Thailand’s jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was shifted to a hospital overnight from his detention as he faced health issues related to heart and high blood pressure on the first night after being jailed, a few hours after he returned to the country from years of exile, the police said.&nbsp;

The latest health condition of the 74-year-old former prime minister was not immediately clear and no immediate response was made.

Corrections department officials on Tuesday said that Thaksin was facing pre-existing health issues with his blood pressure, heart, lungs and spine, and he will be closely monitored.&nbsp;

In a statement, the Corrections Department added that Thaksin felt chest tightness and high blood pressure after which he was referred to the police hospital in Bangkok at around 2 am on Wednesday (August 23).&nbsp;

Police stated that they hospitalised Thaksin because the prison was not able to guarantee that he will receive the right care.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-thai-pm-returns-to-thailand-after-15-year-self-exile-following-2006-coup-627724">Fugitive ex-Thai PM, who arrived in Thailand after 15-year self-exile, jailed for 8 years</a>

“The prison has assessed the situation and saw that it lacks doctors and medical equipment that can take care of the patient so he was sent to the police hospital,” said Assistant National Police Chief Lieutenant General Prachuab Wongsuk, while speaking to Reuters.

Thailand’s supreme court on Tuesday (August 22) confirmed that Thaksin will have to serve eight years of imprisonment, after spending years in exile following convictions for conflicts of interest and abuse of power.

<h2>Homecoming of Thaksin&nbsp;</h2>

Thaksin made his homecoming from years of exile on Tuesday and was taken to a detention centre in dramatic scenes which stole the spotlight from political ally Srettha Thavisin, who was elected as the country's prime minister in a parliamentary vote later in the day.

The Pheu Thai Party's Srettha was elected as the prime minister after he received the royal endorsement, said a parliament official on Wednesday.

Eight prison guards accompanied Thaksin when he was transferred during the night, said Ayuth Sintoppant, director general of the Corrections Department, while speaking to Reuters.

WATCH |&nbsp;Thailand gets its 30th Prime Minister as Srettha Thavisin elected as new PM

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The return of the country's most famous politician saw celebrations by his supporters and a lengthy media coverage of the leader's arrival in his private jet in Bangkok, and his transfer to prison soon after.

The leader's return and the smooth ascent of Srettha to the top job will further add fuel to the report that the influential Thaksin had struck a deal along with his foes in the political and military establishment for his safe return and, possibly, an early release from prison.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Thailand’s jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was shifted to a hospital overnight from his detention as he faced health issues related to heart and high blood pressure on the first night after being jailed, a few hours after he returned to the country from years of exile, the police said.

Thailand’s jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was shifted to a hospital overnight from his detention as he faced health issues related to heart and high blood pressure on the first night after being jailed, a few hours after he returned to the country from years of exile, the police said. The latest health condition of the 74-year-old former prime minister was not immediately clear and no immediate response was made. Corrections department officials on Tuesday said that Thaksin was facing pre-existing health issues with his blood pressure, heart, lungs and spine, and he will be closely monitored. In a statement, the Corrections Department added that Thaksin felt chest tightness and high blood pressure after which he was referred to the police hospital in Bangkok at around 2 am on Wednesday (August 23). Police stated that they hospitalised Thaksin because the prison was not able to guarantee that he will receive the right care. ALSO READ | Fugitive ex-Thai PM, who arrived in Thailand after 15-year self-exile, jailed for 8 years “The prison has assessed the situation and saw that it lacks doctors and medical equipment that can take care of the patient so he was sent to the police hospital,” said Assistant National Police Chief Lieutenant General Prachuab Wongsuk, while speaking to Reuters. Thailand’s supreme court on Tuesday (August 22) confirmed that Thaksin will have to serve eight years of imprisonment, after spending years in exile following convictions for conflicts of interest and abuse of power. Homecoming of Thaksin Thaksin made his homecoming from years of exile on Tuesday and was taken to a detention centre in dramatic scenes which stole the spotlight from political ally Srettha Thavisin, who was elected as the country's prime minister in a parliamentary vote later in the day. The Pheu Thai Party's Srettha was elected as the prime minister after he received the royal endorsement, said a parliament official on Wednesday. Eight prison guards accompanied Thaksin when he was transferred during the night, said Ayuth Sintoppant, director general of the Corrections Department, while speaking to Reuters. WATCH | Thailand gets its 30th Prime Minister as Srettha Thavisin elected as new PM The return of the country's most famous politician saw celebrations by his supporters and a lengthy media coverage of the leader's arrival in his private jet in Bangkok, and his transfer to prison soon after. The leader's return and the smooth ascent of Srettha to the top job will further add fuel to the report that the influential Thaksin had struck a deal along with his foes in the political and military establishment for his safe return and, possibly, an early release from prison. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra shifted to hospital after spending one night in jail

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and NDA leaders paid floral tributes to the former prime minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 5th death anniversary at Sadaiv Atal' memorial.

PM Modi and others pay homage to former PM Vajpayee on 5th death anniversary

Silvio Berlusconi – who has died at 86 – dominated Italian public life for decades as a billionaire media mogul and the country's longest serving premier. But he was always dogged by scandal.

The larger-than-life character, who once compared himself to Jesus, was a kind of Trump before Trump.

He wielded huge influence through his television and newspaper interests – he effectively invented commercial TV in Italy – his ownership of AC Milan football club, and his sheer wealth, as Italy's richest person for a decade.

Long before Donald Trump parlayed business and reality television stardom into a White House bid, Berlusconi charmed millions of Italians by presenting himself as a self-made man who enjoyed life and spoke his mind, even to the extent of insulting fellow leaders.

To his critics, however, the right-winger was a tax-evading playboy who used his vast media empire to further his political career, and then exploited his power to protect his business interests.

He spent much of his life embroiled in legal action, and the cases around his notorious "Bunga Bunga" sex parties, attended by young girls including underage escorts, were only wrapped up in February 2023.

Despite remaining president of his Forza Italia party, a junior partner in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's rightwing coalition, he had largely retired from public view in recent years as he suffered increasing health problems.

But he still maintained his pride in his appearance and was always smartly dressed, his slicked-back hair never showing the slightest trace of grey, his face fixed in time by years of plastic surgery.

Berlusconi was hospitalised for 11 days in September 2020 after contracting coronavirus, describing it as "perhaps the most difficult ordeal of my life".&nbsp;

In April, doctors revealed he was suffering from leukaemia after he was admitted to hospital for a lung infection. He stayed 45 days and on leaving, declared: "I won again!"

But three weeks later he was admitted again for what doctors said were scheduled checks, and a few days later, he died.

<img alt="Silvio Berlusconi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d3e7cdfc-88d9-4135-b743-ab03468e93e9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/3_131.jpg" />

<h2>'Contract with Italians'</h2>

Berlusconi burst onto the political scene in the early 1990s, after building up a media and real estate business, where he was viewed as a breath of fresh air after a period of corruption and scandal.

Pitching himself as a modern Italian success story, and backed by his TV stations and newspapers, he secured his first election victory in 1994 with his new movement, Forza Italia (Go Italy!), named after a football chant.

He lasted as prime minister for only nine months, but bounced back with another election win in 2001 after a populist campaign promising jobs and economic growth, signing a "Contract with Italians" live on television.&nbsp;

He served until 2006, and returned again as prime minister between 2008 and 2011, making him the longest-serving premier in Italy's post-war history.

He was forced to quit as debt-laden Italy – the eurozone's third largest economy – came under intense pressure during the financial crisis.&nbsp;

The tenure of the man dubbed "Il Cavaliere" (The Knight) divided Italians, as much as over his policies – including his controversial decision to join the US-led invasion of Iraq – as his entire approach to life.

Throughout his time in office, prosecutors snapped at his heels, even as his supporters in parliament passed laws to shield him and his allies.

Despite multiple court cases – he claimed in 2021 he had gone through 86 trials – he never spent any time behind bars and successfully appealed convictions for fraud and corruption early in his political career.

In 2013, Berlusconi received a definitive conviction for tax fraud, which saw him carry out community service in a care home for sufferers of Alzheimer's.

He was also long suspected of links to the mafia, but strongly denied it.

<h2>'Bunga Bunga' disgrace</h2>

On the world stage, Berlusconi was known for his friendships with the likes of Libya's Moamer Kadhafi and Russian President Vladimir Putin – the latter of whom he controversially defended following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

He had no time for traditional diplomacy, once likening a German European MP to a Nazi and describing US President Barack Obama as "suntanned".

His image was further tarnished when lurid details emerged of his sex parties at his villa near Milan with its private disco, during a hugely embarrassing trial involving a 17-year-old nightclub dancer.

Berlusconi was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2013 for paying for sex with Karima El-Mahroug, known as "Ruby the Heart Stealer" – but this was later overturned after the judge said there was reasonable doubt over whether he knew she was underage.

He then stood accused of bribing witnesses to lie about his parties, which he always insisted were elegant dinners. He was acquitted in three related trials.

A relationship with another teenager led to the end of his second marriage with former actress Veronica Lario, who left him in 2009 over his "cavorting with minors".

In March 2022, he held a bizarre fake wedding with his girlfriend Marta Fascina, then 32.

<img alt="Silvio Berlusconi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bd9f38db-db2e-4c0a-b659-d5c4df70dfc4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/5_85.jpg" />

<h2>Football glory</h2>

Berlusconi was born in 1936 in Milan to a bank employee father and a housewife mother. He went on to father five children, all involved in the running of his business empire.&nbsp;

As a young man, he was quick to realise his talents as an entertainer.

A huge fan of Nat King Cole, he played double bass in a band and made club audiences laugh with jokes during breaks from his law studies at the University of Milan.

As a student, he worked briefly as a cruise ship singer before launching a lucrative career in the booming construction sector in his 20s, which delivered his first fortune.

These funds were used to build a vast conglomerate spanning shops, cinemas, publishers, newspapers and cable television, where he broke new ground with commercial programmes filled with scantily clad women.

Crucially for his public persona, his empire also included football, one of Italy's great passions.

As well as providing money for AC Milan, he regularly delivered dressing room and training ground pep talks during a period in which the club became one of the world's most celebrated and trophied success stories.&nbsp;

Five of AC Milan's seven European Cup/Champions League triumphs were achieved under Berlusconi's 31-year ownership.

He sold the club in 2017 after years of lacklustre performances, and in 2018 bought Monza, then in Italy's third tier.

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Silvio Berlusconi – who has died at 86 – dominated Italian public life for decades as a billionaire media mogul and the country's longest serving premier. But he was always dogged by scandal.

Silvio Berlusconi – who has died at 86 – dominated Italian public life for decades as a billionaire media mogul and the country's longest serving premier. But he was always dogged by scandal. The larger-than-life character, who once compared himself to Jesus, was a kind of Trump before Trump. He wielded huge influence through his television and newspaper interests – he effectively invented commercial TV in Italy – his ownership of AC Milan football club, and his sheer wealth, as Italy's richest person for a decade. Long before Donald Trump parlayed business and reality television stardom into a White House bid, Berlusconi charmed millions of Italians by presenting himself as a self-made man who enjoyed life and spoke his mind, even to the extent of insulting fellow leaders. To his critics, however, the right-winger was a tax-evading playboy who used his vast media empire to further his political career, and then exploited his power to protect his business interests. He spent much of his life embroiled in legal action, and the cases around his notorious "Bunga Bunga" sex parties, attended by young girls including underage escorts, were only wrapped up in February 2023. Despite remaining president of his Forza Italia party, a junior partner in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's rightwing coalition, he had largely retired from public view in recent years as he suffered increasing health problems. But he still maintained his pride in his appearance and was always smartly dressed, his slicked-back hair never showing the slightest trace of grey, his face fixed in time by years of plastic surgery. Berlusconi was hospitalised for 11 days in September 2020 after contracting coronavirus, describing it as "perhaps the most difficult ordeal of my life". In April, doctors revealed he was suffering from leukaemia after he was admitted to hospital for a lung infection. He stayed 45 days and on leaving, declared: "I won again!" But three weeks later he was admitted again for what doctors said were scheduled checks, and a few days later, he died. 'Contract with Italians' Berlusconi burst onto the political scene in the early 1990s, after building up a media and real estate business, where he was viewed as a breath of fresh air after a period of corruption and scandal. Pitching himself as a modern Italian success story, and backed by his TV stations and newspapers, he secured his first election victory in 1994 with his new movement, Forza Italia (Go Italy!), named after a football chant. He lasted as prime minister for only nine months, but bounced back with another election win in 2001 after a populist campaign promising jobs and economic growth, signing a "Contract with Italians" live on television. He served until 2006, and returned again as prime minister between 2008 and 2011, making him the longest-serving premier in Italy's post-war history. He was forced to quit as debt-laden Italy – the eurozone's third largest economy – came under intense pressure during the financial crisis. The tenure of the man dubbed "Il Cavaliere" (The Knight) divided Italians, as much as over his policies – including his controversial decision to join the US-led invasion of Iraq – as his entire approach to life. Throughout his time in office, prosecutors snapped at his heels, even as his supporters in parliament passed laws to shield him and his allies. Despite multiple court cases – he claimed in 2021 he had gone through 86 trials – he never spent any time behind bars and successfully appealed convictions for fraud and corruption early in his political career. In 2013, Berlusconi received a definitive conviction for tax fraud, which saw him carry out community service in a care home for sufferers of Alzheimer's. He was also long suspected of links to the mafia, but strongly denied it. 'Bunga Bunga' disgrace On the world stage, Berlusconi was known for his friendships with the likes of Libya's Moamer Kadhafi and Russian President Vladimir Putin – the latter of whom he controversially defended following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He had no time for traditional diplomacy, once likening a German European MP to a Nazi and describing US President Barack Obama as "suntanned". His image was further tarnished when lurid details emerged of his sex parties at his villa near Milan with its private disco, during a hugely embarrassing trial involving a 17-year-old nightclub dancer. Berlusconi was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2013 for paying for sex with Karima El-Mahroug, known as "Ruby the Heart Stealer" – but this was later overturned after the judge said there was reasonable doubt over whether he knew she was underage. He then stood accused of bribing witnesses to lie about his parties, which he always insisted were elegant dinners. He was acquitted in three related trials. A relationship with another teenager led to the end of his second marriage with former actress Veronica Lario, who left him in 2009 over his "cavorting with minors". In March 2022, he held a bizarre fake wedding with his girlfriend Marta Fascina, then 32. Football glory Berlusconi was born in 1936 in Milan to a bank employee father and a housewife mother. He went on to father five children, all involved in the running of his business empire. As a young man, he was quick to realise his talents as an entertainer. A huge fan of Nat King Cole, he played double bass in a band and made club audiences laugh with jokes during breaks from his law studies at the University of Milan. As a student, he worked briefly as a cruise ship singer before launching a lucrative career in the booming construction sector in his 20s, which delivered his first fortune. These funds were used to build a vast conglomerate spanning shops, cinemas, publishers, newspapers and cable television, where he broke new ground with commercial programmes filled with scantily clad women. Crucially for his public persona, his empire also included football, one of Italy's great passions. As well as providing money for AC Milan, he regularly delivered dressing room and training ground pep talks during a period in which the club became one of the world's most celebrated and trophied success stories. Five of AC Milan's seven European Cup/Champions League triumphs were achieved under Berlusconi's 31-year ownership. He sold the club in 2017 after years of lacklustre performances, and in 2018 bought Monza, then in Italy's third tier. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bling and bunga bunga parties: The colourful life of Italy's Silvio Berlusconi

Italy's Silvio Berlusconi: The controversial showman

Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is in the limelight as he mulls his choice on who will be the country's next prime minister. Watch Political analyst Dr Azmi Hassan's view on the same.

Political analyst Dr Azmi Hassan views on why Malaysia's King is picking the next PM?

Pakistan's united opposition held a massive rally to mark the 13th death anniversary of the country's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Benazir Bhutto was assasinated at a rally in Rawalpindi in 2007.

Pakistan's opposition held a massive rally for the former PM Benazir Bhutto

Wishes pour in on social media for former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as he turned 87 on Thursday.

A couple of hashtags related to the senior Congress leader's birthday started making in the top India trends on Twitter as his well-wishers flooded the microblogging site with their best wishes.

Several political party leaders came forward to extend their wishes to the former prime minister. Many hailed him for his achievements.

Taking to Twitter, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi acknowledged Singh's "selfless service, dedication and incredible contribution" in developing the country and prayed for his good health.

"On his birthday, let us acknowledge Dr Manmohan Singh Ji's selfless service, dedication and incredible contribution to the cause of nation-building. My best wishes to him on his birthday. I pray for his good health and happiness in the years to come," Gandhi said.

Former JD(U) president and NDA convener Sharad Yadav wished the former prime minister on his birthday and tweeted, "Wishing a happy birthday to #ManmohanSingh. Persons like Dr. Manmohan Singh are rarely born. Pray for his good health and long life."

Janata Dal (United) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in a press statement prayed for Singh's long life and extended warm wishes to him on the occasion.

P. Chidambaram, the former finance minister under Dr. Manmohan Singh's regime, also wished him birthday on the micro-blogging site and said, "I have asked my family to tweet on my behalf the following: Happy birthday to Dr Manmohan Singh. May he live for a 100 years and more!"

Singh, who was the Prime Minister for the two consecutive terms (from 2004-2014) has turned 87 today.

He is a renowned economist, credited for introducing sweeping reforms in the 1990s.

Singh was born on September 26, 1932, in Punjab's village of Gah before partition. He studied at the Panjab University, Cambridge and Oxford.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Wishes pour in on social media for former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as he turned 87 on Thursday. A couple of hashtags related to the senior Congress leader's birthday started making in the top India trends on Twitter as his well-wishers flooded the microblogging site with their best wishes.

Wishes pour in on social media for former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as he turned 87 on Thursday. A couple of hashtags related to the senior Congress leader's birthday started making in the top India trends on Twitter as his well-wishers flooded the microblogging site with their best wishes. Several political party leaders came forward to extend their wishes to the former prime minister. Many hailed him for his achievements. Taking to Twitter, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi acknowledged Singh's "selfless service, dedication and incredible contribution" in developing the country and prayed for his good health. "On his birthday, let us acknowledge Dr Manmohan Singh Ji's selfless service, dedication and incredible contribution to the cause of nation-building. My best wishes to him on his birthday. I pray for his good health and happiness in the years to come," Gandhi said. Former JD(U) president and NDA convener Sharad Yadav wished the former prime minister on his birthday and tweeted, "Wishing a happy birthday to #ManmohanSingh. Persons like Dr. Manmohan Singh are rarely born. Pray for his good health and long life." Janata Dal (United) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in a press statement prayed for Singh's long life and extended warm wishes to him on the occasion. P. Chidambaram, the former finance minister under Dr. Manmohan Singh's regime, also wished him birthday on the micro-blogging site and said, "I have asked my family to tweet on my behalf the following: Happy birthday to Dr Manmohan Singh. May he live for a 100 years and more!" Singh, who was the Prime Minister for the two consecutive terms (from 2004-2014) has turned 87 today. He is a renowned economist, credited for introducing sweeping reforms in the 1990s. Singh was born on September 26, 1932, in Punjab's village of Gah before partition. He studied at the Panjab University, Cambridge and Oxford.

Wishes pour in for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as he turns 87

No former&nbsp;Prime Minister&nbsp;will be present in the forthcoming Budget session of the Parliament as Manmohan Singh's nearly 30-year-long tenure as a&nbsp;Rajya Sabha&nbsp;member ended on Friday and HD&nbsp;Deve Gowda&nbsp;lost from Tumkur seat in the recently concluded&nbsp;Lok Sabha&nbsp;elections.

Parliament's first Budget session after the constitution of the new government at Centre is scheduled to start on June 17. Deve Gowda, who served as the 11th&nbsp;Prime Minister&nbsp;of&nbsp;India&nbsp;from June 1996 to April 1997, lost to BJP's GS Basavaraj from Tumkur&nbsp;Lok Sabha&nbsp;constituency by little over 13,000 votes.

Earlier,&nbsp;Deve Gowda&nbsp;used to regularly contest from Hassan parliamentary constituency. However, he had vacated his seat to field his grandson&nbsp;Prajwal Revanna&nbsp;from there.

Soon after the&nbsp;Lok Sabha&nbsp;results were announced on May 23, Revanna, who defeated BJP's A Manju from Hassan by a margin of 1.41 lakh votes, offered to resign from the seat to get his grandfather re-elected.

"To reinstate the confidence of JD(S) cadre, we have to fill the gap left by the defeat of HD&nbsp;Deve Gowda.&nbsp;Therefore, I have decided to tender my resignation. I want him to be victorious once again from Hassan," said Prajwal, who was the only JD(S) candidate to be able to win his seat in&nbsp;Karnataka.

After his loss, Deve Gowda said, "As a former Prime Minister,&nbsp;I have been defeated twice. This is not a big issue. My concern is how to save a regional party. I will see that JD(S) strengthens its base. I will take responsibility and proceed forward. I am not going to blame anybody for the loss. How it happened is not to be discussed in media."

BJP&nbsp;ruled out JD(S)-Congress&nbsp;alliance in&nbsp;Karnataka&nbsp;by winning 25 out of 28 seats. The&nbsp;Congress&nbsp;and the JD(S) received one seat each, while one seat went to an&nbsp;independent candidate.

Similar to its performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the&nbsp;Congress&nbsp;party didn't perform well in 2019&nbsp;general election&nbsp;too and only managed to win on 52 seats.

Due to Congress' poor performance, Manmohan Singh, who was the&nbsp;Prime Minister&nbsp;of&nbsp;India&nbsp;from 2004 to 2014, will be missed in the upcoming Budget session of the Parliament as his nearly 30-year-long tenure as a&nbsp;Rajya Sabha&nbsp;member ended on Friday.

Singh would not be present in the&nbsp;Rajya Sabha&nbsp;for the first time since his first election from&nbsp;Assam&nbsp;in 1991 as he could not make up to the Parliament' upper House due to Congress' poor strength in the state Assembly.

The Congress party could not get him re-elected from&nbsp;Assam&nbsp;as it has only 25 MLAs as against 43 first-preference votes needed. The party even cannot send Singh from other states where Rajya Sabha seats are vacant. With the election of BJP's Kamakhya&nbsp;Prasad Tasa&nbsp;and AGP's Birender Prasad Baishya's unopposed election from Assam, a total of nine seats are lying vacant in Odisha (4),&nbsp;Tamil Nadu&nbsp;(1),&nbsp;Bihar&nbsp;(2) and&nbsp;Gujarat&nbsp;(2).

Congress does not have required numbers to secure any Rajya Sabha berths in these states except&nbsp;Gujarat&nbsp;where it is eyeing to grab at least one seat. Although Singh can be sent to the House from Karnataka, Chhattisgarh,&nbsp;Rajasthan&nbsp;or Punjab, there are no immediate vacancies in these states.

During his tenure as Rajya Sabha MP, Singh led the upper House for 10 years from 2004 to 2014 and acted as the&nbsp;Leader&nbsp;of the Opposition for six years. Singh was last elected to the House in 2013.

No former Prime Minister will be present in the forthcoming Budget session of the Parliament as Manmohan Singh's nearly 30-year-long tenure as a Rajya Sabha member ended on Friday and HD Deve Gowda lost from Tumkur seat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

No former Prime Minister will be present in the forthcoming Budget session of the Parliament as Manmohan Singh's nearly 30-year-long tenure as a Rajya Sabha member ended on Friday and HD Deve Gowda lost from Tumkur seat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Parliament's first Budget session after the constitution of the new government at Centre is scheduled to start on June 17. Deve Gowda, who served as the 11th Prime Minister of India from June 1996 to April 1997, lost to BJP's GS Basavaraj from Tumkur Lok Sabha constituency by little over 13,000 votes. Earlier, Deve Gowda used to regularly contest from Hassan parliamentary constituency. However, he had vacated his seat to field his grandson Prajwal Revanna from there. Soon after the Lok Sabha results were announced on May 23, Revanna, who defeated BJP's A Manju from Hassan by a margin of 1.41 lakh votes, offered to resign from the seat to get his grandfather re-elected. "To reinstate the confidence of JD(S) cadre, we have to fill the gap left by the defeat of HD Deve Gowda. Therefore, I have decided to tender my resignation. I want him to be victorious once again from Hassan," said Prajwal, who was the only JD(S) candidate to be able to win his seat in Karnataka. After his loss, Deve Gowda said, "As a former Prime Minister, I have been defeated twice. This is not a big issue. My concern is how to save a regional party. I will see that JD(S) strengthens its base. I will take responsibility and proceed forward. I am not going to blame anybody for the loss. How it happened is not to be discussed in media." BJP ruled out JD(S)-Congress alliance in Karnataka by winning 25 out of 28 seats. The Congress and the JD(S) received one seat each, while one seat went to an independent candidate. Similar to its performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party didn't perform well in 2019 general election too and only managed to win on 52 seats. Due to Congress' poor performance, Manmohan Singh, who was the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, will be missed in the upcoming Budget session of the Parliament as his nearly 30-year-long tenure as a Rajya Sabha member ended on Friday. Singh would not be present in the Rajya Sabha for the first time since his first election from Assam in 1991 as he could not make up to the Parliament' upper House due to Congress' poor strength in the state Assembly. The Congress party could not get him re-elected from Assam as it has only 25 MLAs as against 43 first-preference votes needed. The party even cannot send Singh from other states where Rajya Sabha seats are vacant. With the election of BJP's Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and AGP's Birender Prasad Baishya's unopposed election from Assam, a total of nine seats are lying vacant in Odisha (4), Tamil Nadu (1), Bihar (2) and Gujarat (2). Congress does not have required numbers to secure any Rajya Sabha berths in these states except Gujarat where it is eyeing to grab at least one seat. Although Singh can be sent to the House from Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan or Punjab, there are no immediate vacancies in these states. During his tenure as Rajya Sabha MP, Singh led the upper House for 10 years from 2004 to 2014 and acted as the Leader of the Opposition for six years. Singh was last elected to the House in 2013.

Parliament to miss former Prime Minsters during this Budget session

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday broke his silence on Congress' poll promise of NYAY, stressing that no new taxes will be required to implement this scheme successfully in the ground

Ex-PM Manmohan Singh backs NYAY, says no need for new taxes to finance the scheme

More than a decade after vowing to "close the gap" between indigenous Australians and the rest of the country, the government on Thursday admitted it was still falling far short.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that only two of seven government targets to improve the wealth, health and wellbeing of the first Australians were being met.

Efforts to improve early education and rates of high school qualifications were on track, but targets in other areas — including boosting employment and increasing life expectancy — were falling behind.

"I want Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to have the same opportunities as all other children growing up in Australia," Morrison told parliament.&nbsp;

"But this is not true for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia today. It's never been true. And I don't know when it will be true. And that is the truth we must confront again today," he said in parliament.

Aboriginal Australians make up about three per cent of the total national population of 25 million, but remain the country's most disadvantaged community.

The unemployment rate for Aboriginal Australians is three to four times higher than the national average.

Suicide rates for Aboriginal children are five times higher than for the rest of the population according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Thursday's report marks eleven years since former prime minister Kevin Rudd made a historic apology to Aboriginal people for centuries of injustice.

Morrison said while the "Closing the Gap" initiative will continue to take action across the broad range of issues, he would place an immediate focus on education.&nbsp;

The prime minister pledged several new initiatives, including cancelling student debt for teachers who spend four years in remote communities.&nbsp;

"Education is the key to skills. It is the key to jobs. It is the key to building enterprises — and giving young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians the opportunity to create their futures," he said.

"It's the key to a good life. If you can't read, if you can't write, there is no possible way you can share in the prosperity of Australia."

More than a decade after vowing to "close the gap" between indigenous Australians and the rest of the country, the government on Thursday admitted it was still falling far short.

More than a decade after vowing to "close the gap" between indigenous Australians and the rest of the country, the government on Thursday admitted it was still falling far short. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that only two of seven government targets to improve the wealth, health and wellbeing of the first Australians were being met. Efforts to improve early education and rates of high school qualifications were on track, but targets in other areas — including boosting employment and increasing life expectancy — were falling behind. "I want Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to have the same opportunities as all other children growing up in Australia," Morrison told parliament. "But this is not true for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia today. It's never been true. And I don't know when it will be true. And that is the truth we must confront again today," he said in parliament. Aboriginal Australians make up about three per cent of the total national population of 25 million, but remain the country's most disadvantaged community. The unemployment rate for Aboriginal Australians is three to four times higher than the national average. Suicide rates for Aboriginal children are five times higher than for the rest of the population according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Thursday's report marks eleven years since former prime minister Kevin Rudd made a historic apology to Aboriginal people for centuries of injustice. Morrison said while the "Closing the Gap" initiative will continue to take action across the broad range of issues, he would place an immediate focus on education. The prime minister pledged several new initiatives, including cancelling student debt for teachers who spend four years in remote communities. "Education is the key to skills. It is the key to jobs. It is the key to building enterprises — and giving young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians the opportunity to create their futures," he said. "It's the key to a good life. If you can't read, if you can't write, there is no possible way you can share in the prosperity of Australia."

Australia admits 'failing' to improve Aboriginal lives

A Malaysian court on Monday postponed the corruption trial of former<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/former-prime-minister-of-malaysia-charged-for-altering-state-funds-1mdb-loot-183396"> prime minister Najib Razak </a>over charges related to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB pending an appeal, his lawyer said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/malaysia-ex-pm-najib-razak-and-ally-charged-in-16-billion-graft-case-173306">Najib</a> has pleaded not guilty to ten charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power and his trial was originally set to begin on Tuesday.

His lawyers, however, filed an application last week to stay the trial pending an appeal over a lower court's ruling to transfer some of the charges to the Kuala Lumpur High Court, media reported.

Harvinderjit Singh, one of Najib's lawyers, told Reuters in a brief text message that the Court of Appeal had agreed to postpone the trial "until the appeal is heard".

No new date for the trial or the appeal has been set, he said.

Najib was ousted in an election in May last year amid public fury over the alleged theft of $4.5 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The charges against Najib relate to a suspected transfer of 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) into his bank account from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit.

The trial is the first of several criminal proceedings that Najib is expected to face over the 1MDB scandal so far, and the sum involved is a fraction of the $1 billion that investigators say allegedly made their way into his bank accounts.

At least six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore, have launched money laundering and graft probes into 1MDB, set up by Najib in 2009.

US&nbsp;prosecutors say money stolen from 1MDB was used to buy a private jet, luxury real estate, artwork by Picasso and Monet, as well as jewellery for Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Najib and his wife both deny wrongdoing.

SRC was the initial focus of Malaysian investigators as all the suspicious transactions involving the firm were made through Malaysian entities, unlike other 1MDB-related transactions that went through foreign banks and companies.

A Malaysian court on Monday postponed the corruption trial of former prime minister Najib Razak over charges related to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB pending an appeal, his lawyer said.

A Malaysian court on Monday postponed the corruption trial of former prime minister Najib Razak over charges related to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB pending an appeal, his lawyer said. Najib has pleaded not guilty to ten charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power and his trial was originally set to begin on Tuesday. His lawyers, however, filed an application last week to stay the trial pending an appeal over a lower court's ruling to transfer some of the charges to the Kuala Lumpur High Court, media reported. Harvinderjit Singh, one of Najib's lawyers, told Reuters in a brief text message that the Court of Appeal had agreed to postpone the trial "until the appeal is heard". No new date for the trial or the appeal has been set, he said. Najib was ousted in an election in May last year amid public fury over the alleged theft of $4.5 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The charges against Najib relate to a suspected transfer of 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) into his bank account from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit. The trial is the first of several criminal proceedings that Najib is expected to face over the 1MDB scandal so far, and the sum involved is a fraction of the $1 billion that investigators say allegedly made their way into his bank accounts. At least six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore, have launched money laundering and graft probes into 1MDB, set up by Najib in 2009. US prosecutors say money stolen from 1MDB was used to buy a private jet, luxury real estate, artwork by Picasso and Monet, as well as jewellery for Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor. Najib and his wife both deny wrongdoing. SRC was the initial focus of Malaysian investigators as all the suspicious transactions involving the firm were made through Malaysian entities, unlike other 1MDB-related transactions that went through foreign banks and companies.

Malaysia court postpones ex-PM Najib's corruption trial pending appeal

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-pak-pm-nawaz-sharif-taken-to-hospital-194646">Former prime&nbsp;minister Nawaz Shari</a>f is suffering from kidney stone ailment and a medical board will determine the procedure to be adopted on the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-former-pm-nawaz-sharif-to-be-shifted-to-hospital-sources-194576"> jailed Pakistani leader</a>.

Dawn quoted an official at the Services hospital as saying that the CT scan and ultrasound reports of Sharif had detected a stone in his left kidney.

A medical panel would examine the test reports and prescribe appropriate medicines and further medical procedures, the official added.

On January 24, a special board had suggested the Punjab government shift the 69-year-old Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart, who has been serving seven years of a prison sentence in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore after indictment under graft charges, to the Services Hospital amid grounds of his deteriorating health.

Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan has said that Sharif will be sent back to jail once his health improves.“He is being provided with the best facilities in every way. He has also been given his favourite dishes in jail,” the minister added.

On Saturday, the deposed prime minister was shifted from Kot Lakhpat prison to the hospital where he was examined by a three-member medical board.

On January 28, the Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing on a bail plea of Sharif on medical grounds till February 6. The plea was filed by Sharif`s lawyer Khawaja Harris.

Sharif, in the plea, also requested that the seven years prison sentence announced on him by the accountability court in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case be suspended until a decision is announced on his appeal against the jail term. His plea has been fixed for hearing on February 18.&nbsp;

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is suffering from kidney stone ailment and a medical board will determine the procedure to be adopted on the jailed Pakistani leader.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is suffering from kidney stone ailment and a medical board will determine the procedure to be adopted on the jailed Pakistani leader. Dawn quoted an official at the Services hospital as saying that the CT scan and ultrasound reports of Sharif had detected a stone in his left kidney. A medical panel would examine the test reports and prescribe appropriate medicines and further medical procedures, the official added. On January 24, a special board had suggested the Punjab government shift the 69-year-old Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart, who has been serving seven years of a prison sentence in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore after indictment under graft charges, to the Services Hospital amid grounds of his deteriorating health. Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan has said that Sharif will be sent back to jail once his health improves.“He is being provided with the best facilities in every way. He has also been given his favourite dishes in jail,” the minister added. On Saturday, the deposed prime minister was shifted from Kot Lakhpat prison to the hospital where he was examined by a three-member medical board. On January 28, the Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing on a bail plea of Sharif on medical grounds till February 6. The plea was filed by Sharif`s lawyer Khawaja Harris. Sharif, in the plea, also requested that the seven years prison sentence announced on him by the accountability court in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case be suspended until a decision is announced on his appeal against the jail term. His plea has been fixed for hearing on February 18.

Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif suffering from kidney stone

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president M.K. Stalin and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday expressed their concerns on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's health and wished him a speedy recovery.

On Monday, Vajpayee was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and is currently undergoing treatment.

Taking to Twitter, Stalin said that he was saddened to hear Vajpayee's health and wished him a speedy and full recovery.

"I was saddened to hear about former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji being admitted to AIIMS. On behalf of DMK President Thalaivar Kalaignar and DMK party, I wish Vajpayeeji a speedy and full recovery back to normal health," Stalin wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Naidu also inquired on Vajpayee's health and prayed for a speedy recovery.

"I spoke to the officers in Delhi on the health of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Praying to God for his speedy recovery and his return to home with good health," Naidu tweeted.

Earlier today, AIIMS said that Vajpayee's condition was stable and is responding well to the treatment.

Dr. (Professor) Aarti Vij said in a statement, "Former Prime Minister Vajpayee's condition is stable. He is responding to treatment and is on injectable antibiotics. All vital parameters are stable. He will continue to be in hospital till infection is controlled."

Many political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, visited the ailing former prime minister at AIIMS.

The 93-year-old Vajpayee was the first ever person from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to have become the nation's prime minister.

Vajpayee was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and is currently undergoing treatment

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president M.K. Stalin and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday expressed their concerns on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's health and wished him a speedy recovery. On Monday, Vajpayee was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and is currently undergoing treatment. Taking to Twitter, Stalin said that he was saddened to hear Vajpayee's health and wished him a speedy and full recovery. "I was saddened to hear about former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji being admitted to AIIMS. On behalf of DMK President Thalaivar Kalaignar and DMK party, I wish Vajpayeeji a speedy and full recovery back to normal health," Stalin wrote on the micro-blogging site. Naidu also inquired on Vajpayee's health and prayed for a speedy recovery. "I spoke to the officers in Delhi on the health of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Praying to God for his speedy recovery and his return to home with good health," Naidu tweeted. Earlier today, AIIMS said that Vajpayee's condition was stable and is responding well to the treatment. Dr. (Professor) Aarti Vij said in a statement, "Former Prime Minister Vajpayee's condition is stable. He is responding to treatment and is on injectable antibiotics. All vital parameters are stable. He will continue to be in hospital till infection is controlled." Many political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, visited the ailing former prime minister at AIIMS. The 93-year-old Vajpayee was the first ever person from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to have become the nation's prime minister.

Stalin, Naidu wish speedy recovery of ex-PM Vajpayee

Pakistan&#39;s ousted premier Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday appeared before an Accountability Court in Islamabad to face the corruption charges filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau in the .

Sharif along with his daughter Maryam Sharif and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar directly went to the Accountability Court here after arriving from Lahore in a private jet.

Sharif, 67, came back from London on Sunday where he had gone with his daughter Maryam to see his ailing wife who is undergoing treatment for throat cancer there.

Judge Muhammad Bashir will conduct the trial proceedings and record testimonies of more prosecution witnesses.

NAB is expected to present three more witnesses in the court to have their statements recorded. So far, eight witnesses have testified against the Sharif family in three references.

The three references against the Sharif family are related to the Al-Azizia Company and Hill Metal Establishment, Flagship Investment Ltd and the Avenfield (London) properties.

Sharif and his sons, Hassan and Hussain, have been named in all three NAB references, while Maryam and husband Safdar have been named only in the Avenfield reference.

Last month, Sharif was indicted in all three cases while his daughter Maryam and her husband Muhammad Safdar, co-accused with Sharif in only one case, were also indicted along with Sharif.

Sharif&#39;s sons Hassan and Hussian have failed to appear in the court despite repeated summons. It promoted the court to separate their cases.

Heavy security arrangements were made around the court premises.

The cases are based on July 28 verdict by the Supreme Court which disqualified Sharif and ordered to launch three corruption cases against him and his family, and one case against finance minister Ishaq Dar.

On July 28, the SC disqualified Sharif and ordered to launch three corruption cases against him and his family

Pakistan's ousted premier Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday appeared before an Accountability Court in Islamabad to face the corruption charges filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau in the . Sharif along with his daughter Maryam Sharif and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar directly went to the Accountability Court here after arriving from Lahore in a private jet. Sharif, 67, came back from London on Sunday where he had gone with his daughter Maryam to see his ailing wife who is undergoing treatment for throat cancer there. Judge Muhammad Bashir will conduct the trial proceedings and record testimonies of more prosecution witnesses. NAB is expected to present three more witnesses in the court to have their statements recorded. So far, eight witnesses have testified against the Sharif family in three references. The three references against the Sharif family are related to the Al-Azizia Company and Hill Metal Establishment, Flagship Investment Ltd and the Avenfield (London) properties. Sharif and his sons, Hassan and Hussain, have been named in all three NAB references, while Maryam and husband Safdar have been named only in the Avenfield reference. Last month, Sharif was indicted in all three cases while his daughter Maryam and her husband Muhammad Safdar, co-accused with Sharif in only one case, were also indicted along with Sharif. Sharif's sons Hassan and Hussian have failed to appear in the court despite repeated summons. It promoted the court to separate their cases. Heavy security arrangements were made around the court premises. The cases are based on July 28 verdict by the Supreme Court which disqualified Sharif and ordered to launch three corruption cases against him and his family, and one case against finance minister Ishaq Dar.

Panama Papers scandal: Nawaz Sharif appears before accountability court in Pakistan

Embattled Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia was granted bail today after she appeared in court on a string of new charges over a deadly transport blockade, a prosecutor said. 
 
Hundreds of her supporters gathered outside the metropolitan sessions court in Dhaka chanting anti-government slogans, as the 70-year-old arrived to seek bail in the nine cases.&nbsp;&quot;We opposed the bail saying that police have found her involvement in the nine cases. But the judge granted her bail in all the cases,&quot; Dhaka&#39;s chief prosecutor Abdullah Abu told AFP.&nbsp;&quot;Although she was granted bail, the court has taken cognisance of all the charges against her,&quot; he added. 
 
The new charges take to 30 the number of cases against the former two-time prime minister, mostly related to alleged violence and graft, her lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder said.&nbsp;Her party says the cases have been fabricated and are aimed at keeping Zia, a bitter rival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, under political pressure. 
 
Eight of the new cases relate to the nationwide transport blockade last year orchestrated by Zia&#39;s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist allies in a failed bid to force Hasina to resign.&nbsp;The blockade unleashed a wave of bloody violence, leaving about 150 people dead as opposition activists fire-bombed hundreds of buses and trucks and police responded by firing live rounds. 
 
A pro-government lawyer has also filed a new case of sedition against Zia for publically questioning the official death toll during Bangladesh&#39;s war of independence against Pakistan in 1971.&nbsp;The government says three million people were killed when then East Pakistan broke away to become Bangladesh. Independent researchers, however, say the overall toll was much lower. 
 
Hasina has vowed to prosecute BNP officials for last year&#39;s violence. Around 15,000 opposition supporters and dozens of senior BNP officials were arrested as part of a crackdown in the wake of the unrest, weakening the party.&nbsp;Last month, a court sentenced Zia&#39;s eldest son and heir apparent Tarique Rahman to seven years in jail after convicting him over a money laundering case. 
 
Rahman, who lives in exile in London, will be automatically banned from contesting polls unless he surrenders to a Bangladeshi court.&nbsp;Experts said Hasina could call a general election in 2017, two years ahead of schedule, if Zia is convicted in any of the cases and therefore barred from politics. Two of her graft cases are in the final stages of hearing. 
 
The BNP boycotted the 2014 general election, leaving the field clear for its rivals. 
 
(AFP)

Khaleda Zia's party says the 30 cases against her have been fabricated, and are aimed at keeping her under political pressure

Embattled Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia was granted bail today after she appeared in court on a string of new charges over a deadly transport blockade, a prosecutor said. Hundreds of her supporters gathered outside the metropolitan sessions court in Dhaka chanting anti-government slogans, as the 70-year-old arrived to seek bail in the nine cases. "We opposed the bail saying that police have found her involvement in the nine cases. But the judge granted her bail in all the cases," Dhaka's chief prosecutor Abdullah Abu told AFP. "Although she was granted bail, the court has taken cognisance of all the charges against her," he added. The new charges take to 30 the number of cases against the former two-time prime minister, mostly related to alleged violence and graft, her lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder said. Her party says the cases have been fabricated and are aimed at keeping Zia, a bitter rival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, under political pressure. Eight of the new cases relate to the nationwide transport blockade last year orchestrated by Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist allies in a failed bid to force Hasina to resign. The blockade unleashed a wave of bloody violence, leaving about 150 people dead as opposition activists fire-bombed hundreds of buses and trucks and police responded by firing live rounds. A pro-government lawyer has also filed a new case of sedition against Zia for publically questioning the official death toll during Bangladesh's war of independence against Pakistan in 1971. The government says three million people were killed when then East Pakistan broke away to become Bangladesh. Independent researchers, however, say the overall toll was much lower. Hasina has vowed to prosecute BNP officials for last year's violence. Around 15,000 opposition supporters and dozens of senior BNP officials were arrested as part of a crackdown in the wake of the unrest, weakening the party. Last month, a court sentenced Zia's eldest son and heir apparent Tarique Rahman to seven years in jail after convicting him over a money laundering case. Rahman, who lives in exile in London, will be automatically banned from contesting polls unless he surrenders to a Bangladeshi court. Experts said Hasina could call a general election in 2017, two years ahead of schedule, if Zia is convicted in any of the cases and therefore barred from politics. Two of her graft cases are in the final stages of hearing. The BNP boycotted the 2014 general election, leaving the field clear for its rivals. (AFP)

Bangladesh opposition leader granted bail in 9 new cases