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Do you think the 13th National Parliamentary Election should be held before or after the reforms?

Please provide your written opinion in 50 words.

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State and Politics

How necessary is reform, and how sustainable can it be?
How necessary is reform, and how sustainable can it be?

Politics and Bureaucracy

How necessary is reform, and how sustainable can it be?

The word “reform” is short, but its meaning and significance are immense and multifaceted. According to the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries, it means: “to make an improvement, especially by changing a person's behaviour or the structure of something.”

Why does BNP want elections in December?
Why does BNP want elections in December?

Politics and Bureaucracy

Why does BNP want elections in December?

Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 under the pressure of a mass uprising, an interim government was formed on August 8 under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) is considered a significant stakeholder in this government, as it was one of the political parties consulted during its formation. Moreover, with the ousting of the Awami League, the BNP has emerged as the country's most influential political force. Yet, despite its position, the BNP's relationship with the interim government has increasingly grown distant—particularly over the issue of the roadmap and timing of the national election. This tension became starkly visible on Wednesday, April 16, when the BNP Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, made a strongly worded statement during a meeting with the Chief Adviser of the interim government.

Europe, US: A fractured relationship
Europe, US.

Diplomacy

Europe, US: A fractured relationship

The relationship between Europe and the United States traces its origins back to the battlefields of World War II. From those war-torn grounds emerged the foundations of geopolitical blocs. In the post-war world, the growing influence of the socialist bloc led by the Soviet Union heightened anxiety and sparked escalating tensions. A multi-dimensional competition took shape between the two blocs, each accusing the other of trying to destroy its internal unity. Just as American troops couldn’t establish a presence in Eastern European countries, Soviet tanks couldn’t roll into the Prussian fields due to the U.S.'s opposition. This attempt to separate the U.S. from Europe was once termed “decoupling.” What decades of Cold War hostility failed to accomplish, former U.S. President Donald Trump has moved to achieve within mere weeks.

Israeli writers call for an end to Gaza war
Israeli writers call for an end to Gaza war

Diplomacy

Israeli writers call for an end to Gaza war

Although a temporary ceasefire was established between Hamas and Israel in the third week of January this year, it collapsed by March. The Israeli military continues to carry out what many are calling acts of genocide in Gaza. This brutal war has triggered global outrage, with mass protests erupting in the United States, Morocco, Turkey, Bangladesh, and numerous other countries. Now, joining the chorus of dissent are Israeli writers, poets, and journalists themselves. In a powerful act of resistance, at least 350 Israeli literary figures have signed a letter urging their leaders to end the war.

The old trick of holding onto power
The old trick of holding onto power

State and Politics

The old trick of holding onto power

“When people on the street say you should stay for another five years”—this remark by Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury closely resembles a Facebook status posted by Sarjis Alam, the Northern Regional Chief Coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP).

Attacks on foreign brands have ruined the country's image
Attacks on foreign brands have ruined the country's image

Diplomacy

Attacks on foreign brands have ruined the country's image

Of course, Hamas has driven this violent man crazy. Due to its excessive confidence and belief in its own power, Hamas has suddenly attacked inside Israel and killed, tortured, and taken hostage Israeli civilians. In retaliation, Israeli soldiers are shooting wherever there is movement inside Gaza, silencing it. There is no hesitation in the words of the Israeli soldiers, Hamas fighters killed them in October 2023, now they are killing Palestinians. One soldier said, ‘We came to kill them. We are killing their wives, children, dogs, cats - everything.'

Special Content

Interim Government's first DC conference: What new directions are expected?
Interim Government's first DC conference: What new directions are expected?

Report

by Manik Miazee

Interim Government's first DC conference: What new directions are expected?

The first District Commissioners (DC) conference of the interim government holds significant importance in the current administrative context. This conference will involve discussions between the DCs and various ministries, where important directions will be given. In light of the changed political scenario, special policy decisions and administrative directions are expected to emerge from this conference.

12 years gone: Murder trial still incomplete
12 years gone: Murder trial still incomplete

Report

by Hira Talukder

12 years gone: Murder trial still incomplete

The Rana Plaza collapse in Savar remains the deadliest industrial disaster in Bangladesh’s history. On April 24, 2013, the eight-story commercial building crumbled, killing 1,136 people and shocking the entire world. Yet, more than a decade later, the murder trial stemming from the tragedy has yet to be completed even at the trial court level. The long judicial process—which still has to go through the High Court and potentially the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court after a trial court verdict—is prolonging the agony for victims and their families.

12 years since Rana Plaza collapse: Workers' living standards haven't improved
12 years since Rana Plaza collapse: Workers' living standards haven't improved

Report

by Kamrul Hasan

12 years since Rana Plaza collapse: Workers' living standards haven't improved

The collapse of Rana Plaza in Savar killed over a thousand garment workers on April 24, 2013, leading to both domestic and international pressure that began to change the overall environment of the sector. A decade after one of the deadliest tragedies in history, labor leaders say that significant improvements have been made in factory safety and that minimum wages have increased, although not enough. However, there has been little real change in the quality of life for the workers.

International

India suspends Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, shuts Attari border

India suspends Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, shuts Attari border

India suspends Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, shuts Attari border

In the wake of the terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left 26 tourists dead, Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — a key water-sharing agreement brokered in 1960 — until Pakistan acts decisively against cross-border terrorism.

Adil of Pahalgam shot dead while trying to snatch rifle from militants to save tourists

Adil of Pahalgam shot dead while trying to snatch rifle from militants to save tourists

Adil of Pahalgam shot dead while trying to snatch rifle from militants to save tourists

In a horrific militant attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, at least 26 people, including two Nepali nationals, were killed, and 10 others were injured. The deceased include residents from West Bengal, Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.

Industry

National

Economics

Art and Culture

Protests erupt over demolition of poet Rafiq Azad's Dhanmondi residence

Protests erupt over demolition of poet Rafiq Azad's Dhanmondi residence

poet Rafiq Azad

The house located at 139/4A, Road No. 1 in Dhanmondi (western side) is situated on approximately 5 kathas of land. According to sources, the one-story house was temporarily allotted in the name of poet Dilara Hafiz by the ‘Estate Office’ in 1988. At the time, Dilara Hafiz was serving as a lecturer at Eden College.

Soumitra Dev: Demise of timely voice of protest

Soumitra Dev: Demise of timely voice of protest

Soumitra Dev: Demise of timely  voice of protest

a shadow of sorrow fell over social media, especially Facebook, as news spread of the poet’s passing at a hospital in Khilgaon on Tuesday morning (April 15). Poet's admirers, writers, and journalists expressed their grief over his death. His friends described the loss as 'sudden' and 'unreliable', flooding the online space with messages of mourning. Many wrote: "A clear-spoken, protest-oriented voice of his time."

Diplomacy

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