Page 1803 - Politics
US imposes sanctions on Venezuelan oil company to block Maduro's finances
The United States on Monday imposed sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA in a bid to cut off financial resources to President Nicolas Marudo and redirect them towards the country's self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaido."We have continued to expose the corruption of (Venezuelan President Nicolas) Maduro and his cronies and today's action ensures they can no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people," Sputnik quoted National Security Advisor John Bolton saying in a White House press briefing on Monday.He further called on all "responsible nations" to recognise Guaido as the country's legitimate head of state, CNN reported.Bolton confirmed that Vice President Mike Pence plans to meet with Guaido's envoy to the United States soon. "The vice president has had several conversations with interim president Guaido, including the night before we granted recognition. He will be meeting with Guaido's ambassador here in the near future," the National Security ..
Trump to deliver State of the Union on February 5: Pelosi
The top Democrat in Congress said Monday that President Donald Trump has agreed on February 5 as the new date to deliver his State of the Union address, now that the US government has fully reopened. "I invite you to deliver your State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 5, 2019 in the House Chamber," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to Trump, in which she said the political rivals had mutually agreed on the date. Trump was originally set to deliver his speech this Tuesday, but Pelosi postponed it during the government shutdown, telling the president there would be no address to Congress until federal operations resumed.
US, China to discuss trade relations on Jan 30,31
A Chinese delegation will arrive in the United States to hold a series of meetings on January 30 and 31 to discuss trade relations between the two countries, President Donald Trump announced on Monday. "For the United States, the trade discussions will be led by United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer and include Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy Larry Kudlow, and Assistant to the President for Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro," a statement from White House press secretary Sarah Sanders' office confirmed."The United States principals will be accompanied by senior officials from the White House, USTR, and the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, State, and the Treasury," the statement added.The meetings are a part of the agreement of a 'temporary truce' reached by Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during their dinner on December 1 on the sidelines of the
U.S. imposes sanctions on Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Monday imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA, the toughest U.S. financial measure so far against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
US hits Venezuela state-owned oil company with sanctions
The Trump administration imposed sanctions Monday on the state-owned oil company of Venezuela, a potentially critical economic move aimed at increasing pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to cede power to the opposition. National security adviser John Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the measures against the company. They are also aimed at boosting Maduro's rival, opposition leader Juan Guaido, whom the administration recognized last week as Venezuela's legitimate leader. The sanctions will include a freeze on any assets the firm may have in US jurisdictions and bar Americans from doing business with it. "The United States is holding accountable those responsible for Venezuela's tragic decline, and will continue to use the full suite of its diplomatic and economic tools to support Interim President Juan Guaido, the National Assembly, and the Venezuelan people's efforts to restore their democracy," Mnuchin said. "Today's designation of PDVSA will help prevent ...
U.S. fourth-quarter GDP, Dec income spending reports delayed
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) said on Monday it was delaying the release of advance fourth-quarter gross domestic product and December personal income reports scheduled for this week because of the just-ended five-week partial shutdown of the federal government.
U.S. fourth-quarter GDP, December income spending reports delayed
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) said on Monday it was delaying the release of advance fourth-quarter gross domestic product and December personal income reports scheduled for this week because of the just-ended five-week partial shutdown of the federal government.
Siddaramaiah misbehaviour shows Congress' double standard: Mahesh Sharma
Union Minister of State Mahesh Sharma slammed former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly misbehaving with a woman, and said the behaviour of the Congress leader shows the "double standard" of the party."It is one of the double-standards of the party. On one hand they call themselves protectors of women rights and dignity while their leaders misbehave with women. Similarly, the party only talk of weeding corruption while it is the icon of corruption," he said.Sharma further claimed that the Congress has a history of dominating its partners and prioritising its own interest rather than that of the coalition."This is the history of Congress party, for them, the party interest is first and nation comes afterward," he claimed. Sharma also took on Congress president Rahul Gandhi saying that his behaviour is not that of a mature politician, adding that the Gandhi scion is perceived as a "joker"."Sometimes he (Rahul) hugs Prime Minister in Parliament, while on the other time ..
U.S. GDP report likely released next week - White House's Kudlow
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The government report on U.S. gross domestic product, a major measure of the country's economic health, will be released next week, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters on Monday, as federal agencies work to return to normal after a partial shutdown that put them on pause for more than a month.
U.S. shutdown costs pegged at $3 billion as government reopens
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy was expected to lose $3 billion from the partial federal government shutdown over President Donald Trump's demand for border wall funding, congressional researchers said on Monday as 800,000 federal employees returned to work after a 35-day unpaid furlough.
Maduro rival says taking control of Venezuela's foreign assets
Venezuela's self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido said Monday he was taking control of the country's foreign assets as he piled pressure on leader Nicolas Maduro by calling for a new wave of protests against the embattled regime. Guaido, the opposition leader who has declared himself the country's ruler amid violent anti-government protests, says "usurper" Maduro's rule is illegitimate and wants to set up a transitional government ahead of new elections. In a statement published on social media, he said he was "beginning to take progressive and orderly control of our republic's assets abroad to prevent, during his exit... that the usurper and his band try to empty the coffers." Guaido also called for a two-hour strike Wednesday "to demand that the armed forces side with the people," ahead of a "big national and international rally" on Saturday to acknowledge support from several European countries that have issued Maduro a deadline to hold new polls. His remarks came as the ...
Six killed, several injured in motorcycle bomb blast in Yemen
A motorcycle rigged with explosives detonated at a public market in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Mocha, killing six civilians and injuring 26 others, a government official said.
US urges Venezuela army to accept 'peaceful' power transfer
The White House urged Venezuela's military on Monday to accept a "peaceful" transfer of power from Nicolas Maduro to opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by the United States as the country's interim president. "We also today call on the Venezuelan military and security forces to accept the peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power," National Security Advisor John Bolton told reporters at the White House. Asked whether Donald Trump would consider getting the US military involved in Venezuela, Bolton replied: "The president has made it clear on this matter that all options are on the table.
Gaza-Egypt crossing to fully reopen Tuesday: Palestinians
The sole passenger crossing between Gaza and Egypt will reopen in both directions Tuesday, the strip's Islamist rulers Hamas said, after it was partially closed amid Palestinian political infighting. In a statement late Monday, the Hamas-run interior ministry announced "the opening of the Rafah border crossing in both directions on Tuesday". There was no immediate confirmation from Egypt. Forces loyal to Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas withdrew on January 6 from the Rafah border crossing, accusing rivals Hamas of interference. Hamas employees retook the post and negotiated with Egypt, saying they were seeking to maintain control after the PA's withdrawal. Since then Egypt had kept the border sealed for those seeking to leave the Gaza Strip, while allowing those returning to enter. The crossing is the only way for Palestinians to leave Gaza that bypasses Israel and is a key lifeline for the enclave's two million residents. Hamas has controlled Gaza since seizing it from ...
Canada foreign minister says former envoy's Huawei comments made job untenable
BEIJING/OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Monday that former ambassador to China John McCallum's comments on a Huawei Technologies executive's high-profile extradition case had made it untenable for him to stay in the job.
Nagaland cabinet rejects Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
The Nagaland cabinet on Monday rejected the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier this month.
Congress, JD-S stay 'united' after Kumaraswamy threatens to quit (Roundup)
Karnataka's ruling coalition partners Congress and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) on Monday said the allies were united with no dispute at the leadership level after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy offered to quit if Congress could not control its MLAs from criticising his style of functioning.
C'garh: 5 years' age relaxation in govt jobs through direct recruitment
The Chhattisgarh government has given five years of age relaxation for local candidates in departmental jobs filled through direct recruitment.The decision was taken in a meeting of the council of ministers chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday."In the government departmental jobs meant to be filled through direct recruitment, 5 years maximum relaxation in age is given for the candidates belonging to Chhattisgarh," read a press release from the government. Baghel chaired a meeting of his ministers soon after the "Kisan Abhar Rally" in which Congress president Rahul Gandhi promised minimum universal basic income to poor if the Congress wins the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.Another major decision in the meeting pertains to the revocation of cases related to political agitations, for which a ministerial subcommittee would be constituted under the leadership of the Home Minister.Other major decisions pertain to increment in Excise duty and closure of 50 shops all over the state.
Dutch reject Italy call to take 47 rescue ship migrants
The Netherlands on Monday refused a request by Italy to take in 47 migrants, on board a Dutch-flagged rescue ship that Italian ports have refused to allow to dock. The Sea Watch 3 ship, run by a German NGO, rescued the mainly sub-Saharan African migrants off Libya more than a week ago and it is currently sheltering from bad weather off Sicily. The Mediterranean nations of Italy and Malta have both refused to let it dock. "Without a firm idea of an overall solution, the Netherlands will not take part in ad hoc measures for disembarkation" of the ship, Lennart Wegewijs, a spokesman for the Dutch Justice and Security Ministry, told AFP. Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has insisted Germany or the Netherlands take responsibility for the migrants, warning that he was considering legal action against the crew. But German and Dutch authorities insist the problem should be solved within the wider context of an elusive EU migration deal that distinguishes between people in ...
Grand alliance is never an easy process: Salman Khurshid
Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Monday said forming a grand alliance is tough.