New Hampshire Primary: Trump Secures Narrow Lead Over Nikki Haley

by Hemanta Pande

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

With around 90 per cent of votes counted, former US president Donald Trump has established a narrow lead of just 10 points over his rival, former governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, beating a retreat from poll predictions of a landslide win with 32 points.

Washington, Jan 24: With around 90 per cent of votes counted, former US president Donald Trump has established a narrow lead of just 10 points over his rival, former governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, beating a retreat from poll predictions of a landslide win with 32 points.

The counting is not over, and Haley still has a slight chance of overtaking Trump, media reports said, adding Trump, however, was confident of locking down New Hampshire.

As the lead was just narrow, Haley said she "refuses to quit", insisting she can still beat Trump and will head into home turf South Carolina next week and has rallies planned in California, New York and Florida.

New Hampshire has a significant number of independent voters as compared to Iowa and also moderate republicans supporting her. Super Tuesday states also have similar demographics.

The former South Carolina governor has fundraisers planned in California, New York and Florida and is planning a rally in her home state on Wednesday, the NBC reported. .

Haley had come too far to let it all go in one night, even as the pundits, the media and now another state’s voters were nudging her toward the exits just hours earlier.

On Tuesday night, fresh from a loss that followed a third-place finish in Iowa, Haley said she had too much fight in her to throw in the towel, despite Trump's attempts to turn his sights on a general election contest.

On the night of her second-place finish in New Hampshire, Haley, the former UN ambassador, pledged to plough forward to her home state, insisting she still had a path, the NBC reported.

"I have news for all of them. New Hampshire is first in the nation. It is not the last," Haley said to cheers.

"This race is far from over. There are dozens of states left to go, and the next one is my sweet state of South Carolina.

"With Donald Trump, Republicans have lost almost every competitive election. We lost the Senate. We lost the House. We lost the White House. We lost in 2018. We lost in 2020, and we lost in 2022," Haley said.

"The worst-kept secret in politics is how badly the Democrats want to run against Donald Trump. They know Trump is the only Republican in the country who Joe Biden can defeat," she added.

As of Tuesday night, she had fundraising trips planned for New York, California and Florida.

Haley still had a rally in Charleston planned for Wednesday and had already started spending money on a previously announced $4 million ad buy there.

"Nikki Haley shocked the world before. She did it numerous times in South Carolina politics," said Alex Stroman, the executive director of the South Carolina Republican Party.

South Carolina has open primaries, meaning Democrats can also vote in the election.

Trump had railed against Haley in the run-up to New Hampshire, accusing her of drawing Democratic support in a GOP primary.

Haley's supporters, however, have stuck with her, saying she has demonstrated she could beat the odds in a crowded race against others who were polling higher and funded better.

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"Haley's catch phrase is 'slow and steady wins the race'. We are going to keep chipping away, adding voters, and adding donors each day in each primary," said Bill Strong, a donor and member of Haley's campaign executive committee.(IANS)

BJP Targets Previous BJD Govt Over Multiple Cracks On Puri Srimandir’s ‘Meghanada Pacheri’

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, Nov 5: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha on Tuesday said that multiple cracks have appeared on the Meghanada Pacheri, outer boundary wall of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, due to “callousness” of the previous Biju Janata Dal government during the construction work of the the Srimandir Parikrama project.

In a social media post, BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal said that former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his close associate VK Pandian have made some mistakes for which the people of Odisha have to pay price now.

“There are some mistakes which cannot be forgiven. During the previous government, former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his associate VK Pandian committed some mistakes that the people of Odisha have to pay the price for it. It is sad how they risked an ancient heritage for their own political gain,” Biswal wrote on his Facebook post.

The temple of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath is our pride and identity. Now the cracks that have appeared at the Meghnad Pacheri is a matter of concern for crores of Jagannath devotees. After the matter came to light, the Archaeological Department and the State government started its repairing work. But the question is why did it happen?” he asked.

“During the construction of the Parikrama project, huge holes were dug around the shrine by using heavy machines that affected the Meghnad Pacheri. Initially, the holes were dug without the permission of the Department of Archeology and the National Monuments Authority. Such illegal work was carried out without complying with the AMASR Act of 1958 for which the case was taken to the court. Under what circumstances, the digging work was done without conducting any heritage impact study? As per the rule of National Monument Authority, no digging work could be done within 100 meters periphery of the temple. The way digging work was done around a 900-year-old ancient temple by using huge machines, its stability was damaged. Now, it is affecting Meghanada Pacheri. Who will say that it won’t affect the Temple in coming days,” he added.

“It is surprising that if the roads and toilets were to be constructed, then why such huge holes were dug around the temple? Isn’t it a conspiracy? Naveen Babu and Pandian Babu should clear air over the matter,” the BJP leader opined.

Meanwhile, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has requested Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct immediate repair and restoration of the Meghanada Pacheri.

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ACA plans Afro-Asia Cup return and launch of Africa Premier League

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Harare, Nov 5: The Afro-Asia Cup, last held nearly two decades ago, is on the verge of revival as the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) considers an alliance with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to resurrect the series.

The ACA, which convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday, has set an ambitious agenda, including restructuring the association and expanding competitive opportunities across the continent.

At the top of its list is rekindling the Afro-Asia Cup and launching a new T20 league — the Africa Premier League — modelled on the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Afro-Asia Cup is a unique cricket series that features teams from Asia and Africa, bringing together players from cricketing powerhouses and developing nations alike. The tournament has only been held twice, in 2005 and 2007, and has not seen a third edition since, despite strong initial fan support.

In the 2005 series held in South Africa, Asia and Africa split the series after the third match was rained out, while in 2007, the Asia XI swept the series 3-0 in India. The series featured cricket icons like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Rahul Dravid, M.S. Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar on the Asia XI and top African players such as Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini.

In addition to offering financial rewards, the tournament provides a rare chance for cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, whose bilateral relations have been limited to ICC events due to geopolitical tensions since 2008. An Afro-Asia Cup would allow players from both nations to join forces, generating excitement among fans and helping to bridge divides through the game.

According to ACA’s interim chair, Tavengwa Mukuhlani, discussions with the ACC and African stakeholders are underway. “We have had conversations with our counterparts within the Asia Cricket Council (ACA), and both regions are keen to see the Afro-Asia Cup return,” Mukuhlani was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying.

Although ACC representatives have yet to respond to the proposal, the ACA is optimistic about formalizing a partnership soon.

The ACA is also planning the Africa Premier League, a franchise-based T20 competition inspired by the IPL model. ACA CEO Cassim Suliman announced that preliminary steps, including securing sponsorships, are in progress.

“It’s the mini version of the IPL,” Suliman explained. “We are working on sponsorships to ensure everyone benefits. The board will decide the host countries and facilities, and we’re focused on making a strong first impression to set the ball rolling.”

The Africa Premier League will be the second major franchise league in Africa, following South Africa’s SA20. Mukuhlani, who also chairs Zimbabwe Cricket, expressed enthusiasm for South Africa and Zimbabwe’s involvement. “The participation of South Africa and Zimbabwe gives context to the competition, and upcoming teams will gain valuable experience playing alongside these teams,” he said.

Though still in its early stages, the Africa Premier League is expected to drive viewership and fan engagement for African cricket, much like the IPL has done in India.

(IANS)

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Winter Session of Parliament To Commence From Nov 25, To Continue Till Dec 20

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

New Delhi, Nov 5: The Winter Session of the Parliament will commence from November 25 and will continue till December 20, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said Tuesday.

In a post on X, Rijiju said, "President, on the recommendation of Government of India, has approved the proposal for summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Winter Session, 2024 from 25th November to 20th December, 2024 (subject to exigencies of parliamentary business)."

He also mentioned that November 26 (Constitution Day), 75th Anniversary of the adoption of Constitution, the event would be celebrated in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

During the winter session the Govt will make an effort to pass the Waqf Ammendment Bill which is currently with the JPC of the house.

During the session, the government could also look to introduce One Nation One Election bill.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that his government was working towards achieving One Nation One Poll which will ensure simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

"We are now working towards One Nation One Election, which will strengthen India's democracy, give optimum outcome of India's resources and the country will gain new momentum in achieving the dream of a developed India. Today, India is moving towards One Nation One Civil Code that is a Secular Civil Code," he said.

However, Congress has rejected the idea of implementing One Nation One Election, saying that the PM has to take everyone in Parliament into confidence for this issue.

Following PM's speech, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed the One Nation and One election concept as 'impossible.'

Speaking to reporters, Congress President Kharge said, "What PM Modi has said, he will not do it, because when it comes in the parliament, he has to take everybody into confidence, then only this will happen. This is impossible, 'One Nation One Election' is impossible."

The Joine Parliamentary Committee on Waqf Amendment Bills 2024 is holding its meetings regularly in different states with different stakeholders, to solve their queries and find a commong consensus on the contentious bill.

The results of Assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra that will be announced on November 23 are also likely to be discussed in both the houses.

(ANI)

New Hampshire Primary: Trump Secures Narrow Lead Over Nikki Haley

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