<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
                        <id>http://www.presstoday.news/feed/international</id>
                                <link href="http://www.presstoday.news/feed/international"></link>
                                <title><![CDATA[The Press Today international Feed]]></title>
                                <description>The Press Today Latest international News Feeds</description>
                                <language>bn-BD</language>
                                <updated>Sun, 31 May 2026 08:29:04 +0000</updated>
                        <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Return Hajj flight started]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/394" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/394</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[A total of 6,175 hajj pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia as of Sunday following the completion of this year&#39;s hajj held on June 26.

&quot;A total of 15 return flights were operated by three designated carriers -- one by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, one by Saudia Airlines and two by Flynas Airlines,&quot; an official said.

Hajj office said so far, 416 hajis returned under government management, while 57,59 under private travel agencies arrangements in 15 flights -three by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, four by Saudia Airlines, and eight by Flynas Airlines.

At least 37 Bangladeshi pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia during hajj with 24 males and 13 females. Of them, 27 died in Makkah and 10 in Madinah.

No deaths have been reported in Jeddah, Mina, or Muzdalifah.

This year&#39;s hajj operations began with the first outbound flight on April 18 and concluded on May 21.

The return hajj flights will continue till June 30.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sun, 31 May 2026 08:29:04 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Xi-Trump summit]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/387" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/387</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[US President Donald Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping as a &ldquo;great leader&rdquo; and said the United States and China would have &ldquo;a fantastic future together&rdquo; as the two leaders opened a high-stakes summit in Beijing on Thursday.

The two presidents are holding a two-day summit focused on issues including the Iran war, trade, technology and Taiwan, although few major breakthroughs are expected.

In his opening remarks before bilateral talks, Trump said it was an &ldquo;honour&rdquo; to meet Xi and described him as his &ldquo;friend,&rdquo; reports Reuters.

&ldquo;We&#39;ve gotten along. When there were difficulties, we worked it out. I would call you and you would call me. People don&#39;t know, whenever we had a problem we worked it out very quickly,&rdquo; he said.

&ldquo;You&#39;re a great leader, sometimes people don&#39;t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it&#39;s true...It&#39;s an honour to be with you; it&#39;s an honour to be your friend... We&#39;re going to have a fantastic future together.&rdquo;

Trump said he had brought the &ldquo;best [business leaders] in the world&rdquo; with him to China.

&ldquo;Only the top people here today to pay respects to you,&rdquo; he said.

The US delegation includes leading executives such as Jensen Huang and Elon Musk.

Trump said some people had described the meeting as &ldquo;the biggest summit ever&rdquo; and added that he was looking forward &ldquo;very much&rdquo; to the discussions.

The US president made only a brief reference to past tensions in relations, including trade disputes, US support for Taiwan and concerns over the flow of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl. He did not mention differences over the Iran war.

In his remarks, Xi called for &ldquo;cooperation&rdquo; rather than &ldquo;confrontation&rdquo; between the world&rsquo;s two largest economies.

&ldquo;The whole world is watching our meeting. Currently, a transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe, and the international situation is fluid and turbulent. The world has come to a new crossroads,&rdquo; Xi said.

Raising broader questions about the future of bilateral ties, Xi said: &ldquo;Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides trap and create a new paradigm of major country relations? Can we meet global challenges together and provide more stability for the world? Can we, in the interests of the well-being of our two peoples and the future of humanity, build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations?&rdquo;

&ldquo;These are the questions vital to history, to the world, and to the people. They are the questions of our times that you and I need to answer as leaders of major countries,&rdquo; he added.

Xi is also expected to raise Washington&rsquo;s decision to approve an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

Stability in US-China relations is seen as the main objective of the summit. Trump is scheduled to leave Beijing on Friday after a final private meeting with Xi.
PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Thu, 14 May 2026 10:24:52 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Suvendu, new CM of West Bengal]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/382" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/382</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Suvendu Adhikari the BJP leader took oath as West Bengal Chief Minister after his party won the assembly election in this eastern state for the first time in its tumultuous electoral history, from the hands of the communists to Mamata Banerjee&#39;s activism-esque style that lasted 15 years.

Adhikari once served as an aide to a proud and unstoppable Banerjee, then chief minister, when she steered the Trinamool Congress ship. Fast forward to this very moment, Adhikari has settled himself on the cushy seat once occupied by the same person who he played aide to.

It&#39;s quite likely that in the current context no other leader in Bengal has a more dramatic, almost stardom-like ascension than Adhikari&#39;s story. Consider these, all in the former sense: aide to a defeated chief minister, senior guide to the Trinamool Congress, hero to voters in Nandigram and Bhabanipur. Like the Roman general who returned for justice, reports NDTV.

Today is more than just Adikari&#39;s day. Today is also more than just a dream-comes-true day for the BJP. The attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the new chief minister&#39;s oath-taking tells how significant is this turn in Bengal&#39;s political destiny, irrespective of ideologies, winners and losers.

Adhikari&#39;s initial team has some big names: Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nishith Pramanik, all of whom took oath today, which is also the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Asia&#39;s first Nobel laureate.

Governor RN Ravi - the former Intelligence Bureau officer with a vast experience in fighting insurgencies - administered the oath of office and secrecy to Adhikari and the others at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata, days after the BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress&#39;s 15-year run in the state.

The BJP appears to have worked hard to ensure representation in Adhikari&#39;s initial new team. Dilip Ghosh belongs to Other Backward Classes (OBC), Agnimitra Paul is Kayast, Ashok Kirtania is Mathua, Kshudiram Tudu belongs to a tribe, and Nishit Pramanik is Rajbonshi.

The BJP appears to have worked hard to ensure representation in Adhikari&#39;s initial new team. Dilip Ghosh belongs to Other Backward Classes (OBC), Agnimitra Paul is Kayast, Ashok Kirtania is Mathua, Kshudiram Tudu belongs to a tribe, and Nishit Pramanik is Rajbonshi.

Individually, these five leaders have been visible in the Bengal BJP for quite some time with their contributions to the party&#39;s overall health and the final push that propelled it to power.

Dilip Ghosh played a big role in expanding the BJP&#39;s ground network after 2014. Agnimitra Paul after joining the BJP in 2019 became one of BJP&#39;s most prominent women personalities in Bengal politics. Ashok Kirtania is known as a representative of the Matua voter base, which is extremely important to the BJP in Bengal&#39;s south. Kshudiram Tudu represents the tribal-dominated constituency Ranibandh, and has been powering the BJP&#39;s outreach in western Bengal&#39;s tribal areas. Nisith Pramanik is known for his strong appeal to young voters and organisational influence.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sat, 09 May 2026 09:46:54 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[No reason for concern on US-Bangla trade agreement.]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/378" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/378</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has said there is no reason for undue concern regarding Bangladesh-United States trade agreement.

&quot;An agreement between states is not like a personal contract that can be cancelled at will. This agreement is inherited. It is a reality and we aim to utilize it to its fullest potential to expand trade and investment,&quot; he said on Tuesday while responding to questions from journalists following a meeting with Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, held at the conference room of the Ministry.

On the issue of cancelling the agreement, the minister said, &quot;As representatives elected by the people, this government always prioritizes national interest. If any provision of the agreement contradicts Bangladesh&#39;s interest, there is scope within the agreement itself to amend it.&quot;

He described this as a &quot;self-correcting element.&quot;

Muktadir further noted that the agreement contains provisions for necessary adjustments and revisions, and therefore there is no reason for excessive concern or alarm.

Referring to a recent investigation initiated by the United States, he said Bangladesh had sought clarification and based on the response received, conveyed its position and observations.

&quot;We have clearly stated that it would have been more positive if such an investigation had not been initiated under the existing agreement framework.&#39;&#39;

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Tue, 05 May 2026 11:15:51 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[US-Iran War: US expenses $25bn]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/375" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/375</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[The US-Iran war has cost $25 billion on US part as diclosed by a Pentagon official on Wednesday. With just six months before midterm elections in which President Donald Trump&#39;s Republicans may face an uphill battle to keep their House majority, Democrats are riding high in public opinion polls as they attempt to link the unpopular Iran war with affordability.

Jules Hurst, who is performing the duties of the comptroller, told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee that most of that money was for munitions.

Hurst did not detail what that cost estimate included and whether it took into account the projected costs of rebuilding and repairing base infrastructure in the Middle East damaged in the conflict.

Rep Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, responded to Hurst: &quot;I&#39;m glad you answered that question. Because we&#39;ve been asking for a hell of a long time, and no one&#39;s given us the number.&quot;

The $25 billion cost is equal to the entire budget of NASA for this year.

But it is unclear how the Pentagon arrived at the $25 billion amount given that a source had told Reuters last month that President Donald Trump&#39;s administration estimated that the first six days of the war had cost the United States at least $11.3 billion.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers that the cost was justified given the US goal of ensuring Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. &quot;What would you pay to ensure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb? What would you pay?&quot; Hegseth asked.

Hegseth sought to defend the Iran war more broadly in fiery remarks, saying it was not a quagmire and attacking Democratic lawmakers as &quot;feckless&quot; for criticising the unpopular conflict. &quot;You call it a quagmire, handing propaganda to our enemies? Shame on you for that statement,&quot; Hegseth said in response to Garamendi, and slammed &quot;reckless, feckless, and defeatist&quot; Congressional Democrats.

The United States started carrying out strikes against Iran on Feb 28 and the two sides are currently maintaining a fragile ceasefire. The Pentagon has poured tens of thousands of additional forces into the Middle East, including keeping three aircraft carriers in the region. Thirteen US troops have been killed in the conflict and hundreds wounded.

Few issues resonate with US voters more deeply than price increases, and the latest inflationary upswing is unsettling Republican insiders worried about their party&#39;s prospects before November elections that will determine control of the House and possibly the Senate.

Disruptions in shipments of oil and natural gas since the war started have caused a run-up in US gasoline prices and agricultural products such as fertilizers, on top of the long list of other high consumer prices.

The average US gasoline price on Tuesday rose to its highest level in nearly four years, according to data from the American Automobile Association.

Trump&#39;s popularity has taken a beating since the US and Israel launched the war against Iran.

Just 34 percent of Americans approve of the US conflict with Iran, down from 36 percent in mid-April and 38 percent in mid-March, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll ⁠found.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:33:53 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Trivudi is India&#039;s next envoy to Bangladesh]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/373" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/373</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[India has decided to nominate Dinesh Trivedi, a former minister and MP and current BJP leader, as the country&#39;s high commissioner to Bangladesh, reports Hindustan Times.

Trivedi is the first political appointee to Bangladesh in some time. He will replace career diplomat Pranay Verma, who is headed to Brussels to serve as India&rsquo;s envoy to the EU.

The Narendra Modi-led government in Delhi still requires the approval of the Tarique Rahman-led government in Dhaka to send the 75-year-old veteran politician to Dhaka.

Hindustan Times also described the appointment as &ldquo;a message of accountability to the Ministry of External Affairs&#39; diplomats&rdquo;.

Trivedi has served as India&rsquo;s minister for railways and also as minister of state for health and family welfare as a member of the Trinamool Congress. In 2021, he resigned from the Trinamool Congress and joined the BJP.

According to the Hindustan Times, Trivedi&rsquo;s appointment comes as India and Bangladesh seek to stabilise ties amid tensions following the mass uprising that ousted then prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. It added that the Modi government&rsquo;s choice of Trivedi shows it is willing to send political leaders, not just Indian Foreign Service officers, as envoys to key postings.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:22:07 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Iran - US negotiation when?]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/369" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/369</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Pakistan is ready to host Iranian and US delegations for negotiations in its capital, although Tehran&#39;s participation remained uncertain after deadly Israeli strikes on Lebanon threatened this week&#39;s temporary truce. on the other hand, Israel and Lebanon will hold talks in Washington next week, a State Department official said, amid mounting international concern that Israel&#39;s bombing campaign could shatter the already fragile two-week US-Iran ceasefire, reports AFP.

Islamabad was pressing ahead with its preparations for the high-stakes negotiations, which official sources say will canvass several sensitive points, including Iran&#39;s nuclear enrichment and the free flow of trade through the strategic Strit of Hormuz maritime chokepoint. Security was ramped up in Islamabad and the main luxury hotel hosting delegates was cleared of its normal well-heeled guests, Iran signalled that its participation could hinge on a halt in Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

&quot;The holding of talks to end the war is dependent on the US adhering to its ceasefire commitments on all fronts, especially in Lebanon,&quot; Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran&#39;s foreign ministry spokesman, said. &quot;If the travel plan is finalised, the composition of the delegation will also be announced,&quot; he added.

Iran&#39;s Revolutionary Guards signalled they were committing to the ceasefire, according to the state broadcaster. &quot;We would like to inform you that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have not launched anything at any country during the ceasefire hours until now,&quot; the Guards said. Pakistan has insisted that Lebanon is included in the ceasefire, and Washington made a push to include Beirut in parallel talks. &quot;We can confirm that the Department will host a meeting next week to discuss ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel and Lebanon,&quot; a US State Department official said.

Neither Israel nor the Lebanese government have publicly confirmed these talks, although the announcement came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his ministers to seek direct dialogue with Lebanon focused on disarming Iran-backed Hezbollah.

A Lebanese government official told AFP that Beirut would require a truce before entering any negotiations with Israel.

Attacks continued overnight, with air raid sirens in Israel&#39;s commercial hub Tel Aviv and other parts of the country and Hezbollah announcing it carried out drone and rocket strikes early on Friday on Israeli forces on both sides of the border as well as a town in Israel&#39;s north.
MarineTraffic data showed that the Gabon-flagged MSG passed through the strait on Thursday, the first non-Iranian oil tanker to do so since the ceasefire was announced.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:17:00 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Bangladesh preparing PM&#039;s good will visit to Delhi]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/368" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/368</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Bangladesh has expressed optimism that Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman&rsquo;s goodwill visit to India will help restore stability and lay the groundwork for stronger, more sustainable bilateral relations.

Speaking on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson SM Mahbubul Alam said Dhaka hopes the visit will serve as a foundation for elevating cooperation between the two countries.

The Foreign Minister departed for New Delhi en route to Mauritius, where he will attend the Indian Ocean Conference from April 10-12.

During his stopover in Delhi, Dr. Rahman is scheduled to hold courtesy meetings with India&rsquo;s External Affairs Minister, National Security Adviser and the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas.

According to officials, Bangladesh will emphasize the importance of maintaining stability and advancing relations based on mutual respect, trust and shared interests.

The visit marks the first high-level engagement with India since the BNP-led government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assumed office, following a period of strain in bilateral ties.

A senior official confirmed that the two foreign ministers will meet on April 8 in New Delhi.

Although described as a &ldquo;goodwill visit,&rdquo; officials indicated that substantive discussions are expected. Bangladesh aims to better understand current dynamics in the relationship while raising several key issues of national interest.

Among the priorities, Dhaka will seek enhanced cooperation in the energy sector and reiterate its request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

It will also push for the swift return of other accused individuals, including Faisal Karim Masud, in connection with a high-profile murder case.

Bangladesh is also expected to urge India to take a more positive stance on fully resuming visa services, noting the mutual benefits; particularly in medical tourism. Border management will feature prominently as well, with Dhaka stressing the need to prevent loss of life along the frontier.

Additional topics likely to be discussed include water-sharing of common rivers, easing trade barriers and strengthening people-to-people connections.

Officials on both sides see the renewed engagement as an opportunity to recalibrate relations and open a new phase of cooperation. Longstanding cultural, historical and linguistic ties continue to underpin the relationship, with both countries aiming to rebuild momentum across multiple sectors.

The possibility of a future visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India may also be discussed, as both sides look to deepen diplomatic engagement in the months ahead.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:29:18 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Ready to sacrificed my life for Iran: Iranian President]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/366" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/366</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Iran&rsquo;s President Masoud Pezeshkian says, &ldquo;More than 14 million brave Iranians have so far declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran&rdquo;, reports AL Jazeera.

&ldquo;I have also sacrificed my life for Iran, I am and I will continue to do so,&rdquo; he wrote on X.

Israel has carried out several high-profile assassinations since the war started on February 24, including that of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Ali Larijani, the powerful secretary of Iran&rsquo;s Supreme National Security Council.

At least 2,076 people have been killed in Iran and 26,500 wounded.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:03:44 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Iran clears 6 Bangladeshi ships]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/361" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/361</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Iran&#39;s National Security Council has permitted six stranded Bangladeshi vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday, Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi said that both Iran and Bangladesh are actively working to facilitate the safe return of the vessels.
He also noted that Bangladesh&rsquo;s Foreign Minister has sent a letter to Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Minister expressing gratitude for Tehran&rsquo;s assistance in ensuring the return of Bangladeshi nationals.
The ambassador emphasised that Bangladesh&rsquo;s shipping operations would face no obstacles and that Tehran is committed to providing maximum support. He also addressed the country&rsquo;s fuel shortage, noting that images of long queues at petrol pumps had been sent to Iranian authorities, requesting assistance to avoid disruption.

However, ambassador Jalil Rahimi mentioned that Iran has expressed some dissatisfaction regarding Bangladesh&#39;s official statement on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. While acknowledging Bangladesh&#39;s expression of concern, he emphasized that a stronger condemnation of the situation was expected.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:07:08 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Dubai tanker  is burning !]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/359" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/359</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Iran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker off Dubai on Monday, as President Donald Trump warned the US would obliterate Iran&#39;s energy plants and oil wells if it does not open the Strait of Hormuz.

The apparent strike on the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi is the latest in a string of assaults on merchant vessels by missiles or explosive air and sea drones in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb 28.

The month-long conflict has spread across the Middle East, killing thousands, disrupting energy supplies and threatening to send the global economy into a tailspin.

Crude oil prices briefly spiked anew after Kuwait&#39;s state news agency reported the attack on the tanker, which can carry around 2 million barrels of oil worth more than $200 million at current pric

Kuwait Petroleum Corp, the ship&#39;s owner, said work was underway to assess damage and warned of a possible oil spill.

Authorities in Dubai later said they had been able to bring the fire under control following a drone attack on the tanker. No injuries have been reported, they said.

The jump in oil and fuel prices has started to weigh on US household finances and become a political headache for Trump and his Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections, having vowed to lower energy prices and ramp up US oil and gas production.

The US national average retail price of gasoline crossed $4 a gallon for the first time in more than three years on Monday, data from price-tracking service GasBuddy showed, as tightening global supplies push US crude prices above $101 a barrel.

Troops Deploy As Talks Continue

Attacks by both sides is showing no signs of easing, with fears of a wider conflict growing.

Iran-aligned Houthis entered the war by firing missiles and drones at Israel in recent days and Turkey reported a ballistic missile launched from Iran had entered Turkish airspace before being shot down by NATO air and missile defenses.

Israel carried out missile strikes on what it called military infrastructure in Tehran and infrastructure used by Iran-backed Hezbollah in Beirut, leaving black smoke hanging over the Lebanese capital.

Three United Nations peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon.

Thousands of soldiers from the US Army&#39;s elite 82nd Airborne Division have started arriving in the Middle East, two US officials told Reuters on Monday, part of a reinforcement that would expand Trump&#39;s options to include the deployment of forces ​inside Iranian territory, even as he pursues talks with Tehran.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later said Trump wanted to reach a deal with Tehran before an April 6 deadline he set last week after extending an earlier deadline he had set for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that normally carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Leavitt said talks with Iran were progressing, adding that what Tehran says publicly differs from what it tells US officials in private.

The Wall Street Journal later reported Trump had told aides he is willing to end the military campaign against Iran even if the strait remains largely closed and leave a complex operation to reopen it for a later date.

Iran said earlier on Monday it had received US peace proposals via intermediaries, following talks on Sunday between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the proposals were &quot;unrealistic, illogical and excessive&quot;.

&quot;Our position is clear. We are under military aggression. Therefore, all our efforts and strength are focused on defending ourselves,&quot; he told a press conference.

Soon after Baghaei&#39;s remarks, Trump said the US was in talks with a &quot;more reasonable regime&quot; to end the war in Iran, but also issued a new warning over the Strait of Hormuz.

&quot;Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately &#39;Open for Business,&#39; we will conclude our lovely &#39;stay&#39; in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island,&quot; Trump wrote in a social media post, also threatening to attack Iranian desalination plants.

The White House said Trump was considering asking Arab nations to pay for the cost of the war. &quot;It&#39;s an idea that I know that he has and something that I think you&#39;ll hear more from him on,&quot; Leavitt said in response to a reporter&#39;s question about the idea.

His administration requested an additional $200 billion in funding for the war. The request faces stiff opposition in the US Congress which must approve new spending.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:08:02 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[*Information Minister Calls for Strong Media and Institutions at Turkiye Summit*]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/355" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/355</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has emphasised the importance of credible communication, strong democratic institutions, and a free media in ensuring stability in the evolving global order at the International Strategic Communication Summit (STRATCOM) 2026, held today in Istanbul.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, and Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran delivered the opening remarks at the event.

The Information Minister thanked the Government of Turkiye for hosting the timely forum amid rising global uncertainty, marked by shifting power dynamics and growing challenges of misinformation and disinformation, while delivering his speech at the panel discussion titled &ldquo;A New Framework for the Global Order: A Communication Perspective.&rdquo;

He highlighted that strategic communication is now central to governance, with nations increasingly judged by the credibility and consistency of their communication.

He stressed that the most effective response to misinformation lies in strengthening institutions, particularly an independent and professional media.

&ldquo;A strong fourth estate is essential to protect truth, ensure accountability, and sustain public trust,&rdquo; the minister said.

Bangladesh&rsquo;s ongoing reform priorities were also outlined, including strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring media freedom, reviewing restrictive laws, and developing an independent media regulatory framework.

The Information Minister reiterated that the solution to information disorder lies in a balanced, institutional approach&mdash;rejecting both censorship and unchecked chaos.

He further outlined three key principles for strategic communication: credibility, democratic resilience, and global cooperation.

The Information Minister highlighted the challenges of tackling misinformation and disinformation in a densely populated and rapidly digitizing country like Bangladesh. He noted that during the previous fascist regime, information was strategically distorted and used as a tool to control the public.

He Minister stated in his speech that in this digital age, an effective balance is needed between access to information and the free flow of information. A new, appropriate framework at both national and international levels will help us address emerging challenges. Bangladesh seeks to learn from other countries on these issues, while also contributing its own experiences to enrich global knowledge. This shared knowledge will work towards global peace and prosperity.

Highlighting bilateral ties, Bangladesh reaffirmed its close relationship with Turkiye and appreciated its support on humanitarian issues, including the Rohingya crisis.

Zahir Uddin Swapan concluded his speech with a call for a more inclusive global communication framework that ensures the voices of developing nations are fairly represented.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Syria&rsquo;s Minister of Information Hamza Almustafa, and First Vice Minister for Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Kanat Zhumabayevich Iskakov also participated in the panel discussion.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sat, 28 Mar 2026 06:05:09 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[New supreme leader won’t ‘last long’ : Trump]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/342" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/342</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[The next supreme leader of Iran &ldquo;is not going to last long&rdquo; says US President Donald Trump. Source ABC News. &ldquo;If he doesn&rsquo;t get approval from us he&rsquo;s not going to last long.&rdquo;

His comments came as the Iranian clerical body responsible for choosing the successor to slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei was reported to have voted and would soon announce a name.

IRGC warns of retaliation during US-Israel attacks on energy infrastructure. A spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it will retaliate if US-Israeli attacks on Iran&rsquo;s energy infrastructure don&rsquo;t let up.

In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the unnamed spokesperson accused the US and Israel of targeting civilians and fuel and energy facilities and claimed the IRGC has &ldquo;refrained from any similar action&rdquo;.

Gulf countries should tell the US and Israel to stop, the spokesperson added, or else &ldquo;similar actions will be taken in the region.&rdquo; &ldquo;If you can tolerate oil at more than $200 per barrel, continue this game.&rdquo;

Earlier, we reported that two people had been killed and 12 wounded in a strike on central Saudi Arabia. Those killed were of Indian and ⁠Bangladeshi nationalities, the civil defence agency said ⁠in a post on X.

Iran&rsquo;s ⁠Revolutionary Guard said ⁠earlier that it targeted radar systems in locations &zwnj;that included Saudi&rsquo;s al-Kharj, where the deaths were reported. Iran began hitting targets in Israel as well as US military assets in Gulf states after the initial US-Israeli strikes on February 28 and the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The US embassy in Saudi Arabia and US consulate in the United Arab Emirates came under drone attacks on Tuesday.

The current situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the widening scope of the conflict could trigger multiple simultaneous crises, Iraq&rsquo;s foreign minister warns.

Fuad Hussein told his Arab League counterparts the critical waterway&rsquo;s closure has a &ldquo;direct impact on the interests of Iraq, the region and the world&rdquo;.

Other repercussions could include &ldquo;crises in energy supplies and prices, widespread armed chaos in the region, and mass displacement or migration&rdquo;, he added.

Iraq&rsquo;s oil production from its main fields has plummeted by about 70 percent in recent days as it remains unable to export crude through the strait.

Iranian state media are reporting that explosions have been heard in the city of Qom. According to the semiofficial Tasnim news agency, the attacks targeted two areas of Qom, a major centre of religious scholarship.

In a statement, Hezbollah said its fighters targeted the Misgav base, which it described as a logistics base, at 1:35pm local time (11:35 GMT) today. It remains unclear if there were any casualties. The group said the attack came after what it described as Israeli strikes on dozens of Lebanese towns and cities, including Beirut&rsquo;s southern suburbs.

The Israeli military has pummeled Lebanon with more than 100 aerial strikes over the past day. In a statement summarising today&rsquo;s attacks, the Israeli army said it hit Hezbollah weapons storage facilities, &ldquo;dozens&rdquo; of military sites, a command centre and training compound. One attack in the eastern Bekaa Valley area killed Mustafa Ahmad al-Zein, who the army claimed was a Hezbollah operative.

The United States says Israeli strikes in Iran have targeted local fuel depots, adding that Washington does not plan to target Iran&rsquo;s energy industry, including its oil and gas sector. Speaking to CNN on Sunday, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the sites hit were &ldquo;Israeli strikes&rdquo; on &ldquo;local fuel depots to fill up the gas tank&rdquo;, referring to attacks on oil storage facilities in and around Tehran that triggered large fires on Saturday.

He added that Washington is targeting &ldquo;zero energy infrastructure&rdquo; and has no plans to strike Iran&rsquo;s oil or natural gas industry.

The war has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route through which about 20 percent of the world&rsquo;s oil usually passes.
PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:35:27 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir arrested in India]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/crime/341" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/crime/341</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Bring back two key accused of the murder of Inqilab Moncho convener Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi including prime accused Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir is underway. ISPR.

The two accused &mdash; Rahul, also known as Faisal Karim Masud, 37, and Alamgir Hossain, 34 &mdash; were detained from the Bangaon area of West Bengal.

According to relevant sources, DGFI Director General Major General Mohammad Kaysar Rashid Chowdhury recently visited India, after which Indian authorities intensified action against individuals who had fled Bangladesh. Faisal and Alamgir are believed to have entered India illegally through the Meghalaya border following the killing and later moved between different locations before attempting to take shelter near the Bangaon border with plans to return to Bangladesh.

They were arrested late Saturday night and produced before a court in Bidhannagar, West Bengal, on Sunday. The court granted police 14 days of custody for interrogation.

Officials said that once legal procedures in India are completed, efforts are underway to expedite their return to Bangladesh.

Sharif Osman Hadi was shot on December 12 last year on Box Culvert Road under Paltan Police Station in Dhaka.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 04:53:39 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).: Trump]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/338" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/338</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[US President Donald Trump says &quot;there will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER&quot;, reports BBC.

Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump adds: &quot;After that, and the selection of a GREAT &amp; ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.

&quot;IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. &#39;MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).&#39;&quot;

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 05:48:55 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Jamat holds talk with US envoy in Bangladesh]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/337" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/337</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[A delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami met US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur on Thursday in Dhaka for a cordial courtesy meeting.

The meeting took place at the residence of US Ambassador in Dhaka in a friendly and cooperative atmosphere, according to a press release.

The Jamaat delegation was led by the party&rsquo;s Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Nayeb-e-Ameer and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.

Other members included Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Central Executive Council Member Saiful Alam Khan, Foreign Affairs Consultant Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Jamaat Ameer, Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Kasem.

The meeting focused on maintaining friendly ties and fostering dialogue between the party and US officials, reflecting a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:56:48 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Any successor to Iran&#039;s Khamenei &#039;target for assassination&#039;]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/333" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/333</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Israel&#39;s Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened on Wednesday to assassinate any Iranian leader picked to succeed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.

&quot;Any leader selected by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan for Israel&#39;s destruction, threatening the United States, the free world and countries in the region and suppressing the Iranian people, will be a certain target for assassination, no matter his name or where he hides,&quot; Katz said in a post on X.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:16:41 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[US immigrant visa stopped for Bangladesh]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/332" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/332</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[The United States Department of State has paused immigrant visa issuance for citizens of Bangladesh and several other specified countries.

The US Embassy Dhaka shared the information on Monday in a Facebook post.

Under the new directive, immigrant visas -- those that allow foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency in the United States -- will not be issued to applicants from a list of about 75 countries while the US government reviews its policies and procedures for screening such visas. Bangladesh is included on this list.

The pause affects only immigrant visas and does not extend to non-immigrant visas -- such as tourist, business, student, or temporary visitor visas -- which will continue to be processed normally.

The embassy&#39;s announcement reiterated that those wishing to travel to the United States for short-term visits, tourism, or other temporary purposes can still apply for visas as before, and these applications remain unaffected by the new suspension.

No timeline has yet been provided for when the immigrant visa suspension might be lifted.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:12:42 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[555 killed in Iran war: Iran Red Crescent]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/331" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/331</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[A total of 555 people have been killed across Iran in US and Israeli strikes that began two days ago, the Iranian Red Crescent said on Monday.

Following the Zionist-American terrorist attacks carried out in variousregions of our country, 131 cities have been affected to date and,regrettably, 555 of our compatriots have been killed,&quot; the humanitarian group

said in a post on Telegram.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:09:15 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Middle East alerts for expatriate Bangladeshis]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/329" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/international/329</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Bangladeshi embassies in several Middle Eastern countries have issued emergency advisories urging expatriates to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures amid escalating regional tensions linked to the ongoing Iran&ndash;US&ndash;Israel conflict.

The Bangladesh missions in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq and Bahrain have asked nationals to prioritise their safety, avoid unnecessary movement and strictly follow host country regulations as the security situation evolves.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait has urged expatriates to remain on high alert due to the outbreak of war in the surrounding region. In a notice issued on Saturday, the mission advised citizens to exercise special caution and avoid military installations.

Bangladeshis have been requested to stay indoors at their residences or in secure locations and to refrain from going outside unless absolutely necessary. They were also advised to keep essential items ready, including cash, Kuwait Civil ID, health insurance card, necessary medicines, mobile phones and chargers, dry food and drinking water.

The embassy further instructed nationals to comply with Kuwaiti laws and follow all official directives. It also warned against spreading rumours or sharing unverified images and videos on social media.

In case of emergency, expatriates may contact the embassy hotlines at +965 69920013, +965 66516404 and +965 50895161 or email mission.kuwait@mofa.gov.bd.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi issued a similar emergency notice urging nationals in the UAE to remain vigilant amid the ongoing war situation and regional instability.

Expatriates have been advised to avoid military sites, stay indoors or in safe places, and not gather in open areas unless absolutely necessary. The embassy also asked citizens to keep essential items ready, including cash, Emirates ID, passport, medicines, mobile phones and chargers, as well as sufficient food and water.

Bangladeshis have been urged to strictly adhere to UAE laws and follow government instructions.

For emergencies, the Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi can be reached at +971 56 631 7215, +971 2 446 5100, +971 54 746 3032 and +971 50 708 3636 or email:mission.abudhabi@mofa.gov.bd.

The Bangladesh Consulate General in Dubai is available at +971 50 638 6253 and +971 50 638 6353 or email: mission.dubai@mofa.gov.bd.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Baghdad has also advised nationals in Iraq to remain alert due to the war situation between Iran and Israel and the resulting tensions.

The embassy requested Bangladeshis to exercise heightened caution, avoid military installations and stay indoors or in secure places. Nationals have been urged to comply with Iraqi laws and follow any instructions issued by the government.

In emergencies, expatriates may contact the embassy via WhatsApp hotline at +964 782 788 3680 or email mission.baghdad@mofa.gov.bd.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Bahrain has issued a similar advisory, calling on expatriates to remain cautious and prepared.

For emergencies, nationals in Bahrain can contact the hotline at +973 33375155 or email mission.manama@mofa.gov.bd.

The missions have collectively emphasised the importance of remaining calm, avoiding misinformation and staying connected with official embassy channels for updates.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 08:23:44 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
    </feed>
