General Politics

Paraguayan President Lugo admits he fathered 2-year-old

Paraguayan President Lugo admits he fathered 2-year-old Asuncion, Paraguay - Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo publicly admitted Monday that he fathered an illegitimate who is now 2 years old, in the wake of a legal complaint filed by the boy's mother. "It is true that there was a relationship with Viviana Carrillo, I take every responsibility that might derive from that event, admitting to being the boy's father," Lugo said in a press conference at the government palace in Asuncion.

The boy was conceived while Lugo was a Roman Catholic bishop and therefore under a vow of celibacy.

BJP now calls Manmohan Singh a ‘night watchman’

BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar PrasadKochi (Kerala), Apr 13: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday called Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh a `night watchman' who was making way for the next PM.

"Manmohan Singh is acting as a night watchman paving way for the member of Nehru-Gandhi family to the Prime Minister seat. He will have to vacate once the Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi gets prepared himself for the post of PM," Prasad told reporters here.

Prasad blamed the Prime Minister for price rise and unemployment problem.

Sonia Gandhi slams Advani for his ‘weakness’ in fighting terrorism

Sonia GandhiSilchar (Assam), Apr 13: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Lal Krishna Advani for releasing the terrorists during Kandahar hijack episode in 1999-2000.

"Even the Parliament was attacked during Advani's tenure as Union Home Minister. The BJP and other communal parties who alleged that Congress encourages division should remember that Congress has never allowed secessionist forces to thrive and will never allow it in future," Sonia Gandhi said while addressing an election rally here.

Only Congress can protect secular values, says Sonia Gandhi

Congress President Sonia GandhiShillong, Apr 13: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday said the country needed a strong and stable government to protect and promote secular values and communal harmony.

"The country needs a government that is strong and stable and will protect and promote secular values and communal harmony. Only Congress can give such a government," Sonia Gandhi said while addressing an election rally here.

Gandhi reiterated that the Indo-US nuclear deal would reap the benefit in the long run.

Bangladesh beefs up security ahead of Bengali New Year celebration

Bangladesh beefs up security ahead of Bengali New Year celebration Dhaka - Bangladeshi authorities on Monday deployed over 10,000 lawmen to ensure security for the celebration of the 1416 Bengali New Year Tuesday in the capital Dhaka, officials said. "We will ensure the highest security so that the people can celebrate the day with more enthusiasm," Home Minister Sahara Khatun told reporters visiting the prime celebration venue at the Raman Green, where traditionally tens of thousands of people from all walks of life gather to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangladeshi calendar.

Iraq denies it seeks advanced Russian weapons

Iraq denies it seeks advanced Russian weapons Baghdad - Baghdad is not seeking to buy advanced Russian weapons systems, an Iraqi government spokesman said Monday, denying earlier reports. "Iraq does not want to buy heavy, advanced weapons from Russia," spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Baghdad's al-Iraqia television Monday.

Any reports to the contrary were "absolutely untrue," al-Dabbagh said, adding that budget cuts and Iraq's current security requirements precluded the purchase of advanced fighter jets or air defence systems.

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