Month: July 2024

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-Top News Europe UK News

Starmer vows Ukraine support in low-key first PMQs

Commons votes have been held on most armed interventions since the 2003, but there is no legal requirement for PMs to get approval from MPs…reports Asian Lite News

Keir Starmer had a gentle introduction to Prime Minister’s Questions, as Rishi Sunak asked him to continue the UK’s support for Ukraine. Their first Commons exchanges since the election were dominated by agreement on the need to continue sending military aid.

Sunak, who is due to be replaced in November, avoided asking about any of Labour’s domestic priorities after its landslide election win. But Starmer was forced to defend the government’s approach to tackling poverty after a rebellion on the two-child benefits limit.

On Tuesday, he suspended seven Labour backbenchers after they backed an SNP call for the limit to be scrapped.

The move was a sign of the new PM’s authority after winning a huge working majority, but risks further widening a rift with MPs on the left of the party. Starmer was greeted with a huge cheer from his own side as he arrived for his first PMQs since entering Downing Street earlier this month.

Continuing a theme since his election drubbing, Sunak cracked a self-deprecating joke that he was “not the first person” British athletes heading to Paris for the Olympics would want to consult on how to win.

It elicited pitying sighs from Labour’s enlarged cohort of MPs, struggling to fit on the green benches on the government side of the House of Commons.

He then used his six questions to ask Starmer about Ukraine and national security issues, subjects where the two main parties are heavily aligned, in a sign he may have wanted to avoid further Labour attacks on the Tories’ record.

Labour ministers have spent the weeks since the election laying into the state of public services and their financial inheritance, after returning to power for the first time since 2010.

It was a theme Starmer continued at PMQs, telling MPs his government had “inherited” lots of crises, with “failure absolutely everywhere”.

Sunak pressed the prime minister to continue discussions with Saudi Arabia about joining a joint project with Italy and Japan to build a new fighter jet, adding it was a “crucial sovereignty capability”. Starmer said he wanted to build on “progress” in talks on the Tempest jet programme, which he described as “really important”.

The prime minister has sidestepped questions about whether a recently-launched review could see the UK end its participation in the project, amid reports there are concerns among officials about rising costs.

Starmer also said he wanted to maintain “unity” on support for Ukraine, after Sunak asked whether he would respond to new requests for weaponry. Sunak also said the Conservatives would support the Labour leader if he deemed it necessary to take military action without consulting Parliament.

Starmer supported multiple rounds of strikes against Houthi sites in Yemen under the last government, and did not join the Lib Dems, SNP and Plaid Cymru in calling for Parliament to get a vote on the military action.

Commons votes have been held on most armed interventions since the 2003, but there is no legal requirement for PMs to get approval from MPs.

Elsewhere, Starmer was forced to defend the government’s strategy to tackle child poverty after he suffered a rebellion over the two-child benefit cap. The policy, introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, prevents almost all parents from claiming Universal Credit or child tax credit for more than two children.

Labour’s landslide election win has led to renewed calls for it to be scrapped from some MPs, charities and anti-poverty campaigners – but the government has said it will not make an “unfunded” commitment to do so.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn called on Sir Keir to change course, noting former Labour PM Gordon Brown’s support for a change in policy.

The prime minister replied that his government was taking steps to reduce poverty through its plans for primary school breakfast clubs and abolishing no-fault evictions for private renters.

ALSO READ-Starmer orders review of ‘hollowed out’ armed forces

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-Top News EU News UK News

Climate activists paralyse air traffic at German airport

The government has just passed a tougher penalty for obstructing air traffic, which is pending parliamentary approval, with prison sentences of up to two years instead of a fine…reports Asian Lite News

Climate activists temporarily brought air traffic at Cologne/Bonn Airport in western Germany to a complete standstill on Wednesday.

Five members of the ‘Last Generation’ had entered the airport grounds through a fence and glued themselves to the runway. According to the airport operator, further delays and flight cancellations are to be expected during the course of the day despite the removal of the protesters.

The police have filed criminal charges for violation of the Assembly Act, dangerous interference with air traffic, and trespassing.

The government has just passed a tougher penalty for obstructing air traffic, which is pending parliamentary approval, with prison sentences of up to two years instead of a fine.

With the action, the climate activism group was trying to put pressure on the German government to sign a ‘Fossil Fuel Treaty’ with international partners, a joint agreement to phase out fossil fuels by 2030, the ‘Last Generation’ said on social media platform X.

As an election promise, the country’s governing parties in 2021 declared their intention to phase out coal by 2030. However, the plan has so far only been adopted for the most populous federal state, North Rhine-Westphalia, with experts doubting it is to be implemented in time.

At the international level, the Group of Seven (G7) countries, including Germany, agreed for the first time at the end of April on a common time frame for the complete phase-out of coal, aiming for implementation by the mid-2030s.

The ‘Last Generation’ has been polarising in recent years with road traffic blockades that caused much resentment among the population. At the beginning of 2024, they changed their strategy, shifting to “increasingly confront those responsible for climate destruction directly in future”.

ALSO READ-India Advances on Climate Action: Economic Survey

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Bollywood Fashion Lite Blogs

Zeenat Aman on Feeling Undervalued by Brands

The beauty pageant winner, who began her acting career in 1970 with the movie ‘The Evil Within’, took to Instagram and shared some mesmerising snaps from her recent photoshoot…reports Asian Lite News

Veteran actress Zeenat Aman on Tuesday opened up about feeling “undervalued”, sharing that she has held her own in the industry for over half a century and believes she is worth far more than the price of a designer handbag or high-heeled shoe.

The beauty pageant winner, who began her acting career in 1970 with the movie ‘The Evil Within’, took to Instagram and shared some mesmerising snaps from her recent photoshoot.

In the photos, the actress is wearing a red outfit and accessorising with black sunglasses.

In the caption, Zeenat penned a long note, stating, “Thank you, but no thank you. I can’t tell you my precise worth, but I do know when I’m being undervalued. Amid the barrage of collaboration and appearance requests that materialise in my inbox each day, there are some that stand out for unpleasant reasons. Last-minute invitations that the organiser forgot to edit (and which are addressed to another celebrity who must have declined) are mildly insulting.”

The actress continued: “Impolite emails with minimal details and brusque “share commercials” are infuriating. And shady proposals to post stories or comments without the paid partnership tag are distasteful. Yet none of these compare to the impudence of multimillion dollar brands that expect my endorsement in exchange for ‘brand association’ and a ludicrously low fee. Such luxury brands pay an eye watering penny to their ambassadors (one of whom beautifully reprised a role I originally played), and sell even their most basic item for multiple lakhs of rupees..”

The Hare Rama Hare Krishna actress added, “In their outreach to me, they do not fail to express their admiration, with generous terms such as ‘icon’ and ‘fashion inspiration’. But when it comes to actually compensating me for my time, energy, reputation, and reach… the well runs dry. I am over 70 years old, and I have held my own in this industry for over half a century. I work with what I know to be an unusual professionalism. I have a social media audience that is not only entirely organic, but so beautifully engaged. I have immense respect for myself, and for you who follow my page.”

“I am certainly worth more than the price of a designer handbag or high-heel shoe. Your turn. Tell me your story of being undervalued or standing your ground against it,” concluded Zeenat.

Actress Manisha Koirala dropped clapping emojis in the comment section, while Sushant Divgikr commented, “an icon.”

Actor Abhay Deol wrote in the comment section: “Perfectly summed up these ‘Luxury’ brands!”

Actress Sumona Chakravarti wrote: “Thank you so much for writing about this.”

Bhagyashree shared: “You are indeed an icon and will remain for years beyond.. let not these imbiciles ruffle your plume… you are an inspiration @thezeenataman.”

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-Top News India News Politics

Rahul Gandhi commits to push govt for MSP guarantee

The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha assured them that a legal guarantee for MSP was their right…reports Asian Lite News

A delegation of twelve farm leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka met Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament complex on Wednesday and shared their concerns over the need for a Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantee for crops.

The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha assured them that a legal guarantee for MSP was their right.

Later, speaking to the press, Rahul Gandhi said the Congress and the INDIA bloc allies will raise the issue of MSP in the Parliament, and also put pressure on the government on the same.

“We have mentioned in our manifesto about a legal guarantee for MSP, which can be implemented without any hassles,” he told mediapersons.

“During the meeting, we decided that we will discuss the matter with the INDIA bloc partners and then start putting pressure on the government to frame a law on MSP,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with the farm leaders was also attended by senior Congress leaders K.C. Venugopal, former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi, Raja Brar, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Dharamvir Gandhi, Amar Singh, Deepender Singh Hooda, and Jai Prakash.

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the farmer leaders were not allowed entry to the Parliament complex. It was only after he walked out of the House that the farmers were let in.

The farmer leaders said that Rahul Gandhi has also expressed solidarity with them against the ‘atrocities’ of the Haryana government.

Notably, farm bodies Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha recently announced to launch a fresh stir to push for a legalisation on MSP guarantee.

As part of the protest, they will take out a ‘long march’ to support the Opposition’s private Bills. They will also take out a tractor rally on August 15.

At a recent press conference, the leaders of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) said that the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march will complete 200 days on August 31, as they appealed to the people to reach Khanauri, Shambhu, etc., on the Punjab and Haryana border on that day.

SC may set up panel to resolve farmers’ grievances

The Supreme Court on Wednesday mulled the formation of an expert panel to find a solution to the grievances of protesting farmers.

During the hearing of a plea moved by the Haryana government against the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordering the removal of barricades at the Shambhu border, a bench, headed by Justice Surya Kant, told the government to take some steps to reach out to the farmers and suggested sending a neutral umpire.

Observing that there exists a trust deficit between the stakeholders and adjourning the hearing for next week, the top court asked the Centre and state governments of Haryana and Punjab to suggest individuals who can be included in the expert panel. In the meantime, it ordered the state governments to maintain a status quo at the site of protests.

On July 10, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed to “at least” open the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana within a week. In its order, a division bench of Justices G.S. Sandhawalia and Vikas Bahl asked the Punjab as well as Haryana government to ensure that the highway is restored to its original glory and open to one and all for the convenience of the public.

“The State of Punjab shall also ensure that the demonstrators gathered in their territory are also duly controlled as and when the situation so requires,” ordered the high court, asking all the Kisan Unions to maintain law and order. It noted that the diversion which has been made to avoid the blockage was causing great inconvenience to the general public.

The decision came on a public interest litigation (PIL) against the barricading amid increasing concerns over the disruption of traffic and its impact on daily commuters and the transportation of goods. The interstate border was sealed to prevent protesting farmers from entering Haryana.

ALSO READ-Budget no good to commoner, says Rahul  

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-Top News Arab News India News

India, Kuwait agree to strengthen cooperation  

During the FOC, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral relationship and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest…reports Asian Lite News

India and Kuwait on Wednesday undertook a comprehensive review of the bilateral relationship and both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in various areas, including political ties, trade and investment, education and people-to-people contacts.

The sixth round of India-Kuwait Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) was held in Kuwait, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

During the FOC, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral relationship and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

“Expressing satisfaction with the traditionally strong bilateral ties, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in various areas, including political ties, regular high-level exchanges, trade and investment, education, technology, health, culture and people-to-people contacts,” it said.

The Indian delegation was led by Aseem R Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) (JS), Ministry of External Affairs.

Ambassador Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia Affairs of Kuwait (AFM), headed the Kuwaiti delegation.

Also, the joint secretary called on Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. At the meeting, he discussed avenues and new initiatives to deepen the India-Kuwait partnership, the statement said.

Earlier on Tuesday, he met Ziyad Al-Najem, Under Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and discussed avenues to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation including further boosting bilateral trade, diversifying the trade basket, deepening energy cooperation and “new initiatives in technology and fintech,” it said.

“In his meeting with Tahani Rashid Al-Naseer, Assistant Foreign Minister (Legal), MoFA, discussions pertained for early finalisation of ongoing negotiations of various agreements and MoUs,” the statement said.

The timely convening of the FOC in continuation of the previous FOC in May 2023 is expected to “impart further momentum in bilateral relations”. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the consultations. It was agreed to hold the next FOC in New Delhi at a mutually convenient time, it added.

ALSO READ-Kuwait fire tragedy leaves Kerala and TN grieving

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-Top News USA

US revises travel advisory for India

Kashmir, Jul 15 (ANI): BSF IG Ashok Yadav visits the forward areas of Kupwara and reviews the operation preparation of the units deployed along the LOC, in Kashmir on Monday. (ANI Photo)

The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in rural areas. These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. US government employees must get special authorisation to travel to these areas, it said…reports Asian Lite News

The United States has asked its nationals not to travel to Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border, and parts of central and eastern parts of the country where Naxalites are active.

In a revised travel advisory for India, the State Department said it has updated to reflect information on the northeastern states.

“Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk,” it said.

Overall India has been placed at Level 2. But several parts of the country have been placed on Level 4: Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pak border, Manipur and parts of Central and East India.

“Do not travel to: The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest; within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict; portions of Central and East India due to terrorism and Manipur due to violence and crime,” said the State Department.

In addition, it recommended Americans to reconsider travel to the northeastern states due to terrorism and violence.

“Indian authorities report that rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has happened at tourist sites and other locations. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities,” the travel advisory said.

The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in rural areas. These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. US government employees must get special authorisation to travel to these areas, it said.

Placing Manipur at “Level 4: Do Not Travel”, the State Department said: “Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime. Ongoing ethnic-based civil conflict has resulted in reports of extensive violence and community displacement. Attacks against Indian government targets occur on a regular basis. US government employees travelling in India require prior approval before visiting Manipur.”

“Do not travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh). Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. It also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The Indian government does not allow foreign tourists to visit certain areas along the LOC,” it said.

“India and Pakistan have a strong military presence on both sides of the border. The only official border crossing for non-citizens of India or Pakistan is in Punjab. It is between Attari, India, and Wagah, Pakistan. The border crossing is usually open, but check its current status before you travel. To enter Pakistan, you need a Pakistani visa. Only US citizens residing in India may apply for a Pakistani visa in India. Otherwise, apply for a Pakistani visa in your home country before traveling to India,” it said.

Maoist extremist groups, or “Naxalites”, are active in a large area of India that spans from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal, the advisory said.

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-Top News India News Politics

Opposition members slam Budget in LS, RS

New Delhi, Jul 24 (ANI): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo/SansadTV)

Chidambaram said that the issue of unemployment is taken seriously, stating that his party, the Congress, will wait for the success of the proposed ELI scheme…reports Asian Lite News

Both Houses of Parliament took up discussion on the Union Budget 2024-2025 on Wednesday with opposition parties accusing it of being “discriminatory” with most states and lacking vision and BJP members highlighting the achievements of the Modi government and provisions of various sectors in the budget.

The discussion was initiated by former Finance Minister P Chidambaram in Rajya Sabha and Congress MP Kumari Selja in the Lok Sabha.

Chidambaram raised four major challenges facing the economy.

He said the most significant challenge is unemployment and data released by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) indicates that the unemployment rate for June 2024 is 9.2 per cent.

Chidambaram emphasised that the primary challenge for the economy is creating sufficient employment opportunities. He pointed out that the budget’s announcement of the employment-linked incentives (ELI) scheme suggests that the Production Linked Incentives (PLI) scheme is not generating the expected employment. He urged the finance minister to disclose the number of jobs created by the PLI scheme.

Chidambaram expressed scepticism about the ELI scheme’s effectiveness. “It is an inspiring idea, but it does not inspire confidence that you will be able to place 290 lakh people under the ELI scheme as described,” he stated.

He also questioned the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) report claiming that over 4.67 crore jobs were created in FY24. Citing reports of over 50 lakh applicants for 60,000 police posts in UP, he challenged the assertion that there is no job crisis in the country.

Chidambaram said that the issue of unemployment is taken seriously, stating that his party, the Congress, will wait for the success of the proposed ELI scheme.

Radha Mohan Das Aggarwal of BJP highlighted the achievements made by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last ten years. He said Jan Dhan Yojana has provided banking services to crores of people in the country.

In her remarks, Kumari Selja said the problem of unemployment is increasing in the country.

Biplab Kumar Deb of BJP said the Economic Survey has estimated a real GDP growth of 6.5 percent to 7 percent in 2024-25. He highlighted the provisions in the budget for various sections including for farmers and education sector in the Budget.

In her remarks, Supriya Sule of NCP(SP) urged the government to hold early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee launched a strong attack on the Modi government, alleging that the Union Budget lacks clarity or vision, it has been rolled out to satisfy the coalition partners of the BJP and that it “was planned by two individuals to keep another two in good faith”.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla objected to some remarks of Banerjee. Banerjee claimed that the three farm laws, which were later repealed, were not discussed. The Speaker said there was discussion in House and asserted that the Chair makes remarks after proper deliberation.

“When the Speaker speaks, he speaks correctly. You need to correct yourself,” he said.

In his remarks, Banerjee claimed that BJP-led NDA government is “on borrowed time” and “it is creaky, shaky coalition”.

“It’s a budget without any clarity or vision which has been rolled out to satisfy the coalition partners of the BJP….this Budget was planned by two individuals to keep another two in good faith,” he alleged.

Referring to the results of Lok Sabha polls in which the BJP did not get majority on its own, Banerjee alleged that it is “rejection of authoritativeness”.

“It’s a clear rejection of authoritativeness. It’s a rejection of arrogance, divisive politics and empty promises. The message from the electorate of this country is loud and clear,” he said.

Referring to the acronyms used by the BJP-led government for its various schemes, Banerjee said he will reply to to the government “in a language they understand”.

“Amidst the all failures in the last decade, the PM and his government achieved something truly remarkable. A world class collection of abbreviations. Every new initiative feels like almost a linguistic surprise. Hundred and ten names. I want to reply to this government in a language they understand,” he said.

“This is a creaky shaky coalition govt. It is so uncertain and fragile and can implode anytime. B-U-D-G-E-T B for Betrayal U for Unemployment D for Deprived G for Guarantee (Zero warranty) E for Eccentric T for Tragedy,” he added.

He accused BJP-led government of “betraying housewives, daily wage earners, farmers”.

“B for betrayal. BJP promised Ache din before coming to power In 2014. What have they done? Betrayed citizens. Betrayed housewives. Betrayed daily wage earners. Betrayed farmers. Sir price rise. 63 crore people earn less than Rs 308 a day. And 18 crore people earned Rs 180 a day. If the NDA government in the last ten years had spent even a quarter of the time it dedicated to political witch-hunting and spreading communal hatred and addressed the real issue for the interest of the people India would not be ranking 111th out of 125 countries in the world in the global hunger index. They spoke about ‘sab ka saath, sab ka vikas’ which turned into ‘jo hamare saath, ham un ke saath’,” he said. ,.

“The only thing that is growing faster than price rise and inflation is the BJP’s list of broken promises,” he added.

He alleged that ‘G’ in Budget 2024 stands for guarantee with zero warranty and went to elaborate on his definition of budget.

BJP members accused him of using unparliamentary words for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded that these should be expunged.

Banerjee emphasised that the essence of coalition politics should be cooperation and collaboration and alleged that the “budget as an exercise in appeasement and compensation” ironic for a party that denounces appeasement politics.

He alleged discrimination with West Bengal in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and release of MGNREGA funds.

He said the government had failed to keep up its promises and also criticised the its handling of rail safety.

Banerjee accused the government of weaponising central agencies to carry out politically motivated witch hunts against opposition leaders “like many of us including me”.

“Keep some patience and tighten your seatbelts; the weather is about to turn stormy,” he added.

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran said that “time has come for the PM to take some good advice from and follow our CM MK Stalin”.

“When MK Stalin became the CM of Tamil Nadu, he said – I will work not only for the people who voted for me but also for the people who did not vote for me, it is my duty. Today, the PM is not working for the people who voted for his party but only for the parties which are supporting him,” he alleged.

Earlier in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman termed as “outrageous” allegation of opposition parties about discrimination between states in the Union Budget with Congress president taking “sabki thali khali, do ki thali mein pakora, jalebi” jibe at the BJP-led government over announcements of projects for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking briefly in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge, who is Leader of Opposition in the House, alleged such budget has never been presented and it has been done to save the BJP-led government, which is dependent on support of JD-U and TDP for its survival. (ANI)

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China Columns USA

China’s strategic maneuver: BRICS counters NATO in disinformation war

On the evening of June 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the 14th BRICS Summit in Beijing via video link. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Summit.(Photo:Xinhua/IANS)

BRICS is presented as a significant player in this multipolar scenario, while NATO is depicted as a Cold War leftover, excessively aggressive, and a source of global instability, writes Dr Rajesh Sharma

The Chinese government is actively trying to undermine NATO as the defence alliance shifts its focus towards the Asia Pacific, addressing the menace posed by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Following the recent NATO summit, China Military Online, the PLA’s official English news portal, stated, “Despite US Secretary of State Blinken describing the NATO Summit held on July 9 in Washington, D.C. as ‘the most ambitious summit since the end of the Cold War’, the organization, which has been around for 75 years, is facing significant internal and external challenges.”

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is employing tactics of misinformation to sway public sentiment towards the BRICS, led by China, and against NATO. Their objective is to contest the supremacy of the West and establish their own global order. BRICS, an international body consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded its membership to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as of 2024.

Influencers of the CCP, state-regulated media, the “wumao” or 50 Cent Army, and automated bot accounts are vigorously disseminating propaganda on social media platforms. Their objective aligns with the CCP’s goal to supersede the United States as the leading economic, military, and diplomatic force. Lately, there has been a noticeable increase in efforts to portray BRICS as wealthier, more influential, and stronger than the Group of Seven (G7) and NATO.

BRICS, essentially a tool for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to bolster its influence and challenge the US, is portrayed in pro-BRICS messaging as a symbol of a multipolar world. In this depiction, power is shared among various global centres, unlike the Western-dominated NATO. BRICS is presented as a significant player in this multipolar scenario, while NATO is depicted as a Cold War leftover, excessively aggressive, and a source of global instability. NATO acknowledges being targeted by CCP’s disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining its unity. Conversely, BRICS is portrayed as a peaceful, cooperative group that respects sovereignty.

The Global Times, a CCP-backed outlet, claims NATO’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict could spark a global war. The CCP’s propaganda paints NATO’s actions as disturbing regional peace and meddling in Russia’s affairs. This narrative is tied to the international support for Taiwan, seen by the CCP as a breach of China’s sovereignty.

Propaganda often emphasizes BRICS for its economic collaboration and potential to establish a financial system alternative to the IMF and World Bank, dominated by the West. However, due to economic disparities and hesitance to relinquish national currencies, BRICS is merely a coalition without a free trade agreement or shared currency. It lacks a central bank, crucial for a common currency, and its only institution is the New Development Bank, a predominantly dollar-denominated development bank steered by China.

While the CCP encourages nations to distrust the US and NATO, recent wumao activities assert that BRICS possesses a stronger military than NATO. This claim is paradoxical as BRICS lacks defence agreements, unlike NATO, a defence alliance. The US, on its own, has greater military strength than either Russia or China, and its alliance with NATO nearly doubles this power. The US also maintains military bases in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and is enhancing its defence cooperation with India, a participant in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue aimed at countering China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific. These realities question BRICS’ portrayal as a military and diplomatic powerhouse.

NATO’s strength lies in its close ties with the G7 and the European Union. Many NATO countries are also part of the EU, enhancing its diplomatic and economic influence and expanding common interests. The G7, comprising some of the world’s largest economies, facilitates joint economic strategies and sanctions against China, Russia, and Iran. This alliance, coupled with the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, bolsters NATO’s military prowess and promotes cohesive responses to security threats, including those from the CCP. The combined diplomatic influence of NATO, the G7, and the EU covers a vast global area. The CCP’s efforts to undermine these Western alliances indicate Beijing’s awareness of BRICS’ comparative insignificance.

The CCP’s disinformation campaigns aim to sway public sentiment towards BRICS and away from NATO, especially in strategically crucial regions like Africa, Latin America, and Asia. This is evident in China’s emergence as a leading arms supplier to Africa and its growing influence in Latin America. The CCP employs military diplomacy to discourage nations from aligning with or supporting NATO, with the goal of curbing the alliance’s expansion into Asia. China is already a significant arms provider to heavily sanctioned Asian nations such as Burma (Myanmar) and is striving to increase arms sales to countries like Indonesia and other current and potential U.S. allies to create discord and undermine the cohesion of Western alliances.

Xi Jinping with Russian President Vladimir Putin.(photo:instgaram)

This social media activity is part of a broader geopolitical rivalry in which the CCP seeks to challenge Western dominance and promote its governance models. This use of social media is a key component of modern information warfare, in which winning hearts and minds is as crucial as traditional military engagements. By leveraging these tactics, the CCP aims to erode trust in Western institutions and reshape the global balance of power to its advantage.

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-Top News EU News Europe

Moscow Rejects Zelensky’s Credibility on Negotiations

In her weekly press briefing, Zakharova said on Wednesday that Russia did not trust the Ukrainian President…reports Asian Lite News

Statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on potential negotiations with Russia lack credibility, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

The comment followed a recent statement made by Zelensky proposing that Russian representatives should be present at a second peace conference on Ukraine scheduled to be held in November, Xinhua news agency reported.

In her weekly press briefing, Zakharova said on Wednesday that Russia did not trust the Ukrainian President.

The Spokesperson recalled that Zelensky, his administration, or his “Western curators” have not taken any action to repeal the law that bans negotiations with Russia.

Zakharova also suggested that the Ukrainian President and Kiev’s Western allies might be trying to advance their failed “peace formula” once again.

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-Top News EU News Europe

Ukraine Ready for Peace Negotiations with Russia

Mao said that the ongoing Moscow-Kiev conflict was high on the agenda, and Kuleba said that “Ukraine is ready and willing to engage in dialogue and negotiations with Russia.”..reports Asian Lite News

Ukraine is ready to hold talks with Russia to end their conflict and achieve a “just and lasting peace”, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba has told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, as per Chinese officials.

Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning shared details on the agenda of the top Ukrainian diplomat’s visit to China – the first since the start of the conflict in February 2022 – as well as his discussions with Wang, RT reported.

Mao said that the ongoing Moscow-Kiev conflict was high on the agenda, and Kuleba said that “Ukraine is ready and willing to engage in dialogue and negotiations with Russia.”

“Of course, the negotiations should be rational and substantive, aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace,” he added, as quoted by Mao.

Mao said Wang had warned that there was a “risk of escalation and spillover” of the conflict, adding that “China believes that the resolution of all conflicts must eventually return to the negotiation table”. “Recently, both Ukraine and Russia have sent signals of willingness to negotiate to varying degrees,” the Chinese Minister said.

Kuleba’s trip to China comes after Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky said earlier this week told visiting Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, that he wanted to end the conflict “as soon as possible” and signalled readiness to engage with Russia. His stand was in contrast to his 2022 presidential decree, ruling out all talks with the current leadership in Moscow and then, his peace formula which the Russian leadership has dismissed as “delusional”.

In June, Ukraine attended the ‘peace summit’ in Switzerland, which focused on several points of Zelensky’s formula. However, Moscow was not invited, and Beijing also kept away from the event, arguing that Russia needed to be part of the process. Several participants also later withdrew their signatures from the final document.

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