Page 899 - Politics
Pak, China cannot afford misadventures in BJP rule: Adityanath
Accusing the Congress of adopting a "soft approach" towards terrorists and naxals, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday that China and Pakistan no longer indulge in adventurism as India now has a strong government led by the BJP. Addressing a rally in this steel city, the firebrand BJP leader also said that "infiltration by the Chinese army, a regular affair during the Congress-led UPA government, ended after Narendra Modi became the prime minister". "Similarly, Pakistan was chopping off the heads of our soldiers on the border during the UPA rule. Now, with Modi as the prime minister, China and Pakistan cannot afford to indulge in misadventures," he said. Referring to India's response to the Pulwama terror strike, the senior BJP leader said, "Pakistan was given a fitting reply after the killing of 40 CRPF jawans". "India's action was not just confined to destruction of terror camps. It was a strong step towards breaking the backbone of Pakistan," ..
Iraq seeks to reclaim leadership role, status in Arab world
After decades of conflict, Iraq is seeking to reclaim a leadership role and status in the Arab world with a centrist policy and a determination among the country's top leaders to maintain good relations with both Iran and the United States. A flurry of recent diplomatic activity and high-profile visits to the Iraqi capital, including this month's re-opening of a Saudi Consulate in Baghdad for the first time in nearly 30 years points to a new era of openness as the nation sheds its war image and re-engages with the world. "Iraq is coming back to the neighbourhood," President Barham Salih told The Associated Press in a nearly hour-long interview last month. The veteran politician laid out a vision centered on an "Iraq First" policy, saying his country can no longer afford to be caught in regional disputes. "For almost four decades Iraq was the domain in which everybody pursued their agenda at the expense of the Iraqi people. It's time we say we need a new political order ... in which .
Mehbooba accuses BJP of creating fear psychosis under guise of national security
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Monday accused the BJP of creating a fear psychosis under the guise of national security to prepare for another Balakot-like strike in desperation to win Lok Sabha elections. "In its desperation to win this election, seems like misappropriation of our jawans sacrifices & polarising the electorate hasn't helped BJP. Now they are creating fear psychosis by using national security as a guise to prepare ground for another Balakot-like strike," Mehbooba, who was an ally of BJP in Jammu and Kashmir from 2015 to 2018, said in a tweet. She was reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reference to Pulwama attack and the consequent air strike inside Pakistani territory by India Air Force. "When they made their second mistake in Pulwama, we entered their home and conducted airstrike. Udhar walon ko bhi samajh mein aa gaya hai ki agar teesri galti ki toh lene ke dene pad jaenge (They also know that if they commit another mistake, they will be in real trouble)," .
11 LS seats, SP and BSP never won in UP
In the past two decades, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party have failed to win 11 parliamentary seats of Uttar Pradesh, including state capital Lucknow, Varanasi, and Congress bastions of Amethi and Raebareilly. Besides, the two parties could not win in Baghpat, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Kanpur, Mathura, Hathras and Kushinagar. However, relying on caste arithmetic, SP and BSP in alliance with RJD is striving hard to get maximum number of seats in the state which sends 80 MPs. After the alliance, both parties left Raebareilly and Amethi for UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi respectively, while on Baghpat and Mathura RLD is contesting and on the rest of the seven seats SP candidates are in fray. The Lucknow seat on which the alliance is still indecisive and has not fielded its candidate yet, is BJP's stronghold. In 1998, 1999 and 2004 the seat was held by former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee while in 2009 and 2014, the BJP's Lalji Tondon and Home
Red Cross, New Zealand hope for info on nurse held in Syria
New Zealand's foreign minister has confirmed a New Zealand nurse has been held captive by the Islamic State group in Syria for almost six years, information long kept secret for fear her life might be at risk. The status of nurse and midwife Louisa Akavi, now 62, is unknown but her employer, the International Committee of the Red Cross, says it has received recent eyewitness reports suggesting she might be alive. The New York Times on Sunday became the first media organisation to name Akavi, ending a more than 5 -year news blackout imposed by the New Zealand government and Red Cross with the cooperation of international media. The collapse of ISIS has raised hopes Akavi and two Syrian drivers kidnapped with her might now be discovered. The New York Times reported that as recently as December, Akavi may have been seen by at lest two people at a clinic in Sousa, one of the Islamic State's last outposts. There were also reported sightings in 2016 and 2017, Red Cross officials said. "We ..
Centre-left party wins Finland general election
The centre-left Social Democratic Party (SDP) has narrowly won Finland's general election, with 17.7 per cent of the total votes.
Army pays tribute to officer who died after falling in gorge
The Army Monday paid tribute to Major Vikas Singh, who died after falling into a gorge along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir during routine patrolling. Chinar Corps commander Lt Gen K J S Dhillon and all ranks paid homage to Major Singh in a solemn ceremony at Badamibagh cantonment here, an army spokesman said. "The gallant officer made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty while patrolling along LoC in Machhil Sector in Kupwara district on 14 April," the spokesman said. Major Singh slipped into the gorge during a patrol along the LoC in Machil sector on Saturday, resulting in critical injuries to the officer. He was rushed to a hospital, where from he was evacuated to the Army's 92 base hospital at Badamibagh Cantonment here. However, the Major succumbed to the injuries at the hospital on Sunday. Hailing from Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh, Major Singh had joined the army as a Lieutenant in 2010. He is survived by wife and a four-month-old daughter, the spokesman said. PTI ...
Aska LS seat to witness pitched battle between BJD, BJP
The Aska Lok Sabha seat in south Odisha, considered a pocket borough of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), is witnessing a keen contest between the Naveen Patnaik-led party and the BJP this time. The BJD has nominated Pramila Bisoi, a 68-year-old woman self-help group (SHG) member, while the BJP has fielded Anita Subhadarshini, daughter of former Odisha minister and political stalwart Rama Krushna Patnaik. The Congress is supporting Ramakrushna Panda of the CPI, which had won the seat once in the past. All the three contenders are first timers. Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, who has an emotional connect with the Aska Lok Sabha seat, had said, "Aska will create a history and show the way to the entire country by sending a woman SHG member to parliament and four women to the state assembly." The legendary Biju Patnaik was elected to the Lok Sabha from Aska in 1996, while Naveen Patnaik fought his maiden poll battle from the seat and won in 1997 in a ...
Muslim Congresswoman experiences increase in death threats
Muslim Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has said that in the days since President Donald Trump tweeted about a speech she gave last month, she has experienced an increase in death threats.
BJP leader shot dead in Khurda town
Unidentified miscreants have gunned down a local BJP leader in Odishas Khurda town, triggering protest from the saffron party. The deceased has been identified as Manguli Jena, BJP's mandal president of Khurda zone-9, the police said on Monday. The incident took place on Sunday midnight when Jena was standing near the house of BJPs candidate for Khurda assembly seat, Kalu Charan Khandayat and holding discussion with workers of the saffron party. Police said bike-borne miscreants fired four rounds, two of which hit Jena. He was rushed to Khurda district headquarters hospital where the doctors declared him "brought dead". The police immediately sealed the town and started investigation into the incident. Raids were being conducted at various places in Khurda to apprehend the assailants. The motive behind the murder was not yet ascertained, police said. Meanwhile, the district unit of the BJP has called for a Khurda bandh from 8 am to 2 pm on Monday in protest against the ..
Pakistan has banned pro-Khalistan campaign: SFJ
Pro-Khalistan group 'Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)' has claimed that the Pakistan government has banned the registration of the 'Khalistan Referendum Team 2020' on its soil at the behest of the Narendra Modi government.
Mahathir says Chinese contractor will help run new rail link
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Monday a Chinese company building a rail link across peninsula Malaysia will jointly help to manage, operate and maintain the network that will help reduce the country's financial burden. The East Coast Rail Link was suspended after Mahathir's alliance swept into power last May, a decision that strained Malaysia's relations with China, its largest trading partner. The project was revived last week after the contractor, state-owned China Communications Construction Company Ltd., agreed to cut the cost by one-third to 44 billion ringgit (USD 10.7 billion). The rail link connecting Malaysia's west coast to eastern rural states is a key part of China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. Mahathir said Monday the government chose to renegotiate the deal rather than pay compensation of 21.78 billion ringgit (USD 5.3 billion). Under the new deal, Mahathir said CCCC will form a joint venture with Malaysia Rail Link to operate and maintain the ...
SC to hear on Apr 22 BJP MLA's plea challenging HC order invalidating his election
The Supreme Court Monday agreed to hear on April 22 the appeal of BJP leader Pabubha Manek challenging the Gujarat High Court's decision invalidating his election from Dwarka Assembly seat. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said it will hear the appeal on next Monday. The Gujarat High Court had on April 12 set aside the election of Manek for submitting a defective nomination form and ordered by-election for the seat. Manek's victory from the Dwarka Assembly constituency in 2017 was challenged in the high court by his opponent and Congress candidate Meramanbhai Goria.
Kamala Harris releases tax returns of 15 years
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris, who is of Indian and Jamaican descent, has released 15 years of her tax returns, showing that she and her husband earned almost $1.9 million in 2018, the media reported.
Some China scholars barred from US over spy fears
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has mounted a counter-intelligence operation that aims to bar Chinese academics from the US if they are suspected of having links to Chinese intelligence agencies, the media reported.
Ex-Army chief's political career remains grounded for now (Poll Trivia)
He was the first Sikh to become the Army chief but the political career of General J.J. Singh (retired) seems to be grounded for the time being.
Swaraj seeks 'Bhishma Pitahmah' Mulayam's response on Azam Khan's 'Khaki underwear' remark
Drawing a comparison between mythological character Bhishma Pitahmah and Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, Union Minister and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj on Monday sought Mulayam's response on the 'Khaki underwear' comment made by his party leader Azam Khan against film actor and Rampur BJP candidate Jaya Prada.Referring to Draupadi's cheer-haran (disrobing) - a scene from epic Mahabharata in which Pandavas lost a bet to their usurping cousins - Swaraj appealed Mulayam to not remain silent on the matter."Mulayam Bhai - You are the father figure of Samajwadi Party. In front of you, Draupadi is being disrobed in Rampur. Do not make the mistake of being silent like Bhishma@yadavakhilesh Smt.Jaya Bhaduri, Mrs.Dimple Yadav," she tweeted in Hindi.Khan, while addressing a poll campaign rally in his parliamentary constituency Rampur on Sunday, had said, "I brought her (Jaya Prada) to Rampur. You are a witness that I did not allow anyone to touch her body. It took you 17 years to .
BJP MLA Manda Mhatre booked for violating MCC
A case has been registered against BJP MLA Manda Mhatre for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).Mhatre has been accused of flouting Election Commission's norms by requesting voters to cast their ballots twice in favour of Rajan Baburao Vichare, a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Thane Lok Sabha constituency, while campaigning for him on April 13.A case in this regard has been registered against her under the 171-D and 171-F of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the Kopar Khairane police station.58-year-old Mhatre had won the Belapur assembly seat on BJP ticket in the 2014 assembly election in Maharashtra.Polling in Maharashtra for the 48 seats at stake will be held in four phases. While the first phase saw 7 seats going to polls on April 11, voting will be held on April 18, 23 and 29 for the remaining seats.Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
Kim to hold talks with Putin
North Korea leader Kim Jong-un is expected to hold his first-ever summit with Russia President Vladimir Putin next week, reports Yonhap news agency."Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to make a trip to the Far East region around April 24. Chances are fairly high that a summit between Russia and North Korea could take place around that time," the news agency quoted a government official who did not wish to be identified, as saying.The Russian President is visiting China to take part in One Belt One Road forum, which is scheduled to take place on April 26-27. He is expected to meet Kim on the sideline of the forum.Reportedly, the senior officials of Pyongyang and Moscow are travelling to each other's country for the preparation of the Summit. Earlier this month, Russia's interior minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev had visited Pyongyang.Yonhap noted that North Korea has deepened its ties with Russia after the failed summit with the US in Hanoi, Vietnam last month.
Pak shells forward areas along LoC in Rajouri
Pakistani troops Monday lobbed mortars and opened fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, drawing retaliation from Indian troops. "At about 0815 hours, Pakistani Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district" PRO defence, said. The Indian Army is retaliating effectively, he said. Pakistani troops on Friday shelled forward areas in Swajin sector of Poonch, leaving three persons injured. On Tuesday last, the Indian Army destroyed seven Pakistani military posts across the Line of Control in retaliation to the continued ceasefire violations by them. With Pakistan using heavy weaponry and 120 mm mortar bombs targeting civilian areas along the LoC in Poonch, people have been advised to stay indoors, officials said.