Ahead of the Communist Party Congress, China has released video footage of its latest nuclear-powered submarine. Is Beijing flexing its nuclear power ahead of Xi Jinping's term extension? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: China reveals new nuclear submarine ahead of Congress

Chinese Communist Party is gearing up for the 20th National Congress. It will start on October 16 and go on for a week. The meetings will be crucial for China's future roadmap. WION tells you what to expect from CPC.

China to hold key Party Congress on October 16 | What to expect from Chinese Communist Party?

President Xi Jinping is all set to secure a third term at the Communist Party’s congress this month. But there are a few factors that could determine whether he will be successful in cementing his power over the CPC. Priyanka Sharma tells you what these factors are and what it means for the CPC.

Wion Fineprint | President Xi's success at the CPC Congress: The six factors at play

China’s biggest political event is all set to take place on October 16, when members of the Chinese Community Party (CCP) will assemble in Beijing for the once-every-five-year national congress to vote for new leadership.

On that day, Chinese President Xi Jinping will most likely be voted for another five-year term, which is unprecedented in the country’s history, and be declared the ‘Chairman’ of the CCP—a post only held by the founding father of modern China, Mao Zedong.

Though a change in top leadership is expected, the same cannot be said about the women party members hoping to make a mark.

Studies have shown that the women cadres are often handed out stereotypical roles such as education, civil affairs, and in mass organisations. While the more high-profile portfolios such as economics, finance, industry and technology are assigned to men.

According to government statistics, there are only 30 women in the 371-member Central Committee, which elects the Politburo – China’s highest policymaking body. The number has not increased, rather at times it has fallen below the average, reports South China Morning Post newspaper.

It further highlighted that there has never been a female member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the leadership’s highest decision-making body,

So far, only two women have managed to be in the top tier of the party structure.

Wu Yi, a vice-mayor of Beijing, became deputy minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation in 1991. She was appointed to the Politburo in 2002 and became a vice-premier the following year.

Another woman to have&nbsp;risen through the ranks is Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan. She is the sixth woman to be a member of the Politburo and the highest-ranking woman in China’s current leadership&nbsp;but is all set to retire in the upcoming congress session.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-all-set-to-usurp-mao-era-chairman-post-for-self-at-upcoming-party-congress-522252">China’s Xi all set to usurp Mao-era ‘Chairman’ post at upcoming party congress: Report</a>

Experts argue that there may have been very few examples of women cadres rising through the ranks.

A professor who teaches Chinese politics at the Australian National University told the newspaper that it takes at least 15 to 20 years for a female party member to reach the highest office.

“Once the quota has been filled [in each department], we rarely see additional efforts made to promote more female cadres,” Fengming Lu was quoted as saying.

He further said that that women cadres were less likely to be considered for first-in-command positions than their male counterparts.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China’s biggest political event is all set to take place on October 16, when members of the Chinese Community Party (CCP) will assemble in Beijing for the once-every-five-year national congress to vote for new leadership.

China’s biggest political event is all set to take place on October 16, when members of the Chinese Community Party (CCP) will assemble in Beijing for the once-every-five-year national congress to vote for new leadership. On that day, Chinese President Xi Jinping will most likely be voted for another five-year term, which is unprecedented in the country’s history, and be declared the ‘Chairman’ of the CCP—a post only held by the founding father of modern China, Mao Zedong. Though a change in top leadership is expected, the same cannot be said about the women party members hoping to make a mark. Studies have shown that the women cadres are often handed out stereotypical roles such as education, civil affairs, and in mass organisations. While the more high-profile portfolios such as economics, finance, industry and technology are assigned to men. According to government statistics, there are only 30 women in the 371-member Central Committee, which elects the Politburo – China’s highest policymaking body. The number has not increased, rather at times it has fallen below the average, reports South China Morning Post newspaper. It further highlighted that there has never been a female member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the leadership’s highest decision-making body, So far, only two women have managed to be in the top tier of the party structure. Wu Yi, a vice-mayor of Beijing, became deputy minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation in 1991. She was appointed to the Politburo in 2002 and became a vice-premier the following year. Another woman to have risen through the ranks is Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan. She is the sixth woman to be a member of the Politburo and the highest-ranking woman in China’s current leadership but is all set to retire in the upcoming congress session. Also read | China’s Xi all set to usurp Mao-era ‘Chairman’ post at upcoming party congress: Report Experts argue that there may have been very few examples of women cadres rising through the ranks. A professor who teaches Chinese politics at the Australian National University told the newspaper that it takes at least 15 to 20 years for a female party member to reach the highest office. “Once the quota has been filled [in each department], we rarely see additional efforts made to promote more female cadres,” Fengming Lu was quoted as saying. He further said that that women cadres were less likely to be considered for first-in-command positions than their male counterparts. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

At upcoming CCP congress, will women cadres be promoted to high offices?

India's T20 World Cup squad was announced last week, on September 12. The squad features majority of them who appeared in the Asia Cup 2022 edition and also saw the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel. The reserves comprise Md Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Chahar.&nbsp;

After a disappointing Asia Cup, India will try to regain form in their home series versus Australia and South Africa, respectively, before heading to&nbsp;the T20 WC in Aaron Finch &amp; Co.'s&nbsp;backyard. Prior to the Australia T20Is, which gets underway on Tuesday (September 20), captain Rohit Sharma addressed the media and spoke on who will accompany him in the opening slot Down Under.

Rohit said&nbsp;in&nbsp;a press conference, "Virat Kohli is our third opener and he will open in some of the games. In the last match of Asia Cup, we were happy with the way he played. But KL Rahul will open the batting in the World Cup, we do not want to experiment with that position a lot,&nbsp;his performance sometimes goes quite unnoticed."

"He (Rahul)&nbsp;is a very important player for Team India. For us, I just want to make it clear, we are clear in our thought process. We do not have any confusion, we are very clear what KL Rahul brings to the table for us, he is a quality player and is very important for us. His presence at the top is very crucial for us," Hitman added.

However, a tv anchor became a butt of all jokes after he announced that Rahul Gandhi -- popular Indian politician and former Congress President -- will open for India at the T20 WC, instead of KL Rahul.&nbsp;

"Bharatiya team ke kaptaan Rohit Sharma ne kaha ki T20 World Cup mein open karenge Rahul Gandhi. Virat Kohli ko bhi kai match mein pen karna pad sakta hai," (Team India captain&nbsp;Rohit Sharma has revealed that Rahul Gandhi will open for India at T20 World Cup. Virat Kohli too may have to open in some games) said the anchor. The&nbsp;video of the same has gone&nbsp;viral instantly.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/you-never-see-a-when-a-batter-kl-rahul-on-his-t20i-strike-rate-before-australia-series-opener-517788">'You never see when a batter...' - KL Rahul on his T20I strike rate before Australia series opener</a>

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Rahul Gandhi will open for India in T20 World Cup: India TV anchor 😂 <a href="https://t.co/1NWWg9jp7c">pic.twitter.com/1NWWg9jp7c</a>
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/GemsOfCricket/status/1571555481688350720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sanju-samson-could-be-a-better-option-over-rishabh-pant-ex-pak-spinner-analyses-indias-t20-wc-squad-518085">Sanju Samson could be a better option over Rishabh Pant: Ex-Pak spinner analyses India's T20 WC squad</a>

Both Rahul-Rohit are currently involved in India's three-match T20I series opener versus Australia, at the PCA Stadium, Mohali on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, the journalist of a&nbsp;Hindi-dialect&nbsp;media channel&nbsp;has been trolled massively online for his slip of tongue.

India's final 15-man squad for T20 World Cup 2022:

Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Hardik Pandya, R&nbsp;Ashwin, Yuzvendra&nbsp;Chahal, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh

Standby players -&nbsp;Mohammed&nbsp;Shami, Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar

India's T20 World Cup squad was announced last week, on September 12. The squad features majority of them who appeared in the Asia Cup 2022 edition and also saw the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel.

India's T20 World Cup squad was announced last week, on September 12. The squad features majority of them who appeared in the Asia Cup 2022 edition and also saw the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel. The reserves comprise Md Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Chahar. After a disappointing Asia Cup, India will try to regain form in their home series versus Australia and South Africa, respectively, before heading to the T20 WC in Aaron Finch & Co.'s backyard. Prior to the Australia T20Is, which gets underway on Tuesday (September 20), captain Rohit Sharma addressed the media and spoke on who will accompany him in the opening slot Down Under. Rohit said in a press conference, "Virat Kohli is our third opener and he will open in some of the games. In the last match of Asia Cup, we were happy with the way he played. But KL Rahul will open the batting in the World Cup, we do not want to experiment with that position a lot, his performance sometimes goes quite unnoticed." "He (Rahul) is a very important player for Team India. For us, I just want to make it clear, we are clear in our thought process. We do not have any confusion, we are very clear what KL Rahul brings to the table for us, he is a quality player and is very important for us. His presence at the top is very crucial for us," Hitman added. However, a tv anchor became a butt of all jokes after he announced that Rahul Gandhi -- popular Indian politician and former Congress President -- will open for India at the T20 WC, instead of KL Rahul. "Bharatiya team ke kaptaan Rohit Sharma ne kaha ki T20 World Cup mein open karenge Rahul Gandhi. Virat Kohli ko bhi kai match mein pen karna pad sakta hai," (Team India captain Rohit Sharma has revealed that Rahul Gandhi will open for India at T20 World Cup. Virat Kohli too may have to open in some games) said the anchor. The video of the same has gone viral instantly. ALSO READ | 'You never see when a batter...' - KL Rahul on his T20I strike rate before Australia series opener Rahul Gandhi will open for India in T20 World Cup: India TV anchor 😂 pic.twitter.com/1NWWg9jp7c — Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) September 18, 2022 × ALSO READ | Sanju Samson could be a better option over Rishabh Pant: Ex-Pak spinner analyses India's T20 WC squad Both Rahul-Rohit are currently involved in India's three-match T20I series opener versus Australia, at the PCA Stadium, Mohali on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, the journalist of a Hindi-dialect media channel has been trolled massively online for his slip of tongue. India's final 15-man squad for T20 World Cup 2022: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh Standby players - Mohammed Shami, Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar

Watch - 'Rahul Gandhi will open for India at T20 World Cup, says tv anchor as video goes viral

Days after quitting Congress, former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that he had a wrong perception of the country's leader.

Days after quitting Congress, former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that he had a wrong perception of the country's leader. "I used to think PM Modi must be a crude man. I thought he won't care...since he does not have a wife or any kids. But he showed humanity," said Azad. The former Union Minister was referring to an incident last year when he was retiring from parliament's Upper House i.e Rajya Sabha. "Read the contents of his speech. PM Modi was not talking about being sad at my leaving the House. He was talking about an incident," Azad told the reporters on Monday. At the time, PM Modi had given a passionate farewell speech for Azad which had left most parliamentarians teary-eyed. During the speech, PM Modi mentioned a terror incident in 2006 when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat while Azad was the CM of J&K "Some tourists from Gujarat had died in a grenade attack in Kashmir (in 2006) when I was chief minister there. Modi saheb, who was chief minister of Gujarat, called my office. But I was choked up, crying at how brutal the killings were. I could not speak with him. He heard me crying as my staff brought the phone close to me," added Azad. "Mr Modi kept calling my office for updates. Later, as I was seeing off the two planes carrying the bodies and those injured, families of the victims were howling in grief. I started weeping too. It came on on TV too. He called again but I could not speak." PM Modi's passionate goodbye to Azad had raised several eyebrows at the time as well. Azad was a prominent member of the G-23 group of dissidents that had been writing letters to the Congress high command and demanding them usher in changes. Read more: Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Congress: As it happened However, after Congress did not change its ways, Azad quit the party last week. Calling Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his "immaturity" and for "demolishing the consultative mechanism" of the party, Azad in his letter to the Congress president Sonia Gandhi wrote: "Unfortunately, after the entry of Rahul Gandhi into politics and particularly after January 2013, when he was appointed Vice President by you (Sonia Gandhi), the entire consultative mechanism which existed earlier was demolished by him." Read more: Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill quits, says sycophancy is eating the party like termites Azad's great rapport with PM Modi has set the rumour mills rolling with few suggesting that the former Congress leader might be switching sides and joining BJP. However, at the moment, Azad has been tight-lipped about his political future. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'I thought PM Modi was a crude man but he showed humanity': Ghulam Nabi Azad

India's premier opposition party Congress has announced the schedule for the election of the post of party's national president. The election for the top party post will be held on October 17 and the counting of votes to be done, if necessary, two days later on October 19.

India's premier opposition party Congress has announced the schedule for the election of the post of party's national president. The election for the top party post will be held on October 17 and the counting of votes to be done, if necessary, two days later on October 19. The announcement was made by the party's highest decision-making body, the Congress Working Committee (CWC), which assembled for a meeting on Sunday. The CWC also said that the filing of nominations will start on September 24, with the deadline being September 30. The nominations will be scrutinised by October 1 with candidates allowed to withdraw their nominations till October 7. Reportedly, current Congress President Sonia Gandhi attended the meeting virtually as she is abroad for medical check-ups for some health problems. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, party’s central election authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry, KC Venugopal, former Union ministers Jairam Ramesh, Mukul Wasnik, P Chidambaram, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel also attended the meeting. Read more: Indian MP trolled for carrying a Louis Vuitton bag while addressing inflation & commodity price rise It is pertinent to note that the announcement of the party's presidential elections comes in the backdrop of several high-profile Congress leaders exiting the party, citing lack of leadership at the top. Notably, it was the recent resignation of Jammu & Kashmir Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad that created the most buzz as experts cast aspersions over the Gandhi family's ability to lead the party out of the rut it finds itself in currently. Calling Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his "immaturity" and for "demolishing the consultative mechanism" of the party, Azad in his letter to the Congress president Sonia wrote: "Unfortunately, after the entry of Rahul Gandhi into politics and particularly after January 2013, when he was appointed Vice President by you (Sonia Gandhi), the entire consultative mechanism which existed earlier was demolished by him." "The leadership in the past eight years has tried to foist a non-serious individual at the helm of the party. The entire organizational election process is a farce and a sham. Before starting Bharath Jodo Yatra, the leadership should have undertaken a Congress Jodo exercise across the country," he added. Read more: Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Congress: As it happened Akin to Azad, Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill, in his resignation letter, had also echoed similar sentiments. "In the past 8 years, I have not taken anything from Congress but only poured into the party. Today when I am being pushed to bow down before people because they are close to the top leadership. This is not acceptable to me," said Shergill in his letter. Read more: Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill quits, says sycophancy is eating the party like termites (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Congress to elect new president, announces election schedule

An injured Chinese military officer who was involved in the confrontation with Indian forces in the Galwan Valley in 2020 has been chosen to represent the PLA at the Communist Party of China (CPC) national session, which will take place later this year.A total of 304 representatives from the PLA and People's Armed Police Force have been named for the upcoming congress, which is anticipated to take place either at the end of October or in the first part of November.&nbsp;

Qi Fabao served as the commander of the PLA's Xinjiang military region during the conflict on June 15, 2020.Qi Fabao was grievously wounded during the 2020 border skirmish with Indian troops in the Galwan Valley. Additionally, Qi Fabao carried the Olympic flame for Beijing 2022.

In a top-level leadership shake-up, where President Xi Jinping is anticipated to achieve a record-breaking third term, only 2,300 delegates out of the CPC's 95 million members will be present.

The CPC conclave will be the most widely watched CPC gathering in several decades.

The "25 electoral units" of the two forces were used to select the PLA delegates.

So, while the PLA's nomination process for congress delegates remains a mystery, the general standards that have been made public are high.

Among the 304 delegates, Qi, a colonel, is in distinguished company.

The top military body in China, the Central Military Commission (CMC), which is led by Xi, has chosen six of its vice chairpersons, Xu Qiliang and Zhang Youxia, as delegates.&nbsp;

The other four members are state councillor and defence minister Wei Fenghe, along with Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua, and Zhang Shengmin.

(With inputs from agencies)

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An injured Chinese military officer who was involved in the confrontation with Indian forces in the Galwan Valley in 2020 has been chosen to represent the PLA at the Communist Party of China (CPC) national session, which will take place later this year.

An injured Chinese military officer who was involved in the confrontation with Indian forces in the Galwan Valley in 2020 has been chosen to represent the PLA at the Communist Party of China (CPC) national session, which will take place later this year.A total of 304 representatives from the PLA and People's Armed Police Force have been named for the upcoming congress, which is anticipated to take place either at the end of October or in the first part of November. Qi Fabao served as the commander of the PLA's Xinjiang military region during the conflict on June 15, 2020.Qi Fabao was grievously wounded during the 2020 border skirmish with Indian troops in the Galwan Valley. Additionally, Qi Fabao carried the Olympic flame for Beijing 2022. In a top-level leadership shake-up, where President Xi Jinping is anticipated to achieve a record-breaking third term, only 2,300 delegates out of the CPC's 95 million members will be present. The CPC conclave will be the most widely watched CPC gathering in several decades. The "25 electoral units" of the two forces were used to select the PLA delegates. So, while the PLA's nomination process for congress delegates remains a mystery, the general standards that have been made public are high. Among the 304 delegates, Qi, a colonel, is in distinguished company. The top military body in China, the Central Military Commission (CMC), which is led by Xi, has chosen six of its vice chairpersons, Xu Qiliang and Zhang Youxia, as delegates. The other four members are state councillor and defence minister Wei Fenghe, along with Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua, and Zhang Shengmin. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese soldier involved in Galwan Valley clash is now delegate to CPC congress

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill on Wednesday resigned from the party , saying the vision of the party's decision-makers was not "in sync" with aspirations of the youth and public interest and is rather influenced by sycophancy. He alleged that&nbsp;alleged that sycophancy is eating the party like termites. 
 
"The primary reason being that the ideology and the vision of the current decision-makers of the Indian National Congress is no longer in sync with the aspirations of the youth and modern India," he said in a letter to party chief Sonia Gandhi.

"Furthermore, it pains me to say that decision-making is no longer for the interests of the public and the country, rather it is influenced by the self-serving interests of individuals indulging in sycophancy and consistently ignoring ground reality. This is something I cannot morally accept or continue to work with," he added.

"In the past 8 years, I have not taken anything from Congress but only poured into the party. Today when I am being pushed to bow down before people because they are close to the top leadership. This is not acceptable to me," he told ANI.

However, he thanked Gandhi for all the opportunities the party granted him.

The resignation comes after senior party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma resigned from election-related committees in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, respectively. Shergill is a lawyer by profession and was one of the prominent ones among young Congress leaders.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill on Wednesday resigned from the party , saying the vision of the party's decision-makers was not "in sync" with aspirations of the youth and public interest and is rather influenced by sycophancy.

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill on Wednesday resigned from the party , saying the vision of the party's decision-makers was not "in sync" with aspirations of the youth and public interest and is rather influenced by sycophancy. He alleged that alleged that sycophancy is eating the party like termites. "The primary reason being that the ideology and the vision of the current decision-makers of the Indian National Congress is no longer in sync with the aspirations of the youth and modern India," he said in a letter to party chief Sonia Gandhi. "Furthermore, it pains me to say that decision-making is no longer for the interests of the public and the country, rather it is influenced by the self-serving interests of individuals indulging in sycophancy and consistently ignoring ground reality. This is something I cannot morally accept or continue to work with," he added. "In the past 8 years, I have not taken anything from Congress but only poured into the party. Today when I am being pushed to bow down before people because they are close to the top leadership. This is not acceptable to me," he told ANI. However, he thanked Gandhi for all the opportunities the party granted him. The resignation comes after senior party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma resigned from election-related committees in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, respectively. Shergill is a lawyer by profession and was one of the prominent ones among young Congress leaders. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill quits, says sycophancy is eating the party like termites

In 1942, when the Quit India Movement was just getting started, a radio station echoed with a woman's voice. Her name was Dr Usha Mehta. Here's her story.

India@75: Usha Mehta, the woman who ran an underground radio station during the Quit India Movement

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India’s main opposition party Indian National Congress (INC) was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday. Protests erupted across India by Congress supporters. But what is the corruption case in which the Gandhi family has been summoned?

Explained: National Herald case against Gandhi family in India

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath on Thursday said the party will finalise its candidates for the upcoming local body elections in the state in a couple of days and will select those who work to strengthen the organisation.

When asked about infighting in the party over the distribution of tickets, Nath told reporters that everybody is doing a good job, but only one will be able to get the ticket (per seat).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-presidential-election-to-be-held-on-july-18-counting-on-july-21-486550">Indian Presidential election to be held on July 18, counting on July 21</a>

"Such a situation, sometimes, results in tension", he said, adding that the party will select those who strengthen the organisation.

I am holding a meeting with all the in-charges on the issue and will finalise the candidates for the upcoming local body elections in the state in a day or two, Nath said.

He also remembered the sacrifice of tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda, on the occasion of his death anniversary on Thursday.

Watch |&nbsp;India records nearly 40% jump in daily covid-19 cases

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His sacrifice is an inspiration to the young generation. His struggle was not just for tribals, but the entire society, Nath said.

The elections to 347 municipalities in the state will be held in two phases. On July 6, 133 local bodies will go to polls, while the elections in 214 local bodies will be held on July 13, an election official said.

Unlike the panchayat elections, these polls will be held on the party basis, he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-sonia-gandhi-tests-positive-ahead-of-ed-questioning-in-national-herald-case-484368">COVID-19: Sonia Gandhi tests positive, ahead of ED questioning in National Herald case</a>

The counting for the first-phase polls will be held on July 17, while for the second phase it will be held on July 18, the official said.

The notification for the nomination process will be issued on June 11, last date for filing papers is June 18, the scrutiny will be done on June 20 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is June 22, the official added.

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&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath on Thursday said the party will finalise its candidates for the upcoming local body elections in the state in a couple of days and will select those who work to strengthen the organisation.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath on Thursday said the party will finalise its candidates for the upcoming local body elections in the state in a couple of days and will select those who work to strengthen the organisation. When asked about infighting in the party over the distribution of tickets, Nath told reporters that everybody is doing a good job, but only one will be able to get the ticket (per seat). Also read | Indian Presidential election to be held on July 18, counting on July 21 "Such a situation, sometimes, results in tension", he said, adding that the party will select those who strengthen the organisation. I am holding a meeting with all the in-charges on the issue and will finalise the candidates for the upcoming local body elections in the state in a day or two, Nath said. He also remembered the sacrifice of tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda, on the occasion of his death anniversary on Thursday. Watch | India records nearly 40% jump in daily covid-19 cases His sacrifice is an inspiration to the young generation. His struggle was not just for tribals, but the entire society, Nath said. The elections to 347 municipalities in the state will be held in two phases. On July 6, 133 local bodies will go to polls, while the elections in 214 local bodies will be held on July 13, an election official said. Unlike the panchayat elections, these polls will be held on the party basis, he said. Also read | COVID-19: Sonia Gandhi tests positive, ahead of ED questioning in National Herald case The counting for the first-phase polls will be held on July 17, while for the second phase it will be held on July 18, the official said. The notification for the nomination process will be issued on June 11, last date for filing papers is June 18, the scrutiny will be done on June 20 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is June 22, the official added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Madhya Pradesh elections: Congress to soon finalise candidates for local body polls

There is no shortage of theories regarding UFOs or Unidentified Flying Objects, and it has always been associated with the idea of alien spacecrafts. However, it is no longer just conspiracy theories as two top defense intelligence officials will be testifying in front of a House Intelligence subcommittee about the information that the government currently possesses about UFOs.

This is the first public hearing concerning UFOs in almost 50 years and this comes almost a year after a government report which contained 140 instances of "unidentified aerial phenomena" which were reported by the US military pilots since 2004. However, there is a slight twist to the story.

The motive of this hearing has more to do with national security than alien life.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-backed-hezbollah-and-allies-lose-parliament-majority-in-lebanese-elections-479773" hreflang="en">Iran-backed Hezbollah &amp; allies lose parliamentary majority in Lebanese polls</a>

There were a few reports of flying objects which showed speeds and movements beyond existing technologies, but the overall focus will remain on increasing security as well aviation safety.

While the possibility to alien activity was not completely denied, the report focused more on the possibility of some secret technology which was developed by other countries.

According to AFP. the report, which was compiled by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and a Navy-led task force the Pentagon formed in 2020, will be examined once again.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bank-of-england-warns-of-apocalyptic-food-prices-due-to-ongoing-russia-ukraine-conflict-479760">Bank of England warns of 'apocalyptic' food prices due to Russia-Ukraine war</a>

The two officials who will be attending the hearing are Ronald Moultrie, US defense undersecretary for intelligence and security, and Scott Bray, deputy director of naval intelligence.

The last time UFOs were actually the subject of a hearing was back in 1969 which ended with the US Air Force terminating an inconclusive UFO program code-named Project Blue Book.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

There is no shortage of theories regarding UFOs or Unidentified Flying Objects, and it has always been associated with the idea of alien spacecrafts. However, it is no longer just conspiracy theories as two top defense intelligence officials will be testifying in front of a House Intelligence subcommittee about the information that the government currently possesses about UFOs.

There is no shortage of theories regarding UFOs or Unidentified Flying Objects, and it has always been associated with the idea of alien spacecrafts. However, it is no longer just conspiracy theories as two top defense intelligence officials will be testifying in front of a House Intelligence subcommittee about the information that the government currently possesses about UFOs. This is the first public hearing concerning UFOs in almost 50 years and this comes almost a year after a government report which contained 140 instances of "unidentified aerial phenomena" which were reported by the US military pilots since 2004. However, there is a slight twist to the story. The motive of this hearing has more to do with national security than alien life. Also read | Iran-backed Hezbollah & allies lose parliamentary majority in Lebanese polls There were a few reports of flying objects which showed speeds and movements beyond existing technologies, but the overall focus will remain on increasing security as well aviation safety. While the possibility to alien activity was not completely denied, the report focused more on the possibility of some secret technology which was developed by other countries. According to AFP. the report, which was compiled by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and a Navy-led task force the Pentagon formed in 2020, will be examined once again. Also read | Bank of England warns of 'apocalyptic' food prices due to Russia-Ukraine war The two officials who will be attending the hearing are Ronald Moultrie, US defense undersecretary for intelligence and security, and Scott Bray, deputy director of naval intelligence. The last time UFOs were actually the subject of a hearing was back in 1969 which ended with the US Air Force terminating an inconclusive UFO program code-named Project Blue Book. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US congress panel to host first public UFO hearing in almost half a century

Prashant Kishor, an ace political strategist in India, declined the offer to join Indian National Congress. After declining the offer, he also took a dig at the party.&nbsp;

In an official announcement, the Congress party noted that Kishor will not be working for the party as he has declined to be part of the empowered action group for the 2024 general elections.&nbsp;

Taking to his official Twitter handle, Kishor said, "I declined the generous offer of #Congress to join the party as part of the EAG &amp; take responsibility for the elections."&nbsp;

He added, "In my humble opinion, more than me, the party needs leadership and collective will to fix the deep-rooted structural problems through transformational reforms."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-covid-fourth-wave-fears-loom-heres-what-indias-renowned-surgeon-has-to-say-473986">As Covid fourth wave fears loom, here's what India's renowned surgeon has to say</a>

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I declined the generous offer of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/congress?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#congress</a> to join the party as part of the EAG &amp; take responsibility for the elections. 
 
In my humble opinion, more than me the party needs leadership and collective will to fix the deep rooted structural problems through transformational reforms.
— Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKishor) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrashantKishor/status/1518901590056333313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Kishor held several meetings in the last 15 days with Congress's top leadership and gave a proposal to revamp the party ahead of the 2024 general election.&nbsp;

As reported, he had also given a detailed presentation with a road map for the 2024 General elections in the country. However, it looks like the proposal was not finalised.&nbsp;

Randeep Surjewala, who is the Congress General Secretary, also tweeted to give an update.&nbsp;

He said, "Following a presentation and discussion with Prashant Kishor, the Congress President has constituted a Empowered Action Group 2024 &amp; invited him to join the party as part of the group with defined responsibility. He declined. We appreciate his efforts &amp; suggestion given to party."&nbsp;

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Following a presentation &amp; discussions with Sh. Prashant Kishor, Congress President has constituted a Empowered Action Group 2024 &amp; invited him to join the party as part of the group with defined responsibility. He declined. We appreciate his efforts &amp; suggestion given to party.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) <a href="https://twitter.com/rssurjewala/status/1518895591983566851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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WATCH |&nbsp;If you are unvaccinated for COVID, you are a threat to those who're jabbed

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Prashant Kishor, an ace political strategist in India, declined the offer to join Indian National Congress. After declining the offer, he also took a dig at the party.

Prashant Kishor, an ace political strategist in India, declined the offer to join Indian National Congress. After declining the offer, he also took a dig at the party. In an official announcement, the Congress party noted that Kishor will not be working for the party as he has declined to be part of the empowered action group for the 2024 general elections. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Kishor said, "I declined the generous offer of #Congress to join the party as part of the EAG & take responsibility for the elections." He added, "In my humble opinion, more than me, the party needs leadership and collective will to fix the deep-rooted structural problems through transformational reforms." ALSO READ | As Covid fourth wave fears loom, here's what India's renowned surgeon has to say I declined the generous offer of #congress to join the party as part of the EAG & take responsibility for the elections. In my humble opinion, more than me the party needs leadership and collective will to fix the deep rooted structural problems through transformational reforms. — Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKishor) April 26, 2022 × ALSO READ | India gives emergency use authorisation to Covaxin for 6-12 age group Kishor held several meetings in the last 15 days with Congress's top leadership and gave a proposal to revamp the party ahead of the 2024 general election. As reported, he had also given a detailed presentation with a road map for the 2024 General elections in the country. However, it looks like the proposal was not finalised. Randeep Surjewala, who is the Congress General Secretary, also tweeted to give an update. He said, "Following a presentation and discussion with Prashant Kishor, the Congress President has constituted a Empowered Action Group 2024 & invited him to join the party as part of the group with defined responsibility. He declined. We appreciate his efforts & suggestion given to party." Following a presentation & discussions with Sh. Prashant Kishor, Congress President has constituted a Empowered Action Group 2024 & invited him to join the party as part of the group with defined responsibility. He declined. We appreciate his efforts & suggestion given to party. — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) April 26, 2022 × WATCH | If you are unvaccinated for COVID, you are a threat to those who're jabbed × WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Prashant Kishor: Ace election strategist declines offer to join Congress, with this dig at party

A fight broke out between members of President elect's party. Visuals on your screens show chaotic scenes in Honduras' Congress.

Fight breaks out between members of President elect's party

The US Congress approved raising the federal government's debt limit by $2.5 trillion, to about $31.4 trillion, sending the bill to President Joe Biden to sign and avert an unprecedented default.

US Congress approves boosting debt limit to $31.4 trillion

In a positive change, Chile joins Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica and Uruguay in allowing same-sex marriage in the country. Both houses of Chile's parliament has passed the legislation, and President Piñera is expected to sign it before the end of his term.

Chile becomes the latest nation in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriage, Congress gives nod

US President Joe Biden hailed Congress’ passage of his $1 trillion infrastructure package as a “monumental step forward for the nation” after months of tough negotiations.

US Prez Biden hails passage of infrastructure bill as ‘monumental step forward’

After months of fierce political wrangling, House speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that she expects agreement on a huge social spending package and a vote on a major infrastructure package this week, adding, "We're almost there."

US President Joe Biden had been intent on securing passage of the two packages -- which Democrats see as vital to their political hopes in midterm elections next year -- before he leaves for a climate summit in Glasgow that opens October 31.&nbsp;

Asked on CNN's "State of the Union" whether the agreement on the spending package and votes on infrastructure could come next week, Pelosi replied, "That's the plan."

And on the spending package specifically, which has divided progressive and moderate Democrats, she said: "I think we're pretty much there now... We're almost there. It's just the language of it."

Pelosi's comments came as Biden was to meet at his home in Delaware with Joe Manchin, one of the two Senate Democrats whose resistance to the president's big Build Back Better social program had proved a major stumbling block.&nbsp;

Biden himself had expressed optimism on Thursday during a televised town-hall appearance, saying, "I do think I'll get a deal."

Biden said his feuding Democratic party was "down to four or five issues" but "I think we can get there."

Democrats have razor-thin majorities in both houses of Congress. However, internal divisions are preventing passage of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure revamp and the huge separate social spending bill that Biden says will transform finances and fairness for ordinary Americans.

With pressure growing on the party not to come away empty-handed, Biden has stepped up efforts to broker a truce between more conservative members like Manchin and the left-leaning progressive wing.

He originally pushed for $3.5 trillion in spending on the social support bill -- including an array of benefits for students, families and the elderly -- but the latest figure under consideration is about $2 trillion.

Pelosi told CNN on Sunday that "we have 90 percent of the bill agreed to and written, we just have some of the last decisions to be made.&nbsp;

"It is less than was projected to begin with but it is still bigger than anything we have ever done in terms of addressing the needs of American families."

After months of fierce political wrangling, House speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that she expects agreement on a huge social spending package and a vote on a major infrastructure package this week, adding, "We're almost there.

After months of fierce political wrangling, House speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that she expects agreement on a huge social spending package and a vote on a major infrastructure package this week, adding, "We're almost there." US President Joe Biden had been intent on securing passage of the two packages -- which Democrats see as vital to their political hopes in midterm elections next year -- before he leaves for a climate summit in Glasgow that opens October 31. Asked on CNN's "State of the Union" whether the agreement on the spending package and votes on infrastructure could come next week, Pelosi replied, "That's the plan." And on the spending package specifically, which has divided progressive and moderate Democrats, she said: "I think we're pretty much there now... We're almost there. It's just the language of it." Pelosi's comments came as Biden was to meet at his home in Delaware with Joe Manchin, one of the two Senate Democrats whose resistance to the president's big Build Back Better social program had proved a major stumbling block. Biden himself had expressed optimism on Thursday during a televised town-hall appearance, saying, "I do think I'll get a deal." Biden said his feuding Democratic party was "down to four or five issues" but "I think we can get there." Democrats have razor-thin majorities in both houses of Congress. However, internal divisions are preventing passage of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure revamp and the huge separate social spending bill that Biden says will transform finances and fairness for ordinary Americans. With pressure growing on the party not to come away empty-handed, Biden has stepped up efforts to broker a truce between more conservative members like Manchin and the left-leaning progressive wing. He originally pushed for $3.5 trillion in spending on the social support bill -- including an array of benefits for students, families and the elderly -- but the latest figure under consideration is about $2 trillion. Pelosi told CNN on Sunday that "we have 90 percent of the bill agreed to and written, we just have some of the last decisions to be made. "It is less than was projected to begin with but it is still bigger than anything we have ever done in terms of addressing the needs of American families."

Pelosi says 'we're almost there' on huge US legislative bills

Former US President Donald Trump has yet again escalated efforts to stonewall investigators looking into the deadly January 6th Capitol Hill riots. This time Donald Trump has sued the Congress and National Archives.

United States: Donald Trump sued Congress and National Archives

Five members of the US&nbsp;House Judiciary committee wrote to Amazon.com Inc's chief executive Sunday, and accused the company's top executives, including founder Jeff Bezos, of either misleading Congress or possibly lying to it about Amazon's business practices.

The letter also states that the committee is considering "whether a referral of this matter to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation is appropriate."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-protest-more-intensely-than-indians-over-amazons-rigging-in-india-cait-421504">US lawmakers protest more intensely than Indians over Amazon's rigging in India: CAIT</a>

Addressed to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, the letter followed a Reuters investigation last week that showed that the company had conducted a systematic campaign of copying products and rigging search results in India to boost sales of its own brands - practices Amazon has denied engaging in. Jassy, a longtime Amazon executive, succeeded Bezos in July.

The letter states that "credible reporting" in the Reuters story and recent articles in several other news outlets "directly contradicts the sworn testimony and representations of Amazon's top executives – including former CEO Jeffrey Bezos."

"At best, this reporting confirms that Amazon's representatives misled the Committee. At worst, it demonstrates that they may have lied to Congress in possible violation of federal criminal law," the letter states. Reuters reviewed a copy of the letter.

In response, an Amazon spokesperson issued a statement that said: "Amazon and its executives did not mislead the committee, and we have denied and sought to correct the record on the inaccurate media articles in question."

It added: "As we have previously stated, we have an internal policy, which goes beyond that of any other retailer's policy that we`re aware of, that prohibits the use of individual seller data to develop Amazon private label products. We investigate any allegations that this policy may have been violated and take appropriate action."

Since 2019, the House Judiciary Committee has been investigating competition in digital markets, including how Amazon uses proprietary seller data from its platform, and whether the company unfairly favors its own products.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jeff-bezos-shares-an-old-article-predicting-amazons-failure-elon-musk-replies-419819">Jeff Bezos shares an old article predicting Amazon's failure, Elon Musk replies</a>

In sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee last year, Bezos said the company prohibits its employees from using data on individual sellers to benefit its own private-label product lines. In another hearing in 2019, Nate Sutton, Amazon's associate general counsel, testified that the company does not use such data to create its own branded products or alter its search results to benefit them.

Asked during the 2019 congressional hearing whether Amazon alters algorithms to direct consumers to its own goods, Sutton replied: "The algorithms are optimized to predict what customers want to buy regardless of the seller."

The lawmakers&nbsp;letter gives Jassy "a final opportunity" to provide evidence to corroborate the company's prior testimony and statements. It also notes that "it is criminally illegal to knowingly and willfully make statements that are materially false, conceal a material fact, or otherwise provide false documentation in response to a congressional investigation."

It gives the CEO until November&nbsp;1 to provide a sworn response to clarify "how Amazon uses non-public individual seller data to develop and market its own line of products" and how Amazon's search rankings favor those products.

It also requests copies of all documents mentioned in the October&nbsp;13 Reuters investigation.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-amazon-and-google-employees-ask-their-companies-to-end-military-contract-with-israel-420595">Hundreds of Amazon and Google employees ask their companies to end military contract with Israel</a>

"We strongly encourage you to make use of this opportunity to correct the record and provide the Committee with sworn, truthful, and accurate responses to this request as we consider whether a referral of this matter to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation is appropriate," the letter states.

The Reuters probe was based on thousands of pages of internal Amazon documents – including emails, strategy papers and business plans. They showed that, at least in India, Amazon had a formal, clandestine policy of manipulating search results to favor Amazon's own products, as well as copying other sellers&nbsp;goods – and that at least two senior company executives had reviewed it.

In response to the Reuters report, Amazon said, "We believe these claims are factually incorrect and unsubstantiated." The company did not elaborate. The company said the way it displays search results doesn't favor private-brand products.

The lawmakers&nbsp;letter also cites other recent stories in the Markup, the Wall Street Journal and the Capitol Forum about Amazon's private-brand products and use of seller data.

The letter's sharp wording ratchets up the rhetoric between Washington and Big Tech. Companies including Amazon, Facebook Inc, Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google have been under growing scrutiny in Washington, Europe and other parts of the world, fueled by concerns among regulators, lawmakers and consumer groups that the firms have too much power and are engaging in unfair practices that hurt other businesses.

The lawmakers&nbsp;letter was signed by a bipartisan group, and included the judiciary committee's chairman, Democrat Jerrold Nadler, and four members of the antitrust subcommittee – its chair, Democrat David Cicilline, vice chair Pramila Jayapal and Republicans Ken Buck and Matt Gaetz.

On Wednesday, following publication of the Reuters investigation, US&nbsp;Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent critic of Amazon, called for breaking up the company. In India, a group representing millions of brick-and-mortar retailers urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to take action against Amazon.

Five members of the US House Judiciary committee wrote to Amazon.com Inc's chief executive Sunday, and accused the company's top executives, including founder Jeff Bezos, of either misleading Congress or possibly lying to it about Amazon's business practices.

Five members of the US House Judiciary committee wrote to Amazon.com Inc's chief executive Sunday, and accused the company's top executives, including founder Jeff Bezos, of either misleading Congress or possibly lying to it about Amazon's business practices. The letter also states that the committee is considering "whether a referral of this matter to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation is appropriate." Also Read | US lawmakers protest more intensely than Indians over Amazon's rigging in India: CAIT Addressed to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, the letter followed a Reuters investigation last week that showed that the company had conducted a systematic campaign of copying products and rigging search results in India to boost sales of its own brands - practices Amazon has denied engaging in. Jassy, a longtime Amazon executive, succeeded Bezos in July. The letter states that "credible reporting" in the Reuters story and recent articles in several other news outlets "directly contradicts the sworn testimony and representations of Amazon's top executives – including former CEO Jeffrey Bezos." "At best, this reporting confirms that Amazon's representatives misled the Committee. At worst, it demonstrates that they may have lied to Congress in possible violation of federal criminal law," the letter states. Reuters reviewed a copy of the letter. In response, an Amazon spokesperson issued a statement that said: "Amazon and its executives did not mislead the committee, and we have denied and sought to correct the record on the inaccurate media articles in question." It added: "As we have previously stated, we have an internal policy, which goes beyond that of any other retailer's policy that we`re aware of, that prohibits the use of individual seller data to develop Amazon private label products. We investigate any allegations that this policy may have been violated and take appropriate action." Since 2019, the House Judiciary Committee has been investigating competition in digital markets, including how Amazon uses proprietary seller data from its platform, and whether the company unfairly favors its own products. Also Read | Jeff Bezos shares an old article predicting Amazon's failure, Elon Musk replies In sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee last year, Bezos said the company prohibits its employees from using data on individual sellers to benefit its own private-label product lines. In another hearing in 2019, Nate Sutton, Amazon's associate general counsel, testified that the company does not use such data to create its own branded products or alter its search results to benefit them. Asked during the 2019 congressional hearing whether Amazon alters algorithms to direct consumers to its own goods, Sutton replied: "The algorithms are optimized to predict what customers want to buy regardless of the seller." The lawmakers letter gives Jassy "a final opportunity" to provide evidence to corroborate the company's prior testimony and statements. It also notes that "it is criminally illegal to knowingly and willfully make statements that are materially false, conceal a material fact, or otherwise provide false documentation in response to a congressional investigation." It gives the CEO until November 1 to provide a sworn response to clarify "how Amazon uses non-public individual seller data to develop and market its own line of products" and how Amazon's search rankings favor those products. It also requests copies of all documents mentioned in the October 13 Reuters investigation. Also Read | Hundreds of Amazon and Google employees ask their companies to end military contract with Israel "We strongly encourage you to make use of this opportunity to correct the record and provide the Committee with sworn, truthful, and accurate responses to this request as we consider whether a referral of this matter to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation is appropriate," the letter states. The Reuters probe was based on thousands of pages of internal Amazon documents – including emails, strategy papers and business plans. They showed that, at least in India, Amazon had a formal, clandestine policy of manipulating search results to favor Amazon's own products, as well as copying other sellers goods – and that at least two senior company executives had reviewed it. In response to the Reuters report, Amazon said, "We believe these claims are factually incorrect and unsubstantiated." The company did not elaborate. The company said the way it displays search results doesn't favor private-brand products. The lawmakers letter also cites other recent stories in the Markup, the Wall Street Journal and the Capitol Forum about Amazon's private-brand products and use of seller data. The letter's sharp wording ratchets up the rhetoric between Washington and Big Tech. Companies including Amazon, Facebook Inc, Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google have been under growing scrutiny in Washington, Europe and other parts of the world, fueled by concerns among regulators, lawmakers and consumer groups that the firms have too much power and are engaging in unfair practices that hurt other businesses. The lawmakers letter was signed by a bipartisan group, and included the judiciary committee's chairman, Democrat Jerrold Nadler, and four members of the antitrust subcommittee – its chair, Democrat David Cicilline, vice chair Pramila Jayapal and Republicans Ken Buck and Matt Gaetz. On Wednesday, following publication of the Reuters investigation, US Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent critic of Amazon, called for breaking up the company. In India, a group representing millions of brick-and-mortar retailers urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to take action against Amazon.

Five US lawmakers accuse Amazon of possibly lying to Congress following Reuters report

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday reached out to a miffed Navjot Singh Sidhu and offered to resolve issues through talks, a day after the former cricketer resigned as the Punjab Congress chief.

Channi also said the party is supreme and the government follows the party's ideology.

"I have spoken to Sidhu sahab over the telephone today. Party is supreme and the government accepts the party's ideology and follows that. (I told him that) you should come, sit and talk,&nbsp;he told reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ousted-punjab-cm-amarinder-singh-meets-home-minister-bjp-leader-shah-sparks-defection-rumours-416855">Ousted Punjab CM Amarinder Singh meets home minister &amp; BJP leader Shah, sparks defection rumours</a>

"The (state) president is the head of the party. The head has to sit among the family," he said, adding that Sidhu had agreed to meet.

Sidhu, who had abruptly put in his papers plunging the Congress into a fresh crisis, on Wednesday broke his silence, questioning the appointments of the director-general of police, state's advocate general and tainted leaders.

Channi, however, defended the appointments, saying he had acted on the basis of feedback from the party members.

I have no objection or any ego in anything,&nbsp;he said, indicating that he was ready to review the decisions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/minister-in-indias-punjab-quits-after-navjot-sidhu-resigns-as-state-congress-chief-416667">Minister in India's Punjab quits after Navjot Sidhu resigns as state Congress chief</a>

Asked what was Sidhu's response to his offer to talk it out, Channi said that Sidhu told him that he would give the time for the meeting.

"We will sit with him and talk," he said.

To a question, Channi said Minister Pargat Singh and some other leaders went to meet Sidhu.

Asked if Sidhu had done the right thing, Channi said he could not comment on it.

I will never deviate from the issues of the people of Punjab,&nbsp;he asserted.

He said, Whatever feedback we got from colleagues and others and whosoever can be appointed, we appointed. But the decisions will be taken according to the will of the people of Punjab.

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday reached out to a miffed Navjot Singh Sidhu and offered to resolve issues through talks, a day after the former cricketer resigned as the Punjab Congress chief.

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday reached out to a miffed Navjot Singh Sidhu and offered to resolve issues through talks, a day after the former cricketer resigned as the Punjab Congress chief. Channi also said the party is supreme and the government follows the party's ideology. "I have spoken to Sidhu sahab over the telephone today. Party is supreme and the government accepts the party's ideology and follows that. (I told him that) you should come, sit and talk, he told reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting. Also read | Ousted Punjab CM Amarinder Singh meets home minister & BJP leader Shah, sparks defection rumours "The (state) president is the head of the party. The head has to sit among the family," he said, adding that Sidhu had agreed to meet. Sidhu, who had abruptly put in his papers plunging the Congress into a fresh crisis, on Wednesday broke his silence, questioning the appointments of the director-general of police, state's advocate general and tainted leaders. Channi, however, defended the appointments, saying he had acted on the basis of feedback from the party members. I have no objection or any ego in anything, he said, indicating that he was ready to review the decisions. Also read | Minister in India's Punjab quits after Navjot Sidhu resigns as state Congress chief Asked what was Sidhu's response to his offer to talk it out, Channi said that Sidhu told him that he would give the time for the meeting. "We will sit with him and talk," he said. To a question, Channi said Minister Pargat Singh and some other leaders went to meet Sidhu. Asked if Sidhu had done the right thing, Channi said he could not comment on it. I will never deviate from the issues of the people of Punjab, he asserted. He said, Whatever feedback we got from colleagues and others and whosoever can be appointed, we appointed. But the decisions will be taken according to the will of the people of Punjab.

Punjab CM Channi reaches out to Sidhu, offers to talk it out

Pentagon’s most senior leadership testified before Congress about the US military’s chaotic withdrawal from the war-torn country last month. WION's Susan Tehrani brings you more on this.

US Senators grill Pentagon leaders on Afghan pullout

The Pentagon's top military officials faced the tough questions from Congress about the execution of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, in their first appearance before lawmakers since the US left the country at the end of August.

Pentagon leaders testify before congress on US pullout from Afghanistan

Top Pentagon leaders will answer questions from senators about the US pullout from Afghanistan, which left behind Americans who may number in the hundreds.

Pentagon leaders to testify on US pullout from Afghanistan

In their first public testimony since the US completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, top Pentagon leaders will face sharp questions in Congress about the chaotic pullout and the Taliban’s rapid takeover of the country.

Pentagon leaders to face Congress on Afghan pullout decision

In United States House of Representatives, the democrats prevented a shutdown of the US government by voting to fund the government into early December suspend federal debt limit and provide disaster and refugees setting up high-stakes showdown with Republicans who post the package despite the prospects of a looming fiscal crisis.

United States House passes bill to prevent govt shutdown

Former US president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> moved Wednesday to block the Treasury from handing over years of his tax records to a congressional committee, which some believe could expose abuse of tax laws.

In a Washington court filing Trump's lawyers objected to a Justice Department order last week that the Treasury, after stalling for years, needed to provide the House Ways and Means Committee with six years of records that Trump has long refused to make public.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-us-president-donald-trumps-fundraising-initiatives-raise-100-million-402374" hreflang="en">Former US president Donald Trump's fundraising initiatives raise $100 million &nbsp;</a>

The lawyers argue that while the committee claims to be investigating how the Internal Revenue Service handles cases like Trump's -- the former president said for years that his taxes were under audit -- in fact the request is driven by politics.

The aim of the Democratic-controlled panel, the filing says, "is to expose the private tax information of one individual -- President Trump -- for political gain."

"The requests single out President Trump because he is a Republican and a political opponent," it adds.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-doj-orders-irs-to-hand-over-trumps-tax-returns-to-a-house-panel-402014" hreflang="en">US DoJ orders IRS to hand over Trump’s tax returns to a House panel&nbsp;</a>

"They were made to retaliate against President Trump because of his policy positions, his political beliefs and his protected speech, including the positions he took during the 2016 and 2020 campaigns," it said.

The US Justice Department ordered the Treasury on Friday to hand Trump's tax records to the committee, which subpoenaed them in 2019.

Committee chairman Richard Neal had argued that his members needed the returns to understand how the IRS conducts its presidential audits and whether Trump had exerted "undue influence" over the agency.

Trump claimed for years that he could not make the records public because they were under audit, and when he was president, the Republican-controlled Treasury and Justice Department sided with him on the issue.

Both departments are now led by Democrats, and the Justice Department argued last week that the committee had a legitimate interest in seeing Trump's records.

Some suspect that the records would show the billionaire property tycoon manipulated the tax code to pay very little over a long period.

Trump is under investigation in New York for tax fraud and other wrongdoings relating to the financial activities of his Trump Organization.

In February the Supreme Court declined to block a subpoena of Trump's taxes by a New York prosecutors.

All US presidents since Richard Nixon, who took office in 1969, have made public their tax and asset records.

Former US president Donald Trump moved Wednesday to block the Treasury from handing over years of his tax records to a congressional committee, which some believe could expose abuse of tax laws.

Former US president Donald Trump moved Wednesday to block the Treasury from handing over years of his tax records to a congressional committee, which some believe could expose abuse of tax laws. In a Washington court filing Trump's lawyers objected to a Justice Department order last week that the Treasury, after stalling for years, needed to provide the House Ways and Means Committee with six years of records that Trump has long refused to make public. Also read | Former US president Donald Trump's fundraising initiatives raise $100 million The lawyers argue that while the committee claims to be investigating how the Internal Revenue Service handles cases like Trump's -- the former president said for years that his taxes were under audit -- in fact the request is driven by politics. The aim of the Democratic-controlled panel, the filing says, "is to expose the private tax information of one individual -- President Trump -- for political gain." "The requests single out President Trump because he is a Republican and a political opponent," it adds. Also read | US DoJ orders IRS to hand over Trump’s tax returns to a House panel "They were made to retaliate against President Trump because of his policy positions, his political beliefs and his protected speech, including the positions he took during the 2016 and 2020 campaigns," it said. The US Justice Department ordered the Treasury on Friday to hand Trump's tax records to the committee, which subpoenaed them in 2019. Committee chairman Richard Neal had argued that his members needed the returns to understand how the IRS conducts its presidential audits and whether Trump had exerted "undue influence" over the agency. Trump claimed for years that he could not make the records public because they were under audit, and when he was president, the Republican-controlled Treasury and Justice Department sided with him on the issue. Both departments are now led by Democrats, and the Justice Department argued last week that the committee had a legitimate interest in seeing Trump's records. Some suspect that the records would show the billionaire property tycoon manipulated the tax code to pay very little over a long period. Trump is under investigation in New York for tax fraud and other wrongdoings relating to the financial activities of his Trump Organization. In February the Supreme Court declined to block a subpoena of Trump's taxes by a New York prosecutors. All US presidents since Richard Nixon, who took office in 1969, have made public their tax and asset records.

Trump moves to block Congress from getting his taxes

As the US military completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan in the coming weeks, the Biden administration says it is adding staff to hurry up the visa process for Afghans, who worked for the US&nbsp;government and want to flee to avoid Taliban reprisals. 
 
But for refugee advocates and members of Congress, the effort still isn't enough to ensure that Afghans, who worked as US&nbsp;military translators, guides and in other roles aren't persecuted in large numbers in the months ahead. 
 
"I want the White House's hair on fire," said Maine Senator Angus King, an independent, who caucuses with President Joe Biden's Democratic Party. 
 
"What do I want them to do next? I want them to do everything within their power to solve this problem." 
 
Fighting has increased across Afghanistan ahead of the September&nbsp;11 deadline for withdrawal, which will end a two-decade US-led NATO troop presence since the Taliban were forced from power in the wake of the 2001 attacks on the United States. 
 
Afghans, who worked for the United States during America's longest war, fear the insurgency will target them and their families, retribution for helping foreign forces. 
 
With the final pullout expected as early as mid-July, there appears to be a mismatch between the expectations of refugee advocates and what the Biden administration says is realistic given the legal and practical requirements to process special immigrant visas. 
 
The administration says it has already doubled the number of staff processing cases in Kabul and tripled personnel reviewing petitions at US&nbsp;Citizenship and Immigration Services. 
 
It also plans a five-fold increase in the number of staff in the State Department working on the visas in Washington, a senior administration official said. 
 
"All of these changes have resulted in, over the last couple of months, the largest number of cases processed in the history of the programme in any 60-day period," the official said, speaking about the plans on condition of anonymity. 
 
The plan is to process at least 1,000-1,400 visa applications for Afghans, who worked for the United States, not including their families, every month. By contrast, the US&nbsp;government says, it issued only 237 such visas in the last three months of 2020. 
 
But even with the new effort, the administration says there's a limit to how fast a 14-step, multiple-agency process can move without changes to legislation. If all goes well, a visa could be processed in nine to 12 months. 
 
"Other than that, the 'brute force' approach of just more bodies has gone about as far as it can," a second US&nbsp;official said. 
 
The administration supports legislation in Congress that would allow Afghans to do a medical check upon arriving in the United States, instead of in Afghanistan. It is also supports legislation eliminating the requirement for a specific petition at the Department of Homeland Security. 
 
"That would be another two months that we could shave off," the first official said. 
 
Political talks between the government and the Taliban have largely stalled and it's unclear how the Afghan security forces will perform after troops depart. The Taliban have assured Afghans, who worked with foreign forces of their safety. 
 
But as the clock ticks down, Afghans, who have applied for visas, are becoming increasingly concerned. 
 
Secretary of State Antony Blinken reassured Congress last week of his commitment to Afghans, who worked with the United States, but also suggested any threats to their safety might not be immediate. 
 
"I wouldn't necessarily equate the departure of our forces in July, August, or by early September with some kind of immediate deterioration in the situation," Blinken said. 
 
Blinken acknowledged there were 18,000 Afghans 'in the pipeline' for potential visas. Half of them have expressed interest but haven't yet filled out the necessary forms, he said. 
 
Senator Patrick Leahy, recalling the chaos in Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975 when he was a junior senator, said the matter was urgent. 
 
"They're going to have a target on their back," Leahy said. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

As the US military completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan in the coming weeks, the Biden administration says it is adding staff to hurry up the visa process for Afghans, who worked for the US government and want to flee to avoid Taliban reprisals.

As the US military completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan in the coming weeks, the Biden administration says it is adding staff to hurry up the visa process for Afghans, who worked for the US government and want to flee to avoid Taliban reprisals. But for refugee advocates and members of Congress, the effort still isn't enough to ensure that Afghans, who worked as US military translators, guides and in other roles aren't persecuted in large numbers in the months ahead. "I want the White House's hair on fire," said Maine Senator Angus King, an independent, who caucuses with President Joe Biden's Democratic Party. "What do I want them to do next? I want them to do everything within their power to solve this problem." Fighting has increased across Afghanistan ahead of the September 11 deadline for withdrawal, which will end a two-decade US-led NATO troop presence since the Taliban were forced from power in the wake of the 2001 attacks on the United States. Afghans, who worked for the United States during America's longest war, fear the insurgency will target them and their families, retribution for helping foreign forces. With the final pullout expected as early as mid-July, there appears to be a mismatch between the expectations of refugee advocates and what the Biden administration says is realistic given the legal and practical requirements to process special immigrant visas. The administration says it has already doubled the number of staff processing cases in Kabul and tripled personnel reviewing petitions at US Citizenship and Immigration Services. It also plans a five-fold increase in the number of staff in the State Department working on the visas in Washington, a senior administration official said. "All of these changes have resulted in, over the last couple of months, the largest number of cases processed in the history of the programme in any 60-day period," the official said, speaking about the plans on condition of anonymity. The plan is to process at least 1,000-1,400 visa applications for Afghans, who worked for the United States, not including their families, every month. By contrast, the US government says, it issued only 237 such visas in the last three months of 2020. But even with the new effort, the administration says there's a limit to how fast a 14-step, multiple-agency process can move without changes to legislation. If all goes well, a visa could be processed in nine to 12 months. "Other than that, the 'brute force' approach of just more bodies has gone about as far as it can," a second US official said. The administration supports legislation in Congress that would allow Afghans to do a medical check upon arriving in the United States, instead of in Afghanistan. It is also supports legislation eliminating the requirement for a specific petition at the Department of Homeland Security. "That would be another two months that we could shave off," the first official said. Political talks between the government and the Taliban have largely stalled and it's unclear how the Afghan security forces will perform after troops depart. The Taliban have assured Afghans, who worked with foreign forces of their safety. But as the clock ticks down, Afghans, who have applied for visas, are becoming increasingly concerned. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reassured Congress last week of his commitment to Afghans, who worked with the United States, but also suggested any threats to their safety might not be immediate. "I wouldn't necessarily equate the departure of our forces in July, August, or by early September with some kind of immediate deterioration in the situation," Blinken said. Blinken acknowledged there were 18,000 Afghans 'in the pipeline' for potential visas. Half of them have expressed interest but haven't yet filled out the necessary forms, he said. Senator Patrick Leahy, recalling the chaos in Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975 when he was a junior senator, said the matter was urgent. "They're going to have a target on their back," Leahy said. (With inputs from agencies)

US speeds visas for vulnerable Afghans as pullout looms, but Congress wants more

Congress approved legislation on Tuesday intended to curtail a striking rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, sending President Joe Biden a bipartisan denunciation of the spate of brutal attacks that have proliferated during coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

The bill, which the House passed on a 364-62 vote, will expedite the review of hate crimes at the Justice Department and make grants available to help local law enforcement agencies improve their investigation, identification and reporting of incidents driven by bias, which often go underreported. It previously passed the Senate 94-1 in April after lawmakers reached a compromise. Biden has said he will sign it.&nbsp;

"Asian Americans have been screaming out for help, and the House and Senate and President Biden have clearly heard our pleas," said Rep Grace Meng, D-NY, who helped lead efforts to pass the bill in the House.&nbsp;

To many Asian Americans, the pandemic has invigorated deep-seated biases that in some cases date back to the Chinese Exclusion Act of more than a century ago. President Donald Trump repeatedly referred to the virus, which emerged in Wuhan, China, as the 'China Virus' or the 'Kung Flu’. And as cases of the illness began to rise in the US, so too did the attacks, with thousands of violent incidents reported in the past year.&nbsp;

Rep Judy Chu, D-Calif, said it's painful for many to "open up the newspaper every day and see that yet another Asian American has been assaulted, attacked and even killed."&nbsp;

In February, an 84-year-old man died after he was pushed to the ground near his home in San Francisco. A young family was injured in a Texas grocery store attack last year. And in Georgia, six Asian women were killed in March during a series of shootings targeting workers at massage parlours. Prosecutors are seeking hate crimes charges. The women, who were killed, are mentioned in the text of the bill.&nbsp;

Congress approved legislation on Tuesday intended to curtail a striking rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, sending President Joe Biden a bipartisan denunciation of the spate of brutal attacks that have proliferated during coronavirus pandemic.

Congress approved legislation on Tuesday intended to curtail a striking rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, sending President Joe Biden a bipartisan denunciation of the spate of brutal attacks that have proliferated during coronavirus pandemic. The bill, which the House passed on a 364-62 vote, will expedite the review of hate crimes at the Justice Department and make grants available to help local law enforcement agencies improve their investigation, identification and reporting of incidents driven by bias, which often go underreported. It previously passed the Senate 94-1 in April after lawmakers reached a compromise. Biden has said he will sign it. "Asian Americans have been screaming out for help, and the House and Senate and President Biden have clearly heard our pleas," said Rep Grace Meng, D-NY, who helped lead efforts to pass the bill in the House. To many Asian Americans, the pandemic has invigorated deep-seated biases that in some cases date back to the Chinese Exclusion Act of more than a century ago. President Donald Trump repeatedly referred to the virus, which emerged in Wuhan, China, as the 'China Virus' or the 'Kung Flu’. And as cases of the illness began to rise in the US, so too did the attacks, with thousands of violent incidents reported in the past year. Rep Judy Chu, D-Calif, said it's painful for many to "open up the newspaper every day and see that yet another Asian American has been assaulted, attacked and even killed." In February, an 84-year-old man died after he was pushed to the ground near his home in San Francisco. A young family was injured in a Texas grocery store attack last year. And in Georgia, six Asian women were killed in March during a series of shootings targeting workers at massage parlours. Prosecutors are seeking hate crimes charges. The women, who were killed, are mentioned in the text of the bill.

Congress OKs bill to fight hate crimes against Asian Americans 

US President Joe Biden made his first joint address to Congress, outlining his vision for the country and speaking to what he sees as his administration's initial accomplishments as he nears 100 days in office.

Biden's delivers first address to Congress, says America is dreaming & leading the world again

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