Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
A newly published political book has revealed fresh details about former President Barack Obama's complicated relationship with the Democratic Party, portraying him as a figure who weakened the party’s infrastructure during and after his time in office.
The book, Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House, authored by political journalists Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, claims that Obama was never a strong loyalist to the Democratic Party. According to the authors, rather than relying on the traditional Democratic Party structure, Obama built his political base by fostering a network of Black professionals to support his campaigns, differentiating him from figures such as former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and current President Joe Biden.
One of the major points highlighted in the book is the creation of Organizing for Action, a nonprofit organisation founded in 2012 following Obama's re-election. Designed to promote his legislative agenda, Organizing for Action is said to have inadvertently weakened the Democratic Party by competing with it for both influence and fundraising. "Though Organizing for Action never realised his vision, it competed with the party for power and money," the book states. "He left the Democratic Party far weaker than he found it. Or, as one Black party operative put it, 'Obama destroyed that s---.'"
Following Obama's departure from the White House in 2016, prominent Democratic figures, including the Clintons, Joe Biden, and former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Donna Brazile, reportedly sought to rebuild the party's infrastructure. According to Allen and Parnes, this rebuilding effort focused on ensuring that party loyalists, rather than far-left progressives, would maintain control at the national and state levels. "By helping install party loyalists at the national and state committees over years, these establishment Democrats kept progressive outsiders at bay," the book notes. One Black Biden ally is quoted as crediting Bill and Hillary Clinton for leading this effort.
Fight also explores Obama's cautious stance towards the 2024 presidential election, in which Kamala Harris ultimately became the Democratic nominee. According to the book, Obama was initially hesitant to endorse Harris, questioning her ability to defeat Donald Trump, who was seeking re-election. Obama’s delay in endorsing Harris, which took place five days after President Biden announced he would not seek a second term, reportedly caused some tension between the former president and Harris, requiring "mending," according to a source close to Obama.
First Lady Michelle Obama at the 2024 Democratic National ConventionGetty
Despite earlier hesitations, former First Lady Michelle Obama made a public show of support for Harris at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. "Kamala Harris is more than ready for this moment," Michelle Obama said. "She is one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency, and she is one of the most dignified — a tribute to her mother, to my mother, and probably to your mother, too, the embodiment of the stories we tell ourselves about this country."
Nevertheless, the book and subsequent analysis suggest that Barack Obama’s influence over the Democratic Party may be on the decline. Political strategists have pointed out that the former president appears increasingly out of touch with the electorate, particularly after Donald Trump's second successful bid for the White House in 2024.
Political commentator Ben Burgess echoed this sentiment in an op-ed for MSNBC, arguing that Obama's 2024 speech at the Obama Democracy Forum demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of the reasons behind Trump's continued political success. While praising Obama’s communication skills, Burgess noted that "there was a massive gaping hole at the centre of his speech," adding, "He still doesn’t understand why his eight years in power culminated in the rise of Trump."
Fight bases its findings on interviews with more than 150 political insiders and provides an inside look at the 2024 election campaign, including the Democratic Party's internal struggles, the Republican Party's strategy under Trump, and the broader political landscape of the time.
The book also highlights the fractures that have emerged within the Democratic Party over the past decade, with tensions between establishment figures and progressive newcomers intensifying. The rebuilding efforts led by the Clintons and Biden sought to maintain traditional party values and prevent a progressive takeover, but the challenges from the left have remained a persistent issue for party leadership.
At the time of writing, Obama’s press office has not responded to requests for comment regarding the claims made in Fight. Meanwhile, Organizing for Action, which once aimed to transform civic engagement, has seen its influence wane significantly since its founding.
Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House offers a detailed narrative of how Barack Obama’s political legacy continues to shape and complicate the Democratic Party’s efforts to redefine itself in a changing American political climate.
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at the age of 18, building it into the largest conservative youth organisation in the country. (Photo: Getty Images)
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk fatally shot at Utah Valley University
Shooter fired from a rooftop in what police called a “targeted attack”
Federal, state and local agencies involved in ongoing manhunt
Political leaders across parties condemn the killing
A MANHUNT was underway Thursday after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University, an attack that has sparked concerns of rising political violence in the United States.
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck while addressing students at the Orem campus on Wednesday. Video from the scene showed him seated under a tent, responding to questions when a single gunshot was heard. He fell back in his chair as the crowd panicked.
The Utah Department of Public Safety said the shooter, dressed in dark clothing, fired from a nearby rooftop in what was described as a “targeted attack.” Authorities confirmed that Kirk was rushed from the venue by his security team but later died.
Witness accounts
Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, who attended the event, told Fox News the shot was fired as Kirk was answering a question about transgender and mass shooters.
“First question was about religion. He went on for about 15-20 minutes. Second question, interestingly, was about transgender shooters, mass shooters, and in the midst of that, the shot rang out,” Chaffetz said.
“As soon as that shot went out, he fell back. Everybody hit the deck... a lot of people started screaming, and then everybody started running.”
Students at the university described the scene as chaotic.
“It makes me feel like I should be very careful about expressing my political ideas,” said Samuel Kimball, a software engineering student. “If I was someone considering going into politics, I’d be afraid to get shot.”
Attendees hold candles during a candlelight vigil and prayer event for Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo: Getty Images)
Manhunt and investigation
Federal, state and local officers launched door-to-door searches, but the suspect remained at large. The FBI opened a digital tip line and confirmed that two men were briefly detained and later released. One man, George Zinn, was charged with obstruction, but authorities said neither detainee had current ties to the shooting.
There was some confusion during the search when FBI Director Kash Patel initially posted online that the suspect had been caught, before correcting the statement an hour later.
Orem city mayor David Young confirmed multiple agencies were investigating but said no arrests had been made.
Political reactions
President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death on his Truth Social account, calling him “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk.” In a video statement from the Oval Office, Trump blamed the “radical left” for the killing.
“For years those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals,” Trump said. “This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country today. My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it.”
Trump also ordered US flags on federal buildings to be flown at half-staff until Sunday.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the killing as a “political assassination.”
“I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this: we will find you, we will try you, and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law,” Cox said. “And I just want to remind people that we still have the death penalty here in the state of Utah.”
Responses across political spectrum
Vice President JD Vance wrote, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
Former president Joe Biden said: “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the attack “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”
Former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt, said she was “horrified.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also condemned the killing, saying “political violence has no place in America.”
Kirk’s influence
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at the age of 18, building it into the largest conservative youth organisation in the country. Known for his social media presence, he was an influential voice among younger voters and a key ally in Trump’s political base.
The Utah event where he was killed was the first of about 15 appearances scheduled through October.
His death follows the killing of a Democratic lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota three months ago.
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Former US vice president Kamala Harris speaks at the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala in San Francisco, California, on April 30, 2025. (Photo by CAMILLE COHEN/AFP via Getty Images)
FORMER US vice president Kamala Harris said it was "recklessness" to let Joe Biden run for a second term as president, in an excerpt released on Wednesday (10) from her upcoming memoir.
She also lashed out at White House staff whom she accused of failing to support her -- and sometimes actively hindering her -- while she was Biden's deputy,
"'It’s Joe and Jill’s decision.' We all said that, like a mantra, as if we’d all been hypnotized. Was it grace, or was it recklessness? In retrospect, I think it was recklessness," Harris said in the first extract from 107 Days, published by The Atlantic magazine.
"The stakes were simply too high. This wasn’t a choice that should have been left to an individual’s ego, an individual’s ambition. It should have been more than a personal decision."
Biden stunned the world by dropping out of the race in July 2024 after a disastrous debate with Trump sparked questions about his age and mental acuity.
Harris denied that there had been any conspiracy to hide Biden's condition but said it was clear there were issues with his age.
"On his worst day, he was more deeply knowledgeable, more capable of exercising judgment, and far more compassionate than Donald Trump on his best," she wrote.
"But at 81, Joe got tired. That’s when his age showed in physical and verbal stumbles."
Harris also lashed out at White House staff whom she said failed to support her when she was vice president, saying that Biden's team did not want her to outshine her boss.
"When the stories were unfair or inaccurate, the president’s inner circle seemed fine with it. Indeed, it seemed as if they decided I should be knocked down a little bit more," Harris wrote.
She added that she had "shouldered the blame" for Biden's border policy, which Trump capitalised on in the election.
Harris lost comprehensively to Republican Trump after the shortest presidential campaign in modern US history lasting just over three months -- the 107 days in the title of her memoir.
(AFP)
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Manoj, from Frisco, Texas, created an innovation called ‘Shield Seniors’, a website designed to help people over 60 identify and report fraudulent messages and emails. (Photo credit: LinkedIn/Tejasvi Manoj)
SEVENTEEN-year-old Indian-American Tejasvi Manoj has been named Time magazine’s ‘Kid of the Year’ for 2025 for her work on protecting senior citizens from online scams.
Manoj, from Frisco, Texas, created an innovation called ‘Shield Seniors’, a website designed to help people over 60 identify and report fraudulent messages and emails.
“Older Americans clearly need protection, and Tejasvi was determined to provide it,” Time said while announcing the recognition. It added that her work earned her the title of TIME’s Kid of the Year for 2025.
She is also the first honouree to be recognised as a TIME for Kids Service Star, part of a programme by the magazine’s sister publication highlighting young people making an impact.
Shield Seniors “educates the 60-plus demographic about what online scams look like, analyse suspicious emails and messages users upload, and, if the communications prove fraudulent, provide links to report them,” Time said.
“The site is currently available in a private preview mode only, pending more R&D and fundraising, but is already — like its creator — making itself known,” it added.
In an interview with Time, Manoj said: “Just make sure to check up on your loved ones. Make sure that they're staying safe online.”
Manoj began coding in eighth grade. She was given an honourable mention in the 2024 Congressional App Challenge, delivered a 2025 TEDx talk in Plano, Texas, about the need to build “digital bridges” to all demographics, and has visited assisted-living facilities, according to the magazine.
She plans to study computer science with a minor in AI or cybersecurity.
Time noted that Manoj continues to advocate for seniors to become “savvy and independent” online, and for families to help them build confidence. Shield Seniors is still in development and runs on a free AI engine, limiting its capacity and reach. Manoj is raising funds to transition to a commercial AI platform.
“We plan to open it to a wider audience once we secure funding to support broader access,” she told the magazine.
Alongside her project, Manoj is active in Scouting America, plays the violin in her school orchestra, and tutors Bhutanese refugees in math and English through Vibha, a nonprofit working on education and workforce development in India, the report said.
She also volunteers with the North Texas Food Bank Young Advocates Council. “I started volunteering in sixth grade,” she said. “I think it’s really important; if you’re lucky yourself, you want to make sure other people feel loved and lucky too.”
In 2020, Indian-American scientist and inventor Gitanjali Rao was the first recipient of the ‘Kid of the Year’ award for her work using technology to address issues including contaminated drinking water, opioid addiction and cyberbullying.
(With inputs from PTI)
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Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.
Trump says he will speak to Modi in the coming weeks amid trade talks
Modi calls US and India "close friends and natural partners"
Trade officials from both countries may restart meetings in September
US-India trade reached $129 billion in 2024 with a $45.8 billion US deficit
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said on Tuesday his administration is continuing negotiations to address trade barriers with India and that he would speak to prime minister Narendra Modi, indicating a possible reset after recent friction.
Trump said he looked forward to speaking to Modi in the "upcoming weeks" and expressed confidence that the two sides could reach an agreement.
"I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries," he said in a post on social media.
Modi responds with optimism
On Wednesday, Modi said Washington and New Delhi "are close friends and natural partners." He added that teams from both sides were working to conclude the trade discussions soon.
"I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people," Modi said in a social media post.
India's shares rose over 0.5 per cent after the remarks from both leaders.
Trade deal uncertainty
Trump had said for months that a trade deal was close, but later doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, raising doubts about the future of the U.S.-India relationship.
In recent weeks, Trump and top US officials criticised India for buying oil from Russia, saying New Delhi was funding the war in Ukraine, a charge India denies.
At the same time, Modi has engaged with China and Russia. He visited China last month for a summit hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and was also seen with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Analysts cautious
"While the social media statements by Trump and Modi signal a potential rapprochement between the U.S. and India, it is still premature to assume that a resolution will arrive swiftly," Madhavi Arora, economist at Emkay Global, said.
"With Trump, we will need to wait for more concrete signals that a deal is in the offing."
Meetings to restart in September
Trade officials from India and the US may meet in September to restart in-person discussions, CNBC-TV18 reported, citing sources. A US trade negotiators’ visit to New Delhi scheduled for August 25-29 was cancelled after talks stalled.
India's trade ministry declined to comment on reports of new meetings.
According to US Census Bureau data, two-way goods trade between the US and India reached $129 billion in 2024, with a $45.8 billion US trade deficit.
Tariffs and EU pressure
Trump recently said India had offered to reduce tariffs on US goods to zero but described the offer as late, saying the country should have acted earlier.
Reuters reported that Trump urged the European Union to impose 100% tariffs on China and India as part of pressure tactics against Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Indian officials in New Delhi said they do not expect the EU to take measures against India and that assurances had been given that EU trade talks would not be disrupted.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Sitting at the centre of a long table, Trump was flanked by First Lady Melania Trump and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on one side, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the other. (Photo: Getty Images)
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump praised Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai during a White House dinner with top technology executives on Thursday. The two Indian-American leaders thanked him for his leadership and for policies in the technology and AI sectors.
Trump described the gathering as a “high IQ group,” calling the executives “the most brilliant people.” Sitting at the centre of a long table, Trump was flanked by First Lady Melania Trump and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on one side, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the other. Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook sat across from him, while Nadella was seated toward one end of the table.
“It’s an honour to be here with this group of people. They’re leading a revolution in business and in genius and in every other work you can imagine,” Trump said.
After his remarks, Trump invited the technology leaders to share their thoughts.
Pichai said the “AI moment is one of the most transformative moments any of us have ever seen or will see in our lifetimes. So making sure the US is at the forefront.” He called the White House’s “AI Action Plan,” announced in July, a “great start.”
“We look forward to working together. And thanks for your leadership,” Pichai told Trump. “Great job you’re doing. Incredible, really,” Trump replied.
Turning to Nadella, Trump said the Microsoft chief “has done a pretty good job” and pointed to Microsoft stock rising from USD 28 to over USD 500. “What a job you’ve done,” Trump said.
Nadella thanked Trump “for bringing us all together” and for policies that support US leadership in technology. He added that market access and global trust in American technology were key.
“I think that everything that you are doing in terms of setting in place the platform where the rest of the world can not only use our technology, but trust our technology more than any other alternative, is perhaps the most important issue, and you and your policies are really helping a lot,” Nadella said.
Nadella also thanked the First Lady for hosting a discussion on AI and economic opportunity. Trump responded: “A really amazing job you’ve done.”
Earlier in the day, Melania Trump hosted a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, joined by Pichai, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna and other industry leaders.
Speaking after Nadella, Gates said he is now in the second phase of his career, “giving away all the wonderful money that Satya’s good work has helped multiply a lot,” drawing laughter from Trump.
During the dinner, Trump asked Pichai about Google’s investment plans. Pichai said the company would invest USD 250 billion in the US over the next two years. “It’s great. We are proud of you. A lot of jobs,” Trump responded.
Trump also asked Nadella about Microsoft’s investment. Nadella said the company invests about USD 75–80 billion each year in the US. “Very good, thank you very much,” Trump said.
Responding to media questions at the event, Trump repeated his claim that he had “settled” seven wars, without naming them. He added that three of those wars had lasted 31, 34 and 37 years. Trump also said he would soon speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding, “We are having a very good dialogue.”
Other attendees included Google co-founder Sergey Brin, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle CEO Safra Catz.