General Politics

Indian film icons take star status to political stage

Indian electionsNew Delhi - Film stars are jumping on the political bandwagon this election season, not only running campaigns or contesting polls but even floating their own parties and turning into power players in determining India's next government.

Film actors are demigods to millions of people in the world's largest democracy, which also boasts the world's biggest film industry. Their popularity is particularly felt in South India, where huge cut-outs of their images adorn intersections and fans perform rituals and prayers at temples dedicated to them.

EU enlargement - integration or indigestion?

EU enlargement - integration or indigestion?Brussels - Five years after its biggest-ever enlargement, the European Union is still struggling to accept that it really is one union, not two separate blocs called "old" and "new."

Talk of "old Europe" and "new Europe" is "very much a common use: it's very easy and everybody knows who you mean by it, so I think it will stick with us for a while," Maros Sefcovic, Slovakia's EU ambassador since enlargement, told the German Press Agency dpa.

Varun Gandhi to file his nomination from Pilibhit today

Varun Gandhi to file his nomination from Pilibhit todayPilibhit, Apr 22: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi will file his nomination papers from Pilibhit today.

Varun, who is on a two-week parole after being jailed under the National Securities Act (NSA) for his alleged hate speech, will be accompanied by his mother Maneka Gandhi.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday turned down the request made by Varun for transfer of Pilibhit District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police.

The EC also rejected Varun's appeal to appoint neutral observers in his constituency.

Ecuador likely to re-elect left-wing President Correa

Ecuador likely to re-elect left-wing President CorreaQuito - Ecuador is expected to re-elect left-wing populist Rafael Correa as president Sunday amid complaints from his seven weakened challengers that public money is being misused to finance the incumbent's campaign.

Correa, 46, looked poised to secure victory in the first round without a runoff. The election is already historic in Ecuador as the first in which an incumbent president has sought re-election.

Mayawati urges electorate to vote for BSP

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati Kolkata, Apr. 21 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Tuesday urged the people to vote for her party to form a BSP Government at the Centre.

"The BSP is contesting in almost every seats. The party did not make any electoral tie up with any party. Now, people can vote for the BSP candidates," Mayawati said while addressing an election rally here.

Political divisions surface over government clarification from army

Political divisions surface over government clarification from armyKathmandu - The opposition Nepali Congress disrupted a parliamentary session Tuesday in protest at the Maoist-led government's treatment of the head of the army.

The political division surfaced a day after the defence ministry headed by a Maoist politician accused army chief Rukmangad Katuwal of disobeying orders and demanded an explanation of his conduct.

The political division is now threatening the fragile coalition government and Nepal's two-and-half-year-old peace process, analysts say.

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