Despite Western pressure, China in no hurry to reduce Russia support
Despite Western calls on China to cut its support for Moscow's war against Ukraine by limiting supplies of dual-use materials and weapons components to Russia, Beijing has no interest in dropping its backing for President Vladimir Putin, analysts say
5 killed in Cumilla road accident
Five people were killed and 10 others injured as a bus overturned on Dhaka-Chattogram highway at Batisha Basantapur of Cumilla's Chauddagram upazila this morning.
US House votes to force weapons shipments to Israel, rebuking Biden
The Republican-led US House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would force President Joe Biden to send weapons to Israel, seeking to rebuke the Democrat for delaying bomb shipments as he urges Israel to do more to protect civilians during its war with Hamas
Democratic divide hurting Biden: poll
Democrats are deeply divided over President Joe Biden’s handling of both the offensive in Gaza and the US campus protests against it, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found, fraying the coalition that he relied on four years ago to defeat Republican Donald Trump.
Sudan facing ‘inferno’ of violence, aid holdups: UN
Residents of conflict-hit Sudan are “trapped in an inferno of brutal violence” and increasingly at risk of famine due to the rainy season and blocked aid, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for the country warned Wednesday.
Slovak PM ‘able to speak’ after shooting
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was speaking yesterday but tired and still in a “really difficult condition” a day after being shot multiple times, the president-elect said after visiting his ally.
Bangladesh
Bus helper held over harassment of JU student
Police detained a bus helper who allegedly harassed a female student of Jahangirnagar University on her way to the campus on May 14
Three ministries get new secretaries
The government has appointed new secretaries to the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and the Financial Institutions Division
PM consoles Asim Jawwad's family
The family of Squadron Leader Asim Jawad, who tragically lost his life in a training jet crash, visited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence, Gono Bhaban, yesterday evening
Australia PM congratulates Hasina on reelection
Congratulating Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her reelection, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he looks forward to working with PM Hasina to strengthen their bilateral relationship and together contribute to regional peace, prosperity and security
3 hurt as BCL factions clash at RU
Three people were injured in a clash between two factions of Chhatra League over smoking weed at Rajshahi University this afternoon
Probe body recommends removal of Sharifa’s Tale
A probe committee, formed by the education ministry, has recommended the removal of the story titled “Sharifa's Tale” from the chapter on human resemblance and difference in the seventh-grade history and social science textbook
It’s one-party rule under a democratic framework
A one-party authoritarian government system can work well to become a developed nation but at least some areas should be less politicised, said eminent economist Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud.
Probe body recommends removal of Sharifa’s Tale
A probe committee, formed by the education ministry, has recommended the removal of the story titled “Sharifa’s Tale” from the chapter on human resemblance and difference in the seventh-grade history and social science textbook.
Asia
INDIA ELECTION / Opposition slams Modi for anti-Muslim remarks
India’s main opposition party yesterday condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for anti-Muslim comments in election campaign speeches that have heightened concerns over sectarian tensions in the world’s biggest democracy.
India Election: Dance videos of Modi, rival turn up AI heat
An AI video shows an ecstatic Narendra Modi sporting a trendy jacket and trousers, grooving on a stage to a Bollywood song as the crowd cheers. The Indian prime minister reshared the video on X, saying “such creativity in peak poll season is truly a delight.”
Xi, Putin condemn US
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday condemned what they cast as increasingly aggressive US behaviour and pledged to deepen their countries’ already close defence and military ties.
China shows off robot ‘dogs of war’
China’s military yesterday showed off its machine gun equipped robot battle “dogs” at the start of its biggest ever drills with Cambodian forces, as the United States frets about Beijing’s growing influence in the Southeast Asian country.
Putin meets Xi in Beijing seeking greater support for war effort
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Thursday with counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing as he seeks greater support from China for his war effort in Ukraine and his isolated economy
CONTROVERSIAL LAW / India issues first set of citizenship certificates to 14
India yesterday granted citizenship to a first batch of 14 people under a controversial law that has been criticised for discriminating against Muslims, midway through general elections in which religious divisions have taken centre stage.
In a first, 14 get Indian citizenship under CAA
The CAA was passed by parliament in 2019 but the BJP-led central government notified the CAA implementation rules in March this year
Modi denies adopting polarisation tactics to win polls
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected the allegation that he has adopted a tactics of polarisation to win the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024
World
RETALIATORY STRIKES / Hezbollah fires rocket barrage at Israeli positions
Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it yesterday launched “more than 60” rockets at Israeli military positions in retaliation for overnight air strikes on the country’s east.
Jailed ex-Pak PM Imran appears in SC by video link
Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan appeared before the Supreme Court by video link from prison yesterday to plead his petition against changes in Pakistan’s anti-graft laws.
Monet painting fetches $35 million at New York auction
A Monet sold for nearly $35 million at auction Wednesday evening, Sotheby's said, marking a solid start to New York's spring art sales
Xi, Putin hail ties as 'stabilising' force in chaotic world
Leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin framed their nations' ties as a stabilising force in a chaotic world as they met yesterday in Beijing
Israel’s tanks push into Jabalia in north Gaza
Israel’s tanks pushed into the heart of Jabalia in northern Gaza yesterday, facing anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs from Hamas members concentrated there, while in the south, its forces pounded Rafah without advancing, Palestinian residents and Hamas said.
Garuda Indonesia flight makes emergency landing after engine fire
A jetliner taking 468 people from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia made an emergency landing Wednesday due to an engine fire, the Garuda Indonesia airline said, in the latest incident in the archipelago's poor safety record
Slovak PM no longer in life-threatening condition after being shot, minister says
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is no longer in a life-threatening condition after he was shot in an assassination attempt when leaving a government meeting on Wednesday, a government minister said
Women, children make up 56pc of Gaza dead: UN
Women and children make up at least 56 percent of the thousands killed in the Gaza offensive, the UN said Tuesday, amid controversy over the toll based on numbers from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
News Multimedia
Rich individuals from various countries have covertly amassed vast fortunes in Dubai
Among these individuals are prominent business magnates, influential political figures, entities subject to global sanctions, money launderers, and criminals. The identities of these individuals, once disclosed, may come as a surprise to you.
How did Modi's India become so strong in the economy?
For BJP supporters, Modi is magic. The extent to which the Indian Prime Minister has influenced the world's major media can be understood when the western media uses a new term to discuss India's economy – Modinomics
US keen to work with Bangladesh
US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu said Washington is seeking to rebuild the trust in its relations with Dhaka following tensions in the run-up to the January 7 national polls
Rab raids 'Arsa den' after 'gunbattle'; arrests 2
Rapid Action Battalion today arrested two suspected members of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) during a raid in a hill adjacent to Ukhiya Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar this morning
Biden admin plans $1b in new arms for Israel despite Rafah threat
US President Joe Biden's administration informed Congress on Tuesday of a $1 billion weapons package for Israel, official sources told AFP, a week after threatening to withhold some arms over concerns of a Rafah assault
imo, JAAGO join hands to empower marginalised children
Instant communication platform imo and Bangladesh-based non-profit organisation JAAGO Foundation signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate better education for the marginalised children of the country.
Rehearing of two petitions starts
The High Court yesterday started rehearing of two writ petitions that challenged National Board of Revenue orders over reassessment of around Tk 600 crore as income tax from Grameen Kalyan for different tax years.
Illegal rickshaws rule Dhaka streets
The rising number of illegal rickshaws remains one of the major reasons for the capital’s traffic getting worse.
Salim Prodhan can’t contest upazila polls
The Supreme Court yesterday imposed a fine of Tk 10,000 on alleged casino kingpin Salim Prodhan for wasting its time with a petition to run for chairman in the next Rupganj upazila parishad elections in Narayanganj, despite being convicted in an embezzlement case.
Bangladeshis have $5.9b in tax havens
Bangladeshis own $5.91 billion of offshore wealth in tax havens around the world.
Smooth sailing for hajj pilgrims leaving Dhaka
Hajj pilgrims departing for Saudi Arabia from Dhaka this year have a smoother journey ahead. For the first time, all 82,000 pilgrims can now complete key immigration formalities, which were previously necessary upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, right from Dhaka airport before boarding their flights.
Probe submission deadline extended for 110th time
A Dhaka court yesterday extended till June 30 the deadline for submitting the probe report of a case filed over the murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi in February 2012.
‘No helmet, no fuel’ goes nationwide
The police headquarters has directed all field-level police officers to implement the “no helmet, no fuel” policy to prevent road accidents.
Not much being done to stop dengue outbreak
Despite a record-breaking outbreak last year, with more than 1,705 deaths, the authorities concerned are yet to establish a comprehensive surveillance system to track and control the Aedes mosquitoes, the carrier of the deadly dengue virus.
Despite surplus, cattle smuggling on ahead of Eid
There’s hardly a month left to celebrate Eid-ul Azha.
