Page 1916 - Politics
Nigeria's Buhari says well enough for second term
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday brushed aside questions about his health as he seeks re-election but was evasive when asked whether he would accept defeat. Voters in Africa's most populous nation and leading oil producer go to the polls to elect a new head of state on February 16 in what is expected to be a closely fought race. But Buhari's candidacy has prompted queries about whether he is fit to withstand another four years in office, after he spent months undergoing treatment in London last year. The 76-year-old former military ruler has never disclosed the nature of his condition, although he has revealed it required multiple blood transfusions and laboratory tests. Before the last election four years ago, he denied claims from the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he was terminally ill with prostate cancer. Asked about his current state of health at the end of a live televised "town hall" discussion with his deputy Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari said only: .
'10 killed' in attack near Mali-Niger border: govt official
At least 10 people were killed by "terrorists" in northeastern Mali, including members of an armed group and civilians, a government official said on Wednesday. The attack took place around 45 kilometres (27 miles) from Menaka in an area which has been badly hit by jihadist violence that claimed several hundred lives in 2018, most of them civilians of Touareg or Fulani ethnicity. "At least 10 (people), fighters for the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA) and civilians were killed on Tuesday... by armed men," the government official told AFP adding that "terrorists" were the suspected culprits. In a statement the MSA, part of a Touareg rebellion movement in the north, condemned the attacks. "At the end of the clashes, the assailants summarily executed around 20 people, including the elderly," it said. The attackers "arrived on motorbikes... attacking an (MSA security) post," added a local elected representative, giving a death toll of "at least 10". In August, a panel of ...
Congress-JDS govt in Karnataka stable, BJP trying to create chaos: DK Shivakumar
Amid the ongoing high octane drama in Karnataka, state minister DK Shivakumar claimed that Congress and JD(S)-led coalition government in the state is stable. He added that it is the BJP which is trying to 'create chaos'."The Congress-JDS government in Karnataka is stable and will be stable. It's just that my BJP friends are trying to create chaos. They don't want stability and don't want to respect the mandate of the people. They don't want the arithmetic number to be in good shape. They are trying to orchestrate the situation however, nothing will happen," Shivakumar told media here."Two independent MLAs taking back their support were obvious. There is nothing to worry about all the MLAs. They are in touch with us except for one or two. A party meeting will be held very shortly. Not even a single MLA is going to resign," he added.Asked whether the state government is in touch with any MLA from the BJP, Shivakumar said, "That we can't disclose. This is a political movement. As I said
Shivpal rakes 'guest house case', warns Akhilesh against Mayawati
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav's uncle, Shivpal Singh Yadav on Wednesday warned the former to not trust his new ally, BSP supremo Maywati.Referring to the infamous '1995 Lucknow guest house case', Shivpal urged his nephew to be wary of Mayawati who had then levelled several allegations against Samajwadi party leaders, including him.While addressing a rally at the SP stronghold Chandoli in Uttar Pradesh, Shivpal said that Mayawati had then accused him of sexual harassment."Behenji (Mayawati) had levelled allegations of sexual harassment allegations against me. I had said that time that I am ready for an inquiry, I am ready for Narco test. But I wanted that besides me, 'Behenji' should also get Narco test done. She didn't agree to that. (Behenji ne mujh par yaun shoshan ka aarop lagaya tha. Maine kaha tha mai jaanch ke liye taiyaar hu, mai narco test ke liye taiyaar hu, meri shart yeh hai ki narco test behenji ka bhi hona chahiye, mera bhi hona chahiye. Wo nahi mani)," Shivpal ...
Amid Brexit deadlock, Theresa May survives no-confidence vote
Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday narrowly sailed through a no-confidence vote put forth by the opposition Labour Party, a day after her government suffered a historic defeat in the Brexit deal vote.May's ruling Conservative Party won the confidence motion by 325 votes to 306. A total of 631 MPs had participated in the voting process at the House of Commons, CNN reported.The no-confidence motion was tabled by Labour Party leader and Leader of Opposition in the UK Parliament Jeremy Corbyn.May's victory in the no-trust vote means that she would remain the British Prime Minister. But uncertainty still looms about the next steps to be taken, after her Brexit deal was voted down.Following the vote, May remained defiant about her Brexit deal, stating that her government would continue to work to ensure that the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, as part of the agreement."My government will continue to increase our prosperity, guarantee our security and to ...
Russia ready to work with US to save INF treaty
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday said that Moscow is ready to work with Washington to save the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), a key arms control treaty, that bans ground-launched missiles with a range of between 500 and 5,500 kilometres.He said that European nations should also come forward in facilitating the talks between Russia and the US to keep the treaty afloat.Slamming the US' for its decision to walkout from the agreement, Lavrov told reporters, "The US delegation came to the talks (in Geneva yesterday) with a pre-set position which was presented in the form of an ultimatum demand that we destroy the missile, its launchers and all the related equipment under the Americans' supervision. They turned a blind eye to our request for analysing our proposals and the real specifications of this missile. Likewise, they refused to listen to our proposals regarding access to information on our concerns about the Americans' non-compliance with that ...
At least 3 US troops killed in Syria blast
The Islamic State terror organisation on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in a Syrian city under US-backed Kurdish control that killed at least three American troops, according to US officials quoted in a report from the Dow Jones Newswires supplied to EFE.
US has put China on notice: Vice President Pence
US Vice President Mike Pence has said China is using "debt diplomacy" and "unfair" trade practices to expand its influence, and has been "put on notice". The vice president was speaking at a global summit of American envoys on Wednesday. China, as we've observed, is using debt diplomacy and unfair trade practices to expand its influence, Pence said in his address to global chiefs of mission conference at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department. He said "as I made clear on that visit to the region just a few short weeks ago, the United States will always stand for a free and open Indo-Pacific where all countries can enjoy freedom of navigation and open trade." The conference was attended by US Ambassador to India Ken Juster among others. The truth is, too often in recent years China has chosen a path of disregard of the laws and norms that have kept the world safe and prosperous for more than half a century and the days of the United States looking the other way are over.
Caliphate has 'crumbled', ISIS 'defeated': US Vice President Pence
The ISIS has been "defeated" and the caliphate has "crumbled", US Vice President Mike Pence has said, following a fiery explosion in Syria in which two American service members were killed among others. The vice president was speaking at a global summit of American envoys on Wednesday. The ISIS has claimed responsibility for the deadly explosion. Two US service members -- one Department of Defense (DoD) civilian and one contractor supporting the DoD were killed -- and three service members injured while conducting a local engagement in Manbij, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. The blast occurred at a market in the northern Syria town of Manjib. Initial reports indicate an explosion caused the casualties, and the incident is under investigation, it said. We promised under this president's leadership to take the fight to radical Islamic terrorists on our terms on their soil. The president and I couldn't be more proud, Pence said in his address to the global chiefs of mission ...
UK govt survives no-confidence vote by tiny margin
British Prime Minister Theresa May won a confidence vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday, averting any immediate risk of an early general election.
UK's May survives no-confidence motion
The Conservative government of Prime Minister Theresa May survived a vote of no-confidence on Wednesday in the lower house of the UK Parliament.
Zimbabwe police arrest 600 in harsh crackdown on protests
Zimbabwe police armed with AK-47 rifles arrested a prominent activist and pastor on Wednesday, along with scores of others, in a harsh crackdown over protests against dramatic fuel price hikes in the economically shattered country. Zimbabwe's state security minister says more than 600 people have been arrested countrywide amid protests over dramatic fuel price increases. As some hungry Harare residents reported being tear-gassed by police when they ventured out for bread, President Emmerson Mnangagwa denounced what he called "wanton violence and cynical destruction." He noted a right to protest and said he understands the "pain and frustration," but he appeared to side with authorities who blame the opposition for unrest. Pastor Evan Mawarire was clutching a Bible when police bundled him into their car in the capital, Harare. He had organized what became nationwide anti-government protests in 2016 against mismanagement and then-President Robert Mugabe's long stay in power. "They are ..
May wins confidence vote
Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May won a confidence vote on Wednesday, a day after suffering a historic parliamentary defeat over her Brexit divorce deal with the European Union. Her government won by 325 votes to 306 - a majority of 19. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn argued that May's "zombie" administration had lost the right to govern during a six hour debate on his motion. His party has not ruled out tabling further no-confidence motions.
U.S. automakers push for deal on fuel efficiency rules
DETROIT (Reuters) - Executives at the major U.S. automakers are pressing the Trump administration and California to agree on standards for fuel efficiency and carbon emissions through 2025, as risks increase that a deadline for setting national standards will pass without a deal.
US says China's death sentence against Canadian political
The US State Department said Wednesday China's death sentence on a Canadian man is "politically motivated." The statement from US deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland spoke Tuesday and "expressed their concerns about the arbitrary detentions and politically motivated sentencing of Canadian nationals." A Chinese court resentenced Robert Schellenberg to death in a sudden retrial of a drug-smuggling case on Monday. Freeland and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have been talking to world leaders about Schellenberg's case and the cases of two Canadians arrested in China in apparent retaliation for the arrest of Chinese Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Canada arrested the daughter of Huawei's founder at the request of the US, which wants her extradited to face charges that she misled banks about the company's business dealings in Iran. Palladino said the Meng case also came up. "They noted their ...
US tells Taliban it must talk to Afghan government
The US envoy in Afghanistan said Wednesday that a peaceful end to the 17-year conflict requires the Taliban to engage in direct talks with the Afghan government, which they have consistently refused. Zalmay Khalilzad spoke to reporters in Kabul on his latest visit to the war-torn country, where he is at the centre of a flurry of diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict which began with the US invasion of 2001. "The road to peace will require Taliban to sit with other Afghans, including the government," Khalilzad said. "There is a consensus among all regional partners on this point," he added, according to quotes sent to AFP by the US embassy in Kabul. The insurgents have long refused to hold direct talks with the Kabul government, which they dismiss as a puppet of Washington. Taliban representatives have met several times with US officials in recent months, but earlier this week threatened to suspend the fledgling peace efforts, accusing the US of changing the agenda of the
Sardesai bats for Sequeira statue
Goa Town and Country Planning minister Vijai Sardesai Wednesday said if those opposing the installation of a statue of Dr Jack Sequeira in the Assembly complex were not taught a lesson, then "we would be called political eunuchs". He was speaking after unveiling a bust of Dr Sequeira on the occasion of the Opinion Poll Day. The day commemorates a 1967 referendum in which the people of Goa opted against a proposal that it should merge with neighbouring Maharashtra. Sequeira spearheaded a movement to stop Goa from merging with Maharashtra. The BJP in the past had opposed the demand to put up his statue in the Assembly complex. Sardesai said the installation was only a matter of time. "Let us stay united and we will achieve it," said the minister who heads BJP's ally Goa Forward Party. "Anyone who says that Jack Sequeira should not be given recognition should be defeated in the next election....What would we be termed as? We would be 'political hijra' (eunuch) if we can not
National Youth Party announces CM face for Delhi Assembly polls
With an eye on Delhi elections slated for next year, the National Youth Party on Wednesday announced its chief ministerial candidate along with an 'Action Plan 2020'.
PM Modi's comments on Sabarimala very unfortunate: Chandy
Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments on the Sabarimala issue in a rally on Tuesday were "very unfortunate".Speaking with media, Chandy said: "The Prime minister's comments on Sabarimala were very unfortunate. We expected that he will propose some solution to solve this issue, but the Prime Minister did not do like that".He further refuted PM Modi's 'double standard' accusations on the Congress, saying that his party has a definite stand on the Sabarimala issue."We gave a new affidavit, withdrawing the affidavit filed by the LDF, to protect the interests of the devotees. Our stand is very clear, we are with the devotees and at the same time we are against taking political advantage of the Sabarimala issue," Chandy said."We have no confusion, our stand is not a new stand. We took the stand when we were in power, we withdrawn of the affidavit of the LDF government and we gave affidavit in consultation of all consent ...
Action under anti-defection against MLAs who abstain from CLP: Former CM Siddaramaiah
Former chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said that the party would take action under anti-defection law against those MLAs who abstain themselves from attending the meeting of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) on Friday. He said that the MLAs skipping the CLP meet will face an expulsion from the party.As the allegations and counter-allegations of poaching have cast their shadow on the state government led by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, the Congress has called a meeting of its legislators here on January 18 to take stock of the prevailing political situation."If somebody doesn't attend this meeting action will be taken against them under the anti-defection law. Also, it'll be assumed that member himself has decided to leave primary membership of the party." said Siddaramaiah.The decision to hold the meeting of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) was taken after the party leaders alleged that three of their MLAs were taken to Mumbai by the BJP in an attempt to .