At least 11 people, including six children, have died in a major fire in Indonesia’s eastern Papua region, with around 40 shops and homes destroyed in the blaze. The fire broke out around midnight on Monday in Paniai, in Central Papua province, and quickly spread through nearby commercial premises and residential buildings. The area was […]

China is preparing a sweeping revision of its insurance law, with regulators proposing stronger supervision of insurers, tighter corporate governance requirements, greater protection for policyholders and enhanced safeguards against financial risks. The National Financial Regulatory Administration published a draft amendment to the Insurance Law on 4 September for public consultation. Stakeholders and members of the […]

A journey to Dhaka for a crucial step in her professional career ended in tragedy as Sheikh Misha Khatun, a former University of Dhaka student, was killed in a road accident in Gopalganj on Sunday. Misha Khatun was travelling from Khulna to Dhaka to appear for the viva voce of the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service […]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has objected to the accommodation arrangements proposed for its players at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with the board seeking higher-standard hotel facilities for prominent cricketers including Jasprit Bumrah and Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), however, has declined to make a special […]

The disappearance of children across Bangladesh has once again raised questions about how quickly police respond to reports from distressed families, with several relatives alleging delays in recording general diaries and a lack of urgency in subsequent investigations. The issue came into sharp focus after four-year-old Saiba went missing in the Banani area of Dhaka […]

Popular Bangladeshi singer and Closeup One star Salma has released her latest song, ‘Prem Leela’, featuring singer Biplab Saha in a duet. The song brings together Salma’s familiar vocal style and Saha’s distinctive singing, while its accompanying music video blends a romantic theme with elements of traditional Bengali culture. Released under the banner of Bishwarang […]

FIFA president Gianni Infantino remains determined to stand for re-election in 2027 despite mounting criticism, calls for his resignation and the prospect of legal action over the governing body’s commercial plans. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed that Infantino has not changed his decision to contest the next presidential election. He first announced his intention to seek […]

Robberies have reportedly increased along the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Cumilla, with at least six locations emerging as frequent trouble spots. The incidents have heightened concern among passengers, drivers and others who regularly use the busy route, particularly after dark. According to local residents, organised robbery groups become more active after 10pm, targeting parts of the […]

Bangladesh Bank has released Tk5,000 crore to facilitate the repayment of deposits to customers of Sammilito Islami Bank, with around 75,000 depositors having already applied to withdraw their funds. The total amount sought through the applications stands at approximately Tk3,925 crore. The repayment process began on 1 September, when the bank started accepting applications from […]

Iran has announced a doubling of petrol prices for higher-volume consumers while preparing to establish a new restricted maritime zone across parts of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, according to a report published by Times Now on Monday, 7 September. The measures come as Tehran faces growing economic and maritime […]