Eminent actress Anjana passes away
National film award-winning actress Anjana passed away on Friday night at 59. Misha Sawdagar, president of the Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association, confirmed Anjana's death to the media, as per a UNB report. Anjana's first released film was Doshshu Bonhur (1976), directed by Shamsuddin Togor, although her acting career began in 1976 with the film Setu, directed by Babul Chowdhury. Anjana was married to producer-director Azizur Rahman Buli (1946–2022) and acted in two of his films, Lalu Sardar and Nepali Meye. She received the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performances in Parineeta and Gangchill.
Source:bd News24
January 04, 2025 02:40 UTC
MEA Reiterates Call for Fair Trial of Chinmoy Krishna Das: ‘Our Expectation is a Just Trial’
MEA Reiterates Call for Fair Trial of Chinmoy Krishna Das: ‘Our Expectation is a Just Trial’ | Image: APNew Delhi, India: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday reiterated its call for fair trial of Hindus arrested in Bangladesh including Iskcon priest Chinmoy Krishna Das. "Regarding the release (of Chinmoy Krishna Das) in Bangladesh, our expectation is that the ongoing proceedings in Bangladesh will ensure that individuals arrested in this case receive a fair trial," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a press briefing. "This remains our key expectation," says MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal," he added. Bangladesh Court Denies Bail to Chinmoy DasThis comes after a court in Bangladesh denied bail to a Hindu priest and a former ISKCON leader in a sedition case. Chinmoy Krishna Das was not brought to court for the hearing and appeared virtually.
Source:bd News24
January 03, 2025 22:48 UTC
CPB demands announcement of election date by Jan 15
The party president describes the interim government’s reform initiatives as questionableThe Communist Party of Bangladesh, or CPB, has called for the announcement of a national election date by Jan 15. He said, "Take special measures to resolve the crisis in public life and ensure the safety of lives and property. “Announce a clear date for the national elections.”In a statement, the CPB said its president described the interim government’s reform initiatives as questionable. “All these factors have left the country in a precarious state.”He continued, “Communal and anti-independence forces are rising in the country. He called on the government to hold elections promptly to free the country from the ongoing crises.
Source:bd News24
January 03, 2025 21:23 UTC
A festival in Bangla Academy celebrates the joy of ‘wellbeing’
The two-day event includes an art exhibition by female artists, product displays by women entrepreneurs, and musical performances, among other attractions. This festival is unique to me because it spreads the message of wellbeing. Organisers say the “Festival of Wellbeing” is an annual initiative by Shantibari. This year, the festival is hosting its "Season 2" at the Bangla Academy. Together, we aim to promote well-being, which is why we have organised the Festival of Wellbeing.
Source:bd News24
January 03, 2025 20:32 UTC
Deadlines for six reform commissions extended
The interim government has now extended the deadlines for the reports from all six reform commissions initially formed to rework state machinery following the ousting of the Awami League regime in a mass movement, bdnews24.com. The Public Administration Reform Commission, Police Reform Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission, Electoral Reform Commission and Constitutional Reform Commission have been given until Jan 15 to submit their reports. The Judiciary Reform Commission has been given until Jan 31 to submit its report. The Electoral Reform Commission, Police Reform Commission, Judiciary Reform Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission and Public Administration Reform Commission were formed on Oct 3. The reform commissions for the media, health, labour, women's affairs and local government were formed in the second phase on Nov 18.
Source:bd News24
January 03, 2025 18:06 UTC
Claiming Jamaat patriotic is 'a cruel irony of history’, says JaSaD chief Rab
The veteran politician calls for caution in claiming credit for unprecedented changes from the uprisingClaiming Jamaat patriotic is 'a cruel irony of history’, says JaSaD chief RabASM Abdur Rab, the first person to hoist the flag of Bangladesh, has called the Jamaat-e-Islami chief’s claim of the party being patriotic “a cruel irony of history”. In a statement on Friday, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, or JaSaD, President Rab responded to Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman’s remarks. He said, “To label Jamaat-e-Islami as a patriotic force in an independent country, despite its stance against the Liberation War of 1971 and its involvement in crimes against humanity, is nothing but a cruel irony of history. Rab described Shafiqur’s remarks as “an insult to freedom-loving people”. The veteran politician said, “For the past 15 years, the nation has witnessed politics that denies the heroism, struggle, and sacrifices of others to proclaim their own supremacy.
Source:bd News24
January 03, 2025 16:58 UTC
Onions lead the charge again amid high costs for rice, chicken in Dhaka markets
Sellers say there is a shortage of soybean oil supply as distributors like S Alam Group scale back operationsOnions lead the charge again amid high costs for rice, chicken in Dhaka marketsWhile winter vegetables are offering some relief to household budgets, the prices of essential staples such as rice, fish, chicken, and soybean oil remain stubbornly high in Dhaka’s markets. Local onions were priced at Tk 60 per kg, up from Tk 50 last week, while Indian onions reached Tk 65, seeing a Tk 10 increase. Meanwhile, chicken prices also spiked, attributed to increased demand during New Year’s celebrations. Broiler chicken, previously priced at Tk 195 to Tk 200 per kg, climbed to Tk 205 to Tk 220, while Sonali chicken reached Tk 350. SOYBEAN OIL SHORTAGES PERSISTThere has been a shortage of soybean oil, a staple in Bangladeshi households, since December.
Source:bd News24
January 03, 2025 16:48 UTC
India says US H1B visas benefit both countries after Trump, Musk backing
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to US President Donald Trump during a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, Feb 25, 2020. REUTERS/Al Drago/File PhotoThe movement of skilled professionals is an important part of India-US ties and benefits both countries, New Delhi said on Friday amid a debate over H-1B visas on which President-elect Donald Trump and his backer Elon Musk commented recently. "India-US economic ties benefit a lot from the technical expertise provided by skilled professionals, with both sides leveraging their strengths and competitive value. We look forward to further deepening India-US economic ties which are to our mutual benefit." India received about 78 percent of the 265,777 H1B visas issued by the United States in the fiscal year ended Sept 30, 2023.
Source:bd News24
January 03, 2025 13:36 UTC
“Ministries under inexperienced, unskilled leadership,” 25 cadres say, demanding change
The Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council, representing 25 cadres of the Bangladesh Civil Service, or BCS, has alleged that the current quota system for promotions to deputy secretary positions allows “inexperienced” and “inefficient” officers from the administration cadre to lead ministries. Why is the health cadre not heading its own ministry?”Mofizur, a 24th batch officer of the education cadre, criticised the monopoly of administration cadre officials over policy-making roles in key ministries like health and education. Currently, 75 per cent of deputy secretary positions are reserved for the administration cadre, with the remaining 25 per cent allocated to the other cadres. In protest against the commission’s recommendations, administration cadre officials staged a demonstration at the ministry. They described the proposal as “illogical and conspiratorial” and demanded 100 per cent of the deputy secretary promotions be reserved for their cadre.
Source:bd News24
January 03, 2025 13:05 UTC
Cold wave in 13 districts, but chill to ease slightly in next few days
The Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Naogaon, and Kushtia districts and the Rangpur Division are experiencing a mild cold waveCold wave in 13 districts, but chill to ease slightly in next few daysThirteen districts in the country are currently experiencing a cold wave, but the Bangladesh Meteorological Department says that the chill will ease a bit over the next few days as the temperature rises. Meteorologist Shahnaz Sultana told bdnews24.com: “It is not possible to say whether the cold wave will ease, but the temperature will increase slightly. A cold wave begins when the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius over a significant area. When temperatures are between 8-10 degrees Celsius, it is considered a mild cold wave. A severe cold wave occurs when the temperature drops below 6 degrees Celsius.
Source:bd News24
January 03, 2025 08:50 UTC
As fresh paddy hits market, can it cool spiralling rice prices?
Adding that more rice is going to private traders due to the high market price, he said: "There is rice in many warehouses. Despite the hurdles, Naogaon has reported significant progress in uncooked rice collection, with 97 percent of its target achieved. Government-fixed rates for paddy and rice exert a significant influence on market prices, with fluctuations closely linked to the volume of coarse rice collected and stored by the authorities. Historical trends reveal that dwindling reserves in government warehouses often coincide with rising market prices, underscoring the critical function of these stockpiles in mitigating volatility. However, the rice market is not under much government supervision, and so, the traders have seized this opportunity.
Source:bd News24
January 03, 2025 04:53 UTC
ACC sues BFIU's Masud Biswas over illegal wealth
The anti-graft watchdog says the information received about the land and apartments in the name of Masud in parts of Dhaka will be investigated. On Sept 25, the ACC announced a probe against Masud after receiving allegations of “money laundering and acquisition of huge wealth" through irregularities and corruption. The agency also formally launched an investigation into the allegations against Masud following the development. Despite having "confirmed information" about money laundering against Tanaka Group, SA Group, and Anwar Group, Masud did not send the complaints to law-enforcing agencies and registered them by "taking personal advantage”, the complaints said. There are several other allegations of money laundering against Masud.
Source:bd News24
January 03, 2025 03:01 UTC
The power of the people is greater than that of the government, says Yunus
The chief advisor urges action on the individual level instead of depending on the government to push the country forwardThe power of the people is greater than that of the government, says YunusChief Advisor Muhammad Yunus says the power of the people is greater than that of the government and urged people to take action on the individual level instead of depending fully on the government to push the country forward. Yunus made the remarks while inaugurating the Walkathon and Social Service Conference organised by the Department of Social Services on the occasion of National Social Service Day-2025. The chief advisor reached the venue at Manik Mia Avenue adjacent to the National Parliament at 9:30am on Thursday. The chief advisor called for developing a habit of working for the public good in everyone’s daily lives. The event featured speeches by Sharmeen Murshid, advisor to the Ministry of Social Welfare, and three student representatives from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 19:28 UTC
Government grants 2-week extension for submitting Election Reform Commission report
The commission, led by Badiul Alam Majumdar, now has until Jan 15 to submit its findingsThe interim government has extended the deadline for the Election Reform Commission by two weeks, allowing the body to submit its report by Jan 15. A gazette notification from the Cabinet Division on Thursday confirmed the extension for the commission headed by Badiul Alam Majumdar. The commission was formed on Oct 3 as part of the interim government's state reform initiative, which includes 11 such commissions tasked with various reforms. On Wednesday, Badiul indicated that the report would be handed over to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus by Friday. Attempts to contact Badiul and commission member Abdul Alim for comments on the extension were unsuccessful.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 18:44 UTC
Arson, vandalism as unrest over BPL tickets continues
Then, on Monday, it was also announced that spectators could purchase tickets in person at the Swimming Complex booth next to the stadium. "We received word at 12:07pm that the BPL ticket counter at the Swimming Complex had been set on fire. The glass of the reception room outside the main gate of the Swimming Complex had been broken. They gathered in front of the counter of the Swimming Complex and kept shouting various slogans criticising the BCB. Tickets worth Tk 200 taka were being sold for Tk 600, Tk 800.
Source:bd News24
January 02, 2025 18:01 UTC