Weather update: IMD predicts light rains in North India on these days, check forecast here
The IMD has further stated that isolated to scattered light rainfall is expected over East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha until February 13 and over south Uttar Pradesh, south Bihar, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal from February 12 to 14.
Q&A: Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto ‘confident’ of election victory
Jakarta, Indonesia – On February 14, more than 204 million Indonesians will have the chance to vote for their new president. Incumbent Joko Widodo is in his second and final term, and is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election. Voters have a choice between three presidential candidates – Anies Baswedan, the former Governor of Jakarta, Ganjar Pranowo, the former Governor of Central Java, and Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto. Multiple polls indicate Prabowo has a comfortable lead over his competitors. Prabowo has tried twice to become Indonesia’s president – and lost both times to Widodo. Since 2019, he has served as defence minister in Widodo’s cabinet. Indonesia’s Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto and vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka are the favourites in Wednesday’s elections [File:Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP] His running mate is 36-year-old Gibran Raka Bumingraka, the president’s eldest son. But victory is still not a certainty. If no candidate can secure at least 50 percent of the vote, a second round of voting will be held in June. While Prabowo is the most popular candidate, he is also polarising. Decades-old allegations of human rights abuses during his time in the military have been raised by rivals and rights organisations. On the final day of campaigning on Saturday, Prabowo held a rally in the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, where he addressed thousands of supporters. Backstage, the 72-year-old met with Al Jazeera Asia Correspondent Jessica Washington for an exclusive interview, sharing his thoughts on why young voters have been drawn to his campaign and how he plans to win over critics. Al Jazeera: It’s the last day of campaigning. Are you feeling confident that you can win this election in one round? Prabowo Subianto: All the figures show that way…the grassroots enthusiasm. All the figures show that we will go in one round. Al Jazeera: The enthusiasm of young people has been a key part of the campaign. What is your message to your young supporters? Prabowo Subianto: The young today, they are more rational, they are more critical, they are smarter, they sense what is genuine and what is not genuine. I think they are very concerned about their future, so those that have a good program and good strategy, those that have good commitments, they are the ones that the young can identify with they can support. Al Jazeera: Is there something specific about your campaign that appeals to young people? Because your opponents might say it’s because of the Tiktok dances, the cartoon posters. Is there a specific policy that appeals to young people? Prabowo Subianto: My policies are very rational, logical, with a common-sense approach that is actually building on all the work of our predecessors. Nation-building is not a two year thing, a five-year thing. It’s a period of one generation or two generations. We have to make use and build on everything that has been built by our predecessors. That’s why people of all strata the majority of them get my message and support us. They realise to build something, you must do it based on strong foundation and then build upon success. Brick by brick, stone by stone. Al Jazeera: You obviously have very many supporters but there are also some strong critics. If you win this election, you will be their president too. How will you navigate this? Prabowo Subianto: I will work for the good of Indonesia. Not for a certain segment. I proved this, when the last election, I lost badly in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province. But when I became Minister of Defence, I built one of the biggest and best polytechnics there. In the province where I lost. Do you understand? I don’t believe in thinking short-term, thinking small. I like to think big and long-term. Al Jazeera: Thinking big picture, how do you perceive Indonesia’s role on the global stage, if you do become president? Prabowo Subianto: The good luck we inherited from our founding fathers is the philosophy of non-alignment. Indonesia respects all countries, respects all great powers. We want to have great relationships with everybody. We don’t want to be joining one bloc against another bloc. Our position is quite unique. We are friends with everybody. In any conflict or competition, we are the ones who can be accepted by all sides. Al Jazeera: What does Gibran bring to this partnership, in terms of skills and experience? Prabowo Subianto: More than 50 percent of our voters are below the age of 50. The young, are dynamic, savvy, and they are critical. If you notice, the fact there is a vice-president under the age of 40, that’s is normal in many countries in the west. In Indonesia it has become some sort of issue, not because he is under 40 but because he is the son of President Joko Widodo, that makes some circles feel bad. But that’s politics. You cannot please everyone all the time. Al Jazeera: What will Indonesia look like under your presidency? Prabowo Subianto: I hope Indonesia will be dynamic, economically better-off. But most importantly, I want to alleviate poverty. I want to get rid of hunger. I want to get rid of stunting for Indonesian children. The figures are not so good, at least 25 percent of children are stunted, in the outlying areas. But even in West Java, there are children who do not eat well. Al Jazeera: It’s one thing to say they will support you in polls, and to show up at campaign events. It’s a different matter when it comes to actually showing up on February 14 and voting. Do you have any concern about the reliability of your supporters? Prabowo Subianto: From the fervour of my supporters, I think they feel that our team the real hope for them. I am confident they will turn up, they feel they need leaders who can understand their needs, who want to fight for them. I would tell them, use your power, once every five years you have the power in
JDU issues three-line-whip to its MLAs ahead of Feb 12 Bihar floor test
This comes after Tejaswi Yadav had earlier hinted at many unexpected developments in the state.
James Carville says Biden skipping Super Bowl interview is a ‘sign’: ‘No other way to read this’
Legendary political strategist James Carville argued Saturday that the White House has little confidence in President Biden after he turned down a Super Bowl Sunday interview. Biden recently declined to take part in the Super Bowl Sunday interview for the second year in a row. The interview is a tradition that began in 2009 with President Obama. The interview is generally seen as a way for the president to connect with a massive audience that doesn’t usually tune into political conferences. Last year, the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles saw 115 million viewers. ‘BIDENOMICS’ FALLS FLAT WITH VOTERS AS TRUMP TAKES HUGE LEAD IN NEW POLL Carville, a long-time Democrat, gave his take on the situation while being interviewed on CNN on Saturday. “It’s the biggest television audience, not even close, and you get a chance to do a 20-, 25-minute interview on that day,” Carville began. “And you don’t do it? That’s a kind of sign that the staff or yourself doesn’t have much confidence in you,” Carville continued. “There’s no other way to read this.” Biden is not the first president to turn down the chance to speak to Super Bowl audiences. In 2018, President Trump declined to sit down with NBC for a Super Bowl interview. The consultant also opined about Biden’s advanced age, days after the president held a press conference about his mental competence. JAMES CARVILLE ADVISES DEMOCRATS NOT TO ‘TELL PEOPLE HOW GREAT THIS ECONOMY IS’ “And he’s not going to do debates,” Carville said. “He is old, I know what it is because I’m almost as old as he is, and it’s never going to get better.” On Thursday, Biden lashed out at reporters in a press conference after the release of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report doubting the president’s mental acuity. “I’m well-meaning, and I’m an elderly man, and I know what the hell I’m doing,” Biden said to a question asked by Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy. “I’ve been president and I put this country back on its feet. I don’t need his recommendation.” “How bad is your memory? And can you continue as president?” Doocy asked. “My memory is so bad [that] I let you speak,” Biden fired back. Fox News Digital’s David Rutz and Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.
Trump mocks Haley by asking where her deployed husband is: ‘Where is he? He’s gone’
Former President Donald Trump mocked fellow Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley during a speech Saturday by asking why her husband hasn’t been on the campaign trail — even though he is deployed. Michael Haley, who serves in the South Carolina Army National Guard, began his year-long deployment to Africa in June. He serves as a staff officer with the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. Trump was seemingly unaware of his deployment when he started questioning his whereabouts during a campaign stop in Conway, South Carolina, on Saturday. HALEY CHARGES NEVADA GOP CAUCUS ‘RIGGED’ FOR TRUMP The former president began his rant by calling Haley a “birdbrain.” “Birdbrain loves mass asylum,” Trump said, prompting laughter from the audience. “There’s nothing nice about her.” “‘I will never run against President Trump. He’s a great president, the greatest president in my lifetime,’” Trump quoted Haley as saying. “She said, ‘I will never run against him.’” “Then she comes over to see me at Mar-a-Lago…’Sir, I will never run against you.’ She brought her husband.” FIRST ON FOX: HALEY’S LEFT COAST FUNDRAISING HAUL The Trump Organization founder then turned his attention to Haley’s spouse. “Where’s her husband?” Trump questioned. “Where is he? He’s gone. He knew, he knew.” Haley did not mince words when she shot back at Trump two hours later in a social media post. “Michael is deployed serving our country, something you know nothing about,” the former South Carolina governor wrote on X. “Someone who continually disrespects the sacrifices of military families has no business being commander in chief.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital reached out to the Trump and Haley campaigns for comment, but has not heard back. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Qatar defends AFC Asian Cup in historic win against Jordan
Qatar successfully defended their Asian Cup crown after beating Jordan 3-1 on Saturday at Lusail Stadium where Akram Afif converted three penalties as the hosts won their second continental title. Jordan were playing in their first Asian Cup final and seeking their first major trophy, but it was Qatar who prevailed in front of 86,492 fans including Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. After Afif opened the score in the 22nd minute with a penalty kick, Jordan’s attack pressed but could not break through until the second half, when in the 67th minute, Yazan Al-Naimat scored the equaliser. Jordan’s relief was short-lived; only a few minutes later, Afif scored his second penalty and eventually sealed things for Qatar when he completed his hat-trick with a third goal from the penalty spot. Afif, who was tossed into the air by his teammates after the final whistle, also picked up the award for player of the match and most valuable player of the tournament. “Scoring penalties is because of the confidence my teammates had in me. It’s not about technique or choosing the angle, it’s the feeling of having my team behind me,” Afif said. Meanwhile, Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta said, “We weren’t focused in the first half and we made mistakes. There were easy opportunities to score but we didn’t. The timing of the two penalties [in the second half] was harsh. “But I want to congratulate the players. They’ve gained confidence and opened horizons for the future. Maybe we can win in future tournaments.” Adblock test (Why?)
Naples, Florida plane crash kills two on US highway; officials investigate
The Bombardier Challenger 600 series jet has crashed on the I-75 highway in US state of Florida. A private passenger jet crash-landed on a busy highway in Florida in the United States and collided with two vehicles on the ground in a fiery accident that killed two people, authorities and witnesses said. Moments before the jet with five people on board slammed into the highway on Friday, the pilot calmly told an airport controller that the aircraft “was not going to make the runway” since it had lost both engines. The jet was bound for the airport in Naples when it tried to make an emergency landing on Interstate 75. But witnesses say it collided with a vehicle – the wing of the plane dragging a car before slamming into a wall. An explosion followed, with flames and black smoke rising from the scene. Two people were killed, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, but it was not immediately known whether the victims had been passengers on the plane or were on the ground. Federal authorities have launched an investigation into the crash near Naples, just north of where the interstate heads east towards Fort Lauderdale along what is known as Alligator Alley. The plane had taken off from an airport at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, at about 1pm. It was scheduled to land in Naples around the time of the crash, Naples Airport Authority spokesperson Robin King said, when pilot contacted the tower requesting an emergency landing. “Got that. Emergency. Clear to land. Runway. Two. Three,” the air traffic controller responded to the pilot, in audio obtained by The Associated Press. “We’re clear to land, but we’re not gonna make the runway. We’ve lost both engines,” the pilot calmly replied. ‘The wing pulverised a car’ The tower lost contact, and then airport workers saw the smoke from the interstate just a few miles away, King said. King said they sent fire trucks with special foam to the scene, and three of the five people on board were taken from the wreckage alive. Brianna Walker saw the wing of the plane drag the car in front of hers and slam into the wall. “It’s seconds that separated us from the car in front of us,” she said. “The wing pulverised this one car.” Walker and her friend spotted the plane moments before it hit the highway, allowing her friend to pull over before the crash. “The plane was over our heads by inches,” she said. “It took a hard right and skid across the highway.” According to the FlightAware aircraft tracker, the plane was operated by Hop-a-Jet Worldwide Charter based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The aircraft had been scheduled to fly back to Fort Lauderdale on Friday afternoon. Federal authorities said a preliminary report about the cause of the crash can be expected in 30 days. Adblock test (Why?)
Who’s going to lead Pakistan’s next government after inconclusive election?
Imran Khan-linked independents win most seats after PTI party banned. The results of Pakistan’s general election are inconclusive – with rival former prime ministers, Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif, claiming victory. Horsetrading between different parties will now follow to form the next government. So who is likely to lead Pakistan next? And what does the outcome mean for a country with deep political divisions and serious economic problems? Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Zulfi Bukhari – Sdviser on international media and relations to Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI) Farzana Shaikh – Associate fellow at the Asia Pacific Programme at the Chatham House think tank Haider Zaman Qureshi – Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Adblock test (Why?)
Obama’s WH physician says special counsel report proves Biden has ‘serious issues’: ‘Worse by the day’
Texas GOP Rep. Ronny Jackson, a former White House physician, said special counsel Robert Hur’s report “validates” what he and many have known for years: President Biden has “serious issues.” Hur, who had been tasked with investigating Biden’s mishandling of classified documents, described the president in a report this week as appearing like a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” “It validates what most of us have known,” Jackson told Fox News Digital. “I’ve been saying since he was candidate Joe Biden that this man is not cognitively fit to be our president, our commander in chief and our head of state. I’ve been saying that over and over. “I watched the man every day, you know, in and around the West Wing for eight years when he was vice president. There’s a drastic, drastic difference between then and now.” SPECIAL COUNSEL CALLS BIDEN ‘SYMPATHETIC, WELL-MEANING, ELDERLY MAN WITH A POOR MEMORY,’ BRINGS NO CHARGES “Go back and look at the videos from whenever he was first vice president and compare them to now. It’s not even the same person,” Jackson added. “He’s got some serious issues. I’ve been saying that for a long time. Now that the report says that — the special counsel report came out and said exactly that. That was a special counsel appointed by the Biden DOJ, and they’re saying the same thing that I and many Americans have been saying for a long time now.” Despite the rampant concern over his mental acuity, Biden told Americans from the White House Thursday evening his memory is “fine” and defended his re-election campaign, saying he is the “most qualified person in this country to be president.” Biden’s address to the nation came just hours after Hur released his report, which did not recommend criminal charges against the president for mishandling classified documents. Those records included classified documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan, among other records related to national security and foreign policy that Hur said included “sensitive intelligence sources and methods.” Addressing Biden’s follow-up speech to the report, Jackson said the president made “all kinds of gaffes and proved in real time to the entire world that the report is accurate, that everything we’ve been thinking for the last three years is accurate. “He’s cognitively unfit to be our commander in chief, and it’s going to be a problem for us,” Jackson said. “It’s a real national security issue. I mean, it’s always been a national security issue, but it’s a national security issue that just gets worse by the day. “We have lots of stuff going on overseas. Our adversaries absolutely, positively have no respect for us. They have no fear of us and our allies. I mean, they don’t trust us, and they don’t really know if we’re going to be there if something bad happens.” Aside from Biden’s memory and mental acuity, Jackson said he believes the report “validates that the government has been weaponized for political purposes.” “The Democrats have weaponized the government against Donald Trump. Anybody just has to beat Donald Trump for political purposes — the FBI, the DOJ,” he said. Jackson, who previously served as the White House physician to former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, faced criticism from Obama for his critique of Biden’s cognitive health on the 2020 campaign trail. BIDEN ‘DID NOT REMEMBER WHEN HE WAS VICE PRESIDENT,’ WHEN HIS SON BEAU DIED, DURING SPECIAL COUNSEL INTERVIEWS In his 2022 memoir, Jackson detailed a “scathing” email he received from Obama about comments he had made on Twitter about Biden’s mental state when Biden was a presidential candidate. “I have made a point of not commenting on your service in my successor’s administration and have always spoken highly of you both in public and in private. You always served me and my family well, and I have considered you not only a fine doctor and service member but also a friend,” Obama wrote in the email to Jackson. “That’s why I have to express my disappointment at the cheap shot you took at Joe Biden via Twitter. It was unprofessional and beneath the office that you once held. It was also disrespectful to me and the many friends you had in our administration. You were the personal physician to the President of the United States as well as an admiral in the U.S. Navy. I expect better, and I hope upon reflection that you will expect more of yourself in the future.” Last February, after Biden had his annual physical, Jackson told Fox News, “The majority of Americans can see that Biden’s mental health is in total decline. Yet there is no transparency from the White House on what’s going on, if anything, to address this issue and his inability to do his job.” He also took issue at the time with there being no mention of the president undergoing a cognitive test amid his “deteriorating mental health.” “Nowhere in the report was there mention of Biden’s deteriorating mental health,” the GOP lawmaker said. “This is alarming, considering I have already sent three letters to the White House demanding that Biden receive a cognitive test and that the results be made public, all of which have been ignored. Everyone can see something is wrong — the cover-up needs to end.” A Monmouth University poll released in October found that 76% of voters viewed Biden, who was 80 at the time, as “too old” to serve another term, compared to just 48% who said the same about Trump, 77. Fox News’ Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
Texas GOP leaders reverse course, ban antisemites from party
The party’s executive committee also formally censured House Speaker Dade Phelan on Saturday.