Four days on, Dhaka still awaiting response from Delhi on Yunus-Modi meeting
The two leaders are supposed be in Thailand for the BIMSTEC summit in early AprilFour days on, Dhaka still awaiting response from Delhi on Yunus-Modi meetingDhaka has yet to hear from New Delhi, four days after extending an invitation to India for a bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. When asked by reporters at the foreign ministry whether there had been any response from Delhi, Touhid stated plainly: “No, there has been no response. Sheikh Hasina was removed from power on Aug 5, 2024, following a mass student-led movement and subsequently moved to India. Despite previous opportunities, Yunus and Modi have yet to hold a formal meeting. Some Indian media outlets suggested that Yunus’ interview comments at the time led to the meeting’s cancellation.
Source:bd News24
March 24, 2025 02:29 UTC
Truce shaky as Israel strikes Lebanon in response to rocket fire
Smoke rises from Taibeh, following Israeli strikes in response to cross-border rocket fire, as seen from Marjayoun in southern Lebanon, March 22, 2025. REUTERSSmoke rises from Taibeh, following Israeli strikes in response to cross-border rocket fire, as seen from Marjayoun in southern Lebanon, March 22, 2025. Israel's military said it had struck dozens of Hezbollah rocket launchers and a command centre from which the group's militants had been operating, in southern Lebanon. The agreement specifies that Lebanon's government is responsible for dismantling all military infrastructure in southern Lebanon and confiscating all unauthorised arms. The ceasefire ended Israel's intense bombardment and ground operations in Lebanon and Hezbollah's daily rocket barrages into Israel.
Source:bd News24
March 23, 2025 02:35 UTC
Four people arrested with 150,000 yaba pills in Dhaka
The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has reported the arrest of four people with about 150,000 yaba pills in Dhaka. They were arrested from a private car in Dhaka’s Hatirjheel around 11:30pm on Friday. Samim Ahamed, deputy director (Dhaka Metro) of DNC, says efforts have been under way to detain the gang for a long time, with several raids having been conducted earlier. Commenting on Nazrul’s involvement in the case, the official said no yaba pills were found during the first check in the private car. “Later, when it was opened, 800 blue zippered poly packs containing 160,000 yaba tablets were found.
Source:bd News24
March 22, 2025 21:57 UTC
Why do parents pay for education when primary schools offer free services, asks advisor
He seeks specific suggestions from stakeholders on improving primary education standardsWhy do parents pay for education when primary schools offer free services, asks advisorPrimary and Mass Education Advisor Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder has expressed concern over the “lack of improvement” in the quality of primary education despite infrastructure development. Speaking at a discussion in Mymensingh’s Tarek Smriti Auditorium on Saturday, he said: "Primary schools have no tuition fees; (they offer) free textbooks, and stipends. The primary and mass education ministry issued a statement detailing the discussion with stakeholders regarding the improvement of primary education standards. In his speech, the advisor said: “After independence, there was no other place for children to go except primary schools. “Our primary education infrastructure is good, the teachers are competent, the education is progressive, the salary structure is fairly good, and there is job security.
Source:bd News24
March 22, 2025 19:56 UTC
We will not let AL do politics ‘as long as I’m alive’, says NCP leader Akhtar
We will not let AL do politics ‘as long as I’m alive’, says NCP leader AkhtarNational Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain has sworn by the blood of “our fallen brothers, we will not allow the Awami League to engage in politics as long as we are alive”. Akhtar made these remarks at a protest rally organised outside the National Museum in Dhaka’s Shahbagh on Saturday. There, Yunus highlighted the interim government has no plans to ban Awami League. After his statement, NCP leaders voiced their opposition to any move to bring Awami League back into politics. “The Pilkhana massacre, the 2013 massacre, the Shapla massacre, the 2024 massacre— the Awami League has never expressed regret, remorse, or take responsibility for any of them.
Source:bd News24
March 22, 2025 19:35 UTC
Four bodies recovered after Rohingya boat capsizes off Teknaf coast, several still missing
Several Rohingya refugees along with a BGB member remain missingFour bodies recovered after Rohingya boat capsizes off Teknaf coast, several still missingA Rohingya child and three women have been found dead after a boat capsized while trying to enter Bangladesh through the Teknaf coast, according to the local authorities. Several people, including a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) member, are still missing. "Near Shah Porir Dwip, the boat began to sink after its hull cracked. During the operation, one BGB member went missing." Abdul Gafur, general secretary of the fishermen’s association at the Shah Porir Dwip Pashchim Para Jetty, said: “The boat sank in the dead of night.
Source:bd News24
March 22, 2025 17:59 UTC
Fire breaks out deep in Sundarbans, water source 3 km away
Efforts are under way to control the fire by cutting a fire line, says officialA fire has broken out in the Chandpai Range’s Kalamteji area of the Sundarbans East Division. The fire service has begun work to control the fire that broke out deep in the forest. Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim, divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division, said he received the news of the fire from forest workers around 1pm on Saturday. He said, “The fire broke out deep in the Sundarbans, where there are creepers. Earlier, on May 4, 2024, a fire broke out in the Amurbania area of the Chandpai Range, damaging five acres of forest.
Source:bd News24
March 22, 2025 17:39 UTC
At least 44 killed in Niger jihadist attack, authorities say
The attack occurs during afternoon prayers in the village of Fombita in the rural commune of KokorouAt least 44 killed in Niger jihadist attack, authorities sayIslamist militants killed at least 44 civilians and severely injured 13 others during an attack on a mosque in southwest Niger on Friday, the country's defence ministry said. The defence ministry blamed the attack on the EIGS group, an Islamic State affiliate, in a statement late on Friday. Hundreds of thousands have been killed and millions displaced as militants have gained groups, attacking towns, villages, military and police posts and army convoys. The failure of governments to restore security contributed to two coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso and one in Niger between 2020 and 2023. Since the coups, authorities have turned away from traditional Western allies and sought military support from Russia instead.
Source:bd News24
March 22, 2025 16:40 UTC
Reform panel lays out 7 recommendations to regulate online news portals
The commission attributed these issues to the failure of the previous government's online media policy in establishing effective regulations. "The responsibility to define conditions in the previous government's online policy was supposed to be assigned to the proposed Broadcast Commission. Update the online portal registration policy and assign the registration authority -- originally meant for the proposed Broadcast Commission -- to the independent Media Commission proposed by the Media Reform Commission. Lift the ban on IPTVs and online portals from broadcasting news bulletins, as stipulated in the online policy. Abolish the high trade licence fee imposed on online portals, which is several times higher than those for regular businesses and discourages independent journalism.
Source:bd News24
March 22, 2025 12:07 UTC
Several missing as Rohingya boat capsizes during attempted entry to Bangladesh
BGB and local fishermen rescued 25 people, with women and children among the survivorsSeveral missing as Rohingya boat capsizes during attempted entry to BangladeshSeveral Rohingya refugees are missing after a boat carrying them capsized during an attempt to enter Bangladesh via the Teknaf coast. He used a local fisherman’s boat to approach the vessel and signaled the Rohingya to stop.”“Just then, strong waves hit, causing the boat to capsize. Mohammad Amin, the owner of a boat in Shah Porir Dwip’s Majher Para, said: “A BGB member took my boat at midnight to intercept the Rohingya vessel. They took a boat from the jetty to stop them.”“I don’t know exactly how the vessel sank, but 25 Rohingya have been rescued. The rescue operation is ongoing.”Teknaf Upazila executive officer, or UNO, Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said, “I have heard about the Rohingya boat sinking.
Source:bd News24
March 22, 2025 11:06 UTC
Consensus panel's proposals may empower unelected individuals, BNP warns
“The democratic character of the state and the people's ownership are reflected through an elected parliament and representatives,” he said. “However, an analysis of the constitutional and electoral reform proposals suggests an inclination to marginalise politicians and create opportunities for unelected individuals to govern the country,” he added. “Our reform efforts will be guided by the goal of forming a strong democratic political government based on broad national consensus,” he said. BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed added, “The proposed commissions, particularly the NCC, would be structured in a way that unelected individuals would be empowered to run these institutions. “A ‘Charter of Reform’ can be formulated based on political consensus, which an elected government can implement later,” he added.
Source:bd News24
March 22, 2025 08:54 UTC
Khelafat Majlis wants reforms before polls through ordinance
“We have agreed on 140 out of 166 proposals made by the National Consensus Commission. “We believe necessary reforms can be carried out within 10 months. The existing reforms should be completed before the election.”Quader stressed the need for further discussions on state reforms. The Consensus Commission had asked 38 political parties to provide feedback on the key recommendations by Mar 13. The National Consensus Commission began discussions with political parties on Thursday to create national consensus on reforms.
Source:bd News24
March 22, 2025 08:17 UTC
LRB’s Romel forms new band to honour Ayub Bachchu’s legacy
The band, “Romel and Friends”, plans to perform Bachchu's songs while also creating new music inspired by his legacy. Whether others do it or not, I see it as my duty to remind people of his music,” Romel added. When asked why it took seven years to form the band, Romel said: “Without Boss, neither LRB nor AB [Ayub Bachchu] is possible. The lyrics were created collectively, and the song will premiere on our Facebook page.”Looking ahead, Romel band plans to create more music. Since his passing on Oct 18, 2018, his internationally acclaimed band LRB has remained inactive.
Source:bd News24
March 22, 2025 01:36 UTC
‘Biman ticket syndicate’ for Umrah shattered, says religious affairs advisor
If a ticket that is booked is not issued in three days, it’ll automatically be cancelled, he saysReligious Affairs Advisor AFM Khalid Hossain has said authorities smashed the “ticket syndicate” of Biman Bangladesh Airlines linked to Umrah travels, ending opportunities to sell tickets at higher prices. Tickets must be booked using passport numbers of passengers henceforth, he said according to a statement by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Friday. On Wednesday, Khalid dismissed media reports claiming that Saudi Arabia had suspended Umrah visas for Bangladeshis, saying such claims were “inaccurate”. The advisor said the Saudi ambassador to Dhaka had confirmed to the religious affairs secretary that Umrah visas for Bangladeshis remain unaffected. After the briefing, the religious affairs ministry, citing the advisor, said in a statement that Biman Bangladesh Airlines is refunding fares to Umrah pilgrims who bought tickets but could not obtain a visa.
Source:bd News24
March 21, 2025 21:28 UTC
Political firestorm brews in Bangladesh over Hasnat, Asif Mahmud’s remarks
Political analysts say that the right to operate a political party like the Awami League should be left to the “verdict of the people”. “Wouldn’t it be better to have multiple opposition parties, including a weakened Awami League, rather than just one?” the officials allegedly asked. Which Awami League leaders gave the orders to shed blood, destroy the mass movement….”He continued: “The Awami League is an old party. "The Awami League conducted ‘genocide’ in Bangladesh through organisational decisions, which led to an unprecedented mass uprising. “If the people no longer trust the Awami League, if they reject it, that will be what truly matters,” she said.
Source:bd News24
March 21, 2025 21:11 UTC