Page 2460 - Politics
Hong Kong starts trial for 9 accused in 2014 Occupy protests
Three leaders of Hong Kong's 2014 pro-democracy protests and six others are being tried for their involvement in the "Occupy Central" movement that paralysed the city's financial district for more than two months. The trial for the nine defendants opened Monday. They include two professors and a pastor who spearheaded the campaign to press for free elections of Hong Kong's top leader. Protesters laid siege to government headquarters for 79 days but failed to win any concessions. Three university students prosecuted in 2016 for their leadership role in the protests received community service. Judges are under pressure from Beijing to hand down harsher sentences to deter future protests. Some fear that central government meddling will erode judiciary independence and the city's standing as a business capital.
Mohajir leader commends Trump's comments about Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism
Lauding the United States President Donald Trump's statement on Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism, the Voice of Karachi (VOK) chairman and Mohajir leader, Nadeem Nusrat said that Trump deserves an applaud for taking a strong stand and publicly discussing Islamabad's role in terrorism.In his latest interview to Fox News, Trump said, "Pakistan doesn't do a damn thing for us," while defending his administration's decision to pull hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to the Asian country. Trump further charged that the Pakistan government helped wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden to hide in their country.Nusrat, in a statement released by the Voice of Karachi, said that Trump's candid comments on Pakistan's dubious role in dealing with terrorism and providing refuge to Osama bin Laden have once again posed serious questions about Pakistani deep state's role in sponsoring religious extremism and terrorism worldwide.The statement further pointed out that Trump's statement ...
Digvijaya challenges MP CM for debate on works during their tenures
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has dared Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for a debate over the work done in his and latter's governance during their respective tenures as chief minister of the poll-bound state.Addressing a rally here, Singh, who is the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said, "Again and again, they say 'Digvijaya Singh's 10 years and our 15 years'. I challenge Shivraj Singh Chouhan to come on one stage and debate on his 15 years and my 10 years. Aapko saahas ho to aa jaaiye (If you have courage, do come)."Singh further claimed that he was the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh for 10 years during which no corruption allegation was levelled against him."I was the Chief Minister for 10 years, no corruption allegation was levelled against me. There wasn't one case of corruption involving big minister and the Chief Minister during my tenure. When Uma Bharti levelled allegations against me I brought her to court," Singh added.On November 10, ...
Did not listen to Khashoggi murder tapes: Trump
United States President Donald Trump stated that he did not listen to the tapes of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi which were sent by Turkish administration.In an exclusive Fox News interview with Chris Wallace, Trump said that he himself did not listen to the tapes but was fully briefed on it.Terming the tapes as the "suffering tapes", Trump said, "Because it's a suffering tape, it's a terrible tape," Trump said. "I've been fully briefed on it, there's no reason for me to hear it, in fact, I said to the people 'should I?' They said, 'you really shouldn't, there's no reason.' I know exactly -- I know everything that went on in the tape without having to hear it." he added.When asked if Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman lied about his involvement in his Khashoggi's killing to him, Trump said that he is unaware if he has been lied to.Reiterating the fact that Saudi Arabia has been a long time strategic partner for the United States of America, Trump said, "You saw .
British foreign minister visits Iran for nuclear talks
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will visit Iran for the first time on Monday for talks about the nuclear deal and freeing UK nationals held in Iranian jails. Iran has been abiding by the terms of its nuclear deal with global powers, the latest report from the UN atomic watchdog indicated last week, days after fresh US sanctions hit the country. US President Donald Trump has dramatically increased pressure on Tehran, withdrawing from an international agreement aimed at ending its nuclear programme and introducing several rounds of unilateral sanctions. Hunt's visit is the first by a Western foreign minister since the United States withdrew from the nuclear deal. "The Iran nuclear deal remains a vital component of stability in the Middle East by eliminating the threat of a nuclearised Iran," Hunt said, in a statement issued in London. "It needs 100-percent compliance though to survive. We will stick to our side of the bargain as long as Iran does," he said. "But we also need to ...
Congress not allowing senior leader to campaign to hide failure: PM Modi
In an apparent reference to Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that one of the senior Congress leaders is not being allowed to campaign for the upcoming assembly elections in the state as the party fears that people will recall the failure of their tenure if Singh campaigns.Earlier, Singh had said that "his party loses votes if he campaigns."Addressing a rally here on Sunday, the Prime Minister said, "One of the senior Congress leaders is not being allowed to campaign during these elections. The reason is that the Congress fears that if he campaigns, the party will lose as people will recall what the fate of Madhya Pradesh was during the time they were in power."The Prime Minister also accused the Congress of playing divisive politics and said, "Congress neither has any policy, intention, nor a leader... its leader is confused. Let the naamdar (apparently Congress chief Rahul Gandhi) write down on a piece of .
Houthi rebels announce halt of missile attacks on Saudi, UAE
Yemen's Houthi rebels on Sunday night announced halt of ballistic missile attack against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), media reported.
I didn't know interim AG had criticised Russia probe: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that he did not know about the criticism that recently-appointed interim Attorney General Matt Whitaker made in the past about the Russia probe, in which investigators are examining possible interference by the Kremlin in the 2016 presidential election.
British Foreign Secretary to visit Iran
British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jeremy Hunt will visit Iran on Monday for talks on key issues of mutual interest, official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday.
Republican Rick Scott wins Florida Senate seat
Florida's outgoing Republican Governor Rick Scott has narrowly won a US Senate seat in a bitterly contested race with incumbent Bill Nelson, official results showed. Nelson conceded the seat he has held for three terms since 2001 after a machine and hand recount showed Scott had edged the Democrat by just over 10,000 votes, or 50.05 percent to 49.93 percent, official final results showed on Sunday. "I just spoke with Senator Bill Nelson, who graciously conceded, and I thanked him for his years of public service," Scott wrote on his Facebook page. A day earlier, Democrat Andrew Gillum conceded his hard-fought race to become the Sunshine State's first African American governor to his Republican rival, Ron DeSantis. That race had also gone to a recount. And Stacey Abrams, who aimed to become America's first black female governor, said Friday she will not win her race to lead the state of Georgia, while still accusing her Republican rival Brian Kemp of voter suppression. President Donald .
Israeli PM takes over defence ministry
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday announced that he will serve as defence minister amidst efforts to prevent the collapse of his government.
If he misbehaves we will throw him out: Trump on Jim Acosta
In an exclusive interview with Fox News's Chris Wallace, United State President Donald Trump stated that restoration of press credential of CNN reporter Jim Acosta after White House had banned him from attending press briefings is not a big deal and added that he would be thrown out if he misbehaves again.Trump further said that Federal Judge's order for restoration of Acosta's pass was "fine". "They (judge) said we have to create rules and regulations for conduct in the White House," he added."I think one of the things we'll do is maybe turn the camera off that faces them, because then they don't have any air time, although I'll probably be sued for that and maybe, you know, win or lose it, who knows. I mean, with this stuff you never know what's going to happen," Trump said.The White House had earlier stripped CNN's chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta off his press credentials while accusing him of misconduct and unruly behaviour during a media briefing."Nobody believes in ...
Congress releases fourth list of 6 candidates for Telangana polls
The Congress party has released its fourth list of six candidates for the upcoming Telangana assembly elections, to be held on December 7.The decision was announced by General Secretary of the Congress's Central Election Commission, Mukul Wasnik on Sunday. So far, the party has announced the names of 94 candidates out of 119 seats in the state.Earlier on Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released the sixth list of six candidates for the upcoming polls in the state.The counting of votes for the high-stakes elections will take place on December 11.The Telangana State Assembly was dissolved prematurely in September on the recommendation of the ruling K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government.
Trump plans key staff changes at crucial point in presidency
President Donald Trump is planning to make several key staffing changes as he prepares to deal with newly empowered Democrats and with the looming outcome of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. "I have three or four or five positions that I'm thinking about," Trump said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday." "I need flexibility," he said. Trump did not rule out the possibility that his chief of staff John Kelly might be leaving. "At some point he's going to want to move on." Democrats picked up at least 36 seats in the House of Representatives in the recent midterm elections, giving them control of the lower chamber. Trump insisted that it was "historic" that Republicans were able to hold the Senate. But control of the House will allow Democrats to block much Trump-backed legislation, to issue subpoenas and to launch congressional inquiries into Russian involvement, Trump's taxes and finances, and other highly sensitive issues. Vice President Mike ...
Telangana polls: Congress holds talks with dissidents
To assuage the discontent among partymen over the selection of candidates for the Telangana Assembly elections, a three-member team of the Congress Sunday held talks with those planning to enter the fray as rebels. Nearly 50 ticket aspirants who are "upset" with party's selection of candidates met the team led by Puducherry Chief Minister Narayana Swamy, Telangana Congress sources said. Karnataka Irrigation Minister D K Shiva Kumar and Puducherry Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao are the other two members of the team. Miffed at being denied tickets, some Congress dissidents had announced last week that they will contest the December 7 elections as independents on at least 40 seats. The team held discussions with the dissidents. It tried to persuade them to drop the idea of contesting as rebel candidates and to work for the victory of those fielded by the party, the sources said. The dissidents were told that they will be "rewarded" if the Congress comes to power in Telangana, they ..
Netanyahu takes on defense post amid call for early polls
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he would take on the defense minister portfolio, rejecting calls to dissolve his government even as early elections appeared increasingly likely. Netanyahu said heading to elections now, amid repeated violent confrontations with Gaza militants, was "irresponsible" of his coalition partners, who have been pushing for early polls since the resignation last week of Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman over a Gaza cease-fire. "Today, I take on for the first time the position of defense minister," said Netanyahu, speaking from Israel's defense headquarters in Tel Aviv in a statement broadcast live at the top of the evening newscasts. "We are in one of the most complex security situations and during a period like this, you don't topple a government. During a period like this you don't go to elections," he said. The sudden coalition crisis was sparked by the resignation of the hawkish Lieberman, who had demanded a far stronger response last
Temple before government: Sena's new slogan on Ayodhya issue
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Sunday sought to intensify the party's campaign for Ram temple in Ayodhya by giving a new slogan which called for the construction of temple before government. Thackeray held a meeting with senior party leaders to review preparations for his visit to Ayodhya on November 24 and 25. Sena leaders from outside Maharashtra too attended the meeting. "Har Hindu ki yahi pukar, pehle mandir fir sarkar (Every Hindu has one demand, the temple first and then government)," he said at a press conference which was held later. The Shiv Sena, which is the part of the BJP-led governments in both Maharashtra and the Centre, has been aggressively pushing for the construction of the temple since the party's annual Dussehra rally last month. The party has often taunted its ally BJP over the saffron party's "failure" to construct the temple in the last four years despite coming to power. Thackeray also asked party workers to conduct a 'maha aarati' (grand puja) on November .
Netanyahu says calling Israeli snap polls now would be 'irresponsible'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday calling snap elections now would be "irresponsible" as he vowed to push on despite a coalition crisis. Speaking in a televised address to the nation, Netanyahu also said he would retain the defence ministry portfolio and work to convince his coalition partners to remain in the government. Education Minister Naftali Bennett's far-right Jewish Home party has threatened to withdraw from the coalition if he is not named defence minister.
Congress releases last list of 6 candidates for Telangana Assembly election
The Congress released its last list of six candidates for the Telangana assembly election Sunday. The party is sharing some seats with TDP and some other like-minded parties. The Congress has so far released lists for 94 candidates for the state which goes to polls on December 7. The party had initially released a list of 65 candidates, followed by 10 and 13 candidates in other lists.
Bengal BJP accuses Trinamool of attacking party president's convoy
The West Bengal BJP on Sunday accused the Trinamool Congress of organising an attack on the convoy of the party's state President Dilip Ghosh, a charge denied by the ruling party.