Report
Northern winds herald winter’s arrival
'With the winter breeze, a dance begins on every branch of the Amlaki tree, the leaves shiver and fall in rhythm.' In the rhythm of this poem by the revered poet Rabindranath Tagore, winter is arriving a little early this year in Bangladesh, the abode of natural beauty. In this land of six seasons, each season appears with its own distinct characteristics.
Fear grips Bogura’s Chak Bhola Kha village
Only a few days ago, the fields of Chak Bhola Kha village in Bogura’s Shibganj upazila echoed with the laughter of children and the chatter of tea-stall gatherings at dusk. Now, the once-lively village lies eerily silent and deserted. Doors and gates are locked, homes abandoned, and many residents are on the run, fleeing to avoid arrest. It all began on the night of October 4.
Banned laser lights in Dhaka's traffic control
Night in the capital, Dhaka. Red and blue lights flash at intersections, the cacophony of car horns never ceases, and the bustle of people spreads even in the darkness. Suddenly, a flash of light shoots towards the eyes—like a bolt of lightning, like the sun's intense glare, yet it is neither. This is a laser light. Defying a clear court ban, these dangerous beams of light are now gleaming in the hands of the capital's traffic police. They momentarily blind vision, halt movement, and endanger countless lives.
Forced headshave, beard shave: Perpetrators, victims and rule of law
A recent uncomfortable trend of forced headshave and beard shave has become a topic of widespread discussion and criticism nationwide. In several viral videos posted on social media platforms, it has been seen that elderly people who are staying in the courtyard of a shrine or begging on the streets are suddenly being caught and their hair and beards are being forcibly cut. Netizens expressed anger and concern over such incidents soon after these scenes spread on social media.
Nation on edge: Major quake looms on Dawki-Madhupur fault
Pressure has been building for about 400 years on the tectonic plates beneath Bangladesh, specifically on the Dawki and Madhupur faults. When this strong pressure is released, the resulting earthquake could reach a magnitude of 8 on the Richter scale. This would cause extensive damage to central, northern, and north-eastern regions of Bangladesh, including Dhaka. The number of casualties would surpass all previous records. This information was revealed in a research paper published in June of this year by the geology department of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, USA.
BNP finds itself isolated in politics!
In the country's political arena, despite once being at the doorstep of power, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) now finds itself largely isolated. Leadership instability, the failure of sustained movements, the disintegration of alliance politics, and a marginal position on the international stage—all these factors have left the party effectively cornered. This isolation has become even more pronounced in the post-coup reality following August 5, 2024.
Banks failing to comply with CSR distribution rules
Banks in Bangladesh are failing to comply with regulatory guidelines in distributing funds under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, with the majority of spending diverted to unspecified sectors, a recent Bangladesh Bank report reveals.
Draft NHRC ordinance to boost commission's power, independence
Amendments are being brought to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act-2009. These changes aim to empower the NHRC, which has been operating with limited power and independence, by enhancing its own authority and ensuring unhindered freedom in its work to guarantee the protection and development of human rights. Furthermore, the amendments mandate that the appointment of its Chairman and members must be done through a transparent, open, and competitive process. After the Law Commission's recommendations, the amendment is currently with the Ministry of Law for vetting. The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law has confirmed this information.
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.