Four rivers surrounding Dhaka receive 80,000 cubic meters of untreated industrial waste each day, according to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority findings. The Buriganga River ranks among the planet's most contaminated waterways, with dissolved oxygen levels measuring just 0.24 milligrams per liter at Sadarghat. Approximately 7,000 factories discharge effluents into the Buriganga, Turag, Balu and Shitalakkhya rivers through more than 690 discharge points.
Bangladesh marked World Rivers Day as pollution continues destroying these waterways despite legal protections. The High Court designated rivers as living entities with legal rights in 2019, yet enforcement remains weak. Environmental officials acknowledge the crisis but cite...
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Western nations Saturday that Moscow would respond decisively to any attacks. He cautioned against shooting down aircraft within Russian territory during his United Nations General Assembly address. Lavrov criticized Germany for what he called aggressive language amid rising tensions along NATO borders.
Recent airspace violations have strained relations between Russia and Eastern European countries. President Trump supported downing Russian jets that enter NATO airspace, marking a shift in his position toward Moscow. The Russian diplomat denied targeting European Union or NATO members with missiles or drones.
Lavrov expressed alarm about American naval operations near Venezuela while...
Sudan Gurung plans to contest Nepal's March general elections after leading youth demonstrations that forced out the previous administration. The 36-year-old activist gained national attention during protests that began when authorities banned major social media platforms. His grassroots movement expanded beyond the initial digital censorship complaints to address government corruption and alleged state brutality against demonstrators. Gurung said he will campaign as part of a collective rather than seeking office as an individual candidate.
The protest leader wants to strengthen Nepal's tourism industry and maintain balanced relationships with neighboring India and China. His organization has established legal and communications teams...
China launched traffic operations on Sunday on the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, which rises 625 meters above a river gorge. The structure claims the world record for the highest bridge, surpassing the 565-meter Beipanjiang Bridge within the same Guizhou province. State media broadcast drone footage showing vehicles crossing the span while crowds gathered for the opening ceremonies. Engineers and officials celebrated the completion of the three-year construction project.
The bridge cuts travel time between opposite sides from two hours to two minutes, according to provincial transport officials. Guizhou contains nearly half of the planet's 100 tallest bridges, largely due to its mountainous terrain, which requires extensive...
European powers activated arms embargoes against Iran Saturday after accusing Tehran of violating nuclear agreements. Britain, France and Germany initiated the sanctions through United Nations procedures. Iran recalled its ambassadors from these three nations for consultations. Russia challenged the legality of reimposed penalties.
The restrictions ban uranium enrichment activities and ballistic missile development programs. Travel prohibitions affect dozens of Iranian officials while asset freezes target individuals and organizations. Countries may seize materials related to nuclear programs under the renewed measures. Iran faces complete arms trade restrictions.
European ministers offered delayed implementation if Iran restored...
Army personnel evacuated nearly 2,000 tourists from Sajek valley to Khagrachhari town late Saturday night after ethnic minority violence trapped visitors. The tourists reached safety around 11:30 p.m. following military escort through dangerous areas. Authorities moved the group first to Dighinala Cantonment before transferring them to Shapla Square for departure.
Violence erupted during protests over last week's alleged gang rape of a Marma schoolgirl. The Jumm-Chhatra Janata group organized dawn-to-dusk blockades that sparked clashes between ethnic minorities and Bengali groups. Twenty-seven people sustained injuries from gunshots, explosives and traditional weapons during the confrontations.
Security forces imposed Section 144 and...
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed met with Benjamin Netanyahu during United Nations General Assembly proceedings in New York. The UAE Foreign Minister pressed Israel's leader to halt military operations in Gaza and establish lasting peace agreements. Abdullah demanded immediate access for humanitarian supplies to reach Palestinian civilians suffering under current conditions. His appeals focused on preventing additional casualties through permanent ceasefire arrangements.
The Emirati diplomat backed international efforts seeking freedom for captured individuals on both sides. Abdullah reinforced his nation's position supporting comprehensive peace through separate Palestinian and Israeli states. UAE officials Mohammed Mahmoud Al Khaja and Lana...
Malaysian immigration officers arrested 196 undocumented foreigners during a Friday night sweep through Kuala Lumpur's Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah district. The operation targeted the area known as Little Pakistan between 9 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Officers inspected 45 businesses and screened nearly 400 people during the raid. Three Malaysian employers faced detention for allegedly hiring workers without proper documentation.
Pakistanis made up the largest group with 150 arrests, while authorities also detained 21 Bangladeshis and smaller numbers from six other countries. The detainees ranged from 12 to 60 years old, with 184 men and 12 women among those arrested. Immigration Director Wan Saupee Wan Yusoff cited violations for lacking valid...
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus addressed expatriate Bangladeshis during a New York gathering Saturday evening. He called on overseas citizens to contribute their expertise and investments toward national reconstruction efforts. Yunus credited remittances with reviving Bangladesh's collapsed economy and emphasized the diaspora's integral role in the country's future. The professor urged attendees to move beyond passive observation and actively participate in rebuilding initiatives.
The event brought together political leaders from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party alongside government advisers. Yunus launched the Shubheccha mobile application designed to connect expatriates with government services and investment...
