
Shashi Tharoor dares Kerala Congress over 'pro-Modi' snub, asks 'who are they?'

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Mint
11 minutes ago
- Mint
US pauses visa processing at embassy in Niger, State Dept says
WASHINGTON, July 26 (Reuters) - The United States is pausing all routine visa services at U.S. embassy in Nigerien capital Niamey until further notice, according to a State Department spokesperson and an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters on Saturday. The July 25-dated cable did not provide a reason for the move but a State Department spokesperson said the pause, which would cover all immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, was in place until Washington addressed "concerns with the Government of Niger." The spokesperson did not provide further details on the reason, but said that most diplomatic and official visas were excepted from the pause. "The Trump Administration is focused on protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process," the Department spokesperson said. The diplomatic cable also instructed consular officers in other visa processing posts to apply "heightened scrutiny" when assessing non-immigrant visa applications for Nigerien nationals, whose overstay rates it said were 8 percent for visitor visas and 27 percent for student and exchange visas. Consular managers should make an effort to reduce the number of overstays by nonimmigrant visa holders in the United States, the cable said and added: "In this regard, particular vigilance is needed in adjudicating Nigerien NIV applicants." The U.S. embassy in Niamey has informed all individuals impacted, the spokesperson added. As part of his hardline stance on immigration, President Donald Trump has ordered a nationwide campaign to arrest migrants who are in the country illegally and has vowed to deport millions of people, executing raids at work sites including farms that were largely exempted from enforcement during his first term. Trump administration officials have said student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza, calling their actions a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of being pro-Hamas. Rubio in May said the number of visas he has revoked was probably in the thousands. The State Department under his leadership significantly tightened social media vetting for U.S. visa applicants. The U.S. military in September said it had completed its withdrawal from Niger, after the West African nation's ruling junta in April 2024 ordered Washington to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country. It was an embarrassing setback for Washington that followed a coup last year in the West African nation. Before the coup, Niger had been a key partner in the U.S. fight against insurgents in the Sahel region of Africa, who have killed thousands of people and displaced millions more. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Editing by Nick Zieminski)

Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
New US-Russia Nuclear Deal? Trump Sounds Alarm As Defiant Putin Sends 'July Storm' Message To NATO
'No Runners-Up In War': CDS Anil Chauhan, Declares India's Op Sindoor Remains Active 24X7, 365 Days A sea of saffron, white, and green flooded the streets of Male as PM Narendra Modi landed in the Maldives to a thunderous welcome by the Indian diaspora. Children performed traditional dances, locals waved flags, and emotional expatriates, some living in the Maldives for over two decades, gathered to chant his name and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jay' in scenes rarely witnessed abroad. PM Modi, attending the 60th Independence Day of Maldives as the Guest of Honour, became the first foreign leader received by President Mohamed Muizzu since he assumed office. From cultural performances to diplomatic overtures, the visit was a vibrant mix of symbolism and strategy. As India seeks to reset ties with Male amid China's growing footprint, Modi's presence, and the crowd's response, sent a powerful message about India's people-first diplomacy.#operationsindoor #anilchauhan #india #pakistan #terrorism #pok #pahalgamattack #indianarmy #cdsstatement #pokstrike #indiaretaliates #terrorresponse #dronewarfare #newdoctrine #let #pahalgamrevenge #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews 10.1K views | 1 day ago


NDTV
17 minutes ago
- NDTV
PM Modi Most Popular Democratic Leader With 75% Approval Rating: Survey
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as the world's most popular democratic leader with a 75% approval rating, according to a recent global survey conducted by US-based data analytics firm Morning Consult. The survey, which reflects public sentiment collected between July 4 and 10, 2025, shows PM Modi well ahead of his global counterparts. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung followed with a 59% approval rating. Argentine President Javier Milei secured the third spot with 57%. The survey uses a rolling seven-day average to assess opinions among adult populations in each country. It is part of Morning Consult's ongoing Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker, which regularly measures the popularity of various democratic leaders. According to the report, only 18% of respondents disapproved of PM Modi's leadership, while 7% remained undecided or gave no opinion. PM Modi, who secured a third consecutive term in May 2024, continues to enjoy a dominant position in global rankings, reflecting both his domestic popularity and growing international recognition. US President Donald Trump, who returned to office last year, was ranked eighth, with only 44% expressing approval. As per reports, recent policy decisions, including controversial trade and domestic initiatives, may have affected his standing. Here's a look at the top 10 names from the survey: Narendra Modi (India): 75% approval, 7% no opinion, 18% disapproval Lee Jae-myung (South Korea): 59% approval, 13% no opinion, 29% disapproval Javier Milei (Argentina): 57% approval, 6% no opinion, 37% disapproval Mark Carney (Canada): 56% approval, 13% no opinion, 31% disapproval Anthony Albanese (Australia): 54% approval, 11% no opinion, 35% disapproval Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico): 53% approval, 7% no opinion, 40% disapproval Karin Keller-Sutter (Switzerland): 48% approval, 24% no opinion, 28% disapproval Donald Trump (United States): 44% approval, 6% no opinion, 50% disapproval Donald Tusk (Poland): 41% approval, 11% no opinion, 49% disapproval Giorgia Meloni (Italy): 40% approval, 6% no opinion, 54% disapproval This recognition for PM Modi also coincides with another milestone in his political journey. As of July 26, 2025, he has completed 4,079 days in office, surpassing Indira Gandhi to become India's second-longest serving Prime Minister in an uninterrupted term. PM Modi is behind only the country's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. He is also the first and only non-Congress leader to have completed two full terms and been re-elected twice with a majority. This makes him the only non-Congress Prime Minister to independently secure a majority in the Lok Sabha.