MINNEAPOLIS — Gregory Bovino, the border patrol official who emerged as the public face of the immigration sweep in Minneapolis, is being replaced in the city by border czar Tom Homan. This leadership change comes as the Trump administration reorganizes the hierarchy of its immigration enforcement mission and reduces the federal footprint following a second deadly shooting by agents. The Removal of Bovino The removal of Bovino follows shortly after his appearance on Sunday news broadcasts, where he claimed border patrol officers were the true victims after federal agents shot and killed nurse Alex Pretti. A high-ranking Trump administration official…
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The lead federal judge in Minnesota has directed the chief of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to show up in court this Friday to clarify why he should not be cited for contempt for breaching judicial orders. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz issued the summons for acting ICE director Todd Lyons as legal scrutiny of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration surge intensifies. Leadership Overhaul in Minnesota On Monday, President Trump overhauled the command of the Minnesota enforcement mission by arranging to remove its field operations director, Gregory Bovino, according to two federal authorities. The shift follows days of intense public fury…
Senior Bengal minister Shashi Panja, a key ally of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and a three‑time MLA, was forced to attend a Special Investigation Report (SIR) hearing on Sunday after her name was inexplicably omitted from the state’s voter list app. The incident has sparked a heated debate over the integrity of voter registration processes and the political implications of alleged list purges. Background and Context The controversy erupted when Panja discovered that her name was missing from the online Ballot Level Officer (BLO) application, a digital tool used by the Election Commission of India (EC) to verify voter details.…
Bangladesh films take center stage at the 12th Kolkata People’s Film Festival, a cultural showcase that unfolds amid heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh. The festival, which opened on January 23, features 39 films, four of which focus on Bangladesh, offering a rare cinematic bridge between the two nations. Background and Context India’s recent decision to classify Bangladesh as a “non-family” diplomatic posting has intensified scrutiny over cross-border cultural exchanges. In this climate, the Kolkata People’s Film Festival (KPFF) becomes more than a film event; it is a statement of shared heritage and human connection. The festival’s programming team,…
India’s crude steel output has surged by 10.4% in 2025, reaching 164.9 million tonnes, according to provisional data from the World Steel Association. This jump signals a robust rebound for the country’s steel industry, which has been under pressure from global supply chain disruptions and domestic policy shifts. Background and Context India is the world’s second‑largest steel producer, and its output has long been a barometer of the nation’s economic health. In 2024, the industry faced a 3.5% decline due to raw‑material shortages and a slowdown in construction spending. The 2025 rebound, therefore, is not just a statistical uptick; it reflects…
In a sudden flare of violence on Sunday morning, the ISF TMC clash Bhangar erupted when members of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers of vandalising and hurling bombs at the home of an ISF leader in Kantadanga, a suburb of Bhangar. The incident, which has already drawn police attention, has left residents on edge and raised questions about the growing political tensions in West Bengal. Background/Context West Bengal’s political landscape has been fraught with rivalry between the ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition parties such as the Indian Secular Front. Bhangar, a rapidly developing town on…
ISF Accuses TMC Workers of Bomb Attack in Bhangar – TMC Denies Allegations In a sudden flare of violence on Sunday morning, the Indian Secular Front (ISF) has accused members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of vandalising and hurling bombs at the home of ISF leader Wahidul Islam in the Kantadanga area of Bhangar. The TMC, however, has categorically denied the charges, calling them “baseless and politically motivated.” Police officials say no formal complaint has yet been filed, but the incident has already sparked a wave of tension across the district. Background/Context Bhangar, a semi‑urban block in West Bengal’s North…
In a dramatic turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of orchestrating deliberate errors in the voter list to sabotage the State Election Commission’s (SIR) verification process. The allegations, made by senior BJP leaders in Kolkata, claim that booth-level officers (BLOs) are intentionally misreporting data, inflating the number of hearings and undermining the integrity of the electoral roll. Background/Context The State Election Commission’s (SIR) voter list verification is a critical step before any election, ensuring that only eligible voters are counted. In recent weeks, the Commission has faced a surge in complaints about…
On the eve of Republic Day, the Indian government announced that 11 distinguished personalities from Bengal will receive the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour. The list includes celebrated actor Prosenjit Chatterjee, tabla maestro Pt. Kumar Bose, santoor virtuoso Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya, and six “unsung heroes” spanning science, craft, and social service. No Bengal names appear on the Padma Vibhushan or Padma Bhushan lists, making the Padma Shri Bengal recipients a focal point of regional pride. Background/Context The Padma Awards, instituted in 1954, recognise exceptional contributions across arts, literature, education, industry, science, sports, medicine, social work, and public affairs.…
On the eve of Republic Day, the Indian government announced that 11 distinguished personalities from Bengal will receive the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour. The list, unveiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs, includes celebrated actors, musicians, scientists and social workers, underscoring Bengal’s rich cultural and intellectual legacy. Background/Context The Padma awards, instituted in 1954, recognise exceptional contributions across fields such as arts, literature, education, industry, science, sports, medicine, social service and public affairs. While the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan lists feature a handful of Bengal names, the Padma Shri cohort is the largest representation from the…