China’s new leader in waiting, Xi Jinping, will have a surprise head start as the nation’s most influential leader as outgoing President Hu Jintao has reportedly decided to step down from all his posts, including as head of the all-powerful Central Military Commission.
Mr Xi, 59, currently vice-president, is expected to be formally anointed as general secretary of the Communist Party at the end of its ongoing 18th congress on its last day on November 14.
Ending speculation, Mr Hu has decided to formally give up his position as military chief at the end of the party congress, Hong Kong’s influential South China Morning Post quoted officials as saying. His decision to opt for complete retirement has surprised many analysts, who expected him to retain his chairmanship of the military body particularly in the backdrop of a recent reshuffle of the military top brass known to be loyal to him.
Vice-premier Li Keqiang, 57, regarded as a successor to Premier Wen Jiabao, is also Mr Hu’s protege.
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Pinki is male, slapped with rape charges
Rajib Chowdhuri
Kolkata, Nov. 12
In what may trigger a fresh controversy, the police submitted its chargesheet in the Pinki Pramanik case at the Barasat court in North 24-Parganas on Monday, describing the 2006 Doha Asian Games gold medallist as a “male” and booked him on rape charge. Adding a new twist to the case, the police said the charge was substantiated by the medical report which mentioned his masculinity.
Surprisingly, the court declared Pinki incapable of committing rape and granted bail on July 10 based on the findings of the gender verification test.
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