Page 2 - President

Sri Lanka's new President Dissanayake pledges to clean public life

Sri Lanka's new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday vowed to preserve democracy and do everything to clean public life. The remarks by Dissanayake, 56, came as he was sworn in as Sri Lanka's ninth president on Monday by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat. In his inaugural address to the nation, Dissanayake thanked his predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe for respecting the people's mandate and facilitating a peaceful transfer of power. I assure you that I will do my best to preserve democracy and work towards restoring the honour of politicians as people have misgivings about their conduct," Dissanayake said in an address after taking the oath. Dissanayake stressed Sri Lanka cannot remain in isolation and needed international cooperation. He said he is not a magician, but his objective is to be part of a collective responsibility to elevate the economic crisis-stricken country. I'm not a magician. I'm an ordinary citizen born in this country. I

Prez Murmu calls for efforts to make India 'swachh, swasthya aur viksit'

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said cleanliness only will make India healthy and developed and appealed to the people to come forward and take a step in this direction. Addressing the Safai Mitra Sammelan in Ujjain, Murmu also praised Madhya Pradesh's Indore city for remaining on top in the cleanliness survey for the seventh time in a row and Bhopal for being the cleanest state capital in the country. "It gives me immense happiness to honour safai mitras (sanitation workers). Cleanliness only will make the country healthy and developed. By honouring safai mitras we are hounouring ourselves," she said. Murmu appealed to the people to take a step forward for making the country "swachh, swasthya aur viksit" (clean, healthy and developed). The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has become a nationwide movement in the last 10 years and resulted in comprehensive changes in the country, she said. The campaign raised awareness towards cleanliness among the people and their behaviour toward

Drones, paragliders banned during President Murmu's 2-day visit to Indore

The police have banned the flying of drones, paragliders and hot air balloons in certain areas in Madhya Pradesh's Indore during President Droupadi Murmu's two-day visit starting September 18, an official said on Monday. Drones, paragliders, hot air balloons and other items are banned in the 3-km radius of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, MG Road, Residency Kothi and Bhanwarkuan intersection in the city, the official said. The ban will be in force from September 17 to September 19, and any violation will invite legal action, he said, adding that commercial flights are exempt. President Murmu will reach Indore on September 18 and hold discussions with traditional weavers at the state government's "Mrignayani Emporium", an official from the administration said. She will visit the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain and attend the diamond jubilee convocation of Indore's Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya on September 19, he said. Established by the state government in 1964, the university is ...

Nokia denies report on moves to replace president, CEO Pekka Lundmark

"The Board fully supports President and CEO Pekka Lundmark and is not undergoing a process to replace him," Nokia said in a statement

President Abdelmadjid elected to serve second term leading gas-rich Algeria

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been named the winner of Algeria's presidential election, granting him another term leading the gas-rich North African nation five years after pro-democracy protests led to the ouster of his predecessor. In a result that surprised few observers internationally or in Algeria, the country's independent election authority on Sunday announced that Tebboune had won 94 per cent of the vote, far outpacing his challengers Islamist Abdelali Hassani Cherif, who won 3 per cent and socialist Youcef Aouchiche, who won 2.1 per cent. Election officials reported less than six million of the country's 24 million voters had turned out to vote on Saturday, perpetuating the low voter turnout rates that marred Tebboune's first term and raised questions about his popular support. Algeria is Africa's largest country by area and, with almost 45 million people, it's the continent's second most populous after South Africa to hold presidential elections in 2024 a year in ..

'Enough is enough': President Murmu on Kolkata doctor's rape-murder

President Droupadi Murmu condemned the persistent threat posed by criminals, noting that even as protests erupted in Kolkata, criminals remained on the prowl elsewhere

Watch: PM Modi meets Ukraine President Zelenskyy in Kyiv

Former Tech Mahindra India President Mitra launches a new venture

Humanize is a GenAI-first SaaS venture that also integrates low code/no code solutions

21 geoscientists honoured with National Geoscience Awards by President

The awardees were honoured in three categories: National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement, National Geoscience Award, and National Young Geoscientist Award

Will continue to work with Malaysia for prosperous Indo-Pacific: Prez Murmu

India will continue to work with Malaysia and extend all cooperation in the pursuit of shared objectives of a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, President Droupadi Murmu said on Tuesday. Welcoming Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Murmu said the common cherished values of democracy, multiculturalism, pluralism and mutual respect have been the guiding force for India-Malaysia relations. This is Ibrahim's first India visit as the prime minister of his country. Murmu noted that both sides have decided to further intensify India-Malaysia relations by upgrading the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and are working towards an action-oriented roadmap for its implementation across various sectors of cooperation. The President said that India sees Malaysia as a strong partner in the Global South. Malaysia is also a key partner for India in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and an important country in the Act East

Indonesia's Prez highlights economic, infra development in final address

Indonesia's outgoing President Joko Widodo highlighted advances in the economy and infrastructure during his final State of the Nation address Friday. Widodo said that in the 10 years he's led the country, his administration controlled inflation, reduced rates of unemployment and extreme poverty, and built new infrastructure in parts of Indonesia that were difficult to reach and with limited resources. Furthermore, our resilience as a nation has been proven by our endurance in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, in facing climate change, and in facing the escalating global geopolitics, Widodo said. The Southeast Asian nation plays a crucial role in the economic and political dynamics of a region where global powers have been increasingly at odds over Taiwan, human rights issues, U.S. military presence, and Beijing's assertive actions in contested areas like the South China Sea. As a tropical archipelago on the equator, Indonesia has the world's third-largest rainforest, home to diverse

President Murmu to open Amrit Udyan in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Aug 14

A stone abacus, sound pipe and music wall are among the key attractions in the famed Amrit Udyan inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which will open for public viewing from Friday. Visitors to Amrit Udyan will also be given "seed papers" -- a unique and eco-friendly memento -- infused with seeds of Tulsi plant, a senior official said on Tuesday. President Murmu will inaugurate Amrit Udyan on Wednesday and the garden will remain open for public viewing from Friday till September 15th, from 10 am to 6 pm. The last entry will be at 5.15 pm. "As a symbol of new life and growth, seed papers encourage visitors to cultivate their own green spaces at home. By sowing these papers, individuals can actively participate in nurturing the planet and witness the wonder of nature transform a simple piece of paper into a thriving plant," said Navika Gupta, Deputy Press Secretary to the President. She said there are "stone abacus", "sound pipe" and "music wall" in the garden, which will be special ...

Colombian Prez Petro was target of possible attack in July: Defence min

Colombian President Gustavo Petro was the target of a possible attack in July, when he took part in a public event in downtown Bogot, Defense Minister Ivn Velsquez said Thursday, without providing evidence or elaborating further. There was information about that an attack, Velsquez said, but declined to provide additional details when pressed by reporters. Petro participated in the traditional military parade on July 20 to commemorate the 214th anniversary of Colombia's independence from Spain, after arriving several hours late to the event. Petro said at the time that his tardiness was due to information that had to be corroborated with the United States embassy, and a lack of coordination among my security detail. On Wednesday, Gustavo Bolvar, one of Petro's closest allies in his cabinet, insisted to the press that the president arrived late on July 20 because there were security concerns and a warning from the U.S. embassy. Petro, a former rebel and the first leftist president

President Droupadi Murmu arrives in Fiji, set to address Parliament

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Fiji on Monday on the first leg of her three-nation visit during which she will hold meetings with President Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka as India seeks to give further impetus to the historic bilateral ties. She will be in Fiji from August 5-7 at the invitation of its President Katonivere. This is the first visit by an Indian head of state to the archipelago nation. President Murmu was received by Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister, Viliame Gavoka, the Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, PS Karthikeyan, and other Fijian officials at the airport. "President of India, Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu arriving into Nadi for her two-day State Visit of Fiji. Her Excellency was received and welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Viliame Gavoka, Turaga na Tui Nadi Ratu Vuniyani Navuniuci and Fiji's High Commissioner to India, Mr Jagnnath Sami," said a post on the Fijian government's official Facebook page. During her visit, she

President Murmu to embark on 6-day visit to Fiji, New Zealand, Timor-Leste

President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a six-day visit of Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste beginning August 5, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday. Murmu's first destination will be Fiji where she will hold meetings with President Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. "This will be the first-ever visit by a Head of State from India to Fiji," the MEA said on Murmu's August 5 to 6 trip to the island nation. It said she is scheduled to address the Fijian Parliament and interact with the Indian diaspora in the country. "The visit reflects India's continued commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations with Fiji," the MEA said. "On the second leg of her visit, President Murmu will visit New Zealand on August 7 to 9 at the invitation of Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor General of New Zealand," it said. During the State visit, she will hold a bilateral meeting with Governor General Kiro and meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. President Murmu will

Govt aims to make Northeast gateway of 'Act East Policy': President Murmu

The government is working to make the northeast a strategic gateway under its 'Act East Policy' and has increased the allocation for the region's development by more than four times over the last 10 years, President Droupadi Murmu said on Thursday. Addressing a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha, Murmu said that for the first time, work on inland waterways has started in the northeast on a large scale and it will benefit the region immensely. "My government has increased the allocation for the development of the northeast region by more than four times over the last 10 years. The government is working to make this region a strategic gateway under its Act East Policy," she said. India's 'Act East Policy' focuses on the extended neighbourhood in the Indo-Pacific region with ASEAN as its core. The objective of the 'Act East Policy' is to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationships with countries i

Govt-scripted speech full of lies: Oppn leaders on Prez's address in House

Opposition leaders on Thursday dismissed the President's address to the joint sitting of Parliament as a "script given by the government" that was "full of lies" and also castigated the government over the repeated mention of the 1975 Emergency. They said there is an "undeclared emergency" in the country and the Constitution is being attacked under the Modi government. In her address, President Droupadi Murmu described the imposition of Emergency in 1975 as the "biggest and darkest chapter" of a direct attack on the Constitution and said the country emerged victorious over unconstitutional forces. Speaking to reporters after the President's address, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav punched holes in the government's claim of India being the fifth-largest economy in the world. "The story that is being told about India becoming the fifth-largest economy... has it made our farmers prosperous? If we are the fifth-largest economy, then why are so many youths unemployed? Why is th

Street vendors in rural, semi-urban areas to be under PM SVANidhi: Prez

President Droupadi Murmu said on Thursday that the scope of the Prime Minister Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme will be expanded and street vendors in rural and semi-urban areas will also be brought under its ambit. PM SVANidhi Scheme, launched by the Modi government in 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak, is a micro-credit scheme for urban street vendors, which provides collateral-free loans up to Rs 50,000. Addressing the first joint sitting of Parliament after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha, President Murmu said, "The scope of PM SVANidhi will be expanded and street vendors in rural and semi-urban areas will also be brought under its ambit." On December 11 last year, the then Union housing and urban affairs (HUA) Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had informed in Rajya Sabha that loans disbursed to PM SVANidhi beneficiaries stood at Rs 2,039 crore in the 2020-21 fiscal, Rs 1,248 crore in 2021-22, Rs 1,866 crore in 2022-23 and Rs 4,637 crore up to December 5 o

'Hoping for strong bilateral relations': Mohamed Muizzu after India visit

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described his first official visit to India as a major 'success'

JP Nadda sworn in as Cabinet Minister; who will be BJP's next president?

Modi Government 3.0: Previously speculated candidates including Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Bhupender Yadav, and CR Paatil also joined Modi's Cabinet. Here are some probable candidates for the position