Page 780 - Politics
Never dreamt of becoming Prime Minister: Modi
Narendra Modi says he never dreamt of becoming the Prime Minister because he had a very humble beginning.In a candid interview with Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, Modi said, "I never thought of coming this far because as a child I had not seen anything beyond the village. The journey started and the country took me along."The hour-long interaction between the prime minister and the 'Khiladi' star, broadcast on Wednesday, was on a non-political theme, delving into the life of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister.Talking about his family background, Modi said, "If you look at my family background, my mother would have distributed the jaggery in the neighbourhood if I had got a good job. In my personal views, being a prime minister seems very unnatural because my background does not go with current politics.""I am surprised that so many people are giving me love and respect," he added.
Israel to name Golan town after Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he intends to name a new settlement in the Golan Heights after US President Donald Trump to honour his recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the strategic plateau.
Israeli PM intends to name Golan Heights settlement after Donald Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday (local time) said that he intends to name a new settlement in the Golden heights after US President Donald Trump.The move would be in appreciation of Trump's recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights.Netanyahu wrote on his official Twitter handle, "I'm here on the beautiful Golan Heights. All Israelis were deeply moved when President Trump made his historic decision to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights."The Israeli PM goes on to add, "Therefore, after the Passover holiday, I intend to bring to the government a resolution calling for a new community on the Golan Heights named after President Donald J. Trump."On March 26, President Trump had signed an official decree in Washington DC, recognising Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights.The proclamation had escalated tensions between Syria and Israel. Scores of Syrians hit the streets to protest against the US decisions.Israel had formally ...
Have many good friends in Opposition, Mamata sends personally selected Kurtas, sweets: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that he has many "good friends" in the Opposition and added that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sends personally-selected Kurtas and sweets to him."I have many good friends in the Opposition. We do eat food together once or twice a year. Long time back when I was not even the Chief Minister (of Gujarat), I had gone to Parliament for some work. There Ghulam Nabi Azad and I were having a friendly conversation. When we came out media people asked, how can you be friends with Azad as you belong to RSS. Ghulam Nabi gave a good answer. Hum dono saath khade se, bola dekho bhai bahar jo aap log sochte ho, aisa nahi h. Shayad ek family ke roop me hum log jitne jude hue hain sabhi dal ke log, wo shayad bahar kalpana nahi kar sakte (While we two were standing, he said that what you people think outside, it's not like that. Maybe the way we the people of all the organisations are connected as a family it can't be imagined outside)," Prime
North Korea's Kim arrives in Russia for summit with Putin
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed the border into Russia Wednesday for a first summit with Vladimir Putin, as Pyongyang seeks closer ties with its traditional ally amid a nuclear deadlock with the United States. The meeting on Thursday in the Pacific coast city of Vladivostok will be Kim's first face-to-face talks with another head of state since returning from talks with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi that collapsed in February. Earlier the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported his departure by train, naming among his entourage foreign minister Ri Yong Ho -- who told journalists after the summit in Vietnam that the country's stance would "never change". Kim's private armoured train crossed the Tumen river Wednesday and arrived in the Russian border town of Khasan, Russian media reports said, where women in folk costumes welcomed him with bread and salt in a traditional greeting. Kim's predecessors as leader, his father and grandfather, also stopped ...
Dorsey, Trump discuss 'health of public conversation'
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey met US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss "the health of the public conversation" on the micro-blogging platform.
American, 2 more accused of powerjacking Venezuela
An American, a Colombian and a Spanish citizen has been accused by the Nicolas Maduro government of carrying out alleged "attacks" on the country's electricity grid in March.
LS polls: Regrettable that CPI (M) has not found a place in Bihar 'mahagathbandhan', says Sitaram Yechury
Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist) said that it is regrettable that the left party has not found a place in the Bihar "Mahagathbandan" (Bihar grand alliance)."It is very regrettable that we have not found a place in 'mahagathbandhan'. The left and the RJD have very old relationship, both have fought together for secularism," said Sitaram Yechury."At Begusarai we are contesting on our own while at rest of places we are supporting 'mahagathbandhan' for we have to defeat the BJP," said Yechury.Yechury is campaigning for former JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar who is contesting on a CPI ticket from Begusarai where he is pitted against Union Minister Giriraj Singh of BJP and RJD's Tanveer Hassan.He said that only issue in this election for the opposition is to defeat Narendra Modi government."In the last five years, a very grim situation has reached for everybody, the condition of life is pathetic. Hence we have to defeat BJP," he ...
Egyptians approve amendment to extend presidential rule
Cairo [Egypt], Apr 24 (ANI): Around 90 per cent of Egyptian voters have approved the constitutional amendments that would allow President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to stay in power till 2030, Egypt's Election Commission said."These [changes] are effective from now as your constitution," the Election Commission's chairman Lasheen Ibrahim told a press conference on Tuesday.In his first public remarks on the amendments, el-Sisi thanked the Egyptian people for voting."Wonderful scene was done by Egyptians who took part in the referendum ... will be written down in our nation's historical record," he tweeted minutes after the results were announced.Nearly 88.4 per cent of people that total around 23.4 million voted in favour during the three-day referendum that culminated Tuesday.Earlier, the president could only contest for a maximum for two terms in which each term varies from four to six years. However, the amendment will allow el-Sisi to contest again in 2024.The amendments will reportedly
By 2030 India will replace one of the top 3 superpowers: Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that by the year 2030 India could replace any one of the three world superpowers (Russia, China and America)."By 2030 or 2031 Bharat will replace any one of the three superpowers, either Russia, China or America from the list of top three countries of the world in terms of economy and strength," said Rajnath Singh while addressing an election rally at Chatra.He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government has provided an immense boost to the economy of India."In 2014 we were at ninth place among the top 10 countries in terms of the size of the economy. After four years of governance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in 2018 we jumped to the sixth position," he said."And I say it with confidence that not in few years but in few months we will be at the fifth place," said Rajnath.The Home Minister also said that the Prime Minister had assured that every paise earmarked for the welfare of the people reaches the common ...
Vladivostok Summit: Kim departs for Russia on train
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Wednesday embarked for Russia by a train for his first summit with President Vladimir Putin.According to Yonhap News Agency, the train will take at least 20 hours to reach to Vladivostok, a far east city in Russia, where two leaders are expected to meet.During the summit, Putin and Kim will discuss bilateral relations, the Korean Peninsula's denuclearisation and regional cooperation.This marks the first time Kim is travelling abroad since his failed summit with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi Summit.The two sides failed to resolve their differences over sanctions waivers, leading to the breakdown of talks Kim recently penned down a letter to Putin vowing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.Kim has used the same mode of transportation -train- he had used during Hanoi Summit. He had boarded the train from Pyongyang Railway Station for the 60-hour journey to reach the Vietnamese border city of Dang Dong on Tuesday.This will be the first-ever meeting
US President Donald Trump to visit UK in June
United States President Donald Trump will visit the United Kingdom in June for his first state visit, confirmed Buckingham Palace."The President of The United States of America, President Donald J. Trump, accompanied by Mrs Melania Trump, has accepted an invitation from Her Majesty The Queen to pay a State Visit to the UK," tweeted Buckingham Palace.A Royal source told CNN that Trump. will be presented with similar ceremonial flourishes received by former President Donald Trump in 2011.This trip might reignite the protest against the government. British Prime Minister Theresa May's invitation to Trump in 2016 for a full state visit was opposed by the citizens. Nearly 1.8 million signed the petition to protest.This trip comes at a delicate time when May is struggling hard to get her deal clear to exit from Britain. The country has now been given a six-month extension on leaving the EU -- its second delay to the original March 29 deadline.Extending his support to May, US President ...
By now Rahul Gandhi should have replaced 12 CMs for failing to deliver farm loan waivers: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Madhya Pradesh former chief minister and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused the Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi of lying and said that had the latter adhered to his poll promise till now the state would have had to replace as many as 12 chief ministers."Rahul Gandhi and Congress only tell lies. One lie is on Rafale deal, another lie was on the matter of farmer's loan waiver. Rahul Gandhi said that the farm loans would be waived off within 10 days, else he would remove the Chief Minister. (By that yardstick) as many as 12 CMs should have been replaced by now," said Chouhan.The BJP leader pressed on with his accusation and said: "The heat of the elections is breaking the record. Not only heat, Rahul Gandhi too is breaking records. He is breaking records in telling lies. He said 'chowkidar is a thief' and when Supreme Court slammed him he apologised saying 'chowkidar' is not a thief."Shivraj Chouhan alleged that the only thing flourishing in the state under Congress rule ..
Those political leaders seeking proof Balakot airstrike should be attached to missile fired on Pakistan : Devendra Fadnavis
In a potential controversial statement, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said had the BJP government known Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi would ask for proof of Balakot strike then they would have attached one of their leaders to the missile fired on Pakistan."Only Pakistan and Congress party's Rahul Gandhi were asking for proof of Balakot air strike. If we had known about it earlier, then one of your leaders could have been attached with a missile which was fired on Pakistan to go and see what our armed forces have done," said Fadnavis while addressing a public rally here on Tuesday.He later clarified that he had made the remarks in jest."Pakistan and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi always used to ask for proof of Balakot airstrike, so I jokingly said if we would have known about it, one of your leaders could have been attached with a missile fired on Pakistan and then you could have seen what our jawans did," Fadnavis said.Following the terror attack ..
African leaders call for 'immediate halt' to Libya fighting
African leaders have called for an "immediate and unconditional halt" to fighting in Libya following a summit in Cairo led by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, current chair of the African Union. The AU's Libya "troika", which includes Sisi and his Rwandan and South African counterparts,on Tuesday urged "all parties to act with restraint" and to facilitate "the delivery of humanitarian aid".
Indonesia releases Ramayana stamp
Indonesia on Tuesday released a special commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties with India.The stamp, designed by renowned Indonesian sculptor Padmashri Bapak Nyoman Nuart, features a scene from Hindu epic Ramayana in which Jatayu valiantly fought to save Sita."As agreed during Prime Minister's visit in May 2018, the Department of Posts of the Government of Indonesia released a special commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana to mark the event," a statement of Indian Embassy in Jakarta said.The stamp, symbolising the resolve of two peoples in the face of adversity will be on display at the Philately Museum in Jakarta, the statement said.India' Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat and Indonesia's Deputy Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir jointly presided over the inaugural event organised here on Tuesday to flag off the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.Ambassador Rawat ...
Egyptians overwhelmingly approve changes extending Sisi's rule
Egyptian voters have overwhelmingly backed constitutional changes that could see President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's rule extended to 2030, the electoral board said Tuesday. National Election Authority head Lashin Ibrahim told a Cairo press conference that 88.83 per cent voted "yes" in a referendum on the amendments, with 11.17 per cent voting "no". The three-day vote took place "in a democratic climate powered by freedom," he added. Rights groups have criticised the conditions surrounding the rushed vote, including the suppression of those opposing the sweeping changes that consolidate Sisi's power. Parliament, stacked with Sisi loyalists, voted in favour of the constitutional amendments last week. Voters were given less than a week to digest the changes to 20 articles, which include allowing the 64-year-old leader to run for another six-year term after his current term ends. His term was originally scheduled to end in 2022, but has now been extended to 2024. Other controversial ...
Russia calls US tightening of Iran oil sanctions 'aggressive and reckless'
Russia on Tuesday called the US tightening of oil sanctions on Iran an "aggressive and reckless" policy after Washington announced it was seeking to stop all exports of Iranian crude. "Such a course of action adds nothing to the Americans' international standing," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. "The rest of the world perfectly understands that Washington's policy is becoming more and more aggressive and reckless," it said. The ministry said that "Washington is not even hiding its desire to make the world bend to its will," branding the heightened Iran sanctions "disturbing". The United States on Monday announced that, in a bid to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero, it would from May 2 end US waivers that countries such as India, China, South Korea and Turkey currently have on buying Iranian crude. The move targets the Islamic Republic's main economic earner and adds to sanctions pressure that has built up under US President Donald Trump, who has pulled his country ...
Yechury slams Modi govt over 'job crisis'
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday slammed the Narendra Modi government at the Centre over "job crisis" and accused it of trying to divert public attention by "repeatedly harping on the valour of the armed forces". "The NDA government is responsible for the unprecedented job crisis. It is a problem that this government has created and for which it has no solution. This government has to go," Yechury told an election rally in this Bihar district where he campaigned in favour of CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar. He alleged the BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are trying to divert public attention by repeatedly harping on the valour of the armed forces. The nation is aware of the caliber of its soldiers. But speaking about it and taking credit for the same is not going to help the BJP, the Left leader said. "We, the Left parties, are committed to the formation of a secular government after the elections. We would ensure through our intervention that the ..
Modi regime at exit door after three phases: Congress
The Congress said on Tuesday that with people in 302 Lok Sabha constituencies having already exercised their franchise at the end of third phase of seven-phased election, the message was that the Modi government was at the "exit door".