H1 farm loan disbursement, recovery see robust growth

Agricultural loan activities in Bangladesh have seen significant growth in the first half of the FY 2025-26, with disbursement rising nearly 30 per cent and recoveries also climbing, pushing outstanding farm loans to over Tk 627 billion, official data shows.The...

BGB directed not to use lethal weapons during polls duty

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been directed not to use lethal weapons while performing security duties during the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and the referendum slated for February 12.Dhaka Sector Commander of BGB Colonel ASM Abul Ehsan made...

TIB calls draft media ordinances a 'mockery' of free press

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has criticised the draft National Media Commission and Broadcasting Commission Ordinances, calling them a "parting mockery" of public expectations for the development of free media.It highlighted that the demand for a unified, independent and effective media...

Third shipment of US wheat arrives at Ctg port

Another consignment of 58,359 metric tonnes (MTs) of wheat from the United States (US) has arrived at Chittagong Port.The vessel MV WF Artemis, carrying the wheat, docked at the outer anchorage of the country's premier seaport on Saturday, the Food...

BNP unveils ambitious digital economy plan

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has set out an expansive vision for transforming the country's digital economy, promising one million new jobs, affordable internet access for nearly the entire population and a cloud-first strategy to safeguard national data. Framed as...

Cost set to go down 12.59pc under ECNEC instructions

The long-awaited second refinery project is set for a major overhaul as the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) moves to rein in costs that had raised eyebrows at the highest levels of government.A revised proposal now seeks to cut...

Jamaat pledges unity govt if voted to power

CUMILLA, Jan 31 (UNB): Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said his party would invite rival political parties to take part in running the country if Jamaat comes to power with a parliamentary majority.Speaking at a rally at...

Tarique vows to take handloom products global

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged to take Bangladesh's handloom products to global markets, saying his party would launch export initiatives for the sector if it forms the government, reports bdnews24.com.Speaking at an election rally at the Bangladesh Small and...

BD economic growth modest 4.7pc in FY26, no better luck next

Bangladesh's economic growth may stay stymied to 4.7 per cent in the current fiscal year for elevated inflationary pressure and delays in financial and fiscal reforms, and there's no better luck next.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has come up with...

Some 330 int’l election observers confirmed

Six renowned international organisations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have agreed to deploy at least 63 observers to oversee Bangladesh's 13th general election and referendum on the July National Charter on February 12, in addition to a host...

Lenders stare at Tk 6.46b loss after bank merger

At least five financial institutions risk losing assets following the recent bank merger, as shares held as collateral for loans they disbursed have been valued at zero.IFIC Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Southeast Bank and National Housing Finance together...

Ctg port moves four as strike over NCT deal hits activities

Following a work stoppage at the Chittagong Port, four employees who led protests against the leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign operators transferred to the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal in Dhaka's Keraniganj.An office order on Saturday...

Weather may remain dry today-01-02-2026

Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country until 6:00 pm today (Sunday), according to the Met office.Light to moderate fog may occur at places over the country during late night to morning.Night and day temperature...

Prof Dr. Mohammad Zoynal Abedin, vice-chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology,

Prof Dr. Mohammad Zoynal Abedin, vice-chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur, speaking at the two-day 3rd International Conference of Mechanical Manufacturing and Process Engineering (ICMMPE 2026) on the university campus on Friday.

Much-hyped grand finale of Entrepret Season 3 organised by North South University YES Club

Much-hyped grand finale of Entrepret Season 3 organised by North South University YES Club was held at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in the city on Thursday, bringing together the country's brightest inter-university entrepreneurial talents. Entrepret Season 3 was presented...

Hajj visa applications thru Nusak Masar to continue from Feb 8 until Mar 20

FE REPORT Bangladeshi intending Hajj 2026 pilgrims could submit their visa applications through Nusak Masar platform from February 8 until March 20 this year.Nusak Masar is the official Saudi platform for booking Hajj packages, mandatory for international pilgrims to obtain...

Prelim round of Chemistry Olympiad held at RU

RU CorrespondentAs in previous years, the preliminary round of the 15th Bangladesh Chemistry Olympiad 2026 for students of the Rajshahi region was held at Rajshahi University (RU), organised under the initiative of the Bangladesh Chemical Society.The Department of Chemistry, University...

Rising custodial deaths, mob violence to jeopardise July Uprising spirit

FE REPORTSpeakers at a symposium on Saturday expressed concern that rising custodial deaths and incidents of mob violence during the regime of the interim government are putting the spirit of the July Uprising at risk.They warned that if mob violence...

Education Adviser Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar addressing as the chief guest the national round

Education Adviser Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar addressing as the chief guest the national round of "Bangladesh Economics Olympiad- 2026" at the Dhaka University Senate Bhaban on Saturday. — Photo PID

Govt moves to clean rivers and canals surrounding Dhaka

The interim government has taken up an initiative to clean rivers and canals surrounding Dhaka city as the World Bank (WB) is expected to provide US$370 million worth of fund shortly, officials said.Under the move, eight relevant government agencies would...

EC receives postal ballots from 140,000 expats

Nearly 140,000 postal ballots cast by expatriate Bangladeshis have reached the country ahead of the 13th parliamentary polls scheduled for February 12, reports bdnews24.com.Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the Election Commission's (EC) OCV-SDI project, said by 3:30pm on Friday,...

15 injured in BNP-Jamaat clash in Bhola during poll campaign

At least 15 people have been injured in a clash between supporters of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami during election campaigning in Bhola's Borhanuddin upazila, reports bdnews24.com.The violence broke out in Tobgi union's Mulaipattan village on Saturday morning, according to Borhanuddin...

Jamaat urges govt, EC to act against attacks

FE REPORT Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) has called upon the interim government and the Election Commission (EC) to take steps to stop attacks on the party activists including women across the country by a particular party.It also called upon the government...

BNP-fielded candidate Ishraque Hossain waving to local residents with a smile while carrying

BNP-fielded candidate Ishraque Hossain waving to local residents with a smile while carrying out mass contact in his electoral constituency Dhaka-6 on Saturday. — Focus Bangla

Hasnat pledges to make his constituency free from extortion

CUMILLA, Jan 31 (BSS): Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer (southern region) of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and 11-party alliance candidate for the Cumilla-4 constituency, has pledged to make his Debidwar constituency free from drugs and extortion."Politics must get rid of...

Khulna JS seats to see stiff contests bewteen BNP and Jamaat

KHULNA, Jan 31(BSS): As campaigning intensifies ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, a competitive race is unfolding across Khulna Division, where major opposition parties-Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami are set for direct contests in most constituencies.A total...

Enforced disappearance is ‘more than death’

Former Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, former chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, has described enforced disappearance as a severe human rights violation, calling it ‘more than death,’ reports BSS."An enforced disappearance is indeed more than death. In...

Swechchhasebak Dal leader killed in 'BNP factional clash' in N'ganj

NARAYANGANJ, Jan 31 (UNB): A leader of Swechchhasebak Dal has been killed in a BNP 'factional clash' in Trishkania of Kanchan municipality in Rupganj upazila.The deceased is Azhar Uddin (48), senior vice-president of the Swechchhasebak Dal's Ward No. 9 unit.Three...

This election crucial for fulfilling people's expectation: Sanaullah

BHOLA, Jan 31 (BSS): Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah said the upcoming election is not merely a procedural exercise; it is meant to meet the expectations of the people and safeguard national and social stability.He made these remarks while...

Don't support those who use religion in politics: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged voters not to support those who use religion in politics, report agencies.He is contesting the Thakurgaon-1 constituency in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad parliamentary election,Fakhrul made the comment while speaking at an...