Violence broke out in Nagpur on Monday following rumours of the desecration of a holy book during a demonstration led by right-wing groups. The protest, held by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal workers, demanded the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. The situation escalated quickly, resulting in arson, vandalism, and clashes between two communities. Several vehicles were torched, and police had to resort to firing tear gas shells and using batons to restore order. Th

Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has rejected concerns over strained relations between Bangladesh and India, asserting that the diplomatic ties between the two neighboring nations remain strong despite recent tensions. Yunus acknowledged that some conflicts have emerged but attributed them mainly to misinformation and propaganda rather than any fundamental changes in the relationship.In an interview with BBC Bangla, Yunus highlighted the historical, political, and ec

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

Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed cases against former leader Sheikh Hasina and her family members, including British minister Tulip Siddiq and World Health Organization (WHO) official Saima Wazed, in connection with an alleged large-scale land grab. The cases, filed on Monday, accuse Hasina and some government officials of illegally allocating lucrative plots in Dhaka's suburbs for personal gain. Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh in August 2024 and to

India has extended invitations to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other neighboring countries to participate in a unique seminar marking 150 years of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This initiative aims to set aside political differences and highlight the shared history of the Indian subcontinent. The seminar is being hailed as a first-of-its-kind effort by the Indian government to foster regional cooperation. Invitations have been sent to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanis

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden has condemned ongoing efforts to minimize the significance of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, where a mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to block the certification of the 2020 election. In an opinion piece published in The Washington Post, Biden recalled the violent insurrection that led to chaos at the Capitol, contrasting it with the upcoming peaceful certification of the election results. Biden expressed pr

A court in Bangladesh has issued a second arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of enforced disappearances during her time in power. The new charges, which were announced by the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Tajul Islam, involve Hasina, her military adviser, and several law enforcement officials. Over 500 people were allegedly abducted by Bangladesh's security forces under her regime, with some of them detained in secret locati

A Bangladesh court on Thursday rejected the bail plea of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu monk and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. Das, who previously served as a leader in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested on charges of sedition and other offenses. The Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam denied the bail request following a 30-minute hearing, which was held with heightened security. The bail petiti

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

Trade and maritime ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have been strengthening recently, raising concerns for India. A second cargo vessel, 'MV Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan,' from Karachi arrived at Chittagong port carrying essential industrial materials and consumer goods. This is part of a broader trend of increased trade between the two countries, which has coincided with a diplomatic push by Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus to improve relations with Pakistan. This s

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

Bangladesh's interim government has accused Adani Power of breaching a multi-billion-dollar agreement related to the supply of electricity from its coal-fired plant in India. The dispute centers on Adani Power withholding tax benefits that the power plant was entitled to under the agreement. The Indian company signed a deal with Bangladesh in 2017 to supply power from the Godda plant, but Dhaka claims that Adani Power failed to pass on the tax exemptions it received from the Indian govern

A tragic shooting at a makeshift club in Houston late Saturday night resulted in the deaths of two teens and the injury of four others, including a 13-year-old girl. Police responded to the chaotic scene, where a large crowd was seen fleeing the venue. The incident occurred at an unsanctioned pop-up party, which appeared to have been organized via social media, in an empty business space. According to Assistant Chief Luis Menendez-Sierra, witnesses reported seeing a man dressed in b

Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has confirmed that general elections will likely take place by the end of 2025 or in the first half of 2026. Yunus, who was appointed the country’s "chief adviser" after a student-led uprising in August toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is overseeing a temporary administration that is focused on restoring democratic institutions in the country. Yunus, 84, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning microfinance pioneer, h

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concerns in the Lok Sabha regarding the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly following reports of attacks on Hindus. His statement came amidst rising incidents of communal violence in the neighboring country, where the treatment of minorities, especially Hindus, has become a matter of increasing alarm. Jaishankar emphasized that the government of Bangladesh must ensure the safety and security of its minority communities, highlighti

India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, made a day-long visit to Dhaka on Monday for crucial talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin. The visit comes amid deteriorating relations between India and Bangladesh, following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August due to a massive uprising. Mr. Misri arrived in Dhaka on an Indian Air Force jet, marking the first high-level visit from New Delhi since the political upheaval in Bangladesh. He was receiv

In a significant political move, Bangladesh is set to remove Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's image from its currency notes, marking a dramatic shift in the country’s national identity. Known as the "Bangabandhu" or "Friend of Bangladesh," Rahman was the iconic founding father of the country. However, recent political developments, including the student-led protests and the rise of new leadership, have led to his image being gradually erased from public life, starting wit

In response to growing protests in Kolkata over attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, Bangladesh has called Shikder Mohammad Ashrafur Rahman, the Acting Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, back to Dhaka for urgent consultations. Rahman, who also serves as the Minister - Political Affairs, is expected to return to Kolkata by the middle of this month, after attending the foreign secretary-level talks scheduled between India and Bangladesh next week. Protests, primarily led by po

Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, was stopped at the Ghazipur border on Wednesday while attempting to visit Sambhal, where prohibitory orders were in place. The Congress leader, along with his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior leaders, reached the Ghazipur border in the morning. Heavy police force and barricades were deployed to prevent them from entering the district, as part of the ongoing security measures in the region. The curbs, imposed under Section 163 of the B

Bangladesh summoned India's High Commissioner to Dhaka after the closure of its visa and consular services in Tripura, India, due to a security incident involving a protest in Agartala. The protest, which occurred against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, led to about 50 people entering the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission's premises. The Bangladeshi government expressed concerns over the lack of local police action to contain the situation, which left mission staff fe