Morning Brief: Bangladesh Prepares To Drop ‘Secularism’ From Constitution; US Removes Indian Nuclear Entities From Export Curbs List; Gaza War End On Horizon; And More

Catch up on the day’s must-read stories with Swarajya's roundup of the morning's headlines.

Bangladesh Prepares To Drop ‘Secularism’ From Constitution

A Constitution Reform Commission in Bangladesh has proposed removing secularism, socialism, and nationalism from the Constitution, leaving only democracy. This move comes after Muhammad Yunus, who took over as interim head following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, handed over the country to radical Islamists.

The commission’s report also called for the establishment of a bicameral parliament and a two-term limit for the prime minister. Instead of the current state principles, it recommended five new ones—equality, human dignity, social justice, pluralism, and democracy—to supposedly reflect the ideals of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 mass protests. Meanwhile, under the Islamist takeover, Bangladesh’s Hindu minority faces relentless attacks and lives in constant terror.

US Removes Indian Nuclear Entities From Export Curbs List

The US has removed three Indian nuclear entities — Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), and Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) — from its 'Entity List.' This move follows US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s announcement of steps to ease regulations hindering civil nuclear cooperation between Indian nuclear entities and US companies. The Entity List comprises foreign organisations and individuals subject to export restrictions to prevent activities like terrorism or the development of weapons of mass destruction.

The US has said that the removal these Indian entities would remove barriers for export restrictions and licensing requirements for certain goods and technologies. It could also help kick start cooperation under the nuclear deal signed by the United Progressive Alliance government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Gaza War End On Horizon As Israel-Hamas Reach Ceasefire Deal

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to cease hostilities and exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, following months of intense negotiations. The deal, facilitated by Egyptian and Qatari mediators with US support, comes just before the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. The ongoing conflict has caused devastating losses, with over 46,000 people killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. This agreement is seen as a key step towards ending the 15-month war, which began after Hamas-led gunmen breached security barriers, killing 1,200 soldiers and civilians and taking over 250 hostages. The return of hostages is expected to reduce public anger in Israel over Prime Minister Netanyahu’s handling of the security failure on October 7.

Other Developments

Railways To Post Best Operating Ratio In Five Years

The Union budget for FY26 is expected to show a significant improvement in Indian Railways' operating ratio, with projections indicating it could be the best in five years. This improvement is attributed to higher freight revenue and increased central funds. The operating ratio, a key indicator of operational efficiency, is likely to fall below 98%, the first time since FY21. In recent years, the ratio has remained high, exceeding 98% due to factors such as pension liabilities, with figures for FY22 to FY25 being above 98%. However, the Railways' rebound post-pandemic, along with rising freight and passenger revenues, is expected to boost its financial health and reduce the operating ratio in FY26.

Trump's Secretary Of State Pick Goes Ballistic Over China

Incoming US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, known for his hawkish stance on China, has accused the country of exploiting the global order for its own benefit. He criticised China for ignoring its responsibilities, saying, "We welcomed the Chinese Communist Party into this global order. And they took advantage of all its benefits. But they ignored all its obligations and responsibilities." Rubio went on to add, "Instead, they have lied, cheated, hacked, and stolen their way to global superpower status, at our expense." He also argued that the postwar global order is now obsolete and has become a weapon used against the US. Rejecting Joe Biden’s vision of a rules-based world order, Rubio advocated for a more aggressive "America First" foreign policy under President Trump.

US Further Restricts Chip Exports To China

The US has announced new measures that further restrict top chipmakers TSMC, Samsung, and leading chip packaging suppliers from providing advanced manufacturing services to Chinese and other unverified chip developers. The US Commerce Department now requires licensing for contract chipmakers and suppliers of packaging and testing services exporting chips at the 14- or 16-nanometer level with high transistor counts, unless authorised by the US. These restrictions are aimed at limiting China's tech advancements and closing loopholes that allow blacklisted companies like Huawei to access advanced chips. The new rules come as President Joe Biden's administration tightens tech restrictions ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Hindenburg Research To Shut Down

Hindenburg Research, the US short-selling firm known for its report on Gautam Adani's empire, is shutting down, according to founder Nate Anderson. Anderson announced the closure, stating that running the firm had been "the adventure of a lifetime" and that the plan was always to wind up once their pipeline of ideas was complete. Reflecting on the firm's impact, he said, "We shook some empires that we felt needed shaking." It gained attention in January 2023 with its controversial report accusing the Adani Group of financial fraud and stock manipulation, which affected the conglomerate’s stock prices. The report, which has since been discredited, was released just before Adani Enterprises was set to launch a Rs 20,000 crore follow-on public offer.

US Sanctions on Russia's Fleet To Impact India’s Oil Imports

The US has imposed new sanctions on Russia’s oil trade, targeting 183 tankers from the “shadow fleet” that has been crucial in delivering Russian oil to countries like India and China. The sanctions also hit key Russian oil companies, including Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, along with insurance firms and other entities in the oil sector. As Russia is India’s largest supplier of crude oil, these sanctions are expected to have significant implications for the country's oil imports. Data from Kpler shows that 102 of the sanctioned tankers were involved in transporting Russian oil to India or China in 2024, with the sanctioned fleet handling over 530 million barrels of Russian crude.

From The States

BJP Uses Maha Kumbh For Outreach To Dalits, Non-Yadav OBCs

The Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government is using the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj to promote "Samajik Samta" (social equality) and appeal to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), including communities such as the Nishads. Posters released for the event highlight this message, featuring images such as Lord Ram with Nishad Raj at the newly inaugurated Nishad Raj Park and PM Modi washing the feet of sanitation workers during the 2019 Kumbh. The BJP’s outreach to Dalit and non-Yadav OBC communities, like the Nishads, comes after it lost ground in Uttar Pradesh during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it won 33 seats compared to the Samajwadi Party’s 37.

Sambhal Power Theft Scandal: 1,400 FIRs, 16 Mosques, 2 Madrassas

Over 1,400 FIRs have been filed for power theft in Sambhal, implicating Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq, 16 mosques, and two madrassas since violence erupted on November 24. Authorities discovered illegal power setups, including one on the roof of the Ladaniya Mosque that allegedly supplied electricity to nearly 100 homes. The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has slapped a total fine of Rs 11 crore, with Rs 20 lakh already collected. Barq faces a fine of Rs 1.9 crore for his unsatisfactory response to a notice and may face charges under the Gangster Act if fees for the illegal power connections are proven. His father, Mamluk Ur Rahman Barq, was also charged for allegedly threatening officials during the raid.

Follow along for more updates throughout the day.