News Archive

For years, truck drivers transporting goods into West Bengal from neighbouring states complained about one recurring problem on Bengal’s highways: the so-called “Bhaipo Tax”. The word “Bhaipo”, meaning nephew in Bengali, was politically used by opposition parties as a reference to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Truck operators and drivers alleged that during the Trinamool Congress rule, unofficial collections, roadside extortion, illegal checkpoints and bamboo barricades became a regular feature across several entry routes into Bengal.

India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday, 20th May, accusing Islamabad of carrying a long history of genocidal violence while repeatedly attempting to divert global attention from its own failures through hostility and aggression. The sharp exchange took place during the annual UNSC open debate on the “Protection of civilians in armed conflict,” after Pakistan’s representative once again attempted to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during the discussion.

ROME — Bringing his expansive five-nation European tour to a close, Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a highly productive two-day official visit to Italy on May 20, 2026. This landmark visit, which took place at the formal invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marked a major turning point for both countries. The two leaders officially elevated India-Italy relations to the level of a Special Strategic Partnership. This new status highlights a fresh era of deepened trust, shared democratic values, and multifaceted cooperation on pressing global issues.

A major controversy erupted recently when Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng attempted to heckle Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official press statement. The incident drew a sharp and immediate response from India's Ministry of External Affairs, which reacted strongly to her efforts to disseminate disinformation and peddle an anti-India narrative.

A sudden death within a diplomatic mission presents a highly complex challenge at the intersection of international protocol, municipal law, and bilateral relations. On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the Indian Assistant High Commission situated on Zakir Hossain Road in the Khulshi area of Chattogram, Bangladesh, became the focus of such an occurrence when Naren Dhar, a 38-year-old Indian diplomat serving as an Assistant Protocol Officer, was found deceased inside the mission premises.

Norway’s prominent newspaper Aftenposten has recently offered the world a highly revealing reminder of a persistent media double standard. Despite receiving repeated, high-minded lectures from various sections of the Western press regarding tolerance, diversity, and cultural sensitivity, global audiences have just witnessed that old prejudices have not entirely disappeared from these institutions.

The twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad in northern Karnataka became the center of an intense socio-political controversy in early April 2026. What initially began as a localized criminal complaint involving a local gym trainer, Sameer Mulla, and a young Hindu woman, Khushi Kalaburagi, rapidly escalated into a highly polarized communal standoff. This case, marked by allegations of a calculated grooming ring, physical vigilantism, and significant political maneuvering, has drawn national attention to the intersection of personal relationships, digital evidence, and partisan mobilization in contemp…

When conversations turn to India’s oil dependence, the focus almost exclusively shifts to crude oil and fuel prices. Yet, another highly imported commodity quietly dictates the rhythm of nearly every household across the nation: edible oil. From bustling street food vendors to premium dining establishments, and from packaged snacks to our very own home kitchens, cooking oil is a fundamental necessity for Indian consumers.

On May 18th (local time), social media feeds were suddenly flooded by a video of a Norwegian reporter, Helle Lyng, claiming that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had overtly “refused” to answer her inquiries regarding alleged “human rights violations” in India.