Former prime minister of Portugal, António Costa, has been elected as the President of the European Council in a historic moment for both Portugal and the EU. Costa, who is known for his pragmatic leadership style and commitment to social justice, became the first Portuguese leader to hold this position. The decision to appoint him was made during a meeting of the European Council in Brussels, demonstrating a willingness to consider unconventional options and highlighting Portugal's growing influence in the EU.
António Costa: The First Portuguese President of the European Council
On December 15, 2021, former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa was elected as the President of the European Council, a historic milestone for Portugal and the EU. Costa's appointment marked a departure from tradition, as the position had previously been held by former government leaders of larger member states.
Background
António Costa, born in Lisbon in 1961, rose through the ranks of the Portuguese Socialist Party. He served as the Mayor of Lisbon from 2007 to 2015, spearheading major urban renewal projects. In 2015, he became Prime Minister of Portugal, leading the country through a period of economic recovery and social progress.
Presidency of the European Council
Costa's election to the top EU post reflects his unwavering commitment to European integration and the values of solidarity and cooperation. As President of the European Council, Costa chairs meetings of EU leaders and represents the EU on the international stage. His priorities include:
Top 5 FAQs
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A horrifying stampede took place at a religious function in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district, resulting in the death of at least 121 people and leaving several others injured. The incident occurred during a satsang at Fulrai-Mughalgarhi village, and the victims included men, women, and children. An FIR has been registered against the organisers, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the tragedy. The event has sparked a wave of grief and shock in India, and all the victims are being treated at nearby hospitals in Hathras and Etah districts.
In a significant move, senior Indian leader K Keshava Rao has returned to the Congress party, describing it as a "worthy homecoming". This comes after Rao had previously left Congress to join the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), now known as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), in 2013. The announcement was made by Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who welcomed Rao back into the fold and expressed confidence in his leadership and experience.
As the United States celebrates its independence from British rule on the Fourth of July, it's important to recognize the diversity within the nation. With 50 states and multiple territories, the United States is home to a wide range of languages and cultures. From English to Spanish to Native American languages, people in the US communicate in over 350 languages, highlighting the nation's rich heritage. This Independence Day, let's celebrate the diversity that makes the United States truly unique.
In a tragic incident, a stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh has left over a hundred people dead and several more injured. The chaos erupted at the end of the event when devotees rushed to catch a glimpse of the baba, resulting in suffocation and bodies piling atop each other. The toll is expected to rise as updates come in and investigations continue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various political leaders have expressed their condolences.
A religious event held in the Rati Bhanpur village of Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh turned tragic as a stampede broke out, claiming the lives of at least 107 people, predominantly women. The crowded venue and hot weather conditions are believed to be contributing factors to the incident. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an investigation and rescue efforts are underway.
In a tragic and deadly incident, 116 people have died and over 200 injured in a stampede at a Hindu religious event in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The state government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is promising to uncover the cause and hold responsible parties accountable. Indian Prime Minister Modi has expressed his condolences and offered support to the victims and their families while Tamil Nadu leaders express their solidarity and sadness over the unfortunate incident.
A stampede at a religious congregation in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, has claimed the lives of over 100 people, mostly women. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed condolences over the tragedy, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to visit the site on Wednesday. The incident is currently under investigation, with a high-level committee formed to look into the matter.
The Indian Navy has released the admit cards for the Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET) as part of their Agniveer 02/2024 recruiting campaign. The written test for Agniveer SSR applicants is scheduled for July 9-11, while the Matric Recruit (MR) test will take place from July 12-15. The INET test will be conducted in a computer-based format and is the first stage of the selection process for Agniveers. Those who are shortlisted after the written test will move on to the second stage, which includes a physical fitness test, written test, and medical examination.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the country will receive good and widespread normal rainfall in July, except for northwest and central regions and north Tamil Nadu. Along with this, higher maximum temperatures are expected in these areas due to subdued rainfall. However, past statistics and weather models suggest that the country will experience normal or above average rainfall this month. Factors such as a neutral Indian Ocean Dipole and active Madden Jullian Oscillation will also contribute to favorable ocean conditions. This forecast comes after India recorded its lowest June rainfall in the last three years.
Sri Lanka has expressed its concern to India over the death of a Sri Lankan navy sailor during an operation to seize an Indian trawler engaged in illegal fishing in the island's territorial waters. The Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Delhi has relayed the message to India's External Affairs Minister, stating that the sailor's death was an accident and not due to any intentional act. This incident comes amidst ongoing tensions between India and Sri Lanka over illegal fishing activities in each other's waters.