Page 1716 - Politics
Trump seeks to expand his power to impose tariffs, urges Congress to pass Reciprocal Trade Act
President Donald Trump on Wednesday vowed to right "calamitous" trade policies and sought to expand his power to impose tariffs which he said would empower him to respond faster during trade wars. Trump during his annual State of the Union address told Congress that Washington's aggressive trade negotiations with China would mean an end to its alleged "theft" of US jobs and wealth. "We are now making it clear to China that after years of targeting our industries, and stealing our intellectual property, the theft of American jobs and wealth has come to an end," Trump said in his address to the joint session of the US Congress. "Therefore, we recently imposed tariffs on USD 250 billion of Chinese goods -- and now our treasury is receiving billions of dollars a month from a country that never gave us a dime. But I don't blame China for taking advantage of us, I blame our leaders and representatives for allowing this travesty to happen. "I am also asking you to pass the United States ...
Trump-Kim summit2.0 on Feb 27-28
US President Donald Trump announced the time and date for his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on February 27 and 28 in Vietnam.
Trump says will meet with North Korean leader Kim on Feb 27, 28 in Vietnam
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will hold the second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Vietnam at the end of February. The summit would be held on February 27 and 28. Kim and Trump met in Singapore last year, marking the first bilateral meeting between leaders of the two countries. Addressing Congress during his annual second State of the Union, Trump said progress has been made in his administration's efforts to achieve peace on the Korean peninsula. The president said that although much work remains to be done, his relationship with North Korea's leader is "good." Trump, however, also gave an ominous warning about the risks of heightened tensions with Pyongyang. "If I had not been elected President of the United States, we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea," Trump said. The two leaders would meet on February 27-28 for the second summit. The lead US negotiator with North Korea, Stephen Biegun, is set to meet with .
Reject politics of revenge, resistance, retribution, says Trump in State of the Union address
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for rejecting politics of revenge, resistance and retribution, but insisted on building a wall along the US-Mexico border as he appeared before a divided Congress for his annual State of the Union address. His calls for reconciliation were met with mostly stone-faced silence from Democrats, who bitterly oppose his agenda and accuse him of hastening the decline in cross-party cooperation. The president and the Democrats had a record 35-day standoff with the Democrats led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over his proposed controversial wall along the US-Mexico border, which shut down the government and postponed the address which was earlier scheduled on January 29. "We must reject the politics of revenge, resistance and retribution," Trump told Congress near the beginning of his State of the Union address, claiming in his speech that he is putting forward "the agenda of the United States." "An economic miracle is taking place in the United ...
Not only Rajeev Kumar, Mamata wants to save herself in chit fund scam: Javadekar
Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday hailed the Supreme Court's verdict in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) versus Kolkata Police commissioner stating that TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee hampered the investigation agency's probe as she wants to save herself."Mamata was sitting on Dharna to save state police commissioner Rajiv Kumar, however, the truth is she wants to save herself from chit fund scam. It was a scam of Rs 40,000 crore, in which, 20,000 people were looted through a chit fund firm. Gradually, the investigation by the CBI is unearthing the names of the culprits indulged in the scam," said Javadekar while addressing BJP workers press conference at Alwar. "In Kolkata, the Mamta government is used to take law in its hand and the public has understood this," he added. A full-blown face-off between Chief Minister Banerjee-led TMC government and the Centre erupted after a CBI team moved to arrest Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar on ...
Trump delivers State of the Union
US President Donald Trump kicked off his annual State of the Union address before Congress with a call for bipartisanship.
Not only Rajiv Kumar, Mamata wants to save herself in chit fund scam: Javadekar
Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday hailed the Supreme Court's verdict in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) versus West Bengal police commissioner case stating that TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee hampered the investigation agency's probe as she wants to save herself."Mamata was sitting on Dharna to save state police commissioner Rajiv Kumar, however, the truth is she wants to save herself from chit fund scam. It was a scam of Rs 40,000 crore, in which, 20,000 people were looted through a chit fund firm. Gradually, the investigation by the CBI is unearthing the names of the culprits indulged in the scam," said Javadekar while addressing BJP workers press conference at Alwar. "In Kolkata, the Mamta government is used to take law in its hand and the public has understood this," he added. A full-blown face-off between Chief Minister Banerjee-led TMC government and the Centre erupted after a CBI team moved to arrest Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar
US: Senate passes Syria, anti-BDS bill
United States Senate on Tuesday approved legislation which includes a provision warning US President Donald Trump not to precipitously withdraw troops from Afghanistan and Syria until terrorist groups in the regions are destroyed.The bill passed on a broad bipartisan vote, 77 to 23, reported CNN.Furthermore, the legislation imposes new sanctions on Syria and boosts the US' military alliances with neighbours of war-torn Syria including Israel and Jordan.This move will also make it easier for states and localities to approve laws to combat the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, or BDS, a movement against Israel.However, the Democrats are divided on the BDS element of the bill as some of them are saying it hinders the free-speech rights of the American citizens to support boycott efforts against Israel for its treatment of Palestinians and other concerns.Democrats also alleged that the Republicans purposefully added the BDS provision to a package that otherwise has bipartisan support to .
West Bengal govt gets 'big slap' from Supreme Court: Sambit Patra over CBI vs Police case
Launching a scathing attack over the tussle between the CBI and West Bengal Police, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on Tuesday said that the Supreme Court's verdict is a "big slap" on the face of West Bengal government. Speaking to ANI over TMC supremo Dharna here, Patra saidWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday ended her 'Save the Constitution dharna,' which she had started on Sunday night after the CBI's attempt to arrest Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar.Addressing a gathering in Kolkata, Chief Minister Banerjee said: "This Save the Constitution dharna is a victory for the Constitution and democracy. So let us end it today. When we started this dharna only after consulting all political parties and after that, they extended their full support."She said that she would take her fight against the Central government to Delhi next week."Next we will do a programme in Delhi. I can go on with the 'dharna' but now that we have got justice from one pillar of democracy, .
'No satisfactory plan' with US on Syria safe zone, says Erdogan
Weeks after United States President Donald Trump suggested the creation of a "safe zone" in northeastern Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that no acceptable plan has been tabled for the same.In a parliamentary meeting on Tuesday, Erdogan said: "There is no satisfactory plan that is put before us concretely yet," reported Al Jazeera."Of course, we are loyal to our agreements, our promise is a promise. But our patience is not limitless," he added.After Trump announced the withdrawal of all 2,000 US troops in northern Syria, he had proposed setting up a "safe zone" for Kurds.Turkish President had backed the move following a telephonic conversation with Trump in January. He said the 32 km-deep zone is to be created inside Syria along the length of the country's border with Turkey. Erdogan had said he expected the safe zones to be set up within a few months, otherwise, it would form a 'buffer zone' without the help of other countries.He said the zone will also help ...
US reaffirms commitment to achieving peace in Afghanistan
US State Department Secretary Michael R. Pompeo on Tuesday spoke with Afghanistan's President Ghani and reaffirmed the US commitment to achieving a lasting peace in Afghanistan."The Secretary underscored Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad's role in facilitating an inclusive peace process," states a press release from the US State Department.Pompeo also emphasised the importance of an intra-Afghan dialogue and the role of ceasefire in ending the violence and creating the conditions for the Afghan government, other Afghan leaders and the Taliban to sit together and negotiate a political settlement.The Secretary further stressed the important gains made by the Afghan people since 2001 and Washington's desire for a long-term partnership with Afghanistan.Meanwhile, US Senate on Tuesday approved legislation which includes a provision warning US President Donald Trump not to precipitously withdraw troops from Afghanistan and Syria until terrorist groups in
Pompeo calls Afghan President amidst talks with Taliban
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban, his spokesperson said. The top US diplomat also emphasised the importance of an intra-Afghan dialogue and the role of a ceasefire in ending the violence and creating the conditions for his government, the official added. Reaffirming the US commitment to achieving a lasting peace in Afghanistan, Pompeo underscored Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad's role in facilitating an inclusive peace process, said the State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino. "The secretary also emphasised the importance of an intra-Afghan dialogue and the role of a ceasefire in ending the violence and creating the conditions for the Afghan government, other Afghan leaders and the Taliban to sit together and negotiate a political settlement," Palladino said. Pompeo emphasised on the important gains made by the Afghan people since 2001 and US .
Bickering overshadows Trump's State of Union appeal for unity
President Donald Trump was to urge unity in his State of the Union speech Tuesday but the new spirit of bipartisanship risked withering before he even reached the podium. The White House said the annual speech to Congress would see an "optimistic" Trump seeking to heal the Republican-Democratic divide. "The president is calling for unity," senior advisor Kellyanne Conway told Fox News. However, the president got into a testy exchange with the senior Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, just hours before he was due to give the nationally televised address from the chamber of the House of Representatives. "The state of the Trump economy is failing America's middle class," Schumer tweeted. "The state of the Trump healthcare system is failing American families. The state of the Trump Administration is chaos." Trump ripped back at Schumer for "already criticizing my State of the Union speech, even though he hasn't seen it yet." Another tough preview was due a few minutes before the ...
U.S. lawmakers target China's ZTE with sanctions bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill on Tuesday that would reimpose sanctions on ZTE Corp if the Chinese telecommunications firm fails to live up to U.S. laws and an agreement with the Trump administration.
Trump nominee Rao faces scrutiny over past writing about rape
The judicial wars returned to Washington on Tuesday as the Senate Judiciary Committee met to consider Neomi Rao, President Donald Trump's nominee for newest Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's now-vacant seat on a powerful appellate court in Washington.
Pro-Talk faction ULFA leader lauds Meghalaya CM for 'bold standa' on Citizenship Bill
Praising Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma for his "bold stand" against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, United Liberation Front of Asom's (ULFA) pro-talk faction's General Secretary, Anup Chetia on Tuesday urged the people of the northeastern states to stand united in opposing the Bill.
UN experts say North Korea shielding missiles at airports
North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs remain intact and Pyongyang is using airports and other facilities to shield its weapons from possible US military strikes, according to a UN panel of experts. The panel said in a report seen by AFP on Tuesday that sanctions against North Korea were "ineffective," with Pyongyang still able to acquire illegal shipments of oil products, sell banned coal and violate an arms embargo. "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs remain intact," said the report, using the official name for North Korea. "The panel found that the DPRK is using civilian facilities, including airports for ballistic missile assembly and testing with the goal of effectively preventing 'decapitation' strikes." The confidential report was sent to the Security Council as President Donald Trump prepares for a second summit this month with leader Kim Jong Un that the United States hopes will yield concrete progress in ...
Fmr Pak PM Gilani stopped from leaving country
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was stopped from leaving the country by security officials at the Lahore airport late Tuesday night. According to the Federal Investigation Agency, Gilani had reached the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore to catch his flight for South Korea via Bangkok to attend a conference. However, his name was on the no-fly list. "At the immigration counter, Mr Gilani was told that his name was placed on the black list therefore he could not leave the country," the FIA said, adding that it was following orders from the interior ministry. Reacting strongly, the senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader said he had always appeared in court in the different ongoing cases against him. "There was no point in placing my name on (the) no-fly list. I was not fleeing the country. Prime Minister Imran Khan's sole agenda seems to be targeting his political opponents," he said.
Delhi: Posters featuring Rahul-Priyanka-Robert installed outside Congress headquarters
Calling for Congress' victory in the upcoming general election, posters of party president Rahul Gandhi and her sister Priyanka Vadra Gandhi have been put outside the party headquarters in New Delhi's Akbar Road late on Tuesday. Along with Rahul and Priyanka, the hoardings feature Robert Vadra too with a slogan "Kattar Soch Nahi, Yuva Soch" (Not extremist ideology but young thinking).Another slogan on the posters states, "Jan-Jan Ki Hai, Yahi Pukaar, Rahul ji-Priyanka ji Ab Ki Baar" (People of the nation want Rahul and Priyanka this time).The newly inducted Congress General Secretary for UttarPradesh East Priyanka has been made in-charge of 43 out of 80 LokSabha seats in the state.Priyanka, who was abroad for some time, arrived in the national capital on Monday. Soon after her arrival, Priyanka conducted meeting with Rahul and other prominent leaders of the party to review the ongoing preparations for the Lok Sabha polls.A Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh told ANI on Monday that ...
Trump did not consult top US general on withdrawal of troops from Syria
The commander of the United States Central Command, who monitors military operations in the Middle East, on Tuesday, divulged that he "was not consulted" before US President Donald Trump's December announcement about the withdrawal of troops from Syria.Denying Trump's claims that ISIS has been defeated, General Joseph Votel stated that the war against ISIS is "not over" and warned that the terror group could regroup after troops leave the country, reported CNN.In a hearing held by the Senate Armed Services Committee, Votel said, "I was not aware of the specific announcement. Certainly, we are aware that he had expressed a desire and intent in the past to depart Iraq, depart Syria."Stating that ISIS still controls about 20 square miles of territory in Syria where the terror group still commands approximately 1,000 to 1,500 fighters, Votel said, "The fight against ISIS and violent extremists is not over, and our mission has not changed.""The fact the President made a decision and we are