The programme, presided over by RSSP President Dr Nasima Akter, featured discussions on Tagore's life, literary works and philosophy of humanity by noted writers, educationists and cultural personalities.

Professor Atahar Ali Khan presented a paper titled "Rabindranath Alone and Abandoned", while other speakers highlighted Tagore's enduring contribution to Bengali literature, culture and humanism.

Later, the speakers discussed the life, philosophy of humanity, literary works, poems, songs, novels, social welfare and cultural activities of Rabindranath Tagore, who took Bengali literature and culture to a new height on the world stage. 

Speaking at the closing session, Dr Nasima Akter urged poets, writers, researchers and cultural activists to uphold Tagore's ideals to further enrich Bengali literature and help build a peaceful, non-communal and progressive society.

Markets had enjoyed a healthy run-up at the start of the week as US President Donald Trump called off strikes on the Islamic republic and said an agreement was close, even though Tehran denied talks had taken place.

At the same time Iran said it was close to a pact with Muscat on managing the key waterway -- which has been choked off for most of the Middle East war -- but that the US would need to end its own naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Crude prices had begun edging up Wednesday and rallied as much as four percent Thursday as the Fars news agency said Iran would look to prevent US and Israeli vessels from using the strait in any deal with Oman.

That dampened hopes for a full reopening of the waterway -- through which a fifth of global oil and LNG passes -- and revived fears of a fresh spike in inflation and put interest rate hikes back in the picture.

Both main contracts rose around one percent on Friday.

Equity markets were in turn mostly down, with Seoul again weighed by concerns over the AI boom while Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Wellington, Taipei and Manila were also lower. Shanghai and Singapore edged up.

That came after a pullback on Wall Street, where the Dow came off three days of record highs.

Analysts said the latest developments had traders questioning whether the week's early gains were justified.

They also come ahead of the release of key US jobs data later in the day, which will be followed next week by consumer price figures -- both of which could be crucial in the Federal Reserve's decision-making on rates.

Clark Bellin at Bellwether Wealth said the jobs figures are of major importance, adding "we will need to see a number that is not too hot and not too cold in order for the market to keep grinding higher".

And Michael Hewson of Market Insights added: "The main item of note is US (consumer price index) for July, and whether we will see further evidence of slowing price pressures.

"This matters, given the recent dissent of three (Fed policy board) members in favour of a 25-basis-point rate hike."

He added that "while we've seen a modest pull back from the recent highs (in CPI) the bigger concern is that the sustained volatility in prices could mean prices stabilise at a higher baseline.

"These are the concerns that prompted the likes of the three dissents on interest rate policy at the recent Fed meeting."

- Key figures around 0230 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.0 percent at 65,039.16 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.4 percent at 25,423.90

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 3,909.05

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 158.36 yen from 158.40 yen on Thursday

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1521 from $1.1524

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3452 from $1.3456

Euro/pound: DOWN at 85.64 pence at 85.65 pence

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.9 percent at $78.01 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.1 percent at $83.38 per barrel

New York - DOW: DOWN 0.9 percent at 53,885.10 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2 percent at 10,867.89 (close)

Exports climbed 23.9 percent year-on-year last month, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) reported. Imports increased 27.5 percent, though that was down from the 36 percent surge seen in June.

The health ministry initially reported two people killed and 13 wounded, but in the early hours of Friday, Toufic Hasaba, an official at the ministry, told state TV that "the final toll reached 14 injuries", with three people in a critical condition. The interior ministry reported the same toll. What were originally identified as human remains were brought to a hospital, but these were later determined to belong to injured victims. The interior ministry said that "specialised units moved immediately after the explosion to secure the scene, collect evidence and pursue investigations to determine the circumstances of the crime, identify those responsible, and bring them to justice".

Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said in a post overnight on X that "targeting civilians and attempts to undermine security and stability will not deter Syrians from continuing on the path of recovery and state- building". He pledged that "state institutions will continue to fulfil their duty to protect citizens, pursue those responsible for these crimes and bring them to justice". Syria's Islamist authorities have faced significant security challenges since overthrowing Assad, with Damascus and its suburbs the site of multiple attacks and incidents targeting civilians.

A case of the Andes strain of hantavirus, the only strain known to spread between humans, was confirmed on Thursday in a Franco-Argentine national who had been travelling in France in July. The patient is now isolating with family in Spain and is asymptomatic. Health authorities said the period during which the patient may have been contagious was from July 18-28.

"The risk of transmission is nevertheless considered low. It concerns only the closest contacts," the ministry said, adding that tracing of potential at-risk contacts was ongoing. The ministry stressed the case was "in no way linked to the patients from the MV Hondius cruise ship in May 2026" -- an outbreak that led to the identification of 13 cases, including three deaths, and sparked international alarm. Andes strain hantavirus, which is initially transmitted to humans by animals such as rodents, can cause severe pulmonary complications and is fatal in 30 to 40 percent of cases.

At least 97 people have died in the floods in Assam that have affected nearly 170,000, including thousands who have been forced into temporary shelters as swollen rivers inundate homes and farmland.

Floodwaters have submerged more than 14,000 hectares of cropland, an area almost one-and-a-half times the size of Paris.

An AFP journalist saw half-submerged houses, uprooted trees and vehicles buried under mud across the worst-hit district of Sivasagar.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted a video on Friday of him consoling the parents of a 13-year-old boy who died while trying to rescue his pet dog from floodwaters.

"No parent should ever have to bid farewell to their child," he wrote.

India's Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who visited the flood-hit region on Thursday, said the scale of the devastation was "so huge that it will take time" for normality to be restored.

"Village after village has been submerged," he told reporters.

Like most of the subcontinent, flooding is common in Assam during the June-September monsoon as the Brahmaputra -- India's biggest river -- and its many tributaries overflow.

However, experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing the frequency, severity and impact of the disasters.

Residents and officials have blamed illegal coal mining in the neighbouring state of Nagaland for worsening the flooding, saying it has affected areas not historically prone to inundation.

Sarma has said he would raise the issue with the national government in New Delhi.

Advocacy group Climate Trends said the increasing severity of floods in the state was "driven by the interaction of global warming, changing river dynamics and growing human exposure, making them more frequent, more complex and more costly".

Saudi Arabia's Alekhbariya television reported that the Turkish president had arrived in the Red Sea port city.

The third phase of elections was scheduled for August 10, but polling in Poonch and Palandri has been postponed, the commission said.

"A new date and revised schedule will be announced after reviewing the situation," it added.

The postponement comes after unrest was sparked by demands to abolish 12 seats in the local legislature reserved for people who migrated from the Indian-administered portion of Kashmir.

The movement was led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which the government banned under anti-terrorism laws.

Pakistan's government also instructed international media to seek permission to report outside major cities after foreign news organisations covered protests and elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The information minister and the ministry's external media wing did not immediately respond to AFP's questions about whether the unrest in the Himalayan region had prompted the new guidelines.

Internet restrictions were also reported by digital monitor NetBlocks in the region, which residents said affected voter turnout during the first two phases of the elections.

Kashmir is claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but has been divided between the two countries since 1947.

"Firefighters have been deployed to the company's logistics centre in Yekaterinburg... where a fire broke out as a result of an attack," Wildberries said in a statement, adding that all staff had been moved to safety.

Regional governor Denis Pasler said three drones crashed into the roof of the warehouse early on Friday without causing any casualties in the city, more than 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles) from the border with Ukraine.

Since mid-July, Ukraine has struck around 20 sites belonging to Wildberries, an online retail platform often described as Russia's Amazon.

More than four years since the start of Russia's large-scale offensive against Ukraine, diplomacy is at a standstill and the two countries are escalating their long-range strikes, causing a growing number of civilian casualties.

According to local sources, two individuals named Hasibul Hasan and Sohel Rana went to the house of Sohel Rana, a resident of Piadapara, identifying themselves as members of the DB police on Wednesday. 
It is alleged that they intimidated him there and took Taka 60,000 and a mobile phone.

The next day, on Thursday, when they went to the same house again to demand money, locals became suspicious. Later, they   detained the duo. 

Upon receiving the information, Bagha Thana police went to the spot, rescued them, and took them to the police station.

In this regard, in a letter given to the Executive Director of BMDA on August 3, these officials have been mentioned as persons 'concerned with the allegation'.

These officials are - Executive Engineers Nazmul Huda, Enamul Qadir, Tofazzal Ali Sarkar, ATM Rafiqul Islam, Rezaul Islam, Rezaul Karim, Moniruzzaman, Rubina Khatun and Sanjida Khanam Molly.

They have been summoned by Abdul Malek, Assistant Director of the ACC head office, who is the inquiry officer investigating the alleged corruption of Dr. Abdur Razzaque.

The charge has been brought against former minister Abdur Razzaque and his relatives on alleged embezzlement of government money through various irregularities and corruption including irregularities, extortion, and tender manipulation in various projects of BMDA.

Among them, Nazmul Huda, Enamul Qadir, Tofazzal Ali Sarkar and ATM Rafiqul Islam were called on August 12. And the rest have been called the next day, August 13.

According to BMDA sources, these officials had close contact with Abdur Razzaque and his personal assistant. Through them, contractors were given work in various projects and commission was taken.

Executive Engineer Enamul Qadir said, they have received the letter from the ACC. “We have been called to find out whether we had any involvement with the former Agriculture Minister or not,” he said.

The accident occurred around 9:20 am near the Shibganj Road railway crossing adjacent to Gafargaon Railway Station.

Mymensingh Railway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Akhtar Hossain said the train was travelling from Jamalpur to Dhaka when five of its coaches derailed just before entering Gafargaon Railway Station.

He said no casualties were reported immediately.

A relief train has been dispatched to the accident site to recover the derailed coaches and clear the track, the OC said, adding that restoration work would begin immediately.

Rail services on the route are expected to resume within four to five hours after the recovery operation is completed, he added.

He gave the directives while addressing a meeting to review the progress of ongoing development works under the Engineering Department at the conference room of Nagar Bhaban on Thursday. 

Speaking at the meeting, Mahfuzur Rahman said, "Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has entrusted me with the responsibility to make Rajshahi metropolis more beautiful and to ensure civic services.

"I am working tirelessly to implement the Prime Minister's directives. I want to build Rajshahi city as a more beautiful, clean, green, healthy and safe city. I want to collectively reshape Rajshahi metropolis anew."

The meeting was presided over by RCC Chief Executive Officer Rezaul Karim.

Present at the meeting were RCC Superintending Engineers Khairul Baker and Ahmad Al Moin Parag, Chief Conservancy Officer Sheikh Mamun, Budget and Accounts Officer Shafiqul Islam Khan, Executive Engineers Mahmudur Rahman, Nilufar Yasmin and ABM Asaduzzaman Sweet, as well as contractors and representatives of various contracting firms.

The meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing development works and discussed project implementation, quality assurance and timely completion of the ongoing works.

At least 20 to 25 passengers were injured in the accident, and the number could rise, police said.

The accident occurred around 7:00 am in the Kashikapan area, about 22 kilometres from Sylhet city.

The identities of the deceased could not be confirmed immediately.

According to police, a Dhaka-bound Unique Paribahan bus from Sylhet collided head-on with a Bengal Paribahan bus travelling towards Sylhet from Dhaka after both vehicles reportedly lost control while attempting to overtake.

The impact caused the buses to veer off the highway and plunge into a roadside ditch.

Osmaninagar Thana Officer-in-Charge Golam Mostafa said police and Fire Service personnel recovered the bodies of seven passengers from the Unique Paribahan bus.

Thirteen injured passengers, including a three-year-old child, were rescued from the scene and taken to Sylhet M.A.G. Osmani Medical College Hospital for treatment. Later, doctors on duty declared the child dead.

Sherpur Police said the bodies have been kept at Balaganj Hospital.

Traffic on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway remains normal, police said.

The drive, conducted on Thursday by the BSTI Divisional Office in Rajshahi, found that Arafat Mishti, located near Bhadra More, was producing and selling sweetmeats without BSTI certification and manufacturing fermented milk (doi) and ghee with expired BSTI approval.

The shop was also found guilty of selling products without labels carrying mandatory information, including the dates of manufacture and expiry.

The mobile court was led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Nurul Absar Sabuj, while Engineer Junaid Ahmed, an officer of the Certification Marks Wing of the BSTI Divisional Office, prosecuted the case.

Members of the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police assisted the drive.

BSTI said such drives will continue regularly to curb food adulteration and ensure the supply of quality food products.

"We are going to ask the FIFA president to resign now," she said, a day after a meeting of the Norwegian federation's governing bodies, which among other things examined the fate of the much-criticised FIFA chief. He is standing for re-election for a fourth and final term next March. President of FIFA since 2016 and currently the only declared candidate, Infantino must secure a majority of the 211 votes from the organisation's members in order to be re-elected.

Candidates must declare by November 18. The Italian-Swiss lawyer has come under enormous pressure since the failure of his plan -- which was revealed last week -- to open FIFA competitions, including the jewel in the crown the World Cup, to private investors.

India are led by KL Rahul in the three-day game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI starting Friday at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo.

The opening Test will begin on August 15 at Galle. The second Test will be played between August 23-27 in Colombo.

"Captain Shubman Gill sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during India's practice on Thursday," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement.

"As a precautionary measure, he will not take the field on Day 1 of the warm- up game against SLC XI. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress."

The series will be India's first in the current World Test Championship (WTC) since the 2-0 home defeat to South Africa in November.

India are fifth in the WTC standings, which are led by Australia, with Sri Lanka sixth.

"In the end I finally started moving a little bit better and finding my rhythm so I'm really happy at the end it really clicked." Sabalenka said she enjoys being atop the rankings, a spot she has held for more than 100 weeks in her career. "I love it. It just means I'm ahead and they have to come up with something crazy to play such tennis and I'm only getting better from that," Sabalenka said. "I enjoy being the one being chased. It's really fun. It's tough challenges but I love to go through it and it makes me stronger."

Sabalenka next plays against Russian 16th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, who eliminated Australian Talia Gibson 5-7, 6-1, 6-3. Sabalenka leads their personal rivalry 5-4 thanks to a victory this year on Berlin grass, but Alexandrova won their most recent hardcourt match in a third-set tie-breaker last year at Doha. "Great player. Super aggressive. Fast game. Always have to stay low," Sabalenka said. "It's always great battles and a lot of things to work on." American third seed Jessica Pegula advanced to the round of 16 by defeating Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 6-0 in 68 minutes.

Pegula will play for a quarter-final berth against Russian 15th seed Diana Shnaider, who eliminated compatriot Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-3, in 77 minutes. Polish seventh seed Iga Swiatek advanced with a 6-2, 6-1 romp over Swiss Viktorija Golubic in 66 minutes, landing 18 winners and losing only 14 points on her serve. "For sure it was a good day and I'm really happy with the way I played," Swiatek said. Swiatek countered Golubic's versatile shots by forcing the match tempo.

"I played back her slice pretty well so the change of rhythm didn't bother me that much," Swiatek said. "I tried to pick the right balls to attack because I was controlling the pace. It was just about the decision making." She next faces 10th seed Marta Kostyuk, who dispatched US 19th seed Madison Keys 6-3, 6-1 in 72 minutes.

The battling British winner trailed a set and a double break against the Australian third seed, who folded in the final set of an epic lasting for almost three hours.

De Minaur, who had been the highest remaining seed in a depleted draw, could have closed it out in straight sets with a match point chance in the eighth game of the second set.

The tournament had already seen an early exit from top seed Alexander Zverev, an injury pullout from Canadian second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and a loss by fourth seed Daniil Medvedev.

The US Open tuneup hardcourt event had already been hit by the absences of world number one Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic.

The result leaves fifth-seeded holder Ben Shelton as the new man to beat going into the fourth round.

Norrie said he had to win a struggle.

"It was a great match to win and test my level," said the 2021 Masters champion at Indian Wells. "I can take so much confidence from this one.

"The level was so high in the first set. He came out firing and I had to match it. Alex stayed tough and stole the first set but took his foot off the gas just slightly in the second.

"I just battled point for point and managed to come out 6-1 in the third set. I was fortunate and I'll take (the win)."

De Minaur, losing finalist in Canada three years ago to Sinner, seized a 4-1 first-set lead to take the opener, winning six of seven games.

Norrie began turning the tide in the second set, levelling with a winning tiebreaker before running away in the third, taking match point 62 minutes after de Minaur blew his match point.

"I was in a good position," de Minaur said. "It's tennis. As we've seen, anything can happen. It's not the easiest of conditions out here.

"I gave myself chances early in the third set, and then I just played some bad points in a row and then got behind.

"It all just went very quickly."

Norrie will next play Arthur Fils after the Frenchman defeated Mariano Navone 6-3, 6-2, staking his claim for a comeback effort after missing months of play from a year ago and extending to February.

The 44th-ranked Argentine Navone lost his 22nd career match against a top-30 opponent. Fils advanced on his second match point, winning as he overcame 30 unforced errors with a solid serving performance that included four aces and four breaks of the Navone serve.

"I couldn't put in a serve during warm-up," the 24th-ranked winner said. "But I found my rhythm during the match and hit some good spots."

- 'I enjoy being back' -

With no top five players left in the depleted draw, the path is opening for the survivors in French-speaking Canada.

"It has been a tough time for me, I was injured a lot," Fils said. "But I enjoy being back on the big stage -- it means a lot."

Jiri Lehecka, at eighth the highest seed remaining after Shelton, stayed alive with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Belgian Alexander Blockx.

He will next face Spanish teen Rafael Jodar, the Washington runner-up who beat 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-3.

"I did a great job on returns and generally played very solid," Jodar said. "I'm super happy with the performance."

He said the government's goal is not only to send manpower abroad, but also to develop skilled, language-proficient and world-class human resources.

The state minister made the remarks at a view-exchange meeting with Bangladeshi students, professionals and community representatives living in Osaka and Kobe at a local community centre in Osaka, Japan.

"Bangladesh's youths are our greatest strength. The government is continuously working to develop them with international-standard language education, technical skills and technological capabilities," he said.

If skilled manpower can be created according to the demands of the labour market of developed countries like Japan, it will make an important contribution to the country's economy, employment and foreign earnings," Bobby Hajjaj added.

He said necessary policy and institutional initiatives will be taken to further strengthen language education, skill development and quality technical education. 

The experiences and recommendations of expatriate Bangladeshis will be considered with importance through coordination with the relevant ministries and agencies, he continued.

Assuring that the issue of ensuring that no talented student misses the opportunity for higher education abroad only due to financial constraints will be given due importance, Bobby Hajjaj said Bangladeshi students studying abroad are important assets for the country. 

Their experiences and practical suggestions will play an important role in formulating future policies on education, skill development and human resource formation, he said.

Participants at the meeting emphasised improving the quality of Japanese language education in Bangladesh, introducing a national accreditation system for language education institutions and establishing specialised training institutes for language teachers. 

They also called for integrating technical and vocational education and training (TVET) with information technology education.

They also proposed policy support to utilise the skills acquired by young people returning home after training in Japan in the engineering, technology and automotive industries.

Responding to the recommendations, the state minister said the government would work with importance to improve the quality of Japanese language education, formulate a quality control system, enhance teachers' skills and expand technical education suitable for the international labour market.

He also said policy support would be ensured to utilise the knowledge acquired by returning expatriates in the country's industrial and production sectors.

Officials from the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, Bangladeshi students studying at different universities in Japan, expatriate professionals, businesspeople and community leaders attended the exchange meeting.

The theoretical examinations of the SSC and equivalent examinations began on April 21 and continued until May 20.

The practical examinations were held from June 7 to June 14.

A total of 1,857,344 candidates sat for the examinations under the country's 11 education boards.

Of them, 930,305 were male and 927,039 were female.

?The conference, themed "From Research to Operations: Advancing Global Flood Forecasting and Operational Hydrology," brought together around 78 professionals, hydrologists, and geospatial scientists from across the globe, a press release said today.

?As a Research Fellow at UNU-INWEH, Kabir Uddin was recognised by the GFP Steering Committee for bridging state-of-the-art technological developments with direct interactions with local stakeholders.

?Kabir Uddin delivered a keynote presentation titled "Beyond Rapid Flood Mapping from Local to National Scale Using Actionable Geospatial Data for Risk Assessment and Flood Shelter Suitability," demonstrating how Earth Observation (EO) imagery and GIS platforms evaluate flood risk and identify suitable shelter locations.

?Prior to joining UNU-INWEH, Kabir Uddin spent over 20 years at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), where he served as a Data Analyst, Project Manager for the International Charter Space and Major Disasters, and focal point for Sentinel Asia.

His pioneer work in satellite flood inundation mapping spans major regional disaster responses, including the 2008 Kosi flood, 2010 Pakistan flood, 2016 Bihar flood, and 2024 flood events in Kathmandu and Thame (Nepal), as well as Feni (Bangladesh).

?Kabir Uddin continues to work closely with key government agencies-such as Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) and the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB)-to integrate satellite data directly into disaster response and flood risk reduction efforts.

"If the autocratic, fascist, convicted Awami League leaders and the head of the Awami League, sitting on Indian soil, continue to carry out such conspiratorial activities, and if the Indian government does not stop it right now, it will certainly create a cause for concern for the people of Bangladesh," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this evening.

The state minister said Bangladesh had already conveyed its concerns to New Delhi through official diplomatic channels and urged India to take a clear position on the issue.

"You have seen our statement. In the statement, we have said and tried to convey as much as a country can in diplomatic language. And before that, we have repeatedly said that India's position should be clear about what kind of relationship it wants with Bangladesh," she said.

Referring to Sheikh Hasina, Shama said when "a convicted criminal" was allowed to make such remarks from Indian soil, it naturally raised concerns in Bangladesh regarding the future of bilateral ties.

She, however, stressed that Dhaka remained committed to maintaining constructive relations with New Delhi and would continue dialogue on issues of mutual interest.

"We want good relations in the interest of the people of both countries. But the relationship has to be based on equality, mutual respect and dignity," she said, urging India to be more sensitive to the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh while taking future decisions.

The state minister alleged that the Awami League, whose political activities are currently banned in Bangladesh, was attempting to revive what she described as an old narrative linking Bangladesh to militancy in an effort to attract international attention.

"This theory of militancy is the old dirty politics of the Awami League. They are now trying to do it again on foreign soil. Whether India will allow it or not... it is up to the Indian government to decide," she said.

Rejecting allegations of militancy in Bangladesh, Shama said the country had an elected government enjoying public support and such claims lacked credibility both at home and abroad.

She also criticised the Awami League's record on democracy and human rights, saying allegations of democracy and human rights coming from the party were "ridiculous" in view of accusations of enforced disappearances and killings during its rule.

The state minister said the people of Bangladesh remained united against any return of what she termed fascism.

Despite the current concerns, she reiterated Bangladesh's interest in strengthening ties with India, noting that the two neighbours shared a wide range of bilateral issues, including water, energy and border management, which required continued dialogue and cooperation.

"A country has many aspects to its relationship with another country. We need to have a lot of dialogue with them. We have cooperation on energy, we have a major issue with them over water, and there are issues on the border - these have to be resolved through discussions," she added.

Replying to a question on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible participation in a future BRICS Summit, Shama said Bangladesh remained interested in engaging with the grouping, while any decision on the prime minister's attendance would depend on his schedule.

"Bangladesh is currently chairing BIMSTEC. BRICS is a multilateral organisation in which Bangladesh is definitely interested in participating. Whether the Prime Minister will participate in it or not... that decision will have to be taken by him according to his schedule," she said.

The accident occurred in the Erulia Silkibanda area on the Bogura-Naogaon highway.

Bogura Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ibrahim Ali confirmed it saying all the victims were labourers and local residents. 

Their identities could not be confirmed immediately.

Police said a Shah Fateh Ali Paribahan bus travelling to Naogaon from Dhaka lost control after reaching the Erulia Silkibanda area of the highway around 6:30 am and crashed into an electric pole beside the road. 

The bus then ran over a group of labourers who had gathered there in search of work. 

Three people were killed on the spot and several others were injured.

With assistance from local residents, police rescued the injured and took them to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura, where doctors declared three more people dead.

“There is no form of government’s control on media. Rather, journalists, owners and the government are jointly working to build an independent, responsible and economically sustainable media system," he said.

The minister made the remarks at a seminar titled "Role of Media in Sustainable Democracy" organised by the Television Editors Council (TEC) at a hotel in the capital today.

LGRD minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the seminar as the chief guest.

Swapon said the government wants to create a media ecosystem where a balance will be established among the interests of media owners, journalists, advertisers, the state and the people, ensuring that journalists can perform their professional duties independently and get their due dignity and economic security.

Saying that democracy and media are complementary to each other, Swapon said, “While an independent and responsible media is essential for establishing sustainable democracy, democracy becomes stronger through the establishment of an independent and responsible media.

The minister urged all concerned to consider the media not merely as a business institution, but as one of the most important pillars of the state and society saying journalism and the media industry are different from any other sector. 

“Media is an unannounced yet inevitable fourth pillar of the state and society. Therefore, ensuring the professional independence, dignity and security of journalists is an important responsibility of the state,” he said. 

However, the economic foundation of the media industry must also be strengthened to achieve that goal, he said adding that media industry would not be sustainable if owners do not receive a fair business environment and reasonable profits.

The minister said the current media ecosystem has become more complex with the integration of digital platforms, global technology companies and artificial intelligence with traditional media. He stressed the need for future-oriented policies and institutional reforms considering this changing reality.

Swapon said the media should not be brought under control but rather within a regulatory framework, so that the fair rights of all stakeholders are ensured.

He said without good governance and effective regulatory system, there could be a tendency in some cases to use the media as a tool for business interests or bargaining. He described such tendencies as harmful to the independence and credibility of the media.

The Information Minister called upon all stakeholders to work together to utilise the new opportunity created for state and institutional reforms under the leadership of Tarique Rahman after the July mass uprising and the last national election, including in the media sector.

Independent Television Chief News Editor Mostofa Akmal presented the keynote paper at the seminar chaired by TEC Convener and BanglaVision Chief Editor Dr. Abdul Hai Siddique. 

Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam, Protidiner Bangladesh Editor Maruf Kamal Khan, National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury and Daily Waadaa Editor Shafiqul Alam addressed the seminar, among others.

Television Editors Council Member Secretary and Somoy Television CEO Zubayer Babu delivered the welcome speech.

"We will prepare the list of top drug traffickers impartially. The task force committee will compile a neutral list of drug smugglers and traders. Further steps will be taken based on that list," he told journalists after a district-level meeting on drug prevention and improvement of law and order at the Hill Down Circuit House in Cox's Bazar last night.

The minister said the government had decided to establish camps along drug trafficking routes through joint operations or in coordination with local law enforcement agencies.

"Besides land routes, drugs are being smuggled through rivers and sea routes. Instructions have been given to intensify patrols by the Bangladesh Navy and the Coast Guard on those routes," he said.

He also said a decision had been taken to register fishermen and fishing vessels in Teknaf and Ukhiya to help identify drug traffickers.

The minister said proposals had been placed before the relevant authorities of the Bangladesh Army to establish two camps in Teknaf to prevent abductions centered around the hilly areas, adding that discussions were underway.

The meeting, chaired by Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan, was attended, among others, by lawmakers Shahjahan Chowdhury (Ukhiya-Teknaf), Alomgir Mohammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid (Maheshkhali-Kutubdia) and reserved seat MP Shamima Ara Swapna.

Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Md. Mizanur Rahman, Department of Narcotics Control Director General Hasan Maruf, Cox's Bazar Development Authority Chairman Jasim Uddin, Zila Parishad Administrator ATM Nurul Bashir Chowdhury, Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police ANM Sajedur Rahman, BGB Ramu Sector Commander Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed, Commander of Cox's Bazar 34 BGB SM Khairul Alam, RAB-15 Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Mostafizur Rahman, 14 Armed Police Battalion Commanding Officer (Additional DIG) Siraj Amin, 8 APBn Commanding Officer (Additional DIG) Riaz Uddin, senior government officials, representatives of political parties and social organisations were also present.

Meanwhile, the Home Minister visited the office of the Cox's Bazar Development Authority (CoxDA) and inaugurated CoxDA's "Flat Development Project-1" there.

He also laid the foundation stone of the hospital building of Cox's Bazar Medical College.

Bangladesh’s RMG may enhance value addition and strengthen the country's global competitiveness by expanding the use of man-made fibres (MMF), functional textiles, automated sewing equipment and garment accessories

Deputy Director of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Dhaka Lee Sung-hoon (Daniel Lee) said Korea's advanced expertise in man-made fibres, technical textiles and industrial automation aligns closely with Bangladesh's strategy to transform its apparel sector from a volume-driven industry into a higher-value manufacturing hub.

“Bangladesh's RMG sector, accounts for around 84 percent of the country's exports and about 10 percent of GDP, but the industry remains largely dependent on natural fibres with a value-added ratio of approximately 30 percent,” he added.

There is considerable scope for Bangladesh to move up the value chain. Korea is globally competitive in man-made fibres and functional and technical textiles, which aligns precisely with Bangladesh's policy of increasing the share of MMF in garment production, he said.

Lee said cooperation could also expand significantly in automated sewing equipment, garment and footwear accessories, enabling Bangladeshi manufacturers to improve productivity, diversify products and meet changing global demand.

He noted that Korean companies are particularly interested in supporting Bangladesh's transition toward higher-value apparel as international buyers increasingly demand functional fabrics, performance wear and sustainable textile products.

Lee said KOTRA is promoting cooperation in three key areas- product upgrading, process automation and compliance with emerging environmental and regulatory standards.

He said shifting production from natural fibres to man-made fibres and functional materials remains the most effective way to increase value addition.

Korean companies possess extensive expertise in both yarn and fabric production, creating opportunities for joint ventures and technology partnerships, he said.

Lee said Bangladesh's textile machinery market is around US$2.1 billion, and investment in modern equipment is gradually recovering as foreign exchange reserves improve.

He said Korean manufacturers see growing demand for automated cutting and sewing systems, automated inspection technologies and energy-efficient factory management solutions. Bangladeshi buyers consistently rate Korean machinery highly for its balance of quality and price, he added.

The KOTRA official said regulatory compliance and environmental sustainability have become increasingly important for Bangladesh's export-oriented garment industry as European market tightens supply chain on the issues of due diligence, eco-design and carbon emission requirements.

He said Korean legal, AI and ICT firms are working with KOTRA to help Bangladeshi garment manufacturers prepare for the European Union's Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements, which are expected to become a key compliance standard for exporters.

Bangladesh already has the world's highest number of LEED-certified green garment factories, he said, adding that the next challenge is converting those environmental achievements into internationally recognized regulatory compliance.

Lee also said KOTRA is supporting Bangladeshi manufacturers in improving energy efficiency, rooftop solar and wastewater treatment as productivity and environmental performance increasingly go hand in hand.

Recalling the long-standing partnership between the two countries, Lee said Korea played a pivotal role in the birth of Bangladesh's garment industry through Daewoo's joint venture in 1978, when Bangladeshi workers received training in Korea to establish export-oriented apparel sector.

Today, around 70 percent of Korean manufacturing investment in Bangladesh remains concentrated in the textile and garment industries, making modernization of the sector a shared priority, he added.

Beyond garments, Lee identified pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, consumer goods, infrastructure, ICT and renewable energy as the other major sectors offering strong investment potential for Korean companies.

He said Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry, expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, offers opportunities for cooperation in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), oncology medicines, vaccines and biologics.

In the consumer sector, he said the country's expanding middle-income population is creating new demand for processed foods and K-beauty products, with Korean manufacturers increasingly partnering with local firms to develop Bangladeshi brands.

Lee also highlighted opportunities in smart infrastructure, intelligent transport systems, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and digital government services.

He said recently concluded negotiations on the Korea-Bangladesh Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) would provide a stronger institutional foundation for expanding trade, investment and technology cooperation.

Describing Bangladesh as an attractive investment destination, Lee said, Bangladesh’s has a large young workforce, growing domestic consumer market, globally competitive garment ecosystem and nearly five decades of Korean business experience.

He, however, said continued reforms in regulatory consistency, certification procedures, profit repatriation, infrastructure and policy predictability would further encourage Korean investment in Bangladesh.

Lee expressed optimism that restoration of political stability, conclusion of the CEPA negotiations and Bangladesh's preparation for LDC graduation could open a new chapter in bilateral economic relations over the next few years.

“Democracy will be strengthened if the media is strengthened. However, not only the government but also media owners, journalists and state institutions must collectively play their respective responsible roles to build an effective democratic environment," he said.

The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a seminar titled "Role of Media in Sustainable Democracy", organised by the Television Editors Council at a city hotel.

Mirza Fakhrul said democracy is not merely an electoral system; rather, it is a culture.

"Therefore, tolerance, respect for differing opinions and democratic practices must be strengthened to establish sustainable democracy," he said.

He said democracy cannot stand on a strong foundation unless various state institutions are strengthened.

“Revealing the truth is the media's greatest responsibility. Therefore, journalists must remain committed to publishing truthful and objective news," he said highlighting the need to ensure professional security, fair salaries and benefits for journalists, along with an environment in which they can work independently.

The minister said building strong institutions and fostering a democratic culture are essential for making democracy sustainable.

"If freedom of expression, tolerance and responsibility are practised more widely, the media will be able to play a more effective role. At the same time, by providing truthful and objective news, the media will gain public trust and further strengthen democracy," he added.

As the keynote speaker at the seminar, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said the July Mass Uprising had opened up new possibilities for the country.

He said the media could play an important role in building a bridge of trust between the government and the people by utilising this opportunity.

He added that establishing effective coordination among the government, media owners and advertisers would further strengthen the role of the media.

The seminar was chaired by Television Editors Council Convener Dr. Abdul Hai Siddique.

Among others present were Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam, Principal Information Officer of the Press Information Department Syed Abdal Ahmed, National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, and editors, senior journalists and representatives of various media organisations.

Locals claim that about 120 Lagunas ply on this route every day. Along with the locals, thousands of students from various educational institutions travel on these Lagunas.

It is alleged that Monir Hossain, the brother-in-law of a BNP leader in Birulia Union, collects extortion from about 100 Lagunas every day from 'Bismillah Paribahan' and Shah Ali Paribahan.

According to locals, more than 10,000 taka is collected from this route every day. The activities are carried out by the associates of Ismail Mollah, the chairman candidate of Birulia Union Hefazat Islam, and Monir Hossain.

In addition, Monir Hossain is accused of regularly collecting extortion from about 50 vehicles of Shah Ali Paribahan that ply on the same route. Due to this, there is anger among the transport owners and drivers. They allege that the burden of extortion is ultimately creating additional pressure on the transport operation. However, it is alleged that those who refused to pay the extortion were beaten up by members of the Kishore gang and Sramik League leader Tanvir, Bipul, Babu and Shahadat led by Monir Hossain.

The victims allege that when they refused to pay the extortion, Monir Hossain and his associates stopped traffic on the road. This caused extreme suffering to the passengers and created long traffic jams.

According to the locals, as there are at least five universities in the Khagan area, a large number of students use this road every day. The frequent extortion and road blockades have created anxiety and dissatisfaction among the students. They have demanded immediate intervention of the administration in this regard and necessary action against the culprits.

It is to be noted that the statement of the accused Monir Hossain was not available regarding the allegations raised in the report. If his statement is available, it will be published.

During this time, he inaugurated the newly constructed road from Jumon's house to Sayzuddin Khan's house and from Sayzuddin Khan's house to Ismail's house in Sadhapur village. This road, long awaited by the local people, will improve the communication system of the two areas and inject new momentum into public life.

Later, a public reception was given to Hon'ble Member of Parliament Engineer Sanjida Islam Tuli at the Sadhapur Government Primary School grounds. At the reception, the locals expressed their gratitude for his developmental activities, humanitarian leadership and contribution to public welfare.

Then, he inspected the ongoing renovation work of Jannatul Mawa Graveyard in Boliarpur of Savar and gave necessary directions to the concerned. Later, Jamia Islamia Harunia Chandulia exchanged views with scholars and ulama at Madrasa. During this time, he highlighted the importance of harmony in society, moral values ​​and collective participation of all in public welfare activities.

Present at the event were prominent businessman and social worker Md. Ruhul Amin, father of Honorable Prime Minister's Advisor Mahdi Amin, former member secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo Dal Mostafa Jaglul Pasha Papel, Savar Thana BNP President Saifuddin Saiful, leaders and activists of Savar Upazila BNP, Dhaka Metropolitan BNP and various organs and associate organizations of the party. In addition, local social, cultural and eminent persons and a large number of locals participated in the event.

The procession, led by Jamaat amir and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman, advanced towards the Secretariat after concluding a sit-in at Muktangan.

As the march reached the Secretariat, police stopped the procession, triggering a brief pushing and shoving incident between officers and protesters. The alliance leaders and activists later staged a sit-in outside the Secretariat.

During the march, protesters chanted slogans demanding gas and electricity supplies and calling on the government to step down if it failed to meet public demands.

After remaining outside the Secretariat for around 20 minutes, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said they had come to convey the people's demands but no government representative had responded.

"It takes no more than five minutes to come from the Secretariat, yet no one came to meet us," he said.

He announced that the demonstrators would wait for another five minutes before concluding the programme by condemning the government's failure to respond if no representative arrived.

The Swiss group, which provides insurance to insurance firms, registered $2.8 billion in net profit in the January-June period, it said in a statement.

The figure was a nine percent jump on the same period last year.

"Strong earnings delivery in the first half of the year puts us well on track towards our 2026 financial targets, while we remain vigilant as we approach the peak of the hurricane season," said Chief Executive Officer Andreas Berger.

Net profit came in at 898 million euros ($1.03 billion) in the three months to end-June, up from 462 million euros a year earlier.

For the first half of the year, profit reached a record 1.8 billion euros.

Commission income -- fees from providing services like accounts or brokerage -- rose, Commerzbank said, while income from interest was stable.

The results come as the battle for control of Commerzbank heats up.

UniCredit has pursued Commerzbank for the past two years, causing alarm in Germany where the bank is dear to many thanks to its reputation for financing small and midsize industrial companies.

Commerzbank has cut thousands of jobs in a bid to boost its profit and hence share price, making any potential takeover more expensive.

UniCredit has nevertheless continued to build up its stake and now holds almost 48 percent of Germany's second-largest lender.

Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp said both banks had a shared "responsibility".

"Even when UniCredit holds a majority at the next annual general meeting, it cannot unilaterally decide on fundamental structural measures," she said in a statement.

"It requires a shared understanding of the business model and the involvement of all stakeholders."

Berlin, which holds a 12 percent stake in Commerzbank, has fiercely opposed any takeover and unions have also come out against the move, fearing it would mean job cuts.

Commerzbank confirmed its guidance of earning at least 3.4 billion euros for the year, up from 2.6 billion euros in 2025.

According to the latest data, expatriate Bangladeshis sent US$196 million in remittances on August 4-5 alone.

Overall, remittance inflows reached US$3.461 billion from July 1 to August 5 of the current fiscal year (FY2026-27), up from US$2.806 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

The latest figures indicate a 23.3 percent year-on-year growth in remittance inflows during the period, reflecting continued strong earnings from Bangladeshi migrant workers abroad.

Investors have enjoyed a much-needed rally since Friday, following a month-long tech rout that slashed billions of dollars off valuations owing to concerns about the vast sums companies had pumped into artificial intelligence.

The recovery started with Seoul -- the poster child of the sell-off since June -- soaring almost 18 percent at the end of last week and recently battered chipmakers SK hynix and Samsung powering more than 25 percent higher.

That has fuelled speculation that the AI play was back as traders return to pick up bargain stocks.

However, the rally appeared to peter out Thursday following a tech retreat on Wall Street and disappointing earnings from US giants SanDisk and Western Digital that revived concerns over the profitability of the AI investments.

Seoul's Kospi shed more than five percent at one point, led by SK hynix and Samsung.

Tokyo's Nikkei -- another tech-heavy index -- lost around two percent, with chipmaker Kioxia down more than 10 percent and Tokyo Electron seven percent off. Tech investment titan SoftBank, which is due to report later Thursday, lost six percent.

There was also selling in Hong Kong, Wellington and Taipei, though Shanghai, Sydney and Singapore rose.

While Wall Street was broadly negative, the Dow still mustered a gain to push it to a third straight record close.

Easing tensions in the Middle East and comments from Washington about a US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have also helped equities this week by pushing oil prices down and tempering inflation and rate hike concerns.

However, both main contracts edged up Thursday after Iran said it had agreed a route with Oman for ships transiting the waterway and were adding the final touches to arrangements for jointly managing it.

Official sources briefing Iranian media stressed that any reopening would depend on the United States fulfilling what Tehran sees as its commitment to end its own naval blockade of Iran's ports.

"The factors making the Strait of Hormuz insecure still exist on the part of the United States, particularly the naval blockade and other aggressive and threatening actions against Iran and its interests," said Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, according to state news agency IRNA.

Investors are keenly awaiting the release of key US jobs data Friday, hoping for an idea about the state of the economy as the Federal Reserve plots its next moves on borrowing costs.

Figures on Wednesday showed hiring in the US private sector was significantly below expectations in July, with industries like leisure and hospitality shedding jobs.

- Key figures around 0230 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.6 percent at 65,266.67 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 2.0 percent at 25,409.68

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 3,884.42

Seoul - Kospi: DOWN 4.5 percent at 6,296.85

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 157.68 yen from 157.79 yen on Wednesday

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1555 from $1.1549

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3470 from $1.3463

Euro/pound: UP at 85.79 pence at 85.78 pence

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.7 percent at $75.71 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.7 percent at $80.00 per barrel

New York - DOW: UP 0.5 percent at 54,349.12 (close)

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 10,888.30 (close)

The 130-billion-yuan (roughly $19 billion) agreement between Beijing and cash-strapped Buenos Aires has been in effect since 2009.

The five-year extension follows previous renewals of three years at a time.

The longer period aims to provide "greater predictability regarding the continuity of this tool," Argentina's central bank stated.

A 35-billion-yuan tranche released in 2023 will remain in effect, the statement added.

The measure intends to "strengthen financial stability in Argentina and to support trade and investment between the two countries," it said.

A serial defaulter, the South American nation has struggled to get enough foreign currency to pay off international debts while keeping its own currency stable.

The renewal comes as the central bank looks to increase its global reserves ahead of next year's presidential elections, with polls typically marked by heightened financial turbulence.

Before legislative elections last year, Argentina signed a separate currency swap deal worth $20 billion with the United States.

Ultraliberal President Javier Milei had promised he would not do business with China or "with any communist" on the campaign trail ahead of his victory in 2023.

But he adopted a more pragmatic stance once in office, while also maintaining close relations with US President Donald Trump.

"Geopolitics is one thing, commerce is another," he stated earlier this year, adding that he remained "deeply aligned geopolitically with the United States."

China is Argentina's second most important trade partner after Brazil.

The so-called Selic rate, one of the highest in the world, was lowered from 14.25 percent to 14 percent, the bank's Monetary Policy Committee, Copom, stated.

Markets had widely expected the cut, which is part of a cycle that began in March after almost two years of high interest rates.

Leftist Lula, who is seeking a non-consecutive fourth term in the upcoming elections, advocated for lower rates to stimulate South America's largest economy.

The central bank has exercised caution however, given the US-Israel war against Iran, which has pushed up oil prices and fueled inflation fears globally.

As for domestic affairs, the bank noted that despite easing inflation, it "still remains above the upper limit of the target."

The cost of living features among Brazilian voters' main concerns.

Year-on-year inflation slowed to 4.64 percent in June, driven by falling food and fuel prices.

Despite this slowdown, inflation remains above the official target range of 1.5 percent to 4.5 percent.

The archipelago nation's main island Luzon has been battered by heavy rains over the past four days.

Government offices and schools were ordered closed in the capital and across a swathe of northern provinces due to the rain.

In Benguet province, a six-hour drive north of Manila, a hillside gave way and collapsed on a small restaurant on Thursday, burying three employees who had been in the kitchen.

"One is alive. Two were dead on the spot," Colonel Dionisio Bonoy of the Benguet provincial police told reporters.

"At 10:00 am (0200 GMT), the survivor was retrieved. That was our priority earlier. With the help of God, we hope he survives."

The country's national disaster agency separately confirmed two others had been killed in a landslide in neighbouring Rizal province the day before.

Earlier Thursday, government meteorologist John Manalo said sustained winds were at about 55 kilometres (34 miles) per hour, as the depression, formerly Tropical Storm Kujira, moved towards the Philippine Sea.

"Severe winds can still affect most parts of the country," he warned.

"Since our land is already saturated and soaked, the potential for flooding and landslides will be higher."

The Philippines is the first major landmass facing the Pacific cyclone belt, and the archipelago is hit by an average of 20 storms and typhoons each year, putting millions of people in disaster-prone areas in a state of constant poverty.

Scientists say human-driven climate change is making extreme weather more frequent, prolonged and intense.

"During the night... air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 605 Ukrainian aerial drones," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry flagged attacks in the Tver region about 180 kilometres (110 miles) northwest of Moscow, where local authorities reported a logistics centre belonging to the e-commerce giant Wildberries had been damaged.

Regional governor Vitaly Korolyov said air defence systems had repelled the Ukrainian attack.

"As a result of the fall of debris from one of the drones, the facade of the Wildberries logistics centre was slightly damaged," he wrote on Telegram, adding that no one had been wounded.

Ukraine has repeatedly struck sites belonging to Wildberries -- a popular online commerce platform often described as Russia's Amazon -- across the country since mid-July.

Mikhail Yevrayev, governor of the Yaroslavl region around 250 kilometres north of Moscow, reported the "most massive attack" against his region, saying 92 drones had been shot down.

Debris caused fires in houses and damaged cars, he added on Telegram.

More than four years after the start of Russia's large-scale offensive against Ukraine, diplomacy is at a standstill and the two countries are ramping up long-range strikes, causing a growing number of civilian casualties.

The military identified the two reservists, who were killed in combat on Wednesday, as Major Harel Birenstock, 34, and Sergeant Major Tamir Vaknin, 33, of the 2855th Battalion, 55th Brigade.

The deaths were the first Israeli fatalities reported in southern Lebanon since June 28.

The Israeli strikes, accompanied by the first evacuation warning in weeks, came as the United States led diplomacy between Israel and Lebanon in Rome aimed at putting an end to hostilities, with Beirut seeking Israel's phased withdrawal from the south.

"In response to a blatant violation of the ceasefire by the Hezbollah terrorist organisation, the IDF has begun conducting precise strikes in southern Lebanon," the military said in a statement, shortly after telling residents to evacuate the town of Mansouri in the south.

Lebanese state media said one person died and 11 were wounded in a separate strike.

In Rome, Israel requested that the day's talks with Lebanon end three hours early, a source in the negotiations told AFP, saying the head of the Israeli delegation, US ambassador Yechiel Leiter, had blamed alleged "misleading leaks" by the Lebanese side.

But the talks were expected to resume on Thursday for a third and final day.

In previous US-sponsored talks in June, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a framework deal that involves the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon's south and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the region, starting in test areas known as "pilot zones".

This week's negotiations are the seventh round since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in March with rocket fire at Israel in support of its backer Iran.

Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a ground invasion that Lebanon says have killed more than 4,300 people.

In its first such warning since June, the Israeli military on Wednesday told the residents of Mansouri: "In light of Hezbollah's violations of the ceasefire agreement, the Israel Defense Forces are compelled to act against it with force."

"For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move north," the military's Arabic-language spokeswoman, Ella Waweya, posted on X.

The UN's humanitarian agency had said just the night before that more than 800,000 people displaced by earlier fighting in Lebanon had begun heading back home following the recent lull in violence, though more than 360,000 remained displaced.

- 'Shame, humiliation' -

The town of Mansouri, located around nine kilometres (six miles) south of Tyre and 10 kilometres north of Israel, and its surroundings were subjected to several Israeli strikes and artillery shelling in recent weeks despite the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel that took hold in June.

The town's municipality told residents on June 22 that they could return, but asked them to avoid the part of the town that fell within Israel's so-called "security zone" in southern Lebanon.

The "security zone" designates a strip of territory where Israeli forces continue to operate that runs around 10 kilometres deep inside southern Lebanon along its border with Israel.

A US State Department official had told AFP that this week's discussions would "include expanding the pilot zone process, resolving all outstanding border issues, and working on a comprehensive peace and security agreement".

As the delegations met in Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani spoke with his counterpart from Iran, Hezbollah's main patron, and called on Tehran to halt the group's operations.

Tajani, in a post shortly before the Israeli strikes, voiced hope that the talks would "yield concrete results".

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Tuesday that the direct negotiations would bring "nothing but shame, humiliation" and successive concessions for Lebanon.

Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the direct talks and refuses to surrender its weapons.

Violence in Lebanon has decreased since the Lebanon-Israel deal and the signing in June of a preliminary US-Iran agreement on the Middle East conflict.

But Lebanon continued to report intermittent Israeli strikes and shelling, as well as detonations and demolitions in southern villages.

Since the war between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in early March, Israel's military has lost 38 soldiers and one civilian contractor.

The company's first mRNA-based flu vaccine, mFLUSIVA, has been approved for use in all adults age 50 and older, the US-based pharmaceutical firm said in a release.

"Moderna expects to have mFLUVISA available for eligible populations in the US for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season," the release said.

Moderna went public with news in February that federal vaccine regulators had called its clinical trials inadequate and rejected their application for review of the new shot.

But the FDA walked back its previous position a week later, after what Moderna called a "constructive" meeting.

The new shot uses mRNA technology, which health chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a vocal vaccine skeptic, has criticized. He notably cut off federal research grants that funded mRNA development.

Under Kennedy, and US President Donald Trump, the FDA has called for a reconsideration of approval procedures for certain vaccines, including for influenza, along with proposed federal policy changes that have triggered widespread alarm among public health and medical professionals.

During his first term Trump called mRNA technology a "modern-day miracle."

It was used during the Covid-19 pandemic to swiftly develop an immunization against the fast-spreading illness, and was credited with saving millions of lives.

Vaccines against Covid-19 are considered safe and effective by global health authorities, and protect against the most severe forms of the infection.

The agreement would be a step towards reopening the key energy route, but official sources briefing Iranian media stressed that any easing still hinged on Washington ending its own naval blockade of Iran's ports.

Iran has exercised de facto control of the waterway and threatened any vessels transiting routes it deems unauthorised ever since the United States and Israel launched their war against the country on February 28.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted Tehran is keen for a deal to reopen Hormuz, but Iran has denied this and said it will instead make arrangements with its neighbour across the strait, Oman.

"The geographical coordinates of the route envisaged by the two sides have been agreed upon and, if certain third parties do not obstruct the process, the joint statement of the two countries, containing the main considerations and points of agreement, is also in the final review and drafting stage," Iran foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, according to state news agency IRNA.

According to the report, Baqaei told journalists that talks with Oman were moving forward, but that even if an understanding was reached, it would not mean that the strait had become safe for all passing vessels.

"The factors making the Strait of Hormuz insecure still exist on the part of the United States, particularly the naval blockade and other aggressive and threatening actions against Iran and its interests," he said.

Highlighting the risks, the captain of an oil tanker reported hearing two explosions while transiting the strait, nine nautical miles (17 kilometres) southeast of Kumzar, Oman, Britain's maritime security agency UKMTO said on Wednesday. The crew and vessel were safe.

Yemen's Houthis said separately they had struck two Saudi oil tankers, the eighth and ninth hit since they launched a blockade of the kingdom last month.

Military spokesman Yahya Saree said missiles hit the tanker Wafa off Yanbu in the northern Red Sea and the tanker Daisy in the Gulf of Aden.

Saudi authorities did not immediately comment.

- 'Fractured system' -

Before the war, Hormuz carried around a fifth of the world's oil and LNG exports, and prices have repeatedly surged since the dispute over the waterway erupted, piling economic and political pressure on Washington.

US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged American frustrations with the pace of diplomacy with Iran, saying negotiations would take time because of divisions within the country's leadership.

"It's going to be messy and it's going to take some time to get there," Vance told Fox News in an interview broadcast Wednesday.

"The reality... is that number one, the Iranians are extraordinarily difficult people. Number two, they have a fractured system," he said.

After imposing an effective blockade on the strait, Iran has insisted ships take a route that hugs the Iranian coast.

Many vessels have instead chosen to take a southern route, close to Oman on the opposite side of the strait, occasionally coming under fire.

Iran wants to control the strait and charge tolls, powers it did not exercise before the war and a development that the US would fiercely oppose.

In what has become a regular pattern, Trump last week threatened to hit Iran "very hard", potentially with attacks against civilian infrastructure, only to pull back, hinting a deal was near.

But Iran's foreign ministry denied negotiations were taking place with Washington.

Although the season began with below-normal activity, prolonged hot and dry weather since July has driven the rapid spread of fires across the country, with Ontario and the Northwest Territories especially impacted.

More than 3.8 million hectares (9.4 million acres) have burned so far this year, displacing thousands of people and exposing millions to dangerous smoke levels.

To assess the role of climate change, researchers at the World Weather Attribution group used observations and climate models to compare conditions to what the world would have looked like without climate change warming the planet by 1.4C since pre-industrial times.

Focusing on the 7-day and the 30-day periods of most extreme "fire weather" in Ontario and the Northwest Territories, they found human-induced climate change made the events about twice as likely.

"Based only on observations, fire weather as seen in this year's event is no longer rare in today's climate, expected to occur once every 2-6 years in the Northwest Territories, and every 6-15 years in Ontario," the WWA said.

In a world without climate change, it would have occurred around every 40 years.

"Since 2023, the wildfires we've seen across Canada have been fundamentally different in their scale and intensity," said lead author Theodore Keeping of Imperial College London.

"The geographic spread of these fires is scary and shows that despite preparedness from wildfire governance, adaptation alone is not enough," he added.

"We need to rapidly move away from fossil fuels to avoid events like this becoming even more of a reality."

Human-caused climate change is increasingly creating conditions for more frequent and intense wildfires, through increased heat, extended drought, and a "thirsty" atmosphere that enhances the drying of organic matter.

It is a vicious loop, with increased wildfires releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, accelerating planetary warming.

The cheque distribution ceremony was held at the Upazila Parishad auditorium and was jointly organized by the Upazila Administration and the Upazila Social Services Office with funding from the National Social Welfare Council.

Local Member of Parliament Alhaj ABM Mosharraf Hossain attended the event as the chief guest and handed over the cheques to the beneficiaries. The programme was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Arifuzzaman.

The event was conducted by Upazila Social Services Officer Md. Zahirul Islam. Among others present were Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Arafat Hossain, Upazila Engineer Md. Moniruzzaman, Kalapara Upazila BNP President Haji Humayun Sikder and other local dignitaries.

According to the Upazila Social Services Office, each of the 57 selected underprivileged and disabled students received Taka 10,000.

Speakers at the event said such financial assistance would help disadvantaged students continue their education and contribute to improving their socio-economic conditions.

According to the DAE, jute has been cultivated on 23,517 hectares of land in the district this year, up from 23,498 hectares last season.

Of the total cultivated area, 6,942 hectares are in Narail Sadar, 12,165 hectares in Lohagara and 4,410 hectares in Kalia upazila. Farmers have mainly cultivated high-yielding varieties, including O-9897, GRO-524 and BJRI Tosha-8.

DAE Deputy Director Muhammad Arifur Rahman said Narail's soil is highly suitable for jute cultivation and rising domestic and international demand for eco-friendly jute products has encouraged farmers to expand cultivation.

Under the government's agricultural incentive programme, 3,200 small and marginal farmers received one kilogram of jute seed, five kilograms of DAP fertiliser and five kilograms of MOP fertiliser each free of cost this season.

The deceased was identified as Abul Kalam Azad, 35, son of Md. Mohibur Rahman, a resident of Bandora village in the upazila.

Police and local sources said Azad was returning home from Deopara area with a goat on his power tiller trolley when the Khulna-bound Mahananda train, which had left Rohanpur, struck the vehicle as he was crossing the Deopara railway crossing line.

Azad was thrown off the trolley in the impact and died on the spot.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Nachole Police Station Sukomal Chandra Debnath confirmed the incident, saying the body had been recovered and would be handed over to the family after completion of legal formalities.

The distribution ceremony was held at the Bagerhat Zilla Parishad auditorium premises, where Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Golam Md Baten inaugurated the programme as the chief guest.

Among those present were Superintendent of Police Hasan Mohammad Nasher Rikabdar, Civil Surgeon Dr A S Md Mahbubul Alam, Deputy Director of Social Services Santosh Kumar Nath, upazila social service officers, physicians from the Upazila Disability Service and Support Centre, local dignitaries and CODEC official Syed Mahbubur Rahman Sujan.

Speaking at the event, Golam Md Baten said people with disabilities are an integral part of society and, if given the necessary support and opportunities, can make valuable contributions to the country's development.

The other speakers praised CODEC's initiative and urged individuals and organisations to extend similar support to underprivileged people with disabilities.

The deceased was identified as Fatema Khanam, 30, daughter of Khalil Mollah of Jokarchar village.

According to family members, the tin roof of the family's house became electrically charged due to a short circuit. Fatema came into contact with the electrified tin and suffered a severe electric shock.

She was rushed to Kalia Upazila Health Complex in critical condition where the attending physician declared her dead.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Idris Ali of Kalia Police Station confirmed the matter and said Fatema's body was handed over to her family after the completion of the necessary legal formalities.

Messi, who helped Miami win the 2023 crown in his first weeks with the Florida club, took his tally in the competition for Major League Soccer and Mexican Liga MX sides to a record 14 goals.

David Rodriguez gave San Luis the lead in the fourth minute but Messi equalized seven minutes later.

Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia edged Miami ahead in the 26th minute.

Messi struck again just before half-time with Brazilian defender Micael making it 4-1 deep into first-half stoppage time.

Atletico's Rafa Llorente scored a second-half consolation.

Other Leagues Cup matches on Wednesday saw Dallas beat Queretaro 2-0 and Leon won 1-0 at Nashville.

Police conducted "search and seizure operations" at the Korea Football Association's offices, probing allegations of "obstruction of business" in the recruitment of former coach Hong Myung-bo, a police spokesman told AFP.

The 57-year-old Hong resigned in June after South Korea were knocked out following a shock 1-0 defeat to South Africa.

Questions were already dogging the Korean Football Association over the 2024 appointment of Hong, but scrutiny has intensified since the team exited at the group stage.

In late July, Hong was summoned before a committee of lawmakers probing the issue, where he said he took "full responsibility" for the poor performance.

President Lee Jae Myung blamed the failure on "incompetent people" promoted to leadership in a statement alluding to "loyalty and factionalism" tainting recruitment at the sport's top level.

Beaten by 90 runs in the first Test the previous week at the Brian Lara Stadium in the south of the island, the visitors were left with a target of only 75 runs after the home side -- already in deep trouble overnight at 103 for six in the second innings -- were dismissed for 117 half-an-hour into the start of the day's play.

Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam guided their team to victory after openers Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais fell cheaply to pacers Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph with Babar hoisting consecutive sixes off spinner Jomel Warrican to seal the result.

It gave Pakistan a share of the series in the same manner of their last campaign in the Caribbean in 2021, when they rebounded similarly from losing the first Test to take the second, both matches played then at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

Their last meeting in Pakistan, for two Tests in Multan in January of 2025, also finished 1-1.

This match was a personal triumph for Shafique.

Not included in the original touring party and only flown in last week as replacement for the injured Shan Masood, his unbeaten 160 was the cornerstone of Pakistan's first innings total of 387.

"This felt like a debut match for me, it was really unexpected," said Shafique on receiving the Player of the Match award and reflecting on his own stop-start international career.

"I haven't been able to get the opportunities recently, but as a professional you have to work towards a comeback and give of your best."

This was also Pakistan's first Test victory at Queen's Park Oval since 1977, when captain Mushtaq Mohammad's all-round performance took his team to a series-levelling win in the fourth Test of a five-match series. West Indies however won the decider in Kingston to take that rubber 2-1.

"Obviously you are satisfied when you win, but most important for us was the way we executed our plans," said Barbar, who has now won nine of his 12 Test matches as captain away from home.

"The way Abdullah (Shafique) played in the first innings and the way the spinners bowled in the second innings really made the difference."

- Frontline spinners star -

Pushing aside the hotly-debated omission of senior seamer Mohammad Abbas on the first morning of this Test, Pakistan prevailed with their two frontline spinners starring in the victory.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan, who was omitted for the first Test, made the most of his recall with a match haul of eight for 117, although he was not required on the final morning as the other spinner, left-arm orthodox Ali Usman, took two of the last three wickets to fall to claim four for 39 in the innings and match figures of six for 119.

West Indies were hampered by the absence of regular opening batsman Brandon King who was unable to bat because of back spasms suffered in effecting the run out of Pakistan captain Babar Azam for 88 the day before.

Khan had taken four for 32 to engineer the West Indies second innings collapse late on day three, yet Babar opted for the combination of Usman and seamer Mohammad Ali to complete the job on the fourth morning.

They were aided though by poor shot selection from the hosts' lower order.

Kemar Roach, noted for his tailender's defiance as displayed in the first innings, swung hopefully at the second delivery he faced from Usman to be bowled for a "duck".

Justin Greaves, the last real hope for any meaningful West Indian resistance, dragged an attempted pull at Mohammad Ali onto his middle stump, and the innings was wrapped up when Shamar Joseph, having already struck two boundaries, essayed another big swing at Usman only for a skied leading edge to be easily pouched by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.

"We should probably have gone into the match with an extra spinner as I underestimated the extent of my finger injury," West Indies captain Roston Chase admitted. "As for the batting, I thought we should have made a better effort of coping with the spin in the second innings so as to give our bowlers something reasonable to defend."

Pakistan's win also broke a streak of eight consecutive Test match defeats away from home, which started with a 360-run annihilation at the hands of Australia in Perth in December 2023.

The 38-year-old Jaissle, a former Germany Under-21 international, was previously in charge of Saudi side Al-Ahli but has no prior experience of managing a top-flight club.

"It is an incredible honour to become head coach of Newcastle United," said Jaissle.

"This is one of the biggest clubs in European football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand.

"When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice. The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be. I have followed the club's journey closely in recent years and the progress that has been made is clear for everyone to see."

Jaissle was forced to end his playing career due to injury at the age of 25.

His first managerial job came with Austrian side Liefering, whom he led to a second-placed finish in the second tier, the club's joint best-ever position.

Jaissle took charge at Red Bull Salzburg in 2021, winning successive Austrian titles as well as the Austrian Cup.

Jaissle joined Al-Ahli in 2023 and led them to AFC Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026.

Although not a high-profile manager, he is well-known to Newcastle's majority owner, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, which bought a controlling share in four Pro League clubs, including Al-Ahli, in 2023.

Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson said: "Matthias is one of the most exciting and highly regarded young coaches in football and I'm thrilled to welcome him to Newcastle United.

"We have conducted a thorough process, and he has emerged as the clear candidate for the role. He possesses all the qualities we were looking for."

- 'Believe in the project' -

Jaissle has a tough task ahead of him given the way Howe, in his five years at Newcastle, revitalised a club that had struggled for decades.

Howe replaced Steve Bruce in November 2021 and won the League Cup in March 2025 -- beating Liverpool in the final to clinch the northeast side's first major trophy since 1969.

The former Bournemouth boss also led Newcastle to Champions League qualification in 2023 and 2025.

But hampered by star striker Alexander Isak's protracted move to Liverpool, the Englishman came under pressure as the Magpies finished 12th in the Premier League last season, with 17 defeats in their 38 games.

Newcastle reached the Champions League last 16 but were hammered 8-3 on aggregate by Barcelona.

The club have since been depleted by the close-season departures of Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and England forward Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, with Howe reportedly frustrated at losing several of his best players in order that Newcastle could comply with Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes is also set to leave St James' Park after reports earlier Wednesday that Premier League champions Arsenal had agreed a œ75 million ($101 million) deal to sign the Brazil midfielder.

The Magpies begin the 2026/27 Premier League season at home to Liverpool on August 23, with an upbeat Jaissle insisting: "I am incredibly excited about the future.

"I fully and unreservedly believe in this project, the ambition and the direction the club is taking. There is a clear vision, strong leadership and an exceptional platform to build on."

to have been granted Australian citizenship after being branded traitors at home for refusing to sing the national anthem before a game.

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were members of a group of seven from Iran's delegation who asked for Australia's protection following the high-profile protest during the women's Asian Cup in March.

With their demands for protection an embarrassment for Iran's leaders but lauded by US President Donald Trump, five later changed their minds and returned home.

Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh stayed, however, and were granted Australian citizenship at a ceremony on Wednesday overseen by interior minister Tony Burke.

"Yesterday was a truly special and unforgettable day for me. I feel proud and deeply grateful to become an Australian citizen," Ramezanisadeh said in a statement.

"After everything we've been through and all the challenges we faced, this moment means more than words can express," Pasandideh added.

A week after seeking asylum, the pair was pictured smiling and training with Australian club Brisbane Roar, which on Wednesday congratulated the pair.

"What they have been through since February is more than most people deal with in a lifetime," a spokesman for the club said.

"To see them arrive at this point is something everyone here at Brisbane Roar is glad to have had a small part in," they added.

"Queensland is their home now. If they ever want to pull on a training top and come back out with us, the door will always stay open."

The plight of the rest of the team remains unclear since their return to Iran.

AFP reporters saw them cross into their homeland from Turkey on a bus wearing the national team tracksuits and with their hair covered.

Soon after, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that the players and their support team were "children of the homeland and the people of Iran embrace them".

By returning, they had "disappointed the enemies (of Iran) and did not surrender to deception and intimidation by anti-Iran elements", he added.

"Salah mode: ON," Trabzonspor posted on social media alongside photos of the 34-year-old Egyptian aboard a private jet wearing the team's blue and maroon home shirt.

The club from Turkey's northeast announced on Tuesday that they had begun "negotiations" with Salah, who left Liverpool after nine seasons and as many trophies with the Reds.

He landed at around 0900 GMT in Istanbul, where he was greeted by hundreds of ecstatic supporters, AFP journalists reported.

"I'm here straight after my night shift, and now for Mohamed Salah, I am ready to spend another sleepless night," Trabzonspor supporter Abdul Kerim Yervan told AFP.

Salah is due to undergo a medical on Wednesday in Istanbul before flying to Trabzon later in the day.

The right winger, who is set to sign a two-season contract with an option for a third, will earn 17 million euros ($19.6 million) a year, according to several Turkish media outlets.

"I am really happy... and looking forward to training with the team. Everywhere I go I always win or try to win something. Hopefully we can do something within the league and in Europe as well," the Egyptian said on his arrival in Trabzon, while the club posted "Welcome, Egyptian King" on X.

Salah netted 257 goals for Liverpool in 442 appearances in all competitions, making him the third top goalscorer in the club's history.

He also scored 193 Premier League goals, 191 of them for the Reds, putting him fourth in the all-time list behind English trio Alan Shearer, Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney.

Salah was far from his best in a struggling Liverpool team last term, scoring only seven times in the league.

He last played at the World Cup, helping Egypt reach the last 16 for the first time since 1934 before they blew a two-goal lead to suffer an agonising loss to eventual runners-up Argentina.

Salah had also been linked with Trabzonspor's Super Lig rivals Besiktas.

Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish top flight last season, nine points clear of Besiktas, to qualify for the Europa League play-off round.

Salah has scored 66 goals in 119 international appearances for Egypt and is one of the most successful African players in history.

"Migration management is directly linked to a country's internal stability, border security, humanitarian protection and overall national security," he said while delivering a keynote speech titled "Migration Governance as a National Security Instrument in Bangladesh" at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) in Mirpur Cantonment here.

Dr Shamsul Islam said the concept of security has expanded beyond the protection of territorial integrity and geographical borders.

"Ensuring safe mobility of people, legal employment opportunities, orderly cross-border movement, and protection of the rights and dignity of Bangladeshi nationals abroad are now important dimensions of national security," he said.

The Defence Adviser warned that failure to ensure safe, orderly and well-managed migration could pose multidimensional challenges to internal stability, border management and regional security.

Highlighting the economic significance of overseas employment, he said remittances continue to play a vital role in Bangladesh's economy.
He underscored the need to develop a skilled workforce, expand opportunities for safe and regular migration, and ensure adequate knowledge, training and protection for migrant workers before their departure.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening coordination among relevant institutions to curb irregular migration, human trafficking, fraud and transnational criminal networks.

The Defence Adviser said Bangladeshi expatriates are key contributors to both the national economy and the country's international image.

"Their rights, security and dignity must be safeguarded, while crisis-response mechanisms for Bangladeshi citizens abroad should be further strengthened," he added.

Dr Shamsul Islam called for formulating a comprehensive, humane and security-oriented migration framework by integrating the economic, humanitarian, social and security dimensions of migration.

He also emphasised policy-oriented research, reliable databases, skilled human resources and stronger institutional coordination for effective migration governance.

An interactive question-and-answer session followed the keynote speech, during which BUP students raised questions on migration policy, human trafficking, migrant protection, border management, regional geopolitics and national security.

The Defence Adviser responded to their queries and shared his observations on the growing strategic importance of migration governance.

Earlier, BUP Vice-Chancellor Major General Md Mahbub-ul Alam welcomed the Defence Adviser on his arrival at the university.

Senior military and civil officials, deans, faculty members, researchers and students attended the programme.

The move came at a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce today, where Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir directed all relevant agencies and stakeholders to submit written opinions on the draft "Gold Policy 2018 (Revised) 2026" by Sunday, said a press release.

The meeting, chaired by Commerce Secretary Md. Ataur Rahman Khan, was attended by Bangladesh Jewellers' Association (BAJUS) President Enamul Huq Khan, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif, and representatives of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Bangladesh Bank.

Muktadir said the country's gold sector has remained outside a proper institutional framework for years due to inadequate policies and regulatory shortcomings, despite its significant contribution to the economy.

He said the government's objective is to establish the gold trade as a fully recognised industry operating under the same legal and regulatory framework as other sectors, which would create employment, encourage legal imports, improve revenue collection and ensure transparency in gold transactions and reserves.

Under the proposed policy, he said, every stage of legally imported gold-from import and storage to sales-will be brought under a monitoring system, allowing regulators to track inventories, transactions and sources of gold.

Highlighting gold's strategic economic value, the minister said legally imported gold retained within the country helps preserve national wealth, much like foreign exchange reserves.

To discourage smuggling, he stressed that domestic gold prices should remain closely aligned with international market rates. 

He said significant price gaps with neighbouring countries create incentives for illegal exports and suggested that duty and tax structures should be designed with reference to global markets, particularly major trading centres such as Dubai.

The draft policy also gives priority to expanding gold jewellery exports by facilitating the import of raw materials at rational and minimum duty rates, enabling local manufacturers to become more competitive in international markets.

The minister noted that Bangladesh has strong domestic demand for gold, particularly for weddings and social occasions, adding that a well-structured policy would improve competition and enable consumers to purchase gold at fair prices.

Before finalising the policy, the government will review regulatory models of three to four leading jewellery-exporting countries, including India, focusing on import procedures, duty structures, storage management and export incentives.

The minister asked the NBR, Bangladesh Bank and other agencies to identify implementation challenges and potential risks in their written recommendations, saying the government's aim is to establish a transparent, sustainable and nationally beneficial framework rather than create new complications.

After reviewing stakeholders' feedback, the government may hold further consultations before finalising the revised gold policy.

Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, also the father-in-law of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, passed away on August 6, 1984. 

He is remembered for his contributions to the modernization of the Bangladesh Navy, public service, philanthropy and national development.

A series of programmes has been arranged to mark the occasion, according to a press release.

The observance began with the placing of floral wreaths at his grave beside the Naval Headquarters in the capital, followed by Holy Quran Khatam, Quran Khawani and special prayers.

Bangladesh Navy paid tribute to its former chief by placing a wreath at his mausoleum in the morning. 
Food will be distributed among underprivileged people, while special doa mahfils will be held after Zuhr prayers at Bangladesh Navy mosques across the country, seeking eternal peace of his departed soul.

Quran Khatam, Quran Khawani and doa mahfils will also be arranged at Mahbub Bhaban. Begum Mahbub Ali Khan has requested all admirers and well-wishers to pray for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Special programmes have also been organised by 'Surovi', a charitable organisation for underprivileged children and adolescents founded by Begum Mahbub Ali Khan in 1979. 

The organisation will hold a doa mahfil and special prayers in remembrance of the late naval chief.

Besides, Quran Khatam, Quran Khawani and doa mahfils will be held at different madrasahs, orphanages and mosques in Dhaka, while similar programmes have been arranged in Sylhet, Bogura and Jamalpur.

In Sylhet, the family will organise doa mahfils, remembrance meetings, Khatm-e-Qur'an and food distribution at their ancestral residence, family mosque and local madrasahs. 

Special prayers and food distribution will also be held at the shrines of Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA).

Programmes marking the anniversary have also been arranged in Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Malaysia, China, South Korea, Singapore and the Maldives, where expatriate Bangladeshis and well-wishers will offer special prayers for the late Rear Admiral.

According to the organisers, discussions highlighting his life, professional achievements and contributions to nation-building will also be held in several countries.

The family also announced plans to establish the Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan Memorial Trust to promote cardiovascular research, scientific innovation and social service, alongside an Institute of Preventive Cardiology and Research in his birthplace, Sylhet, to provide awareness and treatment services, particularly for underprivileged patients.

The National Disaster Response Coordination Centre (NDRCC) issued the warning in a notification today, saying rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds from the south/southeast direction, with speeds of 45-60 kilometres per hour, may affect the areas during the period.

Meanwhile, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions during the next 24 hours from 9:00 am today.

The notification said heavy rainfall of 44-88 millimetres and very heavy rainfall exceeding 88 millimetres may occur during the period.

Due to the possibility of very heavy rainfall, landslides may occur at places in the hilly areas of Chattogram division, it added.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Didarul Alam passed the order after police produced Pasha before the court and sought a 10-day remand for interrogation. Syed Jaglul Pasha was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police from his residence in the capital's Bashundhara area at around 1:30 am on Tuesday. The court sent him to jail on August 5.

According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly placed sand-laden trucks around the former prime minister's Gulshan residence on December 29, 2013, as part of a premeditated plan to prevent her from joining the party rally. When Begum Khaleda Zia allegedly attempted to leave her residence, they used force and sprayed pepper spray on her, the prosecution said.

A former leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Shariful Islam Shaon, filed the case with Gulshan Police Station on October 4, 2024.

During his August 4-6 visit, Admiral Koehler paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Defence Adviser AKM Shamsul Islam and Bangladesh Navy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka.

The meetings reviewed ways to enhance cooperation in maritime security and further deepen defence ties between Bangladesh and the United States.

The visit reflected the two countries’ continued engagement in promoting regional security and expanding defence collaboration, the release said.

Admiral Koehler’s trip came as Bangladesh and the United States continue to maintain close cooperation in the maritime domain and broader security issues.

At the meeting held at the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the Prime Minister appreciated the alternative and innovative initiative for environmental protection and instructed the relevant ministries and agencies to take the necessary measures, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.

Dr Muhammad Shariful Islam, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), gave a presentation on the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable binna grass as an alternative to concrete blocks and geo-blocks for preventing erosion of riverbanks and canal embankments. 

He also highlighted its potential for protecting coastal embankments, roads in char and haor areas, and roads and railway tracks from erosion.

Dr Shariful, also a professor of BUET Civil Engineering department, said binna grass could serve as an effective, environmentally friendly and sustainable solution to preventing riverbank and canal erosion. 

The grass has already been used on an experimental basis at several locations across the country, he added.

Considering the positive results of the pilot projects, the meeting also discussed implementing the initiative on a larger scale through projects. 

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, and senior officials of the relevant ministries and divisions attended the meeting.

EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the election schedule at the Election Commission Bhaban at Agargaon in the city.

According to the schedule, the last date for submission of nomination papers is August 13. Voting will be held on August 20 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) session hall.

Nomination papers must be submitted at the office of the Chief Election Commissioner between 10:00am and 4:00pm on August 13.

The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held at the EC Bhaban from 10:00am on August 16.

The last date for withdrawal of candidature is until 4:00pm on August 18. 

Speaking to journalists, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, "In accordance with Section 5(3) of the Presidential Election Act, 1991, I am announcing this schedule for the presidential election after discussions with the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad."

He said, voter list for the Presidential election has been prepared. Other remaining administrative procedures will be completed before the election, he said.

He made the remarks while unveiling 'Shikol Bhangar July' (July of Breaking the Chains), a commemorative publication brought out by the Press Information Department (PID) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to mark the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, at the Secretariat here.

Swapon said Bangladesh's democratic journey had repeatedly been interrupted by oppression, forcing people to sacrifice blood and lives to restore their rights.

"Previous movements often ended with resistance against injustice but failed to prevent the rise of new forms of fascism. This time, while breaking the chains of fascism, we also planned how to rebuild the country," he said.

He said the government had undertaken reforms of the state structure and political system so that the sacrifices made during the movement could translate into lasting democratic institutions. 

He added that BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman's 31-point outline had provided a roadmap for post-uprising reforms.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury said the country's return to democracy was achieved through the sacrifices made during the 17-year movement against autocracy and the July Mass Uprising. 

He prayed for the departed souls of the martyrs and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

Acting Secretary of the ministry Shah Alam said the commemorative publication has been brought out in tribute to the memories of the July Mass Uprising ahead of its second anniversary.

Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed said the publication aims to preserve the history of the struggle for democracy for future generations.

Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the July Mass Uprising, according to a press release received here this morning. 

Addressing the gathering, the ambassador said the uprising reflected the enduring aspirations of the people of Bangladesh for democracy, justice, accountability and human dignity.

He said the movement embodied the collective determination of Bangladeshis to build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous future.

Highlighting the government's 3R Strategy - Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction, Chowdhury said the initiative aims to restore economic stability, rebuild institutions and promote sustainable development.

The permanent representative also reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to democratic governance, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and strengthened international cooperation.

A documentary on the July Mass Uprising was screened during the event, providing delegates with an overview of the movement and its significance in Bangladesh's democratic journey.

“River pollution has reached an intolerable level. If we fail to take effective action now, we will be held accountable by future generations,” he said. 

The Prime Minister made the remark while addressing a meeting titled- Improvement of Water and Environment of the Buriganga River at the Bangladesh Secretariat, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin said.

Tarique Rahman said, “There is no room for negligence in taking strict and coordinated measures to prevent river pollution. Alongside formulating an action plan, we must also ensure its effective implementation.”  

According to the deputy press secretary, the Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to quickly prepare a coordinated action plan and take effective steps to prevent pollution in the Buriganga and other rivers surrounding the capital.

It was also decided to form an inter-agency coordination committee under the supervision of the Prime Minister's Office to prepare and implement a coordinated, time-bound action plan for preventing pollution in the rivers surrounding the capital.

The committee will coordinate the activities of the relevant ministries, divisions and agencies, periodically review progress and submit reports to the Prime Minister's Office.

The meeting reviewed the current environmental condition of the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakkhya and other rivers adjacent to Dhaka, discussing major sources of pollution, existing challenges and long-term solutions.

It identified untreated industrial effluents discharged into rivers, inadequate sewerage and drainage systems, reduced navigability of canals and weak solid waste management as the major causes of river pollution.

The meeting stressed ensuring the effective operation of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) at industrial establishments, improving canal and drainage systems, and conducting regular drives against polluters.

It also underscored the need for strict enforcement of existing environmental laws and stronger coordination among the relevant government agencies.

The participants further discussed measures to enhance public awareness and ensure greater citizen participation in river conservation efforts.

The meeting attached special importance to coordinated action among the Department of Environment, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Dhaka WASA, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), RAJUK, Dhaka North and South City Corporations, district administration and other relevant agencies.

The Prime Minister also instructed the authorities to involve environmental organisations, voluntary groups, educational institutions and local communities with the initiative.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, Commander of the Dhaka Naval Area Rear Admiral Abdullah-Al-Maksus, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister A.B.M. Abdus Sattar, and senior officials of the relevant ministries and divisions attended the meeting. 

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Bangladesh was "outraged" that the "absconding convicted genocider" Sheikh Hasina had been allowed to engage in a live interaction with the media in New Delhi, where she and her associates "launched venomous vitriol against the State of Bangladesh and her people."

Dhaka said it "deeply regrets" that despite conveying its concerns in advance to the Government of India regarding the possible repercussions of the event on efforts to reset bilateral relations, the programme was allowed to take place.

The foreign ministry said the interaction, held on the second anniversary of the July Revolution, was "an affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh and a grievous insult to the martyrs of the July Revolution."

It said the denial of facts established by the United Nations, including the killing of civilians, among them children, during the July-August 2024 events, represented "a futile attempt" to rewrite history.

"The people of Bangladesh had already rejected such heinous attempts in the past and continue to do so now," the statement said. Reaffirming the spirit of the July Revolution, the ministry said the people of Bangladesh had resolved that the country would "never again go back to the dark days of fascism" and would "never be a client state."

It added that Sheikh Hasina and her associates "will never have a place in the polity of Bangladesh." The statement reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to maintaining "a constructive, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking relationship with India" based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and national dignity.

However, the ministry expressed regret that Bangladesh's repeated requests for the return of Sheikh Hasina under the Bangladesh-India Extradition Treaty signed in 2013 had not yet received a response.

"On the contrary, allowing her the opportunity to openly interact with the media under any pretext is deeply hurtful to our people's sentiment and detrimental to the development of harmonious bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India," the statement added.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said the benchmark repurchase rate, the level at which it lends to commercial banks, would remain at 5.25 percent after a unanimous vote by a six-member panel.

Emerging and frontier market central banks from Indonesia to Sri Lanka have raised rates to curb price rises and boost their currencies since the outbreak of the Middle East crisis in February.

Limited and staggered fuel price hikes by the Indian government have so far shielded citizens from the worst of the war's economic impact but there are signs that this may not hold.

Retail inflation rose to 4.4 percent in June -- breaching the central bank's medium target of four percent for the first time in 17 months -- though it remains within RBI's 2-6 percent tolerance band.

Bank governor Sanjay Malhotra said economic growth was supported by "resilient domestic demand" and inflation was not "broad-based" yet.

"The MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) noted that even though headline inflation is projected to increase, it is primarily on account of supply side pressures caused by food and fuel. It is not getting broad-based," Malhotra said in a televised address from the financial capital Mumbai.

"There is a need for greater clarity to emerge, especially regarding inflation, its path and composition before taking any policy action."

Analysts said Malhotra's speech had a dovish tinge.

"What stood out just as much as the tone itself was what was missing from it," Sneha Pandey of Quantum AMC said.

With the war still unresolved and already influencing both oil markets and yields, there were ample reasons for the central bank to express greater concern, she said.

"It didn't... and that comfort is a genuine positive for equities."

Adding to the central bank's calculations is pressure on the Indian rupee, which slid to a record low before its June policy meeting.

Instead of raising rates, the RBI chose to announce a range of moves aimed at wooing dollar inflows, including a deposit scheme for the Indian diaspora.

These measures have brought in more than $40 billion since June, according to central bank data released last Saturday, boosting the RBI's forex buffers.

While the steps have helped stop the rupee's losses, the currency has faced fresh challenges.

India, the world's third-largest buyer of oil, normally sources about half of its crude through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed since the beginning of the war in February.

Analysts say this makes New Delhi among the most vulnerable economies to a global energy shock, as higher crude and fertiliser prices drive up India's import bill.

"Our result was positively impacted by ongoing underlying demand for Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo, improved performance from HK Express, and stronger contributions from associates," the chair Guy Bradley said in its earnings report.

The airline reported net profit of HK$6.2 billion (US$795 million) in the first six months of the year, while revenue increased 25.3 percent on-year to HK$68 billion.

Passenger revenue increased 26.3 percent to HK$43.2 billion, driven by strong travel demand and "amplified by increased transit traffic through Hong Kong as travellers looked to other hubs due to the Middle East situation in the second quarter", the carrier said.

"Having got off to a strong start in the first quarter, we faced a more challenging second quarter due to the situation in the Middle East and the resulting significant increase in jet fuel prices," Bradley said, adding that fuel costs nearly doubled from the first quarter to the second.

The airline has raised fuel surcharges multiple times since the war broke out in February.

"That we were able to achieve our first-half performance despite these circumstances is testament to the resilience we have built into our business in recent years," Bradley said.

Taiwan is a powerhouse in the global semiconductor industry, producing nearly all of the most advanced chips for companies including Nvidia and Apple.

China is racing to develop the advanced chips used to power artificial intelligence systems, as it faces export restrictions imposed by the United States.

More than 300 investigators searched 64 locations and interviewed 114 people in recent weeks, the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau said in a statement.

Investigators said the companies allegedly sought to conceal the identity of their Chinese financial backers while establishing "unauthorised" operations or "illegally" recruiting talent.

As AI competition intensifies, Taiwanese firms face the "challenge of having their core high-tech talent targeted and recruited by 'Chinese' companies, leading to the loss of their core competitive advantages," the statement said.

Taiwan has long accused China of carrying out espionage activities on the island, which Beijing claims is part of its territory and has threatened to seize by force.

Last month, Taiwanese prosecutors charged a former TSMC employee with stealing the chipmaking giant's "core" technology and attempting to leak it to China.

Prosecutors also have detained seven people, including an Nvidia worker, in a separate case involving the alleged smuggling of the US tech giant's AI chips to China.

Southeast Asia's largest economy expanded 5.3 percent in April-June, compared with the 5.6 percent seen in the previous three months. It was, however, better than the 5.1 percent projected in a survey of economists by Bloomberg.

Household expenditure, which accounts for more than half of gross domestic product, increased 5.1 percent, Statistics Indonesia official Moh Edy Mahmud said.

"Household consumption grew strongly, driven by the momentum (from) holiday and religious holiday" spending, he added.

Government expenditure climbed nearly 16 percent.

President Prabowo Subianto's government is chasing a growth target of eight percent by 2029 as one of its major policy objectives -- an ambitious goal some experts warn would be hard to reach.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said Monday the government would stimulate the economy for the rest of the year and could see growth of around six percent in the second half of 2026.

"I will put everything on the market, every possible policy from the fiscal, monetary side to ensure that the domestic economy can grow at its (full) potential," he said in a televised speech.

After spending four weeks unloading their positions over fears that the AI-led rally had come to a shuddering halt, investors were piling back into the sector to extend a rebound that began in breathtaking fashion Friday.

Strong earnings and positive forecasts from market heavyweights including Amazon, Microsoft and data-mining giant Palantir have injected fresh interest in tech, helping overcome worries about massive spending on artificial intelligence and when that will see a return.

All three main indexes on Wall Street chalked up gains Tuesday, with the S&P 500 and Dow hitting records -- while there were also new peaks for Paris, Milan, Frankfurt and Madrid.

That optimism filtered through to Asia, where Seoul -- which has been at the forefront of extreme volatility in the tech sector over the past month -- climbed more than four percent.

Tokyo, which has also benefited from the AI boom, was up three percent, while Taipei added a little more than that.

There were also gains in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Wellington and Jakarta.

The gains come as a relief to traders after a wave of tech selling, which was also linked to worries of higher US interest rates, saw Seoul fall more than 40 percent from its June record high.

The losses were led by chipmakers SK hynix and Samsung, which collapsed up to 50 percent from their own peaks.

Friday's rebound -- the Kospi surged almost 18 percent and SK hynix 30 percent -- came on the back of bargain-buying and positive earnings among other things.

Gains have been helped this week by hopes that the US-Iran truce will be reset after weeks of tit-for-tat strikes.

Crude tumbled more than five percent Tuesday -- and are down more than 10 percent this week -- after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a deal could be reached imminently with Tehran on re-opening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic.

He told CNBC television that "I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait" -- a key sticking point in ceasefire talks.

"I'd expect the energy prices to settle back down, which, as I said, will be good for the entire world."

The Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude contracts fell again Wednesday.

"The past few sessions have been pivotal for financial markets, largely thanks to signs of diplomatic progress around the Strait of Hormuz," wrote Julian Pineda at City Index.

He said officials' comments regarding progress in talks "has had a direct impact on market confidence. With geopolitical uncertainty easing, WTI crude has slipped below the $80 mark, helping to dial back fears of global inflation.

"This, in turn, eases concerns about aggressive central bank rate hikes, clearing the way for risk appetite to recover."

And IG Markets' Tony Sycamore said "the balance of risks appears to be becoming more skewed back to the upside".

The drop in oil prices helped ease concerns about inflation and saw traders lower their expectations for the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates, according to Bloomberg.

Investors are keeping tabs on the release this week of crucial US jobs data that should provide them with a fresh idea about the state of the economy, and guide the Fed as it considers its next move.

- Key figures around 0230 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: 3.0 percent at 65,861.00 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.2 percent at 25,913.11

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.6 percent at 3,845.76

Seoul - Kospi: UP 3.8 percent at 6,598.49

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.1 percent at $74.94 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.7 percent at $78.80 per barrel

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 157.47 yen from 157.72 yen on Tuesday

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1535 from $1.1533

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3456 from $1.3453

Euro/pound: UP at 85.74 pence at 85.73 pence

New York - DOW: UP 1.7 percent at 54,085.88 (close)

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 10,879.38 (close)

The acquisition is part of Santander's push to expand in the United States, where it currently has a footprint in nine states and operates more than $81 billion in consolidated deposits.

Webster Bank has a large footprint in the US northeast, operating consolidated deposits of approximately $69 billion, according to the US central bank.

"On consummation of this proposal, SHUSA (Santander's US holding company) would become the 19th largest insured depository organization in the United States, with consolidated assets of approximately $253.6 billion," the Federal Reserve said in a statement.

The deal for the retail and commercial bank "will create a stronger, more competitive bank for customers," Santander said in a statement in February.

The Spanish banking giant said the Webster acquisition would make it a top-10 retail and commercial bank in the United States by assets.

In April, Santander reported "record" first-quarter profit as customer growth and strong commercial activity outweighed global economic uncertainty caused by the Middle East war.

It is a major player in Europe and Latin America, and the Webster acquisition is part of its goal to grab more of the lucrative US market.

Kyiv was unable to shoot down any of the missiles launched by Russia, whose intensifying attacks have prompted Kyiv to plead for more US-made Patriot interceptors.

Russia has significantly upped its attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent months, typically firing salvos of hard-to-intercept ballistic missiles in short blitzes that rock buildings and send booms echoing across the city.

"Ballistic interceptors are what could have saved the lives of those killed today," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, announcing 17 people had been killed.

A cloud of smoke hovered over the capital at sunrise, AFP journalists saw, after the attacks sparked fires in several locations in the region.

Over 40 people were wounded in the capital and its surrounding areas, local authorities said.

AFP journalists heard explosions in Kyiv after midnight (2100 GMT Tuesday), following Ukrainian air force warnings of incoming ballistic missiles.

One journalist reported seeing dark smoke and the acrid smell of burning lingering in the air hours later.

"The night was so terrifying, so hard," Kyiv resident Natalia Reutska told AFP in the morning after the attack.

"We've gotten used to waking up thinking, 'we were lucky today,' and that's very scary," she added.

Ukraine shot down 98 of the 115 drones fired by Russia overnight, the air force said.

But it was unable to shoot down any of the missiles, preliminary statistics from the air force showed.

Kyiv can intercept the vast majority of drones, but still relies on supplies from allies to counter missiles.

Zelensky has warned that Ukraine faces critical shortages of air defences needed to counter missile attacks, particularly Russia's increasing use of ballistic missiles.

Moscow fired a record number of missiles at Ukraine in July, an AFP analysis of Ukrainian air force data published Saturday showed.

- Warehouses hit -

The Russian attacks overnight mainly targeted warehouses, Kyiv said, with some strikes on infrastructure and a railway station.

Eight people were killed in a strike on a train station on the eastern edge of Kyiv, a local official said.

Logistics centres of the general merchandise chain Epicentr were struck, burning one hub completely to the ground and killing an employee, the company said.

Three people working at a postal sorting centre were also killed.

Moscow said it hit "transportation, logistics, and distribution centres in the city of Kyiv and the Kyiv region that were involved in the storage, delivering various weapons and military cargo, as well as in the production and distribution of unmanned aerial vehicles."

Its own network of online retailer, Wildberries, has been hit around a dozen times since mid-July by Ukrainian forces.

The series of strikes killed at least eight people and have knocked out a large chunk of the company's storage capacity.

Kyiv accuses the e-commerce giant -- which employs tens of thousands of people and is sometimes referred to as "Russia's Amazon" -- of storing drone parts and helping the Russian army.

This was the eighth Saudi oil tanker targeted since the start of the blockade on July 22, a Houthi military spokesman said.

The group "successfully targeted the Saudi oil tanker 'Wafa' in the northern Red Sea, off the coast of Yanbu, with a number of ballistic missiles," Yahya Saree said in a video statement.

The Houthis declared they will escalate attacks in the northern Red Sea because Saudi Arabia is diverting its oil tankers there from the south in response to their blockade.

The blockade has threatened top oil exporter Saudi Arabia's ability to get its supplies to the world following Iran's parallel blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off the kingdom's only other maritime route.

Saree said that the group's blockade had pushed Saudi Arabia to divert "its oil tankers towards the northern Red Sea".

So the group will now "escalate in targeting Saudi oil tankers in the northern Red Sea to close all access points and prevent their passage".

With Iran's closure of Hormuz, the Saudi port of Yanbu on the Red Sea became the main exit point for Saudi oil, with the Bab al-Mandeb Strait turning into a crucial transit route for crude.

The narrow waterway connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and, via the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean.

Saudi seaborne crude exports via the Bab al-Mandeb strait surged eightfold between March and mid-July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to data from maritime tracker Kpler.

It skyrocketed to nearly 100 million barrels for the month of June, compared to 7 million barrels in February.

In April and May, all of Saudi Arabia's seaborne crude exports departed from Yanbu port, according to Kpler data.

The quake, which hit 32 kilometres (about 20 miles) southwest of the small island of Sarangani at 12:14 pm (0414 GMT), according to the USGS, did not trigger a tsunami warning. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Sarangani Island rescuer Harly Sauro told AFP the quake had struck while a large number of people had gathered to receive a government subsidy.

"The shaking was quite strong. I saw people in panic. They were running and shouting," he said.

"The earthquake came while the local government was giving a financial subsidy, so there were many people at the court, but everyone's safe," he added.

"Based on our assessment and experience, we don't think there will be casualties or damage."

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center placed Wednesday's quake at a depth of 62 kilometres.

The quake follows a powerful June 8 tremor that toppled buildings, triggered landslides and killed at least 76 people on the nearby island of Mindanao.

That earthquake, driven by a shifting of the Cotabato trench, raised the seabed by as much as two metres (6.6 feet), exposing coral and harming marine life.

Earthquakes are a near-daily occurrence in the Philippines, which is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

Kyiv has in recent months urged allies to supply more US-made Patriot interceptors as Russia steps up its use of ballistic missiles more than four years into its full-scale invasion.

AFP journalists heard explosions in Kyiv after midnight (2100 GMT Tuesday), following Ukrainian air force warnings of incoming ballistic missiles.

One journalist reported seeing dark smoke and the acrid smell of burning lingering in the air hours later.

Kyiv's military administration said the missile and drone barrage slammed into residential buildings and several warehouses.

"The enemy is once again deliberately striking civilians and civilian infrastructure," it said on Telegram.

The military administration reported one woman killed and at least 24 other people wounded in the capital after strikes sparked fires in four districts.

In the Kyiv region, 14 people were killed in strikes, regional authorities said, noting more than 20 were wounded in Kyiv's surrounding areas.

"Kyiv region experienced one of its most tragic enemy attacks yet again tonight," Tymur Tkachenko, head of the regional military administration, wrote on Telegram.

"Russia has once again brought death and destruction to our land, taking the lives of civilians. Just accountability will certainly follow for every such crime."

The violence follows a series of deadly overnight strikes in the capital.

Russian attacks on Kyiv and its suburbs on Saturday killed 10 people and wounded more than 30 others while Ukrainian drones sank a huge Russian container ship in the Black Sea.

- A deliberate 'hunt' -

Both sides have increased long-range attacks in recent weeks, with Russia more than doubling its use of missiles in July, according to an AFP analysis.

Drone strikes have also become a regular occurrence, with Ukraine intensifying its attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities and logistics in Russia.

Five people were killed and 10 others wounded in the Moscow region on Tuesday morning in strikes that targeted depots of the Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries.

Moscow's mayor said Wednesday the country's air defences had intercepted and destroyed at least 10 drones heading toward the Russian capital.

And the governor of Tula region, south of Moscow, said Russian defences destroyed 107 Ukrainian drones in the area overnight.

He said at two apartment buildings were damaged and said a drone fell on the grounds of a Wildberries logistics facility in the region, causing a fire.

The company, which Ukraine has accused of storing drone parts and helping the Russian army, said it ordered a "precautionary evacuation".

Ukraine, meanwhile, expressed outrage over a video showing a man chased by a drone in Kherson city, calling it a deliberate "hunt" and "safari" targeting civilians.

UN human rights monitors have voiced concern about rising numbers of civilian casualties, which have reached their highest level since Russia's invasion in February 2022.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a lack of ballistic missile interceptors "only encourages Russia to launch such attacks that take human lives".

He met his US counterpart Donald Trump last Tuesday, partly to lobby Washington for licences to produce Patriots domestically.

Russia said Saturday's attack struck "military-industrial complex industries and logistics centres". One of the buildings damaged in Kyiv was Lithuania's embassy. Another was a five-storey residential building.

The Brazilian government also said it was reducing "bilateral diplomatic representation to the level of Charge d'Affairs," Argentina's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Japan has been gradually moving away from its post-World War II pacifist status -- increasing military spending, ramping up defence pacts and deploying missile launchers to its outer islands.

Tokyo's defence minister said Tuesday the military needs to be boosted with a "sense of urgency and crisis", as a new government assessment warned of growing threats from China, Russia and North Korea.

In a statement carried by North Korean state media, Kim Yo Jong said Pyongyang's "leadership will set up additional military options which are obviously due to Japan's transformation".

"Japan, a war criminal state, is accelerating its transformation into a war state," said her statement published by the Korean Central News Agency.

Kim cited Tokyo's recent test-firing of Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles and its May participation in US-led drills in the Philippines as evidence of Washington's support for "dangerous military moves" in the Pacific.

Tokyo is moving "to formulate the possession of the capability for preemptive attack", she said. "We will never remain a passive onlooker to the military evolution of Japan which may pose a grave threat."

Japan occupied all of Korea before its 1945 surrender in the Second World War, after which the peninsula was divided into separate states along the 38th parallel.

The legacy of the violent colonial period continues to weigh on the foreign policies of both North and South Korea.

"If the descendants of militarism, who have inherited the genes of cunning and aggression, have seized deadly weapons in their hands, something unpleasant will happen," Kim's statement said.

Japan has hosted US military bases ever since its surrender in World War II.

The nation raised its military expenditure by 9.7 percent to $62.2 billion in 2025 -- equivalent to 1.4 percent of GDP, its highest share since 1958.

China -- a key ally North Korean -- has also recently expressed alarm at what it sees as "new militarism" by Japan.

Relations have worsened since Tokyo's hawkish new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made comments in November suggesting Chinese action to seize Taiwan could merit a reaction from Japan's military.

Beijing has long claimed the island is part of its territory and has not ruled out taking it by force.

Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear state since leader Kim Jong Un's 2019 summit with US President Donald Trump collapsed over the scope of denuclearisation and sanctions relief.

According to the district administration's schedule, public representatives, government officials, and people from all walks of life paid tribute by placing wreaths at the local July Memorial from the morning until noon. 

The observance formally began with the laying of floral wreaths at the memorial. The tributes were offered by Dinajpur-3 Member of Parliament Syed Jahangir Alam, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Islam and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Zedan Al Musa. They were followed by representatives of the district administration, police, political parties and July fighters.

Later, a reception was held at the Shishu Academy Auditorium in honour of the families of those martyred in the 2024 July Mass Uprising and the July fighters.

Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, MP Syed Jahangir Alam described the 2024 July Mass Uprising as a movement that led to the fall of Awami League government. 

He said the movement had paved the way for a fair election and greater public participation in the democratic process. 

Among others, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Zedan Al Musa, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Habibul Hasan and Dinajpur District BNP Vice-President Mohammad Khalekuzzaman Babu also addressed the meeting.

The district administration organized the reception and discussion at Shaheed Titu Auditorium in the district town at 10 am. During the event, representatives of the administration and invited guests presented gifts to the families of those killed and to individuals injured during the July 2024 uprising.

Speaking as the chief guest, Bogura-6 Member of Parliament Md. Rezaul Karim Badsha said that the 2024 movement following the legacy of the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War and the 1990 anti-autocracy movement laid the foundation for building a democratic, secular and discrimination-free Bangladesh.

He said the movement's ultimate goal was to permanently eliminate fascism and build a self-reliant, production-oriented and employment-focused Bangladesh.

The lawmaker also urged the government and the administration to ensure proper medical treatment and due recognition for the families of the martyrs and for those injured in the movement who are still undergoing treatment. He called on everyone to remain united and uphold the spirit of July in building a new Bangladesh.

Presiding over the programme, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Md. Toufiqur Rahman urged people to practice self-reflection rather than blaming others and to demonstrate patriotism through actions, integrity, cleanliness and standing against injustice.

During the reception, Samiul Islam Siam, who sustained 65 bullet injuries during the July uprising, shared his experience. Recalling the violence on August 4, he said ordinary people had joined the movement not for financial gain but to establish a society free from discrimination.

Earlier in the day, as part of the observance, the district administration placed floral wreaths at the July Memorial at Satmatha in Bogura town at 9:30 am.

A day-long photography exhibition and various programmes organized by political and social organizations are also being held to mark the occasion.

Among those present as special guests were Bogura-4 Member of Parliament Mosharaf Hossain, Bogura City Corporation Administrator M.R. Islam Swadhin, Superintendent of Police Mirza Sayem Mahmud, Zila Parishad Administrator A.K.M. Ahsanul Toyeb Zakir and Civil Surgeon Md. Khurshid Alam, among others.

The district administration organised wreath laying at the July Memorial, a discussion, reception for families of martyrs and injured and special prayers.

Lawmaker Advocate Shah Md Wares Ali Mamun paid tribute to the July martyrs by placing a wreath at the memorial on the premises of Government Ashek Mahmud College.

He was accompanied by Jamalpur Zila Parishad Chairman Md Sirazul Haque, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Yusuf Ali and Superintendent of Police Mst Farhana Yesmin.

Later, a discussion and reception for the families of July martyrs and the injured were held at the Jamalpur Shilpakala Academy auditorium.

Improved meals were served to inmates of hospitals, jails, orphanages, child rehabilitation centres and welfare centres for persons with disabilities marking the day.Also essay writing, poem recitation, art competitions were organized.

The Information Department also screened documentaries and films on the July movement at different places in the town.

Riton, also the general secretary of Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP, visited the martyr's grave at Tikapara Graveyard in the city at around 8:00am. He offered prayers and joined a dua and munajat seeking eternal peace and forgiveness for the departed soul.

Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Naimul Hasan, and Sakib Anjum's father, Md. Mainul Haque, among others, were present.

The dua and munajat were conducted by Maulana Nazmul Islam, Khatib of Rajshahi Collectorate Mosque.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sabur Ali, Rajshahi City Corporation Secretary Sohel Rana, Boalia Thana (East) BNP President Ashraful Islam Nipu, General Secretary Alauddin and local leaders and dignitaries also attend the event.

FIFA chief Infantino has come under serious pressure over a failed plan to open the World Cup to private investment.

Prince Ali bin Hussein, who twice ran unsuccessfully for the FIFA presidency, said the Jordanian FA was still waiting to be paid for reaching last year's FIFA Arab Cup final.

He also bemoaned that several Jordan fans were not granted visas to enter the United States for the recent World Cup despite having tickets, and said Jordan's World Cup prize money is being taxed by the "US government through FIFA".

The FA's president claimed he was told that endorsing Infantino's re-election bid "would go a long way towards helping our FA out".

"We have been waiting for reward money for our players since December for the Arab Cup in Qatar, which is a FIFA event," Prince Ali, also a former FIFA vice-president, said in a statement on social media.

"The money our team should receive for having reached the final has not been delivered yet, while at the same time FIFA brags about how many billions they have in reserve.

"It is clear the problem really is with leadership.

"For months, FIFA has been refusing to help us on any of these or other matters -- until it was verbally communicated to me during the World Cup that if I endorsed Infantino it would go a long way to helping our FA out...

"We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that."

Prince Ali lost to Sepp Blatter in the 2015 FIFA presidential election, and was then third the following year behind Infantino and Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa.

Infantino, who succeeded Blatter in 2016, was widely expected to be re-elected as FIFA president for a fourth term next March but his position is now under threat.

Earlier Tuesday, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, and world football's governing body's secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom both criticised Infantino's handling of the scrapped investor plan.

Several of UEFA's member associations -- Wales, Finland, Sweden and Serbia -- have withdrawn their letters of support for Infantino and the English FA is strongly rumoured to be on the verge of also joining them.

Four executives from World Cup cities, speaking anonymously, told the outlet that FIFA management told them they would each receive $1 million in "legacy" funds to build football-related infrastructure and support "social projects".

The Athletic reported that officials from the cities had requested the payments after Gianni Infantino, head of global football's governing body, announced such payments to host cities of the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.

"According to four executives at US host city committees, all of whom asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, FIFA management repeatedly assured the cities they would receive the same $1 million contribution towards legacy, despite no public statement ever being made by the organization," The Athletic wrote.

"The four executives said this promise was made verbally by members of FIFA's senior management, and reiterated to cities in meetings, but it has not been paid, meaning several cities are now asking FIFA staff for updates on the payments."

The US cities of Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Miami, Boston and New York/New Jersey were among the host venues for the World Cup held in the US, Canada and Mexico.

The 39-day tournament, expanded to 48 teams for the first time, has contributed to record FIFA revenues reportedly hitting $15 billion for the revenue cycle of 2023-26.

The report is the latest black mark for Infantino, who is under fire from European confederation UEFA and some of its counterparts, as well as some within FIFA, over his since-abandoned proposal to open the World Cup to private investment.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, appointed in 2019 by Infantino as FIFA's chief of global football development, said in a statement that "the decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question".

His remarks followed hot on the heels of an extraordinary internal email to FIFA staff, seen by AFP, in which secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom appeared to distance himself from Infantino on the issue.

Previously seen as close to Infantino, Grafstrom describes the fiasco surrounding the plan as "a sad and reproachable series of events".

He adds: "Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue."

FIFA had floated the plan last Tuesday, saying it could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for a new commercial subsidiary, called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which it proposed would run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.

By Saturday, it was dead in the water as Infantino announced the humiliating climbdown after widespread condemnation, as UEFA wielded the nuclear option of boycotting all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

Far from calming the waters or shoring up his presidency, Infantino has been swamped with criticism of his style of leadership and a previously smooth path to being re-elected unopposed to a fourth and final term next March in Rabat now looks a very rocky one indeed.

He has reportedly summoned FIFA staff to a crisis meeting in the Moroccan capital as he attempts to cling onto power.

Several of UEFA's member associations -- Wales, Finland, Sweden and Serbia -- have withdrawn their letters of support for Infantino and the English FA is strongly rumoured to be on the verge of also joining them.

Jordanian FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein, twice a FIFA presidential candidate, accused FIFA of "blackmail" in a remarkable statement.

Prince Ali said he was told verbally that endorsing Infantino for re-election "could go a long way to helping our FA out".

The federation had complained about not being paid for Jordan's run to last year's FIFA Arab Cup final, and about its team's fans not being given visas to watch their World Cup debut in the United States.

The Athletic also reported Tuesday that the 11 World Cup host cities in the United States are chasing up legacy payments of $1 million each which were "repeatedly" promised to them by FIFA.

- 'Take immediate steps' -

UEFA issued a letter through their lawyers in the US threatening legal action over what they had scathingly described as a "shabby, backroom, opaque deal", despite it being shelved.

Both Grafstrom and Wenger as well as chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who had slammed the plan on Friday, are mentioned in the letter as being knowledgeable about the FFE and instructed to keep all "relevant materials".

"Dear Mr Infantino. UEFA hereby gives formal notice that it is actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints (together, the 'Proceedings') arising out of and in connection with the FFE plan proposed by FIFA and all related matters as further described below," their lawyer Andrew Levander said in the letter sent last Friday and seen by AFP.

The scant comfort for Infantino came from a handful of supporters, including 2030 World Cup co-hosts Morocco, as well as Kuwait, Qatar, where he has a house, and Lebanon, which granted him honorary citizenship in February.

However, it is the damning remarks by both Wenger and Grafstrom -- who shadowed Infantino throughout the World Cup -- that will twist the knife further.

Their criticism only adds to the impression that Infantino has lost the confidence of even his closest FIFA collaborators.

One of the most devastating blows to Infantino's plan was the resignation on Friday of his special advisor Carlos Cordeiro, who is also close to US President Donald Trump.

Despite what UEFA's lawyer wrote regarding keeping material pertinent to FFE, Wenger claims to have only learned about it through the media.

"I was not involved in this strategic plan," the 76-year-old Frenchman said.

Grafstrom, for his part, tried to cheer up the staff by congratulating them on their work while admitting it had been "an extraordinary and challenging week".

For Infantino, the challenge threatens to grow, and his stated purpose when he ditched the plan, to unite football, seems unlikely to be realised while he remains president.

The Egyptian star left Liverpool at the end of last season after an illustrious nine-year spell at Anfield, during which he won the Champions League and two Premier League titles.

"Mohamed Salah, with whom we have begun transfer negotiations, will be at Istanbul Ataturk Airport... at 12:00 on Wednesday, August 5," Trabzonspor said in a statement.

"The player is scheduled to arrive in Trabzon on the same day in the evening hours."

Salah netted 257 goals for Liverpool in 442 appearances in all competitions, making him the third top goalscorer in the club's history.

He has also scored 193 Premier League goals, 191 of them for the Reds, putting him fourth in the all-time list behind English trio Alan Shearer, Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney.

The 34-year-old Salah was far from his best in a struggling Liverpool team last term, scoring only seven times in the league.

He last played at the World Cup, helping Egypt reach the last 16 for the first time since 1934 before they blew a two-goal lead to suffer an agonising loss to eventual runners-up Argentina.

Salah had also been linked with Trabzonspor's Super Lig rivals Besiktas.

Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish top flight last season, nine points clear of Besiktas, to qualify for the Europa League play-off round.

Salah has scored 66 goals in 119 international appearances for Egypt and is one of the most successful African players in history.

Abdullah Shafique's unbeaten 160 ensured the visitors did not completely squander an excellent overnight platform in eventually getting to a first-innings total of 387.

Sajid Khan then made his second meaningful contribution of the day in taking four second-innings wickets, while Ali Usman claimed two, including home captain Roston Chase caught-and-bowled off the final ball of the day.

First-innings top-scorer Justin Greaves will carry the fight for the West Indies into the fourth morning with uncertainty over the availability to bat of regular opener Brandon King.

On a deteriorating pitch offering sharp turn and variable bounce, West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was as much in his element as 18 months earlier against these same opponents in Multan.

Here, his haul of six for 112, including three wickets in four balls to wrap up the Pakistan innings on the stroke of tea, would have been a portent of things to come.

Yet having started the day in the comfortable position of 266 for two and within sight of the West Indies first-innings total of 344, it took an error of judgement from Pakistan captain Babar Azam to trigger a gradual slide as the visitors' last eight wickets fell for 106 runs.

Having put the West Indies bowlers to the sword with delightful, confident strokeplay on the second afternoon, Babar was a picture of strokeless paralysis at the start of the day, as if the prospect of a first Test century in almost four years had gotten the better of him.

He managed to eke out a couple of runs to add to his overnight 86 before taking off for a non-existent single and, sent back by Shafique, dived desperately but in vain as the direct hit at the striker's end by King from point found Babar short of his ground.

West Indian delight at Babar's dismissal was transformed to concern over the welfare of King, who remained prone on the outfield after effecting the dismissal.

After several minutes of assessment of his situation he was stretchered off with what was later diagnosed to be back spasms.

That unexpected breakthrough triggered a mini-slide as three wickets fell for five runs, fast bowler Shamar Joseph and Warrican claiming a wicket each.

Khan offered a measure of stability with Shafique, the pair putting on 59 for the seventh wicket before another pacer, Jayden Seales, removed the lower-order batsman for 30.

With the door open to a vulnerable tail, Warrican wasted no time in wrapping up the innings, taking three wickets in four balls with Shafique stranded at the non-striker's end and leaving Pakistan to rue opportunities missed to earn a much more significant lead.

- 'Excellent' Warrican -

Shafique's innings occupied more than seven-and-half hours during which he faced 323 deliveries, striking 15 fours and three sixes.

"Jomel was really excellent for us today, staying at the stumps and finishing off the innings well," said West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul.

"At this stage though, and given the way the pitch is playing, if we can somehow push the lead to 150 we would have a chance."

Khan was at his most rampant in the final session, accounting for Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Amir Jangoo swiftly before adding Shai Hope and nightwatchman Seales to his list of victims.

Chase surveyed the carnage from the other end only to succumb to the constant pressure himself, the reaction of the home skipper to his demise almost a mirror of Babar's disconsolate trek to the pavilion more than seven hours earlier.

Usman also posed a constant threat, the left-arm spinner having earlier removed Kavem Hodge, whose 34 is the top score so far in an innings in danger of going into complete freefall.

Mexico-based Kgatlana struck her second goal of the tournament after 21 minutes in Casablanca, then her team withstood continuous second-half pressure in a tense match.

The winning goal will haunt Burkinabe central defender Madinatou Rouamba, who failed to cut off a cross from Fikile Magama, leaving Kgatlana to tap the ball past goalkeeper Nina Dabilgou.

Burkina Faso were awarded a penalty just two minutes into the second half, but the decision by the Cameroonian referee was reversed after a VAR review.

The rest of the half saw a string of Burkinabe attacks, but a lack of creativity, wild shooting and an impressive display from goalkeeper Kaylin Swart defied the west Africans.

South Africa, champions in 2022 and five-time runners-up in the marquee African women's football competition, had to win to survive, and also needed the Ivory Coast to defeat Tanzania.

The Ivorians obliged with a 2-1 victory through goals from N'Sira Ouedraogo just before half-time and Ines Konan midway through the second half in a match played simultaneously.

Ouedrago struck with a snap shot from just inside the area and Konan converted a penalty. Diana Msewa netted a consolation added-time goal for Tanzania from another penalty.

Ivory Coast finished Group B with seven points. South Africa had four and Burkina Faso and Tanzania three each.

In the quarter-finals on Saturday, Ivory Coast stay in Casablanca to face Group A runners-up Algeria while South Africa travel to Rabat for a showdown with host nation Morocco.

Quarter-final winners not only move closer to a record two-million-dollar WAFCON first prize, they also qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

"The government is committed to upholding the sacrifices of the martyrs and the spirit of the student-people's movement against fascism," he told journalists after placing wreaths at the July Memorial Monument at C&B Mor here this morning.

He said plans are underway to ensure long-term financial security for the martyrs' families and reiterated the government's commitment to building a prosperous and discrimination-free Bangladesh in line with the aspirations of the July mass uprising.

Speaking on the occasion, martyr Shakib Anjum's father demanded speedy justice, saying those responsible for his son's killing must be brought to justice without delay.

Earlier, the minister paid tribute to the martyrs by laying wreaths at the memorial alongside senior officials of the divisional and district administration.

Among those present were Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner A N M Dr. Bazlur Rashid, Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Md. Mahfuzur Rahman Riton, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Foyzul Kabir, Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam and Rajshahi Zila Parishad Administrator Advocate Ershad Ali Isha.

"A country that only purchases and uses technology will always remain dependent. True economic sovereignty comes when a nation develops the human capital to innovate and adapt technology to its own needs," he said. 

He was speaking as the chief guest at the "Artec General Exhibition 2026" in Osaka, Japan today, said a ministry press release.

"Bangladesh is committed to building a workforce capable of understanding, adapting and creating technology through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education from the primary level," he said. 

Citing Japan's development as a model Bangladesh seeks to emulate, he said the government's vision extends beyond teaching science and technology, focusing instead on nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, problem-solving and practical learning while moving away from rote memorization.

Highlighting Bangladesh's demographic strength, the state minister noted that the country has a workforce of more than seven crore, making early investment in STEAM education vital for building a diversified, knowledge-based and high-value economy.

Drawing lessons from Japan's post-war reconstruction and the Meiji Restoration, he said sustained investments in education, technology, discipline and innovation transformed Japan into a global economic leader, offering valuable inspiration for Bangladesh.

Hajjaj said the government has prioritized addressing foundational learning challenges in primary education by strengthening literacy, numeracy and essential skills among children.

He also emphasized that effective STEAM education does not necessarily require expensive technology. Activities such as planting trees, testing local water quality, measuring rainfall, building paper bridges and designing simple engineering solutions to local problems can provide meaningful hands-on learning experiences.

The state minister said Bangladesh plans to gradually expand mathematics laboratories, science clubs and basic robotics education while equipping teachers with the necessary training to confidently deliver STEAM-based instruction.

He praised the educational tools and teaching methods showcased at the Artec General Exhibition, describing them as simple, modular, practical and affordable, and said such innovations could be effectively adapted to Bangladesh's education system.

Hajjaj further stressed that education should empower students to identify problems, analyze challenges and develop practical solutions, particularly in the face of global issues such as climate change, river erosion, rapid urbanization, food security, automation and artificial intelligence.

"The government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remains determined to implement every provision of the charter," he said.

The state minister was talking to reporters after paying tribute at the July Martyrs' Memorial at Sher-e-Bangla Park in Panchagarh.

Calling for national unity, Azad urged all political parties and people of different opinions to remain united to prevent "fascist forces" from exploiting divisions and destabilising the country.

"We must protect the independence Bangladesh has achieved for the second time. Let us remain united so that no force can create discord among us again," he said.

Paying tribute to the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising, Azad recalled that five young men from Panchagarh were killed during the movement and offered prayers for the eternal peace of their souls.

Earlier, floral tributes were placed at the memorial by the district administration, district police, district council, Civil Surgeon's Office, government and private organisations, families of the July martyrs and various voluntary groups.

Special prayers were also offered for the martyrs and for the recovery and well-being of the injured July warriors and bereaved families.
Deputy Commissioner Mrs Shukria Parvin, Superintendent of Police Md Abu Saim, Civil Surgeon Dr Md Mizanur Rahman and other senior officials attended the programme.

Later, the state minister joined a reception for the families of the July martyrs and injured July warriors at the Government Auditorium.

He also attended a discussion meeting organised by the district administration, where local officials, legal professionals and political leaders addressed the gathering.

During the visit, Director General of the Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board Toufiq Al Mahmud briefed the BIDA chief on the factory's production activities, research and extension programmes, initiatives aimed at developing Bangladesh's silk sector and the overall condition of the factory.

The Executive Chairman later toured the factory's showroom, where he inspected a range of traditional Rajshahi silk products, including Garad sarees, designer sarees, printed sarees, two-piece outfits, Panjabi fabrics, Balaka silk and various types of than fabrics and purchased silk products.

BIDA Executive Member Humayun Kabir, BIDA Director General Jiban Krishna Roy, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Deputy Director Dr. M. A. Mannan, Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board Director (Finance and Planning), Director (Administration) Nasima Khatun, Director Reza Hasan and other board officials were present, during the visit.

According to a DMP press release issued today, the arrests included 23 suspects from Ramna Division, 43 from Lalbagh, 42 from Wari, 48 from Motijheel, 57 from Tejgaon, 135 from Mirpur, 30 from Gulshan and 40 from Uttara Division.

During the drives, police also seized three foreign-made pistols, five magazines, 38 rounds of ammunition, a Chinese axe, a switchgear device, fragments of an exploded cocktail, 4,439 yaba tablets and 1.11 kilograms of cannabis.

The operation also led to the recovery of two shoulder bags, three walkie-talkies, two chargers, a Hiace microbus, nine mobile phones, 372 SIM cards, three packs of playing cards, two old red-and-green checked bedsheets, and Tk 24,850 in cash.

Police also rescued two victims during the operations.

The DMP said the suspects were arrested in separate raids conducted in different police station areas of the capital, while legal proceedings against them are underway.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds are likely to occur at most places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions from August 5 to August 8.

Moderately heavy to heavy rainfall is also expected at places across the country during this period.

On the first two days of the forecast, both day and night temperatures are expected to fall slightly. Temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged on August 7 before rising slightly on August 8 and 9.

For the fifth day, rainfall activity is expected to ease slightly, with showers forecast at many places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at a few places in Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions. However, isolated heavy rainfall may still occur.

Meteorologists said the current weather pattern is being influenced by the axis of the monsoon trough stretching from Rajasthan through northern Bangladesh to Assam, with an associated trough extending into the North Bay.

The monsoon remains fairly active over Bangladesh and moderate over the North Bay.

During the past 24 hours ending at 6:00am today, several areas received significant rainfall. Notable rainfall amounts included 94 mm at Srimangal, 88 mm at Sylhet, 83 mm at Chandpur, 80 mm at Bandarban, 73 mm at Tetulia, 72 mm at Hatiya, 71 mm at Netrokona, and 67 mm at Cox's Bazar.

The BMD outlook indicates that rainfall activity is likely to decrease after the next four days, although weather conditions will continue to be monitored closely.

In a public notice, the DMP said vehicular movement will be restricted around Shahbagh, Suhrawardy Udyan, and the stretch from Khejur Bagan Crossing to Manik Mia Avenue until further notice.

The restrictions have been imposed to ensure smooth traffic management during book presentation ceremonies at the July 36 Memorial Monument in Shahbagh, tribute programmes honouring the martyrs, an open concert at Suhrawardy Udyan organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and a cultural concert at Manik Mia Avenue adjacent to the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building.

To ease congestion, the DMP Traffic Division has introduced a comprehensive traffic management plan featuring U-turns, road diversions and alternative routes for vehicles travelling through affected areas.

Motorists travelling from Farmgate towards Shahbagh have been advised to use Hotel InterContinental Crossing via Hare Road and Minto Road, while those approaching from Science Laboratory, Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi, Asadgate and the Elevated Expressway have been instructed to follow designated alternative routes.

The police also requested commuters using the Elevated Expressway to avoid the Farmgate exit ramp and instead use the FDC (Hatirjheel) exit to minimise congestion.

DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed urged city residents and motorists to follow traffic instructions and cooperate with law enforcement to ensure smooth movement and public safety during the events.

"We are determined to institutionalise the democracy achieved through their sacrifices. The best way to uphold the dignity of the martyrs' blood is to establish a democratic, inclusive and just society," he said.

Speaking to reporters after paying tribute at the July Martyrs' Memorial at Amtala intersection in Barishal on the occasion of July Mass Uprising Day, the minister said the overthrow of fascism was made possible through the sacrifices of students and people from all walks of life.

"It is the nation's responsibility to honour the sacrifices of the martyrs by building a democratic, non-discriminatory and just Bangladesh," he said.

Earlier, Swapon laid wreaths at the memorial, followed by representatives of the Barisal City Corporation, the divisional and district administrations, police, freedom fighters, July warriors and leaders of various political, social and cultural organisations.

As part of the day's observance, a discussion meeting and a reception for the families of the July martyrs and injured July warriors were organised at the Barishal District Shilpakala Academy.

Various social and cultural programmes were also held across the district to commemorate the day and pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the July Mass Uprising.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled ‘July-36’ after inaugurating the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum at Ganabhaban in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar this morning. Tarique Rahman said the government has decided to name institutions after those killed or became victims of enforced disappearance and other violence over the past 17 years and during the July Mass Uprising. “The government has decided to name an institution in the respective localities after every person who embraced martyrdom or became a victim of enforced disappearance and killing during the past 17 years and the July movement,” he said.

Speaking about the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, the Prime Minister said the country’s democratic people expect the museum not to become a place for promoting the exclusive political narrative of any individual, group or political party. “The 2024 mass uprising did not belong to any individual, group or political party. The true heroes of the uprising are the democratic people of Bangladesh,” he said. Tarique Rahman said the 1971 Liberation War was fought to achieve the country’s independence, while the 2024 mass uprising was waged to safeguard the independence of the state and the freedom of its people.

“Just as the people have never forgotten the freedom fighters of 1971, they will never forget those who laid down their lives in 2024 to protect the country and the freedom of its people,” he said. Warning against attempts to create instability in the country, the Prime Minister urged all concerned to avoid creating unnecessary controversies. “I urge everyone to reflect on whether, by creating unnecessary issues and such situations in a fascism-free Bangladesh, they are unknowingly paving the way for the resurgence of ousted and fugitive autocratic forces,” he said. Recalling authoritarian rule of more than one and a half decades, Tarique Rahman said the country had paid a heavy price in its struggle for democracy.

He said, “Today marks another milestone in Bangladesh’s democratic history. During more than one and a half decades of the anti-fascist movement, thousands of people became victims of enforced disappearance and abduction. “Millions suffered repression, persecution, attacks and false cases, forcing them to remain away from their homes for years,” he said, adding, “During the July-August Mass Uprising alone, thousands of students, people from all walks of life, women and children embraced martyrdom.” The Prime Minister said, “The fascist forces even opened fire from helicopters during the July-August Mass Uprising and killed pro-democracy people.” Such cruelty and brutality by the fallen, defeated and ousted fascist forces are rare in the civilised world, the premier said, adding, “During the fascist regime, enforced disappearances, killings and abductions were turned into a matter of routine.”

“The brutality that persisted for more than one and a half decades can only be compared to the three-and-a-half years of misrule under the Awami League government after independence,” said the Prime Minister. Referring to the role of the historic July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, the Prime Minister said it would preserve the courageous legacy of the nation’s predecessors for future generations. “This museum will also unveil the true face of the ousted fascist forces to the new generation,” he said. Tarique Rahman said, “This memorial museum is a historic initiative to permanently preserve in our national memory the struggles, sacrifices, suffering, courage and democratic aspirations of our people. “I hope it will not remain only a memorial to the tragic events of 2024.

It will also present the relationship between the July Mass Uprising and Bangladesh's broader democratic journey,” he said. “Not only the history of the July Mass Uprising, but also the history of every democratic movement and struggle in Bangladesh should be preserved here,” added the Prime Minister. Stating that the ousted fascist forces had never been able to accept democratic rule, the Prime Minister said their predecessors had buried democracy by amending the Constitution in 1975.

“Later, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the declarer of Bangladesh's independence, restored multi-party democracy after assuming the responsibility of running the state,” he said, adding, “Future generations will certainly benefit if these chapters of history are also preserved at the museum,” he said. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of preserving history with accuracy, saying, “Incomplete, exaggerated or motivated narratives do not strengthen history. Rather, they undermine its credibility and create grounds for future divisions.” “Therefore, factual accuracy should be ensured in every matter. At the same time, presenting the museum's exhibits in English and other languages alongside Bangla will help people from different linguistic backgrounds learn about Bangladesh’s democratic struggles,” he said.

"We're having very good discussions," Trump said during a visit to California, insisting that Iran was keen to seal a deal to bring an end to months of conflict.

To commemorate the occasion, the government, political parties and socio-cultural organisations have taken various programmes to honour the sacrifices of those including students who took to the streets against misrule and autocracy.

The day's observance includes the placing of wreaths, processions, discussions, cultural performances and other commemorative events across the country, highlighting the significance of the historic occasion.

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have issued separate messages marking the day.

In his message, Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, called for building a discrimination-free, democratic, accountable and justice-based Bangladesh in line with the sacrifices and aspirations of the martyrs and the injured of the July Mass Uprising.

He said, "Let us all, inspired by the spirit of the great July Mass Uprising, remain united in building a democratic, justice-based, humane, discrimination-free and happy-prosperous new Bangladesh. At the same time, let us work together to realise the dreams, ideals and aspirations of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the great Liberation War and the Mass Uprising."

On August 5, 2024, the prolonged discriminatory and fascist rule came to an end in the face of the united resistance of unarmed students and people, while the fascist government was forced to flee the country amid overwhelming public outrage, the message reads.

He extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the valiant July Warriors and all patriotic citizens on the second anniversary of the uprising.

The Acting President remembered thousands of heroic martyrs who laid down their lives in the movement, including Abu Sayed, Mugdha, Wasim, Yamin, Farhan, Nafiz, Taim, Naima, child Riya Gop and Ahad with profound respect and gratitude.

He also expressed his deep respect and sincere sympathy for the July fighters who were permanently disabled during the movement. "The nation would remember forever their rare sacrifice, immense courage and extraordinary contributions, which would remain an eternal source of inspiration," he said.

The Acting President described the July Mass Uprising as the irresistible manifestation of the accumulated public anger against the misrule. 

He said that the intense public resentment and dissatisfaction accumulated over a prolonged period due to state irregularities, repression, and corruption turned into a nationwide mass uprising following the brutal killings of unarmed students and people during the quota reform movement.

Describing all participants in the movement as July warriors, he said, "People from all walks of life including students and teachers, youths, political activists, workers, professionals, brothers, sisters, daughters, wives, and mothers spontaneously took to the streets with immense courage and determination to sacrifice.

He said the people are the source of all state power, and the Mass Uprising has proved this again. "To uphold the dignity of the martyrs' sacrifices, a humane Bangladesh for the common people must be built where fascism, autocracy, and extremism will never again find a place," he said. 

He expressed the hope that Bangladesh would move forward with greater determination on the path of peace, equality, progress, and prosperity and prayed for eternal peace and forgiveness for the souls of all the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising.

In his message, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said, "For all those who cherish freedom and democracy, August 5 is a day of joy, a day of victory and a day of the restoration of democratic political rights. Exactly two years ago today, on August 5, 2024, the heroic students and people of this country secured a historic victory by bringing to an end more than one and a half decades of fascist rule.

In the face of the mass uprising, he said, the fascist government was forced to flee the country. Bangladesh was freed from its grip. This blood-soaked day of the heroic students and people is being observed nationally as 'July Mass Uprising Day', he added.

For more than one and a half decades, the Premier said, in the struggle against fascism and for the restoration of the people's right to vote and their democratic rights, the BNP, other anti-fascist political parties, and the people of differing views had to endure limitless persecution and repression.

He said countless people became victims of enforced disappearance, murder, abduction, assaults, false cases, torture and oppression. In leading this movement, the uncompromising leader of the nation, former Prime Minister late Begum Khaleda Zia, was also forced to spend years in the prison of the oppressors on false charges.

To silence the voices of those who stood for democracy, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said, the fugitive autocrat, on its orders, established hundreds of secret detention centres across the country-known as 'Aynaghar'. In the dark cells of these secret facilities, countless people were held in a state of endless uncertainty for months and even years. Many were disappeared forever. The whereabouts of many leaders and activists, including former BNP MP Ilias Ali and Commissioner Chowdhury Alam, remain unknown to this day, he said.

He said the judiciary, the Election Commission and other constitutional and statutory institutions of the country had been rendered ineffective. The Constitution was disregarded, the people's voting rights were taken away, and elections were reduced to a farce. The country's politics, economy, education and healthcare systems were devastated, and Bangladesh was turned into a subservient state.

He said the banking sector was pushed to the brink of collapse, while irregularities, corruption, plunder and money laundering were normalised. A personality cult was established. Yet, in the end, it could not survive, he added.

He said people from every walk of life-the heroic students, farmers, workers, rickshaw-pullers, day-labourers, garment workers, hotel and restaurant employees, transport workers, journalists, intellectuals, cultural activists, homemakers, women, children, and people from all sections of society-united and took to the streets during the July-August Mass Uprising of 2024.

Desperate to crush the uprising, he said, the fascist government opened fire on pro-democracy citizens, killing people as though they were birds. It even fired upon the people from helicopters. Not even infants in their mothers' arms were spared from the reckless gunfire of the autocrats.

Standing before the guns of the autocrats, the outstretched chest of brave martyr Abu Sayed of Rangpur, martyr Wasim Akram of Chattogram, martyr Mugdho of Dhaka, and countless other courageous sons of this soil became enduring sources of inspiration for all who stood for democracy, he said.

During the July-August Mass Uprising alone, the Premier said thousands of people were martyred. At least 30,000 people were injured. Hundreds lost limbs and were permanently disabled, while many lost their eyesight for life, he added.

He said the sacrifice of thousands of lives did not go in vain. Through the united movement of the pro-democracy people, the fascists fled Ganabhaban on 5 August. The so-called members of parliament fled the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament). The Chief Justice fled the Supreme Court. The Chief Khatib fled Baitul Mukarram. Ministers fled the Cabinet. The collaborators of fascism went into hiding. What happened in Bangladesh on 5 August was not only unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh, but also in the history of the world, he said.

From 1971 to the present day, millions have made sacrifices at every turning point in the struggle for the country's independence and its defence, in movements against autocracy and fascism, and in the fight to restore democracy.

"On this historic day, I remember with profound respect all the martyrs. By sacrificing their lives for the freedom, rights and dignity of the country and its people, they have left us in their debt. Bangladesh owes an enduring debt to every martyr's family. Now it is our turn to repay that debt," he said.

Tarique Rahman said, "Let our pledge be to honour that debt through our sincere efforts to build a just, self-reliant, democratic and humane Bangladesh by ensuring the political and economic empowerment of people and by establishing equality, human dignity and social justice."

He said, "The year 1971 was the war to achieve independence, while 2024 was the struggle to defend the freedom of the country and its people. Bangladesh has never forgotten the martyrs of the Liberation War of 1971 and it will never forget the martyrs of the Mass Uprising of 2024."

Newspapers have published special articles, literary features, magazines and supplements to mark the occasion. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum today.

A reception for the families of the July martyrs and the July fighters, along with a discussion highlighting the significance of the day, will be held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka. Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, will attend the programme as the chief guest.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, private television channels, private radio stations, FM and community radio stations are broadcasting special programmes, including discussion sessions on the July Mass Uprising.

Educational institutions across the country are organising discussions on the significance of the day, as well as essay writing, recitation and drawing competitions.

Bangladesh missions abroad will also arrange discussion programmes to mark the occasion.

Religious institutions across the country will organise special munajat and prayers after Zuhr prayers or at a convenient time on the same day.

Major roads and traffic islands in Dhaka and other cities across the country have been decorated with the national flag, banners, festoons and colourful pennants. July memorials have also been illuminated. A commemorative postage stamp will be issued to mark the day.

Government, private and autonomous museums are remaining open to the public free of charge from morning until evening. All government and private recreational facilities across the country are remaining open to children from morning until evening with free entry.

Special meals will be arranged at all government hospitals, prisons, government children's homes, child rehabilitation centres, disability welfare centres, day-care and child development centres, and shelters for the homeless across the country to mark the observance.

The Prime Minister formally inaugurated the museum by unveiling its plaque at Ganabhaban, the former official residence of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar this morning, making the museum accessible to visitors.

Following the inauguration, Tarique Rahman toured the museum’s galleries and exhibitions featuring preserved artefacts, photographs, official documents, video footage and memorabilia related to the July Mass Uprising.

A documentary depicting the chronology of the July Mass Uprising, the participation and sacrifices of people from all walks of life, and the events leading to the movement’s success, was screened at the inaugural ceremony.

Prime Minister's daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman accompanied him during the programme.

 Following the plaque unveiling, a munajat was offered after the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha.

Former Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Professor Muhammad Yunus, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury and the Prime Minister's Adviser on Information and Cultural Affairs Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, among others, were present on the occasion.

The museum, established at Ganabhaban, has been created to preserve the authentic history of the July Mass Uprising, document the nation's resistance against autocracy, pass that legacy on to future generations and honour the sacrifices of the martyrs and the July fighters.

On August 5, 2024, Sheikh Hasina left the country amid the student-led mass uprising, while thousands of protesters entered the Ganabhaban premises. 

Three days later, on August 8, the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus assumed office and later initiated the process of preserving the site and establishing the museum.

The museum showcases photographs, official documents, video footage, personal belongings, eyewitness accounts and other exhibits related to the July Mass Uprising. 

It will also organise guided tours, educational programmes and research activities to help visitors, students and researchers better understand one of the most significant democratic movements in the country’s history.

The museum will remain open only to invited guests, July fighters and family members of the martyrs on the inauguration day. It will be opened to the general public from tomorrow.

An online ticketing system has been introduced for visitors. The entry fee has been fixed at Tk 50 for adults and Tk 25 for children.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the longstanding partnership between the Ministry of Home Affairs and IOM and exchanged views on expanding cooperation in key areas, including migration governance, prevention of human trafficking, migrant protection and border management.

The Home Minister highlighted the government's initiatives to combat human trafficking, strengthen migration governance, safeguard the rights of migrants and enhance border security.

"Bangladesh is firmly committed to ensuring safe, orderly and dignified migration," Salahuddin Ahmed said. "For the past two decades, IOM has remained one of the Ministry of Home Affairs' most trusted development partners. We are confident that this longstanding cooperation will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead."

Daniels commended the enduring partnership between IOM and the Government of Bangladesh and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting Bangladesh in promoting safe migration. She also underscored the importance of integrated information management and intelligence-sharing in preventing human trafficking.

Describing human trafficking as one of the gravest forms of transnational crime, the Home Minister said many people become victims due to deception, misinformation and lack of awareness. He said the government is implementing integrated border management to curb trafficking and other cross-border crimes while strengthening national security.

Responding to the Minister's query on identifying trafficking syndicates, Daniels said, "We can certainly support efforts to identify trafficking networks. Together with Interpol, IOM maintains data on human trafficking trends, which we regularly share with relevant authorities."

Daniels is visiting Bangladesh on a five-day official tour from August 1 to 5, 2026.

The meeting was also attended by the newly appointed IOM Head of Mission in Bangladesh, Dr. Laura Tomm-Bonde, and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and IOM.

District Fisheries Officer Madhav Chandra Sarkar presented the main topics at the meeting. Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Tajul Islam, President of Magura Press Club Professor Saidur Rahman, President of Magura Municipal BNP Masud Hasan Khan Kizil, Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Development Firoz Ahmed, Assistant Superintendent of Police Nishat Al Nahian, Magura Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Meherunnahar spoke at the meeting.

Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services, Acting Deputy Director of the Department of Women's Affairs Abdul Awal and district-level officials were present at the meeting. At the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Motakabbir Ahmed said that everyone should come forward for the development of the community related to maca cultivation and work with them for national development.

On the 5th day (August 4) of the week-long program, a Khatme Quran and Doa Mahfil was organized in the afternoon by the Cox's Bazar Press Club and the Journalists Union of Cox's Bazar.

Then, the chief guest at the discussion meeting was District Council Administrator ATM Nurul Bashar Chowdhury.

He said that the mafia political party Awami League had held Bangladesh hostage for a long time. There was no security for people's lives and property. Because of them, the entire country was in existential crisis. Bangladesh was liberated in exchange for the spontaneous blood of the student masses in the mass uprising of 24.

He also said that in the past, journalists' pens were closed. Due to state obstacles, accurate news was not published. The Awami League became fascist because of journalists. Free journalism has been established in the country after the mass uprising.

ATM Nurul Bashar Chowdhury called for presenting the emotions, feelings and reality of the people of the society to the nation.

He said that Bangladesh would not have been freed from foreign domination and slavery if the students and the public had not given blood. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh is moving forward to new horizons.

At the beginning of the discussion meeting chaired by Cox's Bazar Press Club President Mahbubur Rahman, Cox's Bazar Press Club General Secretary Momtaz Uddin Bahari, convener of the 7-day program marking the July Mass Uprising Day, delivered a welcome speech.

Professor Akhtarul Alam, convener of the District NCP, and SM Aminul Haque Chowdhury, founding member of the Cox's Bazar Press Club, spoke as special guests at the event.

Press Club's literary and cultural editor

And member secretary of the 7-day program on the occasion of July Uprising Day, Hasanur Rashid, President of the Cox's Bazar Union of Journalists Nurul Islam Helali, Special Correspondent of the Daily Inquilab Shamsul Haque Sharek, Press Club member Advocate Muhammad Abu Siddique Osmani, Sports Editor of the Press Club MR Mahbub, News Editor of CBN and Press Club member Imam Khair, and Joint General Secretary of the Cox's Bazar Union of Journalists Syed Alam spoke at the program moderated by Hasanur Rashid, Member of the Press Club Humayun Sikder recited the Quran at the beginning of the discussion meeting.

Among the July 24 fighters, Shahidul Wahed Shahed, Muhammad Khalid Bin Sayeed, Sahab Uddin, Abdul Momen Khan, Aryan Khan Farabi, Fahmida Hasan Heba spoke.

At the end of the discussion meeting, the guests presented prizes to the winning students of the July Memorial Graffiti Drawing and Poetry Recitation Competition. It is worth noting that the Cox's Bazar Press Club and Journalists Union have undertaken a 7-day program to mark the July Mass Uprising Day. Each day's program has already been successfully completed.

The building, built with a combination of modern architecture, aesthetic design, elegant gray exterior and red ornamental brick design, catches anyone's attention at first sight. The open brick design in the front of the building, the use of wrought iron railings, unusual round windows, wide balconies and decorative pillars have given the building a unique beauty. Just as the architectural style of the building is noticeable in daylight, it becomes even more attractive in night lighting. The high parapet around the roof, the presence of plants on the roof and the well-thought-out design create an aristocratic atmosphere from a distance. 

Many locals jokingly call the building "Rajmahal". According to locals, the building's construction style has a clear impression of modernity. The aesthetic brick decoration on the facade, the same design of the balcony on each floor, high-quality grill, attractive pillars and external finishing easily distinguish the building from other buildings in the vicinity. Many also comment that it is one of the most beautiful structures among the multi-storey buildings built in the area. 

However, as much as this magnificent construction style of the building has garnered praise, discussions have started about its construction cost and the source of the owner's wealth. It is learned that the owner of the building is Deputy Assistant Engineer of the Kushtia Public Works (PWD) Department Md. Abdur Rashid. This official, who has been working in the government service for a long time, has served in various districts including Kushtia and Chuadanga.

About two to three years ago, he bought land in the Kamalapur area and built this multi-storey building there. Locals claim that the building may have cost several crores of taka to build. They also believe that the current market value of the land on which the building is built may be more than crores of taka. Seeing the external beauty of the building, many believe that high-quality and expensive construction materials have been used in the construction. Locals further claim that valuable tiles, modern fittings and aesthetic interiors have been used inside the building. It is also common knowledge in the area that Md. Abdur Rashid lives in a duplex on two floors of the building and the remaining floors are rented out. Some local residents, who did not want to be named, said that the house is very beautiful to look at.

There are not many buildings of such a design in the area. But the concerned authorities should investigate whether such a large investment is compatible with the income of a government official. Locals further allege that Md. Abdur Rashid has served in several government development projects, including the Kushtia Medical College project, at different times. They believe that it is necessary to verify through an investigation whether any irregularities or illegal benefits were acquired during the performance of duties in these projects. When asked about the complaint, Md. Abdur Rashid said, "Why should I give you my personal information? I have my income tax return and other documents.

If necessary, you can talk to my superiors. I pay taxes regularly and have been in government service for a long time. I am not obliged to tell you how I built the house." Kushtia Public Works Department Executive Engineer Md. Mohsin's mobile phone was called to talk about this, but he did not receive it. In this regard, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Mainul Islam Rawshni said, if a complaint or intelligence information is received against any government official or employee, the ACC verifies it according to the law. If the investigation finds the truth of the complaint, legal action is taken against the person concerned. If necessary, illegal assets are seized, bank accounts are blocked and other legal steps are taken as per the court's instructions. According to the locals, the architectural style and beauty of the building undoubtedly deserve praise. However, at the same time, questions have also been raised about the apparent source of wealth of a government official.

They claim that if the concerned authorities investigate the allegations impartially and present the real facts to the public, on the one hand, it will put an end to the various rumors created in the public mind, and on the other hand, if the truth of the allegations is proven, the rule of law will also be ensured.

The recovered equipment includes more than 100 marbles, more than 100 matches with sticks, gunpowder from a few matches without sticks, a pair of scissors and a hammer. The police said that these equipment were initially used to make cocktails or hand bombs.

Naria Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Bahar Mia said that based on a secret tip-off, a search was conducted at Insan Dhali's house and Yaba, marijuana, cash, mobile phone and various equipment for making cocktails (hand bombs) were recovered. He was arrested from the spot. A case under the Narcotics and Explosives Act is under process in this incident and the matter is being investigated seriously.

The operation was conducted on Tuesday at the initiative of the Department of Environment, Tangail District Office. The operation was led by Executive Magistrate of the Department of Environment Headquarters Rezwan-ul-Islam.

During the operation, it was found that the factory was producing lead by melting old batteries without any kind of environmental clearance. This was creating a serious risk to the environment and public health. Later, the illegal factory was completely demolished and demolished as per the Environment Protection Act and a fine of Tk 50,000 was imposed on the owner and the amount was collected immediately.

Taposh Chandra Pal, Assistant Director of the Department of Environment, Tangail District Office, served as the prosecutor in the drive. At that time, the inspector of the office, Nurul Amin Pradhan, along with other officers and employees of the Department of Environment were present. Members of the police, fire service and civil defense also cooperated in the drive.

Taposh Chandra Pal, Assistant Director of the Department of Environment, Tangail District Office, said that such mobile courts and eviction drives against illegal and unlicensed industries in different places of the district will be conducted regularly in the future to prevent environmental pollution and protect public health.

 A regular case under the Narcotics Control Act was filed against him on Tuesday and sent to court. According to police sources, the Tongibari police arrested him on Monday night from Bhadrapara village in Arial Union of the upazila. He is the son of the deceased Robi Bepari of that village. At that time, 1 planted marijuana plant was recovered. The height of the plant is estimated to be 7 feet 6 inches. The caretaker of the plant, Md. Jamal Bepari, was arrested and brought to the police station.

Tongibari Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Md. Shamim, said that a regular case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act in this regard. The accused has been sent to court.

Upazila Assistant Land Officer Rawshan Kabir has issued a show cause notice (show cause) to the employee in this incident.

The incident took place at the Gayabari Union Land Office on Monday around 3:30 pm. At that time, some people present in the office saw the concerned employee sleeping during office hours. Later, the video of the incident was recorded and published on social media, and the matter spread quickly.

In this regard, Gayabari Union Land Officer Abu Rayyan said, I left the office at 3:30 pm as there was a meeting at the Upazila office at 4 pm. After that, Shamsun Nahar was in the office.

He has been suffering from illness for a few days. However, after learning about the incident, a show cause notice (show cause) has already been issued to him.

Dimla Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rawshan Kabir said, there is no room for negligence in performing duties during office hours. The matter is being viewed seriously. If the allegations are found to be true, necessary action will be taken against the accused as per government rules. Dimla Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Imranuzzaman said, a show cause notice has already been issued to the concerned employee after the incident. After receiving his written reply, further necessary action will be taken as per the rules. Meanwhile, attempts were made to contact the accused employee, but he could not be reached.

 Professor Dr A A Mahbub Uddin Chowdhury and Managing Director Mujibur Rahman and Deputy Managing Director Kazi Abdur Rahman.

 The meeting discussed the recovery of classified defaulted loans and other matters to be done by the bank.

 When he said that there was no legal provision for taking additional money apart from the prescribed government fee, the PIO became angry and behaved disrespectfully and made ugly comments about the journalists, the complaint states. The complaint further states that at one stage, the PIO took away the mobile phone used by the journalist. Later, when the matter was informed to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, the mobile phone was returned after about three hours through the office assistant of the PIO office Mintu Biswas.

 The written complaint has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and taking legal and departmental action against the responsible officer as well as taking necessary steps to implement the Right to Information Act. In this regard, Deputy Commissioner Ms. Kawsar Aziz received the complaint and told the journalists that the matter will be investigated seriously. If the truth of the complaint is found, necessary action will be taken as per the law and rules.

Satkhira Sadar AC Land Badruddoja Arafat Ali Satkhira Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Badruddoja has expressed his determination to create a bribe and broker-free environment to ensure transparency, transparency and a customer-friendly administration in services. He said that no bribery transactions will take place in his office.

 He urged everyone to inform him immediately if any officer, employee or anyone else illegally demands money from the service recipient. He also said that legal action will be taken against the person concerned if the complaint is proven. Md. Badruddoja said that no additional money can be accepted for all land services including registration, cancellation, and rent recovery, except for the fee prescribed by the government. Strict instructions have been given to the Provity Union Land Assistant Officer in this regard.

 He also said that if the deputy surveyor of the office or any other person illegally demands money, the victims can contact him directly. As soon as the complaint is received, an investigation will be conducted and necessary measures will be taken. He said that various effective initiatives have already been taken to ensure that the people do not fall victim to brokers or any kind of irregularities. He also urged the service recipients to present any complaints or suggestions directly to him. Regarding rumors or purposeful propaganda, he said that his main goal is to serve the people while in government service.

 Therefore, he wants to continue to perform his duties with honesty and integrity without being disturbed by baseless propaganda. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Badruddoza said that his main goal is to achieve the satisfaction of the service recipients by ensuring fast, transparent and quality land services without any kind of harassment.

According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, the country received US$3.265 billion in remittances during the period from July 1 to August 3, 2026, compared with US$2.698 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

During the first three days of August alone, remittance inflows reached US$406 million, up by 84.4 percent from US$220 million received during the same period a year earlier.

On August 3, expatriate Bangladeshis sent US$133 million in remittances, according to the central bank data.

"The government's goal is not only to recover the economy from recent challenges but also to rebuild it on a stronger foundation to achieve sustainable prosperity," he said.

The adviser made the remarks while addressing a regional conference on agro-processing as the chief guest at the Rajshahi Primary Teachers' Training Institute.

The conference was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Swisscontact.

Dr. Titumir said the government is working under the vision of "Bangladesh First, Bangladesh with Everyone and Bangladesh for Everyone," with balanced regional development being one of its key election commitments.

"Our objective is to bring the lagging regions to the forefront. Regional development has now become one of the government's top priorities," he said.

The adviser said the government has set a target of transforming Bangladesh into a US$1 trillion economy by 2034 and is working to ensure a stable and predictable investment climate to achieve that goal.

Highlighting the government's investment strategy, he said, emphasis has been placed on five key areas, beginning with policy continuity.

To help investors make long-term business decisions, he mentioned that the latest national budget introduced a five-year tax framework and ensured equitable tax incentives for all export-oriented products.

"An investor plans for at least five years. We are providing certainty about the state's policy direction," he said.

Dr. Titumir said the government is also simplifying business procedures through extensive deregulation. 

From obtaining licences to starting factory operations, he said, every stage will be completed within a fixed timeframe and monitored through an online tracking system.

"The government does not want to do business. Its responsibility is to create opportunities, not obstacles," he said, adding that excessive regulations and bureaucratic complexities had previously discouraged private investment.

On financing, he said, reforms are underway in both the banking sector and the capital market, which had suffered from years of irregularities. 

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and other relevant institutions are being restructured to build a stronger capital market capable of supporting long-term investment, he added.

He said that a Tk 49,000 crore refinancing programme is currently in operation, alongside a separate Tk 19,000 crore Bangladesh Bank fund and a Tk 5,000 crore refinancing facility for cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs).

For the northern region, the adviser announced that Tk 3,000 crore has been earmarked through Bangladesh Bank to promote agro-based industries.

"This is the first time in Bangladesh's history that Tk 3,000 crore has been set aside specifically to develop an agricultural hub in the northern region," he said.

However, he observed that many entrepreneurs remain unaware of such financial opportunities and stressed the need to strengthen chambers of commerce and business organisations to improve information dissemination.

Dr. Titumir said the government is digitising tax, VAT and customs systems to reduce harassment and eliminate bureaucratic delays, enabling businesses to complete procedures online.

Referring to global uncertainties, wars and disruptions in supply chains, he said production-oriented investment is now the only sustainable path to creating jobs, increasing revenue and strengthening the economy.

He also stressed the importance of developing skilled human resources to meet industrial demand.

The adviser said Bangladesh's garment industry's competitiveness had long benefited from affordable energy, prompting the government to diversify energy sources.

He highlighted Rajshahi's vast potential for solar power generation, noting that solar panels could be widely installed on public and private buildings and industrial facilities, with investments recoverable within two to two-and-a-half years.

He said the Prime Minister has already directed government offices to begin using solar energy.

On infrastructure, Dr. Titumir said the government is modernising railway connectivity to ensure faster transportation of goods from the northern region to the ports of Chattogram, Mongla and Payra. 

Plans are also underway to develop dual-gauge rail lines by addressing existing broad-gauge and metre-gauge limitations, he added.

He emphasised that the northern region should not remain merely a producer of agricultural commodities but should develop agro-processing industries capable of producing higher-value products.

He cited opportunities in potato, maize, mango and litchi processing, as well as the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) from potatoes, dairy products including mozzarella cheese, flower-based industries and stone-based industries.

"The government has established the policy framework and removed major investment barriers. Now it is the entrepreneurs who must come forward," he said.

Dr. Titumir said the government is providing separate support for micro, small, medium and large entrepreneurs and wants to transform primary agricultural producers into entrepreneurs through value addition and subcontracting opportunities.

He also said the Prime Minister is holding regular meetings with domestic and foreign investors and taking prompt initiatives to resolve investment-related problems, describing this as a clear demonstration of policy continuity.

The adviser further called on development partners to support Bangladesh in addressing non-tariff barriers, including Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, while advancing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) in the country's post-LDC graduation period.

Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr. A N M Bazlur Rashid chaired the programme.

Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Md Mahfuzur Rahman Riton, Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam and local entrepreneurs also spoke.

The central bank issued the revised instructions through Foreign Exchange Policy Department (FEPD-1) today, amending the earlier requirement that importers must declare they have no direct or indirect connection or financial interest in foreign exporters.

The circular said the change was introduced in recognition of the fact that many international trade transactions are legitimately conducted between related companies.

Under the revised rules, importers engaged in intercompany transactions must declare that the transactions are conducted on an arm's length basis at competitive market prices and comply with all applicable transfer pricing regulations, relevant laws and Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) standards.

In such cases, the declaration previously required under clause 1(c) of the prescribed IMP Form regarding the absence of any relationship between the importer and the exporter will no longer be applicable. Bangladesh Bank has amended the IMP Form accordingly.

The central bank directed Authorized Dealers (ADs) to obtain the required declarations before processing import transactions. 

ADs have also been instructed to verify the legitimacy of the relationship between the importer and the foreign exporter through appropriate documentary evidence.

The circular said the revised instructions for intercompany transactions will also apply, mutatis mutandis, to export transactions, modifying the provisions of FEPD-1 Circular No. 26 issued on July 30, 2026.

All other foreign exchange regulations will remain unchanged.

Authorized Dealers have been asked to inform their concerned clients of the revised instructions and ensure their immediate and strict compliance.

"Work is underway for holding the negotiations with the ADB and finalizing other procedures for these proposed projects," said a senior official of the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

The senior ERD official informed that loan negotiations for $175 million ADB support has already been completed successfully for "Bangladesh: The Sustainable Energy Development and Empowering Communities in Chattogram Hill Tracts Project". The DPP of the project now awaits ECNEC approval.

The project is located in the southeastern region of Bangladesh, encompassing the districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban, collectively known as the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT).

The project encompasses a comprehensive power distribution system development and modernization program in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). 

Key activities include the construction of Six new 33/11 KV substations (Three in Rangamati, one in Bandarban, and two in Khagrachari) and the upgradation of four existing substations along with the construction of one new switching stations.

SM Jakaria Huq, ERD Additional Secretary and Wing Chief, ADB, informed that loan negotiations for $100 million for the "Bangladesh: Inclusive Affordable Housing Finance Project" and another $200 million for the "Strengthening of Distribution network for 13 Palli Bidyut Samities Surrounding Dhaka City" is likely to be held this month.

Besides, the ADB and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) are set to provide US$350 million to support a wide-ranging education reform programme in Bangladesh.

The "Bangladesh: Inclusive Affordable Housing Finance Project" project addresses the core market failures that prevent scaling-up of inclusive, affordable housing finance solutions for low- and middle-income households, with a particular focus on access for women. 

The project envisages three key solutions: Credit line for innovative, inclusive, and affordable housing finance solutions.

A proposed $100 million financial intermediation loan will be used to fund a credit line to be established through PKSF in local currency to fund sub-loans to the target low-income beneficiaries, particularly women through eligible MFIs.

According to the proposal, the "Strengthening of Distribution network for 13 Palli Bidyut Samities Surrounding Dhaka City" project aims to modernise and strengthen distribution networks in rapidly industrialising areas, particularly Gazipur, Narayanganj and Narsingdi, where large factories and economic zones have significantly increased electricity demand.

The Taka 4,973.73 crore draft project aims to strengthen electricity distribution systems in industrially developed areas surrounding Dhaka to meet rapidly growing demand from industries, businesses and households. 

The project will be implemented by the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (REB) across 13 Palli Bidyut Samities in Dhaka, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Narayanganj and Narsingdi districts.

Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) are set to provide US$350 million to support a wide-ranging education reform programme in Bangladesh.

The "NextGen Education Programme" aims at improving learning outcomes, expanding digital education and strengthening institutional capacity.

Of the total assistance, Bangladesh will receive a $300 million concessional loan from the ADB and a $50 million grant from the GPE, according to another official at the ERD.

The programme will be implemented through three separate projects under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Secondary and Higher Education Division (SHED), and the Technical and Madrasah Education Division (TMED) by December 2030.

Under the proposed financing structure, $220 million of the ADB loan will be allocated to secondary and higher education, while the remaining $80 million will support technical and madrasah education.

The $50 million GPE grant will support primary, secondary and technical education. Of the total grant, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education will receive $22 million, while SHED and TMED will each receive $14 million.

According to the project proposal, the initiative aims to modernise Bangladesh's education system through digital transformation, improved learning outcomes, teacher development, infrastructure expansion and institutional reforms.

Officials said the "NextGen Education Programme" is expected to become a landmark reform initiative for Bangladesh's education sector by linking development financing to measurable improvements in learning quality, institutional efficiency and skills development.

Earlier in May this year, the ADB announced that it would provide Bangladesh with $5 billion in support over the next five years.

The funding, announced during a visit to Dhaka by ADB President Masato Kanda, will support the Integrated Growth Network Development Initiative, which aims to improving connectivity, boosting investment and thus promoting balanced regional development.

The exhibition will mark a significant step toward strengthening the country's textile and apparel industry through technology, innovation and closer industry collaboration.

The MoU was signed at a ceremony held at the Gulshan Club in the capital, with BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell and BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan signing on behalf of their respective organisations.

Under the agreement, the two apex trade bodies will jointly organise the international exhibition in Dhaka with the support of a reputed international exhibition management company.

The exhibition will showcase state-of-the-art textile and apparel machinery, artificial intelligence (AI)-based manufacturing technologies, automation solutions, sustainable production practices and emerging global fashion trends.

According to the MoU, a 10-member joint organising committee, comprising five representatives from each organisation, will oversee the strategic planning, management and financial transparency of the exhibition.

The chairmanship of the committee will rotate annually, with BTMA chairing the inaugural edition and BGMEA serving as co-chair. The agreement also provides for the sharing of the exhibition's net profit on a mutually agreed basis.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the initiative would go far beyond organising a machinery exhibition, creating a long-term platform for BTMA and BGMEA to work together in the greater interest of the country's economy and the textile and apparel sector.

"The exhibition will not remain confined to buying advanced machinery. Rather, it will serve as an opportunity for BGMEA and BTMA to work together for the country's economic interest and the sustainable development of the sector," he said.

Quoting the saying, "United we stand, divided we fall," Mahmud said Bangladesh's competitors often try to create misunderstandings within the industry, but stressed that the country's textile and garment sectors must remain united to sustain their global competitiveness.

He said the two organisations had already been working together on several policy issues, including efforts to make the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) more investment-friendly and industry-friendly.

Highlighting the sector's long-term vision, the BGMEA president reiterated the industry's ambition to raise Bangladesh's readymade garment exports to US$100 billion while significantly increasing domestic value addition.

"We do not want to achieve US$100 billion in exports with only around US$5 billion in value addition. We want at least US$20 billion and onwards in value addition," he said, stressing that such a target would require a stronger backward linkage industry, particularly the spinning and textile sectors.

Mahmud also proposed encouraging international machinery suppliers to manufacture textile machinery spare parts in Bangladesh instead of only exporting equipment, noting that high import duties on spare parts substantially increase production costs.

He further suggested establishing a joint arbitration mechanism to resolve recurring disputes between yarn manufacturers and garment exporters over supply contracts.

BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell said the association's biennial textile machinery exhibition, previously known as DTG, would become a larger, more meaningful and internationally recognised event through the partnership with BGMEA.

"We organise this fair every two years. It has already established itself as a successful event where the latest textile machinery and advanced technologies are showcased. This time we are making it stronger through joint collaboration," he said.

Russell noted that BTMA and BGMEA had been working together for nearly a decade with a shared objective of strengthening Bangladesh's textile and apparel sector. He said the exhibition would provide entrepreneurs with direct access to the latest global technologies without having to travel abroad.

"In the past, we had to travel to Italy to attend ITMA and witness the latest technologies. Now those technologies are coming to our doorstep through our own exhibition," he added.

Former BGMEA President Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez described the partnership as a historic "milestone" for Bangladesh's textile and apparel industries.

He said Bangladesh faces critical challenges, including graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, changes in the global trading environment and the need for greater product and market diversification. Strengthening cooperation between BTMA and BGMEA, he said, would help formulate unified policy proposals, strengthen backward linkage industries and improve the country's preparedness for post-LDC trade requirements, including compliance with GSP Plus rules of origin.

Former BTMA President A Matin Chowdhury, former BTMA Vice President Abdullah Al Mamun and BGMEA Vice President Md. Mijanur Rahman also spoke.

Industry leaders expressed confidence that the joint initiative would accelerate technology transfer, promote innovation, attract investment, strengthen workforce skills and expand international trade partnerships, while helping position Bangladesh as a globally recognised hub for sustainable textile and apparel manufacturing.

By 6.00 pm on Monday, a total of 10 trucks carrying between 9 and 10 metric tons of green chilies each had entered the country through the port. Traders expect that continued imports will help stabilize supplies and bring down prices in local markets.

Confirming the import, Bhomra Customs Commissioner Md. Mostafizur Rahman told BSS that the consignments arrived throughout Monday and were released after completion of customs and duty formalities. The imported chilies have since been distributed to markets across the country.

According to traders, the government approved the import of green chilies from India on August 2 to ensure a steady supply in the domestic market. The government also decided to reduce the existing customs duties and taxes on the imports, they said, citing sources at the Ministry of Commerce.

Retail traders in Satkhira said that green chilies were selling at Taka 50 to Taka 60 per kilogram just two weeks ago. However, prices rose sharply in several phases, reaching Taka 250 to Taka 300 or more per kilogram, placing a significant burden on consumers.

Rajab Ali, General Secretary of the Satkhira Raw and Perishable Goods Traders' Association, said prolonged rainfall had submerged chili fields in Satkhira and neighboring districts, causing extensive crop damage. Production of other vegetables has also declined, contributing to the sharp rise in prices.

"Green chilies that were selling for Taka 50 per kilogram climbed to more than Taka 250 to Taka 300. With imports from India now underway, prices are expected to start declining from today," he said.

Abu Musa, General Secretary of the Bhomra C&F Agents Association, said the first consignment of 10 truckloads arrived on Monday, while larger shipments are expected on Tuesday.

"If imports continue on a regular basis, market supply will increase and prices are expected to return to normal levels," he added.

 Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam will be present as the chief guest at both the events. On this occasion and to inform about the month-long programs implemented at Dhaka University to commemorate the July Uprising, a press conference was organized at Professor Abdul Matin Chowdhury Virtual Classroom today, Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

 Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam delivered a speech highlighting the purpose, significance and various aspects of the programs undertaken. Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr Abdus Salam, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Mohammad Almojaddidi Alfesani, Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Deans of various faculties, teachers and heads of various departments of the university were present.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said they "successfully targeted a sensitive target belonging to the Saudi enemy at Najran Airport using a drone," adding that the strike on the southern airport was "in response to the Saudi enemy's violation of airspace over the Saada and Hajjah governorates using drones".

A regional source with knowledge of the matter told AFP that the airport's main radar was hit, affecting operations.

Saudi Arabia has not, so far, issued any comment on the claimed attack.

"We can confirm that the efforts are still ongoing with all parties," foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told reporters at a regular briefing.

He said that negotiations were focused on "a short-term resolution that would help us reignite the talks and go back to the mediation efforts in its totality".

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he had agreed to continue to pursue talks with Iran at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries but that Tehran had a "last chance" in negotiations.

The talks are focused on the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said, and the vital waterway could open "literally by tomorrow".

"Our focus right now is on lowering escalation, reopening the strait, and reopening the door for diplomacy between the parties" Al Ansari said.

"We are hopeful that if we can get a resumption of the talks anytime soon, we'll be able to push forward towards a major deal," he added.

Iran's foreign ministry denied on Monday that negotiations with Washington were taking place.

Qatar, a key intermediary in talks between Iran and the United States, had previously refused to enter negotiations under Iranian fire.

Tehran launched an unprecedented aerial bombardment against Gulf states in retaliation for the US-Israeli strikes beginning at the end of February.

However, the Gulf emirate has played a more active role in negotiations recently, alongside mediator Pakistan and traditional mediator Oman.

"Qatar, Pakistan and now Oman are all working together," Al Ansari said

"We are coordinating very closely with the Omanis to facilitate the talks between both sides and exchanging ideas and exchanging drafts between both sides," he added. 

At negotiations in Washington in June, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a framework deal that involves the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon's south and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the region, starting in test areas known as "pilot zones".

This week's negotiations, set to continue until Thursday, are the seventh round of US-sponsored talks since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in March with rocket fire at Israel in support of its backer Iran.

Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a ground invasion that Lebanon says have killed more than 4,300 people.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Tuesday that the direct negotiations would bring "nothing but shame, humiliation, and successive compromises" for Lebanon.

In a televised address, he also criticised Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, saying he "has not acted as an arbiter, nor as a unifying figure, but has become biased and divisive, which is incompatible with his role and with Lebanon's strength".

On Monday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged Lebanon and Israel to "continue in a constructive spirit, identifying shared solutions that will allow for the full implementation of the framework agreement", his ministry said.

After talks last month, Israel's military withdrew from the outskirts of the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, one of the first pilot zones.

The Lebanese army deployed to the area and has allowed residents to inspect their homes and businesses.

- Pilot zones -

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told a cabinet meeting on Monday that his country was pursuing "efforts towards successive Israeli withdrawals from Lebanese territory, leading to a full withdrawal".

A US State Department official had told AFP that this week's discussions would "include expanding the pilot zone process, resolving all outstanding border issues, and working on a comprehensive peace and security agreement".

On Monday, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa warned that "moving too quickly risks jeopardising the very civilians this process is meant to protect".

"It is better to take the time needed to get this right the first time. Doing so will allow subsequent pilot zones to move forward more efficiently," Issa said.

"Both sides must agree on a clear, workable process before proceeding."

The Lebanese army's deployment is a major test, with experts expressing doubt over the authorities' ability to disarm Hezbollah -- which opposes the Israel deal and refuses to surrender its weapons -- and prevent further non-state military activity.

Observers say Israel's commitment to withdraw will also be tested when pilot zones are selected in areas fully under its occupation.

Violence in Lebanon has decreased since the Lebanon-Israel deal and the signing in June of a preliminary US-Iran agreement on the Middle East conflict.

But Lebanon continues to report intermittent Israeli strikes and shelling, as well as detonations and demolitions in southern villages.

Zaluzhny, an ultra-popular former top commander whom Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sacked in 2024, delivered the comments at a meeting of Kyiv's ambassadors on Monday, according to the European Pravda news outlet.

"I know NATO very well. For roughly 12 years I've personally worked on mastering NATO standards, and every year I've listened to the same fairytale that we're about to join," Zaluzhny was quoted as saying.

"Unfortunately, we never will," added Zaluzhny, currently the Ukrainian ambassador to Britain.

He said that "given the current level of development of the Ukrainian Armed Forces" it was impossible for Ukraine to join the alliance that, according to Zaluzhny, "adheres to doctrines dating from the Second World War".

Ukraine prides itself on its military industry progress, particularly in drone technology, which it has extensively developed since Russia invaded four and a half years ago.

In an opinion piece for British newspaper The Daily Telegraph published last month, Zaluzhny said the Ukraine war had "exposed uncomfortable questions about whether NATO is equipped for the conflicts of the 21st century".

"Ukraine has every reason to appreciate the support NATO members have provided, and continues to provide. But respect for the alliance should not prevent an honest assessment of its shortcomings," he wrote.

He added that "Ukraine's ability to sustain the war depends heavily upon continued backing from its allies".

Zaluzhny remains Ukraine's most trusted public figure, with 73 percent support, according to a June poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.

Speaking from the White House on Monday, the US leader continued his now familiar combination of bullish optimism about diplomacy and bellicose threats, warning that this was Iran's "last chance before decapitation".

Tehran and Washington have been at war since February 28, when the US and Israel launched surprise attacks on Iran. Despite a ceasefire and a preliminary deal in the months since, diplomacy has failed to end the war.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for global oil and gas supplies, has been the spark for repeated returns to fighting.

Iran wants to maintain control over and charge tolls for the strait, powers it did not exercise before the war and which the US fiercely opposes.

In what has become a regular pattern, Trump last week threatened to hit Iran "very hard" -- potentially with attacks against civilian infrastructure -- only to pull back on Saturday, saying the "perimeters" of a deal were in place.

On Monday, he said he had agreed to continue to pursue talks with Iran at the request of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other countries.

But Iran's foreign ministry denied that negotiations with Washington were taking place, even as Trump insisted they were. "We are talking right now," the US president said.

The talks are focused on reopening Hormuz, which Trump said could come "literally by tomorrow", and the denuclearisation of Iran, which he said could "take a little while".

- 'Not very complex' -

Trump said he expected to know by Tuesday how the talks were going, "one way or the other", but insisted "it's not very complex".

Hours earlier on social media, the president had called Tehran "duplicitous" for saying it was not negotiating.

"Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused, for decades," he added.

Trump pointed to the United States' counter-blockade of Iranian ports, saying: "Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished."

More than five months into a war that has cost Washington billions of dollars, Iran remains able to fire missiles and drones at US and allied targets in the region and retains its enriched uranium stockpiles.

Trump has placed particular emphasis on ending Iran's nuclear programme, which Western nations say is aimed at acquiring atomic weapons. Tehran insists it is a civilian programme.

Early on Tuesday, Britain's maritime security agency UKMTO said a cargo vessel had been struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman.

The vessel was not named and authorities were investigating, UKMTO said, without offering information on damage or injuries.

Iran continues to impose an effective blockade on the strait and insists ships coordinate crossings with it and take a route that hugs the Iranian coast.

Many vessels have instead chosen to take a southern route, close to Oman on the opposite side of the strait.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has said Tehran is negotiating a new route with Muscat, but that this was not about reopening Hormuz.

The drive was conducted at several private clinics and hospitals across the district town.

The operation was led by Tangail Civil Surgeon Dr. F.M. Mahbubul Alam, with Executive Magistrate Mosammat Farhana Arefin Jui from the Deputy Commissioner's Office.

During the drive, City Hospital, Tangail Clinic and Teachers Hospital and Makkah-Madinah Eye Hospital were sealed for operating without valid government approval.

Meanwhile, Khidmah Specialized Hospital was fined Taka 155,000 after authorities found irregularities and deficiencies related to its licensing and regulatory compliance.

Civil Surgeon Dr. F.M. Mahbubul Alam said that Tangail district has more than 600 private clinics and hospitals, but only 104 of them have valid government approval.

 He said these things while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled 'The Journey from Fascism to Democracy' organized by the Faculty of Law of Dhaka University on Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of the July Uprising. Dean of the Faculty of Law Professor Dr. Mohammad Ikramul Haque presided over the seminar. Former advisor and professor of the Department of Law Dr. Asif Nazrul. The special speaker was Professor of Law, Dr. Rowan Uddin Khan. The welcome address was delivered by Professor of Law, Dr. Md. Touhidul Islam, Chairman of the Law Department. The Vice-Chancellor said that in the last one and a half decades, democratic values, freedom of expression and tolerance for dissent have been severely damaged in the country.

 Teachers and students have also faced various types of harassment and pressure due to expressing dissent on the university campus. He highlighted his personal experience and said that he too had to face various adversities for not compromising on policy issues. However, he was able to remain firm due to the cooperation of his colleagues and trust in justice.

Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam said that the basic foundation of democracy is respect for the opinion of the majority and the establishment of the rule of law. But for a long time, the culture of single decision-making in the country, distrust of the electoral system and the tendency to ignore the opinions of the people have weakened democratic institutions. The July mass uprising was born from this reality. He said, the courage, sacrifice and participation of the students in the July 2024 movement has started a new chapter in the history of the country.

 The nation will always remember the sacrifice of the martyrs of this movement and the contribution of the injured with respect. He prayed for the forgiveness of the souls of the martyrs and the speedy recovery of the injured. The Vice Chancellor also said, the memory of July should not be just a formality. This spirit must be embodied in our state, society and educational institutions, so that no fascism, discrimination or tyranny can rise again in the future.

 He said, a free, fair and participatory election in Bangladesh is one of the prerequisites for strengthening democracy. Referring to the recent electoral experience, he emphasized on maintaining the continuity of peaceful, acceptable and violence-free elections in the future as well.

 Institute of Business Administration: A discussion meeting and prayer meeting were held at the institute on this occasion on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the initiative of the Institute of Business Administration. Director of the Institute of Business Administration, Professor Dr. Abu Yusuf Md. Abdullah, the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) of the university, Professor Dr. Abdus Salam, was present as the chief guest. National University Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Md. Lutfar Rahman spoke as the main discussant. The program began with the recitation of the Holy Quran.

 Later, Professor Dr. Md. Mohiuddin, convener of the 2nd anniversary celebration committee of the July Uprising, delivered the welcome speech. Rubayet Ferdous Ranil, a student of the 32nd batch of BBA, spoke on behalf of the students. Department of Philosophy: On this occasion, a discussion meeting titled 'July Uprising 2024' was held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the initiative of the Department of Philosophy, in Room No. 2028 of the Kala Bhavan.

 Professor Dr. Md. Nuruzzaman, Chairman of the Department of Philosophy, presided over the program, and Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, spoke as the chief guest. Convener of the department's July Commemoration Committee, Professor Dr. Mohammad Daud Khan, Professor Dr. Shah Kawsar Mustafa Abululai, Professor A K M Yunus, Dr. Ahmed Ullah, Muhammad Wahidul Alam, Aruna Khatun Jinia, Khandaker Tofail Ahmed, Tapsi Rabeya and Hamidur Rahman were present. In addition, the university's Pharmacy Department, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall and Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall held separate programs on the July Uprising.

She said the projects, including housing schemes, commercial complexes, community centres, overpasses and wider roads, are essential for easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity as Khulna continues to expand.

"The Prime Minister has directed that all development projects be completed within the stipulated timeframe, maintaining quality, transparency and accountability, without any irregularities or corruption, so that people do not suffer unnecessarily," she said.

The MP made the remarks after reviewing KDA's ongoing and proposed development projects through a multimedia presentation at the authority's conference room this morning.

On her arrival at the KDA office, she was received by KDA Chairman Advocate S.M. Shafiqul Alam Mona.

Later, she joined a meeting with KDA board members and senior officials, chaired by the KDA chairman to discuss the implementation and progress of the projects.

Fahmida Haque said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is committed to ensuring balanced development across the country and pledged to raise the long-standing development needs of the Khulna region in the Jatiya Sangsad.

She also assured KDA of her full support in implementing its development plans and said she would coordinate with the relevant ministries to secure the necessary assistance for projects aimed at improving the quality of life of Khulna residents.

Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon said the RO plant was installed at the premises of Joymonir Ghol Government Primary School today under the government's public welfare programme.

The initiative aims to address the area's long-standing shortage of safe drinking water. The facility will supply purified water to the school's teachers, students and staff, while also serving residents of the surrounding community.

Officials hope the plant will help reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases, improve public health and hygiene, and provide a sustainable solution to the area's drinking water crisis.

Sabbir Alam said the Bangladesh Coast Guard has been carrying out various humanitarian and community welfare activities for people living in coastal and riverine areas and will continue such initiatives in the future.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Nibhana Khair Jesy announced the verdict in the presence of the accused this afternoon. According to the prosecution, on the night of November 20, 2022, Moktar Ali and his wife Fatema Akhter Rekha had an argument over suspicion of extramarital affairs. At one stage, Moktar Ali got angry and stabbed his wife to death. 

Later, the victim's mother, Sajeda Begum, filed a murder case with Fatullah Model Police Station. Police arrested Moktar Ali. After the arrest, he confessed to his crime in the court under Section 164 and gave a statement. 

Court Police Inspector Abdus Samad confirmed the verdict and said that the court gave this judgement after a long legal process and taking the testimony of a total of 13 witnesses in the case.

The deceased, identified as Parvez Mia, 30, a highway police constable was serving at the Bhairab Highway Police Station. He hailed from Sadar upazila in Habiganj district.

The accident occurred around 12.30 am in the Dariakandi Bus Stand area on the Bhairab-Kishoreganj regional highway.

Officer-in-Charge of Bhairab Highway Police Station Suman Kumar Chowdhury said a truck lost control and overturned onto the police pickup while its tire was being inflated on the roadside.

"The truck fell directly onto our pickup and Constable Parvez Mia was crushed underneath. He died at the scene," the officer said.

The body has been sent to the morgue of Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital for further procedures, police added.

The cheque distribution ceremony was jointly organized by the Jhenidah District Administration and the BRTA Jhenidah Circle at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner's office on Tuesday.

Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Md. Noman Hossain presided over the event.

A total of 31 beneficiaries received financial grants. Among them, the families of 19 road accident victims who lost their lives were  provided Taka 500,000 each, amounting to Taka 95 lakh, while 12 injured victims received a combined Taka 24 lakh. In total, financial assistance of Taka 1.19 crore was distributed.

Addressing the function, the Deputy Commissioner said that no amount of money could compensate for the loss suffered by a family due to a road accident. However, he said, the government's financial assistance reflects its sincere commitment to standing beside the affected families during difficult times.

He urged all road users to comply with traffic laws, exercise caution while driving and work collectively to ensure safer roads.

"The prevention of road accidents requires responsible behavior from drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and all other stakeholders. Strict compliance with traffic regulations can significantly reduce road crashes," he added.

Speaking at the programme, Debashish Biswas, Assistant Director of the BRTA Jhenidah Circle, said that the BRTA Trustee Board has been providing regular financial support to families affected by road accidents. Eligible applicants receive grants after their applications are verified through the prescribed process.

In a message, issued on the occasion of the July Mass Uprising Day-2026, he said, "Let us all, inspired by the spirit of the great July Mass Uprising, remain united in building a democratic, justice-based, humane, discrimination-free and happy-prosperous new Bangladesh. At the same time, let us work together to realise the dreams, ideals and aspirations of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the great Liberation War and the Mass Uprising."

On August 5, 2024, the prolonged discriminatory and fascist rule came to an end in the face of the united resistance of unarmed students and people, while the fascist government was forced to flee the country amid overwhelming public outrage, the message said.

He extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the valiant July Warriors and all patriotic citizens on the second anniversary of the Uprising.

The acting president remembered thousands of heroic martyrs who laid down their lives in the movement, including Abu Sayed, Mugdha, Wasim, Yamin, Farhan, Nafiz, Taim, Naima, child Riya Gop and Ahad with profound respect and gratitude.

He also expressed his deep respect and profound sympathy for the July Fighters who were permanently disabled during the movement.

“The nation would remember forever their rare sacrifice, immense courage and extraordinary contributions, which would remain an eternal source of inspiration,” he said.

The Acting President described the July Mass Uprising as the irresistible manifestation of the accumulated public anger against the misrule. 

The misrule, discrimination, rampant corruption, exploitation, enforced disappearances, killings, politicisation, and the suppression of democracy, voting rights, and freedom of expression that prevailed over the past one and a half decades culminated in the irresistible July Mass Uprising, he said.

The message said that the intense public resentment and dissatisfaction accumulated over a prolonged period due to state irregularities, repression, and corruption turned into a nationwide mass uprising following the brutal killings of unarmed students and people during the quota reform movement.

Describing all participants in the movement as July warriors, he said, “People from all walks of life including students and teachers, youths, political activists, workers, professionals, brothers, sisters, daughters, wives, and mothers spontaneously took to the streets with immense courage and determination to sacrifice.

He noted that all of them are July Warriors.

He said the people are the source of all state power, and the Mass Uprising has proved this again. “To uphold the dignity of the martyrs' sacrifices, a humane Bangladesh for the common people must be built where fascism, autocracy, and extremism will never again find a place,” he said. 

He also called for ending all kinds of irregularities and discrimination while upholding voting rights, equality, human dignity, justice, and fundamental rights.

The acting president also called for ensuring good governance, public interest, accountability, and necessary reforms in every sphere of state administration.

He assured that due honour would be ensured to the martyred and injured July Warriors, while the welfare of their families, treatment, and rehabilitation of the injured.

He stressed that impartial, fair, and speedy trials of all killings and crimes against humanity committed during the July Mass Uprising would be ensured.

At the end of the message, he expressed the hope that Bangladesh would move forward with greater determination on the path of peace, equality, progress, and prosperity and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of all the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising.

The Head of Government said the student-led mass uprising of August 5, 2024, forced the then government to flee the country, ending what he described as authoritarian rule and renewing the nation's hopes for democracy.

In a message marking the "July Mass Uprising Day" to be observed tomorrow (August 5), the premier said the day symbolises "joy, victory and the restoration of democratic political rights" following the end of more than one and a half decades of fascist rule.

Recalling the anti-fascist movement, Tarique Rahman said the BNP, other anti-fascist political parties and people from different walks of life had endured enforced disappearances, killings, abductions, torture, false cases and repression in their struggle to restore democracy and voting rights.

He also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, saying the uncompromising leader of the nation had been imprisoned for years on what he described as false charges while leading the democratic movement.

Secret detention centres, known as "Aynaghar", had been established across the country to silence dissent, while many political leaders and activists remained missing, alleged the prime minister.

He said the country's Constitutional and statutory institutions, including the judiciary and the Election Commission, had been rendered ineffective, elections had been reduced to a mere formality, and widespread corruption and money laundering had severely weakened the economy and banking sector.

Highlighting the broad-based participation in the July-August uprising, Tarique Rahman said students, farmers, workers, rickshaw-pullers, day labourers, garment workers, hotel and restaurant employees, transport workers, journalists, intellectuals, cultural activists, professionals, women and people from all sections of the society had joined the movement.

He alleged that security forces opened fire on demonstrators, including from helicopters, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries.

The premier paid tribute to the martyrs of the movement, including Abu Sayed of Rangpur, Wasim Akram of Chattogram and Mugdho of Dhaka, describing their sacrifices as a lasting source of inspiration for the nation's democratic struggle.

He said thousands were killed and at least 30,000 people were injured during the uprising, while many lost limbs or their eyesight permanently.

On the occasion, Tarique Rahman urged the nation to honour the sacrifices of the martyrs by establishing equality, human dignity and social justice and by building a self-reliant, democratic and humane Bangladesh.

He also called on all pro-democracy political parties and citizens to safeguard national unity despite differences of opinion, saying democracy flourishes through diversity of views, but such differences should never turn into hostility.

The prime minister vowed that autocracy, fascism, extremism and militancy would never again be allowed to take root in Bangladesh, adding that the unity forged through the 2024 mass uprising would remain steadfast.

Drawing a historical parallel, he said 1971 was the struggle to achieve independence, while 2024 was the struggle to safeguard the country's freedom and the rights of its people.

For the first time in the history of Bangladesh, a special refinancing fund of Taka 3,000 crore has been allocated for the development of agriculture and agro-products in North Bengal, especially with the aim of creating an 'Agriculture Hub' in this region. 

The agricultural revolution in the northern region will play an important role in the target set to transform Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034.

He said these things while speaking as the chief guest at the Rajshahi Regional Conference on Agro Processing held today at the conference hall of Rajshahi Primary Teachers Training Institute (PTI).

The Finance and Planning Adviser said the government itself does not do business. The government is creating an investment-friendly environment and paving the way for entrepreneurs, he added. 

In line with the manifesto, work is underway to achieve economic prosperity from the grassroots level based on the philosophy of 'One Village One Product'.

The chief guest said, to encourage investment, the interest rate has been kept between 5 and 9 percent, which in the context of current inflation can be considered a form of negative interest rate. 

He mentioned the provision of loans at a 5 percent interest rate for women entrepreneurs and special allocations for micro and medium industries.

In total, various financial assistance and refinancing schemes worth about Taka 60,000 crore are in operation through the coordination of the government and Bangladesh Bank (BB).

Highlighting the steps taken by the government to remove barriers to investment, he further said that the entire process from obtaining a license to setting up a factory is being digitized, so that entrepreneurs can track every step. 

Effective steps have been taken to ensure services through a 'Single Window' by reducing 'red tape'.

Regarding infrastructural development, he said that the work of converting the railway line to dual gauge to ensure uninterrupted connectivity from Panchagarh to Chattogram or Mongla port will be completed within the next 2 to 3 years. 

In addition, instructions have been given to utilize the huge potential of solar power in the northern region, especially in Rajshahi, to save energy. Encouraging the entrepreneurs at the conference, he said there is immense potential to build new industries through making starch or API from potatoes and through diversified use of mangoes. 

He expressed hope that a major change in the investment climate will be visible by next December through policy continuity of the government, equity in the tax structure, and removal of bureaucratic complexities.

The event was presided over by Divisional Commissioner Dr. ANM Bazlur Rashid.

Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, spoke as a special guest. 

Among others, Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton, RMP Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, senior officials of various government and private departments, local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and journalists were present.

Earlier, Asif Ibrahim, Adviser of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, Shams Zaman, Country Head of PwC Bangladesh, Parvez Mohammad Ashik, Head of Program of Swisscontact Bangladesh, Syed Zahurul Alam Ruman, Chief Executive Officer of Akij Venture Group, Shafiul Sami Alamgir, Managing Director of Stampaco Foils Ltd., Khandaker Md. Adnan Masud, Chairman of UCC Investment Ltd., Md. Nazim Uddin, Director of Bangladesh Bank, and Md. Khairul Kabir Mia, Commissioner of Rajshahi Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, participated in a panel  discussion on investment potential in the agro-processing sector. After the event, the chief guest answered various questions from journalists.

As part of the observance, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will organise a reception for the families of the July martyrs and the July fighters, followed by a discussion meeting at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar here at 11 am.

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, has consented to attend the programme as the chief guest. 

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan will preside over the meeting.

As part of the central programme, the minister, state minister and secretary of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, along with senior officials, will place wreaths at the July Martyrs Memorial at Shahbagh at 6:01 am tomorrow.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, and State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain will attend the programme as the special guests.
Representatives of the families of the July martyrs and representatives of the July fighters will also deliver speeches at the event.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has undertaken various programmes across the country to mark the day. Similar programmes will also be observed in all districts, upazilas, city corporations and municipalities, as well as at Bangladesh missions abroad.

Special prayers and Dua will be offered at all places of worship across the country in memory of the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising.

The July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, Bangladesh National Museum, Military Museum, National Museum of Science and Technology, along with government and private recreational centres, will remain open throughout the day for children. Special meals will be arranged at government hospitals, prisons, government children's homes and old-age homes.

The national flag will be hoisted on important roads, government buildings and memorials across the country. To highlight the significance of the day, discussion meetings as well as essay writing, recitation and drawing competitions will be organised at all educational institutions across the country.

"Saudi Arabia is interested in investing in Bangladesh in sectors where it has significant expertise. These issues featured prominently in our discussions," she said. 

The state minister made the remark after a meeting between visiting Saudi Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed Abdul Karim Al-Khereiji and Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman held at the state guest Padma in the capital. 

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and state minister Shama present during the meeting. 

During the meeting, Shama said that the Saudi delegation reaffirmed its confidence in Bangladesh's democratic government and its commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties.

"The visit was aimed at taking Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relations to a new height. We had a very successful and fruitful discussion," she said.

Shama said Saudi Arabia expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh by utilizing its expertise in fisheries, food processing, energy, renewable energy, solar power, information technology and artificial intelligence.

The state minister said both sides also discussed enhancing labour cooperation, with Saudi Arabia showing interest in recruiting a larger number of skilled Bangladeshi workers.

"They have expressed interest in taking more skilled workers from Bangladesh, and this issue was discussed in detail during the meeting," she added.

Shama said Bangladesh expects to hold a joint investment meeting in Saudi Arabia in the near future, where senior officials, including the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), are expected to participate.

She also said a Bangladesh-Saudi Political Consultation Meeting and a Joint Working Group meeting are expected to be held later this year to advance bilateral cooperation.

"This communication will continue. The visit has been highly productive, and they expressed their hope that Bangladesh-Saudi relations would reach an even stronger level under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman," she said.

Referring to high-level exchanges, the state minister said the Saudi Crown Prince has already invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit the Kingdom, while Bangladesh has extended an invitation to the Saudi Crown Prince to visit Dhaka.

Asked about passport-related issues involving Rohingyas residing in Saudi Arabia, she said such issues exist in several countries and were not a major focus of the discussions.

"Our missions in Jeddah and Riyadh are already working with the Saudi authorities to resolve those issues," she said.

Shama said the Saudi delegation repeatedly stressed that it wanted to broaden cooperation with Bangladesh beyond a single sector.

"They repeatedly said they do not want to remain confined to just one sector; they want Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh to work together across many sectors. That was the main focus of the discussions," she added.

Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat, he said the reopening would create fresh employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia.

"The opportunity for employment has been created for all Bangladeshi workers following a consensus reached between Bangladesh and Malaysia at a bilateral meeting," he said.

Dr Zahed said the government is committed to ensuring that workers are sent to Malaysia through a transparent and accountable process by addressing the irregularities, excessive costs and harassment that occurred in the past.

He noted that Prime Minister's Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin had already announced the reopening of the Malaysian labour market in the last week of August.

"We want to inform everyone once again that an opportunity has been created for Bangladeshi workers to work in Malaysia based on the consensus reached between the two countries. This is very important news for us," he said.

Referring to overseas employment, Dr Zahed said many aspiring migrant workers had previously suffered due to irregularities, high migration costs and the involvement of a limited number of recruiting agencies.

"The government wants to eliminate those problems so that workers can migrate safely and no longer face the hardships experienced in the past," he added.

Describing overseas employment as a key contributor to the national economy, the adviser said the government is working to explore new labour markets alongside ensuring safe, orderly and transparent migration.

On food security, Dr Zahed said the government has undertaken a number of programmes to ensure an uninterrupted food supply and support low-income families.

Under the Food Friendly Programme, rice distribution began on August 1, through which 55 lakh beneficiary families in 495 upazilas will receive 30 kilograms of rice per month at a subsidised price of Tk 15 per kilogram.

The programme will continue for six months-August, September, October, November, March and April-to support rural people during the seasonal lean period when employment opportunities decline.

He said fortified rice enriched with essential vitamins and minerals is also being distributed under the programme, with more than 25 lakh beneficiaries receiving the nutrient-rich variety to help improve nutrition among low-income families.

Dr Zahed said the government is also continuing its Open Market Sale (OMS) programme through 1,108 centres across the country, where rice and flour are being sold at subsidised prices through designated outlets and mobile trucks.

He added that the country's public food stock remains at a satisfactory level, with more than 23.49 lakh tonnes of food grains stored in government warehouses.

Dr Zahed said the government is fully aware of the ongoing gas crisis and will soon provide a detailed explanation of its causes and the expected duration.

He urged the media to help inform the public about the actual reasons behind the supply disruption.

Responding to allegations of excessive gas bills, the adviser said consumers who believe they have been overcharged should submit written complaints to the appropriate authorities. "Action has been taken in the past based on such complaints," he added.

Referring to his discussion with the Energy Adviser before the briefing, Dr Zahed said the authorities are treating the allegations with utmost importance and will take necessary action if any irregularities are found.

"Complaints should be supported by specific facts and submitted to the relevant authority. The Energy Ministry is closely monitoring the matter, and we hope appropriate action will be taken after proper investigation," he said.

On strengthening energy security, Dr Zahed said the Jamuna Bridge Authority is implementing a solar power project in the Jamuna Bridge area as part of the government's broader plan to expand renewable energy use and reduce future dependence on conventional energy sources.

Highlighting developments in the railway sector, he said the government is implementing long-term plans to expand the country's transport infrastructure. As part of those initiatives, work has begun on a proposed railway line connecting Dhaka and Sylhet via Jaflong.

Once implemented, the project is expected to improve connectivity in the country's northeastern region and boost tourism, trade and regional economic activities, he added.

Speaking about the recent spike in green chilli prices, Dr Zahed attributed the increase to disruptions in production caused by heavy rainfall during the monsoon.

He said prices of vegetables have also risen, prompting the government to approve the import of green chilli and tomatoes to stabilise the market.

He expressed hope that vegetable supplies, including green chilli, would improve shortly, leading to a gradual decline in prices.

Referring to initiatives of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, the adviser said the government has undertaken various measures to promote the use of environmentally friendly jute products.

He said initiatives have been taken to increase the production and use of jute bags as an alternative to plastic.

The government has also decided to revive closed textile mills under the Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC) through public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements.

"If these factories are operated under skilled management, production will increase, the mills will become profitable and new employment opportunities will be created," he said.

On local government, Dr Zahed said Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) secured the top position among all city corporations and municipalities in a performance assessment conducted under a city governance project supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

He said such evaluations would encourage local government institutions to become more people-oriented and service-focused.

Regarding labour welfare, the adviser said draft recommendations for revising wages of workers employed in private industrial establishments have been sent for gazette publication.

He said there had previously been no specific framework for determining wages for this category of workers, and the government's initiative aims to ensure fair remuneration.

On mineral resources, Dr Zahed said the Ministry of Science and Technology is conducting research and collecting information to identify potential reserves of heavy metals and other valuable minerals across the country.

Highlighting youth development initiatives, he said the government is implementing various programmes to encourage young people to participate in sports.

"There is no alternative to sports in keeping children and young people away from drugs, violence and crime," he said.

On environmental protection, the adviser said the government has intensified enforcement against violations of environmental laws.

He said authorities have filed 81 cases and imposed fines exceeding Tk 4.92 lakh for breaches of environmental regulations.

The government is also continuing efforts to protect forests, rescue wildlife and prevent activities harmful to the environment, he added.

Speaking about law and order, Dr Zahed said law enforcement agencies, including the Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Coast Guard, are carrying out their regular duties.

The two sides, during the meeting at the Prime Minister's Office at the Secretariat, discussed humanitarian assistance, disaster management, bilateral naval cooperation and ways to further strengthen Bangladesh-US relations, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.

Shadhin said the meeting discussed humanitarian assistance and Bangladesh's capacity and contributions to disaster management. The Premier recalled the US-led 'Operation Sea Angels' launched following the devastating cyclone that struck Bangladesh in 1991.

Admiral Koehler highlighted Bangladesh's participation in various naval exercises and said the next Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise will be held in Bangladesh in November.

He also referred to Bangladesh's participation in the 'Sea Vision Exercise' in Singapore and expressed hope that Bangladesh would regularly take part in the 'Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)' exercise and other training programmes in the future.

The meeting also reviewed the progress and mutual understanding on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) between Bangladesh and the United States.

The Bangladesh side reaffirmed that it attaches great importance to its relations with the United States and expressed interest in further deepening bilateral ties through broader and more contemporary cooperation, the deputy press secretary added.

Admiral Koehler said Bangladesh and the United States have ample opportunities to work together and voiced optimism that relations between the two countries would continue to grow stronger.

The Prime Minister said "Bangladesh has always stood for peace across the world." 

Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen, Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Director General of the North America Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials were present during the meeting.

Tournament Committee Chairman Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir said the planned reforms could save the BCB between Tk 15 crore and Tk 30 crore annually, with the savings to be redirected towards cricket development.

According to Alamgir, the BCB currently spends more than Tk. 50 crore each year in organizing domestic tournaments, a figure he believes can be substantially reduced through better planning and commercialization.

"From what we have seen, the BCB spends a huge amount of money to run its tournaments. With some well-planned initiatives, we can significantly reduce those costs," Alamgir said in an exclusive interview.

"After consulting with the board president, we have undertaken several projects regarding our domestic competitions. We have already discussed the plans with our stakeholders, and the results will be visible very soon," he added.

Alamgir, a veteran cricket organizer from Chattogram, said the board is no longer interested in continuing to bear the full financial burden of tournaments such as the National Cricket League (NCL) T20, the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) four-day and one-day competitions.

Under the proposed model, the BCB plans to market the BCL four-day, BCL one-day and NCL T20 tournaments as a single commercial package. Each competition will feature six privately owned teams, with approximately 60 days allocated for the combined schedule.

The traditional eight-team NCL four-day championship, however, will continue in its existing format with divisional teams, alongside a three-day NCL Second XI competition.

"If we continue these tournaments in the conventional way, they will not benefit us financially. That's why we have decided to market them. The money we save through effective cost-cutting can later be invested in development projects," Alamgir said.

"We have already shared our ideas with the marketing department to explore how domestic cricket can be marketed more effectively."

Alamgir believes improved marketing will not only generate greater revenue for the BCB but also enhance the competitiveness and appeal of the domestic competitions.

He also dismissed concerns over possible payment complications under the proposed ownership model.

"The owners will not have to pay franchise fees like those in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). They will simply follow the existing payment structure that the BCB uses for players in tournaments such as the BCL and NCL.

Therefore, there will be no payment-related complications, while the board will save a significant amount of money," he said.

"These tournaments are marketable products. I find it hard to believe that the cricket board cannot sell its own competitions.

If we can properly demonstrate the commercial opportunities to our sponsors, I believe we will be able to market these events successfully. Discussions have already begun, and the results will be seen very soon."

He added that successful commercialization would also allow the BCB to pay players in advance, eliminating the recurring problem of delayed payments.

"There is no need to charge a huge ownership fee. The owners would simply need to advance the players' payments under the existing first-class payment structure or any other structure already in place," he added.

Alamgir also revealed plans to introduce foreign players into the domestic competitions through a player exchange programme. "The exchange programme will reduce the cost of bringing foreign players in."

"At the same time, it will make our competitions more competitive and attractive. Our local players will benefit immensely from sharing dressing rooms with overseas cricketers. Likewise, our players will also participate in tournaments abroad under the programme, gaining valuable international exposure."

In addition, the BCB is planning to introduce two new competitions to strengthen the country's talent pipeline: a Rising Star tournament for Under-23 cricketers and an Inter-University Cricket League.

"We are planning to include the Rising Star competition and the Inter-University Cricket League in the domestic calendar. We believe these tournaments will further strengthen our player development pathway, and we are committed to implementing them," Alamgir said.

He also confirmed that district-level cricket competitions will be held in phases, with each district receiving Tk. 5 lakh in financial support from the BCB.

"In the first phase, competitions will be held in 20 districts, and we have already sent official letters in this regard. Another 20 districts will host their tournaments in the second phase, while the remaining 24 districts will organize their competitions in the final phase," he said.

The four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan is coming off a semi-final run on the hard courts of Washington, where she fell to eventual champion Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.

"I did better than last year in DC, so I'm just hoping to keep the ball rolling," Osaka said.

"I haven't historically played super, super well here, so I'm just hoping to change that this year.

"I can try to recall Montreal, but I would like to kind of treat the cities separately," added Osaka, whose best run in Toronto -- which alternates hosting duties with Montreal each year -- was a quarter-final appearance back in 2019.

The former world number one is seeded 11th this year and aiming to build momentum as the August 31 start of the US Open approaches.

Osaka earned the last of her four major titles at the 2021 Australian Open and has yet to regain the heights she reached before taking an extended maternity leave in 2023.

But she made it to the US Open semi-finals last year and reached the last 16 at the French Open for the first time this year before a career-best quarter-final at Wimbledon.

"I would just hope to gain a lot of confidence leading into New York," she said.

"I lost my last match, but it's helped me figure out what I want to do exactly, or how I want to take my tennis."

Osaka is in the same quarter as second-seeded Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and in the fourth round she could find herself up against fifth-seeded French Open champion Mirra Andreeva.

Andreeva, who suffered a shock second-round exit at Wimbledon, will face a tricky opening match against former world number one Karolina Pliskova, who beat Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-4, 6-4 on Monday.

Osaka will open against Hungary's Panna Uvardy, who was up 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 2-0 against Eva Lys when the German retired because of injury in a match in which she led the second set 5-2.

It was a jam-packed schedule on the second day of first-round play.

Among the winners, Poland's Magdalena Frech defeated France's Leolia Jeanjean 7-5, 6-3 to line up a meeting with third-seeded two-time champion Jessica Pegula.

Pegula beat Frech last week on the way to the final in Washington, where the American fell to Eala in the rain-delayed title match on Monday.

In other early matches, American Kayla Day beat Diane Parry of France 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to book a clash with fourth-seeded Coco Gauff.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed in the tournament.

After disappointing runs at the French Open and Wimbledon the Belarusian is aiming to reassert her dominance on hard courts, where her lone defeat this year was to Rybakina in the Australian Open final.

Just days after flying into the Caribbean as an emergency replacement, Shafique ended the day unbeaten on 107 off 185 balls with 10 fours and two sixes decorating his authoritative innings at Queen's Park Oval.

Babar, the only visitor to emerge with any credit from a disastrous second innings of the first Test when he finished unbeaten on 58, was again unbowed on 86.

His calm, classy innings has so far occupied 126 deliveries, embellished by 10 fours and one six.

Putting aside those batting woes of a 90-run loss at the Brian Lara Stadium a few miles away, captain Babar and the recalled Shafique made the most of ideal batting conditions and pleasant weather, gathering runs in style in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 168.

Recalled after Shan Masood's finger injury, Shafique looked at ease in the unfamiliar position of number three when he replaced Imam-ul-Haq, who was dismissed by Shamar Joseph.

It was his first opportunity since losing his place after the South Africa series at home last October.

He put on 64 attractive runs with Azan Awais, the opener flaying 10 fours in a 71-ball 55 before being adjudged lbw on television review to left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.

Babar got into stride almost immediately and with the West Indies hampered by the unavailability of first Test match-winner Justin Greaves with a leg injury and captain Roston Chase ineffective with his off-spinners because of a lacerated finger, the tourists' task was made that bit easier.

- Shafique grabs opportunity -

Yet nothing could take away from the excellence of their strokeplay and the manner in which they dominated an attack that had them on their knees six days earlier when they crashed to 71 for nine, eventually being dismissed for 120 in the last innings of the first Test.

"Their partnership has been quite remarkable and that's just the thing we have been missing in the last two-three Test matches," said delighted batting coach and former Pakistan international batsman Asad Shafique.

"Abdullah has been scoring heavily in domestic competition and he has taken this opportunity with both hands. For me, the hallmark of his innings was the way he put away the bad deliveries and respected the good ones."

Babar, who continues to face severe criticism for what is seen as a rather passive style of leadership, was in his element with bat in hand though, playing a vital guiding role in ensuring that Shafique stayed focused.

When Shafique reached his century shortly before stumps, pulling a short ball to the midwicket boundary, Babar celebrated warmly with the 26-year-old.

Earlier, West Indies extended their first innings by 109 runs in the elongated morning session but that effort was put into context by the ease with the Pakistani top-order gathered runs in reply.

All-rounder Greaves and overnight partner Chase pushed their sixth-wicket stand to 96 before the summoning of the second new ball, unexpectedly in the hands of spinner Ali Usman, brought the breakthrough when Greaves, on 73, sliced an ambitious heave to point.

Fast-medium bowler Ubaid Shah then bowled Chase for 70 and despite more typically stubborn resistance from Kemar Roach, Sajid Khan claimed the last three wickets, the off-spinner finishing with the best figures of four for 85.

Morocco advanced to the quarter-finals by finishing with seven points after beating Kenya convincingly and Algeria narrowly in earlier mini-league matches in Rabat.

Goals from Marine Dafeur and Lynda Bendris earned Algeria a 2-0 victory over Kenya in a match played simultaneously, and they booked a last-eight place by coming second with six points.

Senegal ended with four points and Kenya with none so both were eliminated from the two-yearly African women's football showpiece.

Morocco will face the Group B runners-up and Algeria the Group B winners in the quarter-finals. They will discover their opponents on Tuesday after the final matches in that mini-league.

Ivory Coast lead Group B with four points, Burkina Faso and Tanzania have three each and South Africa one, leaving all four nations with a chance to progress.

Morocco beat Senegal 1-0 in both the 2022 and 2024 WAFCON tournaments, with the goal coming from a penalty on each occasion.

The Atlas Lionesses had a chance to repeat those feats when awarded a spot-kick midway through the second half after Marieme Babou fouled Sakina Ouzraoui.

Teenager Adji Ndiaye saved the first attempt from Yasmin Mrabet, but came off her line too early and the Ugandan referee ordered a retake.

Mrabet once again struck the ball to the left of the goalkeeper, and once again her effort was spectacularly parried to safety.

Senegal had come closest to scoring in open play when Ndeye Diakhate rattled the crossbar with a volley as half-time approached.

Algeria quickly took control against Kenya and were two goals ahead midway through the first half at another Rabat stadium.

Dafeur claimed her second goal of the WAFCON by rifling a free-kick into the net from well outside the area on 14 minutes.

Bendris dispossessed a Kenyan defender, then lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Lilian Awuor to increase the lead nine minutes later.

Apart from chasing a record two-million-dollar WAFCON first prize, the semi-finalists qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

The meeting was organized at 11:30 am on Tuesday near Sannasirchar Primary School in Sannasirchar Union of the upazila. During this time, the delegation visited various work initiatives of migrants affected by climate change and returning abroad assisted by IOM in Shibchar. During this time, they discussed with local public representatives, government officials and community members. And listened to the painful stories of migrants returning from different countries who went illegally and discouraged everyone present from going abroad in a risky way. And encouraged them to go abroad legally.

Speaking as the chief guest, Ugochi Daniel, Deputy Director General for Operations of the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), said, “Many people are being tortured, burdened with debt and many families are losing everything due to their irregular migration. This is my second visit to Bangladesh. Our goal is to ensure that when people migrate, it is safe, regular and with dignity. Today, I have heard many heartbreaking experiences where people have been tortured, burdened with debt and many families have even lost their land.”

He added, “This is not my first visit to Madaripur. Italy has a sincere relationship with the people here. We will continue to cooperate in this project to reduce irregular migration and help persecuted migrants return from abroad.”“We will continue to fight against human traffickers and migrant smuggling rings. At the same time, strict measures will continue to be taken to prevent illegal migration in Italy.”

Also present were IOM Chief of Mission Officer Laura Tom Bonde, IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Lori Cato, Italian Police Major Giuseppe Di Giovanni attached to the Italian Embassy, various officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Kohinoor Howlader, Chairman of the local Sannasirchar Union, among others.

He made the assurance while exchanging views with experts and representatives of organisations working in the water, environment and engineering sectors on the country’s water management challenges and possible long-term solutions.

The meeting was held in the Prime Minister’s Office at Bangladesh Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

He said the discussion focused on restoring canals, ensuring the stability of rivers and embankments, improving urban drainage systems, wastewater treatment and rainwater management.

The experts and representatives also stressed the need for integrated and effective urban planning to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation.

Led by Footsteps Bangladesh, experts from the environment, water and engineering sectors, along with representatives of several organisations working in the field, attended the meeting.

They shared their experiences and recommendations on the country’s water management challenges, existing limitations and possible solutions.

The experts recommended adopting short, medium and long term plans, expanding the use of modern technologies, strengthening coordination among relevant agencies and taking effective measures in view of the impacts of climate change.

After hearing the experts' views and recommendations, the Prime Minister assured them of the government's support to ensure safe and effective water management for citizens in line with its commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection, said Hasan Shiplu.

State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar and BNP Special Secretary Belayet Hossain, among others, were present. 

The experts and representatives include Footsteps Bangladesh Trustee and Head of Partnerships Fasbeer Eskander, President Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, Vice-President Mohammad Taqi Yasir, former Chief Engineer of the World Bank’s Waste Management Project Tariq Bin Yousuf , Professor Mujibur Rahman of United International University, Red Orange Director Alok Kumar Majumdar, Deputy Director Samiul Islam, Youth for NDC Executive Director Amanullah Parag, GarbageMan founder and CEO Fahim Uddin Shuvo and urban and rural planner SM Mehedi Hasan.

Under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Bangladesh will also extend preferential market access to 87 percent of South Korean products, including selected agricultural goods, plastics and Completely Knocked Down (CKD) items.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today disclosed the details while making a joint announcement after the signing ceremony at the Secretariat in the city.

Describing the agreement as a landmark achievement, Muktadir said it would create new opportunities for employment generation and accelerate the country's economic growth.

He said the agreement would enable Bangladeshi export products, including readymade garments, leather goods and jute products, to gain easier access to the South Korean market.

He added that the deal would support export diversification and enhance Bangladesh's competitiveness in the global market.

"The preferential market access secured for Bangladeshi exports in South Korea is a major milestone for the country," he said, adding that the agreement would play an important role in expanding bilateral trade. Referring to the agreement as a milestone for Bangladesh's export sector, Muktadir said the CEPA would play a vital role in supporting the country's post-LDC trade transition while attracting greater foreign direct investment (FDI).

He said Bangladesh aims to become a $1 trillion economy by 2034, requiring an annual nominal GDP growth rate of around eight percent.

"As domestic resources alone will not be sufficient to achieve this target, attracting quality foreign investment is essential," he said, describing South Korea as a model economy with strong technological capabilities and a GDP of around $2 trillion.

The minister said the agreement would encourage Korean investment in high-value sectors such as semiconductors, information technology, shipbuilding, ship recycling and light engineering.

Speaking on the occasion, South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo congratulated Bangladesh on its economic progress and praised the country's leadership for concluding the agreement in a short period.

He said bilateral economic relations had traditionally centred on the textile sector but were now expanding into broader industrial cooperation and investment.

Highlighting Bangladesh's demographic advantage, he said the country's large young workforce makes it an attractive production base for Korean companies.

He noted that Korean firms could establish manufacturing facilities in Bangladesh to serve both the Korean market and global export destinations.

Responding to questions regarding the pace of negotiations, Muktadir said the process had been efficient rather than rushed.

He said while similar trade agreements often take between 10 and 20 years to conclude, the government completed the negotiations within six months through continuous efforts.

The minister also assured that the interests of local industries had been carefully safeguarded during the negotiations.

He said the CEPA would be made public for detailed review, adding that it was a transparent agreement whose long-term benefits would be evident to all stakeholders.

Both sides expressed confidence that the agreement would usher in a new chapter in Bangladesh-South Korea economic relations by expanding trade, strengthening investment and creating new opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

The state minister said coordinated efforts are crucial for infrastructural development of greater Mymensingh, improvement of medical services and solving other civic problems. He said an application (DO letter) signed by 34 members of parliament of Mymensingh division has been submitted to the concerned ministry to extend the expressway or flyover from Dhaka airport to Bhaluka, which is currently awaiting policy decision and approval from ECNEC. In addition, Yasser said, initial talks are underway on establishing a high-speed train connection with Mymensingh and modernising the Mymensingh Railway Station.

He urged journalists to play an vital role in ensuring patient services in hospitals and preventing irregularities. He mentioned that irregularities and corruption are not limited to the financial sector, but issues of service deprivation should also be highlighted through writing of journalists. The state minister said the government is considering a proposal to build a standard press club with modern facilities at district level across Bangladesh.

Journalists Erfanul Haque Nahid, Masudul Haque, Rafiq Muhammad, Anisur Rahman Khan, Ubaidullah Badal, Hamidul Haque Manik, Shafiul Alam Dolan, Masud Karim, Md Golam Kibria, Mahmudul Hasan and Baharam Khan spoke at the meeting, among others.

"By investing in Bangladesh, Japan can gain access to a large regional market of over 300 crore consumers," he said while addressing the Bangladesh Investment Promotion Seminar.

The seminar was jointly organised by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Bangladesh Embassy in Japan and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Osaka, Japan, according to a message received here.

Bobby Hajjaj said Bangladesh is not only a potential investment destination, but also a strategic economic bridge between South Asia and the ASEAN.

He said the progress of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Bangladesh and Japan and the establishment of a special economic zone for Japan will take the economic relations of the two countries to a new height.

These initiatives will play a marked role in expanding bilateral trade and investment and ensure a more favourable environment for Japanese investors, he said.

The state minister said Japan's Meiji Restoration is an exemplary instance of the transformation of a nation through education, technology, industrialisation and visionary leadership.

Bangladesh also wants to learn from this development experience of Japan and build the economy of the future through knowledge, technology, innovation, productivity and skilled human resource development, he said.

He said the size of the Bangladesh economy is currently more than US$ 500 billion while the country's economic growth has been over 6 percent for a long time.

Despite global economic challenges, the growth is above 4.5 percent and the government's goal is to develop Bangladesh into a US$ one trillion economy by 2034, Bobby Hajjaj said.

He said Bangladesh's more than seven crore young working population is the country's biggest competitive force.

With per capita income exceeding US$3,000, the country's domestic market is expanding rapidly and purchasing power is going up, which has created new opportunities for foreign investors, he said.

The state minister said currently, the bilateral trade volume between Bangladesh and Japan is about US$3.5 billion but the joint goal of the two countries is to increase this trade to US$10 billion in the next few years.

He mentioned machinery and light engineering, industrial components, automobile and electric vehicle components, electronics, pharmaceuticals, API and medical devices, multipurpose jute products, agricultural processing, food security, cold-chain logistics, renewable energy, port and logistics infrastructure, industrial estate development, robotics, educational technology and skilled human resource development as potential sectors for Japanese investment.

He also highlighted the possibility of partnerships with organisations like Artec in educational technology and skill development.

Bobby Hajjaj said there is immense potential for cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan in the sectors of education, skill development, healthcare and medical tourism.

Bangladesh's young, educated and skilled manpower can play an important role in meeting the growing labour shortage of Japan, he said.

In this regard, he said, there is an opportunity to build a long-term partnership between the two countries in skill development, technical training and employment.

Bobby Hajjaj said Japan has been working as one of the most trusted development partners in Bangladesh's infrastructure, education, human resource development and economic progress for decades through various bilateral initiatives.

He said Bangladesh and Japan are now entering a new era based on investment, trade, technology, innovation and shared prosperity.

He called upon Japanese businessmen and investors to become long-term partners in Bangladesh's growth journey.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Md Daud Ali, senior officials of JETRO and Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and businessmen and entrepreneurs from over 100 leading Japanese organisations were present at the seminar.

With the aim of protecting the balance of the environment, combating the adverse effects of climate change and building a green Bangladesh, this tree plantation program was held at Rangpur College and Rangpur Kalitala Secondary School in Dumuria Upazila under the initiative of Green Force Bangladesh, a non-political, social and voluntary organization.

Organized as part of the organization's ongoing tree plantation program, saplings of various species of fruit, forest and medicinal trees were planted in this program. At the same time, awareness campaigns were conducted among the local residents about environmental conservation, the importance of tree plantation and the care of planted trees.

Sujat Kabir, Khulna District President of Green Force Bangladesh, was present as the chief guest in the program. Divisional General Secretary Engineer Wahid Murad, District General Secretary Md. Nur Alam Shanto. Samaresh Mandal, current chairman of Rangpur Union No. 12 and principal of Rangpur College, acting headmaster Bijan Kumar Mandal, Dr. Sandipak Mallick, district vice-president Bimal Mallick, organizing secretary Mustasin Akunchi, spokesperson Taslim Uddin Mohan and many others.

In addition, leaders of various levels of the organization, volunteers and local dignitaries participated in the program.

The speakers said that Green Force Bangladesh, a non-political, social and voluntary organization registered by the Bangladesh government, has been conducting environmental conservation, tree plantation, humanitarian aid, disaster relief distribution, blood donation programs and various social development activities for a long time. In addition, the organization is continuously working to raise awareness in different regions of the country, increase social involvement and awaken moral values, giving special importance to anti-corruption public awareness activities.

At this time, the speakers also said that Bangladesh is facing the risk of various natural disasters due to the impact of climate change. There is no alternative to massive tree plantation to protect the environment, control air pollution and build a livable country for future generations. A tree not only provides oxygen, it plays an important role in preserving biodiversity, controlling temperature and maintaining natural balance.

Khulna District President Sujat Kabir said, “To build a green Bangladesh, every citizen must plant at least one tree and take responsibility for its care. In addition to protecting the environment, Green Force Bangladesh is also working to build a corruption-free, conscious and humane society. Such public welfare activities will be carried out on a wider scale in the future.”

Khulna Divisional General Secretary Engineer Wahid Murad said, “The young society must be involved in both environmental protection and creating social awareness against corruption. It is possible to build a green, well-governed and prosperous Bangladesh through joint efforts.”

At the end of the program, the organization expressed its commitment to continue conducting tree plantation and public awareness activities in various areas of the country, including Khulna, in the future.

At the program, teachers and students working in various primary schools performed cultural programs including poetry recitations written by national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Nazrul music, and dance.

The extraordinary performances of teachers and students including Salma Yasmin, Monali Aadhya, Ruhi Biswas, Kazi Fatima, Princila, Priyanti, Prabha Bhatt, Adrita Roy, Ila Biswas, Supriya Roy, Purbasha Adhikari, Sampi Poddar, Swapna Biswas, Gopal Biswas, Smita Singha, Pradeep Mallick, Nityanand Dam, Hirak Goswami, Bipul Kumar Dev, Anushka Das, Mahitosh Biswas and other teachers and students mesmerized the audience.

The program was presided over by District Primary Education Officer Md. Jahangir Alam. The chief guest of the program was Narail District Commissioner Dr Mohammad Abdul Salam, special guest Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Hosne Ara Tanni, Sadar Upazila Executive Officer T,M, Rahsin Kabir, District Secondary Education Officer Md. Jamal Uddin, District Primary Education Officer Md. Jahangir Alam, Cultural Organizer Sheikh Hanif and various government officials, teachers and students. The program was conducted by Assistant Teachers Mahfuza Yasmin Sraboni and Aminur Rahman.

At the end of the program, Monali Aadhya, who secured 33rd place in folk music at the national level in the National Primary Education Medal-2026 competition, and M Shahariar Hossain, who participated in Hamd-Naat, were presented with commemorative mementos.

Additional Police Superintendent Thandar Khairul Hasan, Assistant Police Superintendent Nishat Al Nahian, former Upazila BNP President Ashraful Alam Joarder, former General Secretary and General Secretary of Community Policing Forum Khandaker Abbas Uddin, former General Secretary and Vice-President of the Forum Munshi Rezaul Karim, among others, were present as special guests.

Moderated by Assistant Superintendent of Police Bappi Kumar Das, the speeches were made by freedom fighter Munshi Abdul Quddus, President of Sreepur Press Club Dr Musafir Nazrul, Former Women Vice Chairman of Upazila Parishad Nargis Sultana, Secretary of Upazila Jamaat Md. Mizanur Rahman Mollah, Acting Headmaster of Sreepur Government MC Pilot Secondary School Shamimul Islam, President of Upazila Puja Udjavan Parishad Monoranjan Sarkar, President of Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Parishad Apurba Mitra, Former Organizing Secretary of Upazila BNP Khalilur Rahman Mollah, Masud Majumder, Member Secretary of Upazila Sports Association Sohag Mahmud, Convener of Upazila Jubo Dal Ziaul Haque Farid, Member Secretary Shah Alam Tufan, Member Secretary of Swechchhasebak Dal Badrul Alam Litu, among others.

The program emphasized the need to take effective steps to prevent overall law and order in the upazila, drugs, and village fights.

 In addition, as part of humanitarian assistance, food and medical supplies were distributed to more than fifty unemployed and backward hill-Bengali men and women of Chowdhury Ghat and Wasu areas. Matiranga Zone Medical Officer Captain Dr Noor Rezwan Toufiq Rizvi. He examined the patients' health and gave them necessary advice and distributed necessary medicines for various diseases. Asia Begum, a resident of Charpara, who received the food items, said, "It is very difficult to run a family these days. The food items provided by the army will be of great benefit to our family. We are sincerely grateful to them

."Md. Salam, who came to receive free medical services, said, "Many people cannot afford to see a doctor and buy medicines. Today, the army doctor examined us and gave us free medicines. We have benefited a lot from this."Locals said that such humanitarian initiatives of the Bangladesh Army towards the underprivileged people of the hilly region are commendable. They expressed hope that such medical services and assistance activities will continue regularly in the future.Military officers of Matiranga Zone, army personnel and local dignitaries were present at the humanitarian assistance program.Matiranga Zone Commander Lieutenant Colonel Masud Khan, PSC said, "The Bangladesh Army is always by the side of the people not only in protecting the sovereignty and security of the country, but also in fulfilling its humanitarian responsibilities.

 Matiranga Zone has been regularly conducting such public welfare programs to improve the living standards of the common people of the hilly areas, ensure healthcare, and alleviate the suffering of the helpless. Such humanitarian activities will continue in the future as well.

The seminar was presided over by the hall's principal, Dr. Debashish Pal, and was attended by Jagannath Hall's resident teacher Dr. Pramath Mistry, Dhaka University Branch Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas, General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon, Former President of Dhaka University Branch Chhatra Union Meghmallar Basu, Hall Branch Chhatra Dal Convener Madhusudan Kundu Hrishikesh, Hall Branch Chhatra Dal Member-Secretary Prosenjit Biswas and Senior Joint Convener Nityananda Pal and Jagannath Hall Branch Chhatra Union General Secretary Bishnu Pandit spoke at the event. The convener of the event organizing committee, resident teacher Sanjay De Ripon, conducted the event.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam said that this movement of students and the public has started a new chapter in the history of the country by ending the long 17 years of misrule. The sacrifice of the martyrs of July has given the nation a new opportunity to build a Bangladesh free from discrimination and based on justice. Everyone must remain united so that no more fascist forces rise in the future. He emphasized on taking joint initiatives to build a non-discriminatory, humane and democratic Bangladesh.

The first, second, third and special place winners of the speech competition titled ‘July Mass Uprising 2024: Aspiration and Reality’ were awarded at the event. The awardees were Nayan Das, Priyaranjan Das Prant and Papon Tripura.

Institute of Social Welfare and Research: On the occasion of the second anniversary of the historic July Mass Uprising, a seminar, discussion meeting, documentary exhibition, cultural and commemorative program titled ‘July Mass Uprising in Consciousness: Sense of Responsibility and What We Can Do’ was held at the Social Welfare and Research Institute Auditorium today, Monday, August 3, 2026. The program was presided over by Professor Dr. Mahbuba Sultana, Director of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, and Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam, spoke as the chief guest. In addition, Professor Dr. Md. Nurul Islam, Professor Dr. Tania Rahman, Professor Dr. Md. Golam Azam and Student Advisor Professor Dr. Sheikh Tohidul Islam were present.

Department of Physics: On the occasion of the second anniversary of the July Uprising, a seminar titled 'July Revolution and Mass Uprising: Reminiscence and Discussion Meeting 2026' will be held today, August 3, at 2:30 PM in Room 300 of the Physics Department at Mukarram Bhaban. Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam will be the chief guest at the event and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr. Abdus Salam, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Mohammad Almojaddidi Alfesani and Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Dr. Md. Mofazzal Hossain will be present as special guests. Emeritus Professor of the Department of Physics Dr. A. F. M. Yusuf Haider will be the main discussant. The Chairman of the Department of Physics, Professor Dr. Aminul Islam Talukder, will preside over the meeting.

Department of Islamic History and Culture: A discussion meeting was held on this occasion on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the RC Majumder Arts Auditorium at the initiative of the Department of Islamic History and Culture. The Acting Chairman of the Department, Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar, presided over the meeting, and the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Abdus Salam, was present as the chief guest.

Department of Mathematics: A discussion meeting titled “Bloody July: Expectations and Achievements” was held on this occasion on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the Rezaur Rahman Auditorium at the initiative of the Department of Mathematics. The chairperson of the Department of Mathematics, Professor Shapla Shirin, presided over the meeting, with the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr. Abdus Salam as the chief guest and the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Dr. Md. Mofazzal Hossain and former Vice Chancellor of Pirojpur University of Science and Technology Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam were present as special guests. The father of July Shaheed Farhan Fayyaz was present as special speaker. Convener of the event celebration committee, Professor Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, delivered the welcome address.

Department of Botany: A discussion titled 'Bloody July 2024 in Memory' was held at the Central Gallery of the Department of Botany today, Monday, 03 August 2026, on the occasion of the second anniversary of the historic July Uprising. Chaired by the Chairman of the Department of Botany, Professor Dr. Asfaq Ahmed, Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Mohammad Almojaddidi Alfesani was the chief guest and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Karim was present as special guests. Senior Professor of the Department of Botany, Dr. Mohammad Jasim Uddin, delivered the welcome address.

Department of Applied Mathematics: On the occasion of the second anniversary of the historic July Uprising, a discussion meeting and video documentary exhibition titled 'July Time Line 2024: Aspirations, Achievements and Expectations' will be held tomorrow, August 4 at 11:00 am at the Rezaur Rahman Auditorium of AF Mujibur Rahman Mathematics Building. Pro-Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University

The complaint states that on Sunday morning, Mukul Hossain and his family members brought an excavator and demolished Rafiuddin's home and various structures. A large number of locals were present at the scene at that time. Videos and pictures of the incident have been circulated on social media.

Some local residents said that although there have been various discussions in the area about Rafiuddin's personal decision, the incident of vandalizing houses by taking the law into his own hands is in no way acceptable. According to them, family disputes should be resolved through legal processes.

Nagdah Union BNP President Borhan Uddin Member said, "Mukul Hossain's daughter is very polite and gentle. What happened to her is sad. However, instead of vandalizing the house out of anger, he should have taken refuge in the law."

In this regard, Alamdanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Bani Israel said, "We are aware of the incident. If we receive a written complaint, we will investigate and take legal action." It could not be confirmed whether any written complaint had been filed with the police station at the time of writing.

The program was organized by the Char Unnayan O Masala Parishad, Rajibpur Upazila Branch, on the banks of the Brahmaputra River at 5 pm on Sunday. Numerous men and women, elderly, youth and local residents affected by river erosion participated in the human chain and expressed their long-standing suffering.

 The gathering was presided over by Professor (retd) Mokhlesur Rahman, President of the Char Development and Implementation Council, Rajibpur Upazila Branch. Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, President of the Kurigram District of the organization, spoke as the chief guest.He said, "Overall development of Kurigram district is never possible without improving the quality of life of the people of the Char. Due to the extreme weakness of the education, health and communication systems, the people of the Char are constantly facing discrimination. Due to the fragile education system, child marriage is increasing alarmingly, due to which the risk of children with disabilities is also increasing. Currently, the number of disabled people in Kurigram is about one lakh."He also said that according to the data of the United Nations Migration Agency, about 5,000 families are forced to migrate from one Char to another every year due to floods and river erosion of the Brahmaputra. In the last five years, about 6,000 families have been forced to take shelter in slums in various cities of the country including Dhaka, Chittagong, after losing everything

.The rally was addressed by journalist Sayed Ahmed Babu, general secretary of the Kurigram District Development and Implementation Council and joint general secretary of the District Char Development Committee. He said that there are about 450 to 500 chars in the river-bound Kurigram district. The people of these chars have been fighting against river erosion, floods, droughts and various natural disasters for years.He said, "The people of the chars have only one demand - effective and permanent measures to prevent river erosion. In many developing countries of the world, the government compensates people affected by river erosion. However, in our country, if houses and plots are submerged in the riverbed due to river erosion, that land is considered government khas. This is very sad. We are seeking the intervention of the honorable Prime Minister of the current government to provide compensation to the people affected by river erosion and take initiatives for permanent river management

."The speakers at the rally strongly demanded the speedy implementation of the proposed permanent river erosion prevention project worth about 8.5 billion taka from Saheber Alga in Ulipur, Kurigram to Mohanganj in Rajibpur.At the same time, they complained that the Water Development Board and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) lacked an effective role in preventing river erosion. Therefore, the speakers demanded the formation of a separate 'Char Affairs Ministry' on the model of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry. They said that specialized initiatives to improve the quality of life of about 15 million char and riverside people in 100 upazilas of 32 districts of the country are the need of the hour.

The organization's district joint general secretary Abu Darda Helal, Wazed Ali Jhinuk, general secretary of Chilmari Upazila branch Professor Fazlul Haque, general secretary of Rajibpur Upazila branch Aminur Rahman Master, former chairman of Mohanganj Union Anwarul Islam Anu, journalist Habibur Rahman, and people from various classes and professions in the erosion-affected areas also spoke at the rally.

Statement of the Water Development Board

Kurigram Water Development Board Executive Engineer Rakibul Hasan said that during the current monsoon season, emergency preventive work has been done by placing 5 lakh 22 thousand sand-filled geobags at 42 erosion points of various rivers including Brahmaputra, Dharla, Teesta and Dudhkumar at a cost of Tk 24 crore. In addition, erosion has occurred at 6 more points. Prevention work will be started there as soon as the allocation is received.

Statement of the District Administration

District Administrator Annapurna Debnath said that the district administration is working with utmost importance so that the people affected by river erosion do not suffer further. Arrangements have been made through the Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources to prevent immediate erosion.

People are losing their homes, agricultural land, educational institutions and the last means of livelihood due to the continuous erosion of the Brahmaputra every day. Therefore, the expectation of the people affected by erosion is not temporary prevention, but the implementation of a permanent river management project quickly; May the lives of the people of the Char region be safe, may the certainty of survival return.

The overall development of education, moral values of students, improvement of teaching quality, discipline, increasing attendance and various aspects of building a modern and technology-based education system were discussed in detail in the meeting. In his speech as the president, UNO Mr Rakibul Hasan said, "There is no alternative to education to build an educated, skilled and humane generation.

 The Upazila administration will work with utmost importance to improve the quality of education and will provide necessary cooperation to all educational institutions in this regard." He called on teachers to play a responsible role and emphasized on taking coordinated initiatives to develop the talent, morality and creativity of students. The heads of the educational institutions present also presented their various opinions and proposals for the development of the education system. The exchange of views was appreciated by all present as a positive initiative to make the education system of Nabinagar more effective, modern and student-friendly.

 Recently, a 570-meter canal was re-excavated from the Barabay Dakshinpara Sluice Gate to Milan Molya's house under the implementation of the Disaster Management Department and the overall supervision of the upazila administration. According to upazila administration sources, the estimated allocation for this project under the nationwide canal re-excavation program was 25 lakh 79 thousand 148 taka

. Although it is a small-scale project, the Alfadanga Upazila administration has completed the work by ensuring 100% proper use of government funds. In addition to ensuring the quality of the work, accurate accounting was done to maintain the transparency of the project. In this, the surplus of 37 thousand taka due to the absence of workers has been sent back to the government treasury as per the rules.

 On the spot, it can be seen that the canal, which was once filled with silt and silt, has regained its new form as a result of re-excavation. During the monsoon, water easily enters the canal from the Barashia River, so there is now a lot of water throughout the canal. And farmers are happily planting jute in groups in that water. Not only water, but also the seedlings of forest and fruit trees planted in rows on both banks of the canal have created a wonderful and pleasant environment.

Imdadul Sheikh (50), a farmer from the village of Barabay, who is busy planting jute in the canal next to his house, said that earlier, due to lack of water, we had to face a lot of trouble in planting jute. The cost of taking jute far away and rotting it would also increase. Now, with the canal being dug next to his house, that worry is gone. Thanks to the government.

Mia Asaduzzaman, Chairman of Tagaraband Union Parishad, said that due to the re-excavation of the canal, a new possibility has been created in the agricultural sector and farmers are directly benefiting from it. He welcomed such a public welfare-oriented initiative of the government.

Sagar Hossain Saikat, Upazila Project Implementation Officer, said that although the project is small in size, no laxity has been shown in its supervision and implementation. 100% of the project work has been successfully completed according to the set deadline and target.

In this regard, Alfadanga Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rifat Nur Mousumi said that the canal has been re-excavated properly as per the project instructions. It will play a very important role not only in agriculture but also in preserving the biodiversity of the area. Such work will continue in the future as per the government instructions in the public interest and for the development of agriculture.

The tender for this project, which is of great public importance at a cost of about 317 crore taka, will be invited on August 7, 2026. Once the project is implemented, the traffic congestion in the Joydevpur Rail Crossing area will be significantly reduced and the city residents will be able to enjoy a safe, modern and seamless communication system, said Gazipur City Corporation Administrator Shawkat Hossain Sarkar. 

On Monday morning, Administrator Shawkat Hossain Sarkar made an on-site inspection of various ongoing development activities of Gazipur City Corporation to ensure the overall development and infrastructural progress of the city's communication system. During this time, he inspected the progress of the development work of the 60-foot wide important road under construction from Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital to Pubail Koler Bazar.

During the inspection, he gave necessary and strict directions to the concerned officials to maintain the proper quality of the work and successfully complete the project within the stipulated time. Gazipur City Corporation's Superintendent Engineer Lehaz Uddin, Executive Engineer Shamsur Rahman, senior officers and engineers of the City Corporation and leaders and activists of local BNP and affiliated organizations were present.

On the same morning, free saplings were distributed among the students of Chhota Deora Government Primary School and Chhota Deora Agrani High School. Gazipur City Corporation Administrator  Shawkat Hossain Sarkar. This initiative has been taken to protect the balance of the environment, increase urban greening and create awareness among young students about the need and importance of tree plantation from an early age.

In addition to developmental activities and infrastructural progress, such public welfare and environment-friendly initiatives of the City Corporation, keeping in mind the determination to preserve the environment and build a livable and green Gazipur for future generations, have been widely appreciated by the local civil society and the education world. In particular, the Prime Minister and the Administrator are being widely appreciated by the city residents for quickly taking the initiative to build an overpass, which is much desired by the city residents, to resolve the long-standing severe traffic congestion at the Joydevpur rail crossing.

On Monday, at approximately 2:15 pm, the container ship 'MV CNC URANUS' suddenly developed a mechanical fault in its steering system while passing through the Chittagong Port's waterway channel.

The ship lost control and first collided with red buoy number 2 of the channel. Later, it went over the retaining wall and got stuck. Immediately after the incident, the Chittagong Port Authority started emergency rescue and removal operations.

Two tugboats named 'Kandari-4' and 'Kandari-11' have been deployed at the scene. Tugboats are working to safely remove the two ships and ensure normal navigation of the channel.In addition, all the relevant maritime authorities, as well as members of the Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Coast Guard, are present at the scene and conducting a coordinated rescue operation. 

The relevant agencies are working with maximum vigilance to move the ship to a safe position and ensure the safety of the channel.Initially, no casualties or loss of life were reported in the incident. However, the relevant authorities are working to determine the damage to the ship and the actual cause of the accident.

The Chattagram Port Authority said that the situation is being closely monitored and necessary information will be provided in phases regarding the rescue operation and further progress.

At the same time, he unveiled the foundation stone of Army International Islamic Institutes to be established in Barisal, Savar, Bogura, Sylhet, Chattagram, Cumilla and Jashore through video teleconference (VTC). Since its inception, Bangladesh Army has been making significant contributions to the development of the country's education system and human resource development by operating quality educational institutions. In the context of changing needs of the times, the need to develop ideal citizens rich in knowledge, morality, leadership qualities and human values by combining modern education system with value-based education is gradually increasing.

Keeping this objective in mind, the Army International Islamic Institute (AIII) has been established by combining modern education methods in English medium based on Cambridge curriculum and value-based education. It is hoped that the institution will be established as an excellent center for the development of education, ideology, religious and moral values and the students here will dedicate themselves to the welfare of the country and the nation as ideal citizens enriched with knowledge, discipline, morality, patriotism and human values in the light of the Quran and Sunnah.

At the same time, it is expected that this great initiative will play a very important and far-reaching role in developing responsible leadership at the national and global level.The Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, General Officer Commandings of various divisions, senior military officers, eminent persons associated with the institution, teachers and students, guardians and media persons were present at the event.

As a result, port and customs officials are struggling. However, the Benapole port has not yet yielded any results. The previous rules are being followed.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered all ports and airports in the country to be open or operational 24 hours a day. This special instruction was given on August 1, 2026, the main aim of which is to speed up import-export activities and reduce foreign trade bottlenecks. The first decision to keep Benapole land port and Chittagong seaport open 24 hours a day was taken on July 19, 2017. From August 1, 2017, the activities officially started as per the decision. Port users are happy with the new order to open all ports and airports of the country 24 hours a day on August 1, 2026 after a long 1-year hiatus. As a result, businessmen will benefit from increased trade. However, business leader Mofizur Rahman Sajan - Member FBBI and former President C&F Agent Benapole Jessore - demanded that banks be kept open on holidays.

Some unscrupulous officials of the port and customs discouraged businessmen from importing and exporting at night or on holidays. They demanded bribes in the name of overtime. As a result, trade is being disrupted. On the other hand, those involved in import and export said that it would be beneficial if there is an international standard product laboratory and BSTI office at Benapole port - Ziayur Rahman, General Secretary, Import Exporters Association, Benapole Jessore.

However, port users C&F agent businessmen said. If banks are kept open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for import and export at the port, the pace of trade will increase. Demurrage will be reduced. If the port and customs are kept open 24 hours a day and a working environment is created, the revenue revenue will increase along with the increase in trade, said Benapole C&F Staff Association General Secretary Badiuzzamal Boni.

Benapole Land Port Director Md. Shamim Hossain said. They have not received any instructions from the NBR and the naval port authorities. They are sincere in implementing the instructions to keep the port open 24 hours a week. However, sincerity or cooperation of port users including business customs is needed. The port authorities are sincere in keeping the port open 24 hours a week. However, manpower needs to be increased.

The port users demand that the port should be kept operational 24 hours a week.

In a press release, the BGB said that a special patrol team of Manaksha BOP under the Chapainawabganj Battalion (53 BGB) seized 98 bottles of Indian intoxicating Escaf syrup from Monoharpur village of Durlavpur union under Shibganj police station. The estimated market value of these seized Escaf syrups is 39 thousand taka.

 The BGB also said that the process of depositing the seized narcotics at Shibganj police station is under process. 53 BGB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Mustafizur Rahman, PSC, confirmed the truth of this matter and said that the BGB is always working relentlessly to implement the Bangladesh government's zero tolerance policy against drugs, including ensuring border security in the battalion's area of responsibility.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) sources said that as part of the construction of an alternative road from the Mahmudnagar roundabout in Tangail Sadar Upazila to the eastern end of the Jamuna Bridge, an initiative was taken to construct a 264-meter-long PSC girder bridge over the New Dhaleshwari River in Jokarchar. The cost of the project is estimated at Tk 34 crore 14 lakh 63 thousand.

Haider Construction Private Limited, Avni Enterprise and Syed Mujibur Rahman's company jointly won the tender. Although the work order was given on September 13, 2020, the work could not be completed by the scheduled time of September 12, 2023.

It was seen on the spot that the work has stopped after constructing only three pillars on both banks of the river. It is alleged that the owner of Avni Enterprise, Md. Hekmat Ali, went into hiding after collecting a bill of Tk 9 crore 81 lakh 42 thousand 743 from LGED. Since then, there has been no further progress in the project.

According to the locals, people from various contracting companies come from time to time to measure, bring some construction materials, and leave again. But in reality, the work does not start. As a result, people are becoming increasingly frustrated with the project.

It is learned that the work has not started for about a year and a half after receiving the work order. Later, Syed Mujibur Rahman, a partner of the joint contractor company, started the construction work by investing about 30 million taka on his own initiative. However, it was alleged that the other partner Hekmat Ali stopped the work. After that, the project practically came to a standstill due to disputes, counter-allegations and lawsuits between the two parties.

Syed Mujibur Rahman alleged that although the other two partners had given him the responsibility to complete the work in writing, Hekmat Ali later stopped the work by bringing in terrorist forces. After that, he complained to various departments and took legal recourse.

On the other hand, Gazipur contractor Rafiqul Islam claimed that Hekmat Ali had taken 25.8 million taka from him in the name of selling the work to him through forged signatures. When he later asked about the matter, he was intimidated and the contract was withdrawn. He alleged that he has not received the money back yet.

Meanwhile, considering the long-standing suffering of the people, LGED invited new tenders for the remaining work of the project on March 9 this year. The new estimated cost was set at 344 million 44 lakh 53 thousand 379 taka. Chowdhury-Elhoz Joint Venture (JV) has been awarded the work. The target has been set to complete the construction of the bridge within the next 22 months.

Local residents Yunus Sheikh, Bidyut Mia, Jahangir Hossain and Masud Rana said that if this bridge is built, an effective alternative route will be opened to the Jamuna Bridge-Dhaka Highway. People from the western and southern regions including Tangail city will be able to travel to the northern regions easily. Traffic congestion on the highway during various times including Eid will also be reduced to a large extent. Therefore, they demanded the completion of the bridge work quickly.

In this regard, Tangail LGED Executive Engineer Jahanar Parveen said that the work was not completed on time due to lack of coordination and conflict among the joint contractors. The bill has been paid according to the work they have done. Now a new contractor has been appointed. Hopefully, the construction of the bridge will be completed within the stipulated time.

After six years of stagnation, this important infrastructure project has now become a symbol of unfulfilled promises of development for the local people. The locals are counting down the days in the hope that the work will be completed this time with a new contractor.

A visit to the Kushtia Main Post Office revealed that a small resale notice was pasted on a wall inside the building. It is alleged that the notice was posted in a place that is unlikely to be visible to the general public. According to the notice, the resale notice signed on July 5, 2026, gave only seven days to submit the tender by 1 pm on July 12.

Several local bhangari traders said that they were not aware of the tender call. They lost the opportunity to participate as there was no notice published in any newspaper or any other effective campaign. According to them, if open competition is not ensured, the government also risks being deprived of the real market price.

Meanwhile, new questions have arisen about the identity of the organization that received the work order. The relevant documents contain information that the work order was given in favor of an organization named "Mamun Bhangari Store, Baro Bazar, Kushtia". However, local traders and locals claimed that no known or registered bhangari shop with this name could be found in the Baro Bazar area during the search.

When contacted on the mobile number given in the tender, a person named Mamun Mia said that he did not have any bhangari shop or registered business establishment. However, he admitted that he had used the name "Mamun Bhangari Store" to participate in the tender. After this statement, more questions have been raised about the transparency of the entire tender process.

The resale notice states that old, damaged, worn-out, unnecessary and ineffective goods of various categories of Kushtia Main Post Office—such as letter boxes, pipes, grills, angles, bicycles, corrugated iron, MS pipes and other iron and tin items—will be sold at the price per kg from where they are. However, locals allege that in reality, along with these items, other equipment such as 37 pitch ceiling fans, 16 pitch UPSs and 8 computer monitors have also been sold. Questions have also been raised about whether these goods were listed in the tender or not. There are further allegations that even after the contractor took possession of the goods, the signatures of the chairman of the tender invitation committee Md. Ohidur Rahman and member Shahabuddin were not on the "list of old, unusable and ineffective goods sold" of the Kushtia Main Post Office until July 30. Locals have also demanded an investigation into whether the goods were handed over without completing the necessary documents.

A local scrap dealer claims that the market value of the goods sold could be around three lakh taka. However, no independent verification of this valuation has been possible.

In this regard, Abul Kalam Asad, Postmaster (First Class) of Kushtia Main Post Office, said that the resale notice was not published in any newspaper. Notices were only posted on the walls of a few post offices in the city.

Mohammad Ohidur Rahman, Chairman of the Tender Invitation Committee, said that we did not have any allocation for publicity. The government does not have any specific policy regarding inviting tenders for the sale of old goods. Therefore, the opportunity for the common people to participate was given on the basis of the national identity card. They did not consider any other document necessary here.

Meanwhile, according to experts in government asset management, it is the fundamental responsibility of the administration to ensure transparency, open competition, equal opportunities and the highest financial interests of the government in the sale of government assets. The notice should be published in such a way that the maximum number of interested people get the opportunity to participate. Otherwise, competition will be limited and the government will face financial losses.

Local businessmen and conscious citizens have demanded an impartial investigation into the matter as various questions and complaints have been raised surrounding the entire tender process. According to them, the real identity of the organization that received the work order, the method of inviting tenders, the list of goods sold, the pricing and the accuracy of the documents will reveal the true picture of the entire incident.

"All necessary measures have been taken to ensure a peaceful and secure environment across the country ahead of August 5," he said while speaking to journalists at the Home Ministry in Bangladesh Secretariat here. 

The heightened security measures are part of routine precautionary steps taken in view of the significance of the day and prevailing security considerations, he said.

Ahmed said the Home Ministry has issued specific directives to police and other security agencies to strengthen vigilance and remain fully prepared to respond to any untoward situation.

As part of the instructions, police vehicles have been directed not to remain unattended, while security personnel have been advised to maintain continuous vigilance to ensure uninterrupted monitoring and rapid response capability.

Ahmed said a high-level coordination meeting involving the government, law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders will be held to review the overall security situation and finalize necessary arrangements for August 5.

The minister also referred to the recent recovery of bomb-like objects in Motijheel and Ashulia, describing the incidents as attempts to create panic and disrupt social harmony. 

He said a coordinated investigation is underway to identify those responsible and determine whether there are any links between the incidents.

Ahmed added that intelligence and law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring the activities of banned organizations and certain groups operating from abroad. 

Further details will be disclosed once the ongoing investigations are completed, he said.

"Alongside the legal process, the government is actively engaging diplomatic channels to facilitate his return to Bangladesh," he said.

Responding to a question from journalists at the Secretariat, the minister said Benazir Ahmed has been granted conditional bail by a UAE court, which bars him from leaving the country.

He said the government has already instructed its appointed law firm in the UAE to obtain a certified copy of the court's order and immediately file a petition seeking cancellation of the bail.

"The necessary documents for his formal repatriation are also being prepared for submission to the court," the minister said.

Ahmed added that the government suspects the former police chief may possess passports from multiple countries, a factor being taken into account in its legal strategy.

"We are investigating to identify those involved and ascertain whether there are any links between the incidents," he said. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Home Ministry in Bangladesh Secretariat here.

The minister said the incidents appeared to be attempts to create panic and disrupt social harmony recovering the bomb like objects in Motijheel and Ashulia.

Ahmed said intelligence and law enforcement agencies are also closely monitoring the activities of banned organisations and certain groups operating from abroad as part of the investigation.

He added that further details would be disclosed once the ongoing investigation is completed.

"Due to monsoon heavy rainfall, short-term flooding may occur in the northern, northeastern and southeastern regions of the country," said the monthly climate outlook for August issued by the weather office on Sunday.

The outlook said rainfall is likely to remain normal across the country. One to two low-pressure systems are likely to form over the Bay of Bengal, one of which may intensify into a monsoon depression.

Thunderstorms are likely on five to six days during the month, while both day and night temperatures are

expected to remain above normal across the country. It also forecast one to two mild (36-37.9 degrees Celsius) to moderate (38-39.9 degrees Celsius) heatwaves at isolated places during August.

The outlook was prepared following a meeting of the Expert Team on Long-Range Weather Forecasting held at the Storm Warning Centre in Dhaka on August 2.

The meeting analysed various meteorological data and information for July 2026 and observed that Bangladesh recorded 35.6 percent above-normal rainfall during the month.

Normal rainfall was recorded in Mymensingh Division, while all other divisions experienced above-normal rainfall.

During July, three low-pressure areas formed over the Bay of Bengal, two of which intensified into monsoon depressions.

The first low-pressure area formed on July 2 over the northwest Bay and adjoining coastal areas of northern Odisha and West Bengal. It intensified into a well-marked low on July 4 and further intensified into a monsoon depression on July 5.

The system moved west-northwestwards and crossed the north Odisha coast near Baleshwar at around 6:00 am on July 6 before gradually weakening and becoming unimportant.

The second low-pressure area formed on July 15 over the northwest Bay and adjoining coastal areas of northern Odisha and West Bengal. It intensified into a well-marked low on July 16 before weakening into a low-pressure area on July 17 and becoming unimportant.

The third low-pressure area formed on July 25 over the northwest Bay and adjoining the Gangetic West Bengal-northern Odisha region. It intensified into a well-marked low over the northwest Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal.

Around noon on July 26, it further intensified into a monsoon depression and subsequently developed into a deep depression on July 27 over the northwest Bay and adjoining coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha.

The system moved west-northwestwards and crossed the West Bengal-Odisha coast at around 6:00 am on July 28. It then continued moving westwards, gradually weakened and eventually became unimportant.

The outlook said heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred at many places across the country during July due to the active southwest monsoon and the influence of the well-marked lows and monsoon depressions.

The rainfall was accompanied by gusty and squally winds and thunderstorms. The highest daily rainfall of the month was 329 mm, recorded at Ambagan in Chattogram on July 8.

A mild heatwave affected some parts of the country on July 3 and 4. The highest maximum temperature of the month was 37.6 degrees Celsius, recorded at Rangpur on July 4, while the lowest minimum temperature was 22.0 degrees Celsius, recorded at Sylhet on July 22, the monthly outlook added.

The war, which began in late February when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, has caused oil prices to swing sharply as it effectively closed the waterway, a vital route for global oil and gas supplies.

At around 2250 GMT on Sunday, the price of a barrel of Brent North Sea, the benchmark international oil contract, for September delivery was down 4.69 percent at $83.81.

Its American equivalent, West Texas Intermediate, fell 4.67 percent to $80.72.

Trump said on Sunday that fresh negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday after holding off on major strikes against the Islamic republic to pursue a deal.

"Now what we're doing is we're talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon," he said, without providing further details of the venue of the talks or the participants.

Hours after the US had called off major strikes Iran on Sunday said it was nearing a deal with Oman over a new route through the Strait of Hormuz.

“The country belongs to all of us... if each of us does a little, we can achieve something big,” he said in a video message on his verified Facebook page this morning. 

The Prime Minister said, “Let us all work together to keep our country clean and beautiful. This will ensure a healthy country and a healthy environment for our future generations.”  

He said environmental cleanliness concerns people from all walks of life, noting that compared to 30 or 40 years ago, the public tendency to leave plastic bottles, chips packets, used tissues and other waste items on the ground in a public has increased alarmingly in the cities, districts, upazilas and even in villages. 

Emphasising proper disposal of waste, the Prime Minister said, “Most people in Bangladesh travel on foot or by bus, and the face trouble while passing through the roads where garbage are accumulated. Foul smell come from many places because of piled-up wastes.

"But if we all become a little more careful, instead of throwing our used waste indiscriminately, we put it in a designated place and dispose of it properly later, our environment remains good and we can keep our surroundings and environment beautiful,” he added.

Drawing an analogy with household cleanliness, the premier said, “Just think, if the house you live in were surrounded by scattered garbage, would you like it? Certainly not. and none of us would like.”

“The poet beautifully wrote, 'Green, fertile is my land'. So why can't we keep our environment beautiful?” he said. Referring to his recent visits to different parts of the country, Tarique Rahman said, “Over the past few months, wherever I travelled, I saw piles of garbage in ponds or beside ponds. Yet there was a time when people used to sit there with their families and spend time together.”

He added, “When we visit, the cleaners keep the place clean. But when we leave the area, it again become dirty and no longer remains clean. If you leave a place clean, the next person who comes will also be able to enjoy that clean and beautiful environment.”

Highlighting the importance of public awareness, the Prime Minister said, “If each of us, from today, becomes aware and disposes of the waste properly at designated places, gradually we will be able to make Bangladesh free from litters and build a beautiful environment."

The premier said, “The country belongs to all of us. If we all make efforts, if everybody make their little stride, we will be able to achieve something big.” “Dear countrymen, today I seek this cooperation from you,” the Prime Minister wrote in the message.

There were 236 people on board the vessel when it left Indonesia's second-largest city, Surabaya, for Makassar on Sulawesi island on Sunday morning, search and rescue agency head Nanang Sigit said.

Nanang told Kompas TV on Monday 229 people had been rescued alive and five bodies were also recovered.

"Mathematically, only two that have yet to be evacuated. We are confirming this data with the shipowner," he said.

Numbers provided by officials have fluctuated wildly. The last toll given on Sunday was 41 people missing and five dead from a total manifest of 271 people.

Arman Asmara Syarifuddin, an East Java police official, told Kompas TV on Monday some 28 people were still missing.

The reason for the discrepancy was not clear.

The fire broke out on Sunday morning as passengers were eating breakfast, survivor Muhammad Abdul Karim told reporters in Surabaya after disembarking from a rescue vessel.

"Initially, the smoke entered the information room, the sleeping quarters. And then explosions happened," he said.

The blaze originated in the stern, sending passengers fleeing to the bow where they were all given life jackets, Muhammad said.

He said he jumped overboard with an elderly man as the fire came closer, and saw flames engulfing "almost all" of the ferry as he looked back.

"The waves were big and the ship coming to save us was quite far. Those were our fears when we were about to jump," said Muhammad -- who was rescued drifting at sea in his life jacket about seven hours later.

He said he had not seen any lifeboats aboard the ferry.

- 'No choice' -

Rescuers worked through the night to find survivors even as estimates of the number of missing people kept changing.

Most evacuees were taken back to Surabaya, a six-hour boat ride from where the ferry ran into trouble.

Bambang Susilo, 36, said he felt the blaze come closer to the bow of the ferry and the floor getting warmer, convincing him and a female passenger to jump some 10 metres (33 feet) into the sea.

"We had no choice but to surrender" to our fate, he told reporters at the Bhayangkara Hospital in Surabaya, where he was waiting to retrieve the body of a colleague.

Bambang and five other survivors had swum to the nearest rescue ship, some five kilometres (three miles) from the blazing ferry.

Another rescue vessel was deployed on Monday to help find the missing, said Nanang.

Marine accidents are a regular occurrence in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, partly due to lax safety standards and unpredictable weather.

A ferry transporting more than 70 people sank while sailing near Selayar, a small tropical island south of Sulawesi, last month.

At least four people were found dead and 14 others remained missing until the end of the search operation.

Since the start of the war with Israel and the United States in February, Tehran has ramped up executions, with many of the convicts accused of spying for Israeli intelligence.

"Omid Behzad and Pouria Safvat were hanged this morning for transmitting the coordinates of sensitive military and security sites to Mossad agents," said Mizan, the media outlet for Iran's judiciary, referring to Israel's foreign intelligence service.

It did not specify when the pair were arrested or when they went on trial, but said they were convicted of "espionage and collaboration with the Zionist regime".

"They helped the intelligence services achieve their objectives by providing them with information on military and security centres during the war," Mizan added.

The number of executions in Iran has risen since the start of the war, which broke out on February 28 with massive US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran's supreme leader.

Iran is the world's second-most prolific executioner after China, according to rights groups including Amnesty International.

The authorities executed at least 1,639 people last year, a record high since 1989, according to Iran Human Rights, an NGO based in Norway, and Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM), which is headquartered in Paris.

On Tuesday, Amnesty denounced what it said was the "escalation" in executions after Iran announced the hanging of two men found guilty of taking part in anti-government protests during the winter.

"A fire broke out at one of the company's logistics sites in the Vladimir region following an attack," Wildberries said in a statement, adding that warehouse staff had been evacuated.

Regional governor Alexander Avdeyev said the attack was carried out by drones.

"There is damage and a fire," he posted on the Russian messaging app Max, adding that "a young man was injured".

Since mid-July, Ukraine has struck around 20 sites belonging to Wildberries across various parts of Russia and in annexed Crimea.

The initial attacks on the night of July 17-18 left eight people dead and nearly 90 wounded at sites in the Moscow and Tambov regions.

Since then, Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted sites near Saint Petersburg, in Simferopol in Crimea, in Krasnodar and Volgograd, and in Samara.

Wildberries is a highly popular online retail platform in Russia, often dubbed the "Russian Amazon".

The attacks on its warehouses are part of a campaign of long-range Ukrainian strikes targeting civilian infrastructure in Russia, which has been waging a large-scale offensive in Ukraine since February 2022.

Kyiv says the aim is to force the Kremlin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

The Emergency Lawyers, which has documented abuses by both the army and its rival paramilitaries throughout the three-year conflict, said the strike hit the court in the village of Garra al-Zawaya in North Darfur state at around 1:00 pm local time (1100 GMT), as civilians had "gathered to attend hearings on local cases and disputes".

The village is under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been locked in a brutal conflict with the army since April 2023.

"The court session was being held under a tree with the participation of local community leaders," a witness from the area told AFP on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

Among those killed were "four tribal leaders and two RSF commanders", the witness added.

There was no immediate response from the army. The RSF's self-declared government condemned the attack as "a horrific crime", saying 37 people had been killed and 50 others wounded.

- Drone warfare -

Garra al-Zawaya lies near the town of Kabkabiya in North Darfur, about 150 kilometres (93 miles) west of El-Fasher, the army's last stronghold in Darfur before it was captured by the RSF in a bloody offensive last October.

UN investigators have said violence linked to the RSF's siege and capture of El-Fasher bears "the hallmarks of genocide".

Following its takeover of the city, the RSF, which emerged from the Janjaweed militia accused of atrocities in Darfur in the early 2000s, consolidated control over much of the region.

Since El-Fasher campaign, both sides have increasingly relied on drone warfare. According to the United Nations, more than 1,000 civilians were killed in drone strikes during the first five months of this year.

Last week, after losing control of a key highway linking the capital Khartoum and the city of El-Obeid, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo released a video message in which he told his fighters to consider themselves "unleashed" in their war against the army.

El-Obeid, the largest city in the southern Kordofan region, has come under intense drone attacks in recent weeks, prompting the UN to issue a "red alert" over the unfolding "catastrophe" there, where the RSF has sought to reimpose a blockade and is feared to be preparing a ground offensive.

The UN has repeatedly warned that RSF advances in El-Obeid and the wider Kordofan region could lead to mass atrocities.

The war between Daglo and his former ally, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and created what the United Nations describes as the world's largest hunger and displacement crises.

Both sides have been accused of committing war crimes, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians, but the RSF has been particularly accused of systematic sexual violence, looting and mass atrocities.

"The vessel and crew are all reported as safe," said the UKMTO. The master is the highest-ranking person on an oil tanker.

The incident happened 20 nautical miles (37 kilometres) northeast of Khasab, in Oman, the monitor added.

"Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity," the UKMTO advised.

The report came as Iran said Sunday it was nearing a deal with Oman over a new route through the Strait of Hormuz, hours after the US called off major strikes to allow for diplomacy.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state television that a deal was close with Oman, which sits on the other side of the strait, over a new route through it.

But he insisted that such an agreement did not mean the reopening of the strait.

Todd Blanche's announcement came after the Senate Judiciary Committee pushed back a vote on advancing his nomination owing to his continuing dispute with Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

Cornyn and Tillis have said they will withhold support for Blanche until the Trump administration rescinds plans for a controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund for people claiming they have been victims of politically motivated prosecutions.

"My team and I have met with committee members and Senators over the past several weeks and addressed any concerns or outstanding questions," Blanche wrote on X.

"We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement," he added.

A signed order attached to Blanche's post said: "The Attorney General's May 18, 2026 Order establishing the Anti-Weaponization Fund... is rescinded and shall have no force or effect.

"This Order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund."

The Senate Judiciary Committee is now due to vote on Blanche's nomination on Tuesday.

Sabalenka has won 23 of her 24 hard court matches this year, the lone defeat her loss to Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final.

But she was turfed out in the quarter-finals on the clay of Roland Garros and fell to Naomi Osaka in the round of 16 on the grass courts of Wimbledon.

If Sabalenka fails to reach the round of 16 in Toronto, Kazakhstan's Rybakina can rise to number one if she lifts the trophy.

Sabalenka has never made it past the semi-finals in Canada, which alternates each year between Montreal and Toronto, but she said she was feeling rested and ready to reassert herself after taking time off in the wake of her All England Club exit.

"Clay and grass, I wouldn't say they were that bad," she said. "I was trying a couple of things, didn't go the way that I expected. And now we're kind of back to basics and I really hope it's going to work out well."

Sabalenka had exited Wimbledon saying she wanted to "forget about tennis".

She did that with a summer holiday on the Greek island of Mykonos.

"I think the rest was much-needed," she told reporters on Sunday. "I spent there five, six days maybe. I felt much better, I couldn't wait to get back on court and start working towards my goals for this swing."

Sabalenka heads a top half of the draw that also includes two-time winner Jessica Pegula, the third seed, 2024 finalist Amanda Anisimova and seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland.

Former world number one Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, will be aiming to regroup after slumping to a third-round defeat at Wimbledon.

Rybakina anchors a bottom half of the draw that also includes fourth-seeded Coco Gauff, four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka and newly crowned Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.

Czech Noskova, who broke into the top 10 after winning her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, is seeded sixth and could face another rising star in the Philippines' Alexandra Eala in the third round.

They have met twice already this year, with Noskova winning both times.

Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova is among the notable absentees as she recovers from a minor surgery.

Reigning champion Victoria Mboko of Canada, who thrilled Montreal fans with her run to a first WTA title last year, remains sidelined with the knee injury that forced her out of Wimbledon.

- Tricky schedule -

The ATP Masters 1000 in Montreal this week has also been hit by high-profile defections, including that of Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner.

Sabalenka said the scheduling is "tricky" for any player that does well in the grass court season, with the Canadian tournaments followed by a 1000-level event in Cincinnati in a schedule that offers little respite before the US Open begins on August 30.

"If you go far at the grass court (season) you feel really fatigued and you're not able to pull out any good tennis so what's the reason of coming when your body is really so much stress," she said. "It's very tricky, but this year I didn't do well so I'm here."

All 32 seeded players received first-round byes.

Play got underway on Sunday with Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima booking a second-round meeting with Sabalenka with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Spain's Cristina Bucsa.

Czech Sara Bejlek posted a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 victory over China's Wang Xiyu, who was hobbled by a left leg problem, and booked a second-round meeting with Swiatek.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams bowed out in the first round, falling 6-4, 6-1 to Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova.

After a match-winning display with the ball in the first Test last week, Greaves displayed what has now become his trademark ease and composure at the crease in a battling knock at Queen's Park Oval.

His only error of judgement came just after reaching the half-century mark when opposing captain Babar Azam put down a straightforward chance at leg-slip off spinner Sajid Khan.

Greaves at that time was almost hobbling after a left leg injury sustained while completing a sharp run that necessitated lengthy treatment on the field.

His sixth-wicket partnership with Roston Chase (36 not out) was worth 66 runs at the close of play and Greaves will be hoping for a return to his usual athletic mobility when he resumes the innings with his captain on the second morning.

He had come to the crease in mid-afternoon at 91 for three as Kavem Hodge became Khan's first wicket. When Amir Jangoo fell to a leg-side catch to give debutant pacer Ubaid Shah his first Test wicket with the first ball of a new spell, Pakistan sensed the chance to break the back of the West Indies resistance.

However Greaves and Shai Hope provided a measure of stability in a 53-run stand until seamer Mohammad Ali, the most impressive of the bowlers on the day, bowled Hope off the inside-edge for 29 to leave the innings in the balance at 173 for five.

- Pakistan omit Abbas -

Earlier, Pakistan's bewildering decision-making - on and off the field of play - highlighted a rain-affected morning session.

Mohammad Abbas, the tourists' best bowler by some distance from the 90-run defeat in the first Test, was dropped despite a match haul of eight for 85, including five for 22 in the second innings.

A second Pakistani debutant, Awais Zafar, got his chance due to the finger injury sustained by former captain Shan Masood while compiling a determined century in the first Test.

Pakistan's think-tank seemed convinced of the wisdom of playing an additional slow bowler on a surface devoid of grass, drafting in Khan as an off-spinning option alongside left-arm orthodox bowler Ali Usman, who went wicketless on debut in the first Test.

Khan's first notable act in the match was to take the catch at long-leg which sent Tagenarine Chanderpaul to the pavilion for 15 as he failed to control a hook shot off Mohammad Ali after a brisk opening stand of 49 with Brandon King.

"We needed those partnerships at the end of the day and it was good to see those guys (Greaves, Hope and Chase) making those contributions," said King in summing up the day's effort.

"It would be nice if we get more of the same from them tomorrow and Justin and Roston can go on to get hundreds."

As easily as the runs flowed, especially off King's bat, in the early exchanges after Chase opted to bat first, both could have been dismissed earlier with more attacking tactics as they each benefited from edges at catchable height through the vacant third slip position.

Mohammad Ali was even pleading with Babar for additional support in the slip cordon following the third of those fortunate escapes.

King's luck ran out though following the 90-minute rain break as Usman snared him for his first Test wicket, leg-before for 46.

Aquib Nabi, the up-and-coming pace bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, replaces Bumrah in the 15-member team, which will play a warm-up game before their opening Test in Galle from August 15.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India said Bumrah "has not yet fully recovered from the left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England" last month.

Nabi, who claimed 104 wickets across the last two domestic Ranji Trophy seasons, earns his maiden call-up to the senior national team.

The 29-year-old Nabi was also part of the India A squad that toured Sri Lanka recently, in which he claimed six wickets in two first-class matches.

The 32-year-old Bumrah has not bowled since the second ODI of the England series in Cardiff on July 16 due to an impact injury he suffered in the match.

India, led by Shubman Gill, will play the second Test in Colombo on August 23-27.

Updated India squad: Shubman Gill (capt), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi.

*Subject to fitness clearance

The stunning comeback saw Liverpool handed their first defeat under new coach Andoni Iraola, who arrived this summer from Bournemouth to replace the sacked Arne Slot.

Liverpool had notched a 4-2 win over Sunderland and a 1-0 victory against Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in the first two matches of their US tour.

They looked in control on Sunday with a pair of first-half goals before Leeds stormed back against their English Premier League rivals.

US midfielder Brenden Aaronson launched the fightback in the 60th minute and Calvert-Lewin pulled Leeds level in the 71st, firing in at the back post after Joe Rodon flicked on a long Ethan Ampadu throw.

Sean Longstaff's scuffling finish in the 73rd gave Leeds a 3-2 lead and Calvert-Lewin made it 4-2 with a near-replica of his first goal in the 85th, when Ampadu's throw was sent on by Sebastian Bornauw and he headed in.

The victory was Leeds' second on their US tour, which opened with a 3-2 loss to Wrexham in Tampa, Florida before a 1-0 victory over Sunderland in New Jersey.

Liverpool had opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Dominik Szoboszlai's corner was flicked on by Milos Kerkez and slammed home by Luke Chambers from six yards out.

Florian Wirtz doubled the tally in the 40th minute, tucking in a cross from Jeremie Frimpong.

Germany's Wirtz was one of a trio of World Cup players who returned to action for Liverpool on Sunday, along with Ryan Gravenberch of the Netherlands and Alexander Isak of Sweden.

After waiting through a three-hour thunderstorm delay to start, Pegula won the first set 6-4 and Eala led 2-1 in the second set of the championship match when rain returned.

More than five hours passed with conditions remaining unplayable before organizers called off the resumption of play until Monday.

Also postponed was the entire men's final at the WTA and ATP 500-level hardcourt tournament, with 10th-ranked American Taylor Fritz set to face 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar.

The women's final will resume Monday at noon local time (1600 GMT) with the men's final not before 1 p.m. in Washington.

Pegula, who won her first WTA title in 2019 at Washington, seeks her 12th tour trophy and third of the year after Dubai and Charleston.

The 32-year-old American top seed defeated Eala in a 2025 Miami semi-final in their only prior meeting.

Philippines star Eala, cheered all week by a host of supporters, seeks her first WTA title in her second career final, having lost last year at Eastbourne.

The 21-year-old left-hander is set to jump to a career-best 24th in the world rankings.

Eala ousted former world number one Naomi Osaka, second seed Elina Svitolina and defending champion Leylah Fernandez to reach the final.

Pegula broke Eala in the fifth game, blasting a forehand service return winner, only for Eala to break back at love to 3-3 on a blistering backhand service return winner.

Pegula saved two break points in holding to 4-4, broke again when Eala sent a forehand long in the ninth game and held at love to capture the first set in 40 minutes when Eala hit a backhand beyond the baseline.

Players were on serve and in a changeover when the rain returned.

In 53 minutes before the stoppage, Pegula hit 14 winners to only four by Eala while both had 20 unforced errors.

In the men's final, Fritz seeks an 11th career ATP title and his first since last year at Eastbourne.

Jodar, assured of reaching a career-high 15th in next week's rankings, seeks his second ATP crown after winning at Morocco in April.

According to a Met Office bulletin issued this morning, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions.

The bulletin also said moderately heavy to heavy rainfall may occur at places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions.

Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged across the country.

The highest temperature recorded on Sunday was 35 degrees Celsius in Rangpur, while today's minimum temperature was 24.4 degrees Celsius in Sylhet and Bandarban.

During the last 24 hours till 6:00 am today, Kutubdia recorded the highest rainfall of 81 millimetres.

The sun will set in Dhaka at 6:41 pm today and rise at 5:29 am tomorrow.

Daniels was accompanied by IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Iori Kato and Special Adviser Priya Marwah, while senior foreign ministry officials also attended the meeting. The state minister appreciated IOM's longstanding partnership with Bangladesh in promoting safe, orderly and regular migration as well as supporting the country's development and humanitarian priorities.

Reaffirming Bangladesh's commitment as a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) Champion Country, she expressed hope that the GCM National Action Plan would provide a coordinated and action-oriented framework for implementing the Compact's objectives. Shama stressed the need for enhanced cooperation to expand legal migration opportunities, prevent irregular migration, promote ethical recruitment and improve the skills of prospective migrant workers in line with changing international labour market requirements. She also sought IOM's support in matching Bangladesh's skilled workforce with global demand by promoting talent mobility and facilitating talent partnerships with destination countries, particularly in the healthcare, caregiving and agriculture sectors.

Highlighting the importance of safeguarding migrant workers' rights and welfare, especially those of women, the state minister called for greater awareness initiatives and strengthened support services. She thanked IOM for assisting in the evacuation and repatriation of stranded Bangladeshi nationals from crisis-affected countries and sought continued cooperation on safe return, sustainable reintegration, climate-related mobility and combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

The state minister also appreciated IOM's humanitarian assistance for the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals and urged the international community to create conditions conducive to their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar. Daniels praised Bangladesh's initiatives to establish sustainable migration governance and commended the country's leadership in promoting safe, orderly and regular migration at the global level. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Bangladesh-IOM cooperation in advancing safe, orderly and regular migration, protecting migrants' rights and supporting the country's migration and humanitarian priorities.

The French Revolution was a struggle to establish human rights and civil liberties. And in the July Revolution too, the youth shed blood to establish democracy, civil liberties and freedom of speech, he said.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion titled 'Bloody July: Remembrance and Conviction' at the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium of Rajshahi University (RU) on Sunday afternoon. Rizvi said history says that blood is shed in every revolution. But the scale of bloodshed during the one-month July Revolution is rare in the history of many revolutions around the world. Bodies of young people were seen lying in villages and cities across the country. School, college and university students became victims of state repression. 

Rizvi said the movement also demonstrated remarkable humanity. When one friend was shot, another friend rushed to save him. When someone was injured, fellow protesters came forward with water. Although similar scenes have been witnessed in revolutions elsewhere, Bangladeshis experienced them firsthand during the July Revolution.

He said law enforcement agencies opened indiscriminate fire from all directions, but failed to suppress the movement. Ignoring death, students continued marching on the streets.

Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Faridul Islam presented the keynote speech.

Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir spoke as the main discussant.

Rajshahi University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Abdul Alim and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Dr Mamunur Rashid Mamun addressed the programme as special guests.

RU unit Chhatra Dal President Sultan Ahmed Rahi chaired the discussion, while General Secretary Sardar Zahurul Islam conducted the programme.

The allocation for the sanitation sector is nearly three-and-a-half times higher than the original Tk 90.23 crore earmarked in the previous fiscal year. The revised allocation for FY2025-26 stood at Tk 80.38 crore.

"The corporation has redesigned its entire sanitation management system, giving top priority to implementing the government's 'Clean City, Green City' initiative," DSCC Administrator and valiant freedom fighter Abdus Salam said in an interview.

He said shift-based cleaning operations have been introduced in all wards, with designated sanitation workers assigned to specific roads, while separate monitoring teams have been formed in each ward to ensure accountability and effective supervision.

With a view to promoting behavioural change in waste disposal, the DSCC has intensified public awareness campaigns in collaboration with BD Clean and Sajida Foundation.

Residents have been urged to dispose of waste only at designated places instead of littering, while a pilot initiative has been launched in Motijheel where city inspectors directly supervise sanitation activities.

The city corporation has also introduced the "Clean Care" mobile application and a hotline service to receive citizens' complaints and suggestions promptly. In addition, the first Saturday of every month is being observed as "Cleaning Day" to encourage public participation in keeping the city clean.

As part of the efforts to modernise waste management, six Secondary Transfer Stations (STS) have already been upgraded with improved sanitation facilities and environment-friendly designs. The remaining stations will be renovated in phases.

Special measures have also been taken at the Matuail landfill to prevent methane-induced fires and reduce environmental pollution.

The landfill has been covered with soil and is being developed into a modern "Resource Circulation Park", while an “Ultramodern Compost Plant” has been established to convert organic waste into useful resources.

The DSCC has implemented both short- and long-term measures, including pre-monsoon cleaning of drains, box culverts and canals to reduce monsoon waterloggin. It has identified 33 waterlogging-prone hotspots across its 75 wards for special monitoring.

Portable pumps and sucker machines have been set up to facilitate rapid drainage during heavy rainfall, while emergency response teams have been formed in every ward to keep drainage systems free from blockages.

Abdus Salam said the DSCC has undertaken a project to construct eight new drainage outlets. With government approval, it has already secured two major outlets, which are expected to significantly improve drainage in the central parts of the capital.

He said regular cleaning, dredging and rehabilitation of canals, including the Zia Sarani Canal and the Kutubkhali Canal, are continuing in coordination with the relevant agencies.

The administrator said the Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) has been tasked with preparing an integrated drainage master plan for the DSCC's 57 wards to provide a long-term solution to waterlogging, stormwater management and future urban expansion.

The record allocation for sanitation, coupled with technology-driven waste management, greater citizen participation and integrated drainage infrastructure development, would play a vital role in making southern Dhaka cleaner, more liveable and environmentally sustainable, he hoped.

Under the programme, 30 kg of rice will be distributed every month at Taka 15 per kg for six months (August-November and March-April) among 55 lakh card-holding beneficiaries in 495 upazilas, according to a ministry press release.

To address malnutrition among the poor, particularly women and children, fortified rice is currently being distributed among about 25.29 lakh beneficiaries in 248 upazilas under the programme, while plain rice is being distributed among 29.71 lakh beneficiaries in 247 upazilas.

Meanwhile, rice and flour are being distributed regularly across the country under the Open Market Sale (OMS) programme through 1,108 centres (shops/trucks).

The country's food stock is currently satisfactory. The government has the highest food stock on record, while food grain procurement activities are continuing, the press release said.

As of August 2, the country's food grain stock stood at 23,49,385 metric tonnes, including 19,66,148 tonnes of rice, 2,80,010 tonnes of wheat and 1,52,109 tonnes of paddy.

The government is committed to ensuring food security, reducing malnutrition and making social protection programmes more effective.

For its part, Iran said it was nearing a deal with Oman over a new route through the strait, where a tanker reported an explosion nearby on Sunday, underscoring the continued volatility of the strategic waterway. Oil prices fell on Monday at the opening of Asian trade after Trump announced the new negotiations, with West Texas Intermediate dropping 4.7 percent to $80.72 per barrel.

Washington and Tehran have been at war since February 28, when the US and Israel launched surprise strikes against Iran, though months of on-off diplomacy have led to periods of relative calm. Following a return to strikes last month, fears had mounted that the fighting could escalate once again. Trump had threatened to hit Iran "very hard" and was reportedly considering renewed attacks including against energy infrastructure, with US embassies across the region on alert.

Trump pulled back from that threat Saturday, saying the "perimeters" of a deal were there. "Now what we're doing is we're talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, without providing details of the venue or participants in the talks. The US president said he had been asked by Iran as well as US partners Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to hold off on the strikes, which he claimed would have been "the biggest attack since World War II."

Iranian media denied that Tehran had asked Trump not to strike. A previous ceasefire deal that included the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz fell through, and Iran has since tightened its control over the waterway.

The US president said at the start of the conflict that the war was necessary to deal with Iran's nuclear programme. Western nations accuse Iran of seeking a bomb, though Tehran insists the programme is entirely civilian in nature. Iranian lawmaker Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for the parliament's national security commission, said on Sunday that mediators were trying to revive the US-Iran memorandum of understanding that was agreed in June.

That agreement was not intended as a final peace deal, but as a stepping stone to negotiations on a comprehensive agreement, though it did include provisions on Hormuz. "They know that the main issue and, in fact, the key to the matter right now is the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, so yes, there is an exchange of views," Ghashghavi said.

Posting on X, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said: "We must strive to compel the enemy to remain committed to what it has signed." Before the war, there was free passage for all vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran closed the strait during the war and now insists on retaining control and charging tolls, something the US rejects.

That dispute sparked the return to strikes last month, as Tehran refused to let ships travel any route other than one which hugs the Iranian coast. On Sunday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state television that a deal was close with Oman, which sits on the other side of the strait, over a new route through it.

"We are now going to reach an understanding on a route acceptable to both sides -- neither the northern route nor the southern route -- but one that respects the sovereign rights of both sides and safeguards our national interests and security," he said. He insisted though that such an agreement did not mean the reopening of the strait. Maritime trade tracking firm Kpler said Friday that traffic through Hormuz had dropped sharply.

On Sunday, a tanker off the coast of Oman reported hearing an explosion near the vessel, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre reported, adding that the vessel and crew were all safe.

The arrested suspects were identified as Karim Ali (32), son of Abdul Ali of Suliapara village under Fortu Police Station in Myanmar's Pindisong District, and Hasan Araf (44), son of Chhaiyed Hossain of Daliyapara village in Maungdaw District, Myanmar. RAB members recovered 560,000 Yaba tablets from their possession during the raid.

The detainees have been handed over to Teknaf Police Station after a case was filed against them under the Narcotics Control Act. Lieutenant Colonel Md.  Mostafizur Rahman, Commanding Officer of RAB-15, Cox's Bazar, confirmed the operation and the arrests. Authorities believe the arrested individuals are part of a larger cross-border drug trafficking network, while the alleged masterminds behind the syndicate remain at large.

He is the son of Sadhu of Shimuliya village in Charghat upazila. Based on secret information, they came to know that two individuals were staying in front of Charghat Women's Degree College for the purpose of selling drugs. Later, when a raid was conducted there, they tried to flee after seeing the police. Police said that a team led by Sub-Inspector (SI) Goni Chowdhury of Charghat Model Police Station was conducting the special anti-drug and anti-smuggling operation. At that time, Setab Uddin was detained and searched, and 384 yaba tablets and 20 grams of heroin were recovered from a blue polythene bag in the right pocket of his pants.

However, his accomplice Akash managed to escape from the spot. In this incident, a case has been filed against the two accused - one arrested and one absconding - at Charghat Model Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018. Efforts are underway to arrest the absconding accused.

The arrestee was identified as Md Mehedul Islam, 19, son of Md Shahidul Islam of Ballamjhar village under Gaibandha Sadar Police Station, according to a press release issued here today.

According to the case documents, the victim is an eighth-grade student at a local girls' high school and also studies Arabic at a local madrasa in Sadullapur upazila.

The release said Mehedul had harassed the girl with unwanted marriage proposals, which she rejected.

On June 6, while the victim was returning home from the madrasa around 8:00 am, the accused, along with several associates, allegedly abducted her from the Dakshin Kazibari Santola area under Sadullapur Police Station and took her to an undisclosed location.

On June 12, the victim's mother filed an abduction case with Sadullapur Police Station.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of RAB-13 and RAB-11 conducted a drive in the Bholail Marakhalpar area under Fatullah Police Station at around 9:25 pm on Saturday, rescued the victim and arrested the prime suspect.

The rescued schoolgirl and the accused were later handed over to Sadullapur Police Station for further legal action.

Railway officials said the new trains are expected to improve connectivity and ease travel for passengers in the western region.

According to railway sources, several new railway routes have been opened in recent years, including the Jamuna Bridge-Pabna line in 2018, the Dhaka-Padma Bridge route in 2022, and the Khulna-Mongla route in 2024.

However, adequate train services could not be introduced on these routes due to a shortage of coaches.

Once the new coaches are added to the fleet, the Ministry of Railways plans to launch intercity trains on the Dhaka-Pabna and Dhaka-Khulna routes. It is also considering introducing a commuter train on the Dhaka-Gopalganj route and extending the Dhaka-Khulna service to Mongla.

General Manager of Western Railway Farid Ahmed said a proposal is being prepared to initially launch the two new intercity trains on the Dhaka-Pabna and Dhaka-Khulna routes.

Meanwhile, passengers in the Rajshahi and Jashore regions have demanded the immediate resumption of suspended local train services and replacement of old coaches on five existing trains.

Member Secretary of the Greater Jashore Rail Communication Development Struggle Committee Zillur Rahman Vitu and General Secretary of the Rajshahi Raksha Sangram Parishad Zamat Khan urged the authorities to resume the suspended train services and reopen closed railway stations at the earliest.

Acknowledging the shortage of manpower, Farid Ahmed said initiatives have been taken to gradually reopen closed stations and resume suspended train services through fresh recruitment and the appointment of station masters on a contractual basis.

Local residents took them to the 250-bed Madaripur District Hospital where the on-duty physician declared Ashik dead. After receiving primary treatment, critically injured Ramjan Bepari was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dashar Police Station Solaiman Mahmud confirmed the matter and said police are working to identify the bus and bring the driver and others responsible to justice.

On information, the raid was conducted in a forested area along the Baghopara riverbank in Bogura Sadar at around 10 pm.

The arrestees were identified as Rocky and Rakib. The identity of the third detainee was withheld for his being juvenile.

Confirming the raid and arrest, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the District Detective Branch (DB) Police Iqbal Bahar said Rocky is the leader of a criminal gang and Rakib served as its second-in-command and there are multiple cases against them.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the five-to-six-member gang had set up a hideout by pitching tents in the secluded forest outside the town, he said.

Besides running drug business, the gang allegedly abducted innocent people and demanded ransom for their release, he said, noting that the legal action against them is underway.

He also directed the authorities concerned to take effective measures to prevent pollution of the rivers surrounding Dhaka, improve the capital’s drainage system, and ensure normal water flow by maintaining navigability.

The directives came at a meeting on restoring waterways around Dhaka, chaired by the prime minister at the Cabinet Division's Conference Room at the Bangladesh Secretariat, said Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin. 

He said the meeting decided to make the waterways around Dhaka operational again. It also decided to consider proposals from interested private companies to allow them to operate water buses on the water routes. 

Shadhin said the Prime Minister also directed the authorities to plant different species of trees alongside the walkways constructed along the riverbanks to help protect the environment and enhance the scenic beauty of the rivers.

Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam, Mayors of Dhaka south and north city corporations Abdus Salam and Shafiqul Islam Khan and Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, and senior officials of the relevant ministries and agencies attended the meeting.

"Light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal & Chattogram divisions," said a Met office bulletin issued this morning.

Besides, it said, moderately heavy to heavy falls may occur at places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions.

Day temperature may fall slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged across the country.

The highest temperature on Saturday was 34.5 degrees Celsius in Dhaka and Nikli of Kishoreganj, while today's minimum temperature is 23.8 degrees Celsius in Sylhet.

In the last 24 hours (till 06 am today), the highest 87 millimetres of rainfall occurred in Tetulia.

The sun sets at 6.41 pm today and rises at 5.28 am tomorrow in Dhaka.

The meeting was chaired by BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The meeting began at 8 pm and concluded at 9 pm.

BNP standing committee members Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Dr Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Babu Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Begum Selima Rahman, AZM. Zahid Hossain were present at the meeting.

The interest was conveyed by Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Kyaw Soe Moe during a meeting with Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir at the Ministry of Commerce today, said a press release.

The ambassador proposed the resumption of the suspended border trade, suggesting that it could initially be restarted on a limited or temporary basis to benefit traders and people living along the border.

He also stressed the importance of enhancing trade in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, rice, pharmaceuticals and frozen food, while calling for stronger business-to-business (B2B) engagement to unlock the full potential of bilateral commerce.

The envoy also underscored the need to establish direct shipping links between Bangladesh and Myanmar, saying improved maritime connectivity would significantly reduce transportation costs and time, facilitating greater trade and investment.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to strengthening relations with neighbouring countries based on mutual respect, trust and economic cooperation.

He stressed the need for effective and visible progress towards the safe, voluntary, sustainable and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya people.

Both sides agreed to continue regular institutional dialogue and Joint Committee meetings, with a proposal to hold the next meeting in Bangladesh.

Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan, Additional Secretary (FTA) Ayesha Akhter and Myanmar Embassy Counsellor Myat Lwin, among others, attended the meeting.

A strict performance-based accountability system has been introduced under which officers demonstrating integrity and bravery are rewarded, while those involved in misconduct or disciplinary violations face punitive action, he said. Congratulating the newly commissioned Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), Salahuddin said they were joining the force at a defining moment in the country's history and urged them to uphold the rule of law with impartiality.

"From political activists to marginal farmers, every citizen is equal before the law. No one seeking police service should face discrimination," he said. He stressed that discipline, chain of command, loyalty and coordinated leadership are the cornerstones of an effective police force. The minister also underscored the growing importance of technological expertise, calling on the new officers to strengthen their capabilities in cyber security and digital crime investigation.

Reiterating the government's zero-tolerance stance against corruption, he urged all police personnel to discharge their responsibilities with honesty, professionalism and dedication. Expressing confidence in the new officers, he said the 58 graduates would enrich the Bangladesh Police by applying their knowledge, experience and professional skills they had acquired over the years. He also called on them to perform their duties in line with public expectations while upholding the spirit of the Liberation War and the sacrifices made during the 2024 student-led mass uprising.

The Home Minister later inspected the parade, received the salute and presented awards to outstanding trainees. Dr Md Nurul Huda Bhuiyan was named Best Probationer and also won the Best in Field Activities award, while ABM Mamun received the Best Shooter award and Abu Numan Mohammad Khairul Islam secured the Best Academic Award. The ceremony marked the formal induction of 58 officers into active service, including 57 officers from the 27th BCS (Police) Batch, Phase-I and one officer from the 28th BCS (Police) Batch. Speaking to reporters after the event, the Home Minister said the overall law and order situation remains firmly under government control.

Replying to a question he said, investigations into the recent incidents of recovering two explosive like objects in the capital are underway. DMP Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit has safely neutralised the objects recovered in Ashulia and Motijheel. He said crime and sabotage incidents remain comparatively low. The government continues to maintain heightened vigilance to safeguard public security. Explaining the reason of issuing a special alert in the month of August, the minister said, Awami fascist group - which is now banned, observes some political activities this month. Mainly that’s why everyone has been asked to remain on alert."

Liutova, ranked 229th in the world, will be the youngest player to contest a WTA final since American Coco Gauff in Austria in 2019.

The first player born in the 2010s to make a WTA final, she called her week in the 250-level event a "miracle journey" after her quarter-final win over sixth-seeded Caty McNally.

In her first WTA main draw match she advanced past top-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova, who retired with heat illness with Liutova leading 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 5-4.

She beat Australian Maya Joint in the second round before knocking off McNally 6-3, 6-4.

In Sunday's final she will face either 114th-ranked Czech Darja Vidmanova or 83rd-ranked Renata Zarazua of Mexico.

The Ukraine international winger was suspended for four years after failing a 2024 drug test that revealed the presence of a low concentration of meldonium, a prohibited substance.

He was cleared on Friday to resume his career after the Football Association and the World Anti-Doping Agency "resolved his appeal".

"We are happy, especially for him, because we are not able to understand what he has been through in this time and how he feels at the moment," Alonso said in Sydney.

"We want that he feels part of the team, because he has not had this for a long time, and that he has the support from everyone: from the club, from the teammates, from the staff.

"To be honest, we were not expecting to have this great news at this moment, so we are very happy learning that he will be here with us."

Mudryk will join Chelsea for the next leg of their pre-season tour in Hong Kong where they face Juventus on Wednesday, Alonso said, after a 2-1 defeat to London rivals Tottenham in Sydney on Saturday.

But the Spaniard cautioned that Mudryk's reintegration would be a slow process.

The 25-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk for o62 million ($83 million) in 2023, has not played since November 2024.

"It will take time," Alonso said. "But once there's a change, things will start moving, and for him, it's a massive change (from) training on his own every day.

"I think that had to be really, really hard because he wanted to play football, he wanted to be part of the team, and he was not allowed to do that for such a long time.

"So once this meeting has happened, now we can move on and after we will see if he makes progress quicker or slower. But we need to do the work."

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi managed Mudryk at Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk and was also happy to see him back.

"He's my son, he's a cool guy, a top player, hopefully he can show what he suffered the last two seasons in this coming season, maybe not against Tottenham, but he's a lovely guy," said the Italian.

Mudryk filed his appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and changes to WADA procedures in the interim meant that had his failed test produced the same result now, charges would not have been brought.

Two weeks after Argentina's loss to Spain in the World Cup final, Messi was back on the pitch, entering in the 53rd minute to the delight of fans at Miami's Nu Stadium.

But Messi could not mark his return with a goal, twice shooting wide.

Uruguayan Luis Suarez scored his seventh goal in his last four games to put Miami 1-0 up in the 16th minute.

Miami's former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro scored an own goal in the 34th minute which drew Columbus level at 1-1.

Suarez provided the assist for Noah Allen to head Miami into a 2-1 half-time lead

But midfielder Brais Mendez, making his Columbus debut after arriving from Real Sociedad in Spain, curled in a second equalizer from an 84th-minute free-kick.

The result ended Miami's six-match winning streak and kept them in second place in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville, who drew 2-2 at DC United.

Los Angeles FC and Vancouver Whitecaps remain level at the top of the Western Conference after they drew 1-1 at Vancouver's BC Place.

Son Heung-min extended his scoring streak since the MLS resumed after the World Cup to four goals in four matches as he put Los Angeles ahead in the 37th minute.

But Vancouver's German star Thomas Mueller converted a 76th-minute penalty.

The former Tottenham star Son, who had shouldered much of the blame for South Korea's failure to make it to the knockout rounds of the World Cup, also earned MVP honors in the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday.

Kerr was 12 seconds slower than the mark of 3min 42.66sec he set in London last month to break Hicham El Guerrouj's record that had stood for 27 years.

But the Olympic silver-medallist could afford to whip up the crowd in celebration as he crossed the finish line in Glasgow after pulling well clear of the field.

"This was the championships of my season," said Kerr, who finished a disappointing 12th in Birmingham four years ago.

"I didn't put my performance together like I wanted to in 2022 and I think a British crowd deserves more from me, so I owed them that for sure."

Australia's Cameron Myers took silver and Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya the bronze as another Scot and former world champion Jake Wightman missed out on the podium.

Abbey Caldwell led home an Australia 1-2-3 in the women's mile ahead of Jessica Hull and Claudia Hollingsworth.

Kenya's Mathew Kipsang produced a decisive kick away from the pack on the final lap to win the men's 5,000m and denied Australia's Ky Robinson double gold after his success in the 10,000m.

Robinson finished second with India's Gulveer Singh taking bronze to add to his 10,000m silver.

Australia edged a thrilling men's 4x100m to win gold from the outside lane.

Lachlan Kennedy, Joshua Azzopardi, Calab Law and Rohan Browning crossed in a time of 38.07 seconds to seemingly edge out Canada.

However, the Canadians were disqualified to bump Nigeria into silver and give Ghana a bronze medal.

In the afternoon session, Samuel Ogazi lived up to expectation to win gold for Nigeria in the men's 400m.

Ogazi, who set the fourth fastest time ever in the 400m earlier this year, was a class apart as he led home Trinidad and Tobago's Jereem Richards and South Africa's Zakithi Nene.

"I didn't want to come out here and disappoint. I just had to go out there and do my thing," said Ogazi, who was not holding back on his ambitions going forward.

"Maybe an Olympic gold, a world championship gold, become the greatest athlete ever. That's what I'm working towards."

Dejeanea Oakley was just as dominant in the women's 400m for one of five Jamaican golds on the track on Saturday.

They stormed to victory in the women's 4x100m and first ever mixed 4x400m Commonwealth final.

Navasky Anderson stormed down the final straight to win the men's 800m, while Jordan Scott landed gold in the men's triple jump.

There were two more Australia golds as Matthew Denny won the discus and Kurtis Marschall the pole vault.

- Jamaicans exact Aussie revenge -

But there will be no Australian gold in the netball after Jamaica produced a huge upset to defeat the holders 46-45 in front of the watching Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, and their children.

Jamaica will face New Zealand in Sunday's final after exacting revenge for defeat in the final four years ago.

"We knew we had it in us. We're carrying a bit of vengeance from the last Commonwealth Games," Jamaican captain Shamera Sterling-Humphrey said.

The royals were also spotted at the velodrome on the Games' "Super Saturday".

"Incredible atmosphere at the Commonwealth Games today. Watching world-class talent compete and seeing the power of sport to bring people together is truly special," the Prince and Princess said in an Instagram post.

Emma Finucane became the first Welsh woman to win three gold medals at a single Commonwealth Games after adding the sprint and 1000 metre time-trial titles to her part in the team sprint on Friday.

"I absolutely love what I do, so I just want to go out there and ride my bike and enjoy every moment," said Finucane, who could add a fourth gold in the keirin on Sunday.

Dressel posted his fastest 50m free time in four years with a victory in 21.35sec, four-tenths of a second quicker than runner-up Quintin McCarty.

He captured his second title of the week after a victory in the 100m free, his first triumph in a major meeting since the 2024 Olympic trials.

Dressel followed that with second places in the 50m and 100m butterfly.

Walsh powered to victory in 23.60sec, just outside the world record of 23.55 she set at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome on June 28.

"Honestly, I just wanted to execute it really well," Walsh said. I feel like I've had a great summer in that event already and it's not over yet. So this is a great tune-up for Pan Pacs in two weeks."

Walsh's world record last month came a week after training partner Kate Douglass had lowered the world record to 23.59sec at the Pro Swim Series at Indianapolis. Douglass opted not to swim the 50m free on Saturday.

But she and Walsh will be back in the same Irvine pool in August representing the United States in the Pan Pacific Championships -- where they'll be up against top swimmers from Australia, Japan, Canada and other non-European nations.

Dressel, who took a break from the sport after the 2024 Paris Olympics, didn't qualify for the US Pan Pacs team, which was decided based on times last year.

But the American, who turns 30 in August, was enthusiastic about what the week showed about the state of his swimming.

"We'll keep getting quicker," he said. "It's a really exciting year, just so much new."

The 21-year-old Philippines left-hander delivered an impressive victory over the four-time Grand Slam winner from Japan to reach her second career WTA final, having dropped the first last year at Eastbourne.

"I'm super proud of my performance," Eala said. "I played really well and I had a great mentality and I stayed locked in until the end."

Eala, set to jump to a career-best 24th in the world rankings, had previously ousted second seed Elina Svitolina for her sixth top-10 victory of the year after dethroning 2025 Washington champion Leylah Fernandez.

It was the first meeting of the Asian stars, Eala facing one of the idols of her youth.

"She definitely has aura and she definitely has power," Eala said of Osaka. "I remember watching her finals in the Australian Open and US Open so really a great experience to share the court with her and I'm really happy I was able to produce that level against her."

Osaka, ranked 13th, was thwarted in her bid for an eighth career WTA title and first since taking the 2021 Australian Open.

"I hit a lot of unforced errors, so that was probably one of the main reasons," for the loss, Osaka said.

Pegula, seeking her 12th career WTA title and third of the year, eliminated Russia's Diana Shnaider 7-5, 6-4 in the other semi-final.

"It's going to be a battle," Pegula said of the final. "Alex, I'm a big fan of her. She's the future of the tour and she's already here."

Pegula, who won her first WTA title in 2019 at Washington, fell behind 5-2 against Schnaider, but the 32-year-old American top seed battled back to reach her fourth final of the year.

A semi-finalist at this year's Australian Open, Pegula has lifted trophies at Dubai and Charleston this season.

- 'More well rounded' -

Pegula beat Eala in a 2025 Miami semi-final in their only career meeting.

"I'm more well rounded. I'm physically a little bit better. I've improved on a couple of my strokes. Serve has also improved quite a bit," Eala said of her game then and now.

The men's final will send American Taylor Fritz, ranked 10th, against either Chile's Alejandro Tabilo or 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar.

Fritz fired 13 aces in ousting 33rd-ranked countryman Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

"I dug very deep just to keep holding," said Fritz, who seeks an 11th career ATP title and first since last year at Eastbourne.

Jodar, assured of cracking the world rankings top 20 next week, won his first ATP title in April at Morocco.

Tabilo, ranked 30th, seeks his fourth career ATP trophy after winning at Auckland and Mallorca in 2024 and last year at Chengdu.

The 29-year-old Richarlison reinforced his importance with a last-minute winner as 10-man Spurs beat Chelsea 2-1 on their pre-season tour in Sydney on Saturday.

He also scored in their 2-0 win over Auckland FC last weekend.

Richarlison's fate has come into focus after Tottenham's aggressive summer of spending to boost their fortunes after avoiding the drop by coming 17th in the Premier League last season.

Tottenham have yet to recruit a striker, but De Zerbi has made clear he is not finished in the transfer market yet with Manchester City forward Savinho among those reportedly in his sights.

"I don't know," De Zerbi said when asked about Richarlison's future after the Chelsea match.

"As a player, as a guy, it is unbelievable his attitude and behaviour, but at the end we have to respect what he wants to do.

"For me he is still an important player because it is not so easy to find another striker as Richarlison, because Richarlison scores goals and he knows the way."

Pressed on whether he would leave, De Zerbi said: "I don't know, I didn't understand well, because sometimes he said to stay, sometimes he leaves.

"We have to speak anyway, there is not any problem. He is a lovely guy.

"All of us love him, the teammates, the club, the staff, because he works hard every day, seriously every day, and we can't say anything else."

Richarlison, who is entering the final year of his contract, scored 12 goals last season.

Professor Dr Shamima Sultana, the department chair during the uprising, said she removed it on August 1, 2024 being led by her conscience which told her the picture no longer deserved to be hung anymore at her office room.

“It was a personal act of my ethical protest, believing that the picture sould no longer remain hanging on my office wall," she said in an interview coinciding with the second anniversary of the uprising that eventually toppled the Awami League government.

Sultana said she joined the uprising being led by her long-held commitment to oppose injustice rather than any political motivation.

"My participation in the July Uprising was not an isolated or sudden decision. It was a continuation of the values I upheld since my student days," she said.

The professor said she had previously supported the 2018 Quota Reform Movement, the Safe Roads Movement and anti-graft protests on the university campus.

She said the night of July 15, 2024 appeared to her as a defining or turning point of the movement when the students were attacked at the Vice-Chancellor's residence when she felt “there was no room left for silence".

Sultana said she subsequently joined fellow teachers in symbolic protests and remained alongside students on the street until the movement ended.

The professor said she kept both her office and the department chair's room open to provide students with shelter during emergencies and facilitated protestors also to use the office’s Wi-Fi system to communicate with people across the country and abroad.

Sultana said Abu Sayeed’s killing at Rangpur’s Begum Rokeya University and subsequent reports of civilian deaths fundamentally changed her perception of the situation.

She said the removal of Hasina’s picture was “not an impulsive or emotional decision".

"I felt that a government which failed to protect its citizens and instead used state power against them had lost its moral legitimacy," the professor said.

Asked whether she feared any consequences, Sultana said the sense of “responsibility became stronger than fear” as she watched young people risking and losing their lives.

“The incident quickly gained nationwide attention after photographs of removal of the portrait spread widely on social media,” she said.

Recalling a deeply personal moment, Sultana said her son embraced her after she returned home and told her, "Mom, I'm proud of you".

She, however, said the decision also triggered strong reactions, including abusive phone calls, threatening messages, personal attacks and attempts to discredit her within the university.

“Leaflets were distributed against me on the day of the incident and the university Syndicate, the highest decision making body of the university, later decided to issue her a show-cause notice, although I never officially received it,” Sultana said.

She added that after the change in university administration following August 5, the decision was revoked by the new Vice-Chancellor.

Reflecting on the episode, the professor said she had never regretted her decision.

"I do not consider it a personal achievement . . . It was simply a symbolic act of protest while standing against injustice was my duty as a teacher," she said.

Anyone found guilty of violating the law may face imprisonment, a fine, or both. At the same time, if a complaint is proven, the complainant is entitled to receive 25 per cent of the fine realised from the offender, a provision aimed at encouraging consumers to report violations.

The law is not limited to combating food adulteration. It also empowers the authorities to take action against offences such as tampering with weights and measures, selling counterfeit or expired products, marketing unauthorised medicines or cosmetics, publishing deceptive advertisements and charging prices higher than those fixed by the authorities.

Section 36 of the Consumers' Right Protection Act states that if, during an inquiry, investigation or trial, any product is found to be visibly adulterated, unfit for human consumption or harmful to public health, and the accused does not deny the allegation, the product may be seized immediately. The seized product may subsequently be used, transferred, destroyed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

Under Section 37 of the Act, anyone who violates the legal requirement to sell a product in a sealed package bearing clear information on its weight, quantity, ingredients, directions for use, maximum retail price, date of manufacture, date of packaging and expiry date is liable to imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Taka 50,000, or both.

Regarding the display of price lists, Section 38 provides that any person who fails to display the price list of products at a clearly visible place in his or her shop or establishment shall be punishable with imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Taka 50,000, or both. Section 39 further stipulates that any person who fails to maintain a price list for services and display it at the relevant place or at another easily visible location in the establishment shall be subject to the same punishment.

Section 40 clearly states that any person who sells or offers to sell any product, medicine or service at a price higher than the prescribed price shall be punishable with imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Taka 50,000, or both. The Act also provides that any person who knowingly sells or offers for sale any adulterated product or medicine shall be liable to imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to Taka two lakh, or both.

Meanwhile, under Section 42 of the Act, any person who mixes with a food product any substance that is prohibited under the law or the rules because it is harmful to human life or health shall be punishable with imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to Taka two lakh, or both. Section 43 further provides that any person who manufactures or processes any product using a method prohibited under the law or the rules because it is harmful to human life or health shall be liable to imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of up to Taka one lakh, or both.

Under Section 44, any person who deceives consumers through false or misleading advertisements for the purpose of selling any product or service shall be punishable with imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Taka two lakh, or both. Section 45 stipulates that any person who fails to sell or supply the promised product or service in exchange for the price paid by a consumer shall be punishable with imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Taka 50,000, or both.

Regarding penalties for tampering with weights, Section 46 of the Act provides that any person who supplies or sells a product weighing less than the weight promised to the consumer shall be punishable with imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Taka 50,000, or both.

On the other hand, if the weights or weighing instruments used in a shop or business establishment display a weight higher than the actual weight, the person concerned shall, under Section 47 of the Act, be liable to imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Taka 50,000, or both. Similarly, under Section 48, any person who sells or supplies a product in a quantity less than that promised to the consumer shall be punishable with imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Taka 50,000, or both.

Section 49 further provides that any person found to have tampered with a measuring tape or any other measuring instrument used for measuring length shall be liable to imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Taka 50,000, or both. Under Section 50, any person who manufactures or produces counterfeit goods shall be punishable with imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to Taka two lakh, or both.

Section 51 stipulates that any person who sells or offers for sale any expired product or medicine shall be liable to imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Taka 50,000, or both. Speaking about the significance of the Act and the current state of consumer rights protection, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister HM Sanzid Siddiqui said, "The Consumers’ Right Protection Act, 2009 has emerged as an important legal safeguard for consumers in Bangladesh. However, to ensure the full benefits of the law, emphasis must be placed not only on its strict enforcement but also on raising public awareness, strengthening technology-driven market surveillance and ensuring the prompt disposal of complaints."

"The USA is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack," he said. "Based on this request, I have agreed... to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL. The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment."

Gaza's civil defence agency said it found the remains or body parts following 136 hours of digging, largely with bare hands, in Sabra, a neighbourhood in the south of Gaza City.

The remains included those of 40 children, 38 women and seven people who had had physical disabilities, according to the agency, which serves as a rescue service under Hamas.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it supported the operation, which took place over nearly two weeks.

"For more than two and a half years, thousands of families in Gaza have lived in pain and uncertainty, waiting for the chance to recover the remains of their loved ones, mourn them and lay them to rest with dignity," said Amani Al-Naouq, ICRC spokesperson in Gaza.

"The search for missing persons and the recovery of human remains is a critically important humanitarian issue," she told AFP.

Colonel Mohammed Abu Dan, who is in charge of the site for the civil defence agency, said that the team has not yet found 157 other bodies believed to be under the rubble there.

He described the search as arduous, with teams sifting by hand through destroyed concrete and twisted metal.

Thousands of people's remains are still unaccounted for in Gaza, many of them believed to have been buried under rubble from intense Israeli air strikes.

Restrictions imposed on media outlets and limited access in Gaza prevent AFP from independently verifying tolls or freely covering the violence.

The Hamas-run health ministry has confirmed the deaths of more than 73,300 people in the war, in figures that are considered reliable by the United Nations.

The war broke out when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,221 people and dragging 251 hostages into Gaza in the deadliest attack on the Israeli population since the creation of the state in 1948.

Students from Class IX to XI of different schools and colleges in the capital took part in the competition.

Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat Secretary Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan inaugurated the competition as the chief guest.

Welcoming the students, the secretary thanked them for taking part in the competition and stressed the importance of developing proficiency in the Bangla language, proper grammar, correct sentence construction and appropriate word choice.

He advised the participants to remain free from anxiety and present their ideas in simple and clear language instead of making their essays unnecessarily complex, according to a Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat press release.

Encouraging the students to prepare themselves for future leadership roles, he said those aspiring to become Members of Parliament (MPs) or officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat should begin preparing from an early age.

He also underscored the importance of becoming good human beings alongside being good students.

Senior officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were present on the occasion.

The fire department said over 300 firefighters were operating in the area of Porto Germeno, some 70 kilometres (45 miles) northwest of Athens in the region of Viotia.

"The fire has reached the sea... homes have certainly been damaged," a fire department spokesman told AFP.

"The winds are very strong. Aircraft are trying to operate as best they can, but some are unable to and have been transferred to another fire (in the Peloponnese) where conditions are milder," he added.

The fire broke out Friday near the neighbouring coastal village of Agios Vasileios. Residents initially ignored a civil protection call to evacuate, and some 300 people had to be rescued by sea.

Theodore Giannaros, a wildfire meteorologist and senior researcher at the National Observatory of Athens on Saturday said the damage to the Porto Germeno area was "inconceivable".

"The area that has been affected appears to exceed 4-5,000 hectares," he said in a Facebook post.

Wildfires have flared in several parts of the country this week, including on the popular island of Crete, and three firefighters have so far lost their lives.

On Friday, another fire threatened the suburb of Haidari west of Athens that had to be partly evacuated.

A maximum fire risk alert has been issued for Saturday in the greater Athens area, parts of the Peloponnese and Crete, central Greece and the border region with Turkey.

Greece's geography, with its hundreds of islands, complicates the rapid deployment of emergency responders.

Hit hard by the climate crisis like the rest of the Mediterranean region, the country is plagued by wildfires every summer due to high temperatures, frequent heat waves, and drought.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned on Thursday that Greece -- which had been relatively spared from heat waves and major fires earlier this summer, unlike France and Spain -- was headed for "difficult days".

The avalanche struck Thursday, cutting off contact with the ten-member international expedition led by renowned British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja -- who is not among the remains recovered so far.

Those recovered -- flown by helicopter to hospital for formal identification -- included an American woman, an Omani woman, and a Nepali man, the regional government said in a statement released Friday night.

Police in the mountainous northern Gilgit-Baltistan region said in a statement that high-altitude porters and rescue teams had begun a second day of the operation Saturday after the search was paused due to difficult weather conditions on Friday.

Rescuers and military helicopters had been scouring the area, and teams had stayed at the base camp overnight, according to the regional government.

"The rescue team has reported that they have spotted a few (more) dead bodies of the climbers through drone footage," the statement said.

"The rescue operation is being conducted under extremely challenging terrain and high-altitude weather conditions by the Pakistani army in coordination with local high-altitude climbers and rescuers," it added.

- Powerful avalanche -

The avalanche struck while the mountaineers were on a mission to summit Broad Peak (8,047 metres, 26,400 feet) on Thursday while the team were ascending at an altitude of around 6,600 metres, according to regional authorities.

The expedition comprised 10 people -- including Purja, five Nepalis, a Pakistani, an Omani, an American, and a climber from China.

The team were last in contact on Thursday morning, the official statement said, with reports emerging that evening of the powerful avalanche.

"Data from their tracking devices indicates that they were thrown hundreds of metres down the mountainside," Naila Kiani, from Pakistan's Alpine Club, told Le Monde newspaper.

- Super peaks -

Purja, 43, had written on X this week that he was close to becoming the first person to climb all 14 "super peaks" twice without oxygen.

"Broad Peak, I ask for nothing but safe passage up and back down," he wrote.

Purja, who served with Britain's Brigade of Gurkhas before joining the Special Boat Squadron of the Royal Marines, has broken multiple climbing records since becoming a full-time mountaineer and tour guide.

He climbed all 14 "eight-thousanders" (peaks above 8,000 metres) in six months and six days between April and October 2019 -- then a record.

Broad Peak is the world's 12th highest mountain, located in the Karakoram range in northern Pakistan, and is regarded as one of the toughest and most technical climbs of all the 8,000-metre-plus ascents.

It was first summited in 1957 by an Austrian team.

"Fires and destruction occurred in 5 districts of the capital," the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said on Telegram, adding that 23 people were wounded in the ballistic missile attack.

Humala, a former army officer who led the country from 2011 to 2016, left the prison in Lima in a vehicle at about 7:40 pm (0040 GMT Saturday), under police escort.

A crowd of supporters was on hand to see his release.

Humala, 64, was the first Peruvian ex-leader to face trial in the Odebrecht corruption scandal, which has also tainted three other former presidents -- Alejandro Toledo, Martin Vizcarra and Pedro Castillo.

All four were serving their sentences in a prison reserved especially for them, on a police base.

Humala and his wife were convicted last year for receiving illegal contributions from Odebrecht and the Venezuelan government in two presidential campaigns.

"We have been victims of political and judicial persecution," Humala told reporters outside the small prison facility.

His wife Nadine Heredia sought asylum in Brazil after her conviction, and remains there.

Upon arriving at his home, where he said his mother-in-law and a child were waiting for him, Humala said he had "never received campaign contributions from either Venezuela or Brazil."

"But they dragged us into a trial; they subjected us to a criminal proceeding because of our ideology," he said.

Peru's Constitutional Court declared Humala's sentence null and void, in a ruling published Thursday. A criminal court then ordered his release.

The country's new Foreign Minister Carlos Espa called the ruling "fair."

"I am very pleased" with the court's decision, Espa -- who is in the government of right-wing President Keiko Fujimori, a political rival of the leftist Humala -- had said earlier.

In 2016, Odebrecht agreed to pay $3.5 billion in penalties after having spent $788 million in bribes to foreign leaders and government officials in order to win infrastructure projects in Latin America.

Odebrecht admitted to having paid at least $29 million in bribes to Peruvian officials between 2005 and 2014.

The company is considered responsible for one of the biggest foreign bribery schemes in history.

Fujimori also faced legal proceedings in connection with campaign contributions from Odebrecht and others. She spent more than a year in pre-trial detention before the proceedings were annulled.

Humala defeated Fujimori in a 2011 runoff to win the presidency.

The migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco, the enclave's regional president Juan Jesus Vivas told reporters, but by Friday evening officials said more than 48,000 had returned.

To cross into Ceuta, many swam around a small border barrier that juts out into the Mediterranean. At least 34 people died in the attempt.

The sudden influx sparked an international crisis.

France tightened checks on its border with Spain and said it would increase its police presence there fivefold to 334 officers and gendarmes by Saturday.

Italy announced it had suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain allowing for visa-free movement between borders.

Italian officials said the suspension would take effect on Saturday and last for one month.

Several European countries suggested Spain's membership in the Schengen free movement zone should be suspended, though Spain's foreign minister said integrity of the zone was "guaranteed".

Across the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump led far-right efforts to seize on the crossing to advance hardline immigration policies.

'Trafficking mafias' -

Madrid rushed troops, more police, drones, divers and boats to the outpost that it has run for centuries as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his interior minister visited on Friday.

Overnight into Saturday, AFP journalists observed groups of young people wandering the beaches and streets of Ceuta. Dozens of men slept on the sand.

There was a massive police and military presence in the area, and some young people were seen turning back, saying "adios" or "goodbye" to officers before crossing over the border to Morocco.

Inside the city, shops were closed and annual fiestas were cancelled.

"It's catastrophic," said Mohammed, a local taxi driver and Ceuta resident.

"Sure, we sympathise with them -- they're having a terrible time in their own country, and all that -- but this isn't the way to enter a place, nor is it a way to live."

Previous migrant surges have occurred during tensions between Spain and Morocco.

Sanchez visited Algiers on July 20 -- the first such visit by a Spanish head of government in four years -- marking a thaw in relations with Morocco's rival Algeria.

But it was not clear if there was any connection between that visit and this latest influx.

In Ceuta, Sanchez blamed the surge on people-traffickers spreading rumours about a Spanish Supreme Court ruling this month that irregular migrants arriving by sea could not be immediately returned.

"What has emerged from our talks with Moroccan authorities is that trafficking mafias took a self-serving interpretation of a Supreme Court ruling," he said.

Diplomatic fallout -

Fears of the crowds entering EU member states sparked diplomatic fallout.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called the scenes at Ceuta "unacceptable".

"We cannot allow anyone to come to our (European) Union without abiding by our rules," she said on social media.

Finland and Denmark on Friday backed Italy's moves, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz demanded Morocco "take back illegal migrants immediately".

France and Britain said they stood ready to help Spain with the sudden surge, even as France tightened border checks.

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said he was considering reinforcing border checks but saw no need to suspend Spain from the Schengen zone.

Trump, meanwhile, warned: "It looks like an invasion of a country by hundreds of thousands of people, and that same thing's going to happen to us if the Republicans don't get elected, except worse, much bigger."

Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares tried to allay fears, saying it was "not possible to travel from Ceuta and Melilla to the Peninsula without identifying oneself at a police checkpoint," referring to Spain's two North African enclaves.

"Enough of this deliberate confusion".

Successive crises -

Ceuta, a territory of 18.5 square kilometres (seven square miles), and the nearby enclave of Melilla are Europe's only two land borders with Africa.

Morocco's authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the flow of migrants.

During a similar surge in 2021, more than 10,000 migrants reached Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco over the course of two days during a diplomatic spat between the two countries.

The row erupted after Spain decided to host for medical treatment a leader of the Polisario Front, whose guerillas fought a long war with Rabat over the independence of the Western Sahara region.

The crisis ended in 2022 when Madrid reversed its long-standing policy of neutrality and backed Morocco's plan for Western Sahara -- a move that had caused a diplomatic rift between Madrid and Algiers.

The vessel reported it was "struck by an unknown projectile which has caused damage to the engine room", the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said, adding no injuries were reported in the incident around 12.5 miles off the coast of Lima, Oman.

"To achieve the desired peace, among all the areas we need to work on, the biggest task is to find a universal humanistic philosophical space," he said while addressing the 2nd International Conference on 'Philosophy for Peace' as the chief guest at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium of Dhaka University (DU).

The Bangladesh Philosophical Society (BPS), in collaboration with Mohammadi Kafela, organized the conference.

Acknowledging his background as a political activist rather than a philosopher, Swapon emphasized that philosophy is the key component that sets human beings apart from other living creatures.

"Unless a person stands upon a philosophical foundation, they cannot truly preserve their humanity, even if they possess a human body and mind," the minister observed.

"History shows that the moment humans secured food and moved past basic survival, they began asking fundamental questions about their origin and destiny-marking the true journey of philosophy."

"Traditional philosophies, no matter how noble, do not possess universal acceptance. Unless thinkers can build a common philosophical platform, the crisis of peace currently facing the world cannot be resolved," Swapon added, urging intellectuals to help shape a unified, human-centric worldview.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof A B M Obaidul Islam formally inaugurated the event.

In his inaugural speech, Prof. Obaidul Islam stated that life and philosophy are synonymous, describing philosophy as a profound analysis of life essential for building a knowledge-based society.

"In this turbulent world, human and moral values are steadily declining despite unimaginable progress. The practice of philosophy is indispensable to foster moral consciousness and build a humane global society," the VC said, expressing optimism that participating philosophers and Sufi scholars would offer constructive guidelines for worldwide peace-building.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, Bangladesh Open University Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, National University Vice-Chancellor Prof S M Amanullah, and Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan were also present, among others, at the conference.

The organisers believe the participation of foreign professionals will not only enhance the standard of the tournament but also contribute significantly to the overall development of squash in Bangladesh. The organizers said that despite various challenges over the past six years, planned initiatives have ushered in a new era for squash in the country. Sustained development programmes have expanded the game's popularity while enabling Bangladeshi players to progress to the professional level. The organisers further expressed optimism that these continued efforts have helped establish Bangladesh as an emerging squash destination on the international stage.

The Group B favourites are bottom of the table with just one point after two rounds in Moroccan commercial hub Casablanca. Ivory Coast have four points and Burkina Faso and Tanzania three each.

Former champions South Africa must beat Burkina Faso and hope Ivory Coast defeat Tanzania in the final group matches on Tuesday to survive.

Burkina Faso shrugged off conceding four goals against Ivory Coast last Monday to edge Tanzania 2-1 in the other match on Friday.

Before the two-yearly tournament kicked off last Sunday, South Africa were talking up chances of competing at back-to-back World Cup tournaments.

Brazil will host the 2027 edition and the four WAFCON semi-finalists automatically qualify for the 32-nation event.

The losing WAFCON quarter-finalists will get a second chance to reach the World Cup through play-offs, first in Morocco, then in an inter-continental competition.

South Africa made a disastrous debut in their group, conceding a late goal to lose 2-1 against Tanzania, a team 65 places lower than Banyana Banyana (Girls Girls) in the world rankings.

An anticipated revival against the Ivorians did not materialise in the first half and two goals from clinical 18-year-old Grace Sery gave the west Africans a 2-0 half-time lead.

- Last-gasp equaliser -

Realising their World Cup dream was on the verge of collapse, South Africa improved dramatically in the second half and Thembi Kgatlana pulled one goal back on 71 minutes.

But all seemed lost for South Africa when substitute Hildah Magaia had an added-time goal disallowed for offside.

However, Magaia, who helped South Africa reach the last 16 at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, had the last laugh in the ninth minute of added time.

Another substitute, Ronnel Donnelly, nodded the ball into the goalmouth and unmarked Magaia beat goalkeeper Aramatou Diakite at her near post with a rising shot.

Later, Burkina Faso took advantage of a Tanzanian being red carded 10 minutes after half-time to win 2-1 through an 80th-minute goal from captain Balkissa Sawadogo.

Naomi Kabre put the Burkinabe ahead on 43 minutes with a delicate lob over goalkeeper Najiat Idrisa after Tanzania failed to clear a cross.

Hasnath Ubamba was sent off for raking the right foot of goalkeeper Nina Dabilgou, but Tanzania recovered to equalise after 62 minutes.

Dabilgou tipped a Donisia Minja free-kick on to the post and Aisha Mnunka, reacting quickest to the rebound, poked the ball into the net.

Burkina Faso regained the lead when Sawadogo side-footed a cross past Idrissa. The goal gave the Lady Stallions a first WAFCON victory at the fifth attempt spanning two tournaments.

On Saturday, defending champions Nigeria hope to put a stunning defeat by Malawi behind them when they tackle in-form Group C pacesetters Zambia.

Group B

In Casablanca

Ivory Coast 2 (Sery 18, 36) South Africa 2 (Kgatlana 71, Magaia 90+9)

Burkina Faso 2 (Kabre 43, Sawadogo 80) Tanzania 1 (Mnunka 62)

Standings (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points)

I. Coast 2 1 1 0 6 3 4

B. Faso 2 1 0 1 3 5 3

Tanzania 2 1 0 2 3 3 3

S. Africa 2 0 1 1 3 4 1

Fixtures

Tuesday

In Casablanca

B. Faso v S. Africa, Tanzania v I. Coast (both 2000 GMT)

Note: Group winners and runners-up qualify for quarter-finals

"Our purpose has always been -- and will always be -- to unite and improve," Infantino said in a statement.

"As a result, this proposal will not proceed."

FIFA, world football's governing body, had floated the plan on Tuesday, saying it could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for a new FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial subsidiary it proposed to run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.

It said that, if approved, the project could provide each of FIFA's 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027 and increase their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million.

But the idea of allowing private investors even a small stake in the FFE was quickly condemned.

European football's governing body UEFA said none of its national teams would participate in any FIFA competition "for so long as these proposals remain alive".

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and North American and Caribbean federation (CONCACAF) also condemned the move.

"The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product," UEFA said in a statement. "No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale."

Pressure mounted on Infantino on Friday with the resignation of senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro, who called the idea "a bad deal for FIFA's member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game".

South American confederation CONMEBOL, whose president Alejandro Dominguez is regarded as a close ally of Infantino, demanded further information on the "scope, structure, governance and potential effects" of the project.

In the late night statement announcing the plan was dead, Infantino said the project was conceived as a means of strengthening member associations, and that it would only have gone ahead if a majority supported it.

"Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place," he said.

In expressing solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF, the Kuala Lumpur-based AFC -- which represents 47 member nations -- had raised alarms at the idea of a World Cup boycott.

"The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game," the AFC said.

- 'The wrong man' -

FIFA had tried to fend off the critics, saying in a statement early Friday morning that it would continue consultations with member associations and insisting that "nobody is selling football".

But the pressure mounted, and not just within the football community.

A day after the European Union praised UEFA for "defending the integrity of the game," UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Friday that Infantino was "the wrong man" to lead FIFA.

The beleaguered Infantino said he would focus now on restoring harmony while continuing to grow the game.

"Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support," he said.

There is no alternative to awareness to check the mosquito-borne disease dengue since there is no universally recommended vaccine to prevent dengue and no specific effective medicine, they said. However, the experts said, Bangladesh currently has favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, so active participation of all and keeping the surroundings clean are essential to prevent dengue.

Advising people to be aware rather than get worried about the dengue, they said the main way to prevent dengue is to control Aedes mosquitoes and that is why increasing public awareness is urgent. The stagnant water is the breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes. So, all should always keep their house yards clean and dispose unnecessary containers in dustbins. Water should not accumulate in usable containers such as flower pots, drums, buckets, air conditioners and water containers under refrigerators for more than five days in a row. The active participation of all citizens is the key to address Aedes mosquitoes, according to them.

Official data as of July 28, this year show 47 people have died of dengue. At the same time, 14,156 people have been admitted to hospitals due to dengue. A total of 17,009 dengue patients have recovered so far this year. Earlier, from January 1 to December 31, 2025, a total of 1,02,861 people were infected with dengue and of them, 413 people died of dengue.

Public health expert Dr Mushtaq Hossain said the fight against dengue should not only start in hospitals, but also from people's homes, schools, workplaces and local communities. If coordinated initiatives are taken to identify patients quickly, protect vulnerable people, ensure social support for poor patients and destroy mosquito breeding grounds, dengue-related deaths and suffering can be significantly minimised, he said. "If we see rain as just a natural phenomenon for dengue, then the crisis will deepen. But, if preventive measures can be strengthened after the rain, it will be possible to gradually free the country from this annual outbreak of dengue," he added.

About the treatment of dengue fever, Dr Hasan Hafizur Rahman, an associate professor at the Department of Medicine at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, said there is no alternative to awareness to check the dengue. He said the body temperature in dengue fever can rise to 102 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and, at that time, the body may be cooled with tepid sponging.

"Apart from this, paracetamol-like medicines should be given every six to eight hours, understanding the severity of the fever. The main treatment for dengue fever is to manage adequate water in the body. Along with water, liquid foods such as fruit juice, soup, oral saline and coconut water should be given to patients to drink," he said. Hafizur Rahman said the main mantra of dengue fever prevention is to prevent the spread of Aedes mosquitoes and to make arrangements so that these mosquitoes cannot bite.

He said Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs in clear, clean water, so the places suitable for Aedes mosquito breeding should be kept clean and at the same time necessary measures should be taken to repel mosquitoes. Also, the bushes, forests and waterbodies around the houses should be kept clean, he added.

According to a Met Office bulletin issued this morning said "Light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions."

Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged across the country.

The highest temperature recorded on Friday was 35.5 degrees Celsius at Nikli in Kishoreganj, while today's lowest temperature was recorded at 23.9 degrees Celsius at Kumarkhali in Kushtia.

In the last 24 hours till 6am today, the highest rainfall of 59 millimetres was recorded at Cox's Bazar.

The sun will set at 6:42pm today and rise at 5:28am tomorrow in Dhaka.

The Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare disclosed the appointment in a gazette notification issued on Thursday.

Mirza Abbas, also a lawmaker from the Dhaka-8 constituency, will serve as chairman of the hospital’s management committee, according to the notification.

Here is a breakdown of the proposals.

Regional picture -

A total of 14.95 million barrels per day (mbd) of crude oil was exported through the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Iran exported around 1.69 mbd and is expected to continue relying on Hormuz over the long term given its effective control of the waterway, Andrew Wilson of BRS Shipbrokers told AFP.

"Iran is just going to produce as much as it can, ship as much to China as it can. It's not really such an issue," he said.

Of the remaining 13.26 mbd, as much as 11.5 mbd could eventually be rerouted by maximising existing pipeline capacity and completing planned projects, according to official announcements and industry experts.

Saudi Arabia -

Before the war broke out in late February, Saudi Arabia transported around 2 mbd of crude through its East-West Pipeline linking Abqaiq, near the Gulf coast, with the Red Sea port of Yanbu, according to the IEA.

State oil giant Aramco said in March 2025 it had increased the pipeline's capacity to 7 mbd, leaving up to 5 mbd of spare capacity.

Riyadh is also planning a further expansion of up to 2 mbd, according to the US-based Institute for Energy Research (IER).

The IER said it was "unclear" whether this would involve upgrades to the existing line or construction of a parallel pipeline.

The project could potentially be completed by 2030/2031, Wilson told AFP.

United Arab Emirates -

Before the conflict, the UAE exported around 1.1 mbd of crude through its Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP), which links inland oil fields with the port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

The IEA said the pipeline had a capacity of 1.8 mbd, leaving an additional 0.7 mbd available.

The UAE said in May it was fast-tracking construction of a second pipeline that would run parallel to the existing route before extending to the country's northern coast, allowing crude produced north of Hormuz to bypass the strait.

The project would double export capacity through Fujairah and is expected to enter service next year, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

Iraq -

The US State Department said earlier in July that plans were under way to restore a major pipeline linking Iraq's oil fields with Syria's Mediterranean coast.

Washington is overseeing an international consortium "to execute the technical and financial aspects of this project", which is expected to have an initial capacity of 2 mbd, the department said.

No timetable has been announced, however, and political and investment hurdles risk delaying the project, Wilson warned.

Kuwait and Bahrain -

Neither Kuwait nor Bahrain currently has a pipeline route that bypasses Hormuz.

However, both have recently held discussions with Saudi Arabia on a possible connection to its pipeline network, according to the IER.

After five months of war, Trump's room for maneuver seems extremely limited, and he gives the impression of increasingly making up his plans as he goes along.

"We're going to be hitting them very hard because it's our turn to hit them," Trump said Wednesday of upcoming strikes against Tehran in retaliation for its attacks against bases hosting US forces in Jordan.

The Republican leader has clearly demonstrated the limits of his so-far unsuccessful efforts to attempt to force Iranian capitulation through air strikes.

As the conflict in the Middle East spreads from Iraq to Saudi Arabia to even Egypt, the US president finds himself at an impasse.

He convened members of his cabinet at the Camp David presidential retreat on Friday -- but gave no indication of a possible shift in strategy.

Citing unnamed US officials, NBC News reported earlier this week that Trump erupted in anger during a recent White House meeting and was "exasperated" by his limited available options to end the war.

The situation effectively largely depends on Tehran.

After the US launched strikes in concert with Israel against Iran on February 28 -- killing numerous officials, including Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei -- things have not gone according to plan for Trump.

'No quick solutions' -

The US president spoke earlier in the conflict of a four- to six-week timeline for the offensive, which he says is aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

While US officials maintain that they have achieved key military objectives, destroying Iran's navy and degrading its ballistic missile capabilities, the conflict is now centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz, where Tehran has disrupted key maritime traffic with attacks on shipping vessels.

That seems to have caught Washington off guard, and a June 17 agreement to halt the fighting has already broken down.

The US military has since carried out repeated strikes on Iranian military targets, while Tehran's Revolutionary Guards have retaliated by striking US bases and allies in the region.

"It is hard to see why this approach would work now when it hasn't worked over the past five months," Richard Haass, the former president of the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in a Friday newsletter.

Karen Young, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said the "conflict is still in early stages... We should be prepared for prolonged disruption."

"This is a conflict that has no quick solutions really, even with a regime transition that could lead to more instability in the region rather than less," she told journalists this week.

That is especially true now that attacks on Saudi Arabia and other wealthy, oil-producing Gulf states have left them weakened.

Unpopular war -

In the United States, the war is largely unpopular, especially due to higher gas prices that have angered consumers.

An average of polls compiled by political expert Nate Silver and updated Thursday shows that 58.3 percent of Americans oppose the war -- a figure that has been steadily rising since March -- while 37.4 percent say they support it.

The issue is politically explosive, with November midterm elections just about three months away -- contests that are historically difficult for the party that controls the White House, and which could see Trump lose Republican majorities in the House and Senate.

Alex Vatanka, another senior fellow from the Middle East Institute, summed up the situation, describing it as a "lose-lose equation" in which "neither side is benefiting."

The meeting took place this morning at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed Bangladesh-US bilateral relations, expansion of trade and investment, regional cooperation and various issues of mutual interest, he said.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir , PM’s advisers Rehan Asif Asad and Mahadi Amin, among others, were present at the meeting.

The government views the revised advisory as international recognition of its continued efforts to strengthen security, maintain stability, and foster an enabling environment for international travel, commerce, investment and closer people-to-people ties, the release said. 

It said the development also reflects growing US confidence in Bangladesh's overall security environment and stability.

According to the release, the decision came after a productive bilateral meeting in Dhaka between Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and US President's Special Envoy on South and Central Asian Affairs Sergio Gor.

Immediately after the meeting, Gor informed the Foreign Minister of the decision through a text message, the ministry said.

Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir was present during the discussion.

The ministry said the advisory revision follows visible progress made over the past six months in strengthening law and order under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

It added that the decision also underscores the positive trajectory of the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the United States.

Chaired by the Hall’s Provost Professor Dr Abdus Salam, the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr. Abdus Salam and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Mohammad Almojaddidi Alfesani spoke as special guests. National University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Lutfar Rahman spoke as the keynote speaker. Faculty of Science Dean Professor Dr. Md. Mofazzal Hossain and VP of the Hall Sangsad Md. Zayedul Haque participated in the discussion. 6 residential students of the hall reminisced about the July Uprising. GS of the Hall Sangsad Sadman Abdullah conducted the program.

At the program, 8 winners of the quiz competition titled ‘July Revolution and Student Uprising’ were awarded.

 In addition, the president of the school's Ad Hoc Committee, Mr Sadequl Haque Sadir, Upazila Secondary Education Officer Mr Mohammad Al-Mamun, the school's eligible headmaster Kawsar Begum, guardian member Rashidul Haque Bhuiyan were also present.

 The chief guest gave a guiding speech to the teachers and students visiting the classrooms and highly praised the school's class activities, co-curricular activities and past exam results. Then he distributed sports equipment among the students and planted trees in the school yard. The program was moderated by Shah Md Yasinul Haque.

The State Minister said this while speaking to journalists after inaugurating a drive this morning to remove water hyacinths and accumulated waste from the lake in an effort to restore its environment.

He said DC Lake is not only a recreational facility but also an important part of Tangail town's beauty and environment.

Therefore, everyone must play a responsible role in maintaining its cleanliness and aesthetic appeal, he said adding the entire lake would be cleaned in phases.

There is also a plan to develop DC Lake as a mini tourist destination and the adjacent char area into a major tourist attraction, he said.

Necessary initiatives are being taken to achieve this goal, he said adding fish will also be cultivated in the lake, enabling local residents to benefit from it.

Once the DC Lake is made attractive and fully usable, the people of Tangail will have a modern recreational facility, he said

The State Minister said he had pledged before the election to establish a modern tourist destination in Tangail and that work is now underway.

Earlier, the State Minister inspected different parts of the lake and inaugurated the drive to remove long-accumulated water hyacinths and waste.

He later joined the cleanup effort himself and instructed the authorities concerned to continue regular maintenance and cleanliness activities.

Leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies, members of local voluntary organisations and local residents took part in the drive.

Local leaders and administrative officials were present.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after visiting the body of DNCC sanitation worker Shefali Begum, who was killed in a road accident while on duty in the capital’s Madhya Badda.

The administrator said prompt action would be taken against drivers without license and those who cause accidents through reckless driving.

He also urged all concerned to act more responsibly and remain vigilant to prevent such tragic accidents in the future.

Khan said sanitation workers serve city residents day and night through their hard work, and everyone's cooperation is needed to ensure they can perform their duties safely and without disruption.

Assuring continued support for sanitation workers, the administrator said the DNCC would always work for their welfare.

Expressing deep condolences to the family of the deceased, the administrator announced that the DNCC would provide the family with financial assistance of Tk 400,000 as well as an amount equivalent to one year's salary.

Responding to a question from journalists, he said that if any DNCC vehicle is found to have been operated by a driver without license or a helper, an investigation will be conducted and appropriate action will be taken against those responsible.

However, to his knowledge, no DNCC vehicle is operated by a helper or an unskilled driver.

Earlier, upon receiving news of the accident and following the Prime Minister's directive, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahammad Sohel Monzoor and the DNCC administrator visited the victim's residence to offer condolences to her family.

Priyanka Mondal of the same village says almost the same thing. This woman, who came to drop her two children named Anamika and Mihir to school, claims that 'the children do not want to come to school because of the tears. In addition to being forced to bring them with them, they have to come and take them back during the holidays.' He also claimed that no one can come to school and attend classes without two sets of clothes. Such a sad description of the hardships of commuting to school was not only voiced by these two guardians. Rather, numerous other young students and guardians, including second-grade student Hossain and third-grade student Khadija, claim that students face a lot of trouble coming to school during the rainy season. Books, notebooks, clothes and pants get soaked in mud. According to the young student, the only way to go to school is over the coastal protection embankment. But the brick-paved road has broken and is bumpy, making normal movement impossible. If there is even a little rain, the entire road becomes impassable. Students are forced to come to school with at least two sets of clothes. Many young students also claim that many of their classmates do not want to come to school during the rainy season due to the poor condition of the road. Hossain, a second-grade student from Moragang village, said, "Our road is very muddy, our books and toys get wet. We have a lot of trouble coming." Khadija Akhter said, "I was in first grade, and when I went to school, my clothes got wet in the mud." Tulsi Mandal's daughter Hiya, Nur Hossain's son Zahid and a few other children said almost the same thing. Young children are struggling to get to school, said the school's headmaster Animesh Kumar Mridha, noting that the road is so bad that parents send their children to school with two sets of clothes. Then, during holidays, they change their classroom clothes. Unable to cope with these problems, some families are not sending their children to school regularly. Local former UP chairman Abul Kashem Morol said that the three-kilometer road on one side of the school has been in a bad condition for a long time. Due to which, young students are facing severe difficulties in coming to school. Incidents of falling and getting injured on the road on the way to school have become a daily occurrence. Due to being a remote village, the communication system of this Maragang school on the Sundarbans is not improving.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shamsuzzahan Kanak said that the children of Maragang Government Primary School have shown success in the National School Football Competition three times in a row. When they went to deliver some prizes to the school for them, they were shocked by the picture of the communication system. The matter will be informed to the higher authorities to improve the transportation system of young children to school.

It is worth noting that the children of No. 165 East Maragang Government Primary School have participated in the school football competition four times in the last four years and reached the first round of the national level twice (2024 and 2026). In addition, the school achieved the feat of becoming the runner-up at the divisional level in 2025. As a reward for the success of the young students, the Upazila administration gave all the players a school bag and a football as a gift, in addition to the crest. Assistant Education Officer Shahin Alam, Press Club President Samiul Monir, former UP Chairman Abul Kashem Morol, among others, were present at the event.

A total of 80 teachers, youth representatives and students participated in the training organized at the YPSA-HRDC campus in Sitakunda from July 27 to 28 and July 29 to 30.

The objective of the training was to increase the knowledge of the participants about the impacts, risks and adaptation strategies of climate change, involve them in climate adaptation activities at the local level and increase their capacity to implement sustainable development.

The training included participatory and practical sessions on basic concepts of climate change and adaptation, local adaptation planning (LAPA), climate-smart agriculture, nature-based solutions, inclusive climate action, youth leadership and advocacy, disaster risk reduction and climate resilient development at the local level.

The opening ceremony of the training was attended by the Director General of the Department of Environment and Additional Secretary to the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dr. Md. Lutfar Rahman, as the chief guest. The special guests were Jamir Uddin, Director of the Department of Environment, Chittagong Region, and Md. Fakhrul Islam, Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). The program was presided over by Md. Khaled Hasan, Director of the Department of Environment and Project Director of the SD Pathways Project.

Project Manager Pankaj Pal, Admin and Finance Associate Rabeya Akhter, and Training Consultants Amir Hamza and Zubair Islam conducted various technical sessions in the training. The overall coordination, organization and communication of the program was handled by the project's district coordinator Md. Wahid Hossain.

Chief guest Dr. Md. Lutfar Rahman said, "Today's students will be the leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, our main goal is to make them aware and skilled in reducing carbon emissions, environmental conservation and climate adaptation."

Chittagong Region Director Jamir Uddin said, "It is very important to develop an aware and skilled young generation to deal with the effects of climate change. Students and youth must play a leading role in reducing carbon emissions and preserving the environment."

UNO Md. Fakhrul Islam said, "The participation of local people in climate adaptation is the most important. The upazila administration is working in coordination with all relevant organizations to implement disaster risk reduction, environmental conservation and sustainable development activities. By applying the knowledge gained in the training in real life, students, teachers and youth will play an important role as ambassadors of environmental awareness in their respective areas."

In the chairman's speech, Project Director Md. Khaled Hasan said, "Enhancing the capacity of teachers, youth and students to address the challenges of climate change is one of our priorities. Such training will play an important role in building a climate-resilient society at the local level."

The organizers said that through continuous such capacity-building training, climate adaptation activities at the local level will be further strengthened. It will also contribute positively to the implementation of the country's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Local Adaptation Plan (LAPA)

At that time, one of his accomplices escaped. According to police sources, on the night of Thursday an anti-drug operation was conducted in the police station area under the leadership of Lalmohan Police Station SI (retd) Md. Asaduzzaman Khan. At one stage of the operation, Md. Hachnain Mamun (32) was arrested with 55 (fifty-five) pieces of Yaba tablets from Ward No. 3 of Charbhuta Union in Lalmohan Upazila.

The father of arrested Hachnain Mamun is Siraj Uddin and the mother is Samarth Bhanu. He is a resident of Ward No. 3 of Charbhuta Union. During the operation, Hachnain Mamun's accomplice Md. Mizan (28), father- Sofi Panchayat, Sang- Charbhuta Union Ward No. 2, fled after sensing the presence of the police. A case under the Narcotics Control Act is under process at Lalmohan Police Station against the arrested and absconding accused in this incident.

The meeting was organized by the Upazila Administration and Upazila Engineer's Office at the Upazila Parishad Auditorium on Thursday afternoon. The meeting was organized under the Climate and Disaster Resilient Small-Scale Water Resources Management Project. Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Romana Riaz presided over the meeting. Project Director Enamul Kabir was present as the chief guest.

Former Chief Engineer Gopal Krishna Debnath, Naogaon Executive Engineer Md. Badruddoja, Additional Agriculture Officer Moniruzzaman Talki, Upazila BNP General Secretary Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury (Labu), Upazila BNP former President Principal Abdun Nur, Vice President Joynal Abedin, Former Joint Convener Moklesur Rahman and Upazila Mango Traders Cooperative Association Limited General Secretary Imam Hossain Rifat, Chairman of No. 5 Patari Union Parishad Md. Jahangir Alam Master. 

At this time, the speakers highlighted the importance of sustainable development of the mango industry in Sapahar, ensuring modern storage facilities, improving market management and reducing public suffering by eliminating traffic congestion and shifting the mango market to a planned location. In addition, emphasis was laid on taking effective initiatives based on the opinions of all concerned. Officials of various government departments, public representatives, political figures, mango farmers, businessmen and local dignitaries were present at the meeting.

The guide Md. Ismail, who was with them, immediately reported the matter to the Bagalek Army Camp at around 6 pm. After receiving the information, a rescue operation was launched by the army, police and locals. After a long search, the bodies of the two tourists were recovered from a mountain gorge adjacent to the view point at around 11 pm. Meanwhile, locals say that they may have lost control and fallen into the gorge due to excessive speed and lack of knowledge of the mountain path. Confirming the truth of the incident, Ruma Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Manas Barua told reporters, "The bodies of two tourists have been recovered from a mountain gorge in the Bagalek View Point area. Necessary legal proceedings are underway after recovering the bodies. The real cause of the incident is being investigated, he said.

Recently, news has spread across the country that life-destroying microplastics have been detected in milk paste and soybean oil after testing them in various laboratories, including BSTI. There has been widespread concern among consumers about the issue. In the meantime, the sale of these products in various stores, including grocery stores, has decreased significantly. Consumers are using tooth powder instead of paste and mustard oil instead of soybean oil. Arman Hossain and Jahangir Alam said that the administration needs to supervise.

However, sellers of powdered milk, soybean oil and paste said that microplastics were not found in the paste of all companies, according to representatives of Kospani. As a result, businessmen Shimul Hossain and Shah Alam said that they are giving importance to selling products of good companies.

However, business leaders strongly demanded that companies remove products containing microplastics from the market with the cooperation of the government in these matters.

Conscious citizens demand that public awareness about products containing microplastics should not be panicked and anxious.

According to BR, the state-run service provider took various measures at its monthly operational review meeting with BR Director General Md Afzal Hossain in the chair.

“Under the measures, Bangladesh Railway will identify stone-throwing-prone areas and take necessary preventive measures to ensure the safety and security of trains and passengers,” BR Director General Md Afzal Hossain said.

 “The railway authorities will distribute awareness leaflets on Cox's Bazar railway route and engage local community leaders and influential persons in efforts to prevent stone-throwing incidents,” he said. 

He urged all to build awareness about the harmfulness of stone throwing incident on moving trains, which wounds passengers and damage public property.

The director general said that officials concerned have been instructed to immediately inform the police about stone-throwing incidents so that the Government Railway Police-GRP (GRP) can take legal action against those involved.

“The Divisional Railway Managers will send letters containing information on stone-throwing incidents to Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) in areas identified as vulnerable such of incidents to facilitate preventive action,” he said.

According to the meeting decisions, location-specific information on such incidents will be communicated to the Additional Inspector General of GRP through official correspondence.

It further decided that the GRP would take necessary measures to prevent stone-throwing towards moving trains as well as theft and robbery, including ACP (Aluminum Composite Pane), air-conditioning and signalling equipment.

Besides, Bangladesh Railway decided to enforce stricter measures to prevent passengers from travelling on the roofs of trains.

The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs plans to implement the five-year project from 2026 to 2031 to bring electricity to remote areas where grid expansion is difficult and expensive.

Ministry officials said unreliable electricity continues to hamper education, agriculture and socio-economic development in remote hill areas, making off-grid solar power the most practical and sustainable solution.

The government is yet to decide whether the project will be implemented by the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs or the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

The proposal was discussed at this year's Deputy Commissioners' Conference, where the Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati recommended a dedicated project to provide uninterrupted electricity and achieve full electrification in the hill districts. 

Following the proposal, the Cabinet Division sought opinions from the relevant ministries to assess the project's feasibility.

Secretary of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mohammad Mizanur Rahman told that the project has been included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) as an unapproved "Green Leaf" project, meaning it has received preliminary policy recognition and may later be developed into a full Development Project Proposal (DPP).

"If the project is approved under the DPP, implementation will begin in 2026 and continue until 2031," he said.

Officials said both the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs have submitted separate proposals to the Planning Commission to expand electricity coverage in the hill districts.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has also emphasized expanding renewable energy to address global energy challenges. 

On July 26, he said the government was positively considering allowing solar power generation on uncultivable land in tea gardens and assured necessary financial support for renewable energy initiatives.

According to the latest June report of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), the second phase of the solar electrification project in the Chittagong Hill Tracts has already been completed.

However, many remote settlements remain without electricity despite the completion of the project.

The report said the region's rugged topography, dense forests and poor transport infrastructure make grid expansion highly expensive and technically difficult. 

As a result, off-grid solar photovoltaic systems have been identified as the most effective, practical and sustainable solution for providing electricity to remote communities.

The second-phase project, titled "Electricity Supply through Installation of Solar Panels (Phase II)," was implemented from July 2020 to June 2023 at an estimated cost of Tk 21771 lakh.

Field-level assessments found that the project significantly improved the quality of life of beneficiary households, with all beneficiaries gaining access to lighting and mobile phone charging facilities.

On Friday at 10 am, a colorful rally was held in the city by hoisting the national and organization flags at the District Mahila Parishad office on College Road and after parading various roads, a discussion meeting was held at the Mallika Restaurant Center in the Police Super Market under the chairmanship of District Mahila Parishad member Suraiya Begum and presented by Fahmida Amberin, with Bangladesh Mahila Parishad member Pushpa Chakraborty as the chief guest. The special guests were the members of the central committee, former president of the Barguna district committee, Nazma Begum, member of the central committee, Sunanda Samaddar, members of the district committee, senior member Fazilatunnesa, Rashida Begum, Maksuda Begum, Nandita Pal, Tapshi Karmakar, general secretary of the Barguna district branch, Nadia Sultana, general secretary of the Kaukhali branch, Shahida Haque, president of the Human Rights Council, Morsheda Begum Mou.

The former general secretary of the Patuakhali Press Club, RTV and Samakal' correspondent Mufti Salauddin, journalist Firoz Ahmed delivered the welcome address.

The speakers called on everyone to unite by forming a committee of the Mahila Parishad at the grassroots level to prevent all kinds of violence against women and girls. Inspired by the ideals of Begum Rokeya, a pioneer of women's liberation in establishing a humane society, the women leaders called on the women's society to be courageous and come forward to implement women's rights. A cultural program on women's liberation was held at the event with the participation of local artists.

The second-quarter reports from ExxonMobil and Chevron reflect the overwhelmingly positive impacts to the industry's bottom line from the US-Iran war, which has led to an unprecedented supply shock due to the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

But huge oil industry profit increases often generate political blowback.

Even Trump, a strong supporter of fossil fuel interests, has lashed out over gasoline prices, announcing in June that he was directing the Department of Justice to investigate any "gouging" perpetrated by the industry.

"Gasoline prices better start going down a lot faster than what I'm seeing," Trump said in a June 24 social media post.

Trump at the time was questioning why gasoline prices had not fallen further in a period when a US-Iran ceasefire had translated into sharply lower crude prices.

But US gasoline prices have shot back above $4 a gallon on the latest war escalations. On Thursday, US prices stood at $4.10 per gallon, about 31 percent above year-ago levels, according to the American Automobile Association.

Meanwhile, polling has shown Trump increasingly vulnerable on pocketbook issues ahead of the November midterms. Roughly two-thirds of voters said that Trump's policies have worsened economic conditions, according to a CNN poll this week.

The US earnings reports Friday come on the heels of staggering results in recent days from European petroleum heavyweights. Shell saw profits triple to $10.8 billion while TotalEnergies reported a doubling of profits to $5.4 billion.

Such mammoth profit increases reflect the lift to crude oil and natural gas prices from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's crude oil and one-fourth of liquefied natural gas passes each day. The conflict has also tightened oil product supplies, significantly boosting refining margins.

In ExxonMobil's case, the Middle East conflict has also had dented output due to Iran's strikes on key assets in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In May, ExxonMobil said the downed LNG trains in Qatar would translate to a loss of roughly 100,000 oil-equivalent barrels per day.

But ExxonMobil is still projected to report $14.9 billion in quarterly profits, according to S&P Capital IQ, more than double the profit of the year-ago period.

Chevron is forecast to report profits of $11.1 billion, more than four times the 2025 level.

- Defending buybacks -

NGOs including Oxfam have blasted continued fossil fuel investment when wildfires and flooding underscore the urgency of addressing climate change.

"It's really unfair that when people are suffering, these companies are making huge profits," said Oxfam's climate policy lead Mariana Paoli.

Oxfam backs windfall profit taxes that have support in some European countries but are not on the political radar in Washington.

Lowering gasoline prices before November is high on Trump's priority list, prompting numerous White House meetings, according to US media reports.

Trump took credit for a July 6 announcement from Walmart that it was lowering prices on such household items as fresh corn, potato chips and ground beef. The company did not comment on Trump's statements.

In past media appearances, ExxonMobil Chief Executive Darren Woods and Chevron Chief Executive Mike Wirth have pointed to increased drilling in US sites such as the shale-rich Permian Basin as evidence of their commitment to boosting supply.

They have defended share buybacks -- a target of former president Joe Biden -- as an aspect of profit-oriented business, while characterizing the spike in oil prices and other commodities as an inevitable outcome of supply disruption.

"There's nothing that the oil companies can actually do," said Kenneth Medlock III, a fellow at the Baker Institute at Rice University in Houston.

"The quickest way to bring gas prices down is for the Iran crisis to disappear," Medlock said. "Most people in the public understand what's going on."

Tangail Sadar constituency MP and State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku inaugurated the swamp and garbage removal program to make DC Lake, one of the entertainment centers and a symbol of beauty in Tangail city, clean and attractive. After the inauguration, he personally participated in removing the swamp from the lake and joined the cleanliness drive with leaders, activists, volunteers and locals.

After visiting DC Lake on Friday morning, the State Minister inspected the overall environment, water condition and cleanliness of the lake. He started the cleaning drive by removing the swamp and various types of garbage that had accumulated for a long time. At the same time, he instructed the concerned officials to continue the regular cleaning activities.

Speaking to reporters, State Minister Tuku said that in addition to government initiatives, the active participation of the general public is needed to build a clean and environmentally friendly city. He said that DC Lake is not just an entertainment center, it is an important part of the beauty and environment of Tangail city. Therefore, everyone must play a responsible role in protecting its cleanliness and beauty.

He also said that as long as necessary, the entire lake will be cleaned in phases. We have a clear plan around DC Lake. We are working with the aim of transforming it into a modern mini tourism center. Recently, I visited the area with the chairman of Bangladesh Tourism Corporation. Along with DC Lake, there is a plan to develop the char area as a large tourism center.

The State Minister said that the commitment made before the election to build a modern tourism center in Tangail is being implemented. He expressed the hope that with everyone's cooperation, it will be possible to turn DC Lake into a modern and attractive entertainment center. In addition, fish farming initiatives will also be taken there, the benefits of which will be enjoyed by the people of Tangail.

He urged everyone to be aware of keeping the city clean and ordered to take effective measures to prevent the accumulation of sewage and garbage in the lake in the future.

Leaders and activists of various BNP organs and associate organizations, members of local voluntary organizations and the general public participated in the cleanliness drive.

With their combined efforts, the work of removing sewage and garbage from different parts of the lake began.

Present at the time were Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, former member secretary of the district BNP Mahmudul Haque Sanu, convener of the district Jubo Dal Khandaker Rashedul Alam, former organizing secretary of the district BNP Shafiqur Rahman Khan Shafiq, central Jubo Dal member Abdullahil Kafi, and leaders and activists of various levels of BNP and its affiliates.

After the inauguration, speakers at a discussion meeting held on the college premises said that the college was deprived of necessary development and government facilities for 17 years because the institution was named after martyred President Ziaur Rahman. As a result, the infrastructural development, learning environment and classroom crisis have been a cause of suffering for students and teachers for a long time.

The speakers also said that the newly constructed academic building will greatly alleviate the classroom crisis of the college. At the same time, a more modern and quality learning environment will be ensured for the students. Emphasis was also placed on continuing the necessary initiatives for the overall development of the college and improving the quality of education in the future.

The meeting, chaired by the college principal Monowar Hossain, was addressed by the executive engineer of the District Education Engineering Department, Md. Hajerul Islam, and Tamanna Yasmin, wife of Engineer Shahrin Islam Chowdhury Tuhin.

Teachers and students of the college, local dignitaries, guardians and people from different classes and professions were present at the event.

The Cupertino-based tech giant's results were powered by robust iPhone demand, a sharp rebound in China and double-digit growth in every region where it operates.

Sales rose 16 percent to $109.4 billion in the April-through-June period, while profit climbed 27 percent to $29.8 billion.

The company's performance was boosted by refunds of tariffs imposed last year by Donald Trump and overturned by the US Supreme Court in February.

Its iPhone sales jumped 22 percent to $54.3 billion as customers kept upgrading to the latest models, while Mac revenue climbed 29 percent, with higher prices doing little to dampen demand.

Apple's services business -- which spans the App Store, iCloud, Apple Music and advertising -- grew 12 percent to $30.7 billion, slightly below analyst expectations.

Souring the picture, Apple forecast revenue growth of between nine and 11 percent in the current quarter, below estimates, citing supply constraints.

Cook told analysts the constraints stemmed from unexpectedly strong demand for the iPhone and Mac.

The guidance sent Apple shares down by as much as eight percent in after-hours trading.

"Today, Apple is proud to report our strongest June quarter ever, with double-digit revenue growth across iPhone, Mac and Services, and in every geographic segment," Cook said in a statement.

The earnings announcement was expected to be the last for Cook as chief executive.

- CEO change -

John Ternus, who attended the post earnings analysts call with Cook, will take over as Apple chief executive on September 1, with Cook becoming executive chairman of the iPhone maker's board.

Cook has led the company since 2011, taking over shortly before the death of co-founder Steve Jobs.

Long criticized for falling behind in the AI race, Apple is now being rewarded by Wall Street for resisting the vast investments its big tech rivals have poured into chips and data centers.

Apple touched a $5 trillion market value this week, while some rivals have seen their shares punished as investors question the profitability of their huge AI bets.

Meta's shares sank about nine percent Thursday after this week's results stoked alarm over its spending.

Microsoft, by contrast, rose sharply after signaling its AI bets were starting to pay off.

The major concern for Apple's business is rising prices for memory chips, a key component for electronics.

The iPhone maker in June raised prices for its Mac computers and iPad tablets, citing spiraling memory and storage costs sparked by the rise of artificial intelligence, though it spared the iPhone.

Cook told analysts it was too early to say how those price hikes would affect demand over time.

Attention is now turning to how Apple will price its next lineup of smartphones, expected in September and reportedly including a foldable model.

This week the company also launched Apple Upgrade, a leasing program that lets US customers pay for an iPhone or other devices in monthly installments.

Its revenue increased 20 percent to more than $200 billion in the second quarter, compared to last year, with its cloud business, Amazon Web Services, jumping 37 percent to reach $42.2 billion.

The company meanwhile said that two of its AI-related divisions grew by "triple-digit percentages" -- its AI cloud and chips businesses each "exceeded" $25 billion annual revenue run rates, a measure of recurring sales.

Amazon stock jumped by more than 7 percent after hours.

The company is working to show that its heavy investments in artificial intelligence, alongside the rest of the tech sector, are paying off.

AWS is "booming," Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said during a call with analysts Thursday afternoon.

He added that the company believes AWS alone could "very possibly be a trillion-dollar annual revenue business for us in time."

The company has developed its own AI models, known as Nova, though a recent report from Business Insider said the company is winding down that work.

"AWS and Amazon can have a wildly successful business without its own frontier model," Jassy said on Thursday, but he denied it was abandoning the effort. "We are pursuing our own frontier model."

It also offers customers access to dozens of other models from developers, including those from OpenAI, which makes ChatGPT, and Anthropic, which makes Claude.

Some AWS customers are even using the service "to build their own foundation models," which are "smaller models that leverage their proprietary data," rather than using bigger AI models from other competitors, Jassy said.

Amazon has made investments and signed partnerships worth billions with both OpenAI and Anthropic.

-Spending billions -

Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta are collectively on track to pour around $700 billion into AI data centers, chips and computing infrastructure this year.

On Thursday, Amazon increased its estimate for capital expenditures in 2026.

It now expects to spend $220 billion this year, up from its previous estimate of $200 billion, Jassy said.

On Wednesday, Microsoft adjusted its forecast for total spending in the 2026 calendar year to $175 billion, down from $190 billion previously.

The maker of LinkedIn and Xbox likewise showed growth in revenue and profits, and said that its AI-powered business productivity tool, called Copilot, grew to over 30 million paid users.

Microsoft shares soared over 15 percent on Thursday after reporting results on Wednesday that beat expectations.

Meta meanwhile raised its spending estimate to as much as $145 billion this year, nearly double what it spent in 2025, when it reported its results on Wednesday.

The maker of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp reaffirmed that it would keep spending heavily on the data centers and chips underpinning its AI effort.

Meta's shares dropped as much as 12 percent during after-hours trading on Wednesday after it reported disappointing results, and closed down another 8 percent on Thursday.

Last week, Alphabet increased its capital expenditure estimate for the full year to as much as $205 billion, a jump from its previous estimate of $190 billion that CFO Anat Ashkenazi said was driven by AI investments. 

The manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI), a closely watched gauge of industrial health, fell into contraction territory at 49.2, data by the National Bureau of Statistics showed.

That was well below the 50.1 expansion forecast by Bloomberg based on a survey of economists, and also down from June's 50.3.

China's manufacturing sector has faced uncertainty this year due to the Middle East war, which has driven up global energy prices.

Booming exports underpinned by strong demand overseas for electronics and AI hardware have provided a lifeline as domestic consumption remains weak.

In a stark sign of woes, the official non-manufacturing PMI, which measures activity in sectors such as services and construction, fell sharply to 49.0 in July, the data showed Friday.

That contraction was the most pronounced in more than three years.

The reading indicated "a decline in the non-manufacturing sector's prosperity level" in July, said NBS statistician Huo Lihui in a statement.

The lacklustre figures come one day after President Xi Jinping acknowledged "difficulties and challenges" facing the country's economy.

Xi said in a speech addressing leaders that in the second half of the year "we must enhance the effectiveness of macroeconomic policies (while) focusing on tapping the potential of domestic demand", according to state news agency Xinhua.

"There was a steady stream of people all night long," and while arrivals were lower than during the day, migrants "continued to arrive overnight and are still arriving" on Friday morning, the source said.

A total of 18 people died while attempting to reach the Spanish enclave, the source said.

The delegation arrived in Cox's Bazar on Friday at 12 noon. After 2 pm, they went to Kutupalong Rohingya Camp No. 4 in Ukhiya. Later, the delegation visited the food assistance activities run by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), the extended part of Camp No. 4, Camp No. 8W and Camp No. 6. Later, they visited the hospital run by the Red Crescent. In the afternoon, the team led by Sergio Gore visited the UNHCR-run registration center.

During the visit, the US Special Envoy observed various humanitarian assistance activities being conducted by the US.

During the visit, US Special Envoy Sergio Gore also spoke with officials from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and officials from the Rohingya Refugee Relief and Repatriation Office of the Bangladesh government.

During the visit, the delegation also spoke with several leaders of the Rohingya community and listened to their current crisis and needs.

The US Embassy said that the Special Envoy's visit will further strengthen the Bangladesh-US strategic relationship, regional security, and the US commitment to a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis.

"According to information received from the deployed teams, 34x Dead bodies have been recovered," southern Balochistan's provincial disaster management authority said in a statement.

"The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) has received deeply concerning reports of an avalanche that struck a team of climbers on Broad Peak (8,047m) in the Karakoram mountain range," the club said late on Thursday, adding the team had been led by Nepal-born Purja and could not be reached since the incident.

In July of that year, the Venezuelan government ordered the withdrawal of its diplomatic staff from Chile and six other countries that had called for a review of election results that declared Maduro victorious.

Since his ouster by US forces in January, several countries have resumed relations with Caracas.

"As of today, Chile and Venezuela are beginning a new phase," Chile's hard-right President Jose Antonio Kast stated.

"The agreement will allow us to move forward on the tremendous challenges we face as countries on the same continent...related to security, migration, and economic development," he added.

Kast is looking to expel some 330,000 undocumented people from Chile, and not having diplomatic ties with Venezuela has proven to be an obstacle to that objective.

Under a bill enacted in May, Japan has upgraded an existing intelligence body to serve as the central command for collecting and analysing information related to security and public safety.

The new National Intelligence Bureau will integrate information gathered by ministries and report to the National Intelligence Council, also newly created and headed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Japanese officials have long argued that the nation needs to improve its intelligence capacity to deter foreign spies, prevent terrorism, safeguard sensitive technologies and improve national security.

Critics say Tokyo's existing policies and law enforcement against espionage are too relaxed.

The New York Times reported this month that Russia had turned Japan into a "den of spies" and a key source of dual-use technology needed for its war in Ukraine.

The report cited Ukrainian government estimates that 90 percent of Russian missiles and drones contain Japanese components.

Concerns have in recent years also been raised about weaknesses in Japan's cybersecurity defences.

Takaichi's critics have voiced concerns that the upgraded intelligence apparatus might lead to the government's overreach and infringe upon individual freedom and privacy.

The deceased were identified as Md Jamir Uddin, 32, a resident of Bara Manika area under Borhanuddin upazila in Bhola, and Rokaiya Akter, 30, a resident of Lalbagh in Dhaka.

According to reports, a group of 10 tourists traveled from Dhaka to Ruma on Wednesday night riding six motorcycles. They stayed at a cottage in the Boga Lake area.

On Thursday afternoon, the group went to visit the Boga Lake View Point. After taking photographs, eight of them returned, while Jamir and Rokaiya rode their motorcycle past the view point and continued ahead.

Their guide, Md Ismail, informed the Boga Lake Army Camp about the matter around 6 pm. Later, a joint search operation was launched by the army, police, and locals.

The bodies of the two tourists were recovered from a hill basin near the view point at around 11 pm.

Ruma Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Manas Barua confirmed the recovery of the bodies and said necessary legal procedures are underway.

In Shailkupa of Jhenaidah, Afroza Khatun (26), wife of Shamim Hossain of Sripur village, died after being electrocuted while cooking rice in an electric rice cooker.

The accident occurred around 7 pm last night.

Family members said Afroza noticed a burning smell and opened the cooker lid, at that point she was electrocuted. Relatives rushed her to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared her death at 8 pm.

Emergency physician Dr. Soya Israil confirmed that she passed away before reaching the hospital. The body was kept in the hospital morgue. In Badalgachhi of Naogaon district, Shree Biman (38), son of Shree Babu of Nayagaon village, died this morning while working at a fish pond in Sherpur Gachkuri area.

Police and locals said Biman was draining out water from the pond using an electric pump to catch fishes. He was electrocuted when he accidentally touched a live wire around 11:30 am.

Locals rescued him in a critical condition and took him to Badalgachhi Upazila Health Complex, where doctors announced him dead.

Officer-in-Charge Md. Ruhul Amin confirmed that police visited the site and said legal procedures are underway.

They made this call at the exchange of views and general meeting held at the office of the Rangpur Motorcycle Mechanical Workshop Owners Association (RMMWOA) in the Senpara area of the city this (Friday) morning.

Under the direction of Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RpMP) Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud, the RMMWOA organised the programme to increase public awareness to prevent environmental and noise pollution and to ensure discipline in the road situation.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Police (Traffic) of RpMP Maruf Ahmed attended the event as the chief guest with RMMWOA President Rafiqul Islam in the chair.

Rangpur Divisional Director of the Department of Environment Md Runayet Amin Reza participated in the programme as the keynote speaker.

Motor Vehicle Inspector at the Rangpur Circle Office of BRTA Md Mahbubar Rahman and its General Secretary of RMMWOA Md Litan Mia addressed the event as special guests.

Joint General Secretary of RMMWOA Md Golam Rabbani (Angur) moderated the programme held under the supervision of its General Secretary Md Jahurul Haque.

The chief guest said that the conscious role of all workshop owners and concerned in controlling environmental and noise pollution, avoiding unnecessary horns and loud noises, and keeping motorcycle silencers and other parts of the machine up to standard is very important.

"I call on everyone to provide environmentally friendly and legal services spontaneously to control environmental and noise pollution in Rangpur metropolis," he said.

The leaders and members of the RMMWOA present at the programme expressed their determination to work in coordination with the administration to prevent environmental pollution and noise pollution.

"Let's be aware of protecting the environment, and build a noise-pollution- free and safe Rangpur," said RMMWOA president Rafikul Islam in his concluding speech.

The results of the election were announced last night after voting from 10 am to 4 pm on Thursday.

The other elected office-bearers are: Senior Vice President - Abdul Oli, Vice President - Sheikh Md. Sahibur Rahman Saheb, Joint General Secretary -Mahbub Morshed Lalon, Assistant Secretaries - Sheikh Moniruzzaman, Md. Maqbul Hossain, Sarmina Akhter, Md. Sajjad Hossain and BM Nurul Islam. 

The elected executive members are Md. Saidul Islam Elin, Isadul Fakir, Jannatul Ferdous, Bijoya Lopa, Md. Kamrul Islam Sumon, Sharmin Akhter, Abdullah Al Mamun Khan and Ayesha Siddika. 

The voting was held in a festive atmosphere. The number of total voters was 507 while 450 votes were cast. In the election, 38 candidates contested for a total of 17 posts. 

Organized by Intefa, the workshop aimed to raise awareness among farmers about the proper use of pesticides and safe crop production. After the training, safety clothing, sprayer-charger machines and other necessary materials were distributed among 45 farmers.

Paba Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Mannan attended the programme as the chief guest. He said safe and nutritious food is essential for human health, disease resistance and mental well-being, urging all concerned to work together for safe food production.

Intefa Rajshahi Divisional Coordinator Abdul Barik discussed safe pesticide application methods and product guidelines for preventing diseases in paddy and other crops.

The programme was moderated by Intefa Rajshahi Territory Officer Sabbir Ahmed. Upazila Agricultural Extension Officer Raihan Uddin, Intefa District Coordinator Shahidul Islam, Sub-Assistant Plant Protection Officer Hafizur Rahman and other officials were present.

According to locals, although modern bus terminals have been built in various districts of the country, Munshiganj Sadar is still lagging behind in this regard. Although the Hatlakshiganj area of the district city has been known as a bus stand for a long time, there is no passenger shelter, ticket counter, toilet, parking or specific arrangement for parking buses. As a result, the area has practically become an unplanned place for vehicle movement. It is a bus stand in name only. Although there have been discussions on building a bus stand on government land adjacent to the Palli Bidyut Samity on its northern side, no effective initiative has been taken in this regard.

It is known that about five lakh people of Sadar Upazila regularly travel to the capital Dhaka for education, medical treatment, business, employment and various administrative work. But since there is no permanent system for buses to leave directly from the district town, most of the passengers have to go to the Muktarpur Bridge area to catch a bus. Many others go by water to Sadarghat or Narayanganj and reach their destination by road from there.

Some students who travel to Dhaka every day said that they have to rush to catch a bus even after leaving early in the morning. Sometimes they have to change to a rickshaw or an auto-rickshaw to go to Muktarpur. This increases both time and fare.

Student Saidur Rahman Ifti said, the cost of education is increasing due to paying additional fare every day. If there was a permanent bus stand in the district town, we would have saved both time and money.”

Private sector employee Md. Jahirul Islam said, “The distance from Munshiganj to Dhaka is only 22 kilometers. However, due to the lack of a bus stand, an additional 150 to 300 taka is spent every day. This is a big financial burden for regular commuters. We want a permanent bus stand in the district town.”

Several businessmen have also reported similar suffering. According to them, the lack of passenger and goods transportation facilities is also negatively affecting business and trade. If a modern bus stand is built in the district town, business activities will expand further and transportation costs will be reduced.

Sources said that in the past, proposals to build a permanent bus stand were raised several times in various district development coordination meetings. The concerned departments also discussed possible locations. There was also a plan to build a bus stand next to the Palli Bidyut Samity in the Hatlakshiganj area of the city. But it was not implemented due to administrative complications, land acquisition problems and lack of project approval. As a result, the matter has remained limited to paper and pen for years.

Hamida Khatun, vice-president of the District Mahila Parishad, said, “Munshiganj is a traditional district of Bangladesh, whose former name was Bikrampur. Many national leaders including the President, Ministers, and Members of Parliament have been elected from this district. But the development has not been as expected. The failure to build a planned bus stand in the district town is a major failure of the development plan.”

According to conscious citizens, the construction of a modern bus stand will not only reduce the suffering of passengers; at the same time, traffic congestion will be controlled, discipline in the transport system will be maintained, trade and commerce will expand and the beauty of the district town will increase. In addition, long-distance bus travel will be easier and there will be a positive impact on tourism and investment.

Local passengers complain that in the current situation, sick patients, women, children, elderly people and disabled passengers are suffering the most. They have to wait for the bus in the Muktarpur Bridge area in the rain or in the scorching sun. The suffering increases further as there is no safe passenger shelter or permanent bus stand there.

Dighirpar Paribahan Managing Director Md. Nur Hossain said, “Since 1990, we have been trying for a permanent bus terminal in Munshiganj town. We have proposed this to the District Commissioner’s office several times. There was also talk of building a bus stand in the old bus stand of the city and in the Katakhali area. But no progress has been made. If the concerned authorities want, it is possible to open a temporary bus stand in the Court or Lichutola area for the time being. This will provide some convenience to Dhaka-bound passengers. However, our main demand is that a permanent bus stand should be built quickly.”

The demands of local conscious citizens should not be limited to political promises or discussions in development meetings, but should now be implemented. If the permanent bus stand construction project is quickly taken up in coordination with the concerned government ministries, local government departments and the district administration, the many years of suffering of millions of people in the district will end.

Munshiganj District Citizens Committee Convener Md. Arif ul Islam said, “Initiatives were taken several times in the past to build a district bus stand. But due to the indifference of public representatives and the administration, it did not see the light of day. Currently, while taking development plans, there is no coordination with local citizen representatives. As a result, realistic plans are not made and in the end, the people of the district are deprived.”

In this regard, Deputy Commissioner Syeda Nurmahal Ashrafi said, “No activities are being taken for the construction of a permanent bus stand for the time being. Currently, road renovation and development work is underway. Review the situation after these tasks are completed.

The cleaning drive is being carried out on Thursday morning under the direction of RCC Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton to keep the city's drainage system functional and reduce public sufferings.

RCC workers are removing silt, mud, bushes and weeds from drains in different areas of the city as part of the ongoing cleanliness campaign.

As part of the drive, silt was removed from several drains in Uposhohor under Ward No. 14. Cleaning activities are also continuing at the road-side drain adjacent to Greater Road and different drains in Padma Residential Area.

The RCC Administrator has instructed officials and employees concerned to strengthen cleanliness activities, mosquito control measures, silt removal, tree plantation, greening and beautification programmes to build a clean, safe and livable city.

Local residents welcomed the initiative. Ariful Islam Palash of Dorikharbona area said the drain in the Greater Road area had not been cleaned for a long time, causing rainwater stagnation on roads.

RCC Conservancy Officers Zubair Hossain Moon, Shahriar Jitu, Ashrafuzzaman Sajib and conservancy supervisors were present during the drive.

Gerhard is expected to begin working with the players currently attending the Asian Games training camp without delay. Speaking briefly upon his arrival in Dhaka, he expressed confidence in the potential of the Bangladesh team. "In my opinion, the team is much better than the results they achieved in the recent tournaments. We have to improve the current situation, and that is exactly what we'll work on," the German coach said. Referring to the challenges ahead and the long-term rewards, he added, "The players will have to go through a very tough period over the coming weeks and work extremely hard. But in the end, they will enjoy the rewards of that hard work."

Recalling his long association with Bangladesh hockey, the German coach also wished the federation's new leadership success. Gerhard has previously served as head coach of the Bangladesh national hockey team on several occasions.

In the ninth or last round games were held on Thursday last, FM Tahsin defeated GM Mikhail Bryakin of Serbia. Earlier, in the eighth or penultimate round, FM Tahsin defeated FIDE Master Artem Postnikov of Serbia. IM Sathvik Adiga of India became champion with 6.5 points.

A total of 10 players including three grandmasters, two International Masters and five FIDE Masters from Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, India, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine participated in the event which was held in a round-robin league system.

In the fifth round, he defeated his Hungarian Grandmaster (GM) Dávid Bérczes. He played with the white pieces, faced GM D vid B,rczes, who employed the French Defense.

The game continued to the Advance Variation, IM Neer secured an impressive victory at 28 moves.

"Of course if I'm here it's because of him and to help him and Inter Miami," the former Real Madrid midfielder said of the Argentine star who now captains Miami.

"I want to enjoy being with him, help him win, make him even greater. He's one of the gods, if not the god of football," Casemiro said as he was officially introduced by his new Major League Soccer club.

Casemiro, who arrived in MLS after a four-year stint at Manchester United, has already played his first minutes for the Herons in a 1-0 win over Montreal on Saturday.

Argentine star Messi sat that one out less than two weeks after his country's World Cup final defeat to Spain.

Casemiro said he was looking forward to playing alongside, rather than against, Messi, after their many battles in the Spanish league clasicos between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

"I know he's impossible to stop. I never managed it," Casemiro said. "I always needed help from my teammates. And in the two training sessions I've already had with him, it's already clear he's impossible to stop."

Miami co-owner Jorge Mas beamed as he handed over Casemiro's pink jersey and denied there had been any impropriety in signing him despite MLS's investigation into possible "tampering".

The probe focuses on MLS's system of "discovery rights," which must be acquired by a cub before they can start negotiating with some high-profile players.

Casemiro was on LA Galaxy's list, and Mas said he had contacted the club before starting talks with the Brazilian.

"The rules are the rules, and we abided by those rules to the letter of the law," Mas said, saying Miami hadn't entered talks with Casemiro or his representatives before talking to the Galaxy.

Shanto’s side will tour Australia without pacer Nahid Rana, left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam and wicket-keeper batter Liton Das, all ruled out with injuries.

"In Australia, our expectation will definitely be that the pace bowlers take 20 wickets. We also have two experienced spinners who will support them," Shanto said here today.

"The pace bowlers in this squad are capable, and apart from Musfik Hasan, everyone has been playing international cricket for many years. If they bowl to their potential, it is certainly possible for us to take 20 wickets," he said.

The captain said injuries were beyond the team's control and insisted those selected were capable of delivering.

"Injuries are actually beyond our control. Any player can get injured at any time. But I have the belief on my side which is going to Australia. I believe that they can play good cricket," Shanto said.

"It would not be logical to think about whether there could have been better players. What is important is how well we can play with this team and how much faith I have in the players, and I have full confidence in them."

Shanto admitted the importance of the injured trio but said their absence also presented an opportunity for others to establish themselves.

"Nahid Rana, Shoriful and Liton Das are definitely important players. But those who are in the squad have also been playing for many years. This is a big opportunity for those who get the chance to perform," he said.

"It would not be right to expect that I will always have my best players available as captain. I have complete faith in those who have been selected."

Although Bangladesh have not toured Australia for more than two decades, Shanto said adapting quickly to local conditions would be the key to success.

"It is difficult to judge the conditions from here. We will understand them only after we arrive. Whatever the conditions are, as professional cricketers we have to cope with it," he said.

With uncertainty still surrounding the country's premier franchise competition, the BCB has yet to make an official announcement regarding the next edition.

After a board of directors meeting yesterday night, Tamim said the board would emphasize on quality regarding the BPL.

"We will not hold the BPL just for the sake of holding it. I don't think we have enough time," Tamim said.

"If we organize the BPL in the future, we will do it properly. We will organize it the way it should be," he said.

Tamim also spoke about his new role in international cricket administration after being appointed chairman of the ICC's Franchise Cricket Oversight Committee during the recent ICC Board meetings.

He said he attended the informal meeting on July 9 before taking part in the formal sessions on July 11 and 12, where he was warmly received by fellow board members.

"The ICC meeting went well. I joined the first informal meeting on July 9. I attended the formal meetings for two days on July 11 and 12. They welcomed me. I delivered my speech and spoke whenever it was necessary," he said.

Citing the appointment a proud moment for both himself and Bangladesh, Tamim said the committee would oversee the growth and governance of franchise leagues around the world.

"It is a matter of great pride for me and for the country. I was made chairman of a committee on the very first day," he said.

"Franchise leagues are being launched in different countries around the world. Our responsibility is to see whether the proper processes are being followed and whether things that should not be happening are taking place in those leagues.”

He said that his committee has also assigned several other responsibilities apart from the franchise leagues.

“The committee has also been assigned several other responsibilities related to international cricket. We will discuss those issues and take the appropriate steps."

It will play a role in creating a modern, beautiful and quality educational environment. The MP said in his speech that this madrasa will work as one of the foundations for the formation of an ideal generation in combination with modern education, in addition to spreading religious and moral education. Magura Additional District Magistrate Swashati Shil, District BNP Joint Convener Alamgir Hossain, Magura Municipal BNP President Masud Hasan Khan Kizil and local dignitaries were present at the inauguration ceremony on Thursday morning.

The MP later inaugurated the newly constructed building of Sreepur Government College, Khamar Padha Girls' School, Sreepur Upazila, distributed bicycles among the students of minority communities, inspected the Red Crescent Hospital, inspected the erosion-affected areas of the Gorai River, and inaugurated the plan taken to prevent erosion. The locals thanked and wished Alhaj Monowar Hossain Khan, MP, MP of Magura-1 constituency for these positive initiatives for the development of education.

Among others the Directors of the Bank Mr Engineer Md. Towhidur Rahman, Mr. Abdul Hakim and Independent Director Mr. Md. Reazul Karim were present in the conference. The Additional Managing Director of the Bank Mr. Md. Abdullah Al-Mamun, the Deputy Managing Directors Mr. Rashed Sarwar and Mr. M. M. Saiful Islam participated & delivered speech in this conference. The Deputy Managing Director Mr. Md. Jafar Sadeq, FCA discussed elaborately on the overall performance of first six months of 2026. Through this hybrid platform conference more than one thousand participants took part in the conference. The SEVP & Company Secretary of the Bank Mr. Md. Abul Bashar moderated in the conference.

In the conference, the speakers discussed the business performance of the first six months of the current year and urged to take necessary strategy and action plan to achieve the business target for the remaining time of the year.

“The current government does not consider who voted for it and who did not when implementing development projects,” he told the inauguration ceremony of the renovation and widening of a four-kilometer stretch of the Chanchra–Rajganj GC Road in Sadar Upazila.

Before the national election, Amit had promised to renovate this road.

He said the BNP received comparatively fewer votes in Chanchra Union during the last election.
Despite that, because of the government's people-oriented policies, the first road development project in the area—a four-kilometer road renovation involving around Taka 4 crore has begun in Chanchra Union.

Not only that, the first Family Card distribution in Jashore was also launched in this union, he added.

He also noted that the 500-bed Medical College Hospital in Jashore, recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Tarek Rahman in person, is located in Chanchra Union.

The state minister said that the government is working above party politics, giving priority to protecting the people's basic rights and improving local infrastructure.

Jashore District BNP President Syed Saberul Haque Sabu, Zila Parishad Administrator Delwar Hossain Khokon and Deputy Director of the Local Government Division and Administrator of Jashore Municipality Rafiqul Hasan, Chanchra Union BNP President Rezaul Karim were present, among others.

According to the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the four-kilometer Chanchra–Rajganj road in Jashore Sadar Upazila is being repaired and widened at a cost of Taka 3.74 crore under the Rural Road Repair and Maintenance Programme.

He reaffirmed government's commitment to building a liberal democratic Bangladesh.

"We must stand against those who want to divide the country on the basis of religion. We cannot indulge fundamentalism. We want to build a liberal, democratic Bangladesh," he said.

The LGRD Minister also the Secretary General of BNP, said this while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled "Ensuring Protection and Security of Minorities" organized by the Sammilita Sanatan Parishad at Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in the city today.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury inaugurated the event.

Fakhrul emphasized that Bangladesh historically a land of harmony where people of all faiths are living together for thousands of years.

Recalling the nation's struggle for liberation, he noted that the 1971 War of Liberation was fought on the core ideals of freedom, sovereignty, and unity regardless of religious identity.

Acknowledging past democratic setbacks over the 15 years of Hasina regime, the Minister stressed that a fully functioning democratic system is the only guarantee for protecting the equal rights, freedom of worship, and life and property of all citizens.

Highlighting the government's inclusive policies, Fakhrul pointed out that the current administration in its 31-point state reform agenda outlined the plan to ensure representation of Sanatan, ethnic minority, plainland, and hill communities in the state affairs.

He added that the government has actively taken full measures to ensure safety and security during major religious festivals, including Durga Puja and Rath Yatra.

Reassuring members of religious minority communities, the minister urged them not to feel isolated or consider them as ‘minorities’, but to assert for their equal constitutional rights as equal citizens of the country.

"We are children of the same motherland. Guided by our shared culture and history, we will move forward together," he added.

The minister made the remarks after inaugurating a tree plantation programme and month-long tree fair on the old DC Court premises in Jhenaidah.

He said the interim government had promulgated 133 ordinances based on the commission's recommendations.

Most of the reforms had been accepted, while a special committee had been formed to amend the remaining ones.

Asked about Sheikh Hasina's possible return, he said the government would take all necessary legal measures if she returned, adding that she would face the court and the government would act within the law.

On the Habiganj attack case involving NCP leaders, he said the case would be investigated impartially and legal action would be taken against those found responsible.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Political Assistant to the Prime Minister Rashed Khan, Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Noman Hossain, Zila Parishad Administrator M.A. Majid and others were present.

"We are not merely solving problems; we are building a new service culture at Bangladesh's airports," she said in an exclusive interview with BSS, outlining the government's wide-ranging plans for the country's aviation and tourism sectors.

The minister said the government has taken passenger complaints over baggage handling, airport mismanagement and immigration services seriously and has already introduced a series of measures to improve discipline and service standards.

She said that a 'Code of Conduct' has been introduced at the country's three international airports, while executive magistrates are carrying out regular monitoring at the field level.

For baggage security, vigilance teams, body-worn cameras, CCTV surveillance and a Baggage Reconciliation System have been introduced, she said, adding that baggage delivery time has also been reduced significantly.

International-standard training, modern ground-handling equipment, additional manpower and technology-driven operations are being introduced, while coordination among immigration, customs, airlines and other airport agencies has been strengthened to ensure faster, safer and hassle-free services.

Afroza said these reforms form part of a much broader government vision to transform Bangladesh into a regional aviation hub.

"Under the Prime Minister's leadership, we are working towards transforming Bangladesh into a regional aviation hub," she said.

The strategy includes expanding international connectivity, modernising airline fleets, improving passenger services and developing world-class airport infrastructure, she added.

One of the centrepieces of the aviation expansion plan is the modernisation of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

The minister said a decision has been taken to add 24 new aircraft - 14 Boeing and 10 Airbus aircraft - to Biman's fleet, gradually transforming the national carrier into a modern mixed-fleet airline.

At the same time, the government has initiated a process to lease five aircraft this year, with 40 companies submitting applications to provide aircraft under lease arrangements, she added.

"Our objective is not merely to expand the fleet. We want to build a fuel-efficient, cost-effective and internationally competitive flag carrier," Afroza said.

The new aircraft will be inducted in phases in line with manufacturers' production schedules. Under the government's longer-term roadmap, Biman's fleet is expected to expand to 47 aircraft by FY 2034-35.

Afroza said the government is also pursuing reforms within Biman based on three broad pillars - governance, business strategy and service transformation. Merit-based appointments, accountability and good governance are being prioritised, while existing routes are being commercially reassessed and profitable routes strengthened.

The airline is also examining commercially viable new destinations as part of efforts to expand Bangladesh's presence in international aviation, she said, adding: "The Prime Minister's objective is clear -- Bangladesh's flag should fly in more international skies, with greater confidence."

The minister identified the opening of the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) as another major milestone in the country's aviation transformation.

She said the government is working, in line with the Prime Minister's directive, to make the terminal fully operational by December 16, 2026.

 "The Third Terminal is not simply another terminal. It represents a transformational advancement for Bangladesh's aviation sector and will play an important role in developing the country into a modern regional aviation hub," Afroza said.

The government is also examining opportunities for Bangladeshi airlines to operate to new international destinations, including Bahrain, Male, Jakarta, Seoul, Sydney, Kunming and New York.

The minister said decisions on such routes would depend on commercial viability, market demand, bilateral air services agreements and necessary regulatory approvals. Alongside aviation, the government is undertaking reforms aimed at making Bangladesh a more competitive international tourism destination.

Afroza said the strategy is built around global branding, tourist-friendly travel arrangements and improvement of tourism infrastructure and services. Under Visa Policy 2026, the government plans to modernise visa procedures and gradually introduce e-visas.

The policy also proposes a Medical Tourism (MT) visa for foreigners travelling to Bangladesh for treatment, a Medical Attendant (MA) visa for accompanying persons and a Religious Tourist (RT) visa for foreign visitors travelling for religious purposes, she added.

The government is also working to expand specialised tourism segments, including eco-tourism, community-based tourism, water tourism, culinary tourism and cultural and heritage-based tourism, Afroza said.

 Bangladesh would increasingly focus on digital promotion through documentaries, short videos, reels, social media campaigns and engagement with international content creators and influencers, she said, adding the tourism strategy also involves attracting greater domestic and foreign investment through policy support, simplified regulations, tax facilities, easier financing and public-private partnerships.

The minister said the government's ultimate target is to establish Bangladesh as a safe, modern and international-standard aviation and tourism destination by 2030.

"In aviation, we want world-class airports, improved passenger services and strong regional connectivity," she said, adding: "In tourism, our priorities are sustainable infrastructure, skilled human resources, digital services, diversified tourism products and an investment-friendly environment."

Afroza said people would begin to see visible improvements within the next year through the operationalisation of the HSIA Third Terminal, improved airport services, wider digitalisation, progress under Visa Policy 2026, stronger international tourism branding and greater investment in tourism infrastructure.

Dr Ahammad said the global apparel industry is rapidly shifting from cotton-based products to man-made fibre garments, creating significant opportunities for Bangladesh to diversify its export basket and strengthen its position in the international market.

"Bangladesh cannot afford to miss this transition. Capturing a meaningful share of the global MMF market is essential for sustaining export growth, strengthening competitiveness and securing the future of the country's apparel industry," he said.

Referring to a recent study, he said, the global MMF apparel market is expected to reach US$375 billion by 2030 and Bangladesh should set a target to secure a sizeable share of that market to support its long-term export growth strategy.

Dr Ahammad said the roadmap envisions transforming Bangladesh into a regional hub for MMF apparel through phased reforms, including removing policy barriers, attracting foreign and domestic investment, strengthening backward linkage industries and improving technological capabilities.

He said the government has identified tariff rationalisation on MMF raw materials, faster approval of foreign direct investment (FDI), expansion of domestic polyester staple fibre and synthetic yarn production, access to affordable financing and development of a skilled workforce as key priorities to accelerate the sector's growth.

Despite being the world's second-largest apparel exporter, Bangladesh's export basket remains heavily dependent on cotton products, while global demand is increasingly shifting towards synthetic and blended fibre garments, he observed.

"Expanding MMF production is no longer simply an opportunity; it is an economic necessity as Bangladesh prepares for the post-LDC trading environment," Dr Ahammad said.

He stressed that stronger policy support and coordinated implementation would enable Bangladesh to compete more effectively with leading MMF-producing countries.

The BFTI chief also emphasised the need to extend bonded warehouse facilities, introduce dedicated credit schemes for MMF manufacturers, encourage technology transfer and promote higher-value products such as activewear, sportswear and technical textiles to diversify the country's export basket.

Expressing optimism, Dr Ahammad said timely implementation of the government's roadmap and close collaboration between the public and private sectors would position Bangladesh as a major global supplier of man-made fibre apparel in the coming decade.

"If anyone seeks to use followers of any religion for political or personal interests, or attempts to grab state machinery through religion, it must be understood that they are acting against the almighty, humanity and the fundamental teachings of religion," he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing the biennial conference of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, Barishal district chapter as the chief guest at Barishal District Shilpakala Academy auditorium today.

Drawing distinction between politics and religion, Swapon said, "Philosophy, thought and ideology in politics are not religious matters.

Religious philosophy revolves around the Almighty Creator, whereas political thought centres on public welfare and social interests, he added.

No political symbol or electoral mark is divinely ordained, and no political party or leader is a divine being, he noted saying, “People will accept them as long as their serve people for their welfare, otherwise, the people will reject them.”

Highlighting the importance of communal harmony in the society and raising public awareness in this regard, the minister said true religious practice would be meaningful only when believers could identify those who exploit religion for personal gain.

"Whenever any quarter hatch conspiracy to delicately transform religious sentiments into communal divide, pious people must raise their voices and identify those who exploit the religion," he added.

Expressing the government's commitment to ensuring equal rights for all citizens, Swapon said, people in politics who believe in equal rights for everyone see Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as their strongest representative.

"We have not forgotten the lessons of history. If promises made to the people are not fulfilled, history may repeat again," he said.

“That is why Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has clearly said religion belongs to individuals, but the state belongs to everyone,” Swapon said.

The conference was chaired by Barishal District Puja Udjapan Parishad President Manik Mukharjee Kudu.

Barishal City Corporation Administrator Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin and Zila Parishad Administrator Akon Kuddusur Rahman attended the programme as special guests.

Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad Central General Secretary and journalist Santosh Sharma addressed the function as the main discussant.

Earlier, the chief guest hoisted the national flag with the national anthem. The biennial conference was later inaugurated by releasing balloons and pigeons.

At the beginning of the discussion, five valiant freedom fighters were accorded reception.

Sylhet additional superintendent of police (crime and operations) Zakir Hossain told reporters that BGB members have been deployed in five upazilas — Osmaninagar, Jaintapur, Kanaighat, Gowainghat and Companiganj.

On Thursday, the party will hold a march and rally in Kanaighat at 3:00pm and another in Osmaninagar at 7:00pm.

On Friday, the programmes will be held in Companiganj at 3:00pm, Gowainghat at 5:00pm and Jaintapur at 7:00pm.

Earlier, the home ministry asked the district administration to deploy BGB personnel in the five upazilas to maintain law and order.

Sylhet assistant superintendent of police (media) Samrat Talukder said adequate police personnel both in uniform and plainclothes would be deployed in the five upazilas to maintain discipline during the NCP programmes.

On Thursday, NCP held an exchange of views with members of the families of July uprising martyrs in Golapganj at 11:00am. Central leaders of the party attended the programme.

The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a dialogue titled "Food Value Chain in Bangladesh: Market System, Profit Margin, and Role of Intermediaries," organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) at the BRAC Centre in the city.  Muktadir said logistics costs in Bangladesh account for around 16 percent of GDP, significantly higher than the global average of about 10 percent, adding that lowering these costs would help bring down food prices.

To improve market efficiency, Muktadir said the government is introducing a traceability system across the entire food supply chain—from production to the consumer level—to identify where abnormal price increases and excessive costs occur and eliminate informal charges. The commerce minister said nearly 1.78 crore farming families have limited incomes and savings, restricting their ability to invest in modern technology.

He also identified information asymmetry as a major challenge, saying farmers often lack reliable market information needed for production planning and fair pricing. Calling for a technology-driven transformation of agriculture, he said the time has come to move beyond input subsidies toward an integrated agricultural management system tailored to Bangladesh's soil, climate and farming conditions.

While successive governments have provided subsidies for fertilizers, seeds and irrigation, he said, a coordinated approach based on research and innovation is now essential to improve productivity and strengthen food security. Describing agriculture as a high-risk sector dependent on natural conditions, unlike controlled industrial production, the minister underscored the need for sustained government support, scientific research and modern farming practices to ensure long-term food security.

The dialogue, moderated by CPD Executive Director Dr. Fahmida Khatun, featured a keynote presentation by CPD Senior Research Associate Fakhruddin Al Kabir. In his presentation, Fakhruddin Al Kabir urged the government to undertake comprehensive market reforms, including reducing unnecessary intermediaries, strengthening market oversight, and ensuring greater price transparency to contain food inflation and protect both consumers and producers.

He recommended streamlining food supply chains by eliminating unnecessary intermediary layers and creating more direct marketing channels between farmers and consumers to improve market efficiency. He also called for closer monitoring of wholesale markets to detect trader collusion and dismantle the dominance of powerful procurement intermediaries. To enhance competition, he suggested promoting digital trading platforms and strengthening farmer cooperatives so producers can access multiple buyers and secure fairer prices for their products.

Highlighting the importance of infrastructure, he called for increased investment in modern cold storage facilities, refrigerated transport and other post-harvest management systems to reduce losses of perishable commodities. Among others, former Bangladesh Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdus Sattar Mandal, former Finance Secretary Siddiqur Rahman, former National Board of Revenue Chairman Abdul Majid, and Bangladesh Garments Sramik Samhati President Taslima Akhter Lima also spoke.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a special screening prgramme on the documentary "Payer Chaap", organised by Impress Telefilm, at the auditorium of Bangladesh Textile University (Butex) in city's Tejgaon area.

The documentary was made on indomitable talented young girl Ayesha who has no hand. 

Bobby Hajjaj said the key to success in the lives of students is perseverance, regular studies and self-confidence. 

"If they study hard, it is possible to achieve whatever they want to be in the future...whether it is a doctor, scientist, teacher, astronaut or a person who fulfills the highest responsibility of the state," he said.

The state minister said Ayesha's life struggle and success prove that with a strong will, one can overcome adversity. 

"However, we do not want Ayesha's success to remain an isolated incident. For every child in Bangladesh to overcome their limitations and move forward, the family, society and the state must work together," he said.

Bobby Hajjaj said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working to build an inclusive education system where no child will be left behind and equal opportunities will be ensured for all.

He said while attending the programme, he came to know that the Prime Minister has already appointed Ayesha as a class supervisor at Gaibandha BIAM Laboratory School and College.

To this end, the state minister expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and said this is a shining example of the government's commitment to talent, competence and human values.

The event was presided over by the Butex Vice Chancellor, while students from various educational institutions, teachers of BUTEX and media personnel were present.

The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury passed the order, as police produced Siddiqui before the court this afternoon.

Senior prosecutor Mizanul Islam took part in the hearing for the prosecution, while Advocate Imran Bhuiyan stood for the accused.

The second tribunal on July 27 took the formal charge filed by the prosecution in the case, into cognizance. It also ordered to produce the accused, who are already behind bars, before it on August 16 and issued arrest warrant against the fugitive accused.

The prosecution earlier on that day (July 27) filed the formal charge to the office of the ICT Registrar, accusing 41 people, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

The other accused in the case are: Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, Hasanul Haq Inu, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Dr Abdur Razzaque, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Dr Hasan Mahmud, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Mrinal Kanti Das, Jahangir Kabir Nanak,  Dr Dipu Moni, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya,  Omar Faruk Chowdhury, Salahuddin Mahmud, Dr Imran H Sarker, Shahriar Kabir, Mozammel Haque Babu, Farzana Rupa, Hasan Mahmud Khandker, AKM Shahidul Hoque, Dr Mohammad Javed Patwary, Benazir Ahmed, Mohammad Mokhlesur Rahman, General (Retd) Aziz Ahmed, Major General (Retd) Ziaul Ahsan, Mohammad Mujibur Rahman, Abdul Jalil Mondal, Sheikh Muhammad Maruf Hasan, Mahbub Hossain, Monirul Islam, Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Ashraful Zaman,  SM Mehedi Hasan, Harun-or-Rashid, Biplob Kumar Sarker, Syed Nurul Islam, Mohammad Asaduzzaman,  SM Shibli Noman and BM Forman Ali.

Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui from his Gulshan residence in the capital on July 29.

Implemented by the Ministry of Commerce with financial support from the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA), the project was launched in July 2017 to reduce the country's heavy dependence on the ready-made garments (RMG) sector by boosting the competitiveness of four high-potential industries—leather and leather goods, footwear, plastics, and light engineering. 

With Bangladesh preparing for LDC graduation and facing increasing competition in international markets, policymakers identified export diversification as a national priority. 

At the project's inception, RMG accounted for more than four-fifths of the country's export earnings, exposing the economy to concentration risks. 

The EC4J project was designed to address this structural challenge by helping promising industries meet international standards, improve productivity and access new export destinations. 

Speaking about the project, Sheikh Mohammad Abdur Rahman, Joint Secretary and Project Director of EC4J, said it has exceeded nearly all of its key performance targets and established a sustainable foundation for long-term industrial competitiveness.

"The project's objective was not merely to increase exports but to create quality jobs by making Bangladeshi industries globally competitive. The results clearly demonstrate that targeted support to export-oriented firms can significantly accelerate industrial transformation," he said. 

He, however, said that the project's flagship Export Readiness Fund (ERF) proved to be its most impactful intervention. 

Under the matching grant programme, he mentioned, 570 firms, including women-led enterprises, received financial and technical support to improve environmental, social and quality (ESQ) compliance, skill development,  modernise production facilities, obtain internationally recognised certifications and expand into new overseas markets. 

According to project data, beneficiary firms secured 260 international compliance certifications, while the ERF mobilised more than US$18 million in private sector co-investment, creating a multiplier effect far beyond public financing. 

The supported companies recorded 59 percent sales growth, significantly surpassing the project's original target of 15.4 percent, while successfully entering 22 new international markets. 

Export participation among beneficiary firms increased dramatically—from 59 percent before the project to 95 percent, while their average export volume grew by 192 percent. 

The project also enabled 73 Bangladeshi companies to participate in 14 international sourcing exhibitions, creating new business partnerships and export opportunities. 

Besides financial support, Abdur Rahman informed, EC4J invested heavily in developing industrial infrastructure and technological capacity. 

Under the project, he said that the Bangladesh Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (BIPET) has been fully established and is currently providing industry-focused training programmes. 

“Construction has also been completed for the Centre of Excellence for Engineering and Technology (CEET) at Bangladesh Hi-Tech City in Kaliakoir and the Design and Technology Centre for Leather Goods and Footwear (DTCLF) in Kashimpur, Gazipur,” he added. 

To sustain future industrial growth, he noted that land acquisition and site development have also been completed for the proposed Institute of General Engineering & Technology (IGET) in BSCIC Chemical Industrial Park, Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj and the International Institute of General Engineering & Technology (IIGET) in National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ), Mirsarai, Chattogram.

These institutions are expected to provide advanced technological services, product development support, testing facilities and skilled manpower for export-oriented industries, he added. 

The project director also mentioned that one of the project's most significant achievements has been employment generation. 

The EC4J project directly benefited more than 107,000 people, of whom 38 percent were women, through skills development, workplace safety training and compliance education, according to the World Bank’s report. 

Overall, the World Bank reported, the initiative contributed to nearly 180,000 new and improved jobs, almost three times higher than the original target of 60,000. 

Regarding the World Bank’s report on the project, Abdur Rahman said that the development partner has described EC4J as an example of successful collaboration between government and the private sector to promote export diversification and job creation. 

According to the World Bank, exports from the targeted non-RMG sectors increased by around 83 percent between 2016 and 2023, substantially exceeding the initial programme target. 

The Bank also highlighted the project's innovative grant management system, under which an internationally recruited third-party agency independently assessed beneficiaries, monitored implementation and released funds against verified milestones.

This transparent mechanism ensured accountability while encouraging greater private sector investment. 

The World Bank further noted that the programme's success demonstrates the importance of combining financial incentives with technical assistance, skills development and awareness programmes to help firms meet increasingly stringent global compliance requirements. 

He started his new role in Dhaka today, according to an ADB press release here.

Zhang will oversee ADB’s operations in Bangladesh—one of its largest country programs—further strengthen the bank’s long-standing partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, lead strategic policy dialogue with stakeholders, and guide the preparation of ADB’s next country partnership strategy.

“It is a privilege to serve as ADB Country Director for Bangladesh at an important stage in the country’s development,” said Zhang.

“Bangladesh has demonstrated remarkable resilience and economic progress over past decades.

ADB remains committed to working closely with the government and development partners to create quality jobs, strengthen resilience, accelerate private sector-led growth, and deepen regional cooperation through innovative financing, knowledge solutions, and high-quality investments.”

Zhang brings more than 30 years of professional experience in sustainable development, including over 20 years with ADB.

Throughout his career, he has led transformative programs and strategic initiatives in agriculture, food systems, water resources, environment, natural capital, and rural development.

He has also built strong partnerships with governments, development institutions, academia, and the private sector.

Prior to this appointment, Zhang served as Senior Director of ADB’s Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office, where he guided the bank’s strategic and operational engagement in advancing sustainable and resilient development across the region.

Zhang, a Chinese national, holds a doctorate in environmental engineering from Tsinghua University, a master’s degree in water resources management, and a bachelor’s degree in hydrology from Sichuan University. He also completed executive education at Harvard Business School.

Bangladesh joined ADB in 1973. As of July 2026, ADB’s active public and private sector portfolio amounts to approximately $12.5 billion, making Bangladesh one of ADB’s largest country programs.

ADB has committed around $43 billion in cumulative loans and grants to support the country’s development.

ADB expects to commit around $2.4 billion in annual lending over the next several years to help Bangladesh advance sustainable growth, bolster resilience to natural hazards, enhance regional connectivity, and improve lives.

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific.

Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.

Electric vehicle (EV) sales jumped 35 percent in the second quarter from the first three months of this year, hitting records in 50 countries, the IEA said in a new report.

"Despite a challenging backdrop for the global car market, sales of electric cars surged in the second quarter of this year as the energy crisis sparked by the war in the Middle East brought fuel price volatility back into sharp focus," it said.

Crude oil prices soared from around $60 a barrel at the start of the year to nearly $120 after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz -- through which a fifth of the world's oil normally transits -- after Israel and the United States launched attacks in February.

Soaring oil prices and supply shortages brought energy security to the forefront, and with road vehicles accounting for half of global oil use, EVs offer means to reduce dependence on imported fuel.

"Today, electric vehicles are in the spotlight as part of potential policy responses, thanks to the opportunity they present to enhance energy security for oil-importing countries while at the same time shielding consumers and businesses from price fluctuations," the IEA said.

It noted several particularly hard-hit oil-import-dependent countries in Southeast Asia introduced temporary tax breaks to encourage purchases of electric vehicles.

Building on the momentum from the second quarter as well as government support for buying EVs in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Europe, the IEA said that it expects electric car sales will grow 10 percent this year and account for 29 percent of total car sales.

The overall car market is expected to decline in 2026.

Sales of electric vehicles plummeted in the first quarter of the year, mostly due to China and the United States.

While the removal of subsidies hurt sales in the US, the struggling economy held back Chinese buyers, especially as it cut back subsidies as well.

With China being the biggest market for EVs, a decline there masks strong growth elsewhere in overall figures.

The IEA said Europe recorded the strongest growth in EV sales in the first half of this year, climbing by more than 30 percent.

Seoul's Kospi has been hammered since hitting a record high last month and the painful sell-off in its chip giants SK hynix and Samsung echoed a global tech retreat as traders question the vast sums pumped into AI, and when or if they will see returns.

However, analysts point out that while the sell-off reflected concerns about the spending, the artificial intelligence sector remained solid.

Optimism got a boost Thursday as Samsung posted a 1,813 percent jump in second-quarter operating profit, buoyed by sustained AI-driven demand for memory chips.

It also said revenue surged 130 percent and net profit 1,300 percent. The results met expectations, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said, citing its own financial data firm.

Samsung's shares rose more than six percent Thursday, having dropped 16 percent Tuesday and Wednesday. SK hynix was flat following a 20 percent drop in the previous two days.

The Kospi rallied more than five percent in morning trade, while Tokyo -- which has also taken a beating in recent weeks owing to its heavy tech presence -- was up more than one percent. Hong Kong, Taipei and Jakarta rose.

The advances were helped by news from Microsoft that its cloud unit grew at the fastest pace in four years, though Facebook parent Meta posted a disappointing revenue forecast for the year.

Meanwhile, South Korea's government pledged to introduce measures to curb retail traders' access to leveraged exchange-traded funds, including limits on individuals' investment in them.

"Participants agreed that concentrated trading in single-stock leveraged products has contributed to heightened market volatility and pledged to respond swiftly and decisively," the finance ministry said in a statement.

Markets in Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Wellington and Manila were all down.

- 'Hitting them hard' -

Traders were left on edge after the US launched "powerful" strikes on Iran in retaliation for Tehran's attacks on US bases in Jordan as the Middle East war reignited and drew in the Islamic republic's proxies.

The first strikes after a nearly week-long lull in fighting dashed hopes of a return to negotiations.

Saudi Arabia and the United States also announced strikes Wednesday on militant bases in Iraq, while Israel accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of a truce violation.

Iran launched missiles at Jordan, with Iranian state media later reporting an American attack near its border with Iraq.

Earlier, US President Trump told Fox News: "We'll be hitting them hard...We are going to beat the 'effing s' out of them."

Oil prices, which had fallen at the start of the week as hostilities were paused, jumped Wednesday with Brent up more than eight percent.

While both main contracts slipped Thursday, the latest developments reinforced the fragility of any truce and the struggles officials face in reopening the Strait of Hormuz energy passageway.

Uncertainty about the Federal Reserve's plans for interest rates also weighed on sentiment after officials stood pat at their latest meeting but three policymakers dissented by calling for a hike.

The decision came amid fears about elevated inflation and the impact of the Middle East war on energy prices.

Bank boss Kevin Warsh said: "We are on the job. We will deliver. We are focused like a laser, making sure we can do it." He also cautioned there was "no magic wand" with which the Fed could lower inflation quickly.

"Despite three committee dissents in favour of a July hike, Chair Warsh stopped short of flagging an imminent hike, echoing June's tone," said IG's Fabien Yip.

"That is starting to unsettle investors: a Fed unwilling to commit to further tightening raises the question of whether it can keep long-term inflation expectations anchored."

And SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes added that the dissents "were the more consequential signal".

"This was not a committee comfortably waiting for inflation to subside," he wrote.

"A quarter of its voting members believed the threshold for another increase had already been crossed, despite softer recent data, renewed geopolitical uncertainty and a sharp deterioration across several risk-sensitive markets."

Analysts said a spike in 30-year Treasury yields signalled traders were sceptical and the only way to get inflation back to the Fed's two percent goal was to hike rates.

- Key figures around 0250 GMT -

Seoul - Kospi: UP 2.5 percent at 5,806.49

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.3 percent at 62,218.41 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.1 percent at 25,817.85

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,814.80

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.1 percent at $83.55 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.4 percent at $89.44 per barrel

Dollar/yen: UP at 163.49 yen from 163.47 yen on Wednesday

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1452 from $1.1457 on Tuesday

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3348 from $1.3350

Euro/pound: UP at 85.79 pence at 85.78 pence

New York - DOW: DOWN 2.2 percent at 51,594.14 (close)

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 10,908.41 (close)

Detailing the scale of the tourism crisis for the first time, Marrero said seven international chains, responsible for about half of all hotel rooms, had left the island.

Tourism had been Cuba's second-largest source of foreign currency earnings, employing more than 300,000 people before the crisis deepened this year.

Today, Old Havana's streets, once clogged with tourists seeking sun, salsa and stirred cocktails, are quiet.

Some 73 percent of hotels have been closed, Marrero said, and about 25,000 workers have been left "in a vulnerable situation."

Following Havana's announcement in February of an aviation fuel shortage, Canadian, Russian and European airlines suspended flights to the island.

The sector's troubles accelerated after Washington imposed sanctions in May on the military-run conglomerate GAESA, prompting several international operators to end hotel management agreements to avoid US penalties.

Although Spanish groups Melia and Iberostar continued operating hotels in partnership with Cuba's Tourism Ministry, Washington widened its sanctions in July.

Official figures show tourist arrivals dropped 58 percent between January and June compared with the same period a year earlier.

The firm, which makes high-end optical components for AI data centres, dropped more than 8.5 percent to HK$895 at around 10:17 am (0217 GMT).

The Shenzhen-listed firm priced shares at HK$980, raising about HK$53.4 billion (US$6.8 billion) in Hong Kong's biggest public offering since Chinese tech behemoth Alibaba listed in 2019.

Zhongji InnoLight is one of several Chinese firms blacklisted by the US Department of Defense in June over alleged military ties.

The company rejected the US claims in its filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange, saying "we have not engaged in any military-related businesses or activities".

It warned investors that the blacklist "may subject us to increased scrutiny and potential further government actions".

China and the United States are locked in a race for dominance in the fast-moving AI field, fuelling huge global expansion of data centres -- warehouse-like facilities crammed with computer servers.

Thursday's listing is the latest in a recent run of blockbuster debuts from Chinese AI-related companies in Hong Kong, indicating optimism for China's ambitions in the sector.

The second-biggest economy in the European Union recorded growth of 0.2 percent, INSEE said, up from a contraction of 0.1 percent in the previous quarter, owing to stronger domestic demand and healthier export figures.

"We are doing our utmost to bring all parties back to the Islamabad MoU," foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi told reporters, adding Pakistan was encouraging the countries to "fully adhere to their commitments to hold technical talks" under the agreement.

"Last night, two oil tankers, encouraged by American aircraft, attempted to leave through the unsafe southern route of the Strait of Hormuz," the Guards said in a statement.

"After a major fire broke out on one of them, both vessels quickly turned back."

Iran has kept control of the Hormuz since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East on February 28.

It has since insisted that ships transiting the waterway crucial for energy trade should cross through a route designated by Iran after requesting permission and paying service fees.

On Thursday, the powerful Guards reiterated that the strait was "our territory" and "cannot be reopened as long as the excessive rhetoric and threats of American officials and their interference in maritime movements in the region continue."

"A US attack on a residential home in the Chah Tangu neighbourhood of Qeshm killed three members of a family: the father, the mother, and their 2-year-old child," Fars reported citing the Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, adding that two other children were injured.

The reignited hostilities have drawn in the Islamic republic's proxies, and appear to have dashed hopes of a quick return to negotiations between the foes.

US President Donald Trump had vowed to hit Iran "hard" after Tehran launched missiles at Jordan, its first regional strike in days.

American forces "successfully completed a heavy wave of strikes against Iran", and struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard targets including military command centres, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

Iran's state news agency IRNA reported hits on several cities in the southwestern Khuzestan province, as well as on Qeshm island in the Gulf.

Areas around the cities of Abadan, Shadegan, Arvandkenar and Ahvaz -- all in Khuzestan -- were struck, the agency said, citing provincial authorities.

In a sign of the war's spread, Saudi Arabia and the United States announced strikes Wednesday on militant bases in Iraq, while US ally Israel accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of a truce violation.

The world's biggest oil exporter Saudi Arabia has reported two days of drone attacks targeting crude facilities that it blames on Iraqi armed groups allied with Tehran.

Jordan's army said it had intercepted five Iranian missiles, after Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted US bases there.

"As long as the threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran continue... the resistance will continue," the IRGC said.

On another front, Israel accused Hezbollah of deploying a drone overnight against an Israeli vehicle inside Lebanon, in what the military called "a blatant violation of the ceasefire".

Israel fought alongside the United States in the first weeks of the war against Iran, while battling Hezbollah in Lebanon, but it has yet to join the latest round of strikes against the Islamic republic.

- 'Dangerous' -

In Iraq, the joint US-Saudi air operation followed attacks by what Riyadh called "terrorist militias loyal to Iran" on its oil facilities.

The US military said logistics and weapons sites belonging to an Iran-aligned group were targeted in the strikes.

Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi alliance said the attacks killed at least 20 of its members.

It denounced a "dangerous escalation" against an "official security institution".

Two Hashed officials said five Iranian advisors were among those killed, and AFP correspondents saw coffins draped with Iranian flags.

The Hashed al-Shaabi alliance, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces, was created in 2014 to fight jihadists before its integration into the military.

It includes brigades belonging to Iran-backed groups reputed for acting unilaterally.

Iraq denounced the US-Saudi strikes and said it rejects "all acts of aggression, regardless of the party responsible or the justifications presented".

The Ministerial Council for National Security said it would "confront any violation of Iraq's sovereignty, and prevent any source from using Iraqi territory to threaten neighbouring states".

According to Fox News, however, Trump said the strikes were "coordinated with the Iraqi government".

The strikes follow growing US pressure on Iraq to disarm pro-Iran groups. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited both the US and Iran.

- Red Sea -

The United States had said the days-long cessation in fighting was aimed at kickstarting a new round of negotiations, including over the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blockaded throughout much of the war.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had attacked and stopped three tankers in the strait, insisting Iran has "full control" of the waterway that was previously free to transit.

Tehran has insisted it will retain control of the crucial conduit for energy shipments, and has also announced plans to collect fees for passage, which Washington opposes.

Crude oil prices slipped on Thursday after a jump the day before.

The United States also announced new sanctions targeting entities linked to Iran's Guards that it accused of extorting ships transiting the strait.

The head of the information and culture department in Badakhshan, Zabihullah Amiri, was shot dead Tuesday while en route to the provincial capital Faizabad.

The Islamic State-Khorasan group -- the chapter in Afghanistan and Pakistan -- said Wednesday it carried out the attack.

"The soldiers of the Caliphate targeted a commander from the apostate Taliban militia... with machine guns, killing him along with one of his guards," it said in a statement quoted by monitoring organisation SITE Intelligence Group.

Amiri was a nephew of Amanuddin Mansur, the governor of southern Helmand province.

Afghanistan's information and culture ministry said one of the assailants was killed and a second arrested after the "cowardly attack".

The ministry "reminds the enemies of the Islamic government that such cowardly acts will never weaken our firm resolve and steadfast determination", it said Tuesday.

Taliban officials have vowed to restore security to Afghanistan, but sporadic attacks remain since they returned to power in 2021.

The regional branch of the Islamic State group has claimed some of them, including an explosion at a Chinese restaurant in central Kabul that killed at least seven people in January.

The jihadist group also claimed responsibility for a December 2024 suicide bombing in Kabul that killed refugees minister Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani.

The reversal follows criticism from teachers, nutritionists and parents who argued that removing eggs from school lunches could deprive children from poor families a key source of protein.

The issue erupted last month after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, elected for the first time in the state in May, removed eggs from meals in some state-run schools and arranged for a Hindu religious charity to provide vegetarian food instead.

The move rekindled a long-running debate over food and religion in the world's most populous country, with critics accusing the government of trying to turn schoolchildren vegetarian.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said eggs would again be provided to schoolchildren from August.

Under the new arrangement, eggs will be provided separately through women's welfare groups while the charity would continue to supply "pure" vegetarian meals.

"The state government will supply boiled eggs separately to these schools by engaging self-help groups from August 1," Adhikari told reporters.

"Some guardians requested the government to ensure that eggs were included in the meals," he added.

The BJP often promotes vegetarianism as a part of its broader nationalist agenda, although most Hindus eat meat and fish.

Eggs, which Hindus consider non-vegetarian, are also widely consumed.

Teachers and nutrition experts had criticised the move to remove eggs from the menu, saying they helped improve both nutrition and school attendance among children from low-income families.

India's free school lunch programme, the largest of its kind in the world, is widely credited with improving enrolment rates and helping reduce malnourishment and stunting among children.

The deceased was identified as A.T.M. Yusuf, 45, a resident of Hajipara in Jagatsinghpur area of the town and a teacher at Joypurhat Technical School and College.

The accident took place around 8 am when his motorcycle collided head-on with a battery-run autorickshaw, causing him to lose control and fall onto the road.

At that moment, a speeding BRTC bus traveling from Baludanga Bus Stand toward Muktir Mor ran over him. He was crushed under the bus and died on the spot.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Asaduzzaman of Naogaon Sadar Police Station confirmed the fatal road accident and said that necessary legal procedures would be carried out.

Member of Parliament for Bandarban constituency Saching Prue Jerry handed over the aid at a function held on Wednesday in the conference room of Sadar Upazila Parishad as the chief guest. 

The programme was chaired by Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Marufa Sultana Khan.

Speaking at the event, MP Saching Prue emphasized that non-governmental development organizations should play a more responsible role alongside the government in responding to humanitarian crises. 

At the end of the programme, each of the 236 flood-affected families from different wards of the Bandarban municipality received Taka 8,000 in cash assistance, along with safe drinking water and various health protection supplies.

Md. Ruhul Amin, Manager of the Start Fund Response Project at World Vision Bangladesh, Md. Abdul Aziz, Technical Officer, Mongthowaiching Marma, Chairman of GRAUS, Chinmoy Mro, Deputy Executive Director of GRAUS and Ashish Kumar Haldar, Senior Manager of the Bandarban Office of World Vision Bangladesh were present, among others.

Member of Parliament for Dinajpur-1 (Birganj-Kaharol) Md. Manjurul Islam handed over the assistance among them at a function held last night at the upazila parishad auditorium as the chief guest.

A total of 52 meritorious students received bicycles, 50 underprivileged women were provided with sewing machines and 25 people with disabilities received wheelchairs.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Suma Khatun presided over the event. Officials from various government departments, local public representatives, teachers, distinguished citizens, and beneficiaries were also present.

Speaking at the event, lawmaker Manjurul Islam said the gifts from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the government's development initiatives are playing an important role in reaching marginalized communities across the country. 

He urged students to remain dedicated to their studies and encouraged the women who received sewing machines to use them for self-employment and economic empowerment.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) also seized a CNG auto-rickshaw used for transporting the drugs, two mobile phones and cash during the operation.

According to BGB sources, a special patrol team from Chakdhala Border Outpost (BOP), acting on a tip-off, carried out the raid on Wednesday afternoon in Chakdhala Bazar area and intercepted a CNG auto-rickshaw travelling from Chakdhala to Naikhongchhari.

During the drive, the BGB team arrested drug peddlers Md. Nurul Hashem, 35, and Md. Hasan Ali, 20, with the yaba tablets both are hailed from Ramu upazila of Cox's Bazar district.

Commanding Officer of the Cox's Bazar Battalion (BGB-34) Lieutenant Colonel S.M. Khairul Alam confirmed the matter.

The world governing body announced on Tuesday a plan to create a semi-private subsidiary which would sell part of its business operations in the World Cup and other competitions, hoping to raise $4.2 billion.

It sparked a furious backlash, but Football Australia said they had been contacted by but needed more information before formulating a response.

"Football Australia can confirm it has received correspondence from FIFA regarding its latest commercial proposal," said a statement.

"As this is the first time we have been made aware of the initiative, we are now working to understand the proposal in full.

"We have requested further information from FIFA to properly assess the strategic, commercial, and governance implications of such a significant step.

"We will only be able to form a position after receiving this information and engaging in further dialogue with our peer member associations and our confederation."

The plan would have to be approved by FIFA's 38-member council and the majority of its 211 member associations.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino championed the proposal as "a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally".

But critics, led by UEFA, said it "crosses a line" and the "soul and governance of football are not assets to trade".

Los Angeles FC's South Korean star Son struck in the 20th and 23rd minutes to flip the script after Luis Gabriel Rey put the Liga MX All-Stars ahead.

"I'm very happy, and I just want to say thank you to everyone," Son said after he was named All-Star MVP.

The 34-year-old former Tottenham star had shouldered the blame for South Korea's failure to make it to the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

But he's been in red-hot form since MLS resumed in the wake of its World Cup break with three goals in three matches for LAFC.

Son pulled the MLS side level in the 20th, collecting a pass from Carles Gil on the left and firing a low shot past goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo.

He put the MLS All-Stars ahead for good just minutes later with a spectacular volley off another assist from New England Revolution playmaker Gil.

Chicago Fire midfielder Philip Zinckernagel's 42nd-minute strike sent the MLS side into half-time ahead 3-1.

Salomon Rondon scored in the 55th minute to keep the Liga MX side within striking distance, but FC Cincinnati playmaker Evander restored the two-goal advantage in the 55th minute, shortly before Vancouver's German star Thomas Mueller took the field.

The MLS side needed the cushion, with Jose Paradela adding some late drama with a stoppage time goal for Liga MX.

The second straight victory for the MLS All-Stars in the mid-season exhibition extended their record over Liga MX teams to 4-1.

Superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammate were excused from the mid-season exhibition, 10 days after Argentina fell to Spain in the World Cup final.

Miami posted a video on social media on Wednesday showing Messi back in training with his club teammates.

But it remains unclear when the 39-year-old will return to competition.

MLS's biggest draw Messi has never appeared in the All-Star Game.

The 2023 All-Star squad had already been announced when he arrived in the league that year and in 2024 he was sidelined by an ankle injury.

Last year Messi and teammate Jordi Alba were suspended one game for failing to participate.

The all-rounder called it quits in extraordinary fashion during the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in late June, making his exit public on the fourth afternoon.

The bombshell announcement came after he returned to duty following the fall-out from a London nightclub incident also involving teammate Gus Atkinson earlier that month.

Brendon McCullum was sacked soon after as England's red-ball coach, with British media reporting this week that another New Zealander, Stephen Fleming, is poised to take over.

McDonald, whose side travel to England for the latest instalment of the Ashes next year, said Stokes still had plenty to offer and his return would be an ideal storyline for the series.

"The fairytale would be that he comes back out of retirement and takes on one more Ashes and builds a lot of hype on the way in," McDonald told Australian radio station SEN late Wednesday.

"If you're looking at promoting that series, that's probably the angle that you would want, that he comes out of retirement.

"To me, he's still got a lot of good cricket left in him," he added.

"It'll be a fascinating watch. I think that whoever the new head coach that comes in potentially has a conversation with him."

Stokes, who is still playing at domestic level for Durham, is only 35.

By comparison, Australia could field as many five players in their Test against Bangladesh next month who are older -- Nathan Lyon (38), Steve Smith and Scott Boland (both 37), Mitchell Starc (36) and Josh Hazlewood (35).

"We don't know why Ben left. I don't think there's been anything on the record around the definitive reason as to why," added McDonald.

"He may have just called it a day on Test cricket, and that's it, so there might be a full stop there.

"Or there might be an opportunity for that new head coach to potentially twist his arm and bring him back in."

Teenage forward Rio Ngumoha scored from close range in the 75th minute, greeted by a roar from a largely pro-Liverpool crowd of more than 42,000 at the famous baseball stadium, the home of the New York Yankees and Major League Soccer's New York City FC.

The victory followed a 4-2 win over Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday, Iraola's first match in charge since the former Bournemouth manager replaced the sacked Arne Slot.

That victory was marred by an injury to defender Joe Gomez, who was among the absentees Wednesday along with new signing Jeremy Jacquet and World Cup players Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

Iraola said before the game that the Netherlands' Gravenberch, Germany's Wirtz and Sweden's Isak could be back for the final game of Liverpool's US tour, against Leeds at Chicago's Soldier Field on Sunday.

Wrexham, on the rise in recent years under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, missed out on the second-tier Championship playoffs on the final day of last season.

Phil Parkinson's side arrived at Yankee Stadium after pre-season victories over Manchester United and Leeds.

A proposal to sell stakes in FIFA's major competitions sparked disbelief and outrage globally since it was revealed Tuesday, but Infantino defended the idea, saying too little of football's commercial value reached the parts of the game that need it most.

"FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, is actually a proposal, an offer. It's part of a democratic process - a consultation process - and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation," Infantino said in a video released Wednesday evening.

"It is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally. But again, it is just an offer, not an obligation."

Infantino insisted the proposal was centred on unlocking "previously uncaptured commercial value" and was conditional on a democratic vote of FIFA's 211 member associations and approval by the FIFA council.

"Capturing that value requires additional expertise, additional insight, distinct from governing and developing the sport," he said.

"It would simply commercialise and organise all FIFA-owned competitions along with sponsorship, broadcast, licensing and new ventures for the benefit of FIFA's 211 member associations."

Infantino said the game would not change and the fans would be happier.

"Fans from everywhere in the world would gain immeasurably from this game-changing potential because it will transform football in their countries," he said.

"Protecting citizens from trafficking and cyber-enabled exploitation remains a top priority," he said.

The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a high-level national dialogue titled "Trapped behind the Scam: Ending Human Trafficking for Forced Criminality" at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital, marking the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2026.

He said trafficking syndicates are increasingly using fake online recruitment platforms and social media to lure job seekers, particularly young people, with false promises of overseas employment.

Many victims are later confined in cyber scam centres abroad, where they are subjected to torture, intimidation and forced criminal activities, Salahuddin said.

He said conventional law enforcement alone is no longer sufficient to tackle the evolving threat and called for stronger collaboration among technology companies, financial institutions, the private sector and civil society.

Highlighting government initiatives, the minister said Bangladesh has enacted the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling (Prevention and Suppression) Act, 2026, aligned with the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its protocols.

The law brings online scam-related trafficking, technology-enabled deception and forced criminality under stricter legal penalties, he said.

Salahuddin also said the government is updating the Human Trafficking Prevention and Suppression Rules, 2017, while finalising the National Action Plan (2026-2030) focusing on prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.

To strengthen victim support, he said the government is enhancing the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) to ensure timely rescue and provide legal, medical, psychological and rehabilitation services.

A digital trafficking information management platform is also being developed to improve case tracking and evidence-based policymaking, he added.

He urged the media and civil society to raise awareness among youths, women and prospective migrant workers about safe migration and the risks posed by fraudulent recruitment networks.

The dialogue, chaired by Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, law enforcement representatives and international partners, including the European Union, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Special guests included Secretary of the Law and Justice Division Liaquet Ali Molla, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir, Charg‚ d'Affaires of the European Union Baiba Zarina, and Dr. Laura Tomm-Bonde, IOM's new Chief of Mission in Bangladesh and Coordinator of the UN Migration Network.

Among those present were Director General of the Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Hoque and Additional Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Brigadier General Md Sohrab Hossain Bhuiyan.

The welcome address was delivered by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, while Shah Mohammad Naheeaan, Head of the UNODC Programme Office in Bangladesh, presented this year's World Day Against Trafficking in Persons theme in detail.

A panel discussion on trafficking for forced criminality, deceptive recruitment and online exploitation was also held as part of the programme.

As South Asia prepares to add 280 million working-age people by 2050, rising temperatures are one of the greatest threats to jobs, productivity, and long-term economic growth in the region.

A Liveable Future: Protecting Jobs and Growth from Extreme Heat in South Asia's Cities finds that by 2070, around 520 million people across South Asia could experience at least one month of dangerous heat each year, four times as many as today, said a World Bank press release.

Extreme heat is already reducing labor productivity, disrupting businesses, and jeopardizing the competitiveness of South Asia's cities. It is also putting growing pressure on health systems and critical infrastructure, while hitting low-income households, informal workers, women, the elderly, and children the hardest.

"South Asia's cities are central to the region's future, but rising temperatures are putting jobs, livelihoods, and economic growth at risk," said Johannes Zutt, World Bank Vice President for South Asia.

"Building heat- resilient cities is not only about protecting people from rising temperatures. It is about safeguarding jobs, boosting productivity, attracting investment, and ensuring cities continue to drive economic growth. By acting now, countries can build more resilient, competitive, and livable cities that create opportunities for future generations."

The report examines extreme heat through the lens of jobs, productivity, and economic growth. It shows how rising temperatures affect workers, businesses, infrastructure, public services, and urban economies.

The report argues that heat should no longer be treated as a seasonal emergency. Instead, it should become a core development priority that is integrated into urban planning, infrastructure investment, public policy, and private sector development.

The report provides policymakers with a practical roadmap that can be implemented through existing institutions and financing mechanisms.

It recommends investing in heat resilient infrastructure, strengthening Heat Action Plans, protecting vulnerable workers, expanding sustainable cooling, improving early warning systems, and mobilizing public and private investment to build more resilient cities.

This report was prepared with support from the Resilient Asia Program (RAP), funded by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through its flagship Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) program.

The World Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the City Resilience Program (CRP) also supported the preparation of the report.

“Across South Asia, extreme heat is destroying livelihoods, impacting public health, depressing productivity, and pushing the most vulnerable further into poverty,” said John Warburton, Climate Resilience Lead for Asia Pacific at UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

“This is a development crisis that calls for sustained action across sectors. That is why the UK government, through our flagship Climate Action for a Resilient Asia programme, is committed to working with the World Bank and other partners to build knowledge, inform policies, and unlock the investment needs in the region to adapt to a warming planet.”

Many of the solutions already exist. Cities across South Asia are showing how Heat Action Plans, resilient infrastructure, urban greening, early warning systems, and efficient cooling can save lives, protect workers, and reduce economic losses. Scaling these approaches will require stronger institutions, better coordination, and greater public and private investment.

As South Asia continues to urbanize, the choices governments make today will determine whether cities remain engines of jobs, innovation and growth, or become increasingly constrained by rising temperatures. Investing in heat resilience is essential to protect people, strengthen economies, and secure the region's long-term prosperity.

"Government's various initiatives and the effective use of ADR have resulted in a more than 62 per cent decline in the filing of cases under certain laws during the current period of 2026 compared with 2025," he said.

The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the signing ceremony of two separate memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) and BRAC's Social Empowerment and Legal Protection (SELP) at the ministry this morning.

"At present, nearly 45 lakh cases are pending before courts across the country, posing a significant burden on the judicial system.

The government has been working continuously to reduce this backlog," the law minister said.

He added that the government's legal aid programme was first introduced through an administrative order in 1994 during the tenure of the Begum Khaleda Zia government and was subsequently enacted into law in 2001. "We have now modernised that law to make it more responsive to present-day needs," Asaduzzaman further said.

The MoUs were signed today as part of the implementation of the Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Act, 2026, which, for the first time in the country, has created an opportunity to develop professional mediators and ensure their training and legal recognition.

Under the first MoU, the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid (DBLA) and the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) will jointly recruit and deploy three court paralegals in Dhaka, Gazipur and Chattogram. Working under BLAST's supervision, the paralegals will provide only essential legal information to workers seeking assistance at labour law support cells. They will, however, adhere to the "Do No Harm" principle and will not be permitted to provide legal advice directly.

The MoU also stipulates that if mediation conducted by BLAST in compoundable disputes is successful, the DBLA will grant it official legal recognition. If the mediation fails, the concerned legal aid officer will issue a certificate of unsuccessful mediation, enabling the dispute to be filed as a regular case before the court.

Under the second MoU, BRAC will organise six regional training programmes for professional mediators with its own funding. The DBLA will award certificates to successful participants. Settlement documents prepared by BRAC-certified mediators will acquire legal validity after being verified by the respective Chief Legal Aid Officer (CLAO).

In cases where the respondent fails to appear, or mediation remains unresolved, the legal aid office will issue a report, allowing the dispute to proceed to court.

Speaking at the ceremony, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said the institutional collaboration between the government's legal aid system and the country's leading NGOs would play a transformative role in delivering prompt legal services to marginalised communities and workers seeking justice.

"Government wants to leverage the expertise and extensive grassroots experience of organisations such as BLAST and BRAC. International development partners, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the German international cooperation agency GIZ and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), are also supporting efforts to strengthen alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms," he added.

Among others present at the MoU signing ceremony were Additional Secretary of the Law and Justice Division Md Khadem Ul Qayes, Additional Secretary SM Ershadul Alam, Director General of the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid (DBLA) Md Monjurul Hossain, BLAST Executive Director Barrister Sara Hossain, and BRAC SELP Programme Associate Director Shashwata Biplob.

The meeting, held at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, was attended by Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser A B M Abdus Sattar as the chief guest, according to a press release issued today.

PPP Authority Chief Executive Officer Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (Secretary rank) Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan were also present.

The Japanese delegation was led by Special Adviser to the Prime Minister Uno Yoshimasa and included Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi, Assistant Vice Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Fujita Masakuni, Assistant Vice Minister for International Aviation Nakayama Reiko and senior officials from both countries.

The meeting reviewed the progress of several ongoing PPP projects, including the Kamalapur Multimodal Transport Hub, the operation and maintenance of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Terminal-3, the Outer Ring Road and the Local Bridge Development Project under the Roads and Highways Department.

The two sides agreed to expedite implementation of the revised master plan for the Kamalapur Multimodal Transport Hub and complete the remaining contractual process for Terminal-3 at the earliest through regular monitoring under the joint PPP platform.

The platform also included the Shariatpur-Chandpur Bridge and the Barishal-Bhola Bridge as new priority projects aimed at improving connectivity and supporting economic growth in the country's southern region.

Both sides also expressed interest in the Chattogram City Corporation's Waste-to-Energy Project and the Bhola-Lakshmipur Bridge Project. They further agreed to examine a proposal for the rehabilitation of old railway bridges with Japanese technical assistance.

Speaking at the meeting, PPP Authority CEO Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said the Bangladesh-Japan PPP partnership has evolved into a reliable platform for attracting quality foreign investment.

In his closing remarks, Principal Secretary A B M Abdus Sattar reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing the priority projects under the joint PPP platform within the stipulated timeframe.

Shiplu said the appointments were made to help persons with disabilities become self-reliant through employment and integrating them into the mainstream society.

The three recipients are Ayesha Akter from Saghata upazila of Gaibandha, Neela Khatun from Kamarkhand upazila of Sirajganj and Md Hasmat Ali from Narail Sadar upazila.

The recipients expressed their joy after receiving the appointment letters directly from the Prime Minister, describing the day as the beginning of both a new professional journey and new aspirations.

Neela Khatun, who was born without both hands, completed her master's degree by writing with her feet. She has been appointed as a teacher at the National Foundation for the Development of the Disabled in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Ayesha Akter also completed her master's degree by writing with her feet. As she has no hands, she received her appointment letter with her mouth. She has been appointed as a class supervisor at BIAM Laboratory School and College in Gaibandha.

Meanwhile, visually impaired Md Hasmat Ali has been appointed as a Union Social Worker under the Department of Social Services.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Farzana Sharmin Putul, Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Managing Director of the National Foundation for Development of the Disabled Persons (NFDD) Md Tarikul Alam and Director General of the Department of Social Services Shah Mohammad Mahbub, among others, were present.

Founder of the Bangladesh Protibondhi Kalyan Somity Abdus Sattar Dulal thanked the Prime Minister for providing providing employment opportunities to the three persons with disabilities.

Dulal called on the Prime Minister immediately after the appointment letter handing over ceremony to express his gratitude, the Deputy Press Secretary said.

A 15th BCS Police cadre officer, he joined Bangladesh Police as an ASP in 1995. During his nearly three decade career, he served in CID, DMP, CMP, RAB, Police Headquarters, Police Academy Sardah and as superintendent of police in Pirojpur and Chapainawabganj, gaining extensive experience in investigation, intelligence, training and administration.

He holds a master's degree in Economics from Islamic University, Kushtia, and a Bar-at-Law from City University of London, UK, and has received specialised training in forensic science and modern policing at home and abroad. Senior CID officials welcomed him at the charge-taking ceremony.

He made the call when Japanese Prime Minister's Special Advisor Uno Yoshimasa paid a courtesy call on him at his Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here this afternoon, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary (DPS) Shahadat Shadhin.

Shahadat said the two sides, in the meeting, discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan and elevate bilateral relations to a new height.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister urged Japanese authorities to take initiatives to recruit skilled Bangladeshi healthcare workers, agricultural workers and drivers with Japanese language proficiency.

He also sought greater Japanese cooperation in human resource development, skills enhancement and various other sectors.

The Prime Minister called for increased investment by Japanese companies in Bangladesh, saying, "Bangladesh government would provide all-out support if Japan showed interest in establishing another industrial park similar to the one at Araihazar in Narayanganj."

Shahadat Shadhin said the Prime Minister also stressed the need for joint efforts to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting also discussed the inauguration of the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 16, the progress of the ongoing Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) projects and other infrastructure cooperation.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, PM's Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and the PM's Special Assistant on Overseas Employment for the Asia-Pacific Region Dr. Md. Shakirul Islam Khan were present on the occasion.

The Japanese side included Assistant Vice Minister of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Nakayama Rieko, officials of the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi.

He made the remarks while addressing the "Career Guideline Program-2026" at the Bangladesh National Museum auditorium at Shahbagh today.

The programme was organized by the Dinajpur Journalists' Association, Dhaka (DJAD) for students from Dinajpur studying in Dhaka and recent graduates.

The minister said traditional or rote learning alone would not be enough to face future challenges.

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, young people need technology-based and practical knowledge along with creativity and discipline, he added.

He said the government is providing skills training to youths in various trades to help them become self-reliant and contribute to society.

He added that no citizen should be deprived of education or healthcare due to financial hardship.

State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, who attended as special guest, highlighted the importance of mentorship programmes for students from rural areas.

He also said 20,000 kilometres of canals would be excavated in Dinajpur under the government's environmental and agricultural development initiatives.

RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam encouraged students to become entrepreneurs rather than only seeking jobs.

University teachers, corporate professionals and BCS officers also provided career guidance on technology skills, language development, BCS preparation and startup opportunities.

Traders are also keeping a nervous watch on the Federal Reserve's policy decision later in the day, with some observers warning the US central bank could provide a hawkish surprise.

Volatility returned to the crude market after US and Saudi warplanes carried out strikes Tuesday against Iran-backed militants in Iraq who launched more than two dozen drone attacks in recent days, the US military said.

The strikes targeted "Iran-aligned terrorists that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed to attack US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure", US Central Command announced in a statement.

CENTCOM had said earlier that Tehran launched multiple ballistic missiles in an "attempted surprise attack on US forces based in the Middle East", but they were all intercepted.

Iran on Wednesday said it had halted three oil tankers in the strait, through which a fifth of global crude and gas usually pass.

The strikes ended three days of calm after the US and Iran held off attacks, following almost two weeks of nightly US strikes on Iran, and repeated missile and drone salvos targeting Washington's allies around the Gulf.

Both main oil contracts rose more than four percent Wednesday. Brent has swung wildly this month -- surging from around $72 at the start of July to more than $100 last week, before the three-day pause.

The latest developments highlight the fragility of any efforts to find a lasting peace, even though US President Donald Trump this week said there was a "good chance" of a deal.

In equity markets, the tech sector once again came under assault as traders fret over the mesmerising sums being pumped in the AI sector, with investors questioning whether firms' lofty expectations will be met.

Compounding the worries was a report by The Information tech news outlet saying China's Shanghai Yuliangsheng had started mass production of a chipmaking technology long dominated by Dutch firm ASML.

Seoul was again on the frontline, with the Kospi plunging more than six percent to extend Tuesday's near-11 percent collapse as chipmakers SK hynix and Samsung were hammered 10 percent and six percent respectively.

SK hynix's selloff came after its April-June operating profit and revenue came in below expectations, even as net profit soared a forecast-beating 1,242 percent. The firm's shares have tanked more than 50 percent since hitting a record high a month ago.

The firm is a specialist supplier of high-bandwidth memory chips to US industry behemoth Nvidia, and a pillar of South Korea's tech-led economy.

Josh Gilbert, of eToro, said: "When you're the dominant supplier of the high-bandwidth memory that powers Nvidia's chips, the AI boom lands directly on your bottom line.

"That means the market is unlikely to focus on the headline numbers alone. The bigger question is whether margins and guidance can justify its recent performance."

Tokyo was also hit, with tech firms Kioxia, Advantest and Tokyo Electron dragged into the bloodbath. Taipei gave up nearly three percent with market heavyweight chipmaker TSMC in retreat.

But while Shanghai also fell, the rest of Asia enjoyed gains, with Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Manila and Jakarta all up.

Samsung is due to report Thursday, while Kioxia and US titans Microsoft, Meta, Apple and Amazon are also set to announce.

Wednesday also sees the Fed conclude its two-day meeting, and while most traders expect it to hold interest rates, there are concerns it could spring a surprise.

Uncertainty has been fuelled by new boss Kevin Warsh's refusal to publicly share his views on the economic outlook, part of his proposed reforms to reduce the amount of forward guidance the central bank offers.

Investors remain on edge, even after recent data suggested inflation was easing, the jobs market was softening and oil prices have come down.

"Assuming the Fed leaves rates unchanged as expected, traders will be on the lookout for a potentially stronger description of inflation risks and/or possible wording to signal conditional tightening," said Matt Weller at City Index.

But he said "Warsh has expressed scepticism toward such forward-looking comments in the past".

"Crucially, at least a couple of FOMC members are likely to favor an immediate interest rate increase, dissenting against the majority if necessary," he added.

"A third (or fourth) dissent in favour of hiking rates now would certainly represent a credible hawkish surprise and could boost the US dollar at the expense of risk assets."

- Key figures around 0230 GMT -

West Texas Intermediate: UP 4.3 percent at $82.68 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 4.3 percent at $87.73 per barrel

Seoul - Kospi: DOWN 6.0 percent at 5,662.15

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.1 percent at 61,689.86 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 1.5 percent at 25,689.16

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.2 percent at 3,805.11

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 163.70 yen from 163.87 yen on Monday

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1395 from $1.1386

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3296 from $1.3286

Euro/pound: UP at 85.71 pence from 85.70 pence

New York - DOW: UP 1.0 percent at 52,747.32 (close)

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.8 percent at 10,871.02 (close)

After two days of closed-door sessions, the Fed's open market committee (FOMC) will announce its decision at 2:00 pm (1800 GMT), followed by a press conference by Chairman Kevin Warsh.

Most investors expect the Fed to hold rates at 3.50-3.75 percent for the fifth straight meeting, according to CME's FedWatch monitoring tool -- but bets on a rate-hike have been rising.

Consumer inflation eased to 3.5 percent year-on-year last month, but is expected to rise again on the back of seesawing oil prices from Trump's war on Iran, which saw renewed fighting in recent weeks.

The uncertainty around the outcome of the meeting is unusual, and is fuelled by Warsh's refusal to publicly share his views on the economic outlook, part of his proposed reforms to reduce the amount of forward guidance the central bank offers.

"This is a highly unusual meeting in the sense that we don't really know what the Fed chair's current thinking is," said Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon.

- 'Patience running thin' -

In his few public appearances since taking office, Warsh has said the committee is committed to delivering price stability, but has not elaborated on how it would do so or when it may intervene.

"(Other policymakers') patience is running thin when it comes to inflation, and most, if not all, stand ready to act if inflation does not soon move back towards two percent," Daco told AFP.

Since the Fed's last meeting six weeks ago, a number of policymakers have been vocal in their concern about inflation, which has remained above the Fed's long-term two-percent target for more than five years.

Since March, it has surged in the wake of Trump's war on Iran, which has sent global energy and fertilizer prices skyrocketing and seen some of those price increases bleed into other goods.

The Fed "has to be ready to tighten monetary policy to prevent a repeat of the 2021-to-2022 inflation episode," said Fed Governor Christopher Waller on July 13.

"Sternly staring at inflation until it melts before our withering gaze is not an option."

- Dissents -

Since taking over, Warsh has called for policymakers to engage in a "good family fight" when deciding interest rates.

At this week's meeting, he may get what he asked for.

"I don't expect a rate hike, but I do expect dissents," said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG.

"We may have a new chairman, but the old guard is now worried about where the economy has moved since the beginning of the year."

Swonk argued that the "hawks" at the Fed -- those policymakers who consider it appropriate to raise interest rates to combat high prices -- were multiplying.

"The hawkish core of the Fed has not only hardened but it's broadened," she said.

The lower consumer inflation figure for June gave policymakers enough "room to breathe" for now, but with further price rises expected Swonk was pencilling in two rate hikes for later this year.

She highlighted how "corrosive" inflation can be, affecting lower-income households much harder than those with higher incomes, whose consumption has remained robust despite the surging inflation.

"It hits those who can afford it least the most," she said. "And it's moving up the food chain."

US inflation has been fueled in recent months by the Iran war, but it has also been driven by the repeated shocks of the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war and Trump's disruptive tariff policies.

Fed policymakers will want to act soon, Swonk said, before inflation expectations for both households and businesses become unmoored.

"What you worry about is the repeated shocks are building a muscle memory of what it means to raise prices, and that's the exact thing the Federal Reserve is tasked to avert," she said.

At around 0015 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was up 3.67 percent at $82.17 a barrel, while North Sea Brent crude had gained 3.39 percent to $86.94.

Wednesday's earnings figures, including quarterly net profit of 94 trillion won ($64 billion), were described in a statement by the Icheon-headquartered firm as "an all-time high quarterly performance". "We are aware of concerns that AI infrastructure investment might be slowing down," marketing chief of the AI microchip division Park Joon-deok said on a call with investors and reporters. He cited jitters over firms exploring data centre rental -- rather than construction -- and the emergence of new high-efficiency AI requiring a lower memory taskload.

"We view these developments not as a scaling back of AI investment, but rather as a process of maximising the utilisation of the massive AI infrastructure built to date and accelerating its monetisation," he said. Wednesday's report said operating profit between April and June jumped 557 percent from last year to 60 trillion won. Revenue stood at 79 trillion won, with the differential to the net profit boosted by SK hynix's one-off sale of its 20 trillion won stake in flash memory maker Kioxia -- another beneficiary of the AI boom.

SK hynix said it intends to make investments in the 40 trillion won range this year. Growth was attributed to expanding investments in AI infrastructure as the technology evolves into more complex forms requiring more high-bandwidth memory capacity. "With major tech companies increasing their AI infrastructure investments, additional supply requests continue to mount," the company said in a statement.

"As these investments are supported by revenue generated from AI services, the momentum in memory demand is expected to persist." Parent firm SK Group announced on Saturday plans for a new $500 billion collaboration with Nvidia to invest in AI infrastructure. Earlier this month, SK hynix also raised $26.5 billion through an American Depositary Receipt listing in the US, one of the world's largest-ever equity offerings.

Despite aggressive investments, shares of SK hynix and its larger South Korean rival Samsung Electronics have fallen sharply by 33 per cent and 41 per cent respectively over the past month. SK hynix shares tumbled 14 percent on Tuesday, the day before the earnings release. The dip has been caused by concerns about AI industry sustainability and conflict in the Middle East spooking investors, KB Securities analyst Kim Dong-won said in a note on Monday.

Nonetheless, Kim forecast memory chip prices are likely to rise "at least 30 percent in the third quarter" with supply shortages likely to persist through to 2028. Samsung Electronics is due to report its quarterly earnings on Thursday. The company has forecast second-quarter operating profits to increase 1,800 per cent on last year.

The change could leave some 25 million senior citizens facing serious cost increases for prescription drugs, the report said.

Citing anonymous Trump administration officials, the newspaper said $3.6 billion in federal subsidies paid to stymie increases in Medicare insurance premiums will end this December.

Those on the subsidized plans will learn of their new premium rates in autumn.

The move could become a political issue ahead of November's US midterm elections, with prescription drug costs a key concern for many retirees and people living on fixed incomes.

Health policy nonprofit KFF said the average premium for a subsidized plan was around $36 a month.

A Trump administration official told the Journal that around a quarter of those on the subsidized plan will see their premiums decrease or stay the same in 2027, while another 30 percent will have a monthly increase of under $10.

The remaining 45 percent will have a monthly cost increase between $11 and $20, the official said.

The United States and Saudi Arabia said they had struck Iran-backed militants in Iraq in response to attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities.

"These attacks resulted in the martyrdom of a number of personnel and injuries to others, as well as material damage to several buildings and properties," the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), known as Hashed al-Shaabi in Arabic, said in a statement.

Wellington unveiled plans in 2025 to retool its military for modern warfare, including investments in submarine-hunting helicopters and unmanned drones.

Penk said New Zealand was seeking human-operated strike drones that offered a cheaper alternative to conventional missiles.

The "one-way strike drones" would be equipped with explosive payloads, he said.

Penk said New Zealand would soon go to market to find drone suppliers, with a particular interest in working with homegrown businesses.

New Zealand was also looking to buy long-range unarmed drones for maritime surveillance, he said.

New Zealand has been embarking on a major effort to rebuild its military, facing what it described in 2025 as the "most challenging and dangerous" security environment in decades.

Although not a treaty ally of the United States, Wellington and Washington nonethless have a close strategic partnership.

"We have received reports of seven people with serious injuries and 29 with minor injuries. Furthermore, as of 7:00 am today (2200 GMT Tuesday), 9,186 people have sought refuge in 506 evacuation centres across five prefectures, including Kumamoto and Fukuoka," government spokesman Minoru Kihara said a day after the quake that killed at least 13 people.

The discovery of the new species, named Musango matusadonaensis, is based on a skeleton excavated on the shores of Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe in 2018, and is the fifth dinosaur identified from the country, they said.

It lived about 210 million years ago during the Late Triassic, when dinosaurs were beginning to spread across the planet but had yet to become the dominant land animals, said the international team of palaeontologists behind the discovery.

Unlike the giant long-necked dinosaurs that evolved millions of years later, Musango was relatively lightly built, about 4.5 metres (15 feet) long and weighing an estimated 222 kilogrammes (490 pounds) -- about the weight of a fully grown pig.

It was named after the local Shona word "musango", meaning "living in the bush".

"Until recently, it was assumed that the dinosaurs living across southern Africa were largely the same," said Paul Barrett, researcher at the Natural History Museum in London.

The discovery suggests the region was instead made up of several distinct ecosystems, each home to different dinosaur species, Barrett said in a statement.

"It suggests that what we've found so far is only the tip of the iceberg," he said.

His team's findings were published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.

The fossil is among the most complete dinosaur skeletons of its age found in Zimbabwe, with bones from its spine, ribs, arms, legs and feet preserved.

Researchers estimated Musango was about eight years old and nearly fully grown when it died. The bones also showed it had recovered from a serious injury or infection.

While its skull has not been found, researchers believe Musango was probably a herbivore or an omnivore, feeding on plants growing along rivers and streams.

In 2022, scientists in Zimbabwe discovered the remains of Africa's oldest dinosaur, which roamed the earth around 230 million years ago.

The dinosaur, named Mbiresaurus raathi, was only about one metre tall, with a long tail, and weighed up to 30 kilogrammes.

"The ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Venezuela was summoned to the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry in order to be given a note of protest over the contemptuous and inappropriate remarks made against Venezuela's institutions and authorities," the statement shared via social media said.

Asked by AFP, Venezuelan authorities did not specify what remarks they referred to, but video circulating online indicates Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had recently said Iran is "not Venezuela" when it come to negotiations with the United States.

Neer bagged 1.5 points from the first two rounds.

In the first round, IM Neer defeated FIDE Master Lucius Melillo of the United States while  in the second round, he split point with FIDE Master Aarav Sinha of India.

The tournament features 10 players from Bangladesh, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Serbia, Slovakia, and the United States, including three Grandmasters, one Woman Grandmaster, three International Masters, and equal number of FIDE Masters.

Shelton struggled when the match resumed after a delay of more than two hours, but came through 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 against his American compatriot in his first hardcourt match ahead of the US Open.

"Happy that I was mentally stable and tough enough to get through that match," said the 23-year-old left-hander, who is seeking his fourth ATP tour title of the year after triumphing in Dallas, Munich and Stuttgart.

Shelton, the world number eight, next faces French left-hander Ugo Humbert for a quarter-final berth.

Shelton led 6-4, 4-3 when play was halted, then saw Damm hold, break on a long forehand and hold again to force a third set.

After trading breaks in the third and fourth games, Shelton broke on a backhand crosscourt volley winner at 5-4 to settle matters after 2hr 9min.

"A tricky match to be in command, in the driver's seat of the match and feel like playing really well, then have a rain delay and the guy come out on fire," Shelton said.

"That was tough to swallow losing that second set the way I did, but happy with the way I fought."

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams, 46, suffered her 12th consecutive defeat, 6-3, 6-3 to Austria's Anastasia Potapova in a first-round match.

Williams has not won a WTA match since a first-round triumph over American Peyton Stearns in Washington last year.

Cruz Hewitt, the 17-year-old son of former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, captured his first ATP Tour victory.

The Aussie teen, ranked 612th in the world, ousted fellow qualifier Marcos Giron of the United States 6-3, 6-4 in 74 minutes in his ATP main draw debut.

Among his father's 30 career ATP titles was the 2004 Washington crown.

"It's a pretty special moment," Hewitt said.

"Seeing my dad play this tournament and to get my first tour win, it feels really cool."

Hewitt will next play the winner of a match postponed to Wednesday between Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and Australian newlywed Alex de Minaur, the top seed and defending champion.

Alexandra Eala, who made global headlines when beating Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon and becoming the first Philippines player to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam, rallied to defeat China's Zheng Qinwen 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 after 2hr 26min.

Eala, 21, will face defending champion and seventh seed Leylah Fernandez of Canada on Wednesday for a place in the last eight.

Pavel Graudyn, 19, defeated South Korean Do Gyeong-dong 15-7 in the men's individual sabre final on Tuesday, having earlier stunned France's top-seed Sebastien Patrice in the last 16.

It was the first major championship since the International Fencing Federation (FIE) lifted all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes on June 2.

The sanctions had been imposed in 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine and consequent war, with Russian and Belarusian fencers allowed to participate only as neutrals.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier this month lifted some restrictions allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in team events and qualifying for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Ukraine slammed the IOC decision as "premature" and "unfounded" after more than four years of conflict since Russia's invasion.

Governing bodies for swimming, gymnastics, judo, taekwondo and wrestling have also recently lifted restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Dressel won the 100m final in 47.70sec, his fastest time since the 2024 US Olympic trials, touching 0.11 ahead of Brooks Curry.

The 29-year-old Floridian won the 100m freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics and is a two-time world champion in the event.

Moesch won in 51.88sec to lower the national mark of 51.94 she set on May 25 in London.

Junior world champion Rylee Erisman was second in 52.92 with Liberty Clark third in 52.97.

The 24-year-old was snapped up from Brighton a year ago and scored 20 goals across all competitions in his first season at Stamford Bridge to be named player of the season by club supporters.

But his penalty-box prowess was not enough to book a spot in Brazil's World Cup squad.

Alonso said that Joao Pedro, who bagged a nine-minute hat-trick as a second-half substitute in Chelsea's 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday, had been fired up in training.

"He's very hungry -- Joao is really, really determined to have a great season," said Alonso.

"After a great last year where he scored many goals, I think that he wants to keep scoring more and more. But we need to help him, as on his own it's not possible.

"He will have the players around him and they need to have this hunger to score as well. It's not just about the striker, but every time that we win and our striker scores, I am happy."

Chelsea are reportedly looking to offload some forwards after the arrival of attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, but Joao Pedro will almost certainly not be one of them.

He said he felt liberated playing under former Liverpool star Alonso, who is tasked with getting Chelsea back to the top after their disappointing 10th place last season.

"He's a very open coach. We talk a lot. I feel free," said the Brazilian, who began his career at Fluminense.

"When I play in front I move a lot, so he gives that option for me. Sometimes I can play on the left, sometimes in the middle. So that's what I've learned from him.

"I want to achieve the highest level possible with the team," he added.

"I always want to try to score to help my team and hopefully next season can be better than last season."

While Joao Pedro excelled, fellow striker Liam Delap looked stiff up front and struggled to create chances in a youthful team before being replaced after 60 minutes.

Delap has been linked with a move to Everton, but Alonso insisted he was "doing well".

"I see him in a good mood, in a good desire to get proper fitness, proper football, feeling good, and he's doing well," he said of the England youth international.

Despite some defensive frailties and early season rust, Alonso said his first match in the Chelsea dugout was encouraging with no injuries of note.

"The more situations we have where we are struggling and we find the solutions, the better team we will be. So, for that, this friendly will be useful," he said.

Chelsea's pre-season tour continues with a friendly against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney on Saturday before matches in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia.

"Strict and exemplary action will be taken against those who try to create an artificial fertilizer crisis by selling it at a higher price than the government-fixed price," he said. 

The minister told the journalists while visiting different agricultural organizations under the agriculture ministry at Joydebpur in Gazipur on Tuesday.

The country has adequate fertilizer stocks, while sufficient supplies are in the pipeline, he said, adding that rumors about a fertilizer shortage being spread is totally baseless. 

However, he said, complaints have been received that several dishonest persons are allegedly trying to create an artificial fertilizer crisis by selling it at prices higher than the government-fixed price.

The government remains alert on this issue as the fertilizer supply and sale will be strictly monitored. "Any evil attempt to create an artificial crisis of this essential agricultural input will be treated strictly," the minister warned. 

"There is no reason to raise the price of any commodity irrationally if there is no supply shortage of that particular item. But we have to unearth the reason why fertilizer prices are skyrocketing while there is ample supply of the commodity in the market," he said.

The minister urged all the concerned departments and agencies to work more actively and carefully to control the market situation of the daily essentials including the agricultural commodities.

Speaking about research, the agriculture minister said research should not merely be routine work, but it [research] should be timely and based on people's needs. 

Praising the role of the agricultural research organizations, the minister said the agricultural research organizations have already developed many new varieties and technologies which are actually beneficial for the farmers as well as for the common people.

Noting that the monsoon flood is a reality of the country, Aminur Rashid said the flash floods particularly cause a huge crop loss for the farmers in the haor region.

To mitigate the crisis, he said, instructions were given to the researchers to discover new flood-tolerant rice varieties to cope with such catastrophes in the haor region.

A new flood-resistant rice variety already has been developed in the country, he said, adding that a total of 30 tonnes of seed of the newly invented BRRI-118 will be distributed among the farmers in the haor areas next season.

The cultivation of the newly developed flood-resistant variety will help the farmers to harvest rice earlier than before beginning rainy season and flash flood, the minister hoped.

This breakthrough will help to protect the farmers from the crop loss caused by flash floods.

Underscoring the need for establishing agricultural products as major export items, the agriculture minister said the country needs to raise farm productivity along with ensuring modern packaging, preservation, processing and quality control of the products.

About the export of the agro commodities, he said the country's export capacity will be further strengthened by introducing international-standard packaging systems. 

Agriculture Secretary Dr Rafiqul I Mohamed also was present.

Later, the minister participated in views-exchange meetings with different agricultural organizations and an internal research review workshop of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute as the chief guest.

The Guards' navy said "three violating oil tankers, which ignored our warnings and continued sailing an unsafe and illegal route, were struck and brought to a halt", the Tasnim News agency reported.

The announcement was made by the association's leaders at an emergency press briefing held at the reception room of the MP Hostel in the capital at 12:45 am today.

The briefing was attended by lawmaker Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chairman Md Habibur Rahman, Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman and representatives of the police.

Earlier, a meeting involving all stakeholders was held under the leadership of Advocate Shimul. The discussion focused on the association's five-point demand and ended with a consensus to resolve the issues within the next 30 days through consultations with the relevant authorities.

"The Ambulance Owner Welfare Association placed five demands before us. Following constructive discussions, we have agreed that the issues will be resolved within the next 30 days after consultation with the relevant stakeholders," Advocate Shimul told the briefing.

Chief Adviser of the Ambulance Owner Welfare Association Mohammad Golam Mostofa Fuad said the government had assured the organisation that its demands would be addressed within the stipulated timeframe, prompting the withdrawal of the strike.

"As the government has assured us that our demands will be considered within the next 30 days, we are withdrawing our scheduled strike," he said.

Fuad urged ambulance owners and drivers across the country to continue providing emergency services without disrupting public life.

"I request all ambulance owners and drivers to continue serving people and refrain from enforcing the strike, so that no public suffering is caused," he added.

He also urged the government to give priority to the association's demands.

The Ambulance Owner Welfare Association had earlier announced an indefinite nationwide strike of ambulances and freezer vans from 6:00 am today to press home its five-point demand.

The demands include enforcing commercial registration regulations for ambulances operating on hire, implementing the High Court's directive to ensure toll-free movement of government ambulances, exempting freezer vans and ambulances carrying dead bodies from tolls, and ensuring 24-hour fuel availability to maintain uninterrupted emergency ambulance services.

The 7.1-magnitude tremor on Tuesday flattened homes, triggered fires, ruptured bridges and left tens of thousands without power in the southwestern Kumamoto region, where twin quakes killed hundreds in 2016.

"Extensive damage has been confirmed, including casualties, collapsed buildings, fires and damage to roads," Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in Tokyo as she announced the 13 fatalities.

Government spokesman Minoru Kihara said that seven others were seriously injured and that as of early Wednesday more than 9,000 people had sought refuge in 506 shelters in three regions of Kyushu island.

Some stunned locals said the quake was the biggest they had felt in their lifetimes, measuring at the top of Japan's seven-level shindo scale of shakiness, at which it is impossible to remain standing.

"It was the strongest quake I ever experienced," Kanzo Matsumoto, 73, the operator of a luxury onsen hot spring inn in Yatsushiro, told AFP.

"I'm not sure if (the region) will be able to recover from the damage."

Chiharu Hara, a 35-year-old recruitment agent, told AFP that she was "terrified" when the quake struck.

"The office swayed violently side to side. I was afraid it would collapse. Everyone panicked," Hara said.

At least two of the dead were two women killed in a shopping mall in the town of Kashima apparently gutted by a gas explosion around half an hour after the quake, which was followed by dozens of aftershocks.

Footage from inside the mall showed rescue workers in orange overalls and white helmets picking their way through a mass of twisted steel, dangling cables and chunks of ceiling.

"The explosion occurred after the customers and staff had evacuated," a spokesman for the mall's operator Aeon told AFP.

Eight people were rescued from the mall, five of whom had injuries, a local official told AFP.

Initial reports said that as many as 20 to 30 people were trapped inside, but broadcaster NHK cited police early Wednesday as saying that the number was "lower than that".

Nine people were meanwhile unaccounted for in a Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro, where part of a red-and-white smokestack smashed into the sprawling facility below, officials said.

Across Kumamoto 36,880 households and facilities still had no power on Wednesday morning, officials said.

The powerful tremor struck at 4:27 pm (0727 GMT) on Tuesday and was measured at 6.8 by the US Geological Survey (USGS) at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles).

The temblor also knocked over a cargo train, flattened a traditional "torii" gateway and cracked roads, making many impassable. High-speed shinkansen trains remained suspended on Wednesday.

Footage also showed parts of a wall at the centuries-old Kumamoto Castle collapsing.

Kumamoto airport was closed for several hours before re-opening on Tuesday evening.

The Japanese military has mobilised 3,600 personnel for disaster relief operations and sent 20 aircraft to assess the damage from the air, the defence minister said.

Japan is one of the world's most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific "Ring of Fire".

The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, typically experiences hundreds of jolts every year and accounts for about 18 percent of the world's earthquakes.

The vast majority are mild, although the damage they cause varies according to their location and the depth below the Earth's surface at which they strike.

Japan is haunted by the memory of a massive 9.0-magnitude undersea quake in 2011, which triggered a tsunami that killed or left missing around 18,500 people and wrecked the Fukushima nuclear plant.

He made the call when Japanese Prime Minister's Special Advisor Uno Yoshimasa paid a courtesy call on him at his Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here this afternoon, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary (DPS) Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.

Shahadat said the two sides, in the meeting, discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan and elevate bilateral relations to a new height.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister urged Japanese authorities to take initiatives to recruit skilled Bangladeshi healthcare workers, agricultural workers and drivers with Japanese language proficiency.

He also sought greater Japanese cooperation in human resource development, skills enhancement and various other sectors.

The Prime Minister called for increased investment by Japanese companies in Bangladesh, saying, "Bangladesh government would provide all-out support if Japan showed interest in establishing another industrial park similar to the one at Araihazar in Narayanganj."

Shahadat Shadhin said the Prime Minister also stressed the need for joint efforts to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting also discussed the inauguration of the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 16, the progress of the ongoing Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) projects and other infrastructure cooperation.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, PM's Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and the PM's Special Assistant on Overseas Employment for the Asia-Pacific Region Dr. Md. Shakirul Islam Khan were present on the occasion.

The Japanese side included Assistant Vice Minister of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Nakayama Rieko, officials of the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi.

The distribution programme was organized by Feni Municipality at the municipal premises. Member of Parliament for Feni-2 Professor Zainal Abedin VP attended the event as the chief guest and handed over rice to the beneficiaries.

The programme was chaired by Municipal Administrator and Deputy Director of the Local Government Division Md. Dildarul Alam.

Among others, Municipal Executive Officer Md. Samsul Islam, Executive Engineer Md. Zakir Uddin, Convener of Feni Sadar Upazila BNP Fazlur Rahman Bokul, Municipal Convener Delwar Hossain Babul, Member Secretary of Feni Sadar Upazila BNP Aman Uddin Kaiser Sabbir, and Joint Convener Tapan Kar were present.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Zainal Abedin said the government's foremost responsibility is to provide comprehensive support to poor people by creating employment opportunities, ensuring food security and improving infrastructure, including transportation.

Municipal Administrator Md. Dildarul Alam said a total of 36 metric tons of rice would be distributed among 3,600 beneficiaries across the municipality's 18 wards, with each recipient receiving 10 kilograms of rice.

Of them, 360 beneficiaries received their allocations on Tuesday.

seized 50 bottles of Indian Eskuf syrup and a motorcycle during an anti-smuggling drive in the

Sharsha border area of Jashore.

The arrestee was identified as Md Shahidul Islam, 50, a resident of Rudrapur village in Sharsha

upazila.

A team from Kayba Border Outpost (BOP) conducted the drive as part of BGB's ongoing anti-

smuggling campaign and arrested Shahidul, according to a BGB press release issued today.

The team also seized the 50 bottles of Indian Eskuf syrup and the motorcycle from his

possession, the release said.

Khulna Battalion (21 BGB) Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Md Nafiz Imtiaz Ahsan said the

force has intensified intelligence surveillance and border patrols to curb smuggling and drug

trafficking.

The deceased was identified as Alam, 51, a mason and son of the late Mojibul Haque of Barakpur village in Sonakhali, Sonargaon.

According to police and local sources, the truck suddenly went out of the driver's control while travelling along the highway and struck pedestrian Alam and the vehicle then rammed into an auto-rickshaw, leaving its four passengers injured.

Alam died at the scene, while local residents rushed to rescue the four passengers trapped inside the damaged auto-rickshaw. They were taken to Al Baraka Hospital with serious injuries.

Highway Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Awlad Hossain said the truck involved in the crash has been seized, but the driver fled the scene.

The victim's body has been sent to the Narayanganj General Hospital morgue for autopsy. Police said legal proceedings are underway.

He gave the directive at a review meeting on the implementation progress of the 180-day action plan formulated by the ministry and its divisions in line with the current government's election manifesto. 

The meeting was held at the conference room of the Local Government Division at the secretariat here.

Alam said that over the past 180 days, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives has undertaken a number of important initiatives to improve people's quality of life, strengthen local government institutions, modernise urban management, promote rural development, ensure safe water and sanitation, expand cleanliness programmes, and improve the quality of civic services. 

He said the report must properly reflect the actual progress of these activities and their positive impact on people's lives.

He particularly called for giving priority to presenting initiatives taken to create employment, empower women, develop the local economy, and improve people's quality of life.

The state minister said the activities carried out during the government's first 180 days must reflect the expectations of the people. 

He instructed the officials concerned to ensure that the achievements, ongoing activities, and future action plans of the ministry and its subordinate departments and agencies are presented in an information-based and realistic manner.

He said that effective measures taken to establish good governance, ensure transparency and accountability, and prevent corruption should be highlighted as important achievements of the first 180 days.

He said the government's main objective is to earn the people's trust through welfare-oriented development.

Referring to the Prime Minister's 'Clean and Green City' vision, the state minister laid special emphasis on making waste management across the country, including Dhaka metropolitan city, more modern, integrated, and sustainable.

Alam said all relevant institutions must work in a coordinated manner to improve waste management, cleanliness activities, and public awareness in order to build a clean, healthy, and liveable Bangladesh.

The meeting was chaired by Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hasan. 

Among others, National Institute of Local Government (NILG) Director General Dr Rowshan Ara Begum, Dhaka WASA Managing Director Md Aminul Islam, Additional Secretary (Administration) Suraiya Akhter Jahan, Director General (Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Inspection) Md Mahmudul Hasan, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) Chief Engineer Md Belal Hossain, Department of Public Health Engineering Chief Engineer Md Abdul Awal, Registrar General of the Office of the Registrar General, Birth and Death Registration, Dr Abu Nasr Mohammad Abdullah, chief executive officers of all city corporations, managing directors of all WASAs, Officer-in-Charge of the Dhaka Mosquito Control Office Md Robiul Islam, and senior officials of various departments and agencies under the ministry participated in the meeting.

She made the call while outlining five expectations from members of the Consular Corps in Bangladesh (CCB) at a reception hosted by its Executive Committee in her honour at a city hotel on Monday night.

"Promote partnership in technology, education, innovation and skilled employment. Help expand Bangladesh's engagement with emerging regions, particularly Africa, strengthen people-to-people connections, and help the world better understand the real Bangladesh," she said.

Shama said the government values honorary consuls as trusted partners in promoting friendship and international cooperation, stressing that their role should extend well beyond ceremonial responsibilities.

"Your role should never be viewed as merely ceremonial. Around the world, honorary consuls have promoted trade, investment, cultural exchanges, education and humanitarian cooperation," she said.

"For a developing country like Bangladesh, your contribution can make a real difference," she added.

The State Minister said the Foreign Ministry would remain ready to engage constructively with the CCB, provide necessary guidance and facilitate coordination with relevant ministries and government agencies.

Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's "Bangladesh First" foreign policy, Shama said national interest, sovereignty, security and people's welfare remain at the heart of the government's international engagement.

Bangladesh, she said, seeks greater foreign investment, wider export markets, advanced technology, stronger education and healthcare partnerships, increased tourism and practical cooperation on climate resilience.

"I firmly believe that our Honorary Consuls can play an important role in advancing these objectives. You can identify opportunities early, connect the right partners, and help transform ideas into lasting partnerships," she said.
Highlighting Bangladesh's investment potential, Shama said the country offers much more than a large consumer market, pointing to its young and hardworking workforce, dynamic entrepreneurs, expanding manufacturing base and strategic location connecting South and Southeast Asia.

These strengths, she said, make Bangladesh an attractive destination for investment, production, logistics and regional connectivity.

"Our partnership must be mutually beneficial. We welcome investment, technology and expertise into Bangladesh while also encouraging Bangladeshi businesses, professionals and innovators to contribute to global markets," she said.

Shama expressed the hope that the new CCB board would usher in a new chapter of practical cooperation, stronger partnerships and tangible outcomes.

The reception brought together ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of diplomatic missions, honorary consuls, representatives of international organisations, senior government officials and business leaders.

CCB President and Honorary Consul General of Mongolia Nasreen Fatema Awal reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations, international cooperation, trade, investment, cultural exchanges and people-to-people connectivity.

CCB Vice Presidents Shahab Sattar and Shakhawat Hossain, Secretary General Kazi Shah Muzakker Ahmadul Hoque Ishmam and Treasurer Masud Jamil Khan also spoke.

A High Court division bench comprising Justice Khizir Ahmed Choudhury and Justice Md Ziaul Haque issued a rule and directed the formation of a three-member expert committee, with one representative each from BUET, the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), to carry out the investigation.

The court came up with the order after holding hearing on a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Md Abdullah Al Mamun. The petitioner himself moved the plea before the court.

The Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) recently tested 34 toothpaste samples from 19 brands available in the country's market. According to its study, microplastics were detected in 26 samples, accounting for approximately 76.5 percent of the total.

The urgency was raised during a meeting between Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita and State Minister Rashiduzzaman Millat and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Japan UNO Yoshimasa at the Bangladesh Secretariat here today.  

During the meeting, Khanam said the government is working to inaugurate the Third Terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on December 16 this year in line with the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

She said the government would complete all necessary preparations in time to meet the targeted inauguration date. 

Millat stressed the urgency of beginning the ORAT process at the earliest as part of preparations to make the Third Terminal operational, keeping December 16 as the tentative inauguration date.

He said timely completion of the tender submission by the Japanese SWG would be necessary to pave the way for commencement of the ORAT activities.

The State Minister described Japan as one of Bangladesh's oldest and most trusted development partners and acknowledged the significant contribution of Japanese companies to the construction of the Third Terminal.

He sought Japan's overall cooperation in completing the necessary preparations to open the terminal to the public within the targeted timeframe.
The two sides also discussed the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and Japan, mutual cooperation and Japan's contribution to Bangladesh's infrastructure and development.

Yoshimasa expressed the hope for further strengthening Bangladesh-Japan cooperation and continuation of Japan's support for ongoing initiatives, including the HSIA Third Terminal project.

At the end of the meeting, Afroza and Millat presented Yoshimasa with a model of Biman Bangladesh Airlines' Boeing 787 Dreamliner, marking the resumption of Biman's flights on the Dhaka-Narita route.

A delegation of ‘Amra BNP Paribar’ visited Sujan’s residence at Keraniganj in the capital this afternoon and handed over the gifts on behalf of the Prime Minister, said the organisation's Member Secretary Krishibid Moksedul Momin Mithun.

The visit was arranged under the initiative of Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. The delegation, led by adviser to ‘Amra BNP Paribar’ and lawmaker Engineer Ashraf Uddin Bokul, included Dhaka District BNP General Secretary and Lawmaker Advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury and Krishibid Moksedul Momin Mithun. The delegation inquired about the health and well-being of the newborn and handed over the gifts on behalf of the Prime Minister.

They also enquired about Sujan’s physical condition and the overall well-being of his family.

Members of ‘Amra BNP Paribar’ Masud Rana Liton, Mostakim Billah, Farhad Ali Sajib, Rubel Amin and Shahadat Hossain, former BUET Chhatra Dal General Secretary Engineer Abu Hanif, Banani Thana BNP leader Saiyam Sikandar Pappu, Chhatra Dal leaders Mashiur Rahman Mohan and Abdullah Al Misbah, along with local BNP leaders, were present on the occasion.

The commitment came during a courtesy meeting between Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and newly appointed IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh Dr. Laura Tomm-Bonde at the minister's office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, according a press release of the Home Ministry.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen their two-decade partnership, with particular emphasis on intensifying national efforts to combat human trafficking, addressing technology-enabled trafficking networks, modernising integrated border management and ensuring safe and orderly migration.

The home minister welcomed Dr. Tomm-Bonde and assured her of his ministry's full support in preventing human trafficking, strengthening border security, enhancing technical capabilities of law enforcement agencies and promoting safe migration.

The meeting noted with satisfaction that the national validation of the jointly developed Integrated Border Management (IBM) Strategy is nearing completion. IOM also reiterated its commitment to providing technical assistance to Bangladesh's Special Branch and other law enforcement agencies.

The two sides also reviewed IOM's continued support in policy development, specialised training, research, institutional capacity building and mobilisation of international resources to strengthen Bangladesh's anti-human trafficking framework.

During the meeting, Dr. Tomm-Bonde informed the minister that IOM Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniel will visit Bangladesh from August 1 to 5 and invited him to attend a reception at the UN House in Dhaka on August 4.

The IMF boss was visiting top debtor Argentina to meet with Milei, for whom the Washington-based institution has repeatedly voiced support since he took office.

"What we have today, by all indicators, is a much sounder picture" since 2023, Georgieva told a joint press conference with Argentine Economy Minister Luis Caputo.

Milei campaigned on a pledge to revive the economy by slashing public spending and reining in inflation, but the austerity measures imposed by his government have been deeply unpopular, prompting frequent protests.

Georgieva said Argentina's "much stronger position... is a result of the hard work of the government," as well as "the sacrifice of the Argentine people."

Caputo later told reporters that Georgieva "had a very good meeting with President" Milei.

"She was extremely enthusiastic in offering her congratulations throughout," he said, adding that she had also met with Milei's cabinet ministers.

During her two-day trip, Georgieva has more meetings scheduled with Argentina's central bank chief Santiago Bausili and experts from the business world and academia.

On Tuesday, she is expected to visit Vaca Muerta, a vast oil and gas production site that is key to Argentina's export economy, located about 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) from Buenos Aires.

- 'Take stock' -

IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said the visit marked "an opportune time for us to take stock of the progress made under the current program with the Argentine authorities."

The trip comes at a mixed moment for Milei's economy, which has seen inflation on a downward trend over the past three months -- though it is still at 33.5 percent year-on-year.

But growth remains sluggish and well under the IMF's forecast of 3.5 percent in 2026, with 0.2 percent growth year-on-year. Growth was forecast to rise even higher in 2027, hitting four percent.

Consumer activity is anemic while debt defaults are skyrocketing.

Mortgage defaults have tripled over the past year, hitting 12.8 percent, the highest level in 20 years.

In 2025, Argentina concluded an extended fund facility agreement worth $20 billion over four years with the IMF. In May, the IMF greenlit a $1 billion tranche under the agreement.

Protests against the IMF in Buenos Aires on Monday sought to give Georgieva an "unwelcome" reception, with placards held up in the main square reading, "no to paying foreign debt."

Another banner bore the slogan "English out of the Malvinas, IMF out of Argentina" -- the first part referring to the British claim over the Falkland Islands.

After Argentina, the IMF director is expected to visit Uruguay to meet with President Yamandu Orsi.

The Nikkei 225 was off 3.97 percent at 62,351.73 while the Kospi was down 7.54 percent at 6,246.53, with Samsung tanking more than seven percent and SK hynix off by 7.5 percent.

According to the website The Information, Chinese company Shanghai Yuliangsheng is making immersion deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines.

The Financial Institutions Division (FID) under the Ministry of Finance issued a notification on Sunday confirming the appointment.

According to the notification, Sadat has been appointed under Section 5 of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act, 1993. 

He will serve as a commissioner for four years from the date of joining office.

The notification said Sadat will assume the post after relinquishing his employment and affiliations with all other institutions and organisations. 

The order, issued in the public interest, took immediate effect, the notification added.

The announcement came during a meeting with Commerce, Industries, and Textiles & Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir at the Secretariat today.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md. Shariful Alam was also present.

During the meeting, the Sanko delegation said the company intends to shift from supplying textile products from Turkey to establishing a full-scale manufacturing base in Bangladesh to meet growing demand from international buyers.

The proposed integrated facility will manufacture fabrics, undertake advanced textile processing and produce high-value-added textile products aimed at global export markets.

The delegation said Bangladesh's skilled workforce, strong export capacity and favourable investment environment made the country an ideal destination for the investment.

Sanko officials said the project would help introduce advanced technologies, enhance local industrial capabilities and promote technology transfer, enabling domestic manufacturers to move towards higher-value textile production.

The company has already completed preliminary site selection and discussions with local partners. Construction is expected to be completed within 12 to 18 months after receiving the necessary government approvals, while operations are planned to begin within a few months of approval.

The delegation sought government support in ensuring uninterrupted gas and electricity supplies and faster regulatory clearances. It also pledged to adopt environment-friendly technologies and coal-free energy management to meet international sustainability standards.

The investment is expected to create significant employment opportunities, strengthen Bangladesh's export competitiveness and attract more international buyers seeking high-quality textile products.

Welcoming the proposal, Muktadir assured the investors of the government's full cooperation.

He said the government is committed to maintaining a business-friendly environment by providing the necessary infrastructure and policy support for large-scale foreign investments.

The minister described the investment as an important step towards modernising Bangladesh's textile and jute sectors through advanced technology, increased employment and greater export diversification.

The minister made the announcement while addressing a meeting on e-commerce implementation at the Ministry of Commerce as the chief guest, said a press release.

The meeting was chaired by Commerce Secretary Md. Ataur Rahman Khan.

Muktadir said the AI-driven platform will analyse 10 years of historical data to forecast possible supply disruptions and market crises well in advance, allowing the government to take timely measures to maintain market stability.

He said various ministries currently oversee different commodities, making coordinated data analysis essential to determine which products are locally produced, which rely on imports, and which require a balanced supply strategy.

"The government's main objective is to ensure that markets remain stable and that the supply of essential goods is never disrupted," the minister said, adding that the AI platform would significantly reduce the time required for analysing large volumes of data.

According to him, while such assessments currently require lengthy inter-ministerial meetings, the new system will generate comprehensive analyses within minutes, enabling quicker and more effective decision-making.

The minister said the AI platform would also monitor international market trends and the export capacities of supplying countries to identify the best time and source for imports.

Using predictive analysis, the system will help determine when shortages of commodities such as pulses or onions are likely to occur, allowing the government to initiate import preparations before domestic stocks become scarce.

Muktadir said the initiative would be implemented in coordination with the Ministries of Agriculture, Food and other relevant government agencies, which would have access to the shared database to support their respective operations.

He said the database would be developed using reliable government information alongside international open-source and subscription-based data to ensure accurate forecasting.

Acknowledging that developing the system would take time, the minister expressed confidence that it would eventually become faster and more effective than conventional human analysis.

He said the ultimate goal of the initiative is to strengthen national market management and protect consumers through timely, data-driven decisions.

The meeting also discussed the future development of the country's e-commerce sector and technology-driven market management strategies.

The losses extended a sell-off across the industry globally following an eye-watering rally over the past two years that has sent several indexes and companies to record highs.

They also overshadowed a more upbeat outlook over the Middle East conflict as the United States and Iran paused tit-for-tat strikes for a third day and Donald Trump suggested there was a "good chance" of a deal to end hostilities.

Semiconductor firms were at the forefront of a region-wide rout Tuesday after website The Information said China's Shanghai Yuliangsheng had started mass production of a chipmaker technology long dominated by Dutch firm ASML.

Seoul-listed SK hynix and Samsung lost around a tenth of their value, dragging the Kospi index down more than eight percent and sparking a 20-minute circuit-breaker.

The two firms have lost around 40 percent since hitting all-time highs last month, while the Kospi is down more than 30 percent.

Tokyo's Nikkei tanked more than four percent at one point as Kioxia shed 15 percent, while Advantest and Tokyo Electron dived 10 percent.

Taipei was also off more than three percent as market heavyweight and chip giant TSMC took a hit.

There were also losses across most other markets, though Hong Kong was the standout as its tech firms enjoyed some much-needed buying following a painful first half of the year.

Tuesday's hammering followed a bleak day on Wall Street, where the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index dropped 2.2 percent as Sandisk tanked 11 percent, while Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia gave up around five percent.

ASML shed more than 8 percent in Amsterdam.

The AI trade was already fracturing in recent weeks owing to worries about the vast sums that had been invested in AI, which had fuelled questions about when that would actually begin seeing a return, while extended valuations had also raised eyebrows.

"The immediate fundamentals of semiconductors have not collapsed," wrote Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management.

"Demand for high-bandwidth memory remains strong, hyperscalers are still spending, and the largest technology companies have not yet abandoned their capital expenditure plans.

"What has changed is the market's willingness to capitalise those promises at almost any price.

"The AI trade spent the past several years behaving like a flywheel: rising equity values encouraged more spending, more spending validated higher earnings expectations, and those expectations pushed valuations higher again.

"Now that same wheel is beginning to throw investors off at speed."

Traders are awaiting earnings this week from SK hynix, Samsung and Kioxia as well as US titans Microsoft, Meta, Apple and Amazon.

The bloodbath in tech overshadowed renewed optimism over the US-Iran crisis, with the two sides stepping back after almost two weeks of retaliatory attacks sparked by a breakdown in diplomacy over Tehran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump expressed hope that renewed diplomacy could bring an end to the war that began in late February.

"I have a lot of patience... We'll see what happens," he said aboard Air Force One. "I think there is a good chance that something could happen."

Meanwhile, reports said Oman and Iran were trying to reach an agreement to restart shipping through Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil and LNG usually pass.

Hopes for a deal sent both mains sharply lower, with international benchmark Brent losing more than eight percent Monday and WTI more than seven percent. Both were down almost one percent in early Asian trade.

- Key figures around 0230 GMT -

Seoul - Kospi: DOWN 8.7 percent at 6,169.85

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 4.4 percent at 62,046.46 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.5 percent at 25,349.49

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.6 percent at 3,836.53

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.2 percent at $81.63 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.0 percent at $87.51 per barrel

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1374 from $1.1371 on Monday

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3295 from $1.3293

Euro/pound: DOWN at 85.50 pence from 85.54 pence

Dollar/yen: UP at 163.78 yen from 163.72 yen

The tremor at 4:27 pm (0727 GMT) on the island of Kyushu also measured at the highest possible level seven on Japan's own Shindo scale of shaking, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The tsunami could measure up to one metre (three feet), the agency said.

Broadcaster NHK said that waves of up to that level may already have been recorded.

No immediate abnormalities were recorded at nuclear power plants, the Nuclear Regulation Authority said.

About 45,000 households and facilities have no power in the Kumamoto region, according to local utility Kyushu Electric Power.

The firm added that three nuclear reactors operating at the time in the region were continuing their normal operations.

Around half an hour after the quake, a local NHK staffer wearing a helmet reported live on air that the shaking was continuing, with the newsroom shaking so violently it was difficult to remain standing.

"Shaking is continuing as I speak. Including myself, there may be some people who feel their hearts racing," he said.

"When the quake struck, the shaking was so big that I could not stand up. Please be aware of possibility that shaking might continue after this."

- History of quakes -

In 2016, Kumamoto was hit two devastating earthquakes -- one of magnitude 6.5, followed two days later by one of magnitude 7.3 -- which killed 273 people and injured more than 2,800 others.

A quake with a magnitude of 7.2 hit northern Japan on June 25 but caused no deaths or major damage.

Japan is one of the world's most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific "Ring of Fire".

The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, typically experiences hundreds of jolts every year and accounts for about 18 percent of the world's earthquakes.

The vast majority are mild, although the damage they cause varies according to their location and the depth below the Earth's surface at which they strike.

It is haunted by the memory of a massive 9.0-magnitude undersea quake in 2011, which triggered a tsunami that killed or left missing around 18,500 people and wrecked the Fukushima nuclear plant.

On April 20 this year, a tremor measuring 7.7 hit the country's north, injuring at least 10 people and shaking large buildings in Tokyo.

This prompted authorities to issue a special advisory warning of an increased risk of earthquakes of magnitude 8.0 or stronger.

The advisory was lifted after a week.

"Between 8:30 pm (1730 GMT) and 6:30 am, more than 390 drones were flying towards the Moscow region. Most were neutralised by air defence forces well before reaching the city. 81 enemy UAVs were destroyed as they approached Moscow," Sergei Sobyanin wrote on Telegram.

Moscow regional governor Andrey Vorobyov also reported that drone attacks damaged housing in the town of Chekhov and the Vaulovo village.

The Russian Federal Security Service -- commonly known as the FSB -- said a man living in the southeastern city of Khabarovsk had been arrested after passing information to New Zealand spies.

The Russian citizen had proactively contacted the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, the FSB said in comments published by local media.

New Zealand then convinced him to pass on information that could damage the security of the Russian Federation, the FSB added.

New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service said it had a "longstanding practice of not commenting on what may or may not be operational matters".

But it added: "It should also be noted that Russian state media are often not the most reliable source of accurate reporting."

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he would follow the convention against commenting on intelligence matters.

"I don't comment on security intelligence issues," he told reporters.

While New Zealand is not typically associated with sophisticated subterfuge, it is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance alongside the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

Foreign affairs expert Alexander Gillespie said Russia's accusations should be taken with "a large bucket of salt".

"New Zealand has some history of spies and espionage, but it is nearly always with us being spied on," said Gillespie, a professor at New Zealand's University of Waikato.

"The history is of Russia spying on us, not the other way around," he told AFP.

Gillespie said the arrest could be turned into a high profile show-trial used to tarnish the New Zealand government.

"If this gets bad, expect relations between the two countries to sour even further."

New Zealand is among a host of nations to have hit Russia with sanctions in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine.

President Donald Trump's government has imposed two rounds of tariffs on Brazil this month, which left-wing president and candidate for re-election Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has denounced as election interference.

"Brazil submitted, on July 27, a request for consultations with the United States within the framework of the WTO dispute settlement system," the ministry said in a statement, noting Brazil considers the US measures "unjustified and incompatible" with international trade rules.

This month, the United States put in place new tariffs on several Brazilian products, charging 25 percent for alleged unfair trade practices and 12.5 percent for alleged use of forced labor.

A request for consultation with another country is a preliminary step in opening a panel on the case in the WTO framework.

Brazil took the same step in 2025, when Washington imposed 50 percent tariffs in retaliation for the coup-related trial that sent former president Jair Bolsonaro to prison.

Now Bolsonaro's son, right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, is running against Lula in the October election.

That first round of tariffs was largely reversed later on.

Lula has accused Flavio Bolsonaro, a staunch ally of Trump, of encouraging US tariff pressure to gain an advantage at the ballot box -- which Bolsonaro denies.

Brazil denied visas for two US officials who sought to meet with Brazilian election authorities ahead of the tense presidential vote, a diplomatic source told AFP on Saturday.

Zaidi directed "the competent security authorities to investigate the statement issued by the ministry of defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the targeting of the kingdom with drones launched from Iraqi territory", spokesman Sabah al-Numan said in a statement.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella network of Iran-backed Shia militias conducting attacks against US and Israeli targets while operating outside Iraq's formal military structure, said the Saudi accusations were "fabrications that serve only as an attempt to justify their inability to respond to the painful Yemeni strikes".

It warned Riyadh that any "foolish action" in Iraq will be met with a "tough" response.

The rollout widens access to a product that had been available since late June as a test to a limited group of top-tier subscribers.

X Money lets users hold deposits, send peer-to-peer payments, pay bills, transfer money by wire, and mail checks without leaving the X app.

Deposits are held at Cross River Bank, a New Jersey-based lender that is used by several financial-technology apps, and are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000.

Musk has said for years that he wants X to resemble China's WeChat.

WeChat, a single app for messaging, shopping and payments, is a pillar of consumer spending in China.

A post by X Money said deposits would earn an annual percentage yield of up to six percent.

This was well above the roughly four to five percent offered by the most competitive US high-yield savings accounts and far above the near-zero rates at large traditional banks.

Premium+ subscribers can earn the top rate directly, while Premium users must meet direct-deposit requirements, according to the company.

Cross River described the launch as the first government-insured banking platform in the United States built on a social network.

The launch positions X to compete with established payment apps such as PayPal's Venmo, Block's Cash App and SoFi, drawing on the app's user base of millions.

Ahead of its launch, the service drew scrutiny in Washington.

In an April 14 letter, Senator Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, pressed Musk on how X Money would "generate revenue sufficient to pay that yield."

She also cited past FDIC enforcement actions against Cross River over lending practices.

Fox triumphed at the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale in England just over a week ago, holding his nerve over a knee-knocking 12-foot putt on the final green to finish 10-under par and win by one stroke.

The only other New Zealander to lift the Claret Jug was Bob Charles in 1963, at Lytham and St Annes just along the English north-west coast from Birkdale. Only two other New Zealanders have ever won golf majors.

Michael Campbell triumphed at the 2005 US Open at Pinehurst and Lydia Ko won three women's majors, including the 2024 British Women's Open at St Andrews.

"It's been a whirlwind few days since winning the Open," Fox told the crowds who turned out to see him and the famous Claret Jug winner's trophy, which dates back to 1872.

"To be fair, my head is still spinning as I take in what I've achieved and what's to come.

"One of the first things I wanted to do was come home and share this incredibly special time with my family, friends and all the Kiwis who have supported me throughout my career."

People spilled onto a nearby street as they tried to catch a glimpse of the 39-year-old, who received boisterous cheers when he hoisted the trophy for his fans.

Fox, renowned for taking little time over his shots, raised another ovation when he spoke of becoming the "face of the pace of play movement" in golf.

- Australian major? -

Fox started his professional career on courses such as Royal Auckland, before playing on circuits in Australia, Europe and the PGA Tour in the United States.

Fox was asked by reporters if the Australian Open should become a fifth major, hosted by the famous links-like sandbelt courses in Melbourne.

Fox said it would be "hard to break the tradition" but added it would match the women's circuit which already has five majors.

"International golf is huge. I think golf in Australia is huge. The Australian Open at Royal Melbourne last year was incredible," Fox told a media conference.

"They have the quality of golf course to be able to do it.

"But that's for people a whole lot smarter than me to figure out."

Fox received a call after winning the Open from fellow New Zealander Ko, who had been in tears watching the closing holes.

Ko won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics but has said she intends to retire and not play at Los Angeles in 2028.

But Fox, with an eye on the new mixed tournament at the 2028 Games, said he might have a gentle conversation with Ko about rethinking her decision.

"It's amazing to see her achieve what we all thought she could," Fox said of Ko, who also has silver and bronze Olympic medals from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

"I know she's been pretty vocal about wanting to retire early, and motherhood is calling.

"She's been in the public eye since she was 15 years old, she's got the right to do whatever she wants.

"Selfishly for me, it would be really cool to be able to do that in '28 with her, but if she's retired by then, that's cool. She deserves everything."

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also returns in a 15-player squad, but will need to be cleared to play after a fitness assessment, as will batsman Sai Sudharsan.

The first Test is in Galle from August 15-19 with the second in Colombo on August 23-27.

Left-arm spinner Jadeja suffered an elbow injury during the Indian Premier League and missed India's one-off Test win against Afghanistan last month.

All-rounder Saransh Jain, who bowls offspin, has been handed a maiden call-up.

Shubman Gill will be captain in India's first series in the current World Test Championship (WTC) since the 2-0 home defeat to South Africa in November.

India are fifth in the WTC standings, which are led by Australia, with Sri Lanka sixth.

India squad: Shubman Gill (capt), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain

*Subject to fitness clearance

Italy's De Zerbi took over from sacked interim boss Igor Tudor in March when Tottenham were winless in the Premier League in 2026.

He steered them to 17th place and survival with a tense 1-0 win over Everton on the last day of the season and has begun building a new squad with an aggressive summer of spending.

England international Maddison, who missed the majority of last season with a serious knee injury, said in Sydney he was pumped up for the next chapter.

"The manager is very clear, the goal is to be better, to play better football, to be passionate, to be proud to play for this club," said Maddison, who is reportedly set to be named Spurs' new captain.

"I'm still learning the way he plays. But as a player, he's a coach you want to play for because he loves everything with the ball. He's very attacking, and I'm really excited."

The club opened their pre-season tour with an entertaining 2-0 win over A-League champions Auckland FC in New Zealand on Sunday with goals from Dane Scarlett and Richarlison.

They face Sydney FC on Wednesday then meet London rivals Chelsea in Sydney three days later.

"First game of the season, Brentford. It's a big season for us under a new manager. We want to have a successful season," added Maddison of their opening Premier League game on August 22.

"We need to be better than the last couple of seasons. So it's kind of all just preparation leading to that first game.

"We're just stepping up what we've been working on and creating the team, how we want to play and the style we want to play."

De Zerbi's big-money signings so far include midfielders Mateus Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. He also raided his old club Brighton for centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke.

Full-back Andy Robertson, centre-back Marcos Senesi and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka have all arrived on free transfers as the squad takes on a new look.

As much as the tourists were buoyed by the effort of their bowlers in the second half of another sun-scorched day, spearheaded by the metronomic Mohammad Abbass, that only partially compensated for an abrupt batting collapse which handed the home side a 29-run first innings advantage.

Pakistan capitulated from the dominant position of 244 for three in mid-morning on the third day to the despair of 282 all out just after lunch. The collapse was engineered by West Indies seamer Justin Greaves, whose controlled bowling earned him career-best Test figures of five for 27.

With the cricketing world, in mourning at the passing of the game's greatest all-rounder, Garfield Sobers, Greaves' all-round skills were both timely and necessary. Later in the day he briefly helped stem the clatter of Caribbean wickets as Pakistan fought back tigerishly on an increasingly two-paced pitch.

His day did not have the storybook finish, the right-hander was superbly caught for 20 by diving Pakistan captain Babar Azam at cover to give Abbas his third wicket.

"We didn't execute our plans the way we should have on the first day but for the second day and the second innings our bowlers hit the right areas and bowled a bit up (fuller)," said Pakistan bowling coach Umar Gul, who was particularly pleased with the way Abass led the attack.

"He is so experienced. He's played a lot of red ball cricket and is not only leading from the front but is helping the younger bowlers as well," the former Pakistan pacer added.

Pakistan seemed to be sailing into a dominant position led by captain Shan Masood's seventh Test century but lost seven wickets for 38 runs as the comfort of 244 for three became 282 all out in reply to the West Indies first innings total of 311.

After Shamar Joseph comprehensively bowled Salman Agha to break a fourth-wicket stand of 47, Greaves took over in a mesmerising spell. His disciplined wicket-to-wicket bowling reaping a swift harvest.

Masood was Greaves' first wicket, bowled for 109, an innings which spanned over five hours in which he faced 184 deliveries and struck 12 fours.

From then on it was the Greaves show as he scythed through the Pakistan middle and lower-order, only to be stalled by the resistance of the last-wicket pair, necessitating the second new ball and veteran pacer Kemar Roach to end the innings with the wicket of Khurram Shazad.

At the end of the day, Roach defied the rampant Pakistan bowlers while at the other end, Joseph was smashing three sixes in an unbeaten 22, runs which could prove crucial on what will likely be a decisive fourth day.

The American third seed, seeking his 11th career ATP title and first since last year at Eastbourne, needed only 79 minutes to complete a 6-3, 6-4 triumph.

Wimbledon quarter-finalist Fritz fired eight aces and took all four break points he faced to advance into a second-round match against countryman Tommy Paul or Poland's Kamil Majchrzak.

"He had a few break chances, but when I served out the first and went up a break in the second, I felt like the momentum was on my side," Fritz said. "It's really good to get out of those games and to finish the match unbroken."

Britain's Jack Draper withdrew from the event with a left arm injury after also missing Wimbledon. American Mackenzie McDonald replaced him in the field as a lucky loser.

"These last months have felt like nothing but adversity and setbacks," Draper wrote on Instagram. "Most days I've spent in doubt, yet hopeful that I can keep taking positive steps forward and finding ways to progress."

Australian top seed and defending champion Alex de Minaur, who won his 11th career ATP title in February by taking his third consecutive Rotterdam Open crown, was idle. He will face Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round.

Also advancing Monday were fourth seed Lorenzo Muzetti, who won when fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi retired down 6-0, 3-1, and Chile's Alejandro Tabilo, who defeated Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-4.

On the women's side, defending champion and seventh seed Leylah Fernandez of Canada beat Poland's Magda Linette 6-1, 6-4 in 79 minutes in her opening match.

"Overall my game was solid. I didn't give away too many free points, which definitely helped a lot," 2021 US Open runner-up Fernandez said.

"I'm feeling very good. So many good memories so starting off a win definitely helps."

Fernandez will next meet either Alexandra Eala of the Philippines or China's Zheng Qinwen.

US eighth seed Emma Navarro downed compatriot Sofia Kenin 6-0, 7-5 to book a second-round date against Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who outlasted Denmark's Clara Tauson 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/2).

Venus Williams, a 46-year-old former world number one who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, teamed with Russia's Diana Shnaider to win their women's doubles opener 6-3, 6-4 over Ulrikke Eikeri of Norway and American Quinn Gleason.

“The government is attaching the highest priority to research and innovation in healthcare. We will provide all necessary support for testing, quality verification and commercial production of these locally developed medical devices,” he said. 

The assurance came at a meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat this afternoon, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. During the meeting, the Prime Minister highly appreciated the initiatives of the experts and researchers, who developed the two medical devices using indigenous technology.

He also assured all possible assistance to make the ventilator and the high-flow oxygen machine ready for practical use and commercialization. The experts, in the meeting, presented the effectiveness, prospects and future development plans of the two locally developed medical devices.

The meeting was informed that two separate teams of specialists developed the ventilator and the high-flow oxygen machine. Following the required regulatory approvals and clinical trials, the devices could be introduced in hospitals across the country and also have the potential to be exported to international markets.

Officials said as the machines have been developed locally, they are expected to be manufactured and marketed at comparatively lower costs, making advanced healthcare services more affordable for patients.

The experts also observed that successful production and widespread use of the two devices would reduce Bangladesh's dependence on imported medical technologies.

The ventilator is a life-saving medical device for critically ill patients with severe respiratory complications. It will undergo further testing and evaluation to ensure its safety, effectiveness and compliance with international standards.

The high-flow oxygen machine, on the other hand, is designed for patients with common respiratory problems. One of its notable features is that it can operate without electricity, making it suitable for use in remote areas with limited power supply as well as in ambulances during emergency patient transportation.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister Dr M A Muhit, PM’s Special Assistant on Health Affairs Dr S M Ziauddin Hyder, Health Services Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, BUET Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammad Shariful Islam, PM Office Physician Associate Professor Dr Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah, PM’s Assistant Private Secretary-1 Dr Mamun Shibly, and officials concerned attended the meeting. 

He departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6:50 am along with his wife.

According to a press release issued by the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat, the Chief Whip is scheduled to return home on August 4.

Sources at Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) said BSCIC has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh JW Animal Protein Co. Ltd. to produce protein filler by chrome separation.

The company has already set up a large factory with its own ETP in the Nayarhat area of Savar and has started trial production. The factory recycles tannery waste (leather scraps and chrome shaving dust) into high-value exportable products.

Established in 2023, the company operates a plant on nine acres of land in Nayarhat, Savar, and exports products such as gelatin and industrial protein powder to China and Russia.

Parvez Khan, an interpreter at Bangladesh JW Animal Protein Co. Ltd told that the firm has not yet been able to go into full-scale production.

“The construction of the factory is yet to be completed. Once the construction is complete, we will be able to process all the tannery waste generated in the leather industry in Savar,” he said.

He said about 20,000 tonnes of tannery waste is generated in the Savar leather industry.

Parvez said preparations have also been taken to produce raw materials for gelatin and capsules from the rawhide scraps.

Mizanur Rahman, the head of BSCIC's leather cell, said if these initiatives are implemented, they will not only check environmental pollution, but also create new value additions to the leather industry and create opportunities to earn foreign exchange.

BSCIC officials said several more companies have been involved in tannery waste management.

Those are- Orion Trading Corporation, Ayub Brothers Tannery Limited, Reza Leather Export, AN International Company Limited, Alamgir Leather Complex and Feni Tannery Private Limited.

Fighting between the longtime foes has been paused since Friday after 13 nights of renewed US strikes on the Islamic republic sparked by a breakdown in diplomacy over Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

But the US leader expressed hope that renewed diplomacy could bring an end to the war that began in late February with a wave of US-Israeli strikes, rattling both the region and the global economy.

"I have a lot of patience... We'll see what happens," he said aboard Air Force One. "I think there is a good chance that something could happen."

Tehran had earlier denied that there were any talks with the US to end the conflict.

"Mediators may convey messages from the American side to us regarding current developments in the region. But at present, we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States," said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.

But Trump insisted during a speech in Michigan that "right now, they're talking to us about making a deal".

Aboard Air Force One, the US president had earlier said that if the new efforts failed, "we go back to doing what we were doing" before the pause in fighting.

On that subject, he dismissed concerns that US ammunition stockpiles were running low nearly five months after the war began.

"We have a lot of ammunition. We have a lot of the mid-level stuff too, more than we could ever use no matter what," he said.

- Saudi Arabia attacked -

Despite the recent lull, Saudi Arabia came under attack on Monday, with its defence ministry saying it had intercepted several drones fired by Iran-linked groups in Iraq targeting oil facilities.

No group claimed responsibility, but Riyadh called on Baghdad to prevent such attacks from being launched from its territory.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi later called for an investigation into Saudi Arabia's allegations.

Pakistan, which has been mediating a resolution to the Middle East war, condemned the drone attacks, saying they "pose a grave threat to peace and stability" in the Middle East.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels also said they launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure in response to incursions by the kingdom's drones. Riyadh is yet to comment on the claim.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations accused pro-Iran militias in Iraq of launching waves of attacks on their territory during the conflict's earlier phase, but the groups have not claimed any attacks in the region since the resumption of hostilities.

Elsewhere, the Israeli military, which has not joined the recent fighting, said it had intercepted two drones near the Jordanian border and was investigating where they had been launched from.

Global stock markets meanwhile rallied and oil prices tumbled on Monday after the pause in strikes between Washington and Tehran.

It came as respite for Gulf shipping and the oil industry, with international benchmark Brent dropping six percent to around $86 a barrel.

- 'Mafia gang' -

Control of the Strait of Hormuz remains a hurdle to any peaceful resolution, and Iran insists on managing the crucial conduit for oil and gas.

Its powerful Revolutionary Guards have been stopping vessels trying to transit the trade route in recent days, including six that state television on Monday said had sailed outside Iran's designated route.

Tehran says it has held talks in recent days with Oman, which also borders the strait, on "common principles and operational mechanisms" to ensure the safe passage of shipping.

In June, Muscat and Tehran said they would discuss imposing service fees, a move Washington opposes.

But Oman also angered Iran after saying vessels could transit the Hormuz strait via its waters, with Tehran responding by attacking ships.

Baqaei, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, on Monday said the United States was not involved in the recent discussions with Oman.

Instead he criticised Washington, saying its conduct in recent years has "resembled that of a mafia gang that adheres to no rules or laws".

According to the website The Information, Chinese company Shanghai Yuliangsheng is making immersion deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines.

The process uses ultraviolet light to etch microscopic circuits onto silicon.

Contacted by AFP, Yuliangsheng did not immediately respond, nor did SiCarrier or Huawei, two companies with ties to the group.

Producing DUV machines would allow China to free itself from its dependence on ASML, which is subject to export restrictions outside the European Union.

China's chip industry could thereby speed up the development and production of processors, narrowing the gap with the most advanced US players, which are currently seen as superior.

That progress would let China's leading artificial intelligence firms close the gap a little further between their models and those of the most cutting-edge US groups.

Shares in AMD were down as much as eight percent, Nvidia nearly five percent, Micron five percent and Intel 3.7 percent.

On his arrival at Bangabhaban around 11:15 am, a smart contingent of the horse-mounted President Guard Regiment (PGR) welcomed the Acting President at the main gate no.2 of Bangabhaban and escorted him to the venue of the Guard of Honour.

A smartly turned-out PGR contingent extended him a Guard of Honour as part of the welcoming ceremony. A combined military band comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force played a welcome tune.

After presenting the Guard of Honour, President’s Military Secretary Major General A S M Bahauddin, Public Division Secretary Khan Md Nurul Amin, Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam and Assistant Military Secretary Brigadier General Mohammad Raisul Islam welcomed the Acting President with floral bouquets at the Octagonal of Bangabhaban.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmad then went to his office and exchanged greetings with the senior officials. The Military Secretary and the Public Division Secretary then briefed him about Bangabhaban there.

“Universities are not only centers of higher education but also among the most important institutions for nation-building,” he told the Dean's Merit Award 2026 distribution ceremony at Barishal University (BU) here.

Swapon said today's students are the responsible citizens and future leaders of the nation, and that building a prosperous and equitable society depends on their talent, integrity and progressive thinking.

He said students equipped with modern knowledge, scientific education and moral values would provide the country's leadership in the years ahead. To develop capable leaders, they must be given proper guidance and adequate opportunities, he added.

The minister said students' achievements are not merely personal successes but are closely linked to the country's overall development and progress. 

Noting that knowledge and skills are the greatest strengths in today's world, he called on the younger generation to use their talent, creativity and innovative thinking for the welfare of the country.

Addressing the award recipients, the minister said recognitions such as the Dean's Merit Award encourage healthy competition among students and inspire them to devote greater attention to their studies and research. 

Such recognition, he added, plays an important role in nurturing the country's future leadership.

He said students should strive not only for academic excellence but also to become honest, responsible, compassionate and patriotic citizens.

The minister further said that countries which have advanced in knowledge, science, research and technology are now leading the world in economic growth, education, healthcare and human resource development. 

The true strength of a nation, he observed, lies not only in its natural resources but also in its ability to utilize those resources through knowledge, skills and innovation, he added.

He noted that many countries endowed with abundant natural resources have failed to use them effectively because of inadequate knowledge, limited technical expertise and weak governance.

BU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Mamun Or Rashid and English department’s faculty Prof Dr. Md. Mohsin Uddin addressed the ceremony as the special guests with Dr. Hafiz Ashraful Haque, Dean of the Faculty of Bio-Sciences at the university, in the chair. 

A total of 109 students from different faculties of the university received the award.

A notification to this effect was issued today by the Private Health Management-2 Branch of the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 

Signed by Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, the notification said a directive issued by the Office of the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on July 19 had asked an inquiry committee formed to investigate the allegations against the hospital to submit its report within three working days.

As the inquiry committee's report was found satisfactory and based on fulfilment of the stipulated conditions, the order cancelling the hospital's licence has been withdrawn and permission has been granted for it to continue its operations.

The notification set out three conditions for the hospital. Under the conditions, the hospital must continue to comply with the provisions of the Medical Practice and Private Clinics and Laboratories (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982.

It must also complete the process of appointing duty doctors and nurses in line with the licence conditions as early as possible.

The notification further said if the hospital fails to comply with the licence conditions, the authority empowered by the government may take legal action at any time.

Earlier on July 19, the DGHS issued a directive cancelling the licence of Ad-din Medical College Hospital. 

Following a review of the inquiry report, the government reversed that decision and reinstated the hospital's licence.

“The current government is prioritizing canal excavation together with saving rivers and canals from being encroachment and polluted,” he said the remarks during a views-exchange meeting with leaders of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) at his Secretariat office.

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad was also present there.

Highlighting recent initiatives, the minister said the government has approved the Padma Barrage Project within a short period of assuming office to safeguard the lives, livelihoods, and biodiversity of the southwest region. 

He added that the fate of the northern region is closely tied to the Teesta River, and ongoing studies by local and foreign experts aim to maximize public benefit from it.

State Minister Azad emphasized that environmental and biodiversity protection must be prioritized before undertaking any development project. 
Multiple inter-ministerial meetings are held to ensure ecological concerns are addressed in all projects, he noted.

BAPA leaders urged the ministry to take stronger measures to protect rivers, canals, wetlands, and water bodies from encroachment and pollution. 

Water Resources Secretary Dr. A.K.M. Shahabuddin was present at the meeting. BAPA President Nur Mohammad Talukder, Vice-President Khushi Kabir, Dr. Shahidul Islam, and General Secretary Almagir Kabir, were present, among others. 

“If today's children can build themselves properly for the future, only then will it be possible to build a beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing the closing and prize-giving ceremony of ‘Notun Kuri Sports 2025-26’ at the Bangladesh Army Stadium in the city this afternoon.

Addressing the children and young athletes, the Prime Minister said his government is working to build the country in the right direction, but that effort would succeed only if the younger generation prepared themselves for the future through both education and sports.

“We are working to build the country properly. But we can do this work successfully only when you - those sitting in the gallery today and those who have received awards on the playing field - prepare yourselves for the future,” he said.

“Now, while studying, you have to study with dedication, and in the same way, you have to play with the same commitment,” the premier added.

A Chinese developer company has committed to commencing production within the designated timeframe, in response to the Prime Minister's challenge, he mentioned. 

This statement was made by the BEZA Executive Chairman during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Bangladesh-China Economic Zone in the Belchura area of Anwara, Chattogram today.
 
At the ceremony, Ashik Chowdhury, who concurrently serves as the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), noted that during the Prime Minister's recent visit to China, a meeting took place with the chairman of the developer company. 

"Initially, it was indicated that the zone would require three to five years to become operational, however, the Prime Minister challenged the timeline to launch the first factory within 18 months. Later, the chairman of the developer company also assured that production would commence within this timeframe," he stated. 

The Premier urged for comprehensive support from Chinese investors, emphasizing that foreign investors are our esteemed guests, the BEZA Executive Chairman said. 

"They will not only yield profits from their investments but also create employment opportunities for thousands in the country. A swift launch of this zone will significantly transform the region," he added.

Ashik Chowdhury appealed to local public representatives and residents to support the investors.

Encouraging collaborative efforts to address any challenges, the BEZA Executive Chairman asserted that the nation's interests must take precedence. 

He reiterated that investment is crucial for the country's advancement and called upon everyone to assist in attracting foreign investment.

Profit after tax climbed more than two percent to $2.5 billion in the three months to the end of June, compared with the same period last year, AstraZeneca said in a results statement.

Total revenue increased six percent to $15.4 billion in the quarter, thanks to sustained strong demand for its cancer and rare disease medicines.

AstraZeneca reconfirmed its outlook for the full year after its second-quarter profit beat analyst expectations.

Chief executive Pascal Soriot said the company was "on track" to deliver its ambition of $80 billion in total revenue by 2030, despite an unexpected late-stage trial failure earlier this month.

Shares in the company had slumped in early July after its new heart disease drug Wainua failed to meet targets, in a rare setback for the drugmaker.

"We remain confident in the strength of our pipeline and have more than twenty high-value readouts due over the next 18 months," Soriot said on Monday.

Alongside its blockbuster cancer drugs, the company has been investing in developing a weight-loss drug.

Last month's trial results showed that its new pill appears to help people lose a similar amount of weight to other GLP-1 oral drugs.

If confirmed by further research, the pill could mark AstraZeneca's entrance into the massively lucrative weight-loss drug market currently dominated by Denmark's Novo Nordisk and American giant Eli Lilly.

The benchmark DSEX index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) rose 55.4 points, or nearly one percent, to close at 5,840, recovering from the previous session's close of 5,784.

Market sentiment improved throughout the trading session as investors accumulated heavyweight stocks, encouraged by a temporary pause in retaliatory actions in the Middle East and expectations of strong quarterly earnings from listed companies.

However, investors remained cautious due to persistent nationwide gas supply disruptions and concerns over the recent amendment to margin lending rules.

Turnover on the premier bourse increased by 11.7 percent to Taka 8.7 billion, up from Taka 7.8 billion in the previous session, reflecting stronger trading activity.

The textile sector dominated turnover with a 22.8 percent share, followed by pharmaceuticals at 12.4 percent and engineering at 11.1 percent.

Most sectors ended higher, with jute and mutual funds each advancing 3.3 percent, while the travel sector gained 2.4 percent.

Out of 396 issues traded, 297 advanced, 52 declined and 47 remained unchanged, indicating broad-based market participation.

Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also recorded gains in its indices, with the CSCX rising 72.5 points and the CASPI advancing 125.8 points.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it would increase the rate of appreciation of the local dollar's trade-weighted value.

The move comes as oil prices remain elevated owing to tensions in the Middle East, sparked by the US-Israel attacks on Iran that began on February 28, and continue to cast a shadow.

Because the city-state imports most of its needs, higher global prices for food and energy directly drive up local living costs.

Unlike many central banks, the MAS manages inflation by adjusting the Singapore dollar against a basket of currencies of its main trading partners within an undisclosed band, rather than setting interest rates.

A strong Singapore dollar eases the effects of rising import costs.

"Singapore's imported costs are likely to rise in the quarters ahead," the MAS said, adding that core inflation "is forecast to step up in July and remain elevated into early next year."

It warned that "inflation could pick up more strongly than anticipated if energy prices spike anew" as "fuel reserves have been drawn down significantly and renewed supply disruptions in the Middle East could cause sharp surges in oil prices".

The MAS last tightened monetary policy in April, the first such move since 2022.