Lalmonirhat's Farida breaks gender shackles by taking locomotive steering

LALMONIRHAT, Mar 08 (UNB): Amid the rhythmic clatter of train wheels on steel tracks, Farida Akter confidently takes the helm, steering the locomotive with firm determination.Farida, the lone female locomotive master (LM) in Lalmonirhat Railway zone, has defied societal norms...

A wonder of Mughal era stands strikingly

COX'S BAZAR, Mar 08: A historic mosque in Cox's Bazar, which is believed to have been built during the Mughal era, stands conspicuously, catering to the interests of all enthusiasts, especially tour lovers. The structure, popularly known as Ghaibi Mosque...

The economic case for safe commute and workplaces

If you ask what women consider when applying for a job, safety is likely to be at the top of the list. Whether it's the safety of their commute or the security of their workplace, these concerns play a critical...

Easy hacks for mastering spoken English

d Akther HossanSpeaking English fluently is a valuable skill that opens countless opportunities in today's world. Yet, for many, the journey to fluency feels daunting. The good thing is that mastering spoken English doesn't require perfection or hours of rigorous...

Why education must challenge gender norms

"Is gold digger a gender-biased terminology?" Facebook floods itself with descriptions that contradict the term's association with women and women only. The posts come with the argument of placing men on the fence of expectations. According to the posts, a...

Zimbabwe will arrive in Bangladesh on April 15

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Saturday that Zimbabwe will arrive on their shores on April 15 to play a two-match Test series, report agencies.It will be Zimbabwe's first Test tour to Bangladesh in five years as they last...

India, New Zealand out to seek elusive ODI glory today

BENGALURU, March 08 (Agencies): India are heavy favourites to claim a record third Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday but Rohit Sharma's men face a New Zealand side with plenty of firepower in the first major white-ball final between the...

Actor Hackman, wife died of natural causes one week apart

NEW YORK, Mar 08 (BBC): Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman died of natural causes about a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa, who died after contracting a rare virus, a New Mexico medical investigator has said.Hackman, 95, died at his Santa...

Trump threatens Russia with sanctions until Ukraine peace reached

NEW YORK, Mar 08 (Reuters): US President Donald Trump raised the prospect of imposing large-scale US sanctions on Russia on Friday, days after pausing military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine, and he called on both countries to get on...

Yoon released from prison

SEOUL, Mar 08 (AP): South Korea's impeached conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from prison on Saturday, a day after a Seoul court canceled his arrest to allow him to stand trial for rebellion without being detained.After walking out...

UN condemns ongoing bans on employment, education

KABUL, Mar 08 (AP): The Taliban issued a message on International Women's Day, saying Afghan women live in security with their rights protected, even as the U.N. condemned ongoing employment and education bans.Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in...

Trump wants to end war 'as soon as possible'

NEW YORK, Mar 08 (Reuters): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday and told him President Donald Trump was determined to end the Russia-Ukraine war as soon as possible, the...

Myanmar will hold election within 10 months

BANGKOK, Mar 08 (AP): Four years after seizing power from the elected administration, the head of the military government declared Myanmar will hold a general election within 10 months, state-run media reported Saturday.Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said Friday the...

Bangladesh: turbulent political history and the idea of "Second Republic"

Bangladeshi students who led last year's mass protest against the despotic government of Sheikh Hasina announced the formation of a new political party, the National Citizens Party (NCP), on Friday, February 28. Addressing the rally, leaders of the newly formed...

Why fixed deposits are preferred over bonds

The popularity of fixed deposits (FDs) exceeds bond investments in Bangladesh. Numerous elements such as risk aversion together with financial literacy and institutional factors result in this phenomenon.Research data indicates that Bangladeshis view fixed deposits' risk levels as lower than...

Breaking barriers for young entrepreneurs

Starting a business is never easy, but for young entrepreneurs, it can often feel almost impossible. While they bring fresh ideas and creativity to the table, a lack of funding, industry experience, and connections often holds them back. On top...

Issues with Dhaka Elevated Expressway

The Dhaka Elevated Expressway, designed to alleviate traffic congestion, has unfortunately introduced several challenges that raise concerns.One significant issue is the high toll fees, which make the expressway inaccessible to many daily commuters. As a result, a large portion of...

A major quake striking BD not a remote possibility

The frequent low-intensity tremors felt in various parts of Bangladesh due to earthquakes in neighbouring countries serve as a grim reminder of the country's seismic vulnerability. Over the past 10 days, Bangladesh has experienced four earthquakes. The most recent one,...

Fixing the problems of Islamic banks

Despite various criticisms, Islamic banking has been growing continuously worldwide for a long time due to its profit-risk sharing structure, inclusiveness, and real asset-backed transactional features. This growth signifies the potential of Islamic banking to transform the financial landscape. Islamic...

Information commission needs independence

As Bangladesh faces escalating demands for greater accountability in governance, the prolonged dysfunctioning of its information commission signals a troubling disregard for the nation's commitment to transparency. Six months after the 2024 political changeover, the commission remains non-functional, its leadership...

No alternative to education, economic emancipation: Rizwana

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said there is no alternative to education and economic emancipation of women for their empowerment and checking violence against them, reports BSS."There is no alternative to education and economic emancipation...

How Bangladesh can meet its revenue targets

The income tax law in Bangladesh is strict, some might even say, excessively so. It makes provisions for aggressive measures such as disconnecting gas, electricity and water services for taxpayers who fail to pay their dues. If taxpayers miss the...

Empowering women: Driving equality for a sustainable future

Women’s empowerment is crucial for societal progress, economic growth, and social justice. When they are empowered, they gain the confidence, skills, and opportunities to contribute to decision-making, leadership, and innovation. With this in mind, THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS organised a roundtable...

Everyday fight for the rights of women

"No amounts of discounts or offers are ever enough to appreciate women. However, here's our small effort in making them feel ultra-special … up to 50% off all our products until Women's Day," read one of the many messages in...

RMG: A propeller of inclusive growth and equality

Over the last four decades the ready-made garment (RMG) industry of Bangladesh facilitated millions of women's financial independence and social wellbeing. The sector acted as a catalyst of women's empowerment breaking all the stereotype social norms and gender roles. This...

Bangladeshi women need more acceleration, less brakes for empowerment

The theme of International Women's Day in 2025 is "Accelerate Action". It highlights the urgency of making faster, more effective progresses towards gender equality. Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking immediate and significant steps to achieve gender equality. It...

Advancing empowerment OF women with purpose and unity

8th March marks International Women's Day, a time to celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women in Bangladesh and around the world. It is a day to honour progress, acknowledge challenges, and renew our commitment to creating a future...

Emerging challenges that need redress

Nowadays, it has become common for all who get online to receive WhatsApp messages claiming that an individual is in distress and seeking monetary help through mobile financial services (MFS). Using technology, frauds offer people jobs or ways of additional...

'Amra BNP Poribar' meets families of July martyrs, warriors in Rajshahi

"Amra BNP Poribar (We are BNP family)" leaders met the family members of the July-August martyrs and warriors of Chapainawabganj district in a humanitarian programme in Rajshahi district on Friday morning, reports BSS.As per the directive of BNP Acting Chairman...

Pakistan asks illegal foreigners, Afghan card holders to leave by Mar 31

ISLAMABAD, March 7 (Reuters): Pakistan's interior ministry on Friday asked all "illegal foreigners" and Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave the country before March 31, warning they would otherwise be deported from April 1. Islamabad has in the past blamed...