The office of Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata was allegedly ransacked in the early hours of Thursday, triggering a fresh political dispute between the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The incident reportedly took place at around 4:30 am at Banerjee’s office on Camac Street while the TMC leader was in Delhi. According to Banerjee, a group of masked men entered the premises and vandalised the office. He alleged that people present at the location were assaulted and that several items, including electronic equipment, were damaged or taken away.
Banerjee later shared CCTV footage that he said showed the alleged attackers inside the office. The footage purportedly shows masked individuals moving around the premises and carrying away equipment. The TMC leader alleged that the incident was carried out by BJP workers and questioned how such an attack could take place despite the presence of security arrangements in the area.
The TMC has demanded swift action against those responsible and called for the CCTV footage to be examined as part of the investigation. Banerjee also questioned the police response, claiming that attempts were made to seek assistance after the incident. The BJP, however, has rejected the allegations of involvement. BJP leaders have termed the accusations baseless and questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident. The party has also suggested that the incident should be investigated rather than being used to make political allegations.
The competing claims come amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal. The same Camac Street premises had recently become the centre of another controversy after a dispute involving civic officials, police personnel and TMC leaders over the removal of an allegedly unauthorised billboard. The confrontation led to police cases and added to tensions between the ruling party in the state and the opposition BJP.
The latest incident is expected to intensify the political exchange between the two parties, with the TMC demanding accountability and the BJP denying any role. The CCTV footage, statements from witnesses and other evidence collected during the investigation are likely to be crucial in determining who was behind the alleged vandalism. The TMC’s allegation that BJP workers were responsible has not been independently established, while the BJP has denied the charge. The police investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the reported attack and identify those responsible.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, has appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In another significant development, Dr Nirmala Yadav has been inducted into the Trust as its first woman trustee. The decisions were taken during a meeting of the Trust as it moves to strengthen the administrative structure overseeing the Ram Mandir and its growing operations in Ayodhya.
Jeetendra Mishra, a former senior Indian Air Force officer, brings extensive experience in military leadership and administration to the new position. He served in the IAF for several decades and held important operational responsibilities before retiring from service. His appointment as CEO is being seen as an effort to introduce a more structured and professional management system within the Trust.
Mishra's military career included senior command responsibilities, including his tenure with the Western Air Command. He was also associated with India's military planning and operations during Operation Sindoor in 2025. His experience in managing large organisations and coordinating complex operations is expected to be useful as the Ram Mandir Trust deals with increasing administrative responsibilities.
The appointment follows a formal selection process for the newly created CEO position. Reports said that thousands of applications were received from candidates across the country before the search committee shortlisted a smaller group for further consideration. Mishra was eventually selected for the post. The Trust has also made history with the appointment of Dr Nirmala Yadav as its first woman trustee. Yadav, a former college principal from Shikohabad, has a long background in education and administration. Her induction marks a notable change in the composition of the Trust's governing body.
Yadav has indicated that the convenience and safety of devotees would be among the areas receiving attention under the new administrative setup. With millions of pilgrims expected to visit Ayodhya, managing crowds, security, sanitation, accommodation and other visitor-related facilities has become an increasingly important responsibility.
The Trust has simultaneously made changes to several other key positions. Mahesh Bhagchandka has been appointed treasurer, while Swami Govind Dev Giri, who previously held the treasurer's position, has taken over as general secretary. Madan Mohan Pandey, an Ayodhya-based lawyer and former Additional Advocate General of Uttar Pradesh, has also been inducted as a trustee.
The restructuring comes at a time when the Trust is managing the expanding responsibilities associated with the Ram Mandir. Apart from religious activities, the organisation has to oversee financial management, infrastructure, security arrangements, visitor services and coordination with government agencies.
The creation of a dedicated CEO position could provide the Trust with a clearer administrative chain of responsibility. The appointment of a retired Air Marshal with experience in large-scale operations also signals an emphasis on professional management as the temple complex and pilgrimage activity around it continue to grow.
Nirmala Yadav's appointment is equally significant because she becomes the first woman to serve on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Together, the new appointments represent a broader administrative restructuring of the organisation responsible for the management of the Ram Mandir. The changes are expected to shape the Trust's functioning in the coming years as Ayodhya continues to emerge as one of India's major pilgrimage destinations and the number of visitors to the Ram Mandir increases.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from awaz the voice.
Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have asked a US federal judge to dismiss the drug trafficking charges against them, arguing that they are protected by head-of-state and sovereign immunity. In filings submitted to Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, lawyers representing Maduro argued that the indictment should be dismissed because US courts cannot prosecute a foreign head of state who was recognised by his own country as its sitting leader when the charges were filed. His attorneys said immunity for foreign heads of state is a long-standing principle that prevents national courts from subjecting such leaders to criminal proceedings.
Maduro and Flores are scheduled to stand trial on June 1 next year. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein has set November 17 for oral arguments on the couple's requests to have the indictment dismissed. Flores, who served as Venezuela's first lady, submitted a separate filing through her lawyers claiming sovereign immunity. Her legal team argued that the protection is connected to Venezuela's sovereignty and can only be waived by the Venezuelan government.
Maduro's lawyers also put forward an alternative argument, saying that even if the judge does not accept his claim of immunity as a head of state, he should still be protected by conduct-based sovereign immunity for actions allegedly carried out in his official capacity. The former Venezuelan leader has strongly rejected the allegations against him. His lawyers said Maduro maintains his innocence and argued that a trial would ultimately show that he had been falsely accused.
Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, have both pleaded not guilty. The case originated several years ago and initially involved a number of alleged co-conspirators. The couple has been held at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn since January, following a US operation in Caracas that resulted in their capture and transfer to New York.
The charges accuse Maduro and others of participating in a conspiracy involving the movement of cocaine into the United States. Prosecutors allege that Maduro worked with Venezuelan officials and law-enforcement figures to facilitate drug trafficking networks and assist major cocaine traffickers. If convicted of the alleged conspiracy, Maduro and Flores could face life imprisonment. The administration of US President Donald Trump has defended the operation that led to Maduro's capture, describing it as a targeted law-enforcement action. Maduro has rejected that characterization, calling himself a prisoner of war and describing his capture as a kidnapping. US prosecutors are expected to submit their response to the immunity claims later this month. The court will then consider the arguments before deciding whether the case can proceed toward the scheduled trial.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
WhatsApp has rolled out a new bill payment feature in India, allowing users to check, manage and pay household and utility bills directly through the messaging platform. Powered by the Bharat Connect (BBPS) network, the service gives users access to 22,722 billers across 30 categories, covering services such as electricity, gas, water, FASTag, insurance, credit cards and loan payments.
Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Country Head of Meta India, said the new feature is aimed at making everyday payments more convenient by reducing the need to switch between different apps or manage multiple payment platforms. According to WhatsApp, the bill payment facility is being introduced gradually across India and will be available to Android and iOS users over the next few weeks.
To access the service, users can tap the ₹ icon at the top of the WhatsApp home screen. The Payments Home page allows them to check previous transactions, view upcoming bills, manage multiple accounts with the same biller and select from available payment methods without leaving WhatsApp. WhatsApp will also make repeat payments easier by automatically fetching bills from billers that users have previously paid through the service. These billers will appear on the Payments Home page, making them easier to access when the next payment is due.
Users can also add multiple accounts under the same biller, allowing them to manage bills for their home, workplace or family members from one place. Frequently used bill categories will be displayed on the Payments Home page, while the “See All” option will provide access to the wider range of available categories.
To pay a bill, users simply need to open WhatsApp, tap the ₹ icon, select the relevant bill category and biller, and enter the required account details. Once the bill information and amount are displayed, users can choose a payment method such as UPI, debit card or credit card and confirm the transaction. With the addition of bill payments, WhatsApp is expanding its digital payment services in India, giving users another convenient way to handle routine household and utility payments within the app.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
India and Belgium have agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, defence, critical minerals, clean energy and advanced technologies following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Modi highlighted India's 7.8 per cent economic growth in the latest quarter, saying the country's strong performance is creating confidence and new opportunities globally. He also backed dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. The two nations agreed to expand cooperation in renewable energy, critical minerals and semiconductors. Modi said India's large market and Belgium's technological expertise could complement each other, particularly in the semiconductor sector. Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to fighting terrorism.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
As artificial intelligence transforms the job market and changes the skills employers are looking for, workers are increasingly faced with a key question: which skills are truly worth investing in? Cheryl Goh speaks with Chandler Morse, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Workday, about whether businesses are prioritising specialists or generalists, how employees can distinguish genuine workplace demand from AI hype, and the steps they can take to stay relevant as the job market evolves.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
As floods continue to affect communities across Nepal and Tibet, the Red Cross is assessing the urgent humanitarian needs, efforts to locate missing people and the difficulties involved in delivering assistance to hard-hit areas. Elakeyaa Selvaraji and Hairianto Diman also examine how the Singapore Red Cross’s S$50,000 humanitarian contribution will aid relief operations, the circumstances that could lead to a deployment in Nepal and how members of the public in Singapore can support the response. They discuss these issues with Benjamin William, Secretary General and CEO of the Singapore Red Cross.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
When Jackson Pollock created Blue Poles, one of the defining works of American abstract expressionism, he could hardly have imagined that the painting would later become the centre of a major cultural and political debate in Australia. The artwork drew the attention of figures ranging from former prime minister Gough Whitlam to the Shah of Iran before ultimately finding a home at Canberra’s National Gallery, where it came to represent Australia’s growing embrace of modern art and cultural ambition. As Blue Poles prepares to move from Canberra to Perth, Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy joins Rafqa Touma to explore the remarkable intersection of art, politics and national identity surrounding the painting. Their discussion draws on McIlroy’s book, Blue Poles: Jackson Pollock, Gough Whitlam and the Painting That Changed a Nation, which examines how one American artwork became deeply woven into Australia’s cultural and political history.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
The White House has announced the threat of sanctions against countries that continue to conduct trade with Iran, intensifying Washington’s efforts to put further economic pressure on Tehran as its military campaign faces mounting challenges. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled what he described as “Operation Economic Outcast”, drawing a comparison with the historic D-Day invasion to underline the scale of the economic measures being pursued against Iran. The strategy aims to deepen Iran’s economic isolation by discouraging other countries from maintaining commercial ties with Tehran. However, China, Iran’s largest trading partner, has already indicated that it is unlikely to support or comply with President Donald Trump’s efforts to target the Iranian economy. The latest measures come as the Trump administration looks to increase pressure on Tehran and force an end to the conflict. The move raises questions over how effective the economic campaign will be and whether Washington can persuade major trading partners to join its strategy. Lucy Hough discusses the latest developments with Julian Borger, senior international correspondent, examining the US pressure campaign, China’s position and what the economic escalation could mean for the wider conflict.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
