Govt employees submit memo to advisers -

Government employees staged a demonstration as part of their ongoing movement at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday, demanding repeal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. After the demonstration in front of Building 6 in the Secretariat's Badamtoli area, they...

Chief prosecutor of ICT Mohammad Tajul Islam presented the charges

Chief prosecutor of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Mohammad Tajul Islam presented the charges against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina before a three-member ICT bench, led by Justice Golam Mortuza, during hearing on Sunday. — Focus Bangla

Turn recommendations into focused, inclusive action agenda, say stakeholders

Stakeholders on Sunday stressed the urgent need to translate the Health Reform Commission's recommendations into a focused and inclusive action agenda that responds to ground realities and citizens' expectations.The call came at a consultation titled "Health Reforms: Review of Commission...

New fuel prices show no impact on transport fares

The government has adjusted fuel prices in the country in line with the global trend but its benefit is yet to be reflected in the fare collection of public transport.On Saturday, diesel price was announced to be adjusted by Tk2...

Surma, Kushiyara flow above danger levels in Sylhet, flood fears loom

Sylhet, June 1 (UNB): Water levels in Sylhet's Surma and Kushiyara rivers have crossed the danger level due to heavy rainfall over the past three days and onrush of upstream water, triggering fears of flood in the region.According to Water...

Consensus Commission's 2nd round of talks with political parties begins today

Second round of dialogue of the National Consensus Commission with the political parties will begin today.The dialogue will begin at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital at 4:30 pm, reports BSS.Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate the...

Monsoon rains submerge Ctg

CHATTOGRAM, June 01: The low lying areas of Chattogram went into knee-deep water due to monsoon rains on Sunday, causing immense sufferings to its residents.Residents of some areas have been remaining water-logged for five consecutive days.Sources said, downpour started from...

Reform in customs clearance, visa regime a must to boost FDI

Reform in the customs clearance procedure and visa regime is imperative to boost the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Bangladesh, Park Young-sik, South Korea's Ambassador to Bangladesh, said on Sunday.He emphasised the urgent need for Bangladesh to undertake...

Mahmud-led Forum panel wins BGMEA elections

The Forum panel led by Rising Group Managing Director Mahmud Hasan Khan won the biennial elections of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for 2025-2027 term securing 31 out of 35 director posts.The panel bagged 25 posts out...

T-bills witness sharp rise in yields ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

The yields on treasury bills (T-bills) increased significantly on Sunday as banks expressed unwillingness to invest their excess liquidity in the securities ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.The cut-off yield, generally known as interest rate, on the 91-day T-bills rose to...

Prices of local mobile phones may increase

Local mobile phone manufacturers and assemblers are likely to face increased value-added tax (VAT) in the next fiscal year (FY2025-26), as the government plans to reduce certain facilities currently enjoyed by the sector.Authorities argue that the measure aims to prepare...

City corporations still in limbo over management of cattle market sites

With Eid-ul-Azha at just around the corner, Dhaka's two city corporations are scrambling to finalise leasing processes for several targeted temporary cattle markets across the city.Of these, 13 are under the jurisdiction of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and eight...

Bapex finds gas presence at Jamalganj well

Fresh natural gas has been found in a well at Jamalganj of Madarganj Upazilla in Jamalpur district, an official of Bapex said on Sunday."Bapex (Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company) discovered the presence of gas at Madarganj, Jamalpur during preliminary...

Prayer Timings (2025-06-02)

Several future tax rates to be outlined

Several tax rates, both for individual and corporate taxpayers, would come in a prospective manner in the FY26 budget, with effect from July 2026 in a bid to help taxpayers properly plan their taxes.Individual taxpayers will enjoy an upward revision...

May sees second-highest remittance flow of $2.97b

Rising remittance inflows fetched Bangladesh US$2.97 billion in May, the second-highest monthly receipt in its history, giving a much-needed respite to the economy facing multipronged strains amid forex dearth in recent times. In terms of growth, the country saw a...

Deposed PM Hasina indicted for crimes against humanity

Deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was indicted Sunday in an open-court trial, along with two others, for "crimes against humanity" committed during the July-August 2024 uprising.The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 in Dhaka took into cognizance five counts of formal charges...

CA urges Chinese investors to build production hubs in BD

Chief Advisor Prof Muhammad Yunus called upon Chinese investors to help transform Bangladesh into a "production hub" as a big band of entrepreneurs from Beijing, led by their commerce minister, are here exploring business prospects.Speaking at a business meet Sunday...

Interim govt unveils its maiden Tk 7.9t budget today

Post-uprising interim government is set to present today its maiden national budget worth Tk 7.9 trillion for the fiscal year 2025-26, avowedly aligned with reforms and income parity. With no functioning parliament existing following the July-August changeover, the budget will...

Let the budget be friendly to health sector

Access to quality healthcare is a basic human right, yet for millions in Bangladesh, it remains a distant dream. High costs of medical tests, doctor consultations, and medicines have made treatment unaffordable for many. As a result, people of all...

July fighters' suicide attempt

During the July Uprising in Bangladesh, thousands of young people and ordinary citizens mobilised across the country, demanding freedom, justice, and the resignation of Sheikh Hasina's government. But while they braved bullets and batons, few anticipated the prolonged suffering that...

The looming threat of floods

That floods in this deltaic plain are recurrent is no news. The news is that the timing of this type of natural calamity has changed remarkably. Floods and the monsoon are interlinked. Before the month of Ashar on the Bangla...

Job prospects, well-being of migrant workers

The International Labour Organization (ILO)'s recently released World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) report portrays a rather grim picture about the state of youth employment in Bangladesh. This is more so, as according to the outgoing country director of ILO,...

Is there no end to waterlogging?

Waterlogging has long been a chronic civic menace in Dhaka, yet it remains largely unchecked and appears to be worsening with each passing year. What many dismiss as a seasonal inconvenience is, in reality, a serious public hazard. Pothole-ridden roads,...

Reforms that can create a more sustainable United Nations

Analysts in their recent observations have recalled how since its birth, the United Nations was identified as a champion of human rights, the world's peacekeeper and provider of disaster relief and was accepted by most of the world as the...

GADGETS & SERVICES _2025-06-02

Robi leads corporate blood donation drivefor thalassemia patients Robi Axiata PLC has reaffirmed its commitment to community health and social responsibility by organizing a blood donation campaign on 28 May at its headquarters in Shanta Forum Tower, in partnership with...

Bangladesh embraces IPAS 4.0 to safeguard creativity and spur economic growth

In the heart of Dhaka, amid industrial bustle and growing digital ambition, a quieter yet transformative shift is taking place-one that could redefine how Bangladesh fosters and protects its intellectual capital. With the launch of the Industrial Property Administration System...

A bold leap forward or risking local interests?

Bangladesh's telecommunications sector stands at a pivotal juncture as a regulatory-policy upgrade with major changes gets underway. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has unveiled proposed 'Telecommunication Network & Licensing Regime Reform Policy 2025'. Aimed at dismantling the existing complex and...

NEWS IN BRIEF 2025-06-02

21 athletes killed in Nigeria road crashABUJA, June 01: A bus crash on a Nigerian highway on Saturday killed 21 athletes returning from a national sports tournament, with authorities saying the accident might have been the result of driver fatigue...

Iran warns of retaliation if Europeans make 'political' use of UN nuclear report

TEHRAN, June 01 (AFP): Iran on Sunday warned it would retaliate if European powers "exploit" a UN report showing it has stepped up production of highly enriched uranium.The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran had sharply increased...