Page 985 - Politics
16 Saudis barred from US over Khashoggi murder
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced that 16 Saudis, including one of the closest aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were barred from entry to Washington over their role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Modi baptized in politics through riots, killings: Mamata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "baptized in politics through violence and riots", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Tuesday, claiming that Adolf Hitler would have committed suicide if he witnessed Modi's activities. Addressing a rally here, Banerjee also said that the grand old party has failed to put up a strong fight against the BJP, leading to the growth of the saffron party. "Modi has been baptized in politics through riots and mass killings. He is the king of fascists. Had Adolf Hitler been alive, he would have committed suicide seeing Modi's activities," she said. The CM also contended that the Congress will not be able to form a government of its own. "It is because the Congress failed to put up a credible fight against the BJP, the saffron party grew from strength to strength. "The Rahul Gandhi-led party will have to seek help from others if it wants to form government at the Centre," Banerjee stated. In every state, alliances have been stitched ..
Vice Adm Verma withdraws petition challenging appointment of K Singh as Navy chief
Vice Admiral Bimal Verma on Tuesday withdrew his petition challenging the appointment of Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next chief of naval staff after a military tribunal told him to first explore "internal remedies", official sources said. Verma, commander-in-chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, approached the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) on Monday, asking why he was overlooked as the next Navy chief despite being the senior-most in the line of command. Sources said Verma withdrew his petition after being told by the AFT that he should first explore "internal remedies" to his grievances. It said he could again approach the tribunal if he was not satisfied with the remedies. In his petition to the AFT here on Monday, Verma sought to know why the government ignored his seniority and appointed Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next Navy chief. His petition is likely to be taken up Tuesday. The government last month named Singh as the next chief of naval staff, succeeding ...
Democrat Eric Swalwell announces presidential bid
California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell has announced that he is running for President in 2020, saying that he believes that the US was in a "quicksand" where Americans feel they were "running in place and it is not adding up to anything".
Article 370 used to stir emotions: BJP leaders
BJP leaders in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday accused leaders in the Kashmir Valley of playing with people's emotions over Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution.
Protesters warn of Chinese 'invasion' of Philippines
Protesters descended on the Chinese embassy in Manila on Tuesday to oppose the Asian superpower's growing sway in the Philippines and as tensions rise over Beijing's presence in the disputed South China Sea. Filipino flag-waving marchers chanted "China out" and brandished a banner saying "Defend our sovereign rights", referring to Beijing's expansive claims to the resource-rich waterway. "The government headed by President (Rodrigo) Duterte is not responding. What China is doing is almost an invasion," marcher Alex Legaspi, a 53-year-old teacher, told AFP. While Duterte has largely set aside the once-heated territorial standoff over the sea, tensions have flared since hundreds of Chinese vessels appeared recently near the Manila-held Pag-asa (Thitu) island. The Philippines called the boats' presence "illegal" and Duterte threatened China with possible military action if it touches the island. However, the president has repeatedly said war with China would be futile and he has no ...
Modi blames Cong for Pak creation, slams 'chowkidar chor' jibe
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday stepped up his attack on the Congress, saying had its leaders acted wisely, Pakistan would not have been created. Addressing a poll rally here, Modi also appeared to be treading sensitive ground, by asking first-time voters to dedicate their vote to those who carried out the air strike in Balakot. "Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike," Modi said, appealing to first-time voters. Pakistan would not have born in 1947 had Congress leaders acted wisely in the pre-Independence era, Modi said. The Congress party's manifesto speaks the same language as that of Pakistan, he added. Referring to National Conference leader Omar Abdullah's remark, Modi accused the Congress and its ally NCP of standing with those who want a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir. Hitting out at NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Modi wondered if it behoved the Maratha strongman to join forces with the parties holding such a ...
Only Modi can give strong government: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah on Tuesday made a strong pitch for return of the party-led NDA government at the Centre, saying only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can give a strong government. Addressing an election rally at Shamshabad near here, he also said the BJP's manifesto released Monday was nothing but a document to make the country great. Referring to the Pulwama terrorist attack and subsequent air strike by India targetting terror camps in Pakistan, Shah asked whether Congress President Rahul Gandhi could give a fitting reply like Modi. "The biggest work that the Modi government did was to secure the nation," he said. Shah also sought to know whether the "thukada-thukada gang" and "Rahul baba and company" could give a "capable leadership" to the country. "Can they give a strong government?. Only and only Modi can give a strong government to the country," he said. After the air strike carried out by the IAF, there were celebrations everywhere in India, while only at two ..
Rajnath dismisses Rahul Gandhi's tweet calling BJP's manifesto 'voice of an isolated man' as nonsense
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday scoffed at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for calling BJP's manifesto the 'voice of an isolated man' and said a large number of people were involved in the framing the party document.In an exclusive interview to ANI, Rajnath Singh, who headed BJP's manifesto committee, said: "I believe that when it comes to the creation of Sankalp Patra, India in its history has never seen such participation of people. Whatever he (Rahul) is saying is baseless and he keeps saying such things. Do not take it seriously."Rahul Gandhi had on Tuesday morning posted on Twitter saying: "The Congress manifesto was created through discussion. The voice of over a million Indian people. It is wise and powerful. The BJP manifesto was created in a closed room. The voice of an isolated man. It is short-sighted and arrogant."Responding to allegations levelled against BJP that it is contesting 2019 Lok Sabha election in a Presidential style "Fir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar", Rajnath ...
PM Netanyahu seeks record fifth term as Israel goes to polls
Israelis began voting Tuesday in the country's most closely-fought election in years that could propel incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces the ignominy of being indicted in a series of graft cases, to become the longest serving premier in the Jewish state's history. Over 10,000 polling stations opened around the country from 7:00 a.m. (local time) Tuesday to allow more than 6.33 million eligible voters to cast their ballots. The results will start coming in at 22:00 (local time) Tuesday. Prime Minister Netanyahu, the leader of the right-wing Likud Party, is seeking a fifth term in office. But he is facing serious corruption allegations and a stiff challenge from former army chief Benny Gantz in the polls that have been seen as heavily divisive. Gantz, who voted in his hometown of Rosh Haayin, called for a "new path." "I'm happy to stand for the good of the citizens on a new path," the 59-year-old retired general said after casting his ballot. "We shall respect ...
BSP names 5 more Lok Sabha candidates
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Tuesday announced candidates for five more Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Raj CM's son files nomination from Jodhpur LS seat
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot Tuesday filed his nomination from the Jodhpur Lok Sabha seat and exuded confidence that he will win his first election. After filing his nomination papers, Vaibhav Gehlot said he has received a huge response from the public. I know issues of Jodhpur well, what are needs of people, where bridges and underpasses are required and how issues of water supply and electricity are to be addressed. They all are on my mind. I am going to win elections, he said. People have showed faith in me and supported my candidature. I thank the party and public for giving me chance, he said. Union minister of state and sitting Jodhpur MP Gajendra Singh is BJP's candidate in Jodhpur, a constituency with 19.34 lakh voters which is going to poll on April 29.
1,000 tribunals to hear those left out of NRC: Assam
The Assam Chief Secretary on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the government is planning to have 1,000 tribunals to deal with pleas of those who have been left out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
New Kazakhstan president calls snap elections for June
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday called a snap election for June as the Central Asian nation seeks a new leader following the shock resignation of its longtime ruler. Nursultan Nazarbayev, the only leader an independent Kazakhstan had ever known, announced suddenly he was stepping down last month after nearly three decades in office. Nazarbayev, who retained significant powers following his resignation, named Tokayev to replace him ahead of elections that had been planned for next year. On Tuesday, Tokayev said the presidential election would be held on June 9 instead. In a televised address to the nation, Tokayev said he had consulted with Nazarbayev -- known as "Elbasy" or "Leader of the Nation" in Kazakh -- and other top officials before making the decision. "We must continue to work on the implementation of the strategy of Elbasy," Tokayev said. "This can be done only by the direct expression of the will of the people... As the acting head of state I ...
Himachal BJP MP Virender Kashyap denied ticket
Virender Kashyap, the sitting BJP MP from Shimla (Reserved) constituency, has been denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections.
EU ministers insist Britain must justify Brexit delay
EU ministers warned Tuesday that Britain must come to this week's emergency summit with a credible plan to justify postponing Brexit, as last-ditch talks got underway across European capitals. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May was to meet her German counterpart Angela Merkel in Berlin and France's President Emmanuel Macron in Paris later in the day, before Wednesday's EU summit in Brussels. She will ask for Britain's exit from the union to be postponed beyond midnight on Friday, to avoid a chaotic and disorderly divorce, and the other 27 EU leaders are expected to agree -- under conditions. "We are in a very, very frustrating situation here," said Germany's minister for European affairs Michael Roth, as he and fellow EU officials arrived for Luxembourg talks on the eve of the summit. Roth said that EU leaders would consider May's planned request for Brexit to be pushed back to June 30, but also perhaps for a "longer one, but this must also be subject to very strict ...
Israel votes in closely-fought general elections
Israelis on Tuesday cast their ballots in the high stakes general elections in which the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a record fifth term in office.
1st US-Mexico border wall contracts expected soon
The first contracts to support the construction of US President Donald Trump's border wall on the Mexico border are expected to be awarded as soon as this week using Pentagon funds, defence officials told CNN.
Action against Pakistan was not Hot Pursuit: Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that India's surgical strikes and airstrike across the Line of Control (LoC) were not in line with former Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani's strategy on 'hot pursuit' against terrorists.In an exclusive interview with ANI, Singh said, "It is not about hot pursuit or cold pursuit. We only targeted the terror training camps while carrying out the strikes in Pakistan. We did not attack innocent civilians during the strikes. Besides, the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan were also preserved."'Hot pursuit' against terrorists is legitimate as it is in accordance with international law, Advani had said as Home Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government in 2001.Advani had said that a pro-active policy was necessary to pursue terrorists, locate and eliminate them. However, India did not embark on a policy of hot pursuit then despite the Home Minister espousing it in verbal terms.When asked if the BJP is ignoring LK Advani by not
Deal Pak such a blow that nothing of it remains: Uddhav
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deal Pakistan such a blow that nothing remains of it to mess with India. Addressing a poll rally here with Modi, their first since the Shiv Sena and BJP announced their tie-up for the Lok Sabha polls, Thackeray also welcomed the BJP's manifesto. He said the promises made in the BJP manifesto was the reason the two ruling parties joined forces ahead of the polls. In the manifesto released Monday, the BJP has reiterated its commitment towards construction of Ram temple and abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. It also announced a welfare scheme for farmers if voted to power. "Our government today doesn't just talk about teaching Pakistan a lesson," Thackeray said. "Pradhan Mantri ji, our only expectation from you now is that deal Pakistan such a blow that nothing of it remains to mess (with India) again," he said. Thackeray also attacked the Congress for alleging that the BJP ...