According to The Economist’s presidential forecast, US Vice President Kamala Harris is leading the presidential race with a slight edge over Donald Trump. The latest analysis indicates that Harris has “about a 3 in 5 chance” of securing victory in the electoral college, while Trump holds “about a 2 in 5 chance.”

The forecast projects Harris to win 281 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for election, while Trump may receive 257 electoral votes. Updated on September 30, the forecast reflects current trends in the electoral landscape.

The national polling averages also indicate Harris at 49.9% and Trump at 46.2%.

In the US electoral system, citizens do not directly vote for presidential candidates; instead, they vote for electors pledged to those candidates. Each state has a number of electors equal to its congressional representation, totaling 538 electors. A candidate must obtain a majority of these electors, at least 270, to win the presidency.

The voting process involves citizens selecting electors in the November elections, followed by the electors convening in December to cast their official votes. These votes are then counted in a joint session of Congress on January 6 of the following year, where the results are formally declared.

The Economist’s methodology for its forecasts includes over 10,000 simulations, considering national and state-level polls, economic conditions, historical voting trends, and demographic data to assess the likelihood of different electoral outcomes.

Americans will cast their votes in the presidential election on November 5 this year.

In 2020, the Asian Indian population in the United States claimed the title of the largest Asian-only group, marking an astounding growth of over 50 percent since 2010, reaching a total of 4,397,737 individuals. Despite this, Chinese Americans remained the top group in the broader Asian demographic category. When considering individuals who identify as either a single race or multiracial, Chinese Americans (excluding Taiwanese) continued to hold the leading position as the most populous Asian identification, comprising a total of 5.2 million people.

Following closely behind were the next four largest Asian groups, either alone or in any combination, and their population growth from 2010 to 2020. These included Filipino individuals, totaling 4,436,992 (a growth of 29.9 percent), Vietnamese individuals at 2,293,392 (with a growth rate of 32.0 percent), Korean individuals numbering 1,989,519 (experiencing a growth of 16.6 percent), and Japanese individuals, amounting to 1,586,652 (showing a growth of 20.6 percent).

While the majority of Asian groups witnessed population growth, the Japanese alone population and the Laotian alone population were exceptions, both experiencing a decline in their numbers during the past decade. However, it’s noteworthy that their combined populations, including those who identified as either alone or in any combination, increased by 20.6 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively.

Notably, the Nepalese population emerged as the fastest-growing Asian group, experiencing a remarkable surge of over 250 percent. This growth was observed in both the Asian alone and Asian alone or in any combination categories among populations exceeding 50,000 in 2010. Specifically, the Nepalese alone population increased by an astonishing 295.5 percent, rising from 51,907 in 2010 to 205,297 in 2020. The Nepalese population, whether counted alone or in any combination, expanded from 59,490 to 219,503, marking a staggering 269.0 percent increase over the decade.

Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder of the nonprofit group AAPI Data, emphasized the significance of these demographic shifts, stating, “It is momentous. Americans’ perception of who is Asian is still very much informed by demographic patterns from a century ago. They think of East Asians as quintessentially Asian and are less likely to think of South Asians as Asian … Well, the demographic realities have shifted away from the stereotype.”

On September 18, 2023, the Ministry of Finance gave its approval to a set of welfare measures aimed at benefiting both Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) agents and employees. These measures encompass modifications to the Enhancement of Gratuity Limit, the Uniform Rate of Family Pension, and the LIC (Agents) Regulations, 2017, among others.

Specifically, these welfare measures for LIC agents and employees include:

1. Increasing the gratuity limit for LIC agents from INR 3 lakh (equivalent to USD 3,600.28) to INR 5 lakh (USD 6,000.47). This substantial raise in the gratuity limit enhances the working conditions and benefits for LIC agents.

2. Granting reappointed agents eligibility for renewal commission. This change ensures increased financial stability for reappointed agents, addressing the current limitation where LIC agents aren’t entitled to renewal commission on business completed under the old agency.

3. Expanding the term insurance coverage range for agents from INR 3,000-10,000 (USD 36.00-120.01) to INR 25,000-1.5 lakh (USD 300.02-1,800.14). This enhancement in term insurance benefits the families of deceased agents significantly, offering them more substantial welfare support.

4. Introducing a uniform family pension rate of 30% for the families of LIC employees, ensuring consistent financial assistance.

These welfare measures have a positive impact on over 1.3 million agents and more than 100,000 regular employees, all of whom play a pivotal role in the growth of LIC and the expansion of insurance coverage in India.

Based on the provisional data for Direct Tax Collections in Fiscal Year 2024, as of September 16, 2023, there has been a significant increase in net collections compared to the same period in the previous Fiscal Year 2023. The net collections have reached Rs. 8,65,117 crore (equivalent to US$ 103.82 billion), marking a notable rise of 23.51% from Rs. 7,00,416 crore (US$ 84.05 billion) in FY23.

As of September 16, 2023, a breakdown of the Net Direct Tax revenues reveals that Rs. 4,16,217 crore (US$ 49.95 billion) (net of refund) is attributed to Corporation Tax, while Rs. 4,47,291 crore (US$ 53.75 billion) (net of refund) originates from Personal Income Tax (PIT), inclusive of Securities Transaction Tax (STT).

The estimated Gross Direct Tax Collection (before accounting for refunds) for FY24 stands at Rs. 9,87,061 crore (US$ 118.45 billion), reflecting an 18.29% increase from the Rs. 8,34,469 crore (US$ 100.14 billion) recorded during the same period in the previous fiscal year.

This comprehensive figure of Rs. 9,87,061 crore (US$ 118.45 billion) encompasses Corporation Tax (CIT) at Rs. 4,71,692 crore (US$ 56.60 billion) and Personal Income Tax (PIT), including Securities Transaction Tax (STT), at Rs. 5,13,724 crore (US$ 61.65 billion). Minor head collections encompass Advance Tax of Rs. 3,55,481 crore (US$ 42.66 billion), Tax Deducted at Source of Rs. 5,19,696 crore (US$ 62.36 billion), Self-Assessment Tax of Rs. 82,460 crore (US$ 9.89 billion), Regular Assessment Tax of Rs. 21,175 crore (US$ 2.54 billion), and tax collections under Other Minor Heads totaled Rs. 8,248 crore (US$ 989.8 million).

In addition, preliminary data as of September 16, 2023, indicates that advance tax revenues for FY23-24 are expected to reach Rs. 3,55,481 crore (US$ 42.66 billion), marking a substantial growth of 20.73% from the Rs. 2,94,433 crore (US$ 35.33 billion) recorded during the same period in FY22-23. This figure comprises Rs. 2,80,620 crore (US$ 33.67 billion) in Corporation Tax (CIT) and Rs. 74,858 crore (US$ 8.98 billion) in Personal Income Tax (PIT).

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that refunds totaling Rs. 1,21,944 crore (US$ 14.63 billion) had been issued by September 16, 2023.

The Ministry of Coal (MoC) is dedicated to achieving its ambitious coal production goal of over 1 billion tonnes this year through a commitment to transparency, prompt decision-making, and efficient planning. As of September 14, 2023, procurement through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has been a remarkable success, totaling an impressive Rs. 23,798 crore (US$ 2.86 billion). This achievement has already exceeded the MoC’s annual target of Rs. 21,325 crore (US$ 2.56 billion) for FY24 within the first two months. The initial goal set for FY23 for the Ministry of Coal, including its Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), for procuring goods and services through GeM was Rs. 4,000 Crore (US$ 481.1 million). Remarkably, the actual achievement surpassed this target, reaching Rs. 4,278 crore (US$ 514.6 million), indicating a remarkable 107% success rate.

This outstanding performance is attributed to the close collaboration between the GeM team and Coal India Limited (CIL) procurement team, as they worked together to overcome technological challenges.

Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries have played a pivotal role in GeM procurement by contributing Rs. 23,363 crore (US$ 2.81 billion) as of September 14, 2023, surpassing their FY24 target by 17%. With this achievement, Coal India Limited has emerged as the leading CPSE in the country in GeM procurement.

The adoption of digitalization by GeM aims to modernize the existing tendering process, enhancing transparency and efficiency in public procurement. The Ministry of Coal (MoC), established seven years ago, has been unwavering in its commitment to this digital transformation initiative.

The significant procurement achievements of the Ministry of Coal underscore GeM’s effectiveness and efficiency in facilitating transparent and successful procurement processes. The widespread adoption of GeM by various CPSEs within the Ministry of Coal reflects its success in streamlining and enhancing the overall procurement ecosystem.

In a recent survey conducted among likely 2024 GOP primary voters in South Carolina, Nikki Haley, an Indian-American Republican presidential candidate, has emerged as a frontrunner, surpassing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in popularity. However, she still lags significantly behind her former boss, Donald Trump, by a substantial 28-point margin.

The Monmouth University-Washington Post poll, which was made public on September 14, revealed that a mere 18 percent of South Carolina’s likely GOP primary voters are inclined to support their former governor, Nikki Haley, while a significant 46 percent expressed a preference for Donald Trump.

Haley’s fortunes in the polls saw a positive shift following her participation in the inaugural Republican primary presidential debate held last month. A recent CNN/SSRS poll indicated that she is the only Republican presidential candidate with the potential to challenge President Joe Biden in the upcoming 2024 U.S. elections.

In an interview on CBS’ ‘Face the Nation,’ Haley confidently stated, “I don’t believe President Trump will secure the nomination. I believe it will be me. Nonetheless, I firmly assert that any Republican candidate would be a better choice than the actions taken by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”

The survey, conducted between September 6 and 11, underscored a notable division between Trump supporters and other GOP voters in South Carolina. An overwhelming 81 percent of Trump’s backers who participated in the poll believe that Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election was achieved through fraudulent means.

India’s G20 presidency has achieved significant strides in tackling various challenges, including debt vulnerabilities in low and middle-income nations, according to Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union finance minister. Sitharaman highlighted that they have bolstered the lending capabilities of multilateral development banks (MDBs) and crafted a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies amidst growing complexities in the global economy.

Sitharaman virtually addressed an event of the G20 FinanceTrack, asserting that the core mandate of international cooperation within the G20 has not been overshadowed by geopolitical differences under their leadership.

On July 18, the G20, comprising 20 nations, endorsed a roadmap aimed at enhancing MDBs’ lending capacities, addressing debt vulnerabilities, and establishing a coordinated risk-based regulatory structure for cryptocurrencies. This resolution was reached following a two-day meeting of the finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20 member countries.

However, due to disparities between the G7 segment and Russia concerning the description of the Ukraine conflict, a joint communique could not be issued from the discussions. Sitharaman emphasized that India’s presidency ensured consensus on all economic matters while maintaining a forward-looking agenda for the G20 in 2023. The discussions have primarily focused on devising solutions for existing and potential challenges.

Sitharaman cautioned about the escalating debt problems in susceptible economies, emphasizing the substantial economic risks they pose to sustainable development. The Indian G20 presidency has prioritized managing global debt vulnerabilities, showcasing a dedication to voicing the concerns of the global south. Notably, progress has been made regarding debt relief for the most vulnerable nations, with China lending its support to the resolution mechanism championed by India.

To confront pressing global challenges and achieve sustainable development goals, the G20 Independent Expert Group on MDB reforms, co-led by N K Singh, estimated a need for an additional $3 trillion per year by 2030. Of this annual requirement, around two-thirds could be mobilized from domestic resources, while the remaining would rely on external financing. More than half of the $1 trillion in external financing could originate from private sources, with the remainder coming from official financing, including MDBs.

MDBs are grappling with mounting requests from both donors and borrowing nations to expand their lending operations beyond their primary development mandates. However, current circumstances do not adequately equip MDBs to meet the rising demand for their resources, Sitharaman noted.

During the FMCBG meeting, the G20 bloc endorsed the financial stability board’s (FSB’s) high-level recommendations for regulating crypto assets and global stablecoin arrangements.

Sitharaman remarked that the forthcoming synthesis paper, jointly developed by the International Monetary Fund and the FSB, along with the roadmap, will play a pivotal role in shaping future regulatory measures for crypto assets as the G20 moves toward the Leaders Summit in September 2023.

India

G20 presidency

global challenges

debt vulnerabilities

regulatory frameworks

cryptocurrencies

Nirmala Sitharaman

international cooperation

lending capacities

multilateral development banks

MDBs

geopolitical differences

debt resolution

regulatory roadmap

Independent Expert Group

sustainable development goals

crypto asset regulations

stablecoin arrangements

The annual Perseid meteor shower, one of the most dazzling celestial events, is poised to reach its zenith on August 13 and 14. During this pinnacle, observers can potentially witness up to 100 meteors per hour streaking across the night sky. Let’s delve into the mechanics of this cosmic spectacle and learn how to observe it.

Although the Perseid meteor shower commenced on July 17 and will persist until August 24, its climax is imminent this week, specifically on Sunday and Monday, as reported by Time and Date. Remarkably, no specialized equipment, such as telescopes, or exceptional skills are required to observe the event; only a clear, unobstructed sky is necessary.

The Perseids seem to radiate from the Perseus constellation, from which the shower derives its name. To witness this celestial display, individuals are advised to seek locations far removed from city lights and light pollution. For those uncertain about suitable dark spots nearby, interactive light pollution maps can prove invaluable. Platforms like lightpollutionmap.info or darksitefinder.com/maps/world.html provide such resources.

Upon accessing the map, zoom in to identify areas with minimal light pollution. Then, employ Google Maps to determine the most feasible route to your chosen observation point.

Once you arrive at a sufficiently dark location, find a comfortable vantage point to sit or recline. To enhance your meteor gazing, consider utilizing an augmented reality sky mapping app such as PhotoPills. This aids in locating the “radian” of the meteor shower – the point in the sky where the meteors appear to originate. A higher radian elevation correlates with a greater likelihood of spotting meteors.

Meteor showers materialize when Earth’s atmosphere incinerates the detritus left behind by comets or asteroids. In the case of the Perseids, the debris from the Swift-Tuttle Comet is responsible. Renowned among skywatchers, the Perseid meteor shower promises the potential to witness 60 to 100 meteors during its peak hour.

For those unable to undertake these steps, fret not. An alternative option is to view the meteor shower via the live stream provided by the Virtual Telescope project.

Step into the cosmos: How to watch the Perseid meteor shower and explore its celestial origins.

Get ready for celestial fireworks: Perseid meteor shower peak promises breathtaking skywatching.

Unveiling the Perseid meteor shower: Discover tips for observing this spectacular cosmic event.

Perseid meteor shower peak illuminates the night sky with a mesmerizing display of meteors.

From Perseus to Earth’s atmosphere: Explore the origin and allure of the Perseid meteor shower.

Perseid meteor shower

Celestial event

Meteor shower peak

Skywatching

Meteor observation tips

Perseus constellation

Dark sky locations

Light pollution maps

Radian point

Swift-Tuttle Comet

A report titled “eCommerce in the New Bharat and Its Future,” released by Shiprocket, forecasts that consumer spending in India is anticipated to surpass US$ 4 trillion by 2030. The study attributes this growth to rising domestic consumer expenditure and the expanding consumption market, projecting a nearly 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in India’s consumer spending. Notably, consumer spending on various categories, such as food, housing, clothing, personal care, transportation, and communication, is expected to nearly double by 2030.

Among various payment methods, the report highlights that UPI is the preferred choice for prepaid transactions, chosen by 57% of consumers. Credit cards follow at 31%, and other options like wallets, net banking, and debit cards make up 12% of the choices. Online marketplaces are the preferred shopping destinations for approximately 80% of respondents, with fashion and accessories (48%), electronics (32%), and groceries (30%) emerging as the top purchased categories.

The report’s launch event saw the participation of notable figures including CEO and Co-Founder of Shiprocket, Mr. Saahil Goel, MD & CEO of ONDC, Mr. T Koshy, and CEO of Images Group, Mr. Bhaveh Pitroda. Mr. Goel emphasized the importance of supporting MSMEs through technology-driven solutions, considering their significant role in India’s digital economy growth and the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The report’s insights are expected to aid MSMEs in understanding their consumers better and utilizing these insights for business enhancement.

Mr. T Koshy, representing ONDC, echoed the sentiment of MSMEs as key players in India’s economic development, particularly within the e-commerce sector. He highlighted the report’s potential to provide valuable consumer insights, empowering MSMEs to make informed business decisions.

In the background, the government has been working on an e-commerce strategy since 2018, with a draft circulated in 2019. The strategy aims to establish coherence among various regulations governing the e-commerce sector, including the Consumer Protection Act, DPIIT’s foreign direct investment policy, the Competition Act, and the upcoming Digital India Act by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

India’s consumer spending is set to exceed US$ 4 trillion by 2030, reveals a new report.

Uncover insights on preferred payment methods and top purchasing categories in Indian e-commerce.

Shiprocket’s CEO Saahil Goel and ONDC’s MD & CEO T Koshy launch a groundbreaking report.

Empowering MSMEs with actionable insights for India’s digital economy growth.

Dive into the dynamics of India’s consumer expenditure with Shiprocket’s latest publication.

Key trends shaping the future of Indian e-commerce illuminated in Shiprocket’s report.

Discover the crucial role of MSMEs in driving Atmanirbhar Bharat through e-commerce.

Insights to revolutionize business decisions: “eCommerce in the New Bharat and Its Future.”

Get ahead in India’s evolving e-commerce landscape with insights from Shiprocket’s report.

eCommerce trends

Consumer spending projection

Shiprocket report

Domestic consumer expenditure

Payment methods

Preferred purchasing categories

MSMEs in India

Digital economy growth

Saahil Goel

T Koshy

Consumer insights

Cricket is experiencing a dramatic rise in stature in our country, which has only accelerated at a blitzkrieg pace in the latter half of the last decade. The World Cup of the T20 format of cricket is going to be co-hosted between the USA and the West Indies in 2024, and the USA is participating! A professional Minor League Cricket (MiLC) format had its first successful year in 2021 and is poised to take off on its second stint later this year. International cricket franchises are buying teams in the USA to get ready for the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC) season here in the USA – positioned to replicate the Indian Premier League (IPL). A national level MLC Junior championship that many look upon as a pipeline builder of young cricketing talent for the MLC is in its second successful year. There is no better time to participate in and witness the stellar growth of the game of cricket in the United States.

There are at least four official South Florida cricket leagues that engage more than 40 teams to play competitive cricket all year round. Interestingly enough, we do not see much, if any, of our youth playing cricket. The distinct lack of youth participation in cricket in South Florida is stark, especially during current times when the future of cricket in the USA is at its brightest. Contrary to South Florida, other states and cities have steadily grown their infrastructure and opportunities for youth cricket. Places like Houston, Dallas, Raleigh, Seattle, and the Bay area counties, are replete with youth academies where the standard of the infrastructure and quality of coaches coupled with the richness of the training programs have attracted youths in hundreds. Cricket is taught seven days a week in state-of-the-art indoor facilities by top-ranked coaches in the country. Such academies have started earning dividends as they have already started winning top spots in the national championships. While it is true that South Floridians may have woken up to a late apocalypse, the best we can do for our next generation is to act with a sense of urgency instead of indulging in myriad levels of procrastination.

Young Genius Cricketer’s Academy (YGCA) is a youth cricket academy right in the heart of South Florida. YGCA is born out of the distinct need for us to foster the development of cricket as a mainstream sport for our next generation. Formed in June 2021, the vision and mission of YGCA is to provide state-of-the art infrastructure, professional coaches, and consistency in high cricketing standards to our youth so that they can not only learn and enjoy the game of cricket, but they can also perform in national tournaments and get the experience and exposure to compete with and become the very best in the country. YGCA operates from our CBRP cricket stadium. Every Saturday morning, you will get to see boys and girls, primarily between the ages  of 8 and 15 years old, put on their YGCA jerseys and train the entire morning. For students with advanced skills, the academy has a high-performance coaching (HPC) program that focuses on more targeted and advanced skill development. The academy is growing steadily as the word is spreading across our community. The current count of students is around thirty. The academy categorizes the students not only by their age groups, which currently supports children under 11 (U11), under 13 (U13), and under 15 (U15), but also by their skill levels. While our students are thoroughly enjoying the learning process and the exposure that they are getting in national tournaments, they are also making friends and building social groups through which they keep the local buzz of cricket ringing loud and clear.

Recently, YGCA organized its first tournament in South Florida. The tournament invited a team from New Jersey, Criclanes, to play a three-match series between April 20th and 23rd. The tournament was a great success. YGCA not only won the series 2–0 and were crowned the champions, but they also ensured that the rolling trophy was kept at home for this year. The tournament was played in the U15 category. The “Best Batsman” and the “Best Bowler” of the tournament went to Ishaan Doipodhe and Yash Gohel from Criclanes. Although the “Man of the Match” for the first game was won by Om Soni from Criclanes, Pranav Narayan and Aaditya Mitra, both from YGCA, won the “Man of Match” awards for the second and final game, respectively.

Jeff Miller, the COO of both the Jamaica Tallawahs cricket team and the Fort Lauderdale Lions MiLC team, and one of the most prominent cricketing figures in South Florida, was the chief guest in the awards distribution ceremony. Wayne Tobey, Director of Sports & Recreation for the City of Coconut Creek, was the guest of honor. YGCA was privileged to receive the support of Miller and Tobey while their inspiring words for our youth indeed gave these students the added impetus to pursue their passion for the game. This year, YGCA is participating in the MLC Jr. Championship in the age categories of U13 and U15.

Our teams will be traveling nationally to play a minimum of 17 games between the months of May through September. YGCA will also be participating in the National Youth Cricket League (NYCL) during the month of July. There is more cricket to look forward to than we may be able to comprehend.

There are not many places in the country where you can experience the sound of the willow or smell of the red cherry (cricket ball) on a beautiful mid-December Sunday as we can here in South Florida. We have the distinct privilege of being able to play cricket in all four seasons. The day will be a dream come true when we will get to hear the cracking sound of the willow or witness the bowling wizardry from some of our own youths from South Florida and see them at the national and the international stages.

If there is one thing that we can request from our local community, it would be to help spread the word about YGCA and ensure that the information is shared in the deepest pockets of our community.

Getting in touch with YGCA is either just a phone call away to Tilak (954-263-9050) or Anirudh (561-221-3881), or an email to ygcapanam@gmail.com. Let us do our bit to bring cricket to the local limelight!

About Author

Tilak Mitra is a resident of South Florida where he has been living with his wife and son for more than two decades. Tilak has been playing first division cricket in South Florida since 2003 and is the captain of a top-performing cricket team in the league. He is the co-founder of YGCA and is the brain behind the initiative of fostering youth cricket in South Florida. Tilak works at Amazon as a Digital Transformation Officer. He is the author of multiple books in his field of systems architectures and methodologies.

]]> https://globalindiannewsnetwork.com/youth-cricket-in-south-florida/feed/ 0