Page 662 - Politics
Rocket barrages from Gaza draw Israeli strikes, four Palestinians dead
Gaza militants on Saturday fired some 250 rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire again faltered in an escalation that left four Palestinians dead, including a baby killed in disputed circumstances. The latest flare-up came with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, seeking further concessions from Israel under the ceasefire. Israel said around 250 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defences intercepted dozens of them. One woman was seriously injured in a rocket strike on the Israeli city of Kiryat Gat, some 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the Gaza border, police said. A man was also hospitalised in Ashkelon, police said, and spoke of other injuries without providing details. Medics said the woman was 80 and the man was 50. A house near Ashkelon was damaged while other rockets hit open areas. The Israeli army said its tanks and planes hit some 120 militant targets. They included an Islamic Jihad attack ..
N Korea tested rocket launchers and 'tactical guided weapons'
North Korea's state media said Sunday that leader Kim Jong Un had overseen a rocket and tactical guided weapons test, after the drill Saturday had raised concerns Pyongyang was escalating provocations with US nuclear negotiations deadlocked. The North last carried out a missile test in November 2017, before a rapid diplomatic rapprochement saw tensions ease on the peninsula and a series of summits. A return to missile launches would be likely to infuriate US President Donald Trump, but the North's official KCNA news agency shied away from the term in its report, saying Kim had ordered a "strike drill" involving "long-range multiple rocket launchers" -- which are not targeted by UN sanctions resolutions -- and unspecified "tactical guided weapons". Seoul's military described the weapons as "projectiles" after it detected Saturday's firing. The United States and North Korea have been at loggerheads since the collapse of a Trump-Kim summit in February, when the two sides clashed over ...
Iraqi PM holds phone call with Mike Pompeo
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi held a phone call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over boosting bilateral ties and cooperation in various field, as well as Iraq's desire to transfer American technology into Iraq.
US backs Israel's 'right to self defense' after rocket attacks
The United States condemns Gaza militants' rocket attacks on Israel and backs the Jewish state's right to self-defense, the State Department said Saturday. Militants on Saturday fired some 250 rockets at Israel, which hit back with air strikes that left multiple people dead. "The United States strongly condemns the ongoing barrage of rocket attacks by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad from Gaza upon innocent civilians and their communities across Israel. "We call on those responsible for the violence to cease this aggression immediately," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. "We stand with Israel and fully support its right to self defense against these abhorrent attacks.
Top Russian, Venezuelan diplomats to meet today
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to meet his Venezuelan counterpart Jorge Arreaza today amid mounting political and civil unrest in Venezuela.The two leaders will discuss possible steps to solve the crisis currently prevalent in Venezuela, which heightened after the April 30 attempt by opposition leader Juan Guaido to oust embattled President Nicolas Maduro, reported TASS news agency."There will be an exchange of opinion on the situation inside and around Venezuela in connection with the government coup attempt, the outlook for a political and diplomatic settlement of differences within the framework of the Venezuelan constitution, and various options of international mediatory efforts to promote a dialogue between the government and the opposition," said the Russian Foreign Ministry."Certain steps will be discussed for expanding comprehensive Russian-Venezuelan partnership in the international scene, stepping up efforts by an informal group of countries for the ...
EU voices concern over US' decision to not extend waivers on oil trade with Iran
The European Union, France, Germany, and the UK on Saturday voiced concern over the US' decision to not extend waivers on oil trade with Iran, as well as to not fully renew waivers on nuclear non-proliferation projects.A joint statement carried out by the EU's foreign policy chief and top diplomats from the said countries reads, "We, the High Representative of the European Union and the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, take note with regret and concern of the decision by the United States not to extend waivers with regards to trade in oil with Iran," reported TASS."We also note with concern the decision by the United States not to fully renew waivers for nuclear non-proliferation projects in the framework of the JCPOA," the statement added.Last month, the US had announced that no fresh sanction waivers will be issued for Iranian oil importers to South Korea, China, India and five other countries.Additionally, the US had on Friday warned that assisting Iran .
Kim oversees 'strike drill' missile component test
North Korea has confirmed via state media that its leader Kim Jong-un has overseen a "strike drill" testing various missile components.
Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi will not seek fifth term in 2020
Wyoming Republican US Senator Mike Enzi announced on Saturday that he will not run for a fifth term in the 2020 Presidential elections."I have much to get done in the next year and a half," The Washington Post quoted Enzi as saying. "I want to focus on budget reform. I don't want to be burdened by the distractions of another campaign. After this year, I'll find other ways to serve."75-year old Enzi has served as a senator for 22 years after winning his first election in 1996. Currently, he serves as the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.Fellow Republican Liz Cheney, who unsuccessfully tried to challenge Enzi in the 2014 elections, commended his service but made no mention of her own aspirations."For more than four decades, Mike Enzi has devoted himself to serving our state and the country," Cheney said. "I'm privileged to have had the opportunity to work alongside him for the people of Wyoming and am proud to call him a friend.Enzi began his political career as Gillette mayor, .
Erdogan condemns Israeli Gaza bombing of Turkish news agency offices
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday fiercely denounced Israel for the bombing of a building housing Turkey's state news agency Anadolu in Gaza. "We strongly condemn Israel's attack against Anadolu Agency's office in Gaza," Erdogan said on Twitter. "Turkey and Anadolu Agency will continue to tell the world about Israeli terrorism and atrocities in Gaza and other parts of Palestine despite such attacks," he wrote. Anadolu reported that the building collapsed after being hit. Staff were evacuated shortly before the strike which was preceded by a warning shot, the agency said, adding that none of its journalists had been hurt. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu added: "Targeting of @AnadoluAgency #Gaza office is new example of Israel's unrestrained aggression. "Israeli violence against innocent people w/out distinction is a crime against humanity. Those who encourage Israel are also guilty. Will keep defending #Palestinian cause, even if alone," he said. Gaza militants on Saturday ..
'Time for transition is now', says Pompeo in video address to Venezuelans
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo on Saturday made an appeal to Venezuelans to overthrow the Nicolas Maduro regime, declaring that the "time for transition is now.""To the people of Venezuela, the United States sees your courage and action," said Pompeo in a video posted on his official Twitter handle. "We admire you, we stand with you.""The time for transition is now. No more starvation, no more children without medicine, no more repression," he added.A text accompanying the video read, "My message to the Venezuelan people is clear: the United States stands firmly with you in your quest for freedom and democracy. Your bravery and voices will put Venezuela on the path to liberty and prosperity, and we will partner with you every step of the way. #EstamosUnidosVE"Pompeo's message has come amid the mounting civil and political unrest in the Latin American Country. On April 30, opposition leader Juan Guaido declared he was "beginning the final phase of Operation Freedom," in an ...
Kim Jong-un supervises "strike drill" of defense units
A day after North Korea fired unidentified short-range projectiles into the East Sea, their leader Kim Jong-un supervised the "strike drill" of defence units to test their performance, state media reported."The purpose of the drill was to estimate and inspect the operating ability and the accuracy of striking duty performance of large-calibre long-range multiple rocket launchers and tactical guided weapons by defence units in the frontline area and on the eastern front," said state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).North Korea on Saturday fired several unidentified short-range projectiles from its eastern coastal town of Wonsan into the East Sea. They flew about 70 kilometres to 200 kilometres, reported Yonhap News agency.Despite this, United States President Donald Trump reaffirmed confidence in the North Korean leader, saying that "he won't break his promise.""Anything in this very interesting world is possible, but I believe that Kim Jong Un fully realizes the great economic ...
BJP MP Hukumdev Narayan confident on son's victory from Madhubani
Madhubani (Bihar) [India], May 4 (ANI): Four-time BJP MP Hukumdev Narayan exuded confidence over his son Ashok Yadav's victory in the ongoing polls from Bihar.Yadav has been fielded as BJP's Lok Sabha candidate against Vikassheel Insaan Party's (VIP) Badrinath Purve and Independent candidate Shakeel Ahmad from Madhubani seat in Bihar.Speaking to ANI, Narayan said, "In this election, none of the parties, be it mahagathbandhan (grand alliance), CPI or Congress has a symbol. In Madhubani, BJP always had a direct contest with Congress, RJD and CPI.""This time, BJP has no competition in Madhubani district. Most of these parties are out from the field, it's clear that BJP has no competition here," Narayan added.The BJP MP further noted that his son's victory will be based on the work he does for the people of the region, and not for his political connection."My son will not win due to the fact that he is my son but his victory will depend upon his hard work and his connection with poor ...
Stars back France's 'yellow vests' as protesters march
Film stars Juliette Binoche and Emmanuelle Beart joined hundreds of people from the arts world in backing France's "yellow vests" movement, as the latest anti-government marches took place Saturday. Binoche and Beart joined more than 1,400 signatories to an open letter published in the left-leaning daily Liberation. Entitled "Yellow Vests: we are not fooled!", it denounced what it said were attempts to discredit the movement. It also backed the demands of the protesters, which it said included calls for greater social and fiscal justice, and radical measures to tackle what they called an ecological emergency. The open letter condemned what it said were the increasingly repressive measures taken against the movement, noting that international organisations such as United Nations and the European Union had already expressed their concern. Binoche and Beart were among the most prominent signatories, which also included directors, scriptwriters and composers. Binoche won an Oscar for her .
Trump attacks social media companies after Facebook bans
President Donald Trump criticised social media companies after Facebook banned a number of extremist figures, declaring that he was "monitoring and watching, closely!!" Trump, who tweeted and re-tweeted complaints Friday and Saturday, said he would "monitor the censorship of AMERICAN CITIZENS on social media platforms." He has previously asserted that social media companies exhibit bias against conservatives, something the companies have rejected as untrue. The president's comments came after Facebook this week banned Louis Farrakhan, Alex Jones and other extremists, saying they violated its ban on "dangerous individuals." The company also removed right-wing personalities Paul Nehlen, Milo Yiannopoulos, Paul Joseph Watson and Laura Loomer, along with Jones' site, Infowars, which often posts conspiracy theories. The latest bans apply both to Facebook's main service and to Instagram and extend to fan pages and other related accounts. Facebook's move signalled renewed effort by the ...
Trump attacks social media companies after Facebook bans
President Donald Trump criticised social media companies after Facebook banned a number of extremist figures, declaring that he was "monitoring and watching, closely!!" Trump, who tweeted and re-tweeted complaints Friday and Saturday, said he would "monitor the censorship of AMERICAN CITIZENS on social media platforms." He has previously asserted that social media companies exhibit bias against conservatives, something the companies have rejected as untrue. The president's comments came after Facebook this week banned Louis Farrakhan, Alex Jones and other extremists, saying they violated its ban on "dangerous individuals." The company also removed right-wing personalities Paul Nehlen, Milo Yiannopoulos, Paul Joseph Watson and Laura Loomer, along with Jones' site, Infowars, which often posts conspiracy theories. The latest bans apply both to Facebook's main service and to Instagram and extend to fan pages and other related accounts. Facebook's move signalled renewed effort by the ...
Fines, jail time? Trump team resists oversight, Dems dig in
They're talking about jailing people at the Capitol. Imposing steep fines. All sorts of extraordinary, if long-shot measures to force the White House to comply with Democratic lawmakers' request for information about President Donald Trump stemming from the special counsel's Russia investigation. This is the remarkable state of affairs between the executive and legislative branches, unseen in recent times, as Democrats try to break through Trump's blockade of investigations and exert congressional oversight of the administration. "One of the things that everybody in this country needs to think about is when the president denies the Congress documents and access to key witnesses, basically what they're doing is saying, Congress you don't count," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee. "We cannot we simply cannot have a presidency that is run as if it were a king or a dictator in charge," said Cummings, D-Md. Trump's blanket refusal to engage ..
Senegal MPs pass reform to scrap post of prime minister
Senegalese lawmakers on Saturday approved a constitutional reform to scrap the post of prime minister, the first initiative of President Macky Sall's second term in office. The motion passed with 124 MPs voting in favour and only seven against, National Assembly president Moustapha Niasse said Saturday evening after a nine-hour debate. The government approved the measure last month before sending it to the parliament where the presidential party enjoys a majority. Sall, who was comfortably re-elected in February, announced the plan in early April, telling the prime minister Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, to abolish his own job. The move was a surprise as it had not been part of Sall's re-election campaign. On Saturday, lawmakers also backed legislative changes aimed at preventing the president from dissolving the National Assembly, which in turn can no longer table a motion of no confidence against the government. Justice Minister Malick Sall said the changes were "purely technical ...
Senegal MPs pass reform to scrap post of prime minister
Senegalese lawmakers on Saturday approved a constitutional reform to scrap the post of prime minister, the first initiative of President Macky Sall's second term in office. The motion passed with 124 MPs voting in favour and only seven against, National Assembly president Moustapha Niasse said Saturday evening after a nine-hour debate. The government approved the measure last month before sending it to the parliament where the presidential party enjoys a majority. Sall, who was comfortably re-elected in February, announced the plan in early April, telling the prime minister Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, to abolish his own job. The move was a surprise as it had not been part of Sall's re-election campaign. On Saturday, lawmakers also backed legislative changes aimed at preventing the president from dissolving the National Assembly, which in turn can no longer table a motion of no confidence against the government. Justice Minister Malick Sall said the changes were "purely technical ...
Senegal MPs pass reform to scrap post of prime minister
Senegalese lawmakers on Saturday approved a constitutional reform to scrap the post of prime minister, the first initiative of President Macky Sall's second term in office. The motion passed with 124 MPs voting in favour and only seven against, National Assembly president Moustapha Niasse said Saturday evening after a nine-hour debate. The government approved the measure last month before sending it to the parliament where the presidential party enjoys a majority. Sall, who was comfortably re-elected in February, announced the plan in early April, telling the prime minister Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, to abolish his own job. The move was a surprise as it had not been part of Sall's re-election campaign. On Saturday, lawmakers also backed legislative changes aimed at preventing the president from dissolving the National Assembly, which in turn can no longer table a motion of no confidence against the government. Justice Minister Malick Sall said the changes were "purely technical ...
Senegal MPs pass reform to scrap post of prime minister
Senegalese lawmakers on Saturday approved a constitutional reform to scrap the post of prime minister, the first initiative of President Macky Sall's second term in office. The motion passed with 124 MPs voting in favour and only seven against, National Assembly president Moustapha Niasse said Saturday evening after a nine-hour debate. The government approved the measure last month before sending it to the parliament where the presidential party enjoys a majority. Sall, who was comfortably re-elected in February, announced the plan in early April, telling the prime minister Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, to abolish his own job. The move was a surprise as it had not been part of Sall's re-election campaign. On Saturday, lawmakers also backed legislative changes aimed at preventing the president from dissolving the National Assembly, which in turn can no longer table a motion of no confidence against the government. Justice Minister Malick Sall said the changes were "purely technical ...