Oil prices advance as US court blocks Trump tariffs

LONDON, May 29 (Reuters): Oil prices rose on Thursday after a U.S. court blocked most of President Donald Trump's tariffs, while the market was watching out for potential new U.S. sanctions curbing Russian crude flows and an OPEC+ decision on...

A trip to ancient Hajj gateway

As pilgrims from across the Muslim world have been congregating in the holy city of Makkah, many of them will try to explore some of the historical sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Their most desired destinations are...

Ziaur Rahman in the eyes of the masses

It is not the handful of vocal or partisan intellectuals, or bands of political activists ready to do or undo anything only to promote their own interests that ultimately determine the political course of a nation. Rather, in a democratic...

Strategic minds: AI or Human?

In the age of rapid technological advancement, the debate over whether strategic thinking is better suited to artificial intelligence or the human mind is more relevant than ever. AI has made impressive strides in fields such as data analysis, game...

Rawhide exports vs global value addition

As Eid-ul-Adha approaches, Bangladesh's leather sector finds itself at a critical juncture. The government's recent decision to temporarily lift the ban on raw leather exports primarily to support the underprivileged class which relies on rawhide collection during Eid, has once...

Economic indicators are far from bright

Some of the vital economic indicators that have come to light of late are far from encouraging. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) has been projected to grow at 3.97 per cent by the end of this fiscal year. This...

Opting for realistic budget targets

As the countdown to the national budget announcement begins, expectations for a realistic and targeted approach from the interim government rather than ambitious, sweeping promises would not be misplaced. Such a pragmatic stance is necessary, given the diverse and pressing...

Social dynamics of mobile financial services in BD

The proliferation of mobile financial services (MFS) in Bangladesh marks a transformative moment in the country's socio-economic and technological trajectory. Since the launch of bKash in 2011 and the subsequent rise of similar platforms like Rocket, Nagad, and Upay, Bangladesh...

Eid-ul-Azha on June 7-

The holy Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated in the country on June 7 as the moon of the holy month of Zilhaj of 1446 Hijri was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh on Wednesday, reports BSS.The decision came following a meeting...

Massive traffic congestion grips the capital

Massive traffic congestion grips the capital on Wednesday, as several political rallies were held along major thoroughfares, causing severe suffering for commuters. The photo was taken near the FDC area in Karwan Bazar. — FE Photo

Moderate quake shakes Dhaka, NE Bangladesh

A moderate earthquake rattled Dhaka and several other parts of the country in the early hours of Wednesday, causing momentary panic but no reported casualties.According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the tremor struck at 2:24am and measured 5.2 on...

Well-marked low over Bay may intensify

The low pressure area over the Northwest Bay and adjoining area intensified into a well-marked low over the same area. "It is likely to intensify further," said a Met office bulletin on Wednesday.Southwest monsoon has advanced up to Barishal, Chattogram,...

Stakeholders worried over draft telecom topology

Stakeholders in the telecommunications sector voiced on Wednesday their strong opposition to the draft telecom topology proposed by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), warning that the proposed network topology and licensing regime could compromise national security, favour foreign corporate...

BD youth unemployment rate will continue to be high: ILO

Youth unemployment in Bangladesh will continue to be high- more than double the national unemployment rate- with university graduates being the hardest hit, according to a report released on Wednesday by the International Labour Organization (ILO). "The global contraction of...

Employees to abstain from work for an hour every day until scrapped

Government officers and employees will observe a one-hour work abstention every day from today (Thursday) until the Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 is repealed.The work abstention programme will be observed from 10 am to 11 am every day, said Badiul...

MoF turns down request for $700m funds

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has turned down a request for US$700 million to pay outstanding electricity bills owed to India's Adani Power Ltd in a single instalment, sources said.Finance officials cited a lack of budgetary allocation for such payments...

Long holiday feared to cut 'export growth'

A Dhaka-based chamber has warned that export growth may be adversely affected in June 2025 due to the impact of a 10-day public holiday this Eid. A similar holiday in April, due to Eid-ul-Fitr, had already limited shipment growth, resulting...

Election in Bangladesh by June next year

TOKYO, May 28 (UNB): Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday told former Japanese Prime Minister and Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League President Taro Aso that the country's next national election would be held any time between December and June next...

Banks still shy away from spot market forex trade

Commercial banks still go slow in trading foreign exchange (forex) in the interbank spot market even during the current free-floating regime, which is increasing their net open position (NOP) significantly.Complying with a condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) given...

Prayer Timings (2025-05-29)

HC acquits Tarique, Zubaida in graft case

The High Court on Wednesday acquitted BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman of a corruption case filed on charge of amassing assets through illegal means and concealing information in their wealth statements.The High Court also annulled...

BD sees lower cost increase from tariff

Bangladeshi businesses have experienced a lower-than-average cost increase from tariffs and expect significantly smaller cost increases in both the short and long terms, according to HSBC's 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey.The survey, which gathered insights from over 5,700 international firms...

Election must be held by December

BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said that the next national election must be held by next December and urged his party members to gear up accordingly.He warned that his party will not accept any pretext or excuse to...

Maiden mango export to China initiates export diversification

Bangladesh Wednesday sent the maiden consignment of mangoes to China to open wider avenues of diversifying its export basket and enhance its trade on the vast market, officials said.Commerce Adviser of the interim government Sheikh Bashir Uddin and Chinese Ambassador...

New budget commutes trade penalties, cuts essentials’ taxes

Multiple trade-facilitation measures like corporate-tax variables to promote capital market, commuting penalties for trade offences and cut-down tax rates for pharmaceuticals and other essentials are envisaged in the new budget.The current interim government is set to cut corporate tax for...

Weather (2025-05-29)

Light to moderate rain/thunder showers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over...

World Menstrual Hygiene Day observed

The World Menstrual Hygiene Day was observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe on Wednesday with the theme 'together for a period friendly world'.Various organisations including Bangladesh Women Health Coalition (BHWC) held rallies, competitions and discussions to create...

July uprising survivors clash with NIOH staffers

Some July Uprising survivors and their relatives along with other patients were locked in a clash with staff members of the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) on the hospital premises in the capital on Wednesday.The confrontation, which began...

Govt mulls diverting it to develop hospitals

Despite signing a €250 million loan agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) in 2021 to procure Covid-19 vaccines, the health ministry has not received a single penny yet.Nearly four years later, the government is now considering repurposing the fund...

Three traders sent to jail for assaulting DU students

A Dhaka court has sent three traders of the capital's Chandni Chowk to jail after end of their one-day remand in a case lodged for assaulting and attempting to kill two students of Dhaka University (DU) for protesting eve-teasing at...