United News of Bangladesh

Five people trapped in a landslide in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have been confirmed dead, local authorities said Wednesday. The landslide occurred at about 11:26 a.m. Monday in Mangchang Township of Nandan County. Rescuers located all five people trapped in the incident, but they were found without vital signs, according to county authorities. Authorities are continuing follow-up operations and investigating the cause of the landslide.

Health and Family Welfare State Minister M A Muhit on Wednesday said Bangladesh may need at least two to three months to bring measles under control and improve the overall situation. “We have to work within this period, reduce the number of deaths and ensure better management,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a meeting on the findings of research on measles among children at the auditorium of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in the capital. Muhit said it will be unrealistic expectations that a long-standing problem could be resolved within a day or the following week. Around 80 percent of the country’s population depends on the public healthcare system and years of mismanagement, corruption and neglect have left the sector facing various challenges, he said. Bangladesh has a large network of private hospitals and diagnostic centres where quality control and profit-related concerns remain issues, he said. Autonomous institutions such as Bangladesh Shishu Hospital, Holy Family and BIRDEM, however, have created a balance between the public and private healthcare sectors, he added. Outlining the government’s future plans for child healthcare, the state minister said the current government is giving the highest priority to children’s health. He said five fully fledged children’s hospitals in five divisional cities are expected to begin operations within the next two to three months. To address the shortage of healthcare workers, the government will also recruit 5,000 new doctors, 1,000 nurses and 100,000 field-level workers very soon, Muhit said. The research presented at the meeting showed that 43 percent of children admitted to hospitals with measles were between three and nine months old. The study also found that 38 percent of affected children had not received exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth. Among children who died, however, the figure was 82 percent, indicating that a large proportion of children who died from measles were deprived of breastfeeding during the first six months of life. The research further showed that 97.3 percent of children under nine months of age—who were not yet eligible for routine measles vaccination—were diagnosed with measles. Among children who were old enough to receive vaccination but did not receive a single dose, 97 percent were found to have measles.

Asian shares fell Wednesday as technology stocks came under pressure and rising oil prices added to concerns about inflation and interest rates. South Korea’s Kospi led the regional decline, dropping 5.7% to 6,487.34. Samsung Electronics fell 7.5%, while SK Hynix, a major memory chipmaker, lost 8.8%. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dropped 3.2% to 65,332.04 as investors sold technology shares and worried about rising bond yields. The yield on Japan’s 10-year government bonds has remained near a three-decade high of more than 2.9%. Investors expect the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates as it tries to control inflation. China’s Shanghai Composite fell 2.2% to 3,903.61. Shares of humanoid robot maker Unitree initially surged nearly 630% in its debut on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s STAR Market. The company raised about $900 million through its initial public offering. However, shares of UBTech, another major Chinese humanoid robot maker listed in Hong Kong, fell 10.6%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index edged down less than 0.1% to 25,460.46. Taiwan’s Taiex lost 1.7%, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.2% to 9,053. Oil prices also weighed on investor sentiment amid uncertainty over whether the United States and Iran can reach an agreement that would allow oil tankers to move freely out of the Persian Gulf. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 0.6% to $91.57 a barrel, while U.S. benchmark crude gained 0.7% to $84.66. Wall Street also ended lower Tuesday, with the S&P 500 falling 0.7% for its third consecutive loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite dropped 1.3%. Technology companies that benefited strongly from the artificial intelligence boom led the decline. Investors have become concerned that some AI-related stocks may be overpriced and that demand for chips, memory and other equipment used in data centers could weaken if AI businesses fail to deliver the expected profits. Micron Technology fell 7%, while Nvidia declined 2.3% and Broadcom dropped 3.2%. Despite recent losses, these companies remain among the biggest winners of the AI boom. Micron’s shares, for example, have more than tripled this year. Rising bond yields have also worried investors. Higher oil prices are increasing inflation pressure, while governments are facing large debt burdens and higher borrowing costs. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury fell slightly to 4.70% from 4.72% late Monday but remained well above the 3.97% level recorded before the war with Iran began. The 30-year Treasury yield also edged lower but stayed close to its highest level since 2007. Higher bond yields can make investors less willing to pay high prices for stocks, especially expensive technology shares. They have also pushed the average U.S. mortgage rate close to its highest level in a year, putting pressure on the housing market. A report Tuesday showed that U.S. homebuilders started fewer new homes last month than economists had expected. Higher borrowing costs could also discourage major technology companies from taking on debt to finance new data centers, potentially slowing an important source of growth for the U.S. economy. In early trading Wednesday, the U.S. dollar fell to 159.26 Japanese yen from 159.61 yen. The euro rose to $1.1582 from $1.1577.

A 35-year-old man was killed in a lynch-mob attack over an allegation of theft at Panchbaria village in Pangsha upazila of Rajbari district early Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Joj Ali Biswas, son of Shukur Ali Biswas of Majhail village in the upazila. Police said local people caught Joj Ali while he was allegedly attempting to steal a motor from a mill owned by Karim Mondol in Panchbaria village around 5 am. They later beat him up mercilessly, leaving him critically injured. On information, police rushed to the spot and took Joj Ali to Pangsha Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead, said Sheikh Moinul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Pangsha Model Police Station. Police are investigating the incident and trying to identify those involved, the OC said. Additional police have been deployed in the area to prevent further trouble.          

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting is underway with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. The meeting started at 10:00am on Wednesday at the Planning Commission in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. A total of 11 development projects have been placed before the meeting for approval. LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, among other ECNEC members, have joined the meeting. Senior officials from the relevant ministries and agencies are also present to place and discuss thr development project proposals. A press briefing will be held at the Planning Commission auditorium after the meeting.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) on Wednesday all media outlets, journalists, social media users and investors to exercise utmost caution and professional responsibility before publishing or circulating any statement, decision or position in the name of the chairman or the commission. A report was published under the headline “Not only fines for market manipulation, criminal cases will be filed,” attributing various comments to the BSEC chairman on issues including stock market manipulation, fines, criminal cases, brokerage houses, insider trading and market surveillance, said the commission in a press release. The BSEC said its chairman has not given any interview or statement to the media on the matter. “Therefore, any statement published in his name cannot be considered a statement of the BSEC chairman,” it said. It said any purported or prepared statement presented as a comment of the chairman without his approval or authorisation would be false and misleading. The commission also expressed concern over the circulation of such statements, particularly through social media platforms, where posts and shares are being presented as remarks of the BSEC chairman. Such dissemination could create confusion among the public and investors about the position of the BSEC chairman and the commission and may lead to risks arising from the circulation of incorrect information in the stock market, it said. The regulator said any important decision, directive, policy position or other significant statement should be verified through authorised press releases and information published on the commission’s official website. The BSEC also said it would take seriously any attempt to create false or fabricated information in the name of the chairman or the commission through social media or other means with the intention of disrupting the normal investment environment. It urged investors to verify the source and authenticity of information circulated on social media before making any investment decision based on such information.

Nine government primary schools in Gaibandha district have been swallowed by the Teesta, Jamuna and Brahmaputra rivers in just one month, even as riverbank protection projects are being implemented. Besides, six educational institutions are now under serious threat of erosion, leaving the education of nearly 3,000 children uncertain, according to Gaibandha District Primary Education Office. Bhorer Pakhi Government Primary School in Kapasia Union of Sundarganj upazila was washed away by the Teesta early Tuesday morning. Locals alleged that Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) took only nominal measures to protect the school. Kapasia Union Chairman Monju Mia said local people repeatedly tried to save the school but received little effective support. “We tried our best to protect the school, but nobody listened,” he said, alleging that the erosion-control work has become more focused on financial gain than on protecting vulnerable communities. The school has now disappeared into the Teesta, leaving hundreds of children without a proper place to continue their education. The situation is equally alarming along the Jamuna and Brahmaputra rivers. During the current erosion season, Char Chowmohon Government Primary School in Fulchhari upazila was washed away by the Jamuna. Uttar Khatiarmari Government Primary School was also lost, while Sitasati Government Primary School in Mollarchar of Gaibandha Sadar was swallowed by the Brahmaputra. In Fulchhari, Char Pipulia Government Primary School, Galna Government Primary School and Kotokpara Government Primary School, among others, have also been lost to river erosion. In some cases, teachers and members of school management committees managed to rescue tin roofing, benches and other movable assets before the buildings were consumed by the rivers. At least 1,500 students from the nine affected schools could not sit for their quarterly examinations. Although authorities said classes are continuing after the affected schools were relocated, the situation on the ground appears markedly different. Several schools have been moved to makeshift structures in isolated locations without adequate benches, chairs or tables. Local residents also alleged that teachers do not regularly attend and that influential individuals have become involved in controlling potential new school sites. Meanwhile, six more government primary schools are standing dangerously close to the Jamuna riverbank. They are Char Paschim Khatiarmari Government Primary School, Ketkirhat Government Primary School, Kauyabada Government Primary School, Kotiar Vita Government Primary School, Gouripur Government Primary School and Char Dakumari Government Primary School. In several threatened schools, local people have begun dismantling tin sheets, fences and supporting posts and moving them to safer locations in anticipation of further erosion. Residents and union chairmen said  they repeatedly sought help from the local administration and the Water Development Board but effective protective measures did not materialise. The erosion has already forced many families to abandon their homesteads, agricultural land and ancestral land and move elsewhere. Gaibandha District Primary Education Officer Lakkhan Kumar Das said the schools destroyed by river erosion have been shifted to alternative locations.“Schools that have been washed away are being relocated. Where buildings could not be moved, they will be shifted soon following decisions by the education committees,” he said. He also said classes are continuing despite the destruction caused by river erosion.  

Unitree, a leading Chinese humanoid robot manufacturer, saw its shares surge in spectacular fashion during its debut on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Wednesday, reflecting strong investor confidence in China’s growing technological capabilities. The company’s stock jumped as much as 629% after trading began on the STAR Market. By midday, the shares remained nearly 500% above their initial offering price of 150.80 yuan ($22.36). Founded in 2016 by entrepreneur Wang Xingxing in Hangzhou, Unitree raised approximately 6.1 billion yuan ($904 million) through its initial public offering. The listing makes it the first humanoid robotics company in mainland China to become publicly traded. Humanoid robotics, widely regarded as a form of “embodied” artificial intelligence, has emerged as an important front in the technology competition between China and the United States. China currently has an advantage in both humanoid robot production capacity and its ability to expand manufacturing on a large scale. According to technology research and advisory firm Omdia, around 15,000 humanoid robots were shipped worldwide last year. Chinese companies dominated the market, with Unitree and fellow manufacturer AGIBOT each accounting for more than 5,000 shipments, significantly exceeding their American competitors. Despite the rapid growth, analysts caution that humanoid robots have yet to become widely established in everyday commercial and industrial settings. Many are still primarily used for demonstrations, entertainment and research. Unitree’s robots, for instance, attracted widespread attention after performing backflips and martial arts routines during China’s annual Spring Festival gala. Morningstar investment analyst Kangyuxiao Li said the industry’s real test would be whether robotics companies could deliver dependable performance while generating worthwhile returns from large-scale industrial and commercial applications. Unitree plans to use the money raised from its IPO to strengthen research and development in advanced robotics and build up its robot manufacturing facilities. The company’s successful listing could also influence how other robotics firms are valued when they seek to enter the stock market. According to Li, the IPO gives investors on the mainland direct access to one of the leading companies in the rapidly expanding sector. Another major Chinese humanoid robot manufacturer, UBTech, is already listed in Hong Kong. Its shares dropped 10.6% on Wednesday. Unitree recorded revenue of about 1.7 billion yuan, or roughly $250 million, in 2025. Its income came mainly from humanoid robots and four-legged robotic machines commonly known as robot dogs. More than 40% of the company’s revenue came from overseas markets. The United States accounted for about 13% of Unitree’s revenue last year. However, the company now faces uncertainty in that market after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission imposed a ban in July on imports of new foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots, citing national security concerns. Unitree said the restriction applies to its newer models and could hurt future sales in the United States. Although some existing models can continue to be sold, the company warned that Washington could broaden the restrictions in the future.

HOPE worldwide Bangladesh has strengthened its commitment to inclusive and quality education with the inauguration of its second School of HOPE under its Primary Education Programme, with support from VFS Global. The new school, inaugurated in Savar, builds on the successful launch of the organisation’s first School of HOPE in Ashulia in November 2025, extending its holistic education and community-support model to another underserved community, said a media release on Wednesday. Together, the two schools now provide free primary education to more than 300 children, many of whom come from garment-worker families. Students receive school supplies, nutritious midday meals, regular medical camps, computer education and access to digital learning resources. The programme also provides free vocational training to 240 women and young people in the community each year, helping them develop practical skills for sustainable livelihoods. “Education is a priority for HOPE worldwide Bangladesh. This partnership will help us deliver quality education to the children for their holistic development,” said Martin Animesh Byapari, country manager of HOPE worldwide Bangladesh. “Additionally, families of the students as well as the communities in which they live would also benefit from this relationship,” he added. With continued support from VFS Global, HOPE worldwide Bangladesh plans to establish an additional IT lab and expand extracurricular activities, including Cub Scouts, karate, art, dance and music. The initiatives are expected to strengthen the schools’ capacity while providing students with a more enriched learning environment.

China’s imperial cuisine, once shaped by elaborate court rituals and the dining traditions of emperors and their households, continues to survive today through restaurants and culinary traditions that preserve dishes from the country’s imperial past. One story associated with Empress Dowager Cixi dates to the final decades of imperial China. It is said that Cixi once dreamed about a pastry and was served the same treat for breakfast the following morning. Delighted, she summoned the chef and rewarded him with a silver ingot. “It was originally called ‘minced pork pancake,’ but because it had fulfilled her dream, it later became known as ‘dream pastry,’” said Zhou Tong, a chef at Fangshan Restaurant in Beijing. Fangshan specializes in imperial cuisine and preserves dishes associated with Cixi as well as other culinary traditions of China’s imperial court. The restaurant was established in 1925 by former Qing Dynasty chefs at Beihai Park, a historic garden where members of several Chinese dynasties rested, conducted government affairs and held ritual ceremonies. “The name Fangshan literally means ‘imitating the imperial cuisine,’” said assistant general manager Di Xin. Several other restaurants in Beijing also offer versions of imperial cuisine, while the Palace Museum preserves Qing Dynasty objects connected to court dining, including molds used to make pastries. Every meal had its own rituals Imperial cuisine included the food eaten daily by emperors as well as elaborate feasts held by the imperial court throughout the year. Each occasion followed specific rituals. At Qing Dynasty banquets, for example, drinking milk tea was an important opening step, said Teng Deyong, a researcher at China’s Palace Museum. During banquets, emperors would present wine or food to princes and government officials. Those receiving the offerings were expected to perform rituals and pay their respects to the emperor before eating or drinking. Sacrificial ceremonies followed a different set of rules and could include offerings of meat. “At the Palace of Earthly Tranquillity, there was the eating of sacrificial pork, which we know was one of the most important rituals of the Qing imperial court,” Teng said. The pork used in the ceremony was boiled without salt. Afterward, it was distributed among guests, and receiving the sacrificial meat was regarded as a significant honor. The practice of serving unseasoned food also has roots in earlier Chinese ritual traditions. Wandi Wang, a professor of Chinese at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, said the “Book of Rites,” a classical text on ceremonies and rituals, describes a meat broth known as “grand stew” that was served without seasoning during sacrificial ceremonies. “The absence of added flavoring was itself meaningful: the unseasoned dish evoked an earlier and simpler way of cooking and thus expressed a ritual ideal of honoring antiquity and remembering cultural origins,” Wang said. Traditional methods preserve imperial pastries Pastries played an important role in imperial cuisine, and the imperial court maintained a specialized institution dedicated to producing them. At Fangshan, Zhou prepares pastries including Cixi’s dream pastry and a small steamed corn bun, using recipes based on imperial court traditions. “When customers visit, our servers often tell them the stories behind these dishes,” Zhou said. “People enjoy them even more because they carry such meaningful history.” Zhou learned traditional pastry-making techniques from a master who had learned them from his own mentor, continuing a craft passed down through generations. Traditional imperial methods require much of the preparation to be done by hand, without blenders or food processors. Beans, for example, are pulverized using sieves, while certain types of flour are prepared in specially made copper pots. “A machine may be more convenient, but the texture is completely different,” Zhou said. “You lose the delicate graininess and sandy mouthfeel that handcrafted pastries are supposed to have.” Fangshan’s popular specialties include pea flour cake and red bean rolls. During peak periods, customers order more than 200 of the cakes each day. Preserving ancient techniques in a changing world When Fan Liangliang joined Fangshan as a kitchen apprentice, he had to relearn much of what he had been taught in culinary school. Instead of using faster techniques, he adopted slower traditional methods that were unfamiliar to him. One such technique is known as “Nizihuo,” which Fan described as mincing ingredients such as fish, shrimp or chicken into a smooth paste and then shaping it into decorative forms such as frogs, birds and flowers. “This is one of the hallmarks of imperial cuisine,” Fan said. “Every dish had to be innovative, visually beautiful, nutritious and worthy of presentation on the imperial dining table.” Some rare ingredients once used in imperial dishes, including bear paws, are no longer served. Fan said modern alternatives are used while attempting to preserve the original character and spirit of the dishes.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rain across all eight divisions in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Wednesday.    According to the BMD forecast light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions. The Met Office also predicted moderately heavy falls at places across the country. Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged across the country, the forecast said.

Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi has entered the coveted Rs 100 crore club with his latest film Awarapan 2, which has emerged as a major box-office success within just five days of its release. The sequel to the 2007 film Awarapan has maintained a strong run since its release, earning Rs 100.75 crore net in India by Tuesday, according to Sacnilk. The film’s performance has further strengthened Hashmi’s position at the box office following the success of Dhurandhar. On its fifth day, Awarapan 2 collected Rs 9.75 crore net in India from 11,060 shows. Its India gross collection has reached Rs 120.33 crore. The film also earned Rs 2 crore in overseas markets on Day 5, taking its total overseas gross to Rs 23.80 crore. Its worldwide gross collection now stands at Rs 144.13 crore. Awarapan 2 opened with Rs 22 crore on its first day from 9,033 shows. It recorded a significant jump on Saturday, collecting Rs 33.75 crore from 10,496 shows, followed by Rs 26 crore on Sunday from 9,403 shows. The film remained steady on Monday, earning Rs 9.25 crore, before adding another Rs 9.75 crore on its fifth day. The film was also the biggest performer in the Independence Day box-office race, collecting Rs 40.50 crore. Tamil Vishwanath & Sons earned Rs 26 crore, Batwara 1947 collected Rs 16.20 crore, Spider-Man: Brand New Day made Rs 12 crore, while the DC film earned Rs 6.30 crore. Awarapan 2 surpassed the lifetime India collection of the original Awarapan on its opening day. The 2007 film had earned Rs 7.75 crore net during its entire theatrical run. By Saturday, the sequel had also overtaken the lifetime collections of several of Hashmi’s successful films, including Haq (Rs 20 crore), Raaz 2 (Rs 25.50 crore), Ek Thi Daayan (Rs 26 crore) and Jannat (Rs 30 crore). The strong performance of Awarapan 2 has marked a significant box-office comeback for Hashmi, with the film benefiting from nostalgia surrounding the original and strong audience interest in its sequel.

China has successfully recovered a rocket’s first stage on land for the first time, state media reported Wednesday, marking another step forward in the country’s efforts to develop reusable space technology. The achievement marks China’s second successful recovery of a rocket stage. In July, the country recovered a rocket stage on a sea platform. China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that the reusable Zhuque-3 rocket was launched Wednesday morning and its first stage was successfully recovered afterward. SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin have been recovering rockets since 2015. Reusing rocket hardware that would otherwise be discarded has helped lower launch costs for satellites and other payloads. Xinhua said Wednesday’s mission was also the first time China had used deployable landing legs during a rocket recovery. It described the successful landing as “a major breakthrough” in the country’s reusable rocket technology. On July 10, the first stage of a Long March-10B rocket separated from its second stage after liftoff and returned to a platform at sea. The stage was recovered using a net-capture system. The following day, July 11, Japan conducted the first test flight of an experimental reusable rocket, which successfully launched and landed. Japan is also working to develop reusable rocket technology as it seeks to reduce launch costs and strengthen its competitiveness in the global space market.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said Bangladesh wants to see an economic partnership with India that is "equally beneficial and brings tangible changes" to the lives of people. "I am confident that the business communities of our two countries have both the vision and the capacity to make this happen. We can collectively identify practical solutions to the challenges," she said, noting that greater predictability and ease of doing business will benefit businesses in both countries. The State Minister made the remarks while speaking at a reception on Tuesday night.  

Dhaka ranked 6th among the world’s cities with the worst air quality on Wednesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 107 at 9:50 am.  According to the AQI scale, the city's air quality was classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”, poses health risks to children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases, while the general public is mostly unaffected. Uganda’s Kampala topped the global pollution list with an AQI score of 174, followed by Delhi in the India with 171 and Doha in Qatar with 164. An AQI reading of 101 to 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, while 151 to 200 is classified as ‘unhealthy’. A reading between 201 and 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’, and anything above 301 is categorized as ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks. The AQI provides a daily indication of air quality by measuring the level of pollution and its potential impact on human health. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone. Dhaka has long faced serious air pollution problems, with air quality generally deteriorating during the winter months and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution contributes to around 7 million deaths worldwide every year, mainly from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Five Bangladeshi nationals were among nine people killed in a fire that broke out at a hotel in Kolkata, India, early Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, citing local authorities. “According to local authorities, nine people have so far died in the fire. Police have confirmed the identities of five of them as Bangladeshi nationals,” the ministry said in a media release. Four of the Bangladeshi victims were members of the same family, it said, adding that local authorities have yet to confirm the identities of the remaining victims. Meanwhile, six Bangladeshi nationals injured in the fire have been released from hospital after receiving primary treatment. Officials of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata are maintaining close contact with hospitals and local police to provide necessary assistance to the Bangladeshi nationals affected by the incident. The mission has also opened a round-the-clock helpline to assist Bangladeshi nationals and their families. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka and the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata are maintaining close coordination with the relevant Indian authorities and monitoring the situation, particularly developments concerning the Bangladeshi victims. A Bangladeshi journalist and three members of his family were killed in the fire, UNB’s Kushtia correspondent reports. The deceased were identified as Debashis Dutta, 40, Kushtia correspondent for Ajker Patrika and Channel Nine; his wife, Afsana Simmin, 25; their three-year-old daughter, Swarna Shish Dutta; and his father-in-law, Akram Ali, 64. According to family sources, Dutta travelled to Kolkata with his ailing wife for medical treatment. He is survived by another daughter, aged eight, as well as his parents. Dutta’s family home is in the Arouapara Rajarhat area of Kushtia town, while his father-in-law, Akram Ali, was from the Thanapara area. Gazi Mahbub Rahman, former president of the Kushtia Press Club and editor of the local newspaper Ajker Alo, said Dutta was serving as the newspaper’s executive editor. He was also working as Kushtia correspondent for Ajker Patrika and Channel Nine. According to India’s media outlet ANI, the Bangladeshi nationals had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment, citing the fire service department. The fire broke out at around 2:00 am at a hotel on Free School Street near New Market, one of Kolkata’s busiest and densely populated areas. Four fire tenders were rushed to the scene after the blaze was reported, while a disaster management team also joined the rescue operation. Firefighters worked to evacuate guests trapped inside the building before bringing the blaze under control. A cooling operation was underway after the flames were doused. “The dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors. While nine people have died, more deaths are feared,” a police officer told PTI. “Our priority is to rescue those trapped and determine the cause of the fire. The flames have been doused, and the cooling process is underway,” the officer said. Initial reports suggested that the fire may have been triggered by an air-conditioner explosion, although the exact cause had not yet been confirmed.

For years, a fragile wooden bridge served as a vital lifeline for people living in and around Pranath Char in Shahidbagh Union of Kaunia upazila of Rangpur. Now, with a section of the bridge collapsing into the river, thousands of residents from at least 10 villages have been left struggling to cross the waterway, with many forced to rely on small boats. The bridge, which was built to facilitate communication across the river, has long been in a dilapidated condition. Recently, part of it gave way and fell into the river, disrupting everyday movement and leaving local communities effectively cut off. Schoolchildren, pregnant women, elderly people and those who are sick are the worst sufferrers. Many students now have to cross the river by small boats or use the remaining portions of the damaged bridge, exposing themselves to serious risks. A visit to the area found residents waiting for boats to cross the river, while the broken bridge stood as a stark reminder of the deteriorating infrastructure on which the communities depend. The crisis is particularly serious for local farmers. Pranath Char and neighbouring areas are predominantly agriculture-based, and farmers depend on the bridge to transport paddy, vegetables and other produce to nearby markets.

South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten their ongoing joint exercises at Washington’s request, South Korean officials said Wednesday, a move that likely reflects President Donald Trump’s efforts to reengage with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un but could raise concerns about the allies’ defense readiness. Trump had directed his Pentagon chief to “substantially reduce” the allies’ annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises shortly before they began Monday for an 11-day schedule. Trump cited what he described as a good relationship with Kim and South Korea’s decision not to join the U.S. war against Iran. South Korea’s military said in a statement that the current drills with the United States will end Friday instead of Aug. 27, as originally scheduled. The allies also agreed to scale back some of their joint field training exercises. The military said South Korea and the United States would discuss and implement various measures to meet the objectives of the exercises and maintain combined defense capabilities. Many experts have warned that Trump’s decision could weaken the combined U.S.-South Korean defense posture and eventually undermine their decades-old alliance. Ulchi Freedom Shield is primarily a computer-simulated command post exercise designed to improve the allies’ ability to respond to a potential North Korean attack. The two countries normally conduct a series of field training exercises alongside the command post drills. The exercises, along with a similar drill held in the spring, are a key component of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, which dates back to the 1950-53 Korean War. However, North Korea has long viewed the drills as preparations for an invasion and has responded with provocative missile tests. Just days before this month’s exercises began, North Korea launched two ballistic missiles into the sea. The current drills were reportedly planned in two phases. The first phase, running through Friday, focuses on defensive operations simulating North Korean attacks, while the second phase, originally scheduled through Aug. 27, was intended to practice counteroffensive operations. North Korea is particularly sensitive to exercises involving counteroffensive scenarios. North Korea has not responded directly to Trump’s overture. However, its state-run Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA, published a commentary early Wednesday condemning the U.S.-South Korean exercises as “frantic” and “extremely dangerous” and vowing to thwart what it called hostile actions by its rivals. “The dangerous escalation of the war drills staged by the U.S. and its vassal forces is posing a more serious threat to the security rights” of North Korea, the commentary said. It added that North Korea would continue exercising its right to self-defense to “completely neutralize the enemies’ military threat.” Many experts said Kim, emboldened by advances in North Korea’s nuclear program and expanding military cooperation with Russia, is unlikely to respond positively to Trump’s outreach anytime soon unless Washington offers greater concessions. In response to Trump’s previous efforts to reach out, Kim suggested last year that he could return to negotiations only if the United States abandons denuclearization of North Korea as a precondition for diplomacy. Trump and Kim met three times between 2018 and 2019, but their high-level diplomacy eventually collapsed over disagreements surrounding Pyongyang’s demand for extensive sanctions relief in exchange for limited steps toward denuclearization. On Monday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s office expressed hope that the “friendly relationship” between Trump and Kim could lead to “meaningful dialogue” between the two countries and help promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. The statement drew strong criticism from South Korean conservatives, who accused Lee’s government of placing the possible resumption of Trump-Kim diplomacy ahead of security concerns arising from Trump’s decision to scale back the exercises.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he was delaying the planned 50% U.S. tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian imports after the two countries reached a last-minute agreement just hours before the measures were set to take effect. Trump made the announcement on his social media platform, giving the two countries additional time for negotiations and, for now, avoiding another escalation in already strained relations between the longtime allies. “I have paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada, that were scheduled to kick in tomorrow morning for a three day period, based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL!” Trump wrote on Truth Social less than two hours before the 12:01 a.m. Wednesday deadline. The tariffs would have affected about 5% of Canada’s annual exports to the United States, covering a wide range of products from hockey sticks to tongue depressors. However, the political consequences could have been more significant than the economic impact. Canada had threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs in response to any new U.S. duties, potentially worsening a trade dispute between the two countries. The United States and Canada exchanged about $880 billion worth of goods and services last year, underscoring the importance of their longstanding economic relationship.

An open discussion on the achievements, prospects and challenges facing the BNP government as it completes its first six months in office was held Tuesday at Dhaka University, organised by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's joint general secretary Maminul Islam Zisan. Zisan is one of the names being strongly discussed as a contender to take over the leadership of JCD as its new president, with the ruling party student front awaiting the announcement of its new central committee. Earlier on Thursday (Aug. 13), Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held an urgent meeting with the five top JCD leaders of the outgoing committee at his Gulshan political office. After the meeting, outgoing JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir posted emotional farewell messages on Facebook, signaling the end of their tenure. Tarique Rahman is now expected to announce the new committee after reviewing and verifying all relevant information. During Thursday's meeting, he also solicited the outgoing leadership's votes for who should succeed them through ‘secret ballots’. The fact that Tuesday's discussion at the Mall Chattor on the DU campus was attended by the leaders of JCD's Dhaka University, Dhaka College, Kabi Nazrul Govt College, and Titumir College units, among others, suggests strong support for Zisan in some of the traditional JCD power centres. Speakers discussed the activities, achievements and prospects of the BNP government’s first six months, along with existing economic and social challenges. Maminul Islam Zisan said he took the initiative to organise the discussion to highlight the government's "people-friendly" efforts to the students, declaring that the BNP government derives its power from the people.  “180 days is not a long time. There is no scope to judge a government that took responsibility after the fall of a 17-year regime on the basis of just 180 days. But even so, within this time, many significant developments and possibilities have been created. At the same time, we have to acknowledge that the government has many challenges in future,” Zisan himself said. He added that the government has to move forward taking many things into consideration, including a debt burden of Tk 23 lakh crores, inflation, and a jobs crisis amid people’s increasing expectations.  “We believe there are chances to move forward Bangladesh with proper plans, political goodwill and young generation.”  

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States has no talks planned with Iran but insisted that the Strait of Hormuz remains “open and operating,” despite limited traffic and a reported strike on a ship leaving the strategic waterway. Earlier this week, Trump also threatened to bomb Oman as the country sought an agreement with Iran to manage shipping traffic through the strait, two regional officials said Tuesday. The officials said Trump had reportedly issued the threat a day earlier if Oman “gets in the way.” Iran has said the waterway will not be reopened until the U.S. meets its conditions. As negotiations between Iran and Oman continued, a projectile struck a ship in the strait, while Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they had launched drones at an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. Here is a look at the latest developments Tuesday in the Iran war and the wider Middle East: Trump looms over negotiations to reopen Strait of Hormuz As Oman and Iran said they were nearing an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said Tuesday on social media that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remained “in full force and effect.” He also said all naval mines had been removed and that other maritime traffic was free to pass. Trump posted a map depicting the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi appeared to respond to Trump’s post. “Just as Trump correctly wrote the name of the eternal Persian Gulf, soon his delusion regarding the Strait of Hormuz will either be corrected or we will correct the delusions of this deluded man,” he wrote on X. The Trump administration has told Oman that it opposes parts of the yet-to-be-announced agreement, according to officials briefed on the U.S. position. These include joint Iranian and Omani management of the passage’s exit route and the collection of voluntary fees from vessels, even if the funds are used for maritime security and environmental protection. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists. The White House on Tuesday referred to Trump’s remarks in the Oval Office and declined to comment further on Oman. — By Samy Magdy in Cairo Egypt says Iran-Oman agreement could pave way for Iran-US deal Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that an agreement between Iran and Oman could create an opportunity for Washington and Tehran to resume negotiations toward a “comprehensive and permanent deal” addressing all concerns and strengthening regional security and stability. The statement came after a meeting between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Omani counterpart, Badr al-Busaidi. It did not address Trump’s latest threat against Oman. The 60-day negotiating period between the United States and Iran ended this week without a clear end to the war in sight. Ship traffic drops significantly in Strait of Hormuz Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell significantly last week, with confirmed crossings declining 19.5% to 95 transits, according to shipping data platform Kpler. Only three vessels passed through the waterway on Sunday. The ships used the Iranian-designated route, while no crossings were recorded through the Omani routes. Traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait increased 6.7% to 254 transits, while so-called dark transits, in which vessels switch off transponders that broadcast their locations, fell from 40 to 16, Kpler said. Projectile damages ship in strait, causing casualty An unidentified projectile damaged the engine room of a ship in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman and “resulted in a crew casualty,” according to the British military’s UK Maritime Trade Operations center. The maritime monitoring agency did not provide details about the ship or its cargo. It was also unclear whether the crew member was killed or wounded. No environmental damage was reported. The agency said the Omani Coast Guard was assisting other crew members while authorities investigated the incident. Iran-backed Houthis claim attack on Saudi oil refinery Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they launched drones at an oil refinery in neighboring Saudi Arabia, in the latest attack that could threaten to reignite Yemen’s civil war and open another front in the wider Middle East conflict. The attack targeted a facility operated by Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company, according to a report by the Houthi-run SABA news agency. There were no immediate reports of damage, and Saudi authorities did not immediately comment. The Houthis have intensified attacks against government forces in Yemen, oil facilities in Saudi Arabia — which supports the Yemeni government — and Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, an important alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli strike on Gaza City kills 6 An Israeli strike hit Gaza City on Tuesday, killing six people, including a child, and wounding 14 others, according to Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas commanders in the Shati area who were planning attacks against Israeli forces. The heaviest fighting has eased since a ceasefire took effect in October after more than two years of war. Israeli forces have carried out repeated airstrikes since then, killing at least 1,266 Palestinians, according to health officials in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are generally considered reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. However, the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its figures. Missiles fired toward United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates’ Defense Ministry said Tuesday that two ballistic missiles were launched from Iran toward the UAE. One missile landed outside the country’s waters, while the other fell within them, the ministry said. It was unclear whether the missiles were intercepted by air defenses or fell on their own. No damage or injuries were reported. Iran early Wednesday rejected the UAE’s claim that it had launched missiles toward the country. In a social media post, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Dubai’s accusations were “detrimental to ongoing efforts to strengthen trust among the countries of the region and prevent a further deterioration of security.” He urged countries in the region to refrain from making “baseless accusations” against Iran. In the weeks after the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28, the UAE was frequently targeted by Iranian missiles and drones. Tuesday’s reported attack was the first such incident in weeks.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has framed draft amendments to the BSEC (Margin) Rules, proposing fundamental relaxations to make margin loans more accessible for investors and to expand lending capacity for market intermediaries. The proposed changes aim to eliminate practical operational complexities, foster an investor-friendly framework, and boost liquidity across the country's capital market. Key Proposals in the Draft Rules Extension to Low-Dividend Companies: Under the draft rules, investors will be eligible for margin loans to purchase shares of B-category companies even if the companies pay less than a 5 percent dividend. Currently, only B-category companies paying a minimum 5 percent dividend qualify for margin finance. Lower Minimum Account Threshold: The required minimum equity value in a Beneficiary Owner (BO) account to qualify for margin loans is set to be reduced to Tk 3 lakh from the current requirement of Tk 5 lakh held for a minimum of one year. Higher Intermediary Lending Cap: Stockbrokers and merchant banks will be allowed to disburse margin loans up to five times their core capital or net worth, up from the existing cap of three times. Removal of Free-Float Cap Requirement: The mandatory requirement for a listed company to maintain a minimum Tk 50 crore in free-float market capitalisation to qualify for margin loans will be scrapped. Single Stock Exposure Limit Raised: The maximum margin exposure limit for a single stock is proposed to be increased to 20 percent from the existing 15 percent. Adjustment to Maintenance Margin: A margin call will be triggered when a portfolio's value falls below 70 percent, down from the existing 75 percent threshold. The compulsory forced-sale trigger remains unchanged at 50 percent. P/B Ratio Limits for Financial Institutions: While non-financial companies will retain the maximum Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio limit of 30, financial institutions will be evaluated using the Price-to-Book (P/B) ratio. Banks and financial institutions with a P/B ratio exceeding 3 will be excluded from margin financing, while insurance companies will face a P/B cap of 1. The BSEC noted that the draft amendment was approved in principle during its 913th meeting and has been published to solicit public feedback and opinions from market stakeholders before finalization.  

Political parties, human rights activists and lawyers have criticised the government over the draft laws on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and prevention of enforced disappearances, calling for an end to political appointments and stronger institutional independence. They also demanded that allegations of enforced disappearance be investigated by an independent and impartial body instead of law enforcement agencies. They made the remarks at a roundtable titled “National Human Rights and Prevention of Enforced Disappearance Draft Laws, 2026: Legal Review and Way Forward” organised by the National Citizen Party (NCP) at the Shafiqul Kabir Milon Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday afternoon. Former member of the NHRC and the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances Dr Nabila Idris presented the keynote paper at the event. NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossain said six months have passed since the government assumed office, but some decisions taken by the previous government have been cancelled, forcing stakeholders to discuss the same issues again. “If the ordinances on the National Human Rights Commission and prevention of enforced disappearances had been passed in the first session of parliament, there would have been no need for such discussions,” he said. He said people in Bangladesh carry a deep trauma over enforced disappearances, with many people having disappeared and some later returning to testify about how they had been detained. “Many others have never returned after being disappeared. Yet the victims and their families have not received proper justice,” he said. Akhter alleged that the draft NHRC law has curtailed the commission’s investigative powers, requiring it to wait for investigation reports from the concerned agencies when human rights violations occur. He also criticised the proposed appointment process for the chairperson of the commission, saying it could allow the government to appoint a person of its choice. Regarding the draft law on prevention of enforced disappearances, he said assigning investigation to agencies that themselves could face allegations of enforced disappearance would make impartial investigations difficult. “There is a risk that incidents of enforced disappearance could be covered up in the name of investigation,” he said. He further said provisions allowing punishment for false complaints could intimidate families of victims and discourage them from reporting disappearances. Photographer, writer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam said he had hoped Bangladesh would become a different country after the fall of the previous government. “I still have that hope,” he said. He said large amounts of money had been taken out of the country and the country would have to overcome the consequences. “Politicians have come to power through our votes. They will decide how the country is run. But the country cannot be run according to the security forces,” he said. Political scientist and analyst Prof Dilara Chowdhury said state-building becomes difficult in the absence of national ideological consensus. “We have not yet found the leadership needed for state-building,” she said. She also criticised political debates over issues such as who is a collaborator while people continue to face shortages of electricity and gas. She alleged that the BNP had been moving away from its commitments made during the July movement. Former member of the Constitutional Reform Commission and Supreme Court senior advocate Dr Sharif Bhuiyan said the NHRC and a law on enforced disappearances were necessary to hold the government accountable. “The ability of these institutions to work independently depends on their appointment process. There can be no politicisation in appointments,” he said. He said the government should not be allowed to interfere with these institutions either before or after appointments. Former member of the Judicial Reform Commission Barrister Tanim Hossain Shawon said the main purpose of the enforced disappearance law should be to prevent members of law enforcement agencies from committing such offences. But, he said, the draft law had weakened this provision. “The original proposal was that an independent commission would investigate enforced disappearances. We recommended assigning this responsibility to the Human Rights Commission. But the law now says the police will investigate. Then what is the point of enacting the law?” he asked. General Secretary of Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) Mohammad Asaduzzaman Bhuiyan Fuad questioned why politicians in Bangladesh repeatedly fail to change their traditional practices. He alleged that enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings had historical precedents in Bangladesh and criticised successive governments for failing to break away from such practices. Fahim Mashrur, convener of the Referendum Implementation Citizens’ Forum, alleged that the government had already “thrown the July Charter into the dustbin”. He said that if the charter was implemented with notes of dissent, it would no longer remain the July Charter in its original form. “If reforms are not carried out, those appointed to the Human Rights Commission will be politically affiliated people. The question is how much service can be expected from them,” he said. Sarwar Tushar, deputy head of the NCP’s Reform Implementation Committee, criticised the BNP-led political approach to the government and alleged that the party had failed to deliver on its commitments. He also criticised the police for allegedly continuing practices from the previous regime and alleged that political appointments were being made in key positions. “The BNP may play its main game during the formation of a caretaker government,” he alleged, adding that the party was advancing its political plans through appointments to institutions. NCP central organiser Advocate Arman Hossain moderated the roundtable.

Fierce clashes between Somali government forces and militias in the southwestern city of Baidoa have killed dozens of fighters and left at least four civilians dead and 98 others injured, a hospital official said Tuesday. The fighting erupted early Monday after militia groups attacked government positions on the outskirts of Baidoa, a city of more than half a million people, many of whom have been displaced by conflict and drought. Somali government officials said nearly 30 attackers were killed, while authorities in the South West state claimed the death toll among the attackers was around 50. The figures could not be independently verified, and no official toll was immediately available for government casualties. Dr. Abdikafi Omar Mohamud, head of the emergency department at Bay Regional Hospital, said four civilians were killed and 98 others wounded in the clashes. The injured included 28 women and an elderly man who was struck by stray bullets. The violence further strained health services already struggling to care for residents and displaced people in Baidoa, located about 245 kilometers (150 miles) northwest of Mogadishu. Mohamud said the hospital had only 40 beds available and was forced to set up an emergency tent to treat the large number of casualties. Medical staff were also facing shortages of essential medicines. Calm returned to Baidoa on Tuesday, with security forces patrolling major streets and inspecting buildings and vehicles damaged during the fighting. Residents gradually came out of their homes, although troops maintained a strong presence in key areas. The clashes began shortly after 5am Monday when two explosions were heard near a military base east of Baidoa. Heavy fighting then broke out around another military position in Bonkay, south of the city, before armed men entered Baidoa and exchanged gunfire with government forces. Samira Gaid, a regional security analyst at Balqiis Insights, said fighters loyal to former South West state President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen managed to push government troops out of parts of the city for about six hours before being forced back. She said fighters from al-Shabab, an al-Qaida-linked extremist group, separately attacked two Somali military positions around Baidoa. The timing of the attacks raised allegations that the group may have coordinated with Laftagareen's forces. The federal government said the attackers included Laftagareen-aligned militias and al-Shabab fighters. It said its forces killed nearly 30 attackers and captured several others. South West Internal Security Minister Isak Mohamed Korsaar said government forces recovered the bodies of al-Shabab fighters and detained others. “The militias that attacked us were not alone,” Korsaar told reporters, saying authorities had confirmed that al-Shabab fighters had joined the assault. The latest clashes came amid months of political tensions over the leadership and electoral process in South West state. The federal government rejected Laftagareen's disputed indirect re-election in March. Federal forces took control of Baidoa on March 30, prompting Laftagareen, who had led South West since 2018, to announce his resignation. Gaid warned that continued political disputes could provide extremist groups with opportunities to expand their influence. “When elite disputes are settled militarily, they create the conditions that the terrorist group exploits,” she said, adding that Somali civilians ultimately bear the consequences.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Washington has no talks scheduled with Iran, while claiming that the Strait of Hormuz remains “open and operating” despite sharply reduced shipping traffic and a reported attack on a vessel leaving the strategic waterway. Trump’s remarks came as Oman and Iran continued negotiations over arrangements to restore shipping through the strait. Iran has said the waterway will remain closed until the United States meets its demands. Two regional officials said Trump had earlier threatened to bomb Oman if Muscat interfered with US efforts, amid Omani attempts to reach an agreement with Tehran on managing maritime traffic through the strait. Trump said on social media that the US blockade of Iranian ports remained “in full force and effect.” He also claimed that all naval mines had been cleared and that other vessels were free to navigate the waterway. The US president posted a map portraying the Strait of Hormuz as US territory, drawing a sharp response from Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi. Meanwhile, a projectile struck a vessel in the strait as negotiations continued. The incident added to concerns over the safety of one of the world's most important energy routes. Iran-backed Houthi rebels also claimed that they had launched drone attacks targeting an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia, further escalating tensions in the region. The Trump administration has reportedly raised objections to some provisions of a proposed Iranian-Omani agreement that has yet to be formally announced, according to officials familiar with Washington's position. Among the US concerns are plans for Iran and Oman to jointly manage the exit route of the strait and collect voluntary fees from vessels using the passage. The proposed fees would reportedly be used for maritime security and environmental protection. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the negotiations publicly. The White House referred reporters to Trump's comments in the Oval Office and declined to provide additional details on the administration's position on the Omani-Iranian negotiations.

Barcelona completed the signing of Spain captain and midfielder Rodri from Manchester City, adding the reigning World Cup best player to a squad that already includes several members of Spain’s title-winning team. The 30-year-old midfielder has signed a contract with Barcelona until 2030 after completing his medical examination and the final transfer formalities, the Spanish club announced Tuesday. A person familiar with the deal said Barcelona agreed to pay 76.5 million euros ($88.5 million) for Rodri. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the financial details had not been officially released. Rodri arrived in Barcelona on Monday and described the move as a dream. “Very happy to arrive,” he told reporters. “For me it’s a dream to play for Barcelona. I’m excited about being with my teammates, many of them I already know. Now it’s time to get to work and give my best.” Rodri will reunite with several Spain teammates at Barcelona, including Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi and Pedri. He played a key role as Spain won its second World Cup title and was named the tournament’s best player. Real Madrid had also reportedly shown interest in Rodri, who had previously spoken highly of the club. However, Spanish media reported that the Madrid side failed to reach an agreement with the midfielder. Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and went on to become a central figure in the English club’s midfield. He scored the winning goal in City’s 2023 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan and won the Ballon d’Or the following year after helping Spain win the European Championship. His departure is another blow to City’s midfield following Bernardo Silva’s move to Real Madrid during the offseason. Rodri had one year remaining on his City contract before completing his move to Barcelona. He did not feature in City’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday as he continued recovering from minor back surgery following the World Cup. Barcelona, meanwhile, are seeking a third consecutive La Liga title and have continued strengthening their squad. The club have also signed England forward Anthony Gordon and are expected to bring in defender Joao Cancelo. Gordon is expected to help fill the attacking void created by the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in extra time in the World Cup final against Argentina.

The Prisons Department is shifting its focus from punishment to correction and rehabilitation of inmates, with initiatives being taken to equip prisoners with skills, create work opportunities and help them reconnect with their families, Inspector General of Prisons Brigadier General Syed Md Motahar Hossain said on Tuesday. “Prisons should not be seen merely as places of punishment. We are putting greater emphasis on correction and rehabilitation,” he said at a press conference at the Prisons Department headquarters in Old Dhaka. As part of the initiative, prisoners are receiving training in 39 different trades to help them develop skills and prepare for life after release. Steps have also been taken to bring the training programmes under formal certification. The IG Prisons said the department has also taken initiatives to create opportunities for inmates interested in education to sit for SSC and HSC examinations. The authorities have contacted the Ministry of Education in this regard and are considering using a prison as a study centre. He said a soap-making factory has already been launched at Kashimpur Prison to make inmates productive and provide them with an opportunity to earn. Prisoners are producing soap at the facility, which is later distributed among inmates in different prisons for their use. This is also helping the government reduce expenditure on purchasing soap from outside, he said. The prisoners involved in soap production will be able to earn around Tk 5,000 to Tk 6,000 a month. After meeting their own expenses, they will be able to send part of their earnings to their families. The IG Prisons said there is significant interest among inmates in such work, with around 20,000 prisoners having applied for the opportunities, far exceeding the number of available positions. He said the income-generating activities would provide some financial support to prisoners' families while helping inmates develop productive skills. Motahar Hossain said the initiatives introduced over the past two years are part of a broader, long-term programme to reform and modernise the prison system. The Prisons Department is working to make prisons more modern, secure, technology-driven and humane, he said. Among the initiatives are producing biofuel and biofertiliser from food waste, introducing cashless prisons and biometric systems, online meetings, AI-based CCTV surveillance, digital attendance, virtual courts and various work-oriented programmes for inmates.

A young girl and her grandmother were killed after being hit by a train while crossing a railway line near Shashongachha in Cumilla on Tuesday evening. The accident occurred around 7pm near Cumilla Railway Station, police said. The deceased were identified as Jotsna Begum, 60, wife of late Mizanur Rahman, and her granddaughter Chandni Akter, 14. They were residents of Uttarpara area of Muradnagar upazila. Mohammad Mamunur Rashid, assistant sub-inspector of Cumilla Railway Police Outpost, said the two were crossing the railway line near the entrance to Cumilla Railway Station when the Dhaka-bound Subarna Express hit them, killing both on the spot. Johora Akter, niece of Jotsna Begum, said Jotsna had brought Chandni to Cumilla for a medical consultation. After consulting the doctor, they were returning to the bus station when the accident occurred as they attempted to cross the railway line. Sohrab Hossain, in-charge of Cumilla Railway Police Outpost, said the bodies were recovered and legal proceedings were underway.

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia since Moscow began its full-scale invasion more than four years ago, while a Russian missile strike on a village in northeastern Ukraine killed at least 10 people, officials said Tuesday. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 791 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions, including annexed Crimea and the Black and Azov seas. The attack came just two days after another large-scale Ukrainian drone assault. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said more than 600 drones were detected heading toward the Moscow region, with 180 of them intercepted. No deaths or major damage were immediately reported in the capital region, although three people were injured, according to regional Gov. Andrei Vorobyov. Three others were wounded in the neighboring Ryazan region, where three private houses were damaged, Gov. Pavel Malkov said. The overnight drone barrage also sparked a fire at a warehouse belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, in an industrial area. The company said the facility suffered only minor damage. Ukraine has previously targeted Wildberries, alleging that it supports supplies for the Russian military, a claim denied by Moscow. The latest attacks reflect an escalating campaign of long-range strikes by both sides as neither has made significant gains along the roughly 1,250-kilometer frontline. Ukraine has increasingly relied on domestically produced long-range drones to strike targets deep inside Russia, seeking to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to peace talks. “Putin continues to drag out the war instead of accepting Ukraine’s realistic ceasefire proposals and ending the bloodshed,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. Meanwhile, a Russian missile strike hit the village of Pechenihy in the Kharkiv region, killing at least 10 civilians and injuring 17, regional military administration chief Oleh Syniehubov said. The attack destroyed or damaged 10 homes, a cafe, a post office, a store and at least seven vehicles, according to Syniehubov. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike as a “brutal attack” and vowed a response. Separately, Russian attacks killed three people and injured three others in Ukraine’s Sumy region over the past 24 hours, according to Ukraine’s National Police. Russian state television largely did not report the massive drone attack on Moscow and surrounding areas in its morning news bulletins. However, several state and pro-Kremlin media outlets carried reports about the assault on their websites. Britain meanwhile reaffirmed its support for Ukraine after Moscow warned of unspecified consequences over Kyiv’s reported use of British-made drones in attacks on Russian territory. “We are providing support so that Ukraine can defend itself,” British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said, adding that Britain’s position remained unchanged. The Sunday Times reported that two British companies had manufactured drones used by Ukraine to strike targets in Russia. The Russian Embassy in Britain said London’s actions would “inevitably carry consequences.”

Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said India desires "positive, constructive and forward-looking" relations with Bangladesh based on mutuality of interests and reciprocity. Responding to a number of questions at a biweekly briefing in New Delhi, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said their position on the press conference by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Delhi needs no repetition. On the issue of extraditions, he said their consistent position has been that these requests are being examined as part of their established processes.  

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Tuesday night called on Bangladesh and India to move beyond their differences and work together to build a relationship based on “mutual and unconditional trust,” saying the aspirations of the two countries’ young generations should guide the future of bilateral ties. “We need to get ourselves together. Move on. I’m not telling you to forget the past, but keep the past and sort out the differences of the past. But move on. Don’t get stagnant,” he said. The High Commissioner made the remarks while addressing a reception hosted in honour of leading Bangladeshi business leaders and a visiting delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at The Westin Dhaka. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Director General Chandrajit Banerjee and Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe also spoke at the reception. High Commissioner Trivedi said both Bangladesh and India are aspirational countries, with their young people looking for opportunities, prosperity and a better future. “It’s aspirant Bangladesh and it’s aspirant India,” he said, stressing the need for the two countries to work together to create opportunities for the younger generation. Referring to his arrival in Bangladesh, the High Commissioner said, “The day I came in, I just walked in. This is one of the symbols, I think, that we are together.” High Commissioner Trivedi said the foundation of any long-lasting relationship is “mutual and unconditional trust”. “Friends really understand each other’s issues, and we are not friends if we don’t understand,” he said. Acknowledging that there are issues between the two neighbours, he said such differences can be resolved through engagement and dialogue. “I can tell you I fully understand there are issues, but these issues can definitely be sorted out once the Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Tarique Rahman) and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet,” he said. The Indian envoy also conveyed what he described as an assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding a future visit by the Bangladesh Prime Minister to India. “After meeting the Prime Minister here, I went straight to Delhi and had a great meeting with our Prime Minister. He (PM Modi) just mentioned one thing: we need to meet,” he said. “You can tell them on my behalf that you have the Prime Minister of India’s assurance that when the Prime Minister of Bangladesh visits India, he will have such an honourable reception as he deserves,” he added, quoting the Indian Prime Minister. The visit, Trivedi said, would be “a memorable visit” whose benefits would ultimately reach people and businesses on both sides. Highlighting the importance of economic and people-to-people ties, the High Commissioner said the private sector has a crucial role in bridging differences between the two countries. “No government in the world can provide everything. It always needs the private sector,” he said, expressing gratitude to business communities on both sides. He identified people-to-people relations, employment, education and health as key areas where Bangladesh and India can deepen cooperation. “People all over the world have a big role to play in bridging this gap,” he said, referring to the business community’s role in strengthening bilateral ties. The High Commissioner said India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy reflects the importance New Delhi attaches to its relationship with Bangladesh. “Why did he send me? For one simple reason: we have a lot of respect, we have a lot of affection and we have a lot of need with a neighbour. And our policy is Neighbourhood First,” he said. Trivedi acknowledged that the two countries have gone through “hiccups” in their relationship, but said such difficulties should not undermine their longstanding bonds. “We have all gone through hiccups here and then. I think that’s quite natural; that also happens in a family. But that doesn’t mean that we move away,” he said. “We have shared history, we have shared culture, and this is where we need to foster,” Trivedi added. The High Commissioner also praised Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, describing him as “a people’s person” and noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to congratulate him after his landslide electoral victory and the first to invite him to India. He said the recent high-level engagements, including visits by India’s external affairs minister and speaker as well as his own posting in Dhaka, reflected India’s eagerness to strengthen ties. “We are eagerly waiting and I’m so hopeful. There are issues, there is no doubt about it,” he said. At the same time, Trivedi said differences are natural in a vibrant democracy. “If issues are not there, then it’s not democracy; it’s something other than democracy,” he said. He said Indian officials have been working closely with Bangladesh’s ministers in recent weeks to address differences and understand the concerns of the Bangladeshi people. “We deeply understand the concerns of brothers and sisters of Bangladesh,” he said, while stressing that the relationship should be viewed as “a partnership of equals”. “These concerns can only be mitigated once you meet,” Trivedi said. Turning to Bangladesh’s youth, the High Commissioner said the country’s new generation had gone through significant struggle and sacrifice and deserved an opportunity to achieve peace and prosperity. “This is a new Bangladesh, and this new Bangladesh has the youth. And youth has also gone through a lot of struggle and a lot of sacrifice,” Trivedi said. “Our objective obviously is to have peace and prosperity, and the youth must get that opportunity,” he added. Trivedi said such opportunities could be created through closer cooperation between Bangladesh and India. “Bangladesh First and we have the goals are same. There is just no difference,” he said. Urging the business communities of both countries to join the journey of closer cooperation, the High Commissioner said, “Let’s have this journey together.” Trivedi expressed hope that the relationship between Bangladesh and India would enter a new phase. “This would be a golden chapter in the history of the relationship between India and Bangladesh, because we have a lot to share with you,” he said. Trivedi referred to the shared cultural heritage of the two countries and called for a renewed “melody of relationship”. “Let’s have this melody of relationship,” he said, expressing confidence that the relationship could become “golden” and long-lasting. The high-level Indian business delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Wednesday morning, an official told UNB. Discussions during the visit focused on addressing issues of mutual interest and mutual benefit, identifying emerging areas of cooperation, and facilitating greater engagement between businesses of the two countries. Both sides explored opportunities for greater economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries. The delegation, led by Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, comprises 14 business leaders representing prominent Indian companies and institutions, including Bharat Biotech, Infravision Foundation, Godrej Industries, Arvind Limited, LMW Global, Mahindra Group, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Forbes Marshall, Numaligarh Refinery Limited, Apollo Hospitals and Indian Oil Corporation, along with officials from the CII Secretariat. During the visit, the delegation met senior members of the government of Bangladesh.

A young man was killed in a mob beating in Khulna on Tuesday evening after locals suspected him of attempting to abduct a child. The deceased was identified as Raju Sikder, a resident of the Baliadanga area in Phultala upazila of the district. The incident occurred in the city's Rayer Mahal area under Aranghata Police Station around 6:30pm, said Sub-Inspector Shyamol Kumar. According to police and locals, Raju was taking a child with him in the area when some locals suspected him of being a child abductor. They detained him and began questioning. At one stage, several people started beating Raju, leaving him seriously injured. On information, police went to the spot, rescued him and took him to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.

Bangladesh on Tuesday officially launched the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SPECS 2030 Initiative, marking a major step towards expanding access to quality, affordable and people-centred eye care services across the country.  State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit launched the initiative at a function held at a city hotel. Speaking on the occasion, he said the government is planning to establish dedicated outpatient, inpatient and operating theatre facilities for eye care at the 151-bed hospitals being constructed at the upazila level. The state minister said the government is also finalising an integrated National Eye Care Plan, targeting around 1 million cataract surgeries, distribution of several crore pairs of spectacles and expanded treatment for diabetic retinopathy. “We are committed to taking modern eye-care services to the grassroots,” he said, adding that nearly 500 upazilas will eventually have access to advanced eye-care facilities so that people do not have to travel to district towns or Dhaka for treatment. Muhit said primary eye care will be incorporated into the training of around 100,000 health workers currently under the government’s recruitment process. The government also plans to strengthen regular cataract surgery and refraction services in at least half of the country’s districts by coordinating existing district hospital infrastructure, he added. He said the government has been coordinating with international and local organisations over the past six months to strengthen and expand eye-care services. The WHO SPECS 2030 Initiative, introduced globally in May 2024, seeks to improve access to refractive error services worldwide. It supports countries in achieving the first global target for refractive error endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2021, a 40-percentage-point increase in effective refractive error coverage (eREC) by 2030. Orbis International Bangladesh played a key coordinating and convening role in bringing together government, WHO and other eye-health stakeholders and helped drive the process towards the national launch of the initiative. At the launch, WHO and government representatives stressed that addressing the existing gaps will require an integrated approach involving primary healthcare, trained personnel, referral systems, affordable spectacles, reliable data and stronger collaboration among government, WHO, NGOs, professional bodies, development partners and the private sector. The launch was preceded by a presentation on the global, regional and country perspectives of the SPECS 2030 Initiative by Dr Tashi Tobgay, Regional Adviser and Unit Head for NCD, Mental Health and Disabilities at WHO South-East Asia Region. Prof Dr ASMM Quadir, Director (In charge), National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIO&H), and Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh, also addressed the launching event. After the launch, a panel discussion titled “Strengthening Eye Care Services with Specific Focus on Refractive Error and WHO SPECS 2030 Implementation in Bangladesh” was conducted by Dr Munir Ahmed, Country Director of Orbis International Bangladesh and Honorary Country Chair for Bangladesh of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). Panellists Max Tunon, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh; Rajesh Narwal, WHO Deputy Representative to Bangladesh; Indra Prasad Sharma, Regional Officer for South-East Asia, IAPB; and Johurul Islam Jewel, Senior Programme Manager, CSF Global, highlighted the need for workplace eye health, evidence-based policymaking, stronger workforce capacity, affordable spectacle provision and coordinated action across sectors. The SPECS 2030 framework is built around five strategic pillars and seeks to bring governments, professional associations, NGOs, academic institutions and the private sector together to expand access to refractive error services. The launch of the initiative is expected to provide a national framework for coordinating these efforts and developing an implementation roadmap towards the 2030 global target.   END/UNB/SI/AM

The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has evaluated the new government's first six months in office, noting that while six months is not enough to fully assess an administration, several positive measures have been taken to assist the private sector and restore economic momentum. In an official evaluation statement, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem highlighted key policy interventions, including central bank initiatives to introduce incentive packages and refinancing facilities aimed at reopening sick, partially closed, or closed industrial units. The apparel trade body welcomed the government's decision to allow partially export-oriented and non-bonded exporters to import raw materials duty-free against bank guarantees, describing it as a major relief that will ease operational workflows for exporters. BKMEA also commended recent business-friendly adjustments made to the national tax policy. Identifying energy shortages as the primary immediate obstacle for industrial manufacturing, BKMEA acknowledged that the gas and electricity crisis cannot be solved overnight as it was inherited from the previous administration. The trade association praised the Prime Minister and Energy Minister for seeking direct input from business leaders to address these challenges, alongside importing LNG from the spot market to provide immediate relief. The BKMEA president referenced recent remarks by the Finance Minister, who explained that resolving the gas crisis would take up to two years as setting up a new Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) requires time, while confirming that long-term plans to establish an additional FSRU are underway. Regarding financial and social stability, BKMEA observed that despite various steps taken by Bangladesh Bank, structural issues within the banking sector remain unresolved. The trade body also noted a slight deterioration in the overall law and order situation during this six-month period. Concluding the assessment, Mohammad Hatem expressed confidence that the government is making maximum efforts to tackle these complex economic hurdles and hoped that sustainable, long-term solutions would be implemented in due course.

The National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) is formulating competency standards and a curriculum for Arabic language for the first time in Bangladesh to tap employment opportunities in the international labour market for people proficient in the language. The initiative could open up potential employment opportunities in around 50 countries where Arabic is widely used, including 22 countries where it is the primary language and 28 where it is spoken as a second language. The initiative also aims to establish a uniform standard for Arabic language training and create opportunities for citizens to receive quality training at NSDA-registered training institutions. A day-long validation workshop on the Competency Standard (CS) and Course Accreditation Document (CAD) for Arabic language was held at the NSDA conference room in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Tuesday. Arabic language experts, academics, trainers, representatives of government and private organisations and industry representatives took part in the workshop. NSDA Executive Chairman and Secretary Dr Naznin Kawsar Chowdhury chaired the workshop. The participants discussed the knowledge, skills, training content, learning outcomes and assessment methods required for learning Arabic. They also provided opinions and recommendations on the proposed competency standard and curriculum. In her address, Dr Naznin said skills development training needs to be made standardised, recognised and employment-oriented in line with the demands of the international labour market. “Competency standards and training frameworks are being developed with the participation of industry, academia and relevant experts to make them timely and effective,” she said. She said the initiative was taken in line with the government’s commitment to creating employment, developing skilled human resources and tailoring skills development programmes to the demands of the international labour market. “Language skills are no longer limited to communication. They play an important role in education, employment, migration and international careers,” she said. “If young people can be equipped with proficiency in Arabic through quality training, new opportunities will be created for them both at home and in the international labour market,” she added. The competency standard and CAD will be finalised based on the recommendations and opinions of stakeholders. Arabic language training will subsequently be offered through NSDA-registered training institutions in accordance with the prescribed standards. This is expected to establish a structured system for training, assessment and recognition of Arabic language skills. The NSDA has been working to develop skilled human resources proficient in different languages based on international labour market demand. Competency standards and curricula for English and Japanese have already been developed. Work is currently underway to formulate competency standards and curricula for Chinese, Korean and Italian, alongside Arabic. Among those attending the workshop were Dhaka University Arabic Department Chairman Prof Dr Md Mizanur Rahman, Islamic Foundation Director of the Zakat Fund and Research Department Dr Waliur Rahman Khan, Bangladesh Betar Chief Executive of External Services Dr Mohammad Enamul Haque, Bangladesh Open University Open School Assistant Professor Dr Mohammad Qutub Uddin, former Islamic Foundation Director Maulana Mofazzal Hossain Khan, Arabic language trainer Md Nuruddin, Markazul Lughatil Arabia Bangladesh Founder Director Mohiuddin Farooqui, Qatar Embassy Senior Translator Hamed Jamil Hossain and Jamiatul Ustaz Shahidullah Fazlul Bari Arabic Language and Literature Department teacher Alamgir Murtaza.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Tuesday claimed that the BNP government had failed completely in 12 key areas, including maintenance of law and order, the energy and banking sectors, controlling commodity prices, maintaining administrative neutrality and implementation of the referendum verdict, during the first six months of its tenure. "In the first six months of the government's tenure, we are presenting to the nation the utter failures of the government on all the issues that I have mentioned, including the public verdict of the referendum, the July Charter, law and order, energy security, commodity prices, administrative security, neutrality," said Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar. He was addressing a press conference arranged at the Al-Falah Auditorium in the city’s Moghbazar to raise the first six-month failures and achievements of the current government, formed through the February 2026 general election. The Jamaat leader, however, praised the government for the foreign exchange reserve situation and the 'positive tendency' displayed by accepting a proposal placed by the Opposition Leader to form a special parliamentary committee to solve the energy crisis a few months ago. About the referendum, Porwar described the government’s negative role over the public verdict reflected in the referendum as the first failure of the government. “The nation is now being pushed towards a conflict, and the dream of a new Bangladesh, achieved through a sea of blood in the July Mass Uprising, is about to end,” he said. Regarding the energy crisis, the Jamaat Secretary General said the government failed to solve the gas, energy and electricity crisis.   He said the country’s daily gas demand was around 3,800 million cubic feet, against a combined domestic production and import supply of only 2,700-2,800 million cubic feet, leaving a daily shortfall of about 1,000 million cubic feet. The crisis was affecting industries, power plants, CNG stations and other consumers, he said. Porwar said gas production from 20 producing gas fields was around 1,630 million cubic feet per day in July, but the government had failed to make visible progress in increasing production to address the long-term crisis. Raising another major failure, Porwar alleged that state-owned and government institutions and local government bodies were being used to rehabilitate leaders and activists of the ruling party. He claimed that leaders and activists of the Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and BNP had been appointed to at least 11 government posts, autonomous corporations and positions in the Election Commission. He also alleged that ruling party-affiliated people had been appointed to Zila Parishads, development authorities and city corporations. “Merit, interviews and qualifications are not necessary for government appointments. A BNP party position has become a major qualification,” he said. Regarding law and order, the Jamaat leader said the situation had deteriorated despite the government’s pledge to give the issue priority. He cited figures that he attributed to Transparency International and other organisations, saying 605 murders, 294 robberies, 194 abductions and 3,416 incidents of violence against women and children were recorded during the first 100 days. He alleged that the number of murders, robberies, abductions, thefts and incidents of violence against women and children had continued to rise. A number of 915 murders, 461 robberies, 286 abductions, 3277 thefts, 5,448 incidents of violence against women and children were recorded till May 2026, he added. On foreign policy, Porwar said the government had failed to turn its declared “Bangladesh First” policy into a coordinated operational framework. He also said there had been no visible progress on unresolved issues, including the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On commodity prices, he said the rising cost of essentials was squeezing the purchasing power of general people. “Inflation has reached 9.16 percent, food inflation 8.69 percent and non-food inflation 9.61 percent,” he said. The Jamaat leader said the cost of food, housing, transportation and other essentials was putting increasing pressure on the incomes of lower- and middle-income families. He also criticised the government over the banking sector, saying non-performing loans had reached Tk 5,88,704 crore at the end of March, accounting for 32.26 percent of total loans. He said defaulted loans had increased by Tk 31,427 crore in just three months, while there had been no visible progress in resolving liquidity problems in weak banks, restoring depositors’ confidence or easing pressure from high interest rates. Porwar also alleged that government intervention in Islami Bank had contributed to instability in the banking sector. He also criticised the government for allowing the enforced disappearance and human rights related ordinances to lapse, its poor performances in education, agriculture particularly for the fertiliser crisis, judiciary and health sectors. Jamaat leaders AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Abul Hasnat Mohammad Abdul Halim, Matiur Rahman Akanda and Shafiqul Islam Masud, among others, were present.

Two people, including a pickup van driver, were killed in a head-on collision between a truck and a pickup in the Patdhari Bazar area of Sirajganj’s Salanga early Tuesday. The deceased were identified as pickup driver Rezwan Hossain, 35, of Goalbatan village in Singra upazila of Natore, and Sazzad Hossain, 30, a milk trader from Helensa Para in Bogura Sadar. A Bogura-bound truck collided with the Nagarbari-bound pickup on the Bogura-Nagarbari highway in the early hours, said Ismail Hossain, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station. Sazzad, who was travelling in the pickup, died on the spot, while Rezwan sustained critical injuries. He was later declared dead at Sirajganj Medical College Hospital. Following the accident, angry locals blocked the highway by placing the bodies on the road, protesting what they described as a delay in police arrival at the scene. The blockade caused severe traffic congestion on the highway. After nearly three hours, the protesters withdrew the blockade following police intervention. Police recovered the bodies and sent those to hospital morgue for autopsy.

Thousands of job seekers gathered at the nextjobz Career Summit & Job Fest 2026 on Tuesday, where direct interviews and on-the-spot recruitment offered employment opportunities to participants. Organised by nextjobz, the day-long event was held at the Krishibid Institution in capital’s Farmgate, bringing together more than 100 employers, industry experts and job seekers from various sectors. The participants included students, fresh graduates, experienced professionals and senior-level executives, creating a platform that brought together career preparation, skills development, recruitment and professional networking. Dr Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury, secretary and executive chairman of the National Skills Development Authority under the Prime Minister’s Office, attended the event as the chief guest. Dr Nazneen said, developing a skilled workforce in line with the changing demands of the labour market is crucial, noting that academic qualifications alone are not sufficient for employment. She urged job seekers to develop technical and professional skills as well as communication, leadership and problem-solving abilities. She also stressed the need for greater cooperation between the public and private sectors to link skills development, training and employment opportunities.  

Dhaka University’s Provost Standing Committee has recommended one hour extension for daily entry at female halls of residence, as a group of female students protesting for the last many days demanding the lifting of the ‘evening curfew’ which bars female students’ entrance and exit from the hall from 10pm to 6am.  The secretary of the committee, Israfil Ratan, who also serves as DU's proctor, confirmed the information today, saying that the decision had been taken yesterday. The recommendation will be present before the syndicate meeting. If the recommendation is approved by the syndicate, then this will be executed. According to the existing rules, DU female students can't enter or go out from the halls from 10pm to 6am. If needed, they must take late pass permission from the house tutors prior. In an emergency case, the authorities contact the local guardians to let them go out.

BNP Standing Committee Member and Prime Minister’s Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan on Tuesday said veteran journalist and writer Maruf Kamal Khan has brought back to public attention many political figures who made significant contributions to the country but were deliberately pushed into oblivion. He said Maruf has highlighted their contributions through his writings, helping readers rediscover important aspects of Bangladesh’s political history. The BNP leader made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest the publication ceremony of Maruf Kamal’s book, “Rajnitir Sodore-Ondore”, at the Jatiya Press Club in the afternoon. The book was published by publishing house Sucheepatra. Nazrul said the book is not merely a historical document but a work that will sharpen readers’ political consciousness and endure as part of history after standing the test of time. He praised the writer for bringing forward the contributions and little-known aspects of the lives of political figures who, for various reasons, have been forgotten or sidelined. The BNP leader said the book will help readers understand and learn about Bangladesh’s political history from perspectives that are often overlooked. Culture Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, former Information Minister Prof Abu Sayeed, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MP, Major General (retd) ALM Fazlur Rahman, Jugantor Editor Abdul Hye Sikder, Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and Secretary General of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Kader Gani Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the event.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman held separate meetings with Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, Energy Minister of Qatar, and Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Finance Minister of Qatar, in Doha on Tuesday. In the meetings, Adviser to Prime Minister for Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and high officials were present. During the meetings, the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, with particular focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy and financial sectors. They agreed to establish Joint Working Groups to follow up on the issues discussed and advance mutually beneficial cooperation in these areas. The Foreign Minister invited both Qatari Ministers to visit Bangladesh at their mutual convenience. The Foreign Minister is currently visiting Doha on a two-day official visit, leading a high-level Bangladesh delegation.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to restructure the country's fiscal calendar, shifting it from the long-standing July 1–June 30 cycle to April 1–March 31 timeline. Under the approval granted in a Cabinet meeting, FY2027–28 will serve as a 9-month transitional fiscal year (July–March), with the new April–March cycle fully coming into effect starting from FY2028–29. While appearing to be a simple three-month adjustment on paper, the decision aligns state budgeting, development projects, revenue collection, and tax administration with the country's seasonal and global realities. The central reason behind the timeline revision is aligning government development activities with Bangladesh's weather patterns. Under the July–June structure, the final months of the fiscal year—April, May, and June—are critical for project execution and spending. However, heavy monsoon rains beginning in June lead to waterlogging, river erosion, and mud, severely hindering infrastructure construction such as roads, bridges, culverts, and embankments. By changing the fiscal timeline, the government aims to eliminate the long-standing phenomenon known as the "June Rush"—a surge in rushed spending at the end of the fiscal year. Data from FY2025–26 demonstrates this pattern: out of a total Annual Development Programme (ADP) expenditure of around Tk 1.41 lakh crore, over Tk 40,000 crore—more than 28 percent of the total—was spent in June alone. Rushing execution and bill clearance at the close of the year often compromises construction quality and risks unnecessary spending. First Quarter (April–June): Enables project teams to advance construction during the tail end of the dry season. Second Quarter (July–September): Monsoons occur at the beginning of the fiscal cycle, reducing end-of-year deadline pressures. Second Half (November–March): Provides a contiguous, dry window to carry out major infrastructure works efficiently. International Harmonization: The realignment also simplifies economic data comparison. Major regional economies and key trade partners, including India and the UK, follow an April–March fiscal year. Operating on the same cycle will streamline economic analysis, trade evaluation, and regional policy comparison. Implementation Framework: To facilitate the transition, a committee comprising representatives from the Cabinet Division, Bangladesh Bank, National Board of Revenue (NBR), Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, and Finance Division will outline the required administrative steps. Necessary amendments will also be brought to the Constitution of Bangladesh and the General Clauses Act, 1897, along with technological upgrades to government financial systems. Experts note that while the shift provides a favorable operational window, overall project management reforms—such as addressing land acquisition delays, tender processing, and monitoring—remain crucial to maximizing the benefits of the new calendar.

Remittance inflow to Bangladesh rose 21.6 percent year-on-year to $4.74 billion in the first 48 days of the current fiscal year, while the country's gross foreign exchange reserves stood at $37.24 billion on Tuesday. According to Bangladesh Bank data, the country received $4.74 billion in remittances between July 1 and August 17, 2026, compared with $3.90 billion during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In August alone, remittance inflow reached $1.88 billion during the first 17 days, up 32.6 percent from $1.42 billion received during the same period in August 2025. On August 17, Bangladesh received $98 million in remittances in a single day. The strong inflow of remittances has contributed to the country's foreign exchange position, with gross reserves standing at $37.24 billion as of August 18, according to Bangladesh Bank. Reserves stood at $32.43 billion under the International Monetary Fund's Balance of Payments Manual (BPM6) methodology. The central bank data were shared by Mohammad Ibrahim Munsi, joint director of the Accounts & Budgeting Department (A&BD-2) of Bangladesh Bank.

The High Court on Tuesday dismissed a writ petition challenging the validity of Article 70 of the Constitution, clearing the path for the presidential election scheduled for August 20. The High Court bench of Justice Khizir Ahmed Choudhury and Justice AFM Saiful Karim passed the order. Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal and Deputy Attorney General Mamun Chowdhury represented the state, while Advocate Md Eunus Ali Akond appeared for the petitioner. Talking to reporters, Mamun said the High Court dismissed the writ petition outright, meaning Article 70 remains in force and there is no legal bar to holding the presidential election on August 20. He said the court also observed that a committee has already been formed to propose constitutional amendments and that the issue can be considered by Parliament. Eunus filed the writ petition on August 13, challenging the validity of Article 70 and seeking suspension of the presidential election schedule announced by the Election Commission. The hearing concluded on Monday, and the court dismissed the petition on Tuesday. The Election Commission announced the schedule for the presidential election on August 6, fixing August 20 for voting. Article 70 of the Constitution provides for the vacation of a lawmaker's seat if they resign from the political party that nominated them or vote against the party in Parliament. The writ petition sought a rule asking why Article 70 should not be declared inconsistent with the Constitution and why the EC's August 6 election schedule should not be declared without legal authority. It also sought a stay on the election schedule until disposal of the writ.

Business leaders from Bangladesh and India have agreed to form business-to-business (B2B) task forces to address trade and investment barriers and strengthen bilateral commercial cooperation. The decision was taken at a meeting between the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at the FBCCI office in Motijheel on Tuesday. The proposed task forces will focus on infrastructure investment and emerging technologies, while the two sides also plan to maintain regular business engagements and organise sector-specific delegations. Bangladeshi exporters currently face several non-tariff barriers in the Indian market, including testing and certification requirements, customs procedures, port restrictions, licensing rules and high logistics costs. India also imposed restrictions in 2025 on the entry of ready-made garments, processed food, plastics, furniture and other Bangladeshi products through designated land ports. FBCCI Administrator Fazlul Hoque said Bangladesh could draw lessons from India's experience in attracting private and foreign investment in infrastructure. He also stressed the need to attract investment beyond the energy sector amid challenges related to gas and electricity supplies. CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said Indian companies are interested in expanding their investments in Bangladesh, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare and emerging sectors. The proposed technology task force may explore cooperation in areas including semiconductors, hydrogen, green energy, battery storage, high-speed rail, data centres, artificial intelligence and solar manufacturing. The business leaders expressed hope that stronger commercial ties between the two countries would help create a more positive environment for broader Bangladesh-India relations.

Three people died of dengue and 753 new patients were hospitalised across the country in 24 hours until 8:00am on Tuesday.  With the latest fatalities, the dengue death toll has risen to 74 in the country this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new deaths were reported in Dhaka, Mymensingh and Khulna Division. During the reporting period, 723 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery. Since January 1 this year, a total of 25,601 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country. Of them, 23,747 have recovered and been discharged, while 1,780 patients are currently undergoing treatment.

BNP Standing Committee member Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday said the name of former BNP Chairperson and Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia will remain “written in golden letters” as long as Bangladesh and the nationalist ideology exist. He said the BNP is moving forward on the path of democracy shown by Khaleda Zia, whom he described as the “Mother of Democracy” and an uncompromising leader. Rizvi, also BNP senior joint secretary general, made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion held ahead of a doa mahfil organised by the Dhaka South City unit of BNP at the Motijheel AGB Colony Community Centre in the afternoon, marking Khaleda Zia’s 81st birth anniversary. He said Khaleda Zia had taught the people how to love the country and how to sacrifice personal and family security, happiness and comfort for the sake of the nation. Referring to the Liberation War, the BNP leader said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had disregarded the security of his family members and declared Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. “In the same way, Begum Khaleda Zia waged an uncompromising struggle on the streets for more than three decades in two phases,” he said. BNP Chairman’s Adviser and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam and State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain attended the programme as special guests with Dhaka South City BNP Convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu in the chair.

Four newly appointed members of the BNP National Standing Committee on Tuesday met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat. The four leaders – Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Amanullah Aman, Dr Farhad Halim Donar and Ismail Zabihullah – called on the Prime Minister in the evening, said his Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony. BNP Standing Committee member and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed was also present during the meeting. Earlier in the morning, the four newly appointed Standing Committee members paid tribute to BNP founder and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia by placing wreaths at their graves in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman appointed the four leaders as members of the party’s highest policymaking body on August 15. In a press release, the BNP said the four leaders had been appointed to the National Standing Committee in line with a party decision aimed at further enhancing its organisational dynamism. The party expressed hope that, through their wisdom, experience and well-considered advice, the new members will contribute to taking important decisions in the interest of both the party and the people at its highest policymaking forum. The BNP last held its national council on March 19, 2016, following which the National Standing Committee was reconstituted. Several positions subsequently fell vacant due to the deaths and resignations of members, while the party appointed new members to some of the vacancies at different times. This is the first time in recent years that the party has appointed four members to the Standing Committee at once. The BNP’s 19-member National Standing Committee previously had 13 members. With the addition of the four new members, its current strength now stands at 16. The existing members include Tarique Rahman, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Rafiqul Islam Miah, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and AZM Zahid Hossain. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been nominated by the BNP as its candidate for the presidency. He is expected to resign from his party position following the presidential election scheduled for August 20.  

Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC and Mastercard jointly organized an award distribution ceremony for the winners of their 'Spend and Win' campaign at Islami Bank Tower on Tuesday (August 18). Islami Bank's Managing Director (Acting) Md. Altaf Hossain attended the program as the chief guest, while Zakia Sultana, Country Manager of Mastercard, was present as the special guest. The bank's Additional Managing Director, Engr. Mohammed Jamal Uddin Mazumder, highlighted key aspects and details of the joint campaign during the event. Prizes were handed over to the top three campaign winners: Md. Nurul Islam from Dhaka, Md. Abdul Hannan from Chattogram, and Mohammad Mahdee Hasan from Chattogram. Islami Bank Additional Managing Director Dr. M. Kamal Uddin Jasim, along with Deputy Managing Directors Mahmudur Rahman, Md. Rafiqul Islam, Muhammad Sayid Ullah, and Md. Maksudur Rahman was also present at the ceremony. Earlier, Executive Vice President and Head of Digital Banking Wing Md. Mosharraf Hossain delivered the welcome address. Senior officials from both Islami Bank and Mastercard were in attendance at the function, according to a press release.

Bangladesh has achieved self-sufficiency in meeting its domestic fish demand, and is now focusing on expanding fisheries exports, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said Tuesday. “The fisheries sector has achieved full self-sufficiency in meeting domestic demand. Now our priority is to increase exports,” the state minister said, in remarks addressing a discussion as part of National Fisheries Fortnight 2026, organised by the Department of Fisheries at its conference room. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday formally inaugurated the National Fisheries Fortnight-2026 at a programme held in Kotiadi in Kishoreganj, aiming to further strengthen the fisheries sector to advance the government's goal of building a self-reliant and welfare-oriented Bangladesh. Explaining the decision to hold the central event outside the capital in Kishoreganj, Tuku said haor areas play a vital role in the country's freshwater fish production. “Haors account for a major portion of our freshwater fish supply. Holding the event outside Dhaka enabled us to connect directly with marginal fish farmers, fishermen and local stakeholders,” he said. The state minister said former President Ziaur Rahman initiated key programmes, including river dredging and canal excavation, while former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia expanded development initiatives in the sector. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is continuing support for agriculture and fisheries and has approved new sector-specific projects aimed at strengthening the rural economy. Tuku also urged public servants to perform their duties with transparency, sincerity and dedication. “Power belongs to the people. Public servants must fulfil their responsibilities without negligence and work transparently for public welfare,” he said. Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Delwar Hossain, speaking as a special guest, instructed officials to ensure hassle-free delivery of government services. “Fish farmers and citizens must not face harassment while seeking government services. Any negligence in official duties will be met with strict accountability,” he warned. Chairing the programme, Department of Fisheries Director General Khaled Kanak said the central event of National Fisheries Fortnight was last held outside Dhaka in 2003. He said holding this year's main event in Katiadi, Kishoreganj, and recognising field-level farmers had generated renewed enthusiasm among stakeholders in the fisheries sector. Senior officials of the ministry and Department of Fisheries, sector representatives and local fish farmers attended the closing ceremony.

The government is working to bring advanced eye treatment closer to people by introducing dedicated outpatient, inpatient and operation theatre facilities at 151-bed hospitals being built at upazila level across the country, State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhit said Tuesday. “The government is giving the highest priority to the health sector and is committed to ensuring modern eye care for people at the grassroots,” he said. The state minister was speaking as the chief guest at the launch of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SPECS 2030 Initiative in Bangladesh at a hotel in the capital. The government is also finalising a National Eye Care Plan aimed at conducting around ten lakh cataract surgeries, distributing several crore pairs of spectacles and expanding treatment for diabetic retinopathy, said the minister. Besides, work is underway to turn upazila health complexes into full-fledged 151-bed hospitals, with advanced eye care facilities planned for around 500 upazilas, he said. This will reduce the need for people to travel to district towns or Dhaka for eye treatment, he added. As part of the plan to strengthen primary healthcare, primary eye care will be included as a mandatory component of the training of around 100,000 health workers currently in the recruitment process, said Muhit. The government also plans to strengthen cataract surgery and refraction services at district hospitals, with the aim of providing regular services in at least half of the country’s districts soon. Speaking about the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH), Dr Muhit said a major project has been taken up to modernise and expand the institute and its implementation will begin soon. The government also plans to work with public and private organisations and NGOs to share Bangladesh’s experience in eye care at the global level, he said. Dr Muhit said the Health Ministry has been working with local and international organisations over the past six months to improve and expand eye care services. He said Bangladesh has also secured a major commitment to host a global summit through efforts at the highest level of government. “Our goal is to bring about a major positive change in the country’s eye care sector within the next three to four years,” he said.

Political leaders, academics, civil society representatives, activists, lawyers and youth organisations gathered at a dialogue to discuss barriers to the participation of young people and women in Bangladeshi politics and explore ways to build a more inclusive democracy. “Inclusion is impossible without recognition of rights, identity, and mutual respect,” they said at the roundtable dialogue on Tuesday titled “Shaping Inclusive Leadership: Women and Youth in Politics”   The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, hosted the dialogue at the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) Auditorium. Zillur Rahman, President of the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), presided over the session. Zillur Rahman said that genuine inclusion requires not only participation but also effective authority in decision-making and resource allocation. Women are often placed at the forefront when needed, but they are not given adequate space when it comes to power. State Minister for the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur said that although women and young people played an important role in the July movement, their proper recognition and inclusion were not ensured afterward.  

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday issued warrants for the arrest of 34 people, including former Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 uprising. The three-member ICT-2, chaired by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, passed the order after taking cognisance of formal charges against the accused. The court also fixed September 17 for the next hearing. Four of the accused are in jail. They are former MP from Rajshahi-3 constituency Asaduzzaman Asad, Dablu Sarkar, Zahirul Islam Rubel and Mohaiminul Islam Manik. Earlier on July 30, the prosecution submitted formal charges against 38 people before the ICT-2. According to the prosecution, Raihan Ali was shot dead in front of Lobongo Restaurant under Boalia Police Sation in Rajshahi city during July uprising on August 5, 2024. Meanwhile, Anjum Shakib was also shot dead in front of Shah Makhdum College during the movement. A number of people were also injured during the incident.

The U.S. and Canada are negotiating in an effort to reach a truce on tariffs before a 12:01 a.m. Wednesday deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. If no deal is reached, Trump has threatened to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products, ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors. ″We are negotiating,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters Monday, speaking in French. “The negotiations are very intense and delicate. This is not the time to talk about negotiations in public.” Carney and Trump spoke by phone Monday afternoon about the ongoing trade negotiations, Carney's office said, underscoring the last-minute push to reach a deal before Wednesday’s deadline. The two countries have wrangled for decades over trade, poking each other over sore spots like Canadian softwood lumber imports and U.S. access to Canada’s protected dairy market. Somehow they still managed to remain friends, allies — and trading partners. Canadian soldiers fought alongside Americans in Afghanistan after 9/11. The 5,525-mile U.S.-Canada border is undefended, and nearly 330,000 people and $2 billion dollars’ worth of goods cross it every day; 800,000 Canadians live in the United States. Trump’s belligerent approach to dealing with Canada marks an extraordinary departure from the traditionally cooperative relationship between the two countries. Trump has hit Canadian goods with tariffs — in a push to bring manufacturing back to the United States — and has repeatedly made inflammatory comments about turning Canada into America’s 51st state. The Canadian public is fed up. A petition to expel the U.S. ambassador, a Trump ally, has collected nearly 218,000 signatures since July 21. It accuses Ambassador Pete Hoekstra of having “normalized’’ Trump’s talk of annexing Canada, among other things. Looking for an off ramp Nearly 72% of Canadian goods exports last year went to the United States. And the Trump administration might be wary of imposing a hefty new tariff — paid by U.S. importers who try to pass along the cost to consumers via higher prices — ahead of November’s midterm elections. American voters are already frustrated with the high cost of living. “I don’t think either side really wants these tariffs to come into effect,’’ said Ryan Majerus, a partner at King & Spalding and a former U.S. trade official. “There’s a pretty strong push on both sides to find an off ramp here.’’ Majerus said the United States is aiming to get Canada to buy more U.S. military equipment, including F-35 fighters; to take part in Trump’s “Golden Dome’’ missile defense; and to give the United States more access to critical minerals, thereby reducing America’s reliance on tenuous supplies from geopolitical rival China. The Canadians would like relief from U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum as well as softwood lumber, which America says receives unfair government subsidies. Trump relies on Smoot-Hawley to go after Canada Trump has made tariffs the centerpiece of his second-term economic agenda. Last year, he imposed double-digit import taxes on almost every country on earth, justifying them by declaring the longstanding U.S. trade deficit a national emergency. The Supreme Court in February ruled that he’d overstepped his authority, striking down those tariffs and setting the stage for the federal government to pay refunds to importers. Trump immediately looked for other ways to rebuild his tariff wall. Last month, he imposed import taxes of 10% to 12.5% on 59 countries and the European Union — which together account for 99% of U.S. imports — for allegedly failing to have or to enforce restrictions on imports made from forced labor. Then he reached back to the Great Depression to find a cudgel with which to whack Canada, one of his favorite targets. Trump invoked Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose 50% tariffs on products that account for about 5% of Canadian exports to the United States. Nearly a century ago, with the U.S. and world economies in collapse, Congress passed the 1930 tariff law, imposing hefty taxes on imports from around the world. Known as the Smoot-Hawley tariffs, for their congressional sponsors, they are notorious among economists and historians for limiting world commerce and making the Great Depression worse. Section 338 tariffs have never been used before. U.S. trade negotiators traditionally have favored another tool, Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 — the provision Trump invoked for last month’s forced-labor tariffs. Section 338 authorizes the president to impose tariffs of up to 50% on imports from countries that have discriminated against U.S. businesses. Unlike Section 301 sanctions, no investigation is required. Nor is there any limit on how long the tariffs can stay in place. In announcing the Section 338 tariffs, Trump claimed that Canada discriminates against American exports of autos, alcohol and cheese. Trump is angry because Canada and China were the only countries that punched back with retaliatory tariffs of their own when he slapped levies on their products last year. “If a country retaliates against us, we’re obviously not going to tolerate that,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters Friday at the Iowa State Fair. “We’ll take action. My sense is the Canadians, they want to have a more conciliatory approach, but we’ll see.” New leverage to renegotiate USMCA The U.S. is renegotiating a North American trade pact — the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement — that Trump strong-armed America’s neighbors into accepting in his first term. The threat of Section 338 tariffs gives the United States leverage to seek fresh concessions from Ottawa. “From Carney's perspective, you need (USMCA) to be renegotiated,'' said Christopher Gundermann, fellow in the economics program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. ”You can't renegotiate it with a massive trade war going on.'' But the Canadian public’s furor over Trump’s policies may limit Carney’s ability to cut a deal. Canada could retaliate again if the new 50% tariffs take effect, potentially aggravating a trade fight. Canada’s government “cannot look like it is simply caving to the Trump administration’s demands,’’ said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. “Making further concessions without getting something meaningful in exchange would probably lead to a strong backlash ... The risk is for the Carney government to make Canada look weak and, therefore, even more vulnerable to future trade and geopolitical bullying on the part of the Trump administration.” Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister for U.S. trade, met with Greer on Monday. He was tight-lipped afterward. “The work is continuing,’’ he said. “We continue to do our job.’’

A Faridpur tribunal on Tuesday sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the gang rape of a Class-IX schoolgirl in Boalmari upazila in 2020. Faridpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Abul Bashar Mia handed down the verdict. The convicts are Nasir Molla, 26, of Babukhali village in Mohammadpur upazila of Magura, Saikat Chandra, 26, of Lankar Char area in Boalmari, and another Nasir Molla, 36, of the same area. The court also fined each of them Tk 1 lakh, in default of which they will have to serve an additional year in jail. According to the prosecution, the victim, then a Class-IX student, had become acquainted with Nasir Molla, 26, through mobile phone. Nasir called the girl to an orchard of Jibon Mondal near her house around 8:00pm on January 28, 2020. When she arrived there, the accused allegedly forcibly took her to a boat on the Madhumati River and then to a nearby sandbar. The three men allegedly raped her there in turns after threatening her with dire consequences. They also allegedly recorded videos and took photographs of the incident. When the girl fell seriously ill, the accused allegedly took her back by boat and left her near her home at around 11pm before fleeing. The girl later told her parents and relatives about the incident. Her family filed a case with Boalmari Police Station on January 29, 2020.    

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday criticised the bilateral agreement with Myanmar on Rohingya repatriation, stressing that the government of Sheikh Hasina ruined everything right at the start by making a bilateral agreement. "When the BNP government previously handled the Rohingya repatriation during the tenure of the late President Ziaur Rahman, a tripartite agreement was forged. The United Nations was a very active party to that agreement. Because of that, every OIC nation and multilateral body was involved. It proved effective - something the previous government failed to achieve," she told reporters at the ministry. Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a bilateral Rohingya repatriation deal on November 23, 2017, followed by the signing of a physical arrangement on January 16, 2018, aimed at the safe return of displaced refugees. However, the agreement has faced severe implementation delays and stalled due to ongoing conflict, security issues, and the lack of a safe environment in Rakhine State. Shama Obaed said they want them (Rohingyas) to return to their country safely and under normal, secure conditions. Describing the situation as undeniably a critical problem for Bangladesh, the State Minister said the Myanmar government should address it with utmost seriousness. “Merely playing with words or using diplomatic phrasing won’t suffice; it needs to be translated into action,” she said, adding that Bangladesh is doing everything possible on its end. The State Minister said an important session on the Rohingya situation will take place during the upcoming UNGA session in September. “It must be understood that geopolitics and regional politics are involved here, and we are steering our diplomatic efforts while taking all these factors into account,” the State Minister said. Bangladesh is hosting over 1.3 million Rohingya in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered authorities to take imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a private hospital in Islamabad for a medical examination and directed prison officials to restore his regular contact with family members. A three-member bench ordered that Khan be taken to Shifa International Hospital in the capital within the next few days, where he will be examined by a medical board comprising specialists and one of his personal physicians, Faisal Sultan, according to his lawyers and party officials. The court also directed prison authorities to allow Khan to meet his family members once a week and speak by telephone with his sons. Khan’s family and personal doctors have repeatedly raised concerns over his health and their limited access to him. Earlier this year, authorities suspended visits to the prison after receiving intelligence about a possible attack on the facility. The former prime minister had petitioned the Supreme Court months ago seeking his transfer from the high-security Adiala prison in Rawalpindi to a hospital, along with access to his personal doctors, family members and lawyers. Khan’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, said the court issued the order because his client’s health was at risk and access to medical treatment is protected under Pakistan’s Constitution. Raja also urged Khan’s supporters not to gather outside the hospital when he is taken there, saying such gatherings could inconvenience other patients. Khan was taken several times to a government hospital earlier this year for treatment of an eye problem. Concerns over his eyesight intensified in January when his family claimed he had lost about 85% of the vision in his right eye. The government disputed the claim and later said his vision had improved by around 70%. The former international cricket star-turned-politician has been imprisoned since 2023 after being convicted in a corruption case. Khan was removed as prime minister in April 2022 following a parliamentary no-confidence vote. He has alleged that his removal was part of a US-backed conspiracy involving his political opponents and former army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa. Washington, Pakistan’s military and his political rivals have denied the allegations. Despite his imprisonment and multiple legal cases, Khan remains one of Pakistan’s most influential political figures and retains a large popular following.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs held its first meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Tuesday. Committee Chairman Md Monirul Haque Chowdhury presided over the meeting. Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, State Minister Ishraq Hossain, and committee members Md Fazlur Rahman, Md Abdul Hannan, Amir Ejaz Khan and Rokeya Begum, all MPs, attended the meeting.  

A woman was sentenced to death and fined Tk 50,000 on Tuesday in a case filed over the killing of her husband in Bhola. Judge Md Enayet Ullah of the Bhola Additional District and Sessions Judge's Court handed down the verdict in the afternoon. According to the prosecution, Farhad Hossain Titu, 40, was called to the house of his second wife, Nurunnahar Begum, on the night of October 23, 2021. His bloodied body was recovered from the house in Alinagar Union of Bhola Sadar upazila the following morning. The body bore injuries caused by a sharp weapon. Following the incident, the deceased's first wife, Mahmuda Begum, filed a murder case against six people, including Nurunnahar, with the court. However, after investigating the case, police said in their report that they found no evidence of involvement in the murder against the other five accused. Nurunnahar remained in jail for a long time during the trial and was later released on bail. On the final day of the hearing, the court ordered her to be sent back to jail after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence lawyers. She has remained in jail since then. State lawyer Advocate Alhaj Habibur Rahman Bachchu said both the prosecution and the plaintiff were satisfied with the verdict.

Police arrested three people on Tuesday in connection with the alleged gang rape of a speech-impaired woman in Chhagalnaiya upazila of Feni. One of the arrestees was identified as Shakib, 18, of Uttar Choygharia village in the upazila. The identities of the remaining two suspects were withheld as they are minors. All three are reportedly battery-run easy-bike drivers. According to police and the victim's family, the trio allegedly called the woman to an abandoned house at Choygharia under Subhapur union on Friday noon on the pretext of providing her with financial assistance. They allegedly raped her before leaving her there. The incident came to light later, following which some local influential people arranged village arbitration on Monday night. The accused were reportedly fined Tk 10,000 each, totalling Tk 30,000. The victim's family alleged that an attempt was made to suppress the incident through the informal arbitration without informing police. Local Subhapur Union Parishad Member Moksed Alam said he did not attend the arbitration as there was no scope for settling a serious criminal offence such as gang rape through such a process. “I told the family members of the woman to take legal action,” he said. Later, the victim's husband filed a case at Chhagalnaiya Police Station, said its Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abu Taher. He said police arrested the three suspects in an early morning raid on Tuesday. The victim was sent to Feni General Hospital for medical examination, the OC said, adding that legal action will be taken against anyone found to have attempted to suppress the incident through arbitration, based on the findings of the investigation.

Bangladesh is moving towards a development path financed increasingly by its own resources rather than dependence on debt, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Tuesday. “Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, we have taken initiatives to implement bold reforms. This has been possible because of his commitment,” he said while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Revenue Conference 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital. The minister said a modern, cashless, and contactless revenue system will be a key pillar of a prosperous Bangladesh. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the conference, organised jointly by the Internal Resources Division of the Ministry of Finance and the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Revenue target Khosru said achieving the revenue collection target of Tk 6.04 lakh crore is the government's most important task at present. “By achieving this target, we will be able to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh as announced by the Prime Minister, Insha-Allah,” he said. The minister expressed hope that Bangladesh will overcome the challenges of graduating to a middle-income country by 2029 and build a trillion-dollar economy by 2034. Call to business community Khosru described businesses as the driving force of the country's economy, saying development is not possible without investment and employment generation. He also pledged that the government will always be by the business community, urging them to cooperate with the government in achieving the revenue target. “Paying taxes and VAT on time is the responsibility of businesses. We know that sometimes you face difficulties because of administrative complications and the behaviour of officials. We have taken initiatives to resolve these problems quickly,” the minister said. At the same time, he said the law must be strictly enforced against those who continue to evade taxes. Accountability must be ensured Khosru said both taxpayers and revenue officials have responsibilities under the law. “Just as taxpayers have a responsibility to pay taxes according to the law, revenue officials also have a responsibility to serve taxpayers impartially and respectfully,” he said. He said the accountability mechanism must also be strengthened. “Harassing an honest taxpayer and giving unfair advantages to a dishonest taxpayer are both equally unacceptable,” he said. The minister thanked development partners, economists, researchers and civil society representatives for their contributions to the revenue reform process. Revenue reforms Khosru said the government has undertaken major reforms to the country's revenue administration. He said a final decision has been taken to split the existing NBR into two independent institutions — a Revenue Policy Department and a Revenue Management Department. “This is not just an administrative reorganisation. It is a fundamental change in our approach,” he said. The minister said the Revenue Policy Department will work as an expert policy-making body responsible for developing a balanced, competitive and development-friendly tax structure. He acknowledged that the reforms have created some uncertainty among revenue officials but assured them that the restructuring will create clearer career paths and greater opportunities for professional development. Own-account financing Khosru said the national budget for fiscal 2026-27 has set a record own-account revenue target of Tk 6.04 lakh crore, which is 46 percent higher than last year's actual collection. He acknowledged that the target may appear ambitious but said it was set deliberately to meet the country's development needs. Referring to the Prime Minister's vision, the minister said Bangladesh must move from a debt-based economy to an investment-based economy. “To achieve that goal, we have to finance our development with our own resources. We have to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation,” he said. Cashless, contactless revenue system Khosru said modernisation, expansion and end-to-end automation are essential to achieving the revenue targets. “The culture of taxpayers having to visit tax officials without special need must end. Our goal is a completely contactless and cashless revenue administration,” he said. VAT and customs reforms The minister said several reforms have been introduced to the Customs Act and VAT Act in the current budget to reduce harassment and establish a trust-based system. He said tax payment should be made easier and urged all stakeholders to play a responsible role so that taxpayers do not have to spend time and money on prolonged legal disputes. Khosru called for making the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) method more effective so that disputes can be settled quickly, fairly and transparently wherever possible. He also called for a clear Taxpayer Service Charter specifying the services available to taxpayers, the responsibilities of officials, the procedure for filing complaints and the timeframe for resolving them. “The performance of the revenue administration should not be judged only by how much money is collected. It should also be assessed based on taxpayer satisfaction and service delivery,” the minister said. NBR as business partner Khosru said the NBR should no longer be viewed merely as a revenue-collecting agency. “The Board of Revenue is no longer just a revenue-collecting institution. You are a companion in a businessman's financial journey,” he said, urging revenue officials to ensure that taxpayers feel proud of paying taxes and regard themselves as direct partners in the government's development efforts.

Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) on Tuesday proposed a seven-point roadmap for sustainable urban development, urging the government to make continuity of planning immune to political and administrative changes and to require a mandatory compliance check before approving any development project. BIP President Muhammad Ariful Islam presented the recommendations at a press conference at BIP's conference hall in Planners Tower. He said fragmented, short-term and sector-based planning must give way to integrated national and regional spatial planning. BIP's seven recommendations: 1. Ensuring continuity and full implementation of approved development plans, regardless of political or administrative changes. 2. Preventing any individual, group or institution from altering, undermining or scrapping the basic structure of approved plans for commercial or personal gain. 3. Reviewing planning progress and implementation challenges every five years with planners, experts, government agencies and local stakeholders, while keeping the core objectives of approved plans intact. 4. Replacing fragmented, single-sector and short-term planning with integrated national and regional spatial planning covering land use, transport, environment, housing and the economy. 5. Prohibiting development projects in wetlands, farmland, water bodies and other environmentally sensitive areas where they conflict with approved plans. 6. Making a “Planning Compliance Report” mandatory for every development project before approval. 7. Ensuring that development remains plan-based, integrated and long-term, taking into account future regional needs, environmental balance and the interests of future generations rather than focusing on isolated projects. BIP General Secretary Mohammad Mosleh Uddin Hasan said the entire country, not just Dhaka, must be brought under a long-term national spatial plan, moving away from short, five-year planning cycles. Planner AKM Riaz Uddin called for enacting and implementing the Spatial Planning Act to bring all of Bangladesh under integrated planning, along with unified leadership for Greater Dhaka. Board member Talha Tasnim added that a shared national database would cut duplication in data collection and improve inter-agency coordination in future planning efforts. The speakers said implementing the recommendations would require sustained political will, institutional accountability and genuine citizen participation.

Neither of the two presidential candidates withdrew from the race within the stipulated deadline of 4:00pm Tuesday, paving the way for voting in the presidential election on Thursday (August 20), nearly 35 years after the country last witnessed a presidential election contested by more than one candidate. BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Jamaat-led 11-party alliance contender Col (Retd) Oli Ahmad are running in the presidential election. “There are two valid candidates in the presidential election. The deadline for withdrawal of candidacy expired at 4pm today (Tuesday). None of them withdrew their candidacy within the stipulated time,” Election Commission Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters in the afternoon. According to the EC secretary, voting will be held from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on August 20 in the session chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad. At the beginning of the voting, the Election Officer and also Chief Election Commissioner (AMM Nasir Uddin) will brief the lawmakers who are the electors on the voting procedure, he said. Akhtar Ahmed said the ballot papers would be prepared on Tuesday. He said each ballot paper will have two parts — a counterfoil and the ballot portion. The counterfoil will contain three pieces of information and a blank space: the serial number, the name of the MP and the divisional number provided by the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat. An MP will sign his or her full name in the designated space before receiving the ballot paper. The names of the contesting candidates will be printed on the right-hand side of the ballot paper in alphabetical order in Bangla. There will be a designated space beside each candidate’s name where MPs will sign their full names and cast their votes. The MPs will then deposit their ballots into the designated ballot box. Ballots will be accepted until 5:00pm, after which counting will begin. The ballot paper will carry black printing on a white background, the EC secretary said. A total of 349 MPs are eligible to vote in the presidential election. The votes will be counted in the session chamber of Jatiya Sangsad immediately after voting ends, and the Election Officer will announce the result there. The result will subsequently be published in the official gazette.

Bangladesh and Bhutan on Tuesday underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral trade and strengthening private sector cooperation, expanding the product coverage under the Bangladesh-Bhutan Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The two countries also explored the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA),according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The issues were discussed at the Fourth Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and the Government of Bhutan (RGoB) held in Dhaka. The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, and the Foreign Secretary Pema Lektup Dorji. The meeting was held in a warm, cordial and constructive atmosphere and provided an opportunity to review the full range of bilateral relations. The two sides also exchange views on cooperation at regional and multilateral level on matters of mutual interest. Both sides reaffirmed their longstanding bonds of friendship, trust and mutual respect and expressed satisfaction at the steady progress of bilateral cooperation over the years across a wide range of areas, including political, trade and investment, connectivity, education, health, culture, tourism, agriculture and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides agreed to further strengthen high-level political engagements and regular consultations between the two governments. They emphasised the importance of translating the existing goodwill and political understanding into tangible outcomes for the peoples of both countries.  

Bangladesh and Canada have highlighted opportunities to strengthen institutional engagement and explore new avenues for defence cooperation in support of regional peace, security and stability. Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh and Trade Commissioner Kamal Uddin met with Bangladesh’s Defence Adviser to the Prime Minister Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam at the Armed Forces Division (AFD) on August 17 and discussed the issues of mutual interest. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Bangladesh-Canada defence relations, ongoing cooperation with the Bangladesh Armed Forces, and opportunities to further strengthen practical government-to-government engagement in training, capacity building, aerospace, defence technology, and industrial development, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Discussions also touched on Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, and Bangladesh’s important contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. The High Commissioner also thanked the Bangladesh Armed Forces for the critical role they played in ensuring stability and facilitating a peaceful transition to democracy in Bangladesh over the last two years. Canada remains committed to deepening its longstanding partnership with Bangladesh and working with Bangladesh’s Armed Forces and security agencies to advance practical and mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.

Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid on Tuesday claimed that there is no shortage of fertiliser in the country, saying the disorder surrounding its distribution despite adequate stocks is part of a planned conspiracy. “There is no problem with fertiliser. We have more fertiliser in stock than we had at the same time last year. In many places, government warehouses do not even have enough space to store the available fertiliser,” he said. The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters at a press briefing at the Secretariat on measures to improve airport facilities, including cold storage and cool-room facilities at the cargo village, to boost agricultural exports. The government has introduced a new policy on fertiliser distribution and those who believe they will be deprived under the new policy are creating problems in different ways, he said adding “The situation will gradually return to normal.” As the country has sufficient fertiliser stocks, there is no reason to be concerned about any conspiracy, he said. Addressing those creating disorder over fertiliser, he said, “This is not good. Please do not do this.” On increasing agricultural exports, the minister said initiatives are being taken to improve infrastructure and storage facilities at airports. Besides, expanding cold storage and cool-room facilities at the cargo village would help exporters ship agricultural products more quickly while maintaining quality, he said.

Dhaka now ranks 171st among 173 cities on the Global Livability Index, planners said Tuesday warning that unplanned urbanisation, environmental degradation and weak governance have pushed the capital to one of the lowest livability levels in the world. Speaking at a press conference titled "Dhaka City's Livability: Challenges and Roadmap for Planned Solutions," organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) at its conference hall in Planners Tower, BIP President Muhammad Ariful Islam said transport, air and noise pollution, waterlogging, shrinking green space, public health risks and weak social inclusion are all directly tied to the city's planning failures. He said Dhaka ranks 18th among the world's most polluted cities. Of the roughly 56 canals the city once had, only 26 survive in any recognisable form, while 48 areas have been identified as waterlogging-prone due to encroachment on canals and wetlands and poor drainage, he said. Ariful Islam said unplanned billboards and lighting are damaging the cityscape and road safety, he added, while rising building density and poor waste management are fuelling dengue and chikungunya risks. Only 7.99 percent of the city's 99.29 square kilometres is green space, he said, far short of what a livable city needs. On transport, Ariful said Dhaka loses about 50 lakh working hours annually to congestion, at an estimated economic cost of Tk 37,000 crore. He said around 1,765 tonnes of waste, 27 percent of total generation, goes uncollected daily, worsening waterlogging and mosquito breeding. BIP General Secretary Mohammad Mosleh Uddin Hasan said Dhaka is heading toward its lowest-ever livability level due to poor implementation of existing plans and institutional weakness. Planner Adil Muhammad Khan raised concerns over footpath encroachment, illegal businesses, extortion, and political influence in urban management while planner AKM Riaz Uddin noted that despite declining livability, migration to Dhaka continues because other regions lack jobs and services. Speakers agreed that Dhaka's crisis stems from interlinked failures in environment, land use, transport, health and waste management, calling for long-term, coordinated national planning. 

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday urged greater private sector engagement in humanitarian and social initiatives, saying collective contributions could help address major challenges. “As members of society, if everyone comes forward and contributes in their own way, many major problems can be solved,” he said while launching a programme to distribute 20,000 raincoats among tea garden workers in Sylhet division. The Prime Minister formally handed over raincoats to 10 tea workers at the Prime Minister’s Office at Secretariat, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. He also enquired about their wellbeing and exchanged views with them. The initiative has been taken by the Social Welfare Ministry to help ensure protection for tea garden workers in Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Habiganj during adverse weather and contribute to creating a safer working environment. Under the programme, a total of 20,000 raincoats will be distributed among tea workers. The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) will provide 10,000 raincoats, while Chevron Bangladesh and Pandughar Group will provide 5,000 each under their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Assuring private-sector organisations of government support for humanitarian and social initiatives, Tarique said the government would stand beside those willing to undertake such work and provide necessary assistance. Representatives of the participating private-sector organisations said that alongside their business activities, contributing to the welfare of disadvantaged and working peopleis  also part of their social responsibility.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain on Tuesday urged party leaders and activists to remain vigilant so that public trust in the BNP is not undermined by their actions. He said they must practise healthy and proper politics while reflecting the aspirations and expectations of people. He made the remarks while speaking at a doa mahfil organised by Dhaka South City BNP at the AGB Colony in Motijheel at noon, marking the 81st birthday of former prime minister and ex-BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, and the 57th birthday of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko. BNP Standing Committee member Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi attended the doa mahfil as the chief guest. Ishraque Hossain said, “We will uphold the political etiquette and lessons taught to us by our leader, how to speak with political opponents and how to reflect the aspirations and expectations of people in practising healthy and proper politics.” He said the party would conduct its activities in the coming days so that the government formed with overwhelming public support in the democratic political process could remain sustainable.

An artificial intelligence-based ‘auto fine system’ was launched on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway on Tuesday to improve road safety, ensure traffic discipline and take quick action against traffic law violations. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed inaugurated the system at the Highway Police’s Command, Control and Monitoring Centre at Meghnaghat in Sonargaon, Narayanganj. The minister said the system is expected to bring a major change to traffic management and it would be gradually introduced on all national highways after evaluating its performance on the Dhaka-Chattogram route. Salahuddin said illegal extortion on highways whether involving transport owners, workers’ federations or police personnel would not be tolerated. “Such activities would be recorded by CCTV and AI cameras,” he said. The minister also said unauthorised and unlicensed three-wheelers and non-motorised vehicles would not be allowed to operate on highways and police would take immediate legal action against them. Under the project, AI cameras have already been installed on 490 pillars along the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. The cameras can automatically detect and record speeding, dangerous overtaking, violations of traffic signals, driving on the wrong side and illegal parking. Once a violation is detected, the vehicle’s information will be sent to the Bangladesh Rroad Transport Authority’s (BRTA) database and an SMS containing details of the case will be sent to the registered owner’s mobile phone. Vehicle owners will be able to pay fines from home through mobile financial services (MFS), while repeated violations may lead to cancellation of vehicle registration under BRTA rules. Highway Police chief and Additional IGP Faruk Ahmed chaired the inauguration ceremony, attended by IGP Md Ali Hossain Fakir, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation president and MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, and Narayanganj-3 MP Azharul Islam Mannan.  

A Cumilla court on Tuesday sentenced a man to death for killing his wife by electrocution in 2023. Judge of the Cumilla Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-5 Mohammad Sultan Uddin Prodhan pronounced the judgment. The condemned convict, Md Azad, is the son of Kabir Hossain of Bashantapur village in Chauddagram upazila of the district. According to the prosecution, Azad killed his wife Tania Begum, a mother of three children, by wrapping electrical wires around her hands and feet and electrocuting her over a family dispute on July 27, 2023. Tania's mother, Maya Begum, filed a case with Chauddagram Police Station. Police submitted a charge sheet against Azad after completing the investigation.            

To boost retail participation in Shariah-compliant financial instruments, Bangladesh Bank has set aside a dedicated 10 percent quota for individual investors in Sukuk bond issuances. The Debt Management Department of the central bank issued a directive to the Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of all scheduled banks and financial institutions across the country on Monday. Under the newly defined distribution framework, 50 percent of Sukuk allocation will be reserved for full-fledged Shariah-based Institutions: Islamic banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies. Thirty percent will go to Islamic Branches & Windows:  Islamic branches and windows of conventional banks. Ten percent is exclusively earmarked for general individual retail investors. The remaining 10 percent will be allocated among conventional banks, financial institutions, insurance firms, provident funds, deposit insurance, investment companies, corporate bodies, gratuity funds, and mutual funds. Previously, there was no exclusive reserved allocation for individual investors. Under the previous policy, 15 percent of Sukuk was jointly allocated to individual investors along with provident funds, deposit insurance, investment firms, corporate entities, gratuity funds, and mutual funds. Meanwhile, 80 percent was allocated to Shariah-compliant entities alongside Islamic branches and windows of conventional banks, and 5 percent was reserved for conventional institutions. The central bank's explicit 10 percent quota ensures that individual retail investors will no longer have to compete directly against large institutional funds for their entire allocation share. Sukuk bonds are Shariah-compliant investment instruments issued by the government to raise capital for various national infrastructure and development projects. Unlike conventional interest-bearing bonds, Sukuk offers returns structured around profit-sharing principles.

Three people were killed and 25 others injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck on Gopalganj-Tekerhat road in Boultoli of Sadar upazila in Gopalganj district on Tuesday. The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately. The accident occurred in the afternoon when a Madaripur-bound bus of ‘Sonali Paribahan’ plunged into a roadside ditch after colliding head-on with a sand-laden truck, leaving three people dead on the spot and 25 others injured, said Shafiul Alam, inspector of the Boultoli Police Investigation Centre. The injured were taken to Gopalganj 250-bed General Hospital and Gopalganj Medical College and Hospital.  

Three more children died with measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am on Tuesday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 918 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all three latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With this, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached 819, while confirmed deaths from measles have remained unchanged at 99. A total of 1002 new suspected measles cases were reported during the period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 144,780. Meanwhile, 59 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 17,989. Since March 15 this year, a total of 126, 289 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 121,880 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

A total of 1,557 of the 2,247 prisoners who escaped from various jails during the July mass uprising have since been arrested and returned to custody while 690 remain at large, said Director General of the Department of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Md Motahar Hossain on Tuesday. “We have applied to the court to obtain information about them,” he said at a press conference at the Department of Prisons headquarters in Old Dhaka. He said 826 prisoners escaped from Narsingdi Jail alone and the whereabouts of 166 of them remain unknown. Asked about militant prisoners who escaped during the unrest, the director general said nine listed militants fled from different prisons. Of them, six have been rearrested and returned to custody while three remain at large. The six rearrested militants include Jewel alias Jewel Ustad, who was recently arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Unit, he said. Regarding allegations that drugs are being smuggled into prisons with the help of prison guards, Brig Gen Motahar said he has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy against drugs and financial corruption. “Over the last two years, 21 of our officials have been sent into compulsory retirement and 82 have been dismissed. Departmental proceedings have been initiated against 870 people, while 303 others have been transferred to different departments for minor offences,” he said. He said prison guards found involved in drug-related offences were handed over to police after criminal cases were filed against them. Regarding the use of mobile phones inside prisons, he said the authorities have no information about such use, but action would be taken if any complaint was received. Responding to allegations that Awami League leaders and activists are being allowed to use mobile phones in prisons, he said mobile phone use is strictly prohibited. On prisoners’ food, the director general said automatic roti-making machines are being installed in prisons. The machines would save time and ensure quality by automating the entire process, from preparing flour to making and heating roti, he said. The initiative would also reduce security risks associated with keeping large numbers of prisoners outside at night for food preparation, he added. He said preparations are underway to keep accused in drug-related cases separately in two prisons- one in Feni and the other in Kishoreganj. Asked about the number of foreign nationals currently detained in Bangladeshi prisons, Brig Gen Motahar said 379 foreign nationals are in different prisons across the country. “Letters have been sent to the embassies concerned to repatriate 170 of them to their respective countries,” he said.  

A vessel was struck by a projectile early Tuesday while attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British military maritime monitoring agency. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the incident. The attack underscores the continued risks facing commercial vessels using the strategic waterway, as Iran maintains restrictions on shipping traffic while negotiating with Oman over arrangements for managing transit through the strait. Here are the latest developments from the Iran war and the broader Middle East: Vessel damaged during Strait of Hormuz transitAn unidentified projectile struck a vessel’s engine room early Tuesday as it was passing through the Strait of Hormuz off Oman, causing damage and leaving one crew member affected, the UKMTO said, citing the vessel’s security office. The agency did not identify the ship or provide information about its cargo. It also did not clarify whether the crew member was killed or injured. The Omani Coast Guard was assisting the remaining crew, while authorities launched an investigation. The incident comes amid concerns over possible oil pollution in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters from vessels damaged while attempting to cross the strait. No environmental damage was reported in Tuesday’s attack, according to the UKMTO. Iran effectively shut down traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial global energy route that handled around one-fifth of the world’s traded oil before the war — after Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. The United States is also maintaining a blockade of Iranian shipping through the waterway. With U.S.-Iran negotiations stalled, Tehran has been holding separate discussions with Oman over a mechanism to regulate maritime traffic through the strait. Iran said Monday that the details of a joint statement with Oman were being finalized. U.S. President Donald Trump reacted angrily to the development and reportedly warned Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst in a phone interview that Washington could bomb Oman if it “gets in the way.” Erdogan urges Trump to pursue diplomacyTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to continue pursuing a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Iran. The two leaders spoke by phone late Monday as a 60-day period for reaching a peace agreement between Washington and Tehran came to an end. There was no immediate indication that the negotiating period would be extended, while the two sides appeared to remain far apart. “President Erdogan said it is important to make maximum use of diplomacy amid tensions between Iran and the United States,” Turkey’s presidential communications office said in a statement. He also expressed hope that negotiations would continue and reaffirmed Turkey’s support for peace efforts. Erdogan also raised concerns about intensified Israeli actions against Palestinians as efforts continue to advance the second phase of the Gaza agreement, according to the statement. Turkey, which is a NATO member and shares a border with Iran, signed a joint defense agreement earlier this month with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The agreement states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be considered an attack against all three. Trump welcomed the agreement, saying it demonstrated that Middle Eastern countries were moving closer together and strengthening their ability to defend themselves. During his conversation with Trump, Erdogan said the agreement represented a firm commitment to regional security and stability.   

Four newly appointed members of the BNP’s National Standing Committee on Tuesday pledged to work to strengthen Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s hands and help implement the party’s election manifesto. They made the pledge after paying tribute to Shaheed President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the party's longest-serving chairperson, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Tuesday morning. Newly appointed Standing Committee member Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the present government would build the country based on the BNP’s political philosophy. “We are saying this with a little apprehension and joy. We hope that we will try to discharge the responsibility entrusted to us with sincerity. That is why there is both some apprehension and some joy among the four of us. Will we be able to properly discharge our responsibilities?” he said. Rizvi said all four of them had begun their political journeys from their student days and directly from student politics. He said they would perform their responsibilities in the party’s highest policymaking forum while upholding the party’s ideology and philosophy. “We will play our roles so that the party can be organised, strengthened and taken forward,” he said. Rizvi said the government had completed six months in office and is working swiftly to fulfil the commitments made before the election. Amanullah Aman, who also earned entry into the Standing Committee, said they would build a bridge between the party and the people as well as between the government and the people. “Tarique Rahman and the people’s efforts have restored voting rights and freed the country from fascism,” he said. Aman said they would continue working sincerely with the people while supporting the government. “We have pledged that, under the leadership of our Prime Minister, we will implement all his announced programmes, at any cost and through any sacrifice,” he said. He said the government and the prime minister are working to gain the people’s trust and that they would take forward the trust developed among the party, government and people with full responsibility. Another new Standing Committee member Farhad Halim Doner said Ziaur Rahman’s son Tarique Rahman is moving ahead with greater speed than his father had done during his three years in office. “Every commitment he made in the election manifesto has already begun to be implemented. After a new government takes office, it normally takes two or three months to set everything up,” he said. He said their responsibility now was to take those programmes forward. The other entrant into the party's highest policymaking body, Ismail Zabiullah, said the BNP was the bearer of a long political tradition and that they would successfully fulfil the responsibility entrusted to them. He said the government had already started implementing the election manifesto. “If we remain united, we will be able to reach our goal,” he said. BNP leaders Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel and Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, along with leaders and activists of different BNP-affiliated organisations, were also present. The four leaders were appointed members of the BNP’s National Standing Committee on August 15.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman reached Qatar on Tuesday as part of a two-day official visit to discuss bilateral issues including cooperation in the energy sector. He left Dhaka early Tuesday morning with a high-level government delegation. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir are among the delegation members, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the visit, the high-level Bangladesh delegation is expected to hold official engagements in Qatar and discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. The Foreign Minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka on the night of August 19.

‘Pink Bus’ , a special women-only bus service, has been launched in the capital to ensure safer and more comfortable public transport for women. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam inaugurated the service at Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) Tejgaon bus depot on Tuesday afternoon. The buses, driven and operated by women drivers and conductors , will operate from this afternoon subject to passenger demand.  

Four newly appointed members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) highest policymaking body, the National Standing Committee, on Tuesday paid tribute at the graves of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. They placed floral wreaths at the graves beside the National Parliament complex in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital in the morning. The four new members of the National Standing Committee are Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, Md Amanullah Aman, Dr Farhad Halim Doner and Md Ismail Zabiullah. After paying tribute, a special prayer was offered seeking the forgiveness of the souls of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Leaders and activists of different BNP-affiliated organisations were also present.      

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rain across all eight divisions in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Tuesday.   According to the BMD forecast light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions and at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and  Dhaka divisions. The Met Office also predicted moderately heavy to heavy falls at places across the country. Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged across the country, the forecast said.

Police have detained eight Rohingyas and four suspected members of a human trafficking group while they were allegedly being taken to India through the Kanaighat border in Sylhet. They were detained around 3pm Monday with the help of local residents from Kuorer Mati area under Dighirpar union of Kanaighat upazila. The four suspected traffickers were identified as Asad Ahmed of Eraligul village and Saddam Hossain of Barakher village in Kanaighat, Rafiq Ahmed of Shantiganj upazila in Sunamganj, and Elach Uddin of Netrakona. The eight Rohingyas were identified as Enayet Hossain, Abdul Mubin, Zuber Ahmed, Ajida Begum, Jamila Begum, Fatema Bibi, Nur Fatema and Ajida. They are all residents of the Kutupalong Rohingya camp in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar. Police and local residents said the Rohingyas were brought from the Kadamtali area of Sylhet city to Kanaighat in two CNG-run auto-rickshaws. The group allegedly planned to take them to India through the Dona border. A boat had also been kept ready at the Kuorer Mati Batar Bazar area on the Surma River for the operation, according to the sources. Frequent phone calls between the suspected traffickers and the boatman raised suspicion among local residents as the group was delayed in reaching the area. Locals subsequently stopped the two auto-rickshaws in front of Kuorer Mati Madrasa and questioned the occupants, uncovering the alleged trafficking plan. They later informed police, who reached the spot and detained all 12 people. Kanaighat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam said the detained Rohingyas had allegedly left the Kutupalong camp and were attempting to cross the border. Legal proceedings against the detainees are underway, he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday called for widening Bangladesh’s tax net rather than burdening existing taxpayers, stressing that a modern, digital data-driven and people-friendly revenue administration is essential for sustainable revenue growth. Addressing the Revenue Conference 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital, he also said the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains low compared to its potential, while the tax base is still relatively narrow and a limited number of regular taxpayers bear much of the burden. “Repeatedly increasing the tax burden on the same taxpayers is not a sustainable policy for increasing revenue,” the Prime Minister said, stressing the need to identify people capable of paying taxes and bring them under the tax net through appropriate measures. For this purpose, he said, there is no alternative to building a modern, digital and data-based tax administration. Tarique Rahman said the government wants to transform the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the country’s overall revenue structure into a people-friendly system where taxpayers will not fear the institution but trust it. “After the period of fascism, it is now time for us to turn around — in other words, it is time for Bangladesh to turn around. The people of the country expect the NBR to be a reliable and trustworthy institution. Taxpayers, in particular, want to see the NBR as an institution they can trust,” he said. The Prime Minister said it is possible to earn public confidence through efficient and sustainable revenue management.  “You must take the necessary steps to meet the expectations of taxpayers. The present government wants to transform the NBR and the overall revenue structure into a people-friendly system.” He also called for building a “strong revenue system” in the country in the interest of a prosperous Bangladesh. “We all need patriotism and sincerity. Let us work together to build a strong revenue system…I wish success to this revenue conference with the expectation of a more prosperous, more investment-friendly and more business-friendly revenue management system,” Tarique Rahman said. Expressing his expectations from revenue officials, he said the country’s revenue collection showed a positive trend from the middle of February to the end of June. “I want to speak of a hope, a possibility and an expectation. Revenue collection remained positive from the middle of February until the end of June,” the Prime Minister said. “This proves that you can do it. You are the ones who can do it, and you certainly will be able to do it, Insha-Allah,” he said. The Revenue Conference-2026 was jointly organised by the Internal Resources Division of the Ministry of Finance and the NBR. At the conference, officials from the income tax, value-added tax (VAT) and customs wings presented their respective action plans. A presentation was also made on revenue and tax management. Customs and tax officials from the field level shared their experiences and challenges and placed their views on addressing the problems they face in revenue collection and tax administration. The Prime Minister listened attentively to their views and gave necessary directives. He said the success of the NBR’s activities is closely linked to the government’s ability to formulate and implement development plans. “This is why I do not see today’s conference as an ordinary conference,” Tarique Rahman said, expressing hope that it will provide direction for greater success in the future. He said Bangladesh has inherited a fragile economy and that, like other state institutions, the revenue administration has also been affected by the legacy of the past. Ignoring NBR rules and policies, favouring individuals or groups for personal or political interests, showing hostility towards others and arbitrary practices in revenue collection have raised questions about the institution and contributed to a loss of public confidence, the Prime Minister said. He said the time has now come for Bangladesh to rebuild and move forward. Tarique Rahman said the objective of a modern tax system should not be limited to collecting more revenue but should also focus on encouraging a larger number of people to pay taxes voluntarily. He said regular taxpayers should be respected by the state, while those who deliberately avoid paying taxes should be brought into the system and encouraged to comply. The tax administration and tax payment process, the Prime Minister said, must be simplified and freed from corruption and harassment so that people feel comfortable paying taxes voluntarily. He also stressed the need to strengthen trust between taxpayers and the revenue administration. “Customs, VAT or tax collection is not only a matter of enforcement,” Tarique Rahman said, adding that revenue mobilisation becomes easier when taxpayers have confidence in the system. He said rapid changes in the global economy, technological advancement and evolving patterns of international trade and business have created new opportunities as well as challenges for revenue administration. The Prime Minister said revenue officials now need to acquire multidimensional skills and have clear knowledge of areas such as the digital economy, e-commerce, transfer pricing, international taxation, trade finance, financial crime, money laundering and artificial intelligence. He said the NBR must adapt to these changes to effectively address the challenges and opportunities of the changing global economy. Tarique Rahman also said VAT is an important source of revenue in a modern economy, but its effectiveness depends on proper implementation. He urged the authorities to ensure that complexities in VAT administration do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade and business. Referring to a “regrettable incident” involving the department during the tenure of the interim government, the Prime Minister called on all concerned to avoid any form of disorder and work together to resolve problems through discussion. He said the government wants to move forward by taking everyone along and values the contribution of every individual to nation-building. “We want those who are working in government to be able to work safely and comfortably for building the country,” Tarique Rahman said. The government will take necessary measures, if required, to ensure a stable and comfortable working environment and prevent such incidents in the future, he added. Later, the Prime Minister visited various stalls showcasing revenue collection activities, tax administration and initiatives to expand the tax base. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and acting NBR Chairman Ahsan Habib, among others, addressed the programme.

Police arrested a suspected shooter, identified as Alamin Howlader alias “Shooter Belu,” along with a locally made pipe gun and three rounds of shotgun ammunition in Khulna. Police arrested him during a raid on a house in the Mirzapur area around 2:30 am Tuesday. Belu, son of Akbar Howlader, is a resident of East Baniakhammar area in the city. Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station Md Shafiqul Islam said police launched the raid after receiving information that Belu had been staying at Amena Manzil in the Boro Mirzapur area for the past three days. Police subsequently recovered a locally made pipe gun and three rounds of shotgun ammunition from his possession, he said. During preliminary interrogation, Belu reportedly told police that he carried out various criminal activities in exchange for money. Police said Belu is a member of the “B Company” of notorious Khulna criminal Grenade Babu. Police have found two cases against him with Khulna police stations and another case with Shahbagh Police Station in Dhaka. A case is being prepared against him over the recovery of the firearm and ammunition, the OC said.

Four young men were killed in two separate road accidents in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj on Tuesday. The deceased were Habibur Rahman, 20, son of Sadiqul Islam, Abul Hayat, 35, son of Zamir Uddin, both from Baliadighi village; Asad, 19, son of Erfan Ali, and Jaber Ali, 19, son of Zafar Ali, from the Shekhtola area of the upazila. The accidents occurred on the Chapainawabganj-Sonamasjid highway in Muslimpur and Kansat areas in the early morning and afternoon. Asad and Jaber were killed when a truck crashed into their motorcycle in the Kansat area around 1:15pm, Inspector Anisur Rahman of Shibganj Police Station said. Asad died on the spot, while Jaber was critically injured and taken to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex by locals, where doctors declared him dead. Earlier, around 5:15am, Habibur and Abul Hayat were killed when their motorcycle lost control and fell beneath an under-construction culvert in the Muslimpur area. According to Sub-Inspector Khokon Chandra of Shibganj Police Station, the two men were returning to their home in Baliadighi from Kansat on the motorcycle when the accident occurred. Passersby and locals rescued them and took them to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared both dead.

Bangladesh on Tuesday conveyed its concerns to Myanmar and pointed out that Rohingyas are not ‘Bengalis’ as they have their own ethnic identities accepted by the Myanmar authority until recently. Director General (Myanmar wing) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md. Toufiq-ur-Rahman conveyed Dhaka's concerns to Ambassador Kyaw Soe Moe of Myanmar at the Ministry. Referring to the latest press statement issued by the Myanmar Foreign Ministry on the Rohingya matter (dated 15 August), the DG mentioned that many elements of the statement are based on erroneous statistics including the number of the displaced Rohingya population. Their data registered under the UN system reflects their accurate numbers. The DG also requested the Ambassador on expediting the verification process of the displaced Rohingyas based on agreed bilateral instruments including taking into account of the children born in the camps, and the new arrivals, forced to leave Rakhine after 2017. Bangladesh is in the process of registering them and the information of Rohingyas after the caseload of 828,824 would be shared with the Myanmar authorities in due course. The DG requested to duly reflect these added information in the verification exercise. Ambassador Soe Moe assured to convey Bangladesh’s concerns and observations to his capital and expressed his government’s commitment to expedite the verification process to begin the repatriation of the verified Rohingyas. The DG reiterated that the only sustainable solution of the crisis lies in safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas to Rakhine. The United Council of Rohingya (UCR) has already categorically rejected and condemned the “misleading” press statement issued by the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 15. This statement is a calculated attempt to rewrite history, whitewash state-sponsored crimes, and evade the international community's calls for accountability, said the UCR in a statement. Myanmar said Bangladesh sent 828,824 names of internally displaced persons to Myanmar, and as of 31st July, 2026, 426,545 names have been verified. The verification found 308,797 people with evidence of having lived in Rakhine State, 4,241 who had committed acts of terrorism, and 113,507 people with no evidence of having lived in Rakhine State, Myanmar claimed. “Therefore, based on these figures, we are concerned about the accusations that all those living in Bangladeshi camps are from Myanmar. Similarly, we strongly object to the accusations that boat refugees and those arriving in other countries under ethnic names that do not exist in Myanmar are from Myanmar," Myanmar said. The UCR categorically rejected and condemned the misleading press statement. “We address the Government of Myanmar's fallacies point by point: On Our Identity: We are Rohingya, not "Bengalis". Myanmar's continued refusal to acknowledge our ethnic identity is the root cause of our persecution. The term "Bengali" is a weapon of erasure. We are the indigenous Rohingya people of Rakhine State, with a documented history and culture spanning centuries and Myanmar government recognized the Rohingya as an indigenous ethnic minority of Myanmar.. We demand the world to restore our identity as Rohingya, and we reject any nomenclature designed to deny our existence and our rights to citizenship,” said the UCR. The Myanmar government cynically blames the ARSA group for their plight. This is a complete inversion of reality, UCR said. The Tatmadaw's "clearance operations" in 2016 and 2017 were a systematic campaign of Genocide, ethnic cleansing, meticulously documented by the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission. "These operations involved the mass rape of women, the torching of over 300 villages, and the summary execution of entire families. The isolated ARSA attacks were a desperate reaction to decades of apartheid, not the cause of our forced exodus. Myanmar's claim that their military acted in "defensive response" is an insult to the memory of the thousands massacred." The UCR rejected the figures cited by Myanmar. The statement claims 540,000 Bengalis fled to Bangladesh. In reality, over 700,000 Rohingya fled across the border in a matter of weeks during the 2017 genocide, joining over 200,000 who had fled earlier waves of persecution in 1991-1992. The claim that over 200,000 people still reside in Rakhine state is deeply misleading; these individuals are effectively interned in camps, denied freedom of movement, and stripped of all basic rights, said the UCR. The international community and the UN have unequivocally stated that over one million Rohingya are now displaced, and the Myanmar government cannot dispute verified UN statistics. They said Myanmar's verification process is a sham. Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, does not recognise the Rohingya as one of the country’s 135 lawful ethnic minorities, instead referring to them as Bengalis to imply they are natives from Bangladesh and are illegally settled in Myanmar. Myanmar said it will continue working with Bangladesh to receive verified former residents when the security situation in Rakhine becomes more stable. The Myanmar ministry also rejected claims that more than 1 million people were displaced from Rakhine, saying that more than 540,000 people crossed into Bangladesh after the violence in 2017 while more than 200,000 remained in northern Rakhine. Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed to a two-year repatriation process in 2018. However, security in Myanmar worsened following an army takeover in 2021 that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering widespread armed resistance. Plans to repatriate the refugees have not succeeded. The renewed chaos brought about by fighting between the Rakhine-based ethnic Arakan Army group and the military over control of the region in 2023 forced more refugees to flee toward Bangladesh and elsewhere in a desperate move to save their lives. The Arakan Army controls much of Rakhine after capturing territory from the military in recent years.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday inaugurated the Revenue Conference 2026, the second such event in the country, aimed at strengthening revenue collection and expanding the tax net. The conference is being held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital and was organised by the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The Prime Minister inaugurated the conference and later visited various stalls showcasing revenue collection activities, tax administration and initiatives to expand the tax base. A video documentary titled “We Will Pay Taxes and Build the Country” was screened at the opening session. The programme was chaired by acting NBR Chairman Ahsan Habib, who also moderated an exchange of views between the Prime Minister and officials from different departments. During the discussion, officials shared their experiences and the challenges they face in revenue collection. Taking part in the discussion, Tarique Rahman called on NBR officials to put past differences behind them and work together with honesty, efficiency and dedication for the country’s progress. He stated that the government aims to move forward through collective efforts and is committed to creating an environment that fosters honest and capable officials to contribute more effectively. Acknowledging the challenges and needs of NBR officials, the Prime Minister said the government will give due consideration to their legitimate demands while also ensuring the prudent use of taxpayers’ money. He urged all concerned to properly perform their respective duties and work together to bring about positive change in the country. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and acting NBR Chairman Ahsan Habib, among others, addressed the programme. The conference is the second of its kind in Bangladesh. The NBR first organised a revenue conference in 2023, featuring seminars on income tax, value-added tax and customs, information booths and a revenue museum highlighting the history of the country’s revenue administration.   This year’s event is aimed at presenting the NBR’s activities, revenue collection procedures and reform initiatives to taxpayers and businesses, while also focusing on improving transparency and accountability in the revenue system. Officials said the conference will provide an opportunity to discuss strategies for increasing revenue mobilisation and broadening the tax net. Separate divisions dealing with income tax, value-added tax (VAT) and customs are expected to present their respective work plans and priorities. About 1,500 guests participated in the conference, including senior government officials and representatives from the economic, revenue and trade sectors, as well as experts. The event also marked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first direct engagement with NBR officials during his tenure, providing him an opportunity to learn about the revenue authority’s field-level operations, processes and challenges, according to officials.

A museum exhibition in east China’s Anhui Province is offering visitors a different perspective on the country’s ancient civilization by highlighting its long history of astronomical observation and scientific exploration. Rather than focusing mainly on traditional treasures such as porcelain, calligraphy and ritual vessels, the exhibition features jade cosmological diagrams, ancient star charts and bronze astronomical instruments created by Chinese scholars centuries ago. Titled “Heavenly Questions: The Cosmological Vision of Chinese Civilization,” the exhibition at the Anhui Museum brings together nearly 300 artifacts from 48 institutions across China. It is one of the country’s rare exhibitions dedicated specifically to presenting ancient Chinese views of the universe through cultural relics. Since opening in July, the exhibition has attracted around 350,000 visitors, many drawn by the astronomical instruments once used to observe, measure and understand the cosmos. Among the main attractions is a jade slab dating back 5,800 to 5,300 years and roughly the size of a smartphone. Eight arrows at its center represent the eight directions, while arrows at the four corners appear to correspond with sunrise and sunset positions during the winter and summer solstices. The cosmological diagram may predate Britain’s Stonehenge. Other notable exhibits include China’s oldest equatorial astronomical instrument, a disk bearing the 28 lunar star mansions discovered in the tomb of a marquis dating to 165 BC, and a bronze water clock from the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-25 AD), the earliest dated water clock ever discovered. The exhibition also features a rubbing of a Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) stone-carved astronomical chart showing more than 1,400 stars. It remains the oldest known all-sky map based on actual astronomical observations. “These ‘hardcore creations’ in ancient astronomy laid the technological foundation for studying the laws of celestial motion,” said Meng Qian, director of the museum’s research department. The exhibition concludes by connecting ancient astronomical achievements with China’s modern space program. Ancient instruments, including globes and gnomons, are displayed alongside models of modern spacecraft such as the Yutu lunar rover and lunar soil samples collected by the Chang’e-6 mission in 2024. Many of China’s major space missions also carry names rooted in ancient Chinese mythology and culture. The country’s lunar exploration program is named after Chang’e, the legendary goddess of the moon. The Mars rover Zhurong takes its name from an ancient fire god, while the space-survey telescope Mozi is named after the philosopher credited with some of China’s earliest optical experiments. The exhibition takes its title from “Tianwen,” or “Heavenly Questions,” an epic poem written more than 2,000 years ago by patriotic poet Qu Yuan. China’s Mars exploration program also carries the name Tianwen. “This exhibition lets ancient astronomy and modern space exploration illuminate and interpret each other,” said Shi Yunli, a professor at the University of Science and Technology of China and an adviser to the exhibition. “When visitors stand between the folded bronze gnomon and the Yutu rover, they see not just two objects on display, but they see a 5,000-year chain of quest,” Shi said. The exhibition will continue through mid-October as China’s space exploration program moves toward new milestones. “We hope this exhibition will let visitors look back at the early lights of our culture, and also see the way forward,” Meng said.

State-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines has floated a fresh Request for Proposal (RFP) to dry lease three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for six years after failing to secure the aircraft under a previous tender. According to Biman sources, the response for the first Request for Proposal (RFP) is poor that pushed the national flag carrier to float the fresh one. Biman issued the new RFP on Aug 10, setting the deadline for submission of proposals at 10:00am BST (0400 GMT) on Aug 25, according to the airline’s Corporate Planning Department. The national flag carrier had floated the previous tender on July 15, with a submission deadline of Aug 9. Under the new RFP, Biman seeks three Boeing 787-9 aircraft for a 72-month lease, with immediate induction preferred and delivery by Jan 1, 2027. Aircraft offered for delivery up to Feb 28, 2027, will also be considered during the technical evaluation. A dry lease means the lessor provides the aircraft while the airline assumes responsibility for its operation, including pilots, cabin crew, maintenance and insurance. Biman has specified that the aircraft must not be more than 15 years old as of June 30, 2027, and should be powered by GEnx-1B74/75 engines with a maximum take-off weight of 254, 000 kg. Preference will be given to sister-ship aircraft offered by the same lessor. Each aircraft must have a two-class configuration with more than 300 seats, including 180-degree full-flat Business Class seats and at least 31-inch seat pitch in Economy Class. All seats must be new, it said. The aircraft must be delivered in fully operational condition with valid Certificates of Airworthiness and Registration and immediately after a fresh C-check. Biman also stipulated that major scheduled maintenance, including heavy maintenance checks and landing gear overhauls, should not become due within the first 24 months of the lease. The aircraft must be painted in Biman’s official livery at the lessor’s expense and based at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. The RFP also specifies advanced avionics and safety systems, including Engine Health Monitoring, Aircraft Health Monitoring, Flight Data Monitoring, upgraded flight recorders, TCAS Version 7.1, ACARS, Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems, satellite communications and GPS/GNSS navigation. The aircraft must comply with applicable FAA, EASA and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh regulations. Biman expects each aircraft to operate around 4,000 flight hours annually. Financial proposals must separately quote monthly lease rentals, maintenance reserves for major components and security deposits. The evaluation will give 25 percent weight to technical criteria and 75 percent to financial viability, based on the Net Present Value of cash flows over the 72-month lease period. Technically responsive bidders will subsequently enter into negotiations with Biman in Dhaka. Biman has reserved the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without assigning any reason. The airline currently has 19 aircraft in its fleet, comprising four Boeing 777-300ERs, four Boeing 787-8s, two Boeing 787-9s, four Boeing 737s and five Dash 8-400s. Biman began modernising its fleet with new-generation aircraft after signing agreements with Boeing in April and May 2008 to purchase four 777-300ERs, four 787-8s and two 737-800s. The four 777-300ERs joined the fleet between October 2011 and March 2014, while the 737-800s were inducted in 2015 and 2019. Four Boeing 787-8s were added between 2018 and 2019. Biman also acquired three Dash 8 aircraft under a government-to-government agreement between Bangladesh and Canada. The aircraft joined the fleet in December 2020, February 2021 and March 2021.

China is drawing on its nationwide capabilities to develop a locally tailored yet nationally coordinated artificial intelligence industry, aiming to accelerate the commercial application of AI and create new economic momentum. The latest economic data from 31 provincial-level regions shows rapidly growing demand for AI terminal applications, alongside a tiered development pattern based on the strengths and resources of individual regions. “The driving role of the AI wave is becoming increasingly pronounced in emerging industries such as integrated circuits and industrial robots across regions,” said Xiao Hongwei, a researcher at the State Information Center under the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planning agency. “AI is accelerating its transformation from a technical concept into tangible productivity gains in China,” Xiao said. First-tier ai hubs China’s intelligent computing capacity reached 2,185 EFLOPS by the end of June, up 177 percent year on year, reflecting the rapid expansion of the country’s AI infrastructure. The nationwide utilization rate of computing facilities stood at 71.4 percent, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. EFLOPS, or exaFLOPS, is a measure of computing performance, with one unit representing 1 quintillion floating-point operations per second. Xiao said regions across China are developing their AI sectors according to local conditions and leveraging their respective strengths, resulting in a pattern of complementary advantages and coordinated development. “Benefiting from their strengths in technology, talent and industrial chains, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong Province are taking the lead in developing indigenous AI industrial ecosystems while continuing to advance the full industrial chain in areas such as integrated circuit manufacturing and industrial robots,” he said. All three regions have identified “global AI competitiveness” as a goal in their five-year plans for 2026-2030, seeking leadership in AI technology, industrial ecosystems and application scenarios. Beijing is working to establish itself as a global AI innovation hub. As of July 23, the capital had completed filings for 259 large models and registrations for 195 AI products, including general-purpose large models, industry-specific models and on-device mobile models, according to the municipal cyberspace administration. By the end of June, 169 large AI models in Shanghai had received filing approval. The city’s 394 above-scale AI enterprises generated more than 637 billion yuan ($93.85 billion) in industrial output in 2025. In Guangdong, the core AI industry exceeded 300 billion yuan in scale last year. Diversified tracks with unique advantages Other regions are also using their distinctive resources to develop specialized AI sectors and pursue differentiated growth paths. East China’s Anhui Province is stepping up efforts in the AI chip industry and has achieved a series of breakthroughs. Nexchip, the province’s first 12-inch wafer foundry, debuted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in July, giving it dual listings in Hong Kong and on the A-share market. Its fourth-phase project, involving an investment of 35.5 billion yuan, is scheduled to begin production in the fourth quarter of this year. ChangXin Memory Technologies, a memory chipmaker based in Hefei, the capital of Anhui, also went public in late July and became the most valuable company on China’s A-share market. Central China’s Hubei Province is leveraging its strong optoelectronics sector. Its capital, Wuhan, is home to the Optics Valley of China, and the province has built a globally competitive full industrial chain covering optical communications, chips, displays, terminals and networks to meet growing demand for AI computing power. Henan Province, traditionally a major transportation hub, is using AI to transform itself from a “railway heart” into a “computing power hub.” In April, the country’s largest scientific intelligent computing cluster began operations at the national supercomputing network’s core node in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan. The project marked a major advance in China’s computing infrastructure for AI-driven scientific research and industrial applications. Meanwhile, regions including Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Guizhou are leveraging their abundant clean energy resources to develop intelligent computing centers. Computing center in the mountains Located in the Wuling Mountains in Lichuan City, Hubei Province, the Lichuan AI Computing Center demonstrates how geographical and natural advantages, including a cool climate and clean air, can support AI development. Although Lichuan lacks abundant scientific and educational resources, its relatively cool weather and rich hydropower resources make it a suitable location for a computing center with comparatively low electricity costs. The facility houses rows of black server cabinets, each about two meters high, with rapidly flashing indicator lights. It provides around 150 PFLOPS of computing power, with utilization exceeding 80 percent. PFLOPS, or petaflops, measures computing speed for AI and data-intensive applications, with one PFLOP equivalent to 1 quadrillion calculations per second. The center’s services now support sectors including culture and tourism, government affairs and aerospace information. In Liangwu Township of Lichuan, GEOVIS Raywin Technology Co. Ltd. has established a satellite ground receiving station that can directly access computing resources from the nearby AI center to process satellite data in real time. “The site is surrounded by mountains yet offers expansive views, with a pristine electromagnetic environment and a mild, stable climate. These natural endowments make it an ideal location,” said Gao Kui, the company’s general manager of operations. He said the station’s proximity to the computing center also improves operational efficiency and convenience while reducing costs. Beyond meeting external demand for computing power, the center’s surplus capacity is supporting local industries. More than 20 million tourists visit Lichuan each year for summer retreats and wellness, generating huge amounts of data related to accommodation, food, transportation, sightseeing, shopping and entertainment. These data have supported the development of a domestic large language model for culture and tourism services, improving visitors’ experiences through AI-powered smart guides and other services. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, working with other government departments, has been promoting the development of high-quality computing infrastructure. It is accelerating the coordinated deployment of hub, regional and edge computing facilities while building a national integrated automated monitoring system to track computing power and its use.

Spain captain Rodri arrived in Barcelona on Monday to complete his move from Manchester City, saying it was a dream for him to play for the Catalan club. The 30-year-old midfielder is expected to undergo a medical examination Tuesday as Barcelona and Manchester City exchange the necessary documents to finalize the transfer. Barcelona have agreed to pay 76.5 million euros ($88.5 million) for Rodri, according to a person familiar with the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the transfer details have not been officially disclosed. “Very happy to arrive. There have been some very intense days, but I’m happy that everything has been resolved,” Rodri briefly told reporters. “For me it’s a dream to play for Barcelona. I’m excited about being with my teammates, many of them I already know. Now it’s time to get to work and give my best,” he said. Rodri helped Spain win its second World Cup title last month and will reunite with international teammates Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi and Pedri at Barcelona. He was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. Rodri had one year remaining on his Manchester City contract, while his reported agreement with Barcelona will run through 2030. Real Madrid had also reportedly shown interest in signing Rodri, who has previously spoken highly of Barcelona’s La Liga rival. Barcelona, coached by Hansi Flick and aiming for a third consecutive La Liga title, have already strengthened their squad with England forward Anthony Gordon. He is expected to help offset the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, who scored the extra-time winner for Spain in the World Cup final against Argentina. The club is also expected to sign defender João Cancelo in the coming days. Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019. He scored the winning goal in City’s Champions League final victory over Inter Milan in 2023 and won the Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player the following year after helping Spain win the European Championship. His departure will further weaken Manchester City’s midfield following Bernardo Silva’s move to Real Madrid this offseason. Rodri did not feature in City’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday as he continues to recover from minor back surgery he underwent following the World Cup.

The government has appointed Justice AKM Asaduzzaman as chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and two others as commissioners. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification in this regard on Monday, in accordance with Section 6(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004. The two commissioners are Dr Jahangir Alam Khan and Dr Md Sazzad Hossain Bhuiyan. The notification said Justice AKM Asaduzzaman has been appointed chairman of the ACC under Section 5(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004. Under Section 13 of the Act, the salary, allowances and other benefits and privileges of the ACC chairman have been determined at the level of a judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. The salary, allowances and other benefits and privileges of the two commissioners have been determined at the level of a judge of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, it said. The appointments will take effect immediately, according to the notification.

A 60-day deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for ending the war with Iran and reaching an agreement on its nuclear program expired Monday, with the two sides appearing farther apart than when the agreement was signed. The deal, signed by Trump at Versailles in June, was intended to halt the conflict and pave the way for a permanent settlement. But negotiations have made little progress, focusing largely on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting a U.S. blockade on Iran, both of which were supposed to happen under the interim agreement. There has been no indication of a compromise over the strait or that substantive talks on Iran’s nuclear program have even begun. The United States also faces difficult choices over how to end the war it launched alongside Israel. Accepting Iran’s latest demands would effectively give Tehran control over a vital international waterway through which about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and gas passed before the war. Such a move could be viewed as an admission of defeat. Escalating the already unpopular conflict, meanwhile, could further deplete U.S. supplies of advanced missile interceptors, disrupt the global economy and push up fuel prices ahead of U.S. congressional elections. As a result, both sides have hardened their positions, apparently hoping the other will make the first concession. So far, neither has. Interim deal collapsed weeks later The June agreement, known as the Memorandum of Understanding, called for an end to all military operations and established a 60-day deadline for reaching a permanent agreement to end the war and settle the longstanding dispute over Iran’s nuclear activities. It also called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz while giving Iran a vaguely defined role in facilitating maritime traffic, leaving open the possibility that Tehran could impose fees after the 60-day period. Iran has cited that provision in asserting control over the waterway. A week after the agreement was signed, Iran began firing on vessels using a route along Oman’s coast on the opposite side of the strait. The route is monitored by the U.S. military and was intended to bypass Iranian control. The United States responded with strikes on Iran, which retaliated by attacking Arab countries hosting American forces, including Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain. Washington also canceled waivers under the agreement that had allowed Iran to sell oil internationally, while Trump reinstated a blockade of Iranian ports. Both sides accused each other of violating the June agreement, much of which has since fallen apart. The fighting eventually subsided. A related ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has largely held, although Israeli forces continue to occupy large parts of southern Lebanon. The June agreement had called for Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty to be protected. Iranian officials say they stopped direct negotiations with the United States in June, although they acknowledge that messages have continued to be exchanged through intermediaries. Trump, however, says talks have continued and has occasionally claimed progress after backing away from threats of major strikes. Pakistan, which played a key role in brokering the June agreement, pointed to Monday’s deadline last week while expressing hope that it could be extended. “We are not closing the chapter,” Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said. “Pakistan is making all-out efforts to bring the two parties to the negotiating table.” Iran seeks to force Trump to concede on strait Earlier this month, Iran issued demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including an end to the U.S. blockade, the withdrawal of American forces from around Iran and compensation for damage caused during the war launched by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28. Iran has also said it would retain control of the strait, and potentially impose fees, through an agreement it is negotiating with Oman. Tehran says the waterway will not return to the open, toll-free route it was before the war. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have begun attacking Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, threatening another important trade route that had helped ease pressure caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has rejected Iran’s demands, saying Tehran should instead pay war reparations and claiming that the United States controls the strait. He appears to be relying on economic pressure, including the blockade and long-standing sanctions, to force Iran’s leadership to back down. Iran’s economy has been severely affected by the war and international isolation, while inflation has surged. The worsening crisis could fuel renewed anti-government protests similar to those that were violently suppressed in January. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz increased immediately after the interim agreement but has since fallen to a small fraction of prewar levels. Fuel and other commodity prices are expected to rise further the longer the disruption continues, with consequences extending well beyond the Middle East. The pressure remains on both sides as the diplomatic clock continues to run.

Dhaka ranked 4th among the world’s cities with the worst air quality on Tuesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 126 at 9:10 am.  According to the AQI scale, the city's air quality was classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”, poses health risks to children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases, while the general public is mostly unaffected. Qatar’s Doha topped the global pollution list with an AQI score of 161, followed by Jakarta in the Indonesia with 156 and Kinshasa in DR Congo with 154. An AQI reading of 101 to 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, while 151 to 200 is classified as ‘unhealthy’. A reading between 201 and 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’, and anything above 301 is categorized as ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks. The AQI provides a daily indication of air quality by measuring the level of pollution and its potential impact on human health. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone. Dhaka has long faced serious air pollution problems, with air quality generally deteriorating during the winter months and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution contributes to around 7 million deaths worldwide every year, mainly from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Colombian superstar Shakira has pledged to help build at least 10 new schools in a remote and severely affected region of her home country following last week’s devastating earthquake that killed hundreds of people and damaged thousands of educational facilities across western Colombia. The globally acclaimed singer made the commitment Monday during a surprise visit to Quibdó, capital of the province of Chocó, where she toured damaged schools, hugged students and posed for photos with them. “What worries me the most is that schools are not rebuilt once this emergency is over,” Shakira told reporters. “Every day that children don’t go to school is a day they miss out on their future.” She was accompanied by Howard Buffett, son of billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett and a longtime donor to Colombia who has previously helped Shakira establish schools in the country. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation will work with Shakira’s Fundación Pies Descalzos, or Barefoot Foundation, on the project. “When she calls, I come,” Buffett said during the visit. Shakira also announced $500,000 commitments from Global Citizen and Live Nation to support the initiative. The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck a large part of western Colombia on Aug. 10, killing at least 287 people and destroying more than 26,000 homes, according to authorities. The government has reported 194 people missing, while other civilian-run databases put the number at more than 4,100. The quake’s epicenter was in Chocó, one of Colombia’s poorest regions. According to the latest report from the regional government Monday, at least 3,100 homes were destroyed and more than 265 educational facilities were affected. “It’s a place I love, a place where I’ve seen our students grow in our classrooms,” Shakira said in a video posted on X by Colombian news outlet La FM. Her foundation, which works to improve educational access for young people in Colombia, has operated in Chocó for 22 years and runs two schools from which hundreds of students have graduated, she said. “I really want to see it rebuild again,” she said. Aid organizations have faced difficulties assessing the full extent of the damage in Chocó, an area roughly the size of Switzerland where communications are challenging. The province has limited road connections with the rest of Colombia, while many towns and villages are accessible mainly by rivers and unpaved roads. About 600,000 people live in Chocó, most of them in poverty, according to figures released last year by Colombia’s national government. The province is largely home to Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. “There is not a way to alleviate the pain of so many, there are no magic solutions,” Shakira said during a visit to a large high school in Quibdó. “But what there is, is commitment to be here alongside those from Chocó, to not abandon El Chocó like it historically has been abandoned, until every Colombian and every person from Chocó can return to their normal lives like they deserve and all the children can return to their schools and dream of the futures they deserve,” she said. The Grammy-winning singer, known for hits including “Whenever, Wherever” and “La Tortura,” as well as the 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem “Dai Dai,” has long supported education initiatives. She told reporters Monday that she planned to devote all her “personal efforts” to rebuilding a local technological university in Chocó. Shakira, 49, has drawn significant attention to both her music and philanthropic causes. She headlined the halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in July and performed in May at Brazil’s Copacabana Beach before an estimated crowd of 2 million people. Following Venezuela’s twin earthquakes in June, Shakira announced that the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund would provide $500,000 for education recovery efforts there. Her latest pledge is among several commitments by prominent Colombians and other Latin American artists to support earthquake relief efforts in Colombia and Venezuela. On Sunday, Marc Anthony and Chayanne joined dozens of other artists at a benefit concert and live fundraiser in Miami for the two countries. Colombian singer Karol G pledged to match fan donations to her Con Cora Foundation during her three-night performances at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles last weekend. She is also scheduled to join Maluma, Sebastián Yatra and others at a benefit concert in Bogotá on Sunday. The Colombian Football Federation and South American Football Confederation jointly pledged $1 million last week to Colombian First Lady Ana Lucía Pineda’s “Colombia, one heart” recovery fund.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has been reelected for a second five-year term, the Electoral Commission of Zambia announced early Tuesday. Hichilema was declared the outright winner of last Thursday’s presidential election after securing 61.4% of the nearly 5 million votes cast, eliminating the need for a runoff. According to the commission, Hichilema received 2,965,326 votes, while his closest rival, opposition leader Brian Mundubile, secured 1,856,217 votes, or about 38% of the total. “I therefore declare, Hichilema Hakainde S, to be president-elect of the Republic of Zambia this 18th day of August, 2026,” commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said. In a statement Tuesday, Hichilema welcomed the results and thanked Zambians for giving him another term. He also extended a message to those who supported the opposition. “To those citizens who preferred the ideas presented by our opponents, we hear you, and we will continue to work for you to ensure that every Zambian benefits from the development we are delivering,” he said. There was no immediate reaction from Mundubile. Hichilema’s victory came after a closely watched election in which vote counting was suspended Friday and resumed several hours later under heightened security. The commission said some polling station officials had been attacked and ballot papers stolen. The government also confirmed that several prominent opposition figures were arrested on election night, with police accusing them of posing a threat to state security. Mundubile said police raided his home in what he described as an attempt on his life. The election was widely viewed as a test of Hichilema’s economic recovery efforts after Zambia, a copper-rich country, was plunged into a debt crisis in 2020. Hichilema was first elected in 2021 and oversaw the restructuring of the country’s sovereign debt while reducing inflation and helping stabilize the currency. International observers, including the European Union, said the election was largely peaceful but noted that the wider electoral process took place in an environment that restricted fundamental freedoms. “Late legal changes, legal uncertainty, and unequal campaign conditions distorted the playing field,” said Michael McNamara, head of the EU election observation mission. In a pastoral statement, the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops also raised concerns over the deployment of the army during the vote-counting process. “The maintenance of order during elections is constitutionally and statutorily the responsibility of the Zambia Police Service,” the bishops said.

Rows of plastic bottles and glass jars filled with vividly coloured fish line the courtyard of a home in Patuakhali town, creating an unusual sight in the neighbourhood. Red, blue, yellow and multicoloured bettas, mollies, guppies and swordtails dart through the water. Behind the colourful display is a young entrepreneur whose hobby has grown into a thriving business earning him more than Tk 100,000 a month. Meherab Emon started breeding ornamental fish in 2021, shortly after completing his studies. What began as a personal interest soon became a commercial venture, despite a difficult start in which most of his first fish died. Nowadays, his home-based farm in Kalatala area of Patuakhali municipality houses thousands of ornamental fish of different varieties. Emon's interest began during a visit to his sister's home in Dhaka, where he saw betta fish in different colours. Fascinated by them, he borrowed money from friends to buy his first five pairs and began breeding them. But the venture almost failed at the beginning. With little knowledge of fish care, Emon lost most of his initial stock. Instead of giving up, he turned to online videos and other sources to learn about water quality, feeding, temperature control and breeding. He then began conducting his own experiments. “At first, I knew very little about fish farming. I started with five pairs simply as a hobby, but many of the fish died,” Emon said. “I realised that keeping fish is not just about buying them. You have to understand everything from water quality and feeding to temperature and breeding. I started learning online and experimenting myself. Gradually, the mortality rate fell and production increased,” he said. A colourful business Emon's farm now produces several varieties, including fighter bettas, moon-tail mollies, rose-tail and feather-tail varieties, goldfish and half-moon bettas. It takes about four months for fish to grow from eggs to a size suitable for sale, he said. Depending on species and quality, a pair can fetch between Tk 500 and Tk 1,500. At wholesale rates, 100 fish can sell for around Tk 12,000 to Tk 13,000. Emon spends approximately Tk 10,000 to Tk 12,000 a month on fish feed. He produces a substantial portion of the feed himself, helping reduce costs while ensuring a steady supply. “The most important thing in ornamental fish farming is regular care. Water quality must be maintained, fish have to be fed on time and separate arrangements are needed during breeding,” he said. From Patuakhali to markets across Bangladesh Emon's customers are no longer limited to Patuakhali. Through online sales, he now receives orders from Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna, Bagerhat, Bogura and Rajshahi, among other places. The fish are transported alive to customers across the country through courier services, requiring careful packaging and handling. “Online sales have made the business much easier. Previously, I could only sell locally. Now customers from different parts of the country place orders online and I send the fish by courier,” Emon said. “However, shipping live fish requires great care in packaging and transportation.” The farm has also attracted customers of different ages, particularly children and teenagers. Twelve-year-old Hasan is among them. “I really like colourful fish. There are so many varieties and colours here, and they look beautiful. That's why I came to buy some,” he said. Hasan said his parents initially did not support his interest in keeping ornamental fish but later changed their minds after seeing him spend less time on his mobile phone and more time caring for the fish. Local customer Asaduzzaman Milon said residents previously had to travel outside Patuakhali to buy ornamental fish. “Now we can find different varieties in the town itself. I like Emons initiative, and the fish are good quality. I was also inspired by him to start keeping ornamental fish,” he said. Neighbour Monir Gazi said ornamental fish had become increasingly popular as a hobby. “If more such initiatives are developed locally, the growing demand can be met more easily. Ornamental fish farming could also help create employment opportunities for unemployed people,” he said. Family joins the venture Emon's father, Mofazzal Hossain, witnessed the struggles of the business from its earliest days. He recalled how almost all of the first fish died after his son borrowed money to purchase them. “We were worried when almost all the fish died at the beginning. But Emon did not give up. He kept trying and learning,” Mofazzal said. “Now he has become self-reliant. Emon's mother and I are also involved in the fish farm. The income from the business is now enough to support our family comfortably,” he said.

The Trump administration has temporarily halted construction of a controversial border wall project in Big Bend National Park in southern Texas while the head of the agency responsible for building the wall visits the area for an on-the-ground assessment. The project has drawn strong bipartisan opposition from critics who argue that the construction is damaging a pristine natural environment. They also say the rugged and remote terrain of the region already acts as a natural deterrent to migrants and smugglers. Rodney Scott, head of Customs and Border Protection, said on X that he was traveling to Texas to personally evaluate the project. “CBP is pausing all construction activity in Big Bend National Park while I visit and conduct a personal, on-the-ground evaluation,” Scott said. Congress approved $46 billion for the Trump administration last summer to build a border wall stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. The administration has moved quickly to expand construction, waiving numerous regulations in an effort to speed up the project. Scott has said he expects the first layer of the wall to be completed by the end of next year. However, the administration has faced strong opposition in Texas, particularly over planned construction in and around Big Bend National Park and a state park farther west.

A court in Chattogram on Monday sentenced three people to death for killing covered van driver Md Sajib, 27, and concealing his body in the city’s Pahartali area. The court also fined each of the convicts Tk 50,000. Judge Md Tajul Islam of the Fifth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Court of Chattogram pronounced the verdict around noon. The convicts are Md Nurul Amin of Baniachong in Habiganj, Md Shahjahan of Debidwar in Cumilla and Md Nurul Alam Tutul of Sadar upazila in Feni. Court Bench Assistant SM Kawsar Sagar confirmed the matter. Nurul Amin and Shahjahan are absconding, and the court issued arrest warrants against them. Tutul was sent to jail under a conviction warrant following the verdict. According to the case, police recovered the unidentified body of a man from an agricultural field of  Sekander on Oct 27, 2021. The field was located west of land acquired by the industrial police, beside the Toll Road in Pahartali. The body was later identified as Sajib, a resident of Chatkhil in Noakhali, through fingerprints and his national identity card. He went missing after leaving his home on Oct 17, 2021. When his body was recovered 10 days later, it bore injuries to the back of his head, chest and different parts of body. Police suspected that he had been beaten and stabbed. Police later arrested two of the accused, who reportedly confessed to killing Sajib in statements recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The court pronounced the verdict after recording statements of 21 witnesses out of 36 listed in the case. Under the law, the convicts will have seven days to appeal the verdict before the High Court.

A newspaper story can be accurate, well-sourced and informative, yet still leave readers with no clear idea of what to do next. That is one of the most important lessons emerging from a five-year study of cancer coverage in two major Bangladeshi newspapers. The study examined 257 cancer stories published online between February 2019 and February 2024 and found that fewer than half — 49 percent — contained what communication researchers call mobilising information (MI), or practical details that can help readers turn health awareness into action. The research was led by Anirudha Biswas of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida, who is also the corresponding author. His co-authors are Md. Akil Khan of the School of Media and Strategic Communications at Oklahoma State University, Khalid Ahammed of Khulna University, Sish Ahemmed of the Department of Political Science at Clemson University, and Shahariar Khan Nobel of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. The researchers analysed cancer stories published on the websites of Bangladesh Pratidin and Daily Sun, looking for information such as screening locations, contact details, prevention advice and links to further resources. The difference between the two newspapers was striking. Mobilising information appeared in 80.8 percent of Bangladesh Pratidin's cancer stories, compared with just 29.1 percent of Daily Sun's. Tactical information — the practical "how-to" guidance on prevention and screening — appeared in 61.9 percent of Bangladesh Pratidin stories, against 27 percent of Daily Sun stories. Contact details for doctors, clinics and campaign organisers, as well as information about screening locations and schedules, were also considerably more common in the Bengali-language newspaper. The disparity matters, but the more important question is what it says about health journalism in general. Newspapers do not merely tell people that a disease exists. At their best, they help people understand risks, recognise warning signs, find reliable services and make informed decisions. Cancer reporting, therefore, should not end with describing the seriousness of the disease or quoting experts about its dangers. A reader who learns about cancer but is not told where screening is available, whom to contact or what preventive measures can be taken has received information, but not necessarily assistance. This is particularly important in Bangladesh, where cancer care continues to face shortages of treatment facilities, equipment and specialists, while screening and specialised services remain unevenly distributed. Late diagnosis is also a persistent challenge. In such circumstances, reliable information can become an important part of the public-health response. Journalism cannot build hospitals or provide treatment, but it can help bridge an information gap that may prevent people from seeking care in time. The study also raises questions about the way cancer is covered. Only 257 stories from the two newspapers were included over five years, with coverage often concentrated around occasions such as World Cancer Day in February. That suggests an episodic, event-driven approach rather than sustained reporting on cancer as a continuing public-health issue. Awareness days have value. They draw attention to diseases that may otherwise receive limited public discussion. But cancer does not become a public-health concern only once a year. Prevention, early detection, treatment access, patients' experiences and health-system challenges require regular reporting. A sustained reporting beat could also allow journalists to follow up on issues that are often forgotten after the initial story — whether screening programmes are functioning, whether treatment facilities have the necessary equipment, whether patients can access services and whether government commitments are being implemented. The findings are even more significant because the study examined online newspaper stories. Digital journalism offers newsrooms tools that print journalism cannot easily provide. A story can directly link readers to hospitals, screening programmes, government services, credible medical organisations and other reliable resources. Yet interactive mobilising information - including hyperlinks, embedded resources, comment facilities or email contacts- appeared in only two of the 257 stories. Bangladesh Pratidin had none. This is a missed opportunity. Publishing health information online without connecting readers to practical resources means news organisations are using only part of the potential of digital journalism. A simple link to a recognised screening centre or government health service could make a story considerably more useful without requiring a major increase in reporting space. The researchers also found that stories focused on prevention, highly preventable cancers, environmental or occupational risks and educational information were more likely to contain mobilising information. Reports that included ordinary people, including patients and their families, also tended to provide more practical guidance than stories relying mainly on institutions and official sources. These findings offer useful direction for newsrooms. Health editors could introduce simple mobilising-information checklists for cancer stories. Reporters could routinely ask: What can readers do? Where can they go? Whom can they contact? What warning signs should they know? Is screening available, and where? What credible source can readers consult for further information? Such questions would not change the fundamental purpose of journalism. They would strengthen it. The difference between the two newspapers also deserves attention because they serve different audiences. Bangladesh Pratidin has a mass Bengali readership, while Daily Sun reaches a more concentrated English-speaking audience, including sections of the country's urban, professional and policy communities. Access to actionable health information, however, should not depend on the language of the newspaper a person reads. The study's limitations should also be recognised. It examined only two newspapers and cannot represent the entire Bangladeshi media landscape. The study period overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic, when health desks were heavily occupied with coronavirus coverage. Researchers also could not determine how individual readers encountered the stories or whether exposure to mobilising information actually changed their behaviour. Even so, the central message is difficult to ignore. Cancer journalism should move beyond simply telling readers that cancer is dangerous. It should help them understand what they can do about it. As Anirudha Biswas put it, "the key issue is not simply whether cancer is being covered, but whether that coverage gives people something they can actually do." Information about cancer risks or treatment is important, he said, but it becomes much more useful when readers are also told where they can seek screening, whom they can contact or what steps they can take. That should be a basic principle of health journalism. Newsrooms need not turn every cancer story into a medical guide. Nor should journalists prescribe treatments or replace qualified health professionals. Their responsibility is different: to provide accurate, understandable and useful information that enables readers to make informed choices. Cancer coverage should therefore be treated as a continuing public-service responsibility, not merely as an annual awareness exercise. The most successful health story is not necessarily the one that generates the greatest alarm. It may be the one that leaves a reader better informed, less confused and, most importantly, able to take the next appropriate step.