Latest news with #TheWire
The Wire
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Wire
CBFC Directs Sitaare Zameen Par Makers to Include Quote by Modi Mentioning the Year 2047: Report
Film The suggestion to include Modi's quote is part of the five changes/suggestions to the film which the CBFC has directed the makers to incorporate. Videograb from the trailer of Sitaare Zameen Par. Photo: New Delhi: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has directed the makers of the Aamir Khan-starrer movie Sitaare Zameen Par to include a quote by Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioning the year 2047 in the opening disclaimer. The suggestion to include Modi's quote is part of the five changes/suggestions to the film which the CBFC has directed the makers to incorporate, reported Hindustan Times. The film was subsequently issued a U/A certification on June 17, which confirms that the modifications were done, with the Prime Minister's quote inserted after the film's opening disclaimer, which has also been changed as per the CBFC's directions. The newspaper reported that it was not immediately clear what the quote is about. The movie, which is set to release on June 20, stars Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh, and tells the story of a basketball coach who teaches the sport to a team of intellectually disabled people as community service after the directions of a court. The other changes in the movie directed by CBFC were the replacement of the term 'business woman' with 'business person'; a 30-second disclaimer at the beginning of the film be replaced with a 26-second voice-over; a visual containing the word 'kamal' (lotus) be removed, along with its appearance in subtitles; and 'Michael Jackson' be replaced with 'Lovebirds' in the subtitles. In recent years, the CBFC has increasingly been suggesting cuts and modifications in movie scenes. In April this year, the CBFC had asked the makers of the film Phule to remove several caste-based terms, after objection from Brahmin outfits, resulting in the postponing of its release. The directive of CBFC included removing terms such as 'Mahar', 'Mang', 'Peshvai', and 'Manu's system of caste', with the censor board terming them as 'sensitive.' Ananth Mahadevan, the director of Phule had told The Wire that he didn't agree with the modifications suggested by the CBFC. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
'Magnus wanted to prove that Gukesh was not as strong as others': Fabiano Caruana makes sensational claims
So, chess world champion D Gukesh didn't just beat Magnus Carlsen at Norway Chess 2025 — he may have also ruined his plans. read more Fabiano Caruana believes world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen had extra motivation behind his desire to beat world champion D Gukesh at Norway Chess 2025. He feels, Magnus wanted to beat Gukesh — not just to prove he's still the better player, but also to show that the 19-year-old Indian isn't the best in the world right now. But if that was the plan, it clearly backfired as Carlsen won the opening match against Gukesh at Norway Chess but lost the second one, his first in classical chess against the world champion. The video of the angry fist smash by Carlsen after losing his first-ever match to Gukesh had become a worldwide rage . STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Five-time world champion Carlsen's reaction underlined his disappointment at losing to Gukesh as he had celebrated his first-round win over the Indian with a famous quote from an HBO series, The Wire, declaring himself as the 'king' of the chess world . It must be noted that this was Carlsen's first meeting with Gukesh in classical chess since he became the world champion. 'Magnus wanted to dominate Gukesh' Reflecting on Carlsen's determination to beat Gukesh, American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, who came second at the Norway Chess 2025 behind the Norwegian, said that Carlsen wanted to dominate Gukesh at the tournament to prove a point. 'Magnus definitely wanted to win (against Gukesh) to prove a point: the point being that not only is he (Gukesh) not nearly as strong as Magnus but also that he's not as strong as other players. I think that would be his point, that's what he was trying to go for. So I think Magnus wanted to dominate. And I don't think he cared as much if he were to dominate Arjun (Erigaisi) for example,' Caruana said on the C Squared Podcast. 'Gukesh is a world champion. So that carries a bit more weight. There was also Wei Yi, who's a great player. But it doesn't feel like Magnus has anything that he has possibly to prove against Wei Yi or against me. Maybe against Hikaru (Nakamura) and me he would feel like this is a really nice game to win,' added Caruana, who defeated Gukesh in the last round to help Carlsen win his home tournament. For those hoping to see more of Carlsen vs Gukesh, it's worth noting that the former world champion—who gave up his title in 2022—rarely plays classical chess these days. We may have to wait until Norway Chess 2026 for a rematch in this format.
The Wire
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Wire
US Behaviour 'Boosts Pakistan's Global Image, Helps it Come in From the Cold': Nirupama Rao
New Delhi: India's former foreign secretary, Nirupama Rao, has said that America's recent behaviour will help 'boost Pakistan's global image and it helps Pakistan to come in from the cold.'Speaking in an interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, she said this while referring to statements by General Michael Kurilla, the head of the US Army's Central Command, to the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee that Pakistan is 'a phenomenal partner in the counter-terrorism world'.She was also referring to General Kurilla's praise for Pakistan's Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's role in handing over ISIS-Khorasan terrorists to America and the invitation the Field Marshal has received to attend the 250th US Army Day celebrations on Saturday .Rao, who has also served as India's ambassador to the US, said, 'Pakistan will cleverly leverage US appreciation to gain diplomatic advantage for itself'. Speaking on General Kurilla's claim that Pakistan is 'a phenomenal partner', Rao said this was a case of 'American amnesia on the whole role Pakistan has played when it comes to terror.'She added, 'That's an unfortunate reality United States has overlooked.'
The Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- The Wire
‘Lazy' Workforce or ‘Arrogant' Government? Row Over Andhra Ordinance Allowing Ten-Hour Workdays
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Government 'Lazy' Workforce or 'Arrogant' Government? Row Over Andhra Ordinance Allowing Ten-Hour Workdays Pavan Korada 35 minutes ago The government's stand that the extra hour is optional is met with deep scepticism by workers. Workers on the job at a foundry in Hyderabad. Photo: Rajesh Pamnani/Flickr/CC BY NC ND 2.0. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: In the official vocabulary of the Andhra Pradesh government, the word is 'flexibility'. It's a clean, modern term used to justify a new ordinance allowing factories and private firms to extend the length of the standard workday from nine hours to ten. According to the government, this is not about compulsion, but choice. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesperson Deepak Reddy frames the policy as a move that simply 'removes an illegality', enabling companies and willing employees to agree to an extra hour of work. But on factory floors and in the state's industrial belts, that explanation is viewed by many as a threat. For workers like Ramesh, a middle-aged factory operator, the language is a dangerous distortion. 'For whom is this flexibility?' he asked The Wire. 'The company now has the flexibility to demand another hour of my life. I have the 'flexibility' to either say yes or be marked as a troublemaker and lose my job.' He added, 'When one person has a stomach to feed and the other has a profit to make, it is not a negotiation. It is a demand. The government says the law removes 'illegality'. No, it legalises exploitation.' Ramesh's poignant words throw into sharp relief the deep chasm over one of Andhra Pradesh's most contentious new policies. Introduced as an ordinance by the National Democratic Alliance coalition government without legislative debate, the amendment to the foundational Factories Act of 1948 has reignited a debate, pitting the government's push for investment against the rights of its workforce. The government's case: a pitch for global investment The official narrative, articulated by information and public relations minister Kolusu Parthasarathy, is one of pragmatic necessity. 'You are in a global economy,' TDP spokesperson Reddy told The Wire. 'If you come up with a large number of laws compared to what China has, how are you going to compete with China?'. The argument is that to attract global capital, Andhra must offer competitive conditions. The key changes introduced by the ordinance, news of which circulated starting June 7, are: The maximum daily work hours are extended from nine to ten. The cap on overtime hours per quarter is nearly doubled, from 75 to 144. The continuous work period required to earn a 30-minute break is increased from five hours to six. Restrictions on women working night shifts have been eased, a move minister Parthasarathy bills as a step toward gender empowerment that will help women 'contribute to industrial growth'. Reddy insists the extra hour is not compulsory. 'Whether somebody wants to follow that or not is based on their discretion,' he says, describing a state with a skilled labour shortage where companies are eager to pay more for extra hours. The reality on the ground: 'An illusion of choice' This narrative, however, is met with deep scepticism on the factory floor. Trinadh, a young worker, told The Wire that he sees the law not as an offer but as a directive that removes any real choice. 'The government says it's not compulsory. I want to invite any government official to come to the factory floor at 6 pm when the supervisor is standing there with the overtime sheet. Let's see who has the real power to say 'no',' Trinadh said. 'This law doesn't give us a choice; it gives the company a weapon. They will say, 'The law allows ten hours, why are you only working nine?' It becomes the new normal, and anyone who resists is seen as lazy or inefficient. It's a trap.' Opposition parties and civil society groups agree. 'The state is under pressure from the [Union] government to amend rules to appease big industrialists,' said Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary V. Srinivasa Rao, arguing the changes 'will only make the workers slaves'. The Human Rights Forum was more blunt, describing the law as 'an irresponsible and deliberate assault on labour rights and dignity' and demanding its rollback. A 'lazy' workforce or an 'arrogant' government? When pressed by The Wire on the risk of coercion, Reddy suggested that state welfare schemes have made some people unwilling to work. 'The welfare schemes are making a lot of people too comfortable,' he stated. When asked if this is the government's 'opinion' or a 'fact', he insisted on the latter. 'They are very choosy about what [work they want to do] … They want only IT-related jobs sitting under the fan or AC.' This claim has drawn criticism, particularly as the government had, for the first year of its term, largely delayed the implementation of its own flagship 'Super Six' welfare schemes. For workers, the comment is seen as a profound insult. Lakshmi, a mother working in an electronics assembly unit, told The Wire: 'Lazy? I wake at 4 am to cook for my family, work for nine hours on my feet looking at tiny circuits, come home to cook again, clean and care for my daughter. 'That little money from the welfare scheme – the one they delayed – helps me buy her milk and schoolbooks. To call us 'lazy' is a deep insult from a man who has never known a day of our lives.' A senior trade union organiser from the All India Bank Employees' Association, on the condition of anonymity, described this as a calculated political strategy. 'This is a classic 'blame the victim' tactic,' she told The Wire. 'First, you create an economic environment that suppresses wages. Then, when workers demand dignity, you label them 'choosy'. Finally, when they rely on promised welfare, you brand them 'lazy'. It's a narrative to justify stripping away their rights. The problem isn't a lazy workforce; it's an arrogant government.' A 'solution for a file, not a woman in the dark' Disconnect between official policy and lived reality is also evident on the issue of women's safety. With the new law relaxing restrictions on night shifts, the government's proposed safeguard is the appointment of a 'nodal officer' for every company. Lakshmi, speaking to The Wire, explained why she believes this solution is inadequate. 'The government talks about a 'nodal officer'. Will this officer walk with me down the dark lane to my house at 1 am? Will he be there when a group of men are standing at the corner?' she asks. 'A nodal officer is a phone number on a poster inside the factory. It is a solution for a government file, not for a woman alone in the dark. We need guaranteed, door-to-door, secure transport. Anything less is just an empty promise.' Andhra's approach contrary to Tamil Nadu's The path Andhra Pradesh is charting stands in stark contrast to some of its neighbours. In 2023, Tamil Nadu's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government passed a similar Bill, only to withdraw it after widespread protests. Chief minister M.K. Stalin called the withdrawal 'a matter of pride', declaring his government would 'not compromise on the welfare of the workers'. Andhra Pradesh appears determined to ignore this precedent. The government speaks of gross state domestic product, global value chains and skill censuses. But for the people who will power this new economy, the language is simpler. They speak of exhaustion, of time stolen from children and of a fundamental right being legislated away. For them, the government isn't building a new future, but dismantling a hard-won promise codified in the first flush of India's independence: a life with dignity, earned in eight hours, not demanded in ten. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Former IAS Officer Claims Andhra Unduly Favoured Varun Group in Tourism Push; Govt Denies Wrongdoing Why the New Labour Codes Do Little for Indian Workers Senior Journalist in Andhra Pradesh Arrested Over Talk Show Panelist's Remarks; Triggers Political Uproar Why Andhra Pradesh's Rollback of the Doorstep Ration Delivery Project Betrays Adivasi Communities Andhra's U-turn on Appealing Tuni Arson Verdict Spotlights Clout of Kapu Community Andhra: N. Chandrababu Naidu and His Ministers – Including 8 First-Time MLAs – Take Oath India's Broken Promise to Bonded Labourers AP: Reports of Govt's Planned Incentives for ArcelorMittal-Nippon Steel Reveal Its True Priorities Why the Strait of Hormuz is Critical to Global Oil Supplies About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
The Wire
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Modi Rejects India-US Trade, Mediation Claims in Phone Call Ahead of Trump's Lunch With Pakistani Army Chief
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now World Modi Rejects India-US Trade, Mediation Claims in Phone Call Ahead of Trump's Lunch With Pakistani Army Chief The Wire Staff 7 minutes ago Until now, the Ministry of External Affairs, and External Affair minister S Jaishankar had only pushed back publicly against Trump's narrative, though it didn't stop the US president from repeating it again. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump. Photo: Screengrab from YouTube/The White House Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: Even as the US President prepares to host a Pakistani army chief at the White House for the first time in over five years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Donald Trump that India had never, 'at any level', discussed a trade deal or third-party mediation with the United States during its recent military standoff with Pakistan. Modi's remarks came during a 35-minute phone conversation initiated by Trump after their planned bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, was cancelled due to the US President's early return to Washington. The call took place on the eve of Trump hosting Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for lunch at the White House on Wednesday (June 18) afternoon. The last time a Pakistani army chief was at the White House was in July 2019, when General Qamar Javed Bajwa accompanied then Prime Minister Imran Khan during a meeting with President Trump. Modi-Trump Phone call comes amid growing domestic criticism, Opposition's questions The phone call also came amid growing domestic criticism. Days earlier, the Congress party had questioned Modi's 'silence' in response to Trump's repeated claims – made at least 13 times across public platforms – that the US had facilitated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade negotiations. Most recently, on June 15, Trump again claimed credit, saying he could just as easily broker peace between Israel and Iran 'just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP'. The Trump administration had also formalised the claim in a legal document, with US Commerce Secretary Howard W. Lutnick stating in a written filing to a New York federal court that President Trump used trade access as an incentive to 'avert a full-scale war' between India and Pakistan. Until now, the Ministry of External Affairs, and External Affair minister S Jaishankar had only pushed back publicly against Trump's narrative, though it didn't stop the US president from repeating it again. It was not known if India had lodged a formal protest. This was Modi's first phone call with Trump since India and Pakistan ended their hostilities on May 10. 'Prime Minister Modi clearly conveyed to President Trump that at no point during this entire sequence of events was there any discussion, at any level, on an India–U.S. trade deal, or any proposal for a mediation by the U.S. between India and Pakistan,' said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in a video statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. There has been no separate readout of the call from the White House. Misri added that Modi reiterated India's military operations were paused following talks between the two armies – 'and it was initiated at Pakistan's request'. 'Prime Minister Modi firmly stated that India does not and will never accept mediation. There is complete political consensus in India on this matter,' he said. The Prime Minister also described the May 6–7 airstrikes on terror camps as 'very measured, precise, and non-escalatory'. He repeated India's rhetorical message that any goli (bullet) from Pakistan would be met with a gola (shell) in return. According to Modi's account, US Vice President J.D. Vance had warned him on the night of May 9 that 'Pakistan could launch a major attack on India'. It was only after India's 'very strong response' on May 9, rendering Pakistani airbases 'inoperable', that Islamabad requested a halt to the military action. Misri said Trump 'listened carefully to the points conveyed by the Prime Minister and expressed his support towards India's fight against terrorism'. 'Prime Minister Modi also stated that India no longer views terrorism as a proxy war, but as a war itself, and that India's Operation Sindoor is still ongoing,' he added. Trump also enquired whether Modi could stop over in the US on his return from Canada. 'Due to prior commitments, Prime Minister Modi expressed his inability to do so,' said Misri. However, both leaders agreed to make efforts to meet in the near future. They also discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, and agreed that direct dialogue was essential for peace in the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Why Trump's decision to host a luncheon for Munir is significant On the Indo-Pacific, the two leaders shared perspectives and reiterated support for the QUAD's role in the region. Modi extended an invitation to Trump to visit India for the next QUAD Summit, which Trump accepted, added the foreign secretary. While India stated that the US supports its fight against terrorism, it is also clear that the Trump administration does not share New Delhi's view of Pakistan as the ' global epicentre of terrorism '. Instead, Islamabad has carved out space as a counter-terrorism partner under President Trump, after being largely sidelined following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump's decision to host a luncheon for Munir is therefore significant. The four-day clash with India had already boosted Munir's standing domestically, as it rallied support for him across Pakistan, including from opposition PTI that had earlier been critical of the military establishment The lunch invitation also comes close on the heels of US Central Command chief General Michael Kurilla describing Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in combating the Islamic State–Khorasan at a congressional hearing. Earlier this year, Trump had singled out Pakistan for praise in his first speech to Congress in February, crediting it with the capture and extradition of Mohammad Sharifullah, one of the alleged masterminds of the Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul that killed 13 American troops. While the US has condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, Trump has refrained from condemning Pakistan explicitly, often drawing equivalence between New Delhi and Islamabad, and describing Pakistan as having ' very strong leadership '. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News How Pakistan's Charm Offensive Helps Keep Its Bilateral Ties Alive Operation Sindoor: How India's Gamble Backfired and Made It More Vulnerable Operation Sindoor: Realities, Rhetoric, Responses and After-Effects China Agrees to Supply US With Rare Earths: Trump US-China Trade Talks to Move Forward After Trump-Xi Call After Pahalgam and Sindoor: Questions India Must Ask Itself Gandhi's and Modi's Reflections on 'Sindoor' Are Poles Apart Nehru's Vision of Foreign Policy Assumes Greater Relevance in Wake of the Modi Regime's Abject Failures From Flowers to Sarees, A Story of PM Modi's Communication Imagery Post-Operation Sindoor About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
