Page 663 - Politics
Gabon court rejects call for health check of president
A Gabonese court has thrown out a bid by opposition activists to force President Ali Bongo Ondimba to have medical checks to see if he is still fit to rule. The court in Libreville rejected the request as "inadmissible", according to the ruling seen by AFP Saturday. Only the government or the two chambers of parliament had the power to go to the Constitutional Court to get a ruling removing the president from power, it said. But the activists behind the legal bid denounced the ruling. "This judgment reinforces our doubt about the capacity of Ali Bongo to still carry out his presidential duties," activist Marc Ona, who leads up one of the groups behind the bid, said. Bongo spent five months abroad in Morocco, recovering from a stroke he suffered on October 24 while visiting Saudi Arabia. During that period, he returned to Gabon twice, his long absence stoking concern about a power vacuum. A brief attempted coup by renegade soldiers in January was quickly ended. But on his return to ...
Israel attacks 70 military targets in Gaza Strip
Israel attacked about 70 military targets of Hamas and Islamic Jihad organisations in the Palestinian Gaza Strip on Saturday, said a report by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Trump notes 'tremendous potential' of US-Russia ties
US President Donald Trump on Saturday praised his latest call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying there is "tremendous potential" for US-Russia ties.
Huawei leak row: Disclosure does not amount to any crime
The British police on Saturday declined to investigate the leak of details from a secret government discussion about Chinese telecom company Huawei, saying that the disclosure does not amount to any crime.In a statement, Neil Basu, Britain's counter-terrorism chief, said he was satisfied that the leak, which brought down the Defence Secretary, did not breach the Official Secrets Act, Al Jazeera reported."No crime has been committed and this is not a matter for the police," he said.Opposition lawmakers had urged for an investigation after Prime Minister Theresa May sacked Gavin Williamson as Defence Secretary over reports that Britain had agreed to let Huawei participate in some aspects of Britain's new 5G wireless communications network.The decision was reportedly made at an April 23 meeting of the National Security Council (NSC). The council's discussions were only attended by senior ministers and security officials who first signed the Official Secrets Act that allows them to keep ..
Nine killed by regime, Russian strikes in Syria's Idblib: War monitor
At least nine civilians, including two children, were killed Saturday in air strikes by Syria's government and its ally Russia in the northwest of the country, a war monitor said. Syria's military and Russia carried out more than 100 air raids in Idlib, Hama and Aleppo provinces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in a statement. The Observatory said dozens of barrel bombs were dropped by Syrian military helicopters. Three women and one member of the White Helmets -- a team of first responders working in some rebel-held areas -- were also among the nine dead, the war monitor said. All nine civilians were killed in Idlib and Hama, it said. The first responder was killed after arriving at the site of raids to treat people wounded in southern Idlib, the head of the White Helmets Raed Saleh said on Twitter. An AFP photographer saw clouds of black smoke above two villages in southern Idlib after the air raids. Syrian state news agency SANA said the country's military had opened ..
Maduro rallies military as Venezuela opposition marches on bases
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged his troops Saturday to be "ready" for potential US military action, as backers of opposition leader Juan Guaido marched on barracks in a new bid to win the armed forces' support. Capping a week that saw a failed uprising led by the US-backed Guaido, Maduro instructed the military "to be ready to defend the homeland with weapons in your hands if one day the US empire dares to touch this territory, this sacred earth." Underscoring the continued military support for his socialist regime, Maduro delivered his televised address from a base in northwestern Cojedes state -- where he appeared alongside his defense minister, Vladimir Padrino, and in presence of more than 5,000 troops. The United States has refused to take the threat of military action off the table in its push to oust Maduro -- although so far has so far limited its campaign to ramping up sanctions. Guaido's cause gained renewed support Saturday however from US Secretary of State Mike .
Pompeo tells Venezuelans: 'The time for transition is now'
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a direct appeal to the Venezuelan people on Saturday, urging them to drive President Nicolas Maduro from power and telling them "the time for transition is now". "You can hold your institutions, your military and their leaders to the highest standards and demand a return to democracy," Pompeo said in the video message, released as Maduro urged his troops to be "ready" for potential US military action. "The United States stands firmly with you in your quest," added Pompeo, whose appeal came as opposition leader Juan Guaido made a new push for the Venezuelan armed forces to abandon Maduro.
200 rockets fired from Gaza, Israeli response kills three
Gaza militants on Saturday fired some 200 rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes that killed a baby, her pregnant mother and another Palestinian, officials said, as a fragile ceasefire faltered and a further escalation was feared. The latest flare-up came with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, seeking further concessions from Israel under the ceasefire. Israel said around 200 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defences intercepted dozens of them. One woman was seriously injured in a rocket strike on the Israeli city of Kiryat Gat, some 20 kilometres (13 miles) from the Gaza border, police said. Police said a man was also hospitalised in the city of Ashkelon and spoke of other injuries without providing details. A house near Ashkelon was damaged, while other rockets hit open areas. The Israeli army said its tanks and planes hit some 120 militant targets in its response. They included an Islamic Jihad attack tunnel that ..
PM hesitates to use 'Chowkidar' in his speeches: Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the PM is hesitant to use 'Chowkidar' in his speeches."When PM Modi says 'Chowkidar' in his speeches, he says it with hesitation that someone might say 'Chor Hai," Rahul said while addressing an election rally here.He accused the Prime Minister of "saying anything" to seek votes."Modiji says anything to seek votes without thinking anything. He said it from the Red Fort, nothing happened before I came to power. Modiji, who made Gurugram? Gurugram was an IT hub before you came. When he says that nothing happened, he is insulting your ancestors," he told the gathering.The Congress president also accused PM Modi of "spreading hate wherever he goes.""He (Modi) waived off the loan of 15 people amounting to 5.55 lakh crore. Narendra Modi is not your 'Chowkidar.' He is the 'Chowkidar' of Anil Ambani. We want one India. If the loans of 15 people can be waived off, then loans of poorest people can be
More code complaints against Modi than any other PM: Congress
Congress has filed 10 complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Election Commission for alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the party says it is the highest number of complaints faced by any Prime Minister in a Lok Sabha election.
'For your families': Abhinandan poses for selfies with colleagues
IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who spent some days in Pakistani custody when his MiG-21 was shot down in a dogfight with PAF jets a day after the February 26 Balakot strike, appeared in high spirits as he posed for selfies with colleagues and other servicemen.
Delhi Police: Man who attacked CM was AAP supporter
Delhi Police on Saturday said that the person who attacked Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been an AAP supporter and used to organise rallies and meetings of the party."As per his version, the accused, identified as Suresh, got disenchanted from the party due to the behaviour of its leaders and distrust of the party towards the armed forces," said the Delhi Police in a statement.Refuting the claims made by the Delhi Police, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the man was a 'Bhakt' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."This is really shameful given the fact that the wife of the attacker has herself said that he was Modi Bhakt and did not like anyone talking against Modi," said Bharadwaj.Accusing the Delhi Police of planting the fact that the man belonged to the AAP, Bhardwaj said: "This political statement of Delhi Police is itself a proof that Delhi Police is doing all this on the orders of the Modi government."Brother-in-law of the accused also said that he was not affiliated to any
EC: Nothing wrong with PM's Patan speech; no violation of code
Yet another speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has got clearance from the Election Commision, which said on Saturday that it did not violate the model code of conduct.
Kejriwal slapped by disgruntled AAP supporter in roadshow in Moti Nagar; AAP accuses BJP
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was slapped allegedly by a disgruntled AAP supporter during a roadshow in Moti Nagar, prompting a strong reaction from the AAP which alleged the BJP was behind the "cowardly act". Delhi police said that preliminary interrogation has revealed that 33-year-old Suresh, a scrap dealer in the area, was a supporter of the party and he used to work as organiser of its rallies and meetings. According to Suresh, over time he got disenchanted due to behaviour of party leaders and he was angered further due to the party's "distrust in the armed forces", the police said. An inquiry by a DCP-level officer has been ordered to find out how this person was allowed to be in the reception/proximate group, said Additional PRO, Delhi Police Anil Mittal. "Today, he was wearing a cap (which he later took off) and AAP scarf. He was in the chief minister's reception group and no one objected to him being there as he had been an organiser for the party. He was standing ...
India complains about diplomats' harassment in Pakistan
India has raised its concerns with Pakistan over harassment of two of its diplomats by intelligence personnel last month and asked it to conduct an inquiry and prevent recurrence of such incidents, sources said here on Saturday.
Brother of Algeria's Bouteflika, 2 ex-spy bosses arrested: Security source
Said Bouteflika, the powerful brother of deposed Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was arrested Saturday along with two former intelligence chiefs, a security source told AFP. General Mohamed Mediene, known as Toufik, who headed the secret service for 25 years and former intelligence coordinator Athmane Tartag were the two spy chiefs arrested, the source said, asking not to be named. Said Bouteflika was seen as the guiding hand behind the rule of his ailing brother Abdelaziz, who resigned on April 2 following pressure from the military in the face of huge street protests.
Modi, Shah likely to hold road shows in Kolkata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah are likely to conduct roadshows in Kolkata before the last phase of elections on May 19. West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said though the dates are yet to be fixed, the two leaders are likely to hold separate road shows in the city. "Both the prime minister and our party president have addressed rallies in each and every phase (of polling). But they have not conducted any roadshow. They are likely to hold separate roadshows in Kolkata. The dates will be fixed by next week," Ghosh told PTI. BJP sources said the decision to conduct roadshows of Modi and Shah is a reflection of the "special focus" that West Bengal has in the party's scheme of things. Shah has set a target of winning 23 out of the 42 seats in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party earlier had rescheduled the election rallies of Modi and Shah in coastal districts of West Bengal where cyclone Fani was supposed to have an impact. BJP general secretary .
Rahul, Kejriwal want to scrap sedition law in India: Amit Shah
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Saturday lashed out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for wishing to scrap the sedition law if they come to power after the Lok Sabha polls."Rahul baba says; Kejriwal doesn't say but has the wish to scrap the sedition law. Why should it be scrapped? If someone spies for Pakistan later, on what charges will you put them in jail," asked Shah, while addressing an election rally here.He also went on to recall the incidents which took place in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in February 2016 and said that if the sedition law was removed, then those raising anti-India slogans could not be jailed."Slogans were raised in JNU -- Bharat Tere Tukde Honge, Insha Allah, Insha Allah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government put them behind the bars under sedition law. If you scrap sedition law, how will you put them in jails," he asked.The BJP president was joined by Defence Minister Nirmala ...
BJP's five-year rule was just a trailer, real picture is yet to begin: Nitin Gadkari
The Bharatiya Janata Party's five-year rule was just a trailer, and the real picture is yet to emerge, said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday."The Congress is a confused party. They cannot change the future of India. It is only the BJP which can take India towards development. The five-year rule of the BJP was just a trailer. The real picture is yet to emerge," said Gadkari while speaking to ANI. Criticising Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Gadkari said"He (Rahul) can say whatever he wants. His credibility has suffered a blow. I do not think anyone believes that Congress will form the government. They want to help those who can defeat BJP. They have the sentiment that BJP, Modi ji should lose, even if they (Congress) are not elected. Congress party is at its worst at the Parliament, after Independence. They are in a bad state. They cannot even have the Leader of the Opposition," he said.Continuing his tirade against Congress, ...
Parties blame BJP for attack on Kejriwal
AAP and several other parties on Saturday blamed the BJP for the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a road show in West Delhi today, calling it yet another instance of "negligence" in the security of the AAP leader.