Page 2215 - Politics
US Senate votes to end support for Saudi-led Yemen war, blasts MBS
The US Senate dealt President Donald Trump a double blow over Saudi Arabia on Thursday, approving a resolution to end US military support for Riyadh's war in Yemen, and another holding the Saudi crown prince responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Though largely symbolic, the two bipartisan measures deliver a fresh warning to Trump, who has repeatedly signalled his backing for the Saudi regime even amid a mounting uproar over the Yemen conflict and the slaying of dissident Saudi journalist Khashoggi. On the Yemen measure, which more broadly attacks the president's prerogative to launch military actions, 49 Democrats or their allies voted in favour, along with seven Republicans, while another three Republicans abstained. Then, in a voice vote with no opposition, the Senate also approved a resolution condemning Khashoggi's murder and calling Prince Mohammed bin Salman "responsible" for it. "What the Senate did today is say that the United States Congress is sick and tired of ...
Kim Jong-un face mask stirs controversy
A South Korean fashion and cosmetics firm has stirred controversy with a facial mask featuring Kim Jong-un prompting many stores to pull the product of the shelves.
Yemen central bank expects $3 bn deposits from Gulf donors
Yemen's central bank expects a USD 3 billion cash injection from Gulf allies Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, an official said Thursday, as the war-battered country seeks to prop up its sagging economy. The deposits, if confirmed, would follow a USD 2.2 billion infusion by Saudi Arabia to stem a slide in the Yemeni riyal as the country reels from an economic downturn. "The central bank governor Mohamed Zemam has spoken of additional deposits worth USD 3 billion after talks with sisterly donor countries," deputy central bank chief Shokeib Hobeishy told reporters in the port city of Aden. "I believe two (billion) will come from the UAE... and another billion from Kuwait." There was no immediate comment from the Gulf nations. A day earlier, Yemeni Prime Minister Moeen Abdulmalik Saeed had declined to name the potential donors, saying he would not give out details until the expected injection is confirmed. "There are ongoing discussions about the efficiency of the central bank to ...
Yemen's warring parties agree ceasefire for key port at UN talks
Yemen's warring parties have agreed to a ceasefire on a vital port in a series of breakthroughs in UN-brokered peace talks that could mark a major turning point after four years of devastating conflict. If implemented, the deal on the Hodeida port, a key gateway for aid and food imports, could bring relief to a country where 14 million people stand on the brink of famine. In a highly symbolic gesture on the seventh and final day of the peace talks in Sweden, Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani and rebel negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam shook hands to loud applause -- although both later voiced scepticism. The two leaders gave contradictory readings of the Hodeida deal shortly after the announcement by UN chief Antonio Guterres. The week-long talks left a number of key issues unresolved. A new round of talks is scheduled for the end of January, with analysts predicting the US will continue to up the pressure on ally Saudi Arabia, a key backer of the Yemeni government, to end the ...
French police kill Strasbourg Christmas market gunman
The gunman who killed three people at a Christmas market in Strasbourg was shot dead by French police on Thursday as the Islamic State jihadist group claimed him as one of its "soldiers". More than 700 French security forces had been hunting for 29-year-old Cherif Chekatt since the bloodshed on Tuesday night -- the latest in a string of jihadist attacks to rock France. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said three policemen tried to question Chekatt after spotting him "wandering" through the streets in the Neudorf area of the northeastern French city where he grew up, but he opened fire. "They immediately returned fire and neutralised the assailant," Castaner said. People gathered at the police cordon where Chekatt was shot and applauded, some shouting "bravo!", a source said. The propaganda wing of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack. The perpetrator of "the attack in the city of Strasbourg... is one of the soldiers of the Islamic State and carried .
EU steps up planning for no-deal Brexit
EU leaders agreed Thursday to step up preparations for Britain crashing out of the bloc next March without a deal, with the European Commission to publish a plan next week. At a summit in Brussels, the leaders of the 27 EU member states called for work on "contingency preparedness" -- Brussels jargon for no-deal planning -- to be intensified. Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he would publish the no-deal planning details on December 19, urging Britain to clarify what it wants from the EU. "Because we are in a debate that is sometimes nebulous and imprecise, I would like some clarifications," Juncker said after summit talks. "As we do not know what the collective reactions will be -- of the 27 or of the UK -- the commission will publish on December 19 all the information that is generally useful for the preparation of no deal." British Prime Minister Theresa May had come to Brussels hoping for concessions that would help her sell her Brexit deal to sceptical MPs back home. .
BJP to hold National Council meeting on Jan 11, 12
In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections due next year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold a National Council meeting on January 11 and 12 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in the national capital, in which all ranks and files of BJP and its elected representatives will participate.BJP General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav held a press conference at the party office in New Delhi on Thursday, where he elaborated about the BJP's national office-bearers meet which was held during the day. The dates for the national conference, he said, were finalised during this meeting, which was chaired by BJP president Amit Shah. However, no discussion was held on the party's performance in the recently-concluded state Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Mizoram.Yadav further said that in order to garner support from the youth, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) will conduct a workshop for its national, state and district office bearers at the civic centre on .
Brexit: EUCO calls backstop a 'temporary arrangement'
The European Council (EUCO) announced that the backstop in the endorsed Brexit Withdrawal Agreement was a "temporary insurance policy" to prevent a hard border in the Irish island while reiterating that the agreement was "not open for renegotiation" after the special meeting held here on Thursday (local time)."The European Council underlines that the backstop is intended as an insurance policy to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland and ensure the integrity of the Single Market. It is the Union's firm determination to work speedily on a subsequent agreement that establishes by 31 December 2020 alternative arrangements, so that the backstop will not need to be triggered," an official statement released by the EUCO mentioned."The European Council also underlines that, if the backstop were nevertheless to be triggered, it would apply temporarily, unless and until it is superseded by a subsequent agreement that ensures that a hard border is avoided," the statement further ...
US House describes crime against Rohingya in Myanmar as genocide
In an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 394-1, the US House of Representatives on Thursday, in a non-binding resolution, declared the crime against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar as a genocide. Such a move by the US House of Representatives comes months after the State Department released a report on alleged widespread acts of violence against the Rohingya in the northern Rakhine state of Myanmar, which the lawmakers rued had failed to label these atrocities as genocide. The atrocities have driven more than 7,00,000 Rohingya from their homes to Bangladesh, bringing the total Rohingya refugee population there to nearly 10 lakh. "The United States has a moral obligation to call these crimes genocide. Failing to do so gives the perpetrators cover and hinders efforts to bring those accountable to justice. With this resolution, the House fulfils its part of that duty," Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said. "The measure also accomplishes a number of other ..
US Senate passes resolution to hold Saudi Crown Prince responsible for Khashoggi's death
The United States Senate has approved a resolution to hold Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) responsible for journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death at the Saudi consular premises in Istanbul on October 2.The Senate also passed a resolution to end US support for the "Saudi war in Yemen".Chris Murphy, the US Senator from Connecticut who introduced the bill, called it a "big deal" and tweeted on Friday (IST), "Two years ago, when @RandPaul and I introduced a bill to cut arms sales to Saudi Arabia, only 27 Senators voted with us."He further stated, "Today, 56 voted to end U.S. support for the Saudi war in Yemen. Thank you to everyone that called and urged the Senate to vote on this resolution."Both the decisions come as a major setback to US President Donald Trump, who has shown support for Saudi Arabia in the past, especially in the wake of allegations against MBS with regard to Khashoggi's death. Trump, time and again, refused to sever ties with the nation, calling it a "key ...
Creative tension should exist between RBI, Govt: Arvind Subramanian
Former Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) Arvind Subramanian opined that although the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) independence is sacred, there must be "creative tension" between the central bank and government.Subramanian, who participated in an interactive session with entrepreneur and co-founder of Infosys Nandan Nilekani, was of the view that anything that damages or undermines the RBI's reputation will cost the country dearly in the long run."We want autonomy and independence but along with communication and cooperation because both parts of the government (i.e. RBI and government) have to work together as many of their objectives are common. There will be some objectives which are different and that's why we created RBI. They will never agree, they should never agree, there has to be a creative tension," he said.Subramanian, however, noted that despite all shortcomings in the last 5-6 years, the RBI remains one of India's most respected institutions.Acknowledging the connect between
US, Ukraine navy heads meet after Russia ship seizure
The head of the Ukrainian navy is meeting his US counterpart this week in Washington, where they will discuss the Russian navy's recent seizure of three Ukrainian vessels, a US official said Thursday. Russian ships last month opened fire on three Ukrainian navy vessels as they tried to pass through the Kerch Strait from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, and detained the 24 Ukrainian crew members. Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said Ukraine's Admiral Ihor Voronchenko is meeting Thursday and Friday with US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Nicholson. Nicholson and other Pentagon officials "will reiterate the US support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, extending to its territorial waters, as well as the right of its vessels to traverse international waters," Pahon told AFP. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis earlier this month blasted the Russian navy's "brazen" violation of a treaty that allows both Russian and Ukrainian ...
Decision in the morning on Rajasthan CM, says KC Venugopal
Senior Congress leader and Rajasthan observer KC Venugopal, who met Congress party president Rahul Gandhi late on Thursday evening, said that there would be a final decision on who would assume the office of chief minister in Rajasthan on Friday morning."Rahul Gandhi needs some more time for deliberations and a final decision. No meeting (has been scheduled) for tomorrow. In the morning there will be a decision," Venugopal told reporters in the national capital after meeting the Congress chief.In addition to Venugopal, Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, who are considered as the front-runners for the post of chief minister, and Congress leader Avinash Pandey, were also present in the meeting.Earlier on Thursday, supporters of Pilot, who is perceived to be the one who slogged in the trenches for five years to elevate the Congress from a 21-seat winning party in 2013 to 99 this time around, demonstrated in Rajasthan's Karauli district, blocking traffic and raising slogans for Pilot's ...
Gehlot emerges top choice for Rajasthan CM, Pilot puts up spirited claim (Roundup)
Veteran Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Thursday emerged Rahul Gandhi's pick as the Chief Minister in Rajasthan, but suspense continued the with state party chief Sachin Pilot putting up his claim strongly as the two leaders had late night meetings with the Congress President.
Will meet Governor at 10:30am: CM-elect Kamal Nath
Chief Minister-elect of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath, is slated to meet Governor Anandiben Patel on Friday at 10.30 am to discuss his oath-taking ceremony, among other things."I will meet Governor at 10.30 am tomorrow for deciding about the oath," Nath told reporters outside the Congress' Bhopal office.Nath, who was announced as the new chief minister of Madhya Pradesh late on Thursday, also thanked the people of the state for reposing trust on the Congress Party. "This is the beginning of a new history. I want to assure that the future of Madhya Pradesh will remain safe in the hands of Congress," he added.The 72-year-old leader will take over as chief minister for the first time in a distinguished career in politics.A nine-time MP from Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara constituency, Nath served as the pro-tem Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha (elected in 2014). He led the party from the front in the just-concluded Assembly elections and underlined the importance of unity for changing the ...
Onion farmer shocked over 'misuse' of low price issue
Onion farmer Sanjay Sathe, who made national news by sending his meagre income to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday expressed shock over the misuse of the issue he raised.
Yemen's warring parties agree Hodeida ceasefire at UN talks
Yemen's warring parties on Thursday agreed to a ceasefire on a vital port in a series of breakthroughs in UN-brokered peace talks that could mark a major turning point after four years of devastating conflict. If implemented, the deal on the Hodeida port, a key gateway for aid and food imports, could bring relief to a country where 14 million people stand on the brink of famine. In a highly symbolic gesture on the seventh and final day of the peace talks in Sweden, Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani and rebel negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam shook hands to loud applause -- although both later voiced scepticism. The two leaders gave contradictory readings of the Hodeida deal shortly after the announcement by UN chief Antonio Guterres. The weeklong talks left a number of key issues unresolved. A new round of talks is scheduled for the end of January, with analysts predicting the US will continue to up the pressure on ally Saudi Arabia, a key backer of the Yemen government, to end ...
Saudi envoy to US: Yemen deal 'will help bring back security'
Saudi Arabia and its Arab coalition partners "strongly support" an agreement reached on Yemen in UN-brokered peace talks Thursday, which includes a ceasefire in the vital port of Hodeida, Riyadh's US ambassador Khalid bin Salman said. "The agreement announced today will help bring back security to the region including the security of the Red Sea, a vital water way for international trade," the envoy, who is the brother of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said on his Twitter account. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres announced the breakthrough in Sweden, where representatives of the Saudi-led coalition and Huthi rebels held talks on ending the conflict in Yemen, which has triggered the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Guterres said the warring sides agreed to a ceasefire in war-torn Hodeida, and that all forces would be withdrawn from the city and harbor. The United Nations, he said, would play a "leading role" in monitoring the rebel-held port and facilitate aid access for the .
Kamal Nath is new Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh
Congress leader Kamal Nath was on Thursday chosen as the new Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, heralding Congress rule in the state after 15 years.
Indian-American woman appointed to US body advocating religious freedom
An Indian-American woman lawyer on Thursday was appointed to a top post in a US organisation, which advocates religious freedom. Anurima Bhargava, a civil rights lawyer, has been appointed as a Commissioner to the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the US Congress to monitor, analyse and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. Born and raised in Chicago, Bhargava is currently the founder and president of the Anthem of Us, which describes itself as "a strategic advisory firm that works with educational institutions and corporations to promote dignity and justice for all". She has an extensive experience in various roles advocating for members of under-represented communities, including at the US Department of Justice and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF). The USCIRF is currently headed by Tibetan-American Tenzin Dorjee. Dorjee commended House Leader Nancy Pelosi for ...