Kerala Catholic body urges Christian youth to enter mainstream politics
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News18
an hour ago
- News18
Iraqi governor resigns after deadly mall fire
Agency: PTI Baghdad, Jul 23 (AP) The governor of an Iraqi province where a fire in a shopping mall killed more than 60 people resigned Wednesday. The fire last Wednesday tore through a newly opened shopping centre in the town of Kut in Wasit province. While an investigation is ongoing, officials and residents have said that lack of safety measures in the building exacerbated the tragedy. Provincial Gov Mohammed al-Miyahi said he had resigned 'in honour of the blood of the martyrs, as they are in need of a gesture that may soothe part of their deep wounds, and in loyalty to them and to the people of this province". The provincial council elected a new governor, Hadi Majid Kazzar. The fire had sparked widespread public anger, with families of the victims demanding the governor's dismissal and that others responsible for negligence be held accountable. They asserted that the blaze was the result of a long history of administrative corruption and weak oversight. Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani had sent an official request to Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani calling for the governor's dismissal, and the Cabinet decided in a session Tuesday to refer al-Miyahi to the investigation. Al-Miyahi previously said that the building owner did not implement fire safety measures and had not applied for required permits, and that legal complaints had been filed against the owner and shopping centre owner. Poor building standards have often contributed to tragic fires in Iraq. In July 2021, a blaze at a hospital in the city of Nasiriyah that killed between 60 to 92 people was determined to have been fuelled by highly flammable, low-cost type of 'sandwich panel" cladding that is illegal in Iraq. In 2023, more than 100 people died in a fire at a wedding hall in the predominantly Christian area of Hamdaniya in Nineveh province after the ceiling panels above a pyrotechnic machine burst into flames. (AP) SCY SCY view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 21:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
6 hours ago
- India Today
Why renaming a Chennai road after Father Ezra Sargunam triggered political storm
The Greater Chennai Corporation has renamed Waddels Road in the city's Kilpauk area after the late Father Ezra Sargunam, sparking a political row between the ruling DMK and opposition the DMK defended the move as replacing a colonial name with an Indian one, the BJP termed it an insult to Hindus and accused the government of 'appeasement politics.'Father Ezra Sargunam, who died last year due to age-related ailments, used to live on this very street. He was a widely regarded as a trusted guide for Christians and worked actively for the rights of Scheduled Castes, minorities, and the education of the Kuruvi (ST) community. He was also instrumental in the appointment of India's first transgender pastor and maintained close ties with late DMK patriarch M However, his record was also marred by controversial remarks against Hindus, which BJP leaders have highlighted in their criticism. State BJP president Nainar Nagendran posted a video clip of Ezra Sargunam where he calls Hinduism 'an artificial religion' and urges followers to 'punch them twice in the face,' suggesting that God would forgive such the same clip, he refers to India as 'a Christian country' and questions the tolerance of Muslims towards Hindus.'Is there no limit to DMK's minority appeasement politics?' asked Nagendran on X, calling the naming 'a shame' and demanding the decision be rolled back. 'Ezra Sargunam was a known Hindu-hater who openly instigated violence against Hindus. The people of Tamil Nadu are watching,' he said. DMK leader TKS Elangovan dismissed the criticism, saying: 'The road was named after a Britisher earlier. We have now given it an Indian name. BJP is a slave of Britishers if they oppose this. Ezra Sargunam might have criticized Hindus, but even BJP leaders have spoken badly about Muslims and Christians.'BJP's Vinoj Selvam countered, saying: 'DMK is anti-Hindu at its core. Ezra Sargunam called Hinduism a fake concept and incited Muslims to rise against Hindus. The DMK has always backed him, just to appease minorities.'Father Ezra Sargunam, admired in Christian and Dalit circles for his social work, remains a polarizing figure. His contributions to education, inclusivity, and minority rights stand alongside his deeply controversial statements about Hinduism.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
News18
7 hours ago
- News18
Texas lawmakers begin review of catastrophic floods that killed at least 135
Last Updated: Austin (Texas), Jul 23 (AP) Texas lawmakers on Wednesday were set to begin reviewing the July 4 floods that killed at least 135 people, a disaster that put local officials under scrutiny over why residents along the Guadalupe River did not receive more warnings. The catastrophic floods in the Texas Hill Country and a partisan redrawing of US House maps, aimed at giving Republicans more winnable seats in the 2026 elections, are two major issues in a 30-day special session that is already off to a combative start. Democrats want to address flood relief and new flood warning systems before taking votes on new congressional maps sought by President Donald Trump. They have not ruled out a walkout in a bid to derail the redistricting, which they have slammed as a partisan power grab. State and county emergency response officials are scheduled to testify on Wednesday, but no officials from Kerr County, the area most hard-hit by the floods, are expected to appear. Lawmakers have filed bills to improve early warning systems and emergency communications and to provide relief funding. Kerr County, where 27 campers and counsellors, most of them children, were killed at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp, does not have a warning system along the river after several missed opportunities by state and local agencies to finance one. Three people remain missing. At one point, county officials said more than 170 people were unaccounted for. Lawmakers are scheduled to visit Kerrville on July 31 to hear from residents. Democrats have left open the possibility of filibusters or walking out in the coming weeks to block the proposed congressional map redraw. On Monday, most of the party's members in the House signed a letter to the speaker stating that they would not engage in any work before addressing flood relief. But Democrats have few paths to resistance as the minority party in both chambers. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton has threatened to arrest those who attempt to walk out on top of the USD 500 a day fines lawmakers face for breaking a quorum. (AP) SKS NPK NPK view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 15:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
