Categories
-Top News Politics UK News

‘Midfielder’ Starmer Poised to Rewrite UK History

Starmer and his party want to build a Britain that is forging ahead and not falling behind – one where the economy is secure, and rewards hard work…reports Asian Lite News

Elected to Parliament in 2015 for the first time at the age of 52, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, widely projected to become the next UK Prime Minister after Thursday’s General Elections, has promised to offer the change the country needs.

“Labour will deliver change for Wales and across the United Kingdom. But change will only happen if you vote for it. Vote Labour tomorrow,” he posted on X, a few hours before Britain headed to polls.

Starmer, who takes pride in calling himself a “lifelong” Arsenal fan, has represented people on death row as a human rights lawyer. The Labour Party describes the former Chief Director of Public Prosecutions as a man who has spent his entire career securing justice for those who need it.

Son of a toolmaker, Starmer faced challenging times right from his childhood that was spent in Surrey’s Oxted. His mother, a nurse who worked for the National Health Service (NHS), battled a rare, severe illness for all her life.

“Despite the challenges this presented for Keir, he was hugely influenced by his mother’s courage and determination to live her life despite her illness. It also gave him a deep gratitude for the NHS,” the party says about its leader.

At 18, Starmer began studying law at Leeds University. After becoming a barrister in 1987, he spent a lot of his time providing free legal advice defending ordinary people against the powerful. “He worked on some high-profile cases, taking on fights against the odds with Shell and McDonalds, as well as working with the National Union of Mineworkers to prevent the Tories’ pit closures,” states the Labour Party.

After years of service as Director of Public Prosecutions, which saw him fighting cases for victims of sexual and domestic violence and taking MPs to task for misuse of expenses, Starmer was knighted in 2014 for his services to criminal justice. After entering politics and the British Parliament in 2015, Starmer was elected as leader of the Labour Party in April 2020. Four years later, he is now promising a better future for Britain.

“Our public services are on their knees, hard-working people are not making ends meet, victims of crime are being let down, and that deep British belief, that the next generation will be better off, is at risk,” believes the Labour Party leader.

Starmer and his party want to build a Britain that is forging ahead and not falling behind – one where the economy is secure, and rewards hard work.

“Country before party. Economic stability. NHS waiting times cut. Safer streets. Criminal gangs smashed. 6500 more teachers. Great British Energy. That’s what my Labour government will deliver. Vote for it on Thursday,” says Starmer.

Despite the busy schedule, the leader of the Labour Party has managed to keep his passion for football alive and still plays every Sunday with friends.

“He describes himself as a ‘box-to-box midfield general’, although his teammates may have different views,” states the party.

ALSO READ-Labour Party Poised for Major Victory in UK Polls

Categories
-Top News Politics UK News

Labour Party Poised for Major Victory in UK Polls

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are in a close race to form the official opposition…reports Asian Lite News

UK’s Labour Party is set to win the 2024 general election on Thursday grabbing 484 out of a total 650 seats in the Parliament, a pre-poll company Survation projected.

According to the survey, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is projected to win a historic mandate against UK Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak.

The Conservatives, which have been in power for past for last 14 years, are projected to win 64 seats while the Democrats are likely to bag 61 seats.

In 1997, the Labour Party, under Tony Blair’s leadership, had won 418 seats.

The Reform Party, as per the research company, is projected to win seven seats.

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are in a close race to form the official opposition.

“The Labour Party is set to displace the Scottish National Party (SNP) as the largest party in Scotland,” it said.

The company mentioned that survey projections are based on Multilevel Regression and Post-stratification (MRP) model which uses data from over 30,000 respondents to make seat-level forecasts.

Despite having time till January 25 to hold the elections, PM Rishi Sunak on May 22 announced that the UK will go to polls on July 4.

ALSO READ-Big majority better for the country, claims Starmer  

Categories
-Top News Politics UK News

Starmer Pledges ‘Country Before Party’ in UK Polls

Taking to X, the Labour Party leader said, “Every single vote counts. If You want change you have to vote for it.”..reports Asian Lite News

UK’s Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on Wednesday said that he would put the country before the party and announced a slew of promises, including economic stability, safer streets and more teachers.

Starmer, the Labour Party’s candidate, also promised to create more jobs and crackdown on criminal gangs, if his party is voted to power in the elections.

A human rights lawyer with working-class roots, Starmer has also served as the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Taking to X, the Labour Party leader said, “Every single vote counts. If You want change you have to vote for it.”

“The election is about change. The change has got to be rooted in what you think. The choice is stark to continue with the same we had for the 14 long years or to turn the page and to start to build our country with Labour,” he said in a video shared on the social media platform.

“My Labour government will set up Great British Energy to create jobs, lower bills and provide energy security. Together we can stop the chaos, turn the page and start to rebuild.

He said, “I changed the Labour Party and now I’m ready to change Britain,” he said.

“But the work of change can only begin if you vote Labour on Thursday. Together we can stop the chaos, turn the page and start to rebuild,” the leader posted.

“This Thursday, the country faces a choice. Five more years of chaos with the Tories, or turning the page and rebuilding Britain with my changed Labour Party. Change will only happen if you vote for it,” his post read.

Earlier, he said that if he becomes UK Prime Minister his priority will be wealth creation, and making the people of the country better off.

ALSO READ-Big majority better for the country, claims Starmer  

Categories
-Top News Asia News Politics

Imran Khan Clears PTI Internal Strife Rumors

Imran criticised the government for burdening people with taxes and price hikes, instead of cutting its expenses in the financial budget….reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday dispelled the impression of any forward bloc in the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and asserted that a decision regarding the PTI deserters was yet to be taken, Pakistan-based daily The Dawn reported.

Khan said there were “no major differences” among the party leaders after the trial proceeding in a 190 million Euro corruption reference in which the court granted post-arrest bail to his wife, Bushra Bibi. But he admitted a division among some party leaders and said he would talk to them during their routine visit to Adiala jail on July 4.

Referring to the US Congress resolution on the Pakistani election, he said national and international media had raised questions on the transparency of the February 8 elections, Dawn reported.

He criticised the government for rebutting the resolution and said it was high time for introspection. He said the resolution could not be termed US “interference” as it questioned election transparency, unlike the cypher that “threatened” the elected regime. He added that he still stood by his words about Donald Lu’s interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs, Dawn reported.

He also criticised the government for burdening people with taxes and price hikes, instead of cutting its expenses in the financial budget. He warned that the budget would boost inflation. This was the time to bring the country out of the crises, he said, suggesting a fair and transparent fresh election as the only solution.

On June 30, Imran Khan took cognizance of reports about the ‘forward bloc’ and internal strife within the party and demanded names of the members causing the rifts. The speculations of the bloc were formed when almost two dozen lawmakers hinted at forming a forward bloc due to the leadership’s failure to secure Imran Khan’s release from jail. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Pakistan rice exporters facing shipment rejections from UK, EU

Categories
-Top News Asia News China

China Accused of Meddling in Taiwan’s Elections

At election time, Beijing funded trips by local politicians to China in an attempt to influence voting behaviour…reports Asian Lite News

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau and Ministry of Culture accused China that it is attempting to interfere in Taiwan’s democratic processes, including influencing elections and interfering with media, Taiwan News reported on Wednesday

National Security Bureau (NSB) said China was inviting local politicians intending to influence elections, while the Ministry of Culture (MOC) said it would present a report on the alleged attempts by Chinese reporters to interfere with Taiwan’s media, reports said.

Officials from the Mainland Affairs Council, National Security Bureau, Ministry of Culture, and Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau will present a report to the Legislative Yuan by July 4, detailing their findings on China’s alleged interference in Taiwan’s elections and media.

The methods used by China included underground financial institutions demanding confidential military data as a form of debt repayment by military officers, as per Taiwan News.

At election time, Beijing funded trips by local politicians to China in an attempt to influence voting behaviour, while also spreading reports about measures supposedly favouring Taiwan businesses.

The NSB reports that prosecutors have filed 39 indictments in 84 cases over the past year, indicating a rising trend in challenges to Taiwan’s national security, Taiwan News reported citing CNA.

According to the report, the alleged interference by Chinese journalists posted in Taiwan on TV talk shows was the subject of an investigation by the MOC.

Seven Chinese media companies had stationed a total of 10 correspondents in Taiwan, Taiwan News reported citing CNA.

The probe focused on a former reporter for China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency who was accused of involvement in the production of a TV show. He had already left Taiwan, as Chinese correspondents were issued a press pass for three months, with one extension possible.

The MOC said it would publish the results of its probe into the former Chinese journalist within a week, Taiwan News reported citing Radio Taiwan International (RTI) report.

The investigation focused both on UDN, the Taiwan media outlet that had invited the correspondent, and his employer, Xinhua News. The Chinese news agency’s two current reporters in Taiwan have also been invited to discuss the issue, according to the MOC. (ANI)

ALSO READ: US curbs on AI investments hinders ‘healthy development’: China

Categories
-Top News India News World News

EAM Jaishankar Pays Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Astana

Jaishankar, in his meeting with Lavrov, raised “strong concern about Indian nationals” currently in the war zone in Russia….reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Pushkin Park in Astana on Wednesday, where he paid tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi accompanied by members of the Indian community following his arrival to represent India at the SCO Summit on July 4.

Jaishanark shared the pictures on X, of him and the Indian delegations paying tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

“Paid homage at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Pushkin Park in Astana today. Joined by members of the Indian community and friends of India,” EAM wrote on X.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council meeting.

Jaishankar, in his meeting with Lavrov, raised “strong concern about Indian nationals” currently in the war zone in Russia.

“Good to meet Russian FM Sergey Lavrov in Astana today. Wide-ranging conversation on our bilateral partnership and contemporary issues.

Noted the progress in many areas since our last meeting in December 2023,” Jaishankar wrote in a post on X.”Raised our strong concern on Indian nationals who are currently in the war zone. Pressed for their safe and expeditious return,” he underlined.

On Tuesday, Jaishankar arrived in Astana to represent India at the SCO Summit, which is being held under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship.

The EAM was welcomed by Kazakhstan Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev at the airport.

“EAM @DrSJaishankar reached Astana to represent PM @narendramodi at the SCO Summit from July 3-4, 2024. On arrival, EAM was welcomed by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister @AlibekBakayev,” the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan posted on X.

Jaishankar also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu in Astana on Tuesday and discussed expanding strategic partnership and India’s increasing engagement with Central Asia.

Jaishankar thanked the deputy prime minister for the hospitality and arrangements for the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit.

The two ministers further exchanged views on regional and global issues.

“Delighted to meet DPM & FM Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan in Astana today. Thanked him for the hospitality and arrangements for the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit. Discussed our expanding Strategic Partnership and India’s increasing engagement with Central Asia in various formats. Also exchanged views on regional and global issues,” EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation at the summit. The SCO Summit will be held on July 3-4.

The 24th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State (SCO Summit) will be held under the presidency of Kazakhstan on July 4. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Jaishankar, Nurtleu discuss India’s deepening ties with Central Asia

Categories
Arts & Culture Events London News

World’s first dance performance on Ganesha Avataras’ Story

The event also befittingly marks the South Asian Heritage Month celebrations in the U.K., a report by Asian Lite News

Aadya Pujya organised by Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence at The Bhavan, London becomes the first dance performance ever on Ganesha Avatara Stotra from Mudgala Purana. The event was part of promoting Sanskrit and Indian Culture in collaboration with the Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi.

The event also befittingly marks the South Asian Heritage Month celebrations in the U.K., as Sanskrit and classical dances bear the history and heritage of millennia

Ganesha Avataras

The captivating Music and Dance showcase included presentation by thirty-eight young and professional artists to a hall full of enthralled audience.

Traditional lighting of the lamp by Dr MN Nandakumara, Dr Rishi Handa, Tejendra Sharma, Cllr Karthik Bonkur and Cllr Sharad Jha was followed by Veena recital by renowned artist Pramod Rudrapatna. He was accompanied on Mrudangam by Satheesh Gummadavelly. Dances by Shayaree Priya Meghe from India, Shreya Khare and Kritika Vulchi’s Ganapati were impressive.

Pramod Rudrapatna on Veena, Satheesh G on Mrudangam

The sublime finale piece of eight forms of Ganesha was performed in Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Mohiniattam, Kuchipudi, Kavadi dance styles and noteworthily included Kalaripayattu martial art movements. Performed by Anvi Prabhu, Hrishikesh Kizhikkiyil, Lakshmi Pillai, Manju Sunil, Monidipa Seal, Ragasudha Vinjamuri, Sanvika Kommineni and Sree Lalitha Kotla, the stories of demons such as Matsarasura, Ahamkarasura, Krodhasura, Madasura, Lobhasura, etc. conquered and subdued by Ganesha in his various Avataras of Vakratunda, Dhumravarna, Lambodara, Vighnaraja, Mahodara were profound as they focused not only on spiritual wisdom, but also on how challenges can be overcome through resilience, realisation and moral conduct.

Invocation by Sanskruti Students

Adithi Mote, Ahana Hegde, Ananya, Anuja Tirumalasetti, Ayati Yuvaraj, Devanshi Uppula, Diya Viswanath, Diya Shanmugam, Meera Shaji, Sanvitha Gunda, Sai Samruddhi Vuthpala, Shravani Sivashankar, Sucheta Mangalagiri, Sweccha Manikireddy, Vanamala Acha, Vinmai Gopathi, and Yoshitha Chamarthi, Deekshaga Saravanan, Janani Rajesh, Jananyasri Karthik, Madhusri Prasanna, Sanvi Kumar, and Sanvi Pavan have presented invocations to Ganesha. Music was composed and sung by Phani Narayana.

Attendees have responded enormously to the content of the event, anchored by Radhika Joshi and Sushil Rapatwar. The evening concluded with food from Shreeya’s Restaurant, coordinated by Harinath Lingala and Renu Gidoomal.

Invocation to Ganesha by Sanskruti students
Dhumravarna conquers Ahamkarasura
Guests of Honour at Aadya Pujya event
Manju, Anvi and Monidipa
Sanvika, Lakshmi, Sree Lalitha
Hrishikesh Kizhikkiyil
Shreya and Kritika
Shayeeree Meghe
Ganesha Anjali
Anchoring by Radhika Joshi
Vote of Thanks
Ragasudha as Vakratunda
Categories
-Top News Arab News Asia News

Egypt Swears In New Government

The new cabinet is headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who has been in the post since 2018….reports Asian Lite News

Egypt’s new cabinet has been sworn in before Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Wednesday.

Before the swearing-in ceremony, Sisi promoted Abdel-Maguid Sakr to the rank of lieutenant general and appointed him as the minister of defense and military production, succeeding Mohamed Zaki, reports Xinhua news agency.

The new cabinet is headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who has been in the post since 2018.

Comprising 30 ministers, the new government saw the merging of some ministries and the introduction of new ones, especially the economic portfolios.

On Sunday, the Egyptian president said the new government’s top priority is to mitigate the impact of rising prices and create more job opportunities.

ALSO READ: Egypt Targets Haj Trip Scams

Categories
-Top News Europe India News

Hathras Incident: Putin Reaches Out to India with Condolences

PM Modi is expected to visit Moscow next week to hold bilateral talks with the Russian President….reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday sent a condolence message to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the stampede in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district.

“Esteemed Mrs President, Esteemed Mr Prime Minister, kindly accept the most sincere condolences over the tragic accident in Uttar Pradesh. Please convey words of sympathy and support to the near and dear ones of the deceased as well as wishes for a speedy recovery of all injured,” Putin said in his condolence message.

PM Modi is expected to visit Moscow next week to hold bilateral talks with the Russian President.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that the preparations for Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Russia are in the “final stages”, and the dates will be announced soon.

“We will announce this visit officially a little later, by agreement with our Indian friends. I can only confirm to you once again that the visit is in the final stage of preparation,” Peskov was quoted as saying by local media during a media briefing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Press Secretary also stated that PM Modi’s visit, widely expected to be around July 8, is a “very important” event.

In New York, as Russia took over the monthly Presidency of the UN Security Council on Monday, the country’s Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia highlighted the special privileged strategic partnership between the two countries and asserted that “serious messages” will come out of PM Modi’s visit to Moscow.

“India is a longtime friend of Russia. We cooperate in so many areas, and I think there will be substantive conversations on the whole range of issues that our countries cooperate on,” he told reporters.

“I’m not aware of what kind of documents will be the result of that visit, but I’m sure that there will be serious messages coming out of it, and, I presume, in the form of joint documents as well. I expect Russian-Indian relations to blossom even better,” added the Russian diplomat.

Prime Minister Modi last visited Russia for the 20th India-Russia Bilateral Summit held on the sidelines of the 5th Eastern Economic Summit – where he was the guest of honour – at Vladivostok in September 2019.

The visit acted as a game-changer as far as India’s focus on the Russian Far East was concerned and paved the way for New Delhi’s larger cooperation with Moscow in the fields of oil and gas, road transport, defence, trade and investment sectors.

PM Modi, who is not attending the SCO Heads of State meeting being held in Astana, last paid an official visit to Moscow in 2015.

ALSO READ: Putin and Xi to meet in Astana SCO summit

Categories
-Top News Environment USA

Extreme heat builds across California and South-Central U.S.

Heat-related deaths in the U.S. reached over 2,300 last year, likely an undercount…reports Asian Lite News

California sweltered on Tuesday, with heat alerts affecting nearly 90 million people across the U.S. during the Fourth of July holiday week. The National Weather Service attributed the extreme heat to high-pressure ridges off the West Coast and from Kansas to the Gulf Coast. Sacramento faced an excessive heat warning, expecting temperatures between 105-115°F (40.5-46.1°C) until Sunday, media reported.

In Butte County, about 70 miles north of Sacramento, crews battled the Thompson Fire amid scorching conditions, forcing 13,000 people to evacuate. The wildfire quickly grew to over 3 square miles with zero containment, as firefighters and helicopters worked to protect homes. Federal funding and state resources were mobilized to support firefighting efforts.

According to Associated Press report, residents struggled to cope with the intense heat. John Mendoza, 35, described it as a “firehose of heat,” resorting to frequent dips in the pool. Katherine Powers, a homeless woman in Sacramento, sought shade in Cathedral Square, finding it challenging to transport her belongings to cooling centers. Fairfield resident Darlene Crumedy relied on fans to stay cool, avoiding costly air conditioning.

Heat-related deaths in the U.S. reached over 2,300 last year, likely an undercount, according to an Associated Press analysis. Dr. Arthur Jey from Sutter Health emphasized the importance of avoiding heat stroke by staying hydrated, wearing loose clothing, and recognizing symptoms like severe headaches and profuse sweating.

The heat wave was expected to spread from north to south California, with interior areas like the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys facing the brunt. San Francisco saw highs in the upper 80s downtown but cooler temperatures at Ocean Beach.

PG&E implemented power shutoffs in parts of 10 counties to prevent wildfire risks from downed electrical wires, affecting about 12,000 customers. The Basin Fire in the Sierra National Forest, the largest current blaze, was 17% contained after burning over 21 square miles since June 26.

ALSO READ: US curbs on AI investments hinders ‘healthy development’: China