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DHAKA: Shock and outrage have swept Bangladesh after a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was brutally beaten to death by a mob on Thursday night. The victim’s body was reportedly tied to a tree and set on fire. New details surrounding the killing suggest a horrifying chain of events and raise questions about police complicity. False Allegation Sparks Deadly Mob AttackAccording to Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, who resides in exile in India, Dipu was first targeted due to a personal grudge held by a Muslim coworker. The coworker falsely accused Dipu of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad. Despite Dipu informing the police about the accusation, no action was taken against the accuser. Nasreen revealed on social media that Dipu worked at a factory in Bhaluka, Mymensingh...

TAIPEI: Panic gripped the streets of Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, on Friday night, as a masked assailant wearing body armor launched a brutal knife attack on civilians. The incident claimed at least three lives and left nine others injured. According to authorities, the suspect, 27-year-old Chang Wen, first threw a smoke bomb into a crowded area before wielding a knife against bystanders. The attacker ultimately fell from the sixth floor of a building while being pursued and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Knife-Wielding Attack in Broad DaylightFootage obtained by news agencies shows Chang dressed in black with a black cap, calmly crossing a zebra crossing near Taipei Main Metro Station before suddenly lunging at the crowd with a knife. Civilians were seen fleeing in terror as...

Islamabad / Punjab: Pakistan is facing a severe water crisis as the Chenab River’s flow becomes unpredictable, raising fears of a looming food shortage. Senior officials from Pakistan’s Punjab Irrigation Department have described the situation as “truly alarming,” warning that the country may soon struggle to provide even a single loaf of bread to its citizens. Rising Tensions Over Indus Water Treaty The crisis comes after India’s recent decision to postpone certain provisions of the Indus Water Treaty, prompting Pakistan to accuse India of violating the agreement. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Tahir Hussain Andrabi, confirmed that a formal letter was sent to India seeking clarification about sudden changes in the Chenab River’s flow. Water Shortages Hit Agriculture Ha...

Dhaka: Bangladesh is engulfed in violent unrest following the death of Sharif Usman Hadi, a prominent student leader and spokesperson of the anti-Sheikh Hasina movement, Inquilab Manch. Hadi, 32, was shot in the head last Friday, December 12, while campaigning in Dhaka. He was flown to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries at a Singaporean hospital. In response, interim government head Muhammad Yunus declared a day of national mourning and urged citizens to maintain peace. Rising Violence Across Bangladesh Reports from Dhaka indicate that mobs set fire to offices of major newspapers, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, forcing both to suspend their Friday editions. The Business Standard also canceled its print edition. Several journalists were trapped during the...

Dhaka/New Delhi: The assassination of Bangladeshi student leader Sharif Usman Hadi has triggered widespread unrest and turned a shocking crime into a major political and diplomatic controversy. Within hours of Hadi’s death, violent protests erupted across Bangladesh, with mobs setting fire to media offices in Dhaka and other cities, and hurling stones at the residence of India’s Deputy High Commissioner. Anti-India slogans and incendiary posts have flooded social media, raising concerns about escalating tensions. Protesters claim that Hadi’s attackers fled to India, though neither the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus nor the student leaders making these claims have provided evidence. Despite the lack of proof, there have been attempts to frame the killing as “India-sponsored,” h...

Dhaka: A horrifying incident has shaken Bangladesh as a Hindu youth was brutally beaten to death by a mob in Mymensingh district over allegations of blasphemy. The killing comes amid widespread unrest following the death of Sharif Usman Hadi, a prominent student leader opposing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to BBC Bangla, the victim, identified as Dipu Chandra Das, was a young garment factory worker. Local reports suggest that he was accused of making disrespectful remarks about Prophet Muhammad. Authorities stated that the attack occurred around 9 PM, when the mob assaulted Das and fatally beat him. Shockingly, the violence did not stop after his death. Extremists tied his body to a tree and set it on fire before police arrived to regain control of the scene. The bo...

Riyadh: When one thinks of Saudi Arabia, the first images that come to mind are scorching deserts and endless sunshine. However, northern Saudi Arabia recently witnessed a spectacular winter phenomenon, as desert mountains were blanketed in snow, creating a breathtaking sight. The snow fell in the Tabuk region and the Turaijan Highlands, particularly at Jabal Al-Lawz, where temperatures dropped below zero. Jabal Al-Lawz, literally meaning “Mountain of Almonds,” stands at around 2,580 meters above sea level in the northwest of the country. The unusual snowfall attracted attention from both locals and tourists, who shared photos and videos of the pristine white landscape across social media. According to reports from Saudi Gazette, the snowfall was accompanied by light to moderate rain...

Dhaka: Violent protests have erupted across Bangladesh following the death of student leader Sharif Usman Hadi, plunging the nation into chaos. Demonstrators targeted media organizations, accusing them of supporting India and backing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who went into exile in India after being ousted in August 2024. The unrest began immediately after news of Hadi’s assassination on December 12. Masked assailants shot the 32-year-old student leader and spokesperson of the Inquilab Platform in the head while he was campaigning in Dhaka. He was subsequently flown to Singapore for treatment, but later succumbed to his injuries. In Dhaka, protesters attacked offices of major newspapers, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, trapping journalists inside. Daily Star repo...

In a significant military achievement, Ukraine has destroyed two of Russia’s S-400 air defense system launchers in Belgorod, marking a major setback for Moscow. The operation was carried out near the village of Verkhnye Olshanets, approximately 50 kilometers from the border, using precision drones, according to open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts on social media platform X. The Ukrainian General Staff released a video of the operation, confirming the strike took place on December 14, targeting the operational area of Russia’s 568th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment. This action is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to weaken Russia’s air defense capabilities. The strike was executed by drone operators from Ukraine’s 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade, known as 'Black F...

Washington: The United States has taken a major leap in hypersonic warfare, unveiling its most advanced long‑range hypersonic missile system — the Dark Eagle Long‑Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) — capable of striking strategic targets in China and Russia within just 20 minutes. The US Army and Navy successfully completed integrated testing of the missile on December 12, marking a significant shift in global military balance. American defence experts say the Dark Eagle has been specifically designed to neutralize advanced Russian and Chinese air‑defence systems, including Russia’s much‑touted S‑400 and S‑500 missile shields, which are considered among the world’s most sophisticated. According to US military officials, the missile is faster, more lethal, and far harder to detect than co...