Sonam Wangchuk’s protest at Jantar Mantar is gaining national attention as his indefinite hunger strike continues over alleged examination irregularities. Political visits, health concerns and a planned Parliament march have increased pressure for a government response. Sonam Wangchuk Protest Draws Wider Attention Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar has begun attracting wider public,

AP local body elections are emerging as a major test for the TDP-Jana Sena-BJP alliance. As YSRCP-linked narratives question Jana Sena’s expected seat share, the party leadership is asking workers to strengthen its grassroots organisation and maintain coordination with NDA partners. AP Local Polls Bring Alliance Questions Into Focus The approaching local body elections in Andhra Pradesh are beginning to generate political debate over sea

India’s first hydrogen train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Jind railway station in Haryana. The fuel-cell train will operate on the Jind-Sonipat route, generating electricity on board while emitting water vapour and heat at the point of use. Hydrogen Train Launch Marks Indian Railways Milestone Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, July 17, 2026, flagged off India’s first h

Jagan 2.0 Super App has been launched by YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to connect party workers with leaders. The platform combines grievance reporting, social media tools, live updates, a digital book and an organisational library. Jagan 2.0 Super App Launched in Tadepalli Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the Jagan 2.0 Super App at the party’s central office in Ta

Tirupati temple donations reached a record Rs 96.98 crore in 24 hours as 2,460 devotees contributed before TTD’s revised donor policy took effect. The rush was driven by the end of lifetime privileges, shorter benefit periods and new digital darshan rules. Record Donations Before New Policy Deadline Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams collected a record Rs 96.98 crore in donations within 24 hours on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, as devotees rushe

The UP cleric Krishna remark controversy erupted after a video of Maulana Jarjis Ansari claiming Lord Krishna was Muslim and offered namaz went viral. Hindu groups demanded his arrest, while the cited Bhagavad Gita verse does not support the claim. Viral Video Triggers Krishna Remark Controversy A video of Maulana Jarjis Ansari has sparked a fresh religious controversy after he was heard claiming that Lord Krishna was a Muslim and offered namaz five times

Bangladesh freezes Sheikh Hasina assets worth $6.19 billion as authorities expand investigations into alleged corruption, money laundering and tax evasion. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit says asset recovery efforts are underway with support from multiple government agencies. Bangladesh Freezes Sheikh Hasina Assets Worth $6.19 Billion Bangladesh has frozen assets worth Tk 760 billion (about $6.19 billion) linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her family members and ten of the country's largest business groups. The move marks one of the biggest financial enforcement actions since the political transition that followed the 2024 student-led uprising. Sheikh Hasina Investigation Expands Speaking during the release of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) annual report in Dhaka, BFIU chief Ikhtiar Uddin Mohammad Mamun said court orders enabled authorities to freeze Tk 570 billion in assets within Bangladesh and another Tk 190 billion overseas. He did not disclose how much of the frozen assets belonged to individual family members or each business group. The investigation began after Sheikh Hasina left office on August 5, 2024, following widespread protests. She later traveled to India, where she has remained since. The interim administration led by Professor Muhammad Yunus directed authorities to examine allegations including corruption, bribery, fraud, forgery, money laundering, foreign currency smuggling and tax evasion involving Hasina's family and several leading corporate groups. Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit Leads Probe According to the BFIU, authorities are concentrating on tracing and recovering assets that investigators believe were transferred outside Bangladesh. Mamun said officials are working with international partners and expressed hope that progress on recovering overseas assets could be announced before the end of the year. The financial investigation is being coordinated by the BFIU with support from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The agencies are examining financial records, banking transactions and ownership structures connected to individuals and companies under investigation. Business Groups Investigation Covers Major Companies Authorities confirmed that the investigation includes S Alam Group, Beximco Group, Nabil Group, Summit Group, Orion Group, Premier Group, Nassa Group, Bashundhara Group, Sikder Group and Aramit Group. Officials have not announced individual findings against any of these companies, stating that investigations remain ongoing. The large-scale asset freeze highlights Bangladesh's efforts to strengthen financial oversight while addressing allegations of illicit financial activity. Officials say legal procedures and court approvals continue to guide the investigation. Asset Recovery Efforts Continue Responding to questions about whether the investigations were politically motivated, Mamun said political affiliation plays no role in financial intelligence work. He stated that authorities focus on suspicious financial transactions regardless of an individual's position or identity. Mamun also said banks are required to freeze accounts whenever suspicious activity is identified. He added that if evidence emerges involving members of the current interim government, those cases would also be investigated under the same legal framework. The BFIU said the investigation remains active, with asset recovery now a priority. Authorities have indicated that additional developments could be announced as financial reviews, legal proceedings and international cooperation continue. Source: Statements by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) during the release of its annual report in Dhaka. Suggested internal links: Global News, Business & Economy, Government Policy, Bangladesh news archive, Money & Finance category.

Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan, Harvard economist Raj Chetty and Microsoft executive Asha Sharma have joined newly formed Federal Reserve task forces examining major areas of US monetary policy. The panels will study the Fed’s balance sheet, economic data, employment, productivity, communications and inflation framework. Fed Review Brings Global Experts Into Policy Reform The US Federal

Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar assured farmers that their land would not be forcibly acquired for the Bidadi Township project and announced a committee review. No land without farmers consent Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has assured farmers that the state government will not forcibly acquire land for the proposed Bidadi Township. His statement followed protests over a land survey that farmers said was being conducted without the

President Donald Trump will appear on a new $1 coin produced by the United States Mint, becoming the first living US president whose portrait will feature on an official American coin. The numismatic product forms part of the national celebrations marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The US Mint said the Trump commemorative $1 coin is expected to become available in late fall 2026. Unlike ordinary circula

China has constructed a detailed, full-scale target resembling a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer at a remote testing range in Xinjiang. Satellite imagery attributed to US geospatial company Vantor suggests the model could help China study missile targeting, surveillance and strike coordination against a moving naval platform. Desert Target Shows Greater Structural Detail The China ship repl

The US military testosterone screening program will introduce annual military medical screening for eligible service members to improve combat readiness. The policy also offers voluntary testosterone replacement therapy for troops diagnosed with low hormone levels. US Military Testosterone Screening Introduced to Improve Combat Readiness The United States D

The United States has approved a potential $1.96 billion precision-weapons sale to Saudi Arabia as the kingdom faces renewed missile and drone threats from Yemen’s Houthi movement. The proposed package includes Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems designed to improve Saudi air defence and regional military coordination. Saudi defence receives major US weapons boost The US State Department approved the possi

A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a revised sanctions bill that could impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries purchasing large amounts of Russian oil and gas. India and China are among the five countries specifically targeted, placing renewed pressure on their energy trade with Moscow while raising questions about the future of India-US commercial relations. India tariff threat under revised US bill

US Vice President JD Vance has admitted that the Trump administration mishandled communication surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files. During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Vance said officials created unnecessary confusion but rejected accusations of a deliberate cover-up. Epstein release should have started earlier Vance said the administration should have released the available Epstein material mo

US President Donald Trump said Iran has allowed an American woman detained since December 2024 to leave the country. He welcomed the development as a goodwill gesture by Tehran, although several important details about her case, release and current destination remain publicly unconfirmed. Trump claim on detained American Trump announced the woman’s departure from Iran in a Truth Social post on Wednesday, July

The Peterborough Hindu temple operated by Bharat Hindu Samaj is challenging the city council’s proposed property sale in the UK High Court. Trustees argue that the bidding process was unlawful and could leave the area’s Hindu community without a suitable place of worship. A Hindu temple in Peterborough, England, has asked the UK High Court to overturn the city council’s proposed sale of its long-standing property to an Islamic organizati

India's RBI-backed FCNR deposit initiative has reportedly mobilized nearly $10 billion in foreign-currency deposits from NRIs. The strong response highlights growing demand for foreign-currency savings while helping strengthen India's external financing position. India's temporary Reserve Bank of India (RBI) initiative to encourage Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR(B)) deposits has reportedly attracted nearly $10

The Utah mall stabbing left an Indian Muslim kiosk worker critically injured at Valley Fair Mall. Police allege that suspect Peter Michael Larsen selected Sohail because of his religion and intended to kill him before bystanders intervened. Utah Mall Stabbing Leaves Indian Muslim Worker Critically Injured An Indian Muslim kiosk worker was critically injured in an alleged religiously motivated s

Indian student Makkena Prasanna, 27, died in a New Jersey crash while traveling with friends. The Andhra Pradesh native had completed a master’s degree in the United States, and her family is seeking government help to return her remains to India Indian student Makkena Prasanna, 27, died in a car crash in New Jersey on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, according to reports from India. Three friends traveling with her were reportedly