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.

Bangladesh’s government faces a record Tk 283,779 crore in maturing domestic government securities during fiscal year 2026-27, according to the latest quarterly Bangladesh Bank Securities Bulletin. The amount is described as the highest maturity obligation in a single fiscal year. It includes Tk 194,326 crore in Treasury bills, Tk 71,961 crore in Treasury bonds, Tk 15,500 crore in sukuk and nearly Tk 1,993 crore in special purpose Treasury bonds.

Nearly two-thirds of the debt maturing next fiscal year consists of short-term Treasury bills. The government will need either to repay investors as these instruments mature or renew the debt by issuing new securities. Former governor Ahsan H Mansur said such maturities are mainly a rollover issue, with new bonds or securities issued to repay expiring instruments.

A Bangladesh Bank official said pressure tends to build toward the end of the year, when government payments increase and banks reduce investment in this area. Outstanding government securities reached about Tk 9 lakh crore at the end of June, up Tk 60,224 crore during April-June. Banks remained the main investors, holding about 74 percent of Treasury bill and bond investments.

Bangladesh’s government has outlined a long-term energy security plan aimed at addressing electricity and gas shortages, reducing load-shedding to zero and supporting industrialisation. In an interview with Amar Desh, Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said the plan includes building fuel reserves equivalent to at least three months, expanding domestic gas exploration and strengthening state-owned Bapex. The government also links reliable energy supplies to its target of making Bangladesh a $1 trillion economy by 2034.

According to Titumir, the programme has three stages: eliminating current supply deficits and load-shedding, preparing for an estimated 6% rise in electricity demand during summer, and securing long-term supplies for economic expansion. He said energy infrastructure is being decentralised beyond Matarbari and Chattogram, with work under way on a floating LNG terminal and a CNG landing station in the Mongla area.

International bidding for domestic gas exploration has begun, Titumir said, while Bapex’s technical and exploration capacity will be enhanced. He added that domestic and foreign investors are working in the energy sector through IPP and PPA models, and that multinational companies, including from the United States, have shown renewed interest in investment.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow for secret meetings after a US military Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft arrived in the Russian capital. Neither Washington nor Moscow officially disclosed the purpose of the visit, Ratcliffe’s meeting partners, or the issues to be discussed. The trip comes as relations remain sharply strained over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Flight-tracking data indicated that a large US military aircraft travelled from the United States to Russia via Latvia on Tuesday before later leaving Moscow for Riga. Videos on social media showed a C-17 approaching Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport and a diplomatic motorcade on Moscow streets, though Ratcliffe’s presence in that convoy could not be independently verified.

A senior Ukrainian official told CBS that Kyiv had been informed of a high-level US delegation’s planned Moscow visit and was asked to pause attacks until it departed Russia. Former British military attaché John Foreman said the visit could concern de-escalation, while the release of detained US citizens might also be discussed. Ratcliffe previously played a significant role in talks securing Ksenia Karelina’s release.

Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain held a discussion meeting with government officials in Nawabganj, Dinajpur. The meeting was organized by the upazila administration and took place at 12:30am on Tuesday night.

The meeting was held in the conference room of the Nawabganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer. Government officials from Nawabganj, Birampur, Hakimpur and Ghoraghat upazilas attended the session.

Nawabganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Bidhan Kanti Haldar chaired the meeting. The source did not provide details of the issues discussed, any decisions made, or follow-up actions.

Philadelphia-raised twin brothers Ronan Sullivan and Declan Sullivan say they dream of helping Bangladesh reach the World Cup after playing key roles in the country’s SAFF Under-20 Championship triumph in Nepal. Bangladesh defeated longtime rival India in the final, with Ronan sealing the title in the tiebreaker through a Panenka-style final penalty. The brothers discussed their Bangladesh journey, cultural adjustment and ambitions in an interview published by The Guardian.

The twins obtained Bangladeshi passports through their mother but had to compete in a trial camp involving more than 30 players to earn places in the squad. Ronan said being expatriates initially made it difficult to receive the ball because they did not understand the language and other players may not have fully accepted their presence. He said the atmosphere became easier after they demonstrated their ability in training.

Declan said he knew Ronan would attempt a Panenka if given the chance to score the decisive penalty. Although they had opportunities to represent the United States or Germany, the brothers chose Bangladesh, their maternal grandfather’s country. They said the warm reception in Dhaka after the title deeply moved them and view the achievement as an opening step in a revival of Bangladeshi football.

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck made a stopover at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka early Wednesday, where he was welcomed by President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. During an approximately one-hour stay, the two leaders held a courtesy meeting in the VVIP lounge and discussed matters of mutual interest.

The president invited the Bhutanese king and members of the royal family to make a state visit to Bangladesh at a convenient time. The king invited Bangladesh’s president and prime minister to visit Bhutan. He also congratulated Alamgir on assuming the presidency, while both sides exchanged greetings and good wishes for their respective peoples and governments.

Alamgir described Bangladesh-Bhutan ties as deep and historic, noting Bhutan was the first country to recognise Bangladesh on December 6, 1971. The king stressed expanding cooperation in education, trade and investment, and outlined Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City project, seeking Bangladesh’s participation. The president praised the initiative and said Bangladesh was ready to work closely with Bhutan on regional development and sustainable prosperity.

US Senator Chris Van Hollen has alleged that President Donald Trump is personally benefiting from the Iran war. Citing a report by Democrats on the US Congressional Joint Economic Committee, Van Hollen said Trump could have earned as much as $15.5 million this year from assets in the oil and gas sector.

In an interview with MSNBC, the Democratic senator said it was clear that Trump was profiting from what he described as an illegal war launched alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Van Hollen characterized the conflict as meaningless and accused Trump of exploiting it for personal financial gain.

Van Hollen also alleged that Trump had turned the White House into a venue for private profit. He further claimed that Trump had taken in more than $1 billion since returning to power. The source presents these statements as allegations by Van Hollen and attributes the energy-income estimate to the Democratic report.

Global fuel oil prices continued to decline on Wednesday morning in international markets. Benchmark Brent crude fell by $1.78, or 2.0%, to $86.80 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped by $1.49, or 1.8%, to $80.87 per barrel.

The decline followed reports that Iran said it would restart discussions with neighbouring Oman on opening the Strait of Hormuz. The prospect of the waterway being reopened created renewed expectations in the market and was cited as the factor behind the latest fall in oil prices.

Both major crude benchmarks had already declined by more than 3% on Tuesday. The report did not provide further details about the planned discussions, a timetable for the Strait of Hormuz, or additional market developments.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain said the BNP believes in politics of unity and advances by bringing together people from all professions. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon as chief guest at an exchange meeting with leaders and activists of Hakimpur upazila and Hili municipality BNP and affiliated organisations in Dinajpur.

He called for strengthening the party at the grassroots through participation of workers regardless of religion or caste, expanding membership and increasing public engagement. Zahid Hossain urged party members to earn public trust through good conduct, honesty and public service. He said leaders and activists have a humanitarian and moral responsibility to support sick, poor, disadvantaged and distressed people.

The minister said the country has adequate fertilizer stocks for Aman-season paddy cultivation, while an “evil circle” is attempting to create a fertilizer crisis. He asked the public to remain alert and instructed the administration to take strict action against any dealer or others involved in alleged plotting. He also stressed education as essential to building developed families, society and the state.

London-based businessman Zia Bin Russell, originally from Raozan in Chattogram, has bought a bar in east London and transformed it into a full mosque and Muslim community centre. The source says he invested substantial funds to convert the building, though it does not specify the purchase date, cost, or the centre’s opening date.

The report describes the conversion as part of Zia Bin Russell’s longer humanitarian work in Bangladesh and internationally. Through the Hafezzi Charitable Society of Bangladesh in Nabinagar, Savar, he is involved in financing and planning specialised skills-development training for people with disabilities and special needs, aimed at supporting longer-term self-reliance.

His initiatives also include distributing sewing machines, cash and income-generating materials to disadvantaged women in remote areas of Bangladesh. He regularly supports maktabs and madrasas in difficult-to-reach areas, while funding education for orphaned and poor students; the report says several completed Quran memorisation. His aid has also reached Gaza in Palestine and Sudan, and he has supported people during disasters in Bangladesh.

Ship-to-ship oil transfers have increased in the Gulf of Oman as vessels seek alternative ways to move fuel while avoiding the Strait of Hormuz. TankerTrackers.com, a ship-monitoring firm, said it recorded at least 20 such transfers in the area, making it one of the busiest days for ship-to-ship, or STS, activity there.

STS transfers involve moving oil or fuel products directly from one vessel to another at sea. The method can be used to conceal a cargo’s origin, avoid sanctions, or transport goods without calling at risky ports. TankerTrackers.com said in a post on X that it had identified the movement of about 25 million barrels of crude oil, along with various refined fuel products.

The firm said the cargoes initially came from nearly every country in the region except Iran. It later identified five additional STS transfers, including one involving Iranian liquefied petroleum gas. Rising tension around the Strait of Hormuz is making the Gulf of Oman an important hub for such transfers as vessels try to reduce reliance on the strait.

The third session of the thirteenth parliament is scheduled to begin at 3pm on Thursday. Although expected to be brief, the session may see debate over electricity, gas and fertiliser shortages, worsening law and order, relations with a neighbouring country and rising prices of essential goods. The advisory committee will meet at 2pm before the sitting to determine the session’s duration, agenda, bills, questions and other matters.

The National Human Rights Commission Bill, the Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Bill and an amendment to the Property Transfer Act have been submitted to the parliamentary secretariat. A Bank Resolution amendment and the Special Response Battalion Bill, intended to create a new specialised police force after abolishing RAB, may also be submitted soon. Sources said several bills could be passed during this session.

The session may run for 11 working days, according to parliamentary secretariat sources. Of 50 parliamentary committees, only 15 have been formed, leaving 35 to be completed in this session. Police have banned gatherings, marches, protests and the carrying of weapons, explosives and harmful materials around the parliament complex and surrounding areas from midnight Wednesday.

More than 200 hotels and guest houses near Kolkata’s New Market have been sealed or ordered closed within 48 hours after a deadly fire at the Shikha Inn residential hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street. The fire reportedly killed nine people, including seven Bangladeshis. The crackdown by the Kolkata municipal authority, fire service and police has left thousands of Bangladeshi visitors, many seeking medical treatment, facing an acute accommodation shortage.

The New Market hotel district, including Sudder Street, Marquis Street, Lindsay Street and Mirza Ghalib Street, is popular with Bangladeshi middle- and lower-middle-income travellers because of relatively affordable lodging and nearby services. Visitors and local residents alleged widespread illegal hotel operations, inadequate fire safety, narrow exits, absent emergency escape routes and unsafe electrical wiring. One Bangladeshi tourist said fire service personnel rescued him after he sheltered in a hotel bathroom.

Officials have formed a committee to investigate the fire and begun examining the legal status of hotels and guest houses. Visitors said remaining rooms are being offered at two to three times previous rates, while many are shortening their trips and seeking return bus tickets. A senior police officer said life safety would take priority, while police would monitor against harassment of tourists with valid documents.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar expressed deep sorrow over deaths and destruction linked to an earthquake, avalanche and sudden flooding in Nepal’s northern border districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot, as well as Tibet. He conveyed condolences in a statement sent to media on Wednesday.

Porwar said the group was deeply distressed by the reported deaths of at least 31 people and the disappearance of 384 others, including children, security force members, Nepali citizens and foreign tourists. He called on the governments concerned and the international community to take rapid and effective measures to rescue missing people and assist vulnerable residents in disaster-hit areas.

The Jamaat leader prayed for peace for those killed, offered sympathy to bereaved families, and wished for the prompt recovery of injured people. He also expressed hope that those missing would be rescued quickly and in good health. The statement said Jamaat-e-Islami stands in solidarity with Nepal’s government, its people, affected families and people of the countries concerned.