ST. PAUL, Minn – In the fourth and final international match of the fall window, the U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Canada 1-0 in a physical and intense contest to earn the team’s fourth consecutive win and second straight shutout that continued the program’s perfect record at Allianz Field.

The meeting between the Concacaf neighbors and fellow Round of 16 participants at FIFA World Cup 2026 concluded a three-week long camp for the U.S. In four matches across September and October, the U.S. tallied four victories, two clean sheets, 12 goals and 13 debutants to showcase an exciting blend of veteran leadership and young talent and finish the first window of the FIFA World Cup 2030 cycle on a soaring note under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino rotated his lineup heavily again tonight, making six changes to the group that started Saturday’s match against Mexico. The five holdovers were fullback Alex Freeman, midfielder Gio Reyna, midfielder Malik Tillman, defender Auston Trusty and center back Chris Richards.

Richards captained the USMNT for the fourth time and first since March 31, 2026, against Portugal. In goal, Brian Schwake of Nashville SC earned his first international start, becoming the fourth different goalkeeper to start for the U.S. in this window.

Starting XI & Lineup Notes: USMNT vs. Canada

The home side started the match against Canada in control of possession and patient on the ball, drawing five fouls from the opponent before committing its first. Overall, the Canadians committed 13 fouls in the first half, the U.S. team keeping their poise as they continued to push for the opener. Nonetheless it was the visitors that managed the first shot, a laser that forward Tani Oluwaseyl fired well wide of goal in the 10th minute. A short pass on a direct free kick in the 13th minute led to a low shot from forward Liam Miller that rolled wide.

The teams went back-and-forth trying to find the final pass that would break the opponent’s line, and Canada put a couple shots on target to test the USA’s first-time starter.

In the 24th minute, the U.S. had one of its best defensive moments of the first half after Canada turned over a play quickly for a chance from close range. A pass slipped through in front of goal, and defender George Campbell, earning his third cap, put his boot on the ball for a strong block inside the six-yard box.

Like Saturday’s win over Mexico, the U.S. broke through with a goal from one of the team’s young forwards. This time it was Justin Ellis, who also scored the fastest goal by a debutant in USMNT modern history against Peru. The teenager striker for Orlando City SC got on the end of a Freeman cross after a delightful exchange with Malik Tilllman to open the scoring on the night. The first half ended with a couple of corner kicks for the U.S., including one that Trusty put on his laces but skied over frame.

Teams were allowed to make 11 substitutions, and Pochettino made his first at the halftime break, sending on forward Julian Hall, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and wingback Sergiño Dest for Ellis, Reyna and midfielder Yunus Musah, who earned his 50th career cap at the age of 24.

The USMNT’s defense continued to protect its one-goal lead heading into the second 45. In the opening minutes of the half, Freeman showed tremendous effort to hunt down a 50-50 ball toward the endline and save the ball from rolling out of bounds for a Canada corner kick. Moments later, the 22-year-old intercepted a pass around the halfway mark to halt Canada’s attack from progressing.

In the 61st minute, Pochettino sent on forward Cole Campbell as a substitute, marking the international debut of the 20-year-old for SV Elversberg. With Campbell’s appearance, all 28 players on Pochettino’s roster earned at least one cap in the four-match stretch.

Moments later, the U.S. stopped a golden chance for Canada on a direct free kick from the left side of the pitch. Defender Luc de Fougerolles received the kick that was floating toward the far post, and he launched a strike on frame. Schwake stretched his reach to push the shot into the crossbar with his big glove for one of his three saves of the match.

The final minutes of the match required a collective defensive effort to hold off a Canada side motivated to equalize. Schwake collected a near post shot in the 83rd and together, the Americans stood firm to hold a one-goal lead for more than 60 minutes and earn the group’s second straight clean sheet.

Tuesday’s match concludes fall camp for the USMNT. The next FIFA window opens Nov. 9 and the team will face Haiti in the Quarterfinals of the Concacaf Nations League in a home-and-home series. The first match will be played Nov. 14 at a site to be determined, with the return leg slated for Nov. 17 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Goal Scoring Rundown:

USA – JUSTIN ELLIS (ALEX FREEMAN), 29th minute: Freeman on the right side of the pitch received a ball into space from Malik Tillman on a give-and-go. The fullback carried the ball toward goal with two dribbles, then looked up to pinpoint his target on the other side of Canada goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. He pushed a ball toward the far post from about eight yards from goal, and Ellis came flying in with a first-time touch from close range to drive a shot into the back of the net. USA 1, CAN 0

WASHINGTON, D.C. — International women’s football is set to witness a heavyweight spectacle this October as the top two ranked sides on the planet—reigning Olympic champions the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup champions Spain—lock horns in a highly anticipated two-match international friendly series on the East Coast.
Olympics.com

The marquee matchup brings together the elite gold standard of the modern game, serving up a high-stakes tactical chess match and an early litmus test with an eye toward future global tournaments.

The two-game series kicks off on Saturday, October 10, at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 PM local time. The action then shifts north for the second fixture on Tuesday, October 13, heading to Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, with a 7:00 PM ET kickoff.

Both fixtures offer fans a rare chance to witness a clash between global titans. Historically, meetings between the U.S. and Spain have been tightly contested, tactical affairs, with neither side conceding ground. Since their first encounter in 2019, the USWNT holds a narrow head-to-head advantage, though Spain claimed victory in their most recent meeting back in 2022.
www.olympics.com

Fans attending or tuning into the series will be treated to a pitch glittering with world-class talent. Spain arrives boasting a technical, possession-oriented powerhouse spearheaded by Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro. Speaking ahead of the fixtures, veteran Spanish defender Irene Paredes emphasized that La Roja is approaching the friendlies with maximum competitive intensity, treating the encounters with the gravity of a World Cup match.

Meanwhile, Emma Hayes’ youthful and dynamic USWNT squad features explosive attacking threats like Trinity Rodman and Alyssa Thompson, ready to test Spain’s defensive structure down the flanks. Both camps enter the window dealing with minor personnel adjustments—notably, the U.S. missing defensive stalwart Naomi Girma due to injury, and Spain navigating the absence of midfielder Mariona Caldentey. Nevertheless, depth across both rosters ensures a pair of fiercely competitive battles.

For supporters unable to make it to Audi Field or Subaru Park, the matches will be broadcast extensively. In the United States, English-language coverage will be carried across TNT Sports and streaming on Max, with Spanish-language broadcasts available on Universo and Peacock. Radio coverage will also be provided nationwide by Westwood One Sports.

As the world’s number one and number two sides square off, this October series promises a thrilling preview of the absolute apex of international women’s football.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — President Donald Trump’s approval rating remains at a record low in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, with 32% of Americans approving of his job performance and 65% disapproving as the country approaches the November midterm elections. The nationwide poll, conducted online from Sept. 30 through Oct. 5 among 4,506 U.S. adults, found Trump’s overall approval unchanged from the previous survey. The result matches the lowest approval rating recorded for Trump in the Reuters/Ipsos polling series. The poll has a margin of error of approximately two percentage points.

The findings come as voters continue to identify the cost of living and inflation as major concerns, while the administration faces political pressure over the economic effects of high energy prices and the ongoing war with Iran.

The poll found particularly low approval among Hispanic Americans. Only 24% of Hispanic respondents said they approved of Trump’s performance, the lowest level recorded for him among Hispanic voters in either of his presidential terms, according to Reuters.

The decline is notable because Hispanic voters were an important part of Trump’s coalition in the 2024 presidential election. Reuters reported that Trump received nearly half of the Hispanic vote in 2024, compared with roughly one-third in 2020. The latest findings indicate that Trump’s standing among this group has weakened considerably during his current term.

Economic issues are playing a central role in voters’ views of the administration. The Reuters/Ipsos survey found that the cost of living was the leading issue for Americans as they considered the upcoming congressional elections. Rising gasoline and diesel prices have added to concerns about household expenses.

The administration has taken several steps aimed at addressing fuel prices. On Oct. 5, Trump signed an executive order expanding access to tax-exempt diesel fuel as prices remained elevated. Reuters reported that diesel prices had reached approximately $6.50 a gallon in September. The administration has linked the energy-price pressures to disruptions caused by the war with Iran and other international supply pressures.

The Ipsos survey also measured voters’ preferences for the November 3 congressional elections. Among registered voters, 44% said they planned to support Democratic candidates, compared with 37% who said they planned to support Republican candidates. Among independent voters, Democrats held a 37%-21% advantage in the survey, while 28% of independent voters remained undecided.

Among Hispanic registered voters, 52% said they planned to support Democratic candidates, compared with 26% who said they planned to support Republicans. These figures describe the preferences of respondents at the time of the survey and do not determine the eventual election results.

Trump continues to retain substantial support within his own party, although previous Reuters/Ipsos polling has shown a decline in Republican approval.

An earlier September Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 73% of Republicans approved of Trump’s overall job performance, down from 86% in January. Republican ratings of Trump’s handling of the U.S. economy and the cost of living also declined in that survey.

The latest poll comes as Republican candidates campaign across the country ahead of the midterm elections, with economic conditions and the administration’s foreign-policy decisions becoming central campaign issues.

The latest Reuters/Ipsos findings also showed changes among older voters, a group that has historically been important in midterm elections.

Republicans held only a narrow advantage among voters aged 50 and older in the latest survey, according to Reuters. Among voters younger than 50, Democrats had a larger lead. Independent voters remained an important group because a substantial share had not decided which party they would support.

The latest polling comes amid controversy over government-funded television advertisements featuring Trump. A separate Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted during the same period found that 86% of Americans considered the use of taxpayer money for election-related television advertisements featuring the president or members of his administration inappropriate. The figure included 80% of Republicans.

The administration has said the advertisements are educational and patriotic rather than campaign material. Critics, including lawmakers from both parties, have questioned whether taxpayer funds are being used for political purposes.

With the Nov. 3 congressional elections approaching, the poll provides a snapshot of public opinion at a particularly active stage of the campaign.  Trump is not personally on the ballot, but his approval rating and the administration’s policies have become important factors in the national political environment.

Republicans currently control the White House and both chambers of Congress, making the midterm elections significant for the legislative agenda during the remaining years of Trump’s current term.

The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that Americans remain focused heavily on economic pressures, particularly the cost of living, while Trump’s overall approval remains at the lowest level recorded in the Ipsos series.

The survey represents public opinion during the six-day period in which it was conducted; attitudes can change as economic conditions, international events and the election campaign develop.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday called for an end to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, urging all parties to step back from confrontation and return to diplomatic negotiations as the crisis continues to disrupt vital trade routes across the Middle East.

Speaking at a joint press appearance in Islamabad with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Guterres issued a direct appeal to the parties involved in the conflict.

“End the conflict. Return to diplomacy,” Guterres said, calling at the same time for the full restoration of navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law.

His remarks came at the beginning of a two-day official visit to Pakistan, where the UN chief is expected to discuss regional security, diplomacy, humanitarian issues and climate change.

The current crisis began in late February following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. Tehran responded with attacks against targets in Gulf countries and Jordan and moved to restrict transit through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime passages.

The waterway is a major route for international shipments of crude oil, liquefied natural gas and other commodities. Disruptions in the strait have created significant uncertainty for global shipping and energy markets.

Guterres said hundreds of ships and their crews have been stuck at sea for months as a result of the continuing crisis. The disruption has raised concerns well beyond the region, with the security of international shipping and the uninterrupted movement of energy supplies becoming central issues in the conflict.

The conflict has also contributed to fighting along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Iran-backed Houthi forces are engaged in fighting with Yemeni government troops supported by Saudi Arabia over control of the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait. The waterway is a critical maritime passage linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the wider international shipping network. The developments have added another layer to an already complex regional crisis, with several strategic waterways now affected by military tensions.

Guterres used his visit to Pakistan to recognize Islamabad’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran. He praised Pakistan’s role in helping establish conditions for negotiations and pointed specifically to the June 17 Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the subsequent ceasefire and the framework created for further talks.

The UN secretary-general described Pakistan’s role as significant and said the country’s efforts demonstrated the importance of mediation and diplomacy at a time of increasing international division.

“Every Pakistani should be proud of that pivotal role,” Guterres said. He also praised Pakistan as a country that has continued to support multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation.

Guterres also addressed the broader Middle East crisis, saying lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without addressing the political rights of the Palestinian people. He said the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination remains an important element of any long-term regional peace effort.

The UN chief expressed hope that the Middle East could move toward greater peace and prosperity through dialogue and cooperation. His comments come as the region continues to face overlapping conflicts and humanitarian challenges.

During his remarks, Guterres also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping. He paid tribute to more than 180 Pakistani peacekeepers who have died while serving in UN missions around the world. Guterres also referred to a recent Security Council resolution led by Pakistan and Denmark that strengthens accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers.

According to the secretary-general, the resolution received support from 153 countries, making it the most widely co-sponsored Security Council resolution in the organization’s history. He also acknowledged the heavy toll of terrorist attacks on Pakistan and expressed solidarity with those affected.

Pakistan’s role in hosting millions of Afghans displaced by conflict and instability was another issue raised during the visit. Guterres said the United Nations would continue working with Pakistan to ensure that the return of Afghan refugees is voluntary, safe and dignified.

The issue remains sensitive as Pakistan manages the long-term humanitarian and security consequences of decades of conflict in neighboring Afghanistan.

Guterres also used his visit to highlight Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change. Recalling his previous visit to the country during the devastating 2022 floods, he said Pakistan remains on the front lines of climate-related disasters despite contributing only a small share of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

He praised Pakistan’s involvement in establishing the Loss and Damage Fund and highlighted the country’s efforts to expand clean energy. The UN chief again urged developed countries to take the lead in significantly reducing global emissions during the current decade.

Guterres’ appeal comes as the United States-Iran conflict continues to create security and economic risks across the Middle East. The disruption of major maritime routes, the expansion of fighting into neighboring areas and the potential impact on global energy and trade have increased pressure for a diplomatic solution. From Islamabad, the UN secretary-general made clear that his preferred path forward is negotiation rather than further escalation.

“End the conflict. Return to diplomacy,” he said.

For Pakistan, meanwhile, the visit provides an opportunity to reinforce its role as a diplomatic channel between major powers while emphasizing its broader concerns over regional stability, humanitarian protection and climate security.

DHAKA- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said ensuring every child gets the opportunity to grow and develop properly is crucial to building a strong foundation for Bangladesh and making the country stronger in the today’s competitive world.

“Today’s children are the pillars of their families. If they can grow up properly, the foundation of their families will become stronger. Likewise, if we can provide all children across Bangladesh with opportunities to develop properly, the foundation of our country will become much stronger,” he said.

The Prime Minister was speaking in a discussion at Bangladesh Shishu Academy marking the Children’s Rights Day 2026 and the 50th anniversary of the academy.

Tarique Rahman said, “Making the future of today’s children strong means making the future of the nation strong. And a strong future for the nation means we will be able to build a strong and powerful Bangladesh.”

Addressing the children as his “little friends”, the Premier said children should not be confined only to academic studies, but should also be given opportunities to explore their talents in sports, arts, culture and music. He urged parents to recognise and nurture the individual qualities of their children instead of putting them under pressure to pursue only conventional academic activities.

“I want you to complete what I could not,” he told the children, recalling his own childhood interest in playing the guitar and keyboard. The Prime Minister said many children have talents in drawing, recitation, music, dance and other creative activities, and urged them to develop those talents fully.

He said the government wants children to have exposure to arts and culture alongside sports and music so that they can develop themselves according to their individual interests.

Tarique Rahman said the government has already taken initiatives to identify and develop children’s sporting talents, including a nationwide primary-level football competition in which around 22 lakhs boys and girls participated.

He expressed the hope that if such initiatives are continued, internationally acclaimed footballers and other sports talents would emerge from among the country’s children.

He also recalled the “Natun Kuri” programme introduced by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to promote children’s cultural talents, saying the programme has been revived alongside a sports-based “Natun Kuri” initiative.

“We want to build our children in such a way that a child will have good exposure to art and culture, become skilled in them, and similarly develop proficiency in music and sports,” he said.
The Prime Minister said many families, particularly those in remote and rural areas, cannot afford to provide children with opportunities for extracurricular activities.

“So, from the school level, we are trying to create facilities for arts, culture, sports and music so that every child can choose a subject according to his or her preference,” he said.

He said the government expects to begin the full process from 2027 or 2028, under which children at primary and secondary levels would have opportunities to learn music, play musical instruments and choose sports according to their interests.

The Prime Minister also announced plans to introduce opportunities for children to learn a third language in addition to Bangla and English, with options including Arabic, Mandarin, German and Japanese.

He said knowledge of an additional foreign language would help children in their future education and employment abroad and enable them to compete and survive more effectively in the global environment.

However, he stressed that academic, sporting, artistic or linguistic achievements alone would not be enough. “Children must also become humane,” he said, urging them to show compassion not only towards people but also towards nature, animals and birds.

Calling upon parents and guardians to instil a sense of responsibility towards the environment and other living beings in children, the Prime Minister said, “If we are kind to nature, nature will certainly be kind to us.”

The premier also urged children to care for trees and animals around their homes and schools and sought their cooperation in keeping the environment clean. He asked them to discourage adults from throwing garbage indiscriminately in public places.

“If you see an adult throwing garbage or waste somewhere and harming the environment, you can tell them to put it in the proper place,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said a clean environment would help children grow up in a healthy environment and become physically and mentally healthy people.

He called on all sections of society to work together to build the country saying the task does not necessarily require major efforts but can be achieved through small, collective actions.

“We will build this country ourselves. If we want to build the country, all of us must work together,” he said.

The Prime Minister also recalled visiting the academy as a child with his younger brother and parents- Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia- at the time of its inauguration.

He said he also found some of his and his younger brother’s writings displayed at the academy, taking him back five decades in his memories.

Prime Minister’s wife and Vice-President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation Dr Zubaida Rahman also addressed the event, chaired by Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain.

Earlier, 150 children welcomed the Prime Minister when he arrived at Bangladesh Shishu Academy premises. Later, the programme began with the national anthem.

Following the discussion, the Prime Minister enjoyed a cultural event performed by children and visited the children’s drawings and a photo exhibition gallery.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia has reported a fresh wave of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces intensifies. Saudi authorities said two airports in the southern part of the Kingdom, Jazan and Najran, were targeted, with three people suffering light injuries.

The attacks come amid a major escalation in Yemen. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have launched an offensive against Houthi positions around the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while Saudi air power is supporting the ground campaign.

The Houthis have claimed missile and drone operations against several locations in Saudi Arabia, including airports, military installations and energy infrastructure. Reuters reported that the group claimed attacks involving King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an Aramco facility in Rabigh, Abha airport and military sites. Those claims had not been independently verified at the time of reporting.

Saudi authorities have separately reported successful interceptions of Houthi missiles and drones during the recent escalation. On September 24, Saudi Arabia said six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis had been intercepted.

The latest attacks are linked to a broader military escalation in Yemen. Saudi-backed forces are attempting to push the Houthis away from strategic territory around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, an important international shipping route.

The conflict also has implications for regional energy security. Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline has become particularly important as disruptions to Gulf shipping routes increase. Reuters reported on October 6 that Saudi oil continued flowing through the pipeline, with the kingdom using it to redirect significant volumes toward the Red Sea.

The immediate concern is whether the Houthi attacks on Saudi territory will continue or expand as Saudi-backed Yemeni forces advance. Saudi Arabia and its partners are likely to maintain pressure on Houthi positions, while the Houthis have demonstrated their ability and willingness to respond with missiles and drones.

Important: Reports about individual Houthi strikes should be distinguished from confirmed Saudi government statements. Several claims involving Riyadh and Aramco have not been independently verified.

GENEVA — The United Nations Human Rights Council on Monday unanimously called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to repeal policies restricting the fundamental rights and freedoms of women and girls, warning that the country’s institutionalized discrimination has reached an alarming level.

The 47-member council adopted the resolution without a vote, expressing serious concern over what it described as the “grave, worsening, widespread and systematic oppression” of women and girls under Taliban rule.

The resolution condemned what the council called the Taliban’s institutionalization of discrimination, segregation and exclusion of women and girls, as well as restrictions affecting their dignity and participation in public life.

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 and subsequently introduced a series of measures based on its interpretation of Islamic law. The restrictions have particularly affected women and girls, including limits on employment, access to public spaces and education.

Girls have been barred from attending secondary schools beyond approximately the age of 12, while women have faced restrictions on employment and access to various public places, including parks.

The council said it was deeply concerned by what it described as the continuing and systematic erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan. It said the Taliban had imposed an expanding network of decrees and institutional controls that had affected many aspects of both public and private life.

According to the resolution, the measures have contributed to a society marked by what the council described as “ideological conformity, fear and exclusion.”

The council called on the Taliban to repeal policies and practices restricting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls, including their rights to education, employment, peaceful assembly and political participation.

It also urged the international community to take human rights and fundamental freedoms into account in its engagement with authorities and other stakeholders in Afghanistan.

The resolution condemned discrimination against women and girls and expressed concern over other alleged human rights abuses in the country, including sexual slavery of boys, child marriage and forced marriage.

The council also voiced concern over what it described as deeply entrenched impunity in Afghanistan and expressed sympathy for the suffering of the Afghan population.

The resolution was introduced by a group of 37 European countries, together with Canada and Chile. The council also voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations independent special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan for another year.

The resolution adds to continuing international pressure on the Taliban over its treatment of women and girls. While the Taliban authorities have sought greater international engagement since returning to power, their restrictions on women’s rights remain a major obstacle in relations with much of the international community.

DHAKA- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government is working to make teaching a first-choice profession for meritorious people by reforming teacher recruitment and the education system.

“Teaching can never be a profession of last resort or merely another job. Rather, we are reshaping teacher recruitment and the education system to ensure that the most meritorious people choose teaching as their first choice of profession,” he said. The Prime Minister was addressing as the chief guest at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium here marking World Teachers’ Day 2026 and honouring selected teachers from primary to higher education levels with the national ‘Eminent Teacher Award’.

Tarique Rahman said, “We believe that the dignity of the state is linked to the honour and dignity of teachers in the state and society. If the dignity of teachers remains intact in society, the image of the state is enhanced.”

This year’s theme of World Teachers’ Day is: “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Enhancing Dignity and Shaping Our Future.”

The Prime Minister expressed his profound respect to teachers of all primary and secondary schools, colleges, madrasas, technical institutions and universities across the country, and congratulated those who received the ‘Eminent Teacher Award’ for their merit and competence.

He said if teachers could become the “need and loved ones” of their students, it would be easier for the students to face global challenges as responsible citizens through education.

Referring to teachers as “ideal role models” for every student after they move beyond the family school, Tarique Rahman said the government is formulating and implementing plans so that teachers can confidently present themselves as role models before their students.

In the era of rapid development of social media and artificial intelligence (AI), he said, there is no alternative to technical and practical education beyond conventional teaching methods.

“So, changing the strategies of learning and teaching and modernising the education curriculum is the demand of the time,” he said.

The government has formulated a new curriculum based on the realities of the time, and students will receive textbooks based on the new curriculum within this year, the Premier said, adding that the methods of learning and teaching are extremely important to ensure that students do not become alienated from books.

“Instead of mere memorisation, we have to raise the questions of ‘why’ and ‘how’ in the minds of students. If curiosity is created, a student can become his or her own teacher,” he continued.

Tarique Rahman said “joyful learning” has become popular across the world, particularly among school students.

For the first time in Bangladesh, he said, the Ministry of Education is providing sixth-grade students with a new book titled “Learning with Happiness”. Similar books will be introduced for other grades in phases.

The prime minister said the education system currently faces both immense opportunities and major challenges. Artificial intelligence has opened up vast opportunities for acquiring knowledge, while technical and practical knowledge has become indispensable instead of certificate-based knowledge, he added.

Referring to the new challenges created for teachers by rapid advances in information technology, Tarique Rahman said teachers’ training colleges need to be further modernised to meet the challenges of the time.

“We do not want to see technology as a substitute for teachers. Rather, technology will be the strength of teachers,” he said, adding that the government is advancing the “One Teacher, One Tab” programme to this end.

The prime minister said teachers would be able to use digital lesson plans, question banks, students’ learning progress data and necessary teaching materials through their tablets. Multimedia classrooms are also being
expanded at educational institutions across the country, while free Wi-Fi facilities are being increased, he added.

The Premier said the government wants to build an education system where no child is deprived of education.”It is also essential to ensure that even if someone drops out at any stage of their educational life for any reason, they do not remain unemployed,” he said.

Describing education as the biggest priority of the incumbent government, Tarique Rahman said the highest-ever allocation for education has been made in the national budget for the first time in the country’s history and the allocation will be increased gradually.

Highlighting the scale of secondary education, he said there are currently around 21,000 institutions at the secondary level, where more than 300,000 teachers are providing education to millions of students.

“Much of secondary education depends on private and MPO-listed institutions,” he said.

“There is still some disparity between urban and rural areas in terms of educational opportunities,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the government has various plans to ensure that students in both urban and rural
areas have access to skilled teachers and modern technology.

Describing the government’s approach to reforming the education system, he said its core foundations are equal opportunities, quality education and non-discriminatory access.

Tarique Rahman said employment-oriented education is necessary, but employment is not the sole purpose of education. “Moral and character development is also one of the key objectives of education. If knowledge is not linked with morality, it can become a cause of harm rather than benefit to society,” he continued.

Urging teachers to make truthfulness, a sense of responsibility, empathy, patriotism, humanity, discipline and respect for others integral parts of education, he said teachers play the most important role after families in
instilling moral values in students.

Highlighting various government measures to ensure teachers’ financial security and make teaching a more dignified and competitive profession, the Prime Minister said the government is working particularly for teachers at the primary, secondary and higher-secondary levels.

He further said the President and the Prime Minister invite people from different professions and sections of society to state functions at national occasions, including Independence Day and Victory Day.

“From this year, based on a policy, the concerned authorities are being instructed to make it mandatory to invite at least one teacher each from primary and secondary schools to such events,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said a teacher, whether serving or retired, remains worthy of the state’s respect throughout his or her life because of the noble profession.

Mentioning instructions to end harassment of teachers in receiving salaries and retirement benefits, he said a teacher should not have to visit offices and suffer hardship merely to receive salary or retirement benefits.

“The money due to a teacher must reach their bank account on time and in accordance with the rules,” he said. The Premier said the country’s teachers are one of the key instruments for building a knowledge-based state and society. World Teachers’ Day is observed globally on October 5 every year to highlight the importance of teachers’ dignity, rights, professional development and ensuring quality education.

Chaired by Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon, it was also addressed, among others, by National Professor Dr Mahbub Ullah, Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Education Md Selim Bhuiyan.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — President Donald Trump is intensifying his campaign activity ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, embarking on a 32-day political tour aimed at helping Republican candidates defend the party’s majorities in Congress. Trump’s campaign push took him to Ohio on Saturday, where he rallied Republican supporters in Vandalia and campaigned for Senator Jon Husted and other GOP candidates in one of the country’s closely watched Senate contests.

The Ohio appearance followed campaign stops in Republican-leaning states including Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama, as Trump seeks to mobilize Republican voters and use his national profile to support candidates across the country. Reuters reported that Trump has been using rallies in strongly Republican areas while also focusing attention on competitive races.

Ohio has become a significant focus of the Republican campaign because control of the Senate could depend on a small number of competitive races. At Saturday’s rally, Trump endorsed Husted, who is seeking election to the Senate seat he currently occupies after being appointed to fill the vacancy created when JD Vance became vice president. Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown is seeking to return to the Senate and is challenging Husted.

Trump also campaigned for Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who is facing Democrat Amy Acton. The president used the rally to promote his administration’s economic policies and defend the expansion of large data centers in Ohio, which have become a contentious issue because of concerns over electricity costs, land use and the impact of artificial-intelligence infrastructure on local communities. Trump argued that data-center investment would bring economic benefits to Ohio and warned that restricting such projects could push investment toward China.

Trump began his latest midterm campaign offensive Thursday, traveling to Texas before continuing to Oklahoma and Alabama. The White House and Republican National Committee have described an intensive schedule of appearances designed to boost Republican candidates and turnout before Election Day.

Reuters reported that Trump is seeking to persuade voters to focus on his administration’s economic record while Republicans campaign on issues including manufacturing, energy costs, immigration and economic growth. Trump has also promoted a proposal to provide a $5,000 payment to adult Americans if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress. The proposal would require congressional action and has drawn questions about its potential cost.

The campaign comes as economic concerns remain a major issue for voters. An AP-NORC poll conducted September 24-28 found that only 26% of U.S. adults approved of Trump’s handling of the economy, while 17% approved of his handling of the cost of living. The poll found that 65% of respondents attributed persistent high costs more to Trump’s policies than to factors outside his control.

The economic environment has complicated the Republican campaign as candidates seek to defend their party’s record while addressing voter concerns over prices, energy costs and employment. Trump has responded by arguing that the administration’s policies are producing economic gains that are not adequately reflected in public perceptions.

The president’s intensified campaigning reflects the importance of the midterms to the remainder of his second term. Republicans currently control both the House and Senate, and the November elections will determine the balance of power in Congress for the next two years. Trump has urged Republican voters to treat the election as a referendum on his administration and has repeatedly asked supporters to vote as though he himself were on the ballot.

The president’s campaign schedule is expected to continue through the final weeks before Election Day, with appearances designed to support candidates in competitive races as well as strengthen Republican turnout in areas where the party traditionally performs strongly.

For Trump and Republican candidates, the campaign now enters its most intensive phase, with economic conditions, energy prices, immigration, artificial-intelligence infrastructure and the administration’s broader record all expected to remain central issues through November 3.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today asked the authorities concerned to expedite the construction of the inner circular road to ease traffic congestion in the capital. He gave the instruction while chairing a meeting at his Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat to review progress in the construction of the Inner Circular Road in the capital, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

The prime minister asked the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and the Local Government Division to jointly review the existing project plan and take steps to expedite the construction work.

The deputy press secretary said Tarique Rahman stressed identifying and removing the existing obstacles to implementing the project at the earliest, ensuring effective coordination among the agencies concerned and setting a realistic timeframe for completing the work. He also asked the authorities to ensure visible progress in the project at the earliest.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Habibur Rashid, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, among senior officials concerned, attended the meeting.