West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that democracy is under threat in the country under the BJP rule and called upon Opposition parties to work together for the greater interest of the people before the next Lok Sabha polls.

She accused the NDA government of trying to halt the developmental process in her state.

&quot;Democracy is under threat in this country under the present central government. It is a super emergency that is going on in the country. I have been an MP for nearly two decades but I have never seen such a government at the Centre,&quot; she said at the India Today Conclave East here.

&quot;I believe in collective leadership. At present all are working together and that is the best policy. Let us work together,&quot; Banerjee said about the Opposition, adding she shares good relations with the DMK, the SP, the BSP and the BJD and is working with the Congress inside Parliament on various issues.

When asked whether she is hinting at a broader opposition coalition with the Congress before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, she said, &quot;In Bengal, the Congress and the Left are working with the BJP at the state level. But at the national level for greater interests I think we should work together.&quot;

To a question whether the country would see a grand opposition coalition ahead of 2019, she said, &quot;It depends. We are working together in Parliament. I went to (RJD chief) Lalu Prasadji&#39;s programme in Patna.&quot;

Banerjee said, &quot;I have a good relationship with (Samajwadi Party chief) Akhilesh ji and (BSP chief) Mayawati ji in Uttar Pradesh, with Stalin ji (DMK), Naveen ji (BJD). I maintain the best of relations with so many other people. Even, within the BJP, I maintain good relation with some people, but not with all.&quot;

Bengal will never accept divide and rule politics of the BJP, she asserted and dismissed that it was a challenger to the ruling (TMC) Trinamool Congress government.

&quot;The BJP is nowhere in Bengal but only on media and social media. They only shout. Let the BJP shout along with their bike vahini, but they cannot do anything in Bengal,&quot; Banerjee said. The BJP is trying to position itself as the main opposition in the state.

She accused the NDA government of trying to halt the developmental process in her state

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that democracy is under threat in the country under the BJP rule and called upon Opposition parties to work together for the greater interest of the people before the next Lok Sabha polls. She accused the NDA government of trying to halt the developmental process in her state. "Democracy is under threat in this country under the present central government. It is a super emergency that is going on in the country. I have been an MP for nearly two decades but I have never seen such a government at the Centre," she said at the India Today Conclave East here. "I believe in collective leadership. At present all are working together and that is the best policy. Let us work together," Banerjee said about the Opposition, adding she shares good relations with the DMK, the SP, the BSP and the BJD and is working with the Congress inside Parliament on various issues. When asked whether she is hinting at a broader opposition coalition with the Congress before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, she said, "In Bengal, the Congress and the Left are working with the BJP at the state level. But at the national level for greater interests I think we should work together." To a question whether the country would see a grand opposition coalition ahead of 2019, she said, "It depends. We are working together in Parliament. I went to (RJD chief) Lalu Prasadji's programme in Patna." Banerjee said, "I have a good relationship with (Samajwadi Party chief) Akhilesh ji and (BSP chief) Mayawati ji in Uttar Pradesh, with Stalin ji (DMK), Naveen ji (BJD). I maintain the best of relations with so many other people. Even, within the BJP, I maintain good relation with some people, but not with all." Bengal will never accept divide and rule politics of the BJP, she asserted and dismissed that it was a challenger to the ruling (TMC) Trinamool Congress government. "The BJP is nowhere in Bengal but only on media and social media. They only shout. Let the BJP shout along with their bike vahini, but they cannot do anything in Bengal," Banerjee said. The BJP is trying to position itself as the main opposition in the state.

Democracy under threat, Opposition should work together: Mamata Banerjee

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Friday that the allegations against the Rafale deal were &quot;shameful&quot; and a &quot;disservice&quot; to the country&#39;s armed forces.&nbsp;

Sitharaman&#39;s remarks came a day after Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing the &quot;entire deal&quot; for the benefit of one businessman. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Can you explain &quot;Reliance&quot; on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal?
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/930995047436185600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Self &quot;Reliance&quot; is obviously a critical aspect of &quot;Make in India.&quot;
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/930995317801082882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

India is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.&nbsp;

The Congress has alleged the deal is overpriced, and that there is a scam brewing.&nbsp;

And that the deal was changed to benefit Anil Ambani&#39;s Reliance Defence Limited.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to the French government about the jets during his April 2015 visit to Paris.&nbsp;

The final agreement for the jets was signed in 2016.&nbsp;

The Congress has alleged that the planes are being bought at three times the price the former UPA government had negotiated with France.&nbsp;

The 36 Rafale jets are going to cost India Rs 58,000 crore.

The Congress says the UPA government had negotiated a $10.2 billion deal for the acquisition of 126 Rafale jets while the NDA government renegotiated the deal down to $8.7 billion -- but for just 36 fighters.

Sitharaman retorted Friday that the Congress had sat on the deal for 10 years -- at the cost of national security.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Smt <a href="https://twitter.com/nsitharaman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nsitharaman</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafale</a> : &quot; The present govt addressed the vacuum in our national security structure created by the indecisiveness of 10 yr long UPA regime by immediately procuring 36 aircraft in a fly-away condition&quot; (1)
&mdash; Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/931494883226824706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&quot;This (delay) potentially compromised national security interests,&quot; the minister was quoted as saying.

Sitharaman added Friday that the deal was signed after five rounds of discussions between the Indian and French sides, and approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security.&nbsp;

&quot;These allegations are shameful...The deal was finalised following a transparent procedure,&quot; PTI reported Sitharaman as telling reporters.

Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhano had on Thursday also weighed in on the controversy, saying he did not understand what it was about.&nbsp;

&quot;This is a cheaper deal,&quot; he had said.&nbsp;

The Congress has alleged the deal -- India is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets from France -- is overpriced, and that there is a scam brewing

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Friday that the allegations against the Rafale deal were "shameful" and a "disservice" to the country's armed forces. Sitharaman's remarks came a day after Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing the "entire deal" for the benefit of one businessman. Can you explain "Reliance" on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal? — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 16, 2017 × Self "Reliance" is obviously a critical aspect of "Make in India." — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 16, 2017 × India is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. The Congress has alleged the deal is overpriced, and that there is a scam brewing. And that the deal was changed to benefit Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Limited. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to the French government about the jets during his April 2015 visit to Paris. The final agreement for the jets was signed in 2016. The Congress has alleged that the planes are being bought at three times the price the former UPA government had negotiated with France. The 36 Rafale jets are going to cost India Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress says the UPA government had negotiated a $10.2 billion deal for the acquisition of 126 Rafale jets while the NDA government renegotiated the deal down to $8.7 billion -- but for just 36 fighters. Sitharaman retorted Friday that the Congress had sat on the deal for 10 years -- at the cost of national security. Smt @nsitharaman on #Rafale : " The present govt addressed the vacuum in our national security structure created by the indecisiveness of 10 yr long UPA regime by immediately procuring 36 aircraft in a fly-away condition" (1) — Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) November 17, 2017 × "This (delay) potentially compromised national security interests," the minister was quoted as saying. Sitharaman added Friday that the deal was signed after five rounds of discussions between the Indian and French sides, and approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security. "These allegations are shameful...The deal was finalised following a transparent procedure," PTI reported Sitharaman as telling reporters. Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhano had on Thursday also weighed in on the controversy, saying he did not understand what it was about. "This is a cheaper deal," he had said.

Allegations against Rafale deal 'shameful', 'disservice' to armed forces: Nirmala Sitharaman

Polls opened Thursday in a repeat presidential election in Kenya that is mired in uncertainty as opposition leader Raila Odinga has called on his supporters to boycott the vote.

&quot;It is my duty to vote. Last time the queue was all around the block and I waited six hours to vote, this time the people are few,&quot; said taxi driver David Njeru, 26, as he waited to vote in Nairobi&#39;s Mathare slum.

In Odinga&#39;s western stronghold of Kisumu, several polling stations remained closed in stark contrast to the scenes during the first election on August 8, when people lined up overnight to vote.

Ballot boxes and electronic kits to identify voters and transmit results had not arrived in polling stations, with some officials facing attacks from opposition supporters while trying to deliver voting material.

&quot;So far, we have not deployed any material, and we have not deployed election officials. The reason is security, election officials do not want to go against the will of this community,&quot; said returning officer John Ngutai.

&quot;We hope to be able to deploy later in the day. We hope for the best but prepare for the worst. The worst would be no elected officials.&quot;

Odinga has refused to take part in the vote, arguing that the election commission has failed to make reforms after the Supreme Court last month overturned the result from August citing &quot;irregularities&quot; and mismanagement.

His withdrawal assures victory for President Uhuru Kenyatta, while likely opening the way for further legal battles after the election.

Polls opened Thursday in a repeat presidential election in Kenya that is mired in uncertainty as opposition leader Raila Odinga has called on his supporters to boycott the vote.

Polls opened Thursday in a repeat presidential election in Kenya that is mired in uncertainty as opposition leader Raila Odinga has called on his supporters to boycott the vote. "It is my duty to vote. Last time the queue was all around the block and I waited six hours to vote, this time the people are few," said taxi driver David Njeru, 26, as he waited to vote in Nairobi's Mathare slum. In Odinga's western stronghold of Kisumu, several polling stations remained closed in stark contrast to the scenes during the first election on August 8, when people lined up overnight to vote. Ballot boxes and electronic kits to identify voters and transmit results had not arrived in polling stations, with some officials facing attacks from opposition supporters while trying to deliver voting material. "So far, we have not deployed any material, and we have not deployed election officials. The reason is security, election officials do not want to go against the will of this community," said returning officer John Ngutai. "We hope to be able to deploy later in the day. We hope for the best but prepare for the worst. The worst would be no elected officials." Odinga has refused to take part in the vote, arguing that the election commission has failed to make reforms after the Supreme Court last month overturned the result from August citing "irregularities" and mismanagement. His withdrawal assures victory for President Uhuru Kenyatta, while likely opening the way for further legal battles after the election.

Polls open in Kenya election, opposition boycotts

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will observe &quot;anti-black money day&quot; on November 8 to counter the Oppostion&#39;s&nbsp;&quot;Black Day&quot;.

&quot;November 8 will complete one year of demonetisation. The party has decided to celebrate the day as anti-black money day,&quot; Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, while addressing the media on Wednesday.

Jaitley further said that people who deposited money disproportionate to their income &quot;are now being forced to pay taxes.&quot;

&quot;Not the confiscation of money, but squeezing the quantum of cash was the objective of demonetisation,&quot; he added.

The finance minister also said that post the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a new transition phase had been heralded in&nbsp;which would make cash generation difficult.

He added that the Congress had adequate opportunity while being in power, but he &quot;can`t recollect a single step that they took against black money.&quot;

The Opposition parties had earlier decided to observe November 8 - the first anniversary of demonetisation - as &quot;Black Day&quot;.&nbsp;

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told the media here, &quot;Possibly, this is the first time that a decision announced by the Prime Minister had to be changed 135 times. It just shows how ill-conceived it was.&quot;

Azad was speaking in the presence of Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav and Trinamool Congress leader Derek O&#39;Brien, besides others.

He claimed that 18 parties would be protesting in their own respective ways in all states.

O`Brien described demonetisation as a &quot;big scam&quot; and added that TMC leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was the first leader to point this out.

On Monday, the opposition formed a coordination committee and met for the first time in Parliament.

The meeting was attended by Azad, O&#39;Brien, Yadav, CPI MP D. Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and BSP MP Satish Mishra.On November 8, 2016, the Centre announced to demonetise 500- and 1000-rupee banknotes.The government also introduced new Rs.200, Rs. 500 and Rs. 2000 notes.The government had then said that the action would curtail the shadow economy and crack down on the use of illicit and counterfeit cash to fund illegal activity and terrorism.&nbsp;

November 8 is the first anniversary of demonetisation

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will observe "anti-black money day" on November 8 to counter the Oppostion's "Black Day". "November 8 will complete one year of demonetisation. The party has decided to celebrate the day as anti-black money day," Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, while addressing the media on Wednesday. Jaitley further said that people who deposited money disproportionate to their income "are now being forced to pay taxes." "Not the confiscation of money, but squeezing the quantum of cash was the objective of demonetisation," he added. The finance minister also said that post the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a new transition phase had been heralded in which would make cash generation difficult. He added that the Congress had adequate opportunity while being in power, but he "can`t recollect a single step that they took against black money." The Opposition parties had earlier decided to observe November 8 - the first anniversary of demonetisation - as "Black Day". Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told the media here, "Possibly, this is the first time that a decision announced by the Prime Minister had to be changed 135 times. It just shows how ill-conceived it was." Azad was speaking in the presence of Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav and Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien, besides others. He claimed that 18 parties would be protesting in their own respective ways in all states. O`Brien described demonetisation as a "big scam" and added that TMC leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was the first leader to point this out. On Monday, the opposition formed a coordination committee and met for the first time in Parliament. The meeting was attended by Azad, O'Brien, Yadav, CPI MP D. Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and BSP MP Satish Mishra.On November 8, 2016, the Centre announced to demonetise 500- and 1000-rupee banknotes.The government also introduced new Rs.200, Rs. 500 and Rs. 2000 notes.The government had then said that the action would curtail the shadow economy and crack down on the use of illicit and counterfeit cash to fund illegal activity and terrorism.

Nov 8: Opposition to observe 'Black Day', BJP 'anti-black money day'

Sweden&#39;s anti-immigration Sweden Democrat&nbsp;party&nbsp;on Wednesday tabled a parliamentary&nbsp;vote&nbsp;of no confidence in Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, demanding his resignation in the aftermath of a scandal over leaks of sensitive material.

Lofven is almost certain to ride out the&nbsp;vote, which will take place on Sept. 15 at the earliest, as the main, centre-right&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;bloc has said it will not give its support.

But it will damage his standing just a year before the general election and ratchet up pressure on him to get rid of Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist, who has also been targeted by the Sweden Democrats over the IT scandal.

&quot;The Prime Minister has talked about a breakdown, but he has not talked about the breakdown within his own government,&quot; Parliament member Paula Bieler said.

If the Sweden Democrats&#39; attempt to unseat Lofven fails, they will&nbsp;call&nbsp;for a no-confidence motion in Hultqvist. The centre-right Alliance bloc has also said it will table a motion of no-confidence in Hultqvist.

If Hultqvist is forced to resign, he would be the third minister to fall victim to the IT scandal.

No-confidence motions are rare in&nbsp;Swedish&nbsp;politics. Since 1980, only seven have taken place and none one has succeeded.

Lofven is almost certain to ride out the?vote, which will take place on Sept. 15 at the earliest, as the main, centre-right?opposition?bloc has said it will not give its support.

Sweden's anti-immigration Sweden Democrat party on Wednesday tabled a parliamentary vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, demanding his resignation in the aftermath of a scandal over leaks of sensitive material. Lofven is almost certain to ride out the vote, which will take place on Sept. 15 at the earliest, as the main, centre-right opposition bloc has said it will not give its support. But it will damage his standing just a year before the general election and ratchet up pressure on him to get rid of Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist, who has also been targeted by the Sweden Democrats over the IT scandal. "The Prime Minister has talked about a breakdown, but he has not talked about the breakdown within his own government," Parliament member Paula Bieler said. If the Sweden Democrats' attempt to unseat Lofven fails, they will call for a no-confidence motion in Hultqvist. The centre-right Alliance bloc has also said it will table a motion of no-confidence in Hultqvist. If Hultqvist is forced to resign, he would be the third minister to fall victim to the IT scandal. No-confidence motions are rare in Swedish politics. Since 1980, only seven have taken place and none one has succeeded.

Swedish PM Stefan Lofven to face no-confidence vote

Kenya&#39;s Supreme Court has declared invalid the re-election of incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta. This unprecedented move is also a sign of hope for veteran Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who has over the years accused the electoral body of irregularities.

&ldquo;The declaration of Kenyatta&rsquo;s win&nbsp;is invalid, null and void,&rdquo; said Judge David Maraga, announcing the verdict of four out of the six judges.

The Supreme Court ruled on last Friday that the election board had committed irregularities that rendered the August 8 poll invalid, thereby,&nbsp;overturning&nbsp;President Uhuru Kenyatta&#39;s win. Incidentally,&nbsp;Kenyatta won&nbsp;by a margin of 1.4 million votes.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Kenyatta emerged as a winner of the August 8 polls with over 60 per cent of votes as against Odinga&#39;s 40 per cent.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Kenyatta emerged as a winner of the August 8 polls with over 60 per cent of votes as against Odinga's 40 per cent." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

Kenyatta emerged as a winner of the August 8 polls with over 60 per cent of votes as against Odinga&#39;s 40 per cent.

Main Opposition leader Raila Odinga headed to the Court with a petition, citing irregularities by the electoral body and hacking of results which he considered to have&nbsp;favoured&nbsp;Kenyatta&#39;s campaign. Kenya&#39;s election body acknowledged hacking attempts but said those attempts were unsuccessful.

Kenyatta&#39;s victory had the backing of election observers, they all welcomed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission&#39;s report of free and fair elections.

The Election Commission&#39;s stand on a fair election, however, did not go down very well with Odinga&#39;s followers who took to violence, resulting in dozens of death. To put an end to the violence,&nbsp;Odinga approached&nbsp;the Supreme Court.

This is not the first time, however, that Odinga has approached the Court hoping that the judges will be impartial. He did the same in 2013&nbsp;when he lost the election to the same rival Uhuru Kenyatta.&nbsp;There was light at the end of the tunnel for Odinga when the Supreme Court granted his coalition, NASA, limited access to the electoral body&rsquo;s data.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Losing candidates in different countries of Africa have always placed their faith in the Court&#39;s impartiality.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Losing candidates in different countries of Africa have always placed their faith in the Court's impartiality." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

Kenya Supreme Court&#39;s ruling has brought&nbsp;hope to other Opposition candidates across Africa. Losing candidates in different countries of Africa have always placed their faith in the Court&#39;s impartiality. The latest post-election Constitutional Court battle is in Gabon, where the main Opposition, led by former African Union (AU) chief, Jean Ping is seeking to overturn results of the last presidential election. Approaching the Courts proved to be effective to curb instability, it is a move that Odinga took and many others in Africa.

But what does it mean for the winner?

Observers are watching as events unfold in Kenya after the Supreme Court ruling. The elections body was ordered to conduct fresh polls in sixty days.&nbsp;

With all eyes on Kenyatta&#39;s response to the unprecedented ruling,&nbsp;Kenyatta said that he has accepted a Court ruling annulling his re-election on August 8. He, however, expressed his disagreement with the judges&rsquo; position. The 55-year-old, now a serving president and not president-elect, had some uncharitable words for the Supreme Court describing them as &lsquo;thugs&#39;, local media reported.

For the poll re- run to take place peacefully, there has to be a consensus between President Kenyatta and the Opposition leader on the electoral board to run&nbsp;the election. For now, both leaders have voiced their differences, with Odinga calling for a new electoral board while Kenyatta insisting&nbsp;the poll should re-run with the current electoral board.

Kenya has a history of post-election violence, it remains to be seen how&nbsp;these&nbsp;two leaders will handle the re-run and ensure stability in this sixty days.

Kenya's Supreme Court has declared invalid the re-election of incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta. This gives hope to Opposition leaders in Africa.

Kenya's Supreme Court has declared invalid the re-election of incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta. This unprecedented move is also a sign of hope for veteran Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who has over the years accused the electoral body of irregularities. “The declaration of Kenyatta’s win is invalid, null and void,” said Judge David Maraga, announcing the verdict of four out of the six judges. The Supreme Court ruled on last Friday that the election board had committed irregularities that rendered the August 8 poll invalid, thereby, overturning President Uhuru Kenyatta's win. Incidentally, Kenyatta won by a margin of 1.4 million votes. Kenyatta emerged as a winner of the August 8 polls with over 60 per cent of votes as against Odinga's 40 per cent. × Kenyatta emerged as a winner of the August 8 polls with over 60 per cent of votes as against Odinga's 40 per cent. Main Opposition leader Raila Odinga headed to the Court with a petition, citing irregularities by the electoral body and hacking of results which he considered to have favoured Kenyatta's campaign. Kenya's election body acknowledged hacking attempts but said those attempts were unsuccessful. Kenyatta's victory had the backing of election observers, they all welcomed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's report of free and fair elections. The Election Commission's stand on a fair election, however, did not go down very well with Odinga's followers who took to violence, resulting in dozens of death. To put an end to the violence, Odinga approached the Supreme Court. This is not the first time, however, that Odinga has approached the Court hoping that the judges will be impartial. He did the same in 2013 when he lost the election to the same rival Uhuru Kenyatta. There was light at the end of the tunnel for Odinga when the Supreme Court granted his coalition, NASA, limited access to the electoral body’s data. Losing candidates in different countries of Africa have always placed their faith in the Court's impartiality. × Kenya Supreme Court's ruling has brought hope to other Opposition candidates across Africa. Losing candidates in different countries of Africa have always placed their faith in the Court's impartiality. The latest post-election Constitutional Court battle is in Gabon, where the main Opposition, led by former African Union (AU) chief, Jean Ping is seeking to overturn results of the last presidential election. Approaching the Courts proved to be effective to curb instability, it is a move that Odinga took and many others in Africa. But what does it mean for the winner? Observers are watching as events unfold in Kenya after the Supreme Court ruling. The elections body was ordered to conduct fresh polls in sixty days. With all eyes on Kenyatta's response to the unprecedented ruling, Kenyatta said that he has accepted a Court ruling annulling his re-election on August 8. He, however, expressed his disagreement with the judges’ position. The 55-year-old, now a serving president and not president-elect, had some uncharitable words for the Supreme Court describing them as ‘thugs', local media reported. For the poll re- run to take place peacefully, there has to be a consensus between President Kenyatta and the Opposition leader on the electoral board to run the election. For now, both leaders have voiced their differences, with Odinga calling for a new electoral board while Kenyatta insisting the poll should re-run with the current electoral board. Kenya has a history of post-election violence, it remains to be seen how these two leaders will handle the re-run and ensure stability in this sixty days.

Kenya's Supreme Court's verdict on election malpractices will have wider repercussions in Africa

A call by opposition leader Raila Odinga for Kenyans to stay at home and not report to work was ignored, as thousands streamed to the capital on Monday (August 14), days after electoral commission announced the election results which confirmed a win for incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta.

On Sunday (August 13) Odinga called for a strike to support his claim to the presidency and accused the ruling party of &quot;spilling the blood of innocent people&quot; as he brushed off growing pressure to concede election defeat.

However many Kenyans didn&#39;t agree with the National Super Alliance (NASA) leader&#39;s call for boycott and said they wanted life to move on.

The election commission on Friday (August 11) declared Kenyatta the winner of the presidential poll by 1.4 million votes. International observers said Tuesday&#39;s (August 8) vote was largely fair and a parallel tally by domestic monitors supported the outcome.

Odinga called for a strike to support his claim to the presidency and accused the ruling party of 'spilling the blood of innocent people'

A call by opposition leader Raila Odinga for Kenyans to stay at home and not report to work was ignored, as thousands streamed to the capital on Monday (August 14), days after electoral commission announced the election results which confirmed a win for incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta. On Sunday (August 13) Odinga called for a strike to support his claim to the presidency and accused the ruling party of "spilling the blood of innocent people" as he brushed off growing pressure to concede election defeat. However many Kenyans didn't agree with the National Super Alliance (NASA) leader's call for boycott and said they wanted life to move on. The election commission on Friday (August 11) declared Kenyatta the winner of the presidential poll by 1.4 million votes. International observers said Tuesday's (August 8) vote was largely fair and a parallel tally by domestic monitors supported the outcome.

Strike call by opposition leader ignored as Kenyans report to work

The Opposition will most likely move two privilege motions against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in the Rajya Sabha today.

The motions will be moved against her over two issues - misinformation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s Lahore visit in 2015 and the Bandung Conference.

Congress leader Anand Sharma questioned Prime Minister Modi&#39;s foreign policy and asked the Centre its roadmap on dealing with Pakistan.

Flagging its concern over the deteriorating ties between both the nations, Sharma asked why Prime Minister Modi made that &quot;dramatic&quot; visit to Pakistan and why, till date, nobody knows the minutae of the meeting.

&quot;You were going to Afghanistan and got down at Lahore mid-way; till date the Prime Minister hasn&#39;t told the nation what talks took place. On one hand, you get miffed and cancel talks after Pakistan invites separatists on a tea party, and on the other hand, you make a dramatic visit breaching all protocols,&quot; he said.

In December 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had &quot;unexpectedly&quot;&nbsp;landed in Lahore to meet his counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his way back home after a day-long trip today to Afghanistan which took place after he concluded a two-day visit to Russia. The Congress also warned Sushma over keeping two different and distinct views on the China issue and said that when it comes to Beijing, India should speak in one voice, there will be no two opinions on that.

Anand Sharma said, &quot;Let me remind Sushma Swaraj that out of courtesy we did not interrupt. What I had said catering to the Congress Party is concerned; we are very clear that we stand with the government as one. When it comes to China issue; India shall speak in one voice - there will be no two opinions on that. Sushma Swaraj should not have tried to break that opposition consensus and unity. When India is united why is the government keen on creating a division and breaking the consensus.

&quot;This happened after Sushma, in the Rajya Sabha, said that India has taken efforts to ease the stand-off with China. She further stated that war cannot resolve the problems and that the wisdom is to resolve issues diplomatically on the issue of border stand-off with China.The Centre and the Opposition engaged in another verbal duel in the Rajya Sabha over India&#39;s statement at the last Bandung Conference in Indonesia.

A combative External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also asserted that she felt proud when she attended the Bandung Conference and saw large pictures of Nehru at the venue, when Anand Sharma alleged that first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru`s name was omitted from the address delivered by Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh at the 60th anniversary of Bandung Conference.Sushma said the speech which Sharma was referring to was delivered at another Afro-Asian Conference held separately.Nehru was one of the founder members of the Bandung Conference founded in 1955.

(ANI)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The Opposition will most likely move two privilege motions against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in the Rajya Sabha today. The motions will be moved against her over two issues - misinformation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lahore visit in 2015 and the Bandung Conference.

The Opposition will most likely move two privilege motions against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in the Rajya Sabha today. The motions will be moved against her over two issues - misinformation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lahore visit in 2015 and the Bandung Conference. Congress leader Anand Sharma questioned Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy and asked the Centre its roadmap on dealing with Pakistan. Flagging its concern over the deteriorating ties between both the nations, Sharma asked why Prime Minister Modi made that "dramatic" visit to Pakistan and why, till date, nobody knows the minutae of the meeting. "You were going to Afghanistan and got down at Lahore mid-way; till date the Prime Minister hasn't told the nation what talks took place. On one hand, you get miffed and cancel talks after Pakistan invites separatists on a tea party, and on the other hand, you make a dramatic visit breaching all protocols," he said. In December 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "unexpectedly" landed in Lahore to meet his counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his way back home after a day-long trip today to Afghanistan which took place after he concluded a two-day visit to Russia. The Congress also warned Sushma over keeping two different and distinct views on the China issue and said that when it comes to Beijing, India should speak in one voice, there will be no two opinions on that. Anand Sharma said, "Let me remind Sushma Swaraj that out of courtesy we did not interrupt. What I had said catering to the Congress Party is concerned; we are very clear that we stand with the government as one. When it comes to China issue; India shall speak in one voice - there will be no two opinions on that. Sushma Swaraj should not have tried to break that opposition consensus and unity. When India is united why is the government keen on creating a division and breaking the consensus. "This happened after Sushma, in the Rajya Sabha, said that India has taken efforts to ease the stand-off with China. She further stated that war cannot resolve the problems and that the wisdom is to resolve issues diplomatically on the issue of border stand-off with China.The Centre and the Opposition engaged in another verbal duel in the Rajya Sabha over India's statement at the last Bandung Conference in Indonesia. A combative External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also asserted that she felt proud when she attended the Bandung Conference and saw large pictures of Nehru at the venue, when Anand Sharma alleged that first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru`s name was omitted from the address delivered by Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh at the 60th anniversary of Bandung Conference.Sushma said the speech which Sharma was referring to was delivered at another Afro-Asian Conference held separately.Nehru was one of the founder members of the Bandung Conference founded in 1955. (ANI)

Opposition to move two privilege motions against Sushma Swaraj in Rajya Sabha today

A united opposition on Thursday visited the office of India&#39;s Election Commission to discuss the date of the Budget Session and demanded that it be presented once the assembly elections are over.

&quot;Populist measures could be taken in budget, so a just and fair election can&#39;t be held. We demand that budget be presented after March 8, which is when polling for elections will be over,&quot; said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad after meeting the poll panel.

Trinamool Congress, Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other opposition parties met the Commission.

The Budget Session of the Parliament will begin on February 1.

The Election Commission on Tuesday announced seven-phase polling for 403 assembly constituencies in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, two-phase polling in Manipur and one-phase polling each in the states of Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa respectively.

While the Election Commission said it will examine a representation made by parties opposing the February 1 Budget plan, finance minister Arun Jaitley defended the move asking why Opposition parties are afraid of it when they have claimed that demonetization is an unpopular decision.

Parties including Congress, Left, SP and BSP wrote to the Election Commission and the President opposing the advancing of the budget presentation to February 1 before the polls.

&quot;It is a collective and serious concern of the Opposition parties that advancing the presentation of budget to February 1 will provide an opportunity to the government to make populist announcements to influence voters. This will not only give unfair advantage to the ruling party but will also undermine the process of free and fair elections. It is therefore demanded that in view of the forthcoming elections and the precedent of 2012, the advancement of the presentation of the budget should not be allowed,&quot; Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi.

&nbsp;

(This report first appeared in DNA)

The opposition parties met the election commissioner today.The Budget Session of the Parliament is scheduled to begin on February 1

A united opposition on Thursday visited the office of India's Election Commission to discuss the date of the Budget Session and demanded that it be presented once the assembly elections are over. "Populist measures could be taken in budget, so a just and fair election can't be held. We demand that budget be presented after March 8, which is when polling for elections will be over," said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad after meeting the poll panel. Trinamool Congress, Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other opposition parties met the Commission. The Budget Session of the Parliament will begin on February 1. The Election Commission on Tuesday announced seven-phase polling for 403 assembly constituencies in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, two-phase polling in Manipur and one-phase polling each in the states of Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa respectively. While the Election Commission said it will examine a representation made by parties opposing the February 1 Budget plan, finance minister Arun Jaitley defended the move asking why Opposition parties are afraid of it when they have claimed that demonetization is an unpopular decision. Parties including Congress, Left, SP and BSP wrote to the Election Commission and the President opposing the advancing of the budget presentation to February 1 before the polls. "It is a collective and serious concern of the Opposition parties that advancing the presentation of budget to February 1 will provide an opportunity to the government to make populist announcements to influence voters. This will not only give unfair advantage to the ruling party but will also undermine the process of free and fair elections. It is therefore demanded that in view of the forthcoming elections and the precedent of 2012, the advancement of the presentation of the budget should not be allowed," Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi. (This report first appeared in DNA)

India: Opposition demands budget be presented after upcoming five-state elections

India&#39;s parliament remained deadlocked over the demonetisation issue as the government and opposition parties traded blows on the penultimate day of the Winter Session on Thursday.

The ruckus at the parliament pushed veteran lawmaker LK Advani to say that he contemplated retiring. He said it would be a defeat of the parliament if the contending blocs did not debate the federal government&#39;s plan to flush out mid to high-value currency notes.

India&#39;s Congress party, which is spearheading the opposition&#39;s vociferous resistance to the policy, demanded that a Joint Parliamentary Committee be set up to probe into the rationale behind the sudden replacement of banknotes.

Meanwhile, Indian courts will hear various cases pertaining to demonetisation, despite the governement&#39;s petition seeking a stay on all pending cases.

Advani&#39;s anguish over Punch and Judy show

Octogenarian leader Advani was particularly anguished about the continuing gridlock in the parliament as opposition parties and the government indulged in Punch and Judy politics to force the Lower House to be adjourned.

&quot;If it does not happen and Parliament is adjourned sine die without discussion (on demonetisation), it will be considered a washout,&quot; he was heard saying to his party members -- the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

&quot;Mujhe toh lagta hai resign kar jaunga,&rdquo; he said in Hindi, which translates to: I feel like resigning.

Advani served as the deputy prime minister of the country during Atal Bihari Vajypayee&#39;s regime from 2002 to 2004.

Parliamentary din

While the opposition parties belligerently protested the government&#39;s demonetisation policy, the latter retaliated by raking about an infamous&nbsp;bribery scandal that affected a few of the dissenters in the parliament.

The opposition parties resorted to high-decibel sloganeering, demanding a discussion on demonetisation. But the government accused them of hindering a parliamentary discussion.

Meanwhile, in the Upper House of Indian parliament,&nbsp;senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member K Rehman Khan said demonetisation helped the rich and that a probe should be initiated into it.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

The octogenarian said he was mulling retirement due to parliamentary impasse over the cash scrap issue

India's parliament remained deadlocked over the demonetisation issue as the government and opposition parties traded blows on the penultimate day of the Winter Session on Thursday. The ruckus at the parliament pushed veteran lawmaker LK Advani to say that he contemplated retiring. He said it would be a defeat of the parliament if the contending blocs did not debate the federal government's plan to flush out mid to high-value currency notes. India's Congress party, which is spearheading the opposition's vociferous resistance to the policy, demanded that a Joint Parliamentary Committee be set up to probe into the rationale behind the sudden replacement of banknotes. Meanwhile, Indian courts will hear various cases pertaining to demonetisation, despite the governement's petition seeking a stay on all pending cases. Advani's anguish over Punch and Judy show Octogenarian leader Advani was particularly anguished about the continuing gridlock in the parliament as opposition parties and the government indulged in Punch and Judy politics to force the Lower House to be adjourned. "If it does not happen and Parliament is adjourned sine die without discussion (on demonetisation), it will be considered a washout," he was heard saying to his party members -- the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "Mujhe toh lagta hai resign kar jaunga,” he said in Hindi, which translates to: I feel like resigning. Advani served as the deputy prime minister of the country during Atal Bihari Vajypayee's regime from 2002 to 2004. Parliamentary din While the opposition parties belligerently protested the government's demonetisation policy, the latter retaliated by raking about an infamous bribery scandal that affected a few of the dissenters in the parliament. The opposition parties resorted to high-decibel sloganeering, demanding a discussion on demonetisation. But the government accused them of hindering a parliamentary discussion. Meanwhile, in the Upper House of Indian parliament, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member K Rehman Khan said demonetisation helped the rich and that a probe should be initiated into it. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Demonetisation: Veteran leader Advani pushed to brink over Punch & Judy politics

India&rsquo;s Opposition parties observing the &ldquo;Jan Aakrosh Diwas&rdquo; (People&rsquo;s Day of Anger) today held a strategy meet Monday and decided to continue their agitation in Parliament till Prime minister Modi gives them a reply on the demonetisation issue.&nbsp;

The lower house (Lok Sabha) was adjourned for the day in the afternoon after the opposition insisted on a debate on demonetisation under an adjournment motion rule that entails voting.&nbsp;

A meeting of all the Opposition parties, except the Janta Dal (United), was held in Parliament in the chamber of the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House), Ghulam Nabi Azad.

It was decided there that their protests will continue till the demands of the Opposition are met, PTI reported.&nbsp;

But there are also fissures within the Opposition parties.

The Janta Dal (United), which has come out in suppport of demonetisation, skipped the meeting.&nbsp;

There has also been a divide over the means of protesting demonetisation ever since West Bengal&rsquo;s Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee decided to march to the President against it, PTI reported.

While she was joined by the Aam Aadmi Party, the National Conference and other opposition parties stayed away.

The Shiv Sena, which is an ally, has backed demonetisation but said it is unhappy by how it is causing problems for the people.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The Prime Minister has still not addressed the issue in either house

India’s Opposition parties observing the “Jan Aakrosh Diwas” (People’s Day of Anger) today held a strategy meet Monday and decided to continue their agitation in Parliament till Prime minister Modi gives them a reply on the demonetisation issue. The lower house (Lok Sabha) was adjourned for the day in the afternoon after the opposition insisted on a debate on demonetisation under an adjournment motion rule that entails voting. A meeting of all the Opposition parties, except the Janta Dal (United), was held in Parliament in the chamber of the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House), Ghulam Nabi Azad. It was decided there that their protests will continue till the demands of the Opposition are met, PTI reported. But there are also fissures within the Opposition parties. The Janta Dal (United), which has come out in suppport of demonetisation, skipped the meeting. There has also been a divide over the means of protesting demonetisation ever since West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee decided to march to the President against it, PTI reported. While she was joined by the Aam Aadmi Party, the National Conference and other opposition parties stayed away. The Shiv Sena, which is an ally, has backed demonetisation but said it is unhappy by how it is causing problems for the people. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Demonetisation: Opposition to continue protest in Parliament till PM gives reply

Opposition parties in India have planned a countrywide protest - Aakrosh Diwas -&nbsp;on November 28 over the government&#39;s demonetisation move.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee,&nbsp;today staged a sit-in protest in the Indian capital at Jantar Mantar, demanding a rollback of the demonetisation drive.

The TMC has appealed to NGOs, charitable organisations, political parties, student groups, civil society representatives and others to join the protest against this &quot;financial emergency&quot;, news agency ANI reported.

Janata Dal United (JD-U) Rajya Sabha member Sharad Yadav also joined TMC&#39;s protest as almost 200 members of Parliament belonging to the Opposition parties formed a giant human chain outside&nbsp;Parliament demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s presence in the House.

The major parties which participated in the protest were the Congress, Bhartiya Samajwadi Party (BSP), JD (U), TMC, AIADMK, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Left parties, Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) and the Samajwadi Party (SP).

&quot;The nation is standing in line (referring to the queues outside ATMs) and we are doing just that here,&quot; Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said.

Gandhi later told the media that Prime Minister Modi must come to the Parliament and address the members over the government&#39;s decision. He demanded the setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the alleged selective leakage of the decision. He said that finance minister Arun Jaitley and the Chief Economic Advisor were not even consulted by Prime Minister Modi before considering the decision, an ANI report said.

&quot;Not a surgical strike, but carpet bombing on people&quot;, &quot;Stop the persecution of common people&quot; and &quot;Save poor people&quot;, were some of the slogans on the placards held by the leaders, ANI reported.

Senior union ministers including Rajnath Singh and&nbsp;Ananth Kumar&nbsp;were at the time holding a meeting in Venkaiah Naidu&#39;s chamber discussing the government&#39;s strategy in Parliament.

Meanwhile, an uproar by Opposition parties over the issue led to the Lok Sabha being adjourned yet again today.

Union minister Ananth Kumar said that the government was ready for a debate. &quot;The Parliament session is very important. Poor people want demonetisation to be a success, they see Prime Minister as their messiah; Opposition is overlooking the public&#39;s mood. Opposition is not allowing a discussion in the house by creating uproar. On the contrary, they are putting the blame on the government,&quot; said union minister for Information and Broadcasting M&nbsp;Venkaiah Naidu.

&quot;Keeping in view the interest of the poor and the middle-class and the lower middle-class, the Prime Minister has taken this radical, bold, revolutionary step of fighting against corruption and black money. This is a crusade against corruption and black money, the entire country is happy about it,&quot; he added. Naidu, however, admitted that there were some problems, which were being attended to and addressed.

Rahul Gandhi, however, said, &quot;The Speaker is refusing to give us a debate under an adjournment motion. Question is not whether Prime Minister sits there, question is, are we being allowed to speak? There are 200 MPs who are standing outside today, who want a debate to be allowed in the Lok Sabha.&quot;

&quot;We want to have a debate on the adjournment motion because the adjournment motion is a motion which has an element of censure in it, we wanted Prime Minister&#39;s presence,&quot; said former union minister Kamal Nath.

(WION with inputs from ANI)

Protesting against the government's demonetisaton drive, the opposition parties will observe 'Aakrosh Diwas' across the nation

Opposition parties in India have planned a countrywide protest - Aakrosh Diwas - on November 28 over the government's demonetisation move. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee, today staged a sit-in protest in the Indian capital at Jantar Mantar, demanding a rollback of the demonetisation drive. The TMC has appealed to NGOs, charitable organisations, political parties, student groups, civil society representatives and others to join the protest against this "financial emergency", news agency ANI reported. Janata Dal United (JD-U) Rajya Sabha member Sharad Yadav also joined TMC's protest as almost 200 members of Parliament belonging to the Opposition parties formed a giant human chain outside Parliament demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the House. The major parties which participated in the protest were the Congress, Bhartiya Samajwadi Party (BSP), JD (U), TMC, AIADMK, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Left parties, Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) and the Samajwadi Party (SP). "The nation is standing in line (referring to the queues outside ATMs) and we are doing just that here," Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said. Gandhi later told the media that Prime Minister Modi must come to the Parliament and address the members over the government's decision. He demanded the setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the alleged selective leakage of the decision. He said that finance minister Arun Jaitley and the Chief Economic Advisor were not even consulted by Prime Minister Modi before considering the decision, an ANI report said. "Not a surgical strike, but carpet bombing on people", "Stop the persecution of common people" and "Save poor people", were some of the slogans on the placards held by the leaders, ANI reported. Senior union ministers including Rajnath Singh and Ananth Kumar were at the time holding a meeting in Venkaiah Naidu's chamber discussing the government's strategy in Parliament. Meanwhile, an uproar by Opposition parties over the issue led to the Lok Sabha being adjourned yet again today. Union minister Ananth Kumar said that the government was ready for a debate. "The Parliament session is very important. Poor people want demonetisation to be a success, they see Prime Minister as their messiah; Opposition is overlooking the public's mood. Opposition is not allowing a discussion in the house by creating uproar. On the contrary, they are putting the blame on the government," said union minister for Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu. "Keeping in view the interest of the poor and the middle-class and the lower middle-class, the Prime Minister has taken this radical, bold, revolutionary step of fighting against corruption and black money. This is a crusade against corruption and black money, the entire country is happy about it," he added. Naidu, however, admitted that there were some problems, which were being attended to and addressed. Rahul Gandhi, however, said, "The Speaker is refusing to give us a debate under an adjournment motion. Question is not whether Prime Minister sits there, question is, are we being allowed to speak? There are 200 MPs who are standing outside today, who want a debate to be allowed in the Lok Sabha." "We want to have a debate on the adjournment motion because the adjournment motion is a motion which has an element of censure in it, we wanted Prime Minister's presence," said former union minister Kamal Nath. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Demonetisation: Opposition may observe 'Day of Rage', Rahul Gandhi demands parliamentary committee probe

In a reply to the opposition in India, the BJP said that the government was eager to hear Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi&#39;s &quot;scholarly&quot; arguments on demonetisation.

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also spoke about the Congress&#39; poor show in by-poll results, which were announced yesterday. Instead of forming a&nbsp;human chain outside the Parliament they should produce a &quot;chain of speakers&quot; inside and start a debate, he said.

&quot;The government is very keen to hear Rahul Gandhi&#39;s scholarly arguments. Rajya Sabha witnessed a debate on November 17 and Congress leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma besides BSP&#39;s Mayawati spoke. What happened now that they are running away from a debate. They realise that the country is not appreciating their arguments,&quot; DNA reported Prasad as saying.

Meanwhile, there were reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the Rajya Sabha tomorrow.&nbsp;

Prasad said that over Rs 7 lakh crores have been deposited in banks and it may lead to lower interest rates and other benefits to the masses.

Opposition parties today came together to protest against demonetisation outside Parliament, with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi describing it as the world&#39;s &quot;biggest impromptu financial experiment&quot; and said they are firm on their demand for a JPC probe into the &quot;scam&quot;.

&quot;Our demand is that PM represents the country and he should come to Parliament and sit through the entire debate and hear us out and the other opposition leaders,&quot; Gandhi said.

&quot;We feel there is a scam behind this decision. We feel he informed his own people before and the opposition is firm that it wants a JPC,&quot; he said.

He added that the decision has hit the fishermen in Bengal and Kerala and other places.

(WION with inputs from DNA)

&nbsp;

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today lashed out at the opposition saying it should debate in Parliament instead of protesting outside

In a reply to the opposition in India, the BJP said that the government was eager to hear Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's "scholarly" arguments on demonetisation. Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also spoke about the Congress' poor show in by-poll results, which were announced yesterday. Instead of forming a human chain outside the Parliament they should produce a "chain of speakers" inside and start a debate, he said. "The government is very keen to hear Rahul Gandhi's scholarly arguments. Rajya Sabha witnessed a debate on November 17 and Congress leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma besides BSP's Mayawati spoke. What happened now that they are running away from a debate. They realise that the country is not appreciating their arguments," DNA reported Prasad as saying. Meanwhile, there were reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the Rajya Sabha tomorrow. Prasad said that over Rs 7 lakh crores have been deposited in banks and it may lead to lower interest rates and other benefits to the masses. Opposition parties today came together to protest against demonetisation outside Parliament, with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi describing it as the world's "biggest impromptu financial experiment" and said they are firm on their demand for a JPC probe into the "scam". "Our demand is that PM represents the country and he should come to Parliament and sit through the entire debate and hear us out and the other opposition leaders," Gandhi said. "We feel there is a scam behind this decision. We feel he informed his own people before and the opposition is firm that it wants a JPC," he said. He added that the decision has hit the fishermen in Bengal and Kerala and other places. (WION with inputs from DNA)

Demonetisation: Government ready to hear 'scholarly arguments' of opposition

India&#39;s law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday accused the opposition parties of creating unwarranted ruckus in the Parliament and alleged that those opposing the demonetisation drive did not have anything concrete against the 
move.

People avoiding the debate on demonetisation, are running away from truth, he said. &quot;We expect the opposition to participate in the debate. But I would like to ask that we did have a debate on the 16th, it went on for the whole day. But it was stalled. Why?&quot; Prasad questioned.

&quot;I would like to assert that they don&#39;t have any statement to make, they don&#39;t have answers and that is why they are running away from a debate,&quot; he added.

The Lok Sabha earlier today witnessed chaos as a united opposition stuck to its demand to discuss the demonetisation issue under rules entailing voting.

The speaker adjourned the house till noon and then for the day. Similar scenes were witnessed in the Upper House too with the opposition demanding the Prime Minister&#39;s presence in the house and payment of compensation to those who died of trauma while queuing up before banks and ATMs following demonetisation of high value currency notes, ANI reported.

The house was adjourned for the day too.

Earlier today, Indian Prime Minister Modi asserted that the demonetisation of high value currency is just a beginning of his government&#39;s deep and continuous struggle against black money. The decision is in the interest of poor and middle class, he said.

Congress on Tuesday alleged that the government&#39;s demonetisation drive has unleashed financial anarchy and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tender an apology to the nation.

&quot;What is happening in India is a continual illegality because the money which is there in the bank accounts of the people is their own money and nobody neither the Prime Minister nor the Finance Minister or the Reserve Bank of India have any legal power or authority to deny Indian citizens access to their own bank accounts,&quot; Congress leader Anand Sharma said.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Both houses of the Parliament today witnessed ruckus over the demonetisation debate, leading to both houses being adjourned for the day

India's law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday accused the opposition parties of creating unwarranted ruckus in the Parliament and alleged that those opposing the demonetisation drive did not have anything concrete against the move. People avoiding the debate on demonetisation, are running away from truth, he said. "We expect the opposition to participate in the debate. But I would like to ask that we did have a debate on the 16th, it went on for the whole day. But it was stalled. Why?" Prasad questioned. "I would like to assert that they don't have any statement to make, they don't have answers and that is why they are running away from a debate," he added. The Lok Sabha earlier today witnessed chaos as a united opposition stuck to its demand to discuss the demonetisation issue under rules entailing voting. The speaker adjourned the house till noon and then for the day. Similar scenes were witnessed in the Upper House too with the opposition demanding the Prime Minister's presence in the house and payment of compensation to those who died of trauma while queuing up before banks and ATMs following demonetisation of high value currency notes, ANI reported. The house was adjourned for the day too. Earlier today, Indian Prime Minister Modi asserted that the demonetisation of high value currency is just a beginning of his government's deep and continuous struggle against black money. The decision is in the interest of poor and middle class, he said. Congress on Tuesday alleged that the government's demonetisation drive has unleashed financial anarchy and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tender an apology to the nation. "What is happening in India is a continual illegality because the money which is there in the bank accounts of the people is their own money and nobody neither the Prime Minister nor the Finance Minister or the Reserve Bank of India have any legal power or authority to deny Indian citizens access to their own bank accounts," Congress leader Anand Sharma said. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Demonetisation: Those opposing move don't have concrete answers, says India's union minister

Opposition today disrupted the proceedings of the Lok Sabha for the fourth consecutive day today demanding discussion on demonetisation on a rule which entails voting forcing Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to adjourn the House for about 50 minutes soon after it assembled.

As soon as the House met, members of the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, Left parties and the Aam Aadmi Party rushed to the Well of the House demanding a discussion on the demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes.

Samjawadi Party, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Rashriya Janata Dal (RJD) stood in the aisles in solidarity with the other opposition members.

While AIADMK members were also on the aisles raising the issue of Tamil fishermen injured allegedly in firing by Sri Lankan Navy, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was seen busy in his seat in an intimate discussion with AAP MP from Punjab Harinder Singh Khalsa.

Ignoring the slogan-shouting Opposition members, Speaker allowed the Question Hour to continue amidst noise.

When some Opposition members tried to bring a placard, denouncing the demonetisation move, in front of Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who was replying to a question related to his Ministry, the Speaker tried to intervene and asked the MPs not to disturb the Minister.

&quot;This is not good. Everyone will be shown on TV, but don&#39;t disturb the Minister. If you want to discuss something, raise it before the government. People are in pain, tell the government. But this is not the way to highlight people&#39;s grievances,&quot; Mahajan said asking them to return to their seats.

However, an unrelenting opposition continued to raise slogans.

The Speaker again appealed to the opposition to participate in the debate saying that the disruption of proceedings would not resolve the problem.

&quot;I am really pained. If you are people&#39;s representatives, you should stand by them,&quot; she said.

As pandemonium continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon after 20 minutes of proceedings.

(PTI)

An unrelenting Opposition continued to demand a debate on the demonetisation of 500- & 1,000-rupee notes

Opposition today disrupted the proceedings of the Lok Sabha for the fourth consecutive day today demanding discussion on demonetisation on a rule which entails voting forcing Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to adjourn the House for about 50 minutes soon after it assembled. As soon as the House met, members of the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, Left parties and the Aam Aadmi Party rushed to the Well of the House demanding a discussion on the demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes. Samjawadi Party, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Rashriya Janata Dal (RJD) stood in the aisles in solidarity with the other opposition members. While AIADMK members were also on the aisles raising the issue of Tamil fishermen injured allegedly in firing by Sri Lankan Navy, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was seen busy in his seat in an intimate discussion with AAP MP from Punjab Harinder Singh Khalsa. Ignoring the slogan-shouting Opposition members, Speaker allowed the Question Hour to continue amidst noise. When some Opposition members tried to bring a placard, denouncing the demonetisation move, in front of Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who was replying to a question related to his Ministry, the Speaker tried to intervene and asked the MPs not to disturb the Minister. "This is not good. Everyone will be shown on TV, but don't disturb the Minister. If you want to discuss something, raise it before the government. People are in pain, tell the government. But this is not the way to highlight people's grievances," Mahajan said asking them to return to their seats. However, an unrelenting opposition continued to raise slogans. The Speaker again appealed to the opposition to participate in the debate saying that the disruption of proceedings would not resolve the problem. "I am really pained. If you are people's representatives, you should stand by them," she said. As pandemonium continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon after 20 minutes of proceedings. (PTI)

India: Lok Sabha adjourned for fourth consecutive day

Opposition backers of former Sri&nbsp;Lanka president Mahinda Rajapaksa today demanded a probe against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe over the central bank&#39;s controversial bond issues.

Chief of Central Bank of Sri Lanka Arjuna Mahendran, appointed by Wickremesinghe, was found at fault by parliament last week.

The report said that Mahendran was responsible for the profits made by the bank&#39;s primary dealer Perpetual Treasuries in two bond issues in February 2015 and March 2016.

The firm with links to Mahendran&#39;s son-in-law had benefited from his position, allegations stated.

The opposition legislators called for investigations against both the prime minister and Mahendran.

The former central bank chief&#39;s contract was not renewed by President Maithripala Sirisena owing to the controversy surrounding the bond issues.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

Arjuna Mahendran, the chief of Central Bank of Sri Lanka appointed by Wickremesinghe, was found at fault by parliament last week

Opposition backers of former Sri Lanka president Mahinda Rajapaksa today demanded a probe against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe over the central bank's controversial bond issues. Chief of Central Bank of Sri Lanka Arjuna Mahendran, appointed by Wickremesinghe, was found at fault by parliament last week. The report said that Mahendran was responsible for the profits made by the bank's primary dealer Perpetual Treasuries in two bond issues in February 2015 and March 2016. The firm with links to Mahendran's son-in-law had benefited from his position, allegations stated. The opposition legislators called for investigations against both the prime minister and Mahendran. The former central bank chief's contract was not renewed by President Maithripala Sirisena owing to the controversy surrounding the bond issues. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Sri Lanka opposition demands anti-graft probe against PM

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has fired five ministers, according to an official decree, in a move that removed figures known for close ties to ex-rebel leader Riek Machar. 
 
Under a peace agreement signed in August 2015, Kiir headed the government while Machar was given the position of first vice president. Thirty ministerial posts were distributed between their two parties and others. 
 
But a presidential decree issued on Tuesday showed that cabinet posts including the interior and petroleum portfolios in the oil-rich state had been filled with allies of the new vice president, Taban Deng Gai. 
 
Deng, who leads a faction of Machar&#39;s SPLM/A (IO) party, was named vice president by Kiir after being fired as a minister by his own party leader.&nbsp;Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang, the son of the figurehead of South Sudan&#39;s independence movement, and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok, an influential ex-rebel. 
 
Their sacking strains the delicate balance of ethnicities in the government, analysts said.&nbsp;Garang is an opposition figure but a Dinka like the president, while Adwok is a Shilluk, a group which has now lost an important voice in government. 
 
Kiir did however retain powerful rebel figure Alfred Lado Gore in his government, moving him from the interior ministry to housing.&nbsp;Machar ally Gore hails from the Equatoria region, where the capital, Juba, is located and which is seen as a hotbed for opposition recruitment. 
 
The move also comes just days after Lam Akol, a minister representing another opposition grouping, resigned with the intention of organising the government`s opponents into a more consolidated force, he said, while declaring the peace deal dead. 
 
South Sudan&#39;s political tensions date back to December 2013, just over two years after the state achieved independence from Sudan. 
 
Kiir accused Machar of planning a coup, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that degenerated into a ruinous civil war. &nbsp;The two agreed a peace deal and power-sharing arrangement in August 2015, but problems have lurked beneath the surface. 
 
Renewed fighting in July led the UN Security Council to consider a visit this month to Sudan and South Sudan to push for a return to peace efforts. Machar has not returned to Juba since the clashes. 
 
(AFP)

Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has fired five ministers, according to an official decree, in a move that removed figures known for close ties to ex-rebel leader Riek Machar. Under a peace agreement signed in August 2015, Kiir headed the government while Machar was given the position of first vice president. Thirty ministerial posts were distributed between their two parties and others. But a presidential decree issued on Tuesday showed that cabinet posts including the interior and petroleum portfolios in the oil-rich state had been filled with allies of the new vice president, Taban Deng Gai. Deng, who leads a faction of Machar's SPLM/A (IO) party, was named vice president by Kiir after being fired as a minister by his own party leader. Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang, the son of the figurehead of South Sudan's independence movement, and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok, an influential ex-rebel. Their sacking strains the delicate balance of ethnicities in the government, analysts said. Garang is an opposition figure but a Dinka like the president, while Adwok is a Shilluk, a group which has now lost an important voice in government. Kiir did however retain powerful rebel figure Alfred Lado Gore in his government, moving him from the interior ministry to housing. Machar ally Gore hails from the Equatoria region, where the capital, Juba, is located and which is seen as a hotbed for opposition recruitment. The move also comes just days after Lam Akol, a minister representing another opposition grouping, resigned with the intention of organising the government`s opponents into a more consolidated force, he said, while declaring the peace deal dead. South Sudan's political tensions date back to December 2013, just over two years after the state achieved independence from Sudan. Kiir accused Machar of planning a coup, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that degenerated into a ruinous civil war. The two agreed a peace deal and power-sharing arrangement in August 2015, but problems have lurked beneath the surface. Renewed fighting in July led the UN Security Council to consider a visit this month to Sudan and South Sudan to push for a return to peace efforts. Machar has not returned to Juba since the clashes. (AFP)

South Sudan leader fires 5 ministers close to ex-rebel leader

A South Sudanese minister and opposition figure resigned on Monday, saying a peace deal designed to heal the troubled young nation was dead, while calling for President Salva Kiir&#39;s unity government to leave power. 
 
Lam Akol was agriculture minister in Kiir&#39;s administration and is the leader of the opposition Sudan People&#39;s Liberation Movement-Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) party. 
 
He has also spoken out against rebel leader Riek Machar, whose forces have clashed in recent weeks with government troops loyal to Kiir, and was the president&#39;s only real opponent in a 2010 election when the country was still a semi-autonomous territory. 
 
&quot;There is no more peace agreement to implement in Juba,&quot; Akol said at a press conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.&nbsp;&quot;All of us agree that the regime in Juba must change,&quot; he added. 
 
After gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan descended into civil war in December 2013.&nbsp;Under the terms of an August 2015 peace deal, the 30 ministerial posts are split between Kiir, Machar as first vice president, as well as opposition and other parties. 
 
But Machar has fled the capital, and Kiir has appointed a replacement from within the ex-vice-president&#39;s SPLM/A (IO) party, laying bare fractures within the administration and opposition. 
 
Akol said he was working with other opposition figures so that anti-government resistance could be &quot;consolidated&quot;. 
 
&quot;Since the agreement is dead and there is no free political space in Juba, the only sensible way to oppose this regime so as to restore &nbsp; &nbsp; genuine peace... is to organise outside Juba,&quot; he said. 
 
(AFP) 
 
&nbsp;

Lam Akol was agriculture minister in Kiir's administration, and also the leader of the opposition

A South Sudanese minister and opposition figure resigned on Monday, saying a peace deal designed to heal the troubled young nation was dead, while calling for President Salva Kiir's unity government to leave power. Lam Akol was agriculture minister in Kiir's administration and is the leader of the opposition Sudan People's Liberation Movement-Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) party. He has also spoken out against rebel leader Riek Machar, whose forces have clashed in recent weeks with government troops loyal to Kiir, and was the president's only real opponent in a 2010 election when the country was still a semi-autonomous territory. "There is no more peace agreement to implement in Juba," Akol said at a press conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. "All of us agree that the regime in Juba must change," he added. After gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan descended into civil war in December 2013. Under the terms of an August 2015 peace deal, the 30 ministerial posts are split between Kiir, Machar as first vice president, as well as opposition and other parties. But Machar has fled the capital, and Kiir has appointed a replacement from within the ex-vice-president's SPLM/A (IO) party, laying bare fractures within the administration and opposition. Akol said he was working with other opposition figures so that anti-government resistance could be "consolidated". "Since the agreement is dead and there is no free political space in Juba, the only sensible way to oppose this regime so as to restore genuine peace... is to organise outside Juba," he said. (AFP)

South Sudan minister resigns, calls for change in regime

A rift appeared in one of South Sudans two main rival groups today, raising the prospect of further turmoil after months of fighting, as members of one faction threatened to replace their leader. 
 
A group inside the Sudan People&#39;s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO)&nbsp;issued a statement saying its head Riek Machar should return to the capital Juba and carry on his work in the government, or be removed from office. Machar, South Sudan&#39; s vice-president, and his SPLM-IO group, have been caught up with more than two years of on-and-off, ethnically charged fighting with supporters of the country&#39;s President Salva Kiir. 
 
Machar left the capital last week after a fresh outbreak of clashes, saying he would only return when an international body set up a buffer force to separate his forces from Kiirs. 
 
Kiir called on him on Thursday to return to salvage a peace deal, and a faction of Machars own group, led by mining minister Taban Deng Gai, today said they agreed. 
 
&ldquo;The decision by the government to give... Machar an ultimatum is entirely in line with its powers,&quot; said&nbsp;William Ezekiel, spokesman for SPLM-IO faction allied to Gai, told Reuters by phone. &quot;On our side, we want him to show up, otherwise we will replace him.&quot; Machars spokesman, James Gatdet, rebuffed the threats, saaying Gais faction had no official status in the momement. 
 
South Sudan&#39;s politics has long been plagued by splits and rivalries as leaders switch allegiances, in the contest for power and influence in the oil-producing nation, which only emerged from Sudan five years ago. 
 
&ldquo;Machar has communicated to all his military commanders to cut off any communication with General Taban Deng Gai and his few individuals who support the President Kiirs conspiracy,&quot; he said. The two years of fighting started after Kiir sacked Machar as Vice President in 2013 and has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced over two million, many of whom fled to neighbouring countries. 
 
The most recent fighting in Juba has forces 26,000 people to flee to neighbouring Uganda, the UN refugee agency UNHCR&#39;s spokesman Andreas Needham told a news conference in Geneva. 
 
(AFP)

Opposition group says Reik Machar should either carry on with his work in the government from Juba, or be removed from office

A rift appeared in one of South Sudans two main rival groups today, raising the prospect of further turmoil after months of fighting, as members of one faction threatened to replace their leader. A group inside the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) issued a statement saying its head Riek Machar should return to the capital Juba and carry on his work in the government, or be removed from office. Machar, South Sudan' s vice-president, and his SPLM-IO group, have been caught up with more than two years of on-and-off, ethnically charged fighting with supporters of the country's President Salva Kiir. Machar left the capital last week after a fresh outbreak of clashes, saying he would only return when an international body set up a buffer force to separate his forces from Kiirs. Kiir called on him on Thursday to return to salvage a peace deal, and a faction of Machars own group, led by mining minister Taban Deng Gai, today said they agreed. “The decision by the government to give... Machar an ultimatum is entirely in line with its powers," said William Ezekiel, spokesman for SPLM-IO faction allied to Gai, told Reuters by phone. "On our side, we want him to show up, otherwise we will replace him." Machars spokesman, James Gatdet, rebuffed the threats, saaying Gais faction had no official status in the momement. South Sudan's politics has long been plagued by splits and rivalries as leaders switch allegiances, in the contest for power and influence in the oil-producing nation, which only emerged from Sudan five years ago. “Machar has communicated to all his military commanders to cut off any communication with General Taban Deng Gai and his few individuals who support the President Kiirs conspiracy," he said. The two years of fighting started after Kiir sacked Machar as Vice President in 2013 and has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced over two million, many of whom fled to neighbouring countries. The most recent fighting in Juba has forces 26,000 people to flee to neighbouring Uganda, the UN refugee agency UNHCR's spokesman Andreas Needham told a news conference in Geneva. (AFP)

Split appears in South Sudan opposition, threatening more turmoil

Brazil&#39;s suspended president Dilma Rousseff could still wriggle out of a looming impeachment vote, her ally and predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said today. 
 
Lula, Brazil&#39;s most prominent leftist leader, told Radio Jornal that Rousseff&#39;s case is not hopeless, despite months of mounting pressure on her to be removed from office. 
 
Previous votes in the lower and upper houses easily passed the simple majorities needed to send her to trial for allegedly breaking budgetary laws - a case she claims is a coup d&#39;etat. 
 
However, when the Senate votes again in a final session on August 25-27, it must reach a two-thirds majority and the result is expected to be far closer. 
 
&quot;To defeat the impeachment is easier than before,&quot; said Lula, who was president from 2003-2010 and founded the Workers&#39; Party, which has been in power for 13 years. 
 
Lula said Rousseff, 68, needs to secure support from a handful of extra senators to swing the vote. &quot;Dilma depends on only six votes,&quot; he told the radio station from northeastern Pernambuco state. 
 
The Senate must vote by 54 votes out of 81 for the impeachment to pass. In that case, Rousseff foe Michel Temer, who is currently serving as interim president, would stay as president until the next scheduled elections in 2018. 
 
If the vote fails, Rousseff would return to office. However, she is seen as badly weakened, with rock bottom popularity in a country that blames her for a deep recession, massive corruption and months of political instability. 
 
Temer and Rousseff are both invited to the opening ceremony of the Olympics, which start in Rio on August 5. 
 
(AFP)

The Senate must pass 54 votes out of 81 for Dilma Rousseff's impeachment to pass. If the vote fails, she could return to office

Brazil's suspended president Dilma Rousseff could still wriggle out of a looming impeachment vote, her ally and predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said today. Lula, Brazil's most prominent leftist leader, told Radio Jornal that Rousseff's case is not hopeless, despite months of mounting pressure on her to be removed from office. Previous votes in the lower and upper houses easily passed the simple majorities needed to send her to trial for allegedly breaking budgetary laws - a case she claims is a coup d'etat. However, when the Senate votes again in a final session on August 25-27, it must reach a two-thirds majority and the result is expected to be far closer. "To defeat the impeachment is easier than before," said Lula, who was president from 2003-2010 and founded the Workers' Party, which has been in power for 13 years. Lula said Rousseff, 68, needs to secure support from a handful of extra senators to swing the vote. "Dilma depends on only six votes," he told the radio station from northeastern Pernambuco state. The Senate must vote by 54 votes out of 81 for the impeachment to pass. In that case, Rousseff foe Michel Temer, who is currently serving as interim president, would stay as president until the next scheduled elections in 2018. If the vote fails, Rousseff would return to office. However, she is seen as badly weakened, with rock bottom popularity in a country that blames her for a deep recession, massive corruption and months of political instability. Temer and Rousseff are both invited to the opening ceremony of the Olympics, which start in Rio on August 5. (AFP)

Brazil's suspended president tries to slip impeachment

Toronto&#39;s Archbishop joined several other prominent clergymen who say they will bless same-sex marriages in defiance of a narrow vote by the Anglican Church of Canada not to authorise gay unions. 
 
More than 200 delegates attending the six-day General Synod 2016 narrowly rejected the resolution Monday night after hearing from more than 60 speakers, most of them in favour of gay marriage. 
 
Archbishop Colin Johnson yesterday said that he wanted his gay and lesbian colleagues &quot;to share the joy&quot;. 
 
Johnson said blessing same-sex marriages at the discretion of the bishop and with agreement of local clergy was a logical step in the evolution of the church that he said he would be considering in the coming weeks. 
 
&quot;I am advised that this option would not contravene the marriage canon,&quot; Johnson said. &quot;I am confident it would be supported by the majority, even if not all of our bishops, clergy, laity and the wider community.&quot; 
 
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Canada since 2005, and Monday&#39;s vote puts the Anglican Church, the third largest in Canada, out of step with most Canadians, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who recently took part in a gay pride parade in Toronto.&nbsp;In order for the resolution to have passed, it required two-thirds support from each of three orders--the lay, clergy and bishops. 
 
Meghan Kilty, the director of communications for the Anglican Church of Canada, said yesterday that 155 delegates voted in favour of the resolution and 68 against it, with three members abstaining from the vote. The result was one vote short of what was needed to pass the measure. 
 
Bishop John Chapman in Ottawa, Ontario, said in a statement that he planned to proceed immediately with such unions in his diocese, although no one would be forced to officiate at such a ceremony. 
 
&quot;It is time my friends,&quot; Chapman said. &quot;It is past time.&quot; 
 
&quot;Take heart,&quot; said Rev. Melissa Skelton, bishop of New Westminster, British Columbia. &quot;This is not over.&quot; 
 
The General Synod is held every three years, and the vote was the culmination of work that began when the last General Synod, the church&#39;s legislative body, asked a panel to come up with a draft motion. 
 
About 1.6 million Canadians identify themselves as Anglican, according to Statistics Canada. 
 
The US Episcopal Church, the Anglican body in the United States, is alone among Anglican bodies in approving gay marriage and has faced a backlash for its support of same-sex unions. 
 
(PTI)

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Canada since 2005, and the Anglican Church's opposition to it is out of step with most Canadians

Toronto's Archbishop joined several other prominent clergymen who say they will bless same-sex marriages in defiance of a narrow vote by the Anglican Church of Canada not to authorise gay unions. More than 200 delegates attending the six-day General Synod 2016 narrowly rejected the resolution Monday night after hearing from more than 60 speakers, most of them in favour of gay marriage. Archbishop Colin Johnson yesterday said that he wanted his gay and lesbian colleagues "to share the joy". Johnson said blessing same-sex marriages at the discretion of the bishop and with agreement of local clergy was a logical step in the evolution of the church that he said he would be considering in the coming weeks. "I am advised that this option would not contravene the marriage canon," Johnson said. "I am confident it would be supported by the majority, even if not all of our bishops, clergy, laity and the wider community." Same-sex marriage has been legal in Canada since 2005, and Monday's vote puts the Anglican Church, the third largest in Canada, out of step with most Canadians, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who recently took part in a gay pride parade in Toronto. In order for the resolution to have passed, it required two-thirds support from each of three orders--the lay, clergy and bishops. Meghan Kilty, the director of communications for the Anglican Church of Canada, said yesterday that 155 delegates voted in favour of the resolution and 68 against it, with three members abstaining from the vote. The result was one vote short of what was needed to pass the measure. Bishop John Chapman in Ottawa, Ontario, said in a statement that he planned to proceed immediately with such unions in his diocese, although no one would be forced to officiate at such a ceremony. "It is time my friends," Chapman said. "It is past time." "Take heart," said Rev. Melissa Skelton, bishop of New Westminster, British Columbia. "This is not over." The General Synod is held every three years, and the vote was the culmination of work that began when the last General Synod, the church's legislative body, asked a panel to come up with a draft motion. About 1.6 million Canadians identify themselves as Anglican, according to Statistics Canada. The US Episcopal Church, the Anglican body in the United States, is alone among Anglican bodies in approving gay marriage and has faced a backlash for its support of same-sex unions. (PTI)

Toronto Archbishop blesses same-sex marriage, despite Church's vote

Early counting in Australia&#39;s national election showed a sizeable swing to the opposition Labor Party, bolstering fears a close vote will deny current Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull the outright majority he needs to enact major economic reforms. 
 
The leader of Australia&#39;s conservative Liberal Party-led coalition dissolved both houses of parliament in May in a bid to oust intransigent independents in the upper house Senate who had blocked his agenda, including company tax cuts. 
 
But Turnbull&#39;s gamble is at risk of backfiring as the coalition faces a strong challenge not only from the main opposition Labor Party but from independents who could win enough seats to hold the balance of power in the Senate or force a minority government in the lower house. 
 
With polling closed across the country, the Australian Electoral Commission reported a three per cent swing to the Labor Party on a two party count with the coalition with around 20 per cent of the vote counted. It projected 63 seats to the coalition and 62 to Labor. 
 
Labor requires a uniform swing of about four per cent to win government, but a significant smaller shift will likely leave the coalition with a minority government. 
 
At the Labor Party&#39;s federal election headquarters at the Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, the mood was initially subdued but cheers began to ring out as Labor pulled ahead in key seats - the parties had 16 seats each in Victoria state in early voting. 
 
Kim Jago, a party volunteer during the election campaign, said concerns about the coalition cutting funding to education and a perceived soft touch on banking reforms had swayed her support. 
 
&quot;People are getting cranky,&quot; she told Reuters as she watched the count at the racecourse. Opposition leader Bill Shorten has spearheaded an opposition campaign focusing on coalition cuts to health and education policies. 
 
With 150 seats in the House of Representatives, the coalition requires 76 seats to maintain outright power, otherwise it will need to form alliances with small parties and independents to get a majority. 
 
Turnbull has invoked Brexit fears in his campaigning, arguing that minor parties, possibly in a coalition with centre-left Labor, could not be trusted to manage an economy hampered by the first mining downturn in a century and balance public finances after years of deficits. 
 
At the coalition&#39;s headquarters in Sydney, the mood was nervous and quiet with Finance Minister Mathias Cormann arriving but heading straight to a back room. A Reuters reporter was prevented from taking a photo of a champagne-filled fridge. 
 
In contrast, supporters at the Adelaide headquarters of the independent centrist Nick Xenophon Team, which is expected to emerge as a powerful force in the Senate, gave a huge cheer to candidate Rebekah Sharkie. Sharkie is on track to win the lower house seat of Mayo in South Australia, representing another potential lost seat for the Turnbull government. 
 
Xenophon has vowed to block the Coalition&#39;s cornerstone A$50 billion ($37 billion) corporate tax cuts if his party holds the balance of power in the senate. 
 
Far-right parties, including Pauline Hanson&#39;s One Nation, have campaigned on anti-immigration, anti-Muslim agendas. Hanson is also strong contender to win a position in the Senate. 
 
(Reuters)

The Australian Electoral Commission reported a 3% swing to the Labor Party with around 20% votes counted

Early counting in Australia's national election showed a sizeable swing to the opposition Labor Party, bolstering fears a close vote will deny current Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull the outright majority he needs to enact major economic reforms. The leader of Australia's conservative Liberal Party-led coalition dissolved both houses of parliament in May in a bid to oust intransigent independents in the upper house Senate who had blocked his agenda, including company tax cuts. But Turnbull's gamble is at risk of backfiring as the coalition faces a strong challenge not only from the main opposition Labor Party but from independents who could win enough seats to hold the balance of power in the Senate or force a minority government in the lower house. With polling closed across the country, the Australian Electoral Commission reported a three per cent swing to the Labor Party on a two party count with the coalition with around 20 per cent of the vote counted. It projected 63 seats to the coalition and 62 to Labor. Labor requires a uniform swing of about four per cent to win government, but a significant smaller shift will likely leave the coalition with a minority government. At the Labor Party's federal election headquarters at the Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, the mood was initially subdued but cheers began to ring out as Labor pulled ahead in key seats - the parties had 16 seats each in Victoria state in early voting. Kim Jago, a party volunteer during the election campaign, said concerns about the coalition cutting funding to education and a perceived soft touch on banking reforms had swayed her support. "People are getting cranky," she told Reuters as she watched the count at the racecourse. Opposition leader Bill Shorten has spearheaded an opposition campaign focusing on coalition cuts to health and education policies. With 150 seats in the House of Representatives, the coalition requires 76 seats to maintain outright power, otherwise it will need to form alliances with small parties and independents to get a majority. Turnbull has invoked Brexit fears in his campaigning, arguing that minor parties, possibly in a coalition with centre-left Labor, could not be trusted to manage an economy hampered by the first mining downturn in a century and balance public finances after years of deficits. At the coalition's headquarters in Sydney, the mood was nervous and quiet with Finance Minister Mathias Cormann arriving but heading straight to a back room. A Reuters reporter was prevented from taking a photo of a champagne-filled fridge. In contrast, supporters at the Adelaide headquarters of the independent centrist Nick Xenophon Team, which is expected to emerge as a powerful force in the Senate, gave a huge cheer to candidate Rebekah Sharkie. Sharkie is on track to win the lower house seat of Mayo in South Australia, representing another potential lost seat for the Turnbull government. Xenophon has vowed to block the Coalition's cornerstone A$50 billion ($37 billion) corporate tax cuts if his party holds the balance of power in the senate. Far-right parties, including Pauline Hanson's One Nation, have campaigned on anti-immigration, anti-Muslim agendas. Hanson is also strong contender to win a position in the Senate. (Reuters)

Early counting in Australian poll shows sizeable swing to opposition Labor

China&nbsp;led opposition to India&#39;s membership of NSG at a three-hour post-dinner meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group here on Thursday night which ended in a deadlock.&nbsp;

Preceding the two-day plenary of the 48-member NSG, which began today, China had repeatedly said that India&#39;s membership was not on the agenda and is said to have made every effort to prevent any discussion on India&#39;s bid.&nbsp;&nbsp;

However, Japan is believed to have raised India&#39;s case in the morning session after which it was agreed that the matter would be taken up at the special post-dinner meeting.&nbsp;

Indian official sources said that China was joined by Austria, Ireland and Brazil among other countries which questioned as to how a country like India which had not signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty(NPT) can be admitted to the grouping.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Essentially their opposition was couched in principles and processes.&nbsp;

Brazil&#39;s objections are said to have surprised the Indian diplomats who pointed out that it is a member of the five-nation BRICS grouping. Besides India and Russia, the grouping includes&nbsp;China and South Africa.&nbsp;

Indian foreign secretary S&nbsp;Jaishankar, who is camping in Seoul, had earlier met the Brazilian delegation.&nbsp;

Officials said that discussions were inconclusive and that it would only be clear before the end of the plenary on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(PTI)&nbsp;

It was joined by others like Austria, Ireland and Brazil. However, Japan supported India in the morning session

China led opposition to India's membership of NSG at a three-hour post-dinner meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group here on Thursday night which ended in a deadlock. Preceding the two-day plenary of the 48-member NSG, which began today, China had repeatedly said that India's membership was not on the agenda and is said to have made every effort to prevent any discussion on India's bid. However, Japan is believed to have raised India's case in the morning session after which it was agreed that the matter would be taken up at the special post-dinner meeting. Indian official sources said that China was joined by Austria, Ireland and Brazil among other countries which questioned as to how a country like India which had not signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty(NPT) can be admitted to the grouping. Essentially their opposition was couched in principles and processes. Brazil's objections are said to have surprised the Indian diplomats who pointed out that it is a member of the five-nation BRICS grouping. Besides India and Russia, the grouping includes China and South Africa. Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar, who is camping in Seoul, had earlier met the Brazilian delegation. Officials said that discussions were inconclusive and that it would only be clear before the end of the plenary on Friday. (PTI)

China leads opposition to India's NSG bid at post-dinner meet

<div paraeid="{1d5cfa07-f5ca-48f0-b618-b546694e76c3}{135}" paraid="1126324420">China&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;continued to make ambivalent statements on India&#39;s bid for NSG membership amid clear indications that it was unrelenting in its opposition. 
&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f2672013-37e9-4b95-9075-801549769a5c}{53}" paraid="1565737457" >Clubbing India and Pakistan once again, the Chinese&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;ministry said members of the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group&nbsp;(NSG)&nbsp;had three round of unofficial discussions on the membership of the two countries.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;</div>

<div lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f2672013-37e9-4b95-9075-801549769a5c}{110}" paraid="296017869" >Beijing maintained that the entry of the two countries was not on the agenda of the two-day NSG plenary in the South Korean capital Seoul starting&nbsp;Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;</div>

<div lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f2672013-37e9-4b95-9075-801549769a5c}{165}" paraid="1159525383" >Pakistan&nbsp;on Tuesday&nbsp;claimed that it had successfully blocked India&#39;s bid for NSG membership.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;</div>

<div lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f2672013-37e9-4b95-9075-801549769a5c}{205}" paraid="129087424" >Chinese&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;ministry spokesperson Hua&nbsp;Chunying&nbsp;also underlined the differences within NSG members, saying &quot;parties are yet to see eye-to-eye on this issue&quot;. On it&#39;s part Beijing will play a constructive role in the discussions, she said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{1d5cfa07-f5ca-48f0-b618-b546694e76c3}{157}" paraid="1509916973">Meanwhile,&nbsp;the Indian government has&nbsp;dispatched&nbsp;its foreign secretary S&nbsp;Jaishankar&nbsp;to Seoul, South Korea, where the NSG&nbsp;is meeting.&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{1d5cfa07-f5ca-48f0-b618-b546694e76c3}{163}" paraid="2035353146">The preliminary meeting began on&nbsp;June&nbsp;20. The five-day event will conclude with a plenary, which is likely to decide on India&#39;s membership, on 24 June.&nbsp;Argentina is the current chair of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{1d5cfa07-f5ca-48f0-b618-b546694e76c3}{170}" paraid="276324824">New Delhi is hoping that the talks between Indian&nbsp;Prime&nbsp;Minister Narendra&nbsp; Modi and Chinese&nbsp;President Xi Jinping,&nbsp;on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation&nbsp;Organisation&nbsp;summit at Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on&nbsp;June&nbsp;23,&nbsp;will enable it to secure China&#39;s support for India&#39;s membership of the NSG.&nbsp;</div>

<div paraeid="{1d5cfa07-f5ca-48f0-b618-b546694e76c3}{172}" paraid="1756108920"> 
(WION&nbsp;and Agencies)&nbsp;</div>

It had earlier said that the group was yet to decide on the inclusion of new members

China on Wednesday continued to make ambivalent statements on India's bid for NSG membership amid clear indications that it was unrelenting in its opposition. Clubbing India and Pakistan once again, the Chinese foreign ministry said members of the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) had three round of unofficial discussions on the membership of the two countries. Beijing maintained that the entry of the two countries was not on the agenda of the two-day NSG plenary in the South Korean capital Seoul starting Thursday. Pakistan on Tuesday claimed that it had successfully blocked India's bid for NSG membership. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying also underlined the differences within NSG members, saying "parties are yet to see eye-to-eye on this issue". On it's part Beijing will play a constructive role in the discussions, she said. Meanwhile, the Indian government has dispatched its foreign secretary S Jaishankar to Seoul, South Korea, where the NSG is meeting. The preliminary meeting began on June 20. The five-day event will conclude with a plenary, which is likely to decide on India's membership, on 24 June. Argentina is the current chair of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group. New Delhi is hoping that the talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit at Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on June 23, will enable it to secure China's support for India's membership of the NSG. (WION and Agencies)

China unrelenting on opposition to India's NSG bid?

A Bahrainian appeals court today sentenced the country`s top opposition leader Shaikh Ali Salman to nine years in prison. 
 
The verdict for Salman, secretary general of the main opposition group, Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, was announced at a hearing attended by rights activists, diplomats and other officials, amid tight security, Xinhua news agency reported. 
 
&quot;Salman has been sentenced for a nine-year jail term, which the society feels is unacceptable,&quot; Al Wefaq said in a statement following the court verdict. 
 
He was last sentenced in 2015 to four years in prison for spreading sectarianism and inciting others to break the law, among other charges.

Opposition leader Shaikh Ali Salman sentenced nine years in prison

A Bahrainian appeals court today sentenced the country`s top opposition leader Shaikh Ali Salman to nine years in prison. The verdict for Salman, secretary general of the main opposition group, Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, was announced at a hearing attended by rights activists, diplomats and other officials, amid tight security, Xinhua news agency reported. "Salman has been sentenced for a nine-year jail term, which the society feels is unacceptable," Al Wefaq said in a statement following the court verdict. He was last sentenced in 2015 to four years in prison for spreading sectarianism and inciting others to break the law, among other charges.

Bahrain''s opposition leader sentenced to 9 years in prison

opposition

Opposition, News on Opposition, stories on Opposition, articles on Opposition, Opposition stories at Wion, Opposition news, Opposition latest news