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Vol. 19 Issue 25 Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 $1 www.thesouthasianinsider.com You've Got Mail The post office arrested Steve Bannon. Yes, the post office can arrest people. The USPS: Carrying your mail and carrying out justice.

Story on 32,33,34

r The Media's Sudden Crush on Kamala Harris Page No. 6 Also r What's stopping Putin from expanding further? Page No. 08 Readr Aspiring Migrants: Uncertainty clouds fate of over 85,000 Page No. 19 r Death Valley: What life is like in the 'hottest place on Earth' Page No. 37 Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 INDIAN-CURRENT AFFAIRS 2 India Sees Daily Jump of over 64,000 New Covid-19 Cases, 1,092 Deaths as Infections Cross 27.67 Lakh There are 6,76,514 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which is 24.45 per cent of the total caseload, while the number of recoveries has surged to 20,37,870. With 64,531 people August 7. Bihar, Chhattisgarh and testing positive in a day, India's According to the Indian Council Telangana, seven from Haryana, COVID-19 tally increased to of Medical Research (ICMR), a six each from Assam, Kerala and 27,67,273 on Wednesday, while cumulative total of 3,17,42,782 Uttarakhand, five from Goa, three the recoveries crossed the 20- samples have been tested till each from Ladakh and Tripura, lakh mark pushing the recovery August 18 with 8,01,518 samples while Andmana and Nicobar rate to 73.64 per cent, according being tested on Tuesday. Islands, Sikkim and Manipur to the Union Health Ministry data. Of the 1,092 fresh deaths, have registered one fatality each. The death toll climbed to 52,889 Maharashtra reported the highest Of the total 52,889 deaths, with 1,092 people succumbing to number of fatalities at 422 Maharashtra has reported the the disease in a span of 24 hours, followed by 139 from Karnataka, maximum at 20,687, followed by Odisha, 262 in Jharkhand, 203 Diu and Sikkim two each. The the data updated at 8 am showed. 121 from Tamil Nadu, 88 from 6,007 in Tamil Nadu, 4,226 in in Assam, 175 in Kerala and 164 health ministry stressed that Case fatality rate has declined to Andhra Pradesh, 70 from Uttar Delhi, 4,201 in Karnataka, 2,820 in Uttarakhand. more than 70 per cent of the 1.91 per cent. Pradesh, 55 from West Bengal, each in Gujarat and Andhra Chhattisgarh has registered 158 deaths occurred due to There are 6,76,514 active cases 35 from Punjab, 20 from Gujarat, Pradesh, 2,585 in Uttar Pradesh, deaths, Puducherry 123, Goa comorbidities. of coronavirus infection in the 13 each from Madhya Pradesh 2,528 in West Bengal and 1,141 116, Tripura 65, Chandigarh and "Our figures are being reconciled country which is 24.45 per cent and Jammu and Kashmir, 12 in Madhya Pradesh. Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the Indian Council of Medical of the total caseload, while the each from Delhi and Jharkhand So far, 898 people have died of 30 each, Himachal Pradesh 19, Research," the ministry said, number of recoveries has surged and 11 from Rajasthan. COVID-19 each in Rajasthan and Manipur 18, Ladakh 17, adding that state-wise to 20,37,870. Nine fatalities each have been Punjab, 719 in Telangana, 557 in Nagaland eight, Meghalaya six, distribution of figures is subject India's COVID-19 tally had reported from Odisha and Haryana, 561 in Jammu and Arunachal Pradesh five, Dadra to further verification and crossed the 20-lakh mark on Puducherry, eight each from Kashmir, 476 in Bihar, 362 in and Nagar Haveli and Daman and reconciliation. US provides second shipment of 100 ventilators to India to help fight Covid-19 The first shipment of 100 ventilators was donated by the US government in June. These machines have been deployed to support the care of Covid-19 patients at the eight regional All India Institutes of Medical Sciences.

and additional supplies and critically needed supplies to 19 cases. As of August, a total components needed to operate support India's pandemic of three million people in India the machines. response." have directly benefited from The first shipment of 100 USAID is also working with the USAID support, said a statement ventilators was donated by the Indian government to enhance from the US embassy. US government in June. These the capacity of health facilities USAID has also trained 40,700 machines have been deployed to using the ventilators by health workers on best practices support the care of Covid-19 facilitating setup, orientation, to integrate Covid-19 prevention patients at the eight regional All and clinical training for and risk mitigation into essential The US on Wednesday donated The US-made ventilators are India Institutes of Medical healthcare personnel health services, and 46,000 the second shipment of 100 compact and easy to deploy, Sciences. responsible for operating the frontline workers on risk ventilators to India to help in the and will provide India flexibility in US ambassador Ken Juster machines. communication. It has provided country's fight against Covid-19, treating patients. In addition to said, "We are very pleased to USAID's efforts have 950 healthcare facilities with saying it had fulfilled President the ventilators, US Agency for hand over the final tranche of strengthened the India's support to increase social Donald Trump's commitment to International Development 100 ventilators to India, healthcare system's readiness distancing, infection prevention provide critically needed (USAID) is funding a package of fulfilling President Trump's and response capacity in several control, and patient supplies. support that includes warranties commitment to provide these states with a high burden of Covid- management. Punjab Man Who Ran His Car over Dog Arrested from Kapurthala, 12 Canines Recovered from His House

26-year-old man who allegedly Gurjinder Singh has been booked ran his car over a dog was arrested from under relevant sections of the Punjab's Kapurthala district on Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act Wednesday, said the police. and the Indian Penal Code on the The arrest came a day after BJP MP complaint of a representative of Maneka Gandhi shared a video on the People for Animals, police social media in which he could had said. purportedly be seen running his vehicle Gandhi on MOnday had posted a over a dog. video on Twitter, saying: "He is a Kapurthala Deputy Superintendent of breeder and seller of dogs for dog Police Sarwan Singh said Gurjinder fights. This is what he does to dogs Singh has been arrested. Police said when they are no longer useful. This 12 dogs have also been recovered from dog died after 30 minutes of being his house. in excruciating pain." Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 INDIAN-CURRENT AFFAIRS 3 Odisha man builds memorial for electrocuted elephant to honour his mother's word Respecting her mother's wish, Dr Naik, a retired Odia teacher in a local college in January 2019 erected a 35-feet tall memorial for the dead elephant on the same paddy field and called it "Hathi Minar".

The death of an voltage power lines. Within my younger brother that "In January 2019 I opened elephant in a region where seconds it fell to the ground the pachyderm's death was it to the public where they get electrocuted, run as huge amounts of electric a bad omen. The next year people could come and pay over by speeding trains and current coursed through its my younger brother died in tribute to the fallen trucks, or hunted by body."My mother was too a road accident and a year elephant. More than 5000 poachers is mostly a matter shocked about the elephant later, my mother passed people had gathered at the of statistics for state wildlife dying on our field as she away too. The twin site for inauguration of the of poaching. The district, Noted elephant department, but a 62-year- considered her vehicle of tragedies steeled my Hati Minar. Since then, which had 112 elephants in conservationist Biswajit old tribal man in Keonjhar Lakshmi, the Goddess of resolve to build the people have been flocking 2002 reported just 40 in 2017 Mohanty said Padmini district was determined not wealth. She asked me to elephant memorial at any to the place," said Naik. "I elephant census, mostly Naik deserves a to let it remain just like build a memorial for the cost," said the retired hope the memorial makes due to large-scale mining as posthumous award for her that. dead elephant on our paddy teacher. people aware of the the pachyderms deserted enormous contribution to In November 2009, when a field where it died. She was With her mother's last wish importance of elephants the area for neighbouring elephant conservation tusker from Jyotipur so heartbroken over the to see a memorial for the who are facing a massive Dhenkanal district. The awareness for public. reserve forest stomped death that she did not take elephant uppermost on his crisis of habitat." destruction of elephant "The distressed elephants towards paddy field near food for next 2-3 days," said mind, Naik started After the death of the tusker habitats has seen rising of Odisha face an Jali village of Champua Dr Krushna Chandra Naik, earmarking a portion of his in 2009, there have been human-elephant conflicts uncertain and dangerous block in Keonjhar district son of Padmini. profits from the farm and numerous incidents of over the years.In January future and the safety of our on Odisha-Jharkhand Respecting her mother's dipped into his personal elephants being this year, a 10-year-old girl national heritage animal in border, little did it know wish, Dr Naik, a retired savings. Though villagers electrocuted in Keonjhar in Hariharpur village of the Odisha is in peril. Once the about the sagging electric Odia teacher in a local suffered crop loss to district, known for iron and district was trampled to pride of Odisha, the state lines. But no sooner did it college in January 2019 rampaging elephants, they manganese mines. In June death by a rampaging has turned into a graveyard reach the paddy field of erected a 35-feet tall also came forward to help this year, two elephants - tusker while she was for elephants. I hope more Padmini Naik to chew on memorial for the dead him in construction of the an eight-year-old tusker playing outside her home. and more people would visit the ripening paddy after elephant on the same memorial. He donated five and a 30-year-old female In 2019-20, as many as 115 the elephant memorial so quenching its thirst at the paddy field and called it acres of land to develop the elephant - were found people were killed and 132 that they become a little nearby river, the tusker "Hathi Minar". "After the site into a children's park electrocuted dead in injured in 204 human- more sympathetic towards raised its trunk only to elephant's death, my and planted 30,000 saplings Baitarani reserve forest of elephant encounters in the majestic animal," said touch the sagging high mother kept telling me and for a herbal garden. the district raising suspicion Odisha. Mohanty. Centre withdraws 10,000 soldiers from Kashmir to send a message The partial troop withdrawal and the appointment of a senior politician Manoj Sinha as Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir is not a coincidence, a senior official said.

border from carrying out strikes. assembly elections in J&K as At last week's security review, soon as the election there was some commission completes the acknowledgement within the delimitation exercise. "It was security establishment that the felt that the kind of force forces could do with fewer deployed in J&K may be fairly numbers, particularly given its construed to be successes over the last one year disproportionate under the in eliminating top terrorist existing security situation, commanders. Security officials which could lead to have also claimed that there has inconvenience to the local been some improvement in how population," a top police the public responds to counter- officer who was part of the terror operations. A team of process told Hindustan security officers next travelled to Times. Apart from top army Jammu and Kashmir on 15 commanders, top officers of August to interact with field the Border Security Force commanders and lay the (BSF), Central Reserve A security review last week on month. The review, and the timing of the two developments, groundwork for the troop Police Force (CRPF), Central Jammu and Kashmir led the withdrawal of about 100 one after another, was not a withdrawal. A few hours before Industrial Security Force and government to order the companies of central security coincidence, but designed to the team landed, Prime other central and forces were withdrawal of 10,000 troops from forces, comes around the time message people that the Minister Narendra Modi - part of the review. There was the union territory, a move that that the government has government was willing to addressing the nation from a view that instead of relying is seen as part of the Centre's spotlighted development address their concerns. One Red Fort in Delhi - described too much on check-posts in outreach to the Kashmir valley. activities and appointed senior view has been that far too the past year as 'a very Srinagar and elsewhere in the The review was ordered by the politician Manoj Sinha as many security personnel are important milestone' for the valley, the security Home Minister Amit Shah when Lieutenant Governor of the deployed in the union territory development journey of establishment should step up he was still recuperating in a centrally-administered territory. to prevent about 200 hardcore Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh reliance on technology to target Gurugram hospital earlier this An official underscored that the terrorists trained across the regions and spoke about terrorists. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 INDIAN-CURRENT AFFAIRS 4 6 lakh may have been coronavirus-infected in Hyderabad: Study also through faeces. sewage reach STPs, this data Mishra said if such studies In a joint effort, CCMB and IICT can be used to extrapolate the are carried out in coordination harvested the sewage samples overall number of potentially with civic bodies, it would help of different sewage treatment infected people, which turned out identify the hotspots and take plants (STPs) in the city to to be approximately six lakh, that necessary measures. estimate the number of is, around six per cent of the "Our finding clearly indicates potentially infected individuals, it population, which includes that a large proportion of the said. According to the study, 80 symptomatic, asymptomatic, affected individuals are per cent of the STPs revealed and also recently recovered asymptomatic and did not nearly two lakh people are individuals in a time window of need hospitalisation. shedding viral materials and only about 35 days," the CCMB said. This is also in agreement with 40 per cent of the sewage reach The findings are posted on the observation that STPs which may indicate that preprint server MedRxiv, which is hospitalisation rush or mortality about six lakh people in the city yet to be peer reviewed, it is way lower than otherwise (News Agencies)- There may be Conducted by CSIR-Centre for carried or are carrying the virus. added. expected with such a large at least six lakh people in the Cellular and Molecular Biology "This study, covering about 80 According to a press release infection rates at a given time," city who have been infected by and CSIR-Indian Institute of per cent of the STPs in from the Telangana the CCMB director said. "It explains coronavirus with a large number Chemical Technology, the study Hyderabad, revealed that there government, as on August 18, why our healthcare system has of them asymptomatic and need said individuals infected by are nearly 2 lakh people who are there are 95,700 positive been able to handle reasonably no hospitalisation, a study said SARS-CoV-2 shed virus not only shedding viral materials. cases reported in the state. well the situation during the on Wednesday. through nasal and oral routes but Since only 40 per cent of the Director, CCMB, Rakesh pandemic," he said. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari gets additional charge of Goa Koshyari took oath in Konkani, Goa's official language reading out from the text and despite some fumbling appeared fairly deft at the language.

(News Agencies)- Maharashtra Governor of Meghalaya minister Pramod Sawant, Leader Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari succeeding Tathagata Roy. of Opposition Digambar Kamat, was sworn in as the Governor The Governor was sworn in by chief secretary Parimal Rai. of Goa on Wednesday evening the Chief Justice of the Malik it is believed was at a simple ceremony hosted Bombay High Court Dipankar transferred out of Goa as his at the Raj Bhavan. Datta, who also flew down to relationship with chief Koshyari, who succeeds Goa for the ceremony. minister Pramod Sawant Satya Pal Malik, will hold Koshyari took oath in Konkani, quickly soured due to his additional charge as the Goa's official language reading differences with the chief Governor of Goa. out from the text and despite minister on at least three Earlier today, Malik left Goa in some fumbling appeared fairly occasions. He also regularly a special flight from Goa's deft at the language. hosted delegations of people Dabolim airport and is On his arrival, Koshyari was and politicians who sought his expected to take charge as the welcomed to the state by chief intervention on various issues. Babri mosque demolition case in last leg, CBI told to file written reply A special CBI court in Lucknow that completed the recording of statements of the accused in the 1992 Babri mosque demolition case last month has asked the premier investigation agency to file its reply by August 21. The trial in the Babri Masjid demolition case by deadline of nine months for the Masjid demolition case is set to Friday (August 21). The central final order. The deadline expired enter its last stage after the agency had to file its reply on on April 19 this year and the Central Bureau of Investigation Tuesday but could not do so," special judge wrote to the apex was asked to submit its written said lawyer Manish Tripathi, who court on May 6, seeking an reply in the case by Friday. is representing BJP MP from extension. A special CBI court in Lucknow Kaisrganj parliamentary seat in The Supreme Court on May 8 that completed the recording of Bahraich district, Brij Bhushan issued a new deadline of August statements of all the 32 accused Saran Singh. He is one of the 32 31 with instructions to deliver the in the 1992 Babri mosque accused in the Babri Masjid judgment by then. Mishra, who is representing conspiracy charge against the demolition case last month, demolition case. However, legal experts are of the senior BJP leader LK Advani and VIP accused. including senior BJP leaders LK The trial in the Lucknow court is opinion that the CBI court will Murli Manohar Joshi, among The court had termed the Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, going on in regard to the need further extension of about others, in the CBI court. Allahabad high court's February Kalyan Singh and Uma Bharti, demolition of the disputed two months to deliver judgment On April 19, 2017, the Supreme 12, 2001, verdict dropping among others, has asked the structure in 1992 in pursuance in the case. Court had ordered the special conspiracy charges against premier investigation agency to of the two FIRs lodged with the "Legal documents in the case run judge to conduct a day-to-day Advani and others as file its reply by August 21. Ayodhya Police. into several thousand pages. It trial, concluding it in two years. "erroneous". The CBI had to file its reply on The Supreme Court on July 19 is no easy job to document all Calling the demolition of the Before the 2017 verdict of the Tuesday, but its lawyers sought last year had extended by six proceedings in the case. I think disputed structure a crime which apex court, there were two sets two more days' time. months the time frame for the CBI court will need another shook the "secular fabric of the of cases relating to the "The court has ordered the CBI completing the criminal trial in extension to deliver its Constitution", it allowed the CBI demolition, going on in Lucknow to file its written reply in the Babri Ayodhya case and also set a judgment," said lawyer KK plea for restoration of criminal and Rae Bareli. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 INDIAN-CURRENT AFFAIRS 5 China's J-20 fighter jets near India border? State media downplays report China's armed forces have so far not made any announcement about deploying fighter aircraft near the border though it is likely fighter jet squadrons are stationed near the long and disputed border with India. The deployment of combat service in 2018. many airfields in various terrains China's most advanced J-20 The aircraft were spotted, some and under different climate stealth fighter near the border 320 km from the border, at the conditions, and the J-20 needs with India should not be over- Hotan airport in northwest China's to fly in more regions to adapt, interpreted in context of the Sino- Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Fu said. India border friction as the Region (XUAR). The border tensions have already tension is de-escalating, China's armed forces have so far been de-escalating, and foreign Chinese state media has said. not made any announcement media's reports could have The long-range jets' deployment, about deploying fighter aircraft ulterior motives, the state media areas, the Rafale is superior to In the backdrop of the ongoing which is yet to be confirmed by near the border though it is likely article said. the Su-30 MKI fighter jets, which border tension, India last week the People's Liberation Army fighter jet squadrons are Earlier this month, experts had are in service in the Indian Air called on China to work jointly Airforce (PLAAF), could be for the stationed near the long and told the tabloid that the Rafale Force in large batches, but it is for "complete disengagement aircraft's long-distance flight disputed border with India. fighter jets were no match for its only about one-fourth of a and de-escalation" on the Line practice and part of the "The J-20 is a long-range heavy J-20 stealth fighter jets, days generation more advanced and of Actual Control (LAC), saying warplane's protocols to adapt to fighter jet. So, when deployed in after the first batch of five French- does not yield a significant the future of the bilateral different environment, Global Hotan, it can potentially cover made warplanes landed in qualitative change," it said. relationship is dependent on the Times, the nationalistic tabloid, many areas in Central and South Ambala. The J-20 made its maiden flight situation along the disputed said in an article. Asia," it said. Chinese experts told state media in 2011 and was first shown to frontier. The article was referring to a news The nationalistic tabloid, known that the Rafale is only a third-plus the public at the 11th Airshow Chinese troops are said to article published in Forbes, for its anti-India rhetoric, however, generation fighter jet and does China in Zhuhai, Guangdong have pulled back from Galwan which cited satellite imagery to sought to play down the not stand much of a chance province, in south China, in Valley, the scene of the June claim that two J-20 fighter aircraft development. against a stealth, fourth- November 2016, according to the 15 clash that resulted in the have been deployed by the The deployment if true is generation one like the J-20. official news agency, Xinhua. death of 20 Indian soldiers and PLAAF near the India-China "…likely part of normal training Saying that the Rafale is superior The fighters made their parade unspecified Chinese border. on long distance flight and to the Su-30 MKI in certain debut when the PLA marked its casualties, and some friction The J-20 is China's fourth- environment adaptation," aspects, the acquisition does not 90th anniversary in July 2017 at points, but the troop withdrawal generation medium- and long- Chinese military aviation expert yield a significant qualitative Zhurihe military training base in hasn't moved forward in the range fighter aircraft, and it was Fu Qianshao said. change for India, it said. Inner Mongolia Autonomous Finger Areas of Pangong Lake, commissioned into air force China is a large country with "In some combat performance Region. Gogra and Depsang. Bus carrying 34 passengers allegedly 'hijacked' in Agra by staff of finance company All passengers are safe and have been provided with an alternate bus for their destination, Panna in Madhya Pradesh.

A private bus carrying 34 stopped by car-borne created panic. passengers from miscreants on the Driver of the Panna-bound Gurugram in Haryana was Southern Bye Pass of private bus, Ramesh allegedly 'hijacked' from Agra. They took the bus Kumar, said, "About nine Agra and taken towards in control after forcing the people were following the Jhansi by the staff of a driver, along with the bus in two SUVs. When finance company. The bus conductor and the helper, the bus reached near was later traced near to get down," informed SP Etawah toll plaza at about Jhansi. All passengers are Ravi Kumar. "The driver, 2.30 am, those in the safe and have been the conductor and the SUVs intercepted the bus provided with an alternate helper were told to get into and told us that they were bus for their destination, the waiting car which from a finance company. Panna in Madhya Pradesh. moved around Agra. They They gave Rs 300 each to Gwalior Amit Sanghi said, said, "I work in could reach Nowgong "The private bus began its were later dropped at me and the conductor of "We have inquired with the Gurugram. I boarded the (Chhatarpur)." journey on Tuesday Kuberpur. The staff of the bus and asked us to private finance company bus in Gurugram. When Superintendent of police, evening for Panna in finance company returned get down from the bus. whose name was we reached Agra we Chatarpur, Sachin Madhya Pradesh. There the personal mobile and They later drove the bus mentioned by the alleged were asked by the Sharma said, were 34 passengers in the cash that the conductor away." hijackers but the company conductor to board "Chhatarpur police got bus of whom 13 had to get and driver were carrying. Kumar, a resident of Dabra said none of its another bus. When we information from Agra down at Chhatarpur in However, they took the town in Gwalior district, employees was involved were boarding the other police that a bus had Madhya Pradesh while the ticket money collected by added, "I later came to in the entire episode and bus there was some been hijacked near a toll remaining were to travel to them from the passengers know that those who took that they were not aware conflict outside. We didn't plaza between Agra and Panna in Madhya to return them. All three the bus with them asked of the incident." see anyone who indulged Mathura and that staff Pradesh," stated SP were also provided food the passengers to get Dharmendra Chaturvedi, in all this. When we from Shriram Finance (West) Agra, rural, Ravi and were not harassed by down from the bus at one of the passengers, reached Gwalior our bus Company made Kumar. the staff of the finance Mauranipur in Jhansi who belonged from was changed again. In passengers of the bus get "The bus had just crossed company," he said. district (Uttar Pradesh)." Maheba village in Jhansi we were asked to down to board another Mathura when it was Nonetheless, the incident Superintendent of Police, Chhatarpur district, 23, board another bus then we bus. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 OP-ED 6 The Media's Sudden Crush on Kamala Harris Last fall she crashed and burned, and the pundits had a million reasons why. Now she's just the energy the Biden ticket needs. What changed? As the lights at the backpedaled, "leaving many mate, there's a-surprise!-fresh, Kamala Harris presidential voters unclear on where she much more positive assessment campaign flickered and powered stood," the Los Angeles Times of the California senator. In many down last December, weeks wrote. And when she uncorked senses, the press is serving the before the voting started, the her complete health-care same Harris meal-reporters still press corps delighted in agenda, she failed to explain it view her as a health-care waffler cataloging her deficiencies as a coherently, the paper continued. and a poor campaign general. candidate and a campaigner. Her misfiring campaign They still criticize her for being Although she started in the "top organization drew poor notices unable to decide whether she's tier" of candidates, and in theory from every press hand-and from a reformer or a cop. But there's could have galvanized votes from former allies, too. "You can't run nothing like a political immigrants, the New York campaign. As for the rigors of an unprecedented range of the country if you can't run your promotion, especially one that Times notes, one from India and campaigning, she usually different voter bases-women, campaign," Gil Duran, her could lead to a presidency, to one from Jamaica. It's true, performed well in the early Californians, Black voters and former aide, told the New York make the press corps adjust the she's unquestionably a unique minutes of an event but lacked Asian Americans all at once-the Times. She "proved an uneven seasoning and serving figure in American politics, a staying power. As the press recorded her failure to campaigner," volunteered the presentation on a candidate. pioneer in several ways. It just Washington Post's Paul enthuse any of those power Washington Post. Harris also Yesterday, Harris was just omits to mention that this all Waldman wrote when Harris left bases. She had languished in "wrestled with how to sell her another overbaked politician. somehow failed to register with the race, she never conveyed a the national polls, scoring only background as a former Today, she's fresh as can be, Democrats the first time around. convincing reason for running for in the single digits on her home prosecutor," the Wall Street and the press corps can't stop "In many ways, Harris, 55, is a the presidency outside of simply court, California, said CNN. Journal reported. She avoided salivating. safe pick-broadly popular in the wanting the job. "Biden has attracted more the topic of her prosecutorial Remember Harris' inability to Democratic Party and well According to the New York support than Harris from black experience in the campaign's connect with Black voters? acquainted with the rigors of a Times' revisionist view, Harris voters," the Washington Post early stretches, but then Never mind. Now the New York national campaign," the Los possesses "a gift for capturing reported. capitalized on it during the Times reports "that she could Angeles Times now says. But moments of raw political During the campaign, Harris impeachment of President reinforce Mr. Biden's appeal to based on what? Her so-called electricity on the debate stage waffled so hard on health care Donald Trump. Was she a Black voters and women without broad popularity in the and elsewhere," but neglects to it's a wonder she wasn't added criminal-justice reformer or a stirring particularly vehement Democratic Party did not mention in that passage that her to the IHOP menu. First, she law-and-order cop? The signals opposition on the right or left." extend to donors, who gave her so-called gift contributed to her advocated "Medicare for All" and crossed. Harris has "excited Democrats candidacy a bye, one of the political electrocution when she to eliminate private medical But now that Joe Biden has with a personal story" of being main reasons she gave for went at Biden so hard on busing insurance. Then she selected Harris as his running the female offspring of two closing her presidential and race. Unless India invests in green infra, the future of cities is dark and grey

drains). indicate that 35% (428 sq.km) As episodes of short duration- of new development within 20 km but intense rainfall increase due of the city centre (2000-15) in to the climate crisis, urban the nation's 10 top cities - flooding incidents will rise. A Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, 2018 study by the Indian Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Institute of Technology Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, (Gandhinagar) show that cities Surat - has been on low-lying face an additional challenge: and high recharge potential The urban heat island effect zones. Unsurprisingly, these (when a city experiences much cities have seen multiple flood warmer temperatures than rural events in the last five years. areas due to built up areas), India's cities are its political, which is modifying the rainfall economic, and cultural nerve pattern in these areas. centres. They cannot afford to To tackle these challenges, city break down every monsoon; governments have to rethink the each flood episode leads to development paradigm. Instead losses of lives and livelihood of investing only in inflexible and erodes huge investments. grey infrastructure (drains, To improve resilience, pumps, and outfalls), they must planners must prioritise water- invest heavily in flexible green sensitive urban design and The National Capital Gururgram (Haryana) and the untangle. The appalling state of infrastructure (lakes, floodplains planning, prepare drainage Region, including Delhi and National Capital of Delhi were the affairs showed, yet again, the or parks, forests), which absorb master plans, identify high- neighbouring districts of Uttar worst-affected. Entire stretches result of poorly thought-out urban stormwater, reduce runoff risk areas, and invest in green Pradesh, was flooded on of roads and underpasses were planning and design, weak urban volume and speed, thus, infrastructure. Otherwise, the Wednesday after a spell of flooded; homes were inundated; storm water infrastructures, and reducing flood risk. future of India's cities, as NCR unrelenting and intense rainfall. and commuters were caught in lack of monsoon preparedness Preliminary findings of an showed on Wednesday, is dark The millennium city of traffic snarls that took hours to (desilting and unclogging of ongoing research by WRI-India and bleak. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 EDITORIAL 7 India must inflict costs on China Finally, a Female VP Isn't Being Set Up to Fail By occupying key vantage points in wisdom that China holds a significant Kamala Harris is the first female vice likely to fail. But this time is different. eastern Ladakh in an operation backed military advantage, several recent presidential nominee not to stand Unlike Mondale and McCain, Joe Biden by tens of thousands of troops in the international assessments underscore teetering on the so-called 'glass cliff,' is leading President Donald Trump in rear, China has entered a dangerous new that India's air and ground forces have facing an impossible mission. In 1984, the polls and has a decent chance of phase in its territorial expansionism. It a qualitative edge over the People's Walter Mondale trailed incumbent winning in November. His choice of has brazenly seized areas that were Liberation Army. India's weakness is a president Ronald Reagan 16 points in Harris is not a desperate ploy to save a under India's military control or patrolling reactive and risk-averse strategic the polls when he decided to "shake flailing campaign. And this time, no one jurisdiction. In fact, China intruded into culture. India's failure to employ its things up," as he later put it, by picking is hoping for her to pull off an impossible areas located beyond any claim line it counterattack capability undermined its three-term New York Congresswoman salvage job. In fact, as historic as Harris has ever published, including its 1956, negotiating position. Instead of a Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate. is-she's the first woman of color on a 1959 and 1960 claim lines in Ladakh. "seize, hold and talk" strategy to clinch Ferraro-the first female VP nominee of major party presidential ticket-Biden's Demonstrating ever-expanding claims, an equitable deal, India brought little to a major party-gave Mondale an initial reasoning in picking her was fairly its forces intruded into the Hot Springs- the negotiating table, thus allowing boost, but the pair crashed to defeat conventional: The choice is a nod to Gogra-Kongka La region and the China to reinforce its bargaining power. after a bruising campaign with just 13 (and an attempt to energize) very Depsang Y-Junction and also up to the This is apparent from China's absurd electoral votes in November. In 2008, important segments of the Democratic Galwan River's mouth and Pangong new demands that India further retreat Senator John McCain had been base, a signal about the future of the Lake's Finger 4. India, facing up to what from Pangong and vacate the Kugrang consistently trailing newbie Senator party, a recognition of what he lacks and its defence ministry calls "unilateral heights. India now faces crunch time. Barack Obama when he chose little- a statement of his own values. Those aggression," has made it clear to China If it is not going to end up validating known Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as are fairly standard VP checkboxes; for that it will settle for nothing less than China's forcible realignment of the Line his No. 2. It was a gambit, a "Hail Mary" once, a female running mate has been a full return to status quo ante. India's of Actual Control, India must inflict pass, recalls Debbie Walsh, director of approved by the same criteria that have message to Beijing is that refusing to substantive costs on the aggressor. the Center for American Women and boosted white males for centuries. roll back its encroachments will cast Imposing significant economic and Politics-one that thudded to the ground "In those other two races it felt like a a growing shadow over the bilateral diplomatic costs, coupled with the on Election Day. No VP nominee, male novelty," Walsh says. "And this time relationship. Publicly, too, India has application of coercive military or female, has ever made or broken a around it felt like, 'Of course this is what cautioned that China's border pressure, holds the key. India must presidential election, but that doesn't he needs to do.'" The pick is both a bold hostilities will damage bilateral ties. speak from a position of strength. Its stop party brass from assuming the confirmation of the power women, Black There has been no national debate, professional, battle-hardened armed worst. The 1984 Mondale-Ferraro women especially, hold within the however, on India's options to restore forces, coupled with its trade and debacle put a "bad taste in the mouth" Democratic Party and a signal that the status quo ante. China seems diplomatic leverage, give it that strength. of the white, male decision-makers, said country might finally be overcoming its determined to hold on to its territorial The only way China will roll back its Alyssa Mastromonaco, who was tacit aversion to placing women at the gains, which explains its statement aggression is if India begins exacting Obama's deputy chief of staff from 2011 top of presidential tickets-an allergy that disengagement is mostly over. mounting costs that make its territorial to 2014, on a recent episode of Pod driven by a myth that women can't win Indeed, it has used military and gains unbeneficial to hold. The costs Save America. "What so many people the top electoral offices. (Not because diplomatic talks to demand Indian India has sought to impose thus far have just remember is that they lost. He you wouldn't vote for a woman, of acquiescence in the new status quo. proved woefully inadequate to make picked a woman, and they lost. Even course-because you don't think other The protracted talks have also helped Beijing end its aggression. A calibrated though he was probably always going people would.) "The context of the it to consolidate its hold on the land imposition of progressively escalating to lose." Psychologists like to call this times is different" today than in 1984 grabs, including by building fortifications costs has become imperative. phenomenon the "glass cliff"-the idea and 2008, says Susan Carroll, a and installing fiber optic cables. China Economically, India's main steps thus that women are more likely to be professor of political science and has achieved its territorial gains in the far - banning Chinese mobile apps and elevated to executive leadership roles women's and gender studies at Rutgers same way it made territorial grabs restricting Chinese companies' access in periods of crisis, when they're more University. elsewhere in Asia since the 1980s - to Indian government contracts - need below the threshold of armed conflict, to be supplemented with informal trade without firing a shot. Today, it is trying sanctions. Chinese exports to India are to dictate a Hobson's choice to India, still running at more than $5 billion a like it did when it captured Doklam: Go month, with July witnessing a surge. along with the changed status quo or Now is the time for India to leverage its risk an open war. Believing time is on buying power to correct its massive ISSN No. 1554 06X its side, China is seeking to wear India trade deficit with China. At a time when Editor in Chief & Publisher : out in order to present a fait accompli. the international environment is turning Sharanjit Singh Thind Against this background, India's hostile to China's ambitions, India must options are narrowing. The longer India launch a diplomatic offensive to Editor (Political Affairs-India) : has waited, the harder it has become spotlight the Chinese aggression. Aruna Singh to militarily push back the intruding India's reticence to name-and-shame Chief Photographer : Vijay Shah Chinese forces and restore status quo China seems unfathomable. Even amid Editorial Intern: Roubin Singh Thind ante. Imagine if India had dealt with its aggression, China has had no Special Correspondent : China's incursions as soon as it hesitation in raking up the Jammu and Gagandeep Singh (India) discovered them in early May, instead Kashmir issue at the United Nations Web Coordinator : Harpreet Singh of restraining its forces and entering into Security Council. unproductive talks. Indian efforts to As a warning shot across Beijing's bow, A Publication of Media Partners Capital, Inc. obscure the intrusions and troop India should rescind its 2006 decision REGD & MAILING OFFICE : clashes only led to newer Chinese allowing China to reopen its consulate encroachments. As an August 4 in Kolkata, given China's designs on the P.O Box 7005 Hicksville New York 11801 defence ministry note pointed out, Siliguri Corridor. That decision was Phone: 917 612 3158 China made fresh intrusions into made despite Beijing's refusal to let [email protected], [email protected] Kugrang, Gogra and Pangong on May India reopen its Lhasa consulate. The www.thesouthasianinsider.com Disclaimer The South Asian Insider is a weekly newspaper published every week by The South Asian Insider. It's available in 17-18.India has the world's most- Kolkata and Lhasa consulates were shut community & religious centers, ethnic grocery stores and also available by mail, email & online to subscribers. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various writers, authors and forum participants in The South Asian Insider do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints experienced army in hybrid mountain following Mao Zedong's 1962 war against of the Editor. All advertisers advertising in The South Asian Insider assume responsibility for accuracy of their advertisements. The South Asian Insider and/or people associated with it are not responsible for any claims made by the advertisers and don't endorse any product or services advertised in The South Asian warfare. Contrary to the conventional India. Insider. We strongly urge consulting your lawyer before buying/contracting /hiring through the ads published in the newspaper. We are in the business of selling space and claims made by the advertisers are not authenticated or confirmed by an independent source Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 OPINION 8 What's stopping Putin from expanding further? Michael Bociurkiw we should take it as a subtle examining what these dynamics With mass protests erupting in warning to Lukashenko to not mean for Putin and whether Belarus over a disputed stray from Moscow's orbit. Not another brazen act is on the presidential election on Sunday, exactly a shot across the bow, horizon. after which incumbent Alexander but it would be foolhardy to Dim peace prospects in Ukraine Lukashenko claimed a landslide underestimate Moscow's And more than six years later, the victory, the Kremlin must be willingness to respond with force prospects for peace in eastern watching nervously. Thousands -- just ask neighboring Ukraine. Ukraine are bleaker than ever. have been arrested in the former That is because what Russia This despite the 2014 signing of Soviet republic and heavily armed fears most is Maidan-style peace accords, the active Belarusian security forces are on protests which rocked Ukraine engagement of the French and the streets. The leading for several months in 2013-2014 German leaders, and no less opposition candidate, Svetlana and led to the removal of the pro- than 20 ceasefires, including one Tikhanovskaya, has fled to Moscow President, Viktor reaffirmed by Presidents Vladimir neighboring Lithuania. Yanukovych. Those protests Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky Internationally, the reaction has were sparked by Ukraine's that went into effect on July 27 who has a noticeable affinity for access at an observation point been a mix, from Western agreement to develop closer but collapsed just a few hours Putin and appears fearful of on the Ukraine-Russia border -- governments warning against trade ties with the European later, according to Ukraine's confronting him regardless of the geopolitical landscape violent suppression of protesters Union and Yanukovich's military and the Organization for what he does. appears perfect for Putin to either (the United States, the European withdrawal from that agreement Security and Cooperation in The time for another land grab is expand his sphere of influence Union, NATO and many after a meeting with Putin. Europe. ripe or intervene to keep a weak European neighbors have Belarus has been cooperating The conflict, one of the longest- This is not the first time pundits client state such as Belarus in sounded that alarm) to a with the EU, but its ties with running in the world, has claimed have warned Putin may swoop the fold. Alarm bells should be congratulatory note from Chinese Russia are deep and not likely more than 14,000 lives, displaced in and escalate the conflict with going off in Western capitals. President Xi Jinping. to diminish, and it would an estimated 1.5 million people, an "August surprise." And this Here's why. Putin likely feels In contrast, Russian President behoove everyone to remember and damaged billions of dollars time, they may be right. The time emboldened by the success of Vladimir Putin called for this recent history of Putin worth of property and for a land grab is ripe. his latest consolidation of power Lukashenko to resume stalled seeing pro-Western protests in infrastructure. Ukrainian officials have been at home, through a recent integration plans to join Belarus a neighboring country and On one side of the conflict, in an quoted as saying that Russia constitutional change which and Russia into one country. responding with force. When unenviable position, is a TV is building up personnel and extends his hold on power As with any development on protests in Kiev set Ukraine back comedian-turned-politician still firepower in Crimea and along until 2036. And with Russia Russia's periphery, the rest of the on the road toward integration cutting his teeth. On the other, a eastern Ukraine. While it is struggling to fight the Covid- world should take note -- and with Europe, it was quickly former KGB agent who, in difficult to corroborate such 19 pandemic and with its should think a bit about Putin's followed by a Russian invasion. Russia's 2014 seizure of Crimea, reports -- especially since economy in the doldrums, intentions. With protests arising now in orchestrated the smoothest OSCE monitors have been there's no more perfect time Putin's comment on Belarus is Belarus, conflict in Ukraine still invasion on Europe's doorstep in blocked many times at rebel- to fire up the public than by clearly intended to stop that simmering, and the world modern times. controlled checkpoints and reclaiming sovereign lands which country's drift to the West, and distracted by Covid-19, it's worth And in the middle, a US president are being given very limited Russia regards as its own. Moving urban India after the Covid-19 pandemic ocus on accessibility; prioritise non-motorised modes of transport; integrate pricing and cross-subsidise guide the recovery of urban emphasises the ability of Second, facilitate the increased transport towards long-term people to obtain the same demand for personal modes development goals. Transport goods, services, and activities through non-motorised modes, networks in Indian cities, without necessarily having to not just cars and two-wheelers. whether public or private, road move, or at least move as According to a United Nations or rail-based, are severely much. Accessibility Environment Programme report in overburdened. Investment in necessitates rethinking our 2014, even in a large city like infrastructure to address more cities to optimally integrate Delhi, 48% of trips were less than effective circulation and transportation with land uses two kilometres (km) and another interchange of people and to increase proximity, 14% were between two and four Ryan Christopher Sequeira towards automobiles that goods will have an economic connectivity, and convenience. kms. The high frequency of short In the aftermath of the would spatially and multiplier effect - both job- One method for this, Transit distance commutes shows that ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, India environmentally overload our creation in the present and Oriented Development (TOD), alternative modes are easily is likely to experience a cities and substantively boosting growth and has been discussed and studied manageable and feasible to adopt. behavioural change in urban impact our quality of life. productivity in the future. But in the Indian context for over a Kolkata has already taken the mobility. Due to lasting concerns Consequentially, this would where should we focus our decade, with even a National lead to cater to the recent about transmission and a threaten the financial viability energy and resources to have TOD Policy framed in 2017, but increase in demand for cycling by newfound aptitude for working of transit operators, especially long-lasting and positive change little progress has been seen on permitting bicyclists to cut from home, we must expect an those already stretched thin while providing the most bang for ground. TOD is a concept that through neighbourhood lanes, overall reduced demand and an before the hit in ridership, and our buck? First, direct efforts has come of age, and its thereby reducing their travel increased preference for will further tilt the scales away towards accessibility instead of implementation to enable access distance. While certainly a step personal modes of transport. from an optimal urban only mobility. While mobility to live-work-play triangles without in the right direction, this is not Unhindered, there is a high transportation landscape. focuses on movement of people needing to commute long enough, and a strong enabling likelihood that there would be On the other hand, this crisis and goods and the distances distances will be a game- environment is necessary to a permanent modal shift also presents an opportunity to they cover, accessibility changer for the urbanscape. create a lasting change. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 OPINION 9 Why Facebook is wrong, yet again Its commercial model incentivises hate speech, threatens democracy, and disrupts peace

Dipayan Ghosh Facebook's policy efforts in New publication of the story. The latest controversy Delhi, intervened in her Separately, however, one would concerning Facebook has colleagues' process, to block the hope that no citizen of India - forced greater public scrutiny proposed ban of Raja Singh's whether a supporter of the BJP over the company's internal account. Raja Singh has since or Congress - would be treated decision-making over political argued that his account was as an unknowing pawn by the issues in India - and may well hacked, and has further implied American tech titan, which also be the first technology debate that Facebook, in fact, facilitated owns WhatsApp and Instagram. originating domestically that has the spread of hateful messaging For Das - as Facebook's leading escalated to become truly coordinated by Muslim Indian policy voice, as someone belly-blows the company has Muslim posts - because international in scope. politicians.The situation is deeply who is empowered to speak for endured in recent years, the doing so would raise the ire This debate centres on a concerning and should ring alarm the Indian people to her chief big blue app still stands tall in of the political dispensation of lengthy, chilling investigation bells. Here, you had an Indian executive Mark Zuckerberg - the the eyes of most Indian the day. The danger of such published last week by The Wall employee of one of the most social concerns of all Indian consumers. unilateral decision-making Street Journal. The report powerful American Internet firms citizens should have come well That brand is a power - which, in 2018, revealed that Facebook staff had that operates in India, quietly before the commercial interests corporate asset to be protected. apparently belonged entirely considered a complete take- falling in line with Facebook's of Facebook. In this case, sadly, And yet, on the other hand, to one individual, for the down of T Raja Singh's profile corporate interests, while putting they did not. Facebook feels a constant Indian market - is tangible. on Facebook in 2018 on the at risk the lives, let alone the The core issue here is that there pressure to cater to all political In practice, Facebook is basis that the Hyderabad-based social concerns and political exists a delicate tension for the interests - and all too often, indubitably a monopoly that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hopes, of Indian citizens. Let us company. On the one hand, it Facebook has caved in under stretchesE4 across the Indian state legislator spread hateful be clear that no one - no one - faces tremendous pressure to that pressure. And indeed, in digital media ecosystem. messages over the platform, should experience the vitriolic "do the right thing"; all things this case, Facebook decided With its extraordinary targeting the Muslim hate and online threats of violence considered, Facebook's not to do the right thing - which economic power should come community. At the time, to which Das has alleged she was greatest asset still may be its would have been taking down an earnest responsibility to however, Ankhi Das, who leads subjected in the aftermath of the brand and, despite all the Raja Singh's blatant anti- keep its platforms clean of hate. The importance of Kamala Harris The Democrats are banking on energising Blacks and women, without alienating White voters Amit Ahuja by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) was propelled by this injustice. Kamala Devi Harris, a and the women's movements, These disappointed voters can Black-identifying woman of Indian and boost their turnout in the punish the Democratic Party for heritage, has been picked as the November election. its neglect by not showing up to vice-presidential candidate for Born to a Jamaican father and vote. The 2016 presidential the Democratic Party. African- an Indian mother, Harris and her election signalled the Black Americans form only 12% and sister were raised as Black. She disaffection; turnout of the group Indian-Americans under one per attended a prestigious fell by 7% from the 2012 election. cent of the electorate. historically Black college, Black turnout is critical for Overwhelming majorities of both Howard University, in winning in swing states such as groups already support the Washington, DC. Blacks may Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Democrats. Historically, three be 12% of the electorate, but Michigan, and Florida. Trump won women have appeared on the they contribute 25% of the all four states in 2016. Biden and presidential ticket before Harris. Democratic Party's vote share. the Democratic Party have All of them have lost. So, then, This should give the group received this message. They are She has cut her teeth in the for Donald Trump (47%) over why did Joe Biden pick Harris as leverage with the party, but it hoping that the presence of Democratic Party in California, Hillary Clinton (45%) by a small his running mate in what many does not. Republicans do not Harris, a strong and charismatic America's most populous state, margin; a startling outcome given are calling the most crucial compete for their vote and the Black candidate, on the ticket will which is only 5.8% Black. To Clinton was the first female election in American history? Blacks are stuck with the improve turnout among Black succeed, she had to fall back on candidate, who also happened to In diverse democracies such as Democrats. In 2016, nine out of voters.Seven out of 10 American her multiple identities to amplify be white, and Trump's blatant America and India, identity- 10 Black voters voted the voters are White, and Harris' her appeal beyond Blacks. In misogyny.Harris is smart, based fault-lines often organise Democratic Party ticket. So, nomination revives an old fear in California, she was able to build competent, and walks into the politics. We know that for a Blacks, as a one-party American politics that by support among the White and nomination with the necessary political party, having a voter base constituency in a two-party reaching out to Black voters, the Hispanic communities, skills experience. These attributes do is not enough; whether it shows system, get sidelined. Democratic Party may drive the which should help her broaden not protect her from the conscious up to vote is what counts. Harris' Brutalised by police violence and White voters away. One her appeal at the national level. and unconscious biases selection will preserve the devastated by the pandemic, the distinguishing feature of Harris' While race drives voter choices, against female candidates in Democratic Party's support African-American voters are hurt. biography has been her embrace gender does not have a similar the electorate and the media. among Blacks and women, two They are tired of being taken for of her multiple identities, hold on voter behaviour. In 2016, The prejudice is only harsher groups that have been energised granted. The BLM movement including her immigrant identity. for example, White women voted against women of colour. ADVERTISEMENT Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 10 ADVERTISEMENT Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 11 Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 OPINION 12 In Trumpian times, Israel and a Gulf State find common ground Aaron David Miller UAE, and its ambassador here from this conundrum, and he In a broken, angry, dysfunctional in Washington. And Arab nations, can tell his right wing he's only Middle East, most matters sensing opportunities with an suspending annexation -- as associated with Arab-Israeli autocrat-friendly US president, called for in the trilateral peace rarely turn out well. In fact, have been only too happy to announcement. Moreover, he for a Trump administration that follow. can claim credit for a genuinely has demonstrated an uncanny It was no coincidence that last unprecedented event -- the first clumsiness and obtuseness, this month, two marked Emirati normalization of relations has been a region where aircraft landed at Ben-Gurion between Israel and a Gulf state. American ideas go to die. The airport carrying Covid-19 supplies Indeed, should Saudi Arabia formal statement today for the Palestinian Authority, follow suit (a truly major announcing normalization of which rejected them, asserting development) or even Oman or relations between Israel and the this was a cover for normalizing Bahrain, it would validate United Arab Emirates (UAE) may relations between the UAE and Netanyahu's campaign to killing of Jamal Khashoggi -- than interests. The administration is prove to be something of an Israel, as The Times of Israel expand Israel's relations in the to be bold and establish relations clearly overselling the exception. For three parties -- reported. region even while settlement with Israel. announcement. National Israel, the UAE and the US -- it's For Israeli Prime Minister activity continues in the West The UAE may encounter some Security Adviser Robert C. a rare coincidence of interests Benjamin Netanyahu, this Bank and Jerusalem. blowback in the region for its O'Brien has called for Trump to and a clear win. For another, the announcement couldn't have For the UAE, which had been decision. But the UAE is trying to be nominated for a Nobel Peace Palestinians, it's a stunning loss come at a better time. With well on its way to establishing preempt that by presenting itself Prize for this and his other Middle and a clear reflection of how Covid-19 resurgent, Israel in contacts with Israel, the move as the party that blocked Israel's East policies. much the region has changed at recession with record levels of offers several benefits. It might annexation of the West Bank. As Still, the announcement is good their expense. Indeed, unemployment, and facing trial, open the door for the sale of the country's ambassador to the news for the President and Palestinian Authority President Netanyahu needed a boost. military equipment the US US wrote in a statement today, credits him with another first Mahmoud Abbas quickly called He also needed a way out of the would only sell to an Arab "It immediately stops annexation with respect to Israel, from a it "aggression on the Palestinian annexation trap he had clumsily country at peace with Israel. It and the potential of violent stream of bad ones. It defuses people" and "a betrayal of managed to set for himself. He scores points in Washington, escalation. It maintains the the issue of annexation for the Jerusalem." had repeatedly promised his and not just with the Trump viability of a two-state solution time being and credits the Israel's plans to annex parts of base, and the world, that Israel administration. Given Trump's as endorsed by the Arab President with a rare example of the West Bank may have been would annex parts of the West sagging poll numbers, the UAE League and international successful diplomacy. The big temporarily suspended, but Bank, but he found himself must also hedge its bets and community."For the Trump loser in all of this is the anyone who believes we are any unprepared for it, six weeks past prepare for a possible President administration, too, the deal Palestinians. One might take closer to a negotiation -- let alone the July 1 date after which he Joe Biden. And key Arab states, wasn't a minute too late in heart in the fact that at least for an agreement to end the Israeli- could have initiated the plans, in including Egypt and Jordan, coming. To its credit, the the time being, annexation is not Palestinian conflict -- ought to lie the middle of a surging pandemic, well know that the road to favor administration has assiduously imminent. But the decision of a down and wait quietly until the pressed by his right wing to make in Washington can run through cultivated the Gulf states on the Gulf state to normalize feeling passes. good on his commitment but Jerusalem. What better way to issue of Israel, though its failure relations with Israel is a In a way, today's headline of without a green light from the separate itself from Saudi Arabia to restrain Saudi Arabia in Yemen stunning blow to the Palestinian normalization of relations Trump administration. -- whose Crown Prince has and refusal to impose any cost on issue and a clear reflection of between Israel and the UAE is The announcement today been lambasted by Biden for the Crown Prince for the killing of how much the region and Arab part and parcel of a trend line that extricates the Prime Minister his policies in Yemen and the Khashoggi has damaged US priorities have changed. has been building for some time now: a surprise warming of what America will do about its relations between Israel and Arab historic emissions. The climate states in the Gulf, during the crisis is largely because of the Trump presidency. emissions from the wealthy Three significant factors have How will Joe nations over the years. Small driven it. Island Nations are extraordinarily The rise of Iran, and of Sunni vulnerable-some might even jihadists spewing terror across disappear. There's also India- the region, has created a narrow Biden's plan on severely impacted, as freak but important coincidence of climate events here have shown. interests between Israel and the Ideally, nations historically guilty Gulf states. Increasing of inflicting this on us and others exhaustion and frustration with climate crisis should finance our efforts to adapt the longstanding Palestinian to and mitigate climate change - cause has led Arab states to feel this is germane to the Equal but a bit more freedom to pursue their Differentiated Responsibilities. own interests, in spite of it. impact India? But Biden's plans focus on the But behind it all lay a White US. This is not fine for a country House enamored of Arab money that calls itself a global leader. for arms sales and investment in One hopes that Biden will detail the US and eager to marshal the Bharati Chaturvedi to make it ambitious and more by 2035, for the US to rejoin the this, although it is likely to be Arabs in the service of its anti- For India - and other developing result-oriented. He international Paris climate accord unpopular with Americans in the Iranian and pro-Israeli agenda. countries - the question is about acknowledges that the and spend $2 trillion over four current economic scenario. A Indeed, in an effort to court the what America will do about its economy and environment are years to boost renewables and Presidential candidate is already Gulf Arabs, Trump and his Middle historic emissions interconnected. create incentives for more energy- a global face. Their plan must East envoy son-in-law Jared Joe Biden has reworked his According to the Washington efficient cars, homes and reflect how they intend to Kushner have established close climate crisis plan, under Post, Biden's new plan calls "for commercial buildings".But, for empower India and other personal relations with senior pressure from younger activists the elimination of carbon India - and other developing countries to combat the crisis. officials in Saudi Arabia and the and workers in the United States, pollution from the electric sector countries - the question is about Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 OPINION 13 Meet Kamala Harris; The VP of Biden! Kamala Harris has created state's Unemployment Insurance professional law-enforcement history by being the 3rd woman Appeals Board and the California organization in CA and 55 of 58 , 1st Black & 1st Indian American Medical Assistance county DA's opposed to be running for Vice President Commission. These political Proposition 47, a ballot measure of America. Being an American, appointments gave her almost that, by reducing several felony I am proud of my country that $400,000 between 1994 and 1999 offenses to misdemeanors, after electing its first Black and access to politically would result in thousands of President in 2008 we are influential and moneyed elite of prisoners going free. Kamala definitely moving beyond race, San Francisco. In 2003, they gave refused to take a position one religion & gender. her full financial backing and way or the other. Prop. 47 Than as an Indian American, I political support for her first passed. Kamala agreed to a have mixed feelings for Kamala's campaign for a public office.. settlement in 2014 with Rodney candidacy. Kamala was born to Although Kamala & Brown split Quine, a litigious transgender highly educated and affluent in 1995 but Brown continued to prisoner serving a life sentence parents. Her fatherDr Donald support her politically, using his for murder without possibility of Harris, first black Economics mayoral office and political Espinoza, who left behind a wife narrowly elected her to the AG's parole, allowing him to have a professor at Stanford University, connections to help her become and young daughter, had no office in 2010 to be the first costly sex-change operation at came from Jamaica, and mother San Francisco's first black and chance even to draw his weapon; female and first Black. In 2011, taxpayer expense. That made a Hindu Brahmin Shyamala first female district attorney. his partner Parker survived from AG Kamala argued in County 1,200 transgender prisoners to Gopalan, a cancer researcherfrom Brown himself was the first black the wounds. AG Bill Lockyer a Superior Court filing that be eligible for such operations India. Kamala was 7 when her mayor of San Francisco. Liberal Democrat didn't overturn Trilochan Oberoi can't be with tax payers money in the parents divorced in 1972 after a This is the most disturbing well Kamala's decision, concluding properly fitted for a gas mask if future, if recommended by bitterly fought custody battle. Her known fact about Kamala that she that she hadn't abused her he keeps the facial hair required medical experts. In 2015 mother got full custody and used her sexuality to ride to the prosecutorial discretion-though by his Sikh religion. She asked Kamala decided not to enforce raised both her daughters. She top in politics. An unfair means he noted that he would have the Court that Oberoi's lawsuit a provision of Proposition 83, a died in 2009. Kamala always to grab power. No one should sought a death sentence if he for racial discrimination be measure that voters passed in claims that she & her sister care about her sexual were the D.A. Senators Dianne dismissed who was denied 2006 to bar the state's Maya were raised by her Indian preferences but it is unethical & Feinstein and Barbara Boxer Prison Guard's job for being an approximately 6,000 paroled sex mother, as Black. That's the unfair just like the use of money publicly disagreed with Kamala's observant Sikh. Oberoi was in offenders from living within 2,000 most admirable thing about her or muscle power to grab power. decision. Even Gavin Newsom, the Indian Navy before moving to feet of schools and parks. The to say for identifying herself with Lot of male politicians had affairs San Francisco's mayor at the the United States and wants to CA Supreme Court had ruled both cultures! It is true or not; I and mistresses but they never time (now CA Governor), said that serve as a peace officer and was that the residency restrictions leave it to the Indian American & used it to ride to the top. Fair the case "rattled" his opposition living close to 2 state prisons. violated the constitutional rights Black voters to decide. In fact competition is the foundations of to capital punishment. In 2004 AG Kamala declined to support of sex offenders living in San Kamala hardly talks about her democracy. If women rise to the she came close to Obama when two ballot initiatives that would've Diego County because of a father but do use his family name top by sleeping with people in he was running for Senate. They banned the death penalty - dearth there of "compliant Harris or her multi-cultural and power the democratic system will became close friends. Kamala raising accusations of political housing." The court declined to multi-religious roots or her no longer be supported by people was the first Elected official of opportunism and inconsistency rule on the legality of the husband whom she married in of talent and principles. Such CA to endorse him for President on the controversial issue. restrictions in the state's 57 Aug. 2014 is of the Jewish faith people are flash only with no in 2008. Her niece Meena Harris Same Kamala as DA of San other counties. Kamala, or mentions his two college-age substance and lack ideological worked for Barak Obama's 2008 Francisco in 2004 refused to concluded that the residency children by a previous marriage. compass. Use of moneypower, campaign and later co-founded seek death penalty for a cop restrictions were invalid Douglas Emhoff is an muscle power or religion or Gen44, the DNC's millennial killer and in 2009 again refused everywhere-and then refused to Entertainment Attorney and sexuality in politics is worst for a fundraising program. Her father to seek death penalty for an make public her legal reasoning. partner at DLA Piper Law Firm in country & it's citizens. Live Tony West, Kamala's sister illegal immigrant & MS 13 gang She unilaterally waived legal California and makes over a $1 example is the plight of Indians Maya's husband was Associate member for killing a father and restrictions supported by more mil per year. currently ruled by politicians with AG in Obama administration. his 2 sons and fatally wounding than 70 percent of California Those who draw similarities flash only, no substance and total Currently Tony is CLO of Uber. the third son.AG Kamala voters, without a word of between Kamala and Obama; lack of ideological compass. In 2013, President Barack continued her predecessor Jerry explanation. must understand that the They gained power by using Obama was recorded referring to Brown's refusal to defend on As AG she refused to enforce similarities ends with multi- muscle power, money power and Kamala as the "best-looking appeal Proposition 8, a voter- federal immigration laws, cultural and multi-religious back religion. During her tenure as San attorney general in the country." approved state constitutional vigorously defended SF's grounds only. Unlike Obama; Francisco DA, she came under He later apologized after critics amendment supporting sanctuary-city ordinance and Kamala can not boast of any Ivy scrutiny when a technician stole labeled the comment as sexist! traditional marriage, because of opposing California's League credentials or community cocaine from the DA's crime lab In 2009, again she repeated the her personal disagreement with participation in the federal Secure service or social activism. She and mishandled evidence. blunders of 2004. She it. The measure's proponents Communities Program, which earned her undergraduate degree Kamala, trying to keep things announced that she would seek had to litigate the appeal on their requires local authorities to from the historically black under wraps, failed to inform life imprisonment, rather than own. In Hollingsworth v. Perry detain criminal suspects for Howard University and graduated defense attorneys. As a result, death penalty, against an illegal (2013), the U.S. Supreme Court deportation if they're illegal in 1990 from the University of about a thousand drug-related alien from El Salvador and MS- then ruled that the proponents aliens. Even in the wake of the California's second-tier Hastings cases had to be thrown out. In 13 gang member Edwin Ramos, lacked the "standing" to defend highly publicized killing in 2015 College of Law in San Francisco. 2004 she refused to seek death who murdered a father and two the law on appeal, which left in of Kate Steinle by Jose Early in her career, Kamala, 29, penalty for a cop killer rather said of his sons in a drive-by shooting place a federal district court ruling Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, an dated California Assembly she will charge David Hill, 21 with in 2008. The third son, critically that the amendment was illegal alien from Mexico with a Speaker Willie Brown, who was crimes that could send him to life wounded, had survived. Ramos unconstitutional. The LA Times string of prior felonies and five 60 at the time-and married. As with a no possibility of parole. Hill apparently mistaking them as astutely noted that Prop. 8 "died previous deportations, Kamala speaker, Brown was instrumental gunned down Officer Isaac gang rivals. Despite Kamala's only for lack of a defender, not wouldn't criticize San Francisco in her appointments as Deputy Espinoza, 29, with an AK 47 well documented laxity toward because the court reached the Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi for his DA of Alameda County, high- assault rifle and wounded his criminals, illegal aliens and labor serious constitutional questions earlier refusal to deliver Lopez- profile lucrative positions on the partner, Officer Barry Parker, 38. unions; liberal voters of CA at the heart of it." In 2014, every Sanchez to the ICE. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 POINT OF VIEW 14 For migrant workers, the meaning of Independence Millions walked back home during the lockdown and have no income. But there is light at the end of the tunnel Shashi Shekhar With no work and no money, and children in the hope of finding India celebrated its 73rd treated as possible carriers of the some succour at home. Those anniversary of Independence on infection, they were treated as going home included the elderly, August 15. As Indians, we have outcasts. When hunger the sick and pregnant women, a lot to be grateful for. But, there overwhelmed Brahma and his a sight which was heart-rending are also some worrying and dark family, he sold his newborn and, for many of us, an appalling aspects to our social milieu. daughter for ~45,000 to feed his indictment of a system which While most of us are justifiably other two children for a while. But had failed them. Most of us have proud of our past, many of our his misfortunes did not end there. only heard about the Partition of compatriots are in a precarious A local NGO got wind of this and 1947. The outward migration position today, their distress the matter finally came to the when Covid-19 struck seemed exacerbated by the pandemic, attention of the police. Brahma, like a replay of those terrible their future uncertain. the middleman and the buyer days. Let me narrate the story of were packed off to jail. Mahatma Gandhi used to refer found that under the Pradhan across a myriad of problems Deepak Brahma, from Kokrajhar Impoverished and desperate, to these people as daridra- Mantri Kisan Yojana, ~2,000 per faced by those in the lower- district in Assam. Due to the Brahma now faces a long and narayan (penniless gods). month, as an advance quarterly middle and middle-income lack of employment tough legal battle. Brahma's story These are the people for whom instalment, was deposited into groups. Decreased income opportunities in his native village, is similar to so many others Gandhi propounded the concept the accounts of millions of meant that their savings were he went to Gujarat where he across India, hardly an of Ram Rajya. This concept people. Free foodgrains were depleted since these had to toiled to support his family. encouraging thought as the drove the spirit behind our also distributed during this period. be used for daily expenses. Covid-19 took his job away. Like Republic enters its 74th year. freedom struggle. But what has However, the same study also The biggest problem for this many other migrant workers, he It is staggering how quickly we happened to it today? found that the urban poor were class was that their sense decided to return home to his forget the pain and suffering of Did governments at the Centre better off than rural communities. of pride and dignity village. As a daily wage earner, others. Just a few months ago, and states remain silent Those in rural areas were more stopped them from he had no savings since he had our media was full of news about spectators during the calamity deprived despite free foodgrains standing in queues for free used everything he earned to millions of migrant workers visited upon us by Covid-19? Not and the deposits of ~500 in the foodgrains. They hesitated sustain himself and his family. trudging home on the highways at all. During this period, coffers Jan Dhan accounts of women. from applying for work under His family raised money by under the scorching sun after they were opened and, as a result, In another survey, it was found the Mahatma? Gandhi selling household items to lost their jobs in the cities. there was no news of mass that during the lockdown, National Rural Employment enable him to return. After Hungry, thirsty, their soles starvation despite enormous people's income decreased by Guarantee Scheme getting home, Brahma and cracked and bleeding, they unemployment. Based on data, 84%. When reporters from (MNREGS), leaving them others like him found that they marched on, clutching their our sister publication Mint has Hindustan reached a segment of little choice but to use up were shunned in their villages. meagre possessions and their done a comparative study. It these citizens, they came their own limited funds. Trump is assembling a coalition of the willing against China been accusing China of hacking the ranks of superpowers. "The against China, doing things to steal technology and data of days when China can be put in a like enacting sanctions, US vaccine research, but there submissive position are long reportedly planning to roll has been no evidence gone," observed a commentary back some student visas, and whatsoever. Such allegations in the Global Times, the English- revoking Hong Kong's special are pure slander." language offshoot of the trade status. With many pointing the finger at Communist Party newspaper Late Thursday night, an order Beijing for cyberattacks against People's Daily. "What's behind threatening to ban TikTok and Australia given their timing, China's perceived 'Wolf Warrior' WeChat in the US added to Foreign Ministry spokesman style diplomacy is the changing the list, and Friday morning, Zhao Lijian has also denied the strengths of China and the West. Trump added tough sanctions accusations, saying China is a When the West falls short of its on Hong Kong Chief "staunch upholder of ability to uphold its interests, it Executive Carrie Lam, as well cyberspace security" and is can only resort to a hysterical as 10 other Hong Kong and "firmly opposed to all forms of hooligan style diplomacy in an Beijing officials, accusing David A. Andelman own muscles after apparently cyber attacks." attempt to maintain its waning them of curbing freedoms and President Donald Trump is beating back the coronavirus that Demanding the world adopt a dignity." undermining Hong Kong's having one big success in what it unleashed on the world. "distrust and verify" posture Now, having largely tamed the long and jealously-guarded is clearly a campaign to distract China has become increasingly toward China, Secretary of State spread of coronavirus within its autonomy. Lam and other from Covid-19's impact on his expansionist -- in trade warfare, Mike Pompeo has taken a borders and reopened its country officials have publicly floundering reelection propaganda and military leadership role in encouraging internally, China's leadership has criticized the move, as The campaign. Somehow, he's exercises. Accusations have what is effectively becoming a begun to flex its muscles anew, New York Times reported. managed to cobble together a ricocheted around the globe. new cold war, really the deepest from military maneuvers in the China in turn responded by coalition-of-the-willing -- nations After US claims of Chinese cyber- through all the years I've been South China Sea to bullying slapping sanctions on 11 prepared to follow him over the espionage targeting Covid-19 monitoring relations since governments in Asia, Europe, Americans including six US cliff and participate in a treatment and vaccine research, China's massacre of dissidents the Pacific and North America. lawmakers: Sens. Marco burgeoning anti-China alliance. China has issued resolute in Tiananmen Square more than As Mira Rapp-Hooper of the Rubio of Florida, Ted Cruz of Australia, India, Japan, Britain, denials: Foreign Ministry 30 years ago. Council on Foreign Relations Texas, Tom Cotton of France and Canada have all spokesman Wang Wenbin told Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote for CNN recently, the Arkansas, Josh Hawley of squared off against a China that reporters in Beijing that "sources appears to have long felt that it Trump administration seems Missouri and Pat Toomey of is at the same time flexing its from the US government have is time for China really to join to prefer "going it alone" Pennsylvania, and Rep. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 PERSPECTIVE 15 The centrality of the West Bengal election On the surface, it'll be a fight between Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). At its heart, however, this is a struggle for supremacy between two conflicting visions of India: Hindutva versus secularism Karan Thapar It has unparalleled access to likely to be at Mamata's cost. I am not surprised by the financial resources. The They may be political flies increasing coverage of Bihar TMC?simply cannot compete. compared to the BJP's roaring politics these days. After all, if So, if it's a virtual campaign, tiger, but any time she spends the elections are on time, the Mamata is likely to be at a swatting them away will detract state will be voting in about two significant disadvantage. Second, from her focus on her main months. What does, however, the Centre has the power to opponent. perplex me is the silence on dismiss Mamata's government if Now, consider what a BJP victory West Bengal. Elections there it wants and, in addition, a in Bengal would amount to. It shift. be easy for Mamata. Under may be nine months away, but governor who would have no won't be just another state for The fall of Calcutta-Kolkata - emotional pressure she can they'll certainly be both a hesitation recommending such a Narendra Modi. Bengal's if it happens - could be make mistakes. Even when she cliffhanger and seminal. In fact, course of action. Mamata has demography and politics compared to the conquest of was riding high, she wasn't free to use a woke phrase, they're frequently riled both and will, no suggest it will be much more Carthage and Constantinople or, of faults. bound to be a game-changer. doubt, continue to do so. That than that. First, it's a state with if you prefer, the Communist Now, as she readies herself to On the surface, it'll be a fight could be provocation enough. 27% Muslims. Only Assam has takeover of China in 1949. face the formidable forces Modi between Mamata Banerjee's Third, the BJP can command its more. If Modi can win both, the Nothing will be the same again. If can muster, the only powerful Trinamool Congress (TMC) and nationwide leadership to Hindutva juggernaut will seem Modi and the BJP can win Bengal, weapon in her armoury is Narendra Modi's Bharatiya campaign and canvass. In a tight unstoppable. Then there's the they will seem unshakeable and possibly Prashant Kishor. He's Janata Party (BJP). At its contest that is not to be sniffed politics of Bengal. This is a state their spread irresistible whilst the a political magician. Of that, I heart, however, this is a struggle at. Mamata only has what she's which for nearly 35 years was Opposition would be crushed have no doubt. But can he pull it for supremacy between two got in Bengal. I'm not sure how under unbroken and and humiliated. off yet again? He did it for conflicting visions of India: much help regional political unchallenged Communist So, for the first time after Narendra Modi in 2014, Nitish Hindutva versus secularism. leaders could be. They don't count rule. Since 2011, it's been 1911, Kolkata will be the Kumar in 2015, Amarinder Singh Bengal is the ground on which in Bengal and they might not want controlled by the toughest cynosure of all eyes. The fight in 2017, Jaganmohan Reddy in perhaps the most serious to offend the BJP either. opponent Modi has had to for Writer's Building could seal 2019 and Arvind Kejriwal in 2020. battle between these conflicting Mamata and the TMC?also have face. No one has challenged the political future of the country. They added feathers to his political forces is likely to to contend with Congress and the him more than Mamata. Their This is why we need to be better already crowded cap. Uttar happen. Communists. No doubt, they are rivalry is not just political, it's informed about the "Battle for Pradesh in 2017 was the solitary The BJP goes into this fight shrunken forces but whatever personal. Therefore, a BJP Bharat" that looms ahead. The exception. Will Bengal be the with considerable advantages. support they retain in Bengal is victory would herald a seismic next nine months aren't going to second one? Don't blame fate for Beirut's cruel tragedy promised a full investigation. President of the United States, the outlines of -- political The Lebanese people have long Donald Trump, who appallingly conflict and malignant suffered as a consequence of the -- almost casually -- appeared patronage. actions and behavior of venal, to inject more fuel into the What exactly caused the incompetent individuals; of smoldering conspiracies, explosion? Images of a power-hungry politicians, calling the explosion, a "terrible mushroom cloud led some to businesspeople, and shadowy attack," and later speculating conclude that, "no question that figures, and of geopolitical actors that it was "a bomb of some was an atomic bomb"--though who have made the country their kind." Trump claimed he had experts promptly noted that plaything at the expense of good heard it from "our great explosions of all kinds create governance. generals," but defense officials mushroom clouds, and this was Everything that could go wrong told CNN they didn't know what most certainly NOT a nuclear in Lebanon has. The blast came he was talking about. The only weapon. Lebanese authorities in the midst of an epic economic reason Trump's carelessness first blamed fireworks stored at Frida Ghitis blamed a large quantity of poorly collapse and a global pandemic, did not set off an even worse the port. But it seemed unlikely Sometimes, it seems as if fate stored ammonium nitrate for the with political factions fighting political blowup in a country firecrackers and sparklers is trying to prove its unlimited blast that rocked the city, killing each other as the people, seething with intrigue may be could create a blast of that capacity for cruelty. When the at least 135 people, injuring more growing hungry, have that the world has come to know magnitude. Then new facts skies over Beirut exploded on than 5,000 and destroying the alternated between despair and Trump as a fantasist and a liar. started trickling in, and the Tuesday, sending shockwaves capital's critical port, through rage. (As a prominent TV Still the Lebanese did not require banality of what may have felt all the way to Cyprus, 150 which most of the goods Lebanon personality, Antoine El Hajj, put his help to set off on conspiracy- caused the catastrophe started miles away in the needs -- including food -- enter the it, "the middle class has minded guesswork -- the sheer to emerge. Stored at the port, Mediterranean, and devastating country. Some 300,000 may have become poor and the poor have volume of which on social media there was in fact a massive much of a city that was once been left homeless. become destitute.") So it was attests to the country's political amount of ammonium nitrate, known as the Paris of the Middle Initial investigations of the not surprising that the maelstrom: The Lebanese are the highly explosive mix used East, it seemed one of those catastrophe appear to show it was explosion immediately ignited familiar with factions and actors by the 1995 Oklahoma City times. But the never-ending the result of a confluence of a storm of speculation and and powers. Was it any of the bombers, perpetrators of what tragedy that is Lebanon is not ludicrously reckless practices and suspicion. What and who usual suspects? The at the time was the worst the result of the random doings non-existent concern for safety -- caused the cataclysm, calamitous 15-years-long civil terrorist attack in US history. of destiny. though we can't know for sure this everyone wanted to know. Into war that ended in 1990 Those bombers used two Lebanon's government has early. The Prime Minister has this situation stepped the acquainted them with -- and left tons. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 SOUTH ASIA 16 Is Afghanistan Waiting For The U.S. Election Before Starting Peace Talks?

In doing so, the Afghan administration intentions runs immediately concerned Afghan government risks peace talks deep among Afghan officials officials who worried it signaled collapsing, and could be blamed and the Afghan public, analysts a broader abandonment of the by its main backer, the United say. country. States. The government may To understand why, travel back Already, U.S. troops have scaled also anger Afghans who see the to a ballroom of an upscale back from more than 14,000 to release of Taliban prisoners as a hotel of marble and gold in more than 8,000 - with plans to hefty sacrifice. Qatar. There, on Feb. 29, draw down to about 5,000 by "This is a unique opportunity in Taliban supporters shouted November. Other NATO forces which we might get to some level "God is Great!" as their senior are scaling back in tandem. of a peaceful and stable negotiator, Mullah Abdul Ghani The deal also called for the Afghanistan," says Orzala Baradar, signed a historic release of up to 5,000 Taliban To pave the way for historic make sure that the Taliban Nemat, director of the agreement with U.S. envoy prisoners in exchange for 1,000 peace talks, the Afghan understands and realizes the Afghanistan Research and Zalmay Khalilzad. That deal Afghan security forces held by government is freeing thousands opportunity of peace." Evaluation Unit, a Kabul-based called for most foreign forces to the insurgents - as a confidence- of Taliban detainees in phases, But despite the prisoner think tank. "We should not miss withdraw from Afghanistan by building measure to precede including men accused of one release, analysts say the that opportunity." next April. The Taliban promised negotiations between the deadliest attack in nearly two Afghan government has been The talks aim to end more than not to attack U.S. and NATO delegations. decades of insurgency: a 2017 delaying talks to wait for the four decades of near continuous troops, or shelter militants like The Afghan government was not truck bombing in Kabul that U.S. election results. "The conflict in Afghanistan, including al-Qaida. party to the deal, but promised killed more than 150 people. Kabul government does seem 19 years of insurgency, by The peace process is driven by to uphold those uneven terms "We would like to end this to be holding out for a Biden negotiating a power-sharing Washington," says Clark. "And after pressure by the U.S, violence," says Sediq Sediqqi, presidency," says Kate Clark, agreement with the Taliban. But it's driven, I would say, by the according to Andrew Watkins, spokesman for Afghan President co-director of the Kabul-based mistrust in the intentions of the desire to get troops out of senior Afghanistan analyst at the Ashraf Ghani. "We would like to Afghan Analysts Network. Taliban and the Trump Afghanistan." She says that International Crisis Group. As Bangladesh Cosies Up To China, New Delhi Looks For Path Correction Use of issue of illegal influx of Bangladeshi government. Bangladesh has Indian press portrayed also allowed a Chinese Bangladesh. immigrants as an election plank by the ruling company to conduct human Fault Lies With India dispensation harms ties with a friendly country. It trials for a vaccine that it is Much of the fault in the downturn shows little concern for India's strategic interests. testing. All this was keenly in ties lies with India. Use of followed by New Delhi. But issue of illegal influx of alarm bells rang out with China's Bangladeshi immigrants as an announcement of USD one election plank by the ruling billion dollar for a project on the dispensation harms ties with a Teesta river. Ironically, India and friendly country. It shows little Bangladesh have had major concern for India's strategic problems about sharing of interests. But the ruling BJP, Teesta waters. including its powerful home During UPA rule, former prime minister Amit Shah, has flagged minister Manmohan Singh's visit this as a major election issue. to Dhaka in 2011 when a deal Shah has earlier dubbed was to be signed, West Bengal Bangladeshi migrants as chief minister put her foot down, "termites". Dhaka had said not and no agreement has so far a word at that time. Hasina's materialised. government had also not The foreign secretary flew to protested the scrapping of article Dhaka on Tuesday and met 370 and the crackdown on Prime Minister Hasina Kashmir. But Assam's National Wednesday afternoon. He is Register of Citizens and the carrying a message from Prime Citizenship Amendment Act Bangladesh Prime Bangladesh back to India. Prime Minister Imran Khan was on Minister Narendra Modi. (CAA) are major concerns. Minister Sheikh Hasina has been Insurgent groups of the northeast the phone with Hasina in an Shringla was India's high First the CAA. Through this a true friend to India. Ever since had found it easy to slip across attempt to mend fences with her. commissioner to Bangladesh amendment, India decided to fast she came to power, she has been the border to escape the Indian The opportunity for China and before he moved to Washington track citizenship for minorities sensitive to New Delhi's security security forces. All insurgent Pakistan was provided by the on a short stint and returned to facing religious persecution in and strategic concerns. India could camps were shut down and ruling party's domestic agenda. head the ministry. Shringla Pakistan, Afghanistan and not have hoped for a better unlike the previous governments Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla knows Bangladesh well and has Bangaldesh. Hindus, Sikhs, neighbour. Violence and terrorism in Dhaka, Hasina made it plain has rushed to Dhaka on fears of a good equation with all the top Christians, Buddhists could get in Assam have come down, thanks that anti-India forces were not growing Chinese interest in brass of the ruling Awami refuge in India. All but Muslims largely to Hasina's generosity. One welcome. Pakistan's Inter- Bangladesh. Earlier Beijing League. He would also hold talks would be admitted from these of the first acts of her government, Services Intelligence (ISI) also announced tariff exception for 97 with foreign minister A.K. Abdul three countries. While when it came to power in 2009, got short shrift in Bangladesh. percent of exports from Momen and other senior introducing the bill in the Lok was to hand over leaders of the But today, China is spreading its Bangladesh. During the ministers. Momen had some Sabha, home minister Amit Shah United Liberation Front of Assam wings in Bangladesh, literally pandemic, China sent out a time ago complained about the spoke of religious persecution in (ULFA) operating out of India's backyard. Pakistan's medical team to assist the demeaning way a section of the these three countries. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 17 Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 18 Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 SOUTH ASIA 19 Aspiring Migrants: Uncertainty clouds fate of over 85,000

Like him, thousands of low- migrant rights groups have overseas recruitment was made income people have invested already raised the issue. in April and May. their borrowed or hard-earned There is another category of The situation was similar in June, money for "lucrative" overseas intending migrants who have said BMET Director General jobs. But the pandemic has either applied for clearance Shamsul Alam. thrown their plans into from the Bureau of Manpower, This was in contrast to the uncertainty. Employment and Training situation in January-March when The government last month (BMET) or already got about 1.81 lakh workers were announced resumption of clearance, Prof Abrar pointed hired for overseas jobs. international flights on a limited out. The Baira secretary general scale. But fresh migrant workers The authorities should give voiced concern that the country's could not fly abroad as scheduled priority to them while sending coronavirus situation might flights to Saudi Arabia, the workers abroad when the discourage foreign employers largest overseas labour market overseas labour markets from hiring workers from for Bangladesh, and most other reopen, he noted. Bangladesh even if the Jahangir Alam got an different countries till mid-July. Of countries remain suspended. Baira data shows that 30,422 situation in the destination employment visa in late February them, 85 percent was expected Currently, scheduled flights are workers were waiting for visas countries becomes normal and was preparing to fly to Saudi to have jobs in Saudi Arabia. being operated to only 11 till mid-July. At least 19,198 anytime soon. Arabia the following month to Of the workers, 22,987 got visas destinations in Malaysia, the workers got visas this year Prof Abrar said Baira should work as a cleaner. and completed all procedures but UAE, Qatar, the UK, China, Sri while visa processing for 6,904 shoulder the responsibility of But the 24-year-old man from could not fly to their destinations. Lanka, Maldives and Turkey, Civil workers remained stalled from the workers who made full Tangail couldn't take a flight as Jahangir had borrowed Tk 3 lakh Aviation Authority of Bangladesh March for various reasons. payments, and give them the government in March from a moneylender to pay for his (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Besides, flights of 3,078 priority when the overseas announced suspension of all employment visa. He also had to Marshal M Mafidur Rahman told workers were cancelled during labour markets reopen. scheduled flights to and from fork out another Tk 70,000 from this newspaper yesterday. the period. Shariful Hasan, head of Brac Bangladesh amid the global his own savings. Migrant rights activist Prof CR The data was collected from Migration Programme, said coronavirus outbreak. "Now, I am paying interest on the Abrar said many people in the only 328 of more than 1,200 that if the government fails to This brought to a near halt the debt but there is no indication of rural areas paid either member agencies of Baira, its contain the novel coronavirus country's efforts to send fresh when I'll be able to catch a flight," recruiting agencies or Secretary General Shameem effectively, Bangladesh might migrant workers abroad. he told this correspondent over middlemen for overseas jobs. Ahmed Chowdhury Noman said miss out on the opportunities in According to Bangladesh phone recently. They fall in the category of at a virtual conference on July 15. the international labour market. Association of International Jahangir, the eldest of his migrant workers in distress. Baira member agencies had "The government must give Recruiting Agencies (Baira), the parents' three children, is now The government should ask received demands for more than priority to containment of the pandemic has either delayed or unsure when he will be able to the recruiting agencies to one lakh jobs before the virus while making efforts to stalled the process of sending at help his labourer father run the return the money of such pandemic, he mentioned. send workers abroad," he least 85,405 aspiring migrants to family. workers, he noted, adding that According to BMET data, no added. 'Advocate for peace': Bombing kills Afghan official in Kabul Abdul Baqi Amin, who previously participated in talks with Taliban in Doha, was killed by a bomb placed in his car. A high-ranking the talks. Baradar, in Doha in January Education Ministry employee There was no immediate claim 2020, advocating for peace in the was killed in a bomb blast in the of responsibility for the attack, country. Afghan capital Kabul on which came a day after more "All sides are tired of the war and Wednesday, a second attack in than a dozen rockets were fired look for peace and stability in the less than a week on peace and in the capital killing at least three country; at the same time there rights activists in the country. people. are concerns about some issues Abdul Baqi Amin, director of the Amin was part of the Afghan among all Afghans, and many of Scientific Council of the Ministry delegation who took part in these concerns are related to the of Education, was killed by an several high-level meetings with post-US-Taliban agreement. explosive device that was placed the Taliban in the Qatari capital Therefore, assuring the people in his car in Kabul. Doha where they discussed about these issues is a must in The attack on Amin comes less points on reduction in violence this stage," Amin was quoted as system, prosperity and peace". The prisoner release is part of the than a week after Fawzia Koofi, and women rights. saying on the website for Many took to social media US-Taliban agreement signed in a member of the government Taliban condemns attack QASED Strategic Research condemning his death and February, which saw negotiating team, was wounded The Taliban, which has Center, a Kabul-based calling the attackers "peace Washington agree to withdraw its in an assassination attempt in repeatedly refused to negotiate independent research spoilers". troops from Afghanistan in the north of Kabul. with the West-backed organisation, of which he was the Bombings and attacks continue return for a pledge from the There have been targeted attacks government of President Ashraf general director and member of with frequency in Afghanistan as armed group to hold peace on rights activists and religious Ghani, agreed to join the meeting the board. the government and Taliban talks with the Afghan scholars in recent months. on condition the attendees will Taliban spokesman Suhail armed group are expected to join government. Experts see this as an attempt do so in a personal capacity. Shaheen condemned the attack peace talks, which have been There is still no date for the start to intimidate and weaken Amin had also met the chief on Amin saying he was targeted delayed due to differences over of the talks, which were initially Afghanistan's civil society before Taliban negotiator, Mullah by "the enemies of the Islamic the release of Taliban prisoners. scheduled to be held in March. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 SOUTH ASIA 20 India, China to hold another round of diplomatic talks on border standoff on Thursday Thursday's talks will be the fifth engagement at the diplomatic level since the border standoff emerged into the open in early May and the Indian side is expected to reiterate its call for China to work sincerely towards complete disengagement and de-escalation along the LAC. India and China will emerged into the open in early cooperation, and Liu Jianchao, hold another round of talks on May and the Indian side is deputy director of the Thursday under the Working expected to reiterate its call for Communist Party of China's Mechanism for Consultation China to work sincerely towards (CPC) central committee's and Coordination (WMCC) on complete disengagement and foreign affairs commission, in border affairs in an effort to de-escalation along the LAC, the Beijing last week. The people break the impasse along the people cited above said on said more such meetings were Line of Control (LAC), people condition of anonymity. on the cards. familiar with developments said. Amid a growing realisation in There was no official word from people cited above. ambassador Rajiv Bhatia, The meeting between diplomats New Delhi that there is unlikely either India or China on the The Indian side has also made distinguished fellow for foreign of the two sides, to be held via to be a breakthrough through the WMCC meeting, though the it clear that the sanctity of the policy studies at Gateway video conference, comes at a talks between the corps people said it would meet on LAC is non-negotiable, the House, said India had shown time when military talks on commanders, the Indian envoy Thursday afternoon. people added. Five rounds of "ample commitment and reducing tensions along the in Beijing, Vikram Misri, has "We have already said China talks between the corps efforts" to end the standoff disputed border have hit a been tasked to reach out to top needs to work with us for commanders have failed to and much would now depend roadblock, and the Indian Army Chinese leaders to discuss complete disengagement and break the deadlock due to on China's response."It has adopted a tougher line in ways to end the standoff, the de-escalation on the LAC as serious differences in the seems to me the WMCC its efforts to restore status quo people said. the future of the bilateral Finger Area near Pangong Lake meeting should show some ante in eastern Ladakh. Misri met Maj Gen Ci Guowei of relationship is dependent on and the PLA's reluctance to of the results of the efforts This will be the fifth the Central Military the situation along the border. vacate positions held by it in by our envoy in Beijing, who engagement at the diplomatic Commission's (CMC) office of That continues to be our what New Delhi claims as has met officials of CPC and level since the border standoff international military position," said one of the Indian territory. Former CMC. Pak army chief Gen Bajwa's apology doesn't help, gets a royal snub in Saudi kingdom After India cemented its ties with Gulf countries over the last six years, Pakistan distanced itself from its projected Arab legacy and moved towards Erdogan's Ottoman revival, an Indian diplomat said. Pakistan Army chief Delhi. Bajwa's interactions in the General Qamar Javed Bajwa who Bajwa is learnt to have conveyed kingdom were limited to Saudi's started his Saudi Arabia visit on the Imran Khan government's defence establishment, just as Monday to calm diplomatic apology over foreign minister Pakistan military had claimed strains has returned home after Shah Mahmood Qureshi's after news of General Bajwa's trip been declined a meeting with statement that criticised Saudi was leaked back home. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Arabia over the reluctance of the This version was, however, Salman. Gen Bajwa had to settle Organisation of Islamic Countries contradicted by Pakistan for a meeting with the Deputy to convene a meeting of OIC minister Sheikh Rasheed on Faiz Hameed. There has been a of foreign ministers to discuss Defence Minister Sheikh Khalid foreign ministers to discuss Saturday who told a news buzz in Islamabad that PM Khan the situation in Kashmir. Bin Salman, also the younger Kashmir. channel that the army chief was was not averse to dropping Pakistan has long pressed the brother of the Crown Prince, as But the regret conveyed to Deputy visiting Saudi Arabia to iron out Qureshi, who crossed the red line Saudi-led OIC to convene a high- well as Maj Gen Fayyad Al Defence Minister Sheikh Khalid outstanding minor differences with Saudi Arabia when he level meeting to highlight alleged Ruwaili, the kingdom's chief of Bin Salman during their meeting General Bajwa is accompanied threatened to call a conference Indian violations in the part it general staff, people familiar with on Tuesday, didn't get Islamabad on this visit by the Inter-Services of Islamic countries outside the controls but hasn't got its way the matter in Riyadh and New any further in Riyadh. General Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt General OIC if it did not call a conference so far. US appreciates Pakistan's role for Afghan peace process US Ambassador Paul Jones calls on General Qamar on his farewell visit Wednesday. the Taliban and the US and has On its part, the US plans to The army chief thanked the since then been closely engaged limit its number of troops to ambassador for his services with all relevant parties to take 5,000 by the end of November. and contributions in Pakistan. this process to the logical Pakistan, China and other On August 12, the outgoing conclusion. neighbours of Afghanistan Afghan envoy Shukrullah Atif The first round of intra- want the orderly withdrawal Mashal also paid a farewell Afghan dialogue is expected of foreign forces from the call on General Qamar at to take place in Doha while talks Afghan soil. GHQ in Rawalpindi. may shift to either Germany or This past weekend Pakistan Ambassador of United by the Inter-Services Public "The dignitary thanked COAS Norway in the second phase. welcomed the Afghan Loya States Paul Wayne Jones has Relations (ISPR) said. for support to Afghanistan and The intra-Afghan talks will Jirga or Grand Assembly's appreciated Pakistan's According to the military's media Afghan peace process during discuss the future political approval to release positive role for Afghan wing, the US envoy expressed his tenure," the ISPR said in dispensation of Afghanistan remaining 400 Taliban reconciliation process and these views during a farewell visit a statement. and a power-sharing prisoners, paving way for the ensuring peace and stability in to Chief of Army Staff General Islamabad has played a key role arrangement between the much-anticipated intra-Afghan the region, a statement issued Qamar Javed Bajwa on in brokering the talks between Taliban and other groups. talks. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 US & THE WORLD 21 Pandit Jasraj: The Tansen of our times Mainstreaming classical Indian music, with community participation, will be his lasting contribution and legacy Pandit Martand Jasraj was an inattentive audience or any Jasrangi, which involved both deeply embedded in India's transient illness. On one the female artist and himself national psyche and was an occasion, when I remarked about performing collectively for inimitable part of its cultural his viral fever, he jocularly wider community acceptance. ethos. This void is irreplaceable. answered that the presence of After all, the Om Namo In my life, even more so. I do such distinguished music lovers Bhagwate Vasudevaya not recall of any auspicious and our enthusiasm had made his Namaha, which he sang on occasion, from my house- discomfort vanish. Born in Hisar, many occasions, comes with warming to the marriage of my Panditji traversed a long distance a supreme sense of spirituality son, which were not blessed by in his life from various traditions, unique to Jasraj and which nowhere reminded everyone of grief is that he left us doing his magical voice.He was the imbibing the essentials of different invoked instant community present there of the legendary what he best loved - educating last of the great quartet in our styles of singing. I have heard participation. In imbibing the Tansen. It was said that Tansen and teaching students on the classical vocal tradition some recitals of him being taught classical tradition, he could summon the rains while great Indian cultural tradition comprising Pandit Bhimsen by his elder brother, Pandit constantly sought to improvise singing Malhar and light up the of classical music, of which Joshi, an exponent of the Kirana Maniram, and it is amazing to hear and improve on it. On a special lamps during Deepak. he was the noblest interpreter. Gharana; Kishori Amonkar, an the re-orchestration of the best occasion, on May 8, 1998, it Undoubtedly, Pandit Jasraj, Following his calling of exponent of the Jaipur Gharana; guru-shishya tradition. As an was a hot and humid afternoon. whom we all experienced in that globalising the Indian Girija Devi, an exponent of the exponent of the Mewati He decided to sing a raga evening, was the 21st century classical music tradition, he Seniya and Banaras gharanas; Gharana, he sought to blend Dhulia Malhar, which he Tansen in drawing legendary founded schools in Atlanta, and Pandit Jasraj, an exponent various musical styles, not explained at length was a powers to invoke the gods and Tampa, Vancouver, Toronto, of the Mewati Gharana. Given confined to ghayal alone. In this precursor of the rains and spirituality so much needed New York, New Jersey, my passion for Indian music, I sense, he had a futuristic where the rain particles are by humans. In a sense, it is Pittsburgh, Mumbai and was privileged to share a vision. He recognised that the often mixed with dust particles somewhat ironical that a man Kerala. Durga Jasraj, his personal bond with all of them. classical tradition, without to produce intense dust storms born in Hisar, travelling loving daughter, who was However, there are some losing its purity of form and preceding the rainfall. As he through the entire orbit of the trained assiduously by her characteristics which were content, must evolve. That is continued his singing on that hot musical traditions of India, and father, looked after him to the exclusive to him. His why, while learning from the afternoon, clouds appeared from from Hyderabad, then to very end. He had greatly magnanimity, indulgence and Mewati Gharana, he improvised nowhere. It started drizzling, Sanand, then as the supreme encouraged her in promoting the equanimity were unique to him. on his musical styles, which cooled the atmosphere national star, would have Tiranga in close cooperation with On no occasion did I find him particularly kirtan.He also greatly. The magical appearance passed away in New Jersey. the notable poet and lyricist irritated, complaining of either innovated the well-known of the clouds and the rains from My only comfort in this time Javed Akhtar. Dhoni: The first hero of 'real India' A study in contrast, Dhoni symbolised the hopes, aspirations and abilities of small-town India 148 - 123 deliveries, 15 fours, four It's not easy to capture what MS batsman by hobby - the fact that sixes; scaling the roof of the new Dhoni means to cricket - he was he played in the state Ranji team stadium at least twice (the jury not the greatest of batsmen, but was a good enough end to the is still out whether it was three could be the most effective; he script. Nothing more was times). wasn't the safest of needed. But somehow his story He would not be confused for wicketkeepers, but came up with didn't stop there: He made it to anyone ever again, long hair or game-changing dismissals; nor the Indian side, led it, won two not; and would go on to become was he, despite his phenomenal World Cups, and then fashioned India's most influential public success, the most talismanic of an entire generation of dreamers This story has been As a travelling cricket writer then, figure of the next decade-and-a- captains. There are enough in the same manner that Sachin told before, towards the start of this similarity in manes led to a half. contenders in each of those Tendulkar had done in the Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MSD)'s series of interesting encounters. Right through this journey, which categories - both in India and previous decade. international career; so it is I was greeted at the airport with effectively began that morning in abroad - against whom Dhoni Tendulkar, whose career started perhaps fitting that it's told chants of "Dhoni, Dhoni" by a Visakhapatnam, Dhoni was a would not be able to hold his around the same time India was again, now that we are at the large group of fans waiting for the complicated figure that India really own. being liberalised, became the end of it. Indian team to arrive; crushed by could not get a handle on. His is It's perhaps even harder to talisman of a nation starting to In April 2005, in the middle of a autograph-seekers at the hotel a story of many contrasts - a capture what he means to India, exhale. His was the face that hot and hectic one-day series where both the team and I were subject of both intrigue and and why he transcended sport to launched a million brands, each against Pakistan, the cricket staying; and cheered in the hotel fascination, radiating both charm become a public figure. He went feeding on his power and drawing carnival shuffled into balcony by another throng that and abrasiveness, reacting with far beyond the confines of the from his excellence. He was the Visakhapatnam. It was an assembled on the beachfront both passion and boundary line on the cricket field, perfect fit for that time - a boy Indian team that featured a across the road. I must confess disengagement, providing or for that matter, any other from a literary, respected, yet bunch of fresh players, and that I waved back, relishing this moments of both unconfined joy boundaries that society could financially modest family - among them was a misdirected attention. and unadulterated anguish, and have enclosed him in. encompassing the dreams and wicketkeeper-batsman who The following morning, things donning the role of both rebel and He was never meant to succeed hopes that India had from new wore the same long hair that I changed forever. dictator. Not surprising then, that in the manner that he did. A boy opportunities that would come did at the time (don't ask; we MSD, 23, exploded into national his cricketing legacy is both from Ranchi, ticket-collector by with opening its doors to the were all young and foolish once). consciousness with an imperious illustrious and problematic. profession, and wicketkeeper- world. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 US & THE WORLD 22 California fires: Helicopter pilot killed while battling blaze flames burning through people’s front yards in California’s famed wine-producing Napa and Sonoma counties. Smoke also blanketed the city of San Francisco, about 60 miles (95km) south of Vacaville, on Wednesday morning. Fires are also burning in the southern part of the state, where officials described “extreme fire conditions” amid the heatwave. Meanwhile, the state’s energy operator has pleaded US authorities say the Most at risk is the city of combined with nearly 11,000 as you have a lot of smoke, you with residents to use less pilot of a helicopter fighting fires Vacaville, home to about 100,000, lightning strikes which have hit have a difficult time determining electricity or otherwise face in California has died after his which lies between San the state over the last three days. total number of fires until certain blackouts that would leave aircraft crashed. Francisco and Sacramento. Earlier this week, one of the things clear and we have the millions of people without power The pilot was the only person on Officials went door-to-door highest ever temperatures on opportunity to go to more remote for hours at a time. On Tuesday board the water-dropping overnight in a frantic effort to clear Earth was recorded in California’s parts of the state,” he added. night more than 37,000 helicopter, which crashed near homes. Death Valley. Across the US The group of fires in the San customers across California lost the city of Coalinga. According to fire officials, 50 western states on Wednesday, Francisco Bay Area was driven power, officials told CNN. So far California Governor Gavin structures have burned down in nearly 45 million people were by winds throughout Tuesday this year the US has experienced Newsom has declared a state of Vacaville, with another 50 living in areas under some form night and has now grown to fewer wildfires than in 2019. emergency as authorities battle damaged by the fire. of excessive heat warning or 46,000 uncontained acres. According to Reuters news hundreds of blazes. “We are experiencing fires the heat advisory. The fire, which is larger than city agency, around 1.4m fewer acres Thousands of people have had likes of which we haven’t seen in Mr Newsom said 367 known fires of Washington DC, has injured have burned this year, but the to flee their homes in areas near many, many years,” Governor have been recorded so far, but four people and threatens about pace is expected to accelerate San Francisco after several Newsom told reporters. noted that “the prospect of that 2,000 buildings in Vacaville, in the next month as Santa Ana quick-moving wildfires swept into The blazes are thought to have going up is very real”. authorities say. winds reach the south and El the region. been sparked by a heatwave “As those lightning strikes spark, Video on social media shows Diablo winds strike in the north. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 US & THE WORLD 23 Belarus unrest: Lukashenko steps up efforts to reassert control

She said President Lukashenko joint form of words making clear in Minsk. "There should no longer had "lost all legitimacy in the that the EU stands with the be any disorder in Minsk of any eyes of our nation and the world" people on the streets, and does kind," he told his security and urged the EU to back what not recognise the result. But it council. she called the "awakening of does not go as far as stating they "People are tired. People Belarus". do not recognise President demand peace and quiet," he She said: "People who went out Lukashenko's authority, as some added. He said he had ordered to defend their vote in the streets EU officials wanted border controls to be tightened of their cities all across Belarus " Thirdly, leaders offered to prevent an influx of "fighters were brutally beaten, imprisoned help in trying to mediate dialogue and arms". He also warned that and tortured by the regime between the government and the workers at state media who had desperately clinging on to power. opposition, to find a way for the gone on strike in protest at the This is taking place right now in president to stand down and election and the subsequent Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to release hundreds the middle of Europe." peacefully transfer power. crackdown on protests that they Lukashenko has stepped up of protesters who have been Ms Tikhanovskaya has formed a In addition, •53m (£48m; $63m) would not get their jobs back. efforts to reassert his control imprisoned. "co-ordination council" with plans of financial support from the EU Russian replacements have after 10 days of street protests "What's happening in Belarus? for "new, fair and democratic to Belarus is being re-assigned reportedly been brought in. Mr and strikes triggered by disputed "'The people will not forgive this' presidential elections with away from the state to non- Lukashenko also accused those elections. But on Wednesday, Mr international supervision". governmental organisations, with picketing outside factories of The official result gave him 80% Lukashenko approved a cabinet How has the EU responded? some money assigned to help harassing workers. He had earlier of the vote but the opposition has that would see Roman After a three-hour video the victims of violence, as well accused the opposition of "an denounced the poll as fraudulent. Golovchenko retain his role as conference, EU Leaders agreed setting up alternatives to attempt to seize power". The Mr Lukashenko says he has prime minister, with many other unanimously to take three government-backed media BBC's Jonah Fisher in Minsk given orders to end the unrest in key members of the previous actions over Belarus, BBC organisations. German said there had already been the capital Minsk. government reappointed, the Europe Correspondent Gavin Lee Chancellor Angela Merkel said some signs this morning of a The move signalled an escalation Tut.by news network reported. reports: Firstly, to impose election had been neither free nor change in tactics from the just as EU leaders agreed to Among those on the list to remain sanctions including asset fair. olicing and public security. Belarusian authorities in impose sanctions at a virtual in place was Interior Minister Yuri freezes for an as yet undisclosed The proposed government is Minsk. Our correspondent summit. Karayev, whose responsibilities number of officials involved in subject to further consent by the said that a checkpoint had The President of the European include pThe 37-year-old, who left alleged election-rigging, brutality lower house of parliament. appeared on the road leading Council, Charles Michel, made for Lithuania after being detained and imprisonment of protesters. What action did Lukashenko to the state TV building with clear that the EU did not for hours following the vote, The exact sanctions are still order? The man who has led police checking the identity of recognise the result of the released a video statement on being worked out Belarus since 1994 said he had anyone walking to the election and called on Mr Wednesday. "Secondly, leaders agreed to a ordered police to quell protests building. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 US & THE WORLD 24 U.S. postal chaos prompts Democrats to reassess mail-ballot plan

Turmoil at the U.S. Instead, vote in person or drop satisfy any unforeseen demand. Postal Service (USPS) is off the ballot” at an elections But some Democrats said the causing some Democrats and office, said Joe Foster, the damage is already done. Many local election officials to rethink chairman of the Democratic don’t trust DeJoy - who was a their vote-by-mail strategies for Party in Montgomery County, major Trump campaign donor November’s presidential the most populous of before becoming postal chief - to election, shifting emphasis to Philadelphia’s suburban restore service at the drop boxes and early voting that counties. “We want to make sure independent government agency bypass the post office.The 2020 every vote counts.” amid a presidential race that contest promises to be the Other local Democratic leaders, polls say Biden is leading. nation’s largest test of voting by from states like Florida and North “Return the mailboxes you mail. But U.S. President Donald Carolina, told Reuters they also removed,” Rep. David Cicilline of Trump’s relentless, are weighing urging voters to Rhode Island said on Twitter. Republicans have balked at that mail delivery. She said unsubstantiated attacks on mail submit mail ballots weeks ahead “Return the sorting machines you figure, and Trump last week said Tuesday’s news about restored balloting, along with cost-cutting of the election or else vote in took out. Restore the regular he opposed that funding because service gave her no comfort.”I that has delayed mail service person.On Tuesday, Postmaster hours of post offices you cut it might be used to encourage don’t trust it,” said McJimpson, nationwide, have sown worry General Louis DeJoy announced short. Return postal vehicles you mail voting. But administration who volunteers with a nonprofit and confusion among many he was suspending cost-cutting took. The list goes on.” officials in recent days have said called Michigan United. “There voters.Democratic officials who measures he had put in place in A USPS spokesman declined to they are open to additional has been too much noise just weeks ago were touting their recent weeks that had led to comment. DeJoy is expected to funding as public outrage over around this, and someone is dominance in mail balloting widespread service disruptions. provide more detail on his plans the USPS drama has grown. clearly pulling the strings. We during a recent rash of primaries Those changes included limits in testimony before the Senate Local Democratic officials, are going to proceed as are now cautioning supporters of on employee overtime, orders for on Friday and the House of operatives and campaign workers planned: drop the ballots presidential challenger Joe trucks to depart on schedule Representatives on Monday. said they are not waiting for a off.”Upheaval at the USPS has Biden to be wary. Operatives in even if there was mail still to be White House Chief of Staff Mark Washington solution.In the reshuffled some Democrats’ battleground states, including loaded, and the removal of some Meadows said Tuesday that competitive state of Michigan, plans for other types of election Pennsylvania, are particularly mail sorting machines.“The Trump never told the Postal Democratic voter outreach mail as well.Brad Crone, a concerned about ballots arriving Postal Service is ready today to Service to change its operations. volunteer Karen McJimpson, 64, Democratic strategist in North too late to count for the Nov. 3 handle whatever volume of Democrats asked for $25 billion is phoning voters to encourage Carolina, plans to send up to two election.“We are considering election mail it receives this fall,” to shore up the balance sheet of them to hand-deliver their million mailers between now telling voters that if they haven’t DeJoy said in a statement. He the USPS in a massive virus aid absentee ballots directly to and Election Day supporting mailed out their complete ballot also promised to deploy “standby package that passed the House specified drop boxes or elections various state and congressional by Oct. 15, don’t bother. resources” beginning Oct. 1 to of Representatives in May. offices in light of concerns about candidates. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 25 Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 US & THE WORLD 26 Breaking down the executive actions Trump signed on coronavirus relief the as much as $400 additional extra cost. Because Congress has not benefit each person may be able If a state says that it does not authorized an extension of extra to receive weekly in additional have the funds or does want to federal unemployment aid. On top of that, a state must enter into the agreement with the assistance, the state will have agree to enter into this financial federal government, the to set up an entirely new system agreement with the federal unemployed person in that state to deliver the additional aid. government for any unemployed receives zero dollars in extra "The state has to enter an person living there to get any of federal benefits (they would still agreement saying not only can the additional benefits. receive the normal state they pay the benefit, but that On Sunday night, Trump said he unemployment insurance). they have some ability to was open to allowing people to In fact, states have asked administer the benefit," said get the enhanced benefit without Congress to provide them with Michelle Evermore, an states picking up some of the an additional $500 billion to help unemployment expert at the (News Agencies)-With stimulus as an action providing "an cost. He said it was possible that shore up their budgets, which National Employment Law talks stalled, President Donald additional or extra $400 a week the federal government could pick have been crushed by the loss Project. Trump announced he would go and expanded benefits." up the entire cost if governors of tax revenue amid the Building a brand new program around Congress to deliver aid to But in reality, the additional make a request. pandemic. This has been one of could take states months to Americans affected by the unemployment aid is more "We have a system where we can the main points of contention accomplish, Evermore said. She pandemic. complicated than the White do 100% or we can do 75%, they between Democrats, who want added Trump needed to do it this But a close read of the actual text House acknowledged and pay 25, and it will depend on the to allocate additional aid, and way because "in order for states of executive actions he signed experts say it may not help a lot state," he said to reporters before Republicans, who don't want to to administer a benefit it has to Saturday suggests that even if of the unemployed. returning to the White House bail out what they say are badly be authorized by Congress, so they are deemed constitutional, Under the previous from his resort in New Jersey. managed states. they can't use their they will not quickly deliver the unemployment benefit passed "And they will make a The millions of Americans who've administrative systems to pay a aid Trump promised. They may by Congress, millions of application. We will look at it, and filed for jobless benefits also benefit that hasn't been not deliver much at all. Americans received an additional we'll make a decision." have drained several states' authorized by Congress." Here's a breakdown of the blanket $600 a week from the States are in dire financial straits. unemployment benefits trust Few will be helped. Evermore, actions, the many strings federal government on top of their Many states have already asked funds. Already, 10 states have one of the nation's leading attached and questions about state unemployment benefits. the federal government for major borrowed nearly $20 billion from experts on unemployment, told what they actually accomplish. States have to chip in. Now, under financial help. Several experts the Treasury Department to CNN she considered the Unemployment benefits Trump's measure, the federal told CNN there are major cover their share of payments, chances of this effort helping Trump described the government is requiring states to questions about how many which typically last 26 weeks. many of the newly unemployed memorandum signed Saturday pick up the tab for 25% ($100) of states may be able to afford the Requires a new system. due to Covid-19 "low." Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 CONTD 27 Sushant Singh Rajput case: 5 factors behind SC order for CBI probe Moreover, Rajput's father, governments in the matter and "Uncertainty and confusion must confers wide power on the line of Supreme Court judgments whose complaint was the basis though the steps taken by be avoided in the event of Mumbai Supreme Court to pass an order in the past, the court said. for Bihar police to register an FIR, Mumbai police cannot be faulted, Police also deciding to for doing complete justice in the No power to transfer investigation had alleged a criminal breach of stakeholders have raised simultaneously investigate the matter before it. It is invoked to from one state to another in a trust and misappropriation of allegations of unfair investigation offence, based on their findings," grant reliefs which are beyond the transfer petition money. The consequences of the against Mumbai police. the judgment said. scope of the petition or not sought Chakraborty had filed the transfer incident would, therefore, arise in "Because both states are making 5. Justice for Rajput's father and by the petitioners. petition under section 406 of CrPC Patna as well. acrimonious allegations of Rhea The court invoked Article 142 in seeking transfer of probe from "The allegation relating to criminal political interference against each The court noted that Rajput was this case stating that to ensure Bihar to Maharashtra. Section 406 breach of trust and other, the legitimacy of the a talented actor in the Mumbai film public confidence in the confers powers on the Supreme misappropriation of money which investigation has come under a world who died well before his full investigation and to do complete Court to transfer cases from were to be eventually accounted cloud. This Court (Supreme potential could be realised. An justice in the matter, it would be one high court to another or for in Patna (where the Court) must strive to ensure that impartial probe and its outcome appropriate to exercise the from a lower court in one state Complainant resides), could search for the truth is undertaken will ensure that Rajput's father powers conferred by the said to a lower court in another prima facie indicate the lawful by an independent agency, not and Rhea get justice. Moreover, article. state. jurisdiction of the Patna police," controlled by either of the two Rhea herself had called for CBI Supreme Court's powers to order The Supreme Court held that the court held. state governments," the judgment investigation, the court added. CBI probe the provision does not grant The finding that the FIR by Bihar said. "His family, friends and admirers As per section 6 of the Delhi power to the top court to police was valid turned out to be 4. Need to avoid uncertainty due are keenly waiting the outcome Special Police Establishment Act, transfer a matter which is only crucial because the CBI had to possible parallel investigations of the investigation so that all the CBI can investigate a crime only at the investigation stage from taken over the probe based on the The court said that CBI has speculations floating around can based on the recommendation of one state to another. "Having request made by Bihar police. already registered a case and be put to rest. Therefore a fair, the concerned state which is considered the contour of the 3. Need for an independent commenced investigation at the competent and impartial probing the matter. However, that power under section 406 CrPC, it agency due to conflict between instance of the Bihar government. investigation is the need of the does not bar constitutional courts must be concluded that only two state governments If Mumbai police also decides to hour," the court said. (i.e high courts and Supreme cases and appeals (not The apex court noted that there commence probe, then it could Law invoked by Supreme Court Court) from recommending CBI investigation) can be transferred," is a conflict between the two state add to uncertainty and confusion. Article 142 of the Constitution probe as has been held in a long the court ruled. Thousands seek to adopt a 9-year-old boy after seeing his heartbreaking plea for a new family "To have a family, and of the potential parents were around a lot in the six years he's list to find the right match. other kids, just like him, who family, family. Those are the only already going through the been in the agency's care. White "I'm really excited about this have been through trauma who wishes I have," said Jordan, who extensive vetting required to said he's suffered a lot of loss and very hopeful this is going really need a family who is willing wants to be a police officer when adopt a child when they heard and trauma in his life. to be the breakthrough we to step forward for them," she he grows up. Jordan's story. "So he really needs a super needed to find this kid a said. The adoption requests have "Our main goal is to find the best understanding family, a family home," he told KFOR. White said there are about 7,700 come from all over the United family for every child, and so it's who's fairly experienced with White said she's optimistic children in foster care in States, but a spokeswoman for wonderful to have a wide variety parenting and with parenting a that Jordan will find a home Oklahoma and 500 are ready to the agency said they would like of families to choose from, so kiddo who has experienced and hopes that some of the to be adopted. a family in Oklahoma to adopt that you can find the best fit for trauma," she said. people who were moved by his "If we can recruit more foster Jordan, so he can maintain a each individual child because Christopher Marlowe, the child story consider adopting other families and more adoptive relationship with his younger every child has their own unique welfare specialist in charge of children. families from the story, as well brother, who was adopted needs," she said. finding Jordan's permanent "It really is important that people as getting Jordan in his home, separately. Jordan is currently living in a home, is working with other understand that Jordan is not that would be just a win-win," she Casey White told CNN that some group home and has moved DHS staff to narrow down the alone and there are just so many said. Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny in coma after suspected poisoning: spokeswoman

Russian opposition leader and He only drank black tea in an is right now, simply does not have outspoken Kremlin critic Alexey airport cafe before takeoff, enough equipment that is Navalny is in a coma after falling Yarmysh told Russian radio required for the necessary tests ill from suspected poisoning, his station Echo of Moscow. "We and procedures," she said. spokeswoman said Thursday. assume that Alexey was "On top of that, this should be Navalny, 44, started feeling poisoned with something mixed done as a safety measure," she unwell while on a return flight to into the tea. It was the only thing added. Moscow from the Siberian city that he drank in the morning. Moving to an undisclosed of Tomsk, his spokeswoman, Doctors say the toxin was location Kira Yarmysh, said on Twitter. absorbed faster through the hot Navalny was initially admitted to The plane later made an urgent liquid," Yarmysh tweeted. the acute poisoning unit of Omsk landing in Omsk, she added. Later on Thursday, Yarmysh said emergency hospital No. 1, where Loud groaning can be heard in that Navalny still had not been hospital head physician video footage apparently filmed diagnosed. "We don't know what Alexander Murakhovsky said he on the flight taken by Navalny, exactly caused everything that was in "serious condition," of the possible reasons for the Yarmysh said the intensive care which was shared on the Baza happened," she said, adding that according to Russian state news deterioration of his state. But unit was full of police officers. Telegram channel. More video Navalny's family and doctor had agency TASS. Asked by a apart from this, this could be a "They try to get an explanation apparently filmed through the decided to move him to another reporter whether Navalny had number of conditions that started from the doctor. The doctor saw airplane window shows an facility, citing concerns for his been poisoned, the hospital's acutely and led to the same me in the distance in the corridor, immobile man being taken by safety as well as a lack of deputy head physician, Anatoly clinical reactions. We are said that 'some things are wheeled stretcher to a waiting necessary equipment for testing. Kalinichenko said: "Naturally, working on all of them: excluding, confidential' and took the police ambulance. "In Omsk, the hospital where he poisoning is considered as one confirming. In an earlier tweet, to another room," she said. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 CONTD 28 India Day celebrated with Car Parade in Long Island

(Jasbir Jay Singh) cultural program was held and Hicksville, NY: Necessity, as they supporters of the parade say is the mother of invention. Not honored. cowed down by Covid-19, Long At the Patel Brothers stage, the Island's IDP USA went on to find program began with lamp an alternative to holding the lighting and national anthems of annual India Day Parade in the two nations. The dignitaries Hicksville. The successful Car who addressed the sizeable Parade that took place on August gathering included Deputy 15 afternoon was so smooth and Consul General of India successful that now the talk is to Shatrughna Sinha (Guest of make it an annual affair adding a Honor), Town of Oyster Bay few floats as in the previous Supervisor Joe Saladino, State parades. Senator Kevin Thomas, and The estimates of the number of Nassau County's Farrah cars displaying the tricolor that Mozawalla. Parade Founders participated ranged from 150 to Bobby Kumar Kalotee and 200. The cavalcade was led by a Kamlesh Mehta as well as Dr fire engine and the IDP USA float Raj Bhayani spoke. President with Grand Marshall Dr Raj Mukesh Modi thanked his team, Bhayani, President Mukesh Modi as well as the Town of Oyster and the glamorous Grand Marshall Bay & Nassau County's help & Bhavna Chamoli waving to assistance in organizing the Car cheering India lovers along the Parade. Sponsors and VIP distance as per Covid-19 media platforms like YouTube. IDP celebration of India Day in route. Starting from Patel Brothers Guests were honored by restrictions. Many viewers of USA has held the India Day Parade Washington DC and another car on South Broadway at around Supervisor Saladino, DCG the Car Parade sent laudatory in Hicksville since 2012 bringing parade in New Jersey, the 4.45 p.m. the cars wound their way Sinha and the Grand Marshall. messages to the IDP USA together over 100 community community's passion and back from Apna Bazar, ending The local community team. Hundreds also organizations under one patriotism for our motherland before 6 pm at Badshah Farmers participated with great accessed the proceedings on umbrella.Given the success of this remains as strong as ever - Covid Market before 6 pm, where a enthusiasm maintaining social Radio Zindagi and social Hicksville event and a drive-by be not proud. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 CONTD 29 Former Trump aide Bannon pleads not guilty to swindling donors in private border wall effort activists Brian Kolfage, Andrew likely to provoke the president, finest," he said. "Doing it better, POLITICO that armed agents Strauss announced the charges Badolato and Timothy Shea. who has accused opponents of faster, cheaper than anything raided an RV he is traveling in against Bannon and the other Bannon - Trump's de facto trying to create distractions else. What you guys are doing with his fiancée Jennifer men Thursday morning via press campaign manager during the around the quadrennial is amazing." Lawrence, the project's release. The indictment was latter months of the 2016 nominating event. And during a trip to the border communications director, at returned by a grand jury on presidential race and chief White Trump and the White House last November, acting Homeland 5:30 a.m. on Thursday morning Monday and unsealed Thursday, House strategist before being swiftly distanced the president Security Secretary Chad Wolf in Mesquite, Nev. Stockton said court records show. forced out in August 2017 - was from both Bannon and the wall- said he "welcomed" the project, the agents served them a "As alleged, the defendants arrested Thursday morning on a building effort. Trump and according to the same warrant and a grand jury defrauded hundreds of yacht in the Long Island sound Bannon have had an at-times newspaper. During Wolf's trip, a subpoena from the Southern thousands of donors, off Connecticut, according to a contentious relationship since Border Patrol official also offered District of New York, seizing capitalizing on their interest in law enforcement source who the former Breitbart executive support, calling the project "very their phones. funding a border wall to raise asked not to be named. left the White House, effective" and a game-changer Stockton was not charged in the millions of dollars, under the false Bannon pleaded not guilty to the particularly over negative for those patrolling in the area. indictment, but denounced the pretense that all of that money charges through his attorney, Bill comments Bannon made about The wall project, launched in late raids and charges as "political would be spent on Burck, during a short, virtual Trump's son-in-law Jared 2018 as a GoFundMe fundraiser, intimidation." construction," Strauss said. hearing in U.S. District Court in Kushner. But recently, Bannon has been controversial from the "SDNY is OUT OF CONTROL," "While repeatedly assuring Manhattan Thursday afternoon. Stockton wrote on Twitter. donors that Brian Kolfage, the U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart "Attacking political founder and public face of We Aaron approved an agreement infrastructure just before an Build the Wall, would not be between prosecutors and election is unAmerican. paid a cent, the defendants Bannon's lawyers for his release @realDonaldTrump this is secretly schemed to pass on a $5 million bond, with at election tampering." hundreds of thousands of least $1.75 million secured by While Kolfage and the other two dollars to Kolfage, which he cash or real property. Two men charged Thursday don't used to fund his lavish "financially responsible" appear to have close ties to lifestyle." individuals will have to co-sign Trump, several prominent Trump An attorney for Bannon, the bond and will be liable if supporters are involved with the William Burck, did not Bannon skips bail, Aaron said. organization. In addition to immediately respond to a Bannon will be barred from Kobach, Erik Prince, founder of request for comment. Berman international travel while the case private military contractor declined to comment on the is pending, as well as "private air Blackwater, and former development. travel...or private yachts or boats Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke Bannon was reportedly taken without the express permission has been aggressively start, both because of its anti- are all listed on "We Build the into custody by Postal of the court," Assistant U.S. defending the president in a immigration premise and Wall" website as part of the Investigative Service agents Attorney Nicolas Roos said. podcasts he hosts. because critics have long "team" leading the organization. aboard a 150-foot yacht owned At the prosecution's request, "I feel very badly," Trump told charged it had the hallmarks of Separately, the charges add by an exiled Chinese Aaron also ordered Bannon to reporters in the Oval Office on a scam. new context to a recent power businessman, Guo Wengui, have no contact with his co- Thursday. "I don't like that Before launching the wall play that ended in June with the who has worked with Bannon defendants, others involved in project - I thought it was being project, Kolfage, an Air Force ouster of the U.S. attorney in on various business and "We Build the Wall," and no done for showboating reasons." veteran and triple amputee, had Manhattan, Geoffrey Berman. political projects. A lawyer and involvement in moving money in Yet Trump also claimed he operated conspiracy-minded When Attorney General William spokesman for Guo, Daniel or out of the organization's didn't "know anything about the right-wing websites that were Barr moved to replace Berman, Podhaskie, declined to say accounts. project at all." banned from Facebook. In many observers speculated that whether Bannon or Guo were Bannon, who appeared at the White House press secretary March, he launched an effort to as the election neared, the aboard the yacht Thursday, but hearing by video conference, Kayleigh McEnany also noted sell N95 respirator masks, which attorney general was seeking to photos posted on social media spoke only briefly. When the Trump had spoken out against were in short supply amid the assert control over a politically showed Bannon aboard the judge asked the former Trump the project in July, although at Covid-19 outbreak. sensitive investigation into boat on Wednesday. adviser and alt-right least one person involved in the Badolato has a long history with Trump's private attorney Rudy "Mr. Guo is aware of the situation commentator if he understood effort, former Kansas Secretary Bannon. During the last Giuliani and perhaps other involving Mr. Bannon who has his rights, Bannon replied of State Kris Kobach, previously presidential campaign, it probes into Trump's business been a strong ally in fighting forcefully: "Yes, your honor." He claimed the effort had the emerged that Bannon had affairs. for freedom and democracy in is expected to be released later president's blessing. Despite registered to vote at Badolato's However, it was not known that China," Podhaskie said in a Thursday and has two weeks Trump's claim that he was home address in Florida. In the same office was deep into statement. "Mr. Guo's past to assemble the bond package. opposed to the privately- 2016, POLITICO first reported an inquiry into alleged federal efforts with Mr. Bannon in The investigation into the border financed project, it has won that Bannon and Badolato had crimes by another senior figure fighting for democracy in wall group with strong kudos from numerous figures partnered in dubious penny in Trumpworld, Bannon, or one China had nothing to do with connections to Trump allies close to the president. stock ventures, and that that also involved one of the the We Build the Wall had been a closely-held secret, The president's son, Donald Badolato had been implicated president's highest policy organization or Mr. Bannon's although the indictment in the Trump Jr., offered praise for the in a stock manipulation priorities, the border wall. activities with that case indicates some involved effort during a surprise scheme, though he was not Berman resisted leaving, organization." with the group may have gotten appearance at a symposium last charged. despite an announcement Barr Bannon's departure from the wind of the inquiry from a July near a half-mile stretch of Badolato was set to be issued saying the Trump- White House was acrimonious "financial institution" last wall the group erected in Sunland released Thursday on his own appointed prosecutor had and followed clashes with October. Park, N.M., the El Paso Times recognizance after a court agreed to depart. Berman was numerous other officials and The stunning indictment was reported. appearance in Tampa, court eventually dismissed, but Barr advisers to Trump. The brash returned Monday and unsealed During the visit, Trump Jr. hailed records show. also agreed to allow Berman's adviser claimed he had Thursday - four days before the the private project as "what Dustin Stockton, a career deputy, Audrey Strauss, submitted his resignation well opening of the Republican capitalism is all about." conservative strategist who to take over as acting U.S. in advance of his dismissal, but National Convention - a move "This is private enterprise at its worked on the wall project, told Attorney. others said he was fired. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 30 Steve Bannon, key to Trump's rise, charged with defrauding border-wall supporters Steve Bannon, an architect of that spans hardcore nationalists, campaign promise - in the face others charged. veteran, Kolfage formerly ran a Donald Trump's 2016 election white supremacists, neo-Nazis of court challenges, logistical BIDEN CAMPAIGN BLASTS company that made millions of victory, was arrested on a yacht and anti-Semites - before joining hurdles and congressional TRUMP dollars running right-wing media on Thursday and pleaded not Trump's campaign. Bannon, an opposition. His administration The indictment came as the websites. He first pledged to guilty after he was charged with anti-globalist, has since has completed 30 new miles (48 Republican president trails send donations to the U.S. defrauding donors in a scheme promoted a variety of right-wing km) of border fencing and Democratic challenger Joe Biden government when he launched to help build the president's causes and candidates in the replaced an additional 240 miles in opinion polls ahead of the Nov. the wall effort in December 2018, signature wall along the U.S.- United States and abroad. (386 km) of barriers along the 3 presidential election. but then said he would use the Mexico border. As a top adviser Trump told reporters at the White 2,000-mile (3,200-km) border, Biden's campaign said money to hire private contractors to Trump's presidential campaign House that he felt "very badly" government figures show. corruption surrounds Trump. and build the wall on their own. who later served as White House about the charges, but sought to ADVERTISEMENT "He has consistently used his Donors were told that all of their chief strategist, Bannon helped distance himself from Bannon More than 330,000 supporters office to enrich himself, his family contributions would go toward a articulate the "America First" and the alleged scheme. have donated to private and his cronies, so is it really wall, prosecutors said. But right-wing populism and fierce "I do think it's a sad event," fundraisers and profiteers who any surprise that yet another one Kolfage, whom they described as opposition to immigration that Trump said. "I haven't dealt with have promised to build the wall of the grifters he surrounded the public face and founder of the have been hallmarks of Trump's him at all now for years, literally on their own, a 2019 Reuters himself with and placed in the operation, took $350,000 for his 3-1/2 years in office. Trump fired years." investigatihere showed. highest levels of government personal use to fund a lavish Bannon from his White House Trump said he knew little about The group tied to Bannon built was just indicted?" deputy lifestyle, the indictment said. post in August 2017. the project. But one of those two wall sections on private land campaign manager Kate That money and the payments Bannon, 66, was among four involved, former Kansas in New Mexico and Texas, Bedingfield asked on a call to Bannon were routed through people arrested and charged by Secretary of State Kris Kobach, drawing criticism from local with reporters. a shell company and a nonprofit federal prosecutors in Manhattan said in 2019 that Trump had residents who said proper The charges are being handled group, using fake invoices, with conspiracy to commit wire offered his support, according to permits were not obtained. The by the same office that prosecutors said. fraud and conspiracy to commit the New York Times. Texas wall section has prosecuted Cohen. The More recently, Kolfage started a money laundering. They each Bannon is the eighth close Trump experienced erosion problems, a office's top prosecutor, business to sell protective face face up to 40 years in prison if associate here to be arrested or report last month showed."I Geoffrey Berman, was abruptly masks amid the coronavirus convicted, but would likely get convicted of a crime, a list that know nothing about the project," ousted by Trump ally in June. pandemic. His lawyer declined much shorter sentences. also includes former campaign Trump said on Thursday, "other Also charged on Thursday were comment. Prosecutors accused the chairman Paul Manafort, longtime than ... when I read about it, I Brian Kolfage, 38, Andrew Board members of We Build the defendants of defrauding friend and adviser Roger Stone, didn't like it. I said, 'This is for Badolato, 56, and Timothy Shea, Wall include Kobach, Erik hundreds of thousands of donors former national security adviser government, this isn't for private 49. Prince, a former government through a $25 million Michael Flynn and former people,' and it sounded to me like Shea and Badolato were contractor and brother of U.S. crowdfunding campaign called personal lawyer Michael Cohen. showboating." released on bond. Kolfage's Education Secretary Betsy "We Build the Wall." Bannon Trump has struggled to build his Trump also said he did not status was unclear. DeVos, and former Boston Red used hundreds of thousands of border wall - a key 2016 believe he had ever met the three A triple-amputee U.S. Air Force Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. dollars of that money to cover personal expenses, according to the charges. Steve Bannon's troubles are just beginning A handcuffed Bannon wore a protective white mask amid the Thursday's federal The indictment itself offers clues conspirators. But it's much Or Bannon can try to cooperate coronavirus pandemic and two indictment of Steve Bannon, indicating that the SDNY's harder to defend a case based with the SDNY -- which could offer open-collared shirts when he former campaign adviser to evidence is strong. The case on black-and-white financial him his best chance at a appeared in federal court in President Donald Trump, is very appears to be built largely on documents. A good defense significant sentencing reduction. Manhattan, where his lawyer bad news for Bannon -- and documents; the SDNY, it seems, lawyer can cross-examine a In my experience, the SDNY entered a plea of not guilty on potentially for many others. The has the receipts. The indictment witness and try to take apart his handles cooperation differently his behalf. He was freed on $5 US Attorney's Office for the mentions that the evidence story -- but it's much harder to than many other prosecutors' million bond and barred by a Southern District of New York includes "fake invoices and sham argue with phony invoices and offices. Some prosecutors permit federal magistrate judge from (SDNY) has charged Bannon and 'vendor' arrangements," plus forged receipts. a defendant to cooperate only traveling internationally. three other defendants with a The outlook for against certain defendants On leaving the courthouse, massive fraud scheme. The Bannon is bleak. He (typically, his indicted co- Bannon took off his mask and defendants operated a can go to trial, of conspirators) or only on certain briefly addressed reporters crowdfunding campaign called course, but the vast subject matters (usually the before leaving in a black SUV. "We the People Build the Wall." majority of federal charge stated in the original "This entire fiasco is to stop Its initial premise was that all trials result in indictment). But in the SDNY, people who want to build the donations would be handed over conviction. He can cooperation is all-or-nothing. An wall," Bannon said. to the federal government to pay plead guilty and hope SDNY cooperator must admit to Bannon was arrested in for construction of Trump's long for a slightly lower every crime he has committed. Connecticut by agents from the promised southern border wall sentence than if he is And the cooperator must give up prosecutor's office and the U.S. between the United States and convicted by a jury. everything he knows about what Postal Inspection Service aboard Mexico. Largely because of the others have done -- even if the a 150-foot-long (45-metre-long) Instead, the indictment alleges, documents showing how the amount of the alleged] fraud -- conduct, or the other people, go yacht, according to a law Bannon and his co-conspirators defendants created and used here, prosecutors say, over $25 beyond the original charges in enforcement source. That yacht, pocketed millions of dollars in empty shell corporations to try to million -- Bannon, if convicted, is the indictment. called the Lady May, is owned donations and used that money hide the flow of money from "We looking at a sentence of at least If Bannon goes the cooperation by Chinese fugitive billionaire to pay for their own lavish the People Build the Wall" into approximately seven to nine route and fully comes clean, he Guo Wengui, with whom Bannon lifestyles and expenses including their own pockets. years under the federal stands to minimize his own has had a working relationship. "travel, hotels, consumer goods, From Bannon's perspective, it's sentencing guidelines (which are potential prison time. But, to The famously disheveled and personal credit card debts." one thing to defend a case that important but not binding on a save himself, Bannon will very entrepreneur headed the right- Bannon has been arrested and turns on subtle issues of judge), or slightly less if he likely need to give the SDNY the wing Breitbart News website - a his attorney declined to subjective intent, or that rest on accepts responsibility and ammunition it needs to take voice for the alt-right movement comment. testimony from other co- pleads guilty. others down too. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 31 The post office arrested Steve Bannon. Yes, the post office can arrest people. The US Postal Service is out to arrest on a $28 million Inspectors." collaborated with Audrey message to other fraudsters: "No deliver justice against former megayacht called Lady May off All agents must complete a 16- Strauss, the acting US attorney one is above the law." White House chief strategist the coast of Connecticut week training program that covers for the Southern District of New "The defendants allegedly Steve Bannon. Thursday morning: firearms, physical fitness, and York. It's not immediately clear engaged in fraud when they It may not have come as a shock These aren't your everyday mail defensive tactics. In 2019, they why the USPIS got involved since misrepresented the true use of that Bannon, often described as carriers: They are part and parcel made 5,759 arrests and 4,995 neither of the charges levied donated funds," Bartlett said. a grifter, was allegedly caught up of an elite police unit known as convictions related to postal against Bannon - conspiracy to "As alleged, not only did they lie in a scheme to defraud donors the US Postal Inspection Service crimes, according to USPS. commit money laundering and to donors, they schemed to hide to a crowdfunding campaign that (USPIS), which has been fighting They often team up with other wire fraud - appear to be directly their misappropriation of funds by promised to construct a wall on crime since the mail fraud statute federal, state, and local related to the mail, and the creating sham invoices and the US-Mexico border. was enacted in 1872. There are authorities to investigate mail USPIS declined to comment on accounts to launder donations But it was a surprise to some that about 1,200 such postal theft, fraud, identity theft, their investigation of Bannon. and cover up their crimes, the USPS, the same agency that inspectors who carry weapons, narcotics cases, opioid The inspector in charge of the showing no regard for the law or President Donald Trump has make arrests, execute federal investigations, lottery scams, New York division of postal the truth." tried to cripple ahead of an search warrants, and serve and more. Investigations inspectors, Philip Bartlett, said Clearly, the USPS doesn't just expected surge of mail-in ballots subpoenas. They have even sometimes span years. in a statement that Bannon's sell stamps - it also acts to in November, carried out his inspired a CBS series, "The In Bannon's case, they indictment should send a stamp out crime. Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon pleads not guilty in alleged border wall fundraising scheme Former White House chief the arrangement. Kolfage's effort quickly went viral Kris Kobach, a former Cannon in the Northern District strategist Steve Bannon was The indictment said the and raised millions of dollars from Republican nominee for a of Florida. BANNON will be arrested Thursday after being defendants "collectively received hundreds of thousands of donors Kansas Senate seat and a team presented today in the Southern charged with defrauding hundreds of thousands of dollars - but GoFundMe threatened to member of "We Build the Wall," District of New York. hundreds of thousands of donors in donor funds from 'We Build the suspend the campaign unless previously told the New York BADOLATO will be presented through his "We Build the Wall" Wall,' which they each used in a he "identified a legitimate non- Times that Trump gave his today before U.S. Magistrate fundraising campaign. manner inconsistent with the profit organization into which "blessing" for the project. Kobach Judge Thomas Wilson in the Bannon pleaded not guilty during organization's public those funds could be was not mentioned in the Middle District of Florida. SHEA a court hearing later Thursday, representations. transferred," according to the indictment. will be presented today before and he was expected to be "The defendants defrauded indictment. A year after that story was U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen L. released, according to NBC hundreds of thousands of donors, Prior to his campaign to published, Trump said he Mix in the District of Colorado. News. Bannon is getting a $5 capitalizing on their interest in crowdfund the border wall, disagreed with the move by a The case is assigned to U.S. million bond that is secured by funding a border wall to raise Kolfage had been involved in a "private group" to create a section District Judge Analisa Torres in $1.75 million in cash or property millions of dollars, under the false string of far-right news blogs and of the wall "which raised money the Southern District of New that Bannon has to post by Sept. pretense that all of that money groups, one of which had been by ads," he said in a tweet. York. 3. He is not allowed to use private would be spent on construction," scrubbed from Facebook for Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey jets or yachts, and he must Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey allegedly using fake accounts to The White House press Strauss said: "As alleged, the surrender his passport. His travel Strauss said in a statement. drive up website traffic. Some of secretary said in a statement defendants defrauded hundreds will be limited to Connecticut and "While repeatedly assuring the sites peddled false that Trump had no involvement of thousands of donors, the New York and Washington, donors that Brian Kolfage, the conspiracy theories and racist the project while distancing the capitalizing on their interest in D.C., areas. founder and public face of We content. As his wall-funding administration from Bannon and funding a border wall to raise Bannon and three associates Build the Wall, would not be paid campaign gained national the group. "President Trump has millions of dollars, under the false were indicted in a federal a cent, the defendants secretly attention, Kolfage had frequently not been involved with Steve pretense that all of that money investigation in the Southern schemed to pass hundreds of appeared on Fox News and Fox Bannon since the campaign and would be spent on construction. District of New York. Prosecutors thousands of dollars to Kolfage, Business, where he defended the early part of the While repeatedly assuring allege the four defrauded donors which he used to fund his lavish Trump and slammed his critics Administration, and he does not donors that Brian Kolfage, the by raising "more than $25 million lifestyle. We thank the USPIS for for suffering from "Trump know the people involved with this founder and public face of We to build a wall along the southern their partnership in investigating Derangement Syndrome." project," Kayleigh McEnany said Build the Wall, would not be paid border of the United States," but this case, and we remain Badolato notes on his own in a statement. Audrey Strauss, a cent, the defendants secretly some of that money was used dedicated to rooting out and website that he has been an the Acting United States Attorney schemed to pass hundreds of for personal gain. prosecuting fraud wherever we "infrequent freelance contributor for the Southern District of New thousands of dollars to Kolfage, The United States Postal find it." in the past to Breitbart News," a York, and Philip R. Bartlett, which he used to fund his lavish Inspection Service assisted in The White House declined to conservative news outlet Bannon Inspector-in-Charge of the New lifestyle. We thank the USPIS the investigation. comment. A spokeswoman for used to run. Badolato also says York Field Office of the United for their partnership in Others in the indictment are Bannon did not return a request on his site that he was involved States Postal Inspection Service investigating this case, and we Timothy Shea, a 49-year-old for comment. with a number of other ("USPIS"), announced the remain dedicated to rooting out from Colorado accused of owning Kolfage, a 37-year-old triple conservative publications linked unsealing of an indictment and prosecuting fraud wherever a shell company, Brian Kolfage, amputee, launched the to Bannon including Clinton charging BRIAN KOLFAGE, we find it." Inspector-in-Charge a disabled Iraq war veteran, and crowdfunding campaign in late Cash and The Undefeated: The STEPHEN BANNON, ANDREW Philip R. Bartlett said: "The Andrew Badolato, who according 2018 on GoFundMe to build the Rise of Sarah Palin. BADOLATO, and TIMOTHY SHEA defendants allegedly engaged in to his own website was a wall. His effort came amid a Shea, according to an NBC TV for their roles in defrauding fraud when they misrepresented contributor to Breitbart News, the stalemate over government station in Colorado, is married to hundreds of thousands of donors the true use of donated funds. conservative publication Bannon funding on Capitol Hill, where the group's treasurer, Amanda. in connection with an online As alleged, not only did they lie used to run. Trump demanded that any She told the station that she and crowdfunding campaign known to donors, they schemed to hide The campaign was intended to spending package include her husband opened a P.O. Box as "We Build the Wall" that their misappropriation of funds by raise money to help President billions of dollars to go toward the in order for donors to send raised more than $25 million. creating sham invoices and Donald Trump fulfill a campaign border barrier. The deadlock checks. Amanda Shea insisted The defendants were arrested this accounts to launder donations promise to build a border wall. culminated in the longest partial to NBC, in late 2018, that the morning. KOLFAGE will be and cover up their crimes, Instead, prosecutors allege that government shutdown in U.S. checks were being made to presented today before U.S. showing no regard for the law or Bannon and his team profited off history. Kolfage of "We Build the Wall." Magistrate Judge Hope T. the truth. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 32 Who is Guo Wengui, the Chinese billionaire who owns the boat Steve Bannon was arrested on? Earlier this month, a whether securities laws were investigators learned that Wengui endless financial means, illustration of the divisions of sunburned Steve Bannon, holding violated during a $300 million appeared "to be a target of a Defendant Guo regularly uses his opinion about Guo: The a lit cigar and wearing a blue polo private offering by the company large investigation personally and public platform and power to defendant, Hongkuan Li, a well shirt with the collar turned up, this spring, the sources say. In pertaining to his business," defame and harass his known dissident who says he stood in front of a camera on a a memo to potential investors, according to an official familiar enemies," Nunberg's suit says. participated in the 1989 yacht owned by his friend Guo according to The Journal, the with the matter. "In this case, Guo set his sights Tiananmen Square protests, Wengui, a Chinese billionaire. company identified Bannon as When they followed up, on destroying Plaintiff Samuel accused Guo on social media of A YouTube video shows Wengui one of several prominent investigators in Washington Nunberg's reputation and being a "gangster," a putting his arm around Bannon directors. Last month, learned FBI agents had been livelihood by filing baseless "communist spy puppy," "a as the former Trump campaign investigators with the Mercer investigating the case for about litigation against him and rapist" and of "suffering from chairman denounces the Chinese Island Police Department in a month. "The victims that have slandering Nunberg with schizophrenia," Guo's lawyers government and extols the Washington state took an been calling the FBI, FTC, and malicious, false lies which wrote, charges they say are all alleged benefits of incident report from an local police agencies have been discredit Nunberg both false. hydroxychloroquine to treat unidentified victim who had reporting fraud for a failure to personally and professionally." That lawsuit purports to recount COVID-19. The vessel's lavish become an investor in GTV return on promised investments," Nunberg's suit is ongoing. Guo's history, which includes a interior gleams in the Media Group Inc., with the the official said. Guo, who by all accounts made 1989 incident he says turned him background. promise it was launching a video- Guo's lawyer declined to his money in real estate and against the Chinese government. On Thursday, Bannon was sharing platform, similar to comment, and Guo himself could securities, portrays himself in As police sought to arrest him arrested by federal agents on that YouTube, "that was supposed to not be reached. interviews and court records as for supporting the Tiananmen same yacht off Westbrook, go huge," according to an official Guo, who sometimes goes by an exiled whistleblower, proving protests, the suit says, "Two Connecticut, and booked into jail familiar with the matter. The Miles Kwok, is a mysterious and an inside account of breathtaking drunken policemen raided Guo's on fraud charges. Though the investor wired $500,000 to polarizing figure - a self-styled corruption at the heart of the office and fired their weapons charges appear to have nothing receive shares in the company crusader against Chinese Chinese system. directly at his young wife, who to do with the Chinese by the end of May, but never Communist corruption who has "Guo is a pioneer of using was holding his three-month-old businessman, the arrest puts a received shares and wasn't able drawn the ire of the Chinese YouTube and Twitter to fight for baby daughter. His younger new spotlight on Bannon's to get in contact with the government but has also been the rule of law, human rights, brother…tried to protect Guo's relationship with Guo, a reported suspect, the report sued by other Chinese freedom and democracy in wife and daughter and was shot controversial figure with his own stated. As of July 10, local dissidents. A former female China," his lawyers wrote in twice in the altercation," the suit history of legal entanglements. authorities noted that no crime employee alleges in an ongoing court papers in a federal says. Guo's brother was sent to Multiple people familiar with the had been charged, and the FBI lawsuit that he repeatedly raped lawsuit in Maryland against a the hospital, the suit says, but matter tell NBC News there is a was investigating the matter. her, a charge he disputes. And a self-described Chinese "the policemen who shot separate federal inquiry involving The Mercer Island PD incident former Trump aide, Sam democracy activist. "Guo has him instructed the doctors to a company linked to both men, report identified the suspect as Nunberg, is among many who exposed widespread refuse him any medical care GTV Media Group. As The Wall Guo Wengui, describing him as have sued Guo alleging corruption in the Chinese and locked the door." As a Street Journal first reported a "billionaire" based out of New defamation; he denies the Communist Party ('CCP'), result, he died, and Guo "vowed Wednesday, the FBI, the New York, and noted there were other allegations. multiple senior officials of the to become a persistent and York state attorney general and victims. When Mercer Island "Utilizing his world-wide publicity, Chinese Government, and their brave advocate against the the Securities and Exchange police contacted the FBI, local high profile, social media family members." Chinese kleptocracy," the suit Commission are examining accounts, and seemingly That lawsuit itself offers an says. The Stunning Predictability of Steve Bannon's "We Build the Wall" Scam On Sunday, after Steve repeatedly, whether the grifts of who'd been thrilled by the notion Kobach, the former Kansas Twitter joke. "*Trump wriggles his Bannon appeared on Fox News, Donald Trump and the people of a "big, beautiful wall" to shell secretary of state; Erik Prince, way out of the jam easily* Ah! an image of his visage during the around him would ever catch up out. According to the the Blackwater founder and a Well. Nevertheless." And interview made the rounds on with them. On Thursday, they government, the group raised brother of Education Secretary maybe Trump will, in the end, social media. While we in the caught up to Bannon. Federal more than twenty-five million Betsy DeVos; David A. Clarke, avoid serious consequences, audience were living through the prosecutors in New York dollars, and promised "not to Jr., the former sheriff of Milwaukee despite the instances of likely multifaceted collapse of society, announced that Bannon and take a penny in salary or County, Wisconsin; and Curt obstruction of justice found by Bannon faced the camera with a three other men were being compensation." Then they Schilling, the former major- the special counsel Robert mane of gray hair swept back, indicted for alleged fraud and pocketed a bunch of the money. league-baseball pitcher. The Mueller, despite the various his face looking like a sunburned money laundering for their role Bannon allegedly routed more indictment came out of the office investigations into the Trump hunk of bologna, and a in a scheme that, even in a than a million dollars through a of the U.S. Attorney for the Organization swirling in New lighthouse rising behind him on Bond film, might feel too on the nonprofit he controls. One of his Southern District of New York. In York State, and despite his some unidentified coast. "He nose. For the past two years, co-defendants, Brian Kolfage, June, Trump and his Attorney long history of engaging in looks INCREDIBLE," my Bannon and his accomplices ran allegedly used his share of the General, Bill Barr, forced Geoffrey business and personal colleague Naomi Fry an online fund-raising campaign money to buy, among other Berman out of his job as the U.S. activities that raise all kinds commented. Nearly four years called We Build the Wall, whose things, a boat called Warfighter. Attorney in that office, for reasons of legal questions. have passed since Bannon, the nominal purpose was to raise According to the Times' Evan Hill, that remain unclear, and despite Associates of his have been former capo of Breitbart News the money for the monument to Kolfage sailed Warfighter in a Berman's protests. It now needs indicted before, from Michael and the intellectual godfather of nativism that Trump had pro-Trump boat parade held in to be asked whether this case Flynn to Michael Cohen to contemporary American political promised to build on the Destin, Florida, on July 4th. against a close Trump associate Rick Gates, without the extremism, helped bring an southern border. Trump had also Happy birthday, America. Is there played a role in Berman's ouster. damage touching Trump. egomaniacal bigot to the White promised that Mexico would pay a word in German for something The notion that political and legal Being President is great House. And now there he was on for the wall. But, when those that is at once extraordinary and gravity does not apply to Trump insulation. the screen, his multiple shirt funds proved unforthcoming, and shocking and yet at the same has become a key aspect of the But there has been recent collars unbuttoned and his eyes his various attempts to strong- time totally predictable and Trump mystique, something that evidence that not every jam as unreadable as ever. If the look arm Congress into giving him the stupid? The indictment raises even his opponents begrudgingly can be wriggled out of, even he was going for was "James money mostly failed, too, questions about other Trump believe. "Well, I'd like to see ol by Ol' Donny. Trump has not Bond villain in retirement," he was Bannon and his gang stepped allies as well. We Build the Wall's Donny Trump wriggle his way out been able to browbeat and pulling it off. It has been asked, forward to ask the very people board members included Kris of THIS jam!" goes the classic demagogue the coronavirus. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 SCIENCE 33 Urbanisation, agriculture, and climate crisis likely to take a heavier larger toll on some butterfly species Some butterfly species are more prepared to survive displacement from their habitats than others, shows new study Some butterfly species are more larval host plants. Butterflies Emigrant and Mottled Emigrant prepared to survive displacement flight movements are for butterflies. They have both from their habitats than others, migration and dispersal. The dispersing and non-dispersing a new study by researchers from seasonal long-distance populations. Bengaluru's National Centre for migrations are between two The researchers found that Biological Sciences (NCBS) has known destinations over female milkweed butterflies said. The study, which was hundreds of kilometres. When migrate in a state of reproductive published in Royal Society's local food resources are diapause - or halt reproductive Biology Letters on Wednesday, exhausted, some species activity. In doing so, they invest has also warned that loss and randomly disperse over their energy on flying rather than Vaishali Bhaumik, lead author flexibility in the strategies of fragmentation of habitats through relatively short distances in being burdened with eggs during and a PhD scholar at NCBS. butterflies. urbanisation, agriculture, and search of new unfamiliar their journey. "The danger with too much "However, more importantly, a climate crisis may take a heavier resources patches. Other "Female emigrants disperse fragmentation is that if these strategy can only be maintained toll on other species. species do not disperse at all. while carrying eggs, and butterflies have to fly with eggs, if the habitat through which Some butterfly species disperse The researchers said while therefore there are long term they may either be unable to butterflies disperse is conducive for several hours or days to find some long-distance female consequences of fragmenting or carry as many eggs as they can to the provision of nectar fuel for food or breeding grounds. The butterfly migrants stop vanishing habitats. That's at short distances or they may the flight. The increasing researchers found that increased reproductive activity during because the longer they have to not be able to fly long enough to fragmentation of forests and flight burden puts additional migration to invest energy in fly, there is more uncertainty in reach the patches." butterfly habitats can cause a pressure on the egg-carrying flying, others lack reproductive finding a suitable habitat patch. Renee M Borges, a professor at serious problem for the female butterflies, which are plasticity. They arrived at the As a result, many more female Bengaluru's Indian Institute of successful dispersal and physiologically less prepared to conclusion after comparing the butterflies may perish before Science, said the findings show migration of butterflies," she navigate through unknown flight morphology and they can reach a spot where most convincingly that there is said. fragmented habitats in search of reproductive status of Lemon they may lay eggs," said An unusual meteorite, more valuable than gold, may hold the building blocks of life As the fiery emissary hours, a local journalist visited the streaked across the skies of house and streamed videos of the Costa Rica, an unearthly mix of damage on Facebook Live. orange and green, Marcia It was only the beginning. A space Campos Muñoz was in her rock the size of a washing pajamas, watching TV on the machine had broken up in the couch. It was 23 April 2019, a bit skies over the village, and the past 9 p.m., when she heard a excitement was about to spread foreboding rumble. Heart racing, globally. she tiptoed outside to calm her Meteorites are not uncommon: barking dog, Perry, and to check Every year, tens of thousands on the cow pastures ringing her survive the plunge through Earth's small house in Aguas Zarcas, a atmosphere. More than 60,000 village carved out of Costa Rica's have been found and classified by tropical rainforest. Nothing. She scientists. But meteorite falls, ducked back inside, just before witnessed strikes that take their a blast on the back terrace name from where they land, are rattled the house to its bones. rare-just 1196 have been Campos Muñoz phoned her documented. And even among father, brother, and oldest son, that exclusive group, there was rise to complex precursors for have been inferred but not yet promise. But these new pieces who rushed to the house. On the something extraordinary about life; some scientists even believe identified. are 50 years fresher than terrace, they found a grapefruit- this particular meteorite, rocks like Aguas Zarcas gave life Murchison also contained Murchison, allowing scientists to size hole in the corrugated zinc something anyone with the right a nudge when they crashed into nucleobases, the building blocks apply modern techniques to roof and a smashed-up plastic knowledge could know from the a barren Earth 4.5 billion years of genetic molecules such as preserve and probe what amounts table, last used for the first pictures. The dull stone was, ago. From the beginning, the RNA, and in November 2019, to fragile lumps of unspeakably quinceañera of Campos Muñoz's as far as rocks go, practically inky Aguas Zarcas resembled a researchers found a major old clay. They could sniff out daughter. The culprit was alive.Aguas Zarcas, as the legendary carbonaceous component of RNA's backbone: delicate organic compounds long scattered on the floor, in pieces fragments would soon collectively chondrite that exploded in 1969 the sugar molecule ribose. This evaporated from Murchison. They as black as coal. be called, is a carbonaceous over Murchison, an Australian half-century parade of could hunt not just for amino She picked up the biggest chondrite, a pristine remnant of cattle town. Geology students discoveries jump-started the acids and sugars, but also fragment, still warm to the touch. the early Solar System. The vast helped collect about 100 now-flourishing field of proteins, which have long been Already, her phone was chiming majority of meteorites are lumps kilograms of Murchison, and a astrobiology. "We're not suspected but never confirmed in with WhatsApp messages from of stone or metal. But true to their local postmaster mailed pieces detecting life itself, but the a meteorite. And if they were friends telling of blazing fireballs name, carbonaceous chondrites of it to labs across the world. To components are all there," says clean and careful, they could and rocks raining down on farms are rich in carbon-and not just date, scientists have recognized Daniel Glavin, an astrobiologist hedge against a perennial and fields. The family added its boring, inorganic carbon, but also nearly 100 different amino acids at NASA's Goddard Space Flight criticism of the Murchison finds own viral messages to the mix: organic molecules as complex as in it, many used by organisms Center. "I wouldn't have a job by ensuring the molecules photos of Campos Muñoz and amino acids, the building blocks on Earth and many others rare without Murchison." The 30 discovered inside were native, her son holding the big stone that of proteins. They illustrate how or nonexistent in known life. kilograms of primordial leftovers and not contamination from crashed through her roof. Within chemical reactions in space give Hundreds more amino acids from Aguas Zarcas hold similar Earth's own microbes. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 34 Dear Makers Of 'Gunjan Saxena', You Cannot Peddle Lies In The Name Of Creative Freedom I have myself served as a helicopter pilot and I have never faced the kind of abuse and maltreatment as was portrayed in the movie. In fact, men in uniform are true gentlemen and professionals, writes Wing Commander Namrita Chandi (Retd).

But cinematic licences and abuse and maltreatment as was competence. Not in the least like creative freedom can be applied portrayed in the movie. In fact, that man depicted in the film. to 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum' men in uniform are true gentlemen Every pilot in the Air Force has type of bubble gum cinema. It and professionals. They go out to prove himself. Man or woman. cannot be stretched into an of their way to make lady officers As I mentioned, creative license absolute travesty of set rules comfortable and adjust. Yes, is one thing but when you deal and established protocols of initially there were teething with institutions, you cannot India. Please do not make a once did my colleagues or hallowed institutions like the troubles like no changing rooms change facts. Elaborate and civilian even imagine that it is flight commander raise Indian Air Force. I am not or exclusive ladies toilets; yet fantasise, if you must. But don't even possible to disobey orders. objections to my flying or had certain what Gunjan could the men made space for us. peddle lies. Srividya Rajan was I have myself been the first lady doubts on my ability. My have told the researchers of the Sometimes, my brother officers the first lady pilot who flew to officer to fly on the International husband and I were both film about her experiences in stood guard outside the curtain Kargil - not Gunjan. Though, I am Border with Pakistan, way back posted together in Leh from the Crew Room. But, this I can while I changed. Never in my certain that Srividya has no in 1996. I had the confidence of December, 2000 till December, say with authority and absolute entire career span of 15 years complaints about this credit every officer that sat with me in 2002. If I was suspect, he iron clad surety that no one have I been disrespected or being taken away from her. There the crew room. I was the first would be the first person to who has worn a uniform, even mistreated. The Flight is a scene in which the Army lady pilot to be posted to Leh object. Officers are officers. for the 5 or 6 years like Gunjan Commanders, the people who Major asks the character of and fly the Cheetah helicopter Whether with long hair or did, will ever feed such a wield the burden in all operational Gunjan Saxena: "tum join in the Siachen Glacier, an area short. Never are they paraded scenario to the makers of Squadrons/ Units (disseminate karogi". Even an imbecile knows where superstitious belief was for losing in a childish strength puerile cinema. I have myself flying tasks, schedule sorties that once you are a that the Army suffered game. Never are the briefings served as a helicopter pilot and and crew rosters etc), are men commissioned officer, you are casualties whenever a lady interrupted in that rude and ugly I have never faced the kind of of great professional committed to the constitution of visited Base Camp! But not manner. In Israel-UAE Deal, India Stands To Gain But Pakistan's Terror Factory Will Be Dented If the planet were a kingdom, US under the watchful gaze of the territory. In Israel, the far right is communication Minister Yoaz time to work on the US Peace President Donald Trump would man who brokered the deal. not happy at all. The PM has to Hendel said, "Congratulations on plan in the region, and be its king right now! He has Peace has a fair chance to return pacify the sections back home the deal, but I am not giving up annexation of the West Bank pulled off what several world to the region, though the treaty and he clearly stated there will on the settlement and our and other territories was part of leaders in the past failed to itself has angered a lot of be no more annexation without Eastern border." The hardliners the plan. However, in an achieve. He has ensured that the sections on both sides. US approval. However, some on either side are not happy with excellent diplomatic move, Muslims will be allowed to pray Palestinians recalled their think that by doing this, he has the peace deal as they take it Trump turned this annexation at the Al Aqsa mosque in Ambassador from UAE, citing taken the pressure of annexation as a compromise on status quo. plan around as a bargaining Jerusalem, the third holiest site reasons that by agreeing to the off the table and betrayed them. However, the far-sighted leaders chip and worked not with in Islam. Trump has convinced terms, the UAE has abandoned Beit El settlement council feels of the world, like Prince Palestinians and Hamas, the Israeli PM that there will be the Palestinian cause. This is that they have been sold out. Mohammed Bin Zayed, have but the power behind, the no more annexation of West exceptionally immature and Naftali Bennet, presently serving realised that not only can Israel UAE, to create a peace Bank, or Palestinian territories. myopic, given the fact that the as MK (Member of Knesset) for be not wished away, the deal. The Israelis can now He has created a path of peace UAE has been supporting New Right said, "Netanyahu continuous conflict is not good actually work on a two- and stability for the region to Palestinians' cause for decades wasted a once in a century for anyone. Why not give peace nation theory and achieve follow.Israel and UAE Thursday now. The Hamas-led leadership, opportunity when he failed to a chance? The response across more security in the region signed a peace treaty which, as which isn't happy with the annex territories in the West the world has been very and Palestinians can work per the latest reports will be decision, may actually resort to Bank, as part of a normalisation welcoming. Netanyahu had on consolidating their state and signed in person in White House, increasing attacks into Israeli deal with the UAE." Israeli worked with Trump for a long identity. How do you fix healthcare's medical waste problem? When surgeon Claire Teves* (not her real name) reused until it was worn out and beyond repair. also about helping patients - or rather, preventing people landed in Singapore from the Philippines for a six- Seeing these life-saving items being thrown away when having to go to hospital in the first place. month fellowship, she knew it would take some time they were so sought-after in the Philippines, Teves Take the healthcare industry's carbon emissions - if to adjust. Teves had come from a hospital serving decided to do something about it. "When I saw the healthcare were a country, it would be the fifth-largest the needs of a poorer developing society, to work in waste, I thought to save whatever single-use equipment emitter of greenhouse gases on the planet, according a cutting-edge medical facility in a much wealthier I could get my hands on, so I could recycle them and to the non-profit organisation Health Care Without one. She was braced to overcome a knowledge gap bring them back," she says. It was a decision that Harm. That's a carbon footprint the same as the at this world-class facility, and face different day-to- would have ruffled some feathers at the Singapore emissions of 514 coal-fired power plants, equivalent to day medical challenges. But when she arrived, she hospital if it wasn't carried out with discretion and the 4.4% of global net emissions. More than half of that faced a very different culture shock: how the new help of friendly staff. In the end she managed to fill a was a result of energy use: electricity, gas, steam, air hospital used plastics. large suitcase with "single use" plastic surgical devices conditioning and operational emissions."Fossil fuel In the operating theatre, devices such as plastic that would otherwise have gone to waste.Even Teves combustion is a major contributor to air pollution-related retractors - which are used to hold surgical cuts open agrees - her motivation in saving devices was to provide deaths, which kill more than four million people - were used once per patient and then thrown away equipment for patients in the Philippines. "Addressing around the world every year. More than at the end of the procedure to be disposed of as sustainability is not really on our priority list; everything tuberculosis, more than malaria, and more than medical waste. In her hospital in the Philippines, the we do is about helping our patients," she says.Others Aids combined," says Gary Cohen, president and co- same device would be painstakingly sterilised and point out that in the broader sense, sustainability is founder of Health Care Without Harm. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 35 'Freedom Is Not given - It Is Taken': Bose's Words Are Reminder Of How To Win Back Unity In Diversity Having been a critical messenger to Subhash Bose across borders, my grandfather had joined the “Bengal Volunteers” party at the age of 15 and told me that he realised his life’s mission right then - to serve and die for his country, writes Isheeta Ganguly. On Subhash Chandra Bose's there was a pluralism of post- He spent days and nights on end death anniversary amid the Naxalite/pre-Babri Masjid 1980s on foot without his next meal or continued post-Independence Calcutta that was real, palpable a place to sleep in sight. They Day deliberations on democracy and now aspirational. were lonely nights laced in fear and freedom, I have one recurrent My grandfather was a freedom of being discovered. During the thought. I miss the old-world fighter from the Subhash pandemic's migrant crisis, I often charms of pre-liberalised 1980's Chandra Bose camp. He was thought about those days my Calcutta - my notion of idyllic India. charismatic, a brilliant singer, grandfather spent on foot without I miss the water handpumps, orator and storyteller. He was the food, water or shelter in sight. kerosene stoves, boiled water, erudite English honors with His survival came from random companions going during eight were like a funeral. The home-made coconut naarus and distinction, a brilliant architect of acts of kindness from the years of jail time. On one of my departures inevitably with a pit paatishaapta, famous five limericks and rhymes and simply Pathans in Afghanistan. Those earliest trips, when I was roughly in my stomach where the lines chocolate bars, gems and tiny- the most elegant, handsome, days of his life fostered a lifelong four, he taught me DL Roy's Amar "Amar ei deshetei jaunmo jano sized, thick, square toasted bread well-read, and delightful human love and loyalty towards folks in Jaunmo Bhumi(the soil of my ei deshetei mori" ("let me die in with jam. I miss New Market ever. If I could have serenaded our neighborhood which he never birth), in his perfect pitch, this country where I was born") Christmas trees and cakes, I Sting's "every little thing he does forgot. The random acts of marvelous tenor voice. I imbibed would evoke an intense miss pre-megamall shopping for is magic" - I would. Because he kindness bestowed on him by the verses while attempting to melancholy. So the root of this trinkets in Gariahat. But more was. Having been a critical complete strangers saved his life apply a scarlet red liquid bindi to annual Calcutta love fest was of than that I miss my grandparents' messenger to Subhash Bose again and again. His other my forehead. When he course family and songs. My Park Circus home and paara.32 across borders, he had joined the greatest companion outside commented on my being cousin and I would spend the Dilkhusa Street was the ultimate "Bengal Volunteers" party at the reading The Statesman and inattentive (with the red bindi summers in "lockdown" style in dilkhush place--a largely Muslim age of 15 and told me that he books of every genre was song. liquid now smeared all over my our grandparents' bungalow dominated neighborhood, where realised his life's mission right Our mornings began with toast, forehead), I sang back all four creating havoc. It was a party multiple religions not only co- then - to serve and die for his jam and chhana(sweet paneer) verses to him verbatim. He was every day. We were never bored. existed but were co-respected - country. When he was 21 in 1941, over the All India Radio "Akash stunned. This song then became We had a free reign of the house yes, as a verb. Despite the Bose sent him to Kabul Bani" offering Rabindra Sangeet, our anthem duet on every drive reading, play-acting, singing and scarcity constraints of pre- disguised as a "Pathaan" (under to which he would sing along and to and from Calcutta Dum Dum conducting "school" for staff and liberalised uni-brand India the code name "Sher Zaman") to also reminisce other "swadeshi" airport where the arrivals felt like anyone willing to attend every (Lakme, Godrej and Bata land), deliver a key message to the INA. songs, which kept him and his a wedding and the departures afternoon. As Labourers Return To Cities, Is Govt Ready To Avoid Future Migrant Crisis? As the business and workplaces open up after months of lockdown, migrant workers are gradually heading towards cities in search of livelihood. To avoid the repetition of the migrant crisis the nation witnessed in the beginning of the lockdown, has the government thought out any strategy?

his two sisters married, Danara closely by Madhya Pradesh, cheated and did not receive any migrated to Telengana where he Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, wages after the lockdown and 17 worked as carpenter for 14 Jammu and Kashmir and West per cent received partial wages. months. He managed to save Rs Bengal; the major destination The conditions of housing are 5,000 every month. Due to the states are Delhi, Maharashtra, pitiable, and most workers lived COVID-19 lockdown, everything Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andhra with 6-10 people and 60% was closed in Telangana. In April, Pradesh, Odisha and Kerala. workers had to vacate their he returned home along with his The conditions that these housing post Covid, primarily friends. Now Danara helps his migrant workers live in the because of loss of livelihood. parents with agricultural work. destination cities is abysmal More than 50 per cent migrants He says, "I don't know much and has no minimum health reported that they were stranded The images of lakhs of migrant that could ensure the crisis is not about agricultural work. If the and basic amenities. The for over a month, yet more than workers stranded on highways or repeated. While it is a question sovernment provides me any social security schemes 70 per cent migrants said that walking back to their villages of survival for the migrant carpentry work in my district, I including PDS are not they did not receive any during Coronavirus-induced workers, it is time the wouldn't migrate outside. I would accessed by these migrants transport assistance. After lockdown still haunt many of us. governments should rise to the go back to work in Ranagreddy due to the non portability of coming home, 60% migrants Several migrants could not make occasion to ensure they do not once the everything is normal." the schemes beyond their have taken loans to pay for the it to their homes. Despite all suffer again. India has 45 million such source states. In a recently family expenses and those distressing images, the Danara Kalari, 25 years old, from economic migrants who leave released survey by ActionAid, healthcare as for most of the main learnings from that crisis the village Koilari in Nabarangpur their villages and go to the cities where over 11530 workers across workers the savings were not are perhaps still going unnoticed. district of Odisha belongs to a in search of work. As per Census 21 states were interviewed, we enough. For more than 80% of With businesses and life backward community. He lives 2011, the total number of internal were able to cover 293 source the workers, the food gradually 'unlocking', migrants with his parents and two younger migrants in the country and 393 destination districts. The consumption was not sufficient have also started to return to sisters. Though his father owns (accounting for inter- and intra- findings were startling: 78% and around 38 per cent of their workplaces. However, there two acres, it does not provide for state movement) is 139 million. reported a loss of livelihood but respondents said that their is no process for registration of the entire year. Because he Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are the more importantly, over 48 per access to water was insufficient migrants or the safety standards shares the responsibility to get biggest source states, followed cent of respondents were or barely sufficient. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 BUSINESS 36 Apple first US company to be valued at $2tn ech giant Apple has become the Strong sales and services segments. first US company to be valued at The iPhone-maker's shares have The next most valuable US $2tn (£1.5tn) on the stock market. leapt more than 50% this year, company is Amazon which is It reached the milestone just two despite the coronavirus crisis worth around $1.7tn. years after becoming the world's forcing it to shut retail stores and " US stocks hit new high first trillion-dollar company in political pressure over its links to after coronavirus crash 2018. China. " Apple helped make 'top Its share price hit $467.77 in mid- In fact, its share price has doubled secret' government iPod morning trading in the US on since its low point in March, when Apple's rapid share price rise is Wednesday to push it over the panic about the coronavirus "an impressive feat within a short $2tn mark. pandemic swept the markets. period of time", said Paolo The only other company to reach Tech firms, which have been Pescatore, a technology analyst the $2tn level was state-backed viewed as winners despite at PP Foresight. Saudi Aramco after it listed its lockdowns, have seen their stock "The last few months have offering, there are plentiful fuel further consumer demand," shares last December. surge in recent weeks, even underlined the importance of opportunities for future growth." he added.Microsoft and Amazon But the oil giant's value has though the US is in recession. users and households alike to He said the arrival of gigabit follow Apple as the most valuable slipped back to $1.8tn since then Apple posted strong third quarter own better quality devices, connectivity broadband would publicly traded US companies, and Apple surpassed it to become figures towards the end of July, connections and services and with offer Apple "endless possibilities". each at about $1.6tn. They are the world's most valuable traded including $59.7bn of revenue and Apple's strong broad portfolio of "All eyes are now on the eagerly followed by Google-owner company at the end of July. double-digit growth in its products devices and a growing services anticipated 5G iPhone which will Alphabet at just over $1tn. J&J strikes $6.5 billion deal for autoimmune disease specialist Momenta deals, comes just days after testing for myasthenia gravis, away from the offer price of France's Sanofi struck a $3.7 a neuromuscular disease. $52.50. billion deal to buy Principia Nipocalimab is expected to With the recent flurry of Biopharma Inc for its pipeline of eventually win approval to treat activity, the pharmaceutical autoimmune disease treatments. several conditions, "many as and biotech sectors have seen Treatments targeting autoimmune first-in-class indications with 829 deals so far this year, conditions have fetched billions of potential for significant peak compared with 839 by this time dollars in sales, including year sales, some of which in 2019, according to data from AbbVie Inc's Humira, which is could exceed $1 billion," J&J Refinitiv. the world's best selling drug. said in a statement. The value of the deals, however, J&J's Janssen unit will gain "We find the deal modestly is much lower this year - $62 access to Momenta's surprising as we see every one billion versus $290 billion a experimental therapy, of Momenta's assets as year ago.J&J in recent years nipocalimab, which is in late- somewhat tricky to develop," said has sold some businesses stage testing for warm BTIG analyst Thomas Shrader. such as the one that made Johnson & Johnson bolster its portfolio of drugs for antibody hemolytic anemia, a Shares of Cambridge, medical devices for diabetes agreed to buy Momenta hard-to-treat autoimmune condition that causes Massachusetts-based care, as it sharpens focus on Pharmaceuticals Inc for about diseases. The acquisition, latest destruction of healthy red Momenta were up 69.2% at better-performing products such $6.5 billion on Wednesday, to in a recent spate of healthcare blood cells, and mid-stage $52.15, just a hair's breadth as cancer treatments. Indian spot gold rate and silver price on Aug 21, 2020 Get latest update on daily spot gold prices, currency exchange rates and other precious metal rates in India Spot gold prices in Troy ounce. The total growth of 24k gold in the Indian spot India(Rs. 52000.0) have being of 1.01%. This price level market was quoted at Rs. increased since yesterday(Rs. is 0.57% lower than average 52000.0 . 51990.0). Although, it was gold price observed in the MCX Gold on Aug 21, 2020 lower than the average gold past 30 days ($1961.0). On MCX, gold futures prices in price observed this week Among other precious India showed an upsurge of (Rs.52447.14) by 0.85%. metals, silver prices edged 0.51% to Rs. 52522.0 per 10 The Indian spot gold price as higher today. Silver gained gram. In the previous session, of today is Rs. 52000.0 which 1.56% to $27.1 per Troy gold was down 1.12% or about grew by 0.02%; the rate was ounce. Rs. 267.86 per 10 gram. On lower than the global gold spot Further, platinum price has MCX, silver futures grew nearly growth rate of 1.01%. The shown an uptick. The precious 1.33% or Rs. 913.04 per kg to global spot price is $1950.0. metal platinum rose 0.8% to the price level of Rs. 68650.0 Gold and other precious metals $944.5 per Troy ounce. per kg. on Aug 21, 2020 Meanwhile in India, gold was The gold spot price today (Rs. Global spot prices continued to priced at Rs. 52522.0 per 10 52000.0) increased by Rs. spot prices growth of $19.47 future price with an increase of grow as per the current close gram on MCX, with a change 267.86 from yesterday (Rs. to $1950.0 value today. Similar Rs. 267.86 and value of Rs. with a value of $1950.0 per of Rs. 267.86. Also, the price 51990.0), along with global trend was observed in MCX 52522.0 as of today. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 TRAVEL 37 Death Valley: What life is like in the 'hottest place on Earth'

"I think we all lose our that you can't actually feel the can be an issue when everyone Heser arrived in October 2019 expect." Christopher Burt, a patience with how hot it is," says sweat on your skin because it is trying to keep their homes at a and loves his job. He plans to weather historian. has Brandi Stewart, who works at evaporates so quickly," she told comfortable temperature as the stay there for a number of suggested the 1913 temperature Death Valley National Park in the BBC. "You might feel it on your mercury soars. The majority of years. The winter makes up for recorded in Death Valley was California. "When you walk the scorching summer suspicious due to other readings outside it's like being hit in the temperatures, he says. During in the area at that time. The face with a bunch of hairdryers." time off, he likes to play golf on reading in Furnace Creek was On Sunday, what could be the the course he works so hard to two or three degrees higher highest temperature ever reliably maintain. But that means a fairly than other weather stations recorded on Earth, a toasty 130F early start of 07:00 to beat the around, he says. This is one (54.4C), was reported in the park heat - or at least the worst of it - reason why Sunday's record, - a vast, desert area filled with and get through 18 holes. if verified, is being described canyons and sand dunes that "I just love to golf," he said. by some US experts as the straddles the border with "When I got here, the temperature highest ever "reliably neighbouring Nevada. However, in was amazing - shorts, polo, a cold recorded". The WMO says it is Brandi's picture, the sign showing beer or a cold soda. Now, if you seeking to verify it but even if the temperature appears to have have a beverage it's warm by the it does, it will classify the overheated. clothes, but you don't actually feel people who work and live in the time you get to the green. You've temperature as the third-highest The World Meteorological sweat on your skin because it national park are located in got to drink it fast, which makes temperature ever recorded Organization (WMO) says it is dries so quickly". Furnace Creek, where the recent for interesting golf!" Sunday's because it stands by the 1913 still verifying the record. But Ms Stewart says a lot of time in record temperature was recorded. temperature has been described record in Furnace Creek and the Brandi doesn't need experts to tell the summer is spent inside, but The town is situated in a long and as possibly the hottest ever 1931 record in Tunisia despite her just how hot it is. some people choose to head to narrow basin around 280 feet She's one of just a few hundred the mountains where below sea level. It is surrounded people for whom the location often temperatures are slightly cooler. by high and steep mountain referred to as "the hottest place "Once people do get used to it ranges.Jason Heser, originally in the world" is home. [the heat], I think we begin to from Minnesota, lives in Furnace Ms Stewart has lived in Death normalise it and then anything Creek and works on the golf Valley on and off for five years, below 80F (26.6C) seems chilly." course there. It's the lowest golf working in the park's In terms of sleep, people in the course in the world at 214 feet (85 communication department. town have air conditioning, which metres) below sea level."I've been "It feels so hot that one thing it keeps their homes cool as long to Iraq twice. If I can take Iraq, I took me a while to get used to is as the power doesn't go out. This can take Death Valley," the former military service member said. He starts work on the golf course just before 05:00 and works until recorded "reliably" on Earth. scepticism. 13:00. "They told us once it starts There are two higher It has also been argued that getting hotter, like right now, we'll temperatures in the record other places might have seen start working at 04:00. At 04:00, books - one in Furnace Creek hotter temperatures than the it's still 100-105F (37.7-40.5C)," in 1913 - 134F (56.6C) - and Death Valley, but weather- he said. another in Tunisia in 1931 - 131F watchers simply don't know The water used to keep the (55C). But these are contested about them due to the lack course up to scratch comes from by climate experts. of any weather station a natural spring underground. "Modern day scientists and nearby. Mr Heser is part of a team that meteorologists suggest that So for now, Furnace Creek is helps to keep the course in a those two readings weren't the hottest place in the world. good condition. "We're mowing accurate," says BBC "People ask me what it's every day, trimming, raking Weather's Simon King. like," says Mr Heser. "The bunkers. "When you have a massive best way I describe it is you "We're picking up trees that temperature like this [in know when you're cooking have fallen because it's so dry. Furnace Creek], the World something in your oven and They're so dry with the heat Meteorological Organization you want to check on it, you they're getting heavy and investigates further and looks at open the door and you get that breaking off. A lot of our day is a lot of different information to blast of hot air from the oven.... spent picking those up."Mr verify the record as you would that's what it feels like." Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 ENTERTAINMENT 38 Project Power movie review: Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's superhero film ends Netflix's action movie hot-streak Project Power movie review: Boasting a big budget and even bigger stars, Netflix's new film, featuring Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, ends the streamer's action movie hot-streak.

Project Power ground in that Paramount dealers to push pills on the Directors - Henry Joost and Ariel meeting. The franchise film they streets. But these aren't any Schulman were being offered was ordinary pills. Popping just one Cast - Jamie Foxx, Joseph Paranormal Activity 3 - itself a of them can give a person Gordon-Levitt, Dominique mockumentary. They ended up superpowers, but only for five Fishback, Rodrigo Santoro making two of those. minutes. A narcotics cop played The coolest insider gossip I It's sort of telling that Joost and by Joseph Gordon-Levitt is trying remember reading about Schulman haven't made a to clean up the streets with the directors Henry Joost and Ariel documentary since Catfish, help of a young girl working as Schulman came immediately despite the fact that the film his informer. Little do his bosses joining forces, and culminates, superheroes and superhero after their debut film, the inspired a spin-off series that has know that Frank - that's JGL's as most superhero films seem cinema. That is a good sign, documentary Catfish, premiered aired nearly 150 episodes. The character - is taking the same to do these days, in a sloppy considering he is credited, along at Sundance and inspired a term itself has become power pills that he is trying to rid CGI slugfest. There is interesting with Matt Reeves, as a co-writer heated bidding war. This was a synonymous with online identity the city of. subtext in writer Mattson on the upcoming Batman film. decade ago. The director duo theft. Their latest film, Netflix's In a parallel plotline, a mysterious Tomlin's script - his first, which, The comic book references in the were reportedly summoned to Project Power, is their most man played by Jamie Foxx goes like Catfish, inspired a bidding Project Power, which are mostly the offices of Paramount ambitious since Catfish, but not on a murderous rampage war between studios - that the just nods to everyone from Pictures, and were offered the nearly as fun. through the city's underbelly, in film fails to effectively explore. Johnny Storm to The Incredible gig to make an upcoming For a film that revisits the an effort to locate his missing References are made to a 'great Hulk, are more effectively done franchise film, on the condition frequently explored idea that daughter. The two men, flood' - no doubt, Hurricane than any of the socio-political that they admit that Catfish was, human beings are working at independently, stumble upon a Katrina - and the government's themes that the film briefly in fact, a fake documentary. only a fraction of their full capacity larger conspiracy - one in which handling of its aftermath. JGL's addresses. Joost and Schulman, who have - remember Limitless and Lucy? a moustache-twirling villain character is frequently seen Project Power is yet another now adopted the considerably - it often comes across as being played by Rodrigo Santoro (you wearing a Steve Gleason football attempt by Netflix to spawn IP of chiller credit 'Henry and Rel', in desperate need of a swift kick might remember him as Xerxes jersey - an homage, perhaps, to its own. But it is decidedly inferior maintain to this day that the in the butt. from 300, or Jesus from the ill- the athlete who became a to recent action hits such as events shown in Catfish, an The lives of three characters fated Ben-Hur remake) is looking symbol of recovery in post- Extraction and The Old Guard -- incredible story of online fraud, collide in an ambiguously to mass produce the power pill hurricane New Orleans. more cluttered, less compelling. really happened. They were futuristic New Orleans, where and get the entire world hooked Tomlin's screenplay, does, A sequel, however, seems like a reported to have stood their young Black kids are used drug onto it. The third act finds them however, indicate his affection for foregone conclusion. Khuda Haafiz movie review: Vidyut Jammwal will find you and he will kill you in this entertaining but flawed thriller said to be inspired by true events godsend. Together, the husband the most imaginative. about a man's search for his wife. and the driver discover a flesh Establishing shots of 'Noman' are Vidyut Jammwal plays a trade racket in the heart of always preceded by stereotypical software engineer, Sameer, who Noman and his wife trapped in 'Middle Eastern music' straight marries Shivaleeka Oberoi's call it. With or without the help of out of Alif Laila. Ouds resound centre employee, Nargis. Their police, our software engineer every time a bearded general blissful world comes crashing fights 20 men at once, kills a few, appears, a mob boss smokes down during the 2007-2008 drives over a couple of them, all hookah or we see a drone shot of Recession and they both lose to bring his wife back home. any building with a dome. It's old, their jobs, forcing them to find However, considering Vidyut's it's lazy and it's been done to employment overseas. The wife filmography so far, the action is death.The Nomani public -- had finds a job in a fictitious Middle indeed toned down quite a bit. it actually existed -- would not Eastern country called Noman. Even with him tackling a couple have been too happy with the Khuda Haafiz princesses became teenage He bids her goodbye, hoping to of dozen men all at once, the representation of their accents Director: Faruk Kabir daughters and the brave princes join her in a few days. However, action does not seem totally either. Now of course there is no Cast: Vidyut Jammwal, became fathers with a 'very a day later, he gets the dreaded unbelievable. He is not pulling off Nomani accent to really compare Shivaleeka Oberoi, Ahana particular set of skills'. But at the Taken call. The panicked wife any helicopter kicks or leaping it with but whatever Shiv Panditt Kumra, Shiv Panditt core of it, the Taken genre is not tells him that she has been off cranes but stabbing a man and Ahana Kumra were trying to The woman-rescue trope has vastly different from the fairytales abducted and is being ill-treated with a fork or throwing chillies in pull off, that wasn't it. Their been a staple in cinema. we all grew up with. Faruk Kabir's by men she does not know. The the eyes of another. There is an accents grow thick and thin with Princesses and brides have Khuda Haafiz is a modernised husband charges straight into impromptu, non-choreographed every alternate scene, and each forever gone missing and valiant version of the same. A damsel is Noman International Airport, quality to the fight scenes that time is more embarrassing than men have scaled mountains and in distress and our hero tears looking for his missing wife. After brings some semblance of reality. before. While Annu Kapoor did seas in search of them, battling through heavens to bring her suffering an unhelpful Nomani Now, only if they didn't play seem more a natural fit in the land villains and befriending golden- back. Sure, it makes for one Police and a lazy Indian romantic tunes over shots of blood of Noman, it was uncanny that so hearted strangers on their way. entertaining watch, but it rarely Embassy, a friendly taxi driver, sprouting out of a goon's jugular many characters conveniently Over time, the sleeping surprises you. Khuda Haafiz is played by Annu Kapoor, is vein. The music is definitely not knew Hindi. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 ENTERTAINMENT 39 Death on the Nile trailer: Ali Fazal is in star-studded company of Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer in Kenneth Branagh's new Hercule Poirot mystery The makers of Death on the Nile have released the first hopeful October 23 release. This will be one of the first trailer. The film is directed by Kenneth Branagh and is major international pictures to see a global release amid based on Agatha Christie's novel by the same name. the coronavirus pandemic. The trailer launched virtually The murder mystery's cast includes Wonder Woman amid fanfare on August 19. This is Kennth's second Gal Gadot, Call Me By Your Name star Armie Hammer, outing as Poirot after 2017's Murder on the Orient Black Panther's Letitia Wright, Sex Express. The first film was also Education's popular actor Emma a star-studded affair starring Mackey, Game of Thrones alum Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Rose Leslie, Jennifer Saunders, Michelle Pfeiffer and others. Ali Russell Brand , Dawn French,Tom Fazal shot for the film for three Bateman with Oscar nominee months in the UK last year. Annette Bening. The film also stars Talking about working with Ali, Kenneth as the beloved, popular Kenneth had told PTI, "Ali was Belgian detective Hercule Poirot a joy to work with, an absolute and Bollywood actor Ali Fazal. joy. He's a total pro. He's a real Death on the Nile is among Agatha details man. He was completely Christie's most popular books. It caught up in how the character features a murder of passion on board a cruise ship on looked sounded and was able to be very precise, but the river Nile. A classic locked room drama, it has been also very playful. He could improvise when I asked him adapted on the big screen multiple times before. Death to improvise." on the Nile is among Agatha Christie's most popular He has earlier starred in Victoria and Abdul with Judi books. It features a murder of passion on board a cruise Dench and in Furious 7 with Vin Diesel and others. On ship on the river Nile. A classic locked room drama, it the home turf, the actor has the second season of has been adapted on the big screen multiple times before. Mirzapur coming that is expected to drop on Amazon Written by Michael Green, the film is slated for a very Prime later this year. Shree Narayan Singh to remake Dilip Kumar-Amitabh Bachchan's Shakti, says 'It's a huge responsibility' After 38 years, Dilip Kumar responsibility, which is why we are Shakti was the only film that featured and Amitabh Bachchan-starrer taking time to finalise the script, even Dilip and Amitabh together; the two Shakti is set to get a played father and son. It traced remake. Reportedly, a the fight between them which remake of Ramesh Sippy's arose due to a difference in their action-crime drama was principles. While Dilip essayed being planned earlier too, the role of a cop, Amitabh with Amitabh stepping in as deviates to a life of crime the father and his real-life son because of his hatred for his Abhishek Bachchan taking father's love for duty, which up the role of the rebellious resulted in negligence towards son, but the plans never the family. Shakti got four materialised. Now, Shree Filmfare Awards, including Best Narayan Singh is working on a though ours is more of an adaptation Film, Best Actor (Dilip Kumar), Best remake of the iconic film.Confirming than a remake. The idea is to take Editing and Best Screenplay in the same, the filmmaker told Mumbai the film on floors by next year." Shree 1982. Rakhee essayed the role of Mirror, "I have been working on the Narayan is known for Akshay Kumar- Amitabh's mother in the film. The film film for the last two years with starrer Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and also featured Amrish Puri, Smita Anjum Rajabali and Saumya Joshi Shahid Kapoor-Shraddha Kapoor's Patil and Kulbhushan Kharbanda in penning the script. It's a huge Batti Gul Meter Chalu. important roles. Goa CM says International Film Festival of India to be held as per schedule in November International Film Festival of India (IFFI) @goacm must reconsider its decision on hosting will happen in November, said Goa chief minister of #IFFI2020," Leader of Opposition in the state Pramod Sawant. Assembly Digambar Kamat tweeted. Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant has said the He also demanded a white paper from the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) would be government on the expenditure incurred on IFFI, held in the state in November this year as per and benefits received by the local film fraternity schedule. IFFI is held annually in the coastal state and tourism sector from the festival. CM between November 20 and 28. @DrPramodPSawant has accepted that financial The state will be hosting IFFI 2020 as per schedule condition of the State is bad. The Covid Pandemic in the last week of November, Sawant told is not the time for hosting Festivals and reporters on Wednesday. Celebrations. With no Financial support from The opposition Congress, however, said it is not @MIB_India and @DFF_India, Goa ends up advisable to host IFFI in the wake of the Covid-19 spending Rs 20-25 crores every year on the mega pandemic and urged the state government to event.@INCGoa, Kamat said in another tweet. The reconsider its decision. festival is organised by the Directorate of Film Role of @GovtofGoa is now reduced to Travel and Festivals in association with the state Hospitality agent of @IFFIGoa. I demand government's Entertainment Society of Goa. Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 40

See Full page Voice of South Asian Community Since March 2002 advt on P : 10 Vol. 19 Issue 25 Friday 22 August to 28 August 2020 $1 www.thesouthasianinsider.com Thousands seek to adopt a 9-year-old boy after Sushant Singh Rajput case: 5 factors seeing his heartbreaking plea for a new family behind SC order for CBI probe The Supreme Court presented a detailed legal rationale behind its order to transfer Sushant's death case to the CBI.

(News Agencies)- The Mumbai police have not Supreme Court on Wednesday registered an FIR or started ordered a CBI probe into the death investigation into the incident. of Bollywood actor Sushant 2. Patna police has jurisdiction Singh Rajput. Below is a list of 5 to register FIR factors that played a role in the Rajput's girlfriend Rhea (News Agencies)-If 9-year-old Jordan court's decision. Chakraborty had argued that could be anywhere in the world, he'd be at an 1. Maharashtra police yet to Bihar police does not have adoption party celebrating with a forever family investigate jurisdiction to deal with the of his own. The Oklahoma Department of Human The court noted that the matter and register an FIR since Services says it's gotten more than 10,000 Maharashtra police was only the incident occurred in adoption requests from people hoping to make conducting a limited inquiry under Section 174 of Mumbai. The Supreme Court, however, turned this down his dream come true since his story was shared the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) into the cause stating that registration of an FIR is mandated when last week by CNN affiliate KFOR. "I hope one of of unnatural death of Rajput. information on a cognizable offence is received by the y'all pick me," he told KFOR. "I would just like Section 174 of CrPC confers powers on police to police. to have a family to call mom and dad, or just enquire into death by suicide and submit a report to "Precedents suggest that at the stage of investigation, mom, or just dad. I don't really care." When the district magistrate. The Supreme Court said that it cannot be said that the concerned police station does asked what he'd do if he was given three wishes, an inquiry under section 174 is limited in scope and not have territorial jurisdiction to investigate the case," Jordan said he really only needs one. cannot be equated to a full-fledged investigation. The the court said in its judgment. (Contd on page 29) (Contd on page 29) Former Trump aide Bannon pleads not guilty to swindling donors in India Day celebrated with Car private border wall effort Parade in Long Island

(News Agencies)- Steve Bannon, a former senior White House adviser to President Donald Trump, has been arrested and charged with three other men for swindling donors who supported a private effort to build sections of wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bannon and the other men were indicted by a federal grand jury in New York (Contd on page 30) on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with their roles in the non-profit group "We Build the Wall." Prosecutors allege that Bannon, 66, diverted $1 million raised by the group to another organization he controlled and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of donor funds on his personal expenses. Also charged in the two-count conspiracy indictment: (Contd on page 31)