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Banglalink Mukto Pay is set to enter Bangladesh’s growing digital payments market after the telecom operator secured a Payment Service Provider licence from Bangladesh Bank. The August 11 approval allows Banglalink to expand beyond telecommunications into payments, transfers and other financial services, with a particular focus on underserved consumers and small businesses.

A reported Trump Air Force One Iran threat has drawn fresh scrutiny after US intelligence reportedly detected a credible risk to the president's aircraft while he was leaving Ankara following the NATO summit. Donald Trump has since confirmed that the Secret Service and military ordered him onto another aircraft because of a threat. Ankara threat triggered extraordinary security response The security operation unfolded on July 8 as Trump

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has again put US-India trade tensions in the spotlight after saying he was “firebombed” online by Indians over his criticism of New Delhi's tariff policies and purchases of Russian oil. His latest comments revive a controversy that began last year but come as Washington and New Delhi continue trying to manage their broader strategic and economic relationship. India backlash follows Navarro's trade criticism

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that security officials directed him to secretly change aircraft while leaving Turkey after authorities detected a potential threat. Trump said he followed instructions from the Secret Service and military, shedding new light on an unusual presidential security operation involving Air Force One and a smaller military aircraft. Trump plane switch followed security warning Speaking to reporters on Tu

For decades, US support for Israel was among the most durable features of American foreign policy. That political foundation has not disappeared, but public opinion is changing sharply. New polling shows Palestinians overtaking Israelis in American sympathies for the first time in Gallup's long-running trend, while younger voters are driving an even larger shift.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile from its eastern Wonsan area early Wednesday, sending it more than 700 kilometres toward waters off the Korean Peninsula just days before major US-South Korea military exercises. The launch has renewed regional tensions, with Seoul and Tokyo condemning the test while Washington said it posed no immediate threat to US personnel or allies.

Baloch separatist leader Mir Yar Baloch has renewed his call for Balochistan independence recognition, asking governments and international organisations to treat the region as an independent country rather than a Pakistani province. His appeal came as supporters marked August 11 as “Balochistan Independence Day.” Balochistan recognition campaign seeks international backi

US Colombia earthquake aid worth $15.5 million has been announced as the country struggles with the aftermath of a devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake. At least 111 people have been confirmed dead, while rescue crews continue searching damaged buildings across western Colombia for survivors. US disaster aid reaches $15.5 million The US Sta

Colombia earthquake 2026 has left at least 111 people dead and dozens injured after a powerful magnitude 7.4 quake struck western Colombia on Monday. Buildings collapsed across several cities as emergency crews searched rubble for survivors, while shaking was felt hundreds of kilometres from the epicentre. Colombia quake leaves 111 dead and dozens injured

Iran military leadership reshuffle has formally installed six senior commanders across the Armed Forces, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's appointments place Ali Abdollahi at the top of the military command while confirming Ahmad Vahidi as commander-in-chief of the IRGC. Iran commanders appointed after wartime loss

Democratic socialism in America is gaining political visibility, but describing the entire country as moving left would go beyond the evidence. Progressive electoral victories, changing attitudes among younger Democrats and dissatisfaction with economic inequality point to a stronger left wing inside the Democratic coalition, even as socialism remains unpopular with most Americans overall.

Firmus AI infrastructure funding has put a relatively little-known Australian company at the center of the global compute boom. A multibillion-dollar equity placement involving investors including Nvidia and Blackstone has valued Firmus at about A$15.5 billion, as investors pour increasingly large sums into the physical infrastructure required to run artificial intelligence.

AI intelligence explosion claims are moving from theoretical discussions into conversations inside frontier laboratories. Recent breakthroughs show advanced models solving difficult mathematics and accelerating research, while Anthropic has reported early signs of AI helping speed up AI development itself. But that is still different from machines autonomously redesigning and improving themselves.

The Pakistan Saudi Turkiye defence pact is facing scrutiny only days after its signing in Makkah. A Houthi strike on a Saudi Aramco facility has raised an immediate question: what does the agreement's collective-defence commitment require when one member comes under attack? The answer is more complicated than simply expecting Pakistan or Turkiye to enter a war.

AI layoffs in 2026 are no longer just a prediction about the future of work. Companies are increasingly linking workforce reductions to automation and artificial intelligence, while technology firms remain at the center of the cuts. Yet the data also show that AI is reshaping jobs in more complex ways than simply replacing workers. US AI job cuts rise sharply

China Taiwan military activity continued as Taiwan detected one PLA aircraft sortie, nine PLAN vessels and 11 official ships around the island. The aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ as Taipei continued monitoring growing Chinese air and maritime operations. China Military Activity Around Taiwan Continues Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said that it detected one sortie of a C

A Belgorod drone attack killed six people and injured 25 as Russia and Ukraine exchanged another wave of deadly strikes. Residential areas were damaged in Belgorod and Kharkiv, while attacks around Odesa highlighted the growing focus on ports, energy and logistics. Belgorod Drone Attack Kills Six Civilians Six people were killed and 25 others injured in an overnight Ukrainian drone attack on th

The Syria Russia bases deal will return key facilities at Hmeimim and Tartous to Syrian management while former Russian military sites become joint training centers. The agreement marks a major restructuring of Moscow’s strategic presence on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. Syria Russia Bases Deal Reshapes Coastal Presence Syria and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding redefining th

Trump’s Iran economic pressure strategy is currently taking priority over renewed major military action as Washington watches Tehran’s worsening economy. Indirect Iran talks and a possible Strait of Hormuz arrangement continue, but major disagreements remain unresolved. Trump Iran Economic Pressure Strategy Takes Priority US President Donald Trump has signaled that Washington is temporarily

Pezeshkian met Mojtaba Khamenei to discuss Iran’s military situation, economic pressures, currency, energy and public needs. The meeting drew added attention amid continuing speculation over the Supreme Leader’s health and limited public visibility. Pezeshkian Meets Mojtaba Khamenei Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei for detailed dis