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Israeli attacks kill 123 in Lebanon amid threats on Iranian officials

2026-03-07 00:00:00

TEHRAN, Mar 06 (Agencies): The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon this week has risen to at least 123 people, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health says, as a new wave of strikes pounded the country and Hezbollah warned...

Gulf carriers resume limited flights, but missile fire fuels uncertainty

2026-03-07 00:00:00

HONG KONG, March 6 (Reuters): Emirates and Etihad Airways were resuming limited flight schedules to key global cities from their United Arab Emirates hubs on Friday, though the threat of missile fire piled pressure on airlines as they scramble to...

Aluminium resumes ascent, eyes best week in 18 months

2026-03-07 00:00:00

Aluminium prices rose again on Friday after snapping a three-day winning streak in the previous session, and were heading for their biggest weekly jump in more than 18 months as supply concerns due to the U.S-Israel war on Iran intensified,...

Oil set for steepest weekly gain since 2020

2026-03-07 00:00:00

LONDON, March 6 (Reuters): Crude oil was set on Friday for its strongest weekly gain since the extreme volatility of the COVID 19 pandemic in spring 2020, as conflict in the Middle East kept shipping and energy exports through the...

World food prices rebound in February: FAO

2026-03-07 00:00:00

PARIS, March 6 (Reuters): World food prices rose in February after falling for five straight months, as higher cereal, meat and most vegetable oil prices outweighed declines in cheese and sugar, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization said on...

Dollar, bonds or gold — which is the safest haven to hold?

2026-03-07 00:00:00

Turmoil in the Middle East has sent investors scrambling for safety once more, reigniting a debate over which assets truly offer protection in times of stress, reports Reuters.The choice is complicated, as traditional refuges behave unpredictably. Gold has swung sharply...

Southeast Bank launches Visa Student Credit Card

2026-03-07 00:00:00

Southeast Bank PLC officially launched the country's first-ever Visa Student Credit Card at a grand ceremony held at a hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday. This initiative marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh's card industry and reflects the bank's strategic commitment...

Global equity funds post first outflow in eight weeks on Middle East war

2026-03-07 00:00:00

Global investors trimmed their equity fund holdings for the first time in eight weeks in the seven days to March 4 as an intensifying US-Israeli conflict with Iran fanned inflation worries and dampened risk appetite, reports Reuters.US equity funds were...

Escalating Iran conflict sends stocks reeling

FE REPORT | 2026-03-07 00:00:00

The benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) tumbled this week, snapping a six-week winning streak, as investors were rattled by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.Market analysts said stocks suffered a major setback amid rising geopolitical tensions...

Will new govt fix the chaotic public transport?

Tanim Asjad | 2026-03-07 00:00:00

People in Dhaka and across the country are exasperated by the chaotic, inefficient public transport system. Previous governments failed to develop an efficient system. Abrupt and disjointed measures meant to fix public transport only made things more chaotic. As a...

Breathing poison in capital

2026-03-07 00:00:00

Whenever the list of the world's most polluted cities is published, Dhaka is almost always near the top. The Air Quality Index frequently records unhealthy or even hazardous levels, especially in winter when the air feels thick and heavy. Yet...

Impact of climate change on agriculture

2026-03-07 00:00:00

In agrarian Bangladesh, agriculture is more than a profession; it is the foundation of livelihood for millions and a key pillar of the national economy. Yet this vital sector now stands at risk due to the growing impacts of climate...

The slippery slope of power

Syed Muhammed Showaib | 2026-03-07 00:00:00

The first steps of any new government are often taken under the weight of expectation. As the administration under Tarique Rahman begins to implement its electoral promises, particularly through the rollout of family cards and the waiver of agricultural loans,...

Combating public health threat from new drug-resistant fungus

2026-03-07 00:00:00

When the reports of drug-resistant strains of different bacteria have been a cause for concern among the health professionals and informed section of the public, new research findings about drug resistant fungi are coming. In this connection, a fresh study...

When love meets the ledger

Matiur Rahman | 2026-03-07 00:00:00

On the restless streets of Dhaka, where flyovers rise above old bazaars and glass towers cast long shadows over rickshaw-lined lanes, a quiet transformation is reshaping the most intimate institution of our society. This change is not announced in political...

Who pays for politics in Bangladesh?

Shahiduzzaman | 2026-03-07 00:00:00

Most people in Bangladesh do not know how political parties get their money. This is not by chance. Party finances are among the least transparent parts of the political system, even though money is crucial in elections, nominations, and political...

Footwear exports to US rise 52pc amid trade, tariff tension

MONIRA MUNNI | 2026-03-06 12:00:00

Bangladesh's footwear exports to the US market witnessed about 52-percent growth in 2025 amid trade and tariff tension, which encouraged American buyers to diversify sourcing destinations and reduce dependence on China and Vietnam.In the last calendar year, Bangladesh exported footwear...

RU protests killing of IU Prof and ex-RU student Runa

RU CORRESPONDENT | 2026-03-06 12:00:00

Teachers and students of the Department of Social Work at Rajshahi University (RU) on Thursday formed a human chain demanding justice for the killing of Asma Sadia Runa, former RU student and Islamic University (IU) Social Welfare Department chairman. The...

Depositors protest in front of BB

FE REPORT | 2026-03-06 12:00:00

Depositors of five crisis-hit and merged Islamic banks staged on Thursday a protest and also formed a human chain in front of the Bangladesh Bank headquarters in the capital's Motijheel area. They demanded the immediate release of their funds and...

NBR makes ASYCUDA data use mandatory for income tax assessment

FE REPORT | 2026-03-06 00:00:00

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has made it mandatory for income-tax officials to use data from the ASYCUDA system while determining the tax liabilities of importers, in a move aimed at ensuring transparency and curbing tax evasion.The initiative is...

Govt urges energy conservation to avoid any crunch

FE REPORT | 2026-03-06 00:00:00

A near-blockade of oil and gas sources in the gulf amid the Middle-East war situation prompts government authorities to send in a nationwide call for citizens, institutions and businesses to adopt strict energy-saving measures.The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral...

Two fertiliser plants in Ctg stop production for gas shortage

2026-03-06 00:00:00

Chattogram, Mar 5 (UNB): Production at two large state-owned fertiliser factories - Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL) and Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) in Anwara upazila-has been suspended due to a gas shortage.Authorities said production was halted from Wednesday evening...

Six former officials of Fareast Islami Life Ins sued

FE REPORT | 2026-03-06 00:00:00

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against six former officials of Fareast Islami Life Insurance Company Limited over allegations of cheque forgery and embezzlement of about Tk 137 million.According to the case statement filed by ACC Deputy Assistant...

Canal excavation to top next ADP priorities

FE REPORT | 2026-03-06 00:00:00

The government is set to place canal excavation and river restoration at the heart of next fiscal year's development spending, signalling a renewed focus on water management and ecological balance.Guidelines issued for the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for FY2026-27 underscore...

Eid vacation extended to 7 days

2026-03-06 00:00:00

Govt announces March 18 holidayThe government has declared March 18 a public holiday to facilitate smooth travel for people heading home during Eid-ul-Fitr, reports UNB. Now the government officials and employees will enjoy a continuous holiday from March 17 to...

BD-US trade, cooperation discussed

FE REPORT | 2026-03-06 00:00:00

United States assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs Paul Kapur Thursday held wrap-up talks in Dhaka as Washington seeks to deepen engagement with the new government of Bangladesh.He held talks on the day with Bangladesh prime...

Finance ministry weighs impacts of ME war on economy

SYFUL ISLAM | 2026-03-06 00:00:00

Officials at the ministry of finance have started assessing the possible impacts of the ongoing war in the Middle East on Bangladesh's economy and ways to manage the potential financial burden arising from it, sources said.The ministry launched the study...

BB sits with economists tomorrow

2026-03-06 00:00:00

JUBAIR HASANBangladesh Bank now decides to sit with leading economists and think tanks tomorrow (Saturday) to discuss the crisis-management strategies in the wake of war against Iran by the Israel-USA coalition.The central bank's decision came just a day after the...

Inflation continues to outpace wage growth

FE REPORT | 2026-03-06 00:00:00

Persistent inflationary pressures continue to outpace wage growth in Bangladesh, eroding household purchasing power and real income, according to the latest Economic Update and Outlook of the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission.Released on Thursday, the February economic...

Khaleda among 20 recipients this year

2026-03-06 00:00:00

Former prime minister Khaleda Zia is among 15 individuals and five institutions who will receive the 2026 Independence Awards, Bangladesh's highest civilian honour, in recognition of their distinguished and meritorious contributions to the nation.The Cabinet Division announced the names of...