World,Education & Research

US faces ‘reading recession’ as student test scores continue to decline

The United States is experiencing what researchers describe as a “reading recession,” with student reading performance continuing to fall nationwide even as some districts show local improvements, according to a new analysis.At a classroom in Modesto, California, teacher Nancy Barajas us...

World,WAR,Middle East

Iran signals tighter control over Strait of Hormuz amid regional concerns

Iranian officials have not yet issued a detailed response to recent comments made by Qatar and Türkiye, while maintaining that they do not view the strategic waterway as being used as a “weapon of war,” according to available reports.The stance of Tehran reflects its broader positio...

World,Diplomachy,WAR,Middle East

China urges Pakistan to intensify Iran-US mediation efforts

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on Pakistan to step up its mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, including initiatives aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Xinhua News Agency.Wang made the appeal during a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Deput...

National,Crime, Law and Order Situation,Country, Districts

Cumilla sees sharp rise in crimes in April; public concern grows

UNB, Cumilla:: A rise in criminal cases in Cumilla during April has triggered concern among residents and officials, with murder, rape, theft and violence against women showing an upward trend in the district.According to data presented at the monthly district law and order committee meeting, a tota...

World,Business & Commerce,WAR

US grocery prices see biggest jump in 4 years as Iran war drives up costs

Grocery prices in the United States rose by 0.7 pc in April, the sharpest month-to-month increase in almost four years, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.US media reports said the rise supports concerns that the ongoing war involving Iran is contributing to higher food costs for America...

National,Business & Commerce,Agriculture & Farming,Country, Districts

Giant bulls ‘Kala Babu’, ‘Dhala Babu’ steal Eid spotlight in Thakurgaon

UNB, Thakurgaon:: Two giant bulls named ‘Kala Babu’ and ‘Dhala Babu’ have become major attractions in Thakurgaon district ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, drawing crowds of curious visitors and potential buyers to a local farm every day.The bulls, weighing a combined total of around 85 ...

National,Country, Districts,Accident, Fire, Disaster

12 suffers burn injuries in N’ganj blast

UNB, Narayanganj:: Twelve people suffered burn injuries in an explosion apparently from gas leakage at the canteen of a power plant in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj district on Wednesday.The victims were Ramijul, 15, Monir Hossain, 45, Badrul Huda, 9, Tuhin sheikh, 30, Suprobhat Ghosh, 42, Osman ...

World,Business & Commerce,Power, Energy, Oil, Gas,WAR,Middle East

Iran war raises fears of bunker fuel shortage, higher shipping costs

The global shipping industry is facing growing concerns over fuel shortages after the war involving Iran disrupted supplies of bunker fuel, the heavy oil used to power most cargo ships.The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for Middle Eastern oil exports, has sharply reduced supplies of bu...

National,Sports,Cricket

Nahid Rana’s five-wicket haul powers Bangladesh to comfortable win over Pakistan

Express pacer Nahid Rana produced a devastating spell of fast bowling to claim 5-40, dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup and securing a comprehensive 104-run victory for Bangladesh on the final day in Mirpur.He took five wickets in just 9.5 overs. His five wickets for just 40 runs are now th...

World,WAR,Middle East

Israel to set up factory to produce suicide drones

Israel is setting up a military production facility to manufacture a large number of suicide drones in response to the growing threat posed by Hezbollah’s explosive unmanned aircraft, according to Israel Army Radio.The report said Hezbollah’s attack drones have created a major challenge ...

National,World,WAR,Middle East

2 Bangladeshis killed in Israeli strike in Lebanon; Dhaka strongly condemns attack

Bangladesh has condemned in the strongest possible terms the heinous attack by Israeli forces in Southern Lebanon on May 11, which resulted in the tragic killing of two Bangladeshi nationals.They are late Shafiqul Islam of Satkhira Sadar, Satkhira, and late Md. Nahidul Islam Nahid of Ashashuni, Satk...

National,Crime, Law and Order Situation,Country, Districts

Father, son stabbed dead in Dinajpur

UNB, Dinajpur:: A man and his son were stabbed to death allegedly by two of his sons from his second marriage over a dispute over property in Mondolpara area of Chirirbandar upazila of Dinajpur on Tuesday morning.The deceased were identified as Dulu Mia, 70, and his son Kabil, 30. Another son, Habil...

World,WAR,Middle East

Israeli parliament approves special court to try Oct. 7 attackers, with death penalty option

Israel’s parliament on Monday approved a bill to establish a special tribunal to try Palestinians accused of taking part in the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, with the court empowered to impose the death penalty.The bill passed by a vote of 93-0 in the 120-member Knesset, reflecting broa...

National,Country, Districts

4 Indian cattle seized at Chapainawabganj border

UNB, Chapainawabganj:: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized four Indian cattle in an anti-smuggling operation at Chapainawabganj border after recovering them from the Matpara area of Narayanpur Union under Sadar upazila during a late-night drive on Monday.Lt Col Kazi Mostafizur Rahman, commandin...

Business & Commerce,Agriculture & Farming,Country, Districts,Fair & Festivals,Religion

Sirajganj farmers gear up for Eid cattle trade with over 617,000 sacrificial animals

UNB, Sirajganj:: Cattle farmers in Sirajganj are now busy fattening cattle ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with more than 617,000 sacrificial animals prepared to meet the growing seasonal demand.Farmers and traders said preparations have intensified across the district as the annual religious festival approac...

World,ICT,Science & Technology

AI agent runs experimental Stockholm café as experts raise concerns

An experimental café in Sweden’s capital is drawing attention for putting an artificial intelligence system in charge of daily operations, while human baristas continue to serve customers.The café, launched by San Francisco-based startup Andon Labs, is being managed by an AI agen...

World,WAR,Middle East

Trump rejects Iran proposal as fragile ceasefire faces uncertainty

US President Donald Trump on Monday said the ceasefire with Iran is “on life support,” rejecting Tehran’s latest proposal to end the conflict and describing it as “totally unacceptable.”Speaking at an unrelated White House event, Trump also termed Iran’s response ...

World

Trump-Xi summit to focus on trade, Taiwan and Iran

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump are set to hold a closely watched summit, with both sides describing their recent ties as relatively stable while acknowledging that major challenges remain.Despite expectations of continued dialogue, analysts say the meeting is unlikely to ...

World,Politics

BSF to gain complete authority over border fencing land in 45 days, says Suvendu at first Cabinet meeting

At the first Cabinet meeting West Bengal Chief Minister of Suvendu Adhikari announced that the process of transferring land to the Border Security Force for completing fencing along the India–Bangladesh border would start immediately and be finished within 45 days.He said the decision was take...

National,Accident, Fire, Disaster

‘Compressor’ blast at Narayanganj home leaves 4 injured

UNB, Narayanganj:: Four members of a family including a father and his three sons were burnt allegedly after a refrigerator compressor exploded at a house in Kutubpur Lakibazar area of Fatullah in Narayanganj on Monday morning.  The injured were identified as Abdul Kader ,50, and his three sons...