President

South Korean court sees strife as it is to decide fate of impeached Prez

South Korea's acting leader vowed Tuesday to convey to the world that things are back to normal following parliament's impeachment of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, but rival parties began squabbling over the mechanics of a court ruling to determine whether to formally unseat or reinstate him. The country's liberal opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach Yoon last Saturday over his short-lived December 3 martial law imposition, suspending his presidential powers until the Constitutional Court determines whether to uphold or overturn the decision. If Yoon is dismissed, a national election must be held to pick his successor within two months. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who became acting leader, has taken steps to reassure the US and other countries and stabilise markets. Presiding over a Cabinet Council meeting on Tuesday, Han said he will continuously do my utmost to inform the international society that Republic of Korea is fast regaining stability and maintain ...

South Korean investigators ask for impeached prez as matter lands in court

South Korean law enforcement authorities will request that impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appear for questioning this week over his short-lived martial law decree as they expand a probe into whether his ill-conceived power grab amounted to rebellion. A joint investigative team involving police, an anti-corruption agency and the Defense Ministry plans to convey a request to Yoon's office that he appears for questioning on Wednesday, the police said Monday. Yoon was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Saturday over his Dec. 3 martial law decree. His presidential powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him. If Yoon is dismissed, an election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days. Yoon has justified his martial law enforcement as a necessary act of governance against an opposition he described as anti-state forces bogging down his agendas and vowed to fight to the end

South Korean leaders seek calm after President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached

South Korea's opposition leader offered Sunday to work with the government to ease the political tumult as officials sought to reassure allies and markets, a day after the opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over a short-lived attempt to impose martial law. Liberal Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, whose party holds a majority in the National Assembly, urged the Constitutional Court to rule swiftly on Yoon's impeachment and proposed a special council for cooperation between the government and parliament. Yoon's powers have been suspended until the court decides whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. If Yoon is dismissed, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days. Lee, who has led a fierce political offensive against Yoon's embattled government, is seen as the frontrunner to replace him. He told a televised news conference that a swift court ruling would be the only way to minimize ...

Yoon still controls military, says South Korea as leadership crisis deepens

While Yoon survived an impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday, his party's decision to delegate presidential authority to the prime minister has plunged the nation into a constitutional crisis

Explained: South Korea in turmoil as President Yoon faces backlash over martial law attempt

Prez to address joint sitting of Parliament to mark 75 yrs of Constitution

President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament in the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan on Tuesday, kick-starting year-long celebrations to mark 75 years of the adoption of India's Constitution. The government on Monday announced that a new website -- https: //constitution75.com -- has been created to enable citizens to engage with the legacy of the Constitution through interactive activities and resources. Mass readings of its Preamble will take place in schools, cities and villages around the country, it also said. The Constituent Assembly met for the first time in New Delhi on December 9, 1946 in the Central Hall of the old Parliament House building. Decorated elegantly for the occasion, the chamber wore a new look on that day with "a constellation of bright lamps hanging from the high ceilings" and also from the brackets on its walls, according to the Lok Sabha website. "Overwhelmed and jubilant as they were, the hon'ble members sat in

India can achieve goals by embracing modern advancements: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday expressed confidence that India can achieve its developmental goals by embracing modern advancements while preserving and promoting its rich cultural heritage. Speaking at 'Koti Deepotsavam,' a mass deepam lighting event held during the Hindu month of Kartik, the President emphasised India's progress towards "holistic and inclusive development." "To achieve this vision, we must move forward together and contribute to building a 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India)," Murmu said. She encouraged citizens to light "the lamp of the resolution", symbolising a commitment to continuous progress, adherence to truth and dharma, and a focus on the welfare of the underprivileged. The President expressed her happiness at attending the event, which she described as a "celebration of Telugu art, culture, and heritage". Murmu highlighted the significance of lighting lamps as a message of moving from darkness to light and ignorance to knowledge. She noted that the

All-round development of STs will be real tribute to Birsa Munda: Prez

On the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda celebrated as "Janjatiya Gaurav Divas", President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said that working relentlessly for the all-round development of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities is the real tribute the nation can pay to the tribal icon and other freedom fighters from the tribal areas. Murmu also penned an article to mark the occasion, as she paid rich tributes to the "unsung heroes" of history. Offering floral tributes at the statue of Birsa Munda in the Parliament complex, the president said, "I believe that working relentlessly for the all-round development of ST communities is the real tribute the nation can pay to Bhagwan Birsa Munda and other freedom fighters from the tribal areas. "It is a matter of immense satisfaction for me that the Rashtrapati Bhavan too has taken new initiatives to reach out to the ST communities." In the article titled "Bhagwan Birsa Munda at 150: Celebrating the Spirit of Janjatiya Gaurav", which was shared b

South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol denies wrongdoing in growing scandal

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol denied wrongdoing Thursday in a burgeoning influence-peddling scandal involving him and his wife that's severely hurting his approval ratings and providing political munition to his rivals. The political firestorm coincides with South Korea facing a slew of critical foreign policy issues, such as Donald Trump's election win to become the next president of the United States and North Korea's reported entry into the Russia-Ukraine war. The scandal centers around allegations that Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee exerted inappropriate influence on the ruling People Power Party to pick a certain candidate to run for a parliamentary by-election in 2022 at the request of Myung Tae-kyun, an election broker and founder of a polling agency who conducted free opinion surveys for Yoon before he became president. For weeks, the scandal has been making headlines in South Korea as Myung's leaked phone conversations show he boasted of his influence over the ...

Dropping redundant colonial practices should be judiciary's goal: Prez

President Droupadi Murmu Tuesday said equal justice and getting rid of redundant colonial practices should be the guiding principles for the country's judiciary. Addressing an event here, Murmu said she shares the views of those who admire the contribution of the "court as the conscience-keeper of Independent India", adding the apex court has developed a jurisprudence that is rooted in Indian ethos and realities. She said the members of the Constituent Assembly would have thought about the events of the decades behind them just as "we are looking back at the last 75 years of our judicial history". "The experience of suffering imperial arrogance, like those caused by the bitter opposition to the Ilbert Bill and the passage of the Rowlatt Act, would have hurt their sensibility," the President said. They conceived the judiciary of Independent India as an arm of the social revolution which would uphold the ideal of equality, she said. "Equal justice and getting rid of the now-redundan

Cabinet panel to review privileges given to ex-presidents in Sri Lanka

A Sri Lankan Cabinet sub-committee will soon review the privileges accorded to former presidents of the country and future actions on the matter will be taken based on its recommendations, the Presidential Secretariat has said. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's office on Friday also refuted reports that the security of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has been reduced. The statement by the Presidential Secretariat came after concerns raised by ex-presidents that the new Sri Lankan government under President Dissanayake would slash their privileges. In the run-up to the September 21 election, Dissanayake had vowed to stop all privileges of ex-presidents claiming they were a burden on the taxpayer. In recent days the government has faced criticism over the reported move to slash the personal security provided to former president Rajapaksa. "The Presidential Secretariat has noted recent media reports claiming that the security of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been reduc

AI will open up opportunities for youth in many sectors: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a priority area for the entire world and asserted the emerging technology will open up vast opportunities for youths in various sectors. She said interdisciplinary approach will encourage innovation in the engineering sector. Speaking at the 14th convocation of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur, Murmu highlighted how AI, a transformative tool that enable computers to perform a variety of advanced functions, will open up opportunities for youths in various sectors. "Development of technology depends on science. It will be helpful for all of you to have information about ultra-modern technology to make outstanding contributions in the field of engineering," she told students at the convocation. In 2024, two physics and four chemistry scientists, who were linked with Artificial Intelligence, received the Nobel prize, the President pointed out. "An interdisciplinary approach will ...

Vietnam appoints Army General Cuong as new President after long turmoil

Vietnam elected Luong Cuong, a military general, as its new president on Monday, the fourth official to fill the role in 18 months. Cuong, 67, was elected by the National Assembly to replace To Lam, who remained president even after he was formally appointed as the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party in August. The role of the general secretary is the most powerful position in Vietnam while the presidency is largely ceremonial. Cuong, who has served in the Vietnamese army for over four decades, has been a Politburo member since 2021. His appointment took place after months of uncharacteristic tumult in Vietnam's politics and the death of former party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who had dominated the country's leadership since 2011. Trong was an ideologue who viewed corruption as the single gravest threat in maintaining the party's legitimacy and launched a sweeping anti-graft campaign known as the blazing furnace. It singled both business and political elites,

President Murmu arrives in Mauritania on 2nd leg of her three-nation visit

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday arrived here on the second leg of her three-nation visit to Africa, during which she will hold talks with her Mauritanian counterpart Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. It is the first visit to Mauritania by an Indian leader at the highest level since the African nation won independence in 1960. "President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Mauritania on the second leg of her three-nation visit. This is the first visit by an Indian President to Mauritania," her office said in a post on X. On her arrival at Nouakchott-Oumtounsy Airport, President Murmu was warmly received by President Ghazouani. She was accorded a ceremonial welcome, her office added. During the visit, Murmu will hold delegation-level talks with President Ghazouani and the two sides will sign four MoUs in the areas of culture, foreign office institutions, Foreign Office Consultations, and Visa Waiver Agreements for Diplomatic and Official passport holders. She will have a courtesy call from the Pr

President Droupadi Murmu embarks on historic three nation visit to Africa

President Murmu will land in Algeria on October 13, where she will be meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune within a month of his second tenure as the President

Durga Puja an occasion to fully devote to the Goddess: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday greeted all citizens on Durga Puja, saying the festival is an occasion to fully devote to Goddess Durga and promote unity and understanding among all religions. In a message, Murmu said Durga Puja is celebrated as the victory of good over evil and Goddess Durga is considered the symbol of 'Shakti'. "On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad," she said. "It is a festival of devotion and during this period we take our spiritual journey to a higher level of consciousness. This festival is an occasion to fully devote ourselves to Goddess Durga and promote unity and understanding among all religions. Let us pray that Maa Durga give us strength, courage and determination to create a just, sensitive and equitable society," she said. The president said that on this auspicious occasion of propitiating 'Mahashakti', "let us resolve to treat women with utmost respect and .

70th National Awards: Manoj Bajpayee wins his fourth award for Gulmohar

The 70th National Award Ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi today, October 8, 2024. President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to all the winners

Outcomes of Muizzu's visit will take ties to new heights: Foreign secy

India on Monday said the ongoing visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu aims at building on the "strong and extensive foundation" of bilateral ties, and its outcomes will enable the India-Maldives relationship to "scale new heights". Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri at a briefing here shared the contours of the visit and also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted President Muizzu's invitation to visit the Maldives next year and added that its schedule will be worked out through diplomatic channels. Misri told reporters that the Maldivian president is accompanied by a large number of cabinet ministers and a business delegation. The Maldivian president accompanied by First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed and a Maldivian delegation arrived in India on Sunday. On Monday, he held extensive bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi. Though the Maldivian president attended PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony in June, it is his first bilateral visit to India and seeks to reset ties. Aske

Significance of peace has grown amid atmosphere of unrest: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the significance of peace and unity has increased amid unrest in certain parts of the world. Addressing the inaugural session of a four-day global summit at the international headquarters of Brahma Kumaris in Mount Abu, the President said, "Today, an atmosphere of unrest is prevailing in several parts of the world. At a time when human values are declining, the importance of peace and unity is increasing even more." She added, "Peace is also located deep inside the mind. So everyone must keep their mind, words and deeds clean." Calling on joining forces to overcome the challenge of global warming and pollution, Murmu said, "People should understand that they are not the owners of this earth, but are responsible for its protection. We are trustees, not owners. We have to protect this planet with our own discretion." Somewhere there is excessive rain while somewhere there is a drought, she said, highlighting the impact of the climate change. "

Economic growth, social development possible only where law upheld: Prez

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said that economic growth and social development are possible only where the rule of law is upheld. Without maintaining law and order, ensuring justice and protecting citizens' rights, progress becomes a meaningless term, she said addressing a group of Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers, who had called on her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "One category of crime I would like to highlight here is crimes against women. While it is a complex phenomenon with its roots deep in a sick mindset as well as sickening social prejudices, it is, first of all, a crime. Therefore, fighting it requires action at many levels, but the first response comes from the police force," Murmu said. She said that police officers working on these cases are expected to have exceptional sensitivity, empathy for the victim besides utmost commitment to the task of ensuring justice. The president said police officers working on cases of crime against women are "expected to have