Special Content
World leaders face Amazon with vow to keep climate promises
The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference—Cop30—is underway in Belém, a northern Brazilian city surrounded by the vast green forests of the Amazon. As climate change around the world poses a clear threat to human life, everyone from heads of state to scientists, environmentalists to young activists—gathered here with the same question: "Are we really moving forward with the times?"
Government decision coming after a week, but how legal is it?
The interim government had given political parties a week to resolve their differences over the implementation of the July Charter and the date of the referendum. The deadline given on November 3 expired on November 10. However, the political parties have not expressed any opinion on the issue of resolving their differences and reaching a consensus within the stipulated time. Most parties are still adamant on their previous position. In this situation, it is known that the Chief Adviser will take his final decision on November 13. However, legal experts have opined that taking such a unilateral decision in this regard would not be constitutional.
Government in a tough stance to tackle 'Dhaka Lockdown'
Security has been heightened at all important and sensitive points in the capital ahead of the 'Dhaka Lockdown' programme announced by political activists banned Awami League.
Referendum issue 'detached', all eyes on national elections
Nowadays most discussed issue in the country's political arena is the referendum. However, when trying to find an answer to the question of how much the common people know or are interested in this referendum, a different picture comes to the fore.
‘We have no muscle power, hunger strike is our only language of protest’
With tear stains dried beneath his eyes, his voice weak and strength fading, Tarique Rahman, General Secretary of the unregistered political party Amjonotar Dal, was seen sitting under the open sky in front of the Election Commission building in Dhaka, receiving saline. In a frail voice, he murmured, “We have no muscle power. That’s why the EC unjustly denied our party registration. I will continue protesting against this injustice until my death.”
Encroachment of roads, sidewalks causing heavy traffic
Most the roads, highways and even the sidewalk in Bogura city are experiencing heavy traffic congestion due to encroachment. One road after another is being illegally encroached and the highways have turned into parking zones. Buses and trucks are being parked in front of highway hotels, vehicle servicing centers and workshops day after day.
Turning off music for kids in the time of struggle
"Na, na, na, pakhitar buke jeno teer mero na/ Oke gaite dou/ or kontho theke gaan kero na/ or gaani je ful fotar prerona.... (Don't shoot an arrow at a bird, don’t stop her from singing as her song is the inspiration for the flowers to bloom)'
Unprecedented amendment to RPO heats up poll season
Some amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) were made before the 7th national elections. But the amendments made by the interim government this time are unprecedented. Especially, the amendments to Section 21 of the RPO, which were widely made by accepting the proposals of Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP and rejecting the proposals of some other parties including BNP, are making the election season hot. Several political parties, including the BNP, are angry over the cancellation of the long-standing alliance system of elections under a single party symbol.
Not an accident, rather a case of gross negligence leading to death
A year ago, a bearing pad first fell off from the metro rail structure in the Farmgate area. As there were no casualties then, the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) did not take the matter seriously. That negligence has now led to history repeating itself — another bearing pad has fallen in the same spot after a year, claiming the life of a young man. His wife has lost her husband, and their two children are now orphans. The government has fixed the compensation at just five lakh taka. To make matters worse, the inquiry committee formed to investigate the incident is headed by the former managing director of the same DMTCL — the very organisation whose irresponsibility caused this fatal disaster for the second time. Both these government decisions are nothing short of mockery towards the public and will only increase the risk of future accidents.
Bangladesh at a crossroads: Protect lives, not tobacco industry
Bangladesh has long stood as a pioneer in global public health, becoming one of the first nations to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). At the heart of this treaty lies Article 5.3, a powerful provision that recognizes a simple truth: the interests of the tobacco industry are fundamentally and irreconcilably opposed to public health. By signing this treaty, the government made a solemn pledge to protect its citizens from the devastating harm of tobacco and to keep policymaking free from industry interference. This was not a symbolic promise but a binding commitment to shield the nation from one of the most destructive commercial epidemics in human history.