The WAQF Amendment Bill 2025 - rebranded as UMEED ‘Unified Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development’ recently got passed in the Parliament after hours of debate. UMEED amends the WAQF Act that governs the management of properties donated by Muslims. The Waqf Board regulates and manages properties dedicated to religious and charitable purposes in India. The WAQF Act 1995 has long governed religious endowments in India. However, UMEED proposes big changes to the Waqf Act. What’s new? What’s controversial? Why is this bill being opposed? Take a look.
05 April,2025 07:47 PM ISTAmid the ongoing controversy over the WAQF Amendment Bill, 2025, All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board extended support to the Bill. All India Muslim Women's Personal Law Board President Shaista Amber on April 05 said “Positive work should be done. Earlier governments and religious leaders should have taken the step that the government has taken today... Those who donate to the Waqf, their intention is that their donation will be used for the poor...But it was not happening. It's not that all the Waqf lands were misused, but the Waqf board didn't work honestly and did not do what they should have. We expect and request from the government that if the bill has come, the Waqf lands be used for the poor section with full transparency... None of the govt to date worked for the Muslims, and they just did the politics for votes. We request the BJP govt to provide the rights of women and bring transparency to the Waqf board. What other parties did till now, were they asleep? I request the current government that whatever happened to date, they should now help free the lands of Waqf, which have been illegally encroached, an investigation must be done, and action must be taken against the culprits...,” said Shaista Amber.
05 April,2025 06:28 PM ISTPrime Minister Narendra Modi is in Sri Lanka currently to strengthen bilateral relations. Upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, he was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome. From a red carpet reception to a guard of honour, the warm gestures marked the deepening ties between India and Sri Lanka. PM Modi's arrival in Colombo came after his visit to Thailand, where he held a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and attended the BIMSTEC Summit. Here is a look at the ceremony that welcomed PM Modi to Sri Lanka.
05 April,2025 02:43 PM ISTIndia bids a heartfelt farewell to a legend — the man who made patriotism cinematic and timeless — Manoj Kumar. Veteran actor, filmmaker, and Bharat Kumar of Indian cinema, Manoj Kumar passed away yesterday, leaving behind a legacy that shaped an entire era of Bollywood. As a mark of deep respect, the Indian government accorded full state honours to the legendary actor. His final rites will be performed today at the Juhu cremation ground.
05 April,2025 02:35 PM ISTIn retaliation to hiked tariffs by the Donald Trump government, China has clapped back at the US by announcing new taxes and restrictions on American products. This comes in response to heavy tariffs recently introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump. China’s Finance Ministry said it will add a 34% tax on all U.S. goods starting April 10. And from April 4, China will also limit the export of certain rare-earth metals—like samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—to the U.S. According to China’s Commerce Ministry, these steps are being taken to protect the country’s safety and interests.
05 April,2025 02:31 PM ISTEnding a tumultuous presidency, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol has been ousted by the Constitutional Court on Friday. The president came under fire over the 2024 martial law crisis. Following Yoon's ouster, South Korea's constitution mandates that a presidential election be held within 60 days. Until a new president is inaugurated, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president. The decision marks the culmination of months of political upheaval, which have hindered the country’s ability to effectively engage with the newly established administration of U.S. President Donald Trump amid concerns over a slowing economy. The ruling sparked emotional reactions across the political spectrum. Anti-Yoon protesters celebrated the announcement with tears of joy and embraces, while the atmosphere in the pro-Yoon camp was somber—some supporters were seen crying, and many appeared visibly shaken by the outcome.
04 April,2025 08:17 PM ISTUS President Donald Trump has stepped up his efforts to seize Greenland. Back in 2019, Trump had expressed interest in buying Greenland but this time he has stated 'we will go as far as we have to' to get Greenland. Donald Trump is obsessed with Greenland! This vast, icy island in the North Atlantic - Trump is determined to get hold of it and he has not ruled out military force to acquire if requred. Just to remind you - Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark. Greenland is caught in the arctic geopolitical contest and this is shaking up the relations between the US and the Europe like never before. What makes this island with a population of only around 60,000 people, so important to the US? And what could be the global repercussions of such a move? Take a look.
04 April,2025 08:12 PM ISTIn a big setback to the Mamata Government, the Supreme Court upheld the Calcutta HC order to cancel the appointment of over 25,000 staff in Bengal schools by SSC. The Mamata Banerjee government is under attack by the BJP. It has been alleged that unqualified candidates secured jobs by paying money to people linked to TMC. BJP MP Sambit Patra taking a jibe at Mamata government, said, “The way Mamata Banerjee and her government have unleashed corruption in West Bengal and given it a free hand, today, lakhs of people have been affected by it... In the teachers' recruitment, corruption was to the extent that people went to the court, and this was called a bribe for jobs scam...”
04 April,2025 08:12 PM ISTPM Modi is currently in Thailand. He met Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in Thailand. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri revealed, "PM Modi reiterated India's support for democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. He underlined Prof. Yunus India's desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh. The PM also urged that any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided. On the border strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossing are necessary to maintain border security and security. The PM also underlines India's concerns over the safety and security of minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh."
04 April,2025 08:05 PM ISTPM Modi is in Bangkok currently to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. The 6th BIMSTEC Summit is taking place today on April 04, marking a significant regional engagement between India and its neighbouring countries in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) group. On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi visited the famed Wat Pho temple - known as a temple of the reclining Buddha. Take a look.
04 April,2025 07:56 PM ISTThe WAQF Amendment Bill 2025 that recently got passed in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is facing opposition from several Muslim organisations in India. This bill brings several changes to the WAQF Act 1995 which governs the administration of waqf properties in India. The bill got passed in the Parliament amidst a heated debate. To protest the bill, members of the Muslim community took to the streets in various cities. Visuals emerged from Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Bengaluru where they demanded rollback of the controversial bill.
04 April,2025 07:33 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT