Digest for 05 November, 2025
Death Toll in Chhattisgarh Train Collision Rises to 11
A passenger train collided with a freight train near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, killing at least 11 people and injuring 20. The MEMU passenger train allegedly overshot a red signal before ramming into the goods train from behind. The impact was severe, causing one coach to mount a wagon. The loco pilot was among the deceased. The Railways has announced compensation for the victims and initiated an inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety to determine the exact cause of the disaster.
Zohran Mamdani Becomes First Indian-American Muslim Mayor of New York City
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, 34, has been elected mayor of New York City, becoming the city's first Muslim and South Asian-origin leader. The son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. In his victory speech, he quoted former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and celebrated by playing the Bollywood song 'Dhoom Machale', signaling a significant political and cultural moment for the city and the Indian-American community.
Kerala High Court Rules First Wife Must Be Heard Before Muslim Man's Second Marriage Registration
The Kerala High Court has delivered a landmark ruling stating that a Muslim man's first wife must be given an opportunity to be heard before his second marriage can be registered under the state's common marriage rules. Justice P. V. Kunhikrishnan emphasized that when registering a marriage, secular law prevails over personal law, and constitutional rights are supreme. The court noted this gives Muslim women a voice and prevents them from being "silent spectators" to their husband's subsequent marriages.
Democrats Sweep Virginia Races, Making Spanberger First Woman Governor and Hashmi First Muslim Lt. Governor
In a historic Virginia election, Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to become the state's first-ever female governor. In a concurrent victory, Indian-American Democrat Ghazala Hashmi was elected Lieutenant Governor, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian American to hold the post. These key victories for the Democratic party represent significant milestones for female and minority representation in American politics and are seen as a bellwether for upcoming midterm elections.
Dick Cheney, Influential and Polarising Former US Vice President, Dies at 84
Dick Cheney, who served as Vice President under George W. Bush, has died at age 84. Considered one of the most powerful vice presidents in US history, he was a chief architect of the "war on terror" and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. A staunch conservative, Cheney also served as Secretary of Defense and White House Chief of Staff. In his later years, he became a prominent Republican critic of former President Donald Trump, whom he called a "threat to our republic."