Easing Dhaka's perennial traffic congestion

Despite extensive discussions and proposed solutions, the relentless traffic congestion in Dhaka continues to worsen, demanding urgent attention. The situation exacerbates during the holy month of Ramadan every year, underscoring the pressing need for immediate action. Over the past two...

Devising a policy to resolve NPL issue

Among the many factors contributing to the unrelenting rise in the volume of non-peforming loans (NPLs) are reportedly the unresolved default loan recovery cases stacking up on the shelves of some 67 Money Loan Courts (MLCs) across the country. But...

Bangladesh needs a neatly-crafted maritime policy

Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made – Robert N. Rose aptly captures the essence of maritime transport—a sector not merely pivotal as a business but fundamental to the lifeline of Bangladesh’s economy. Encircled by...

Toby Cadman asks Bangladesh to refer July massacres case to ICC, change ICT's name

Toby Cadman, Special Adviser to the ICT Chief Prosecutor, on Thursday urged the interim government of Bangladesh to refer the cases of the July-August massacres to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, reports UNB.Cadman, who has extensive experience as...

Boutique houses are now swamped with work

Boutique houses are now swamped with work as there has been a sharp rise in clothing sales ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. In the picture taken at Banalata Super Market on Mirpur Road in the capital on Thursday, a worker is seen...

Fire rips thru Gabtoli slum, more than 150 shanties gutted

A fire broke out at the Shahi Masjid slum in the capital's Gabtoli area early Thursday, destroying over 150 shanties before it was brought under control after more than an hour, reports UNB. Warehouse Inspector of Fire Service and Civil...

Re-evaluate IEPMP to cut air pollution, carbon emissions

Re-evaluation of the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) is essential to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions, said experts at a policy dialogue on Thursday. They suggested getting rid of dependence on foreign donors and consultants in policy...

Make info commission independent body to safeguard autonomy

The Information Rights Forum has recommended making the information commission an independent constitutional body to safeguard its autonomy and bolster democracy.The recommendation was presented at a press conference titled "Functionality of the Information Commission and Amendments to the Right to...

EC decides who participates in polls

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the Awami League will have to decide regarding the participation in the next national election, stressing that the election commission decides who participates in the election."They [AL] have to decide if they want...

Attach, freeze NASSA Group's assets, shares

A Dhaka Court on Thursday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to attach 14 houses and plots in Dhaka and freeze shares of 55 companies owned by NASSA Group chairman Nazrul Islam Mazumder.Judge Md Zakir Hossain of the Metropolitan Senior Special...

PC extends 116 projects without cost increase

The planning commission has approved time extension of 116 projects without increasing costs in the first seven months of the current fiscal year.Around 50 others of such proposals are in wait for recommendation by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division...

Prayer, Sehri, Iftar Timings (2025-03-07)

A portion of the Dhaka-Mawa Highway in Dhaka's Dholaipar area

A portion of the Dhaka-Mawa Highway in Dhaka's Dholaipar area has subsided, which may cause a fatal accident any time. The highway has been remaining in this condition for more than a year, but the authorities concerned seem to have...

Eight to receive Independence Award this year

Eight renowned persons are likely to receive the 'Independence Award 2025' for their glorious and remarkable contributions at the national level.The Cabinet Division will soon issue a notification regarding the final list of nominees for the highest state honour, according...

Proposal sent back, cost cut suggested

The Medical Education and Family Welfare Division under the health ministry has proposed a project to reconstruct 592 union health and family planning centres at an estimated cost of Tk 22.304 billion in the first phase. Once completed, the two-storey...

Election this year may be difficult due to unrest, Nahid tells Reuters

Bangladesh's interim government has been unable to fully ensure public safety and holding a general election this year will be difficult, the head of a newly launched political party told Reuters.Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted last August in...

Inflation inches down to 9.32pc in February

Overall inflation eased in February for a second consecutive month as virtual price deflation of farm produce amid a market glut cooled the rate to 9.32 per cent from 9.94 per cent in January, official statistics show.The drop was mainly...

Aramco LNG import planned to cut reliance on spot buys

Bangladesh now looks to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Saudi oil- giant Aramco under an envisaged long-term deal to reduce reliance on volatile spot market for the must-have fuel.Market insiders say the country may import around 1.0-million-tonne-per-year (MTPA) of...

CA may visit China March 26-28

Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government Dr Muhammad Yunus is likely to visit China on March 26- 28, officials said, adding that details of the tour have yet to be finalised.The Chief Adviser may start for China on the evening...

Weather (2025-03-07)

Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country until 6:00 pm today (Friday), according to the Met Office.Day and night temperature may fall slightly over the country.The highest temperature of the country was recorded on Thursday...

Travel ban on Atiur, Barkat, Salam, 23 others

A Dhaka court on Thursday issued a travel ban on 23 people, including Dr Atiur Rahman, Bangladesh Bank's former governor; Dr Abul Barkat, Janata Bank's former chairman; and Abdus Salam Azad, former Managing Director of Janata Bank, in connection with...

Adviser warns launch operators of route permit cancellation

Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain warned on Thursday of cancelling route permit, if any launche is involved in jumping the queue for taking passengers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr festival."Launches can't jump the line. We have discussed it...

Seven held in city under ‘Operation Devil Hunt’

Police on Wednesday arrested seven people from Mohammadpur area of the capital on various charges as part of the ‘Operation Devil Hunt’.The arrestees were identified as Sakib (23), Harun (30), Chanchal (28), Shuvo (22), Saddam (30), Alam Baby (25) and...

Action if banned outfits hold rally in city: DMP

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) warned on Thursday that legal action would be taken, if any banned organisations, including Hizbut Tahrir, tried to hold rally and distribute leaflets anywhere in the capital. "Hizbut Tahrir, as per the existing law of the...

NID services should stay under EC: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday said they would strongly urge the government to keep the national identity (NID) services under the Election Commission's (EC) control, report agencies."We will strongly voice our opinions in the law-making process....

DMTCL exploring ways to raise metro rail capacity

Ridership on the metro rail has recently surged to nearly 500,000 passengers, prompting the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) to explore ways to enhance its capacity.DMTCL plans to add two more cars to each train and reduce train headways...

Ex-MP MA Maleque on remand

A Dhaka court has placed former Member of Parliament (MP) from Dhaka-20 constituency MA Maleque on a four-day remand in a case lodged over the murder of one Riajul Islam in the Ashulia area during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, reports...

BNP leader suspended in Jashore for 'looting' rice

BENAPOLE, Mar 06 (UNB): A local BNP leader has been suspended by the party in Sharsha uapzila of Jashore over alleged looting of 155 sacks of rice meant for a government's food-friendly programme.The suspended BNP leader is Ruhul Kuddus, vice-president...

Tarique, Mamun acquitted in money laundering case

The Supreme Court (SC) has acquitted BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun in a money laundering case, report agencies.A four-member tribunal headed by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order on Thursday, said the...

Travel ban on ex-RCC mayor Liton, family, ex-Jatrabari OC, wife

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on former Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, his wife Shahin Akter, daughters Anika Fariha Zaman and Maisa Samiha Zaman over graft allegations, report agencies.Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md...