Australian telco giant fined $66M over ‘appalling’ conduct

SYDNEY, Australia — Embattled Australian telco giant Optus was hit with a $66-million fine on Wednesday over “appalling” sales conduct as the firm grapples with fallout from a network outage linked to several deaths.

A federal court ruled the company — one of Australia’s top telecoms providers — should be punished for selling products to vulnerable customers in a manner deemed unacceptable.

https://business.inquirer.net/548976/australian-telco-giant-fined-66m-over-appalling-conduct

Sri Lanka ousted from T20 Asia Cup 2025: Here’s how

The Sri Lankan cricket team has been ousted from the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. This unexpected exit marks a significant moment in the tournament, leaving fans and analysts alike reflecting on the team’s performance.

Despite their efforts, Sri Lanka was unable to advance further in the competition. The early elimination highlights the fiercely competitive nature of the Asia Cup and sets the stage for other teams to shine in the remaining matches.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/sri-lanka-get-eliminated-from-asia-cup/story

Women’s Gophers basketball: Class of 2021 has big plans for 2026

Amaya Battle, Mara Braun, Mallory Heyer, and Niamaya Holloway are back together for one last shot at achieving the lofty goals they set as freshmen.

Over the years, they have reached some of these milestones, but one big goal still remains.

With determination and teamwork, they are ready to give it their all in this final chapter.
https://www.twincities.com/2025/09/24/womens-gophers-basketball-class-of-2021-has-big-plans-for-2026/

Trump statement on TX ICE shooting 9/24/2025

**Trump Statement on TX ICE Shooting – September 24, 2025**

*Posted on September 24, 2025 by dragnet2*
*Topics: News / Current Events*

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**Comments:**

**dragnet2:**
Democrats are the true insurrectionists by calling for their Leftist tribe to commit violence against non-Leftists.

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Well stated, Mr. President.

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*Disclaimer:* Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by applicable copyright laws.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4342428/posts

FIVB Men’s World: Poland sweeps Turkiye, forges semis duel vs Italy

MANILA, Philippines — Poland powered its way into the semifinals of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, setting up a highly anticipated rematch against defending champion Italy, just like the 2022 final.

World No. 1 Poland showcased their dominance in the knockout quarterfinal, defeating Turkiye convincingly with set scores of 25-15, 25-22, and 25-19 on Wednesday evening.

This victory secured Poland’s fifth appearance in the World Championship semifinals, continuing their strong legacy in the tournament. Fans can now look forward to an exciting clash between Poland and Italy as both teams vie for a spot in the championship match.
https://sports.inquirer.net/641574/fivb-mens-world-poland-sweeps-turkiye-forges-semis-duel-vs-italy

This Week in Switch 2 – Pokemon Legends Z-A hands-on preview, Silksong review & Daft Punk x Fortnite

We are back with the latest episode of **This Week in Switch 2**, featuring a lively discussion on a variety of gaming topics. In this episode, we dive into TJ’s *Hollow Knight: Silksong* review, Donovan’s hands-on preview of *Pokemon Legends: Z-A*, Fortnite’s recent Daft Punk event, Nintendo Music’s latest additions, and the news of another Xbox price increase.

Be sure to check out TJ’s detailed *Hollow Knight: Silksong* review and Donovan’s insightful *Pokemon Legends: Z-A* preview articles for a closer look at these exciting titles.

**This Week in Switch 2** is our new weekly format that allows all Shacknews staff members to share their opinions on the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, games, and operating system. Instead of rushing to publish reviews-in-progress, we are taking our time with both the Nintendo Switch 2 and *Mario Kart World* to provide you with thorough and useful review content.

With this series, we keep you updated by sharing our latest impressions of the console as we continue our review work. Plus, we’ve expanded the availability of the show by releasing the podcast in audio format on your favorite platforms.

You can now catch **This Week in Switch 2** on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music/Audible, Player FM, Podchaser, and Apple Podcasts. Keep an eye out for new episodes and enjoy listening on the go!

We’ll be back next week with another episode, so stay tuned by following our [This Week in Switch 2 topic page](#).

Have any questions or topics you’d like us to cover in the next episode? Let us know in the Shacknews Chatty comment thread below!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146072/twis-2-podcast-episode-18-pokemon-silksong

Mumbai News: Andheri Resident Alleges Housing Society Failed To Refund ₹3.09 Lakh Despite Deputy Registrar Orders

**Resident Alleges Housing Society’s Non-Compliance Over Rs 3.09 Lakh Refund**

A 62-year-old resident of Metropolis CHS, Four Bungalows, Andheri (West), has raised concerns that his housing society has failed to comply with orders directing it to refund or adjust a pending amount of Rs 3.09 lakh in his favour.

**Complaint by Resident**

Ashwin Chaudhary, a cybersecurity professional and owner of flat C-101 in Metropolis CHS, filed a complaint alleging that despite orders issued in March this year, the society has neither refunded the money nor adjusted it against his monthly expenses such as maintenance charges, property tax, and utility bills.

**Background of the Case**

Citing a Bombay High Court order dated June 14, 2017, Chaudhary explained that the court had directed the society to refund amounts collected from members by the builder, HDIL.

Following this, the society issued him a credit note for Rs 3.63 lakh in August 2018 and then a cheque for Rs 3.09 lakh in January 2019. However, the cheque was dishonoured due to a signature mismatch.

Subsequently, the deputy registrar instructed the society to adjust the amount against Chaudhary’s pending dues.

**Allegations of Non-Compliance**

“Despite several reminders and repeated emails since 2021, the society has refused to comply. Instead, they blocked my family’s access to the gym, swimming pool, and other amenities, labelling me a defaulter,” Chaudhary alleged.

He further added that the society was ordered to credit his account and remove the 21% interest and GST charges that had been wrongly applied.

**Society’s Response**

When contacted, society chairman Kamal Duggar acknowledged the matter but stated that the society currently has no funds to pay Chaudhary or others.

He admitted that the issue dates back to 2017–18 when the society’s accounts were operated through Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank, which later collapsed in 2020.

“Our society lost nearly Rs 15 crore in the PMC Bank crisis, including funds belonging to 161 members. Given the situation, the new administration decided to grant a rebate of Rs 1,500 per month on maintenance charges to affected members,” Duggar explained.

“Beyond that, we have no means to repay unless the bank releases the funds. We have also asked the authorities for guidance and are committed to abiding by their directions,” he added.

This ongoing dispute highlights the financial challenges faced by housing societies impacted by banking failures, and the difficulties members are encountering in securing rightful refunds.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-news-andheri-resident-alleges-housing-society-failed-to-refund-309-lakh-despite-deputy-registrar-orders

Rahul Gandhi announces 10-point plan for Bihar’s backward classes

**Rahul Gandhi Announces 10-Point Plan for Bihar’s Backward Classes**

*By Snehil Singh | September 24, 2025, 06:24 PM*

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has unveiled a comprehensive 10-point resolution aimed at the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) in Bihar. The announcement was made at the “Ati Pichra Nyay Sankalp” conference held in Patna, marking a significant part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc’s strategy for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

### Key Promises for EBCs

The proposed program includes several critical measures to uplift the EBC community. Among these is the introduction of reservations for EBCs in private institutions and government contracts worth up to ₹25 crore. Additionally, the plan seeks to increase reservations for EBCs in panchayats and urban local bodies from the current 20% to 30%.

A notable legislative move in the proposal is the introduction of a new “Extremely Backward Classes Atrocities Prevention Act” dedicated to protecting the rights and dignity of the EBCs.

### Additional Commitments

The 10-point plan also emphasizes the need to conduct a caste census to accurately assess the population of Dalits, EBCs, and other backward classes. To ensure fairness, a committee will be established to review the current EBC list for any under- or over-inclusion.

Further, the program promises to eliminate the “Not Found Suitable” clause often misused in recruitment processes against backward classes.

Addressing land rights, the initiative proposes providing land to landless families—three decimals in urban areas and five decimals in rural regions—empowering these communities with much-needed ownership and security.

### Vision for Social Justice

Rahul Gandhi articulated a clear vision transcending partisan politics, focusing on the welfare of the ‘Ati Pichhda Samaj’ (extremely backward society). He underscored the urgency of conducting a caste census and removing existing caps on reservations to reinforce constitutional rights, which he warned are under threat nationwide.

### Election Strategy and Political Context

This 10-point resolution aligns with the INDIA bloc’s broader social justice agenda ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections set for October-November 2025. By championing the rights of the EBCs and other marginalized groups, the alliance aims to challenge and potentially unseat the incumbent Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party coalition.

Currently, the INDIA bloc’s leading parties are engaged in seat-sharing negotiations to present a united front in the upcoming polls.

This ambitious plan by Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc represents a significant push towards inclusive development and social justice for Bihar’s backward communities, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in the state.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/bihar-polls-rahul-unveils-10-point-plan-bigger-quotas-for-ebcs/story

Rahul Gandhi announces 10-point plan for Bihar’s backward classes

**Rahul Gandhi Announces 10-Point Plan for Bihar’s Backward Classes**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 24, 2025, 06:24 PM*

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has unveiled a comprehensive 10-point resolution aimed at empowering the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) in Bihar. The announcement was made at the “Ati Pichra Nyay Sankalp” conference held in Patna and forms a key part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc’s election strategy for the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls.

### Key Highlights of the 10-Point Plan

The proposed program promises significant reforms benefiting the EBC community. Among its major commitments are:

– **Reservations in Private Institutions and Government Contracts:** The plan includes reservations for EBCs in private educational institutions and government contracts up to ₹25 crore.

– **Increased Reservation in Local Bodies:** The reservation quota for EBCs in panchayats and urban local bodies will be raised from the current 20% to 30%.

– **New Legal Safeguards:** Introduction of the “Extremely Backward Classes Atrocities Prevention Act” specifically designed to protect the rights of EBCs.

### Additional Commitments

Beyond reservations, the program also focuses on broader social justice measures:

– **Caste Census:** A caste-based census will be conducted to accurately determine the population of Dalits, EBCs, and other backward classes.

– **Review Committee:** A committee will be established to assess potential under-inclusion or over-inclusion in the EBC list.

– **Recruitment Rights:** The controversial “Not Found Suitable” clause in recruitment processes will be declared illegal.

– **Land Allocation:** Provision of land for landless families will be ensured — three decimals in urban areas and five decimals in rural regions.

### Vision for Bihar’s Ati Pichhda Samaj

Rahul Gandhi emphasized that this initiative transcends party politics, stating, “We seek a vision that goes beyond party politics. It is a vision for the ‘Ati Pichhda Samaj.’” He highlighted the urgent need for a caste census and called for the removal of the existing 50% reservation cap to better represent backward communities.

At the conference, Gandhi also warned that constitutional rights are under threat nationwide, calling for decisive action to safeguard social justice and equality.

### INDIA Bloc’s Social Justice Agenda Ahead of Elections

The 10-point plan aligns with the INDIA alliance’s broader focus on social justice as it gears up for the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for October-November 2025. The bloc aims to challenge the incumbent Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal-United-Bharatiya Janata Party government.

Currently, seat-sharing talks are underway among the alliance’s major parties as they prepare to contest the polls with a united front centered on inclusive development and social equity.

*Stay tuned for more updates on Bihar’s political landscape and election developments.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/bihar-polls-rahul-unveils-10-point-plan-bigger-quotas-for-ebcs/story