Lahore custody deaths: Punjab police says women di…

With just 100 days remaining before Americans head to the polls for the midterm elections, President Donald Trump and the Republican Party are preparing for what could become one of the biggest political challenges of his presidency. While Trump himself will not be on the ballot on November 3, the outcome of the elections is expected to shape the final years of his administration. Recent opinion surveys suggest Democrats are well positioned to regain control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans are also facing an increasingly competitive fight to maintain their majority in the Senate. A Democratic victory in the House would dramatically shift the balance of power in Washington. It would allow the party to lead key congressional committees and launch investigations into the Trump administration through subpoena powers. Such authority could open the door to fresh inquiries into government decisions and even fuel discussions about another attempt to impeach the president. Republicans currently hold only a slim majority in the House, making it easier for Democrats to take control if just a small number of seats change hands. Political analysts say several national issues are making the election environment more difficult for Republicans. Rising living costs remain one of the biggest concerns among voters. Fuel prices have climbed above four dollars per gallon following disruptions in global energy markets linked to the conflict with Iran. Inflation has remained stubbornly high while interest rates continue to place pressure on households and businesses. Surveys also indicate that voters are increasingly trusting Democrats over Republicans on issues such as inflation, healthcare and even immigration, which has traditionally been considered one of the Republican Party’s strongest campaign issues. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries recently criticized the Trump administration’s economic record and announced a campaign focused on lowering the cost of groceries, gasoline, housing and medical care. Republicans, however, argue that voters will have a clear choice between what they describe as practical conservative policies and a Democratic Party they say has moved further to the left. Their campaign is expected to emphasize border security, tax reductions and public safety while attempting to link Democratic candidates with progressive policies that they believe are unpopular among moderate voters. At the same time, Republicans are pursuing strategies that could improve their chances despite difficult polling numbers. One major effort has involved redrawing congressional district boundaries. Both major parties have participated in redistricting, but experts believe Republicans may benefit more from the latest changes. Some projections suggest the new electoral maps could provide Republicans with an advantage of several House seats, which may prove crucial in what is expected to be another closely contested election. Political scientist Sarah Binder of George Washington University said the new district maps have significantly reduced the number of truly competitive House races, limiting the opportunities available to Democratic candidates in some areas. Republicans also enter the final months of campaigning with a financial edge. Party organizations and allied groups have reportedly raised tens of millions of dollars more than their Democratic rivals, giving them greater resources to advertise, organize campaigns and support candidates across the country. The battle for the Senate is expected to be just as important. Republicans currently control the chamber with a 53 to 47 majority. Democrats need to gain four seats to take control, although current forecasts suggest Republicans remain slight favorites to keep the Senate. Some projections indicate the chamber could end in a 50 to 50 split, allowing Vice President JD Vance to cast deciding votes whenever necessary. For President Trump, losing the House while keeping the Senate would still create major obstacles for the remainder of his term. His legislative agenda would likely face repeated roadblocks, while Democratic lawmakers could use committee hearings to closely examine issues including the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict, government ethics and election related policies. Political analyst Chuck Todd said Republicans have seen their advantage in the Senate narrow considerably over recent months. He also predicted Democrats could gain between 10 and 25 seats in the House if current political trends continue. Recent polling from Economist and YouGov shows Trump’s approval rating remains low, with only 36 percent of Americans approving of his performance as president. Analysts note that historically, presidents with approval ratings below 45 percent almost always see their party lose seats during midterm elections. Whether Republicans can limit those losses or face a much larger defeat will become clear when Americans cast their votes in November.

Canadian airline WestJet has agreed to pay 4.5 million Canadian dollars to settle a decade-long class-action lawsuit brought by thousands of female flight attendants over workplace harassment. A British Columbia Supreme Court judge approved the final agreement on Monday, concluding negotiations that began in June. The settlement funds will be distributed among 3,452 current and former flight attendants after deducting legal fees and administrative costs. The lawsuit was initially filed in 2016 by former flight attendant Mandalena Lewis, who alleged that a pilot sexually assaulted her during a 2010 layover in Hawaii and that the company failed to take appropriate investigative action after she reported the incident. Lewis criticized the final terms, stating that the agreement failed to deliver complete justice for the victims. The settlement contains no admission of guilt by WestJet, nor does it mandate compulsory anti-harassment training for flight crews. However, the carrier agreed to commission an independent inquiry to review its reporting procedures, workplace culture, and underreporting issues, affirming its commitment to strengthening employee safety measures.

NEW DELHI: A massive youth-led protest in India’s capital has taken an unusual turn after thousands of demonstrators responded to a police crackdown not only with slogans but also with memes, short videos and social media posts. The online campaign has become a powerful extension of the street movement, with young protesters using humour to document their experiences and keep public attention focused on their demands. The demonstrations were organised by supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth movement that first emerged over allegations of examination paper leaks and irregularities in government recruitment. Over time, the campaign expanded into a broader call for transparency, accountability and reforms in India’s education and recruitment systems. Tens of thousands of protesters marched towards Parliament in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Demonstrators accused the government of failing to stop repeated examination leaks that they say have damaged the future of millions of students. The minister has rejected the allegations and insisted that opposition parties are using students for political purposes. Police blocked the march before protesters could reach Parliament. Security personnel used tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowd after demonstrators attempted to cross security barriers. Authorities also suspended mobile internet services around the protest area, saying the measure was necessary to maintain law and order. Both protesters and police reported injuries during the clashes. Demonstrators claimed that many participants were beaten during the operation, while police said several officers were also injured. Once internet services were restored, social media platforms were flooded with videos recorded during the protest. Instead of sharing only images of violence, many young protesters posted humorous clips showing themselves preparing for the march, running from tear gas and joking about the day’s events. Several participants uploaded “fit check” videos before joining the protest. The popular social media trend, usually used to show clothing and fashion, was transformed into political content. Some joked that they were dressed for a protest where they expected to face police action. Hours later, many of those same individuals were posting videos from the streets after the clashes. Other protesters shared short clips reviewing the effects of tear gas in a humorous style or laughing about the long distances they ran while escaping baton charges. The humour quickly attracted millions of views and became one of the defining features of the protest movement online. Participants said the jokes were never meant to make light of the violence. Instead, they described humour as a way to deal with fear and emotional stress. Many said laughing together helped them remain calm during an extremely tense situation. Young demonstrators also explained that recording videos had become a natural part of participating in modern protests. Smartphones allowed them to document events from their own perspective and preserve evidence of what happened on the streets. Researchers who study digital culture say the protests highlight how political activism is changing among younger generations. Unlike traditional demonstrations that relied mainly on speeches, banners and newspapers, today’s movements increasingly use short videos, memes and online storytelling to spread their message. Experts believe internet humour has become an effective political tool because it reaches audiences who may not normally follow current affairs. A single viral video or meme can introduce complex political issues to millions of young people in a simple and engaging way. Observers also note that humour has always played an important role in protest movements around the world. Songs, cartoons, street theatre and satire have historically helped protesters build unity, reduce fear and maintain morale during difficult campaigns. Social media has simply given those traditions a new digital form.