Drought, water crisis threaten food security in N-region

RAJSHAHI, Nov 12: Bangladesh's northern districts-particularly Rajshahi, Naogaon, and Chapainawabganj-are facing an escalating water crisis that now threatens the country's overall food security. Declining rainfall, rising temperatures, and falling groundwater levels are putting the nation's key grain-producing region under severe...

Rise of a tech-dependent generation

Today's youth-Gen Z, Alpha, and the emerging Beta generation-are often hailed as extremely smart. They seem to have mastered every corner of modern technology. But is that really true? Does being able to use the latest gadgets or apps equate...

Ensure timely delivery of textbooks

It is disheartening to know that with just two months left before the new academic year, printing for nearly 210 million secondary-level textbooks has yet to begin. Past delays due to irregularities, corruption and tender-related complications hampered curriculum implementation and...

Tackling water scarcity in Barind tracts

That ground water table is falling dangerously low is a major worry for the country. This has been going on over the last few decades and experts have been repeatedly sounding alarms. Over-extraction to meet the growing need of an...

Beyond Bangladesh's graduation from LDC

At a time when a high-level United Nations (UN) team arrives in Dhaka to discuss Bangladesh's progress for graduation from its least developed country (LDC) status to a developing nation, Japan brings off a tariff reform allowing continuation of the...

Helping citizens share responsibility for democratic climate adaptation

Climate change is not only an environmental or scientific problem; it is fundamentally a social, ethical, and political challenge. Dr Chloe Lucas, an environmental social scientist at the University of Tasmania, approaches this complexity through her pioneering project titled "Helping...

Treason case against Hasina, 285 others ready for trial

A Dhaka court on Tuesday ordered the transfer of a sedition case filed against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others to the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court as the case is now ready for trial, reports BSS.The case...

NCP seeks alliance with reformists, anti-Indian hegemony forces, says Hasnat

National Citizens Party (NCP) wants to form an alliance with those who independently support reforms and oppose Indian hegemony, said party's chief coordinator for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah on Tuesday, reports UNB.Speaking at the inauguration of the Narayanganj district...

AL using looted money to create anarchy in country: Rizvi

RAJSHAHI, Nov 11 (BSS): BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed has said Awami League is now using the looted money to unleash a reign of terror in the country. "The looted money from Bangladesh Bank, Padma...

EC bans posters in national polls

The Election Commission (EC) has banned the use of posters for electioneering in the upcoming 13th National Election, likely to be held in February next year, as part of sweeping reforms to campaign regulations. "This is a fundamental change. The...

Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain speaking at a press conference

BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office in the city on Tuesday. — Focus Bangla

Weather (2025-11-12)

Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country in the next 24 hours from 06:00 am today (Wednesday), according to the Met Office. Day and night temperature may fall slightly over the country.The highest temperature in...

Three more die of dengue in 24 hours

Three more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours until Tuesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 318 this year, reports UNB.During the period, 912 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever,...

DNCC to provide its services on Nagorik Sheba platform

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday to integrate DNCC services into the government's online Nagorik Seba (Citizen Services) platform.DNCC Secretary Mohammad Asaduzzaman and Joint...

No panic, tight security for Nov 13: DMP chief

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Tuesday urged city residents not to panic over the Awami League's announced 'lockdown' programme scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday), assuring that stringent security measures are in place across the capital, reports...

'July Oikka' announces counter programmes in response to AL's blockade

In response to the Awami League's (AL) blockade programme, centring on the verdict of Sheikh Hasina's case at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on November 13, 'July Oikka' has announced a series of counter programmes.The announcement came from a press...

Two-day int'l confce on economics, business, tech management Nov 14-15

The School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SBE) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) will host the International Conference on Economics, Business and Technology Management (ICEBTM 2025) on November 14-15 at The Westin Dhaka.Themed "Sustainability-Focused Industry Trends in Global Research," the conference...

Govt extends armed forces' magistracy power till Feb 28, 2026

The government has extended the magistracy power granted to commissioned officers of the armed forces with the rank of captain, equivalent, or above till February 28, 2026 from today (Wednesday), reports BSS.Additionally, the magistracy power has been extended to officers...

Police personnel check vehicles in the Ramna area

Police personnel check vehicles in the Ramna area of the capital on Tuesday ahead of the banned Awami League's "Dhaka Lockdown" programme, which is scheduled for November 13. - FE Photo

Yield on 5-yr bonds soars

The yield on five-year treasury bonds rose significantly on Tuesday as banks were reluctant to invest surplus funds in government securities, aiming to manage their portfolios more cautiously ahead of the national election.The cut-off yield, generally known as interest rate,...

Malancha Paribahan bus set on fire in city

A bus operated by Malancha Paribahan was set on fire in the capital's Sutrapur area on Tuesday evening.It was set ablaze around 6:00pm, marking the ninth vehicle arson incident in just two days (Monday and Tuesday).According to eyewitnesses, the bus...

Gold prices go up again

Within just 24 hours, Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has once again increased gold prices in the local market, this time by Tk 4,188 per bhori. With the latest adjustment, the price of 22-carat gold now stands at Tk 2,08,471 per...

SC verdict on restoration of caretaker govt November 20

Apex court's judgment on appeal petitions seeking restoration of the abolished system of election-time caretaker government is set for November 20, amid expectations for breakthroughs in election-centric crises in Bangladesh.The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court Tuesday concluded hearings on...

Ex-land minister Saifuzzaman, 18 others sued

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed four separate cases against former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and 18 others, accusing them of embezzling Tk 316.9 million through approving bank loans in the name of nonexistent companies.The cases were lodged on Tuesday...

8-party joint rally gridlocks Dhaka

Traffic in the capital came to a standstill on Tuesday after eight like-minded parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, organised a joint rally in the Purana Paltan area.Crowds began pouring into the area around 1:00pm, spilling over onto nearby...

Volatile credit supply besets blue economy

Bangladesh's blue-economy-sector financing continues to crumble, reflecting an inconsistent flow of credit and a lack of bankable projects in the country's vast marine and coastal areas.According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank, the total outstanding loans in the...

OBUs can now extend trade loans via ADs of other banks

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has amended the key provisions of its directive on Offshore Banking Units (OBUs) of scheduled banks, aiming to facilitate the country's foreign trade, officials say.On Tuesday, it issued a notification amending the OBU guidelines, originally released...

Prayer Timings (2025-11-12)

Government to be held solely liable for any move beyond July Charter: BNP

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has cautioned that any decision taken by the interim government beyond the scope of the July National Charter will be the government's sole liability.Addressing an emergency press briefing on Tuesday, BNP standing committee members said...

Elections only on July Charter legal framework, or movement

No national elections in the country unless the legal foundation of the July National Charter is given, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami warned Tuesday from a mass rally. From the Dhaka rally, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman asserted: "There will be no elections...