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Category: Politics

  • Republicans undermine democracy with fraud claims: Obama

    Republicans undermine democracy with fraud claims: Obama

    The development comes as US poll officials have claimed that the recently-concluded 2020 presidential election was the “most secure in American history”, and rejected President Donald Trump’s ballot fraud allegations…reports Asian Lite News

    Former US President Barack Obama has said senior US Republicans are undermining democracy by going along with President Donald Trump’s refusal to admit that he lost last week’s election and his unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. BBC reports

    The development comes as US poll officials have claimed that the recently-concluded 2020 presidential election was the “most secure in American history”, and rejected President Donald Trump’s ballot fraud allegations, the media reported on Friday.

    The remarks were part of a joint statement released on Thursday by the Election Infrastructure Government Co-ordinating Council, comprising senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US Election Assistance Commission and also state-level officials, the BBC reported.

    • U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in Washington D.C (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua/IANS)

    “The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history. Right now, across the country, election officials are reviewing and double checking the entire election process prior to finalizing the result.

    “While we know there are many unfounded claims and opportunities for misinformation about the process of our elections, we can assure you we have the utmost confidence in the security and integrity of our elections, and you should too.

    “When you have questions, turn to elections officials as trusted voices as they administer elections,” the statement added.

    The statement was posted posted to the website of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (Cisa), which is part of the DHS.

    Just hours before it was released, Trump tweeted that voting software used in 28 states had deleted millions of votes for him.

    The President did not provide any evidence and the tweet was later flagged, reports the BBC.

    Also read:Obama to be next guest on Apple TV+’s The Oprah Conversation

  • US election officials dismiss Trump’s claims

    US election officials dismiss Trump’s claims

    The development comes as President Trump has refused to concede to his Democratic rival and incumbent President-elect Joe Biden….reports Asian Lite News

    • US President Donald Trump formallt accepts Republican nomination.

    US poll officials have claimed that the recently-concluded 2020 presidential election was the “most secure in American history”, and rejected President Donald Trump’s ballot fraud allegations, the media reported on Friday.

    The remarks were part of a joint statement released on Thursday by the Election Infrastructure Government Co-ordinating Council, comprising senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US Election Assistance Commission and also state-level officials, the BBC reported.

    “The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history. Right now, across the country, election officials are reviewing and double checking the entire election process prior to finalizing the result.

    “While we know there are many unfounded claims and opportunities for misinformation about the process of our elections, we can assure you we have the utmost confidence in the security and integrity of our elections, and you should too.

    “When you have questions, turn to elections officials as trusted voices as they administer elections,” the statement added.

    The statement was posted posted to the website of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (Cisa), which is part of the DHS.

    Just hours before it was released, Trump tweeted that voting software used in 28 states had deleted millions of votes for him.

    The President did not provide any evidence and the tweet was later flagged, reports the BBC.

    The development comes as President Trump has refused to concede to his Democratic rival and incumbent President-elect Joe Biden, who has been projected the winner of the November 3 election by major news networks.

    Biden has been projected as the winner in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Wisconsin, and also holds leads in Georgia.

    The BBC has projected that the former Vice President has won Arizona, extending his lead by 11 electoral college votes – he now has 290, with Trump on 217.

    It is the first time the state has voted Democrat since 1996.

    Also read:Trump’s Campaign Adviser Tests Covid Positive

    Also read:Probe on Anvil as Trump Refuses to Concede

  • Obama to be next guest on Apple TV+’s The Oprah Conversation

    Obama to be next guest on Apple TV+’s The Oprah Conversation

    The episode with the former US President will be available Tuesday, November 17 at 7:30pm IST / 2pm GMT / 6am PT….reports Asian Lite News

    Apple has announced that Oprah Winfrey an American talk show host, television producer and actress will be interviewing former US President Barack Obama on Apple TV+ series The Oprah Conversation.

    The episode with the former US President will be available Tuesday, November 17 at 7:30pm IST / 2pm GMT / 6am PT.

    The interview will cover Obama’s memoir “The Promised Land” along with discussions about his legacy, democracy, race, and the American Dream, reports MacRumors.

    In addition, he will also discuss the years leading up to his presidency and reflect on the “aspirations, perseverance and accomplishments that brought him to the White House.”

    The Oprah Conversation episode with Barack Obama will be available for free to everyone, even if you don’t have an ongoing Apple TV+ subscription.

    Each episode of the conversation series explores stories and relevant topics that impact the world through influential people.

    Winfrey has hosted a number of interviews covering a range of topics with thought leaders such as Emmanuel Acho, Professor Ibram X. Kendi, Bryan Stevenson, Mariah Carey, Matthew McConaughey, Stevie Wonder, and Dolly Parton.

    All of those interviews are available to watch on Apple TV+ now.

    Also read:Obama calls on youth to create a ‘new normal’

  • Jordanians shake up parliament

    Jordanians shake up parliament

    Despite a dangerous spike in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, 1.38 million Jordanians went to the polls, producing a 29.9 percent turnout…reports Asian Lite News

    Jordanians went to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new house of representatives and ended up bringing in 100 new members to the 130-strong 19th parliament since Jordan was established. Arab News reports

    Despite a dangerous spike in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, 1.38 million Jordanians went to the polls, producing a 29.9 percent turnout. This was a big drop from the 2016 elections where the turnout rate was 36.8 percent.

    The elections proved fatal to a variety of political and ideological groups. Left-wing and progressive lists, as well as all nationalists, lost in the elections. Eight of the 15 candidates from the Islamic Action Front lost seats. Of all the other 41 candidates belonging to parties, non were able to muster a single seat.

    According to Amer Bani Amer, head of the Rased Al-Hayyat Center, which monitored the elections, only 30 members out of 130 won reelection. He said that it is difficult to ascertain if the low turnout in the elections and the absence of political parties means that Jordan has retracted in its pursuit of democratic reform.

    Also read:Jordan reopens 3 land border crossings

  • Georgia to decide control of senate

    Georgia to decide control of senate

    During Donald Trump’s lame duck days in the White House, a high stakes Senate battle in Georgia will decide the power balance for a Biden administration…reports Nikhila Natarajan

    • VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN VISITED TO IIT BOMBAY

    For 20 years, reliably Republican Georgia never elected a Democratic Senator. And suddenly, in the winter of 2020, the state’s political math is all the rage in Washington DC.

    So far, the tally in the 100-member Senate is a dead heat. Republicans and Democrats have 48 seats each. If Democrats get 50 seats, they will effectively have control because the Vice President has the tie-breaking vote. That VP will be Kamala Harris in 2021. Republicans absolutely need 51 seats to retain control.

    With a Democratic majority in the Senate, Biden will have real power in Washington to push a bold legislative agenda. The Democrats already control the House of Representatives, although with a slimmer majority than earlier.

    During Donald Trump’s lame duck days in the White House, a high stakes Senate battle in Georgia will decide the power balance for a Biden administration.

    Two seats in Georgia are proceeding to runoffs on January 5 because no candidate reached the 50 per cent mark needed to win multi-candidate races. North Carolina is in the thick of a tight race and Alaska is too early to call.

    “Now we take Georgia, and then we change America,” is the battle cry of the Democrats, buoyed by Biden’s victory. For the other side, the “Senate is the last line of defence”.

    Both Senate seats in Georgia are held by Republicans. The post election autopsy is already showing that incumbents may not get the same enthusiasm from voters now that Trump is onto his lame duck.

    “I can’t tell you how important it is that we flip the United States Senate. There’s no state more consequential than Georgia in that fight,” Biden said during the campaign.

    It’s all on the line here.

    Also read:US still facing a ‘dark winter’: Biden

  • Thejaswi In, Nitish Out, Say Exit Polls

    Thejaswi In, Nitish Out, Say Exit Polls

    The Exit polls have largely predicted a thumping victory for the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) comprising Rashtriya Janata Dal led by Thejashwi Yadav, the Congress and the Left parties, dislodging the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government with more than two-third majority in the 243-member Bihar Assembly.

    According to the poll of polls calculated by NDTV after taking into consideration all the exit polls on the Bihar election, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is down to double digits at just 99 seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan is slated to get 128.

    The majority mark is 122 for Bihar’s 243 seats.

    The India Today-Axis My India exit poll predicts a clean sweep by the Mahagathbandhan. It has predicted 139-161 seats for the Congress-RJD-Left alliance while predicts a sombre 69-91 seats for the NDA which is led by the JDU-BJP. This exit poll predicts LJP, which went solo this time, to get 3-5 seats while others between 6-10.

    RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav talks to the media

    CNN News 18-Today’s Chanakya went a step further to give the Mahagathbandhan, a whopping 180 seats. It has predicted just 55 seats for the BJP-JDU-HAMS-VIP alliance. This radical prediction has some rather bad news for Paswan junior whose party the LJP is tipped to get a duck while others are likely to get 8 seats according to this exit poll.

    Even Republic TV-Jan Ki Baat exit poll has given a split verdict with a clear edge to the Mahagathbandhan which it predicts to get 118-138 seats. Meanwhile the NDA, it says, will get 91 to 117 seats. It gives 5-8 seats to LJP and 3-6 to others.

    However, the Times Now-CVoter poll has predicted a hung Assembly in Bihar with no side getting a clear majority. It predicted 116 for the NDA, 120 for the Mahagathbandhan, one for the LJP and 6 for others.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a conversation with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at a public meeting ahead of Bihar Assembly elections, in Sasaram on Oct 23, 2020

    Meanwhile, NewsX-DVResearch exit poll has also claimed a split verdict but where the Mahagathbandhan has a slight edge. It has given 108 to 123 seats to the RJD-Congress alliance while 110 to 117 to the JDU-BJP alliance. The LJP has reason to cheer, at least as far as this exit poll is concerned, which has predicted somewhere between 4 to 10 seats for the party and between 8 to 23 for others.

    However, Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar, in its own exit poll, is probably the only one that has predicted an NDA comeback. It says that the NDA will get somewhere between 120 and 127 seats. They have given 71-81 to the Mahagathbandhan. Chirag Paswan’s LJP, according to this exit poll, is likely to get somewhere between 12 and 23 seats, the best projection for the party by any exit poll this season. Others are likely to get between 19 and 27 seats, according to the Dainik Bhaskar exit poll.

    Also Read: Modi Congratulates Joe Biden

  • ‘Kamala looks like me’: Young Americans

    ‘Kamala looks like me’: Young Americans

    Academics who study Black American history are hopeful about the Biden-Harris transition for the way it speaks to the long arc of the country’s Civil Rights movement…reports Asian Lite News

    Americans from coast to coast are framing Kamala Harris’ historic ascension to the Vice President-elect in deeply personal ways. Young girls celebrating in downtown hubs like New York City’s Times Square and Union Square say it’s because Harris “looks like me”, others talk about how America is late to the party and it’s about time there’s a woman in the country’s most powerful office.

    Senators who have worked alongside Harris, talk frequently about her tough-as-nails qualities as her superpower. Academics who study Black American history are hopeful about the Biden-Harris transition for the way it speaks to the long arc of the country’s Civil Rights movement. Princeton Professor Eddie Glaude and former Senator Claire McCaskill, in public comments, spoke with palpable excitement about Harris’ historic moment.

    Eddie Glaude: “We’ve made history today. I think we need to enjoy it. We need to celebrate that. Look, I’m thinking ofA Kamala Harris, in particular, her ascension to the vice presidency and as the first Black woman to hold that position…I’m thinking about the Atlanta Washerwomen strike of 1881, I’m thinking about Matilda Crawford and Sally Bell, I’m thinking about the Women’s Political Council in Montgomery, who are so central to the Bus Boycott in 1955, Mary Fair Burks and Jo Ann Robbinson. I’m thinking about Ella Baker and Shirley Chisholm.

    She (Kamala Harris) has an enormous win at her back. Now politicians are only as good as our demands and expectations. We should not assume that Joe Biden is the saviour, that Kamala Harris is the saviour, but we can celebrate this moment, and prepare ourselves for the difficult and challenging work that will begin tomorrow and the next day, but I’m going to enjoy this.”

    • kamala Harris.

    Claire McCaskill: “Kamala is amazing. I am so lucky to call her a friend, and the country is so lucky to have her be the first woman who is going to have the bright Klieg lights of power. And frankly, press that will be examining her every move, every statement, they’ll go after her outfits, they’ll go after her hair, they’ll figure out a way to go after her husband, they will do all of that, and she’s the right person to stand up to that kind of pressure.

    This was a wise choice, which reflects on the President-elect. There were many people he could have chosen, and by the way, they were all amazing, but he knew that Kamala, particularly, was ready for the pressure that this job would bring. Joe Biden was the vice president. He knows what it feels like. When Kamala Harris is at that podium tonight, she will be the kind of partner that will make Joe (Biden) proud, and frankly do America well.”

    Also read:KAMALA: ‘Dream With Ambition, Lead With Conviction’

  • McConnell terms legal challenges ‘the American way’

    McConnell terms legal challenges ‘the American way’

    McConnell also said both sides would have lawyers present to argue close races, and defended President Trump’s decision to launch legal challenges…reports Asian Lite News

    Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who won his Senate re-election bid in Kentucky, told reporters that this year’s election “underscores the beauty of the electoral college” system.BBC reports

    “What the electoral college guarantees is you have finality in 50 separate places. You get to a final outcome,” he said. “We ought to be grateful to the electoral college in a close presidential election like this.”

    McConnell also said both sides would have lawyers present to argue close races, and defended President Trump’s decision to launch legal challenges.

    “I don’t think the president should be criticised for suggesting he may have some lawyers, because the other guys are already doing that. In a close election you can anticipate in some of these states you’re going to end up in court – it’s the American way.”

    • Combo photo shows U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump attend their respective events on different occasions. (Xinhua/IANS)

    Mitch McConnell has won his seventh term as the senior Senator from Kentucky, defeating Democratic nominee Amy McGrath.

    With 79 per cent of the votes counted on Tuesday night, McConnell led McGrath, one of his toughest challengers since he was elected to the Senate in 1984, 57.9 per cent to 38.3 per cent, NBC News reported.

    In his victory speech, McConnell said: “I’m the only one of the four Congressional leaders not from New York or California.

    “I never imagined Kentuckians would make me the longest-serving senator in our state’s history or that my fellow Senate Republicans would make me the longest-serving Republican leader in US Senate history.

    “Together, we’ve used Kentucky’s front-row seat for the good of our state and of our nation.

    “Tonight, Kentuckians said, ‘We’re not finished yet’. Kentucky wants more of the policies that built the best economy in modern history, not socialism that would stifle prosperity and hurt workers.”

    McGrath has not commented on the development yet.

    The 78-year-old McConnell is also expected to seek re-election to his post as Senate Majority Leader.

    Also readBiden edges ahead in Pennsylvania:

    Also read:Biden to escort ‘trespassers’ from White House

  • Every legal vote should be counted: Washington Governor

    Every legal vote should be counted: Washington Governor

    Inslee noted that local election officials across Washington state worked tirelessly to ensure it was a secure election and “there has been no information to suggest otherwise in our state or nationally.”…reports Asian Lite News

    • Washington, Nov. 03 (Xinhua) — Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2020 shows the Washington Monument and voting slogans in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie/IANS)

    Washington state Governor Jay Inslee has said that every legal vote, which were cast during the US presidential election earlier this week, should be counted.

    “There was always a possibility we wouldn’t know who would win the presidency on election night,” Xinhua news agency quoted Inslee as saying in a statement on Wednesday.

    “More Americans this year have voted early and by mail than ever before due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Those votes were legal, duly-cast and must be counted, even if it takes some time.

    “The voice of the American people is worth the wait,” he added.

    Inslee noted that local election officials across Washington state worked tirelessly to ensure it was a secure election and “there has been no information to suggest otherwise in our state or nationally”.

    “We know that counting continues until every ballot is tallied. This is how elections have always worked and the process must be respected,” he said.

    In his statement, the Governor also called on on elected officials across the country, regardless of party, to stand up and protect the will of the voters.

    Inslee’s statement comes after US President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning claimed that the election was a “fraud” and would go to the Supreme Court to challenge the outcome of Tuesday’s vote.

    Without providing any evidence, the President said while addressing supporters and family at the White House: “This is a fraud on the American public. This is an embarrassment to our country. Frankly we did win this election.”

    Trump added that he would go to the US Supreme Court and wanted “all voting to stop”.

    Later in the day, Trump’s Democratic rival Joe Biden staked his claim to the US presidency claiming that he has the electoral college votes for a victory, declaring, “we the people will not surrender”.

    “I will govern as an American president. There will be no red states and blue states when we win. Just the United States of America,” the former Vice President added.

    Biden was currently in the lead at 253 and Trump at 214. Both candidates need 270 votes to be declared the winner.

    Also read:Trump gears up for legal battle as counting in progress

  • Silicon Valley keeps on silencing the president: Trump campaign

    Silicon Valley keeps on silencing the president: Trump campaign

    Trump, who has repeatedly questioned the integrity of the US electoral process in this cycle, offered no evidence for his claim…..Reports Asian Lite News

    • Washington, July. 21 (Xinhua) — Donald Trump takes the stage on the last day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, the United States, July 21, 2016. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu/IANS)

    Donald Trump’s campaign has responded to Twitter flagging a tweet from the president as “misleading”, after he suggested rivals were trying to “steal” the election.reports BBC

    Trump tweeted: “We are up BIG, but they are trying to STEAL the Election,” shortly after his rival Joe Biden told supporters he expected to win.

    Trump 2020 Communications Director Tim Murtaugh said: “Silicon Valley continues on its mission to censor and silence the president of the United States.”

    Trump, who has repeatedly questioned the integrity of the US electoral process in this cycle, offered no evidence for his claim.

    Mike Roman, Trump’s director of election-day operations, posted a video showing a woman in Philadelphia apparently returning multiple ballots to a dropbox and claimed Democrats were “trying to STEAL THE ELECTION in broad daylight.”

    Twitter added a warning label on the tweet on Tuesday, saying that “some or all of the content shared in this Tweet is disputed and might be misleading about an election or other civic process.

    • Combo photo shows U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump attend their respective events on different occasions. (Xinhua/IANS)

    The platform also restricted the ability to retweet or reply to the tweet, reports The Verge.

    “Misinformation being spread online has driven more calls to the Election Task Force hotline than actual incidents at polling sites,” the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office told the New York Times.

    Earlier, Twitter and Facebook flagged a tweet as “misleading” by Trump that claimed that mail-in ballots in the US state of Pennsylvania would allow “rampant” cheating and violence.

    Twitter labeled the post with a warning: “Some or all of the content shared in this Tweet is disputed and might be misleading about an election or other civic process.”

    Trump tweeted on Monday: “The Supreme Court decision on voting in Pennsylvania is a VERY dangerous one. It will allow rampant and unchecked cheating and will undermine our entire systems of laws. It will also induce violence in the streets. Something must be done!”

    Also read:Trump gets trolled for misspelling polls as ‘Poles’