PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti targets BJP on Afghanistan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India : ‘Father of Jihad…’, watch
People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday criticised the BJP government, accusing it of targeting Muslims in India while building relations with the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Where is IAS Srushti Deshmukh, wife of IAS Nagarjun Gowda, these days? Know her current posting
She is a Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer of the 2019 batch. She secured AIR 5 in the 2018 UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Bihar elections 2025: NDA seat share plan on 243 seats OUT, BJP, JDU to contest on 101 seats, Chirag Paswan’s LJP gets…
NDA’s seat share plan on 243 seats OUT! BJP and Nitish Kumar led JDU to contest on 101 seats each. Chirag Paswan’s LJP to contest on 29 seats in Bihar elections 2025.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma issues BIG statement on 39.5% rise of Muslims in state: ‘Centre’s Detect, Delete,…’
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has highlighted the Union Home Minister’s speech on the increase in India’s Muslim population, attributing it to both internal growth and immigration.
Marc Benioff urges Trump to deploy National Guard in San Francisco after donating millions to liberal causes
Tech billionaire Marc Benioff is shifting his tone toward President Donald Trump, saying he “fully” supports the president and is now urging him to deploy the National Guard to Benioff’s home city of San Francisco. “We don’t have enough cops, so if [the National Guard] can be cops, I’m all for it,” Benioff said in an interview with The New York Times. “I fully support the president,” he added. “I think he’s doing a great job.” His comments come a week before his annual Dreamforce conference in San Francisco. He complained to the Times that he has to pay out of pocket for off-duty police officers to bolster security in the convention area every year. LONG-HELD SCOTUS PRECEDENTS COULD UNDERCUT PORTLAND, CHICAGO NATIONAL GUARD LAWSUITS “You’ll see. When you walk through San Francisco next week, there will be cops on every corner,” he promised. “That’s how it used to be.” The friendly words for Trump are an about-face for the California billionaire, however, having spent recent years funneling tens of millions of dollars toward left-wing activist groups. Benioff’s company, Salesforce, has also a championed transgender ideology. ‘UNTETHERED FROM REALITY’: LAWYERS FOR TRUMP, OREGON, SPAR OVER NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT IN COURT CLASH Between 2022 and 2024 alone, Salesforce donated over $23 million to the left-wing Tides Foundation. Salesforce also created the “Pledge 1%” program, a model that encourages corporations to donate 1% of equity, product, profit, and employee time to charity. Salesforce kicked the program over to Tides Foundation, which has been handling the Pledge 1% funds since at least 2019. Salesforce says at least 9,000 companies have joined the program since its inception. Salesforce also donated $1.5 million to the liberal dark money group New Venture Fund. Reporting from the Washington Examiner says the organization has links to a Palestinian terrorist group. Aside from funding, Benioff’s company has used its own reach to push transgender activism, using its social media accounts to hail a transgender athlete and defend transgender people in the U.S. military. Despite the left-wing resume, Benioff has been successful in getting closer to Trump’s orbit since his election in 2024. Benioff sat across from Trump at the state dinner hosted by King Charles in the U.K. last month. According to the Times, he repeatedly told Trump “how grateful I am for everything he’s doing.” The White House did not immediately respond when Fox News Digital reached out regarding any plans to deploy National Guard to San Francisco. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Trump himself floated the idea in August, however, telling reporters in the Oval Office that Democrats have “destroyed” the city. “You look at what the Democrats have done to San Francisco — they’ve destroyed it. We can clean that up, too — we’ll clean that one up, too.”
GOP rep gears up for potential rematch against progressive ‘darling’ in bid to succeed McConnell
EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., said he is the only Senate candidate in Kentucky with the “America First” record and experience necessary to keep the state’s open Senate seat red as Sen. Mitch McConnell’s 40-year tenure comes to an end. After serving seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Barr is running to replace McConnell in the Senate, as the former party leader retires next year. With Amy McGrath announcing her campaign for the Democratic nomination this week, Barr is also gearing up for a potential rematch. “I relish the opportunity of a rematch, especially statewide, where the electorate is far more conservative than the swing district where I have represented the last seven terms,” Barr told Fox News Digital. McGrath unsuccessfully challenged Barr for Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District in 2018. She later lost to McConnell when she ran for his Senate seat in 2020. TRUMP-BACKED CANDIDATE WINS CROWDED GOP PRIMARY IN BATTLE FOR VACANT HOUSE SEAT “She’s a proven loser,” Barr said. “She has lit Democrat donor money on fire twice, and I’ve even seen Democrats lament the fact that she’s retreading her old messages. She is a stale candidate, and I think there’s a fatigue factor with Amy McGrath.” DEM SHELLACKED BY MCCONNELL IN 2020 MOUNTS NEW SENATE BID: ‘COWARDS IN WASHINGTON ARE BOWING TO DONALD TRUMP’ Despite the criticism, Barr admitted that McGrath is the “darling of the far, extreme left” with a unique fundraising record, so it would not surprise him if Democrats nominated her to run for the open Senate seat. “I’m the only candidate in this U.S. Senate race who has a proven record of defeating Amy McGrath and her fundraising in the one swing, purple district. If you want to block her path, if you want to defeat Democrats in Kentucky, nominate the guy who has a proven record of defeating Amy McGrath,” Barr said. Barr defeated McGrath by just over three percentage points in 2018, despite the former Marine fighter pilot reportedly raising nearly twice as much money as him. Barr described himself as an “America First, pro-Trump Republican member of Congress,” who values limited government, free enterprise and strong national defense. Barr told Fox News Digital that he is the only candidate in the race with experience delivering on President Donald Trump’s agenda. Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and businessman Nate Morris are among those vying for the Republican nomination for Kentucky’s open Senate seat. “The Kentucky Republican Party is ascendant in the wake of Senator McConnell’s 40 years in office,” Barr said, telling Fox News Digital that Kentucky’s electorate has shifted to the right since McGrath’s last two races. “The electorate is even more conservative in Kentucky, more pro-Trump than it was when she ran those first two races, first against me in 2018 and then against Mitch McConnell in 2020. The people of Kentucky have rejected those extreme, far-liberal views,” he said. Trump won Kentucky by more than 30 points last year. While former Vice President Kamala Harris won Fayette County, which includes Lexington and is part of the 6th Congressional District, by 18 percentage points in 2024, Barr won his re-election by 26 points. Barr is one of just three House Republicans who won districts that Harris carried in 2024. “Everyone knows that Daniel Cameron is the frontrunner in this race. You’re essentially lighting your money on fire if you give it to Andy Barr,” Cameron’s campaign fired back when reached for comment, arguing that Cameron is the “America First” candidate. And McGrath told Fox News Digital that Kentucky voters are “tired of lifelong politicians like Andy Barr who care more about pleasing Donald Trump than solving real problems here at home.” “It’s time he spent less energy playing politics and more time delivering for the people he’s supposed to represent,” the Democrat added. Fox News Digital reached out to Morris’ campaign but did not immediately receive a response.
Trump announces shakeup at top of WH personnel office
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino is poised to play an even larger role in President Donald Trump’s administration, the president announced Sunday. Trump says Scavino, in addition to his current role, will now lead the White House Presidential Personnel Office. The office was previously held by Sergio Gor, who is now transitioning to become the U.S. Ambassador to India. “I am pleased to announce that the great Dan Scavino, in addition to remaining Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump Administration, will head the White House Presidential Personnel Office, replacing Sergio Gor, who did a wonderful job in that position, and will now become the Ambassador to India,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Dan will be responsible for the selection and appointment of almost all positions in government, a very big and important position. Congratulations Dan, you will do a fantastic job!” he added. TRUMP SAYS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN LAYOFFS ARE ‘UP TO’ DEMS AS STANDOFF CONTINUES Scavino’s new appointment comes as the Trump administration is in a pitched fight with Democrats to define the cause of the ongoing government shutdown. Trump allies have pointed to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s refusal to work with Republicans. The president also sought to mitigate damage on Saturday by ordering War Secretary Pete Hegseth to make sure military service members get paid next week, regardless of the shutdown. JOHNSON RAISES STAKES ON SCHUMER AS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN BARRELS INTO WEEK 3 “Chuck Schumer recently said, ‘Every day gets better’ during their Radical Left Shutdown,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I DISAGREE! If nothing is done, because of ‘Leader’ Chuck Schumer and the Democrats, our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th.” He said he directed Hegseth “to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th. We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The government shut down on Oct. 1, after Democrats and Republicans failed to pass a spending bill to fund the government, with Democrats concerned expiring Affordable Care Act tax cuts could raise premiums and that Medicaid cuts could leave people without coverage. Fox News’ Brie Stimson contributed to this report
Taliban, Pakistani forces trade heavy fire along Afghanistan border
Clashes come as tensions escalate over an air strike on Kabul that the Taliban blames on Islamabad. Taliban and Pakistani forces have exchanged fire across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, prompting calls for restraint from Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as tensions escalate following an air strike on the Afghan capital, Kabul, earlier this week. Enayatullah Khwarizmi, the spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Defence, said late on Saturday that Taliban forces had carried out “successful retaliatory” attacks against Pakistani soldiers in response to the neighbouring country’s “repeated violations” of, and air strikes on, Afghan territory. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list He said on X that the operation had ended at midnight. Pakistani Minister of Interior Mohsin Naqvi called the Afghan attacks “unprovoked” and said that Pakistani forces were responding “with a stone for every brick”. “Firing by Afghan forces on civilian population is a blatant violation of international laws. Pakistan’s brave forces have given a prompt and effective response that no provocation will be tolerated,” he said in a post on X. Radio Pakistan, citing security sources, said the Afghan attacks took place at some six locations along the border. It said the attacks prompted a “strong, intense response” from the Pakistan Army, and shared video footage of gun and artillery fire that lit up the night sky. It did not say whether the clashes had ended. The fighting comes days after explosions rocked the Afghan capital, Kabul, in an air strike that the Taliban blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad did not claim responsibility for Thursday’s attacks. Advertisement However, it accused the Afghan Taliban administration of harbouring fighters of the Pakistani Taliban who attack Pakistan, with the support of its adversary, India. New Delhi denies the charge, while the Taliban says it does not allow its territory to be used against other countries. The escalating tensions have prompted regional concern. Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi called on his country’s two neighbours “to exercise restraint”. “Our position is that both sides must exercise restraint,” Araghchi said during a live interview with state television, according to the AFP news agency, adding that “stability” between the countries “contributes to regional stability”. Qatar expressed “deep concern” over the tensions and the “potential tensions these may have on the security and stability of the region”. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urged “both sides to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy, exercise restraint, and work to contain the disputes in a way that helps reduce tension, avoids escalation, and contributes to regional peace and stability”. Saudi Arabia, too, expressed concern. “The kingdom calls for restraint, avoiding escalation, and embracing dialogue and wisdom to contribute to reducing tensions and maintaining security and stability in the region,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said. “The kingdom affirms its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability, and its continued commitment to ensuring security, which will achieve stability and prosperity for the brotherly Pakistani and Afghan peoples,” it added. Adblock test (Why?)
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,326
Here are the key events from day 1,326 of Russia’s war on Ukraine. Published On 12 Oct 202512 Oct 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Here is how things stand on Sunday, October 12, 2025: Fighting Russian drone and missile attacks across Ukraine on Saturday killed at least five people, while also cutting power to parts of the southern Odesa region, the AFP news agency reported, citing local officials. Two of the victims were killed in an attack on a church in Kostiantynivka in eastern Donetsk, AFP said. Ukraine’s private energy firm DTEK said that power has been restored to 240,000 households in Odesa after a Russian attack overnight on Saturday, which damaged some energy infrastructure. The Russian TASS news agency said a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Kursk region killed an 81-year-old man. An official from Ukraine’s SBU security service told the Reuters news agency that Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Bashneft oil refinery in Ufa, causing explosions and a fire. The unnamed official said the attack marked the third time Ukrainian forces struck the facility in Bashkortostan in southwestern Russia in the last month. Regional security United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence John Healy said that two Royal Air Force aircraft flew a 12-hour mission earlier this week alongside US and NATO forces to patrol Russia’s border. Healy described the joint operation as “substantial”, coming after a series of alleged Russian drone and aircraft incursions into NATO airspace. Politics and diplomacy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X that he discussed the most recent Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy system in a call with United States President Donald Trump. He described the discussion as “positive and productive”, while adding that the two also talked about how to bolster Ukrainian air defences. In a separate post on Facebook, Zelenskyy said that he congratulated Trump for his “outstanding” ceasefire plan in the Middle East, while urging him to broker a similar deal for Russia’s war on Ukraine. He wrote that if Trump could stop one war, “others can be stopped as well”. Cuba denied US claims that it had deployed soldiers to fight for Russia in its war in Ukraine. It also said that 26 Cubans had been sentenced to prison terms ranging from five to 14 years for mercenary activity since September 2023, when reports circulated of Cubans being sent to the front in Ukraine. Residents of Odesa clean debris near their damaged home after a Russian attack [Igor Tkachenko/EPA] Adblock test (Why?)
Seychelles’s Patrick Herminie wins presidential run-off election
Patrick Herminie wins 52.7 percent of the vote, denying incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan a second term in office. Seychelles’s opposition leader, Patrick Herminie, has won the country’s presidential race, defeating incumbent leader Wavel Ramkalawan in a run-off vote, according to the electoral commission. Herminie won 52.7 percent of the vote, while Ramkalawan took 47.3 percent, official results announced early on Sunday showed. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list In his victory speech, Herminie pledged to lower the cost of living, revive public services and unite the island nation. “The people have spoken,” the 62-year-old said at the headquarters of the electoral commission. “I am deeply humbled for the trust that the people have placed in me. I will be the president of all Seychellois, and I will end divisions by ceasing preferences, and giving everyone the opportunity to thrive,” he said. Herminie’s victory gives his United Seychelles party full control of the government after it also reclaimed a majority in parliament during the first round of the general election last month. The win is also a complete turnaround for Herminie, who in 2023 was arrested on charges of witchcraft that were later dropped. He previously served as speaker of the country’s parliament from 2007 to 2016. Ramkalawan, who attended the electoral commission’s announcement of the results, congratulated Herminie, who becomes Seychelles’s sixth president. “I leave with a legacy that makes many presidents blush… I hope President Herminie continues to maintain such a level,” he said. Images published by the Seychelles Nation newspaper showed the two leaders shaking hands after the announcement. Advertisement Outside the electoral commission headquarters, thousands of Herminie’s supporters erupted in cheers and waved the country’s flag and party banners as they greeted him following his proclamation as the winner, according to videos on social media. The race between the two main contenders was decided in a run-off after there was no outright winner in the presidential vote two weeks ago. Early voting began on Thursday, but most people in the island nation voted on Saturday. Herminie and Ramkalawan ran spirited campaigns trying to address key issues for voters, including environmental damage and a crisis of drug addiction in a country long seen as a tourist haven. Ramkalawan campaigned for re-election on his management of Seychelles’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and expansion of social protections. But voters opted for Herminie, who accused Ramkalawan of presiding over a proliferation of corruption, and promised to cancel a hotel project permitted by his government that environmentalists say threatens a UNESCO-listed coral atoll. Herminie has also pledged to lower the retirement age from 65 to 63 and implement recommendations from a truth and reconciliation commission that examined human rights abuses related to a 1977 coup and its aftermath. A physician by training, he previously headed the government’s anti-drug agency, and has promised to tackle the country’s sky-high heroin addiction, blamed in part on the fact that the islands sit on a drug route between Africa and Asia. The country’s Agency for Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation says that 5,000 to 6,000 people use heroin out of a population of about 120,000. Other estimates put the figure as high as 10,000. Seychelles, a nation of 115 islands, is Africa’s wealthiest country per capita. Located across 1.2 million square kilometres (463,000 sq miles) in the western Indian Ocean, it is a prime tourist destination as well as a target for investment from, and security cooperation with, China, Gulf nations and India. Adblock test (Why?)