Bangladesh officials launched World Tourism Day activities Saturday with promises to enhance visitor safety and affordability. Commerce and Tourism Adviser Sk Bashiruddin addressed participants at a morning rally outside the Tourism Building in Agargaon. The event began at 9:30 a.m. under the theme Tourism and Sustainable Development.
Tourism sector officials and organizational representatives from across Bangladesh attended the demonstration. Bashiruddin announced government plans to create affordable new travel destinations while maintaining visitor protection standards. The administration will implement conduct codes at tourist locations to safeguard traveler rights and security.
The adviser emphasized ethical practices over profit...
Iraq restarted crude oil shipments from Kurdistan to Turkey at 6 a.m. Saturday following a breakthrough agreement that ended disputes lasting two and half years. The federal government, Kurdistan regional authorities and international oil firms reached the interim deal after extended negotiations. Operations began smoothly without technical difficulties according to ministry officials. The resumption allows between 180,000 and 190,000 barrels daily to flow through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline to Turkish ports.
The United States supported efforts to restart exports that will eventually return 230,000 barrels per day to global markets. Companies operating in the region receive $16 per barrel covering production and transportation expenses...
Educational authorities will suspend funding for 245 school administrators who falsified teacher vacancy reports. The Non-Government Teachers' Registration and Certification Authority announced penalties after discovering incorrect data submissions during the sixth recruitment cycle. Officials will halt monthly pay order benefits for up to three months as punishment for the violations. The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education confirmed administrators failed to provide accurate vacancy information despite repeated warnings.
The false reporting led to cancellation of 401 teaching positions across affected institutions. Qualified candidates lost opportunities because administrators provided inaccurate vacancy information during...
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed confidence in goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny after Joan Garcia sustained a knee injury. Garcia requires meniscus surgery and faces a four to six-week absence. The injury occurred during Thursday's victory over Real Oviedo. Barcelona trails La Liga leaders Real Madrid by two points.
Szczesny will step into the starting role for Wednesday's Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain. The 35-year-old Polish keeper emerged from retirement last season when Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered his knee problem. Szczesny secured Barcelona's domestic treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup. Teenage winger Lamine Yamal has recovered from his groin injury and will feature against Real...
Netanyahu condemned Western nations for recognizing Palestinian statehood during his United Nations address Friday. The Israeli leader accused global powers of surrendering to antisemitic pressure while speaking to a largely empty assembly hall. Many delegates walked out when he began his remarks. He rejected international criticism of the Gaza conflict as political warfare against Israel.
The prime minister ordered military speakers to broadcast his speech into Gaza, addressing hostages directly. He vowed to continue fighting until Hamas faces complete destruction despite mounting international calls for peace. Trump administration officials have presented a different approach through a 21-point ceasefire plan. The proposal demands...
Italian customs authorities dismantled an underground cigarette manufacturing operation that produced 2.7 billion illegal cigarettes annually. The facility operated from a concealed bunker spanning 1,600 square meters near Cassino, located southeast of Rome. Police discovered the entrance through hidden electrical switches inside a cardboard box that activated hydraulic lifts. The sophisticated mechanism raised an aluminum cabin that masked access to the subterranean factory.
Three high-tech production lines manufactured 5,000 cigarettes per minute using advanced equipment and ventilation systems. The complex included sleeping quarters for 18 people, complete with bathrooms, showers and dining facilities. Authorities seized more than...
Bangladesh Cricket Board announced Saturday that Abdur Razzak resigned from his national selector position. The former left-arm spinner plans to seek a director role in upcoming board elections. Cricket Operations Department Manager Jamaluddin Babu confirmed receiving the resignation letter before Razzak obtained nomination forms from the election commission.
The selection panel shrinks to two members following his departure. Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu and newly appointed Hasibul Hossain Shanto remain on the committee. Razzak served more than four years after joining the three-member panel in January 2021.
The ex-international cricketer represents Khulna Divisional Sports Association in his electoral bid. Several former...
Bangladesh will announce three government Hajj packages for 2026 pilgrims on Sunday after an executive committee meeting. Officials expect lower costs compared to 2025 due to reduced airfare rates. The Religious Affairs Ministry anticipates airfare reductions between 8,000 and 10,000 taka from this year's 167,820 taka fee. Current negotiations between religious affairs and civil aviation ministries continue over final pricing.
The government managed two packages this year but will offer three options next year. Package costs range from 450,000 taka for basic accommodations to premium options near Haram Sharif. Registration remains slow with 954 government applicants and 1,135 private management registrants as of Saturday. The 2026 Hajj...
Myanmar citizens will travel to Malaysia without visas beginning Oct. 1, 2025, according to Malaysian diplomatic officials in Yangon. The policy change applies to social visits lasting 14 days or fewer, Malaysian newspaper The Star reported. Immigration authorities at border checkpoints retain authority to approve or deny entry despite the visa waiver program. Malaysian officials stressed that eliminating visa requirements does not guarantee automatic admission to the country.
