A modern solution to traffic jam

One of the most feasible solutions to the problem of traffic congestion in Bangladesh is the use of smart traffic control systems. Unlike the traditional fixed-timer traffic signals that are being used, smart systems operate on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and...

May Day and a call for labour reforms

May Day, also known as International Workers' Day, is a day of recognition and solidarity with the global labour movement. Celebrated annually on May 1st, it honours the enduring struggles and vital contributions of working people worldwide. It stands as...

May Day commemoration

The International Workers' Day popularly known as May Day has its origin in the United States of America but the day is not observed in that country or in Canada. This anachronism issues from the rival political systems of capitalism...

CAAB goes slow in setting up APIS

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is making slow progress in implementing the "Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS)" at the country's international airports, despite its critical importance in preventing criminals, human traffickers, and smugglers.Initiated in 2016, the project remains...

"Stricter compliance and transparency in claim settlements are essential"

In modern-day living insurance coverage, life or otherwise, is an important issue. The growth of life insurance for reasons of lack of awareness and trust deficit has been well below the potential. Mr. M. J. Azim, Managing Director and CEO...

Doing it with the right skill set

Despite having expansion of Bangladesh's economy, its insurance sector still remains considerably underdeveloped.The insurance penetration ratio in Bangladesh remains stuck at only 0.5 per cent, which is much lower than that of other neighbouring countries like India with 4.0 per...

High hopes hinge on reform package

The country's insurance industry is undergoing a series of reforms, aimed at ensuring best business practices in the sector for the sake of building people's trust and safeguarding policyholders' interest.Several reform initiatives, including the ongoing amendment to the existing insurance...

A much-vaunted tool put into play

The insurance sector of the country reached a major milestone in 2023 with introduction of bancassurance-a partnership between insurers and banks. It ushered in a new era, creating an opportunity for one of the country's most underdeveloped financial services to...

Robi, bKash refute allegations

Mobile financial platforms and mobile operators have responded strongly after Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser on Telecom and ICT Affairs, alleged that mobile data packages are being sold at inflated prices through third-party platforms like bKash...

Fishing in Kaptai Lake banned for 3 months

CHATTOGRAM, Apr 29: The government authorities have imposed a three-month ban on fishing in Kaptai Lake in Rangamati district.According to an official statement, the restriction will remain in force from May 1 to July 31.Meanwhile, local administration has been directed...

Battery-run rickshaws won't be allowed on main roads

No battery-run rickshaws will be allowed to operate on the main roads of Dhaka city, said Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Mohammad Ejaz on Tuesday, reports UNB. The approved standard model auto-rickshaws will be allowed to run in the...

Deepto TV voluntarily shut down news operations: Mahfuz

Mahfuz Alam, Adviser of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, stated that Deepto TV voluntarily shut down its news operations following a journalist's question regarding a genocide, according to online media outlets.He made this statement on Tuesday evening during a...

17 film, TV stars among 300 accused

An attempted murder case has been registered with the Vatara Police Station in the capital against around 300 individuals, including 17 film and television artists. The film and TV artists included Apu Biswas, Nusrat Faria, Nipun Akter, Suborna Mustafa, Ashna...

Court orders ACC to attach Putul's flat at Gulshan

A Dhaka court on Tuesday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to attach a flat owned by Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.It also ordered the anti-graft body to appoint a receiver to take care of the...

Yields on 15-yr BGTBs up, 20-yr down

The yield on 15-Year Bangladesh Government Treasury Bonds (BGTBs) increased further on Tuesday while that on 20-Year BGTBs fell slightly. The cut off yield, generally known as interest rate, on the 15-Year BGTBs rose to 12.40 per cent on the...

Khaleda likely to return in May

The government is taking necessary steps to arrange an air ambulance for former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for her return travel to Dhaka from London."Preparations are on" said foreign adviser Touhid Hossain when he was asked whether...

RADP fund cut may hit roadwork hard

The interim government is economising development spending, which is likely to hit road development badly as allocations for the sector in the FY25 revised annual development programme (RADP) have been reduced by 39.97 per cent. Besides, the sector's FY26 allocation...

Don't get used by anyone as polls approaching

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday urged the police to make sure that they are not used by anyone in the next national elections as the interim government is committed to holding a free, fair and peaceful polls in...

Prayer Timings (2025-04-30)

New traffic signal system

A new traffic signal system, along with CCTV cameras and a megaphone, has been installed in Karwan Bazar. A number of such systems, which will be in operation soon, will be set up in Dhaka's strategic points to help manage...

Pakistan ‘shot down’ Indian drone along Kashmir border

ISLAMABAD, April 29 (AFP): Pakistan's military shot down an Indian drone along the de facto Kashmir border, state radio in Islamabad reported on Tuesday, a week after the deadliest attack on civilians in the contested region in years.The Indian army...

Govt forms taskforce to strengthen BBS, review data quality

The government has formed an eight-member expert taskforce to strengthen the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) by reviewing the quality, transparency, and accessibility of the data it produces, reports BSS.Headed by Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of the Power...

Parliament to be sole tax exemption granting authority

The finance adviser has directed the formulation of a comprehensive tax- exemption policy that will vest the exclusive authority to approve tax exemptions or expenditures in parliament, according to Md Abdur Rahman Khan, chairman of the National Board of Revenue...

'Humanitarian corridor' not discussed

The government held no discussion on the Rakhine-corridor issue with anybody, said a government spokesman on Tuesday."We want to make it categorically clear that the government has not discussed the so-called "humanitarian corridor" with the UN or any other entity....

US brands show less interest in BD, Vietnam

US brands and retailers are diversifying their sourcing from China to other Asian suppliers, but traditional alternatives like Bangladesh and Vietnam had not seen increased interest during the first quarter of this year.Despite tariff pressure, they are yet to significantly...

BD won't take loan accepting all conditions: Salehuddin

Bangladesh will not borrow from the International Monetary Fund by accepting umpteen conditions binding loans, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said Tuesday, adding that the country is no longer IMF-World Bank-dependent."If IMF doesn't agree to pay the budget-support credit, we...

Starlink gets licences to offer internet services

Telecommunications regulator BTRC on Tuesday granted Starlink two separate licences to operate satellite internet services in the country for a period of ten years."We have issued the licences after receiving approval from the chief adviser and upon Starlink's payment of...

Weather (2025-04-30)

Rain/thunder showers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at a few places over Khulna, Dhaka, Barishal and Chattogram divisions and at one or two places over Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with hails at...

Nandan to host 80th edition tomorrow

"Nandan - A Journey of Pure Culture", a platform for artistic expression, is set to host its 80th edition with a special programme to celebrate poet Rabindranath Tagore's legacy, according to a statement.The event titled "Rabindranath's Birth Anniversary through Words,...

Mahbubur, Alamgir president, GS of 13th BCS Forum

Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman from the BCS Administration Cadre and Alamgir Hossain from the Tax Cadre have been appointed president and general secretary (GS) respectively of the executive committee of the 13th Batch BCS Forum.Mahbubur Rahman is a former government secretary,...