French transgender chess player, who faced online abuse, wins national title; creates history
Yosha Iglesias, 37, has become the French Women’s Chess Champion, making history as the second transgender player to win a national chess title. Iglesias, who was ranked seventh in the 16-player knockout event in Vichy, France, secured her victory by defeating Women’s Grand Master Mitra Hejazipour 1.5-0.5 in the final match. Iglesias progressed through the tournament by defeating WGM Maria Nepeina-Leconte 3.5-2.5, IM Pauline Guichard 1.5-0.5, and IM Anastasia Savina 1.5-0.5 in the semi-final. During the quarter-final against Guichard, Iglesias played what she considers the best game of her career. “Nothing makes me happier than knowing my title might show young trans people that they don’t have to choose between chess and transition. I don’t want them to suffer like I did during the many years I thought I had to reject my trans identity to continue playing the game I love.” Iglesias follows Annemarie Meier, who won the German Women’s Chess Championship in 2003, as the second transgender athlete to win a national chess title. Meier, who no longer actively plays, shared her support for Iglesias. “It is a worldwide signal for the visibility and acceptance of us trans women, for our normalisation, an empowerment that alleviates our doubts about our right to exist. I wish that the public dialogue about trans women in chess and in sports would be conducted without fear, and especially without hatred, with respect from all sides,” told Chess.com. Yosha Chess Since her transition in 2021, Iglesias has advocated for women’s and trans rights within the chess community. She faced controversy in 2023 when FIDE implemented a policy banning transgenders from official women-only events for two years pending further analysis. Iglesias has encountered online harassment following her success. She addressed this challenge through social media, expressing gratitude to her harassers for helping build her mental strength. “At the beginning of my transition, I knew I would face much hatred. I decided to make it an opportunity to grow as a person and also as a player in the face of adversity.” The championship final concluded with a meaningful moment between Iglesias and her opponent Hejazipour. “When Mitra resigned in the final game, I let a few tears drop while Mitra congratulated me. Shortly after, she hugged me with a huge smile. That shows how classy she is, but also that we share a deep sense of sisterhood.” Iglesias plans to pursue the WGM title after recovering from upcoming surgery in October. She aims to represent France at the Olympic Games or the European Team Championship. “At 37, I’ll reach my peak rating in the upcoming list. That shows that life before transition is only half-lived, and that transitioning enables you to truly blossom. I’ll try to make it for all the years I wasted before I finally accepted who I already was.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
The Dalit Leader Who Chose Pakistan, Became Law Minister, Then Returned To India: Jogendra Nath Mandal’s Story
Know the untold story of Jogendra Nath Mandal, a prominent Dalit leader who became Pakistan’s first Law Minister, only to return to India after Jinnah’s death amid rising religious extremism. With India marking its 79th Independence Day, the tale of Jogendra Nath Mandal, the eminent Dalit leader who opted for Pakistan over India during Partition, presents a heart-wrenching and lesser-known page from the history of the subcontinent. Disillusioned with India’s social order and initially attracted by the promises of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mandal became the first Law Minister of Pakistan. But his expectations were thwarted as religiosity did a rapid turnaround, eventually forcing him back to India. Born into a farmer’s family belonging to the Namasudra community (a Dalit group) from Barisal, British India, Jogendra Nath Mandal overcame odds to seek education, eventually graduating with a law degree in 1934. Far from practicing law, he spent his life fighting against injustice and striving for the betterment of Dalits. Mandal’s political life started with Barisal municipal elections, where he worked relentlessly to enhance the lives of marginalized people. During the 1937 provincial election, he defeated the Congress district committee president and secured the Bakarganj North-East assembly seat as an independent candidate. Under the initial influence of Subhas Chandra Bose, Mandal was eventually drawn towards the Muslim League when Bose quit Congress. Mandal was also highly impressed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Mandal was pivotal in making Ambedkar win the 1946 Constituent Assembly polls from Bengal when Ambedkar lost from Bombay. Mandal was a member of the Constituent Assembly himself and played a significant role in formulating the Indian Constitution through his deliberations and suggestions to Ambedkar. Influenced By Jinnah, Warned By Ambedkar In the 1946 riots, Jogendra Nath Mandal went through East Bengal, advising Dalits not to retaliate against Muslims but to consider both groups as victims of oppression by Hindu upper castes. It was then that he sided with the Muslim League and became a close associate of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Although he was not the first to favor India’s partition, he eventually became convinced that the condition of Dalits would never change in an upper-caste dominated Hindu-majority country and Pakistan could provide a better alternative. In October 1946, Jinnah selected Mandal as one of the five representatives of the Muslim League in the interim Indian government. When Mandal opted to immigrate to Pakistan after Jinnah’s assurances, he was cautioned by his peer and India’s leading Dalit leader, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. However, influenced by Jinnah, Mandal opted for Pakistan. Pakistan’s First Law Minister And Later Disillusionment On Partition, Jogendra Nath Mandal shifted to Pakistan and became its Constituent Assembly member and temporary chairman. Jinnah assigned him the responsibility of chairing the first session of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. By a stroke of fate, while Dr. Ambedkar was made India’s first Law Minister, Jogendra Nath Mandal was made Pakistan’s first Law Minister and Labour Minister. Yet, Mandal’s dreams started to fall apart soon after Jinnah’s demise in September 1948. He saw firsthand the worst kind of discrimination inflicted upon Dalits and was shook to the core by the growing violence against Hindus in Pakistan. His political stock declined sharply after Jinnah’s death. Even though he made sincere appeals to Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, regarding the issues faced by Hindus and Dalits, his appeals came to naught. Mandal had dreamed about Pakistan being a country where Dalit emancipation could bloom, but the open discrimination against Hindu minorities crushed all his dreams. Religious extremists started oppressing Hindus, and Mandal felt more and more alone in Pakistani politics. The Painful Return To India A chain of events following the death of Jinnah disillusioned Mandal, who felt that there was no one remaining in the government that would ensure promises to minorities were kept. He witnessed the emergence of people who were bent on putting religion into the state. Things became so tough for Mandal in Pakistan that he was forced to escape. In 1950, Pakistan enacted the controversial ‘Objectives Resolution,’ which was favored by nearly all Muslim members of the Constituent Assembly (with the exception of Mian Iftikharuddin) but opposed by nearly all minority members. Even one of the minority members had the following to say: If Jinnah were alive, this resolution would never have been passed.” Mandal stayed in Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan’s cabinet until 1950, even grumbling all along about atrocities committed on Dalits in East Pakistan. Jogendra Nath Mandal eventually put in his resignation on October 8, 1950. In his letter of resignation, he showed deep despair regarding the future of the minorities and listed the reasons why he had lost faith. He mentioned hundreds of Dalit killings in Bengal by the army, police, and Muslim League activists, which hurt him deeply and totally severed his attachment to Pakistan. Upon resigning from the Pakistani government, Mandal’s re-entry into India, or more precisely West Bengal, caused a political commotion. He migrated to India in 1950. Ironically, in India too he was suspicious of his own kind because of his Pakistani background. Though he had been a close confidant of Dr. Ambedkar, India’s leading Dalit leader prior to Partition, Mandal now had no political backing. He spent his later years in a highly backward section of Calcutta until his death in 1968. Mandal tried to revive his political life by repairing his Congress connections, running elections in North Calcutta in 1952 and 1957, a Dalit reserved constituency, but lost both times. He died in 1968 from a heart attack while he was crossing a river by a boat. The reason for his death is still uncertain since no post-mortem was carried out. Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news andworld News on Zee News. Written By Nitin Kumar Courtesy : Zee News Note: This news is originally published on https:/zeenews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
NFL trailblazer Justine Lindsay returns, igniting waves as Carolina Panthers’ transgender cheerleader
Justine Lindsay is back with the Carolina Panthers this NFL season, making history once again as the league’s first and only openly transgender cheerleader. Her presence breaks barriers, reshaping the NFL’s cultural landscape while inspiring millions worldwide. Lindsay’s journey is more than about football—it’s a powerful symbol of courage and inclusion. Fans and advocates alike are watching closely as she redefines what it means to belong in sports. How Justine Lindsay electrifies the NFL stage as the league’s only openly transgender cheerleader Justine Lindsay’s return to the Panthers’ squad highlights the NFL’s growing commitment to diversity. As the league’s singular openly transgender cheerleader, she commands attention not just for her talent, but for her bold representation. Her visibility challenges traditional norms and sparks vital conversations around acceptance in professional sports. Each performance sends a message: the NFL is evolving, and inclusion is here to stay. — _MLFootball (@_MLFootball) Justine Lindsay’s powerful campaign to empower trans kids and revolutionize youth sports access Beyond the cheerleading field, Lindsay passionately advocates for transgender children’s rights, especially their ability to participate in youth sports. She emphasizes that sports provide vital opportunities for self-expression, confidence, and community. Lindsay insists that denying trans youth access to athletics not only harms their mental health but also deprives them of essential life skills. Her advocacy fuels nationwide debates, spotlighting the importance of inclusive policies in grassroots sports. How Justine Lindsay’s trailblazing presence inspires millions across the world to embrace authenticity and diversity Lindsay’s story resonates far beyond the NFL stadiums. Her bold visibility empowers countless transgender individuals and allies across the globe. By standing tall in a high-profile role, she dismantles stigma and fosters empathy. Fans from diverse backgrounds celebrate her as a trailblazer, someone who proves that authenticity and talent can thrive together on the biggest stages. Justine Lindsay’s journey isn’t just about breaking records; it’s about breaking down walls. As she returns to the Panthers, she invites the world to rethink who belongs in sports—and why. The NFL may never look the same again. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Indian state refiners stopped buying Russian oil amid Trump tariff threat: Report
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, is the biggest buyer of seaborne Russian crude, a vital revenue earner for Russia as it wages war in Ukraine for a fourth year. Indian state refiners have stopped buying Russian oil in the past week as discounts narrowed this month and US President Donald Trump warned countries not to purchase oil from Moscow, industry sources said. India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, is the biggest buyer of seaborne Russian crude, a vital revenue earner for Russia as it wages war in Ukraine for a fourth year. The country’s state refiners – Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemical Ltd – have not sought Russian crude in the past week or so, four sources familiar with the refiners’ purchase plans told Reuters. IOC, BPCL, HPCL, MRPL and the federal oil ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. The four refiners regularly buy Russian oil on a delivered basis and have turned to spot markets for replacement supply – mostly Middle Eastern grades such as Abu Dhabi’s Murban crude and West African oil, sources said. Private refiners Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy, majority owned by Russian entities including oil major Rosneft, have annual deals with Moscow and are the biggest Russian oil buyers in India. On July 14, Trump threatened 100% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with Ukraine. Indian refiners are pulling back from Russian crude as discounts shrink to their lowest since 2022, when Western sanctions were first imposed on Moscow, due to lower Russian exports and steady demand, sources said. Refiners fear the latest EU curbs could complicate overseas trade including fund raising — even for buyers adhering to the price cap. India has reiterated its opposition to “unilateral sanctions”. Trump on Wednesday announced a 25% tariff on goods imported from India from August 1, but added that negotiations were ongoing. He also warned of potential penalties for purchase of Russian arms and oil. On Monday Trump cut the deadline to impose secondary sanction on buyers of Russian exports to 10-12 days from the previous 50-day period, if Moscow does not agree a peace deal with Ukraine. Russia is the top supplier to India, responsible for about 35% of India’s overall supplies. Private refiners bought nearly 60% of India’s average 1.8 million barrels per day of Russian oil imports in the first half of 2025, while state refiners that control over 60% of India’s overall 5.2 million bpd refining capacity, bought the remainder. Reliance purchased Abu Dhabi Murban crude for loading in October this month, an unusual move by the refiner, traders said. Courtesy : MINT Note: This news is originally published on https:/mint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Trump administration sues California Department of Education over transgender athlete policy, citing Title IX violations
In a move that has reignited the national debate around transgender rights in school sports, the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Education and its high school sports authority, alleging that the state’s policies allowing transgender girls to compete on girls’ teams violate federal law. The Justice Department argues that California’s long-standing policy, which allows students to participate in sex-segregated programs based on their gender identity, violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education. The suit claims such inclusion “unfairly displaces” cisgender girls from podiums, awards, and potential college opportunities. A larger culture clash This legal action escalates a broader ideological clash between Republican-led federal agencies and Democratic states like California, which have championed transgender rights in education and athletics. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a stark warning to other states with similar policies: “If you do not comply, you’re next.” California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office pushed back, calling the lawsuit a “cynical distraction” from more pressing education issues—such as the federal withholding of funds for enrichment programs. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which governs high school sports and is also named in the lawsuit, declined to comment, citing pending litigation. However, it has supported the inclusion of trans athletes under state law for over a decade. Legal and political fallout The lawsuit follows Trump’s public criticism of a transgender student-athlete who recently won state-level track titles. A letter from Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon to CIF claimed that this participation violated the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. The federal Education Department had earlier launched investigations into California and other states, including Maine and Oregon, over similar policies. Maine’s governor, Janet Mills, has also clashed with Trump over threats to withdraw federal funding. Meanwhile, three Oregon athletes have filed a federal suit seeking to disqualify records set by transgender competitors, claiming their rights under Title IX were violated. Divided responses The issue continues to polarize the public. Conservative groups argue these lawsuits are necessary to protect “fairness” in girls’ sports. On the other hand, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, including Equality California, say the lawsuit is part of a broader assault on transgender youth and their right to participate fully in school life. Interestingly, even Governor Newsom has shown nuance. In a recent podcast, he questioned whether existing policies adequately ensure fairness, sparking criticism from both sides of the debate. What this means for students As this legal battle plays out, the future of trans inclusion in school athletics remains uncertain. While more than 25 U.S. states have enacted laws banning transgender girls from female sports, many of those laws are being challenged in court. For students, particularly those involved in competitive sports or applying for athletic scholarships, this ongoing legal conflict could affect team participation rules, eligibility standards, and how schools approach gender identity policies moving forward. Courtesy : TTOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetimesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Deported 45 days ago, transperson from Bangladesh slips back into Delhi — ‘to be with live-in partner’
Sources in the police said that Khan, despite being handed over to Bangladeshi authorities, did not return home in May A team from the Delhi Police’s Foreigner Cell, which has been apprehending Bangladeshis staying in India illegally, was in for a surprise when they found that a person they had deported to Bangladesh only 45 days ago, with assistance from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), was back in the Capital. The transgender, Suhan Khan (30), was apprehended in a raid near Azadpur Mandi on Monday. During questioning, Khan allegedly said that he had returned to India to be with his friend, whom he claimed was his lover, and had been staying at Outer Delhi’s Nihal Vihar. Khan had been arrested by the same team from the Foreigner Cell on May 15, while he was found begging in the Azadpur Mandi area, sources in the police said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Bhisham Singh said that Khan’s return to India and getting apprehended again highlights both the persistent efforts by some individuals to re-enter the country illegally and the unwavering vigilance of the Delhi Police. “This incident sends a strong message that any attempt to circumvent legal immigration processes will be met with strict action,” he added. Sources in the police said that Khan, despite being handed over to Bangladeshi authorities, did not return home in May. “He stayed for a few days in temporary shelters near the Akhaura integrated check post in Agartala and somehow managed to trespass the border again. He then took a train to Delhi and reached Nihal Vihar by bus – all in the same month of his deportation,” a source said. “Khan said he was in love with his live-in partner, which is why he came back to India,” the source added. Khan, a native of Sylhet district in Bangladesh, had initially come to Delhi 10 years ago. He had illegally crossed the West Bengal border and arrived in Delhi, where he initially worked as a daily wage labourer and later became a beggar at traffic signals. On May 15, he was deported for the first time. According to a senior police officer, the FRRO will be informed about the development. “The deportation process is handled by the FRRO. Under this, deportees or individuals staying illegally are sent back to their countries in batches or groups. The India-Bangladesh border is so porous that despite the deployment of the Border Security Force, people can still cross it easily,” the officer said. Earlier, many Bangladeshi nationals had re-entered India months or weeks after their deportation, he added. Courtesy : Hindi News
Saree-Bindi and Surgery: Five Bangladeshis living as transgenders in Delhi caught, used app for this work
Police campaign against illegal immigrants continues in Delhi. On Saturday, more than 100 slums in Ashok Vihar were searched. From where 18 were caught including five Bangladeshis living in the guise of transgenders. The Foreign Cell of North-West District has caught 18 Bangladeshis living illegally, out of which five were living as transgenders. Police have recovered seven phones from their possession, in which the banned IMO app was downloaded. With the help of the app, they used to talk to their relatives living in Bangladesh. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police of the district, Sikandar Singh, said that under the campaign, the police team conducted a thorough search of 100 slums and 150 lanes in Ashok Vihar these days. During this, a suspicious person was caught and interrogated. At first he told that he was a citizen of West Bengal, but on strict interrogation, he confessed to being a Bangladeshi citizen. On his information, the police caught a total of 13 members of his family. It included 10 adults and 3 children. They were living in India without any documents. At the same time, the police have arrested five Bangladeshi citizens from the same area who were asking for money at traffic signals in the guise of transgenders. All of them used to wear heavy makeup, saree, salwar suit, fake hair, bangles, bindi to look like women. During interrogation, they told that they had also undergone hormonal treatment and minor surgery to hide their identity. Some had also changed their voice and gestures. The police officer said that all those arrested are residents of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The police presented all of them in the Foreign Registration Office for deportation. From where they have been sent to the detention center. Published by: Anuj Kumar Courtesy: Hindi News
Evening news wrap: Trump ‘really unhappy’ with Iran and Israel; Air India to resume Middle East and Europe flights and more
Today’s evening news wrap consists follow-ups on the Iran-Israel conflict and Maharashtra CM responding to Rahul Gandhi’s allegation of “voter theft”. US president Donald Trump announced that he is “really unhappy with Israel and “not happy with Iran either” amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Earlier today he had also declared a “complete and total ceasefire” where Iran had quickly disputed Trump’s claim. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, has accused of “vote theft” and significant voter list irregularities in Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s constituency, citing an eight per cent increase within five months. Trump really unhappy with Israel and Iran amid ongoing conflict US President Donald Trump issued a strong rebuke following reports that Israel resumed airstrikes shortly after a US-brokered ceasefire with Iran. Posting on Truth Social, he warned: “Israel. Do not drop those bombs. If you do it is a major violation”. Speaking to reporters Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with both sides saying, “I did not like that Israel ‘unloaded’ immediately after agreeing to ceasefire, and added “I am not happy with Iran either”. He emphasized restraint and urged Israel’s military to stand down, while reiterating that Iran must not be allowed to rebuild its nuclear program. Read more Rahul Gandhi alleges voter list manipulation in Devendra Fadnavis’ Constituency Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha has accused of significant voter irregularities in Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ constituency highlighting that the voter list grew by eight per cent in five months, which he termed as “vote theft”. “Media uncovered thousands of voters with n o verified address. And the EC? Silent -or complicit”, he said through a post on X. In response, CM Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the allegations and said that there are several assembly constituencies where voters went up eight percent and the candidates from Congress were elected. “Jhuth bole kauwa kaate koi kavwe se dariyo”, he posted on X. Read more Blackbox of crashed Air India plane not sent to abroad, assures civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu, the civil aviation minister refuted media reports that claimed that the blackbox of the crashed Ai plane in Ahmedabad was sent to abroad and confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AIIB) is analyzing it in India. Speaking on the sidelines of the helicopters and small aircraft summit 2025, jointly organised by FICCI and the Naidu assured that “….it is all a speculation”. Shortly after the incident the government announced the formation of high-level panel to investigate on the cause of the crash. Naidu reiterated that the investigation is ongoing under AAIB. Read more Air India to resume Middle East, Europe flights on Tuesday, US, and Canada to follow Air India had said on Tuesday that it would “progressively resume flights” to West Asia amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Most Middle East operations are to restart from June 25. This decision comes hours after Iran and Israel have agreed on a ceasefire plan proposed by US president Donald Trump to bring an end to the 12 day conflict. Flights to and from Europe are being reinstated while services to the US East Coast and Canada will resume soon. “Air India will continue to avoid airspaces assessed as unsafe at any given time”, said the Air India spokesperson. Read more New US visa rule: Visa applicants to change this setting on FB, Instagram The US embassy in India has now declared that F, M, and J non-immigrant visa applicants now need to make their social media accounts public. This is to help US officials verify the identity and eligibility of visa applicants during the security screening process. This regulation is effective immediately. “Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M or J non immigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United Stated under the US law”, said the post. Read more Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.