The trial of Labour MP Tulip Siddiq over corruption allegations has formally begun in Bangladesh. The former minister did not attend the hearing, where investigators from the country’s corruption watchdog set out the case against her and 20 other individuals, including her aunt, her mother, her brother and her sister. She is accused of influencing her aunt Sheikh Hasina, who ...

There is a “viable chance” of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said, ahead of Friday’s summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders are meeting in Alaska to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders, who are not ...

Fashion accessories chain Claire’s has collapsed into administration in the UK and Ireland, putting 2,150 jobs at risk. The company has 278 shops in the UK and 28 in Ireland but has been struggling with falling sales and fierce competition. Claire’s said all outlets will continue trading while it considers “the best possible path forward”. Its administrators from Interpath and ...

A yellow heat health alert has been extended for seven regions in England amid the country’s fourth heatwave of the summer. Downgrading the alert from amber, the UK Health Security Agency said the areas covered until 18:00 BST on 18 August are Yorkshire and Humber, the East and West Midlands, London, the South East and South West and East of ...

Bangladesh kicked off their training camp on Tuesday in preparation for next month’s FIFA international window, with midfielder Hamza Choudhury named in the preliminary squad, while Canada-based Shamit Shome has been left out due to club commitments. The national team is scheduled to play two friendly matches against Nepal in Kathmandu on September 6 and 9, which are part of ...

The price of jet fuel used in aircraft has been increased for both domestic and international flights, according to a new announcement by Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Wednesday. Effective from midnight, the price of jet fuel for domestic flights has been set at Tk 99.62 per litre, up from Tk 98.02. For international flights, the price has been ...

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officials testified on Wednesday against former British anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq, accusing her of leveraging her family ties to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to secure state-owned land in a township project near Dhaka. According to a report by Associated Press (AP), Tulip; a niece of Hasina, is being tried in absentia alongside her mother Sheikh Rehana, ...

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir left Dhaka for Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday morning for follow-up eye treatment. Fakhrul, accompanied by his wife Rahat Ara Begum, left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Bangkok at 11:15AM on a Thai Airways flight, said BNP’s media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said the BNP leader will receive follow-up treatment at Rutnin ...

Malaysia is likely to introduce ‘Graduate Plus’ visas for Bangladeshi students studying in the country, enabling thousands to access high-skilled jobs in its expanding economy. “We had productive discussions with the minister. In principle, he has agreed to issue Graduate Pass visas to Bangladeshi students in Malaysia. However, both sides need to complete certain formalities before the policy can take ...

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the interim government is committed to strengthening democracy and giving power back to the people of Bangladesh. “We are committed to strengthening democracy and giving power back to its rightful owner — the people,” he said. The Bangladesh Chief Adviser made the remarks while delivering his speech at a special convocation ceremony of ...