Author: Desk Report
Chief Adviser Prof Mohammed Yunus has urged the National Consensus Commission to expedite the reform agenda with an aim to hold the next general election between December and June. He came up with urgency during a meeting with two members of the National Consensus Commission, held at the State Guest House Jamuan in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon. Prof Ali Reaz, chairman of the commission and Badiul Alam Majumdar, its member, took part in the meeting, said the press wing of the chief adviser. The two members, during the meeting, informed progress of their activities to Yunus, also chairman…
A massive rally titled *March for Gaza* took place at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday, as leaders from religious groups and political parties called on the Muslim world to sever ties with Israel in protest of its continued military actions in Gaza. The event, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh through a Facebook campaign, drew millions of participants who gathered in a powerful show of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the daily Amar Desh, read out a formal declaration during the event, urging Muslim-majority countries to cancel all agreements and diplomatic ties…
A fire seemingly presumed to be act of anarchists today burned the face motif of fallen fascist Sheikh Hasina, built as a symbol of fascism, to observe Noboborsho Shobhajatra on Pahela Boishakh scheduled to be held on April 14. Fire totally burnt the monstrous fascist motif of Sheikh Hasina, one of the seven largest motifs built for Bangla New Year observance, into ashes, resulting in damages of nearby motifs as well. DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said the fire could have been set on the motif between 4:45 and 5:00 in the morning as the members of the security mobile team…
Four Bangladeshi trucks carrying goods destined for third countries were turned back from Benapole Port on Wednesday after India revoked a key transshipment facility granted in 2020, disrupting cross-border trade routes. The transshipment arrangement had previously allowed Bangladesh to export goods to countries like Bhutan and Nepal via Indian territory. However, following the recent decision by the Indian government, Petrapole Customs refused to clear the shipments, prompting the return of the trucks. Benapole Port Deputy Director Rashedul Sajib Nazir confirmed the trucks were denied entry into India, although exports meant for the Indian market remain unaffected. India’s…
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…