Islamabad, Aug 7 (IANS) Transgender community of Pakistan on Thursday organised a major protest against the rising number of violent attacks in Pakistan, especially the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Trans Action Alliance President Farzana Riaz and Manzil Foundation Executive Director Madam Arzoo Khan led the protest demonstration outside the Mardan Press Club, highlighting that the police has not been able to protect the community.Addressing media after the protest, Farzana said that 158 transgen…

Dhaka, Aug 7 (IANS) Several students from Jahangirnagar University (JU) of Bangladesh organised a torchlight procession and burned effigies labelled ‘Razakar’ in protest against an exhibition organised by Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of radical Islamist Party Jamaat-e-Islami at Dhaka University (DU), which showcased photos of “anti-liberation Razakars, Al-Badr members, and war criminals” from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.The students held the procession under the banner of progr…

Dhaka, Aug 7 (IANS) Bangladeshi police on Thursday arrested Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, a former Vice Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, in Rangpur district in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of the country, local media reported.Confirming the development, Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (DC media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said that the Detective Branch team took the former VC into custody from his residence in the Mohammadpur area of the capi…

Dhaka, August 7 (IANS) Hasnat Abdullah, the Chief Organiser of Bangladesh’s National Citizens Party (NCP) in the southern region of the country, stated on Thursday that he “did not feel the need” to attend the July Declaration reading ceremony by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on August 5 as the words or opinions of a “handful of groups” dominated the event instead of unity. Abdullah, who along with Sarjis Alam, was one of the leaders of the so-called ‘Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’ that le…

Johannesburg, Aug 7 (IANS) Residents of South Africa’s Johannesburg and Tshwane in Gauteng were directed to remain careful while taking preventive measures on Thursday as severe thunderstorms were to strike most parts of the region. Emergency services have prompted citizens to be attentive as well as be prepared for the thunderstorms that are expected to hit parts of Gauteng.A Yellow Level three warning has been issued by the South African Weather service (SAWS) regarding the severe thunderstorm…

Columbia, Aug 7 (IANS) India will be participating in the 38th Bogota International Book Fair (FILBo) 2026 as a ‘Guest of Honour’ country, marking a new chapter in the people-to-people connect between the two nations. Taking to X, the Indian Embassy in Columbia revealed, “FILBo announces India as Guest of Honour Country for Bogota International Book Fair 2026 ! Ambassador Vanlalhuma conveyed gratitude, stressing literary exchange as a bridge for deeper ties and people-to-people connect.”Seve…

Tokyo, Aug 7 (IANS) Japan’s native population declined by about 908,000 in 2024, the steepest drop since records began in 1968, the latest official data has revealed.According to a demographics survey released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of Japanese nationals stood at 120,653,227 as of January 1, 2025. The population has now been falling for 16 consecutive years.The overall population, including foreign residents, was 124,330,690 — down by about 554,000…

Beijing, Aug 7 (IANS) China’s decision to push the Yarlung Zangbo dam project in Tibet amid mounting concerns signals a significant shift in South Asian water diplomacy, marked by a surge in confrontational tactics, a report cited on Thursday. The move came shortly after India suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan following the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir by the Pakistan-based militant outfit ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF) — indicating that Beijing views water resou…

New Delhi/Dhaka Aug 7 (IANS) The human rights situation in Bangladesh continues to deteriorate as the nation has turned into a “land of anarchy” under the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) stated in its report on Thursday. According to RRAG Director Suhas Chakma, at least 637 persons, including 41 police officers, were reportedly lynched to death under the interim government from August 2024 to July 2025 while 51 lynching deaths we…

Lisbon, Aug 7 (IANS) The maximum temperature will rise again over the weekend across most of mainland Portugal, potentially reaching 43 degrees Celsius in the southern interior and in the Tejo and Douro valleys, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere. The soaring temperatures have significantly increased the risk of wildfires. The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection reported on its website that, as of Thursday noon, 54 wildfires remained active across Port…