Category Archives: international

Chicago gov refuses to concede to ‘ultimatum’ as Trump prepares to send in 300 National Guard troops to city

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Donald Trump will deploy 300 members of the National Guard in Illinois, state governor JB Pritzker said on Saturday.

“In the coming hours, the Trump Administration intends to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard,” Pritzker said in a statement. He added, “They will pull hardworking Americans out of their regular jobs and away from their families all to participate in a manufactured performance, not a serious effort to protect public safety.”

“For Donald Trump, this has never been about safety. This is about control,” Pritzker continued, calling the Trump administration’s actions “outrageous and un-American.”

The Illinois governor claimed that his state had been given an ultimatum: to “call up your troops, or we will.” He also stated, “There is no need for military troops on the ground” in Illinois.

Pritzker further condemned recent actions, saying, “This demand follows unprecedented escalations of aggression against Illinois citizens and residents.” He referenced incidents involving masked agents allegedly throwing chemical agents near an elementary school, arresting elected officials exercising their First Amendment rights, and raiding a Walmart store. “None of it was in pursuit of justice, but all of it was in pursuit of social media videos,” he added.

Earlier in the week, President Trump announced that his administration would be “going into Chicago very soon” while addressing military generals and admirals in Quantico, Virginia. Trump referred to Pritzker as “a big city with an incompetent governor. Stupid governor.”

The U.S. president has long hinted at mobilizing the National Guard in Illinois. In September, Trump posted a graphic of himself wearing a cowboy hat, surrounded by explosions and military helicopters, with the words “Chipocalypse Now.” The accompanying Truth Social post read, “I love the smell of deportations in the morning. Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.”

Trump also warned the “weak and pathetic Governor” Pritzker to “straighten it out FAST.”

Previously, the president sent National Guard troops into Democrat-led cities such as Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. In Louisiana, Republican Governor Jeff Landry has requested up to 1,000 Louisiana National Guard troops to be activated in his state.

Earlier this week, Pritzker announced that the Illinois National Guard “received word that the Department of Homeland Security has sent a memo to the Department of War seeking the deployment” of troops to Illinois. The mobilization, according to Pritzker, is for the “protection of ICE personnel and facilities.”

“What I have been warning of is now being realized,” the governor said. “One thing is clear: none of what Trump is doing is making Illinois safer.”

The National Guard’s deployment is just one of the Trump administration’s recent actions in Chicago. On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that ICE and U.S. Border Patrol officers had arrested “more than 800 illegal aliens,” including the “worst of the worst,” as part of Operation “Midway Blitz” in Chicago.

The operation began on September 8 and aims to “target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets,” according to a DHS press release.

On Friday, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announced further funding actions related to immigration enforcement.

Pritzker’s announcement about the National Guard mobilization came on the same day officials reported that Border Patrol agents in Chicago had shot a woman after officers were allegedly “rammed by ten cars.”

According to a DHS statement, one of the drivers was a woman armed with a semi-automatic weapon, forcing officers to open fire. The woman was reportedly part of an internal threat bulletin after allegedly doxxing and threatening law enforcement officials online.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “Unfortunately, JB Pritzker’s Chicago Police Department is leaving the shooting scene and refuses to assist us in securing the area. There is a crowd growing, and we are deploying special operations to control a growing crowd.”

Images from the scene showed a large presence of federal agents blocking off a road with their vehicles as a crowd of protesters gathered.

A spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department told the Daily Mail, “The Chicago Police Department responded to the 3900 block of S. Kedzie Ave Saturday morning for a call of a person shot. CPD responded to the scene to document the incident. CPD officers were also on-scene to maintain safety and traffic control for all living and working in the area.”
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15162619/chicago-governor-trump-national-guard-jb-pritzker.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

Why is a spectre of empty classrooms looming? | Explained

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**Tamil Nadu Seeks Review of Supreme Court Judgment on Teachers Eligibility Test**

The State of Tamil Nadu has sought a review of a recent Supreme Court judgment mandating in-service teachers from Classes 1 to 8 in non-minority schools across India to clear the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) within two years, failing which they face compulsory retirement. Several other States have also expressed concerns over the September 1 judgment, highlighting its harsh impact on lakhs of teachers employed validly in government, aided, unaided, and private schools covered under Section 2(n) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. These States are likely to follow Tamil Nadu’s lead and approach the top court.

### The Situation in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu alone employs 4,49,850 teachers in government and aided schools, of whom 3,90,458 are not TET-qualified. The States have argued that implementing the Supreme Court ruling risks the collapse of the entire school system. This is due to the potential mass disqualification of teachers, which could lead to millions of children being denied classroom instruction.

Tamil Nadu further contends that the judgment directly conflicts with Article 21A of the Constitution — the fundamental right to free and compulsory education for children aged six to 14 years. The State seeks a balanced approach that ensures quality education while safeguarding children’s right to education.

### What Did the Judgment Mandate?

The two-judge Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan, aware of the ground realities, authored the September 1 judgment. Justice Datta acknowledged the contributions of non-TET qualified teachers who were appointed before the RTE Act came into force.

The court recognized that dislodging elementary school teachers might be too harsh since many have taught students for decades without significant complaints. Therefore, invoking Article 142 of the Constitution, the court exempted teachers with less than five years remaining before retirement from taking the TET. However, these teachers must qualify the TET if they seek promotion.

On the other hand, teachers with more than five years of service remaining must mandatorily clear the TET within two years from the date of the judgment. Failure to do so will result in compulsory retirement with terminal benefits. From now on, future appointments or promotions in non-minority schools will require TET qualification.

Additionally, the Bench referred the question of whether minority educational institutions should fall under the RTE Act to a larger Bench. The court observed that minority status has been misused by some school managements to avoid the RTE Act’s mandate for TET-qualified teachers in elementary education.

The judgment, based on appeals challenging the insistence on TET qualification even in minority institutions, criticized a 2014 Constitution Bench decision in the *Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust* case. That ruling had excluded minority institutions from the RTE Act’s ambit entirely.

The Supreme Court emphasized the need to bring minority-run schools, whether religious or linguistic, within the RTE fold to uphold the universal elementary education vision. It stated that exempting minority institutions fragments the common schooling vision and weakens the idea of inclusivity and universality envisaged by Article 21A.

### Arguments Presented in the Review Petitions

Review petitions filed by Tamil Nadu and Kerala-based teachers’ union Deseeya Adhyapakha Parishad (NTU) argue that while enhancing teaching quality is a legitimate objective, forcing pre-RTE Act appointees to pass the TET under threat of disqualification is disproportionate.

Tamil Nadu has recommended less intrusive alternatives such as:

– In-service training,
– Capacity-building workshops,
– Refresher courses,
– Bridging programmes

These approaches, the State contends, can improve teaching quality without destabilizing the education system.

### The Core Legal Issue: Interpretation of Section 23 of the RTE Act

At the heart of the controversy lies the interpretation of Section 23 of the RTE Act. According to Section 23(1), the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) prescribed minimum qualifications for appointment as a teacher for Classes 1 to 8 through its August 23, 2010 notification. An essential qualification is passing the TET conducted by the appropriate government.

The rationale behind including the TET is to introduce national standards and benchmarks of teacher quality in the recruitment process.

However, Tamil Nadu in its review petition contends that Section 23(1) applies only to future recruitments. The State points to Section 23(2), which empowers the Centre to relax minimum qualifications through notifications for a limited period (not exceeding five years) to address situations like teacher shortages.

Furthermore, a proviso attached to Section 23 clarifies that any teacher who, at the commencement of the RTE Act, did not possess the minimum qualifications (including TET) must acquire them within five years.

Tamil Nadu argues that Section 23 does not mandate a blanket TET requirement, nor does it allow retrospective disqualification of teachers who were validly appointed before the minimum qualifications notification.

The State warns that enforcing the September 1 judgment as it stands will result in empty classrooms and cause immense distress among teachers struggling to secure their livelihoods over the next two years.

—

The evolving situation highlights the tension between maintaining teacher quality standards and protecting the rights of current educators and students’ access to education. As Tamil Nadu and other States push for a review, the Supreme Court’s response will be closely watched by stakeholders across the country.
https://www.thehindu.com/education/why-is-a-spectre-of-empty-classrooms-looming-explained/article70125871.ece

CF Montreal settles for 1-1 draw with Nashville SC after late goal from Surridge

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**Sam Surridge’s Late Header Secures Nashville SC a 1-1 Draw at CF Montreal**

MONTREAL — Sam Surridge’s 80th-minute header forced CF Montreal to settle for a 1-1 draw against Nashville SC in their final home game of the season on Saturday.

Dante Sealy, who has now scored seven goals in his last nine Major League Soccer games, opened the scoring for Montreal (6-17-10). Surridge’s equalizer stopped Nashville (16-11-6) from potentially falling into the play-in bracket.

From kickoff, both teams engaged in expansive and vertical play, creating excellent chances. Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar and Ivan Jaime were both played in alone, but neither could find the opening goal.

Montreal struck first just after the 10-minute mark. After Olger Escobar earned a free kick nearly 25 metres out, Sealy stepped up and unleashed a perfect strike into the top right corner—similar to his free kick goal against Charlotte FC the previous week.

Following the goal, Montreal dropped into a low block as Nashville controlled more than two-thirds of possession until the half-hour mark but were unable to break down an organized Montreal defense.

Just after 30 minutes of play, Montreal thought they had doubled their lead through Prince Owusu, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled the goal offside.

Nashville’s control of the ball continued into the second half as they probed around the outside of Montreal’s low block without much penetration. There were several half-chances, including a header from Surridge that struck the post, but Nashville struggled to sustain consistent danger.

With 10 minutes left, Nashville finally got their breakthrough when Surridge separated himself from Brendan Craig and converted a free header from point-blank range.

Sensing an opportunity to clinch a win, Nashville redoubled their efforts to find a late winner, but both teams ultimately left the pitch with a point apiece.

**Up Next**

– **Montreal:** Will visit FC Cincinnati on Saturday, Oct. 18.
– **Nashville:** Will host Inter Miami on Saturday, Oct. 18.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Oct. 4, 2025.
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/soccer/2025/10/04/cf-montreal-settles-for-1-1-draw-with-nashville-sc-after-late-goal-from-surridge

Robbie Williams forced to cancel final tour gig in Turkey over terror fears as hitmaker tells fans decision to axe performance ‘was beyond our control’

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Robbie Williams has been forced to cancel a planned performance in Turkey over terror fears, the singer revealed in a statement released on Saturday.

The Angels hitmaker, 51, took to Instagram to share with devastated fans that he had no option but to cancel his set in Istanbul. Robbie said, “I’m extremely sorry that I will not be able to perform in Istanbul next week.”

The former Take That frontman continued: “City authorities have cancelled the show, in the interests of public safety. The last thing I would ever want to do is to jeopardise the safety of my fans – their safety and security come first.”

“We were very excited to be playing Istanbul for the first time, and purposely chose the city as the final show of the BRITPOP tour. To end this epic run of dates in front of my Turkish fans was my dream, given the close connections my family have with this wonderful country.”

“To everyone in Istanbul who wanted to join the 1.2 million people who have shared this phenomenal tour this year with us, I am deeply sorry. We were so looking forward to this show but the decision to cancel it was beyond our control.”

Robbie was due to perform at Atakoy Marina on October 7, coinciding with the second anniversary of the terror attacks on Israel by Hamas. According to local publication Turkiye Today, organisers cited potential security risks and public backlash as the reasons behind the cancellation.

The singer has previously faced criticism for marrying wife Ayda Field, 46, who has Turkish heritage through her father, while her American mother is Jewish. The couple are proud parents to daughter Teddy, 12; son Charlie, 10; daughter Coco, six; and son Beau, four.

Robbie was also scheduled to release his latest studio album, *Britpop*, just days later on October 10. However, the release has now been pushed back to avoid clashing with Taylor Swift’s *Life Of A Showgirl* tour. Robbie previously told fans: “Due to scheduling changes, *Britpop* will now be released on February 6, 2026.”

In other news, it was revealed in August that Robbie is being sued by the co-writer of his smash hit “Angels,” who claims to have earned just £7,500 from the song.

Ray Heffernan is fighting for a third of the future royalties associated with the single, which had sold an estimated 1.8 million copies in the UK as of 2021, combining physical and digital sales. The Irish singer-songwriter, who penned the hit at age 22, aims to use the new “bestseller clause” recently passed by the EU.

The origins of the song date back to 1996 when Mr. Heffernan met Robbie Williams during a night out in Dublin over the Christmas holidays. Heffernan played the song to the former Take That star at his mother’s house, and the pair then recorded a first version of the single.

—

*Stay tuned for further updates on Robbie Williams and his upcoming projects.*
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15162651/Robbie-Williams-forced-cancel-tour-gig-Turkey-terror-fears-hitmaker-releases-statement.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

Australia’s Beau Webster suffers injury scare ahead of Ashes

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**Australia’s Beau Webster Suffers Injury Scare Ahead of Ashes**

*By Gaurav Tripathi | October 4, 2025, 09:50 AM*

Australian all-rounder Beau Webster has been ruled out of Tasmania’s opening match in the Sheffield Shield season against Queensland after suffering an ankle injury. Fortunately, the injury is not considered serious. Webster will be reassessed ahead of Tasmania’s One-Day Cup match against Queensland on Thursday and before the second round of the Shield tournament.

**Looking Ahead to the Ashes**

Webster is expected to be part of Australia’s squad for the upcoming home Ashes series, starting November 21. He had initially planned to play all four of Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield matches before the Ashes kick off.

Despite a strong start to his Test career—including four half-centuries in seven matches under tough batting conditions—Webster’s spot in the Test eleven could be under pressure. The likely return of Cameron Green to unrestricted bowling duties may alter team dynamics and spark selection debates.

**Team Dynamics and Player Aspirations**

Before the season began, Webster spoke candidly to ESPNcricinfo about his hopes to play alongside Cameron Green. He said, “If you’re scoring runs in the top six batters for Australia, then if you can bowl it’s a bonus.” Webster expressed his desire for both players to contribute with bat and ball to help Australia secure victories.

**Strong Domestic Season Start**

Webster’s domestic season has started on a high note. In two One-Day Cup matches, he took five wickets and also scored an impressive 81 runs off 95 balls in the second match against Victoria. These performances underline his importance to Tasmania and highlight his potential impact for Australia—despite the current injury setback.

The coming weeks will be crucial as Webster works on his recovery and aims to be fully fit for the key fixtures ahead. Cricket fans will be watching closely as he vies to maintain his place ahead of the prestigious Ashes series.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/beau-webster-misses-sheffield-shield-opener-with-ankle-injury/story

Hamas signals partial acceptance of Gaza peace plan amid US pressure

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Hamas has expressed willingness to release hostages according to the plan’s “formula,” likely referring to the release of Palestinian prisoners. The group also reiterated its longstanding openness to handing power over to a politically independent Palestinian body. However, Hamas emphasized that aspects of the proposal concerning the future of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights should be decided based on a “unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and grounded in international law. Notably, the statement made no mention of Hamas disarming, a key Israeli demand included in former President Donald Trump’s proposal.

—

### Trump’s Plan Aims to End Fighting and Secure Hostages’ Release

Donald Trump appears keen to fulfill pledges to end the war and return dozens of hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attack, which is approaching this Tuesday. His peace plan has been accepted by Israel and welcomed internationally. However, key mediators such as Egypt and Qatar have indicated that some elements require further negotiation, without providing specific details.

“An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time,” Trump wrote on social media last Friday. “Every Country has signed on! If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”

—

### Key Points of Trump’s Proposal

Unveiled earlier this week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump’s plan includes the following:

– Hamas would immediately release the remaining 48 hostages, approximately 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
– Hamas would surrender power and disarm.
– Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of Gaza territory.
– Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
– An influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction efforts would be allowed.
– Plans to relocate much of Gaza’s population to other countries would be shelved.
– The territory, home to around 2 million Palestinians, would be placed under international governance, overseen by Trump himself and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

However, the plan does **not** provide a path for eventual reunification of Gaza with the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a key issue for a future Palestinian state.

—

### Hamas’ Response and Palestinian Views

A Hamas official told The Associated Press that some elements of the plan are unacceptable and require amendment, without further elaboration.

While many Palestinians long for an end to the conflict, there is widespread skepticism toward this and previous U.S. proposals, which many view as strongly favoring Israel.

—

### Israel and U.S. Pressure on Hamas

Since ending a ceasefire in March, Israel has intensified pressure on Hamas by sealing the Gaza Strip off from food, medicine, and other essentials for two and a half months. It has also flattened large areas and displaced much of the population.

Before launching a major offensive aimed at occupying Gaza City, experts confirmed the city had slid into famine. An estimated 400,000 people have fled the city in recent weeks, yet hundreds of thousands remain.

Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, described displaced families sheltering in the parking lot of Shifa Hospital during a recent visit. “They are not able to move south because they just cannot afford it,” she said. “One family had three children, and the woman was pregnant with her fourth. There were many other vulnerable cases there, including elderly people and people with disabilities.”

—

### Military Status and Hostage Negotiations

Trump claimed on social media that most of Hamas’ fighters are “surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED,” waiting for his command to be eliminated. “As for the rest, we know where and who you are, and you will be hunted down, and killed,” he wrote.

While most of Hamas’ top leaders and thousands of fighters have been killed, the group still controls areas outside Israeli military control and continues to launch sporadic attacks against Israeli soldiers.

Hamas maintains it will only release the remaining hostages — its “sole bargaining chip and potential human shields” — in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has categorically rejected those terms, insisting Hamas must surrender and disarm.

—

### Approaching the Second Anniversary of the October 7 Attack

On October 7, 2023, thousands of Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel, attacking army bases, farming communities, and an outdoor music festival, killing approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 individuals, most of whom have since been released in ceasefires or other deals.

Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry, run by the Hamas government, does not specify how many were civilians or combatants but states that women and children account for around half of the fatalities. The UN and many independent experts consider its casualty figures among the most reliable.

The ongoing offensive has displaced roughly 90 percent of Gaza’s population, often displacing people multiple times and rendering much of the territory uninhabitable.

Both the Biden and Trump administrations have attempted to end the fighting and facilitate the hostages’ return while providing extensive military and diplomatic support to Israel.

—

*This story has been sourced from third-party syndicated feeds and agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability regarding the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Mid-day management and mid-day.com reserve the right to alter, delete, or remove content at their sole discretion and without notice.*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/hamas-says-it-accepts-some-elements-of-gaza-peace-plan-after-trump-issues-ultimatum-23597149

Fujitsu and Nvidia Expand Partnership to Accelerate AI Implementation

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Tokyo University of Technology unveiled its new supercomputer, named Seiran, on October 2nd, marking the start of full-scale operations. Equipped with the latest GPUs from U.S. chipmaker Nvidia, the system is designed specifically for generative AI and stands as the largest of its kind among Japan’s private universities.

In other news, Fujitsu and U.S. semiconductor giant Nvidia have announced plans to expand their collaboration in the field of artificial intelligence. Their joint efforts aim to accelerate the practical use of AI across various industries, driving innovation and efficiency.

A new form of cyberattack, known as “Clickfix,” is rapidly spreading by exploiting the familiar pop-up that asks users to confirm they are not robots. First detected in 2024, this attack has expanded quickly through 2025, prompting police in Tokyo and Aichi Prefecture to issue urgent warnings to the public.

Provably fair gaming has quickly become one of the most pivotal factors players look for when gaming on crypto-based platforms. This technology ensures transparency and trust, making it increasingly important in the digital gaming world.

OpenAI has unveiled its latest video generation AI, Sora2, capable of producing realistic footage in about three minutes. The system can create a wide range of content, including Japanese anime-style clips and composite videos featuring real individuals, opening new possibilities in video production.

A recent survey released by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance revealed that more than 60 percent of parents with young children expressed interest in using artificial intelligence to support childcare. This highlights the growing acceptance and potential of AI technologies in daily family life.

Meanwhile, with the rapid development of the cryptocurrency market, Wall Street tycoons are flocking to the space, increasing competition. As a result, retail investors are facing unprecedented pressure in this evolving financial landscape.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147141.php

Mohsin Naqvi to receive honor amid Asia Cup trophy row

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**Mohsin Naqvi to Receive Honor Amid Asia Cup Trophy Row**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Oct 04, 2025, 10:32 AM*

Mohsin Naqvi, President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is set to be honored with the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal, according to a report by The President. This prestigious award acknowledges Naqvi’s principled stance during the controversial Asia Cup final trophy handover, where he retained the trophy after Indian players refused to accept it.

### Award Justification: Restoring National Pride

Advocate Ghulam Abbas Jamal, announcing the decision on behalf of the Sindh and Karachi Basketball Associations, emphasized that Naqvi’s actions had “restored national pride” amid heightened political and sporting tensions between Pakistan and India. The move to honor Naqvi has garnered widespread support across Pakistan’s political and sports communities.

Organizers view this award not only as a gesture of respect but also as a symbolic message affirming national dignity.

### Upcoming Award Ceremony

A formal ceremony to present the award is being planned in Karachi, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expected to attend as the chief guest. The exact date will be finalized once Bhutto confirms his availability.

To oversee the event, a special committee has been formed, led by Sindh Basketball Association Chairman Khalid Jameel Shamsi, with Director Sports Commissioner Karachi Ghulam Muhammad Khan acting as secretary.

### Naqvi’s Response to the Trophy Controversy

Following the incident, Mohsin Naqvi retained the Asia Cup trophy and took to social media to state that the Indian team was “welcome” to collect it from the ACC headquarters if they wished.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Naqvi asserted, “I did nothing wrong, and I did not—and will not—apologize to BCCI,” responding to reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took offense at his actions.

### Context of the Asia Cup Final Controversy

The Asia Cup final was overshadowed by political tensions, with India enforcing a strict “no handshake” policy with Pakistani players. Despite winning the match, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, igniting a diplomatic stir.

The BCCI has raised the matter at the ACC’s annual meeting and is expected to escalate the issue further at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) session scheduled for November.

—

This development highlights the ongoing complex relationship between cricket and politics in the region, drawing attention to how sporting events often reflect broader diplomatic challenges.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/mohsin-naqvi-to-receive-top-national-honor-for-this-reason/story

US President Trump: ‘We are very close’ to achieving peace in the Middle East

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US President Trump: ‘We are very close’ to achieving peace in the Middle East

US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the prospects for peace in the Middle East, stating, “We are very close” to reaching an agreement. During his remarks, he emphasized his anticipation of the safe return of hostages to their families.

President Trump also took a moment to acknowledge the hostages who tragically will not be coming back alive, honoring their memory and the pain felt by their loved ones.

In a related appearance, President Trump was seen gesturing during a family photo session at the G7 Summit held in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, on June 16, 2025.

Photo credit: REUTERS/SUZANNE PLUNKETT

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-869356

BJP hits back, says Rahul has become a flag-bearer of anti-India forces abroad

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**BJP Launches Scathing Attack on Rahul Gandhi Over Remarks in Colombia**

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Friday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks made at a seminar in Colombia, alleging that he has become the flag-bearer of anti-India forces and is promoting their agenda within the country.

Party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi criticised Gandhi’s comments, stating that they reflect how the Congress party, controlled by the Nehru-Gandhi family for over a century, is now succumbing to anti-India elements.

Referring to Gandhi’s statement about India having 1,617 languages, Trivedi said, “You will now see that he will try to create a conflict over the issue of languages. Attempts have already been made in the past to create a North-South conflict.”

Trivedi went on to label Gandhi the *jhanda bardar* (flag-bearer) of anti-India forces and urged the public to be wary of him and the Nehru-Gandhi family. “Today, it seems that having a leader of the opposition like him is like a thorn in the heart of Indian democracy,” he remarked.

He further added, “Those in the Congress who are aware of the party falling into the clutches of dangerous foreign forces are committing treason. I appeal to those who are not aware of this to show due diligence and stop such leaders.”

Trivedi also criticised the Congress leadership as immature, contrasting it with earlier times when the party had mature leaders like Indira Gandhi and P. V. Narasimha Rao, who knew how to handle the Ultra-Left. “Today, it is being used. It’s not just a problem for the Congress but a matter of concern for the country as well,” he said.

In addition, Trivedi targeted Congress leader Udit Raj, who allegedly referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a symbol of the modern-day Ravan. He stated, “I only want to remind those who supported the killers of Rambhakt karsevaks, who did not attend the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya but visited Babar’s memorial three times to pay their obeisance.”

He added, “People know very well who the symbols of Ravan’s propensity against Lord Ram’s sanskar are.”
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Oct/04/bjp-hits-back-says-rahul-has-become-a-flag-bearer-of-anti-india-forces-abroad