Report
Mass gatherings continue in Dhaka despite official ban
Since the interim government assumed office, mass gatherings, rallies, and blockades have become a daily occurrence in Dhaka and across the country. Despite government initiatives and strict police monitoring to maintain law and order, various groups are occupying streets every day to achieve their demands through demonstrations.
Hilsa in smuggling net: Plenty in supply, scarce on plates
Bangladesh's national fish, Hilsa, is now not just a food item; for the past few decades, it has also been identified as a political fish. Sometimes used to strengthen diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, and other times as a 'gift token' to win the favor of special heads of state, the Hilsa has been instrumentalized.
Govt seeks refund, amendments to one-sided Oracle deal
The Bangladesh Data Centre Company Limited (BDCCL) has sought to amend its one-sided agreement with Oracle and demanded a refund of $3.68 million. The government is also investigating allegations against Oracle of transferring official data and documents abroad.
4 state-owned banks' non-performing loans reach Tk 1.5 lakh cr
Four state-owned banks in the country are struggling under the overwhelming pressure of non-performing loans (NPLs). In just six months, the classified loans of these banks have surged to nearly Tk 1.5 lakh crore. The latest figures from Bangladesh Bank show that by the end of June this year, the amount of non-performing loans stood at Tk 1,46,362 crore. More than 90% of these have already been identified as 'bad' or 'loss' loans—where the possibility of recovery is almost zero.
DUCSU poll results: What students from other institutions think
After six years, the long-awaited Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections have been held. In the “mini-parliament” known as DUCSU, the panel backed by Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir won a landslide victory. Out of 28 posts contested across 810 booths in eight centres, Shibir-supported candidates secured 23.
Dark world of narcotics and a half-decomposed body
After five months in hiding, Sumaiya finally returned. But she returned lifeless, a noose around her neck. Her family had searched desperately for her, trying her mobile phone repeatedly but getting no response. She had withdrawn from her husband and her mother's family and plunged into a dark world—a life shrouded in mystery and narcotics.
End of property disputes, sufferings over inheritance
Conflicts among siblings and relatives over inherited property have been a long-standing issue in Bangladesh. Every day, countless civil cases are filed in the country’s courts regarding land ownership disputes. On top of that, errors in various land surveys and documentation frequently cause further harassment. However, final settlements often take years, if not decades. To address such prolonged disputes and reduce family conflicts over inheritance, the government has amended the Inheritance Law. According to the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, the amended law will come into effect on September 7.
Jobra village in ruins while CU students writhing at hospital
Students of Chittagong University (CU) at various hospitals across Chattogram city lie in agony, badly injured in a violent clash with residents of nearby Jobra village. One student remains on life support, while many others suffer from severe wounds to the head, limbs, and different parts of the body.
BTRC sets minimum 4G speed at 10 Mbps, increases monitoring
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has amended the Quality of Service (QoS) guidelines to ensure the standard of telecom services. According to the new guidelines, operators must maintain a minimum 4G service speed of 10 Mbps in drive tests. The minimum call drop rate has also been reduced. Additionally, various service quality indicators have been enhanced. Operators are now required to submit monthly reports on these metrics.
Mobile operators fail to deliver 4G service in most of areas
A recent drive test by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in three districts has revealed that in most areas, 4G network coverage was unavailable. Among the private operators, Grameenphone—the country’s largest by subscriber base—recorded the highest lack of 4G coverage, with 58% of the tested areas showing no access.