Tensions have escalated in the Middle East following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The incident has led to a series of retaliatory actions and heightened threats in the region. Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah, have vowed revenge against Israel, intensifying the volatile situation.

Dhaka: Tension gripped Bangladesh afresh on Saturday after leaders of the student movement refused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s invitation for talks and demanded her resignation, while protesters laid siege on major streets in the capital, days after more than 200 people died in anti-quota protests.

The Sri Lankan Navy handed over two fishermen, recently apprehended, and also the mortal remains of a fisherman who died at sea to the Indian Navy near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the wee hours on Saturday, an official release here said.

Washington: US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is of Indian and African heritage, was declared the 2024 presidential nominee of the ruling Democratic Party on Friday after she won enough votes from Democratic delegates in a virtual roll call.

Ankara: Turkiye's communications authority blocked access to the social media platform Instagram on Friday, the latest instance of a clampdown on websites in the country.

Dhaka: Bangladesh on Thursday banned the Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir under anti-terrorism law following nationwide unrest over the quota system for government jobs, accusing the fundamentalist party of instigating protests that left at least 150 people dead.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has launched a racially insensitive attack against Kamala Harris by questioning whether she is “Indian or Black”, drawing a sharp reaction from his Democratic rival who termed his remarks "the same old show" of "divisiveness" and "disrespect".

Reports suggest that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued an order for a direct military strike against Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. This directive was given during an emergency session of Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday, shortly after Iran confirmed Haniyeh's death in Tehran.