At UNSC meet, India expresses concern over 20,000 Indians in Ukraine

New Delhi: The Congress is set to oppose the introduction of the bill to amend the law governing Waqf boards in the Lok Sabha, sources said on Thursday.

Congress MPs K C Venugopal and Hibi Eden have also given notices to oppose the introduction of the Bill in the Lok Sabha.

Eden has said in his notice that he opposes the presentation of the bill as it is "unconstitutional" and cited that it is in conflict with the Right to Property (Article 300A), the sources said.

The Bill can potentially infringe on the property rights of individuals and religious institutions without adequate legal safeguards, he argued.

Eden also contended that the bill is an infringement on the Fundamental Right of Religious Freedom under Article 25, the sources said.

The Bill's imposition of new conditions for creating waqfs and the requirement for existing waqfs to register detailed information on a government portal might be perceived as undue interference in the administration of religious endowments, he said in his notice.

Eden also argued that it is an encroachment on states' powers.

The Bill, which seeks to amend the law governing waqf boards, has proposed far-reaching changes in the present Act, including ensuring the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill also seeks to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.

The Bill was circulated among Lok Sabha members on Tuesday night ahead of its introduction.

According to its statement of objects and reasons, the Bill seeks to omit Section 40 of the current law relating to the powers of the Board to decide if a property is waqf property.

It provides for a broad-based composition of the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards and ensures the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies.

The Bill also proposes the establishment of a separate board of Auqaf for the Bohras and Aghakhanis. The draft law provides for the representation of Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis and other backward classes among Muslim communities. 

The United States is sending a new multi-billion dollar military package for Israel amid the regime’s genocidal war against Palestinian civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The US State Department told Congress on Tuesday that it had approved a sale of 50 F-15 fighter jets to Israel for $18.82 billion.

Israel will also buy some 33,000 tank cartridges, up to 50,000 explosive mortar cartridges and new military cargo vehicles.

"The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability," the State Department said in its notice on the F-15s, which are made by Boeing.

In total, US President Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday approved more than $20 billion in weapons sales to Israel.

According to the Pentagon, part of these arms would be immediately available for delivery.

The new US military aid comes despite claims by Washington that it is supporting a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip where Israel has been waging a genocidal war since early October.

The Israeli regime’s Washington-backed bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 92,152 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble.

Fears are also increasing over a broader war in the region as Israel keeps near-daily cross-border strikes in Lebanon and also its attacks on Yemen.

Mangaluru, A: What began as a simple football match at Nehru Maidan recently descended into a nightmare that no one could have foreseen. A minor clash on the field spiralled into a harrowing ordeal, where innocence was cruelly stripped away, leaving scars far deeper than any physical wounds.

In the heart of the city, a group of students from a renowned private college found themselves caught in a terrifying chain of events. The perpetrators—Diyaan, Tasleem, and Salman—turned a petty dispute into a haunting memory that would forever alter the lives of their young victims. Under the cover of darkness, the assailants kidnapped and cornered the boys near Jappu Mahakali Padpu, unleashing a torrent of violence that defies comprehension.

Forced to strip, the boys’ dignity was torn from them. Cigarettes became instruments of torture, searing their skin with burns, each mark a cruel reminder of their tormentors' inhumanity. As if this weren't enough, they were forced to beg for forgiveness—an act meant to degrade and break their spirits entirely. This harrowing scene, captured on video, has since been shared across social media, a tragic testament to the depths of cruelty that can emerge from something as simple as a game.

The injured students were rushed to a hospital, their physical wounds tended to, but the psychological scars are likely to linger far longer. As the video of their suffering spread, it sparked outrage and sorrow across the community, prompting swift action from the authorities. Two suspects have been apprehended, but the search continues for others who played a role in this heinous act.

In a city known for its vibrant community spirit, this tragic incident casts a long, dark shadow, a reminder of how quickly things can descend into chaos and cruelty when the bonds of humanity are forgotten.