‘He lives in La-La world’: BJP reacts to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Modi event’ remark on Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration
“Rahul Gandhi lives in a la-la world. He thinks everything he says is predicated on nobody understanding the truth and he can get away with these atrocious lies,” Mr Chandrasekhar said.
Trump teases ex-rival Doug Burgum could hold ‘important’ admin role after Iowa win
Former President Trump praised ex-rival North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum on an Iowa stage Monday night, promising him an “important” role in the next administration. Trump, who swept all but one of Iowa’s 99 counties during the first in the nation caucuses Monday, has yet to announce his choice of a 2024 running mate. “Doug Burgum from North Dakota, the governor and his beautiful wife, Catherine, and he got out of the race,” Trump said following his projected Iowa win, addressing the North Dakota governor on stage beside him. Burgum notably suspended his 2024 campaign in December, just six months after launching his dark horse presidential bid. “What people don’t know is that he actually supported me on the other side twice already. Right?” Trump said of Burgum. “That he decided to do it and he was outstanding. But the traction is never easy, right? You need controversy for traction sometimes. And this guy is the most solid guy. There’s no controversy whatsoever. And he’s one of the best governors in our country. And I hope that I’m going to be able to call on him to be a piece of the administration, a very important piece of the administration.” TRUMP SAYS HE IS ‘HONORED,’ ‘INVIGORATED’ AFTER WINNING IOWA CAUCUSES: ‘WE WANT TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN’ Burgum, who did not build a substantial base in his own presidential campaign, endorsed Trump on Sunday, as polls indicated Trump would likely dominate in Iowa. When Burgum dropped out, he blamed his inability to resonate in the race on the Republican National Committee’s strict requirements to qualify for the debate stage. He qualified for the first two GOP debates with the help of a unique fundraising scheme, offering $20 gift cards in exchange for a $1 donation, so he could juice his number of supporters. Despite that strategy, he could not keep up as more donors were required to make the stage for later debates. Burgum nearly missed the first debate due to an Achilles tendon injury he suffered while playing basketball with aides the night before. Burgum largely funded his campaign with his own money. Before his time as governor, he was primarily known as a businessman who led Great Plains Software, which Microsoft acquired for over $1 billion in 2001. Burgum stayed on as an executive with Microsoft until 2007. He has led other companies in real estate development and venture capital. NORTH DAKOTA GOV. DOUG BURGUM SUSPENDS REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN He is in his second term as governor and is eligible to seek a third in 2024, though he has not indicated whether he plans to run again. Trump said during a Fox News town hall last week that he already knew who he would choose as his vice presidential running mate but would not announce the decision yet. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis edged out former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley for second place in Iowa on Monday but trailed Trump by about 30 points. Vivek Ramaswamy, who came in fourth place in Iowa, announced he was suspending his 2024 presidential campaign and is headed to New Hampshire to rally with Trump ahead of the Jan. 23 primary there. As speculation swirls, some names floated by Trump supporters for his running mate include Ramaswamy, as well as South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Arizona U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake, House GOP Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. Stefanik notably on Monday called on other GOP 2024 presidential candidates to drop out after the Iowa caucuses to support Trump in the general election. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tribal leaders ask Washington state lawmakers for funding to combat opioid crisis
Tribal leaders in Washington state are urging lawmakers there to pass a bill that would send millions of dollars in funding to tribal nations to help them stem a dramatic rise in opioid deaths. The money would be critical in helping to fight the crisis, said Tony Hillaire, chairman of Lummi Nation in northwest Washington and one of four tribal leaders to testify Monday in support of the bill. “The story is too familiar nowadays: Having to go to a funeral every single day, declaring fentanyl crises and state of emergencies in response,” he said. “At some point it has to be our time to step up and address this issue head on. And a big part of that is getting organized and preparing. And that’s why we believe that this bill is so important.” WASHINGTON STATE LAWMAKERS CONVENE TO ADDRESS FENTANYL CRISIS, HOUSING AND CLIMATE CHANGE Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Washington die from opioid overdoses at four times the state average, according to the Office of the Governor. These deaths have increased dramatically since 2019, with at least 98 in 2022 — 73 more than in 2019, according to the most recent data available. The proposed measure would guarantee $7.75 million or 20% of the funds deposited into an opioid settlement account during the previous fiscal year — whichever is greater — go to tribes annually to respond to the opioid crisis. The account includes money from the state’s $518M settlement in 2022 with the nation’s three largest opioid distributors. State Sen. John Braun, a Republican who sponsored the bill, said he envisions the funds likely being distributed through a grant program to support the 29 federally recognized tribes in the state in sustaining, creating or expanding programs aimed at treatment, recovery and other services. Hillaire said he asks that the funding not come with any sort of reporting requirements that tribes would have to provide about the crisis, which would put a burden on them. “We’ve been very vocal in describing drug harms and raising the nature of the opioid crisis to the highest levels,” he said. “And it’s suggested that it will take a generation to address even the basic harms of the opioid crisis.” State Sen. Claudia Kauffman, a member of the Nez Perce tribe and another sponsor of the bill, said during the hearing that the crisis goes beyond the numbers. “This represents lives lost. This represents families shattered. This really reflects the tragedy happening within the Indian community,” said Kauffman, a Democrat. “And tribal communities, our world can be very small. And so, when there is one loss it effects so many people within our community. And it is felt deeply.” In an interview with The Associated Press, she referenced the complex law enforcement jurisdictional maze that exists in Indian Country and the role she suspects it has played in this crisis. “Some tribes have their own tribal police, some have a contract with the county police and some just rely on the federal police,” she said. “And so having this mix of jurisdiction may seem attractive to some of the traffickers out there.” Kauffman said she sees this as merely a first step toward addressing the issue, and one that would help tribal Nations address the crisis in a manner that is distinct to them. “The services will be provided in a manner that really honors our culture, our traditions, our services, our value systems, and also to include our ceremonies in an intergenerational setting so that we have the respect and understanding of our elders as well as with our youth,” she said. Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee has also pushed for funding to address the crisis. In his 2024 proposed supplemental budget, he recommended funding a campaign to spread awareness in tribes about opioids, including how to find treatment and use naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication.
Iowa caucuses turnout lowest in years amid frigid temperatures
The turnout for this year’s frigid Iowa caucuses was the lowest in years, with nearly 80,000 fewer people showing up to vote compared to the state’s last contested Republican caucus in 2016. The Iowa GOP announced this morning that 110,298 total votes were counted across the state’s 99 counties. That is down from 186,932 in 2016 and 121,503 in 2012, according to statistics from The Des Moines Register. “We had a fabulous turnout, and the weather I don’t think affected this at all,” Gary Nystrom, the chair of the Boone County Republican Party, told The Washington Post, which also reported the turnout in 2008 to be 119,207. “People were excited to be out. Iowa people take this really serious.” “People may think we’re crazy but we’re used to cold weather,” Nystrom added. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY BATTLE MOVES ON TO NEW HAMPSHIRE AFTER TRUMP ROMPS IN IOWA The National Weather Service said in a post on X Monday that “Today is turning out to be the coldest Iowa caucus day in history, dating back to 1972. “Highs thus at Des Moines (+1°) & Waterloo (-1°) have been 15 & 16 degrees colder than the previous coldest caucus day,” it continued. DESANTIS EDGES HALEY FOR SECOND PLACE FINISH IN IOWA On Monday, wind gusts topping 20 mph were forecast to create real feel temperatures near -20 degrees in Iowa, according to Fox Weather. “When it’s that cold, and you’re also talking about things that happen at night, this is not a ‘go out the middle of the day type of thing,’” David Richards, an associate professor and political chair at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia, told Fox Weather. “It’ll tend to turn some people off. And I think if you are a more casual participant, you might be turned off by the elements.” “I just can’t help but think that -20 degrees is going to give some people pause, so it’s going to be a dangerous situation,” Richards also said. “I think it’s very different than, ‘Oh, it’s raining, and I don’t want to get wet.’”
Remembering Refaat Alareer, in the words of his student
Gaza City – I first met Dr Refaat in 2015 in Gaza City. He was a guest speaker at The English Club to discuss the book he edited, Gaza Writes Back: Short Stories from Young Writers in Gaza. It was a collection of short stories by 15 young writers, and a couple by Dr Refaat, that delved into the experience of growing up in Gaza and the writers’ experiences during the 2008-2009 Israeli assault on the enclave. We were all aspiring writers of a sort, we ranged from 13 to 17 years old, and I think most of us underestimated what being an English major could be like. We thought we were learning everything we needed to learn right there in the English Club. Then we met Dr Refaat. He was so impressive, the hall was completely quiet – we were all absorbing his speech, his mannerisms; we were moved by his story. Steering his own course Dr Refaat told us his story of rebellion, how he decided to major in English when his father wanted him to study medicine. He was determined to steer away from the sciences, though, so he told us he intentionally failed in his chemistry and physics exams to convince his father that he needed to move to the literary stream. “I had to make my father proud, but I hated math!” he explained to an amused audience. [embedded content] His father wasn’t happy with this but later, Dr Refaat ranked second in all of Palestine on his high school exams. And he went on to major in English. The discussion went on for a while and by the end, I think we were all aware that we should not have underestimated English as a major. Four years later, I was finally done with high school and had to pick a university. I decided to go with the “strict” Islamic University instead of other colleges in Gaza. He was teaching there and I wanted to hear him talk about literature again. I was warned by some upperclassmen about going into the English programme at the Islamic University. “Dr Refaat is tough and not friendly, but he is intellectually stimulating,” they said, concluding with “You have to decide.” They were right, Dr Refaat as a teacher was tough but fair and his rules were clear: “If you want to feed your nerdy side, you have to be willing to give every minute to pass my course. Otherwise, take it with another lecturer.” I think he must have gotten a sense of satisfaction when he was offering a course that no other lecturers were offering. Maybe he enjoyed torturing his students, but it’s probably more that he wanted to make sure that they learned everything properly, it was in their best interests. A photo of Refaat Alareer is displayed at a protest for a ceasefire and a free Palestine at Breslauf Square in Cologne, Germany, on December 9, 2023 [Ying Tang/NurPhoto via Getty Images] “Literature provokes more questions than answers,” he would say. “I won’t give you answers, you have to do that for yourself.” Another Dr Refaat In 2022, I was accepted into a writing workshop that Dr Refaat was teaching, needless to say, I was happy. And in that class, there was a whole other Dr Refaat – unlike the formal man behind the university podium, he was open and friendly with all his students. He taught us everything he knew about literature, writing and translation. And so we shifted that term between a formal Dr Refaat teaching Shakespeare and the friendly one in the writing training. It’s magical how a loaded, two-hour class feels like a minute when the lecturer is teaching that way. It was August 2022 when I got paid for a job for the first time. I brought Dr Refaat a pizza, his favourite, to thank him for teaching me the skills I needed. Without Dr Refaat, I would still be scribbling, not daring to share a word I wrote. I wouldn’t know how a pun works, what a metaphor is or how to be a loyal translator. On January 1, 2023, my first story was published and Dr Refaat was the first one I sent it to, worried because I knew he was hard to please. He “liked” the link but didn’t say anything, I so wanted to hear his opinion. Two months later, he commented on an article I had translated and said: “I liked your Hamlet story too.” That made my day. A last chance When I became a senior last year, I managed to do a course with him in the summer semester, and it was worth the juggling I had to do to manage to attend. What I didn’t know back then was that it would be the last time he would teach me. On December 7, my literary father figure, my role model, Dr Refaat was martyred in the “safety” of his home. On December 7, the world lost a great educator, a free soul, a remarkable storyteller, a powerful man and a father. Dr Refaat lived his way. Dr Refaat taught me everything I know. Your heart lives inside our hearts. You will always be remembered. You shall never be forgotten. [embedded content] Adblock test (Why?)
What we know about Iran’s strikes on northern Iraq
NewsFeed Iran’s strikes on what it called “enemy sites” in Iraq and Syria come at a time of heightened fears that Israel’s war on Gaza could spill over to a wider regional conflict. Published On 16 Jan 202416 Jan 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
Italian football club Roma sack manager Jose Mourinho
Mourinho was sacked two days after a 3-1 loss at AC Milan left the club in ninth place in Serie A. Jose Mourinho is leaving Roma “with immediate effect”, the club has announced – ending an at times successful but also turbulent stay in the Italian capital for the veteran coach. The move came two days after a 3-1 loss at AC Milan left Roma in ninth place in Serie A and at risk of missing the Champions League for a sixth straight season. Roma were also eliminated by Lazio in an Italian Cup derby last week. Mourinho was in his third season at Roma and his contract was due to expire in June. He led the Giallorossi to the UEFA Conference League title in his first season and Roma were Europa League finalists last season. But Mourinho was also given a series of bans for his protests and tirades against referees – which was clearly not appreciated by Roma’s American owners. Mourinho was banned by UEFA from four European games for verbally abusing the Europa League final referee in a stadium garage after Roma lost to Sevilla. He was also suspended for the game at Milan on Sunday due to protests. “AS Roma can confirm that Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff will leave the club with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement on Tuesday. “We would like to thank Jose on behalf of all of us at AS Roma for his passion and efforts since his arrival at the club,” said owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin. “We will always have great memories of his tenure at Roma, but we believe that an immediate change is in the best interests of the club.” Roma added that updates on the coaching staff “will follow imminently.” Former Roma captain Daniele De Rossi is being mentioned as a possible caretaker, while there have been reports that ownership is trying to hire Antonio Conte for next season. Adblock test (Why?)
‘War rooms at airports’: Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia shares new action plan on flight delays due to fog
Currently, three out of the four runways at the IGI Airport in Delhi are operational.
FASTags with incomplete KYC to be detactivated after Jan 31: Check how to update
NHAI said that it had taken the initiative after it was informed that more than one FASTag has issued for particular vehicles without the necessary KYC, which clearly violates the RBI’s mandate.
New Mexico governor wants to use surplus to combat crime, homelessness, and climate change
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is embracing major initiatives designed to rein in violent crime, boost access to affordable housing and address concerns about climate change and drought at the outset of a 30-day legislative session. The second-term Democratic governor is scheduled to deliver her State of the State speech Tuesday at the opening of a session that determines spending priorities for the coming fiscal year amid a multibillion-dollar surplus in general fund income. The state expects to draw in a record-setting $13 billion during the fiscal year that starts July 1 — exceeding annual spending obligations by nearly one-third. SUSPECT IN NEW MEXICO SHOOTINGS ON DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER HOMES PLEADS GUILTY Leading Democratic legislators are calling for a restrained increase of 5.9% in annual general fund spending totaling $10.1 billion, warning of a slowdown in surging income linked to oil and natural gas production. They want to dial back on borrowing for construction projects, while expanding savings and endowments to help sustain critical government programs in the future. Lujan Grisham is recommending a more robust annual spending increase of nearly 10%. Her new spending priorities include a $250 million plan to expand down payment assistance and $40 million to launch a statewide effort to reduce homelessness. On Friday, Lujan Grisham outlined a broad package of public safety initiatives designed to address gun violence, panhandling, retail crime and hazing. Gun-control proposals would increase the wait period for background checks, restrict features on assault-style rifles that make them more deadly, and raise the minimum age to 21 for purchases of semiautomatic rifles and shotguns. Republicans in the legislative minority are cautioning against legislation that might infringe on gun rights, while supporting changes to the state’s pretrial detention system that would give authorities more leeway to incarcerate some defendants pending trial. New Mexico overhauled the system, starting in 2017, to eliminate money-bail and ensure dangerous individuals can be jailed pending trial. Answering to concerns about climate change and fossil fuels, Lujan Grisham wants the state to provide tax credits toward the purchase of electric vehicles. Another proposal would underwrite development of a strategic new source of water for industrial uses — harnessing treated water that originates from the salty byproducts of oil and natural gas drilling. The entire Legislature is up for election in November.