Page 2554 - Politics
Democrats' win reflects on working-class Americans' dream: Pelosi
Minority Leader in the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, said that the majority win of the Democrats in the House of Representatives in the midterm polls clearly projects the demands of working-class Americans."Today's election results in the House of Representatives are about restoring checks and balances' to the Constitution," Fox News quoted Pelosi, as saying."The midterm wins are about what a new Democratic majority means for working-class Americans. It's about what a new Democratic majority means for working-class Americans," Pelosi added.Taking the stage to cheer Democrats regaining power in the House of Representatives, Pelosi was greeted with chants of "Speaker, Speaker, Speaker," while telling Democratic campaign aides, legislative staffers and top donors in Washington that they have guaranteed that "tomorrow will be a new day in America", CNN reported.Pelosi, along with Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Tom Perez, applauded the party's ...
Notable firsts in high-stakes 2018 midterm elections
The high-profile 2018 midterm elections in the US delivered several significant firsts as voters came out in record numbers to elect the first two Muslim women and the youngest woman ever in Congress and the nation's first openly gay governor. Ilhan Omar, who won in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, and Rashida Tlaib, from Michigan's 13th Congressional District, became the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress. Michigan Democrat Tlaib and the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's nominee Omar will secure their respective seats in strongly Democratic districts following primary victories earlier this year. In addition to being one of the first Muslim women in Congress, Omar will also be the first Somali-American Congresswoman. She came to the US more than two decades ago as a refugee. She will take the seat vacated by Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress. Daughter of Palestinian immigrants, Tlaib will fill the seat formerly ...
Government set to turn up heat on RBI governor: sources
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI (Reuters) - The government intends to keep pressing demands for the country's central bank to relax lending curbs and hand over surplus reserves even if it risks provoking a resignation by the bank's governor, three sources familiar with the government's thinking told Reuters.
Mizoram CEO to leave for Delhi on a summons by EC
Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank, whose removal has been demanded by the chief minister and several NGOs, said he would leave for New Delhi on Wednesday after being summoned by the Election Commission. Shashank said he would meet the poll panel Thursday in the national capital. Meanwhile, hundreds of members of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) continued their picketing in front of the CEO's office from 8 am. The chairman of the NGO Coordination Committee, Vanlalruata, said the picketing would be called off only after the departure of Shashank. The meeting of a visiting Election Commission team, state government officials and leaders of the NGO Coordination Committee on the current standoff here Tuesday night remained inconclusive as the EC team said that the final call would be made by the commission. The team members said that they would submit their findings to the commission. Vanlalruata said that Shashank should be transferred from Mizoram and the Bru voters in ..
Pompeo delays talks with senior North Koreans
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has shelved plans to meet with senior North Korean officials, including one of leader Kim Jong Un's top aides, the State Department said Tuesday. The talks between President Donald Trump's top diplomat and the North Korean delegation, which had been due to take place in New York on Thursday, "will now take place at a later date," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. "We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit," she added in a statement. The announcement came only a day after officials had said Pompeo and Kim Yong Chol -- one of the North Korean leaders right-hand men -- would discuss how much progress had been achieved towards securing denuclearisation since a landmark summit over the summer. Although Trump has had warm words since he meet with Kim Jong Un in Singapore in June, his administration has nevertheless annoyed Pyongyang by maintaining a regime of sanctions. North Korea's foreign ministry has warned that Pyongyang will ...
Modi celebrates Diwali with Army, ITBP in Uttarakhand
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday celebrated Diwali with the personnel of Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), mandated to guard 3,488 km Sino-India border, in Uttarakhand and said that India was taking great strides forward in the defence sector.
US exempts India from certain sanctions for development of strategic Chabahar Port in Iran
The United States has exempted India from imposition of certain sanctions for the development of the strategically-located Chabahar Port in Iran, along with the construction of the railway line connecting it with Afghanistan, a State Department spokesperson said. The decision by the Trump administration, which a day earlier imposed the toughest ever sanctions on Iran and is very restrictive in giving exemptions, is a seen as a recognition by Washington of India's major role in the development of the port on the Gulf of Oman, which is of immense strategic importance for the reconstruction of war-torn Afghanistan. "After extensive consideration, the Secretary (of State) has provided for an exception from imposition of certain sanctions under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012, with respect to the development of Chabahar Port, construction of an associated railway and for shipment of non-sanctionable goods through the port for Afghanistan's use, as well as the ...
Madagascar goes to the polls to pick next president
Madagascar was voting on Wednesday for a new president in unprecedented polls in which the three front-runners are former heads of state facing-off amid efforts to defuse a political crisis. Attempts by the most recent president, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, to change the large Indian Ocean island's electoral laws backfired, sparking nearly three months of sometimes violent protests in the capital Antananarivo. The demonstrators forced Rajaonarimampianina to accept a "consensus" government tasked with organising the election in the poor country with a history of coups and unrest. Nearly 10 million voters are eligible to cast ballots for one of 36 candidates who, as well as the three front-runners, include two ex-prime ministers, pastors and a rock star. Polling stations opened at 0300 GMT and are due to close by 1400 GMT. At the vocational college in the capital where former president Andry Rajoelina is expected to cast his ballot, several dozen electors queued patiently, an AFP team ...
White House breaks tradition of Diwali celebrations amid midterms
US President Donald Trump broke a 15-year tradition of holding formal Diwali celebrations at the White House this year with the festival falling amid the crucial midterm polls.
Democrats take control of House, GOP retains Senate
The opposition Democratic Party is projected to regain control of the House of Representatives while the ruling Republican Party is all set to retain its majority in the Senate in the critical midterm elections held on Tuesday, according to projections made by major US media outlets. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, 78, is expected to be re-elected as Speaker of 435-member House of Representatives, which is equivalent to Lok Sabha in Indian parliament. In the outgoing House, the Republicans had 235 seats while the Democrats 193. The new House would come into being next January. However, the ruling Republican Party led by President Donald Trump appeared to be all set to retain majority in the 100-member Senate where it currently has a razor thin majority of 51-49 seats. The GOP is expected to increase its tally, as counting of votes were still going on when reports last came in. In his first tweet after election results started coming in Trump claimed success. "Tremendous success tonight. ..
Asian markets climb as US parties on course to split House, Senate
Asian markets rose Wednesday as investors tracked results from the US midterm elections with pollsters tipping Congress to be split, in line with forecasts. Republicans held their majority in the Senate but the Democrats were on course to regain control of the House, which could impact Donald Trump's legislative agenda. But, while the vote is the first major electoral test of Trump's presidency, analysts pointed out the poll is unlikely to lead to a reversal of the White House's popular tax cuts and deregulation. Nor will it wind in his aggressive efforts to reframe international trade, which has been a key to recent volatility in global markets. "Equities remain supported suggesting this outcome is positive for risk since the gridlock outcome ultimately will support the president's mandate and a higher probability of more fiscal stimulus," said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA. "Realistically I can't see how the Democrats would want to be perceived as killjoys and
Republicans likely to retain Senate, Trump hails 'tremendous success'
With the United States midterm polls coming towards an end and marking a clear majority win for the Democrats in the House of Representatives and Republicans in the Senate, president Donald Trump thanked citizens for the "tremendous success"."Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!" the tweet read.However, the White House has called a lid, meaning President Trump will not speak tonight, according to CNN.In the light of the midterm results, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders showed up with a more positive perspective with regards to the midterm results going to be declared shortly, adding that it's been a "good night" for Trump.Winning a majority in the US Senate, Republican candidate Ron DeSantis is set to become the 46th governor in Florida after defeating Democrat Andrew Gillum.Meanwhile, Republican Mike DeWine is likely to retain the office of Ohio governor as he has comfortably edged past Democrat Richard Cordray.In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer has reportedly ..
President Kovind, PM Modi extend greetings on Diwali
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extend greetings to the nation on the occasion of Diwali.Taking to his Twitter handle, President Kovind said, "Wishing all fellow citizens a happy and prosperous Diwali. May the Festival of Lights illuminate every home and every family, in our country and across our shared planet.""Happy Diwali! May this festival bring happiness, good health, and prosperity in everyone's lives. May the power of good and brightness always prevail!" Prime Minister Modi tweeted.This year, the Prime Minister will celebrate Diwali this year with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans at one of the remotest border posts in Uttarakhand.He will also offer prayers at Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.
US midterm polls: Democrats leading in fight to win House
With the midterm elections coming towards an end in the United States, the poll results so far have revealed that the Democrats have taken an edge over the Republicans to take over the House of Representatives.Quoting sources, CNN reported that the Democrats have already won 141 seats out of a total 218 seats in the House. The party has reportedly taken over Kansas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado, New Jersey, Florida, and New York, along with two Republican seats along the East Coast.They now need to pick up 11 Republican seats to establish a majority.However, US media has suggested that the Republicans are likely to gain control of the SenateThousands of people in the United States have exercised their majority in the midterm polls conducted in all across the country on Tuesday. This election would be a litmus test for the two-years of Republican government headed by the incumbent president Donald Trump.
In a first, 2 Muslim women elected to US Congress
Two Muslim women, for the first time, have been elected to the House of Representatives.Quoting sources, Al Jazeera reported that the duo, namely Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat representative from Michigan, born to immigrant parents from Palestine and Somali-American Ilhan Omar, another Democrat candidate who won in Minnesota.Tlaib's campaign ahead of the mid-term polls majorly focused on the topics related to securing USD 15 minimum wage, preventing cuts to welfare programmes, such as Medicare and social security, as well as stopping tax relief to large corporations.Omar, too, campaigned on a similar agenda, seeking a universal healthcare objective and tuition-free colleges.The win of the two Muslim pairs proved to be on grounds against the Islamophobia sentiments and anti-immigrant rhetoric that specifically came under more light during the governance of the incumbent president Donald Trump.Meanwhile, Republican Ted Cruz has reportedly been re-elected for a second term in the Senate ...
Global Markets: Wall Street futures, Asia stocks seesaw as Democrats move closer to U.S. House win
TOKYO (Reuters) - Wall Street stock futures and Asian shares erased most of their earlier gains in choppy trade on Wednesday, as results from the U.S. midterm elections showed Republicans close to losing their grip on Congress.
Facebook, Twitter fight misinformation on US Election Day
Social networking platforms Facebook and Twitter were busy battling misinformation and fake news as the US voted in the the midterm elections on Tuesday.
US midterms: Democrats on track to take House, Republicans hold Senate
Democrats were on track to capture control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans would retain control of the Senate and may even increase their majority, according to projections based on exit polls and early returns from Tuesdays midterm elections.
RBI governor Urjit Patel could resign on November 19: report
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel could resign at the central bank's next board meeting on November 19, online financial publication Moneylife reported on Wednesday, citing sources in touch with the governor.
New York Democrat becomes youngest woman elected to Congress
Democratic Party candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took New York's 14th district to become the youngest woman elected to Congress in US history.