Page 2762 - Politics

Taiwan leader calls on China to not be 'source of conflict'

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen called on China Wednesday not to be a "source of conflict" and pledged to boost the island's defenses against Beijing's military threats. In a National Day address, Tsai said the best way to defend Taiwan was to "make it indispensable and irreplaceable to the world," while remaining nonconfrontational in its attitude toward China. "So once again, I am calling on the authorities in Beijing, as a responsible major power, to play a positive role in the region and the world, instead of being a source of conflict," Tsai told an audience of government officials, members of the public and foreign dignitaries gathered in front of the Presidential Office Building in the center of the capital, Taipei. China cut off contact with Tsai's government shortly after her inauguration in 2016 and has been ratcheting up diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Taiwan in a bid to compel her to agree to Beijing's insistence that the self-governing island democracy is a

Dull start to second phase of J-K civic polls; 1.8 % turnout till 11 am

About two per cent of the electorate voted in the first five hours of polling in 49 wards of urban local bodies in militancy-wracked Kashmir Valley, where elections are being held amid tight security, officials said Wednesday. Voting for the second of the four-phased elections in the Valley began at 6 am and will end at 4 pm. "Only 1.8 per cent of the 2.20 lakh electorate have cast their votes in the first five hours," an official said. Of the 1.78 lakh voters in 19 wards of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, only 1.3 per cent turned up to exercise their franchise at the heavily fortified polling stations. Polling was brisker in Bandipora district with 17.4 per cent of 8,300 voters casting their votes by 11.00 am, he said. The poll percentage in north Kashmir's Sopore and south Kashmir's Anantnag municipal areas was 2.3 per cent and 0.7 per cent, respectively. Polling is going on amidst stringent security arrangements at 544 polling stations across the state and would end at 4 pm. Over .

Five people on short list to replace Haley as UN ambassador: Trump

US President Donald Trump has said he has five persons in mind, including his former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell, to replace Indian-American Nikki Haley as the US ambassador to the UN. Haley, 46, announced Tuesday she would resign from her post as the US ambassador to the UN effective at the end of 2018. Haley's abrupt decision left many in the White House in shock as there was no indication that she planned to leave office. Haley had submitted her resignation on October 3. Trump said Haley would assist in the search for her replacement, and that he plans to settle on a pick in the next two to three weeks. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump identified only one person on the list. He said Powell is on the short list of five persons. Trump told reporters "we have actually many names. ... Nikki is going to help us with the choice. I've heard a lot of names." Powell served in the first year of the Trump administration as the Deputy National Security Adviser

BJP candidate dies of heart attack before casting vote in local polls in Ramban

A BJP candidate died of heart attack Wednesday when he was about to cast his vote in the second phase of the municipal elections in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Azad Singh Raju, 62, a former employee of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, died at a local polling station before casting his vote, they said. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Raju was among 24 candidates in the fray for the seven municipal bodies of Ramban district. The second phase of the polling is in progress at 263 municipal wards spread across Jammu and Kashmir, including 214 wards, in six districts of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua in Jammu region. The polling started at 6 am and will end at 4 pm. During the first two hours of the polling, the officials said Kathua district is leading the voter turnout chart with 17.2 per cent of 54,622 electorates exercising their democratic right. It is followed by Reasi district which ...

Nikki Haley a great advocate of India-US relationship, say Indian-Americans

Haley, the first-ever Indian-American in any presidential cabinet, surprised many when she announced her resignation on Tuesday

Brisk voting in Jammu, poor turnout in valley

Amid high security and separatist-called boycott, brisk voting was witnessed in six districts of Jammu, but very feeble turnout outside the polling booths in seven districts of the Kashmir Valley for the municipal polls that were underway on Wednesday.

Nikki Haley exits Trump administration with her reputation significantly enhanced (News Analysis)

Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the UN and the highest-ranking woman official in the Trump administration, is leaving with her reputation not only intact but even significantly enhanced.

Trump says his daughter Ivanka would be dynamite at UN

US President Donald Trump said he is certain that his daughter Ivanka would be "dynamite" as the US ambassador to the UN, but conceded that he would be "accused of nepotism" if he selected her to replace Indian-American Nikki Haley. Haley, 46, announced Tuesday she would resign from her post as the US ambassador to the UN effective at the end of 2018. As President Trump heaped praise on Haley's performance during her tenure as the the envoy to the world body, he said many people would like to replace her. Trump said that he expects to name a replacement for Haley in the next "two to three weeks," and said that he would be talking about candidates with the former South Carolina governor and others. Trump told reporters at the White House that his daughter Ivanka would make an "incredible" ambassador to the UN. "The people that know -- it's nothing to do with nepotism. But I want tell you: The people that know, know that Ivanka would be dynamite. But, you know, I'd then be accused of ...

Planned Kim summit narrowed down to 'three or four' locations: Trump

US President Donald Trump has said that planning for his next summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is advanced and that "three or four locations" have been short-listed. Trump said on Tuesday at the White House that the meeting would "probably" not be in Singapore, where their historic first talks took place in June. The pair discussed ending the reclusive state's nuclear weapons program and hostilities between Washington and Pyongyang. Trump said that in terms of timing, the summit "won't be too far away," later telling reporters it would take place after the November 6 midterm elections. He also said that there could "eventually" be a meeting on US soil. "On their soil also," Trump added. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Kim on Monday in Pyongyang to discuss the next summit. "I returned late last night from North Korea from a trip where we made real progress. While there is still a long way to go and much work to do, we can now see a path to where we'll achieve the

Valley continues poor show in 2nd phase of J&K municipal polls

Jammu voters started queuing up outside poll booths in six districts while they came in only ones and twos in seven districts of the Kashmir Valley for the municipal polls on Wednesday.

Mozambique local polls test peace process

Mozambique holds local elections Wednesday that could reveal cracks in the country's peace process after the ruling Frelimo party was accused of violence and intimidation during the campaign. The main opposition Renamo party, which has maintained an armed wing since the end of the country's civil war, is running in the municipal vote for the first time in 10 years. Renamo fought a brutal 16-year civil war against the Marxist-inspired Frelimo government that left one million people dead before fighting ended in 1992. In 2013, fresh violence erupted between Renamo rebels and government troops, raising fears of a return to civil war. But three years later, the party declared a truce and opened fresh peace talks. Renamo is hoping for a breakthrough ahead of next year's general election. "These landmark local elections will test the success of decentralisation measures agreed with the armed opposition and will act as an important political bellwether," the London-based EXX risk ...

Missing Saudi journalist's fiancee asks for Trump's help

The fiancee of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has asked President Donald Trump to help uncover what happened to the Riyadh critic who she said had "been fighting for his principles". Hatice Cengiz made the appeal on Tuesday in an opinion piece for The Washington Post newspaper, where Khashoggi was a columnist and an outspoken critic of some of Riyadh's policies. A veteran journalist, Khashoggi disappeared on October 2 after entering Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul to arrange paperwork for his wedding to Cengiz, a Turk. Government sources in Turkey said police believe the 59-year-old was killed inside the consulate, claims which Riyadh dismissed as "baseless". Cengiz wrote that she was "confident in the abilities of Turkish government officials." "At this time, I implore President Trump and first lady Melania Trump to help shed light on Jamal's disappearance," she said. "I also urge Saudi Arabia, especially King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to show the ...

Expedite Naga peace talks: NPF

The opposition Naga Peoples Front (NPF) has appealed to Naga national workers and the Centre to expedite the Naga peace talks and bring it to a logical conclusion. The appeal was made as part of the resolution of the NPFs 3rd Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting at Kohima on Tuesday. The NPF also urged Naga national groups who have not joined the peace process to reconsider their decisions in the interest of the Naga people. Reiterating the partys stand on integration of all contiguous Naga areas, the NPF CEC appealed to neighbouring states and communities to extend their cooperation in finding solution to the protracted Naga political issue. The CEC resolved to uphold the leadership of Shurohozelie Liezietsu as party president and T R Zeliang as leader of NPF Legislature Party. It urged the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) government led by Neiphiu Rio to stop blaming the weather and repair the roads in the state.

Obama administration was "impotent" about South China Sea: Trump

US President Donald Trump Wednesday slammed his predecessor Barack Obama for being "impotent" and not stopping China from expanding its influence in the South China Sea, saying the Chinese Navy was now posing a confrontational challenge for America in the disputed region. President Trump's remarks came hours after he was briefed at the White House by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on his meetings with the top Chinese leadership in Beijing this week. "The Obama administration was impotent about the South China Sea," Trump said during an interaction with reporters Abroad Air Force One. He said the Chinese Navy was now posing a confrontational challenge for America in the disputed region. China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and with Japan in the East China Sea. Both the areas are stated to be rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources. They are also vital to global trade. China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the ...

Ivanka rules herself out of UN envoy role

United States President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka, has refuted speculations that she will replace Nikki Haley as the new US ambassador to the United Nations.Taking to her Twitter handle, Ivanka said that the "president will nominate a formidable replacement for Ambassador Haley.""It is an honor to serve in the White House alongside so many great colleagues and I know that the President will nominate a formidable replacement for Ambassador Haley. That replacement will not be me," Ivanka wrote on the micro-blogging site.Ivanka's comments came after her father said that she would be "dynamite" for the role."I think Ivanka would be incredible. You'd be accused of nepotism, even though I'm not sure there's anybody more competent in the world," Trump was quoted by The Hill as saying.The US President had added that former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell is being considered for the job. He had said that that the government is looking at "numerous people" to succeed Haley, ..

Next meeting with Kim after midterm polls: Trump

United States President Donald Trump has said that he plans to hold the next meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after the midterm elections next month.Trump is undertaking a whirlwind tour across the country to highlight his administration's achievements, which includes hosting the first-ever meeting with Kim in Singapore in June and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visits to North Korea for denuclearisation talks. He remarked, "I just can't leave now," The Hill reported.During the previous meeting in Singapore, Kim and Trump agreed to work towards achieving denuclearisation in the Korean Peninsula, where the former expressed his commitment to abandon the country's nuclear weapons programme in exchange for "security guarantees".On October 7, Pompeo had visited Pyongyang and held talks with the North Korean leader on laying the groundwork for the second summit between the latter and Trump and resuming the stalled denuclearisation talks between the two countries. The ...

EDMC sanitation workers call off strike

Sanitation workers of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) called off a 28-day strike on Tuesday after successful talks with Mayor and Commissioner of EDMC.The sanitation workers were on strike since September 12, demanding clearance of dues, timely payments of salaries and regularisation of workers who have been inducted on a temporary basis.On Monday, the Central government had told the Supreme Court that it cannot release funds for the payment of salaries to the EDMC sanitation workers.Meanwhile, the Delhi government had informed the apex court that it has released Rs 500 crore to the civic body.Earlier, EDMC commissioner Ranbir Singh had refused to regularise these workers, but his decision was opposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled EDMC.The party had even called a special house meeting for his impeachment, but before that could happen, the EDMC commissioner went on leave.

President Kovind to inaugurate 29th Accountants General Conference

President Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the 29th Accountants General Conference being organised by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India here on Wednesday.The two-day conference will be held at new building of CAG located at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg.The conference will be attended by the Accountants General from all over the country.Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Chairman Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Mallikarjun Kharge and CAG of India Rajiv Mehrishi will also address the conference.The CAG, established by Article 148 of the Indian Constitution, is mandated to keep a watch on the system of governance in the country to ensure the best use to taxpayer's money.

J-K: 4 OGWs of Hizbul Mujahideen arrested

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday arrested an active terrorist and four over ground workers (OGW) of Hizbul Mujahideen from Awantipora.The police received the information that the terrorist named Adil Ahmad Bhat handed over a huge amount of cash to overground worker named Rouf-ul-Islam Wani S for distribution of same among other terrorists and OGWs for carrying out terror activities in the area, following which they chalked out the plan to nab them.A case has been filed in the matter in Khrew Police Station under section 17,18,20,21,38,39 and 40 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.During the investigation, Wani revealed that he had received huge cash from active terrorist Bhat for distribution and for luring youth towards joining terror ranks.The police also seized a huge amount of cash from four different places. The investigation in this matter is underway.

Delhi govt refuses to reduce VAT on fuel prices

The Delhi government has refused to reduce value added tax (VAT) on the fuel price in the state, despite the Centre announcing a cut of Rs 2.50 per litre on both petrol and diesel prices.Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that state government is already running in loss and, therefore, cannot reduce the taxes."The state believed in the Centre over the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation, with a hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take care of states' interests. But, now when the Centre says it has hiked prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 10, but the profit is going to the Centre. However, if it reduces the rates by Rs 1.5, states are expected to cut down the price by Rs 2.5," he said.On September 4, the Centre had slashed the price of petrol and diesel by Rs 2.50 per litre each and directed the state governments to implement the same.Soon after the announcement, many states including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, ...