Page 2203 - Politics
Trump names new acting Chief of Staff
US President Donald Trump has named his budget director, Mick Mulvaney, as the new acting Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly who is leaving by the end of the year.
Wickremesinghe likely to take oath as Sri Lanka's PM on Sunday
Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to take oath as Sri Lanka's Prime Minister on Sunday after disputed Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa will resign on Saturday, signalling an end to the nearly two-month power tussle in the island nation. President Maithripala Sirisena has reportedly agreed to reinstate ousted Prime Minister Wickremesinghe in the post after a discussion with him over the phone on Friday, Colombo Page reported. Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) said that it was decided during the discussion that he will take oath as the Prime Minister at 10 am on Sunday. The President removed Wickremesinghe from the post of Prime Minister on October 26 and appointed former president Rajapaksa as the Premier, plunging the country into an unprecedented crisis. Wickremesinghe refused to accept the sacking and challenged it in a court and in the Parliament. The daily reported that a new Cabinet will be sworn in on Monday. The Cabinet will consist of 30 members and include six Sri Lanka ...
Australia to recognise West Jerusalem as Israeli capital
Australia will recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Saturday.
Ranil Wickremesinghe to take oath as Sri Lankan PM on Sunday
Ranil Wickremesinghe is all set to regain his Prime Ministerial powers and will be taking oath on Sunday, a senior minister from the United National Party (UNP) confirmed on Friday.The UNP minister also said President Maithripala Sirisena has settled for the decision to announce Wickremesinghe as the new Prime Minister of the island nation, Colombo Page reported.The decision to reinstate Wickremesinghe was reportedly taken after a meeting held by Sirisena with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and Wickremesinghe on Thursday.Meanwhile, Mahinda Rajapaksa's son Namal confirmed on Friday that the former President would step down as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka "to ensure the stability of the nation"."To ensure stability of the nation, Former President @PresRajapaksa has decided to resign from the Premiership tomorrow after an address to the nation. The SLPP with Frm President, SLFP & others will now work to form a broader political coalition with President Sirisena," Namal had ...
Australia recognises west Jerusalem as capital of Israel
Australia now recognises west Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Saturday, but a contentious embassy shift from Tel Aviv will not occur until a peace settlement is achieved. Morrison also committed to recognising the aspirations for a future state of Palestine with east Jerusalem as its capital when the city's status is determined in a peace deal. The prime minister said it was in Australia's interests to support "liberal democracy" in the Middle East and took aim at the United Nations he said was a place Israel is "bullied".
Trump taps budget head Mulvaney as acting chief of staff
Donald Trump announced Friday that his budget director Mick Mulvaney will step in as acting chief of staff to replace John Kelly -- amid indications the president is struggling to fill the key post. Trump, whose presidency is increasingly embroiled in legal troubles, announced earlier this month that Kelly, a former Marine Corps general, was leaving. Kelly, who reportedly fell out with other close Trump aides, is only the latest in a long string of high-ranking officials to quit the embattled White House. "Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration," Trump said on Twitter. "I look forward to working with him in this new capacity as we continue to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! "John will be staying until the end of the year. He is a GREAT PATRIOT and I want to personally thank him for his service!" Kelly agreed to stay on until at least January 2 to avoid leaving the president in the lurch. However, even with several weeks' notice, Trump appears to be having difficulty in
Telangana: KCR appoints son KT Rama Rao as TRS working president
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's son and Siricilla MLA KT Rama Rao has been appointed as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party working president on Friday. K. Chandrashekar Rao was sworn in by Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan as the second chief minister of Telangana on Thursday.Several leaders of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) congratulated KTR after he was appointed as the working president of the party.KTR called on some senior leaders, former ministers and party functionaries at their respective residences and sought their blessings and support. Furthermore, leaders thronged Pragathi Bhavan and later Telangana Bhavan to greet the new Working President.KTR called on TRS General Secretary and Rajya Sabha member K Keshav Rao at the latter's residence. He also went and sought the blessings and support of former Home Minister Nayani Narsimha Reddy and former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao. Harish Rao congratulated KTR and said the two leaders would work together in the .
Mick Mulvaney named acting White House Chief of Staff
United States President Donald Trump announced Mick Mulvaney, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, as the acting White House Chief of Staff. He will be succeeding John Kelly."I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration...." Trump tweeted on Friday. (local time)Trump also thanked Kelly for his services to the nation and said that he would be serving in his present capacity until the end of this year.Ending months of speculation, Trump had announced last week that Kelly would step down from his post at the end of this year.According to reports, Trump and Kelly have stopped speaking to each other in the recent days.Ever since Kelly took over the post from his previous role as US Homeland Security secretary in July last year, he reportedly .
Punjab Assembly passes resolution on 33% reservation for women
The Punjab Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to enact Women's Reservation Bill to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in both Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies by voice vote on Friday after the resolution was moved by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.While moving the resolution during the winter session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Singh pointed to the previous Congress government's decision to reserve 50 per cent seats for women in Urban Local Bodies and Panchayat Raj Institutions and urged the Centre to hasten the enactment of this bill."The Bill would ensure greater equity and balanced representation for both men and women in the national electoral process and decision making. This would fulfill a legitimate and long pending demand of women to ensure their empowerment," he said.Underlining the fact that then Congress president Sonia Gandhi had initiated the process towards ensuring substantial women representation in Parliament
Challenge for Army is to harness latest defence technology: Gen Rawat
Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said while the Indian Army has been the torch bearer of many non- military innovations, the challenge would be to harness the latest defence technologies and ensure that the Army benefits from them."New concepts are being introduced, established paradigms are being refined and research is opening new vistas. The change being driven by path-breaking research is both exhilarating and mesmerising. The challenge would be to harness the latest defence technologies and ensure that the Indian Army benefits from them," General Rawat said while addressing the 94th convocation ceremony of the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering here on Friday.Furthermore, the Army Chief appealed to the young graduates to be physically fit and mentally robust to meet all challenges. "As young and bright officers, they have to learn and groom themselves to be placed at a very high pedestal so that people around them look up to and feel proud. As young ..
US in 'no hurry' for negotiations with N Korea, says Trump
United States President Donald Trump on Friday said that the US is in 'no hurry' to reach negotiations with North Korea, amid talks of denuclearising the Korean Peninsula."Many people have asked how we are doing in our negotiations with North Korea - I always reply by saying we are in no hurry, there is wonderful potential for great economic success for that country...." he tweeted."....Kim Jong Un sees it better than anyone and will fully take advantage of it for his people. We are doing just fine!" read a second tweet.Discussions over the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula gained momentum after the Singapore meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.During the meeting, the two leaders had signed a joint statement agreeing to guarantee peaceful relations as well as the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.In addition to this, Trump, during his trip to Argentina to attend the G20 summit, had reaffirmed that he was committed to holding a second summit with Kim
BJP leading in Assam Panchayat polls; Cong in second place
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has bagged the highest number of seats so far in the Panchayat polls that were held in the state recently.According to the Assam State Election Commissioner, HN Bora, over 83 per cent of the results of the four-tier polls was declared by 5 pm on Friday.Out of total 21,998 Gram Panchayat member seats, results were out for 17,677. In the Gram Panchayat ward member elections, the BJP secured 7540 seats while Congress party bagged 5896 seats. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) had secured 1372 while Communist Party of India (Marxist) bagged 27, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) bagged 755 seats and 2028 seats went to independent candidates.For the Gram Panchayat President post, results on 1881 seats were declared out of 2199 seats. The BJP secured 867, Congress 645, AGP 110, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) 106 and Independents 150.Out of 2199 Anchalik Panchayat Member seats, results of 1860 seats were declared, wherein BJP secured 883, Congress
Rahul Gandhi must apologise: Pradhan on Rafale verdict
Following the Supreme Court verdict in the Rafale jet deal, Union Minister for Petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan said Congress president Rahul Gandhi must apologise before the nation."Supreme Court today did a great work for India. Congress was raising questions on Rafale deal to hide their failures. There was no truth in that and Supreme Court proved it today. If Congress and its President have morals, they should apologise before the nation," Pradhan told ANI.Echoing Pradhan's views, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje opined that the apex court's decision has exposed the lies of the Congress party."Congress party for the sake of gain in elections have not only called an honest leader a thief but even mislead the people of the country. If the party is left with some ethics then they should immediately apologise," tweeted Raje in Hindi."SC has also said that it was country's need and nobody can raise question over the quality of ...
Gujarat stops certification services for livestock export
The Gujarat government on Friday withdrew the local animal quarantine and certification services for livestock exported from Tuna-Kandla port with immediate effect under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, in an apparent ban on export of livestock from the state.
Congress, Left follow models of corruption, inefficient governance: Modi
Hitting out at the Congress and Left parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said they follow the models of corruption and inefficient governance, whereas the BJP's governance is based on fast-paced and inclusive development.
BJP accuses Gandhi of lies after SC verdict, Congress hits back (Roundup)
Buoyed by the Supreme Court relief to the government in the Rafale deal, BJP President Amit Shah and a battery of ministers attacked Congress President Rahul Gandhi for his campaign of "lies" and demanded an apology to the nation.
Dassault Aviation welcomes SC ruling on Rafale deal
The Dassault Aviation Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling on the Rafale fighter jet deal, rejecting demands for any probe into the multi-billion dollar contract. "Dassault Aviation welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court of India rendered today dismissing all petitions filed on the Rafale Contract signed on September 23, 2016," the company said. The Dassault Aviation has won a Rs 58,000 crore deal to supply 36 Rafale jets to India. The Congress has been alleging massive corruption in the deal, a claim stoutly rejected by the government. "Dassault Aviation takes note of the Supreme Court conclusions establishing the absence of any irregularities in the decision making process to purchase 36 Rafale, pricing of Rafale jets and selection of Indian offset partner," the company said in a statement. In relief to the Modi government, the Supreme Court Friday dismissed the pleas challenging the deal between India and France for procurement of 36 Rafale jets saying there was no ...
Punjab Assembly passes resolution urging Centre for women's reservation
The Punjab Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Central government to enact the Women's Reservation Bill to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies.
Chouhan says Rahul should apologise for baseless Rafale
Outgoing Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday for trying to "defame the nation" over the Rafale deal and demanded apology from him. "The Congress made mountain out of a molehill and tried to defame the nation. Those who have tried to malign the country's image should apologise to the people," Chouhan told reporters at the BJP office here. "I wanted to ask the Congress president what was his source of information. He is morally bound to reveal it, and at whose behest he is levelling these allegations," Chouhan said. The Congress president used derogatory words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was highly condemnable, he said. Today's decision of the Supreme Court has made it clear that truth always wins, Chouhan said. Everybody knows that during Congress rule middlemen played a major role in defence deals, while the Modi government ended this, he said. The Supreme Court earlier Friday dismissed the ...
University admin 'insensitive', denying leaves to faculty members: JUNTA
The JNU Teachers' Association (JNUTA) on Friday accused the university administration of being "insensitive" and denying leaves to teachers even for one's own wedding. Members of JNUTA met Chintamani Mahapatra, Rector-I of the university, to express concerns about the "coercive" actions being taken by the administration. "The administration has become so insensitive that they are blocking renewal of CGHS cards and even denying leaves to go for one's own wedding," the association alleged. "In the recent spate of coercive measures taken by the present administration against faculty members, it has transgressed the basic parameters of human decency. Extremely grave instances of blocking paperwork and the - now all too common - denial of leaves, including casual leaves, impacting the day-to-day existence of affected faculty members, have come to light," they said. Expressing anger at the "punitive, vindictive, and dehumanising treatment" meted out to colleagues, the JUNTA said, "The ...