MM Rahmatullah: The 10th National Council Session of Bangladesh Muslim League, the oldest and most traditional party in the subcontinent, will be held today. The session will begin at 10:30 am at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh. National leaders will address the session.

It is worth noting that Bangladesh Muslim League is the successor to the All India Muslim League established in 1906. After the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, the secular Awami League government formed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman banned the party, but the Bangladesh Muslim League gained legal legitimacy in 1976. After that, Abdus Sabur Khan reorganized the Muslim League in Bangladesh and was elected the party`s president. Another leader of the Muslim League, Shah Azizur Rahman, became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh after joining the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
As mentioned earlier, the All India Muslim League was established in Dhaka in 1906 under the leadership of Nawab Sir Salimullah. After the partition of India and the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the All India Muslim League was dissolved and the Pakistan Muslim League was formed, and the party came to power in East Pakistan. But in the 1954 elections, the Muslim League lost control of the provincial legislature in the province to the United Front. Later, in the 1960s, the Pakistan Muslim League split into three separate parties: the Convention League, the Council League, and the Qayyum League.
Although the Awami League was born from the Muslim League, the secular Awami League formed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman always opposed the party. As a result, the three parties newly formed in Bangladesh from East Pakistan were banned after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.
In 1976, the three parties gained legitimacy as a result of the Political Parties Control Ordinance issued by President Syed AB Mahmud Hossain. Then both the parties merged and formed a single political party on 8 August 1976. Later, it was registered on 21 September 1976.
In 1978, it was divided into two parts. Abdus Sabur Khan led the conservative wing of the party and Shah Azizur Rahman led the liberal wing. Later, Shah Azizur Rahman joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The party led by Abdus Sabur Khan won 20 seats in the 1979 general election.
After Sabur Khan`s death, the Bangladesh Muslim League split into several factions. Its two factions are named Bangladesh Muslim League and Bangladesh Muslim League-BML, which are currently registered under the Bangladesh Election Commission.
In the history of Pakistan from 1947 to 1970, two of the four prime ministers were Muslim League leaders.
The current acting president of the Bangladesh Muslim League is Advocate Mohsin Rashid, a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court, and General Secretary Kazi Abul Khair. Earlier, on July 24, 2024, the president of the Bangladesh Muslim League, former MP Advocate Badruddoza Shuja, requested to be relieved of the post of party president due to physical illness. Currently, the Bangladesh Muslim League is one of the most popular parties in Bangladesh.
Needless to say, almost all of the current leaders of most political parties in the country are successors of the Muslim League.

Online Desk: Indian shelling on civilian population in Khuiratta sector and Bagh of Kotli district in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has martyred four people, including a 40-day-old baby and her mother, and seriously injured five women and two children.
According to Kashmir Media Service, India shelled heavily in village Gora of Khuiratta, where Samra Asif, wife of Asif Khurshid, was martyred along with her 40-day-old baby and Raja Shehpal in Balial, while five people were injured.
According to the social media post of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Nisar Ansar Abdali and the confirmation given to Kashmir Digital, the injured, include Imtiaz Begum, wife Khurshid Gursi, Afra Khurshid, Tahira Khurshid, Zubeena, wife of Saib Khurshid and two innocent children.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Osama Ishrat was martyred in Indian shelling in Kotidi Najam Khan village of Bagh district, while his two sisters were seriously injured.
Talking to Kashmir Digital, Bagh Press Club President Rakmal Arif said that Osama Ishrat had got married 10 days ago and was targeted by Indian shelling early on Friday morning.
On Thursday and Friday night, there was heavy shelling on the Line of Control, to which the Pakistan Army has responded befittingly and targeted enemy posts, while the cowardly enemy targeted uninhabited areas.
Meanwhile, Indian forces’ personnel in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred seven Kashmiris in Samba district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the seven youth were martyred by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) during an operation near R.S Pura area of the district.
The operation is still going on in the area, media reports said.
Meanwhile, the body of a missing youth, identified as Aadil Gulzar Kadoo, was found hanging in a mosque today in the Sarnal area of Islamabad district. He had been missing since 6th May 2025 from his home.

(BSS/AFP) - Germany`s Friedrich Merz makes his maiden trip to Brussels Friday with expectations riding high that the changing of the guard in Berlin can bring fresh momentum to Europe at a time of dizzying global challenges.

After back-to-back trips to Paris and Warsaw signalling his intent to cement ties with both neighbours, Merz`s swift visit to the EU capital shows his resolve to restore Germany`s role in Europe following months of political paralysis.

"It was high time," summed up one EU diplomat. "We are waiting for, and we need, a strong Germany, one that`s able to tackle the tough work ahead."

Germany`s European Union comeback is not expected to be all plain-sailing.

Elected on a pledge to clamp down on migration, one of the conservative chancellor`s first steps in office was a unilateral move to reject most asylum seekers at Germany`s borders -- to the notable displeasure of Poland.

But it is no secret many in Brussels will be glad to see the back of Merz`s predecessor, Olaf Scholz, after what was often seen as an underwhelming tenure at the helm of Europe`s largest economy, from 2021 to 2025.

"Germany under the leadership of Olaf Scholz had a pretty negative reputation," said Guntram Wolff, of the Bruegel think tank. "Scholz would always call Washington first," he said. "I think there is hope that Friedrich Merz will be more turned towards the EU."

"We have very high expectations of the German government," confirmed Finland`s foreign minister, Elina Valtonen.

- A `very European` leader -

In an interview upon taking office this week, the chancellor -- who speaks fondly of his youthful years as an EU lawmaker from 1989 to 1994 -- promised to be a "very European" leader.

Merz will be spelling out his priorities in a succession of press conferences on Friday, with EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, and NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte.

But he has already made them clear: supporting new trade partnerships, including with the United States, striking a balance between EU climate action and support for industry, curbing migration, and most crucially, bolstering Europe`s defence capability.

Brussels is looking to Germany to play a key role in driving the continent`s rearmament -- faced with US disengagement and war on its doorstep in Ukraine.

The chancellor`s visit will come as Vladimir Putin gathers a cohort of allied leaders for a World War II victory parade in Moscow -- underscoring the growing threat posed by Russia on Europe`s eastern rim.

- `Same language` -

Merz and his Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners have already affected a sea change in fiscally conservative Germany, changing the constitution to enable mass borrowing to upgrade the country`s defence and infrastructure.

In that spirit, he has given strong backing to steps by Brussels to free up hundreds of billions in additional defence spending by member states, including by relaxing the bloc`s fiscal rules.

Merz`s most closely watched meeting will be with Commission chief von der Leyen -- a fellow German conservative who has described the incoming chancellor as a "friend".

"They speak the same language," summed up Wolff. "They come from the same party, they have ideas in common, a shared background, they grew up in a period of European integration."

The two are expected to collaborate closely on the critical matter of trade -- where Germany`s export-driven economy is especially vulnerable to President Donald Trump`s tariffs campaign.

Yet that does not rule out the scope for disagreements -- particularly on immigration, where von der Leyen advocates EU-wide action and Merz has so far taken a go-it-alone national approach.

(BSS/AFP) - A Sri Lankan air force helicopter crashed in the country`s east on Friday during a demonstration flight, killing four commandos and two air force gunners, the military said.

The military personnel were preparing for a rope jump when their Bell 212 plunged into a lake, an official told AFP.

(BSS/AFP) - UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced new sanctions targeting Russia`s so-called shadow fleet ahead of a military summit in Norway on Friday.

The government said it was sanctioning up to 100 oil tankers responsible for carrying more than $24 billion worth of cargo since the start of last year.

Britain has already targeted dozens of "shadow fleet" vessels which it believes are dodging sanctions imposed by Western nations on oil exports after Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The UK also says the ships are damaging critical subsea cables in Europe.

"The threat from Russia to our national security cannot be underestimated," Starmer said in a statement, adding that more measures are needed to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"That is why we will do everything in our power to destroy his shadow fleet operation, starve his war machine of oil revenues and protect the subsea infrastructure that we rely on for our everyday lives."

Starmer was due to attend a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Oslo on Friday where Ukraine and Arctic security were set to be on the agenda.

The British-led military alliance is expected to announce further support for Ukraine`s armed forces that will include intensive training exercises and efforts to counter disinformation, the UK government said.

Britain and Norway are also due to agree a new memorandum of understanding on "space domain awareness" that will include "tracking and sharing intelligence on satellites, space debris and other objects flying above Earth", the statement added.

JEF consists of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Netherlands, and Sweden, as well as the UK.

(BSS/AFP) - German lender Commerzbank on Friday reported its best quarterly profit since 2011, ahead of a key shareholder meeting where it will seek to rally support to fend off advances from Italy`s UniCredit.

UniCredit has since last year built up a hefty stake in its German peer, fuelling talk that it is seeking a full takeover, a prospect that is fiercely opposed in Berlin.

Commerzbank`s net profit in the January to March period rose 12 percent to 834 million euros ($936 million) -- a surprise increase after analysts forecast a slight fall.

"We achieved the highest quarterly profit since 2011, demonstrating that we can grow even in economically challenging times," said chief executive Bettina Orlopp.

Revenues at Germany`s second-biggest lender increased almost 12 percent to 3.1 billion euros, boosted by better than forecast interest and commission income.

Commerzbank`s bosses are set to use an annual general meeting next Thursday to rally support for their strategy to remain independent.

Employee representatives and unions are calling on staff to stage protests at the gathering in the town of Wiesbaden, west of financial capital Frankfurt, the Handelsblatt financial daily reported this week.

The UniCredit-Commerzbank saga began in September when Italy`s second-biggest lender revealed it had built up a stake in its rival, triggering talk that chief executive Andrea Orcel wanted to push for an ambitious pan-European banking merger.

UniCredit has since boosted its holding to around 28 percent, and in March the European Central Bank gave the green light for the bank to buy up to 29.9 percent of Commerzbank.

Commerzbank has responded by announcing plans to cut 3,900 jobs, mostly in Germany, and share buybacks, in a bid to make itself more attractive to shareholders.

UniCredit`s advances have shocked the corporate and political establishment in Berlin, with new Chancellor Friedrich Merz previously describing a possible bid for Commerzbank as "hostile".

However, Orcel has played down the prospect of mounting a takeover bid for Commerzbank soon, saying in March that he could wait until 2027 to determine whether it made sense.

Online Report : India shut down 24 airports across the country on Thursday as tensions with Pakistan intensified following renewed missile and drone attacks launched by Pakistan into Indian territory.

The emergency measure marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict and has significantly disrupted domestic and international travel. Indian authorities have not disclosed how long the closures will remain in effect but described the move as precautionary in light of national security concerns.

Several Indian airlines have issued travel advisories, warning of delays and cancellations. Passengers have been urged to check flight statuses, plan alternate routes, and comply with enhanced security procedures at operational airports.

The government has not released specific details about the affected airports or the nature of the Pakistani attacks, but the developments have sparked concerns about the safety of air travel and the broader geopolitical stability in the region.

Online Report : Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, US Vice President J.D. Vance has indicated that the United States will not intervene in a conflict where it has no direct interest.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Vance emphasized that while Washington may support diplomatic efforts, military involvement is not on the table.

“We cannot intervene in a war between these two nations,” said Vance. “However, the United States can choose the path of diplomacy.”

Addressing questions about US capabilities and intentions, Vance noted that the US could attempt to encourage both India and Pakistan to de-escalate the current crisis. “If India attacks, Pakistan responds,” he said, urging both nuclear-armed nations to act with restraint. “Both countries should think with a cool head. We do not want a nuclear war—it would be catastrophic.”

The Vice President further clarified that the United States cannot dictate terms to either side. “We can’t tell India to surrender. We can’t ask Pakistan to surrender,” he said. “This conflict must be resolved soon, and the United States is deeply concerned about the situation.”

He reiterated that the US hopes the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions do not escalate into a nuclear conflict. “Our diplomatic expectation is that the conflict will not reach that level,” Vance stated.

In related developments, US Secretary of State Mark Rubio spoke with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the phone. During the conversation, Sharif asserted that Pakistan reserves the right to take defensive actions and accused India of violating Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“India’s aggression has severely endangered peace and stability in the South Asian region,” said Sharif.

Rubio assured that the United States is closely monitoring developments in South Asia and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to regional peace. He emphasized the need for both India and Pakistan to work closely to reduce tensions and avoid further escalation.

Online Report : India has accused Pakistan of launching multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire western border at midnight on Thursday.

In a post on social media platform X, the Indian Army claimed that these attacks were effectively repelled.

According to the Indian military, the incidents occurred across several sectors, with air defense systems successfully intercepting the threats. "The drone strikes were neutralized before causing any significant damage," the statement said.

A Reuters journalist reported hearing multiple explosions in the Jammu region of Indian-administered Kashmir late Thursday night. The blasts lit up the sky, sirens wailed throughout the city, and large areas were plunged into darkness due to power outages.

While Pakistan has not officially commented on the alleged attacks, Indian military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that eight missiles were launched from Pakistan targeting the areas of Satwari, Samba, Ranbir Singh Pura, and Arnia in Jammu. All of them were intercepted and destroyed mid-air by India`s air defense systems.

Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have been escalating since April 22, following a deadly gunman attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, a claim Islamabad has denied.

In response, India launched "Operation Sindoor" earlier this week, targeting nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. That same night, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets, further intensifying hostilities.

Online Desk : At least five people were killed and two are missing after a landslide near Colombia`s second-largest city Medellin on Thursday, local authorities said, reports AFP.

Rescue teams were deployed to Sabaneta municipality, south of Medellin, where heavy rains caused landslides and flooding, Antioquia department governor Andres Julian Rendon said on X.

Videos shared on social media appeared to show several homes buried in the region.

The mayor`s office said it had set up shelters for victims while rescue efforts are ongoing.

"Geologists, engineers, social professionals are on site, and (heavy) machinery has been activated to remove material," said the department`s disaster relief agency.

Antioquia is often affected by landslides during the rainy season.

Online Report : The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended indefinitely due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, a senior official from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed to Hindustan Times today.

The decision comes in the wake of reported missile attacks by Pakistan on several border areas, including Jammu, on Thursday night. As part of an air raid alert, floodlights at the Dharamshala stadium were turned off mid-match during a game between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. The stadium is located less than 100 kilometers from Pathankot, one of the regions affected by the missile threats.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, the BCCI official said, “We have decided to suspend the IPL indefinitely. The safety of our players is our top priority. Given the current national security situation, we believe this is the right step. Whether the tournament can resume later, and if so when, will be decided in due course. Right now, national interest comes first.”

This marks a rare interruption for the IPL, one of the world`s most-watched cricket tournaments, as geopolitical tensions cast a shadow over the sporting calendar.

Christoph Strack, Deutsche Welle

This election is a sensation — even though Robert Prevost`s name had been dropped time and time again as a possible successor to the late pope Francis. For the first time, a candidate from the United States has been elected head of the Catholic Church.

In times of US President Donald Trump and his "America First" agenda, an all-American pope, with US and Peruvian citizenship, is now assuming the powerful lead of the Catholic Church.

Prevost, 69, who chose the name Leo XIV over a hundred years after the last pontiff to take this name, originally hails from Chicago, where he was born on September 14, 1955.

Following his schooling, first degree and ordination as a priest in 1982, he left the US and never really returned there for any extended period of time. Prevost studied and completed his doctorate in Rome.

Who is Robert Prevost, the new Pope Leo XIV?
The new pope has been a member of the Order of St. Augustine since 1977. This order was founded in the 13th century and today focuses on pastoral care and educational work. For over ten years, from 1985 onward, he was active in a number of functions for the order in Peru, at times he was also a professor of theology, or, more recently, a provincial superior of the Augustinians. 

In 2001, he moved to Rome and became Prior General of the Augustinian order. There he resided in an impressive complex just beyond the colonnades of St. Peter`s Square. Incidentally, the fact that various television stations made use of the complex`s various roof terraces for live broadcasting during the conclave will certainly do the order`s coffers a lot of good.

But Prevost`s path was set to take him to Peru again,  to one of the poorest, if not the poorest, parts of the country. Pope Francis sent him to Chiclayo in November 2014, first as Apostolic Administrator, then as local bishop.

Peru has seen various ecclesiastical problems in recent decades, as it is far away from Rome and the country`s church is occasionally under the influence of reactionary US forces. Francis would not have sent anyone to Peru that he wanted to get rid of in Rome.

Keeping close ties with the Vatican
In 2019 and 2020, Pope Francis made Prevost a member of two important Roman congregations. This meant that the bishop maintained regular contact with the Vatican.

The next step came at the end of January 2023: Prevost became Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (an important role in a church in which many seek to build a career) and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. At his last consistory in December 2024, Francis appointed Prevost as a cardinal.

Somewhat surprisingly, the final rung of the ecclesiastical career ladder followed just five months later when the cardinals elected him pope. Italian newspapers had already listed him as a candidate in advance, praising him as an "American mediator" who — according to the newspaper La Stampa –— could become the "surprise of the conclave." The cleric combines "doctrinal rigor, pastoral compassion and a missionary vision of the Gospel," it wrote.

Will he continue Francis` policies?
The election of Prevost is certainly not a departure from the past years under the late Pope Francis. In fact, he’s expected to follow in his predecessor’s footsteps in many ways – especially on social issues. 

But on some matters, Prevost took a firmer stance than his predecessor. On the controversial issue of the ordination of women as priests, Prevost cautioned that the Church must be different from society.

"Clericalizing women doesn’t necessarily solve a problem," he argued. "It might make a new problem."

His predecessor Bergoglio often seemed like a foreign body within the Vatican system, a fact that made many outsiders appreciate him all the more. Prevost, however, is someone who knows the system from the inside and who insists on it being upheld.

 Against this backdrop, it remains to be seen how closely he will follow or deviate from his predecessor’s lead.

Important meetings await
The new pope already has several key dates ahead of him, as set by the calendar and political decisions he inherited from his predecessor. Of course, being an absolute ruler, Pope Leo XIV could decide against them, but that wouldn`t match Prevost`s style.

For one, the 1,700th anniversary of the council of Nicaea is coming up in late May. It’s an important event for all the churches of Christianity. It marks the date when, in 325, long before any schism appeared in Christianity, the central Christian creed was formulated.

The late Pope Francis and Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Barthlomew of Constantinople had long planned to travel to Nicaea together. The city, now called Iznik, is located in Turkey, southeast of Istanbul.

Then, there`s the unusual canonization of Carlo Acutis (1991 – 2006), the teenage boy who died of leukemia and became known as "God’s influencer." Because of Francis` death, it was postponed. It had originally been planned for April 27, and Pope Leo XIV is almost certain to reschedule it soon.

The more relevant question, however, will be how Pope Leo XIV handles one of Francis’ theological and ecclesiastical core projects: the Synod on Synodality. Even during his final illness, just about a month before his death, the Vatican — with the pontiff’s approval — had announced the extension of this reform project until October 2028.

At the same time, he issued a concrete timeline of prayer and consultations for dioceses worldwide to follow, leading up to a final "ecclesial assembly" in Rome in three years.

A shadow hangs over the papacy
It remains to be seen just how narrowly or broadly Leo XIV will interpret these guidelines. Prevost was one of the 55 cardinals in the papal conclave who also took part in the 2023 and 2024 synods.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV waves to the huge crowd from the balcony of St. Peter`s Basilica at the Vatican
But at the time, he was the topic of much talk for a different reason: a formal complaint has been filed against him for covering up sexual abuse within the Church. On Wednesday, shortly before the cardinals assembled in the Sistine Chapel, the US-based international Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) reaffirmed their allegations against a total of six prominent cardinals. Prevost was one of them.

Without disclosing details, Prevost denied the accusation. Now, he’s been elected pope.

Peter Isely, SNAP’s program director, had cautioned against selecting one of those his network accused as Francis’ successor. The new pope, he stated, should not be compromised, and should finally take the "zero tolerance" approach pledged by the popes before him. Following the announcement of Prevost`s election as Pope Leo XIV, the SNAP network issued a public response: "The church has no credibility to speak on children`s rights while it continues to shelter predators and shield bishops from accountability."

Addressing the new pope directly, it continued: "You can end the abuse crisis — the only question is, will you?"

International Desk : North Korea`s Kim Jong Un oversaw drills that simulated nuclear counterstrikes against Seoul and Washington, state media said Friday, a day after South Korea`s military flagged missile tests by Pyongyang that violated sanctions.

Seoul`s military said Thursday`s tests, which involved "various types" of short-range ballistic missiles, could be linked to the nuclear-armed North`s weapons exports to Moscow.

The drills involved a 600-millimetre multilayer rocket system and a tactical ballistic missile, Pyongyang`s official Korean Central News Agency said.

Detailed trainings on "procedures and processes for rapidly switching over to the nuclear counterattack posture" took place, according to KCNA.

"The goal of the drill was achieved and the reliability of the command and mobilisation system capable of quickly reacting to any nuclear crisis was verified," the news agency added.

Kim earlier this week inspected shell manufacturing at munitions factories, with state media claiming the country`s shell output had increased dramatically in recent months.

Pyongyang also recently unveiled a 5,000-ton destroyer-class vessel named Choe Hyon, that analysts say could carry both ship-to-surface and ship-to-air missiles.

Seoul`s military said the warship could have involved Russian help, such as technology or funds, possibly in exchange for sending troops to help Moscow in its war in Ukraine.

North Korea confirmed last week for the first time it had deployed troops to Russia to support Moscow in the Ukraine war.

Pyongyang and Moscow also recently announced that they had started building the first road bridge linking the two neighbours.

Washington -- Seoul`s key security ally -- has in recent years ramped up joint military exercises and increased the presence of strategic US assets, such as an aircraft carrier and a nuclear-powered submarine, in the region to deter the North.

South Korea`s military said in early March that the North fired "multiple unidentified ballistic missiles", the same day Seoul and Washington began a major annual joint military drill known as Freedom Shield.

Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear weapons state and routinely denounces joint US-South Korea drills as rehearsals for invasion.
(Source: BSS)

International Desk : Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over the recent Pahalgam incident, the United States has called for restraint and a diplomatic resolution. US Vice President JD Vance stated that while the US has no intention of intervening in the conflict, it is deeply concerned about the potential for escalation, especially the threat of nuclear war.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance said, "We cannot intervene in a war where we have no direct interest, but we can pursue diplomatic channels. We hope that this conflict does not turn into a nuclear one."

He acknowledged the role the US might play in urging both nations to de-escalate, saying, "If India attacks, Pakistan responds. Both countries need to act with calm and responsibility."

Highlighting the devastating consequences of a nuclear war, he warned, "Such a scenario would lead to significant destruction, and it`s something both nations must avoid."

Vice President Vance emphasised that the US cannot force either India or Pakistan to surrender and urged both sides to find a peaceful solution as soon as possible.

He stressed, "The US is seriously concerned about the situation, and we hope diplomacy prevails."

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has contacted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to discuss the growing crisis.

Selina Hayat Ivy, former mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation and former senior vice-president of the district Awami League, has been sent to jail in connection with a murder case.

She was produced before the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Moinuddin Kadir in a case filed at Siddhirganj Police Station on Friday morning. Following the hearing, the court ordered her to be sent to jail.

Court Police Inspector Md Kaiyum Khan confirmed the matter.

He said Ivy has been shown arrested in a case filed over the killing of Monirul Islam, who was shot dead during an anti-discrimination student protest in Siddhirganj. The court has fixed May 26 as the next hearing date.

The case was filed on September 3 by the victim’s brother, Nazmul Haque. Ivy has been named the 12th accused in the first information report (FIR), which includes a total of 130 named individuals and 300 unidentified persons.

Ivy was arrested early Friday morning from Chunka Kutir in the Deobhog area of the city.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) of Narayanganj, Tarek Al Mehdi, said Ivy faces a total of five cases — four filed with Siddhirganj Police Station and one with Fatullah Police Station — on charges including murder and attempted murder during the recent anti-discrimination movement.

She has been arrested in connection with one of the cases filed at Siddhirganj Police Station and was taken there for further legal procedures, the police officer added.

International Desk : India has suspended civilian flights at 24 airports in the north following fighting with nuclear-armed rival Pakistan.

Nearly 50 people have perished, mainly in Pakistan, since India launched air strikes on Wednesday targeting "terrorist camps" and sparking the worst clashes between the neighbours in decades.

Late Thursday, the Indian government released a list of 24 airports that have been closed for civilian flights, including in the cities of Jodhpur, Ludhiana and Amritsar near the western border with Pakistan.

Some of India`s biggest airlines, including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, have cancelled over 100 flights since Wednesday.

Local media reported the suspension of civilian flights may be lifted on Saturday morning.

Indian airlines have also issued advisories to passengers flying out from other airports, asking them to arrive at least three hours before departure, citing a government notification on enhanced security measures.

The strikes on Wednesday came two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing an attack on tourists in the Indian-administered side of disputed Kashmir -- a charge Pakistan denies.

The arch-rivals have since exchanged drones and missiles, as well as artillery fire across their contested border in Kashmir.

The violence has raised fears of a wider conflict between the neighbours.

Source: AFP

Technology Desk : India has ordered X to block more than 8,000 accounts, the platform said Thursday, adding that it was reluctantly complying with what it described as government-imposed "censorship."

The move appears to be part of India`s sweeping crackdown targeting social media accounts of Pakistani politicians, celebrities and media organizations amid heightened tensions and deadly confrontations between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

The order, which X said includes demands to block international news organizations and other prominent users, comes a day after Meta banned a prominent Muslim news page on Instagram in India at New Delhi`s request.

"X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company`s local employees," the site`s global government affairs team said in a statement.

It added that in most cases, the government had not specified which posts from the accounts violated Indian laws, and in many others, it provided no evidence or justification for the blocks.

The Elon Musk-owned platform said it disagreed with the demands but it had begun the process to withhold the specified accounts in India.

"Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech," the statement said.

"This is not an easy decision, however keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians` ability to access information."

The move comes amid fierce fighting between India and Pakistan, two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing a deadly attack on tourists in the Indian-run side of the disputed Muslim-majority region of Kashmir.

Pakistan rejects the charge.

At least 48 people have been killed on both sides of the border in escalating violence since India launched air strikes on Wednesday that it said targeted "terrorist camps."

Both countries accused each other on Thursday of carrying out waves of drone attacks.

X said it could not make the Indian executive orders public due to legal restrictions, but it encouraged the impacted users to seek "appropriate relief from the courts."

It did not name the affected users, but in recent days the Indian media has reported that the country has blocked the X accounts of Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan`s former prime minister and cricket captain Imran Khan.

India has also banned more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading "provocative" content, including Pakistani news outlets.

Pakistani Bollywood movie regulars Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam were also off limits in India, as well as a wide range of cricketers -- including star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan and retired players Shahid Afridi and Wasim Akram.

Rising hostilities between the South Asian neighbors have unleashed an avalanche of online misinformation, with social media users circulating everything from deepfake videos to outdated images from unrelated conflicts, falsely linking them to the ongoing fighting.

Source: AFP