Page 2364 - Politics
Democrats nominate Nancy Pelosi for speakership of House
US House Democrats voted on Wednesday to nominate Representative Nancy Pelosi for speakership in the new Congress.
UK court throws out extradition request for Turkish critic
A British judge on Wednesday rejected the Turkish government's request to extradite a prominent critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling the case "politically motivated." Judge John Zani refused to extradite Hamdi Akin Ipek, 54, a media tycoon whose newspapers and television stations were seized by the Turkish leadership after the attempted coup against Erdogan in 2016. The case marked the first time an English court was asked to rule on the legality of a Turkish government crackdown on those linked to the exiled preacher Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of orchestrating the coup but has denied it. "I am satisfied that this is a politically motivated prosecution," Zani said during a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court. Zani said returning Ipek to Turkey would risk violating the European Convention of Human Rights, which states that no one should be subjected to torture or punishment that is "inhuman or degrading." The Turkish government claims Ipek and his Koza-Ipek group
Pompeo, Mattis urge Senate to maintain Saudi military support
Two top officials from the administration of President Donald Trump sought Wednesday to persuade US lawmakers to maintain America's increasingly contentious backing of Saudi Arabia in the war in Yemen, arguing that pulling back would worsen the brutal conflict. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis appeared before the Senate ahead of a planned vote on reducing military assistance to Riyadh, which has been blamed for high civilian death rates in Yemen strikes and is facing global ire over the death of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "The suffering in Yemen grieves me, but if the United States of America was not involved in Yemen, it would be a hell of a lot worse," Pompeo said, according to prepared remarks from the closed-door hearing. "What would happen if the US withdrew from the Yemen effort? The war wouldn't end." The Yemen conflict has triggered the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with the country now on the brink of famine. The UN ...
Thousands rally against Macedonia's government
Several thousand protesters from Macedonia's right-wing opposition marched through the capital Skopje Wednesday in a protest against Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, who is pushing through a deal to change the country's name. The group, waving Macedonia's red-and-yellow flags, was led by the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party that was ousted from power in 2017 and has seen its ranks weakened further in recent months. The party has so far failed to thwart a deal that Zaev, a pro-EU Social Democrat, struck with Greece this year to rename the country "North Macedonia". If the change is finalised in parliament, Athens has promised to lift its veto on Skopje's attempts to join NATO and the EU. Greece has blocked the road for years because it insists the name Macedonia should apply solely to its own northern province. Critics of the deal argue that Macedonia is being bullied by Greece. "We'll show you your place in history, the dark side of history, in the next early or regular elections," VMRO-DPMNE ..
France, Germany taking charge of EU-Iran trade move but oil sales in doubt
PARIS/BRUSSELS/VIENNA (Reuters) - France and Germany are to take joint responsibility for an EU-Iran trade mechanism to minimise the risk of U.S. punishment but few now believe it will cover oil sales, heightening fears for the fate of the landmark international nuclear deal with Iran.
UK, Bank of England lay out economic costs of Brexit scenarios
The British government and the Bank of England said the United Kingdom risks serious economic damage in the case of a messy break-up with the European Union, an assessment that Prime Minister Theresa May hopes will persuade a majority of lawmakers to back her plan for Brexit, Efe news reports.
Italy won't ink UN global migration compact: Italy
Rome, Nov 29 (IANS/AKI) Italy will not take part in the intergovernmental conference in Marrakech next month to adopt the United Nations global compact on safe and orderly migration, populist premier Giuseppe Conte said on Wednesday.
India reaffirms commitment to rebuilding, reconstruction of Afghanistan
India on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to the rebuilding and reconstruction of Afghanistan even as New Delhi reiterated its development assistance commitment of over USD 3 billion for the war-torn country. India's renewed commitment to Afghanistan was enunciated by Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh at the Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan in Geneva to evaluate and strategise on developmental policy achievements during the 'transformation decade' (2015-24) for the country, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Expressing India's support for an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan, Singh also enunciated New Delhi's perspective on the development cooperation assistance to Afghanistan keeping the priorities of the people of Afghanistan at its centre. In his address at the conference, Singh asserted India's commitment to the rebuilding and reconstruction of Afghanistan and also reiterated New Delhi's development assistance commitment of ...
3 temples close down in Mathura to protest demolition drive
Three major temples here closed for an indefinite period, protesting the demolition of 12 shops and a temporary structure at a aarti sthal in Goverdhan. The Daanghati, Girraj Mukut Mukharbind and Hargokul temples are protesting the demolition, Daanghati temple head priest Rameshwar Kaushik said. He said, "A meeting of the Brahmin Samaj of Goverdhan has been called tomorrow for future course of action." The demolition has been done for implementing the National Green Tribunal's orders, District Magistrate Sarvagyaram Mishra said. The NGT in a recent order, has directed the administration to demolish 75 structures or face punitive action, he said.
BJP legislator Gote says in assembly he faces threat to life
BJP MLA Anil Gote Wednesday claimedhis life was under threat andsaid this was happening at a time when his party was in power in Maharashtra. Gote also alleged his partywas inducting people with criminal background in Dhule, his assembly constituency in North Maharashtra, where civic polls are scheduled next month. The ruling party legislator made the remarks in the legislative assembly, which is currently having its winter session here. Gote referred to a purported audio clip wherein a man is saying he wanted to "shoot" him (Gote) using a 'desi katta' (country-made revolver), but could not pull the trigger as he was stopped by a doctor. "It is my bad luck that I have to face this situation whenmy party is in the government," he said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was present in the House, said he would collect all information and ensure appropriate action. "Recently, some objectionable content about my wife was circulated by a man called Vinod Thorat who was ...
Hyderabad's growth hit roadblock under TRS: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that the development of Hyderabad hit a roadblock during the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)rule.
J&K SAC enhances SSB selections waiting list limit to 50 per cent
The Jammu and Kashmir administration Wednesday approved enhancement in the waiting list of candidates shortlisted by the SSB for appointment to non-gazetted posts in various state departments. The waiting list will be enhanced to 50 per cent of the vacancies advertised, from the existing 33.33 per cent. The list shall be extended to 100 per cent of the vacancies advertised, wherever the number of posts is 10 or less, either under normal selection or under the provisions of sadr-e-riyasat ordinance number 202 (SRO-202). On the recommendation of J-K Services Selection Board (JKSSB), the decision to this effect was taken by the State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here Wednesday under the chairmanship of Governor Satya Pal Malik, an official spokesman said. The department has been facing problems in filling vacancies as the candidates are not joining after selection, he said. In a further explanation he said, the board conducts a common test for different non-gazetted posts ...
Polling and BJP both come to an end in MP: Kamal Nath
Expressing confidence about Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) ouster in Madhya Pradesh, Congress state unit chief Kamal Nath on Wednesday said that the special thing about today's Assembly polls was that "two things come to an end- first the voting process and second Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)."Addressing the media here, the Congress leader further said that his party had initially expected to bag at least 140 seats in the state Assembly elections, but after the recent developments involving the faulty electronic voting machines (EVMs) across the state, they are expecting "very surprising result"."I had said that we will win more than 140 seats but after today's voting and with all the information coming in, there is a possibility of a very surprising result," he said.Speaking about several complaints of faulty EVMs, the senior Congress leader demanded that re-polling should be done at all those polling booths where voting process was halted for three hours or more."Today, there were a
Congress, TDP fighting for people of Telangana: Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that his party and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have a similar vision and they are fighting for the people of Telangana.After meeting Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu here, the Congress president said: "We are not adversaries. There is a similarity in our vision. We are fighting for the voice of people of Telangana."He added that both the parties are working together as there is "a threat to the nation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi."Naidu and Gandhi earlier in the day took part in a road show in Hyderabad.The Telangana Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held in Telangana on December 7 to constitute the second Legislative Assembly. The result will be declared on December 11.
Puri takes a jibe at Pak PM for his Sidhu remark
After Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu could also win election in his country, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday stated that he (Hardeep Singh Puri) had not yet asked if Sidhu were looking forward to changing his constituency.Addressing media persons on his return to India here, after attending the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor in Pakistan, Puri said, "Pakistan Prime Minister invited Sidhu to contest the election in Pakistan. I did not ask Sidhu what was his reaction and if he were shifting his constituency."Talking about Kartarpur corridor, the Union Minister said that the talks to open the corridor had been going on in India for quite a long time and the decision was taken only after considering all the factors."In 1999 when late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee went to Lahore and former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was a part of that ..
Togadia asks RSS to clarify stand on Ram temple issue
Right-wing leader Pravin Togadia Wednesday asked the RSS to clarify its stand on the Ram temple issue and sought to know why the Modi government had failed to build the temple so far. Referring to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's 'Dharma Sabha' held in Ayodhya on Sunday, Togadia, who has now floated Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), alleged that it might be an attempt to help the BJP in the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. "Where were they (VHP and RSS) during the last four and a half years of the BJP government at the Centre? Did they come out because of these Assembly polls or the upcoming Lok Sabha polls? Was that for the temple or just for the polls?" Togadia asked during a press conference here. "RSS leaders held a meeting with BJP leaders in Lucknow a month back. Why didn't the RSS ask the BJP to build Ram temple at that time? Now you are protesting for the temple, but against whom? If you are against the Centre, then why did you sit
Yemen conflict would worsen without US support for Riyadh: Pompeo
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday defended America's increasingly contentious support for Saudi Arabia in the Yemen war, warning lawmakers the brutal conflict would worsen without US involvement. Pompeo was due to speak to the Senate alongside Defence Secretary Jim Mattis to discuss US support for the Saudi-led coalition that is fighting Iran-backed Huthi rebels, ahead of a possible vote on reducing military backing to the Saudis. "The suffering in Yemen grieves me, but if the United States of America was not involved in Yemen, it would be a hell of a lot worse," said Pompeo in prepared remarks. "Abandoning Yemen would do immense damage to US national security interests and those of our Middle Eastern allies and partners." Ending US military support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, which includes intelligence and target sharing, would actually lead to more deaths, Pompeo added. "The Saudi-led coalition would not have the benefit of our advice and training on ...
Church-backed MPF steals the show in Mizoram polls
As people voted in the Mizoram Assembly polls Wednesday, the powerful church-sponsored watchdog Mizoram People's Forum stole the show with the forum looking after the dos and don'ts by voters as well as political parties. Mizoram recorded 75 per cent voter turnout. It is probably the only state in the country with such a powerful civil body, which was duly appreciated by the state's Chief Electoral Officer Ashish Kundra during a press conference Wednesday. The Mizoram People's Forum (MPF) was formed by the powerful Presbyterian Church Mizo Synod with the help of other major churches and civil societies on June 21, 2006 as an election watchdog to strive for electoral reforms. Talking to PTI, C L Dawngliana, MPF leader at Venghnuai polling station in Aizawl South-II constituency, stated that they helped the voters in every possible way and the main task of searching one's number in the electoral rolls had been made easier due to issuance of photo voter slips by the election ...
Schemes implemented in TL better than Ayushman Bharat: KCR
:Taking exception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticism against the TRS government for not joining 'Ayushman Bharat', caretaker Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao Wednesday said that the schemes implemented in the state are much better than the Central scheme. "Narendra Modi introduced a scheme.It's name is 'Ayushman Bharat'. A big bogus matter. (We have) to become a member of 'Ayushman Bharat' to avail the great medical facility he gives. To become a member, there are 50 conditions," he said. Rao, the caretaker Chief Minister, claimed that the scheme would not be applicable even if one owns a motorbike. "There are many conditions. Not even 20 per cent will get. Even in a 'Lambadi Thanda' (tribal habitation), there are 50-50 motorcycles....Then nobody will get Modi's scheme," he said, addressing an election campaign meeting at Narsapur near Medak. The 'Arogya Sri' and Chief Minister's Relief Fund being implemented by the state government are much better than ...
Ivanka Trump says 'Lock her up!' doesn't apply in her case
Ivanka Trump defended her use of a private email account as she was moving into an adviser's position in her father's administration, saying that it cannot be compared to the flap over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's private email server and that "Lock her up!" doesn't apply to her. "All of my emails are stored and preserved. There were no deletions," President Donald Trump's elder daughter and adviser told ABC News in an interview broadcast Wednesday. The Washington Post reported this month that Ivanka Trump sent hundreds of emails about government business from a personal email account last year to White House aides, Cabinet members and her assistant, many in violation of public records rules. "There is no restriction of using personal email," she said. "In fact, we're instructed that if we receive an email to our personal account that could relate to government work, you simply just forward it to your government account so it can be archived." Clinton used a personal ...