Page 1462 - Politics
Cohen finishes week of testimony after calling Trump liar
President Donald Trump's former lawyer has completed three days of testimony on Capitol Hill and is coming back for another day next week after publicly branding his former boss a racist and a con man who lied about business dealings in Russia and directed him to conceal extramarital relationships. Cohen was interviewed behind closed doors Thursday by the House Intelligence Committee for more than eight hours, the last of his three appearances before Congress this week. He said as he left that he would be returning to Capitol Hill on March 6 for another round of questioning with the same panel. House Intelligence Chairman Rep Adam Schiff called the closed-door session with Cohen productive and said lawmakers were able to "drill down in great detail" on issues they are investigating. Schiff said the committee will also hear from Felix Sater, a Russia-born executive who worked with Cohen on an ultimately unsuccessful deal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, in an open hearing March ...
US welcomes Pak's decision to release captured Indian pilot
The United States on Thursday welcomed Pakistan's decision to release an captured Indian Air Force pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, in their custody. In a surprise announcement during a joint session of Parliament, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Thursday that the captured IAF pilot Varthaman will be released on Friday as a gesture of peace. Pakistan detained Varthaman Wednesday following a fierce engagement between air forces of the two sides along the Line of Control when his MiG 21 fighter jet was downed. We welcome Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's commitment that Pakistan will release on Friday the Indian pilot held in its custody, a State Department spokesperson told PTI responding to a question on the announcement made by Khan in the Pakistani parliament. Simultaneously, the US has urged both India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions. The United States continues to urge both sides to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation, ...
Amid Indo-Pak tension, security beefed up in Odisha
Following an escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, the security of all vital installations and important establishments especially defence and strategically important establishment have been beefed up in Odisha.To discuss the security arrangements, a meeting between Odisha Police and central agencies including Coast Guard, Army, CISF, CRPF and BSF was held at the state Secretariat on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary of Odisha Aditya Padhi."As per the directives of Ministry of Home Affairs we have strengthened the security of all vital installations in the state and adequate focus is laid on security along with the coastline," Padhi said.Odisha is the sensitive state in terms of coastal vulnerability as it has 485-kilometre long sea coast and defence and strategically establishment."In a view of current security scenario we had an important meeting regarding the security arrangements of vital installations and important establishments in Odisha, it was ..
US offers US $1 million reward to find Osama bin Laden's son
The United States on Thursday (local time) offered US $1 million reward for information on slain terrorist Osama bin Laden son's Hamza bin Laden."United States is offering to reward US $1 million for the information leading to the identification and location in any country of the Al-Qaeda leader Hamza Bin Laden," said United States Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security Michael T. Evanoff.Evanoff who was flanked by the United States Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism Nathan A. Sales, made these remarks during a press briefing on "New Tools to Counter al-Qaeda and Its Future Leadership.""Hamza bin Laden is the son of deceased former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and is emerging as a leader in the Al-Qaeda strongholds. He has also released audio and video messages on the internet calling his followers to launch attacks against the United States and its western alliance. The US has declared Hamza Bin Laden as a global terrorist" added Evanoff.Today's ...
Governor has no power to give concurrence to application of Constitutional Provision: Omar Abdullah
Calling it "highly objectionable", National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that Governor has no power to give concurrence to application of a Constitutional Provision as it can only be done by an elected government in the state.Omar Abdullah's response came after the Union cabinet on Thursday approved two major decisions regarding Jammu and Kashmir including the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 which provides amendments in the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004."Though the proposed Presidential Order by itself may not raise alarm, the method adopted is highly objectionable. Governor has no power to give concurrence to application of a Constitutional Provision. It is only an elected Govt," he said on Twitter.The Centre also approved an amendment to the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) order, 1954 by way of the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Amendment Order, 2019."The ...
Trump updates Moon, Abe on US-N.Korea Hanoi summit
US President Donald Trump held phone conversations with leaders of South Korea and Japan over the Hanoi summit during his flight en route to Washington, the White House has said.
US calls international communities in designating JeM and its leadership
The United States on Thursday (local time) called for "multilateral efforts" against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and asked international communities and countries to follow Washington's lead in designating the terror organisation and its leadership.It has also offered condolences to the people of India and the government for the February 14 Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Pakistan-sponsored JeM terror organisation claimed the responsibility of the attack. While briefing the media, United States Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counter terrorism Nathan A. Sales said, "The United States has designated JeM and its leadership under our domestic authorities to cut off the money and deprived of the resources.""Along with amplifying unilateral efforts, it is also necessary to take multilateral efforts against the JeM. We ask whole international communities and countries, to follow our leads, in designating the terror organisations and its ..
US, Russia fail in UN push for action on Venezuela
Russia and China on Thursday vetoed a US resolution in the UN Security Council on addressing the crisis in Venezuela, but a counter-proposal from Moscow did not win enough votes. The failure to take action on the two competing drafts laid bare divisions among world powers over the way forward in Venezuela, which is mired in a political standoff and an economic meltdown. The proposed US text -- which called for new presidential elections in Venezuela and unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid -- won the required nine votes at the 15-member council, but Moscow and Beijing joined forces to block it. Resolutions at the council, which are legally binding, must garner nine votes to be adopted, with no vetoes from the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. Russia's draft resolution -- which urged a settlement "through peaceful means" and insisted that all humanitarian aid be agreed by Maduro's government -- won only four votes: Russia, China, South .
US, Russia fail in UN push for action on Venezuela
Russia and China on Thursday vetoed a US resolution in the UN Security Council on addressing the crisis in Venezuela, but a counter-proposal from Moscow did not win enough votes. The failure to take action on the two competing drafts laid bare divisions among world powers over the way forward in Venezuela, which is mired in a political standoff and an economic meltdown. The proposed US text -- which called for new presidential elections in Venezuela and unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid -- won the required nine votes at the 15-member council, but Moscow and Beijing joined forces to block it. Resolutions at the council, which are legally binding, must garner nine votes to be adopted, with no vetoes from the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. Russia's draft resolution -- which urged a settlement "through peaceful means" and insisted that all humanitarian aid be agreed by Maduro's government -- won only four votes: Russia, China, South .
UNSC rejects US, Russian resolutions on Venezuela
The UN Security Council on Thursday failed to adopt two competing draft resolutions on Venezuela, sponsored by the US and Russia respectively.
US offers $1 million reward to find bin Laden son
The United States on Thursday offered a USD 1 million reward for information on a son of late Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, seeing him as an emerging leader of the extremist network. The location of Hamza bin Laden, sometimes dubbed the "crown prince of jihad," has been the subject of speculation for years with reports of him in Pakistan, Afghanistan or under house arrest in Iran.
Senegal: President gets election win, rivals won't challenge
Senegalese President Macky Sall easily won re-election to a second term during a first round of voting, election officials announced Thursday. His opponents issued a joint statement saying they would not challenge the results. The statement from the four opposition candidates ended days of political uncertainty in Senegal, a democracy long known for peaceful transfers of power. After the prime minister told ruling party supporters that unofficial results showed Sall winning 57 per cent of Sunday's vote, top opponents dismissed the claim and told supporters to prepare for a runoff election. Election observers reported finding no major irregularities during the presidential vote. In their joint statement, the opposition candidates said they still rejected the election's outcome, but added, "We will not be taking any recourse at the constitutional council." The tally was announced on live TV and radio, a rarity in a part of the world where postelection violence is common in many ...
Russia, China veto US measure on Venezuela in UN Council
Russia and China on Thursday vetoed a US resolution in the UN Security Council on addressing the crisis in Venezuela, while a rival draft put forward by Moscow failed to win enough votes. The failure to take action on the two competing drafts laid bare divisions among world powers over the way forward in Venezuela, which is mired in a political standoff and an economic meltdown. The proposed US text -- which called for new presidential elections in Venezuela and unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid -- won the required nine votes at the 15-member council, but Moscow and Beijing joined forces to block it. Resolutions at the council, which are legally binding, must garner nine votes to be adopted, with no vetoes from the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. France, Germany and Britain were among those that backed the proposed measure. South Africa voted no while Indonesia, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast abstained. Russia's draft ...
Israeli PM to be indicted for corruption
Israeli attorney general Avichai Mandelblit on Thursday (local time) announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be put on trial for bribery and breach of trust in a series of corruption cases, reports CBS."The attorney general has reached his decision after thoroughly examining the evidence," his statement read. According to the website, the attorney general took this decision after two years of "intense investigation and deliberations".However, the final decision on indictment will only take place after a hearing, where Netanyahu will be given an opportunity to defend himself. It will be the first time any sitting prime minister has been charged with a crime. Even though the process to reach indictment is long, the allegation has come as a serious blow to the Netanyahu election campaign. Denying the allegation, Netanyahu has claimed that the accusations against him are a media-orchestrated witch hunt. Netanyahu scheduled a press conference later Thursday to respond to the .
Russia, China at UN veto US measure on Venezuela
Russia and China on Thursday used their veto at the UN Security Council to block a US resolution calling for new presidential elections in Venezuela and unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid. France, Germany and Britain were among nine countries that backed the proposed measure. South Africa also voted no while Indonesia, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast abstained.
North Korea says it made 'realistic proposal' during Hanoi Summit
North Korea Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho on Friday (local time) said that Pyongyang made a "realistic proposal" at Hanoi Summit including permanently dismantling all nuclear material production complex if the US will lift partial sanctions.Ri told reporters that Pyongyang was seeking partial sanctions relief, not a complete lifting of sanctions, Daily Sabah reported.The two-day meeting ended abruptly earlier today as US President Donald Trump and North Korea Kim Jong-un failed to reach an agreement on North Korea's denuclearisation.In a statement, the White House said that the two leaders had "very good and constructive" meetings in Hanoi and discussed various ways to advance denuclearisation and economic driven concepts."No agreement was reached at this time, but their respective teams look forward to meeting in the future," it added.The closely-watched Hanoi summit was expected to yield an agreement on North Korea's denuclearisation. Trump, though, had earlier downplayed hopes for a .
Impossible for Pakistan to integrate AIM-20 missile with Chinese JF-17: Air Marshal SBP Sinha
At a time when India exposed Pakistani lies on not using F-16 fighters for attacking Indian positions in Nowshera sector by producing evidence in form of remains of the AIM-20 air to air missile fired by the Pakistani planes, experts said it is not possible that the missile could have fired from a Chinese JF-17 plane that is in the Pakistan Air Force inventory."The Americans had provided them with the missiles under a Foreign Military Sales deal to the Pakistanis for the F-16 planes. There is no way that the Pakistanis could have integrated the missile with a Chinese-origin plane such as the JF-17," Air Marshal (retd) SBP Sinha said.The former senior IAF officer said the missiles had been given to the Pakistanis for their fight against terrorists during the war on terror after the US had attacked Afghanistan to hunt Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban."The integration of missiles with aircraft is a very complex system and there is no way the Americans would allow the Chinese to get into ..
North Korea disputes Trump's account of talks breakdown
North Korea is disputing President Donald Trump's account of why the summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un collapsed, insisting the North demanded only partial sanctions relief in exchange for shutting down its main nuclear complex. Trump, who was on his way back to Washington on Thursday, said before leaving Hanoi that the talks broke down because North Korea's leader insisted that all the punishing sanctions the US has imposed on Pyongyang be lifted without the North committing to eliminate its nuclear arsenal. The president made no mention of the disagreement as he addressed US troops during a stopover at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska. Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho commented on the talks during an abruptly scheduled middle-of-the-night news conference. Earlier on Thursday in Hanoi, Trump had told reporters the North had demanded a full removal of sanctions in exchange for shutting the Yongbyon nuclear facility. Ri said the North was also ready to offer in writing a ...
'No change in Article 370 and 35A following cabinet decisions on J&K'
There has been no change in Article 370 and 35A following the Union Cabinet's decisions on Jammu and Kashmir, and any reports to the effect were "mischievous", official sources said here on Thursday.
UN chief welcomes Pakistan's offer to release Indian pilot
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday welcomed Pakistan's offer to release Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured when his MiG-21 went down in Pakistan-occupied territory.