Page 1139 - Politics
SKorean president to visit White House on Apr 11
US President Donald Trump will host his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in at the White House on April 11, according to an official announcement. Trump and Moon will discuss the latest developments regarding North Korea as well as bilateral matters, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. The alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea remains the linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. This visit will strengthen this alliance and the friendship between the two countries, the press secretary said. Moon was instrumental in brokering talks between Washington and the nuclear-armed and sanctions-hit North Korea. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had met in February in Hanoi in Vietnam.However, the US-North Korea summit ended abruptly without a deal, with the US president saying he had decided to "walk" in the face of Kim's demands to drop sanctions. The much-anticipated second meeting between the two leaders was supposed
Trump, Moon to meet in Washington in April: Seoul
US President Donald Trump will host his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in next month, Seoul said Friday, after the latest summit between Washington and Pyongyang ended in deadlock. Moon has long backed a policy of engagement with nuclear-armed, sanctions-hit Pyongyang and was instrumental in brokering talks between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. But the failure of Kim and Trump to reach an agreement in Hanoi on curtailing Pyongyang's nuclear programme in exchange for relaxation of sanctions has raised questions over the future of the process. Moon will visit Washington for two days from April 10, an official from the South's presidential Blue House told AFP. "The two leaders will have in-depth talks... to coordinate their stance on setting up a peace regime on the Korean peninsula through complete denuclearisation," Yoon Do-han, the senior presidential press secretary said Friday. Earlier this month, Pyongyang abruptly pulled its staff out of an inter-Korean liaison ...
Brazil's Bolsonaro to walk diplomatic tightrope in Israel
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro arrives in Israel Sunday, where he will walk a diplomatic tightrope as he seeks to shore up ties with his right-wing counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu while keeping key Arab trade partners onside. Bolsonaro's controversial pledge to move Brazil's embassy to Jerusalem is expected to be high on the agenda during the three-day visit as Netanyahu uses the occasion to boost his standing ahead of April 9 elections. The Brazilian ex-army captain's trip comes after his recent visits to the United States and Chile, as part of efforts to build ties with conservative governments around the world. Neither Brazil nor Israel has released details of the visit, but Bolsonaro is expected to focus on correcting their lopsided trade relationship by boosting Brazilian exports, mainly soybeans and meat. He is also expected to seek greater access to Israeli defense technology. In 2018, Brazil's exports to Israel were worth $321 million dollars, while imports, including ...
New Zealand remembers mosque attack victims
A national remembrance service was held to pay tribute to the victims of Christchurch terror attacks at Hagley Park on Friday morning.
Special ED, IT teams created to raid opposition party leaders, claims Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has claimed that special teams comprising of Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) officials have been created to raid opposition party leaders."Today I don't know which place officials of Income Tax Dept are going to raid. In Karnataka, same thing happened. During polls, a minister's house is raided. Special teams have been created to raid opposition party leaders through ED and IT," Naidu said while referring to I-T raids conducted across Karnataka on Thursday.I-T department said it has seized Rs 1.66 crore cash in raids across Karnataka. A total of 24 premises were searched.However, in a statement, it also said that no MP, MLA or minister has so far been covered in the searches, which are underway.Talking about the Election Commission of India's (ECI) orders to transfer three Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in Andhra Pradesh after YSRCP leaders accused them of working in favour of Naidu-led TDP, the Chief Minister ..
Trade talks with China going 'very well': Trump
Trade talks with China are progressing "very well", US President Donald Trump said, as top negotiators from the two countries Thursday began meetings to resolve their tariff war. US trade negotiators arrived in Beijing on Thursday and the talks began with a working dinner.The meetings will last the entire day Friday. The fresh round of talks are the latest in a series of exchanges between the two nations on trade. "We're doing very well with our trade talks with China, and our trade talks and other talks with other countries. Our country is doing great," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about the status of the ongoing trade meetings with the China. He was also asked if the release of the Mueller report was having an effect on the ongoing talks. Some media reports have claimed that the Chinese were waiting for the Mueller report's release before making any moves. "I can't tell you whether or not it had an impact on other countries, including China. I can say this: ...
Trump's associate attorney general nominee drops out of race
US President Donald Trump's nominee for the third highest position in the Department of Justice withdraws herself from consideration after Republicans raised concern about her supporting abortion rights group.Trump early this month announced that he has nominated Jessie Liu for the position of associate attorney general, reported The Washington Post."Unfortunately, a women's lawyers professional organisation that Jessie was affiliated with over a dozen years ago took certain controversial positions at the time which have now generated opposition to her nomination at the Senate Judiciary Committee," said Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said on Thursday (local time).She will instead head the Attorney General's Advisory Committee, announced US Attorney General William Barr.Barr called Liu "one of the finest, most impressive people serving in the Department of Justice. She has been an outstanding United States Attorney and would have made an outstanding Associate Attorney ...
UN Security Council adopts resolution to counter terror funding
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution that calls upon countries to prevent and counter the financing of terrorism, especially in its new forms.
Russia urges US to not meddle in Moscow, Caracas relations
Russia on Thursday (local time) warned the US to not meddle in Russia-Venezuela bilateral relations, reported TASS."We do not think that third parties should worry about our bilateral relations with other countries. We do not interfere in Venezuela's domestic affairs and expect third countries to do the same, letting the Venezuelan people decide their future themselves," said Russia President Vladimir Putin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov."As for the United States, it is present in many parts of the world but no one tells Washington where it should be and where it shouldn't. This is why we expect that our right to build relations with other countries based on our interests and the interests of those countries will be respected," he added.The war of words between US and Russia over Venezuela began when US Mike Pompeo on Monday asked Russia to "cease its unconstructive behaviour" as it is "exacerbating tensions" in Caracas.Yesterday, US President Donald Trump said that he will consider "all .
Free Balochistan Movement activists stage protests in different countries to mark Balochistan Occupation Day
Free Balochistan Movement activists held demonstrations and conducted awareness campaigns in different countries including Germany, Austria, United States and United Kingdom against Pakistan for illegally occupying Balochistan. The Free Balochistan Movement activists carried banners, placards and distributed leaflets. The Baloch protesters also raised slogans against the illegal occupation of Balochistan and Pakistani state atrocities against Baloch people. The protesters also strongly condemned China's 'complicity' with Pakistan in Balochistan and said that China was supporting Pakistan's state crimes in Gwadar and other areas of Balochistan in the name of development. At the same time, members of Pakistani community tried to sabotage and disrupted the peaceful protest of Free Balochistan Movement in Berlin, Philadelphia and Vancouver but the Baloch activists and local authoritie's timely action thwarted their attempts.The leaflet which Free Balochistan Movement activists gave out ...
Israel is ready for extensive military campaign in Gaza: Netanyahu
Israel is prepared for the extensive military campaign in Gaza against Hamas, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (local time)."I recently ordered that the [IDF border] units be reinforced, that tools be added, in preparation for an extensive campaign. All citizens of Israel know that if an extensive campaign is necessary - we will go into it strong and secure after all other possibilities have been exhausted," The Jerusalem Post quoted Netanyahu as saying.His remarks come in the wake of heightened tension between Isreal and Gaza after the latter's rocket fell in Tel Aviv on Monday.Retaliating immediately, Israeli Air Force struck Hamas target throughout Gaza. Despite Hamas repeated clarifications that the rocket fell accidentally, Isreal launched multiple strikes towards Gaza. Furthermore, Egypt also tried to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza. However, the talks failed and Israel continued to attack.Netanhayu, who just returned from his state visit to United ..
Parrikar played crucial role in three border strikes: Rajnath Singh
Remembering late Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's role, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said was extremely angry after the 2016 Uri terror attack that had killed 18 Army personnel.Narrating about the experience he had working with Parrikar, Rajnath said that the former Defence Minister had played a "crucial role" in the three border air strikes conducted by India in the past five years.Lauding Parrikar's dedication towards national security, the Union Minister said that the former Defence Minister had closely monitored the 2016 surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army after the ghastly Uri terror attack."After Uri, the Prime Minister had called two-three of us. Anger was clearly visible on Parrikar ji's face, he played an important role in that air strike and observed the operation all night. You may not know this, but he also played a crucial role in two air strikes," Rajnath said in Panaji on Thursday while addressing a condolence meet named 'Manohar Yadi' held to ...
Germany adds six months to Saudi arms export ban: government
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government Thursday extended by six months an embargo on weapons exports to Saudi Arabia, instituted last October in response to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The ban has faced opposition from within the German government and the EU, but has the support of rights groups. "The order to halt authorised weapons exports to Saudi Arabia is extended by six months from March 31 to September 30, 2019," government spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement. Berlin reacted to Khashoggi's murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last October by declaring a freeze on weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and other countries involved in the Yemen war. It has since faced protests by EU partners because the ban has impacted joint defence projects such as the Eurofighter and Tornado jets. While France and Britain have urged Germany to end the export halt, human rights groups argue it should stay in place -- a view that has many backers among ..
Trump backs off Special Olympics funding cut
President Donald Trump says he is backing off a budget request to cut funding for the Special Olympics, after days of criticism. Trump told reporters at the White House Thursday, "I've overridden my people for funding the Special Olympics." The Trump administration's education budget proposal calls for the elimination of $17.6 million in funding for the Special Olympics, roughly 10 percent of the group's overall revenue. Democrats pressed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on the topic during a Senate budget hearing Thursday, just days after House Democrats grilled her on the proposal and sparked criticism online. DeVos said she "wasn't personally involved" in pushing for elimination of the funding, but she defended it as her agency seeks to cut $7 billion from the 2020 budget. Education Secretary Betsy Devos is facing a new round of scrutiny over a proposal to eliminate funding for the Special Olympics, a cut that lawmakers say is unlikely to be approved. Senate Democrats are pressing ..
Manvendra, Gehlot's son Vaibhav figure in Congress list
Congress on Thursday declared 31 more Lok Sabha candidates fielding Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot from Jodhpur and former MPs Manvendra Singh from Barmer, Jitendra Singh from Alwar and Jyoti Mirdha from Nagaur. The list has six candidates from Gujarat, six from Uttar Pradesh and the remaining from Rajasthan.
Civilian shot at by terrorists in J-K's Tral
A 25-year-old civilian was shot at by terrorists in Tral's Midoora area in Jammu and Kashmir, police said.Following the stack, the civilian identified as Muzafar Ahmad Hajam was rushed to the hospital.More details are awaited.On March 27, a 24-year old man was killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian. The body of the deceased, identified as Tanveer Ahmed from Bemnipora, was found in Kachdoora.
Bengal SSC exam candidates withdraw hunger strike
Over 400 successful School Service Commission (SSC) examination candidates withdrew their 29-day relay hunger strike on Thursday, a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met them with the assurance that her government would try to find a solution within the first week of June after Lok Sabha elections are over.
US-led coalition: 1,257 civilians killed in anti-IS strikes
The US-led coalition says more than 1,250 civilians were killed in 34,038 airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria during a more than four-year period. The coalition in a statement Thursday released the civilian death toll from the period between when the aerial campaign began in August 2014 until February this year. It comes just days after the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces announced it defeated IS in the last area it held in Syria in the village of Baghouz near the Iraqi border. The coalition's statement says: "We continue to employ thorough and deliberate targeting and strike processes to minimize the impact of our operations on civilian populations and infrastructure." It said the death toll was based on information available to the coalition.
UK Parliament to hold fresh vote on May's Brexit deal on Friday
British lawmakers will hold a vote on the withdrawal agreement on Friday in a fresh effort to break the current Brexit deadlock.
Mexico not offering asylum to Venezuela's Maduro: Official
- Mexico has not proposed offering asylum to President Nicolas Maduro as part of talks with the United States aimed at resolving Venezuela's political crisis, the foreign ministry said Thursday. The denial came after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was in contact with Mexico and Norway about Maduro's future, appearing to confirm that Washington was seeking a country where the embattled president could be sent into exile. Mexico City confirmed the talks, but said that "as of today, those conversations have not mentioned any possibility that Mexico could grant asylum to any member of the Venezuelan government," foreign ministry spokesman Roberto Velasco said in a statement. "There have been conversations with the secretary of state and his team to try to facilitate a dialogue in Venezuela," he said. Testifying before Congress Wednesday, Pompeo was asked by Representative Albio Sires whether Mexico and Norway, which have both offered to broker an end to the crisis, .