Egypt’s el-Sisi reappoints PM Madbouly, orders him to form new cabinet
President says new government must tackle local and international issues. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has reappointed Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to form a new government. Egypt’s presidency said in a statement on Monday that Madbouly, who has been prime minister since 2018, has been tasked with shaping a new and more capable government to tackle issues at home and abroad. The statement said the new cabinet ministers must safeguard national security in light of rising regional and international challenges, combat “terrorism”, and tend to an ailing economy dogged by inflation and in need of more local and foreign investment. “Today, I assigned Dr Mostafa Madbouly to form a new government that consists of the necessary expertise and competencies to manage the next phase, in order to achieve the desired development in government performance and confront the challenges facing the state,” el-Sisi wrote in a post on X. There was no immediate announcement on when the cabinet would take office. El-Sisi was sworn in for his third term in April after sweeping to victory with 89.6 percent of the vote in an election in December with no serious challengers. He ordered the cabinet reshuffle as Egypt faces security and economic challenges while Israel’s war on Gaza rages on Egypt’s border. In late May, a member of the Egyptian security forces was killed in a shooting with Israeli forces along the border with the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The Egyptian president has also been working with the United States, both in mediating a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and with getting life-saving humanitarian aid to Palestinians after the Israeli takeover of Gaza’s border with Egypt last month. As Egypt has tried to manage a chronic foreign exchange shortage and high inflation over the past two years, there had been speculation that Madbouly himself would be replaced. This year, the economy has experienced some reprieve after an investment agreement with the United Arab Emirates and Egypt agreed other international funding deals, including an expanded loan programme with the International Monetary Fund. Adblock test (Why?)
Hunter Biden trial on criminal gun charges begins in Delaware
US President Joe Biden’s son Hunter has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the purchase and possession of a gun. The criminal trial of Hunter Biden has begun in federal court in Delaware, the United States as US President Joe Biden’s son faces gun charges in a historic case. Hunter Biden, 54, arrived at the courthouse on Monday for the first trial of the child of a sitting president, in which he will face three felony charges stemming from his purchase and possession of a revolver in 2018. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial, which began with jury selection on Monday, comes as Joe Biden campaigns for re-election. First Lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden’s wife Melissa Cohen Biden and his half-sister Ashley Biden were in attendance at the trial in Wilmington, before US District Judge Maryellen Noreika. “Jill and I love our son and we are so proud of the man he is today,” Joe Biden said in a statement, adding that a lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction. US First Lady Jill Biden arrives ahead of Hunter Biden’s trial at federal court [Matt Slocum/AP Photo] Hunter Biden was charged with lying about his use of illegal drugs when he bought a Colt Cobra .38-calibre revolver and with illegally possessing the weapon for 11 days in October 2018. If convicted on all charges in the Delaware case, Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison, though defendants generally receive shorter sentences, according to the US Department of Justice. The case is expected to centre on Hunter Biden’s years-long crack cocaine use and addiction, which he has discussed publicly and which was a prominent part of his 2021 autobiography, entitled Beautiful Things. He told Noreika at a hearing last year that he has been sober since the middle of 2019. Prosecutors will seek to prove that Hunter Biden knew he was lying when he ticked the box for “no” next to a question on a federal gun purchase form asking if he was an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Prosecution lawyers revealed in court filings that they may use details gleaned from Hunter Biden’s phone and iCloud account, including photos of him smoking crack and messages with drug dealers. They said they may call as a witness his former wife Kathleen Buhle. Hunter Biden arrives at federal court [Matt Slocum/AP Photo] Hunter Biden’s lawyers have indicated they may try to show he had completed a drug rehabilitation programme before purchasing the gun and may have considered his answer on the gun purchase form to be truthful. Noreika entered multiple orders over the weekend that were requested by prosecutors and that appeared to undercut Biden’s legal strategy. The judge said Biden’s legal team could not introduce expert testimony that people suffering from substance abuse disorder might not consider themselves an addict. That testimony could have helped Biden show that he did not know he was lying on the background check form. The government is required to prove that Biden knowingly lied. Adblock test (Why?)
South Africa elections: ‘Tintswalo’ sends a message to the ANC
In the lead-up to the May 29 elections in South Africa, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) went to great lengths to draw attention to the socioeconomic advancements the country made in the past 30 years in a desperate attempt to win favour with an electorate increasingly disillusioned with its governing capabilities. Most famously, in his State of the Nation address in February, President and ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa tried to highlight the long-term achievements of his party through the tale of “Tintswalo” – a fictional Black woman born in 1994, within months of the fall of apartheid and the ANC’s rise to power. “Tintswalo – democracy’s child – grew up in a society that was worlds apart from the South Africa of her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents,” Ramaphosa said. “She grew up in a society governed by a constitution rooted in equality, the rule of law, and affirmation of the inherent dignity of every citizen.” He went on to explain that this imaginary young woman grew up in a public mass-housing scheme for poor South Africans, received state-funded education and healthcare, graduated into a well-paying job, and is now living in a nice house with plenty of reason to look forward to the future. According to the president, the inspiring, uplifting story of Tintswalo was the story of most young South Africans and an allegory for the massive progress made under the ANC. This is not wrong. There are many South Africans whose living conditions and future prospects improved significantly under ANC governments over the past 30 years. Despite this, however, the tale of Tintswalo failed to convince many South Africans to vote in another ANC government on May 29. The ANC party received just 40.18 percent of the votes, well short of the majority it had held since the all-race vote of 1994 that ended apartheid and brought the party to power under Nelson Mandela. It now has to find a coalition partner to form a government. So what was behind the ANC’s election setback? In short, it seems that many “Tintswalos” across the country had enough of the high levels of crime, unemployment, poor service delivery, and corruption that came to define South Africa today. They had enough of being told that they should be grateful just for being (at times marginally) better off than their parents, who suffered for years under apartheid. They had enough of struggling to make ends meet as ANC’s many corruption scandals were swept under the carpet. They had enough, and sent a message to the governing party by voting for the opposition. This rebuke by voters did not come as a surprise to the ruling party. The ANC had long been aware that many of the party’s long-term supporters were unhappy with its recent performance. It had already promised to correct course, end corruption, improve public services, and fix the economy many times over in the past few years. Over six years ago, in January 2018, then-President Jacob Zuma initiated the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State. In May 2019, while that investigation into state capture was still under way, the ANC was re-elected with its then-lowest vote share of 57 percent. In a relatively subdued victory speech, Ramaphosa said he viewed decreasing support for the party as a “clear message” from the people, and vowed to combat corruption within the ANC. In 2022, after a four-year-long investigation, the State Capture Commission published its report and revealed that it found multiple incidents of corruption within South African government departments and state-owned enterprises during the presidency of Jacob Zuma. The entire party apparatus was implicated, including many high-profile MPs and officials. Despite the report’s damning findings, and Ramaphosa’s supposed commitment to ending corruption within the party, however, there has been no meaningful accountability or change in the way the country has been governed since then. In June 2023, News24, an online publication, released an in-depth investigation into the lavish lifestyle of Paul Mashatile, the deputy president of the country and the ANC, accusing him of corruption. The investigation laid out in great detail how the friends and family of the deputy president have consistently secured profitable government tenders and benefitted greatly from their proximity to a powerful ANC figure. Mashatile refuted the accusations levelled at him, claiming the “potentially damaging, yet unsubstantiated allegations” are false and “he is committed to his oath of office and the principles of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa”. Such serious accusations directed at its deputy leader should have sent the ANC into an absolute panic 11 months before the most contested poll in the nation’s post-apartheid history. One would have expected the ANC leadership to demand Mashatile’s immediate resignation or at least to order an independent investigation into the claims made by News24 journalists. Mashatile, the deputy president in a government elected on a promise to stamp out corruption, could himself have resigned and demanded an investigation to clear his name. Nothing of the sort happened. Despite the dark shadow hanging over him, Mashatile stayed on as ANC deputy president and played a pivotal role in the 2024 electoral campaign. It was only in February 2024, after the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party formally filed corruption charges against Mashatile, that the ANC-controlled South African parliament’s Ethics Committee took action and requested explanations. Despite ongoing investigations, Mashatile remains part of the ANC’s top brass and is expected to continue playing a prominent role in any future ANC government. Ramaphosa himself has faced allegations of corruption, too. In 2022, he was accused of attempting to conceal the 2020 theft of $4m in cash from his game farm, raising questions about how he acquired the money and whether he declared it. A probe carried out by the Public Protector, South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog, cleared him of any misconduct in March 2023, yet the police said they will continue to investigate. The left-wing opposition
Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha Election Result 2024: Full List of Winner and Loser Candidates will be announced Soon
Himachal Pradesh, which voted on June 1 in the final phase of polling, is expected to favor the BJP, according to the News18 Mega Exit Poll. The prediction indicates that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to secure all four Lok Sabha seats in the state.
‘Warmly welcomed…’: Israel promotes Indian beaches after Maldives banned its nationals
Lakshwadeep, Goa, the Andaman and Nicobar islands, and Kerala were among the beaches that were suggested.
Biden calls son Hunter’s ‘resilience’ amid gun trial charges ‘inspiring’
President Biden issued a statement as his son, Hunter Biden, faces trial over federal gun charges, calling his “resilience … inspiring to us.” “I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us,” the president’s statement read. “A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean. As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength. Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support.” CLICK HERE FOR LIVE HUNTER BIDEN TRIAL UPDATES Hunter’s wife, Melissa, entered the Wilmington, Delaware courtroom with her husband on Monday morning, alongside first lady Jill Biden and sister Ashley Biden. The trial stems from federal gun charges brought against him by special counsel David Weiss. Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to federal gun charges in U.S. District Court for Delaware after Weiss charged him with making a false statement in the purchase of a firearm; making a false statement related to information required to be kept by a licensed firearm dealer; and one count of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance. With all counts combined, the total maximum prison time for the charges could be up to 25 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. JUDGE BARS PROSECUTORS FROM USING SOME SALACIOUS EVIDENCE IN HUNTER BIDEN’S GUN TRIAL The trial began nearly a year after presiding Judge Maryellen Noreika questioned a plea deal between prosecutors and Hunter Biden, which subsequently fell apart. The agreement, blasted as a “sweetheart” deal by congressional Republicans, appeared to convey broad immunity to the president’s son on a host of potential criminal charges. Monday’s proceedings began with jury selection. HUNTER BIDEN IS IN COURT IN DELAWARE. HERE’S WHAT HE DOESN’T WANT THE JURY TO HEAR Fox News’ Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
Manipur Lok Sabha Election Result 2024: Full list of winner and loser candidates will be announced soon
Manipur Lok Sabha Election Result 2024 full list of winners: will be announced Soon.
Delhi excise policy case: K Kavitha paid Rs 100 crore to AAP, says ED in chargesheet
Kavitha also received the PoC of Rs 5.5 crore from IndoSpirits in the name of her associate and co-accused in the case, Abhishek Boinpally, the federal agency said.
National Republicans target Henry Cuellar’s South Texas seat after indictment
The move is a shift in strategy for Republicans who previously focused on other South Texas races even after federal authorities filed criminal charges against the Democrat.
Grover Cleveland, Frances Folsom’s wedding: The only U.S. president to marry inside the White House
Grover Cleveland and Frances Folsom made history when they wed on June 2, 1886. Cleveland is the only president in history to be married inside the White House. They were married in the Blue Room, according to the White House Historical Association. Their marriage also made Folsom the youngest first lady to date, as she was only 21 years old when they wed. Folsom was the daughter of a longtime friend and law partner of Cleveland’s named Oscar Folsom. Cleveland knew Folsom from birth and was nearly 30 years older. NOT SINCE 1892: TRUMP VS. BIDEN 2024 WILL BE A RACE BETWEEN TWO INCUMBENTS After Folsom’s father died, Cleveland became the administrator of the family estate and guided the young Folsom by providing educational advice to her, according to the White House website. Cleveland was the first Democrat elected president after the Civil War. When Cleveland took office for his first term in 1885, he was unmarried. With her mother’s permission, Cleveland sent letters to Folsom while she was going to school at Wells College in New York, according to History.com. In one of his letters, he proposed to Folsom, according to the source. Their engagement was kept under wraps until just before the wedding. On June 2, 1886, Cleveland and Folsom got married in the White House. Their wedding was a small event, attended by only 28 guests, according to History.com. Rev. William Neal Cleveland, the president’s brother, officiated the wedding along with Rev. Bryon Sutherland, according to the source. WHAT MAKES A PRESIDENT GREAT? Music was provided by the United States Marine Band under the direction of John Philip Sousa. Prior to Cleveland’s marriage to Folsom, his sister, Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, fulfilled the duties of the first lady. PRESIDENTIAL COMEBACKS ARE NOT ALL THEY’RE CRACKED UP TO BE, AS GROVER CLEVELAND’S STORY SHOWS As first lady, Folsom held two receptions every week, one of which took place on Saturday so women who were employed could attend, according to the White House website. Cleveland ran for a second consecutive term but lost to Benjamin Harrison. During the next election, he ran again and was re-elected, bringing him and his wife back into the White House. To date, Cleveland is the only president to leave the White House and be re-elected. Cleveland and Folsom had five children together. Their first, Ruth, was born in 1891 after Cleveland lost the election. Ruth died at age 12 from diphtheria. Their second child, Esther, was born in 1893, during Cleveland’s return to the White House. Their third child, Marion, was born in 1895. In 1897, their fourth child, Richard, was born, followed by the youngest, Francis, in 1903. Cleveland died June 24, 1908, when he was 71. Five years after his death, Folsom married Thomas J. Preston Jr., a professor of archeology. When Folsom died Oct. 29, 1947, she was buried next to Cleveland in Princeton, New Jersey.