Toward a competitive, equitable, & resilient Bangladesh

Bangladesh has emerged as one of Asia's impressive development stories. Once mired in poverty and disaster vulnerability, the country has posted decades of steady economic growth, halved poverty, and made notable gains in human development. Its ascent is particularly striking...

Should age decide who runs a bank?

Bangladesh Bank has recently tightened its rules for appointing Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers (MD/CEOs) of banks. Among the new requirements, one stands out: a minimum age of 45 years. While well-intentioned, this restriction raises serious questions. Is age...

Weather (2025-09-02)

Light to moderate rain accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna and Barishal divisions and at a few places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions until 6:00 pm today (Tuesday)....

BAF observes martyrdom anniversary of Bir Uttam Bashar

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) observed the 49th martyrdom anniversary of Bir Uttam Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Khademul Bashar, former chief of air staff; and Squadron Leader Mofijul Haque on Monday with due dignity and solemnity, an ISPR press statement says.Air...

Dengue: over 500 new cases with no death

A total of 39 people died from dengue, while 10,496 cases were reported in August, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).In July, there were 10,684 dengue patients and health authorities reported 41 deaths. In the past 24...

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Foundation BD holds AGM

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Foundation Bangladesh held its annual general meeting (AGM) 2025 on Sunday at the Standard Chartered Bank head office, Dhaka, according to a press release.The meeting brought together the Board of Trustees (BoT) to review the...

Circular soon to recruit 17,000 assistant teachers in govt primary schools

The government will soon publish circular for recruitment of approximately 17,000 assistant teachers in the primary schools, according to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME). The ministry has formed an eight-member committee for recruiting the government teachers. It...

Time has come to ensure overall social protection without excuse

Planning Advisor Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud inaugurated the three-day 'National Conference on Social Protection' at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital on Monday. The event brings together the stakeholders representing ministries, development partners, civil society, academia, and private sector...

SC stays HC order, polls back on Sep 9

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday stayed a High Court (HC) order, which earlier on the day had) suspended the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election until 30 October, allowing the long-awaited polls to proceed...

BCL leader Siam on remand in murder attempt case

A Dhaka court has placed the organising secretary of the banned student organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Siam Rahman on one-day remand in a case lodged over attempt to murder of Chhatra Dal leader Ariful Islam, reports BSS.Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate...

No scope to postpone national polls: Asif Nazrul

There is no scope to postpone the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election scheduled to be held in early February next, said Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, report agencies."According to the government's declaration, the national election will be held by February....

Shibir unveils 36-point manifesto

Marking the historic 36 days of the July Uprising, the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed 'Oikkoboddho Shikharthi Jote' (United Student Alliance) has unveiled a 36-point manifesto for the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election.The manifesto includes six urgent priorities to...

Nur shifted to cabin after health condition improves

The physical condition of Gono Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur has improved as he was shifted from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to a cabin at Dhaka Medical College (DMCH) Hospital on Monday.Director of DMCH Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman briefed...

'Little progress' frustrates reform commissions

More than a year into the tenure of the interim government, members and chairmen of various reform commissions expressed deep frustration over the lack of visible progress.They said their work has largely been confined to submitting reports with little meaningful...

US govt doesn’t back any particular political party

The Election Commission (EC) has pledged to take all possible measures to curb the use of undisclosed money in the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said."We may not be able to completely stop...

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with senior leaders paying tributes to party founder

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with senior leaders paying tributes to party founder and late President Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Monday, marking the party's 47th founding...

NBR official Mitu suspended over misconduct in record handover

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Monday suspended its official Jannatul Ferdous Mitu and made her an officer on special duty, as assistant tax commissioner of Tax Zone-5, Dhaka, following allegations of serious misconduct in handling over confidential documents.An...

Rongdhanu Group owner’s assets seized

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has seized assets worth Tk 330 million, including a luxury hotel owned by Rafiqul Islam, proprietor of owner's assets seized on charges of fraud, forgery, and laundering funds.The seizure, carried out under a court order,...

Academic environment, student union poll process in disarray

Three major university campuses outside Dhaka continue to witness intensifying unrest in recent times, seriously disrupting regular academic activities and student-union-election process.Several incidents of clashes have taken place in the last few days, a cause for grave concern, as student...

ACC to sue Putul, 34 others in Tk 4.48b embezzlement case

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to file a case against Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and 34 others.They are accused of embezzling Tk 4.48 billion through a fake organisation called Suchona Foundation, which collected...

BNP rises like a phoenix after repeated destruction threats, says Fakhrul

Time and again the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has faced threats of being destroyed, but it has risen like a phoenix bird, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Monday.He told the media after paying tributes to party founder...

BD seeks $1.5b from AIIB to strengthen climate policies

Bangladesh has sought US$1.5 billion in credit from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) under its climate policy-based budget-support programme, officials said.The proposed budget support aims to strengthen climate policies as part of government measures for pursuing sustainable development objectives.As...

Remittances up 8.9pc to $2.42b in August

Bangladesh received $2.42 billion in remittances in August 2025, an 8.9-percent increase from $2.22 billion in August 2024, reflecting a steady growth in migrant workers' contributions.According to Bangladesh Bank (BB) data, cumulative inflows reached over $4.9 billion during July-August in...

Vanilla may become BD's new cash crop soon

Vanilla could soon become a new cash crop for Bangladesh as six years of research by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has confirmed its feasibility under local weather conditions.Vanilla beans are one of the world's most expensive spices, widely...

Prayer Timings (2025-09-02)

Post-LDC graduation pressure among structural challenges for economy: Experts

Experts have identified five long-standing structural challenges facing Bangladesh's economy, cautioning that these could undermine the country's growth prospects.The five challenges are post-least developed country (LDC) graduation pressure, lack of diversification, inefficient trade facilitation, low investment, and weak global value-chain...

Steelmakers struggle amid demand slump

Steelmakers across Bangladesh struggle to keep afloat mainly for demand slump amid economic slowdown, political uncertainly and sluggish construction works especially in public sector, insiders say and seek remedies.They have said large-scale millers have substantially scaled down price as a...

Afghan earthquake kills 800, injures at least 2,800

One of Afghanistan's worst earthquakes killed more than 800 people and injured at least 2,800, authorities said on Monday, as helicopters ferried the wounded to hospital after they were plucked from the rubble of homes being combed for survivors, reports...

Economists, elites deplore stalling of pledged reforms

Economists and elites deplored the stalling of the post-uprising interim government's reform agenda, despite months of pledges and discussions, as they grouped in a watchdog on reforms. Bangladesh Reform Watch (BRW) was launched at a meet organised by the Citizens'...

CA advises streamlining army role in assisting civil admin

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has stressed streamlining the current army role along with a clearly defined command structure and close coordination among all forces in the lead-up to the forthcoming elections.The direction from the head of post-uprising government was...