Author: News Desk

News Desk NEW YORK: A New York–based human rights organization, Patriots of Bangladesh (POB), has called for the suspension of Indian television channels in Bangladesh, citing concerns over what it described as anti-Bangladesh propaganda. Leaders of the group submitted a memorandum on the matter to the Bangladesh Consulate in New York on other day. POB Chairman Abdul Qader handed the memorandum to the Consul General of Bangladesh. Senior journalist Chowdhury Mohammad Kajol and other members of the organization were present during the handover. Indian television channels have long been broadcast in Bangladesh without reciprocal access for Bangladeshi channels in India,…

News Desk MOSCOW/TEHRAN: Russia, Iran, Colombia, and Cuba have strongly condemned the recent US military operation in Venezuela. Russia reaffirmed its support for Caracas’s leadership in defending national interests and sovereignty, expressing serious concern over the US attacks. The Russian Foreign Ministry called for Latin America to remain a “zone of peace” and urged dialogue to resolve the crisis and prevent further escalation. Iran described the US strikes as a violation of Venezuela’s national sovereignty and regional integrity, calling on the UN Security Council to take immediate action and hold those responsible accountable. The attack, carried out by US warplanes…

Laws in 12 Indian states criminalize conversions deemed coerced or induced, while broadly casting suspicion on religious outreach and proselytism News Desk WASHINGTON: The Wall Street Journal has highlighted growing concerns over the treatment of religious minorities in India, reporting that Christians—who make up just 2.3% of the population—are increasingly being targeted under state-level “anti-conversion” laws. These laws, enforced in 12 Indian states, criminalize conversion carried out through alleged coercion, fraud, or inducement, while broadly casting suspicion on religious outreach. Recent incidents have intensified scrutiny. In Uttar Pradesh, crowds gathered outside churches on Christmas Eve, shouting hate slogans against Christian…

News Desk CARACAS: Venezuela’s defence minister has issued a defiant message to Washington following US attacks, saying the country would not surrender and would ultimately prevail. In a statement, defence minister Vladimir Padrino López said Venezuela would not negotiate or accept defeat, declaring that the nation would “achieve victory” despite mounting pressure from the United States. “We will not give up,” Padrino López said. “We will stand as a united nation behind a single purpose.” He said Venezuela’s foundations were rooted in peace but insisted the country would continue to fight for its freedom. “We have always extended our arms…

News Desk NEW YORK: New York’s newly sworn-in mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has triggered a political backlash after taking sweeping decisions on his first day in office, prompting sharp criticism from Israel. According to foreign media reports, Mamdani moved quickly to revoke all executive orders issued by former mayor Eric Adams after 26 September 2024, the date on which Adams was indicted on bribery and fraud charges. Among the decisions reversed was New York City’s adoption of a definition of antisemitism endorsed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Mamdani also lifted restrictions linked to the boycott of Israel that had…

News Desk TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said the country will not bow to its enemies and warned that Iran would force its adversaries to their knees, as tensions with the United States continue to rise. Responding to comments by US president Donald Trump about intervention in Iran, Khamenei said Tehran would never retreat under pressure. “Iran will not submit to the enemy. We will never step back,” he said, according to state media. Abbas Araghchi also hit back at Trump’s remarks, warning that attacks on public property could not be tolerated. He described the US president’s…

News Desk JEDDAH: An extraordinary open-ended session of the OIC executive committee has strongly condemned Israel’s unilateral and unlawful recognition of the so-called Somaliland region as an independent state, reaffirming full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The meeting, held at the OIC secretariat in Jeddah, was convened to address the situation arising from Israel’s move. Pakistan was represented by its permanent representative to the OIC, Ambassador Syed Mohammad Fawad Sher. In his remarks, Sher reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for Somalia’s unity and internationally recognised borders, describing Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a…

News Desk KARACHI: A man who filed a multimillion-rupee fraud case has appealed to the courts and police for protection, saying he and prosecution witnesses face serious threats from the accused and his associates. The complainant, Ghul­sher Unar, submitted applications to the Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate 13 West, the SSP City, SSP Keamari, the SHO City Court and other authorities in connection with FIR No. 158/25 registered at Mochko police station under sections including fraud, cheating and 420. In his application, Unar said that during the last court hearing, the sons of the accused, Nawab Sheikh son of Siddique…

By our correspondent WASHINGTON: Donald Trump said Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had played a decisive role in developments related to Syria, praising him for actions he said others had failed to take for centuries. Speaking in remarks focused on regional dynamics, Trump said Erdoğan had provided “a lot of help” but had never sought public credit for it. “The truth is, he really deserves a great deal of credit,” Trump said, adding that the Turkish leader should be widely recognized for what he described as removing “some very bad people”. Trump said many had wanted to achieve the same…

News Desk DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has announced the voluntary end of its counterterrorism mission in Yemen, state news agency WAM reported on Tuesday. The defence ministry said the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of recent developments and potential risks to the safety and effectiveness of its operations. In a statement shared in Arabic on X, the ministry added that the UAE’s remaining presence in Yemen had been limited to specialized personnel working in coordination with international partners. The announcement comes after a Saudi-led coalition airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla targeted what Riyadh described as foreign…