BGB repels attempt to push in eight people at Kushtia border
Border Guard Bangladesh repelled an attempt by India's Border Security Force to illegally push eight people into Bangladesh across the Kushtia border on Friday.
English edition
International Desk, page 33
3,095 reports translated from the Bengali original, most recent first. বাংলা সংস্করণ
A secret Iran-Saudi understanding, brokered by Pakistan's army chief?
Pakistan secretly brokered a ceasefire-like understanding between Tehran and Riyadh to protect Saudi Arabia from Iranian missile attacks, in return for keeping Iranian oil flowing to Pakistan, The Times of Israel reported.
Jamaat is not a party of angels; we too make mistakes: Shafiqur Rahman
Opposition leader and Jamaat Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman told a members' conference in Dhaka that Jamaat is not a party of angels and makes mistakes, while criticising the government over the referendum and law…
Practising taqwa and self-restraint
On the Ayyam al-Bidh fasts of the 13th, 14th and 15th of each Hijri month — a Sunnah the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged, described in the hadith as equal to fasting the…
Two reasons the new pay scale is stuck
Economic pressure, a revenue shortfall and the IMF's caution have created uncertainty over the ninth national pay scale, with a two-stage rollout under consideration and the gazette possibly out in early August.
Speaker cuts trip short and returns home
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed is returning from Bangkok on Friday, cutting short a medical trip, amid speculation about President Md Sahabuddin's position; under article 54 the Speaker acts as president if the office falls…
Nationwide protests called in India, with a fresh warning for Modi
The Cockroach Janata Party has called protests across India on Friday after a month at Jantar Mantar, with founder Abhijit Deepak warning the demand could widen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's own resignation.
Mobile internet ordered shut at Delhi protest site
India has ordered telecom operators to suspend mobile data in central Delhi, particularly around the protest site, amid the youth movement demanding the education minister's resignation, Reuters reported.
22 workers' bodies recovered from Sikkim tunnel, search goes on
The death toll from an explosion and collapse in a hydropower tunnel under construction in Sikkim's Namchi district has risen to 22, with rescuers still searching for the missing in toxic gas and unstable…
From classroom to graveyard: 120 children
Months after a missile hit the Shajare Tayyebe primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing 156 people including 120 children, a surviving teacher and bereaved families describe what happened.
Iraqi prime minister visits Iran amid US strikes
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Tehran on a two-day official visit amid the continuing conflict with the United States, meeting President Masoud Pezeshkian for talks on de-escalation and gas imports.
The devil's whisper versus the ababil of truth
Columnist Minar Rashid on Khutbas remembered from childhood, the selective coverage of Balochistan in parts of the Bangladeshi media, and the citizen journalists he says are pushing back.
Leaving home in secret to join the protest
Students and young people from across India have travelled overnight to Jantar Mantar for the Cockroach Janata Party's protest over exam paper leaks — some slipping away from home without telling their families.
Which other heads of state, like Trump, were caught in sex scandals
From Bill Clinton's impeachment to a prison term for Israel's Moshe Katsav and Silvio Berlusconi's “Rubygate,” a look at leaders whose private lives brought legal and political consequences.
Six candidates in the race to be the next UN secretary-general
António Guterres steps down on December 31 after a decade, and six candidates are competing to succeed him — at a moment when the UN's effectiveness, influence and finances are all under scrutiny.
'Cockroach' party calls nationwide protests across India
The Cockroach Janata Party has called peaceful protests across India on Friday over the NEET paper leak and other issues, renewing its demand for the education minister's resignation as its Delhi sit-in grows.
US-Saudi nuclear deal raises fresh concern in Israel
The United States has signed a civil nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia that could open a path to uranium enrichment, drawing warnings of a Middle East arms race and concern from Israel and…
Mumbai police threaten to frame students in drug cases
A video posted by the Mumbai Congress shows a uniformed policeman telling detained students he will plant drugs on them if they return to the protests; Mumbai police have announced an inquiry.
US preparing for military action in Mali, report says
The Trump administration is planning direct military action against the al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM in Mali, The Washington Post reported, citing current and former US officials.
Russia warns US against arming Ukraine
Russia has warned the United States against increasing “unacceptable” arms supplies to Ukraine, its foreign ministry said, citing Sergei Lavrov's meeting with Marco Rubio in Manila — their first since September 2025.
Cockroach party chief on a break through illness, says he will return soon
Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Deepak fell ill while protesting at Jantar Mantar, saying on X he had been carrying on with painkillers despite high fever, and would return to the protest stage by…
BPGA president meets Malaysian high commissioner on developing golf
Bangladesh Professional Golfers' Association president Mohammed Younus met Malaysia's High Commissioner Mohd Suhada Othman to discuss developing professional golfers, international training and sports cooperation between the two countries.
Hundreds of Jewish visitors including Ben-Gvir at Al-Aqsa; Jordan and Hamas condemn
The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf said more than 2,300 settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as the Jewish observance of Tisha B'Av began, with Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir among them; Jordan and Hamas strongly condemned…
Modi admits paper leak but is shielding education minister, CJP says
Cockroach Janata Party chief Abhijit Deepak said it took Prime Minister Narendra Modi 34 days to admit the paper leak, calling the silence “shameful” and accusing the government of still protecting the education minister.
Bangladesh to receive €1.25 million for managing climate displacement
The government and the International Organization for Migration signed a three-year, EU-funded agreement worth €1.25 million to strengthen the management of climate-induced displacement in South Asia.
Balendra Shah breaks his own rule: meeting the Chinese and Indian ambassadors
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah is changing tack to balance ties with India and China, sitting down separately with both ambassadors after avoiding one-on-one meetings with foreign envoys since taking office.
Sweeping crackdown across Kashmir, 2,000 detained
Police have detained about 2,000 people across Indian-administered Kashmir after a police officer was shot dead in Anantnag, saying the operation targets networks aiding militancy.
New navy chief receives rank badge
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and outgoing navy chief Admiral M Nazmul Hasan put the rank badge on the new navy chief, Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah-ul-Azim, at the Prime Minister's Office in Dhaka Cantonment.
Government moving on a plan to build a $1 trillion economy by 2034
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government is working to make Bangladesh a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2034, prioritising renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, electronics, digital services, agro-processing, textiles, healthcare and logistics.
Commerce minister invites more Thai investment in Bangladesh
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir called on Thai investors to invest more in Bangladesh's promising sectors, opening the three-day “Top Thai Brands 2026” trade exhibition in Dhaka.
Jamaat-led 11 parties press tribunal for speedy July genocide trials
An 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami submitted a seven-point memorandum to the International Crimes Tribunal's chief prosecutor, urging faster investigation and trial of crimes against humanity during the July-August 2024 uprising.
Modi invites Tarique Rahman to visit India
New Delhi has formally invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi in September; the invitation from Narendra Modi has reached Dhaka, the foreign ministry said.
BNP standing committee member Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia on life support
BNP standing committee member and former minister Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia has been put on life support at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka after his condition deteriorated, his personal secretary said.
BGB foils BSF attempt to push five people into Bangladesh at Chuadanga border
Border Guard Bangladesh stopped an attempt by India's BSF to push a man, three women and a child illegally into Bangladesh near border pillar 76/4-S in Chuadanga before dawn Thursday, BGB said.
Islam came to India through Arab traders, not by the sword
Modern historians argue Islam's arrival in India was not a single event in 712 CE but the outcome of centuries of trade, Sufi settlement, politics and agrarian change along the Malabar coast and beyond.
The ruling on announcing a marriage to relatives
In Islam marriage is not merely a social contract but an act of worship and a trust. Concealing a marriage is not permitted — announcing it publicly, with witnesses, a guardian and a walima,…
Cotton prices fall on ICE
Cotton prices on the Intercontinental Exchange fell to their lowest in weeks, with the December contract down 2.76 percent to 79.30 cents a pound after weak US export data and a stronger dollar.
The ruling on announcing a marriage to relatives
In Islam marriage is not merely a social contract but an act of worship and a trust. Concealing a marriage is not permitted — announcing it publicly, with witnesses, a guardian and a walima,…
Why Modi is not sacking Dharmendra
If sacking the education minister would calm the student movement and restore parliament, why won't Narendra Modi do it? Analysts say yielding to a demand would cut against the defining trait of a government…
Zelenskyy removes army chief amid protests
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has removed commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi, after six days of protests that began over the removal of the defence minister.
70% of those dropped from West Bengal voter rolls are Muslim, survey finds
More than 70 percent of the 2.7 million voters left “pending” by West Bengal's special intensive revision are Muslim and 51 percent are women, according to a Sabor Institute survey, which is building an…
Who is sending food to Jantar Mantar
Supporters across India — and from abroad — are ordering food and drinks through Swiggy and Zomato and asking delivery riders to hand them out free to the protesters at Jantar Mantar, delivery workers…
Pakistan seeks $10 billion support facility from the US
Pakistan has asked the United States for a $10 billion exchange stabilisation support facility to shore up reserves and steady its economy, Reuters reported, citing a source; the US Treasury declined to comment.
Kangana faces backlash over criticism of Cockroach party
Bollywood actor and MP Kangana Ranaut drew anger from protesters after saying who holds office cannot be decided by pressuring the government through demonstrations, and that parliament is the proper forum for such debate.
'A plural state cannot be held together on religion alone,' information minister says
Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan told a Jagannath University seminar that Bangladeshi nationalism is an inclusive civic identity embracing every language, religion and ethnic group within the country's borders.
No fuel shortage in the country, energy division says
Bangladesh has 31 days of diesel, 36 of octane, 20 of petrol, 20 of jet fuel and 25 of furnace oil in stock, an energy division joint secretary said, calling shortage rumours an attempt…
Iran war has cost $37.5 billion, fuelling debate in the US
US spending on the military campaign against Iran has reached $37.5 billion, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate appropriations hearing — about $8 billion more than the last published figure.
Iran executes man convicted of working for US and Israel
Iran has executed a man convicted of belonging to a “counter-revolutionary terrorist organisation” and carrying out operations for the United States and Israel, the Fars news agency reported. There was no immediate US or…
Trump approves historic nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia
President Donald Trump has approved a historic 30-year deal that could let Riyadh acquire uranium enrichment capability for its civil nuclear programme, with US firms directly involved, sources say.
'If we win, I want to be prime minister of Azad Kashmir': Nawaz Sharif
Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif said jokingly at a Muzaffarabad rally that if his PML-N wins the coming election, he would ask Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to make him prime minister of Azad…
King Charles visits Cambridge Central Mosque, voices admiration
Britain's King Charles III visited Cambridge Central Mosque, praising its eco-friendly design that keeps the building cool in extreme heat, its renewable energy use and its role in the local community.
Trump wants FIFA president as UN secretary-general
US President Donald Trump wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino as the next UN secretary-general, the New York Post reported, though it is unclear whether Infantino is interested.
'No time to watch those videos': India's chief justice on baton-charge plea
India's Supreme Court refused an urgent hearing on a plea over the baton charge on Cockroach Janata Party protesters, with Chief Justice Surya Kant telling the lawyer not to waste the court's time.
US slips from the top to 10th on the strongest-passport list
Once among the world's strongest, the US passport has fallen to 10th in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, while Singapore leads with visa-free access to 192 destinations.
How former Barishal mayor Khokon fled with a carload of cash
Allegations have surfaced that former Barishal City Corporation mayor Serniabat Khokon Abdullah left the country with about 16 crore taka as the Awami League government fell, later routing it abroad through hundi; the ACC…
ICT minister offers three proposals for an equitable digital future
At the World Internet Conference 2026 in Xi'an, China, ICT Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam proposed three pillars — skills and knowledge transfer, affordable connectivity, and treating digital development as a public good.
12 killed in Gaza in 24 hours, toll rises to 73,305
Twelve more Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours, taking Gaza's death toll to 73,305 with 173,918 wounded, the health ministry said, accusing Israel of continuing attacks in violation of the ceasefire.
Iran poured money into missiles instead of its people for 20 years, Rubio says
At an ASEAN meeting in the Philippines, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US-Israel war had severely damaged Iran's economy and military, claiming Tehran had spent 20 years funding missiles rather than…
Bangladesh Bank makes it easier for freelancers to bring in foreign earnings
Bangladesh Bank has eased foreign-exchange rules for freelancers and individual service exporters — accepting digital proof of income, allowing up to $20,000 inward remittance without a declaration, and permitting a dual-currency freelancer card.
US nuclear project in Saudi Arabia advances with Trump's approval
President Trump has approved a historic 30-year deal worth tens of billions of dollars to build a civil nuclear program in Saudi Arabia — reportedly without the “gold standard” safeguards against weapons development, Reuters…