NBR chairman reveals taxpayer brought Tk 7.30 billion under tax-free remittance facility
A taxpayer has brought Tk 7.30 billion into Bangladesh, taking advantage of the legal tax-free remittance facility for expatriates, National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan has revealed. We currently have 11.3 million taxpayers. There are no hassles for those who don’t file returns, while those who do face complications. He also said, "Out of 11.3 million Taxpayer Identification Number holders, only 4 million file tax returns, while around 8 million do not. The NBR chairman also expressed hope that in the future, tax information would be automatically collected by integrating an Application Programming Interface (API) with banks.
Source:bd News24
March 17, 2025 19:43 UTC
'Minority persecution’ in Bangladesh a 'major concern’ for US, says Tulsi Gabbard
Trump’s new cabinet has begun talks with the Bangladesh government, she says'Minority persecution’ in Bangladesh a 'major concern’ for US, says Tulsi GabbardUS Intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard has said the "persecution of religious minorities" in Bangladesh is a "major area of concern" for the United States. Gabbard was also asked to comment on the rise of “Islamic extremism” and terrorist elements in Bangladesh. She replied, “The talks are just beginning between President Trump's new cabinet and the Bangladesh interim government, but this continues to remain a central focus area of concern." US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Gabbard is on a three-day visit to India. She will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during the visit.
Source:bd News24
March 17, 2025 18:35 UTC
Shrine in Barguna's Amtali set on fire
"But after midnight, some 250 to 300 people, led by Omar Farooq, president of the Amtali branch of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, attacked the shrine," Babul said. "They vandalised the place, set it on fire, and threw away the cooked food. "The shrine was established in 1996 by Mostafizur Rahman Babul, and for years, it has been a site of bid'ah and shirk," he said, using terms that denote religious innovation and idolatry. "The deputy commissioner has met with both parties, and they have agreed to maintain peace," said Ariful. "The government will oversee the restoration of the shrine."
Source:bd News24
March 17, 2025 18:27 UTC
Schools, colleges to mark Independence Day with speacial programmes
All secondary and higher secondary educational institutions across the country will organise discussion sessions to emphasise the significance of Mar 26, which Bangladesh observes as its Independence Day.Similarly, on Mar 25, observed as Genocide Day, schools, colleges, and other institutions will host remembrance sessions featuring distinguished figures and freedom fighters, who will share their experiences and insights on the genocide and the Liberation War.In an order issued on Monday, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, or DSHE, instructed all government and non-government schools, colleges, teachers' training colleges and higher secondary teacher training institutes to arrange these programmes at a convenient time to mark both occasions.The order is in line with a decision made at an inter-ministerial meeting on Jan 29 to finalise the agenda for the two occasions.Several nationwide events have been planned for Mar 26, including the hoisting of the national flag, singing of the national anthem, and student assemblies and parades at divisional, district, and Upazila levels.Between Mar 20 and 25, national-level essay and recitation competitions will be organised to commemorate Independence and National Day.The national flag will also be raised at sunrise on all government, non-government, semi-government, and autonomous buildings.Various sporting events, including football, T20 cricket, and kabaddi tournaments, will be held at the district and Upazila levels, involving students from schools and colleges.In a separate order issued by the DSHE's General Administration branch, all educational institutions have been directed to implement these initiatives in keeping with the guidelines set by the Secondary and Higher Education Division.The programmes are aimed at instilling patriotism and awareness among students about the nation's history and sacrifices. �"bdnews24.com
Source:bd News24
March 17, 2025 18:25 UTC
Italy, Spain not ready to back EU plan to boost Ukraine military aid
US President Trump said he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday about ending the war. Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus are among those to have given the least, having provided less than 0.5 percent of their GDP. Albares said Spain had already committed to providing 1 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine this year. During the ministers’ discussion on Ukraine, Slovakia signalled it would not obstruct the plan but also would decline to contribute, according to three EU diplomats. Both Hungary and Slovakia do not provide military aid to Ukraine but EU officials say they should not be able to block the proposal as contributions would be voluntary.
Source:bd News24
March 17, 2025 17:41 UTC
Lawyer challenges validity of EC’s notice for new party registration
He believes it was improper to issue a public notice before implementing the reform commission’s recommendationA lawyer has filed a writ petition challenging the validity of the public notice issued by the Election Commission (EC) relating to registration for new political parties. He told bdnews24.com: “A request has been made to issue a rule asking why the public notice should not be scrapped. “The EC issued the public notice per the Political Parties Registration Act 2008. “Additionally, according to the notice, the registration requires committees in 22 districts and 100 Upazilas. New ones who are seeking registration as a political party can apply to us by meeting the stipulated conditions until Apr 20."
Source:bd News24
March 17, 2025 15:52 UTC
ACC probes Salman F Rahman over Tk 220bn 'embezzlement' in COVID vaccine procurement
"The commission has decided to investigate allegations that an unscrupulous syndicate, including Salman F Rahman, Beximco Pharma Ltd, and others, misappropriated Tk 220 billion in state funds under the guise of COVID-19 vaccine procurement," he said. Had the government directly purchased from Serum, it could have saved costs and secured an additional 6.8 million doses. Beximco Pharma allegedly netted a profit of Tk 77 per dose after importing 70 million doses at a market price of Tk 425 per dose, which cost the government around Tk 2.97 billion. Irregularities were also flagged in the procurement of 3.15 million doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccine. It further alleges that Bangladesh's locally developed COVID-19 vaccine, Bangavax, faced repeated red tapes in securing approval.
Source:bd News24
March 17, 2025 15:37 UTC
No viable alternative to 'proxy voting' for expats: EC Sanaullah
Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah believes that proxy voting is likely the most effective solution to ensure that expatriates can vote. Online, postal ballots, and proxy voting are all being considered in an attempt to ensure that expatriates can take part in the polls. EC Sanaullah said, “In our country, a person who is physically challenged can vote with the help of another person. We even had discussions today regarding a possible online system. They started online voting and then stopped it.”“The representative from Pakistan said that their initial experience was good, but they are not in a position to fully launch an online process.”
Source:bd News24
March 17, 2025 09:56 UTC
Schools, colleges to mark Independence Day with special programmes
All secondary and higher secondary educational institutions across the country will organise discussion sessions to emphasise the significance of March 26, which Bangladesh observes as its Independence Day. Similarly, on March 25, observed as Genocide Day, schools, colleges, and other institutions will host remembrance sessions featuring distinguished figures and freedom fighters, who will share their experiences and insights on the genocide and the Liberation War. In an order issued on Monday, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, or DSHE, instructed all government and non-government schools, colleges, teachers' training colleges and higher secondary teacher training institutes to arrange these programmes at a convenient time to mark both occasions, bdnews24.com reports. Between March 20 and 25, national-level essay and recitation competitions will be organised to commemorate Independence and National Day. Various sporting events, including football, T20 cricket, and kabaddi tournaments, will be held at the district and Upazila levels, involving students from schools and colleges.
Source:bd News24
March 17, 2025 07:56 UTC
Mild heatwave sweeps Dhaka, 13 other districts
The heatwave is likely to persist on Monday before easing on TuesdayA mild heatwave is currently affecting 14 districts, with Dhaka among them, and is expected to persist on Monday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Meteorologists classify a temperature range between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius as a mild heatwave, while 38-40 degrees Celsius is considered a moderate heatwave. If temperatures rise to 40-42 degrees Celsius, it is termed a severe heatwave. Readings above 42 degrees Celsius are classified as an extreme heatwave. In the last 24 hours, the highest recorded temperature in the country was 37.7 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi’s Baghabari.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 22:16 UTC
Eid sales yet to take off for Gulistan’s street vendors
Like many other street vendors, Imran is hoping for an upturn in sales towards the end of Ramadan, when low-income shoppers typically leave Dhaka. While in Dhaka for other errands, he stopped by to buy Eid clothes for his children before heading back home. At the same time, makeshift roadside stalls and small kiosks also prepare for their own share of the Eid market, catering to low-income shoppers. 'WORST SALES IN YEARS'Every year, Eid sales at these stalls usually gain momentum around the middle of Ramadan. "I won’t get another chance to come back before Eid, so I brought money from home specifically for Eid shopping.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 21:52 UTC
New Zealand Crush Pakistan By Nine Wickets
New Zealand Crush Pakistan By Nine Wickets Seifert's explosive innings and dominant bowling clinch T20 series opener for New Zealand. New Zealand dispatched Pakistan with ease, clinching victory by nine wickets during the first T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on March 16, 2025. Duffy wasted no time either, sending Hasan Nawaz back without scoring as well, leaving Pakistan reeling at 0 for 2. Eventually, Pakistan's batting lineup crumbled under pressure, resulting in their lowest T20 score on New Zealand soil, besting their previous record of 101 runs, set back in 2016. New Zealand’s bowlers, especially Jamieson and Duffy, set high expectations with their performance, making it clear they will be formidable foes going forward.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 20:02 UTC
Militants, extremists will take advantage if elections are delayed, says Mirza Fakhrul
The BNP leader says murder, injury, and rape are reaching extremesMilitants, extremists will take advantage if elections are delayed, says Mirza FakhrulBNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said if the general elections are held late, the “fascist” forces will rise again. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is visiting Bangladesh amid reform initiatives and demands for national elections, met with members of the National Consensus Commission and seven political parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, on Saturday. The BNP leader said elections would be held once the necessary reforms are implemented swiftly. Fakhrul said: “We saw in the past that the longer elections are delayed, the more opposing forces—fascist forces—will rise will rise to challenge the pro-Bangladesh forces. “Various institutions, organisations, and their workers are coming out to the field with their demands.”Arguing in favour of holding early national elections, Fakhrul said: “The sooner the elections are held, the sooner the people’s representatives come to parliament.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 16:16 UTC
CPD spots concerns about exports over Trump’s tariff policy
“There is a risk of falling in the United States and there could be a negative impact on demand. As a second reason, he said: “Many economists are saying that this kind of 'tariff war' will have a negative impact on global growth. This will have a negative impact on the US growth as well. The CPD has proposed reforms in the National Board of Revenue, or NBR, on the budget recommendation. These reforms include the creation of a modern revenue structure, digitisation, creating a harmonised tax policy, and hassle-free taxation.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 15:54 UTC
Fabric warehouse in Chattogram’s Terry Bazar catches fire
A fire has broken out at a fabric warehouse in Terry Bazar, one of Chattogram’s largest wholesale clothing markets. Md Abdullah, deputy assistant director of the Fire Service, said that six units from three fire stations were working to contain the blaze. "The fire broke out on the first floor of a building housing shops and warehouses. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be determined," he said. The incident has caused distress among shoppers in the busy commercial hub, which is experiencing high footfall due to the Ramadan shopping season.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 14:57 UTC