Labour unrest, arrests trigger bus shutdowns
Commuters have faced severe disruption as an indefinite transport strike paralysed bus services from Mymensingh, Netrokona, Sherpur, Jamalpur, and parts of Kishoreganj. The unrest traces back to Friday night at Mymensingh's Maskanda Bus Stand, where a verbal clash occurred between July Uprising activist Abu Raihan and United bus counter lineman Arun Biswas.Following the incident, anti-discrimination student leaders staged a sit-in at the bus counter, and Biswas was arrested. Bus workers then blocked the bus pass area in protest. United Service's dismissed manager Ratan Pandit said, "I've been at Maskanda Terminal for 32 years under different governments, but never faced this. Terminal control should remain neutral."
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 15:01 UTC
RUCSU polls: 6 platoons of BGB, 12 platoons of RAB, 2,000 police persecuted to guard campus
The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), Senate student representative and hall union elections will be conducted under tight security. At a coordination meeting on Monday afternoon, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abu Sufian said for the polls, 2,000 police personnel, 12 platoons of RAB and six platoons of BGB will be deployed on campus. He added that security forces will serve at the university between Oct 15 and 17, with the possibility of extension. The commissioner noted that no intelligence has indicated any untoward incidents, and the campus environment remains peaceful and under control. Chief Election Commissioner Prof F Nazrul Islam said a coordination meeting with law-enforcing agencies has been held, and multiple agencies will jointly work to ensure “a fair, peaceful and festive election”.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 14:45 UTC
Pakistani troops on high alert on Afghan border after fighting, trade halts
Border trade between the neighbours came to a halt as Pakistan closed crossings along the 2,600-km (1,600-mile) frontier, stranding scores of loaded goods vehicles on either side, a Pakistani industry representative said. TRUCKS, CONTAINERS STUCK"All entry points are closed since Saturday following unprovoked attacks by the Afghan Taliban forces," a senior Pakistani security official told Reuters. Enayatullah Khowarazmi, Afghanistan's defence ministry spokesperson, told Reuters that the "current situation" on the border was normal, but did not share details. With border crossings for vehicles and pedestrians closed, all Pakistani government offices on the border dealing with trade and other administrative issues had been shut, a senior Pakistani government official said. TRUMP, CHINA OFFER HELPThe fighting has drawn the attention of Trump, who said he would focus on it soon.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 14:31 UTC
Admission exams for medical, dental set for Dec 12
Admission examinations for medical and dental colleges across Bangladesh will be held on the same day on Dec 12. Both exams will use the same question paper. Prof Dr Nazmul Hosain, director general of the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME), said the decision was taken in a meeting on Sunday. The medical and dental admissions tests will be conducted on the same day with a single question paper. Now we are working on some technical issues,” he said.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 09:02 UTC
How the United States is eating Trump's tariffs
Companies were diversifying supply chains and bringing production to the United States, the spokesperson added. The biggest increases for imports were seen in goods that the United States cannot produce domestically, such as coffee, or that come from highly penalised countries, like Turkey. Separate Reuters analyses of e-commerce websites Shein and Amazon were already showing robust price increases for Chinese products sold in the United States, ranging from clothing to electronics. That has all set the scene for higher inflation in the United States. GLOBAL TRADE SEEN SUFFERING AS TARIFFS BITEThe rest of the world, however, has no reason to celebrate.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 07:26 UTC
Student protesters for Dhaka Central University press for 4-point list of demands
Students demanding a final ordinance to combine seven government colleges previously affiliated with Dhaka University into the proposed Dhaka Central University are demonstrating for a four-point list of demands on Monday. Later, students from Dhaka College and other colleges joined them. A student of Shaheed Suhrawardy College said, "Although the government announced it would combine seven colleges into a central university, the ordinance has not been issued yet. The process of forming Dhaka Central University, combining seven colleges in the capital, is under way. Dhaka Central University will combine Dhaka College, Government Bangla College, Government Titumir College, Eden Mohila College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, and Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 07:08 UTC
Six die in Chuadanga over two days, police cite ‘alcohol poisoning’
Six die in Chuadanga over two days, police cite ‘alcohol poisoning’Six people have died in Chuadanga Sadar Upazila and three others have been hospitalised after drinking “alcohol”, authorities say. Five of the victims died on Saturday night and one on Sunday night, according to Chuadanga Sadar Police Station chief Khaledur Rahman. The deceased have been identified as Kheder Ali, 40, a van driver from Nafarkandi village; Mohammad Selim, 40, a fish trader from Khejura village; Mohammad Laltu alias Ripu, 30, a van driver from Pirojkhali village; Mohammad Shahid, 45, a worker from Shankarchandra village; Mohammad Samir, 55, a mill worker from Dingedah village; and Sardar Mohammad Laltu, 52, a worker from Asia Biscuit Factory area. AKM Nasim Uz Zaman, a doctor on duty at the emergency department of Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, said that Laltu died while receiving treatment for “alcohol poisoning”. Jamal Al Naser, an additional superintendent of police in Chuadanga, said investigators had confirmed six deaths so far.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 05:31 UTC
Oil recoups some losses from US-China tensions
Oil prices rose on Monday after hitting five-month lows in the previous session, as investors hoped potential talks between the presidents of the US and China could ease trade tensions between the world's two largest economies and oil consumers. I do not expect oil or any other risk assets to reverse the losses so soon," she added. However, there is still the risk of trade tensions escalating that may lead to higher tariffs or more serious export restrictions, at least temporarily, they added. Oil prices tumbled in March and April during the height of trade tensions between the two countries. China dramatically expanded its rare earths export controls on Thursday ahead of talks between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 05:09 UTC
Teachers hold nighttime protest at Shaheed Minar over allowance demands
As part of their “uninterrupted sit-in” demanding house rent allowance at 20 percent of base salary, MPO-registered teachers and staff are holding a nighttime sit-in at the Central Shahid Minar. However, we will ensure our duties are not neglected.”He promised that if demands are met, teachers would leave Shaheed Minar the same night. On Sept 30, 2025, the government raised house rent for MPO teachers by Tk 500. On Oct 6, 2025, the Education Ministry proposed raising house rent to Tk 2,000–3,000 via the Finance Division. MPO teachers receive salaries under the national pay scale, plus Tk 500 medical allowance and previously Tk 1,000 house rent, now increased to Tk 1,500.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 04:26 UTC
North Korea likely received help from Russia on submarines, South Korea minister says
North Korea likely received help from Russia on submarines, South Korea minister saysFILE PHOTO: North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un visits a shipyard, in this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Mar 8, 2025. KCNA via REUTERSFILE PHOTO: North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un visits a shipyard, in this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Mar 8, 2025. KCNA via REUTERSNorth Korea has likely received technical help from Russia for its submarine development, South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told parliament on Monday. North Korea has vowed to develop submarines that can launch ballistic missiles and has test-fired such missiles from submerged platforms, but it is not clear whether Pyongyang has succeeded in mastering a launch from submarines. The minister said, however, it was premature to conclude Pyongyang had test-launched a SLBM (submarine-launched ballistic missile) from a submarine.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 03:56 UTC
Foreign operators to run Bangladesh ports
Foreign operators will manage three major container terminals in Bangladesh -- Chattogram’s New Mooring Container Terminal, Laldia Terminal, and Keraniganj’s Pangaon Inland Container Terminal -- by December, the Shipping Ministry Secretary Mohammad Yousuf has said. We have made significant progress and expect completion by December.”Highlighting regional precedent, Yusuf said that foreign operators run ports in India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Strategically and geographically, handing over Chittagong to foreign operators is manageable,” he said. Reducing that time by half will cut costs for businesses and avoid unnecessary waiting charges.”Concerns have been raised by traders that foreign management of Bangladesh’s ports could increase service fees. Yousuf said disputes over scanner control between customs and port authorities would disappear under foreign operators, who would deploy modern scanning techniques, accelerating import-export operations and reducing lead times.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 01:39 UTC
Ukraine would not strike Russian civilians if US provides Tomahawk missiles, Zelensky says
Ukraine would not strike Russian civilians if US provides Tomahawk missiles, Zelensky saysUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would only use Tomahawk missiles for military purposes and not attack civilians in Russia, should the US provide them. This is the big difference between Ukraine and Russia," the Ukrainian leader said on the Fox News "Sunday Briefing" program. Tomahawk missiles have a range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles), long enough to strike deep inside Russia, including Moscow. The war in Ukraine is Europe's deadliest since World War II, and Russian officials say they are now in a "hot" conflict with the West. Ukraine and its allies have cast it as an imperial-style land grab and have repeatedly vowed to defeat Russian forces.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 00:32 UTC
ACC prosecutes Hasina over alleged irregularities in Gomti Bridge toll contract
The Anti-Corruption Commission has filed a case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others over alleged “irregularities, abuse of power, and corruption” in awarding the toll collection contract for the Meghna-Gomti Bridge on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway. On Sunday, ACC Public Relations Officer Tanzir Ahmed said the agency’s Assistant Director Md Tanzil Hasan filed the case with the Combined District Office Dhaka-1. Under the deal, CNS Ltd received about Tk 4.89 billion, while MBL-ATT had operated the same bridge between 2010 and 2015 for just Tk 155.8 million. Later, UDC Construction Ltd was awarded the 2022–2025 contract for Tk 675.4 million, equivalent to about Tk 1.12 billion over five years. The ACC said CNS also claimed an additional Tk 674.3 million for “new technology and infrastructure costs”.
Source:bd News24
October 13, 2025 00:24 UTC
Silver past: Can public-private partnership be a route to revive FDC’s cinematic glory?
“With modern equipment and technology, FDC can become profitable again. No other considerations are necessary.”To illustrate her point, Tani cited figures from August 2025: “Our operational income increased to Tk 2.47 million from Tk 1.22 million the previous August. Previously, the facility had nine shooting floors, pond, garden, swimming pool, an artificial waterfall, a Zamindar mansion, and various shooting spots. In 2024–2025, income dropped to Tk 35.73 million, while expenditure rose to Tk 244.87 million, with deficits covered by government support. A senior ministry official said, “Many FDC staff cannot adapt to modern technology, making it difficult to operate modern equipment.
Source:bd News24
October 12, 2025 21:02 UTC
Police use tear gas, sound grenades to disperse MPO-listed teachers’ protest
Police have used sound grenades to disperse a protest by teachers and employees of Monthly Pay Order (MPO) listed schools to push for a hike in their housing allowance in front of the Jatiya Press Club. On Sept 30, the government raised the housing allowance of MPO-affiliated teachers and employees by Tk 500. They also received a housing allowance of Tk 1,000, which has been increased by Tk 500. MPO-affiliated teachers previously received two festival allowances a year at a rate of 25 percent per year. After the hike in May last year, they and MPO-affiliated employees are receiving festival allowances of 50 percent of their basic salary.
Source:bd News24
October 12, 2025 20:40 UTC