Residents, traders and fishers in Hingalganj, North 24 Parganas, have raised concerns over a plan to acquire about 150 feet of land from the Ichamati riverbank for border fencing. They fear the project could displace homes, shops and livelihood spaces across an area stretching from Hingalganj to Shamshernagar. Local people say many families in eight gram panchayats could be affected.

More than a hundred traders and villagers marched on Tuesday carrying placards, festoons and banners. Led by trader Sushanta Ghosh, the procession went to the Hingalganj BDO office, where participants submitted a memorandum to BDO Debdas Gangopadhyay.

The protesters said they do not oppose fencing at the border and regard national security as a priority. However, they urged authorities to protect longstanding settlements, businesses and the income of fishing communities while making security arrangements. Locals also cited a trading tradition in the area dating back to 1783, saying border protection should not make riverbank residents' homes and livelihoods uncertain.

A fire in the newborn room of the gynecology ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad killed at least 15 newborns, hospital authorities said on Wednesday. Sixteen newborns were in the nursery when the fire broke out, and only one was rescued alive.

Rescue agency sources said the fire began inside the nursery at about 6:45 a.m. local time. Preliminary information indicated that it spread after an air-conditioner compressor exploded. District administration said rescue teams responded immediately, with six fire service vehicles and four ambulances joining the operation.

According to district administration information, 14 children were completely burned in the fire on the third floor of the hospital's MCH ward. Rescue workers said the blaze had been brought under control and cooling work was under way after it was fully extinguished. The district administration has formed an investigation committee led by the additional deputy commissioner to determine the actual cause and examine how the incident occurred.

Two police officers were attacked while investigating the drowning deaths of two children in Shyampur village of Gurudaspur, Natore, on Tuesday evening. The officers were later withdrawn from duty and sent to the police lines, according to the report.

Police and local sources said Farhan, son of Fazlur Rahman, and Lam, son of Bablu, drowned in the Nandakunja River while bathing with friends on Tuesday afternoon. Gurudaspur police station Sub-Inspector Abul Bashar and constable Rakib went to the scene to verify the incident and prepare inquest reports.

An argument began between local residents and the officers after they removed shrouding cloth to view the bodies. The dispute escalated into an attack that injured both officers. They received treatment at the উপজেলা health complex, where journalists were not allowed to take photographs. Natore Superintendent of Police Shariful Islam said he had learned that there were flaws in the officers’ investigation, and they were therefore withdrawn and sent to the police lines.

District Detective Branch police arrested two alleged members of an interstate theft ring in Tongibari, Munshiganj, after recovering a stolen Suzuki Gixxer-SF 150cc motorcycle. The operation was conducted on Tuesday at a CNG stand in the Uttar Betka area under the leadership of Sub-Inspector Rezaul Kazi.

The recovered motorcycle carried the registration number Dhaka Metro-L-26-8747. The arrested men were identified as Md. Kiran Sheikh, 31, and Md. Mamun, 34. Police said preliminary investigation found that they were active members of an interstate theft ring.

According to police, both suspects face multiple cases related to motorcycle theft. Superintendent of Police Md. Menhajul Alam said legal action over the incident is under process.

Students from Rajshahi University’s Management Studies and Chemistry departments clashed and vandalised academic buildings following an argument over seating at an event in the TSC. The violence occurred around 10pm on Tuesday behind Nawab Abdul Latif Hall and at the two departments’ academic buildings. At least four Chemistry students were injured, with two reported seriously hurt.

The injured students were identified as Ferdous Hasan, Sajidur, Noman and Samin. Ferdous Hasan and Sajidur sustained injuries to their heads and eyes. According to additional chief medical officer Sajid Hafiz, four students received treatment at the university medical centre, and two were sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital after initial care.

Students said an attempt to settle the earlier verbal dispute failed, leading to the confrontation. Allegations included assaults, brick throwing and vandalism involving both groups. Students from both departments were seen standing outside their departments with sticks until midnight. Vice-Chancellor Abdul Alim said the situation was calm, a three-member committee had been formed to investigate, and those found responsible would face punishment.

Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs of 15 to 50 percent on nearly 700 US products, valued at about $20 billion. Ottawa said Tuesday that the measures will take effect on September 8, following the implementation of new US tariffs on Canadian goods on Saturday.

Canadian officials said the new duties would broadly match the rates imposed by the United States. Products covered include goods from the steel, dairy and electronics sectors. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Canada faced an unprecedented challenge but would respond, adding that Canadians were united in their reaction.

The move follows the collapse of trade talks between the two countries. Prime Minister Mark Carney said he withdrew rather than accept what he called a bad trade agreement, alleging that late US demands were economically unreasonable and unfair. US President Donald Trump had warned Canada to “get in line” or face worse consequences, while also threatening additional tariffs, including on Canada’s auto industry next year. The dispute could further affect autos, steel, agricultural goods, dairy products and electronics.

A fisherman, Ratan Das, 35, was killed by lightning while fishing in the Mohishasura Haor in Kalmakanda, Netrokona. Three other fishermen were injured in the incident, which occurred early Wednesday. All four men were fishing from a boat when lightning struck.

Ratan Das, the son of Niranjan Das, was from Nayapara village in Kalmakanda Sadar Union. The injured were identified as Joysen Das, 25, Hridoy Das, 22, and Dinanath Das, 45, all from the same village and all professional fishers.

Local residents and relatives said Ratan Das died at the scene. The three injured fishermen reportedly developed hearing difficulties after the intense sound of the lightning strike. Kalmakanda police station Officer-in-Charge Md Mostafizur Rahman confirmed the incident and said an unnatural death case had been filed.

The United States is increasing economic pressure on Iran, including a naval blockade aimed at reducing its oil revenue, while analysts warn the strategy could push Tehran toward tougher military responses. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new economic measures on Monday, though he did not provide details on how they would be enforced. Iranian officials have described the pressure as a new phase of war and warned of expanding the confrontation.

Iran says its oil exports have fallen close to zero because of the blockade, while the rial has declined 41 percent since December, according to the economic newspaper Donya-e-Eqtesad. Inflation and unemployment have increased, and some medicines have reportedly risen in price by as much as 500 percent. Fuel shortages have also worsened after damage to infrastructure and disruptions to fuel imports, with videos showing empty petrol stations and long vehicle queues.

The effectiveness of the US campaign will depend heavily on whether it can win cooperation from Iran's major trading partners, including Turkey, Iraq, Russia and China. Bessent said gold, digital assets, technology, aviation and shipping were among targeted sectors. Analysts said ordinary Iranians may bear the greatest cost, while politically connected groups could benefit from a sanctions-evasion shadow economy.

The Forest Department seized a boat loaded with a large quantity of garan timber allegedly being transported for smuggling from the Sundarbans in the Shyamnagar coastal area of Satkhira Range. Members of the Tengrakhal Forest Patrol Outpost carried out the operation at Mojidder Mor, near the Sundarbans coast in Shyamnagar upazila, at about 10pm on Tuesday.

Suspected smugglers fled after noticing the presence of forest personnel, preventing their detention. Md Ismail Hossain, the officer in charge of the Tengrakhal Forest Patrol Outpost, said officials found and seized a boat abandoned by the smugglers during the operation. The boat was carrying a large quantity of garan wood allegedly cut illegally from deep inside the Sundarbans.

Forest workers recovered the timber-laden boat and took it to the Tengrakhal Forest Patrol Outpost office. Forest Department sources said legal procedures have begun regarding the seized timber and vessel. A case will be filed under the forest law, while efforts will be made to identify the fleeing smugglers and take strict legal action against them.

Greece’s coast guard rescued 79 migrants, including Bangladeshi and Sudanese nationals, from two boats near the port of Kalilimanes in southern Crete on Tuesday. At least two women and two children were among those rescued. An EU drone detected the two vessels at sea, after which authorities carried out the rescue operation.

The ANA news agency had initially reported that 85 people were rescued, but the coast guard later said the confirmed total was 79. Crete and the nearby island of Gavdos have recently become important entry points for migrants attempting to reach Europe from Libya, a journey involving long and risky sea crossings.

Greek migration ministry data showed that arrivals fell from about 61,000 in the year ending August 2025 to about 42,000 in the following 12 months, a decline of roughly 31 percent. However, Crete and Gavdos remain key routes. Greece is also discussing EU-external “return hubs” with Germany and other European countries as migration policies tighten.

Panama’s cabinet approved a national emergency on Tuesday as El Niño-driven drought intensifies across Central America. Authorities warned that water supply, agriculture and hydropower generation could be severely affected, with water shortages reported in 11 river basins. El Salvador issued a nationwide red alert for meteorological and agricultural drought, while Honduras had already placed dozens of municipalities under red and yellow alerts.

Panama has also faced flooding since January, affecting at least 15,643 people, while reduced rainfall in several areas has raised concern about water levels in reservoirs serving the Panama Canal. In El Salvador, the red alert followed prolonged dry conditions, high temperatures and forecasts of below-normal rainfall through October. The country recorded 19 consecutive dry days from August 7 and 14 temperature records during August.

Honduras declared a red alert in 75 municipalities on August 19 and a yellow alert in another 71 municipalities because of drought. Water supplies, crops and livestock in Central America’s dry corridor are under serious threat. The World Meteorological Organization said the ongoing El Niño conditions could strengthen, and Panamanian authorities fear its effects could continue until 2027.

Bangladesh remain fourth in the World Test Championship standings after losing the second Test to Australia in Mackay, despite beating Australia in the first Test in Darwin. The result left Australia top of the rankings and made Bangladesh’s route to the two-team final significantly harder, with only six Tests remaining for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh must beat South Africa 2-0 and win at least two of four home Tests against West Indies and England under the simplest scenario outlined. Australia would also need to sweep South Africa 3-0 and New Zealand 4-0. Even those outcomes would leave Bangladesh with only a possibility, rather than a guaranteed final place.

A 1-1 draw against South Africa, a loss in either Test, or two draws would end Bangladesh’s final hopes, according to the analysis. If Bangladesh win one Test and draw one against South Africa, they would need to win all four matches against West Indies and England while other results strongly favour them. The South Africa series is described as Bangladesh’s most important and difficult remaining assignment.

A case has been filed against BNP leader Bokul Mia in Kendua, Netrokona, over allegations that he repeatedly raped a schoolgirl and recorded and circulated videos of the abuse on social media. The girl’s father filed the case on Tuesday under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and the Pornography Control Act. The family says the student, now in class 10, is about six months pregnant.

The complaint names five accused, including Bokul Mia, and lists three to four unidentified people. Police arrested the second accused, Md Abu Mia, 36, while Bokul Mia, 50, remains absconding. According to the case statement, the alleged abuse began on November 20, 2022, when the girl was in class 6. She was allegedly taken to a house on the pretext of visiting a doctor.

The complaint alleges that recorded footage was used to threaten the girl and that abuse occurred at different times between March and April 2025 and January and July 2026. Kendua municipal BNP said it decided to take organisational action after learning of the allegation. Police said Abu Mia was sent to court and then jail, while efforts continue to arrest others. The allegations remain under investigation and are not proven in court.

Lumpy skin disease has spread across Rajbari district, affecting hundreds of cattle and leaving farm owners and household cattle rearers struggling with treatment costs and animal deaths. The district livestock department has no accurate total estimate of the losses. Officials say limited staffing has weakened field-level awareness efforts, while infections continue to rise among cattle.

Rajbari has 16,121 cattle farms across its five upazilas and a total cattle population of 121,092, according to district livestock data. The government supplied 6,500 doses of LSD vaccine in the previous fiscal year, while demand in the district is estimated at about 150,000 doses. Commercial vaccines cost Tk2,000 to Tk2,500 per ampoule, contributing to reluctance among many cattle owners.

In Rajbari Sadar, 20 cattle died from the disease over six months, a death rate described as above normal, with calves more affected than adult cattle. Officials say the virus spreads through mosquitoes, flies and ticks, and cases increase at the start of the monsoon. Vaccination of healthy cattle can provide some control, while livestock officials are advising farmers through farm visits and courtyard meetings.

Yemen’s National Resistance Forces said it killed 14 Houthi fighters in a raid targeting Houthi bases and facilities in the port city of Hodeidah. The force announced the operation in a statement on Tuesday evening, describing it as carried out under instructions from the Presidential Leadership Council to take “deterrent” measures and recover state institutions.

The Houthis had not responded to the government forces’ claim at the time of the report. According to Yemen’s state news agency Saba, the decision to conduct an operation in Hodeidah was made during a recent meeting in Riyadh attended by representatives of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Saudi-led military coalition.

The Presidential Leadership Council said it was seeking to restore state institutions, establish authority across Yemen’s national territory and end humanitarian suffering caused by the Iran-backed Houthi group. Yemen’s conflict began in 2014, and tensions have risen again after an attack on the runway at Sanaa airport last week, for which the Saudi-backed council government claimed responsibility.