The White House and Congress have reached an agreement to repeal the military’s “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” policy, banning gays from serving openly in the armed forces, after 17 years.
As a result of the agreement, Congressmen would now be entitled to vote on amendments that could repeal the previous policy, with a provision ensuring that any change could take effect only after the Pentagon completes a study about its impact on troops.
Senators Joe Lieberman and Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, along with Congressman Patrick Murphy sent a letter to the White House announcing that they have “developed a legislative proposal for consideration by the House and Senate that puts a process in place to repeal the policy of Don’y ask don’t tell”.
US President Barack Obama, the secretary of defence, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs “certify that repeal can be achieved consistent with the military’s standards of readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention,” the letter said.
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Indian-origin becomes 1st woman PM
Sophie Nicholson
Port Of Spain
May 25: Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Indian-origin as been elected the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago after her five-party coalition swept to victory in snap elections in the former British colony.
A subdued PM Patrick Manning conceded defeat some five hours after the close of polls late on Monday, as TV counts showed almost the whole map of the larger island of Trinidad turn the coalition colour of yellow, as well as both seats in Tobago. The Elections and Boundaries Commission was on Tuesday due to give official results of the 41 seats in the energy-rich nation. —AFP