Page 1866 - Politics
CBI Interim Director Nageswara Rao transfers 20 officers
In a fresh turn of events, Interim Director of Central Bureau of Investigation M Nageswara Rao on Monday transferred as many as 20 officers. In the order dated January 21, the premier probe agency transferred SK Nair, an officer who was conducting the investigation into multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, involving fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi of the Gitanjali group.The list also includes SP Vivek Priyadarshi, who was handling ACB Delhi unit probing the 2G spectrum scam.The transfer order, however, states that all the officials who have been directed to supervise, investigate or inquire into any case or matter by a court, shall continue to do.Nagesahwar Rao's appointment as the CBI interim director has been challenged by advocate Prashant Bhushan in the apex court. The judicature is likely to hear the case on January 24.
BJP accuses TMC of vandalising posters ahead of Shah's rally
The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers of vandalising posters and decorative gates ahead of party chief Amit Shah's rally here.
US aid cuts hit Palestinians, further dimming hope for peace
Tens of thousands of Palestinians are no longer getting food aid or basic health services from America, US-funded infrastructure projects have been halted, and an innovative peace-building program in Jerusalem is scaling back its activities. The Trump administration's decision last year to cut more than $200 million in development aid to the Palestinians is forcing NGOs to slash programs and lay off staff as the effects ripple through a community that has spent more than two decades promoting peace in the Middle East. The US government's development agency, USAID, has provided more than $5.5 billion to the Palestinians since 1994 for infrastructure, health, education, governance and humanitarian aid programs, all intended to underpin the eventual creation of an independent state. Much of that aid is channeled through international NGOs, which were abruptly informed of the cuts last summer and have been scrambling to keep their programs alive. President Donald Trump says the USAID cuts
Mnangagwa returns to Zimbabwe after protest crackdown
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has landed back in Harare, state television said Tuesday, after cutting short a foreign tour over nationwide protests that were met with a brutal security crackdown. Police and soldiers launched a large-scale operation against suspected protestors, activists and organisers of the strike last week, which was triggered by a sharp rise in fuel prices. At least 12 people were killed and 78 treated for gunshot injuries, according to the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, which recorded more than 240 incidents of assault and torture. About 700 people have been arrested. "I am happy that the country is quiet. Our people should concentrate on their work," Mnangagwa said after landing late on Monday night. "There are channels of communication. We want Zimbabwe developed." The High Court in Harare ruled Monday that government had no powers to order the shutdown of the internet which was imposed as protests swept across the country. Handing down judgement in a
Putin, Abe hold summit to break island impasse
Russia and Japan's leaders meet for talks in Moscow Tuesday over the disputed island chain that has long prevented a peace treaty to end World War II. But recent rhetoric has dampened hopes of a breakthrough. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit marks the 25th time he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met since 2013, a reflection of their efforts to build cooperation despite their disagreement over the Kuril islands. The Soviet Army seized the four islands, between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean, in the last days of World War II. Tokyo's refusal to recognise Moscow's sovereignty there has been a barrier to peace for over seven decades. Despite a flurry of diplomacy since November, when the two leaders agreed to step up peace talks, recent statements from both capitals suggest a compromise is still far off. Moscow responded furiously to Abe's New Year's message, in which he said Russians living on the islands should be helped to accept that the "sovereignty of ..
Germany bans Iranian airline from its airspace after US pressure
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany has revoked the licence of an Iranian airline because it has been transporting military equipment and personnel to Syria and other Middle East war zones, the foreign ministry said on Monday, after heavy U.S. pressure on Berlin to act.
Russian singer cancels US tour after not reaching testimony deal with Mueller, Congress
A Russian singer who initiated the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting with US President Donald Trump's campaign members, has cancelled his upcoming tour to America after failing to reach a testimony deal with Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Congress.
In Versailles, Macron vows to reform to avoid king's fate
VERSAILLES, France (Reuters) - President Emmanuel Macron told dozens of the world's most powerful executives on Monday that he would not follow the path of guillotined French royals and would continue to reform the French economy despite a sometimes violent popular revolt.
Pompeo, Turkish FM hold talks on Syria
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has held a telephonic conversation with his Turkish counterpart over the situation in Syria, the State Department said in a statement.
Egyptian, Russian FMs discuss, bilateral regional issues
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have discussed bilateral and regional issues in a phone call.
German minister optimistic about avoiding hard Brexit
German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier has said he is optimistic that a hard Brexit could be avoided.
Pompeo discusses N.Korea with Seoul, Tokyo
The US State Department has said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a telephonic conversation with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts, agreeing on the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Trump asks Democrats to 'stop playing games' amid shutdown
US President Donald Trump has asked Democrats to "stop playing games" and "give America the security it deserves", amid the ongoing partial government shutdown which has been in place since December 22."Democrats are kidding themselves (they don't really believe it!) if they say you can stop Crime, Drugs, Human Trafficking and Caravans without a Wall or Steel Barrier. Stop playing games and give America the Security it deserves. A Humanitarian Crisis!" Trump tweeted on Monday (local time).The US President's comments come in the wake of a stand-off between Trump and the Congress over USD 5 billion in funding for the wall, which has led to the partial government shutdown.Democrats have spoken out against the wall, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi going as far as terming the wall a "waste of money" and an "immorality".The partial shutdown has affected around 800,000 federal workers who have been going without pay since the shutdown began in December 2018. This is, in fact, the ...
EVM Hackathon: Andhra CM demands ECI to revert to paper ballot system
Saying that electronic voting machines (EVMs) have turned out to be a big threat to democracy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on Monday, demanded the Election Commission of India (ECI) to seek opinion of all political parties and revert to the paper ballot system.Taking to Twitter, Naidu said: "EVM is turning out to be a big threat to democracy. It is worrying to know the claims made on the possibility of tampering EVMs. EC must seek opinion of all political parties and revert to the paper ballot system immediately."However, earlier on Monday, the ECI clarified that the EVMs can't be tampered with, asserting that the machines are manufactured following "rigorous standard operating procedures."The ECI's statement came after it was claimed at an event in London, which was reportedly attended by Congress leader Kapil Sibal, that EVMs could be tampered with. The apex poll body also confirmed that they were examining the legal action that can be taken in the matter ...
Trump takes a jibe at Pelosi - again
US President Donald Trump has slammed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for calling the wall on US' southern border with Mexico "immoral"."If Nancy Pelosi thinks that Walls are "immoral," why isn't she requesting that we take down all of the existing Walls between the U.S. and Mexico, even the new ones just built in San Diego at their very strong urging. Let millions of unchecked "strangers" just flow into the U.S," Trump tweeted on Monday (local time).He further reiterated his call for a wall and said, "Four people in Nevada viciously robbed and killed by an illegal immigrant who should not have been in our Country. 26 people killed on the Border in a drug and gang-related fight. Two large Caravans from Honduras broke into Mexico and are headed our way. We need a powerful Wall!"The US President's comments do not spell well for the ongoing partial government shutdown, which was set into motion due to an impasse between Trump and the Congress over funding for the wall.Pelosi and most of the ..
Parrikar's mind is sharp but physically needs rest: Congress leader
As Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is recovering from a pancreatic ailment, state's Opposition leader and Congress MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar said that ailing Parrikar's mind is sharp but physically he needs to take rest.Speaking to ANI, Kavlekar on Monday said: "Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's mind is sharp but he needs to take rest. His mind is sharp but physically he is not well. The mind is active and working, he needs rest. He should take rest." Kavlekar also pointed out that last time Opposition party had supported the government over the issue of former defence minister Parrikar's ill-health by agreeing to bring down the last budget session from 22 days to four days.For long, Congress has been demanding that it should be allowed to form the government in the state, claiming that Parrikar's prolonged illness and inability to attend office was taking a toll on administration and governance.Parrikar is suffering from a pancreatic ailment and has been in and out of hospitals ..
Rajasthan govt decides to reverse Atal Seva Kendra as Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the state government has decided to reverse the Atal Seva Kendra (seva kendras at village panchayat and panchayat samiti level) as Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra, the original name.Owing to the Rajasthan High Court order on January 19, Gehlot told ANI: "We wanted to name it Rajiv Gandhi Atal Seva Kendra but on High Court's order it will be named Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra."Rajasthan has nearly 10,000 Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendras at village panchayat and Panchayat Samiti levels which provide public utility services to rural people. It also has 33 Atal Suvidha Kendras at the district level. In 2014, former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje-led government had renamed the kendras to honour former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary. The renaming was seen as the Raje's tribute to the BJP veteran but the decision had invited flak and was challenged in the court. The plea against the then BJP-led government's move was .
Ruling out second referendum, May unveils Brexit Plan B
With time rapidly running out for the UK to exit the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday presented an alternate path to secure Parliamentary support for a Brexit deal, dismissing all probability of a second referendum.She outlined six key issues which have been the centre of the talks held with leaders across party lines in the run-up to her address on January 21. Two issues from the lot are regarding the process for moving forward after last week's vote, including the scenario if a no-deal Brexit and a second referendum amongst others.May also announced that the application fee for EU citizens wishing to stay in the UK post-Brexit will be waived off by the government. "Having listened to concerns from members and organisations, I can confirm today that when we roll out the scheme in full on March 30, the government will waive the application fee so that there is no financial barrier for any EU nationals who wish to stay," she announced."Following last week's vote it .
Polish deputy FM in Tehran over conference row
Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister Maciej Lang met in Tehran with his Iranian counterpart in an effort to solve a dispute over a conference his country is to host. Lang described as "constructive" his talks with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over the jointly organised conference with the United States on peace and security in the Middle East. "We spoke about a wide range of issues, including misunderstandings about the Warsaw conference, and I presented our point of view on this issue. We had a long discussion and I hope that I did it in a clear way," Lang told AFP in an interview. "For Poland this conference is not against any country," he said. The summit had first been announced on January 11 by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said that it "includes an important element of making sure that Iran is not a destabilising influence" in the region. The Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement the reasons provided by the Polish government for co-organising the ...
Sudan's Bashir to travel to Qatar amid protests
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir will visit Qatar, state media in the Gulf state said, in what would be his first trip abroad since widespread protests began against his rule. Bashir would arrive in Doha on Tuesday and meet the country's ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the following day, according to the Qatar News Agency. "Brotherly relations between the two countries will be discussed," at the two leaders' meeting as well as issues of mutual interest, said the QNA. No further details were given. Anti-government protests against Bahir's iron-fisted rule began on December 19 after his government's decision to triple the price of bread. The demonstrations have spread to several cities and officials say 26 people have died so far in the protests, while rights group Amnesty International has put the death toll at more than 40. They are the biggest challenge yet to the authority of Bashir, who swept to power in 1989 in an Islamist-backed coup. Sudan is facing an economic ..