Author: Desk Report
Bangladesh’s rivers are in the grip of an alarming ecological crisis, with 81 reported to have dried up during the lean season, according to a recent study. Once the lifelines of the nation—sustaining local economies, biodiversity, and ecosystems—many rivers are now either heavily silted or vanishing altogether, warns the study titled “Dried-up Rivers of Bangladesh” by the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC). The crisis is particularly severe in regions such as Khulna, Satkhira, Rajshahi and Kushtia, where pollution, sedimentation, and rapid urbanisation have severely disrupted natural water flows. “This deterioration poses a serious threat to livelihoods, agriculture,…
A Dhaka court on Thursday issued arrest warrants against 18 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed, in connection with a fraud case involving illegal acquisition of land in the RAJUK Purbachal New Town Project. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib issued the order after accepting the formal charges filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The court has also scheduled May 4 for submission of the investigation report. The ACC had initially filed the case on January 12, 2025, naming 16 accused. The charge sheet, submitted on March 10, added…
The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and its equivalent examinations for 2025 will begin across the country on Thursday. This year, a total of 1,490,142 candidates are expected to sit for the examinations under nine general education boards in 2,291 centres in 18,084 institutions of the country. Of them, there are 701,538 male and 788,604 female students. Under Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board, a total of 294,726 students are also expected to take the exams with 150,893 male and 143,833 female students being registered. Besides, 143,313 students under the Bangladesh Technical Education Board are registered to sit for…
The BNP has requested an appointment with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to resolve confusion regarding the national election. “We have sought time to meet the Chief Adviser. After meeting with him, we will talk about this (election) issue,” said BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. He made the remarks at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office when journalists asked for his comments on the party’s future course of action to pressure the government into organising the national election by December this year. Salahuddin said they will certainly urge the Chief Adviser to present a clear roadmap for…
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday urged the global investors to come up with their business in Bangladesh to change the world saying Bangladesh is the best place for investment. “Bangladesh is a country with crazy ideas to change the world…so we invite you to join that craft not only to change Bangladesh by your business but to change the world,” he said while addressing the inaugural session of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 at Hotel Intercontinental here. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) organised the summit. Prof Yunus said: “If you want to make a business…
At least 49 individuals have been arrested in connection with attacks on businesses in Sylhet, including a KFC restaurant and a Bata showroom, during a protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Two cases have been filed following the incidents. Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Tuesday, April 8. The vandalism occurred on Monday afternoon in the city’s Mirabazar and Dargagate areas, with protesters accusing the businesses of having ties to Israel. Witnesses reported that a group of protesters targeted the KFC outlet in Mirabazar around 3 p.m., damaging several…
Some 70 foreign businessmen and representatives of companies of different countries like Korea, China, Japan, Australia, India today visited the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) here at Anwara and National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) at Mirersarai. The formal journey of the Bangladesh Investment Summit-2025 began today with such in-field visits by investors to KEPZ and NSEZ. On the maiden day of the Summit, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) arranged the visit to country’s two industrial KPI mainly dominated by foreign entrepreneurs to apprise and show practically the visiting foreign team regarding existing conducive environment for their investments. Chief Adviser…
In response to a call for a global strike for Palestinian rights on Monday, Bangladesh students and educational institutions have announced they will support the movement in solidarity with the people of Gaza. The Dhaka University (DU) and Jagannath University authorities have suspended all classes and exams on Monday, Jahangirnagar University announced academic halt on Tuesday, while Rajshahi University (RU) will stage a rally in front of the campus Senate building in protest against Israel’s genocidal attacks on Gaza people. Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Union have called for a closure of all educational institutions and offices on…
Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Ahsan H Mansur on Monday said the central bank has taken an initiative to launch a special fund of about Tk 800 crore to Tk 900 crore to support startups. “This fund will be distributed through commercial banks,” he said while speaking at a panel discussion at the inaugural session of the ‘Bangladesh Startup Connect 2025’ at Hotel Intercontinental here. This flagship event under the Bangladesh Investment Summit-2025 is taking place under the powerful theme: “Empowering Innovation, Connecting Opportunities” Organised by Startup Bangladesh Limited, ICT Division, and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Startup Connect…
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to delay the imposition of a 37% tariff on Bangladeshi exports for three months. This request is aimed at providing the interim government with enough time to implement initiatives designed to boost U.S. exports to Bangladesh. In a letter sent on Monday, Yunus expressed his hope that President Trump would grant the delay, ensuring a smooth execution of the efforts to increase American exports. The U.S. government recently imposed a 37% tariff on Bangladeshi exports, arguing that the tariffs Bangladesh imposes on U.S. goods are…