Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. File.
| Photo Credit: AP

Hasina involved in forced disappearances, says Bangladesh inquiry commission

In a new turn of events, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance set up by the interim government of Bangladesh filed a report on Saturday (December 14, 2024) stating that it found the “involvement of Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina” in enforced disappearances of individuals during her tenure.

Our government strengthening Constitution, Congress repeatedly wounded it after tasting blood: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (December 14, 2024) said that the Congress, having “tasted blood”, repeatedly wounded the Constitution while his government’s policies and decisions since it took office in 2014 have been aimed at boosting India’s strength and unity in line with the vision of the Constitution.

Parliamentary proceedings: Are we not part of this nation, asks Manipur MP in Lok Sabha

While Outer Manipur MP Alfred Kanngam Arthur cited the Oting killings of 2021 in Nagaland and the ongoing conflict in Manipur to raise questions about the government’s commitment to Constitution, first-time MP Chandra Shekhar “Azad” asked whether certain sections of society in India were as free as the Constitution envisioned them to be.

J&K leaders Mehbooba, Tarigami, Masoodi oppose ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal

Opposing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, several Jammu and Kashmir leaders claimed on Saturday (December 14, 2024) that it is actually aimed at creating a ‘one nation, one party’ situation.

Hezbollah leader says main supply line via Syria has been cut

The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants says the fall of Bashar Assad in Syria has cut a main supply line for the group but it can find other ways to bring in weapons.

U.S. officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that ousted Assad, Blinken says

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that American officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that spearheaded the overthrow of President Bashar Assad’s government but is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States and others.

Conclude EU-India FTA to counter forces of protectionism and transactionalism, says Portuguese Foreign Minister

An early conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is necessary to “counter” the global trends of protectionism and transactionalism, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel told The Hindu during a four-day visit to India.

Muslims will soon become majority, says Bengal Minister Hakim

A fresh controversy has erupted over remarks of West Bengal Minister and Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor Firhad Hakim who is heard saying in a video that soon “we will become majority”.

Row over Centre’s demand for payment of ₹132 crore as outstanding charges for air evacuation efforts during disasters

A bitter stand-off between the Union government and the State is unfolding with a communication sent by the Ministry of Defence on October 22 urging the Kerala government to pay up the outstanding charges of ₹132.61 crore for air evacuation operations carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) as part of the disaster response between 2006 and September 2024, evoking sharp reactions from the Left and the Congress leaders.  

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. File.
| Photo Credit: AP

Hasina involved in forced disappearances, says Bangladesh inquiry commission

In a new turn of events, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance set up by the interim government of Bangladesh filed a report on Saturday (December 14, 2024) stating that it found the “involvement of Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina” in enforced disappearances of individuals during her tenure.

Our government strengthening Constitution, Congress repeatedly wounded it after tasting blood: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (December 14, 2024) said that the Congress, having “tasted blood”, repeatedly wounded the Constitution while his government’s policies and decisions since it took office in 2014 have been aimed at boosting India’s strength and unity in line with the vision of the Constitution.

Parliamentary proceedings: Are we not part of this nation, asks Manipur MP in Lok Sabha

While Outer Manipur MP Alfred Kanngam Arthur cited the Oting killings of 2021 in Nagaland and the ongoing conflict in Manipur to raise questions about the government’s commitment to Constitution, first-time MP Chandra Shekhar “Azad” asked whether certain sections of society in India were as free as the Constitution envisioned them to be.

J&K leaders Mehbooba, Tarigami, Masoodi oppose ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal

Opposing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, several Jammu and Kashmir leaders claimed on Saturday (December 14, 2024) that it is actually aimed at creating a ‘one nation, one party’ situation.

Hezbollah leader says main supply line via Syria has been cut

The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants says the fall of Bashar Assad in Syria has cut a main supply line for the group but it can find other ways to bring in weapons.

U.S. officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that ousted Assad, Blinken says

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that American officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that spearheaded the overthrow of President Bashar Assad’s government but is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States and others.

Conclude EU-India FTA to counter forces of protectionism and transactionalism, says Portuguese Foreign Minister

An early conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is necessary to “counter” the global trends of protectionism and transactionalism, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel told The Hindu during a four-day visit to India.

Muslims will soon become majority, says Bengal Minister Hakim

A fresh controversy has erupted over remarks of West Bengal Minister and Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor Firhad Hakim who is heard saying in a video that soon “we will become majority”.

Row over Centre’s demand for payment of ₹132 crore as outstanding charges for air evacuation efforts during disasters

A bitter stand-off between the Union government and the State is unfolding with a communication sent by the Ministry of Defence on October 22 urging the Kerala government to pay up the outstanding charges of ₹132.61 crore for air evacuation operations carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) as part of the disaster response between 2006 and September 2024, evoking sharp reactions from the Left and the Congress leaders.  

India’s D. Gukesh reacts after beating title-holder China’s Ding Liren in the 14th and last game of the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024, in Singapore, on December 12, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Gukesh is youngest world chess champion

History was made on the small island of Sentosa in Singapore on Thursday (December 12, 2024), as D. Gukesh became the youngest world chess champion ever after defeating Ding Liren of China in the final game of their match. The 18-year-old from Chennai broke the record held by the Russian Garry Kasparov for nearly four decades.

India votes in favour of UN General Assembly resolution demanding immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza

India voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution that demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and reiterated the demand for immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the UN agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban.

Six die in massive fire at hospital in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul

At least six persons, including a child and two women, perished in a massive blaze that broke out at a private four-storey hospital in Dindigul of Tamil Nadu late on Thursday night. The fire had engulfed the hospital building located on Tiruchi Road. Five of the victims, including three men, were trapped in the hospital lift and initial reports suggested they died of suffocation. Police said 32 persons were rushed to the Government Hospital and three of them were on ventilator.

Supreme Court questions U.P.’s ‘silence’ on core aspects of equality, secularism in schools

The Supreme Court on Thursday (December 12, 2024) questioned the Uttar Pradesh government’s “silence” about ensuring that schools in the State offer quality education to students by inculcating in them core constitutional principles of equality, fraternity and secularism in their campuses. A Bench headed by Justice A.S. Oka made the observation while hearing a case linked to the slapping of a Muslim boy in Muzaffarnagar by his classmates on the orders of their teacher, who peppered the abuse with communal remarks against the child.

What is Disease X and why the world should prepare for it

The recent outbreak reported in the first week of December 2024 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has claimed over 400 lives and remains unclassified, has raised concerns that it could be an instance of Disease X. This unsettling event has reignited discussions about “Disease X.” Disease X is not an actual but a hypothetical disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) coined the term in 2018 to describe an unknown pathogen that could potentially unleash a devastating epidemic or pandemic. It was conceptualised by the WHO to prepare for future outbreaks that are difficult to predict or identify.

Debate on Constitution to kick off in Lok Sabha today

The Lok Sabha will on Friday (December 13, 2024) begin a two-day debate on the Constitution to mark 75 years of its adoption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to reply to the debate on Saturday (December 14, 2024). Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is likely to make her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha during the debate.

Bombay High Court refuses relief to Coca-Cola in 2001 adulterated beverage case 

The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings initiated against Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited 14 years ago by the magistrate’s court in Maharashtra’s Jalna district, on charges of selling adulterated beverages. The case, pending before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Jalna, dates back to batches of Canada Dry, a sweetened carbonated beverage, manufactured in June 2001. On July 26 of that year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected the product and found extraneous fibrous substances, particulate matter, and cobwebs inside the sealed bottles, raising quality concerns.

Over 50 students in Ratnagiri complain after exposure to fumes, JSW denies responsibility

At 2 p.m. on Thursday, around 30 students from Jaigad Vidya Mandir school, in the coastal district of Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri, complained of experiencing extreme eye irritation due to release of fumes in the air from a nearby power plant. Later in the day, the count went up to 60 that includes 53 boys, six girls, and a woman who were admitted in nearby hospitals.

Bengaluru forest cover shrinks due to encroachments, threatening ecology and water resources

A searing summer and a water crisis that shook citizens put the spotlight on the ecology of Bengaluru. Like its lakes, the forest area in Bengaluru is not able to escape the threat of encroachment. The five taluks of the bustling city – Bengaluru North, Yelahanka, Bengaluru East, Anekal, and Bengaluru South – have over 26,077 acres of forest land. According to the Karnataka Forest Ministry, over 2,665 acres of forest land in these taluks have been encroached upon. Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre made this submission in response to a question in the recently held council.

Bottom trawling by Indian fishermen must stop: Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister

The enduring fisheries conflict in the Palk Bay — which impacts fisher folk of northern Sri Lanka and daily wage fishermen of Tamil Nadu — can be decisively resolved only if the Indian side stops using the destructive bottom-trawling method, according to Sri Lanka’s Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar. The fisheries conflict has remained a key diplomatic issue between India and Sri Lanka for many years. It is likely to be discussed during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s scheduled visit to India next week.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the Kashi Vishwanath temple, in Varanasi, on March 9, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigns as Lok Sabha polls approach

Days ahead of the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned on March 9. Mr. Goel’s tenure was till 2027. With his resignation, the Election Commission has been rendered with just one member — Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. His resignation comes at a crucial time just days ahead of the expected announcement of schedule for the Lok Sabha election.

PM Modi arrives in Varanasi, takes out roadshow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome in his Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi, with thousands of BJP leaders and supporters flooding the roads of the town. Mr. Modi is slated to participate in a public programme on March 10 in Azamgarh where he will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for multiple development projects worth over ₹42,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh. He will disburse the first instalment under the Mahatari Vandana Yojana in Chhattisgarh via video conferencing from Varanasi.

Krystyna Pyszkova from Czech Republic crowned Miss World 2024

Czech Republic’s Krystyna Pyszkova won the coveted Miss World 2024 title at a grand event in Mumbai. Pyszkova is the second Miss World from Czech Republic after 2006 pageant winner Tatana Kucharova. Mumbai-born Shetty, who was crowned Femina Miss India World in 2022, was unable to make it to the top 4 of the contest. The 71st Miss World pageant, which witnessed participation of contestants from 112 countries of the world, was held at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC.

Congress compromised border security: PM Modi in Arunachal Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 9 slammed the Congress for ignoring the border villages in Arunachal Pradesh for six decades because it did not find the frontier State worth investing in. Ahead of the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the State, he said the grand old party allegedly indulged in corruption and compromising on the country’s border security for 60 years.

Centre to take all measures to contain food prices: Goyal

The Centre will pull all stops to ensure prices of essential food items from onion to tomatoes to pulses do not spike particularly during the elections, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said as he cited the Modi government’s track record of controlling rates within days of any temporary hike. He highlighted that the government has spent in the last few years about ₹28,000 crore to the price stabilisation fund to support the effort to fight against food inflation.

Fire power demonstration ‘Bharat Shakti’ to showcase indigenous weapon systems, ‘jointness’

A fire power demonstration ‘Exercise Bharat Shakti’ will be held on March 12 at the Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan to demonstrate the “prowess” of indigenously manufactured defence equipment of the three Services, the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, with particular focus on “jointness” and synergy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to witness the demonstration.

Electoral bonds | SBI plea seeking time till June 30 is condemnable: P Chidambaram

Senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Saturday, March 9, 2024, strongly condemned State Bank of India’s plea seeking time till June 30 to comply with a Supreme Court direction, to make public, the details of electoral bonds purchased since April 2019. These details, Mr. Chidambaram said, could be compiled in a day. The Central government does not want the details to come out before the elections, he alleged.

Kerala CM orders CBI probe into Sidharthan’s death after meeting his family

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) enquiry into the suspected death by suicide of J.S. Sidharthan, a second-year student of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Husbandry University at Pookode in Wayanad in mid-February. The student’s death had rocked State politics with Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, the Congress and also the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that the Student Federation of India (SFI) activists in the college had tortured, shamed and put Sidharthan on public trial for some perceived campus demeanor, and left him to starve in his room for days before fellow hostelers found the student dead in a shared shower room in the college’s boarding house.

BJP discusses seat sharing pact for Maharashtra with Sena, NCP

Union Home Minister Amit Shah held discussions for seat sharing in Maharashtra for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with coalition partners Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and NCP. Mr. Shinde and Mr. Pawar — Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra — held talks with Mr. Shah in New Delhi late Friday. Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present in the meeting. Mr. Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Mr. Pawar-led NCP and the BJP will contest the Lok Sabha elections in alliance in Maharashtra which sends 48 members to the lower house of Parliament.

Children fall to hunger in Gaza as Israeli siege cuts off supplies

Officials have been warning for months that Israel’s siege and offensive were pushing the Palestinian territory into famine. Hunger is most acute in northern Gaza, which has been isolated by Israeli forces and has suffered long cutoffs of food supplies. At least 20 people have died from malnutrition and dehydration at the north’s Kamal Adwan and Shifa hospitals, according to the Health Ministry. Most of the dead are children. Particularly vulnerable children are also beginning to succumb in the south, where access to aid is more regular.

Former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri, other M.P. Congress leaders quit to join BJP

Former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri, along with other Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh, switched loyalties to the BJP on Saturday, dealing the Congress a major blow ahead of the Lok Sabha election. Those who quit the Congress and joined the BJP include: Gajendra Singh Rajukhedi, the former Lok Sabha MP from Dhar; former MLAs Sanjay Shukla of Indore-1; Vishal Patel of Indore’s Depalpur; and Arjun Paliya of Narmadapuram’s Pipariya constituency.  The development comes at a time when the Congress is deliberating on its candidate selection for the Lok Sabha election.

Farmers engaged in harvesting and loading of sugarcane in Belagavi district of Karnataka. File photo
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Centre increases Fair and Remunerative Price of sugarcane

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, met here on Wednesday, approved ₹ 340/quintal as the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for Sugar Season 2024-25 at sugar recovery rate of 10.25%. This is about 8% higher than FRP of sugarcane for current season 2023-24. The revised FRP will be applicable from October 1, 2024.

Manipur HC modifies its contentious order on ST status for Meiteis

A Bench of the Manipur High Court on Wednesday modified its own March 27, 2023 order, ordering the removal of Paragraph 17(iii), which had instructed the Manipur government to consider the inclusion of Meiteis in the list of Scheduled Tribes. This direction is said to have triggered the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and the tribal Kuki-Zo communities in the State. 

NHRC issues notice to West Bengal govt. over human rights violations

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday issued a notice to the West Bengal Chief Secretary and to the Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report regarding the media accounts of the harassment and sexual assault of women in Sandeshkhali, by politically connected groups.

India standing up to a bully in a very determined fashion: Defence Secretary on China

Stating that the possibility that India “may encounter” a similar situation as the 2020 standoff with China, is “keeping us active all the time”, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said on Wednesday that “we are standing against a bully in a very determined fashion.”

About 100 Indians were recruited as Russian Army helpers in the past year, Russian official says

Over the past one year, around 100 Indians were recruited by the Russian Army at its Moscow recruitment centre, according to an official who works for the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Nationally focused NGOs ‘will be priority at BRICS-Civil’

Nationally oriented NGOs will find prominence at the BRICS-Civil 2024 to be held in Moscow from July 3-4, according to a Russian organiser Dr. Victoria Panova, head of the BRICS Expert Council of Russia.

21-year-old farmer killed as protesters move from Punjab into Haryana

A 21-year-old farmer was killed on Wednesday as protesting farmers made a fresh attempt to resume their march to Delhi from Punjab, where they have been camping for the last nine days. The situation continues to be tense amid the ongoing stand-off between the Centre and the farmers.

ED takes custody of one ‘gangster’ in Lawrence Bishnoi case

The Enforcement Directorate has taken the custody of alleged gangster Surender Singh alias Chiku in a money laundering case against the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and others.

India, China share ‘perspectives’ on ‘complete disengagement’ in 21st Corps Commander talks

The 21st round of Corps Commander talks between India and China held on Monday failed to make progress in further disengagement in eastern Ladakh.

Delhi Excise policy case | CBI summons BRS leader K. Kavitha

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned K. Kavitha, the daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader, for questioning in the Delhi excise policy case.

Afghan Taliban official says taking pictures ‘a major sin’

A Taliban official said journalists were committing “a major sin” by taking pictures, Afghan media reported on Wednesday.

For decades, Ameen Sayani brought music into the homes of millions of radio listeners

He painted with the spoken word and ended up filling our canvas with rich memories of his mellifluous voice and popular songs of Hindi cinema. A word that dropped off his lips got a life, a lilt, even destiny of its own. Listening to Ameen Sayani, who passed away in Mumbai following a heart attack on Tuesday evening, was like serenading joy. T