Page 2278 - Politics
Kushner continued talks with Saudi Crown Prince after Khashoggi's death: NYT
Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, continued talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman even after the October 2 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was ambushed and dismembered by Saudi agents in Istanbul, The New York Times said in a report.
Declining quality of public discourse unfortunate, leaders' behaviour influence others: VP Naidu
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday expressed strong concerns over the "declining quality of public discourse" while asserting that it is the behaviour of political leaders that influences others.Speaking at the launch of two volumes of select speeches of President Ram Nath Kovind - The Republican Ethic and Loktantra ke Swar here on Saturday, Naidu said, "There is a need to have public representatives who have character, conduct, calibre and capacity. It is unfortunate that the quality of public discourse has been steadily declining in the last few years. This must not be allowed to persist. We are in a public life, we are rivals, not enemies."Quoting 'Bhagavad Gita' he further said, "The behaviour of the leaders influences the behaviour of all others. We need to have more people in a leadership position who are mindful of not only constitutional morality but also institutional dignity and individual integrity."Naidu also outlined the need for political parties to evolve a ...
Chief of Staff John Kelly leaving by year end: Trump
US President Donald Trump has announced that his Chief of Staff John Kelly will exit the White House by the end of the year.
1,385 'yellow vest' protesters arrested across France
At least 1,385 protesters were arrested across France during the fourth weekend of "gilets jaunes" or the "yellow vest" demonstrations against the government of President Emmanuel Macron.
Sale of arms by US turning Middle East into 'powder keg', says Iran's Foreign Minister
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday chided the United States over its "unbelievable" sale of weapons to the Middle East, saying that it is turning the region into a "powder keg".According to Iranian state media, Zarif said: "The amount of weapons the US sells to our region is unbelievable and beyond the needs of the region."Lashing out at the US government, Zarif asserted that the arms being brought to the Middle East would undermine peace and security in the region, Anadolu News Agency reported."The US policy has brought many modern destructive weapons to the region, which have been no help in establishing regional peace and security," he added.Responding to allegations by Washington that Tehran is testing missiles capable of reaching Europe, Zarif said the US was leaving no stone unturned to disturb relations between Iran and European countries.Last week, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo had condemned Iran's testing of a medium-range ballistic missile ...
Italy Dy PM stages mass rally, promises 'Italians first' policies
Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini on Saturday vowed to protect the interests of the citizens of the country while voicing his dissent against same-sex marriages.Addressing a gathering of 50,000 people at a mass rally in the Italian capital, Salvini said that the current government would complete its five-year team without any obstacles, while promising policies that would be "Italians first", CNN reported.The public meeting was being held to celebrate six months in power of Italy's coalition government, where Salvini's Northern League party forged an alliance with the Five Star Movement party.Denouncing same-sex marriages, which is illegal in Italy, Salvini, who also holds the post of the Interior Minister, vowed a return of the country's traditional roots. He said: "We will be judged by the number of cribs we fill, with babies born not to parent one or parent two but to a mother and a father."The far-right leader also took a jibe on the European regulations on the ...
Pak Foreign Minister Qureshi to visit Afghanistan next week
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is slated to visit Afghanistan's capital Kabul on December 15 in an aim to improve ties and push for peace in the war-torn country.The visit comes in the wake of the United States government seeking Pakistan's cooperation for establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan, The Dawn reported.Speaking at a ceremony in Multan, Qureshi said that Islamabad wishes for a peace process that is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.Earlier in the week, Qureshi had met US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad during the latter's visit to Pakistan and held talks over Afghanistan's peace process.During the meeting, the Pakistan Foreign Minister reaffirmed Islamabad's assistance and support for the peace deal in an aim to end the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan.After assuming the role as a foreign minister in August, Qureshi had said that Afghanistan's development and prosperity is associated with long-lasting peace
MP: BJP confident of party's fourth term in power
Madhya Pradesh's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Saturday held a meeting at the party headquarter in Bhopal, which saw incumbent chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state President Rakesh Singh, state Home Minister Bhupendra Singh and BJP MP Manohar Untwal in attendance.Speaking to the media after the meeting, a leader of the party claimed that they were confident of winning the elections and forming the government in the state for the fourth consecutive time."We reviewed the situation in the state and discussed the future course of events. We are going to form the government on December 11, so we discussed how the event of oath taking ceremony is going to be like. The finalisation of the date has not been done as yet, we have left that decision on the chief minister so that he finds a suitable auspicious time for the same. But I am certain that we are forming the government," he told media here.Echoing a similar stance, Rakesh Singh added: "It is sure that we are making the
China summons Canadian envoy over Huawei CFO's arrest
China's Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng on Saturday summoned Canada's ambassador to China, John McCallum, in strong protest over the arrest of Huawei Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Meng Wanzhou last week.In a statement, Beijing urged the Canadian government to release Meng immediately or face severe consequences, Toronto Star reported.Meng was arrested on December 1 while transferring planes at Vancouver International Airport en route to Mexico from Hong Kong and has been accused of fraud with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, allegedly allowed the company's subsidiary SkyCom to do business in Iran, thereby violating US sanctions against the country.The US government has long viewed the company and its close ties to the Chinese government as a threat to national security. Huawei reportedly also received several warnings over violating Iranian sanctions.Meng may be extradited to the US, subject to approval from a Canadian .
Big rally by Malaysia Muslims calls for upholding privileges
Tens of thousands of Malaysian Muslims rallied Saturday in Kuala Lumpur against any attempt to strip the ethnic Malay majority of its privileges, in the first massive street gathering since Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's alliance won a historic vote in May. The rally, backed by the country's two largest opposition Malay parties, was initially aimed at protesting a government plan to ratify a U.N. treaty against racial discrimination. Critics allege that ratifying the treaty would end Malay privileges under a decades-old affirmative action policy. The plan to ratify was eventually abandoned, but organisers decided to proceed with what they called a "thanksgiving" rally. Racial clashes have been rare in multiracial Malaysia since deadly riots in 1969. A year later, Malaysia instituted a preferential program that gives Malays privileges in jobs, education, contracts and housing to help narrow a wealth gap with the minority Chinese. Ethnic Malays account for nearly two-thirds of the ...
Mexico president blasts 'stratospheric' supreme court wages
The Mexican president is butting heads with the Supreme Court just one week into office after judges suspended a law that would cut public sector pay, one of his key campaign promises. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador accused the judges of looking after their own pocketbooks and of failing to grasp the "new reality" that his administration represents. "They themselves decide that they are going to keep receiving exaggerated, stratospheric salaries -- salaries of up to 600,000 pesos ($29,000) a month -- those who impart justice," Lopez Obrador complained to reporters Saturday, before repeating one of his favorite mantras: "There can't be a rich government with a poor people." The freeze throws into question the government's 2019 budget plans, which are due on Dec. 15.
Sambit Patra hits back at Kapil Sibal, calls Robert Vadra 'fountainhead of corruption'
The political slugfest between the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on offices associated with businessman Robert Vadra has gotten murkier, with BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra terming Vadra as the "fountainhead of corruption."Patra's statement came shortly after Congress leader Kapil Sibal hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for backing the ED's "hooliganism.""There was no FIR or ECIR against Vadra Ji and people of the Enforcement Directorate reached his offices without any warrant. They didn't reveal their names and when asked to wait by the people in the office to get keys to the office, they broke into the premises. What kind of government is this? If law enforcement agencies resort to hooliganism, who will question them? If they are supported by the Prime Minister himself, who will question it? Where is the law and order in the country?" Sibal had asked while addressing a press conference on Saturday.Responding ..
Ramdas Athawale slapped: RPI (A) calls for bandh in Maharashtra
Members of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) have called for a statewide bandh today (December 9) after their party chief and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale was slapped during an event in Ambarnath city.Soon after the incident took place, scores of RPI (A) workers assembled outside Athawale's residence with party flags, raising slogans. Furthermore, one of the leaders, Kakasaheb Khambalkar, claimed that the attack was "pre-planned.""It was a pre-planned attack. The mastermind should be nabbed. We've called for a Maharashtra bandh today," he told reporters here.A man, identified as Pravin Gosavi, was detained on Saturday night for allegedly slapping Athawale at an event in Ambernath city.Gosavi was thrashed by the public at the spot and later detained by the police.The accused had reportedly approached Athawale to get a picture clicked, and later slapped the Union Minister. He is currently being treated for injuries at a hospital in the vicinity.An investigation has been ...
Adityanath inspects arrangements for Kumbh Mela
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday inspected preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela.While speaking to the media, Adityanath said, "With the Centre and state's support, I am certain Kumbh, which is the world biggest spiritual and cultural festival, will be a grand success. Both central and state government have together developed the infrastructure for the mela. A major part of the work will be done by December 15. Prime Minister will come to Prayagraj for the opening of the Kumbh."On Thursday, Adityanath had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss the arrangements for the upcoming Kumbh Mela to be held in Prayagraj (earlier Allahabad).The 45-day festival will start on January 15, 2019.Millions of Hindu devotees attend the mela with the belief that taking a dip in the waters of the holy river will cleanse their sins.
Time for the witch hunt to end: Trump on Mueller's Russia probe
United States President Donald Trump on Saturday reiterated his stand over the wrapping up of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation on alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election as there was "no collusion".Taking to his Twitter handle, Trump, while terming the probe as a "witch hunt", said that there was "nothing impeachable"."This is collusion illusion, there is no smoking gun here. At this late date, after all that we have gone through after millions have been spent, we have no Russian Collusion. There is nothing impeachable here. Time for the Witch Hunt to END!" the US President tweeted."AFTER TWO YEARS AND MILLIONS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS (and a cost of over $30,000,000), NO COLLUSION!" read another tweet.Trump has been a vocal critic of Mueller's investigation and has repeatedly called it a "witch hunt" and "unnecessary."Mueller is currently investigating the possibility of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential polls and a possible collusion between
Retd Army officer backs Lt Gen Hooda, says military ops shouldn't be politicized
Retired Brigadier Bal Krishna Yadav on Saturday came out in support of Retired Lieutenant General DS Hooda's views on the surgical strike that was conducted in 2016.Speaking to ANI, Yadav said: "I respect and appreciate the views of Lt General Hooda, who very correctly has said that all military operations, specially the special forces operations, should never be a part of political discussions as it affects the morale of the forces and also compromises national security to an extent. The morale of the troops must always be kept in my mind."On Friday, retired Lieutenant General Hooda opined that the hype associated with the surgical strike was not needed. Further elaborating upon the intricacy of the surgical strike, Yadav had said that the operation was not something that was carried out for the first time."Operations of the army must be left with the army. Such operations have always been a part of our military in order to dominate the line of control. The surgical strike was ...
Govt conducting raids as they're unable to prove Vadra's involvement in scams: Jagdish Sharma
Congress worker Jagdish Sharma, who was detained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday morning and released by the investigating agency in the evening, has alleged that the central government is unable to prove the land scams against Robert Vadra, and is hence having raids conducted.Sharma, who is believed to be a close aide of the businessman, told ANI, "I think since the government is unable to prove the land scams against Robert Vadra, they are doing these things. I was pressurised and asked to name various people. I know Robert Sahab for last 25 years and he has not done any wrong."While being taken to the ED office, Sharma had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government wanted to "trap" Vadra.Meanwhile, Congress leader Rajeev Shukla, while speaking about the raids, told ANI: "The ED raided his personal staff residence. People were cooperating with the agency. A person had gone to get the key of the office, yet they chose to break the lock of the office. Just ...
Trump chooses new Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, against Mattis wishes
US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he was nominating Army chief of staff General Mark Milley as his next top military advisor -- a new slap in the face for Pentagon chief Jim Mattis. Milley, a four-star general who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, would replace General Joseph Dunford as the military's next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Dunford is scheduled to retire in October 2019 at the end of his second two-year term. "I am thankful to both of these incredible men for their service to our Country!" Trump said on Twitter in making the announcement. "Mark is a great gentleman, great soldier. I look forward to that," Trump then told reporters before heading to the annual Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia. But in choosing the 60-year-old Milley, a graduate of Princeton University known for his combat command experience, Trump went against the wishes of Mattis, who reportedly favoured Air Force General David Goldfein. That choice would have been in keeping
John Kelly will step down at the end of this year: Trump
Ending months of speculation, United States President Donald Trump on Saturday said that White House chief of staff John Kelly will step down from his post at the end of this year."John Kelly will be leaving at the end of the year," CNN quoted Trump as saying to reporters outside the White House.On Friday, the American cable network reported that Kelly would resign from his post over his fractious relationship with Trump over a number of issues.Thanking Kelly for serving him for nearly two years as chief of staff, Trump further said: "I appreciate his service very much."Trump and Kelly have reportedly stopped speaking to each other in the recent days. The US President is actively discussing a plan for Kelly's replacement, although an insider said that nothing is clear as of now and nothing would be final until a replacement was announced.Nick Ayers, who is US Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff, is seen as a leading contender and is likely to succeed Kelly.Ever since Kelly took
Do not prejudge events: Gen Rawat to media
Asking the media to be responsible while reporting news, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat opined that media should not "prejudge events.""We cannot take action based on media reports. Many a times the media gives false reports too," he told reporters on the sidelines of the Delhi Horse Show here on Saturday.General Rawat was responding to a question on the alleged role of an Army soldier in the Bulandshahr violence incident.Army man Jitendra Malik alias Jeetu Fauji has been named in the FIR lodged in the Bulandshahr clashes which took place on December 3. The violence resulted in the death two people, including Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh.Earlier on Saturday, Jitendra was detained by the 22 Rashtriya Rifles in Sopore town in Jammu and Kashmir and was handed over to the Uttar Pradesh Police for further investigation.