In a rambling and controversial speech at the UN, the former US President directly targeted India, accusing it alongside China of "funding Russia's war machine" by purchasing oil and gas. He went as far as to threaten India with more tariffs, despite existing duties, claiming these purchases undermine Western sanctions. He also lambasted European nations for similar energy deals and used the platform to repeatedly claim he personally ended seven "unsolvable" conflicts, including the India-Pakistan ceasefire, while conspicuously admitting failure on the Ukraine war, which he once vowed to stop within a week of becoming president. Adding to the international friction, the President of Turkey once again ignited a sensitive issue by calling for a "resolution" on Kashmir, a move many see as a diplomatic shift back to supporting a rival nation after attempting to court India for a global alliance.
Meanwhile, a ground reporter's recent deep dive into Bihar has unearthed a political cauldron boiling with discontent. Allegations of widespread "vote theft" are rampant, with reports of deceased individuals and unknown names appearing on voter lists, fueling public distrust. But perhaps the most explosive revelation is a massive land acquisition scandal: 1020 acres allegedly leased for a mere ₹1 per year to a powerful corporate entity. Farmers, some losing mango orchards that provided their entire livelihood, report being coerced into signing documents and facing police intimidation when they dared to protest inadequate compensation. Many received partial payments for their homes or lands, only to see work proceed without their consent. The project, originally intended for a government company, inexplicably shifted to private hands, with railway lines and four-lane roads now planned, dramatically inflating the land's value—but not for the original owners. This, coupled with the state's severe unemployment crisis, a struggling education system, and a staggering ₹70,000 crore corruption allegation from a recent audit report, paints a grim picture. Political narratives are also taking unexpected turns, with a national party’s attempt to leverage a personal insult against a leader’s mother backfiring, as a journalist pointed out the hypocrisy. The shifting alliances of regional leaders are causing ripples, with one influential figure's potential move to the ruling party sparking concerns among his loyal voter base. Amidst it all, the youth, disillusioned with the long-standing Chief Minister's performance on jobs, express a palpable desire for change, suggesting that while "silent voters" may exist, the ground realities are pushing for a radical shift in Bihar's political landscape.
