Abrar’s mother wants swift execution of High Court verdict
She pleads for the cessation of “such deadly politics” on campuses of higher educational institutionsRokeya Khatun, the mother of slain BUET student Abrar Fahad, has called for the prompt execution of the High Court verdict in the case over her son’s murder in 2019. On Sunday, she said: “I’ve only one demand now - execute the verdict swiftly.”Earlier in the day, the High Court upheld the death sentences for 20 people and life imprisonment for five others for Abrar’s murder. The bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain delivered the verdict after reviewing the death references and appeals from the defendants. The incident sparked outrage across the university, leading to a campus-wide ban on student politics. Following arguments from both sides, the trial court delivered a verdict on Dec 8, 2021, sentencing 20 people to death and five others to life imprisonment.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 14:36 UTC
Army frees Pran Gopal Datta’s daughter from office siege after 6 hours
In the afternoon, the university’s proctor, Sheikh Farhad, said: “Pran Gopal sir’s daughter works here. Prof Gopal served as vice-chancellor of the university, formerly known as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, or BSMMU, from 2009 to 2015. The university was officially renamed Bangladesh Medical University last Thursday. Upon receiving reports of the incident, officers from Shahbagh Police Station and army personnel arrived at the scene around 1:30pm. None of our leaders or activists went to Bangladesh Medical University,” he told bdnews24.com.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 13:37 UTC
Business, investment to take centre stage during chief adviser’s China visit
In preparation for the four-day visit starting on Mar 26, Yunus met with Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday. "The chief advisor is scheduled to visit China on Mar 26, and ahead of this, he held discussions with the Chinese Ambassador today." The chief advisor has previously proposed that Chinese solar companies shift their production to Bangladesh, as China faces numerous global trade barriers. During the visit, Yunus will deliver a speech at Peking University, where he will be awarded an honorary degree. "One of the key goals of this visit is to explore how Chinese factories can be relocated to Bangladesh.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 11:30 UTC
Body of missing child found near cemetery after 3 days in Narsingdi
Police have recovered the body of a 3-year-old boy near a cemetery in Narsingdi Sadar Upazila, three days after he went missing. His family had reported him missing on Mar 13, when he disappeared from outside their home in the Shilmandi Bilpar neighbourhood. Locals made the grim discovery after noticing a foul odour near the burial ground, Masud said. Family members later identified the body. “The child’s body has decomposed, but there are no visible signs of injuries,” he noted.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 09:46 UTC
Man wanted for multiple murders shot dead in Khulna
He had reportedly been shot in the head, according to policeA man facing multiple murder charges has been shot dead in Khulna, police said. The incident occurred near Bagmara Bridge on Markazul Ulum Madrasa Road around 11:30pm on Saturday, according to Khulna Police Station chief Howladar Sanwar Hossain Masum. The dead man was identified as 40-year-old Shahinul Haque Shahin, the son of Abdur Rashid from Daulatpur's Kartikkul area. Shahin’s body has been sent to the Khulna Medical College morgue for an autopsy. Police launched a raid later on Saturday to track down those involved in Shahin’s murder, according to Masum.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 05:20 UTC
China to crack down on stock market fake news as AI spurs misinformation, says state media
Artificial intelligence has become a new tool for creating and spreading misleading information to con investors or manipulate stocks, the Shanghai Securities News saidChina to crack down on stock market fake news as AI spurs misinformation, says state mediaChina's securities watchdog will step up monitoring fake information in the stock market and work with the police and cyberspace regulators to crack down on those who disseminate false news, which is being made easier by AI, official media reported on Saturday. Regulators will "hit early, hit hard, and hit at the heart" of the issue, the Securities Times said. Artificial intelligence has become a new tool for creating and spreading misleading information to con investors or manipulate stocks, luring investors with the prospect of getting rich quickly, the Shanghai Securities News said in a separate article. The Securities Times said the China Securities Regulatory Commission would be more pro-active in dispelling stock market rumours by issuing clarifications and would strengthen investor education and guidance to "enhance investors' ability to spot" fake information. The reports by the Securities Times and the Shanghai Securities News coincide with the March 15 annual World Consumer Rights Day, which has become a major television and social media event in China to promote consumer protection.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 02:56 UTC
Trump launches large-scale strikes on Yemen's Houthis, at least 31 killed
US Central Command/Handout via REUTERSUS President Donald Trump launched large-scale military strikes against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday over the group's attacks against Red Sea shipping, killing at least 31 people at the start of a campaign expected to last many days. Trump also warned Iran, the Houthis' main backer, that it needed to immediately halt support for the group. Strikes also targeted Houthi military sites in Yemen's southwestern city of Taiz, two witnesses in the area said on Sunday. The Houthis say the attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel's war in Gaza with Hamas militants. STRIKES ACROSS YEMENThe strikes on Saturday were carried out in part by fighter aircraft from the Harry S Truman aircraft carrier, which is in the Red Sea, officials said.
Source:bd News24
March 16, 2025 02:38 UTC
UN chief warns cutting Rohingya aid in Bangladesh would be an ‘unmitigated disaster’
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that reducing humanitarian aid for the Rohingya refugees, who rely entirely on such assistance, would lead to an “unmitigated disaster”. The UN chief highlighted that the resources available for refugees in 2024 would be reduced by 40 percent in 2025. “With the announcement of cuts in financial assistance, we are facing the dramatic risk of reducing food rations for the Rohingya refugees." "Until now, I urge the international community not to reduce the support to Rohingya refugees, they must step up and guarantee your wellbeing." "I am here to shine a global spotlight on the plight – but also the potential of the Rohingya refugees."
Source:bd News24
March 15, 2025 22:12 UTC
Mild heatwave sweeps over five districts as temperatures soar on the first day of Chaitra
Temperatures are set to drop, with light to moderate rain expected by the end of this weekMild heatwave sweeps over five districts as temperatures soar on the first day of ChaitraA mild heatwave swept across five districts of Bangladesh on Saturday, the first day of the Bengali month of Chaitra. “The intensity of the heatwave is likely to decrease from Monday,” Meteorologist AKM Nazmul Haque told bdnews24.com. Bangladesh Meteorological Department, or BMD, said in its regular bulletin on Saturday that a mild heatwave was sweeping over Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Kushtia, and Rangamati districts, which may persist. The forecast for the next 24 hours indicated that daytime temperatures could slightly rise while nighttime temperatures may remain unchanged. Other parts of the country are expected to remain dry with occasional partial cloud cover.
Source:bd News24
March 15, 2025 20:44 UTC
Lynch mob kills man accused of rape attempt in Barishal
His mom claims he was framed for refusing to sell drugsA youth accused in a rape attempt case has been beaten to death by locals in the latest case of mob-lynching. Kotwali Model Police Station chief Mizanur Rahman said the incident took place on Saturday on Dhan Gobeshona Road in Barishal city. The child's father said on Friday afternoon, the owner of Sujon's house had given his daughter curry in a bowl. While returning, she noticed a cartoon playing on the TV in Sujon's house and sat down to watch it, and there Sujon attempted to rape her. Sujon’s mother, Manju Begum, said her son was innocent and had been framed for refusing to sell drugs.
Source:bd News24
March 15, 2025 18:46 UTC
BD sees 4,954 new millionaire bank accounts in Q4 of 2024
Bank accounts holding over Tk 10 million in deposits have increased by 4.23 percent in Bangladesh, with the addition of 4,954 in the quarter ending in December.The Bangladesh Bank's report titled Banking Statistics reveals this trend across all types of accounts.At the end of December, the total number of accounts holding over Tk 10 million stood at 122,081, up from 117,127 in September.According to the central bank, these 122,081 accounts held deposits worth Tk 7.75 trillion at the end of December, compared with Tk 7.47 trillion in September.This marks an increase of Tk 180 billion or 3.75 percent in just three months.Bangladesh Bank also provided data on individual accounts exceeding Tk 10 million.The number of such accounts increased by 1,072 over three months.As of December, individual millionaire accounts reached 35,579, holding deposits worth Tk 930.8 billion, up from 33,861 accounts with Tk 833.85 billion in September.This represents a 5.07 percent rise in the number of accounts and a 12.54 percent increase in total deposits over the period.Mutual Trust Bank's Managing Director and CEO Syed Mahbubur Rahman said: "After the government transition, uncertainty in the banking sector led some depositors to withdraw funds. Even high-value accounts saw withdrawals at that time. "He added, "However, following the change in government, Bangladesh Bank restructured bank boards, restoring confidence in the sector by November-December.With limited investment opportunities elsewhere, funds have returned to banks, leading to the increase in millionaire accounts. "A senior Bangladesh Bank official noted that some commercial banks are now offering deposit interest rates of 8 percent to 11 percent, attracting more deposits.Following the fall of the Awami League government, banking sector reforms began.Bangladesh Bank halted direct liquidity support to several Islamic banks during this period.Governor Ahsan H Mansur had said in a press conference that no bank would receive liquidity support unlawfully.Later, Bangladesh Bank dissolved the board of an S Alam Group-controlled bank, leading depositors to withdraw funds due to uncertainty. �"bdnews24.com
Source:bd News24
March 15, 2025 17:27 UTC
BNP’s Fakhrul questions purpose of meeting with UN Secretary-General Guterres
Also present were the heads of reform commissions, including Ali Riaz of the Constitutional Reform Commission, Iftekharuzzaman of the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission, Badiul Alam Majumdar of the Electoral Reform Commission, Safar Raj Hossain of the Police Reform Commission, and Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury of the Public Administration Reform Commission. When asked about the UN chief’s comments on the political party leaders' statements, Mirza Fakhrul said he did not make any remarks on the matter. The UN secretary-general said, from his standpoint, the political parties and government of Bangladesh should resolve their differences and reach a consensus. Without reforms, elections will be meaningless. "All other political parties also agree with this.
Source:bd News24
March 15, 2025 15:31 UTC
Eid train tickets sell out within 30 minutes on second day of sales
Westbound trains for the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays have been fully booked within 30 minutes of tickets going online on the second day of sales. The sales opened on the Bangladesh Railway website at 8:00 am on Saturday. “After the ticket sales began, there were 7.3 million hits [on the Bangladesh Railway website] between 8:00 am and 8:30 am,” said Md Mohabbatjan Chowdhury, a Bangladesh Railway official. However, just two minutes later, all AC and Snigdha-class tickets were sold out. Since Eid-ul-Fitr 2023, Bangladesh Railway has switched to a fully online ticketing system for Eid travel.
Source:bd News24
March 15, 2025 15:18 UTC
CPB announces mourning march as Pinaki's call to 'occupy' party office falls flat
CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince announced the programme while speaking to reporters outside the party's central office "Mukti Bhaban" on Saturday. As a mark of protest, we have hoisted black flags at our party office and across the country. In the evening, we will hold a mourning procession," Prince said. Despite Pinaki's call, there were no public gatherings or unrest near the CPB’s central office. Earlier in the day, CPB activists began gathering in front of the party office and at 10:30am, its President Md Shah Alam hoisted a black flag as a symbol of mourning.
Source:bd News24
March 15, 2025 14:24 UTC
US hits Thai officials with visa sanctions over deportation of Uyghurs to China
The members of the Muslim group will face persecution, Washington saysUS hits Thai officials with visa sanctions over deportation of Uyghurs to ChinaUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on Friday against officials from Thailand, a US ally, for their role in deporting at least 40 Uyghurs to China, where Washington says the members of the Muslim group will face persecution. Reuters reported this month that Canada and the United States offered to resettle 48 ethnic Uyghurs, but Bangkok feared upsetting China. Thailand responded on Saturday that it had received reassurances from China "over the safety of the Uyghurs and will continue to follow up on the well-being of this group." Murray Hiebert, an expert with the Southeast Asia program at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, said he could not recall past US sanctions against Thai government officials. China denies allegations of abuse and forced labour toward Uyghurs, arguing it has established "vocational training centres" in recent years to curb terrorism, separatism and religious radicalism.
Source:bd News24
March 15, 2025 14:10 UTC