A senior lawyer aligned with the pro-Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh has issued what amounts to a death threat against Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman, only hours after his return to Dhaka following 17 years in exile. The threat, significantly, invoked India — underscoring Jamaat’s deepening unease over Rahman’s political resurgence.

Barrister Shahriar Kabir accused Rahman of “betraying his father’s blood” by allegedly accepting “India’s conditions” for his return. The statement came a day after Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, addressed massive crowds in Dhaka, outlining a vision centred on democracy, law and order, and inclusive nationalism.

Kabir’s outburst exposes growing anxiety within Jamaat-e-Islami as Rahman’s return electrifies the political landscape ahead of the February elections. Jamaat, which backed student-led protests during the August 2024 unrest that ousted Sheikh Hasina, is now attempting to consolidate influence through its proxy, the National Citizens’ Party (NCP). However, internal dissent has surfaced, with senior NCP leader Mir Arshadul Haque resigning over seat-sharing talks with Jamaat.

With the Awami League banned by the interim government, the election is shaping into a direct contest between the BNP and an Islamist bloc led by Jamaat. Jamaat’s alleged role in arson, mob violence, attacks on minorities, journalists and Indian missions has drawn scrutiny, particularly as it seeks to delay elections to retain street leverage.

For India, Rahman presents a complex but pragmatic challenge. While firmly nationalist — famously declaring “Not Dilli, not Pindi, Bangladesh first” — he has rejected religious extremism and emphasised minority safety, democratic stability and regional balance. This sharply contrasts with Jamaat’s overtly anti-India, pro-Pakistan agenda.

Rahman’s appeal for calm, rule of law and historical continuity threatens Jamaat’s strategy of sustained chaos. That, more than ideology alone, explains why radical voices have now turned openly hostile — and dangerously so.

India is facing its most serious strategic test in Bangladesh since the Liberation War of 1971—not because of war or humanitarian collapse, but due to a profound political and security realignment unfolding next door. A parliamentary committee headed by Shashi Tharoor has warned that while Bangladesh may not descend into chaos, the shifts underway pose a long-term threat to India’s regional primacy and security interests.

Unlike 1971, when the challenge was immediate and existential, the current situation represents a generational rupture: the erosion of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League dominance, the rise of Islamist forces, and the steady expansion of Chinese and Pakistani influence. This combination threatens to pull Dhaka away from its historic strategic alignment with New Delhi.

The committee has flagged deep concern over China’s growing military-adjacent footprint—ranging from port expansion at Mongla to the Lalmonirhat airbase and the Pekua submarine facility, whose scale far exceeds Bangladesh’s current naval needs. Such infrastructure creates latent military capacity, altering the regional balance without a single shot fired.

Football icon Lionel Messi concluded his much-anticipated three-day India tour in Delhi on Monday, ending a whirlwind visit that blended adulation, spectacle and controversy. The Argentina and Inter Miami forward drew massive crowds wherever he went, underscoring his unmatched popularity in a cricket-dominated nation.

The final leg of the tour unfolded at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, where thousands of fans packed the stands despite heavy pollution and winter fog. Messi, joined by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked onto the field to deafening chants. The trio kicked balls into the crowd, exchanged passes with children and signed autographs, offering fans a rare, close-up moment with the footballing legend. Fog and poor visibility delayed Messi’s flight from Mumbai, forcing organisers to shorten his schedule in the capital.

Messi’s India visit began dramatically in Kolkata, where excitement spiralled into chaos at the Salt Lake Stadium. Football runs deep in West Bengal, and fans paid premium prices—some up to ?12,000—for a glimpse of the World Cup winner. However, many were left disappointed as Messi was tightly surrounded by officials and celebrities and escorted out swiftly. Frustration boiled over, leading to damaged seats and objects being thrown onto the pitch.

Local media sharply criticised the organisers, blaming poor planning, weak coordination and security lapses for turning a celebratory event into disorder. The incident attracted international attention and cast a shadow over what was Messi’s first visit to India since 2011. Police later arrested the Kolkata event organiser, who has been remanded to 14 days in custody.

Away from the turmoil, Messi maintained a packed itinerary across Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Highlights included the virtual unveiling of a towering 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata, built over nearly a month. His appearances in Hyderabad and Mumbai passed without incident, with fans expressing joy and awe at seeing the global superstar in person.

Despite early setbacks, Messi’s GOAT Tour reaffirmed his extraordinary pull—and the challenges of managing it.

A mass shooting at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday evening has left at least 11 people dead and dozens injured during a Jewish community gathering marking the first night of Hanukkah. Two gunmen opened fire on a crowd at the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, sending hundreds of families, children and elderly attendees into panic as they fled for cover. Eyewitnesses reported hearing dozens of shots and scenes of chaos, with terrified beachgoers running for safety and some trying to administer aid to the wounded. 

New South Wales Police and emergency services rushed to the scene, declaring the incident a terrorist attack and urging the public to avoid the area. One of the gunmen was shot dead by police, while the other was critically wounded and taken into custody. Authorities confirmed multiple casualties, including civilians and police officers, with injured victims transported to nearby hospitals. 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as “shocking and distressing,” emphasizing support for all affected and cooperation between federal and state authorities. Political leaders and community representatives expressed deep sorrow, while Jewish organisations voiced alarm over the targeting of their community during a peaceful celebration of light and hope

The results in the local body elections in Kerala have come as a setback for the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state ahead of elections next year, with the Congress-led United Democratic Front ahead in four out of six municipal bodies and 14 district panchayats, against the ruling coalition's six. 

The BJP has, however, emerged as the biggest, and perhaps most unexpected, headline grabber, with the NDA led by the party winning 50 seats in the 101-member municipal corporation in Kerala's capital city of Thiruvananthapuram, securing such a big mandate there for the first time. The BJP won its first-ever Lok Sabha seat in the southern state last year and has only ever had one MLA there.

The capital is part of the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency, which has been won four times in a row by the Congress' Shashi Tharoor since 2009.

The municipal corporation was seen as a Left bastion and, in the outgoing 100-member corporation, the CPI(M) had 51 seats, the BJP-led NDA 35 and the UDF 10. In these elections, with the seats now 101, the NDA won 50 seats, the LDF 29, and the UDF 19, with the remaining two going to Independents. 

IndiGo’s operations showed significant improvement on Tuesday, with the airline confirming it is on course to operate over 1,650 flights—up from 1,500 the previous day. In its latest evening status update, IndiGo said that 137 out of its 138 domestic and international destinations are now fully operational. The airline also reported a sharp recovery in its on-time performance, which rose to 75 per cent from just 30 per cent a day earlier, signalling a return to stability after widespread disruptions.

To support affected passengers, IndiGo reiterated that it will continue to offer a full waiver on cancellations and rescheduling requests for all bookings made up to December 15. Refund processing and baggage reconciliation are being prioritised, with teams deployed across major airports to expedite the clearance of backlogs. “We are working round the clock to resume normal service. Please bear with us,” the airline said, assuring customers that recovery efforts are progressing rapidly.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has stepped in with swift and closely coordinated measures to minimise passenger inconvenience and monitor the airline’s operational performance. Senior officials from the ministry said that air travel across India is stabilising faster than expected, with all other domestic carriers operating smoothly at full capacity. IndiGo’s gradual but steady improvement throughout the day has helped restore normalcy to the broader aviation network, they added.

MoCA continues to engage with IndiGo’s leadership to ensure that passenger services are restored fully and that contingency mechanisms remain active until operations return to complete normalcy. The ministry has also directed airport operators and ground-handling agencies to provide all necessary support to affected travellers.

With stabilisation efforts gaining momentum, both the airline and the government expressed confidence that the situation will return to normal in the coming days.

India sealed the ODI series in commanding fashion with a nine-wicket thrashing of South Africa in the decisive third match at Visakhapatnam, showcasing a near-perfect all-round performance. Chasing 271, the hosts cruised home on the back of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden ODI century — an innings marked by exquisite timing, fearless strokeplay, and growing maturity at the top of the order. His fluent ton set the tempo for India’s chase, while Virat Kohli anchored from the other end, compiling his 76th ODI fifty with characteristic control and precision. Rohit Sharma, too, played a vital hand, striking a polished 75 that ensured India never lost momentum.

Earlier in the day, India’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance after South Africa opted to bat. Prasidh Krishna, who had faced criticism for inconsistency in the previous games, produced an impressive comeback. After an erratic new-ball spell, he settled into rhythm and dismantled the Proteas’ middle order with sharp bounce and fuller lengths, finishing with four wickets. Kuldeep Yadav matched him with four scalps of his own, weaving a web of spin that further tightened India’s grip on the innings. Their combined effort restricted South Africa to 270, a total that always felt below par on a batting-friendly surface.

For the visitors, Quinton de Kock stood tall amid the collapse. The veteran opener crafted a superb 106, mixing patience with aggression to keep the scoreboard moving. However, he found little support from the rest of the lineup, as wickets fell at regular intervals thanks to India’s sustained pressure.

In the end, India’s clinical pursuit, powered by Jaiswal’s breakthrough hundred and strong contributions from Rohit and Kohli, underlined the team’s depth and growing confidence ahead of a packed cricketing calendar. The victory also highlighted the management’s faith in emerging talents and the squad’s ability to bounce back strongly when it matters most.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin committed to broaden economic ties and enhance cooperation in defence and energy at the 23rd annual Russia-India Summit. The summit comes amid ongoing pressure from Washington, DC, on New Delhi to reconsider its longstanding partnership with Moscow as the Ukraine conflict enters its fourth year.

Following the summit, India and Russia unveiled a comprehensive economic cooperation programme through 2030, aiming to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion from $68.7 billion in the fiscal year ending March, which has historically favoured Russia. India seeks to correct the trade imbalance by increasing its exports.

“To achieve this ambitious target, we have agreed on a programme for the development of Russian-Indian economic cooperation until 2030,” Putin said, noting that India’s ongoing free trade agreement negotiations with the Eurasian Economic Union could further accelerate growth. He also reaffirmed Russia’s role as a reliable energy supplier, pledging uninterrupted fuel deliveries to support India’s expanding economy.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India would work to fast-track the free trade agreement with the Eurasian bloc and announced plans for free electronic visas for Russian tourists and groups. He emphasised energy security, along with collaboration in civil nuclear energy, clean energy, shipbuilding, fertilisers, and labour mobility, as key pillars of bilateral relations.

The summit occurred against rising tensions with the United States, following Washington’s imposition of a 50% tariff on Indian goods in August, citing New Delhi’s purchases of discounted Russian oil. India remains the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian crude after China.

The US maintains that these purchases indirectly fund Russia’s war in Ukraine. In response, Indian officials stressed that energy sourcing is based on commercial considerations and aligned with international sanctions while prioritising the energy needs of its 1.4 billion citizens. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that sanctions and oil import issues were part of the summit discussions.

Analysts note that Putin’s visit highlights India’s delicate balancing act between maintaining strategic ties with Russia and deepening its partnership with the US. India also pressed Moscow to expedite delivery of two pending S-400 air defence systems under a $5.4-billion deal, which has been delayed due to wartime supply-chain disruptions. Defence ministers from both countries met prior to the summit, agreeing to encourage joint manufacturing of spare parts and components in India through technology transfer and partnerships.

The two nations have also committed to deepening military cooperation through joint exercises, port visits, disaster relief coordination, and logistics support. India is seeking upgrades to its Su-30MKI fighter jets and faster delivery timelines for other Russian-origin platforms. India is pursuing expanded exports of pharmaceuticals, agricultural goods, and textiles to Russia while seeking the removal of non-tariff barriers. Long-term agreements for fertiliser supplies were also discussed.

Both sides are working to establish a framework to ensure the safety and regulation of skilled Indian workers in Russia, reflecting an increased focus on labour mobility. Putin last visited India in 2021, while Modi visited Moscow last year. The leaders also met briefly in September at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China, underscoring a sustained diplomatic dialogue between the two countries.

The summit signals a renewed commitment to strengthening India-Russia relations across multiple strategic sectors, even as New Delhi navigates complex global pressures and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

India and Russia on Friday formalised a new cooperation initiative by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at training specialists to operate ships in polar regions. The agreement comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his two-day official visit to New Delhi, during which both nations have sought to expand collaboration in emerging strategic sectors.

In a joint statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, the pact was confirmed as an agreement between India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Russia’s Ministry of Transport. The MoU is designed to strengthen India’s capabilities in navigating polar environments - a skillset increasingly relevant as interest grows in Arctic routes and polar research.

The training initiative will focus on developing technical expertise for handling vessels in extreme conditions, enhancing safety, and building a pool of specialised maritime professionals. The signing took place shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin concluded high-level talks that drew significant international attention. The summit highlighted both countries’ intent to diversify their partnership beyond traditional defence and energy ties, marking a renewed push into maritime, scientific and polar cooperation.

Courtesy: The Pioneer 

Indo-Russian defence cooperation is set to gain fresh momentum as President Vladimir Putin arrives in India for the Annual Summit on December 4–5. The visit comes on the heels of Operation Sindoor, where Russian-origin platforms once again underscored their critical role in India’s battlefield dominance. From the S-400 air defence systems to Sukhoi fighter jets and BrahMos cruise missiles, Russian technology formed the backbone of India’s strategic edge.

According to Dr. V.K. Saraswat, eminent missile scientist and Member of NITI Aayog, the relationship has matured far beyond a traditional buyer-seller arrangement. What began in the 1970s with SAM-2 missiles and MiG aircraft has evolved into a deep technology partnership. The co-development of the BrahMos missile marks a milestone, offering India unmatched precision strike capability.

During Operation Sindoor, the S-400 systems proved decisive in neutralising enemy drones and missiles, while Sukhois manufactured in India delivered critical offensive capability. Cooperation now spans nuclear energy, space, submarines, and advanced electronics, with Indian private industry increasingly partnering Russian firms.

As global geopolitics grows more complex, India views Russia as a dependable, long-term partner. The upcoming summit is expected to further reinforce this “privileged strategic partnership,” carrying a proven friendship into a new era.

Indian airlines are racing to complete a crucial software and hardware upgrade across their Airbus A320 fleets after a global safety directive issued by Airbus. By Saturday evening, most of India’s A320 aircraft had already undergone the mandatory update, with full compliance expected before the midnight deadline.

According to data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), 338 A320-family aircraft operated by IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express required an urgent software realignment to address vulnerabilities flagged in a key flight-control component. Of these, 270 aircraft — nearly 80 per cent — have already been cleared following successful upgrades.

IndiGo, which operates India’s largest A320 fleet, had 200 aircraft requiring the update. The airline has completed work on 184 jets and is on track to finish the remaining upgrades before 11:59 pm on Saturday. IndiGo also confirmed that no flights were cancelled, with teams deployed across major maintenance hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata.

Air India reported comparable progress. Of its 113 impacted aircraft, about 80 have already been updated. The airline said it has maintained full operational schedules, carrying out upgrades at its facilities in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai.

A massive blaze tore through a high-rise housing complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday, killing at least 44 people and leaving hundreds unaccounted for in what officials say is the city’s deadliest fire in decades. Firefighters were still battling pockets of flames on Thursday morning at Wang Fuk Court, an eight-building estate in Tai Po with nearly 2,000 apartments, as exhausted residents looked on in shock.

The inferno began on bamboo scaffolding erected for estate-wide maintenance work and rapidly engulfed multiple 31-storey towers. Investigators say flammable foam materials left behind during repairs helped the fire spread “beyond control”. Police have arrested three men on suspicion of gross negligence and seized documents from related premises as part of the probe.

Survivors described scenes of chaos and panic. Many elderly residents, already immobile and living behind windows sealed for renovation, reportedly failed to realise the danger until neighbours phoned to warn them. Dense smoke, falling scaffolding, and intense heat hindered rescue efforts throughout the night. Fire crews said they were still unable to reach residents on some floors who had earlier pleaded for help.

Among the dead was a 37-year-old firefighter who lost contact with his team and was later found with severe burns. Hospitals are treating 56 injured people, sixteen of whom remain in critical condition.

Chief Executive John Lee said more than 900 residents sought refuge in temporary shelters, and that authorities are still trying to verify the status of 279 people listed as unaccounted for, though some have since been contacted. Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences, praising the bravery of first responders.

Residents surrounding the complex watched in grief as flames lit up the night sky, hoping desperately for news of missing neighbours. With adjacent blocks evacuated and roads closed, officials warned that the full extent of the tragedy may not be known for days.

Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar for a record-breaking tenth time on Thursday at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan, marking a resounding comeback for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. The ceremony doubled as a powerful display of NDA unity and electoral strength after the coalition swept last week’s Assembly polls with 202 of 243 seats.

The Janata Dal (United), long seen as the NDA’s pivotal regional anchor, delivered an emphatic performance by winning 85 seats, silencing critics who had questioned Nitish Kumar’s age, political relevance, and ability to lead. Backed strongly by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the NDA’s decisive mandate reaffirmed its dominance in Bihar’s political landscape.

Gandhi Maidan turned into a showcase of national-level coalition solidarity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with chief ministers of BJP-ruled states and leaders of key allies such as Andhra Pradesh’s N. Chandrababu Naidu, attended the ceremony. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav hailed the moment, declaring that Bihar was “once again on the path of development” under the NDA’s governance model.

Nitish Kumar—often credited for his political adaptability—now extends his stature as one of India’s longest-serving chief ministers. If he completes this term, he will surpass Pawan Chamling’s record 24-year tenure, further cementing the NDA’s political continuity in Bihar.