Indian news outlet Zee 24 Ghanta misrepresented Bangladesh’s poverty by using an image actually taken in India. The photo, showing children standing in line with plates, was from New Delhi in 2020, where slum children waited for free food during the COVID-19 lockdown. A reverse image search confirmed its prior use by CNBC and Getty Images. Despite this, the misleading image was intentionally used to depict Bangladesh’s poverty, raising concerns about journalistic integrity in Indian media.

In Kochi, Kerala, 27 Bangladeshis were arrested for illegal residency following an overnight operation by Kerala Police and India’s Anti-Terrorism Squad. The suspects, found with Bangladeshi national IDs and passports, could not provide valid Indian residency documents. A total of 54 individuals were arrested in the operation. This action is part of a broader crackdown on Bangladeshis living unlawfully in various parts of India. Earlier, two Bangladeshis were arrested in Versova, Maharashtra.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan shared his experience of facing religious discrimination when trying to buy a house in Juhu, Mumbai. Despite searching for homes in the area, he was informed that due to his different community, he wouldn’t be able to purchase a property there. Saif, who has married non-Muslims, expressed that while he has never faced religious intolerance abroad, his own country questioned his religion, leaving him deeply insulted by the experience.

A stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, left 15 people dead and many injured during the ‘holy bath’ ritual. The incident occurred early on January 29 amid massive crowds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the situation with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and urged immediate relief efforts. This year’s Kumbh Mela, marked by a rare celestial alignment, has already seen 148 million attendees. Hindus believe bathing in the sacred rivers cleanses sins and grants liberation from rebirth.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that if BJP wins the Delhi Assembly elections, they will remove illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants from the city within two years. Speaking at election rallies, Shah accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of relying on votes from illegal immigrants and labeled it the “Party of Illegal Imports.” He criticized Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for corruption, spreading lies, and neglecting basic amenities like water, schools, and hospitals. Elections will be held on February 5, with results on February 8.

Doubts surround Shariful Islam’s arrest as Saif Ali Khan’s attacker after Mumbai police revealed that none of the 19 fingerprints from Saif’s house matched Shariful’s. While police claim they have evidence implicating Shariful, CCTV footage shows someone with long hair, unlike Shariful, who has always kept short hair. Shariful’s father also insists the attacker in the footage does not resemble his son. These revelations raise questions about whether the actual attacker is someone else, shifting the investigation into a new direction.

Summary: An explosion at an arms factory in Maharashtra, India, killed at least eight people and injured several others. The incident occurred in the Bhandara district on January 24. The explosion caused a roof collapse, trapping workers beneath the debris. Rescue teams reached the site quickly, recovering eight bodies and rescuing others in critical condition. The factory had at least 14 workers inside, and the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

A fire rumor in the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express triggered panic among passengers, who jumped off the train in fear. The chaotic situation led to 12 deaths when passengers were hit by the passing Karnataka Express. The incident occurred on January 22 near Jalgaon, Maharashtra, after a “hot axle” or “brake jam” caused sparks. Emergency relief teams were sent, and medical aid was provided to the injured. Maharashtra’s Chief Minister expressed condolences, with efforts underway to assist the affected families.

In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, 12 Indians have been killed while fighting for the Russian army, with 16 more Indians reported missing, confirmed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaswal. Efforts are underway to repatriate the deceased and the missing. The embassy is working with Russian authorities to bring back the body of Vineel Babu, who died in combat, and to repatriate another injured Indian, Zain Tike, after his treatment in Moscow.

The Indian rupee has reached its lowest level in two years, depreciating 0.7% in a single day to 86.7550 against the US dollar. Since December, the rupee’s value has dropped by 2%, driven by India’s slow economic growth and expectations of an interest rate cut by the central bank in February. Analysts predict further depreciation unless significant interventions are made. The decline has also strained the central bank’s reserves, highlighting broader economic challenges.

Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency is expected to lead to stricter H-1B visa regulations, raising concerns among Indian professionals. Reports indicate that some Indians, despite receiving job offers, face delays, revocations, and visa issues. Many worry that the tightening of visa policies will disproportionately affect Indian workers, as they make up a significant portion of H-1B visa recipients, with 72% of 2023 visas granted to Indians.

Former Indian diplomat and Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar suggested that ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should be allowed to stay in India indefinitely, even for life, recognizing her contributions to India. Speaking at a literary festival in Kolkata, Aiyar praised recent diplomatic discussions between India and Bangladesh and emphasized continued dialogue. Amid political turmoil and protests, 77-year-old Hasina left Bangladesh for India in August and has since remained there. Aiyar also addressed Bangladesh’s extradition demands.

India has reduced the export price of onions by $100 per ton, lowering it from $405 to $305, effective January 6, to boost exports. Previously, the high price of Indian onions significantly reduced demand in Bangladesh, causing substantial losses for importers. At $405 per ton, Indian onions were less competitive, especially as local supplies increased. The price cut aims to make Indian onions more affordable in the Bangladeshi market, reducing the cost of opening a letter of credit (LC) by about 4 lakh taka per truck. This adjustment seeks to revitalize demand, balance market dynamics, and ensure both consumer affordability and farmer profitability in light of the changing trade conditions.

Five years after the coronavirus, Indian media reports China is facing another viral threat with HMPV. These reports suggest HMPV is rapidly spreading, overwhelming hospitals. Indian media also mentions concurrent viruses like Influenza A and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Despite rumors of an emergency, no official confirmation exists. Health experts, per Indian reports, are alarmed by HMPV's symptoms resembling the coronavirus, especially impacting pediatric care with increased pneumonia cases. China's health officials are monitoring, as per these reports.

Dilip Ghosh, former BJP president and MP, has called for a boycott of Bangladeshi products. On Tuesday, this call was made through a post on his official Facebook page, where he stated that the money from selling these products in India supports anti-India activities. He included images of these goods in the post. Previously, there have been calls in Bangladesh to boycott Indian products. After Ghosh's post, many left comments, with one suggesting immediate protests against anyone selling these items.