West Bengal

Kolkata in chaos: How rains took joy out of the city ahead of Durga Puja

At least seven people died as unprecedented heavy rainfall paralysed Kolkata, leaving the city flooded just days before Durga Puja celebrations. People were seen wading through waterlogged streets, and cars were submerged. Train operations took a hit, and markets were forced to shut down, dampening the festive spirit

Why Bangladesh is set for a tepid Durga Puja under Yunus

Bangladesh has decided to ban fairs near Durga Puja mandaps this year, just ahead of the country’s biggest religious festival for minority Hindus. Home affairs adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury claimed such gatherings often draw groups that consume cannabis and alcohol. He also said that around 33,000 puja mandaps are likely to be set up across the country this year

FirstUp: Supreme Court to give verdict on stray dogs and other top news today

The Supreme Court is expected to deliver its verdict on the issue of stray dogs in New Delhi. Also, as part of the NDA's strategy ahead of the Bihar Assembly election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gaya. He will inaugurate key infrastructure projects and address a public rally. The PM will also be visiting West Bengal. In world news, a Thai court is set to deliver its verdict against former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for insulting the monarchy during an interview

Does Sheikh Hasina’s party have office in Kolkata?

India has rejected Dhaka’s allegations that members of the 'banned' Awami League are carrying out 'anti-Bangladesh activities' on Indian soil. This came after Bangladesh claimed that 'Awami League-linked offices' were being operated on Indian soil, allegedly by leaders of Sheikh Hasina's party living in exile here. But what is the truth?

The Bengal Files: Who was Gopal Patha at the centre of the controversial film on Calcutta killings of 1946?

Vivek Agnihotri’s film ‘The Bengal Files’ has sparked controversy with the launch of its trailer on August 16 in Kolkata abruptly cancelled, and an FIR and legal notice against the director. The film revolves around the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings and the Noakhali riots. What happened then, and what was Gopal Patha's role in the incident?

FirstUp: PM Modi to visit Trinidad and Tobago, Amarnath Yatra to begin... The headlines today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an eight-day tour of five nations, will be visiting Trinidad and Tobago today after concluding the Ghana visit. In India, the Amarnath Yatra will officially begin from the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps

‘Hit with hockey stick, bite marks’: The horror faced by law student ‘gang-raped’ on campus in Kolkata

Chilling details have emerged in the gang-rape case of a 24-year-old law student in south Kolkata. The main accused – Monojit Misra – allegedly raped her while the two other accused, current students at the South Calcutta Law College, stood guard. The medical examination has revealed ‘bite marks and nail scratches’ on the woman’s body

This Week in Explainers: What will Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla do in space?

Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) on the Axiom-4 Mission. As he and his three other colleagues adjust to microgravity, what will they do during their 14-day stay in space? All this and more in our weekly roundup

Beyond Digha: Bengal’s temple glory already shines in Kalna

Located about 90 kilometres north of Kolkata in Purba Bardhaman district, Kalna first finds mention in the 6th century CE Kubjika Tantra – ‘Kubjika’ being a manifestation of Shakti

Influencer Sharmishta Panoli granted bail in Operation Sindoor comments case: What was the matter?

After being arrested on May 30 for posting communal remarks linked to Operation Sindoor, Indian social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli has now been granted interim bail by the Kolkata High Court. Her arrest had snowballed into a BJP vs TMC fight in West Bengal, with even Dutch MP Geert Wilders wading into the row