Metro rail costs under scrutiny, as contract terms prompt concerns

Despite a longstanding and friendly partnership between Bangladesh and Japan, recent developments in Dhaka's metro rail projects have aroused concerns over costs and terms of contracts agreed under the previous Awami League regime. The relationship between Dhaka Mass Transit Company...

Three workers fall to their death from Ctg building

Three workers have died after falling from the ninth floor of an under-construction building near Rangam Convention Hall in Chattogram, reports bdnews24.com.The incident occurred around 12:15pm on Friday while the men were plastering a wall, police say.The dead have been...

Suffering continues as roads at Dholaipar in the capital's Jatrabari

Suffering continues as roads at Dholaipar in the capital's Jatrabari remain in dilapidated conditions for a long time. — FE Photo

A man collects water lily from a waterbody

A man collects water lily from a waterbody in the Munshiganj district to sell in the market. Water lily peduncle is a popular vegetable in the country. — FE Photo by Shafiqul Alam

Trump diagnosed with vein issue after leg swelling

WASHINGTON, July 18 (AFP): US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a long-term but benign vein condition, the White House said Thursday following speculation about his heavily bruised hand and swollen legs.The 79-year-old was found to have "chronic venous...

NCP convener vows to resist 'fascism, Mujibism'

Munshiganj, Jul 18 (UNB): Vowing to continue resistance against 'Fascism and Mujibism', National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Friday urged all to remain vigilant as there is another fight ahead."There is another battle ahead. I urge our supporters...

BNP to find those plotting AL’s revival

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday said they will find those who are plotting to reestablish fallen Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League (AL) in the country."Politics of Hasina and her Awami League party died...

Govt seeks $300 million loan assistance from S Korea

The government is seeking $300 million in loan assistance from South Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to upgrade 64 technical training centres (TTCs) and six institutes of marine technology into centres of excellence, said officials concerned. Modernising these institutions...

Bashir for ensuring transparency to uplift economy

Commerce Adviser SK Bashir Uddin on Friday laid emphasis on ensuing transparency, accountability and good business practice for the sake of the country's economic uplift.He also expressed his optimism that a 'golden future truly awaits the country. "If we can...

Over 16 projects worth $3.0b being axed shortly

At least 16 development projects worth some US$3.0 billion under an Indian credit scheme for Bangladesh are being discarded shortly for funding hurdles on the lender's part, officials said.The current interim government has formed a technical committee comprising members from...

Prayer Timings (2025-07-19)

Gopalganj: Uneasy calm still as curfew extended, toll rises to 5

Local authorities have extended the ongoing curfew in Gopalganj until today (Saturday) morning as an uneasy calm still prevailed on Friday after the town was roiled by widespread violence surrounding a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally on July 16.In a...

Agreement signed for UN HR office in Dhaka

A mission office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is set to be set up in Bangladesh as a memorandum of understanding has been signed by both parties.The OHCHR headquarters in Geneva announced the development in...

BD set to bear highest duty among US trade partners

Bangladesh could face the highest effective tariff rate (ETR) among US trading partners-approximately 50 per cent -under the Trump tariff regime effective August 01, Fitch Ratings shows such duty disparities, released on July 18. The newly announced 35 per cent,...

Starlink officially launched in Bangladesh

In a major development for Bangladesh's digital transformation, US satellite internet major Starlink was officially launched in the country on Friday. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, made the announcement...

Banks borrow record Tk 1.45t in a month as liquidity dries

Fund funnelling from the central bank into commercial banks in Bangladesh through repo instrument hits a record high of over Tk 1.45 trillion in June, indicating their severe liquidity crunch.Deposit growth remains slow amid higher non-performing loan (NPL) regime following...

Reform: Can Bangladesh's judiciary finally break free of executive control?

The Judiciary Reform Commission (JRC), born out of the student- and people-led July Uprising of 2024, has come to symbolise more than mere institutional repair - it represents a renewed national demand for justice free from political manipulation. At the...

Human relations have become a casualty courtesy of modern gadgets

Relations between and among people are increasingly getting unstable and even strained. Social scientists may explain this trend of human relations in general terms under different categories. But each individual is a complete unit of complex dispositions, mind and mentality...

Japan rice prices double, raising pressure on PM

TOKYO, July 18 (AFP): Rice prices in Japan soared 99.2 percent in June year-on-year, official data showed Friday, piling further pressure on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ahead of elections this weekend.The price of the grain already rocketed 101 percent year-on-year...

Gulf Air orders 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

SAN FRANCISCO, United States, July 18 (AFP) : US aviation giant Boeing on Thursday signed a contract valued at $7 billion to sell 12 787 Dreamliners, with options for six more, to Gulf Air, as the Bahrain-based carrier looks to...

US to impose steep anti-dumping duty on battery material from China

WASHINGTON, July 18 (AFP): The United States on Thursday unveiled preliminary anti-dumping duties of 93.5 percent on imports of a key battery component from China, after looking into a petition on the matter.Final determinations regarding duties on graphite, used in...

International Conference on Data Science, AI and Applications kicks Off

The two-day International Conference on Data Science, AI and Applications (ICDSAIA 2025) commenced on Friday at the EATL Innovation Hub, located in Kaliakoir Hi-Tech City, Gazipur, reports UNB.The event brings together renowned researchers, academicians, policymakers, and technology experts from Bangladesh...

SpaceX VP praises BD govt efficiency in Starlink launch

The Vice President of SpaceX, Lauren Dreyer, commended the coordinated efforts of government on Friday, officials in Bangladesh for supporting the effective launching of Starlink in the country, said a spokesperson of the Chief Adviser's Office.She made the remarks during...

S Lankan bankers honoured for professionalism

Bangladesh Bank arranged a special award ceremony at its headquarters in Motijheel on Thursday to formally recognize and honor officials from Sri Lanka's Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC (PABC), reports UNB.The recognition was for their "exemplary vigilance, professionalism, and integrity"...

CDA to build Karnaphuli Riverview Park

CHATTOGRAM, July 18: The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) has taken a step to build 'Karnaphuli Riverview Park' on the outer ring road from Chaktai to Kalurghat along the bank of the Karnaphuli River. It will be one of the city's...

Man Utd agree £65m deal to sign Brentford's Mbeumo

Manchester United have reached an agreement with Brentford to sign Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo in a deal worth up to £65 million, reports BBC Sport.The Red Devils pursued the 25-year-old forward all summer and had two previous offers rejected by...

Indian state blames cricket team for deadly stampede

State authorities blamed the management of India's Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricket team for last month's deadly stampede during celebrations for their first IPL title.Eleven fans were crushed to death and more than 50 wounded in a stampede near the M....

India consider playing Bumrah in Manchester to save Test series

India's team management has decided to play their pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah in three of the five Tests series against England and have been considering to bring him in the fourth Test in Manchester next week, reports Reuters.Since Bumrah's return...

Fraud probe opened into Mbappe payments to police officers

PARIS, July 18, 2025 (AFP): An investigation has been opened into potentially fraudulent payments made by Kylian Mbappe to five police officers assigned to protect the French national football team, the public prosecutor's office told AFP on Thursday.The probe comes...

England reach Euro 2025 semis after shootout win over Sweden

ZURICH, July 18, (AFP): England roared into the semi-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on Thursday after coming back from two goals down and then beating Sweden 3-2 in a chaotic penalty shoot-out to continue their title defence.Smilla Holmberg blasted over...