Special Content
Hearing delayed for ‘invisible’ reasons, auction of 700 MHz band stuck
The auction of the 700 MHz spectrum band is stuck due to prolonged litigation, preventing the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) from proceeding.
Legal experts on amended ordinance: Mandatory arbitration to increase sufferings of victims
The Legal Aid (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 came into effect on July 1. Under this amendment, the interim government has made arbitration (mediation) mandatory for resolving disputes under five civil and four criminal laws—nine in total. As a result, no case under these laws can be filed directly in court; instead, the parties must first approach the local Legal Aid Office for mediation.
The one-kidney village
This news is so tragic that one would be shocked just hearing about it—such horrifying things do happen in this world! And that too in Bangladesh! Wars, conflicts, and bloodshed around the world cause human suffering. People die in wars, famines, floods, droughts, and various natural calamities—these too bring tears to human eyes. But if you hear that a village has been identified as a "one-kidney village", not only will you be shocked, you will also begin to question the very state of human civilisation.
How are AL leaders spending time in prison?
From positions of political power to the isolation of prison cells—it’s a dramatic shift of fate. Once influential figures shaping key decisions in national politics, several top Awami League leaders now find themselves confined within the walls of Kashimpur Central Jail. Among 26 VIP inmates held there, a number are prominent Awami League politicians whose past affluence and current solitude form a striking contrast.
Nurjahan Mosque: 300 years without a single call to prayer
As the sun leans westward and prepares to set, marking the beginning of Maghrib prayers, silence blankets the aged structure of the Nurjahan Mosque. No call to prayer echoes from within, no congregants gather to worship. For three hundred years, not once has this mosque resounded with the azan, nor has a single rak’ah of salat been performed within its walls. Built from lime, surki, and burnt bricks, this eerie, silent monument stands as a haunting witness to a forgotten history. Officially known as the Nurjahan Mosque, locals more commonly refer to it as “Nati Bibi’s Mosque.”
Eminent citizens call for govt intervention to eliminate mob violence
It was around 8pm. The city was bustling as usual. Suddenly, a group of young men were seen dragging a teacher away and beating him. After some time, when the teacher asked for water, a bottle was handed to him. But instead of being allowed to drink, the water was poured over his head.
The way the fiber bank will operate
A new initiative has been launched to create a fiber bank based on the country’s optical fiber network infrastructure. The fiber bank will function as a soft consortium, allowing stakeholders to lease fiber capacity competitively based on location and demand, with revenue shared among participants.
Mandatory arbitration clause for dowry, injury raises concern among legal experts
Previously, cases of abuse related to dowry were adjudicated in the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal. However, through the promulgation of the Women and Children Repression Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance on 25 March, the jurisdiction was transferred to the Magistrate Court. Now, even that has been changed to allow for resolution through arbitration or mediation.
Reevaluating agriculture sector and need for an agriculture commission
In recent years, the number of medium and large farmers has been declining, while the number of small farmers has been increasing. This trend has had a negative impact on overall crop production. According to the latest Agricultural Census (2018–19), the number of farms increased by 11.19 percent in 2019 compared to the 2008 census. However, land under the control of large farms decreased by 46.18 percent, while land held by medium farms declined by 36.06 percent. Conversely, small farms have taken control of 32.24 percent more land.
The Russo-American nuclear war and an Oppenheimer
When Rome was burning, Nero was playing the fiddle—there is some doubt about the truth of this proverb. But while nuclear bombs were dancing a dance of destruction in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, US President Harry Truman was smiling in victory. It was so grotesque that he didn’t hesitate for a moment to insult Oppenheimer, the head of their nuclear bomb project.