Page 617 - Politics
Amid escalating tensions, US slaps new sanctions on Iran
The US on Wednesday imposed fresh sanctions on Iran targetting its steel and mining industries, amid rising tensions between the two nations.The US said that the sanctions were slapped on Iran's steel, aluminium, iron, and copper sectors hours after Tehran said that it would reduce its commitments in the 2015 nuclear deal."The order takes steps to deny Iran revenue, including revenue derived from the export of products from Iran's iron, steel, aluminium, and copper sectors, that may be used to provide funding and support for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorist groups and networks, campaigns of regional aggression, and military expansion," according to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump."It remains the policy of the United States to deny Iran all paths to both a nuclear weapon and intercontinental ballistic missiles, and to counter the totality of Iran's malign influence in the Middle East," it added.The order stated that the move "blocks the ...
Bhopal: Amit Shah holds road show in support of Sadhvi Pragya
BJP president Amit Shah held a road show in support of BJP candidate from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency and accused in Malegaon blast, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, on Wednesday.The roadshow was also attended by the former chief minister and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chauhan. During the road-show, Shah along with Shivraj and Pragya stood in an open van, waving to the BJP supporters.Released on bail, Sadhvi Pragya is pitted against the former chief minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh in the constituency.Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency is going to polls in the last phase of the general elections on May 19.Five of the seven phases of the general elections have concluded while two phases are to be held on May 12 and May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Will extend support to parties without compromising with people's issues: Raja Bhaiya
Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya, six-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Kunda in Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday said that his newly floated party named Loktantrik Jansatta Dal, which is going solo in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, will think about extending support to parties after May 23 without compromising with the core issues faced by people.Former Minister Raja Bhaiya has served as an independent MLA for a record of 25 years in a stretch.His party is contesting on two Lok Sabha seats - Kaushambi and Pratapgarh."We are fighting the ongoing polls with the support and blessings of people. There is no party which is contesting polls without any 'gathbandhan' (alliance) on its own strength. Jansatta Dal is the only party which is fighting on its own strength. We are not in an alliance with any party. A candidate must stand with the people instead of escaping after getting votes. For us, the issues are important and will not compromise with it .
BJP leader slams Modi for his 'Bhrashtachari No 1' remark against Rajiv Gandhi
BJP leader V Srinivasa Prasad on Wednesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for labelling corruption allegations against former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and said that the latter should have not spoken like that."Allegations against him in the Bofors scam are not acceptable. Modi should not have spoken like that against Rajiv Gandhi. It was unnecessary to take his name," said Prasad, who is six-time MP and former Karnataka state minister.Addressing an election rally in Uttar Pradesh on May 4, Modi had hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi by saying: "Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'Bhrashtachari No 1'."Prasad also rebutted the Prime Minister's statement that Gandhi had "died due to corruption allegations.""LTTE planned and assassinated Rajiv Gandhi and he did not die of corruption allegations," he said."I have lots of respect for Modi but even tallest of leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee have said many good things about Rajiv ...
Trump invokes 'privilege' over the full Mueller report
The White House invoked executive privilege Wednesday, claiming the right to block lawmakers from the full report from special counsel Robert Mueller on his Trump-Russia probe and escalating the battle between President Donald Trump and Congress. The administration's decision was announced just as the House Judiciary Committee was gaveling in to consider holding Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress over failure to release the full report. Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York declared the action by Trump's Justice Department was a clear new sign of the president's "blanket defiance" of Congress' constitutional rights. "Every day we learn of new efforts by this administration to stonewall Congress," Nadler said. "This is unprecedented." White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the action was rather a response to the "blatant abuse of power" by Democratic Rep. Nadler. "Neither the White House nor Attorney General Barr will comply with Chairman Nadler's ...
US Prez imposes tougher-than-ever sanctions on Iran's metal sectors
US President Donald Trump Wednesday imposed tougher-than-ever sanctions on Iran's iron, steel, aluminum and copper sectors, a move aimed at stopping Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and intercontinental ballistic missiles and to counter its "malign influence" in the Middle East. A year after he withdrew from the "fatally flawed", "one-sided" Iran nuclear deal and began the process of reimposing sanctions on Tehran, Trump with his new move has now imposed sanctions on Iran's top three exports oil, petrochemicals and metals. The Trump administration is imposing tougher sanctions on Iran than ever before because the regime continues to engage in destructive and destabilising activities, the White House said moments after Trump notified the US Congress about his latest sanctions on Iran. "The (Iranian) regime has maintained its nuclear ambitions and continues to develop its ballistic missile capabilities and support terrorism," the White House said. "The United States will ...
Congress more concerned about Pakistan than India: Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Wednesday alleged that the Congress doesn't deserve to get votes as it is "more concerned about Pakistan than India". Addressing a poll rally here to canvass for the BJP's Guna Lok Sabha seat candidate K P Yadav, Adityanath alleged that not only Congress president Rahul Gandhi, but his sister and the party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too speaks lies. "Rahul Gandhi does not deserve votes as he is more concerned about Pakistan. If India is in trouble, he doesn't think about the people," the BJP leader told an election meeting here. He alleged that the Congress president sensed defeat in Amethi which is why he contested the polls also from Wayanad in Kerala. Referring to a viral video, purportedly showing children using abusive language in front of Priyanka Gandhi, Adityanath alleged, "She was teaching abuses to children after people refused to vote for the Congress. This is not a good conduct on the part of a woman." Priyanka ..
Iran threatens more uranium enrichment if no new nuke deal
Iran threatened Wednesday to enrich its uranium stockpile closer to weapons-grade levels in 60 days if world powers fail to negotiate new terms for its 2015 nuclear deal, raising regional tensions as a US aircraft carrier and bombers headed to the Middle East to confront Tehran. A televised address by President Hassan Rouhani, who once pledged that the landmark deal would draw Iran closer to the West, saw the cleric instead pressure Europe to shield Tehran from the sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump withdrawing the US from the agreement exactly a year earlier. Rouhani's threats put the world on notice that it cannot continue to rely on Iran complying with terms of the unraveling deal in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, a US campaign of sanctions hammering Iran's anemic economy and blocking its sale of oil on the global market is only making life worse, putting further pressure on both its Shiite theocracy and its 80 million people. Rouhani himself compared the situation to a ...
Trump unveils Iran mining sanctions, hopes 'someday' for talks
US President Donald Trump targeted Iran's steel and mining sectors Wednesday in his latest tough sanctions but said that he "someday" hoped to negotiate face-to-face with the clerical regime. The announcement came hours after Iran said it was suspending some limits set by a multinational nuclear deal -- on the one-year anniversary of Trump's pullout from the accord. The White House said it was imposing sanctions on all trade of Iran's iron, steel, aluminum and copper, the country's biggest export after oil -- which the United States is already working to halt completely. "Today's action targets Iran's revenue from the export of industrial metals -- 10 percent of its export economy -- and puts other nations on notice that allowing Iranian steel and other metals into your ports will no longer be tolerated," Trump said in a statement. "Tehran can expect further actions unless it fundamentally alters its conduct." But in a switch in tone, Trump, who talked tough on North Korea before ...
Rabri Devi uses foul language against Modi, draws flak from BJP
Rabri Devi, former Bihar chief minister and wife of jailed RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, on Wednesday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "jallad" (executioner) and a person with a "khoonkhar maansikta (vicious mindset)". Devi, who is the vice-president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, made the remarks on Twitter, where she alleged that Modi had been behind "abduction and murder of many judges and journalists". The former chief minister made the acerbic remarks while referring to a comment by Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who had compared the prime minister to Duryodhana -- the antagonist of the epic Mahabharata. "Priyanka did the wrong thing by calling him Duryodhana. She should have spoken a language different in tone and tenor, the RJD leader said. Her remarks drew sharp criticism from the ruling NDA. Senior BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi deplored her remarks, calling it a mark of "panic" within the Opposition which, he claimed, was ...
Trump announces sanctions on Iran steel and mining industries
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced sanctions against Iran's steel and mining sectors, hours after Tehran said it would suspend some curbs under a denuclearisation deal rejected by Washington. The White House said it was targeting the country's biggest revenue source after oil and warned in a statement: "Tehran can expect further actions unless it fundamentally alters its conduct.
Priyanka Gandhi holds another roadshow, in south Delhi now
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday held a road show in support of boxer Vijender Singh whom the party has fielded from the South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.
Vice President Naidu to embark on four-day visit to Vietnam
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will embark on an official four-day visit to Vietnam from May 9, External Affairs Ministry said on Wednesday.During his visit, Naidu will hold meetings with Vice-President of Vietnam Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairperson of National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, the MEA said in an official statement.He will deliver the keynote address at the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Vietnam's Ha Nam Province.Naidu will also meet the Indian community and Vietnamese beneficiaries of the Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment Camp organised in Vietnam under the 'India for Humanity' initiative launched to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.India-Vietnam relations have been built on a firm foundation of close cultural, historical and civilisational links and are marked by mutual trust and understanding as well as strong cooperation in regional and international fora, the ..
US not looking to go to war with Iran: WH
The US is not looking to go to war with Iran, the White House said Wednesday even as it cautioned that President Donald Trump will remain "firm" in his position. The US stoked fears that it was headed to a war with Iran after that it announced that America will deploy an aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force in the Middle East to send a "clear and unmistakable" message to Iran that any attack on American interests or its allies will be met with "unrelenting force". Asked if the US was headed to war with Iran, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said, "I certainly hope not". "But the president is going to remain firm on our position and I don't think anybody is looking for any type of war with anybody," she said. US National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Sunday the decision to deploy the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the US Central Command region in the Middle East was in response to a number of "troubling and ...
Gambhir releases vision document, promises CCTV, DU campus, IPL matches in East Delhi
BJP's candidate for East Delhi Gautam Gambhir on Wednesday released his 24-points vision document and promised CCTV cameras, a DU campus, multi speciality central government hospital etc for the constituency.The leader promised that if he wins the polls, he will roll out 'Gautam Gambhir App' to directly address grievances.The former cricketer also promised to upgrade 'Yamuna Sports Complex' and will ensure that Indian Premier League and international matches are held in his constituency.He also promised supply of piped water for every household by 2022 including unauthorised colonies and resettlement colonies.Gambhir said he will convert Ghazipur Landfill which had already crossed its limit into a fashioned park. He promised to undertake a targeted approach towards waste management with East Delhi Municipal Corporation and will utilise landfill garbage for making roads or energy source.To resolve the parking woes, Gambhir promised multi-level parking. He also said if voted to power, ..
Singapore passes 'fake news' law
Singapore's parliament on Wednesday passed the Protection from Online Falsehood and Manipulation Act (POFMA), a move to tackle the spread of online fake news.The bill was passed after two days of debate in the parliament. A total of 72 Members of Parliament (MP) voted for the bill, as opposed to all nine Workers' Party MPs against it, with 3 nominated MPs - Anthea Ong, Walter Theseira and Irene Quay - abstaining, reported the Straits Times.Individuals found guilty under the new law could face jail terms of up to 10 years. According to media reports, the bill includes powers for ministers to order sites like Facebook, Google and Twitter to put warnings next to posts authorities deem false and in extreme cases, to take them down.Speaking during the debate, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam said that it was impossible for the courts to decide in "a matter of hours" whether something was a "falsehood". His statement had come in response to the Workers' Party's argument that the ..
Rajiv Gandhi used INS Viraat for vacations: Modi (2nd Lead)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused then Prime Minster late Rajiv Gandhi of using aircraft carrier INS Viraat and its personnel for vacations with his foreigner in-laws.
Chouhan's kin among loan waiver beneficiaries: Rahul
Responding to former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's charges of discrepancies in farm loan waiver, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the brother and son of Chouhan's uncle are also beneficiaries of the scheme.
JD-U to seek special status for Bihar if it gets 15 seats
Bihar's ruling JD-U on Wednesday said that the party will make a fresh pitch for its old demand of special category status to the state if it get 15 or more seats in the current Lok Sabha polls.
Owner, who 'forced' workers to clean septic tank, arrested
The owner of a semi-built plot, where two workers died while cleaning a septic tank, was arrested for alleged negligence, police said on Wednesday. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met the family members of the victims in the evening and promised a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased. The BJP accused the Aam Aadmi Party dispensation of negligence, while the National Human Rights Commission sought a report from the Delhi government, the police and chief secretary. Earlier on Tuesday, two contractual workers died and three others were hospitalised after apparently inhaling toxic gas when they entered a septic tank of the plot at Bhagya Vihar area of Prem Nagar in Rohini. "Gulam Mustafa, the owner of the semi-built plot, has been arrested late on Tuesday night," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) S D Mishra said. The plot has a 10-foot-deep septic tank, in which Mustafa and a mason named Rambir allegedly asked two labourers to go inside for cleaning on Tuesday.