United News of Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said police are expected to submit the charge sheet in the Ramisa Akter murder case to the court by Sunday afternoon. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the family of slain child Ramisa at Pallabi in the capital at night. “The police department has sincerely carried out its duty and successfully arrested the accused. The accused has also given a confessional statement under Section 164. Now it is time to submit the charge sheet. Before that, the DNA test has to be completed,” the minister said. He said the DNA examination is already underway at the laboratory of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police with court approval. “The DNA test process usually takes 48 hours as it is a scientific procedure. We hope it will be completed by Sunday noon and, InshaAllah, we will be able to submit the charge sheet to the court by Sunday afternoon,” Salahuddin said. He said efforts will be made to complete the trial proceedings as quickly as possible and ensure the highest punishment for the accused. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived at Ramisa’s residence at 9:50pm and stayed there for about 18 minutes. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Safiqul Islam Khan accompanied him. The Prime Minister met Ramisa’s parents and elder sister, and consoled the grieving family members over the brutal killing. After the meeting, the Home Minister said the Prime Minister assured the family that the government will bear all educational and related expenses of Ramisa’s elder sister Raisa Akter. He also said the Prime Minister promised to arrange safe accommodation for the family within a short time. Salahuddin said the government is considering legal reforms to ensure quicker investigation and trial in cases involving child rape and murder. “If further legal changes are needed to ensure speedy submission of charge sheets and quick disposal of such cases, necessary amendments will be made,” he said. The minister said the issue was discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday and the Law Minister assured that necessary legal reforms will be undertaken. “We will try to ensure that such heinous crimes are not repeated in the country,” he added. Asked what the family sought from the Prime Minister, the Home Minister said the family mainly wanted speedy and fair trial. “They also sought support so that their other daughter can live safely, continue her studies and have a better future. The Prime Minister assured them of assistance,” he said. Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said the family expressed satisfaction over the swift arrest of the accused and the legal steps taken so far. Police recovered the mutilated and decapitated body of seven-year-old Ramisa from a flat in Pallabi on Tuesday morning. The brutal killing sparked protests among classmates and local residents outside the victim’s residence, where they demanded speedy trial and capital punishment for the killer.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Thursday issued a set of directives to all banks, Mobile Financial Services (MFS) providers, Payment Service Providers (PSPs), and Payment System Operators (PSOs) to keep banking and digital transaction systems fully operational during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holidays. The central bank issued a circular in this regard on Thursday, describing the matter as "highly important" to ensure hassle-free transactions for customers. According to the circular, financial institutions must maintain uninterrupted services across automated teller machines (ATMs), point of sale (POS) terminals, QR codes, internet banking, online e-payment gateways, and MFS platforms throughout the holiday period. The central bank directed banks to ensure 24/7 services at all ATM booths. Financial institutions must promptly resolve any technical glitches that may arise. The BB also emphasized maintaining an adequate supply of cash and ensuring round-the-clock security at the booths, suggesting that bank officials inspect ATM facilities if necessary. While POS and QR code-based transaction systems must remain active at all times, the central bank ordered operators to raise awareness among merchants and customers to prevent fraudulent activities. To bolster security for internet banking and online e-payment gateways, the central bank has made Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) mandatory. This security measure must be strictly enforced, particularly for "Card-Not-Present" (CNP) online transactions. Additionally, receiving banks have been instructed to credit customer accounts immediately upon receiving settlement reports for transactions featuring the '85' branch code. MFS providers have been asked to maintain seamless operations and ensure a sufficient supply of cash at agent points. Bangladesh Bank also instructed them to take necessary preparations to manage the surge in transaction volumes typical of the festive season. The circular states that customers must be notified instantly via SMS alerts for all types of electronic transactions. To prevent any form of customer harassment or distress, financial institutions must operate a 24/7 customer helpline. Furthermore, the central bank advised running awareness campaigns in the media to safeguard digital transactions and prevent fraud. The circular noted that all previous guidelines issued by the department regarding holiday operations must also be strictly followed.

Two leaders of the Barishal University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), ruling party BNP's student front, have been expelled from their organisational posts over allegations of involvement in extortion from fish transport vehicles. The expelled leaders are vice-presidents of the university unit, Mia Babul and Md Mithu. The information was confirmed in a press release signed by JCD central office secretary Jahangir Alam on Thursday afternoon. According to the statement, the decision was taken by the central committee of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal based on specific allegations of violating organisational discipline. The release said JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir approved the decision and instructed leaders and activists at all levels to refrain from maintaining any organisational relations with the expelled leaders. Earlier on May 19, leaders and activists of the university unit allegedly stopped vehicles carrying fish fry on the Dhaka-Kuakata highway and extorted around Tk 1 lakh from the drivers. They were also accused of vandalising another vehicle and assaulting its driver after failing to collect extortion money. Besides the two expelled leaders, allegations were also brought against several others, including vice-president Akib, joint general secretary Md Ibrahim Hossain Swajan, Imran Mahmud, Shakhawat, assistant organisational secretary Haidar Munshi and Shahriar. The expulsion order came a day after the JCD central committee summoned the president and general secretary of the Barishal University unit to Dhaka over the incident.

The Cabinet Division on Thursday said the implementation rate of decisions taken at Cabinet meetings stood at 70.73 percent as of April 30. According to a Cabinet Division press release, seven Cabinet meetings were held between February 17 and April 30 after the BNP government assumed office. The implementation progress report on decisions taken during the period was presented at the 8th Cabinet meeting on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved a proposal to ratify the Agreement on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology signed between the governments of Bangladesh and Japan. Besides, it approved the proposal to sign the Framework Agreement on the Establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), considering Bangladesh’s role as home to the Royal Bengal Tiger and the importance of conserving the Sundarbans ecosystem. The IBCA, established in April 2023, is a global alliance aimed at conserving seven major big cat species – tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah. Currently, 24 UN member states are part of the alliance. The framework agreement focuses on protecting big cat habitats, preventing illegal hunting and wildlife trade, and promoting technical cooperation and exchange of expertise among member countries. The Cabinet also approved the draft Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration National Action Plan (GCM-NAP) for 2026-2030, initiated by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) was adopted by the United Nations in 2018 to promote safe, regular and orderly migration worldwide. Bangladesh is among 164 countries that are parties to the agreement. The release said Bangladesh has been playing a leading role in global cooperation on migration issues and was recognised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as a GCM Champion Country in 2020. The draft national action plan for 2026-2030 was prepared jointly with the IOM based on recommendations from various stakeholders and later approved by the Cabinet.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman’s recent visit to China had injected fresh momentum into ‘Belt and Road’ cooperation, noting that the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership would continue to advance and bring greater benefits to the people of both countries. Referring to the foreign minister’s ‘successful’ visit to China, the envoy said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure, water resource management, the digital economy, green development, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges through practical projects. Ambassador Yao made the remarks at a launching ceremony for the “2026 Chinese Government Training Programs” at the Embassy on Thursday evening. Director General of the East Asia and Pacific Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Nore-Alam and Joint Secretary of the Economic Relations Division under the Ministry of Finance Kawshar Jahan, among others, were present. Since the formation of the new government, at least four Chinese enterprises have signed investment agreements with Bangladesh in just over three months, with intended investments totaling nearly $100 million, Ambassador Yao said. He said China has become the largest source of foreign investment in Bangladesh since the new government took office and is actively advancing several priority projects, including the expansion and modernization of Mongla Port facilities, the China-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital project, and the China-Bangladesh Friendship Residential Hall at the University of Dhaka.  

Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, on Thursday evening shared a warm and lively interaction with members of the Bangladesh women's national cricket team, extending her best wishes ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be held in England and Wales this June. At a special send-off reception hosted by British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke in honour of cricket team members, Zaima was seen engaging in friendly conversations with the players, exchanging pleasantries and posing for selfies in a cheerful atmosphere. The reception at the British High Commissioner’s residence celebrated Bangladesh team’s achievements and wished them success as they prepared to represent Bangladesh on the global stage.  

A three-day photography exhibition titled “Voice of Coastal Climate Resilience” began in Dhaka on Thursday, showcasing the struggles, leadership and adaptation efforts of women living in Bangladesh’s climate-vulnerable coastal regions. The exhibition, organized under the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Gender-responsive Coastal Adaptation (GCA) Project with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Government of Bangladesh, was inaugurated at Drik Gallery in Panthapath. Through visual storytelling, the exhibition highlights how women in coastal communities are adapting to challenges such as salinity intrusion, cyclones, river erosion and livelihood insecurity. The photographs document women-led initiatives and local adaptation practices aimed at strengthening community resilience against climate change impacts. Organizers said women’s contributions to climate resilience often remain underrepresented despite their critical role in supporting families and communities in disaster-prone coastal areas. They said the exhibition aims to raise public awareness about women-led climate adaptation and the importance of inclusive and community-driven resilience efforts. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Environment, Forest and Climate Change State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam; National Project Director of the GCA Project and Additional Secretary under the Department of Women Affairs Md Abdul Hye Al Mahmud; UNDP Assistant Resident Representative and Head of Resilience and Inclusive Growth Cluster Sarder M Asaduzzaman; and UNDP Bangladesh Head of Communication Md Abdul Quayyum, among others. The exhibition will continue until May 23 at Drik Gallery, Level 2, DrikPath Bhobon, 16 Sukrabad Road, Panthapath, and will remain open to visitors daily from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The showcase features around 85 photographs by AB Rashid. In addition to the physical exhibition, the photographs are also being displayed on a virtual platform. The GCA Project, implemented by UNDP with support from the Green Climate Fund and the Government of Bangladesh, works to strengthen climate resilience and adaptive capacity in coastal communities, particularly among women, by improving access to safe water, livelihoods and adaptation support to address climate-induced salinity intrusion.

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad on Thursday said that protecting public health and strengthening tobacco control were among the important commitments of the current government’s election manifesto. He said this at a discussion meeting organized by Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP) held on Thursday at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, demanding effective taxation and price increases on all tobacco products in the upcoming national budget for FY 2026–27 to protect public health. He emphasized that alongside tobacco control laws, effective taxation and price increases on tobacco products are equally essential. Referring to the keynote findings, he noted that while prices of essential commodities increased by 27 to 89 percent between 2021 and 2023, cigarette prices across different tiers rose by only 6 to 15 percent during the same period. Consequently, cigarettes have become relatively cheaper and more accessible despite rising living costs, posing a serious threat to the health of young people and low-income communities. He further stated that tobacco companies strategically target youths to create long-term consumers. He assured participants that he would raise the issue of increasing tobacco prices and implementing effective taxation in Parliament and discuss it with relevant policymakers. The keynote paper presented at the event stated that Bangladesh currently has a four-tier cigarette pricing structure—low, medium, high, and premium. Around 90 percent of cigarettes sold in the market belong to the low and medium tiers, making tobacco products highly affordable and easily accessible, especially to young people and low-income populations. As a result, tobacco control efforts are becoming ineffective among these groups. The paper proposed merging the low and medium tiers and setting the minimum retail price at TK100 per 10-stick cigarette pack, while fixing prices at BDT 150 for the high tier and TK 200 for the premium tier. It also recommended maintaining a 67 percent supplementary duty across all tiers and imposing a specific tax of BDT 4 per pack. According to the presentation, implementing these proposals could discourage more than 372,000 youths from initiating smoking and prevent the premature deaths of over 185,000 young people in the long term. Special guest Sultana Jesmin Jui MP, expressed concern as a woman legislator that the harms of tobacco are not limited to users alone but also affect women, children, and entire families. She mentioned that Bangladesh has the highest tobacco use rate in South Asia and that nearly 200,000 people die prematurely every year from tobacco-related diseases. She also highlighted that in 2024, the economic burden of tobacco-related health and environmental damages amounted to nearly TK 87,000 crore, which is more than double the revenue generated from the tobacco sector. Referring to international experiences, she said that effective tobacco taxation can simultaneously reduce smoking and increase government revenue. She cited the example of the Philippines, where cigarette sales declined by 28.1 percent between 2012 and 2015 following the implementation of sin tax reforms and a unified tax structure, while government revenue more than tripled. She pledged to remain vocal in Parliament to protect public health and safeguard women, children, and youths from the harmful impacts of tobacco. S M Jahangir Hossain MP stated that the information presented in the discussion clearly showed that the existing tobacco tax structure is causing the government to lose nearly TK 44,000 crore in potential annual revenue. Supporting social movements on tobacco control, he said that this significant amount could contribute greatly to improving education, healthcare, and social protection programs. The seminar began with a welcome speech by DORP Founder and CEO AHM Noman. Closing remarks were delivered by Chairman Mohammad Nurul Amin, while the session was moderated by Deputy Executive Director Mohammad Zobayer Hasan. Among others present at the event were anti-tobacco youth representative Naima Ahmed, Imran Hasan, and other distinguished participants.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday night visited the Pallabi residence of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter, who was allegedly raped and brutally killed this week, and assured the grieving family of the government’s support. He arrived at the family’s residence around 9:50pm and stayed there for about 18 minutes. After entering the house, the Prime Minister met Ramisa’s parents and elder sister Raisa Akter, and consoled them. He later spoke with Ramisa’s father Abdul Hannan Molla, who broke down in tears as he described the family’s grief, pain and suffering following the tragic loss of his daughter. The Prime Minister offered his condolences to the bereaved father and listened sincerely to the family’s concerns and hardships. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman assured the family that steps will be taken to help them move to a better living environment. “Ramisa’s father told the Prime Minister that they lost their daughter because they were living in an unhealthy and unsafe environment and that they now want to live in a better place with their elder daughter,” Rumon said. “The Prime Minister replied 'Alright, I will look into arranging a better living environment for you,’” he added. The Additional Press Secretary also said Tarique Rahman handed over financial assistance to the family. Rumon said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed informed the Prime Minister that the charge sheet in the case will be submitted quickly and the authorities will assist the court to ensure a speedy trial. According to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, Tarique Rahman has also taken responsibility for the education and future of Ramisa’s elder sister Raisa Akter. Before leaving, he gently placed his hand on the head of Ramisa’s elder sister, offering comfort and words of sympathy. Their mother, sitting beside her daughter, was also overwhelmed with grief and seen crying during the emotional moment. The Home Minister, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser AKM Shamsul Islam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Safiqul Islam Khan, among others, were present. Earlier in the day, Home Minister Salahuddin said exemplary punishment will be ensured in the shortest possible time in the case. Ramisa, a second-grade student of Mirpur Popular Model School, was raped and killed allegedly by a tenant living in a neighbouring flat in Pallabi on Tuesday last. Police said the suspect, Sohel Rana, lured the child into his room after she left her flat in the morning. He then allegedly raped and killed her. Ramisa’s decapitated body was later found under a bed, while her severed head was recovered from a bucket kept in the bathroom. Police arrested the prime suspect Sohel Rana along with his wife. According to police, Sohel later gave a confessional statement before a court under Section 164, admitting to the rape and murder. Ramisa’s classmates and local residents staged protests outside her home demanding the arrest and execution of the killers.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced a special metro rail schedule for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holidays, with services to remain suspended only on Eid day. According to a schedule published on Thursday, metro rail services in the capital will operate under limited timings and fixed headways to ensure passenger convenience during the holiday period. The government has declared a seven-day holiday for Eid-ul-Azha from May 25 to May 31 while Eid will be celebrated on May 28 (Thursday). Under the special schedule, the first train from Uttara North Station will depart at 6:30am, while the first train from Motijheel Station will leave at 7:15am. The last train from Uttara North will depart at 9:30pm, and the final train from Motijheel Station will leave at 10:10pm. Authorities said trains will operate throughout the day within the fixed schedule, maintaining headways of 12 to 15 minutes, according to a DMTCL press release. Around 140 trips are initially planned using seven train sets, with services to be adjusted depending on passenger demand. Under the arrangement, passengers will be able to purchase single-journey tickets and recharge MRT and Rapid Pass cards from 6:40am to 9:20am. Rapid Pass cards will also be available at all stations during these hours. On Fridays, ticket sales at Uttara North Station will begin at 2:45pm, while sales at Motijheel Station will start at 3:05pm. Authorities further said all ticket counters and vending machines will be closed after 9:20pm.  

Police have arrested three people, including the prime suspect, in connection with the murder of a young man in the Shahidnagar area under Lalbagh Police Station in the capital. The arrestees are Md Emon alias Baburchi Emon, 24, identified as the main accused, along with Kana Shahabuddin and Rezaul. Police also recovered nine rounds of pistol bullets during a raid at a house in Keraniganj based on information provided by Emon, said NM Nasiruddin, Deputy Commissioner of the Media and Public Relations Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), on Thursday night. According to police sources, Md Rafi, 25, was shot by unidentified assailants at the entrance of Lane No. 3 in Shahidnagar under Lalbagh Police Station around 8:30pm on May 14. Locals and family members rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died around 9:30am on Wednesday. Following the shooting, police launched drives in different parts of the capital and arrested Kana Shahabuddin and Rezaul on Monday. Based on information gathered from them and other intelligence inputs, police traced the location of Md Emon and arrested him in Cox’s Bazar Sadar on Wednesday. Later, acting on information provided by Emon, police recovered nine rounds of pistol bullets from a house in Keraniganj. Police said investigation was underway to uncover the full motive behind the killing.  

The Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Forum (BOTOF) hosted its Annual Members Meet 2026 in Dhaka on Thursday, bringing together travel industry leaders, international airline representatives, tourism authorities and outbound tour operators to strengthen collaboration and explore growth opportunities in Bangladesh’s expanding outbound travel market. The event, held at Hotel Sarina in Banani, convened stakeholders from across the travel and aviation sector at a time when international travel demand among Bangladeshi travellers continues to rise. BOTOF said the annual gathering serves as a platform to strengthen ties between local outbound operators and global tourism partners while addressing industry challenges and identifying new opportunities for growth. In his welcome remarks, the BOTOF president said the organization remains committed to strengthening Bangladesh’s position in the global outbound travel industry through stronger partnerships and market engagement. “This annual gathering reflects our unwavering commitment to elevating Bangladesh’s position in the global outbound travel landscape. We are proud to have the support of such distinguished international partners who share our vision,” he said. Mohammad Shoeb, marketing manager and country in-charge of Tourism Malaysia, delivered an audio-visual presentation showcasing Malaysia’s tourism offerings for Bangladeshi travellers. Shorna Das, country manager of Malaysia Airlines Berhad, also addressed attendees. The Tourism Authority of Thailand presented promotional content through Vaishali Sharma, marketing officer, highlighting Thailand’s appeal as a major destination for Bangladeshi travellers. Shofi Ul Alam, assistant general manager (sales) at Thai Airways International, discussed aviation connectivity and the airline’s engagement with the Bangladesh market. Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism sector was also featured, with Aamir Haque, head of trade for Bangladesh at the Saudi Tourism Authority, outlining travel prospects and destination offerings. Representatives from SriLankan Airlines and Turkish Airlines emphasized the importance of Bangladesh as an emerging outbound travel market. S M Sharif, manager of sales and marketing at SriLankan Airlines, and Md Zakir Hossain, sales official at Turkish Airlines, spoke on regional connectivity and travel demand. Travel technology providers also highlighted innovation in the sector. Mohammad Saiful Hoque, country general manager and CEO of Sabre Travel Network (BD) Ltd, discussed digital transformation and booking technologies shaping the travel industry, while a representative from Travelport spoke on technology-driven solutions for travel operators. The event also included the formal introduction of the TOAB (Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh) election panel, “TOAB Ogrogami Oikkojot.” Candidates outlined their priorities for the future of the association and the tourism industry. Md Taslim Amin Shovon, TOAB president and election candidate, said Bangladesh’s tourism industry holds strong potential for both inbound and outbound growth. “Bangladesh's tourism potential is immense — both in terms of what we can offer the world and what our people deserve to experience beyond our borders,” he said. “If elected, my commitment is to build a stronger, more unified tourism industry that elevates inbound tourism by showcasing Bangladesh's rich heritage and natural beauty, while simultaneously empowering our outbound operators with the tools, partnerships, and policy support they need to thrive,” he added. The programme concluded with a dinner reception, allowing members, industry representatives and guests to network and discuss future collaborations.

New Zealand is keen to provide technical and strategic support for Bangladesh's economic and industrial development, provided Dhaka outlines specific sectors where it requires assistance, Non-resident High Commissioner David Pine said on Thursday. "If Bangladesh outlines the specific areas where it expects cooperation from New Zealand with a detailed blueprint, we will positively move forward with an effective partnership," High Commissioner Pine said during a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan. The meeting, held at the BGMEA office in Uttara on Thursday morning, focused heavily on boosting bilateral trade, uncovering new investment avenues, and strengthening long-term strategic cooperation between the two nations. Welcoming the envoy's proposal, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan highlighted the association's ambitious roadmap to scale up global apparel exports to $100 billion by 2035. "To achieve this goal and mitigate global geopolitical risks, BGMEA is putting special emphasis on non-traditional and high-potential markets like New Zealand," Khan said. Currently, Bangladesh faces a trade deficit of approximately $300 million with New Zealand. According to data from the 2024-25 fiscal year, Bangladesh exported goods worth around $100 million to New Zealand, with ready-made garments (RMG) accounting for 94 percent of those shipments. Both sides agreed to work jointly to narrow this gap and explore untapped trade potentials. The BGMEA chief noted that the current board is working to diversify both markets and products in line with the government's long-term planning. Beyond RMG, the association is pushing for the expansion of textiles, footwear, pharmaceuticals, and furniture industries—sectors where New Zealand’s technical partnership could play a pivotal role. The High Commissioner expressed his agreement on this front. During the talks on the sustainable transformation of the RMG sector, renewable energy integration came to the fore, with the BGMEA president seeking advanced technical support from New Zealand. The discussion also touched upon the deferral of Bangladesh's Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation. When the High Commissioner inquired about Bangladesh's readiness, the BGMEA chief replied that the current business-friendly government is actively working alongside traders toward this goal. He emphasized the urgent need for Bangladesh to sign Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with various nations in the interim. Furthermore, the BGMEA president sought the New Zealand government's sincere support and cooperation in deferring the LDC graduation by three years. Enhancing the visibility of Bangladeshi apparel brands in the New Zealand market was another key agenda item. Since many top global brands do not operate directly in New Zealand, the BGMEA side inquired about establishing direct links with local buyers and retailers. In response, High Commissioner Pine advised Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to participate in international expos and trade fairs hosted in New Zealand. He assured that the High Commission would provide full assistance if a business delegation from Bangladesh visits New Zealand. The envoy also responded positively to a proposal for promoting Bangladesh’s homegrown brands in the New Zealand market. Senior leaders of BGMEA and high-ranking officials from the New Zealand High Commission were present at the meeting.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Thursday has withdrawn the organisational suspension imposed on Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim, convener of Kabi Jasim Uddin Hall unit Chhatra Dal under Dhaka University unit, restoring him to his post after around two and a half months. The decision was announced in a notice signed by Md Jahangir Alam, office secretary of the Chhatra Dal central committee with the status of vice-president. According to the notice, the decision was taken in line with a resolution of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal central committee. “The organisational suspension imposed on Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim, convener of Kabi Jasim Uddin Hall unit Chhatra Dal under Dhaka University unit, has been withdrawn. As a result, there are no longer any restrictions on carrying out his organisational activities,” the notice said. The notice also said the decision was approved by Chhatra Dal Central President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. Earlier, on February 27 this year, the Chhatra Dal central committee had served a show-cause notice on Hamim. Later, on March 4, he was temporarily relieved from his post after the organisation said it did not receive a satisfactory response from him.

Power distribution companies on Thursday proposed revisions to retail electricity tariffs before the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), with estimated distribution costs ranging from Tk 0.85 to Tk 2.05 per unit for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The proposals were placed on the final day of a two-day public hearing at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka, chaired by BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed. The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO), West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDCL), and Northern Electricity Supply Company (NESCO)submitted separate proposals for retail tariff revisions. According to the submissions, BPDB proposed a distribution cost of Tk 0.85 per unit, BREB Tk 1.77, DPDC Tk 1.54, DESCO Tk 1.98, WZPDCL Tk 1.39, and NESCO Tk 2.05 per unit. However, BERC’s technical evaluation committee recommended lower cost estimates, saying the weighted average net distribution cost of the six utilities would be Tk 1.25 per unit. The committee estimated BPDB’s net distribution cost at Tk 0.75 per unit, BREB’s at Tk 1.39, DPDC’s at Tk 1.18, DESCO’s at Tk 1.16, WZPDCL’s at Tk 1.33, and NESCO’s at Tk 1.43. It said the combined net distribution cost for FY2025–26 would stand at Tk 11,927 crore against projected electricity sales of 95,613 million units. According to the committee, the six utilities together served more than 49.8 million consumers as of March 2026, including over 42.5 million residential users and nearly 28 million lifeline consumers. BREB alone accounted for more than 39.1 million customers. The technical committee also made several recommendations, including conducting an independent regulatory impact assessment before reducing the approved load limit for low-tension consumers from 80 kilowatts to 50 kilowatts. It further recommended that private educational institutions, hospitals and medical colleges should not be categorised as commercial consumers for tariff purposes. The committee also advised utilities not to determine excess load for non-demand meter consumers solely based on electricity consumption patterns, suggesting periodic load measurements and gradual introduction of demand meters instead. In addition, it proposed consideration of a flat residential tariff for slum-area consumers and measures to prevent commercial charging of auto-rickshaws through residential electricity connections. During the hearing, consumer rights activists, academics and business representatives strongly opposed any fresh increase in electricity prices, blaming inefficiency, system losses, inflated project costs and capacity payments for the sector’s financial burden. Daffodil International University teacher Syed Mizanur Rahman criticised the inclusion of rate of return and corporate taxes in electricity pricing, saying monopoly public services should operate ona cost-to-cost basis instead of a profit-oriented model. Former Communist Party of Bangladesh general secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince called for reducing electricity prices instead of increasing them and proposed free electricity for poor consumers using up to 75 units monthly. Speakers also urged the government to reassess contracts with independent power producers and rental power plants, citing excessive capacity charges as a major burden. At the end of the hearing, BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed said all opinions and documents submitted during the hearing would be reviewed before a final decision is taken. He invited stakeholders to submit further written observations by May 23. He also warned that future power, gas and oil sector projects involving financial liabilities must obtain BERC’s opinion before being sent to the Planning Commission, adding that rising capacity payments had become “harmful for the nation.”

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to visit the family of slain child Ramisa Akter in the city’s Pallabi area tonight following the Cabinet meeting. The Prime Minister is expected to leave for Ramisa’s residence at Pallabi in the capital around 9:00pm after the meeting, according to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing. During the visit, he will console the bereaved family members of 8-year-old Ramisa who was killed after rape. Earlier on Thursday, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said exemplary punishment would be ensured in the shortest possible time in the case. Ramisa, a Class-II student, was raped and killed allegedly by a tenant living in a neighbouring flat in Pallabi on Tuesday last. Police said the suspect, Sohel Rana, allegedly lured the child into his room after she left her flat in the morning. He then allegedly raped and killed her. Ramisa’s decapitated body was later found under a bed, while her severed head was recovered from a bucket kept in the bathroom. Locals detained the suspect’s wife, Swapna Akter, while Sohel Rana escaped by cutting through a window grille, police said. He was later arrested in Fatullah of Narayanganj on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, the accused reportedly gave a confessional statement before a Dhaka court.  

A meeting of the cabinet began on Thursday evening at the Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. The meeting is underway at the Public Administration meeting room of the Cabinet Division, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office.          

bKash, the country’s largest mobile financial services provider, has modernised the library of the historic St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Dhaka. As part of bKash’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, the initiative aims to foster an enriched reading and study environment while expanding learning opportunities for students. The initiative was dedicated to the memory of the late Mahfuz Sadique, a former student of the institution and the Chief Communications Officer of bKash. The modernised library of this seven-decade-old institution will now facilitate around 50 students at a time. Besides, the current students can also borrow books using membership cards to read them at home. Alongside infrastructural renovations, the technical facilities in the library have been further enhanced. Several high-performance desktop computers with internet connectivity have been installed, allowing students to explore a vast collection of e-books, both local and international. Marking the occasion, a special memorial programme was held at the school premises in remembrance of Mahfuz Sadique. The event was attended by Kamal Quadir, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of bKash, Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam (Retd), Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer of bKash, Dr. Brother Leo James Pereira, Principal of the school, Dr. Maliha Muzammil, wife of late Mahfuz Sadique, and family members; school alumni including Kazi Mahmood Sattar, IDLC Chairman, and Professor Imran Rahman, Special Advisor to the Board of Trustees of ULAB as well as current students.  

National Doctors' Forum (NDF), a platform of doctors, on Thursday demanded a phased increase in government spending on the health sector to 5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the upcoming national budget Of FY2026-27. The leaders of the organization pointed out that the current allocation for the country's health sector stands at a mere 0.7 percent of the GDP, which is highly inadequate compared to thehealthcare needs of the population. Consequently, healthcare disparities are widening, forcing citizens to bear the lion's share of medical expenses out of their own pockets. The NDF raised these demands and recommendations during a roundtable discussion titled "National Health Budget 2026-27" held at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) in the capital's Segunbagicha on Thursday. NDF President Professor Dr. Nazrul Islam presided over the roundtable, while General Secretary Professor Dr. Mahmud Hossain moderated the session. Presenting a keynote paper, economist and researcher Dr. Mizanur Rahman stated that although the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends spending at least 5 percent of the GDP on the health sector, Bangladesh currently spends only 0.7 percent. Furthermore, citizens have to bear around 70 percent of total health expenditures out of their own pockets, which poses a severe financial risk for low-and middle-income groups. "Sustainable development and human resource optimization are impossible without adequate investment in health. The health sector must be viewed as a long-term state investment, not an expense," Dr. Rahman added. Speaking as the guest of honour Member of Parliament from Jessore-2 constituency, Dr. Moslehuddin Farid, highlighted the low allocation and existing disparities in the country's healthcare system compared to other nations. He emphasized the importance of reforming the health sector at zero cost, cutting disparities, and establishing an accountable, people-oriented healthcare system alongside increasing budget allocations. Other speakers noted that the country's healthcare system is currently mired in a "Low Resource, High Demand" crisis. Due to shortages of doctors, nurses, and health workers, a lack of modern treatment facilities at the district level, centralized healthcare in the capital, and administrative weaknesses, ordinary people are being deprived of desired medical care. Against this backdrop, the NDF urged the government to raise the per capita health allocation to 100 US dollars alongside the 5 percent GDP allocation. It also recommended transforming districts into medical hubs by expanding intensive care units (ICU), neonatal intensive care units (NICU), dialysis, cancer, and cardiac treatment centers at the district level. The organization further proposed introducing National Health Insurance, increasing allocations for medical education and research, offering special incentives for rural healthcare providers, boosting medicine supplies at government hospitals, and expanding digital healthcare and telemedicine services. Member of Parliament from the reserved seat, Advocate Sabikunnahar Munni, also spoke at the event. Health economist Professor Dr. M A Sabur, Professor Dr. Shadrul Alam, Professor Dr. Khorshed Ali Miah, and Professor Dr. Mohsin Ahmed, among others, participated in the panel discussion. They observed that Bangladesh could build a sustainable healthcare system like Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia if effective health insurance and robust primary healthcare are ensured.

A local leader of BNP was stabbed to death by some miscreants at Kaunda in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj district early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Osman Goni, office secretary of Araihazar Upazila unit BNP and son of Abdur Rashid of Boro Binai Char in the upazila. Witnesses said a group of armed miscreants waylaid Osman Goni, also the general secretary of Brahmandi union unit BNP, on Wednesday night and stabbed him indiscriminately, leaving him injured. Later, he was taken to a local hospital from there he was shifted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at night. Mahfuz Bhuiyan Babul, a witness said, “We had bought a piece of land in Kaundar Chak, and workers were cutting soil from there and loading it onto a dump truck. I was sitting in the vehicle when a group of armed, masked men suddenly attacked Osman Goni.” He said that a group had been demanding a large sum of money from them for some time. “As we did not agree, they brutally killed Osman Gani,” he added. Angered by the incident, local people blocked Araihazar-Bhulta road at Boro Binair Char area by burning tyres and staged demonstrations demanding exemplary punishment of those involved in the killing. They also set fire on a number of motorbikes on the road, halting vehicular movement for two hours. Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Circle C) Mehedi Islam, said those who were involved in the killing will be brought to book and already four people were arrested in this connection.

Economists and policy analysts on Thursday called for a fundamental departure from the routine budget-making process, urging the government to craft a genuinely people-oriented budget backed by comprehensive tax reforms, digitised revenue collection anda faceless tax administration system. They made the call at a discussion titled "Bangladesh's Budget Amid Global Uncertainty: Priorities in Employment, Investment and Reform, and an Equitable, Prosperous Bangladesh" organised by the National Citizen Party's (NCP) Shadow Budget Committee at Kakrail, Dhaka. Opening the event, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen criticised the budgets of the previous Awami League era as little more than paper documents serving a corporate clique that siphoned public money abroad. "Our expectation from the government is simple, this budgetmust not be a looters' budget. It must be for ordinary people." He noted that while education, health and marginalised communities are mentioned every year as budget priorities, the final document invariably mirrors the preceding year's allocations with cosmetic changes. NCP Shadow Budget Committee Chief Atik Mujahid said the committee consulted workers in Ashulia, small traders at Kawran Bazar and Chittagong's Khatun Bazar, SME owners, university students and government officials before formulating its recommendations. "People don't want charity from the government, they want fairness," he said. "They want a tax system they can trust, assurance that their investments are protected, and accountability in how public money is spent." Former Chairman, Sonali Bank PLC Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury warned of serious structural problems in financing the upcoming budget, pointing to the country's chronically low tax-to-GDP ratio. "If the government borrows from the domestic market, private sector borrowing costs will rise and investment will suffer. Printing money is not an option either, given persistently high inflation." He recommended consolidating over 100 social safety net programmes across 20 ministries under a single digital umbrella, which he said could reduce administrative costs and expand beneficiary coverage by 30 to 40 percent. He also called for closure or liquidation of insolvent banks and a fully faceless, digital tax collection system. Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Additional Research Director Towfiqul Islam Khan flagged a troubling fiscal reality: in FY2023-24, the government's current expenditure exceeded total revenue by Tk 40,000 crore, forcing a 25 percent cut in development spending in critical sectors like health and education. Private sector credit growth has since fallen to just 4 percent. He pointed out that despite legal requirements under the Public Finance and Budget Management Act 2009, including quarterly budget progress reports and submission of revised budgets by March, successive governments have routinely flouted these provisions. "Quarterly progress reports have disappeared from the website altogether. That is a transparency failure." To plug tax evasion, he proposed linking National ID cards with bank accounts, land registration and vehicle registration data within an integrated digital tax framework, and called for separating NBR's policy and collection functions to eliminate conflicts of interest. Development economist Dr Khan Zahirul Islam of the University of British Columbia, Canada, described the banking sector, the lifeline of any economy, as effectively "destroyed." He cited non-performing loans worth Tk 6.30 lakh crore against a proposed annual budget of Tk 9.30 lakh crore. "Had this money not been looted, imagine where our budget implementation would stand." he said, adding that the S Alam Group alone is alleged to have laundered Tk1.90 lakh crore, equivalent to the entire Annual Development Programme allocation. Zahirul also questioned the government's recent amendment to the Bank Resolution Act, which he said reopens the door for former owners implicated in banking irregularities to reclaim control of their institutions. NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, who chaired the session, stressed that without meaningful tax reform, public trust in the state would erode irreversibly. "The poor pay taxes while the wealthy loot the system," he said, warning that any further delay in NBR reform would deepen the disconnect between citizens and the state. The session was moderated by NCP Dhaka Metropolitan North Member Secretary (Acting) Sadia Farzana Dina.  

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan on Thursday visited the newly renovated Akbaria Eidgah ground in Mirpur and directed authorities to remove illegal fish markets and other encroachments around the area to keep it clean and accessible to the public. The renovation work of the ground was carried out at a cost of over Tk 1.28 crore under DNCC’s Environment, Climate and Disaster Management Circle. As part of the renovation, the drainage system has been improved, a 260-metre walkway constructed, a security fence and multiple entry gates installed, street lights set up, and dustbins placed. The upgraded facility can accommodate around 7,000 worshippers for Eid prayers at a time. Provision has also been made for offering funeral prayers. During the visit, the DNCC administrator said the field held personal significance for him. “Many of my childhood memories are associated with this field. It is also linked with my political life. We are determined to develop it into a clean, beautiful and safe space,” he said. He said illegal fish markets were being set up around the ground without permission, causing environmental pollution, bad odour and public suffering. “From today, no illegal raw market, fish market or food court will be allowed to occupy the sidewalks around this field. I have given instructions in this regard, and concerned officials will implement them with local cooperation,” he added. The administrator also said the ground would remain open throughout the day for public use, especially for children’s sports and recreation. He said necessary sports equipment would be provided by the city corporation if required, adding that sports and physical activity were essential to keep young people away from drugs and crime.

BRAC, in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, has launched a five-year initiative aimed at supporting early childhood development for Rohingya refugee children and vulnerable host communities in Cox’s Bazar. The programme, based on BRAC’s Humanitarian Play Lab (HPL) model, seeks to reach 2,20,000 children aged between 0 and 18 years through play-based learning, mental health support and educational interventions. The initiative was formally launched on Thursday at an event titled “Nurturing Childhoods, Preparing for Tomorrow” held at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar. The event was organised by BRAC’s Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme (HCMP). Sources said, Bangladesh is home to more than 30 million children under the age of 14, while more than half of the over one million Rohingya refugees living in camps in Cox’s Bazar are children. In 2024 alone, around 40,909 children were born in the camps. The new partnership aims to promote joyful, safe and developmentally appropriate learning environments for children living in Rohingya camps and nearby host communities. The inception event brought together government officials, humanitarian practitioners, development partners, and community representatives to align around a shared vision for whole-child development and to establish cross-sectoral collaboration across education, child protection, health and nutrition systems. Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammed Mizanur Rahman was present as the chief guest. The event was facilitated by Dr. Ishaat Nabila, Programme Manager (Technical) of the Health, Nutrition and Early Childhood Development (ECD) Sector under BRAC HCMP. When speaking, RRRC Mohammed Mizanur Rahman said, “What makes this initiative truly meaningful is how BRAC sees children as a whole. We all can be a part of this initiative, collectively.” A special presentation on the “Programme Overview” was delivered by Dr. S M Hasanuzzaman, Programme Coordinator of Health, Nutrition & Early Childhood Development (ECD), under BRAC HCMP, and Syeda Sazia Zaman, Programme Head, BRAC Institute of Educational Development(BIED), Brac University. The presentation highlighted that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, 80% of a child’s brain development occurs within the first 1,000 days of life. The two organisations have developed a globally recognised strategy known as the Nurturing Care Framework, which emphasises five key components of early childhood development: good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, safety and security, and opportunities for early learning. The programme's target reflects this ambition: by the end of the five-year partnership, at least 70% children reached will meet age-appropriate developmental benchmarks. It was also highlighted that BRAC began implementing the HPL model in Cox’s Bazar in 2018, building a strong evidence base over more than six years of implementation. This new partnership chapter brings greater scale and ambition, seeking not only to reach children directly but to embed play-based pedagogy within pre-primary and primary education of camp and host community. The project will be implemented across 15 Rohingya camps as well as host communities in 8 Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar. Key activities under the project include responsive caregiving, Humanitarian Play Lab and Play Lab, transition support into pre-primary and primary education, adolescent programming, disability inclusion and mental health and psychosocial support integrated throughout. Organisers stated that BRAC, recognised as a pioneer in non-formal education, operated 60,000 schools between 1990 and 2000. The BRAC Play Lab model has been implemented successfully in Bangladesh, Uganda, and Tanzania.      

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) on Thursday organised a free preliminary investment education workshop exclusively for women investors, continuing its series of financial literacy programmes aimed at encouraging greater female participation in the country's capital market. The daylong workshop was held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the BSEC headquarters. A total of 35 women comprising investors and prospective investors attended the session. BSEC Commissioner Farzana Lalarukh inaugurated the training programme and underscored the critical importance of women's financial awareness. "It is very important that women, whether students, homemakers, or working professionals have a basic understanding of investment. Whoever understands and invests wisely will benefit. By making knowledge-based decisions and ignoring market rumours, one can invest their savings profitably," Farzana said. The workshop covered three core areas: Fundamental Financial Literacy, Investment Risk, and Investor's Protection, as well as Financial Planning. Participants received hands-on guidance aimed at equipping them to make informed, evidence-based decisions in the stock market. At the conclusion of the programme, certificates were distributed among all participants. The closing remarks and certificate distribution were presided over by BSEC Commissioner Md. Saifuddin. The event was organised by BSEC's Training Department under its Financial Literacy Division, as part of the commission's ongoing efforts to widen investor education and strengthen market confidence among women across the country.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has imposed a total fine of Tk 2 crore 83 lakh on directors, managing directors, and senior officers of three listed companies for securities law violations, according to a press release issued on Thursday. The decisions were taken at the 1014th Commission meeting held on May 19, chaired by BSEC Chairman Khondoker Rasheed Maqsood. In the first case, the Commission fined a total of Tk 1 crore 40 lakh on seven directors and officers of Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries Limited for providing false information in audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, in violation of securities laws. Among those penalised, Chairman Mohammed Enamul Kabir Khan, Managing Director Tofayel Kabir Khan, and three directors: Md. Ruhul Kabir Khan, Hazrat Ali, and Jarin Kabir Khan were each fined Tk 25 lakh. Chief Financial Officer Md. Azizul Zabber was fined Tk 10 lakh, while Company Secretary Tapan Kumar Sarker was fined Tk 5 lakh. The fines are to be treated as personal liabilities of the penalised individuals. In the second case, the Commission fined a total of Tk 8 lakh, Tk 1 lakh each on eight directors and current board members of Genex Infosys PLC for failing to pay a declared 3 percent cash dividend for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, within the stipulated timeframe, in violation of securities laws and regulations. Those fined include Chairman Mohammed Adnan Imam, Acting Managing Director ShahJalal Uddin, four directors including Chowdhury Fazle Imam, Prince Mojumder, Oracle Services PLC, and Nilofar Imam, along with the then-CFO and then-Company Secretary. In the third case, the Commission imposed fines totalling Tk 1 crore 35 lakh on seven directors and officials of Aftab Automobiles Ltd for failing to repay Tk 1,16,81,649.67 in outstanding cash dividends for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, out of a total declared dividend of Tk 7,85,95,464.68. Chairman Shafiul Islam and Managing Director Saiful Islam were each fined Tk 30 lakh, while Director Khaleda Islam, Director Sajedul Islam, and Director Farhana Islam were each fined Tk 20 lakh. The then-CFO was fined Tk 10 lakh and the then-Company Secretary Tk 5 lakh. The Commission also ordered the company to pay the outstanding dividend within 30 days of the order. In case of further default, an additional fine of Tk 10,000 per day will be imposed, and the company will not be absolved of its liability to pay the remaining dividends to investors. Separately, the Commission approved the appointment of focal point and deputy focal point officers at BSEC to coordinate a nationwide investment education and safe investment awareness campaign.

Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) on Thursday strongly protested a proposed hike in electricity tariffs, warning that any further increase would worsen the financial burden on middle- and low-income households and further fuel inflation. The consumer rights body raised the concern over the possible power tariff hike during a public hearing organised by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). CAB said ordinary consumers are already under severe economic pressure due to high inflation, rising prices of essential commodities and increased fuel and living expenses. It said the burden of inefficiencies in the power sector, including system losses, delayed projects, excessive expenditures, and capacity payments, should not be transferred to consumers. Instead, the organisation called for improved governance, accountability, and operational efficiency within the energy sector to reduce overall costs. CAB also cautioned that higher electricity tariffs would raise production and supply costs across industries, agriculture, transport, and small businesses, ultimately driving up the prices of essential goods and services. During the hearing, CAB presented a six-point recommendation to BERC. First, it urged the regulator to reassess electricity generation costs rationally before considering any tariff changes, especially as international fuel prices have declined. Second, it called on the regulator to prevent the transfer of costs related to system losses, project delays, and capacity charges onto ordinary consumers. Third, CAB demanded that BERC strengthen governance and accountability measures across the power sector. Fourth, it recommended that the government prioritise long-term planning, expand renewable energy use, and improve transmission infrastructure to reduce wastage. Finally, the organisation advised formulating a consumer-friendly and realistic pricing policy through a transparent review of market conditions and sector management. CAB expressed hope that BERC would consider the prevailing socio-economic realities and the broader public interest before making a final decision, and refrain from raising electricity prices.

Six people were killed in lightning strikes in Naogaon, Barishal and Natore districts on Thursday. According to reports reaching the UNB news desk, three people were killed in Naogaon, two in Barishal and one in Natore. In Naogaon, three people, including two farmers, were killed in separate lightning strike incidents in Raninagar upazila on Thursday. Two farmers were killed when lightning struck them while they were harvesting paddy amid rain at Jathail in the upazila. The deceased were identified as Akkas Fakir, 60, son of late Asad Fakir, and his relative Tarek Fakir, 24, son of Aminul Islam Fakir of Paroil village in Raninagar upazila. Zakaria Mondal, Officer-in-Charge of Raninagar Police Station, said the two farmers died on the spot after being struck by lightning while working in a paddy field during rain. Police later recovered the bodies and handed them over to the families, he said. Meanwhile, Nayan Talukdar of Guata Atnitapra village was killed after being struck by lightning while bringing cattle back from a field amid rain around 11am, the OC added. Raninagar Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Nazrul Islam said Tk 20,000 would be provided to each of the victims’ families through the local administration. In Barishal, two workers at a betel leaf garden were killed and another injured after lightning struck them while they were working at a garden in Mahilarar Bhimer Par area of Gournadi upazila around 2pm, said Tarique Hasan Russel, Officer-in-Charge of Gournadi Model Police Station. The deceased were identified as Abu Taleb Hawladar, son of Alim Hawladar, and Sukanto Bala, 38, son of Mukunda Bala of Uzirpur upazila in the district. The injured person was taken to Gournadi Upazila Health Complex. In Natore, a 60-year-old brick kiln worker was killed and another injured after lightning struck them while they were working at a brick field in the Sirajipur area of Lalpur upazila. The deceased was identified as Esken Ali of the upazila. Shafiqul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Lalpur Police Station, said the two workers fell unconscious after being struck by lightning during a storm in the morning. Later, they were taken to Lalpur Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared Esken Ali dead.

bKash, the country’s largest mobile financial services provider, has modernised the library of the St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Dhaka as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. The initiative aims to create an improved reading and learning environment for students and was dedicated to the memory of late Mahfuz Sadique, a former student of the institution and former Chief Communications Officer of bKash, said a press release issued on Thursday. The modernised library of this seven-decade-old institution will now facilitate around 50 students at a time. Besides, the current students can also borrow books using membership cards to read them at home. Alongside infrastructural renovations, the technical facilities in the library have been further enhanced. Several high-performance desktop computers with internet connectivity have been installed, allowing students to explore a vast collection of e-books, both local and international. Marking the occasion, a special memorial programme was held at the school premises in remembrance of Mahfuz Sadique. The event was attended by Kamal Quadir, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of bKash, Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam (Retd), Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer of bKash, Dr. Brother Leo James Pereira, Principal of the school, Dr. Maliha Muzammil, wife of late Mahfuz Sadique, and family members; school alumni including Kazi Mahmood Sattar, IDLC Chairman, and Professor Imran Rahman, Special Advisor to the Board of Trustees of ULAB as well as current students. Mahfuz Sadique was an alumnus of St. Joseph Higher Secondary School in Dhaka, where hecompleted his SSC in 1998. During his time at the institution, he was an active debater and laterbecame the president of the Debating Club at North South University.  

Ruhin Hossain Prince, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), on Thursday strongly criticized the proposals to increase electricity prices, saying that the move is akin to picking the pockets of low-income people. He made the remarks while speaking at a public hearing on proposals on bulk, transmission, and retail electricity tariffs, held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in the capital. Criticizing a proposal that sets a uniform bill for users consuming 0 to 75 units of electricity, the CPB leader asked, "Since this proposal has been made, I would like to ask how many consumers from the 0-50 unit bracket have upgraded to the 75-unit bracket? That would provide an index showing whether people's income has actually increased." He added that the proposals presented at the hearing primarily target the pockets of the poor and lower-income demographic. Raising questions about system losses, Ruhin noted that while international standards allow for around 2 percent system loss, Bangladesh's system loss still hovers around 8 percent. "We want to empower the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) to reduce company-based crises caused by a rising dependency on imports. It may not be completely possible overnight, but it can be achieved gradually," he said. He also rejected arguments made by rural electrification board’s officials equating village life with city life, stating that rural residents continuously try to be frugal to minimize their monthly bills, unlike urban areas where prepaid systems dominate. The public hearing on raising retail electricity tariffs was held today (second day of hearing). The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) is conducting the hearing on proposals submitted by six power distribution companies of the country. Earlier this month, PDB first submitted a proposal to hike bulk power prices. Subsequently, the distribution companies followed suit, seeking a proportional increase in retail prices. In their proposals, the distribution companies cited record-high operating costs driven by the hike in bulk electricity prices, rising fuel oil costs, and the devaluation of the Bangladeshi Taka against the US dollar. They argued that there is no alternative to increasing retail prices to bridge the massive deficit and maintain an uninterrupted power supply. BERC also held a public hearing on PDB's proposed bulk electricity price hike yesterday (Wednesday).  

Three people, including a madrasha student, were killed in separate road accidents on Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram district on Thursday. Zakir Rabbani, Officer-in-Charge of Kumira Highway Police Station, said Md Hasan, 14, a student of Mirzabazar Islamia Dakhil Madrasa and son of Muslim Uddin of Mirsharai upazila, was killed when a cattle-laden truck hit him at Choto Kumira Bazar in Sitakunda upazila around 10:30am. He had gone to Alekdia Beach in Kumira with his classmates. The accident occurred when he jumped out of a mini truck and stepped onto the highway, where he was crushed under the wheels of the truck. In another incident, Rustom Ali, 69, a resident of Uttar Paschim Syedpur union, was killed after being hit by a motorcycle in the Choto Darogarhat area of the upazila around 11am, said OC Zakir Rabbani. MA Haque, Officer-in-Charge of Baroawlia Highway Police Station, said Harunur Rashid, 54, son of Mohrom Ali of Hinguri Para, was killed when a sand-laden truck hit him in the Baroawlia area of the upazila early Thursday.  

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has recalled veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from retirement for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who retired from international football after the 2024 European Championship, was included in Germany’s 26-man squad announced on Thursday. Neuer’s return comes at the expense of Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who had earlier been assured of the No. 1 position before reports surfaced that Nagelsmann was considering bringing Neuer back. “We told Oli in March that we had a meeting with Manu,” Nagelsmann said, admitting Neuer’s return was “a blow” for Baumann. Baumann has made 11 appearances for Germany, while Neuer has played 124 matches for the national side. Neuer’s last appearance came in Germany’s Euro 2024 quarterfinal defeat to Spain. The call for Neuer’s return intensified following several impressive performances for Bayern Munich, particularly in the Champions League quarterfinals against Real Madrid. However, concerns remain over Neuer’s fitness after Bayern confirmed he is currently sidelined with a calf muscle problem. Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, once seen as Neuer’s successor, has struggled with injuries and made only two appearances for Girona after joining the club on loan earlier this year. Germany’s squad also includes Bayern star Jamal Musiala, who recovered from a broken leg suffered during the Club World Cup in July. “He's healthy, he's fit and will help us a lot to play a good World Cup,” Neuer said about Musiala. Germany, four-time world champions, have been placed in Group E alongside Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Curacao. The team will begin preparations in Herzogenaurach on May 27 and play warm-up matches against Finland and the United States before the tournament begins. Germany: Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart) Defenders: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), David Raum (Leipzig), Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Pascal Groß (Brighton), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich) Midfielders: Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Aleksandar Pavlović (Bayern Munich), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Forwards: Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sané (Galatasaray)

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said exemplary punishment would be ensured in the shortest possible time in the brutal rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in Dhaka’s Pallabi area. He said police will investigate the murder and submit the charge sheet as quickly as possible, the minister said at a press conference on recent issues at the conference room of the Home Ministry at Secretariat. “The remaining legal process is the responsibility of the Law Ministry. We hope exemplary punishment will be ensured as soon as possible,” he said. He also said police are arresting many criminals who had long remained beyond the reach of law enforcement agencies. Earlier in the day, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman directed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner to submit the probe report within one week over the murder. The minister said steps will be taken to complete the trial proceedings of the murder case in the shortest possible time. “The government will do everything possible to ensure the speedy completion of the trial over the murder of the child,” he added. Ramisa, a Class-II student, was slaughtered by a tenant of their next-door flat at Pallabi in the capital on Tuesday. The suspect – Sohel Rana – reportedly lured her into his room when Ramisa left her flat in the morning. Later, he raped the girl and slaughtered her. The girl’s decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head inside a bucket in the bathroom. Locals detained suspect’s wife Swapna Akter, though Sohel managed to escape by cutting through a window grille. He was later arrested in Fatullah of Narayanganj in the evening of the same day. On Wednesday, Sohel gave a statement before a Dhaka court confessing to his guilt.  

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday said the government has undertaken an all-out reform programme to establish a welfare state by moving away from an ‘oligarchic and patronage-driven’ economic system. The minister said democratization of the economy is not merely a slogan but the core philosophy of the present government, he said while addressing a roundtable discussion titled “Budget in Times of Crisis and Public Expectations” at a hotel in Dhaka. He said special emphasis is being placed on bringing marginalised groups including rural blacksmiths, potters and weavers into the mainstream economy after they remained outside the budgetary framework for decades. The finance minister said the upcoming national budget would include special projects and fund allocations to promote and monetise the creative economy, including theatre, culture, music, painting and artificial jewellery. He also announced plans to establish “theatre districts” in major cities beyond Dhaka and said Bangladesh’s culture, films and music would be branded and promoted globally to strengthen the country’s soft power, following examples set by neighbouring countries. Amir Khosru said the government is taking strict measures to reduce the cost of doing business, including excessive charges and bureaucratic harassment at ports and across the supply chain. He said the number of approvals required for business operations and project implementation would be reduced to 13, down from what he described as an excessively complicated system. The minister added that the entire economic and administrative system would be brought under digital automation within the next year, while initiatives are underway to introduce a “One Citizen, One Card” system for all public services. Highlighting plans for financial sector reforms, the finance minister said the government is strengthening the capital and bond markets as alternatives to high-interest bank loans. He said international investment bankers, fund managers and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have shown strong interest in the initiative. On taxation, Amir Khosru said the government would verify the actual market share of multinational and major tobacco companies, including The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo, to ensure fair tax collection and prevent tax evasion. He said plans are also underway to introduce a simplified flat-rate tax system for small restaurants and shop owners to bring them under the tax net and reduce harassment by tax officials. The finance minister said sweeping changes are being introduced in tax policymaking through a proposed bill that would establish a policy-making body comprising individuals with expertise in the global economy, local trade and human profitability, rather than focusing solely on tax collection. Urging people to remain patient for the next two years, he said the government’s goal is not only to increase GDP growth but also to ensure that the benefits of growth improve the lives of ordinary citizens.

Professor Mohammad Iqbal, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur, finally joined office on Thursday amid a ‘complete shutdown’ enforced by a section of students. He entered the DUET campus in the afternoon under tight security amid ongoing student protests. As weekly and Eid holidays begin from Friday (May 22), the campus was almost empty, with most students having already left the university halls for home. Later in the afternoon, the Vice-Chancellor formally assumed office and began carrying out his duties. He also exchanged views with teachers and university staff. Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal said he has been performing his responsibilities since joining on Sunday. He said he has already signed more than 100 official files, including salary and leaveapprovals for university officials and employees. He also said efforts would be made to discuss and resolve the issues raised by the protesting students. Earlier, anti-VC protesters enforced ‘red card’ and ‘blockade’ programmes, bringing academic and administrative activities on the campus to a halt. The protesting students vowed to continue their movement until their three-point demand is met. Their demands include cancellation of the appointment of Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal and the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor from among DUET teachers currently serving at the university. The unrest began after the government appointed Dr Mohammad Iqbal, a teacher of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, as the new VC of DUET. Soon after the announcement, a section of DUET students rejected the appointment and demanded that the Vice-Chancellor be appointed from within the university.

Cosmos Art Echo, the artist talk initiative of Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier71, is set to present its 10th session titled “The Story of an Angry Man Talking to a Wall” on Friday afternoon. Internationally renowned Bangladeshi artist Mahbubur Rahman will be the guest speaker at this special session. He is recognised for his multidisciplinary practice, conceptual depth, and significant contribution to contemporary art discourse in Bangladesh and his role as Co-Founder of Britto Arts Trust. The session will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday (22 May 2026) at Cosmos Atelier71 Studio, Cosmos Centre, 69/1 New Circular Road, Malibagh, Dhaka. Cosmos Art Echo is hosting this session, continuing its commitment to dialogue, exchange, and critical engagement in contemporary art practice. Launched under the Atelier71 Membership Programme, Cosmos Art Echo has been bringing together artists, thinkers, and audiences through regular conversations, alongside activities including art camps, workshops, film screenings, outdoor art events, and auctions.

Fifteen indigenous youth from communities in Bangladesh’s Sylhet division have completed a five-day UNESCO-supported programme aimed at strengthening youth leadership and community-based efforts to safeguard living heritage, contributing to the preservation of cultural traditions and indigenous knowledge systems across communities. Organised by UNESCO in partnership with the International Training Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region (CRIHAP) and Anubad, the workshop was held from May 17-21 at the BRAC Learning Centre in Sreemangal, said a media release on Thursday. Participants from the Bishnupriya, Meitei and tea garden communities strengthened practical skills in community-based inventorying of intangible cultural heritage, including oral traditions, cultural practices, traditional craftsmanship and indigenous knowledge systems. Opening the workshop, Dr. Susan Vize, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, emphasised the importance of keeping communities at the centre of safeguarding efforts, noting that “Young people are not only future custodians of heritage; they are active cultural actors today. The role of communities must remain central throughout the safeguarding process.” Joining the opening session virtually, CRIHAP Director General Zhang Jing highlighted the broader role of youth in sustaining living heritage across generations. “Young people are essential partners in safeguarding living heritage. Strengthening their capacities today helps ensure that heritage continues to live and evolve tomorrow,” she said. Facilitated by UNESCO-accredited Intangible Cultural Heritage expert Dr. Alexandra Dennes and National ICH Trainer Rifat Munim, the workshop combined technical sessions with field-based learning in Sreemangal and Kamalganj Upazilas. Participants worked directly with elders, cultural practitioners and community members to identify and document living heritage elements and prepare draft inventory entries for their communities. The programme also introduced participants to the principles of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, ethical documentation practices and free, prior and informed consent. Beyond technical learning, the workshop also created opportunities for participants to reconnect with their own cultural traditions while learning from and exchanging experiences with other communities. Reflecting on her experience, Trisha Sinha from the Bishnupriya Manipuri community said the workshop gave them practical experience and helped understand more deeply why documenting and preserving our living heritage matters. The experience was equally meaningful for participants from tea communities. Jiyana Madrajee from Shamshernagar, Kamalganj, described the programme as a space for both learning and representation. “The workshop allowed us to share the stories and traditions of our communities while learning from others,” she added. Building on previous UNESCO-CRIHAP youth initiatives in Bangladesh, the programme aims to strengthen community-led safeguarding efforts and support a new generation of young heritage practitioners.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members have been deployed in some key areas the capital and Gazipur to maintain law and order, control traffic congestion and ensure smooth public movement ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. BGB members have been deployed in Dhaka’s New Market area, the Elevated Expressway, Savar’s Nabinagar and Baipail, Gazipur City Corporation and Gazipur Chourasta, said Shariful Islam, publicrelations officer of BGB. As per government directives, the deployment has been made to ensure safe and uninterrupted Eid travel for the public and to assist executive magistrates in conducting mobile court operations inimportant toll plazas, highways and traffic-prone areas. The BGB personnel will remain on duty from seven days before Eid and three days after the religious festival, he said.  

The European Union (EU) economy is expected to grow at a slower pace with higher inflation, and the positive trend in labor markets is set to halt amid the energy shock triggered by the Middle East conflict, the European Commission's spring forecast said on Thursday. EU's gross domestic product (GDP) growth is projected to slow to 1.1 percent in 2026, a downward revision of 0.3 percentage points from the last year's autumn forecast, before edging up to 1.4 percent in 2027. In the eurozone, growth is forecast at 0.9 percent this year and 1.2 percent next year. Inflation in the EU is expected to reach 3.1 percent in 2026 -- a full percentage point higher than previously forecast -- before easing to 2.4 percent in 2027. Eurozone inflation is projected at 3.0 percent in 2026 and 2.3 percent in 2027. Although energy-driven inflation may ease in 2027, energy commodity prices are still forecast to stay about 20 percent above pre-war levels. The forecast pointed out that EU consumer confidence has dropped to a 40-month low amid mounting fears of surging inflation and job losses. For 2026, employment growth is forecast to slow to 0.3 percent, then rise to 0.4 percent in 2027, while the long-term decline in the unemployment rate is set to end, stabilizing at around 6 percent in 2027. Data released by S&P Global on the same day showed the eurozone composite PMI -- a key indicator of business activity -- fell to 47.5 in May, the lowest level in 31 months. The service sector, a key pillar of the economy, took a heavy hit, with its PMI plunging to 46.4, a 63-month low. Meanwhile, the manufacturing PMI stood at 51.4, suggesting the pace of its expansion slowed to its weakest since January. According to the Commission's forecast, high energy costs have evidently weighed on public finances across the bloc. The general government deficit in the EU is expected to increase from 3.1 percent of GDP in 2025 to 3.6 percent by 2027, reflecting subdued economic activity, higher interest expenditure, energy support measures, and increased defence spending.  

A young man died after falling from the sixth floor of a building while repairing an air conditioner in the Nabinagar area of Kamrangirchar in the capital on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Md Rabiul, 24, an AC mechanic employed by Walton. Rabiul, son of Mizanur Rahman, hailed from Kashimpur village under Hajiganj Police Station in Chandpur. He lived with his family in the Kamrangirchar area. Victim’s cousin Rahat said Rabiul was repairing an AC unit in a six-storey building in Kamrangirchar around noon when he accidentally fell and sustained serious injuries. He was first taken to a local hospital. Later, he was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment, where doctors on duty at the emergency department declared him dead. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and the matter has been reported to the concerned police station.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has formally inaugurated the first-ever Bangladesh-Morocco B2B meeting platform in Rabat, opening a new corridor for trade, investment and green innovation linking South Asia with Morocco’s gateway to Africa, Europe and beyond. Dhaka described the launch of the platform as a ‘landmark moment’ for South-South commerce and said it marked the flagship event of the State Minister’s two-day visit to Morocco and one of the visit’s most significant outcomes. “The platform is established to catalyse high-value, innovation-driven and people-centred partnerships, not trade for trade’s sake, but trade that builds industries, creates jobs, accelerates technology transfer and drives sustainable growth on both sides,” said Shama Obaed. The State Minister is scheduled to return home on Friday, a senior official told UNB. Highlighting Bangladesh’s strategic position between South and Southeast Asia, the State Minister shed light on the country’s emergence as the world’s second-largest garment exporter, a pharmaceutical supplier to more than 150 countries and a growing hub for ICT, leather, ceramics, light engineering and food processing. She also conveyed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s invitation to Moroccan businesses to consider Bangladesh as a key investment destination, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, noting that Moroccan business delegation is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in November this year. The promotion of Bangladesh’s jute and jute-based products emerged as one of the key priorities of the new platform. Bangladesh’s modernised jute industry - producing biodegradable, carbon-absorbing products increasingly utilised in the automotive and fashion sectors - aligns closely with Morocco’s expanding industrial landscape. “As African countries increasingly move to restrict single-use plastics, demand for biodegradable alternatives made from jute is expected to rise significantly, positioning Bangladesh as a major supplier,” the State Minister said.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday said the Election Commission (EC) wants to conduct ‘bloodshed-free’ local government elections in a fair manner and urged all stakeholders to work together to build national unity in this regard. “We want a bloodshed-free local government election and will conduct it in a nice manner,” he said while addressing an event organised by the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) in a hotel in the city. The CEC called upon all the stakeholders to make efforts for making the nation united in this regard. He said the EC would launch a full-scale awareness campaign with the cooperation from development partners and would hold discussion with stakeholders. “We want to mobilise all and make them united so that we can give a fair local government election avoiding such conflicts (violence),” said Nasir Uddin. About the vote counting process during the February-12 general election, he said the election results of every constituency, even every polling station-wise result are still in the EC’s website and anyone can examine if there is discrepancy in the polls results. “You can see whether there is any discrepancy in the polling station-wise results,” said Nasir Uddin. According to the EC, preparations are underway to hold elections to 4,581 Union Parishads, 61 Zila Parishads, 495 Upazila Parishads, 330 municipalities, and 13 city corporations. As part of the preparation, the EC is now updating the electoral code of conduct in line with laws about city corporations, municipalities, zila parishads, upazila parishads and union parishads. The EC would conduct the elections to the local government bodies on request from the Local Government Division. State Minister for LGRD Mir Shahe Alam has recently said the phased local government elections are likely to start after the monsoon season, beginning in September or October this year.

A supersized World Cup with more teams, more games and even more host nations than ever before leaves a big question hanging over the biggest sporting show on earth: How much is too much? The latest edition of the World Cup — co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — will push the boundaries of how far the most popular sport on the planet can go before it reaches breaking point. Be it the limits of physical endurance as top players threaten strike action over an ever-congested calendar, the attention span of fans in an age of seemingly wall-to-wall televised soccer or the exorbitant prices people are prepared to pay for tickets — or even parking — the pressure points are numerous going into the June-July tournament. With an expanded 48-team format — up from 32 — played out over nearly six weeks, some say this year’s tournament risks a dilution of FIFA’s most prized product. “I personally think it’s kind of taken a little bit of the excitement and quality away from the tournament and it’s almost like it doesn’t start until the round of 32,” former U.S. forward Clint Dempsey told The Associated Press. The expanded format has effectively removed the chance of several top teams being drawn in the same group — known as a “group of death” in soccer vernacular. Much of the jeopardy traditionally seen in the early stages of the tournament has been removed until the round of 16 because the eight best third place teams also advance from the groups the round of 32. “I think the biggest danger is dilution of spectacle,” said Jonathan Wilson, author of The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup. “Maybe FIFA gets away with it this time because it’s the first expanded tournament and because ticket prices are enormous. But eventually broadcasters and fans may stop caring if the tournament doesn’t become interesting until the last 16,” Wilson said. “A World Cup game should feel almost must-watch... Nobody is watching 90 out of 104 games. It’s just too much.” FIFA says it’s growing the game FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the expansion of the tournament will make the game “truly global” and create opportunities for countries that “would never have dreamed to participate” in a World Cup. The theory is that given a greater chance to qualify, more nations would increase grass roots funding and therefore improve the standard of soccer around the globe. Four nations will be making their debut at this year’s tournament, including tiny Curacao, the smallest by population ever to qualify. “It’s a big achievement for us to make it, but we also want to show that we can play and that we deserve to be there,” Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room said. Jordan, Cape Verde and Uzbekistan are the other debutants. Haiti has qualified for the first time since 1974. “As children, we all watched the World Cup. We all dreamed of playing in the World Cup. But it was just a dream, a fantasy when you’re a child. Qualifying and being able to participate is unimaginable,” said Haiti midfielder Yassin Fortune. There are certainly feel-good stories. Like Haiti goalkeeper Josué Duverger, who will swap regional soccer in Germany to rub shoulders with Brazil superstars like Vinícius Júnior and Neymar. New Zealand has called up defender Tommy Smith from Braintree Town, which was relegated from the fifth tier of English soccer this season. Critics say sometimes less is more Maheta Molango, chief executive of England’s Professional Footballers’ Association, has been one of the leading voices warning about the impact on top players being asked to play more and more soccer. He says the quality of the product is being diminished and soccer should follow the lead set by the NFL and appreciate the “value of scarcity.” The NFL averages nearly $11 billion in revenue per season from its media deals, with teams playing 17 regular season games and up to 21 if they make the Super Bowl. The English Premier League is the world’s richest and most watched soccer league in the world, yet its financial figures do not match the NFL’s. Its teams play 36 games each per season and its latest domestic broadcast deal was worth $9 billion, at current exchange rates, over a four-year period. Its international deals from 2022-25 were reportedly worth $7.2 billion. Even combined, its yearly broadcast revenue is less than half of the NFL’s. Considering the greater global reach of soccer, the sport needs to think about the quality of its output, Molango said. “We target China, the U.S., India. So this, in my view, should make us reflect on the value of scarcity because sometimes we always think that more is more, but I disagree,” he said. “The starting point has to be ‘let’s put back the quality of the show at the center of our project.’” Growing concerns about players’ health Not only is the product in question, but players unions are concerned about the physical and mental strain on top stars, who are given less rest time. After this World Cup many will have played three consecutive years of major tournaments in the off-season, following the European Championship and Copa America in 2024 and the newly-expanded Club World Cup last summer. In December, the global players’ union FIFPRO said Chelsea had seen a 44% spike in injuries after winning the Club World Cup. Several top players including Brazil stars Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Estevao have been ruled of the tournament after picking up injuries in recent months. “I think the top players get treated a little bit like cattle,” former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher said. “If they start getting criticism for the performances at certain stages of the World Cup, I think we’ve got to remember how much football they’ve played and the conditions that they’re playing the game in and it just doesn’t seem like anyone who organizes football ever thinks about the demands physically and mentally on the on the top players.” More games means more revenue for FIFA The World Cup is FIFA’s main revenue generator and the financial advantage to expanding it is compelling. More games — 104 in total — means more tickets to sell, with prices rising to thousands of dollars for the best seats at the biggest matches. When tickets went on general sale in January they ranged from $140 to $8,680. Since then some have been made available for less and others for significantly more — rising to a face price of $32,970 for the final. FIFA can make more money on its resale marketplace where it takes a 30% commission from each sale. In April the platform listed four tickets to the final for just under $2.3 million each. Fans have accused FIFA of a “monumental betrayal” over its pricing strategy, but demand appears to be high and the not-for-profit organization says the money it makes goes back into the sport. In that case, soccer can expect a bumper windfall from the World Cup, with more than $9 billion in revenue anticipated this year. It remains to be seen if the supersized format it is a turn-off for fans. Audience measurement company Nielsen says interest in international soccer in the U.S. is on the rise. The most watched game on television in the U.S. between 2023-25 was Spain vs. England in the Euros final, with an average audience of 6.6 million. Second was the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia with 6.5 million. At the time of reporting FIFA had struck media deals with 180 territories to broadcast the tournament, with more to come, indicating appetite remains strong even amid wider concerns.  

Bangladesh’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have drained nearly Tk 882 billion from the national exchequer in a single year, emerging as one of the country’s biggest fiscal risks, according to a World Bank study.  The study highlighted that the deteriorating financial condition of public enterprises has become “unsustainable” at a time when Bangladesh is already facing falling revenue collection, slower economic growth and mounting pressure on public finances. It said the growing losses of SOEs are consuming resources that could otherwise be invested in healthcare, education and social protection.  The findings were presented at a dissemination workshop on the report titled “Financial Performance and Fiscal Risk of SOEs in Bangladesh” held at a city hotel on Thursday. The study was conducted under the “Strengthening Public Financial Management for Better Service” programme, with support from the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI). According to the study, non-financial SOEs incurred a combined adjusted loss of Tk 441 billion in fiscal year 2023-24, while total net fiscal transfers from the government, including subsidies and development funding, climbed to around Tk 882 billion, equivalent to 1.7 percent of GDP.  The study found that the energy and power sector accounted for the overwhelming majority of the losses. The Bangladesh Power Development Board alone recorded losses exceeding Tk 444 billion in FY24 due to high power generation costs, costly capacity payments to private power producers and electricity tariffs that are kept below production costs.  The report said politically influenced investment decisions, controversial contracts with independent power producers and weak corporate governance have severely undermined the sector’s financial sustainability. Other major loss-making entities include the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, Trading Corporation of Bangladesh and several manufacturing corporations in the fertiliser, sugar and jute sectors. The report observed that many manufacturing SOEs continue to incur persistent losses despite operating in competitive markets where private firms remain profitable.  The report also highlighted deep corporate governance weaknesses within Bangladesh’s SOE structure. It identified fragmented laws, bureaucratic control, weak oversight and lack of financial transparency as key reasons behind poor performance.  The report compared Bangladesh unfavourably with regional peers. While Bangladesh’s SOEs posted a negative return on assets of 5.2 percent in FY24, India’s SOEs generated a positive return of 9.7 percent and Vietnam’s recorded around 11.9 percent in recent years. According to the study, Bangladesh could potentially mobilise more than Tk 1.2 trillion in additional fiscal resources if SOEs achieve a 10 percent return on assets and reduce their dependence on subsidies.  To address the crisis, the report recommended wide-ranging reforms, including restructuring commercially viable SOEs, introducing independent and professionally managed boards, strengthening financial disclosure requirements, reducing political interference and gradually opening monopoly sectors to competition. It also suggested eventual privatisation or closure of chronically loss-making enterprises that no longer serve strategic national purposes.  Tanvir Ghani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Investment and Capital Market Affairs, attended the workshop as a special guest. WB Lead Governance Specialist Suraiya Zannath explained the context and objectives of the study and how the analysis will help framing policy and institutional reform. Additional Secretary of the Finance Division Hasan Khaled Foisal made a presentation on the overview of SOEs, debt management and the macro-fiscal scenario, while Additional Secretary Rahima Begum made the opening presentation highlighting the Public Financial Management Reform Strategy 2025-2030 relating to SOEs. WB Lead Public Sector Specialist Henri Fortin discussed international experiences of SOE reform and its Senior Governance Specialist Immanuel Frank Steinhilper presented global trends relating to SOEs. PRI Executive Director Dr Khurshid Alam made the keynote presentation on the financial performance and fiscal risks of Bangladesh’s SOEs.  

Two farmers were killed when a thunderbolt struck them while harvesting paddy amid rain at Jathail in Raninagar upazila of Naogaon district on Thursday. The deceased were identified as Akkas Fakir, 60, son of Asad Fakir and his relative Tarek Fakir, 24, son of Aminul Islam Fakir of Paroil village in Raninagar upazila. Zakaria Mondal, Officer-in-Charge of Raninagar Police Station, said the two farmers died on the spot after being struck by lightning while working in the paddy field during rain. On information, police recovered the bodies and handed them over to the families. Meanwhile, Raninagar Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Nazrul Islam said Tk 20,000 will be provided to the families of the deceased through the local administration.  

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said Bangladesh is looking forward to deeper engagement from American investors and institutions including the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), particularly in infrastructure, energy, digital connectivity, logistics and services sectors. He said Bangladesh welcomed increased American investment and stronger supply chain cooperation between the two countries. “We envision deeper cooperation between our universities, researchers, entrepreneurs and diaspora communities living across different states of the United States,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at the US National Day reception held at United Convention Center in Dhaka on Wednesday evening. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen hosted the reception where ministers, senior political leaders, diplomats stationed in Dhaka, business leaders, senior journalists and civil society members, among others, were present. The theme at the celebration was - Revolutionary America, an homage to the brave men and women who fought against English colonial rule and won, leading to democratic governance based on liberty, self-determination, and the rights of individuals. To mark America's 250th anniversary, Ambassador Christensen launched 50 red, white, and blue rickshaws to honor American independence and highlight the strong US-Bangladesh partnership. The Finance Minister said Bangladesh and the United States have built strong bridges through diplomacy, trade and educational exchanges over the years. “Our responsibility now is to deepen that partnership for future generations. I remain confident that the best chapters of Bangladesh-United States relations are still ahead of us,” he added. Investing in Future of Bangladesh Then and now, the US Ambassador said America First does not mean America alone and often, they find things that are mutually beneficial. "This is the nature of diplomacy. For example, the recent deal between Boeing and Biman Airlines. This deal represents American investment in the modernisation of Bangladesh’s civil aviation sector," said the US envoy, noting that Boeing is not just providing planes, but helping Bangladesh develop its pilots, engineers, and systems. Ambassador Christensen said Boeing and Biman are investing in the future of Bangladesh. On the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, also known as the ART, the envoy said it is a joint investment in both American and Bangladeshi prosperity. "This agreement allows for a modern, balanced trade and investment partnership," Ambassador Christensen said, adding that the ART includes numerous provisions that will benefit most of the people in this room. He said it preserves Bangladesh’s access to the US market with competitive 19 percent tariffs, down from 37 percent without the agreement, while supporting a level playing field where businesses and workers in both our economies can prosper and thrive. "This is really just common sense." Strategic Cooperation Last week, the two countries signed a new memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in the field of energy, an agreement that enables millions of dollars in energy projects and enhances Bangladesh’s energy security, industrial development, and fuel diversification.  

At a time when the national economy is reeling under the combined pressures of high inflation, stagnant employment, investment crunches, and massive revenue deficits, the upcoming national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal is fueling deep concerns among lower- and middle-income groups over a looming ‘tax trap.’ Economists, business leaders, and civil society representatives have warned that while the government faces immense pressure to boost revenue collection, the burden is disproportionately falling on ordinary citizens. Meanwhile, effective actions against tax evasion, hidden wealth, money laundering, and outstanding dues by the wealthy and politically influential groups remain severely limited. Financial analysts identify Bangladesh’s overwhelming reliance on indirect taxes as the primary structural flaw of its revenue system. Currently, the bulk of revenue originates from Value Added Tax (VAT), source taxes, and import duties, which apply uniformly regardless of an individual's financial standing. Speaking at a roundtable discussion organized by the think-tank 'Voice for Reform', economists revealed that nearly 80 percent of total revenue collection in Bangladesh comes from indirect taxes. In sharp contrast, developed economies rely on direct taxes, such as income and wealth taxes, as their financial foundation. "The National Board of Revenue (NBR) hikes taxes precisely where VAT collection is guaranteed, but they are unwilling to take risks when it comes to collecting actual income tax," said Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). This structure, experts argue, inherently accelerates economic disparity. Elite defiance and data fudging: The structural vulnerability is compounded by the regulatory failure to hold influential groups accountable. NBR data shows that while luxury vehicle owners and elites in affluent neighborhoods routinely conceal rental incomes and assets, visible legal actions are scarce, and billions in corporate tax defaults remain tied up in legal loopholes for years. Furthermore, trade-based money laundering executed through under-invoicing, over-invoicing, and informal hundi channels continue unabated, depriving the state of vital liquidity. "The influential classes always manage to exert control over the policymaking levels. Consequently, even when initiatives are taken to impose taxes on them, they are often rendered ineffective later on," noted former NBR Chairman Dr. Md. Abdul Majid. Budget-related sources indicate that the upcoming budget will likely propose new taxes or increase existing rates on a wide array of consumer goods and services. Targets include motorcycles, internet services, computer hardware, local LC commissions, agricultural imports, and raw materials for essential consumer commodities. Because manufacturers pass these tax hikes directly to consumers by adjusting commodity prices, public distress is projected to intensify. Persistent food inflation has already driven the cost of rice, pulses, oil, fish, and vegetables beyond the reach of many, forcing middle-class families to deplete savings, defer medical treatments, and slash educational expenses. The Ministry of Finance is currently preparing to approve a massive national budget of approximately Tk 9.38 lakh crore alongside an Annual Development Programme (ADP) of over Tk 3 lakh crore for FY2026-27. Defending the large fiscal footprint, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated, "Growth and employment generation are impossible without aggressive investment. Therefore, a large development budget has been adopted to pull the economy out of its fragile state." However, analysts label these targets as highly unrealistic. Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, another Distinguished Fellow at CPD, questioned, "Is the upcoming budget realistic, or is it based on miraculous projections?" He warned that setting unachievable targets when institutional implementation capacity is weak will only destabilize the macroeconomic environment. Dr. M. Masrur Reaz, an eminent economist, echoed these concerns, emphasizing that checking administrative expenditures is critical. "Simply expanding the budget is not enough; the quality of expenditure must be guaranteed. Unnecessary operating expenses must be strictly checked to ensure development benefits reach the grassroots," he said. In a bid to expand the tax net and alter its reputation of over-taxing compliant taxpayers, the NBR is planning rigorous door-to-door tax surveys in elite neighborhoods, including Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Dhanmondi, and Uttara in Dhaka, alongside Khulshi in Chattogram. Authorities will cross-match asset disclosures and lifestyles against submitted tax returns. The government has also set a targeted revenue collection goal of Tk 5,000 crore from wealth surcharges alone, supported by moving land mouza values closer to actual market rates to capture taxes from high-value real estate transactions. Mirroring these requirements, the political manifesto of the ruling BNP has also prioritized structural tax reforms. The party's platform identifies the political economy as the root cause of revenue stagnation and promises to curb evasion through a fully digital tax architecture, automated information exchange, and risk-based auditing. Industrial stimulus and healthcare relief To stimulate employment, the budget is expected to introduce time-bound industrial tax holidays equipped with "sunset clauses." Strategic sectors slated for incentives include Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), agricultural machinery, automobile components, computer hardware, artificial intelligence technologies, robotics, and plastic recycling. On a positive note, the government is considering slashing duties on vital medical equipment, including cardiac stents (heart rings), kidney dialysis machinery, and pharmaceutical raw materials. With out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures currently exceeding 70 percent in Bangladesh, this move is anticipated to bring tangible relief to low-income patients. Conversely, sin taxes on tobacco and alcohol are projected to rise significantly. Ultimately, the overriding challenge for the government remains executing structural tax reforms that widen the direct tax base and curb illicit financial flows, rather than squeezing an inflation-weary middle class that is already buckling under historical economic strains.  

Yeijer Shoe Parts (BD) Ltd, a company based in Samoa-China (Taiwan), has signed a land lease agreement with the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) to set up a footwear and footwear accessories manufacturing facility at Cumilla Export Processing Zone (EPZ). The company will invest US$ 5.03 million for the production of insoles, outsoles, midsoles, and polyurethane (PU) shoes. The agreement was signed on May 20 at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka. Md Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, signed the agreement on behalf of BEPZA, while Xia Ruihong, Managing Director of Yeijer Shoe Parts, signed on behalf of the investing company. BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain witnessed the signing ceremony. As per the agreement, the company will produce 3 million pairs of insoles, 1.2 million pairs of outsoles, and 3.2 million pairs of midsoles and 1 million pairs of PU shoes annually. The company is expected to create employment opportunities for 500 Bangladeshi nationals. BEPZA Executive Chairman welcomed Yeijer Shoe Parts and assured full support from BEPZA to facilitate smooth and successful business operations within the zone. He also emphasised that BEPZA continues to extend comprehensive support to attract diversified investment beyond the RMG sector.

The High Court on Thursday dismissed a writ petition seeking an investigation into the 18-month activities of the immediate past interim government, led by Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus. The HC bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar passedthe order after hearing the petition. Advocate MK Rahman and Advocate Muhsin Rashid argued for the writ petitioner, while Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal represented the state. The Attorney General said the petitioners are not the aggrieved parties, which the legal standing requires to file a writ petition challenging the activities of the interim government. The matter is related to the structure of the state. A writ petition on the same issue had previously been dismissed and the latest petition was rejected as it was filed for a second time on the same matter, he said, adding that the writ had been filed with political ill intent. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Muhammad Muhsin Rashid had filed the writ petition with the HC on May 17 challenging the 18-month activities of the interim government. Cabinet, and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Secretary were made respondent to the rule. Earlier, another writ petition was filed with the High Court challenging the legality of the oath and the process of forming the interim government. On December 4, 2024, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the High Court verdict declaring lawful the oath and the process of forming the interim government. Lawyers said the Appellate Division also dismissed the petitioner’s leave-to-appeal petition filed against the relevant High Court order with observations. Later, another writ petition was filed challenging the activities of the Chief Adviser of the interim government. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the President dissolved Parliament on August 6 of the same year. Subsequently, the interim government, led by Yunus, was formed on August 8. Before the formation of the government and the swearing-in of the advisers, the President sent a reference to the Supreme Court seeking its opinion under Article 106 of the Constitution. In response to the President’s special reference, the seven-member Appellate Division, headed by then Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, gave its opinion on August 8. The apex court observed that in order to fill the constitutional vacuum of the state in an emergency situation, the President could appoint the Chief Adviser and other advisers as an interim arrangement to carry out the executive functions of the state and could administer their oath.  

Seven members of notorious ‘Sumon Bahini’ including its chief have surrendered to the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the Sundarbans along with firearms and ammunition. They surrendered around 11:00 pm on Sunday near Nandabala canal in the Sundarbans under Mongla upazila of Bagerhat, said a Coast Guard press release on Thursday. The surrendered pirates are Soman Hawlader ,32, chief of the gang, Robiul Mallik,25, Rafiq Sheikh,29, Siddiq Hawlader, 40, Golam Mallik, 38, Ismail Khan, 31 and Mahfuz Mallik,34. They are residents of different areas of Mongla and Rampal upazilas in Bagerhat district. According to the Coast Guard, the gang had long been involved in piracy in the Sundarbans and used to abduct fishermen and forest-dependent people for ransom. During the surrender, the pirates handed over five firearms including three locally made single-barrel guns, two pipe guns along with 25 rounds of live cartridges and three blank rounds. Coast Guard Media Officer Lt Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan saidcontinuous drives, intelligence surveillance and strict monitoring by the Coast Guard have significantly weakened pirate groups operating in the Sundarbans. “As a result of regular operations and strong surveillance, pirate groups are failing to continue their activities in the Sundarbans,” he said. He added that the Coast Guard is conducting two special operations titled “Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans” and “Operation Mangrove Shield” to eliminate forest-based criminal gangs and ensure the safety of fishermen, honey collectors, woodcutters and other forest-dependentcommunities. According to the Coast Guard, from February 12 to Thursday, special drives in the Sundarbans led to the recovery of 26 local and foreign firearms, 10 rounds of ammunition, 178 live cartridges, 25 blank cartridges, 187 air gun pellets and two walkie-talkies. During the same period, 21 forest pirates were arrested and 20 fishermen held hostage by pirate groups were rescued alive, it said.  

A satirical online political movement dubbed the “Cockroach Janta Party” has gained massive traction across India after controversial remarks by the country’s chief justice comparing some unemployed young people and activists to cockroaches. The controversy erupted on Friday when Chief Justice Surya Kant, during a Supreme Court hearing, referred to “parasites” attacking the system and remarked that some unemployed youths become activists or social media commentators and begin criticizing institutions. “There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don’t get any employment or have any place in the profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, RTI activists and other activists, and they start attacking everyone,” he said. The comments triggered widespread criticism, particularly among India’s Gen Z population, many of whom face rising unemployment, inflation and growing social tensions. Although Justice Kant later clarified that his remarks were aimed at individuals obtaining fraudulent degrees rather than the country’s youth, the explanation did little to quell the backlash online. Capitalising on the outrage, Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old public relations graduate, posted a tongue-in-cheek message on social media asking what would happen if all “cockroaches” united. The joke quickly evolved into the “Cockroach Janta Party” — a parody of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Within days, the movement attracted millions of followers on social media and hundreds of thousands of membership applications. The party describes itself as “a political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth” and uses humour and satire to highlight issues such as unemployment, political accountability, media independence and concerns over democratic institutions. Supporters say the movement reflects growing frustration among young Indians struggling with limited job opportunities despite the country’s economic growth. Official data show graduate unemployment remains significantly higher than the national average, reports Al Jazeera. Former civil servant Ashish Joshi, who joined the movement, said many Indians feel increasingly hesitant to express dissent and view the satirical campaign as a rare outlet for public frustration. Prominent lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan also criticised the chief justice’s remarks, arguing they reflected broader prejudice against young people and activists. He said the popularity of the movement demonstrates a growing demand for accountability and public debate. Dipke said the party’s branding and manifesto were created within 24 hours using artificial intelligence tools, turning what began as an online joke into a nationwide conversation about youth discontent and political expression.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said only laws or government initiatives are not enough to prevent incidents of rape, child abuse and killings, stressing the need for a strong national social movement. He made the remarks in a post shared on his personal Facebook profile in the morning. Fakhrul said families, schools, madrasahs, teachers, religious leaders, media, social organisations and every citizen must come forward to address the issue. “We must teach our children respect, humanity, responsibility and the dignity of women. Ensuring the safety of our children means securing the future of Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP leader said incidents of rape, child abuse and killings are not isolated events, but alarming reflections of long-standing moral degradation, social irresponsibility and the rapid decline of human values over the years. “We are committed to continuing all-out efforts against these inhuman crimes and, to building a safe Bangladesh where our children can grow up without fear,” he said. Fakhrul urged everyone to join together in what he described as a collective struggle for change.

Vaccines can play a critical role in reducing infections, lowering antibiotic use, and combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Bangladesh, a new policy brief released by the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP), led by the One Health Trust and icddr,b. The widening immunisation gaps and declining vaccine confidence could reverse decades of public health progress and worsen the country’s growing AMR burden, it said. The brief, The Value of Vaccines in Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance in Bangladesh, argues thatvaccines should be recognised not only as tools to prevent infectious diseases, but also as acritical strategy to lower antibiotic use, slow the spread of drug-resistant infections, and protectpublic health in both the short and long term. The brief was developed as part of GARP’s wider international initiative to communicate cross-disciplinary evidence on the role of vaccines in mitigating AMR in country-specific contexts. Countries currently participating in this effort include Bangladesh, Côte d’Ivoire, India, Kenya,Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, Uganda, and Vietnam. The brief comes at a critical moment for Bangladesh, which is currently experiencing one of itslargest measles outbreaks in recent years. As of May, more than 51,500 suspected measles casesand over 350 confirmed and suspected deaths had been reported nationwide in 2026. Public health experts say the outbreak reflects growing immunity gaps caused by disruptions in routineimmunisation and declining vaccine confidence in some communities. “Vaccines are among the most powerful and cost-effective tools available for reducing infections,lowering antibiotic use, and complementing broader efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.Every infection prevented through vaccination represents a potential reduction in both antibioticuse and the emergence of resistant pathogens. Bangladesh’s ongoing measles outbreak remindsus how quickly immunisation gaps can reverse decades of public health progress,” said Dr. WasifAli Khan, Scientist, Enteric and Respiratory Infections, Infectious Diseases Division at icddr,b andChair of GARP-Bangladesh. Globally, AMR is now recognised as one of the greatest public health threats of the century.  According to estimates, AMR could cause more than 39 million deaths worldwide between 2025and 2050. In Bangladesh alone, 96,878 deaths were associated with AMR in 2021, while 23,454deaths were directly attributable to AMR. The policy brief acknowledges the significant progress Bangladesh has made through itsExpanded Programme on Immunization, which has helped eliminate neonatal tetanus, eradicate polio, and control congenital rubella syndrome over recent decades. However, it warns that thosegains cannot be taken for granted. Drawing on national and global evidence, the report shows that strengthening vaccine coveragecould substantially reduce Bangladesh’s AMR burden. The policy brief was developed collaboratively by the GARP-Bangladesh technical working groupcomprising multidisciplinary experts from icddr,b; Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS),Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Bangladesh Medical University|(BMU), University of Dhaka, WHO, UNICEF, Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA),ARK Foundation, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences, and the livestock sector under a OneHealth approach. Among its recommendations, the policy brief calls for sustaining universal childhood immunisationcoverage, expanding access to vaccines with proven AMR benefits, and integrating vaccinationmore fully into Bangladesh’s national AMR strategy. It also makes three vaccine-specific recommendations which could significantly reduce antibiotic use and the burden of AMR in Bangladesh: regularly evaluating the effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and transitioning to higher-valency formulations; ensuring the long-term integration of typhoid conjugate vaccine into routine immunisation; and accelerating the introduction of rotavirus vaccines.

Mount Everest witnessed a record number of successful ascents in a single day as 274 climbers reached the summit on Wednesday, officials said Thursday. According to Rishi Ram Bhandari of the Expedition Operators Association Nepal, climbers took advantage of favorable weather conditions to make the ascent. The figure marks the highest number of summits achieved in one day via the popular southern route in Nepal. Everest can be climbed from Nepal’s southern side or from the northern route in Tibet, China. On May 22, 2019, a combined 336 climbers reached the summit — 223 from Nepal’s side and 113 from Tibet. However, China has closed the northern route this year. Veteran climber Kami Rita Sherpa earlier this week extended his own record by summiting Everest for the 32nd time. Pasang Dawa Sherpa followed closely with his 30th ascent, while Lakpa Sherpa set a new female record after reaching the summit for the 11th time. This year’s climbing season started later than usual due to concerns over a massive hanging serac along a key section of the route. Around 494 climbers, along with a similar number of Sherpa guides, are expected to attempt the 8,850-meter (29,032-foot) peak before the climbing season concludes at the end of May. Mount Everest was first conquered on May 29, 1953, by New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay, and since then thousands have scaled the world’s highest mountain.  

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu on Thursday alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami is behind most of the wrongdoings now taking place in different sectors in Bangladesh. “If I mention the name, everyone will recognise them. They can never stay with the trust and confidence of people. They have no significant public support, let alone any possibility of forming a government. They use Islam and at the same time act against Islam. In politics, they have nothing except lies. That group is Jamaat-e-Islami,” he said. He made the remarks while addressing a discussion organised at the Jatiya Press Club marking the 18th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Pharmacy Association (BNPA). Dudu said there is a group that “cannot think beyond falsehood.” Referring to the recent measles outbreak, Dudu said many children have already died from the disease. “We learned through newspapers that UNICEF had warned the then government five times in writing. But that government ignored the issue. This measles situation is one of the many failures of the Awami League era,” he said. “The failures of the Awami League and the interim government are now falling on BNP’s shoulders,” he added. Dudu said BNP has already taken many steps to address the issue. “Still, a disease that we had once eliminated has re-emerged because of failures. The government should address the matter very seriously and on an emergency basis. Pharmacists also have a very important and service-oriented role in this regard,” he said. Referring to the Liberation War, Dudu said the people of Bangladesh understood in 1971 what was necessary for independence. “Even farmers, workers and ordinary people understood that Pakistan would not survive and that liberation was inevitable. But one group desperately tried to save Pakistan. The force that committed the highest number of killings and atrocities against women and freedom fighters was Jamaat-e-Islami,” he alleged. He said Jamaat had historically failed to take the correct political position and sided with Pakistan during the Liberation War instead of supporting Bangladesh. “When they try to speak about the welfare of the country wearing a mask they actually try to hide their true character. We have to remain alert,” he said. Dudu also alleged that certain groups are creating divisions among people through social media and propaganda. He said some groups earlier dominated educational institutions and benefited from political appointments in universities. He urged party leaders and activists to remain cautious and strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Police have arrested a madrasah student in connection with a case filed over the rape and alleged abetment to the suicide of a 10-year-old student at the educational institution in the Banasree area of the capital. The arrestee is Md Shihab Hossain, 19, a student of Alokito Quran International Hifz Madrasah in Banasree C-Block. A team of Rampura Police Station picked him up from Khagchhara village in Bera upazila of Pabna around 12:50am on Thursday. According to police, the victim, identified as Abdullah, a student of the same madrasah, was found dead inside the institution on Tuesday night. On information, police recovered the body and sent it to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. Police said preliminary observations during the inquest found signs indicating possible sexual assault on the victim’s body. Later, they questioned the madrasah authorities and came to know that Shihab committed sexual assault on four other students earlier. Later, victim’s mother Tuku Ara filed a case at Rampura Police Station in this regard. The accused reportedly fled to Pabna before Abdullah took his own life. Following intelligence information and with the assistance of technology, police launched a drive in Pabna and arrested him.

Bangladesh's macroeconomy remains deeply fragile, battered by a Fitch rating downgrade, stubbornly high inflation, record low private credit growth, and a looming fiscal shortfall, the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI) warned on Thursday, calling for sweeping productivity-enhancing reforms ahead of the national budget for fiscal year 2026-27. Dr Ashikur Rahman, Principal Economist of PRI, revealed the grim picture of the economy while making the keynote presentation at an event to launch the institute's Monthly Macroeconomic Insights titled “Restoring Growth through Productivity Reforms: Pre-Budget Priorities” at the PRI conference room at Banani. In a fresh blow to investor confidence, Fitch Ratings has revised Bangladesh’s long-term sovereign outlook to “Negative” from “Stable”, while affirming the rating at “B+”, according to the report. The agency cited rising external vulnerabilities from Middle East exposure, weak reserves, persistently low revenue at around 7.9 percent of GDP, elevated inflation near 9 percent, banking sector fragility with NPLs above 30 percent, and stalled institutional reforms. BERC Hearing: Stakeholders reject BPDB proposal to hike bulk power prices by up to Tk 1.50 per unit According to the PRI, the GDP growth stood at 3.49 percent in FY25. For FY26, the International Monetary Fund projects a modest recovery to 4.7 percent, while the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Fitch estimate more conservative figures of 3.9 percent 4.0 percent, and 3.7 percent respectively, citing fuel price pressures, weak investment, and slowing exports. Private investment dropped to 22 percent of GDP in FY25, its weakest level in 11 years. Foreign Direct Investment, at just 0.3 percent of GDP, continues to lag far behind regional peers Vietnam, Indonesia, and India, it said. Inflation re-accelerated above 9 percent in April 2026, driven by higher transport costs and non-food price pressures linked to US-Iran geopolitical tensions. With the policy rate held at 10 percent, the real policy rate stands at only 0.96 percent, well below the Monetary Policy Committee's own target of 3 percent and among the lowest in South Asia, undermining the central bank's ability to anchor inflation expectations. The PRI further warned that recent measures by Bangladesh Bank, including special credit windows and relaxed single-borrower lending limits for large corporates, are effectively diluting monetary tightening and sending mixed policy signals. Private sector credit growth collapsed to a historic low of 4.72 percent in March 2026. Banks have increasingly shifted into government securities, with net borrowing via treasury bills reaching Tk 132 billion in April alone, a classic crowding-out dynamic squeezing productive lending. On the fiscal front, the revenue collection by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) reached Tk 3.3 trillion by April FY26, only 65 percent of the revised annual target. To meet the full-year goal, the NBR will need to collect an implausibly high Tk T 1.76 trillion in the final two months alone. Even under optimistic scenarios of 15-30 percent revenue growth in May-June, the projected shortfall ranges between Tk 782 billion and Tk 895 billion. Interest payments consumed 21.4 percent of total government expenditure in FY25, up sharply from 14.4 percent in FY10. Subsidies crossed Tk 1 trillion in FY25 and are projected to rise further to Tk 1.16 trillion in FY27, absorbing 12.5 percent of the total budget despite IMF pressure for rationalisation. ADP implementation remained chronically weak at 36.2 percent in July-March FY26. After eight consecutive months of decline, goods exports rebounded 33 percent year on year in April to nearly US$ 4 billion, a rare bright spot. However, cumulative exports in July-April FY26 remained 2 percent below the same period last year, weighed down by a 2.8 percent contraction in RMG shipments and persistent energy shortages.   Remittances stayed above $ 3 billion for the fifth consecutive month in April, reaching $ 3.13 billion, up 13.6 percent year on year. Forex reserves crossed $ 30 billion in April, providing roughly five months of import cover.   However, the PRI cautioned that rising global energy prices could erode these gains.   The PRI presentation laid out six productivity-enhancing reform pillars it considers essential for restoring growth: deregulation and investment climate improvement, energy sector reform, SOE restructuring and selective privatisation, trade policy reform and tariff rationalisation, proactive FDI promotion, and sustained investment in critical infrastructure.   On fiscal reform, the report called for raising the tax-to-GDP ratio to 15-20 percent over 10 years, targeting a 50:50 direct-to-indirect tax ratio by 2035, and capping the personal income tax marginal rate at 25 percent while reducing the corporate tax rate to 15 percent for qualifying firms.   “Sustainable growth will depend less on stimulus and more on productivity, investment, institutions, and efficient use of resources,” the presentation concluded.   The event was chaired by PRI Chairman Dr Zaidi Sattar. END/UNB/MM/AM

A mild heat wave is sweeping across 11 districts including Dhaka and it may continue, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said on Thursday. “A mild heat wave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Dhaka, Tangail, Khulna, Jashore, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Chandpur and Lakshmipur and it may continue,” said a regular bulletin of Met office. It also forecast light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind and lightning flashes is likely to occur at many places over Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Khulna, Barishal andChattogram divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions. Country’s highest temperature 37.5 degree Celsius was recorded in Ramgati of Lakshmipur district on Wednesday. Day and night temperatures may fall slightly over the country. A trough of low lies over west Bengal to North Bay across southwestern part of Bangladesh.    

The government is considering reducing the tax on new SIM card issuance and abolishing taxes on SIM replacements and Internet of Things (IoT)/Machine-to-Machine (M2M) SIMs as part of efforts to expand the telecommunications sector and strengthen digital connectivity. According to National Board of Revenue (NBR) sources, a proposal to this effect is currently under consideration. “The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) sent a letter to the Posts and Telecommunications Division on May 5, which was later forwarded to the NBR,” a senior NBR official told UNB. The recommendations were discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by PM’s adviser  adviser on posts, telecommunications and ICT Rehan Asif Asad on April 29, according to the letter. Senior officials from the Posts and Telecommunications Division, NBR, BTRC and other relevant agencies attended the meeting. BTRC said the current tax structure on SIM issuance has become a significant barrier to market expansion and subscriber acquisition. According to the regulator, mobile operators currently spend about Tk 700 to activate a new subscriber connection. Of the total amount, Tk 300 is paid as SIM tax, around Tk 50 covers the SIM kit cost, while the remaining Tk 350 is spent on operations, distribution, marketing and other taxes. The commission said operators often subsidise nearly half of the acquisition cost, while about 43 percent of the expenditure goes to the government as non-recoverable SIM tax. BTRC also noted that the average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile operators currently ranges between Tk 130 and Tk 150 per month. Consequently, operators need nearly five months to recover the cost of acquiring a new customer, though the actual payback period can stretch to six to nine months due to lower usage levels and shorter customer lifecycles. The regulator said the prevailing tax regime has made new customer acquisition economically less attractive and created a structural impediment to telecom market growth. Citing international practices, BTRC said only a handful of countries, including Jamaica and Ghana, continue to impose taxes on new SIM issuance. On SIM replacement, the commission argued that replacement SIMs do not generate new subscriber connections or additional revenue for operators, as they merely reactivate existing mobile numbers. “Imposing taxes on replacement SIMs amounts to double taxation and places an unnecessary financial burden on customers, particularly those who lose their handsets or SIM cards,” it said. BTRC further recommended the complete withdrawal of taxes on IoT and M2M SIMs to accelerate digital transformation and facilitate the adoption of smart technologies. The regulator noted that the overall tax burden on mobile services in Bangladesh stands at around 39 percent, significantly higher than in many other countries. It added that IoT and M2M SIMs generate substantially lower revenues than conventional mobile connections, with average monthly earnings of only Tk 20–25 per SIM compared with Tk 130–150 from regular subscribers. According to BTRC, maintaining the current tax burden could discourage investment and make large-scale deployment of IoT services economically unviable. The commission said removing taxes on IoT SIMs could significantly expand the use of smart devices across sectors such as industrial automation, logistics, agriculture, energy management and smart city solutions, thereby enhancing productivity, reducing waste and creating new business and employment opportunities. It also said  wider adoption of IoT services would drive greater data consumption and eventually generate additional government revenue through VAT and service-related taxes.

Macroeconomic stabilisation alone will not be sufficient to restore high and sustainable growth in Bangladesh, Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI) Chairman Dr Zaidi Sattar said on Thursday, calling for a bold new phase of productivity-enhancing reforms ahead of the fiscal year 202-27 budget. He made the remarks while chairing the PRI's Monthly Macroeconomic Insights event titled “Restoring Growth through Productivity Reforms: Pre-Budget Priorities” at the PRI conference room at Banani. “The six reform pillars identified in our report: rationalising tariffs, revamping trade openness, radically reforming the tax system, improving the investment climate, reforming the energy sector, restructuring state-owned enterprises, promoting FDI, and investing in critical infrastructure, together outline a coherent pathway towards restoring competitiveness and growth dynamism," Sattar said. He acknowledged that Bangladesh has demonstrated remarkable resilience over recent years in the face of multiple global and domestic shocks, including the pandemic, global inflationary pressures, geopolitical disruptions, and energy market volatility. The PRI Chairman, however, cautioned that the economy now stands at a crossroads. “Growth has slowed significantly, investment momentum has weakened, inflation remains elevated, and vulnerabilities in the fiscal, financial, and energy sectors continue to constrain policy space.” On the positive side, he noted encouraging signals: export recovery, robust remittance inflows, improved foreign exchange reserves, and resilient PMI indicators, suggesting the country retains strong underlying economic potential. Sattar stressed that the upcoming national budget will need to strike a delicate balance between maintaining macroeconomic discipline and supporting growth recovery. He flagged critical concerns around revenue mobilisation, expenditure efficiency, subsidy management, debt servicing pressures, and the effectiveness of public investment execution, describing these as “not merely accounting issues” but fundamental questions of state capacity and long-term development sustainability. With Bangladesh approaching its post-LDC graduation, the PRI Chairman underscored the urgency of export diversification, integration into global value chains, and adoption of a modern industrial policy framework. “Bangladesh can no longer rely solely on traditional drivers of growth; future competitiveness will depend on productivity, innovation, policy predictability, and openness to investment and technology,” he said. Sattar noted that Bangladesh faces daunting challenges in the external sector from shocks not of its own making, and said he will separately offer his insights on industrial policy and trade strategy to navigate the evolving global order.

Dhaka South City BNP on Thursday conducted a leaflet distribution and public outreach campaign at Motijheel against what the party described as propaganda by vested interests about the July National Charter and referendum, and in support of the positive steps taken by the BNP government. The programme was organised in the morning around the Bangladesh Bank headquarters under the initiative of ward No. 8 unit of BNP under Dhaka South City Corporation. Dhaka South City BNP Convener and MP from Feni-1 constituency Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Senior Joint Convener Harunur Rashid Harun, Motijheel Thana BNP Convener Alamgir Hossain, Member Secretary Zahid Hossain and Joint Convener Ismail Hossain were present. During the campaign, the BNP leaders distributed leaflets among people on important roads, alleys, business establishments and general public. They also explained in detail the objectives of the July Charter, the necessity of the referendum, BNP’s role in restoring democracy and various activities undertaken by the party to establish people’s rights. The leaders alleged that a quarter has been deliberately trying to create confusion among people regarding the July Charter and referendum. They said BNP has always practised politics based on the hopes and aspirations of the people and has consistently played an uncompromising role in establishing democracy, voting rights and human rights in the country. During the outreach programme, BNP leaders also highlighted what they described as the achievements of BNP governments in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, communication, agriculture and the economy, saying those developments are still remembered by the people. They said BNP had worked sincerely in the past to improve people’s living standards, create employment opportunities, establish the rule of law and build a democratic and accountable state system, and will continue to stand beside the people in the future as well. They urged people not to be misled by propaganda and rumours, and to remain united in the interest of the country.

Police recovered the bloodstained body of a young man from a bamboo grove at Kirtipur in Jhikargacha upazila of Jashore early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Abu Huraira Mim, 35, son of Mashiar Rahman of the area. According to police and locals, Mim had been missing since Wednesday afternoon after leaving home. Locals spotted his bloodstained body lying inside a bamboo grove by the Jashore-Benapole Highway near his house in the early hours and informed police. Police recovered the body around 8:00am and sent it to Jashore General Hospital morgue autopsy, said Officer-in-Charge of Jhikargacha Police Station Golam Kibria Hasan. The victim had deep wounds on the back of his head caused by a sharp weapon, he said. Mim’s wife Nila Khatun said she had been staying at her father’s house in the same village. She last spoke to her husband around 8:30pm on Wednesday. “Mim was supposed to come to my parents’ house that night, but he never arrived. We tried calling him several times afterwards, but he did not answer,” she said. Nila alleged that her husband had disputes with several of his friends and claimed he was murdered in a planned way over those conflicts.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has directed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner to submit the probe report within one week over the brutal rape and murder of eight-year-old child Ramisa Akter at Pallabi. “The first thing I did after arriving at the office today was call the Police Commissioner and ordered that the investigation report be completed within one week. He agreed with me. I also spoke with the Home Secretary shortly before this,” he told reporters at Secretariat on Thursday. The minister said steps will be taken to complete the trial proceedings of the murder case in the shortest possible time. “The government will do everything possible to ensure the speedy completion of the trial over the murder of the child,” he added. He also said the government aims to set another example through the swift trial of  Ramisa murder case, similar to the trial in the Achiya murder case. The trial over Ramisa’s murder would be conducted under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, not under the Speedy Trial Tribunal, said the minister. When asked about Ramisa’s father’s lack of confidence in the judicial system, Asaduzzaman said “What Ramisa’s father said reflects his feelings from his position. I would not say his remarks are baseless. We will take steps to reduce the case backlog in Bangladesh’s judicial system.” About the Achiya case, he said “We did everything within our capacity. We ensured that the charge sheet was submitted within seven days, and the trial was completed within one month. If the trial is conducted any faster than that, questions may arise regarding its fairness.” Noting that there is a legal framework regarding the execution of death sentences, the minister said death references require confirmation from the Supreme Court. The government is giving the highest importance to the trial of Ramisa’s murder, he added. Ramisa, a Class-II student, was slaughtered by a tenant of their next-door flat at Pallabi in the capital on Tuesday. The suspect – Sohel Rana – reportedly lured her into his room when Ramisa left her flat in the morning. Later, he raped the girl and slaughtered her. The girl’s decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head inside a bucket in the bathroom. Locals detained suspect’s wife Swapna Akter, though Sohel managed to escape by cutting through a window grille. He was later arrested in Fatullah of Narayanganj in the evening of the same day. On Wednesday, Sohel gave a statement before a Dhaka court confessing to his guilt.    

Jute workers in Khulna blocked road for the third consecutive day on Thursday, demanding the unconditional withdrawal of the ban on raw jute exports and compensation for workers who lost their jobs due to the suspension of exports. The workers – under the banner of Daulatpur Jute Press and Baling Workers’ Union – took to the Khulna-Jashore Highway around 10:00am and blocked the stretch from Religate to Daulatpur in the city. A large number of women also joined the demonstrations in support of the movement, staging protest marches and occupying the highway alongside the workers. Workers placed logs and bamboo poles on the road, halting vehicular movement and causing suffering for commuters, as long vehicles remained stranded on both sides of the highway. They withdrew the blockade after one hour around 11:00am. The protesting workers said the Ministry of Textiles and Jute imposed a ban on raw jute exports on September 8 last year, effectively stopping overseas shipments. As a result, they claimed, hundreds of thousands of press and baling workers in Khulna and Narayanganj have become unemployed.   The workers also claimed that they are going through extreme financial hardship with their families as work has remained suspended. They noted that Daulatpur in Khulna is a major jute export processing zone and home to a large number of workers dependent on the sector for their livelihoods. The workers further alleged that a notification issued by the Ministry of Textiles and Jute on May 17 reaffirmed that raw jute exports would not be allowed, prompting them to intensify the protest movement. The demonstrators warned that their agitation will continue until their demands are met.

A growing social media trend dubbed “office air” is drawing attention to how long hours spent in indoor office environments may leave people feeling and looking more tired, dull and less refreshed by the end of the day. Online users have been sharing posts and videos with phrases such as “office air is ruining your makeup”, “office air is making your skin dull” and “office air is making you tired,” describing a widely felt experience among office workers. The trend, which has gained popularity across social media platforms in recent months, often shows before-and-after comparisons of individuals at the start and end of their workday. Many users report visible changes such as faded makeup, oily or flat hair, dry skin and signs of fatigue. Experts say these effects may be linked to poor indoor air quality, which can cause headaches, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, eye irritation and “brain fog” after prolonged exposure. Dr Aravinda S N, Lead Consultant in Internal Medicine at Aster RV Hospital in Bangalore, said most modern offices are enclosed spaces with limited fresh air circulation, leading to a buildup of carbon dioxide, dust, allergens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from furniture and cleaning products. “When carbon dioxide gets too high, particularly in packed meeting rooms, alertness can drop, and thinking skills get less sharp, so employees feel worn out and mentally sluggish,” he said. He added that poor ventilation may also allow mould and other pollutants to accumulate, while increasing the risk of airborne infections in shared office spaces. According to him, viruses can remain suspended in the air for longer in poorly ventilated environments, especially in air-conditioned and closed meeting rooms, increasing the risk of illnesses such as influenza, the common cold and COVID-19. Dr Aravinda stressed the need for better ventilation, regular HVAC maintenance, air purifiers with HEPA filters and increased exchange of outdoor air to reduce airborne contaminants and improve workplace health conditions. He said improved airflow can also help reduce indoor humidity and pollutants that irritate the respiratory system and weaken immunity, particularly in shared areas such as cafeterias, conference rooms and elevators. Skincare specialist Dr Sunil Kumar Prabhu, Consultant Dermatologist and Aesthetic Physician at the same hospital, said prolonged exposure to air-conditioned environments can also affect skin and scalp health. He said air conditioning reduces indoor humidity, causing the skin to lose moisture faster, which can lead to dryness, tightness, flaking and irritation. Over time, this may weaken the skin barrier, reduce elasticity and contribute to the early appearance of fine lines, making the skin look dull or prematurely aged, he noted. Dr Prabhu added that low humidity and poor ventilation may worsen conditions such as eczema, rosacea and sensitive skin by triggering itching, redness and irritation. He also said indoor pollutants, dust, cleaning chemicals, temperature changes and stress can further aggravate skin sensitivity and flare-ups. On scalp health, he noted that prolonged exposure to air-conditioned environments may cause dryness, itching, flaking and dandruff, while also leading to rough hair texture, frizz and breakage due to loss of natural oils. He advised maintaining proper hydration, using gentle shampoos, regular conditioning and avoiding excessive heat styling to protect hair and scalp health. Regarding skincare routines, Dr Prabhu said office workers often benefit more from barrier-repair-focused products rather than only lightweight moisturisers. He recommended ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide and fatty acids to help restore moisture balance and strengthen the skin barrier. He also cautioned against common mistakes such as skipping moisturiser, poor hydration, neglecting sunscreen indoors, over-washing the face, using harsh cleansers, wearing heavy makeup for long hours and ignoring sleep, nutrition and stress management. A simple and consistent skincare routine, along with adequate hydration and gentle products, can help maintain healthier skin during long indoor work hours, he added. #From NDTV

More than 70 million warning messages have been issued to individuals attempting to access child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online over the past two years, according to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation. The alerts are part of Project Intercept, a joint initiative between the UK-based child protection charity and technology companies including Google, TikTok and Meta. Instead of simply blocking access, the system sends messages highlighting the illegality of viewing CSAM and directs users to support services designed to help change harmful behaviour. The foundation said nearly 700,000 people subsequently accessed its Stop It Now resources, which provide confidential guidance and self-help tools. However, experts say the figure remains relatively low compared to the scale of warnings issued. Professor Sonia Livingstone said the gap was concerning. “Given that 70 million warning messages have been sent, the fact that only 700,000 people click through to get support seems low. This is disappointing, given that the scale of the problem of child sexual abuse imagery online is growing fast,” she said. She added that those who do seek help often engage meaningfully with the available resources. Project Intercept operates in 131 countries and covers a range of online platforms, including encrypted services and AI chatbot systems. The foundation did not disclose how many individuals were responsible for the searches. However, it said around 28,000 users per month were redirected to support services in 2024 and 2025, with more than four in five continuing to engage with the content. Deborah Denis, chief executive of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, said the approach helps intervene at the point of risk. “By placing warnings at the moment harmful behaviour is happening, we can disrupt it and divert people towards help to change,” she said, adding that the model could be expanded further. The UK’s National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) said such interventions can help disrupt harmful behaviour but must be part of broader efforts to prevent illegal content from being created and shared. Emma Hardy, communications director at the Internet Watch Foundation, said stronger measures were needed, including on encrypted platforms. “As it is, it is simply too easy to share and distribute child sexual abuse imagery online, and for children to become trapped in cycles of exploitation,” she said. “Safety by design needs to be a guiding principle and new products and platforms must be built to make sure there is nowhere for this sort of behaviour to hide.” The UK communications regulator Ofcom said such warning messages align with expectations under the Online Safety Act, adding that the data reflects both progress and the continued scale of the problem. Tech firms involved in the initiative said the approach complements existing content moderation systems. Google product manager Griffin Hunt said changes introduced in early 2025 had increased engagement with support services and reduced repeat searches for illegal material. Meanwhile, Mega, a cloud storage company involved in the project, said the initiative demonstrates that even encrypted platforms can take early action to address harmful online behaviour.

Business leaders and trade experts have emphasised that a secure and robust Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) framework is a strategic necessity for Bangladesh to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and maintain its position in the global supply chain after graduating from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. The observation was made at a breakfast meeting titled "Advancing the IPR Framework: The Way Forward" hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) at a city hotel on Wednesday. The event brought together key stakeholders from public and private sectors, along with senior media professionals, to discuss the critical role of intellectual property protection in transforming the country's business ecosystem. Opening the discussion, AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed underscored the urgency of strict IPR enforcement for the nation's future economic stability. "A secure IPR framework is vital to attracting increased FDI, while giving global importers and brand promoters the absolute confidence to source high-quality products from Bangladesh," he asserted. Attending the event as a key speaker, Shilpi Jha, Senior Commercial Specialist and IP Policy Adviser (South Asia) at the US Embassy in New Delhi, highlighted that the new government in Bangladesh has a golden opportunity to modernise its intellectual property architecture to foster innovation. She specifically stressed that a strengthened IP framework would serve as a major catalyst for supporting domestic Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Shilpi Jha pointed out significant gaps in current enforcement capacities and recommended mandatory, specialised training modules for customs and law enforcement officials. This training, she noted, is crucial to help officials accurately distinguish between patents, trademarks, copyrights, and geographical indications (GI) during field operations. During an open floor session, participants raised deep concerns regarding ongoing operational hurdles in IP protection. The interactive dialogue highlighted that combating counterfeiting and piracy effectively requires seamless, coordinated action across various state agencies, particularly in managing port-of-entry imports and updating archaic policy frameworks. The meeting concluded with a strong consensus that establishing an uncompromised, world-class IPR regime must be prioritised immediately if Bangladesh wishes to smoothly navigate its post-LDC transition and shield its export sectors from international legal challenges. AmCham Executive Committee members, including Treasurer Al-Mamun M Rashel and Mirza Sajib Raihan, alongside Paul Frost, Commercial Counselor at the US Embassy in Dhaka, other high-level embassy officials, prominent industry stakeholders, and Chowdhury Kaiser Mohammad Riyadh, Executive Director of AmCham also took part in the discussion.

A 10-kilometre traffic jam, triggered by a road accident, choked the Cumilla section of the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway on Thursday morning, causing immense suffering for commuters. The gridlock, which began early Thursday, stretched from Putia in Eliotganj of Daudkandi to the Meghna-Gomti Bridge on the Dhaka-bound carriageway. This marks the third consecutive day that heavy traffic paralysed the highway from dawn until well into the afternoon, causing concerns and anxieties among home-bound passengers ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha holiday. According to Iqbal Bahar Mojumdar, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Daudkandi Highway Police Station, the tailback was triggered when a truck overturned near the Meghna-Gomti Bridge around 5:00am, halting vehicular movement. "The police moved quickly to remove the overturned truck from the highway. We are hopeful that the situation will return to normalcy soon," he said. With only a few days left before Eid-ul-Azha, the volume of vehicles on the highway has surged significantly. Commuters express deep worry that these frequent, prolonged traffic jams will only worsen, severely disrupting their holiday travel plans.

A housewife was slaughtered allegedly by unidentified assailants at her house in Gabtali upazila of Bogura early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Rita Rani Majumder, 45, wife of Biplab Chandra Roy of Mominhata Southpara area of the upazila. The victim’s husband said he woke up suddenly around 12:15am after hearing loud banging on their bedroom door. Shortly afterwards, he heard his wife groaning in another room. Rushing to the room, he found Rita Rani lying on the floor in a pool of blood with her throat slit and the main door of the house open, he said. As he raised alarm, neighbours rushed in and informed police. Assistant Superintendent of Police (Gabtali Circle) Humayun Kabir said police recovered the body after receiving information. Primarily, it appears that criminals stormed into the house and killed the woman using a sharp weapon, he said, adding that police launched an investigation to identify those involved in the incident and arrest them.

Actor Tom Selleck is returning to the crime genre after a break from acting following the end of Blue Bloods. Selleck, who played New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the long-running CBS drama from 2010 to 2024, has not appeared on screen since the series concluded. He will now host, narrate and serve as executive producer of a new History Channel docuseries titled Crime and Justice, which will run for 10 episodes and focus on real-life criminal cases from American history. The series will “trace the enduring battle between law and lawlessness and the lawmen who ultimately brought some of the nation's most dangerous criminals to justice.” Speaking about the project, Tom Selleck said, “Throughout my career, I've been drawn to stories about consequences and the pursuit of justice. This series looks at real cases from across American history and the people tasked with seeing them through—moments when the pressure was intense, the outcome uncertain, and the decisions carried lasting consequences.” Although Blue Bloods has ended, CBS has continued the franchise with a spin-off titled Boston Blue, starring Donnie Wahlberg. Meanwhile, the History Channel has announced several new programmes to expand its lineup, including History’s Strange Fortunes hosted by Kevin Bacon, Extraordinary Origins with Ted Danson, History’s Greatest Machines featuring Dolph Lundgren, and 102 Minutes Inside the Towers, which revisits the September 11 attacks. #From NDTV

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a month away, authorities in Mexico are working around the clock to complete a $500 million renovation of Benito Juárez International Airport, the country’s busiest airport. Passengers arriving at the airport are currently navigating through a large construction zone, with drilling, exposed pipes and unfinished floors. At the same time, banners and giant decorations promoting the World Cup are displayed throughout the terminals. Airport authorities told The Associated Press that more than 3,000 workers are putting in up to 20 hours a day to finish one of the biggest renovation projects in the airport’s history. Engineer Luis Ibarra, 28, said he does not mind the ongoing work, noting that the airport has long struggled with flooding, leaking roofs and severe overcrowding. Adm. Juan José Padilla, the airport’s general director, said the first phase of the project is now more than 90% complete. He said the work has been more difficult than expected because parts of the airport are over 50 years old and some original blueprints are missing. “We are facing years of neglect,” Padilla said, referring to decades of underinvestment at the airport, which serves around 120,000 passengers every day. The modernization project began in May 2025 and is being financed entirely by the airport, which has been operated by the Mexican Navy since 2023. Project coordinator Capt. Arturo Flores said the upgrade includes new terminal exteriors, improved restrooms, renovated baggage claim areas and replacement of nearly 100,000 square meters of flooring and lighting. The redesign has also created an additional 30,000 square meters of waiting space for passengers. The second phase of the project is scheduled to start in August, after the World Cup, and continue through December. Security is also being upgraded. The number of surveillance cameras will increase from 2,200 to more than 4,000, with artificial intelligence used to identify suspicious vehicles, luggage and individuals. Padilla said an anti-drone system will also be installed soon. Earlier this month, Mexico’s foreign ministry announced an agreement with the US Department of Transportation to enforce a 2015 bilateral aviation agreement. Under the deal, Mexico will increase the number of landing and takeoff slots available to airlines. The number of slots had been reduced from 61 to 43 per hour during the previous administration and was later raised to 44. Padilla said the number of slots for both domestic and international airlines will soon rise to 46 per hour. The airport overhaul is one of the major infrastructure projects of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The initiative follows a controversial effort by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to shift traffic from Mexico City to a newly built military-operated airport, a plan that failed to attract significant airline and passenger interest.

Bangladesh-born American lawmaker Sheikh Rahman has won his re-election bid for the Georgia State Senate, defeating Democratic challenger Robin Emilia McCoy. With the victory, Rahman secured re-election for a fifth term. According to election results published on Wednesday (May 20), Rahman secured 54.49 percent of the vote, retaining his seat in the Georgia State Senate and reaffirming his political strength in the district. Rahman campaigned on issues including support for working families, education, healthcare access, and economic opportunities. Following the victory, members of the Bangladeshi-American community across the United States congratulated him, describing the result as a significant milestone for immigrant political representation in American politics. During the campaign, Rahman pledged to continue advocating for diverse communities and improving the quality of life for families across his district. Rahman has represented Georgia’s 5th State Senate District since 2019. He made history as the first Muslim and first Bangladeshi-American elected to the Georgia State Senate. Born in Sararchar village in Bajitpur, Kishoreganj, Bangladesh, Rahman moved to the United States in 1981. He studied at Central Piedmont Community College in North Carolina and later earned a higher degree from the University of Georgia. Before entering politics, he was active in community organizing and Democratic Party politics in Gwinnett County. In the Senate, Rahman has focused on education, immigrant rights, healthcare access, economic opportunity, and support for working families. He lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia, with his family and remains active in the Bangladeshi-American community.

US federal prosecutors on Wednesday announced criminal charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian planes operated by a Miami-based exile group, in a move that further increases pressure on Cuba’s socialist government under President Donald Trump. The indictment accuses Castro of ordering the destruction of two small aircraft flown by the exile organization Brothers to the Rescue. Castro, who will turn 95 next month, was Cuba’s defense minister at the time. The charges, filed secretly by a grand jury in April, include murder and destruction of an aircraft. Five Cuban military pilots were also charged. “For nearly 30 years, the families of four murdered Americans have waited for justice,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said during a ceremony in Miami marking Cuban Independence Day. “They were unarmed civilians and were flying humanitarian missions for the rescue and protection of people fleeing oppression across the Florida Straits,” he said. Asked how far US authorities would go to bring Castro to the United States, Blanche said: “There was a warrant issued for his arrest. So we expect that he will show up here, by his own will or by another way.” Asked what could happen next in Cuba, Trump said: “We’re going to see.” He added that the United States is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to what he described as a “failing nation.” Analysts said the charges could pose a serious threat, especially after US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January to face drug charges in New York. “He’s going to have to keep his head pretty low from now on,” said Peter Kornbluh, a specialist on US-Cuba relations at the National Security Archive. Although it remains uncertain whether Castro will ever appear in a US courtroom, the murder and conspiracy charges carry the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty if he is convicted. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the indictment, calling it a political stunt intended to “justify the folly of a military aggression against Cuba.” In a social media post, Díaz-Canel accused the United States of distorting the events surrounding the shootdown and ignoring repeated warnings from Cuban officials that they would respond to what he called “dangerous violations” of Cuban airspace by “notorious terrorists.” Among those attending the Miami ceremony was Marlene Alejandre-Triana, whose father, Armando Alejandre Jr., was killed in the incident. She said she had spoken with several federal investigators over the years and considered Castro “one of the main architects of the crime.” “It has been long overdue,” she said while standing before a large photograph of her father. Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Cuba since Maduro’s capture. Following that operation, the White House imposed a blockade that sharply reduced fuel shipments to Cuba, contributing to widespread blackouts, food shortages and a worsening economic crisis. Trump has also intensified calls for regime change after saying earlier this year that he would pursue a “friendly takeover” of Cuba unless its leaders opened the economy to American investment and expelled US adversaries. During Trump’s first term, the United States indicted Maduro on drug trafficking charges and later used those allegations to justify removing him from power and bringing him to New York for trial. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday urged Cubans to demand a free-market economy and new leadership. “In the U.S., we are ready to open a new chapter in the relationship between our people,” Rubio said in a video message in Spanish. “Currently, the only thing standing in the way of a better future are those who control your country.”

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has warned Iran of possible military action on an unprecedented scale if Tehran does not agree to a deal acceptable to the United States. Speaking to Fox News, Miller said Iran’s current leadership faces a clear choice as negotiations remain stalled. “This new team in Iran has a choice to make,” Miller said. “They can either agree to a piece of paper that is satisfactory to the United States, or they can face a punishment from our military, the likes of which has not been seen in modern history. That’s the choice that they face,” he said.  #From Al Jazeera

Dhaka ranked 9th among the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 112 at 08:38 am. The air quality was classified as ‘unhealthy for sensitive group’, that poses health risks to vulnerable populations, even though the general public is unlikely to be affected, according to the AQI scale. Delhi in India, Jakarta in Indonesia and Kathmandu in Nepal occupied the first second, and  third spot, with AQI scores of 154, 151 and 148 respectively. According to AQI standards, a reading between 101 and 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151 to 200 ‘unhealthy’, 201 to 300 ‘very unhealthy’, while levels above 301 are deemed ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks. The AQI, which provides daily updates on air quality, indicates how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

As Eid-ul-Azha draws closer, the rhythmic clanging of hammers on glowing iron has transformed blacksmith villages in Brahmanbaria’s Nabinagar upazila into bustling hubs of activity. From dawn until deep into the night, blacksmiths are working tirelessly to meet the growing demand for sacrificial tools such as cleavers, machetes, knives and traditional cutting blades used during the Eid cattle sacrifice. For many of the artisans, the annual festival season is the busiest and most profitable period of the year. “In the rest of the year, work remains limited. But before Eid-ul-Azha, we hardly get time to breathe,” said Shyamal Karmakar, a local blacksmith, while shaping a red-hot blade with repeated hammer strikes. Across blacksmith neighbourhoods and marketplaces in Bholachang, Sohata, Shyamgram, Kadair and Sreeghar, furnaces burn constantly as sparks fly from workshops crowded with customers seeking new tools or sharpening old ones. The metallic “tung-tang” sound of hammer and chisel echoes through the air, creating a familiar pre-Eid atmosphere in the rural landscape. Blacksmiths said prices of raw materials and labour have increased significantly this year, forcing them to charge more for their products and services. According to the artisans, skinning knives are selling for Tk100 to Tk200, machetes for Tk200 to Tk350, traditional cutting blades or boti for Tk250 to Tk500, slaughtering knives for Tk300 to Tk1,000, and heavy cleavers for Tk500 to Tk800. “Coal prices have nearly doubled compared to two months ago,” said Sunil Karmakar, another blacksmith in the area. “Earlier, a sack of coal cost Tk 400 to Tk 450. Now we have to buy it for Tk 800 to Tk 850. Labour costs have also gone up,” he said. Despite the higher prices, customers continue to crowd the workshops as many families prefer preparing their own tools ahead of Eid due to the shortage of butchers during the festival. Abdul Karim, a customer at a blacksmith shop, said he bought a cleaver for Tk 500 and also brought several old tools for repair and sharpening. “I purchased a new cleaver and came to sharpen knives and machetes,” he said. Anwar Hossain, another customer, said many people now choose to slaughter sacrificial animals themselves because it has become difficult to find skilled butchers during Eid. “That is why I bought a new boti and sharpened my old machete and knife,” he said, adding that sharpening costs have increased by Tk 20 to Tk 50 compared to last year, depending on the type of tool. Blacksmiths said sales have already doubled ahead of Eid, and they expect even greater demand in the final two days before the festival. To cope with the rush, many artisans started preparations nearly a month ago and are continuing work without pause. The blacksmiths said they will continue working at full pace until Eid.  

A 28-year-old man died from electrocution at a garage in Baridhara area of the capital on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Md Reaz, an employee of the garage. Reaz fell unconscious after coming into contact with a live electric wire while switching on the garage lights around 8:30 am, said Zakir Hossain, the owner of the garage. He was later taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead, said Inspector Md Faruk of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police camp.

A 10-year old madrasah student was found dead in a washroom of a local madrasah in Banasree area of the capital on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Md Abdullah, son of Abul Kalam Azad of Anupnagar village in Sadar upazila of Chapainawabganj district. Saiful Islam, Sub-inspector of Rampura Police Station, said being informed by local people, police recovered the hanging body of Abdullah from the washroom of the 2nd floor of Alokito Quran International Hifz Madrasa (AQIHM) in the morning. “We suspect that he was sexually assaulted,” the SI said. The exact cause of death will be known after receiving the autopsy report, he added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced a dual initiative aimed at strengthening border security, including the handover of a 27-km land corridor to BSF for pending fencing work and the rollout of a wider “detect, delete and deport” strategy ‘to tackle illegal infiltration’. Speaking at a press conference at Nabanna in the presence of senior Border Security Force (BSF )officials, Adhikari said the land transfer process would be completed within two weeks, reports PTI. BSF to gain complete authority over border fencing land in 45 days, says Suvendu at first Cabinet meeting He described the move as the first step toward developing broader border security infrastructure along the India-Bangladesh border. During the briefing, he also unveiled a new mechanism under which suspected infiltrators detained by police would be directly transferred to the BSF. He said individuals belonging to communities outside the ambit of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) would be subject to detention and deportation under a system that takes effect immediately.

Two SSC examinees drowned in the Gorai River on Wednesday while taking a bath near Haripur Bridge in Sadar upazila of Kushtia district. The deceased were identified as Apurbo Ifti Taif, 18, a student of The Old Kushtia High School and son of Saiful Islam, and Sakibul Islam, 19, a student of Kushtia Zilla School and son of Nurul Islam, both residents of the upazila. Witnesses said Taif and Sakibul went to the Gorai River for a bath after finishing their examinations in the afternoon. At one stage, both of them sank into the river. Seeing them drowning, locals rescued them and took them to Kushtia General Hospital, where doctors declared them dead. Resident Medical Officer of the 250-bed Kushtia General Hospital Dr Iqbal Hasan said the students were brought to the hospital around 4:30 pm and were found dead upon examination. Assistant Director of Kushtia Fire Service and Civil Defence Md Wadud Hossain said locals had already rescued the victims and sent them to the hospital before firefighters reached the scene. A pall of gloom descended on the area following the incident.

The prime suspect in the brutal murder of an eight-year-old schoolgirl in Dhaka’s Pallabi area after rape confessed before a court on Wednesday to his involvement in the incident. Sohel Rana, 32, made a confessional statement before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Aminul Islam Junaid after investigating officer (IO) of the case filed over the murder – Sub-Inspector Wahiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station – produced him before the court. The court later ordered him to be sent to jail. Youth stabbed dead in Dhaka’s Gendaria Sohel’s wife Swapna Akter was also sent to prison by Metropolitan Magistrate Ashraful Haq following a police plea. According to the IO, Sohel gave details of how he raped and killed the child. The victim, Ramisa Akter, daughter of Abdul Hannan Molla, was a second-grade student of Popular Model High School. She lived with her family in Section-11, Block-B of Pallabi, while Sohel and his wife lived in a neighbouring flat as subtenants. According to the case details, the suspect reportedly lured her into his room when Ramisa left her flat around 9:30am on Tuesday. The crime came to light around 10:30am when Ramisa's mother went looking for her as it was time for school. She reportedly noticed her daughter’s sandals left outside the suspect's door. After receiving no response to repeated knocking, the mother, with the help of other building residents, broke open the door. Inside, they discovered Ramisa’s decapitated body beneath the bed while her severed head was found hidden inside a bucket in the bathroom. The suspect’s wife Swapna was in the flat. While Swapna was detained from the scene by neighbours and subsequently handed over to police, Sohel managed to escape by cutting through a window grille. He was tracked down and arrested by police later Tuesday evening in Fatullah in Narayanganj.

Despite significant expansion in electricity generation capacity over the past decade, Bangladesh is struggling to fully utilise its power infrastructure due to persistent fuel shortages, rising production costs, and growing dependence on imported energy, speakers said at a seminar on Wednesday. They stressed the need for long-term planning, diversification of energy sources, and greater investment in renewable energy to ensure affordable and sustainable electricity supply. BPDB seeks up to 21% hike in wholesale power tariff The seminar titled “Power Sector Constraints & Affordable Solutions” was organised by the Electrical Engineering Division of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at its headquarters in Ramna, Dhaka. Speaking as the chief guest, State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin said Bangladesh must accelerate its transition towards renewable energy to strengthen energy security and reduce environmental impacts. He emphasised the expansion of rooftop solar systems, solar installations on agricultural land, government khas land, and other unused land. Helal Uddin said work is already underway to generate 5,000 megawatts of electricity from renewable energy sources, adding that private sector participation would be crucial to achieving the target. He also highlighted plans to promote electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce fuel consumption and environmental pollution. Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) Chairman Mohammad Wahid Hossain, who attended as a special guest, identified fuel scarcity as the country’s primary energy challenge. “The main problem in our energy sector is fuel shortage. At the same time, Bangladesh is still lagging behind in the use of renewable energy,” he said. To address the crisis, Wahid Hossain stressed the importance of long-term planning, increased research and innovation, and effective international negotiations for energy imports and tariff structures to lower procurement costs. He also suggested that loss-making and unnecessary energy institutions should be gradually restructured or phased out to reduce financial burdens on the state. Presenting the keynote paper, Engineer AKM Mohiuddin Azmi, Director of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), said Bangladesh’s power sector continues to face mounting pressure from rising fuel demand, import dependency, high production costs, and infrastructural weaknesses. He noted that the country remains heavily reliant on imported LNG, coal, and oil, leaving the sector vulnerable to price fluctuations in the global energy market. Azmi proposed several cost-effective solutions, including the expansion of rooftop solar systems, solar parks, solar panel installations on agricultural land, and the use of government-owned khas land for solar energy generation. The seminar was chaired by Engineer Motahar Hossain, Chairman of the Electrical Engineering Division of IEB. Senior IEB leaders, central council members, engineering chapter representatives, and professionals from various engineering organizations attended the event.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Mirpur Division arrested 120 people, including members of teenage gangs, during a special crackdown aimed at ensuring public safety, curbing drugs, extortion and terrorism. According to Mirpur Division sources, the day-long operation was conducted in different crime-prone areas under the division. Police come under attack during eviction drive at Pallabi; 5 detained During the drive, police also recovered various types of drugs and locally made weapons from their possession. Police said all the arrested individuals have been sent to court. The operation was conducted as part of ongoing efforts by DMP to maintain law and order and strengthen public security in the capital.

Police personnel came under attack during a drive aimed at recovering government land allocated for a housing project for slum dwellers in the capital’s Pallabi area on Wednesday, leaving seven of them injured. The attack took place around 12:30pm, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations Division) NM Nasiruddin. According to police, the drive began around 10:30am under the supervision of a magistrate assigned by the National Housing Authority, with assistance from Pallabi Police Station. The operation was conducted on government land acquired in Baunia Mouza, west of Block-G in Section-9 under Pallabi Police Station. Police said the local MP visited the slum area around 11:45am and spoke with residents before leaving the spot. Shortly afterwards, a group of local slum dwellers allegedly started hurling bricks and stones at police members, magistrates and officials of the Housing Authority involved in the operation. The magistrate and Housing Authority officials took shelter in a safe place, while several miscreants vandalised four buses requisitioned for police use by smashing their front and side windows, police said. During the attack, seven police personnel sustained injuries. Additional police forces were later deployed to the area and five alleged attackers were detained from the scene. The eviction drive later resumed with police assistance and continued until 5pm.

Sandhani, an Independence Award-winning student organisation, on Wednesday called for an effective increase in tobacco prices in the fiscal year 2026-27 national budget to discourage tobacco use among young people. The organisation proposed merging the low and medium cigarette tiers and setting the retail price of a 10-stick cigarette pack at Tk 100, along with a specific supplementary duty of Tk 4 per pack. It also recommended setting the prices of high-tier and premium-tier cigarette packs at Tk 150 and Tk 200 respectively. The demands were presented at a press conference titled “Effective Increase in Tobacco Prices to Discourage Youth Tobacco Initiation: Sandhani’s Budget Proposals for FY 2026-27”, held at the Jatiya Press Club. The press conference was organised by the Sandhani Central Council with technical support from National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh. Dr Humaira Jamil Him, Adviser to the Sandhani Central Council, delivered the welcome speech, while the keynote presentation was made by Dr Mukarrabin-Haq Nibir. The event was chaired by Dr Sadikur Rahman Ifat, General Secretary of the Sandhani Central Council and an intern at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.  Public health expert Dr Mushtaq Hossain and Prof Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, also spoke at the event. According to the keynote presentation, Bangladesh has the highest tobacco use rate among South Asian countries, with 35.3 percent of adults using tobacco products. Around 37.8 million adults currently consume tobacco in the country, while tobacco use among adolescents aged 13-15 remains a serious concern. Tobacco-related diseases cause nearly 200,000 premature deaths every year in Bangladesh according to The Tobacco Atlas, accounting for around 18 percent of total deaths nationwide. Mushtaq Hossain said increasing tobacco prices through effective tax measures is one of the most effective ways to prevent young people from starting smoking. He added that the proposed tax and price reforms could encourage nearly 500,000 adults to quit smoking and discourage more than 372,000 young people from initiating smoking. In the long run, the reforms could help prevent around 370,000 premature deaths. Sohel Reza Choudhury said young people make up nearly one-fourth of Bangladesh’s population, while tobacco use among people aged 18-24 stands at 22.3 percent. 

Bangladesh recorded its highest-ever electricity generation on Wednesday night, with the production reaching 17,200 megawatts at 9:00pm, according to a notification issued by Power Grid Bangladesh PLC. The new milestone surpassed the previous record of 16,794 MW achieved on July 23, 2025. In the notification, the state-owned power transmission company said it successfully transmitted the record amount of electricity smoothly across the country. BERC Hearing: Stakeholders reject BPDB proposal to hike bulk power prices by up to Tk 1.50 per unit It said the achievement was made possible through the coordinated efforts of power generation plants and all relevant power distribution agencies nationwide.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen on Wednesday described the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) signed in February as a “joint investment” in the prosperity of both Bangladesh and the US, saying it will help build a modern, balanced trade and investment partnership between the two countries. “The agreement on reciprocal trade, also known as the ART, is a joint investment in both American and Bangladeshi prosperity. This agreement allows for a modern, balanced trade and investment partnership,” he said, while addressing the US National Day Reception at the United Convention Centre in Dhaka. Bangladesh eyes deeper engagement with US investors, institutions Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury spoke as the chief guest at the programme. The ART includes numerous provisions that will benefit most of the people in this room. “It preserves Bangladesh’s access to the US market with competitive 19 percent tariffs – down from 37 percent without the agreement – while supporting a level playing field where businesses and workers in both economies can prosper and thrive.” He said just last week, the US and Bangladesh signed a new memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in the field of energy – an agreement that enables millions of dollars in energy projects and enhances Bangladesh’s energy security, industrial development, and fuel diversification. “The United States remains a reliable partner for Bangladesh’s energy needs.” The Ambassador said in Bangladesh, they have worked together to address health security challenges such as the recent measles outbreak and to deliver effective lifesaving assistance, including measles vaccination campaign. “Our partnership strengthens both our nations and showcases American leadership.” Mentioning that “America First” does not mean America alone, he said during the Revolutionary War, Americans received critical help from France, Spain, and even from Native American groups. “Today, in the same way, we are pursuing policies that make sense for the American people—just as all of you are pursuing policies that make sense for the people of your nation. And often, we find things that are mutually beneficial. This is the nature of diplomacy.” Citing the recent deal between Boeing and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Christensen said the deal represents American investment in the modernisation of Bangladesh’s civil aviation sector. “Boeing is not just providing planes, but helping Bangladesh develop its pilots, its engineers, and its systems.  Boeing and Biman are investing in the future of Bangladesh.” Ministers, senior political leaders, diplomats stationed in Dhaka, business leaders, senior journalists and civil society members, among others, were present. On the occasion of 250 years of freedom, the US Embassy here launched 50 red-white-and-blue rickshaws in Gulshan and Banani.   During America Week, the first week of July, they will travel across Bangladesh with an American Roadshow, featuring a US military band, to celebrate America’s Independence in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi and Sylhet.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday said Bangladesh is looking forward to deeper engagement with US investors and institutions, including the US International Development Finance Corporation, particularly in infrastructure, energy, digital connectivity, logistics and service sectors. He said Bangladesh welcomed increased US investment and stronger supply chain cooperation between the two countries. SelectUSA Summit: Bangladesh delegation accorded reception in Washington “We envision deeper cooperation between our universities, researchers, entrepreneurs and diaspora communities living across different states of the United States,” the minister said while speaking as the chief guest at the US National Day Reception held at United Convention Centre in Dhaka. He said Bangladesh and the US have built strong bridges through diplomacy, trade and educational exchanges over the years. “Our responsibility now is to deepen that partnership for future generations. I remain confident that the best chapters of Bangladesh-United States relations are still ahead of us,” Khosru added. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen hosted the reception.

The main congregation of Eid-ul-Azha will be held at 7:30am at the National Eidgah on the Supreme Court premises in the capital. However, if weather conditions turn unfavourable, the main Eid congregation will instead be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 8:00am. Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Mamun Al Morshed Chowdhury confirmed the matter on Wednesday, saying the decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held recently at the ministry. The Dhaka South City Corporation has been entrusted with the overall management of the main Eid congregation. Bangladesh is set to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of Muslims, on May 28 this year. The festival commemorates the spirit of sacrifice, with Muslims across the country offering sacrificial animals seeking the blessings of Almighty Allah.

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has proposed raising wholesale electricity tariffs by Tk 1.20 to Tk 1.50 per unit, a move that implies a 17 percent to 21 percent hike over existing rates. The proposal was formally placed on Wednesday during a public hearing organised by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in the capital. The initiative triggered fierce opposition from an array of stakeholders, including political figures, business leaders, and consumer rights organisations, who warned that the hike will severely impact an already struggling economy. Defending the proposal, BPDB Chairman Engineer Mohammad Rezaul Karim revealed that the power sector is reeling from massive financial pressure. He estimated a staggering deficit of Tk 62,000 crore for the current fiscal year, which is projected to climb to Tk 65,000 crore in the next year. Rezaul Karim warned that the failure to adjust the tariffs will expose the entire sector to "serious risk." He pointed out that electricity prices were last revised in February 2024. Since then, the costs of gas, coal, and liquid fuels have risen. Furthermore, because both public and private power producers frequently clear fuel bills in US dollars, the sharp depreciation of the Bangladeshi Taka against the dollar has escalated domestic generation costs. Dismissing claims that Bangladesh imports 70 percent of its electricity, the BPDB Chairman clarified that only 15 to 16 percent is currently imported from India, with the rest generated domestically – though he admitted local production relies heavily on imported fuel. He emphasised that the proposed hike is not meant to yield profits but to partially alleviate the government’s immense subsidy burden. Opposing the move, Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, General Secretary of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), argued that the timing is entirely wrong. "It will further burden marginal consumers who are already under significant stress," he said. Other consumer rights activists alleged a lack of transparency and accountability within BERC, claiming that inefficiencies and power theft are routinely passed on to the public under the guise of "system losses." Prof Dr Syed Miznur Rahman of Daffodil University criticised the process, alleging that many irregularities are executed under legal cover and that BERC’s public hearings have become a mere "eyewash" serving vested interests. Representing the industrial sector, Mohammad Jamal Uddin Mia, Director of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), termed the tariff-hike proposal "a final blow to an already struggling sector." He noted that Bangladesh’s export sector is facing a severe downturn, losing its competitive edge in international markets where it once comfortably held the second position behind China. Ruhin Hossain Prince, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), echoed these concerns, stating that higher power tariffs will spike industrial production costs, resulting in severe macroeconomic consequences. He called for the immediate scrapping of the hearing. Addressing the concerns, BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed acknowledged that a major reason behind Bangladesh's inflated electricity costs is excess installed generation capacity, which currently sits far above the ideal 20 to 25 percent cushion over actual demand. He noted that ensuring an uninterrupted power supply could phase out nearly 6,000 MW of inefficient, captive power generation units. Jalal Ahmed stressed that conventional power generation models must change in step with the global transition toward green energy. Highlighting international benchmarks, he noted that renewable energy accounts for nearly half of the European Union's electricity, while solar and wind power heavily support grid systems in India and Pakistan. "If Bangladesh can move further towards solar power, with BPDB playing a supportive role, electricity production costs will fall in the future," Ahmed said, adding that this shift would ultimately shield consumers from persistent financial pressure. BERC is scheduled to hold another public hearing on Thursday regarding proposed electricity tariff hikes at the retail level before delivering its final verdict.

Calling for stronger project controls, better planning and wider adoption of modern technologies, State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad on Wednesday said excessive industrial water consumption and persistent inefficiencies in development project implementation are undermining sustainability and economic efficiency.  He was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Basic Concepts of Project Controls in Engineering Projects” organised by the Chemical Engineering Division of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at its headquarters in Ramna, Dhaka. The State Minister said Bangladesh’s industrial sector – particularly the garment industry – consumes significantly higher volumes of water in processes such as dyeing, washing and production compared to global benchmarks. “This excessive use of water is resulting in wastage and is also creating environmental stress,” he said, adding that industries must urgently adopt water recycling systems, low-water-consuming machinery and improved waste management practices. Azad stressed that efficient water management is now central to sustainable industrialisation, particularly as environmental pressures and resource constraints increase. Turning to development projects under the Water Resources Ministry, he said delays and cost escalations during implementation have become a recurring challenge, weakening the impact of public investment. The State Minister also pointed to past incidents of alleged financial irregularities in the name of projects, describing them as “deeply concerning” and detrimental to public trust. To address these issues, he underscored the need for robust feasibility studies, realistic planning and effective project control systems before project approval. “Without proper governance, transparency and accountability, project outcomes cannot be ensured as intended,” Azad said, adding that disciplined implementation practices are essential to safeguard public resources and ensure timely delivery of development initiatives.  

A Dhaka court on Wednesday sentenced Bidisha Siddique, former wife of late Jatiya Party Chairman and former President HM Ershad, to two years’ imprisonment in a fraud case involving a flat. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jamshed Alam delivered the verdict in the absence of the convict. The court also fined her Tk 10,000, with an additional one month’s imprisonment in default of payment, and issued a warrant for her arrest. The case was filed at Gulshan Police Station on February 2, 2008 by businessman AKM Mosharraf Hossain Sikdar of Dhaka’s Pallabi area. According to the case statement, Mosharraf paid Bidisha Tk 75 lakh on July 10, 2001 for a flat in Baridhara that was supposed to be handed over by July 10, 2002. However, despite the passage of several years, the flat was not handed over, the complaint said. Later, Bidisha allegedly issued a cheque for Tk 72 lakh on February 9, 2005, which was dishonoured due to insufficient funds. The complainant also alleged that instead of returning the money or handing over the flat, Bidisha delayed the matter on various pretexts and later threatened to kill him.

Four workers died after inhaling “toxic gas” from a septic tank at Galania village in Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria district on Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Mehedi Hasan, 18, son of Dulal Mia, Hridoy, 35, son of Nannu Mia, Imam Hossain, 35, son of Mosharraf Hossain of the village, and Arman, 21, son of Shukkur Mia of Dharanti village. Manjur Quader, Officer-in-Charge of Sarail Police Station, said Hridoy and Mehedi first climbed down the septic tank under construction at the house of Ali Mia at noon and fell unconscious. Getting no response from them for a long time, Imam and Arman also entered the septic tank only to fall unconscious too. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies of four people around 5:pm, said deputy assistant director of Brahmanbaria Fire Service and Civil Defense, Md Faruk Ahmed.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday reaffirmed their close strategic partnership and expanding energy cooperation during talks in Beijing, held days after US President Donald Trump’s visit to China. The two leaders oversaw the signing of over 40 cooperation agreements covering trade, technology and media exchanges, while also agreeing to extend a friendship treaty originally signed in 2001. Xi described bilateral ties as reaching “the highest level in history.” Xi wants ‘closer, stronger strategic coordination’ between China and Russia Putin highlighted energy cooperation as the main driver of economic relations, noting Russia’s continued role as a reliable energy supplier amid the Middle East crisis and China’s position as a major consumer. Xi called for a “complete cessation of hostilities” in the Middle East, saying an early end to the conflict would help stabilize global energy supplies and trade. China became Russia’s top trading partner after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Bilateral trade reached about $228 billion in 2025, according to Xinhua. Russian officials said oil exports to China rose 35 percent in the first quarter of 2026. The two leaders also projected a united stance on global affairs, criticizing unilateralism and emphasizing closer foreign policy coordination. Both praised their personal friendship, with Xi calling Putin his “longtime friend” and Putin referring to Xi as “my dear friend.”

Dhaka Zila Parishad Administrator Yasin Ferdous Murad has directed the authorities concerned to complete the work on the 20-storey Zila Parishad Tower at the earliest. He made the directive during a visit to the tower under construction at 46-47 Johnson Road in the capital on Tuesday, according to a press release issued on Wednesday. While talking to reporters after the inspection, Murad said the contract for the project was signed in 2012 with Tama Construction & Co Limited at a cost of Tk 1,602,622,470, with the work order issued accordingly. Is Dhaka prepared for a worsening water crisis?

An unidentified boy, aged around 12, died after falling from the roof of a train in the Sainik Club area under Banani Police Station in the capital on Wednesday. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) with critical injuries around 5:30pm, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival at the emergency department. Synthia Akhter, a pedestrian who helped take the child to hospital, said the boy fell from a moving train roof around 3pm and sustained serious injuries. He was first taken to Kurmitola General Hospital, but was later shifted to DMCH as his condition deteriorated. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue. The matter has been reported to the concerned Railway Police Station, he added.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has said the government plans to introduce electric vehicles in larger scale than they are today, in a bid to reduce carbon emission and build an environment-friendly transportation system in the country. “The government is already planning to introduce 'electric vehicles' to develop an environmentally friendly transportation system and reduce carbon emissions,” he said. Bangladesh playing key role globally on climate, environment issues: Mintoo The minister made this remark, when International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Director for Bangladesh Max Tuñón met him at his ministry office on Tuesday, said a PID handout on Wednesday. He told the IL0 Country Director that the government has taken various effective initiatives under the ‘Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)’ policy to ensure sustainable waste management. The government is working relentlessly to make plastic waste management more organised and mandatory, he said. The Environment Minister said his ministry has taken various initiatives to strengthen Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) installation for industrial waste management. Besides, he said the government has taken initiatives to install large-scale solar panels (solar power) nationwide to reduce pressure on electricity and increase the use of renewable energy. ILO Country Director for Max Tuñón expressed interest in expanding ongoing cooperation in Bangladesh’s environment, forest and climate sectors and placed special emphasis on Just Transition in issues of mutual interest involving the Environment Ministry and other ministries. Noting that the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) workshop would be held in Gazipur next month, he emphasized the pioneering role of the Environment Ministry in maintaining international standards in plastic recycling, waste management and environmental protection He urged for working in coordination with various non-governmental organizations and development partner countries in this regard. During the meeting, they also discussed strengthening cooperation in tackling plastic pollution, conservation of environment, sustainable development, pollution control, expansion of renewable energy, carbon credits, climate financing, circular economy and biodiversity conservation. Two additional secretaries of the Environment Ministry and senior officials from the ILO country office in Bangladesh were present at the meeting.

Bangladesh Police on Wednesday asked passengers to remain alert against stone-throwing incidents during train journeys and to keep their belongings secure during Eid travel. Bangladesh Police issued a set of safety guidelines for the public to ensure safe and smooth celebrations of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha. It also discouraged travelling without tickets on trains. It also advised people planning to travel to their hometowns with sufficient time before and after Eid to avoid severe last-minute crowding at train stations, bus terminals, launch and ferry ghats. They urged citizens not to travel on rooftops of buses, trains, launches, steamers, trucks, pickups or other goods-carrying vehicles, warning that such practices are life-threatening. Passengers have been advised not to press drivers to speed and to ensure that drivers follow traffic rules and avoid risky overtaking. Authorities also cautioned against allowing unprofessional, tired or unwell drivers to operate vehicles. The guidelines discourage the use of unsafe vehicles such as Nasimon, Karimon and Bhotbhoti on highways and warn against operating unfit or expired vehicles. In case of water transport, police advised against travelling in unsafe weather conditions. Boat owners have been instructed to keep life-saving equipment, including life jackets and buoys with 100–150 feet ropes, on board. Extra caution has been urged during boarding and disembarking from launches and ferries. Passengers have also been warned to remain alert against fraud gangs, including “unconscious gangs” and “ointment gangs”. People are advised not to accept food or drinks from strangers and to immediately inform nearby police or call 999 if suspicious individuals are spotted. Regarding sacrificial animal transportation, police said livestock should not be overloaded on trucks, launches or boats, and cattle markets should not be set up on highways or beside rail lines. They also instructed that buyers should pay officially fixed fees at cattle markets and report any attempts of extortion or excessive charges to police. Vehicles carrying sacrificial animals should display banners indicating the destination or cattle market. Such vehicles cannot be stopped en route without valid reasons. Police also warned that transport carrying animal hides near border areas could be linked to smuggling activities and urged people to report suspicious movements. The guidelines also prohibit carrying passengers in vehicles transporting sacrificial animals or goods. People have been advised to use banking channels for large financial transactions at cattle markets and to seek police assistance for cash transport if necessary. They cautioned against counterfeit currency and urged compliance with Bangladesh Bank instructions. Citizens were also advised not to share mobile financial service PIN numbers such as bKash, Rocket, UCash and Nagad with anyone. For shopping mall security, authorities recommended the use of CCTV cameras, archways and metal detectors. For assistance, the public can contact Police Headquarters Control Room at 01320001300, 01320001299, Highway Police Headquarters at 01320182598, Railway Police Headquarters at 01320177598, and Naval Police Headquarters at 01320169598, as well as Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at 01777720029 and the national emergency service 999.

Politicians, business leaders, and consumer rights activists on Wednesday strongly rejected a proposal by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) to increase bulk electricity tariffs by Tk 1.20 to Tk 1.50 per unit. The opposition was voiced during a public hearing organized by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in the capital’s Farmgate area today (Wednesday). BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed and other commission members were present at the hearing. During the session, the BERC Technical Evaluation Committee left the final decision on the tariff hike to the government, contingent upon the allocation of required state subsidies. Citing the depreciation of the Taka against the US dollar and soaring fuel procurement costs, the BPDB proposed hiking the bulk electricity price by Tk 1.20 to Tk 1.50 per unit. Currently, BPDB sells wholesale electricity at Tk 7.04 per unit, requiring a government subsidy of Tk 5.47 per unit to bridge the production-to-sales deficit. The BERC Technical Evaluation Committee noted that wholesale electricity prices would need to be hiked by 77 percent to entirely eliminate government subsidies. Strongly opposing the move, Dr. Syed Mizanur Rahman, Organizing Secretary of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), criticized the focus on reducing subsidies at the expense of ordinary citizens. "Everyone is consumed with managing state funds or corporate margins, while completely ignoring the severe financial distress it will inflict on common people," he said. He further urged BERC to overhaul its structural regulations to better protect consumers under the new governance landscape following the August 5 mass uprising. Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) central leader Ruhin Hossain Prince termed the public hearing a "mere formality," arguing that the commission should immediately suspend such hearings until its internal regulations are reformed to ensure actual public interest. Representing the manufacturing sector, Jalaluddin, a leader of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), warned that any further increase in power tariffs would deal a devastating blow to the industrial sector, which is already grappling with a downturn in exports. "We expected electricity prices to go down under the new administration, but instead, we are facing proposals for further hikes," said Mohiuddin, a leader of the Mobile Phone Consumers' Association. The hearing disclosed that the government provided approximately Tk 40,000 crore in power sector subsidies during the last fiscal year. For the current fiscal year, the Power Division has requested an additional Tk 20,000 crore, potentially raising the total subsidy burden to Tk 60,000 crore. Defending the proposal, BPDB Chairman Rezaul Karim clarified that the suggested tariff hike would not fully bridge the deficit but would help lower the government's subsidy burden from one-fifth to one-fourth. BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed assured stakeholders that the commission would carefully evaluate all arguments, feedback, and committee evaluations before delivering its final decision on the power tariff adjustment.

Sunshine Outdoor (BD) Co Ltd, a British Virgin Island and Hong Kong-based company, is set to invest US$ 15 million to establish a tent & camping manufacturing industry at the BEPZA Economic Zone (BEPZA EZ) in Mirsharai, Chattogram. An agreement to this effect was signed on Wednesday at the BEPZA Complex, Dhaka, between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and the firm. The lease agreement was signed by Md Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, and Liang Difa, Chairman of Sunshine Outdoor.  BEPZA’s 45 years: The $125bn export powerhouse transforming Bangladesh’s economy BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain witnessed the signing ceremony. The company will produce annually 1.5 million pieces of outdoor products like tent, canopy, bag, duffel bag, waterproof dry bags, and sleeping bag, backpack, tarpaulins, inflatable pillows and mattresses, air pillows, mosquito nets, carpets, mats, folding chairs, and different types of bins & baskets.  It is expected to create employment opportunities for 2,975 Bangladeshi nationals. The Executive Chairman of BEPZA thanked Sunshine Outdoor for choosing Bangladesh, particularly the BEPZA Economic Zone, as its investment destination and assured them of BEPZA’s seamless cooperation to ensure smooth and successful business operations in the zone. He emphasised that this investment will further accelerate BEPZA’s efforts towards export diversification. The ceremony was attended by Abdullah Al Mamun, Member (Engineering); Md Khorshid Alam, Executive Director (Enterprise Services); Samir Biswas, Executive Director (Administration); Khadiza Parvin, Executive Director- Additional Charge (Public Relations); along with senior officials of BEPZA and representatives of Sunshine Outdoor.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved a series of important proposals, including changes in the implementation model of a major inland container depot project and expedited procedures for government-to-government (G2G) food grain imports under emergency arrangements. In a meeting held at the Secretariat with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair, the committee discussed a proposal from the Ministry of Railways regarding the “Construction of a new Inland Container Depot (ICD) near Dhirasram Railway Station.” The committee decided to withdraw the project from the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) list in its construction phase. However, it gave in-principle approval for implementing the “Operation and Maintenance of Dhirasram Inland Container Depot (ICD) under PPP modality.” Officials said the revised approach aims to ensure more efficient private sector participation in managing and maintaining the strategic logistics facility once completed. The Dhirasram ICD, located near Dhirasram Railway Station, is expected to play a crucial role in easing container congestion at Chattogram Port and improving inland cargo handling capacity. The revised PPP model is expected to attract experienced international operators for long-term facility management. In another major decision, the committee considered proposals from the Ministry of Food regarding the import of wheat and rice under government-to-government (G2G) arrangements. The committee granted in-principle approval for the purchase of wheat under G2G arrangements in line with relevant provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2006 and Public Procurement Rules, 2025. It also approved the use of provisions allowing time reduction in procurement procedures through international open tender methods. Similarly, a separate proposal for rice import was also approved under G2G arrangements, along with expedited procurement provisions under the same legal framework. Officials said the decisions aim to ensure stable food grain supply in the domestic market, maintain adequate public stock, and respond quickly to global supply chain uncertainties. The meeting emphasized that both logistics infrastructure development and food security measures remain priority areas under the government’s ongoing economic management strategy.