Nepal’s political landscape faces fresh turbulence as former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is set to be questioned by a high-level commission investigating alleged atrocities and misuse of power. Senior leaders across the political spectrum are expected to appear before the panel. This video breaks down the case, the accusations, the political implications, and what this means for Nepal’s governance and stability.

Commission to Grill KP Sharma Oli & Top Leadership Over Alleged Atrocities

India's Election Commission will be announcing the dates for the 2024 General Elections and with that the model code of conduct will come into force from the time the dates are announced. Watch to know more!

India General Elections: Election Commission of India to announce poll schedule on March 16

The 68th edition of annual Commission on status of women which is United Nations largest gathering on gender equality and women's empowerment is taking place this year from the 11th to 22nd of March in New York. The theme of the event is to discuss how to address women's poverty strengthen institutions and increase investment to accelerate progress on gender equality.

UN report: Women poorer than men

UN session on commission on the status of women begins in New York

The Election Commission of Pakistan has warned that the polls scheduled for February 8 may have to be delayed if requests keep coming to change the election symbols already allocated to candidates. PPP has also been denied the use of the party election symbol of arrow to its ticket holders in Punjab.

Pakistan's election commission warns of poll delay

After a deadlock over the poll dates for months, Pakistan is all set to hold general elections on February 11. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) informed the country's Supreme Court about the poll date on Thursday (Nov 2), media reports said. This comes as Anwaar ul Haq Kakar took office as Pakistan's interim Prime Minister on August 14, 2023.

Pakistan: Elections to be conducted by February 11

Election Commission of Pakistan informs top court on polls

Did you know that Amazon is fleecing the sellers on its platform and possibly you as well? A new report quoted said for the first time ever Amazon’s average commission from each sale surpassed 50% in 2022. The research firm said it had done the sampling of seller transactions going back to 2016.

Amazon Charges 50% commission from sellers?

It's a big day for Indian Navy today as INS Vikrant is being commissioned by the Indian PM Narendra Modi. INS Vikrant is a completely indigenously-built aircraft carrier, the biggest that India has built in its history.

India: PM Narendra Modi commissions INS Vikrant; can house 1600 crew members

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan on Thursday said it has formed a commission to help the people who left the country after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, to return to their homeland. 
 
"The Commission of Liaison and Repatriation of Afghan Personalities has been formed under the supervision of Sheikh Shahabuddin Delawar, the acting minister of mines and petroleum, to help Afghans return to their motherland," Xinhua news agency quoted the government as saying in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-diplomats-under-pressure-from-taliban-regime-462072">Afghan diplomats under pressure from Taliban regime</a> 
 
The formation of the commission came after a cabinet meeting was held, the statement said. 
 
The six-member commission will liaise with Afghans who have left the country so that they can return to their homeland and live in peace instead of staying abroad, it said. 
 
Many Afghan security forces and civil servants left Afghanistan following the takeover by the Taliban in August last year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/female-foreign-ministers-call-on-taliban-to-lift-restrictions-on-afghan-women-460886">Female Foreign Ministers of 17 countries call on Taliban to lift restrictions on Afghan women</a> 
 
In recent months, Sultan Massoud Daqiq, a leading expert on international development, Abdul Salam Rahimi, state minister for peace of the former Afghan government, several pilots of the Afghan airforce and a female mayor have returned to the country. 
 
Earlier this month, Deputy Prime MinisterMullah Abdul Ghani Baradar called on Afghan investors to return to the country.

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan on Thursday said it has formed a commission to help the people who left the country after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, to return to their homeland.

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan on Thursday said it has formed a commission to help the people who left the country after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, to return to their homeland. "The Commission of Liaison and Repatriation of Afghan Personalities has been formed under the supervision of Sheikh Shahabuddin Delawar, the acting minister of mines and petroleum, to help Afghans return to their motherland," Xinhua news agency quoted the government as saying in a statement. Also read | Afghan diplomats under pressure from Taliban regime The formation of the commission came after a cabinet meeting was held, the statement said. The six-member commission will liaise with Afghans who have left the country so that they can return to their homeland and live in peace instead of staying abroad, it said. Many Afghan security forces and civil servants left Afghanistan following the takeover by the Taliban in August last year. Also read | Female Foreign Ministers of 17 countries call on Taliban to lift restrictions on Afghan women In recent months, Sultan Massoud Daqiq, a leading expert on international development, Abdul Salam Rahimi, state minister for peace of the former Afghan government, several pilots of the Afghan airforce and a female mayor have returned to the country. Earlier this month, Deputy Prime MinisterMullah Abdul Ghani Baradar called on Afghan investors to return to the country.

Taliban forms commission to help migrants return home

In a recent development, the Taliban has dismissed Afghanistan's election commission. "There is no need for these commissions to exist and operate," Taliban government spokesman Bilal Karimi said. The panel was responsible for supervising polls during the previous administration.&nbsp;

"If we ever feel a need, the Islamic Emirate will revive these commissions," Karimi said speaking about the Independent election commission (IEC) and the Independent electoral complaints commission.

The IEC was established in 2006 with the aim of supervising all types of elections.&nbsp;

Aurangzeb, the head of the panel till the Taliban took over, while speaking to AFP said, "They have taken this decision in a hurry... and dissolving the commission would have huge consequences. If this structure does not exist, I'm 100 percent sure that Afghanistan's problems will never be solved as there won't be any elections."

This is not the first time that an election commission has been dismissed in Taliban. Before Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan, several such commission officials were killed by extremist groups.&nbsp;

Halim Fidai, a senior politician in the previous regime said that the decision shows that the Taliban "do not believe in democracy".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/to-keep-aid-flowing-to-afghanistan-us-authorises-certain-transactions-with-taliban-439164">Also read |&nbsp;To keep aid flowing to Afghanistan, US authorises certain transactions with Taliban</a>

Situation in Afghanistan has been worsening ever since Taliban's takeover. As per reports by the United Nations, nearly 23 million people, which is about 55 per cent of the population, face extreme levels of hunger, and nearly 9 million are at risk of famine this winter.

To ensure a flow of aid in Afghanistan, the United States recently exempted from sanctions, US and UN officials doing permitted business with the Taliban.

As part of efforts to ease humanitarian aid flows into Afghanistan, the Treasury issued three general licenses. UN plans to pay monthly food allowances to Taliban-run personnel guarding UN facilities next year and to subsidise their salaries, a proposal that has raised questions about whether the payments would violate US sanctions.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a recent development, the Taliban has dismissed Afghanistan's election commission. "There is no need for these commissions to exist and operate," Taliban government spokesman Bilal Karimi said.

In a recent development, the Taliban has dismissed Afghanistan's election commission. "There is no need for these commissions to exist and operate," Taliban government spokesman Bilal Karimi said. The panel was responsible for supervising polls during the previous administration. "If we ever feel a need, the Islamic Emirate will revive these commissions," Karimi said speaking about the Independent election commission (IEC) and the Independent electoral complaints commission. The IEC was established in 2006 with the aim of supervising all types of elections. Aurangzeb, the head of the panel till the Taliban took over, while speaking to AFP said, "They have taken this decision in a hurry... and dissolving the commission would have huge consequences. If this structure does not exist, I'm 100 percent sure that Afghanistan's problems will never be solved as there won't be any elections." This is not the first time that an election commission has been dismissed in Taliban. Before Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan, several such commission officials were killed by extremist groups. Halim Fidai, a senior politician in the previous regime said that the decision shows that the Taliban "do not believe in democracy". Also read | To keep aid flowing to Afghanistan, US authorises certain transactions with Taliban Situation in Afghanistan has been worsening ever since Taliban's takeover. As per reports by the United Nations, nearly 23 million people, which is about 55 per cent of the population, face extreme levels of hunger, and nearly 9 million are at risk of famine this winter. To ensure a flow of aid in Afghanistan, the United States recently exempted from sanctions, US and UN officials doing permitted business with the Taliban. As part of efforts to ease humanitarian aid flows into Afghanistan, the Treasury issued three general licenses. UN plans to pay monthly food allowances to Taliban-run personnel guarding UN facilities next year and to subsidise their salaries, a proposal that has raised questions about whether the payments would violate US sanctions. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban dismiss Afghan election commission in decision seen as hurried

Professor Bimal Patel, Vice-Chancellor of the Rashtriya Raksha University and Member of the National Security Advisory Board of India, has been elected to the International Law Commission for a five-year term, in a hard-fought election at the United Nations.

"Hearty felicitations to Prof Bimal Patel @RakshaUni for election to International Law Commission by topping the group," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti tweeted on Friday, thanking all UN member states for overwhelming support to India's candidature.

Patel, 51, garnered 163 votes in the UN General Assembly out of 192 members present and voting, topping the Asia-Pacific group that included candidates from China, South Korea and Japan. He will serve a five-year term starting January 1, 2023.

In the Asia-Pacific group, there were 11 very strong candidates vying for 8 seats, making the election hotly-contested.

"Professor Bimal Patel of India is elected to the ILC for a 5-year term. Our contribution to ILC will reflect the commitment to uphold rules-based international order, underpinned by Rule Of Law," India's Permanent Mission to the UN tweeted, in the backdrop of growing global concern over China's military muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Heartfelt gratitude to all countries who reposed their trust in India's candidate with highest votes in Asia-Pacific Group,"&nbsp;the mission said.

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Professor Bimal Patel of 🇮🇳 is elected to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ILC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ILC</a> for a 5 year term. 
 
Our contribution to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ILC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ILC</a> will reflect the commitment to uphold rules-based international order, underpinned by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RuleOfLaw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RuleOfLaw</a> <a href="https://t.co/4MG953GQQW">pic.twitter.com/4MG953GQQW</a>
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaUNNewYork/status/1459221439568130053?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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India topped the group with 163 votes for Patel, followed by 162 votes for Thailand, 154 for Japan, 145 for Vietnam. China could manage 142 votes, followed by 140 for South Korea, 139 for Cyprus and 123 for Mongolia.

China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas. Beijing has also made substantial progress in militarising its man-made islands in the past few years.

Beijing claims almost all of the 1.3 million square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory. China has been building military bases on artificial islands in the region which, in parts, is claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Beijing has impeded commercial activity like fishing and mineral exploration by neighbouring nations in recent years, saying the ownership of the resource-rich maritime territory belongs to China for hundreds of years.

Patel is an esteemed educationalist, jurist and administrator and during his professional career of over three decades, he has served in various roles such as the Director at the Gujarat National Law University and member of the 21st Law Commission of India.

He has worked for 15 years at global organisations such as the United Nations of Youth and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at the Hague, Netherlands, according to his profile on the Rashtriya Raksha University website.

The International Law Commission was established by the General Assembly in 1947 to undertake the mandate of the Assembly to "initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of? encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification?.

The Statute of the International Law Commission provides that the Commission shall consist of 34 members "who shall be persons of recognised competence in international law."

The members of the Commission are to be elected by the General Assembly from a list of candidates nominated by the Governments of States Members of the United Nations.

Professor Bimal Patel, Vice-Chancellor of the Rashtriya Raksha University and Member of the National Security Advisory Board of India, has been elected to the International Law Commission for a five-year term, in a hard-fought election at the United Nations.

Professor Bimal Patel, Vice-Chancellor of the Rashtriya Raksha University and Member of the National Security Advisory Board of India, has been elected to the International Law Commission for a five-year term, in a hard-fought election at the United Nations. "Hearty felicitations to Prof Bimal Patel @RakshaUni for election to International Law Commission by topping the group," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti tweeted on Friday, thanking all UN member states for overwhelming support to India's candidature. Patel, 51, garnered 163 votes in the UN General Assembly out of 192 members present and voting, topping the Asia-Pacific group that included candidates from China, South Korea and Japan. He will serve a five-year term starting January 1, 2023. In the Asia-Pacific group, there were 11 very strong candidates vying for 8 seats, making the election hotly-contested. "Professor Bimal Patel of India is elected to the ILC for a 5-year term. Our contribution to ILC will reflect the commitment to uphold rules-based international order, underpinned by Rule Of Law," India's Permanent Mission to the UN tweeted, in the backdrop of growing global concern over China's military muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region. "Heartfelt gratitude to all countries who reposed their trust in India's candidate with highest votes in Asia-Pacific Group," the mission said. Professor Bimal Patel of 🇮🇳 is elected to the #ILC for a 5 year term. Our contribution to #ILC will reflect the commitment to uphold rules-based international order, underpinned by #RuleOfLaw pic.twitter.com/4MG953GQQW — India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) November 12, 2021 × India topped the group with 163 votes for Patel, followed by 162 votes for Thailand, 154 for Japan, 145 for Vietnam. China could manage 142 votes, followed by 140 for South Korea, 139 for Cyprus and 123 for Mongolia. China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas. Beijing has also made substantial progress in militarising its man-made islands in the past few years. Beijing claims almost all of the 1.3 million square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory. China has been building military bases on artificial islands in the region which, in parts, is claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Beijing has impeded commercial activity like fishing and mineral exploration by neighbouring nations in recent years, saying the ownership of the resource-rich maritime territory belongs to China for hundreds of years. Patel is an esteemed educationalist, jurist and administrator and during his professional career of over three decades, he has served in various roles such as the Director at the Gujarat National Law University and member of the 21st Law Commission of India. He has worked for 15 years at global organisations such as the United Nations of Youth and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at the Hague, Netherlands, according to his profile on the Rashtriya Raksha University website. The International Law Commission was established by the General Assembly in 1947 to undertake the mandate of the Assembly to "initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of? encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification?. The Statute of the International Law Commission provides that the Commission shall consist of 34 members "who shall be persons of recognised competence in international law." The members of the Commission are to be elected by the General Assembly from a list of candidates nominated by the Governments of States Members of the United Nations.

India's Bimal Patel elected to UN's International Law Commission for 5-yr term

Sweden's response to the spread of coronavirus was too slow and preparations to handle a pandemic were insufficient, a commission investigating the country's response to COVID-19 said on Friday.

Sweden's early strategy, shunning lockdowns and measures such as face masks and only gradually tightening curbs, made the country an outlier in the first year of the pandemic when many countries across Europe chose to implement tougher restrictions.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antidepressant-drug-fluvoxamine-can-help-reduce-covid-hospitalisations-by-30-study-424778">Antidepressant drug Fluvoxamine can help reduce Covid hospitalisations by 30%: Study</a>

The commission said it would address Sweden's no-lockdown strategy in its final report, but that its preliminary findings showed that measures were introduced late both in relation to the country's Nordic neighbours and the spread of the virus in Sweden during the spring of 2020.

"Sweden's handling of the pandemic has been marked by a slowness of response," the commission said.

"The initial disease prevention and control measures were insufficient to stop or even substantially limit the spread of the virus in the country."

The commission, appointed by the government amid pressure from parliament, also noted that it had taken "far too long" to build sufficient testing capacity with initially only targeted groups, such as healthcare staff, being tested.

Authorities relied heavily on voluntary recommendations for people to socially distance and wash their hands, and public places such as schools, restaurants and businesses remained largely open, with the government leaving much of the responsibility for fighting the virus with the health agency and its chief epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell.

Sweden has recorded more than 15,000 deaths from coronavirus, many times the per capita level of its Nordic neighbours that implemented tougher restrictions, but still lower than many countries that locked down tightly, such as Britain.

Its pandemic strategy has been controversial at home and abroad. Critics have called it reckless and cruel but the approach has also earned praise for being more sustainable and business-friendly and as a model for living with the virus as it becomes endemic.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merck-strikes-deal-for-global-access-to-covid-drug-424507">Merck strikes deal for global access to Covid drug</a>

Restrictions were gradually tightened in later waves of the pandemic before Sweden, along with other Western countries, began abandoning curbs following the rollout of vaccines. Nearly all restrictions have now been lifted.

The commission investigating the coronavirus response has no legal power beyond making public its findings with the aim of improving Sweden's ability to handle pandemics and similar situations.

Sweden's response to the spread of coronavirus was too slow and preparations to handle a pandemic were insufficient, a commission investigating the country's response to COVID-19 said on Friday.

Sweden's response to the spread of coronavirus was too slow and preparations to handle a pandemic were insufficient, a commission investigating the country's response to COVID-19 said on Friday. Sweden's early strategy, shunning lockdowns and measures such as face masks and only gradually tightening curbs, made the country an outlier in the first year of the pandemic when many countries across Europe chose to implement tougher restrictions. Also Read | Antidepressant drug Fluvoxamine can help reduce Covid hospitalisations by 30%: Study The commission said it would address Sweden's no-lockdown strategy in its final report, but that its preliminary findings showed that measures were introduced late both in relation to the country's Nordic neighbours and the spread of the virus in Sweden during the spring of 2020. "Sweden's handling of the pandemic has been marked by a slowness of response," the commission said. "The initial disease prevention and control measures were insufficient to stop or even substantially limit the spread of the virus in the country." The commission, appointed by the government amid pressure from parliament, also noted that it had taken "far too long" to build sufficient testing capacity with initially only targeted groups, such as healthcare staff, being tested. Authorities relied heavily on voluntary recommendations for people to socially distance and wash their hands, and public places such as schools, restaurants and businesses remained largely open, with the government leaving much of the responsibility for fighting the virus with the health agency and its chief epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell. Sweden has recorded more than 15,000 deaths from coronavirus, many times the per capita level of its Nordic neighbours that implemented tougher restrictions, but still lower than many countries that locked down tightly, such as Britain. Its pandemic strategy has been controversial at home and abroad. Critics have called it reckless and cruel but the approach has also earned praise for being more sustainable and business-friendly and as a model for living with the virus as it becomes endemic. Also Read | Merck strikes deal for global access to Covid drug Restrictions were gradually tightened in later waves of the pandemic before Sweden, along with other Western countries, began abandoning curbs following the rollout of vaccines. Nearly all restrictions have now been lifted. The commission investigating the coronavirus response has no legal power beyond making public its findings with the aim of improving Sweden's ability to handle pandemics and similar situations.

Sweden acted too slowly as pandemic swept country, finds probe

New Zealand`s Human Rights Commission on Monday launched an inquiry into the country`s housing crisis as cooling measures by the government this year have failed to ease a red-hot property market, leaving many people homeless. 
 
Property prices in New Zealand have soared by the most among OECD nations in the past 12 months, rising about 30%, as investors cashed in on historically low interest rates and cheap access to capital under the government`s pandemic-inspired stimulus spending. 
 
Successive governments have failed to solve the housing crisis and for many people, especially young people, the goal of an affordable home has become more remote, New Zealand`s Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt said in a statement. 
 
"The housing crisis in Aotearoa is also a human rights crisis encompassing homeownership, market renting, state housing and homelessness," Hunt said, using the country`s indigenous Maori name. 
 
"It is having a punishing impact especially on the most marginalised in our communities," he said. 
 
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Leilani Farha, said in her report published in June that there is a persistent lack of affordable housing in New Zealand, and consecutive governments have failed to ensure that the housing market meets the needs of the entire population, particularly those who have low incomes. 
 
Soaring prices and rents have forced families into emergency housing, with the government housing many in motels as there are not enough state homes available. 
 
Under pressure Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern launched a raft of measures this year to tax investors and discourage speculators. But these have had only a marginal impact. 
 
The rising inequality inflamed by the housing crisis is arguably the biggest political challenge facing Ardern`s centre-left Labour-led government. The 41-year-old`s popularity soared with her response to the pandemic that kept nationwide cases to barely 2,500 and led to an emphatic election win last year. 
 
But her support has been slipping with the latest Newshub-Reid Research Poll on Sunday showing Labour`s support fell to 43%, down almost 10 points since the last poll in May, while the main opposition National Party`s support inched up to almost 29%. Support for Ardern as the prime minister also declined but she was still well ahead of her rivals. 
 
Ardern defended her government`s record on housing saying it was pulling every lever to ensure everyone gets a warm, dry home. 
 
“When I look at the record of what we’ve done, 8,000 houses to date, 18,000 on the cards. We are scaling up as quickly as we can," Ardern told state broadcaster TVNZ in a interview after the inquiry was announced.

New Zealand`s Human Rights Commission on Monday launched an inquiry into the country`s housing crisis as cooling measures by the government this year have failed to ease a red-hot property market, leaving many people homeless.

New Zealand`s Human Rights Commission on Monday launched an inquiry into the country`s housing crisis as cooling measures by the government this year have failed to ease a red-hot property market, leaving many people homeless. Property prices in New Zealand have soared by the most among OECD nations in the past 12 months, rising about 30%, as investors cashed in on historically low interest rates and cheap access to capital under the government`s pandemic-inspired stimulus spending. Successive governments have failed to solve the housing crisis and for many people, especially young people, the goal of an affordable home has become more remote, New Zealand`s Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt said in a statement. "The housing crisis in Aotearoa is also a human rights crisis encompassing homeownership, market renting, state housing and homelessness," Hunt said, using the country`s indigenous Maori name. "It is having a punishing impact especially on the most marginalised in our communities," he said. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Leilani Farha, said in her report published in June that there is a persistent lack of affordable housing in New Zealand, and consecutive governments have failed to ensure that the housing market meets the needs of the entire population, particularly those who have low incomes. Soaring prices and rents have forced families into emergency housing, with the government housing many in motels as there are not enough state homes available. Under pressure Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern launched a raft of measures this year to tax investors and discourage speculators. But these have had only a marginal impact. The rising inequality inflamed by the housing crisis is arguably the biggest political challenge facing Ardern`s centre-left Labour-led government. The 41-year-old`s popularity soared with her response to the pandemic that kept nationwide cases to barely 2,500 and led to an emphatic election win last year. But her support has been slipping with the latest Newshub-Reid Research Poll on Sunday showing Labour`s support fell to 43%, down almost 10 points since the last poll in May, while the main opposition National Party`s support inched up to almost 29%. Support for Ardern as the prime minister also declined but she was still well ahead of her rivals. Ardern defended her government`s record on housing saying it was pulling every lever to ensure everyone gets a warm, dry home. “When I look at the record of what we’ve done, 8,000 houses to date, 18,000 on the cards. We are scaling up as quickly as we can," Ardern told state broadcaster TVNZ in a interview after the inquiry was announced.

New Zealand human rights commission launches inquiry into housing crisis

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/google">Google</a> is cutting in half its commission on developers’ first $1 million in app sales, following a similar move by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/apple">Apple</a> that is aimed at appeasing developers and regulators who accuse the companies of abusing their dominance of the smartphone industry.

Google said that starting July 1, it would take 15% of the first $1 million developers take in from certain app sales, down from 30%. Google will still charge 30% after the first $1 million.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-collects-data-in-incognito-mode-consumers-allege-in-lawsuit-370408" hreflang="en">Google collects data in incognito mode, consumers allege in lawsuit</a>

Apple last year said it was halving its App Store commission to 15% on companies that earn less than $1 million a year in app sales.

The dual actions reverse years of resistance by the companies to change their app commissions, which have become important to their growth.

Rivals have intensified their criticism of the rates, saying they are artificially high because the companies have a duopoly on the distribution of mobile apps. Regulators around the world have begun investigating the commissions as part of larger antitrust probes, and lawmakers in several states are considering bills that would make it more difficult for Apple and Google to impose the fees.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-pity-you-after-timnit-gebru-google-fires-top-ai-researcher-margaret-mitchell-364958" hreflang="en">'I pity you': After Timnit Gebru, Google fires top AI researcher Margaret Mitchell</a>

Apple has been largely the focus of the criticism because it forces developers to use its App Store to reach iPhone users. Google’s Android software allows users to download apps outside of its flagship Play Store. Still, Android is the dominant smartphone operating system around the world, underpinning roughly 85% of the world’s smartphones, according to IDC, a market research firm.

Google said its change would halve the fees for 99% of Android developers. But while Apple’s and Google’s moves have earned them positive headlines, they will likely have little impact on the companies’ bottom lines, because most of their app revenues come from larger developers.

Apple’s new policy, for instance, will affect roughly 98% of the companies that pay Apple a commission, but those developers accounted for less than 5% of App Store revenues last year, according to estimates from Sensor Tower, an app analytics firm.

Google is cutting in half its commission on developers’ first $1 million in app sales, following a similar move by Apple that is aimed at appeasing developers and regulators who accuse the companies of abusing their dominance of the smartphone industry.

Google is cutting in half its commission on developers’ first $1 million in app sales, following a similar move by Apple that is aimed at appeasing developers and regulators who accuse the companies of abusing their dominance of the smartphone industry. Google said that starting July 1, it would take 15% of the first $1 million developers take in from certain app sales, down from 30%. Google will still charge 30% after the first $1 million. Also read | Google collects data in incognito mode, consumers allege in lawsuit Apple last year said it was halving its App Store commission to 15% on companies that earn less than $1 million a year in app sales. The dual actions reverse years of resistance by the companies to change their app commissions, which have become important to their growth. Rivals have intensified their criticism of the rates, saying they are artificially high because the companies have a duopoly on the distribution of mobile apps. Regulators around the world have begun investigating the commissions as part of larger antitrust probes, and lawmakers in several states are considering bills that would make it more difficult for Apple and Google to impose the fees. Also read | 'I pity you': After Timnit Gebru, Google fires top AI researcher Margaret Mitchell Apple has been largely the focus of the criticism because it forces developers to use its App Store to reach iPhone users. Google’s Android software allows users to download apps outside of its flagship Play Store. Still, Android is the dominant smartphone operating system around the world, underpinning roughly 85% of the world’s smartphones, according to IDC, a market research firm. Google said its change would halve the fees for 99% of Android developers. But while Apple’s and Google’s moves have earned them positive headlines, they will likely have little impact on the companies’ bottom lines, because most of their app revenues come from larger developers. Apple’s new policy, for instance, will affect roughly 98% of the companies that pay Apple a commission, but those developers accounted for less than 5% of App Store revenues last year, according to estimates from Sensor Tower, an app analytics firm.

Google reduces some app commissions amid criticism

British Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will begin a commission to help motorsport engage more young people from black backgrounds and drive diversity.&nbsp;

The 35-year-old Formula One driver said that he is working with the Royal Academy of Engineering to create a research partnership, the Hamilton Commission, as per his column in the Sunday Times newspaper.&nbsp;

The six-time Formula One champion spoke about the times he has been a victim of racism during his prolific career and despite success "the institutional barriers that have kept F1 highly exclusive persist.

"It is not enough to point to me, or to a single new black hire, as a meaningful example of progress. Thousands of people are employed across this industry and that group needs to be more representative of society," he added.

Lewis Hamilton is Formula One's first black champion and has spoken in support of Black Lives Matter protests. He said that education was &nbsp;"the key to unlocking a more equal society."

"Winning championships is great, but I want to be remembered for my work creating a more equal society through education. That's what drives me," he said.

The commission set up by Hamilton will help young people from black backgrounds with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in the field of motorsports.

"The time for platitudes and token gestures is over," said the Mercedes driver.

"I hope that The Hamilton Commission enables real, tangible and measurable change.

"When I look back in 20 years, I want to see the sport that gave a shy, working-class black kid from Stevenage so much opportunity, become as diverse as the complex and multicultural world we live in." 
&nbsp; 
(Inputs from Reuters)

British Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will begin a commission to help motorsport engage more young people from black backgrounds and drive diversity.

British Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will begin a commission to help motorsport engage more young people from black backgrounds and drive diversity. The 35-year-old Formula One driver said that he is working with the Royal Academy of Engineering to create a research partnership, the Hamilton Commission, as per his column in the Sunday Times newspaper. The six-time Formula One champion spoke about the times he has been a victim of racism during his prolific career and despite success "the institutional barriers that have kept F1 highly exclusive persist. "It is not enough to point to me, or to a single new black hire, as a meaningful example of progress. Thousands of people are employed across this industry and that group needs to be more representative of society," he added. Lewis Hamilton is Formula One's first black champion and has spoken in support of Black Lives Matter protests. He said that education was "the key to unlocking a more equal society." "Winning championships is great, but I want to be remembered for my work creating a more equal society through education. That's what drives me," he said. The commission set up by Hamilton will help young people from black backgrounds with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in the field of motorsports. "The time for platitudes and token gestures is over," said the Mercedes driver. "I hope that The Hamilton Commission enables real, tangible and measurable change. "When I look back in 20 years, I want to see the sport that gave a shy, working-class black kid from Stevenage so much opportunity, become as diverse as the complex and multicultural world we live in." (Inputs from Reuters)

Formula One: Lewis Hamilton launches commission to push diversity in motorsport

Germany should shut down its last coal-fired power plant by 2038 at the latest, a government-appointed commission said early on Saturday as part of a roadmap laying out an accelerated phase-out of the polluting fuel.

Commission sources told Reuters the body agreed a total of 40 billion euros ($45.65 billion) should be provided in aid for the states affected by the coal phase-out up to 2040, less than the roughly 60 billion euros that they had asked for.

Over the next four years, plant operators, including RWE and Uniper, will be asked to shut down about 12 gigawatts of capacity early in a first step, members of the commission told Reuters after more than 20 hours of discussions.

This equals about 24 large power station units.

The commission's plans are at the centre of Germany's strategy for how to abandon polluting coal stations in favour of renewables, which accounted for more than 40 per cent of the energy mix last year, beating coal for the first time.

It is the second major intervention in Germany's energy market within a decade after a landmark decision to shut down all nuclear power stations by 2022. The decision to switch away from nuclear was taken in the wake of Japan's Fukishima disaster in 2011.

Following months of negotiations, the proposals of the committee, also known as the coal commission, will serve as a guideline for the government in its effort to turn the planned coal exit into law.

While the 2038 exit date seems broadly in line with estimates, commission sources said that the phase-out could already be completed by 2035, adding it would be decided in 2032 whether this was feasible.

Compensation for companies and consumers experiencing higher electricity prices resulting from the coal phase-out should be 2 billion euros per year, with the exact amount to be fixed in 2023, a text of the commission's recommendations seen by Reuters showed.

Germany should shut down its last coal-fired power plant by 2038 at the latest, a government-appointed commission said early on Saturday as part of a roadmap laying out an accelerated phase-out of the polluting fuel.

Germany should shut down its last coal-fired power plant by 2038 at the latest, a government-appointed commission said early on Saturday as part of a roadmap laying out an accelerated phase-out of the polluting fuel. Commission sources told Reuters the body agreed a total of 40 billion euros ($45.65 billion) should be provided in aid for the states affected by the coal phase-out up to 2040, less than the roughly 60 billion euros that they had asked for. Over the next four years, plant operators, including RWE and Uniper, will be asked to shut down about 12 gigawatts of capacity early in a first step, members of the commission told Reuters after more than 20 hours of discussions. This equals about 24 large power station units. The commission's plans are at the centre of Germany's strategy for how to abandon polluting coal stations in favour of renewables, which accounted for more than 40 per cent of the energy mix last year, beating coal for the first time. It is the second major intervention in Germany's energy market within a decade after a landmark decision to shut down all nuclear power stations by 2022. The decision to switch away from nuclear was taken in the wake of Japan's Fukishima disaster in 2011. Following months of negotiations, the proposals of the committee, also known as the coal commission, will serve as a guideline for the government in its effort to turn the planned coal exit into law. While the 2038 exit date seems broadly in line with estimates, commission sources said that the phase-out could already be completed by 2035, adding it would be decided in 2032 whether this was feasible. Compensation for companies and consumers experiencing higher electricity prices resulting from the coal phase-out should be 2 billion euros per year, with the exact amount to be fixed in 2023, a text of the commission's recommendations seen by Reuters showed.

Germany should fully phase out coal by 2038: Commission

While addressing the poll-bound state Karnataka,&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra&nbsp;Modi targetted the Congress&nbsp;calling it&nbsp;a party of &quot;commission&quot;.&nbsp;

He asked the people &quot;What do you need? A government&nbsp;of commission or a government&nbsp;of mission? A government&nbsp;which asks for 10% Commission to work or a government&nbsp;which works with the mission for development?

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What do you need? A govt of commission or a govt of mission? A govt which asks for 10% Commission to work or a govt which works with the mission for development?: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru <a href="https://t.co/bKgNRdhaIS">pic.twitter.com/bKgNRdhaIS</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965546875880341504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Hitting out at the demands of the Congress party, he said they could have delivered the same if they really wanted to, when they were in power for 50 years after independence.

He said &quot; Post-independence your party had ruled for 70-80% of the time. You are demanding things and facilities today. If you really feel about those things why didn&#39;t&nbsp;you do something when you were in power for 50 years&quot;.&nbsp;

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Post independence your party had ruled for 70-80% of the time. You are demanding things &amp; facilities today. If you really feel about those things why didn&#39;t you do something when you were in power for 50 years: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru <a href="https://t.co/vz1rETd6em">pic.twitter.com/vz1rETd6em</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965545190835523584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He also talked about the Palace Humsafar Queen Express train which he had flagged off earlier in the day.&nbsp;

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Mysuru: PM Narendra Modi flags off Palace Queen Humsafar Express train between Mysuru &amp; Udaipur. CM Siddaramaiah also present <a href="https://t.co/F2q00wzjIl">pic.twitter.com/F2q00wzjIl</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965530677935509504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He said &quot; This Palace Queen Humsafar Express train which connects Mysore to Udaipur is a historical step and would boost tourism&quot;.

He also announced the widening of Bengaluru- Mysore National Highway with an investment of Rs 6400 Crore.&nbsp;

PM Modi also talked about a world-class satellite station for Mysore for Rs 800 Crore. He said this will be a modern railway station.&nbsp;

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If we have to fulfill the needs of the poorest of the poor then we need to strengthen our railway network. We are working towards this since last four years: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/TCsTyFiwDS">pic.twitter.com/TCsTyFiwDS</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965541444948824064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Talking about the 75th anniversary of the nation in 2022, he said that&nbsp;the country should work collectively for making India&nbsp;what our freedom fighters had dreamt of.

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In 2022, India will enter 75 years of its independence. We should work towards making an India which is just like what our freedom fighters had dreamt of: PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/CYdLLIwjFS">pic.twitter.com/CYdLLIwjFS</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965548260285911040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

While addressing the poll-bound state Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted the Congress calling it a party of 'commission'

While addressing the poll-bound state Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted the Congress calling it a party of "commission". He asked the people "What do you need? A government of commission or a government of mission? A government which asks for 10% Commission to work or a government which works with the mission for development? What do you need? A govt of commission or a govt of mission? A govt which asks for 10% Commission to work or a govt which works with the mission for development?: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru pic.twitter.com/bKgNRdhaIS — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × Hitting out at the demands of the Congress party, he said they could have delivered the same if they really wanted to, when they were in power for 50 years after independence. He said " Post-independence your party had ruled for 70-80% of the time. You are demanding things and facilities today. If you really feel about those things why didn't you do something when you were in power for 50 years". Post independence your party had ruled for 70-80% of the time. You are demanding things & facilities today. If you really feel about those things why didn't you do something when you were in power for 50 years: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru pic.twitter.com/vz1rETd6em — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × He also talked about the Palace Humsafar Queen Express train which he had flagged off earlier in the day. Mysuru: PM Narendra Modi flags off Palace Queen Humsafar Express train between Mysuru & Udaipur. CM Siddaramaiah also present pic.twitter.com/F2q00wzjIl — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × He said " This Palace Queen Humsafar Express train which connects Mysore to Udaipur is a historical step and would boost tourism". He also announced the widening of Bengaluru- Mysore National Highway with an investment of Rs 6400 Crore. PM Modi also talked about a world-class satellite station for Mysore for Rs 800 Crore. He said this will be a modern railway station. If we have to fulfill the needs of the poorest of the poor then we need to strengthen our railway network. We are working towards this since last four years: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/TCsTyFiwDS — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × Talking about the 75th anniversary of the nation in 2022, he said that the country should work collectively for making India what our freedom fighters had dreamt of. In 2022, India will enter 75 years of its independence. We should work towards making an India which is just like what our freedom fighters had dreamt of: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/CYdLLIwjFS — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 ×

Want government of 'Mission' or 'Commission' asks PM Modi in Mysore

The European Commission said on Friday enough progress had been made in Brexit negotiations with Britain to allow a second phase of talks on future relations to begin, ending an impasse over the status of the Irish border.

The Commission gave its verdict in a statement after intense talks, which resulted in British Prime Minister Theresa May taking an early-morning flight to Brussels to announce the deal alongside Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

The Commission&#39;s recommendation that sufficient progress has been made will now go to the European Union summit of leaders taking place next week.&nbsp;

&quot;Prime Minister May has assured me that it has the backing of the UK government. On that basis, I believe we have now made the breakthrough we need. Today&#39;s result is, of course, a compromise,&quot; Juncker told a hastily-arranged news conference.

May said she expected a formal agreement to be approved at the summit, which begins on December 14.

&quot;I also look forward to next week&#39;s European Council meeting, where I hope and expect we will be able to get the endorsement of the 27 (member countries) to what is a hard-won agreement in all our interests,&quot; May said.

The commission said it was ready to begin work immediately on phase two talks, which cover a transitional exit period, trade and long-term relations with the bloc.

Moving to talks about trade and a Brexit transition is crucial for the future of May&#39;s premiership, and to keep trade flowing between the world&#39;s biggest trading bloc and its sixth- largest national economy after Britain leaves on March 30, 2019.

May&#39;s key parliamentary ally in Northern Ireland gave a cautious endorsement of the new terms, four days after 11th-hour objections from Belfast scuppered May&#39;s attempt to sign off on an accord over the Irish border during a lunch in Brussels on Monday.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the border agreement meant there was no way Brexit could lead to a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland - what will become the only land frontier between Britain and the EU after Brexit.

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Will be on <a href="https://twitter.com/morningireland?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@morningireland</a> shortly to explain and outline detail of Irish assurances on Brexit deal - very good outcome for everyone on the island of Ireland - no Hard Border guaranteed!
&mdash; Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) <a href="https://twitter.com/simoncoveney/status/939026242304540672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Very good outcome for everyone on the island of Ireland - no Hard Border guaranteed!,&quot; Coveney said on Twitter.

In the text, Britain agreed that should London and Brussels fail to agree a final Brexit deal, the United Kingdom will maintain &quot;full alignment&quot; with those rules of the internal market and customs union that help to protect north-south cooperation in Ireland.&nbsp;

It said in the absence of a trade deal, no new barriers would develop between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom unless the devolved government in Northern Ireland agree that distinct arrangements are appropriate.&nbsp;

&quot;In all circumstances, the United Kingdom will continue to ensure the same unfettered access for Northern Ireland&#39;s businesses to the whole of the United Kingdom internal market,&quot; it said.

The commission said it was ready to begin work immediately on phase two talks, which cover a transitional exit period, trade and long-term relations with the bloc

The European Commission said on Friday enough progress had been made in Brexit negotiations with Britain to allow a second phase of talks on future relations to begin, ending an impasse over the status of the Irish border. The Commission gave its verdict in a statement after intense talks, which resulted in British Prime Minister Theresa May taking an early-morning flight to Brussels to announce the deal alongside Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The Commission's recommendation that sufficient progress has been made will now go to the European Union summit of leaders taking place next week. "Prime Minister May has assured me that it has the backing of the UK government. On that basis, I believe we have now made the breakthrough we need. Today's result is, of course, a compromise," Juncker told a hastily-arranged news conference. May said she expected a formal agreement to be approved at the summit, which begins on December 14. "I also look forward to next week's European Council meeting, where I hope and expect we will be able to get the endorsement of the 27 (member countries) to what is a hard-won agreement in all our interests," May said. The commission said it was ready to begin work immediately on phase two talks, which cover a transitional exit period, trade and long-term relations with the bloc. Moving to talks about trade and a Brexit transition is crucial for the future of May's premiership, and to keep trade flowing between the world's biggest trading bloc and its sixth- largest national economy after Britain leaves on March 30, 2019. May's key parliamentary ally in Northern Ireland gave a cautious endorsement of the new terms, four days after 11th-hour objections from Belfast scuppered May's attempt to sign off on an accord over the Irish border during a lunch in Brussels on Monday. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the border agreement meant there was no way Brexit could lead to a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland - what will become the only land frontier between Britain and the EU after Brexit. Will be on @morningireland shortly to explain and outline detail of Irish assurances on Brexit deal - very good outcome for everyone on the island of Ireland - no Hard Border guaranteed! — Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) December 8, 2017 × "Very good outcome for everyone on the island of Ireland - no Hard Border guaranteed!," Coveney said on Twitter. In the text, Britain agreed that should London and Brussels fail to agree a final Brexit deal, the United Kingdom will maintain "full alignment" with those rules of the internal market and customs union that help to protect north-south cooperation in Ireland. It said in the absence of a trade deal, no new barriers would develop between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom unless the devolved government in Northern Ireland agree that distinct arrangements are appropriate. "In all circumstances, the United Kingdom will continue to ensure the same unfettered access for Northern Ireland's businesses to the whole of the United Kingdom internal market," it said.

Britain and EU clinch deal to move Brexit talks forward

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has recommended 109 candidates, who were put on a reserve list by it, for appointment on remaining vacant posts of Civil Services Examination, 2016.

A total of 1099 candidates were declared qualified by the UPSC for the 2016 examination in order of merit for appointment to IAS, IFS, IPS and other central services, as against 1,209 vacancies, results of which were declared on May 31 this year.

The UPSC, in accordance with the Civil Services Examination Rules, was also maintaining a consolidated reserve list in order of merit below the last recommended candidate under the respective categories, the Commission said in a statement today.

&quot;As sought by the Department of Personnel and Training, the Commission has now recommended 109 candidates which include 87 General, 19 OBC, 1 SC and 2 ST, to fill up the remaining posts based on the Civil Services Examination, 2016,&quot; it said.

It said the candidature of the candidate bearing Roll 0335242 (Vasanthalakshmi M) is provisional.

&quot;The result of one candidate has been withheld,&quot; it said.&nbsp;

'As sought by the Department of Personnel and Training, the Commission has now recommended 109 candidates which include 87 General, 19 OBC, 1 SC and 2 ST, to fill up the remaining posts based on the Civil Services Examination, 2016,' the Commission said in a statement today

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has recommended 109 candidates, who were put on a reserve list by it, for appointment on remaining vacant posts of Civil Services Examination, 2016. A total of 1099 candidates were declared qualified by the UPSC for the 2016 examination in order of merit for appointment to IAS, IFS, IPS and other central services, as against 1,209 vacancies, results of which were declared on May 31 this year. The UPSC, in accordance with the Civil Services Examination Rules, was also maintaining a consolidated reserve list in order of merit below the last recommended candidate under the respective categories, the Commission said in a statement today. "As sought by the Department of Personnel and Training, the Commission has now recommended 109 candidates which include 87 General, 19 OBC, 1 SC and 2 ST, to fill up the remaining posts based on the Civil Services Examination, 2016," it said. It said the candidature of the candidate bearing Roll 0335242 (Vasanthalakshmi M) is provisional. "The result of one candidate has been withheld," it said.

UPSC recommends 109 reserve candidates for Civil Services

More than two dozen people have signed up to run for Haiti&#39;s presidency, authorities said on Wednesday, including the four leading candidates from an earlier election aborted after a commission found widespread fraud. 
 
Unless registrations rise significantly before a midnight (0400 GMT) deadline, the number of presidential candidates will be about half those who contested the last ballot in Haiti, the hemisphere&#39;s poorest country. 
 
Fewer candidates could make the election due on October 9 easier to organise, with several politicians who ran last time pledging support for Jude Celestin, who came second in the previous ballot. 
 
&quot;This joint effort is a choice for stability and democracy, against corruption and fraudulent election,&quot; Celestin told reporters. 
 
Jovenel Moise, who came first last time, again registered to run, as did Jean-Charles Moise and Maryse Narcisse who came third and fourth last time. 
 
The registration of Moise removes uncertainty over whether his PHTK party would take part in the new election. The party&#39;s position had been that irregularities in the first round were not large enough to alter the outcome and that it would be better to hold a run-off vote between Celestin and Moise, a position supported by Washington and other donors. 
 
&quot;There is no question of abandoning the election process because we believe in democracy, and the only way to access power in a democracy is through election,&quot; &nbsp; said&nbsp;Rudy Heriveaux, a spokesman for Moise&#39;s PHTK party,. 
 
Haiti&#39;s last elected president left office without an elected successor, paving the way for an interim government led by President Jocelerme Privert. He failed to organise elections by May in a timeline set in a multi-party deal, but may end up staying on to organise the next vote. 
 
&quot;We continue to believe that Jocelerme Privert should leave power because his term is over, and he is manipulating the election process in favor of his political family,&quot; Heriveaux said. 
 
&quot;If the election is free, fair and democratic, there is no doubt that Jovenel Moise will win,&quot; he said. 
 
Former presidential candidate, Sauveur Pierre Etienne, who is now supporting Celestin, said he made that choice because he believes Celestin is the best man to lead the country. 
 
&quot;I support Jude Celestin because he showed that he is a man of character,&quot; he said. 
 
(Reuters)

Several politicians who ran last time pledge support for Jude Celestin, who came second in the previous ballot

More than two dozen people have signed up to run for Haiti's presidency, authorities said on Wednesday, including the four leading candidates from an earlier election aborted after a commission found widespread fraud. Unless registrations rise significantly before a midnight (0400 GMT) deadline, the number of presidential candidates will be about half those who contested the last ballot in Haiti, the hemisphere's poorest country. Fewer candidates could make the election due on October 9 easier to organise, with several politicians who ran last time pledging support for Jude Celestin, who came second in the previous ballot. "This joint effort is a choice for stability and democracy, against corruption and fraudulent election," Celestin told reporters. Jovenel Moise, who came first last time, again registered to run, as did Jean-Charles Moise and Maryse Narcisse who came third and fourth last time. The registration of Moise removes uncertainty over whether his PHTK party would take part in the new election. The party's position had been that irregularities in the first round were not large enough to alter the outcome and that it would be better to hold a run-off vote between Celestin and Moise, a position supported by Washington and other donors. "There is no question of abandoning the election process because we believe in democracy, and the only way to access power in a democracy is through election," said Rudy Heriveaux, a spokesman for Moise's PHTK party,. Haiti's last elected president left office without an elected successor, paving the way for an interim government led by President Jocelerme Privert. He failed to organise elections by May in a timeline set in a multi-party deal, but may end up staying on to organise the next vote. "We continue to believe that Jocelerme Privert should leave power because his term is over, and he is manipulating the election process in favor of his political family," Heriveaux said. "If the election is free, fair and democratic, there is no doubt that Jovenel Moise will win," he said. Former presidential candidate, Sauveur Pierre Etienne, who is now supporting Celestin, said he made that choice because he believes Celestin is the best man to lead the country. "I support Jude Celestin because he showed that he is a man of character," he said. (Reuters)

More than two dozen register to run for Haiti presidency

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