Page 626 - Politics
Iran inches away from nuclear deal amid US sanctions
Iran's president said Wednesday that it will stop exporting excess uranium and heavy water from its nuclear programme as stipulated by the 2015 atomic accord and set a 60-day deadline for new terms to the deal before it will resume higher uranium enrichment. Hassan Rouhani's address to the nation came on the anniversary of President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw America from the landmark agreement. Rouhani said Iran wanted to negotiate new terms with remaining partners in the deal, but acknowledged that the situation was dire. "We felt that the nuclear deal needs a surgery and the painkiller pills of the last year have been ineffective," Rouhani said. "This surgery is for saving the deal, not destroying it." The 2015 deal saw sanctions on Iran lifted in exchange for limits on its nuclear program. After the US withdrew from the accord it restored crippling sanctions on Iran, exacerbating a severe economic crisis. Iran sent letters Wednesday on its decision to the leaders of ...
Bhopal: Pragya Singh Thakur releases manifesto for her constituency
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur, released the first draft of manifesto for her constituency on Wednesday and said a complete version with additions will be released later."Today I have presented a part of my vision for Bhopal, with focus on issues of students, women and specially-abled people. I know that more issues need to be addressed and we will release a complete version later after deliberating with the public," said Thakur.She stated that she would be using two-wheelers in her campaigns to reach the people living in narrow lanes as she was unable to walk due to "torture inflicted by Congress men"."Today, I will also begin a full-fledged campaign in my constituency. My physical condition does not allow me to walk; torture inflicted by Congress men has left me unable to walk. So I will be using a motorcycle from today to reach the doors of our people who live in narrow lanes," she added.Thakur is among the seven accused facing ...
Varanasi village restricts Rahul Gandhi's entry
Unhappy over Congress President Rahul Gandhi's remark 'chowkidar chor hai', people of a village in Uttar Pradesh here have put up posters that hinted at restricting Gandhi's entry.
SC asks ECI to examine Tej Bahadur Yadav's plea by tomorrow
The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to examine by Thursday the plea filed by former BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav on the rejection of his nomination as a candidate from Varanasi in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.Yadav was fielded as Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi. Prior to that, he was in the fray as an independent candidate.A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and comprising Justice Deepak Gupta told the ECI's advocate Rakesh Dwivedi to take instruction on the issue and inform the court by tomorrow the commission's view on Yadav's plea.Through his plea, Yadav had sought direction to quash the Returning Officer's decision of cancelling his nomination as a candidate in the Lok Sabha elections.Talking to media, Yadav's lawyer Prashant Bhushan said, "The Supreme Court has asked the Election Commission to examine the matter and decide on it by Thursday. The Supreme Court today heard the ..
Iran announces partial withdrawal from nuclear deal
Iran will partially withdraw from the 2015 landmark nuclear deal signed with six other nations, President Hassan Rouhani announced on Wednesday, a move that comes a year after the US unilaterally withdrew from the pact.
'Heads up for BJP in Delhi but one-man magic of 2014 missing'
As polling day approaches in Delhi, it is politics before cricket in the satta markets of the capital. There are variables, some unknowns - the stuff that punters love.
No anti-incumbency against BJP, Modi will win: Himachal CM (IANS Interview)
There is no anti-incumbency against the sitting BJP lawmakers in the Lok Sabha elections, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur says. Rather there is more "josh" (zeal) this time to win with bigger margins and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name alone will win Bharatiya Janata Party the Lok Sabha elections. "All other issues are secondary to Modiji", he says.
Iran stops curbing enriched uranium, heavy water stocks: official
Iran will no longer respect limits it agreed on its enriched uranium and heavy water stocks under a 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, officials said on Wednesday. Iran's Supreme National Security Council said the measure was necessary to "secure its rights and bring back balance" after Washington's abandonment of the agreement exactly one year ago on May 8, 2018. "The Islamic Republic of Iran does not at the current stage consider itself committed to observing restrictions regarding storing enriched uranium stocks and heavy water stocks," the council said. "The remaining parties to the (deal) are given 60 days to implement their commitments, in particular in the fields of banking and oil," it added. It was referring to the commitment made by Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia to lift sanctions on Iran in return for it curbing its nuclear activities. The five countries have largely failed to deliver on their side of the bargain as their banks and oil firms have moved to ...
Sadhus hold rally in MP in support of Digvijaya Singh
Sadhus in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday took out a roadshow in support of former Chief Minister and Congress candidate from this Lok Sabha constituency Digvijaya Singh.
BJP has unnecessarily brought Rajiv Gandhi into picture: Sam Pitroda
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unnecessarily brought Rajiv Gandhi into the picture and "the people like me who have worked with him are very upset," said Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) chief Sam Pitroda here on Wednesday."Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government has unnecessarily brought in Rajiv Gandhi into the picture. People like me, who have worked with Rajiv Gandhi, are very upset," Pitroda told media persons here.Rajiv Gandhi, who served as the 6th Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989, was assassinated on May 21, 1991, at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, where he had gone to address a public meeting."In this election, there are two main issues. One is the idea of India. We believe the BJP government has attacked democracy, freedom, diversity. It has constantly lied about Rahul Gandhi's degree, court cases or citizenship," he said."The other is the fact that in the last five years, BJP has not delivered anything. If you go back to 2014 and see the promises Prime ...
US lifts sanctions for Venezuelan general who defied Maduro
The US has lifted sanctions on a top Venezuelan general who broke ranks with President Nicols Maduro, trying to help the opposition regain momentum in the face of a government crackdown following last week's failed uprising. Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday that the lifting of financial sanctions for former spy chief Manuel Figuera is intended to encourage others in the military to abandon their support for Maduro. The Treasury Department said the move is a display of "good faith" designed to elicit "concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order" by dozens of other sanctioned Venezuelan insiders. As the US looked to lure the Venezuelan military, Maduro and his allies started going after opponents who supported the uprising.
Rahul Gandhi tenders unconditional apology for attributing 'chowkidar chor hai' remark to SC
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Wednesday tendered an unconditional apology in the Supreme Court for wrongfully attributing to the apex court the 'chowkidar chor hai' remark in the Rafale verdict. Gandhi uses the remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attack him on the Rafale issue. In a fresh three-page affidavit, the Congress chief said he holds the Supreme Court in the "highest esteem and respect", and sought closure of the criminal contempt proceedings filed against him by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi. "The deponent (Rahul Gandhi) unconditionally apologises for the wrongful attributions to this court," Gandhi said in his affidavit.
Jet Airways employees hold silent protest at Mumbai International Airport
Jet Airways employees on Wednesday staged a silent protest at the Mumbai International Airport, seeking government's intervention to solve the crisis facing the airline.Sandip Kumar Dubey, an employee, said that the staffers were facing hardships as they had not received their salary for three to four months."We are carrying out a silent protest here to convey our message to the government. Please listen to us. We have people dependent on us. We have not got our salary for three to four months while some senior employees have not been paid for five months," he told reporters.Dayal Shahdeo, another employee, said that the government or any authorised body should help revive the company so that it can go back to serve the people."We request the government and any other authorised organisation to help revive Jet Airways at the earliest. We want to become the best airline, not only in India but in the world. We need just a little bit of support to achieve this," he said.Jet Airways had on
India's Jagjit Pavadia re-elected to International Narcotics Control Board
In a significant victory, India's Jagjit Pavadia was re-elected to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) for another term, posting the highest number of votes at 44. Pavadia, in her 60s, has been a member of the INCB since 2015 and her current term is set to expire in 2020. "India's Jagjit Pavadia tops International Narcotics Control Board Election," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted after the election results were announced. "We are deeply grateful to all India's many friends who ensured such a huge win in a very competitive election," he said. The 54-member Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held elections by secret ballot Tuesday, with 15 candidates in fray for five seats. There were 54 members present and voting and the required majority to win the election was 28. After the first round of voting, Pavadia emerged at the top, getting the highest number of votes at 44, followed by Jallal Toufiq of Morocco with 32 votes and ...
PM Modi the modern-day Aurangzeb, destroyed hundreds of temples in Varanasi: Sanjay Nirupam
Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the "modern-day Aurangzeb" who has destroyed hundreds of temples in Varanasi."After coming to Varanasi I saw that hundreds of temples have been destroyed in the city. There is also a newly-imposed Rs 550 fee for the darshan of Lord Vishwanath. I feel that Prime Minister Modi is a modern-day Aurangzeb. He has succeeded in destroying those temples which the people of Banaras defended even during the peak of Aurangzeb's cruel regime," Nirupam told reporters here on Tuesday."I condemn the modern day Aurangzeb who has imposed a jizya (tax) on the devotees for visiting their lord. The irony is Narendra Modi talks about protecting Hindu beliefs and rights and breaks temples. I condemn his acts," he added.Nirupam also defended Congress' claims on surgical strikes, adding that under his party's government, the Army had divided Pakistan into two countries."BJP has now come on the back foot because we revealed the truth that ...
Amethi youth writes letter in blood to EC
A young man from Amethi has sent a letter written in blood to the Election Commission seeking a directive for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to abstain from making objectionable comments that hurt the sentiments of the people.
South Africans head to polls tipped to be won by ANC
South Africans go to the polls on Wednesday in national elections which the ruling ANC party, in power since 1994, is the favourite to win despite corruption scandals and sluggish economic growth and record unemployment. The ANC has won all the past five elections, but Wednesday's vote is set to be an electoral test on whether the party has staunched a decline in popularity. The party is tipped to win the vote, but with a reduced majority and the result will reveal whether its new leader, President Cyril Ramaphosa, can reverse growing resentment among South African voters. Ramaphosa took over from scandal-tainted Jacob Zuma, under whose leadership the ANC saw the most significant drop in support since 1994. He acknowledged on the eve of the election that "we are humble enough to admit our mistakes. We have taken decisive steps to fight corruption." The election comes 25 years since Mandela led the African National Congress (ANC) to power in the country's first multi-racial ballot, ...
Brexit delay: UK will take part in European polls
With Brexit delayed, the UK will have to hold European elections, despite hopes from the government that the deal would be done by then, said the Prime Minister's de facto deputy. The vote is due from May 23 to 26.
Trump taxes show losses of $1.7 billion over decade: report
President Donald Trump's taxes show that he lost $1.7 billion over a decade starting in the mid-1980s, The New York Times reported Tuesday. Trump's apparent losses are greater than nearly any other individual American taxpayer, so much so that he managed to avoid paying income taxes for eight of the 10 years. Trump's federal tax forms from 1985 show he reported $46.1 million in losses from his main businesses, which consisted mainly of casinos, hotels and retail spaces in apartment buildings. Over the course of the next 10 years, they continued to lose money, with losses totaling $1.7 billion by 1994, the Times said. The report comes the day after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin denied Democratic lawmakers' request for Trump's tax returns, saying it "lacks a legitimate purpose," raised constitutional questions and threatened taxpayer privacy. "I am informing you now that the Department may not lawfully fulfill the committee's request," Mnuchin said in a letter to House Ways and ...
China Vice Premier Liu He headed to Washington for trade talks with Trump administration
China is sending a high-ranking delegation, led by Vice Premier Liu He, to Washington to resume trade negotiations with the United States, media reports said here. Reports of He's visit come after two days of uncertainty on the fate of US-China trade negotiations as President Donald Trump and his top officials accused China of going back on its commitments. Trump had also announced to increase import tariff on USD 200-billion worth of Chinese products from 10 per cent to 25 per cent from May 10. Following the announcement, China had decided against Vice Premier Liu He's scheduled visit to the United States. However, on Tuesday, Beijing said Liu was headed to Washington for resumption of talks. "China's leadership decided a full breakdown in the talks may be difficult to repair and would exact costs on the Chinese economy, according to Chinese officials. In doing so, Chinese leaders broke from a public position that Beijing wouldn't negotiate under threat," The Wall Street Journal said