Author: News Desk

News Desk LONDON: The United Kingdom has introduced a new law tightening rules for dual citizens, requiring them to hold a British passport to enter the country. The Home Office has warned that from 25 February 2026, British nationals with dual citizenship will only be allowed to board flights, ferries, or trains to the UK if travelling on a British passport. Those attempting to enter using a foreign passport will be refused travel. Under the new rules, all travellers must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization at a fee of £16. Dual citizens wishing to use their non-British passport will need…

Domestic broadcasters confirmed that the BNP and its allies secured at least 213 of 299 contested seats, leaving Jamaat-e-Islami and partners with just 76 in the Jatiya Sangsad News Desk DHAKA: The Bangladesh National Party (BNP) secured a decisive two-thirds majority in general elections on Friday, in a result widely viewed as a stabilizing moment for the South Asian nation after months of turmoil following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The outcome, confirmed by domestic broadcasters, gave the BNP and its allies at least 213 of the 299 contested seats, while the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami and its partners…

News Desk DHAKA: The leader of Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, called on party workers to remain alert and steadfast while monitoring polling stations until election results are announced. Speaking on the social media platform X, he alleged attempts at ballot fraud in various parts of the country and urged citizens to safeguard their right to vote. “Today is your day of victory. Today is your day of freedom,” Dr Rahman said. “Some may try to take away what is rightfully yours. Do not allow them. This is the injustice we have fought against for the past 17 years, and…

News Desk MOSCOW: Russia has signaled its readiness to deepen ties with India, saying bilateral relations can expand “as far as India is willing,” according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov. In an interview with The Indian Express, Ryabkov described the history of relations between the two countries as “extraordinary” and suggested that cooperation across trade, investment, and strategic projects could grow significantly in the coming months. “The sky is the limit,” he said, emphasizing that Russia was prepared to explore opportunities in India’s rapidly growing economy, which, with a population of 1.5 billion, offers room for multiple partnerships.…

News Desk DHAKA: Shafiqur Rahman has long existed on the margins of Bangladeshi politics, but his face now dominates posters and billboards across Dhaka as voters are urged to elect the country’s first Jamaat‑e‑Islami‑led government in Thursday’s general election. The 67-year-old doctor and JI chief has emerged from near obscurity to become a serious contender for the prime ministership. A coalition led by JI is expected to mount a close challenge against the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Bangladesh will vote on February 12 in its first national election since a Gen Z‑led uprising toppled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.…

News Desk COLOMBO: A new controversy has emerged at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after Sri Lankan cricketer Bhanuka Rajapaksa questioned the bats used by Indian players. Speaking after Sri Lanka’s 20-run victory over Ireland in Colombo on Sunday, Rajapaksa claimed that Indian bats gave their players an unfair advantage, shifting attention away from the match result. In an interview with a news wire, he said the Indian bats were “far superior to the best bats available to us” and suggested they appeared to have “a layer of rubber” that enhanced performance. He added that ordinary players could not…

News Desk NEW DEHLI: India’s government announced on Tuesday that social media companies must remove unlawful content within three hours of notification, tightening an earlier 36-hour timeline. The move could pose a compliance challenge for platforms such as Meta, YouTube and X. The changes amend India’s 2021 IT rules, which have long been a source of friction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and global technology firms. The new regulations will take effect from February 20. The step reinforces India’s position as one of the world’s most aggressive regulators of online content. Platforms are now expected to balance compliance in…

News Desk WARWICKSHIRE: An Afghan asylum seeker who arrived in the UK last year has been found guilty of raping and abducting a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, had been in the country for just four months when the attack took place in July 2025. His victim said he laughed while assaulting her, sparking protests in Nuneaton last summer. Footage from a doorbell camera showed Mulakhil asking the girl her age and ID before the attack. When she said she was 19, he requested her phone number. Mulakhil, who told police he was facing troubles in Afghanistan,…

News Desk COLOMBO: A commanding all-round performance saw Pakistan secure a 32-run victory over the United States in the 12th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, played at Colombo’s SSC Ground on Tuesday. The contest, which pitched an established cricketing nation against an emerging side, underscored the gap in experience while also highlighting moments of resilience from the American team. Pakistan’s innings set the tone for the match. After being invited to bat first, the Green Shirts produced a competitive total of 190 for nine in 20 overs. The opening pair of Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub…

News Desk DHAKA: Ahead of Bangladesh’s general elections on 12 February, authorities have classified nearly 24,000 polling stations across the country as high or medium risk. Inspector General of Police in Dhaka announced that out of the total, 8,770 polling centers have been designated high-risk, while 16,000 have been marked medium-risk. He said police personnel equipped with body cameras would be deployed at high-risk stations to ensure security. A three-tier security plan has been developed for every polling station. Inside the stations, police officers will be stationed, while mobile patrol teams will monitor the surroundings. According to the IG, 80…