Trump Calls US Funding for Indian Voter Turnout a 'Kickback Scheme'

A nine-year-old Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, died after suffering from severe injuries sustained during a brutal rape and knife attack. The child was found bloodied and semi-naked by her mother and was rushed to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital before being referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). According to the family, she waited six hours for treatment due to a lack of available beds, an allegation the hospital's superintendent denied, stating that she received appropriate medical care. The accused, identified as Rohit Sahni, reportedly lured the girl with snacks before assaulting her in a deserted area. The case has raised critical concerns regarding the state's law and order and health infrastructure, especially as the Nitish Kumar government prepares for upcoming Assembly elections. Opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, have criticized the government's response, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemning the incident as "extremely shameful." RJD has called attention to societal inequities in how victims are treated under the current administration.

In a shocking incident from Belagavi, Karnataka, two suspects have been arrested in connection with the gang-rape of a 15-year-old girl, while four others remain at large. The police report indicates that the young girl was raped twice by the same group of six individuals, with the first incident occurring approximately six months ago. According to authorities, one of the accused, a friend of the victim, lured her to a secluded area where the assault took place, and the act was filmed. The accused subsequently blackmailed the girl with threats of releasing the video, which led to a second incident of rape. Following her courageous decision to report the crime, an FIR was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and other relevant laws. In response to the complaint, police arrested two suspects on the day the FIR was filed and have initiated a search for the remaining perpetrators. This case has drawn attention to the severe issue of sexual violence against minors in India.

At least 30 individuals have died in the northeastern states of India over the past two days due to severe flash floods and landslides, as reported by local officials. The states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Mizoram have been significantly affected by the extreme weather. In recent incidents, seven members from two families tragically lost their lives in Arunachal Pradesh's East Kameng district when their vehicle was swept off a road by a landslide. In Assam, five people died from similar incidents as heavy rainfall impacted the region, with one district reporting 111 mm of rain within a single day, breaking previous records. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, around 60,000 residents across 12 districts have been affected, especially in Kamrup Metropolitan district. Weather agencies have issued red and orange alerts for parts of Assam, highlighting the imminent danger due to rising water levels in rivers, including the Brahmaputra. Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung expressed his condolences and urged residents to exercise caution during the ongoing monsoon season.