Start-up investment co launching on May 12

The widely-discussed Bangladesh Start-up Investment Company (BSIC), owned by 39 commercial banks, will officially be launched on Tuesday next with no concrete decision over the use of foreign bank funds.The decision on keeping central bank representatives in the operational process...

BD seeks Chinese support for Teesta project, other sectors

Bangladesh has sought China's involvement in the much-discussed Teesta river- management project during high-level talks with Chinese officials in Beijing where both sides pledged to deepen strategic and economic cooperation amid shifting regional dynamics.The request was made during the bilateral...

Budget session begins June 7

Parliament sits for budget session at 3:00pm on June 7 to consider and pass the new government's first budget that is forecast to be expansionary to finance its newer programmes on development and social protections. The President has summoned the...

10,500-foot runway planned for new airport

FE REPORT Bogura is set to become a major aviation hub under a government plan to build an international-standard airport featuring a 10,500-foot runway capable of accommodating both domestic and international aircraft, officials say.The announcement came on Thursday during a...

BB pays $1.51b in ACU bills

The central bank has paid the last $1.51 billion in Asian Clearing Union (ACU) liabilities or import bills of March and April.Arief Hossain Khan, executive director and spokesperson of the central bank, confirmed the development to bdnedws24.com on Thursday.The previous...

BGB on high alert at Benapole, C'nawabganj borders over possible push-ins

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified security and surveillance along Benapole border in Jashore amid concerns over possible push-ins following the situation surrounding the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election in India, reports UNB.Since Thursday morning, strict security measures have been...

Policy push underway to generate more solar power

The government has prioritised renewable energy like solar and wind power since assuming office, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood said Thursday.The ministry has been acting accordingly in line with instructions from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he...

BD households spend Tk 3,454 a month on healthcare

Bangladeshi households on average spend Tk 3,454 per month on healthcare, accounting for 11 per cent of total household expenditure, said BIDS citing a study report on Thursday. Medicines and diagnostic services were the largest cost drivers, the study found....

Cabinet committee approves soybean oil, LNG procurement

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Thursday approved a number of proposals, including the procurement of liquefied natural gas (LNG), refined soybean oil and the construction of an administrative building in the capital.The committee approved the proposals at...

TIB chief meets PM, discusses anti-graft measures

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman on Thursday met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and discussed measures needed to make the country free from corruption, reports UNB. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's Office at the Secretariat, Prime...

Family Card beneficiaries to rise to 4.1m in FY27

The government has decided to expand the Family Card programme to 4.1 million beneficiaries from the next fiscal year (FY 2026-27) as part of its broader effort to strengthen the social-safety net as per the ruling party's pre-election pledges.The decision...

PMI signals faster economic expansion in April

Bangladesh's overall economic activities expanded at a faster pace in April, supported mainly by stronger performance in agriculture and a rebound in manufacturing, according to the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI).The survey pointed to continued business optimism despite external risks,...

Rover Scout and Dhaka South City Corporation jointly organised a measles-rubella vaccination

Rover Scout and Dhaka South City Corporation jointly organised a measles-rubella vaccination campaign at Aparajeyo Bangla on the Dhaka University campus on Thursday. — Focus Bangla

JCD launches bus tracking app for JU students

JU CORRESPONDENTThe Jahangirnagar University (JU) unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has launched a "Live Bus Tracking System" aimed at making transportation more convenient, secure and time-efficient for students.The initiative was formally inaugurated on Thursday (May 7) by Vice-Chancellor Professor...

MPs’ children must study at local schools: Rumeen Farhana

Independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana on Thursday said the government should ensure that the children of MPs study at educational institutions in their respective constituencies, reports UNB."If not, at least they should attend their zilla (district) school," she said while speaking...

ICT orders to produce Dipu Moni, Mozammel Babu, Farzana Rupa

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered the authorities concerned to produce former minister Dr Dipu Moni and journalists Mozammel Babu and Farzana Rupa before it on May 14 in connection with the 2013 Shapla Chattar massacre during a rally...

AL leader Tofail Ahmed to stand trial on graft charges

A Dhaka court has ordered charges to be framed against three individuals, including Awami League Advisory Council Member and veteran politician Tofail Ahmed, in a case over the alleged embezzlement of Tk 12.5 million two decades ago, report agencies.Dhaka Divisional...

Plea to file case against Yunus over Milestone tragedy rejected

A Dhaka court has rejected a petition seeking to file a criminal case against former chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and 15 others over alleged negligence in connection with the Milestone School and College aircraft disaster in Uttara's Diabari, reports agencies.Metropolitan...

Army to be withdrawn in phases as police restore discipline: Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the police force has returned to a disciplined state following the assumption of office by an elected political government, adding that the army will be withdrawn gradually from law and order duties, reports agencies.The...

Titas cuts off 5,128 illegal gas lines in April

FE REPORT The Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC disconnected 5,128 illegal gas connections in April 2026.The Titas Gas in a handout issued on Thursday said that illegal gas connections in 44 industrial units, 42 commercial entities and 5,042 residential...

48,227 BD Hajj pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia

FE REPORT A total of 48,227 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have so far reached Saudi Arabia on 123 flights. A total of 78,500 Bangladeshis are scheduled to perform Hajj this year. Of them, 4,565 pilgrims will go under government management, while...

Prof Almojaddidi Alfesani made DU pro-VC

Professor Dr Mohammad Al-Mojaddedi Al-Fesani of the Department of Botany has been appointed as the new pro-vice chancellor (Administration) of the University of Dhaka (DU). He replaces Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha.The information was announced through a notification issued by the...

Van kills biker in city

FE REPORT A motorbiker was killed, as a covered van hit his vehicle on Sultana Kamal Bridge in the capital's Demra area on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Saddam Hossain (33), son of Abdul Latif.The accident happened at around...

BRACU celebrates Int'l Day of Midwife

BRAC University (BRACU) marked the International Day of the Midwife 2026 on Tuesday (May 5) with a series of events to strengthen awareness and understanding of the vital role of midwives in advancing quality, respectful, and equitable maternity care, according...

‘Govt committed to media freedom, not regulation’

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said the current government is committed to ensuring a free and fair media environment rather than exerting control over the press, reports BSS. "In the modern world, no state can remain outside...

Teachers without training won't be allowed to enter classes: Bobby Hajjaj

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said 14,000 recommended primary teachers will return to classrooms within the next four to six months after completing their training."From now on, no teacher will be allowed to enter the...

Oil prices drop awaiting Mideast peace progress

LONDON, May 07 (AFP): Oil prices fell and global stock markets traded mixed Thursday awaiting an update on a US plan to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.Having plunged more than 10 percent at one...

Emirates Group posts record profit amid regional conflict

The Emirates Group has reported its highest-ever profit, revenue and cash reserves for the fiscal year 2025-26 ending March 31, despite a challenging final month of the reporting period.The Group -- comprising Emirates airline, dnata and other subsidiaries -- posted...

France wants to expand investment in BD

France has expressed strong interest in expanding its investments in Bangladesh, identifying the country as a promising economic destination in South Asia, reports BSS.The interest was conveyed by the French Ambassador to Bangladesh, Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, during a meeting with Commerce...

BD's energy import reliance jumps to 62.5pc in four years: IEEFA

Bangladesh's primary energy imports rose from 47.7 per cent to 62.5 per cent in four years, exposing its vulnerability to the volatile international fossil fuel market and raising the power generation cost by 83 per cent, according to a new...