Today's matches_2026-02-09

Penchant for last-minute sensitive deals

The Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between the two countries on Friday last is likely to take the bilateral cooperation and collaboration to a new high. From duty-free access to several thousands of Bangladeshi products and the vice versa...

Partnership for a new global AI discourse

The advent of artificial intelligence marks a consequential inflection point in the trajectory of technological evolution. With AI-powered capabilities now available in the palms of our hand, breakthroughs across sectors are reshaping how societies function, economies grow, and governments deliver...

No chance of vote rigging, reaffirms home adviser

RANGPUR, Feb 8 (UNB): Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday said there is no possibility of vote rigging in the national election, expressing confidence that the polls will be peaceful, fair and festive ones."There...

BD, China sign deal to procure four vessels

The governments of Bangladesh and China on Sunday signed a framework agreement worth RMB 1.67 billion (equivalent to about Tk 24.86 billion) for procuring four new vessels for the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), reports UNB.Secretary of Economic Relations Division (ERD)...

DGFI became country's main regulator in 2007-09

Former Army Chief General (retd) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan on Sunday said the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) effectively became the main regulator of the country during the 2007-2009 period.During that period, DGFI picked up civilians, former ministers, and political...

HC issues contempt rule against CPA chairman, four others

The High Court (HC) on Sunday issued a contempt of court rule against the chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and four other officials over a move to lease out land of the Karnaphuli River, allegedly in violation of...

US envoy meets foreign adviser, discusses bilateral tieup

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday and discussed issues of bilateral relations, reports UNB.Ambassador Christensen described the meeting with Adviser Hossain as 'excellent and productive'."Excellent meeting with the Adviser for...

BD, UK strengthen defence partnership with survey vessel sales deal

Bangladesh Navy and the United Kingdom have signed a government?to?government sales agreement for the former HMS Enterprise, an Echo?class hydrographic and oceanographic survey vessel, reports UNB.The sale of the HMS Enterprise highlights the UK's continued partnership with Bangladesh in enhancing...

Banners of BNP’s Mirza Abbas and NCP’s Nasiruddin Patwary, Dhaka-8 candidates

Banners of BNP’s Mirza Abbas and NCP’s Nasiruddin Patwary, Dhaka-8 candidates, hang along a Shahjahanpur road in the capital on Sunday as part of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election campaign. — FE Photo

NCP's Akhtar receives death threat, files GD

RANGPUR, Feb 8 (UNB): Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of National Citizens' Party (NCP) and the 11-party alliance candidate for Rangpur-4 (Kaunia-Pirgachha) constituency, has received a death threat, according to a general diary (GD) filed with Pirgacha Police Station.The GD, filed...

Women leaders urge EC to cancel Jamaat chief Shafiqur's candidacy

A group of women leaders has demanded that the Election Commission revoke the candidacy of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman for his 'defamatory, hateful and misogynistic remarks against working women' made from his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, report...

Ganosanghati unveils election manifesto

Ganosanghati Andolon has unveiled its election manifesto, pledging reforms in sectors such as education, the economy, and public administration to rebuild the country and create a discrimination-free society, reports bdnews24.com.The party promises to ensure citizens' rights, dignity, and protection, safeguard...

DU Sada Dal urges voters to back patriotic party

Ahead of the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election, the Dhaka University (DU) Sada Dal, pro-BNP teachers' organisation, has urged citizens to vote for a patriotic party that upholds the spirit of the Liberation War and the July mass uprising,...

EC committed to free, fair, inclusive polls: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the commission is committed to delivering a free, fair and inclusive national election, scheduled for February 12.Keeping this in view, the Election Commission (EC) is addressing challenges such as misinformation...

BNP pledges to defend people's rights: Fakhrul

THAKURGAON, Feb 8 (UNB): BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that BNP will always protect the rights of all people, regardless of religion, especially that of women."I firmly believe that no one is a minority in this...

Treasury-bill yields ease on liquidity glut

Yields on treasury bills (T-bills) fell on Sunday as banks channelled excess liquidity into risk-free government securities amid subdued private sector credit demand ahead of the national polls.The cut-off yield, commonly referred to as the interest rate, on the 91-day...

All educational institutions to remain shut for five days

All educational institutions across the country will remain closed for five consecutive days from February 11 to 15 due to the 13th parliamentary elections, referendum, and the Maha Shivaratri holiday.According to a government decision, holidays have been declared on February...

Govt seeks UN support in Hadi murder probe

Bangladesh government seeks assistance of the United Nations in investigating the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a traumatic issue that incites sporadic mayhem. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh's permanent mission in Geneva formally approached the Office of...

Growing gap visible in EC's efforts to ensure fair polls: TIB

A growing gap is becoming visible in the efforts of the Election Commission (EC) and other stakeholders to create a free, fair, transparent, and level playing field, as well as to organise a peaceful election, according to a TIB study.In...

Aviation adviser defends role as Biman chief

Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has defended his appointment as chairman of the board of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, saying the move does not breach any laws and has precedent, reports bdnews24.com.Speaking at a media briefing in Dhaka...

BNP, Jamaat vow deep reforms to boost revenue mobilisation

The major political parties have placed domestic revenue mobilisation at the centre of their respective economic agenda, setting specific targets to raise Bangladesh's tax-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio amid shrinking fiscal space.The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has pledged to increase...

Housing loan rescheduling rules relaxed

Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Sunday issued revised guidelines for rescheduling housing loans, significantly easing previous time-bound restrictions to better support borrower repayment capacity.According to a BB circular, the central bank aims to facilitate regular installment payments by offering more flexible...

Govt orders crackdown on job doc forgery, fraud

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus directs urgent action against forgery and fake skill-training certificates as such practices are "damaging Bangladesh's reputation" on the international labour market.The direction was issued Sunday at a meeting of the governing board of the National...

Private sector growth slows in January

Private sector activity continued to expand in January, albeit at a slower pace, as the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) eased to 53.9 from the previous month.The moderation signals sustained growth momentum, though at a more measured rate amid softer global...

Prayer Timings _2026-02-09

Workers carry ballot papers for Dhaka's 20 constituencies

Workers carry ballot papers for Dhaka's 20 constituencies from Willes Little Flower School and College to deliver them to the concerned assistant returning officers on Sunday. — FE Photo

BD to buy 25 Boeing aircraft, deal with US today

The interim government has announced plans to purchase 25 new aircraft from US aerospace giant Boeing, a deal aimed at consolidating the country's export market in the United States, Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin said on Sunday,...

July-August movement to be completed thru Feb 12 polls

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday said the unfinished work of the July-August movement would be completed through the February 12 national elections.Addressing an election rally at the DIT Project playground in Dhaka's Badda area, he described the...

Tarique pledges 'safe Dhaka', 40 more playgrounds

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman promised on Sunday to build a "safe Dhaka" and add 40 playgrounds to the city if elected, reports bdnews24.com.He made the promises while speaking at a rally at the ECB Chattar in Mirpur under the Dhaka-17...