Page 1672 - Politics
Republican Representative Walter Jones dies at 76
Republican Representative, Walter Jones, from North Carolina, aged 76, breathed his last on Sunday (local time).CNN cited a statement on the Congressman's website as reading, "After faithfully representing the people of Eastern North Carolina in Congress and the state legislature for over 34 years, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) passed away this afternoon in Greenville, North Carolina. He was 76.""Congressman Jones was a man of the people. With a kind heart and the courage of his convictions, he dedicated his life to serving his Savior and to standing up for Americans who needed a voice. He was a champion for our men and women in uniform and their families, always mindful of their service and sacrifice.""Congressman Jones will long be remembered for his honesty, faith and integrity. He was never afraid to take a principled stand. He was known for his independence, and widely admired across the political spectrum. Some may not have agreed with him, but all recognized that he did ...
PM Modi a bad ruler: Andhra CM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "bad ruler".Naidu made the comment on the day he arrived in New Delhi to lodge a protest against the BJP-led Central Government demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.In a letter to Prime Minister Modi, Naidu wrote, "A person holding the chair of Prime Minister should possess Raja Dharma. No Prime Minister in the past had faced protests like you. Wherever you go, you faced protests. That is the evidence for your bad rule."Sharpening his attack Naidu added that it is basic etiquette to consult the Chief Minister before visiting a state "When Prime Minister comes to a state, it is basic etiquette to consult the Chief Minister of that state, mention his name in invitations. But your tour exposed your bad culture and bad manners of ill-treating the regional leader. And you speaking of culture and manners is the finishing touch," added Naidu.He also slammed the Prime Minister for not doing enough for the state, he .
Democrats want a shutdown to 'change the subject' from scandals, says Trump
President Trump on Sunday accused Democrats of trying to interrupt bipartisan talks on the wall and border security issues, saying they want another government shutdown to change the "subject."The New York Post reported that the Border committee, comprising of a panel of 17 members, is working against a February 15 deadline in order to come up with a spending plan and stop the Federal government from shutting down once again this year."It was a very bad week for the Democrats, with the GREAT economic numbers, The Virginia disaster and the State of the Union address. Now, with the terrible offers being made by them to the Border Committee, I actually believe they want a Shutdown. They want a new subject," Trump tweeted."I don't think the Dems on the Border Committee are being allowed by their leaders to make a deal. They are offering very little money for the desperately needed Border Wall & now, out of the blue, want a cap on convicted violent felons to be held in detention!" the .
World leaders discuss future of global economy at Dubai summit
The World Government Summit in Dubai, attended by more than 4,000 delegates from 140 countries representing the business, cultural and political sectors, featured speeches and discussions on peace, development and the present and future of the global economy.
Heartland Democrat Klobuchar joins 2020 White House race
- Democrat Amy Klobuchar has joined the 2020 White House race, adding a pragmatic voice from the heartland state of Minnesota to an ever-growing field of contenders hoping to unseat US President Donald Trump. In a speech that was almost a point-by-point rejection of the president's policies and of the country's toxic divides, she told supporters Sunday, "We are tired of the shutdowns and the showdowns, of the gridlock and the grandstanding." "Enough is enough. Our nation must be governed not from chaos but from opportunity." Klobuchar, the 58-year-old granddaughter of an iron miner, made the announcement before a heavily bundled-up crowd under gray and snowy skies in a park along the Mississippi River, as volunteers passed out handwarmers. In a year when many Democrats say their top priority in a candidate is an ability to defeat Trump, Klobuchar's words seemed -- time after time, issue by issue -- to target the president. She said that if elected she would return to the international
Iran to increase uranium enrichment capacity
Iran is ready to boost the capacity of its uranium enrichment, Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) said.
Venezuela's Guaido warns military on blocked aid
Opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president, has warned the military that blocking humanitarian aid from entering the country is a "crime against humanity." The warning comes as international aid has taken center stage in a test of wills between Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro in which the military is seen as the pivotal player. Medicine and food sent by the United States has been blocked for three days in Cucuta, Colombia after the Venezuelan military closed a bridge linking the two countries. "There are people responsible for this and the regime should know it," Guaido said after attending Sunday mass with his wife and 20-month-old baby. "This a crime against humanity, men of the armed forces." He likewise warned that the military would be held responsible for the deaths of protesters, and reaffirmed his call for a mass march on Tuesday in memory of the estimated 40 people killed in disturbances since January 21. Maduro has ...
Amy Klobuchar enters 2020 presidential race
Democrat Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota on Sunday entered the 2020 presidential race with a speech in the middle of a Midwestern snowstorm.Klobuchar initiated the campaign by singing the national anthem."On an island in the middle of the mighty Mississippi, in our nation's heartland, at a time when we must heal the heart of our democracy and renew our commitment to the common good, I stand before you as the granddaughter of an iron ore miner, the daughter of a teacher and a newspaperman, the first woman elected to the United States Senate from the State of Minnesota, to announce my candidacy for President of the United States," the Democrat Senator said during the campaign.Klobuchar added that the "sense of community is fracturing across our nation right now, worn down by the petty and vicious nature of our politics. We are all tired of the shutdowns and the showdowns, the gridlock and the grandstanding.""Today we say enough is enough. Our nation must be governed not from chaos ...
Delhi: Chandrababu Naidu to sit on hunger strike demanding special status for AP
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday arrived in Delhi ahead of his strike at AP Bhawan on Monday demanding special status for his state.Naidu will stage the 'Dharma Porata Deeksha' (a day-long protest for justice) at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in the national capital from 8 am to 8 pm later today. The chief minister will sit on a hunger strike along with his ministers, party MLAs, MLCs, and MPs.As per an official statement, he will be submitting a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday.Notebly, Naidu in October 2013 had staged an indefinite fast at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan here, demanding that if a separate state is carved out of then unified Andhra Pradesh, both should get equal rights. He, however on the fifth day of his protest was forcibly shifted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.Also on April 20 2018, on the occasion of his birthday, the TDP chief had observed fast Vijayawada demanding special status for the state.Earlier on Sunday Prime Minister ..
Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation embarks on a six-nation tour
Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad on Sunday embarked on his six-nation visit to facilitate a peace process that protects the national security interests of the United States and brings all parties in Afghanistan together into an intra-Afghan dialogue.In a press statement, the US Department of State on Sunday (local time) said, "Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad will lead an interagency delegation to Belgium, Germany, Turkey, Qatar, Afghanistan, and Pakistan from February 10 - 28.""This trip a part of an overall effort to facilitate a peace process that protects U.S. national security interests and brings all Afghan parties together in an intra-Afghan dialogue through which they can determine a path for their country's future. He will meet with our allies and partners to discuss mutual efforts to advance that goal and will consult with the Afghan government throughout the trip," the statement read.On February 2, .
Kushinagar hooch tragedy: One more held
One more person was held in connection with Kushinagar hooch tragedy on Sunday, informed state excise and prohibition minister Jai Pratap Singh .Eight people died after consuming illicit liquor in Kushinagar.Giving details about the incident that took place in Kushinagar Singh told ANI, "In Kushinagar villagers have identified a person named Rajinder Jaiswal who was involved in illicit liquor business and he has been arrested. Officers of Kushinagar who were negligent towards their duty were suspended.""Reason behind incidents in Saharanpur and Kushinagar are different. People from Saharanpur went to Uttarakhand for a function where they consumed poisonous liquor. As they returned death toll rose. Both the incidents are unfortunate and painful," he added.The minister also alleged that in 2017 when he took charge of this ministry a similar incident occurred in Azamgarh and the people who were responsible for this incident were associated with the Samajwadi Party."In 2017 when I took ...
US, Russia present draft resolution to UN on Venezuela crisis
Washington on Sunday (local time) presented a draft resolution on the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, calling for international aid deliveries and early presidential elections, to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).The US draft resolution also stressed on a "deep concern with the violence and excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces against unarmed, peaceful protesters", Al Jazeera reported.In response to the proposal, Moscow lodged a counter-proposal in the UN alleging that the Donald Trump-led US government has been creating situations to initiate a coup and topple the Nicolas Maduro regime, in power in the South American nation.The Russian draft further criticised any "attempts to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of Venezuela".According to reports, the US is also planning to initiate a campaign for the recognition of Venezuelan Opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate President of the ...
Pakistan is signatory of UN Charter; It has to accept our right of self-determination: Altaf Hussain
All areas in Pakistan, except Punjab, have now been made colonies of the military establishment of Pakistan. In fact, these areas like Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan have been occupied by the demonic military establishment of Pakistan, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said.While addressing a video press briefing from MQM International Secretariat in London, the MQM leader said, "undeclared Martial Law is being imposed over the country and even the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is just a sheer puppet of the ghoulish military in Pakistan. All areas in Pakistan except Punjab have now been made colonies of the military establishment. In fact, these areas like Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan have been occupied by the demonic military establishment of Pakistan."He added that even Seraikis and Kashmiris are equally victims of atrocities at the hands of the Pakistani military.In his briefing, ...
Iran supports Palestinian groups against Israel: Minister
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the Islamic republic will maintain supports for Palestine's "resistance" groups, official IRNA news agency reported.
US envoy heads 6-nation tour for 'intra-Afghan' talks: official
A senior US diplomat is set to lead a large delegation on a six-nation tour, including Afghanistan, to boost that country's peace process and bring "all Afghan parties together in an intra-Afghan dialogue," the State Department has said. The statement said Sunday that Zalmay Khalilzad, a former ambassador to Afghanistan who has undertaken extensive recent talks with the Taliban, would head an interagency delegation from February 10 to 28. It was unclear whether the group had already left at the time of the statement. The itinerary will take the US delegation to Belgium, Germany, Turkey, Qatar, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the statement said, adding that Khalilzad would "consult with the Afghan government throughout the trip." The emphasis on bringing "all Afghan parties together" appeared crucial. US-Taliban peace talks have not included the Afghan government, which the Taliban considers US-backed puppets, and Khalilzad said recently that intra-Afghan negotiations were essential. The US .
Palestinian murderer of Israeli teen had 'nationalist' motive
The Palestinian man who murdered a young Israeli woman had "nationalist" motives, the Shin Bet security agency has said. The body of 19-year-old Ori Ansbacher was found on Thursday south of Jerusalem and her suspected murdered Arafat Irfaiya, 29, was arrested on Saturday in what the Shin Bet now says was a "nationalist" attack. Both the police and the Shin Bet security agency said earlier that investigations had so far not concluded whether it was a "terrorist attack" or driven by another motive. But in the run-up to general elections in April, politicians and Israeli media appeared to have already made up their minds. "I have no doubts about the nationalist motives of the murderer," Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan told public radio. Despite a court gag order, Israeli social media were abuzz at the weekend with what Yediot Aharonot newspaper called "graphic descriptions about the alleged nature of the murder". And on Sunday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under pressure
Poland to buy US rocket system for $414 million
Poland said Sunday it will buy mobile rocket launchers worth USD 414 million (365 million euros) from the United States, as Warsaw seeks closer ties with Washington amid concerns over a resurgent Russia. The deal, due to be signed Wednesday, will "significantly increase the Polish army's capacities," Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak told journalists Sunday, adding that delivery was expected by 2023. Made by US weapons giant Lockheed Martin, the HIMARS system can launch six guided rockets with a range of 70 kilometres (37 miles), or a single missile with a 300-kilometre range. It is already being used by 19 countries and has been deployed in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State group, allowing US troops a precision attack ability even in poor weather when air attacks are hindered. In March last year, Warsaw already signed a USD 4.75 billion contract to purchase a US-made Patriot anti-missile system. Poland's rightwing government has been pushing for the United States to open a ...
Algeria's Bouteflika confirms run for 5th term
Ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika declared he will seek a fifth term in April elections in a message published by state media Sunday, after he was endorsed by his party and the ruling coalition. The 81-year-old head of state uses a wheelchair and has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. "Of course, I am no longer the same physical force as before -- something that I have never hidden from the people," said Bouteflika, according to the APS news agency, as he apparently broke his silence on his intentions for the April 18 poll. "But the unwavering desire to serve... has never left me and it allows me to transcend the constraints linked to health troubles which everyone may one day face," the president reportedly added. Known for wearing a three-piece suit even in the stifling heat, Bouteflika gained respect from many for his role in ending Algeria's decade-long civil war, which official figures say killed nearly 200,000 people. He took advantage of the rise ..
Hezbollah leader appears on Israeli recycling ad
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has invaded the Israeli city of Tel Aviv as the face of an eye-catching, satirical new recycling campaign. A gigantic poster featuring the Lebanese militant leader overlooking Tel Aviv's Ayalon highway went up Thursday and encourages Israelis to recycle plastic bottles. Above Nasrallah's head reads the caption: "I don't recycle bottles." Beneath him, the poster says: "Nasrallah has been stuck in a bunker for 12 years. What is your excuse?" ELA, Israel's recycling company, was not immediately available for comment. Nasrallah has rarely been seen in public since a 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, apparently because of concerns he might be targeted in an Israeli attack. The U.S., EU and Israel consider Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
Chandrababu to sit on fast in Delhi on Monday
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will undertake a day-long fast in Delhi on Monday, seeking special category status for the state and fulfilment of other commitments made by the Centre at the time of state's bifurcation.