Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, accusing him of yielding to pressure from US President Donald Trump regarding the imposition of tariffs, questioning Modi’s leadership and silence on critical issues.

Addressing the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session on the banks of the Sabarmati River on Wednesday, Gandhi warned that an “economic storm” is looming over India.

“Did you see the photograph of PM Modi hugging Trump? This time, Trump didn’t just hug; he ordered Modi ji to accept new tariffs without a word of protest. To distract from this, they staged a two-day drama in Parliament,” Gandhi said, taunting, “Where is the PM hiding?” He also took a jibe at Modi’s earlier “56-inch chest” rhetoric, implying a lack of assertiveness on the global stage.

Gandhi further criticized Modi’s recent meeting with Bangladesh Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, pointing out what he described as contradictory stances. “Yunus gives adverse remarks, yet he is sitting with him. What kind of leadership is this?” he questioned, highlighting what he sees as inconsistency in Modi’s foreign policy.

Turning to domestic issues, Gandhi strongly condemned the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, calling it “anti-Constitutional” and an assault on religious freedom. “This Act is not just an attack on one community; it’s a threat to the freedom of religion itself,” he warned, alleging that the BJP and RSS have broader designs.

Citing an article in an RSS-affiliated magazine, he claimed that after targeting Muslims, the BJP-RSS would soon turn their attention to the rights of Christians and Sikhs.

Gandhi also outlined the Congress party’s strategy to counter these challenges. He announced plans to empower and strengthen District Congress Committees and their leaders, positioning them as the backbone of the organization moving forward.

On the issue of social justice, he reiterated the party’s commitment to a caste census, stating, “We will break the 50 percent reservation barrier. What Telangana has done, we will do across the country.”

He accused the RSS’s ideology of being fundamentally opposed to the Constitution, claiming, “They want to control all institutions in the country.” Gandhi urged party leaders to brace for a tough fight to defend the Constitution, emphasizing, “They have all the resources, but we have truth and the love of the people on our side.”

The iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo was bustling with musicians, athletes, and government officials when debris began to fall from the ceiling, landing in patrons’ drinks.

Tragedy struck with the collapse of the entire roof, claiming the lives of at least 98 individuals and injuring around 160 in one of the worst nightclub disasters in the Dominican Republic’s history. As concrete slabs crashed down, more than 114 people were killed, and many others were trapped on a packed dance floor where attendees were enthusiastically enjoying a merengue concert early Tuesday morning. Authorities reported over 255 injuries.

Among the deceased was Rubby Pérez, a beloved merengue star who had been performing just moments before the calamity. His body was recovered early Wednesday, according to emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez.

Rescue teams continued to search for survivors more than a day after the incident. “We will remain here as long as there are reports of missing persons,” Méndez stated.

Assistance arrived from rescue teams from Puerto Rico and Israel on Wednesday to aid local officials in their efforts.

As night fell on Tuesday, families and friends still searching for their loved ones gathered outside the club, where a guitarist played soothing melodies while they sang hymns.

Only 32 victims have been identified thus far in what is marked as one of the Dominican Republic’s deadliest disasters. Reports indicate that among the victims were a cardiologist, a government architect, a retired police officer, and the brother of the vice minister of Youth.

Also among the deceased are MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, as confirmed by Satosky Terrero, spokesperson for the Professional Baseball League.

Nelsy Cruz, the Governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, informed President Luis Abinader about the disaster. Tragically, she called for help from beneath the rubble but later succumbed to her injuries in a hospital.

Other casualties included saxophonist Luis Solís, who was performing on stage when the roof fell, several Venezuelan bartenders, and an Army officer who left behind four daughters. Grupo Popular, a financial services firm, noted that three of its employees perished, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. Unfortunately, many more victims remain unidentified.

“I’ve searched all the hospitals and haven’t found her,” lamented Deysi Suriel, who was desperately trying to locate her friend, 61-year-old Milca Curiel, during her vacation in the Dominican Republic.

Numerous anxious relatives flocked to the National Institute of Forensic Pathology to search through lists of victims, while others scoured hospitals, clutching photos of their loved ones.

“There’s a lot of pain,” commented Senator Daniel Rivera, the former public health minister. “We must exercise patience.”

Among those desperately looking for their families was Kimberly Jones, whose godson, 45-year-old artist Osiris Blanc, and his friends were unaccounted for.

In a tragic and shocking incident on Wednesday, April 9, Sushma Devi, the granddaughter of Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, was allegedly shot dead by her husband, Ramesh, at their residence in Tetua village, Atri block, Gaya district.

The police have launched a swift investigation and are conducting a manhunt to apprehend the accused, who fled the scene after the crime.

According to reports, the incident occurred around noon when Ramesh, a truck driver based in Patna, allegedly used a country-made pistol to shoot Sushma inside their home. After the attack, he discarded the weapon and escaped, leaving the village in chaos.

Local residents, alerted by the sound of gunfire, rushed to the house and found Sushma in critical condition. They immediately took her to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared her dead on arrival. The police arrived shortly afterward, took custody of her body, and sent it for a postmortem examination as they began their probe.

Sushma, who worked as a Vikas Mitra (development worker) in the Atri block, had been married to Ramesh for approximately 14 years in an inter-caste union. At the time of the shooting, Sushma’s sister and children were in another room of the house. They hurried to the scene upon hearing the gunshot and discovered Sushma lying on the floor, injured. Neighbors also gathered, stunned by the violence that had unfolded in their quiet village.

The motive behind the murder remains unclear, but the police are exploring all angles, including domestic disputes or other personal conflicts. A search operation is underway to locate Ramesh, who remains at large. The authorities have assured that they are leaving no stone unturned to ensure his arrest and to deliver justice to Sushma’s family.