BD, Japan sign full-fledged deal on economic partnership

Bangladesh and Japan Friday signed a landmark Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) that ushers in a new era of bilateral trade and investment cooperation and marks Dhaka's first such comprehensive pact with any country.Under the agreement, Japan will grant 100-percent duty-free...

Asian markets extend global retreat as tech worries build

HONG KONG, Feb 6 (AFP): Asian equities sank again on Friday as a tech rout that battered Wall Street for the third day in a row showed no sign of letting up amid growing unease about the hundreds of billions...

Stocks extend rally amid optimistic outlook

The benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) extended its winning streak for the third week in a row, buoyed by sustained investor interest in banking stocks amid expectation of favourable post-election momentum.Analysts attributed the ongoing recovery to broad-based...

Ishraq pledges to resolve gas crisis, waterlogging in Old Dhaka

Engineer Ishraq Hossain, the BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-6, has promised to revitalise old Dhaka by addressing waterlogging, the acute gas crisis, and drug abuse, reports BSS.In an interview with the agencies at Baldha Garden, the candidate outlined his development plans...

Effigies of adviser Sakhawat, BIDA's Ashik burnt at DU

Effigies of several individuals were burned at Dhaka University (DU) on Thursday in protest against the government's move to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chittagong Port to foreign entities, branding them as ‘economic hitmen.’The demonstration was held...

Ctg election fever peaks before Feb 12

CHATTOGRAM, Feb 06: has gripped Chattogram ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election slated for 12 February. Campaigning by candidates and discussions among voters are at their peak, with supporters of candidates in the city's 16 constituencies holding processions...

Over 0.15m postal ballots reach returning officers

A total of 1,55,452 (over 0.15 million) postal ballots have already reached the returning officers across the country ahead of the 13th parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12. Of them, 1,24,746 ballots have been received from expatriate voters staying abroad...

Bobby Hajjaj, the BNP candidate for Dhaka-13

Bobby Hajjaj, the BNP candidate for Dhaka-13, carrying out mass contact with voters in the capital's Adabar area on Friday as part of his campaign for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election. — Focus Bangla

JUCSU VP Jitu joins BNP

Abdur Rashid Zitu, vice-president (VP) of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU), has formally joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).Alongside him, several representatives from different hall unions of the university joined the Jatiyatabadi Chatra Dal (JCD), the student wing...

Vote manipulators to meet same fate as fascists: Nahid

SAVAR, Feb 6 (UNB): National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam warned that those involved in vote rigging or electoral malpractice would face the same fate as fascists.Speaking at an election rally in Savar for Dilshana Parul, the 11-party alliance...

EU chief observer talks to media on Sylhet polls

SYLHET, Feb.6: The European Union's Election Observation Mission (EOM) has emphasised the importance of conducting secure and safe elections in Bangladesh on 12 February, highlighting the need for a congenial atmosphere and maintenance of law and order.Addressing a view-exchange meeting...

BNP cancels final Dhaka polls rally scheduled for Feb 8

BNP has cancelled its final election rally scheduled to be held in capital on February 8 , reports UNB.Instead of holding the rally, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will deliver election speeches at different locations across Dhaka North and South on...

BNP's polls manifesto to bring 'new sunrise' for country: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the party's election manifesto will bring a ‘new sunrise’ for Bangladesh, an event the nation is eagerly awaiting, report agencies. "After much sacrifice and bloodshed, the country is finally moving towards...

'Bangladesh Before All' central to foreign policy, national security

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has placed foreign policy, national security and defence reform at the heart of its election manifesto, declaring that its guiding principle will be 'Bangladesh Before All'. Unveiling the vision Friday, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said...

Youth gunned down in Khulna

KHULNA, Feb 6 (UNB): A young man was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Khulna town late Wednesday night, police said.The victim was identified as Rakib Hossain, 23, son of Anwar Hossain of the Ashibigha area under Labanchara Police Station.Quoting...

Suicide bomber kills 31 in Pakistan mosque

ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 (Reuters): An attacker opened fire at the gates of a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Islamabad on Friday before setting off a suicide bomb and killing at least 31 people, in the deadliest attack of its kind in...

BNP pledges to make BSEC an independent regulator

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has pledged to develop the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) as an independent and autonomous institution for greater transparency and accountability.Unveiling the party's election manifesto on Friday, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman also pledged to...

H1 sales return to positive territory at Tk 24.61b

The net sales of state-run savings instruments returned to positive territory in the first half of the current fiscal year 2025-26 with savers showing growing interest in the secured investment tools.According to the latest Bangladesh Bank (BB) data, net sales...

Nat’l telehealth helpline 16263 faces shutdown amid funding crisis

Bangladesh's flagship public telehealth service, Shastho Batayan 16263, which has served as a critical healthcare lifeline for millions, is facing an uncertain future due to prolonged funding delays and administrative bottlenecks, triggering concern among health experts, service providers and policymakers.Launched...

BNP to pursue balanced regional dev for equitable wealth distribution

BNP chairman Tarique Rahman has outlined the BNP's vision for region-specific development for balanced national uplift, youth-focused culture and inclusive growth in his party's election manifesto.Tarique Rahman unveiled his party's broad development vision, placing balanced regional growth, youth empowerment, culture,...

ADB may give $300m in 2nd tranche

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is likely to provide the second-tranche loan worth US$300 million for the long-delayed Dhaka-Sylhet Highway construction project, which has been struggling for five years, officials said on Friday."We are going to sit in negotiations with...

Prayer Timings _2026-02-07

Govt calls for sensible conduct ahead of election

The interim government has called on all citizens to act with the highest sense of responsibility and cooperation to ensure a festive, peaceful, and participatory national election.In a statement issued on Friday following unrest near the Chief Adviser's residence, the...

Recovered laundered money to be used for development, says Jamaat Ameer

PATUAKHALI, Feb 6, (BSS): Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Friday declared that if his party is voted to power, they will recover all laundered money from abroad and deposit it into the state treasury to initiate a journey...

Govt employees' pay scale, Hadi murder justice demands fuel demos in city

Sound-grenade and teargas blasts rocked Dhaka's heartland Shahbagh area Friday as police quelled troubles of fresh marches toward the CA's residence Jamuna. In one incident, the government employees' tried to reach Jamuna in support of their demand for immediate implementation...

BNP pledges economic, political democratisation if voted to power

Economic and political democratisation free from oligarchs, higher foreign direct investment (FDI), financial-sector reforms, capital-market development and trade liberalisation are central to BNP vision for rebuilding a "fragile economy".Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman Friday expounded economic...

Named after Yuvraj, Canada's Samra keen to emulate his idol in T20 WC

Being the youngest player at the Twenty20 World Cup does not faze Canada's Yuvraj Samra, as the 19-year-old was marked out for a future in the sport by his cricket-loving father from the day he was born, reports Reuters.Samra's father...

Spin woes, injury and poor form dog Australia for T20 World Cup

SYDNEY, Feb 6 (AFP): Captain Mitchell Marsh insists Australia can put their spin woes behind them at the T20 Cricket World Cup after a morale-sapping series defeat to Pakistan left their preparations in tatters.The 2021 champions are title contenders at...

ICC MEN'S T20 WORLD CUP

PSG brace for tough run as 'strange' Marseille come to town

PARIS, France, Feb 6 (AFP): Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique expects his side to be pushed hard over the closing months of the Ligue 1 season, starting with Sunday's visit of unpredictable arch-rivals Marseille.European champions PSG have won their last...