United News of Bangladesh

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says football fans across the world are eager to watch Lionel Messi play as the superstar prepares to make his 200th appearance for Argentina when the defending champions open their World Cup campaign against Algeria national football team on Tuesday. Scaloni, who shares roots in Argentina’s Santa Fe province with Messi, said the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains a global attraction whose influence extends far beyond Argentine supporters. “Not only Argentinians but people all over the world want to see him play,” Scaloni said. “Everyone wants to see him on the pitch because he has an impact on football fans everywhere.” Argentina will begin its title defence at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, with Messi expected to feature despite recently dealing with a minor hamstring problem. The 39-year-old forward appeared fully fit in Argentina’s final warm-up match against Iceland last week. Coming on as a second-half substitute, he scored from the penalty spot and completed his brief appearance without any issues. If selected as expected, Messi will reach the milestone of 200 international appearances against Algeria. “There’s nothing negative to say about him,” Scaloni said. “He’s always there for us and remains a key part of this team.” Messi's presence has generated huge excitement among fans in Kansas City ahead of the match. Tapash Chakraborty, owner of an engineering design company, was among supporters hoping to catch a glimpse of the Argentine squad before the game. “Messi is Messi,” he said. “He is the god of football.” Messi jerseys have become a common sight throughout the city, with fans wearing shirts from Argentina, his former club FC Barcelona and current club Inter Miami CF. Michelle Lemmon, who travelled from Missouri with her children to attend World Cup activities, described Messi as the world’s best player and said she was thrilled to have Argentina based in Kansas City during the tournament. She added that a dream final would see the United States face Argentina.   Many football fans believe the debate over the greatest player of all time often comes down to Messi and Brazilian legend Pelé. A successful World Cup title defence would add another remarkable achievement to Messi’s career. Only two countries have previously won consecutive World Cups: Italy in the 1930s and Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Argentina came close to repeating the feat four years ago after defeating France in a dramatic final in Qatar. Veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi said memories of Argentina’s triumph in Qatar continue to inspire the squad. “The whole country came together during that tournament,” Otamendi said. “Those memories stay with us and motivate us to keep pushing forward. We cannot relax. We have to keep working with humility.” Otamendi also praised Messi’s attitude, describing him as a humble person who remains fiercely competitive despite his achievements. “He focuses on training and always wants to win,” Otamendi said. “We want to support him and enjoy playing alongside him. When the match starts, the team must stay united and work together on the field.”

Luca Zidane, the 27-year-old son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, has switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria. The goalkeeper made the change with the hope of playing in a World Cup, much like his father. FIFA officially approved his switch on Friday and updated the information on Change of Association Platform’s website. The Algeria National Football Team also confirmed the news with an X (formerly Twitter) post. The post, which included a photo of Luca Zidane, welcomed him as a “New Desert Warrior.” Luca qualifies to represent Algeria through his paternal grandparents, who were from the Kabylie region of northern Algeria. He is the second of Zinedine Zidane’s four sons, all of whom came up through the Real Madrid academy. Luca won caps for France at various junior levels, including the under-20 team, but his hopes of representing the senior French team have diminished in recent seasons. He currently plays for Granada in Spain’s second division, while Mike Maignan has taken over the No. 1 spot for France from former captain Hugo Lloris. Espanyol eyes top spot as unbeaten side visits Real Madrid in La Liga clash With Luca’s addition, Algeria now has another option in its goalkeeping ranks. The team has used four keepers in the last year, including first-choice Alexis Guendouz, home-based Oussama Benbot, Anthony Mandrea of France’s third division, and Alexandre Oukidja, who plays in Serbia. Algeria is currently at the top of their World Cup qualifying group, four points ahead of second-place Uganda. They are expected to secure a spot in the 2026 finals in North America during their qualifier against Somalia next month. Luca’s Career Luca joined the Real Madrid academy at age six, where he stayed until he was 20. He played for the Real Madrid Castilla team and also made two appearances for the senior squad between 2017 and 2019. He had a loan spell with Racing Santander before permanently joining Rayo Vallecano, where he made further appearances in La Liga. He later played for Eibar in La Liga 2 before moving to Granada in July 2024.

Bangladesh and Algeria on Sunday emphasized expanding educational collaboration, strengthening defense cooperation through training and exchange programs, and enhancing agricultural partnerships. The two sides also discussed removing trade barriers and considering agreements on double taxation avoidance and investment promotion. Ambassador of Algeria to Bangladesh Dr. Abdelouahab Saidani had a meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reviewed the outcomes of the recent bilateral consultations in Cairo and explored avenues to enhance cooperation. Discussions focused on boosting economic ties through investments, business exchanges, and trade facilitation. The dignitaries reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian cause and discussed the Rohingya crisis, with the Foreign Secretary highlighting Bangladesh’s plans to host an international conference on the issue. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Bangladesh-Algeria relations through sustained dialogue and collaboration.  

Ambassador of Algeria to Bangladesh Dr Abdelouahab Saidani has said it is crucial for Bangladesh and Algeria to deepen their collaboration by leveraging their complementary strengths in today’s complex international landscape. "This will enable them to meet the expectations of their respective peoples and address current challenges effectively," he said while speaking at a reception on Friday night commemorating the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the glorious revolution of National Liberation of Algeria.  Shipping, Textile and Jute Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain, Adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Sharmeen S. Murshid and Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter joined as guests of honour.  "Since taking office as Ambassador to Bangladesh two months ago, I have taken several measures and initiatives to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in many sectors," the Algerian envoy said.  US Secret Service to train Bangladeshi officials in combating money laundering and terror financing This has very recently resulted in the definitive validation of four important draft agreements by the Algerian side, in the areas of agriculture and water resources, out of 20 draft agreements in the pipeline, he said.

A three-member team of Bangladesh Parliament on Friday participated in the 48th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States (PUIC) in Algeria. The head of Bangladesh delegation and also the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Md Shahiduzzaman Sarker spoke at the meeting, said a press release here. He requested the OIC to strengthen its support to Bangladesh over the peaceful repatriation of Rohingyas refugees to Myanmar from Bangladesh. Read more: Bangladesh seeks OIC’s help to continue Rohingya genocide case He also raised the Rohingya issue while talking to PUIC general secretary. Two other members of the Bangladesh team are Abu Reza Muhammad Nezamuddin MP and SM Shahjada MP.

President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Rizwan Rahman on Monday said a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Algeria will boost bilateral trade between the two countries. Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh Rabah Larbi had a meeting with the DCCI President at the DCCI and discussed the issues of mutual interests. During the meeting, Rizwan Rahman said the bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Algeria reached US$ 98.28 million in FY2019-20 of which, Bangladesh’s export was US$ 5.90 million and import was US$ 92.38 million. Also read: Export diversification: DCCI for comprehensive trade policy Bangladesh mainly exports RMG products to Algeria while it mainly imports mineral products from Algeria. The DCCI President requested Algeria to hire more skilled manpower and professionals from Bangladesh. He finally invited Algerian investors to register with the Bangladesh Trade and Investment Summit to be jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce and DCCI. Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh Rabah Larbi said regular contact between the Chambers of Algeria and Bangladesh would pave the way of enhancing bilateral trade and investment. He said Bangladesh can import fertilizer, cement and fruits from Algeria and Algerian investors are keen to work in the energy sector in Bangladesh. Also read: Bangladesh can sign FTA with Thailand to boost trade: Thai envoy The envoy said Algeria is a developing country and there are huge opportunities to explore for business. Rabah Larbi appreciated DCCI’s effort to organize a business summit this month and he would request Algerian investors and traders to join this summit.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has expressed deep condolences over the death of scores of Algerian people including 25 soldiers in the incident of wildfires in the Kabyle region of Algeria. In a message sent to Foreign Minister of Algeria Sabri Boukadoum, Dr Momen conveyed his deep sympathies to the families of the victims and prayed that they would have enough fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. READ: Bangladesh- India flight operation to resume Aug 20: FM  ‘‘I pay my sincere tribute to the 25 soldiers who dedicated their lives in their efforts for saving the fire-ravaged villagers, whom I consider to be martyrs,’’ Dr Momen said. The Foreign Minister prayed for the early recovery of the injured soldiers and the villagers. He hoped that the affected villagers would be able to overcome the calamitous situation and rebuild their life soon.   READ: ‘Will remain alert,' says FM about Afghan-trained terrorists

At least 25 soldiers died saving residents from wildfires ravaging mountain forests and villages east of Algeria’s capital, the president announced Tuesday night as the civilian toll rose to at least 17. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune tweeted that the soldiers were “martyrs” who saved 100 people from the fires in two areas of Kabyle, the region that is home to the North African nation’s Berber population. Eleven other soldiers were burned fighting the fires, four of them seriously, the Defense Ministry said. Read: Wildfires rampage in Greek forests, cut large island in half Prime Minister Aïmene Benabderrahmane later said on state TV that 17 civilians had lost their lives, raising the count of citizens from seven previously and bringing the total death toll to 42. He provided no details. The mountainous Kabyle region, 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Algeria’s capital of Algiers, is dotted with difficult-to-access villages and with temperatures rising has had limited water. Some villagers were fleeing, while others tried to hold back the flames themselves, using buckets, branches and rudimentary tools. The region has no water-dumping planes. The deaths and injuries Tuesday occurred mainly around Kabyle’s capital of Tizi-Ouzou, which is flanked by mountains, and also in Bejaia, which borders the Mediterranean Sea, the president said. The prime minister told state television that initial reports from security services showed the fires in Kabyle were “highly synchronized,” adding that “leads one to believe these were criminal acts.” Earlier, Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud traveled to Kabyle to assess the situation and also blamed the fires there on arson. “Thirty fires at the same time in the same region can’t be by chance,” Beldjoud said on national television, although no arrests were announced. There were no immediate details to explain the high death toll among the military. A photo pictured on the site of the Liberte daily showed a soldier with a shovel dousing sputtering flames with dirt, his automatic weapon slung over his shoulder. Read: Thousands flee homes outside Athens as heat fuels wildfires Dozens of blazes sprang up Monday in Kabyle and elsewhere, and Algerian authorities sent in the army to help citizens battle blazes and evacuate. Multiple fires were burning through forests and devouring olive trees, cattle and chickens that provide the livelihoods of families in the Kabyle region. The Civil Protection authority counted 41 blazes in 18 wilayas, or regions, as of Monday night, with 21 of them burning around Tizi Ouzou. A 92-year-old woman living in the Kabyle mountain village of Ait Saada said the scene Monday night looked like “the end of the world.” “We were afraid,” Fatima Aoudia told The Associated Press. “The entire hill was transformed into a giant blaze.” Aoudia compared the scene to bombings by French troops during Algeria’s brutal independence war, which ended in 1962. “These burned down forests. It’s a part of me that is gone,” Aoudia said. “It’s a drama for humanity, for nature. It’s a disaster.” Read: Western wildfires calm down in cool weather, but losses grow An opposition party with roots in the Kabyle region, the RCD, denounced authorities’ slow response to the rash of blazes as citizens organized local drives to collect bottled water and other supplies. Calls for help, including from Algerians living abroad, went out on social media, one in English trending on Twitter with the hashtag #PrayforAlgeria. Photos and videos posted showed plumes of dark smoke and orange skies rising above hillside villages or soldiers in army fatigues without protective clothing. Climate scientists say there is little doubt climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving extreme events, such as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods and storms. A worsening drought and heat — both linked to climate change — are driving wildfires in the U.S. West and Russia’s northern region of Siberia. Extreme heat is also fueling the massive fires in Greece and Turkey.

At least two Algerian soldiers were killed in an improvised explosive device blast in Chlef, a province 200 km west of capital Algiers, the defense ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Algeria's peaceful "smile revolution" unseated the long-time president of Africa's largest country along with his powerful entourage and struck hard at the corruption they bred. But a year later, the pro-democracy movement is still holding its weekly marches, hoping to make further dents in the establishment.