Kuwait, a long-preferred Gulf destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, had all but closed its visa channels for over a decade. For more than a decade, Bangladeshi workers had only access to limited-category permits, with the coveted Ahli/Shoun visa, Kuwait’s top-tier employment visa, completely unavailable during that period, he added. Another expatriate businessman, Mohammad Bilal Hossain, said Kuwait technically has no fixed price for a labour visa. “The visa process costs three Kuwaiti dinars, and embassy attestation costs another three,” said expatriate activist Abdus Saleh. “Compared with other South Asian countries, Bangladeshis pay the highest migration costs,” said Hebju Miah, joint secretary of the Bangladesh Press Club in Kuwait.

Bangladesh has reported one death from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities this year to 24.According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the latest victim was a man aged between 61 and 70. He passed away while receiving treatment at a government hospital in the Dhaka Division.Six new cases were detected over a 24-hour period ending on Saturday morning after 239 samples were tested across the country. �"bdnews24.comIn 2020, the first year of the pandemic, 7,559 people died from COVID-19 in Bangladesh. The highest number of fatalities occurred in 2021, with 20,513 deaths. In 2022, there were 1,368 deaths, followed by 37 in 2023, and 22 so far in 2024.The highest annual death toll was reported in 2021 when 20,513 people died.That followed 7,559 deaths in 2020.

KUSHTIA, July 5: A police constable in Kushtia has been suspended for making "derogatory remarks" about the July Uprising on social media.District Police Superintendent Mizanur Rahman said on Saturday, "As the investigation has found primary evidence, it has been recommended to suspend and dismiss Constable Farzul Islam Rony. "On Jul 1, Rony made a Facebook post about the student-led mass uprising that toppled the Awami League government, but deleted it shortly afterwards.He later claimed his account had been hacked. �"bdnews24.comThis step taken against Rony will set an example. "Rony hails from Shailkupa Upazila of Jhenaidah. He had been working in the Kushtia Traffic Department since Jul 13, 2023.

UN rights mission office in Dhaka will not be allowed, says Hifazat-e IslamHifazat-e Islam Bangladesh has voiced strong opposition to the proposed opening of a United Nations Human Rights Office in Dhaka. Hifazat chief said Bangladesh, as a Muslim-majority country, is founded on religious and family values rooted in Islam. “It is our religious and civic duty to safeguard our cultural, social and moral structure,” the statement quoted him as saying. “For that reason, the UN rights office will not be allowed in Bangladesh.”On Jun 29, the caretaker administration gave in-principle approval to a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) that would allow the UN rights mission office to operate in Dhaka for three years. He urged the government to cancel the MoU and refrain from appointing any foreign envoy in connection with the planned office.

Ukraine's top general warns of possible new Russian offensive in northeastColonel general Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, attends an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine Jan 12, 2024. REUTERS/Valentyn OgirenkoColonel general Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, attends an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine Jan 12, 2024. REUTERS/Valentyn OgirenkoUkraine's top military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi warned on Saturday of a possible new Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region, a part of northeastern Ukraine which has seen heavy fighting since Russia invaded in 2022. Russian forces have already pushed into northern Ukraine's Sumy region over the past months, carving out a small foothold there. "I dedicated two days to working with units in Kharkiv region," Syrskyi wrote in a post on the Telegram app.

Supporters of the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action scuffle with police officers outside the High Court in London, Britain, Jul 4, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos JassoSupporters of the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action scuffle with police officers outside the High Court in London, Britain, Jul 4, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos JassoBritish police arrested over 20 people on suspicion of terrorism offences after they showed support for the newly banned Palestine Action group in London, officials said on Saturday, hours after the proscription came into effect. Under UK laws, offences include inviting support, expressing approval, or displaying symbols of a banned group and are punishable by up to 14 years in prison and/or a fine. I SUPPORT PALESTINE ACTION."

Shamsun Nahar (Junior), Ritu Porna Chakma, and others scored seven goals in the first half alone. Shamsun Nahar and Ritu Porna each gifted the team a brace, while Sapna Rani, Monika Chakma, and Tohura Khatun scored one goal each. In the 17th minute, Ritu Porna cut past a defender well outside the box and took a shot. Ritu Porna regained control, sent a cross, and Tohura provided the necessary tap-in from close range. In the 35th minute, Ritu Parna’s shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out.

Fourteen-year-old Indian batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored his first century in an Under-19 one-day international on Saturday, smashing 143 off 78 balls against England in Worcester. Suryavanshi, who was called up to India's U-19 squad after a standout performance in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL), needed only 52 balls to get to three figures. The opener, who scored 48, 45 and 86 in the first three matches, hit 10 sixes and 13 fours as he shared a 219-run partnership with Vihaan Malhotra (129) for the second wicket. Suryavanshi, the youngest IPL debutant, became the youngest centurion in men's Twenty20 cricket when he smashed a 35-ball hundred for Rajasthan Royals in April, the second-fastest century in the tournament's history.

A police constable in Kushtia has been suspended for making “derogatory remarks” about the July Uprising on social media. On Jul 2, a committee was formed to investigate the incident, comprising Additional Superintendent of Police Sikder Mohammad Hasan Imam, Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Pranab Kumar, and Inspector Debashish Roy. Anti-discrimination Student Movement’s (Kushtia) Member Secretary Mostafizur Rahman said, “There is no opportunity to belittle the July achieved through the sacrifices of the students and the public against the fascist regime. This step taken against Rony will set an example.”Rony hails from Shailkupa Upazila of Jhenaidah. He had been working in the Kushtia Traffic Department since Jul 13, 2023.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested six more people in connection with the killing of a mother and her two children in Cumilla’s Muradnagar, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to eight. According to a statement from RAB’s media cell, the six suspects were detained by RAB-11 on Saturday for their involvement in the killings. A press conference detailing the arrests will be held later in the evening at the RAB media centre in Karwan Bazar. At around 3:30am on Friday, the Army nabbed two suspects, identified as Mohammad Sabir Ahmed, 48, and Mohammad Nazimuddin Babul, 56, from Akubpur in Muradnagar. On Friday, the bodies of the victims were buried at Koraibari graveyard after autopsy at Comilla Medical College Hospital.

An 83rd-minute shot by Chelsea's Malo Gusto from the right side deflected off Palmeiras defenders Richard Rios and Agustin Giay. Palmer had been criticised by the Chelsea fans for his lack of production despite leading the team in shots on goal during the tournament. But Chelsea fans didn't know whether to cheer or cry when Estevao tied it with a brilliant tight-angle shot for the equaliser. While Palmeiras were desperate for the tying score, it was Chelsea who closed the match in style. Chelsea led in shots attempts (19-7) and shots on goal (6-2).

NARSINGDI, July 4: A fire has ripped through a market in the Muripatti area of Narsingdi's Madhabdi Bazar, burning down over 50 stores.The fire sparked around 5am on Friday and was eventually extinguished by five firefighting units around 10am, according to Raihan Ahmed, station officer for the Madhabdi Fire Station.Local traders say that the blaze was reported using the megaphones at the large mosque at Madhabdi, prompting those traders who lived nearby to rush to the spot to try and douse the flames. However, the fire seemed to spread instantaneously from one end of the market to the other.Five firefighting units from the Madhabdi, Narsingdi and Palash Fire Services eventually joined the fire extinguishing effort.Witnesses say that the Fire Service took nearly two hours to reach the scene, eventually arriving around 7am and finally managing to put out the blaze completely around 10am.The traders say that the fire gutted more than 50 shops, including stores selling gold, groceries, beauty products, plastics, and electronics. The damage is estimated at tens of millions of taka.The traders claim the fire started at a store that sold gold and jewellery, but the exact store and the cause of the fire have yet to be confirmed.Fire Service official Raihan said that firefighters began work at the scene soon after the fire was reported.No loss of life has been reported so far, and details regarding the cause of the fire will be uncovered after an nvestigation, he added. �"bdnews24.com

As the country observes the first anniversary of the July Uprising, the sweeping mass protest that brought down the previous government, views among ordinary citizens remain deeply divided. The movement, which began as a demand to reform the quota system in public service recruitment, snowballed into a nationwide anti-government Uprising. So they took revenge while using others as pawns.”In August, the month the previous government was toppled, severe floods devastated northeastern Bangladesh. The government, they say, has failed to improve either the economy or the security situation. Some parties are saying that this is their movement, although it was not a political movement.

Police say they have recovered the body of a man with a mental disability from a pond in Kamarkhand Upazila of Sirajganj. Kamarkhand Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Abdur Rouf said the body was recovered from a pond behind the ACI Foods Limited factory in Kutirchar of the Sirajganj-Nalka regional road on Friday. After the body was recovered, enraged locals attacked the ACI factory, vandalising its doors and windows. Rouf says Shamim was hacked and strangled with a cloth, and his body was partially set on fire, likely in an attempt to destroy evidence. Preparations for a case are under way in this incident.”Attempts are being made to obtain a statement from the ACI Foods Limited factory on the incident.

Rubi's three-storey house sits adjacent to the road.On Friday, the area around the house was quiet, with police stationed nearby. While locals had spoken to the media on Thursday, no one was willing to talk the next day.Many, especially men, had reportedly left the area. That's why all the shops in the Koroibari market are closed. She said, "Our house was attacked and vandalised based on a mobile phone theft incident. On Wednesday night, a man named Bashir called my husband and threatened to kill the entire family.