The law advisor says investigations in rape cases must be completed within 15 daysThe interim government is considering legal amendments to ensure rape cases are disposed of within 90 days while barring bail for the accused, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul has said. In this context, Nazrul said: “We are considering legal steps to prevent rape and violence against women. “Rape cases must be tried within 90 days, and investigations must conclude within 15 days.”The advisor added that even if the trial exceeds 90 days, the accused will not be eligible for bail. The advisor said, "Our position against rape and violence against women and children is very clear. He added that investigations into all cases of violence against women should be completed quickly, with reports being submitted to the courts.

Private sector credit growth in January fell to 7.15 per cent, marking the lowest in a decade, according to Bangladesh Bank data. The last time private sector credit growth was this low was in May 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it fell to 7.55 per cent. Economists warn that lower credit flow to the private sector will slow industrial expansion, reduce investments, and affect employment opportunities. Syed Mahbubur Rahman, managing director and CEO of Mutual Trust Bank, told bdnews24.com: "Lending is crucial for private sector growth and expansion. "Many entrepreneurs say they cannot afford high interest rates, which is another reason for the slowdown in private sector credit growth," Mahbubur Rahman said.

Interim leader Sharaa calls for peace as Syria hit by deadliest violence in yearsSyrian army personnel gather as they head towards Latakia to join the fight against the fighters linked to Syria's ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, in Aleppo, Syria, Mar 7, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud HassanoSyrian leader Ahmed Sharaa called for peace on Sunday after hundreds were killed in some of the deadliest violence in 13 years of civil war, pitting loyalists of deposed President Bashar al-Assad against the country's new Islamist rulers. "Rest assured about Syria, this country has the characteristics for survival ... What is currently happening in Syria is within the expected challenges." It said 745 were civilians, 125 members of the Syrian security forces and 148 fighters loyal to Assad. The European Union, whose officials have met Sharaa since he became de facto leader of Syria, condemned "all violence against civilians" and "any attempts to undermine stability and the prospects for a lasting peaceful transition" in Syria.

The High Court has ordered the Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal to complete the trial over the rape of a child at the Magura home of her sister within 180 days. In addition, the bench ordered the appointment of a social worker to take care of the child who was raped and to ensure her security. The victim's family said that she was initially taken to Magura Sadar Hospital. The child’s mother started the case at Magura Sadar Police Station on Saturday, accusing the suspects of rape and attempted murder, according to the district's Additional Superintendent of Police Mirajul Islam. According to the case dossier, the child was raped by her sister’s father-in-law with help from her sister’s husband.

Authorities are working to bring the body home, a Kaikhali Union council member saysA Bangladeshi national from Satkhira’s Shyamnagar Upazila jailed in India for the last 18 months has died. He was identified as 48-year-old Md Ashraf Hossain, the son of Abdul Hamid from Kaikhali Union in Shyamnagar. Shyamnagar Upazila executive officer, or UNO, Rony Khatun confirmed the matter, citing Kaikhali Union council member Mohammad Ali. Ashraf’s wife Nasima said, “Ashraf was detained 18 months ago when he went to India to look for work. Ashraf is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son, said Sheikh Shahinur, another Kaikhali Union council member.

The casualties included 745 civilians, 125 members of the Syrian security forces and 148 fighters loyal to Assad, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights saysMore than 1,000 killed in Syrian crackdown on Alawite region, war monitor saysMore than 1,000 people have been killed in two days of clashes between gunmen and security forces linked to Syria's new Islamist rulers and fighters from Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect in the country's coastal region, a war monitor said on Saturday. The casualties included 745 civilians, 125 members of the Syrian security forces and 148 fighters loyal to Assad, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Several dozen members of the security forces have been killed in heavy clashes with militants, a Syrian security official said. Six residents of the coastal region said thousands of Alawites and Christians had fled their homes since Thursday, fearing for their lives. Abdulrahman and four people in the coastal region who spoke on condition of anonymity said killings, looting and burning of homes had continued overnight in Baniyas and in surrounding villages.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief advisor on telecommunications and IT, said on Saturday that a Starlink delegation is currently visiting Bangladesh. “During the visit, agreements have been signed with local companies to facilitate the launch of Starlink’s internet services in Bangladesh,” he said. “Some of these sites involve land owned by Bangladeshi companies, while in other cases, Starlink is considering using land within high-tech parks,” he noted. Starlink aims to offer seamless internet services in both urban and remote areas, including northern and coastal regions, even during power outages and natural disasters, said Taiyeb. To ensure the successful rollout of Starlink, Yunus has instructed his High Representative Khalilur Rahman to closely coordinate with the SpaceX team and complete preparations within 90 working days.

Local residents capture two suspects and hand them over to policeGunfight between two rival groups in Rohingya camp leaves one deadPolice say a man has been killed in a gunfight between two rival factions over “territorial dominance” in a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya. The dead has been identified as Mohammad Rafiq, 33, from the camp. Additional Superintendent of Police Md Kaisar Rizvi Quraishi of the 8th APBn told bdnews24.com that two suspects were detained by local residents and handed over to police. This marks the second killing in a Rohingya camp in the past week. On Wednesday, a group of armed criminals murdered Mohammad Nur, the head majhi (community leader) of the camp.

A six-storey house belonging to a former Awami League MP has allegedly been occupied by an individual posing as a student representative and turned into an asylum for people with "mental disorders" in Tangail. Regarding the capture of the building, Mishti told journalists: “The occupation of the building was announced earlier on Facebook. “Asylum will be set up for the mentally disabled in the houses of all Awami League leaders. Al Amin, the Tangail coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, said: “We don't support that at all. Joaherul has been in hiding with his family since the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5.

The trend of higher repayments compared with loans received has continued for the past two years.In 2023, repayments exceeded loan inflows by $6 billion, and in 2024, repayments were $2 billion higher than the loans received. New loans are harder to secure now, as no one is willing to lend. "Economist Zahid also said, "The global interest rates have decreased by almost 100 basis points. Six months ago, the SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate) rate was 5.33 percent, but now it stands at 4.33 percent. "However, for Bangladesh, this decrease hasn't been reflected, as the risk premium on interest rates has risen due to the downgrade in credit ratings," he said.He likened Bangladesh's situation to the fall of Sri Lanka's cricket team, once highly regarded but no longer in its prime.�"bdnews24.com

Primary school teachers can take their children to school, but the Directorate of Primary Education has “discouraged” taking them to the classroom. The teachers, however, have been “discouraged” from taking the children to the classroom as this can “interfere with the class environment”. The teachers have thanked the directorate for permitting them to take the children to school. Shahinur Al Amin, president of the Bangladesh Primary Assistant Teachers' Society, said: “Around 60 percent of primary school teachers in the country are women. “It is also okay to discourage bringing children into the classroom.

ETV Bharat / internationalBangladesh’s Crackdown On Hizb Ut-Tahrir: How Will India See This? New Delhi: Bangladesh’s interim government has launched a crackdown on the banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT) this week, in what is seemingly a strong message against radical extremism in the region. According to reports in the Bangladesh media, authorities have arrested at least 36 HuT members since Friday. For one, Yunus said in an interview to a British news outlet that there is no alternative to good relations with India. The Hizb ut-Tahrir is an international pan-Islamist and Islamic fundamentalist political organisation whose stated aim is the re-establishment of the Islamic caliphate to unite the Muslim community and implement Sharia globally.

The Bangladesh Nari Mukti Kendra has called on four female advisers to resign if they are unable to take effective action against the growing cases of repression of women across Bangladesh. “While we had hoped for justice, incidents of violence against women continue every day. Sushmita Roy Supti, the publicity and publication secretary of Nari Mukti Kendra, said the number of child marriages and young pregnant mothers is rising due to the misuse of special provisions. Therefore, every organisation must establish daycare centres and ensure equal wages for both men and women," she added. “We no longer want to make demands; we want the law to be implemented fairly and strictly.

The organisation demands the removal of the home affairs advisorStep down if you can’t act, Nari Mukti Kendra tells four female advisors over women repressionThe Bangladesh Nari Mukti Kendra has called on four female advisors to resign if they are unable to take effective action against the growing cases of repression of women across Bangladesh. At least then, we can say that you were unable to succeed within the existing system,” she added. “While we had hoped for justice, incidents of violence against women continue every day. Sushmita Roy Supti, the publicity and publication secretary of Nari Mukti Kendra, said the number of child marriages and young pregnant mothers is rising due to the misuse of special provisions. Therefore, every organisation must establish daycare centres and ensure equal wages for both men and women," she added.

Hizb ut-Tahrir was outlawed in 2009 for alleged anti-state activities. We have identified many members of Hizb ut-Tahrir and they will be arrested for joining a political programme organised by a banned organisation," said Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam. Following Jummah prayers on Friday, Hizb ut-Tahrir activists gathered at the north gate of the mosque and began shouting slogans. The Hizb ut-Tahrir members overwhelmed them before another group of policemen from Paltan tried to intervene and also failed. For years, Hizb ut-Tahrir operated in secrecy, but it has gradually emerged from the shadows in recent weeks.