Page 685 - Politics
OPEC says determined to avoid an 'energy crisis'
OPEC is determined to avoid a global "energy crisis" as some of its members are facing international sanctions and others struggling with unrest, the cartel's secretary-general said in Tehran on Thursday. "As an organisation, we will remain focused on our goal of avoiding an energy crisis that may affect the global economy," Mohammed Barkindo said on the sidelines of an oil and gas exhibition. The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will pursue this policy "despite current troubles in several of its member countries," he said. His comments came as the end of US sanction waivers for purchases of oil from key OPEC member Iran was due to kick in on Thursday. Venezuela, another cartel member, is also facing sweeping US sanctions and in the throes of political troubles while fighting rages between rival forces for control Tripoli, capital of oil-rich Libya. Barkindo did not name any country but said some OPEC producers were "currently under unilateral sanctions" -- a ...
Mamata invokes Sepoy Mutiny for her oust Modi campaign
Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday invoked the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 to draw a parallel with the efforts by her Trinamool Congress to dislodge the Narendra Modi government in the ongoing parliamentary polls. "Sepoy Mutiny was the first uprising against the British in India. Now the biggest threat and problem in the country is Narendra Modi," she said at a rally in support of TMC MP Dinesh Trivedi, who is pitted against BJP's Arjun Singh. The Sepoy Mutiny was a violent and bloody uprising against British rule in India in 1857. "Sepoy Mutiny started from Barrackpore. You keep this in mind and vote," she told the gathering at Bhatpara, which is under the Barrackpore parliamentary constituency. Raising the slogan "Modi Hatao, Desh Bachao", she sought the support of the people for TMC in both Lok Sabha and assembly by-election at Bhatpara. The by-election was necessitated as Singh, who was the Bhatpara TMC MLA had quit the party .
'Chowkidar chor hai': Sidhu to PM Modi in Amethi
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying 'chowkidar chor hai'."It is true that 'chowkidar chor hai'. Prior to the year 1947, we had to fight against the British to gain independence but now we have to fight against the corrupt people of our own country," Sidhu said while speaking at an election rally here.On Wednesday, in a wielded attack on Prime Minister Modi, Sidhu had said that he seeks votes in the name of the security forces and dead bodies.Yesterday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a notice to Sidhu for his alleged personal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public rally in Ahmedabad on April 17.Acting on the complaint filed by BJP leader Neeraj, the ECI has sought the reply from the star campaigner of the Congress party not later than 6 pm on Thursday.In Amethi sitting MP and Congress president Rahul Gandhi is facing a serious challenge from BJP's Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha Polls.
JJP will bring change: Digvijay Chautala
Digvijay Chautala, JJP candidate from the Jat-dominated Sonipat Lok Sabha constituency, says his party will fight for change and only a party with a progressive mindset will rule the country. A member of one of the state's most influential political families, which saw a vertical split last year, Digvijay is pitted against BJP's sitting MP Ramesh Chandra Kaushik and former Haryana chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) candidate held the erstwhile Hooda-led Congress government responsible for putting his grandfather and INLD president Om Prakash Chautala and his father Ajay Chautala behind bars in connection with a teachers' recruitment scam. However, he said, "We are here to bring change, not to take revenge." Speaking to PTI on phone from Sonipat, Digvijay rejected the opposition's charges that he is in the fray to make a dent in the Congress's vote share as part of a secret deal with the BJP. "Those who are terrified of the .
Kerala's Muslim Education Society bans burqas in its colleges
Kerala's Muslim Education Society (MES) has issued circular banning girl students from covering their faces with burqas in its colleges.This comes a day after Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna' on demanded the imposition of a ban in burqa in India in the interest of national security, citing a similar measure taken in Sri Lanka after the deadly Easter Sunday attacks last month.The editorial states, "It has happened in Ravan's Lanka. When will it happen in Ram's Ayodhya? We ask this question to the Prime Minister as he is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on Wednesday."The Sena's proposal, however, was rejected by an NDA ally, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale of the Republican Party of India, who said that burqa should not be banned as it forms part of the country's tradition.The Sri Lankan government on April 28 took necessary measures to impose a complete ban on all types of burqas and face covers in the wake of the horrific terror bombings that rattled the entire country on the occasion of Easter
Goa Deputy Speaker wants CM's post, nothing less
Michael Lobo, Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, here on Thursday, said he was waiting for his party BJP to appoint him Chief Minister, and added he would not join the contest for the Speaker's post even if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forced him to do that.
Axed UK Defence Secretary denies role in Huawei leak
Gavin Williamson, sacked as Britain's Defence Secretary by Prime Minister Theresa May for allegedly disclosing plans to allow Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei to help build the UK's 5G network, has denied leaking any information from the National Security Council.
Speaker can't act on AIADMK MLAs issue as resolution seeking his removal has been submitted: Stalin
DMK chief M K Stalin Thursday said since he has submitted a resolution seeking Speaker P Dhanapal's removal, according to a Supreme Court ruling the latter cannot contemplate action against the three AIADMK MLAs loyal to AMMK founder TTV Dhinakaran. Canvassing for DMK candidate M C Shanmugaiah for the Ottapidaram (reserved) Assembly bypoll, Stalin accused the ruling AIADMK of sending notices to the three MLAs "to somehow save the government." Dhanapal had on Tuesday issued notices to three AIADMK MLAs loyal to T T V Dhinakaran, the general secretary of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), days after the ruling party petitioned the Tamil Nadu Assembly speaker for action against them for alleged anti-party activities. Stalin, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Tamul Nadu Assembly, said, "I have given a letter, a resolution seeking Speaker's removal and according to a Supreme Court ruling, Dhanapal cannot take any action (on the MLAs issue) when a move is pending against ...
House committee to face an empty chair instead of Barr
Attorney General William Barr has informed lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee that he will skip a hearing on special counsel Robert Mueller's report, escalating an already acrimonious battle between Democrats and the Justice Department. Barr's decision he cites a disagreement over the questioning came the day the department missed a committee deadline to provide the panel with a full, unredacted version of Mueller's Russia report and its underlying evidence. Those moves are likely to prompt a vote on holding Barr in contempt and possibly the issuance of subpoenas, bringing House Democrats and the Trump administration closer to a prolonged battle in court. Even though Barr informed the panel he isn't coming Thursday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said he will still convene the hearing, raising the prospect of an empty witness chair. "I hope and expect the attorney general will think overnight and will be there as well," Nadler said. As Barr refused to ...
Will New Delhi LS seat again elect party which forms central government?
Call it a coincidence or whatever. Since 1992 by-elections, a party which wins the Lok Sabha constituency, forms government at the Centre.
Libya government reinforces its position in Tripoli
Forces loyal to Libya's UN recognised government which is fighting against renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar's fighter, has reinforced their positions in the capital of Tripoli, reported Al Jazeera.Libya's capital is currently in the throes of ongoing fighting between military commander Khalifa Haftar's eastern forces and troops loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).India already removed its entire contingent of peacekeeping forces comprising of 15 CRPF personnel on April 6 from Tripoli, a move which was followed by countries like the United States and Nepal.The Indian authorities have time and again told Indian nationals in Tripoli to leave the area as the situation continues to deteriorate.More than 200 people have lost their lives and 913 have been wounded ever since clashes erupted in the region.
Ex-CM hopes minister's statement on JDS workers voting for BJP
Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Thursday said he was surprised over minister G T Devegowda's statement that JD(S) workers in parts of Mysuru had voted for BJP, and hoped it turns out to be "false." "Minister G T Devegowda's statement has surprised me. I wish that Devegowda's statements turns out to be false," Siddaramaiah, chief of the ruling Congress-JDS coalition's coordination committee in Karnataka, said in a tweet. He further said, "We will get to know the truth about this statement on May 23 when the results are out. There is nouse in thinking about what has happened, let us wait and see." Gowda's statement on Wednesday had created a flutter within the ruling coalition and triggered a strong reaction from the Congress, with its state president Dinesh Gundu Rao taking strong exception and questioning his sincerity. Gowda, who is from JD(S), had defeated Siddaramaiah inChamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru during the assembly polls last
No one government can get credit for Azhar ban: Cong
Fearing the Modi government will take political mileage over Masood Azhar's designation as a global terrorist, the Congress on Thursday said that credit for the achievement should not go only to one establishment and that the plan was in the works for the past 15 years.
Maoist attack: Congress demands Fadnavis' resignation
A day after 15 C-60 commandos were killed in a Maoist attack in Maharastra's Gadchiroli district, the Congress sought the resignation of state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and said the incident reflected failure of the Union Home Ministry.
Does BJP give money to voters: Kejriwal after BJP complaint
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday said if the BJP is not giving cash to voters, why is it "troubled" on his party asking the electorate to "take money from other parties", but vote for the AAP. He was responding to BJP leader Vijender Gupta's allegation that the Aam Aadmi Party was distributing pamphlets in Delhi's slum areas asking people to take money from the BJP and the Congress but vote for the AAP. Gupta had lodged a complaint in this regard last month, following which the chief electoral officer of Delhi Wednesday issued a notice to Kejriwal, who is the AAP's national convener. "We are saying that take money from other parties and vote for us. So what's your problem? Does your party also give money? If not, then why are you so troubled?" Kejriwal said in a tweet targeting the BJP. He also tagged Gupta's update on Twitter that a BJP delegation will meet the chief electoral officer of Delhi at Kashmiri Gate. "BJP delegation will meet the Chief Electoral officer Delhi .
Politics different from sports; result in people's hands, not ours: Krishna Poonia
Krishna Poonia, who is in a direct contest with fellow Olympian Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore in this Lok Sabha seat, says politics is different from sports and results are always in people's hands. For the 2010 Commonwealth Games discus throw gold medallist, who is the Congress nominee from Jaipur Rural segment, it has been a gruelling transition - from fixed hours of training in the sports field to a 24x7 job of politics. For her, this transformation is nothing but stark, from basking in the glory of winning medals for the country to shouldering the responsibility of being a people's representative. Poonia is the sitting MLA from Sardulpur, having won the seat in the 2018 assembly polls. She is now trying her luck against sitting BJP MP and Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Voting in this seat will be held on May 6. "Politics is a different battlefield than sports. In sports, the result is in your own hands. You can train yourself and assess your strengths. In politics, that .
SC asks EC to decide by May 6 Congress complaints alleging MCC violations by PM, Shah
The Supreme Court Thursday directed the Election Commission to decide by May 6 nine complaints of the Congress party alleging MCC violations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. The poll panel told a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that it has already decided on two out of the 11 complaints which were filed by the Congress party against Modi and Shah for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Senior advocate, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Congress Lok Sabha MP Sushmita Dev, who has filed a petition in the apex court on the issue, said that they have given 11 representations to EC against the duo but it has taken decision on only two. "The remaining representations of the petitioners shall be decided by the Election Commission before we hear the matter again on Monday (May 6)," said the bench also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna. The poll panel has given clean chit to PM Modi for two of his speeches -- one in Latur last .
'Modi hai to Mumkin hai': Yogi on UN designating Masood Azhar global terrorist
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Thursday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for UN's designation of JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, saying it proves "Modi hai to Mumkin hai". The UN Sanctions Committee on Wednesday designated the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Azhar a global terrorist after China lifted its hold on a proposal to ban him. At an election rally in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh, Adityanath termed the Congress a "threat to the country" and asked people to think whether the party, along with the supporters of Pakistan, wants to compromise with the nation's security. "The UN decision has proved that 'Modi hai to mumkin hai' (Modi makes it possible). The Congress could not do this," Adityanath said. The UP chief minister claimed the number of Naxal-affected districts in the country has reduced in the last five years and every citizen, irrespective of his caste and religion, can now feel safe and secure. He said, "The Modi government has done ...
Restrictions on civilian movement on Srinagar-Baramulla stretch of NH-44 lifted
Restrictions on civilian movement on NH-44 between Srinagar and Baramulla was completely lifted on Thursday.The restrictions would, however, remain in force on Srinagar - Udhampur stretch of the highway as usual."The restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 will be completely lifted with effect from May 2, 2019. There would be no prohibition on civilian traffic on this stretch on Sunday or Wednesday," said the government in a statement."The restrictions would continue between Srinagar and Udhampur on NH-44 as earlier. However, these would be reviewed periodically and relaxation would be made as the need for restriction reduces," said the government.Earlier this month, restrictions were imposed on civilian movement on the NH-44 connecting Jammu to Srinagar in order to ensure adequate security to the movement of security forces' convoys while at the same time minimising the public inconvenience."The restrictions strike a balance between the needs of ...
World Press Freedom Day events raise alarm on fake news
A rising tide of fake news and disinformation is dominating World Press Freedom Day discussions taking place this week in Ethiopia, which is hosting the event after freeing jailed journalists as part of sweeping reforms. As the world prepares to mark the day on Friday, media practitioners and experts have raised the alarm and deliberated on ways to combat disinformation that they say is becoming a "threat to democracy." The relationship between the press and democracy is the main theme this year, with more than 100 events taking place around the world. "In my country, Somalia, disinformation is so rampant to the extent that some candidates were falsely alleged to have died or withdrawn right before elections so that their competitors were given more chances of winning," said Hussein Abdi Adam with Somalia's electoral commission. "Everybody is using phones these days. And it's becoming more difficult to deal with it as many of those engaged in this disinformation are based in various ..