PM Modi launches 3 Param Rudra supercomputers: Know features, how these will help India
These systems have been installed in Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata, respectively
Who’s in the running to be Japan’s next prime minister?
Japan’s governing party will choose a new leader on Friday to replace Fumio Kishida who announced his resignation in August. The winner of the contest for leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the largest in parliament, will become the country’s next prime minister. Most analysts expect the new leader to call a snap election to secure a mandate from voters. A record nine candidates have been campaigning and the break-up of the LDP’s usual power structures as a result of a series of corruption scandals have made it harder to predict the outcome. Many candidates “have claimed that ‘I’m the one who can handle Trump’ or ‘I’m the one who can stand up to China’”, Jeffrey J Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, told the AFP news agency. But there are significant differences in their approach to such issues, and although some of the nine have “no hope whatsoever”, the race remains “a toss-up”. “This is the most unpredictable that an LDP election has been in many years,” Hall said. The first round of voting starts at 1pm (04:00 GMT) with the eventual winner expected to hold a news conference at about 6pm (09:00 GMT). The contest might also produce Japan’s first woman or youngest-ever prime minister. Candidates will go through several rounds of voting to whittle down the field [Issei Kato/Reuters] Here are some of the more prominent contenders: Shigeru Ishiba, 67 A former defence minister, Shigeru Ishiba is popular with the public but has failed four times to secure the post of party leader. Ishiba’s campaign has focused heavily on security issues, and he has indicated he will push for more oversight over Washington’s use of its bases in Japan, and also for Japan to have a say in how the US might use its nuclear weapons in Asia. Other suggestions have included the creation of an ‘Asian NATO’. On the economy, the 67-year-old has questioned the Bank of Japan’s maverick interest rate policy. A former agriculture minister, he has also called for more efforts to address rural depopulation. Takeshi Iwaya, one of the LDP legislators supporting Ishiba’s candidacy, describes the veteran politician as a man with a “sincere and honest attitude towards politics”. Ishiba graduated from Keio University with a law degree. He enjoys making military models, including one of a Soviet aircraft carrier for the visit of a Russian defence minister, as well as trains and 1970s pop idols. Shinjiro Koizumi, 43 The 43-year-old son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has positioned himself as the change candidate, with the vision and charisma to help the party rebuild after its recent scandals. Koizumi was first elected to parliament in 2009 and established his credentials by working on reconstruction in eastern Japan following the devastating 2011 earthquake. He was environment minister under the administration of Shinzo Abe who was assassinated in July 2022, as well as that of his successor Yoshihide Suga. Koizumi has supported the development of renewables. Unusually, he also took paternity leave for the birth of his children. He has promised to hold a snap election if he wins the party leadership. “With the rapidly declining birthrate and ageing population, we need leaders who have the antennae and sensibility to pick up on diverse voices, including those of young people and women,” said Ayuko Kato, an LDP legislator backing Koizumi’s candidacy. Shinjiro Koizumi is positioning himself as the change candidate. His sign reads ‘Political Reform’ [File: Takashi Aoyama/Pool Photo via AP Photo] Koizumi has an economics degree from Kanto Gakuin University, and a master’s from Columbia University, He also spent time working at the US think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He enjoys surfing and in July spent a day at the beach with US ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel. Sanae Takaichi, 63 Sanae Takaichi, whose hero is former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, could follow in her idol’s footsteps to become her country’s first woman prime minister. A vocal nationalist popular with the LDP’s conservative faction, Takaichi was close to Abe, whose supporters within the party remain powerful. She has aroused controversy with her promise to visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japan’s war dead including a number of convicted war criminals. Japanese leaders stopped going to the shrine in 2013 amid criticism from the US and condemnation from South Korea, China and other nations that see it as a symbol of Japan’s wartime aggression. The 63-year-old, who is currently the minister of state for economic security, also supports a strong military and nuclear power and is against social change on issues such as same-sex marriage. She previously ran for leadership in 2021 when she had Abe’s support. Takaichi is a graduate of the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management. The Yasukuni Shrine honours Japan’s war dead, but is controversial because it also includes several war criminals [File: Hiro Komae/AP Photo] Taro Kono, 61 Taro Kono, currently minister for digital transformation, is an experienced and outspoken reformist who also ran for leadership in 2021. Kono has held multiple jobs at ministerial level, including foreign affairs and defence, and is seen as one of the more liberal candidates. The 61-year-old has amassed 2.5 million followers on social media platform X. Opposed to nuclear power after the 2011 quake and nuclear disaster, he has since softened his stance amid growing demands for energy from AI data centres. Kono was first elected to parliament in 1996. He graduated from Georgetown University in the US. Yoko Kamikawa, 71 Currently foreign minister, Yoko Kamikawa was the last to join the race for the presidency, announcing her candidacy on September 11. She is serving her seventh term in the House of Representatives and was appointed to her first cabinet post in 2006 under Abe. The 71-year-old has won plaudits for her work on the international stage, including a visit to Kyiv, but reportedly struggled to secure the support she needed to run as a candidate. Kamikawa graduated from the University of
Lebanese FM says Israeli occupation is root cause of current crisis
NewsFeed “There will be instability and there will be war” as long as the Israeli occupation continues, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib told the UN General Assembly while also saying he welcomed a US and French ceasefire proposal. Published On 27 Sep 202427 Sep 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 945
As the war enters its 945th day, these are the main developments. Here is the situation on Friday, September 27, 2024. Fighting Ukraine’s military said Russian forces fired 78 attack drones and six missiles over various regions during an hours-long attack from Wednesday into Thursday. Air defences destroyed 66 drones and four missiles, it added. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the attack targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. One woman was killed in a missile strike on Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa, while 10 people were injured in a guided-bomb attack on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, officials said. At least one person was killed and one injured after Russian forces repeatedly shelled a village west of the Ukrainian-held city of Kherson, Regional Governor Vyacheslav Prokudin said. A local official in the town of Slatyne in northeastern Kharkiv said rescuers were searching for people who might have been hurt after a fire triggered by a Russian rocket attack engulfed six houses. Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces captured Ukrainsk in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. The town, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) west of the city of Donetsk, was home to more than 10,000 people before the war. Politics and diplomacy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy met United States President Joe Biden at the White House. Biden promised that the US would “stand by” Ukraine and that Kyiv would “prevail” in the war that began when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. He also announced a high-level summit of 50 allies of Ukraine would convene in Germany next month. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris also met Zelenskyy and promised her “unwavering” support for Ukraine. She also criticised her Republican rival Donald Trump for what she said was his “surrender” policy on Ukraine. Trump, who has said Ukraine should have “made a deal” with Russia, confirmed he would meet Zelenskyy in New York on Friday. The foreign ministers of China and Ukraine met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said they discussed ways to achieve “a comprehensive, fair and lasting peace for Ukraine based on the UN Charter”. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier held talks on Ukraine with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Wang said Russia-China ties would “move forward” while Russia’s Foreign Ministry described the discussions as “constructive”. US President Joe Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the Oval Office in the White House in Washington, DC [Saul Loeb/AFP] Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s move to broaden its nuclear doctrine was a “signal” to Western countries that there would be consequences for attacks on Russia. Russia’s security service said it had arrested six people, including three teenagers, for allegedly setting fire to railway and communications equipment on orders from Ukrainian intelligence. Officials in Qatar said Ukraine and Russia will exchange 13 children following mediation by the Gulf state. Nine children and teenagers as well as a 19-year-old sibling will be reunited with their families in Ukraine, while four children will go to Russia, the officials said. A Polish court jailed a 23-year-old Ukrainian national and a 30-year-old Belarusian citizen after they were found guilty of spying for Russia, state news agency PAP reported. The two men were among 16 citizens of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia arrested as part of an investigation into a spy ring whose activities included collecting information on the transportation of military equipment to Ukraine. Balazs Orban, a senior adviser to Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, told a pro-government newspaper that it was “irresponsible” for Ukraine to have responded to Russia’s invasion of its sovereign territory. Orban, who is no relation to the prime minister, said Hungary would probably not have defended itself if the same thing happened given Moscow’s brutal crackdown on the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising. Orban’s comments fuelled outrage on social media in Hungary. Weapons Biden announced nearly $8bn in new military aid for Ukraine, including Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) munitions to “enhance Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities” and to “win this war”. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told the Reuters news agency that Ukraine should be able to freely use the weapons that it has been given and that he hopes Kyiv would be able to target sites further into Russia with the latest weapons being delivered by the US. Adblock test (Why?)
Indian mountaineers name peak in Arunachal Pradesh after 6th Dalai Lama, China responds
India emphatically rejected China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh, saying it is an integral part of India, and assigning “invented” names does not alter this reality.
Armed Services Republicans, White House push back against claims that Zelenskyy’s PA visit was ‘political’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to a U.S. Army ammunition plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Sunday has come under fire from some Republicans including Speaker Mike Johnson for being partisan. Johnson wrote in a letter to Zelenskyy, “The tour was clearly a partisan campaign event designed to help Democrats…” ZELENSKYY QUESTIONS CHINA’S ‘TRUE INTEREST’ BEHIND PLAN TO END RUSSIA’S WAR The visit was at the request of Ukraine to thank the American workers who have helped boost ammunition production for Ukraine to defend against Russia, White House and Pentagon officials told Fox News. Elected officials who attended the event were all Democrats, but that is because it is standard procedure to invite House and Senate members who represent the district where the visit is located. JOHNSON DEMANDS ZELENSKYY FIRE UKRAINE’S AMBASSADOR TO US AMID FALLOUT FROM PENNSYLVANIA TRIP In this case, all elected officials happened to be Democrats due to what is called the “geographical jurisdiction,” a defense official told Fox News. Zelenskyy has met exclusively with Republicans in past trips due to this same reason of who happens to be in elected office in the districts he is visiting. VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY’S VANCE CRITICISMS COULD COME BACK TO HAUNT HIM, REPUBLICANS WARN Zelenskyy visited Utah in July of this year to meet with Utah’s Republican Gov. Spencer Cox and met with Utah’s all-Republican Congressional delegation. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) the Senate Armed Services Committee’s top Republican said in a statement, “If President Zelenskyy came to Mississippi, he would be accompanied by Republican officials because that’s who the people in their wisdom elected.” The U.S. Army helped arrange the visit, White House press secretary KJP told Jacqui Heinrich in today’s briefing Jacqui Heinrich questioned KJP about this in the WH briefing earlier this afternoon- Karine Jean-Pierre: “This is something that Ukrainians asked for. They did this a couple months ago in Utah, in Utah, with a Republican governor and Republican, elected officials were there as well. We didn’t hear any type of investigation request when we went to a Republican state. We didn’t.”
Biden touts reduction in crime, slams Republican response to gun violence in Thursday press conference
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris announced new executive actions Thursday aimed at reducing gun violence, and capped off the afternoon with a press conference touting all the work the Biden-Harris administration has done on the issue, while slamming Republicans for their response to it. “Guns are the number one – hard to believe – they’re the number one killer of children in America. More than any other cause – accidents – more than any other cause. It’s almost unbelievable – it’s sick,” Biden said from the White House’s East Room on Thursday. “Last year, after another school shooting, my predecessor said – like other members of Congress say – ‘Just get over it.’ I’m going to be very blunt, Secretary Vance from Ohio has called these shootings ‘facts of life.’ Who the hell do these people think they are?” In addition to attacking Republicans, Biden also spent time during Thursday’s press conference touting the work his administration has done to reduce violent crime overall. “A year before we came to the presidency, we saw the biggest increase in murder rates on record. Last year we saw the largest decrease in murder rates nationwide,” Biden said. “In the first half of 2024, in large cities across the country, the homicide rate dropped another 17%. Last year we also saw the lowest rates of all violent crime in more than 50 years.” WHITE HOUSE GRILLED ON HARRIS’ GUN OWNERSHIP, MANDATORY GUN BUYBACKS The Thursday press conference came the same week as the one-year anniversary of Biden’s first-of-its-kind Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which Biden slammed Republicans for trying to “defund.” Prior to the Thursday afternoon press conference, the White House unveiled Biden’s plan to take new executive actions aimed at combating “emerging” firearms threats, such as unserialized “ghost guns,” which can be made via a 3-D printer, and improving the manner in which schools prepare for incidents involving an active shooter. Biden said his new actions would establish a task force that will address the issue of 3-D printed “ghost guns” and machine-gun conversion devices, which are firearm components that can turn a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic one. Biden added that the task force will publish a “risk assessment” report within 90 days that will lay out “a strategy to address these emerging firearms threats.” In addition, Biden is directing the members of his Cabinet to share a report within 110 days that outlines “resources and information for schools to improve active shooter drills, minimize this harm, create age appropriate content and communicate with parents.” “The lack of guidance today on how to prepare students while minimizing the trauma of active shooter drills is unacceptable,” Biden argued. HARRIS CAMPAIGN WON’T GIVE DETAILS ON TYPE OF GUN SHE OWNS, LAST TIME SHE WENT TO RANGE KAMALA HARRIS ONCE SAID POLICE COULD PAY SURPRISE VISITS TO LEGAL GUN OWNERS’ HOMES FOR SAFE STORAGE CHECKS Meanwhile, Vice President Harris spoke at the Thursday event and reiterated her support for a nationwide assault weapons ban. Harris also called for the implementation of universal background checks, safe storage laws, red-flag laws and more mental health counselors in schools. Both Harris and Biden also slammed the gun lobby and gun manufacturers as well, arguing they need to be held liable in certain instances of gun violence. “If [Republicans] got their way, criminals could traffic guns and commit crimes,” Biden said Thursday. “There’s an amendment to defund the office of gun violence prevention. Bless me Father, as we say in my church. They attack the FBI and want to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives … Folks, you can’t be pro-law enforcement and be anti-FBI and ATF.” HARRIS-LED OFFICE, ATF STONEWALLING PROBE INTO ‘COLLUSION’ WITH ANTI-GUN GROUP LAWSUIT: HOUSE OVERSIGHT CHAIR Gun control critics, meanwhile, argue that Biden’s executive orders were an effort to distract from his administration’s poor record when it comes to reducing crime in major metropolitan cities. “This Executive Order is just one more attempt by the Biden-Harris Administration to deflect attention from their soft-on-crime policies that have emboldened criminals in our country,” said Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. “The orders are notably heavy on election-year rhetoric and light on substance,” Kozuch continued. “It’s no secret that Americans don’t feel safe under the Biden-Harris Administration, as evidenced by the record number of firearms being purchased for the defense of self and family.”
Judge blocks NY AG Letitia James from trying to silence pregnancy centers that promote abortion pill reversal
A federal judge this week issued New York Attorney General Letitia James a preliminary injunction that bars her from taking action against pregnancy clinics that promote abortion pill reversal on the grounds it would restrict protected free speech. The ruling came amid a lawsuit by the Thomas More Society on behalf of two pro-life ministries, Summit Life Outreach Center and the Evergreen Association. The lawsuit argues that James has targeted pregnancy centers with threats of prosecution for sharing information about abortion pill reversal, which she has said is unproven. “These small nonprofits, which exist to compassionately serve women and offer them alternatives to abortion, deserve to have their speech elevated—not chilled,” Peter Breen, Thomas More Society’s executive vice president and head of litigation, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “This court order makes clear Ms. James cannot censor pro-life speech purely because she dislikes it.” HARRIS CALLS FOR ELIMINATING FILIBUSTER TO PASS ‘ROE’ ABORTION BILL INTO FEDERAL LAW Fox News Digital has reached out to James’ office. In his order, Judge John Sinatra Jr., a Trump appointee, wrote that James is barred from preventing the clinics from promoting abortion pill reversal on their websites and social media platforms. Medicinal abortion involves taking mifepristone and following it with treatment of misoprostol days later, but pregnancy clinics have advised that those who change their minds and want to continue the pregnancy can do so by abandoning the second drug and instead taking doses of progesterone. In May, James filed lawsuits against 11 pregnancy centers that promoted the abortion pill reversal procedure, accusing them of engaging in fraud, deceptive business practices and false advertising. She claimed the groups were “spreading dangerous misinformation by advertising … without any medical and scientific proof.” DEMS LOOK TO FORCE VOTES ON EMERGENCY ABORTION AS ABORTION PILL DEATHS MAKE HEADLINES Despite not being named in James’ lawsuit, Summit Life Outreach Center and the Evergreen Association said her targeting of other pregnancy centers had put them at risk. Barbara Bidak, the executive director of Summit Life Outreach Center, said her staff works “tirelessly to provide life-affirming options for women in need.” “We’re incredibly pleased a federal judge has now made clear that Attorney General Letitia James’ legal attacks on our state’s pro-life ministries unconstitutionally chills our First Amendment right to share the lifesaving message of Abortion Pill Reversal—which gives pregnant moms in the middle of a chemical abortion a second chance to choose life.” Breen said the pro-life ministries have a constitutional right to share information about abortion pill reversal, and that “their message is saving thousands of lives.” The Thomas More Society is representing the 11 clinics in a separate case. Last month, a federal judge in that case ruled the clinics were protected by the First Amendment. “Based on a careful application of the preliminary injunction factors, especially as they relate to Plaintiffs’ First Amendment Free Speech claim, motion for a preliminary injunction is granted,” the judge wrote. Fox News Digital’s Peter Aitken contributed to this report.
Wisconsin DA investigating mayor’s removal of absentee ballot drop box
A Wisconsin district attorney is set to investigate a mayor for removing an official voting drop box. Mayor Doug Diny of Wausau recently made a spectacle of removing a voter drop box from outside City Hall. He posted a photo of himself on social media on Sunday, showing him carting away the metal ballot receptacle while dressed in a hard hat and gloves. WISCONSIN REPUBLICAN DEMANDS PROBE AFTER MADISON SENDS OUT OVER 2,000 DUPLICATE ABSENTEE BALLOTS County Clerk Kaitlyn Bernarde reported Diny to Marathon County District Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon, who is now pursuing an investigation via the state’s Department of Justice. The voting drop box was empty and not in use when it was removed, according to local reports. “This is no different than the maintenance guy moving it out there,” Diny said Wednesday. “I’m a member of [the] staff. There’s nothing nefarious going on here. I’m hoping for a good result.” WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT NEW LIBERAL MAJORITY REVERSES RULING THAT BANNED MOST BALLOT DROP BOXES IN SWING STATE Democrat Gov. Tony Evers called the drop box removal wrong and insisted that it be reinstated outside City Hall. “Drop box voting is safe, secure, and legal,” Evers said on social media. “As elected officials, we should be working to make it easier—not harder—for every eligible Wisconsinite to cast their ballot. That’s democracy.” The state’s Supreme Court ruled in July 2022 that absentee drop boxes – such as those used in the 2020 presidential election – are not authorized under state statutes. The court ruled that the Wisconsin Elections Commission guidance encouraging their use was unlawful, but the ruling was overturned by the court’s new liberal majority in July 2024. The move, which sparked a protest in the city Tuesday night and anger among drop box advocates, is the latest example in swing state Wisconsin of the fight over whether communities will allow absentee ballot drop boxes. More than 60 towns, villages and cities in nine counties have opted out of using absentee ballot drop boxes for the presidential election in November, according to a tally by the group All Voting is Local. Drop boxes are being embraced in heavily Democrat cities, including Milwaukee and Madison. Wisconsin has a total of 72 counties. Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Fox News Politics: The Happiest Place on Earth
Welcome to Fox News’ Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. What’s happening… -Trump assassination task force holds first house hearing… -Vance takes jab at Harris for “working class family” claim… -Trump-Vance have done significantly more interviews then Harris-Walz… The United States Secret Service, which has been the subject of heated scrutiny after two assassination attempts against former President Trump that many believe were avoidable, is now facing even more heat as it prepares to send employees to an LGBTQ-focused event at Florida’s Walt Disney World. The Secret Service is expected to send agents to Disney World on Oct. 7-10 as part of the Out and Equal Workplace Summit that includes breakout sessions, a gala and various events aimed at promoting LGBTQ diversity in the workplace. “Individually and as a collective community, we can break down barriers, bring everyone along, and illuminate the way forward where workplaces—and the world—are rich in inclusion and belonging, and innovation and opportunity are unlocked, for LGBTQ+ people and for all,” the Out and Equal Workplace Summit’s website states. “And through the Out & Equal Workplace Summit, we will harness, nurture, and grow that light. We will remind our collective community and the world of the brilliance and power we hold. We will remind them that we are an unstoppable, radiant force.”…Read more ACTION ON GUNS: WH Press Call on New Actions to Reduce Gun Violence …Read more STOP THE FLOW: Biden urged to crack down on oil companies doing business with Venezuela …Read more TAKING TO TASK: Trump assassination attempts task force holds first House hearing Thursday …Read more DEEP FAKE IMPERSONATOR: Dem senator reportedly targeted by suspect impersonating Ukrainian official …Read more PAROLE PUSHBACK: GOP senators vow to stop Biden admin’s ‘amnesty wand’ for illegal immigrants with US spouses …Read more ‘A BETTER WORLD’: Consumer watchdog group pushes Congress to dismiss Democrat calls to codify Chevron …Read more ALL-OUT TRADE WAR: Republicans propose bill that would double tariffs on Chinese imports …Read more CLASS WARFARE: JD Vance takes apparent jab at Kamala Harris saying she’s from a working class family …Read more NOTHING SPECIAL?: VP debate unlikely to sway race but could still have ‘indirect’ impact: experts …Read more EARLY VOTING BREAKDOWN: Early voting begins in Illinois, North Dakota, Florida and Michigan …Read more NAIL BITER: 3 battleground states are toss-ups with White House at stake: poll …Read more KAMALA’S PROJECT 2025: Trump strikes back at Harris with far-left wish list …Read more ‘VOTERS NEED AN ANSWER’: NC gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson hires Trump-friendly lawyer to investigate porn website allegations …Read more ‘AGAINST OUR DAUGHTERS’: Cruz challenger hit with blistering 7-figure ad over vote on top culture war issue …Read more PULLING AHEAD: Alsobrooks leading Hogan by wide margin in Maryland senate race …Read more WHO’S MORE ACCESSIBLE?: Trump-Vance have done significantly more interviews than Harris-Walz …Read more UNION STRONG: The numbers don’t lie: Teamsters in key battlegrounds support Trump over Harris …Read more ‘PEOPLE ARE FIRED UP’: Republicans in NC reveal how they are getting out the vote ahead of November …Read more ‘DOUBLING DOWN’: Newsom vetoes homeless accountability bill …Read more NEXT IN LINE: New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would replace Eric Adams if beleaguered mayor is ousted …Read more DATA CONTROL: FBI seizes Eric Adams’ phone as Dem mayor braces for federal case …Read more Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.