West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday visited BJP MP Khagen Murmu at a private hospital in Siliguri.
Murmu was undergoing treatment after being assaulted in Nagarkata during a visit to the flood and landslide-affected areas on Monday.
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https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/west-bengal-mamata-banerjee-visits-injured-bjp-mp-in-siliguri-23597686
Gavin Newsom lashed out at Donald Trump on Monday, holding him responsible for staffing shortages during the government shutdown that left Hollywood Burbank and other airports without air traffic controllers for hours.
Air travelers faced frustrating delays and cancellations Monday evening at Burbank and other U.S. hubs as the government shutdown left air traffic control staff levels stretched thin.
“Thanks, @realDonaldTrump! Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15 pm to 10 pm today because of YOUR government shutdown,” the Governor of California wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
At Burbank, the control tower was unstaffed for almost six hours, with flight operations instead handled remotely by Southern California TRACON, an approach and departure facility based in San Diego. However, no one in the tower had direct eyes on planes landing and taking off, causing concern among already delayed passengers.
It has been six days since the government shutdown began after the Senate failed to pass a bill to fund federal agencies. On Monday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned the shutdown would put more stress on air traffic controllers, whose jobs are already extremely demanding.
In addition to the delays at Burbank, flights out of Newark Liberty International Airport were delayed Monday evening, and Denver International Airport also experienced delays.
The Republican and Democrat camps have each blamed one another for the crippling shutdown. The standoff centers around a demand by the Democrats regarding the extension of health care subsidies. If these subsidies are cut, it may result in sharply increased costs for millions of low-income Americans.
Trump has blamed the Democrats for blocking his resolution and stated that Republicans will hold out in the stalemate. Democratic members of Congress, in turn, accused Trump and Republicans of blatantly lying about Democratic opposition to a GOP-led government funding plan, particularly concerning claims that Democrats are pushing for healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants, who cannot legally access federal healthcare programs.
When asked for comment on the shutdown causing travel chaos at airports, the White House press office sent The Independent an automated response reading:
“Please note that responses may be delayed due to the government shutdown caused by congressional Democrats.”
The White House website also features a banner stating “Democrats have shut down the government,” accompanied by a live count of the days and hours since the closure began.
Newsom has been particularly vocal in his efforts to lay the blame for the shutdown at the feet of the Trump administration. Last week, he trolled Trump over news that work will continue on the presidential ballroom despite the government shutdown, comparing him to the historical French queen Marie Antoinette.
“TRUMP MARIE ANTOINETTE SAYS, NO HEALTH CARE FOR YOU PEASANTS, BUT A BALLROOM FOR THE QUEEN!” the California governor’s press office wrote on X, mimicking Trump’s penchant for all-caps social media rants.
During previous U.S. government shutdowns under Barack Obama’s administration, Donald Trump was a vocal critic of the president, saying the situation was “pretty sad” and that “the whole world was laughing at us.”
“Problems start from the top and they have to get solved from the top,” he said during a 2013 shutdown. “The president’s the leader and he’s got to get everybody in a room and he’s got to lead.”
https://www.the-independent.com/b2840770.html
The Election Commission’s announcement of the Bihar Assembly elections has finally ended weeks of speculation. The 243 constituencies will go to the polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting scheduled for November 14. By-elections to eight constituencies across seven states will also be held.
Yet, the focus is not on the schedule but on the process that preceded it—the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which has triggered more doubts than confidence.
Ordinarily, Bihar should have had 8.22 crore registered voters. But the final rolls show only 7.42 crore—a staggering shortfall of nearly 80 lakh names. This massive deletion has caused alarm across the political spectrum. Reports suggest that women voters have seen their representation fall sharply, while Muslim voters faced disproportionate exclusions.
Far from being “purified”, the rolls reportedly contain gibberish names, duplicates, and invalid entries. The very purpose of the SIR—to improve accuracy—appears to have been undermined by poor execution and lack of transparency. The secrecy surrounding the entire exercise has added to public mistrust.
The Election Commission’s own manual mandates open verification, public display, and correction of draft lists. None of these steps were followed with due diligence.
In a democracy, the voter’s name on the electoral roll is the first symbol of citizenship. To erase it arbitrarily is to disenfranchise the very people whose will constitutes the republic.
This flawed revision has immense electoral implications. For instance, in the last Assembly election, at least 35 seats were decided by margins of less than 3,000 votes. With 80 lakh names missing, even minor irregularities could tilt the balance in dozens of constituencies. No wonder people are anxious about how the SIR will affect the outcome.
Politically, the Bihar election is a high-stakes battle. Though Chief Minister Nitish Kumar leads the NDA on paper, the campaign will revolve around Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP faces a dilemma: it wants victory but is wary of returning Nitish Kumar to power. The absence of a unifying state leader, like the late Sushil Modi, compounds its discomfort.
On the other hand, the INDIA alliance hopes to capitalise on anti-incumbency but has struggled to sustain the enthusiasm it generated during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, notwithstanding Rahul Gandhi’s Vote Chori march.
The stakes go far beyond Bihar. The outcome will influence political trends in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where elections are due next year. More importantly, it will test whether the Election Commission can still function as an impartial guardian of democracy.
For the sake of public faith, the ECI must urgently restore transparency, correct errors, and reassure voters that every genuine citizen’s name counts—and that every vote will count equally.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/bihar-elections-2025-80-lakh-voters-missing-from-rolls-after-controversial-revision-raising-fears-of-large-scale-disenfranchisement
**Lucknow Police Bust Inter-State Solver Gang Using AI Tools to Forge Exam IDs**
Lucknow: In a significant crackdown, the Lucknow Police have dismantled an inter-state solver gang that exploited artificial intelligence tools—such as ChatGPT, Mix Grinder, Gemini AI, and Fotor—to create fake IDs and Aadhaar cards. The gang digitally blended the faces of real candidates and hired solvers, facilitating impersonation during examinations.
**IBPS Exam Triggered Investigation**
The operation came to light following a report from the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) about suspicious activity during its October 5 exam. Police detained one candidate who was found impersonating another, which eventually led to the arrest of 10 people. Among those arrested was Anand Kumar, the gang’s mastermind and Assistant Manager at UP Gramin Bank, posted in Khapraura, Sambhal.
**Gang Earnings and Recovery**
According to DCP South Nipun Agarwal, the gang charged ₹5.2 lakh per candidate for their services, out of which ₹2 lakh went directly to Anand Kumar. Authorities recovered laptops, mobile phones, and numerous forged documents from the accused individuals.
**Involvement of Bank Officers and Solvers**
Further investigations revealed that some gang members, including Sudhanshu Kumar, an officer at UCO Bank, along with other candidates preparing for banking exams, exploited their knowledge of exam patterns to perpetrate the fraud. The AI-generated photos were instrumental in creating realistic fake identity cards, enabling solvers to appear in place of genuine candidates at various Lucknow exam centers.
**Absconding Candidates**
The police are currently tracking two absconding candidates associated with the gang—Yogendra Kumar and Akashdeep.
This case highlights the rising threat of technology-enabled fraud in competitive examinations and the urgent need for tighter security measures.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/uttar-pradesh/uttar-pradesh-crime-lucknow-police-bust-inter-state-ai-powered-exam-fraud-gang-10-arrested-including-bank-officer-mastermind
Former hostages and their families gathered in Washington, DC, alongside members of Congress to commemorate the two-year anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 massacre. The event took place at the Sukkah of Hope, serving as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle faced by hostages and their loved ones.
Multiple White House officials joined the Hostages and Missing Families Forum inside the sukkah to advocate for the release of all 48 remaining hostages. Their presence underscored the continued commitment at the highest levels of government to securing freedom for those still held captive.
The gathering was both a solemn remembrance and a call to action, highlighting the enduring impact of the tragedy and the urgent need for resolutions.
(Photo credit: Yoav Ginsburg/Walla)
— Jerusalem Post Staff
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-869691
Pride. Reckoning. Aspiration.
As an American, you can experience all of these feelings at the same time: holding pride in our progress, reckoning with our problematic past, and aspiring for a better future.
This is at the heart of New America’s Us@250 initiative—an effort to deepen our understanding of national identity by expanding the American narrative to include the rich, complex histories of all of us.
Ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, join New America this fall for robust conversations on these themes with policymakers, visual artists, community organizers, and more.
Together, we’ll explore the truths and contradictions about ourselves and our country through poetry, film, comedy, story, and music.
We’ll also ask big questions: Given the nation’s history, who might we become if we truly live up to its founding ideals? Who belongs here, and who will be welcome? And how can we make the promise of America available to all?
https://www.newamerica.org/new-america/events/the-us250-experience/
“Every year, we are unfortunately fated to listen to the delusional tirade of Pakistan against my country, especially on Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian territory they covet,” the Indian envoy said.
“A country that bombs its own people, conducts systematic genocide, can only attempt to distract the world with misdirection and hyperbole,” Harish added. He further stated that the world sees through Pakistan’s propaganda.
On March 25, 1971, the Pakistani army launched a brutal crackdown involving widespread civilian killings throughout East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), code-named ‘Operation Searchlight’.
Harish addressed the council meeting chaired by Russia, asserting that India’s record on the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda is unblemished and unscathed.
India’s strong response in the council came after Pakistan raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during its statement. The Pakistani delegate remarked, “To exclude Kashmiri women from the Women, Peace and Security agenda erases its legitimacy and undermines its universality.”
In his remarks, Harish emphasized that India remains unwavering in its commitment to the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda. He expressed India’s readiness to share its expertise with partners, particularly those in the Global South, fostering collective solutions to shared challenges.
Highlighting India’s consistent contribution to UN peacekeeping, Harish described it as an expression of the country’s commitment to global peace. “What distinguishes India’s peacekeeping legacy is not merely the scale of our contribution, but our pioneering recognition of women as indispensable agents of peace,” he said.
As early as the 1960s, India deployed women medical officers to the Congo, marking one of the earliest instances of women serving in UN peacekeeping operations. Harish noted that this was not merely a symbolic gesture but a practical acknowledgment that women’s perspectives, skills, and presence are essential to effective peacekeeping.
In February 2025, India hosted the International Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South, bringing together women peacekeepers from 35 nations. The two-day gathering examined evolving challenges faced by women in peacekeeping operations, from addressing sexual exploitation and abuse to leveraging technology for enhanced effectiveness.
Harish emphasized that the conference was not merely a forum for discussion but a platform for developing actionable strategies to increase women’s participation and their impact in future peace missions.
*This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed/agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete, or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/bombs-its-own-people-sanctions-genocidal-mass-rape-india-slams-pakistan-at-unsc-23597614
**US Supreme Court’s New Term to Examine Trump’s Presidential Powers**
*By Chanshimla Varah | October 7, 2025, 11:20 AM*
The United States Supreme Court opened its new term on Monday, with Chief Justice John Roberts swiftly rejecting over 800 pending appeals. Among these was a notable appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, who challenged her conviction for luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by her late partner, Jeffrey Epstein.
### Focus on Trump’s Expansive Presidential Power
Over the next ten months, a primary focus for the justices will be assessing former President Donald Trump’s broad claims of presidential power. Several key cases related to his administration’s actions are set to be heard this term.
### LGBTQ+ Rights: Therapy Ban Cases
One of the initial cases the court will review concerns state bans on therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity. Nearly half of the U.S. states have enacted such bans, making this a critical case for LGBTQ+ rights nationwide.
### Trade and Tariff Case
On November 5, the court will hear a major case addressing Trump’s imposition of tariffs on imports. Two lower courts have ruled that Trump lacked the statutory authority to impose these tariffs, setting the stage for a significant Supreme Court decision.
### Authority Over Independent Agencies
In December, the court will consider a case regarding Trump’s authority to remove members of independent agencies at will. This case has the potential to overturn or significantly narrow a 90-year-old precedent surrounding presidential powers.
### Birthright Citizenship Executive Order
Another significant case pending before the court involves Trump’s executive order that sought to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents who are either in the country illegally or temporarily. The Trump administration has appealed lower court rulings declaring this order unconstitutional. Arguments on this case may take place in late winter or early spring.
### Federal Reserve Board Dispute
The justices will also conduct an expedited review of Trump’s attempt to remove Lisa Cook from her position as a governor on the Federal Reserve Board, a key and influential institution in U.S. financial policy.
### National Guard Troop Deployment Legal Battle
The term will also see a legal dispute stemming from Trump’s efforts to seize control of state National Guard troops and deploy them in cities where he alleged rampant crime, despite opposition from local and state leaders. A federal court in Oregon has barred Trump’s proposed troop deployment to Portland, and an appeals court is set to review this decision in the coming days.
—
As the Supreme Court embarks on this term, many of the cases will have far-reaching consequences on the bounds of presidential authority and the legal landscape surrounding policy and civil rights.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/new-supreme-court-term-will-examine-trump-s-presidential-power/story
**US Supreme Court’s New Term to Examine Trump’s Presidential Power**
*By Chanshimla Varah | October 7, 2025 | 11:20 AM*
The United States Supreme Court opened its new term on Monday, marking the beginning of what promises to be a significant judicial session. Chief Justice John Roberts commenced the term by rejecting over 800 pending appeals, including a notable case from Ghislaine Maxwell, who is challenging her conviction related to luring teenage girls for sexual abuse by her late partner, Jeffrey Epstein.
### Focus on Trump’s Presidential Power
A key focus over the next 10 months will be the Court’s examination of former President Donald Trump’s expansive claims of presidential authority. Several high-profile cases connected to Trump’s actions and executive orders are set to be heard, shaping the legal boundaries of presidential power.
### LGBTQ Rights and Conversion Therapy Ban
One of the early cases on the docket involves state bans on therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity. Nearly half of the U.S. states have enacted such bans, and the Court’s ruling will have a major impact on LGBTQ rights nationwide.
### Tariffs Imposed by Trump
On November 5, the Supreme Court will hear a significant case revolving around Trump’s imposition of tariffs on imports. Two lower courts previously ruled that Trump lacked the statutory authority to impose these tariffs, and the Court’s decision will clarify the extent of presidential powers in trade matters.
### Case on Removing Independent Agency Members
In December, justices will consider arguments in a case regarding Trump’s authority to remove members of independent agencies at will. This case could overturn or drastically narrow a 90-year-old precedent, significantly altering administrative law.
### Birthright Citizenship Executive Order
The Court has also received a case concerning Trump’s executive order seeking to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily. The Trump administration has appealed lower-court rulings that declared the order unconstitutional. This case might be heard later this winter or early spring.
### Federal Reserve Board Dispute
An expedited review is also expected regarding Trump’s attempt to remove Lisa Cook from her position as a governor on the Federal Reserve Board, a vital institution in U.S. financial policy.
### National Guard Troop Deployment Legal Battle
The latest legal battle involves Trump’s attempts to deploy state National Guard troops in cities with high crime rates, against objections from local and state officials. A federal court in Oregon recently barred Trump’s troop deployment to Portland, with an appeals court set to review that decision in the coming days.
—
The Supreme Court’s upcoming term is set to define critical aspects of presidential power and constitutional interpretation, with several landmark cases involving former President Trump likely to have wide-ranging implications. Stay tuned for updates as these cases unfold.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/new-supreme-court-term-will-examine-trump-s-presidential-power/story
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, has accused Pakistan of conducting “systematic genocide,” while condemning the neighboring country for its actions at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Speaking during the Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security on Tuesday, Ambassador Harish criticized Pakistan, calling it “a country that bombs its own people.” He accused Pakistan of attempting to distract the international community with “misdirection and hyperbole,” particularly regarding the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our pioneering record on the Women, Peace and Security agenda is unblemished and unscathed,” Harish stated. He further slammed Pakistan for its “delusional tirade” against India, especially concerning Jammu and Kashmir, which he reaffirmed as Indian territory.
The Indian envoy’s remarks came shortly after a Pakistani official at the UNSC alleged that Kashmiri women have endured sexual violence for decades. Responding to these claims, Harish highlighted Pakistan’s history of human rights violations, recalling Operation Searchlight in 1971, during which the Pakistani army reportedly sanctioned a campaign of genocidal mass rape affecting 400,000 women.
“The world sees through Pakistan’s propaganda,” he added, emphasizing India’s stance against the misinformation being spread.
The comments from India followed statements by Counsellor Saima Saleem of Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, who accused occupying forces of deploying sexual violence as a weapon of war against Kashmiri women over several decades.
India has also recently condemned Pakistan as a country with “one of the world’s worst human rights records.” New Delhi continues to assert firmly that Jammu and Kashmir “was, is, and shall forever remain” an integral part of India.
https://www.news18.com/india/a-country-that-bombs-its-own-people-india-slams-pakistan-at-un-accuses-it-of-systematic-genocide-9618604.html
