Reject Shobha Karandlaje like they did in Udupi-Chikkamagaluru seat: Siddaramaiah urges voters
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed a women's convention and booth leaders meeting at Dasarahalli on Sunday, where he criticized BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje and urged voters in Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency to reject her candidacy.
Siddaramaiah claimed that Karandlaje was shunned by BJP workers and leaders in the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency, leading to her being given a ticket in Bangalore North. He called on responsible voters to replicate this rejection and send her "back" from Bengaluru North as well.
Praising the Congress candidate for the constituency, Prof Rajeev Gowda, Siddaramaiah described him as knowledgeable, concerned, and pro-people. He expressed confidence in Gowda's victory and urged voters to support him, emphasizing that Gowda's education and experience, including his tenure as vice-president of NITI Aayog, would enable him to address injustices effectively.
Siddaramaiah criticized Prime Minister Modi for what he perceived as empty promises, rising unemployment, inflation, and unfulfilled expectations of "ache din." He highlighted the Karnataka state government's efforts to improve the lives of its citizens through five guarantees, assuring continued support as long as the Congress remains in power.
ALSO READ: CM Siddaramaiah accuses FM Sitharaman of lying on drought relief fund to Karnataka
Further, Siddaramaiah accused the central government of unfairly distributing tax shares to the state and criticized its lack of response to natural disasters, such as floods and droughts, affecting Karnataka. He urged Kannadigas to demonstrate their self-esteem by defeating the BJP, which he claimed had consistently betrayed the state.
The meeting was attended by Bengaluru North Lok Sabha candidate Prof Rajeev Gowda and over 400 women booth leaders.
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Missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels damages a ship in the Red Sea
Jerusalem (AP): A missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels damaged a ship in the Red Sea on Monday, authorities said, the latest assault in their campaign against shipping in the crucial maritime route.
The attack happened off the coast of Mokha, Yemen, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said. The ship was damaged in the attack, the UKMTO said, though its crew was safe and heading to its next port of call. The agency urged vessels to exercise caution in the area.
There was “an explosion in close proximity to a merchant vessel,” the UKMTO said. “Vessel and crew are reported safe.”
The US military's Central Command identified the ship damaged as the Cyclades, a Malta-flagged, Greece-owned bulk carrier. The military separately shot down a drone on a flight path toward the USS Philippine Sea and USS Laboon, the military said Tuesday.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the attack on the Cyclades and targeting the US warships in a statement early Tuesday.
Meanwhile Monday, the Italian Defence Ministry said its frigate Virgino Fasan shot down a Houthi drone that morning near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
“A missile exploded in the water in the vicinity of the escorted vessel, causing only minor superficial damage,” the Italian Defence Ministry said, not identifying the commercial vessel being escorted. “The frigate Fasan and the protected merchant vessel are continuing their southward route as planned to exit the Red Sea.”
Saree did not acknowledge that attack, though he claimed the Houthis also targeted a ship in the Indian Ocean. There was no immediate report or evidence to support that claim.
The Houthis say their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are aimed at pressuring Israel to end its war against Hamas in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.
The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the US Maritime Administration.
Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a US-led airstrike campaign in Yemen. Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat.
American officials have speculated the rebels may be running out of weapons as a result of the US-led campaign against them and after firing drones and missiles steadily for months. However, the rebels have renewed their attacks in the past week. Early Sunday morning, the US military shot down five drones in the air over the Red Sea, its Central Command said.
The drones “presented an imminent threat to US, coalition, and merchant vessels in the region,” Central Command said in a statement.
The Houthis on Saturday claimed they shot down another of the US military's MQ-9 Reaper drones, airing footage of parts that corresponded to known pieces of the unmanned aircraft. US Air Force Lt. Col. Bryon J. McGarry, a Defence Department spokesperson, acknowledged to The Associated Press on Saturday that “a US Air Force MQ-9 drone crashed in Yemen.” He said an investigation was underway, without elaborating.
