The Trump administration plans to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard, Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker said Saturday.
Pritzker stated that the Guard received word from the Pentagon earlier that morning indicating that the troops would be called up. However, he did not specify when or where they would be deployed.
President Donald Trump has long […]
https://fox2now.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-trump-plans-to-deploy-national-guard-in-illinois-governor-says/
**Gyanesh Kumar-led ECI Team Visits Patna; Bihar Poll Dates Expected Soon**
*By Snehil Singh | October 4, 2025, 1:06 PM*
A delegation from the Election Commission of India (ECI), headed by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, is currently in Patna to review preparations for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. The team also includes Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
As part of their visit, an all-party meeting with representatives from the 12 recognized political parties is underway at the Taj Hotel, chaired by CEC Kumar. This meeting serves as a platform to discuss the election process and ensure smooth conduct of the polls.
### Election Preparations Underway
The ECI traditionally visits the state just days before announcing the election schedule. With the Bihar Assembly’s term concluding on November 22, the elections must be held before that date. Ahead of the team’s visit, the ECI briefed General, Police, and Expenditure Observers who will act as Central Observers for these elections, as well as some upcoming by-elections.
### Observer Briefing and Their Role
A total of 425 officers, including IAS, IPS, and IRS personnel, participated in a detailed briefing held at IIIDEM in New Delhi. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar described these observers as “the beacons of democracy,” underlining their critical role in ensuring free and fair elections.
He urged the observers to thoroughly familiarize themselves with all election laws and remain accessible to political parties, candidates, and voters for grievance redressal throughout the electoral process.
### Constitutional Mandate for Central Observers
The ECI appoints Central Observers under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. These observers are vital in maintaining transparency and effective management of elections on the ground.
### Poll Dates Expected Shortly
Although the official dates for Bihar’s Assembly elections have not yet been announced, sources suggest the ECI is likely to declare them on October 6 or 7. With the preparatory groundwork in place, Bihar is gearing up for a crucial electoral exercise in the coming weeks.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/gyanesh-kumar-led-ec-team-visits-patna-poll-dates-expected-soon/story
New Delhi: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on Drishti IAS (VDK Eduventures Pvt Ltd) for publishing misleading advertisements regarding the results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022.
According to a statement from the Consumer Affairs Ministry, Drishti IAS claimed in its advertisement that it had “216+ selections in UPSC CSE 2022,” along with displaying the names and photographs of successful candidates. However, the CCPA’s investigation found this claim to be misleading, as it concealed crucial information about the type and duration of courses these candidates had opted for.
The probe revealed that out of the 216 candidates claimed by Drishti IAS, 162 candidates (75 percent) had only taken the free Interview Guidance Programme (IGP) offered by the institute, having independently cleared the Preliminary and Mains stages of the UPSC CSE. Only 54 students were enrolled in IGP and other paid courses.
This deliberate concealment misled aspirants and parents into believing that Drishti IAS was responsible for the candidates’ success at all stages of the examination. Such advertisement falls under the category of misleading advertisements as defined under Section 2(28) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
This is the second time the CCPA has imposed a penalty on Drishti IAS for similar misconduct. In September 2024, the authority had penalized the institute Rs 3 lakh for misleading claims of “150+ selections in UPSC CSE 2021.” At that time, Drishti IAS submitted details of 161 candidates, exceeding its claim. However, out of these, 148 were enrolled only in the IGP, seven in the Mains Mentorship Program, four in the GS Foundation Program, one in the Optional Course, and details of one candidate were not mentioned.
Despite previous penalties and warnings, Drishti IAS repeated the same practice for the 2022 results by increasing its claim to “216+ selections,” demonstrating repeated non-compliance and disregard for consumer protection norms. The concealment of such vital information deprived students and parents of their right to make informed choices, as protected under Section 2(9) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The ministry highlighted that such misleading advertisements create false expectations and unfairly influence consumer decisions, especially when large claims are made without transparent disclosure of facts.
So far, the CCPA has issued 54 notices to various coaching institutes for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices. Penalties totaling over Rs 90.6 lakh have been imposed on 26 coaching institutes, along with directions to discontinue such misleading claims.
The authority emphasized that all coaching institutes must strictly ensure truthful disclosure in their advertisements to enable students to make fair and informed decisions about their academic choices.
(Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/ccpa-fines-drishti-ias-5-lakh-for-misleading-ads-on-upsc-civil-services-examination-2022-results
OpenAI is moving to have a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk’s AI start-up, xAI, dismissed. The company argues that the lawsuit is an attempt to divert attention from xAI’s own shortcomings.
According to OpenAI, the legal action lacks merit and serves primarily as a distraction from the challenges facing xAI. Details of the case and further developments are awaited as both companies continue to navigate the competitive AI landscape.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/openai-seeks-dismissal-of-xai-lawsuit-calls-it-groundless/story
OpenAI is seeking to have a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk’s AI start-up, xAI, dismissed.
The company claims that the lawsuit is an attempt to distract from xAI’s own shortcomings and failures.
This legal action highlights the ongoing tensions between major players in the rapidly evolving AI industry. OpenAI remains firm in its position, emphasizing its commitment to innovation and integrity amidst these challenges.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/openai-seeks-dismissal-of-xai-lawsuit-calls-it-groundless/story
**Sean “Diddy” Combs Declares Himself a ‘New Man’ Ahead of Sentencing in Prostitution Case**
*NEW YORK (AP)* — On the eve of his sentencing, Sean “Diddy” Combs wrote a heartfelt letter to a federal judge Thursday, proclaiming himself to be a new man after confronting the depths to which he had fallen.
Combs, 55, told Judge Arun Subramanian that with his mind now clear of drugs and alcohol after spending a year in jail, he can clearly see how “rotten” he had become before his arrest in September 2024. The case led to his conviction on two prostitution-related counts, with his sentencing hearing set to begin Friday morning.
“Over the past year, there have been so many times that I wanted to give up. There have been some days I thought I would be better off dead,” Combs wrote. “The old me died in jail and a new version of me was reborn. Prison will change you or kill you. I choose to live.”
A jury in July acquitted Combs of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, but he still faces the possibility of years behind bars. His lawyers argue that the year he has already spent in jail constitutes sufficient punishment, while prosecutors are seeking at least an 11-year prison sentence.
In his letter, Combs took responsibility for his actions, writing, “I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself. In my life, I have made many mistakes, but I am no longer running from them.”
He continued, “I am so sorry for the hurt that I caused, but I understand that the mere words ‘I’m sorry’ will never be good enough, as these words alone cannot erase the pain from the past.”
**Apology for Abuse of Former Girlfriend**
Combs also addressed a violent incident involving his then-girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, from 2016. The attack, during which Combs hit, kicked, and dragged Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel, was captured on security camera footage.
“The scene and images of me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily,” Combs wrote. “I literally lost my mind. I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved. I’m sorry for that and always will be.”
Footage of the assault was shown repeatedly during his two-month trial. Several women testified that Combs had beaten, threatened, blackmailed, or sexually assaulted them.
In a letter to the judge ahead of sentencing, Ventura dismissed Combs’ claims of remorse.
“I know that who he was to me—the manipulator, the aggressor, the abuser, the trafficker—is who he is as a human,” she wrote. “He has no interest in changing or becoming better. He will always be the same cruel, power-hungry, manipulative man that he is.”
Ventura noted that Combs had repeatedly denied the assault allegations until the security footage surfaced. She urged the judge to impose a sentence reflecting the strength it took for victims to come forward.
“I hope that your decision considers the many lives that Sean Combs has upended with his abuse and control,” Ventura wrote.
**Acknowledgment of Other Victims**
Combs also apologized to a woman who testified under the pseudonym “Jane.” After hearing her testimony, he said, “I realized that I hurt her.”
Jane testified that Combs had chased her around her home, put her in a chokehold, punched her in the head, kicked her while she was curled up on the ground, dragged her by her hair, and pressured her into having sex with a male sex worker.
“I lost my way. I got lost in my journey. Lost in the drugs and the excess,” Combs wrote. “My downfall was rooted in my selfishness.”
**Seeking Mercy and a Second Chance**
During his time in jail, Combs said he has been reading, writing, attending therapy, working out, and even teaching a six-week course to fellow inmates called *Free Game with Diddy*. The course imparts his business wisdom alongside lessons learned from his mistakes and failures.
He vowed never to commit another crime, telling the judge that he has undergone a spiritual reset.
Rather than making an example of him with a lengthy sentence, Combs implored Judge Subramanian to “make me an example of what a person can do if afforded a second chance.”
“If you allow me to go home to my family, I promise I will not let you down and I will make you proud,” he concluded.
—
*Copyright 2024 Associated Press*
https://wsvn.com/entertainment/on-eve-of-sentencing-combs-tells-judge-he-has-been-reborn-asks-for-mercy/
**Sambhal Demolition Drive Leaves Villagers Devastated**
In Sambhal’s Raya Buzurg village, a major demolition drive on Thursday shook residents as a mosque and a marriage hall were razed by authorities. Both structures were reportedly built on what officials termed as pond land, prompting the bulldozer action.
The 30,000 sq ft marriage hall was demolished in a four-hour operation starting at 11:30 am. Meanwhile, villagers themselves began dismantling the adjacent 550 sq ft mosque after authorities granted them a four-day window to do so.
The drive was closely supervised by District Magistrate Rajendra Pansiya and SP Krishna Vishnoi, with the deployment of 200 police and PAC personnel. Additionally, drone surveillance was utilized to monitor the situation from above.
According to the administration, the mosque and marriage hall were constructed illegally about a decade ago by a local cleric named Minjar. However, the demolition has dealt a severe blow to the community.
Residents mourned the loss, emphasizing the importance of the marriage hall, which was built through community donations. “The hall was a place where poor families could celebrate weddings free of cost. Now where will our children marry?” expressed Atahar, a local villager. The grief was palpable, with many villagers refraining from cooking food at home in protest.
Another resident, Irfan, recalled the origins of the hall: “It was built after the pond dried up, with our small contributions. We made it for the community, not for profit.”
The demolition has also drawn political attention. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the operation on social media, accusing authorities of using bulldozers as a tool of injustice and ignoring Supreme Court guidelines.
Despite such criticisms, officials assert that due legal process was followed, including serving notices a month in advance.
For many residents of Raya Buzurg, the demolition represents more than just the destruction of buildings; it marks the loss of spaces integral to their community life and collective identity.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/sambhal-bulldozer-row-aimim-chief-asaduddin-owaisi-alleges-injustice-questions-demolition-after-supreme-court-guidelines
FILE – Cornelia Bailey sits on the front porch of the Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga., on Thursday, May 16, 2013. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
FILE – The new Nathan Deal Judicial Center was dedicated to the former governor that bears its name, Feb. 11, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis, file)
FILE – J.J. Wilson, 9, rides a school bus to catch a ferry to his school on the mainland from his home in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga., on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
ATLANTA — Georgia’s highest court on Tuesday sided with Black landowners in a fight over zoning changes that weakened long-standing protections for one of the South’s last Gullah-Geechee communities founded by freed slaves.
The state Supreme Court unanimously reversed a lower court ruling that had stopped a referendum to consider repealing a revised zoning ordinance passed by McIntosh County officials two years ago.
Residents of Sapelo Island opposed the zoning amendments that doubled the size of homes allowed in a tiny enclave called Hogg Hummock. Homeowners feared the change would result in one of the nation’s most historically and culturally unique Black communities facing unaffordable tax increases.
Residents and their supporters last year submitted a petition with more than 2,300 signatures from registered voters seeking a referendum in the coastal county, which lies 60 miles (96 kilometers) south of Savannah.
McIntosh County commissioners sued to stop the referendum, and a lower court ruled that one would be illegal. The decision halted a vote on the zoning change with less than a week to go before Election Day. Hundreds of people had already cast early ballots in the referendum.
The high court on Tuesday found that the lower court was wrong to conclude that the zoning ordinance was not subject to referendum procedures provided for in the Georgia Constitution’s Home Rule Provision.
“Nothing in the text of the Zoning Provision in any way restricts a county electorate’s authority to seek repeal of a zoning ordinance,” Supreme Court Justice John Ellington wrote in the opinion.
“We feel vindicated,” said Jazz Watts, a Hogg Hummock homeowner who helped organize the referendum effort. “The election should not have been stopped. It was stopping the voice of the people.”
It wasn’t immediately clear when a referendum might be rescheduled. But attorney Dana Braun, who represents the Hogg Hummock residents, said the ruling will give county residents “some real say” in whether they support the zoning change.
McIntosh County attorney Ken Jarrard said in an email that the county commissioners are “obviously disappointed” by the order but respect the high court’s ruling.
Jarrard had asserted during oral arguments at the Supreme Court in April that zoning powers are different from others entrusted to county governments by the state Constitution and, therefore, can’t be challenged by referendum.
Philip Thompson, an attorney representing the Hogg Hummock residents, had argued that they have a constitutional right to a referendum on the zoning changes so that they can defend a place that’s “a cultural and historical treasure.”
Roughly 30 to 50 Black residents live in Hogg Hummock, also known as Hog Hammock, a community of dirt roads and modest homes founded by their enslaved ancestors who worked the cotton plantation of Thomas Spalding.
It’s among a dwindling number of small communities started by emancipated island slaves — known collectively as Gullah, or Geechee, in Georgia — scattered along the coast from North Carolina to Florida.
Scholars say the island’s separation from the mainland caused the communities to retain much of their African heritage, from their unique dialect to skills and crafts such as cast-net fishing and weaving baskets.
In 1996, Hogg Hummock earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of treasured U.S. historic sites.
Residents depend on the local government in McIntosh County, where 65% of the 11,100 residents are white, to maintain protections that preserve the community.
The state Supreme Court was not weighing whether Hogg Hummock deserves special protections. Instead, the justices had to consider technical questions about whether local zoning laws can be challenged by referendum and whether McIntosh County commissioners had a right to sue to stop the vote last October.
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**Apple Defends OpenAI Partnership, Refutes Claims of Harm to Musk’s xAI**
*By Akash Pandey | Oct 01, 2025, 05:38 PM*
Apple has defended its decision to partner with OpenAI instead of Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI. The tech giant’s legal team made this statement in a court filing on Tuesday, emphasizing that even if Apple initially teamed up with OpenAI, it is “widely known” that the company plans to collaborate with other generative AI chatbots in the future.
### Legal Dispute Between xAI, X Corp., Apple, and OpenAI
In August, Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI and his social media platform X Corp. filed a lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, seeking billions of dollars in damages. The lawsuit alleges that Apple’s preference for OpenAI over xAI has stifled innovation in the AI sector and limited consumer options.
The case was filed in Fort Worth, Texas, where Apple is now requesting the court to dismiss the lawsuit.
### Apple Seeks Dismissal of Musk’s Claims
Apple’s legal team dismisses the antitrust claims made by Musk’s companies as “speculation on top of speculation.” They argue that Apple is under no obligation to partner with every generative AI chatbot regardless of factors such as quality, privacy, or safety.
This response was issued in reply to X Corp.’s claim that Apple cannot exclusively partner with OpenAI without simultaneously partnering with every other generative AI chatbot.
Apple’s stance highlights its intention to maintain control over partnership decisions, emphasizing the importance of standards and security in its AI collaborations moving forward.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/apple-defends-openai-partnership-denies-harming-xai/story
**Three Activists Indicted for “Doxing” ICE Agent Amid Immigration Raid Protests in Los Angeles**
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three activists opposed to President Donald Trump’s immigration raids in Los Angeles have been indicted on charges of illegally “doxing” a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, federal prosecutors announced.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Friday, investigators said the women followed the ICE agent home, livestreamed their pursuit, and later posted the agent’s address online. Upon arriving at the agent’s residence, prosecutors allege the women shouted, “ICE lives on your street and you should know,” according to the indictment.
The three defendants face one count each of conspiracy and publicly disclosing the personal information of a federal agent, the statement added.
Prosecutors provided details about the defendants’ status: a 25-year-old woman from Panorama City, California, is free on a $5,000 bond; a 38-year-old resident of Aurora, Colorado—also facing separate charges related to assault on a federal officer—is held in custody without bond. Authorities are still searching for the third defendant, a 37-year-old woman from Riverside, California.
“Our brave federal agents put their lives on the line every day to keep our nation safe,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “The conduct of these defendants is deeply offensive to law enforcement officers and their families. If you threaten, dox, or harm in any manner one of our agents or employees, you will face prosecution and prison time.”
**What is Doxing?**
Doxing refers to the malicious act of gathering private or identifying information about someone and releasing it online without their consent—often with the intent to harass, threaten, shame, or seek revenge.
Attorneys representing the women could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday. An inquiry was sent to the Federal Public Defender’s Office to determine whether its attorneys are representing the defendants.
**Details of the Incident**
According to the indictment, the three women followed the ICE agent last month from the federal building in downtown Los Angeles to the agent’s home in Baldwin Park, east of Los Angeles. The entire pursuit was livestreamed, court documents reveal.
In July, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned that individuals who publish personal information of federal agents could face prosecution. Her statement came after flyers circulated in Portland, Oregon, encouraging the public to collect intelligence on ICE agents.
**Context: Controversy Over ICE Enforcement Tactics**
Critics of the Trump administration’s immigration raids have expressed outrage over federal agents wearing masks and refusing to identify themselves while arresting immigrants in California. Responding to these concerns, California recently became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers—including federal immigration agents—from covering their faces while performing official duties.
The indictment and ongoing case highlight the tensions between immigration enforcement efforts and activist responses amid heightened national debate.
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/world-news/ap-international/ap-federal-indictment-charges-3-activists-with-alleged-doxing-of-ice-agent-in-los-angeles/
