Central News Hub

Month: September 2022

  • Queen’s funeral to take place on Sept 19

    Queen’s funeral to take place on Sept 19

    Following the State Funeral, the coffin will travel in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London for its onwards journey to Windsor…reports Asian Lite News

    The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19, at 11am local time, Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday.

    Prior to the State Funeral, the late British monarch will lie-in-state at Westminster Hall nearby for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects.

    “During the Lying-in-State, members of the public will have the opportunity to visit Westminster Hall to pay their respects to the Queen, the palace statement said.

    “On the morning of Monday 19th September, the Lying-in-State will end and the coffin will be taken in Procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey, where the State Funeral Service will take place, it said.

    Following the State Funeral, the coffin will travel in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London for its onwards journey to Windsor.

    In Windsor, the State Hearse will travel in procession to St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the monarch’s final resting place with her late husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

    Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after reigning for 70 years. She was 96.

    On Sunday, the coffin will travel to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, a journey of six hours by road, via Aberdeen. Six of her Balmoral gamekeepers will carry the coffin from the Balmoral ballroom to the hearse.

    It will remain in the throne room at Holyroodhouse until Monday afternoon, before a procession to St Giles’ Cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, with the King, Queen Consort and other members of the royal family walking behind. At 3pm there will be a service, attended by the King and family members, during which the crown of Scotland will be placed on the coffin.

    The Queen will then lie at rest at St Giles’ Cathedral for 24 hours, enabling the people of Scotland to pay their last respects, with vigils mounted by the military. That evening, the King and members of the royal family will mount their own vigil.

    The following evening the Queen’s coffin will be flown to London, accompanied by the Princess Royal, and arriving at Buckingham Palace at 8pm, the palace said. It will be received by a guard of honour, with the King, Queen Consort and other family members watching, before being carried to the Bow Room, where a rota of chaplains will keep watch.

    In the early afternoon on Wednesday, the coffin – adorned with the Imperial State Crown, along with a wreath of flowers – will be taken by procession to the Palace of Westminster for the lying in state, where it will remain for four days until the morning of the funeral.

    The King, members of the royal family and senior staff of the Queen and King’s households will walk in silence behind the coffin as it follows a route along Queen’s Gardens, the Mall, Horse Guards Parade and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and New Palace Yard.

    Throughout the procession, guns will be fired at Hyde Park by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and Big Ben will toll. The coffin will be carried in procession from the gun carriage to the catafalque positioned in the centre of Westminster Hall by a bearer party.

    During the lying in state, a continuous vigil will be mounted around the catafalque from the Household Division, the King’s Body Guards of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, the King’s Bodyguard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers and the King’s Bodyguard the Yeomen of the Guard.

    The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, who has overall responsibility for the funeral, which the Queen herself would have approved, said he and others involved “will carry out our duty over the coming days with the heaviest of hearts”.

    “But also, with the firmest of resolve to ensure a fitting farewell to one of the defining figures of our times; a monarch whom we were truly privileged to have had as the head of state of our country and the realms, and head of the wider Commonwealth,” he said.

    “While His Majesty the King was speaking about his family, I think it applies to us all when he said in his broadcast yesterday that ‘we owe her the most heartfelt debt’. I think we can, in some way, repay that debt by carrying out her last wishes in delivering Her Majesty the Queen’s funeral.”

    On his visit to Scotland, the King will have an audience with the first minister, followed by an audience with the presiding officer of the Scottish parliament.

    The King and the Queen Consort will then attend the Scottish parliament to receive a motion of condolence.

    ALSO READ-Queen was symbol of stability, says Lankan president

  • Queen was symbol of stability, says Lankan president

    Queen was symbol of stability, says Lankan president

    Wickremesinghe tweeted Friday September 09 morning that he was saddened to learn of the queen’s passing…reports Asian Lite News

    Queen Elizabeth II was a symbol of stability and endurance and will be greatly missed, Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a condolence message.

    Wickremesinghe tweeted Friday September 09 morning that he was saddened to learn of the queen’s passing.

    In an earlier statement, the president’s media division said as a mark of respect on the passing of the queen, who was the Head of the Commonwealth and Queen of Ceylon 1952-72, the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government has been instructed that the National flag be flown at half mast in all public buildings on Friday.

    Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s parliament also observed a two-minute silence before it began proceedings on Friday.

    ALSO READ-Queen was with me at happiest and saddest times: William

  • When the Queen ruled over Pakistan for 4 years

    When the Queen ruled over Pakistan for 4 years

    Elizabeth II was the first queen of Pakistan, taking over her father King George VI’s role as monarch, and reigned over the country till March 23, 1956, when Pakistan became a republic…reports Asian Lite News

    Queen Elizabeth II’s reign encompassed to a large degree Britain’s declining global influence, from an empire that once bestrode the world to a middle-ranking economy.

    During her time as queen, the footprint of her monarchy shrank dramatically, but at her death, she was still head of state of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth countries or realms.

    At her coronation in 1952, Elizabeth II was crowned queen of seven independent countries: the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ceylon, which later changed its name to Sri Lanka.

    Where she remained queen, the role was largely ceremonial, and her duties were carried out by one of her governor generals — a viceroy who effectively acts as head of state.

    Elizabeth II was the first queen of Pakistan, taking over her father King George VI’s role as monarch, and reigned over the country till March 23, 1956, when Pakistan became a republic.

    Pakistan spent almost Rs482,000 during her coronation which former prime minister Muhammad Ali Bogra justified by saying that Pakistan being a member of the Commonwealth “has to fall in line with other sister Dominions on such occasions”.

    Her coronation gown was embroidered with floral emblems of each Commonwealth nation and featured three representing Pakistan: wheat, cotton and jute.

    However, her role as queen of Pakistan remained minimal and uneventful as she intentionally abstained from interfering in the country and its politics, while her governor-general played a ceremonial role.

    The Diplomat cites the example of then governor-general Sir Ghulam Muhammad who had fired prime minister Sir Khawaja Nazimuddin in 1953 for attempting to equalise the power of West and East Pakistan. The premier had endeavoured to reverse this by appealing to the queen, but she refused to intervene.

    Her reign over the country was abolished in 1956 after Pakistan adopted a republican constitution.

    Visits to Pakistan

    The late monarch visited Pakistan twice during her rule, in 1961 and 1997.

    During her first tour from February 1-16, 1961, Elizabeth II – aged 34 – was accompanied by her consort Prince Phillip and journeyed to Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore and the northern areas.

    She was received by former president Ayub Khan and presented with the 21-gun royal salute. In her remarks, Elizabeth II dubbed Pakistan as “one of the powers in the world of Islam” and “one of the great nations of the Commonwealth.

    About her visit, British publication, The Guardian said that Pakistan had staged a torchlight tattoo and fireworks function, as the Queen and Prince Philip were treated to a “full weekend of entertainment”.

    Her second visit to the former colony was 36 years later, in 1997 when Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari was president and Nawaz Sharif was the prime minister. Her tour coincided with Pakistan’s golden jubilee as the country celebrated 50 years of independence.

    She remained in the country from October 7-13, once again accompanied by her spouse Prince Philip.

    According to a royal press release, the couple arrived at Chaklala, Islamabad, where they were yet again presented with a 21-gun salute as they stepped off the plane. The Queen and Duke were received by the then foreign minister, Gohar Ayub Khan.

    During this visit, Elizabeth II also addressed the joint sitting of the Parliament of Pakistan on October 8, 1997, where she urged “renewed efforts to end historic disagreements” between India and Pakistan.

    She later met with Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, who was serving as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, and other political leaders.

    ALSO READ-Queen was with me at happiest and saddest times: William

  • Queen was with me at happiest and saddest times: William

    Queen was with me at happiest and saddest times: William

    Prince William termed the passing away of the Queen as an unreal day for him, reports Asian Lite News

    William, the Prince of Wales, on Saturday wrote a heartfelt message over the demise of his “Grannie”, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

    Recalling the cherished memories with his grannie, Prince William expressed gratitude towards the Queen’s wisdom and reassurance. Prince also reminisced his grannie’s fond memories while thanking her for 20 years of guidance and support to the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton.

    “While I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had 20 years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life.”

    “On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign. I, however, have lost a grandmother,” he added.

    He termed the passing away of the Queen as an unreal day for him. “I knew this day would come, but it will be sometime before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real,” the Prince of Wales tweeted.

    “My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen. I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can.”

    A portrait of the Queen Elizabeth II with the next three heirs — Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George — to the throne was released to mark the start of the new decade.

    Prince William also admired the Queen for her life-long devotion and service to the nation. “I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all.”

    After King Charles III took the throne as the new monarch of England on Saturday after his mother Queen Elizabeth II passed away, a second Proclamation following the principal proclamation was read in the City of London, at the Royal Exchange.

    The second proclamation has been made at the Royal Exchange in London as thousands gathered to witness history in the making. State trumpeters sounded a fanfare, as crowds fell into silence to hear the announcement.

    As is convention further Proclamations will be read in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at 1200 hours the following day on Sunday, September 11. In recognition of the new Sovereign, flags are flown at full mast from the time of the Principal Proclamation at St James’s Palace until one hour after the Proclamations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, after which flags will return to half-mast in mourning for the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

    King Charles III was proclaimed as the new monarch of England after his mother Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday. King Charles Philip Arthur George paid tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and spoke of the “great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty.”

    “I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty which have now passed to me. In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of these Islands and of the Commonwealth Realms and Territories throughout the world,” King said soon after being proclaimed Britain’s new monarch at the Accession Council at St James’s Palace in London.

    Dressed in a formal black tuxedo, Charles, 73, has been proclaimed the new King of England. With the new development, his wife Camilla Parker Bowles will now be England’s Queen consort.

    On Friday, Charles, the longest heir to the throne, and Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace in London and met mourners, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Buckingham Palace was swarmed with waves of mourners held back by barriers as Charles met the crowds.

    The royal dignitary received a warm reception as he passed the crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace. Charles was offered bouquets of flowers and even a kiss on the cheek as he shook hands with those who had gathered to see him arrive.

    He was by his mother’s side at her beloved Scottish Highlands home as her health deteriorated, and returned to the capital to hold his first audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss.

    Born on November 14, 1948, he was the first child of Elizabeth and Philip, then the princess and prince. At the age of 19, he formally became the Prince of Wales on July 1, 1969.

    He married Lady Diana Spencer on July 29, 1981, and became the first royal heir since 1660 to marry an English woman. In August 1996, Diana and Charles went their separate ways and got legally divorced.

    After Diana’s demise in a car accident, Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in April 2005. Soon, the couple got the royal title of Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. (ANI)

    ALSO READ: King Charles vows ‘lifelong service’ as UK’s new monarch

  • US Justice Dept feels delaying Trump probe harms national security

    US Justice Dept feels delaying Trump probe harms national security

    The US Department of Justice (DOJ) said it would appeal the Trump Mar-a-Lago Special Master order, reports Ashe O

     Any further delay in delaying criminal investigations into former President Donald Trump and the records he kept at Mar-a-Lago Florida residence could put America’s national security at risk, says the US Department of Justice.

    The DOJ has made this claim in the wake of US District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump-appointed federal judge, granting the former president’s request for a special master to review evidence seized during the raid independently.

    The DOJ claimed that pausing the FBI’s criminal investigation while separately continuing the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s damage assessment was essentially impossible, media reports said.

    The DOJ said it would appeal the Trump Mar-a-Lago Special Master order.

    The DOJ’s motion was filed by Matthew Olsen, the assistant attorney general for the National Security Division, Jay Bratt, the chief of the DOJ’s counterintelligence and export control section, and Juan Antonio Gonzalez, the US attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

    “The government seeks a stay to the extent the Order (1) enjoins the further review and use for criminal investigative purposes of records bearing classification markings that were recovered pursuant to a court-authorized search warrant and (2) requires the government to disclose those classified records to a special master for review,” the DOJ officials wrote.

    The DOJ revealed that during the Mar-a-Lago search, the FBI seized 33 boxes that contained roughly 100 “classified” documents.

    “The Intelligence Community’s review and assessment cannot be readily segregated from the Department of Justice’s and Federal Bureau of Investigation’s activities in connection with the ongoing criminal investigation, and uncertainty regarding the bounds of the Court’s order and its implications for the activities of the FBI has caused the Intelligence Community, in consultation with DOJ, to pause temporarily this critically important work,” the DOJ said.

    “Moreover, the government and the public are irreparably injured when a criminal investigation of matters involving risks to national security is enjoined.”

    An ODNI spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that “in consultation with the Department of Justice, ODNI temporarily paused the classification review of relevant materials and assessment of the potential risk to national security that would result from the disclosure of the relevant documents.” The Office of the Directorate of National Intelligence (ODNI) is to lead the IC in intelligence integration, forging a community that delivers the most insightful intelligence possible. ODNI’s National Centers integrate and coordinate the activities of the entire IC, or in some cases, broader US government in the IC’s major mission areas: counterterrorism, counterproliferation and counterintelligence.

    Alan Kohler, the assistant director of the FBI’s counterintelligence division, also included a statement with the DOJ’s filing.

    Trump’s winning Special Master (3rd independent person to review documents seized by FBI from Trump’s Florida home) order from the Florida judge may be short lived, says the Washington Examiner in a report.

    “The connection between the national security and criminal investigative aspects of this matter are grounded in the dual nature of the FBI,” Kohler wrote.

    “The IC assessments necessarily will inform the FBI’s criminal investigation, including subsequent investigative steps that might be necessary…. The FBI is the only IC element with a full suite of authorities and tools to investigate and recover any improperly retained and stored classified information in the United States.”

    It comes after Cannon said Monday that she “temporarily enjoins the Government from reviewing and using the seized materials for investigative purposes pending completion of the special master’s review or further Court order.” But she said that her ruling “shall not impede the classification review and/or intelligence assessment by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.”

    Prosecutors argued late last month that the “appointment of a special master would impede the government’s ongoing criminal investigation and — if the special master were tasked with reviewing classified documents — would impede the Intelligence Community from conducting its ongoing review of the national security risk that improper storage of these highly sensitive materials may have caused.”

    Trump’s team countered: “The Government now has the temerity to argue that any involvement by a Special Master will ‘interfere’ with the now ongoing Intelligence Community review of the materials. Never has an argument against ‘interference’ better underscored the need for judicial involvement. “The judge ruled largely in Trump’s favor.

    ALSO READ: Intel on N-readiness found at Trump’s home

  • Solihull Sarbojonin Celebrates Durgotsav

    Solihull Sarbojonin Celebrates Durgotsav

    This Autumn, on the 30th September ,1st and 2nd October, the beautiful suburbia of Solihull in West Midlands will be host to its very first Durgotsav – the autumn festival celebrating the homecoming of the Hindu Goddess Durga, the primordial Mother. Organised by Solihull Sarbojonin, this 2-day long celebration will be held at Solihull Women’s Insititute, B91 3DQ.

    Steeped in a rich socio-cultural history hailing from the colonial era, Durga Pujo or Durgotsav is the crowning celebration within the Bengali community, transcending the barriers of gender, class, community, religion and race. Besides celebrating the Mother Goddess, this beautiful festival coincides with the bigger celebration of Navratri and Dussehra, celebrated nationwide in India and the United Kingdom.

    Solihull Sarbojonin – a group formed by the Indian Bengali diaspora living in and around Solihull, has in the recent past, organised numerous community events that have helped propagate Bengali culture within the British Indian community and beyond, educating and amalgamating the next generation as well as supporting local businesses and organisations to create a holistic environment. While Durga Puja is currently celebrated quite extensively within the UK, the substantially large local Indian population lacked one in Szolihull, or nearby Warwickshire , Rugby, and Coventry – and this event has been instrumental in bringing the people of these regions together. Not surprisingly, it has already begun to generate overwhelming support from various local and global organisations, SMEs, and individuals from different and varied fields.

    With Solihull Sarbojonin’s motto – ‘shobar shathe, shobar majhe’, the 3-day long festival aims to go beyond just its religious identity; and aims to showcase Bengali food, art, businesses, music and culture in an integrated and wholesome celebration, welcoming everyone to come and attend the event as well as partake in the festivities. The event is ‘open to all’ and is completely funded through voluntary donations and crowdsourcing.

    In its bid to remain eco-friendly and socially responsible, Solihull Sarbojonin has also chosen to uphold the theme: Conservation + Restoration. Consequently, the group has decided on restoring and repurposing a pre-loved set of effigies instead of sourcing a new one from India, substantially reducing their carbon footprint as well. Furthermore, they plan to issue a digitised copy of their annual magazine, alongside running their promotions, marketing and funding processes digitally, as much as possible, while also buying and sourcing locally, using eco-friendly materials and supporting British farmers and businesses.

    Solihull Sarbojonin and its growing family of members cordially welcome you all to be a part of their festivities and extend your support to the first of many, many such beautiful celebrations.

    For enquiries, business or social, please get in touch by emailing TeamPR@solihullsarbojonin.org

    ALSO READ: MIP launches refreshed strategy to bolster Indo-MCR ties

  • Charles III officially proclaimed Britain’s King

    Charles III officially proclaimed Britain’s King

    The Accession Council, a body made up of senior politicians, judges and officials, proclaimed him as the monarch in the State Apartments, reports Asian Lite News

    For the first time in a televised ceremony, King Charles III was on Saturday officially proclaimed the new British monarch following the demise of his 96-year-old mother, Queen Elizabeth II who reigned for 70 years on the throne.

    Charles, the Queen’s first born, became king immediately after her death on Thursday, but a historic meeting formally confirmed his role on Saturday during the ceremony at St James’s Palace, says the BBC.

    The Accession Council, a body made up of senior politicians, judges and officials, proclaimed him as the monarch in the State Apartments.

    Following the proclamation, the King formally announced the death of his “beloved mother, the Queen”.

    “The whole world sympathises with me in the irreparable loss we’ve all suffered,” he said.

    “My mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service. My mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, dedication and devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life.

    “I am deeply aware of this deep inheritance and of the grave duties and responsibilities which are now passed to me,” the BBC quoted Charles as saying.

    He then went on to thank Queen Consort Camilla, saying: “I am profoundly encouraged by the constant support of my beloved wife.”

    Also in attendance at the ceremony were Prime Minister Liz Truss, and former premiers Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Theresa May, as well as Archbishop Justin Welby and Prince William.

    Before Charles was named the King, the death of the Queen was formally announced.

    The 200 or so people gathered in the room all then said ‘God save the King’ before documents were signed.

    Flags that were lowered in mourning for the late Queen will fly full-mast for a short time.

    A wave of further proclamations will take place across the UK until Sunday.

    ALSO READ: King Charles vows ‘lifelong service’ as UK’s new monarch

  • India stays out of Indo-Pacific trade pillar

    India stays out of Indo-Pacific trade pillar

    Trade is one of the four pillars of this trade arrangement that was launched by US President Joe Biden in May 2022, joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi among other leaders of the member countries, reports Yashwant Raj

    India has stayed out of negotiations on trade at the first in-person ministerial meeting of 14-nation Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, held in Los Angeles.

    Trade is one of the four pillars of this trade arrangement that was launched by US President Joe Biden in May 2022, joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi among other leaders of the member countries. The other three are Supply Chain, Clean Economy, and Fair Economy.

    India was led by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal at the talks. He also held several bilateral meetings including with his US counterparts – Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

    India participated in discussions on the remaining three pillars and also signed on to the separate statements that were released on the negotiations. All 14 member nations signed the three statements, but only 13 signed the one on trade, with India deciding to sit it out.

    No reasons were forthcoming.

    “You have correctly noted that India is not now in the trade pillar,” US Trade Representative Tai said at a news conference with Commerce Secretary Raimondo in Los Angeles on Friday, at the conclusion of the discussion on Thursday. She added that she has been in regular touch with her Indian counterpart Goyal and that the two countries do and will cover the same issues – as at the IPEF – in their bilateral discussions, such as the Trade Policy Forum, which is to meet later in the year.

    Raimondo said the IPEF is meant to be “flexible and inclusive”.

    Trade remains a key irritant in the India-US relations, which have otherwise seen significant progress.

    When pressed for specific “sticking points” behind India’s absence from trade talks, Tai, who is usually very careful with her words, couldn’t contain her frustration. “I both want to and I don’t want to, right,” she said. “Part of me wants to tell you everything that just happened. But part of me is here to build trust with our partners.”

    Tai then took another shot at answering the question. “We obviously value each of the countries in this partnership and have a strong and important trading relationship with each one of them. I think that part of the challenge in bringing together a group of 14 is you’ve got 14 different points of view in that room. You’ve got 14 different ministers representing 14 different economies, who are part of 14 different bureaucracies, who come from 14 different political landscapes with stakeholders with needs and priorities. So I think that that might be the hardest part of an exercise like this.”

    On the second pillar of supply chain, the 14 countries said they will “seek to coordinate actions to mitigate and prevent future supply chain disruptions and secure critical sectors and key products for our manufacturers”.

    On the third pillar of clean economy, the countries said they will “seek to expand investment opportunities, spur innovation, and improve the livelihoods of citizens as the partners unlock the region’s abundant clean energy resources and substantial carbon sequestration potential”.

    Piyush Goyal meets with Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell on the sidelines of IPEF meet in Los Angeles.

    And on the final pillar of fair economy, they agreed to “seek to level the playing field for businesses and workers within partner countries by preventing and combatting corruption, curbing tax evasion, and enhancing transparency, recognising the importance of fairness, inclusiveness, the rule of law, accountability and transparency”.

    On trade, on which India did not join in, the remaining IPEF partners said they “will seek high-standard provisions in areas that are foundational to resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth, including labor, environment, digital economy, agriculture, transparency and good regulatory practices, competition, inclusivity, trade facilitation, and technical assistance and economic development”.

    ALSO READ: Biden to consult leaders on UNSC expansion

  • Biden to consult leaders on UNSC expansion

    Biden to consult leaders on UNSC expansion

    The US has supported India’s quest for a permanent seat in the Security Council and despite Washington’s misgivings over New Delhi’s neutrality over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there is no discernible change in Washington’s stance, reports Arul Louis

     Giving a new impetus to the movement for UN Security Council reforms, US President Joe Biden will consult with other leaders during the General Assembly’s upcoming high-level session to “forge a consensus” on expanding the Council, according to Washington’s Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

    “We should forge consensus around sensible and credible proposals to expand the Security Council’s membership,” she said while addressing the Future of the UN in San Francisco on Thursday.

    “During this month’s General Assembly, President Biden, Secretary (of State Antony) Blinken, and I plan to consult broadly on our individual and collective responsibilities under the UN Charter, including critical questions around reform of the Security Council and other UN organs,” she said.

    “You can expect to hear more from us on this issue.”

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be at the General Assembly’s annual high-level meeting that starts on September 20, instead External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India.

    “The Security Council should also better reflect the current global realities and incorporate more geographically diverse perspectives,” Thomas-Greenfield said.

    The basic structure of the Security Council goes back to the geopolitics of 1945 when the five countries that had won World War II — China (then represented by what became the leadership of Taiwan), France, the UK, the US and the Soviet Union (now succeeded by Russia) — assumed veto-wielding permanent membership.

    United States Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield. (Photo: Arul Louis/IANS)

    “We should not defend an unsustainable and outdated status quo. Instead, we must demonstrate flexibility and willingness to compromise in the name of greater credibility and legitimacy,” she said emphasising the need for reforms.

    The US has supported India’s quest for a permanent seat in the Security Council and despite Washington’s misgivings over New Delhi’s neutrality over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there is no discernible change in Washington’s stance.

    Thomas-Greenfield said that as a permanent member, the US “will enhance cooperation, inclusivity, and transparency”.

    Since the Security Council got its mandate from the total membership of the UN and acts on its behalf, its “members should engage frequently and substantively with the General Assembly, with UN bodies, with relevant regional groups, and with a cross-section of UN Member States”, she added.

    The efforts to reform the Security Council have been blocked by a small group of countries, who have blocked it from even adopting a negotiating text on which the negotiations can go forward.

    ALSO READ: Indian-American Vedant Patel holds State Dept presser

  • King Charles vows ‘lifelong service’ as UK’s new monarch

    King Charles vows ‘lifelong service’ as UK’s new monarch

    Seventy years later, the UK saw the first official rendition of the national anthem, ‘God Save the King’, since Charles became monarch, reports Asian Lite News

    King Charles III has pledged “lifelong service” in his first address to the UK and the Commonwealth after assuming the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

    The televised speech was broadcast on Friday as a service to remember the late Queen, attended by senior politicians and 2,000 members of the public, which took place at the St Paul’s Cathedral, the BBC reported.

    Seventy years later, the UK saw the first official rendition of the national anthem, ‘God Save the King’, since Charles became monarch.

    In his televised address, 73-year-old said: “Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never waivered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss.

    “Throughout her life, Her Majesty the Queen was an inspiration. Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”

    The King and The Queen Consort have arrived at Buckingham Palace. Upon arrival, Their Majesties received a warm reception from members of the public who were paying their respects.

    He said he felt “profound sorrow” over the death of his mother and that he shared the public’s “sense of loss beyond measure”, Xinhua news agency reported.

    Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch in history, died at Balmoral, Scotland, on Thursday, aged 96.

    Charles, 73, will be officially proclaimed King at the Accession Council on Saturday in a ceremony held at St. James’s Palace in London.

    Charles bestowed the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales on his eldest son William and daughter-in-law Kate — titles that he and his late wife Diana previously held.

    He also expressed “love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas”.

    Speaking about his wife of 17 years, Camilla, 75, who becomes the Queen Consort, he said: “I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.”

    He acknowledged his life had now changed, saying: “It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply.

    The King held an Audience at Buckingham Palace with the Prime Minister Liz Truss.

    “But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.”

    Looking ahead to the Queen’s funeral, the King expressed his hope that despite the sorrow felt around the nation and Commonwealth people would “remember and draw strength from the light of her example”.

    He concluded: “And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you.

    “Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May ‘flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest’.”