Month: October 2024

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Arts & Culture Culture India News

Irish-Indian artists make Durga idol with Celtic goddess Danu in Kolkata

The Ambassador of Ireland to India shared his thoughts during his visit to this Puja Pandal….reports Asian Lite News

Irish and Indian artists come together to create the Durga Puja pandal of Behala Nutan Dal in Kolkata. The theme is a blend of the artistic traditions of both countries. The artists have jointly built an idol of Goddess Durga along with the Irish deity Danu.

This initiative taken by the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi aims to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India-Ireland diplomatic relations. Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to India, visited the Behala Nutan Dal Durga Puja pandal today.

The Ambassador of Ireland to India shared his thoughts during his visit to this Puja Pandal.

The theme of the puja pandal is “Kalpana,” meaning “imagination.” The iconic pandal has been created using a unique, open-sided structure made from natural materials like bamboo and wood.

Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to India, told ANI, “This is a very important year for us. We are representing 75 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and India. We have a very proud history that goes even before that when both of us were colonies of Britain and we were fighting for our independence. We have a shared history in terms of struggle. We also have a shared history in art…It’s great to be here in 2024 and we are now celebrating a different kind of artistic collaboration…It has been a wonderful collaboration…”…”

He added, “One year ago I visited Durga puja and we got this idea of collaboration.”

“…I feel so privileged. It has been a fantastic time. It’s a great experience. I couldn’t imagine having an experience like this. It’s a beautiful way to visit a country, to work and to be with the people. I have made a lot of new friends and connections. The work is amazing, the collaboration is brilliant. Even though there might be a language barrier, the visual language connects…Everybody was so skilled, exceptionally talented, helpful, very generous and very welcoming…,” said Lisa Sweeney, Ireland Artist.

Artist from Behala Nutan Dal Durga Puja Pandal said, “It’s a great initiative…We are making a presentation of Maa Durga along with the Irish Goddess Danu.”

Irish artist Richard Babington says, “…We thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with local artists and craftsmen helping to create this pandal. We had a fantastic time…Ambassador had a strong opinion setting the whole thing up. It is his conceptual idea. The idea of bringing Danu and Durga together came out of a process between ourselves and local artists…We feel really good, we had amazing experiences. The people here have been so generous and the craftsmen are so skilled…The level of talent is remarkable. We feel very good about the collaboration. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work here.”

Indian artist, Sandip Saha said, “This is huge…Durga Puja is not confined to just Kolkata, the entire world watches it…Together with Irish artists, we displayed this presentation. We pray to Goddess Durga. Danu is also a deity in Ireland, worshipped by them…They have come from far and speak a different language but what connects us is art. There is no barrier in art…Art connects countries, languages and cultures…”

Debobrata Mukherjee, President of Behala Natun dal Durga Puja Committee, said, “”The cultural side of the two countries is different, we have different languages but we have the same language of art. We will gain something positive out of the collaboration between the two countries……name of the theme is Kalpana…budget is near about Rs 50 lakhs; however some work is left .

The Behala Nutan Dal Durga Puja pandal features a sculpture of Goddess Danu from Irish mythology, created by Irish artists, and displayed.

Sanjib Saha, the artist behind the theme of Behala Natun Dal Puja Committee, expressed his excitement for the collaborative project.

Arighna Saha shared, “…Goddess Durga is a warrior goddess. We will be able to see the force that resides in Her…”

The Ireland Embassy in New Delhi is celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and India. The embassy earlier announced a unique cultural collaboration for Kolkata’s iconic Durga Puja festival, where Irish and Indian artists will jointly create a spectacular pandal at Behala Nutan Dal.

Reflecting on these deep-rooted connections, Ireland’s Ambassador to India, Kevin Kelly, said, “Ireland and India share a strong and growing partnership that transcends diplomatic relations. Our people are connected through education, culture, and shared values. As we mark 75 years of friendship, we are committed to strengthening these ties further, especially as both nations explore new opportunities in trade, technology, and culture.”

“One of the most exciting initiatives marking this anniversary is a unique collaboration between the celebrated Irish cultural group Macnas from Galway in the West of Ireland and Kolkata’s Behala Nutan Dal,” the Ireland Embassy in New Delhi said in a statement.

Together, artists from both countries are creating a stunning Durga Puja pandal that honours both the Hindu goddess Durga and the Celtic goddess Danu. This fusion of Irish and Indian creativity will offer a visual spectacle that reflects the power of cross-cultural collaboration and celebrates the power of women and the feminine spirit.

Speaking about the collaboration, Ambassador Kelly added, “Durga Puja in Kolkata is one of the most awe-inspiring festivals I have ever witnessed. The energy, creativity, and community spirit of the festival are unparalleled. This year, we are thrilled to see Irish artists collaborating with their Indian counterparts to celebrate shared cultural values. It will undoubtedly be a highlight of our 75th anniversary celebrations.”

This partnership, in close collaboration with the Honorary Consul of Kolkata, Mayank Jalan, marks a significant cultural exchange and symbolises the growing global recognition of ‘Durga Puja’ as a platform for cross-cultural dialogue.

“Over the past seven decades, the bilateral relationship between Ireland and India has grown exponentially. Today, Ireland is home to over 100,000 Indians, making them the third-largest immigrant group after Polish and British nationals,” the statment added.

Ireland and West Bengal have been linked culturally for over a century. Kolkata is home to many Irish schools and is also the birthplace of India’s renowned literary giant and Nobel Prize winner, Rabindranath Tagore, who had a close relationship with Ireland’s most famous poet, William Butler Yeats. Yeats wrote the foreword to the first English translation of Tagore’s Gitanjali.

‘Durga Puja’, also known as ‘Durgotsava’, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of Goddess Durga.

It symbolises the triumph of good over evil, as Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura. The festival typically lasts for 10 days (Navaratri), with the main festivities occurring during the last four days (Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Vijayadashami). (ANI)

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India News Legal Politics

‘Unacceptable’: Congress slams detention of Wangchuk at Singhu border

Rahul Gandhi attributed the responsibility for the detention to Prime Minister Narendra Modi….reports Asian Lite News

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday criticised the Delhi Police’s detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters at the Singhu border, describing it as “unacceptable.”

“The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis who were peacefully marching for environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable,” Rahul Gandhi stated in a post on X.

He attributed the responsibility for the detention to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Why are elderly citizens being detained at Delhi’s border for standing up for Ladakh’s future? Modi ji, as with the farmers, this ‘Chakravyuh’ will be broken, and so will your arrogance. You will have to listen to Ladakh’s voice,” he added.

Wangchuk and his supporters were detained by Delhi Police on late Monday night. Section 163 of the BNS has been imposed at the Delhi borders, Delhi Police announced.

Wangchuk also shared news of his detention on the social media platform ‘X’.

“I AM BEING DETAINED… along with 150 padyatris at Delhi Border, by a police force of hundreds, some say 1,000. Many elderly men & women in their 80s and a few dozen Army veterans… Our fate is unknown. We were on the most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi… in the largest democracy in the world, the mother of democracy… Hai Ram!” Wangchuk posted.

Wangchuk and other volunteers embarked on a foot march from Leh to New Delhi to urge the Centre to resume dialogue with Ladakh’s leadership regarding their demands.

One of their key demands is for Ladakh to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which would grant law-making powers to the local population to protect their land and cultural identity.

The march began in Leh on September 1. Earlier, on reaching Himachal Pradesh on September 14, Wangchuk emphasised their mission’s purpose.

“We are on a mission to remind the government of the promise it made to us five years ago,” he stated.

Wangchuk has advocated for statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution–which grants special rights to tribal communities–and stronger ecological protections for Ladakh.

Previously, Sonam Wangchuk completed a nine-day fast in Leh to draw the authorities’ attention to the importance of safeguarding Ladakh’s fragile mountain ecology and indigenous people.

After the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was split into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. (ANI)

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-Top News Europe India News

India, France deepen ties as NSA Doval calls on Macron in Paris

The two leaders had reviewed India-France bilateral relations, focusing on the ‘Horizon 2047’ Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap with discussions on cooperation in defence…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Tuesday called on French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, reiterating India’s commitment to implement the Horizon 2047 roadmap between the two long-standing strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific.

The roadmap sets the course for the bilateral relationship up to 2047, which will celebrate the centenary of India’s independence, the centenary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries and 50 years of the strategic partnership.

“NSA Ajit Doval calls on French President Emmanuel Macron. Conveyed PM Narendra Modi’s greetings. Reiterated commitment to implement the India-France Horizon 2047 roadmap. President stressed the value of India-France efforts to advance peace and address global challenges; appreciated PM Modi’s initiatives,” the Embassy of India in France posted after the meeting.

Earlier in the day, NSA Doval and French President’s Diplomatic Advisor Emmanuel Bonne led the Strategic Dialogue in Paris that anchors the India-France strategic partnership of “great trust and comfort, and high ambitions and responsibilities” in the Indo Pacific and beyond, and from cyber to space.

On Monday, the NSA held extensive discussions with French Armed Forces Minister, Sebastien Lecornu with the Indian Embassy stating that their dialogue aimed at deepening bilateral defence cooperation and advancing space collaboration. They also shared insights on the evolving international geopolitical landscape.

“On the occasion of his visit to France, discussions with Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor of India. To discuss our bilateral defence cooperation: Rafale Marine, Scorpene submarines, space. As well as the international situation, especially in Ukraine,” Lecornu commented on the meeting.

In June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the French President held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy’s Apulia, shortly after PM Modi assumed office for the third consecutive term.

The two leaders had reviewed India-France bilateral relations, focusing on the ‘Horizon 2047’ Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap with discussions on cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties.

Both leaders had also agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with increased focus on ‘Make in India’.

They also agreed to expand cooperation in the realms of AI, critical and emerging technologies, energy and sports, while working closely in the context of the forthcoming AI Summit and United Nations Oceans Conference, both to be hosted in France in 2025.

Both PM Modi and President Macron have emphasised that a strong and trusted strategic partnership between India and France is crucial for a stable and prosperous global order.

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-Top News India News World News

PM Holness unveils ‘Jamaica Marg’ in New Delhi

Holness called on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and met Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and BJP national president JP Nadda on Tuesday…reports Asian Lite News

Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica along with Jamaican cricketer Chris Gayle inaugurated the newly named Jamaica Marg in New Delhi highlighting the partnership between the two nations characterized by the Four Cs–Culture, Cricket, Commonwealth, and CARICOM.

The renaming of the road is a testament to the longstanding friendship between Jamaica and India. During the ceremony, Holness emphasised the importance of mutual respect and cooperation, reflecting on the shared values and growing ties between the two countries.

This development comes at a time when India continues to foster deeper relations with nations across the Caribbean, enhancing cultural, economic, and political ties. The unveiling of Jamaica Marg is a reminder of the global reach of India’s diplomatic efforts and the increasing visibility of Jamaica on the world stage.

Earlier, Holness called on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and met Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and BJP national president JP Nadda on Tuesday.

Welcoming Holness on his first visit to India, Murmu said that Jamaica holds a special place in the hearts of Indians, especially with our shared love of cricket and music. She added that the Indian diaspora in Jamaica is also a very important link in our relationship, a statement by Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

In a post on X, Murmu said, “Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The two leaders agreed to continue working together to further strengthen bilateral ties, and to achieve reform of multilateral institutions.”

The President was happy to note that India-Jamaica relations are growing steadily, including in the areas of trade and economy. The two leaders agreed that there is a need to continue to deepen the partnership at various levels through parliamentary, academic and cultural exchanges, as well as cooperation in international for a, the statement said.

The President appreciated Jamaica’s participation in all three editions of the Voice of the Global South Summits organized by India. She noted that both countries are strong advocates for reform of multilateral institutions including the UN Security Council, and have been working together as part of groupings such as the L-69 to achieve this. The President expressed confidence that Prime Minister Holness’s visit will further boost ties between our two countries, the statement said.

Holness discussed about shared values, cultural links and historical ties that underline India-Jamaica relations.

In a post on X, Dhankar said, “H.E. Mr. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, called on Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar at Vice-President’s Enclave today. Discussions between the two leaders centred around the shared values, cultural links and historical ties that underline India-Jamaica relations. They also focused on areas like south south collaboration including India’s flagship Indian technical and economic cooperation program effectively used by Jamaica for capacity building and the desire of Jamaica to replicate India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, UPI, and high economic growth trajectory. Jamaica also expressed interest in cooperating in education, technology and innovation sectors.”

Holness met Nadda in Delhi as part of the ‘Know BJP’ initiative.

“Met and interacted with the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Dr Andrew Holness, in New Delhi as part of the ‘Know BJP’ initiative. We shared valuable perspectives to strengthen our party-to-party ties and deepen our mutual understanding. Our conversation also centered on our shared goal of strengthening India-Jamaica relations. Looking forward to continued cooperation and mutual progress,” he said. (ANI)

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-Top News India News Jammu & Kashmir

J&K’s Festival of Democracy 

Bandipora, Oct 01 (ANI): Elderly voters show their ink-marked fingers after casting their votes for the final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, in Bandipora on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)

The poll percentage in the first phase was 61.38%, 57.31% in the second phase, and a tentative 68.72% in the third phase…reports Asian Lite News

The polling for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded in a “peaceful and celebratory atmosphere,” marking the end of the third and final phase on Tuesday.

In Phase 3, 40 Assembly constituencies across 7 districts saw voting at 5,060 polling stations. A total of 415 candidates were in the fray, including 387 men and 28 women.

These Assembly elections, the first since the abrogation of Article 370, were held in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir after a gap of nearly ten years. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8.

“The three-phased Assembly Election in J&K concluded today with the third and final phase of polling. The Election Commission of India had issued the formal schedule on August 16. Polling for 24 constituencies took place on September 18, the second phase for 26 constituencies on September 25, and the final phase for 40 constituencies today. The poll percentage in the first phase was 61.38%, 57.31% in the second phase, and a tentative 68.72% in the third phase. The overall poll percentage stands at 63.45% (tentative),” according to an official statement.

Bandipora, Oct 01 (ANI): Elderly voters show their ink-marked fingers after casting their votes for the final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, in Bandipora on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)

As per the data, Kupwara recorded a poll percentage of 65.81%, Baramulla 59.84%, Bandipora 67.57%, Ganderbal 62.83%, Srinagar 30.08%, Budgam 63.28%, Pulwama 46.99%, Shopian 57.01%, Kulgam 63.14%, and Anantnag 57.90%.

In the Jammu region, Kishtwar recorded 80.20%, Doda 71.32%, Ramban 70.57%, Reasi 74.68%, Udhampur 75.87%, Kathua 72.23%, Samba 75.22%, Jammu 70.25%, Rajouri 71.13%, and Poonch 74.37%.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) stated that the polling concluded peacefully in a celebratory atmosphere.

“The elections were a resounding statement in favour of democracy, in line with Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar’s confidence expressed during the announcement of the general elections in J&K on August 16,” the statement said.

At the time, Rajiv Kumar had expressed that “the world will witness the defeat of nefarious interests and the triumph of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar added, “The J&K Assembly elections mark a significant deepening of democracy, which will echo in the pages of history and inspire the democratic spirit of the region for years to come. These elections are dedicated to the people of J&K, acknowledging their determination and belief in the democratic process. The peaceful and participative elections are historic, with democracy taking root more deeply than ever before, driven by the will of the people of J&K.”

The elections also saw a notable increase in voter turnout in areas historically associated with militancy and boycotting democratic processes. Polling percentages rose by 12.97% in the Pulwama Assembly constituency compared to the 2014 elections. Zainapora in Shopian saw a 9.52% increase, while Eidgah in Srinagar recorded a 9.16% rise, reflecting growing confidence in the electoral process.

The National Conference and Congress formed a pre-poll alliance, while the PDP and BJP contested separately.

Prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah (BJP), Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and former J&K Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, campaigned extensively for weeks.

The West Pakistani refugee community exercised their right to vote for the first time in Assembly elections after gaining citizenship following the abrogation of Article 370.

In 2023, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024. (ANI)

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‘India concerned at broadening of Middle East conflict’

Notably, India has backed a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict….reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday that India is “very much” concerned at the possibility of broadening of the conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking at the conversation at the Carnegie Endowment in the US, he called Hamas’ attack on Israel a “terrorist attack,” and added that Israel had a need to respond and added that India believes that any response by any country has to take into account international humanitarian law.

Asked about the escalating violence in the Middle East and India’s approach towards Israel’s policy and wider conflict possibilities, Jaishankar said, ” If one looks at the current situation, I think it would be right to start off with October 7th. We regard October 7th as a terrorist attack. We understand that Israel had a need to respond, but we also believe that any response by any country has to take into account international humanitarian law, that it must be careful about any damage or any implications for civilian populations. And that given what has happened in Gaza, it is important to have some kind of international humanitarian effort out there.”

“And we are very much concerned at the possibility of a broadening of the conflict, not just what happened in Lebanon, but also, you know, I referred earlier to the Houthis and the Red Sea, and, you know, to some extent, everything that happens between Iran and Israel. So again, it’s one thing to be concerned. I’m sure you can say that for a lot of countries. If as part of that concern, we can end up doing something about it, you know, then don’t underestimate the importance of communication in difficult times. If there are things to be said and passed on and passed back, I think those are all contributions that we can make and we do,” he added.

Notably, India has backed a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. PM Narendra Modi was one of the first global leaders to condemn the terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7. However, India has repeatedly expressed concerns over the deteriorating situation in Gaza.

In October last year, Israel launched a counter-offensive against Hamas after hundreds of Hamas terrorists burst into Israeli borders, killing over 1200 people and taking over 250 hostages, out of which 100 continue to be in captivity.

The war has spiralled into the region lately, with Houthi rebels in Yemen also targeting Israel and other countries in the Red Sea. Israel has also continued striking Hezbollah in Lebanon. As the conflict heads towards escalation, all major countries have called for a ceasefire and hostage deal, while also stressing for a two-state solution as a means to achieve durable and sustainable peace in the region.

In a major escalation in the raging conflict in the Middle East, Iran on Tuesday launched a missile attack on Israel on Tuesday. In a statement, the IDF said all Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters as rockets from Iran are fired at Israel.

Hezbollah is upset that the IDF exposed their plans to massacre Israelis, so they decided to target innocent civilians by firing a barrage of rockets, the IDF further said.

102 missiles have been launched towards Israel, according to the Jerusalem Post. Sirens continue to sound across Israel amid the attack, the Times of Israel reported. According to the IDF, around 10 million civilians are the targets of Iranian projectiles. Iran’s state media has also confirmed the Iranian attack towards Israel. (ANI)

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India News Sport Sports

Ashwin Backs Gill and Jaiswal as Future Stars

Ashwin, a senior figure in the team and one of India’s most seasoned players recognized that the duo has the raw material to succeed but emphasised that they need to continually improve and evolve…reports Harsh Shukla

Indian cricket’s next generation of batting talent is quietly making waves, and star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has high hopes for two of the country’s brightest young stars — Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Both players impressed during India’s recent 2-0 Test sweep against Bangladesh, with Jaiswal finishing as the top run-scorer of the series, accumulating 189 runs at an average of 47.25, while Gill closely followed with 164 runs at an impressive average of 54.66, including a century in the first Test.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ashwin showered praise on the duo, emphasising their potential to become key players for India, especially in overseas conditions. “Look, I think Yashasvi Jaiswal is a special talent. He plays freely and willingly. He’s just started his international career, as is Shubman Gill. Both of them are still in the formative years of playing Test cricket, but I believe they will be the future pillars and overseas stars for Indian cricket,” Ashwin said.

Jaiswal, who has already turned heads with his aggressive yet controlled approach, has quickly become a fan favourite. His ability to dominate bowlers with three fifties in the series showcased the kind of temperament that is vital in the longer format. Gill, who has cemented himself as a reliable opener, also delivered a strong performance with his century in the first Test, solidifying his growing reputation as a technically sound and adaptable batter.

Ashwin, a senior figure in the team and one of India’s most seasoned players recognized that the duo has the raw material to succeed but emphasised that they need to continually improve and evolve. “It’s just that they need to be able to encounter more and more new experiences and be able to identify for themselves what they need to work on. The raw material is there, and it’s evident to everyone that both of them are high-quality players,” Ashwin added.

Both players have already showcased their class in previous outings. In the Test series against England, Jaiswal amassed a staggering 712 runs from nine innings, including two double-hundreds, while Gill followed with 452 runs, averaging 56.50 with two centuries. Their consistency in both home and away conditions has proven that they are ready to take on tougher challenges in the years to come.

India’s cricketing future looks bright with these young stars leading the charge. Their next big test will come in the upcoming series against New Zealand starting on October 16, followed by the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, beginning on November 22.

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-Top News Asia News Politics

Shigeru Ishiba formally elected Japan’s PM

Ishiba emerged victorious in his fifth attempt at the LDP leadership, defeating Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi in a tightly contested runoff last week…reports Asian Lite News

Shigeru Ishiba, the leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has been elected as the country’s next Prime Minister in a parliamentary vote on Tuesday. He will succeed Fumio Kishida.

Both the lower and upper houses of the Japanese parliament endorsed Ishiba who won the LDP presidency last week. His confirmation sets the stage for a general election on October 27, despite opposition criticism over the timing of the polls, which caused a last-minute delay in Tuesday’s parliamentary vote.

His leadership will be marked by challenges as Ishiba will have to work hard to restore the voter trust in the scandal-hit LDP, local media reported.

Ishiba emerged victorious in his fifth attempt at the LDP leadership, defeating Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi in a tightly contested runoff last week. Ishiba garnered 215 votes, surpassing Takaichi’s 194.

Earlier on Monday, Ishiba announced plans to dissolve the lower house of the parliament on October 9, with a General Election scheduled for October 27.

His decision to call a snap election also drew a backlash from opposition parties, as they called it “disrespectful” and “unconstitutional” for him to make an announcement even before his election as the Prime Minister.

Upon winning the LDP leadership, Ishiba committed himself to restoring trust and transparency within the party, emphasising the need for humility, fairness, and adherence to rules.

His speech after the vote counting was grounded in the promise to make Japan a safer and more stable country. “I will dedicate myself to making Japan a safer country,” he declared, signalling his intent to prioritise national security in his administration.

At a press conference following his victory, Ishiba stressed the importance of gaining the trust of the public and the need for accountability within the government.

Earlier in the day, Kishida decided on the en masse resignation of his Cabinet.

“Japan is facing a critical moment both at home and abroad. I sincerely hope that under the new Cabinet, important policies that will pave the way for Japan’s future will be vigorously implemented. I ask for your continued support for the next Cabinet and the new Prime Minister,” the outgoing PM said in a statement.

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-Top News India News USA

Jaishankar, Blinken discuss West Asia, Ukraine

The EAM also expressed his concern about a broader war in West Asia….reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has said that he and his US counterpart Antony Blinken discussed West Asia and Ukraine and a whole range of issues including the Delaware bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden and the Quad summit.

Before the start of their meeting, Blinken spoke glowingly of the “incredible vibrancy, strength” in the relationship between the two sides on display in recent weeks.

“We followed up on the Delaware bilateral and Quad meetings,” Jaishankar wrote of the meeting on X. “Our discussions also covered deepening bilateral cooperation, situation in West Asia, recent developments in the Indian subcontinent, the Indo-Pacific and Ukraine,” he added.

“We’ve seen, just in recent weeks once again, the incredible vibrancy, strength behind the partnership that joins the United States and India,” Blinken said referring to the recent bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Biden. “We had Prime Minister Modi here and actually in Wilmington, Delaware for the Quad meeting as well as a bilateral meeting with President Biden.”

Biden had hosted Quad leaders for the first time in his hometown and also held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi at his home in Greenville, Delaware.

Blinken said: “The warmth of that meeting, the ambition in the relationship, is at a level we’ve never seen before. And I think it’s a reflection of the value that both countries attach to this partnership – a partnership in so many different areas, including strategic technology sectors, including space, including semiconductors, including clean energy, where our countries increasingly are working together and creating new opportunities for people in both India and the United States but also more broadly than that around the world. And of course, the critical role that India plays on the global stage, working for peace, working for stability, working for security – here as well we’re doing more and more together.”

EAM Jaishankar thanked Blinken for the “great meeting between the Prime Minister and the President in Delaware, for a very, very good Quad meeting”. He said: “I think it gave us an opportunity to take stock of the many areas where that mechanism has progressed.”

Earlier, the EAM spoke about India’s role in keeping the communication line open between Russia and Ukraine. “I’m glad you used the word communication because I think at the moment perhaps (it) is the best description for what we are currently in terms of,” he said at an event by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a leading US think tank.

EAM Jaishankar detailed the meetings that have taken place between leaders of India, Russia and Ukraine, including Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The EAM also expressed his concern about a broader war in West Asia. The event took place before Iran’s attack on Israel, which, Blinken said before his meeting with the EAM, “effectively defeated” by Israel “with active support” from the US and allies.

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-Top News Politics UK News

I’d have done better than Sunak in polls, says Truss

Truss called for the OBR, the government’s fiscal watchdog, to be abolished….reports Asian Lite News

Liz Truss has said the Conservatives would have done better in July’s general election if she had stayed on as prime minister, during an often freewheeling one-off appearance at the Tory conference.

Truss, who stepped down after 49 days in Downing Street, said that if she had had the support of her MPs and if the financial “establishment” had not undermined her 2022 mini-budget, she would have delivered lower taxes, more growth and low energy costs through fracking.

Truss, who declined to back any of the four Tory leadership candidates, saying she preferred Argentina’s far-right president, Javier Milei, also refused to rule out trying to return to parliament, saying: “I’m not going to give up on this fight.”

Asked during a fringe event Q&A if she thought a Tory party led by her rather than Rishi Sunak would have performed better in the general election, Truss replied: “Yes, I do.” She went on: “Because when I was in No 10, Reform was holding at 3% [in the polls]. By the time we got to the election, I think they got 18% because we promised change that we didn’t deliver.”

Truss also blamed the rise of Reform for Labour winning her South West Norfolk constituency, saying she “didn’t believe the people of South West Norfolk actually consciously want a Labour MP”.

She did, however, say it would have been “a very tall order” for her to have won the general election if she had stayed as PM, saying: “I think our best chance of winning would have been to have kept Boris.”

Since leaving office, Truss has increasingly blamed the Bank of England, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and other officials for causing the extremely negative market reaction to the mini-budget, which offered £45bn of unfunded tax cuts.

She said it was “complete economic illiteracy” to blame her. “When I got into government, taxes were ready at a 70-year high … the debt was going up,” she said. “I tried to turn that around, but the mini-budget was not implemented because organisations like the Bank of England sought to blame their mistakes on me, and the media, what you’d call the political class in Britain, went along with that narrative.”

Truss called for the OBR, the government’s fiscal watchdog, to be abolished. “Conservatives won’t succeed until we get rid of the Office for Budget Responsibility,” she said.

Claiming she had had a mandate to take on such institutions after Conservative members picked her over Sunak to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister, Truss said: “What I found was that those people and institutions were very powerful. They sought to undermine me, and at the same time people in the Conservative party wanted to buy into that narrative, but they are fundamentally wrong.”

Asked about the four candidates vying to succeed Sunak now as party leader, Truss said they needed to be more radical, for example by looking at scrapping or amending the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act. She said candidates also needed to combat “the wokery marching for our institutions, the human rights culture embedded in government”.

“So far, I haven’t seen any of the candidates really acknowledge how bad things are in the country as a whole, and frankly, for the Conservative party,” she said.

Truss added: “I am a huge fan of Javier Milei. If Milei was standing in the Conservative leadership election, I would be backing him like a shot. On everything, he’s doing the right thing.”

For the most part, the candidates have avoided much direct criticism of Truss. But on Monday, Robert Jenrick told ITV’s Peston show that her mini-budget “did great harm to our reputation for sound management of the public finances – it was cack-handed, it was careless and it was unconservative.”

Asked why Truss still seemed popular with some party members, he replied: “She’s not a member of parliament any more and I think we have to move on from that.”

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