United News of Bangladesh

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain urged all pilgrims to abide by the laws and regulations of Saudi Arabia and refrain from doing anything that tarnishes the image of the country. The adviser made the request during exchanged greetings with the pilgrims after inaugurating the Hajj flights for 2025 at the Ashkona Hajj Camp in the capital on Monday. He said that the government is working to ensure that the pilgrims can perform Hajj at a reasonable cost. "We are also working on how to simplify all the processes starting from the registration of the pilgrims," he added. Reform Process: Prof Yunus gives directives towards next steps  The adviser expressed optimism over what he said would be many positive changes in Hajj management next year. The first flight carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Jeddah at 2:15am. Saudi Arabia's national carrier Saudia will fly carrying 398 pilgrims to perform the holy Hajj on the first flight (SV 3803). Bangladesh-Pakistan Business Forum launched through gala event at city hotel A total of 4,180 pilgrims will depart for Saudi on a total of 10 flights on the first day. Of these, eight flights will land at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah and two flights will land at Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Medina. Religious Affairs Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik chaired the programme, while additional secretary of the Hajj Division Md. Matiul Islam delivered a welcome speech. Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin and Nasreen Jahan, Secretary, Saudi Embassy in Bangladesh, Abdul Aziz Fahad M. Al Ibrahim, Charge d'Affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Bangladesh, Air Vice Marshal Md. Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Syed Golam Sarwar, and Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder spoke as special guests at the event. Five percent tax rebate for solar panel users under consideration: DNCC At the event, two pilgrims were invited to express their views on the interim government's Hajj management. They expressed their overall satisfaction with Hajj management this year.  Besides, a documentary on Hajj activities was also screened at the event.  

Astronomers have said that the Shawwal crescent moon will be undetectable across the Arab and Islamic world on Saturday, March 29, due to the occurrence of a solar eclipse. Saudi astronomer Bader Al Omaira explained that the crescent will set before the sun, and its conjunction will take place after sunset, making it impossible to spot, whether by the naked eye, telescopes, or any other means. Since a sighting is necessary to mark the start of Shawwal in Saudi Arabia and other Arab and Islamic nations, it is expected that Ramadan will extend to 30 days, with Eid-ul-Fitr falling on Monday, March 31. Eid-ul-Fitr prayers held at Cumilla Central Eidgah The International Astronomical Centre in Abu Dhabi confirmed last week that the Shawwal crescent will be impossible to observe from the eastern part of the world and across the Arab and Islamic regions, using any observational tools. Thus, if the Shawwal crescent is not visible on March 29, Ramadan will last for 30 days, and Eid-ul-Fitr will be on March 31. However, if the crescent is sighted, Eid will be celebrated on March 30. Source: Gulf News

The Trump administration lifted its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine, and Kyiv signaled that it was open to a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia, pending Moscow’s agreement, American and Ukrainian officials said Tuesday following talks in Saudi Arabia. The administration's decision marked a sharp shift from only a week ago, when it imposed the measures in an apparent effort to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to enter talks to end the war with invading Russian forces. The suspension of U.S. assistance came days after Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump argued about the conflict in a tense White House meeting. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the U.S. delegation to the talks in Jeddah, said Washington would present the ceasefire offer to the Kremlin, which has so far opposed anything short of a permanent end to the conflict without accepting any concessions. “We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. And now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no," Rubio told reporters after the talks. “If they say no, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here.” Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, added: "The Ukrainian delegation today made something very clear, that they share President Trump’s vision for peace.” Tuesday's discussions, which lasted for nearly eight hours, appeared to put to rest — for the moment at least — the animosity between Trump and Zelenskyy that erupted during the Oval Office meeting last month. Ukraine-US talks begin in KSA amid ongoing conflict Waltz said the negotiators “got into substantive details on how this war is going to permanently end,” including long-term security guarantees. And, he said, Trump agreed to immediately lift the pause in the supply of billions of dollars of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing. Seeking a deal with Russia Trump said he hoped that an agreement could be solidified “over the next few days.” “I’ve been saying that Russia’s been easier to deal with so far than Ukraine, which is not supposed to be the way it is," Trump said later Tuesday. "But it is, and we hope to get Russia. But we have a full ceasefire from Ukraine. That’s good.” The Kremlin had no immediate comment on the U.S. and Ukrainian statements. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said only that negotiations with U.S. officials could take place this week. Trump 's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel later this week to Moscow, where he could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a person familiar with the matter but not authorized to comment publicly. The person cautioned that scheduling could change. Officials met in Saudi Arabia only hours after Russia shot down over 300 Ukrainian drones in Ukraine’s biggest attack since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion. Neither U.S. nor Ukrainian officials offered any comment on the barrage. Russia also launched 126 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukraine, the Ukrainian air force said, as part of Moscow’s relentless pounding of civilian areas. Zelenskyy renews calls for lasting peace In an address posted shortly after Tuesday's talks ended, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to a lasting peace, emphasizing that the country has sought an end to the war since its outset. “Our position is absolutely clear: Ukraine has strived for peace from the very first second of this war, and we want to do everything possible to achieve it as soon as possible — securely and in a way that ensures war does not return,” Zelenskyy said. Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak, who led the Ukrainian delegation, described the negotiations as positive. He said the two countries “share the same vision, and that we are moving in the same direction toward the just peace long awaited by all Ukrainians.” In Kyiv, Lena Herasymenko, a psychologist, accepts that compromises will be necessary to end the war, but she said they must be “reasonable.” Moscow faces ‘massive’ drone attack ahead of US-Ukraine peace talks “We had massive losses during this war, and we don’t know yet how much more we’ll have,” she told The Associated Press. “We are suffering every day. Our kids are suffering, and we don’t know how the future generation will be affected.” Oleksandr, a Ukrainian soldier who could give only his first name because of security restrictions, warned that Ukraine cannot let down its guard. “If there is a ceasefire, it would only give Russia time to increase its firepower, manpower, missiles and other arms. Then they would attack Ukraine again,” he said. Hawkish Russians push back against a ceasefire In Moscow, hawkish politicians and military bloggers spoke strongly against a prospective ceasefire, arguing that it would play into Kyiv’s hands and damage Moscow’s interests at a time when the Russian military has the advantage. “A ceasefire isn’t what we need,” wrote hardline ideologue Alexander Dugin. Viktor Sobolev, a retired general who is a member of the Russian parliament’s lower house, warned that a 30-day truce would allow Ukraine to beef up arms supplies and regroup its troops before resuming hostilities. Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political commentator, suggested that Moscow could demand a halt on Western arms supplies to Ukraine as part of a ceasefire. “An embargo on arms supplies to Ukraine could be a condition for a truce,” he wrote. The Kremlin sticks to its conditions for peace Russia has not publicly offered any concessions. Putin has repeatedly declared that Moscow wants a comprehensive settlement, not a temporary truce. Russia has said it’s ready to cease hostilities on the condition that Ukraine drops its bid to join NATO and recognizes regions that Moscow occupies as Russian. Russia has captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine's territory. What to know ahead of the talks between the US and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia Russian forces have held the battlefield momentum for more than a year, though at a high cost in infantry and armor, and are pushing at selected points along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, especially in the eastern Donetsk region. Ukraine has invested heavily in developing its arms industry, especially high-tech drones that have reached deep into Russia.

Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant, Aramco, has announced a decline in its net profit for 2024, reporting $106.2 billion, down from $121.3 billion in 2023. The company also revealed a significant reduction in its dividend payouts for 2025, expecting total distributions of $85.4 billion, compared to $124.2 billion in 2024. Aramco announces $121 billion profit for 2023, down from 2022 record The oil producer disclosed that its base dividend for the fourth quarter of 2024 would rise to $21.1 billion, while its performance-linked payout would be significantly lower at just $200 million. This marks a steep decline from the previous quarter, when the company had distributed a base dividend of $20.3 billion alongside a performance-linked payout of $10.8 billion. Aramco’s declining profit comes amid falling global oil prices and slowing demand. In 2024, the average price of Brent crude oil stood at $80 per barrel, down by $2 compared to the 2023 average, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Besides, an increase in global crude production put further downward pressure on prices, impacting Aramco’s earnings. Bangladesh to import 1.5mn metric tons of crude oil from Saudi Aramco, UAE’s Adnoc   The company also reported a decline in total revenue, which fell to $436.6 billion in 2024 from $440.8 billion in 2023. This financial performance underscores the challenges faced by the energy sector, as fluctuating oil prices and shifting market dynamics continue to shape the industry’s outlook. Despite the decline, Aramco remains one of the world’s most profitable companies and a key driver of Saudi Arabia’s economy. The company has continued to invest in expansion projects and energy transition initiatives, positioning itself for long-term stability in an evolving energy landscape. Industry analysts will be closely watching Aramco’s strategic decisions in the coming months, particularly regarding its approach to dividends and capital expenditure as it navigates a period of global economic uncertainty. Source: Agencies

The first Olympic Esports Games will be hosted in Riyadh in 2027, two years later than expected when a 12-year deal with Saudi Arabia was signed last year. The International Olympic Committee said Tuesday its founding partner for the event will be the kingdom’s Esports World Cup Foundation. The first annual Esports World Cup was held last July and August in Riyadh with tens of millions of dollars in prize money paid for games including Call of Duty, Fortnite and Street Fighter. It is unclear which, if any, shooter games the IOC will allow on the Esports Olympics program, which it has repeatedly said must align with Olympic values. A six-person panel, co-chaired by veteran IOC member Ser Miang Ng and Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, will work on deciding the games program, the IOC said. Details of the inaugural Esports Olympics were confirmed two days after Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted a visiting Olympic delegation in Riyadh, including its president Thomas Bach, who leaves office in June. IOC president Thomas Bach plans to leave office next year. He says the Olympics needs a change The 12-year deal was confirmed last July on the eve of the Paris Olympics as the latest prime sporting asset for the oil-rich kingdom to own or host. FIFA confirmed Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer in December. IOC members were told in Paris the vision for the Esports Olympics was to hold it every two years starting in 2025, with “physical, simulated and electronic games” included. Qualifying competitions for national teams are set to start this year.

Former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar has been admitted to a hospital in Dubai after suddenly falling ill en route to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. Mirza Haider Ali, Babar’s personal assistant said Babar, along with his son Labib Ibn Zaman left Dhaka for Saudi Arabia via Dubai on an Emirates Airlines flight from Dhaka at 6pm on Thursday to perform Umrah. He said Babar fell severely ill with breathing difficulties while en route to Madinah from Dhaka aboard the Emirates Airlines flight. After the plane landed in Dubai, Haider said, the BNP leader was quickly taken to a clinic near the airport, where doctors advised immediate hospitalisation after conducting a check-up. "He is currently admitted to a hospital in Dubai and is under intensive observation by the doctors," he said. Haider said Babar’s eldest son is with him at the hospital. Read: BNP’s Babar under close observation in United Hospital He said Babar will go to Saudi Arabia form Dubai to perform Umrah after he is discharged from the hospital. Haider said Babar and his son Labib Ibn Zaman, left for Madinah on an Emirates flight at 6pm. A few hours earlier, Babar’s wife and other family members had also departed for Madinah on a separate flight. Upon reaching Madinah, they were informed that Babar had been hospitalised in Dubai, Haider said. Babar had planned to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia, starting in Madinah and then proceeding to Makkah with his family. Read more: Babar breaks down in tears at Ziaur Rahman’s grave Earlier on January 19, Babar was admitted to United Hospital in the capital with chest pain and received treatment under close observation in its Coronary Care Unit (CCU). The former state minister was released from prison on January 16 after 17 years of incarceration, following his acquittal in all cases against him.

Saudi football club Al-Hilal announced on Monday that its contract with Brazilian striker Neymar has been terminated by mutual agreement. Details of the termination were not disclosed. Neymar, once celebrated as one of the world's top players, made only seven appearances for the club, scoring one goal and providing two assists. The 32-year-old has been out of action since October 2023 due to an ACL injury sustained while playing for Brazil. Despite his limited contributions, Neymar was part of the squad that secured the Saudi Pro League title last season. His contract with Al-Hilal had been set to run until after this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled for June 15 to July 13 in the United States. The club, in a social media statement, expressed gratitude for Neymar’s contributions during his brief stint. Barcelona's attack flourishes under Flick, setting records in all competitions Neymar joined Al-Hilal in August 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of €90 million ($94 million). However, his tenure was cut short after suffering the most severe injury of his career. Neymar made a brief return to play in October, with his last appearance in November. Media reports speculated that coach Jorge Jesus might not rely on him for the remainder of the season. Day Crespo, Neymar's spokeswoman in Brazil, stated that the player would comment on his future plans later. Reports suggest Neymar and his father are exploring a potential six-month return to Santos, his boyhood club where he first gained fame before joining Barcelona in 2013. Santos fans, eager for his return, have circulated tributes, including a video featuring the voice of the late Pelé urging Neymar to don the club's iconic No. 10 jersey again. Neymar achieved six titles with Santos, including the 2010 Brazilian Cup and the prestigious 2011 Copa Libertadores. However, during a June visit to Brazil, Neymar dismissed speculation about a return to Santos, citing his existing contract with Al-Hilal. In January, Neymar hinted at a possible return to Brazilian football, naming Flamengo and Santos as potential destinations. While he expressed love for his boyhood club, he also admitted interest in playing for Flamengo, Brazil's most popular team. Santos officials have expressed interest in Neymar's return but denied rumors that he and his father plan to purchase the club’s soccer department. Man City rising after win over Chelsea while Liverpool stays 6 points clear Brazilian national team coach Dorival Júnior recently confirmed that Neymar is still not fit for international duty. The striker is expected to miss Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Argentina in March. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 125 matches, remains focused on regaining full fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, which could be his final tournament. Earlier this month, Neymar sparked controversy by suggesting that his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé felt “jealous” after Lionel Messi joined the club in 2021. Neymar also attributed PSG’s struggles in key matches to the clash of egos among its star players.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Issa bin Yousef Al-Duhailan on Thursday said his country has all the necessary capabilities to support any crude oil-based project on commercial terms of supply. US Embassy Dhaka welcomes Tracey Ann Jacobson as Chargé d’affaires  He also emphasised that Saudi Aramco's investment plans do not include investing in the refinery construction project in Bangladesh.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior's Absher Business platform has updated fees for seven services available to establishments. The fee for extending an exit and reentry visa has been revised to SR103.5. The renewed fees for residency permit (Iqama) renewals and final exit are now SR51.75 and SR70, respectively, reports Gulf News . Besides, the fee for issuing an Iqama is SR51.75, while the cost for requesting an employee report is SR28.75. Expatriates will now pay SR69 for updating passport information. Absher Business clarified on its X (formerly Twitter) account that these fees apply to value-added services specifically for those implemented through the Absher Business platform. Bangladesh seeks roadmap from Malaysia for stranded workers They are not part of the annual subscription package for employers. The Absher platform has recently introduced several new services, including one through the Absher Individuals platform, allowing host individuals to report absconding cases for visitors who entered Saudi Arabia on a visitor visa. Absher outlined five conditions for submitting an absconding report: the visitor's visa must be a personal or family visit visa; the report can only be filed seven days after the visa expires; reports cannot be submitted more than 14 days after the visa expiration; the visa status must be expired; and only one report can be filed per visitor. Once submitted, the report cannot be cancelled.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry has expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s move to reopen its embassy in Kabul, marking the first time since the Taliban assumed control in 2021. The Saudi Embassy in Kabul announced on X on Sunday that it had resumed operations, emphasizing the government’s commitment to delivering services to the Afghan people. Ex-Israeli spy agents describe attack using exploding electronic devices against Hezbollah Zia Ahmad Takal, Afghanistan’s Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesperson, welcomed the decision and assured full cooperation while prioritizing the embassy staff’s security. Takal expressed hope that the reopening would strengthen bilateral relations and improve cooperation. He also highlighted its potential to address the needs and issues of Afghans residing in Saudi Arabia more effectively. Rocket from Yemen Hits Tel Aviv, Injuring 16 People Although no country officially recognizes the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government, several nations maintain diplomatic engagements with them.