HSBC explores private credit push

LONDON, Apr 11 (Reuters): HSBC is preparing a foray into the white-hot market for private credit, five sources with knowledge of the plans said, the latest move by a global bank to get in on the booming sector.HSBC's plan, reported...

Stocks slide on tariff turmoil after Eid holiday

FE REPORTThe equity benchmark index ended lower this week, as jittery investors adversely reacted to the 'reciprocal tariffs' imposed by the US administration.This is the first trading week after Eid vacation and the imposition of 37 per cent tariffs on...

UK economy rebounds in unexpected boost to govt

LONDON, April 11 (AFP): Britain's economy grew more than expected in February, official data showed Friday, in a rare piece of good news for a Labour government that has made kickstarting growth a top priority.Gross domestic product rose 0.5 percent...

Gold price forecasts raised

UBS and Commerzbank raised their gold price forecasts on Friday, joining other investment banks as investors drive the safe-haven metal to record highs amid the economic uncertainty sparked by US President Donald Trump's trade policies, reports Reuters.Trump's tariffs have roiled...

Oil prices set to drop for a second week

Oil prices fell on Friday and were set to drop for a second week on concerns prolonged trade war between the United States and China, the world's largest economies, will crush crude consumption as their dispute curtails economic growth, reports...

Mantas, the boat people

Kalu Sarder does not exactly know which of his ancestors lived on land. Growing up, he learned from his parents that his forebears were terrestrial inhabitants in the dim and distant past. One of them started living on a boat...

Trump’s envoy flies into Russia, to meet Putin as Iran, China tensions flare

MOSCOW, Apr 11 (Reuters): US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff flew into Russia on Friday and it looked likely that he would hold talks with President Vladimir Putin, as US tensions with Moscow's close allies Iran and China...

More than 100 people killed after heavy rain hits India, Nepal

NEW DELHI, Apr 11 (Reuters): More than 100 people have died since Wednesday after unseasonably heavy rain lashed parts of India and Nepal, officials said, as the weather department predicted more rain for the region.The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warned...

Ousted S Korean President Yoon leaves official residence

SEOUL, Apr 11 (Reuters): Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol returned to his private home on Friday from the official residence after his removal from office, with crowds of supporters turning out to greet his motorcade.The Constitutional Court upheld...

UN denounces army attacks in Myanmar despite post-quake truce

GENEVA, Apr 11 (Arab News): The United Nations (UN) rights office decried Friday attacks by Myanmar's military despite a ceasefire declared following last month's devastating earthquake, which killed more than 3,600 people."At a moment when the sole focus should be...

Gazans struggle to find water as clean sources become increasingly scarce

GAZA CITY, Apr 11 (Agencies): Gaza rescuers said a pre-dawn Israeli air strike Friday killed 10 members of the same family, as the UN said dozens of recent attacks on the Palestinian territory had killed only women and children.A UN...

ICC mulls key tweak to two-ball rule in ODIs

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is contemplating scrapping the use of two new balls in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). While not a total U-turn from the existing Playing Conditions (PCs), the move is aimed at providing impetus to bowlers by facilitating...

Players are mentally tuning themselves for Test series

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto believe that his teammates won't find it hard to change formats as they step into the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe following the ongoing Dhaka Premier League, country's Dhaka-club based list A tournament, reports Cricbuzz.Bangladeshi...

How Bangladesh is shaping a new era of foreign investment

Bangladesh, once seen as a country of untapped potential, is now steadily stepping into a position of global relevance. The national narrative is no longer just about resilience and grit-it's evolving into one of strategic intent, investment-readiness, and forward-looking ambition....

Make public offices accessible to the disabled

Accessing public services from government institutions is a fundamental right of every citizen. However, for hundreds of thousands of persons with disabilities in Bangladesh, this right remains largely inaccessible due to the glaring lack of inclusive infrastructure.Most government offices, courts,...

Golden touch of the Sundarbans

The Sundarbans-the world's largest mangrove forest-is a natural marvel teeming with biodiversity and the aesthetic brilliance of life. Among its many wonders is the Golpata, a plant whose golden hue and multifaceted utility have earned it a cherished place in...

Pluralistic dimension of Pahela Boishakh

After celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, the nation is gearing up for another national festival, Pahela Boishakh to be precise, on Monday next. It is the first day of the Bangla New Year and marks the start of summer. Over the decades, welcoming...

Rape law has changed, will justice follow?

The public uproar following the horrifying rape of an eight-year-old girl in Magura has once again propelled the government to make changes to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. This renewed initiative came amid a surge in sexual violence...

Bangladesh joins global space research

It is indeed an occasion to celebrate as Bangladesh has become the 54th nation to commit to safe and responsible exploration of space for the greater good of humanity through inking the 'Artemis Accords' with 'National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration (NASA)'...

Addressing the post-Eid price hike in Bangladesh

Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival in Bangladesh, is a time of joy, celebration, and communal harmony. However, for low-income families, the aftermath of the Eid often brings financial distress due to the sudden and steep rise in the prices of...

Anowarul Amin new Head of Corporate Affairs at Arla Foods

Arla Foods Bangladesh Limited has appointed Anowarul Amin as the new Head of Corporate Affairs, Regulatory and Communications. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the corporate sector, Anowarul brings in a wealth of experience and expertise to...

Growing middle class, infrastructure, high returns ‘attract FDI’

A vibrant and expanding middle class, high returns on investment, and substantial infrastructure development are the key factors drawing foreign investments into Bangladesh, experts observed at the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 on Thursday.During a session on agriculture and agro-processing, part...

Reforms key to investor-friendly ecosystem

Legal and regulatory reforms of the digital governance landscape in Bangladesh can pledge a more interoperable and investor-friendly ecosystem as digital transformation no longer rests solely on the automation of services.Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser for...

FDI commitments worth $260m received

The four-day Bangladesh Investment Summit-2025 aimed at boosting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) concluded on Thursday, with approximately 450 potential investors from around the globe in attendance.A $260 million worth of FDI commitment was received in the first three days of...

SSC exams begin across country-

A mother holds her daughter's hand to make her feel confident immediately before she enters the Rajarbag Police Lines School & College exam centre to take the SSC examination in the capital on Thursday. — FE Photo by Asad-Uz-Zaman The...

Foreign debt builds up to $103.64b, as of Dec

Bangladesh saw its overall external debt rise by 3.0 per cent to US$103.64 billion up to last December and this increase was primarily driven by public sector's growing appetite for foreign funds.Though the unpaid volume of debts remained below the...

US tariff pause gives some succour to BD

Donald Trump's tariff pause for 90 days has given local exporters some relief as they see some silver lining in the Sino-US trade spat as companies looking to diversify might relocate to Bangladesh.Economists and exporters have also stressed the need...

Will work in favour of your trade agenda

Thanking US President Donald Trump for his latest decision on the tariff issue, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said they will continue to work with the Trump Administration in support of his trade agenda, reports UNB."Thank you, Mr President,...

Rice prices defiantly high despite huge imports

Rice imports surged during eight months to February as the government ramped up procurement amid exigencies of crop damage in recurrent floods across Bangladesh, yet prices remained defiantly high.Market surveys show a quirky rise in retail rice prices in Dhaka...

BB dissolves ICB Islami Bank's board, appoints its ED as MD

Bangladesh Bank has appointed its Executive Director (ED) Mojibur Rahman as the Managing Director of ICB Islami Bank. The central bank made the decision after dissolving the bank's board of directors over allegations of corruption and mismanagement, reports UNB.According to...