Bangladesh: Khaleda Zia’s aide accuses Yunus govt advisors of corruption

Dhaka, Aug 9, 2025
A B M Abdus Sattar, Private Secretary to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia, has accused several interim government advisors of engaging in rampant corruption, alleging that no key appointments or transfers in the country take place without their involvement.

Sattar made the allegations during a seminar titled ‘Expectations of the July Mass Uprising and Public Administration of the Future’ organised by the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association at Dhaka’s BIAM Auditorium, local media reported.

Without naming them, Sattar claimed to have evidence of “unlimited corruption” involving eight advisors to the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

“I am very disappointed. The character of the bureaucrats has either deteriorated or gone bad. But I can provide evidence of the unlimited corruption of at least eight advisors who sat on the chairs over the blood of the July Movement. The intelligence agency has evidence of the corruption of eight advisors. But no action is being taken against anyone,” Bangladesh’s leading Bengali daily Prothom Alo quoted Sattar as saying.

“It is a pity that even though Tk 200 crore is found in the account of an advisor’s Assistant Private Secretary, why has no action been taken against him? Can Nurjahan Begum run a ministry like the Ministry of Health? Is it right to run two important ministries like the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports with an inexperienced advisor?” he questioned.

Sattar expressed concerns over the appointment of an “inexperienced individual” to a key position in the ministries of local government and youth and sports. He stated that Chief Advisor of the interim government Muhammad Yunus is aware of what is happening there, but no steps are being taken.

He further commented that corruption has increased compared to the past under the Yunus-led interim government.

Last month, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated there were no indications of effective governance or significant reforms, resulting in a concerning increase in extortion cases across the country.

“A businessman who previously had to pay one lakh Taka in extortion now has to pay five lakh Taka. There is no good governance or control anywhere. There has been no change in the police,” Bangladeshi newspaper Samakal quoted the BNP leader as saying.

The BNP and the radical Islamist forces earlier worked hand-in-glove with the student leaders and Yunus to overthrow the democratically-elected government of the Awami League led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The unceremonious exit of Hasina was globally seen as a major setback to the democratic set-up in the country. The interim government has also received massive criticism for providing shelter to radical and extremist Islamic outfits.(Agency)

Pakistan shedding ‘crocodile tears’ for Palestinians: Baloch activist

Quetta, Aug 9, 2025
Leading Baloch human rights defender, Mir Yar Baloch on Saturday slammed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for highlighting the plight of the Palestinian people while at the same time, conveniently concealing its own “brutal terrorism” and decades-long war against the people of Balochistan at home.

Pakistan, Baloch mentioned, lectures the world about justice, humanitarian rights, and the plight of the Palestinian people but is indulging in massive human rights violations in the province of Balochistan.

His remarks came after Sharif took to his social media, condemning the Israeli cabinet’s approval of a plan to take control of Gaza City, describing it as illegal and illegitimate.

“Pakistan’s hypocrisy is glaring: it sheds crocodile tears for Palestinians while crushing the Baloch people’s struggle for independence with unparalleled brutality and state terrorism. If Islamabad truly believed in the principles of freedom, justice, and human rights, it would first end its illegal occupation of Balochistan and allow the Baloch people to decide their own future in peace,” Mir posted on X.

The human rights activist asserted that the Pakistan’s “occupational forces” are committing the very crimes it accuses Israel of, including forced internal displacement of entire villages, systematic subjugation, extrajudicial killings, aerial bombardments of civilian areas, mass enforced disappearances, cultural erasure, and the deliberate destruction of livelihoods in Balochistan.

“Just as Pakistan demands ‘international intervention’ in Gaza, it has sealed Balochistan off from international humanitarian organisations, journalists, and human rights observers, ensuring that its crimes remain hidden from the world. No foreign aid is allowed, no UN fact-finding missions are permitted, and no independent humanitarian assistance reaches those suffering under its military siege,” Mir said.

“No access to the internet is available to the 60 million Baloch people as an illegal notice is issued by the rogue military of Pakistan,” he stated.

Mir emphasised that the world must recognise Pakistan’s moral posturing on Palestine is nothing more than a smokescreen to deflect attention from its own “war crimes” in Balochistan. Just as it calls for the protection of innocent civilians in Gaza, he stated that the same call must be made for the people of Balochistan, who have endured over “seven decades of military oppression” without international relief.(Agency)

Defence experts hail IAF’s S-400 success in Operation Sindoor

New Delhi, Aug 9, 2025
Hours after Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh revealed in Bengaluru on Saturday that the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) S-400 air defence systems had shot down five Pakistani fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, senior defence expert Major General (Retd) P.K. Sehgal lauded the achievement, calling it a decisive blow to Pakistan’s air power.

Sehgal said the Air Chief’s statement was “absolutely correct,” adding that the IAF’s S-400 systems have a range of 300 kilometres and had effectively neutralised enemy aircraft during the operation.

“Five Pakistani aircraft were destroyed – a fact even US President Donald Trump mentioned in his speech, though he did not specify their nationality. Now, it is completely clear that these were Pakistani jets,” he said.

According to Sehgal, Pakistan suffered “severe and irreplaceable” losses during Operation Sindoor. Several of its airbases were rendered inoperable, including the strategic Noor Khan Airbase. “Thirteen of their airbases were badly damaged. Even today, their air assets are in the ICU,” he remarked.

Highlighting the operational excellence, Sehgal praised the political leadership for showing strong will, saying there were no “compulsions or restraints” on the armed forces. “The integration and jointness displayed were a dream come true. The role of the Chief of Defence Staff was extraordinary, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s contribution was extremely significant,” he added.

He further stated that Pakistan failed in all its offensive attempts during the operation. “None of their drones or other aerial attacks succeeded. Not a single Rafale was shot down, and we did not lose any pilots,” Sehgal noted.

Calling the outcome a “major victory” for India, Sehgal emphasised that the scale of Pakistan’s losses has made recovery a daunting task for its military. “This was a huge setback for them, and its impact will be felt for years,” he said.(Agency)

Naveen Kasturia reveals how ‘Salakaar’ director corrected his walk

Mumbai, Aug 9, 2025
Actor Naveen Kasturia, who is receiving a lot of positive response to his work in the recently released OTT series ‘Salakaar’, has revealed that he was asked to change his walk and gait by the director of the series, Faruk Kabir.

In the series, Naveen essays the role of an Indian spy, who is based out in Pakistan, tailing the escalation of the atomic bomb development.

The actor recently spoke with IANS during the promotions of the series, and said, “The things which I didn’t have to work on I had to work on, was the physicality. I walk like a duck. Faruk told me to walk straight”.

“Those things used to happen. For posture I had to work on it. For action I had to rehearse. Mukesh Rishi, my co-actor has a disciplined background. I’m the opposite. Given that I am playing a soldier, I should also look like one. I had to work on that”, he added.

‘Salakaar’ is a period spy drama-thriller, and alternates between two timelines, the 1970s and 2025. Naveen’s co-actor, Mukesh Rishi essays the role of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the Pakistani dictator, who escalated his country’s atomic bomb project.

Zia-ul-Haq is the bedrock of most of India’s problems. He was the second Pakistani dictator after General Ayub Khan. He gave a definitive form to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s plan of “Bleed India by thousand cuts”, a thousand year war declared against India for Pakistan’s own interest.

Later, Zia got Zulfikar Ali Bhutto framed in a case, and got the death penalty approved for him through hand-picked judges.

His political actions are largely responsible for the current day geo-political tensions in southeast Asia. He instituted industrialization and deregulation, which significantly improved Pakistan’s economy. In 1979, following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Zia adopted an anti-Soviet stance and aided the Afghan mujahideen. He bolstered ties with China and the United States.(Agency)

Maharashtra: Son turns killer over farmland dispute, ends life after murdering mother

Latur (Maharashtra), Aug 9, 2025
A 45-year-old man allegedly murdered his 70-year-old mother over a dispute concerning agricultural land and later took his own life in Maharashtra’s Latur district, the police said on Saturday.

The shocking incident took place in Sangvi village of Renapur taluka, where the deceased have been identified as Laxmibai Ghuge (70) and her son Baban Ghuge (45).

According to preliminary investigations, tensions had been simmering in the family over the sale of their farmland. Police sources said Baban had been pressuring his mother to sell the land to raise funds, but Laxmibai steadfastly refused. The disagreement reportedly escalated into frequent quarrels.

Police said that in a sudden burst of rage a few days ago, Baban allegedly strangled his mother to death and buried her body in a nearby sugarcane field.

The crime remained hidden until villagers, alarmed by Laxmibai’s sudden disappearance, began searching for her. Their suspicions grew stronger when they noticed signs of freshly disturbed soil in the sugarcane field. On digging, they made the grim discovery, prompting outrage and grief across the village.

Police said that within hours of the killing, Baban apparently ended his own life by hanging from a tree near his home — an act possibly driven by guilt, fear of arrest, or emotional breakdown.

Renapur police rushed to the scene, recovered both bodies, and sent them for post-mortem examination. The mother and son were later cremated on the same funeral pyre in the presence of heartbroken relatives and stunned villagers.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. Residents described the episode as a “dark and unforgettable day” for their village, with many expressing disbelief that a land dispute could lead to such a devastating breach of the sacred bond between a mother and her son.(Agency)

SEBI proposes easier norms for resident Indian participation in FPIs

Mumbai, Aug 9, 2025
The Securities Exchange Board of India has proposed easier norms for resident Indians and mutual funds to invest in foreign funds. The regulator proposed to enable retail schemes based in IFSCs in India with resident Indian non-individuals as sponsors or managers to register as FPIs.

The investment limit is capped at 10 per cent of the targeted corpus, in line with IFSC rules, a release from SEBI said.

The suggestion is to replace the sponsor and manager with a fund management entity or associate for IFSC FPIs. SEBI has also proposed allowing Indian mutual funds to invest in overseas funds with India exposure.

These proposals aim to increase investment options for Indian investors to diversify their portfolios. If implemented, these reforms could bridge the gap between India’s domestic savings pool and international opportunities.

Currently, only certain institutional investors meeting SEBI’s criteria can register as FPIs to invest in foreign securities. The proposed changes focus on retail-oriented investment schemes set up in IFS, which would allow a broader range of India-based entities to channel domestic capital into foreign assets through a regulated framework.

At present, non-resident Indians (NRI), overseas citizens of India (OCI) or resident Indians are not eligible to register as FPIs. However, NRIs, OCIs or resident Indian individuals are permitted to be constituents of FPIs, subject to certain conditions in terms of limits on contribution and control of the FPIs.

The Reserve Bank of India’s liberalised remittance scheme permits individuals to remit up to Rs 2.5 lakh annually for overseas investments. Retail investors depend on indirect channels and FoF opportunities in global mutual funds for foreign market exposure.

IFSC is a special economic zone (SEZ) acting as a global financial hub within India, allowing institutions to conduct international financial transactions and operations.

The capital market regulator has sought public feedback on its proposals till August 29.(Agency)

Gold prices end firm this week amid tariff concerns

Mumbai, Aug 9, 2025
Indian bullion prices ended marginally higher this week amid global market cues and higher festive demand. By mid-week, gold prices saw a significant dip, with the price of 24-carat gold dropping by Rs 91, but the price inched up higher toward the weekend.

Despite the short-term dip, gold continues to price in the broader impact of trade tariff uncertainty and dollar weakness, keeping the overall trend supported. Gold is expected to trade in a volatile range of Rs 99,000 to Rs 1,01,500, analysts said.

The price of 24-carat gold (10 gram) started the week at Rs 1,00,167 on Monday, rose to Rs 99,017 on Wednesday, and ended the week at Rs 98,534, according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA).

“Gold prices traded volatile, with rupee weakness supporting domestic prices, as MCX Gold settled at Rs 1,01,180 with gains of Rs 350, while Comex gold hovered around $3390 in a tight range between $3380 to $3405. Going ahead, prices are expected to remain choppy as Trump’s tariff stance continues to create uncertainty, especially with the India deal appearing off the table for now. Any positive movement in the rupee could limit gold’s upside,” said Jateen Trivedi from LKP Securities.

India’s wealthiest households hold nearly 60 per cent of their financial assets in physical assets like real estate and gold, according to a report from Bernstein.

Large trade and budgetary deficits are straining the US, which threatens the dollar’s reserve currency status. Gold is the only plausible alternative attracting reserve flows. Global foreign exchange reserves are $12.5 trillion, while India holds 15 per cent of the $23 trillion global gold market. A 5 per cent transfer of global reserves towards gold might spark a huge price surge, according to analysts.

The RBI forecast 3.1 per cent CPI inflation for FY2025-26, citing the sustained rainfall and strong kharif sowing, while food prices remain low.

Unfavourable base effects and policy-induced demand side effects will likely push CPI inflation beyond 4 per cent by the end of FY26. An increase in gold prices helped boost core inflation to 4.4 per cent in June from 4.1-4.2 per cent in February-May, the RBI said.(Agency)

Om Raut shares how he mounts stories from Maharashtra for national, international audience

Mumbai, Aug 9, 2025
Director-producer Om Raut, whose production ‘Inspector Zende’ is set to release on OTT next month, has spoken about his knack for showcasing historical characters from Maharashtra, and how he mounts them for the national or international audience.

The director-producer spoke with IANS recently at his office in Mumbai, and shared that his aim is to tell grassroot stories.

He told IANS, “I want to tell the grassroot stories. I want to tell the stories that are rooted deeply into our culture. I want to tell the stories that are about Indian heroes or Indian superheroes or Indian characters, male or female, doesn’t matter. The stories that we have in our culture, the stories that we have in our great history of Bharat is something that I would like to tell.

And because I come from Maharashtra, these are the stories that I actually grew up with. These are the stories that were told to me by my grandparents, by my parents, my father and my mother”.

He further mentioned, “So, they have a very deep impact on you while growing up. And to be honest, whatever I have understood, I am only trying to recreate that into cinema. When it comes to Marathi, I am an extremely proud Marathi boy. Whatever are the stories of our culture, and that is why I have an attraction towards Marathi culture and Marathi great personalities in our history”.

“There is so much contribution of all these people towards building the nation that we have today. The nation that we have today is a tremendous contribution of all these forces that have come to us, you know, over a period, even pre-independence also, post-independence also”, he added.

‘Inspector Zende’ is set to release on September 5, 2025 on Netflix.(Agency)

Raksha Bandhan: Saif Ali Khan receives heartfelt note from sister Saba

Saif Ali Khan receives heartfelt note from sister Saba and Soha

Mumbai, Aug 9, 2025
Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who was last seen in the streaming film ‘Jewel Thief’, received a heartfelt note from his sister Saba Ali Khan.

On Saturday, the actor’s sister took to her Instagram, and shared a series of throwback pictures. She also penned a long note in the caption, praying for her brother’s well-being. Incidentally, Saif sustained a knife attack at the start of this year.

She wrote, “Happy Rakhi! To my brother….Bhai, To all the years growing up , I know we’ve led our separate lives,been busy with respective things, and still found time to make moments matter. I love you always.

And have your back! As I’m sure you do mine. My duas and prayers will protect you ,especially when I worry about your safety and in this mad world life is so unpredictable. I wish you all the best today and always. That’s a given. To Kamal, my other brother. The same! You’ve been a gem, and I treasure each moment”.

The actor was stabbed multiple times in an attempt to fight off a burglar during the wee hours of Thursday. The actor sustained six stab wounds, two of which are said to be serious as they are closer to his spine. The incident took place at 2:15 am when the burglar allegedly barged into their Bandra home, and attacked their house help and then Saif when he intervened.

Saif was woken up by the commotion in his son Jeh’s room. He went inside the room to see the culprit arguing with their house help, looking at this, Saif intervened to save the house help with bare hands to fight off the intruder.

She also appreciated Kunal Kemmu, her brother-in-law, who is the husband of actress Soha Alia Khan, as she wrote, “Kunal Kemmu SO proud. And you’re a brother I’m thrilled to have found! And all my darling cousins… U ALL rock! Soha n Bebo…sisters are the best. Loveeee you both! Some old pics taken my me ..of Sara n iggy 1st rakhi (tag if used!) And a random share from a follower of bhai n abba . My favorite pic #happyrakshabandhan (sic)”.(Agency)

Head, Markram, Rabada return as Australia host young Proteas side in T20I series

Cairns (Australia), Aug 9, 2025
Just a few months after South Africa scripted history by defeating Australia in the final of the 2025 World Test Championship, the Proteas aim to fine-tune their T20 squad with a three-game series Down Under. The series will begin with back-to-back matches at the TIO Stadium in Marrara before concluding at the Cazalys Stadium in Westcourt, Cairns.

The return of Travis Head has further bolstered Australia’s batting depth, which was evident in their recent 5-0 sweep of the West Indies. Skipper Mitchell Marsh confirmed he and Head will be opening the innings for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, South Africa participated in a tri-series in Zimbabwe and lost to New Zealand in the final with an experimental squad.

For the Proteas, A few key names have returned for this trip, notably captain Aiden Markram and pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, but it also continues to be a test for the young side. Marsh spoke on the exciting challenge of facing a young side.

“They’ve some young guys that have, I guess, burst onto the scene over the last couple of years. That’s always exciting for international cricket, and provides us with a different challenge, but certainly looking forward to coming up against them,” said Marsh to reporters on Friday.

Where to watch Australia vs South Africa 2025 T20 live in India

Live streaming of the Australia vs South Africa T20 2025 cricket series will be available to watch on the JioHotstar website and app in India. Live telecast of the AUS vs SA T20I series on the Star Sports Network TV channels.

Australia vs South Africa 2025 T20 series schedule

As per Indian Standard Time (IST)

August 10, Sunday: Australia vs South Africa 1st match – 2:45 PM

August 12, Tuesday: Australia vs South Africa 2nd match – 2:45 PM

August 16, Saturday: Australia vs South Africa 3rd match – 2:45 PM

Australia vs South Africa 2025 T20 series squads

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Rassie van der Dussen.(Agency)