Finance adviser: TIB failed to recognize work on reforms
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has failed in many cases to properly recognise the government’s ongoing reform initiatives, arguing that not all reforms are immediately visible. Referring to the fact that TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman had been a member of the government’s reform commission, the finance adviser said public expectations regarding reforms were understandably high. Drawing on his experience within the administration, Dr Salehuddin said systemic weaknesses and procedural flaws made reform implementation extremely difficult. I know how things work. Frankly acknowledging the challenges, Dr Salehuddin said working within Bangladesh’s administrative framework was particularly demanding.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 03, 2026 14:21 UTC
Humayra Sultana appointed Biman’s new MD & CEO
Dr Humayra Sultana -Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 3, 2025 (BSS) - The government today appointed Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Dr Humayra Sultana as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited as an additional charge. “Under Section 30(ga) of the Bangladesh Biman (Repeal of the Bangladesh Biman Order, 1972, Reinstatement and Amendment) Act, 2023, Dr Humayra Sultana has been assigned the responsibilities of MD and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines as an additional charge,” said an office of Biman-1 wing of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism here. Dr Humayra Sultana will continue in this role until a new MD is appointed, the order added. Meanwhile, the government has cancelled the contractual appointment of Biman’s MD and CEO Dr Md Safiqur Rahman, as he has been imprisoned after being accused in a criminal case. Senior Assistant Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Mosammat Shakila Parvin signed the order.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 03, 2026 14:09 UTC
Is the Rom-Com Back? Upcoming Emily Henry Adaptations
Studios have turned to romance novels as a way to revive the rom-com hype, and who better to turn to than the queen of the modern rom-com, Emily Henry. Earlier this year, on Jan. 9, the first of Emily Henry’s adaptations, People We Meet on Vacation, was released onto the streaming giant, Netflix, debuting to 17.2 million viewers over its launch weekend. Much of the film’s accolades are traced to its genius casting of Tom Blyth as Alex and Emily Bader as Poppy. It’s a book that is widely enjoyed, but hardly ever anyone’s Emily Henry favorite. While the future of rom-coms was looking bleak for a while, have no fear, Emily Henry is here to save the day with her upcoming films.
Source:Daily Sun
February 03, 2026 14:08 UTC
Humaira Sultana appointed new Biman MD
The government has appointed Dr Humaira Sultana as managing director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines following the termination of Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman’s contract after his imprisonment in a criminal case. Sultana, currently additional secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, will hold the position until a new MD is appointed. The ministry’s office order, issued Tuesday by its Biman-1 division, cited Section 30(g) of the Bangladesh Biman (Revival and Amendment of the Biman Bangladesh Order, 1972) Act, 2023, for granting her the additional responsibility. Copies of the order were sent to key offices, including the Chief Adviser’s Office, national security adviser, Ministry of Finance, Election Commission Secretariat, and Biman’s administration. Internal sources said the leadership change comes amid ongoing management and operational challenges, including criticism over financial management and service quality.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 03, 2026 14:08 UTC
Ministry: Livestock products to sell at fixed prices via mobile centers in Ramadan
Essential livestock products will be sold at fixed prices through mobile sales centers from the day before Ramadan until the 25th, covering a total of 26 days. Under the scheme, dressed broiler chicken will be sold at Tk245 per kilogram, pasteurized milk at Tk80 per litre, eggs at Tk8 each, and beef at Tk650 per kilogram, according to the the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Tuesday.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 03, 2026 14:08 UTC
World Cancer Day 2026: Progga urges passing tobacco control ordinance
Research and advocacy organization Progga (Knowledge for Progress) has urged the incoming parliament to pass the recently amended Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 in its first session to tackle Bangladesh’s growing cancer burden. Wednesday will mark World Cancer Day. According to the Global Cancer Observatory, an estimated 116,598 people died of cancer in Bangladesh in 2022, while 167,256 new cases were diagnosed the same year. The World Health Organization notes that 30 to 50% of cancer deaths can be prevented by avoiding tobacco use. On World Cancer Day 2026, ABM Zubair, executive director of Progga, said: “There is no alternative to passing the Tobacco Control Ordinance in the first session of the upcoming parliament to combat tobacco-related cancers.”
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 03, 2026 14:08 UTC
The Economist calls Tarique Rahman as PM front-runner in Bangladesh polls
UK-based The Economist weekly has dubbed BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman as the front-runner to become Bangladesh's prime minister as the country is set to hold its general elections on February 12. "The return to democracy should improve law and order, reassure investors, and begin repairing Bangladesh's fraught ties with India," the analysis said. The analysis said: "all this opens a door for Rahman" while his BNP was "leading in the polls". Since returning to the country, Rahman said much of what people wanted to hear, "though most still choose to talk off the record, in case the other side wins". "Observers say the man who has come back from London seems different from the one they knew before," it read.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 03, 2026 14:08 UTC
50-year-old man killed, 8 injured in Munshiganj market dispute
A man was beaten to death and eight others injured Tuesday morning after a dispute over possession of a market under construction in Shreenagar, officials said. The deceased, Alamgir Hossain, 50, was attacked around 6am in the Balashur area while trying to stop rivals from taking over the site of Tamiz Market, which he was building with his brother, Tamizuddin. They were first treated at a local hospital before being admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Local residents took Alamgir to Shreenagar Upazila Health Complex, but he died on the way to Dhaka around 9am. Dr Shankar Tan of Shreenagar Upazila Health Complex said: “Several injured people were brought to the hospital around 6:30am.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 03, 2026 14:08 UTC
Dhaka, Tokyo sign deal over transfer of defence equipment, technology
Bangladesh and Japan have signed an agreement over "transfer of defence equipment and technology," which is expected to ensure ‘appropriate control’ over the defence equipment and technology transferred between the two countries. Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hassan, principal staff officer, Armed Forces Division, Chief Adviser’s Office of Bangladesh and Saida Shinichi, ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Bangladesh, signed the deal on behalf of their respective sides on Tuesday. Specifically, it stipulates procedures to determine and confirm each specific transfer as well as basic rules on the proper use of the transferred defence equipment and technology. The agreement, Japan said, will ensure appropriate control over the defence equipment and technology transferred between Japan and Bangladesh, especially regarding any subsequent transfer to a third party or any extra-purpose use. It is expected that this agreement will contribute to closer cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan for defence equipment and technology, and maintaining and improving the production and technological bases for Japan’s defence industry, thereby contributing to the security of Japan, said the Japanese side.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 03, 2026 14:08 UTC
Salehuddin: Interim govt to leave Bangladesh’s economy in a satisfactory position
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said the interim government would leave Bangladesh’s economy in a “satisfactory and stable” position for the next elected government. The finance adviser was responding to the queries of reporters after chairing the 5th meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase held on Wednesday at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat. When asked whether the government had taken on record levels of debt, the finance adviser said that while borrowings had increased, a substantial amount of external debt had also been repaid. Addressing concerns over contradictory statements about future economic risks, Dr Salehuddin clarified that while the economy is stable, reforms need to be consolidated and carried forward carefully. On power sector reforms, the finance adviser said electricity tariffs are being rationalized rather than increased arbitrarily.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 03, 2026 14:08 UTC
Bangladesh: BNP’s Tarique Rahman warns Jamaat’s remarks threaten women’s safety
"Those who disrespect the women of the country and abuse them in ugly language, and whatever, cannot be patriotic or people-oriented. A political party wants to imprison mothers and sisters in their homes before the elections. “A leader has clearly said that they do not believe in women's leadership. Dismissing the excuse of hacking as a lie following the controversial remarks, Tarique said, "In the face of severe criticism, they are now saying that the ID has been hacked. A senior leader of a political party is lying in front of the people like this before the election.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 03, 2026 14:02 UTC
Diplomats visit July museum
Foreign diplomats based in Dhaka today visited the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, days before it is set to open for public. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Foreign diplomats based in Dhaka today visited the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, days before it is set to open for public. During their visit, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki briefed the diplomats and guided them through the museum’s key sections, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing this evening. At the outset of two-hour long visit, the diplomats observed one minute silence in memory of the nearly 4,000 people, who were martyred during the fascist regime of Sheikh Hasina. Chief Curator of the July Museum Tanzim Wahab described the various features of the museum to the visiting diplomats and guests.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 03, 2026 13:59 UTC
Govt approves power purchase proposals at re-determined levelized tariffs
DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - The government today approved power purchase proposals from three major combined cycle power plants at re-determined levelized tariffs. The committee endorsed the procurement of electricity from Ashuganj 450 MW Combined Cycle (South) Power Plant at a tariff of US Cents 4.6934 per kilowatt hour, involving an estimated expenditure of Taka 23,880.02 crore. It also approved power purchase from the Siddhirganj 335 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant constructed by EGCB at a tariff of US Cents 4.4140 per kilowatt hour, with an estimated cost of Taka 21,675.04 crore. Another proposal to procure electricity from the Haripur 412 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant at a tariff of US Cents 3.8753 per kilowatt hour, costing Taka 19,864.13 crore, was also recommended. Officials said the revised tariffs would contribute to maintaining stability in the national power grid while optimizing generation costs.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 03, 2026 13:55 UTC
Man killed in Jamalpur road accident
JAMALPUR, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - A man was killed in a road accident in Madarganj upazila of the district this afternoon. The deceased was identified as SM Tozammel Hossain, 55, secretary of Sidhuli Union Parishad and resident of Char Pakerdaha village of the upazila. When he reached Polisha area a speeding motorcycle hit his bike from opposite direction around 4 pm. In the accident Tozammel died on the spot. After the accident driver of another bike left the spot leaving his motorcycle.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 03, 2026 13:52 UTC
EC issues instruction on televised speeches of party leaders ahead of polls
BTV should allocate a separate slot for the party leader of each political party and determine the duration of the slot. All political parties that request an opportunity to campaign on BTV should be given the opportunity to speak in the order of their application. BTV will finalise the date and time of the campaign recording after discussing with the political party concerned. So far, no application has been received from any political party other than BNP for campaigning on the BTV. So, the party leader of BNP should be given the opportunity to speak in the last slot on February 9 as per their request, the press release said.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 03, 2026 13:49 UTC