Rohingya refugees told United Nations officials on Tuesday about persistent violence and obstacles preventing their return to Myanmar's Rakhine State. Maung Sawyeddollah displayed photographs of civilians killed in an Arakan Army drone strike on Aug. 5, 2024, and described the attacks as part of a systematic campaign against the Muslim minority group. Approximately 750,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar in 2017 amid a military crackdown that is subject to a UN genocide case.
Wai Wai Nu from the Women's Peace Network testified that Myanmar's military junta blocks humanitarian aid, uses Rohingya as human shields, and maintains systematic oppression. The Arakan Army employs similar tactics against Rohingya populations, she said. UN High...
Bangladesh begins training on Monday for a three-match playoff against Pakistan, which will determine participation in the World Cup qualifier. The Bangladesh Hockey Federation is pursuing Dutch coach Siegfried Aikman, who currently oversees the under-21 squad, to assist the senior team. General Secretary Riazul Hasan stated the federation will request Aikman's involvement with the national side despite his existing contract.
The International Hockey Federation arranged the playoff after Pakistan withdrew from the Asia Cup in India. Bangladesh will host matches on Nov. 13, 14, and 16 at Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium in Dhaka under Asian Hockey Federation regulations, and Pakistan arrives on Nov. 10. Eight players belong to...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned on Wednesday that infiltrators causing demographic changes threaten India's unity in diversity and pose risks to social harmony and internal security. Modi delivered the remarks at centenary celebrations for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The prime minister referenced his Independence Day speech announcing a Demographic Mission to protect citizens from infiltrators.
Modi previously accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress of supporting infiltration from Bangladesh for votes ahead of next year's assembly election. The Trinamool rejected the claims and accused the BJP of promoting xenophobia. Banerjee...
Pakistan's army announced on Tuesday that it conducted a successful test launch of the Fatah-4, a surface-to-surface cruise missile with a 750-kilometer range designed to strengthen conventional military capabilities. The missile features advanced avionics and navigation systems that enable terrain-hugging flight to avoid detection, and it can strike targets with high accuracy. Military officials stated the weapon will improve reach, lethality, and survivability of Pakistan's conventional arsenal, but they did not disclose the test location.
Pakistan routinely tests domestically produced missiles to demonstrate readiness against India, its nuclear-armed neighbor. The two nations have engaged in three conflicts since gaining...
Grandmaster Niaz Murshed of Bangladesh Ansar claimed his seventh national title on Wednesday after finishing the 49th National Chess Championship undefeated with 10.5 points from 13 games at Youth Tower auditorium in Dhaka. The country's first grandmaster defeated FIDE Master Subrota Biswas in 25 moves with white pieces against the King's Indian Defence in the final round. International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Ansar finished second with 9.5 points after losing his last game to Mohammed Shaker Ullah of Cox's Bazar, while FIDE Master Saline Mostafa Sajid of Bangladesh Army took third place with 8.5 points. Defending champion International Master Manon Reja Neer of Bangladesh Navy placed fourth with 8 points at the Bangladesh Chess...
India's submarine rescue system operated outside the Indian Ocean Region for the first time, with the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Tiger X docking with allied submarines in the South China Sea on Sept. 23. The deployment occurred at XPR-25, a multinational exercise hosted by Singapore, and marked the operational debut of INS Nistar, India's indigenously designed diving support vessel commissioned on July 18.
The rescue vehicle successfully mated with South Korea's submarine Shin Dol-Seok and Singapore's RSS Invincible. India operates two DSRVs acquired from UK-based James Fisher Defence under a 193 million pound contract signed in 2016, with each system featuring launch equipment, Transfer Under Pressure systems, and 25-year...
Hamas entered a third day of deliberations on Wednesday over a Gaza cease-fire proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, while other Palestinian groups dismissed the plan, and Israeli forces continued bombing Gaza City. Trump gave Hamas three or four days to respond to the proposal he presented with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A Palestinian official said Hamas faces only difficult options but remains focused on ending the war and serving Palestinian interests.
Israeli airstrikes and tank fire hit residential areas overnight, killing at least 35 people across Gaza on Wednesday, with most deaths occurring in Gaza City. Seven people died in a strike on the old city, and six others were killed at a school. Israeli officials...
The NorthOmbay Sarbojanin Durgotsav, popularly known as Mukherjee's Puja, celebrated its 77th year in Mumbai's Juhu neighborhood. The three-day Hindu festival of Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami attracted thousands of devotees from Mumbai and across India to witness the religious and cultural events.
Bollywood celebrities participated actively in the celebrations held this year. Rani Mukerji, Kajol, and Tanisha Mukerji performed the traditional dhunuchi naach, and they served bhog to worshippers. Jackie Shroff distributed food offerings to attendees at the venue.
Jaya Bachchan photographed the Durga idol on her phone, and she received photography guidance from Rani Mukerji. Twinkle Khanna returned to the festival after a long absence, and...
Seven districts across Bangladesh are facing potential flash flooding as major rivers rise due to heavy rainfall, affecting the nation and upstream areas in India's Tripura and Assam states. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre issued warnings on Wednesday for Feni, Chattogram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Sherpur, Netrakona, and Mymensingh districts.
Water levels in the Gomti, Muhuri, Selonia, and Feni rivers have increased over the past 24 hours and are expected to continue rising for the next three days. The Muhuri and Selonia rivers may exceed danger levels in Feni, while the Feni River could reach warning levels in Chattogram district, causing temporary flooding in low-lying areas.
The Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers in...
