WHO sends Saima Wazed on indefinite leave amid corruption allegations

July 12, 2025

Saima Wazed, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) regional director for the South East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), has been sent on indefinite leave from Friday (11 July). The WHO took the decision four months after Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed two cases against her for fraud, forgery and misuse of power, according to a report […]Continue Reading

Publish July Declaration by Aug 3 or face movement, Nahid warns govt

July 11, 2025

NEWS DESK The National Citizen Party (NCP) has warned of a movement if the government does not release the “July Declaration” and “July Charter” by 3 August. “We want to see both documents published by that date. If not, we’ll take to the streets with students and the public,” said NCP convenor Nahid Islam at […]Continue Reading

Armed men kidnap, kill nine bus passengers in Pakistan, say officials

July 11, 2025

Armed men killed nine bus passengers after kidnapping them in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, officials said on Friday, Reuters reports. The passengers had been kidnapped from multiple buses on Thursday evening, said the provincial government spokesman Shahid Rind. Their bodies with bullet wounds were found in mountains overnight, another government Continue Reading

Followup: KNA commander killed in Bandarban had sent family to Mizoram, trained in India

July 9, 2025

RUMA CORRESPONDENT, BANDARBAN A top commander of the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA), who was killed in a gunfight with the army in Bandarban last week, had earlier moved his family to India’s Mizoram and received armed training in Manipur, officials say. Sangmin Bom, 27, was one of two KNA members killed during a military raid […]Continue Reading

Thousands of refugees flee into India’s Mizoram state after clashes in Myanmar

July 9, 2025

Thousands of refugees have crossed into India’s northeastern state of Mizoram after clashes between two anti-junta armed groups in neighbouring Myanmar, Indian authorities said on Monday, Reuters reports. Refugees have been crossing into Mizoram since July 2 when clashes between two rival Chin groups — the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) and the Chinland Defence Continue Reading

Why China’s ultimatum to Myanmar rebels threatens global supply of heavy rare earths

July 9, 2025

The global supply of heavy rare earths hinges in part on the outcome of a months-long battle between a rebel army and the Chinese-backed military junta in the hills of northern Myanmar, Reuters reports. The Kachin Independence Army since December has been battling the junta over the town of Bhamo, less than 100 km (62 […]Continue Reading

Five Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza as pressure mounts for ceasefire

July 9, 2025

The Israeli military says five of its soldiers have been killed after Palestinian fighters detonated explosive devices during an operation in northern Gaza’s Beit Hanoon area, Al Jazeera reports. Israeli forces also killed at least 54 Palestinians in dawn raids on Tuesday, as pressure mounted on Israel to strike a ceasefire deal with Hamas. The […]Continue Reading

We will win parliament too: Nahid Islam

July 7, 2025

PARBATTA NEWS DESK The National Citizens’ Party, or NCP, says it is now aiming for change in parliament after what it calls a victory at Ganabhaban. “Our goal on 5 August was the fall of fascism. Now, our goal is the reconstruction of Bangladesh,” said Nahid Islam, convener of the NCP. “We targeted Ganabhaban before. […]Continue Reading

Rituparna Chakma’s mother battles cancer, family seeks support

July 7, 2025

STAFF CORRESPONDENT, RANGAMATI National footballer Rituparna Chakma’s mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer, but her family says they cannot afford treatment. Rituparna, a key member of Bangladesh’s women’s football team, is from Magachhari, a remote hill area in Ghagra Union, Kaukhali Upazila, Rangamati. Reaching their home requires a 3.5 to 4 km walk through […]Continue Reading

Bangladesh women thrash Turkmenistan 6–0 in Asia Cup qualifier

July 6, 2025

PARBATTA NEWS DESK Bangladesh ended their group stage campaign in the Asia Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6–0 win over Turkmenistan on Monday. Having already secured a place in the main round, the match was a formality for Bangladesh. But the team continued their strong form with a convincing performance. Head coach Peter Butler kept […]Continue Reading