‘No worry over HSC exams amid rise in Covid-19, dengue cases’

Despite a rise in coronavirus and dengue infections, there is no reason to worry about the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations, said Education Adviser Professor Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul (C.R.) Abrar.

India reacts to CA’s press secretary’s comments on Murshidabad violence

India has reacted sharply to the Bangladesh Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam`s remarks urging New Delhi to take steps to protect the Muslim population in Murshidabad and West Bengal. A statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs termed his utterances as a ‘disingenuous attempt to draw a parallel with India`s concerns over the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh’.

France hails ‘positive process’ as Europe, US discuss Ukraine ceasefire

France hailed talks on the Ukraine war between top US and European officials on Thursday during which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio again pressed a US peace plan. President Emmanuel Macron`s office said the talks launched a "positive process" as Europe seeks to be included in efforts to end the three-year-old war.

4 killed, 13 injured in truck-pickup collision in Habiganj

Four people were killed and 13 others injured in a head-on collision between a truck and a pickup in Madhabpur on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway here in the early hours of today. The deceased were identified as Mostakima Akhter, 35, wife of Ismail Mia of Chamakpur village in Baniachong upazila of the district, her brother Hafizur Rahman, 26, Ayesha Akhter,

US judge limits Musk’s DOGE access to social security data

A US judge ruled Thursday to restrict access to Americans` social security data for Elon Musk`s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), after unions raised concerns about the unelected billionaire`s sweeping powers. The order by District Judge Ellen Hollander bans DOGE staff from accessing data containing information that could personally identify Americans, such as their social security number, medical history or bank records.

Road crashes claim four lives in Sirajganj, Chuadanga

Four people were killed and another was injured in two separate road accidents in Sirajganj and Chuadanga districts respectively early Friday. In Sirajganj, two people died and a man sustained injuries in a head-on collision between a truck and a microbus on Bogura-Nagarbari highway in Sirajganj’s Ullapara upazila in the early morning.

India was aware of anti-Hasina wave but could not interfere: Jaishankar

E-PAPER

Opinion

Md. Kafi Khan, Company Secretary, The City Bank Limited

The Critical Correlation to Business Costs and Revenue, Not an HR Problem in Banking

For too long, workplace stress within the banking sector has often been compartmentalized—viewed primarily as an individual issue, typically managed by Human Resources through well-being programs or stress management workshops. This perspective frequently overlooked its deeper implications, failing to recognize it as a systemic, business-critical

Ensuring peaceful society, which is helpful for achieving economic prosperity

বাংলা

৪ মাসের সন্তানকে বিক্রি করে নূপুর-মোবাইল ফোন -জুতা কিনলেন ‘মা’

স্বামীর সঙ্গে কলহের জেরে ৪ মাসের শিশু সন্তানকে ৪০ হাজার টাকায় বিক্রি করে নাকের নথ, পায়ের নুপুর, মোবাইল ফোন ও জুতা কিনেন লাবনী আক্তার লিজা নামে এক মা। তবে এখন তিনি অনুতপ্ত। সম্প্রতি এমন ঘটনা ঘটে টাঙ্গাইলের মধুপু্র পৌর শহরের পুন্ডুরা সেওড়াতলা এলাকায়। ঘটনাটি এলাকাজুড়ে চাঞ্চল্য সৃষ্টি হয়েছে। বৃহস্পতিবার (১৭ এপ্রিল) সন্ধ্যায় লাবনীর স্বামী রবিউল ইসলাম মধুপুর থানা পুলিশকে বিষয়টি জানালে শিশুটি উদ্ধারে তৎপরতা শুরু করেছে পুলিশ।

ফরিদপুরে কাফন মিছিল, পলিটেকনিক শিক্ষার্থীদের প্রতিবাদ ও দাবি

১৮ হাজারে রিয়েলমির পানিরোধী স্মার্টফোন

ঠাকুরগাঁও হাসপাতাল থেকে চুরি হওয়া শিশু গাজীপুরে উদ্ধার

বিজিসি ট্রাস্ট বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে জ্যাকস এর অভিষেক অনুষ্ঠান, নতুন কার্যকরী কমিটি ঘোষণা

Bangladesh

India reacts to CA’s press secretary’s comments on Murshidabad violence

Road crashes claim four lives in Sirajganj, Chuadanga

’Refined’ Awami League was not proposed, Sarjis says disagreeing with Hasnat

Bangladesh Army dismisses Hasnat’s post as ’extremely laughable and immature stories’: Netra News

Govt to act on immediate media reforms: CA Yunus

International

France hails ‘positive process’ as Europe, US discuss Ukraine ceasefire

Minto Mall in Sydney hosts Ramadan Night

Germany, France, UK call for ’immediate return’ to Gaza ceasefire: statement

Huge fire closes UK’s Heathrow Airport, hundreds of flights disrupted

71 killed in latest rounds of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, ground operations underway

At least 71 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed in today`s predawn attacks by Israel in the north and south of the territory, reports Al Jazeera.The latest killings will add to the Gaza Health Ministry`s death toll of some 436 Palestinians, including 183 children, killed since Israel shattered the ceasefire on Tuesday.

US welcomes interim govt’s measures to ensure safety for all

The United States has welcomed the interim government’s measures to ensure safety and security for all in Bangladesh. “We condemn any instances of violence or intolerance directed toward members of minority communities in any country and have welcomed measures taken by Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure safety and security for all in Bangladesh. That’s what we’re watching. That’s what we expect. And that will be what continues,” said US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce during a regular press briefing in Washington, DC, on Wednesday.

183 children among 970 killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza on Wednesday published a new death toll from the war with Israel, showing an additional 970 deaths in 48 hours, after Israel intensified deadly strikes on the territory. The death toll from the war in the Gaza recorded by the ministry at midday on Monday (1000 GMT) stood at 48,577. By midday on Wednesday, the figure had risen to 49,547, it said, reports AFP.

Israel consulted US on its strikes in Gaza, White House told Fox News

The administration of President Donald Trump was consulted on Monday (17 March) by Israel on its deadly strikes in Gaza, a White House spokesperson told Fox News` "Hannity" show. "The Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza tonight," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a Fox News interview.

POLITICS

India was aware of anti-Hasina wave but could not interfere: Jaishankar

India was aware of the rising wave of anti-Hasina sentiment prior to the student protests that eventually led to Hasina fleeing Bangladesh to India, says India`s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He made these remarks while speaking to India`s Consultative Committee on External Affairs on Saturday(22 March), says The Hindu.

BNP questions transparency of electoral reform process

Why AL shouldn’t be allowed to do politics under clean leadership? questions Rizvi

Khaleda to return home in mid-April: UK BNP

BNP wants election after polls-centric reforms only, Fakhrul tells Guterres

Sports

Last-gasp Vinicius Jr strike gives Brazil 2-1 win over Colombia

A last-gasp Vinicius Jr strike earned Brazil a hard-fought 2-1 win over Colombia in the South American World Cup qualifiers on Thursday. Vinicius scored the winner nine minutes into added time to rescue a much-needed win for Brazil who appeared destined for a third consecutive 1-1 draw after a Luis Diaz canceled out Raphinha`s early opener for the hosts in capital Brasilia. The victory lifted Brazil to second in South American qualifying with 21 points, four behind leaders Argentina and one ahead of Uruguay in third, both of whom have a game in hand and will clash on Friday.

Messi out of two World Cup qualifiers due to injury

Lionel Messi will miss two World Cup qualifiers after he was on Monday left out of the Argentina squad for games against Uruguay and Brazil because he reportedly suffered an injury in a club game the day before. After missing three games for his club, Inter Miami, at the start of March with a pulled muscle, the 37-year-old Messi returned with a goal off the bench in a CONCACAF Champions Cup win. He played a full 90 minutes and scored again in an MLS win in Atlanta on Sunday but, Argentinian media reported, then felt muscle discomfort.

Footballer Hamza Chowdhury arrives in Bangladesh

Injured Neymar out of Brazil World Cup qualifiers

Winning mentality got us through, says Bellingham

PSG down Liverpool on penalties in Champions League, Bayern thrash Leverkusen

Country

4 killed, 13 injured in truck-pickup collision in Habiganj

Six-monthly Cooradination Meeting of DIDRM Project held in Koyra

Sundarbans fire yet to come fully under control, probe team formed

Allegations of violation of rules, including transfer orders despite deadline

2 killed in Narsingdi AL, BNP clash

Two people were killed and several others injured in a clash between Awami League (AL) and BNP men in Narsingdi`s Raipura in the early hours of Friday, March 21. The dead were Amin, 23, son of Khorshed Mia, and Bashar, son of Barek Haji, residents of Mohinipur village in the upazila. They were supporters of local AL leader Salam.

3 killed as ambulance collides with van in Jashore

Three people were killed and another was injured in a head-on collision between an ambulance and an engine-powered van in Jhikargacha upazila, Jashore, early Wednesday morning. The accident occurred around 6:00 am on the Jashore-Benapole highway in the Nabibnagar area of the upazila. The identities of the victims have not been revealed yet.

Jamuna Rail Bridge inaugurated; trains to run at 120 km/h

The much-awaited Jamuna Rail Bridge, the country`s largest railway bridge was formally inaugurated today (18 March) at 10 am, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh`s railway connectivity. Following this inauguration, trains will be able to run at a speed of 120 km/h, revolutionising rail communication between Dhaka and the northwestern region, said Project Director of the Jamuna Rail Bridge Project, Al Fattah Masudur Rahman.

4 arrested over rape of 19-year-old girl in Jashore

Police have arrested four men in a case filed for raping a 19-year-old girl in Jhikargacha upazila of Jashore. The arrestees are Yasin Arafat (22), son of Mizanur Rahman; Javed Hossain (28), son of Zakir Hossain; Mamun Hossain Bappi (21), son of Shariful Islam; and Aminur Rahman (20), son of Ujjal Hossain.

Business

Daraz Bangladesh supercharges brand growth with enhanced supply chain solution via Choice

Daraz Bangladesh, the country`s leading e-commerce marketplace, successfully hosted Brand Meet 2025, bringing together 20 major brand partners for a sharing on Daraz’s latest supply chain solution – Choice. The event highlighted Daraz’s commitment to strengthening supply chain capabilities and supporting brand growth through faster deliveries, enhanced brand visibility, and optimized fulfillment solutions.

Strengthening Tobacco Control in Bangladesh

Tobacco addiction remains a serious public health issue in Bangladesh, with studies showing extensive usage across key demographics across the country. Though the country has tried to achieve progress in implementing tobacco control, the approach remains fragmented. Various government ministries and agencies operate with conflicting interests, undermining the core essence of integrated policy execution.

Dhaka Regency Offers ‘STAY or DINE & Win Eid Gift’

Remittance inflow shoots up by 79% to $2.25b in first 19 days of March

Islami Bank holds Shari’ah Supervisory Committee meeting

Kawser Ahmed in Sylhet becomes millionaire buying Walton freeze

Entertainment

Jaya Ahsan bags another ‘Filmfare’ award

Filmfare is back, and they have launched the first edition of the Filmfare Glamour & Style Awards in the heart of Kolkata.The Filmfare Glamour & Style Awards West Bengal 2025 took place yesterday at JW Marriott, where the evening shimmered with some of the most stylish stars from Bengali cinema. With their impeccable fashion choices, several beloved celebrities graced the red carpet and took home prestigious awards.