IP TV and Online News Portals to Come Under New Policy: State Minister
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury said, “The country’s IP TV and online portals will be brought under a policy framework. We have discussed these matters with the Prime Minister.”
International Rights Group Slams ‘Direct Assault’ on Independence of Judiciary
Paris-based international human rights organization Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has strongly condemned the alleged “misconduct” by BNP-aligned lawyers at the Barishal Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court centering on the bail of Awami League leaders. The organization described the incident as a “direct attack” on democracy, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary.
Schoolgirl Stabbed to Death Outside Her Residence
Schoolgirl Shahriar Sharmin Binti was hacked to death in the Rayerbazar area of the capital. Hazaribagh Police Station suspects that a young man killed her over a romantic relationship. Police are searching for the young man. The incident occurred around 10:00 pm on Wednesday in an alley of the area.
ASK Voices Concern Over Police Order to Re-Arrest Awami League Leaders
The directive to take action “as deemed appropriate” against leaders and activists of a political party whose activities have been banned, and the instruction to show individuals released on bail as re-arrested under “shown arrest” or in other cases, are contrary to the rule of law, according to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK). The organization has expressed deep concern over such instructions.
Potato Farmers Face Fresh Losses as Prices Crash Again
Potato farmers across northern districts are once again counting heavy losses as market prices plunge below production costs, deepening a crisis that began last season.
Visa Services Restarted by Bangladesh, India Yet to Decide
India’s tourist visa services for Bangladeshis have remained suspended for the past 18 months due to strained relations during the interim government period. Other visa categories are being issued on a limited scale from only five Indian Visa Application Centers (IVACs) Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna out of 16 across the country. Medical, double-entry, and business visas are currently available in limited numbers.
Massive Cost Overrun: Tk 79,834 Crore Added to 65 Projects
During the one-and-a-half-year tenure of the interim government, the cost of 65 development projects was increased by Tk 79,834 crore, which many economists consider the result of “wasteful” and questionable re-evaluations. The initial combined cost of these projects was Tk 2,24,000 crore; after revision, the expenditure increased by 35.67 percent to Tk 3,04,000 crore.
Death Toll Rises to 5 in Chattogram Gas Explosion
Another member of the family injured in the devastating gas explosion in Halishahar, Chattogram, has died. The head of the household, Sakhawat Hossain, died on Wednesday morning while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. One hundred percent of his body had been burned. With his death, the number of fatalities from the same family has risen to five.
Order Issued to Re-Arrest Awami League Leaders After Bail
Rajshahi Range DIG Mohammad Shahjahan has instructed that if any leaders and activists of organizations whose activities have been banned are granted bail by the court, they must be shown arrested again in other cases. In a letter signed by the DIG on Tuesday (24 February), police superintendents of eight districts under the range were directed to implement this instruction.
35 Eminent Citizens Call for Reassignment of CHT Affairs State Minister
Thirty-five distinguished citizens of the Chittagong Hill Tracts have issued a joint statement protesting the appointment of Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin as State Minister of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and demanding that he be reassigned to another ministry.