Climate scientists say the western US is undergoing a decades-long aridification as weather patterns change, at least in part because of human-caused global warming
world2 days ago
Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's first speech in the new Parliament ran into controversy with parts of it, including accusations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party, redacted on Tuesday for violating the rules of the legislature.
The decision by the Speaker of the lower house came a day after Rahul made his maiden speech as the leader of the opposition in the chambers, his first official position after two decades as a lawmaker representing the main opposition Congress party.
Among the sections removed from the speech, which was telecast live by TV channels, were Rahul's attacks on Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and what he said were their links to religious hate and violence.
Rahul also made multiple references to industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani and linked them to Modi and his government, which were removed by Speaker Om Birla, Parliament records showed.
Following the speech, federal ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Kiren Rijiju told reporters that they met Birla to point out "inaccuracies" in Rahul's speech and were assured their complaint would be examined.
Under Indian parliamentary rules, the Speaker can expunge or redact words used by lawmakers in the chambers that are deemed defamatory, indecent, unparliamentary, or undignified, following which they cease to exist in Parliament's records and can no longer be reported by the media.
Responding to the Speaker's decision, Rahul said "truth cannot be expunged".
He wrote to Birla requesting the redacted remarks be restored, saying they were not violations and conveyed the "ground reality" and "factual position".
"Taking off from records my considered remarks goes against the very tenets of parliamentary democracy," he said.
Climate scientists say the western US is undergoing a decades-long aridification as weather patterns change, at least in part because of human-caused global warming
world2 days ago
The popularity of pets and an increasing willingness to splurge on them are driving the trend with spending in 2023 up 3.2 per cent to 279.3 billion yuan ($38.41 billion) from a year earlier, industry figures show
world2 days ago
Around 50 prestigious paintings are being shown in brighter surroundings at the Hermitage Foundation in Lausanne while the Langmatt undergoes renovation
world2 days ago
The Troodos observatory is equipped with a 20-inch reflective telescope, the biggest on the island, under a rotating 5.6m wide dome and a solar telescope beneath a hydraulic roof
world2 days ago
The second round will determine whether Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally secures a parliamentary majority for the first time and forms the next government in France
world2 days ago
Starmer remains an enigma in the eyes of many voters, who are predicted to propel him to Downing Street after Thursday's general election
world2 days ago
Ramaphosa's new coalition is the first of its kind in the country after 30 years of rule by the African National Congress
world3 days ago
Turk blames the rise of populist, extremist politics on the Covid-19 pandemic and rising living costs that have 'disenfranchised, disillusioned, a large segment of the population'
world3 days ago