Americans went to the polls on Tuesday for national and local elections.
The election for president was still undecided early Wednesday morning, with vote counting continuing throughout the country. In the United States, the president is not elected by popular vote; rather voters in each state choose a number of electors based in part on the population of the state. With 538 electoral votes at stake, a candidate needs 270 to be elected president.
As each state tallies votes separately, it is possible that preliminary results of the election may not be known for several days. Legal challenges could delay a final result even longer.
Incumbent Donald Trump, the Republican party candidate, claimed victory in key states early on Wednesday, prompting widespread criticism as the final results in those states were still uncertain. The incumbent president also threatened legal action, saying his opponents were trying to “disenfranchise voters.” Democratic party candidate Joe Biden also spoke on Wednesday morning, urging patience as results came in. “I’m optimistic about this outcome,” said the former US vice president.
Tuesday’s election will also determine the composition of the United States Congress. Despite several close races, Republicans are expected to retain control of the Senate, while Democrats will continue to hold the House of Representatives.
Filmmaker Prakash Jha‘s web series, Aashram, was served a legal notice on Wednesday for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments.
The legal notice was sent to the OTT platform MX Player, which streams the show, as well as producer-director Jha, on the ground of “directly targeting the ancient tradition, custom, culture of Hindu, Ashramas Dharma”. The notice was sent by Surjeet Singh, Pradesh Sangathan Mahamantri of Karni Sena.
The notice reads : “At the outset, my client states that the web series named “AASHRAM- Chapter-2 the Dark Side”, Official Trailer, which was released on MX player and the same was Produced and directed by you no. 1 Mr. Prakash Jha, under Prakash Jha Production Creation and the said web series have deeply hurt the sentiments of the people at large and it is also going to spread negative goodwill about Hindu religion on future generation to come. The Character’s shown in official trailer is not targeting individual personality but directly targeting the Ancient tradition, custom, culture of Hindu, Ashramas Dharma which disturbs people at large.
“Further, The ashrama dharma, recognizes four ashramas in the life of a human being. They are brahmacharya (stage of studentship), grihasta (the stage of a householder), vanaprastha (stage of a forest dweller) and sanyasa (stage of renunciation), Also Ashram concept in India is hope, faith and belief of young aspirants, who were willing to let go of everything and pursue their education and spiritual ideals with single-minded devotion.
“Further states that, the first season of Ashram web series shown lots of objectionable scene degrading the image of Aashram in Hindu customs and Now Aashram-2 web series official trailer continued degrading the image Aashram in hindu religion, My client condemn such repeated attempt to degrading Hindu religion and ask you to remove official web series trailer and stop full web series release with immediate effect.”
The series stars Bobby Deol, Aaditi Pohankar, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Darshan Kumaar, Anupriya Goenka, Adhyayan Suman, Tridha Choudhury, Vikram Kochhar, Tushar Pandey, Sachin Shroff, Anuritta K Jha, Rajeev Siddhartha, Parinitaa Seth, Tanmaay Ranjan, Preeti Sood, Jahangir Khan, Kanupriya Gupta and Navdeep Tomar in pivotal roles.
After a successful run of the first season recently, the second season of the show, titled Aashram: Chapter 2 – The Dark Side, is slated to release on November 11.
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The European Union’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier will update the Brussels parliament on the progress made after intensive efforts to secure a post-Brexit trade deal, the European Commission has confirmed.
Mr Barnier is engaged in face-to-face talks with his UK counterpart Lord Frost in the Belgian capital in a bid to bridge the gap on outstanding areas as they look to strike a deal before the transition period ends on December 31.
Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie told a Brussels press briefing on Wednesday that the EU negotiator would update the European Parliament “later this afternoon”.
German MEP David McAllister tweeted: “This afternoon Michel Barnier will give the UK Coordination Group an update after intensive days in London and Brussels.
“I am looking forward to this important exchange at this crucial moment in the negotiations.”
The update comes after EU and UK talks got back on track following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to pause the negotiations last month after European leaders called for Britain to make concessions.
Mr Barnier later agreed that both sides would need to budge to move closer to a deal, a development that led to discussions recommencing.
???? This afternoon, @MichelBarnier will give the UK Coordination Group an update after intensive days in London and Brussels. I am looking forward to this important exchange at this crucial moment in the negotiations.
Fisheries, state aid and the governance of any deal have continued to be obstacles in the path to an agreement, with time running out to prevent a no-deal fallout at the end of the year.
There were reports this week that there had been a breakthrough on fishing rights, although neither side would confirm it.
The Sun reported that the EU had agreed to adopt new scientific criteria that could see UK fishing quotas double, although the change would not come in for a number of years.
But Downing Street said on Tuesday there remained “significant gaps” on the “most difficult areas” in the talks.
Number 10 is pushing for future fishing negotiations to work on the principle of zonal attachment, a prospect the EU has repeatedly ruled out, including again this week.
Zonal attachment works on the premise that the country or jurisdiction where fish shoals spend most of their time – a calculation based on geographic catching records – should have control over access and quota levels, which would benefit the UK given its rich waters.
Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to respect everyone’s religious and cultural sensitivity, conveying to the French government that no religion supports killings.
“It’s our long-standing policy to have respect for each other,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said today, mentioning that he wrote a letter to his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Dr Momen said peace is needed across the world for sustainable development.
On Tuesday, Bangladesh urged all sides to exercise freedom of expression responsibly and not to hurt anyone’s religious sentiment in the name of freedom of expression.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen encouraged all to have patience instead of mixing religious issues with economic ones.
Commission Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 by granting a Union General Export Authorisation for the export of certain dual-use items from the Union to the United… – EU Politics Today – EIN Presswire
The Joint Board of Appeal of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs – European Banking Authority, European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, and European Securities and Markets Authority) published today its decision in relation to an alleged non-application of Union law by six national competent authorities brought by Mr Howerton against the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA). In its decision, the Board of Appeal dismisses the Appellant’s claim as inadmissible as the facts described do not seem to involve insurances and occupational pension funds or any other subject-matter within the remit of EIOPA nor of the Board of Appeal.
The Board of Appeal finds that Mr Howerton’s appeal merely reiterated the very same complaints which had been raised in the past by the Appellant towards the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and which the Board of Appeal determined to be inadmissible in that context. As in the ESMA Decision, the Board of Appeal fails to see how the facts described by the Appellant, and previously filed in a complaint directed to EIOPA, may involve insurances and occupational pension funds or any other subject-matter within the remit of EIOPA and of the Board of Appeal. In addition, the Board of Appeal notes that the Appellant, at the time of filing this new appeal, was fully aware of the reasons of inadmissibility of the appeal filed against ESMA. The Board of Appeal, therefore, considers the appeal as manifestly inadmissible and does not allow for any further consideration.
Background
On 18 august 2020, Mr. Howerton sent several requests to EIOPA to investigate six national competent authorities under Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010. EIOPA assessed the content of the requests to investigate and concluded that the facts were outside the scope of EIOPA’s remit because they did not fall under any of the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010. The Appellant was informed of this conclusion by EIOPA on 30 September 2020. The appeal against EIOPA’s communication of 30 September 2020 was filed on 9 October 2020.
Pope Francis began his Wednesday General Audience noting that the event must “unfortunately” be held once again in the Vatican Apostolic Library without the presence of the faithful.
He called it a reminder of the importance of respecting the directives laid out by political and health authorities.
He also invited everyone to pray for those who are ill with Covid-19 and for the medical personnel working hard to treat them.
The Pope then continued his catechesis on Jesus’ example of prayer.
“Jesus’ prayer is a mysterious reality, of which we intuit only something, but which allows us to interpret His entire mission from the right perspective.”
Jesus, added the Pope, immersed Himself often in intimacy with God the Father, “in the Love that every soul thirsts for.”
Rudder that guides His course
Pope Francis focused his reflections on a passage in the Gospel of Mark (1:32,34-38), in which Jesus heals many sick people late one evening before rising early to pray in a deserted place alone.
After the disciples find Jesus to say the whole village of Capernaum is looking for Him, Jesus declares that He must preach to the other towns as well.
“Prayer is the rudder that guides Jesus’ course.”
This, said the Pope, means that Jesus lets God guide His path, and not the desires and adulation of others.
He went on to draw four lessons from Jesus’ witness of prayer.
Dawning of the day
Jesus, said Pope Francis, teaches us above all that prayer should be “the first desire of the day.”
“A day lived without prayer risks transforming into a bothersome or tedious experience: all that happens to us could turn into a badly endured and blind fate.”
However, Jesus demonstrates the need to be obedient and to listen, since prayer is first of all “an encounter with God.”
“The problems of everyday life, then, do not become obstacles, but appeals from God Himself to listen to and encounter those who are in front of us.”
Persistence
Secondly, said the Pope, Jesus teaches us that prayer is an art that must be practiced “with insistence.”
Though anyone can pray sporadically, Jesus reminds us that prayer requires discipline, practice, and constant effort.
“Consistent prayer produces a progressive transformation, makes us strong in times of tribulation, gives us the grace to be supported by Him who loves us and always protects us.”
Solitary and silent
Thirdly, Jesus’ prayer is always solitary.
“Those who pray do not escape from the world, but prefer deserted places.”
In the silence of prayer, said Pope Francis, our innermost desires and truths emerge into the light.
But most importantly, he added, silence is where God speaks. “Every person needs a space for him- or herself, to be able to cultivate the inner life, where actions find meaning.”
To and fro in God
Finally, Pope Francis said, prayer as taught by Jesus is the place where we find that “everything comes from God and returns to Him.”
He noted that prayer helps us to rediscover “the right dimension in our relationship with God, our Father, and with all creation.”
Peace and joy, concluded the Pope, is what we will find if we follow Jesus’ example of prayer.
Much has been said about Malta’s Individual Investor Programme (IIP), with negative and positive implications being touted by those for and against this programme. As things currently stand, and should the European Commission have its way, this programme’s days now seem to be numbered.
The European Commission has long been voicing its concerns and opposition in relation to this programme. Despite the recent amendments by the Maltese government to the programme as originally launched, the European Commission has now decided to launch infringement procedures against Malta in relation to this programme by issuing a letter of formal notice.
The IIP is marketed by Malta as a programme which allows for the grant of citizenship by a certificate of naturalisation to foreign individuals and their families who contribute to the economic development of Malta. In an effort to appease the EU Commission, a number of more stringent conditions which must be satisfied by those seeking to become Maltese citizens have recently been introduced. These range from the requirement for the main applicant to provide proof that he/she has been a resident of Malta for a period of at least 12 months preceding the day from the grant of citizenship to more onerous financial thresholds attached to investments which must be made by applicants.
Nonetheless, these changes have done little to allay the EU’s watchdog concerns that such ‘golden passport’ schemes flout the rules of EU membership and expose the union to risks in so far as security, money laundering, tax evasion and corruption are concerned.
Being part of the union is equivalent to forming part of any club, that is, adherence to the club’s rules is a prerequisite in order to benefit from membership. Hence, just as Malta has always welcomed with open arms any EU funding which comes its way and reaped from the benefits of forming part of a single market economy, it must also ensure that it plays fairly and in accordance with the rules of this club of which it forms part.
In its formal notice, the European Commission has highlighted a number of alleged breaches in relation to the operation of the Maltese IIP. The treaties which Malta signed upon membership make provision for the principle of sincere cooperation among all signatories of these treaties.
Article 4 (3) of the Treaty on European Union obliges member states to assist each other in carrying out the tasks entrusted to the EU by the treaties and to refrain from doing anything which might jeopardise the attainment of the EU’s objectives. One such objective, as enshrined in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union, is that of offering its citizens an area of freedom, security and justice without internal frontiers, in which the free movement of persons is ensured in conjunction with appropriate measures with respect to external border controls, asylum, immigration and the prevention and combating of crime. The various secondary legislative measures adopted by the EU throughout the years are a living testament to the hard work being done at EU level to ensure the prevention of money laundering and other criminal action which might thwart the security both on a physical and an economical level to be enjoyed by EU citizens. Any action by any member state which might hinder such security is a clear breach of its obligation to not jeopardise the attainment of the EU’s objectives.
This can be explained better within the context of EU citizenship status as provided for in Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. When a member state awards nationality, the person concerned automatically becomes an EU citizen and enjoys all rights linked to this status, such as the right to move, reside and work freely within the EU, or the right to vote in municipal elections as well as elections to the European Parliament. This means that any investor citizenship schemes do not only leave their impact on the member state which is benefitting from them but also leave a ripple effect in their wake, impacting the entire EU territory. Due to the nature of EU citizenship, such schemes have implications for the union as a whole.
Hence, though citizenship matters do, as a rule, fall within the competence of each sovereign EU member state. The conditions for obtaining and forfeiting national citizenship are nonetheless subject to due respect for EU law.
Now that infringement proceedings have been launched by the commission, Malta has two months to reply to the letter of formal notice. If the replies are not satisfactory, the commission may issue a ‘reasoned opinion’ on the matter: a formal request to comply with EU law. It will also request the country to inform the commission of the measures taken to remedy the alleged breach, within a specified period, usually that of two months. If Malta refrains from complying, the commission may decide to refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the EU.
EU membership is clearly not something which can be used and abused at a state’s whim. Membership is not all about rights and opportunities but also about respecting the rules of the game and abiding by the commitments which the state pledges to undertake upon being admitted to the union.
Hence, any national measures or programmes implemented by member states at national level must respect the supremacy of EU law in its entirety.
Mariosa Vella Cardona is freelance legal consultant
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