Private sector sees lower foreign loan inflow, higher repayments amid financial strain
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
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 17:51 UTC
Primary school teachers can take children to their institutions, not to classroom
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.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 16:40 UTC
Bangladesh’s Crackdown On Hizb Ut-Tahrir: How Will India See This?
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.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 16:16 UTC
Women repression: Nari Mukti Kendra demands home adviser’s removal for ‘inaction’
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.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 15:45 UTC
Step down if you can’t act, Nari Mukti Kendra tells four female advisors over women repression
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.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 15:01 UTC
Bangladesh arrests 36 Hizb ut-Tahrir members in crackdown on banned group
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.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 12:33 UTC
At least 14 killed, 37 wounded in Russian missile strike on Ukraine, Kyiv says
At least 14 killed, 37 wounded in Russian missile strike on Ukraine, Kyiv saysFirefighters work at the site of a residential area hit by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Dobropillia, Donetsk region, Ukraine Mar 8, 2025. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Donetsk region/REUTERSFirefighters work at the site of a residential area hit by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Dobropillia, Donetsk region, Ukraine Mar 8, 2025. The ministry also reported that three civilians were killed in a separate drone attack on the Kharkiv region in the northeast. The ministry also said at least three were killed and 7 injured in a separate drone attack on Kharkiv region overnight. Ukrainian military said Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and one Iskander-K cruise missile as well as 145 drones.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 09:24 UTC
BFF regains financial freedom as FIFA lifts ban
In a statement on Friday, BFF announced that the global football governing body had withdrawn the ban due to improved financial transparency. “FIFA has fully lifted the financial sanctions from [Friday], citing the transparency of BFF's purchases, sales, and financial transactions under the leadership of BFF President Tabith Awal and the current committee," the statement read. FIFA’s investigation between 2017 and 2020 uncovered irregularities in BFF’s financial transactions. The suspension was also imposed on the then BFF chief financial officer Abu Hossain and operations manager Mizanur Rahman for discrepancies in financial dealings. In addition, former BFF finance committee chairman and senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedy was fined.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 05:38 UTC
China announces retaliatory tariffs on some Canada farm, food products
Picture taken May 17, 2020. REUTERSA cargo ship carrying containers is seen near the Yantian port in Shenzhen, following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, Guangdong province, China May 17, 2020. Picture taken May 17, 2020. REUTERSChina announced tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products on Saturday, retaliating against levies Ottawa introduced in October on Chinese-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products. China will apply a 100 percent tariff to Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes and pea imports, and a 25 percent duty on Canadian aquatic products and pork, the ministry said in a statement.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 05:28 UTC
Scores killed as Syrian forces seek to crush Alawite insurgency
REUTERSA member of Syrian forces stands on a military vehicle as Syrian security forces battle against a nascent insurgency by fighters from ousted leader Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect, in Latakia, Syria March 7, 2025. REUTERSSyrian security forces battled for a second day on Friday to crush a nascent insurgency by fighters from Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect, with scores reported killed as the Islamist-led government faced the biggest challenge yet to its authority. Syrian authorities said the violence began when remnants loyal to Assad launched a deadly and well-planned attack on their forces on Thursday. Security forces mounted combing operations in both cities and nearby mountains. Saudi Arabia condemned "crimes being undertaken by outlaw groups" in Syria and their targeting of security forces.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 04:22 UTC
US top diplomat Rubio tells Ukraine that Trump wants to end war 'as soon as possible'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says all sides must take steps to secure a sustainable peace in a call with the Ukrainian foreign ministerUS top diplomat Rubio tells Ukraine that Trump wants to end war 'as soon as possible'US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks as US President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 28, 2025. REUTERSUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks as US President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 28, 2025. REUTERSUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday and told him President Donald Trump was determined to end the Russia-Ukraine war as soon as possible, the State Department said. "The Secretary underscored President Trump is determined to end the war as soon as possible and emphasised that all sides must take steps to secure a sustainable peace," the State Department said in a statement after the call. WHY IT'S IMPORTANTThe US president has said he wants to bring the Ukraine war, launched by Russia when it invaded its neighbour more than three years ago, to an end.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 04:00 UTC
Bangladesh Bank governor agrees to reschedule Bashundhara’s loan
Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur has agreed to allow Bashundhara Group to restructure its loan ‘if proper procedures are followed’. The meeting also involved Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governors Zakir Hossain Chowdhury and Kabir Ahmed. “He [Sobhan] came to the governor and said they are not in default with any bank,” Bangladesh Bank spokesperson told bdnews24.com on Friday. “Therefore, no approval from the central bank is needed for Bashundhara Group to proceed with loan rescheduling.”The governor also confirmed that Bangladesh Bank would not shut down any business, including Beximco. He added that Bangladesh Bank would review how many banks Bashundhara Group is involved with.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 02:54 UTC
Trump threatens Russia with sanctions until Ukraine peace reached
A Ukrainian serviceman passes by a residential building damaged by Russian military strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the frontline town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, Ukraine Mar 6, 2025. "Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely 'pounding' Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large-scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED," Trump said on his social media platform. "To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. There was no official confirmation of the Russian thrust from either Russia or Ukraine, which both tend to report battlefield developments with a delay. Trump did not go into detail on the possible sanctions against Russia and said later at an Oval Office media briefing that he was finding it more difficult to deal with Ukraine.
Source:bd News24
March 08, 2025 00:21 UTC
EC can hold election by June-July if they prepare properly, says BNP’s Rizvi
The Election Commission can hold the general election by June or July if they take the proper preparations, says said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabi Rizvi. “The public will start to doubt [the intent of the] interim government if they are reluctant to hold an election. Rizvi spoke at an event organised to meet the families of those killed in the July Uprising in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj and to provide them with financial aid. “Why would they need such a long time to hold the election?” Rizvi asked. To draft such laws, the country needs an elected government and that’s why a general election is needed before anything else, the BNP stalwart said.
Source:bd News24
March 07, 2025 23:44 UTC
Public humiliation of women, misogyny go unchallenged in Bangladesh as violence spikes
Women’s Affairs Reform Commission chief says incidents of misogyny are not new in societyPublic humiliation of women, misogyny go unchallenged in Bangladesh as violence spikesThe crucial role of women in the student-led mass uprising against discrimination and oppression is rapidly fading from public discourse, while blatant misogyny and public humiliation have taken centre stage in a matter of months. Fauzia Moslem, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, a women's rights organisation, said: “Misogyny has become public since the Mass Uprising. Violence was still present before, with no political rights for women, no social rights.”“But a moral policing has been under way since the Uprising due to misogyny. ESCALATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMENIn a statement on Wednesday, the University Teachers’ Network said: "Since the Uprising, incidents of sexual harassment, violence, and misogyny against women have increased. According to the Violence Against Women Survey 2024, released on Feb 28, the rate of sexual violence against women has increased to 28.5 percent, up from 27.2 percent in 2015.
Source:bd News24
March 07, 2025 21:11 UTC