National,Business & Commerce,Bank & Insurance,Politics

Bangladesh’s economy ‘struggling but could be worse’: Ex-World Bank economist

Bangladesh’s economy is ‘struggling but could have been far worse’ and the country’s future now depends on maintaining reform momentum and ensuring an uninterrupted electoral process, said former Lead Economist of the World Bank’s Dhaka office Dr Zahid Hussain said on M...

National,Business & Commerce,Politics,Country, Districts

Onion import resume through Sonamasjid land port after 3 months

Onion import from India has resumed through Sonamasjid land port in Chapainawabganj after a three-month suspension.A total of 90 metric tonnes of onions have entered the country so far after the government granted limited permission for onion imports.Mainul Islam, manager of Panama Sonamasjid Port L...

National,Business & Commerce,Bank & Insurance

Bangladesh Bank server still down, interbank platform offline

Four days after a major power disruption, Bangladesh Bank’s server has yet to be fully normal, officials said.They said the online platform for the Interbank Data Processing (ITDP) system, which facilitates mutual exchanges between banks, remains offline due to the server malfunction.A Banglad...

National,Business & Commerce,Politics,Country, Districts,Budget

Bangladesh economy under pressure despite signs of gradual rebound: Report

Bangladesh’s economy continues to face significant stress from persistent inflation, weak investor confidence, limited fiscal space and external uncertainties, even as some indicators point to the prospect of a gradual recovery in the coming months, according to  Bangladesh State of the E...

National,Politics

BNP candidate Fazlur relieved of contempt of court charge

BNP-nominated candidate for Kishoreganj-4 (Itna-Mithamoin-Austagram) constituency advocate Fazlur Rahman on Monday was relieved of a contempt of court allegation after offering an unconditional apology.A three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1 headed by its Chairman Justice Md. Golam M...

National,Business & Commerce,Politics,Budget

Bangladesh edging towards ‘debt trap’, warns CPD’s Mustafizur Rahman

Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Prof Mustafizur Rahman on Monday said Bangladesh must urgently strengthen revenue mobilisation, improve governance and address deep-rooted structural challenges to ensure inclusive growth and avoid the risk of falling into a debt trap.He a...

National,Politics

‘Religion card’ no longer fooling citizens, says Salahuddin

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said the people of the country have already unmasked those who have no political principles or development plan, but are still trying to deceive the nation by selling a ‘religion card’.Speaking at the inauguration of BNP’s second day of ...

National,Feature,Country, Districts

Unchecked soil lifting threatens Gomti River, infrastructures in Cumilla

UNB, Cumilla: Along the quiet banks of the Gomti River in Cumilla, an environmental crisis is unfolding in plain sight. As the winter dry season settles in, the river’s embankments, which shield nearby homes, farms and infrastructure, are being carved away by a surge of illegal soil extra...

National,Healthcare

Govt set to implement new project to digitise medical, nursing education

The government has taken a project aimed at streamlining and strengthening the management of medical, population and nursing education services across the country.The project “Integrated Improvement in the Management of Activities of the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME), NIPORT ...

National,Infrastructure, Development

Baitul Mukarram undergoing major upgrades, says Religious Affairs Adviser

Since assuming his role as Religious Affairs Adviser, Dr AFM Khalid Hossain has overseen a series of development and reform initiatives at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.“These efforts — ranging from improved infrastructure to enhanced safety and facility upgrades — are alread...

National,Politics

Bangladesh keen to pursue FTA with Thailand: Adviser Bashir

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Sunday said a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Thailand could play a major role in strengthening maritime and logistics connectivity to boost bilateral trade and investment.He said this during a meeting with Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh, Thitipor...

National,Politics

Moving forward to give nation best election in history: Prof Yunus

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday reaffirmed that the interim government is moving forward to give the nation the best election in history in the first half of February next."You (Election Commission) are in the driver's seat in this election that is awaited by the nation. We must...

National,Politics

Ex-president of Jatiya Press Club Shaukat Mahmood detained

Detectives detained Shaukat Mahmood, former president of the Jatiya Press Club from Malibagh area of the capital on Sunday.A team of DB police picked him up from his residence, said Deputy Commissioner of DMP (Media and Public Relations Division) Talebur Rahman.However, it is not clear in which case...

National,Politics

Women participation essential for inclusive democracy in Bangladesh: Norway

Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen on Sunday emphasised that digital spaces are now central to political engagement and must be safe for women’s participation and said women’s political participation is essential for inclusive democracy.“Women’s ...

National,Business & Commerce,Country, Districts

Govt plans subsidies for potato farmers: Adviser Jahangir Alam

The government is considering providing subsidies to potato farmers who suffered losses from last year’s cultivation, Agriculture Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Sunday.“This year, potato farmers have suffered a lot. We are thinking about providing subsidy for potato growers,&...

National,Business & Commerce

Prof Yunus seeks stronger trade, energy ties with Azerbaijan

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday stressed the need for stronger trade, energy and economic ties between Bangladesh and Azerbaijan.He discussed the issues when Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva, daughters of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna.This...

National,Business & Commerce,Bank & Insurance

Deposit refund process to begin this week for five merged Shariah Banks

Depositors of the five Islamic banks undergoing the merger process are set to get their money back, with the refund process expected to start as early as this week, according to Bangladesh Bank (BB) sources.An assistant director conditioning anonymity told UNB on Sunday that under the management of ...

National

Yunus calls for urgent united efforts to curb food contamination

Voicing concern over widespread food contamination, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday called for collective and urgent action to address the crisis, stressing the need for coordinated efforts in everyone’s best interests."We are aware of the various types of contamination found ...

National,Business & Commerce,Infrastructure, Development

Railway exempted from submitting proof of income tax return filing

The government has exempted Bangladesh Railway from the requirement to submit proof of income tax return filing, citing its status as a state-owned and non-taxable entity.According to an official order, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) granted the exemption under the authority of Section 264(4) o...

National,Politics

CEC, Election Commissioners in Jamuna for meeting with CA

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, along with other Election Commissioners, went to the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday afternoon to meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.An election commissioner confirmed the development, saying the meeting is part of the EC’s ongoing engagement...