The Daily Ittefaq

Range Rover launches first fully electric model

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:46:28 +0600

Range Rover has unveiled its first fully electric model, after a year‑long delay to its planned launch. The Range Rover Electric, to be built in Solihull, marks a major shift in its electrification programme, backed by large‑scale upgrades across its West Midlands sites, reports the BBC. Parent company JLR said it had up-skilled 10,500 workers for electric production as it pushes ahead with... Details

Series of heat waves makes Britain record its hottest summer

UNB — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:29:58 +0600

Britain experienced its hottest summer on record after a series of heat waves swept across the country, the national weather service said Tuesday. The summer, which brought extreme temperatures, limited rainfall, damaging wildfires and water restrictions, surpassed the previous record set just a year ago, according to provisional data collected by the Met Office since 1884. The mean average... Details

Nepal seeks compensation from US, China, India over deadly flash floods

UNB — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:08:07 +0600

Nepal has launched a diplomatic campaign seeking climate compensation from major greenhouse gas emitters for the devastation caused by recent deadly flash floods, saying assistance to climate-vulnerable countries should be seen as a matter of responsibility rather than charity. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said Nepal contributes virtually negligible greenhouse gas emissions but is facing... Details

Bangladesh exports grow 13.14% in Aug

UNB — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 20:22:44 +0600

Bangladesh's merchandise exports rose 13.14 percent year-on-year to US$4.43 billion in August, up from $3.92 billion in the same month last year, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). Exports during the first two months of fiscal year 2026-27 also increased by 5.43 percent to $9.16 billion from $8.69 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. The... Details

Looking forward to meeting PM Tarique soon: Trump

UNB — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:41:08 +0600

US President Donald Trump has expressed hope of meeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman soon, saying he believes Bangladesh and its people have a very bright future under his leadership. In a letter sent to the Prime Minister on Monday, Trump said the people of Bangladesh have been through much but expressed confidence that the country and its people will have a “very bright future” under... Details

6 more children die; death toll stands at 979

UNB — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 17:18:15 +0600

Six more children died with measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am on Tuesday, raising the country’s combined number of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 979 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all six latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With these, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached 880,... Details

'India-Bangladesh ties based on people-to-people'

BSS — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:38:36 +0600

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi today said the relations between India and Bangladesh are cemented on people-to-people. "This is a relationship between the people of the two countries. It is the responsibility of both countries to protect the interests of their neighbours and maintain mutual trust," he told reporters after a meeting with LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Dr... Details

Rooftop solar holds $2b market potential by 2030

BSS — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:30:49 +0600

The country’s rooftop solar market holds potential for nearly $2 billion in material demand by 2030, while wider household adoption could add up to 21,300 megawatts of capacity and meet as much as 35 percent of national electricity demand, according to Distributed Renewable Energy Platform (DREP). The opportunity is being driven by the residential sector, which accounted for 57.2... Details

Strong democratic system key to sustainable development: PM

UNB — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:37:00 +0600

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said Bangladesh’s sustainable progress and development can be ensured through an effective and strong democratic system. “We believe that sustainable progress and development of the country can be ensured through an effective and strong democratic system,” he said during a courtesy meeting with Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary... Details

EU puts ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox under stricter rules

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:48:41 +0600

The European Commission said on Monday that US-based platforms ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox will now face stricter data protection rules after passing a key user threshold. Now that all three have over 45 million average monthly users in the European Union, they are now obliged to assess and mitigate potential risks related to illegal content, protection of minors, and users' mental health,... Details

Sundarbans reopens after 90-day fishing, tourism ban

UNB — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:58:10 +0600

The Sundarbans reopened to tourists and forest-dependent people on Tuesday after a three-month ban imposed to protect fish breeding and preserve the biodiversity of the world’s largest mangrove forest. Fishermen and other forest-dependent people from villages and upazilas adjacent to the Sundarbans have completed preparations to return to the forest with valid passes and permits to catch... Details

Dhaka ranks 11th among cities with worst air quality

UNB — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:56:36 +0600

Dhaka ranked 11th among the world’s cities with the worst air quality on Tuesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 105 at 10:08 am. According to the AQI scale, the city's air quality was classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”, poses health risks to children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases, while the general public is... Details

Tarique pays tribute to Zia, Khaleda on BNP’s founding anniv

UNB — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:43:26 +0600

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday paid homage to party founder Ziaur Rahman and its former chairperson Khaleda Zia by placing a wreath at their graves marking the party’s 48th founding anniversary. Tarique, also the eldest son of Zia and Khaleda, flanked by party senior leaders, placed the wreath at his parents’ graves at She r-e-Bangla Nagar around 9:20am... Details

Fuel shortages fuel Bangladesh’s power crisis

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:55:14 +0600

The simultaneous crisis in gas, coal, and fuel oil has been compounded by several major power plants having units out of operation. At 2 a.m. on Sunday, load-shedding reached a peak of 3,595 megawatts. Even at 1 p.m. on Monday, nearly 18 percent of the electricity demand could not be supplied. Load-shedding experienced by consumers was even greater than the figures recorded at the substation... Details

Cheap Chicken, Costly Risk

Editorial — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:22:22 +0600

Broiler chicken has long been an important part of the daily diet of the people of Bangladesh. The contribution of the poultry industry to ensuring a supply of animal protein at a relatively affordable price is undeniable. However, if food safety, animal health, and public health do not receive adequate attention alongside the rapid expansion of this industry, serious health risks may develop... Details

3 BAF members killed, 4 injured as pickup falls from flyover onto Dhaka airport

UNB — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:17:53 +0600

Three members of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) were killed and four others injured after a BAF pickup fell from a flyover at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal on Monday night. The accident occurred around 10:20pm while the BAF personnel were performing their regular duty at the third terminal, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate.... Details

The missing in Nepal-Tibet flash floods

BSS — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:16:07 +0600

At least 4,471 people were listed as missing on Monday, with a further 955 confirmed dead, after the flash floods and landslides that hit the Nepal-Tibet border. The figures are likely to change, which is not uncommon in the chaos after a major disaster. Here are the latest numbers: In total: 4,471 missing - Nepal's disaster agency reduced the total number of people missing on... Details

Messi bids farewell to international football

UNB — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 23:40:45 +0600

Lionel Messi announced Monday that he is retiring from international soccer after a remarkable two-decade career with Argentina. “It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come,” the 39-year-old Messi said in a statement posted on Instagram. He said he had always given everything for Argentina, not only during the years... Details

Govt approves National Pay Scale 2026

UNB — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:22:29 +0600

The government on Monday approved the National Pay Scale 2026, raising the basic salary of government employees, introducing higher slab-based net pensions and new allowances including a disability allowance for children with special needs. The new pay scale was approved at a cabinet meeting held on Monday with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. The revised scale will set the minimum... Details

Currently total number of voters is 128,777,643: EC

BSS — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 17:56:47 +0600

The current total number of voters is 128,777,643 and of them, 65,510,665 are male, 63,265,711 female and 1,267 third-gender ahead of the next local government elections. "We are preparing for the local government elections based on the voter registrations completed up to July 31. According to the final voter list, the current number of voters is 128,777,643," Election Commission (EC)... Details

BB eyes automating forex operations

BSS — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 17:35:53 +0600

Bangladesh Bank (BB) is introducing a comprehensive electronic Foreign Exchange (FX) Market Module to automate and streamline foreign exchange intervention auctions, interbank FX transactions and the collection of market data for preparation of the reference exchange rate. According to the Operational Guidelines on the FX Market Module, the system is designed to improve efficiency,... Details

Combined death toll hits 973 as 6 more die

UNB — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 16:51:11 +0600

Six children died with measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Monday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 973 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all six latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With these, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached 874,... Details

CPD for end-to-end digitalisation of local govt services

BSS — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:46:05 +0600

Speakers at a dialogue today recommended making e-governance at local government institutions more citizen-centric, accessible, inclusive and accountable through end-to-end digitalisation, stronger ICT infrastructure, improved digital literacy and effective grievance-redress mechanisms. They made the recommendations at a dialogue titled "E-Governance at the Local Government Institutions:... Details

US provides $2.4m health equipment to Bangladesh

BSS — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 13:46:18 +0600

The United States has provided $2.4 million in health equipment and supplies to Bangladesh to strengthen maternal, newborn and child health services across the country, the US Embassy said today. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen presented maternal and newborn care training models to Panchagarh Civil Surgeon Dr Md Mizanur Rahman at Panchagarh District Hospital as part of the... Details

Oil jumps more than 2% after US attack on Iran's Larak Island

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:48:07 +0600

Oil prices were trading more than 2% ‌higher on Monday after the U.S. attacked an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz and drew retaliation from Tehran, as their conflict extended into its sixth month. Brent crude futures climbed $2.21, or 2.51%, to $90.31 a barrel as of 0436 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $85.23, up $1.83, or 2.19%, according to a Reuters report.... Details

Light to moderate rain likely across country

UNB — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:18:02 +0600

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast light to moderate rain across the country in the next 24 hours commencing 9am on Monday. “Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds are likely at many places over Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions with... Details

US and Iran trade strikes for first time in weeks

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:27:52 +0600

Iran and the US have traded strikes after American forces attacked two rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The first known US strikes on Iran since late July killed two people and injured two others, according to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which vowed "response and punishment". The IRGC also said it had shot down a US drone over the Strait of Hormuz,... Details

John Ternus to lead Apple into the age of AI

BSS — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:42:02 +0600

John Ternus takes over as Apple's chief executive on Tuesday, inheriting a company that towers over the smartphone market but trails its rivals in artificial intelligence. One of his biggest challenges will be balancing the company's dependence on China while parrying acute political pressure from the White House. The handover ends Tim Cook's 15-year run, replacing the operations specialist... Details

Dhaka's air unhealthy for sensitive groups

UNB — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 09:47:11 +0600

Dhaka ranked 11th among the world's most polluted cities on Monday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 102 at 9:45 am. According to the AQI scale, the city's air quality was classified as 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,' posing minor health risks to vulnerable people. Malaysia's Kuching topped the global pollution list with an AQI score of 370. Kuwait's Kuwait City and... Details

Energy crisis threatens exports

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 09:22:56 +0600

The country's industrial sector has come under pressure due to instability in the global market and a shortage of fuel supplies at home. Because of the lack of uninterrupted electricity and gas, factory owners are having to rely on alternative arrangements to keep production running. As a result, production costs have risen sharply, ultimately driving up the final prices of goods.... Details

Iran claims retaliatory attack on U.S. bases in Jordan

UNB — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 09:20:36 +0600

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Monday that its aerospace forces carried out retaliatory drone and ballistic missile strikes against U.S. targets at two air bases in Jordan earlier in the day. The strikes were in response to the "U.S. and Israeli air aggression" against Iran's southern Larak Island in Hormozgan province on Sunday night, the IRGC said in a statement... Details

Nepal buries dead as rescuers seek thousands missing

BSS — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 09:19:23 +0600

Nepal was burying on Monday some of the hundreds of bodies retrieved after a deadly, tsunami-like flood crashed through the Himalayan region, sweeping away villages and leaving thousands still missing. Distraught families have packed rescue stations and hospitals in search of their missing relatives, while others have faced the grim task of identifying bodies at overflowing morgues. The huge... Details

BB earns Tk 25,977cr net profit in FY26

UNB — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 23:01:52 +0600

Bangladesh Bank (BB) recorded a net profit of Tk 25,977 crore for the recently concluded fiscal year FY2025-26, marking an increase of Tk 3,357 crore compared to the previous fiscal despite ongoing economic challenges. The final financial statements for FY2025-26 were approved on Sunday (August 30) during a Board of Directors meeting chaired by Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostaqur Rahman at the... Details

Energy crisis costs Bangladesh $10.63bn in imports: Study

UNB — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 20:51:17 +0600

Bangladesh's deepening energy crisis has pushed the country's energy import bill to $10.63 billion in FY25-26, up 107 percent year-on-year, while stalling nearly Tk35,000 crore in industrial investment across 1,857 pending gas-connection applications, according to a study jointly presented by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and Policy Exchange Bangladesh on Sunday. The... Details

MRT-2 to link Gabtoli and Narayanganj

Pinaki Dasgupta — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:59:33 +0600

The government has taken an initiative to construct a new metro rail line from Gabtoli to Tarabo in Narayanganj via Old Dhaka, with the aim of adding a new dimension to Dhaka’s public transportation system. The proposed project, known as MRT Line-2, will involve the construction of approximately 35 kilometers of railway track and will have 24 stations. One section of the route is planned to be... Details

4 more children die; death toll stands at 967

UNB — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:16:27 +0600

Four children died with measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am on Sunday, raising the country’s combined number of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 967 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all four latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With these, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached 868, while... Details

Battery-run rickshaws to be banned on Dhaka main roads

UNB — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 15:28:26 +0600

Battery-powered and electric rickshaws will not be allowed to operate on Dhaka’s main roads, while registered e-rickshaws carrying up to four passengers will be permitted to run on internal roads, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam said on Sunday. Six-passenger e-rickshaws will not be eligible for registration with either of the... Details

No more “Aynaghar”, perpetrators to face justice: President Fakhrul

UNB — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 14:31:01 +0600

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday pledged to ensure justice for victims of enforced disappearances, saying Bangladesh would never again allow “Aynaghar” or secret detention centres to exist. “Let me state clearly as the President of Bangladesh: there will be no more ‘Aynaghar’ in this independent Bangladesh. No mother will have to shed tears... Details

Ecuador declares emergency over El Nino

BSS — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 13:33:30 +0600

Ecuador became the latest Latin American country to declare an emergency over the El Nino climate phenomenon on Saturday, which could be strongest on record, officials said. This year's El Nino is already wreaking havoc in Central America, which is in the throes of a severe drought, and in Indonesia, where it is exacerbating wildfires. Scientists predict the current occurrence will reach its... Details

Rain likely across country

BSS — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 13:16:34 +0600

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) today forecasted rain in different parts of the country in next 24 hours commencing from 9 am. "Light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions and at few places over Dhaka, Khulna & Barishal divisions," said a... Details

WhatsApp chat used to send cash for crime and extremism

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 12:35:21 +0600

A WhatsApp group chat was used to send hundreds of millions of euros in cash around the world, funding organised crime and extremism with no paper trail, an investigation by European broadcasters has found. The 532-member group chat, called "Traders of Greater Europe", was used to arrange cash transfers across borders for their clients, including to British cities such as Birmingham and... Details

Beyond a Natural Disaster

Editorial — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 12:08:30 +0600

Outside an army camp in Nuwakot, Nepal, a crowd of people who have lost relatives waits anxiously. Trembling fingers move down a list of names pasted on a wall—perhaps beside one of those names they will find news of a loved one. But as the list grows longer, the hours of waiting seem to become increasingly unbearable. So far, 676 people have been killed in the devastating floods and... Details

Nepal flood death toll rises to 734: disaster authority

BSS — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 11:30:58 +0600

Devastating floods near the border with China killed at least 734 people in Nepal and 2,498 remain missing, its disaster authority said Sunday, as rescue efforts entered a fifth day. Chinese state media had earlier confirmed 16 dead in Tibet and 546 people missing following Wednesday's disaster. That takes the overall toll to 750 dead and 3,044 missing. The number of missing in Nepal rose... Details

Kaptai Dam gates opened to 1 foot as lake water rises

UNB — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 10:20:07 +0600

Authorities have further opened the spillway gates of Kaptai Dam as the water level of Kaptai Lake continues to rise rapidly. The 16 spillway gates were opened to one foot from six inches on Saturday night, allowing around 18,000 cusecs of water per second to flow from Kaptai Lake into the Karnaphuli River. Tarek Ahmed, an engineer at the Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant, said the gates were being... Details

Dhaka records moderate air quality this morning

UNB — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 10:15:25 +0600

Dhaka ranked 42th among the world's most polluted cities on Sunday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 58 at 9:15 am. According to the AQI scale, the city's air quality was classified as ‘Moderate', poses moderate health concern for a very small number of unusually sensitive individuals (such as people with asthma, heart disease, or older adults). Kuching of Malaysia... Details

US, Venezuela announce 'historic' oil deal

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 21:23:18 +0600

President Donald Trump said Friday the US had reached a deal to take control of part of Venezuela's vast oil reserves. He said the deal was negotiated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, reports the Deutsche Welle. "The United States of America has just entered into an agreement with the country of Venezuela on,... Details

37 killed as Russian air raids hit Kyiv for 3rd day

UNB — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:56:22 +0600

Russian air raids disrupted Kyiv for a third day, with a strike in Bucha district raising the region's death toll to 37, officials said Saturday. Regional military administrator Tymur Tkachenko said fires damaged a restaurant and 50 residential buildings, including an elderly and disabled care home, forcing over 370 evacuations. In Myla, an unspecified warehouse detonated. President Volodymyr... Details

Measles death toll hits 963 as 3 more die in 24hrs

UNB — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:52:32 +0600

Three more children died with measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am on Saturday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 963 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all three latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With these, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached... Details

PM pledges to fulfil aspirations of martyrs, victims of democratic movements

UNB — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:03:52 +0600

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday pledged that his government would make its utmost efforts to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives or suffered injuries in the struggles for independence, democracy and people’s rights. “Despite various practical realities, we will make our utmost efforts to fulfil the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives in... Details

Gold price falls by Tk 7,115 per bhori

UNB — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:01:25 +0600

Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has cut gold prices by Tk 7,115 per bhori after four consecutive increases, setting the price of 22-carat gold at Tk 2,40,628 per bhori including VAT. The new prices came into effect at 10am on Saturday, BAJUS said in a notice. The association said the price of locally sourced Tejabi gold (pure gold) had declined, prompting it to revise gold prices... Details

Rain likely in parts of country

BSS — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 14:59:43 +0600

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) today forecast rain in different parts of the country in the next 24 hours commencing from 9 am. "Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions with... Details

Crisis Reveals Character

Editorial — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 10:29:23 +0600

Nepal’s recent devastating floods have not only revealed the wrath of nature but have also exposed the darker side of human beings. A storm of condemnation has erupted after a video circulated on social media showing someone removing jewellery from the dead body of a woman who was killed in the floods. Such incidents, however, are not entirely new during times of disaster. In some... Details

Number of missing in Nepal, China floods soars past 2,400

BSS — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 10:17:25 +0600

Rescuers in Nepal and China were still battling Saturday to locate thousands of people missing days after a deadly, tsunami-like wall of water and debris swept through the Himalayan region, engulfing villages. The number of missing soared past 2,400 on Friday as emergency teams said they had recovered 586 bodies -- with some of the dead swept downstream as far away as India. In an area home... Details

Two Bangladeshi workers killed in Russian factory fire

UNB — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 10:14:44 +0600

A fire caused by a sudden accident at a Sinopec Group factory in Russia’s Amur region has been brought under control, and working staff are safe, the Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow said Friday. While most employees survived unharmed, two Bangladeshi workers were killed in the incident, and those injured have been brought to Moscow for advanced medical treatment. The deceased were... Details

French economy stalls in Q2, inflation speeds up

BSS — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:14:25 +0600

France's economic growth stalled in the second quarter, statistics office Insee said Friday, revising down its initial forecast while reporting a sharp rise in inflation in August. GDP growth was flat in the quarter, instead of the 0.2 percent growth Insee first reported last month. That followed a 0.2 percent decline in the first quarter -- also a downward revision from the previous estimate... Details

Delhi spells out Mecca Pact has security implications for India

UNB — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:11:57 +0600

India on Friday said the "Mecca Pact" has security implications for India, noting that it is closely following developments that have implications for its national security. "We continue to follow all developments that have a bearing on India's security and take all necessary steps to safeguard it," Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New... Details

Why India wants Bangladesh's Tarique Rahman in Delhi

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 19:02:37 +0600

It is not often that an official email offers a glimpse into relations between two neighbouring countries. But a message from the Indian president's office earlier this month did just that, quickly catching the attention of diplomats and journalists, BBC reports. It said a weekend Change of Guard ceremony at the presidential palace had been cancelled because rehearsals were being held for the... Details

Putin congratulates President Mirza Fakhrul

BSS — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 17:59:43 +0600

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated newly elected Bangladesh President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, wishing him success in serving the people of Bangladesh. In a congratulatory message, the Russian President extended his best wishes to his Bangladeshi counterpart on his election as President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, said the Russian embassy here. Putin wished... Details

Law minister urges aspiring lawyers to focus on skills, not money

BSS — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:37:28 +0600

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman has urged young lawyers to focus on developing professional skills rather than running after money to succeed in the legal profession. "Instead of trying to become rich quickly through corruption or shortcuts, you should build yourselves as ideal lawyers through merit, honesty, morality and hard work," he said. The minister... Details

Tanker pays record $5.3m to transit Panama Canal: administrator

BSS — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:31:43 +0600

A tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas has paid $5.3 million for priority passage through the Panama Canal ahead of El Nino-related restrictions, the waterway's deputy administrator, Ilya Espino de Marotta, told AFP on Thursday. South Korean company SK Gas paid the record sum for the G. Spirit to transit the shipping lane on September 1, two days before canal authorities reduce the number... Details

'High risk' of lake bursting and causing second flood, warns China

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:50:12 +0600

China has warned there is a "high risk" that a lake which formed after the recent landslide near the Nepal-Tibet border may burst, causing a second flood downstream. The warning comes after Wednesday's deadly flash flood in the same area which scientists say was triggered by the collapse of a mountain glacier into a river, BBC reports. As of Friday morning, an estimated 2.5 million cubic... Details

What we know after the big Grand Theft Auto 6 preview

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:36:05 +0600

After more than 18 months since the last official glimpse of Grand Theft Auto 6, developer Rockstar has shown fans a 26-minute preview of the upcoming blockbuster video game. Its "extended look" debuted on Netflix, six hours before going live on YouTube, and was the first chance players have had to see detailed footage of the title in action, BBC reports. The montage, with no commentary or... Details

Manoj Bajpayee’s ‘Last Man in Tower’ set for Sept 11 release

UNB — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:30:37 +0600

Indian actor Manoj Bajpayee’s upcoming film Last Man in Tower, based on Aravind Adiga’s acclaimed novel of the same name, is set to hit theatres across India on September 11. Directed by Ben Rekhi, the film also stars Boman Irani and Divya Dutta. The screenplay has been adapted by Sooni Taraporevala, known for her collaborations with filmmaker Mira Nair on projects including Salaam... Details

Power cuts hit hard nation

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:32:45 +0600

Severe power outages have hit the country as a combination of acute gas shortages, inadequate supplies of coal and liquid fuels, technical problems at major power plants, and scheduled maintenance has sharply disrupted electricity generation. With overall power generation falling at an alarming rate, load-shedding has reached extreme levels across the country, including Dhaka. With supply... Details

When Nature Strikes

Editorial — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:25:27 +0600

The devastating flash flood that struck Nepal last Wednesday once again demonstrated how helpless human beings are in the face of nature’s power, and how even a minor shortfall in preparedness in the face of a natural disaster can lead to catastrophic consequences. The flash flood rushing down from the mountains devastated village after village. According to the latest reports, the death... Details

Death toll hits 469, hundreds missing

UNB — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:21:23 +0600

The death toll from massive flash floods has risen to 469 in Nepal, police said Friday, as rescuers work to find hundreds of people still missing in the area on the Nepal-China border. The previous death toll was 390 in Nepal and three in Tibet. Authorities had also reported more than 1,400 missing people in both areas from the disaster Wednesday. Hundreds have already been rescued, Nepalese... Details

Could new US sanctions tear China and Iran apart?

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 22:47:41 +0600

China has pushed back on what it called "illegal unilateral sanctions" after the US announced new measures earlier this week to cut off all potential sources of revenue to Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday described the sanctions package as an "economic D-Day" against Tehran, and warned any economic engagement with the regime would "expose those responsible to the full reach"... Details

How the Gulf conflict shaped financial markets

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:22:37 +0600

Friday marks six months since the U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran triggered a conflict that has disrupted global energy supplies and sent ripples through global financial markets. The charts below show how the conflict has affected oil, equities, safe-haven assets and food prices, reports the Reuters. 1 COSTLY ENERGY Oil prices soared as Gulf production was disrupted and shipments through... Details

President urges EC to uphold image, public trust

BSS — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 17:57:37 +0600

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today urged the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) to uphold its image and public trust by ensuring that all upcoming elections are held in a free, fair and impartial manner. He made the call when a four-member EC delegation, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin paid a courtesy call on him at the Bangabhaban this noon. The other members of... Details

5 more children die in 24hrs, death toll 955

UNB — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 17:41:26 +0600

Five more children died with measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Thursday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 955 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all five latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With these, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached... Details

Sammilito Islami Bank files 10,000 cases to recover defaulted loans

BSS — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:03:35 +0600

Sammilito Islami Bank PLC has so far filed around 10,000 cases to recover defaulted loans, as Bangladesh Bank (BB) intensifies efforts to protect depositors' interests and strengthen the financial position of the country's largest state-owned Shariah-based Islamic bank. The information came at a meeting held at the central bank headquarters today with the BB governor and officials of the Bank... Details

12 killed in Algeria wildfires

UNB — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:33:19 +0600

At least 12 people were killed as wildfires swept through three provinces in northeastern Algeria, Interior Minister Said Sayoud said Wednesday evening. The deaths included five in Jijel province, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou, Sayoud said during a visit to Bejaia, about 270 km east of the capital Algiers. Following instructions from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Sayoud visited... Details

President vows to uphold non-partisan role in discharging state duties

BSS — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 14:41:26 +0600

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today pledged to discharge his constitutional responsibilities in a completely non-partisan manner for the welfare of the state. “I resigned from the party, parliament and the Cabinet before assuming the responsibility of the President. I am now completely a non-partisan person, and after assuming the responsibility of the President of my state, I... Details

Dhaka traffic police take on growing role in fighting street crime

UNB — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:09:33 +0600

They are supposed to keep traffic moving, untangle gridlocks and enforce road rules. But on Dhaka’s crowded streets, traffic police are increasingly finding themselves in a different role — chasing snatchers, recovering stolen valuables and detaining people accused of other crimes. Positioned at major intersections and busy roads, traffic personnel often have something that crime... Details

Meta settles major US child-safety lawsuits for up to $18b

UNB — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 11:23:32 +0600

A settlement announced Wednesday between Meta and dozens of US states has ended one of the company’s biggest legal battles, but the Facebook and Instagram owner still faces lawsuits over the impact of social media on children’s mental health. The deal ended a federal trial in Oakland, California, where Meta was accused of designing addictive features. Meta will pay up to $18... Details

Parliament goes into third session today

UNB — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:15:36 +0600

The 13th parliament is set to go into session on Thursday after a 43-day recess. The third session of the current Parliament, formed through the February-12 election, will begin at 3pm. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Wednesday said, the formation of parliamentary standing committees and passage of key bills will receive top priority during the session. The session may continue for five to 10... Details

Brazil sues Discord for $100 mn in child safety case

BSS — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:35:55 +0600

The Brazilian government on Wednesday said it was suing the Discord messaging platform for nearly $100 million in damages over its alleged failure to protect children from harmful content and demanded it adopt stronger safeguards. Brazil's National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) ordered Discord to suspend livestreams earlier this month after a 13-year-old girl was goaded into killing... Details

Search for missing after Nepal-Tibet floods kills at least 160

BSS — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:14:11 +0600

Rescue teams rushed Thursday to find hundreds of people missing on the Nepal-Tibet border in flash floods and landslides that killed at least 160 and swept away entire villages. A terrifying clip of surveillance video from the Chinese side of the frontier shows a massive wall of mud and debris crashing over a building several stories high on Wednesday morning, engulfing it as dozens of people... Details

Why Tesla has been caught up in a massive car recall in China

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 22:53:08 +0600

Hidden car door handles - the sleek designs often found on electric vehicles (EVs) - have come under the spotlight over the past week. That's after China announced its biggest ever recall of cars, with more than four million vehicles - mostly Teslas – affected, reports the BBC. The recall comes ahead of new regulations in China, requiring cars to have a mechanical release both on the... Details

Hundreds missing after deadly flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:46:54 +0600

Hundreds of travellers are missing, including at least 291 foreign tourists, after a flash flood on the Nepal-Tibet border. At least 31 people have been killed in Nepal - among the preliminary list of the missing are more than 100 people from India and 12 from the UK, according to its tourist board, reports the BBC. Chinese state media is also reporting "major casualties" in Tibet, which is... Details

7 more children die in 24hrs, death toll 950

UNB — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:07:11 +0600

Seven more children died with measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am on Wednesday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 950 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all seven latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With these, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached... Details

US pauses immigrant visa appointments for global applicants

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:14:42 +0600

President Donald Trump's ‌administration has issued a pause on immigrant visa appointments for applicants around the world during an ongoing immigration crackdown by the U.S. government in the Republican leader's second term in the White House. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday that it launched a global training initiative at all U.S. embassies and consulates... Details

Iran and Oman discuss temporary Hormuz corridor

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:06:27 +0600

Iran said it had restarted talks with neighbor Oman to manage the Strait of Hormuz as it faces heightened economic pressure from U.S. ‌President Donald Trump in the wider conflict. Iran and Oman have been in on-and-off talks for weeks about controlling traffic through the strategic waterway, which handled one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the war began in... Details

Fire at hospital nursery in Pakistan's capital kills 14 newborns

UNB — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:36:11 +0600

A fire broke out early Wednesday at a newborn nursery in a major government hospital in Pakistan's capital, killing 14 infants, hospital officials and the government said. At least 15 newborns were being treated in the nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences when the fire broke out, according to hospital authorities. One baby was rescued from the facility. Rescue officials said... Details

Eid-e-Miladunnabi being observed

UNB — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:32:08 +0600

The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, commemorating the birth and death of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), is being observed observed across the country on Wednesday with due religious reverence and solemnity. On this day in 570, the 12th of Rabiul Awal of the Hijri calendar, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah with divine blessings and messages of peace for mankind. He also passed away on the... Details

Bhutan King makes brief stopover in Dhaka, meets President

UNB — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:29:44 +0600

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir welcomed Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Wednesday as the Bhutanese monarch made a stopover in Dhaka while travelling from Singapore to Bhutan. The special aircraft carrying the Bhutanese King landed in Dhaka in the early hours and stayed at the airport for around an hour. During his stay,... Details

Canada unveils counter-tariffs of 15-50% on US goods

BSS — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:52:48 +0600

Canada on Tuesday announced counter-tariffs on US goods ranging between 15 and 50 percent, intensifying the trade war between the historically close allies. Ottawa's retaliation will take effect September 8, a timeframe earlier outlined by Prime Minister Mark Carney after US President Donald Trump's 50-percent duties came into place Saturday. The retaliatory tariffs of 15 percent, 25 percent... Details

Trump says all mines cleared from Strait of Hormuz

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:05:33 +0600

US President Donald Trump has said that the US Navy has removed or detonated all mines in the Strait of Hormuz - the vital waterway which Iran has largely closed since the beginning of the war in the Middle East. "Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be immediately and systematically destroyed," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. There is no... Details

Remittance inflow surges 25.7pc by August 24

BSS — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 19:23:22 +0600

Bangladesh received US$81 million in workers' remittances on August 24, taking the total inflow during August 1-24 to US$2.34 billion, up 25.7 percent from US$1.861 billion received during the corresponding period of 2025. According to the latest data, remittance inflow has maintained strong growth in the current fiscal year 2026-27. During July 1 to August 24, 2026, the country received... Details

Eid-e-Miladunnabi to be celebrated Wednesday

UNB — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 18:45:34 +0600

The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, commemorating the birth and death of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), will be observed across the country on Wednesday with due religious reverence and solemnity. The government and various other organisations have taken elaborate programmes to mark the occasion with due respect. The national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government and autonomous... Details

5 more children die in 24 hrs, death toll 943

UNB — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:38:38 +0600

Five children died with measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Tuesday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 943 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all five latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With these, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached 844,... Details

Chiefs of three services call on President

BSS — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:38:38 +0600

Chiefs of three services today paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban, said a Bangabhaban press release here. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met the President this noon. During the meeting, they congratulated the President on... Details

Trump Weighs New 7.5% Tariff on China Over Cheap Exports

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:28:30 +0600

US President Donald Trump is considering imposing a new 7.5% tariff on Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of flooding global markets with cheaply priced products, according to people familiar with the matter. Two of three people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the proposed tariff is being considered at a level that officials believe would not threaten the current... Details

Sammilito Islami Bank directed to resume normal operations

BSS — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:56:09 +0600

Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman today directed the chairman and managing director of Sammilito Islami Bank PLC to take necessary measures to protect depositors' interests and resume normal banking operations at the earliest. The governor gave the directives at a meeting with the chairman of Sammilito Islami Bank PLC, Kazi Shairul Hasan and Managing Director Abedur Rahman... Details

Gold starts biting again

UNB — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:27:49 +0600

Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus) has again raised the price of gold in the domestic market, hiking the rate by Tk 1,633 per bhori for 22-carat gold. With the increase, the new price of 22-carat gold, including VAT, has been set at Tk 2,47,743 per bhori (11.664 grams), effective from 10am on Tuesday. In a notice issued on Tuesday morning, Bajus said the price of pure gold (tejabi) has... Details

TCB plans Tk 8,000cr procurement to stabilise essentials market

BSS — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 11:22:07 +0600

The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has planned to purchase commodities worth around Tk 8,000 crore during the current fiscal year to stabilise the country's essential commodity market amid a global supply chain crunch. The main procurement items will remain edible oil, lentils and sugar, alongside additional commodities such as dates and chickpeas. Initially, TCB plans to... Details

CVs for Sale

Editorial — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:56:33 +0600

Recently, concern and anxiety have arisen over advertisements on the dark web offering for sale the résumés of a large number of Bangladeshi job seekers. A hacker group identifying itself as “Madarox” has claimed to possess the CVs of nearly six million users of Bdjobs, one of Bangladesh’s most popular job websites. Although Bdjobs authorities have... Details

MCAB sets new USD buy-sell rates for money exchanges

UNB — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:33:49 +0600

The Money Changers Association of Bangladesh (MCAB) has set new exchange rates for buying and selling US dollars in the open market to maintain stability and curb exchange rate fluctuations. Under the new rates announced on Monday, authorized money exchanges across the country will purchase the US dollar at Tk 125.50 and sell it at Tk 126.50. MCAB President MS Zaman officially announced the... Details

Dhaka ranks 6th globally in worst air quality

UNB — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:32:15 +0600

Dhaka ranked 6th among the world’s cities with the worst air quality on Tuesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 122 at 9:08 am. According to the AQI scale, the city's air quality was classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”, poses health risks to children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases, while the general public is... Details

Oil tanker struck by projectile off Oman: UKMTO

BSS — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:30:34 +0600

An oil tanker was struck and disabled by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, causing damage but no casualties, a British maritime agency said early Tuesday. "The Master of an oil tanker reports the vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile causing damage to the engine room and disabling the vessel," with the crew reported as safe, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade... Details