Month: September 2023

McCarthy’s last-ditch plan to keep the government open collapses, making a shutdown almost certain.  A robust faction of hard-right holdouts rejected the package, making a shutdown almost certain.  McCarthy’s right-flank Republicans refused to support the bill despite its steep spending cuts of nearly 30% to many agencies and severe border security provisions, calling it insufficient.  The White House and Democrats rejected the Republican approach as too extreme. The vote was 198-232.   With 21 hard-right Republicans voting to sink the package, The Democrats voted against it.  A shutdown will furlough federal…

Ukraine takes delivery of U.S. Abrams tanks  Tank crews say they offer more protection and firepower  The Abrams tanks would be a big step up from the Soviet-era tanks they are currently operating.  The Kremlin said this week that U.S. supplies of military hardware such as the Abrams tanks would not change the situation on the battlefield.  The Ukrainian counteroffensive is making slow progress.  “It’s all about a large number of Russian troops. Advances are made by big numbers,” an officer said.  President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Ukraine had taken delivery…

Gujarat Police on Friday registered an FIR against designated Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.  Pannun had issued a threat to India vs Pakistan ICC World Cup 2023 match which is to be held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 14 October.  “This October, it will not be the World Cricket Cup. It will be the beginning of the World Terror Cup.”- a pre-recorded audio message by the terrorist said.  Pannu, in a viral video, had also threatened Hindus to leave Canada after Trudeau publicly blamed India for Khalistani separatist…

At least 34 people were killed and over 130 injured in a suicide blast near a mosque in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province.  The explosion occurred near Madina Mosque in the Mastung district.  The explosion took place when people were gathering to mark Eid Miladun Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.  Mastung’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nawaz Gashkori was among the deceased.  Balochistan interim Information Minister Jan Achakzai said rescue teams have been dispatched to Mastung.  Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti strongly condemned the blast.  At least 34…

The second GOP presidential debate was held in California on Wednesday night, featuring seven candidates who are vying for the Republican nomination to challenge President Joe Biden in 2024.  Ramaswamy, who recently joined the popular social media app, defended his decision as a way to reach “the next generation of young Americans where they are.”  Nikki Haley, 51, jumped in when Mr Ramaswamy was responding to a question about him joining TikTok, a social media site that has been banned by many countries, including India.  Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley…