Author: Desk Report

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu has accused the interim government of intentionally delaying national elections to prevent the BNP from returning to power through public support and democratic means. Speaking at a rally organised by the Bangladesh Democratic Council in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday morning, Dudu said, “The nation is deeply concerned. It’s no longer clear what the government actually wants. We believe the election delays are a tactic to sideline the BNP and block its path to forming a government through the people’s vote.” Calling for clarity from the authorities, the senior BNP…

Malaysian immigration authorities have arrested 165 Bangladeshi nationals during a large-scale crackdown on undocumented migrants in Kuala Lumpur, part of a broader operation that led to the detention of 506 foreign nationals. The raid, conducted Thursday night by the Immigration Department in the Medan Imbi area, targeted multiple residential blocks along Jalan Barat, Jalan Melati, and Jalan Khoo Teik Ee. A total of 895 individuals were screened during the operation, including 146 Malaysians. According to local media outlet ‘New Straits Times’, those detained are suspected of violating the Immigration Act 1959/63. The majority were found without valid identification,…

France praised a fresh round of high-level discussions on the Ukraine conflict, calling the talks a “positive process” as European and American officials met in Paris to explore potential pathways toward a ceasefire in the ongoing war. The diplomatic meetings, held Thursday, brought together French President Emmanuel Macron, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US envoy Steve Witkoff, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, German representatives, and Ukrainian ministers. The initiative marks a concerted effort by Europe to take an active role in peace negotiations, amid growing pressure to end the war that has raged for over three years. …

The 116th edition of the historic Abdul Jabbar’s Boli Khela, a traditional wrestling competition rooted in anti-colonial heritage, will take place on April 25 (Friday) at 4 PM at the ‘Laldighi Maidan’ in Chattogram. The event will be accompanied by a vibrant three-day Baishakhi Fair, running from April 24 to 26. To ensure smooth public movement during the festivities, authorities have announced that no stalls will be allowed on the road from Anderkilla to Court Building. Strict actions will be taken against unauthorized stall setups, illegal occupation, or extortion. This legendary wrestling event was first organized on 12th…

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…