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

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

**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

MP News: Departments Not Giving Proper Info For Preparing Budget; Director Of Finance Wrote To Various Departments

**Lack of Cooperation from Government Departments Hampers Budget Preparation in Madhya Pradesh**

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Director of Budget has raised serious concerns over the lack of cooperation from various government departments in the ongoing budget preparation exercise.

According to officials, many departments have either failed to submit key details or have shared incomplete information, which is hampering the drafting process. The first phase of budget discussions has already been completed, and the second phase is set to begin on October 8.

The Director of Budget has written to several departments highlighting that many have not provided information on crucial budget-related issues. A few departments have submitted incomplete data. For preparing the zero budget and rolling budget, it is essential to receive comprehensive information regarding departments’ plans of action, vacant posts, and other relevant matters.

Sources revealed that despite repeated reminders, several departments are yet to furnish data on important schemes and financial requirements. The Director has warned that without complete information, it will not be possible to proceed with accurate financial planning.

In response, principal secretaries of all departments have been instructed to ensure that officers attend the upcoming round of discussions equipped with complete details. The second phase of deliberations will continue until October 30.

Following this, the budget will be reviewed at the principal secretary and ministerial levels.

[Story by Staff Reporter]
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-news-departments-not-giving-proper-info-for-preparing-budget-director-of-finance-wrote-to-various-departments

Clemson Professor Sues University After Being Fired for ‘Play Certain Games, Win Certain Prizes’ Post About Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

A former Clemson University professor is suing the school, claiming his firing over a Facebook post about the assassination of conservative icon Charlie Kirk violated his First Amendment rights.

Joshua Bregy, an assistant professor in environmental engineering, was one of several Clemson employees dismissed last month after their social media comments sparked outrage from conservatives. The group demanded accountability for professionals who appeared to be gloating over Kirk’s tragic murder.

The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in federal court, seeks Bregy’s reinstatement, back pay, and damages. It argues that the university bowed to pressure from bullying legislators and an online mob, rather than addressing any internal disruption.

“External pressure, not internal disruption, caused Clemson to fire Bregy,” the lawsuit, obtained by the South Carolina Daily Gazette, states. It continues, “But however challenging it must have been for Clemson to confront bullying legislators or the online mob and its 280-character pitchforks, the First Amendment does not credit Clemson’s impulse to capitulate as a legitimate interest. The Constitution requires a stronger spine than that.”

This is especially ironic given that the “woke left” has spent years pushing for conservatives to be fired and censored online for speech they disagreed with.

Bregy’s post, shared shortly after the shooting, reposted someone else’s comment criticizing Kirk’s past statements on gun rights. Kirk had argued that some gun deaths were a necessary cost for Second Amendment freedoms. The former professor added his own commentary:

“I’ll never advocate for violence in any form, but it sounds to me like karma is sometimes swift and ironic. As Kirk said, play certain games, win certain prizes.”

He further questioned why conservatives weren’t equally outraged over the June 2025 assassination of Democratic Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman. While expressing superficial sympathy for Kirk’s family, Bregy refused to allow Kirk to be portrayed as a martyr, calling him “a flawed human being whose rhetoric caused notable damage.”

According to the South Carolina Daily Gazette, Bregy’s Facebook settings usually allowed only friends to see his posts. However, because the original post he shared was public, his repost was also publicly viewable, per the lawsuit. After a few hours, Bregy made the post private and then deleted it entirely the next morning at the request of university officials.

Allen Chaney, Legal Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina, said in a statement: “The First Amendment protects the rights of public employees to speak in their personal capacity on important public topics. When it comes to free speech, Clemson isn’t allowed to cave to the whims of a political mob. Fortunately for us all, the Constitution is made of sterner stuff than that.”

Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA and a leading voice in conservative activism, was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. The brazen act of political violence shocked the world.

In the immediate aftermath, conservatives mobilized and secured the firing or disciplining of dozens of educators across the country for posts that mocked or downplayed the assassination.

The South Carolina Daily Gazette reports that Clemson released a statement on September 12 expressing disagreement with the statements made by the professors but recognized their First Amendment rights to free speech.

However, the next day, GOP leaders in both state legislature chambers—including the lead budget writers in each—sent a letter to Clemson’s Board of Trustees calling for immediate and appropriate action.

While the letter did not specify what action should be taken, the lawsuit alleges the message was clear. The choice of signatories, combined with their authority over Clemson’s budget, conveyed this warning: fire Joshua Bregy and fellow professor Melvin Villaver, or face potential funding cuts.

An hour before an emergency board meeting on September 15, Clemson announced it had suspended Bregy and another professor from teaching duties and fired a third employee.

In his termination letter, Bregy was informed that he had engaged in “blatantly unprofessional conduct” and conduct “seriously prejudicial to the University.” The letter stated, “You did not show due restraint or respect, and you made no effort when you reposted to state that your views did not represent the views of Clemson University.”

To date, Clemson University has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/10/clemson-professor-sues-university-after-being-fired-play/

Ivan Klima, Czech Novelist Who Chafed Under Totalitarian Regimes, Dies at 94

A writer, dissident, teacher, and critic, he carried the weight of his experiences throughout his life.

One of the most profound events that shaped him was his early incarceration as a boy in a concentration camp near Prague.

This harrowing experience deeply influenced his perspectives and work, leaving a lasting impact on his character and creative voice.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/world/europe/ivan-klima-dead.html

Hamas signals partial acceptance of Gaza peace plan amid US pressure

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

Mumbai: Farhan Akhtar’s Family Driver Misuses Actor’s Cards To Fill His Pockets, Booked For ₹12 Lakh Fraud

**Mumbai Police Register Case Against Driver and Petrol Pump Employee in Fuel Card Fraud Involving Actor Farhan Akhtar’s Family**

The Mumbai police have registered a case against Naresh Singh, the driver of actor Farhan Akhtar’s mother, Honey Irani, and an employee of a petrol pump near Bandra Lake. Singh, 35, allegedly used Akhtar’s fuel cards to fill fuel in Irani’s vehicles without authorization. Instead of refueling, he reportedly swiped the cards at the petrol pump and received cash from the petrol pump employee after they kept their share of the money.

### Details of the Case

On October 1, Honey Irani’s manager, Diya Bhatia, 36, filed a complaint with the Bandra police against Naresh Singh and the petrol pump employee, Arun Singh, 52, accusing them of cheating the family out of Rs 12 lakh.

While reviewing fuel expenses, Bhatia found discrepancies related to a Maruti car with a diesel tank capacity of 35 liters being recorded as having received 621 liters of fuel. When she confronted Naresh Singh for clarification, his answers were unsatisfactory. He claimed to possess only one fuel card, for both petrol and diesel.

Upon further investigation of the fuel card history, Bhatia discovered that Singh had used three separate cards—all registered under Farhan Akhtar’s name. She also uncovered a purchase of vehicle oil for a car that had been sold seven years ago, raising further concerns.

### Confession and Modus Operandi

Bhatia arranged a meeting with Honey Irani during which Singh confessed to the fraudulent activity. He revealed that in 2022, he had obtained three fuel cards from Akhtar’s former driver, Santosh Kumar.

Since then, Singh had been filling petrol and diesel exclusively at the SV Road petrol pump near Bandra Lake, where he conspired with the petrol pump employee, Arun Singh. The driver frequently swiped the cards without actually fueling the vehicles and received cash payments after deducting Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 as his share from each transaction.

### Legal Action

A case has been registered under the following sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita:

– Section 318 – Criminal breach of trust
– Section 418 – Cheating
– Section 3(5) – General provisions

The Mumbai police continue to investigate the matter.

For more information and to explore exclusive, budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai and surrounding areas, visit: [https://budgetproperties.in/](https://budgetproperties.in/)
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/mumbai-farhan-akhtars-family-driver-misuses-actors-cards-to-fill-his-pockets-booked-for-12-lakh-fraud

Mohsin Naqvi to receive honor amid Asia Cup trophy row

**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

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

**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