Page 934 - Politics
India, Pakistan trade heavy fire across LoC
The Indian and Pakistani armies traded heavy fire on the Line of Control (LoC) on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, the Defence Ministry said.
US orders non-emergency personnel out of Sudan
The US State Department has ordered the departure of all non-emergency American government personnel from Sudan after the African nation's army overthrew President Omar al-Bashir from power after nearly 30 years.
Mayawati slams BJP, cautions EC ahead of next phase
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Friday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and accused them of malpractices during the just concluded first phase of the Lok Sabha polls, and also cautioned the Election Commission to brush up its act and carry out its "constitutional responsibility" during the remaining six phases.
Trump withdraws nomination for top South Asia official
US President Donald Trump has suddenly withdrawn the nomination of Robert Williams to be the Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs.
LS polls: RJD, Congress may contest as rivals from Bihar's Madhubani
Madhubani (Bihar) [India], April 12 (ANI): Former union minister and Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad might contest from Madhubani parliamentary constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.The former general secretary of AICC has also deposited the mandatory fee in the treasury, a receipt of which is accessed by ANI.The grand alliance has allotted the seat to the Vikasshil Insan Party (VIP). This decision had also agitated Ahmad's supporters, who in the past have expressed dismay over the ticket distribution.Ahmad told ANI that he has sought party's permission to contest from the constituency. He cited the example of Chatra constituency in Jharkhand, where RJD and Congress are both contesting from the said seat.The last day of filing nomination from the seat is April 18. The elections at this constituency will take place in the fifth phase on May 6. The results will be announced on May 23.
2020 hopeful Kamala Harris says she owns gun for protection
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris says she owns a gun and called it a "false choice" that the only two gun control options are complete, unrestricted access or a desire to seize everyone's guns. The senator from California told reporters after a campaign event in Iowa that she is a gun owner. She says, "I own a gun for probably the reason that a lot of people do: for personal safety." The 2020 White House hopeful says that Americans "are being offered a false choice, which suggests you're either in favour of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone's guns away." She says she supports "smart gun-safety laws," such as universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons.
China trying to create its own globally decisive naval force through BRI: Pentagon
China is trying to create its own globally decisive naval force through the ambitious multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative, the Pentagon has told the US Congress, warning that Beijing's "unfavourable deals" strangle a nation's sovereignty like an Anaconda enwrapping its next meal. Touted as President Xi Jinping's pet project, China is vigorously pursuing the Belt and Road initiative (BRI), offering billions of dollars of loans for infrastructure projects to different countries as it looks to expand global influence. "China's Belt and Road Initiative in particular is blending diplomatic, economic, military, and social elements of its national power in an attempt to create its own globally decisive naval force," John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, told members of House Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing on Thursday. "China's modus operandi preys off nations' financial vulnerabilities. They contract to build commercial ports, promise to upgrade ...
Hillary Clinton: Assange must 'answer for what he has done'
Newly arrested WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange needs to "answer for what he has done," Hillary Clinton has said. The 2016 Democratic presidential nominee and former secretary of state weighed in on Assange while at a speaking event on Thursday with her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Assange was arrested earlier Thursday at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, and the US has charged him with conspiring with former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to break into a classified government computer at the Pentagon. WikiLeaks' publication of Democratic emails stolen by Russian intelligence officers during the 2016 election season hurt Clinton's presidential campaign. US President Donald Trump, Clinton's Republican opponent, frequently showered praise on Assange during the final weeks of the campaign and cheered on the release of damaging emails from Clinton's campaign manager, John Podesta. Assange was arrested after Ecuador revoked the political asylum that had kept him holed
India, Netherlands agree to boost bilateral ties
India and the Netherlands on Thursday reviewed bilateral cooperation in various fields, including political, economic and cultural ties, and deliberated on regional and multilateral issues, including cooperation at United Nations and other international fora.The two countries held Foreign Office Consultations here. The Indian delegation was led by A. Gitesh Sarma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Dutch side was led by Johanna (Yoka) Brandt, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to an official statement by MEA."India and the Netherlands share a multifaceted relationship. Both countries used this opportunity to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including political, economic, commercial, scientific and cultural cooperation," it said.The two sides also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues, including cooperation at United Nations and other international fora," the MEA statement added.India welcomed the ...
World Bank to be 'deeply involved' in Venezuelan crisis
Expressing "deep concerns" over the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, the World Bank on Thursday (local time) said that the top funding body is set to be "deeply involved" in the matters concerning the Latin American nation, but warned that the "situation is still troublesome on the ground".Speaking at a press conference on the opening day of the joint World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings, newly appointed World Bank Group president David Malpass said that any decision to intervene in Venezuela or recognise self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido as the legitimate head of state would be left to the top funding body's stakeholders, Al Jazeera reported.Echoing similar sentiments, IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said that it was up to the World Bank members "to indicate which authority they are recognising diplomatically".Venezuela is currently in the throes of a political and economic crisis, which is worsened by hyperinflation, blackouts, and an acute ..
France prohibits Yellow Vest protests for this weekend
Police on Thursday said that the 'Yellow Vest' protests this weekend have been banned in the cities of Paris and Lille.Police in Paris said that the demonstrators, who are participating in the protests, will be barred from the areas of French National Assembly and Elysee Palace, Anadolu News Agency reported.In Lille, Yellow Vest protests will be prohibited in the central parts of the city, after a decree was signed by Michel Lalande, prefect of regional daily La Voix du Nord from northern France.Widespread agitations have been raging on across France since November last year against the hike in fuel prices, with thousands of protesters taking to the streets and donning the 'gilets jaunes', the yellow fluorescent vests that have symbolised the movement.The French government has since rolled back its plan to increase fuel taxes, with President Emmanuel Macron announcing a minimum wage hike of 100 euros per month for the people of the nation in his "economic and social emergency ...
Imran Khan's comments on peace talks if PM Modi wins 'out of context', says FM Qureshi
After Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that his country and India stood a better chance of having peace talks if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was re-elected again, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday said that the cricketer-turned-politician's comments "were taken out of context".Addressing the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs here, Qureshi accused the Indian media of "sensationalising everything". He claimed that Khan's comments were "published out of context", The Dawn reported.Earlier this week, while interacting with foreign journalists, Khan had said that prospects of peace talks between India and Pakistan would be brightened if Modi came to power again."Perhaps if the BJP wins, some kind of settlement in Kashmir could be reached," he had said.Responding to Khan's remarks, Qureshi said that the Pakistan Prime Minister's opinions on Modi "are on the record".Qureshi underlined that only the Indian electorate would decide the winner and loser .
Sudan Defence Minister sworn in as Transitional Council chief
Sudan's Defence Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf was sworn in as head of the transitional council in Sudan, official Sudan TV reported.
US lawmakers introduce legislation seeking strengthening of US-India partnership
A bipartisan group of half a dozen influential American lawmakers has reintroduced an important legislation in the House of Representatives which seeks to advance the US-India strategic relationship. If enacted, the legislation would ensure that the US State Department treat India as a NATO ally for the purposes of the Arms Export Control Act. It would send a powerful signal that defence sales to India should be prioritised according to US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, which had worked on this important legislation. The bill H R 2123 was introduced this week by Congressman Joe Wilson, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "India is the world's largest democracy, a pillar of stability in the region, and has shown strong commitments to export control policies," said Wilson. "This adjustment to US law will further allow the US-India partnership to flourish in line with our security commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. I am grateful for the US-India Strategic ...
Israel election results: Netanyahu secures record fifth term
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has won 36 seats and surpassed the main rival, the Blue and White party in the 2019 Israel election, official results showed.
North Korea sanctions to remain in place: Trump
US President Donald Trump has said that the sanctions on North Korea will remain in place. However, he deemed it unnecessary to increase them further.
EC directs Delhi CEO to ensure broadcast of only pre-certified content on NaMo TV
Election Commission of India has directed Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi to ensure prohibition of political content being broadcasted on NaMo TV.In a letter over the broadcast of NaMo TV or Content TV, the Election Commission has stated that 'any political publicity content, being displayed on electronic media without requisite certification from competent authority should be removed immediately and any political content shall only be permitted strictly in accordance with EC instructions in this regard'.The ECI also cited that it has been confirmed by the Delhi election commission that there content broadcasted on NaMo TV/Content TV has not been pre-certified by the MCMC Committee of the Delhi poll body."As NaMo TV/Content TV is sponsored by a political party, all recorded programmes of political contents displayed on the channel/platform would be covered under the purview of the Commission's Order" reads the letter written by Election Commission to Delhi CEO.Election Commission has ..
YSRCP confident of land slide victory in Andhra Pradesh
Confident of winning the state assembly elections, YSR Congress party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday claimed that the huge voter turnout showed, people want to get rid of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP government.Addressing the media at the end of polling day, Reddy said, "YSRCP will get a landslide victory in Andhra Pradesh. Huge polling is evidence of how people are against the TDP government and Chandrababu Naidu"."High per cent of voting is a good sign. Chandrababu Naidu has threatened the Election Commission as he may lose his CM status. TDP leaders have attacked YSRC party leaders in many areas and created violence on the polling day", said Reddy.He also alleged that state's IT Minister Nara Lokesh violated the election rules in Mangalagiri and entered the polling booths."Chandrababu Naidu has done many conspiracies for the electoral victory. All the women are in favor of YSRCP as he has stopped the zero interest scheme for ladies in May 2016," Chandrababu ...
Lok Sabha elections: 72.19% polling recorded in Jammu
Peaceful and incident free polling was conducted in two of the total six constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir which went to polls in first phase of elections on Thursday.Votes were polled in Jammu parliamentary constituency of Jammu division and Baramulla constituency of Kashmir division, where 72.19 percent and 35.01 per cent polling was recorded respectively.Sharing details of the voting, Shailendra Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir said, "Total voting percentage in Jammu was 72.19 per cent and 35.01 per cent in Baramulla. Polling was peaceful and incident free in both divisions. We congratulate all candidates, political parties, voters, police, and paramilitary forces."Total voters eligible for casting votes in the two parliament constituencies were 33,17,882.There were 33 candidates in fray, with Nine in Baramulla and 24 in Jammu.Total number of polling stations were 4489 in addition to 21 migrant polling stations.Voting for 6 Lok Sabha seats will be held in five ...
Amid calls for resignation, Theresa May says Brexit a 'national duty'
Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday (local time) defended her decision for a delay in the Brexit process, saying that ensuring the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union with a deal is a "national duty".In a EU emergency summit that saw the meet go past midnight on Thursday, the EU leaders, including May, agreed to delay the deadline for Brexit period until October 31, with a review on the progress in June.Dismissing calls for resignation within her Conservative Party members, May told the parliamentarians in the British Parliament that the EU leaders were "frustrated" with the never-ending Brexit crisis which has thrown the UK into complete political chaos, CNN reported."We need to resolve this. This is our national duty as elected members of this House -- and nothing today is more pressing or more vital," May said in her statement while making an address at the House of Commons.However, the British Prime Minister argued that the UK could still leave the ..