Wednesday, 05 November 2025, 04:36 AM
October 29, 2025
Millions of supporters of Bangladesh’s Awami League will boycott next year’s national election, after the party was barred from contesting the polls, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told Reuters on Wednesday from her exile in New Delhi.
Hasina, 78, said she would not return to Bangladesh under any government formed after elections that exclude her party, and plans to remain in India, where she fled in August 2024 following a deadly student-led uprising.
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An interim government headed by Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has governed Bangladesh since Hasina’s ouster and has pledged to hold elections next February.
“The ban on the Awami League is not only unjust, it is self-defeating,” Hasina said in emailed responses to Reuters — her first media engagement since her dramatic fall from power after 15 straight years at the helm of Bangladeshi politics.
“The next government must have electoral legitimacy. Millions of people support the Awami League, so as things stand, they will not vote. You cannot disenfranchise millions of people if you want a political system that works.”
EX-LEADER HOPES AWAMI LEAGUE WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONTEST
Bangladesh has over 126 million registered voters. The Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party have long dominated the country’s politics, and the BNP is widely expected to win the upcoming vote.
The Election Commission suspended the Awami League’s registration in May. Earlier, the Yunus-led government banned all party activities, citing national security threats and war crimes investigations into senior Awami League leaders.
“We are not asking Awami League voters to support other parties,” Hasina said. “We still hope common sense will prevail and we will be allowed to contest the election ourselves.”
She did not say if she or anyone else on her behalf was holding any back-channel talks with Bangladeshi...
October 22, 2025
Jewellers have cut gold prices by Tk 8,386 per bhori, thanks to a drop in the rates of pure gold in the local market.
From tomorrow, the price of each bhori (11.664 grammes) of 22-carat gold ornaments will be Tk 208,995, down from Tk 217,381.
The Bangladesh Jewellers Association took the decision to decrease gold prices in a meeting today, the association said in a press release.
On October 19, gold prices surged to yet another historic peak, reaching Tk 217,381 per bhori (approximately 11.664 grammes).
Prices of the precious metal in Bangladesh have been rising steadily, setting new records almost every week.
In September alone, the price of 22-carat gold rose by more than Tk 16,000 per bhori.
Industry insiders attribute the surge mainly to the international bullion market, the devaluation of the taka, economic uncertainty, and high inflation.
Although Bangladesh does not import significant volumes of gold, domestic prices remain closely aligned with global trends.
According to the Gold Policy 2018, annual domestic demand in Bangladesh stands between 20 and 40 tonnes.
Meanwhile, around 80 percent of the country's gold demand is met through smuggling, leading to substantial revenue losses for the government, said industry people.
During Bangladesh's Liberation War, gold was sold for Tk 170 per bhori. Within ten years, it reached Tk 3,750 per bhori. By 2000, it hit Tk 6,900, and by 2010, Tk 42,165.
In January 2018, gold crossed Tk 50,000 per bhori for the first time. Five years later, in July 2023, it hit Tk 100,000. After further jumps, it reached Tk 150,000 in February 2025, and later surged past Tk 200,000 per bhori....
October 22, 2025
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said Bangladesh has made history by advancing workers' legal rights, as the interim government ratified three conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Bangladesh today ratified three ILO conventions to improve worker safety, health, and protection against workplace violence and harassment.
Recalling the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster, the chief adviser said, "After the Rana Plaza tragedy, the then government agreed to do everything. But nothing happened as per their commitment. They kept saying 'it is being done, it will be done'. But we said 'no more it is being done, it will be done' -- we must do it."
The CA's press wing issued a press release after the ILO Convention signing ceremony was held at the State Guest House Jamuna.
"Since I took office as the chief adviser, labour rights were my first priority. I held meetings time and again and kept saying everywhere that this must be done. Signing this will benefit all of us," he said.
"I was told I had to go to the next Geneva meeting. I tried to understand why no one had attended the past meetings," Yunus added.
Labour and Employment as well as Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain signed the instruments of ratification on behalf of the government in presence of the chief adviser.
The three ratified conventions are: Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155); Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187); and Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190). Of these, Conventions 187 and 155 were declared as fundamental conventions by the ILO in 2022.
"We must keep our commitments. What the convention says, what rights it talks about, must be conveyed to everyone," the chief adviser said.
Terming the day as a memorable one in the history of labour rights in Bangladesh, he said, "From the tragedy of Rana Plaza to today's signing, we have reached a milestone."
"Our efforts will bear...
October 19, 2025
The murder case of Golam Rabbani Nadim, former Jamalpur district correspondent of BanglaNews24.com and former upazila correspondent of Ekattor TV, appears to be following the same unresolved path as the infamous Sagar-Runi double murder case. Despite two years having passed, there has been little to no progress in the investigation or trial. Nadim’s family alleges that efforts are being made to shield the real perpetrators.
During an on-site visit on Saturday (October 18), Nadim’s wife, Monira Begum, and his father, retired BDR member Abdul Karim, made these allegations to Md. Khairul Alam Rafiq, Chairman of Journalist Torture Prevention Cell Bangladesh (JTP Cell), and his team.
Monira Begum stated, “Under the leadership of former Awami League leader of Sadurpara Union, Mahmudul Alam alias Babu Chairman, 27 people were involved in my husband’s murder, but only 9 names were included in the charge sheet. The real killers remain at large, posing a threat to us. We have filed a no-confidence petition in court mentioning the names of the actual accused and are now awaiting a hearing.”
She added, “We are helpless. No one is standing by us except the journalists of Bakshiganj, who have been providing continuous support and encouragement. I demand maximum punishment for my husband’s killers.”
At the time, JTP Cell Chairman Md. Khairul Alam Rafiq said, “Since 1992, a total of 69 journalists have been murdered in Bangladesh. The absence of exemplary justice in these cases has emboldened killers to strike again — as seen in the recent public murder of Asaduzzaman Tuhin, staff reporter of Dainik Protidhiner Kagoj in Gazipur. The entire journalism community, and indeed the whole nation, mourned his death.”
He described Nadim’s murder as a “sensational and brutal killing” carried out by professional assassins. “The investigating officers have repeatedly staged drama-like acts to protect the real culprits — much like in the Sagar-Runi case, where...
October 13, 2025
The Mymensingh district administration has cancelled the publication declarations of 11 newspapers published from the district. The cancellation order was issued last Thursday, and official letters were delivered to the concerned publishers and editors on Sunday and Monday, according to the administration.
The newspapers whose declarations have been revoked are:
Dainik Ajker Mymensingh (edited by Md. Shamsul Alam Khan), Dainik Desher Khobor (edited by F.M.A. Salam), Dainik Bishwer Mukhopatra (edited by N.B.M. Ibrahim Khalil Rahim), Dainik Ishika (founded by the late Abdur Razzaq Talukder), Dainik Adommo Bangla (edited by Nasir Uddin Ahmed), Dainik Alokito Mymensingh and Dainik Digonto Bangla (edited by A.N.M. Faruk), Dainik Jahan (published by Sheikh Mehedi Hasan Nadim), Dainik Kishaner Desh (edited by Omar Faruk), Hridoye Bangladesh (edited by Farida Yasmin Ratna), Saptahik Poridhi (edited by Bikash Roy).
On Monday (October 13) afternoon, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Mymensingh Umme Habiba Meera confirmed the cancellation, stating that letters were sent to all concerned editors and publishers last Thursday.
According to the official notice, on April 10 and 13, the 11 newspapers were found to have published identical reports and images on the second and third pages, and those issues were not printed from approved printing presses. Consequently, on April 16, the administration issued show-cause notices to 13 editors and publishers.
On April 21, the publishers responded, admitting the error and blaming the issue on an external printing press’s negligence and a breakdown in their own printing system. However, the explanations were deemed unsatisfactory and unacceptable.
Subsequently, on May 18, an executive magistrate conducted an on-site investigation, which confirmed that the 11 newspapers were not being printed from authorized presses—a clear violation of Sections 4 and 7 of the Printing Presses and Publications (Declaration and Registration)...
October 12, 2025
Intense clashes have broken out between Pakistani and Afghan troops along the border region. The fighting reportedly began on Saturday night (October 11) between Pakistani soldiers and Afghan border guards.
Local authorities in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province stated that Taliban fighters have taken control of two Pakistani border posts.
Pakistani security officials confirmed that fighting occurred in more than five locations along the border and that retaliatory attacks are underway.
The latest confrontation follows an airstrike in Kabul on Friday night, reportedly targeting a top leader of the militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Taliban government in Kabul blamed Islamabad for the airstrike, sharply escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries....
October 12, 2025
Bangladesh will begin its first-ever national typhoid vaccination campaign tomorrow, October 12, to protect children from typhoid fever. The month-long campaign aims to provide free injectable typhoid vaccines to around 50 million children aged between 9 months and under 15 years, according to a press release issued on Saturday (October 11) by Mahmudul Hasan, Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The campaign will be inaugurated on Sunday at Sir Salimullah Muslim Orphanage, Azimpur, under the title Typhoid Vaccination Campaign 2025. Health and Family Welfare Adviser Noorjahan Begum will attend as the chief guest, while Sharmin S. Murshid, Adviser to the Ministries of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs, will be present as a special guest.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) announced that even children without birth certificates will be included in the campaign to ensure no one is left behind. This is the first-ever national typhoid vaccination program in the country. The vaccine has been produced by India’s Serum Institute and supplied to Bangladesh through the support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government (in charge of the State Minister for Health), stated that the vaccine is fully safe and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). It has already been successfully used in eight countries, including Nepal and Pakistan, with no major side effects reported.
According to the Health Ministry, students from pre-primary to class nine will receive the vaccine at schools and madrasas until October 30. After that, children aged 9 months to under 15 years will be vaccinated through door-to-door visits, while NGOs will cover street children in urban areas.
The government aims to vaccinate 49 million children under this campaign. So far, 16.8 million children have already registered, and the registration process is ongoing....
October 12, 2025
Netrokona's beloved sweet, balish mishti, has recently been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status, which means that it is no longer just a local delicacy, it is now officially considered a part of Bangladesh's national heritage.
The story of Balish Mishti began with Gayanath Ghosh, who ran a sweet shop named 'Gayanath Mistanno Bhandar' on Barhatta Road in Netrokona town. Unlike many other sweet makers of his time, he wanted to break away from the usual treats. That determination led to the making of a new sweet known as 'Balish Mishti'. Long, soft and shaped like a pillow, it quickly became a favourite among locals. Out of respect, people still lovingly call it "Gayanather balish mishti."The sweet comes in different sizes, with prices varying accordingly. The largest size can weigh nearly three kilograms and is enough to serve 8 to 10 people.
Although Gayanath moved to India in 1969, he left behind his creation here in Netrokona. Before leaving, he passed on the recipe and method to the main moira (the community known for making sweets), Nikhil Chandra Modak, ensuring that the tradition would live on. After Nikhil's passing, his three sons took over the business. To this day, the Modak family continues to carry the legacy forward.
For anyone visiting Netrokona, balish mishti is a must-try. Tasting this unique delicacy is more than just enjoying a dessert; it is about experiencing a piece of living tradition that began over a century ago. With its new GI recognition, balish mishti has now risen beyond a local delicacy to stand as a proud symbol of national heritage....
October 12, 2025
For Putul Sajia Sultana and Syed Reza Ali, love has always revolved around music. Their little world grew even more beautiful with the arrival of their daughter, Geetoleena. Despite their differences in taste, with Putul finding happiness in regional songs, while Reza leans towards metal. Even their football loyalties differ, as one supports Brazil and the other Argentina. Yet it is this very passion for music that drew Reza from Australia to Dhaka, where he not only found his calling, but also his soulmate.
The couple recently visited The Daily Star, complementing each other in coordinated outfits. Between interviews and photographs, they could not stop capturing moments of one another on their phones. Married for four years, they describe themselves as best friends who respect each other's personal space while nurturing their shared world. Although deeply in love, they affectionately address each other using tui, a term that might sound a bit strange to others, but feels natural to them.
"I am used to calling her tui because we were friends first. Some might find it odd, but it does not bother us. Our friendship is what makes our relationship special," laughed Reza.
Their love story was never about formal confessions. Instead, it unfolded naturally. Their families, especially Putul's mother-in-law, could see that they were made for each other.
"We first met at a Valentine's Day programme organised by NTV in Australia. We had two shows in Sydney and Melbourne. Our first interaction was brief, only a one-hour practice session on February 16. I returned to Bangladesh soon after, but we stayed connected on Facebook. For a long time, we did not even exchange a simple hello," recalled Putul.
Reza, spontaneous by nature, once had everything. He had a stable banking career and an Australian passport. Yet in 2019, he came back to pursue music in Dhaka.
"I made the decision within hours," he shared. "After years in banking, I felt suffocated. I could not give time to my...
October 11, 2025
The global economy is doing better than expected, even as it faces prolonged uncertainty and underwhelming medium-term growth prospects, the head of the IMF said Wednesday.
The world economy is doing "better than feared, but worse than we need," International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters in Washington.
She added that the Fund now expects global growth to slow "only slightly this year and next," propped up by better-than-expected conditions in the United States, and among some other advanced, emerging market and developing countries.
Georgieva's remarks came ahead of next week's gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors at the World Bank and the IMF in Washington.
Trade is once again likely to dominate the agenda at the annual meetings, following US President Donald Trump's decision earlier this year to unleash sweeping tariffs against many trading partners.
"All signs point to a world economy that has generally withstood acute strains from multiple shocks," Georgieva said, pointing to "improved policy fundamentals," the adaptability of the private sector, lower-than-expected tariffs, and supportive financial conditions. "The world has avoided a tit-for-tat slide into trade war -- so far," she added.
She noted that the average US tariff rate has fallen from 23 percent in April to 17.5 percent today, while the US effective tariff rate of around 10 percent remains "far above" the rest of the world.
But, she warned, the full effect of those tariffs "is still to unfold," adding that the resilience of the world economy has yet to be "fully tested."
Against this backdrop, the Fund still expects global growth to remain at roughly three percent over the medium term, in line with previous forecasts -- below the 3.7 percent, on average, seen before the Covid-19 pandemic. "Global growth patterns have been changing over the years, notably with China decelerating steadily while India develops into a key growth engine,"...
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