Page 689 - Politics
Congress did not effectively pursue matter of designating Masood Azhar as global terrorist: Ram Madhav
BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav on Thursday said Congress party did not make adequate efforts to ensure that chief of terrorist organisation JeM was designated as a global terrorist.Madhav asserted that the process in the connection was initiated by the Congress in 2009 but was not 'effectively pursued'."The efforts (for designating Azhar as a global terrorist) started in 2009 when UPA was in power. It is another matter that during UPA regime the matter was not pursued as effectively as it should have been. But after Prime Minister Modi took charge, this matter was consistently perused and finally, we have seen this significant outcome," Madhav told ANI.He also mocked Congress and said, "I hope that our opposition does not start blaming us for misusing international institutions like Security Council for our political and electoral ends. I hope they will also join the whole country in welcoming this decision."Madhav further termed the development as victory for India's political ...
Ladakh to vote on inclusiveness, local issues
Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir has a unique distinction -- it is geographically the largest Parliamentary constituency in the country but smallest in terms of population.
US welcomes UN designating Azhar as terrorist
The US has welcomed the addition of Masood Azhar to the UN 1267 ISIL and Al Qaeda Sanctions list.
Azhar's designation as terrorist turning point in political war on terror (News Analysis)
China's retreat from providing international protection for Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and its patron Islamabad, marks a milestone in the political and diplomatic war on terror with potential reverberations beyond the subcontinent.
Defence Ministry to initiate IAF Chief appointment process after formation of next government
The Defence Ministry will initiate the process to appoint the next chief of the Indian Air Force after the formation of the new government at the centre."There are still five months left for the present Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa to retire from service as he is scheduled to retire on September 30 this year. The process to appoint the next chief would be initiated after the formation of the new government at the centre after the elections," tops Defence Ministry sources said.Generally, the process to appoint the new chiefs of services starts three to four months prior from the due date of retirement of the incumbent. However, the timing of announcement differs in a case to case basis.While appointing General Bipin Rawat as the chief of Indian Army in 2016, the announcement was made about two weeks before the retirement of his predecessor.In the Navy chief's appointment, the government made the announcement of selecting Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the successor of Admiral ...
Kargil: PM Modi led govt launched 'jihad' against terror, says Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP government launched a "jihad" against corruption, said Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi here claiming that the party would win the Ladakh seat."The BJP government at the Centre has launched a jihad against corruption and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inclusive strategies have led to the development of the whole nation," Naqvi said while campaigning for BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal.He added that PM Modi's growth policies have created a road of development from Kanyakumari to Kargil.Launching a scathing attack on the previous Congress and NC government in the state, Naqvi said, "Even if 20 per cent of money allotted for Jammu and Kashmir's development was spent properly, no one here would have faced any problems.""They were busy filling their own treasuries," he said adding that the Modi government's promise in the state is "development with dignity".Lauding the policies of the BJP government, he said that Zojila ...
BJP begins backchannel talks to gain Jagan's nod
Gearing up for the post-poll scenario, where it may need support from non-NDA parties, BJP has begun backchannel talks with YSR Congress Party, which may emerge as a kingmaker in the event of a hung Parliament.
Israel says hits Hamas site after arson balloons
Israel said Thursday its aircraft struck a Hamas military site in the Gaza Strip overnight after balloons carrying firebombs and explosives were launched from the Palestinian enclave. Following the airstrike, Israel's military said there had been two "launches" -- likely rockets -- from the Gaza Strip toward Israel. No further details on the launches were immediately available. The airstrike hit targets within what Israel's army called a Hamas military compound in the northern Gaza Strip. There had so far been no reports of injuries. It was unclear if the firebombs and explosives that prompted it caused any damage within Israel. Palestinians in Gaza have been regularly sending balloons carrying firebombs over the border fence to damage Israeli property and have in the past succeeded in setting fire to large areas of farmland. An Egyptian and UN-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, had led to relative calm around Israel's April 9 .
LS phase 5: BJP faces MGB heat in 7 UP seats
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing a tough challenge from the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) on seven of the 12 seats in Uttar Pradesh in the next phase of the Lok Sabha polls.
BJP has failed on national security front: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 2 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav feels that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre has failed on the national security front."BJP has failed so far as the national security is concerned. Our soldiers are dying on the border and in the Naxal affected areas," Yadav told ANI in an exclusive interview.When asked whether national security will be one of the core agendas of the non-BJP government if formed at the Centre, Yadav said: "National security is the most important issue for any country.""Regional parties are closer to the people. They have experience as well, given the fact that they have done a good job in the past. So they will deliver their best," said Yadav, also former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.He went on to add: "I do not need to tell people about my life. I have spent seven years of my life in military school. My college mates were martyred on the border. My wife's father has spent his ...
Azhar's designation demonstrates global commitment to rooting out terrorism in Pak: White House
The designation of Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN demonstrates the international commitment to rooting out terrorism in Pakistan and bringing security and stability to south Asia, the White House has said. The UN sanctions committee on the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda on Wednesday announced the designation of Azhar, leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), over its ties to Al-Qaeda. The JeM has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama suicide attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers and led to a spike in military tensions between India and Pakistan. Reacting to the development, Garrett Marquis, spokesperson of the National Security Council, White House said: "Designating Azhar demonstrates international commitment to rooting out terrorism in Pakistan and bringing security and stability to south Asia". The US commends the United Nations Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee for the designation of Azhar, the leader of JeM, a UN-designated terrorist group that .
South Sudan rivals meet in bid to salvage stalled peace deal
South Sudan's warring parties will hold talks in Addis Ababa on Thursday, in a bid to salvage a stalled peace deal, with just days to go until a unity government is meant to be formed. President Salva Kiir, rebel leader Riek Machar and a handful of other groups inked the peace deal in September 2018, the latest in a long line of efforts to end a devastating conflict now in its sixth year. However the parties have failed to resolve several crucial issues before a power-sharing government is to be installed on May 12, and are at odds over how to proceed. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc for East Africa, said in a statement it had called the two-day meeting to "develop a clear roadmap" for the formation of the government, and tackle "pending tasks of the agreement". Government has insisted the meeting must focus on how to push forward with the formation of the unity government, while Machar's camp wants a delay of six months to resolve issues such as
I don't think Congress has fielded weak candidates in UP: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 2 (ANI): Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's claim to have fielded weak candidates to eat into BJP's vote share in the Lok Sabha poll in the state has not cut any ice with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, who sees her statement as an "excuse" since the "people are not with them"."I cannot believe in these types of statements. I do not believe that the Congress has fielded weak candidates anywhere. No party does it. People are not with them. That is why they are making excuses," Yadav told ANI in an exclusive interview.Priyanka on Wednesday had said in Raebareli that her party had fielded some candidates in UP with an aim to cut into BJP's vote share. "Congress will win on the seats where our candidates are strong. Where our candidates are slightly lightweight, they will cut into BJP's vote share," she told media persons.When asked about political analysts' claim that the coalition is the 'Team B' of the Congress, Yadav, also former UP chief .
Pak PM saying right things, his military leadership too needs to take right decisions: US
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is saying right things and trying to make some changes in the country, but his military leadership too needs to take right decisions and right steps, the Trump Administration said Wednesday hours after the UN Security Council designated Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. Nearly a year and half after President Donald Trump ordered cutting off security aids to Pakistan, a senior US administration official told reporters that the US is trying to change Pakistan's policy of supporting terrorist groups. Noting the US' recognition of the ISI's links with its home-frown terrorist groups, the official the US does not want to get involved in the country's internal politics and expects the Pak military to correct the situation. "We support the civilian government. We support the nascent democratic system there. We support the fact that Prime Mister Khan says right things and appears to be trying to make some changes within Pakistan. But only time will tell ..
US Attorney General refuses Mueller testimony
US Attorney General William Barr has refused to testify to the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee on his handling of the Russia inquiry.
Rahul, Kejriwal cried like their cousins were killed in Balakot airstrike: Amit Shah
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said when Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government gave a befitting reply to terrorists in Pakistan after the ghastly Pulwama attack, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were crying as if their cousins were killed in the neighboring country."On the 13th day of Pulwama attack, Narendra Modi instructed the Indian Air Force to conduct an operation. Our jawans entered Pakistan and returned after attacking terrorists in Balakot... Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal were saddened by this. There was mourning in two places - one in Rahul Gandhi's office and another at Kejriwal's office in Delhi. They were crying profusely. Were the deceased terrorists (in Balakot) your cousins?" Shah said while addressing a public rally here."This is Modi government. This is BJP's government. If Pakistan fires bullets, we will reply with cannon balls," he added.Referring to the sloganeering incident in Jawaharlal Nehru University .
Don't know if this is related to LS polls: Kamal Nath on UN listing of Masood Azhar
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday expressed uncertainty on whether the designation of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a 'global terrorist' had anything to do with the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the country."It (listing Masood Azhar) was long due, it is good that it has been done. This should have happened a long time ago. I don't know if this has something to do with the elections," he told reporters here.Azhar, the head of Pakistan-based JeM that orchestrated the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, was designated as a 'global terrorist' by the United Nations after China also joined efforts to blacklist him.The UN action comes a day after China called for "political consultation within the framework of 1267 Committee" to "properly resolve" the issue pertaining to the listing of Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. China also underlined that "positive progress" has been made in the issue so far.The issue gathered momentum last week with the visit ..
Russia slams US over attempted 'coup' in Venezuela
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has denounced Washington's support for the Venezuelan opposition in their attempt to seize power as an intervention in the country's internal affairs.
William Barr refuses to testify before House Judiciary committee
United States Attorney General William Barr has refused to testify before the House Judiciary committee about his handling of Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 Presidential elections.The development came after Democrats demanded that the Attorney General face questions from the committee's lawyers, a decision formalised by a vote on Wednesday. Barr had previously objected to the said proposal, reported CNN.Speaking to reporters following Barr's decision, Chairman of the House Judiciary committee Jerrold Nadler said, "He [Barr] is trying to blackmail the committee into not following what we think is the most effective means of eliciting the information we need."The [Trump] administration cannot dictate the terms of our hearing in our hearing room," he added.Justice Department spokeswoman blamed Nadler for Barr's decision, saying that the chairman placed "unprecedented and unnecessary" conditions on the hearing."Unfortunately, even after the ..
British Defence Secretary sacked over Huawei leak
Gavin Williamson has been sacked as the Defence Secretary of Britain following an inquiry into a leak from a top-level National Security Council meeting.