Govt takes strict security steps for free, fair polls

KHULNA, Feb 04 (BSS): Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday assured that the law and order situation remains fully under control ahead of the 13th national election, expressing confidence that the polls would be held in...

RU holds Div Youth Startup Summit

‘Rajshahi Divisional Youth Startup Summit 2026’ was held at the Rajshahi University (RU) to promote innovative thinking among young entrepreneurs and strengthen startup culture.The day-long event was jointly organised by YOUReach and DEIED.Held at Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium on the...

‘Strong institutions key amid economic uncertainties’

Bangladesh urgently needs competent and resilient institutions to navigate mounting global and domestic pressures, including geopolitical tensions and the imminent challenges of graduating from least developed country (LDC) status, prominent businessman Mahbubur Rahman has said.At a time of heightened uncertainty,...

BNP fails to field credible candidates in polls: Nahid

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Jamaat-led 11-party alliance candidate for the Dhaka-11 constituency Nahid Islam has said the BNP has failed to field any 'credible challenger' in the national election scheduled for February 12, reports UNB.Talking to reporters during...

IAB unveils 30-pt manifesto, vows to prioritise Shariah

Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) has unveiled its 30-point election manifesto, pledging to run the country by giving precedence to Shariah law in pursuit of what it described as 'permanent peace' and the 'total liberation of humanity,' reports bdnews24.com.The party said...

Ballot seals seized in Lakshmipur, Jamaat leader sued

LAKSHMIPUR, Feb 4 (UNB): Police have filed a case against two people, including a Jamaat-e-Islami leader, after seizing six illegally made ballot seals in Lakshmipur.The accused are Sourav Hossain Sharif, secretary of Jamaat's Ward No. 4 unit of Lakshmipur municipality...

July Charter written in blood: Ali Riaz

Prof Ali Riaz, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, said although the printed copies appear in black ink, every letter of the July National Charter was written with the blood of the people of Bangladesh.He made the remarks while speaking...

Dhaka-13 candidates pledge to combat terrorism, narcotics

Candidates of Dhaka-13 constituency have vowed to combat terrorism and narcotics, restore canals, and implement full digitalisation of public services. They made the commitments while speaking at a programme styled 'Electoral Manifesto Presentation and Announcement to Comply Electoral Code of...

Misusing religion to mislead people not acceptable: Fakhrul

THAKURGAON, Jan 4 (UNB): BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said that spreading confusion in the name of religion is unacceptable and has no place in proper politics."They speak in the name of Islam but deceive people,...

Survey signals high turnout, shifting votes

With the 13th national parliamentary election approaching, a new nationwide survey suggests that voters are not only paying close attention but are also prepared to turn out in large numbers. Nearly nine in ten respondents said they intend to cast...

EC postpones polls in Sherpur-3 after death of Jamaat candidate

SHERPUR, Feb 4 (BSS): The Election Commission (EC) has postponed the elections in Sherpur-3 (Shribordi-Jhenaigati) constituency following the death of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Nuruzzaman Badol. Sherpur District Returning Officer Tarafdar Mahmudur Rahman confirmed the development.Nuruzzaman Badol passed away in the...

Shab-e-Barat observed_

The Holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune, was observed throughout the country on Tuesday night with due religious fervour and devotion, reports BSS.On the occasion, Islamic Foundation chalked out programmes at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the city.The foundation...

Treasury bond yields slide as liquidity rises

The yield on two-year treasury bonds fell further on Tuesday as the central bank purchased an additional US$171 million from 16 banks, aiming to keep the exchange rate of the US dollar against the local currency stable.The cut-off yield, generally...

Appointment of Biman's MD Shafiqur revoked

The government has terminated the contractual appointment of Biman Bangladesh Airlines' Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman as he is now behind bars in relation to abuse of a minor housemaid at his residence....

BTRC drops plan to cut SIM limit to five

Bangladesh's telecom regulator has withdrawn a proposal to reduce the maximum number of SIM cards per national identity (NID) from 10 to five following opposition from two mobile operators, reigniting debate over regulatory neutrality and the competitive consequences of policy...

Govt's overall borrowing soars Tk 50.10b in Q1

The government's overall debt stock stood at Tk 21.49 trillion at the end of the first quarter (Q1) of the current fiscal year, up by less than 1.0 per cent from June 2025, according to data from the finance ministry.While...

BIMSTEC eyes greater maritime connectivity

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) aims to strengthen shipping connectivity and port infrastructure across the Bay of Bengal region.In this connection, a Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement was signed during the last Bangkok summit,...

Logistics policy gaps threaten trade competitiveness

As Bangladesh pushes to strengthen its trade and supply chains, long-standing weaknesses in how goods move across the country are coming under sharper scrutiny. From crowded ports to fragmented decision-making, logistics is increasingly seen as a quiet constraint on economic...

Foreign airliners make most of BD's aviation business as hosts falter

Passenger traffic on international routes from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka is rising steadily but domestic airlines' market share stays stymied at a modest 40 per cent amid a descent.The closure of several airlines over the past decades...

Prayer Timings _2026-02-05

Indefinite strike halts cargo movement at Ctg Port

Workers and employees at Chittagong Port are continuing their strike in protest against the government's initiative to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company, reports bdnews24.com.No work was under way on Wednesday as workers stayed away...

Economy to grow to $2.0t, per-capita income $10,000

Bangladesh's economy will grow to around US$2.0 trillion in size by 2040 with probable per-capita income around $10,000, Bangladesh Jamaat-e- Islami (BJI) pledges in its election manifesto. The party unveiled its election manifesto Wednesday with priority on 26 issues for...

BNP to make women self-reliant if voted to power: Tarique

BARISHAL, Feb 4 (UNB): BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said women would be made self-reliant if his party is voted to power in the national election.He said mothers and daughters would receive primary healthcare services at home without visiting...

Govt unwilling to avoid exposure of more unpalatable statistics

Worried about the possible erosion of public confidence in the banking sector and market reactions, the Financial Institutions Division (FID) insists on not doing the asset-quality review (AQR) of state-owned banks (SoBs) now. The review was proposed under the Financial...

BD stands to lose in EU, US mkts amid India tariff deals

Bangladesh is destined to face break-neck competition both in US and EU markets with India emerging as a major competitor with double advantages of Washington-proposed tariff cutback and trade deal with the 27-nation European bloc.Industry insiders and experts sound the...

BD, Japan to ink EPA tomorrow

In a historic move to safeguard its economic future, Bangladesh is set to sign a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (EPA) with Japan tomorrow.Titled Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (BJEPA), the agreement is a strategic "lifeline" designed to ensure continued duty-free access...

Future of cancer care in Bangladesh

Bangladesh must invest heavily in cancer research, innovation, AI-driven technologies -- Doulot Akter Mala shows how answers to cancers can be derived from latest know-how Once a frightening saying that 'cancer has no answer' no longer stands in today's world....

Precision oncology and cancer cure by immunotherapy

Every year 4th February is observed as the "World Cancer Day", adopted by Union for International Cancer Control UICC in 2000 at Paris World summit against cancer with the aim to create awareness, promote prevention and to reduce death from...

Why investment in oncology infrastructure is an economic imperative

Every year, approximately 482,000 Bangladeshis cross into India seeking medical treatment. Several hundred thousand more travel to Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Medical tourism outflows total US$4 to US$5 billion annually, with cancer treatment representing a substantial portion. Families liquidate agricultural...

Awareness, early cancer screening can save both lives and cost

The lack of awareness and delayed diagnosis are the biggest challenges for Bangladesh's fight against cancer, said Sakif Shamim, Managing Director of Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Centre. According to him, many of the patients come to the hospital...