Sheikh Hasina Flees, Bangladesh President Orders Ex PM's Release

Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday ordered the release of jailed former prime minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia, hours after her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina was ousted and the military took power.

The president's press team said in a statement that a meeting led by Shahabuddin had "decided unanimously to free Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia immediately".

Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, along with the head of the navy and airforce, and top leaders of several opposition parties including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami party, attended the meeting.

"The meeting has also decided to free all the people who have been arrested during the student protests," the statement added.

Earlier Monday, Waker-Uz-Zaman said in a broadcast to the nation on state television that Sheikh Hasina had resigned and the military would form a caretaker government.

"The meeting decided to form an interim government immediately", it added.

Sheikh Hasina had sought to quell nationwide protests against her government since early July but she fled the country after brutal unrest on Sunday in which nearly 100 people were killed.

Khaleda Zia, 78, is in poor health and confined to hospital after she was sentenced to 17 years in prison for graft in 2018.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Waqf Law Change To Help Women, Say Sources, Warn Of "Dangerous Narrative"

The allegations that revision of the Waqf laws is a ploy of the government to usurp Waqf land, is completely wrong, sources told NDTV today after certain remarks from the Muslim Law Board. The idea behind the amendment, sources said, is empowering Muslim women and children, who have been suffering under it.

Sources said a "dangerous narrative" is being built by certain Muslim clerics who are making wild statements that Muslim land will be taken away.

In a statement today, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board said any change or alteration in Waqf Act "will not be tolerated".

Law Board spokesman Dr SQR Ilyas said the government wants to change the status and nature of Waqf properties through about 40 amendments in the Waqf Act, 2013, "so their possession becomes easier".

The Muslim Personal Law Board considers it important to clarify that Waqf properties are "donations made by Muslim philanthropists dedicated to religious and charitable purposes," he said. The government has only enacted the Waqf Act to regulate them.

He added that this issue will not be restricted to Muslims only. It is feared that the next number may be the endowments of Sikhs and Christians.

Pointing out that the first Waqf Act was passed in 1954 and the first amendment in 1995 and then in 2013, sources said now Muslim women and common Muslims "are asking why the government is not changing present Waqf Act".

Once a land goes to Waqf, it cannot be reversed, sources said. This is why powerful Muslims have captured Waqf board. "The women and children are suffering. If a Muslim woman is divorced then she and her children will not get any rights," sources said.

The proposed amendment has two key parts -- for the first time, provision for inclusion of women in Waqf boards; and ensuring that the land is verified before it is announced as Waqf property. Sources said it has not yet been decided when it would be passed.

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"Nightmare": Indian Boxer Breaks Silence On Controversial Olympics Defeat

Devastated after a split verdict denied him a podium finish at the ongoing Olympics, Indian boxer Nishant Dev said his dream has turned into a "nightmare" following the "injustice", which has left his heart heavy with "anger and sadness". Dev, the 23-year-old world championship bronze-medallist, lost 1-4 to his second-seeded Mexican opponent Marco Verde Alvarez in the men's 71kg quarterfinal despite seemingly dominating the contest on Saturday. "Nobody truly knows how hard I worked, the countless hours I dedicated to manifesting this dream, and the honesty and truthfulness I poured into my training. Every day was a step toward this goal, every sacrifice a testament to my commitment.

"And in one cruel moment, it was all taken away from me," he shared in an Instagram post.

Dev said the loss felt so heavy that he "felt like everything was ripped from me." "The injustice of it all left me with a heavy heart and a flood of emotions. Anger, disappointment, and sadness intertwined, creating a storm within me.

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A post shared by 𝐍𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐯 (@nishantboxer_jr)

"It felt like a dream turned into a nightmare in an instant. Hearing the judges' scores, it felt as though there was nothing left in my body. The pain was so intense that I felt I just couldn't take it." Dev, however, vowed to work harder and return smarter.

"I may have missed out on a medal but I have gained a renewed sense of purpose. My journey doesn't end here; it begins anew. I will train harder, fight smarter, and come back fiercer," he wrote.

"This is not the end of my Olympic dream -- it's a chapter that will make my eventual triumph even more meaningful." India's boxing campaign ended at the Olympics after Tokyo edition bronze-winner Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) bowed out following a hard-fought quarterfinal loss to China's Li Qian in the women's competition here on Sunday.

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Delhi Resident Finds Pro-Pak Slogans On Walls, Confronts Home Owner

A video recorded by a resident from Delhi's Avantika area is gaining attention on social media. The video starts with the resident sharing his location (Avantika C-Block) and then talking about receiving information about a nearby building that has pro-Pakistan slogans attached all over it.

At first, the local shows the building which he claims contains the pro-Pakistan posters, and then proceeds to enter inside with a group of people including cops. Once he gets inside, he gives the viewers a glimpse of the posters inside the building and says that it appears as if the building is housed by a "terrorist organisation" while showing some pro-Pakistan posters. The posters contain lengthy messages about Pakistan, with one inside the building displaying the phrase "Long Live Pakistan."

The video takes a twist when the group of people enter the apartment belonging to the person who is suspected to have attached these posters. The apartment appears fairly small, dimly lit with just utensils and old rusty furniture lying around the corner. They then enter a dark room with little to no visibility to find an old man sitting on the floor in the middle of the room with what appears to be an alcoholic beverage in his hand. The man can only be seen when some people turn on their mobile flashlights.

The local then begins to interrogate the person and asks him why he is doing such things while staying in India while the others accompanying him are heard saying this man looks mentally ill and things like "tujhe Pakistan jaana hain toh Pakistan jaa" (If you want to go to Pakistan then go there) while shouting at the person.

"Only one person will ask a question at a time, I will not answer anything like this", says the individual being questioned. He appears to be in an inebriated condition. When one does as he says and asks him why he is doing such things he replies, "meri mohabbat hain Pakistan se" (It is my love for Pakistan). The individual then continues to say why everyone is asking questions even when only one person is heard asking and is told not to do such things while staying in India by the people questioning him.

The video ends with the local and others leaving the individual's house after telling him not to do this again in a harsh manner.

According to Delhi Police, the individual is mentally ill. While other authorities are questioning the person, police are actively looking into the matter and further probe is underway.

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Singapore Envoy Spots Car With "Unusual Plate" Entering Delhi, Raises A Query

Singapore's High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, stumbled upon a curious sight while exploring the streets of Delhi on Sunday. He clicked a photo of a sedan bearing a distinctive black-on-yellow number plate, displaying "Haryana 30" in bold block letters.

Intrigued, Mr Wong on X (formerly Twitter) shared his discovery, asking, "Spotted a car with an unusual plate travelling into Delhi. Does anyone know what kind of car number this is?"

Spotted a car with an unusual plate travelling into Delhi. Does anyone know what kind of car number this is? ???? HC Wong pic.twitter.com/V9Zzo10UXM

— Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) August 4, 2024

What the plate actually signifies

In India, vehicle registration and number plates are governed by The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. While most vehicles display standard number plates, some feature distinctive black plates with yellow or white lettering. But what do these black number plates signify?

Black number plates are reserved for rental and commercial vehicles, including self-driven cars, taxis, cabs and other forms of commercial transport. This unique identifier helps law enforcement and road users distinguish between private and commercial vehicles.

To obtain a black number plate, companies must register and comply with specific regulations, submitting required documents like Form 20, Form 21, Form 22 and a valid insurance policy. The cost of acquiring a black number plate typically ranges from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000.  

What the Internet is saying

People have reacted to the Singapore High Commissioner's post pointing out that this plate appears to be a "vanity" plate, which is not a standard format for commercial vehicles.

A user commented, "Black on the yellow number plate is, in general, a commercial vehicle which does not need a commercial driving permit, it's legal BUT in this case, it's vanity since it just shows a state name not the number of the car." 

Black on yellow number plate is in general a commercial vehicle which does not need a commercial driving permit, it's legal BUT in this case it's vanity since it just shows a state name not number of the car

— z_aqua (@z_aqua_) August 4, 2024

Another added, "If it's legal, a vanity number which one can buy by paying extra. If it's illegal, some guy who's going to get busted sooner or later." 

If it's legal, vanity number which one can buy by paying extra. If it's illegal, some guy who's going to get busted sooner or later.

— Rezaul Hasan Laskar (@Rezhasan) August 4, 2024

Someone stated, "Black board yellow means private agency owned, self-driving rental. But such incomplete number plates are both illegal and immoral."

Black board yellow means private agencynowned , self driving rental. But such incomplete number plate means illegal and immoral both @MORTHIndia

— iAni (@iAni19849578) August 4, 2024

According to the Indian Road Rules, specifically the 'Rules of the Road Regulation,' driving without a proper or valid number plate or failing to illuminate the number plate at the back can indeed lead to a fine of Rs 500 to Rs 1,500.

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Meghan Markle Once Told Prince William To "Get Your Finger Out Of My Face"

A royal insider has revealed in an explosive new biography that Meghan Markle once told Prince William to "get your finger out of my face" during an argument about her treatment of the Princess of Wales. These claims came from royal author Rob Jobson in his latest book, 'Catherine, the Princess of Wales'. According to The Independent, the row erupted after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned from their honeymoon when Kate Middleton confronted the new Duchess of Sussex for saying she had "baby brain". 

In the book, Mr Jobson wrote, "Catherine, according to Harry's memoir Spare, confronted Meghan about the 'baby brain' comment and said, 'You talked about my hormones. We are not close enough for you to talk about my hormones.' Meghan was surprised, according to Harry, and said it was the way she spoke to her girlfriends." 

"William stepped in and apparently pointed at Meghan and called her 'rude'. Meghan stood up to him and said, 'Take your finger out of my face," the author wrote, per The Independent.

The "baby brain" comment was reportedly made by Meghan Markle after Kate Middleton forgot a detail about her wedding while pregnant with Prince Louis.

In his book, Mr Jobson also detailed how there were rifts in the Sussex and Wales' ties prior to Ms Markle formally joining the family in 2018. He also revealed that Prince William even banned the Duchess of Sussex from wearing Princess Diana's jewellery during her wedding. According to the report, he begged his 39-year-old younger brother to "cool the relationship" so the actress would have time to get used to life as a royal before committing entirely.

"William, still concerned by the match, even sought assurances from the Queen that his brother's bride-to-be would not wear any jewellery in the collection once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, even though his wife Catherine had been allowed to wear some, which would be due to her rank," Mr Jobson wrote in the book.

Also Read | Singapore Tourist Shares Unpleasant Experience In Old Delhi: "Things Turned Ugly When..."

One of the book's other shocking revelations included that Ms Markle's relationship with Prince William and Princess of Wales didn't start out well because she "ignored the royal hierarchy." "She had not so much stepped on royal toes as stamped on them," Mr Jobson wrote.

"When Meghan, who had forgotten her lip gloss, asked to borrow Catherine's, the duchess was 'taken aback' but reluctantly handed it to her. According to Harry, she 'grimaced' after Meghan had squeezed some onto her finger and applied it to her lips," he wrote.

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Biden Administration Convinced Iran Will Attack Israel In Few Days: Report

The Biden administration is convinced that Iran will attack Israel in the coming days and is preparing to help it repel it , three American sources told Axios, according to which the Iranian attack - in retaliation for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran - could follow the same pattern as the one conducted on April 13, but potentially larger, could involve the Lebanese Hezbollah.

But the administration fears that, unlike four months ago, it may be more difficult to mobilise the same regional and international coalition that helped Israel defend itself from the swarm of drones and missiles launched in April, reports Adnkronos news agency.

The killing of Ismail Haniyeh "does not help" efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza with Hamas, US President Joe Biden admitted, speaking to reporters at the Andrews air base where he went to welcome prisoners exchanged with Russia.

Biden - who yesterday had a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - said he was "very concerned" about the latest escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

"We have a ceasefire base, it has to go forward and they have to go forward," the president urged again, in a reference to the phone call with Netanyahu, which he called "very direct."

Ismail Haniyeh will be buried in Qatar today. The body of the Hamas political leader arrived in Doha yesterday from Iran, after thousands of people attended his funeral in Tehran.

According to Hamas and Qatari state media, the funeral prayer will be held after the Friday prayer at Qatar's national mosque, followed by burial in the city of Lusail.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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