News Archive

In the small town of Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, often hailed as the "fireworks capital" of India, a crisis looms large. The town, with a rich legacy of 90 years in the firecracker industry, which accounts for 90% of India’s production, is facing an unprecedented challenge. This year, around 8 lakh industry workers find themselves on the brink of unemployment as a consequence of a series of bans on firecrackers by various state governments, including Delhi's blanket ban effective until January 1.

The Kerala High Court has made a significant intervention ahead of the festival season, issuing directives to state authorities to conduct comprehensive raids across all religious institutions in search of illegally stored firecrackers. This order, as articulated by Justice Amit Rawal, not only mandates the confiscation of these firecrackers but also imposes restrictions on their usage, stating, "no crackers shall be burst in religious places at odd times there is no commandment in any of the holy books to burst crackers to please God."

In January 2024, Bangladesh is poised for a pivotal election, one that could see the Awami League, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, secure a third consecutive term. Since 2009, Sheikh Hasina has helmed the nation's government, shaping its political landscape.

In the midst of escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly the military operations in Gaza following the terror attack on October 7, a concerning surge in antisemitic sentiment has been observed globally, primarily among certain left-liberal groups, alongside Islamist factions. This trend has disturbingly made its way into academic circles, as evidenced at a recent event held by OP Jindal Global University.

In a controversial move that has sparked widespread debate, Frontline, the English magazine of The Hindu group, has made headlines with its recent editorial stance. Dated October 30th, the magazine published an editor's note that has been interpreted as a justification of the brutal actions by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, against civilians in Israel.

The 1999 Kargil conflict stands out as a defining moment in South Asian geopolitics, reshaping the military and diplomatic contours between India and Israel. Nicolas Blarel, in his book "The Evolution of India’s Israel Policy," notes how this high-altitude standoff led India to seek advanced military support from Israel, a move that signified a profound shift from the previous decades of relative peace following the Liberation of Bangladesh War in 1971.

The dire situation in Yemen, where millions of Muslims are enduring severe hardships due to ongoing conflict and famine, has taken an even more complex turn. The Iran-backed Houthi movement, amidst this humanitarian disaster, has extended its military aggression to Israel, over 1000 miles away, to align with Hamas. This move by the Houthis was firmly met by the Israeli military, which neutralized the threat posed by incoming drones and missiles near Eilat.

On October 31st, a new chapter unfolded in the Middle East as the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen brazenly declared war against Israel. The Houthi rebels took responsibility for launching a series of missile and drone attacks aimed at the southernmost Israeli city of Eilat, signaling their entry into the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This declaration is a stark reminder of the volatile and unpredictable nature of regional politics.

The unfolding narrative of the 'cash for query scam' involving Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has taken a new turn with revelations concerning her parliamentary login. In a striking disclosure, the IT Ministry has reported that Moitra's parliamentary ID was accessed from Dubai on 49 occasions.