In a much-anticipated political succession, Lawrence Wong was sworn in as Singapore's new Prime Minister on Wednesday, succeeding long-time leader Lee Hsien Loong. As the city-state's first leader born after its independence, Mr. Wong brings a fresh perspective and plans to lead differently in the face of a more challenging global landscape. Despite this, he honored his predecessors and promised to keep thinking boldly and far for the nation's future.
A team of district administration and police faced resistance from villagers, including women, during an anti-encroachment drive in Odwada village of Rajasthan's Jalore district. Additional policemen were deployed to maintain law and order while the drive was carried out. Congress leaders, including the party's state chief Govind Singh Dotasra and candidate Vaibhav Gehlot, spoke out against the action and called for the administration to file an appeal in favour of the villagers. Stay updated on this developing story by following us on social media.
Dutch politician Geert Wilders has announced plans to tighten asylum policies in the Netherlands, including limiting asylum status, restricting family reunification, and cutting social benefits. The coalition also plans to circumvent current EU asylum rules and the European Commission has responded, promising to ensure implementation of the legislation. The new government, a coalition of right-wing parties, is set to take office in about four weeks, though it is still unclear who will become the head of government.
President Biden and the Department of Justice have announced a significant move to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule III drug, reversing long-standing inequities. While this will remove marijuana from a category that includes lethal drugs like heroin, it will not federally legalize the drug. Biden also emphasized his commitment to criminal justice reform by pardoning federal marijuana possession crimes and removing the potential for individuals to be incarcerated for marijuana use or possession.
On May 16th, 2024, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal secured a resounding victory in the election for President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. This will be Sibal's fourth time serving as President, with his last term being in 2001. In an interview, Sibal discusses his plans for reform in the SCBA. Celebrations erupted at the SC library after Sibal's historic win.
In a show of solidarity, thousands of people belonging to the Kuki Zo tribe took to the streets in Manipur and Mizoram to protest against the Indian government's decision to cancel the Free Movement Regime with Myanmar and erect fencing on the border. The decision was made to address the issue of illegal immigration, which has been blamed for the ethnic strife in Manipur, that has resulted in the deaths of over 200 people. The protests, organised by various tribal organisations, aimed to send a message to the government to reconsider their decision and preserve the unique culture and identity of the Kuki Zo community.
Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal filed a police complaint after alleging that she was assaulted in the Chief Minister's residence in New Delhi. The Supreme Court granted interim bail to CM Arvind Kejriwal until June 1 for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections. The Delhi Police is currently discussing the lodging of an FIR in the case. Meanwhile, newly-elected Supreme Court Bar Association President Kapil Sibal has vowed to keep politics out of the courtroom during his term.
The Delhi Police has lodged an FIR in the Swati Maliwal assault case, naming Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar. This development comes as a shock to the AAP government, and raises questions about the safety and security of women in the national capital. Stay tuned for live updates on this breaking news.
The North East Frontier Railway has suspended a Travelling Ticket Examiner for allegedly assaulting a woman passenger on a moving train. The incident was captured on video and shared on social media, leading to outrage and demands for action. While the young woman has not filed a formal complaint, the CPI(M) has submitted a deputation to the railway authorities, criticizing the government's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) campaign. Additionally, claims of ash gourd juice as a superfood with weight loss and skin rejuvenation properties have been debunked by author Krish Ashok and nutritionist Akshita Reddy.
In a highly competitive race, prominent Indian advocate and columnist Kapil Sibal has secured a fourth term as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). Sibal garnered an impressive 1066 votes, leaving his nearest competitor Pradeep Rai far behind with 689 votes. This marks Sibal's fourth term as the SCBA president, the most recent one being in 2001. He was also the president of the association for two successive terms from 1995 to 1998. With this victory, Sibal's leadership and expertise are set to guide the legal fraternity in India for the next term.