Trump’s Cankle Crisis: Prez’s Massive Ankles Steal The Spotlight During Meeting With Canadian Prime Minister… as Health Fears Ramp Up

**Donald Trump’s Swollen Cankles Raise Health Concerns During Meeting with Canada’s Prime Minister**

*Published October 8, 2025, 4:46 p.m. ET*

Donald Trump has sparked renewed health concerns due to his visibly swollen cankles while meeting with Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House. RadarOnline.com can reveal that during the October 7 meeting, the 79-year-old president made efforts to keep his lower legs out of view, but a video from one of his own staff showed his notably enlarged ankles.

### Attempts to Hide Swollen Ankles

While Mark Carney’s legs were clearly visible to photographers as he sat next to Trump, the majority of the press were positioned at an angle where a wooden coffee table obstructed the president’s ankles from view. However, Trump’s special assistant and communications advisor, Margo Martin, shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse via an Instagram Story, revealing his swollen cankles beneath a pair of black socks and black dress shoes.

### The Cause Behind Trump’s Cankles

Trump’s swollen ankles have been a recurring issue. He was unable to conceal them during an August 25 White House meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, where his left ankle appeared notably swollen.

Medical experts have linked the condition to Trump’s chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), as disclosed in a July White House health memo from Dr. Sean P. Barbarella. CVI occurs when leg veins fail to efficiently return blood from the legs to the heart, leading to symptoms such as swelling and heaviness in the legs, particularly after prolonged sitting or standing.

Dr. Barbarella described CVI as a “benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70,” adding that there is no evidence of more serious issues such as arterial disease or deep vein thrombosis.

### How Trump Attempts to Conceal His Swollen Ankles

Aside from strategically sitting behind furniture, Trump also uses clothing choices to hide his swollen ankles. During the meeting with Carney, a baggier fit at the bottom of his pant legs was noticeable, helping to obscure the enlarged area.

According to an insider familiar with event planning at the White House, Trump prefers more intimate settings like the Oval Office for official events, where he can sit rather than stand for long periods. This setting and the use of the Resolute Desk are effective in hiding his lower body and preventing photographs that would highlight the swelling.

### Makeup Mishaps Highlight Skin Discoloration

CVI can also cause bruising and skin discoloration. Trump’s attempts to cover the black and blue marks on his hands with foundation have drawn criticism for poor application.

During the recent meeting with Carney, the president’s right hand showed a distinct yellowish concealer contrasting sharply with the natural pink tone of his left hand.

Makeup artist Brandi Boulet publicly called out these “makeup fails” in September, questioning, “How can you be in that position and not have somebody be able to cover a bruise?” She described the coverage as looking like “somebody just mashed on some foundation.”

Boulet explained the complexity of covering bruises professionally, noting the importance of layering multiple shades to match skin undertones and discolorations rather than applying a single flat color. “Skin is not just one color. There’s undertones. You can see blues in there from veins. You can see red from the capillaries. You also have beauty marks. So it’s a matter of layering in a way that matches what you’ve just covered to what the rest of your skin looks like,” she said.

While no quick fixes exist for swollen ankles, Trump’s health challenges have once again come under scrutiny as he continues his public duties.
https://radaronline.com/p/donald-trump-cankles-meeting-canada-prime-minister-health-dementia-concerns/

Trump’s Best Chance To Drain the Swamp

Federal Layoffs Loom as Trump Uses Shutdown to Push Workforce Reduction

Amid ongoing government shutdown discussions, former President Donald Trump is leveraging the deadlock to advocate for significant reductions in the federal workforce. This strategy comes as part of his broader agenda to streamline government operations and reduce federal spending.

Trump’s push for workforce cuts has raised concerns among federal employees and lawmakers, who worry about the potential impacts on government services and operations. The looming layoffs could affect thousands of workers across various agencies, intensifying the stakes of the shutdown negotiations.

Karoline Leavitt Defends Administration’s Fiscal Responsibility Goals

In response to criticisms, Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the current administration, has defended the efforts to promote fiscal responsibility. She emphasized that the workforce reduction plans are part of a comprehensive approach to ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars while maintaining essential government functions.

Leavitt highlighted that the administration is committed to balancing budgetary discipline with public service, aiming to achieve sustainable fiscal management without compromising critical agency missions.

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/2025/10/08/trumprsquos_best_chance_to_drain_the_swamp_654845.html

Dollar Gains as the Euro and Yen Retreat

The dollar index (DXY00) extended this week’s rally on Wednesday, rising +0.32% to reach a 1.75-month high. Political uncertainty in France and Japan has put downward pressure on the euro and yen, respectively, benefiting the dollar.

Wednesday afternoon saw additional gains for the dollar following the release of the hawkish minutes from the September 16-17 FOMC meeting. However, strength in the stock market reduced liquidity demand, limiting the extent of the dollar’s gains. Meanwhile, the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which entered its second week on Monday, remains a bearish factor for the dollar. The longer the shutdown lasts, the greater the risk of adverse effects on the U.S. economy, negatively impacting the dollar.

### FOMC Meeting Minutes and Interest Rate Outlook

The minutes from the September 16-17 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting displayed a slightly hawkish tone. While most policymakers indicated it would be appropriate to ease policy further over the remainder of the year, a majority emphasized upside risks to their inflation outlooks. Markets are currently pricing in a 93% probability of a -25 basis points rate cut at the upcoming FOMC meeting on October 28-29.

### Eurozone Update: EUR/USD Falls to 6-Week Low

The EUR/USD (^EURUSD) pair extended its losses on Wednesday, declining by -0.29% to a six-week low. Weaker-than-expected economic data from the Eurozone weighed heavily on the euro. Specifically, German industrial production for August posted its largest monthly decline in nearly three and a half years, dropping -4.3% month-over-month versus expectations of -1.0%.

Adding to the euro’s woes, political turmoil in France intensified after Prime Minister Lecornu resigned following President Macron’s appointment of a new cabinet. This development raised uncertainty around the Eurozone’s second-largest economy.

ECB Governing Council Member Muller commented that the Eurozone economy is slowly picking up and inflation is aligned with the ECB’s 2% target. Still, swaps markets currently assign only a 1% chance of a -25 basis points rate cut by the ECB at the October 30 policy meeting.

### USD/JPY Moves Higher Amid Yen Weakness

The USD/JPY (^USDJPY) rose +0.55% on Wednesday as the yen extended its weekly selloff to a 7.75-month low against the dollar. The yen came under pressure due to weak wage growth in Japan — a dovish factor for Bank of Japan (BOJ) policy — with August labor cash earnings rising less than expected (+1.5% year-over-year versus +2.7% anticipated).

Higher U.S. Treasury note yields also contributed to yen weakness. However, losses were somewhat contained after the September Eco Watchers Outlook Survey in Japan improved more than expected, reaching a nine-month high.

Concerns have mounted over the election of Sanae Takaichi as leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, making her the likely next Prime Minister. Her victory has tempered expectations of imminent BOJ policy tightening and raised worries about increased debt issuance given her support for expanded fiscal stimulus.

**Key Data Points:**

– Japan September Eco Watchers Outlook Survey: +1.0 to 48.5 (9-month high), above expectations of 47.8
– Japan August Labor Cash Earnings: +1.5% y/y, below expected +2.7%

### Precious Metals Rally on Safe-Haven Demand

December gold (GCZ25) closed up +66.10 points (+1.65%) on Wednesday, while December silver (SIZ25) rose +1.479 points (+3.11%). Precious metals surged sharply, with December gold hitting a new contract high and nearest-futures gold (V25) reaching an all-time high of $4,049.20 per troy ounce. December silver also posted a contract high, and the nearest-futures silver logged a 14-year peak.

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown is driving safe-haven demand for precious metals. Political turmoil in France, following Prime Minister Lecornu’s resignation, is further boosting this demand. Additionally, metals are benefiting from safe-haven status amid uncertainty tied to U.S. tariffs, geopolitical risks, and global trade tensions.

The election of Sanae Takaichi in Japan, a proponent of easy fiscal and monetary policy, supports demand as a store of value. Central bank buying is also underpinning gold prices. Notably, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) added 40,000 troy ounces of gold to its reserves in September, marking the 11th consecutive month of reserve increases.

Despite the dollar index rallying to a 1.75-month high on Wednesday — typically a negative factor for precious metals — safe-haven support remains strong. President Trump’s attacks on Fed independence have further bolstered gold demand. Weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data has strengthened the outlook for additional Fed rate cuts, which is bullish for precious metals. The swaps market currently indicates a 93% probability of a 25 basis point Fed rate cut at the October 28-29 FOMC meeting.

Meanwhile, fund buying of precious metal ETFs continues to support prices. Gold holdings in ETFs rose to a three-year high on Tuesday, with silver holdings reaching a three-year peak last Wednesday.

*On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.*

*All information and data in this article is for informational purposes only. For more details, please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy.*

**More from Barchart:**
– What Should We Expect from the Commodity Complex This Week?
– 3 Reasons for Gold’s Record Rally
– As the Bank of England Warns on Inflation, Make This 1 Trade Now
– FAQ Friday

*The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.*
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/dollar-gains-euro-and-yen-retreat

WATCH: President Trump Suggests that Brandon Johnson and JB Pritzker May Face Criminal Charges – DHS Sec Kristi Noem Reveals that Portland Police Were Cheering on Antifa’s Calls for Violence with Their “Fists in the Air”, Says Officials Should be Prosecuted

President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called for the prosecution of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for allegedly perpetuating attacks against law enforcement during a roundtable on ANTIFA at the White House on Wednesday.

As reported by The Gateway Pundit, federal officers from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were recently ambushed by a convoy of roughly ten vehicles in what officials described as a coordinated assault by domestic extremists against law enforcement. Despite the severity of the incident, Chicago police were explicitly ordered to stand down and ignore distress calls from the federal agents.

President Trump asserted that both Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson were aware of the orders to stand down. “The governor knew about it, the mayor knew about it,” Trump told reporters, suggesting criminal liability for their actions. On Truth Social, Trump wrote this morning, “Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE Officers! Governor Pritzker also!”

When asked whether he had requested the Justice Department to investigate possible charges against the mayor and governor, Trump did not provide a direct answer. However, he described the decision to have police stand down as illegal, and deferred to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for further comment.

Secretary Noem emphatically agreed, stating that elected officials in Illinois “should absolutely be prosecuted.” She also revealed concerning behavior by law enforcement in Portland, Oregon, where ICE officers reportedly witnessed Portland police officers cheering with fists raised alongside ANTIFA protesters who were calling for the murder of ICE agents.

“Noem said, ‘Those kind of individuals who are perpetuating murder should absolutely be prosecuted, in my opinion.’” She recounted that during the Chicago incident, a ten-car caravan trailed ICE officials and pinned them down. When the ICE officers attempted to exit their vehicles, a woman reportedly tried to ram them, resulting in shots being fired to ensure their safety.

Noem highlighted that this pattern of law enforcement complicity with extremist groups is not isolated to Illinois but is also occurring in other states such as Oregon.

In summary, both Trump and Noem condemned the alleged inaction and complicity of local law enforcement and elected officials in enabling attacks against federal agents. They called for accountability and prosecution of those responsible for undermining the safety and security of ICE personnel.

### Key Quotes from the Roundtable:

**Reporter:** “You said the mayor of Chicago and the governor of Illinois should be jailed. Have you asked the Justice Department to look at possible charges?”

**Trump:** “I’ve seen the law, and when you have a group of people where the police call off the safety for ICE officials, I’ve understood that, and I’ve read it today in numerous journals, that that’s illegal. What they did is… I guess it was ICE, Kristi, right? They were under threat, and the police were helping beautifully, it was fine, and then all of a sudden, a woman was on the line, saying, ‘Everybody move back, move back, get out, get out.’ And they were given an order by the second person in the police department, and the governor knew about it, the mayor knew about it. I understand that’s a criminal offense. You want to comment on that, Kristi?”

**Noem:** “Sir, we’re seeing that kind of pattern happen with local law enforcement and state law enforcement, not just in Illinois, but also out in Oregon too. In fact, in Portland, I was there yesterday, but some of the ICE officers were telling me that as they drove by the rioters that were saying, ‘Kill ICE agents, Molotov cocktails melt ICE,’ that the Portland Police were cheering them on and had their fists in the air cheering on the rioters that were threatening their lives.

“So, in Chicago, we had a ten-car caravan trail our ICE officials and pin them down. And those ICE officials to get out of their vehicles, a woman tried to ram them and run them over, and shots were fired to get them to safety. So, it’s happening on a regular basis, and any elected official that allows this to happen and gives cover to those kind of individuals who are perpetuating murder should absolutely be prosecuted, in my opinion.”
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/10/watch-president-trump-suggests-that-brandon-johnson-jb/

NASCAR and teams to meet in court to try to resolve yearlong feud over charter system

Un proyecto de ley que ya cuenta con dictamen de dos comisiones y podría llegar al recinto de Diputados en breve tiene en vilo al sector TIC argentino, ya que implicaría el regreso recargado de un tributo que había sido eliminado.

Se trata del impuesto Enard a las telecomunicaciones, un gravamen del 1% que se aplicó a la telefonía celular hasta 2017 y que se destinaba al Ente Nacional de Alto Rendimiento Deportivo. La versión actual también implicaría financiar al nuevo Consejo Federal para el Alto Rendimiento Deportivo (Cofard) con un 1% de la facturación de las compañías, pero no solo de telefonía móvil, sino también de internet y TV paga que tengan más de 10.000 clientes, lo que encarecería el servicio para los consumidores.

Este impuesto ya existió en su momento, pero solo para las compañías de telefonía móvil. Ahora se extiende a todo el resto de los servicios TIC.

“Estamos dando un paso hacia atrás”, afirmó Federico Fornelli, presidente de la Asociación Argentina de Televisión por Cable (ATVC).

La autoría del proyecto, que modifica la ley 26.573, corresponde a Rogelio Iparraguirre y Victoria Tolosa Paz, del bloque Unión por la Patria, y ya cuenta con dictamen de las comisiones de Deportes y Comunicación de Diputados.

Según ATVC, si algunos legisladores cercanos al oficialismo, algunos de los cuales votaron a favor en comisión, acompañan la iniciativa, esta podría avanzar. Según la redacción del texto, el 1% se agregaría al precio del servicio, pero el cliente no lo distinguiría en la factura.

“Estamos hablando de un nuevo impuesto que explícitamente mete mano en el bolsillo de toda la población y castiga a todos los usuarios por igual”, agregó.

Según datos del Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (Enacom), el 82% de los hogares del país tiene acceso a internet, la penetración de líneas móviles asciende al 135% y el 57% de los hogares cuenta con TV por suscripción. Más allá de esto, debido al deterioro histórico del poder de compra, especialmente entre los usuarios de menores ingresos, Argentina presenta aún un déficit en el uso de estos servicios.

En 2023 se avanzó en mejorar las condiciones de acceso a dispositivos, gracias al plan de reducción gradual de impuestos. “Gravar los servicios TIC va en contra de esta tendencia”, continuó el ejecutivo.

Según un relevamiento de la Cámara Argentina de Internet (Cabase), el sector está sujeto a más de 20 tributos y tasas nacionales, provinciales y municipales, con una presión tributaria promedio del 41,5%.

La industria TIC, además, aporta el 1% de los ingresos totales devengados para constituir el Fondo de Servicio Universal, destinado a financiar proyectos de conectividad y acelerar la digitalización. Solo en 2024, el aporte total del sector por este concepto fue de $58.800 millones.

“¿Queremos una industria habilitadora, que fomente el empleo y la educación? En vez de ayudar, nos ponen otra barrera. Y además, no tiene mucho que ver con su función. ¿Qué tienen que ver las telecomunicaciones con el deporte? ¿Por qué no le ponen un impuesto al tabaco? A cualquier industria que se lo pusieran, igual estaría mal. El presupuesto del Enard debería establecerse con base en los ingresos, y luego, en función de eso, ver los gastos. No se puede castigar a una industria con el potencial de la nuestra para financiar el deporte”, cerró Fornelli.
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/autoracing/2025/10/08/nascar-and-teams-to-meet-in-court-to-try-to-resolve-yearlong-feud-over-charter-system

Pimpri-Chinchwad: Shiv Sena (UBT) Holds Protest Demanding Loan Waiver, Compensation For Rain-Hit Farmers

**Pimpri-Chinchwad: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) City Unit Protests for Farmer Compensation and Loan Waiver**

The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Pimpri-Chinchwad city unit organised a protest march on Wednesday in front of the Tehsildar’s office in Nigdi. The protest aimed to demand adequate compensation for farmers affected by excessive rainfall and a complete loan waiver for farmers across Maharashtra.

According to Uddhav Sena workers, heavy rains have recently battered various parts of the state, disrupting daily life and causing significant losses to farmers. In response, the party has urged the Maharashtra government to provide fair compensation to those impacted by the adverse weather conditions. Additionally, they have called for a complete and unconditional loan waiver to alleviate the financial burden on farmers.

The march was led by key party leaders including District Chief Gautam Chabukswar, City Chief Sanjog Waghere Patil, and City Organiser Rupali Alhat. They were accompanied by prominent members such as Chetan Pawar, Romi Sandhu, Vaibhavi Ghodke, Tushar Navale, Dhananjay Alhat, Kailas Nevaskar, Yuvraj Kokate, Dnyaneshwar Shinde, Parth Gurav, among other officials and party workers.

### Opposition Parties Demand Full Loan Waiver

The demand for a full loan waiver for farmers has been a recurring issue raised by opposition parties in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has repeatedly highlighted this matter, referencing their previous tenure in government where such measures were implemented.

Recently, speaking to the media in Pune, NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule also emphasized the necessity of a loan waiver, stating, “Farmers need this.” She called on the Maharashtra government to prioritise the welfare of farmers and provide the necessary support during these challenging times.

The protests and demands reflect growing concerns over the impact of excessive rainfall on agriculture and the urgent need to support the farming community in Maharashtra.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/pimpri-chinchwad-shiv-sena-ubt-holds-protest-demanding-loan-waiver-compensation-for-rain-hit-farmers

PM Modi Inaugurates ₹19,646 Crore Navi Mumbai International Airport; Fadnavis Says Project Will Boost Maharashtra’s GDP By 1%

Prime Minister Modi Inaugurates First Phase of Navi Mumbai International Airport

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the much-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday, seven years after laying its foundation stone. Developed at a cost of Rs 19,646 crore, the project is being hailed as a milestone in India’s aviation infrastructure.

Asia’s Largest Connectivity Hub

Calling NMIA Asia’s biggest connectivity hub, PM Modi said the airport marks the beginning of a new era for Maharashtra and the country’s aviation sector. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed that the project would increase the state’s GDP by 1%.

The Prime Minister landed at the airport at 2:45 p.m., inaugurating it through a digital toran ceremony at the terminal entrance. He then toured the state-of-the-art facility along with Governor Acharya Devvrat, Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, Union Civil Aviation Minister K.R.M. Naidu, MoS Murlidhar Mohol, and industrialist Gautam Adani, whose company developed the project in partnership with CIDCO.

Modi also interacted with a group of specially-abled individuals operating a food outlet at the terminal.

Connecting Farmers and Fisherfolk to Global Markets

After inaugurating India’s first twin-aviation hub, PM Modi said NMIA would directly connect Maharashtra’s farmers and fisherfolk with international supply chains, including supermarkets in Europe and the Middle East. He emphasized that the new infrastructure would reduce logistical costs for small and micro enterprises, spur investment, and generate new industries and jobs.

“Mumbai’s long wait ends here. NMIA bears the reflection of a Viksit Bharat. It is a lotus blooming on the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said, referring to the airport’s lotus-inspired design.

Part of Mumbai’s Dual-Airport System

NMIA is envisioned as part of a dual-airport system for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), complementing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Sahar. With an initial capacity of 20 million passengers per annum, the airport will eventually handle 90 million passengers, making it one of India’s largest airports.

The first two phases will feature one runway and a single terminal, before scaling up to four runways and multiple terminals.

Fadnavis Credits Modi for Fast-Tracking Clearances

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recalled that the airport had been conceptualized in the 1990s but remained stalled for decades. “For years, there was only a board displaying the airport’s name. When PM Modi reviewed the project, seven of eight pending permissions were cleared in the first meeting,” he said.

Fadnavis also highlighted that NMIA will be India’s first airport connected by water taxis, further enhancing multi-modal transport options.

Aviation Growth and Future Projects

Union Civil Aviation Minister K.R.M. Naidu noted that since 2014, Mumbai’s domestic air traffic has risen by 70% and international traffic by 50%. The government now aims to triple annual passenger traffic from 5 crore to 15 crore.

He also announced plans for the country’s first offshore airport near the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar, marking another milestone in Maharashtra’s aviation infrastructure.

“India’s financial capital is now also its aviation capital. With NMIA, airlines will no longer struggle for slots — every Mumbaikar will feel proud of this achievement,” Naidu added.

Public-Private Partnership Between CIDCO and Adani Group

The airport has been developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model between the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), holding 26% and 74% equity stakes, respectively.

CIDCO oversaw planning, land acquisition, rehabilitation, and pre-development work, while AAHL is responsible for development and operations.

Legacy of Visionaries Behind the Project

Several former CIDCO managing directors and chairmen attended the inauguration, many of whom contributed to NMIA’s inception.

Former CIDCO MD Sanjay Bhatia (2013–2016) expressed pride in seeing the project’s completion: “It’s wonderful to see something I nurtured in its early stages come to life. During my tenure, I worked on land acquisition for this dream project,” he said.

https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/pm-modi-inaugurates-19646-crore-navi-mumbai-international-airport-fadnavis-says-project-will-boost-maharashtras-gdp-by-1

Israel optimistic about prospects of reaching a Gaza deal, sources tell ‘Post’

Israel Optimistic About Prospects of Reaching a Gaza Deal, Sources Tell ‘Post’

By AMICHAI STEIN, Jerusalem Post Staff

Israel remains optimistic about the prospects of reaching a deal concerning Gaza, sources have indicated to the Jerusalem Post.

An additional source clarified that, as the deal currently stands, Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat will not be released.

Meanwhile, families of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza have shown their solidarity and hope by building a sukkah outside the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem. The sukkah, constructed on October 5, 2025, features photographs of the hostages, symbolizing their ongoing presence in the hearts and minds of their loved ones.

(Photo credit: Chaim Goldbeg/FLASH90)
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869809

‘Centre has failed Kerala people’: HC on Wayanad loan relief

**‘Centre has failed Kerala people’: Kerala High Court on Wayanad Loan Relief**

*By Snehil Singh | Oct 08, 2025 04:44 pm*

The Kerala High Court has strongly criticized the central government for its refusal to waive loans of those affected by the devastating Wayanad landslides. The court declared that the Union government had “failed the people of Kerala,” emphasizing that the state “does not need the Centre’s charity.”

### Strong Judicial Critique of the Centre’s Stance

A Division Bench comprising Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian expressed sharp disapproval of the Centre’s affidavit, which claimed that there was no legal provision to waive loans for disaster-affected individuals.

“Please tell the Union Government it has failed the people of Kerala,” the court remarked sternly to government counsel, dismissing the Centre’s position as mere “bureaucratic babble.” The judges stressed, “It is not about whether the Union can act, but whether they are willing to act.”

### Highlighting Funding Disparities

The court further pointed out that while the Centre had sanctioned relief funds for Assam and Gujarat floods — even though those floods were not classified as severe — financial assistance for Wayanad’s victims was withheld.

While expressing respect for the Constitution and the principle of separation of powers, the judges made it clear they would no longer issue directions to the Union government. Justice Nambiar remarked, “We don’t need the Union’s charity,” and ordered banks to immediately halt loan recovery from the affected persons.

### Next Steps in Legal Proceedings

The bench also announced that banks would be formally impleaded in the case and asked to clarify whether they intended to waive the loans fully or partially. “Provide the names of the banks. We will issue notice to them and implead them. Until they respond, we will direct a stay on recovery actions,” the court declared.

The matter is set to be heard again in two weeks.

### Background

The High Court’s suo motu case was initiated following catastrophic landslides that struck Wayanad district on July 30, 2024. The disaster claimed dozens of lives and displaced hundreds of residents, leaving many struggling to recover financially and emotionally.

*This judgment highlights ongoing tensions between the state and central governments over disaster relief and loan waiver policies, reflecting broader challenges in addressing the needs of vulnerable communities in India.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/we-don-t-need-your-charity-kerala-hc-to-centre/story

‘Centre has failed Kerala people’: HC on Wayanad loan relief

**‘Centre has failed Kerala people’: High Court on Wayanad Loan Relief**

*By Snehil Singh | October 8, 2025, 4:44 PM*

The Kerala High Court has strongly criticized the central government for its refusal to waive loans of those affected by the devastating landslides in Wayanad. The Division Bench, comprising Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian, stated that the Union government had “failed the people of Kerala” and emphasized that the state “does not need the Centre’s charity.”

### Court’s Legal Critique: ‘Bureaucratic Babble’

The court was highly critical of the Centre’s affidavit, which argued that there was no legal provision allowing the waiver of loans for disaster-affected individuals. Addressing government counsel, the judges remarked, “Please tell the Union Government it has failed the people of Kerala,” dismissing the Centre’s stance as mere “bureaucratic babble.”

They clarified, “It is not about whether the Union can act, but whether they are willing to act.”

### Funding Disparity Highlighted

Highlighting a funding disparity, the court noted that the Centre had sanctioned relief funds for Assam and Gujarat floods, although these were not classified as severe disasters. While expressing respect for the Constitution and the separation of powers, the judges clearly stated they would no longer issue directions to the Union government.

“We don’t need the Union’s charity,” Justice Nambiar asserted, while simultaneously ordering banks to immediately stop all loan recovery proceedings against the affected persons.

### Legal Proceedings and Bank Involvement

The bench announced that banks would be impleaded in the case and directed them to clarify whether they planned to waive loans, either fully or partially. “Provide the names of the banks. We will issue notices and implead them. Until we receive their responses, we direct a stay on all recovery actions,” the court said.

The matter is scheduled to be heard again in two weeks.

### Background

This suo motu case was initiated by the Kerala High Court after massive landslides struck Wayanad on July 30, 2024, resulting in dozens of deaths and displacing hundreds of residents.

*Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/we-don-t-need-your-charity-kerala-hc-to-centre/story