Page 2503 - Politics
Palestinian militias announce ceasefire agreement in Gaza
Palestinian militias in Gaza on Tuesday announced that they have agreed to a ceasefire after two days of escalating tension and firing more than 460 rockets fired into Israel, to which the Israelis responded with 160 airstrikes carried out on positions in the enclave.
Hamas announces ceasefire with Israel after worst escalation in years
Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip announced an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire with Israel on Tuesday after a severe escalation of violence threatened to descend into full-blown war. The groups, including Hamas, issued a joint statement saying they would abide by the ceasefire as long as Israel did the same. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and the military had not commented on the announcement. Israel's hardline defence minister, Avigdor Lieberman, issued a statement saying he did not support stopping the strikes. "Egypt's efforts have been able to achieve a ceasefire between the resistance and the Zionist enemy," the statement by the Gaza groups said. "The resistance will respect this declaration as long as the Zionist enemy respects it." Kuwait and Bolivia meanwhile requested an urgent closed-door meeting later Tuesday of the UN Security Council to discuss the violence, diplomats said. The violent escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza
US designates son of Hezbollah leader as 'global terrorist'
The US State Department declared Jawad Nasrallah, the son of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, as a "global terrorist" Tuesday as it steps up pressure on the Lebanese militia group. It called Jawad a "rising leader" of the group who had in recent years recruited people "to carry out terrorist attacks against Israel in the West Bank." The State Department also maintained its 21 year old "Foreign Terrorist Organization" designation of Hezbollah, as the group battles prime minister-designate Saad al-Hariri for a powerful role in the new Lebanese government.
Britain, EU agree on draft Brexit deal
British Prime Minister Theresa May's office announced on Tuesday (local time) that a draft Brexit deal has been agreed on by negotiators from both Britain and the European Union (EU).An emergency Cabinet meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday (local time) by the Prime Minister, who now faces the mammoth task of getting the Cabinet's approval of the draft deal and subsequently, passing it in the British Parliament.Quoting a Downing Street spokesman, CNN reported that the meeting would be held at 2 pm (local time) to decide on the course of action, along with considering the Brexit deal that has been reached by negotiators from both the parties in Brussels.Talks regarding the draft deal carried on through the night till a consensus was reached.Border issues between EU-member Ireland and UK's Northern Ireland have been a roadblock in the talks, with both the sides not wanting a 'hard border' between the states which would call for customs checks on goods and services being transported .
Pak army discusses situation along LoC
Pakistan's top military brass on Tuesday discussed the situation along the Line of Control and alleged ceasefire violations. The 215th Corps Commanders' Conference presided by Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi. Army said in a statement that the forum reviewed geo-strategic environment and security situation of the country. The commanders discussed the "situation along Eastern Border including Indian ceasefire violations.
S Africa's home minister resigns after watchdog ruling
South African Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba resigned on Tuesday, the presidency announced, two weeks after a public standards watchdog said he had violated the constitution by lying under oath in court. Gigaba, a close ally of ousted former president Jacob Zuma, had recently vowed not to step down after also being caught up in a leaked sex tape scandal. A statement from President Cyril Ramaphosa's office announced that Gigaba said he had resigned "to relieve the President from undue pressure" and to allow Ramaphosa to focus on saving the country from "economic meltdown". Gigaba, 47, was reprimanded last month by the public protector ombudswoman after he testified in a 2017 court case filed by a company controlled by the wealthy Oppenheimer family. Ombudswoman Busisiwe Mkhwebane recommended that Ramaphosa take disciplinary action against the minister for "telling an untruth under oath and before a court of law". The allegations were probed after a complaint from the opposition ...
White House rejects CNN lawsuit over revoking reporter's credentials
The White House on Tuesday said that it will mount a "vigorous" defence against the lawsuit filed by CNN accusing the administration of violating freedom of the press by suspending the press credentials of one of its reporters after a press conference confrontation with President Donald Trump.
Homeland Security secretary expected to leave
President Donald Trump has soured on Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and she is expected to leave her job, perhaps as soon as this week, according to two people with knowledge of the issue. Trump has blamed Nielsen for not doing more to address what he has called a crisis at the US-Mexico border, the sources said. Curbing immigration is Trump's signature issue and one he returns to as a way to rally his most loyal supporters. But anyone who takes over at Homeland Security is likely to run up against the same problems that Nielsen faced. The administration has already tried to clamp down at the border but those efforts have been largely thwarted or watered down due to legal challenges. Nielsen had hoped to complete one year in the job and leave in December, but it appeared unlikely she would last that long, said two sources. Both people who had knowledge of the debate spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Trump was ..
U.S. in China trade talks again, demands 'change of posture'
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's top economic adviser said on Tuesday that the United States welcomed the resumption of talks with China on trade, while Vice President Mike Pence warned Beijing to change its behaviour so as to avoid a new cold war with the United States.
Pence to meet PM Modi in Singapore on Wednesday
US Vice President Mike Pence will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Singapore on Wednesday during which the two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral defence cooperation and a common vision for maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Pence will participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi, the White House said releasing the schedule of the Vice President on the eve of the meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place 12.30 pm local Singapore time. Trump will be representing President Donald Trump at the ASEAN and East Asia Summit in Singapore. "They will talking about the bilateral relationship and defence cooperation in the kind of larger context," a senior administration official told foreign reporters last week ahead of his trip. "They'll also be talking about their common vision for maintaining what we refer to as a free and open Indo-Pacific," said the senior Administration official. "Prime Minister Modi has talked about his Act East policy, and there is
Pledge secured from social media platforms on curbing posts that affect poll process: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat Tuesday said a pledge has been secured from social media platforms stating they would curb the flow of posts which adversely affect the election process in the country. Interacting with reporters here, he said the poll watchdog had made several attempts to curb the misuse of social media during elections. "We have separately held talks with the national and regional heads of all important social media platforms and secured a pledge from them that they will stop the flow of all such posts that are likely to adversely affect the election process," he said. Rawat said the expenditure on poll advertisements on social media will be added to the expenses of the candidates. Information would also be collected from the social media officials about the sponsors of such election advertisements. In response to a question, Rawat said the EC has a strong mechanism in place to review the manifestos of political parties. "We have made a firm commitment to review
Enjoy being on Twitter, PM Modi tells Jack Dorsey
After meeting Twitter CEO and Co-Founder Jack Dorsey on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he enjoys being on the platform and has made "great friends" there.
Trump suggests France would have been defeated without US
President Donald Trump escalated his verbal assaults against France on Tuesday, suggesting that America's stalwart European ally would have been vanquished in both world wars if not for the military firepower provided by the United States. Trump tweeted about a suggestion by French President Emmanuel Macron that Europe build up its militaries because the continent can no longer depend on the U.S. for defense. Macron had also said Europe needs to protect itself against cyberthreats from China, Russia and the US. Macron's comments were inaccurately reported and Trump continues to misrepresent them, seemingly for political hay. The French leader's office said Trump had lumped together Macron's remarks on protecting against cyber-threats and "interference in our democracies" from "China, Russia and even the United States" with Macron's later statement on military defense. "Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, China and Russia," Trump tweeted. "But it was
CNN sues Trump administration for barring its journalist from White House
American broadcaster CNN on Tuesday filed a lawsuit suing United States President Donald Trump and his associates, seeking an immediate restoration of the press credentials of its chief White House correspondent, Jim Acosta.CNN reported that the lawsuit is a response to the White House's suspension of Acosta's press pass, known as a Secret Service "hard pass."The white house suspended Acosta's press pass last week for an unspecified duration.The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday morning, by the network alleges that the removal of Acosta's White House press pass constituted a violation of his First Amendment rights to freely report on the government.CNN also alleged that the administration had violated Acosta's due process rights by revoking his credentials without warning.Including President Donald Trump, chief of staff John Kelly, press secretary Sarah Sanders, deputy chief of staff for communications Bill Shine, the director of the Secret Service, and
Failed politics compelling Rahul to rake up Rafale controversial: Jaitley
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday hit out at the Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying that the failed politics of Gandhi scion was compelling him to rake up Rafale fighter jets deal controversy.In a series of tweets, the Finance Minister said: "Falsehood is not a substitute for Rahul Gandhi's failed politics." "Realising that the Modi government bought the Rafale at a price cheaper than what UPA was negotiating the disrupters are now reporting to petty hair-splitting," he further tweeted.The Union Minister stated that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) delayed the Rafale purchase, much required for improving the combat ability of the Indian Air Force. "UPA delayed the Rafale purchase, much required for improving the combat ability of the Indian Air Force. Is Rahul Gandhi's failed politics compelling him to render India's sensitive defense requirements controversial?," he said.The response from Jaitley came after Rahul Gandhi earlier in the day alleged that Prime ...
GBN admin confiscates assets of builders group over Rs 34 cr pending revenue
Two properties of a private builders group were confiscated by the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration Tuesday in lieu of pending dues of Rs 34 crore to the government, officials said. The properties in Dadri tehsil in Greater Noida will now be auctioned by the administration to recover the revenue loss, they said. The group is among the major revenue defaulters in the district and a recovery notice of Rs 34 crore was issued against it by the National Consumer Forum, Naayab Tehsildar, Dadri, Durgesh Singh said. "The group was issued a notice on October 27 this year by the Consumer Forum over the pending revenue. But they did not remit the dues even by the end of the notice period. In view of this, the administration officials in Dadri confiscated the properties on directions of the district magistrate and the deputy collector, he said. "Soon, the process would be initiated to auction these properties in order to recover the government money," the tax official said.
Bengal BJP's farmers' wing to hold march to state assembly
West Bengal BJP Kisan Morcha (farmers wing) will stage a march to the state assembly on Novemnber 20 to press for the demands of the farmers, state morcha president Ramkrishna Pal said on Tuesday.
Over 146 lakh MT paddy procured in Punjab
Over 146 lakh metric tonne of paddy has been procured in Punjab so far during the ongoing Kharif marketing season. Out of total purchase, the government procurement agencies bought 145.72 lakh MT while private millers bought 89,749 MT, an official spokesman said. Among government agencies, Pungrain, Markfed, Punsup and FCI procured 50.67 lakh MT, 33.61 lakh MT, 30.29 lakh MT and 2.23 lakh MT respectively, spokesman said.
Uddhav's Ayodhya visit meant to polarise votes: Chavan
Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan Tuesday alleged that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's visit to Ayodhya was politically motivated and meant to polarise votes. Speaking to reporters here, he said Thackeray's visit to the disputed site would not gain anything. "Soon, there will be elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. He (Thackeray) wants to take advantage and polarise votes. But people have understood Uddhav Thackeray's intentions. He is doing all this only for political gains," Chavan said. Thackeray had announced in his party's Vijayadashmi rally in Mumbai that he would visit Ayodhya on November 25 and "question" Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the temple construction issue.
13th ASEAN Summit: PM Modi leaves for Singapore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday left for Singapore to attend 13th ASEAN Summit at the invitation of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong. Singapore is the current Chair of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).Ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister tweeted, "I will be visiting Singapore on 14-15 November, to participate in the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits," PM Narendra Modi said in his departure statement prior to his Singapore visit. "In addition, I would also participate in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Leaders' (RCEP) Meeting."The Prime Minister said that he is looking forward to his interactions with other ASEAN and East Asia Summit Leaders in Singapore. He said, "My participation in these meetings symbolizes our continued commitment to strengthening our engagement with ASEAN Member States and with the wider Indo-Pacific region. I am looking forward to my interactions with other ASEAN and East Asia Summit Leaders.""On 14 November, I will