France’s conservative The Republicans party on Saturday chose the moderate chief of the Paris region Valerie Pecresse to challenge President Emmanuel Macron in the elections next year.
Pecresse won almost 61 percent of the vote among party members while Eric Ciotti won just over 39 percent, party leader Christian Jacob said.
Both had made the run-off after the first round of voting earlier this week upended expectations.
Ciotti accepted defeat and immediately pledged to support Pecresse and called for her to fight “Macronism”, referring to her future rival.
She is the first-ever female presidential candidate of the The Republicans (LR) conservative party and presents herself as a voice of moderation, over hardliner Ciotti.
The favourites ex-minister Xavier Bertrand and former EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier were both knocked out and went on to back Pecresse.
Incumbent Adama Barrow is showing an early advantage as Gambians wait to find out the winner of their first presidential election since former strongman Yahya Jammeh fled into exile.
Results from some 15 of the country’s 53 electoral districts have been published online by the state broadcaster since polls closed at 17:00 GMT on Saturday.
Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris, reporting from the capital Banjul, says more results are expected in the coming hours.
“Before the end of the day, we will know the winner. A simple majority is enough for any of the six candidates to win,” Idris said.
The election is being closely watched as a test of the democratic transition in The Gambia, where Jammeh ruled for 22 years after seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1994.
Jammeh was forced into exile in Equatorial Guinea in January 2017 after Adama Barrow, then a relative unknown, defeated him at the ballot box.
Barrow, 56, faces five challengers in his re-election bid.
The death toll following the eruption of Indonesia’s Semeru volcano has risen to 14, officials said, as rescuers searched villages blanketed in molten ash for survivors.
In a statement on Sunday, a spokesman for Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) said two of the 14 people killed by the eruption have been identified.
The spokesman, Abdul Muhari, said at least 98 people have been injured, including two pregnant women, while 902 people have been evacuated from the villages surrounding Semeru in the East Java Province.
As many as 10 trapped people were rescued from villages in East Java’s Lumajang district, according to officials, with broadcaster Kompas reporting that those rescued were workers at a sand mining site.
The volcano, located on Indonesia’s most densely populated island of Java, erupted on Saturday, spewing columns of ash more than 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) into the sky, and sending searing gas and lava flowing down its slopes.
Several villages in Lumajang were blanketed by ash. Houses and vehicles were submerged while livestock were smothered.
Indian security forces have killed at least 13 civilians in a botched ambush near the Myanmar border, officials say.
An army patrol mistakenly opened fire on miners returning home after work, killing six. Seven more civilians and an Indian soldier died when angry locals confronted troops.
Home Minister Amit Shah said he was “anguished” and vowed to investigate.
The army has been battling separatist militants in the north-eastern state of Nagaland for years.
But it is not the first time Indian security forces have been accused of wrongly targeting innocent locals in their operations.
The incident on Saturday night took place in and around Oting village in Mon district, which borders Myanmar, during a counterinsurgency operation, reports said. Soldiers from the Assam Rifles, an Indian army unit, opened fire on a truck carrying 30 or more coalmine labourers near their camp. As news spread of the killings, hundreds of locals surrounded the camp before burning vehicles belonging to the Assam Rifles and clashing with troopers.
Soldiers then shot dead a further seven people.
The Indian army said in a statement that one of its soldiers was killed in the clash, while others were injured.
The Pope has denounced “narrow self-interest and nationalism” over the way Europe treats migrants. Speaking on the Greek island of Lesbos, where he met dozens of migrants, Pope Francis said they were being used for political propaganda.
He urged focus on the causes of migration, such as “forgotten wars”, instead of punishing those who feel their effects. And he criticised the building of walls to keep people out.
“In Europe there are those who persist in treating the problem as a matter that does not concern them – this is tragic,” he said.
“History teaches us that narrow self-interest and nationalism lead to disastrous consequences.”
While the coronavirus pandemic had shown that major challenges had to be confronted together and there were some signs of this happening on climate change, there was little sign of such an approach to migration, he said.
“It is easy to influence public opinion by instilling fear of the other,” Pope Francis said.
“The remote causes should be attacked, not the poor people who pay the consequences and are even used for political propaganda.”
The Pope cited war, economic agreements “where the people have to pay” and the flow of weapons as factors leading people to seek a better life elsewhere.
President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak in a video conference as tensions between the US and Russia escalate over a Russian troop buildup on the Ukrainian border seen as a sign of a potential invasion.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed plans on Saturday to Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti and said it will take place Tuesday evening. Peskov added “the presidents will decide themselves” how long the conversation will last.
White House did not immediately comment on the announcement.
Russia is more adamant than ever that the US guarantees that Ukraine will not be admitted to the NATO military alliance.
US intelligence officials, meanwhile, have determined that Russia has massed about 70,000 troops near its border with Ukraine and has begun planning for a possible invasion as soon as early next year, according to a Biden administration official, who was not authorised to discuss that finding publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The risks for Putin of going through with such an invasion would be enormous. Credit: aljazeera.com
Samuel Abu Jinapor - put up a strong argument against the motion
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joe Osei Owusu
On Tuesday, November 30, Members of Parliament convened in the Chamber to continue with business of the House, but the Majority caucus had a different agenda and that was to overturn the rejection of the 2022 budget by their minority caucus.
However, a decision by the Minority caucus not to show up in the Chamber made the work of the Majority and the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Joseph Osei Owusu, who sat in the chair, very easy. They were able to approve the budget through a voice vote.
On Wednesday, December 1, 2021 the Minority reconvened in the chamber with the intension of making the First Deputy Speaker rescind the decision on the approval of the budget, but this was met with fierce argument from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Damongo, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor.
The argument which shattered the dream of the Minority centered on numbers that form a quorum for business and quorum for taking decisions in the House. He made reference to the Parliamentary Hansard and court rulings with regards to the issue at hand. Chief among his references was a ruling made by a Former Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Korbly Doe Adjaho, on 22nd December, 2015 on issues of quorum.
Below is the full transcript of Mr Jinapor’s argument
Mr Speaker, with the greatest of respect, it is obvious that our national constitution risks being defiled. The provision of the constitution on this matter is clear.
Mr Speaker, Article 102 and 104 are clearly distinguishable. Mr Speaker, the quorum is clearly distinguishable and Mr Speaker, for the avoidance of doubt let me read Article 102 and 104. Article 102 reads: “A quorum of parliament apart from the person presiding shall be one third of all the members of parliament
Mr Speaker, it is needless to point out that this quorum, pursuant to Article 102 is a quorum for conducting business. Mr Speaker, in that respect, may I respectfully refer the house to a book written by the respected K.B Ayensu and S.N Darkwa, on an “Introduction to the law practice and procedure of parliament of Ghana.”
Mr Speaker, that book clearly states a quorum for conducting business. Mr Speaker, Article 104 reads: “Except as otherwise provided in this constitution, matters in parliament shall be determined by the vote of the majority of members present and voting with at least half of all the members of parliament present”.
Mr Speaker, the distinction is that whereas in Article 102 the framers of the constitution deliberately mention the person presiding over the meeting for purposes of quorum for conducting business, in Article 104 the framers of the constitution deliberately omitted the person presiding for purposes of quorum.
Mr Speaker, with the greatest of respect, a first year student of a class of interpretation will be taught the canon or tool of interpretation, which states and I quote: “Expressio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius,” to wit – “Express mention of a thing implies the exclusion of all others.”
If the framers of the constitution intended that the person presiding ought to be excluded for the purpose of a quorum for taking a decision, they would have said so expressly, Mr Speaker that is the law.
Mr Speaker, may I also refer the house to Article 57 of the constitution. Article 57(2) states: “The President shall take precedent over all other persons in Ghana and in descending order the Vice President, the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice shall take precedent over all other persons in Ghana.
“In this Article 57(2), the order is the President, the Vice President, the Speaker and the Chief Justice. Mr Speaker, when we go to Article 20 of the constitution, where it talks about succession, the framers of the constitution talk about the President, and when he is not there the Vice President, and when he is also not there the Speaker.
The farmers of the constitution deliberately omitted the Chief Justice and this is because in the Expressio principle you cannot include the Chief Justice in Article 60. That is the law. Further, Mr Speaker, any careful examination of the 1992 national constitution as a whole, you will realise that the framers of the constitution keep using Speaker, First Deputy Speaker, Second Deputy Speaker and the person presiding.
Mr Speaker, on the matter of quorum, fortunately on the principle of precedent, this parliament has had an occasion and Mr Speaker I have in my hand the Hansard of this House dated Tuesday, 22nd December 2015 where this same matter came up for consideration and Mr Speaker it is instructive to note that the current Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin, had something to say about this particular matter we are discussing in this chamber.
Mr Speaker, at exactly 3:20pm when this matter came up for litigation, the Speaker, who was then the Majority Leader, had this to say: “In the case of headcount, Mr Speaker shall take the vote of the House by calling upon members who support or oppose his decision successively to rise in their places. A member may vote in a division even if he did not hear the question put.
“Mr Speaker, it is important for this to iron out clearly upward. Mr Speaker, after you have taken the count, it is incumbent on Mr Speaker to allow the result, after that others can follow, but it is unprecedented to defer the result. Mr Speaker, the results will have to be announced for us to know. This is because I believe that we satisfy the constitutional provision as provided in article 104 and I would want to read that and he (Mr Bagbin) quotes and goes on to say that Mr Speaker, we are 275 members, half of that is 138, Mr Speaker, I believe that we are more than 138 so we satisfy the constitutional provision.”
Mr Speaker, even more instructively, the Speaker at the time, Mr Doe Adjaho, gave a ruling on that litigation and the ruling is captured in the Hansard of 22nd December, 2015 and with your permission let me quote the ruling of Mr Doe Adjaho, because it so instructive and settles this matter in any respect.
He said: “Honorable Members, you are aware that this house is not supreme, we are subject to the constitution of the Republic of Ghana. The rule is that where the constitution has made a provision for regulation of the House, they take precedence over any other and indeed in the Standing Orders of this House there is quorum to do business and that is one third of the House and there is quorum to take decision so we need to draw a distinction between the quorum to do business and the quorum to take decision. The quorum to take a decision is regulated by Article 104(1).
“The fundamental question is that, the time that the vote was taken, did we have at least half of the honorable members present? It’s a constitutional issue which has to be captured in the Standing Order 109 of our Standing Orders. If we go by the results of the headcount by adding 67 to 66 you will get 133, therefore, there is a serious constitutional issue here. So at the time that the vote was taken this House lacked the legal, in fact the constitutional capacity to take a decision so entirely endorse the position taken by the Honourable First Deputy Speaker that we do not have the number, constitutionally speaking to take a decision, therefore no decision has been taken.”
So Mr Speaker, the import of what the learned Speaker Doe Adjaho is making is exactly the point I am making but article 102 and 104 are distinguishable and so our friends from the other side, their reliance on article 102 does not help their case, does not resolve the matter. If you want to find out whether or not the person presiding can be part of the quorum to take a decision, go to Article 104, go to Article 104, it is there black and white, it is established.
Mr Speaker, in conclusion, there are replete of authorities from the Supreme Court to affirm this decision of distinction and Mr Speaker there are so many of them and I cannot give all of them to you, but permit me to cite one of the locus classicus when it comes to the canon on the tool of interpretation of distinguishing one part of the document and another part of the document, where if a matter is expressly mentioned in one part of the document but not mentioned in the other, it means that it is excluded.
Mr Speaker, I refer to Kwadjoga Adra vrs National Democratic Congress, writ number JI/13/2014, Supreme Court dated 15th July, 2015. So Mr Speaker, let me conclude by urging upon you that what took place yesterday in this house was constitutional, was lawful, was legal, was appropriate, was in accord with the practice and conventions of this House and indeed as Member for Bekwai you are entitled to be counted for purposes of a quorum to take a decision and we didn’t need Mr Speaker voting to take a decision, we needed half of the members present to take a decision and that decision is valid and must stand.
The Bicentennial Steering Committee for the planning of Liberia’s 200-year anniversary commemoration as a country announces the theme and slogan of the Bicentennial event, and the finalization of the logo. The event will be celebrated throughout 2022 from January 7 to December 10, 2022, with the official opening ceremony taking place on February 14, 2022.
Liberia was founded in 1822 by free people of African descent from the United States of America.
According to the Steering Committee, the theme is “Liberia: The Land of Return – Commemorating 200 Years of Freedom and Pan-African Leadership” while the slogan is “The Lone Star Forever, Stronger Together.”
The Steering Committee says, this theme signifies three important historical milestones achieved by the country since it was founded in 1822 by free people of African descent and their patrons from the United States.
Firstly, the theme celebrates Liberia, in West Africa, as the land chosen as refuge by free people of African descent who endured many years of servitude in the United States, to settle as their home country. Consequently, under the auspices of the American Colonization Society (ACS), many of the free people of color emigrated from the United States and disembarked on Providence Island in Liberia on January 7, 1822, as their home country.
Secondly, the theme seeks to memorialize black freedom and nationhood and the determination for self-governance that began 200 years ago when Liberia was established in 1822. In an era when people of African descent were seeking freedom and self-determination, the founding of Liberia, “the Black Republic,” which gained independence in 1847 stood as the clear indication that Africans were capable of self-rule.
And thirdly, the theme acknowledges the pivotal Pan-Africanist leadership role that Liberia played, crusading for Africa’s decolonization and independence, including its uncompromising stance against the Apartheid in South Africa. Liberia would later champion the establishment of multinational unions on the African Continent and the global stage. Foremost, was its Pan-Africanist leadership role in organizing the historic 1959 “Sanniquellie Conference” involving Liberia, Guinea, and Ghana which ultimately resulted into the formation of Organization of African Union (OAU) in 1963. Liberia assumed similar Pan-Africanist leadership in the formation of the African Union (AU), successor to the OAU. It likewise joined the call on the Continent for creation of regional economic organizations, such as, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Mano River Union.
And it was in similar spirit of Pan-Africanism that inspired Liberia to join other nations in supporting the formation of international bodies, including the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As a Pan-Africanist leader, Liberia became the vision bearer and founder of the African Development Bank when the bank was established in the 1960s to foster economic cooperation on the African Continent.
It can be recalled that even while slavery remained legal in the United States until 1865, the resettlement efforts of the ACS culminated into the establishment of present-day Liberia in West Africa to relocate free black men, women and children from the United States and other people of color from other parts of the world. This led to the departure of the first group of about 86 free Blacks from the shores of New York in 1820. By the end of the 1800s, approximately 17,000 free Blacks from the United States and the Caribbean were repatriated to Liberia. Other people of color would continue to seek refuge in Liberia, the “land of liberty.”
Since their arrival, the settlers established self-governance in Liberia with Joseph Jenkins Roberts from Virginia of the United States serving as the first African American to be elected as president of a country. Subsequently, nine other American-born Africans from Maryland, South Carolina, Ohio, and Kentucky served as presidents of Liberia, this first black African Republic.
The capital city of Liberia is named Monrovia after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States, a staunch supporter of the ACS and the flag of the country is a partial replica of the American flag to symbolize the strong relationship between both countries. To preserve and uphold a strong bond of relationship with the United States of America, the settlers named most of the counties and cities of Liberia after several American States, notably including Maryland and Mississippi in Africa, amongst others “to continue to preserve their cultural ties with the places they came from in the United States.
The slogan shows Liberia as the Lone Star nation and the first independent black republic in Africa. Despite the country’s recent bitter history of conflict, Liberia has restored peace and stability and it remains stronger together as a nation through democratic governance. The country has held three successive democratic elections, which ushered in Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as the first democratically elected female president of the country and Africa. In 2017, the country witnessed the democratic transfer of power from one democratically elected president to another when President Sirleaf transferred power to President George Manneh Weah resulting from the outcome of a free, fair, and transparent democratic election. This transfer of power was a significant milestone that the country has not achieved in more than 70 years.
According to the Steering Committee, the theme and slogan are designed to support the objectives of the Bicentennial Commemoration, which are to celebrate Liberia’s rich cultural heritage; to showcase the country’s tourism and investment opportunities; to reunite and reconnect African Americans in the United States and other blacks within the diaspora to their cultural identity in Liberia. A key objective of the Bicentennial commemoration is to also strengthen the rich historic relationship between the United States and Liberia dating back to the 1800s when Liberia was established.
To ensure the success of the Bicentennial Commemoration, His Excellency, President George Manneh Weah of the Republic of Liberia, is calling on all Liberians, the local and international partners and the diaspora communities to participate in this historic event to celebrate 200 years of the founding of the country by free people of African descent from the United State and other parts of the world, including the Caribbean and Europe; and the level of freedom and Pan-African leadership that the country has enjoyed, while showcasing the country as an ideal destination for tourism and investment.
Various subcommittees are assisting the National Steering Committee of the Bicentennial commemoration ensuring an inclusive measure to assure the success of the event. The President is calling on all Liberians and good friends of the country from around the world to work together collaboratively, irrespective of their social and political alignments, to ensure the success of this event for the overall benefit for the country.
Signed:
Hon. Ledgerhood Julius Rennie
Minister Of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism &
Xavi’s unbeaten start as Barcelona boss was brought to an abrupt end as the Catalan giants were defeated at home by Real Betis in La Liga on Saturday.
Xavi had won his opening two league games in charge, as well as drawing with Benfica in the Champions League.
It was a deserved victory for Betis, who thought they had taken the lead when Juanmi flicked the ball beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen, only to be ruled offside.
He did however get his goal with 11 minutes to go after Betis counter-attacked down the right and worked the ball across to the forward, who slid an effort into the corner.
It meant the visitors held on for their third successive win in La Liga and they now switch attention to a trip to Celtic in the Europa League on Thursday.
Real Madrid produced a convincing performance to beat Real Sociedad and extend their lead at the top of La Liga to eight points.
The impressive Vinicius Jr opened the scoring for the visitors, combining well with Luka Jovic inside the area before finding the bottom corner.
Jovic, who replaced the injured Karim Benzema in the first half, then scored his first goal of the season, heading in from close range following a corner.
The hosts created little in response.
Alexander Isak flicked on a well-weighted delivery from Diego Rico in the first half, but Eder Militao recovered well to block the Sociedad forward’s effort.
Militao, who looked solid in the centre of Madrid’s defence, sent Vinicius through with a clever pass late on, but the frontman was denied by the feet of keeper Alex Remiro.
It means Real Madrid head into the derby against Atletico a week on Sunday with a healthy lead at the top after Diego Simeone’s side were beaten 2-1 at home by Mallorca.
