Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and chairman of High Council for National Reconcialtion Abdullah Abdullah.
Amid reports of a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in Afghanistan, the Kabul government is facing mounting criticism over alleged misuse of international funds to battle the pandemic, the media reported
A Kabul-based anti-corruption organization, Integrity Watch Afghanistan (IWA), on Friday said the government was not ready to provide the details of the money it spent for combating the pandemic, reports TOLO News.
“The Afghan government has not been accountable in spending Covid-19 budget, in many cases, either they provided us incomplete information or refrained from providing details about it,” said Sayed Ikram Afzali, the head of IWA.
The Ministry of Finance said the institutions that were assigned to fight the health crisis have not reported back about the scale and area of the fund spending.
“The overall money provided by international donors and the budget that was allocated by the government for fighting Covid-19 are estimated to 19.8 billion Afghanis,” said Shamroz Khan Masjidi, spokesman for the Ministry.
The Attorney General’s Office said that some cases of corruption against former and current officials of the Ministry of Public Health and a hospital officials in some provinces have been investigated.
“Investigation of the cases related to four provinces has been done. Our colleagues are in the process of concluding them. They will soon issue their verdicts on it,” TOLO News quoted Jamshid Rasouli, a spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office, as saying.
On Friday, the Ministry of Public Health on Friday reported 77 new Covid-cases and two fatalities.
As a result the overall caseload in the country has now increased to 39,639, while the death toll stood at 1,472.
New Delhi: MoS External Affairs V. Muraleedharan participated in the 27th Regional Forum Ministerial via video conferencing in New Delhi on Sep 12, 2020. (Photo: IANS/MEA)
MoS External Affairs V. Muraleedharan (Photo: IANS/MEA)
Calling out Pakistan’s attempts to disrupt the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), India has warned that it will slide to irrelevance and be shut out of global decision-making if attempts were made to divide it by venting bilateral grievances.
“If we take up issues that divide rather than unite us, reducing our movement to a platform for venting bilateral grievances or for embarrassing fellow Members, we will soon become a weak and irrelevant entity, with no say at all in global decision making,” India’s Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan told the virtual Ministerial Meeting of the NAM on Friday.
Theme of the meeting commemorating the 65th anniversary of the adoption of the movement’s founding principles was “More Relevant, United and Effective NAM against Emerging Global Challenges, including Covid-19”, but Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi raised the Kashmir issue.
Muraleedharan did not mention Quereshi or Pakistan by name but it was clear to whom his message against divisiveness and raising of irrelevant issues was directed.
“Individual members must stop and think before raising issues that are not on the agenda and which find no resonance in the wider membership. NAM never was and never can be a platform for pursuits aimed at undermining the territorial integrity of a State by another State.”
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi (Xinhua/Asad/IANS)
The second of the 10 founding principles of NAM is “respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations”, he added.
On the meeting’s pressing issue of dealing with the Covid-19 crisis and rebuilding the world in its destructive wake, he said: “NAM’s unique tradition of promoting South-South cooperation can provide a way out as societies look to rebuild and regenerate in the wake of this crisis.”
He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance at the UN General Assembly last month that “India’s immense vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting the crisis”.
But the world was also facing the threat of terrorism and other imminent dangers, Muraleedharan said.
Terrorism and its “enablers continue to spread their tentacles unabated”, he said in a message also directed against Islamabad.
Listing the other threats to the world, he said: “Misinformation and fake news are wreaking havoc on social cohesion and collective security. Climate change has become an existential threat, especially to the most vulnerable SIDS (Small Island Developing States) countries. Humanitarian emergencies are straining capacities. Cybersecurity threats and the uneven impact of frontier technologies are causing turbulence.
“NAM has the potential to take the lead in addressing the primary issues of our times that demand global cooperation.”
Friday’s meeting commemorated the adoption in 1955 of NAM’s founding principles known as the Bandung Declaration.
It was named for the place in Indonesia where leaders of 29 countries adopted it at a meeting organised at the initiative of India’s former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President Suharto of Indonesia.
Union Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar
Muraleedharan said: “Over the decades, these core principles have served as anchors in the political and socio-economic journeys of many of our nations. These principles have helped us overcome immense challenges such as colonialism and apartheid, and are today reflected in our steadfast support to the cause of Palestine.”
While Pakistan, like China, was present at the Bandung meeting, it spurned non-alignment by entering into military alliances with the US and other countries, and joined NAM only in 1979.
In his speech to the Friday meeting, Qureshi “expressed concern” at what he said was the denial of the right to self-determination under UN Security Council resolutions.
However, the principal Security Council resolution on the subject demands that Pakistan withdraw its forces and people from all of Kashmir.
Qureshi also asserted that the “struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is being brutally suppressed”.
Trump, Biden trade early jabs in first presidential debate.
The second presidential debate between US President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden which was scheduled to take place on October 15 in Miami, has been officially cancelled, it was announced.
In a statement on Friday night, the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) said: “It is now apparent there will be no debate on October 15, and the CPD will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate scheduled for October 22.”
It added that the third presidential debate scheduled for October 22 is still slated to take place at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, but subject to health security considerations and in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines, The Hill news website reported.
The announcement came as the Trump’s campaign has argued that the debate scheduled for next week should continue in person as originally planned.
Responding to the announcement, Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh said in a statement to The Hill: “There is no medical reason to stop the October 15 debate in Miami from proceeding as scheduled, since the President will be healthy and ready to debate.
“There is also no reason there shouldn’t be the three total presidential debates as Joe Biden had originally agreed.
“It’s time for the biased commission to stop protecting Biden and preventing voters from hearing from the two candidates for President.”
The spokesman added that the President’s campaign would be open to debating Biden “without the Commission’s interference”.
Trump, Biden trade early jabs in first presidential debate.
A day before the cancellation, the CPD had announced that the second presidential debate would be held virtually following Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis.
It planned for the two candidates to debate remotely as the moderator and voters would attend from Miami, as originally planned.
But shortly after the announcement, Trump told Fox News: “I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate. That is not what debating is all about. You sit behind a computer and do a debate, it’s ridiculous.”
As the debate stands cancelled, Biden will now a town hall hosted by ABC News on October 15 slated to take place Philadelphia, which will be moderated by the network’s chief anchor George Stephanopoulos.
Details of the town hall, including the time, will be released in coming days.
A similar event was hosted by ABC News also in Philadelphia last month for Trump, who took uncommitted voters’ questions about the Covid-19 pandemic, racial justice and healthcare.
Jofra Archer (3/24) led the way as Rajasthan Royals (RR) restricted Delhi Capitals (DC) to 184/8 in the 23rd match of the Indian Premier League here on Friday.
It was the first time this season that a team batting first in Sharjah did not score more than 200 runs.
RR managed to dismiss DC’s dangerous top order within the powerplay. Rishabh Pant (5) was run out after a bizarre mix-up with Marcus Stoinis (39) following which the latter combined with Shimron Hetmyer (45) to provide an impetus to the DC innings.
Hetmyer ended up being the highest scorer for DC, hitting five sixes and a four before falling to Kartik Tyagi (1/35) five runs short of his half-century.
Brief scores: DC 184/8 in 20 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 45, Marcus Stoinis 39; Jofra Archer 3/24)
Lebanon’s leading Sunni Muslim politician, former Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri, called for the restoration of a French plan to lift the nation out of its worst financial crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war, reports Arab News.
Former colonial power France, which has led foreign aid efforts, has tried to rally Lebanese leaders to launch reforms to tackle the crisis. But they have failed to agree a new government — the first step in the French roadmap — and drawn a rebuke from French President Emmanuel Macron.
French president Emmanuel Macron
Lebanon urgently needs foreign cash to get out of a financial meltdown which has slashed the value of the currency since last year.
“I call on political parties to think well so as not to waste this chance…French President Macron’s initiative still stands and we can still enact it,” Hariri said in a TV interview late on Thursday. “If we let it fail, it would be a crime.”
The founder and former Chairman of UAE’s NMC healthcare and Finablr, BR Shetty has moved a complaint against former CEOs and officials of the two companies, alleging them of fraud. He claims that Pramod and Prashanth Manghat who were the CEOs had defrauded him by orchestrating a deception over the group companies’ affairs, Khaleej Times reports.
“I am filing the present complaint against a large, complex and sophisticated corporate and financial fraud perpetrated by Prasanth and Promoth Manghat, brothers who were the former CEOs of NMC and Finablr,” Shetty said in a complaint filed with Mangaluru East (Kadri) Police Station in Karnataka. The copies of the complaint was also shared with the Prime Minister and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.
Shetty moved to India in February when the scandals of financial irregularities and inflated accounts rocked NMC Healthcare and financial service firm Finablr.
While the Manghat brothers topped the list of 10 accused in the complaint, others included Prasanth Shenoy, the former chief financial officer of NMC, Suresh Kumar, former head of treasury, NMC; Sabina Shamsundar Salgaokar (secretary to Prasanth Manghat – NMC; Pradeep Kumar and Rahul Ranjit, of Unimoni and Finablr respectively, and Suresh Kumar Nandiraju of Neopharma. Two Indian banks, Bank of Baroda and Federal Bank, also figure in the list.
The Pandora’s Box was opened when an investment firm, Muddy Waters, issued a report criticizing NMC’s accounts and disclosing a short position in December, 2019. Muddy Waters’ scrutiny then snowballed into a troubling scenario for Shetty that shed light on his complex share arrangements and cast doubts about his net worth.
Shetty has claimed in the complaint that by 2017, he had lost “all visibility” into the affairs of his group companies due to his resignation and “deception” by the Manghat brothers. He has further claimed that he had no access whatsoever to the records of the group companies from 2017 and was receiving “general misleading financial and corporate reports” prepared by Manghat brothers.
Buoyed by the Reserve Bank’s liquidity boosting measures, the Indian benchmark indices rose for the seventh consecutive session on Friday, making it the best winning streak in almost a year.
The markets’ upswing was maintained despite a status quo in key lending rates announced by the RBI.
However, analysts noted that gains came on the back of the Reserve Bank’s positive outlook along with its decision to maintain the accommodative stance and measures for a liquidity boost.
In terms of the policy, the RBI said that it will resort to on-tap long-term repo operations and open market bond purchases to ensure liquidity in the banking system.
It has also eased capital requirements on home loans to spur lending to the real estate sector.
On the global front, positive cues as renewed hopes for fresh US stimulus kept investors’ sentiments high.
Accordingly, they said that volumes on the NSE were in line with recent average with banking, IT and infra indices doing well whereas FMCG, auto, metals and pharma indices losing ground.
The S&P BSE Banking index closed at 40,509.49, higher by 326.8 2 points, or 0.81 per cent, from its previous close.
The Nifty50, on the National Stock Exchange, ended the day’s trade at 11,914.20, higher by 79.60 points, or 0.67 per cent, from its previous close.
“Banks and Housing finance stocks rose post the RBI MPC meet outcome even as the rates have been kept unchanged and stance remains accommodative,” said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities.
“Markets have become overbought after relentless rise over the past 2 weeks. Over the next 1-2 days we expect even the Nifty to come under some pressure as largecaps also need to consolidate or correct after such a rise.”
According to Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services: “Indian indices took a leap today following the positive announcements of TLTRO and OMO, which will help in maintaining a good level of funds available at cheap rates from RBI to the industry.”
“Further, rationalisation of risk weights for home loans will help banks and NBFCs in reducing provisions and enhance operational flexibility going forward. The market, including the BFSI sector, will continue to be in the limelight as investors have an optimistic view on the next round of stimulus, ongoing Q2 result and SC verdict on moratorium, next week.”
In addition, Siddhartha Khemka, Head, Retail Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said: “Investors would now track earnings season which is expected to show strong sequential recovery and watch out for management commentaries on demand for upcoming festive season.”
“Developments around stimulus package both from the US and the Indian govern ment would keep the sentiments positive. Next week, India’s inflation data and industrial output would be watched out.”
Columnist and Restaurant Reviewer Riccha Grrover in an interview with Carlo Scotto, Chef-Owner of XR, Modern European cuisine with Asian influences showcasing restaurant in the heart of London’s fashionable Marylebone neighbourhood. An exclusive for Asian Lite International.
Carlo Scotto – Xier
With over 15 years’ experience working in some of London’s top restaurants – including several Michelin-starred kitchens – Italian-born chef Carlo Scotto opened his first solo venture, Xier and XR in Marylebone, in March 2019.
Through this menu, Scotto’s signature creativity shines through with dishes marrying unusual flavours and experimental techniques. Whilst the menu uses mainly organic British produce, Scotto takes influences from Japan and Scandinavia, where he has travelled extensively.
When not in the kitchen, Scotto travels as much as possible. For him, travelling is less about uncovering new ingredients, and more about discovering the cultures behind the ingredients, and bringing this to the table through his theatrical and experimental cuisine.
XR – interiors bar
With an ever-changing A-la-carte menu, XR champions fresh produce and vibrant flavours in a comfortable and welcoming environment. XR offers a casual version of Chef Carlo Scotto’s formal fine dining menu that he serves in the upper part of the restaurant called Xier. XR pays homage to seasonal produce sourced from organic farms across the British Isles.
RG- What are the top dishes you would recommend a first time diner to try ? How would you describe the food at XR in 3 words? What can diners expect when the book to have a meal at XR?
CS- Everyone who dines with us loves the truffle pasta – it’s a best seller for sure and really delicious, so would be great for a first-time diner. Otherwise, one of the sharing dishes – like the 1kg tomahawk would be a good choice.
The food at XR is seasonal, impressive and delicious.
When diners book at XR, they can expect top quality food in a relaxed and informal yet stylish setting. The team are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and always on hand to answer any questions about the menu. I also think it’s fairly safe to say there’s something on the menu for everyone, no matter what they’re in the mood for!
XR T-bone
RG- Do you have a seasonal menu too or is it always a fixed ala carte menu? Where does your menu take its inspiration from?
CS- We have a few core classics that remain, but yes we absolutely change the menu regularly to reflect the best produce of the evolving seasons.
The menu is modern-European, but with a few Asian influences too.
RG-Tell us about the decor, interiors, drinks selection, music and the overall vibe you have created- how does it compliment the meal experience at XR?
CS- The vibe at XR is relaxed and casual, yet still very chic and stylish. The interiors are elegant and inviting, with blush pink walls adorned with deep blue panels for the perfect contrast, complete with bold statement artwork. During the week we keep the music fairly casual, and at weekends it’s more of a party vibe thanks to our Bottomless Champagne DJ Brunch. In terms of drinks, our Head Sommelier Fillipo Carnevale is in charge, with a wine to suit any taste, as well as an extensive cocktail menu.
XR – grilled harissa chicken
RG-Tell us about your sharing mains like salt baked sea bass and other dishes by the kilo- tell us about its exclusive visual appeal of being served by the chef at the tables and how do discerning diners feel when they see a visually appealing freshly made to order sharing mains?
CS- I firmly believe food tastes its best when shared with loved ones, so that’s why I incorporated these dishes into the menu. The 1kg seabass and 1kg tomahawk do look very impressive when presented on a diner’s table, and I think it just adds to the overall experience and makes it that bit more special.
RG- What advice would you give budding chefs and restaurateurs?
CS- Be prepared to work incredibly hard! The restaurant industry is a challenging one, now more than ever and if you want to succeed you need to understand it’s not going to be an easy ride, you need to be fully determined and dedicated. I’d also say find a mentor if you can, someone you admire and who can help keep you on the right path. Never stop learning…
RG- How is the modern European cuisine different from other restaurants in this genre- what makes it unique?
CS- I think our sharing dishes are pretty unique. They are designed to be wow factor dishes and I think we achieve that! In terms of the rest of the menu, we focus on relatively simple dishes, but just done extremely well and using the best produce.
XR floral exterior
RG- How has the pandemic affected the meal experience at XR? How have you kept the restaurant going and what changes do you need to incorporate in your restaurant safe and enjoyable for diners in a post covid era?
CS- The pandemic has not been an easy time at all, and it has hit us hard, as it has done with every hospitality business. We’ve reduced our cover numbers to ensure for plenty of space between tables, we’ve increased our cleaning regime and introduced hand sanitisers throughout the restaurant. Our team also of course wear all the required PPE when working, as their safety is paramount, along with that of the customer. Other than that, we’ve tried to keep things as normal as possible, as part of the joy of eating out is it is a touch of escapism from the everyday, and I think we need that now more than ever.
The menu at XR is made for sharing, with plates that are perfect for get-togethers with family or friends. Influenced by global flavours, particularly from Scandinavia and Japan, enjoy classic dishes from Chef Carlo, elevated by his innovative use of ingredients. Showstopping mains such as sea bream with fennel and orange salad; and autumn black truffle and basil pizza, are sure to impress. Larger dishes – designed to be shared between two or four – like the whole sea salt crusted seabass is surely to write home about!
Attentive service and delectable food in a stylish, elegant ambience are sure the right ingredients to make it a favourite jaunt!
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) is all set to take on the epic Royal Enfields in the mid size segment. It has entered the mid-size 350-500 cc motorcycle segment in India with the launch of H’ness CB350, priced at Rs 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Gurugram).
The new offering is the third BS-VI model from the company’s ‘BigWing’ portfolio which is the exclusive premium bike vertical.
“At the heart of H’ness CB350 is the big powerful 350 cc, air-cooled 4 stroke OHC single-cylinder engine equipped with PGM-FI technology,” the company had said in an earlier statement.
“It delivers a category leading max torque of ’30 N-m@3000 rpm’ which makes it an easy going versatile motorcycle be it for daily city commute or longer weekend rides.”
Additionally, the bike sports full LED setup at the front and back-end for extra visibility with dual disc brakes, dual channel ABS and a 15 litre fuel tank among other features.
The company’s ‘CB’ brand has a long history starting from CB92 in 1952.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Yoav Dudkevitch/JINI via Xinhua/IANS)
Israel imposed a nationwide lockdown ahead of the Jewish High Holidays last month to rein in the country’s surging coronavirus outbreak….Reports Asian Lite News
The Israeli government has extended ban on public gatherings, including widespread protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for an additional week.Arab News Reports
Government ministers approved the measure until Oct. 13 by a telephone vote, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement late on Wednesday.
Israel imposed a nationwide lockdown ahead of the Jewish High Holidays last month to rein in the country’s surging coronavirus outbreak.
The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, passed a law last week allowing the government to declare a special week-long state of emergency to limit participation in assemblies because of the pandemic.
The government then declared the state of emergency, limiting all public gatherings to within a km of a person’s home.
Netanyahu has said the restrictions are driven by safety concerns as the country battles a runaway pandemic, but critics and protesters accuse him of tightening the lockdown to muzzle their movement and expression of dissent.
