TEHRAN, Sep. 17 (MNA) – Cars were swept away due to a massive flood in Hérault of Occitania region, southern France.
18th East Asia Summit begins in Jakarta
Indonesia President Joko Widodo on Thursday thanked leaders of the East Asia Summit for making it a forum for all in order to strengthen cooperation
Published Date – 11:10 AM, Thu – 7 September 23
AP Photo
Jakarta: Indonesia President Joko Widodo on Thursday thanked leaders of the East Asia Summit for making it a forum for all in order to strengthen cooperation.
In his address to the 18th East Asia Summit that began in Jakarta today, Widodo said, “Essentially we acknowledge stability and peace as the main key to achieve prosperity. ASEAN is steadfast in making this vision an epicentrum of growth and therefore ASEAN will continue to work to play a role as country leader…” “ASEAN will really appreciate that if this East Asia summit can agree on a leader statement and its determination as the epicentrum of growth,” Widodo said.
Indonesia is the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year. The Indonesian President said that it is at this time when the international community will assess if “we are leaders with the wisdom to make the world a better place for all.” “I thank once again the leaders of the East Asia Summit of making this forum for us to strengthen the cooperation. I call on all the leaders to show the wisdom, to show the leadership for the success of this,” said Widodo as he declared the East Asia Summit open.
The East Asia Summit would provide an opportunity for leaders of ASEAN countries and its eight dialogue partners, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional and global significance.
East Asia Summit is the foremost of the ASEAN-centered mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific. Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role in providing a platform for dialogue and discussion on matters of strategic importance to the region.
At this 18 th East Asia Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders will discuss ways to further strengthen the East Asia Summit mechanism, as well as exchange views on matters of regional and international interest. EAS consists of 10 ASEAN Member States (i.e. Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam), Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and the USA. East Asia Summit is an initiative of ASEAN and is based on the premise of the centrality of ASEAN.
Prime Minister Modi attended the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit at the invitation of Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo. The Prime Minister’s visit to Indonesia comes ahead of the G20 Summit to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10 under India’s Presidency this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Indonesia early Thursday morning said that it is an “honour” for him to co-chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India summit.
Earlier PM Modi said he is looking forward to “working with various leaders for making a better planet. He said, “Last year we celebrated the India-ASEAN Friendship Day and gave it a form of comprehensive strategic partnership…” The ASEAN-India Summit is the first summit since the elevation of the ties between India and the ASEAN bloc of countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
Engagement with ASEAN is an important pillar of India’s ‘Act Eastpolicy,’ PM Modi said in his departure statement. The 20th ASEAN-India Summit is a ‘greatly cherished’ partnership, PM Modi said in a post on X.
US committed to ensuring India hosts successful G20 summit: White House
US is committed to ensuring that India hosts a successful G20 Summit, the White House has said ahead of President Joe Biden’s departure for New Delhi
Published Date – 11:40 AM, Thu – 7 September 23
Washington: The US is committed to ensuring that India hosts a successful G20 Summit, the White House has said ahead of President Joe Biden’s departure for New Delhi to attend the global summit and a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India is hosting the annual G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9 and 10. Biden, 80, will travel to New Delhi on Thursday to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
On Friday, the president will participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi and on Saturday and Sunday, he will participate in the official sessions of the G20 Summit.
“We commend Prime Minister Modi for his leadership of the G20 this year and we are committed to helping ensure that India has a successful G20 host as they host (the summit) this year,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference on Wednesday.
“So, that’s going to continue to be our commitment. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit here in June, the President (Biden) and the prime minister shared their determination to deliver on shared priorities at the summit,” she said in response to a question.
“The President is very much looking forward to continuing that work with the Prime Minister and other leaders later this week as we head out tomorrow,” Jean-Pierre said.
On Biden’s bilateral meeting with Modi, she said, “We are going to have more to share as we get closer to tomorrow…We are committed to making this a successful summit. We’ll certainly have more information to share, certainly on the bilateral with the prime minister.”
Iranian president due in New York to attend UNGA meeting
The Iranian president is scheduled to deliver a speech at the UNGA session in the United States.
Raeisi is also expected to hold talks with the leaders of other countries on the sidelines of the event, as well as deliver a speech to the Iranians residing in the US.
The high-level week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly starts on 18 September 2023. The first day of the general debate will be on Tuesday, 19 September.
MNA/NourNews
Russia destroys four more Ukrainian drones over Crimea
“From 01:45 a.m. to 02:20 a.m. Moscow time another attempt of the Kiev regime to perpetrate a terrorist attack on targets on the territory of the Russian Federation was stopped”, TASS reported citing the Russian Defense Ministry.
“Duty air defenses destroyed a Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle over the northwestern and eastern coast of the Crimean Peninsula,” the ministry added.
Ukrainian troops resorted to drone warfare in the last several months after the loss of several strategic locations and the growing number of casualties.
Military experts stress that Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia pursue no meaningful military goal apart from boosting morale among Ukrainians.
AMK/PR
Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan on October 21: Shehbaz Sharif
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that his brother Nawaz Sharif is set to arrive in Pakistan on October 21
Published Date – 12:50 PM, Sun – 17 September 23
File Photo
London: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that his brother and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is set to arrive in Pakistan on October 21, Pakistan-based Geo News reported.
He said that the Supreme Court’s recent decision on the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Amendment case has nothing to do with his cases. Shehbaz Sharif made the remarks after holding a legal session, attended by Nawaz Sharif, Suleman Sharif and lawyers Azam Nazir Tarar, Amjad Pervez and Attaullah Tarar. He said that the cases against Nawaz Sharif were made on false grounds and were politically motivated, according to Geo News report.
He said that cases against Nawaz Sharif were made on false grounds and were politically motivated. He said, “There is no legal merit in the cases framed against Nawaz Sharif and he has never relied on the new NAB laws. He will be in Pakistan on October 21.
“Sharif criticised Pakistan’s outgoing Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and said he made controversial and political decisions that benefited Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan. He alleged that Bandial went out of his way to help Imran Khan and violated his oath.
Shehbaz Sharif asked, “The 2-1 decision he gave is regrettable. To a great extent, he has restored a dictator’s black law. When Imran Khan changed NAB law through a presidential order to give NRO to his sidekicks, where was Bandial? Why didn’t he act like this at that time? That Ordinance was for four months and Imran Khan’s sponsors benefitted from that. That was a classic example of Niazi-NAB collusion,” Geo News reported.
PML-N President said that Pakistan was harmed through a conspiracy that brought Khan to power and the country’s journey to prosperity and progress halted. He said that if given a clear mandate again, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif will take Pakistan’s economy to the level where it was in 2017 when he was ousted for not taking a salary from his son.
Speaking about Raja Riaz’s inclusion into the PML-N, Shehbaz Sharif said that he and his brother welcomed the former PTI lawmaker and opposition leader Raja Riaz into the party.
Shehbaz Sharif said, “We have welcomed Raja Riaz into PML-N. For 16 months, he was leader of the opposition in the national assembly. I hope his joining will strengthen the party.” Riaz thanked Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif for trusting him.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s former law minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that Nawaz Sharif after his return to Pakistan will face all cases in respect of the courts.
Taking a dig at Imran Khan, Tarar said: “Nawaz Sharif will not put a bucket on his head. He will appear in the courts smiling and he will be vindicated on merit. There is no substance in the false cases made against him,” Geo News reported.
He further said, “We will work in accordance with the law. We will not attack the courts and we will not do anything to evade the course of justice as was seen recently. There will be open hearings and the truth will be established.”
Earlier, PML-N Deputy Secretary General Attaullah Tarar said that Nawaz Sharif’s planned return to Pakistan on October 21 will not be affected by the Supreme Court’s decision on PTI chief’s petition challenging amendments made to the country’s accountability laws during the tenure of the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government.
He said there was overwhelming evidence that Nawaz Sharif was an innocent man and no case is a hindrance in his way of return to Pakistan.
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso sign Sahel security pact
“I have today signed with the Heads of State of Burkina Faso and Niger the Liptako-Gourma charter establishing the Alliance of Sahel States, with the aim of establishing a collective defense and mutual assistance framework,” Reuters reported citing Mali junta leader Assimi Goita’s statements on his X social media account.
“Any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracted parties will be considered an aggression against the other parties,” according to the pact charter, known as the Alliance of Sahel States.
It said the other states will assist individually or collectively, including with the use of armed force.
France has been forced to withdraw its troops from Mali and Burkina Faso and is in a tense standoff with the junta that seized power in Niger after it asked it to withdraw its forces and its ambassador.
France has refused to recognize the authority of the junta.
AMK/PR
14 killed in plane crash in Brazil's Amazonas state
The accident took place in the Barcelos province, some 400 km (248 miles) from the state capital, Manaus, Reuters reported.
“I deeply regret the death of the 12 passengers and two crew members who were victims of the plane crash in Barcelos on Saturday,” said Wilson Lima, Governor of Amazonas state on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Our teams have been working from the outset to provide the necessary support. My sympathy and prayers go out to their families and friends.”
The Manaus Aerotaxi airline issued a statement confirming that there had been an accident and that it was investigating but offering no details about deaths or injuries.
“We count on respect for the privacy of those involved at this difficult time and will be available to provide all necessary information and updates as the investigation progresses,” the statement said.
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) said in a statement that investigators from the Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) had been called in to begin an investigation into the reasons for the crash of the small aircraft, an Embraer Bandeirante with the registration PT-SOG.
In an interview with O Globo newspaper, Governor Lima said that the bodies had already been removed from the aircraft and that the victims were Brazilian tourists.
MNA/PR
Seattle community rallies for justice for Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula
Kandula, 23, was struck by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave when she was crossing a street on January 23. He was driving 74 mph (more than 119 kmh) on the way to a report of a drug overdose call.
Updated On – 12:10 PM, Sun – 17 September 23
Seattle: Demanding sensitivity, respect and jail for killer police officers who were responsible for the killing of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula, more than 100 members of the South Asian community held a rally on the site where she was struck and killed by a speeding police patrol car.
Kandula, 23, was struck by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave when she was crossing a street on January 23. He was driving 74 mph (more than 119 kmh) on the way to a report of a drug overdose call.
In bodycam footage released on Monday by the Seattle Police Department, Officer Daniel Auderer laughed about the deadly crash and dismissed any implication Dave might be at fault or that a criminal investigation was necessary.
Over 100 members of the Seattle area’s South Asian community gathered at Denny Park on Saturday and made their way to the intersection where Kandula was hit.
They held signs saying “Jaahnavi had more value than Seattle Police Department” and “Justice for Jaahnavi, jail killer cops.” The rally was put together by UTSAV, which means festival or celebration, an organisation based in Bothell that helps connect South Asians with their communities.
“We’re not a monolith, the Indian community,” Rep. Vandana Slatter, D-Bellevue, said to the crowd.
“There’s diaspora in the community, but we are all united today.” Video from the night of the crash has sparked international outrage over the officer’s comments.
On Saturday, rally attendees pointed out that Kandula’s life did have value.
Shifali Jamwal, who brought her 3-year-old son, said Kandula was a master’s student and moved to America for her education so “her life would have more value.” “I can only imagine what Jaahnavi’s mom is going through,” Jamwal said.
Another attendee, Kyla Carrillo, 25, called Auderer’s comments “completely disrespectful.
“Not even unbelievable, not shocking, but just for [him] to value somebody’s life as such was disrespectful,” she said.
As people marched through the Dexter and Thomas crosswalk, one car continued moving forward, honking at protesters, despite several yield for pedestrian signs.
Between lanes at the intersection, marchers lit tea lights spelling out “Jaahnavi” and laid bouquets underneath a sign.
Kandula was set to graduate this coming December with a master’s degree in information systems from the Seattle campus of Northeastern University. Her family said she was working toward supporting her mother in India.
Saddened by Kandula’s death, Kenneth W. Henderson, Chancellor of Northeastern University in a statement issued on the varsity’s official Facebook page on Friday said that.” Her loss will be felt deeply by students, staff, and faculty. The university plans to award Jaahnavi her degree posthumously and present it to her family.
Earlier Saturday, community members met with Seattle’s mayor and police chief regarding the release of the footage.
They said they do not endorse eliminating police, but that Seattle must improve training, and stay engaged with the South Asian community. Statements by Mayor Bruce Harrell to date, that the offensive remarks represent an isolated incident, don’t go far enough to deal with the system and police culture, leaders said.
Arun Sharma, founder of UTSAV, said the organization plans to escalate action if the Police Department doesn’t take action against Auderer and Dave.
“Let’s not wait for another major incident like this to wake us up,” Sharma said. “Immigrants die by a thousand cuts.” Before dispersing, protesters chanted “Who had unlimited value? Jaahnavi Kandula. Say her name. Jaahnavi Kandula.”
ISRO congratulates JAXA on successful launch of lander mission to Moon
ISRO on Thursday congratulated the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on the successful launch of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon
Published Date – 11:50 AM, Thu – 7 September 23
Bengaluru: ISRO on Thursday congratulated the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on the successful launch of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM).
“Best wishes for another successful lunar endeavour by the global space community,” the Bengaluru-headquartered national space agency also said on ‘X’.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on Thursday launched a rocket carrying an X-ray telescope that will explore the origins of the universe as well as the SLIM.
