Gunman Opens Fire in Midtown Manhattan; Four Dead Including Bangladeshi-American NYPD Officer
A gunman opened fire inside a high-rise office building in Midtown Manhattan on Sunday evening, killing four people including a Bangladeshi-American police officer, city officials confirmed. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said during a press briefing that five people were shot during the incident, four of whom were pronounced dead. The victims included NYPD officer Didarul Islam, a three-year veteran of the force and an immigrant from Bangladesh. “Our officer did exactly what we asked of him. He made the ultimate sacrifice,” Adams said. The officer was married with two children, and his wife is currently expecting their third, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Police said the suspected shooter was also killed, although it remains unclear whether he was shot by police or died by suicide. CBS News, citing law enforcement sources, reported that the gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident unfolded around 6:45 p.m. local time near the intersection of Lexington Avenue and East 51st Street, according to eyewitnesses and reporters at the scene. BBC correspondent Indrani Basu, who was nearby, reported hearing multiple gunshots. “I saw NYPD vehicles and FDNY trucks rushing to the location. It was chaotic,” she said. Authorities recovered an M4-style rifle, a revolver with a spent magazine, and a Nevada state driver’s license from the suspect’s vehicle, police said. Security camera footage from the area reportedly showed a man walking with a firearm while wearing sunglasses, whom authorities identified as the suspected shooter. Police have not released his identity, but confirmed he acted alone. The NYPD said the situation has been brought under control and there is no ongoing threat to the public. An investigation is underway into the motive and background of the shooter. The FBI and Homeland Security are assisting local law enforcement with the probe.
Israel Faces Global Criticism Over Gaza Famine, Trump Backs UN Concern
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is facing mounting international criticism after the United Nations and former U.S. President Donald Trump voiced alarm over what they described as a deepening famine crisis in Gaza. On Sunday, the Israeli government announced a daily 10-hour pause in military operations in three areas of the Gaza Strip—Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Al-Muwasi—to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid. However, the UN said the measures were “insufficient,” adding that limited road and airdrop access barely made a dent in addressing the humanitarian catastrophe. “The worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip,” the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said in a statement, citing “mounting evidence” of starvation, malnutrition, and disease, all contributing to a growing death toll from hunger. Israel has denied the existence of a famine. “No one in Gaza is starving,” Netanyahu said on Monday night. “There is no intention to withhold food from civilians. We have allowed humanitarian aid into Gaza even during the war—otherwise, no one would have survived.” But Trump’s response stood in stark contrast. In a rare rebuke, the former U.S. President said, “There is a famine-like situation in Gaza. Children are starving. The images coming out of Gaza are deeply disturbing.” Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry claims over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its offensive following the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Aid agencies have warned that recent Israeli efforts to scale up humanitarian deliveries remain far from adequate. Israel maintains that it has not imposed restrictions on aid. However, Gaza residents have reported going without food for days, and say armed gangs are looting incoming aid trucks and reselling goods on the black market, according to Gaza-based journalist Rushdi Abualouf. Israel does not allow international news organisations, unrestricted access to Gaza. In London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to convene an emergency cabinet meeting as domestic and international pressure builds for the UK to immediately recognise Palestinian statehood.
BJP MP from Kanthi urges cyber cell of Delhi police to inquire over CM’s assault claim on Bengali-speaking woman
BJP MP Soumendu Adhikari has lodged a police complaint in Delhi against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging the dissemination of fabricated and communally provocative content through social media. Adhikari urged the Delhi Police to register an FIR against Mamata Banerjee under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act, preserve and examine the original social media content, investigate the alleged conspiracy involving a political worker and a journalist, and initiate appropriate penal action. In his letter addressed to the station house officer of the Cyber Crime Branch of Delhi Police, Adhikari accused Banerjee of sharing false information with the intent to defame the city police and disturb public order. According to Adhikari’s letter, on 27 July, Mamata Banerjee posted a message on her social media account alleging that a Bengali-speaking woman and her child were brutally assaulted by Delhi Police officers during a verification drive. “The post further insinuated that the act was communal in nature and sought to project the Delhi Police as oppressors of linguistic minorities,” he said. The Kanthi MP claimed that such a post, coming from a constitutional functionary, was widely circulated online, sparking public outrage and causing reputational harm to the police force. BJP MP mentioned the clarification of Abhishek Dhania, Deputy Commissioner of Police, East Delhi, Monday that the woman, Sajnur Parveen, had fabricated her story. Initially, she alleged that four men in civil clothes abducted her and her children on 26 July and extorted Rs 25,000. However, scrutiny of CCTV footage and technical evidence revealed that she left her home voluntarily with her children, and no coercion was involved. Further interrogation revealed that Parveen confessed to fabricating the story under the influence of her uncle, a political worker in West Bengal’s Malda district, and a journalist. “The intention behind the video was to create a false narrative and circulate it in social media for political and defamatory purposes,” alleged Adhikari in his letter.
ONGC Secures Land for Oil Project in Ashoknagar Without Major Disputes
India’s state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has secured land for crude oil extraction in Ashoknagar, West Bengal, without any significant land acquisition disputes, thanks to intervention by a core committee formed by the state government. The development marks a major breakthrough in a project that had earlier stalled for years due to land availability issues. ONGC had first discovered oil reserves around a decade ago in the Baigachi area of Ashoknagar in North 24 Parganas district. A second discovery was later made in Pumlia under the Bhurkunda Panchayat. Most recently, fresh reserves were found in Kakpul, located in Ashoknagar’s Daulatpur area. To address potential land disputes, the West Bengal government devised a special compensation package. Local MLA and North 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad Chairperson Narayan Goswami said, “Under the Chief Minister’s directive, we formed a core committee comprising the district magistrate, block development officer, and panchayat officials to directly engage with landowners. That helped us secure the land.” Earlier, ONGC had halted operations in Baigachi after completing preliminary drilling due to a lack of additional land. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had allocated 15 acres to ONGC at a token lease of just one rupee to support further exploration. Over the past five to six months, ONGC sought formal clearance from the state to begin full-fledged drilling in the area. It has since acquired land on lease from owners in the two earlier locations and has now added the Kakpul site to its exploration portfolio. Officials say similar efforts are underway at other prospective sites nearby. Goswami emphasized the state’s commitment to an industry-friendly environment, stating, “The Chief Minister has made it clear that land issues should not hinder industrial progress. In coordination with local municipalities and panchayats, we’ve ensured a smooth path for investors.” Plans are also being drawn up to provide employment opportunities to the families of land donors, especially for their children, as part of a broader compensation package. However, questions have emerged regarding delays in the project’s execution. Addressing the concerns, Goswami said, “Criticism is easy, but such large-scale projects involve complex technical processes. Once those are resolved, work will proceed as planned.”
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Accuses Centre of Withholding Funds, Vows to Continue Development
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the central government of deliberately withholding funds owed to the state, but said development work would continue regardless of what she described as “political discrimination.” Speaking at an administrative review meeting in Bolpur, Banerjee reiterated allegations that the Centre has been persistently depriving West Bengal after failing to “gain political control” over it. She also referred to recent reports of alleged harassment of Bengali communities in several BJP-ruled states. “The Centre has stopped releasing funds. But even in this situation, we must carry forward development work,” Banerjee told senior officials and elected representatives. “The work will be funded entirely by the state.” She outlined a decentralised funding plan in which district councils (Zilla Parishads) and Panchayat Samitis will each contribute 5% of local development funds, while Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will allocate INR 1 million (approximately $12,000) each from their local area development budgets. The remaining funds will be provided by the state government, she said, adding that all contributions will be coordinated through the respective District Magistrates. Banerjee has frequently accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of financially discriminating against opposition-ruled states, particularly West Bengal, where her Trinamool Congress party has held power since 2011. The federal government has not immediately responded to her latest allegations.
West Bengal CM Protests BLO Training, Says State Was Not Informed
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday expressed strong objections over the Election Commission’s ongoing training of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), claiming her administration had not been informed in advance. Speaking at a public event in Kolkata, Banerjee said she was unaware that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had initiated the training process under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. She alleged that no permission was sought from the state’s chief secretary, raising questions over what she described as a unilateral move by the ECI. “The training has started without informing me or the state government. Why was the state kept in the dark?” Banerjee asked, adding that district magistrates had also failed to notify her office. She warned BLOs not to exclude any legitimate voters from the rolls and reminded them that they remain employees of the state government. “I urge BLOs to ensure that no name is wrongly deleted from the voter list. If someone is away for a few days or has gone on vacation, that doesn’t mean their name should be removed,” Banerjee said. “Many Bengali-speaking citizens are already facing harassment. We must stand by them.” The ECI has commenced training for BLOs across multiple districts including Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas, and Murshidabad as part of the SIR process, which aims to update electoral rolls and ensure that only eligible Indian citizens remain registered. Similar exercises have recently begun in Bihar, marking the first SIR there since 2003. According to officials, the current drive will expand to other regions in phases and is being seen as part of preliminary preparations ahead of nationwide electoral roll revisions. The controversy comes amid a politically sensitive time in West Bengal, where concerns over voter eligibility, alleged infiltration, and electoral transparency have heightened tensions between the state government and the central election authority.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Accuses Centre of Withholding Funds, Vows to Continue Development
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the central government of deliberately withholding funds owed to the state, but said development work would continue regardless of what she described as “political discrimination.” Speaking at an administrative review meeting in Bolpur, Banerjee reiterated allegations that the Centre has been persistently depriving West Bengal after failing to “gain political control” over it. She also referred to recent reports of alleged harassment of Bengali communities in several BJP-ruled states. “The Centre has stopped releasing funds. But even in this situation, we must carry forward development work,” Banerjee told senior officials and elected representatives. “The work will be funded entirely by the state.” She outlined a decentralised funding plan in which district councils (Zilla Parishads) and Panchayat Samitis will each contribute 5% of local development funds, while Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will allocate INR 1 million (approximately $12,000) each from their local area development budgets. The remaining funds will be provided by the state government, she said, adding that all contributions will be coordinated through the respective District Magistrates. Banerjee has frequently accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of financially discriminating against opposition-ruled states, particularly West Bengal, where her Trinamool Congress party has held power since 2011. The federal government has not immediately responded to her latest allegations.
Aid Airdrops Over Gaza as Malnutrition Crisis Deepens
Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have carried out fresh airdrops of humanitarian aid over Gaza, days after Israel announced new measures aimed at facilitating the entry of relief supplies into the besieged enclave, amid growing international alarm over widespread hunger and malnutrition. The Israeli military said it is opening additional aid corridors to “refute the false claim of intentional starvation,” following warnings from aid agencies about an escalating food crisis. The new routes are intended to expedite the delivery of assistance to Gaza’s civilian population, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.Jordan’s state news agency reported that 60 trucks carrying essential food items were also en route to Gaza via land. Egypt is likewise increasing ground deliveries of humanitarian supplies through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, Egyptian officials confirmed. Despite the airdrops, international aid organisations say the efforts fall far short of meeting Gaza’s needs. “Airdrops are a grotesque distraction from the real humanitarian solution,” said a spokesperson for one group, calling for unfettered land access to the Strip. Experts estimate that at least 160 airdrop flights would be needed daily to provide a single meal to each of Gaza’s two million residents. The World Food Programme and other agencies have warned that aerial operations are logistically inefficient and fail to deliver aid at the scale required. According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, at least 133 people — many of them children — have died of malnutrition since the war began in October. Medical personnel in the enclave have reported cases of severe wasting and starvation-related illnesses, particularly in northern Gaza, where access remains highly restricted. The worsening humanitarian conditions come as diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire continue to stall. Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas-led attack that killed around 1,200 people in southern Israel, according to Israeli officials. More than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing conflict, Gaza health authorities say.
Is Speaking Bengali a Crime? Fear Grips Migrant Workers After Arrests in Haryana
A wave of fear has swept through Bengali-speaking migrant communities in Gurugram, Haryana, following a string of arrests where police allegedly targeted individuals suspected of being “illegal Bangladeshis” — despite possessing Indian identity documents. Tensions escalated after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently remarked that the number of people listing Bengali as their mother tongue in the national census would help identify the scale of “foreigners” in Assam. The comment drew sharp criticism from political leaders and civil society alike, who accused the BJP leader of equating Bengali identity with illegal immigration. Now, similar sentiments appear to be playing out hundreds of miles away in Haryana. Police in Gurugram have arrested at least 10 Bengali-speaking residents on suspicion of being undocumented Bangladeshis. Residents of makeshift settlements in the city’s outskirts say they are being harassed, picked up at night, and detained — often violently — without due verification. “They kicked the door and dragged him away” Anjarul, a daily-wage painter originally from Malda district in West Bengal, was one such victim. Living in Gurugram’s Tigra village for the past five years, he says he was forcibly taken from his home a few nights ago despite showing a valid Aadhaar identity card. “They hit me, dragged me, and called me a Bangladeshi,” he said. “I showed my Aadhaar card, but they didn’t care. Now, even though I’ve been released, the police have kept my Aadhaar card.” His wife alleged that she was also assaulted when she pleaded with officers not to take her husband away. “I asked them to at least verify our documents. Instead, one officer slapped me so hard that I can’t hear properly from my right ear,” she said tearfully. Entire neighborhoods abandoned The police crackdown has left entire Bengali-populated neighborhoods in disarray. Many residents have fled, fearing detention. “I’m packing my bags and leaving for Malda,” said one resident. “Better to go back than live in this constant fear.” Most of the homes in the area now sit locked and abandoned, with community leaders warning of an atmosphere of distrust and discrimination. Those who remain live in fear of midnight raids. Community hall turned into detention center. Local sources told reporters that a government community center in Gurugram’s Sector 40 has been functioning as a makeshift detention center over the past week. More than 100 Bengali-speaking individuals were reportedly held there under suspicion of being undocumented immigrants. While officials now say the facility is largely empty, some detainees may have already been moved to other undisclosed locations. The Haryana police have yet to issue a formal statement addressing allegations of harassment and illegal detentions. Activists, however, are demanding an investigation and legal recourse. Bengali identity under siege? The developments in Gurugram follow a broader pattern of heightened scrutiny of Bengali speakers across several Indian states. Critics argue that linguistic identity is being dangerously conflated with nationality, fueling xenophobic policies and vigilantism. “What we are witnessing is the criminalization of language and ethnicity,” said a Delhi-based rights activist. “No Indian should be treated as an outsider in their own country simply because they speak Bengali.” As political discourse around migration and citizenship intensifies, many fear that vulnerable communities — especially migrant workers — will continue to bear the brunt of profiling and persecution.
‘Bengali Identity Under Attack’: TMC Minister Warns of Growing Hostility, Calls for Global Solidarity
West Bengal minister and senior Trinamool Congress leader Chandrima Bhattacharya has accused the BJP-led central government of orchestrating a “systematic and shameful” attack on Bengali identity, calling on Bengalis across the globe to unite in defence of their cultural and linguistic pride. Speaking at a culturally symbolic Ilish Utsav (Hilsa Festival) in Nimta on Sunday—organised by the local organisation Karmayogi Society—Bhattacharya alleged that Bengali-speaking citizens were being targeted and vilified in several BJP-ruled states in India. “Bengalis are being harassed, detained, even killed, simply for speaking their language,” she told the gathering. “Bengal has never humiliated those from Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand or Odisha. Why, then, is the rest of the country targeting Bengalis? This is no longer accidental—it is deliberate, and we will resist.” Her remarks follow West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s invocation of a recent Human Rights Watch report which, according to her, detailed the illegal deportation and persecution of Bengali-speaking people in India. Citing the New York-based organisation’s findings, Banerjee had sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for “weaponising identity” and fanning communal divisions. Bhattacharya echoed this concern and warned, “The central government will be made answerable. The global Bengali community will not stay silent.” The festival itself, a celebration of Bengal’s love for ilish maachh (hilsa fish), carried an undertone of cultural unity. Organisers said the event was meant to act as a counterpoint to divisive rhetoric. “We invited people from all linguistic backgrounds—Bihari, Odia, Assamese—to join in. Our message is simple: diversity is not a threat, it’s a strength,” said Tapan Chakraborty, president of the Karmayogi Society. In a sharp jibe at the growing politicisation of dietary and cultural habits, Bhattacharya remarked: “Now even what we eat—singara, jilipi—is being politicised. Who gave anyone the right to decide what a citizen can eat or speak? This is not nationalism, it’s narrow-mindedness.” Targeting Home Minister Amit Shah by name, she said: “Stop this divisive politics. Bengalis live in the US, in China, in every corner of the world. You will soon realise what it means to attack the pride of Bengal.” The event closed with references to Bengal’s cultural icons—from Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam to Saratchandra Chattopadhyay and Swami Vivekananda—as Chakraborty declared, “Those who chew gutka and abuse others’ culture won’t understand the richness of Bengal.” As India heads towards a contentious electoral season, including assembly elections in West Bengal in 2026, issues of regional identity, linguistic rights, and citizenship are once again emerging as politically potent and deeply emotional subjects. The Trinamool Congress is now clearly positioning itself as a defender of Bengali pride, while accusing the BJP of erasing cultural plurality in the name of nationalism.
