Bangladesh has confiscated assets worth 760 billion taka (about $6.2 billion) linked to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her family and 10 business groups, authorities said Wednesday.

Since Hasina was toppled in a student-led mass uprising in 2024 and fled to India, authorities have investigated the former prime minister’s wealth and looked into her relatives and major business groups accused of benefiting during her 15-year, iron-fisted rule.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit said it had seized assets worth 570 billion taka in Bangladesh and another 190 billion taka overseas.

The agency’s chief Ikhtiar Mohammad Mamun told reporters while presenting the annual summary of its activities that authorities had opened 98 cases as part of the investigations into Hasina and those associated with her.

“We are still working to recover the money laundered overseas,” Mamun said. “We hope to share positive developments by the end of this year”.

Since she was ousted, Hasina has been convicted in absentia in several cases, including corruption cases linked to the allocation of plots in an upmarket area of the capital Dhaka.

A court has also sentenced her to death over crimes against humanity.

Hasina has remained in India since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024, and recently said she intended to return by the end of the year.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that the government, which has sought her extradition, wanted to ensure Hasina returns to face justice.

“The verdict will be implemented. The court will decide whether there is any scope for an appeal,” he said.

Floods and landslides triggered by days of ​torrential monsoon rain have killed at least 44 people in southeastern Bangladesh and ‌left over a million stranded as authorities raced on Saturday to deliver aid to devastated communities.

The disaster management ministry said on Saturday that flooding across seven districts — Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Moulvibazar and Habiganj — has ​disrupted daily life, isolated thousands of families, and stranded 267,918 households.

Many residents have ⁠been unable to cook for days as flood waters submerged their homes, while others are ​struggling after thick layers of mud covered kitchens and living spaces.

“There is still water inside our home ​, and we have no way to cook. The dry food we had has run out, and we spend the nights in the dark with our children because there is no electricity,” said Nurul Islam, a resident of ​a flood-hit area in Chattogram.

Thousands of families are relying on dry food — flattened rice, puffed ​rice or biscuits that do not require cooking — and emergency relief. Washed-out roads and damaged bridges, however, have made ‌it ⁠difficult for aid workers to reach some of the hardest-hit communities.

Army and navy personnel are ferrying food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies by boat to isolated communities, as authorities step up relief efforts.

“The government is doing everything possible to support flood victims. Relief, safe drinking water ​and medical supplies are being ​distributed, and we ⁠urge people whose homes have been inundated to move to the nearest shelter,” Disaster Management and Relief Minister Iqbal Hossain said during a visit ​to affected areas in Chattogram.

The heavy rain also triggered landslides in Rohingya refugee ​camps in ⁠Cox’s Bazar earlier this week, killing 16 refugees, including women and children. More than one million Rohingya refugees live in the camps, where makeshift shelters on steep, deforested hillsides are especially vulnerable during the ⁠monsoon season.

Bangladesh ​is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, with ​seasonal monsoon rains regularly causing floods, river erosion and landslides. Scientists say climate change is making extreme rainfall more frequent ​and intense, increasing the scale and severity of such disasters.

Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, facing a death sentence back home where her party is banned, told Reuters she and senior party colleagues plan to return from exile ​in India around December and surrender.

The South Asian nation’s longest-serving leader said she and members of her Awami League aim to return voluntarily to the country they fled two years ago ‌and present themselves in court, testing Bangladesh’s handling of its most prominent political opponent.

“They may arrest me on my return, they may even kill me,” Hasina, 78, said in the nearly hour-long telephone interview late on Thursday and into Friday.

“Still, I have to go,” she said. “My party leaders and workers are being subjected to tremendous repression.

If death comes, I want it to come on my own soil, where my parents are buried and where their blood was shed.“

Bangladesh-India ties strained by exile

Hasina fled Bangladesh in ​2024 after protests ended her 20 years as prime minister across multiple terms. The country’s war-crimes court sentenced her in November to death in her absence for ordering a deadly crackdown on a ​student-led uprising. She has denied the charges from exile.

A return could sharpen political divisions in the garment-export powerhouse as the government in Dhaka seeks to restore stability ⁠after two years of upheaval.

On the other hand, it could improve strained ties with India, which deteriorated sharply after New Delhi gave her refuge.

Bangladesh has repeatedly urged India to extradite her.

Hasina, who has fielded written ​questions from news outlets but not previously given an interview during her exile, said she has not consulted with any foreign government on whether or when to return.

This is the first time she has set out a timetable ​for her return, said she plans to surrender or said other exiled Awami League leaders would do so.

Among them, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also faces a death sentence. Reuters could not contact the other party members or establish where they were.

The authorities in Dhaka “want to take me back, they are repeatedly sending letters to India seeking to have me sent back”, she said. “I will go myself.”

Spokespeople for the Bangladesh government did not respond to requests for comment on Hasina’s remarks.

India’s foreign ​ministry did not respond to a request for comment. In April, the ministry said it was examining Bangladesh’s request to extradite her and that it wanted to “engage constructively with the new government and further strengthen bilateral ties”.

One-time democracy champion accused of crushing dissent

Hasina was a dominant figure in Bangladesh for half a century after being thrust into the spotlight by the assassination of her father, an independence leader, and much of her family in a military coup.

She ‌fought for democracy ⁠early on and was credited with turning around the economy of the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million, but her long rule generated accusations that her government had crushed dissent and dismantled democratic checks and balances — allegations she denies.

The crackdown that led to her downfall killed as many as 1,400 people, according to a UN report.

“Cases have been filed against almost all of our leaders and workers, and many of them are in hiding,” Hasina told Reuters from her exile home in Delhi. “So I said that this time I am returning home, and one day, all of you should come. All together, we will all surrender in court.”

She declined to give a date for ​her return or say exactly when she would surrender ​or to what court.

“I believe in justice and ⁠I feel that once proceedings start, it will be clear to the people how farcical the court is — and that I want to prove it.”

‘Let the people decide,’ Hasina says

Many Awami League workers have faced arrest, legal cases and physical attacks since her government was toppled, according to media reports and government officials.

Hasina said she ​had not been in touch with Dhaka over her plans to return. “Democracy, voting rights, the political rights of the Awami League and justice are not subjects ​for secret talks.”

She said she was ⁠not worried about jail time, noting that she had been arrested several times before.

After returning from exile in 1981 following her father’s assassination, she was detained repeatedly during campaigns against military rule.

She was jailed again in 2007 by a military-backed caretaker government on corruption charges before being freed and winning elections in 2008.

Leading her to flee this time, she said, were threats on her life as crowds advanced towards her residence.

“When a government works for a long ⁠time, mistakes can ​happen — no government is above error,” she said. “But the right to judge the good and bad, the right and wrong of a ​government belongs to the people. I leave that judgment to the people.”

Hasina said she has held online meetings covering 125 of Bangladesh’s 300 parliamentary constituencies as part of efforts to reorganise the Awami League.

“They may have convicted me, and I may not be able to ​contest elections,” she said. “But why should they suspend the Awami League? If we have done badly, let the people decide.”

At least eight Rohingya Muslims, including some children, were killed and several others injured early on Monday after heavy monsoon rains ​triggered multiple landslides at refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh, officials ‌said.

More than 1.2 million Rohingya live in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, the world’s largest refugee settlement, after fleeing a 2017 military crackdown in neighbouring Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where they are ​accused of being outsiders.

Most families live in makeshift shelters made ​of bamboo and plastic sheets on steep, deforested hillsides that ⁠are highly vulnerable to landslides during the annual monsoon season.

The landslides hit ​four locations across the camps, burying shelters under mud and debris while ​residents were asleep.

A Bangladeshi man was killed, and two family members were injured when part of a hillside collapsed onto their house in Cox’s Bazar, police said.

“Eight people ​have died in landslides caused by heavy rain,” said Tumpa Das, a ​police official in Cox’s Bazar.

She said continued rainfall had increased the risk of further ‌landslides, ⁠with thousands of refugees still living on unstable slopes.

“We’re moving people out of high-risk areas as quickly as possible to prevent any more casualties,” said Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, the Bangladeshi official tasked with refugee relief and ​repatriation.

The deaths come ​as renewed ⁠fighting in Myanmar’s Rakhine State raises concern of a fresh influx of Rohingya refugees across the border.

Bangladeshi authorities have ​stepped up monitoring along the frontier amid reports of ​people ⁠gathering near the border seeking to enter the country.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast more heavy rain in the coming days, prompting authorities to remain ⁠on alert ​for additional landslides and flash floods.

Landslides and ​flooding are common during the monsoon season in the refugee camps, often killing people and ​damaging homes, roads and other facilities.

Ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return to Bangladesh this year, brushing aside a death sentence handed down in absentia and denouncing the ruling as “illegal, ​unconstitutional and politically motivated.”

Hasina, 78, who fled to India after a student-led uprising ‌ousted her government in August 2024, said in an interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV that she was undeterred by the risk and would overcome “every obstacle and every conspiracy” to return home.

“I want to say clearly: ​overcoming every obstacle and every conspiracy, I will return to my country this ​year,” Hasina said when asked whether she would come back despite the death ⁠sentence.

It was the first time she had given a time for her return.

Last ​November, a Dhaka court sentenced Hasina to death after convicting her of inciting, ordering killings and ​failing to prevent atrocities during the 2024 unrest.

Rejecting the verdict, she accused Bangladesh’s judiciary of being used as “an instrument of political revenge” aimed at eliminating her Awami League party’s leadership.

“I do not fear death,” she ​said, adding that past efforts to dismantle her party had failed and would fail again.

Hasina ​said her planned return was not driven by personal ambition but by what she described as a ‌broader mission ⁠to restore political rights, democracy, the rule of law and the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War.

Defending her Awami League party, she said it remained deeply rooted in Bangladesh despite a ban on its activities.

The restrictions, first imposed by the previous interim administration, remain in place ​under Prime Minister Tarique ​Rahman’s government, which took ⁠office after the February elections.

“The Awami League is not a paper organisation but a political force rooted in the soil of Bengal, in the ​people of Bengal, in the history of Bengal and in the ​identity of ⁠the Bengali nation,” Hasina said.

She also urged the Tarique Rahman-led government to restore what she called a proper democratic environment by lifting the ban on her party, withdrawing what she described as ⁠false cases ​against its leaders, releasing political prisoners and allowing peaceful ​political activity.

The government has defended the legal proceedings, saying they are part of efforts to ensure accountability for alleged ​crimes committed during the final months of Hasina’s administration.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that India, having suffered a humiliating setback at Pakistan’s hands last year, has increasingly resorted to covert tactics and the use of proxies to undermine the country’s hard-earned peace and stability.

Addressing the passing out parade of the 125th Midshipmen and 33rd Short Service Commission course at Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi, the prime minister also said Pakistan’s armed forces, backed by the entire nation, continue to confront foreign-sponsored terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.

PM Shehbaz said Pakistan today stands as a peacemaker on the world stage, with its mediation efforts, supported by brotherly countries, having led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran.

He paid special tribute to the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his untiring efforts to “bring all parties together to follow the path of peace and tranquility”.

He added that the recent visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Pakistan was a testament to strong bilateral ties and Iran’s acknowledgement of Pakistan’s regional role.

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the causes of the Kashmiri and Palestinian peoples, and underscored the government’s resolve to strengthen the Navy as a potent force capable of ensuring national defence and acting as a stabilising presence in the wider maritime region.

He paid tribute to the Navy for its performance during Marka-e-Haq last year, when it successfully deterred and denied access to a numerically superior adversary throughout the conflict.

He also commended the successful conduct of Operation Mahafizul Behr, which ensured uninterrupted energy supplies to Pakistani ports amid a challenging regional security environment.

PM Shehbaz urged the graduating cadets to uphold the legacy of naval heroes, including Commodore SM Anwar, Commander Zafar Muhammad Khan, and Vice Admiral Ahmed Tasneem.

He also expressed delight at the presence of cadets from Turkiye, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iraq, Sri Lanka, and Djibouti, expressing hope that their time at the academy would serve as a lasting bond between their nations and Pakistan.

Bangladesh eliminated Pakistan from the Women’s T20 World Cup with a commanding 23-run victory in a crucial group-stage match on Saturday, thanks to a disciplined bowling performance led by their spinners.

Chasing a target of 124, Pakistan were restricted to 100 for eight in their allotted 20 overs despite a promising start.

After winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat first and posted 123 for six in 20 overs. The innings was anchored by captain Nigar Sultana, who scored a composed 36 runs after her side had slumped to 13 for three in the early stages.

Shorna Akter then provided late momentum with an unbeaten 39 off 22 deliveries, helping Bangladesh recover and post a competitive total.

For Pakistan, captain Fatima Sana was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets for 18 runs.

In reply, Pakistan appeared well placed after openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza put on 49 runs for the first wicket. Muneeba scored 25 runs, while Gull contributed 23.

However, the innings collapsed dramatically after Gull’s dismissal. Pakistan slipped from 49 without loss to 84 for eight as Bangladesh’s spin bowlers tightened their grip on the contest.

Sanjida Akter Meghla and Nahida Akter starred with the ball, taking three wickets each. Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Unable to recover from the middle-order collapse, Pakistan finished on 100 for eight, falling 23 runs short of the target.

The defeat ended Pakistan’s campaign in the Women’s T20 World Cup, while Bangladesh kept their hopes alive with a vital victory.

India has deported nearly 5,000 Bangladeshi citizens since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist party swept to power in West Bengal last month, according to official statistics.

Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a sweeping victory in elections in the eastern border state of more than 100 million people, promising to “detect, delete and deport” illegal migrants.

India shares a long and porous border with Muslim-majority Bangladesh, where migration has historically been driven by economic hardship and longstanding family links.

On taking power, the new West Bengal government ordered the establishment of detention centres for undocumented Bangladeshis and Rohingya refugees, a mainly Muslim people who fled persecution in Myanmar.

State Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, speaking in the capital Kolkata on Sunday, said nearly 5,000 Bangladeshi citizens had been deported across the border.

“We have started the work of deporting Bangladeshi infiltrators who do not fall under the purview of the Citizenship Amendment Act,” Adhikari said, saying the government had “established holding centres in all districts of the state” in May.

“From these centres, 4,800 Bangladeshi infiltrators have already been deported so far,” he added.

“Another 836 people are currently in the holding centres… we are making arrangements to deport the 836 soon,” Adhikari said.

The deportation campaign comes against a backdrop of longstanding political tensions over immigration in the border state.

Top Indian officials have referred to migrants as “termites” and “infiltrators”.

Critics say the BJP’s rhetoric and policies have added to the unease and marginalisation of India’s more than 200 million Muslims, accusing the party of conflating religious identity with illegal migration.

Rights groups have previously accused India of also pushing hundreds of Bengali-speaking Muslims into Bangladesh without due process.

Relations between India and Muslim-majority Bangladesh soured after a 2024 revolution in Dhaka ended the autocratic rule of then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, an ally of New Delhi, who fled to India.

A new government in Dhaka was elected in February, and relations have since slowly improved. Bangladesh and Indian border force chiefs are due to meet in New Delhi on Monday.

A rare albino buffalo in Bangladesh - nicknamed “Donald Trump” ​for its distinctive blond tuft - has been spared ‌from Eid al-Adha sacrifice after a last-minute government intervention, a Home Ministry official said on Wednesday.

The nearly 700-kg (1,543 lb) animal ​had already been sold for ritual slaughter when ​authorities stepped in, citing security concerns after a ⁠surge of public interest ahead of Thursday’s festival.

Home Minister ​Salahuddin Ahmed ordered the buffalo be spared, the buyer ​refunded, and the animal moved to the national zoo in Dhaka.

“At the last moment, the decision was taken to spare the ​buffalo from sacrifice due to security concerns and ​the unusual level of public interest,” a ministry official said.

What began ‌as ⁠a routine Eid purchase quickly turned into a nationwide curiosity after videos went viral. Crowds gathered at the farm, with visitors travelling from far afield to see ​its blond fringe ​and calm ⁠demeanour.

Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha said the name came from his younger brother, who ​spotted the resemblance.

Mridha added that the animal is unusually ​gentle and ⁠needs careful upkeep, including frequent feeding and regular baths.

Albino buffaloes are rare in Bangladesh, where most cattle are ⁠dark, ​making it a standout during the ​peak Eid livestock season - though it was the nickname that likely saved ​its life.

A rare albino buffalo with flowing blond hair has become an unlikely celebrity in Bangladesh ahead of the Eid al-Azha festival, drawing crowds of curious visitors ​who say the animal bears a striking resemblance to US President ‌Donald Trump.

The nearly 700 kg (1,540 lb) buffalo, raised at a farm in Narayanganj district near the capital Dhaka, has been nicknamed “Donald Trump” because of the tuft of pale hair falling ​across its forehead — a feature many say mirrors the American leader’s ​trademark hairstyle.

Dozens of people flocked to the farm daily, with many ⁠travelling from distant districts to pose for selfies and videos with the ​unusually coloured animal, which quickly went viral on social media.

“My younger brother named ​the buffalo Donald Trump because the hair on the front of its head resembles Donald Trump,” farm owner Ziauddin Mridha said.

“Despite its striking appearance, it is very calm by nature. It ​is an albino buffalo, and animals of this type are generally gentle ​and do not become aggressive unless provoked,” he added.

Unusual Animals go viral during Eid Festival

Mridha said ‌the ⁠buffalo required special care, including being bathed four times a day and fed four meals daily to keep it healthy and in good condition before Eid.

“It needed extra attention and care every day. The buffalo has already been delivered ​to a customer ​for sacrifice during ⁠Eid,” he said.

Albino buffaloes are considered rare in Bangladesh, where most buffaloes are dark-skinned. The animal’s cream-coloured body, pinkish nose ​and long blond hair made it stand out among thousands ​of cattle ⁠prepared for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Azha, when families traditionally sacrifice livestock.

In recent years, the Muslim-majority country has seen unusually large or distinctive sacrificial animals become ⁠viral ​Eid attractions, often given celebrity-inspired names to draw ​buyers and visitors.

The buffalo’s resemblance to Trump, combined with its size and gentle temperament, has made it ​one of this year’s biggest crowd-pullers.

A five-day-old group ​that channels Gen Z concerns has gone viral in India, overtaking Instagram followers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, discussing issues like politics, inflation ‌and unemployment — with a touch of humour.

The Cockroach Janta Party has amassed nearly 15 million followers on Instagram in less than a week, compared with fewer than 9 million for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, which says it is the world’s largest political party.

The CJP, whose logo is an outline of a cockroach on a mobile phone, calls itself the “Voice of the Lazy and Unemployed”.

The group’s 30-year-old founder, ​Abhijeet Dipke, told Reuters the CJP was so named because of comments by Chief Justice Surya Kant last week comparing some unemployed youth to cockroaches.

Kant later said ​he did not mean to criticise young people but was referring to those with “fake and bogus degrees” who were “like parasites”.

“This is a ⁠movement to change the political discourse of India,” Dipke said from Boston, where he has been based for the last two years.

“The youth of India has largely vanished ​from the mainstream political discourse. Nobody is talking about us. Nobody is listening to our issues or even trying to acknowledge our existence.”

The CJP’s Instagram account features graphics and videos ​by members, talking about everything from media independence to reserving half of parliament and cabinet seats for women. It also covered the recent cancellation of a national medical college entrance test after the question paper was leaked, affecting about 2.3 million students.

The bubbling anxiety among India’s youth was also reflected in a Deloitte Global survey published this week that said India’s Gen Z population, those born between 1995 and ​2007, had been badly hit by a lack of jobs and high prices.

“Gen Zs report higher financial stress, with a larger proportion highlighting home affordability challenges and financial ​insecurity,” the survey said.

GEN Z POSTPONING MAJOR LIFE DECISIONS

India is the world’s most populous nation and also has the world’s largest number of youth, with about 65% of its 1.42 billion people under ‌the age ⁠of 35. Government data shows the unemployment rate for those aged 15 and above was 3.1% in 2025, but much higher at 9.9% among those aged 15 to 29, including 13.6% in urban areas and 8.3% in rural regions.

Experts say many youngsters are concerned that the problem could deepen as artificial intelligence disrupts entry-level roles in the country’s vast back-office industry.

The survey said 54% of Indian Gen Zs and 44% of Indian millennials — born between 1983 and 1994 — have postponed major life decisions such as buying homes because of economic worries. It covered 806 respondents in ​India as part of a wider survey of more ​than 14,000 respondents globally.

Dipke cautioned against comparisons ⁠with Gen Z-led street protests in neighbouring Bangladesh and Nepal that have ousted governments and declined to say whether there were plans to form a Gen Z political party.

“It has the potential to turn into a big political movement, it has the potential to ​change the politics of India,” he said.

“And whatever we do, we will do within the rights of the Constitution. We will ​do it in a very ⁠democratic and peaceful way. It won’t be something like we saw in Nepal or Bangladesh.”

Dipke said more than 400,000 people had signed up to become CJP members through a Google form, with over 70% aged between 19 and 25. The CJP says it has four standards for members — they have to be unemployed, lazy, chronically online and able to rant professionally.

“I really ⁠like the ​Cockroach Janta Party because in this country no one listens to the voice of the youth and there ​are not enough jobs for young people,” said Siddharth Kanaujia, a 26-year-old from the northern city of Lucknow who has signed up to become a CJP member.

“But the party talks in the interest of the youth ​and raises the right issues The cockroach reflects resilience, coming back strongly after every challenge.”

Pakistan faced the prospect of a second consecutive Test series whitewash against Bangladesh after ending the fourth day of the Sylhet Test at 316 runs for seven wickets in pursuit of a daunting 437-run target.

Needing another 121 runs for victory on the final day, Pakistan have only three wickets remaining, while Bangladesh are closing in on a historic series sweep on home soil.

Pakistan’s chase began poorly as openers Azan Owais and Abdullah Fazal failed to provide a solid start. Fazal was dismissed by Naheed Rana for six with the score at 27 runs, while Azan Owais fell lbw to Mehidy Hasan Miraz after scoring 21 runs, leaving Pakistan at 41 runs for two.

Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam steadied the innings with a partnership that carried the total to 133 runs before Babar was dismissed by Taijul Islam for 47 runs off 52 balls.

Vice-captain Saud Shakeel managed only six runs before departing at 154 runs, and Shan Masood followed soon after for 71 runs as Taijul struck again to reduce Pakistan to 162 runs for five wickets.

With the threat of a whitewash looming, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan mounted a recovery through a 134-run sixth-wicket partnership that lifted Pakistan to 296 runs. Salman was eventually bowled by Taijul Islam after making 71 runs, while Hasan Ali was dismissed without scoring.

At stumps, Rizwan remained unbeaten on 75 runs with Sajid Khan on eight.

For Bangladesh, Taijul Islam claimed four wickets, while Naheed Rana took two and Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up one.

Earlier, Bangladesh posted 278 runs in their first innings, powered by a century from wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das. Khurram Shahzad was Pakistan’s leading bowler with four wickets, while Mohammad Abbas took three and Hasan Ali claimed two.

Pakistan replied with 232 runs in their first innings, with Babar Azam top-scoring with 68 runs. No other batter reached a half-century as Bangladesh secured a first-innings lead of 46 runs.

Naheed Rana and Taijul Islam took three wickets each for Bangladesh, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two apiece.

In their second innings, Bangladesh were bowled out for 390 after Mushfiqur Rahim scored 137 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed 69, and Mahmudul Hasan Joy added 52, setting Pakistan a target of 438 runs.

Khurram Shahzad took four wickets for Pakistan, Sajid Khan claimed three, Hasan Ali took two, and Mohammad Abbas picked up one.

Bangladesh had already secured an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series after winning the opening Test in Dhaka.

If Bangladesh dismiss Pakistan before they reach the target on the final day, they will complete their first-ever Test series whitewash over Pakistan on home soil.

Bangladesh had previously whitewashed Pakistan during a two-Test series in Pakistan in 2024, while Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test of the current series ended their unbeaten record against Bangladesh in Test cricket.

India’s Home Ministry has amended citizenship rules requiring applicants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to declare any previous or valid passports from those countries when applying for Indian citizenship.

The principal Citizenship Rules, originally notified on February 25, 2009 and last amended on March 11, 2024, have been updated with a new clause inserted in Schedule IC.

Under the revised provision, applicants must declare whether they possess a valid or expired passport issued by Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh.

Applicants are required to either confirm that they do not hold such a passport or provide full details, including passport number, date and place of issue, and expiry date if applicable.

The amendment further states that individuals holding such passports must surrender them to the concerned authorities within 15 days of approval of their citizenship application.

Officials said the change is intended to streamline documentation and improve procedural clarity in citizenship applications involving applicants from these countries.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood and Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim were involved in a heated exchange during the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Sylhet, with videos of the incident circulating on social media.

Bangladesh remained in a strong position in the match, putting Pakistan under pressure during the second innings.

The incident took place while Mushfiqur was batting cautiously in Bangladesh’s second innings.

According to reports, Shan expressed frustration over the slow pace of play, leading to a verbal exchange between the two players.

The argument escalated to the point where on-field umpires intervened and briefly halted play before calming both sides and restoring order.

Some social media users claimed Bangladeshi batters were deliberately slowing the game, prompting Shan’s reaction, though the exact cause of the dispute was not officially confirmed.

Bangladesh later extended their lead to 425 runs over Pakistan in the second Test.

Bangladesh tightened their grip on the second Test against Pakistan as the hosts built a commanding lead after Pakistan’s bowlers failed to make an impact following another disappointing batting display by the visitors.

In their second innings, Bangladesh have reached 361 for the loss of seven wickets, extending their lead over Pakistan to 409 runs.

Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim scored a century, while wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das contributed 69 runs before being dismissed by Hasan Ali.

Bangladesh scored 278 runs in their first innings, with Liton Das top-scoring with a fluent 126 runs.

For Pakistan, Khurram Shahzad claimed four wickets, Mohammad Abbas took three, while Hasan Ali and Sajid Khan picked up two and one wicket respectively.

Pakistan collapsed against Bangladesh bowling on the second day of the Sylhet Test, conceding a 46-run first-innings lead despite a fighting half-century from Babar Azam and a late counterattack by Sajid Khan.

Replying to Bangladesh’s first innings of 278 runs, Pakistan were bowled out for 232 runs as the home side tightened its grip on the match.

Pakistan made a poor start to the day as Abdullah Fazal was dismissed for 9 runs and debut centurion Azan Owais fell for 13 runs.

Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam attempted to steady the innings with a 38-run partnership before Mehidy Hasan removed Shan for 21 runs.

Saud Shakeel managed only 8 runs as Pakistan’s batting line-up came under increasing pressure.

Babar Azam stood out with a fluent 68 runs off 84 balls, striking 10 boundaries, but lacked support from the other end. He was eventually dismissed by Naheed Rana with Pakistan on 142 runs.

Salman Ali Agha contributed 21 runs while Mohammad Rizwan added 13.

Lower-order batter Sajid Khan briefly revived Pakistan’s hopes with an aggressive 38 runs off 28 balls, including four sixes. He struck three consecutive sixes in one over from Taijul Islam before Naheed Rana dismissed him in the following over.

Pakistan’s innings ended at 232 runs, handing Bangladesh a first-innings lead of 46 runs.

For Bangladesh, Naheed Rana and Taijul Islam claimed three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan took two apiece.

Earlier, Bangladesh were powered by wicketkeeper-batter Liton Das, who scored a brilliant 126 runs after Pakistan captain Shan Masood elected to bowl first.

Khurram Shahzad led Pakistan’s bowling effort with four wickets, Mohammad Abbas took three, Hasan Ali claimed two, and Sajid Khan picked up one wicket.

Bangladesh entered the match with a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

Litton Das struck a century to rescue Bangladesh from a top-order collapse, as the hosts posted 278 in their first innings of the second and final Test against Pakistan on Saturday.

Pakistan reached 21-0 at stumps in reply with Azan Awais on 13 and Abdullah Fazal on 8 in Sylhet.

Batting at number six, Litton struck 16 fours and two sixes in his 159-ball 126, his sixth Test century, after Bangladesh had been reduced to 116-6 after lunch.

Pakistan, trailing 1-0 in the two-match series after a 104-run defeat in Mirpur, opted to bowl and the decision immediately paid off.

Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy fell for a duck, edging Mohammad Abbas to second slip off the second ball of the match.

Debutant Tanzid Hasan made a bright start, striking three boundaries in a fluent 26 off 34 balls, but threw his wicket away attempting an ambitious pull shot off Abbas, who took the catch off his own bowling.

Mominul Haque was bowled for 22 by Khurram Shahzad.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the ship with a 43-run stand.

But both fell after lunch as Bangladesh lost three wickets for 15 runs.

Shanto edged Abbas behind for 29, Mushfiqur departed lbw for 23 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz was caught at deep fine leg for four to leave the hosts 116-6.

Litton added 60 runs with Taijul Islam (16) off 114 balls for the seventh wicket and brought up his fifty off 93 balls.

He took just 42 balls more to reach three figures with a cover drive off Shahzad, and then hit the next ball for six.

He added 38 with Taskin Ahmed and a crucial 64 with Shoriful Islam off 73 balls for the ninth wicket.

“The most important thing in this innings is that Taijul, Taskin and Shoriful all batted well and faced a lot of balls,” Litton said.

Pakistan missed two review opportunities when replays showing faint edges off Mushfiqur and Litton that went unchallenged by captain Shan Masood.

“We were getting wickets early on. Unluckily, we missed a couple of reviews,” said Shahzad.

“If we had gotten them out there, the situation would have been completely different.”

International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its annual men’s One-Day International (ODI) team rankings update, with Pakistan dropping one place to fifth after being overtaken by South Africa in the latest standings.

According to the updated rankings, India retained its top position with a rating of 118 points despite losing 1 point in the annual revision.

New Zealand remained second with 113 points, while Australia held third place with 109 points.

South Africa climbed to fourth position with 102 points, pushing Pakistan down to fifth with 98 points.

Further down the rankings, Sri Lanka occupied sixth place with 96 points, followed by Afghanistan in seventh with 93 points. England stood eighth with 89 points.

Bangladesh were ranked ninth with 84 points, while the West Indies cricket team remained 10th with 74 points.

The annual update widened the gap between Bangladesh and the West Indies from six to 10 points.

The ICC said the rankings carry added significance ahead of qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

As per the qualification criteria, the top eight teams in the ICC rankings by March 31, 2027, along with hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, will qualify directly for the tournament.

In other movements, Ireland moved up to 11th place with 54 points after overtaking Zimbabwe.

United States also improved to 13th place with 46 points, surpassing Scotland in the latest rankings.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates climbed to 19th position after moving ahead of Canada national cricket team.

Opener Azan Awais struck a confident unbeaten 85 on his Test debut as Pakistan reached 179-1 at stumps on the second day of the Dhaka Test against Bangladesh national cricket team.

At the close of play at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Pakistan trailed Bangladesh by 234 runs with debutant Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal unbeaten on 37 at the crease.

Earlier, Bangladesh resumed their first innings on 301-4 and were eventually bowled out for 413.

Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan’s bowling attack with five wickets for 92 runs, while Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed three wickets. Hasan Ali and Nauman Ali picked up one wicket each.

Pakistan made a solid start in reply as Azan Awais and Imam-ul-Haq added 106 runs for the opening wicket. Imam fell for 45 after giving Pakistan early momentum.

Azan Awais impressed with a composed and attacking knock in his maiden Test innings. He completed his half-century in just 65 balls and struck 12 boundaries during his unbeaten innings.

The young batter also became the 42nd Pakistani player to score a half-century on Test debut.

During his innings, Azan briefly appeared in discomfort after being struck on the body by a delivery but continued batting without leaving the field.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh lost momentum despite overnight batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das resuming in a strong position.

Mohammad Abbas provided Pakistan an early breakthrough by dismissing Litton Das for 33 before removing Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 10 and Taijul Islam for 17.

Mushfiqur Rahim held one end firm and scored 71 off 179 balls before being clean bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi shortly after lunch.

Abbas then completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Ebadot Hossain for a duck.

Bangladesh’s lower order offered late resistance through Taskin Ahmed, who smashed 28 off 19 balls in a quick final-wicket stand before Afridi wrapped up the innings.

On the opening day, Bangladesh gained control through captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored 101 off 130 deliveries, while Mominul Haque narrowly missed a century after falling for 91.

Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi and Bangladeshi Interior Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday signed a landmark agreement in Dhaka to strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking and narcotics abuse.

The agreement was signed during a meeting between the two interior ministers aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in internal security and law enforcement.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Pakistan and Bangladesh agreed to jointly combat the illegal transportation, smuggling and sale of narcotics. Both sides also pledged to develop coordinated strategies to dismantle drug supply networks and address the growing social impact of drug abuse.

The two countries will exchange timely intelligence on drug traffickers and criminal networks, while also cooperating in personnel training, modern technology and sharing best practices in anti-narcotics operations.

The ministers also agreed to establish a secretary-level joint working group between the two interior ministries to coordinate future cooperation.

During the talks, Naqvi offered Pakistan’s full support for Bangladesh’s Safe City Project and assured cooperation at all levels.

Both sides discussed expanding collaboration in counterterrorism, internal security, cybercrime, organised crime and financial fraud investigations. They also explored cooperation in the training of civil armed forces and police academy officers.

Naqvi invited the Bangladeshi home minister to visit Pakistan, while Salahuddin Ahmed thanked Pakistan for offering assistance on the Safe City Project.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Cabinet Secretary Naseem Al Ghani, Home Secretary Manzoor Chaudhry and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider also attended the meeting

The US-Israeli war on Iran, which has sent the price of energy and fertiliser soaring, could plunge more than 30 million people into poverty, the head of the UN Development Programme said Wednesday.

“It’s development in reverse,” Alexander De Croo told AFP on the sidelines of a G7 development meeting in Paris.

“It took decades to build stable societies, to develop local economies, and it took only several weeks of war to destroy that,” he added.

“We did a study after six weeks of war and estimated that even if the conflict ended at that point, 32 million people would be pushed into precarity in 160 countries,” said De Croo.

The war has led to closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows in peacetime.

Gulf nations are also important for many oil products and feedstocks to make fertiliser.

A shortage of supplies and high prices has led to countries in Africa and Asia imposing a range of measures that include fuel rationing and shortening the work week to reduce consumption. Other countries have reduced fuel taxes to cushion the impact on consumers.

The UNDP says the war will have a profound impact on Sub-Saharan African countries as well as certain countries in Asia such as Bangladesh and Cambodia.

Developing island nations will also be particularly hard hit.

High “energy costs, a lack of fertiliser, will have an enormous impact in the months to come” on people in these countries, said De Croo, a former prime minister of Belgium.

He also warned of “political instability and a drop in remittances from abroad because a lot of people working in the Gulf countries send money home”.

To avoid poverty taking hold, the UNDP estimates that around $6bn “is needed in subsidies to support those most vulnerable to high food and energy prices”, he added.

De Croo said discussions were already underway within the IMF and World Bank.

“You can say that six billion dollars is a lot — the war cost nine billion dollars per week,” he added.

The crisis comes as development aid is at a historic low, having dropped by more than 23 per cent last year, primarily due to cuts by major donors led by the United States.

About 250 people, including children, were feared missing after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals capsized in the Andaman Sea, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

“The trawler, which departed from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh and was on its way to Malaysia, reportedly sank due to heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding,” the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement.

Thousands of Rohingya, Myanmar’s persecuted Muslim minority, risk their lives every year fleeing repression and civil war in their country. They travel by sea, often aboard makeshift boats.

The Rohingya on board this latest boat were likely leaving huge camps in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, where more than a million refugees forced to flee Myanmar’s western state of Rakhine live in squalid conditions.

Rakhine state has been the scene of fierce fighting between the military and the Arakan Army, an ethnic minority rebel group, over control of the territory.

The exact circumstances surrounding the latest incident were unclear, but preliminary information indicated that the vessel was carrying some 280 people and left Bangladesh on April 4.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) said one of its ships, which was on the way to Indonesia, managed to rescue nine people from the sea, including one woman, on April 9.

“The Bangladeshi flag carrier M.T. Meghna Pride… spotted several people floating in the sea using drums and logs and rescued them from deep waters near the Andaman Islands,” BCG spokesman Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan told AFP.

‘Burned by oil’

Rafiqul Islam, one of the survivors, told AFP that he was lured onto the boat by traffickers who promised him a job in Malaysia.

“A number of us were kept in the holding area of the trawler, and some died there. I was burned by oil that spilt from the trawler,” said Rafiqul, 40, adding that the vessel travelled for four days before it capsized.

“We floated for nearly 36 hours before a ship rescued us from deep water.”

Relatively affluent Malaysia is home to millions of migrants from poorer parts of Asia, many of them undocumented, working in industries including construction and agriculture.

But sea crossings, facilitated by human trafficking syndicates, are hazardous and often lead to overloaded boats capsizing.

The UNHCR said the latest incident reflected the “dire consequences of protracted displacement and the absence of durable solutions for the Rohingya”.

“This tragedy is a reminder of the efforts urgently needed to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar and create conditions that would allow Rohingya refugees to return home voluntarily, safely and with dignity,” it said.

The Andaman Sea stretches along the western shores of Myanmar, Thailand and the Malay Peninsula.

Last year, the UNHCR said that 427 Rohingya were feared dead at sea in two shipwrecks off the Myanmar coast in May.

The Pakistan Navy has rescued 18 crew members, including several foreign nationals, from a distressed merchant vessel in the North Arabian Sea, officials said on Friday.

According to a navy statement, the operation was launched after a distress call from MV Gold Autumn, located about 200 nautical miles (around 370 kilometres) off Pakistan’s coast.

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency activated its Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and initiated an immediate response. Pakistan Navy Ship Hunain, already on patrol in the area, was tasked to assist the vessel.

Naval teams conducted a coordinated search and rescue operation, providing medical aid, assisting in firefighting efforts, and assessing damage to the vessel before safely evacuating all crew members.

Those rescued included nationals of China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia. The crew has been transported to Karachi for medical care and will be repatriated to their respective countries.

The Navy said the operation highlights its readiness to respond swiftly to maritime emergencies and its commitment to humanitarian assistance within its area of responsibility.

At least 24 people died after a passenger bus carrying around ​40 passengers plunged into the Padma ‌River while attempting to board a ferry in Bangladesh, officials said on Thursday.

The accident occurred ​on Wednesday when the bus lost ​control approaching a ferry at Daulatdia ⁠in Rajbari district, about 100 km ​from Dhaka.

The bus overturned and sank ​nearly 30 feet into the river, according to police, the Fire Service and Civil ​Defence.

Rescuers recovered 22 bodies from inside ​the submerged bus, including six men, 11 women ‌and ⁠five children, Fire Service official Talha Bin Zasim said.

Twenty-four people have been confirmed dead so far, including two women who ​died after ​being rescued, ⁠he said.

Four fire service units and 10 divers were leading ​the search and rescue efforts, supported ​by ⁠the army, police, coast guard and local authorities.

Officials fear more passengers may still be ⁠missing. ​Hundreds of people die ​each year in road and ferry accidents in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh clinched the ODI series against Pakistan by defeating the Green Shirts in the third and decisive one-day international by 11 runs in Dhaka on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 291 runs, Pakistan were all out for 279 in the allotted 50 overs.

For Pakistan, Salman Ali Agha scores a brilliant 106 in 98 balls. His innings included nine 4s and four 6s.

He was ably supported by debutant Saad Masood, who made 38. However, their efforts proved insufficient as the rest of the batsmen failed to live up to expectations.

Captain Shaheen Afridi played a cameo and gave Pakistan some hope. However, his 38-ball 37 could not help Pakistan reach the target.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed took four wickets while Mustafizur Rahman claimed three.

Earlier, batting first after being invited by Pakistan, Bangladesh scored 290 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.

Tanzid Hasan scored 107 in as many balls. His innings included six 4s and seven 6s.

Towhid Hridoy remained not out on 48.