The rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, has triggered mob violence, including the lynching of a local man, and turned into a major political flashpoint. It marks the first serious law-and-order challenge for Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's BJP government. Three people have been arrested so far. Adhikari has promised justice and said the government will push for capital punishment for the guilty. The BJP has accused the Opposition of giving the case a "communal colour," while the TMC, led by former CM Mamata Banerjee, alleges the government is trying to shield the culprits. (PC: The Indian Express)

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun's one-match World Cup suspension. Trump said he believed the challenge was not a foul and called the referee's decision "horrible". FIFA later suspended Balogun's automatic ban, allowing the United States striker to play against Belgium in the Round of 16. Trump said he only requested a review and did not tell FIFA what decision to make. The move has drawn criticism from Belgium, UEFA and several coaches, who said it raised concerns about fairness and the integrity of the FIFA World Cup tournament. (PC: Shutterstock, Getty Images)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused police of stopping her from visiting the family of a child allegedly raped and murdered in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas. TMC leaders said dozens of police vehicles blocked the lane outside her Kalighat residence, calling it an act of "house arrest." The incident triggered violent protests in Baruipur, where an accused was lynched by locals. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to probe the case. Police have not officially responded to the house arrest claims. Security remains tight in the area. (PC: India Today)

The political crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) escalated on Friday after a rebel faction led by expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee took control of Trinamool Bhavan, the party's organisational headquarters in Kolkata, shortly after an Election Commission hearing on the party split. The rebel group reportedly changed the locks and installed new signboards, claiming to represent the "real" TMC. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction called the takeover illegal and announced legal action against those involved. The development marks a major escalation in the ongoing battle over the party's leadership, organisation, and election symbol. (PC: India Today)

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra alleged she was injured after eggs and stones were hurled at a venue where she was meeting party workers in West Bengal. Sharing videos on social media, Moitra accused BJP workers of carrying out the attack and claimed police personnel present at the scene failed to intervene despite being alerted. She urged the state police chief to ensure action against those responsible. The incident comes amid a series of similar attacks targeting TMC leaders, further escalating political tensions in West Bengal. 

The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court against a Madras High Court order that imposed a complete ban on cow slaughter in the state. The government said the High Court's directions went beyond the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958. It argued that the law already allows cow slaughter in limited cases with official approval. The High Court had directed officials to stop the slaughter of cows and calves on Bakrid and all other days. The order was passed on a petition alleging illegal cow slaughter. The Supreme Court will now hear the state's challenge to the High Court ruling.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing a major internal crisis after a rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee announced a new national working committee, removing Mamata Banerjee as party chairperson and Abhishek Banerjee as national general secretary. The rebels claimed the previous committee had expired under the party constitution and required reconstitution. However, the Mamata camp rejected the move as illegal, saying expelled leaders have no authority to change the party structure. TMC leaders accused the rebels of acting against the party's interests and indicated legal action could follow as the battle for organisational control intensifies. (PC: India Today)

A political battle has begun within the Trinamool Congress as rival factions led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee seek recognition as the party's legitimate leadership. Both groups have submitted separate lists of office-bearers to the Election Commission, triggering the process to determine control of the party name and its iconic twin-flower symbol. The Commission is expected to apply its "two-wing test", examining support within both the legislative and organisational wings of the party. The decision could have major implications for TMC’s future, assets, electoral identity and upcoming local body elections. (PC: HT)

Six Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) formally joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Monday, delivering a major political setback to the former Maharashtra chief minister. The MPs joined Shinde's camp in Mumbai after days of speculation over their future.   Welcoming the leaders, Shinde described the move as the success of "Operation Tiger" and said the MPs had joined the "real Shiv Sena". The development strengthens the Shinde faction's position in Parliament and marks another significant shift in Maharashtra politics. Uddhav Thackeray's camp has criticised the defections and called meetings to discuss its response. (PC: India Today)

The rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, has elected senior MLA Arup Roy as its chairperson at a special session in Kolkata. Former minister Aroop Biswas and MLAs Firhad Hakim, Rathin Ghosh and Sabina Yasmin were named vice-chairpersons.   The faction also formed a new national working committee and announced several office-bearers, claiming a “constitutional crisis” within the party. Ritabrata Banerjee said the group would inform the Election Commission about the meeting’s decisions and added that former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be welcome to join the new structure as its chief advisor.   The development comes amid an ongoing split in the TMC following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. (PC: HT)