Page 96 - Politics
Denmark's Social Democrat leader forms new leftist government
Denmark's Social Democrat leader has announced she will form a minority government after reaching an agreement with three left and centre-left parties after weeks of negotiations. "Now we have reached the goal... we have shown that when Danes vote as they have done, a new majority can turn their hopes into actions," said Mette Frederiksen, who will become prime minister in a country where minority governments are the norm. The opposition Social Democrats won a June 5 general election as expected, ousting Liberal prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen's minority government after several of his key allies suffered scathing losses at the polls. Frederiksen said she will present the 18-page agreement on Wednesday, with the new government expected to be unveiled on Thursday. "It is a political document, one of the first in the world, that really defines green ambitions," she said. "We will develop a climate plan, a binding law on climate and reduce greenhouse emissions by 70 per cent.
North Korea says it won't surrender to US-led sanctions
North Korea said Wednesday it won't surrender to U.S.-led sanctions and accused Washington of trying to "bring us to our knees." The statement is yet another reminder that North Korea keeps mistrust of the U.S. though its leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump recently exchanged letters. Their second summit in Hanoi in February ended without any agreement due to disputes over the extent of sanctions relief North Korea should win in return for a limited denuclearization step. The North's Foreign Ministry said it "will not hesitate to pull a muscle-flexing trigger in order to defend ourselves" if anyone dares to trample over its sovereignty. It accused the U.S. of maintaining hostility toward North Korea. It cited recent U.S. reports on alleged human trafficking and religious crackdowns in North Korea, and comments by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that some 80-plus percent of the North Korean economy is sanctioned. Pompeo "let loose a sophistry as if the sanctions are rendering .
Australia warns of 'collateral damage' from Trump-Xi trade war
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday warned that "collateral damage" from trade spats between China and the United States were hurting smaller countries and threatening the global economy. In an usually public warning to allies in Washington, Morrison said the "world's most important bilateral relationship -- the US-China relationship" had become "strained". "Trade tensions have escalated. The collateral damage is spreading. The global trading system is under real pressure. Global growth projections are being wound back," he said, speaking in Sydney. "The impact of any further deterioration of the relationship will not be limited to these two major powers," he added. His comments come on the eve of a G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, that will be overshadowed by talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US counterpart Donald Trump aimed at easing tensions between the world's two largest economic powers. Decades of cautious engagement between China and the United States
Pompeo to pitch for lower trade barriers during talks with Modi, Jaishankar
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will put forward the US' demand for reducing trade barriers imposed by India during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.During the visit, "He (Pompeo) will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss our ambitious shared agenda for the U.S.-India strategic partnership. There is enormous potential to grow our trade relationship and create the high-quality jobs that Prime Minister Modi wants if India lowers trade barriers and embraces fair and reciprocal trade," said an official statement.Pompeo visit comes days after India imposed retaliatory tariffs on 25 American goods, less than two weeks after US President Donald Trump announced an end to preferential trade treatment for India over the trade barriers. Last year, India had announced tariffs in retaliation to higher US import duties on steel and aluminium.Pompeo reached New Delhi ...
US-China trade spat, Iran tensions to dominate weighty G20
The trade battle between the US and China, and fears that spiralling tensions with Iran could erupt into conflict are poised to dominate a high-stakes G20 summit from Friday. With hotspots North Korea and Venezuela and a slowing world economy also high on the agenda, the two-day gathering of leaders from the world's group of 20 leading nations in Osaka, Japan, could be one of the most pivotal in years, analysts say. Trump last week sparked hopes for a detente in the long-running trade war when he said he would hold "extended" talks with Xi after a "very good telephone conversation". For his part, Xi told Trump that "China and the US will both gain by co-operating and lose by fighting", according to Chinese state media. The two sides were close to a deal when talks broke down abruptly last month and markets are hoping the leaders' first face-to-face talks since December, when they met at the last G20 in Argentina, can break the deadlock. Trump has hit $200 billion of Chinese imports ...
Protesters urge discussion of Hong Kong issues at G-20
Protesters in Hong Kong opposed to contentious extradition legislation are calling on leaders of the U.S., the European Union and others to raise the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping at this week's G-20 summit in Japan. Groups of protesters gathered outside the U.S. and EU consulates Wednesday morning to deliver petitions stating their requests. A spokesman says changes to the Chinese territory's legislation could expose citizens of all nationalities to being extradited to China for unfair trials and possible torture. Hundreds of thousands of people have protested in recent weeks over the legislation and police violence against them. China has said it won't permit any discussion of Hong Kong affairs at the meeting in Osaka.
Amit Shah to visit Srinagar today, review security arrangements ahead of Amarnath Yatra
Home Minister Amit Shah will fly to Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday to review the overall security situation in the state and also discuss security arrangements for Amarnath Yatra, in particular. This will be Shah's first visit since taking office.He will also meet Governor Satya Pal Malik to discuss the current situation of the state.The Home Minister will return to the national capital on Thursday (June 27).
China halts Canadian meat exports over fake certificates
China has asked Canada to suspend all meat exports after discovering bogus veterinary health certificates attached to a batch of pork, while Canadian federal police launched a criminal probe. The forgery allegations against Frigo Royal Inc. come amid frosty relations between the two nations following Canada's arrest of a senior Chinese telecoms executive on a US warrant and China's detention of two Canadian nationals in apparent retaliation. In days, the US and China could also seek to relaunch talks to settle a trade dispute that may be key to resolving the Canada-China row. China's embassy in Ottawa said on Tuesday a customs investigation -- launched after the discovery of traces of a banned feed additive -- revealed that up to 188 forged documents had been provided to Chinese officials. "In order to protect the safety of Chinese consumers, China has taken urgent preventive measures and requested the Canadian government to suspend the issuance of certificates for meat exported to ...
Sam Brownback presented with Mahatma Gandhi Award for Advancing Pluralism by HAF
Sam Brownback, the US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, has been presented with the Mahatma Gandhi Award for Advancing Pluralism by the Hindu American Foundation for his leadership role in protecting the rights of minority Hindu community in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Malaysia. The foundation said that as head of the Office of International Religious Freedom at the State Department, the former Governor of Kansas has heralded a new era for the United States in elevating the voices of those who have long gone unheard. "Since taking office, his keen attention and efforts to address the plight of vulnerable Hindu minorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan...has helped further the cause of human rights and freedom of belief worldwide," it said. The award was presented to Brownback at an event at the US capitol on Monday. In his acceptance speech, Brownback said the world is seeing more interactions between religious ...
Judge allows Democrats' lawsuit against Trump to proceed
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that a lawsuit that accuses President Trump of profiting off the presidency in violation of the Constitution's emoluments clause can move forward. US District Judge Emmett G. Sullivan of the District of Columbia ruled against Justice Department lawyers who sought a mid-case appeal to a higher court and a stay on proceedings in the meantime. The case brought by nearly 200 congressional Democrats argues that Trump has been accepting gifts from foreign and state governments without congressional approval. Trump, unlike modern presidents before him, has declined to fully divest from his businesses. The lawmakers say Trump's unwillingness to ask permission is akin to denying lawmakers the right to do their jobs. The judge's decision clears the way for the lawmakers to begin subpoenas for information. Tuesday's ruling came as Trump was heading to a roundtable event and fundraiser with supporters at his namesake hotel in Washington, just steps from the White ...
Trump protocol chief out ahead of major summit
President Donald Trump's chief of protocol, Sean Lawler, is leaving the administration ahead of Trump's departure for the Group of 20 summit meeting in Japan. A senior administration official says Lawler, who holds the rank of ambassador at the State Department, is leaving amid a probe of his management of staff. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the personnel matter and provided no additional information. The chief of protocol is responsible for managing the formalities of presidential visits with foreign leaders. It was not immediately clear who would assume that role during Trump's trip to Japan and South Korea, which begins Wednesday.
Trump 'very concerned' about conditions at migrant detention facilities
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was "very concerned" about the conditions at migrant detention facilities on the border but asserted that the situation was much better than that during the previous Obama regime. In an interaction with reporters in his Oval Office, Trump said, "...I'm very concerned. It's in much better shape than it ever was...And they're much better than they were under President Obama, by far, and we're trying to get the Democrats to agree to really give us some humanitarian aid..." He also criticised the Democrats for blocking a border supplementary bill. "...the Democrats don't want to sign anything. And now I think they're going to probably sign this from what I understood in the cycle of humanitarian aid," he said. Earlier, Trump signed an executive order after he and several lawmakers talked about the need to continue nixing regulations that hinder Americans' ability to purchase a home. Chief Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow said he believes the .
Kushner pitches Palestinians 'Opportunity of Century' -- if they want peace
Jared Kushner on Tuesday called for the Palestinians to accept the "Opportunity of the Century" that he says will pump USD 50 billion into a stagnant economy but told them they must first agree if they want a peace deal. Opening the long-awaited Middle East peace initiative of his father-in-law, President Donald Trump, at a conference in Bahrain, Kushner insisted that the administration has not "given up" on the Palestinians, whose leadership is boycotting the US-led "economic workshop". "Agreeing on an economic pathway forward is a necessary pre-condition to resolving the previously unsolvable political issues," Kushner said as he opened the two-day event before a gala dinner. In a data-driven presentation in the style of a corporate executive, the 38-year-old adviser to Trump and family friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the need for a political solution. "To be clear, economic growth and prosperity for the Palestinian people are not possible without an
Melania Trump's spokesperson Stephanie Grisham named White House Press Secretary
Melania Trump's chief spokesperson Stephanie Grisham has been named as the next White House Press Secretary and Communications Director, the US first Lady announced on Tuesday.Taking to her official Twitter handle, Melania said that she and her husband could "think of no better person to serve the Administration & our country.""I am pleased to announce @StephGrisham45 will be the next @PressSec & Comms Director! She has been with us since 2015 - @potus & I can think of no better person to serve the Administration & our country. Excited to have Stephanie working for both sides of the @WhiteHouse. #BeBest," Melania wrote on her official Twitter handle.According to a report by The New York Times, Grisham joined the Trump campaign in 2015 and is one of the last remaining aides from Trump's campaign still serving in the White House. She will be President Trump's third press secretary in less than three years.Grisham will replace Sarah Sanders, who was considered as .
Tribal leader may be Chhattisgarh Congress president replacing Bhupesh Baghel
The new Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, replacing Bhupesh Baghel, could be a tribal leader, a source said on Tuesday.The party is mulling replacing Chief Minister Baghel and appoint a tribal for the Chhattisgarh Congress Pradesh president post.The party is contemplating to make a tribal the PCC chief to balance the power structure as Baghel is an OBC, who is already serving as the state Chief Minister.Congress president Rahul Gandhi has met at least six leaders from the state.Congress president Rahul Gandhi met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and party leaders like TS Singh Deo from the state last week. Gandhi has also held multiple meeting with state in-charge PL Punia in the past few days.The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.
Trump warns Iran of grave consequences in case of any misadventure
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Iran of grave consequences in case of any misadventure, amidst rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. His statement came hours after Iran warned that new US sanctions targeting its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a string of military commanders meant "closing the doors of diplomacy" between Tehran and Washington. On Monday, Trump signed an executive order which he said will impose "hard-hitting" sanctions on Iran and deny the Iranian Supreme Leader and other officials access to financial instruments within the US jurisdiction. "Iran's very ignorant and insulting statement, put out today, only shows that they do not understand reality. Any attack by Iran on anything American will be met with great and overwhelming force," Trump said in a tweet after Iran issued a statement. "In some areas, overwhelming will mean obliteration. No more John Kerry & Obama!" he said, rejecting the policies of his predecessor Barack Obama and
Andhra: Demolition of 'Praja Vedika' begins
The process of demolition of 'Praja Vedika', a public grievance hall constructed by previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government in the state, started on Tuesday evening.'Praja Vedika' was constructed adjacent to the residence of former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu as a grievance hall.Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy had on Monday ordered the demolition of 'Praja Vedika'. Jagan, while addressing a collectors' conference at 'Praja Vedika', claimed that the hall was constructed illegally and by violating many acts. He also stated that this was the last meeting taking place at the building.At first, the hall was planned to be demolished on Wednesday morning. However, the state government preponed the process and started the demolition process today itself.In fact, Naidu is expected to reach his residence this night. His convoy left for Gannavaram airport. Moments after his convoy left, the demolition process started.On June 5, Naidu had written a letter to Reddy ...
Ambassador of India to Madagascar presents his credentials to President of Comoros
Ambassador of India to Madagascar Abhay Kumar presented his credentials to President of Comoros Azali Assoumani in country's capital Moroni on Monday.The island of Comoros is located in the Indian Ocean and is a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as well as a member of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).There are about 250 persons of Indian origin living in Comoros and play an important role in its economy. India is also building an 18MW power project for this island nation which is likely to be completed soon.
Pompeo may raise issues of trade, data localisation during talks
In the first high-level engagement between India and the US after the NDA's return to power for the second term, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday when issues pertaining to data localisation, market access and trade are expected to come up.The meeting between Jaishankar and Pompeo is being seen as an opportunity for both the leaders to get to know each other better. The two will set the stage for the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the sidelines of G20 Summit in Osaka.Diplomatic sources said the US has raised the issue of data localisation with India but the policy in this regard was still evolving. They said that e-commerce bill and the personal data protection bill were at a draft stage and the RBI norms were to do with payments-related data.On the issue of market access, the sources said that at India's level of economic attainment, there is ..
PM referred to my interview to give a message: Arif Mohammad Khan
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi quoted former Union Minister Arif Mohammad Khan in his speech in the Lok Sabha, the latter on Tuesday sided with him and said that Modi used his quote to send across a message."The Prime Minister has referred to my interview, to give a message that for how long any section of the people, I am not talking about any particular community, can allow itself to be deceived by the power-wielders. It is a clear cut message," Arif Mohammad Khan told ANI here.Further explaining the incident, Khan said, "Six-seven years ago, during a TV interview, I was asked whether any pressure was brought upon me to take back my resignation (in connection with the Shah Bano case). I said yes. The day I resigned and left my resignation letter in the Prime Minister's Office, I disappeared from my house and spent the night at friend's house."He added, "The next morning when I reached Parliament, the first person to meet me was Arun Singh. I have great respect for him. He spent .