China`s plan for President Xi Jinping to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-proposes-removal-of-two-term-limit-for-president-reports-34002" target="_blank">remain in office indefinitely</a> has sparked social media opposition, drawing comparisons to North Korea`s ruling dynasty and charges of creating a dictator by a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist.

The social media reaction late on Sunday quickly saw China swing into a concerted propaganda push by Monday, blocking some articles and publishing pieces praising the party.

The ruling Communist Party on Sunday proposed to remove a constitutional clause limiting presidential service to just two terms in office, meaning Xi, who also heads the party and the military, might never have to retire.

The proposal, which will be passed by delegates loyal to the party at next month`s annual meeting of China`s largely rubber stamp parliament, is part of a package of amendments to the country`s constitution.

It will also add Xi`s political thought to the constitution, already added to the party constitution last year, and set a legal framework for a super anti-corruption superbody, as well as more broadly strengthen the party`s tight grip on power.

But it seems the party will have its work cut out trying to convince some in China, where Xi is actually very popular thanks in part to his war on graft, that the move will not end up giving Xi too much power.

&quot;Argh, we`re going to become North Korea,&quot; wrote one Weibo user, where the Kim dynasty has ruled since the late 1940s. Kim Il Sung founded North Korea in 1948 and his family has ruled it ever since.

&quot;We`re following the example of our neighbour,` wrote another user.

The comments were removed late on Sunday after Weibo, China`s answer to Twitter, began blocking the search term &quot;two term limit&quot;.

Widely read state-run newspaper the Global Times said in an editorial the change did not mean the president will stay in office for ever, though it did not offer much explanation.

&quot;Since reform and opening up, China, led by the Communist Party, has successfully resolved and will continue to effectively resolve the issue of party and national leadership replacement in a law-abiding and orderly manner,&quot; it said, referring to landmark economic reforms that began four decades ago.

The party`s official People`s Daily reprinted a long article by Xinhua news agency saying most people supported the constitutional amendments, quoting a variety of people proffering support.

&quot;The broad part of officials and the masses say that they hoped this constitutional reform is passed,&quot; it wrote.

The WeChat account of the People`s Daily, after initially posting a flurry of positive comments under its article, then disabled the comments section completely late on Sunday. It was back again by Monday, complete with remarks lauding the party.

The overseas edition of the same paper`s WeChat account removed entirely an article focusing on the term limits, replacing it with the lengthy Xinhua report summing up all the amendment proposals.

In one confusing moment for many Chinese, Xinhua initially only reported the news in English.

Jokes have also circulated on social media. One shows a picture of a condom in its wrapper under the words &quot;doing it twice is not enough&quot;.

Others shared pictures of Winnie the Pooh, an internet meme that plays on Xi`s supposed likeness to the rotund cartoon bear, an image censors have repeatedly tried to remove.&nbsp;

Parts of the stock market took heart from the news. Chinese speculators pounced on stocks with &quot;emperor&quot; in their name on Monday.

The decision has also unsettled some in the Chinese territory of Hong Kong, where authorities have been trying to rein in a pro-democracy movement.

&quot;This move, which would allow for a single individual to amass and accumulate political power, means that China would again have a dictator as her head of state - Xi Jinping,&quot; said Joshua Wong, one of the movement`s leaders.

&quot;The law may exist in China in form, but this just proves that the Chinese law exists to serve the individual and the party`s purposes.&quot;

China is likely though to see any such criticism as a plot against the party.

&quot;Every time China deliberates on reforms and key decisions, effect on public opinion is worth pondering,&quot; the Global Times wrote. &quot;Misinformation and external forces` meddling will affect public opinion in China.&quot;

The social media reaction late on Sunday quickly saw China swing into a concerted propaganda push by Monday, blocking some articles and publishing pieces praising the party

China`s plan for President Xi Jinping to remain in office indefinitely has sparked social media opposition, drawing comparisons to North Korea`s ruling dynasty and charges of creating a dictator by a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist. The social media reaction late on Sunday quickly saw China swing into a concerted propaganda push by Monday, blocking some articles and publishing pieces praising the party. The ruling Communist Party on Sunday proposed to remove a constitutional clause limiting presidential service to just two terms in office, meaning Xi, who also heads the party and the military, might never have to retire. The proposal, which will be passed by delegates loyal to the party at next month`s annual meeting of China`s largely rubber stamp parliament, is part of a package of amendments to the country`s constitution. It will also add Xi`s political thought to the constitution, already added to the party constitution last year, and set a legal framework for a super anti-corruption superbody, as well as more broadly strengthen the party`s tight grip on power. But it seems the party will have its work cut out trying to convince some in China, where Xi is actually very popular thanks in part to his war on graft, that the move will not end up giving Xi too much power. "Argh, we`re going to become North Korea," wrote one Weibo user, where the Kim dynasty has ruled since the late 1940s. Kim Il Sung founded North Korea in 1948 and his family has ruled it ever since. "We`re following the example of our neighbour,` wrote another user. The comments were removed late on Sunday after Weibo, China`s answer to Twitter, began blocking the search term "two term limit". Widely read state-run newspaper the Global Times said in an editorial the change did not mean the president will stay in office for ever, though it did not offer much explanation. "Since reform and opening up, China, led by the Communist Party, has successfully resolved and will continue to effectively resolve the issue of party and national leadership replacement in a law-abiding and orderly manner," it said, referring to landmark economic reforms that began four decades ago. The party`s official People`s Daily reprinted a long article by Xinhua news agency saying most people supported the constitutional amendments, quoting a variety of people proffering support. "The broad part of officials and the masses say that they hoped this constitutional reform is passed," it wrote. The WeChat account of the People`s Daily, after initially posting a flurry of positive comments under its article, then disabled the comments section completely late on Sunday. It was back again by Monday, complete with remarks lauding the party. The overseas edition of the same paper`s WeChat account removed entirely an article focusing on the term limits, replacing it with the lengthy Xinhua report summing up all the amendment proposals. In one confusing moment for many Chinese, Xinhua initially only reported the news in English. Jokes have also circulated on social media. One shows a picture of a condom in its wrapper under the words "doing it twice is not enough". Others shared pictures of Winnie the Pooh, an internet meme that plays on Xi`s supposed likeness to the rotund cartoon bear, an image censors have repeatedly tried to remove. Parts of the stock market took heart from the news. Chinese speculators pounced on stocks with "emperor" in their name on Monday. The decision has also unsettled some in the Chinese territory of Hong Kong, where authorities have been trying to rein in a pro-democracy movement. "This move, which would allow for a single individual to amass and accumulate political power, means that China would again have a dictator as her head of state - Xi Jinping," said Joshua Wong, one of the movement`s leaders. "The law may exist in China in form, but this just proves that the Chinese law exists to serve the individual and the party`s purposes." China is likely though to see any such criticism as a plot against the party. "Every time China deliberates on reforms and key decisions, effect on public opinion is worth pondering," the Global Times wrote. "Misinformation and external forces` meddling will affect public opinion in China."

China pushes back against criticism of plan for Xi to stay in power

One of the UK&rsquo;s leading state-funded schools which had hit the headlines as one of the first to impose a ban on the hijab for girls under eight has been forced to reverse its decision after widespread criticism.

St Stephen&rsquo;s School in Newham, east London, had been planning to extend the ban to girls under 11 later this year but has chosen to withdraw the plans.

&ldquo;The school&rsquo;s uniform policy is based on the health, safety and welfare of our children. The school has taken the decision to make changes to this policy with immediate effect and this follows on from conversations with our school community,&rdquo; the school said in a statement.

&ldquo;We will work with our school community to continue to review this policy going forward in the best interests of our children,&rdquo; it adds.

Arif Qawi, the chair of governors of the school who had recently called on the UK government to take a firm stand on young children wearing the hijab and fasting during Ramadan, resigned from his post on Friday.

According to The Sunday Times, the resignation followed offensive messages posted on social media against him and the school&rsquo;s Indian-origin principal Neena Lall.

&ldquo;Now the head-teacher needs to go. Kick her out and force her to wear hijab. Let her see what forcing means,&rdquo; one of the messages against Lall reads.

Under the UK&rsquo;s Department for Education guidelines, uniform policy is a matter for individual head-teachers and their governing bodies.

The school, with a majority of pupils from Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi backgrounds, had urged the UK government to issue clear guidelines on the issue of hijab-wearing and religious fasting relating to very young pupils to prevent a backlash from parents.

&ldquo;The department should step up and take it out of our hands and tell every school this is how it (fasting) should be... the same for the hijab, it should not be our decision. It is unfair to teachers and very unfair to governors. We are unpaid. Why should we get the backlash,&rdquo; Qawi had said.

Amina Lone, co-founder of the UK&rsquo;s Social Action and Research Foundation who has campaigned for young girls not to have to wear the hijab, warned that after his resignation other schools in the country would find themselves under pressure if the Department for Education did not issue clear guidelines.

&ldquo;These issues are not going away,&rdquo; she said.

The Department for Education said it is a matter for individual schools to decide how to &ldquo;accommodate children observing Ramadan, and to set uniform policies&rdquo;.

&ldquo;But we would expect them to consider the needs of their pupils, and to listen to the views of local parents,&rdquo; a spokesperson said.

In November 2017, St Stephen&rsquo;s School had topped a prestigious primary schools league table published by The Sunday Times annually. It was listed as the best school in England in the Schools Guide 2018 for a strong teaching record.

St Stephen’s School in east London has a majority of pupils from Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi backgrounds, and had urged the UK govt to issue clear guidelines on hijab-wearing and religious fasting for pupils

One of the UK’s leading state-funded schools which had hit the headlines as one of the first to impose a ban on the hijab for girls under eight has been forced to reverse its decision after widespread criticism. St Stephen’s School in Newham, east London, had been planning to extend the ban to girls under 11 later this year but has chosen to withdraw the plans. “The school’s uniform policy is based on the health, safety and welfare of our children. The school has taken the decision to make changes to this policy with immediate effect and this follows on from conversations with our school community,” the school said in a statement. “We will work with our school community to continue to review this policy going forward in the best interests of our children,” it adds. Arif Qawi, the chair of governors of the school who had recently called on the UK government to take a firm stand on young children wearing the hijab and fasting during Ramadan, resigned from his post on Friday. According to The Sunday Times, the resignation followed offensive messages posted on social media against him and the school’s Indian-origin principal Neena Lall. “Now the head-teacher needs to go. Kick her out and force her to wear hijab. Let her see what forcing means,” one of the messages against Lall reads. Under the UK’s Department for Education guidelines, uniform policy is a matter for individual head-teachers and their governing bodies. The school, with a majority of pupils from Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi backgrounds, had urged the UK government to issue clear guidelines on the issue of hijab-wearing and religious fasting relating to very young pupils to prevent a backlash from parents. “The department should step up and take it out of our hands and tell every school this is how it (fasting) should be... the same for the hijab, it should not be our decision. It is unfair to teachers and very unfair to governors. We are unpaid. Why should we get the backlash,” Qawi had said. Amina Lone, co-founder of the UK’s Social Action and Research Foundation who has campaigned for young girls not to have to wear the hijab, warned that after his resignation other schools in the country would find themselves under pressure if the Department for Education did not issue clear guidelines. “These issues are not going away,” she said. The Department for Education said it is a matter for individual schools to decide how to “accommodate children observing Ramadan, and to set uniform policies”. “But we would expect them to consider the needs of their pupils, and to listen to the views of local parents,” a spokesperson said. In November 2017, St Stephen’s School had topped a prestigious primary schools league table published by The Sunday Times annually. It was listed as the best school in England in the Schools Guide 2018 for a strong teaching record.

UK school reverses ban on hijab after criticism

The former India captain&nbsp;Mahendra Singh Dhoni&#39;s inclusion in Team India&#39;s T20 squad has come under the scrutiny of late. &nbsp;

Ever since the India vs New Zealand 2nd T20,&nbsp;Dhoni has been drawing flak for his slow innings when the team had&nbsp;to score more than 12 runs per over. Eventually, India lost the game.

Now, former skipper Sourav Ganguly has joined&nbsp;Ajit Agarkar, VVS Laxman, Akash Chopra, suggesting that if the Jharkhand-born batsman does not up against his game then he should start thinking about his retirement and that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should start focusing on younger players to replace him.&nbsp;

&quot;I think India must now look at other options, at least in T20Is. In one-day cricket, they seem to be happy with the role that he is playing. When you are the captain of the side, it was different. But just as a batsman, will India miss him?&nbsp;I don&#39;t think so. In T20 cricket, it is a lot easier to make that transition as there is a lot of experience in that team apart from MS Dhoni now,&quot; Agarkar told sources.

However, World Cup-winning captain seems to be taking the criticism on the chin.&nbsp;

&quot;Everybody has views in life and it should be respected,&quot; Dhoni said about Agarkar&#39;s remarks on him. &nbsp;

&quot;The biggest motivation is being a part of the Indian cricket team. You have seen cricketers who are not god-gifted, but even then, they have gone far. That&#39;s because of the passion. The coaches need to find that out. Everybody doesn&#39;t play for the country,&quot; he said.

&quot;I have always believed that process is more important than results. I never thought about results, I always thought what is the right thing to do at that point in time whether it&#39;s 10 runs needed, 14 runs needed or 5 runs needed. &quot;I was always so engrossed in the process that I never took the burden of thinking what if the results don&#39;t go my way,&quot;&nbsp;he added.&nbsp;

Earlier Indian team&#39;s head coach Ravi Shastri defending MS Dhoni said: &quot;Looks like there are a lot of jealous people around, who just want Dhoni to have a couple of bad days. There are a few people who are waiting to see the end of MS Dhoni. But great players like him decide their own future,&quot;&nbsp;

Previously, star players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and&nbsp;many others have been criticised for poor form at the fag-end of their careers.&nbsp;

Dhoni was in the bustling metropolis to launch his global cricket academy, inaugurating the MS Dhoni Cricket Academy - his first international academy, in association with Dubai- based Pacific Ventures.&nbsp;

"Everybody has views in life and it should be respected," Dhoni said about Agarkar's remarks on him.

The former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's inclusion in Team India's T20 squad has come under the scrutiny of late. Ever since the India vs New Zealand 2nd T20, Dhoni has been drawing flak for his slow innings when the team had to score more than 12 runs per over. Eventually, India lost the game. Now, former skipper Sourav Ganguly has joined Ajit Agarkar, VVS Laxman, Akash Chopra, suggesting that if the Jharkhand-born batsman does not up against his game then he should start thinking about his retirement and that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should start focusing on younger players to replace him. "I think India must now look at other options, at least in T20Is. In one-day cricket, they seem to be happy with the role that he is playing. When you are the captain of the side, it was different. But just as a batsman, will India miss him? I don't think so. In T20 cricket, it is a lot easier to make that transition as there is a lot of experience in that team apart from MS Dhoni now," Agarkar told sources. However, World Cup-winning captain seems to be taking the criticism on the chin. "Everybody has views in life and it should be respected," Dhoni said about Agarkar's remarks on him. "The biggest motivation is being a part of the Indian cricket team. You have seen cricketers who are not god-gifted, but even then, they have gone far. That's because of the passion. The coaches need to find that out. Everybody doesn't play for the country," he said. "I have always believed that process is more important than results. I never thought about results, I always thought what is the right thing to do at that point in time whether it's 10 runs needed, 14 runs needed or 5 runs needed. "I was always so engrossed in the process that I never took the burden of thinking what if the results don't go my way," he added. Earlier Indian team's head coach Ravi Shastri defending MS Dhoni said: "Looks like there are a lot of jealous people around, who just want Dhoni to have a couple of bad days. There are a few people who are waiting to see the end of MS Dhoni. But great players like him decide their own future," Previously, star players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and many others have been criticised for poor form at the fag-end of their careers. Dhoni was in the bustling metropolis to launch his global cricket academy, inaugurating the MS Dhoni Cricket Academy - his first international academy, in association with Dubai- based Pacific Ventures.

MS Dhoni responds to criticism seeking his ouster from India's T20 team

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