Bangladeshi actor Azmeri Haque Badhon latest to be branded RAW agent, falls foul of anti-India squad
KOLKATA: Bangladeshi actor Azmeri Haque Badhon is the latest celebrity to be accused of being a RAW agent in her country. "When they cannot counter arguments, they brand the person as a RAW agent. I was branded a RAW agent when I worked as senior editor in bdnews24.com after retiring from BBC. I have a chapter in my book, detailing RAW's involvement in Chittagong Hill Tracts.Can a person be a RAW agent after exposing its operation? "When they understood I was not a RAW agent in real life, they changed track and spread conspiracy theories of me being an ISI, CIA and Mossad agent.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 21:29 UTC
Government to take charge of six troubled banks through merger, says Governor Mansur
Government to take charge of six troubled banks through merger, says Governor MansurBangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur has announced that six financially distressed banks will be consolidated and brought under state ownership as part of a sweeping reform to stabilise the banking sector. The banks in question are Social Islami Bank Limited (SIBL), First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, Exim Bank, and National Bank. Toward the end of the ousted Awami League government's term, S Alam also gained indirect control of the National Bank board through beneficiaries. Speaking to Channel 24, the governor said, “By July, these banks will be brought under state ownership and recapitalised. Later, Bangladesh Bank gave the green light for National Bank (NBL) to merge with United Commercial Bank (UCB), but the plan was shelved after National Bank objected to the merger.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 20:02 UTC
Protesting employees lock main entrance of Secretariat
Dhaka/New Delhi: Hundreds of government employees on Monday briefly locked the main gate of Bangladesh Secretariat, the heart of the administration, in the capital Dhaka, intensifying their protests against a new service law which allows easier dismissal of officials for misconduct. According to eyewitnesses and media reports, officials and employees of the Secretariat, which houses ministries and important government offices, locked the main gate on the third day of their protest against the Public Service Act amendment. The agitating employees gathered near the main entrance around 12:30 pm. The protesting employees moved from the gate and gathered in a scattered way across the secretariat premises. As per reports, official activities inside complex were largely stalled as employees continued the work stoppage.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 18:03 UTC
B'desh new service law: Protesting employees lock main entrance of Secretariat
DHAKA: Hundreds of government employees on Monday briefly locked the main gate of Bangladesh Secretariat, the heart of the administration, in the capital Dhaka, intensifying their protests against a new service law which allows easier dismissal of officials for misconduct. According to eyewitnesses and media reports, officials and employees of the Secretariat, which houses ministries and important government offices, locked the main gate on the third day of their protest against the Public Service Act amendment. The agitating employees gathered near the main entrance around 12:30 pm. The protesting employees moved from the gate and gathered in a scattered way across the secretariat premises. According to the reports, official activities inside the complex were largely stalled as the employees continued the work stoppage.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 15:11 UTC
It’s time to unlock Russian assets to help Ukraine
The European Union, the United Kingdom and other willing countries such as Canada therefore need a way to support Ukraine that does not require Trump’s permission. The best option is to unlock Russia’s $300 billion of frozen central bank assets, the lion’s share of which are in Europe. REPARATION LOANThe UK and Canada have long been open to using Russia’s frozen assets to support Ukraine. So the coalition of willing countries could make a $50 billion loan every six months. But if Moscow then broke the truce, the coalition would make another $50 billion loan.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 14:44 UTC
Bangladesh Army questions authenticity of reported statement of chief Gen Waker
Several newspapers reported on the subject based on accounts from army officers at different levels. The key points quoting the Army chief in the reports are as follows:General Waker reportedly said at the event that “the national election must be held by December”. On reforms, General Waker said he did not know what reforms were taking place or how they were happening. At Monday’s briefing, a journalist drew attention to the remarks made by the Army chief at the Officers Address event. Col Shafiqul responded: “The Army chief speaks to officers or soldiers at any time, or from time to time, providing guidance.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 14:43 UTC
Airlines again suspend flights to Israel
Below are airlines that have cancelled flights since early May:AIRBALTICLatvia's airBaltic said it had cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until Jun 2. AIR FRANCE-KLMThe group's Dutch arm KLM suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 30. IAG's low-cost airline, Iberia Express, has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until May 31. ITA AIRWAYSThe Italian carrier has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until Jun 15. RYANAIREurope's biggest budget airline has cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until Jun 11.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 13:24 UTC
Bangladesh Set to Export Mangoes to China, Marking a New Chapter in Bilateral Trade
A Fruitful New Beginning for Bangladesh-China RelationsAfter six years of talks and anticipation, Bangladesh is finally ready to export its prized mangoes to China. The approval marks more than just a trade deal — it signals a growing partnership, with Bangladesh aiming to strengthen its agricultural exports to the world’s second-largest economy. From Patience to ProgressBangladesh first applied in 2019 to export mangoes, along with jackfruit and guava. Now, with mangoes cleared for export, the focus shifts to securing similar approvals for jackfruit and guava. Challenges Remain, but Hopes Are HighWhile mangoes are ready to make their debut in China, other agricultural products still face hurdles.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 12:32 UTC
AL's Quader recounts hiding in bathroom for hours on Aug 5
However, he did not explain how he was able to flee the country while many fellow Awami League leaders were arrested during that period. Quader said he dreams of returning to Bangladesh one day and sees a future where the Awami League regains power. The interim government has since banned all activities of the Awami League until tribunal proceedings conclude, effectively outlawing the party. At one point, they threatened to break the door down.”“When my wife asked what to do, I told her to open it. Quader replied briefly: “If they were from the Awami League, I would’ve recognised them.”
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 11:52 UTC
B'desh new service law Protesting employees lock main entrance of Secretariat
Dhaka/New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) Hundreds of government employees on Monday briefly locked the main gate of Bangladesh Secretariat, the heart of the administration, in the capital Dhaka, intensifying their protests against a new service law which allows easier dismissal of officials for misconduct. According to eyewitnesses and media reports, officials and employees of the Secretariat, which houses ministries and important government offices, locked the main gate on the third day of their protest against the Public Service Act amendment. The agitating employees gathered near the main entrance around 12:30 pm. The protesting employees moved from the gate and gathered in a scattered way across the secretariat premises. According to the reports, official activities inside the complex were largely stalled as the employees continued the work stoppage.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 11:07 UTC
Chinmoy Das to be interrogated at jail gate in another case
A Chattogram court has approved the questioning of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for the Sanatani Jagaran Jote, at the jail gate in another case. In the court premises incident, 49 named and 600–700 unnamed individuals were accused. That same day, Alif’s brother Khane Alam filed another case over the attack on lawyers, vandalism, and explosions, accusing 116 people. Chinmoy was initially arrested on Nov 25 in Dhaka in connection with a sedition case for allegedly disrespecting the national flag. Although the High Court granted him bail in that case, the state appealed the decision to the Appellate Division, which stayed his release.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 10:52 UTC
Bashundhara Group owners seek more time to appear before ACC
Bashundhara Group owners seek more time to appear before ACCBashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and his family have sought 90 days to respond to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) summons over land expropriation, embezzlement and money laundering charges. They filed the request to the chairman of the anti-graft agency through a lawyer on Monday, ACC spokesperson Akhtarul Islam said. On May 20, the ACC sent a letter to the Sobhan family, instructing them to appear before it for questioning. Akbar, his wife Afroz Begum, their eldest son Sadat Sobhan, and Sadat’s wife Sonia Ferdousi Sobhan, were scheduled to be quizzed on Sunday. That same month, a court imposed a travel ban on eight members of the Sobhan family following a plea by the ACC.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 10:38 UTC
Gas supply to industries up 21pc since January: Petrobangla
Gas supply to the industrial sector has seen a 21 per cent increase over the past four months, according to Petrobangla. “Petrobangla has taken note of misleading statements made by representatives of industry-related associations published in various newspapers concerning gas supply to industrial units. In response, we are presenting the actual status of gas supply to the industrial sector.”According to the statement, the average daily gas supply to industries during January–April 2024 was 823 million cubic feet. Currently, gas is priced at Tk 30 per cubic metre for industrial consumers and Tk 31.50 for captive users. This means the government is providing a subsidy of Tk 35 per cubic metre on the additional gas being supplied.
Source:bd News24
May 26, 2025 09:03 UTC
Handing over Chattogram Port operations to foreign firms “not right decision’: Mirza Aziz
If these bodies are empowered and supported legally, there is no need to outsource port operations to a foreign firm,” Mirza Aziz said. INFLATION SQUEEZING THE POORAddressing Bangladesh's ongoing inflation crisis, Mirza Aziz said rising prices are disproportionately affecting the country’s poorest citizens. “We talk of a contractionary budget due to falling revenues,” Mirza Aziz said in the interview. Mirza Aziz noted that in some cases, funds are released even before actual work is completed, leading to poor-quality outcomes. “After years of efforts, only a fraction was recovered.”On the government’s controversial proposal to outsource the management of Chattogram Port to foreign companies, Mirza Aziz pushed back.
Source:bd News24
May 25, 2025 20:13 UTC
Air Astra to resume flights on Dhaka-Sylhet route
Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, private airline Air Astra is set to resume flights on the Dhaka-Sylhet route.Starting May 29, the airline will operate two daily flights between Dhaka and Sylhet.Flights from Dhaka will depart at 7:30am and 7:30pm, while return flights from Sylhet to Dhaka will leave at 8:50am and 8:50pm.The airlines shared the development in a media statement on Saturday.The minimum fare for a one-way trip on this route has been set at Tk 4,699.Air Astra CEO Imran Asif said, "Sylhet is an important destination for Air Astra. Due to aircraft shortage, we had suspended flights on that route, but they will continue regularly." �"bdnews24.com
Source:bd News24
May 25, 2025 19:11 UTC