New UK PM appoints cabinet, names country's first female chancellor
London: In a historic move, newly appointed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has named Rachel Reeves as the nation's first female Chancellor of the Exchequer and Angela Rayner as Deputy Prime Minister. This announcement came on Friday, following the formation of Starmer's new cabinet.
Starmer's cabinet includes a record 11 women among its 25 members. Notable appointments include Yvette Cooper as Home Secretary, David Lammy as Foreign Secretary, and John Healey as Defence Secretary. Other key positions include Shabana Mahmood as Justice Secretary, Wes Streeting as Health Secretary, Bridget Phillipson as Education Secretary, and Ed Miliband as Energy Secretary.
In his inaugural speech at Downing Street, Starmer pledged to address the country's "struggling" healthcare system, secure British borders, and meet the needs for schools and affordable homes. He also said that the country has voted decisively for change and a return to public service politics.
"Our country has voted decisively for change and a return of politics to public service," Starmer stated. He acknowledged that "changing a country is not like flicking a switch" and noted the increasing volatility of the world.
Starmer assured that the work for change would begin immediately but would take time. He emphasized his focus on issues that matter to "working-class families" like his own. "If I asked you now whether you believed that Britain will be better for your children, I know too many of you will say no -- and so my government will fight until you believe again," he declared.
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Have requested Amit Shah for CBI probe into Ajit Pawar's plane crash: Fadnavis
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to order a CBI investigation into the plane crash that killed Deputy CM Ajit Pawar last month, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said.
The Mahayuti government will ensure that all doubts regarding the plane crash are cleared, Fadnavis said at a press conference on Sunday on the eve of the budget session of the Maharashtra legislature.
"I had received a letter from the NCP (an ally of the BJP) seeking a CBI probe into the air crash and spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah. Along with investigations by DGCA and state CID, there will be a probe by the CBI," he added.
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Ajit Pawar and four others onboard a chartered plane were killed when it crashed while attempting to land near Baramati in Pune district on January 28.
The late NCP chief's nephew and NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar has raised several allegations regarding the plane crash circumstances and suspected foul play.
On Saturday, Rohit Pawar wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu be asked to resign till the inquiry into the incident is completed.
He has also raised questions regarding the company VSR that owned the ill-fated Learjet 45 aircraft and its purported links with Naidu.
Fadnavis, meanwhile, added that the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) was conducting an audit of the VSR Company and all its logbooks were being checked.
"We have to wait for the probe report and avoid speculation. There may be doubts that have to be referred to the appropriate authority. We will also ensure a regular follow-up of the investigation. I feel the DGCA and civil aviation ministry have nothing to hide," he said.
Noting the probe is important for the safety of all political leaders, Fadnavis recalled that he had travelled on the VSR plane several times.
Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, who was also present at the presser with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, said, "We have requested a CBI probe into the air crash and the chief minister has assured a thorough investigation."
Fadnavis also took a swipe at the Opposition after leaders of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) skipped the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) meeting on the eve of the state Budget session, which is likely to witness intense debates on Ajit Pawar's plane crash and other issues.
The Opposition boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Fadnavis, claiming the state government had not expressed any regret over the potential impact of the Indo-US trade deal on cotton growers and fisherfolk from Maharashtra.
