The President's Daily Brief - September 20th, 2023: Murder Mysteries, Military Moves, and Senate Makeovers

Episode Date: September 20, 2023

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: A chilling murder mystery is unfolding in Canada. Was India complicit in the assassination of a Sikh activist? With ties to a controversial movement on Canadian soil, the incident could have widespread international consequences. With more than 150 Chinese warplanes hovering near Taiwan within a week, tensions are escalating between Taiwan and China. At the UN General Assembly, Ukrainian President Zelensky and U.S. President Biden come together, urging for more global backing in Ukraine's fight against Russian advances. And in the Back of the Brief, is the U.S. Senate about to embrace a more casual look? Majority Leader Chuck Schumer certainly thinks so, taking a leaf out of Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman's distinctive fashion book.   Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief.     Email: [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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At least I think it's still called Hump Day. We've made it to the middle of the week. It's Wednesday, September 20th. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. By now you know the drill. Let's get briefed. Up first, a murder mystery with international implications unfolds in Canada.

Evidence suggests the government of India may be involved in the assassination of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil and repercussions are already underway, because, well, civilized nations aren't supposed to do that sort of thing. Next, we turn our attention to the Taiwan Strait. The island nation is condemning what it labels as harassment from China's military, which has deployed over 150 warplanes towards Taiwan in a matter of days. Dozens of Chinese fighter jets have breached Taiwan's airspace. That would seem to qualify as harassed.

Also, a united front at the UN General Assembly as both Ukrainian President Zelensky and U.S. President Biden make appeals for increased international support for Ukraine in its ongoing struggle against Russia. And finally, in the back of the brief, could the U.S. Senate be on the verge of a fashion revolution? Majority leader Chuck Schumer believes it's time to relax the unwritten dress code, apparently inspired by Pennsylvania Senator John Federman's unique take of the president of the government. on Capitol Hill fashion, and by unique, I mean he's sporting the sartorial look from the

Bill Belichick catalog. But first, today's PDB spotlight. The name Hardip Singh-Ninjar might not ring a bell, but he's become the focal point of a growing rift between India and Canada. So what's the story? For some time now, he passionately championed the Khalistan movement advocating for a separate Sikh state within India's Punjab region. The movement's roots stretch back to the late 1980s when it emerged as an armed uprising in northern Punjab. Notably, Sikhs, though prevalent in Punjab, make up only about 1.7% of India's vast population. This insurgency raged for over a decade. The Indian government's response was swift and severe, resulting in the deaths of thousands, including several high-profile Sikh leaders. Although there isn't an active insurgency

in Punjab today, the Khalistan cause remains alive among some supporters, and Nijjar was one of them. According to the Indian government, Nijjar was the head of a group called the Kalistan Tiger Force, which it designated as a terrorist organization earlier this year. Now, fast forward to June 18th, When Najjar faced a tragic end, he was shot and killed right outside a Sikh cultural center in Surrey, British Columbia. That, you might guess, is in Canada. Now, the assassins themselves have not yet been identified, but this week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed his government has, quote, credible allegations suggesting Indian government agents might have had a hand in Nijar's murder. Trudeau insists that Canada will ensure those responsible for this

Act will be held accountable. If these allegations hold water, it signifies a major breach, the Indian government potentially orchestrating the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian turf. India, for its part, has outright denied any involvement, labeling Trudeau's remarks as absurd. Yet the fallout is evident. Both Ottawa and New Delhi are on the offensive, expelling key diplomats in a rapid exchange that seen the relationship between these two nations nose dive. Interestingly, there are whispers in the corridors suggesting Canada might have partnered with U.S. intelligence to ferret out India's potential role in the murder. Now, if true, this event will be a severe stain on India and likely set back Prime Minister Modi's efforts to elevate India's

position and role on the world stage. Think back to other similar events, the aftermath of the Saudi Kingdom's role in the brutal murder of Saudi journalist Chimal Khashoggi in Istanbul back in 2018. Or any number of incidents, take your pick, where Russia's Vladimir Putin either succeeded or failed to kill out-of-favor Russians on foreign soil. All right, up next. Taiwan sounds the alarm as China ramps up its military presence in the skies, sending an unprecedented number of warplanes in a show of force. Plus, a joint call to action at the UN General Assembly.

President Zelensky and Biden plead for stronger international backing for Ukraine against Russian aggression. I'll be right back. Kayak gets my flight, hotel, and rental car right, so I can tune out travel advice that's just plain wrong. Bro, Skycoin, way better than points. Never fly during a Scorpio full moon. Just tell the manager you'll sue. Instant room upgrade. Stop taking bad travel advice.

Start comparing hundreds of sites with kayak and get your trip right. Kayak, got that right. Welcome back to the President's Daily Brief. China's military is ramping up its aggressive moves against Taiwan, sparking a wave of concern in the region, as if the region, and to be fair, much of the world, wasn't already experiencing angst over China's intentions towards the island nation. Just this week, the people's liberation

Army sent an unprecedented 150 warplanes toward Taiwan. On Monday alone, 103 Chinese aircraft came uncomfortably close to Taiwanese airspace within a single 24-hour period. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense called the incursions, quote, a recent new high in Chinese military provocations. What's even more alarming is that 40 of the fighter jets crossed the line into Taiwan's air defense identification zone. It's a symbolic boundary separating the island from mainland China. China's military has made a habit over recent years of crossing back and forth into the zone in sporadic demonstrations of air power. Now this all comes hot on the heels of another aggressive act by China.

As we reported on the PDB last week, its Navy sent a flotilla of ships, including the aircraft carrier Shandong, into waters near Taiwan as part of a large-scale naval exercise. So what's behind China's aggressiveness? Well, essentially, at the 30,000 foot level, and in long-term play, China is working to challenge American military dominance in the region. A shorter-term factor is that these actions are essentially a political move aimed at influencing Taiwan's upcoming presidential elections in January. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which leans toward formal independence for Taiwan,

is clearly a thorn in China's side. Beijing prefers opposition candidates who are more open to working with the mainland and publicly deferential, or at least not antagonistic to the CCP. Now, let's turn to New York City, where the UN General Assembly continues its annual gathering. Aside from constant traffic gridlock, as police barricade a variety of streets and diplomat-filled Suburban's criss-crossed the city heading to posh restaurants. What else is happening? Well, just yesterday, in a display of solidarity, U.S. President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelensky teamed up to spotlight the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. In his address to the Assembly, President Biden called for more international support for Ukraine and issued a stark warning

against appeasing Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden declared, quote, The UN General Assembly is darkened by the shadow of an illegal war by Russia against Ukraine. Russia alone bears responsibility for this war and has the power to end it immediately. Meanwhile, Zelensky accused Russia of genocide against Ukrainians. He also slammed Russia for deporting thousands of children and for weaponizing essentials like food and energy. He called for continuing support and asked that Putin's regime, be prosecuted for war crimes. The two leaders, Biden and Zelensky,

are next scheduled to meet at the White House on Thursday for what's expected to be a joint press conference, according to Ukrainian sources. That's something we'll definitely keep an eye on and cover in detail here on the PDB. Now, having not attended yesterday's UN events, I'm not sure if any of the attendees pointed out the fact that Russia,

currently in its second year of warmongering, still holds a seat on the five-seat UN permanent security council. If I were a cynic, I'd say that's about all you need to know concerning the seriousness and usefulness of the UN as a global peacekeeping entity. All right, in today's back of the brief segment, is the U.S. Senate ditching suits for shorts? Majority leader Chuck Schumer announces a relaxed dress code on the Senate floor,

in part, apparently, due to Pennsylvania's Senator John Federman's tendency to dress like a 12-year-old skateboarder. No disrespect to skateboarders. I'll be right back. You tell yourself, no one wants your college-era band teas, but on Deepop, people are searching for exactly what you've got. You once paid a small fortune for them at merch stands. Now, a teenager who calls them vintage will offer that same small fortune back. Sell them easily on Deepop. Just snap a few photos and we'll take care of the rest. Who knew your questionable music taste will be a money-making machine. Your style can make you cash.

Start selling on Deepop, where taste recognizes taste. Thanks, yours too. What does RAV stand for anyway? To me, it's the remarkably advanced vehicle. Really? To me, it's the runway-approved vehicle for its amazing style. What about remarkably adaptable vehicle because of its versatile cargo space? Or really admired vehicle? Oh, or really awesome vehicle.

It really is the recreational activity vehicle. The stylish 2026 Toyota Rav4 Limited. What's your Rav for? Welcome back to the BDB. In today's back of the brief, some fashion news from Washington, D.C., not normally known for setting style trends. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is instructing the Senate's sergeant-at-arms to stop enforcing the Chamber's informal dress code.

This policy shift is a win for Pennsylvania Senator John. Fetterman voted most likely to not wear a suit and tie. Fetterman's had his gym shorts and hoodie look for years. It was apparently something of a trademark for him while he was a local and state politician in Pennsylvania. Now while occasionally seen wearing a suit since his election to the U.S. Senate, he more often than not walks the corridors of power looking like Adam Sandler in search of a pickup game. Fetterman continued sporting the same duds after returning to the Senate following treatment this year for clinical depression. So, when does the new fashion freedom kick in?

A Senate official confirms the updated rule will take effect this week. But now don't expect a staff to join the casual wave. They are still required to stick to the traditional dress code. And here's a fun fact you can toss out at parties. Senators have always found creative ways to bend the rules. I know you find that shocking. As an example, they've always been allowed to cast votes from the edge of the Senate floor, keeping one foot in the cloakroom just specifically to dodge the unwritten dress code.

Two things can be true at the same time. In this case, there are far more important things for senators to worry about than whether they're allowed to wear shorts or caprance or overalls or snood. At the same time, it's the U.S. Senate. it. Perhaps the informal dress code was designed to show respect to the institution. Regardless, as the saying goes, dress for the job you want, not the job you have, which makes you wonder what job Senator Fennerman wants. And that, my friends, is the President's Daily Brief for Wednesday, September 20th. If you have any questions or comments, reach out to us at PDB at thefirsttv.com.

I'm Mike Baker. Until tomorrow. Stay informed. Stay safe. Stay cool.