Venezuela debt reaches flashpoint in political crisis

New Delhi: Putting an end to the months-long political crisis in Sri Lanka, President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday installed a 30-member cabinet while rejecting some of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe's nominees. Sirisena made it a point to keep the security forces and police under his control, signalling that the power tussle is still on between them. What is more striking is the President has not appointed a law and order minister, a crucial post for investigating corruption allegations against former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family. Wickremesinghe was reinstalled as the Prime Minister on December 16 and the new cabinet was appointed after a delay of three days since then. The differences between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe over cabinet nominees caused the unexpected delay to extend to three days. Sirisena rejected Wickremesinghe's nominees for Cabinet positions from those who had defected from his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). At least three senior SLFP leaders had … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka cabinet appointed by Sirisena after political crisis; power tussle not over yet

New Delhi: The political pandemonium of Sri Lanka has garnered worldwide attention with United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres expressing great concern over the deepening political crisis. A new caretaker government for the country is expected to be sworn in on Monday. Here is all you need to know about it. Here is a brief account of what has happened in Sri Lanka so far: The political crisis of the island nation unfolded after President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday night sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed former President Rajapaksa to the post. He made the surprising move after his United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) withdrew from the national coalition government. However, just three days later, Sri Lankan Parliament's speaker on Sunday recognised Ranil Wickremesinghe as the country's prime minister. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said Wickremesinghe has "obtained a mandate to secure democracy and good governance" even as he questioned the president's decision to suspend … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka political crisis: Here is what has happened in Sri Lanka so far and what does its constitution say about it

New Delhi: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday lifted the suspension of Parliament, as international pressure mounted on him to reconvene the legislature of the country immediately. The island nations president convened a meeting of the legislature on Monday to end the current political stalemate in the country over the sudden sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wikcremsinghe, officials informed on Thursday. Sirisena, had suspended the Parliament until Novemer 16 after the surprise sacking of Wickremsinghe which as per the experts was meant to buy him time to engineer crossovers from Wikcremsinghe’s side to Rajapaksa in the 225 member parliament to reach the 113 majority mark. Sirisena and parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuria discussed the issue yesterday and Sirisena later indicated that he may call the sessions next week. On Monday, he swore in a new Cabinet under Rajapaksa despite a warning from the parliament speaker of possible violence if lawmakers were not … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka political turmoil: President Maithripala Sirisena lifts suspension of parliament

Email Updated October 21, 2019 12:09:33 Video: Lebanon anti-government protests attract hundreds of thousands. (ABC News) Related Story: Lebanese protesters rage over 'WhatsApp tax' Related Story: Beirut garbage crisis clean-up begins, critics cry foul Map: Lebanon Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri has agreed to a package of reforms with government partners to ease an economic crisis that has sparked the largest protests the country has seen since 2005. Key points:The protests were sparked after the Government announced new tax proposalsProtesters called for a revolution, aiming to oust a ruling "corrupt" eliteMr Hariri's cabinet will meet on Monday to approve the reform package Officials told Reuters the agreement was reached on Sunday (local time) as hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded the streets for a fourth day, aimed to oust a ruling elite seen as riddled with corruption and cronyism. A sea of people, some waving Lebanese flags, called for a … [Read more...] about Lebanon’s protests over economic crisis push Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri to agree to reforms

Email Posted November 20, 2019 05:12:31 Photo: Lebanese riot police clash with anti-government protesters on a road leading to the Government House in Beirut. (AP: Hassan Ammar) Related Story: Lebanese PM quits as anti-government protests turn violent Related Story: 'We are all one': Tens of thousands of protesters form human chain across Lebanon Related Story: Lebanon's protests push Prime Minister Hariri to agree to reforms Map: Lebanon Protests have stopped Lebanon's parliament from holding its first session in two months, as demonstrators rage against those they blame for steering the country towards economic collapse. Key points:Protesters want to see the entire ruling class stripped of powerPoliticians were unable to form a new government since prime minister Saad al-Hariri quit last monthParliament has postponed its return indefinitely Banks reopened after a one-week closure, with police stationed at branches and banks applying restrictions on hard currency … [Read more...] about Class war protests force Lebanon’s parliament to postpone first session amidst cash crisis