Choosing reform, remembering July, securing the Republic

On February 12, Bangladesh faces a question of profound historical importance one that goes beyond the usual trappings of election politics and into the very moral foundations of the republic itself. The people will not only elect their representatives; they...

Thirst in the land of plenty

North Bengal was once the proud granary of Bangladesh, but today it fights a silent battle for its very existence. Vast fields are there, but the water that breathes life into them has vanished. Beneath the surface, the water table...

Do we need a referendum for reform?

The proposed referendum on reforms has gained significant traction in recent days ahead of the election, as it is intended to be carried out simultaneously with the national polls.However, there are several questions surrounding this referendum-such as how many issues...

BR in need of electric traction for transition

The Bangladesh Railway (BR) continues to lag far behind global trends in railway electrification, despite adopting a formal policy more than a decade ago for transition from diesel-powered trains to electric traction. While many countries have successfully modernised their rail...

Developing advanced healthcare facilities at home

With fewer than one hospital bed available per 1,000 patients and still fewer doctors to attend them, the need for more hospital beds and healthcare professionals in the country has been a long-felt demand. Yet, progress in this important sector...

How it feels to visit Saint Martin after restriction

For the first time in recent memory, Saint Martin's Island has gone quiet long before the season's end. The last tourist vessel left the Teknaf jetty on a warm Friday afternoon, and by the next morning, the island's waters carried...

The University of Chankharpul adjudged 'Best Feature Film' at DIFF

'Power resides where men believe it resides. It's a trick, a shadow on the wall. And a very small man can cast a very large shadow.'If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you may remember Lord Varys, the Master of...

Geo-political storm triggers anxiety

The United States (US) has attacked Venezuela and deposed Nicolas Maduro — in Washington’s most direct intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama.The recent armed intervention in Venezuela has become the subject of discussion among countries all...

Weather (2026-01-20)

Weather may remain dry with partly cloudy sky in the next 24 hours from 06:00 am today (Tuesday). Light to moderate fog may occur at a few places during late night to morning. Temperature may remain unchanged.The highest temperature on...

Charges framed against 39

CHITTAGONG, Jan 19: A Chattogram court on Monday framed charges against 39 persons, including Chinmoy Krishna Das, in the murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.Judge Md Zahidul Haque of the Chattogram Speedy Trial Tribunal passed the order. The court...

Using achievements matters more, advisor tells graduates

CHITTAGONG, Jan 19: Using the achievements from university matters more than the achievements themselves, Education Advisor Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar said on Monday at the third convocation ceremony of Chittagong Independent University (CIU)."It's not what you achieve in university,...

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Foundation BD celebrates 10th Gold Award Ceremony 2026

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Foundation Bangladesh held its Gold Award Ceremony on Monday (19 January) at the residence of the British High Commissioner in the capital, says a press release. The event honoured 232 exceptional students from 13 leading...

Flower Festival 2026

A group of enthusiastic visitors taking selfies at the Flower Festival 2026 at the Ramna Park in the capital on Monday. The Public Works Department organised the 3-day event that ends today (Tuesday). — FE Photo by K Asad-Uz-Zaman

Owners to surrender all licensed firearms by Jan 31

The interim government directed the owners of all licensed firearms to surrender their arms to the nearest police stations by January 31 - ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election slated for February 12. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA)...

Shibir protests suspension of polls

The Dhaka metropolitan unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir staged a protest rally in the capital on Monday against the suspension of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Central Students' Union (SUCSU) and hall council elections.The procession began from...

HC suspends SUCSU polls

The High Court (HC) on Monday postponed Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Central Student Union (SUCSU) election slated for Tuesday, reports UNB.The HC bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Ashif Hasan passed the order after hearing...

EC using tactics to give BNP special privileges

Students Against Discrimination, the platform that led the July mass uprising, has accused the Election Commission (EC) of adopting tactics to provide special privileges to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).The allegation was made on Monday at a press conference held...

NCP goes for centralised crowdfunding

National Citizen Party (NCP) on Monday announced the launch of a centrally managed crowdfunding initiative ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election, seeking financial support directly from the public, reports UNB.Speaking at a press conference at the party's temporary office...

Islami Andolan withdraws its candidates to support Mamunul Haque

Islami Andolan has decided to withdraw its candidates from the Dhaka-13 and Bagerhat-1 constituencies and extend support to Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque in the upcoming parliamentary elections.Sources said the decision was taken as Mamunul Haque is contesting...

Nearly 25,000 polling centres classified as 'risky'

The government has identified more than 25,000 polling centres as "risky" ahead of the general election, reports bdnews24.com.The development was revealed by Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury after an advisor-level meeting on law and order on Monday.He said, "This time,...

ACC to sue JP leader Ranga over Tk 17m nomination scam

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to file a case against Jatiya Party (JP) leader Moshiur Rahman Ranga over allegations of taking bribes worth Tk 17 million in exchange for nominations in the 2018 national election.The commission has also decided...

JCD calls off sit-in in front of EC

The Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has called off its sit-in programme in front of the Election Commission (EC) headquarters after two consecutive days of protests. The decision came on Monday evening after the student wing of the BNP had...

EC will be able to conduct polls efficiently, Fakhrul hopes

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the Election Commission (EC) has so far been performing efficiently."We believe the Commission will be able to conduct the upcoming 13th national elections properly," he said while talking to journalists...

A delegation of the National Citizen Party (NCP) meets Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus

A delegation of the National Citizen Party (NCP) meets Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday. — Collected

US warns Bangladeshis on visa bond

The United States Embassy in Dhaka has warned Bangladeshi applicants not to pay any bond before attending their interview, as a new requirement for B1/B2 (business and tourist) visas comes into force from Wednesday.The embassy said on Monday that advance...

BD face deadline over refusal to play World Cup matches in India

NEW DELHI, Jan 19 (AFP): Cricket's governing body has told Bangladesh to agree to play their matches at next month's T20 World Cup in India or risk being kicked out of the tournament, reports said Monday.The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)...

Afghanistan keen to strengthen bilateral trade with BD

Afghanistan has shown interest in strengthening bilateral trade with Bangladesh, including importing readymade garments (RMG) and exporting cotton, dry fruits and various agricultural products.The attention was expressed at a meeting between Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman and Afghan Deputy Minister for...

Govt-contractor dispute may drag on for long

The dispute on the expensive Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) third-terminal project is likely to continue for long as the first phase of hearing on the allegations from the contractor's side has just completed.Sources say the dispute board members completed...

US seeks to work with all political parties for shared peace and prosperity

The US ambassador in Dhaka, the Canadian high commissioner and a delegation of the European Union countries met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman separately at his Gulshan office in the capital on Monday.Brent T. Christensen, the newly appointed US Ambassador to...

RMG exporters decry withdrawal of bonded warehouse facility

Leaders of the country's two main apparel trade bodies have blamed the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) for making a unilateral move to withdraw bonded-warehouse facilities on yarn imports.They warned that such a decision could push Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) industry...