Israel's cabinet voted on Tuesday night to approve David Zini as Shin Bet chief despite controversy surrounding his selection to lead the internal security agency. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the choice by stating that the situation after Hamas's attack on Oct. 7, 2023, required a new security chief from outside the organization. Zini brings decades of military experience as a former IDF general, but he faces criticism for his self-described messianic views, and reports suggest several Shin Bet officials threatened to resign over his appointment.
The Attorney General's Office filed a legal position paper on Tuesday requiring Zini to consult the agency's legal adviser before handling matters connected to Netanyahu's...
Dense fog blanketed large sections of the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday morning, prompting the National Center of Meteorology to warn drivers about poor visibility. Red and yellow weather alerts indicated visibility dropped below 1,000 meters in many areas until 9 a.m., affecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai roads.
Fog covered Al Jaddaf, Al Aweer, Expo City, and Khalifa Tower in Dubai, and Al Falah, Al Riyad City, Bani Yas, and AlShawamekh in Abu Dhabi. The Dubai-Abu Dhabi road and Abu Dhabi Al Ain Road also experienced reduced visibility. Abu Dhabi Police reduced speed limits to 80 kilometers per hour in affected zones.
Temperatures will climb to 37 to 42 degrees Celsius across most regions except mountainous areas. Winds reaching 15 to...
The dollar remained near a one-week low against major currencies on Wednesday as the U.S. government shutdown threatened to delay critical employment data. Funding lapsed at midnight in Washington after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an interim agreement, but Senate Republican Leader John Thune said lawmakers would vote again on the House measure when the chamber convenes at 1400 GMT. The Labor and Commerce departments announced their statistics agencies would suspend data releases during a partial shutdown, affecting Friday's nonfarm payrolls report that markets view as essential for determining whether the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at the end of this month.
The dollar index stood at 97.814 as the deadline...
A Gaza-bound aid flotilla is navigating through high-risk waters, where previous missions have faced interception or attack. Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported on Wednesday that the Israeli military plans to seize the flotilla using naval commandos and warships, but will sink some of the 50 vessels at sea rather than towing them all. The Global Sumud Flotilla departed from Spain on Aug. 31 and represents the largest maritime mission to Gaza to date, bringing together delegations from at least 44 countries to challenge Israel's naval blockade and deliver humanitarian assistance.
International law prohibits Israel from boarding ships in international waters. Coastal nations control territorial waters extending 12 nautical miles...
Former national cricket captain Tamim Iqbal withdrew his candidacy for next week's Bangladesh Cricket Board elections on Wednesday. He submitted his withdrawal at the BCB headquarters at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on the final day for candidates to step down. The elections are scheduled for Oct. 6, when councilors from clubs nationwide will select 23 of 25 board members, and a BCB president.
Observers widely anticipated Tamim's withdrawal after the High Court blocked 15 clubs from participating in the vote. These clubs face corruption investigations, and they were promoted to Category-2 status under the former Awami League government. The clubs initially did not appear on the draft voter list for the Oct. 6...
Medical examiners found no evidence of rape in a 12-year-old Marma schoolgirl whose alleged assault triggered fatal protests in Khagrachhari this week. Dr. Joy Chakma, senior consultant and head of the three-member examination team at Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital, stated that all 10 rape indicators appeared normal. The medical report was sent to the district police superintendent's office for investigation.
The eighth-grade student lost consciousness on Sept. 23 while returning from private tutoring in the Singinala area of Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila. Her father filed a rape complaint against three unidentified suspects that same day. Police arrested Shoyon Shil, a 19-year-old Hindu youth, the next day based on information from local...
The federal government shut down after midnight on Wednesday when lawmakers and President Donald Trump could not resolve a budget dispute centered on Democratic demands for health care funding. The impasse marks the first shutdown since a 35-day closure almost seven years ago, and it will halt operations at multiple departments and agencies while affecting hundreds of thousands of workers. Trump blamed Democrats for the stalled negotiations, and he threatened to target progressive priorities while forcing mass public sector job cuts. He told reporters he would use the shutdown to eliminate Democrat-supported programs.
Government operations stopped at 12:01 a.m. after the Senate failed to approve a short-term funding resolution already...
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged citizens to learn from history and pursue modernization as the nation prepared to celebrate its 76th National Day on Tuesday. Xi addressed a reception at the Great Hall of the People, where he praised 76 years of achievements under Communist Party leadership. The president reflected on September commemorations marking 80 years since victory in the war against Japan and World War II.
Xi emphasized China's progress in reforms, development, and governance this year despite challenges. He called for support of Hong Kong and Macao while opposing Taiwan independence movements. The leader promoted global initiatives and multilateralism amid international changes. Xi described China's rejuvenation as an...
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus departed from John F Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday night after completing a nine-day diplomatic mission to the United States. The Emirates airline flight left at 11:10 p.m. local time with Yunus and his delegation aboard.
Yunus addressed the 80th United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 26 and participated in discussions about Rohingya Muslims and other Myanmar minorities on Sept. 30. He met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Sept. 29 and received calls from UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and UN Under Secretary General Rabab Fatima.
The chief adviser attended a reception hosted by President Donald Trump in New York and invited the American leader to visit...
