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Otago Daily Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Trump to decide US' Israel-Iran action in next two weeks
President Donald Trump will decide in the next two weeks whether the U.S. will get involved in the Israel-Iran air war, the White House said, raising pressure on Tehran to come to the negotiating table. Citing a message from Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks." The Republican president has kept the world guessing on his plans, veering from proposing a swift diplomatic solution to suggesting the U.S. might join the fighting on Israel's side. On Wednesday (local time), he said nobody knew what he would do. A day earlier he mused on social media about killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, then demanded Iran's unconditional surrender. The threats have caused cracks in Trump's support base between more hawkish traditional Republicans and the party's more isolationist elements. But critics said that in the five months since returning to office, Trump has issued a range of deadlines - including to warring Russia and Ukraine and to other countries in trade tariff negotiations - only to suspend those deadlines or allow them to slide. "I think going to war with Iran is a terrible idea, but no one believes this 'two weeks' bit," Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said on the social media platform X. "He's used it a million times before to pretend he might be doing something he's not. It just makes America look weak and silly." Leavitt told a regular briefing at the White House that Trump was interested in pursuing a diplomatic solution with Iran, but his top priority was ensuring that Iran could not obtain a nuclear weapon. She said any deal would have to prohibit enrichment of uranium by Tehran and eliminate Iran's ability to achieve a nuclear weapon. "The president is always interested in a diplomatic solution ... if there's a chance for diplomacy, the president's always going to grab it," Leavitt said. "But he's not afraid to use strength as well I will add." BYPASSING CONGRESS? Leavitt declined to say if Trump would seek congressional authorization for any strikes on Iran. Democrats have raised concerns over reports on CBS and other outlets that Trump has already approved a plan to attack Iran, bypassing Congress, which has the sole power to declare war. Leavitt said U.S. officials remained convinced that Iran had never been closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon, saying it would take Tehran just "a couple of weeks" to produce such a weapon. Leavitt's assessment contradicted congressional testimony in March from Trump's intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard. She said then that the U.S. intelligence community continued to judge that Tehran was not working on a nuclear warhead. This week, Trump dismissed Gabbard's March testimony, telling reporters: "I don't care what she said. I think they were very close to having one." On Wednesday, Trump lieutenant Steve Bannon urged caution about the U.S. joining Israel in trying to destroy Iran's nuclear program. Israel bombed nuclear targets in Iran on Thursday and Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel after hitting an Israeli hospital overnight, as a week-old air war escalated and neither side showed any sign of an exit strategy. Leavitt said Trump had been briefed on the Israeli operation on Thursday and remained in close communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She said Iran was in "a deeply vulnerable position" and would face grave consequences if it did not agree to halt its work on a nuclear weapon. Iran has been weighing wider options in responding to the biggest security challenge since its 1979 revolution. Three diplomats told Reuters that Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have spoken by phone several times since Israel began its strikes last week.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Take steps for evacuating Indian students from Iran: Congress to Govt
THE CONGRESS on Sunday condemned Israel's attack against Iran, saying it represents 'a dangerous escalation with grave regional and global consequences'. The party's statement came a day after India distanced itself from a statement issued by Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) condemning the military strikes carried out by Israel. Congress communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh on Sunday said the Congress 'unequivocally condemns Israel's recent bombings and targeted assassinations on Iranian soil'. 'This attack on Iran's sovereignty and encroachment of its rights, whether through aerial strikes or covert killings, only deepens instability and sows the seeds of further conflict,' said Ramesh. 'With lakhs of Indian citizens living and working across West Asia, peace in the region is a vital national interest apart from being a geopolitical concern. India must speak clearly, act responsibly and use every diplomatic channel available to defuse tensions and promote a return to dialogue,' said Ramesh. Congress media and publicity department chairman Pawan Khera said Indian students in Iran 'are calling for help'. 'But the government remains largely unresponsive, even as missiles rain from the sky.' 'With flights suspended, airspace over Tehran closed, and Internet access disrupted, more than 1,500 Indian students are left in a state of precarity and uncertainty — with no information about evacuation or safe zones,' said Khera. 'The Indian Embassy has issued a generic advisory urging the students to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities,' said Khera, adding that the MEA 'must move beyond passive advisories and immediately establish a coordinated evacuation mechanism'. He said this is not 'the first time Indian citizens have been left pleading for help during foreign crises'. 'Whether it was Sudan, Ukraine or now Iran, Modi's government has turned evacuations into propaganda opportunities — stepping in late, speaking too much, and doing too little, too slowly,' said Khera. Ramesh said the Congress 'firmly believes that diplomacy, dialogue and international cooperation and not violence are the legitimate and sustainable path forward'.
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Digvijaya Singh's brother finally faces axe for relentless criticism of Congress high command
THE CONGRESS has finally cracked down on Lakshman Singh, a former Madhya Pradesh MLA and the brother of senior party leader Digvijaya Singh, who has been known more recently for his tirades against the party high command, including Rahul Gandhi. AICC Disciplinary Action Committee member Tariq Anwar announced Lakshman Singh's expulsion on Wednesday from the Congress's primary membership 'for a period of six years, with immediate effect, due to his anti-party activities'. While Digvijaya Singh is one of the titans of the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Lakshman Singh has never really been at ease in the party and even left it to join the BJP for a while. The Congress took him back but, insiders say, his relentless criticism recently had made Lakshman Singh an unmanageable liability. The 70-year-old has been attacking the party leadership since he lost from the Chachoura seat in the 2023 Assembly elections. His criticism has spanned from personal attacks on Gandhi and questioning the party's electoral strategy to the Congress response to the Pahalgam terror attack and its boycott of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony. He has even refused to support Digvijaya's campaign against EVMs in the state. On Wednesday, Lakshman Singh remained unreachable for comment. A senior Congress functionary said: 'When Rahul Gandhi came to Bhopal as part of the party organisation overhaul, he had spoken about senior leaders making nonsensical statements. This (Lakshman Singh's) expulsion signals to all those involved in anti-party activities that such behaviour damaging the party will no longer be tolerated.' Earlier, a show-cause notice had been served to Lakshman Singh after he commented on some remarks by Rahul Gandhi and brother-in-law Robert Vadra in context of the Pahalgam terrorist attack last month, saying: 'Gandhi and Vadra are immature. The country is suffering the consequences of their immaturity… How long will the Congress have to put up with (their) immaturity?' He added: 'Rahul Gandhi should think before he speaks, he is the LoP (Leader of the Opposition).' When the Congress decided to stay away from the Ayodhya Ram Temple inauguration last year, Lakshman Singh said: 'As far as invitation is concerned, what is the meaning of declining it? What message are we sending? When Rajiv Gandhi got it (the locks of the Babri Masjid) unlocked, who are you to decline it? If our leadership keeps such advisors, the results would be the same as they have been so far.' In December 2023, Lakshman Singh told reporters: 'Rahul Gandhi is just a party worker. He is just an MP. Apart from that, he is nothing. You people too should not highlight Rahul Gandhi so much, nor should we. No one becomes a great leader by birth, one becomes great by his/her actions. Don't consider Rahul Gandhi such a great leader, I don't.' Even earlier, during protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Lakshman Singh had gone against the party line and advocated acceptance of the legislation, now that it had been passed. 'All parties have expressed their views. More comments, statements on this subject are meaningless. Let's accept it and move on.' The former Congress MLA also criticised the Congress for failure to fulfill its signature promise of farm loan waivers when in power briefly between 2019 and 2022, demanding that Gandhi apologise to the Madhya Pradesh farmers for the same. 'He should also clarify to them how long it will take for a loan waiver,' Lakshman Singh said. A seasoned politician, Lakshman Singh has served five terms as MP and three as MLA, establishing his credentials across multiple constituencies. His political journey began in 1987 from the Raghogarh municipality. Since then, he has won twice from the Raghogarh Assembly seat, before achieving a five-term victory streak from the Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituency. One of these times, in 2004, Lakshman Singh won from Rajgarh on the BJP ticket, having shifted to the party. But the Congress won back the constituency in 2009, defeating Lakshman Singh as the BJP candidate. Soon, Singh was in trouble within the BJP, and in July 2010, was expelled from the party's primary membership after publicly condemning senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari. By January 2013, Singh was back in the Congress fold.
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Karnataka govt to recount castes to assuage ‘fears', Congress cites ‘old data' for move
THE CONGRESS has told the Karnataka government to hold re-enumeration of various communities while giving 'in-principle' approval to a report on a survey done on castes in the state. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar with the high command in Delhi, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal acknowledged 'apprehensions' among some groups regarding the survey report. The report, submitted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes on the basis of a Socio-Economic and Education Survey carried out in 2015, has seen protests by the Lingayats and Vokkaligas over its finding that the two dominant communities do not hold as big a share of the population as once presumed, and that around 70% of the state's population comprises Other Backward Classes (OBCs). While the report was submitted in April, the Siddaramaiah government is yet to take action on the issue for fear of a backlash. However, any delay is a tricky issue for the Congress, given its commitment to a caste census and its focus on OBCs, underlined at the AICC Session this year. Venugopal said: 'On the issue of caste census, the Congress party is (of the view) that whatever the Karnataka government has done on caste census has to be agreed to in principle. But, there are apprehensions from some sections of society about the counting of castes. Since the census was done 10 years earlier, the data is a little bit old. So, we suggested to the CM that re-enumeration be done within a stipulated time.' Siddaramaiah said the re-enumeration exercise will be completed within 90 days. He also said that this was needed as the data collected by the 2015 survey was old, though 'we have to accept the report in principle'. Incidentally, the 2015 survey had been carried out under Siddaramaiah's first tenure as CM. Siddaramaiah also said that the enumeration will be along the lines of the survey being carried out for Scheduled Castes in the state, which is being done ahead of provision of internal reservation among SCs. The directions by the high command come two days ahead of a special Cabinet meeting scheduled by Siddaramaiah to discuss the caste report. A previous such meeting, held soon after the report was submitted in April, had ended with Siddaramaiah directing his Cabinet colleagues to submit 'written opinions' on the report. Recently, after a Cabinet meeting, the CM said that the opinion of all the ministers is yet to be received. With the Karnataka CM and his deputy meeting the high command days after the Bengaluru stampede that left 11 dead, and which has been blamed by the Opposition on the two, the issue was expected to figure high in the talks. Venugopal said the issue did come up for discussion. 'Certainly, we are concerned about every life. The Karnataka government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the unfortunate incident. The party clearly believes there should be a pro-people attitude regarding the issue,' he said. The Congress leader also accused the Narendra Modi-led Central government of 'completely neglecting' Karnataka in terms of allocations for various schemes. 'They are marginalising Karnataka. The Modi government is doing this type of injustice… it is not at all acceptable,' he said.
News18
25-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
From US To Gulf, India Ramps Up Diplomatic Offensive On Pakistan Over Terror Sponsorship
Last Updated: The all-party delegations, sent to multiple countries by India, called for global unity against terrorism and put forth India' stance on such attacks. As multiple delegations from India are on a diplomatic mission as part of the country's global outreach over 'Operation Sindoor', leaders have called on the world to stand united against terrorism. The delegations aim to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria, Japan, South Korea, and more countries. The multi-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. Recalling how India suffered in the Pahalgam terror attack, and how it gave a befitting response to Pakistan, the groups of the all-party delegation put forth India's stance on terrorism and made it clear that India would not bow down before evil forces. Here's a look at the messages conveyed by delegations touring countries. DELEGATION LED BY CONGRESS' SHASHI THAROOR Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday highlighted how India responded in a measured and calibrated manner towards terror bases and headquarters in Pakistan. He gave a call for the world to come together to fight unitedly against terrorism. 'Our idea is very much to speak to a cross-section of public and political opinion in each of the countries we're going to about recent events, which obviously trouble a number of people around the world. The fundamental underlying problem remains, and it's important that we try and enlarge your understanding of our thinking and our concern about what's going on," Tharoor said on the delegation's aim. Speaking on India's 'Operation Sindoor', Tharoor said, 'India sent a clear message that it was not going to take terror lying down, it would answer, but equally that by delivering very precisely, calculated, calibrated strikes on very specific targets, it also sent a message that this was not meant to be the opening salvo in a protracted war but just an act of retribution, that we were prepared to stop with that act". The all-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), GM Harish Balayagi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, Bhubaneswar K Lata (all from BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena) and Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. DELEGATION LED BY BJP's BAIJAYANT PANDA All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, said that terrorist groups wrongly use religion to justify killing innocent people. He said that Islam condemns terrorism and the Quran clearly says that killing one innocent person is like killing all of humanity. During an interaction with the prominent personalities in Bahrain, Owaisi said, 'These terrorist organisations have justified killings of innocent people in India and they have out of context quoted Quranic verses, we have to put an end to it. They have used religion to justify the killing of people. Islam condemns terrorism and the Quran has categorically stated that the killing of one innocent person is like the killing of whole humankind." Leading the delegation, BJP MP Baijayant Panda in Bahrain said, 'Our stand is very clear, this is a bilateral issue, and we will only deal with Pakistan. While there were advice and suggestions from many nations, the reality is that we said it has to be Pakistan only. Only when Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations called India and said that they want a ceasefire, we said 'You stop shooting, we stop shooting'." DELEGATION LED BY JDU's SANJAY JHA The all-party delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha, on May 24 arrived in Seoul, South Korea, after completing its visit to Japan. In Japan, Sanjay Kumar Jha, while speaking to reporters, said, 'I think we have been able to put forward the objective for which our all-party delegation came here. Our delegation was quite able to put forward its point. Information was also given about 'Operation Sindoor' that our army targeted only the terrorist hideouts with precision, India's future stance was made clear that if Pakistan does terrorist activity in future, we will not tolerate it, and the Indus Water Treaty, which has been suspended, was also discussed." During his interaction with the Indian community, Jha said, 'Everybody knows how the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force put up a remarkable defence when they responded by attacking Poonch and other areas. The Indian Air Force completely destroyed their air bases. When such incidents happen, leaders of different countries talk to each other and try to find another way." 'When their (Pakistan's) DGMO called and asked the Indian DGMO for a ceasefire, India agreed. We are tolerating it, but perhaps people in other places are not aware of the whole situation. So, the Indian government decided it was important to send delegations (around the world) to tell people that the Pakistani government itself is involved in this," Jha said. 'The Indian government has given the message that if we are attacked, ' hum ghar me ghus kar maarenge ', this is a new normal. India is unpredictable now. India now says, 'enough is enough'. We are giving 80 per cent of the Indus River waters to Pakistan, and this needs to be renegotiated because of the changing climatic conditions and needs of the people. The Prime Minister has said, 'blood and water cannot flow together', the whole country is united on this issue. All our meetings in Japan were very successful," he added. The delegation will now travel to Singapore, Malaysia and other countries. DELEGATION LED BY DMK's KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI Speaking in Moscow on India's 'Operation Sindoor' against Pakistan, DMK MP Kanimozhi said, 'India had no choice but to respond, but when India responded, we responded responsibly. We ensured no civilian was affected, military bases were unharmed. We only targeted the installations where terrorists were sheltered and trained. They (Pakistan) continued to retaliate, targeting gurdwaras, temples, residential areas where Indian civilians lived, and even our military bases." The DMK MP also spoke on US President Donald Trump claiming credit for the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, and said, 'When something like this happens, different heads of state speak to each other. But, I think independent countries decide what to do independently." 'From Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru to Atal Bihari Vajpayee to PM Narendra Modi, everyone made attempts to bring permanent peace between India and Pakistan. We have always taken the lead, but unfortunately, while peace talks are going on, we have also been hurt because of terrorist attacks in different parts of India, and the link always traces back to Pakistan, every time." 'Finally, it's time that we will not accept any excuse and call a spade a spade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that terrorism and sponsoring terrorism are not two different things," she said. DELEGATION LED BY SHIV SENA's SHRIKANT SHINDE Speaking in Dubai, as the delegation led by Shrikant Shinde was in the UAE, the Shiv Sena MP said, 'Our message is very clear that we won't tolerate terrorism and if times demand, we will take even stricter steps against terrorism." 'Terror and trade cannot go together, water and blood cannot flow together – this is an apt message. If you (Pakistan) stop terrorism, then only we can talk. We are the country that retaliates with restraint," he said. Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Shinde said, 'I think it is now very important for the whole country to know the real face of Pakistan. It is sheltering terrorists, whether it is Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) or Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), their modus operandi is the same." 'There is no country that has not suffered the brunt of terrorism. This is the message we are taking and telling the whole world to fight against terrorism unitedly. We may be from different parties, but we are united, and are giving a message that in this situation, we are united to fight against terrorism," he added. top videos View all 'In the days to come, if some acts are committed by Pakistan, our country and the armed forces will give a firm response, the way we did in 'Operation Sindoor'," Shinde gave out India's message loud and clear. The delegation led by Shinde includes BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer, BJP MP Atul Garg, BJD MP Sasmit Patra, BJP's Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, BJP leader SS Ahluwalia and Ambassador Sujan Chinoy. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : india pakistan conflict Operation Sindoor Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 25, 2025, 08:07 IST News india From US To Gulf, India Ramps Up Diplomatic Offensive On Pakistan Over Terror Sponsorship
