Bangladesh hands ODI captaincy to Litton Das, drops Mehidy

King Charles III has expressed grief over the death of former British soldier and renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, who was killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan. According to international media reports, the British monarch paid tribute to Purja’s life and achievements. He said the former soldier had rendered distinguished service in the British Army before becoming one of the world’s most respected high-altitude climbers. King Charles praised Purja for his dedication, courage and outstanding achievements in mountaineering. He acknowledged that Purja earned global recognition after completing several challenging climbing expeditions and inspiring climbers around the world. The monarch said Purja’s contribution extended beyond mountaineering, noting that he had first built an impressive military career before gaining international fame through his record-breaking achievements in the world’s highest mountain ranges. Meanwhile, rescue teams in Pakistan continue recovery operations following the deadly avalanche on Broad Peak. Authorities have confirmed that the bodies of eight climbers who lost their lives in the incident have been recovered. Search and rescue teams are still looking for two missing mountaineers. The operation remains difficult because of harsh weather conditions, deep snow and the challenging terrain of one of the world’s highest peaks. Emergency personnel have continued the mission despite the risks, using all available resources to locate the remaining missing climbers. Officials said the operation will continue until all those affected by the tragedy are accounted for. The avalanche has shocked the international mountaineering community and prompted tributes from climbers, officials and supporters around the world. Many have remembered Nirmal Purja for his remarkable achievements, leadership and commitment to pushing the limits of high-altitude climbing. Broad Peak, located in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range, is among the world’s highest mountains and is considered one of the most demanding peaks for climbers because of its extreme weather and difficult climbing conditions.

Thousands of migrants gathered overnight in the Moroccan town of Fnideq near the border with the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, creating fresh pressure on one of Europe’s busiest migration routes. The large movement of people came despite a major security operation launched by Moroccan and Spanish authorities to stop illegal border crossings. Security forces strengthened patrols and reinforced checkpoints around the border. However, many migrants continued searching for ways to reach Ceuta. Some walked along the coastline looking for gaps in the border fence, while others prepared to swim across the sea in hopes of entering Spanish territory. According to Spanish media reports, between 2,000 and 3,000 migrants managed to cross into Ceuta on Thursday. Most of the successful crossings reportedly took place before security measures were tightened later in the day. Ceuta, along with the nearby Spanish enclave of Melilla, is the European Union’s only land border with Africa. The two territories have long served as major entry points for migrants hoping to begin a new life in Europe. Spain responded to the latest migration surge by sending additional military personnel and police officers to Ceuta. Authorities in the enclave also confirmed that nine bodies had been recovered following the crossing attempts, although officials have not released further details about the victims. Moroccan authorities deployed water cannon vehicles and additional security personnel at the border. Officers repeatedly pushed back groups attempting to force their way through the crossing points. Despite the heavy presence, migrants continued gathering throughout the night. Violence broke out near the border as tensions escalated. Several vehicles, including a bus and seven other vehicles, were set on fire during clashes. Burnt-out vehicles remained on the roadside after the unrest, highlighting the intensity of the confrontation. Many migrants described scenes of panic and confusion. One migrant said he became trapped in a stampede as people rushed toward a narrow coastal route. He said he feared for his life as people pushed and stepped on one another while trying to reach the border. Traffic into Fnideq remained heavily congested as more migrants continued arriving from different parts of Morocco. Some travelled along highways on foot, while others used mountain paths to avoid police checkpoints. Many spent the night waiting for another opportunity to cross. The crowds included men, women and children from Morocco as well as several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Many families remained stranded near the border after repeated attempts to enter Ceuta were blocked. Among them was 23-year-old Fatima Mahli from the Moroccan city of Tetouan. She said she had travelled with her two daughters hoping to cross into Ceuta with her husband. According to her, her husband left before dawn to try to swim across after they realised the border crossing was effectively closed.

The United States has awarded Lockheed Martin a defence contract worth up to $58.6 billion to expand production of Patriot interceptor missiles, as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine continue to put pressure on American weapons stockpiles. The agreement, announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday, is designed to strengthen the country’s air defence capabilities and ensure a steady supply of Patriot missiles over the coming years. The move comes after the United States supplied large quantities of military equipment to its allies while also using significant numbers of precision guided weapons during its own military operations against Iran. The new contract replaces an earlier one year agreement valued at $4.7 billion that was signed in April. It now establishes a seven year procurement framework covering the period from the 2026 to the 2032 fiscal years. According to the US Army, the longer term arrangement is expected to provide greater stability for production planning while helping manufacturers increase output to meet rising demand. The Pentagon has been urging defence companies to speed up production as global security challenges increase. Officials have been negotiating with major contractors throughout the year to secure higher manufacturing capacity for missiles and other critical military equipment. The administration of President Donald Trump has also increased pressure on defence firms to focus more heavily on fulfilling government contracts. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order directing officials to identify companies that were failing to meet contract obligations while continuing to reward shareholders. The administration has argued that expanding production is essential as the US seeks to replenish military inventories. Industry leaders have welcomed the government’s long term procurement strategy, saying it gives manufacturers greater confidence to plan future investments. However, they have also noted that Congress must approve the necessary funding before companies can fully expand production facilities and hire additional workers. Many of the final details surrounding Pentagon weapons contracts, including delivery schedules and production targets, are still being negotiated. The Patriot missile agreement follows a similar initiative involving RTX, the parent company of Raytheon, aimed at increasing production of Tomahawk cruise missiles. Under that plan, annual output is expected to rise dramatically from around 60 missiles to as many as 1,000 each year once production reaches full capacity. Lockheed Martin said the latest contract will support its long term investment plans and help the company significantly expand manufacturing. The company expects to triple production capacity for its PAC 3 MSE interceptor missiles by the end of 2030. It also plans to increase its workforce at its Camden, Arkansas, facility by about 50 percent, raising employment from roughly 1,200 workers to around 1,850. The defence contractor has also announced plans to invest between $8 billion and $9 billion through 2030 to modernise more than 20 facilities across the United States. The investment includes the construction of new munitions production centres in Alabama and Arkansas to support increased manufacturing. The PAC 3 MSE interceptor is one of the most advanced missiles used within the Patriot air defence system. It is designed to destroy incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft through direct impact rather than carrying an explosive warhead. The system has become an important part of air defence operations in several regions facing growing missile threats. Concerns over US missile inventories have intensified in recent months. The Washington based Center for Strategic and International Studies recently estimated that the US military has fewer than 1,000 Patriot interceptors and fewer than 250 THAAD interceptors remaining in its stockpile. Both systems have been heavily used during recent military operations in the Middle East while the United States has also continued supplying advanced air defence equipment to partners facing ongoing security challenges.