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Least Developed Countries demand at least US$ 1 trillion by 2030 to deal with the climate crisis 

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Baku, Azerbaijan —  Least Developed Countries, also known as LDCs, have demanded at least US$ 1 trillion by 2030 to deal with the climate crisis.

The LDC Group, that represents 45 countries and 1.1 billion people, has called for scaled up, new, additional, and easily accessible climate finance, for the poorest countries in the world.

“We urgently demand  finance that meets the unique needs of our vulnerable communities, and is delivered as grants, not loans,” said Evans Njewa, Chair of the LDC Climate Group.

“For too long, debt burdens have crippled our economies and deepened our vulnerabilities. Through partially costed estimates, the LDCs alone are in need of at least US$ 1 trillion by 2030 to implement our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). A failure to conclude COP29 without a bold new finance goal would be a tragic disservice to both the planet and vulnerable populations,” he said.

 This year alone, severe flooding and landslides devastated lives and property across countries including Nepal, Chad, Ethiopia, Bangladesh.

“LDCs have been bearing the brunt of climate change despite having no historic contribution to cause the crisis in the first place. Studies suggest that Nepal alone needs at least USD 33 billion to deal with severe impacts of climate change over the next five years,” said Manjeet Dhakal, climate change advisor to the LDC Group Chair. “We are calling upon the developed countries not only to fulfil their past commitments but also scale up their pledges.”

The world must step up with a game-changing climate finance goal that matches the true scale of our needs. Not billions, but trillions. It’s more important than ever that countries remain committed to continuing to work together to address this global crisis and collectively step up efforts, the Group said.

“COP29 must be clear on this, encouraging countries to submit strong new climate action plans – Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – early next year that are aligned with the 1.5°C goal. Additionally, our countries must be provided with adequate support to implement these plans. COP29 must also finalise the remaining rules on carbon markets, ensuring the market mechanisms support emissions reductions and don’t compromise environmental integrity,” said Njewa.

The 29th conference of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) – popularly known as COP 29- is to kick off in Baku on Monday.A total of 197 United Nations members as well as the European Union will be attending the conference 

 The Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group is made up of 45 countries across Africa, the Asia-pacific and the Caribbean, with a joint population of over one billion people. Incredibly vulnerable to environmental and economic shocks, and disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, LDCs negotiate together as a bloc at UN climate talks to advance their shared interest in a fair and ambitious global response to climate change.

British Asian Rugby Awards Celebrate South Asian Contributions to Rugby

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London — The inaugural British Asian Rugby Awards took place at the Palace of Westminster, celebrating the achievements and contributions of British South Asians to rugby. Organized by the British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) and supported by the Rugby Football League (RFL) and Rugby Football Union (RFU), the awards aim to inspire engagement, promote role models, and increase South Asian representation in rugby. Hosted in Speakers House by RFL President Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, the event marked a historic milestone, with over 100 attendees honoring individuals who have positively impacted rugby and their communities.

The awards recognized players, coaches, schools, and clubs that champion diversity, including 18-year-old Hamza Butt, who was awarded the Outstanding Talent Award. Butt, a promising centre from Burnley, has joined Wigan Warriors Academy after successful stints with Wigan St Pats and Leigh Miners Rangers. Huddersfield Giants and Bradford Bulls were also honored for their dedication to creating an inclusive environment within Rugby League.

BARA founder Dr. Ikram Butt, the first British South Asian to represent England in rugby, emphasized the event’s significance. “These awards highlight the success of South Asians who have inspired others, challenged stereotypes, and uplifted communities,” said Dr. Butt. “Hosting this in Parliament underscores the importance of representation and inclusivity in sport. BARA has always used rugby to drive social change, foster cultural understanding, and promote community cohesion. In challenging times, sport has the power to unite, break down prejudices, and create a sense of belonging.”

The awards also spotlighted the RFL’s commitment to inclusivity. Tony Sutton, RFL CEO, expressed his pride in the event, saying, “Rugby League is about unity, breaking down barriers, and creating opportunities for all. We are thrilled to support BARA in this initiative and look forward to championing these efforts for years to come.” Ben Abberstein, RFL Senior EDI Partner, highlighted the impact of the awards: “It was uplifting to see so many from the South Asian community involved in Rugby League. Through BARA, we are able to amplify their stories and inspire future generations.”

British Asian Rugby Awards Winners:

  • Rising Star Award: Nimrah Gul (Halifax Panthers)
  • Outstanding Talent Award: Hamza Butt (Wigan Warriors)
  • School Sport Excellence: Parkinson Lane Primary, Olive Tree Primary
  • Inclusion Awards: Manjinder Nagra, Beena Chadha
  • Grassroots Excellence: Mick Johal, Humayun Islam
  • Professional Club: Huddersfield Giants, Bradford Bulls
  • Coach of Excellence: Navneet Sembi
  • Community Excellence: Zeinab Drabu, Starr Zaman
  • International Excellence: Nasser Hussain

BARA Hall of Fame Inductees: Jaswant Chatha, Mandip Sehmi PLY, Manjinder Nagra, Jagmohan Johal, Junaid Malik, Syed Ali, Mamminder Singh Samra

Narendra Modi Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Ratan Tata: “An Inspiration to Generations”

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New Delhi —Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has penned a moving tribute to Ratan Tata, honoring the legendary industrialist’s enduring legacy a month after his passing. Tata, who died at 86 on October 10, is remembered for his profound impact on Indian industry, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. In his blog post, PM Modi commemorated Tata’s “steadfast commitment to the values of integrity, excellence, and service,” underscoring his achievements that lifted the Tata Group to new heights of global respect.

For millions of Indians, Tata epitomized the spirit of Indian enterprise. PM Modi recalled Tata’s role in nurturing India’s startup ecosystem, investing in promising ventures, and supporting young entrepreneurs. “He empowered a generation of dreamers,” Modi wrote, celebrating Tata’s unwavering support for innovation and a culture of entrepreneurship that will continue shaping India’s future.

PM Modi also highlighted Tata’s deep compassion, not only for people but for animals, exemplified by his dedication to animal welfare. Modi described Tata’s commitment to society as exemplifying “true leadership,” marked by empathy and support for the vulnerable.

Tata’s patriotism was also celebrated, with Modi recalling his swift reopening of the Taj Hotel in Mumbai after the 26/11 attacks as a symbol of resilience. Modi concluded by saying that Tata’s legacy lives on in the lives he touched, inspiring generations with his vision for a kinder, more compassionate India.

Pakistan’s Multan Air Pollution Crisis: AQI Surges to Hazardous Levels

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Multan, Pakistan – The air quality crisis in Pakistan’s Punjab province has escalated, with Multan recording an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 2,553 on Friday morning. This unprecedented level forced officials to close parks, schools, and public spaces, implementing a “smart lockdown” and early closure of shops at 8 p.m.

The concentration of toxic particulate matter (PM2.5) in Multan has reached 947 micrograms per cubic meter—189.4 times above World Health Organization guidelines, which set a safe limit at 5 micrograms. Smog, a harmful mix of smoke and fog, blankets the city, endangering public health and causing respiratory issues.

Authorities have attributed the rise in pollution to unusual wind patterns, claiming a “wind pool” from India’s Jaipur and Bikaner has worsened air quality in Punjab. Pakistani officials have also placed vehicles emitting smoke and stubble burning practices under increased scrutiny.

Declaring smog a “calamity,” the Punjab government has closed schools in 18 districts until November 18. The deteriorating air quality crisis mirrors similar conditions in India, where Delhi logged a “very poor” AQI of 359 on Saturday.

With health risks soaring, public officials urge swift actions to address the pollution emergency across the region.

Suicide Blast at Quetta Railway Station Kills 24, Injures 46

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Quetta, Pakistan – A suicide blast at Quetta Railway Station on Saturday claimed at least 24 lives and injured 46 others, according to Quetta Division Commissioner Hamza Shafqat. The attack occurred as a Jaffar Express train was preparing to depart for Peshawar, leaving rubble scattered across the platform.

The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, marking the latest in a series of escalating terrorist incidents in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. The blast follows a deadly bombing near a girls’ school and hospital in Mastung district last week that killed eight, including five children.

Commissioner Shafqat stated that train services in the area would be suspended, and he urged the public to donate blood for the injured. An emergency was declared at local hospitals to handle the influx of casualties.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack, calling it a “continuation of targeting innocent people.” He vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice, adding that operations to root out terrorism in Balochistan would continue.

Over the past year, Pakistan has seen a spike in violence, with over 1,500 fatalities in terror-related incidents in 2023 alone. Recent attacks in Balochistan have included bombings targeting police, as well as armed attacks on laborers and construction sites.

Security forces have secured the blast site, and a Bomb Disposal Squad is collecting evidence. Authorities are investigating the incident while the Balochistan government has called for intensified operations against terrorist groups in the region.

The Sari: A Timeless Tradition Woven Through South Asian Culture

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Sneha Rae

The sari, a symbol of South Asian heritage, has been a defining garment for women across countries like Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka for millennia. With origins as early as 2800-1800 BCE, the sari represents not just a style of dress but a rich cultural tradition that has evolved through time.

Originally woven from cotton, the earliest saris in the Indian subcontinent were adorned with natural dyes like indigo, turmeric, and red madder, giving them vibrant colors long before synthetic dyes existed. The simple cotton fabric eventually became more elaborate, with new materials and decorative techniques arriving over the centuries. Gold threads, precious stones, and intricate motifs found their way into saris, especially for those of higher social standing, transforming them from practical garments into status symbols and works of art.

A sari typically measures between 4.5 and 9 meters, wrapping elegantly around the waist and draping over the shoulder in a way that flatters all body types. With over 100 documented styles of draping, the sari is versatile and open to personal interpretation, allowing each woman to bring her unique flair to the garment. Among these styles, the Nivi drape—characterized by pleats tucked at the waist and the end draped over the shoulder—remains the most popular across South Asia.

The word “sari” itself has evolved from the ancient term “Sattika,” a three-piece ensemble from 6th-century BCE texts, which included a skirt, a veil, and a chest band. The influence of various cultures and imports through the ages expanded the possibilities for the sari, bringing new colors, textiles, and patterns. Printing techniques introduced florals, figurative designs, and motifs, making each sari distinct and a representation of the region and culture it came from.

While the sari is still worn in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, it has become a cultural icon most closely associated with India. Each region has its unique draping style, embodying local traditions, foods, and dialects within the very fabric of the garment. Today, saris are made from a variety of materials, including silk, cotton, and even polyester. While there is some debate about modern innovations, such as synthetic materials and Western influences, these adaptations highlight the sari’s ability to evolve with the times while preserving its essence.

One of the sari’s most enduring qualities is its role as a garment for women of all social classes and ages. From the wealthy to the working-class, saris have historically been a choice for everyone. Their one-size-fits-all nature means they can be passed down from one generation to another, bearing both family history and tradition. Many women receive saris from their mothers and grandmothers, creating a powerful, personal connection to their heritage. This passing down of saris mirrors the way stories and values are shared within families, knitting together generations in the same way the sari itself is woven.

Today, the sari industry remains a significant economic force, particularly in India, where as of 2023, it employed an estimated 11 million people. Though modern-day saris might integrate Western fashion elements, they remain cherished heirlooms, reflecting a timeless beauty that has adapted across centuries. The sari’s ability to blend the old with the new while symbolizing a shared cultural identity has cemented it as a treasured emblem of womanhood and tradition across South Asia.

Nepalese Teenager Breaks Record as Youngest to Summit All 14 Highest Peaks

Posted on by SAT News Desk

In a remarkable feat, 18-year-old Nima Rinji Sherpa from Nepal has set a new world record as the youngest mountaineer to conquer Earth’s 14 highest peaks, each over 8,000 meters. Early on Wednesday, Nima Rinji stood atop Mount Shishapangma in Tibet, his final summit in the prestigious “eight-thousander” list, achieving the record at approximately 6:05 a.m. local time.

Nima Rinji, who began his high-altitude climbing journey at 16, scaled all 14 peaks within an impressive 740 days. His first major summit was Nepal’s Manaslu on September 30, 2022, just after he had completed his 10th-grade exams. Throughout his journey, he was accompanied by his climbing partner, Pasang Nurbu Sherpa, forming a duo that exemplifies the next generation of skilled Sherpa mountaineers.

This record-breaking summit on Wednesday is the latest in a series of milestones for Nima Rinji, who has also become the youngest to scale Pakistan’s G1 and G2 peaks, Kashmir’s formidable Nanga Parbat, and Nepal’s Mount Everest and Lhotse within a span of 10 hours. Reflecting on his journey, he emphasized that his accomplishments go beyond individual triumphs; they represent a tribute to the Sherpa community.

“This summit is not just the culmination of my personal journey, but a tribute to every Sherpa who has ever dared to dream beyond the traditional boundaries set for us,” Nima Rinji said. “Mountaineering is more than labor; it is a testament to our strength, resilience, and passion.”

The Sherpa community is well known as the backbone of Himalayan expeditions, yet often stereotyped as guides or porters for foreign climbers. However, Nima Rinji aims to change this perception. “We are not just guides; we are trailblazers,” he said, urging younger Sherpas to “rise above the stereotype of being only support climbers and embrace their potential as top-tier athletes, adventurers, and creators.”

Nima Rinji’s dedication to changing the image of Sherpa mountaineers reflects his heritage, as he comes from a family steeped in mountaineering accomplishments. His family runs Seven Summit Treks, Nepal’s largest mountaineering expedition company, which organized his historic Shishapangma climb.

Following the successful summit, his father, Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, shared a proud moment, recounting a call with his son via satellite phone. “He told me, ‘Dad, I reached the summit at 6:05 Chinese time. My colleague Pasang Norbu and I have arrived,’” Tashi Lakpa recalled. “Being highly trained and professional, he wasn’t even thrilled; it was normal. I said, ‘I had faith in you. Return safely.’”

Rakesh Gurung, Director of Adventure Tourism and Mountaineering under Nepal’s Department of Tourism, confirmed the record, stating that Nima Rinji will receive official certification upon his return to base camp. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Nepali climber Mingma Gyabu ‘David’ Sherpa, who completed the eight-thousanders at age 30 in 2019.

All of the 14 eight-thousanders are located in Asia, within the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges. As Nima Rinji stands as the youngest to conquer these peaks, he not only sets a new world record but redefines the role and potential of Sherpa climbers on the global mountaineering stage.

Foreign Tech Giants, Including Apple and Google, Start Paying Digital Service Tax in Nepal

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu, Nepal – Major international tech companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, and Netflix have started paying Nepal’s newly implemented Digital Service Tax (DST) for providing electronic services to consumers in the country. This tax mandates a 2% levy on the transaction value of electronic services provided to Nepali consumers.

According to Dhurba Prasad Pandey, Chief Tax Officer and Information Officer at Nepal’s Large Taxpayers’ Office, 20 foreign companies are now registered and compliant with the DST requirement, established under the Economic Act for Fiscal Year 2022/23. This DST provision, which went into effect two years ago, was the country’s first attempt to tax foreign digital services, though not all companies operating in Nepal’s digital economy are yet covered by the framework.

Notable companies registered under the DST framework include Google Asia Pacific Private Limited, Google Ireland Limited, LinkedIn Singapore Private Limited, and Amazon’s divisions. Also registered are Ipsco International, Microsoft Regional Sales, Adobe Systems Software Ireland, Netflix, Zoho Corporation, Prometric Japan, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Pearson Education, and Apple Distribution International.

TikTok, which faced a temporary ban in Nepal earlier this year, will also now pay DST. Its return to the platform is contingent on compliance with certain regulatory conditions. Google Asia Pacific Private Limited, the parent company of Google, is among the most prominent registrants, overseeing popular services like Google Search and YouTube. Social media giants Facebook (operating through Meta, which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp), LinkedIn, and TikTok are likewise aligned with Nepal’s new tax regulations.

The registration of these companies marks a significant step toward formalizing Nepal’s digital economy and ensuring revenue from global tech giants conducting business in the country.

What Trump’s victory means for Ukraine, the Middle East, China and the rest of the world

Posted on by SAT News Desk

 Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham

Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025, combined with a Republican-led US Senate, was widely feared among international allies and will be cheered by some of America’s foes. While the former put on a brave face, the latter are finding it hard to hide their glee.

On the war in Ukraine, Trump is likely to try to force Kyiv and Moscow into at least a ceasefire along the current front lines. This could possibly involve a permanent settlement that would acknowledge Russia’s territorial gains, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the territories occupied since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

It is also likely that Trump would accept demands by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, to prevent a future Ukrainian Nato membership. Given Trump’s well-known animosity to Nato, this would also be an important pressure on Kyiv’s European allies. Trump could, once again, threaten to abandon the alliance in order to get Europeans to sign up to a deal with Putin over Ukraine.

When it comes to the Middle East, Trump has been a staunch supporter of Israel and Saudi Arabia in the past. He is likely to double down on this, including by taking an even tougher line on Iran. This aligns well with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s current priorities.

Netanyahu seems determined to destroy Iran’s proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen and severely degrade Iranian capabilities. By dismissing his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, a critic of his conduct of the offensive in Gaza, Netanyahu has laid the ground for a continuation of the conflict there.

It also prepares for a widening of the offensive in Lebanon and a potentially devastating strike against Iran in response to any further Iranian attack on Israel.

Trump’s election will embolden Netanyahu to act. And this in turn would also strengthen Trump’s position towards Putin, who has come to depend on Iranian support for his war in Ukraine. Trump could offer to restrain Netanyahu in the future as a bargaining chip with Putin in his gamble to secure a deal on Ukraine.

Pivot to China

While Ukraine and the Middle East are two areas in which change looms, relations with China will most likely be characterised more by continuity than by change. With Chinese relations being perhaps the key strategic foreign policy challenge for the US, the Biden administration continued many of the policies Trump adopted in his first term – and Trump is likely to double down on them in a second term.

A Trump White House is likely to increase import tariffs, and he has talked a great deal about using them to target China. But Trump is also just as likely to be open to pragmatic, transactional deals with Chinese president Xi Jinping.
Just like in relations with his European allies in Nato, a serious question mark hangs over Trump’s commitment to the defence of Taiwan and other treaty allies in Asia, including the Philippines, South Korea, and potentially Japan. Trump is at best lukewarm on US security guarantees.

But as his on-and-off relationship with North Korea in his first term demonstrated, Trump is, at times, willing to push the envelope dangerously close to war. This happened in 2017 in response to a North Korean test of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The unpredictability of the regime in Pyongyang makes another close brush of this kind as likely as Trump’s unpredictability makes it conceivable that he would accept a nuclear-armed North Korea as part of a broader deal with Russia, which has developed increasingly close relations with Kim Jong-un’s regime.

Doing so would give Trump additional leverage over China, which has been worried over growing ties between Russia and North Korea.

Preparing for a Trump White House

Friends and foes alike are going to use the remaining months before Trump returns to the White House to try to improve their positions and get things done that would be more difficult to do once he is in office.

An expectation of a Trump push for an end to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East is likely to lead to an intensification of the fighting there to create what the different parties think might be a more acceptable status quo for them. This does not bode well for the humanitarian crises already brewing in both regions.

Increasing tensions in and around the Korean peninsula are also conceivable. Pyongyang is likely to want to boost its credentials with yet more missile – and potentially nuclear – tests.
A ratcheting-up of the fighting in Europe and the Middle East and of tensions in Asia is also likely to strain relations between the US and its allies in all three regions. In Europe, the fear is that Trump may make deals with Russia over the head of its EU and Nato allies and threaten them with abandonment.

This would undermine the longevity of any Ukrainian (or broader European) deal with Moscow. The relatively dismal state of European defence capabilities and the diminishing credibility of the US nuclear umbrella would not but help to encourage Putin to push his imperial ambitions further once he has secured a deal with Trump.

In the Middle East, Netanyahu would be completely unrestrained. And yet while some Arab regimes might cheer Israel striking Iran and Iranian proxies, they will worry about backlash over the plight of Palestinians. Without resolving this perennial issue, stability in the region, let alone peace, will be all but impossible.

In Asia, the challenges are different. Here the problem is less US withdrawal and more an unpredictable and potentially unmanageable escalation. Under Trump, it is much more likely that the US and China will find it hard to escape the so-called Thucydides trap – the inevitability of war between a dominant but declining power and its rising challenger.

This then raises the question of whether US alliances in the region are safe in the long term or whether some of its partners, like Indonesia or India, will consider realigning themselves with China.

At best, all of this spells greater uncertainty and instability – not only after Trump’s inauguration but also in the months until then.

At worst, it will prove the undoing of Trump’s self-proclaimed infallibility. But by the time he and his team come to realise that geopolitics is a more complicated affair than real estate, they may have ushered in the very chaos that they have accused Biden and Harris of.(From : The Conversation )

US election: how does the electoral college voting system work?

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Richard Hargy, Queen’s University Belfast
On November 5, millions of Americans will cast their votes for president, with the vast majority deciding between Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump. This historic election, however, is not determined by a singular national poll, but rather a state-by-state contest. Many people outside the US, and some inside, do not understand how this complicated system works.

Here are five things to know about the electoral college system:

1. It’s not one electoral contest, but 50 separate races

The founding fathers opted against a national popular vote where the winning candidate just has to gain a majority of votes to claim victory. They decided instead to establish an electoral college under Article II of the US Constitution.

Under this system, voters in every US state and the District of Columbia decide the outcome of a winner-takes-all contest for their state’s electoral votes. Each state is allocated a set number of electoral votes, in line with the size of its population. For example, Texas, with a population of over 29 million, has 50 electoral votes. North Dakota, on the other hand, has a population of under 800,000 and is apportioned three.

By securing a majority of the vote in a state, a candidate collects its allotted electoral college votes. There are 538 in total, with the winner needing at least 270 to secure the presidency (with their running-mate becoming vice-president). 

Maine and Nebraska are the only two exceptions to the winner-takes-all approach. These states also use their congressional districts to allocate some electoral college votes: two go to each state’s overall popular vote winner, while one goes to the popular vote winner in each congressional district (two districts in Maine, three in Nebraska).

So, when Americans mark their ballot with their choice for president, this vote is technically not awarded automatically to the candidate. Rather, it goes to the individual state’s electors. These people convene across all 50 states once the election is complete, then formally send their state’s electoral votes to the US Congress. The electors are usually state election officials or prominent party members. 

Brown University professor of political science Wendy Schiller explained the choice of an electoral college system more than 200 years ago was rooted in a distrust of citizens to make a reasoned choice: “The origins of the electoral college were not supposed to reflect voter opinion at all – it was to be a gate against making a bad choice. It was an elite bulwark against popular opinion.” 

2. It can allow for unpredictable and unruly outcomes

By its very nature, the electoral college can result in two unusual, but not improbable, scenarios. First, a candidate can win the electoral college while losing the popular vote and still become president – as happened most recently in 2000 with George W. Bush and in 2016 with Trump.

Secondly, the system allows for a situation were neither candidate wins a majority of electoral votes. If there is a 269-269 tie, a “contingent election” is held under the 12th Amendment. In this case, members of the new House of Representatives, sworn in on January 3 2025, would choose the next president. They do not vote based on individual preference. Instead, every state delegation gets one vote, with a simple majority of 26 state delegation votes needed to decide who becomes president. This has happened only twice in presidential elections, in 1801 and 1825. The House must continue voting until a president is elected.A history of the electoral college system.

3. In 2020, Trump’s supporters sought to challenge the electoral college results

State legislators can object to their state’s general election outcome during the congressional certification. This happened in 2020 when a group of Republicans objected to results in Pennsylvania and Arizona – both won by Democrat Joe Biden. After supporters of Trump stormed the Capitol building in January 2021, protesting the official authorisation of votes, Congress updated the 1800s-era Electoral Count Act to make it harder to challenge the electoral college result.

Following the 2020 election, certain electors in several swing states attempted to falsely declare Trump the winner. These included high-profile Republicans in Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona and Wisconsin. Trump’s campaign lawyer, Kenneth Chesebro, pleaded guilty in Georgia to his role in subverting the election.

There are fears of a potential repeat of this scenario in 2024, should Trump lose again. Documentation returned to state election officials has revealed that over a dozen of these individuals are returning as potential electorsthis year.

4. Criticism includes national security concerns and disinformation

Some call the electorial college system undemocratic. Others point to the “faithless elector” issue, whereby the electors within a state cast their vote against the preference of their state’s popular vote. 

Small vote margins often secure all the votes in key swing states. For example, in 2016, Trump won Michigan by just 13,080 votes (0.3%), Wisconsin by 27,257 votes (1.0%), and Pennsylvania by 68,236 votes (1.2%). This allocated Trump 46 electoral votes as well as victory in the presidential election.

This has led Brookings Institution fellows Elaine Kamarck and Darrell M. West to conclude that “false newspurveyors don’t have to persuade 99% of American voters to be influential, but simply a tiny amount in [certain states] … A shift of 1% of the vote or less based on false narratives would have altered the outcome.”

Harvard University professor of government Ryan Enostold me that foreign adversaries with an interest in the outcome of the US election are “aware of how decentralised the system is, and how chaos can be sowed by putting pressure on particular states”. 

5. Some people want to abolish it

The process remains highly contentious and can result in a more fractious political climate. Consequently, there many who want to abolish it. West, a senior fellow of governance studies at Brookings, said the US should get rid of the electoral college. He called it a relic that was established “as an elite-based mechanism to basically choose the president because [America’s founding fathers] did not trust the general public”. 

However, Barnard College professor of political science Sheri Berman had a different view, saying that if you believe different states should have some guaranteed level of representation regardless of their population, then designing a system that gives this to them could be viewed as legitimate. 

Ultimately, despite its unusual elements, Christine Stenglein, a research analyst at Brookings, believes “the electoral college is part of the US constitution, and therefore not likely to change any time soon”.

‘South Asia, particularly the Himalayas, are highly vulnerable to the changing climate and weather phenomena’

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Dr Ngamindra Dahal

Currently the Chairperson of Nepal Water Conservation Foundation (NWCF), Ngamindra Dahal, has over 25 years of professional journey in the field climate, water and disaster risk management. With hydro-meteorology as a foundational degree, he holds PhD on environmental sciences with a focus on biochar as a potential technology for achieving the dual climate goals on mitigation and adaptation fronts. He also led a professional team for studying depleting spring sources across the mountain region of Nepal. He has worked withNTNC, Ministry of Environment (Nepal), ADB, World Bank, ICIMOD and UNDP, among others. A founding member of both South Asian Meteorological Association (SAMA) and Society of Hydrologists and Meteorologists-Nepal, he is alsoExecutive Member of Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA).Dr Dahal spoke to SOUTH ASIA TIME on the impact of climate change on livelihoods in South Asia and beyond. Excerpts of the interview:

Nepal, as well as parts of Northern India and Bhutan, braced heavy rainfall in late September causing huge loss of lives and property. Is such heavy rainfall at the end of the monsoon season normal or is it due to climate change?

This particular event was a rare but not an abnormal one. Nepal and the greater Himalayan region have received heavier rainfall than this one in the past.  This year’s event, however, remains exceptional in terms of severity of precipitations that used to occur in the southern parts of the Mahabharat belt but shifted northward over Kathmandu and its surroundings. According to Ministry of Home, 228 people were killed and over billions of public properties destroyed, which is estimated to be around 1% of the country’s GDP.  Early warning notices from the Met Office proved grossly inadequate to save lives and properties from the intense precipitations and subsequent impacts. Thus, the disaster has exposed the wider gaps between our preparedness and actual strength to respond in the situation of a real time. 

What are the key vulnerabilities of South Asian countries to climate-induced disasters like floods, landslides, and droughts?

Himalayan mountains are inherently vulnerable and fragile mainly because of their formative stages coupled with the extreme cycles of tropical climate including the powerful monsoon weather. A series of rainstorms dump 2000mm in less than 100 days that often bursts to produce heavy flood multiplied with landslides and erosions. High rates of sedimentation along the Himalayan rivers are spectacular evidences of their risks of breaching the banks and inundating the valleys and plains in the south. The colossal losses happened even after an advanced weather warning by the Met Office, and, none of the precautionary measures worked to save lives and properties in the Kathmandu Valley and the major highways connecting the capital city to the rest of the country. The meteorological data of the single storm reveal several dimensions of the extreme rainfall pattern of Nepal. First of all, the most damaging rainstorm that occurred on 28thSeptember was in Lele of Southern Lalitpur with an incredible strength of 325mm. A similar incident had hit the area in 1981 causing heavy landslides and floods. This time, the coverage of the rainfall was not limited to a pocket area but more widespread that extended to 48 hours or more. This was thereason behind the dense landslides and overflowing the riverbanks to inundate the settlements and markets in the capital. However, the scale of damages cannot be blamed alone to these extreme weather events as they were less powerful than the project scenarios. While looking back to the nature of destructions that claimed so many lives and livelihoods, it reveals that the natural hazards triggered the incident but multiplied due to badly designed and implemented development schemes. 

How is the Himalayan ecosystem, a vital resource for the region, being affected by rising temperatures and changing weather patterns?

The diverse Himalayan ecosystems are renowned for their rich diversity and sensitive responses to the changing climate. In fact, their health offer valuable information as a barometer reading. In the last three decades, they consistently show rapid decline in their richness and vitality. The impacts are more severe in the higher altitudes with alpine climate. The key drivers of the changes have been the shifting and intensifying precipitations, rising temperatures and number of warmer days. The major consequences include the growing number of landslides and avalanches, flashfloods, unprecedented cases of climate induced losses and changes in hydrological patterns accelerated by high rates of erosion and mass waste. 

How could South Asian nations cope with the changing climate?

South Asian countries face dual challenges of changing climate: first, growing climate induced hazards and, second, socio-economic vulnerability fueled by unsustainable development infrastructures including housing, settlements, agriculture and access to basic services. The projected scenarios of climate induced hazards suggest us to expect more frequent and severe events in the coming days.  Consequently, the climate impact vulnerability study of the civil infrastructure and agricultural sectors have underlined their climate resilient reinforcement. In broad terms, both the natural heritages and human infrastructure of the South Asia in general and Himalaya in particular are among the highly vulnerable region to the changing climate and weather phenomena. They also can be categorized into those occurring due to wetter monsoon between June to September and those of others that occur in the rest of months. The extreme precipitations and droughts have been the key natural hazards that would trigger the cascading risks in a sequential order. Poorly planned and built road networks, the unplanned settlements or market place along the roadside, riverside, unstable slopes or low-lying zones are the most vulnerable infrastructure due to wet monsoon. 

What role does regional cooperation play in addressing the cross-border impacts of climate change in South Asia, such as water resource management and disaster preparedness?

Given the transcendental nature of climate change impacts, regional cooperation is an essential strategy to learn, negotiate and resolve common and cross border issues such as water and flood management, air pollution and migration. The SAARC used to serve as the common platform to discuss such issues in the past. In absence of a functional SAARC since its eighteenth Summit held in 2014, no good alternatives are available for engaging government officials. This has impeded the progress towards developing a common position of the South Asian countries on the burning issues of climate change, water management and disaster risks reductions.

In the run up to COP29, what issues should Least Developed Countries (LDCs) raise with western industrialised countries that are mainly responsible for the climate crisis?

The major focus of the recent COPs has been on the ‘unfulfilled commitments’ of the industrialized countries on both mitigation and adaptation fronts. The recent stocktake of the progress revealed that the progress towards fulfilling the past commitments is disappointing. The issue of climate finance through multiple channels, namely, mitigation, adaptation and Loss and Damage (L&D) is critical for supporting LDCs’ climate actions. Promotion of the L&D as the third pillar of climate response is an urgent step that should be complemented with adequate and dedicated funding. On this front, the COP 29 should be an opportunity for the LDCs and other vulnerable nations to take a common stand for securing the funds by pressing the responsible parties for their historical emissions and concurrent commitments for the same. 

The humanity is said to be facing triple crisis now (namely climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss), but the message seems to have been lost vis a vis political leaders as well as common people. In your view, what is missing in climate change communication?

On climate change issues, all the different parties have lost the golden opportunities on three fronts: developed economies could set examples by acting on mitigation measures while fulfilling their commitments of climate finance to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and vulnerable nations, those of emerging economies could have chosen the low emission track of development, and, the LDCs on adopting climate resilient path of development while reducing maladaptationand corruption. As a consequence, there is a situation of chaos due to blame games at the political levels thus, impending policy actions, more alarming scientific findings in absence of collective climate actions, and growing losses and damages in LDC economies as they are annually losing more than 1% GDP due to intensifying impacts of climate change.

How could Nepal cope with increasing extreme weather events?

While Nepal is annually losing more than 2% of its GDP due to climate change induced loss and damage, we need to understand that no one will help us to recover these recurrent losses except our own hard earned resources. Two major ways to survive through this crisis are, first, by making our critical infrastructure climate resilient and, second, reducing maladaptation, which is essentially addressing rampant corruption on spending development budget including unfeasible and costly political structures of the country.

International legal experts call for accountability  for civil war crimes in Nepal 

Posted on by SAT News Desk

By Bhagirath Yogi

London – A new report by a high-level fact-finding mission of international human rights lawyers has called on the Nepali state to seize the opportunity provided by a new legislation and finally provide accountability, truth, justice and comprehensive reparations to victims of the country’s decade-long armed conflict.

Addressing an event organised to launch the report at Doughty Street Chambers on Thursday, they pointed towards gaps in the Transitional Justice Law which passed in August after years of political wrangling, and urged  the government of Nepal to develop a roadmap for implementation which deliberately and sensitively removes obstacles to justice for victims from historically vulnerable or marginalised groups.

‘Peace without Justice and Accountability? – A caution against impunity in post-conflict Nepal’ calls on both Nepal and the international community to prioritise an approach to transitional justice which is in line with Nepal’s obligations under international law, constitutional law and the judgments of its Supreme Court.

The lawyers travelled to Kathmandu, Nepalgunj, Bardiya and Janakpur in Nepal in March 2024. They met victims of human rights violations committed during and since the conflict, members of the judiciary, civil society organisations, local and national government, diplomats, journalists and UN representatives, to assess the rule of law and access to justice.

Aswini Weeraratne, KC, who was part of the delegation, briefed about their visit and summarised the main conclusions of the report.

Camila Zapata Besso, a UK human rights expert, who was also part of the delegation, said that the Nepali civil war ended in 2006, yet for its victims the violations continue. “The new law provides an opportunity, but its implementation must be victims-focused and rooted in international law if it is to finally provide truth, justice and reparations for all,” she added.

The report contains an extensive analysis of the Transitional Justice Bill which has now been enacted into law. The lawyers conclude that the current law alone excludes swathes of victims from transitional justice, and permits amnesties which would prevent criminal accountability for gross violations of human rights, including those amounting to international crimes. They argue that, until an effective transitional justice process is in place, then the doors to the regular justice system should not be closed to civil war victims.

“Justice for serious human rights violations prevents recurrence, secures dignity for victims whose former abusers are made to answer for their crimes, establishes a record of past events, promotes national reconciliation and contributes to lasting peace”, said María del Rosario Arango Zambrano, a Colombian expert on transitional justice. “That is why it is so important to get these things right”.

“There are definitional issues in the law that will need to be rectified one way or the other”, said Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena, a constitutional lawyer from Sri Lanka. “Effective transitional justice will not be possible so long as the process conflates human rights violations and international crimes, excludes certain gross violations, opens the door for amnesties, and  allows for the exclusion of certain victims”.

‘Lack of Accountability’

Dr. Mandira Sharma, co-founder of Advocacy Forum and senior international legal advisor to the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), said that despite legislative efforts, no significant accountability has been achieved.  Successive governments over the last 18 years have failed to investigate abuses, leaving thousands of victims without resolution, she said. “We will continue to advocate to amend those provisions that are not compatible with the international law and standards. We would like to support and engage in the process. The international community should monitor closely  how this process unfolds,” she added.

A report contributor, Gita Rasaili, vice chair of the Conflict Victims National Network and a representative of Nepal’s marginalized Dalit community, shared her story. She has been fighting for justice for 20 years following her sister’s murder by the army during the conflict. “Truth, justice and reparation can not be separated. We victims are still here demanding the same thing: truth, justice, and accountability,” Rasaili said, calling upon the government to implement a meaningful process that respects victims’ rights.

The report insists that the transitional justice law, enacted after years of lobbying, needs robust interpretation by the courts, proper implementation, and unwavering international oversight. Barrister Camilla noted that the legislation itself is not a solution; rather, its success hinges on the Nepali government’s commitment to uphold human rights standards and engage transparently with all stakeholders, particularly marginalized communities.

The delegation emphasized the international community’s role in ensuring Nepal’s transitional justice process aligns with global norms. Dr. Sharma warned that the government’s tendency to favor perpetrators risks derailing the effort to achieve lasting peace and rule of law. She urged the global community to advocate for transparent judicial practices, independent commissioners, and protections for civil society actors in Nepal.

Ben Leather, Director of the Peace Brigades International (PBI) UK, highlighted the organisation’s efforts to support human rights defenders in various countries including Nepal. He called on international community to advocate for a victim-centric approach in Nepal’s transitional justice system and  hold the government accountable for delivering justice for all victims of the conflict.

From 1996 to 2006, tens of thousands of Nepalis suffered serious human rights violations, including unlawful killing, enforced disappearance, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers, arbitrary arrest and forced displacement in a war between the then royal government and Maoist rebels. Transitional justice is key pillar of the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, but has not been implemented. The report concludes that “Justice is already overdue, and should not be denied to victims any longer.”

The Northolt 10K Run held its third annual race on Sunday

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London— The Northolt 10K Run held its third annual race on Sunday, drawing 385 registered runners, including both in-person and virtual participants. The event was highlighted by the attendance of notable guests: South Asian marathon record-holder Baikuntha Manandhar, the popular Dharan Mayor Hark Sampang, and Labour MP James Murray, who serves as the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury.

The event, sponsored by A Star Financial, featured support from platinum sponsors Makeworth Accounting, Real Dream Consultancy, and AESN Recruitment, with SNP Plus Accounting, MOMO 365, Kirat Rai Yayokkha, and Gurkha Kitchen also joining as sponsors. Runners enjoyed unique opportunities, with entries to Nepal’s Everest Marathon and Annapurna Marathon awarded, alongside handmade trophies crafted in Nepal.

Men’s Overall Winners

  1. Elias Ahmed (#629) – 00:32:29
  2. Hari Bakhem (#503) – 00:34:10
  3. Tyler Bowcambe (#547) – 00:35:41

Women’s Overall Winners

  1. Francesca Boote (#656) – 00:39:44
  2. Manda Gurung (#638) – 00:42:16
  3. Nayane D Paula Barra Ferreira (#760) – 00:46:21

Veteran Winners

  • 40-49: Jonathan Horan (#655) – 00:36:06, Clement Berthet (#903) – 00:36:45
  • 50-59:
  • Amrit Shrestha (#915) – 00:41:05, Dhan Kumari Gurung (#751) – 00:55:08
  • 60 and Over:
  • Martin Daoud (#600) – 00:39:56 (M),
  • Gurmeet Lally (#922) – 00:57:26 (F)

Nepal Run Club Winners:

Salina Rajbhandari (#705) – 00:52:46 (F),

Hom Khatri – 38:28

Best Improvement: Suman Pradhan

A full list of winners and times can be found here.

SAFF Championship: Bangladesh and India playing today

Posted on by SAT News Desk

KATHMANDU: Former champions Bangladesh will face off against five-time champions India in the ongoing SAFF Women’s Championship in Nepal today.

The match is set to kick off at 5:30 PM at Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar, Kathmandu.

India can secure its position as group winner by winning today’s final Group A match.

They have already reached the semi-finals with one match to spare, following a 1-1 draw between Bangladesh and Pakistan in the previous match.

For Bangladesh, a draw today will be sufficient to reach the semi-finals.

This game holds significance not only for determining the group winners and runners-up but also for both teams’ strategies moving forward.

India currently tops the group after their 5-2 victory over Pakistan, accumulating 3 points.

Bangladesh and Pakistan both have 1 point, placing them second and third, respectively.

Both teams are eager to avoid facing the home team, Nepal, in the semi-finals. Regardless of potential matchups, winning today is a priority for both squads.

The Group A winner will face the Group B runner-up in the semi-finals, while the runner-up of Group A will compete against the Group B winner.

In Group B, Nepal leads with 4 points, followed closely by Bhutan, who also has 4 points, and Sri Lanka in third place with 3 points.

The Maldives has lost two consecutive matches and is currently without any points, leading to their elimination from the group stage before their final match.

Group B matches will take place on Thursday.

Nepal Tea Exports Surge by 36%

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Mechi, October 18, 2024 – Nepal’s tea exports have seen a significant rise in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, with a 36% increase in volume compared to the same period last year, according to the Mechi Customs Office. A total of 6,426 metric tonnes of tea were exported during the first three months.

Ganapati Kandel, Information Officer at Mechi Customs Office, revealed that in terms of value, tea exports surged by over 50%, generating Rs 1.71 billion in revenue. This boost has been attributed to reduced tea production in India, as explained by Aditya Parajuli, Chairman of the Nepal Tea Producers Association. Parajuli expressed optimism that Nepali tea exports could grow even further with greater government support and facilitation.

However, while tea exports soared, the export of cardamom declined drastically by 49% during the same period. Only 783 metric tonnes of cardamom were exported, a sharp decrease from 1,525 metric tonnes exported in the first quarter of the last fiscal year.

In addition to tea, the Mechi Customs Office reported impressive increases in the export of plywood, broom grass, and veneer sheets, while the exports of ginger, iron, Chhuri (a type of traditional knife), and vegetables showed a downward trend.

The contrasting fortunes of different export commodities reflect the complex dynamics in Nepal’s agricultural export sector, with weather conditions, international demand, and production fluctuations playing a significant role.

UK-based Genese Solution launches Its operations in Nigeria

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London – Genese Solution, a UK-based IT and cybersecurity consulting company, has officially launched its operations in Nigeria. 

Addressing the event on Wednesday,  Country Director for the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) for Nigeria, Mark Smithson said that he was  delighted to celebrate Genese Solution’s expansion into Lagos.  “The UK technology sector is a global success story, and in June 2023, we became the third country in the world to see our tech sector valued at over $1 trillion. The UK is home to 150 unicorn companies, more than Germany, France, and Sweden combined. We welcome Genese Solution’s contribution to Nigeria’s booming tech sector,” he added.

Anjani Phuyal, Founder and CEO of Genese Solution, expressed his excitement about the company’s new Lagos branch. “This is our first office in Africa, and we plan to expand into other countries in the region soon. With our focus on providing advanced cloud solutions and driving digital transformation, we aim to make a meaningful impact on Nigeria’s growing IT sector. We’re also eager to leverage our cybersecurity expertise to support our clients in Nigeria and beyond.”

Mr Phuyal said that Genese Solution recognised the immense potential of Nigeria’s dynamic tech sector and was committed to harnessing the country’s supportive environment to deliver innovative, tailored solutions that meet evolving market needs. “Our decision to launch in Lagos aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Straegy, which prioritises the use of digital technology for economic diversification. In addition to offering value IT consulting, we will support key policy pillars by collaborating locally and staying informed on Nigeria’s dynamic digital economy,” he added. He also extended his gratitude to the British Deputy High Commission (DBT) in Lagos, and everyone who supported the company’s journey into Nigeria.

At the event, Niranjan Kunwar, Chief Technology and Information Security Officer of Genese Solution, emphasised the need to treat cybersecurity as a critical business risk, not just an IT issue. He stressed the importance of proactive cybersecurity management for long-term business success in today’s digital landscape. “Information and communication technologies are key to modernising and accelerating Nigeria’s economic development. With experience working with stakeholders globally, Genese Solution is here to support Nigeria’s digital transformation,” he said.

Genese Solution Nigeria brings a wealth of expertise to the local IT sector, offering services in cloud solutions, DevSecOps consulting, and cybersecurity. The company is committed to pioneering innovation and upholding the highest standards of excellence, a press statement issued by the Company said.

 Genese Solution is embarking on a strategic expansion across Africa, with Nigeria as the hub, through in-depth market research, regulatory adherence, and attention to cultural nuances. Genese Solution’s adaptability and clear timelines are crucial to ensuring the success of its African expansion strategy. The company’s entry into the Nigerian market marks a significant step in providing valuable digital transformation solutions both locally and globally, the statement said.

The launch event, hosted at the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, on Wednesday was organised by the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The event drew an esteemed gathering of Nigerian industry leaders, IT experts, and community figures, highlighting the strategic importance of this expansion.