Swaraj calls on Netanyahu, discusses bilateral ties
New Delhi [India], Jan 14 (ANI): External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu here today and discussed bilateral ties between the two countries.
The Ministry of External Affairs took to Twitter to say, "Warm and engaging conversation on various aspects of our bilateral ties aimed at strengthening our strategic partnership".
Later in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting a private dinner for the visiting dignitary.
Netanyahu, who is on a six-day visit to India, is accompanied by his wife Sara and a 130-member delegation from various sectors, including cyber, agriculture and defence.
The Israeli premier will be visiting Delhi, Agra, Gujarat and Mumbai and will be accompanied by the Indian Prime Minister on extensive portions of his visit.
Hours after landing in Delhi, Netanyahu tweeted in Hindi to express happiness over meeting his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for the second time in six months.
Earlier in the day, the two leaders attended a ceremony to mark the formal renaming of iconic Teen Murti Chowk as Teen Murti Haifa Chowk.
The two premiers, who signed the visitor's book at the chowk, were received by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.
They laid wreath and paid tribute at the Chowk.
Nightclub ceiling collapses in Spanish capital; 26 injured
Madrid, Jan 14 (AP) Spanish authorities say that 26 people have been injured when a ceiling collapsed at a Madrid nightclub.
Emergency services for the Spanish capital say that 11 of the injured revellers were taken to nearby hospitals to be treated for "bruises and light wounds." The others were treated on site.
Emergency services say that a section of the ceiling measuring 16 square meters fell on the people at the nightclub located in southern Madrid today.
Arturo de Blas, who led the emergency response, said that the "ceiling in the second floor fell on top of the people inside.
India, UK ink pacts on illegal migrants' return, sharing intel
London, Jan 14 (PTI) India and the UK have signed two agreements on return of Indians, who are living in Britain as illegal migrants, and sharing criminal records and intelligence.
The development comes close on heels of India seeking UK's help in early extradition of liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya from Britain to face the law at home in connection with cases of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs 9,000 crores.
The memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed by UK's Minister of Immigration Caroline Nokes and India's Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Thursday.
The new deals reflect increased co-operation between the two countries, which already enjoy a close relationship, according to a British government release issued here today.
"The MoU on criminal records exchange will lead to British and Indian law enforcement bodies sharing criminal records information, fingerprints and intelligence," the statement said.
This will assist the police in protecting the public from known criminals, including sex offenders and also allow the courts in both countries to access more information to support tougher sentencing decisions.
The agreement on returns paves the way for a quicker and more efficient process for documenting and returning Indian nationals who have no right to be in the UK to India, it said.
This has proven difficult in the past due to some Indians not having the required paperwork or travel documentation for them to be accepted back in their home country.
The official release added that the agreement commits both countries to taking a more flexible approach to verifying the identity and nationality of individuals, which will help speed up the returns process.
"I was very pleased to welcome the Indian Home Affairs Minister to the UK. The agreements we've signed cover the important issues of returns and criminal records exchanges to the mutual benefit of both countries," Nokes said.
"The minister's (Rijiju's) visit forms part of our ongoing dialogue and demonstrates the strong and positive relationship between our two nations," she was quoted as saying in the statement.
"As my predecessor in this role noted during his visit to India last November, we are determined to create a 'living bridge' of people, ideas, institutions and technology between our two great countries. These new agreements are yet another example of the value we place on our strong partnership."
Details of the types of information exchanged through the MoUs and operational procedures, together with the details of any restrictions on using or disclosing the information will be the subject of further negotiations, the statement said.
The documents recognise the need to respect privacy, civil liberties and human rights.
Rijiju was on a London visit at the invitation of Nokes' predecessor, Brandon Lewis, following their successful meeting in India in November 2017.
In addition to formalising the two agreements, Rijiju also visited the Heathrow Airport to see first-hand how Border Force, a law enforcement command within the Home Office, uses technology such as biometrics and e-passport gates.
Trump admin resumes accepting DACA renewals
Washington DC [United States], Jan 14 (ANI): The Trump administration has resumed accepting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a programme that protects certain illegal immigrants from deportation, renewal requests as a result of a federal court order.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services said that the DACA program will be operated "on the terms in place" before it was rescinded last September, reported CNN, citing a statement posted online on Saturday.
The move unfolds as US District Judge William Alsup issued a preliminary injunction this week blocking President Trump's decision to end the Obama-era program.
The statement said, "Due to a federal court order, USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA."
However, neither any new applications will be accepted nor it would be processing applications for those who have never before received DACA protections.
According to the reports, Judge Alsup, in his order on Tuesday, stated that the Trump administration's move to rescind DACA was done without following the proper legal procedures and that the federal government would have to "maintain the DACA program on a nationwide basis."
Trump branded the order "unfair" at the time, and suggested that it would be reversed by a higher court.
Supporters of DACA rejoiced and celebrated the ruling in the streets of San Francisco on the federal court's decision at the time.
Morocco repatriates 338 nationals stranded in Libya
Tripoli [Libya], Jan 14 (ANI): The Moroccan authority on Saturday repatriated its 338 nations stranded in Libya.
According to the Moroccan Ministry of Expatriates and Migration's statement, the migrants were to be flown to Casablanca on the Libyan airline Afriqiyah and then transported by bus to their hometowns, the local media reported.
Scores of Moroccan migrants, who had sought to enter Europe illegally, were stuck in Libyan detention centres.
In December and October last year, Morocco repatriated over 400 national, fearing their connection with IS or other terror groups.
Iran says 55 still jailed in Tehran after protests
Tehran, Jan 14 (AP) Iran says 55 people are still being detained in the capital after hundreds were arrested during a wave of anti-government protests.
The semi-official Fars news agency quoted judiciary spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi as saying there were around 400 protesters held across the country but that "some were released" yesterday and today.
Last week, an Iranian reformist lawmaker, Mahmoud Sadeghi, said some 3,700 people were arrested across the country.
The protests, which began three weeks ago, were initially sparked by anger at the weak economy and official corruption, but escalated rapidly, with some protesters calling for the overthrow of the government.
Clashes broke out at some protests, and at least 21 people were killed.
Iranian authorities say the protests have been waning in recent days.
Trump cancelled UK visit over lack of 'enough love': report
London, Jan 14 (PTI) Donald Trump had cancelled his next month's visit to the UK after the British government did not show him "enough love", according to a media report quoting a source close to the US President.
Trump had claimed that his abrupt decision to cancel the working visit on February 26 and 27 for the launch of a new US embassy building was in protest against the "bad deal" over the sale of the older embassy in posh Mayfair area of central London.
However, the source quoted by The Sunday Times has revealed that in fact he had been put off by strong anti-Trump sentiments expressed by London mayor Sadiq Khan, who has repeatedly said that Trump was not welcome in the city.
However, the source said that his proclaimed distaste for the new embassy was "just an excuse".
"He (Trump) felt he had not been shown enough love by the British government," the source told the newspaper on condition of anonymity.
"He (Trump) started to believe that the British government thought the same way about him as Sadiq Khan and Jeremy Corbyn (the Labour party leader), who have made clear their disdain for him and said he is not welcome in the UK," the source said.
Khan, in a statement released on Twitter after Trump's own tweet announcing that he would not be visiting the UK in February, said: "President Trump got the message from the many Londoners who love and admire America and Americans but find his policies and action the polar opposite of our city's values".
Yesterday, pro-Trump protesters turned out to disrupt Khan's speech on gender equality to the Fabian Society in London.
"It is a pleasure to be here even though we were distracted by the actions of what some would call very stable geniuses," the mayor said, as he resumed his speech following the interruption.
His comment was a jibe at the US President, who had used the phrase "very stable genius" to describe himself last week.
Downing Street officials were at an advanced stage of planning the US President's visit to London, which also included a visit to Buckingham Palace for lunch.
Trump is also said to have expressed interest in playing a round of golf at Queen Elizabeth II's nine-hole golf course on the Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire.
But on Friday, he tweeted that he would not be the one inaugurating the new US embassy at Nine Elms on the south bank of the Thames because he did not approve of the "off location" site.
The cancellation has been widely viewed as a blow to UK- US relations, raising fears that it could scupper plans for a speedy post-Brexit trade deal between the two traditional allies.
Sir Nigel Sheinwald, who served as British ambassador to the US from 2007-12, told 'The Observer' that after Trump's latest outburst the UK "should put out of our minds the idea that just around the corner when we leave the EU there is a magical deal with the US that is going to solve all our trade and industrial problems".
"The way in which the bilateral relationship has atrophied and the tone has changed in the last year since (British Prime Minister Theresa) May's first visit is quite a big blow," he warned.
'Wrong button' sparked 38 minutes of panic in Hawaii
Washington D.C. [USA], Jan 14 (ANI): Turns out, it took only one person to push Hawaii's buttons.
Governor David Ige revealed that the emergency alert about an incoming "ballistic missile threat", which jolted Hawaiians awake, was a false alarm caused by someone pushing the "wrong button".
"It was a mistake made during a standard procedure at the change over of a shift and an employee pushed the wrong button", Ige told CNN. "The warning went out to cell phones, television and radio got the emergency alert".
"Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill", the alert read.
While the message caused concerns on social media, the Hawaii Office of Emergency Management responded after 38 minutes on Twitter, saying, "NO missile threat to Hawaii".
Ige also issued a statement via Twitter, saying he wanted to "get to the bottom of this so we can prevent an error of this type in the future".
"While I am thankful this morning's alert was a false alarm, the public must have confidence in our emergency alert system", he wrote.
The White House issued a statement on the false alarm, noting that United States President Donald Trump had been briefed on the incident.
"This was purely a state exercise", the statement added.
Trump denies report on his "good relationship" with Kim
Washington, Jan 14 (PTI) US President Donald Trump today denied having told a leading US daily that he shared a "good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, asserting that he was "falsely" quoted in the "fake news" story.
In an interview on Thursday, 'The Wall Street Journal' reported that Trump had developed a positive relationship with the North Korea's leader despite their differences.
"I probably have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un. I have relationships with people. I think you people are surprised," Trump was quoted as saying in the interview.
Trump said the leading US newspaper knew exactly what he had said, but simply wanted "fake news".
"The Wall Street Journal stated falsely that I said to them 'I have a good relationship with Kim Jong Un' (of N Korea). Obviously, I didn't say that," Trump tweeted.
"I said I'd have a good relationship with Kim Jong Un, a big difference. Fortunately, we now record conversations with reporters...and they knew exactly what I said and meant. They just wanted a story. FAKE NEWS!" Trump said.
Moments later, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders released the audio clip of the interview.
"As you know, I have a great relationship with Prime Minister Abe of Japan and I would probably have a very good relationship with Kim Jong un of North Korea," the President said in the audio.
There was no immediate reaction from The Wall Street Journal.
"So much Fake News is being reported. They don't even try to get it right, or correct it when they are wrong. They promote the Fake Book of a mentally deranged author, who knowingly writes false information.
"The Mainstream Media is crazed that WE won the election!" Trump tweeted, expressing his frustration over his coverage by the mainstream media.
Trump has ridiculed Kim in the past, calling him a "maniac" and "little rocket man".
Kim has responded by describing the US president a "mentally deranged US dotard".
Last week, Trump told South Korea's President Moon Jae-in that he was open to direct talks with North Korea on its nuclear programme.
"Sure. I always believe in talking. If something can happen and something can come out of those talks, that would be a great thing for all of humanity," he told reporters.
The president had previously dismissed the idea of direct talks with North Korea, tweeting in October that negotiations with the country were a waste of time.
Traders protest against load shedding in PoK
Muzaffarabad (PoK), Jan 14 (ANI): Traders in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), blocked the Neelum Valley road and burnt tyres to show their anger against load shedding and damage of transformers in the area.
The protest was called by the Anjuman Tajiran (trade union) in Muzaffarabad as local businessmen have been facing huge losses due to severe power cuts.
The protesters raised slogans against the Water and Power Development Authority and Prime Ministers of PoK and Pakistan.
The police tried to disperse the protesters forcibly, causing major tension in the area.
A protester said, "We have requested the concerned authority, but they are not listening. Since the PML (N) government has come to power, our problems increased manifold".
It is ironic that the hub of hydropower generation, PoK suffers long and persistent power outages, ranging from four to 12 hours.
As per an estimate, PoK produces roughly 1,500 MW electricity through hydropower but fails to get its total requirement of 400 MW.
The people of PoK blame Islamabad for exploitation of its resources and in return keeping the region in the dark.
New Delhi [India], Jan 14 (ANI): External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu here today and discussed bilateral ties between the two countries.
The Ministry of External Affairs took to Twitter to say, "Warm and engaging conversation on various aspects of our bilateral ties aimed at strengthening our strategic partnership".
Later in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting a private dinner for the visiting dignitary.
Netanyahu, who is on a six-day visit to India, is accompanied by his wife Sara and a 130-member delegation from various sectors, including cyber, agriculture and defence.
The Israeli premier will be visiting Delhi, Agra, Gujarat and Mumbai and will be accompanied by the Indian Prime Minister on extensive portions of his visit.
Hours after landing in Delhi, Netanyahu tweeted in Hindi to express happiness over meeting his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for the second time in six months.
Earlier in the day, the two leaders attended a ceremony to mark the formal renaming of iconic Teen Murti Chowk as Teen Murti Haifa Chowk.
The two premiers, who signed the visitor's book at the chowk, were received by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.
They laid wreath and paid tribute at the Chowk.
Nightclub ceiling collapses in Spanish capital; 26 injured
Madrid, Jan 14 (AP) Spanish authorities say that 26 people have been injured when a ceiling collapsed at a Madrid nightclub.
Emergency services for the Spanish capital say that 11 of the injured revellers were taken to nearby hospitals to be treated for "bruises and light wounds." The others were treated on site.
Emergency services say that a section of the ceiling measuring 16 square meters fell on the people at the nightclub located in southern Madrid today.
Arturo de Blas, who led the emergency response, said that the "ceiling in the second floor fell on top of the people inside.
India, UK ink pacts on illegal migrants' return, sharing intel
London, Jan 14 (PTI) India and the UK have signed two agreements on return of Indians, who are living in Britain as illegal migrants, and sharing criminal records and intelligence.
The development comes close on heels of India seeking UK's help in early extradition of liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya from Britain to face the law at home in connection with cases of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs 9,000 crores.
The memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed by UK's Minister of Immigration Caroline Nokes and India's Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Thursday.
The new deals reflect increased co-operation between the two countries, which already enjoy a close relationship, according to a British government release issued here today.
"The MoU on criminal records exchange will lead to British and Indian law enforcement bodies sharing criminal records information, fingerprints and intelligence," the statement said.
This will assist the police in protecting the public from known criminals, including sex offenders and also allow the courts in both countries to access more information to support tougher sentencing decisions.
The agreement on returns paves the way for a quicker and more efficient process for documenting and returning Indian nationals who have no right to be in the UK to India, it said.
This has proven difficult in the past due to some Indians not having the required paperwork or travel documentation for them to be accepted back in their home country.
The official release added that the agreement commits both countries to taking a more flexible approach to verifying the identity and nationality of individuals, which will help speed up the returns process.
"I was very pleased to welcome the Indian Home Affairs Minister to the UK. The agreements we've signed cover the important issues of returns and criminal records exchanges to the mutual benefit of both countries," Nokes said.
"The minister's (Rijiju's) visit forms part of our ongoing dialogue and demonstrates the strong and positive relationship between our two nations," she was quoted as saying in the statement.
"As my predecessor in this role noted during his visit to India last November, we are determined to create a 'living bridge' of people, ideas, institutions and technology between our two great countries. These new agreements are yet another example of the value we place on our strong partnership."
Details of the types of information exchanged through the MoUs and operational procedures, together with the details of any restrictions on using or disclosing the information will be the subject of further negotiations, the statement said.
The documents recognise the need to respect privacy, civil liberties and human rights.
Rijiju was on a London visit at the invitation of Nokes' predecessor, Brandon Lewis, following their successful meeting in India in November 2017.
In addition to formalising the two agreements, Rijiju also visited the Heathrow Airport to see first-hand how Border Force, a law enforcement command within the Home Office, uses technology such as biometrics and e-passport gates.
Trump admin resumes accepting DACA renewals
Washington DC [United States], Jan 14 (ANI): The Trump administration has resumed accepting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a programme that protects certain illegal immigrants from deportation, renewal requests as a result of a federal court order.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services said that the DACA program will be operated "on the terms in place" before it was rescinded last September, reported CNN, citing a statement posted online on Saturday.
The move unfolds as US District Judge William Alsup issued a preliminary injunction this week blocking President Trump's decision to end the Obama-era program.
The statement said, "Due to a federal court order, USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA."
However, neither any new applications will be accepted nor it would be processing applications for those who have never before received DACA protections.
According to the reports, Judge Alsup, in his order on Tuesday, stated that the Trump administration's move to rescind DACA was done without following the proper legal procedures and that the federal government would have to "maintain the DACA program on a nationwide basis."
Trump branded the order "unfair" at the time, and suggested that it would be reversed by a higher court.
Supporters of DACA rejoiced and celebrated the ruling in the streets of San Francisco on the federal court's decision at the time.
Morocco repatriates 338 nationals stranded in Libya
Tripoli [Libya], Jan 14 (ANI): The Moroccan authority on Saturday repatriated its 338 nations stranded in Libya.
According to the Moroccan Ministry of Expatriates and Migration's statement, the migrants were to be flown to Casablanca on the Libyan airline Afriqiyah and then transported by bus to their hometowns, the local media reported.
Scores of Moroccan migrants, who had sought to enter Europe illegally, were stuck in Libyan detention centres.
In December and October last year, Morocco repatriated over 400 national, fearing their connection with IS or other terror groups.
Iran says 55 still jailed in Tehran after protests
Tehran, Jan 14 (AP) Iran says 55 people are still being detained in the capital after hundreds were arrested during a wave of anti-government protests.
The semi-official Fars news agency quoted judiciary spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi as saying there were around 400 protesters held across the country but that "some were released" yesterday and today.
Last week, an Iranian reformist lawmaker, Mahmoud Sadeghi, said some 3,700 people were arrested across the country.
The protests, which began three weeks ago, were initially sparked by anger at the weak economy and official corruption, but escalated rapidly, with some protesters calling for the overthrow of the government.
Clashes broke out at some protests, and at least 21 people were killed.
Iranian authorities say the protests have been waning in recent days.
Trump cancelled UK visit over lack of 'enough love': report
London, Jan 14 (PTI) Donald Trump had cancelled his next month's visit to the UK after the British government did not show him "enough love", according to a media report quoting a source close to the US President.
Trump had claimed that his abrupt decision to cancel the working visit on February 26 and 27 for the launch of a new US embassy building was in protest against the "bad deal" over the sale of the older embassy in posh Mayfair area of central London.
However, the source quoted by The Sunday Times has revealed that in fact he had been put off by strong anti-Trump sentiments expressed by London mayor Sadiq Khan, who has repeatedly said that Trump was not welcome in the city.
However, the source said that his proclaimed distaste for the new embassy was "just an excuse".
"He (Trump) felt he had not been shown enough love by the British government," the source told the newspaper on condition of anonymity.
"He (Trump) started to believe that the British government thought the same way about him as Sadiq Khan and Jeremy Corbyn (the Labour party leader), who have made clear their disdain for him and said he is not welcome in the UK," the source said.
Khan, in a statement released on Twitter after Trump's own tweet announcing that he would not be visiting the UK in February, said: "President Trump got the message from the many Londoners who love and admire America and Americans but find his policies and action the polar opposite of our city's values".
Yesterday, pro-Trump protesters turned out to disrupt Khan's speech on gender equality to the Fabian Society in London.
"It is a pleasure to be here even though we were distracted by the actions of what some would call very stable geniuses," the mayor said, as he resumed his speech following the interruption.
His comment was a jibe at the US President, who had used the phrase "very stable genius" to describe himself last week.
Downing Street officials were at an advanced stage of planning the US President's visit to London, which also included a visit to Buckingham Palace for lunch.
Trump is also said to have expressed interest in playing a round of golf at Queen Elizabeth II's nine-hole golf course on the Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire.
But on Friday, he tweeted that he would not be the one inaugurating the new US embassy at Nine Elms on the south bank of the Thames because he did not approve of the "off location" site.
The cancellation has been widely viewed as a blow to UK- US relations, raising fears that it could scupper plans for a speedy post-Brexit trade deal between the two traditional allies.
Sir Nigel Sheinwald, who served as British ambassador to the US from 2007-12, told 'The Observer' that after Trump's latest outburst the UK "should put out of our minds the idea that just around the corner when we leave the EU there is a magical deal with the US that is going to solve all our trade and industrial problems".
"The way in which the bilateral relationship has atrophied and the tone has changed in the last year since (British Prime Minister Theresa) May's first visit is quite a big blow," he warned.
'Wrong button' sparked 38 minutes of panic in Hawaii
Washington D.C. [USA], Jan 14 (ANI): Turns out, it took only one person to push Hawaii's buttons.
Governor David Ige revealed that the emergency alert about an incoming "ballistic missile threat", which jolted Hawaiians awake, was a false alarm caused by someone pushing the "wrong button".
"It was a mistake made during a standard procedure at the change over of a shift and an employee pushed the wrong button", Ige told CNN. "The warning went out to cell phones, television and radio got the emergency alert".
"Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill", the alert read.
While the message caused concerns on social media, the Hawaii Office of Emergency Management responded after 38 minutes on Twitter, saying, "NO missile threat to Hawaii".
Ige also issued a statement via Twitter, saying he wanted to "get to the bottom of this so we can prevent an error of this type in the future".
"While I am thankful this morning's alert was a false alarm, the public must have confidence in our emergency alert system", he wrote.
The White House issued a statement on the false alarm, noting that United States President Donald Trump had been briefed on the incident.
"This was purely a state exercise", the statement added.
Trump denies report on his "good relationship" with Kim
Washington, Jan 14 (PTI) US President Donald Trump today denied having told a leading US daily that he shared a "good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, asserting that he was "falsely" quoted in the "fake news" story.
In an interview on Thursday, 'The Wall Street Journal' reported that Trump had developed a positive relationship with the North Korea's leader despite their differences.
"I probably have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un. I have relationships with people. I think you people are surprised," Trump was quoted as saying in the interview.
Trump said the leading US newspaper knew exactly what he had said, but simply wanted "fake news".
"The Wall Street Journal stated falsely that I said to them 'I have a good relationship with Kim Jong Un' (of N Korea). Obviously, I didn't say that," Trump tweeted.
"I said I'd have a good relationship with Kim Jong Un, a big difference. Fortunately, we now record conversations with reporters...and they knew exactly what I said and meant. They just wanted a story. FAKE NEWS!" Trump said.
Moments later, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders released the audio clip of the interview.
"As you know, I have a great relationship with Prime Minister Abe of Japan and I would probably have a very good relationship with Kim Jong un of North Korea," the President said in the audio.
There was no immediate reaction from The Wall Street Journal.
"So much Fake News is being reported. They don't even try to get it right, or correct it when they are wrong. They promote the Fake Book of a mentally deranged author, who knowingly writes false information.
"The Mainstream Media is crazed that WE won the election!" Trump tweeted, expressing his frustration over his coverage by the mainstream media.
Trump has ridiculed Kim in the past, calling him a "maniac" and "little rocket man".
Kim has responded by describing the US president a "mentally deranged US dotard".
Last week, Trump told South Korea's President Moon Jae-in that he was open to direct talks with North Korea on its nuclear programme.
"Sure. I always believe in talking. If something can happen and something can come out of those talks, that would be a great thing for all of humanity," he told reporters.
The president had previously dismissed the idea of direct talks with North Korea, tweeting in October that negotiations with the country were a waste of time.
Traders protest against load shedding in PoK
Muzaffarabad (PoK), Jan 14 (ANI): Traders in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), blocked the Neelum Valley road and burnt tyres to show their anger against load shedding and damage of transformers in the area.
The protest was called by the Anjuman Tajiran (trade union) in Muzaffarabad as local businessmen have been facing huge losses due to severe power cuts.
The protesters raised slogans against the Water and Power Development Authority and Prime Ministers of PoK and Pakistan.
The police tried to disperse the protesters forcibly, causing major tension in the area.
A protester said, "We have requested the concerned authority, but they are not listening. Since the PML (N) government has come to power, our problems increased manifold".
It is ironic that the hub of hydropower generation, PoK suffers long and persistent power outages, ranging from four to 12 hours.
As per an estimate, PoK produces roughly 1,500 MW electricity through hydropower but fails to get its total requirement of 400 MW.
The people of PoK blame Islamabad for exploitation of its resources and in return keeping the region in the dark.
Posts
No comments: