Donald Trump said on Friday (local time) that North Korea's launch of recent short-range ballistic missiles was not "a breach of trust."In an interview with the Politico website, Trump said, "They are short-range and I don't consider that a breach of trust at all. And, you know, at some point I may. But at this point no."The US President further downplayed the missile tests by North Korea, calling, "These were short-range missiles and very standard stuff. Very standard."North Korea fired two short-range missiles on Thursday, second such test by the country in less than five days.The military drills, designed to bolster the nuclear-armed country's "various long-range strike means," was widely seen as a move to heap more pressure on Trump amid stalled nuclear talks between the two countries, The Japan Times reported.Trump added that he might eventually lose faith in his friendly relationship with Kim."I mean it's possible that at some point I will, but right now .
70 countries urge North Korea to scrap nuclear, ballistic weapons
Seventy countries urged North Korea on Friday to scrap its nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and related programs, decrying the "undiminished threat" posed to world peace. Signatories included the United States and South Korea, as well as nations in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe. Russia and China, supporters of Pyongyang, did not sign the document drafted by France. With two missile launches in a week, Pyongyang is walking a fine line between increasing pressure on the US and not derailing nuclear negotiations -- all while giving itself room to escalate, analysts say. According to a diplomatic source, about 15 countries asked to sign on to the request for North Korean disarmament after the new missile firings. The signatories "strongly deplore the grave and undiminished threat to regional and international peace and security posed by the ongoing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programmes that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has developed," the text ..
North Korea's missile tests not 'breach of trust': Trump
US President Donald Trump said Friday that North Korea's recent missile tests were not a "breach of trust." "They're short-range and I don't consider that a breach of trust at all. And, you know, at some point I may. But at this point no," he said in an interview with Politico. "These were short-range missiles and very standard stuff. Very standard." Pyongyang fired two short-range missiles Thursday following an earlier drill on Saturday. The North had not launched any since November 2017, shortly before leader Kim Jong Un embarked on diplomatic overtures. Trump, who has said that he and Kim have a good relationship, added that he might eventually lose faith in the North Korean leader. "I mean it's possible that at some point I will, but right now not at all," he said. Kim declared an end to the testing of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles during a rapid rapprochement last year, paving the way for his first summit with Trump in Singapore in June. But a second summit between the .
Subpoenas issued to Treasury Secy, IRS for Trump's tax returns
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal on Friday said that he issued subpoenas to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig for six years of President Donald Trump's tax returns.Neal said that the subpoenas directed the concerned officials to send information in the matter to the House panel on May 17 by 5 pm (local time)."After reviewing the options available to me, and upon the advice of counsel, I issued subpoenas today to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Commissioner of the IRS for six years of personal and business returns," Neal said in a statement."While I do not take this step lightly, I believe this action gives us the best opportunity to succeed and obtain the requested material. I sincerely hope that the Treasury Department will furnish the requested material in the next week so the committee can quickly begin its work," he added.The announcement comes after Mnuchin had rejected Neal's request on April 3 to make public Trump's .
Mueller won't testify next week: House Judiciary Committee Chairman
Special Counsel Robert Mueller will not testify before the panel next week, said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler on Friday.He said that the committee is still discussing Mueller's testimony on his report on alleged Russian interference in 2016 presidential election, but hoped that the Special Counsel would make an appearance."It won't be next week. We're negotiating now. We are talking with him and the Justice Department," The Hill quoted Nadler as saying while speaking to reporters.Asked about the reason, Nadler said that it "just has not developed.""He will come at some point. If it's necessary, we will subpoena him and he will come," he added.US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he would leave it up to Barr to decide whether Mueller should testify before the Congress.The matter pertains to Mueller being discontented earlier Barr over his handling of the investigation report, saying that he failed to "fully capture the context, nature, and substance" of .
If Modi was a voter from here, he would have voted for me: RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, who is also the "grand-alliance" candidate from Vaishali, has claimed that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have been a voter from here, he (Modi) too would have voted for him."Some people are saying Modi-Modi. People are saying that if Modi would have been a voter from here, he would have voted for Raghuvansh Prasad Singh," RJD leader said on Friday while talking to ANI.Asserting that election is a one-sided fight in favour of "grand-alliance", he said, "People have decided to vote for "mahagathbandhan". It will be wrong to say that there is a fight. It is one-sided. People from all party including good people from BJP and JDU are supporting me (khane-pane wale log udhar hain)."He also termed the recent decision of Central government to give reservation to the upper caste people as "dangerous".Meanwhile, NDA candidate from Vaishali, Veena Devi said that this election is a fight for the country."People want Prime Minister
India, China to cooperate closely on Afghanistan's peace efforts
India and China on Friday agreed to work closely on the ongoing efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.The commitment came after Chinese Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun was on a visit to New Delhi, where he met Indian officials to discuss Afghanistan's current situation. The Chinese diplomat also met Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar."Chinese Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun today held discussions with Indian officials on the situation in Afghanistan, including peace and reconciliation efforts. He also called on Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale," Kumar wrote on his Twitter handle."The two sides agreed to consult closely on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and carry forward the decision taken by the leadership of the two countries on joint cooperation in Afghanistan," read another tweet.In April last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had met in ...
India, UK agree to boost Indo-Pacific cooperation
India and the United Kingdom on Friday agreed to increase their collaboration in the fields of Indo-Pacific cooperation, climate change, disaster resilience, development in third world countries amongst other areas.The two countries held Foreign Office consultations, where the Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and the UK side was represented by Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office of British Government, according to a statement by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)."The consultations provided an opportunity to review the entire range of bilateral relations, including political, economic, commercial, scientific, regional and international cooperation, including Commonwealth," it added.Both sides expressed satisfaction on the level of political exchanges and decided to further intensify them in the coming months, the statement noted.The instrument of ratification of the UK joining the International Solar Alliance was ...
Pamphlet row: AAP sends legal notice to BJP, Gambhir; demands "unconditional" apology
Aam Aadmi Party has sent legal notice to BJP and its East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir over "derogatory" pamphlet against AAP leader Atishi Marlena.AAP has immediately sought an apology from them in writing and also asked them to publish the same 'along with true and correct facts' in newspapers within 24 hrs.The notice alleged that the "offending publication (pamphlet)" was issued either by them (BJP and Gautam Gambhir) or the persons authorised by them."In view of the above, you are hereby called upon to render immediately a complete, express, unqualified and unambiguous apology to our client, its leaders and its candidate for inflicting the libel upon them, which must be tendered to our client personally in writing by you as well as well as printing the same along with true and correct facts in Delhi as well as across India within 24 hours," the legal notice by AAP read.It also warned that if they fail to do so, legal proceedings both criminal (for the "offence" of criminal ...
Guaido calls for fresh protests after his deputy's arrest
Venezuela's opposition leader and self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido on Friday said that a countrywide protest will take place against his deputy Edgar Zambrano's arrest, terming it as an "unlawful incident.""We are fighting a regime that armed the paramilitary groups, but this will not stop us. We will hold protests across the country," Anadolu News Agency quoted Guaido as saying.On the orders of Venezuela's top court, Zambrano, vice-president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, was arrested on Wednesday by intelligence agencies for backing last month's failed coup d'etat against President Nicolas Maduro.He 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.On Thursday, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo called Zambrano's arrest as an "illegal act" and demanded his immediate release.Meanwhile, three of ..
ANC holds onto power in South Africa as other parties increase vote share
The African National Congress (ANC) has held onto power in South Africa, albeit with a reduced majority, while two parties to the right and left have increased their votes share as the General Election for the sixth National Assembly since Nelson Mandela assumed power in 1994 drew to a close Friday. The proportional representation system used in South Africa requires voters to choose a party to lead the country and Legislative Assemblies in its nine provinces, rather than specific President and Premiers respectively for these positions. There was consensus among analysts that the ANC gained the trust of the electorate because of the appointment of Cyril Ramaphosa as President early last year after Jacob Zuma was recalled from the position. This was despite earlier concerns that disillusionment with Zuma and his cabinet over rampant allegations of corruption and state capture would see voters choosing other parties. Besides being returned to the National Parliament with 58% of the ...
ANC holds onto power in South Africa as other parties increase vote share
The African National Congress (ANC) has held onto power in South Africa, albeit with a reduced majority, while two parties to the right and left have increased their votes share as the General Election for the sixth National Assembly since Nelson Mandela assumed power in 1994 drew to a close Friday. The proportional representation system used in South Africa requires voters to choose a party to lead the country and Legislative Assemblies in its nine provinces, rather than specific President and Premiers respectively for these positions. There was consensus among analysts that the ANC gained the trust of the electorate because of the appointment of Cyril Ramaphosa as President early last year after Jacob Zuma was recalled from the position. This was despite earlier concerns that disillusionment with Zuma and his cabinet over rampant allegations of corruption and state capture would see voters choosing other parties. Besides being returned to the National Parliament with 58% of the ...
South Africa elections: ANC set to win with reduced majority
The African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's ruling party, is set to win the country's parliamentary elections but with a diminished majority, the country's election commission said on Friday.According to unofficial results released by the commission, the ANC has a strong lead with just over 57 per cent of the votes. So far, 90 per cent of the votes have been counted, CNN reported.However, the ANC's voter support has never fallen below 60 per cent, since the end of apartheid in 1994, the commission said.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.In the 2009 and 2014 elections, the ANC won 66 per cent and 62 per cent of voter support respectively.The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), is way behind the electoral race, garnering just under ..