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Category: Politics

  • Congress to head four Parliamentary standing committees

    Congress to head four Parliamentary standing committees

    BJP’s Radha Mohan Singh will head the committee on Defence. Bhartruhari Mahtab will head the committee on Finance….reports Asian Lite News

    The Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committees for 2024-2025 were constituted on Thursday with the Congress members chairing four committees, including the External Affairs.

    Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is a member of the standing committee on Defence.

    Each committee is a combination of members from both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

    The Congress has been given the chairmanship of four key panels. The committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports will be headed by Digvijaya Singh, the committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing will be led by former Chief Minister of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi, Rural and Panchayati Raj will be led by Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka and Shashi Tharoor will head the External Affairs.

    BJP’s Radha Mohan Singh will head the committee on Defence. Bhartruhari Mahtab will head the committee on Finance.

    Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur and Rajiv Pratap Rudy have been given the chairmanships of committees on Coal, Mines and Steel; and Water Resources respectively.

    BJP member Nishikant Dubey has been made the chairman of the committee on Communications and Information Technology.

    Dr Radha Mohan Das Agrawal of the BJP will head the committee on Home Affairs. The committee on Commerce will be headed by TMC’s Dola Sen.

    Health and Family Welfare will be headed by Prof Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. Tiruchi Siva of DMK will head the panel on Industry.

    This committee is tasked with overseeing and providing legislative oversight on issues related to commerce, trade policies, and economic development in relation to India’s commerce sector. The committee plays a vital role in reviewing policy matters and ensuring that the commerce sector contributes effectively to the nation’s economy.

    The Committee on communications and IT has as members SP’s Jaya Bachchan, SS-UBT’s Priyanka Chaturvedi, BJD’s Sushmit Patra and INC’s KTS Tulsi from the Upper House, as well as BJP MPs Anil Baluni, Kangana Ranaut and Poonam Madam, and TMC’s Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha.

    Major BJP allies such as the TDP and Janata Dal (United) besides its partners in the poll-bound Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena and the NCP, will be heading one committee each — the committee on Energy (Shiv Sena’s Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne), Housing and Urban Affairs (TDP’s Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy), and Petroleum and Natural Gas (NCP’s Sunil Tatkare).

    JD(U)’s Sanjay Jha will be heading the committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture while TDP’s Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy will chair the committee on Housing and Urban Affairs.

    A tribute event will be held on October 1, 2024, in Central Hall, Samvidhan Sadan, to honour the birth anniversary of former Lok Sabha Speaker GMC Balayogi. (ANI)

    ALSO READ: Haryana polls: Congress releases second list of candidates

  • Govt to hike minimum wage rates for workers

    Govt to hike minimum wage rates for workers

    This adjustment is aimed at helping workers cope with the rising cost of living, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said in a release on Thursday….reports Asian Lite news

    In a significant move to support workers, particularly those in the unorganised sector, the central government has announced an increase in minimum wage rates by revising the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA).

    This adjustment is aimed at helping workers cope with the rising cost of living, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said in a release on Thursday.

    Workers engaged in various sectors, including building construction, loading and unloading, watch and ward, sweeping, cleaning, housekeeping, mining, and agriculture within central sphere establishments, will benefit from the revised wage rates.

    The new wage rates will take effect on October 1, 2024. The last revision was done in April 2024. The minimum wage rates are categorised based on skill levels–unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled–as well as by geographical area–A, B, and C.

    After revision, minimum wage rates in area “A” for workers in construction, sweeping, cleaning, loading and unloading for unskilled work will be Rs 783 a day ( Rs 20,358 per month) for semi-skilled workers and Rs 868 a day (Rs 22,568 per month) for skilled, clerical and watch and wards without arms, Rs 954 a day ( Rs 24,804 per month) and for highly skilled and watch and wards with arms, Rs 1,035 a day (Rs 26,910 per month).

    The central government revises the VDA twice a year, effective from April 1 and October 1, based on the six-month average increase in the Consumer Price Index for industrial workers.

    A detailed information regarding the minimum wage rates by sector, categories and area is available on the website (clc.gov.in) of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Government of India. (ANI)’

    ALSO READ: Starmer, Macron back India for UNSC seat

  • Jhumpa Lahiri declines award over NY museum’s keffiyeh ban

    Jhumpa Lahiri declines award over NY museum’s keffiyeh ban

    Pulitzer Winner Jhumpa Lahiri Rejects Award After Noguchi Museum Fires Staff for Wearing Keffiyeh Scarves…reports Asian Lite news

    Pulitzer Prize winning author Jhumpa Lahiri declined to accept an award from New York City’s Noguchi Museum after it fired three employees for wearing keffiyeh head scarves, an emblem of Palestinian solidarity, following an updated dress code.

    “Jhumpa Lahiri has chosen to withdraw her acceptance of the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award in response to our updated dress code policy,” the museum said in a statement on Wednesday.

    “We respect her perspective and understand that this policy may or may not align with everyone’s views.” Lahiri received the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for her book “Interpreter of Maladies.”

    The New York Times first reported the news.

    Across the world, in protesters demanding an end to Israel’s war in Gaza have worn the black-and-white keffiyeh head scarf, a symbol of Palestinian self-determination.

    Anti apartheid South African leader Nelson Mandela was also seen wearing the scarf on many occasions.

    Israel’s supporters, on the other hand, say it signals backing extremism. In November, three students of Palestinian descent in Vermont were shot in an attack. Two were wearing the keffiyeh.

    Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly everyone there. It followed a deadly attack by Palestinian Hamas militants on Israel on Oct. 7.

    Last month, the art museum — founded by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi — announced a policy prohibiting employees from wearing anything that expressed “political messages, slogans or symbols.” Three employees were sacked. Other people in the United States have also lost their jobs due to their stance on the Israel-Gaza war.

    A New York City hospital fired a Palestinian American nurse in May after she called Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide” during an acceptance speech for an award. Israel denies genocide charges brought by South Africa at the World Court.

    ALSO READ: US call for ceasefire across Lebanon-Israel border

  • Muslim group endorses Harris, says Trump bigger danger

    Muslim group endorses Harris, says Trump bigger danger

    The endorsement comes as the 2024 race between Harris and Trump remains very tight ahead of the Nov. 5 election….reports Asian Lite News

    US Muslim advocacy group Emgage Action on Wednesday endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris despite its ongoing concern over the war in Gaza, saying former President Donald Trump posed a greater danger with his promise to reinstate travel restrictions affecting majority-Muslim countries.

    The endorsement comes as the 2024 race between Harris and Trump remains very tight ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Arab American and Muslim voters may play a decisive role in the outcome in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and other battleground states. These voters helped President Joe Biden defeat Trump in 2020 by thousands of votes.

    Many Muslim groups, including Emgage Action, have criticized the Biden administration, where Harris serves as vice president, for its support of Israel’s war in Gaza. Harris has urged an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, saying she supports Israel’s right to defend itself as well as the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

    “While we do not agree with all of Harris’ policies, particularly on the war on Gaza, we are approaching this election with both pragmatism and conviction,” Emgage CEO Wa’el Alzayat said in a statement, adding it sought to provide “honest guidance to our voters regarding the difficult choice they confront at the ballot box.”

    Emgage Action, which endorsed Biden in 2020, said it mobilized 1 million Muslim voters in that election. The group said the Harris endorsement reflects a “responsibility to defeat Trump and defend the community against what would be a return to Islamophobic and other harmful policies.”

    Trump’s campaign had no immediate comment.

    His campaign has held dozens of events with Arab Americans and Muslims in swing states and plans another event this weekend in Michigan, Richard Grenell, Trump’s former acting director of national intelligence, said last week.

    Trump has said he will reinstate the “travel ban” that restricts entry into the United States of people from a list of largely Muslim-dominant countries. Biden rolled back the ban shortly after taking office in 2021.

    The Harris campaign welcomed the endorsement a week after another big voting bloc, the pro-Palestinian grassroots organization Uncommitted National Movement, said it would not endorse Harris, Trump or a third-party candidate.

    Harris has already won the backing of smaller Muslim groups, including the Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund and the American Muslim Democratic Caucus.

    The US, Israel’s biggest ally and weapons supplier, has sent Israel more than 10,000 highly destructive 2,000-pound (900-kg) bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles since the start of the Gaza war in October, US officials told Reuters in June.

    The war in the Gaza Strip began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen stormed into Israeli communities, killing some 1,200 people and abducting about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

    Since then, Israel’s military has leveled swaths of Gaza, driving nearly all of its 2.3 million people from their homes, giving rise to deadly hunger and disease and killing more than 41,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.

    ALSO READ: US call for ceasefire across Lebanon-Israel border

  • PM won’t rule out ‘boots on the ground’ in Lebanon

    PM won’t rule out ‘boots on the ground’ in Lebanon

    The government confirmed 700 troops would be deployed to Cyprus to be on hand to support any possible evacuation that could be triggered…reports Asian Lite News

    The Prime Minister has not ruled out deploying troops on the ground in Lebanon to help get British nationals to safety amid frantic planning for a potential evacuation.

    Starmer and the UK delegation in New York are seeking a calming of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, amid fears the conflict could escalate in to war. Up to 6,000 British nationals in Lebanon have been warned repeatedly to leave while scheduled flights are still available. Seven hundred UK troops have been deployed to nearby Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean to be on hand for a full-blown evacuation.

    Speaking to the BBC from New York, the Prime Minister said the Government is “ramping up the contingency plans for an evacuation”.

    On Tuesday night the Government confirmed 700 troops would be deployed to Cyprus to be on hand to support any possible evacuation that could be triggered. And, asked if he would deploy troops directly on the ground in Lebanon to help get people out safely, Starmer did not rule it out.

    “I’m not going to get into the details of evacuation plans. As you would expect, we put contingency measures in place,” he said. “But here in New York, in the UN General Assembly, I’m being very, very clear this is a dangerous situation now and all parties need to pull back from the brink, to de-escalate. But I am very concerned about the increasing escalation which is not just day on day, but almost hour on hour at the moment.”

    Pressed for further detail the PM’s spokesman said further steps “depend on the situation and how it evolves” but “stand[s] ready” to ramp up contingency plans if needed.

    The PM urged, again, for British nationals to leave Lebanon “now” – making use of commercial flights while they are still available. There is due to be an emergency debate on Lebanon on Wednesday night at the UN Security Council where Foreign Secretary David Lammy is set to speak.

    A diplomatic source, present in New York, said efforts to calm tensions in the Middle East had stepped up with the Prime Minister’s arrival late on Tuesday night.

    “Now the PM is in town it’s definitely raised it up a level. The Foreign Secretary has been talking at the UN and making the case,” they said.

    Diplomats are also understood to be queuing up to see Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu when he arrives on Thursday in a bid to talk him into de-escalation.

    Hezbollah’s apparent attempted strike on Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning is considered to be a significant escalation in the already-tense situation between Israel and Lebanon.

    Diplomatic officials are understood to be anxious to pull back from the brink of what could become an all-out war, with the hope that diplomatic pressure begins to bear down on Israel.

    Netanyahu is due to address the UN on Friday. The source said Sir Keir was hoping to see him in New York on Thursday and it is up in the air whether the two will have time to meet.

    Netanyahu is travelling to the US with Israeli minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer who had been due to meet with Mr Lammy – but the meeting has now fallen out of the diary for Wednesday, i understands. Mr Lammy spoke to the Iranian foreign minister on Tuesday in what was the first face-to-face meeting between the two.

    It’s also unclear whether the Israeli leader will meet with US President Joe Biden because the President is heading back to Washington, DC to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the end of the week.

    It is understood the Government believes there are between 4,000 and 6,000 British nationals in Lebanon, including dependants. Government sources said the focus of the PM and Foreign Secretary was on de-escalation. But the spokesman said the Government “stand[s] ready” to ramp up contingency plans if needed.

    The system is, however, reliant on people telling officials when they leave a country which could pose a problem for the Foreign Office trying to track overseas nationals given a number of people travelled there on holiday over the summer and did not then “check out”.

    The Prime Minister also said there would be more guidance coming for British nationals with dependants in Lebanon who are not UK citizens.

    The PM also said he was “in constant contact with the Israeli government” and had spoken with the Israeli prime minister several times but not in the last 24 hours.

    “The message is really clear, which is, pull back from the brink. This is a message to all sides, pull back from the brink. De-escalate,” he said.

    Starmer was in New York speaking at the UN Security Council on Wednesday.

    He issued a “call to action” to address the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East as well as the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan. In his speech, the PM said “repeating cycles of violence like that in the Middle East” must end – warning it is “on the brink”.

    ALSO READ: Starmers’s Gray Quid Row

  • Influencers Join China’s Narrative Push

    Influencers Join China’s Narrative Push

    In the digital era, China seeks to influence global opinion by inviting international vloggers, including many from Taiwan, to counter accusations of human rights abuses and criticisms from democratic nations and organisations….reports Asian Lite News

    Propaganda and narratives have consistently formed a fundamental part of the ideological framework within Communist regimes. This was particularly evident in the Soviet Union during Stalin’s era, where widespread famine in Ukraine coincided with the exportation of wheat to other nations, all while the regime maintained a facade of normalcy in Ukraine.

    Similarly, since the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War and its consolidation of power on the mainland, China has established an intricate propaganda apparatus.

    In today’s digital age, characterised by limited internet access and social media restrictions within China, the government has sought to sway foreign public opinion. This includes inviting international vloggers and influencers, predominantly from Taiwan, to counter allegations regarding human rights abuses and other criticisms from democratic nations and global organisations.

    This article will examine the situations in Xinjiang and Tibet, alongside China’s strategy of engaging these influencers. Notably, many of these influencers hail from Taiwan—a territory that China claims as its own. The implications of this outreach extend to Taiwan itself and resonate with a wider global audience.

    What is Happening in Xinjiang and Tibet

    Xinjiang and Tibet represent two of China’s most sensitive and contentious regions. Xinjiang is predominantly inhabited by the Uyghur Muslim minority, while Tibet is home to ethnic Tibetans, the majority of whom are practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.

    In both areas, China faces accusations of undermining local cultures, restricting religious freedoms, and suppressing dissent. In Xinjiang, allegations of “re-education” camps, extensive surveillance, and forced labour have led to significant international backlash. Conversely, in Tibet, the ongoing exile of the Dalai Lama and China’s stringent control over Buddhist practices remain highly controversial issues.

    China has consistently rejected these allegations, framing its actions as essential for maintaining state integrity, combating terrorism, and facilitating economic advancement.

    However, the reality presents a stark contrast. Numerous reports from the United Nations document human rights violations perpetrated by China in Xinjiang. The region has effectively become a vast prison for the Uyghur population, where the Chinese government imposes extensive surveillance and restricts religious freedoms.

    The situation in Tibet mirrors this repression; since the early 1950s, China has systematically undermined local authority and religious practices. Currently, construction projects in the area have led to the destruction of significant Tibetan religious sites and have inflicted considerable harm on the environment and local ecosystems.

    How China is using influencers in Xinjiang and Tibet

    The Communist government in China has faced ongoing scrutiny from democratic nations, human rights organisations, and international bodies regarding alleged human rights violations in the regions of Tibet and Xinjiang. The engagement of foreign and Taiwanese social media influencers, particularly on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, serves as a crucial mechanism for Chinese propaganda.

    By inviting Taiwanese influencers to visit Xinjiang and Tibet, China gains a strategic advantage, enabling it to connect with a broader demographic of young, tech-savvy audiences both in Taiwan and internationally. Many of these influencers boast substantial followings and significantly shape public perceptions of the regions they depict.

    Consequently, China aims to present Xinjiang and Tibet as safe, thriving areas, directly opposing the claims of human rights abuses that have been levelled against it.

    The regions these influencers portray to their audiences are meticulously selected: they visit prosperous urban centres, attend culturally vibrant performances, and tour well-maintained religious sites. Through visually appealing photographs, video blogs, and social media posts, they depict an image of harmony, economic progress, and cultural preservation.

    This narrative stands in stark contrast to the accounts provided by independent journalists, human rights groups, and Uyghur and Tibetan exiles, who describe a region where state oppression is pervasive.

    On September 5, Taiwan announced that it was aware of reports suggesting that China had been recruiting Taiwanese influencers to visit Xinjiang and create content aimed at promoting a more favourable image of the region.

    The Mainland Affairs Council, which oversees cross-strait relations in Taiwan, indicated that it is investigating the recent surge in Xinjiang-related content produced by Taiwanese influencers. The council also cautioned these influencers against violating anti-infiltration laws by accepting financial incentives from Beijing.

    In June, Taiwanese YouTuber Potter Wang claimed that the Chinese government was inviting Taiwanese influencers on sponsored trips to China to create content.

    In response to his assertions, several Taiwanese YouTubers who recently published videos about Xinjiang denied receiving any payments from Beijing. The Taiwan Affairs Office in China addressed concerns raised by Taiwanese officials, stating that Beijing had invited “Taiwan compatriots” to visit China to experience “the magnificent mountains and rivers, savour a variety of foods, engage with local customs, and share their observations.”

    What is China trying to achieve through this?

    Through these sponsored influencer initiatives, China aims to reshape its global image as a violator of human rights. However, for Taiwan, there are underlying motives. Earlier this year, Taiwan conducted democratic elections where Chinese influence was evident in attempts to sway the electorate towards the Kuomintang (KMT), a party more amenable to Beijing.

    Instead, the Taiwanese populace opted for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which displeased the Chinese government. One of Xi Jinping’s long-standing ambitions is to incorporate the self-governing democratic island of Taiwan into mainland Communist China.

    To achieve this, China has employed various strategies, including military threats, blockades, and misinformation campaigns targeting Taiwan. The current effort to engage Taiwanese influencers is intended to attract citizens who can significantly influence public opinion.

    Any content shared online can reach a global audience; thus, if Taiwanese influencers produce favourable narratives about China in relation to Tibet and Xinjiang, it may not be perceived as propaganda since it originates from Taiwan.

    In January, Taiwan’s government effectively countered misinformation campaigns from China during its elections. It can identify and disclose any payments made by China with caution. Other countries can adopt similar measures regarding influencers who have visited Xinjiang and Tibet at China’s invitation.

    Regarding the potential impact of this strategy, it is unlikely to have a significant effect as most of the world is already aware of China’s human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet; however, Taiwan must remain vigilant.

    (Lt Col JS Sodhi (Retd) is Editor, Global Strategic & Defence News and the Author of “China’s War Clouds: The Great Chinese Checkmate”)

    ALSO READ: South Asia at Risk from China’s Bangladesh Ambitions

    ALSO READ: Jaishankar says future of Asia hinges on India-China relations

  • Biden, Yunus affirm ‘close partnership’ in New York meeting

    Biden, Yunus affirm ‘close partnership’ in New York meeting

    President Biden congratulated Yunus on his recent appointment as the head of the interim government….reports Asian Lite News

    Chief Advisor to the Bangladesh interim government, Muhammad Yunus, met US President Joe Biden on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly.

    President Biden congratulated Yunus on his recent appointment as the head of the interim government.

    The two leaders affirmed the “close partnership” between the United States and Bangladesh, which is rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties, the White House statement read.

    President Biden welcomed further engagement between the two governments and offered continued US support as Bangladesh implements its new reform agenda.

    The press release from the Bangladesh side, stated that President Biden expressed US government’s “full support” to Bangladesh and the Professor Yunus-led Interim Government during the meeting.

    “President Biden expressed US government’s full support for Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his government as they met on the margin of the UNGA,” Yunus said in a post in X.

    Yunus also apprised Biden on the situation in Bangladesh. He also spoke about how the students rose against the “tyranny of the previous government” and gave their lives in order to rebuild Bangladesh.

    The chief advisor further stressed the need for the US’s cooperation for him to succeed his government in rebuilding the country.

    The Chief Advisor also handed a copy of the book ‘The Art of Triumph’ to President Biden, which depicts the wall paintings drawn by the students during the uprising.

    This is the first time in the history of Bangladesh that a US President has met a head of the Bangladesh government on the sidelines of the UNGA, according to the press release by the Bangladesh side.

    Meanwhile, Muhammad Yunus also met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the UN general assembly meeting on Tuesday.

    During the brief meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to cement Bangladesh-Canada relationships, deepen freedom, build institutions, and support the youth of Bangladesh, the release stated.

    Trudeau appreciated Professor Yunus for assuming the responsibility and expressed Canada’s readiness to support institution building in Bangladesh.

    Professor Yunus handed The Art of Triumph, an art book of the wall paintings by the students and young people drawn during and after the Revolution, to the Canadian prime minister.

    He also requested Canada grant more visas to Bangladeshi students.

    Notably, Bangladesh witnessed Sheikh Hasina’s ouster amid students’ protests turned into a massive anti-government movement, followed by the establishment of an interim government.

    During this turbulent period, several incidents of violence and chaos, particularly targeting minorities, including Hindus, have been reported from Bangladesh.

    Earlier, as Bangladesh Govt’s Chief Advisor Muhammd Yunus arrived at the official hotel in New York for the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, protesters chanted “Go Back” slogans against him. Protestors raised slogans against the Yunus over the alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

    Protesters chanted, “Go back, Step down, Step down, Step down” and held up posters that said “Shiekh Hasina Our Prime Minister.”

    Yunus was sworn in on August 8 as the head of an interim government after Sheikh Hasina fled the country and the parliament was dissolved. The protesters alleged that the 84-year-old Nobel Laureate came to power “with dirty politics.” (ANI)

    ALSO READ: US renews commitment to Taiwan’s self-defence

  • Omar among 239 candidates in fray in 2nd phase

    Omar among 239 candidates in fray in 2nd phase

    According to the latest electoral rolls, 25,78,099 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballot in this phase comprising 13,12,730 lakh male voters, 12,65,316 lakh female voters, and 53 third gender voters…reports Asian Lite News

    J&K began voting for the second phase of the Assembly elections, covering 26 seats in six districts spread over both the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley, on Wednesday as campaigning ended on Monday evening. 

    A statement by the Election Commission said that over 25.78 lakh voters in Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Budgam districts of the Kashmir division, and Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch districts of the Jammu division, will decide the fate of 239 candidates in the second phase of polls.

    A total of 93 candidates are in the fray in Srinagar district, followed by 46 in Budgam, 34 in Rajouri, 25 in Poonch, 21 in Ganderbal, while 20 candidates are contesting in Reasi.

    According to the latest electoral rolls, 25,78,099 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballot in this phase comprising 13,12,730 lakh male voters, 12,65,316 lakh female voters, and 53 third gender voters. Underlining the significance of the role played by the youth of Jammu and Kashmir in strengthening democracy, as many as 1,20,612 lakh voters aged 18 to 19 are eligible to vote in Phase II.

    “To facilitate smooth and hassle-free electoral participation, the Election Commission of India has established 3,502 polling stations in these segments. There are 1,056 urban polling stations and 2,446 rural polling stations,” an official said.

    All polling stations will have webcasting facilities as part of the Election Commission’s efforts to ensure transparency, according to officials.

    “To enhance voter participation, 157 special polling stations have been established for the second phase 26 ‘pink polling stations’ managed by women, 26 polling stations manned by specially abled persons, 26 polling stations manned by youths, 31 border polling stations, 26 green polling stations and 22 unique polling stations,” the official said.

    Key names in the fray for this phase are former chief minister Omar Abdullah, JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra and BJP J-K chief Ravinder Raina.

    Abdullah is contesting from the Ganderbal and Budgam seats, while Karra is contesting from Central Shalteng. Raina will be trying to retain his Nowshera seat in Rajouri district which he won in the 2014 assembly polls.

    The second phase will be watched keenly as jailed separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay alias Barkati is hoping to repeat Engineer Rashid’s Lok Sabha poll feat against the National Conference leader.

    Barkati is contesting from the Beerwah and Ganderbal segments.

    Popularly known as Rashid Engineer, Sheikh Abdul Rashid contested the parliamentary polls held earlier this year from Tihar jail and still managed to defeat Abdullah by a margin of more than two lakh votes from the Baramulla constituency.

    Other key candidates in this second phase of assembly polls are Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari (Channapora), former ministers Ali Mohammad Sagar (Khanyar), Abdul Rahim Rather (Chrar-i-Sharief), and Choudhary Zulfikar Ali (Budhal) and Syed Mushtaq Bukhari (Surankote).

    Choudhary Zulfikar Ali and Syed Mushtaq Bukhari are contesting on BJP tickets this time.

    An estimated 61.38 per cent of the electorate cast their ballots in the first phase of polling on September 18. The third phase will go to polls on October 1. The votes will be counted on October 8.

    During this phase, 93 candidates are in the fray in Srinagar district, followed by 46 in Budgam district, 34 in Rajouri district, 25 in Poonch district, 21 in Ganderbal district and 20 in Reasi district.

    Diplomats from 15 countries to witness polls

    A delegation of diplomats from 15 countries, including the US, Norway, Philippines, Algeria, Spain and South Africa, arrived here on Wednesday to witness the polling process taking place in J&K after a gap of 10 years. Sources said the delegation of diplomats from the 15 countries arrived in the morning.

    “The delegation will witness the people’s participative voting at many polling stations. The over 61 per cent voting in the first phase of the J&K elections has re-affirmed the faith of the people of the union territory in the democratic process and the arrival of the diplomatic delegation to witness the same is the result of the success of India’s democracy in J&K,” sources said.

    The delegation includes diplomats from the US, Spain, Norway, Philippines, South Africa, the Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Algeria, Nigeria, Panama, Somalia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Guyana, Mexico and Singapore.

    Sources said the diplomats will visit some polling stations during the day to see for themselves the festival of democracy being celebrated in Kashmir to elect a representative government of the people.

    The Legislative Assembly election is being held in three phases in J& K. Voting for the first phase ended with over 61 per cent voter turnout on September 18.

    ALSO READ: Jaishankar Cements Global Ties at UN

  • Biden aims to ‘Trump-proof’ legacy

    Biden aims to ‘Trump-proof’ legacy

    Biden aims to solidify US leadership and alliances, addressing climate change and the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, while looking beyond Trump…reports Asian Lite News

    Behind the smiles as Joe Biden bids farewell to world leaders at the UN General Assembly this week will be one goal — shoring up his legacy against a possible White House comeback by Donald Trump.

    Countries around the world are nervously watching November’s US presidential election amid fears that a Trump victory over Kamala Harris would bring back his hard-line, isolationist foreign policy.

    And as Biden makes his final appearance at the UNGA in New York after dropping out of the race in July and endorsing his vice president as the Democratic nominee, the 81-year-old is not taking any chances.

    Viewing his presidency as a return from the brink during Republican Trump’s four years in the Oval Office, Biden will be trying to make his achievements, as one aide put it, “irreversible.”

    From his keynote address to the UN and a major climate speech on Tuesday, to talks on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Biden will be trying to lay the ground for US alliances and leadership that could outlast Trump.

    “When President Biden came to office nearly four years ago he pledged to restore American leadership on the world stage,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters traveling with him to New York.

    Biden would now use his UN address to outline his “vision” for how that should continue and to “reaffirm how this approach has produced results for the American people and for the world,” she added.

    His UN swansong comes amid a wider attempt by Biden to burnish his legacy at home and abroad, after a one-term presidency cut short when a disastrous debate against Trump fueled concerns about his age.

    In an emotional moment Sunday, on the eve of the assembly, former president Bill Clinton presented Biden with the “Clinton Global Citizen Award” at a surprise ceremony in New York.

    Biden held a cabinet meeting last week to urge a “sprint to the finish” to promote his policies — and to give any reflected glory to Harris in an agonizingly close election.

    His director of communications Ben LaBolt said in a memo to White House staff that the administration should “put a stake in the ground for the future” — and, in a clear swipe at Trump, spoke of how Biden had restored “decency and dignity to the White House.”

    With an eye on the history books, Biden is seeking to put his stamp on policy across the board.

    On international alliances — where Trump threatened to drop western allies if they did not spend more money on defense and held summits with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un — Biden hosted the leaders of Japan, India and Australia for a farewell summit in his hometown on Saturday.

    On climate — where Trump pulled the US out of the Paris accords — Biden wanted to build an “irreversible momentum behind climate action,” his National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi said Monday.

    And on Ukraine — where Trump praised Putin and has been distinctly cool in supporting Kyiv — Biden is hosting a farewell meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Thursday to discuss more US support.

    Yet the greatest prize of all seems further away than ever.

    Biden had set his sights securing a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza before he leaves office in January 2025.

    But instead the situation in the Middle East is becoming ever more dangerous, with the UNGA likely to be dominated by Israeli attacks on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon which have killed at least 500 people.

    US officials said Biden would focus on the need for a Gaza ceasefire and for calm in the region in his speech on Tuesday.

    Chancellor unveils package to deliver on promises  

    The Chancellor on Monday unveiled a package of measures to deliver on the agenda of the new government including a breakfast club pilot for 750 schools with primary aged pupils, new powers for the Covid Corruption Commissioner, e-invoicing to support business and the next steps on the government’s industrial strategy.

    School Breakfast Club Pilot

    The Chancellor announced that up to 750 schools with primary aged pupils will be invited to take part in a £7 million breakfast club pilot. The funding will allow these schools to run free breakfast clubs for their pupils in the summer term (April-July 2025).

    The Department for Education will work with the schools selected as part of the pilot to understand how breakfast clubs can be delivered to meet the needs of schools, parents and pupils when the programme is rolled out nationally.

    This will help reduce the number of students at schools with primary aged pupils starting the school day hungry and ensure children come to school ready to learn. It will also support the government’s aim to tackle child poverty by addressing rising food insecurity among children.

    Covid Corruption Commissioner

    Reeves also announced a block on any Covid-era PPE contract being abandoned or waived until it has been assessed by the new Covid Corruption Commissioner, whom will be appointed in October.

    The decision will affect £647 million of Covid PPE contracts where contract recovery was previously earmarked to be waived.

    It follows action already in motion to cut government waste and curb unnecessary spending. In her statement to Parliament in July, the Chancellor pledged to halve government consultancy spend from 2025-26, with savings targets of £550 million this financial year and a further £680 million in the next already announced.

    Excessive use of ministerial travel by aeroplane and helicopter is also being cutdown, with confirmation that a military contract for a helicopter also used for VIP trips, is not being renewed at the end of the year as previously announced.

    Industrial Strategy

    The Chancellor also today announced that the Industrial Strategy will be at the heart of the government’s mission to grow the economy, unlock investment and make every part of the country better off. It will focus on delivering long-term change to the economy by making Britain a clean energy superpower and accelerating to net zero, breaking down barriers to regional growth, and building a secure and resilient economy.

    A green paper will be published around Budget in October outlining the long-term sectoral growth and priority industries of the government, ahead of the final strategy published in the spring of 2025 following a consultation with business.

    HMRC package

    Chancellor Reeves also outlined a package of reforms to improve the UK’s tax system to help fix the foundations of the UK economy.

    As part of the package, HMRC will soon launch a consultation on electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) to promote its wider use across UK businesses and government departments.

    The introduction of e-invoicing can significantly reduce administrative tasks, improve cash flow, boost productivity, introduce automation, and reduce errors in tax returns – all helping to close the tax gap. The consultation will gather input from businesses on how HMRC can support investment in and encourage e-invoicing uptake.

    The Chancellor also announced that Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray, the minister responsible for the UK’s tax system, has become the Chair of the HMRC Board. This is to help oversee the implementation of his three strategic priorities for HMRC; closing the tax gap, modernising and reforming, and improving customer service.

    It was also announced that a new Digital Transformation Roadmap, aimed to be published in Spring 2025, will set out HMRC’s vision to be a digital first organisation underpinned by customer insight. The Roadmap will include measures to ensure digital inclusion and support for customers who cannot yet interact digitally.

    There was a further update that new staff are expected to join HMRC’s training programme in November as 200 additional offer letters have been issued as part of the 450 letters already sent. This is part of HMRC’s plans to recruit an additional 5,000 compliance staff to help close the tax gap.

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  • Rahul Gandhi pushes for restoration of Article 370

    Rahul Gandhi pushes for restoration of Article 370

    Rahul Gandhi said that the BJP is yet again applying the “divide and rule” policy and trying to create rift between brothers….reports Asian Lite News

    Emphasizing the need for restoring Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that it is the foremost demand of the National- Conference and the Congress to bring back statehood.

    Congress leader and LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in his addressing in Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir said, “It is for the first time in Indian history that it has been made a state. Your democratic rights have been taken away from you. That is why it is our foremost demand that statehood returns.”

    Addressing the audience, Gandhi said, “You don’t have a say in running your government. The orders are followed from Delhi. We wanted the statehood to return here before the elections, but we will definitely try that it does after the polls”.

    Accusing the BJP of practising “politics of hate” across various States, Rahul said, “BJP-RSS only spread hate and violence in J&K and other states. Be it Jammu-Kashmir, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh or Manipur. All they know is to spread hate and their politics is of hatred. You all know that hatred cannot be eliminated by giving hate but by love”.

    Hitting back at the BJP for accusing the National Conference of depriving the local community of Gujjars and Pahadis of development in the union territory, Rahul said that the BJP is yet again applying the “divide and rule” policy and trying to create rift between brothers.

    After the Congress party announced its alliance with NC, Union Minister Amit Shah questioned Rahul Gandhi if he supports the NC’s manifesto, “which calls for abolishing reservations for Dalits, Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Pahadis.”

    “They always try to divide and rule and have applied the same tactics here in Jammu-Kashmir. They tried to create a rift between the Gujjars and the Pahadi community here. I guarantee you that this project of them is going to fail,” Rahul Gandhi said.

    Highlighting the unity between the alliance partners, the National Conference, and the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi urged his party leaders to support National Conference candidates in the upcoming elections.

    “I appeal the Congress party candidates to offer full support to National conference candidates,” Rahul said.

    The Congress and the National Conference are fighting the polls in alliance. The PDP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and People’s Conference, to name a few, are other parties in the fray for 90 Assembly seats.

    This is the first election in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Leaders have held hectic campaigns to boost the prospects of their party candidates. Voting for the second and third phases in J-K will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively. Votes will be counted on October 8. (ANI)

    Phase 2: 25.78 lakh voters to decide fate of 239 candidates

    J&K is gearing up for the second phase of the Assembly elections, covering 26 seats in six districts spread over both the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley, on Wednesday as campaigning ended on Monday evening. 

    A statement by the Election Commission said that over 25.78 lakh voters in Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Budgam districts of the Kashmir division, and Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch districts of the Jammu division, will decide the fate of 239 candidates in the second phase of polls.

    A total of 93 candidates are in the fray in Srinagar district, followed by 46 in Budgam, 34 in Rajouri, 25 in Poonch, 21 in Ganderbal, while 20 candidates are contesting in Reasi.

    The 15 seats in Kashmir division heading to the hustings are Kangan (ST) – six candidates, Ganderbal – 15, Hazratbal -13, Khanyar – 10, Habbakadal -16, Lal Chowk- 10, Channapora – eight, Zadibal – 10, Eidgah – 13, Central Shalteng -13, Budgam – eight, Beerwah – 12, Khansahib -10, Chrar-i-Sharief – 10, and Chadoora – six, while the 11 in Jammu division are Gulabgarh (ST) – six candidates, Reasi – seven, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi – seven, Kalakote-Sunderbani – 11, Nowshera – five, Rajouri (ST) – eight, Budhal (ST) – four, Thannamandi (ST) – six, Surankote (ST) – eight, Poonch Haveli – eight, and Mendhar (ST) – nine.

    According to the latest electoral rolls, 25,78,099 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballot in this phase comprising 13,12,730 lakh male voters, 12,65,316 lakh female voters, and 53 third gender voters. Underlining the significance of the role played by the youth of Jammu and Kashmir in strengthening democracy, as many as 1,20,612 lakh voters aged 18 to 19 are eligible to vote in Phase II.

    Among these, 11,294 are male and 10,065 are female first-time voters. This phase will also see participation from 19,201 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) voters and 20,880 voters above the age of 85.

    The Srinagar district has a total of 7,76,674 registered voters, including 3,87,722 males, 3,88,922 females, and 30 transgender voters across eight Assembly constituencies. Rajouri has 4,92,008 electorates which includes 2,56,215 males, 2,35,786 females, and 7 transgender voters. A comprehensive network of 745 polling stations has been established across the district.

    Budgam has a total of 5,11,864 voters across its five Assembly constituencies; 2,59,688 male voters, 2,52,163 female voters, and 13 transgender voters. A total of 639 polling stations are spread across the district.

    Poonch district is divided into three Assembly constituencies, with a total of 3,52,330 registered voters; 1,80,584 males and 1,71,746 females, and 483 polling stations have been set up across these constituencies.

    The Reasi district has registered a total of 2,37,205 voters, including 1,24,359 males, 1,12,843 females, and 3 transgender across its three Assembly constituencies and there are 436 polling stations throughout the district.

    The Ganderbal district has 2,08,018 registered voters, including 1,04,162 male and 1,03,856 female voters, and 267 polling stations have been established.

    To facilitate smooth and hassle-free electoral participation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has established a total of 3,502 polling stations with 100 per cent webcasting across 26 Assembly constituencies. These include 1,056 Urban Polling stations and 2,446 Rural Polling stations. As many as 157 Special polling stations have been established in the second phase including 26 polling booths managed by women as Pink Polling Stations, 26 polling stations manned by specially-abled persons, 26 polling stations manned by youths, 31 Border polling stations, 26 green polling stations, and 22 Unique Polling stations.

    The voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., the ECI statement said.

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