In a landmark ruling, Bangladesh's Supreme Court acquitted former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, clearing her of all charges. The verdict, delivered by a bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, also exonerated Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and other suspects involved in the case. Zia, who had faced a combined 17 years in prison across multiple corruption charges, had been imprisoned in 2018 but w

Kodi Pandem, also known as cockfighting, is a notorious yet deeply rooted tradition in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, especially during the Sankranthi festival season. Every year, the event sees intense competitions, with bets often reaching astronomical figures. This year, however, the tradition has gained even more attention due to a particularly high-stakes match that has gone viral on social

On Friday, Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term as Venezuela's president, despite widespread accusations of election fraud and a growing wave of international opposition. Having served as president since 2013, Maduro has weathered numerous crises, including a collapsing economy, US sanctions, and ongoing protests. His controversial victory in the July 2024 elections was followed by violent crackdowns, which saw over 2,400 people arrested and at least 28 killed. This marks

 In a significant political development ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, Arvind Kejriwal, National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), announced that both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Samajwadi Party (SP) had pledged their support for his party. The former Delhi Chief Minister expressed his gratitude towards West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and SP President Akhilesh Yadav for their backing, recalling their previous support during the 2020 Delhi elections. Kejriwal

Chandrababu Naidu's Security Measures Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has been granted one of the highest levels of security among Indian politicians. This is due to the significant security threats he faces, particularly from Naxals, which date back to the Alipiri attack in 2004. The state government has ensured that Naidu’s safety is a top priority by allocating him a robust protection setup, which includes National Security Guard (NSG) commandos an

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has given the state government six weeks to ensure proper disposal of Union Carbide factory waste in accordance with safety guidelines. This follows the shift of waste, sealed in 12 containers, from the defunct factory in Bhopal to a disposal site in Pithampur, about 250 km away, on January 2, 2025. The court’s decision comes after the state's Advocate General Prashant Singh expressed concerns about unrest in Pithampur due to misinformation about the wa

The political relations between the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been strained in the past, especially over issues like the distribution of Krishna River water, unresolved power charges after bifurcation, and other disagreements. However, recent statements by Telangana's Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, suggest a shift toward collaboration. In a public address, Revanth emphasized that the two states should not view each other as rivals but instead compete together glob

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu clarified that no action would be taken against Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) concerning allegations of bribery until concrete proof is provided. Speaking at the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) headquarters in Mangalagiri, Naidu emphasized the need for more evidence, especially as the case is still under investigation in the United States. He noted that the state government cannot act based on mere allegations and will await the outcome of the le

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has reported an impressive Rs. 1,365 crore in Hundi donations for the year 2024. The temple saw a significant number of pilgrims, with 2.55 crore devotees visiting the holy site. A remarkable 99 lakh devotees participated in the tradition of tonsuring their heads as an offering to Lord Venkateswara. TTD also ensured the spiritual nourishment of the devotees, with 6.30 crore serving of Anna Prasadam, a free meal provided to pilgrims. In addition, 12.14 cror

As 2024 comes to a close, many people are reflecting on their achievements and setbacks. Amidst this reflection, a few individuals have stood out as true change-makers, selflessly dedicating their time and resources to make the world a better place. Two such individuals are Gattu Giri and Paluri Siddhartha, whose acts of kindness and charity have touched the lives of many. Gattu Giri, who established the Matrudevobhava Orphanage in 2018, was inspired by a personal tragedy—the

Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has publicly rejected the idea of engaging in revenge politics following his wrongful arrest by Jagan Mohan Reddy over a questionable skill scam case. After Jagan's rise to power, a section of TDP loyalists believed that Naidu might retaliate and have Reddy jailed as payback for the political vendetta. However, Naidu dismissed these speculations, maintaining his commitment to serving the public rather than seeking personal revenge.

The political landscape of West Bengal has been rocked by a renewed focus on the Sandeshkhali region, with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee exchanging sharp statements regarding the controversial island. Sandeshkhali had been in the news earlier this year during the Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP highlighted allegations of land grab and exploitation of women. In response to these claims, Mamata Banerjee dismissed them as false, pointing to a financi

Andhra Pradesh is set to welcome its new Chief Secretary, K Vijayanand, who will assume the role on December 31. Vijayanand, an IAS officer from the 1992 batch, will replace Neerabh Kumar Prasad, who is retiring after reaching the age of superannuation. Neerabh Kumar Prasad had been serving as Chief Secretary since shortly after the Andhra Pradesh elections in June 2024. His retirement has led to the swift appointment of K Vijayanand, a highly respected and experienced IAS officer.

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino firmly rejected any negotiations with US President-elect Donald Trump regarding control of the Panama Canal, affirming that the canal belongs solely to Panama. Mulino emphasized that the canal, which was transferred to Panama in 1999 after being built by the United States, cannot be the subject of talks with Washington. Trump's recent comments, which criticized the tolls for US vessels passing through the canal and expressed concern over China's a

In a major setback to the unity of the opposition bloc, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded that Congress be removed from the INDIA alliance unless the party takes action against its Delhi leader, Ajay Maken. AAP leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh accused Maken of helping the BJP in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, claiming that Maken's statements were made at the BJP's behest. The dispute intensified when Maken called AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal "anti-national," a comm

Chandrababu Naidu has quickly emerged as one of the most influential leaders in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the central level, as evidenced by his recent busy visit to Delhi. His meetings with several key Union ministers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, reflect his growing prominence within the alliance. The day began with Naidu paying his respects at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial in Delhi, f

Bangladesh's interim government has sent a diplomatic note to India requesting the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in exile in India since August 5, 2023. Hasina fled Bangladesh after student-led protests led to the downfall of her 16-year rule. The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina, accusing her and several former officials of "crimes against humanity and genocide." Foreign Affairs A

The Sandhya Theatre controversy continues to escalate, with no resolution in sight. The issue has caught the attention of Telangana’s Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and his cabinet ministers, who are actively discussing the matter. The controversy centers around a tragic incident in which a woman named Revathi lost her life, and her son remains critically injured, after a large crowd was gathered outside the theatre during the release of Allu Arjun's film. Cinematography Min

In a shocking incident from West Godavari district, a woman named Naga Tulsi received a parcel containing the body of an unidentified man instead of the promised electrical appliances. Tulsi had earlier applied for financial assistance from the Kshatriya Seva Samithi to construct her house and had been assured of receiving lights, fans, and switches. However, when she opened the package delivered to her doorstep, she found a male body inside, which led to immediate panic. The police

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, announced on Thursday his intent to strengthen relations with Pakistan, a step that could further strain the already tense ties between Bangladesh and India. Yunus, who met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a summit in Cairo, emphasized the importance of addressing unresolved issues stemming from Bangladesh’s brutal 1971 war of independence. The two countries, once united, split after a violent conflict, with Bangladesh la