Author: Desk Report

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for revitalizing Bangladesh-Pakistan relations, emphasizing the importance of enhanced cooperation and tapping into untapped trade and business opportunities between the two South Asian nations. The call came during a meeting with visiting Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch at the State Guest House Jamuna. Baloch is the first Pakistani foreign secretary to visit Bangladesh in 15 years. “There are certain hurdles, but we must find ways to overcome them and move forward,” Prof Yunus told Baloch, underlining the need for renewed dialogue and collaboration. Foreign Secretary Baloch echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging…

BNP on Thursday told the Consensus Commission that the party is not against reforms but wants to utilize the opportunity that has been created for reforms. “We have another opportunity before us, and we want to seize it. We are cooperating with this commission and this government with that expectation (in mind),” he said BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan. The BNP leader made the remarks at his opening speech at the talks with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The Consensus Commission is holding talks as part of…

Bangladesh has announced its decision to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, commonly known as the Water Convention of 1992. This move positions Bangladesh as the first Asian country to ratify the international agreement. The decision was finalized during a meeting of the Council of Advisers held at the Chief Adviser’s Office, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Following the meeting, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. She highlighted that Bangladesh has already completed all necessary preparations…

Gold prices in Bangladesh have surged to a historic high, with the price of 22-carat gold rising by Tk3,033 to reach Tk1,65,209 per bhori (11.664 grams), the highest rate ever recorded in the country. The Bangladesh Jewellers’ Association (BAJUS) announced the new rates on Wednesday following a meeting of its Standing Committee on Pricing and Price Monitoring. The hike reflects a continued rise in the price of pure gold in the local market, the association said in a press release signed by committee chairman Masudur Rahman. Under the new pricing, 22-carat gold will cost Tk14,164 per gram, while…

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Wednesday accused the civil administration, including law enforcement agencies, of favoring the BNP, thereby obstructing efforts to hold a fair and credible election. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with a visiting U.S. government delegation in Dhaka, Nahid claimed that administrative bodies have turned a blind eye to the BNP’s “violent and unlawful activities,” creating an environment where organizing elections has become virtually impossible. Nahid, a well-known student leader from last year’s protest movement, alleged that BNP activists have repeatedly attacked NCP members while the administration failed to intervene. “Time…

In a significant breakthrough, the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has handed over a cheque of Tk 100 crore to the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) as part of its long-overdue municipal tax payment. This marks a major success for Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, who assumed office just five and a half months ago. On Wednesday afternoon, Rear Admiral SM Muniruzzaman, Chairman of the CPA, officially presented the cheque to Mayor Shahadat Hossain. The handover ceremony was attended by CPA Member (Harbor & Marine) Ahmed Amin Abdullah, CPA Secretary Md. Omar Faruk, as well as CCC Chief Revenue Officer Sarwar Kamal…

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke has met with Nahid Islam and other National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders as part of a series of meetings with political parties. = They discussed the UK’s support to Bangladesh and the pathway towards a democratic, inclusive, and prosperous future, said the High Commission on Wednesday.\ The leaders of theNCP on Tuesday met diplomats of the European countries and discussed the party’s views and priorities. Both sides also discussed the European Union’s support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition. Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller was,…

The national election will be held as early as possible within the established timeline of December 2025 to June 2026, Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul confirmed on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters outside the State guesthouse Jamuna following a meeting between a BNP delegation and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Dr. Nazrul emphasized that the interim government is not seeking to delay the election for political gain. “This is not about holding on to power,” he clarified. “There is absolutely no intention of delaying the election. The Chief Adviser has been very clear—June 2026 is the absolute deadline.” …

Bangladesh Meteorological Department predicted rains coupled with thunder showers in parts of the country including Dhaka in 24hrs commencing 9am on Wednesday. “Rain or thunder showers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at a few places over Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions with hails at isolated places,” said a Met office bulletin. Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country. The country’s maximum temperature was recorded at 35.8 degrees Celsius in Feni on Tuesday while…

BNP on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction as Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus reiterated that the national election will be held in between December and June. “We are not happy at all, we have clearly said if the election is not held by December they country’s political and social situation will deteriorate further,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said emerging from the meeting with the Chief Adviser at the state guest house Jamuna. “We have told him (CA) that December is the cut-off time for the election,” he added. A seven-member BNP delegation led by party secretary…