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Bangladesh Weighs BRICS Summit Visit as U.S. Envoy Arrives Amid Complex Regional Diplomacy

Hurayra Ahmed
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Bangladesh Weighs BRICS Summit Visit as U.S. Envoy Arrives Amid Complex Regional Diplomacy

Bangladesh is considering whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi this September following an invitation from India, as Dhaka simultaneously prepares to host a senior U.S. envoy for high-level talks on regional and strategic issues.

According to diplomatic sources, the invitation was extended by India to Tarique Rahman in his capacity as Chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), rather than as part of bilateral Bangladesh-India engagement.

Before making a final decision on the visit, the Bangladeshi prime minister is seeking assurances that the trip would include a formal bilateral meeting with India’s top leadership. Officials say such a meeting would be a key factor in determining whether the visit proceeds.

The invitation is being viewed in Dhaka as a potential opportunity to cautiously rebuild Bangladesh-India relations following a period of strained ties. However, analysts say domestic political considerations and uncertainty over whether the visit would produce meaningful bilateral outcomes remain significant factors in the government’s deliberations.

Diplomatic officials in Dhaka believe India is aiming to emphasize regional cooperation while avoiding unresolved bilateral disputes. Speaking after a courtesy meeting with Bangladesh’s foreign minister on Wednesday, India’s newly appointed High Commissioner, Dinesh Trivedi, expressed hope that the visit would take place soon.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, arrived in Dhaka on Thursday, 33 days after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Beijing.

Diplomats and analysts say Gor’s three-day visit should be viewed within a broader geopolitical context rather than as routine diplomatic engagement. They believe Washington is seeking to better understand the foreign policy priorities of Bangladesh’s new government, particularly its evolving relationship with China and its position on strategic infrastructure projects.

Gor is scheduled to begin his visit with a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, followed by talks with several cabinet ministers. On the second day of his visit, he is expected to travel to Cox’s Bazar to inspect the Rohingya refugee camps.

The most closely watched event of the visit will be his scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday, which diplomats describe as the key engagement of the trip. According to sources, Gor is expected to depart Bangladesh without holding an official press briefing.

Qantas Sets World Record with 24-Hour Commercial Flight

Deepanwita Roy Martin
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Qantas Sets World Record with 24-Hour Commercial Flight

Australian airline Qantas has claimed a new world record for the longest commercial flight ever conducted, with a specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR remaining airborne for more than 24 hours.

According to Airbus and flight-tracking data, the aircraft departed Melbourne, Australia, at 5:27 p.m. local time on July 27 and landed at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, at approximately 9:52 a.m. local time on July 28. The journey lasted around 24 hours and 24 minutes and covered 23,075 kilometers, flying over the Pacific Ocean, the United States, Canada, and the Atlantic Ocean.

The flight surpassed the previous endurance record of 22 hours and 42 minutes, set in 2005 by a Boeing 777-200LR during a Hong Kong-to-London demonstration flight.

The aircraft, registered as F-WWULR, performed a brief go-around before landing. More than 120,000 people tracked the flight live, while FlightRadar24 reported that over 3.6 million users followed its progress, making it the second most-tracked flight in the platform’s history. The only flight to attract more attention was the one carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II.

The aircraft used for the mission was a specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range), equipped with an additional 20,000-liter fuel tank to support ultra-long-haul operations. Airbus has been conducting a two-month certification program since June to test the aircraft’s performance.

Just one week earlier, the same aircraft completed another test flight from Toulouse to Melbourne via the Indian Ocean in just over 19 hours.

During the latest mission, engineers evaluated the aircraft’s upgraded fuel system, cabin noise levels, air circulation system, and other technologies designed for flights lasting nearly a full day. A total of 12 people were on board, including eight Airbus flight-test personnel, two Qantas pilots, and two Airbus engineers.

Qantas has ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft for its ambitious Project Sunrise. Each aircraft will accommodate 238 passengers and is designed to operate nonstop flights from Sydney to London or New York in approximately 19 to 21 hours, depending on weather conditions.

The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in April 2027, with daily nonstop Sydney–London services expected to begin in October of the same year.

Project Sunrise has been under development for nearly a decade and has faced multiple delays. Once operational, it is expected to transform the historic Kangaroo Route by allowing passengers to travel between Australia and the United Kingdom on a single nonstop flight—a journey that once took up to five days.

Currently, the world’s longest scheduled commercial passenger service is Singapore Airlines’ nonstop route between Singapore and New York. Operated by another variant of the Airbus A350, the flight covers approximately 15,350 kilometers in just over 18 hours.

Ancelotti Eyes Brazil’s Future with Focus on Young Talent

Shubhadoy Goenka
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Ancelotti Eyes Brazil’s Future with Focus on Young Talent

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has begun laying the foundation for a new-look national team, placing greater emphasis on developing young talent following the Seleção’s disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil’s campaign in North America came to an end in the Round of 16 after a defeat to Norway. After spending three weeks on vacation with his family in Canada, Ancelotti returned to Rio de Janeiro and immediately resumed work with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

According to Globo Esporte, Ancelotti’s primary objective is to move beyond the World Cup setback and prepare the squad for the second half of the year while building a strong new generation of players.

The Italian coach held a high-level meeting at CBF headquarters with national team coordinator Rodrigo Caetano, general manager Cícero Souza, technical coordinator Juan, members of the coaching staff, and performance analysts. The meeting focused on reviewing Brazil’s World Cup performance, outlining future plans, discussing logistics, and planning the squad for upcoming international friendlies.

With qualification for the 2030 FIFA World Cup set to begin in late 2027 and the 2028 Copa América also on the horizon, Brazil has already started its long-term rebuilding project.

Speaking after the meeting, Ancelotti stressed the importance of balancing youth with experience.

“We are beginning the process of building a new team,” he said on the CBF’s official website. “We will closely monitor and test young players, but we are not excluding the experienced players who were with us at the World Cup and made valuable contributions to the team.”

Brazil’s next assignment will be two international friendly matches against Australia on September 25 and 29. The five-time world champions will face the Socceroos in Townsville and Brisbane as Ancelotti begins evaluating players ahead of the next competitive cycle.

Tom Holland and Zendaya Can’t Imagine Forgetting Each Other in Real Life

Shubhadoy Goenka
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Tom Holland and Zendaya Can’t Imagine Forgetting Each Other in Real Life

As excitement builds ahead of the global release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31, stars Tom Holland and Zendaya have shared heartfelt reactions to a question inspired by the film’s central storyline.

The movie, which opens a day earlier in Bangladesh and India, begins in a world where everyone has forgotten Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland. Even his closest friends and the woman he loves no longer recognize him, forcing Peter to rebuild the relationships that once defined his life.

During a special interview with India Today, Holland, Zendaya, and co-star Jacob Batalon were asked how they would feel if a similar situation happened in real life and they forgot one another.

Zendaya said she could not even imagine such a possibility.

“You’ve been such a huge part of my twenties,” she said. “If I suddenly forgot you, it would feel like a third of my life had been erased.”

She added that losing those memories would mean more than simply forgetting friends—it would mean losing the experiences that helped shape who she is today.

“I think I would feel there was a huge void somewhere in my life,” she said. “I can’t even imagine what my life would be like.”

Jacob Batalon, who reprises his role as Peter Parker’s best friend Ned, agreed with Zendaya’s emotional response.

“That’s absolutely true,” he said. “I’d probably end up asking myself, ‘Who am I then?'”

For Holland, forgetting his co-stars—and especially his real-life wife, Zendaya—is equally unimaginable.

“I’d definitely remember Jacob,” Holland joked. “His personality and energy leave an impression on everyone. He’s one of a kind. The same goes for both of you. It’s really hard to imagine not remembering either of you.”

Not wanting the conversation to become too emotional, Holland lightened the mood by referencing the iconic Spider-Man theme song.

“I’d just play the Spider-Man song,” he said with a laugh. “Then all the memories would come rushing back.”

Holland, Zendaya, and Batalon first appeared together in Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017 as Peter Parker, MJ, and Ned. Their off-screen friendship has remained one of the franchise’s most celebrated relationships, with Holland and Zendaya later marrying in real life.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Spider-Man: Brand New Day also stars Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, Sadie Sink, and several other notable cast members.

BTS Skip 2027 Grammys Over Regional and Language Divisions

Deepanwita Roy Martin
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BTS Skip 2027 Grammys Over Regional and Language Divisions

Global K-pop sensation BTS has announced that it will not submit its music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, saying it hopes music will be recognized without being categorized by region or language.

The decision was revealed through a coordinated Instagram post, with all seven members—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—sharing the same message on their individual accounts.

“We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year,” the statement read. “I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.”

The announcement comes just a month after the Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. Under the new rules, eligible songs must feature a “meaningful use” of an Asian language. Since more than 80 percent of the lyrics on BTS’s latest album Arirang are in English, the group’s music would not have qualified for the new award.

Despite that, BTS had been widely expected to compete in several of the Grammys’ top categories. Their comeback album Arirang has become one of the best-selling records of the year, while its lead single Swim topped the US charts and was considered a strong contender for Song of the Year.

The introduction of the new Asian Pop category sparked debate among K-pop fans, with many arguing that it risked separating Asian artists from mainstream Grammy competition rather than celebrating their achievements. BTS’s reference to “region and language” in its statement appeared to echo those concerns.

The group concluded its message by thanking its global fanbase, known as ARMY.

“Thank you to ARMY and everyone who is always with us,” the statement said.

The Recording Academy has not yet publicly responded to BTS’s decision.

Since debuting in 2013, BTS has become one of the world’s most successful music acts. The group earned its first Grammy nomination in 2021 for Dynamite, becoming the first K-pop group to receive a nomination from the Recording Academy. Since then, BTS has collected five Grammy nominations, including recognition in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video categories, but has yet to win a Grammy.

All seven members have been voting members of the Recording Academy since 2019 and have performed on the Grammy stage multiple times.

BTS now joins a growing list of artists who have distanced themselves from the Grammy Awards, including The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Drake, Morgan Wallen, and Will Smith, all of whom have criticized the awards for various reasons in recent years.

The Recording Academy has expanded Korean representation within its voting body over the past two years, adding artists and producers from groups including Enhypen, Seventeen, Le Sserafim, Katseye, Twice, and Stray Kids. Earlier this year, Blackpink’s Rosé received prominent Grammy recognition, while Golden from KPop Demon Hunters became the first K-pop song to win a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

However, that song, like much of BTS’s recent music, would also have been ineligible for the newly created Asian Pop category because it was performed almost entirely in English.

Dhaka University Pro Awami League Blue Panel Teachers Face Crackdown by Anti Liberation Teachers’ Group

Deepanwita Roy Martin
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Dhaka University Pro Awami League Blue Panel Teachers Face Crackdown by Anti Liberation Teachers’ Group

DHAKA, July 29 — A fresh political controversy has emerged at the University of Dhaka amid reports that the university’s pro-Awami League teachers’ organization, the Blue Panel, could face a ban.

Observers say this is not a new phenomenon. Anti Liberation elements have long pursued an aggressive campaign against progressive academics, particularly teachers perceived to be aligned with the Awami League.

At present, the issue is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the university’s highest policy-making body, the Syndicate, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

The development follows the submission of a memorandum by more than one hundred teachers under the banner of “Anti-Fascist Teachers” to the Vice-Chancellor on Monday. According to the organizers, the group included teachers associated with political viewpoints aligned with the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

In the memorandum, the teachers called for an immediate prohibition of the Blue Panel’s political activities and submitted a list of 125 teachers whom they accused of playing a controversial and anti-student role during the previous Awami League government. They also requested administrative action against those listed.

The memorandum cited several incidents during the July 2024 protests. It alleged that after the killing of Abu Sayeed on July 16, when student casualties were increasing across the country, Blue Panel teachers held a press conference on August 1, 2024, describing protesting students as being influenced by “anti-state conspirators” and urging them to withdraw from the movement.

The memorandum further alleged that Blue Panel members criticized teachers from the White Panel after they demanded the government’s resignation over the violence and warned of legal action on allegations of sedition. It also referred to a rally and human chain organized by the Blue Panel on August 3, 2024.

The allegations contained in the memorandum have not been independently verified, and no response from representatives of the Blue Panel was immediately available.

The developments have intensified debate over the political direction of the university. Some critics of the proposed action argue that seeking punitive measures against teachers identified with pro-Liberation War politics amounts to targeting academics associated with the ideals of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. They contend that the initiative reflects an attempt to marginalize those aligned with the country’s founding historical narrative.

Supporters of the memorandum, however, maintain that their demands are based on the teachers’ alleged conduct during the July 2024 protests and are intended to ensure accountability.

As of Tuesday, the university administration had not publicly announced any decision regarding the memorandum or the future status of the Blue Panel. The outcome of the Syndicate meeting is expected to determine whether any formal action will be taken.

Post Sheikh Hasina Government Harassment Scenarios in Dhaka University:

In May 2025, Dhaka University (DU) authorities have temporarily suspended 128 students for allegedly attacking protesters during the July uprising. Most of those suspended are members of the now banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).

The decision was taken by the DU Syndicate on Monday based on the findings of a university fact finding committee that investigated the attacks during the mass uprising.

Last year December, members of Blue Panel, the pro Awami League teachers’ panel at the University of Dhaka, were allegedly harassed and physically assaulted after submitting a memorandum to the university’s Vice Chancellor, demanding the reinstatement of teachers who had been barred from conducting classes, according to a Bangladeshi media outlet.

The incident reportedly took place at around 1:30 pm in the teachers’ lounge of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

A video widely circulated on social media appears to show AB Zubair , Social Welfare Secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), grabbing Professor Abul Kashem Mohammad Jamal Uddin, convener of Neel Dal, on a staircase in an apparent attempt to restrain him. The footage shows Professor Jamal attempting to leave while Zubair follows him down the stairs and later appears to block him from getting into a vehicle.

Speaking to a Bangladeshi media outlet, Professor Jamal said, “We submitted a seven-point memorandum to the Vice Chancellor’s office, including a demand for the reinstatement of teachers. Afterwards, while we were having tea in the teachers’ lounge, a group of students entered, called us ‘accomplices of fascists,’ and said they would not allow us to leave.”

New Trump Policy Ends Court Hearings for Many Asylum Seekers Facing Deportation

Adity Mohajon
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New Trump Policy Ends Court Hearings for Many Asylum Seekers Facing Deportation

The Trump administration has introduced a new immigration policy that could subject hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers in the United States to expedited deportation without an opportunity to present their cases in court.

The rule, which took effect immediately on Tuesday, is aimed at reducing the massive backlog of asylum applications pending before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The agency currently has around 1.4 million pending asylum claims, and officials estimate that nearly one-third of them—approximately 444,725 cases—will be transferred directly to immigration judges within the Department of Justice.

Under the new process, immigration judges will be able to deny asylum applications and issue removal orders without holding individual hearings, significantly accelerating deportation proceedings.

USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow defended the policy, saying the asylum system has been exploited for years by individuals seeking to delay deportation and obtain work authorization rather than pursue legitimate protection claims.

The Trump administration argues that human smugglers have overwhelmed the asylum system with weak applications, using lengthy legal procedures to help migrants remain in the country.

However, immigration lawyers and advocacy groups have strongly criticized the move. Their concerns have intensified following recent Supreme Court decisions affecting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian nationals.

Immigration attorney Ira Kurzban accused the administration of violating the 1967 United Nations Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees. He argued that the policy effectively transforms the U.S. asylum system into a mechanism for mass deportation while stripping legally protected individuals of their rights.

Immigrant rights advocates also warned that many people fleeing persecution are unfamiliar with the complex U.S. asylum process, including the one-year filing deadline and other legal requirements. They argue that the new rule could unfairly penalize vulnerable asylum seekers who lack access to legal assistance.

Although the policy is already in effect, USCIS said it will later invite public comments before issuing a final version of the regulation.

Death Toll from Japan Earthquake Rises to 13 as Rescue Efforts Continue

Adity Mohajon
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Death Toll from Japan Earthquake Rises to 13 as Rescue Efforts Continue

At least 13 people have been confirmed dead after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu on Tuesday, authorities said, as rescue teams continue searching for survivors trapped under collapsed buildings.

The fatalities have all been reported in Kumamoto Prefecture, the area hardest hit by the earthquake. Officials warned that the death toll could rise further as search and rescue operations remain underway at multiple disaster sites.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Sanaye Takaichi said emergency responders were working around the clock to locate and rescue those still trapped beneath the rubble.

“Many people are still waiting to be rescued from under collapsed structures. We are racing against time because every moment is critical. We will use all available resources to save those who are trapped,” Takaichi said.

The earthquake struck at 4:27 p.m. local time (1:27 p.m. Bangladesh time) on Tuesday. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers beneath the seabed off Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu.

Because the earthquake occurred at a relatively shallow depth beneath the sea, strong shaking was felt across the region, causing widespread structural damage. Kumamoto Prefecture suffered the most severe impact, with numerous buildings damaged or destroyed.

Emergency crews remain on the ground assessing the damage, searching for survivors, and providing assistance to affected communities as authorities monitor the evolving situation.

Joint U.S. Saudi Airstrikes Target Iran Linked Militias in Iraq

Adity Mohajon
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Joint U.S. Saudi Airstrikes Target Iran Linked Militias in Iraq

The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out joint airstrikes in Iraq on Wednesday morning, targeting what the U.S. military described as Iran-linked armed groups responsible for recent attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.

In a statement, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation targeted militant infrastructure and weapons storage facilities at multiple locations in eastern Iraq. The military described the strikes as a response to 30 drone attacks launched over the past 72 hours, which it alleged were carried out by Iraqi militias under the direction of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to CENTCOM, the recent drone attacks were aimed at Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure, prompting the joint military response.

The command also claimed that Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups have carried out more than 600 attacks against U.S. and Saudi personnel and infrastructure between February and April. It warned that the militias should halt further attacks if they wish to avoid additional military action.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed its participation in the operation, saying the strikes were conducted in coordination with U.S. Central Command and were aimed at Iraqi militias responsible for attacks on the kingdom’s petroleum infrastructure.

Earlier this week, drone attacks targeted petroleum facilities in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province and the Riyadh region, raising concerns over the security of the kingdom’s critical energy sector.

Saudi Defense Ministry spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki said Riyadh does not seek further escalation but warned that Saudi Arabia would respond if the Iraqi militias launch additional attacks.

The reported strikes mark a significant escalation in regional tensions, as the United States and Saudi Arabia increase military pressure on Iran-linked armed groups operating in Iraq.

Rahul Gandhi Labels Modi Government’s Education Minister a ‘Protector of Rapists’

Adity Mohajon
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Rahul Gandhi Labels Modi Government’s Education Minister a ‘Protector of Rapists’

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to appoint Prahlad Joshi as the country’s new Education Minister, alleging that the government has entrusted the ministry to someone who defended the release of convicted rapists.

The remarks came on Tuesday, July 28, following the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier this week amid sustained protests led by young people over issues related to the education system. Prahlad Joshi was subsequently appointed to head the ministry.

Addressing the appointment, Gandhi said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government had placed its trust in “someone who protected rapists.”

His criticism stems from Joshi’s comments regarding the controversial release of 11 men convicted in the 2002 Bilkis Bano case. During the 2002 Gujarat riots, Bilkis Bano was gang-raped while several members of her family were murdered. The convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment by a court.

The process leading to their early release began in 2018, and in 2022 the Gujarat government ordered their remission, prompting widespread public outrage across India. At the time, Joshi defended the decision, arguing that the convicts had spent a long period in prison and that legal provisions existed allowing for their release.

However, in January 2024, the Supreme Court of India declared the Gujarat government’s remission order invalid and directed that all 11 convicts return to prison.

Referring to Joshi’s earlier defense of the remission, Gandhi described him as a “protector of rapists.”

“Look at India’s Education Minister,” Gandhi said. “After so many protests by young people over the education system, the BJP has appointed a person who protects rapists. Those who protect rapists are among the worst people. When someone argues that rapists deserve protection, there can be nothing more shameful. Yet that person is now India’s Education Minister.”

Gandhi also questioned Prime Minister Modi’s choice, saying it was a “surprising decision.”

“There are many people in his Cabinet who could have been appointed Education Minister,” Gandhi said. “Instead, he chose someone who defended rapists. It is unbelievable.”

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