Page 275 - Politics
Judge rejects Congress' challenge of border wall funding
A federal judge on Monday denied a House request to prevent President Donald Trump from tapping Defense Department money for his proposed border wall with Mexico, saying Congress lacked authority to sue. Trump's victory is muted by a federal ruling in California last month that blocked construction of key sections of the wall. The California case was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the Sierra Club and Southern Border Communities Coalition. US District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, wrote that the House's lawsuit was "about whether one chamber of Congress has the 'constitutional means' to conscript the Judiciary in a political turf war with the President over the implementation of legislation." McFadden said Congress didn't have authority in this case but that he didn't mean to imply the legislative body could never challenge the president in court over separation of powers. "An old maxim in politics holds that, 'Where you stand depends on where you .
China condemns Pompeo 'prejudice, arrogance' on Tiananmen
China on Tuesday accused the United States of attacking its system and smearing its policies after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made comments "out of prejudice and arrogance" about the Tiananmen crackdown. The furious reaction came after Pompeo, the day before the 30th anniversary of the June 4, 1989 bloodshed, said on Monday that Washington had lost hope for human rights progress in China. A spokesperson for Beijing's embassy in Washington said in a statement that whoever attempts "to patronize and bully the Chinese people... will only end up in the ash heap of history." The spokesperson said Pompeo had used "the pretext of human rights" for a statement that "grossly intervenes in China's internal affairs, attacks its system, and smears its domestic and foreign policies. "This is an affront to the Chinese people and a serious violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations. The Chinese side expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to
World marks 30th anniversary of Tiananmen massacre
Commemorations marking the 30th anniversary of the massacre of unarmed citizens by soldiers in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989 took place worldwide on Tuesday.
Silence, security in Beijing on 30th Tiananmen anniversary
China marked 30 years since the deadly Tiananmen crackdown on Tuesday with a wall of silence and extra security after arresting activists and tightening internet censorship ahead of the politically sensitive anniversary. On a grey, overcast day, police checked the identification cards of every tourist and commuter leaving the subway near Tiananmen Square, the site of the pro-democracy protests that were brutally extinguished by tanks and soldiers on June 4, 1989. Foreign journalists were not allowed onto the square at all or warned by police not to take pictures. The United States marked the occasion by hailing the "heroic" movement of 1989 and denouncing a "new wave of abuses" in China. But in China the Communist Party made sure that the anniversary remained in the distant past, detaining several activists in the run-up to June 4 while popular livestreaming sites conspicuously shut down for "technical" maintenance. Over the years, the party has censored any discussion of the protests
Trump wins ruling in House's border wall suit
US President Donald Trump ended a losing streak in court battles with the House when a federal judge rejected the Democrat-controlled chambers lawsuit seeking to stop him from using emergency powers to build a wall along the border with Mexico.
US: House to vote on holding William Barr in contempt of Congress
The Democrats-controlled House is expected to vote on June 11 to hold US Attorney General William Barr and former White House counsel Don McGahn in contempt of Congress.House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has confirmed that he is planning to introduce a resolution next Tuesday."Next Tuesday, I will bring a resolution to the House Floor forcing Attorney General Barr and former White House Counsel McGahn to comply with Congressional subpoenas that have been duly issued by the House Judiciary Committee," CNN quoted Hoyer's statement.The votes come following Barr's refusal to release the full unredacted report of special counsel Robert Mueller and its underlying evidence."This Administration's systematic refusal to provide Congress with answers and cooperate with Congressional subpoenas is the biggest cover-up in American history, and Congress has a responsibility to provide oversight on behalf of the American people," Hoyer added.The House Judiciary Committee has already voted to hold Barr
Govt toys with delimitation commission in J&K (IANS EXCLUSIVE)
Home Minister Amit Shah has hit the ground running, as expected. With a catalogue of review meetings, Shah has many crucial things on his agenda including redrawing the long pending delimitation of constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.
30 yrs on, US urges China to make full public accounting of those killed in Tiananmen square
The US has urged China to make a full public accounting of those killed and missing in the Tiananmen square massacre three decades ago even as it alleged that the Chinese citizens are being subjected to a new wave of abuses, especially in Xinjiang. Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters are believed to have been killed on June 4, 1989 in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square as China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched a brutal crackdown on those demonstrating against the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). The massive square became famous all over the world with an iconic picture of a young man standing before a row of battle tanks in a bid to stop them. "We urge the Chinese government to make a full public accounting of those killed or missing to give comfort to the many victims of this dark chapter of history. Such a step would begin to demonstrate the Communist Party's willingness to respect human rights and fundamental freedom," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a ...
Russia has pulled 'most of their people' out of Venezuela, says Trump
In a major setback to the Nicolas Maduro regime, United States President Donald Trump on Monday said that Russia has informed Washington that it has pulled out most of its military personnel from Venezuela."Russia has informed us that they have removed most of their people from Venezuela" he tweeted.It should be noted here that Russia has backed Maduro ever since the political turmoil began in Venezuela. The country has been firm in its backing in spite of the fact that Maduro's regime has been opposed by more than 50 countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK.The political turmoil began in January when Maduro was sworn in for the second term after an election that has since been termed by most of the international communities as "rigged." The Latin American country plunged into political crisis after opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself as the President amid throngs of cheering supporters who called for Maduro to step down.The crisis took its worse turn on April 30 ..
Trump praises 'eternal friendship' at UK state banquet
President Donald Trump has hailed the "eternal friendship" between the UK and the US as he joined a state banquet at Buckingham Palace here.
UN Security Council to discuss Sudan crisis on Tuesday
The UN Security Council will meet behind closed doors on Tuesday to discuss the crisis in Sudan after security forces violently broke up weeks of protests against military rule, leaving more than 30 dead. Britain and Germany requested the talks on Monday, diplomats said, after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized Sudan's security personnel for using excessive force. Guterres said in a statement that he was "alarmed" by reports that security forces had opened fire inside a hospital in Khartoum and called for an independent investigation into deaths from the violence. A committee of Sudanese doctors, which is close to the protesters, said more than 30 people were killed and dozens wounded in the violence. "What is clear to us is that there was use of excessive force by the security forces on civilians. People have died. People have been injured," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Guterres urged Sudanese authorities to facilitate an independent investigation of the deaths .
Andhra CM hikes Asha workers' salary to Rs 10,000
Fulfilling another poll promise, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday announced a hike in the salaries of Asha workers to Rs 10,000 from the current Rs 3,000.
Karnataka seeks Rs 2,000 crore NREGA dues from Centre
Drought-hit Karnataka sought the intervention of the four Union ministers and newly-elected BJP Lok Sabha members from the state in securing funds from the central government earmarked for development works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), a senior official said on Monday.
BSP chief respects Akhilesh, no decision yet on breaking alliance: Sukhdev Rajbhar
BSP leader Sukhdev Rajbhar on Monday asserted that the party hasn't yet taken any decision on dissolving the SP-BSP alliance, adding that his party chief Mayawati respects her Samajwadi Party (SP) counterpart Akhilesh Yadav.Speaking to ANI after a meeting called by Mayawati, Rajbhar said, "Today organisational officer bearers of Uttar Pradesh including zonal coordinators, MLAs, MPs - both former and sitting - were called for the meeting. Meetings of other states also took place.The main reason for calling the meeting was that the result after the alliance wasn't satisfactory. BSP chief said she will reconsider the organisational structure and will strengthen the 'bhaichara committee'. The zonal level units will be dissolved and new units will be formed at the district level."Rajbhar revealed that the issue of SP votes not being transferred to BSP was also discussed during the meeting and it was decided that BSP will be contesting the assembly polls this time."No decision has yet been .
Centre's move on language aimed at deceiving TN: Stalin
DMK president M K Stalin alleged on Monday that the Centre's move on dropping the clause on compulsory Hindi learning in the draft National Education Policy was aimed at deceiving Tamil Nadu and demanded an explanation over it. He sought a categorical assurance that Hindi will not be thrust on the southern state. Presiding over a function to celebrate the 96th birth anniversary of his father and DMK patriarch, late M Karunanidhi here, Stalin said in the absence of such an explanation, Tamil Nadu will witness a massive agitation on the lines of the 1965 stir to oppose Hindi. Recalling the demonstration led by Karunanidhi during the pre-Independence era and the 1965 protests against Hindi in Tamil Nadu, he said a situation was now emerging for reprising such massive agitations. "The announcement (by the Centre on dropping the contentious clause mandating Hindi learning) has been made with an intent to deceive and if there is no explanation (assuring that Hindi will not be thrust) in two
US aircraft carrier deployed over Iran remains outside Gulf
A US aircraft carrier the White House ordered to the Mideast over a perceived threat from Iran remains outside of the Persian Gulf amid efforts to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Washington. The USS Abraham Lincoln on Monday was in the Arabian Sea some 200 miles (320 kilometers) off the coast of Oman. While US Navy officials repeatedly declined to discuss why they hadn't gone through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf, they insisted they remain ready to launch any mission in the region. However, Capt. Putnam Browne, the commanding officer of the Lincoln, also told The Associated Press: "You don't want to inadvertently escalate something." The White House in May ordered the Lincoln and its strike group to speed to the Mideast. It's also sent B-52 bombers and ordered hundreds of troops to the area. Tensions with Iran have worsened since President Donald Trump pulled America out of Iran's nuclear deal last year and imposed sanctions on Tehran. On the 30th anniversary of ..
Assam to reduce minimum age for panchayat head to 25 years
The Assam government on Monday decided to reduce the minimum age for becoming a panchayat head to 25 years from the existing 35 years. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said. However, the norm of having a maximum of two children for the same post will remain, it said. The cabinet also decided to enact a new legislation -- Assam Private Placement Agencies for Recruitment Regulation Act -- to safeguard the interest of youths working outside the state. Besides, the eviction drive to clear the community lands from encroachments will be carried out under the amended Assam Land Revenue Regulation Act, 1886, instead of the ongoing exercise under a Gauhati High Court order, the release said. The state government has planned to raise the authorised capital in Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) to Rs 5,000 crore from the existing Rs 250 crore, the CMO said. The cabinet also decided to raise the remuneration of ...
'Pakistan's army will not let peace with India happen'
Pakistan is an ideological state that must always defend the "two-nation" theory that led to its creation, while its nuclear umbrella has enabled it to engage in sub-conventional warfare with India, according to a security expert.
BJP will put a check to regional parties in Telangana: Ram Madhav
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Ram Madhav on Monday said the BJP wave has begun in Telangana and it would put a check to the regional parties in the state.
Congress finally to send USD 19B disaster aid bill to Trump
Congress is finally shipping President Donald Trump a USD 19.1 billion disaster aid bill, a measure stalled for months by infighting, misjudgment, and a presidential feud with Democrats. The House is approving the measure in the first significant action as it returns from a 10-day recess. It is slated for a Monday evening vote in which Republicans whose home districts have been hit by hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and fires are set to join with majority Democrats to deliver a big vote for the measure. Conservative Republicans had held up the bill during the recess, objecting on three occasions to efforts by Democratic leaders to pass the bill by a voice vote requiring unanimity. They say the legislation which reflects an increasingly permissive attitude in Washington on spending to address disasters that sooner or later hit every region of the country shouldn't be rushed through without a recorded vote. Along the way, House and Senate old timers have seemed to outmaneuver the White .