Page 1791 - Politics
Roger Stone pleads 'not guilty' to Mueller's charges
Roger Stone, a longtime friend and adviser to US President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty to seven criminal charges of false statements, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice on Tuesday (local time).Special Counsel Robert Mueller, along with the US attorney for the District of Columbia, alleged that Stone gave false statements to congressional investigators regarding the Wikileaks' publication on stolen emails which were meant to dent Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in 2016, CNN reported.The indictment alleges that during the summer of 2016, Stone spoke to senior Trump campaign officials about WikiLeaks "and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton campaign. Stone was contacted by senior Trump campaign officials to inquire about future releases by" WikiLeaks, which the document refers to as "Organization 1".It states that Stone made "multiple false statements" about his interactions regarding WikiLeaks, and "falsely denied possessing ...
KPCC mulling over issuing fresh notices to MLAs who skipped CLP meeting
The Congress party in Karnataka will issue a fresh round of notices to four of its legislators who did not attend the recently-held Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meetings.The party has also asked them to appear in person and explain the cause of their absence. "Now they will have to come. They had not yet come and have only written letters," said Dinesh Gundu Rao, President, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). "They have to explain their absence during the crucial period and they have to give a very good explanation because if someone is absent for a couple of days then it's ok but they were absent for weeks and there seem to be some other issues behind their disappearance." Four Karnataka Congress MLAs on January 18 abstained from the CLP meeting, which decided to move rest of the 76 legislators to a resort. The meeting was convened by the party to assess whether its flock was intact amid speculations that some of the party MLAs had switched over to the BJP.The ...
Brexit: UK MPs back May's bid to reopen negotiations over Irish backstop
British lawmakers on Tuesday voted in favour of an amendment that seeks to reopen negotiations with the European Union over the Northern Ireland backstop, an insurance policy to avoid a hard border with Ireland, in case the UK fails to secure a comprehensive Brexit deal with the EU.According to CNN, MPs voted 317-301 in favour of the amendment, tabled by Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady, that "requires the Northern Ireland backstop to be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border; supports leaving the European Union with a deal and would therefore support the Withdrawal Agreement subject to this change."Some in Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party are against the open-ended nature of the backstop, as it could see the UK being tied to a customs union with the EU even after the transitional period ends in 2020.The UK is set to leave the EU on March 29.May had urged lawmakers to vote in favour of the amendment in order to allow her to re-open negotiations ...
UK MPs reject chaotic 'no-deal' Brexit, back PM May's bid to reopen deal
British MPs on Tuesday voted to reject a chaotic 'no-deal' Brexit by 318 to 310 votes but backed British Prime Minister Theresa May's bid to change the withdrawal agreement already struck with the European Union (EU). Conservative Party MP Caroline Spelman and Labour MP Jack Dromey had tabled an amendment to try to prevent a crash-out exit of the UK from the EU, which won the support of MPs by eight votes, undermining the government's argument that Britain would be willing to crash out of the EU without an agreement. However, the vote is not legally binding - meaning it showed the view of the House of Commons but does nothing to change the Brexit date of March 29. Soon after, MPs also voted in favour of an amendment backed by the government to seek "alternative arrangements" to the controversial Irish backstop, which seeks to avert a hard border between Britain and Ireland after Brexit. May had said she was backing the amendment to re-open negotiations in Brussels with an "emphatic ...
Brexit deal not open to renegotiation: EU spokesman
The Brexit withdrawal deal between Britain and the other 27 EU members is "not open for renegotiation", a spokesman for EU leader Donald Tusk said Tuesday. Tusk, whose European Council represents EU leaders, had spoken with them after Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May demanded changes to the accord following a vote in parliament. "We continue to urge the UK Government to clarify its intentions with respect to the next steps as soon as possible," the spokesman said.
Venezuela studying partial force majeure after US sanctions: oil minister
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela is studying several measures to react to new U.S sanctions against state-run oil firm PDVSA including partial force majeure, Oil Minister Manuel Quevedo said on Tuesday.
UK MPs pass non-binding vote against 'no-deal' Brexit
British MPs on Tuesday voted in favour of an amendment excluding a "no-deal" Brexit, although the result is not binding on Prime Minister Theresa May. MPs voted 318 to 310 in favour of the amendment, undermining the government's argument that Britain would be willing to crash out of the European Union without an agreement.
Parrikar denied involvement in new Rafale deal, says Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said former defence minister Manohar Parrikar "clearly denied" any involvement in the new Rafale fighter jet deal "orchestrated" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "benefit" Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani."Friends, the ex-defence minister clearly stated that he has nothing to do with the new deal that was orchestrated by Mr Narendra Modi to benefit Anil Ambani," Rahul told booth level party workers here.The Gandhi scion went on to say that as a result of this "crime," thousands of young Indians all across the country have been kept from getting high paying jobs with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).Rahul further attacked the Prime Minister over former French president Francois Hollande's statement last year, wherein he said that the Indian government gave Dassault Aviation no choice but to choose Reliance Aviation as the offset partner."I would like to ask you, why did the ex-President of France tell the press clearly that he was told
'Several thousand' more US troops to go to southern border: Pentagon
Thousands more troops will head to the US-Mexico border, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said, as part of a controversial mission to enhance security along the frontier. Currently, about 2,350 active-duty troops are working along the border, where they are helping border patrol agents by providing logistical support and installing concertina-wire fencing. They were deployed under an order President Donald Trump gave before midterm elections in November as "caravans" of Central American migrants made their way to the border to seek asylum from violence and poverty in their own countries. At a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, Shanahan said "several thousand" additional troops would deploy on the border mission, which was supposed to wrap up January 31 but has been extended through September. The Department of Homeland Security has asked for additional help putting up fencing and with "expanded surveillance," Shanahan said. Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Davis ...
U.S. warns of 'serious consequences' after Venezuela moves against Guaido
CARACAS (Reuters) - The Trump administration warned of "serious consequences" after Venezuela's government moved to freeze the bank accounts of self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido on Tuesday, while state-run oil company PDVSA sought to sidestep U.S. sanctions.
White House warns against 'harm' to Venezuela's Guaido
US President Donald Trump's national security advisor warned Tuesday of "serious consequences" if any harm comes to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido. "Let me reiterate -- there will be serious consequences for those who attempt to subvert democracy and harm Guaido," Trump advisor John Bolton tweeted. Washington has recognised Guaido as the South American country's acting president and says that strongman President Nicolas Maduro should leave power. Bolton's warning followed a request by the Maduro government's attorney general for the Supreme Court to bar Guaido from leaving the country and to freeze his assets. That followed the United States' decision to hand control of Venezuela's US bank accounts to Guaido, barring Maduro from accessing the funds. Guaido said on Monday that the US maneuver would stop Maduro from emptying the "coffers" if he is removed from office.
Venezuela to freeze self-declared president's accounts as sanctions bite
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's government moved against self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido on Tuesday, seeking a travel ban and a freeze on his bank accounts, while state-run oil company PDVSA sought to sidestep U.S. sanctions.
Trump security adviser denounces "threats" against Venezuela's Guaido
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, denounced Venezuela's attorney general on Tuesday for what he said were threats against opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognised by Washington as the country's interim president.
Brexit deal 'best possible' and 'not renegotiable': Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday the Brexit deal is the "best agreement possible and is not renegotiable", as Britain's premier pushed to reopen talks with Brussels. Macron's comments during a summit in Cyprus came as Prime Minister Theresa May appealed to British lawmakers to give her a mandate to renegotiate, after parliament rejected an accord reached with the European Union. Macron urged the British government to "promptly" lay out to EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier "the next steps that will prevent an exit without an agreement, which nobody wants but for which we must all prepare ourselves". With the deadline for Britain's divorce from the bloc just two months away, Brussels has insisted it will not budge on the December deal, which the House of Commons overwhelming rejected on January 15. May's massive defeat heightened fears that Britain could leave the EU on March 29 with no new arrangements in place, prompting economic chaos on both sides of the English ...
Brexit deal is 'best possible' and 'not renegotiable': Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday the Brexit deal is the "best agreement possible and is not renegotiable", as Britain's premier pushed to reopen talks with Brussels. Macron's comments during a summit in Cyprus came as Prime Minister Theresa May appealed to British lawmakers to give her a mandate to renegotiate after parliament rejected the accord reached with the European Union.
US lawmakers, intelligence agencies express concern over China's OBOR initiative
Top American lawmakers and spymasters on Tuesday expressed their concern over the increasing global presence of China through its ambitious 'One Belt One Road' or OBOR initiative, which they said has also a military dimension including in India's western neighborhood. Responding to lawmakers concerns in this regard, American spymasters during a Congressional hearing on worldwide threats refrained to talk about the OBOR's military dimension in Pakistan in open setting. "We can talk in a classified session about the nature of the relationship with Pakistan and I think that we can eliminate what you are seeking there," Defence Intelligence Agency Director Gen Robert Ashley told members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He was responding to a question from Senator Michael Benet who wanted to know about the potential dual use capabilities that China may attain through OBOR. "Recently there were reports that China may press Pakistan for military access. As Pakistan falls more .
Two Malian soldiers killed, 10 injured in attack: Army
Two Malian soldiers were killed and 10 wounded Tuesday in a suspected jihadist attack in the country's troubled north, the defence ministry said. A post in Tarkint, near the city of Gao "was the object of a sophisticated attack", a statement said. A 14,000-strong UN military and police mission has been deployed in Mali since 2013 to help counter jihadist activity. In his last quarterly report on Mali, UN chief Antonio Guterres said more than half of the attacks by armed groups targeted Malian security forces, especially in the central Mopti region and Timbuktu and Gao in the north. Mali, one of the world's poorest countries, has struggled to return to stability since extremists linked to Al-Qaeda took control of the north in 2012, prompting French military intervention. The jihadists were routed from key desert towns such as Timbuktu and Gao, but large stretches of the landlocked Sahel state remain out of government control. A peace deal between the government and armed groups was ...
J-K Governor expresses grief over demise of George Fernandes
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Tuesday expressed grief over the demise of former defence minister George Fernandes. Recalling his long association with Fernandes, the governor remembered his untiring devotion towards ameliorating the lot of underprivileged section of society and service towards the nation. He prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Pak using social media to radicalise Kashmiri youths: Police
Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief Dilbag Singh Tuesday said that Pakistan was using social media to radicalise Kashmir youths and running disinformation campaigns against India. The DGP said that Pakistan was cooking false stories to entice young minds into terrorist activities. "Pakistan, after launching and promoting a proxy war in the state, is using social media for radicalization and undertaking disinformation campaigns against our country," he said. Pakistan was continuously "abetting and sustaining" terrorism in our Jammu and Kashmir, he added. A group of officers from foreign armed forces and civil services on national security and strategic studies tour to the state Tuesday visited police headquarters at Jammu and called on the DGP.
Pak team inspects Pakal Dul HeP project in J-K's Kishtwar district
A high-level team of Pakistani experts inspected the 1000 MW Pakal Dul hydroelectric power project being built on the Chenab river basin in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district Tuesday under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), officials said. The three-member team, headed by Pakistan's Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Mehr Ali Shah, visited the site of the 1,000-MW Pakal Dul hydroelectric project (HEP), they said. The team, which arrived in Jammu on Monday, reached Kishtwar late in the evening, the officials said. The inspection is mandated under the treaty to resolve issues on the various hydro-electric projects. In August last year, India and Pakistan had high-level bilateral talks on the IWT to strengthen the role of the Permanent Indus Commission for matters under the 1960 treaty. After the talks, India had invited Pakistani experts to visit the sites of Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai projects to address Islamabad's concerns. This tour is an obligation imposed on both .