Page 779 - Politics
Kim Jong-un arrives in Russia ahead of Vladivostok Summit
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un arrived in Russia on Wednesday morning (local time) ahead of his much-anticipated summit with President Vladimir Putin.After entering Russia, Kim stopped at the Khasan station where he was welcomed in the Russian tradition by being presented with flowers as well as bread and salt, reported TASS.The two leaders are set to meet for the first time on Thursday in the eastern port city of Vladivostok.The summit will discuss the bilateral relations between the two countries. However, Kim and Putin do not plan to sign any agreements or make any joint statements, according to CNN.This will be the first-ever meeting between the leaders of the two countries in eight years, after the former leader of North Korea Kim Jong-il met the then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in 2011.The North Korean leader had earlier travelled to Vietnam's capital Hanoi for his summit with US President Donald Trump.The summit was widely deemed a failure after the two sides were unable
PM Modi snubs Opposition for crying foul over EVM malfunction
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday snubbed Opposition for crying foul over EVM malfunction in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.While addressing a rally at Jharkhand's, the Prime Minister said, "They (Opposition) used to abuse Modi but since yesterday they have started to abuse EVMs. It seems that they have now decided to put the blame of their loss on the EVMs, just like a student whose exam does not go well, returns home and gives excuses that he did not have a good pen or the paper quality was bad.""As three phases of the elections are over, the Opposition is left with no option but to accept the defeat," he added.He also slammed the Congress party for not doing enough to combat the menace of terrorism in the country."Two days back, everyone saw how terrorists targeted churches in Sri Lanka on Easter. The terrorists targeted the devotees on a holy day. Similarly, India use to face the same problem before 2014. The Congress which was in power at that time was scared of taking ..
Cong on way to form UPA-3, poll result surprises in store for UP: Khurshid
The Congress is on way to forming UPA-3 and its electoral performance will be much beyond the expectations of many people, says senior party leader Salman Khurshid, asserting that surprises are in store as far as Uttar Pradesh poll results are concerned. Khurshid, who has been the chief of the Congress' UP unit twice in the past, said he would not be surprised if the party matches or betters its 2009 performance in the state when it won 21 seats. "2009 performance (in UP) was a very good performance in terms of circumstances that existed. Therefore, the 2009 performance is a high benchmark, but I would not be surprised at all if we touch that bench mark and even exceed it. There are all kinds of surprises in store as far as UP (poll result) is concerned," he said in an interview at his residence here. Asked if the Congress nationally also could match its 2009 performance when it won 205 seats, Khurshid said he has no doubt that the Congress could do so. The former Union minister said .
British PM approves Huawei role in 5G network: report
British Prime Minister Theresa May has given the go-ahead for China's Huawei to help build a 5G network, shrugging off security warnings from senior ministers and Washington, the Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday. The country's National Security Council, which is chaired by May, agreed Tuesday to allow the Chinese technology giant limited access to build "noncore" infrastructure such as antennas, the report said. The decision was made despite concerns raised over May's approach by Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt. Downing Street declined to comment on the newspaper report. The United States has banned Huawei's 5G technology from its territory and has urged allies in the so-called Five Eyes intelligence sharing collective -- which also includes Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand -- to follow suit. Huawei is the leading ...
Remove politics of divisiveness, negativity:Priyanka to voters
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Wednesday asked voters here to help remove politics of divisiveness and negativity and think of future generations and save the country. "Change politics, not only of your area or for your needs, but for your future generations and to save the country, as the country is in danger," she said at an election meeting here. "Remove the politics of divisiveness and negativity, and usher in a politics, which speaks about you, your grievances and makes efforts to redress them," she said. "In democracy, there is nothing bigger than the power of the people. Hence, all of you get the right to vote, and it is your biggest strength as well. The vote is your right as well as a weapon. You have use this weapon judiciously,"she said. The Congress leader told voters that they should not allow a person, who speaks "lies and does not work for you", to move ahead. Fatehpur goes to polls on May 6 in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls.
PM Modi to perform 'pooja' before filing nomination in Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to perform a 'pooja' at Dashashwamesh Ghat on April 25 along with his supporters before he files the nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election from here on April 26.Sushant Mishra, president of Ganga Seva Fund, told ANI that this would be the third time that the Prime Minister was visiting the holy place after coming to power in 2014. It is worth noting that Prime Minister Modi won his last Lok Sabha poll from Varanasi."After winning the election in 2014, the Prime Minister came to seek the blessing of Ganga. The second time, he visited the holy site along with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Now again he is coming on April 25," he said.According to party sources, before performing 'pooja' PM Modi will hold a grand roadshow in Varanasi. The roadshow will begin from the statue of Madan Mohan Malviya and will conclude at Dashashwamesh Ghat, passing through Lanka and Masanpura areas.After performing the Ganga Aarti on the bank of the holy ...
Dumped by BJP, Udit Raj joins Congress
After he was denied a ticket for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), outgoing Delhi MP Udit Raj on Wednesday joined the Congress.
Oppn parties have no option but to accept defeat: Modi
Lashing out at opposition parties that claimed the EVMs were being manipulated, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said the 'mahamilawatis' have realized they stand no chance after three phases of elections and are looking for excuses to defend their poor show. Addressing a rally here, Modi said the opposition parties have no option left but to accept defeat. At a press meet Tuesday, leaders of several major opposition parties raised doubt over the credibility of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), renewing their demand for verification of the machines. "Just like a child who makes excuses to justify his underperformance in exams, opposition parties have started directing their anger on the EVMs and the voting process for their shortfalls. "The response in first three phases of polls have left opposition with no option but to accept defeat," he said. Hitting out at the Congress, the prime minister said the "party that ended up shedding tears when Pakistan ...
US says Chabahar project won't be impacted by Iran sanctions
The strategic Chabahar port project, being developed by India in Iran, is a separate exception and will not be impacted by US President Donald Trump's decision not to renew exemptions that let eight countries including India to buy Iranian oil without facing tough American sanctions, a State Department official said. The Chabahar port, considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries, is located on the Indian Ocean in the Sistan and Baluchistan province of Iran. The port, which is easily accessible from India's western coast, is increasingly seen as a counter to Pakistan's Gwadar Port which is being developed with the Chinese investment. A State Department spokesperson told PTI that the operation of Chabahar Port is a separate exception. "The exception for reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan, which includes the development and operation of Chabahar Port, is a separate exception, and is not
10 JK militants based in Pak involved in LoC trade: officials
At least 10 militants, who had crossed over to Pakistan, set up businesses across the border with the active aid of ISI and were involved in the recently suspended cross LoC trade to provide funds to terrorists and separatists in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. These Jammu and Kashmir natives are either based in Islamabad and Rawalpindi in Pakistan or Muzaffarabad in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and operate businesses ranging from almonds, dry dates, dry fruits to mangoes as part of the modus operandi to send money to fuel unrest in Jammu and Kashmir on behalf of the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, they said. "These 10 militants were using the the cross LoC trade between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK to fund terrorists and separatists in Jammu and Kashmir," a senior security official said. India last week indefinitely suspended cross-LoC trade at two points along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir following reports that it was being "misused" by elements from across the ...
Not voting shouldn't be an option: Saif Ali Khan
Actor Saif Ali Khan has urged people of the country to vote and said that not voting should not be an option as people of the country can make a positive change by exercising their right of voting.
Will Cong be able to turn the tide in Bundelkhand?
Months after the Congress ended the 15-year BJP rule in Madhya Pradesh, the question doing the rounds in the state's political circles is if Rahul Gandhi can reverse his party's fortunes in the Bundelkhand region, considered a citadel of the saffron party. The Bundelkhand region comprises eight districts of Madhya Pradesh and seven of the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. In April 2008, Gandhi had paid a surprise visit to Bundelkhand's remote Tapriyan village in Madhya Pradesh's Tikamgarh district and spent the night at a tribal's residence. Following his visit, Bundelkhand's poverty and backwardness made headlines across the country. However, the Congress failed to reap its political dividends in the subsequent state assembly elections. The party even failed to open its account in the region in 2009 and 2014 general elections. Bundelkhand holds four Lok Sabha seats -- Sagar, Khajuraho, Damoh and Tikamgarh. The Congress has not won Damoh since 1989 and won Sagar last in 1996. The BJP has ...
Unfazed by trolling, Matondkar says she is here to stay
Urmila Matondkar, leading Bollywood actor of the 90s who joined the Congress recently, says she has faced a lot of trolling on social media and personal attacks after her entry into politics, but asserted that she is here to stay. Matondkar, who is contesting from the Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency -- a BJP stronghold, said these elections will decide the direction in which the country will go and if democracy will be saved. "I have never left anything incomplete... be it studies or career. The decision to join politics was well thought of and I will give more than 100 per cent to it. My intentions are clear," Matondkar, who is pitted against the BJP's sitting MP Gopal Shetty, told PTI. "Women should understand they need to have nerves of steel to be in politics. I understand criticism, but have had to face negativity, dirt and filth. I have not played the victim card in all these days. I am here to stay," she said. Referring to a recent incident in suburban Borivali, when a ...
LS Polls: Kerala polls 77.68 per cent votes; highest in 30
Kerala witnessed a heavy polling of 77.68 per cent, the highest in 30 years, in the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state, where the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF put up a fierce fight to garner maximum seats. The strength of the electorate is 2.61 crore. It was in 1989 Parliamentary elections that the southern state had witnessed a polling of 79.3 per cent. As per the final figures released by the Election Commission this morning, 77.68 per cent electors had turned up in 24,970 polling stations across the state Tuesday to exercise their franchise. The high range constituency Wayanad, which came into national prominence after Congress chief's Rahul Gandhi's candidature, registered a record polling of 80.31 per cent against the 73.25 per cent registered in the 2014 elections. It was a do-or-die battle for both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and opposition Congress-headed UDF in most of the 20 Lok Sabha seats this time in the state, known for its decades-long bipolar ...
Udit Raj joins Congress
BJP MP from North West Udit Raj on Wednesday joined the Congress party in presence of party president Rahul Gandhi.This comes after the BJP on Tuesday announced Punjabi singer Hans Raj Hans' candidature from the North West Lok Sabha seat. Hans joined the party in 2016. Raj was elected from the constituency in 2014.Udit Raj had on Tuesday written on Twitter that he would resign from BJP if he is denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Delhi."I am waiting for ticket if not given to me I will do goodbye to party. I am still hopeful that I will file nomination from my constituency and BJP where I have worked hard and proved my metal. I hope I will not be forced to leave BJP by BJP itself," the MP tweeted.He added, "In 2014, I trusted the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and merged my 'Indian Justice Party' with BJP. I now realise many smaller regional parties have benefited more by remaining independent. Is it my fault to be known as a 'Tall' Dalit Leader? ...
Beijing celebration of building binge overshadowed by debt
Asian and African leaders plan to press Beijing at a conference this week to reduce the politically volatile debt burden left by its Belt and Road Initiative to build ports and other trade-related infrastructure. That may bring a note of conflict into the official celebration of President Xi Jinping's signature foreign initiative, which has stirred anxiety in Washington, Moscow and Tokyo that Beijing is trying to expand its global influence. The meeting starting Thursday brings together leaders or envoys from three dozen countries including Malaysia, Serbia and Kenya. Debt "is going to be part of the prime minister's focus at the forum," said Billenne Seyoum, press secretary for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia. Other governments welcomed Beijing's initiative in a region the Asian Development Bank says needs USD 26 trillion of investment by 2030 to keep economies growing. But countries including Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand have canceled or renegotiated railways and other ...
Himachal Congress arch rivals' progeny campaign together
The road to political success that six-time Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former Telecom Minister Sukh Ram, both Congress veterans, have followed throughout their lives has never been the same.
France, NZ seek to curb online extremism
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday said the country will join forces with France against the use of social media to organise and promote terrorism.
Here's what Obama asks PM Modi whenever they meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a peek into his friendship with former US president Barack Obama."When President Obama and I met, he expressed concern about my sleeping pattern. He asked me why I sleep so less," Prime Minister Modi said in an interview with actor Akshay Kumar.He added, "(Obama) bole tu aisa kyun karta hai? Tujhe aaj pata nahi hai yeh tera nasha hai kaam ka, tum karte rahoge, lekin tum bohot apna nuksan kar rahe ho. (Obama told me that I am a workaholic and that I am harming myself)."The first meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Obama was held in 2014 in Washington and the two leaders struck a bonhomie.In one of his media interactions, Obama referred to Modi as "my good friend, Prime Minister Modi"."Whenever he (Obama) meets me, he asks whether I have increased my sleep timing or not," Prime Minister Modi told Akshay Kumar in the interaction which was broadcast on Wednesday.
Rahul, Priyanka to campaign in UP on Wednesday
Congress President Rahul Gandhi and party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi will be campaigning in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.