Page 2570 - Politics

Kim Jong-un to visit Russia: South Korean envoy

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is set to visit Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin later in November, the South Korean Ambassador to Russia said on Monday.

Tipu Jayanthi controversy erupts again, Hegde asks to be excluded from celebrations

Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde has condemned the Karnataka government's decision to celebrate the birth anniversary of 18th century Mysore ruler, Tipu Sultan, on November 10 and has asked them not to be invited to the event marking the celebration.Tipu Sultan had fought against the British and died in 1799 while defending his capital Srirangapatna (present-day Mandya).Several leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, claims that the ruler was "against Kannada language and anti-Hindu" and thus flay the state government for celebrating his birth anniversary or Tipu Jayanti.The Congress party considers him as the first freedom fighter to have opposed the British rule on India.The Officer on Special Duty to Hedge wrote a letter to the Chief Secretary of Karnataka stating that even after the incidents of violence witnessed across the state last year during the celebrations, the state government's decision to glorify Tipu Sultan is "unfortunate"."History says that Tipu was ...

As U.S. oil sanctions against Iran start, Washington grants waivers to major buyers

SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) - The United States re-introduced sanctions against Iranian oil exports on Monday, although it also gave some of its closest allies exemptions that will allow Tehran's biggest customers, mostly in Asia, to still buy crude for now.

Israel thanks Trump as Iran sanctions take effect

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman welcomed US sanctions that took effect Monday targeting Iran's oil and financial sectors, calling it a "critical" blow to Tehran's actions in the region. "President (Donald) Trump's bold decision is the sea-change the Middle East has been waiting for," Lieberman said in a statement. "In a single move, the United States is dealing a critical blow to Iran's entrenchment in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq and Yemen. President Trump, you've done it again! Thank you." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday also thanked Trump for the sanctions against his country's main enemy. The measures described by Washington as "the toughest sanctions ever" follow Trump's controversial decision in May to abandon the multi-nation nuclear deal with Tehran. They aim to significantly reduce Iran's oil exports -- which have already fallen by around one million barrels a day since May -- and cut it off from international finance. Israel had long opposed ...

Texas governor hosts Diwali celebrations

Texas Governor Greg Abbott hosted Diwali celebrations at his residence at an event attended by prominent Indian Americans where he lauded the community for its achievements in various fields. Abbott lit the ceremonial lamp at the governor's mansion in Austin city, to mark the festival of lights. At Sunday's event, Abbott conveyed Diwali wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people of India and Indian Americans living in Texas and other US states. This is the fourth year in a row that the Texas governor has hosted Diwali celebrations at his mansion in Austin. Those present at the ceremony included Indian Consul General Anupam Ray, Deputy Consul General Surendra Adhana and well-known Indian Americans from across Texas. Abbot lauded the Indian American community for its achievements in various fields and in participating in the prosperity of Texas. He recalled his visit to India earlier this year, his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, and with prominent Indian industry leaders. He .

Will try to create atmosphere for holding talks with stakeholders in Kashmir: J-K Guv

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said Monday that the state administration will try to create an atmosphere for holding talks with stakeholders in the next four to six months. He claimed that stone-pelting and militancy-related incidents have come down in the state. "I carry a mandate of (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi to reach out to the people, make yourself available to them, do their work, ensure development of the state and create an atmosphere in which talks can be held," Malik told reporters here. "Stone-pelting and militancy-related incidents have stopped. The civic polls were also held peacefully. Our policy is bringing us good results," he said. Asked whether he had failed to bring two regional political parties -- the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) -- on board for holding the civic polls in the state, the said they have realised their mistake and will be taking part in the panchayat polls.

As U.S. sanctions against Iran start, Washington grants waivers to major buyers

SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) - The United States re-introduced sanctions against Iran on Monday, although it also gave some of its closest allies exemptions that will allow Tehran's biggest customers, mostly in Asia, to still buy crude for now.

Gold prices steady ahead of U.S. midterm elections

BENGALURU (Reuters) - Gold prices held steady on Monday as investors were cautious ahead of the U.S. congressional elections due on Tuesday which will determine whether the Republican or Democratic Party controls Congress.

Oil dips as U.S. grants Iran sanctions waivers; Tehran defiant

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped on Monday as the start of U.S. sanctions against Iran's fuel exports was softened by waivers allowing major buyers to still import Iranian crude, while Tehran said it would ignore Washington and continue to sell.

China says its lawful trade with Iran should be respected

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Monday its lawful trade cooperation with Iran should be respected and expressed regret that the United States re-imposed sanctions on the Middle Eastern country.

Iran vows to 'proudly bypass' US sanctions

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic republic "will proudly bypass sanctions" by the United States that took effect on Monday targeting the country's oil and financial sectors. "I announce that we will proudly bypass your illegal, unjust sanctions because it's against international regulations," Rouhani said in a televised speech. "We are in a situation of economic war, confronting a bullying power. I don't think that in the history of America, someone has entered the White House who is so against law and international conventions," he added. The measures described by Washington as "the toughest sanctions ever" follow US President Donald Trump's controversial decision in May to abandon the multi-nation nuclear deal with Tehran. The latest tranche aim to significantly cut Iran's oil exports -- which have already fallen by around one million barrels a day since May -- and cut it off from international finance. The United States has given temporary exemptions to eight ...

Former Malaysian state chief detained, faces graft charges

Malaysia's anti-graft agency said Monday that the former leader of a timber-rich eastern state has been arrested and will face corruption charges amid a widening crackdown on abuse by officials. The agency said Musa Aman, the former chief minister of Sabah state on Borneo island, was detained at its office and would be brought to court later Monday to face several corruption charges. It didn't give details. Local media reported the charges against Musa, 67, involved timber concessions. A lawyer for Musa could not immediately be reached for comment. Musa was Sabah's chief minister since 2003 until the ouster of scandal-tainted Prime Minister Najib Razak's government in May's general elections. He is the latest high-ranking official to be prosecuted. Najib, his wife, his former deputy and two other ex-senior officials have been so far been charged with corruption and the government has warned that more may be hauled to court. Najib has accused the new government of seeking political ...

Mizoram Assembly speaker resigns, says he will join BJP

Mizoram Speaker Hiphei said on Monday that he had resigned from his post, the House as well as the Congress and would join the BJP later in the day, just a little over three weeks ahead of the assembly elections. The seven-time Congress legislator said he submitted his resignation letter to Deputy Speaker R. Lalrinawma who accepted it. From there, he went to Congress Bhavan to resign from primary membership of the party. He is the fifth Congress MLA to resign from the 40-member House since September. Mizoram, the only state in the north-east under Congress rule, will go to the polls on November 28. In Guwahati, convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said Hiphei, 81, will join the saffron party in his presence in the Mizoram capital Aizawl. "He is a very senior leader. His joining the saffron party will greatly strengthen the organisation," Sarma, who is also Assam finance minister, said. The senior BJP leader, however, did not comment

US unleashes 'toughest ever' sanctions on Iran

The US on Monday unleashed its "toughest ever" sanctions against Iran, a move that has already sparked mass protests in the oil-rich nation.

Jewellers accuse officials of 'harassment' ahead of Diwali

The All Indian Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) has condemned the "harassment" of jewellers by government officials prior to the auspicious Diwali season, here on Monday.

Sri Lankan Parliament to reconvene on Nov 14: Sirisena

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has announced that the country's Parliament will be reconvened on November 14, amid rising demands by legislators of the state to end the mounting political crisis in the island nation.Al-Jazeera reported, while quoting sources, that the decision drew strong criticism from the supporters of the country's ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP), who even termed the order to be "too late".UNP supporters also condemned Sirisena's decision to recall parliament two days prior to the initial suspension order against Wickremesinghe, describing the move to be "eyewash to appease the ever-increasing international and local pressure."Sri Lanka has been witnessing political turmoil over the past three weeks, after Sirisena, on October 27, suspended the country's parliamentary proceedings until November 16. He also announced his decision to sack Wickremesinghe and replace him with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa ...

France's New Caledonia rejects independence in tighter-than-expected vote

Islanders on the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia have rejected independence in a referendum that revealed weaker-than-expected support for Paris in the resource-rich and strategic outpost. On the final count, 56.4 per cent of people rejected the proposition that New Caledonia - some 18,000 kilometres (11,000 miles) from the French mainland - become independent. Turnout was high at 80.63 per cent on Sunday. President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "immense pride that we have taken this historic step together" in an address to the nation, adding it was "a sign of confidence in the French republic, in its future and its values." The island is home to a quarter of the world's known supplies of nickel - a vital electronics component - and is a foothold for France in the Pacific where China is gaining influence. But the winning margin in New Caledonia, sometimes referred to in France as "the pebble", might cause some concern in Paris, as well as in Australia which has been alarmed .

Root out terrorism from people's mind: J&K Governor

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday said terrorism exists in the mind and it has to be tackled at the roots.

U.S. ratchets up pressure on Iran with resumption of sanctions

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States reimposes oil and financial sanctions against Iran on Monday, significantly turning up the pressure on Tehran in order to curb its missile and nuclear programs and counter its growing military and political influence in the Middle East.

Gold prices hold steady ahead of U.S. elections

BENGALURU (Reuters) - Gold prices held steady on Monday as investors were cautious ahead of the U.S. congressional elections due on Tuesday which will determine whether the Republican or Democratic Party controls Congress.