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Saudi Arabia Lifts ‘Potential Danger’ Alerts Across Five Areas Amid Houthi Tensions

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RIYADH, September 24, 2026 — Saudi authorities have lifted emergency warnings issued earlier in five areas of the kingdom, including Mecca, Taif, Tabuk, Jeddah and the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, after declaring that the reported danger had passed. The Saudi Civil Defense said on Thursday that the alerts, issued through the National Early Warning Platform, had been withdrawn after conditions returned to normal. Residents were nevertheless urged to continue following official safety instructions and to remain alert. The warnings had referred only to a “potential danger” and did not specify the nature of the threat. Authorities also did not report any casualties or damage in connection with the alerts. Civil Defense separately advised residents to avoid gathering unnecessarily at incident sites or other potentially hazardous locations. People were also asked not to photograph or record video at such sites, reflecting the authorities’ emphasis on public safety and orderly response durin...
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India’s Cockroach Janata Party Gives Election Chief 48 Hours to Resign

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NEW DELHI — India’s Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has given Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar 48 hours to resign , warning that it will launch a nationwide protest if he refuses to step down. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke issued the ultimatum at a news conference in New Delhi on Thursday, amid growing political and public scrutiny of the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Dipke accused the Election Commission of undermining voters’ rights and questioned the conduct of the poll panel under Kumar’s leadership. He said the proposed nationwide protests would follow the pattern of an earlier demonstration organised by the party at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in June. “We believe the Chief Election Commissioner should resign to ensure free and fair elections,” Dipke said, according to reports of the news conference. Dispute over voter-roll revision At the centre of the controversy is the Election Commission’s SIR prog...
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51st Special BCS Examination Announced, 5,000 Health Cadre Posts Up for Recruitment

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DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh's Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced the 51st Special Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Examination 2026 , opening recruitment for 5,000 positions in the health cadre . The recruitment drive will include 4,700 posts for assistant surgeons and 300 posts for assistant dental surgeons , according to a notice signed on Wednesday by Masuma Afrin, Controller of Examinations (Cadre) at the PSC. The special examination is being held to fill vacant positions in the government health service and strengthen the country's medical workforce. Applications open on October 1 According to the PSC notice, applicants must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of September 1, 2026 to be eligible for the examination. Online applications will open on October 1 and remain open until October 25 . Candidates will have until 6pm on October 28 to pay the required examination fee. The total application fee, including the service charge, has been set at Tk 205 . ...
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Bangladesh Bank Gives Initial Nod to Four Digital Banks

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DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh Bank has given the initial go-ahead to four proposed digital banks, marking another step in the country's effort to expand technology-driven banking services and reduce reliance on conventional branch-based operations. The central bank's board decided on Thursday to issue Letters of Intent (LoIs) to four applicants: bKash Digital Bank, Boost Digital Bank backed by Robi Axiata, DK Digital Bank backed by Bhutan's DK Bank, and Nova Digital Bank, a venture involving Banglalink and Square . The meeting was chaired by Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman . An LoI represents an initial regulatory approval rather than a final banking licence. Under Bangladesh Bank's digital-bank guidelines, an applicant receiving an LoI must meet specified conditions and regulatory requirements before it can obtain a full licence and commence operations. 12 applicants in the latest round Bangladesh Bank received applications from 12 entities seeking to e...
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Sale of Tobacco Products Banned Within 100 Metres of Educational Institutions in Manikganj

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MANIKGANJ, Bangladesh — The sale of tobacco and tobacco-related products within 100 metres of educational institutions has been prohibited, with authorities in Manikganj announcing plans for mobile court operations to enforce the restriction. The decision was disclosed at a quarterly meeting of the district-level task force on implementation of tobacco-control laws, held at the Deputy Commissioner's conference room on Thursday afternoon. Officials at the meeting said shops and other sales points operating within the designated 100-metre zone around educational institutions would not be allowed to sell tobacco products. Violations would constitute a punishable offence under the country's tobacco-control legislation. The district administration is expected to launch mobile court drives shortly to identify violations and take legal action against those found selling tobacco products in restricted areas. 11 Mobile Court Drives Conducted According to information presented at the me...
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Could Very Hot Tea and Coffee Increase the Risk of Esophageal Cancer?

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For millions of people, the day begins with a cup of tea or coffee. But new research suggests that how hot the drink is when consumed may matter for health, particularly when it comes to the risk of a common form of esophageal cancer. Researchers analysed health data from nearly one million adults in the United Kingdom and found that people who preferred to drink tea or coffee “very hot” had an approximately threefold higher risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), compared with those who consumed the beverages at lower temperatures. The study was published on September 8 in the International Journal of Cancer. Temperature may matter as much as consumption The health effects of tea and coffee are often discussed in terms of how much people consume. The new findings suggest that temperature may also deserve attention. The researchers found an association between drinking six or more hot beverages a day and an increased risk of esophageal SCC. One possible explanation...
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Banks to Remain Open on Friday, Saturday to Receive Hajj Registration Payments

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DHAKA — Banks across Bangladesh will keep relevant branches open on Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26 , to facilitate payments for Hajj registration, according to a directive issued by Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday. The central bank issued the instruction following a request from the Ministry of Religious Affairs dated September 20. Under the directive, branches of banks authorised to collect Hajj registration payments must remain open on both days to receive deposits from prospective pilgrims. Bangladesh Bank also instructed the concerned banks to continue accepting payments beyond regular banking hours if a Hajj applicant arrives before the branch closes its service. Banks must ensure adequate security and complete the payment process for applicants who remain at the branch after normal banking hours. The special banking arrangement has been introduced to ensure that prospective pilgrims can complete their registration payments within the stipulated period without disruption. ...
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