Author: News Desk

Suhrawardy Udyan or Manik Mia Avenue—where are you heading to listen to music today? On this public holiday, two major open-access concerts are set to take place in Dhaka. These grand musical events have been organized to mark the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising and to celebrate the spirit of freedom and democracy. Monsoon Cultural Alliance has organized a concert titled Borsha Biplob er Gan (Songs of the Monsoon Revolution) at Manik Mia Avenue, adjacent to the South Plaza of the National Parliament. Top national bands including Artcell, Shironamhin, Ark, Avoid Rafa, Kureghor, and Nahid & Musicians will…

The long-awaited Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Bangladesh and South Korea has been officially finalized. Following a year of intensive negotiations, this landmark joint declaration was announced on Tuesday. The Ministry of Commerce confirmed that the agreement will officially take effect once the necessary legal and institutional approval procedures are completed. Upon implementation, 8,428 Bangladeshi products will gain immediate duty-free access to the South Korean market from day one. In return, South Korea will enjoy similar access for 1,054 products in the Bangladeshi market. Overall, 97 percent of Bangladeshi goods and services will receive preferential treatment in South Korea,…

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has clarified the reason behind not renewing the contract of Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat, a prominent figure in Bangladeshi umpiring and a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. The country’s cricket governing body officially clarified the matter in a press release on Tuesday. The BCB’s central contract with the ICC Elite Panel umpire expired this past April, after which the board decided not to enter into a new contract. However, the BCB explicitly stated that performance issues or disciplinary actions played no role in this decision. According to the BCB’s statement, Sharfuddoula was…

The Malaysia national cricket team is set to arrive in Bangladesh tomorrow to play a bilateral series consisting of two T20s and three 50-over matches. However, instead of the senior national team, the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) High Performance (HP) unit will face the ICC associate member nation. The BCB officially announced a 15-member HP squad today for the upcoming T20 series. SM Meherob Hasan will captain the HP team. Among the 15 players selected, 5 possess international match experience. The most experienced figure in the squad is 34-year-old all-rounder Sabbir Rahman, who has represented the national side in 48…

Young Bangladeshi pace sensation Nahid Rana has returned home from Perth, Australia, following medical consultations and comprehensive health examinations. However, his detailed scan reports and the physician’s evaluation have yet to reach the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Nahid Rana had been suffering from a side strain alongside severe pain in his shinbone. To pinpoint the exact cause of his discomfort, the BCB medical team sent him to Perth to consult Dr. Dror Maor, a renowned sports orthopedic surgeon. According to BCB sources, his scan results are expected shortly, after which his subsequent rehabilitation roadmap will be finalized. Experienced national pacer…

Oil prices fell sharply in the international market following optimism that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz could soon reopen for maritime traffic. On Tuesday (August 4), right after encouraging remarks from US officials, the international benchmark Brent crude dropped nearly 5 percent to fall below $80 per barrel, marking its lowest level in three weeks, BBC reported. On the same day, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude in the United States also fell by over 5 percent to settle at $76 per barrel. This downward trend brought both major crude benchmarks to their lowest levels since July 13. US Secretary…

India has officially clarified that the Indian government has no involvement or connection with any program attended by Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi. Furthermore, it was stated that New Delhi does not endorse any comments or opinions expressed at the event. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), confirmed this during a regular press briefing on Tuesday (August 4) in response to a query from journalists. Randhir Jaiswal stated, “The event in question is organized entirely by a private media organization. The Government of India has no involvement or association with it. Moreover,…

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that an agreement could be reached with Iran by Wednesday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. He expressed hope that the deal would significantly ease the ongoing extreme volatility in global energy markets. In an interview with media outlet CNBC, the US Treasury Secretary said, “We are talking to the Iranians. And I think we could reach an agreement to open Hormuz today or tomorrow. Through this, the conflict will also move toward a stable situation.” Maritime traffic through this strategically crucial strait has been…

Today is the historic 5th of August. Exactly two years ago on this day in 2024, an unprecedented mass uprising led by students and the public brought an end to the 16-year rule of the Awami League government. In the face of intense public protest, the then head of government along with several influential figures fled the country. Following a 36-day movement marked by conflict and the tragic sacrifice of over a thousand martyrs, a new chapter unfolded in the political history of Bangladesh. What began as the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement advocating for quota reforms rapidly transformed into a historic…

Eric Geelan, Political and Economic Counselor at the US Embassy in Bangladesh, met with Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, for a courtesy call and bilateral meeting on Tuesday (August 4). The meeting was held at the Minister’s office inside the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources at the Secretariat. Joseph Boski, Economic Officer at the US Embassy, was also present as part of the delegation. The discussion centered on expanding cooperation in the energy sector between Bangladesh and the United States, particularly increasing collaboration in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and LPG sectors, as well…