Rohingya repatriation still remains a far cry

As Bangladesh solemnly marks the eighth anniversary of the Rohingya influx today (August 25), the overarching truth is clear: repatriation remains uncertain, even as new waves of displacement swell the camps, humanitarian lifelines disappear, and regional diplomacy stalls, said experts....

Doctor says he was offered 'Singapore trip' to alter Abu Sayed's post-mortem

A doctor has testified that he was offered the chance to travel to Singapore or Thailand in exchange for altering the post-mortem report of Abu Sayed, a student who was killed during last year's July Uprising, reports bdnews24.com.On Sunday, Dr...

Bhogra-Purbachal section of bypass expressway opened

GAZIPUR, Aug 24 (BSS): Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan today inaugurated the 18-kilometre Dhaka Bypass Expressway from Bhogra in Gazipur to Purbachal section.The expressway has been constructed under the project of upgrading Joydevpur-Debgram-Bhulta-Madanpur (Dhaka bypass) road...

HC orders BB to act on reinstatement of 547 staff

The High Court (HC) on Sunday directed the Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor to promptly consider the application submitted by 547 dismissed employees of Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC seeking reinstatement in their jobs.The court also issued a rule asking the respondents...

Ctg city to get new bus terminal by Feb

CHATTOGRAM, Aug 24: After more than three decades, Chattogram city will get a new bus terminal at Kulgaon in Hathazari, with the city corporation planning to finish it by January 2026 and start operations in February.The last time the port...

NCC meets with experts over implementing July Charter

The National Consensus Commission (NCC) on Sunday held a meeting with experts including the Law Adviser and Attorney General to discuss the ways and means of implementing the July National Charter.The meeting was held at the Foreign Service Academy, according...

Eid-e-Miladunnabi on September 6

The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, which marks the anniversary of the birth and passing of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM), will be observed across the country on September 6 with due religious solemnity, reports BSS.The decision was made at the meeting of the...

BD needs $42b investment by 2040, says CPD

Bangladesh will need an additional 18,162 megawatts (MW) of renewable power capacity by 2030 to reach a 20 per cent share of total power capacity, and 35,713 MW by 2040 to achieve a 30 per cent share, according to research...

Next govt likely to decide on LDC graduation: Dr. Manzur

The interim government is committed to ensuring on-time graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status, for which a number of expert committees are working, said Dr. Monzur Hossain, a member of General Economic Division of the Planning Commission."The decision...

Ishaq Dar pays a courtesy call on BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar pays a courtesy call on BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence in Dhaka on Sunday. — Focus Bangla Photo

CA stresses revitalising regional ties thru SAARC

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday at the State Guest House Jamuna.The two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties, boosting trade, youth-to-youth exchanges,...

BPDB seeks 'clear directive' from Power Division

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has sought a "clear directive" from the Power Division to decide on the fate of 34 solar power plants, officials said.The BPDB in a recent letter sought the directive after its board of directors...

Prayer Timings (2025-08-25)

BB raises paid-up capital limit for digital bank

Bangladesh Bank increased the paid-up capital requirement to establish a digital bank in the country on Sunday. According to the latest order by the central bank, at least Tk 3.0 billion in paid-up capital, which is 140 per cent higher...

HC upholds freezing of 191 bank accounts of Summit boss, family members

The High Court upheld an order freezing 191 bank accounts held by Summit Group Chairman Aziz Khan, his family members, and associates on Sunday, rejecting a writ petition they had filed.The High Court upheld the lower court's order freezing bank...

Five reform projects not taken up for execution in 2 months

The Planning Division will sit with the relevant state agencies today (Monday) to brainstorm as to why implementation of five projects aiming to reform key government agencies could not be begun even nearly two months after getting approval. The projects...

Wartime issues settled twice earlier, says Pak FM

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the unresolved issues between Bangladesh and Pakistan surrounding the 1971 war were already settled twice.Speaking to journalists Sunday at a hotel in Dhaka after a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh interim...

BD, Pak agree to move forward reactivating frozen ties

Bangladesh and Pakistan agree to move forward strengthening previously strained bilateral relations as the two countries Sunday signed six instruments of cooperation following talks in Dhaka. At the same time, the two sides have also agreed to continue discussions on...

Bangladesh emerging as Chinese firms' investment destination

Bangladesh seems rapidly emerging as an investment hub for Chinese manufacturers seeking to diversify production bases to tide over high tariffs imposed by the United States on Chinese goods.Such change of fortune is in sight as a number of companies...

GADGETS & SERVICES _2025-08-25

Gartner recognizes Huawei's SD-WAN solutionfor 5 consecutive yearsHuawei has been recognised for the fifth consecutive time with the Customers' Choice distinction by Gartner for its Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) Solution. On the Gartner® Peer Insights™ platform, Huawei SD-WAN earned...

The silent revolution powering the future of your phone

Forget battery anxiety. A new wave of innovation promises devices that last for days, charge in minutes, and are safer than ever before.For all the wonders of our modern smartphones-the dazzling foldable screens, AI-powered cameras, and ultra-fast 5G-the battery remains...

Fibre Optic Bank to power high-speed future

Bangladesh gears up for one of its most ambitious digital projects yet, which is meant for making things unthinkably faster. It is to create a national digital platform called Fibre Optic Bank. The innovation plan is simple but radical-pool thousands...

Financial Inclusion: driving inclusive growth

Bangladesh’s journey toward financial inclusion has become a hallmark of development-driven central banking in South Asia. The first part of the article (published on August 23) outlines the progress: developing the inclusive regulatory frameworks, promoting digital financial innovations, and aligning...

When politics threatens merit

Bangladesh is on the brink of a technological revolution. From infrastructure to energy and digital innovation, engineers will play a decisive role in shaping this future. Yet, a troubling divide threatens the integrity of the profession - the politicisation of...

Generation Alpha: Highly sensitive

Generation Alpha, born roughly between 2012 and 2025, represents today's youngest children. Though aged 10-13, many display behaviors that feel inconsistent with their age - alternating between confidence and deep insecurity, often labelled as "overly sensitive."Several factors contribute to this...

Decentralisation and standardisation of school education

When all roads lead to one destination, the consequent rush is unavoidable. In Dhaka, usually the commercial or administrative hubs are located at a stone's throw distance. Then the stadiums too are destinations of sport-enthusiastic fans, particularly on mega sports...

Food price, inflation defy reason

Inflation rate in Bangladesh, which was 8.55 per cent in July, marked a 0.07 percentage point increase from that of June. However, the government in its budget for FY2025-26 expressed the hope that the inflation rate could be brought down...

Urgency of listing SOEs on stock market

Listing profitable state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and multinational companies (MNCs) on the stock market can bring multifarious benefits provided that the job is done in a substantive and meaningful way. First of all, it can remedy the lack of market depth,...

Regarding the Trump-Putin Alaska meeting

Alaska, which is located northwest of the US mainland, is the closest point where Russia and the US are neighbours. Originally inhabited by indigenous Americans, the region was first colonised by the old Russian empire in the 18th century. Due...

BPC pipeline pledges reliable & efficient fuel supply

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) finally started its commercial operation for transporting fuel oil (diesel) from Chattogram (Padma Oil Company's dispatch terminal at Guptakhal, Patenga) to Dhaka (Godnail, Narayanganj) with its 249.42 km long pipeline. Energy Adviser Mohammad Fauzul Kabir Khan...