Page 603 - Politics
Congress has degraded election campaign: Gadkari
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday accused the Congress party of bringing down the level of the election campaign by diverting from the issue of development.
Terror Trail-IV: How India buried the domestic terror time capsule (IANS Exclusive)
When there is only one bullet in the chamber, you don't want to expend it needlessly, you want to ensure that you claim a victim with it. Indian deep state has been behind the eight ball for a long time in quelling terror, but 26/11 metamorphosed it and since then it has strong-armed the terror modules in a stone cold manner, enjoying win after win as documented by the earlier three parts of this series. Barring Kashmir Valley, where it continues to grapple with local and proxy fidayeen and mujhaidheen, it has pretty much bottled up the terror genie in the rest of the country and impressively enough made gains across the immediate neighbourhood.
1984 anti-Sikh riots: Pitroda rejects Phoolka's claims on Rajiv Gandhi's 'involvement'
Congress leader Sam Pitroda rejected the allegations made by senior advocate HS Phoolka that instructions to "kill" during the anti-Sikh riots in 1984 came directly from then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's office."It's wrong. I would like Prime Minister Narendra Modi to focus on real issues and not divert attention. I want PM Modi to realize that Rajiv Gandhi gave his life for the country. His mother Indira Gandhi gave her life for the country. Who are all these people trying to criticise them?" Pitroda said while talking to ANI on Thursday.He also mentioned several initiatives which were launched by the late Prime Minister while crediting him for making India a leader in the IT sector.Earlier in the day, Phoolka had said, "There is enough evidence on record to show that in 1984 when the Sikhs were being killed, the instructions were coming directly from the Prime Minister's Office and the Army was not called in... We have placed our evidence on record before the Nanavati Commission as
US seizes North Korean ship for sanctions violations
The US has seized a North Korean cargo ship, alleging sanctions violations by the country, the Justice Department said Thursday.
Indian diaspora should contribute to development agenda back home: VP Naidu
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday lauded the contribution made by the Indian community worldwide, saying that the diaspora should contribute to the agenda of development in India."India was moving fast to transform itself into a modern 21st-century inclusive economy. 3D's -- Democracy, Demand and Demographic Dividend was scripting India's story and the Indian diaspora is the fourth D. You should contribute and join in the development agenda back home," Naidu told a gathering of the Indian community here.He reiterated that India will become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2030, adding that the government took steps to make the country one of the most favourable investment destinations in the world."An ambitious and transformative vision was making India one of the most favourite investment destinations in the world. India has become the fastest growing large economy in the world. We will be a USD 5 trillion economy by 2030," Naidu said.Heaping praises on Vietnam's progress in the
US seizes N Korean ship for violating sanctions
The US on Thursday said that it seized a North Korean cargo vessel for violating international sanctions, including those slapped by Washington.The ship, identified as 'Wise Honest, is a 17,061-ton, single-hull bulk carrier ship registered in North Korea, according to a statement by the Justice Department.The vessel was used to illicitly ship coal from North Korea and to deliver heavy machinery to the isolated communist nation."Payments for maintenance, equipment, and improvements of the Wise Honest were made in US dollars through unwitting US banks. This conduct violates longstanding US law and United Nations Security Council resolutions," the statement said."This sanctions-busting ship is now out of service. North Korea and the companies that help it evade US and UN sanctions should know that we will use all tools at our disposal -- including a civil forfeiture action such as this one or criminal charges -- to enforce the sanctions enacted by the US and the global community, said ...
10 mn signatures urging Trump impeachment delivered to Congress
Two House Democrats on Thursday joined activists at the US Capitol who presented Congress with signatures of 10 million people calling on lawmakers to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. "We are holding in our hands 10 million reasons for being here today," progressive congressman Al Green said, as he and first-term congresswoman Rashida Tlaib held up a flash drive. Dozens of cardboard boxes featuring the signatures, gathered on petitions from groups such as MoveOn and the annual Women's March, were delivered to Tlaib, who has introduced legislation that would direct the House Judiciary Committee to begin proceedings to investigate whether Trump has committed impeachable offenses. "In the face of this time, this remarkably dark time in our country, this to me is a moment of light," she said. Trump has proclaimed he was fully exonerated by special counsel Robert Mueller's recently released report on Russian election interference. But some Democrats argue that .
US threatens 'swift, decisive' response to any Iran attack
The US on Thursday warned of giving a "swift and decisive" response to Iran's "threatening actions", amid mounting tensions between the two countries."The Islamic Republic of Iran has engaged in an escalating series of threatening actions and statements in recent weeks. The response of the United States and our partners and allies has been clear: We do not seek war," US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a statement."But Iran's forty years of killing American soldiers, attacking American facilities, and taking American hostages is a constant reminder that we must defend ourselves," he added.Pompeo further said, "The regime in Tehran should understand that any attacks by them or their proxies of any identity against US interests or citizens will be answered with a swift and decisive US response. Our restraint to this point should not be mistaken by Iran for a lack of resolve."Pompeo accused Iran of indulging in "violence," which he said, has been the regime's "default ...
House votes to block Trump's eased health coverage rules
The Trump administration would be blocked from easing coverage rules required by President Barack Obama's health care law under legislation Democrats pushed through the House on Thursday as the two parties rejoined a battle that roiled last year's congressional elections. Under guidance the administration issued last year, states could allow insurers to offer low-cost, low-coverage policies that could deny coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions. Democrats said that by blocking that language, Thursday's bill would protect patients with pre-existing conditions. "You pass this waiver, you are going to wave goodbye to the protections that we fought long and hard for pre-existing conditions," said Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt. Republicans and administration officials said the guidance did not erode those protections and said they support protecting people with pre-existing medical problems. They said the administration rules were aimed at giving states more flexibility to try ..
FBI adds Osama bin Laden's son to its 'seeking more information list'
The FBI on Thursday added Hamza bin Laden, son of slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden to its Seeking More Information List (SMIL).This comes after the US had announced a $1 million reward for information on Hamza bin Laden's whereabouts."Hamza bin Laden is wanted for questioning in connection with his membership in the Al Qaeda organisation and his public declarations threatening the security of the United States," the FBI said in a statement.He has ties to and may be located in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria or Iran and is known to speak Arabic, it added.The US designated Hamza bin Laden as a "global terrorist" in 2017.In March, the State Department had said that it would offer a reward of $1 million for information on Hamza bin Laden.Investigators believe that Hamza bin Laden is married to the daughter of al-Qaeda senior leader Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, aka Abu Muhammad al Masri, who has been indicted for his alleged involvement in August 7, 1998 bombings of the US Embassies in ...
Trump nominates Patrick Shanahan for Defence Secretary
US President Donald Trump on Thursday nominated acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan to the post of Defence Secretary, which fell vacant after James Mattis had resigned last year, the White House said.Based upon his outstanding service to the country and his demonstrated ability to lead, President Trump intends to nominate Patrick M. Shanahan to be the Secretary of Defence," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement."Acting Secretary Shanahan has served in high profile positions, including the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Vice President of Supply Chain and Operations at Boeing. He has proven over the last several months that he is beyond qualified to lead the Department of Defence, and he will continue to do an excellent job," she added.Before joining the Trump administration, Shanahan has been a part of American aerospace major Boeing for over three decades.The 56-year-old Shanahan is a trained mechanical engineer and has a master's degree from ...
Venezuela's Maduro tightens pressure on opposition
The arrest of a top opposition leader in Venezuela unleashed fears of a wider crackdown on Thursday, even as members of the opposition issued renewed calls for weekend protests in a months long campaign to oust President Nicols Maduro. The Wednesday arrest of Edgar Zambrano, the vice president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly in Venezuela, was the latest move in a protracted, increasingly murky struggle between two camps vying for support of the military, which has seen some defections but whose loyalty to Maduro has preserved his grip on power. Maduro's chief adversary, opposition leader Juan Guaid, portrayed the arrest and targeting of members of the assembly as acts of desperation by a government whose leaders don't know who to trust. The US-backed opposition leader also announced new nationwide protests on Saturday, following clashes between police and protesters last week that left six people dead. "They won't get us out of the streets," said Guaid, whose public ...
Man who slapped Delhi CM Kejriwal expresses 'regret'
Suresh, the man who slapped Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a roadshow on May 4, expressed regret over his act."I don't know why I slapped him (Arvind Kejriwal). I regret it," Suresh said while talking to ANI on Thursday.Suresh also claimed that he is not affiliated to any political party."I am not affiliated to any political party. Nobody asked me to do this. Police did not misbehave with me. They only said what I did was wrong," he added.On May 4, AAP chief Kejriwal was slapped by a man (later identified as Suresh) in Moti Nagar in West Delhi while campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections.The CM had stepped on to an open jeep and was shaking hands with supporters and waving at the gathering when Suresh wearing a reddish maroon shirt climbed on to the vehicle and landed a slap on his face.AAP supporters immediately pulled him down and thrashed him.This was not the first time that the Aam Aadmi Party convener was assaulted.Kejriwal was also slapped in 2015 while campaigning
US threatens 'swift and decisive' response to any Iran attack
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday threatened a "swift and decisive" US response to any attack by Iran, in the latest of a series of escalating statements and actions. "The regime in Tehran should understand that any attacks by them or their proxies of any identity against US interests or citizens will be answered with a swift and decisive US response," Pompeo said in a statement.
Barr to take call on Mueller's testimony: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he would leave it up to Attorney General William Barr to decide whether Special Counsel Robert Mueller should testify before the Congress over his report on alleged Russian collusion in the 2016 presidential election."I'm going to leave that up to our very great attorney general. He'll make a decision on that," CNN quoted Trump as saying while addressing a presser at the White House.His comments marked an apparent reversal to his tweet on the weekend where he said Mueller "should not testify" before the Congress."After spending more than $35,000,000 over a two year period, interviewing 500 people, using 18 Trump Hating Angry Democrats & 49 FBI Agents - all culminating in a more than 400 page 'Report' showing NO COLLUSION - why would the Democrats in Congress now need Robert Mueller to testify," Trump had written on Twitter on Sunday."Are they looking for a redo because they hated seeing the strong NO COLLUSION conclusion? There was
Modi has no right to seek votes in Punjab: Amarinder Singh
Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday said that Modi has no right to seek votes in Punjab as the central government has done nothing for the state."Modi has no moral right to ask for votes in Punjab because he has done absolutely nothing for the state. He left the people to fend for themselves despite acute problems faced by them," Singh said.Speaking at a rally in support of Congress candidate Preneet Kaur in Pratap Nagar, the CM added, "The Modi government did nothing for Punjab or its people in the last two years since the Congress government took over in the state, despite repeated requests."Hitting out at the PM, Singh said: "Not only has the state gone ahead with its promised farm loan waiver scheme but had expanded the primary health insurance cover to 42 lakh families instead of the mere 14.96 lakh SECC families covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.""The nation has seen how Modi has ruled in the ...
India will never forgive "murderer Congress" for its sins: Shah on Sam Pitroda
Hitting out at the Congress party over Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda's remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots, BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday said that India will never forgive "murderer" Congress for its sins."Agony of the entire Sikh community. Suffering of all those Sikh families killed by Congress leaders in 1984. Attack on Delhi's secular ethos. All Summed up in these three words by Sam Pitroda - Hua To Hua. India will never forgive #MurdererCongress for its sins," Shah tweeted.Earlier in the day, Pitroda brushed off the anti-Sikh riots saying "happened in 1984, so what".On being asked to respond on the BJP's claim citing the Nanavati commission report that the instructions for the violence had come from late Rajiv Gandhi who had taken up the post of Prime Minister after his mother Indira Gandhi was assassinated, Pitroda furiously told ANI, "I don't think so, this is also another lie, and what about 1984? You speak about what you have done in five years. It happened in
Gautam Gambhir sends defamation notice to Kejriwal, Sisodia and Atishi
Former cricketer and BJP's candidate from East Delhi constituency, Gautam Gambhir has sent a defamation notice to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Atishi Marlena, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, demanding an unconditional apology for making "defamatory" comments against him.Gambhir also asked the three AAP leaders to "cease and desist" from any further circulation of the "impugned statements"."You noticees (three AAP leaders) are called upon to tender an unconditional and unqualified apology to our client for defaming him with the false and baseless allegations," the notice sent to AAP leaders by Gambhir's counsel read.It also warned that failing to render an unconditional apology would invite further legal actions, both civil and criminal."In the event, you noticees fail to comply with the above, we have specific instructions from our client to initiate appropriate legal proceedings, both civil and criminal," the notice further ...
Activists at US Venezuelan embassy complain of blackout
US supporters of embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who have stayed inside that country's embassy in Washington for a month are accusing the Trump administration of breaking international law for shutting off power at the diplomatic compound. A spokesperson for power company PEPCO told The Associated Press that it does not discuss the status of individual customer accounts or service to individual properties out of respect for customer privacy and public safety. The Secret Service referred any request for comment to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to a request from The Associated Press. Carlos Vecchio, the ambassador to Washington designated by opposition leader Juan Guaid, announced Wednesday evening on Twitter that the people inside the embassy will no longer have power.
Trump intends to nominate Patrick M Shanahan as Secretary of Defense: WH
President Donald Trump intends to nominate Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M Shanahan as his next Defense Secretary, the post which has been vacant for the past several months, the White House said Thursday. "Based upon his outstanding service to the country and his demonstrated ability to lead, President Trump intends to nominate Patrick M Shanahan to be the Secretary of Defense," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. Shanahan has served in high-profile positions, including as the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Vice President of Supply Chain and Operations at Boeing. He holds a Master of Science degree in engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Massachusetts Institution of Technology, she said. "Acting Secretary Shanahan has proven over the last several months that he is beyond qualified to lead the Department of Defense, and he will continue to do an excellent job," Sanders said. Shanahan has been temporarily leading the US Department of ...