Page 1609 - Politics

Gunmen kill 66 in Nigeria ahead of presidential election

At least 66 people were killed on Friday by unidentified gunmen in Nigeria's Kaduna state, on the eve of the country's presidential election, officials said.

US judge issues gag order in case of Trump advisor Roger Stone

A US judge issued a gag order on Friday in the case against Roger Stone, the Trump advisor who has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the investigation into whether the president's election campaign colluded with Russia. Stone, 66, is charged with lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstruction stemming from his contacts with WikiLeaks, whose publication of Russian-hacked communications from Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign gave a boost to Donald Trump. US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson ordered government and defense attorneys to refrain from "making statements to the media or in public settings that pose a substantial likelihood of material prejudice to this case." Stone was told not to speak to the media or to make public statements around the courthouse or in its immediate vicinity. The federal judge cited the "size and vociferousness of the crowds" attending Stone's court appearances and the "risk that public pronouncements by the participants may inflame

US indicates concerns over India buying Venezuelan oil have been addressed

US National Security Adviser John Bolton indicated Friday that their concerns regarding India continuing to buy oil from Venezuela have been resolved. The issue came up for discussion during a telephonic conversation between Bolton and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval regarding the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier this week, Bolton had said that countries will not be forgotten for buying oil from Venezuela. "Nations and firms that support (President Nicolas) Maduro's theft of Venezuelan resources will not be forgotten," he had said in a tweet that displayed a news story about Venezuelan Oil Minister Manuel Quevedo visiting India to sell more oil. "The US will continue to use all of its powers to preserve the Venezuelan people's assets and we encourage all nations to do the same, Bolton said in a tweet on Friday. Responding to a question about his tweet and the consequences that countries like India could face for continuing to purchase oil from Venezuela, Bolton indicated .

U.S.-China trade talks to resume next week, Trump hints at extension

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and China will resume trade talks next week in Washington with time running short to ease their bruising trade war, but U.S. President Donald Trump repeated on Friday that he may extend a March 1 deadline for a deal and keep tariffs on Chinese goods from rising.

'We support India's right to self-defense': US NSA to Ajit Doval

US National Security Adviser John Bolton told his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Friday that America supports India's right to self-defense. Bolton telephoned Doval Friday morning to express his condolences for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and offered the US' full support to India in confronting terrorism. "I told Ajit Doval today that we support India's right to self-defense. I have spoken to him twice, including this morning... and expressed US' condolences over the terrorist attack, he told PTI. Bolton said the US has been very clear to Pakistan on ending support to terrorist safe havens. We have been very clear on that score... And, we are continuing to be in discussions we are going to have with the Pakistanis, he said. Earlier, the White House and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked Pakistan to end its support to terrorist safe havens inside the country. "We stand with #India as it confronts terrorism. Pakistan must not provide safe haven for terrorists to threaten .

Pulwama terror attack: IAF plane brings bodies of slain CRPF men to Delhi

Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir

S Africa deplores Pulwama attack

South Africa has deplored Thursday's terror attack on a paramilitary convoy in Jammu and Kashmir and expressed its solidarity with India in fighting terrorism. In one of the deadliest terror attacks in three decades of militancy in the state, a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district, killing at least 40 personnel and leaving many critically wounded. The South African government condemns in the strongest terms the attack in Kashmir, a statement from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation read. On behalf of the South African government, President Cyril Ramaphosa extended deepest condolences to the people of India and said that "acts of terrorism have no place in society". The South African government wishes to reiterate its solidarity with the Government of India in confronting the scourge of terrorism and will continue to support regional and international efforts to address terrorism in all its forms, ...

No movement in Russian missile talks: NATO chief

Russia gave "no new signals" Friday about saving a landmark Cold War missile control agreement, the head of NATO said, as fears grow of a new arms race in Europe. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Segei Lavrov brought no breakthrough and no indication that Moscow might be willing to back down over a missile system which NATO says breaches the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. The impending collapse of the 1987 agreement -- seen as a cornerstone of global arms control -- has raised doubts about the future of the fight against proliferation. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said more talks between Russia, the US and European nations were urgently needed to save the deal. The US began pulling out of the INF treaty earlier this month in response to Moscow's deployment of the 9M729 missile, prompting Russia to announce its own withdrawal. NATO has been urging Russia to save the treaty by abandoning the missile system, which ...

US military to ship Venezuela aid to Colombia

The US military will transport some 200 tons of humanitarian aid to Colombia to help relieve the crisis in neighboring Venezuela, a US defense official said Friday. Speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of a formal announcement, the official said the aid would be sent in the coming days, most likely aboard a C-17 transport plane. In a statement, the Pentagon said the US "remains deeply concerned about the crisis in Venezuela that has consequences for the entire region." Venezuela is plagued by hyperinflation and major shortages of basic goods, with opposition leader Juan Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro vying for control of the country. Tensions have risen since the US first sent humanitarian aid to Colombia, only for the Venezuelan authorities to block a bridge to prevent its entry into Venezuela. President Donald Trump warned Venezuela this week that "all options" are on the table, and demanded that Maduro unblock US aid shipments to the country. The defense official stressed .

'Stop accusing Pakistan': Pak FM on Pulwama attack

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday (local time) said that India should stop "accusing" Pakistan with "baseless allegations" over its involvement in the Pulwama terror attack that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.While speaking to a German news outlet in Munich, Qureshi said that the Pakistan government wanted better and stable relations with all the neighbouring countries, including India."Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement is on record (in this regard). India should desist from levelling allegations against Pakistan," he was quoted by ARY News as saying.Qureshi's comments came two days after as 40 security personnel were killed after a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle on their convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.The convoy comprised of 78 buses in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar - the slain personnel were in a bus which had 42 CRPF men on board. It was the deadliest attack on security ...

Pak's demand for probe 'preposterous', clear evidence of JeM involvement in Pulwama attack: India

India on Friday night asserted that Pakistan's demand for an investigation into the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district is 'preposterous' when there was already a video of the suicide bomber declaring himself as a member of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) that carried out Thursday's assault on a CRPF convoy.In the deadliest terror attack on security forces in Kashmir, around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targetted in Awantipora area of Pulwama district on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.JeM, a Pakistan-based terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attack. Earlier on Friday, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson tweeted that Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua met and briefed the P5 envoys (United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom and China) on the Pulwama attack and "rejected" India's claims over its involvement.Responding to the development, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that Pakistan cannot claim ...

Political discourse reaching a new low: VP Naidu

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said that political discourse is reaching a new low at present and that it needs to be urgently reversed."It is a matter of concern that political discourse is reaching a new low in recent years. We should reverse this trend at the earliest. People in public life should understand that they are only rivals, not enemies."He further added that political rivals should not consider each other as enemies. "We should consider each one of our friends, who are in different political spectrum, our rivals only. It is only competition, healthy competition that is required," Naidu said."The country must be united in its resolve to make every inch of the country safer but the neighbouring country is aiding and abetting terrorism," he added.Speaking on the issue of the recent terror attack in Pulwama, which claimed lives of over 40 CRPF personnel, Naidu said, "The efforts of the neighbouring country to destabilise India can no longer be tolerated.

India not going to sit idle, Pak will get response soon: Shahnawaz Hussain

India will not sit idle, Pakistan will get the response soon, said Senior BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Friday.Speaking to ANI, Shahnawaz said"I am going to attend the funeral of jawan Ratan Thakur, who was from Bhagalpur constituency in Bihar," he added. Praising the world to stand with India in this crucial hour, the BJP leader stated: "The security of every Indian is our responsibility. It is time for Pakistan to be worried and petrified. The entire world is condemning this attack, countries like France, Russia and America extending support to India. This is the time for the country to stand united to fight against terrorism and Pakistan." As many as 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed after a suicide bomber attacked a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district with a vehicle laden with explosives.The convoy comprised 78 buses in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar. The slain personnel were travelling in a bus

Pulwama attack: Nirmala Sitharaman cancels all prior commitments for next two days

All prior commitments of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for Saturday and Sunday have been cancelled in wake of the Pulwama attack. The Defence Minister will be visiting Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to pay last respect to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans of both states who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack.On Friday, Sitharama paid tributes to 40 CRPF jawans whose mortal remains, wrapped in tricolour, were brought to Palam airport in the national capital.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday directed the ministers in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states and party MPs to attend the last rites of CRPF jawans, who were martyred in Pulwama terror attack, in their respective states and constituencies.On Friday, Prime Minister Modi, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, Rajyavardhan Rathore, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force paid tributes to the CRPF personnel.Most of the ...

Pulwama terror attack: US urges Pak to deny safe haven to terrorists

Strongly condemning the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Friday (local time) reiterated that Pakistan should not provide safe haven to terrorist groups operating on its soil."The US condemns yesterday's (Thursday) horrific terror attack on Indian security forces. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We stand with India as it confronts terrorism. Pakistan must not provide safe haven for terrorists to threaten international security," Pompeo wrote on his Twitter handle.Taking a tough stand, Washington said that "the attackers and backers behind the attack should be held accountable."The dastardly terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday afternoon claimed the lives of 40 security personnel. The convoy comprised of 78 buses in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.Around 42 martyred jawans were in a bus, into which the terrorist .

Government capable enough to tackle situation, says Manoj Bajpayee on Kashmir attack

Noted actor Manoj Bajpayee has condemned Thursday's terror attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Jammu and Kashmir, and said the Central government is capable enough to tackle the situation.

Indian-origin prof appointed director of South Africa's Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance

An Indian-origin global negotiator has been appointed as the director of a renowned academic institution in South Africa. Professor Faizel Ismail will take charge as the director of the University of Cape Town's (UCT) Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance from Professor Alan Hirsch in July. Ismail is known for his role in negotiating major agreements for South Africa, including with the Southern African Customs Union as well as the Trade and Development Agreement with the European Union. Ismail, a professor at the UCT's School of Economics, has in the past served as an ambassador to the World Trade Organisation and a senior advisor to the Minister of Trade and Industry. He chaired the International Trade and Administration Commission from 2015 to 2018, and was reappointed for a five-year term till 2023. In a statement, Ismail said he viewed his appointment as an opportunity to contribute to rebuilding the institutions of the democratic state and the capacity of the next ...

UK condemns 'senseless' Pulwama attack

The UK government on Friday condemned the terrorist attack in Pulwama, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans in Kashmir, as a "senseless and brutal act". Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday. "Shocked by today's senseless and brutal act of terror in...Kashmir. I offer my sincere condolences to the victims' families. We stand with India," UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter. His statement came amid a widespread outpouring of support for India in the wake of the attack, with a number of British MPs taking to social media to condemn the terror strike. "I am deeply saddened by the terrorist attack in Kashmir. Thoughts are with the Indian security personnel killed and injured by this appalling crime, said Conservative Party MP Tom Tughendat, who is chairing the ongoing parliamentary Global Britain and India inquiry. Another Tory MP and leader of the All Party .

EU parliament cancels Catalan separatist's event

The European Parliament on Friday cancelled an event that was to be attended by Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, citing "security threats". "There is a high risk that the proposed event could pose a threat to the maintenance of public order on Parliament's premises," the speaker's office said. Puigdemont has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium since Spain cracked down on his efforts to lead the Catalonia region to independence via a referendum. He had been due to meet reporters on Monday in the European Parliament at an event hosted by the Belgian MEP Ralph Packet. But his presence was furiously opposed by Spanish lawmakers, who regard his secession bid as illegal, and the assembly president ordered a security review. The review noted increased tensions surrounding the ongoing trial of several of Puigdemont's Catalan colleagues who have been charged in Spain with "rebellion". And earlier this month, pro-independence protesters temporarily occupied EU buildings in .

Germany rejects US call to leave Iran nuclear deal

Germany on Friday rejected an appeal by US Vice President Mike Pence for Europeans to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal and isolate Tehran. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas defended the 2015 agreement under which Iran drastically scaled back its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief. "Together with the Brits, French and the entire EU we have found ways to keep Iran in the nuclear agreement until today," Maas told the Munich Security Conference. A day earlier, Pence accused Tehran of planning a "new Holocaust" with its opposition to Israel and regional ambitions in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. Maas said that "our goal remains an Iran without nuclear weapons, precisely because we see clearly how Iran is destabilising the region". Without this agreement, "the region will not be safer and would actually be one step closer to an open confrontation," he added. Pence at a conference on the Middle East in Warsaw on Thursday denounced the retention by the Europeans of the nuclear