Page 1434 - Politics
Algerian president confirms fresh poll bid despite protests
Algeria's veteran President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has defied protesters by confirming he will run again but said he will not serve a full term.
French president calls for reconciliation with Italy
French President Emmanuel Macron has launched a call for reconciliation with Italy following a diplomatic spat between the neighbours that saw Paris briefly recall its ambassador. Relations between the two countries have fractured due to repeated clashes between centrist Macron and Italy's populist coalition government. In February, Paris recalled ambassador Christian Masset for a week in protest at "unfounded attacks and outlandish claims" by the Italian government. "There has been intemperate talk. There have been various twists and turns and I think we owe it to our people, to our history and to Europe, to get past that," Macron said Sunday on Italian television. In the spirit of reconciliation, Macron said he would host his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella at Amboise, central France, on May 2 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci "with French and Italian youth". "We will talk about the future and Europe," he added. The two presidents intend to ..
Huawei's Meng Wanzhou sues Canadian authorities over arrest
The chief financial officer of China's tech giant Huawei is suing Canada over her arrest at Vancouver airport last year at the request of the US.
US lawmaker condemns 'anti-Muslim' poster at Republican event
US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has condemned a poster linking her to the 9/11 attacks displayed at a Republican stall in the West Virginia legislature.
NDA Sankalp Rally a 'big flop', says Jitan Ram Manjhi
Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi called the 'Sankalp Rally' by the NDA in Patna on Sunday a "big flop" saying that despite Bihar government misusing its machinery for the Rally there was no big crowd."The way in which the government machinery was blatantly and openly misused the Rally failed to attract the crowd. It would not be an exception if we say the Rally was a big flop," said Jitan Ram Manjhi."Due to which the energy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also apparently very low," he added.He also slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for participating in the Rally rather than visiting the family of CRPF personnel from Bihar who was killed in an encounter with the terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir."At least the Chief Minister should have gone but he gives more importance to the Rally over the martyred soldier," said Manjhi. At the 'Sankalp Rally' in Patna on Sunday Nitish Kumar praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the way he handled the recent challenges ...
EU warns against use of any measure to arrest Guaido
The European Union warned that any measure that risk self-proclaimed Venezuelan President Juan Guaido's freedom, safety or personal integrity would instigate firm condemnation from the international community. High Representative of EU Federica Mogherini issued a statement saying, "The European Union underlines its conviction that the solution to the multidimensional crisis affecting Venezuela can only be a political, democratic and peaceful one. In this respect, any measure that could put at risk Juan Guaido's freedom, safety or personal integrity would represent a major escalation of tensions and meet the firm condemnation of the international community."Sputnik quoted Mogherini stating that the members of the Venezuelan National Assembly "enjoy constitutionally granted immunity that needs to be fully respected," so that they could "exercise their parliamentary mandate free of intimidation on them or their family members".The remarks by the EU chief comes amid reports that Guaido, .
Military drills suspended to avoid escalation of tension with N Korea: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) said that the latest decision to terminate the spring military exercises with South Korea was aimed at saving "millions of dollars which are not reimbursed" and avoid the escalation of tension with North Korea."The reason I do not want military drills with South Korea is to save hundreds of millions of dollars for the U.S. for which we are not reimbursed. That was my position long before I became President. Also, reducing tensions with North Korea at this time is a good thing!" the US President tweeted.The statement by the US President comes after the US Department of Defence on Saturday announced that the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle series of exercises scheduled with South Korea have been curbed in order to facilitate the denuclearisation process of the entire Korean Peninsula.However, South Korea and the United States will be launching a new nine-day Dong Maeng exercise on Monday to replace their Key Resolve drills, Seoul's Joint ...
Trump-Kim summit was 'not a failure', says John Bolton
White House National Security Adviser (NSA) John Bolton said that the second summit that took place last month in Hanoi between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was 'not a failure', local media reported.In an interview with the CBS's "Face the Nation", on Sunday, Bolton cleared that despite the US President moved out of the meeting with the North Korean leader without reaching an agreement, he would soon be back on the negotiating table with the latter soon."I don't consider the summit a failure. I consider it a success, defined as the president protecting and advancing American national interests," Bolton said."The issue really was whether North Korea was prepared to accept what the president called the 'big deal,' which is denuclearisation entirely, under a definition the president handed to Kim Jong Un, and have the potential for an enormous economic future, or try to do something less than that, which was unacceptable to us. So the president held firm to .
US House to begin Trump abuse enquiry
A committee of the US House of Representatives is seeking documents alleging obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power by President Donald Trump and his aides.
Estonia's liberal opposition wins election as far right surges
Estonia's opposition liberal Reform party won Sunday's general election, outpacing centre-left Prime Minister Juri Ratas's party and a surging far-right buoyed by a backlash from mostly rural voters in the Baltic eurozone state. Led by former MEP Kaja Kallas, Reform garnered 28.8 per cent of the votes, well ahead of Ratas's Centre party on 23 per cent, with the far-right EKRE more than doubling its previous election score at 17.8 per cent, according to full results on Estonia's official state elections website. Two other parties in the race which currently govern in coalition with Ratas, the Social Democrats and conservative Isamaa, respectively took 9.8 per cent and 11.4 per cent of the votes. Both could team up with Reform for a 56-seat majority in the 101-member parliament, or holding a combined 60 seats, arch-rivals Reform and Centre could govern together as they have done in the past. "Now the real work begins to put together the government and start running the country with ...
Bihar CM announces Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia to 'nearest dependent' of CRPF Inspector killed in Kupwara encounter
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday announced Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia to the "nearest dependent" of the CRPF Inspector Pintu Kumar Singh killed in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.The Bihar government has already given Rs 11 lakh to the "nearest dependent" of the deceased CRPF Inspector."The CRPF officer of Begusarai was martyred in an encounter with the terrorists in Handwara, Jammu and Kashmir. The Bihar government has given Rs 11 lakh to the nearest dependent of Singh," said press release from the Chief Minister's office in Bihar. "Today, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced Rs 25 lakh to the nearest dependent of the martyred Pintu Kumar Singh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund," said the release.Encounter between security forces and terrorists at Babagund village of Langate, Handwara in the district Kupwara entered the third day on Sunday.Four security personnel, including two policemen and two CRPF ...
Estonia's liberal opposition wins election, far right surges
Estonia's opposition liberal Reform party won Sunday's general election, outpacing the centre-left party of Prime Minister Juri Ratas with a surging far-right group in third place buoyed by a backlash from mostly rural voters in the Baltic eurozone state. Led by former MEP Kaja Kallas, Reform garnered 28.8 per cent of the votes, well ahead of Ratas's Centre party on 23 per cent, with the far-right EKRE more than doubling its previous election score at 17.8 per cent, according to full results, Estonia's official state elections website said.
Estonia's liberal opposition wins election, far right surges
Estonia's opposition liberal Reform party won Sunday's general election, outpacing the centre-left party of Prime Minister Juri Ratas with a surging far-right group in third place buoyed by a backlash from mostly rural voters in the Baltic eurozone state. Led by former MEP Kaja Kallas, Reform garnered 28.8 per cent of the votes, well ahead of Ratas's Centre party on 23 per cent, with the far-right EKRE more than doubling its previous election score at 17.8 per cent, according to full results, Estonia's official state elections website said.
Mortal remains of CRPF personnel killed in Kupwara encounter reaches his hometown in Ghazipur
The mortal remains of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel Shyam Narayan Yadav killed in an encounter with terrorists in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday was brought to his residence in Ghazipur.He was accorded full state funeral in presence of the officials of district administration and CRPF. Villagers and relatives throng to his house for paying obeisance and for participating in his last rites. The 41-year-old soldier is resident of Hasanpura village under Birno Police station of the district.His elder brother Raj Narayan Yadav said that government must give 'full freedom' to the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir."If they kill one of our soldier's then we must kill their 50 in response. The government has not given full freedom to forces," said Raj Narayan Yadav. "Unless full freedom is provided we would not be able to give a befitting reply to Pakistan," he added."10 to 12 of our soldiers are killed daily at borders. I retired from the Health Department
BJD slams BJP over Jayant Sinha's 'double engine' remark
The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) slammed the Bharatiya Janata Dal (BJP) after Union Minister Jayant Sinha criticised the Odisha government for lack of cooperation in various developmental projects and stressed on the need for a 'double engine' government to speed up the development process.BJD also accused the BJP government in the centre of neglecting the projects meant for the state welfare.Responding to the Sinha's statements, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said: "Union Minister Jayant Sinha has not been properly informed by the local BJP leadership in Odisha or else he would not have given such statements. The BJD Government has always been cooperative for the development of Odisha but the BJP Government in Centre has neglected projects."At an event in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, Sinha accused Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik led BJD government of stalling development projects worth Rs 1.36 lakh crore in the state. He said that the BJP should be voted to power at the Centre and in ..
Theresa May calls Imran Khan, asks for de-escalation of India-Pak tension
British Prime Minister Theresa May in a telephonic conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday called for the de-escalation of tension between India and Pakistan.The British Prime Minister also lauded the decision of Khan to free Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as a gesture of stabilising peace between both the countries."The Prime Minister spoke to Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan today. She welcomed his commitment to reducing tensions with India, and the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan," the News International quoted a spokesperson saying."We are in regular contact with both countries urging dialogue and diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability. We are working closely with international partners, including through the UN Security Council, to de-escalate tensions and are monitoring developments closely and considering implications for British nationals," Prime Minister May had remarked on the crisis situation between the two ...
Bengal governor flays those raising questions on air strikes
West Bengal Governor K.N. Tripathi on Sunday courted controversy when he attacked those who have questioned the success of the air strikes carried out by India in Pakistan's Balakot.
Bolton defends Trump-Kim summit, refutes 'failure' accusations
US National Security Adviser John Bolton on Sunday said the just-concluded meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is not a "failed summit".
Official sees hard Brexit olive branch; Labour leader egged
Britain's international trade secretary on Sunday welcomed proposals drawn up by hard-line Brexit supporters that outline what it will take for them to support Prime Minister Theresa May's deal with the European Union. Liam Fox told the BBC that proposals outlined by the European Research Group in the Sunday Times could be seen as an attempt to find common ground on the sticky issue of the Irish border. "I hope it's a genuine attempt, and I think it is, to try to map out ground where we can have common territory" before the House of Commons votes on the deal next week, Fox told the BBC. Parliament rejected May's deal in January, largely because of concerns about the so-called backstop, which is designed to prevent the need for physical border checks along the Irish border if negotiators fail to agree on a free-trade deal. Lawmakers on all sides opposed the provisions because they could leave Britain tied to the EU indefinitely. In its published proposal, the European Research Group ...
Syria takes part in first Arab meeting since 2011
Syria attended a meeting of Arab states on Sunday for the first time since its conflict broke out in 2011, marking another step towards the country's political reintegration into the region. Syria's parliament speaker, Hammouda Sabbagh, travelled to Amman for an Arab inter-parliamentary meeting. His Jordanian counterpart, Atef al-Tarawneh, called in a speech for regional countries "to work towards a political settlement to the Syrian crisis... and for Syria to regain its place" in the Arab world. A growing number of Arab states have voiced support for Syria's return to the Arab League, which suspended the country's membership in November 2011 as the death toll mounted in its war. Divisions within the pan-Arab organisation, however, have stalled the readmission of Syria, which with the support of Russia and Iran has largely regained control of its territory from rebel groups and jihadists. But the UAE reopened its Damascus embassy in December, the same month as Sudanese President Omar .