Page 2335 - Politics
G20: Xi, Trump meet amid heightened trade tensions
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday (local time) attended a highly-anticipated dinner with his United States counterpart Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina. The meet was the two leaders' first in 2018, wherein an escalating trade war between their countries threatens to disrupt the global economy.The meeting was agreed to by the two leaders after Trump initiated a telephonic conversation last month, Xinhua reported.During the conversation, Xi stressed his and Trump's common vision for healthy US-China ties. The Chinese President spoke about boosting economic and trade cooperation, adding that the two countries, which are two of the largest economies of the world, should make efforts towards the same.This comes after Trump, earlier this week, confirmed his commitment to implement plans to increase the tariffs on USD 200 billion-worth Chinese goods from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, CNN reported."Where we are right now is in a place of considerable ...
Trump, Xi trade war dinner went 'very well': White House advisor
A dinner meeting Saturday between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to discuss their growing trade war went "very well", White House top economic advisor Larry Kudlow said. Kudlow's comment to journalists, as Trump and his delegation were about to take off for Washington from Buenos Aires, was the first public reaction from the high-stakes dinner lasting more than two hours. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said she expected to release a statement soon. There was no immediate word from China's government. Trump and Xi, who were in the Argentinian capital over the last two days for a summit of G20 countries, had gone into the meeting in a bid to pull the world's top two economies from the brink of a full-fledged trade war. Both leaders expressed optimism as they and top aides sat down at a long hotel table adorned with flowers. "We will probably end up ending up getting something that will be good for China and the United States," Trump said. Xi ...
Lopez Obrador sworn in as Mexico's president
The leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who was sworn in this Saturday as president of Mexico, said in his first address to the nation after his inauguration that during his term in office (2018-2024) he will fight against both public and private corruption.
Under-fire Putin briefs Trump over Ukraine as EU leaders up pressure
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he briefed his US counterpart Donald Trump on the Ukraine crisis Saturday as he came under pressure over Moscow's robust foreign policy at the G20 summit in Argentina. Putin said he explained Moscow's position when the leaders met briefly at a summit dinner. "We spoke standing up. I replied to his questions about the incident in the Black Sea," Putin told reporters at the end of the summit. Putin strode into the summit on Friday under a cloud, having drawn outrage from Europe over last Sunday's incident in which his navy detained Ukrainian ships and 24 sailors -- causing Trump to abruptly cancel their scheduled meeting. German Chancellor Angela Merkel took him to task at length Saturday over the naval spat, a day after French President Emmanuel Macron urged Putin to "de-escalate" the crisis. Merkel used breakfast with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit to voice her "concern" over the tensions in the Kerch Strait off Russian-annexed ...
Trump, Xi chew over trade war at high-stakes dinner
US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping held a high-stakes dinner Saturday to try to pull the world's top two economies from the brink of a full-fledged trade war. There was no immediate statement from either side when the dinner of more than two hours ended in Buenos Aires. Trump left immediately to board Air Force One for Washington, having spent two days attending the summit of G20 countries. But both leaders had expressed optimism earlier as they and top aides sat down at a long hotel table in the Argentinian capital. "We will probably end up ending up getting something that will be good for China and the United States," Trump said, while Xi said they shared tremendous responsibility to find a solution. "Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interest of both peace and prosperity," Xi said. The meeting lasted longer than scheduled and featured a menu of sirloin steak, caramel rolled pancakes and Argentinian wine. It may have been tacked on to ...
Trump, Merkel discuss trade, security issues at G-20 Summit
US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday exchanged views on trade and security on the sidelines of G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires, according to a statement released by the White House.
Trump-Putin meeting unlikely to happen anytime soon: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to hold a meeting with his United States counterpart Donald Trump in the near future after the latter cancelled their meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina, the Kremlin confirmed on Saturday.Russian media quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying that the US and Russian governments were in contact with each other after the scheduled meeting in Argentina was cancelled by Trump on Thursday, Xinhua reported.Peskov further confirmed that the two leaders did have a brief contact in Buenos Aires, however, divulged no further information on their conversation.Trump cancelled their meet over the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. On November 25, Russian guards fired upon and then captured three Ukrainian naval ships after they allegedly entered the Russian territory in the Sea of Azov.The incident drew international condemnation, especially from the West. Ukraine imposed martial law in its border areas with Russia ...
Odisha govt reshuffles 4 IAS officers
The Odisha government on Saturday reshuffled four senior IAS officers in the state.According to a notification, Ashok K.K. Meena, a 1993 batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the Principal Secretary to the Finance Department of the Odisha government. He was earlier the Principal Secretary, General Administration and Public Grievance with the additional charge of Special Secretary in Finance Department.IAS officer Girish SN of 2002-batch will now take over as the Special Secretary, General Administration and Public Grievances Department of the State government.Similarly, IAS officer Tuhin Kanta Pandey has been appointed as Principal Resident Commissioner of Odisha in New Delhi. The 1987-batch IAS officer was earlier serving as Finance Secretary.Meanwhile, 2005-batch IAS officer Debendra Kumar Jena has been appointed as Managing Director, Odisha State Cooperative Bank Ltd.
Goa: Parrikar meets BJP lawmakers over welfare programmes
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday met various state ministers and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to advance welfare programmes and their implementation in the state.In the morning, Parrikar reviewed the progress of various projects "including Mandovi bridge and waste management initiatives," read a statement from the Chief Minister's Office."Discussion took place with officials of the Personnel Department regarding all vacancies and Governance related issues. The Chief Minister also took a review of the Financial Department," the statement added.Later on Saturday, Parrikar held meetings with Ministers and MLAs of BJP to "advance Government's welfare programmes and their implementation in their respective Constituencies".
War will continue so long as Ukraine government stays: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he saw no end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine "as long as the current authorities remain in power". "The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," Putin told reporters at the end of the G20 summit in Argentina. "As long as they remain in power, the war will continue," the Russian leader said. The conflict pitting Russian separatists against Ukrainian government forces is estimated to have claimed more than 10,000 lives -- one-third of them civilian -- since it broke out four years ago. The war has strained relations with Western powers. They blame Putin for starting the conflict in 2014, when his forces annexed Crimea, laying the ground for Russian separatists to seize cities in eastern Ukraine. Heavy military spending and the loss of vital industries in the separatist regions have weighed heavily on Ukraine's economy. And Kiev has received only around half of a USD 17.5 ...
Erdogan demands Saudis extradite suspects in Khashoggi killing
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded Saturday that Saudi Arabia extradite suspects in the killing in Istanbul of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying the kingdom was not cooperating. At a summit of the Group of 20 in Buenos Aires, the Turkish leader took a firm tone on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who boldly flew to the gathering to show he remains firmly in charge. Saudi Arabia has announced the detention of 18 nationals and vowed to probe the killing of Khashoggi, a royal confidant turned critic who was killed and dismembered when he visited the kingdom's Istanbul consulate to handle paperwork for his planned wedding. "It's essential that these people are tried in Turkey in order to eliminate any question marks that the international community may have," Erdogan told reporters. "Whoever has ordered and implemented this violent crime should be found out at once. Unless the perpetrators are found out, the whole world and the Islamic community shall not be ...
Trade, people-to-people ties at the forefront to deepen India-France relations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the third day of the 13th G20 state leader's summit in Argentina, wherein the two leaders focused on trade and people-to-people ties to strengthen India-France relations.Taking to his Twitter handle, the Prime Minister said, "Had an excellent meeting with President @EmmanuelMacron. We had wide-ranging discussions on ways to deepen and diversify the India-France strategic partnership, particularly by enhancing trade and people-to-people ties."During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said that Macron's visit to India in March was a "very important step" towards strengthening India-France ties."During your visit, the International Solar Alliance's (ISA) Founding Conference (was held) and the momentum that it (Macron's visit) gave to the ISA is unprecedented. We took the right steps in the right direction at the right time," Prime Minister Modi said.The Prime Minister said that it is a matter ..
PM Modi concludes Argentina visit, departs for Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emplaned for New Delhi after a hectic three-days in Argentina where he attended the 13th G20 Summit for state leaders, apart from hosting a number of high-profile and historic meetings.Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson (MEA) Raveesh Kumar took to his Twitter handle, acclaiming the Prime Minister for "Making India's voice count!""Making India's voice count! PM @narendramodi departs for Delhi after a hectic visit to Argentina, which witnessed PM's participation at the #G20Summit, and also in several bilateral and plurilateral meetings," the MEA spokesperson tweeted.The Prime Minister started the proceedings of his Argentina visit by attending the Yoga for Peace Event at the La Rural Fairgrounds, following which he held a meeting with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.He also attended the first-ever trilateral summit with Japan and the United States of America, where he coined the term "JAI" (Japan-America-India) for ..
'War will continue' as long as Ukraine government in power: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he saw no end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine "as long as the current authorities remain in power". "The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," Putin told reporters at the end of the G20 summit in Argentina. "As long as they remain in power, the war will continue," the Russian leader said.
India to host 2022 G20 Summit on 75th year of Independence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday confirmed that India will host the G20 summit in the year 2022 when the country will complete 75 years of independence.The Prime Minister made the announcement at the concluding session on the third day of the G20 Summit in Argentina. Originally slated to host the summit in the year 2021, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude towards Italy for accepting their request to host the G20 in 2022."It is India's 75th Independence Day in 2022 and we had requested Italy if we can get 2022 instead of 2021 (for hosting the G20 summit). They accepted our request, and everyone else also accepted it. I'm grateful and I invite leadership from across the world to come to India in 2022."Taking to his Twitter account, Prime Minister said, "In 2022 India completes 75 years since Independence. In that special year, India looks forward to welcoming the world to the G-20 Summit! Come to India, the world's fastest-growing large economy! Know India's rich history
Mattis blasts Russia's 'brazen contempt' toward Ukraine
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Saturday blasted Moscow following the Russian navy's "brazen" violation of a waterway treaty with Kiev and the seizure of three Ukrainian vessels. Speaking of a 2003 agreement governing the Kerch Strait between the Azov Sea and Black Sea, Mattis said Moscow had shown "brazen contempt and dismissal" for the deal "that allowed both Russian and Ukrainian ships free passage". Mattis was speaking before an audience at a defense forum in California, a day after President Donald Trump went out of his way to dodge Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, citing the capture of the Ukrainian ships. The defense chief's remarks represent some of the strongest reaction to date by the US over the incident. Last week, US Ambassador Nikki Haley to the UN accused Russia of "outlaw actions" and an "outrageous violation of sovereign Ukrainian territory" while addressing an emergency meeting of the Security Council. Tensions between Ukraine and ..
Trump had 'informal' conversation with Putin: White House
US President Donald Trump had an "informal" conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday, said the White House on Saturday.
Trump goes it alone on trade, climate at tense G20
US President Donald Trump, ahead of a tariffs showdown with China, diverged with G20 partners at summit talks Saturday in refusing to back global action on climate change and by watering down past pledges to fight trade protectionism. A final communique adopted after all-night haggling in the summit in Argentina said all other G20 members agreed to implement the "irreversible" Paris Agreement on climate change, while respecting different paces of economic development. But it said the "United States reiterates its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement," mirroring the divergence seen last year when Trump shocked the global community by bucking the consensus at his first G20. The statement also omitted pledges by the G20 to fight protectionism and uphold multilateral trading rules, which used to be a mainstay of the world's leading economies pre-Trump. Instead, it merely recognized the "contribution" of the "multilateral trading system," and added that it was "falling short" in ..
TN govt announces Rs 20 lakh compensation for family of slain solider
The Tamil Nadu government Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the family of Army jawan P Saravanan, who died while on duty in Jammu and Kashmir. Saravanan, hailing from Thirumangalam in Madurai district, died on Friday while he was on security duty at Tross area in J&K. He was attached to the 20 ENGR, Regiment. Expressing grief over Saravanan's demise, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said he has issued orders to give Rs 20 lakh as financial assistance to family members of the deceased.
Sushma Swaraj slam Pak foreign minister Qureshi on 'googly' remark, says it 'exposed' him
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Saturday came down hard on her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi for his "googly" remark, saying it "exposed" him and that Pakistan has no respect for Sikh sentiments In as series of tweets, Swaraj said,"Mr.Foreign Minister of Pakistan - Your 'googly' remarks in a dramatic manner has exposed none but YOU. This shows that you have no respect for Sikh sentiments. You only play 'googlies'." "Let me explain to you that we were not trapped by your 'googlies'. Our two Sikh Ministers went to Kartarpur Sahib to offer prayers in the Holy Gurudwara", she said. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who completed 100 days in office, on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Kartarpur Corridor linking two revered gurdwaras on both sides of the border in Kartarpur in Punjab province. Union ministers from India, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri, along with Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, attended the event in Pakistan Punjab ...