China refuses to let British lawmakers visit Hong Kong

British lawmakers will not be allowed to enter Hong Kong as part of an inquiry into Britain’s relations with its former colony and progress towards democracy there, the head of a parliamentary committee said on Sunday.

Pope says it is wrong to equate Islam with violence

Pope Francis said on Sunday that equating Islam with violence was wrong and called on Muslim leaders to issue a global condemnation of terrorism to help dispel the stereotype. Francis, the leader of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, told reporters aboard his plane returning from a visit to Turkey that he understood why Muslims were offended by many in the West who automatically equated their religion with terrorism.

City, RU units of JCD enforce daylong hartal in Rajshahi

A daylong hartal, enforced by city and Rajshahi University units of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal to press home their demands, including the immediate arrest of the ‘real’ killers of Rajshahi University teacher AKM Shafiul Islam, is running peacefully in the district today.

Vessel with 500 passengers runs aground in Meghna

Fogs hold back ferry services at Shimulia, Kawrakandi for 9 hours

Artist Qayyum Chowdhury dies

Eminent artist Qayyum Chowdhury died on Sunday night after he felt sick while addressing the Bengal Classical Music Festival. He was 82. He was survived by wife and a son and host of friends, well-wishers to mourn his death. His body was kept at mortuary of Square Hospital.

Soumya joins Tigers for fifth ODI

All-rounder Soumya Sarker was added to the Bangladesh squad for the fifth one-day international against Zimbabwe, said the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Saturday. Hard-hitting Soumya, who opens the innings for Prime Bank Cricketers in the Dhaka Premier League,

Ferguson officer who shot Michael Brown resigns

The white police officer who killed Michael Brown has resigned from the Ferguson Police Department, his attorney said Saturday, nearly four months after the fatal confrontation with the black 18-year-old that led to protests across the US.

Air strikes failed to weaken IS: Syria

US-led strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria have failed to weaken the jihadist organisation, according to Syria’s foreign minister Walid Muallem. Speaking on Friday night to two Middle Eastern television stations, Muallem also said ‘more time’ was needed before a dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition could begin.

Pak agencies backing terror groups: India

India’s home minister hit out at Pakistan on Saturday, accusing its state agencies of using terror to try to destabilize India, and rejecting Pakistan’s assertion that non-state actors are involved in terrorism.

Khaleda wanted Thailand-like situation: Hasina

Renewing her party’s allegation that Khaleda Zia boycotted the January-5 election sensing defeat, the prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief had actually wanted to create a Thailand-like situation where martial law was declared amid the opposition’s movement.