Page 2789 - Politics

Trump replaces federal personnel director

US President Donald Trump has abruptly replaced the director of federal personnel with a top official at the Office of Management and Budget, according to the White House.

Goa Dy Speaker raises concern over unemployment in state

Goa Deputy speaker Michael V. Lobo hit out at his own government in the state for not doing enough to provide government jobs to the youth and asserted that people are very disturbed due to growing unemployment in the state.Lobo in a letter to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar reminded the latter of his 2017 budget speech in which he had promised to the youth of Goa to provide jobs in different government and subsidiary departments."Some youth are getting involved in some illegal trade just to earn the daily bread as they do not have any source of income," said Lobo.Lobo also requested the Goa Chief Minister to appoint a minister in charge, 'so that necessary documentation can be completed to advertise the above-mentioned posts and vacancies on top priority.'Speaking to ANI on the issue of unemployment, Michael Lobo said, "Unemployment is a huge issue in Goa. The government has stopped jobs in last two years and because of this, there is a huge disturbance among the youth. The youth

Supporters of missing Saudi journalist rally for his 'release'

A Saudi columnist remained missing as supporters rallied outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul calling for his "release" despite Riyadh's denials that he was being held there. Jamal Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post, has not been seen since he went to the Saudi mission on Tuesday to receive an official document for his marriage. The Turkish-Arab Media Association (TAM) organised a rally in front of the consulate for Khashoggi, a former government adviser who has been critical of some policies of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Riyadh's intervention in the war in Yemen. He has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year to avoid possible arrest. The crown prince told Bloomberg that the journalist was not inside the consulate and said he was ready to allow Turkish authorities to search the building. "We are ready to welcome the Turkish government to go and search our premises," he said, which is Saudi sovereign territory. He added, "We ...

Brett Kavanaugh: Key US senators back embattled Supreme Court choice

Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court seat looks all but confirmed after he won the backing of key senators despite an FBI investigation into sexual assault allegations.

Dhinakaran practicing low-level politics: Panneerselvam

Almost a year after his meeting with Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader TTV Dhinakaran, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Friday clarified that he is not plying to topple the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led state government.While addressing a presser, he also berated Dhinakaran and accused him of indulging in low-level politics.Panneerselvam said, "I am continuing a Dharamyudha to keep out Sasikala family from both the Party and the government. I met him (TTV Dhinakaran) only after our common friend arranged a meeting. I thought he might have changed but he is continuing with low-level politics."The statement by Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister comes after AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran alleged that O Panneerselvam had met him in July last year and wanted to sabotage the Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister Edapadi Palaniswami.

Strict criteria for waiver, says US on CAATSA sanctions

The United States on Friday said that the waiver authority for sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) was not country-specific, adding that there are "strict criteria for considering a waiver.""The waiver authority is not country-specific. There are strict criteria for considering a waiver. The waiver is narrow, intended to reduce countries' reliance on Russian equipment and allow for things such as spare parts for previously-purchased equipment," a statement from the US State Department read."We urge all of our allies and partners to forgo transactions with Russia that would trigger sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The Administration has indicated that a focus area for the implementation of CAATSA Section 231 is new or qualitative upgrades in capability - including the S-400 air and missile defence system," the statement added.The sanction threats come as a reaction to the India-Russia ...

IT raids across state a political vendetta, alleges Andhra Govt

The Andhra Pradesh cabinet on Friday termed raids conducted by the Income Tax department across the state as a political vendetta being sought by 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hamper the development of the state'.The issue was discussed during a state cabinet meeting held here on Friday.Information and Public Relations Minister Kaluva Srinivasulu briefed media on the subject and levied serious accusations against the Central government.He said, "Many people (centre) are unable to digest development of Andhra Pradesh despite its problems post bifurcation. Prime Minister seems to be taking vendetta on AP. The state is best in ease of doing business under efficient leadership. Investors are assured of law and order. In this time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vindictive nature and action like this IT raids will hamper development in the state."He added, "Hundreds of IT sleuths came to the state. That created a fear psychosis among the investors, businessmen, entrepreneurs. Many of ..

India to keep buying Iranian oil despite U.S. sanctions: sources

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India will buy 9 million barrels of Iranian oil in November, two industry sources said, indicating the world's third-biggest oil importer will continue purchasing crude from the Islamic republic despite U.S. sanctions coming into force on Nov. 4.

Opposition forms coalition ahead of Cameroon vote

Two Cameroonian opposition parties agreed a coalition to jointly contest this weekend's presidential polls, a spokesman said, in an effort to dislodge six-term President Paul Biya. The announcement on Friday confirms rumours of an opposition manoeuver to try to defeat 85-year-old Biya at Sunday's polls, but the new union will not include the main opposition Social Democratic Front's hopeful Joshua Osih. Akere Muna, leader of the People's Development Front (FDP) agreed to "withdraw his candidacy... and to support Maurice Kamto," leader of the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC), Muna's spokesman said in a statement. Kamto's party alleged earlier on Friday that a "massive fraud" was underway to ensure the sitting president wins a seventh term. Maurice Kamto's campaign chief Paul-Eric Kingue said efforts to rig Sunday's ballot "had the blessing" of the electoral commission. "We won't accept any result if this kind of fraud continues," he said at a media briefing by Kamto's MRC in .

Kavanaugh poised for confirmation to Supreme Court

Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the US Supreme Court appeared all but assured after two key lawmakers who had wavered on his controversial nomination signaled their support. Senate Republican Susan Collins Friday affirmed in a closely-watched floor speech that she will vote for the conservative jurist nominated by President Donald Trump, and moments later Democrat Joe Manchin broke ranks to announce his own backing. Their declarations of brought the number of senators publicly supporting the 53-year-old judge -- who has faced accusations of sexual assault -- to 51 in the 100-member chamber. A final confirmation vote is expected Saturday afternoon. Kavanaugh's nomination was left teetering on the edge after university psychology professor Christine Blasey Ford claimed in harrowing testimony last week that he tried to rape her when they were high school students. But Collins, a moderate, pro-choice lawmaker from Maine, said Kavanaugh was entitled to the "presumption of innocence" as ..

US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh clears crucial test vote in Senate

The bitterly divided Senate voted 51-49 to end the debate on nomination of Kavanaugh, 53, who has been nominated by Trump on the nine-member bench of the Supreme Court

EU to hit Cambodia with trade sanctions, says Myanmar may follow

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union told Cambodia on Friday it will lose its special access to the world's largest trading bloc, and said it was considering similar trade sanctions for Myanmar in a toughening of EU policy on human rights in Southeast Asia.

Key senator backs Trump Supreme Court nominee

US President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court appeared all but certain to win approval from the Senate after a key lawmaker backed him. Susan Collins, a member of Trump's Republican Party who was among the last to declare her voting intentions, said Friday allegations that Brett Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted a fellow teenager nearly four decades ago were unproven. "I do not believe these charges can fairly prevent Judge Kavanaugh from serving on the court," Collins told lawmakers in a speech from the floor of the chamber. "The presumption of innocence and fairness do bear on my thinking and I cannot abandon them," she added, calling Kavanaugh "an exemplary public servant.

Netanyahu questioned for 12th time over corruption cases

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was questioned on Friday for the 12th time, in two cases in which the police recommended to indict him for bribery and other offences.

Shah to kick off 'Maha Jansampark Abhiyan' on Saturday from Indore

With an eye on assembly polls due later this year BJP president Amit Shah will arrive here on Saturday to formally launch the party's mass contact campaign in the curcial Malwa-Nimad region of Madhya Pradesh to woo voters especially traders, tribals and farmers. Shah will launch the 'Maha Jansampark Abhiyan' from historic Rajwada area and walk for nearly 15 minutes up to Krishnapura Chhatri area to appeal people in the dense commercial area to vote for the BJP, a party spokesman said. From Indore, Shah will go to tribal Jhabua district to address 'Adivasi Sammelan' and later visit Jaora in Ratlam district for addressing farmers, he said. Shah will also interact with party functionaries at Indore and Ujjain divisions to charge them ahead of crucial assembly polls, the spokesman said. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the state party president Rakesh Singh will accompany Shah during all these programmes, the spokesman added.

Tortured Zimbabwe activist awarded USD 150,000 damages

A Zimbabwe court has ordered the government to pay USD 150,000 in damages to a rights activist who was abducted and tortured a decade ago over accusations of plotting to overthrow then president Robert Mugabe, a rights group said Friday. Jestina Mukoko, the director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), sought damages after she was abdcuted, beaten, tortured and held in solitary confinement for weeks by state agents after elections in 2008. "The High Court ordered that the total payment of USD 150 000 must be made on or before 31 October 2018," the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said in a statement. The ZLHR said the USD 100,000 will be paid to Jestina while USD 50,000 will be paid towards her legal costs. Mukoko and two ZPP employees, Broderick Takawira and Pascal Gonzo, were abducted in 2008 by unidentified people over allegations of trying to topple Mugabe's government. The three were held for weeks before being handed over to police and charged. One of the charges ...

Economy, energy important to strengthen India, Russia ties: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said digital economy, energy, start up sectors and infrastructure are four main areas to focus in order to strengthen ties between India and Russia.Addressing the business leaders, on the sidelines of India-Russia business summit, Prime Minister Modi said, "Energy, digital economy, start up sectors and infrastructure are our focus areas. Our IT companies can explore opportunities in Russia. We see collaboration with Russia for developing nuclear energy. We are committed to shaping a New India and we want everyone to cooperate.The Prime Minister further said that India has climbed 42 ranks across the world in terms of ease of doing business. "All these changes happen when ground realities are acknowledged with a futuristic vision. Reform, Perform, Transform is our Mantra to bring about changes in various sectors," he added.Prime Minister Modi also noted that India is the most open economy in respect to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)."In the past .

Shah takes swipes at Congress over sex CD case

BJP president Amit Shah targeted the Congress in Chhattisgarh Friday over the alleged involvement of a leader of the opposition party in circulation of a 'sex CD' purportedly featuring a state minister. The Congress was supporting and promoting a person who insulted women by distributing obscene CDs, Shah said. He was apparently referring to state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel, against whom BJP leader and state PWD minister Rajesh Munat has filed a case. After a 'sex CD' purportedly featuring Munat was circulated, the minister accused Baghel of trying to malign his image and filed a police complaint. Addressing a mammoth gathering of women, 'Mahila Maha Sammelan', at Charoda town of Durg district, Shah said, "(Congress president) Rahul Baba (Rahul Gandhi) should tell under whose leadership his party is going to contest the upcoming Assembly polls in the state." "Will it be the person who distributed obscene CDs and insulted mothers and sisters? You should be ashamed as by projecting ..

Russia reiterates support for India's permanent seat in UNSC

Russia Friday reaffirmed its "unwavering support" to India for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council as both nations called for reform of the powerful UN organ to better reflect the current world order and make it more effective in dealing with emerging global challenges. The strong backing by Russia was expressed in the joint statement issued after the 19th India-Russia summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin here. Russia and India also underlined the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear programme in order to support international peace and security, to strengthen non-proliferation regime and to develop normal economic cooperation with Iran. The statement assumes significance amid US' warning to all purchasers of Iranian oil to bring it down to zero by November 4 or face imminent sanctions from it. The two sides called for all issues related ..

Tactics of BJP will not work in Bengal: Mamata Banerjee

Ahead of 2019 general elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday reiterated that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will ensure that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not win a single seat in the state.Addressing the media, Banerjee said the "tactics" of the BJP will not work in West Bengal. "We should ensure that BJP doesn't win a single seat in Bengal. Their tactics will not work in Bengal," she told the reporters.On being asked about Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati's announcement of no alliance with the Congress for upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the TMC chief distanced herself from the political slugfest and stated that she will invite both Congress and BSP to her rally scheduled to be held on January 19.With an aim to defeat BJP in the 2019 general elections, Banerjee said, "I can't comment on the stand taken by Mayawati about Congress but I will invite both Congress and Mayawati for the rally on January 19. I have ...