Author: Desk Report
The government has chalked out a 36-day programme to begin on 1 July with intermittent breaks to celebrate the July Mass Uprising in a due manner and with festivities. The press wing of the chief adviser said this in a press statement floated for the media on Tuesday. The entire country witnessed unrest throughout July last year, as students under the banner of ‘Students Against Discrimination’ launched a one-point movement demanding the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. At one point, Sheikh Hasina was forced to step down and flee the country on 5 August in…
Iran and Israel are reported to have agreed to a ceasefire following 12 days of exchanging intense air strikes, including a “last minute” barrage fired by Tehran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Tuesday morning that Israel had agreed to the truce proposal announced by United States President Donald Trump overnight. Earlier, Iranian state television reported that the ceasefire had begun. The Israeli statement came not long after Trump had said in a post on social media that the ceasefire was under way. “The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate it!”…
Most political parties have agreed to a proposal limiting an individual’s tenure as prime minister to a maximum of 10 years in their lifetime, excluding three parties that had alternative views, said Junaid Saki, the chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon. He made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Sunday following the second phase of discussions held between political parties and the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. Jonaid Saki said, “There has been a discussion on how many terms a person can serve as prime minister. A proposal was placed suggesting that…
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China Sunday to help deter Iran from shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade route, following American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. “I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that because they heavily depend on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil,” Rubio said on Fox News. Analysts have said Iran may opt to retaliate to Washington’s early Sunday attack by shutting the Strait, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes. “If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake.…
A court in Dhaka on Monday placed former chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on a four-day remand in a case filed over allegedly holding a farcical parliamentary election during his term in office. Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman passed the order following a 10-day remand petition filed by the police. On Sunday night, law enforcers arrested Nurul Huda from his residence in the capital’s Uttara area, hours after a case was lodged against him, two other former CECs along with deposed fascist prime minister Sheikh Hasina and others. The BNP filed the case…
f the Iran-Israel war prolongs, it could have serious negative implications for Bangladesh’s energy sector. A potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s key maritime trade routes—would disrupt the import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and fuel oil. With rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the supply of LNG is already facing potential disruption. Last week, LNG prices surged in Asia’s spot market, and if instability deepens, domestic energy prices may rise, according to senior government sources. Overall, concerns are growing over the country’s future energy security. A rise in LNG and oil prices would…
Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has announced a proposed budget of Tk 2,145.42 crore for the fiscal year 2025–26. The budget was formally unveiled on Monday at the TIC auditorium in Chattogram. During the session, Dr. Hossain also presented a revised budget of Tk 1,221.96 crore for the 2024–25 fiscal year. In a politically charged speech, Mayor Hossain referred to his electoral victory in the 2021 city elections, alleging that despite winning, he was denied office due to what he described as “the fascist government’s manipulation.” He claimed to have officially assumed the mayoral role…
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday encouraged the young scouts to help open doors for others and discover the world of opportunities, know the people better with broader friendship and contribute to positive changes. “Scouting has opened a big door of opportunities for you. It is a big opportunity for you to open the door for others,” he said while inaugurating Bangladesh Scouts Cub Carnival at the Chief Adviser’s Office. The Chief Adviser also distributed Shapla Cub Awards at the ceremony. This carnival has started simultaneously in 527 places across the country. Prof Yunus urged…
Leaders from the National Citizen Party (NCP) submitted their applications to the Election Commission (EC) seeking registration as a political party on Sunday, the final day for the process. An NCP delegation went to Nirbachan Bhaban at 4pm and submitted the relevant documents. “We’ve submitted our application (to EC) after fulfilling all registration-related conditions in line with the RPO,” said NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossain. He said NCP has sought the “Shapla,” water lily in English, as its electoral symbol. If it is not possible to allot Water Lily, the party requested Pen or Mobile symbol. …
The Council of Advisers in its meeting on Sunday approved the national budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026. The meeting, however, did not approve the proposed continuation of a provision to allow undisclosed money, a senior official told UNB. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presided over the meeting, held at the CA’s Tejgaon office. Earlier, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) strongly condemned the decision to continue the provision for whitening black money in the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2025–26. The organisation said it reflects a stance completely contrary to the objectives of state reforms,…