International

UN Chief Urges Israel to Reverse NGO Ban

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on Israel to reverse its decision to suspend the operations of several international non-governmental organisations working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The UN chief warned that the move could seriously disrupt humanitarian assistance at a time when civilian needs in Gaza remain acute due to ongoing […]

State News

14 Maoists Killed in Two Encounters in Chhattisgarh

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

Security forces killed 14 Maoist insurgents in two separate encounters in Chhattisgarh on Friday as part of ongoing anti-insurgency operations in the Bastar region. The encounters took place in the forested areas of Sukma and Bijapur districts, which have long been affected by left-wing extremism. Details of the Two Operations In the first encounter, which […]

Cricket Sports

BCCI Instructs KKR to Release Mustafizur Rahman

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have released Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 squad following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The decision came amid political and diplomatic tensions related to recent events in Bangladesh. Decision and Context KKR had acquired Mustafizur at the […]

International

US Strikes Venezuela, Claims Maduro Captured

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

On January 3, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States conducted a large-scale military strike against Venezuela and claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country. The announcement was made in a social media post early Saturday, describing the operation as successful and […]

International

Doha Named GCC Tourism Capital for 2026

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

Doha has been officially selected as the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Tourism Capital for 2026, marking a major regional recognition for Qatar’s tourism strategy and infrastructure. The designation was announced following consultations among tourism authorities of GCC member states, who assessed candidate cities on parameters such as cultural offerings, visitor

Op-Eds Opinion

No Contest, No Choice: How Maharashtra’s Local Polls Betray Democracy

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

The recent round of local body elections in Maharashtra has revealed something deeply unsettling. Dozens of municipal seats were decided without a single vote being cast. Candidates walked into office unopposed, not because they were universally loved or widely trusted, but because no one dared or bothered to challenge them. On paper, elections were held. […]

International

Trump Blocks $3M Chip Deal Over Security Concerns

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the cancellation of a proposed $3 million acquisition of chip and photonics assets by American firm HieFo from Emcore, citing national security and China-related risks. The deal, originally completed in 2024, involved Emcore’s computer chip operations and indium-phosphide wafer fabrication business. National Security, China Concerns

International

Iran Urges UN to Act After Trump Threats

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

Tehran has formally urged the United Nations to respond to what it describes as “reckless and provocative” threats from Donald Trump amid ongoing unrest across Iran. The appeal was made in a letter from Iran’s ambassador to the UN to the UN secretary-general and the Security Council, calling on the international body to condemn the […]

National

Jaishankar Urges Students to Grow at Home, Engage Abroad

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed students at an event at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, where he spoke about India’s approach to development and foreign engagement. He emphasised that India’s rise on the global stage must be anchored in strong domestic growth, institutional capacity, and self-confidence. According to him, nations that are secure

Op-Eds Opinion

Mamdani Appoints Al Qaeda Defender Ramzi Kassem as the Left Stays Silent

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

Zohran Mamdani’s decision to elevate Ramzi Kassem to a powerful government legal role is not a footnote. It is a choice that signals priorities, values, and moral boundaries. Calling Kassem a “champion of rights” does not change the core fact that he has defended an Al Qaeda–linked terrorist. In public office, symbolism matters. And this […]