Author: Desk Report
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,…
BNP on Sunday filed a case against 19 people, including former Chief Election Commissioners, EC Commissioners and other officials involved in conducting the 10th, 11th and 12th national elections, alleging irregularities and biased conduct. A four-member BNP delegation, led by party’s National Executive Committee member Salahuddin Khan, lodged the case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station on Sunday morning. Earlier, they submitted a copy of the complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission office in Agargaon. They also handed over a BNP letter, signed by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhtul Islam Alamgir…
The United States has carried out strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, with President Donald Trump saying Saturday it was a “very successful attack” and that all American planes were safely on the way home. Trump had spent weeks pursuing a diplomatic path to replace the nuclear deal with Tehran that he tore up in 2018. But he has since backed Israel’s military campaign against Iran’s nuclear facilities and top military brass, which it launched a little over a week ago. AFP examines what we know about the US strikes on Iran. – The targets – …
The agitating students of Dhaka Medical College (DMC) on Saturday decided not to leave the halls, but took a fresh vow to continue the movement until their demands, including urgent action to resolve their ongoing accommodation crisis, are met. They also termed the authorities’ decision to stop academic activities and drive out all students from their halls without any discussion with them as completely unreasonable and unilitaral. “We stood up for our justified demands, it is not unreasonable,” said a group of students when the authorities concerned declared the DMC closed for an indefinite period amid an ongoing…
The BNP will file a case against three former chief election commissioners (CECs) and election commissioners on Sunday for alleged irregularities during parliamentary polls in the past. Confirming the matter on Saturday, BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan said a three-member delegation from the party would visit the Election Commission first on Sunday morning with a copy of the lawsuit application. Later, they would go to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station to submit the application, he added. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed will lead the delegation.
Continuous heavy rainfall across the country has significantly raised the water level of Kaptai Lake, the largest man-made reservoir in Bangladesh, bringing a wave of positive developments for both local transportation and national electricity generation. In recent days, the lake has swelled to near capacity due to uninterrupted downpours, restoring its familiar, full-to-the-brim appearance. This rise in water level has eased waterway transportation and enhanced operations at the country’s only hydroelectric power station. According to officials at the Kaptai Hydropower Plant, the current water level in the lake is approximately 17 feet above the rule curve — a…