DSCC ramps up drives for clean, climate-resilient city: Administrator

The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has undertaken a series of initiatives to build a clean, climate-resilient and citizen-friendly city, its Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam said on Thursday, reports UNB.Presenting a summary of activities carried out from February...

Dhaka pays tributes to former Algerian president Zéroual

The Embassy of Algeria in Dhaka hosted a condolence book signing on Thursday, attended by ambassadors, high commissioners, foreign ministry officials, and members of civil society. They expressed deep sympathy and solidarity with Algeria, honouring the country's former president Liamine...

Fuel shortage hits pumps despite adequate stock

A worsening fuel shortage at petrol pumps in the capital has left motorists stranded in long queues, even as authorities insist that the country has adequate fuel stock and continue nationwide drives against illegal hoarding.Visits to several filling stations in...

Adani power agreement under review, minister tells JS

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said on Thursday that the power- purchase agreement signed in 2017 with Adani Power Limited was currently under review.He disclosed it during the question-and-answer session of the Jatiya Sangsad, in...

NBR selects 600 firms for automated VAT audit

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has selected 600 businesses for value-added tax (VAT) audits through a fully automated system, aiming to ensure greater transparency in the process.In a press release, the revenue authority said it has introduced an Automated...

Rail links with Sylhet restored after 17 hrs

HABIGANJ, Apr 2 (UNB): Rail communications between Sylhet and the rest of the country resumed on Thursday afternoon, after 17 hours of suspension following the derailment of an oil-laden train in Habiganj. Noapara Railway Station Master Md Monir Hossain said...

Lofty goal of leapfrogging Dhaka's nagging traffic jam goes unfulfilled

Fifteen years have elapsed since the launch of its works but Dhaka Elevated Expressway (DEE) still lies incomplete and eventually fails the mission of Bangladesh's maiden infrastructure megaproject under public-private partnership (PPP) meant to mitigate the crammed city's traffic congestion.Analysts...

Potato exports rise, but farmers struggle as prices plunge

Bangladesh's potato exports are rising, but farmers continue to face losses as domestic prices remain at historic lows.According to the Plant Quarantine Wing under the agriculture ministry, exports reached 45,400 tonnes during the July-March period of the current fiscal year...

Prayer Timings _2026-04-03

All shops to shut by 8pm

Against the backdrop of the global instability triggered by the ongoing war in the Middle East, the Bangladesh Shop Owners' Association (BSOA) has decided to close all shops, commercial outlets and shopping malls across the country by 8:00 pm to...

12kg LPG cylinder price leaps by Tk 387

The price of a 12kg cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has seen the highest hike in a month as the energy regulator has raised it by 28.85 per cent, or Tk 387, to Tk 1,728 for April from the...

Ensure priority fuel supply to safeguard connectivity, says AMTOB

The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) has urgently called on the government to ensure priority fuel supply and stable electricity for telecom infrastructure, warning that any prolonged shortage could disrupt nationwide connectivity and cripple the country's digital...

16 ordinances set to lapse, repeal of four recommended

A recommendation has been made to introduce bills for the repeal and preservation of four ordinances. These include the National Parliament Secretariat (Interim Special Provisions) Ordinance, the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, 2025, and the...

Four more die of measles, 26 new cases

At least four more patients have died from measles in the past 24 hours, with 26 new cases confirmed across the country amid a worsening outbreak, according to health authorities.In a bulletin issued on Thursday, the Directorate General of Health...

Iran fires missiles at Israel, Gulf neighbours

DUBAI, UAE, Apr 2 (AP): Iran fired more missiles at Israel and Gulf Arab states Thursday, demonstrating Tehran's continued ability to attack even as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the threat from the country was nearly eliminated and predicted the...

March posts 18.07pc negative growth

Merchandise-export earnings of Bangladesh have been on a climb-down for eight consecutive months with the single-month tally for last March having registered an 18.07-percent year-on-year negative growth.In March 2026, Bangladesh received US$3.48 billion in export earnings which was US$4.28 billion...

Extra Tk 45b sought to foot bloated LNG-import bills only for April

Ballooning energy cost overruns set budget amid the Gulf crisis as a hefty subsidy worth around Tk 45 billion or US$370 million is sought only to meet LNG-import bills for a single month of April.Officials say the state-run Petrobangla has...

Indian painting sells for record $17.9 million

MUMBAI, Apr 02 (AFP): An Indian oil painting by celebrated 19th century artist Raja Ravi Varma has sold for a record $17.9 million at auction in Mumbai, the highest price ever paid for a modern Indian artwork.Mumbai-based auction house Saffronart...

Sweden to invest $900m to boost drone defence

STOCKHOLM, Apr 02 (AFP): Sweden's government announced Thursday that it was investing more than $900 million in air and drone defence capabilities.The investment would cover multiple systems, such as radar and anti-aircraft weapons systems as well as electronic warfare platforms.The...

Major earthquake in Indonesia kills one, sparks panic

MANADO, Apr 02 (AFP): A major 7.4-magnitude quake struck off the coast of eastern Indonesia on Thursday, killing one person, damaging buildings and sending people running into the streets in panic.The early-morning tremor in the Molucca Sea between the Sulawesi...

Pakistan, Afghanistan hold talks in China to end conflict

ISLAMABAD/KABUL, Apr 02 (Reuters): Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding talks in China to try to end the worst conflict between the South Asian neighbours since Taliban returned to power in 2021, both sides said on Thursday. Senior officials from both...

Macron heads to S Korea after Japan visit

TOKYO, Apr02 (AFP): French President Emmanuel Macron left Japan on Thursday bound for fellow US ally South Korea, a day after praising Europe's "predictability" in an apparent swipe at Donald Trump over the Iran war.In Japan, Macron signed a roadmap...

Putin, Saudi prince seek more efforts to end Iran war

MOSCOW, Apr 02 (AFP): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for intensifying political and diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East war during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Facing isolation from the West after sending...

Farmers set up shallow pumps to drain out water in a waterlooged haor area

Farmers set up shallow pumps to drain out water in a waterlooged haor area in Sunamganj district on Thursday -FE Photo

Missing twin brothers found 'hiding' in Gazipur to avoid madrasa studies

SIRAJGANJ, Apr 02 (UNB): Two twin brothers were rescued from Gazipur three days after they went missing from Sirajganj, police said, adding that they had left home to avoid continuing their studies at a madrasah.The boys-Russell and Rashedul, both 11-are...

More Boro fields go under water in Sunamganj haors

SYLHET, Apr 02: More Boro paddy fields have been submerged in vast haor areas of Sunamganj district in the past 24 hours for the fresh spell of waterlogging triggered by consecutive days of incessant rainfall and runoff from the upper...

Diesel supply shortage hits Boro irrigation in N-region

RAJSHAHI, Apr 02: Farmers across northern Bangladesh are becoming increasingly concerned about irrigating their Boro paddy fields as a severe diesel shortage disrupts irrigation activities during the peak time of the cultivation.With limited fuel supplies at filling stations, many farmers...

Italy's football chief resigns after another World Cup failure

ROME, Apr 02 (Reuters): Italian soccer federation (Figc) president Gabriele Gravina resigned on Thursday, in the wake of the national team's failure to qualify for a third straight World Cup.Gravina, in charge of the Figc since 2018, had been urged...

'Batting for Change (B4C) Cricket Tournament 2026'

Boys and girls share the pitch at the 'Batting for Change (B4C) Cricket Tournament 2026' in Jaldhaka. The initiative was organised by Plan International Bangladesh in collaboration with local partner ESDO, highlighting gender equality and youth leadership

UEFA chief Ceferin warns Italy could lose Euro 2032 without stadium improvements

ROME, Apr 02 (AFP): UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin warned that Italy risks not being able to co-host Euro 2032 with Turkey due to the condition of the country's stadiums, which he called "some of the worst in Europe".Italy last hosted...