When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

blog

Profiles Of Suspected Dhaka Attackers Surface

The Monday edition of Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Starfeatures photos of the suspected attackers of the Gulshan café siege in the capital Dhaka that killed 22 people, including 17 foreigners.

In this second day of a two-day national mourning in Bangladesh, the newspaper published the photos of the suspected attackers that have were first posted by US-based Site Intelligence, which monitors jihadi activities, saying the images were released by global terror group Islamic State (ISIS).

Under the photographs, The Daily Star provided some of the initial details of the attackers, culled from both official sources and social media users. Most of the suspected attackers had been reported missing for several months by their loved ones, and were from relatively well-off families.

The assault began on Friday evening, as gunmen burst into the Holey Artisan Bakery and O' Kitchen Restaurant in Dhaka's upscale neighborhood Gulshan, shouting ‘Allahu Akbar', and taking the employees and customers hostage. Later, the assailants killed two policemen who had tried to end the siege

Twenty hostages were found dead Saturday on the premises, a popular address for tourists. Nine of the victims were from Italy, seven from Japan, an Indian citizen and three Bangladeshis, one of whom was also a US citizen.

Thirteen hostages were rescued. The Bangladesh Army said six attackers had been killed and another captured alive during the rescue operation.

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Society

Tales From A Blushing Nation: Exploring India's 'Issues' With Love And Sex

Why is it that this nation of a billion-plus has such problems with intimacy and romance?

Photo of Indian romance statues

Indian romance statues

Sreemanti Sengupta

KOLKATA — To a foreigner, India may seem to be a country obsessed with romance. What with the booming Bollywood film industry which tirelessly churns out tales of love and glory clothed in brilliant dance and action sequences, a history etched with ideal romantics like Laila-Majnu or the fact that the Taj Mahal has immortalised the love between king Shahjahan and queen Mumtaz.

It is difficult to fathom how this country with a billion-plus population routinely gets red in the face at the slightest hint or mention of sex.

It therefore may have come as a shock to many when the ‘couple-friendly’ hospitality brand OYO announced that they are “extremely humbled to share that we observed a record 90.57% increase in Valentine’s Day bookings across India.”

What does that say about India’s romantic culture?

Keep reading...Show less

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

The latest