Op-Eds Opinion

When Indian Footballers Beg, Fans Should Look in the Mirror

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

Watching Indian footballers publicly appeal to FIFA to save football in their own country is not just embarrassing. It is painful. These are professional athletes, national representatives, men who have spent years training, travelling, and sacrificing for the sport. Seeing them plead for the basic right to play football should force a moment of collective […]

South India State News

Shashi Tharoor Backs Karnataka Govt’s Bengaluru Demolition Drive

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has publicly defended the Karnataka government’s demolition drive in Bengaluru, saying the action followed legal procedures and was not intended to provoke unnecessary controversy. His remarks came amid political debate over the removal of unauthorised structures in parts of the city. Legal Basis and Government Position Tharoor said the land

International

UAE Calls for Restraint as Yemen Crisis Escalates

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

The United Arab Emirates has called for restraint and calm as the situation in Yemen continues to evolve rapidly, raising concerns about renewed instability in the conflict-hit country. The UAE said it is closely monitoring developments on the ground and urged all Yemeni parties to exercise caution and avoid actions that could further escalate violence. […]

International

Pakistan Backs China’s Mediation Claim on Operation Sindoor

By BPN News Desk January 3, 2026

Pakistan has publicly supported China’s claim that it played a mediating role during the military escalation between India and Pakistan following India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Islamabad stated that Chinese leaders were in regular contact with regional stakeholders during the period of heightened tensions and described Beijing’s engagement as aimed at de-escalation

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. […]