South Asian republic of 171 million, navigating climate risk and regional diplomacy
Pew Research Center has found that more people now view China more favourably than the United States in 25 of 36 countries surveyed. The poll of 42,151 people, conducted Feb.–May 2026, shows confidence in Chinese leader Xi Jinping has risen while confidence in U.S. President Donald Trump has fallen; the U.S. retains a lead on respecting personal freedoms.
ASEAN foreign ministers meet in Manila as the U.S. and its allies press for freedom of navigation and a code of conduct in the South China Sea, while the Middle East crisis deepens energy and security concerns for Southeast Asia.
Bangladeshis express unprecedented support for Argentina and Brazil during the 2026 World Cup, as fans rally with flags, jerseys, and public viewings. The phenomenon has coincided with violent clashes in some areas as rival loyalties intensify.
European airlines are shifting routes and cancelling flights due to a looming jet fuel shortage caused by the ongoing Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure. The International Energy Agency warns Europe has about six weeks of fuel left, risking widespread disruptions this summer.
British International Investment has announced a new strategy to increase private sector investments in Africa, focusing on frontier markets and high-impact sectors. The plan aims to mobilise up to £8 billion, with at least 25% directed to Least Developed Countries, amid declining official aid and rising private capital mobilisation.
Somali migrants have been reported among those who have drowned off Algeria while attempting the journey to Europe. The victims include 12 men and five women. The Algerian authorities have confirmed the deaths but have not released full details. The route remains dangerous, with shipwrecks frequent along the western Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors. Somali migrants are increasingly undertaking these perilous journeys driven by insecurity, economic hardship, and drought at home. The story highlights ongoing risks faced by migrants seeking better opportunities in Europe, with authorities continuing to respond to maritime crossings. Today's date is Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:52:42 +0100.
New data shows the Strait of Hormuz disruption has intensified energy shortages and raised costs across Asia and other regions. Governments are maintaining subsidies in some areas while facing higher oil prices, with ripple effects on fertilizer, electricity and food prices.
Multiple murder cases are developing: in Arizona, a suspect has been charged in a dismemberment killing after a May 7 incident; in Florida, a suspect has been indicted for a double homicide involving two University of South Florida students, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
A rare albino buffalo raised near Dhaka has been nicknamed “Donald Trump” because a pale hair tuft on its forehead resembles the former U.S. president’s hairstyle. The 700-kg animal has drawn large crowds to a Narayanganj farm ahead of Eid al-Adha, with the owner saying it is calm and well cared for as buyers rush to include it in Eid sacrifices.
Measles cases have surged across several countries since March, stressing hospitals and vaccination programs. Bangladesh reports thousands of infections and hundreds of deaths; officials say vaccination campaigns are expanding, while UNICEF cautions about gaps in immunisation. In the United States, a multi-state outbreak has prompted emergency vaccination efforts and data reviews.
A multi-source examination shows groundwater depletion and drought are driving severe water stress in Barind, Iran, and broader regions. Governments are imposing restrictions, while civilians face shortages and migration pressures as climate impacts intensify.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has been elected the 81st president of the UN General Assembly, the Asia-Pacific region’s one-year term, starting September 8. He defeated Cyprus’s Andreas Kakouris in a secret ballot, amid a global multilateral landscape under scrutiny as Secretary‑General Guterres’s successor is chosen.
India has been pushing Bengali-speaking Muslims into Bangladesh under a deportation drive that has drawn criticism from rights groups. Bangladesh and India have held border talks to manage crossings and disputes over due process. Tensions rise as both sides pledge coordinated patrols and stronger information sharing.
A Bangkok court has convicted two Uyghur men, Yusufu Mieraili and Bilal Mohammed, for the 2015 Erawan Shrine bombing and has sentenced them to death. The decade-long trial has been criticised by the U.N. and human rights groups for delays, translation problems and alleged due-process violations; both men will appeal within a month.
Australia has reached 200-plus in the Women’s T20 World Cup, posting 219-1 and defeating the Netherlands by 98 runs. India has defeated Pakistan by 64 runs, with Deepti Sharma taking 5-10 and Smriti Mandhana scoring a half-century. Bangladesh records a late chase against the Netherlands. New Zealand fights to stay alive in the tournament after a dramatic finish against Ireland.
The Indus Waters Treaty remains under strain as India suspends its participation after a Kashmir attack the Pakistan government denies involvement in. Pakistan warns any change to water flows could amount to war, while mediators push for dialogue and adherence to international law.
England has secured a place in the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s after a 40‑run win over South Africa. Nat Sciver‑Brunt and Heather Knight led a 133‑run partnership that set a challenging target, while Sophie Ecclestone’s fielding and bowling sealed the win in a day of high pressure and emotion.
El Niño has strengthened, with forecasters warning it will be among the strongest on record. Regions across Africa, South Asia, and the Americas face droughts, floods, and rising food prices as climate impacts intensify. Aid groups warn that vulnerable communities and smallholder farmers will bear the brunt as aid budgets tighten.
The death of a girl in Baruipur has sparked days of protests and a political row as authorities probe the rape and murder, while BJP and opposition accuse the state government of failing to protect women. Protests have turned violent, officials say, and the death has prompted a SIT to investigate.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74, Qatar's Amiri Diwan has announced. He has been credited with transforming Qatar into an energy and diplomatic power by expanding LNG production, founding Al Jazeera, building sovereign investment vehicles and stepping down voluntarily in 2013 to hand power to his son.
A heavy monsoon has caused floods and landslides across Afghanistan, Bangladesh and neighboring regions. In Nuristan’s Parun, dozens are dead or missing and emergency teams are racing to locate survivors as more rain is forecast.
Thousands of young protesters aligned with the Cockroach Janta Party have camped at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and tried to march on parliament after hunger-striker Sonam Wangchuk was moved to hospital. Demonstrations demand Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over exam paper leaks; police have used batons, tear gas and closed nearby metro stations.
UN agencies say two boats carrying Rohingya passengers departed from Rakhine in late June and may have capsized. One boat lost contact, another is believed to have sunk off the Ayeyarwady coast. Officials warn of a rising death toll as aid groups highlight dire conditions in camps in Bangladesh and displacement inside Myanmar.
Two teenagers, Thalha Jubair and Owen Flowers, have been jailed for five years and six months for a 2024 cyber-attack on Transport for London that disrupted services, breached millions of records, and forced 27,000 staff to reset passwords in person.
The Cockroach Janta Party has grown from a satirical online post into a mass movement, prompting a government response as protests across Indian cities intensify. Demonstrations in Delhi have seen police use tear gas and baton charges while calls for the education minister’s resignation gain momentum.