Page 674 - Politics
Pak backs anti-India terror groups, has paid no price for its perfidy, US lawmakers told
Pakistan continues to sponsor terror outfits that launched deadly attacks in India because Islamabad has "paid no price for its perfidy", a prominent think-tank expert has told American lawmakers. Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorist groups that launched deadly attacks in India. It has paid no price for its perfidy," Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing early this week. "We must continue to combat state sponsors of terror and make hard decisions about countries such as Pakistan, he added. Referring to Pakistan's "unwavering support" to Taliban, much to the detriment of the US in Afghanistan, Roggio also disapproved the US move to withdraw troops from there. Its support for the Taliban has been unwavering and is leading us to defeat in Afghanistan. I would argue that we have already lost Afghanistan. We are merely attempting to negotiate the terms of our exit, he told the members of the House Foreign
BJP committed a sin by releasing Masood Azhar in '99: Raj Babbar
Congress leader Raj Babbar said that releasing Jaish- e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar in 1999 was a "sin" the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led BJP government committed.Babbar went on to say that it is this "sin" that led to the terror attacks in the Parliament as well as in Pulwama.Referring to the 1999 plane hijack, the Congress leader, while addressing a rally here on Friday, said, "You (the then BJP government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee) had released Masood Azhar and taken him to Kandahar.""You (Modi) arrogant ruler, the arrogant monarch, what kind of a reward did you get which has disturbed the Congress? It is your sin that you had released him (Masood Azhar). The attack in the Pulwama and Parliament was a result of your sin," he claimed.Babbar further said that the credit for Masood Azhar being designated as a "global terrorist" by the United Nations belongs to the previous UPA government because it is the result of a process initiated by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in ..
North Korea fires unidentified short-range missile
North Korea on Saturday fired an unidentified short-range missile from its east coast town of Wonsan, said the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).The missile was launched in the eastern direction at 9:06 am (local time), Yonhap News Agency reported.The United States and South Korean authorities are "analysing the details of the missile."The launch of the short-range missile comes at a time when denuclearisation talks between the US and North Korea are yet to see progress following the abrupt fallout of the Hanoi summit.Earlier this week, the chief nuclear envoys of South Korea and the US discussed progress on the denuclearisation of North Korea and lasting peace in the Korean Peninsula.Lee Do-hoon, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, and Stephen Biegun, the US special representative for North Korea, in their telephonic conversation, discussed their assessment of the situation on the peninsula since the failed second summit between the US and ..
Trump calls Putin, talks of 'Russian Hoax'
US President Donald Trump has said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an hour-long call, covering issues including the "Russian Hoax".
Trump hails 'very positive' Venezuela talks with Putin
President Donald Trump said he held "very positive" talks Friday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the crisis in oil-rich Venezuela, where Washington is pushing to oust the Moscow-backed president. The US leader adopted a strikingly conciliatory tone following a more than hour-long conversation with Putin, coming days after an abortive military uprising in support of Juan Guaido, the opposition leader seeking to drive Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power. "It was a very positive conversation," Trump said. "He is not looking at all to get involved in Venezuela other than he'd like to see something positive happen for Venezuela." "And I feel the same way. We want to get some humanitarian aid. Right now people are starving." Trump's tone came in stark contrast to that of his top advisors, in particular Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who charged this week that the socialist Maduro had been poised to flee to Cuba, but was talked out of it by the Russians. Recognized .
US targets Iran uranium but lets nuclear deal stay alive
- The United States said Friday it would start imposing sanctions over Iranian exports of enriched uranium allowed under a nuclear deal rejected by President Donald Trump, even as it granted waivers to allow the accord to survive. The move comes amid growing Iranian frustration with the nuclear deal, with which UN inspectors say Tehran is complying but which has not led to a promised economic boom, with the Trump administration instead imposing sweeping sanctions. Under the 2015 deal, which was negotiated under former president Barack Obama and still enjoys strong support among European powers, Iran was limited to keeping 300 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 3.67 percent -- far below the level needed to build nuclear weapons. As part of the agreement, Iran was to sell any enriched uranium above that threshold on international markets in return for natural uranium, with Russia a key player. But in Friday's policy change, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States would ...
Main UK parties suffer Brexit battering in local elections
Britain's two main parties suffered a drubbing Friday in English local elections, with Prime Minister Theresa May's governing Conservatives bearing the brunt of voter frustration over the prolonged Brexit deadlock. May's Conservatives lost control of several local authorities and well over a thousand seats, performing far worse than even the gloomiest predictions. But the main opposition Labour Party also lost ground, with voters instead turning to smaller parties and independents in Thursday's polls. "There was a simple message from yesterday's elections to both us and the Labour Party: just get on and deliver Brexit," May said. Britain's bitterly-divided MPs have been unable to agree on a divorce deal with the EU, with the two main parties in talks on breaking the impasse that have produced little fruit so far. "This is a difficult time for our party and these election results are a symptom of that," May told the Welsh Conservative Conference, having faced down a heckler calling for
Late US student's mother urges pressure on 'cancer on Earth' N Korea
The mother of Otto Warmbier, the young American who died after alleged torture by North Korea, on Friday demanded no let-up in pressure on the regime she called "cancer on the Earth." Joining families of abducted Japanese who have pressed for years for answers from North Korea, Cindy Warmbier said she did not oppose President Donald Trump's diplomacy with Pyongyang but voiced concern for the future. "North Korea, to me, is a cancer on the Earth. And if we ignore this cancer, it's not going to go away. It's going to kill us all," said Warmbier, who asked to look at pictures of her son so she could maintain her composure. "Unless we keep the pressure on North Korea, they are not going to change and I am very afraid that we are going to let up on this pressure," she told the event at the Hudson Institute. Warmbier, a University of Virginia student, was imprisoned during a tour of the authoritarian state after being accused of taking down a propaganda poster. Doctors said he suffered ...
Pentagon preparing to move F-35 work out of Turkey
US Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan warned Friday that the Pentagon will halt manufacturing support for the F-35 in Turkey if Ankara buys a Russian missile defense system. Shanahan told journalists the government remained steadfast in its opposition to Turkey's adoption of the S-400 anti-aircraft technology. "If Turkey decides that the S-400 is a decision they want to go forward with, then we have to move work out of Turkey," he said. Shanahan noted that he had met with delegations from US aerospace manufacturers Lockheed Martin and United Technologies to discuss options if Turkey refuses to forego the S-400. Washington has warned for months that Turkey's adoption of Russian missile technology alongside US fighter jets would pose a threat to the F-35 and endanger Western defense. As a member of NATO, Turkey is taking part in the production of the fighter jet for use by members of the treaty, and has plans to buy 100 of the jets itself. A number of Turkish manufacturers are ...
Three Palestinians killed in Gaza after army says soldiers wounded
Three Palestinians, including two Hamas militants, were killed by Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip Friday, authorities in the enclave said, after Israel said two of its soldiers were wounded in a shooting on the border. One of the Palestinians was shot dead during clashes along the frontier while two Hamas fighters were killed in an air strike, the health ministry in Gaza said. The Israeli army said the air strike was in retaliation for the shooting incident on the border that left its soldiers wounded. The Gaza ministry named the men killed in the air strike as Abdullah Abu Mallouh, 33 and Alaa al-Bubli, 29, while the man killed in the clashes was named as 19-year-old Raid Abu Teer. The Israeli military said it had hit a base belonging to Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas after shots were fired at its forces along the border. Hamas confirmed the two men killed in the air strike were members of its military wing and pledged to respond to what it called an "Israeli aggression." The
Russian Embassy in US lodges protest over Maria Butina sentencing
The Russian Embassy in the United States has expressed dissent over the "unlawful court verdict" in the sentencing of Russian gun-rights activist Maria Butina by the US."In relation to the unlawful court verdict, a note of protest has been sent to the [US] State Department. We demand the US officials to ensure the protection of rights and legal interests of our compatriot in accordance with international human rights norms," TASS quoted the embassy as saying.Butina was sent to 18 months in prison after she pleaded guilty of allegedly trying to infiltrate conservative political circles and promoting Russian interests before and after the 2016 presidential elections.The Embassy added that its diplomats visited Butina in prison."Despite the unjust and severe verdict issued on April 26, our compatriot endures the hardships of her prison sentence stoically and with dignity," the embassy said.30-year-old Butina is so far the only Russian citizen arrested and convicted in the three-year ...
S.Sudan parties delay forming unity government by 6 months
South Sudan's warring parties agreed Friday to delay by six months the formation of a power-sharing government just days before it was due to be installed. "The Parties unanimously agreed to extend the Pre-Transitional period by an additional six months effective from 12th May 2019 to enable the execution of the critical pending tasks," said the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc for East Africa that called a meeting between the rival parties. The agreement came at the close of two days of talks in Addis Ababa where South Sudan's rival factions had convened to try and salvage a peace deal signed in September 2018. That agreement inked by representatives of President Salva Kiir, rebel leader Riek Machar and a handful of other groups was the latest in a string of efforts to end a devastating conflict now in its sixth year. But the parties have failed to resolve several crunch issues before a power-sharing government is to be installed on May ...
Mahatma the only 'real' Gandhi, says Uma Bharti
In a stinging attack at the Gandhi-Nehru family, Union Minister Uma Bharti said those using the surname 'Gandhi' in the present day are "fake", as only Mahatma Gandhi can be termed as the "real" Gandhi."The Mughals left, and then the British left, but they left the Congress behind for us. In Gandhi-Nehru family, Nehru is real while Gandhi is fake. Those using the surname 'Gandhi' these days are fake. Only the one used by Mahatma ji is original," Bharti said while addressing a public rally here on Friday.Referring to the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to ban BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal seat, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, for 72 hours for violating the the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Bharti said, "We are followers of Lord Ram, so we would follow the ECI directives. We stay in our limits."The BJP leader claimed that Thakur was forced to name some prominent leaders in the Malegaon blast case."Thakur had to undergo unbearable torture while in custody in Malegaon ...
Trump, Putin discuss Venezuela as Guaido calls for new protests
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin Friday discussed the crisis in oil-rich Venezuela, where Washington has thrown its weight behind a campaign to oust the Moscow-backed socialist president. "Very productive talk!" tweeted the US leader following their conversation, which came three days after an abortive military uprising in support of Juan Guaido, the self-declared interim leader seeking to oust President Nicolas Maduro. US-Russian tensions have spiked over the months-long standoff in Venezuela, where Moscow accuses the United States of fomenting a coup against Maduro. Recognized by more than 50 countries as interim leader, Guaido has urged his supporters to gather for a new day of peaceful demonstrations at military bases on Saturday in a fresh bid to rally the armed forces behind him. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump had made clear to Putin "that the United States stand with the people of Venezuela," in talks that also
China increasing global military strength with aim to become 'preeminent power' in Indo-Pacific: US
China is increasing its global military footprint with an aim to become the "preeminent power" in the Indo-Pacific region as it seeks to have the ability to affect security along its periphery and beyond, a top Pentagon official said on Friday. "China will seek to establish additional military bases overseas, as well as points for access. Press reporting in 2018 indicated China sought to expand its military basing and access in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific," Assistant Defence Secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver told reporters at a news conference here. A report titled '2019 China Military Power' released by the Pentagon on Thursday identified Pakistan as one of the countries where Beijing intends to build its military base. "China continue to pursue global access and increase its global military footprint. Alongside its military modernisation, it seek to have the ability to affect security along China's periphery and beyond," ...
Naxalism confined to 15% in India under Modi rule: Shah
BJP president Amit Shah Friday claimed Naxalism has been confined to 15 per cent in the country under the Narendra Modi administration. He was addressing an election meeting here in favour of sitting BJP MP and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. "During the Congress government, the entire country faced the problem of Naxalism, but with Narendra Modi becoming the prime minister and Rajnath Singh as home minister, Naxalism gradually got confined to mere 15 per cent," Shah claimed. Meanwhile, 15 jawans were killed in a major Naxal attack in Maharashtra on Wednesday. The BJP leader also credited the Centre for building strong internal security. There was a time when police used to fear 'goondas' (hooligans), but today the situation is different... the team of Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh has worked on ensuring internal security, Shah said. The BJP chief also said there were 'Modi, Modi' chants wherever he went and the same reflected the blessing of 130 crore countrymen. "I went to ...
Portugal PM threatens to quit if parliament approves teachers' pay hike
Portugal's Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Friday threatened to quit if parliament approves a law which would end a freeze on teachers' salaries, saying it would cause public spending to balloon. "The final approval of this initiative will force the government to submit its resignation," Costa said in during a televised news conference after he held talks with the president. His comments came after a parliamentary education committee on Thursday voted to end the wage freeze on teachers' salaries with the surprise backing of his minority government's far-left allies, the Communists and Left Bloc, as well as conservative parties. Only the ruling Socialists voted against the measure. The committee vote still needs to be ratified by the full parliament. No date has been set for the vote but Portuguese media said it would take place around May 15. The row over the teacher's wage freeze comes ahead of European Parliament elections in Portugal on May 26, and a general election ...
India, Australia discuss cross-border terrorism
India and Australia held the 11th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism at Canberra on Thursday where they deliberated upon the terrorist threats worldwide and in their respective regions including the problem of cross-border terrorism.
Rupani addresses poll meeting in Delhi, seeks support for Gambhir
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Friday sought support for BJP's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir and asserted that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can secure the borders and strengthen the country by working with honesty. Addressing an election meeting at Gujarat Vihar cooperative housing society here, a Gujarati-dominated area, Rupani said the way Modi has challenged Pakistan, in the similar manner Gambhir has challenged the neighbouring country in cricket. He was seeking support for cricketer-turned-politician Gambhir, who is contesting against AAP's Atishi Marlena and Congress's three-time MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely. "Only Narendra Modi can make the borders of the country secure and strengthen the country from inside by working with honesty," he said. "Modi is trying to safeguard the system from middlemen and is 'doing chowkidari' of treasures of the country and trying to end poverty in the country. If the Modi government comes to power one more time, all the thieves, who ..
UN says nearly 400 killed by Libya fighting, 50,000 displaced
At least 392 people have been killed and 1,936 wounded since strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive against the Libyan capital last month, the UN's World Health Organisation said Friday. More than 50,000 have meanwhile been displaced as a direct result "of the intensifying armed conflict in Tripoli", according to another UN body, the Organisation for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. "We are concerned about the alarming figures of displacement," OCHA said on Friday on Twitter. Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) began its offensive against the Tripoli based Government of National Accord (GNA) on April 4. Forces loyal to the internationally recognised GNA have since launched a counter-offensive, leading to a stalemate on the ground on the southern outskirts of the capital. Othman Abdel Jalil, the GNA's education minister and the head of the government's crisis committee, on Thursday said 55,000 people -- some 11,000 families -- had been displaced. Jalil said