1. J&K Assembly Election: Voting in 2nd phase begins on a brisk note; PM Appeals to Vote for ‘Strengthening Democracy’
2. ‘India has Difficult History with China’: S Jaishankar amid Border Standoff
3. International gang dealing in fake notes busted, 10 people including SP leader arrested
4. Manipur tribal group announces restrictions in wake of possible militant attack
5. ‘Spitting and mixing of urine in eatables’: U.P. restaurants told to install CCTVs, eateries to display names of proprietors

What Else

1. MUDA case: Karnataka High Court dismisses Siddaramaiah’s plea
2. Indian-made AK-203 rifles draw increased interest from Africa, Middle East
3. Sri Lanka President Dissanayake picks Harini Amarasuriya as Prime Minister
4. Bangladesh: Biden expresses ‘full support’ to [his] Yunus-led interim govt
5. Myanmar: Pope Francis urges Aung San Suu Kyi to be released, offers asylum in Vatican
6. Top Chinese economist disappears after criticising Xi Jinping
7. China’s retirement age reforms not enough to fix pension headache
8. Pakistan faced terrorism in worst form after 9/11: PM Shehbaz

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J&K Assembly Election: Voting in 2^nd phase begins on a brisk note; PM Appeals to Vote for ‘Strengthening Democracy’

• The voting began at 7 am on Wed for the 2^nd phase of the J&K Assembly election, in which over 2.5 million voters will decide the fate of 239 candidates in the fray for 26 seats, in 3 districts of Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Budgam and the Jammu region’s Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch districts.
• Voting will end at 6 pm. Officials said brisk polling was witnessed in the first hour and long queues of people were seen outside the polling booths.
• While the Chrar-e-Sharif assembly segment in Budgam district witnessed heavy polling, the two seats in Ganderbal district recorded brisk polling as well.
• Key candidates in this phase include CMs of the erstwhile state Omar Abdullah, JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra, and BJP J&K chief Ravinder Raina.
• PM Modi on Wed appealed to voters in the state to use their franchise
• “I appeal to all voters that they must cast their votes and play an important role in strengthening democracy,” Modi said while greeting the first-time voters. (more)

‘India has Difficult History with China’: S Jaishankar amid Border Standoff

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reflected on the challenging history of India-China relations during an address at the Asia Society in New York.
• He highlighted the escalation during the COVID-19 pandemic when China violated agreements by increasing troop presence along the Line of Actual Control, leading to a deadly clash.
• Jaishankar emphasized that despite some progress in disengagement, key issues, particularly border patrolling rights, remain unresolved.
• “When I said 75% of it has been sorted out, it’s only of the disengagement. So, that’s one part of the problem… So we’ve been able to sort out much of the disengagement”
• He stressed the importance of de-escalation for peace in the border regions.
• Additionally, he noted India’s evolving ties with Gulf nations and the broader implications of India’s role in global geopolitics. (more)
• China, India must work together for healthy, stable development of ties: Envoy:
  Chinese Consul General Xu Wie emphasized the importance of China and India working together to promote healthy and stable bilateral relations, especially in today’s tumultuous world.
• He highlighted the significance of the 5 Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, also known as Panchsheel, [As they did in 2020 Galwan], which were first advocated by China, India, and other countries 70 years ago.
• Xu Wei emphasized that these principles have become a cornerstone of international relations and should continue to guide China-India relations.
• He also noted China’s enthusiasm for foreign investment, with $70 billion invested and nearly 27,000 foreign-invested enterprises established, and the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata issuing nearly 7,000 visas this year. (more)

International gang dealing in fake notes busted, 10 people including SP leader arrested

• In Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, an international fake currency gang has been exposed.
• Police arrested 10 individuals, including leaders from the Samajwadi Party
• The gang operated in the border areas of UP-Bihar and had ties to Nepal.
• Mohammad Rafid Ahmed, the mastermind and national secretary of the Samajwadi Lohia Vahini, has 11 criminal cases against him.
• They recovered ₹5.62 lakh in counterfeit notes, ₹1.1 lakh in real currency, 3,000 Nepali notes, 10 pistols, 30 live cartridges, 4 cotton bombs, 13 mobile phones, 26 fake SIM cards, fake Aadhaar and ATM cards, and 8 laptops.
• The criminals, from Severhi, Taryasujan, and Tamkuhiraj areas, have been jailed, and the police plan to confiscate their property.
• Several other members also have multiple cases.
• The police plan to confiscate their property as part of further action. (more)

Manipur tribal group announces restrictions in wake of possible militant attack

• Various tribal organizations, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), have issued a travel advisory for the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur, warning against travel outside their areas from Sept 26-28 due to fears of an attack.
• The advisory followed a meeting where decisions were made to close borders, schools, and offices, and impose a shutdown on Sept 28 in Kuki-Zo areas.
• ITLF claimed the Manipur govt has acquired advanced weaponry and suspected plans of an assault on their community.
• “Previously, an assault on Kuki-Zo occurred shortly after the Manipur government announced the presence of 200 Kuki militants in Jiribam,” the statement said.
• Ethnic violence between Kuki-Zo and Meitei groups has persisted since May 2023, resulting in over 220 deaths. (more)
• [A few days back we reported, “Manipur’s Security Advisor, Kuldeip Singh had alleged that 900 Kuki militants had infiltrated the state and were planning a coordinated attack on the Meitei community on Sept 28, 2024”.]

‘Spitting and mixing of urine in eatables’: U.P. restaurants told to install CCTVs, eateries to display names of proprietors

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered strict measures following incidents of food adulteration involving spitting and mixing urine in food.
• He mandated that food centers must display the names and addresses of operators and managers.
• Chefs and waiters are now required to wear masks and gloves, and installing CCTVs in hotels and restaurants has been made mandatory.
• These measures come after viral videos and arrests linked to such incidents in Saharanpur, Ghaziabad, and Noida.
• Adityanath emphasized thorough investigations of food establishments and necessary amendments to food safety laws to ensure public health protection. (more)

MUDA case: Karnataka High Court dismisses Siddaramaiah’s plea

• The Karnataka High Court upheld the Governor’s decision to permit an investigation against CM Siddaramaiah over allegations of illegally allotting 14 sites worth ₹56 crore to his wife, Parvathi.
• The court ruled that the case required investigation and dismissed Siddaramaiah’s challenge to the Governor’s authority to approve Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
• The court also clarified that the Governor’s decision was valid and did not require a hearing before the investigation.
• Additionally, the court rejected Siddaramaiah’s plea to stay the verdict. (more)

Indian-made AK-203 rifles draw increased interest from Africa, Middle East

• India’s Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) is experiencing a surge in export inquiries for its Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles from African and ME countries.
• This increased demand is largely due to the sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and other Western nations.
• The AK-203, a modernized version of the Kalashnikov rifle, is known for its reliability and endurance in tough conditions.
• As the first country outside Russia to produce the AK-200 series, India is well-positioned to capitalize on this demand.
• With 35,000 AK-203 rifles already delivered to the Indian Army, IRRPL is poised to play a significant role in shaping India’s defense manufacturing sector. (more)

 [Neighborhood]

Sri Lanka President Dissanayake picks Harini Amarasuriya as Prime Minister

• Harini Amarasuriya was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new PM on Tue, becoming the first woman leader since Sirimavo Bandaranaike in the year 2000 to hold the post.
• The 54-year-old National People’s Power (NPP) leader was sworn in by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who appointed his Cabinet of 4, including himself.
• A rights activist and university lecturer, Amarasuriya has been assigned the portfolios of the Minister of Justice, Education, Labour, Industries, Science & Tech, Health, etc.
• IMF to begin talks with new Lanka govt led by President Dissanayake
• This comes after former President Ranil Wickremesinghe negotiated a $2.9 billion facility to aid Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.
• She has replaced PM Dinesh Gunawardena, who resigned from his post following the presidential election.
• NPP parliamentarians Vijitha Herath and Laxman Nipunarachchi were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers.
• They would serve as the caretaker Cabinet with the imminent dissolution of parliament to call for a snap parliamentary election.
• The election could happen in late Nov, officials said.
• Mr. Dissanayake, 56, was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s ninth President on Sun following his victory in the presidential election. (more)

Bangladesh: Biden expresses ‘full support’ to [his] Yunus-led interim govt

• US President Joe Biden expressed full support for Muhammad Yunus and his interim govt in Bangladesh during a bilateral meeting at the UNGA in New York.
• Yunus, who [inserted] assumed the role of chief adviser in Aug following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation amid a student-led uprising, discussed the sacrifices made by students and emphasized the need for US cooperation in rebuilding Bangladesh.
• Biden commended the students’ efforts and pledged further support.
• According to the press note, Biden said if the students could sacrifice so much for their country, they too should do more.
• Yunus also presented Biden with a book, The Art of Triumph, featuring graffiti from the revolution. (more)
• Yunus gifts The Art of Triumph to Trudeau: Yunus met Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the UNGA to discuss strengthening Bangladesh-Canada relations, fostering freedom, and supporting youth.
• Yunus gifted Trudeau a copy of The Art of Triumph.
• Trudeau praised Yunus for his leadership and pledged Canada’s support for institution-building in Bangladesh. [how many?]
• Yunus thanked Canada for its friendship and requested more visas for students.
• The meeting followed Yunus’s participation in a UN reception hosted by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UNGA’s inaugural session. (more)

Myanmar: Pope Francis urges Aung San Suu Kyi to be released, offers asylum in Vatican

• Pope Francis has offered asylum to Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying “I asked for her release and met her son in Rome. I proposed to the Vatican to give her shelter on our territory”.
• Suu Kyi, 78, is serving a 27-year prison sentence on various charges, including corruption and violating COVID-19 restrictions.
• The Pope emphasized the need for action, stating, “We cannot stay silent about the situation in Myanmar today. We must do something“.
• He also expressed hope for Myanmar’s future, saying it should be “one of peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of everyone and respect for a democratic system”.
• Suu Kyi was arrested in the 2021 military coup and has faced international criticism for not stopping the army’s persecution of the Rohingya minority.
• The 1991 Nobel Peace laureate was once hailed as a beacon for human rights.
• The situation in Myanmar remains dire, with ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. (more)

Top Chinese economist disappears after criticising Xi Jinping

• Chinese economist Zhu Hengpeng has vanished from public view after criticizing President Xi Jinping’s handling of the economy on a private WeChat group chat.
• This led to his detention and removal as deputy director of a prominent think tank.
• His disappearance coincides with Xi’s crackdown on dissent as China struggles with a slowdown caused by turmoil in the property sector.
• Economists fear China’s debt levels and ability to meet its 5% growth target.
• Despite a fresh stimulus package and rate cuts, experts say more fiscal support is needed.
• Household consumption is low due to savings concerns, and businesses are cautious.
• China needs new sources of domestic demand, requiring confidence and sustained income growth.
• The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI Index rose 4.3% after the stimulus package, but experts remain skeptical.
• The economy faces long-term pressures from a shrinking population, forecast to halve by 2100. (more)

China’s retirement age reforms not enough to fix pension headache

• China’s decision to raise retirement ages is a crucial step to addressing its pension deficit and shrinking workforce, but experts warn that more reforms are needed as the economy slows down.
• The country’s aging population, exacerbated by the one-child policy, has led to a significant decline in the working-age population. Key Changes:
• Men’s retirement age: increasing from 60 to 63
• Women’s retirement age: rising from 50 to 55 for ordinary workers and from 55 to 58 for management positions
• Contribution period: increasing from 15 to 20 years starting in 2030
• Economists stress that solving the pension problem now is crucial while China still has some economic growth to finance the deficit.
• The success of these reforms depends on managing risks, such as the adaptability of the elderly population to new job markets and technological changes. (more)

Pakistan faced terrorism in worst form after 9/11: PM Shehbaz

• PM Shehbaz Sharif addressed the SDG Moment 2024 Meeting, highlighting Pakistan’s struggles with terrorism and climate change.
• He stated that Pakistan faced the worst form of terrorism after 9/11, resulting in 80,000 Pakistani martyrs and a $150 billion loss.
• Sharif emphasized the need for developed nations to aid developing countries trapped in debt due to climate-related disasters.
• Pakistan suffered $30 billion in losses during the 2022 floods, yet was expected to borrow more money to repay loans, creating a “death trap”.
• To combat these issues, Sharif has introduced initiatives like the Punjab Endowment Education Fund and Danish Schools, providing education and empowerment to underprivileged children.
• Despite progress, 25 million children remain out of school, and efforts are underway to enroll them. Key Initiatives:
• Punjab Endowment Education Fund (PEEF): Provides vouchers for girls and boys to attend schools in remote areas.
• Danish Schools: Equipped with smart boards, quality teachers, and resources for talented poor and orphan children.
• Vocational Training: Introduced in education institutions to promote skilled development. (more)