Category Archives: politics

healthcare, legal, local news, politics

Mumbai: Businessman Files Police Complaint Against Kurla’s Fauziya Hospital For Alleged Negligence Toward Elderly Mother

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**Businessman and Former Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman Files Complaint Against Kurla’s Fauziya Hospital Over Alleged Negligence**

Haji Arafat Alamgir Shaikh (47), a prominent businessman, former Chairman of the Maharashtra State Minority Commission, and BJP Transport Cell President, has lodged a police complaint against Fauziya Hospital in Kurla. The complaint centers on allegations of gross negligence and mistreatment of his 71-year-old mother, Shama Shaikh, who was admitted for medical treatment at the facility.

**Background of Admission**

Shama Shaikh, who has been living with diabetes for five years and had previously suffered a paralysis attack, was admitted to Fauziya Hospital on September 15 following complaints of vomiting.

**Alleged Fall Due to Safety Lapses**

According to the FIR filed at the VB Road Police Station, on September 16, while Shama was asleep on her hospital bed, she allegedly fell to the floor as the bed lacked safety railings. She sustained injuries to her face, eyes, stomach, legs, and knees. Haji Arafat claimed that although a domestic aide tried to raise an alarm immediately, no nurse or ward attendant attended to her for nearly 20 minutes.

When the hospital staff finally responded, the night doctor reportedly dismissed the incident, remarking, “These small things happen in hospitals. Shift the old woman, we’ll see in the morning.”

**Delayed Medical Attention**

Despite the visible injuries, Shama Shaikh did not receive any medical treatment for over 12 hours. No doctor reportedly examined her until 10 a.m. the following day. By that time, swelling and black marks had appeared on her face and under her eyes, indicative of internal bleeding.

Haji Arafat further alleged that medical procedures were only initiated after his family doctor, Sohail Khan, visited the hospital and insisted on immediate treatment.

**Accusations Against Hospital Staff**

The complaint names hospital director Dr. Anjum Deshmukh, administrator Usman Shaikh, and duty nurses Amisha Mali and Pratima Gupta as responsible for negligence. Additionally, Riyaz Shaikh, a hospital staffer who arrived to conduct an X-ray 24 hours later, is accused of rude behavior toward the elderly patient. According to the complaint, Riyaz Shaikh said in an insulting tone, “Eat later, don’t you understand? I don’t have time for this now.”

**Police Action and Investigation**

Citing neglect, irresponsibility, and inhumane behavior, Haji Arafat filed a formal complaint at VB Road Police Station. Based on his statement, a case has been registered against the hospital’s directors and staff members. The V.B. Marg Police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

Further updates will be provided as the case develops.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-businessman-files-police-complaint-against-kurlas-fauziya-hospital-for-alleged-negligence-toward-elderly-mother

finance, government, indian economy, politics

Maharashtra Receives ₹6,418 Crore As Additional Tax Devolution From Centre

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The Central Government has released an additional installment of tax devolution totaling Rs 1,01,603 crore to state governments across India. Of this amount, Maharashtra has received Rs 6,418 crore. The funds have been transferred as an advance installment to help states accelerate capital expenditure and meet welfare-related commitments.

**Boost for Development and Welfare**

This release comes over and above the regular monthly devolution of Rs 81,735 crore, which is scheduled for October 10, 2025, according to the Finance Ministry. The advance is expected to provide states with the fiscal space to speed up ongoing infrastructure projects, enhance liquidity, and ensure the timely rollout of welfare programmes.

For Maharashtra, which has lined up multiple developmental and social sector initiatives, the additional funds are seen as a timely boost to strengthen welfare delivery and developmental activities.

**Maharashtra Leadership Responds**

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the Finance and Planning portfolio, confirmed the receipt of the funds. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for extending financial support.

“With the upcoming festival season, and to enable the state to ramp up capital expenditure and provide adequate funding for our welfare and development schemes, this amount will undoubtedly prove beneficial for Maharashtra,” Pawar said.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-receives-6418-crore-as-additional-tax-devolution-from-centre

business, economy, government, politics, shutdown

45 Elon Musk DOGE staff still on White House payroll and exempt from shutdown

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Forty-five employees of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) remain on the White House payroll despite the Tesla CEO’s exit in May, and they are not being furloughed under the current government shutdown.

This fact appears in a memo released on Thursday by the White House Office of Administration, which lays out who stays and who goes while Congress stalls on funding. It shows a clear picture: DOGE staff keep working while many other government workers sit at home without pay.

The memo does not say why these 45 DOGE workers are untouched, but their status stands out as other White House offices shrink. It also reveals how President Donald Trump is handling this shutdown differently from 2018. Trump has furloughed 514 fewer staffers this time than in the last shutdown under his watch.

In that earlier plan, which former President Joe Biden had also approved but never had to use, about 61% of the Executive Office of the President was temporarily laid off. This current plan hits only 32% of the staff. The result is that far more staffers remain on the job, but Trump is openly saying he wants to lay off federal workers outright instead of just sending them home temporarily. According to the White House, these cuts could reach the thousands.

### Trump Keeps DOGE Running During Shutdown

Among the offices still running at full capacity is DOGE, which Elon once led as a cost-cutting operation before falling out with Trump over the president’s deficit-expanding tax cut bill. Elon’s departure in May came with a White House statement saying DOGE had been decentralized, meaning its teams across the government would report to their agency heads instead of a single leader. But the shutdown plan proves otherwise.

It shows that 45 DOGE staffers still work in the US DOGE Service, a unit inside the Executive Office of the President. The memo, signed by Joshua Fisher, director of the White House Office of Administration, does not say why DOGE staffers escaped furloughs.

However, the US Digital Service—which preceded DOGE—had a history of staying open during past shutdowns because it had its own source of funding from fees charged to other agencies. This background raises questions about whether DOGE also benefits from a separate funding stream. For now, though, the memo just notes their exemption without an explanation.

### Fewer Furloughs in Other White House Offices

Other White House divisions also show big changes compared with 2018. The Office of Management and Budget now keeps 437 employees on duty, far more than the 161 retained under the earlier plan. A tax cut law known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” gave the budget office $100 million in long-term funding, which may help explain the difference.

The White House Office, which covers the president’s immediate staff, keeps 175 aides on the job now, compared with 156 during the last shutdown. Even the executive residence staff almost doubles to 40 retained workers under Trump’s plan.

At the same time, Trump officials signal they will use this funding lapse to cut or close programs they oppose, especially in states that voted for his opponent last year. The White House has threatened to fire thousands of federal employees permanently in the coming days, blaming the lack of congressional funding.

The White House press office also reportedly stayed silent when asked for comment by reporters, sending only an automated out-of-office reply. That message read:

> “Due to staff shortages resulting from the Democrat Shutdown, the typical 24/7 monitoring of this press inbox may experience delays. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

—

*The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them.*
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/45-elon-musk-doge-staff-still-on-white-house-payroll-and-exempt-from-shutdown/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=45-elon-musk-doge-staff-still-on-white-house-payroll-and-exempt-from-shutdown

business, culture, international, politics, tragedy

‘Why no panel for Manipur?’: Stalin questions Karur fact-finding mission

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**‘Why No Panel for Manipur?’: Stalin Questions BJP’s Karur Fact-Finding Mission**

*By Chanshimla Varah | Oct 03, 2025, 03:32 PM*

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for sending a delegation of opposition MPs to Karur following the tragic stampede at a rally led by TVK chief Vijay, which resulted in 41 deaths.

### Stalin Questions BJP’s Selective Approach

Stalin highlighted that the BJP did not send similar fact-finding panels to BJP-ruled states like Manipur during times of ethnic violence, nor when a stampede occurred during the Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh. He accused the party of having political motivations behind their actions in Karur.

### Political Motives Behind Karur Visit

Labeling the BJP’s visit as politically driven, Stalin said, “The BJP’s decision to dispatch a delegation to Karur was not out of concern for Tamil Nadu but because of the upcoming elections.”

He further criticized Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to Karur, pointing out that she had ignored Tamil Nadu during three major natural disasters but chose to come after the stampede. Stalin stated, “The BJP is a parasite surviving by sucking the blood of others.”

### BJP Delegation Visits Karur: Hema Malini’s Criticism of Tamil Nadu Government

The BJP’s eight-member team, led by actor and MP Hema Malini, met with the families of those affected by the tragedy. Speaking to the media after the visit, Malini slammed the DMK government, saying it was unfair for a rally featuring a star of Vijay’s stature to be held in a limited space. She claimed that many women and young girls had come to see Vijay and that the TVK had requested a larger venue, which was denied.

### BJP Demands Report on Stampede Causes

The BJP delegation has demanded a detailed report from Stalin outlining the primary factors that led to the stampede. However, they have no legal or constitutional authority to insist on such a report. Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur wrote to Stalin seeking information on the preventive measures planned to avoid similar incidents in the future.

In response, Stalin announced a judicial inquiry headed by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan and assured that safety guidelines for future political events would be implemented.

—

*This incident has further intensified the ongoing tussle between the Tamil Nadu state government and the central government over fund disbursement and governance issues.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/no-panel-for-manipur-stalin-questions-bjp-mps-karur-visit/story

business, culture, international, politics, tragedy

‘Why no panel for Manipur?’: Stalin questions Karur fact-finding mission

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**‘Why no panel for Manipur?’: Stalin Questions BJP’s Karur Fact-Finding Mission**

*By Chanshimla Varah | Oct 03, 2025, 03:32 PM*

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for sending a delegation of opposition MPs to Karur following a deadly stampede at a rally organized by TVK chief Vijay, which tragically claimed 41 lives.

### Political Motives Behind Karur Visit

Stalin accused the BJP of politicizing the tragedy, asserting that the decision to send a fact-finding teams was motivated by the upcoming elections rather than genuine concern for Tamil Nadu. He questioned why similar delegations were never dispatched to BJP-ruled states like Manipur during times of ethnic violence, or to Uttar Pradesh following the Maha Kumbh stampede.

Highlighting the perceived political nature of the BJP’s actions, Stalin said, “When Tamil Nadu faced three major natural disasters, the Union Finance Minister did not bother to visit. Yet, she made a special trip to Karur. The BJP is like a parasite surviving by sucking the blood of others.”

### Finance Minister’s Controversial Visit

Stalin also took aim at Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to Karur, describing it as a “representative” gesture of the central government lacking sincerity. His remarks underline the ongoing friction between the Tamil Nadu government and the BJP-led Union government, especially concerning delayed fund disbursements and disaster response.

### BJP Delegation’s Visit and Response

The BJP dispatched an eight-member delegation, led by actor and MP Hema Malini, to Karur to meet the families of the victims. After the visit, Malini publicly criticized the DMK government, claiming it had failed to provide adequate space for the rally. She remarked, “For a star of his stature, that was unfair. Many women and young girls had come to see Vijay.” She added that the TVK had actually requested a larger venue.

### Demand for a Detailed Report

In the wake of the stampede, the BJP delegation has demanded a comprehensive report from Stalin’s government outlining the primary factors that led to the tragedy. Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur wrote to Stalin urging him to implement measures that would prevent similar incidents in the future.

In response, Stalin announced the launch of a judicial inquiry headed by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan. He also promised to issue new safety guidelines aimed at ensuring security during political events moving forward.

—

This incident and the subsequent political exchanges reflect the tense atmosphere between Tamil Nadu’s state government and the Union government, with both sides attributing blame amid growing electoral stakes.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/no-panel-for-manipur-stalin-questions-bjp-mps-karur-visit/story

business, culture, international, politics, tragedy

‘Why no panel for Manipur?’: Stalin questions Karur fact-finding mission

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**’Why no panel for Manipur?’: Stalin Questions BJP’s Karur Fact-Finding Mission**

*By Chanshimla Varah | Oct 03, 2025, 03:32 PM*

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for sending a delegation of opposition MPs to Karur in the aftermath of a deadly stampede that claimed 41 lives at a rally organized by TVK chief Vijay.

Stalin questioned why similar panels were not dispatched to BJP-ruled states like Manipur following ethnic violence or during the Maha Kumbh stampede in Uttar Pradesh. He accused the BJP of pursuing political motives rather than genuine concern through such actions.

**Political Motives Behind Karur Visit**

Stalin alleged that the BJP’s initiative to send a fact-finding team to Karur was driven by the upcoming elections rather than a sincere care for Tamil Nadu. He also took aim at Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to Karur, calling it a mere “representative” gesture by the central government.

“When Tamil Nadu faced three major natural disasters, the Union Finance Minister did not visit the state, but she chose to come to Karur. The BJP is a parasite surviving by sucking the blood of others,” Stalin remarked.

**BJP Delegation’s Visit and Criticism**

The BJP’s eight-member delegation, led by actor and MP Hema Malini, met with families of the victims in Karur. Following the meeting, Malini criticized the Stalin government for not providing a larger venue for the rally. She stated, “For a star of his stature, this was unfair. Many women and young girls had come to see Vijay.” She also mentioned that TVK had requested more space for the gathering.

**Demand for Report and Inquiry**

The BJP delegation has called on Stalin to submit a detailed report outlining the primary factors that led to the stampede, despite lacking any legal or constitutional authority to demand such a report. Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur wrote to Stalin seeking information on measures being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In response, Stalin announced a judicial inquiry headed by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan and promised the implementation of safety guidelines for upcoming political events.

—

*This incident has further strained the ongoing dispute between the Tamil Nadu government and the central government over fund disbursement and administrative cooperation.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/no-panel-for-manipur-stalin-questions-bjp-mps-karur-visit/story

geography, politics

Mary Ann McIntyre

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Country List

United States of America
US Virgin Islands
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Canada
Mexico, United Mexican States
Bahamas, Commonwealth of the
Cuba, Republic of
Dominican Republic
Haiti, Republic of
Jamaica

Afghanistan
Albania, People’s Socialist Republic of
Algeria, People’s Democratic Republic of
American Samoa
Andorra, Principality of
Angola, Republic of
Anguilla
Antarctica (the territory South of 60° S)
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina, Argentine Republic
Armenia
Aruba
Australia, Commonwealth of
Austria, Republic of
Azerbaijan, Republic of

Bahrain, Kingdom of
Bangladesh, People’s Republic of
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium, Kingdom of
Belize
Benin, People’s Republic of
Bermuda
Bhutan, Kingdom of
Bolivia, Republic of
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana, Republic of
Bouvet Island (Bouvetøya)
Brazil, Federative Republic of
British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria, People’s Republic of
Burkina Faso
Burundi, Republic of

Cambodia, Kingdom of
Cameroon, United Republic of
Cape Verde, Republic of
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad, Republic of
Chile, Republic of
China, People’s Republic of
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia, Republic of
Comoros, Union of the
Congo, Democratic Republic of
Congo, People’s Republic of
Cook Islands
Costa Rica, Republic of
Côte d’Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the
Cyprus, Republic of
Czech Republic

Denmark, Kingdom of
Djibouti, Republic of
Dominica, Commonwealth of
Ecuador, Republic of
Egypt, Arab Republic of
El Salvador, Republic of
Equatorial Guinea, Republic of
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia

Faeroe Islands
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands
Finland, Republic of
France, French Republic
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories

Gabon, Gabonese Republic
Gambia, Republic of the
Georgia
Germany
Ghana, Republic of
Gibraltar
Greece, Hellenic Republic
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala, Republic of
Guinea, Revolutionary People’s Republic of
Guinea-Bissau, Republic of
Guyana, Republic of

Heard and McDonald Islands
Holy See (Vatican City State)
Honduras, Republic of
Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
Hrvatska (Croatia)
Hungary, Hungarian People’s Republic

Iceland, Republic of
India, Republic of
Indonesia, Republic of
Iran, Islamic Republic of
Iraq, Republic of
Ireland
Israel, State of
Italy, Italian Republic
Japan
Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of

Kazakhstan, Republic of
Kenya, Republic of
Kiribati, Republic of
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea, Republic of
Kuwait, State of
Kyrgyz Republic

Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Latvia
Lebanon, Lebanese Republic
Lesotho, Kingdom of
Liberia, Republic of
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Liechtenstein, Principality of
Lithuania
Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of
Macao, Special Administrative Region of China
Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
Madagascar, Republic of
Malawi, Republic of
Malaysia
Maldives, Republic of
Mali, Republic of
Malta, Republic of
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania, Islamic Republic of
Mauritius
Mayotte
Micronesia, Federated States of
Moldova, Republic of
Monaco, Principality of
Mongolia, Mongolian People’s Republic
Montserrat
Morocco, Kingdom of
Mozambique, People’s Republic of
Myanmar

Namibia
Nauru, Republic of
Nepal, Kingdom of
Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands, Kingdom of the
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua, Republic of
Niger, Republic of the
Nigeria, Federal Republic of
Niue, Republic of
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway, Kingdom of
Oman, Sultanate of
Pakistan, Islamic Republic of
Palau
Palestinian Territory, Occupied
Panama, Republic of
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay, Republic of
Peru, Republic of
Philippines, Republic of the
Pitcairn Island
Poland, Polish People’s Republic
Portugal, Portuguese Republic
Puerto Rico
Qatar, State of
Reunion

Romania, Socialist Republic of
Russian Federation
Rwanda, Rwandese Republic
Samoa, Independent State of
San Marino, Republic of
Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
Senegal, Republic of
Serbia and Montenegro
Seychelles, Republic of
Sierra Leone, Republic of
Singapore, Republic of
Slovakia (Slovak Republic)
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia, Somali Republic
South Africa, Republic of
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Spain, Spanish State
Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of
St. Helena
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Pierre and Miquelon
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Sudan, Democratic Republic of the
Suriname, Republic of
Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands
Swaziland, Kingdom of
Sweden, Kingdom of
Switzerland, Swiss Confederation
Syrian Arab Republic

Taiwan, Province of China
Tajikistan
Tanzania, United Republic of
Thailand, Kingdom of
Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of
Togo, Togolese Republic
Tokelau (Tokelau Islands)
Tonga, Kingdom of
Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of
Tunisia, Republic of
Turkey, Republic of
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu

Uganda, Republic of
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
Uruguay, Eastern Republic of
Uzbekistan

Vanuatu
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of
Wallis and Futuna Islands
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia, Republic of
Zimbabwe
https://www.phillytrib.com/obituaries/mary-ann-mcintyre/article_4a350af2-92ae-467a-81e1-fcb4f4035b4d.html

government, politics, regional

UP Panchayat Elections 2026: OBC Reservation Commission Delay May Postpone Polls

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**Lucknow:** The three-tier panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh, scheduled for April-May 2026, may face delays due to the non-formation of a dedicated commission for Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation.

The tenure of the Gram Panchayats, Kshetra Panchayats, and Zila Panchayats ends on May 26, July 19, and July 11 next year, respectively. This means the elections are required to be held before these dates. However, similar to the municipal elections, the OBC reservation formula needs to be finalized prior to conducting the polls.

### Role of Proposed Commission

The proposed commission is tasked with studying the socio-economic and political status of OBCs in the state. Based on this study, it will submit its recommendations to the government. According to a Supreme Court ruling, OBC reservation cannot be implemented without such a report.

### Timeline Challenges

Sources indicate that the commission will need to conduct district visits and may require up to six months to prepare its report. This duration raises the likelihood of postponing the elections.

A Panchayati Raj official confirmed that the proposal for the commission has already been sent to the state government. The election schedule now depends on the government’s decision regarding this proposal.

*Also watch:* Developments on the reservation formula and election timelines will be closely monitored in the coming months.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/uttar-pradesh/up-panchayat-elections-2026-obc-reservation-commission-delay-may-postpone-polls

crime, drug_abuse, international, military, politics

Trump says U.S. in ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels after ordering strikes in the Caribbean

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President Donald Trump has declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants and stated that the United States is now in an “armed conflict” with them. This revelation comes from a Trump administration memo obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday, October 3, 2025, following recent U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean.

The memo represents an extraordinary assertion of presidential war powers, with Mr. Trump effectively declaring that drug trafficking into the United States amounts to an armed conflict requiring the use of military force. This is a new rationale for both past and future actions.

> “The President determined that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations,” the memo states. Mr. Trump directed the Pentagon to “conduct operations against them pursuant to the law of armed conflict.”

The memo continues, saying, “The United States has now reached a critical point where we must use force in self-defense and defense of others against the ongoing attacks by these designated terrorist organizations.”

This development signals a potential shift not only in the administration’s willingness to exceed traditional presidential authority to wage war but also in Mr. Trump’s stated America First agenda, which typically favors non-intervention overseas. It raises serious questions about the extent to which the White House intends to use its war powers, and whether Congress will assert its authority to approve or reject such military actions.

### Declaration Follows Strikes on Boats in the Caribbean

Last month, the U.S. military carried out three deadly strikes against boats in the Caribbean accused of ferrying drugs. At least two of these operations were conducted against vessels originating from Venezuela. These strikes followed a buildup of U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean not seen in recent history.

Though the memo did not include a timestamp, it references a September 15 U.S. strike that resulted in the destruction of the vessel, confiscation of illicit narcotics, and the deaths of approximately three unlawful combatants.

White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly stated, “As we have said many times, the President acted in line with the law of armed conflict to protect our country from those trying to bring deadly poison to our shores. He is delivering on his promise to take on the cartels and eliminate these national security threats from murdering more Americans.”

The Pentagon referred questions to the White House. Pentagon officials briefed senators on the strikes on Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke under conditions of anonymity.

### Legal and Congressional Concerns

During the classified briefing at the Capitol, several senators perceived the Trump administration’s outlined legal framework as a new and controversial approach—raising significant questions about Congress’s role in authorizing such military actions.

The memo sets out the administration’s justification for past military strikes against boats in the Caribbean—actions that have raised concerns among lawmakers about their legality—and potentially legitimizes future operations.

### Details on Targeted Cartels Remain Sparse

President Trump has designated several Latin American drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The administration previously justified military action as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.

However, Pentagon officials could not provide a list of the designated terrorist organizations involved in the conflict. This lack of transparency frustrated some lawmakers who were briefed on the matter.

While allied nations have made significant efforts to combat these groups, the memo states that the cartels have become transnational and conduct ongoing attacks throughout the Western Hemisphere as organized entities. It refers to cartel members as unlawful combatants.

### Bipartisan Push for Congressional Authorization

As the Republican administration targets vessels in the Caribbean, lawmakers from both major political parties have expressed objections. They have pressed Mr. Trump to seek war powers authorization from Congress for such military operations.

The first military strike, carried out on September 2 against what the Trump administration described as a drug-carrying speedboat, resulted in 11 deaths. Mr. Trump claimed the vessel was operated by the Tren de Aragua gang, which the U.S. designated as a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year.

Several senators and human rights groups have questioned the legality of these actions, calling them a potential overreach of executive authority—particularly because the military was used for law enforcement purposes.

The Trump administration has yet to explain how the military evaluated the boats’ cargo or determined the passengers’ alleged gang affiliations before conducting the strikes.

### Senator Jack Reed Reacts

Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, commented on the situation:

> “The drug cartels are despicable and must be dealt with by law enforcement. The Trump Administration has offered no credible legal justification, evidence, or intelligence for these strikes.”

A former Army officer who served in the 82nd Airborne Division, Reed’s criticism underscores the ongoing controversy surrounding the administration’s approach to combating drug cartels.

—

The unfolding situation highlights the complex balance between national security, executive authority, and legislative oversight as the U.S. grapples with transnational drug trafficking and its consequences.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/trump-says-us-in-armed-conflict-with-drug-cartels-after-ordering-strikes-in-the-caribbean/article70119237.ece