This week in Bangladesh
This week in Bangladesh, political tensions were high with an opposition leader warning of an "inevitable revolution" and a politician jailed for derogatory remarks against the Prime Minister. Violent clashes also erupted during July Uprising Day events, and the Information Minister spoke of ongoing struggles to prevent the silencing of voices. Separately, the country faced significant flood risks in at least 10 districts due to heavy rainfall.
About Bangladesh
Bangladesh, a South Asian nation on the Bay of Bengal, is known for its lush deltaic landscape, rich cultural heritage, and a rapidly growing economy. As the world's eighth-most populous country, it plays a significant role in regional dynamics. However, its news landscape operates under a hybrid-regime, facing restrictions and common self-censorship, which shapes the nature of its media coverage.
Visiting Bangladesh
Media landscape
Bangladesh's media environment is classified as authoritarian, with press freedom not-free. The Digital Security Act imposes significant restrictions, leading to widespread self-censorship among journalists and outlets.
Be aware that news from Bangladesh may be subject to government influence and self-censorship, so seek diverse sources for a comprehensive view.
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- The pass rate for English in this year's SSC examinations was below 75 percent in seven out of nine general education boards in Bangladesh. - English also had a lower pass rate than Bangla and Mathe…
Top grades fall for fourth year in Bangladesh exams
- The number of students achieving the top GPA-5 grade in Bangladesh's SSC and equivalent examinations has dropped for the fourth consecutive year. - This year, 116,676 students achieved GPA-5, a decr…
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- Dhaka Education Board recorded the highest number of GPA-5 achievers with 33,253 students in this year's SSC examinations. - Rajshahi ranked second with 16,313 GPA-5 achievers, followed by Dinajpur …
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- The Daily Star newspaper has a comprehensive news section covering various topics. - The publication includes sections on politics, governance, crime, technology, education, healthcare, and the envi…
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- Taylor Swift's songs have been removed from social media videos used by Donald Trump's campaign and the White House. - The campaign used two Swift songs on TikTok, referencing lyrics from her hits. …
Greek island Ithaca hopes 'Odyssey' film will lure tourists despite no scenes being filmed there
- Tourists are visiting the Greek island of Ithaca, inspired by its connection to Homer's "Odyssey" and Christopher Nolan's film. - While the film boosted interest, it was controversial as no scenes w…
Iran Nears Strait of Hormuz Shipping Deal with Oman, Demands U.S. Conditions Met
- Iran and Oman are nearing a final pact to define new shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran insists the U.S. must meet conditions first. - These conditions include compensation for da…
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- Dhaka University female students are demanding an end to the 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM hall restriction. - The platform Oborodhbashini issued a 48-hour ultimatum to university authorities. - Demands inclu…
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- A woman was allegedly strangled to death by her husband in Dhaka following a domestic dispute over financial hardship. - Police recovered the victim's body and arrested the husband, who reportedly a…
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- A covered van lost control and collided with an auto-rickshaw and two motorcycles in Dhaka, Bangladesh, resulting in one fatality and four injuries. - The deceased has been identified as 42-year-old…
BNP Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir likely presidential nominee
- Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the BNP Secretary General and LGRD Minister, is the likely presidential nominee for his party, according to sources. - His potential nomination, seen as a reward for his…
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- The Supreme Court's Appellate Division upheld a High Court order protecting former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque from arrest or harassment without a specific case. - The court also imposed restric…
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- The Supreme Court ordered a status quo on all construction at the historic Mahasthangarh archaeological site in Bogura. - The court allowed the government to appeal a previous High Court verdict tha…
Bangladesh Voter Roll Expands by Over 300,000 Ahead of Local Elections
- The number of registered voters in Bangladesh has increased by over 300,000 to reach 128,632,555. - This updated draft voter roll includes individuals who turned 18 by July 31 and will be used for u…
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- A Sylhet City Corporation worker died from electrocution while cleaning a mosque roof. - Two other workers were critically injured in the incident. - The victims reportedly came into contact with a …
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- Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) prevented an alleged attempt by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to push three individuals into Bangladesh. - BSF members tried to push the individuals through a gate…
Bangladesh's Ethnic Cultural Academy Stalled by Staffing and Utility Shortages
- The Ethnic Cultural Academy in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, has been largely non-operational since its 2019 inauguration due to staffing and utility shortages. - Established for local ethnic communities,…
Five Killed in Road Accidents in Bogura, Habiganj
- Road accidents in Bogura and Habiganj yesterday killed at least five people and injured five others. - In Bogura, a truck collision on the Dhaka-Rangpur Highway claimed three lives, including a fath…
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- Rights activists urged constitutional and legal recognition for indigenous peoples in Bangladesh and full implementation of the CHT Accord. - Speakers highlighted that indigenous peoples face discri…
Young Artists Showcase Hill Tracts' Culture and Scenery on Canvas
- Young artists from Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari are showcasing their work in an exhibition. - The artworks capture the natural beauty of the hills and the distinct cultures of the region. …
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- Bangladeshi film actor Ashraful Haque, known as Don, was arrested in connection with a murder case. - The case relates to the 1996 death of popular 1990s film star Salman Shah. - Don, who often play…
Gas crisis to be resolved in 5-7 days, says PM Tarique Rahman
- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated the ongoing gas crisis will be resolved within five to seven days. - The disruption was caused by an accident hindering the unloading of imported liquefied natur…
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- Indigenous communities in Bangladesh's remote Dhopachhari union face significant isolation and lack of basic services 54 years after the country's independence. - Residents, including Khyang, Tripur…
Netanyahu rejects US-led Gaza plan endorsed by Hamas
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a US-led Gaza plan endorsed by Hamas. - Netanyahu stated the Israeli military will not withdraw until Hamas is disarmed and will continue to counte…
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- Myspace, once the dominant social network before Facebook, plans a revival under its current owners. - The relaunch aims to create a platform fundamentally different from today's algorithm-driven, e…
Indigenous rights, education, healthcare among 12 recommendations at Sylhet event
- An organization celebrated the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples in Sylhet, Bangladesh. - The Ethnic Community Development Organisation presented 12 recommendations for indigenous …
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- An arrest warrant was issued for Wing Commander Saifur Rahman Saif in connection with the 2012 enforced disappearance of BNP leader M Ilias Ali. - The International Crimes Tribunal found primary inv…
Biman Passengers Endure 40-Hour Ordeal After Rome Emergency Landing
- Passengers on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight endured a 40-hour ordeal after an emergency landing in Rome. - The flight, en route to Dhaka from Toronto, landed due to a technical fault, but passe…
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- Cloudflare has launched Kitesurf, a new web browser designed specifically for AI agents, not human users. - Built on Cloudflare's Workers platform, Kitesurf removes human-centric features like tabs …
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- An Ethnic Cultural Academy in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, established in 2019 to serve minority communities, remains largely non-operational due to staffing shortages and lack of basic utilities. - The …
Cancel CHT Accord? Govt must sign stronger pact, says academic
- An academic urged the government to sign a stronger accord if the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord is cancelled. - He stated that a 'rainbow nation' cannot be built while the hill region's people…
Bangladesh to pilot free school uniforms to boost primary education attendance
- The Bangladeshi government plans to introduce free school uniforms to boost attendance and strengthen programs for children outside the formal education system. - A national consultation workshop on…
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- Bangladesh's voter roll has increased to over 128.6 million with 309,315 new voters added in two months and 18 days. - The updated roll will be used for upcoming local government elections. - The El…
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- A 95-year-old father in Bangladesh has been reunited via video call with his daughter, who disappeared 32 years ago. - The daughter, now 52 and living in Pakistan, was reportedly lured abroad by a h…
Oraon community in Bangladesh fights for survival of language and culture amid land loss
- The Oraon community in Bangladesh faces a dual struggle to preserve its language and culture amid economic hardship and disappearing farmland. - Many families have lost their land through division, …
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- Police found a woman and her six-year-old son dead in their home in Jashore, Bangladesh. - The deceased were identified as Zubaida Khatun, 32, and her son Jisan, with their hands and legs tied and a…
India Envoy Confident PM Meeting Can Resolve Bangladesh Issues
- Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi expressed confidence that a meeting between Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi could resolve bilateral issues…
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- The Supreme Court has allowed the government to appeal a construction ban at the historic Mahasthangarh archaeological site. - The High Court had previously barred development activities at the site…
Former SK Hynix employee jailed for 18 months over tech leak to China
- A former SK Hynix employee has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for leaking semiconductor manufacturing technology to a Chinese company. - The employee leaked classified information on CMOS ima…
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- OpenAI is strengthening safety measures and pausing internal work on its upcoming AI model, Astra. - The company cannot rule out that Astra possesses critical cybersecurity capabilities. - This deve…
Job Openings in Bangladesh: Opportunities in Engineering, Development, Conservation, and Marketing
- Structural Engineers Ltd. seeks an Assistant Manager for Recovery with 6 years of experience. - SOS Children’s Villages Bangladesh is hiring a Project Officer for Training and Organisational Develop…
US Ambassador Explores Bangladesh's Floating Guava Market
- US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen visited a traditional floating guava market in Jhalakathi. - The ambassador toured the market by boat, observed farmers and traders, and visited guava o…
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- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) collected two nomination papers for the upcoming presidential election. - The election is scheduled for August 20, following the resignation of the previous presid…
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- Many tea garden workers in Bangladesh are unaware of International Indigenous Peoples' Day due to poverty and demanding labor conditions. - Generations of work have not improved living standards, wi…
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- Water levels in the Jamuna River are rising in Sirajganj, Bangladesh, inundating low-lying areas and shoals. - Officials from the Water Development Board (WDB) state there is no immediate flood risk…
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- Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader allegedly instructed then ICT state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak to slow internet services during the July 2024 uprising. - A recorded phone conversation…
PM Tarique Rahman inspects Matarbari deep-sea port, other projects
- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Matarbari in Cox's Bazar to inspect the deep-sea port and other development projects. - He is also scheduled to visit flood-affected areas in Chattogram, hand o…
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- A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying 174 Bangladeshi nationals departed Rome for Dhaka after being grounded due to a technical issue. - The aircraft, a Toronto-Rome-Dhaka flight, landed in Ro…
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- Young artists from Bangladesh's hill tracts are using their paintings to depict the lifestyles, heritage, and diverse customs of indigenous communities. - The Indigenous Artists Society, formed by i…
Deadly Bus Collision in Niger Kills 22, Including 17 Soldiers
- A head-on collision between two buses in southern Niger on Friday night resulted in at least 22 deaths, including 17 soldiers, according to the country's transport ministry. - The accident occurred …
Colombian family among four killed in Rio helicopter crash
- Four people, including three Colombian tourists from the same family, died when a helicopter crashed in Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca National Park. - The victims were part of a group celebrating a 15th b…
Protesters demand probe into leader's death, allege police role
- Relatives and locals protested outside Pirgachha Police Station in Rangpur, demanding an impartial investigation into the death of Chhatra Dal leader Monowarul Islam Bokshi. - Bokshi died after fall…
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- A mobile journalist for Global Television alleges police assaulted him while he was filming an assault on a woman in Dhaka. - The journalist claims police forcibly took him into a van and demanded h…
Jamaat-e-Islami decides to take part in presidential election
- Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will participate in the presidential election on August 20, finalizing its candidate through an 11-party alliance. - The party aims to field a candidate with broad public …
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- The government has established a seven-member cabinet committee, led by the finance minister, to review the salary structure for judiciary employees. - The committee will examine the "Bangladesh Jud…
Father Loses BDT 80,000 to Voice-Cloning Scam
- A father transferred BDT 80,000 to scammers who impersonated his son, claiming he was arrested. - The fraudsters used a convincing voice, possibly through AI, to trick the father into believing the …
Home minister says India cannot avoid responsibility for statements Hasina makes from Delhi
- Bangladesh's Home Minister stated that India cannot avoid responsibility for political statements made by ousted PM Sheikh Hasina from Delhi. - He argued that allowing Hasina to speak internationall…
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- Iran and Oman are reportedly close to an agreement on controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil transport. - The US anticipates a deal soon, stating it would lift port blockade…
Bangladesh party slams govt plan for private fuel imports
- Jamaat-e-Islami criticized Bangladesh's government plan to allow private companies to import and market refined fuel, calling it a "new avenue for plunder." - The party argues the move would replace…
Prime Minister to inspect Matarbari projects, visit Hefazat chief
- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Chattogram on August 9 to inspect development projects and meet with local leaders. - His itinerary includes visiting the Matarbari deep-sea port,…
Gazipur garment factories reopen amid persistent gas shortages
- Most garment factories in Gazipur, Bangladesh, reopened after a three-day break due to low gas pressure. - Despite reopening, factories continue to face persistent gas shortages, impacting operation…
Beneficiaries of fascism active in destabilizing energy sector, warns PM Tarique
- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman warned that beneficiaries of fascism are active in destabilizing the country's power and energy sector. - He acknowledged current crises in electricity, gas, and fuel, …
Barguna hospital crippled by severe doctor shortage, forcing patients to travel for care
- Barguna General Hospital, serving nearly 1.2 million people, operates with only 15 doctors against 81 sanctioned posts, forcing patients to seek care in Barishal and Dhaka. - Critical specialist pos…
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- Two separate road accidents in Bangladesh have resulted in four deaths and at least 14 injuries. - In Sirajganj, a truck collided with a bus, killing two people and injuring ten. - In Natore, a bus …
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- Bangladesh is forecast to experience rain across several divisions over the next 24 hours, with varying intensity. - Light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected in Rangpur, Mymensingh, Ch…
Trump Renews Effort to Fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook Over Mortgage Fraud Allegations
- U.S. President Donald Trump is attempting to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, renewing his challenge to the central bank's independence. - The White House has demanded Cook respond to unpr…
Clashes, Stress Rise During Heatwaves, Directors Say
- Directors report increased clashes and stress among people during heatwaves. - The article highlights the rising tensions and difficulties faced by individuals as temperatures soar. - This indicates…
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- The EU's tech chief urged Meta and TikTok to combat disinformation, particularly during crises, following a surge of migrants into Spain's Ceuta enclave. - Social media disinformation is suspected o…
Spain, Italy Spar Over Border Checks Amid Migrant Crisis
- Spain announced temporary border checks on travelers from Italy in response to Italy imposing similar measures after a mass migrant influx into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. - The dispute …
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- The US has launched "powerful" strikes on Iran in response to attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. - A US official reported progress between Iran and Oman that could reopen the Stra…
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- A journalist was attacked in Sylhet, Bangladesh, after intervening in an incident involving alleged reckless driving. - The journalist, Kabir Ahmed, sustained injuries and is receiving hospital trea…
BNP leader, passerby shot in Dhaka's Pallabi area
- A local BNP leader and a female passerby were shot in Dhaka's Pallabi area by assailants firing from a moving car. - The BNP leader, identified as Alamgir Hossain, sustained critical injuries to his…
Bus crash kills seven agricultural laborers in Bogura, Bangladesh
- A speeding bus crashed into a crowd of agricultural laborers gathered at an informal market in Bogura, Bangladesh, killing seven people. - The victims were waiting for day labor jobs, hoping to earn…
Teen Kills Grandparents, Five Others at Thai School Before Suicide
- A 14-year-old boy in Thailand killed his grandparents and five others at a school before taking his own life. - The perpetrator reportedly had a history of being bullied and showed interest in guns …
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- Spain's government plans to transfer hundreds of unaccompanied migrant minors from overcrowded reception centers in Ceuta to the mainland within weeks. - The move aims to alleviate the migration cri…
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- Electronic Arts (EA), the video game publisher, has been acquired for $55 billion by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). - The deal, announced in September 2025, makes E…
Bangladesh: 11-Party Alliance partners to hold internal talks on presidential election candidate
- Key partners of Bangladesh's 11-Party Alliance will hold internal talks to decide their stance on the upcoming presidential election. - The Election Commission has scheduled the presidential electio…
Govt needs time to address crises, says minister
- LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged patience and tolerance, stating the government needs time to address inherited crises. - He criticized branding the government a failure within five m…
Bangladesh Honda begins motorcycle exports to Mexico
- Bangladesh Honda Private Limited (BHL) has started exporting Honda NX200 motorcycles to Mexico. - This expansion follows previous exports to Guatemala and integrates BHL into Honda's global manufact…
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- Justice Minister Asaduzzaman emphasized that judges must prioritize impartial justice over treating their role as a mere profession. - He spoke during an event in Jhenaidah, highlighting the importa…
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- Ranjit Baowali, a veteran leader of the Bhobodoh Water Drainage Movement Committee, died Wednesday after suffering a brain hemorrhage. - He dedicated over four decades to addressing the chronic wate…
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- At least seven people were killed and 15 injured when a bus lost control and struck roadside workers in Bogura, Bangladesh. - The accident occurred early morning on the Bogura-Naogaon highway when t…
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan to Sign Joint Defense Pact Amid Regional Tensions
- Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are set to sign a joint defense agreement in Jeddah, aiming to strengthen regional security ties. - The agreement comes amid heightened tensions between the United…
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- A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay over $567 million for harming children on its platforms. - The company was found liable for creating a public nuisance and endangering minors to predators. - M…
Hackers target top US financial firms with fake calls, phishing sites
- Hackers are targeting prominent US financial institutions using sophisticated phishing campaigns involving fake help desk calls and websites. - Major firms like Blackstone, Bridgewater Associates, a…
India Using Ousted PM as 'Pawn' to Undermine Sovereignty, Claims Bangladeshi Party
- A Bangladeshi opposition party spokesperson accused India of using the ousted prime minister as a pawn to undermine Bangladesh's sovereignty. - The National Citizen Party (NCP) demanded the governme…
Academics Likely to Face Charges in Bangladesh Uprising Crimes Case
- Two prominent academics, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal and ASM Maksud Kamal, are likely to face charges in a crimes against humanity case. - The case is linked to the July 2024 Uprising in Bangladesh. - The …
Bangladesh Confirms No Admission Tests for Class 1 from 2027
- Bangladesh's education ministry confirmed that admission tests will not be held for Class 1 starting in the 2027 academic year, maintaining the lottery-based admission system. - Admissions to all ot…
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- The government has appointed new secretaries to four ministries and divisions. - Sakhawat Hossain, secretary to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, and Obaydur Rahman, secretary to the Minis…
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- Meta reported an AI model accessed another organization's systems during a security evaluation. - The incident, conducted by AI security firm Irregular, resulted from a misconfiguration, not an AI f…
Pakistan requires foreign media to seek permission for reporting outside major cities
- Pakistan's government requires international media to register journalists and seek permission for reporting outside major cities. - This directive has raised concerns among rights and media groups …
Bangladesh's progress hindered by attempts to silence voices, says minister
- Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that Bangladesh has repeatedly struggled to break free from attempts to silence people's voices, disrupting its progress. - He emphasized the goal of e…
July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum Opens to Public
- The July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum opened its doors to the public on August 6th, attracting hundreds of visitors. - The museum documents the July Uprising through various media, including photog…
Iran Warns Gulf States of Retaliation Against Energy Infrastructure if Attacked by U.S.
- Iran has warned Gulf states that any new U.S. attack on its territory would trigger retaliation against critical energy infrastructure in the region. - The warning was delivered through high-level d…
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- Journalists covering recent protests in India faced public anger and attacks due to perceived government support by mainstream media. - Protestors criticized TV channels as "India's worst enemies" a…
US launches 'powerful' strikes on Iran amid Strait of Hormuz tensions
- The US has launched "powerful" strikes on Iran in retaliation for attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. - A proposed deal between Iran and Oman could grant Tehran control over ships …
BNP leader accused of backing illegal sand extraction amid river erosion fears in Bangladesh
- Sand extraction continues along the Tetulia river in Bauphal, allegedly with the backing of a local BNP leader, despite a government suspension of quarry leases. - Residents report that the operatio…
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- Abdul Wahed, a former Jamaat-e-Islami leader in Jamalpur, Bangladesh, has been arrested for allegedly embezzling nearly Tk 400 crore from customers of Al Aqaba Multipurpose Cooperative Society. - Wa…
Youth drowns in canal while fleeing police anti-drug drive in Bangladesh
- A 19-year-old youth allegedly drowned in a canal while attempting to flee a police anti-drug operation in Netrokona, Bangladesh. - The youth, identified as Sabbir Shekh, reportedly jumped into the c…
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- The Panchpukuria-Siddhashram bridge over the Halda river in Bangladesh's Fatikchhari upazila remains incomplete, missing its July 2026 deadline. - Around 25,000 residents face continued travel diffi…