Page 2260 - Politics
Amid tensions in France, Macron promises minimum wage hike
In the aftermath of the violent 'yellow vest' protests that rocked France lately, President Emmanuel Macron on Monday assured the people of the country that the minimum wage would be raised and new taxes on pensions would be abolished.In a televised address to the nation, Macron condemned the anti-government demonstrations on fuel tax hikes saying that they were "unacceptable" and "will not be in any way indulged." While he acknowledged the mounting anger of the people, he criticised the protesters for indulging in violence, where vehicles were torched and property vandalised, CNN reported."No anger justifies attacking a policeman or pillaging a public place or shop. When violence breaks out, freedom is lost," Macron noted.The yellow vest protests, which initially began as a campaign against skyrocketing fuel prices, expanded into a huge agitation over discontent on a wide variety of issues against the French government.The protests on Saturday were the fourth in a series that ...
Bolsonaro government has military, conservative streak
Brazil's next government, under incoming far-right president Jair Bolsonaro who takes power in three weeks, will be neo-liberal economically, morally conservative and heavy reliant on a contingent of ex-military figures. That's the final composition that has emerged after weeks of announcements and casting about to fill the top posts of 22 ministries, down from 29 in the outgoing administration. Seven of the ministers will be military men. Eight have technocrat profiles. And seven are politicians. All are united by fierce criticism of the leftwing governments that ruled under former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010) -- who is now in prison for corruption -- and his protegee Dilma Rousseff (2011-2016) -- whose second mandate was cut short by impeachment. There are just two women in Bolsonaro's government, which is double the number in the outgoing line-up under President Michel Temer. There are no blacks, despite half of Brazil's population being at least partly descended
Ukrainian president signs law to end friendship treaty with Russia
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed the legislation on ending the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and Russia, the presidential press service said on Monday.
Brexit deal in turmoil as May postpones Parliament vote
Facing almost certain defeat, British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday postponed a vote in Parliament on her Brexit deal, saying she would go back to European Union leaders to seek changes to the divorce agreement. With EU officials adamant the withdrawal deal is not up for renegotiation, May's move threw Britain's Brexit plans into disarray, battered the pound and intensified the country's political crisis. Two-and-a-half years after Britain voted to leave the EU, and with departure just over three months away on March 29, the country does not know on what terms it will leave and whether May will still be Britain's leader when it does. In an emergency statement to the House of Commons, May accepted that the divorce deal she struck last month with EU leaders was likely to be rejected "by a significant margin" if the vote were held Tuesday as planned. May said she would defer the vote so she could seek "assurances" from the EU and bring the deal back to Parliament. She did not set
Macron vows tax relief, urges calm in bid to quell protests
President Emmanuel Macron broke his silence Monday on the exceptional protests shaking France and his presidency, promising broad tax relief for struggling workers and pensioners and acknowledging his own responsibility in fuelling the nation's anger. Speaking with a soft voice and gentle tone, Macron pleaded during a brief televised address for a return to calm after almost four weeks of protests that started in neglected provinces to oppose fuel tax increases and progressed to rioting in Paris. "We are at a historic moment for our country," the French leader said from the capital's presidential Elysee Palace. "We will not resume the normal course of our lives" after all that has happened. Protesters spent days demanding that Macron speak publicly about their concerns, but it's unclear whether the responses he offered will be enough to quell the dissatisfaction. Some protest representatives have said more demonstrations will be held Saturday, following the ones in Paris that turned .
US blocks ex-Gambian president, family from entering
The US State Department says former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh and members of his immediate family are now ineligible for entry into the United States. The decision comes almost two years after Jammeh was forced into exile in Equatorial Guinea after he refused to concede defeat in a presidential election. Jammeh ruled the tiny West African country for two decades. The State Department says he's now being banned from entry under a category that applies to foreign government officials who are believed to have committed "significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights." In addition to Jammeh, his wife Zineb, and their daughter Mariam and son Muhammad are also being blocked.
Raghuram Rajan says Patel's resignation a matter of concern
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The surprise resignation of the Reserve Bank of India governor Urjit Patel on Monday should be a matter of concern for all Indians and needs to be investigated, former central bank chief Raghuram Rajan said.
RBI Governor Urjit Patel quits after months of government pressure
MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Governor of India's central bank, Urjit Patel, resigned abruptly on Monday after a months-long tussle over policy with the government that has raised concerns about the bank's independence as a national election nears.
Timeline: RBI Governor quits after weeks-long tussle with Modi
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - RBI Governor Urjit Patel abruptly resigned on Monday, citing personal reasons, after a prolonged public spat between the institution and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
Israeli brass to brief Russian military on Hezbollah tunnels
Senior Israeli military officers are flying to Moscow to update their Russian counterparts about an operation launched last week to "expose and thwart" Hezbollah tunnels burrowed under Israel's border with Lebanon. The Israeli military issued a statement Monday saying the officers would depart Tuesday "to provide an update regarding Operation Northern Shield and other operational issues." Israel has discovered at least two tunnels since launching the operation last week that it says were built by Hezbollah to carry out attacks against Israel. Russia and Israel have maintained a hotline to coordinate operations and prevent any collisions between warplanes over neighboring Syria. Israel frequently carries out airstrikes against Iran and its allies in Syria in an effort to prevent sophisticated weaponry from reaching Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Former LF minister Abdus Sattar joins Congress
Former West Bengal minister Abdus Sattar, who severed his long association with the CPI-M last year, on Monday joined the Congress, calling it the only party capable of challenging the communal policies of the BJP.
Gen Dunford to complete term as Trump's top military adviser
The United States Defence Department on Monday clarified that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Joseph Dunford will serve the full two-year term, despite President Donald Trump naming his successor 10 months before the term's completion."At this point, all indications are that General Dunford will serve his full term," Defence Department spokesperson Army Colonel Rob Manning was quoted by The Hill as saying while speaking to reporters at the Pentagon here.He added that there was nothing to worry about the US President's announcement that would make Dunford a "lame duck" chairman.Last week, Trump announced that chief of staff of the US Army General Mark Milley would be replacing Dunford as his new top military adviser. However, he said that the date of transition is yet to be determined."I am pleased to announce my nomination of four-star General Mark Milley, Chief of Staff of the United States Army - as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, replacing General Joe Dunford, who
Theresa May delays Brexit deal vote
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday deferred a crucial parliamentary vote on the controversial Brexit deal, that allows the United Kingdom to formally leave the European Union (EU).Speaking at the House of Commons, where the parliamentarians were set to vote on the Brexit agreement on Tuesday, May defended her decision saying that she would lose the vote "by a significant margin" and would now hold talks with the EU leaders to discuss the matter, CNN reported."I spoke to a number of EU leaders over the weekend and, in advance of the European Council, I will go to see my counterparts in other member states and the leadership of the Council and the Commission. I will discuss with them the clear concerns that this House has expressed. We will, therefore, defer the vote scheduled for tomorrow and not proceed to divide the House at this time," May said.In a light-hearted moment, the British leader said that she had listened "very carefully to what has been said in the chamber and .
To oust Trump, Democrats 'have to win' in 2020: Ex-FBI Director
Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, who was fired by United States President Donald Trump last year over the ongoing Russia probe, has called on the people to "use every breath" to defeat the latter in the 2020 presidential election.While speaking at an event here on Sunday, Comey said that the American voters should make sure that the "lies stop" and the Democratic Party have to win in the presidential polls, which is two years away from now, CNN reported."All of us should use every breath we have to make sure the lies stop on January 20, 2021," said the former FBI chief, who oversaw the investigation over alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.Calling on the Democrats to bury their ideological differences, the 57-year-old underlined that the party should nominate their "best candidate" to take on Trump in the forthcoming polls."I understand the Democrats have important debates now over who their candidate should be, but they have to
Telangana CEO issues clarification on deletions of voter names
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Telangana Rajat Kumar has issued a clarification regarding the alleged deletions of voter names from state electoral lists and said that deletions and inclusions of a voter are made during enrolment and revision of the electoral rolls."It has been observed that certain media/social media channels are conveying a wrong impression that the deletion of voter names was done either intentionally or by some mistake. In this context, it is hereby clarified that deletions & inclusions are made as part of voter enrolments as and when a revision of the electoral rolls is undertaken. Objections under Form No.7 are invariably invited from citizens to raise objections within seven days before carrying out deletions. Similarly, voters are required to apply in Form 6 if they want their names to be included," the state CEO said in an official statement.He also outlined that electoral rolls for the just-concluded Assembly elections were updated only after duly
Raman Singh credits PM Modi for Mallya's extradition
Hours after a London Court ordered the extradition of liquor baron Vijay Mallya to India, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday said that the development is a result of the strong and determined steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley."It's a great success and a lesson for those who misuse the nation's properties. This is a result of the strong and determined steps taken by the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister," said Singh.In a major victory for the central government, the Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday ordered the extradition of liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who is facing charges of loan default to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore.Mallya left India in 2016, following which, the India government initiated extradition proceedings against him. The matter of Mallya's extradition has now been referred to UK's Secretary of State.Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot dismissing the liquor baron's plea said that there was no ...
BJP backs Karnataka farmers' stir on their demands
Main opposition BJP on Monday supported Karnataka farmers' agitation here for meeting their demands by the state government and provide them relief from the fallout of drought in 17 districts across the state.
EU court says UK can U-turn on Brexit if it wants
LUXEMBOURG/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's top court ruled on Monday that the British government may reverse its decision to leave the bloc without consulting other member states, a decision welcomed by those campaigning to stop Brexit.
Kremlin says tired of following 'sensational' probes in US
The Kremlin on Monday said that Moscow has grown tired of following sensational investigations in the US with respect to Russia's alleged involvement in the US previous presidential election.
Yemen war rivals say prisoner swap deal clinched
A mass prisoner swap between Yemeni rebels and the government, a key issue at UN-brokered peace talks in Sweden, has been finalised, both sides said Monday. Brokered by UN special envoy Martin Griffiths earlier this month, it is one of the main points at talks between the government and Huthi rebels in Sweden this week. Griffiths told reporters Monday the prisoner swap was well underway, adding that he hoped it "will be very very considerable in terms of the numbers that we hope to get released within a few weeks". Haid Haig, head of the governmental delegation tasked with the swap, told AFP the deal would be fully implemented by the end of January. "We agreed ... the deal would be complete within 48 days," Haig said. Asked when he expected the exchange to be complete, he replied: "In theory, in January." Haig said the list of names should be "mutually handed over by end of day today." An advisor to the Huthi rebels in Sweden confirmed the list of names would be completed by ...