Page 2798 - Politics
Chinese effort to meddle US elections, influence opinion unprecedented: Bolton
China has mounted an unprecedented effort to not only meddle American elections, but also shape the public opinion of the country, which makes pale the efforts of other countries through lobbying, the White House alleged as it fielded the vice president to issue a strong warning to China and make Americans aware of the real Chinese intentions. Hours after US Vice President Mike Pence delivered a major foreign policy speech on China, the US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Thursday much of the information about Chinese malign activities remain in the classified domain. Bolton said that the Chinese actions are certainly aimed at affecting elections. "I think the vice president talked about that. What we know of the Chinese intentions, with respect to the president. But it's also a far broader effort to influence political opinion through academic institutions, through think tanks, through intimidating individual scholars, Bolton said. "It's not that other countries don't hire .
US will defeat its enemies with full force of American might: Trump
US President Donald Trump unveiled a new counter-terrorism strategy which issues a tough warning to terrorist groups and their supporters that the United States will defeat its enemies with the full force of American might. The strategy for counterterrorism focuses efforts on pursuing terrorists to their source and isolating terrorists from their support, the US administration said. "Guided by the National Strategy for Counterterrorism, we will use all instruments of American power to protect our great nation, and we will defeat our enemies with the full force of American might," Trump said after basic contours of National Strategy for Counterterrorism were made public. The strategy, Trump said, outlines the approach of the US to countering the increasingly complex and evolving terrorist threats and represents the nation's first fully articulated counterterrorism strategy since 2011. "It provides the strategic guidance needed to protect the United States against all terrorist threats,
Pak removes "Illegally appointed" govt officials by Ishaq Dar
Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary on Thursday confirmed that the government officials who were "illegally appointed" by former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar have been ousted.Among the removed officials are National Bank of Pakistan chairman, Saeed Ahmed, First Women Bank president, Tahira Raza, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited president, Syed Talat Mehmood, and SME Bank president, Ehsanul Haq Khan, The Express Tribune reported.Chaudhary further stated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has removed regulators that were appointed during the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government's term.Pakistan State Bank deputy governors - Jameel Ahmed and Shamsul Hassan and Competition Commission of Pakistan officials - M.S Vadiya Khalil, Dr Mohammad Saleem and Shahzad Ansar, are among those removed.Chaudhary said that the authority to appoint these officials lies only with the federal government, adding that Dar had the authority extended to him on a request."The illegal
US pushes Pakistan for an effective campaign against terrorist
The Trump Administration in its meetings with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi this week talked about the suspension of security assistance since early this year and the importance that they place on them renewing an effective campaign against terrorists, the White House said. Qureshi, met the National Security Advisor John Bolton and the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington on October 2. At a White House news conference, Bolton described the meetings as productive. When asked if they talked about suspension of aid to Pakistan and the progress made by Islamabad in fight against terrorism, Bolton told reporters, "I discussed that with Foreign Minister Qureshi." "We had a very productive meeting. He had a very productive meeting," he said. "We certainly talked about the suspension of security assistance and the importance that we placed on Pakistan renewing an effective campaign against terrorists," Bolton said. They covered a wide range of other issues, as well, .
Congress launches campaign in poll-bound Telangana
Congress party on Thursday kick-started its election campaign in Telangana.The first-day of campaign included a road show and a public meeting.Congress leaders begun the campaign after paying obeisance at Alampur's Joglumba Temple.The road show was carried out from Alampur to Santhinagar and later a public meeting was held at Rajiv Gandhi Chowk in Gadwal District.The other two political parties namely Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) have already started their campaign in the state.The TRS begun its election campaign on Wednesday from Nizamabad district whereas the BJP kicked-off its election campaign in the state last month.On September 6, Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan dissolved the state assembly giving a nod for early assembly elections in the state, following a recommendation from K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR)-led cabinet. The Governor, however, asked Rao to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until the new government is formed.The Legislative ...
Counterterrorism Strategy for complex and evolving terrorist threats: Trump
United States President Donald Trump on Thursday highlighted the headway made under his Presidency in countering terrorism so far and stressed on the importance of the new National Strategy for Counterterrorism in "countering the increasingly complex and evolving terrorist threats."A statement issued by Trump read, "Under my leadership, the United States has accelerated efforts to defeat terrorists. Working with coalition partners, we have decimated ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Likewise, I ended United States participation in the horrible Iran deal, which had provided a windfall for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its proxies, funding Iran's malign activities throughout the world. Importantly, I have also secured historic increases in defence funding to rebuild our Nation's military.""The National Strategy for Counterterrorism is an important next step. It outlines the approach of the United States to countering the increasingly complex and evolving terrorist threats and ...
India, Kazakhstan agree to boost defence cooperation
India and Kazakhstan agreed to bolster their cooperation in the defence sector. The agreement came during Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's three-day visit to Kazakhstan capital Astana from October 02.During the visit, Sitharaman met her Kazakh counterpart, Nurlan Yermekbayev and Minister of Defence and Aerospace Industry Beibut Atamkulov. They discussed a wide range of issues relating to defence and military-technical cooperation and took stock of the progress that the bilateral relationship has made since the renewal of the MoU on defence cooperation in January 2017.India and Kazakhstan's Defence Cooperation includes military-technical cooperation, military education and training, joint military exercises, bilateral exchange of visits and cadet youth exchange programs. Over 200 Kazakh defence personnel have undergone military training in India till date.The two countries jointly conducted a company level military exercise 'KAZIND-2018' in South Kazakhstan, last month. India and
Trump campaigns in Minnesota as senators mull Kavanaugh fate
US President Donald Trump aimed to boost Republican congressional candidates in Minnesota, as the GOP hopes to fend off a Democratic effort to recapture the House of Representatives. Trump landed in Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon and headed to a fundraiser. He was set to appear later at an evening rally in Rochester, friendly territory in the traditionally liberal state, where Republicans are targeting two Democratic districts but playing defense in two GOP-held districts in the Minneapolis suburbs. Outside Washington, the focus still remained on the dramatic nomination process for Trump's Supreme Court nominee. Trump told reporters he thinks Brett Kavanaugh is "doing very well" as senators weigh a new FBI background report prompted by allegations of sexual misconduct. Trump earlier tweeted his support for Kavanaugh, who is accused of a sexual assault at a high school party, saying, "Due Process, Fairness and Common Sense are now on trial!" Trump has sought to use the Kavanaugh ...
13 killed in central Nigeria after farmer-herder clash
At least 13 people have been killed in Nigeria's restive central region in an escalating ethnic battle between farmers and herders, an army spokesman told AFP. The violence earlier this week between the Berom, indigenous farmers, and the Fulani, nomadic cattle herders, took place in Jol, a community part of the Riyom local government area of Plateau state, said military spokesman Major Adam Umar on Thursday. "On Tuesday some gunmen launched an attack on the Berom community... killing 13 people and razing several houses," Umar said. "The attack was part of the tit-tat killings between the Fulani and Berom." Umar said a meeting between the sides had been brokered by authorities but that it had failed to stem the bloodshed. "Despite the peace meeting, on September 29 a herder and five cows were ambushed and killed in the area while other cows were injured," Umar said. Riyom local government chairman Emmanuel Danboyi Jugul gave a higher death toll, saying that 14 people died in the ...
Palestinian FM slams US withdrawal from international accords
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki has slammed the US for withdrawing from two international accords.
Trump signs new counterterrorism strategy
United States President Donald Trump on Thursday approved the new National Strategy for Counterterrorism to thwart threats to US interests, both home and abroad.The strategy document unveils plans for the Trump administration's approach to nullify terror threat, including targeting terrorism at their source and ramping up domestic efforts to address terrorism at home, CNN reported.National Security Adviser John Bolton on Thursday unveiled the strategy. Bolton described the strategy as being contrasting to former President Barack Obama's approach, adding that the Trump administration identifies the problem to be stemming from radical Islamist ideologies."Radical Islamist terrorist groups still represent the preeminent threat to the United States. We recognize that there is a terrorist ideology that we're confronting. And I think it's long been the President's view that without recognizing that we're in an ideological struggle, that we can't properly address the terrorist threat," ...
Rahul forms 9 committees to manage Rajasthan polls
New Delhi [India], Oct 5 (ANI): With Rajasthan Assembly Polls inching closer, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday constituted nine different committees to manage its campaign in the poll-bound state.As the state gears up for the polls, the constituted committees include coordination, election manifesto, campaign, protocol, and discipline among others.Former chief minister of Rajasthan and All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Ashok Gehlot has been made Chairman of state's Election Coordination Committee. This chairman of all the other constituted committees will be member of the Coordination Committee. As the chairman of Coordination Committee, Gehlot will have authority to call other senior leaders as special invitee in the Coordination Committee Meetings.Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) president Sachin Pilot has been appointed the Chairman of 44 members Pradesh Election Committee. Former Minister CP Joshi has been appointed as a Chairman of ...
Tripura follows Center, reduces petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2.5 per liter
In addition to the Central Government's decision to reduce prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 2.50 per litre, the Tripura government on Thursday, announced an additional relief of the same amount on both fuel commodities.With state's government's announcement of further reducing petrol and diesel prices by Rs. 2.5 per litre, the state residents will get a total benefit of Rs 5 per litre.Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb told ANI, "Central government today reduced fuel prices by 2.5 Rs and Tripura government has also taken steps in the same direction. The state cabinet has decided to further reduce the prices of diesel and petrol by 2.5 Rs per litre. Tripura already has one of the lowest fuel rates in the country. Petrol will be now retailed at Rs 77.36 per litre and diesel will be retailed at 70.60 Rs per litre. We are sure that this historical step by the Central Government will give great relief to the people of India and citizens of Tripura will also be greatly benefited by the ...
West accuses Russian spy agency of scores of attacks
The West unleashed an onslaught of new evidence and indictments Thursday accusing Russian military spies of hacking so widespread that it seemed to target anyone, anywhere who investigates Moscow's involvement in an array of criminal activities including doping, poisoning and the downing of a plane. Russia defiantly denied the charges, neither humbled nor embarrassed by the exceptional revelations on one of the most high-tension days in East-West relations in years. Moscow lashed back with allegations that the Pentagon runs a clandestine U.S. biological weapons program involving toxic mosquitoes, ticks and more. The nucleus of Thursday's drama was Russia's military intelligence agency known as the GRU, increasingly the embodiment of Russian meddling abroad. In the last 24 hours: U.S. authorities charged seven officers from the GRU with hacking international agencies; British and Australian authorities accused the GRU of a devastating 2017 cyberattack on Ukraine, the email leaks that .
Telangana CM takes on Chandrababu Naidu
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief and Telangana caretaker chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao fired a fresh salvo against his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu and called him a cheater.Speaking at the Praja Ashirwada Sabha, in Nalgonda on Thursday, Rao further refuted claims of having any links with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) or Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, "Chandrababu Naidu should be ashamed for issuing such blatant statements. It is he (Chandrababu) who has been with Modi for four years. Chandrababu is a cheater. We can't believe him."Launching the party's poll campaign in the district, he said, "I have mentioned earlier the reason of TRS entering the elections early. The party has protested several times from Nalgonda, vying for the formation of the state."Iterating the promises fulfilled under his regime, Rao stated, "Telangana is the only state to give 24 hours free electricity to the farmers. The work on mission 'bhagiratha' will be completed ...
US forming 'trade coalition' to confront China: Trump adviser
The United States is uniting with other major economies to take on China's unfair trade practices, a senior White House economic adviser said Thursday. National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow also said there was a possibility US President Donald Trump could meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina at the end of November. "We're moving to what I characterize as a trade coalition of the willing to confront China," Kudlow told the Economic Club of Washington. "We are talking to the European Union again. We are talking to Japan again." The United States, Japan and the European Union last month announced they were jointly considering "possible measures" against the kind of unfair industrial practices widely attributed to Beijing, such as overcapacity, cyber-theft and forced technology transfers. Trump has slapped duties on more than USD 250 billion in imports from China, demanding an end to such actions, which US officials say underpin Beijing's
Government will complete full five years: PM Oli
Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli Thursday expressed confidence that his government will complete the full five-year term, amid criticism from his own party. Oli's remarks came after the senior leader of his own party and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal recently criticised the government for non performance and the deteriorating law and order situation in the country. "The government is on the right track, doing good works, and will complete its full term," Oli said at Tribhuvan International Airport here. "Sometimes people can vent their dissatisfaction in a poetic manner. But it is not necessary to make it a big issue," said Oli while returning from New York where he met with US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj among other leaders on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly session. No government has completed the full five-year term after the restoration of multiparty democracy in Nepal in 1990.
Pak to set up refinery with Saudi's help in Balochistan
Pakistan's Cabinet Thursday gave nod to the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia to set up a state-of-the-art oil refinery in the southwestern province of Balochistan. The proposed 500,000-barrel per day refinery is estimated to be completed with an investment of about USD 8 to 9 billion. The refinery will be set up at Gwadar, a coastal town on the Arabian Sea where China built a deep seaport under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The Cabinet meeting was presided by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan briefed the Cabinet about a Saudi Arabia delegation which had visited Pakistan to explore investment opportunities. Sarwar told the media that the Cabinet had granted approval of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), which is expected to be signed later this month when Saudi energy minister will visit Pakistan. He said that the technical aspects of the refinery including its capacity and cost will be decided by the two ...
KCR colluded with BJP to target me, says Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday alleged that TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan and YSR Congress leader Jaganmohan Reddy have colluded with the BJP to target him.
Prez Moon's India visit opened 'new vistas' of cooperation, ties more vibrant
The recent India visit of South Korean President Moon Jae-in has opened "new vistas of cooperation" in bilateral ties and the relationship between the two countries are "more vibrant", its envoy said Thursday. In his address at the Korea National Day function held at the embassy this evening, Ambassador Shin Bong-Kil also said with the three Inter-Korean Summits and the US-North Korea Summit earlier, the "momentum for lasting peace in the Korean Peninsula is building". "India and Korea enjoy ties that go back to the visit of a princess from Ayodhya to Korea, who got married to a king there. With such deep relations in the past, we move to the present day relationship, as we mark 45 years of our diplomatic ties," he said. The envoy recalled the July State visit of President Moon and asserted India is an "important partner in all areas of historical, bilateral relations". "His visit has opened new vistas of cooperation, the relationship between the two countries is more vibrant, and ...