President Emmerson Mnangagwa hosted a prayer gathering with thousands of Johane Masowe weChishanu church members at State House, but the event drew criticism from Zimbabweans who questioned whether prayer sessions could address the nation's mounting challenges. Social media users offered sharply divided responses to the religious ceremony.
Some supporters credited Mnangagwa's political survival to his spiritual consultations and praised his commitment to constitutional protections for religious freedom. Critics countered that Zimbabwe requires economic experts and strategic planners rather than large-scale religious gatherings, given the country's severe inflation, unemployment, and failing public services.
One observer argued that...
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus was expected to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday morning after departing Dubai International Airport at 2 a.m. local time. The Emirates Airlines flight carrying Yunus and his delegation was scheduled to land before 9 a.m. Bangladesh time. Yunus departed New York on Tuesday night after completing a nine-day trip for the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam and Permanent Representative to the UN Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury saw Yunus off at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Yunus began his UNGA visit on Sept. 22 and concluded by attending a conference on Rohingya Muslims and other minorities on Tuesday. He addressed the General Assembly on Sept...
Ahmad Rafique was placed on life support at BIRDEM Hospital on Wednesday afternoon after the Language Movement veteran's health worsened. The poet and Rabindra scholar remains unconscious in the intensive care unit under the supervision of Dr. Kaniz Fatema. Rafique has battled kidney disease for years and suffered multiple strokes in recent weeks.
Officials transferred Rafique to BIRDEM on Sunday from Health & Hope Hospital after treatment proved inadequate at the Panthapath facility. Cultural Affairs Ministry representatives visited him between Sept. 13 and Sept. 14 and pledged government support for his care. Supporters continue awaiting promised assistance for the 96-year-old scholar.
Rafique lives alone in rented quarters in New...
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali reviewed security measures at Banani and Bashundhara residential puja sites on Wednesday ahead of Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations. Ali reported that festivities proceeded smoothly across 254 puja locations throughout the capital, and authorities recorded no security incidents. The commissioner confirmed police readiness to prosecute anyone who threatens public safety, and he emphasized arrangements for idol immersion ceremonies on Thursday. Additional Police Commissioner SN Md. Nazrul Islam accompanied Ali on the inspection tour of worship venues.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan rejected the second-best team in Asia label on Wednesday, stating fans and media created the perception based on past results rather than the team claiming the title. Khan spoke at a pre-match news conference before the opening T20I against Bangladesh on Thursday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. He noted Afghanistan earned recognition through strong performances at recent ICC tournaments, but stressed past success guarantees nothing for future matches.
Khan explained that rankings reflect current form, and teams rise or fall based on their latest displays. He dismissed the importance of individual accolades like his top ICC bowling ranking, saying daily performance for the team matters most. Khan praised...
Veteran actor Ilias Kanchan is receiving treatment for a brain tumor at Wellington Hospital in London after undergoing surgery on Aug. 5, 2025. His son told reporters at a virtual press conference on Wednesday that surgeons could not completely remove the tumor because doing so risked paralysis and loss of speech or mobility. Professor Demetrius led the operation but extracted only a partial section of the growth.
The remaining tumor will be treated through radiation and chemotherapy over six weeks starting this month. Doctors diagnosed the brain tumor at Anwar Khan Modern Hospital in Dhanmondi in early April before the National Institute of Neurosciences confirmed surgery would be dangerous due to the tumor's location near critical...
Bangladesh's stand-in captain Jaker Ali Anik acknowledged on Wednesday that the team's Asia Cup failure stemmed from the absence of regular skipper Litton Das, but he defended batting coach Julian Wood against criticism. The Tigers exited in the group stage after repeated batting collapses undermined their campaign. Jaker said losing Litton's runs and leadership proved costly for the squad.
The wicketkeeper-batsman said Bangladesh entered with confidence but failed to execute their strategy on the field. He insisted players must accept responsibility for dropped catches and batting failures rather than blame coaching staff. Jaker emphasized that Wood's training methods were sound, but the team simply could not deliver when it mattered...
The United Nations Security Council voted on Tuesday to expand a struggling international security force in Haiti, but Russia, China, and Pakistan abstained from the measure proposed by the United States and Panama. Armed gangs control nearly all of Port-au-Prince and have displaced 1.3 million people while creating famine-level conditions. U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz told the council that gang violence threatens Haiti's existence as a state.
The expanded force will operate under voluntary contributions of personnel and funding with leadership from contributing nations plus the U.S. and Canada. Kenya's president acknowledged challenges with the current mission, noting that donated vehicles broke down frequently. Russia and China...
A mob torched the vacant residence of former lawmaker Nur Uddin Chowdhury Nayan in Lakshmipur's North Tehmni area on Wednesday afternoon. Witnesses and police reported that demonstrators marched to the five-story structure and ignited its ground floor. The building had remained empty after an initial arson attack on Aug. 4, just before a mass uprising.
Mehedi Hasan told reporters the attack stemmed from rage toward tyrants and their supporters. He warned that those responsible for past abuses would face resistance if they attempted to return. Lakshmipur Sadar Police Station's acting officer-in-charge Abdul Monnaf confirmed the property was set ablaze again after being gutted in August.
Chowdhury is believed to be in India, and no...
