The United States announced new sanctions Thursday on Cubas president and some of his immediate family, alongside members of the Castro family, in Washingtons latest ramping up of pressure on its communist-led neighbor. Among those targeted were the son and a grandson of former president Raul Castro, who no longer holds an official position but remains a key powerbroker on the island. President Miguel Diaz-Canel, his wife and stepson were also hit by the latest flurry of US sanctions, as was the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and several other entities. While Cuba has...

Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least nine Palestinians, a hospital said on Thursday, even as much of the worlds attention was focused on the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The nine people were killed in at least four separate strikes in Gaza City, according to Shifa Hospital, which received the bodies. The hospital said the victims included two women and two children. Footage of one of the strikes showed a massive hole in an upper floor of what appeared to be a residential apartment building. The blast blew holes through interior walls and scattered...

No Scotland, no party is a popular refrain of the Tartan Army and for the first time in 28 years the World Cup will be treated to the Scottish fans vibrant blend of noise, color and passion. Scotland supporters are more famous for making an impression on major tournaments than their team on the pitch. The nation has never made it out of the group stage at World Cups and European Championships in 12 previous attempts. Yet around 200,000 Scots earned rave reviews for the atmosphere they brought to Euro 2024 in Germany despite failing to see their side win a match. Tens of thousands...

The government will soon organise roadshows to attract local and foreign investment in closed and unprofitable state-owned factories, officials said following a high-level meeting today. The decision was taken at a meeting on the reopening and management of factories under the Ministry of Industries, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat this morning. According to Prime Ministers Deputy Press Secretary Mostafa Zulfiquar Hasan (Hasan Shiplu), authorities concerned have been instructed to complete necessary preparations for...

A total of 25,377 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia as of Wednesday following the completion of this years Hajj, held on June 26. According to Hajj office officials, 62 return flights have been operated so far by three designated airlines Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia Airlines and Flynas Airlines. Of the total flights, 19 were operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 24 by Saudia Airlines and 19 by Flynas Airlines, an official said. Among the returning pilgrims, 2,500 Hajis came back under government management, while 22,877 returned through private...